Chapter D: Block

D’s a dainty letter, it stands for dear and dove,
For delicate, delicious, for dollies that you love.

O BLOCK:

O’s an oval letter, it stands for oak and oar,
For oatmeal and for oven, for owl and open door.

G BLOCK:

G’s a gaudy letter, it stands for gilt and gold,
For gorgeous, grand and gleeful, for gladness, too, I’m told.

H BLOCK:

H is a happy letter, it stands for Ho, Ho, Ho,
For hop and hope and helping, for health and home you know.

E BLOCK:

E is an eccentric letter, it stands for ear and eye,
For enter and for exit, and it is the end of pie.

N BLOCK:

N is a needed letter, it stands for nosegay bright,
It stands for nice and naughty, for nonsense, noon and night.

ALL BLOCKS:

We can spell Christmas and Santa Claus; we can spell
anything, but we’re tired now, we’ll have to rest.

[BLOCKS _go to rear of stage, in front of soldiers._]

[TOPS _run out,—as they reach center of stage they sing._]

_Air_: RIG-A-JIG-JIG

1—We gayly spin with merry din
Ho—ho—ho—ho—ho—ho—ho—ho.
When’er we come you’ll hear us hum.
Ho—ho—ho—ho—ho—ho.

_Chorus_:

Spinning around hear us gayly hum,
We gayly hum, we gayly hum.
Spinning around hear us gayly hum,
We gayly, gayly hum.
We spin and hum, we spin and hum.
We spin and hum, we spin and hum.
Spinning around hear us gayly hum,
We spin and gayly hum.

2—With dizzy head and dress of red
Ho—ho—ho—ho—ho—ho—ho—ho,
We turn and twirl and twist and whirl,
Ho—ho—ho—ho—ho—ho.

[_They spin round and round making a humming sound until exhausted. They fall back opposite blocks, in front of books. JUMPING JACKS come out walking jerkily._]

ALL JUMPING JACKS:

We are the jolly JUMPING JACKS,
And pointed sticks run up our backs.
A trifle awkward we admit,
But everywhere we make a hit.
We’ll do some stunts to please you now.
Come—all together we will bow. [_They bow._]

[_They do the following drill to music of any lively march holding each number four beats._]

DRILL: 1—Heads down. 2—Heads up. 3—Right hand up. 4—Left hand up.
5—Both hands down. 6—Right knee up. 7—Right knee down. 8—Left knee
up. 9—Left knee down. 10—Hands on hips. 11—Bow. 12—Stand at
attention.

This may be continued indefinitely or modified in many ways. The JUMPING JACKS should stand in two rows. After first part of drill is finished have first row bend knees low through four beats, then rise and second row bend knees for four beats and repeat till tired, when all march to rear of stage in front of blocks. All movements as jerky as possible.

[DOLLS _come to front of stage and sing._]

_Song—Air_: MASSA’S IN THE COLD, COLD GROUND

1—We are beautiful French dollies—
See our dresses fine.
See our curling hair so golden,
See our lovely bright eyes shine.
We can say Papa and Mama
Close our eyes and cry,
We are most delightful dollies,
And of course our price is high.

_Chorus_:

Lovely French dollies,
Most polite are we,
Would you like to be my owner?
Just step in and purchase me.

2—We have crossed the briny ocean
Just to come to you,
And we’re feeling almost homesick,
Feeling rather sad and blue.
If some little girl should buy us
We would happy be.
We belong in Christmas stockings,
Hanging from a Christmas tree.

[_They go in front of tops, moving stiffly. Lid of box in corner raises slowly and a TEDDY BEAR sticks out his head._]

TEDDY BEAR: Are you sure there aren’t any hunters here?

SOLDIERS: Yes, it’s all right, TEDDY, come on out and stretch your
legs. You must be stiff sitting in that box so long. [TEDDY BEAR
_comes slowly out stretching himself and yawning._]

TEDDY:

Woof, Woof. I’d like some honey.
Or something good and sweet.
I hope whoever comes for me
Knows what bears like to eat.
I’m always, always, hungry,
But gentle, kind and mild.
And it gives me lots of pleasure
To embrace a little child.

ALL: But, TEDDY, you hug them too hard.

TEDDY: No, really I don’t, that’s only gossip you’ve heard I’m always
very gentle and I love folks very much. I’m too affectionate I’m
afraid.

[TEDDY _goes to back of stage and sits on floor rubbing his legs which are stiff from being so long in the box._]

_Enter STICKS OF CANDY._

ALL _say_:

We are very popular because we are so sweet.
And some folks fairly eat us up. We’re always very neat.
For we’re wrapped in tissue paper as soon as we are made
And that’s why we are always fresh and our colors never fade.

PEPPERMINT STICK [_red and white_]:

I have a hot temper but yet I agree
With most everybody as well as can be.
I’m of peppermint flavor and fine after dinner.
I’ll help you digest all your food and grow thinner.

BLACK _and_ WHITE STICK, LICORICE:

If you have a cough try me,
Your cold I’ll help right instantly.
I’m made of licorice and will
Help you over many an ill.

LEMON STICK [_yellow and white_]:

Who likes lemon? I’m lovely and hard.
Try me just once and I’ll win your regard.

SPEARMINT STICK [_green and white_]:

Spearmint’s so refreshing, just try me.
I will make you cheerful you will all agree.

CHOCOLATE STICK [_brown and white_]:

Everyone eats chocolate, girls and boys as well,
If the rest stay in the jar, I am sure _I’ll_ sell.

ALL STICKS:

We all are very filling
For Christmas stockings and are willing
To bet we’ll be the first to sell.

ALL OTHERS: Don’t be so conceited. Your praise let others tell.

[_Sticks go to back of stage. DOMINOES enter._]

DOMINOES: We represent the pack. The rest are too tired to come out but
we have more spots than they, so are stronger. We think there should
be a game of DOMINOES in every stocking this Christmas.

ALL OTHERS: So do we, SPOTS, so do we.

[DOMINOES _sit on floor. Clock strikes twelve._]

A SOLDIER: Twelve o’clock. We’d better go back to our shelves and
boxes.

A DOLL: Yes, we need lots of sleep so we’ll look nice tomorrow. I’d
hate not to be sold.

ALL TOYS: I’m sure _I’ll_ be sold, anyway.

TEDDY BEAR: Let’s sing a song and then get back where we belong.

ALL _sing_—

_Air_: HOME, SWEET HOME

1—When sunlight is beaming we’re still as can be
But when night hovers o’er us in dark mystery
We come from our boxes, down from our shelves we climb,
And while the world is sleeping we have a jolly time.

_Chorus_:

Here, while the world’s asleep
A jolly watch we’ll keep.
Oh, we watch while others sleep.

2—When the toy shop is silent and dark shadows fall
Then out from the counter we stealthily crawl
Our boxes are tiresome as tiresome can be,
We yearn for the darkness that brings liberty.

To soft music of Home, Sweet Home they disappear behind counter, dolls, first and soldiers last. TEDDY BEAR climbs in his box and pulls down lid.

ALL: Good night. Good night.

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Entertainments for All Occasions

_Special Day Entertainments_

=BEST CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMES=—Irish $0.40

=CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS=—Irish .40

=CHOICE CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENTS=—Irish .40

=CHRISTMAS AT McCARTHYS’=—Guptill .25

=CHRISTMAS AT PUMPKIN HOLLER=—Guptill .25

=CHRISTMAS EVE AT MULLIGAN’S=—Irish .25

=CHRISTMAS SPEAKIN’ AT SKAGGS’ SKULE=—Irish .25

=IN A TOY SHOP=—Preston .25

=THE PRIMARY CHRISTMAS BOOK=—Irish .40

=PUMPKIN PIE PETER=—Irish .25

=THE REUNION AT PINE KNOT RANCH=—Irish .25

=SNOWBOUND FOR CHRISTMAS=—Preston .25

=A STRIKE IN SANTA LAND=—Preston .25

=A THANKSGIVING CONSPIRACY=—Irish .25

=A THANKSGIVING DREAM=—Preston .25

=A TOPSY-TURVY CHRISTMAS=—Guptill .25

_Dialogues and Children’s Plays_

=ALL IN A GARDEN FAIR=—Wilbur $0.25

=DOLLS ON DRESS PARADE=—Preston .25

=A PARTY IN MOTHER GOOSE LAND=—Preston .25

=SNAPPY HUMOROUS DIALOGUES=—Irish .40

_Recitations and Pantomimes_

=CATCHY PRIMARY RECITATIONS=—Irish $0.30

=OLD TIME SONGS PANTOMIMED=—Irish .40

_Plays_

=THE DEAREST THING IN BOOTS=—MacKenzie $0.25

=THE GREAT CHICKEN STEALING CASE OF EBENEZER .25
COUNTY=—Richardson

=THE GREAT WHISKEY STEALING CASE=—Richardson .25

=MISS JANIE; OR, THE CURTAILED COURTSHIP=—Bonham .25

=THAT AWFUL LETTER=—MacKenzie .25

=THE UNEXPECTED GUEST=—MacKenzie .25

_Monologues_

=AS OUR WASHWOMAN SEES IT=—MacKenzie $0.25

=ASK OUIJA=—MacKenzie .25

=THE COUNTRY COUSIN SPEAKS HER MIND=—MacKenzie .25

=GLADYS REVIEWS THE DANCE=—MacKenzie .25

=I’M ENGAGED=—MacKenzie .25

=SHE SAYS SHE STUDIES=—MacKenzie .25

=SUSAN GETS READY FOR CHURCH=—MacKenzie .25

PAINE PUBLISHING CO. Dayton, Ohio

Entertainments for Christmas

CHOICE CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENTS By Marie Irish For children of all grades. Contents: 50 recitations, 8 monologues, 11 plays and dialogues, 5 drills and marches, 8 tableaux, 4 pantomimes, 8 pantomimed carols, 8 songs, etc. =Price, 40 cents.=

THE PRIMARY CHRISTMAS BOOK By Marie Irish For children under ten years of age. Contents: 68 recitations, 12 exercises, 7 songs, 6 drills, 12 dialogues and plays, 9 pantomimes. =Price, 40 cents.=

BEST CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMES By Marie Irish Twelve pantomimes, each accompanied by complete words, directions and music. Some are serious and some are in a lighter vein. =Price, 40 cents.=

CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS By Marie Irish Ten dialogues for Primary Grades, 10 dialogues for Intermediate Grades and 8 plays for Grammar Grades. =Price, 40 cents.=

CHRISTMAS AT McCARTHYS’ By Elizabeth F. Guptill Brimful of fun and Christmas spirit. For any number of young folks and children. Time, 30 minutes. =Price, 25 cents.=

CHRISTMAS AT PUMPKIN’ HOLLER By Elizabeth F. Guptill The old-fashioned school is rehearsing for the Christmas entertainment. Funny from beginning to end. Time, 30 minutes. For any number of children. =Price, 25 cents.=

CHRISTMAS EVE AT MULLIGAN’S By Marie Irish For all grades. 4 males, 5 females. Time, 30 minutes. A most unusual play. Plenty of wit and humor as well as more serious episodes. Sure to be a success. =Price, 25 cents.=

CHRISTMAS SPEAKIN’ AT SKAGGS’ SKULE By Marie Irish A back woods school entertainment is featured. Easy to prepare and plenty of fun. For 6 boys and 8 girls. Time, 30 minutes. =Price, 25 cents.=

IN A TOY SHOP By Effa E. Preston In rhyme. For 12 or more small children. A clever little play that will please. Time, 20 minutes. =Price, 25 cents.=

THE REUNION AT PINE KNOT RANCH By Marie Irish For upper grades. 5 males and 6 females. Time, 30 minutes. Plenty of fun and a great surprise. =Price, 25 cents.=

SNOWBOUND FOR CHRISTMAS By Marie Irish For 4 boys and 4 girls. For mixed grades. Time, 25 minutes. The older children play Santa Claus for the younger ones. =Price, 25 cents.=

A STRIKE IN SANTA LAND By Effa E. Preston In rhyme. 8 boys, 7 girls. Time, 20 minutes. Very easy but effective. =Price, 25 cents.=

A TOPSY-TURVY CHRISTMAS By Elizabeth F. Guptill Humorous. For any number of children under fourteen years of age. Time, 30 minutes. =Price, 25 cents.=

PAINE PUBLISHING CO.

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TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

1. Silently corrected typographical errors. 2. Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed. 3. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. 4. Enclosed bold font in =equals=.