atre, in which the students could give plays and
various college meetings might be held. This was done, and the room was
named Cogswell Theatre in her honor. It must be admitted that the latter
was done under protest, although aided and abetted by some of her
family. "What would my ancestors say to having a theatre bear their
name!" she said, laughing. Among the memories of the past nine years to
those who have enjoyed that little theatre, none is happier than that of
seeing the faces of two very dear friends following each word and
movement on the stage, laughing at times till the tears came, and giving
over and over their entire approval of the existence of the theatre,
with no further protest against its name. These two friends rarely
missed seeing whatever was presented on that stage, though seldom
tempted by public entertainments to give up their quiet evenings at
home. Indeed, everything in that beautiful hall named for Mr.
Bemis--whose generosity, to the college is there made known only in
part--seemed to give them pleasure, and no one else will ever cross its
threshold who can receive just the kind of welcome they always found
awaiting them.

While the number of organizations which Mrs. Bemis helped is not known,
and it is impossible to mention those which for many years counted on
her interest and liberal support, one must be noted as showing her
abiding interest in all that related to her native town and the region
about it. This is the Ipswich Historical Society, which was organized in
1890, and of which she was the first life member. On its twenty-fifth
anniversary, in response to what was only a printed appeal, she sent the
first substantial gift of money it received. Within a few months of her
death, learning that a fireproof building for the Society had been
proposed, she wrote to Mr. T. Franklin Waters, its president, asking for
particulars of the plan under consideration, and on receipt of his reply
sent a check for so large a proportion of the estimated cost that she
was asked to consent to have the building named for her. Following a
determination made long before that her gifts should not be made
conspicuous in any way, she would not consent to this.

* * * * *

Mrs. Bemis was as quick, open, and generous in her recognition of what
others did along philanthropic lines as she was reticent concerning her
own good deeds. This was especially noticeable in her attitude tow