Page:Sketches of representative women of New England.djvu/282

Rh laurel and a flag on the grave of the great artist, and, making a donation, asked the man to place a contribution-box upon the walls, with a printed request, inviting visitors to assist in procuring a tardy memorial to the wonderful songstress and noble, pure-hearted woman.

They were Welsh friends who urged Miss Thomas to publish the Japanese Love Song, which so impressed Mr. Boosey, of London, the great music publisher, that he requested all her work. This song was enthusiastically received by the musical world, and reached the sale of twenty thousand the first year. The composer has since published "The Mechanical Doll," Eugene Field's "Toy Land," "Wing Tee Wee," "Japanese Dance" (for string orchestra), now being used in the London production of "The Darling of the Gods," also an Ave Maria, which has been enthusiastically received in London, "My French Lesson," and "Chasing Butterflies." In Leipsic, with Bosworth, she published "Peace on Earth," a Christmas song, the words of which she wrote under the name of "Eaton Churchill." Her usual professional pseuilonym, "Clayton Thomas," is a combination of both her father's and mother's family names. She is now busy on other works, but does nothing hurriedly; and surely her music is original and choice enough to be well worth waiting for.

In September, 1902, MLss Thomas married George Lyman Cade, of Cambridge, Mass. After residing for some time in Boston, Mr. and Mrs. Caile removed to their present home in Melrose. They have one child, a daughter, Margaret Salome, who was born in Melrose, October 28, 1903.

Mrs. Cade is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. She belongs to Paul Jones Chapter, D. A. R., and was for many years a member of the Cecilia Club of Boston. Graceful, almost girlish in figure, of gracious and unassuming manners, she is a woman of delightful personality and an interesting conversationalist.

Mrs. Cade has recently been giving the Japanese Love Song and dance in native Costume in Boston, receiving marked commendation from musical critics. In November next, 1904, she is to appear in London in a series of concerts and recitals under the management of Messrs. Boosey & Co., introducing her own songs.

LICE E. WELD WHITAKER, first president of the Boston Woman's Press Club (organized in February, 1903), was born at Southbridge, Mass., in November, 1851, being a daughter of Charles Winthrop and Lucinda (Richardson) Weld. She is a direct descendant of Captain Joseph Weld, who figured prominently in the early history of Roxbury. She also traces her ancestry along other lines to early settlers of Boston. Mrs. Whitaker early manifested a liking for domestic science, both practical and theoretical, and also for newspaper work. Opportunities enabled her to gratify and develop her natural tastes. Her life work has been therefore along these dual lines, which have admirably supplemented and assisted each other, strength and experience gained in one having increased her ability and usefulness m the other. In this way she has become well known as a newspaper worker and a recognized authority on much that relates to domestic life, from cooking and sanitation to the artistic use of the needle and brush. Her early education included the regular courses at the high school in her native town and at Nichols Academy, Dudley.

Mrs. Whitaker's newspaper work began soon after her marriage to George M. Whitaker, A.M., in 1872. For sixteen years she edited a page of the Southbridge Journal, devoted to women's interests. This department was conducted with such ability that it soon won more than a local reputation, and gave the Journal a standing as mone than a mere purveyor of town items. For a year she was the sole editor of the paper.

In 1886 Mrs. Whitaker removed to Boston and took a prominent position on the New England Farmer, of which she edited a page devoted to women's interests until July, 1903. This was a strong feature of the paper, and added much to its popularity. Her editorials were frequently quoted in other publications. In addition to this technical writing and edit-