The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1912-08-07
HER|CE CREAM
CHARITY TOO SWEET
FOR EAST S|DERS
Mrs. Roberts of Riverside Drive
Abruptly Leaves Chrystie
Street Building.

Because. IL In said, she wac criticised
for what was called her peanut and
ice-cream philanthropy" Mrs Theodore
Roberts. at one time q wealthy resi-
dent Of Riverside Drive. who gave up
her beautiful home to enter the Barat
mission house on Chrystie street, alb
ruptly left the mission last evening.
The criticism. Il was asserted, came
from othor workers who say she had
been spelling the youngsters by "too
much sweetness" Mrs. Roberts. how
ever, declares she has not abandoned
her work, but will set up shop inds-
pendently In the same district.
Under the guidance OF the Children
OF Mary" Catholic society. Mrs. Rob
erts decided a short time ago to carry
out a missionary plan of her own. Upon
investigation she says she learned that
the Italian children live with but one
idea. and that Is to reach the age of
fourteen, obtain their working papers
and go to work In the sweat shops. Be-
lieving that great injustice Is done this
happy race, she moved all her furniture
&c No 223 Chrystie street. and trans
formed the house into a fashionable
living apartment. She set about finding
twelve little girls and devoted her time
and her income toward making them
useful citizens and giving them a bright
outlook on the future.
1t was her ambition to educate the
children In tho duties OF domestic SER
wants so that when they grew older
they could be employed In the homes
OF the wealthy. And now Mrs. Roberts
has gone away. Her apostles do not
know where, and SO there 10 much
weeping and wailing on Chrystie street.
Before she went away, however. she
promised the twelve little girls that she
would return, but would rent an apart.
ment OF her own. where she could. UNI.
molested. teach the children.
II simply had to leave" Mrs. Roberts
told an Evening World reporter. II
have felt the undercurrent OF disap-
prevail for quite some time now. and
realized that the Children OF Mary
were not satisfied with my way OF con-
Quoting affairs. Although I never heard
any open comments. words were passed
which proved that they believed I was
not doing the right thing. II appears
that was giving the children too good
a time-these little children who seldom
II ever have any Joy in their little lives.
III q frolic over a wash tub. or Q
stew cooked In a fireless cooker 10 too
much pleasure, we'll. then. I would hate
to think OF the sorrow.
Father William II. Walsh, the rector
Of the Church OF Our Larry OF Loretto.
on Elizabeth street. under whose aus.
pices the home was run. sent a repre-.
sentative around to me. He was told
to learn for himself just what I did
with the children all day. He STAYED
with me nearly six hours. and when ne
left he said he heartily approved OF
my plans and complimented me on the
conduct OF the children.
THE Children of Mary never came
to see me. so how could they fudge
what was going on7 will admit we
made Ice cream once in a while. but
when We did the children earned II.
They never received . pleasure that
wasn't reward for something they
had done. When We visited the Cathe-
dral ] always explained the story of
each painting on the walls. and tried
to make the children conversant with
the Biblical characters. Yet. 1 was
told ! did not teach the children their
religion. 1t is claimed that other mis-
sions are taking away the children.
II our mission houses were run on the
same plan as others we would have a
larger attendance. There should be
some attraction for the children.
However. I am done. have left
now and ! will not return. do not
intend to allow this slight misunder-
standing to alter my plans. I intend to
carry out my missionary work again.
but I will be my own mistress"