[p. 101] marched in at the Mott's back gate and out at the front, in order to pass directly by the house. Once, as they were heard approaching, Mrs. Mott ran quickly to the cake box, emptied its contents into her apron, and then, standing at the end of the piazza, as the men filed along handed each a cookie, until the supply was exhausted.
For several years she was in the way of sending each of the employees of the railroad that passed near their home a small box of candy at Christmas time–once amounting to over fifty boxes—as a slight acknowledgment of their kindness in helping her in and out of the cars, and for various small courtesies received. The following note was sent her on her eighty-sixth birthday:—
The War of the Rebellion brought peace within the borders of the Quaker communion. Those who had violently opposed the abolition movement began to think that they had always been in favor of emancipation, and greeted its advocates as brothers beloved. James and Lucretia Mott were again received as honored members of the Society of Friends, a most pleasant change to them; but public work was beginning to be a dread to Mrs. Mott, whose health was far from satisfactory. Her husband's death, in 1868, caused a serious illness, from which she slowly recovered. With great effort she contrived to be present at the Free Religious Association in Boston. This was a movement with which she deeply sympathized, almost as much as with the cause of peace, and she attended the annual meetings of both associations as long as she was able; but with these exceptions she went less and less into public assemblies. Her home
