Page:Representative Women of New England.djvu/592

Rh by the same house, uses much of her work, and the editor has recently given into her charge the page of music, which appears more or less regularly, and to which she contributes origi- nal rote and motion songs.

A quatrain which appeared some time ago in the Teachers^ World with other verses, has been used as a memory gem in many schools, and has proven to be a favorite with hundreds of little pupils. Mrs. Perkins has heard many pleasant words regarding it. It reads: —

When the beautiful stars peep out one by one, As I look far up and away, How sweet to be able to whisper to God,
 * I'Ye made some one happy to-day!"

Her work for the Sviiurhan Has brought this writer into considerable local prominence, the series of illustrated articles on "The Pipe Oi^an in Suburban Homes" having attracted much favorable notice. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins are enthusiastic camera workers, especially delighting in interior work, which takes so much time and care, but is so much appreciated. The Suburban has used a considerable amount of their work in this line. In fact, for the Suburban Mrs. Perkins is at present doing much of her literary work. Besides the illus- trated work her stories and songs appear from time to time in that periodical.

Stories for the children's page of YouMs Companion^ Our Little Ones, the Well-spring, and other periodicals, have recently appeared. Through Mrs. Bemis, editor of the Normal Instructor, New York, Mrs. Perkins was some time ago put into touch with Dr. Mary Wood Allen, of the American Mother, to which maga- zine she is now a contributor of sketches, juvenile stories, and articles on the training of children from the mother-teacher point of view. Mrs. Perkins is a member of the New England Woman's Press Association, and of the Kosmos Club of Wakefield.

She expresses sincere appreciation of the inspiration of the work of Professor S. Henry Hadley, supervisor of music of Somerville, and Dr. Daniel B. Hagar, of Salem Normal School, with regard to the fostering of her musical tastes. Professor George F. Wilson, supervisor of music in Wakefield and Beverly schools, uses verse written by Mrs. Perkins for his songs for different grades, requesting it as needed.

As a member of the Congregational Church' of Lynnfield Centre, Mrs. Perkins finds oppor- tunity for religious work, having a class of young ladies in the Bible school and serving as clerk of the church, besides assisting in the music on Sundays.

Mrs. Perkins wishes to pay a tribute to the ever-helpful influence of one of the sweetest mothers in the world and a husband who de- lights in and fosters any good work she may do for the home, and others as well.

E JOSEPHINE COLLINS BEEMAN, teacher of ielocution and public reader, , was born in Cambridgeport (a part of Cambridge), Mass., November 17, 1874, being the youngest of the four children of P. D. Collins and his wife, Anna (Murray) Collins. On the maternal side she is a de- scendant of .John and Mary Murray, farmers, of Canton, Mass., the latter of whom was noted in that locality as an herb doctor, being very successful in healing the sick. One of her remedies is still in use.

Mrs. Beeman obtained her education in the public schools of Cambridge and Hyde Park, Mass. While still in school she studied dress- making, which she began to teach at the age of sixteen. Pojssessing strong artistic instincts, she was not contented to remain at this occu- pation, but in 1893-94 taught a public school in Western Massachusetts, having previously become a student at the New England Con- servatory of Music. Later, at the age of twenty- one, she entered the Emerson School of Oratory. Graduating with honors from that institntion after the usual course, she accepted a position there as teacher of music, physical culture, and elocution, which she held for several years. She has since introduced physical culture and oratory into the public schools in the vicinity of Boston, devoting a great part of her time to the instruction of teachers in this work, with the approbation of the school authorities. Her labors in this direction have also included