---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,transcriber's ,note3 ,this version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects4 ,italics are delimited with the #8' character as italic4 ,footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are referenced4 ,minor errors1 attributable to the printer1 have been corrected4 ,please see the transcriber's note at the end of this text for details regarding the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation4 ,illustration3 ,,monthly ,,two ,,dollars ,,per ,,year ,,number #a4 ,,price #cj ,,cents ,,sept4 #ae1 #ahic4 ,the ,,preston ,,library ,,of ,,amusements ,,and ,,entertainments 8,,laugh ,,and ,,the ,,world ,,laughs ,,with ,,you2 ,,weep ,,and ,,you ,,weep ,,alone40 ,dramatized ,readings3 ,,recitations ,,in ,,poetry ,,and ,,prose1 ,,illustrated ,,with ,,tableaux4 ,arranged by the ,author of 8,preston ,papers40 ,,published ,,by ,,the ,,preston ,,publishing ,,company ,,no #adi ,,main ,,street ,,cincinnati1 ,,ohio4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,preston ,library ,no4 #b1 7,,issued ,,oct4 #ae1 #ahic47 ,life ,studies from ,mother ,goose1 ,in ,wax ,works1 ,pantomimes1 ,plays1 ,songs and ,tableaux4 ------- ,,arranged ,,by ,,the ,,author ,,of 8,,preston ,,papers40 ------- ,adapted to a variety of places and purposes1 and arranged for different grades of talent1 with complete directions for staging1 costumes1 etc4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,preston ,library ,no4 #c1 7,,issued ,,nov4 #ae1 #ahic47 ,a ,,christmas ,,number1 and will provide a number of entirely original entertainments for the ,christmas ,holidays4 ------- ,,subscriptions ,,received ,,at ,,any ,,time4 ,,preston ,,library ,no4 #a4 ,,dramatized ,,readings3 ,,recitations ,,in ,,poetry ,,and ,,prose1 ,,illustrated ,,with ,,tableaux4 ------- ,,arranged ,,by ,,the ,,author ,,of 8,,preston ,,papers40 ------- ,,cincinnati3 ,,the ,,preston ,,publishing ,,company4 #ahic4 ,,copyright #ahic4 ,,general ,,suggestions4 ---------- ,in preparing tableaux to illustrate a song1 poem or prose reading or recitation1 the manager will find that success depends largely upon promptness4 ,this requires a thorough knowledge of the part to be rendered1 as well as of the places in the reading where tableaux are to be shown1 and of the characters and stage settings for each picture4 ,a full dress rehearsal is indispensable1 as many points--insignificant of themselves--will come up for adjustment that cannot be decided upon at the last minute2 and although of itself trivial1 the pose or expression of a single character1 the misplacing of an article of furniture or ornament1 the draping of a costume1 etc41 will help make or mar a beautiful picture4 ,a stage manager who will see to all these details and provide himself with intelligent assistants who will quietly 8set0 the stage for one picture and clear it for the next1 behind the curtain1 in such a manner as not to interrupt the reader in front of it1 nor take the attention of the audience1 is equally necessary4 ,absolute quiet behind the curtain must be insisted upon1 and the 8characters0 not allowed to make it a place for social reunion between the parts4 ,two dressing rooms are necessary1 even if the characters are all of one sex--as things can be more easily arranged with but few to disturb them4 ,all persons not needed behind the curtain must be excluded1 as their presence only tends to confusion and delay4 ,the assistants who manage the furniture and other stage accessories1 must know just what is required for each tableau1 and when--and have those near at hand that are first needed1 storing at the greatest distance those not again required1 when clearing the stage4 ,the tableaux should be numbered1 and the requisites for each listed1 and a copy given to the stage director and assistants1 for their reference and to avoid mistakes and delay4 ,look out for the curtain4 ,at the last moment it has sometimes been found that the curtain would not work1 or that those appointed to manipulate it did not understand its mechanics1 and great embarrassment has resulted4 ,a signal must be determined upon1 between the reader and the stage manager1 that the curtain may rise at the point proper to illustrate what has just been read--not what will follow4 ,should there be a lack of side screens1 these may be supplied by covering ordinary clothes-horses with cambric1 cotton1 or cotton flannel1 having due regard to the costumes and figures to be shown4 ,a dark back and side for a picture all light and brightness 7as a fairy or wedding scene71 and light if the picture is a darker one4 ,judgment here is valuable4 ,,directions4 ,having selected the poem or story you wish to present1 make choice of your reader4 ,get some one who reads naturally and distinctly4 ,the tableaux take away all necessity for dramatic action on the part of the reader--if any ever existed--and the entire attention may be devoted to bringing out the thought of the author4 ,the reader should practice in the room where the entertainment is to be given1 at least enough to be sure of its acoustic properties and so secure the right pitch of voice1--height and size of room1 as well as shape and furnishings1 making a great difference4 ,the reading must be given in front of the closed curtain1 that the manager may be having the stage prepared for each succeeding tableau1 that it may be presented promptly when desired4 ,ordinarily tableaux should he shown twice1 as few in the audience get more than a glimpse of what they want to see in detail4 ,if elaborate1 even a third showing is always acceptable1 and as the picture is already arranged it requires but little time1 and is better than one long period of showing it4 ,in making up1 use as simple materials as possible2 scorched flour for darkening the skin1 corn starch for white powder1 an ordinary soft lead pencil for outlining eyebrows1 etc4 ,dark wigs may be made of curled hair 7such as is used for mattresses7 sewed to a cambric 8skull0 fitted to the head for which it is intended2 white ones of cotton batting sewed on in tufts to represent short curls2 mustache1 whiskers1 etc41 may be manufactured from coarse linen thread attached to a bit of cloth which again has to be 8stuck on0 by means of mucilage1 court plaster or white of egg4 ,foot-lights are essential for tableaux1 and if not supplied1 a row of small hand lamps at the front edge of platform is easily procured4 ,candles are good also--but not quite so safe4 ,shades for either may be made of old tin cans1 all the seams unsoldered1 top and bottom removed1 the tin being turned toward the audience1 and throwing the light on the picture4 ,shade must at least be as high as the blaze4 ,wings are as difficult to make seem natural as anything1 and yet should be easily made and adjusted1 by first cutting a pattern of the desired shape and length2 cut the wings from cotton flannel1 nap running from shoulder to tip2 sew stiff bonnet wire around the edges1 being sure to make a pretty shape and not too small2 set them on a piece of cloth three by six inches1 also wired4 ,wings must not be stiff enough to be awkward1 nor limp enough to be troublesome2 if the latter1 additional wiring1 lengthwise diagonally1 will correct it--and if the cloth is too light in texture it may be used double4 ,,the ,,birth ,,of ,,the ,,ivy4 ,,illustrated ,,with ,,ten ,,tableaux1 ,,especially ,,arranged ,,for ,,this ,,publication4 ,,characters3--8,a ,ladye of ,high ,degree02 ,her ,knight2 ,her ,page2 ,peasants4 ,,costumes3--,in the first two tableaux the ,ladye wears any elegant dress that is sufficiently antique1 and which can be put on over the white one used in the third and fourth4 ,in the fifth a hat and mantle may be used to change the appearance1 but little time being given between the changes of scene2 a plain dark gown in the sixth and seventh1 over which may be draped something brilliant for the eighth2 in the ninth a white or light colored wrapper or simple house dress4 ,in the second tableau the ,knight first appears--and in ordinary dress2 in the next in full military costume1 as also in the fifth1 his 8last appearance40 ,the ,page1 who should be a handsome boy of from seven to twelve years old1 wears dark blouse waist1 dark knee pants1 sash of brilliant color1 deep lace ruffles at wrist1 broad round collar of same1 low shoes with high heels2 black velvet cap with plume2 velvet cape with bright lining for last tableau4 ,peasant women's dress--short1 scant skirt of any bright color2 plain1 round short sleeved2 bodice of same or harmonious contrasting color4 ,if an old woman is shown in group1 she may wear cap and kerchief of white1 the latter voluminous and crossed over chest4 ------- ,many and many a year ago 7,i'll tell the tale as 'twas told to me47 ,a ,ladye dwelt in her own proud hall1 ,a ,ladye of high degree2#a ,and many a ,knight came wooing her1 ,for stately and fair was she2 ,the fairest1 stateliest flower that grew ,where the ,rhine runs down to the sea4 ,now one of these ,knights she loved full well1 ,and he bowed low at her feet2#b 8,i have wooed thee for three long years10 he said1 8,when wilt thou wed me1 sweet80 ,but she with a light laugh answered 8,wait40 8,i will wait one year10 said he1 8,and then ,i shall come to claim your hand ,where the ,rhine runs down to the sea40 ,so off to the foreign wars he went ,to fight with an angry horde-- ,and the whole land rang with the fame of him ,and the might of his good sword4 ,but after a twelve-month back he came1 ,and again at her feet knelt he4#c 8,now wilt thou wed me1 ,ladye fair1 ,where the ,rhine runs down to the sea80 ,but her pride than her love was stronger still2 ,and lifting her haughty head-- 8,wait longer4 ,he who patiently waits ,is never a loser10 she said4 ,the lover rose with a smothered sigh1 ,but never a prayer prayed he-- ,as mounting his steed1 away he rode1 ,where the ,rhine runs down to the sea4 ,the ,ladye frowned1 and the ,ladye wept ,in her love and wrath and pain1 ,for she had not dreamed he could thus obey ,and ride from her side again4#d ,then twice the seasons came and went ,with bird and blossom and bee-- ,with the summer rose and the winter snows1 ,where the ,rhine runs down to the sea4 ,and then again to his ,ladye's bower ,strode the ,knight with a ringing tread4 8,for two long years ,i have waited1 patiently10 ,were all the words he said4#e ,and still in pride that o'ermastered love1 8,wait longer0 answered she4 8,if ,i wait1 ,i will wait forever10 he cried-- ,where the ,rhine runs down to the sea4 8,then wait forever10 she coldly said1 ,and drew her white hand away1 ,sure he would fall at her feet again ,for his ,ladye's grace to pray2 ,but never another word he spoke ,and never a sign made he1 ,but mounting his steed he rode away ,where the ,rhine runs down to the sea4 ,how dragged the slow months1 one by one6 ,the ,ladye1 in sore distress1 ,wept night and day in her lonely bower1 ,bewailing her haughtiness4#f ,at length she summoned her trusty ,page-- 8,speed over the hills0 said she1 8,go tell my lover ,i wait for him ,where the ,rhine runs down to the sea40#g 99 99 99 99 ,but the ,knight came not1 nor sent he word1 ,save this one short message3 8,wait40 ,and the sun rose up1 and the sun went down1 ,and the flowers died1 soon or late4 ,at length she summoned her ,page again1 ,and again to him said she3 8,go tell my ,knight ,i wait for him ,where the ,rhine runs down to the sea40 ,the ,page came back and doffed his cap1 ,and these were the words he bore3 8,he loses nothing who patiently waits40 ,and not one syllable more4#h 8,he remembers well0 the ,ladye cried4 ,and in wan despair lived she ,two more long1 desolate years1 ,where the ,rhine runs down to the sea4 8,now go to my lord once more0 she prayed-- 8,tell him my death is near4 ,tell him ,i wait his face to see1 ,and ,i long his voice to hear40 ,the ,page came back with a lagging pace-- 8,o1 what does he say80 cried she4 8,dear ,ladye1 he bids you wait for aye1 ,where the ,rhine runs down to the sea40#i 8,i am well paid10 the ,ladye cried1 8,and in coin ,i know too well4 ,he doth but give me my own again-- ,so now farewell1 my love1 farewell40 ,and soon she lay in the starlight pale ,under an old yew tree1 ,with a stone at her head and one at her feet1 ,where the ,rhine runs down to the sea4 99 99 99 99 99 ,but when the springing grass was green ,on the grave of her who slept ,a plant with wonderful shining leaves1 ,out of the darkness crept4 ,it wandered here1 and wandered there1 ,it climbed up turret and tree1 ,and from point to point1 over rock and rill ,where the ,rhine runs down to the sea4 ,slowly and surely it onward crept1 ,that plant so strange and rare4 ,the peasants whispered1 under their breath1 8',tis the beautiful ,ladye ,clare4 ,she seeks the heart that she threw away2 ,she is creeping on bended knee ,to her lover's castle1 that frowning stands1 ,where the ,rhine runs down to the sea40#aj ,,tableaux4 #a4 ,drawing room scene4 ,ladye ,clare stands in foreground4 ,furniture should be as elegant as possible4 #b4 ,ladye ,clare at left of center1 in easy chair2 ,knight half kneels in front of her2 both side-face to audience2 ,ladye's hand extended to ,knight1 who is in the act of raising it to his lips4 #c4 ,ladye stands at right of center1 head erect1 ,knight again kneeling--but in reverse position4 #d4 ,ladye in center1 sitting with head bowed on center table1 over which her arms are thrown4 #e4 ,ladye at left1 half way back on stage2 ,knight entering with long strides from left of foreground1 each looking intently at the other4 #f4 8,ladye's bower40 ,couch at left1 with handsome cushions and spread2 vases filled with flowers1 bric-a-brac1 pictures1 etc41 adapted to a young lady's room4 ,ladye ,clare in easy chair at right2 handkerchief pressed to her eyes by right hand1 while left falls over arm of chair4 #g4 ,same scene--,page entered back of couch1 in listening attitude1 cap held in hand in front of him1 facing ,ladye1 who waves him away with right arm1 hope in her face4 #h4 ,same scene4--,ladye sits on couch2 ,page stands in center front1 with head down1 cap held behind him--in full view of audience4 #i4 ,ladye on couch1 half reclining1 white spread thrown over her2 hair hanging loosely 7face should be powdered72 expression of disappointment2 ,page stands at entrance1 reluctant to intrude or to give his message4 #aj4 ,grave in center of foreground1 covered with green vines and cut flowers4 ,peasants at either end1 and in background4 ,stones 7boards covered with white paper7 may be placed at head and foot of grave4 -------------- ,,callaghan',s ,,failure4 -------------- ,,by ,,thomas ,,winthrop ,,hall4 -------------- ,mr4 ,callaghan was busily engaged in an inspection of silverware that seemed to interest him exceedingly4 ,he examined each object carefully1 often stopping long enough to test the particular object with his teeth1 or even to bend it4 ,at the same time his actions were quiet1 and1 one might say1 reserved4 ,he did not appear to care to be noticed4#a ,he was a rather tall young fellow1 carelessly dressed1 as they say in novels1 and he had a pale face1 like a student's4 ,one might1 indeed1 have thought him a poor student1 were it not for his eyes1 which1 instead of looking tired and dreamy1 like a student's1 were exceedingly active and restless4 ,on the whole1 his face and his general appearance were not pre-possessing4 ,indeed1 the policeman on the beat most frequented by ,mr4 ,callaghan in social life1 reported him at the ,precinct ,house as 8a general tough--suspicious40 ,mr4 ,callaghan1 although very young1 had already learned the value of exceeding caution4 ,hence1 he was almost noiseless2 and he inspected the silverware in the very mild light of a half-opened dark lantern4 ,a happy smile played around the corners of his face for a while1 for the silverware he was examining proved to be of the finest and newest1 and bore the monogram of a famous ,new ,york family4 ,for that matter1 the entire surroundings of ,mr4 ,callaghan1 at that time1 were of the richest4 ,the very sideboard at which he labored was worth a small fortune1 and the cut glass upon it looked very beautiful in the mellow light4 ,there were rich red tints in some of the glassware1 occasioned by their contents1 but ,mr4 ,callaghan did not stop to examine them4 ,he did not believe in drinking during business hours4 ,the time was something after midnight4 ,mr4 ,callaghan was aroused from his pre-occupation by a faint click4 ,it sounded very much like the click of the trigger1 as a revolver is cocked4 ',twas a trifle startling1 but he did not lose his presence of mind4 ,he faced around like a flash1 and turned off the rays of his dark lantern4 ,he knew it was almost useless to take the latter precaution1 however1 for he was well informed1 and knew that1 in the houses of the rich of to-day1 it required but the pressure of a button to turn on a full stream of electric lights throughout an entire floor4 ,the sudden burst of light came1 just as he expected it would1 and as it did so1 he heard a voice say 8,don't dare to move60 ,he was more startled by the voice than he was by the sudden glare of electric light1 for it was the voice of a young girl66 ,mr4 ,callaghan blinked a few times1 took a good look1 and then his thin face broadened a trifle into a smile4 ,at the other end of the room stood a very pale but resolute girl in a pink wrapper4 ,she held a little gold-mounted revolver1 of a calibre so small that ,mr4 ,callaghan but for his natural politeness1 would have laughed at it outright1 and she was biting her lip1 for she was apparently rather nervous4 ,the revolver was pointed in ,mr4 ,callaghan's direction1 but alas6 the hand that held it was shaking very perceptibly#b4444 ,callaghan grinned4 8,isn't it rather late for you to be out80 he asked her4 8,don't dare to move10 she replied2 8,i know precisely what to do4 ,papa told me before he went away4 ,i'm going to sound the burglar alarm and have you arrested2 then you will be sent to ,state's ,prison40 8,well10 almost laughed ,mr4 ,callaghan1 8why don't you do it8 ,i'm waiting40 8,because10 she answered1 hesitatingly1--8because you're standing in front of it40 8,oh1 am ,i80 answered ,callaghan4 8,then ,i'll move away1 ,i always like to be polite to ladies40 ,he moved away a few steps4 ,she frowned a little bit4 ,then she said 8,excuse me4 ,will you please move a little further away80 8,certainly10 he replied1 8anything to oblige a real lady40 ,she stepped toward the alarm1 which ,callaghan had not1 until then1 perceived1 and stretched forth her hand4#c ,she was about to turn the little handle1 when ,callaghan said hastily3 8,hold on a minute4 ,do you think that would be a nice thing to do80 8,of course it would10 she answered4 8,just think about it a moment10 ,callaghan continued2 8if you did that1 ,i'd be arrested1 and sent up for fifteen or twenty years4 ,fifteen or twenty years1 in a little cell1 all by myself1 with no one to talk to and nothing to do--except break stones for my health4 ,now1 ,i don't care anything about it myself1 of course2 ,i havn't done you any wrong4 ,i havn't got away with the silver1 and therefore1 there isn't any wrong done you1 is there8 ,i tried to1 but you've got the best of me1 and you're an awfully brave little girl to do it1 too4 ,but just think of yourself during the next fifteen or twenty years1 if you have me sent up4 ,every day you'll be thinking about the poor fellow who's doing time because you made him2 and every night you'll be lying awake1 crying1 because you made him suffer so much1 for such a little thing2 and every time the minister in your church says anything about forgiving your enemies1 you'll be thinking he means you2 and10 ,she broke in 8,i think ,i'll let you go40 ,she said it very earnestly4 ,callaghan laughed aloud4 8,that's right10 he said1 8,i knew you would1 for ,i knew you were a lady the minute ,i saw you4 ,i didn't mean what ,i said4 ,probably in a month you'd forget all about me4 ,no one remembers a fellow who's doing time1 but the police and the detectives4 ,i was just trying an experiment4 ,do you think ,i was afraid you'd call the police8 ,nonsense4 ,do you think ,i was afraid of your little revolver8 ,nonsense4 ,i've been shot twice by real revolvers4 ,if you'd tried to sound the burglar alarm1 do you know what ,i'd have done8 ,i'd have made a quick jump for you and ,i'd have my hands about your throat before you could have winked4 ,if you'd fired the revolver1 you'd missed me4 ,girls can't shoot40 ,he said this last almost contemptuously1 but he was sorry a moment after1 for he noticed that she was growing very white1 and very frightened too4 ,nevertheless1 he continued3 8,and after ,i'd got my hands about your neck1 and you couldn't scream or struggle or shoot1 what do you suppose ,i'd have done80 ,she did not reply4 ,she could not speak4 ,she was trembling violently4 8,i'd have--,i'd--10 he was embarrassed1 and he actually blushed1--,callaghan blushed--8,i'd have kissed you10 he said with an effort1 8and then ,i'd have gone away4 ,but you needn't look frightened any longer4 ,i ain't going to hurt you1 and ,i ain't going to kiss you2 for some day you'd be ashamed of it4 ,you'd be ashamed to tell your sweetheart that ,rocky ,callaghan kissed you2 and ,i ain't goin' to take any thing that belongs to this house1 although ,i could1 right before your eyes4 ,i'm just going home peaceably40 ,he started to walk toward the window by which he had entered4#d ,as he did so1 however1 he looked at her critically1 stopped1 and said3 8,you're going to hold out just about till ,i'm gone4 ,then you are going to faint4 ,i can't leave you here alone in a faint4 ,i'll fix it40 ,he walked deliberately to the sideboard and poured out a glass of ice-water4 8,here10 said he1 8drink this1 and then go upstairs as quick as you can4 ,i'll lock the window after ,i go out40#e ,she took the water with a frightened 8,thank you10 and drank it4 ,mr4 ,callaghan turned to leave4 8,that brings the red back in your cheeks10 he said4444 8,now1 ,i'm going1 but ,i want you to remember that ,i'm not afraid of the burglar alarm nor of your little revolver4 ,i'm not going to rob you because--because you're so brave and because you're so pretty4 ,i sort of hate to make a failure of a job1 and ,i guess the boys will guy me a bit for it2 but you are too pretty40 ,saying which1 ,mr4 ,callaghan climbed nimbly through the window and disappeared4 ,,tableaux4 #a4 ,dining-room scene1 very scant light4 ,silverware on table1 on which sits half-opened dark lantern2 side-board in background2 burglar behind table in center1 faces audience while examining silverware1 face lighted by lantern4 7,face may be darkened by scorched flour47 #b4 ,same scene1 brilliantly lighted1 with burglar at left end of table2 girl in pink wrapper at right end of room1 hair down and arm extended holding toy pistol or revolver4 7,face powdered white47 #c4 ,same as second4 ,girl moved a little to right with arm reached toward burglar alarm4 #d4 ,burglar turned facing girl1 back half turned to audience4 #e4 ,burglar passing water1 which girl has stretched hand to receive4 -------------- ,,matrimonial ,,philosophy4 ------- ,,with ,,moving ,,tableaux ,,arranged ,,for ,,this ,,publication4 ------- ,there were lovers three in the days gone by1 ,they were healthy1 they were wealthy1 yet they'd sit and sigh1 ,sit and sigh till the window curtains shook1 ,and all for the sake of a sweet maid's look4 ,for they loved her one1 and two1 and three1 ,and each one prayed her his bride to be2 ,till she cried1 8,ah1 no1 you must surely see1 ,if ,i don't love one that ,i can't love three40 ,three sad men1 but they loved enough for ten1 ,and they sighed enough for twenty1 these sad young men4#a ,then these lovers three in the days gone by1 ,in their anguish did they languish1 and they longed to die4#b ,longed to die1 till a year had passed or more1 ,and a fourth suitor came to the maiden's door2 ,and he knelt so low on bended knee1 ,as he asked the maid his bride to be1 ,that the others thought 8,he will cut out me10 ,and their souls were racked with jealousy4#c ,three stern men1 but they frowned enough for ten1 ,and they scowled enough for twenty1 these stern young men4#d ,then the fourth young swain in the days gone by1 ,wooed this maiden so love laden1 till she made reply1 ,made reply--8,you have won my trusting heart10 ,and at church they vowed never more to part2 ,but they quarreled so when they were wed1 ,that the three young men they smiled and said-- 8,it's a lucky thing that he cut out me1 ,for his wife is a shrew as we all can see40#e ,three wise men1 but they smiled enough for ten1 ,and they laughed enough for twenty1 these wise young men4#f ,,tableaux4 #a4 ,parlor scene1 with lady on one side of the room1 the lovers in waiting--each in turn approaching and being rejected1 retire to a seat to 8sit and sigh40 #b4 ,shows the young men only2 having changed their positions they are doing a general 8languishing0 business4 #c4 ,the young lady in center of foreground receives suitor ,no4 #d1 who comes on 8bended knee40 #d4 ,shows the first three young men in center of front1 hands in pockets--frowning and scowling4 #e4 ,shows husband and wife at left end of stage quarreling--young men at right in attitudes of interest1 watching the couple4 #f4 ,the three young men in center1 front of stage1 one smiling1 the other two laughing4 -------------- ,,the ,,opening ,,of ,,the ,,piano4 ------- ,,oliver ,w4 ,,holmes4 ------- 7,,with ,,tableaux47 ,in the little southern parlor of the house you may have seen1 ,with the gambrel roof1 and the gable looking toward the green1 ,at the side towards the sunset with the window on the right1 ,stood the ,london-made piano ,i am dreaming of to-night4#a ,ah me6 how ,i remember the evening when it came1 ,what a cry of eager voices1 what a group of cheeks in flame4 ,when the wondrous box was opened that had come from over seas1 ,with its smell of mastic1 and its flash of ivory keys4#b ,then the children all grew fretful in the restlessness of joy2 ,for the boy would push his sister and the sister crowd the boy1#c ,till the father asked for quiet in the grave1 paternal way1 ,but the mother hushed the tumult1 with the words1 8,now ,mary1 play60 ,for the dear soul knew that music was a very sovereign balm2 ,she had sprinkled it o'er sorrow1 and had seen its brow grow calm2 ,in the days of slender harpsichords1 with tapping twinkling quills1 ,or caroling her spinit with its thin metallic trills4 ,so ,mary1 the household minstrel1 who always loved to please1 ,sat down to the new 8,clementi0 and struck the glittering keys2#d ,hushed were the children's voices1 and every eye grew dim1 ,as floating from lips and finger1 arose the ,vesper ,hymn4#e ,catherine1 child of a neighbor1 curly and rosy red1 7,wedded since1 and a widow--something like ten years dead17 ,hearing a gush of music such as never heard before1 ,steals from her mother's chamber and peeps at the open door4#f ,just as the 8,jubilate0 in threaded whisper dies1 8,open it6 open it1 lady60 the little maiden cries4 7,for she thought 'twas a singing creature caged in a box she heard72 8,open it6 open it1 lady6 and let me see the bird60#g ,,tableaux4 #a4 ,sitting-room4 ,piano at right4 ,piano box just opened1 in background at left4 ,center-table has books and papers4 #b4 ,several children crowding about the instrument in attitudes of eager inspection4 ,parents a little in background4 #c4 ,boy and girl in foreground1 crowding and pushing4 #d4 ,oldest daughter sits down to play1 children near front1 parents in background4 #e4 ,sing 8,vesper ,hymn0--if possible1 with piano accompaniment4 #f4 ,little girl looking in from opposite side of room1 screen door ajar2 family grouped as above4 #g4 ,she has advanced to center of foreground1 side face to audience1 but looking toward the mother1 the rest watching her4 -------------- ,,dear ,,old ,,grandmother4 ,grandmother paces with stately tread ,forward and back through the quaint old room1 ,out of the firelight dancing and red1 ,into the gathering dusk and gloom2 ,forward and back in her silken dress1 ,with its falling ruffles of frost-like lace1 ,a look of the deepest tenderness ,in the faded lines of her fine old face4#a ,warm on her breast1 in his red night-gown1 ,like a scarlet lily1 the baby lies1 ,while softly the weary lids creep down ,over the little sleepy eyes4 ,grandmother sings to him sweet and low1 ,and memories come with the cradle song ,of the day when she sang it long ago1 ,when her life was young and her heart was strong4#b ,grandmother's children have left her now1-- ,the large old house is a shadowed place2 ,but shining out in the sunset glow ,of her life1 like a star1 comes the baby's face4 ,he lies where of old his father lay1 ,and softly she sings him the same sweet strain1 ,till the years intervening are swept away1 ,and the joys of life's morning are hers again4#c ,grandmother's head is bending low ,over the dear little drowsy one4 ,the steps of her pathway are few to go2 ,the baby's journey has just begun4 ,yet the rosy dawn of his childish love ,brightens the evening that else were dim2 ,and in after years1 from her home above1 ,the light of her blessing will rest on him4#d ,,moving ,,tableaux4 #a4 ,sitting-room with antique furniture4 ,old lady pacing across stage front1 carrying baby in red night-dress4 #b4 ,baby in cradle2 grandmother near1 facing audience1 sings 8,hush1 my dear2 lie still and slumber40 ,if ,grandmother's part is taken by some one who can not sing1 this may be done by a hidden voice4 #c4 ,same as #b4 ,sings 8,sleep1 ,baby1 ,sleep40 #d4 ,grandmother sits quiet--bending over cradle4 ,,answering ,,an ,,advertisement4 ------- ,,by ,,frank ,m4 ,,thorn4 7,abridged and ,adapted47 ------- ,,characters4--,lawyer2 ,irish woman and son4 ,,costumes4--,typical4 ,,place4--,lawyer's office4 ,good mornin' til yez1 yer honor6 ,and are yez the gintlemon ,as advertised1 in the paper1 for an active intilligint b'y8 ,y' are8 ,thin ,i've brought him along wid me1--a raal fine sprig iv a wan3-- ,as likely a b'y iv his age1 sur1 as iver ye'd wish til empl'y4#a ,that's him4 ,av coorse ,i'm his mither6 ,yez can see his resimblance til me1 ,fur ivery wan iv his faytures1 and mine1 are as like as two paze1-- ,barrin' wan iv his hivenly eyes1 which he lost in a bit iv a spree ,wid ,hooligan's b'y1 which intinded to larrup me ,teddy wid aize4 ,and is it rid-headed ye call him8 ,belike he is foxey1 is ,ted2 ,and goold-colored hair is becomin' til thim that's complicted wid blonde6 ,but who cares for color8 ,sure1 contints out-vally the rest iv the head6 ,and ,ted has a head full iv contints1 as lively as t'hrout in a pond6 ,good timpered8 ,sure niver a bet'her4 ,the peaceablest1 quietest lamb ,as lives the whole lin'th iv our st'hrate1 where the b'ys is that kane fur a row ,that ,ted has to fight iv'ry day1 though he'd quarrel no more than a clam4-- ,faith1 thim b'ys 'ud provoke the swate angels1 in hiven1 to fight onyhow6 ,perliteness comes aisy til ,ted1 for he's had me to tache him the thrick ,iv bowin' and scrapin' and spakin' to show paple proper respict4 ,spake up till the gintlemon1 ,teddy6 ,whist6 ,aff wid yer cap first1 ye stick6 ,he's shapish a t'hrifle1 yer honor2 he's allus been brought up that strict4#b ,come6 ,spake up1 and show yer foine bradin6 ,och6 ,hear that6 8,how air yez1 ,owld ,moke80 ,arrah1 millia murther6 ,did iver yez hear jist the aqual iv that8 8,how air yez1 ,owld ,moke80 says he6 ,ha6 ,ha6 ,sure1 yer honor1 he manes it in joke6 ,he's the playfullest b'y6 ,faith1 it's laughin' at ,teddy that makes me so fat6 ,honest8 ,troth he is that6 ,yez can t'hrust wid onything4 ,honest6 ,does he luk like a b'y that 'ud stale8 ,jist luk in the swate1 open face iv him1 barrin' the eye wid the wink3-- ,och6 ,teddy6 ,phat ugly black st'hrame is it runnin' down there by yer hale6 ,mutheration6 ,yer honor1 me ,teddy has spilt yer fine bottle iv ink6#c ,phat8 ,how kem the ink in his pocket8 ,i'm thinkin' he borry'd it1 sir2-- ,and yez saw him pick up yer pin-howlder and stick it up intil his slaive6 ,and yez think that ,ted mint til purline 'em8 ,ah1 wirra6 wirra6 ,the likes iv that slur ,will d'hrive me1--poor1 tinder1 lone widdy1--wid sorrow down intil me grave6#d ,bad cess til yez1 ,teddy1 ye spalpeen6 ,why c'u'dn't yez howld on1 the day-- ,ye thafe iv the world6--widout breakin' the heart iv me8 ,no4 ,yez must stale6 ,i'll tache yez a t'hrick1 ye rid-headed1 pilferin'1 gimlet-eyed flay6 ,ye freckle-faced1 impident bla'guard6--,och6 whin we git home yez'll squale6#e ,,moving ,,tableaux4 #a4 ,lawyer at desk1 left of center and a little back2 woman in center1 faces judge and audience alternately2 boy in background4 #b4 ,boy dragged to front by mother1 and while she talks1 he fusses with desk furnishings4 #c4 ,boy and mother in center--front4 7,ink on his light colored pants may be simulated by black cloth sewed on47 ,mother points to it4 #d4 ,boy in background--mother side faces audience while addressing the lawyer1 wrings hands and weeps4 #e4 ,boy again near front1 listening to threats of mother1 who shakes him and her fist in turn4 -------------- ,,the ,,bridal ,,veil ------- ,,by ,,alice ,,cary4 ------- ,we're married1 they say1 and you think you have won me1-- ,well1 take this white veil from my head and look on me4 ,here's matter to vex you and matter to grieve you4 ,here's doubt to distrust you and faith to believe you-- ,i am all1 as you see1 common earth1 common dew2 ,be wary1 and mould me to roses1 not rue6#a ,ah6 shake out the filmy thing1 fold after fold1 ,and see if you have me to keep and to hold-- ,look close on my heart--see worst of its sinning-- ,it is not yours to-day for the yesterday's winning-- ,the past is not mine--,i am too proud to borrow-- ,you must grow to new heights if ,i love you to-morrow4#b ,we're married6 ,i'm plighted to hold up your praises1 ,as the turf at your feet does its handful of daisies2 ,that way lies my honor--my pathway of pride4 ,but1 mark you1 if greener grass grows either side1 ,i shall know it2 and keeping the body with you1 ,shall walk in my spirit with feet on the dew4 ,we're married6 ,oh1 pray that our love do not fail6 ,i have wings fastened down1 hidden under my veil6 ,they are subtle as light--you can never undo them2 ,and swift in their flight--you can never pursue them2 ,and spite of all clasping and spite of all bands1 ,i can slip like a shadow1 a dream1 from your hands4 ,nay1 call me not cruel1 and fear not to take me4 ,i am yours for a lifetime1 to be what you make me1 ,to wear my white veil for a sigh or a cover1 ,as you shall be proven my lord or my lover2 ,a cover for peace that is dead2 or a token ,of bliss that can never be written or spoken4#c ,,tableaux4 #a4 ,drawing-room scene4 ,bride and groom in full wedding costume2 bride in white1 with orange blossoms and veil of tarlatan or lace2 both stand near center in foreground1 a little apart1 facing each other4 #b4 ,husband in act of lifting veil from side front4 #c4 ,both are sitting on sofa--settled and serene4 -------------- ,,jimmy ,,brown',s ,,sister',s ,,wedding ------- ,,abridged ,,and ,,adapted4 ------- ,she ought to have been married a long while ago4 ,that's what everybody says who knows her4 ,she has been engaged to ,mr4 ,travers for three years and has had to refuse lots of offers to go to the circus with other young men4 ,i have wanted her to get married1 so that ,i could go and live with her and ,mr4 ,travers4 ,when ,i think that if it hadn't been for a mistake ,i made she would have been married yesterday1 ,i find it dreadfully hard to be resigned4 ,last week it was finally agreed that ,sue and ,mr4 ,travers should be married without waiting any longer4 ,you should have seen what a state of mind she and mother were in4 ,they did nothing but buy new clothes and sew1 and talk about the wedding all day long4#a ,sue was determined to be married in church1 and to have six bridesmaids and six bridegrooms1 and flowers and music and all sorts of things4 ,the only thing that troubled her1 was making up her mind who to invite4 ,mother wanted her to invite ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,mc,fadden and the seven ,mc,fadden girls2 but ,sue said they had insulted her and she couldn't bear the idea of asking the ,mc,fadden tribe6 ,everybody agreed that old ,mr4 ,wilkinson1 who once came to a party at our house with one boot and one slipper1 couldn't be invited2 but it was decided that every one else that was on good terms with our family should have an invitation4 ,sue counted up all the people she meant to invite and there was nearly three hundred of them6 ,you would hardly believe it but she told me that ,i must carry round all those invitations and deliver them myself4 ,of course ,i couldn't do this without neglecting my studies and losing time1 so ,i thought of a plan which would save ,sue the trouble of directing the invitations and save me from wasting time in delivering them4 ,so ,i got to work with my printing press and printed a dozen splendid big bills about the wedding4 ,when they were printed ,i cut out a lot of small pictures 7of animals and ladies riding on horses7 of some old circus bills and pasted them on the wedding bills4#b ,they were perfectly gorgeous and you could see them four or five rods off4 ,when they were all done ,i made some paste in a tin pail1 and after dark went out and pasted them in good places all over the village4 ,the next afternoon father came into the house looking very stern and carrying in his hand one of the wedding bills4 ,he handed it to ,sue and said3 8,susan1 what does this mean8 ,these bills are posted all over the village1 and there are crowds of people reading them40 ,sue read the bill1 and then gave an awful shriek and fainted dead away--and ,i hurried down to the post-office1 to see if the mail had come in4#c ,this is what was on the wedding bills1 and ,i am sure it was spelled all right3 ,miss ,susan ,brown announces that she will marry ,mr4 ,james ,travers1 at the church1 next ,thursday1 at half-past seven sharp ,all the friends of the family with the exception of the ,mc,fadden tribe and old ,mr4 ,wilkinson are invited4 ,come early and bring lots of flowers and cake and ice cream4#d 7,the wedding as it finally took place will now be shown47#e ,,tableaux4 #a4 ,sewing-room2 ,susan1 mother and two dressmakers at work1 by hand and machine1 on the trousseau1 8billows0 of which appear everywhere4 7,properly--,susan should be in duplicate1 one for the sewing-room and one for the bridal scene there not being enough time for the bride to dress between the scenes47 #b4 ,jimmy at work on his big bills4 #c4 ,father holding the poster2 ,susan in a faint4 #d4 ,the 8poster0 illustrated according to description4 7,insert the name of your most prominent local church47 #e4 ,the wedding as it finally took place--a typical scene1 with minister1 bride and groom in foreground1 bridesmaids and attendants on either side2 parents and guests in background2 pages and maids of honor1 if stage is large enough4 ,costumes should all be elegant and harmonious4 7,see 8,bridal ,wine ,cup10 p4 #dd47 -------------- ,,strong ,,coffee4 ------- ,,by ,,charles ,,mackay4 ------- 8,hush6 ,joanna6 ,i'll forgive you6 ,but it's certain that the coffee wasn't strong6 ,own your error6 ,why so stubborn in the wrong80#a 8,you'll forgive me8 ,sir1 ,i hate you6 ,you have used me like a churl4 ,have my senses ceased to guide me8 ,do you think ,i am a girl80 8,oh no6 ,you're a girl no longer ,but a woman1 formed to please4 ,and it's time you should abandon ,childish follies1 such as these40 8,oh ,i hate you6 but why vex me8 ,if ,i'm old--you're older still4 ,i'll no longer be your victim ,and the creature of your will40#b 8,but1 ,joanna2 why this bother8 ,it might happen ,i was wrong4 ,but if common sense inspire me1 ,still that coffee wasn't strong40 8,common sense8 ,you never had it6 ,oh1 that ever ,i was born ,to be wedded to a monster ,that repays my love with scorn40 8,well1 ,joanna1 we'll not quarrel2 ,what's the use of bitter strife8 ,but ,i'm sorry ,i am married4 ,i was mad--to take a wife40 8,mad1 indeed6 ,i'm glad you know it4 ,but if law can break this chain ,i'll be tied to you no longer-- ,in this misery and pain40 8,hush1 ,joanna6 ,shall the servants ,hear you argue1 ever wrong8 ,can you not have done with folly8 ,own the coffee was not strong40#c 8,oh you goad me past endurance6 ,trifling with my woman's heart4 ,but ,i loath you and detest you6 ,villain6 monster6 let us part60 99 99 99 99 ,long this foolish quarrel lasted ,till ,joanna1 half afraid1 ,that her empire was in peril1 ,summoned never failing aid4 ,summoned tears in copious torrents1 ,tears and sobs1 and piteous sighs2 ,well she knew the potent practice-- ,the artillery of the eyes4#d ,and it chanced as she imagined-- ,beautiful in grief was she4 ,beautiful to best advantage2-- ,and a tender heart had he4 ,kneeling at her side he soothed her3 8,dear ,joanna6 ,i was wrong4 ,never more ,i'll contradict you-- ,but1 oh1 make my coffee strong60#e ,,tableaux4 #a4 ,scene4 ,breakfast-room2 man and woman at opposite ends of table1 side face to audience--she busy cutting her meat and looking down at her plate2 he looking at her1 cup poised in right hand1 on the way toward his mouth4 #b4 ,lady has risen1 and angrily faces her husband4 #c4 ,man has risen2 stands in front of table1 looking toward his wife4 #d4 ,joanna1 again sitting1 weeps4 #e4 ,husband kneeling in front of her4 -------------- 8,,if40 ,if1 sitting with this little1 worn-out shoe1 ,and scarlet stocking lying on my knee1 ,i knew the little feet had pattered through ,the pearl-set gates that lie 'twixt ,heaven and me1 ,i could be reconciled and happy too1 ,and look with glad eyes toward the jasper sea4#a ,if in the morning when the song of birds ,reminds me of a music far more sweet1 ,i listen for his pretty broken words1 ,and for the music of his dimpled feet1 ,i could be almost happy1 though ,i heard ,no answer1 and saw but his vacant seat4 ,i could be glad if1 when the day is done1 ,and all its cares and heart-ache laid away1 ,i could look west ward to the hidden sun1 ,and with a heart full of sweet yearnings say3 8,to-night ,i'm nearer to my little one ,by just the travel of one earthly day40 ,if ,i could know those little feet were shod ,in sandals wrought of light in better lands1 ,and that the footprints of a tender ,god1 ,ran side by side with his1 in golden sands-- ,i could bow cheerfully and kiss the rod1 ,since ,benny was in wiser1 safer hands4 ,if he were dead1 ,i would not sit to-day ,and stain with tears the wee sock on my knee2 ,i would not kiss the tiny shoe and say1 8,bring back again my little boy to me60 ,i would be patient1 knowing 'twas ,god's way1 ,although ,i must not all the wisdom see4#b ,but ,o6 to know the feet once pure and white1 ,the haunts of vice had boldly ventured in6 ,the hands that should have battled for the right1 ,have been wrung crimson in the clasp of sin-- ,and should he knock at ,heaven's gate to-night1 ,to fear my boy could hardly enter in6 ,,tableaux4 #a4 ,home scene4 ,lady sitting in easy chair1 shoe and stocking on lap2 room dimly lighted4 #b4 ,lady weeping4 -------------- ,,the ,,washer-,,woman',s ,,song4 ------- ,,by ,,eugene ,f4 ,,ware4 ------- ,in a very humble cot1 ,in a rather quiet spot1 ,in the suds and in the soap1 ,worked a woman full of hope2 ,working1 singing1 all alone1 ,in a sort of undertone1#a 8,with a ,saviour for a friend1 ,he will keep me to the end40 ,sometimes happening along1 ,i had heard the semi-song1 ,and ,i often used to smile1 ,more in sympathy than guile2 ,but ,i never said a word1 ,in regard to what ,i heard1 ,as she sang about her ,friend ,who would keep her to the end4 ,not in sorrow1 nor in glee1 ,working all day long was she1 ,as her children three or four1 ,played around her on the floor2 ,but in monotones the song ,she was humming all day long3#b 8,with the ,saviour for a friend1 ,he will keep me to the end40 ,just a trifle lonesome she1 ,just as poor as poor could be1 ,but the spirits always rose1 ,like the bubbles in the clothes1 ,and though widowed and alone1 ,cheered her with the monotone1 ,of a ,saviour and a ,friend ,who would keep her to the end4 ,i have seen her rub and scrub1 ,on the washboard in the tub1 ,while the baby1 sopped in suds1 ,rolled and tumbled in the duds2 ,or was paddling in the pools1 ,with old scissors stuck in spools2 ,she still humming of her ,friend ,who would keep her to the end4#c ,human hopes and human creeds ,have their root in human needs2 ,and ,i would not wish to strip ,from that washer-woman's lip ,any song that she can sing1 ,any hopes that songs can bring2 ,for the woman has a ,friend ,who will keep her to the end4 ,,tableaux4 #a4 ,kitchen scene1 with woman washing in center of stage1 side face to audience2 clothes baskets1 soiled linen1 boiler1 clothes bars1 etc41 scattered in the room4 ,the washer-woman sings last two lines1 while curtain is raised4 #b4 ,same scene4 ,woman and tub in background facing audience while she rubs and sings2 children on floor in foreground4 ,sings again4 #c4 ,baby is the most conspicuous part of this picture1 and the livelier the better1 even to laughing or crying4 ,woman hums the tune as she works4 -------------- ,,the ,,small ,,boy',s ,,explanation4 ,it was ,sunday evening4 ,angelica had invited her young man to the evening meal4#a ,everything had passed off harmoniously until ,angelica's seven-year-old brother broke the blissful silence that had settled like a rainbow on the family circle1 with3 8,o1 ,ma6 ,you oughter seen ,mr4 ,lighted last night when he called to take ,angie to the drill6 ,he looked so nice1 sitting 'long side o' her1 with his arm0---- 8,fred60 screamed the maiden1 quickly placing her hand over the boy's mouth4#b 8,you just ought ter seen him10 continued the persistent informant1 after gaining his breath1 and the embarrassed girl's hand was removed2 8he had his arm0-- 8,freddie10 shouted the mother2 and in her frantic attempts to reach the boy's ear she upset the tea-pot1 sending its scalding contents into ,mr4 ,lighted's lap4#c 8,i was just going to say10 the half-frightened boy pleaded1 between a cry and an injured whine1 8he had his arm0-- 8,you boy10 thundered the father1 8away to the wood-shed40 ,and the boy made for the nearest exit1 exclaiming as he went1 8,i was only a goin' to say that ,mr4 ,lighted had his army clothes on1 and ,i'll leave it to him if he didn't40#d ,,tableaux4 #a4 ,dining-room scene4 ,father at right and mother at left end of dinner table2 small boy and ,angelica at side facing to audience2 young man on opposite side1 back to audience2 servant in side rear1 with glasses on tray4 #b4 ,angelica's hand is over the boy's mouth1 he evidently struggling to get away from it4 #c4 ,tea pot upset1 mother trying to reach the boy4 #d4 ,boy disappearing through screen door at left rear1 but half faces audience4 -------------- ,,looking ,,backward4 ,ay2 but wait1 good wife1 a minute1 ,i have first a word to say2 ,do you know what to-day is8 ,mother1 'tis our wedding day6#a ,just as now1 we sat at supper ,when the guests had gone away2 ,you sat that side1 ,i sat this side1 ,forty years ago to-day6 ,then what plans we laid together1 ,what brave things ,i meant to do6 ,could we dream to-day would find us ,at this table--me and you8 ,better so1 no doubt--and yet ,i ,sometimes think--,i can not tell-- ,had our boy--ah1 yes6 ,i know1 dear2 ,yes1 8,he doeth all things well40 ,well1 we've had our joys and sorrows1 ,shared our smiles as well as tears2 ,and--the best of all--,i've had your ,faithful love for forty years6 ,poor we've been1 but not forsaken2 ,grief we've known1 but never shame-- ,father for ,thy endless mercies ,still we bless ,thy ,holy ,name4#b ,,tableaux4 #a4 ,aged couple at supper table2 woman at end1 man at side facing audience2 lighted lamp on table--small1 so as not to hide man's face4 #b4 ,heads bowed while blessing is asked4 -------------- ,,lessons ,,in ,,cookery4 ,miss ,cicely ,jones is just home from boarding-school and engaged to be married1 and as she knows nothing about cooking or housework1 she is going to take a few lessons in the culinary art to fit her for the new station in life which she is expected to adorn with housewifely grace4 ,she makes a charming picture as she stands in the kitchen door1 draped in a chintz apron prettily trimmed with bows of ribbon1 her bangs hidden under a ,dolly ,varden cap1 while she gracefully swings to and fro on her ,french kid heels4#a 8,mamma10 she lisped1 8pleathe introduce me to your assistant80 ,mamma said1 8,bridget1 this is your young lady1 ,miss ,cicely1 who wants to learn the name and use of everything in the kitchen and how to make cocoanut rusks and angel-food1 before she goes to housekeeping for herself40#b ,bridget is not very favorably impressed1 but as she looks at the vision of youth and beauty before her1 she relents a little and says3 8,i'll throy40 8,now ,bridget1 dear10 said ,miss ,cicely when they were alone1 8tell me everything1 won't you8 ,you see ,i don't know anything except what they did at school--and oh1 isn't this old kitchen lovely8 ,what makes the ceiling such a beautiful bronze color1 ,bridget80#c 8,shmoke10 answers ,bridget shortly1 8an' me ould eyes are put out wid the same40 8,shmoke1 ,i must remember that4 ,bridget1 what are those shiny things on the wall80 8,kivvers--tin kivvers for the kittles40 8,oh1 yes--kivvers4 ,i must look for the derivation of that word4 ,bridget1 what are those round things in the basket80 8,sure1 thim's praties4 ,fur the ,lorrud's sake where hev yez lived niver to hear tell o' praties8 ,feth1 thim's the principal mate in the oul' counthry60 8,oh1 but we have corrupted the name into potatoes4 ,i see4 ,it is such a shame not to retain the idioms of a language4 ,bridget1 do you mind if ,i call you ,biddie8 it is more euphonious1 and modernizes the old classic appellation4 ,but what is this liquid in the pan here80#d 8,howly ,mither6 ,where wuz ye raised8 ,feth1 that's millick1 fresh from the coo40 8,millick6 ,that is the vernacular ,i dare say1 for milk2 and this thick yellow coating80 8,it's crame--,lord--sich ignurntz40 8,crame6 ,well1 well2 now ,biddie1 dear1 ,i must get to work4 ,i'm going to make a cake--all out of my own head1 for ,henry--he's my lover1 ,biddie--to eat when he comes to-night60 7,aside7 8,it's dead intirely he'll be if he ates it40 8,now ,biddie1 ,i've got everything down here on my tablet3 ,a pound of butter1 #bj eggs1 #b pounds of sugar1 salt to your taste--flour1 vanilla1 baking powder in proportion as your judgment dictates4 ,now ,biddie1 let me have the eggs first4 ,why6 it says1 #8beat them well1' but won't that break the shells80#e 8,feth1 ,i'd brek 'em this time anny how1 lest they don't set well on ,mister ,henry's stummick10 said ,bridget pleasantly4 8,all right4 ,i suppose ,i can use the shells separately4 ,there they go6 ,biddie dear1 ,i've broken all the eggs into the flour1 and you may save the shells to give to some poor people4 ,now1 what next8 ,oh1 ,i'm so tired6 ,isn't housework just awfully hard8 ,but ,i'm so glad ,i've learned to make cake4 ,now what shall ,i do next1 ,biddie80 8,axin yer pardon1 yez might give it to the pigs1 ,miss ,cicely10 said ,bridget1 8it's mesilf can't say no ither use for it40 8,pigs6 ,oh1 ,biddie666 ,you don't mean to say that you have some dear cunning little white pigs6 ,oh1 do bring the little darlings in and let me feed them6 ,i'm just dying to have one for a pet4 ,i think they are too awfully sweet for anything40 ,just then the bell rang and ,mr4 ,henry was announced4 ,cicely told ,bridget she would take another lesson the next day1 and she went into the parlor with her chintz apron on1 with a little dab of flour on her nose1 and told ,henry she was learning to cook#f--;and he told her she must not get worried nor overheated1 and that he didn't care whether she could cook or not--he didn't want to eat when he could have her to talk to----and poor ,bridget was just slamming things in the kitchen and talking to herself 7in that sweet idiom7 about 8idgits ternin things upsid down for her convanience40 ,,tableaux4 #a4 ,kitchen scene4 ,bridget working at table1 ,miss ,cicely entering half-opened door from rear2 mother in foreground4 #b4 ,bridget faces audience1 eying ,miss ,cicely in center of foreground2 mother at right4 #c4 ,miss ,cicely pointing and ,bridget looking at ceiling4 ,they are alone4 #d4 ,miss ,cicely points to a pan of milk on the table at the left1 ,bridget standing at right side1 face to audience4 #e4 ,miss ,cicely1 tablets in hand1 in front of table contemplates her ingredients1 and ,bridget looks on contemptuously4 #f4 ,parlor4 ,henry and ,cicely discussing matters on a sofa4 -------------- ,,the ,,bridal ,,wine ,,cup4 7,,specially ,,arranged ,,for ,,this ,,number47 ,,characters ,,and ,,costumes3--,marion1 the bride1 young and as pretty as possible1 in full bridal costume of white2 her husband1 a little older and as fine looking as he can be made2 her father1 a man about fifty1 gray1 portly and dignified1 both in full dress2 his wife1 some younger1 in elaborate toilet of dark silk en traine1 hair powdered2 three of six bridesmaids--as stage and other circumstances will permit--in one color if possible 7dresses of cheese-cloth are very pretty in rose1 blue or sea-green--and very cheap7 if not1 in colors that harmonize2 the same number of attendants in evening dress2 two maids of honor1 about five years old1 in white1 carrying baskets of flowers2 two pages1 about eight years old in ,lord ,fauntleroy costume2 clergyman1 as spirituelle in appearance as can be had--powder if complexion is dark or florid--should be smooth-faced1 wears episcopal gown and carries prayer-book2 guests ad lib4 in the background and sides in groups4 7,first tableau is announced and shown before the reading begins--as the 8staging0 is elaborate and should be carefully done47#a 8,pledge with wine1 pledge with wine10 cried the young and thoughtless ,harvey4 8,pledge with wine10 ran through the bridal party4 ,the beautiful bride grew pale--the decisive hour had come--she pressed her white hands together1 and the leaves of her bridal wreath trembled on her pure brow2 her breath came quicker1 her heart beat wilder4 ,from her childhood she had been most solemnly opposed to the use of all wines and liquors4 8,yes1 ,marion1 lay aside your scruples for this once10 said the judge in a low tone1 going towards his daughter1 8the company expect it4 ,do not so seriously infringe upon the rules of etiquette--in your own house act as you please2 but in mine1 for this once please me40#b ,every eye was turned towards the bridal pair4 ,marion's principles were well known4 ,harvey had been a convivialist1 but of late his friends noticed the change in his manners1 the difference in his habits--and to-night they watched him to see1 as they sneeringly said1 if he was tied down to a woman's opinion so soon4 ,pouring out a brimming beaker1 they held it with tempting smiles toward ,marion4#c ,she was very pale1 though more composed1 and her hand shook not as1 smiling back1 she gracefully accepted the crystal tempter and raised it to her lips4 ,but scarcely had she done so when every hand was arrested by her piercing exclamation of 8,oh1 how terrible40 8,what is it80 cried one and all1 thronging together1 for she had slowly carried the glass at arm's length and was fixedly regarding it as though it were some hideous object4#d 8,wait10 she answered1 while an inspired light shone from her dark eyes2 8wait1 and ,i will tell you4 ,i see10 she added1 slowly pointing one jeweled finger at the sparkling ruby liquid1 8a sight that beggars all description1 and yet listen1 ,i will paint it for you if ,i can4 ,it is a lovely spot2 tall mountains1 crowned with verdure1 rise in awful sublimity around2 a river runs through1 and bright flowers grow to the water's edge4 ,there is a thick warm mist1 that the sun seeks vainly to pierce2 trees1 lofty and beautiful1 wave to the airy motion of the birds2 but there1 a group of ,indians gather2 they flit to and fro with something like sorrow upon their dark brow2 and in their midst lies a manly form1 but his cheek how deathly2 his eye wild with the fitful fire of fever6 ,one friend stands beside him2 nay1 ,i should say1 kneels1 for he is pillowing that poor head upon his breast4 8,genius in ruins4 ,oh6 the high1 holy-looking brow6 ,why should death mark it1 and he so young8 ,look how he throws aside his dark curls6 ,see him clasp his hands6 ,hear his thrilling shrieks for life6 ,mark how he clutches at the form of his companion1 imploring to be saved4 ,oh6 hear him call piteously his father's name2 see him twine his fingers together as he shrieks for his sister--his only sister1 the twin of his soul--weeping for him in his distant native land40 8,see60 she exclaimed1 while the bridal party shrank back1 the untasted wine trembling in their faltering grasp1 and the judge fell1 overpowered1 upon his seat2 8see6 his arms are lifted to heaven2 he prays1 how wildly1 for mercy2 hot fever now rushes through his veins4 ,the friend beside him is weeping2 awe-stricken1 the dark men move silently and leave the living and dying together40 ,there was a hush in that princely parlor1 broken only by what seemed a smothered sob1 from some manly bosom4 ,the bride stood yet upright1 with quivering lip1 and tears stealing to the outward edge of her lashes4 ,her beautiful arm had lost its tension1 and the glass1 with its little troubled red waves1 came slowly towards the range of her vision4 ,she spoke again2 every lip was mute4 ,her voice was low1 faint1 yet awfully distinct2 she still fixed her sorrowful glance upon the wine cup4#e 8,it is evening now2 the great white moon is coming up1 and her beams lay gently upon his forehead4 ,he moves not2 his eyes are set in their sockets2 dim are their piercing glances2 in vain his friend whispers the name of father and sister--death is there4 ,death1 and no soft hand1 no gentle voice to bless and soothe him4 ,his head sinks back--one convulsive shudder--he is dead60 ,a groan ran through the assembly4 ,so vivid was her description1 so unearthly her look1 so inspired her manner1 that what she described seemed actually to have taken place then and there4 ,they noticed1 also1 that the bridegroom hid his face in his hands and was weeping4 8,dead60 she repeated again1 her lips quivering faster and faster1 and her voice more and more broken2 8and there they scoop him a grave2 and there1 without a shroud1 they lay him down in the damp1 reeking earth--the only son of a proud father1 the idolized brother of a fond sister4 ,and he sleeps to-day in that distant country1 with no stone to mark the spot4 ,there he lies--my father's son--my own twin brother1 a victim to this deadly poison4 ,father10 she exclaimed1 turning suddenly1 while the tears rained down her beautiful cheeks1 8father1 shall ,i drink the poison now80 ,the form of the old judge was convulsed with agony4 ,he raised his head1 but in a smothered voice he faltered3 8,no1 no1 my child2 in ,god's name1 no40 ,she lifted the glittering goblet1 and letting it suddenly fall to the floor it was dashed into a thousand pieces4#f ,many a tearful eye watched her movements1 and instantaneously every wine-glass was transferred to the marble table on which it had been prepared4 ,then1 as she looked at the fragments of crystal1 she turned to the company1 saying3 8,let no friend1 hereafter1 who loves me1 tempt me to peril my soul for wine4 ,not firmer are the everlasting hills than my resolve1 ,god helping me1 never to touch or taste that terrible poison4 ,and he to whom ,i have given my hand2 who watched over my brother's dying form in that last solemn hour1 and buried the dear wanderer there by the river in that land of gold1 will1 ,i trust1 sustain me in that resolve4 ,will you not1 my husband80 ,his glistening eyes1 his sad1 sweet smile was her answer4 ,the judge left the room1 and when an hour later he returned1 and with a more subdued manner1 took part in the entertainment of the bridal guests1 no one could fail to read that he1 too1 had determined to banish the enemy for once and forever from his princely rooms4 ,,tableaux4 #a4 ,bridal party in foreground1 ceremony in process2 maids of honor and pages in front4 #b4 ,supper table at left1 near which stands the ,judge and in center of foreground the bride1 who looks at her father2 others in groups4 #c4 ,one of the attendants handing a wine-glass 7by all means filled with cold tea1 or fruit juice7 to ,marion1 on whom all eyes are fixed4 #d4 ,glass in extended right hand1 pointing to it with index finger of left4 #e4 ,guests seem transfixed with interest in the recital and ,marion's glass has been brought nearer to herself4 #f4 ,the bride has advanced to the front 7so as not to spatter the others--and must have practiced sufficiently not to spatter her own gown7 and in the instant when the curtain is drawn she dashes the wine-glass to the floor4 ,if this tableau is shown a second time1 a second wine-glass must be sacrificed4 -------------- ,,grandma',s ,,minuet4 ,grandma told me all about it2 ,told me so ,i couldn't doubt it1 ,how she danced--my grandma danced-- ,long ago4 ,how she held her pretty head1 ,how her dainty skirt she spread1 ,how she turned her little toes#a1 ,smiling little human rose6 ,long ago4 ,grandma's hair was bright and sunny1 ,dimpled cheek1 too--ah1 how funny6 ,really1 quite a pretty girl1 ,long ago4 ,bless her6 ,why1 she wears a cap1 ,grandma does1 and takes a nap ,every single day2 and yet ,grandma danced a minuet1 ,long ago4 ,now she sits there rocking1 rocking1 ,always knitting grandpa's stocking#b 7,every girl was taught to knit ,long ago72 ,yet her figure is so neat1 ,i can almost see her now ,bending to her partner's bow#c ,long ago4 ,grandma says our modern jumping1 ,hopping1 rushing1 whirling1 bumping1 ,would have shocked the gentlefolk ,long ago4 ,no--they moved with stately grace1 ,everything in proper place2 ,gliding slowly forward1 then ,slowly courtesying back again#d ,long ago4 ,modern ways are quite alarming1 ,grandma says2 but boys were charming-- ,girls and boys1 ,i mean1 of course-- ,long ago4 ,bravely modest1 grandly shy-- ,what if all of us should try ,just to feel like those who met ,in their graceful minuet1 ,long ago8 ,with the minuet in fashion1 ,who could fly into a passion8 ,all would wear the calm they wore ,long ago4 ,in time to come1 if ,i perchance ,should tell my grandchild of our dance ,i should really like to say3 8,we did1 dear1 in some such way ,long ago40 ,,moving ,,tableaux ,,with ,,piano ,,obligato4 7,specially arranged for ,preston ,library47 ,the music continues through the entire reading and should be very soft1 player and piano may be hidden4 ,a child eight or ten years old will often be found who can take the part gracefully and keep time to the music1 but if not1 get a young lady--as the beauty of the tableaux depends largely upon the dancing4 ,the dress should be white and simple4 ,the ,grandmother sits in the background1 in ordinary makeup for old lady4 ,the words suggest the appropriate tableaux at the places indicated4 -------------- ,,abou ,,ben ,,adhem4 ------- ,,by ,,leigh ,,hunt4 ------- 7,,arranged ,,for ,,an ,,illustrated ,,reading ,,with ,,three ,,tableaux7 8,abou ,ben ,adhem1 may his tribe increase1 ,awoke one night from a deep dream of peace ,and saw1 within the moonlight of his room1 ,making it rich and like a lily in bloom1 ,an ,angel writing in a book of gold4#a ,exceeding peace had made ,ben ,adhem bold4 ,and to the vision in the room1 he said3 #8,what writest thou8' ,the ,angel raised its head ,and with a look made all of sweet accord1 ,answered3 #8,the names of those that love the ,lord1'#b #8,and is mine one8' #8,nay1 not so1' ,replied the ,angel4 ,abou spoke more low ,but cheerily still3 #8,i pray thee1 then1 ,write me as one who loves his fellow men4' ,the ,angel wrote and vanished1 but the next night ,appeared with a great1 wakening light1 ,showing the names of those whom love of ,god had blessed1 ,and lo1 ,abou ,ben ,adhem's led all the rest60#c ,,characters ,,and ,,costumes3--,abou ,ben ,adhem1 on a couch over which an oriental spread is thrown4 7,if the genuine article is not to be had1 substitute one of the most brilliant coloring obtainable47 ,he should be large and dark-skinned1 head enveloped in turban of bright colored cloth or pure white4 ,angel1 tall blonde2 must be blonde1 even if golden wig has to be rented or made of yellow ,germantown yarn2 face and arms freely powdered2 hair hangs loosely and shows for all it is worth2 draping is done most easily by means of two sheets 7old1--new ones are too stiff to form graceful folds7 as follows3 over the ordinary underclothing1 which must be sleeveless so far as the lower half of the arm is concerned1 fold over a corner to a foot in depth1 and place folded part over the chest1 pinning drapery to each shoulder1 letting it fall easily and full to floor1 even trailing2 do the same with the second sheet1 using it to drape the back of the angel787 pinning both under the arms in such a way as not to interfere with their free use1 nor to cover below the elbow2 a white or silver cord and tassel is tied loosely in front just below the waist line1 and in such a manner as to allow the drapery above to fall in folds over the girdle2 the wings must not be 8stingy0 nor set too high on the shoulders1 must nearly touch floor 7see directions1 p4 #f1 for making7 and are pinned in place before the second sheet is draped2 a silver band of pasteboard covered with paper with a star in front confines the hair ever so slightly4 ,the 8book of gold0 is any large book covered with gilt paper4 ,the scroll containing 8the names of those whom love of ,god had blessed0 is made of blank white paper1 two and a half by five feet1 paste-hemmed edge of one inch on sides and lower end1 the upper end pasted on a round stick of light wood 7the writer has used a curtain roller or broom handle7 and the name ,abou ,ben ,adhem in large gilt letters pasted about a foot from the top4 ,the 8odds and ends0 of gilt paper that are left from this cutting may be used to simulate the other names further down upon the scroll1 only ,abou's being intended as readable4 ,the light for these tableaux should be as yellow and mellow as possible--and in the writer's opinion nothing is so good for obtaining this effect as kerosene lamps used abundantly1 as foot-lights1 on brackets1 and wherever a place may be found for one--with shades of yellow tissue paper thrown over plain white porcelain or glass ones on as many of the lamps as can be dressed in this way4 ,gas is next best--but electric light is too white4 7,see 8,directions10 p4 #f1 for making foot-lights47 ,,tableaux4 #a4 ,sitting-room scene2 couch at right of center of foreground1 head pointing toward left and a little back4 ,desk or table at convenient distance on left1 where angel writes1 facing the dreamer1 who has raised his head and watches intently1 resting it on his hand4 ,angel's look is toward the book of gold4 #b4 ,same as preceding1 except that ,angel's head is raised while speaking1 and she looks at ,abou4 #c4 ,angel stands1 holding scroll so that both audience and ,abou may see and read his name4 -------------- ,,easter ,,exercise4 ,,longfellow',s 8,,king ,,robert ,,of ,,sicily0 ,,illustrated ,,with ,,tableaux4 ------- ,,by ,,the ,,author ,,of 8,,preston ,,papers40 ------- 7,the following is designed for a high-school or academy entertainment4--,,author47 ,only 8cue0 lines from the well-known poem are given4 ,the reader should stand in front of the drawn curtain1 reading during arrangement of stage for scenic illustration4 ,everything must be in readiness for prompt and silent changes from one tableau to another1 that the poem may be 8illustrated10 not spoiled4 ,the entire poem should be read--the tableaux shown at the cue4 78cue0 line47 8,on ,st4 ,john's eve1 at vespers1 proudly sat1 ,and heard the priests chant the ,magnificat40 #a4 ,stage represents church1 with dim lights2 at left altar1 priests chanting2 at right1 king and retinue in pews4 ,altar may be fashioned from upturned box1 over which showy table-spread is thrown2 railing may be made by turning chairs of one pattern1 with backs toward pews2 king's crown of pasteboard covered with gilt paper2 loose robe of any soft1 brilliant color2 ermine can be made from sheets of cotton wadding cut in strips three or four inches wide having black spots an inch and a half long1 tapering from half inch wide to round point2 courtiers' costumes brilliant with gilt and tinsel4 8,and leaning back1 he yawned and fell asleep1 ,lulled by the chant monotonous and deep40 #b4 ,same scene2 lights dimmer2 music softer and more monotonous--,king sleeping4 8,the sounds re-echoed from the roof and walls-- ,as if dead priests were laughing in their stalls40 #c4 ,same1 but with lights all extinguished save one or two dimly burning2 king alone1 near door at extreme right4 8,king ,robert's self1 in features1 form1 and height1 ,but all transfigured by angelic light40 #d4 ,banquet room brilliantly lighted in the palace2 table elegantly equipped with damask1 glass 7the more beautiful color the better71 silver1 flowers1 etc41 people standing in groups2 king's counterpart on dais in background2 real king in foreground1 side to audience1 staring at his 8other self40 8,and in the corner1 a revolting shape1 ,shivering and chattering1 sat the wretched ape40 #e4 ,barren dark room2 straw bed in further corner1 with king sitting thereon in plain dark robe1 disheveled hair1 wonder in face1 and attitude4 ,ape may be omitted1 or 8made to order0 of dark cloth1 on wooden chair or stool in opposite corner4 8,he heard the garments of the ,lord ,sweep through the silent air1 ascending heavenward40 #f4 ,same scene2 but king kneels1 facing audience4 8,across these stones1 that lead the way to heaven1 ,walk barefoot1 till my guilty soul be shriven40 #g4 ,king ,robert in the foreground in same garments1 bowed head1 hands crossed on breast1 standing2 ,angel ,king on throne in background4 7,throne may be improvised from big old-fashioned sofa1 or two large chairs without arms1 having handsome spread thrown over it1 with showy rug in front47 8,rose like the throbbing of a single string2 #8,i am the ,angel1 and thou art the ,king4'0 -------------- ,,drafted4 ,a ,,memorial ,,day ,,poem1 ,,illustrated ,,with ,,moving ,,tableaux4 ------- ,,arranged ,,by ,,the ,,author ,,of 8,,preston ,,papers40 ------- ,i4 ,what8 ,drafted8 ,my ,harry6 ,why man1 't is a boy at his books1 ,no taller1 ,i'm sure1 than your ,annie2 as delicate1 too1 in his looks4 ,why it seems but a day since he helped me1 girl-like1 in my kitchen1 at tasks4 ,he drafted6 ,great ,god6 ,can it be that our ,president knows what he asks8 ,,ii4 ,he never could wrestle1 this boy1 though in spirit as brave as the best4 ,narrow-chested1 a little1 you notice1 like him who has long been at rest4 ,too slender for over-much study2 why his teacher has made him to-day ,go out with his ball1 on the common2 and you've drafted a child at his play6 ,,iii4 8,not a patriot80 ,fie6 ,did ,i whimper when ,robert stood up with his gun ,and the hero-blood chafed in his forehead1 the evening we heard of ,bull ,run8 ,pointing his finger at ,harry1 but turning his face to the wall1 8,there's a staff growing up for your age1 ,mother10 said ,robert1 8if ,i am to fall40 ,,iv4 8,eighteen80 ,oh1 ,i know2 and yet narrowly4 ,just a wee babe on the day ,when his father got up from his sick bed1 and cast his last ballot for ,clay4 ,proud of his boy and his ticket1 said he1 8,a new morsel of fame ,we'll lay on the candidate's altar20 and christened the child with that name499_/ ,v4 ,o1 what have ,i done1 a weak woman8 ,in what have ,i meddled with harm 7,troubling ,god only for sunshine and rain1 on my rough little farm7 ,that my ploughshares are beaten to swords1 and sharpened before my eyes-- ,that my tears must cleanse a foul nation1 my lamb be a sacrifice8 ,,vi4 ,oh1 ,i know there's a country to save1 man2 and 'tis true there is no appeal4 ,but did ,god see my boy's name1 lying the uppermost one in the wheel8 ,five stalwart sons has my neighbor1 and never the lot upon one6 ,are these things ,fortune's caprices1 or is it ,god's will that is done8 ,,vii4 ,are the others too precious for resting when ,robert is taking his rest ,with the pictured face of young ,annie1 lying over the rent in his breast8 ,too tender for parting with sweethearts8 ,too fair to be crippled or scarred8 ,my boy6 ,thank ,god for these tears--,i was growing so bitter and hard6 ,,viii4 ,now read me a page from the ,book1 ,harry1 that goes in your knapsack to-night1 ,of the ,eye that sees when the sparrow grows weary and falters in flight4 ,talk of something that's nobler than living2 of a ,love that is higher than mine2 ,and a ,faith that has planted its banners where the heavenly camp-fires shine4 ,,ix4 ,talk of ,something that tenderly watches1 while the shadows glide down in the yard1 ,that shall go with my soldier to battle--and stand1 with my picket1 on guard4 ,spirits of loving and lost ones6 ,watch softly o'er ,harry to-night-- ,for to-morrow he goes forth to battle6 ,arm him for ,freedom and ,right4 7,the effectiveness of the above poem will depend mainly upon the reading4 ,the words are a constant outburst of emotions that find relief only in vocal expression--and unless the reader can fully enter into sympathy with the various feelings displayed by the widowed mother when she learns that her only remaining son is drafted1 its rare qualities will be lost on the audience4 ,the tableaux are but a mere accompaniment47 ,,suggestions4 ,first ,stanza4 ,scene4 ,ordinary sitting-room2 lady in widow's weeds1 knitting near table--having books1 papers and work on it--in center of foreground4 ,she rises to greet army officer in uniform1 who enters at left1 carrying hat in left hand1 and in his right1 official paper which he passes to lady who reads and turns to him as the reader 7who is concealed7 pronounces the first words4 ,her face expresses surprise and incredulity during first half of first line2 then expostulation and entreaty4 ,at the words3 8,great ,god10 she drops back into her chair1 overwhelmed by the thought4 ,second ,stanza4 ,without rising1 she again turns to the officer1 and argues the case with special resistance on the last half of the last line4 ,third ,stanza4 ,she is roused to dispute the officer's charge that she is not a patriot1 and there is defiance in her attitude as she calls up the memory of ,robert's enlisting4 ,fourth ,stanza4 ,her manner changes as her recollection goes back to ,harry's babyhood1 and she grows tender in the thoughts of her dead husband4 ,fifth ,stanza4 ,reflecting on what seems great injustice1 her head bowed on her hand4 ,sixth ,stanza4 ,she turns her face to the officer again1 to answer his arguments1 her face first expressing the helplessness she feels1 then doubt4 ,seventh ,stanza4 ,still addressing the officer she becomes hard in her despair4 ,at the words 8,my boy0 she turns from the officer1 holds out both arms to ,harry1 who has just entered from rear and advances to meet his mother1 who embraces him1 weeping4 ,officer retires slowly and quietly1 from rear1 wiping his eyes4 ,harry brings a low stool and sits upon it1 his elbow on his mother's chair--she caressing him4 ,eighth ,stanza4 ,harry takes big ,bible from table and turns leaves slowly1 until he finds what he wants4 ,mother leans back in chair1 with closed eyes1 one hand on ,harry2 countenance calm1 expressing resignation4 ,ninth ,stanza4 ,harry kneels near mother1 who1 in last two lines1 with clasped hands and uplifted face makes her petition4 ,curtain falls on this tableau1 after the last word of the poem4 -------------- ,,an ,,order ,,for ,a ,,picture4 ------- ,,by ,,alice ,,cary4 ------- 7,,tableaux ,,illustrating ,,this ,,poem1 ,,arranged ,,especially ,,for ,,the 8,,preston ,,library407 ,only the 8cue0 lines are given for each tableau1 the well-known poem being found in various collections1 and space forbidding an entire reprint4 ,,characters ,,and ,,costumes3--,the old man1 who is speaking2 the artist1 who may be a young man1 in sack coat or cardigan jacket1 with fez or smoking cap2 the mother in quaint old style dress1 hair parted on forehead2 two small boys in roundabout and long pants1 such as were worn thirty years ago4 ,,tableaux4 ,first scene1 cue lines3 8,o good painter1 tell me true1 ,has your hand the cunning to draw ,shapes of things that you never saw80 ,artist's studio2 pictures on walls and easels2 bric-a-brac on what-not or chiffonier2 artist paints at easel in center front of platform1 side face to audience2 customer enters from left1 hat in hand1 facing audience1 looking earnestly at artist4 ,second scene1 cue line3 8,at last we stood at our mother's knee40 ,sitting room1 rather plainly furnished with old style chairs1 sofa1 etc42 mother at left of front center2 boys standing at her knee1 grouped with three-quarter faces toward the audience2 mother looking very grave2 boy having bird's nest stands so that nest may be seen4 ,third scene4 ,studio again4 -------------- ,,my ,,sister',s ,,photographs4 7,,adapted ,,and ,,abridged ,,expressly ,,for ,,this ,,publication--,,with ,,tableaux ,,arranged ,,by ,,the ,,author ,,of 8,,preston ,,papers407 ------- ,,characters3--,geordie1 a boy about twelve years old2 ,miss ,watson and ,geordie's three sisters1 all fashionable young ladies2 a foppish young man1 a clerk1 with an exceedingly long mustache2 ,peters1 red-haired and freckled2 ,mr4 ,courtenay1 a lawyer1 who carries his head away up in the air4 ------- ,to-day ,i was let set up in a arm-chair1 tucked up in a quilt4#a ,i soon got tired o' that1 so ,i ast ,betty to git me a glass o' ice water to squench my thirst1 an' when she was gone ,i cut an' run1 an' went into ,susan's room to look at all them photographs of nice young men she's got there in her bureau drawer4 ,the girls was all down in the parlor1 'cos ,miss ,watson had come to call4 ,betty she come a huntin' of me1 but ,i hid in the closet behind a ole hoop-skirt4 ,i come out when she went down stairs1 an' had a real good time4 ,some o' them photographs was written on the back like this3 8,conseated fop60 8,oh1 ain't he sweet80 8,a perfick darling40 8,what a mouth60 8,portrait of a donkey60 ,i kep about two dozen o' them ,i knew1 to have some fun when ,i get well--'n' then shut the drawer1 so's ,sue wouldn't know they's took4 ,i couldn't bear to go back to that nasty room1 ,i was so tired of it1 'n' ,i thot ,i'd pass my time playin' ,i's a young lady4 ,i found a lot o' little curls in the buro1 wich ,i stuck on all around my forehead with a bottle o' mewsilage4 ,then ,i seen some red stuff on a sawser1 wich ,i rubbed onto my cheeks4#b ,wen ,i was all fixed up ,i slid down the bannisters1 plump agin ,miss ,watson1 wot was a sayin' good-by to my sisters4 ,such a hollerin' as they made6 ,miss ,watson she turned me to the light1 an' sez she1 as sweet as pie3 8,geordie1 where did you get them pretty red cheeks80 ,susan she made a sign1 but ,i didn't pay no 'tention to it4 8,i found some red stuff in ,sue's buro10 sez ,i--'n' she smiled kind o' hateful 'n' said3 8,o-o-o-h60#c ,wich my sister says she is a awful gossip1 wot'll tell all over town that they paint1 wich they don't1 'cause that stuff was just to make red roses on card-board1 wich is all right4 ,sue was so mad she boxed my ears4 8,aha1 ,missy10 sez ,i to myself1 8you don't guess about them photographs wot ,i took out o' your buro60 ,some folks think little boys' ears are made o' purpose to be boxed--my sisters do4 ,if they knew how it riled me up they'd be more careful4 ,i laid low--but beware to-morrow4 ,this morning they let me come down to breakfast4 ,i've got all those pictures in my pockets1 you bet your sweet life4 8,wot makes your pockets stick out so80 ast ,lily1 when ,i was a waiting a chance to slip out un-be-known4 8,oh1 things10 sez ,i--'n' she laughed4 ,i got off down town1 an' had piles o' fun4 ,i called on every one o' them aboriginals of them photographs4 8,hello1 ,geordie6 ,well agen80 said the first feller ,i stopped to see4 ,oh1 my6 when ,i get big enuff ,i hope my mustaches won't be waxed like his 'n6 ,he's in a store1 'n' ,i got him to give me a nice cravat1 'n' he ast me1 8,was my sisters well80 so ,i fished out his photograph and gave it to him4 ,it was the one that had 8,conseated ,fop0 written on the back4 ,the girls had drawed his mustaches out twict as long with a pencil1 'n' made him smile all acrost his face4 ,he got as red as fire1 'n' then he scowled at me4#d 8,who did that1 you little rascal80 8,i guess the spirits done it0 ,i said1 as onest as a owl--'n' then went away real quick 'cause he looked mad4 ,the next place ,i come to was a grocery store1 where a nuther young man lived4 ,he had red hair1 an' freckles1 but he seemed to think hisself a beauty4 ,i said3 8,hello1 ,peters60 ,he said3 8,the same yourself1 ,master ,george4 ,do you like raisins8 ,help yourself40 ,boys wot has three pretty sisters allers does get treated well1 ,i notiss4 ,i took a big handful o' raisins1 'n' a few peanuts1 'n' sot on the counter eating 'em1 till all at onst1 as if ,i jest tho't of it1 ,i took out his photograph an' squinted at it1 an sez3 8,i do declare it looks like you40 8,let's see it10 sez he4 ,i wouldn't for a long time1 then ,i gave it to him4 ,the girls had made freckles all over it4 ,this was the one they wrote on its back3 8,he ast me1 but ,i wouldn't have him40 ,they'd painted his hair as red as a rooster's comb4 ,he got quite pale when he seen it clost4#e 8,it's a burning shame0 sez ,i1 8for them young ladies to make fun o' their bows40 8,clear out10 sez ,peters4 ,i grabbed a nuther bunch o' raisins 'n' quietly disappeared4 ,i tell you he was wrathy4 ,mister ,courtenay he's a lawyer 'n' got a offis on the square by the court-house4 ,i knew him very well1 'cos he comes to our house offen4 ,he's a awful queer lookin' chap1 an' so stuck up you'd think he was tryin' to see if the moon was made o' green cheese1 like folks says it is1 the way he keeps his nose up in the air4 ,he's got a deep1 deep voice--way down in his boots4 ,my heart beat wen ,i got in there1 ,i was that frightened2 but ,i was bound to see the fun out1 so ,i ast him3 8,is the #8,what is ,it' on exabishun to-day80 8,wot do you mean80 sez he1 a lookin' down at me4 8,sue said if ,i would come to your offis ,i would see wot this is the picture of10 sez ,i--given' him his own photograph inscribed 8,the ,wonderful ,what is ,it40 ,it's awful funny to see their faces wen they look at their own cards4 ,in about a minute he up with his foot--which ,i dodged just in time4#f ,well1 sir1 ,i give them cards all back afore dinner time4 ,i expect there4'll be a row4 ,i've laughed myself almost to fits thinkin' of the feller wot ,i give the 8,portrait of a ,donkey0 to4 ,he looked so cress-fallen4 ,i do believe he cried4 ,wen ,i got home they wuz teazin' ma to let 'em give a party next week4 ,i don't believe one o' them young men 'll come to it2 the girls have give 'em dead away4 ,i don't care1 worth a cent4 ,wot for makes 'em box my ears 'f they want me to be good to 'em8 ,,tableaux4 #a4 ,boy's room4 ,geordie in an arm-chair wrapped in a quilt4 #b4 ,girls' room4 ,geordie1 fixed up as described1 stands in center of foreground--grinning self-consciously4 #c4 ,parlor4 ,miss ,watson and ,geordie in foreground1 side face to audience2 sisters scattered in rear and at sides4 #d4 ,clothing store2 counters1 shelves1 etc41 may be simulated by tables1 boxes and what-nots1 on which clothing may be piled4 ,clerk and ,geordie in front1 clerk scowling--,geordie as innocent as it is possible to look4 #e4 ,grocery store4 ,boxes and barrels standing around1 ,geordie sitting on one and just in the act of handing the picture to ,peters4 #f4 ,lawyer's office4 ,desk and chairs in rear and side of room4 ,table with books at opposite side4 ,lawyer at right and ,geordie at left of center1 the former in the act of administering a kick1 which ,geordie wards off with his hand4 -------------- ,,the ,,night ,,watch4 ------- ,,fran,,ois ,,copp,e4 ------- 7,,illustrated ,,by ,,tableaux ,,arranged ,,expressly ,,for ,,the ,,preston ,,library ,,by ,,the ,,author ,,of 8,,preston ,,papers407 ,,characters ,,and ,,costumes3--,irene in ,nun's dress1 with silver cross1 and ring1 as suggested in the poem2 she should be tall1 slight1 and pale1 with black hair--which is covered by a white wig for the last tableau2 the wounded officer1 in regimentals for first tableau1 on a cot after that 7any soldier uniform with gilt lace and epaulettes will do27 the valet1 an old man in servants' livery2 the doctor1 in a business suit2 the postman1 in uniform1 with mail-bag4 ------- ,soon as her lover to the war had gone1 ,without tears or common-place despair1 ,irene de ,grandfief1 a maiden pure ,and noble-minded1 reassumed the garb ,that at the convent she had worn--black dress ,with narrow pelerine--and the small cross ,in silver at her breast2 her piano closed4 ,her jewels put away--all save one ring4 ,gift of the ,viscount ,roger on that eve ,in the past spring-time when he had left her1 ,bidding farewell1 and from ,irene's brow ,culling one silken tress1 that he might wear it ,in gold medallion close upon his heart4#a ,without delay or hindrance1 in the ranks ,he took a private's place4 ,what that war was ,too well is known4 ,impassible1 and speaking ,seldom as might be of her absent lover1 ,irene daily1 at a certain hour1 ,watched at her window till the postman came ,down o'er the hill along the public road1 ,his mail-bag at his back4#b ,if he passed by1 ,nor any letter left1 she turned away ,stifling a long-drawn sigh2 and that was all4 ,then came the siege of ,paris--hideous time6 ,spreading through ,france as gangrene spreads1 invasion ,drew near ,irene's chateau4 ,in vain the priest ,and the old doctor1 in their evening talk1 ,grouped with the family around the hearth1 ,death for their constant theme before her took4 ,no sad foreboding could that young heart know4 ,roger at ,metz was1 with his regiment1 safe1 ,at the last date unwounded4 ,he was living2 ,he must be living2 she was sure of that4 ,thus by her faith1 in faithful love sustained1 ,counting her beads1 she waited1 waited on4 ,wakened one morning1 with a start1 she heard ,in the far copses of the park shots fired ,in quick succession4 ',twas the enemy6 ,she would be brave as ,roger4 ,so she blushed ,at her own momentary fear2 then calm ,as though the incident a trifle were1 ,her toilet made2 and1 having duly said ,her daily prayer1 not leaving out one ,ave1 ,down to the drawing-room as usual went1 ,a smile upon her lips4 ,it had1 indeed1 ,been a mere skirmish---that1 and nothing more4 ,thrown out as scouts1 a few ,bavarian soldiers ,had been abruptly1 by our ,franc-,tireurs1 ,surprised and driven off4 ,they had picked up ,just at that moment1 where the fight had been1 ,a wounded officer--,bavarian was he-- ,shot through the neck4 ,and when they brought him in1 ,that tall young man1 all pale1 eyes closed1 and bleeding1 ,stretched on a mattress--without sigh or shudder ,irene had him carefully borne up ,into the room by ,roger occupied ,when he came wooing there1#c ,then1 while they put ,the wounded man to bed1 she carried out ,herself his vest and cloak all black with blood2 ,bade the old valet wear an air less glum1 ,and stir himself with more alacrity2 ,and1 when the wound was dressed1 lent aid1 ,as of the ,sisterhood of ,charity1 ,with her own hands4#d ,evening came on apace ,bringing the doctor4 ,when he saw the man ,a strange expression flitted o'er his face1 ,as to himself he muttered3 8,yes1 flushed cheek2 ,pulse beating much too high4 ,if possible ,i must arrest the fever4 ,this prescription ,very oft succeeds4 ,but some one must take note ,of the oncoming fits2 must watch till morn1 ,and tend him closely40 8,doctor1 ,i am here40 8,not you1 young lady6 ,service such as this ,one of your valets can0---- 8,no1 doctor1 ,no6 ,roger perchance may be a prisoner yonder1-- ,hurt1 ill4 ,if he such tending should require ,as does this officer1 ,i would he had ,a ,german woman for his nurse40 8,so be it10 ,answered the doctor1 offering her his hand4 8,give him the potion four times every hour ,i will return to judge of its effects ,at daylight40#e ,then he went his way1 and left ,irene to her office self-imposed4 ,scarcely a minute had she been in charge1 ,when the ,bavarian1 to ,irene turning1 ,with eye half-opened looked at her and spoke4 8,this doctor10 said he 8thought ,i was asleep1 ,but ,i heard every word4 ,i thank you1 lady2 ,i thank you from my very inmost heart-- ,less for myself than for her sake1 to whom ,you would restore me1 and who there at home ,awaits me40 8,hush10 she said1 8,sleep if you can ,do not excite yourself4 ,your life depends ,on perfect quiet40 8,no10 he answered1 8,no6 ,i must at once unload me of a secret ,that weighs upon me4 ,i a promise made1 ,and ,i would keep it4 ,death may be at hand40#f 8,speak1 then10 ,irene said 8and ease your soul40 8,the war1---- oh1 what an infamy is war6 ,it was last month1 by ,metz1 'twas my ill fate ,to kill a ,frenchman40 ,she turned pale1 and lowered ,the lamp-light to conceal it4#g ,he continued3 8,we were sent forward to surprise a cottage1 ,strengthened and held by some of yours4 ,we did ,as hunters do when stalking game4 ,the night ,was clouded4 ,silent1 arms in hand1 in force1 ,along the poplar-bordered path we crept ,up to the ,french post4 ,i1 first1 drove my saber ,into the soldiers' back who sentry stood ,before the door4 ,he fell1 nor gave the alarm4 ,we took the cottage1 putting to the sword ,every soul there40 ,irene with her hands ,covered her eyes4 8,disgusted with such carnage1 ,loathing such scene1 ,i stepped into the air4 ,just then the moon broke through the clouds and showed me ,there at my feet a soldier on the ground ,writhing1 the rattle in his throat4 ',twas he1 ,the sentry whom my saber had transpierced4 ,touched with compassion sudden and supreme1 ,i stopped1 to offer him a helping hand-- ,but1 with choked voice1 #8,it is too late1' he said1 ,i must needs die----you are an officer-- ,a gentleman1 perchance'1 #8,yes2 tell me quick2 ,what can ,i do for you8' #8,promise--that you ,will forward this1' he said1 his fingers clutching ,a gold medallion hanging at his breast1 ,dabbled in blood1 #8to'--then his latest thoughts ,passed with his latest breath4 ,the loved one's name1 ,mistress or bride affianced1 was not told ,by that poor ,frenchman4 ,seeing blazoned arms ,on the medallion1 ,i took charge of it1 ,hoping to trace her at some future day ,among the nobility of ,france1 ,to whom reverts the dying soldier's gift2 ,here it is4 ,take it4 ,but1 ,i pray you1 swear ,that1 if death spares me not1 you will fulfill ,this pious duty in my place40 ,therewith ,he the medallion handed her2 and on it ,irene saw the ,viscount's blazoned arms4 ,then--her heart agonized with mortal woe-- 8,i swear it1 sir60 she murmured4 8,sleep in peace10 ,solaced by having this disclosure made1 ,the wounded man sank down in sleep4 ,irene1 ,her bosom heaving1 and with eyes aflame ,though tearless all1 stood rooted by his side4#h ,yes1 he is dead1 her lover6 ,those his arms2 ,his blazon that1 no less renowned than ancient2 ,the very blood stains his6 ,nor was his death ,heroic1 soldier-like4 ,struck from behind1 ,without or cry or call for comrade's help1 ,roger was murdered4 ,and there1 sleeping1 lies ,the man who murdered him6 ,yes2 he has boasted ,how in the back the traitorous blow was dealt4 ,and now he sleeps1 with drowsiness oppressed1 ,roger's assassin2 and 'twas she1 ,irene1 ,who bade him sleep in peace6 ,and then again1 ,with what cruel mockery1 cruel and supreme1 ,she from this brow must wipe away the sweat6 ,she by this couch must watch till dawn of day1 ,as loving mother by a suffering child6 ,she must at briefest intervals to him ,administer the remedy prescribed1 ,so that he die not6 ,and the man himself ,counting on this in quiet1--sheltered1 housed ,under the roof of hospitality6 ,and there the flask upon the table stands ,charged with his life4 ,he waits it3 ,is not this ,beyond imagination horrible8 ,what6 ,while she feels creeping and growing on her ,all that is awful in the one word 8hate10 ,while in her breast the ominous anger seethes ,that nerved1 in holy scripture1 ,jael's arm ,to drive the nail through ,sisera's head6 ,she save ,the accursed ,german6 ,oh1 away6 ,such point ,forbearance reaches not4 ,what6 ,while it glitters ,there in the corner1 the brass-pommeled sword1 ,wherewith the murderer struck--and fell desire1 ,fierce impulse bids it from the scabbard leap-- ,shall she1 in deference to vague prejudice1 ,to some fantastic notion that affects ,human respect and duty1 shall she put ,repose and sleep1 and antidote and life ,into the horrible hand by which all joy ,is ravished from her8 ,never6 ,she will break ,the assuaging flask4 ,but no6 ',twere needless that4 ,she needs but leave ,fate to work out its end4 ,fate1 to avenge her1 seems to be at one ,with her resolve4 ',twere but to let him die6 ,yes1 there the life preserving potion stands2 ,but for one hour might she not fall asleep8 ,then1 all in tears1 she murmured 8,infamy60 ,and still the struggle lasted1 till the ,german1 ,roused by her deep groans from his wandering dreams1 ,moved1 ill at ease1 and1 feverish1 begged for drink4 ,up toward the antique ,christ in ivory1 ,at the bed's head suspended on the wall1 ,irene raised the martyr's look sublime2 ,then1 ashen pale1 but ever with her eyes ,turned to the ,god of ,calvary1 poured out ,the soothing draught1 and with a delicate hand ,gave to the wounded man the drink he asked4 ,and when the doctor in the morning came1 ,and saw ,irene beside the officer1 ,tending him still and giving him his drink ,with trembling fingers1 he was much amazed1 ,that through the dreary watches of the night ,the raven locks1 which1 at set of sun1 ,had crowned her fair young brow1 by morning's dawn ,had changed to snowy white4#i ,,tableaux4 ,scene only changes from reception room to chamber1 and the poem suggests the characters for each1 and the surroundings4 ,look out for the details mentioned in the poem4 -------------- ,,systematic ,,and ,,intellectual ,,housekeeping4 7,,with ,,tableaux47 8,what is that1 my dear8 ,a trip into the country8 ,why1 certainly4 ,go and enjoy yourself4 ,stay as long as you like4 ,take the children with you and give the domestics a holiday4 ,don't hurry back on my account4 ,i shall get along well enough4 ,i guess ,i haven't forgotten all my old bachelor ways and means yet4 ,besides1 ,i don't believe in all this fuss and nonsense about housekeeping being burdensome4 ,it all depends upon the amount of intellect you bring to bear upon the matter4 ,of course1 women have no idea of #8system' such as a man uses in his business--but ,i know that it can be carried into the domestic economy with very good results1 and ,i shall be glad of a chance to show you the effect of a little brain power in the kitchen40#ah ,mrs4 ,brown was a very indulgent wife who never found it necessary to proclaim superiority to her liege lord1 even in the domestic lines where he now seemed really anxious to test his ability--besides1 she really wanted a summer in the country for the children's sake 7or the children's ache1 as it proved later71 so she smiled sweetly at his ready acquiescence to her suggestion and immediately set about preparations for departure4 ,she wanted to retain at least one domestic1 as a reserved force in case of emergency2 but ,mr4 ,brown scouted the idea1 and upon reflection she decided to let him have his way1 knowing that he could exist upon restaurant fare if worse came to worst1 and he was not so successful in his culinary experiments as he hoped4 ,so in three days the house was left in solitary possession of its sanguine head1 who had gone to the suburban station with his family1 bag and baggage1 at noon4#ah ,being in business for himself1 ,mr4 ,brown could not drop his work1 as his clerks did1 regardless of importance1 when the clock pointed to the hour of five--and on this particular day he had been in close consultation with one of his out of town drummers1 and in planning the fall campaign of business the time had sped so rapidly that he was surprised to find it half past six when the commercial man left him--and as he left the street car he half wished he had kept the cook for a day or two until he was fairly initiated1 for he was hungry--very--and did not want to wait to cook a dinner4 ,but thinking3 8,i'll broil a steak and make some coffee10 he walked up the steps and into the house with a tolerably light heart4 ,once within1 he had to whistle and talk to himself1 to prevent the feeling of utter loneliness that would steal over him in spite of his weighty intellect4#ah ,mr4 ,brown was orderly1 even in haste1 so when he took off his coat he hung it up with usual care--and put on his slippers before descending to the dining-room1 which he found very dark4 ,he opened the blinds wide1 and as the light from the setting sun flooded the room he took fresh courage4 8,oh1 this isn't half bad1 as our ,english cousins would say0--and he smiled with gratitude at ,maria's tender thoughtfulness 7which just then struck him as better 8pound for pound0 than intellect or system7 in having left the table already set1 and with bits of her very choicest ,china1 too4#ah 8,she'll trust me with her hand-painted ware1 if she doesn't ,bridget0--and he smiled again with pardonable pride as he thought of his own worthiness to be thus exalted beyond a mere drudge1 while he proceeded to the kitchen4 ,the range was polished to a degree--for ,maria was a good housekeeper and her domestics well trained1 even without that mighty 8intellect0 and that forceful 8system0 on which ,mr4 ,brown was at times prone to expatiate--but it was also dark and cold1 and he didn't want to stop and kindle a fire4 ,as he turned to the gas stove1 thinking he would use that1 he remembered that he hadn't brought any steak6 ,there was no help for it1 he must go back down town for his dinner1 as he had told ,maria to be sure and have the cupboards cleared out1 as he didn't 8want to live on cold victuals0 and all the markets near were closed now4 ,he locked up carefully1 got on the next street car that came along1 and went to a club-house that he had patronized in the beautiful long ago4 ,apprehensive of more loneliness on his return home1 he went out to a news stand and purchased a copy of ,stockton's latest story1 for evening company4 ,the house seemed darker than ever when he again entered it1 and the silence was almost oppressive4 ,he could hear his watch tick and his heart beat--and it seemed as if both said 8,alone1 alone1 alone10 with provoking iteration1 while he groped for a match4 ,until then ,mr4 ,brown had not known how much of his happiness depended upon light--light and sound4 ,how still it was1 even after the gas had made the house brilliant6 ,what would he not have given to hear even one of ,maria's commonplaces about household matters6 ,how he did wish ,ben were here1 his sturdy ten-year old ,ben1 who was so manly and yet so boyish66 ,the girls1 of course1 ought to be with ,maria2 but he and ,ben would have been capital chums4 ,why had he not thought of it8 ,even ,stockton was dull alone--and he had sometimes had double fun with his favorite author1 because in reading aloud he would have to stop and explain a joke that to him seemed bare4 ,he put away the book1 lighted a cigar and took up the daily newspaper--but now he missed ,maria more than ever1 for usually while he smoked1 she billed and cooed and admired him in the most lavish way imaginable4 ,that didn't seem to be the product of any cast-iron system1 nor to require any great intellectual effort2 but ,mr4 ,brown liked it1 was accustomed to it1 and he missed it from among the home comforts and luxuries by which he was surrounded4#ah ,a happy thought struck him1 and he prepared to write a letter to his family4 ,now that was a sacrifice of self1 for if there was anything ,mr4 ,brown detested it was correspondence of any kind2 but as he wrote he forgot himself and poured out some of his finest feelings in his letter to his wife and little ones1 writing on and on1 page after page--until he was not surprised next day to have to pay a sixteen cent tribute to ,uncle ,sam for carrying the precious missive4#ah ,the morning found him up early1 having received an inspiration about breakfast1 before going to bed4 ,he would cook some rice6 ,the baker's man would come with hot rolls1 which he had ordered the day before1 and with the strawberries 7which he heard the grocer's boy bringing even now7 coffee1 and eggs1 he would breakfast like a king4 ,also1 he would bring ,ed ,nash home to dinner1 and to stay all night1 for spend another evening by himself he would not--if he could help it4 ,after a careful toilet ,mr4 ,brown began a search for the rice1 rightly judging that it would require longer to cook than coffee or eggs4 ,that was premeditated intellect4 ,what followed was neither premeditated nor--strictly speaking--intellect1 for when it came to a matter of judgment regarding quantity1 he simply hadn't any2 any judgment1 ,i mean2 the quantity was there--so far as the rice was concerned--and with a hasty 8,i'll be sure to cook enough1 so ,i can have some left for griddle cakes10 he washed a quart and put it on to boil in a tiny farina kettle1 with just enough water to keep it from sticking1 while he looked after the other things4 ,something ailed that rice4 ,that was certain2 and as he looked at the hard1 shiny grains after having put the coffee and eggs to boil1 in real systematic shape1 he brought his great1 massive1 masculine intellect to bear on the rice and its nature4 8,it needs more water0--and he covered it1 feeling encouraged at the evident effect of mind over matter1 and proceeded to hull the strawberries and give them a liberal powdering with sugar4 ,then ,mr4 ,brown looked at the rice again4 ,dry and hard as a stone6 ,no evidence of ever having had a drop of water66 ,more meditation4 ,the kettle was full--no room for water--rice must have swollen--get a larger kettle6 ,eureka66 ,and he got the larger kettle1 and again flooded the rice1 hoping it would be done by the time he had arranged his breakfast on the table4 ,it had been cooking half an hour1 and he had often heard ,maria say that half an hour of quick boiling was enough--more spoiled it4 ,to be sure this had not been 8quick10 but 8the extra length of time ought to compensate10 he reasoned1 and with a very good show of logic4 ,but the law of compensation didn't work1 and all ,mr4 ,brown's logic left him helpless in the presence of that rice1 when1 after getting everything else on the table he again looked at it1 only to find it as hard as possible1 dry again1 and up to the very edge of the second kettle6 8,well1 ,i can have it for dinner4 ,it will save cooking fresh20 and he again emptied it into a still larger kettle and sat down to a really good breakfast of which rice was not a component4 ,under the exhilarating influence of the coffee he grew facetious1 and sustained all sides in a family conversation--to keep up a flow of spirits during the meal--varied by calls to an imaginary ,bridget1 whom he assured in a very good imitation of ,maria's blandest tones1 8,mr4 ,brown will bring company to dinner to-night1 so be prompt40 ,he read the morning paper1 while indulging in his third cup of the delicious beverage---then decided to put the dishes in the sink1 unwashed1 as there were so few soiled and plenty of fresh ones4 8,besides10 he reasoned with masculine forethought1 8maybe ,ed will help me wash them to-night0--which no one who knew ,ed's innermost would ever have suggested1 as he had no genius for housekeeping1 no intellectual craving for its drudgery1 and a horror of anything about it except its most fastidious results4 ,however1 ,mr4 ,brown did not know this1 when he banked on ,ed's company and help--and when ,ed was invited home to dinner 8and to stay all night0 he accepted with alacrity and with no thought of what was in store for him4 ,mr4 ,brown dismissed himself from his office promptly at five this time1 hoping to surprise ,ed with a properly-served and really elegant dinner1 having made elaborate preparations by telephone orders for steak1 vegetables and fruit2 and he hurried home happy in the consciousness of having demonstrated 8intellectual capacity as a necessary adjunct of good housekeeping40 ,as he opened the door1 an odor of something burning offended his somewhat delicate olfactory organs1 but he proceeded with deliberate precision to divest himself of his street garb before descending to the kitchen1 where he saw1 oh1 horrors6 ,rice on the range1 on the floor1 and everywhere1 in great abundance2 boiling1 burning and dry1 and that large kettle standing there full to the brim of a solid mass1 dry and hard1 the fire nearly out1 having burned all day without a damper4 ,mr4 ,brown was somewhat discouraged1 but went bravely to work to rescue the range and floor from another inundation of rice and to clean up what had overflowed2 but long before through the work of restoration the bell rang4 ,he made no change in his looks before going up stairs1 rightly thinking ,ed would size up the joke in good shape and they would enjoy the whole thing in royal masculine style4 ,he even forgot to drop the little shovel with which he had been scooping up the rice--his intellect was too weighty to suggest the use of a broom--so it now and then dropped a tear of rice on the carpet as he went to the door4 8,glad to see you1 old fellow 7fumbling at the night latch7 at least ,i will be as soon as ,i get this measly door open01 and he fairly beamed at the prospect of company to dinner4 ,mr4 ,brown's face and attitude would have been a study for an artist when the door finally opened--and instead of ,ed ,nash1 he saw an elegantly dressed young lady whom he did not know1 but who smiled brightly1 and said3 8,cousin ,george1 ,i believe80 ,no reply4 ,mr4 ,brown might have been petrified1 for all the emotion he betrayed4 ,he was dazed4 ,after waiting two or three seconds the brilliant creature laughed outright1 and asked3 8,didn't ,maria get my telegram8 ,i don't believe you were expecting me40 ,then he gasped1 8,maria is out in the country4 ,i thought it was ,ed ,nash40 ,she laughed again1 and that laugh reassured him1 and as she said3 8,my name is ,edna1 but ,i was never before saluted as #8old fellow'01 he opened the door wide and said3 8,come in and stay for dinner4 ,i am here alone just now1 but ,ed is coming40 ,miss ,russell hesitated but for a moment4 ,she was only to be in the city between trains1 and had telegraphed ,maria that she would call--but the messenger had found no one at home and was just too late to find ,mr4 ,brown at his office4 ,she must get to the #h3cj train and 8,cousin0 ,george must go with her4 ,so she declared1 while taking off hat and gloves1 at the hatrack4 ,here was a dilemma4 ,dinner must be hastened2 he must leave her in the library to entertain herself while he again went below stairs to reduce chaos to a semblance of civilization4 ,just then the bell rang again4 ,this time it was ,ed1 and ,mr4 ,brown received him with visible embarrassment--but kept him in the hall while explaining the situation before taking him into the library to present to ,miss ,russell--who1 even yet1 did not know that the house was being run by a one-man-power1 else she would have gone down stairs at once and relegated ,mr4 ,brown to the office of entertainer while she officiated as ,bridget4 ,it was with an air of humility that our hero finally invited his guests to a dinner of which the fruit and coffee were by far the best part4 ,then they learned of his struggles1 and together they laughed and ate1 both gentlemen finally going to the train with ,miss ,russell1 leaving the dinner table to stand until their return4 ,here the writer will draw the veil of obscurity--referring you to ,ed ,nash for details as to what happened on their return--and leaves you to judge of the next six weeks' doings by the dialogue that was heard the day following ,maria's return from the country3 8,george1 what is my garden-fork doing out there in the kitchen8 ,it looks as if it had been burned4 #8,you used it to broil steak on8 ,you couldn't use the broiler because the fat all ran down into the fire8' ,you should have used your intellect1 my dear4 8,and this sticky stuff in the soup tureen2 what is it8 #8,you thought you would make a pie or two1 but as the flour and water stuck to your fingers you ate the apples raw8' ,a pie-ous plan1 ,i am sure4 8,and these dishes2 why is all this ,china piled into these tubs and barrels8 ,upon my word1 they look dirty4 ,what's the trouble8 #8,oh1 you got tired of washing dishes1 and it made your hands sore8' ,you should have had a little more system1 dearest1 then it would have been all right4 8,and this soiled linen8 ,why was it not given to the washerwoman1 or sent to the laundry8 #8,oh1 you kept using the clean and when that was gone you bought more8' ,that was hardly good domestic economy1 but if you have been buying so long you must have a good supply on hand1 darling4 8,how about the beds8 ,i see that none of them are made4 ,what6 #8,you took turns1 sleeping in each1 to save the trouble of making8' ,well1 that was ingenious1 even if slightly tinctured with inertia4 8,what is all this broken bric-a-brac out in the coal scuttle8 #8,you attempted to dust the what-not and knocked the whole blamed thing endwise8' ,george1 your language is positively shocking1 and is only equaled by your want of knowledge of some of the commonest truths in gravitation4 ,you know that to maintain an equilibrium0--but here ,mrs4 ,brown's pretty mouth was closed by ,george's larger one1 who emerged from the oscular demonstration with a profession of profound respect for anyone who can run the household machinery with or without 8system0 and by bringing intellectual weight into it or leaving it out entirely4 ,,tableaux4 ,the tableaux will suggest themselves at the places indicated2 and during the last part of the reading the curtain should remain drawn from 8,george1 what is my garden fork doing0 until he kisses her1 while she points to everything of which she speaks4 -------------- ,,table ,,of ,,contents4 -------- ,,page ,,abou ,,ben ,,adhem #ea ,,an ,,order ,,for ,a ,,picture #fj ,,answering ,,an ,,advertisement #bd ,,birth ,,of ,,the ,,ivy1 ,,the #g ,,bridal ,,wine ,,cup1 ,,the #dd ,,bridal ,,veil1 ,,the #bg ,,callaghan',s ,,failure #ac ,,dear ,,old ,,grandmother #bb ,,drafted #ef ,,easter ,,exercise--8,king ,robert of ,sicily0 #ed ,,grandma',s ,,minuet #di ,,if #cd ,,jimmy ,,brown',s ,,sister',s ,,wedding #bi ,,lessons ,,in ,,cookery #da ,,looking ,,backward #ci ,,matrimonial ,,philosophy #ah ,,my ,,sister',s ,,photographs #fa ,,night ,,watch1 ,,the #ff ,,opening ,,of ,,the ,,piano #bj ,,small ,,boy',s ,,explanation #ch ,,strong ,,coffee #ca ,,systematic ,,and ,,intellectual ,,housekeeping #ge ,,washerwoman',s ,,song1 ,,the #cf ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,the ,,preston ,,library ,,of ,,amusements ,,and ,,entertainments4 ,for the ,home1 for ,schools1 ,churches1 ,temperance1 ,social1 ,literary and other organizations desiring something different from that found in the ordinary book of ,recitations1 ,dialogues1 etc4 ,each number is complete in itself1 and has a distinctive character1 the annual 8scheme0 taking up programs for special days and special subjects1 and a variety of entertainments1 embracing ,illustrated ,readings1 ,pantomimes1 ,tableaux1 ,drills1 ,wax ,works1 ,illustrated ,songs1 ,acting ,proverbs1 ,charades1 ,plays1 ,dialogues1 ,readings1 ,recitations1 etc4 ---------- ,the ,,preston ,,library ,is ,issued ,monthly1 ,ten ,numbers a ,year4 #cj ,cents a ,number4 ,to ,subscribers1 #b4jj a ,year4 ,teachers and ,entertainment ,committees will be glad to embrace this opportunity to secure fresh1 appropriate and acceptable material for entertainments2 the trouble of searching for declamations1 dialogues and the more difficult programs being avoided by a year's subscription to ,the ,preston ,library4 ,subscriptions should be sent without delay4 ,address ,the ,preston ,publishing ,company1 #adi ,main ,street1 ,,cincinnati1 ,o4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,an ,entertaining ,pedagogical ,study6 ,,bright6 ,,breezy6 ,,thought-,,provoking6 ------- ,,preston ,,papers4 ,a recital of actual school-room experiences1 in which all the common and uncommon pedagogical difficulties are met and remedied4 ,it is a book of new methods1 but not of fine-spun theorizing4 ,all of the important subjects1 such as ,government1 ,responsibility1 ,punishment1 ,examinations1 ,prize-giving1 ,reports1 ,museums1 etc41 are exhaustively treated1 ,,not in the stilted way usual with books of its kind1 but woven into the story of a teacher's experience4 ,,preston ,,papers has been more widely and favorably reviewed than any other ,american pedagogical work4 ,it never fails to delight and profit its readers4 ,its constantly increasing sale is proof of its excellence4 ------- ,,handsomely ,,bound ,,in ,,cloth4 ,,price1 #a4jj4 ,,address ,,all ,,orders ,,to ,,the ,,preston ,,publishing ,,company1 #adi ,main ,street1 ,,cincinnati1 ,o4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,transcriber's ,note ,most readings are accompanied by a numbered set of 'tableaux'1 or stage directions1 which appear at the end of each text1 and act as footnotes4 ,in the first two readings1 the final tableau 7nos4 #aj and #e respectively71 had no corresponding reference in the text4 ,these have been added at the end of each reading4 ,some readings1 while there are references in the text1 have no directions in the ',tableaux' section following them4 ,errors deemed most likely to be the printer's have been corrected1 and are noted here4 ,the references are to the page and line in the original4 ,the following issues should be noted1 along with the resolutions4 #ad4bb so small that ,mr4 ,callaghan's but for his ,removed4 natural politeness #ad4be ,the revolver was pointed in ,mr4 ,callaghan's ,added4 direction #bg4ae from my head and look on me4 ,added4 #ch4bb 8,you just ought ter seen him10 ,added4 #ec4ba 7,see 8,directions10 p4 #f1 for making ,added4 foot-lights47 #ed4c by the ,author of 8,preston ,papers40 ,added4 #ed4ab 78cue0 line407 ,removed4 #eh4f ,too fair to be crippled or scarred8 ,added4 #ff4ac ,without or tears or common-place despair1 ,removed4 #ga4aa ,a gentleman1 perchance'1 #8,yes2 tell me ,added4 quick2 #ga4ab ,what can ,i do for you8' ,added4 #gf4be the light from the si_/etting sun ,replaced4