DEAR MRS. WASHINGTON: It was with a feeling of personal
loss that I read this morning of the death of Dr.
Washington. I have always admired his courage and wonderful
ability, and his passing at this time brings a double
sorrow, for in this morning's mail I received a copy of the
_Tuskegee Student_ containing my letter and appeal to Dr.
Washington. I wish it had been possible for me to have
thanked him for what he has done, but I am sure that the
Heavenly Father will bless this and the many other good
works with which he was connected.

I desire you to know how much I appreciate the kindness of
Dr. Washington and how highly I esteemed him. Please accept
my deep sympathy and believe me,

Very sincerely yours,

[Signed] HELENA PADEREWSKI.

Although apparently indifferent to the treatment he received from
those about him Booker Washington was in reality, as has been said,
unusually sensitive. No matter what his engagements he always insisted
upon being at home with his wife and children on Thanksgiving Day and
on Christmas. One Christmas, about ten years ago, it so happened that
no Christmas presents were provided for him. The children gave
presents to one another and to their mother and she to them, but
through oversight there were no presents for Mr. Washington. Mrs.
Washington says that after the presents had been opened her husband
drew her aside and said in broken tones: "Maggie, they've not given me
a single Christmas present!" From then on Mrs. Washington saw to it
that the children remembered their father at Christmas.

In Birmingham, Ala., about three years before his death, he and his
secretary entered an office building one day to call on one of the
Tuskegee Trustees whose office was on the top floor. When they looked
for an elevator they were referred by the hall man to the elevator for
colored people. On this elevator was a sign reading, "For Negroes and
Freight." His secretary expected him to comment on this, but he said
nothing and seemed hardly to notice it. That evening, in addressing
a great audience of both races in one of the big theatres of the city,
he was urging the Negroes to look upon their Southern white neighbors
as their friends and to turn to them for advice when he said very
slowly and distinctly: "I visited, this morning, a building which had
on the elevator for colored people a sign reading, 'For Negroes and
Freight