The Minneapolis journal., 1904-03-12

:
he 2" II don't see what harm he would do"
But Hal firm.
Let colored boy where mothers
wanted to and weren't let Not much' But seeing the
boys real disappointment he added kindly I'm sorry
little chap perhaps some day you to meet
ng!" And Alice patted him the head, adding:
And I'll go to see you very soon. Tell me where you
live
Down Thompson's lane in de little red house,
Moses voice was almost sulky but Alice appeared not
to notice 1t.
ooh, yes," she said. cheerily, II know Well you
will see me there Good-by!" And off she
Hal went toward the house, leaving Nose turning
around and around in the dusty road
and looking very wstful
The Griffths had brought up on SHAKESPEARE,
and in their home his characters We're just much
real persons Washington Mary Queen Scots,
the Old Testament heroes. ALI four children
had decided taste for acting, when they were
scarcely old enough understand the meaning of the
words they repeating, would gather garret
and thru whole from the SHAKESPEARE plays,
dressed in costumes by interested
By degrees they inspired their friends like in
terest and the natural result SHAKESPEARE club,
Hal, being the senior member, president, with
Mary Watkins for secretary while among
members the Myers boys, George :and Harry,
who always wanted to take funny parts; Mary
shy Eselle Hardy Eliot Graves; very digned fellow,
who loved tragic roles and as Hamlet the
the group; Ralph and Edith sewa, next-door neigh
bors OF the Grfhhs sweet little Mabel Wright and the
other three Griffths Amy, Walter, Alice; the
really unusually good little actress in whatever
she took. .ss~.=a. 5.zsS s.4 - @.:s
Promptly at eight o'clock the anniversary even
they marched into the where the
terms threw fantastic into the
the hay They filed in by two, president
ing brilliant in his gown of scarlet and white. Sol
emny he mounted his seat while others arranged
themselves in the row of boxes Then with rap of
his baton the meeting to The secretary
called the roll and read the report of the last meeting
after which she announced thatthere would be
by the president who slowly, adjusted
his gown, cleared his throat and began:
Ladies and gentlemen fellow members with me in
the greatest living troupe of shakesperean
applause) gathered here celebrate birth
o1,,h
three hours to be strictly Since then,
and may say it modestly, we have become famous.
We have never missed regular meeting, have allowed
other pleasures interfere with work.
have done all in to interest others in
great master and his work. We have acted parts
many plays thus adding to the intelligence of
the community, and from association in charmed
circle inmacies have been brought about. which
would have seemed impossible. For instance shylock
and Queen Katharine often to be found studying
algebra from the book Portia Julius
enjoy frequent bicycle rides together, while Cardinal
Wolsey and Cleopatra bosom friends daughter
and applause) This state of harmony good
ship dear friends, not brought about in
Shakespere's time when these characters had
affinity whatever So without conceit render
where is due be proud of ourselves
(Applause cries of Hear! Hearty Hal con-
tinued with flourish of his decorated Now,
friends We have glorious page of history behind US
let go from glory unto greater glory and make the
year add not only to fame but to that of
great honorary member, William SHAKESPEARE. Three
cheers for him, friends! One two, three-now!''
the rafters and big barn
echoed prolonged cheers; after which Hal announced
that the meeting was open FOR discussion as to what
play should be given for grand public ending of the
He sat down, and Eliot Graves suggested
giving Julius Caesar.
"Oh, no. Alice said quickly Lets have Romeo;
that is simply lovely to act
Il think the0Merchant of Venice would much
better said Edith Sewall, but Hal shook his head.
There too characters in it;
ter there in all of the plays"
II tell you what broke in George eagerly, why
not have parts of several plays? That will
give US each chance to shine in our crack
role, and won't be half hard, for
take just act, scene choose"