The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-28

walk ends in warm. sleepy sitting
room. which is inviting in its comfort.
Old-fashoncd cushioned rocking chairs,
lounge with bright colored Afghans
upon it. and a great waterfall OF Wan
derinS Jew In the window all breathe
of the quaint home-likeness of quar-
ter century ago. Miss Barton fits into
1t like a picture into it's frame, and a
chat with her there is tho sort of ex-
perience that finds one coming away
smiling little.
Mentally Keen at Eighty.
The winter months. when the vir-
gina hills opposite her study windows
are forlornly bare, Miss Barton spends
writing and reading. In spite Of her
eighty-o years, she IS mentally keen
and interested In all the events of the
day. and she keeps up with current ar
fairs to an amazing degree. Now and
then articles from her pen are sought
by various publications, and it is hint
ed, too, that she Is busily preparing
volume of recollections. which shall
an autobiography. Miss Barton has for
years been urged to write such a book,
and since her connection with all pub
lie affairs was severed, some two or
three years ago, she has been giving
more and more time and attention to
her personal writings
Her habits while thus at work are
curiously erratic. She is up carly in
the morning. and often by daybreak
tho scratch Of her pen may be heard
in her study During tho day she often
takes little maps, resuming her writing
with fresh VIM and frequently she Will
lie down from s or 8 o'clock In the
evening until 10 or II. rising then
busily until 1 or o'clock In the morn
to so vigorously to work and wrjto
ing. One OF her most faithful com
panions states that frequently when
she has had some difficult piece of
writing to be done, she would go to the
kitchen and work energetically with
her her hands, at canning or ironing
or some domestic task--all the while
revolving her subject and its arrange
ment in her thoughts. Then suddenly
she would go to her room, take up her
pen and write her article with scarcely
the change of word She insisted
that her thoughts came much more
clearly and smoothly when her hands
were occupied.
Goes North for Summer.
During the summer months Miss
Barton generally goes to her old home,
the little town OF oxford. Mass, where
relatives still live. She Is dearly loved
and reserenced there, and is usually
the patron saint of the young men ana
maids of tho graduating classes. She
has an' unfailing interest in
young people and enters into their
hIIlblti'hS anu libuDicS Wltu. real
sympathy Another OF her great
pleasures IS the annual reunion
OF the G.. A. r., where she Is |
always a beloved and honorcd figure. |
Tho old boys" have never forgotten |
tho heroism and courage with which |
she went among them, helping to save |
their lives, and here at least there
goes out to her a gratitude which |
never forgets nor takes for granted |
the great work she has accomplished
During tho last summer or two Miss
Barton's secluded home at Glen Echo |
has been invaded by an amusement |
park, the adjacent grounds of defunct |
Chautauqua having been metamor-
of hurdy- gurdies, scenic railways and i
loop the-loops, Indeed, as the ground |
upon which Miss Barton's house stands |
is owned by the corporation managing |
the park, n stretch of tho mimic rail- |
way actually crosses her lawn. 1t is |
evidence of the remarkable equanimity |
OF this aged but serene woman that |
the din and the aspect OF this place
disturbs her not at all She proceeds.I
calmly with her quiet life indoors and |
WALKS now and then in her garden, in
toni upon the flowers and vegetables
there ana apparently obllvious to tho
stir OF modern life which huzzcs at her
vcry doorstep
II shall ba.away from 1t most of the
summer, am ! dare say the Young
folks are ve'y happy there" she says,
Misc Bnrton'e comfort in Ohio, NM,