The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-06-19
Miss Eva Corning Finds an
Example of COntentment
In an Old Negro Nanny on the
East Side.
LEFT ALL ALONE IN THE WORLD
Her House Was Soaked by the
Recent Flood.
Yet She Declines All Offers of
Assistance.

Happiness is a mental condition in
dependent of environment. If one
doubts this statement, read what Miss
Eva Corning, former policewoman,
and at present engaged in welfare
work for the P-ovident Association,
has to say. Suppose you were old
so old you had outlived all your
friends and relatives, and were left
all alone in the world-and lived en-
tirely by yourself in the shackiest
kind of a shack. Would you be
happy?
This is not an essay, but just an ex-
ample set by an old colored woman,
which Miss Corning describes as fol-
lows:
In every city social workers meet
with various phases of human life.
and Topeka has her share of humble
homes and interesting characters.
One most interesting spot in Topeka
is a little shack at the corner of Elev-
enth and Branner streets. It's only oc-
cupant is an old co1ored nanny, the
only survivor of her family.
Grandma Simpson, as she is called,
has made her own improvements on
the small patch of ground. A high
board fence surrounds the little house.
which is put together with boards of
various sizes and where the boards
refused to connect the gaps were
filled in with tin boiler covers, so that
it is very secure; and though L search
ed faithfully for a gate or an entrance,
none could I find
Peering over the top of the high
board fence, 1 called to Auntie that
she had a visitor. She answered the
call from over the board fence and
asked:
who is you, and what does you
want?'
II want to come in and visit with
you,'' 1 replied.
No" she explained, IT'S not fixed
for compny.'' Then she told how the
big rain had flooded the little place
and everything was water soaked.
Declines Offer of Help.
1 told her how glad the Provident
Association would be to help her by
furnishing her with dry bed clothes
and things that she might need. But
she was quite contented with her
worldly goods and pointed with pride
to the clothes she had just washed
which were hanging on the line, and
the sun was so bright they would soon
dry, and also, good neighbor had
just furnished her with mattress.
The ground was well drained and she
had raked it up neat and clean
Again 1 begged for an entrance
into the little home with the. excuse
that I wanted to see what a flooded
home looked like.
well, then" she said. you all
should go down block where some
folks had de foundation swept clean
from under dar house. No. Misses, L
amt fixed 70 company.
Still the lonely old colored woman
was more interested in company than
she realized, and began a friendly
conversation.
She explained that she was "bred
in old Kentucky" and had many rec
objections of the Civil war. my peo-
pies was all soldier folks" she said.
zone son went to the Cuban war,
never to return The old mother
said she never "knowed what became
of him." A few years ago the only
daughter died, but the brave old col
ored nanny has more sunshine in
her soul than many others who have
had less of the sorrows and burdens
of life. Never has she asked for
charity. but is willing to work for the
good white folks
Had Seen Worse in Kentucky.
Some folks thinks this house amt
nice enough, but Is seen worst places
than this. Way down in Kentucky
where I once lived folks lived in
hollow trees" and pointing out to
her little home, her black face shone
bright with pride at the work her
hands had wrought.