The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1922-10-13
RED CROSS REPORT FOR
SEPTEMBER.

The rural comedy GOSSIP" which
was staged at the Colonial Theatre,
Sept. and 7, under the auspices of
the Red Cross and produced under
the personal direction of Mr. Neil A
Benzie was decided success.
The play was laid in the typically
small country town. The new and at
tractive school teacher comes quietly
into their midst and is soon greatly
beloved by her scholars.
Events run smoothly for short
time when the village gossips never
confined to any one race or gender,
unable to- learn Who she was; What
she did before she came, or What she
intended to do became desperate with
curiosity and as usual in small
community, Marjorie's past, present
and future were plainly and substan-
TALLY mapped out entirely unknown
to her, and as usual as near the true
circumstances as the east is from the
west.
Because of i'll reports circulated
and personally conducted by the Par
sons housekeeper, who will never
see SIS again, Marjorie's boarding mis-
tress turns her out and no one will
accept her into their homes. Susie
Green, devoted pupil, goes to her
beloved pastor with her indignant
and pitiful story. Result: the young
pastor allows her to come to the par.
sonage to board; the bachelor
housekeeper declines to remain.
Susie is engaged in her place.
The little old school Superintendent
as small in mind as in stature, bouy-
ed up by Samantha, visit the parson,
who presents his resignation, for be
and Marjorie are to take bridal
tour
At this time the burglar, and ex-
convict, with whom the parsons
brother (who has squandered his
property inherited from his father,)
has been in an illegal business deal,
enters the house in time to meet his
wife, who supposed him dead. Learn
ing that she is to- marry the parson
he discloses her identity. = = II
Later during a conversation Majorie
learns from the Pastor that he will
never marry a divorced woman while
her husband is alive, their paths are
to separate; both playing strong
and courageous part. However, Fate
is kind; the ex-convict shows sense
of goodness in that he exonerates
Marjorie before his death, the super
intendent and Samantha become en-
gagged; the pastor and Marjorie are
to be married and Give happy ever
after"
So well were the parts taken that
we revered the pastor; adored the
delicate Marjorie; felt disgust for the
Supt. and pastors brother, and repul-
sion for the ex-convict; had no patti
ence with the old maid; admiration
for Susie. For wasted lot of SYM
pathy on lobe, the village cut-up he
wasn't so big fool as he appeared
with his red-headed pate, bashful
mein and leather boots;-he had
reached that interesting age when a
boys voice is at it's best falsetto He
had a habit of always appearing when
he wasn't wanted, but he proved to be
a natural student of human nature;
affectionate and often passed out
gratis, burned good advice if it does
come from me-"
SdSJ Was do IOllOWSs IL cho IOl v mag
Church, Mr. Benzie; School teacher,
Miss Mary Powers; Samantha, Miss
Henrietta Murphy; Susie, Miss Ruth
Kenyon; Brother, John M Stillwell;
Pres. School Board, Earl Ellis; Ex-
convict, Walter Richardson; red
headed lobe, Clement Kinghorn.
The speciality acts given by Mr.
Benzie in connection with the chorus
of 80 dancing girls was splendidly
received as they appeared in the
several numbers. The girls were es-
pecially attractive in April Showers,
as their gowns lent a rainbow effect
to the scene while their happy faces
radiated the sentiment which is
worth while putting into practice
Life is not a highway strewn with
flowers,
Still it holds a goodly share of bliss;
When the sun gives way to April
showers,
Here's the point that you should never
miss
Tho April showers may come your way,
They bring the flowers that bloom in
May,
Because it isn't raining rain,
OTIS raining violets,
So keep on looking for a bluebird
And listening for his song."-
The chorus of 25 boys with Mr.
Benzie as specialist in clog dancing
was a decided hit. The spirit of
comradship existing between boys
and teacher was plainly noticeable.
The net proceeds was SGT 90.
The Red Cross branch extends its
thanks to committees, to the adver-
tisers, to Earle Ellis of Wilder who
so splendidly gave his services, and
to everyone who assisted in the pro-
duction. Mr. Benzie proved himself
a pleasant and able director in theat-
rical and business lines.