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CHAPTER V

PERSONALITY AND LAST DAYS

Beside Mrs. Colby's literary attainments and her wonderful capabilities for work, she was in private life a most genial and helpful friend to all who came in her way. Hospitality was one of her distinguishing characteristics. Many people today remember with pleasure the social gatherings, the four o'clock teas, and the evening lectures which they enjoyed at Mrs. Colby's home on Fourteenth Street in Washington. It was her custom whenever she made acquaintance with any interesting speaker from abroad, anyone who had a message to give, no matter on what subject, to arrange a lecture in her parlor inviting such personal friends as were likely to be interested in the subject proposed. She was as hospitable in her thought as in her home. She did not ask the political or religious creed, or nationality, or race, of the speaker. She asked only whether he had a message.

Mrs. Carrie Harrison, her friend of the Press Club, says in a recent letter to the editor of this book, "In 1897 I lived in Mrs. Colby's house and saw something of her capacity for work. No matter what she had

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