stars, 
NORTH SHORE BREEZE 
Manchester Woman’s Club 
Mrs. Rachel Noah France address- 
ed the members of the Manchester 
Woman’s club last ‘Tuesday afternoon 
with reminiscences of her thirty years 
of stage life. 
She said in part: “In 1808 when 
river stean-boats were just being put 
into operation my mother, then very 
young, had the idea that she was tal- 
ented for stage work. A Mr. Lud- 
low noticed her talent about this 
time, and he placed my mother in a 
drama called “Margaret, No Song, 
No Supper.” Soon after this she be- 
came acquainted with one of the lead- 
ing men and married him, his name 
being Frank McCloud. They soon 
after moved to Mobile, Ala. At 
amout this time there were but few 
among the number Booth. 
His work was marvelous and he play- 
ed with Mr, McCloud until 1844. 
“At about this time I was ten years 
of age and thought I would like to 
study to be a teacher. Later in 1861 
I went to Rochester, N. Y., to prepare 
myself for what | thought was my 
calling, but I did not like the work, 
so changed my mind, and thought I 
would like to go on the stage. This 
I did, my work at first making me 
very unhappy. It was simply through 
nervousness and the first part I play- 
ed, which was, ‘Desdemona’ in 
‘Othello’ I expected to fail. The night 
arirved and I went about my work 
as though I had done it many times 
before. I succeeded; | could not have 
done better. My parents were very 
much pleased with my work and they 
gave me a great deal of encourage- 
ment. 
“In these days there were no flor- 
ists; all the flowers we ever had were 
wax and they were very scarce. My 
second engagement was as ‘Lady 
Ann’ in ‘Richard III,’ at salary of 
$q per week. There was always 
plenty of work to be done. Plans 
were changed often, and this made 
our work very hard. Most of our 
work was done in what is known in 
stage life as the ‘green room.’ Now, 
the green room is much misunderstood 
by those off the stage. No outsiders 
are ever admitted behind the scenes 
except on special occasions. A few 
of the men I remember ever coming 
into the green room were Charles 
Dickins and Henry Longfellow. 
We often had to study well in- 
to the night. There were no pink 
teas or social attractions at this time, 
for it required all our time in the 
study of our parts. 
“On our night off we always went 
to see how others did their work. At 
these times the stars did not have 
special stage managers. These days 
the clever vaudeville actors get the 
money, draw the largest crowds, and 
get the greatest applause. In ’63 and 
64 Mr. Fuller was my manager. I 
received a little more money, and 
spent most of this upon my clothing, 
food and shelter. In those day our 
clothing was not like what is used to- 
day, neither was it given to us by the 
management as it sometimes is today. 
In our day the lights were from oil 
lamps and candles. Now they use 
electricity with wonderful effect. 
“In 64 I came to Boston and play- 
ed in the ‘Lady of the Lake’ with 
Agnes Booth and others. The years I 
spent playing in Boston were of great 
enjoyment. The people were warm 
and affectionate. At this time | was 
playing with Thomas Jefferson and 
Edwin Booth at the Boston theatre. 
They were the stars at that time. In 
those days stage life was like camp life, 
but now it is more like life in a pal- 
ace. Things have changed; styles of 
playing have changed somewhat, but 
though the great actors have nearly 
disappeared, the drama_ will never 
change.” 
A quartet consisting of Mrs. Ray- 
mond C. Allen, Mrs. Frank G. 
Cheever, Mrs. F. C. Rand and Mrs. 
A. E. Hersey rendered the “Boatman 
Song’ in a very pleasing manner. 
Tea was served, Mrs. J. A. Lodge 
being the hostess of the afternoon. 
Mrs. JOSEPHINE WIDGER 
Mrs. Josephine Widger, widow of 
James Widger passed away at the 
home of her daughter, Mrs. Jennie 
Dennis, Summer street, Manchester, 
Sunday, at the age of 64 years. She 
had been in poor health since the 
death of her husband last year, but 
the illness was not serious until three 
weeks ago when she had a sinking 
spell which increased until her death. 
She suffered from dropsy. Mrs. 
Widger was favorably known by many 
in town, and her death was somewhat 
of a surprise to them as her serious 
condition was unknown. by many. 
She leaves a daughter, Mrs. Jennie 
Dennis, a grand-daughter, Lydia Den- 
nis. a brother, Granville Crombie, two 
sisters, Mrs. George Andrews and 
Mrs. Frank Merrill and a mother, 
Mrs. Abbie Crombie. 
Emerson and Douglas shoes in win- 
ter weights and styles at Bell’s, Cen- 
tral square store. * 
ANNUAL GUEST NIGHT 
Harmony Guiwp ENTERTAINS. VERY 
PLEASANT OCCASION 
The annual “Guest Night” of Har- 
mony Guild of Manchester was ob- 
served Monday night when the mem- 
bers and guests to the number of 
nearly two hundred filled to over- 
flowing the little Chapel of the Con- 
gregational church where the meet- 
ings of the guild are customarily held. 
An interesting program was given, 
consisting of readings by Miss Lacey 
of Providence and selections by the 
High school orchstra. ’ 
The president of the Guild, Mrs. 
Rayrond C. Allen welcomed the 
gathering on behalf of the members. 
The program presented was as fol- 
lows: 
Selection, ‘‘Apple Blossoms’’ Roberts 
Orchestra 
Reading, ‘‘The Story of the Breeze’’ 
from Maude Adams’ play, ‘‘The 
Jesters.’? 
Miss Lacey 
Selection, ‘‘Battleship Connecticut’’ 
Fulton 
‘*Dance of the Sparrows’’ 
Richmond 
Readizgs, (a) ‘‘Delsart-ee’’ 
(b) **‘Woman’s Wednesday’’ 
(ec) ‘Aux Italiens’’ 
(d) ‘‘The Ninth Waltz’’ 
Pantomime, ‘‘The Girl and the Burglar’’ 
Miss Lacey 
Selection, ‘‘ Dance of the Frowsey Heads’’ 
Story 
Miss Lacey’s readings were well 
rendered. Her imitations in “Wo- 
man’s Wednesday” were true to life 
and were especially well rendered. 
The pantomime was also deserving of 
special mention. The — orchestra, 
which has been heard with much fa- 
,Or on several occasions the past 
winter, played well Monday night’ 
and was deserving of the applause 
which it received. 
Following the program — refresh- 
ments, consisting of chicken _ salad, 
rolls, ice cream, cake and fancy crack- 
ers. and coffee, were served. 
The chapel was attractively decor- 
ated with potted plants, ferns, palms, 
etc. Curtains were arranged at the 
windows, which gave the room a very 
homelike and cozy appearance. 
Letters remaining unclaimed at the 
Manchester P. O. for the week end- 
ing March 15, 1913: Miss Ettia Bren- 
an, Bastian Bros., Rev. A. G. Bros- 
seau, Dr. B. T. Church, Miss Annie 
Gylleubaga, Chas. Hodge, Jr., Miss 
Ellen Jakosban, Joseph C. MacIntyre, 
Mrs. R H. Mitchell, Miss Ninia 
Phelps, The Perfection Supply Co., 
The-Toggery Shop, J. D. Williams & 
Co. Fourth class—Mrs. M. L. Harri- 
gan —S. L. Wheaton, P. M, 
