Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/147

Rh earnest piety. She started the first Sunday school in New York, early in the present century, by gathering together into her room poor little street waifs, black and white, for she had no color prejudice. Hers was also the first Children’s Aid Society. She picked up from the streets at different times forty-eight orphan or destitute children, fed and clothed and educated them to the best of her ability with the aid of the public schools, until she could find suitable homes for them, or else herself trained them to a useful womanhood or manhood. It is said that every one of these children turned out well. Of this faithful negro woman it may be said truly, “She hath done what she could.”

Mr. and Mrs. Carter frequently visited her in her home and helped her in her work. One day when she was nearly eighty years of age she called to see Mrs. Carter, and seemed greatly exhausted with her long walk from her down-town home. When she was leaving, Mrs. Carter said, “Don't think of walking home, Katy, here is money for your stage fare.” “Why, Mrs. Carter, they wouldn’t let a colored woman ride in an omnibus.”

A very few weeks later she entered into her eternal rest. Doubtless the poor old negro woman, who had been grudged a welcome by some professing Christians into the church below, and had trudged with weary steps along earth’s highways, was carried by angels to the pearly gates and had an abundant entrance ministered unto her into the light and glory above. There would be no stay in the Master’s step to meet her, and His “Well done, good and faithful servant!” was as full and hearty to her as to many whom the church has honored as its noblest and best.

In a letter from Mr. Carter to his family, written from Charleston, he makes mention of another old