Chapter VI: Act II (2)

All these arrangements are behind the screen. The audience is to be seated on the other side. It is not necessary to conceal the screen with a curtain, for if the light within the box is entirely cut off by placing the cover in front, and if the portion of the room in which the audience is seated is well lighted, no shadows from behind the screen will appear before the proper time. When the hour for the performance arrives, a decided stroke of a bell should be the signal for every light in the audience room to be turned out, and at the same moment, for the cover to be withdrawn from before the box containing the lamp. If this is well managed, Scene 1, having already been arranged against the screen, will instantly appear to the audience in sharp, black shadows. At a second quick stroke of the bell, the reader begins the play. Any one with a good clear voice may act as reader. The best place for him to sit is behind the screen near the lamp. As he reads only during the actual performance, he needs no other light, but he should be careful that he does not place himself in such a position that his own shadow is thrown on the screen. The cat and pedestal stand five feet, eight inches in height. A few other measurements are given in connection with Figure No. 1, and with these as a guide, the outline of the cat and pedestal may be drawn of the proper size on a large sheet of brown paper and then cut out and taken to a carpenter who will saw the figure out of heavy board. The cat, who has already appeared before the public, was cut out pedestal and all in one piece from a large smooth, pine board, an inch in thickness, the cost being seventy-five cents. The pedestal was braced at the bottom so that the figure would stand upright alone, but care was taken that no projection was made on the side to be placed against the screen. A narrow strip of rough fur was tacked all around the outer edge of the cat, except around the feet, and this, with a fox tail, through which a strong piece of wire was run, gave her a very real appearance when seen in shadow. The boy or man, who managed her, sat on a stool behind the pedestal, and in addition to working the eyes, tail, mouth, etc., would meow mournfully, or spit fiercely, as the events of the play demanded. For further directions as to the making of the figure and the working of the parts, see explanation of diagrams. The lobster, spider, fishes, the maiden’s heart, and the immense dollar used by her in Scene 2, her slippers, curling tongs, and brushes, and even the tears she shed, were all cut from pasteboard. Comical hats for the actors were made by taking old shade hats and fastening ridiculous pasteboard shapes upon them. The mice and rats which run by the cat in Scene 1, were cut from pasteboard and were somewhat larger than life size. Four of them were tacked by the feet to a long narrow strip of wood at about a foot apart, and to one end of this board was fastened a small strong cord. When arranging for Scene 1, this strip of board was laid in place at one end of the stage, on the floor close to the screen, but the figures of the mice were turned over on their sides, so that their shadows would not appear. The cord which reached from the end of the board to the other end of the stage lay along the floor close to the screen. During the reading of verse third an assistant quickly turned up the board, so that the mice instantly appeared in shadow, and a second assistant drew it steadily by means of the cord across the stage between the cat and the screen, until it was out of sight. The fly which buzzes around the cat’s head in Scene 6 was also cut from pasteboard, and fastened to the end of a rather fine wire, which was manipulated by the person in charge of the cat. When not in use it was hung by a loop in the end of the wire, on a nail fastened in the figure of the cat. In Scene 4, the castle might be represented by a clothes-horse, covered by a heavy shawl, or by a large screen placed flatly against the curtain. A window is not an absolute necessity, as the heads of the maiden and her suitors might appear over the top of the castle wall. To raise these actors to the proper height a table or a number of strong wooden boxes may be used to stand on. The ladder was a stepladder of a medium size. It was kept hidden behind the castle wall until the lover pulled it out. When he had arranged it in place, the maiden stepped from her elevated position to the ladder, and thus descended. The cat which appears in Scene 4, is a second one, cut from very stiff pasteboard and braced in places with strips of wood. Two screw eyes are fastened into the wood, at A and B, as seen in the diagram of the leaping cat. Just before Scene 4, a strong slender cord is fastened to a nail driven in the floor at the end of the stage farthest from the castle. This cord is then passed through the two screw eyes in the cat, and the cat is given into the care of one of the actors—one of the rivals, who stands behind the castle wall. He holds the cat in his left hand and the end of the cord in his right, but allows the length of the cord to hang loosely to the floor until the time for action. At the beginning of the verse, “She fought until they both had fled,” he suddenly holds up his arm, twists the cord about his hand and draws it tightly, and at the words, “Leaping from the window sill,” with a quick motion lets the cat go, when it rushes swiftly down the cord close to the screen, and is caught by an attendant at the farther end, who himself remains concealed. This cat is not nearly so large as the other, not being over a yard in length. The lobster is about two feet in length. To the upper part is fastened a strong linen thread, which passes through a screw-eye in the ceiling above the stage or through a brass ring sewed to the top of the screen. The other end of the thread is held by some one at the side of the scene. The lobster may hang below the stage platform, between it and the curtain, or may lie on the stage floor until needed. When its turn comes to appear, the attendant draws the thread and pulls it up into sight where it hangs flatly against the screen. The spider is hung in the same manner and is held in place at the top of the screen until time to drop upon the maiden’s head. A pasteboard spider is better than a heavier one, as it responds more quickly to the little pulls and jerks given to it and thus appears to have more life. The maiden’s pasteboard heart is about six inches long. By keeping the hand which holds it within the shadow of her figure she may throw it from her open mouth apparently, without the action of her hand and arm being seen. The effect may scarcely be called natural—who could expect it would be? But it never fails to produce a roar of laughter. Picking up the heart again, the maiden opens her mouth and appears to swallow it once more. After which she regains her composure, which has been sadly disturbed. Sawdust poured from a pitcher appears as a fine substitute for cream and can be used again and again. In Scene 3 the cat seizes the rivals by the fingers. This effect is produced by the rivals, one on either side of the cat, placing each a forefinger in a corner of the cat’s mouth, and holding it there while apparently trying to pull it away. If the rivals thus caught jump and dance with pain, the effect is increased. The serving maid who brings the tea in Scene 5 wears a cap and apron and carries a tray bearing a number of unbreakable wooden and tin dishes which make a great clatter in falling without causing any damage. The tea table, a small one, supported by a single post in the center, may be cut from brown paper and pinned on the screen before Scene 5 appears. In shadow it will seem to be just as real as an actual table, but of course a real table may be used if preferred. Several dozen curl papers, like lamp lighter quills, may be sewed to a circular piece of muslin which is tied on top of the rival’s head for Scene 5, and covered by his tall head dress. When this head dress is suddenly removed, the quills stand out in all directions.

A word to the actors. Let them keep so near to the screen in all their acting that they actually touch it, and let their profiles be constantly toward the spectators. The words of the play should be familiar to each performer, that he or she may know what is coming next, and be prepared to act on time. Many comical things will suggest themselves to those taking part, if the play is entered into with spirit.

EXPLANATION OF DIAGRAMS

The figure of the Cat having been sawed out of wood, it is ready to be equipped with the other parts. Nearly one yard of cotton elastic, a half or three quarters of an inch wide, will be needed. Also several screw eyes of medium size; a staple to fasten the tail; a firm piece of wire which will not easily bend, about 18 inches long; a fox tail; 2¾ yards of any kind of rough fur, old or new; a spool of linen thread No. 25; a yard or two of strong, fine twine; a few strips of thin board, of a kind that will not be easily split, and several pieces of thick, strong pasteboard.

To make the eyeballs. Fold a piece of brown paper, and cut out in what you judge the proper size, a copy of the small diagram marked X, which is shown in Fig. 2, taking care that the fold of the paper is at F. When the pattern is opened it will be found to be like the small diagram, EB. Pin this pattern in place on the wooden cat in the manner shown in Fig. 2. If not of the proper size make another. When you have a pattern that seems to be correct, lay it on the pasteboard and outline it with a pencil. The resulting figure may then be cut out with a sharp pocket knife. In the small holes made at each upper corner of the cross-piece, H and H, fasten a piece of linen thread, about one half a yard long. When the eyeballs are in place, these threads are to be passed through the screw eyes fastened at the side of the cat’s head at S and S, and brought around to the reverse side of cat’s head, where they are tied together at the ends, thus forming a loose loop. Fasten the cross-piece in the center to a central point above cat’s eyes, by means of a screw-eye or ordinary screw, as indicated in diagram. This forms the pivot on which the eyeballs move, and as it is necessary that they move very easily, the cross-piece should not be fastened down too firmly. When the linen thread is pulled at the right or the left by the operator who sits on the reverse side, the eyeballs will move from side to side. The piece forming the jaw is cut from pasteboard in a similar way. Across the lower part tack a strip of wood. To the center of this strip fasten the end of the cord, C, which is used to pull the jaw down. Cut two pieces of elastic each 6 inches long, and fasten to jaw at K and K, having first tacked another strip of wood across. Lay the jaw in place over the cat’s mouth, in such a position that the teeth of the lower jaw will meet the teeth of the upper jaw. While holding the jaw in this position, tack the free ends of the elastic to the cat’s head as shown in diagram. This must be done _without stretching_ the elastic. When the cat stands erect the jaw will now hang in place. Pass the cord, C, through the aperture A, which has been previously cut in the body of the cat. When it is desired to open the cat’s mouth, pull the cord down; the elastics will cause it to spring up in place again when the cord is not held. The aperture A should be cut through the wood with a downward slant; if cut straight, the light would show through the opening. Figure 3 shows diagram of eyelids. These are to be fastened on the other side of the cat, the side on which the operator sits. The figure, EL is cut from pasteboard and stiffened by a long narrow strip of wood, running crosswise through the central portion. A loop of cord is fastened at R and R. Two strips of elastic, each seven inches long, are fastened at Z and Z. The eyelid piece is then laid in place over the eyes, in such a position that the eye sockets are entirely covered. Then the other ends of the elastics are tacked to the cat’s head at V and V, or wherever the ends happen to lie when laid out smoothly, without stretching. Fasten a screw-eye or hook at H in cat’s body, and pulling down the loop of cord, hook it under the screw-eye as shown in diagram, which will again leave the eye sockets exposed. When it is desired to have the cat wink, unhook the loop, and pull the eyelid piece up and down rapidly. When not using this contrivance, always keep the loop hooked under the screw-eye, else the cat’s eyes will appear to be closed. In regard to the tail—insert a stiff piece of wire about 18 inches long, leaving the end of wire exposed for about 8 inches. Where the wire enters the tail at F, fasten it to the cat by means of a staple but in such a way that it will move freely. To the free end of wire fasten a piece of elastic nine inches long. Tack the other end of this elastic to the cat’s body at E, as shown in Fig. 3. Also fasten a piece of cord to the same end of wire, which may be used to pull down the tail. It will spring up voluntarily as the elastic draws it. The strip of fur is to be tacked all around the edge of cat’s body, except around the feet, which would not show well in shadow if surrounded by fur. When this is finished the cat is complete.

The operator should be quick but not nervous. To make the cat appear life-like, he should keep all the mechanism at work as much as possible, taking care to have her movements as much as possible in harmony with the play. If he practises a little before the performance, he can make the cat the center of interest. When the actors feed the cat the operator should slowly pull down the jaw, and when the food is received shut it again quickly. When the cat is supposed to speak the operator should make the action of the jaw keep time with the words as they are read. When any one approaches the cat, by moving the eyeballs the operator may make it appear that the cat is looking in that direction. A judicious amount of purring, growling, and hissing may add to the interest, but it should not be too frequent.

SCENE I

[CAT _on pedestal appears at left of center_. MAIDEN,
FISHER, MAN WITH COD, _etc., all stand ready to
appear in proper order. The_ MICE _and_ LOBSTER
_are in place_.]

[Sidenote: Maiden walks slowly in, turns, and walks out.]

There stood a castle years ago
In Egypt by the Nile;
Within its walls a maiden dwelt
Whose heart was free from guile.

[Sidenote: Cat’s eyes roll, mouth opens and shuts, and tail wags.]

Within the castle also dwelt
A cat of high degree.
A Sacred Cat with yellow eyes
As big as big could be.

[Sidenote: Mice and rats run across stage, while cat wags tail.]

Her throne was on a pedestal,
—And there she always sat;
She was too dignified to run
To catch a mouse or rat.

[Sidenote: Eyes open and shut.]

She never blinked her yellow eyes
Except to give assent.
To her in trouble or in doubt
The household always went.

[Sidenote: Men enter with cream and fish, and after pouring out cream, and offering it and the fish to the cat, disappear at further end of stage.

Enter fisher with rod and line.]

The cream on which she daily fed,
Was in a silver dish;
And seven men were kept at work
Supplying her with fish.

[Sidenote: Eyes roll.]

The fisher, on his cunning line,
Brought in the eel and trout;
The cat beheld with greedy eyes,
And wagged her tail about.

[Sidenote: Man enters with cod, and lobster is pulled up by a string, from below floor of stage.]

A cod, of size magnificent,
Was turned upon a spit,
And by it stood the lobster, which
Was always served with it.
[SCREEN THE LIGHT]

SCENE II

[_The same._ MAIDEN _discovered seated on a stool,
at right of_ CAT, _as this would appear to the
spectators. Under the stool a wooden or tin plate
is placed in readiness, also a large circular
piece of pasteboard with the words, “One Dollar,”
cut around the edge. The_ MAIDEN _carries the
pasteboard heart, and a handful of pasteboard
tears. The spider hangs motionless high above her
head—out of sight, if possible._]

[Sidenote: Maiden puts hands to her eyes, and pasteboard tears fall.]

One day within the sacred court
In which the cat was kept,
The maiden sat alone, and sad
And bitter tears she wept.

[Sidenote: Spider suddenly drops from above. Maiden leaps to her feet and throws up her hands.]

And as she sat, from high above
Depending from a beam,
A spider dropped upon her head,
And loudly did she scream.

[Sidenote: Maiden trembles violently, while the spider runs up and down.]

And while in fear she stood and shook,
A sudden voice she heard,
It was the cat, who ne’er before
Had ever uttered word.

[Sidenote: Cat’s jaws move as if speaking, and she rolls her eyes and wags her tail.]

“Give me that spider,” said the cat,
“For spiders are a treat;
I’m sick of eating cream and fish,
And tired to death of meat!”

[Sidenote: Maiden throws the heart from her mouth, and acts as if terrified. Then picks up heart, swallows it, and turns toward the cat.]

The maiden’s heart jumped to her mouth,
And fell upon the floor,
She caught it e’er its beating stopped
And was herself once more.

[Sidenote: The maiden shades her head, and throws out her hand, as if imploring the cat not to ask her.]

“Feed me the spider,” said the cat,
“A favor I will do;
Ask what you will, it shall be done,
I promise it to you.”

[Sidenote: Maiden slowly turns toward spider, which dances in a very lively manner.

Maiden stretches her arm and tries to grasp spider.]

The maiden hesitated long,—
The spider looked so grim,—
With mincing step she then approached,
And tried to reach for him.

[Sidenote: Maiden takes dollar and offers it to spider. Then throws kisses to it.]

But every time she raised her hand
The spider ran above,
And she could not persuade him down
For money or for love.

[Sidenote: Stands on stool, suddenly grasps the spider, and taking the plate from beneath stool, places the spider on it, and breaks the thread which held it.]

At length she got upon a stool,
And with an effort great,
She had the spider in her grasp
And put him on a plate.

[Sidenote: Cat’s jaw opens. Maiden drops spider in front of cat’s mouth, and cat closes her mouth.]

The cat, who watched with eager eyes,
The spider did adore;
The maiden fed her faithfully
Until there was no more.

[Sidenote: Maiden shakes her forefinger at cat.

Holds up three fingers, then holds up one.]

“And now, O Sacred Cat,” she said,
“Pray listen till I’m done.
Three wealthy suitors seek my hand,
But I love only one.

[Sidenote: Points over shoulder.

Shakes fist.]

“He wishes to elope with me,
But I am watched too well,
The other suitors stand on guard
With looks severe and fell.

[Sidenote: Half kneels by the cat, and appears to plead, smoothing her fur tenderly.]

“Could we but have one little hour,
In which to flee away,
We’d never find enough to do,
Your kindness to repay.”

[Sidenote: Cat’s jaws move, keeping time with the words. Maiden remains kneeling.]

“Bring them all here,” the cat replied,
“Bring me your suitors three;
The one you love shall go with you,
The others stay with me.”

[Sidenote: Maiden rises to her feet with joy, and claps her hands.]

“I understand,” the maiden said,
“And I will tell them all
To feed you well with bugs and snakes,
And other things that crawl.”

[Sidenote: Wags her tail fiercely.]

“And now,” went on the Sacred Cat,
“How shall I know the youth?
How shall I know which one you choose?
Give me a sign, forsooth!”

[Sidenote: Points to her head.]

[Sidenote: Points to herself, and hangs her head.]

“The one I love shall wear a plume,”
The maiden then replied,
“A high black plume of feathers rich,
And I’ll be by his side.”

[Sidenote: Cat’s eyes open and shut rapidly.]

“That is sufficient,” said the Cat,
“And when I blink my eyes,
Like this,—then hurry, both of you,
Or he will lose his prize.”

[Sidenote: Waves her hand in farewell, and goes off the stage.]

“Farewell,” she said, and went to find
Her suitors, great and least,
The cat remained to meditate
Upon the coming feast.
[SCREEN THE LIGHT]

SCENE 3

[_The same. The suitors appear in line. The_ FORTUNATE
LOVER _stands first, the_ MAIDEN, _whose hand he
holds, just behind him. The other suitors, in
fantastic dress, are in the rear. They enter at
right of stage, as it would appear to spectators._]

The evening came, and with it too,
There came the suitors fine.
They had prepared themselves, and now
Were waiting on the line.

[Sidenote: Lover advances and crosses to farther side of cat, from which side he feeds her. Maiden remains on same side.]

And first there came the favored one,
The maiden by his side,
Although she trembled for their fate,
She sought her fears to hide.

[Sidenote: Maiden appears to tremble.]

And as her lover fed the cat,
She watched with great alarm,
For cats are treacherous, you know,
And prone to do us harm.

The cat, she moved her solemn jaws,
As one by one the rats
Were swallowed down, and followed by
The spiders, snakes, and bats.

[Sidenote: The lover and maiden kneel to cat, then in despair they rise and move away. Both lover and maiden retreat to extreme left of stage.]

But yet, alas! she would not wink,
The lover’s heart to cheer,
And so he had to move away,
With sorrow and with fear.

[Sidenote: Second suitor of the three now approaches the cat and appears very humble, serving her upon his knees.]

The second suitor now approached,
A humble knight was he;
To win the favor of the cat,
He even bent the knee.

His offering was served to her
Upon a dish of gold,
And truly it was marvelous
His homage to behold.

[Sidenote: Second suitor goes to left of cat, and stands with back to cat, and head bowed in despair.

Third suitor strides up with a flourish.]

He stepped aside, and now the third
Approached with ready grace;
He did not bow as did his friend,
But showed a brazen face.

[Sidenote: Beckons to second suitor, who slowly turns around.]

“Come on!” cried he, with angry tone
Unto his comrade meek.
“Why hang you backward? We shall lose
The prize we came to seek.

[Sidenote: Second suitor reluctantly approaches cat and begins to feed her again.

They stroke cat’s fur, and she spits and hisses.]

“Come here beside me, we will feed
The sacred cat until
She blinks her eyes, for that’s the sign
Which she will sure fulfil.”

[Sidenote: Knights kneel.]

And so they worked with eager care;
The cat devoured the treat,
Yet would not wink, although the knights
Were kneeling at her feet.

[Sidenote: Lovers appear to weep.]

And in a lonely corner stood
The lover and the maid.
The sign had failed, the cat was false,
And they were sore dismayed.

[Sidenote: Suitors leap and dance, with their hands caught in the cat’s mouth. Cat winks violently.]

But all at once a piercing cry!
The suitors screamed with fright,
The cat had caught them with her teeth
And winked with all her might!

[Sidenote: Maiden and lover run off stage.]

“She winks her eyes, it is the sign!
Oh, hurry, we are free!
A ladder bring,” the maiden cried,
“And I’ll escape with thee!”

[SCREEN THE LIGHT]

SCENE 4

[_Castle wall appears at extreme right of stage, as
viewed by the spectators. Large, strong boxes
are placed behind, on which the_ MAIDEN _and two
rivals are to stand, in order to look out of the
window or over the wall. The stepladder, folded, is
laid on the floor behind the castle wall. All the
appliances for the leaping_ CAT _are in readiness,
also all the articles of the_ MAIDEN’S _wardrobe.
Rivals and_ MAIDEN _stand in shadow behind the
wall. When the light is thrown on the screen, the_
LOVER _is seen in center of stage, looking up at castle._]

[Sidenote: Lover struts about, and swells his chest.

Maiden’s head appears, and she throws a kiss, to which he responds in same manner.]

Without the castle wall there stood
The lover full of pride;
And at the window o’er his head,
Appeared his lovely bride.

[Sidenote: Gesticulates wildly.]

“Oh, maiden, haste,” he cried in fear,
“Our rivals will pursue;
Pray stop for nothing, we must run,
They will be after you!

[Sidenote: Makes movements as if putting up ladder.]

“See, I will put the ladder up,
’Tis easy to descend.
If we are caught, we forfeit all,
And this will be the end.”

[Sidenote: Maiden makes gestures of pleading and distress.]

“Oh, wait,” replied the maiden’s voice,
So full of sweet distress;
“My wardrobe,—I need many things,
And cannot go with less.”

[Sidenote: Lover reaches up his arm, and maiden hands each article as it is named.]

The articles she passed to him,
With hand that sadly shook,
Her combs and brushes, curling tongs,
Her bag and pocket book.

[Sidenote: Lover tries on maiden’s hat, which is of a ridiculous shape.

Puts his finger through hole in slipper.]

Her hat, of late Parisian style;
Her slippers, small and neat,
So nicely made, with stitches fine,
To dress her little feet.

[Sidenote: Suddenly lover drops the articles and makes a gesture of despair.

Shakes his fist at maiden.]

Her lover, wild with dread and fear,
Stood trembling by the wall.
“What are you thinking of?” he said,
“I cannot take them all!”

[Sidenote: Maiden leans out of window, and drops a shower of pasteboard tears.]

“Then go without me,” cried the maid;
“I will not be a fright!”
And bursts into stormy tears,
She wept with all her might.

[Sidenote: Lover makes movements as if tying up a pack, but it is not necessary to do so literally.]

Her lover’s heart relented then,
He bundled up his pack,
And tied it firmly with a rope,
Upon his manly back.

[Sidenote: Draws out step ladder from behind screen, and stands it up.]

Then putting up the ladder tall,
He waited for the maid;
She gave a cry, “The rivals come,
Oh, we have been betrayed!”

[Sidenote: Maiden slowly, but with apparent flurry and haste, descends the ladder.]

With trembling haste she hurried down,
The ladder groaned and shook,
Her lover watched the rash descent,
With strained and anxious look.

[Sidenote: The two heads of the rivals suddenly appear.]

She safely reached the ground below,
They had no time to spare,
For in the window just above,
Appeared the rival pair!

[Sidenote: Shadow of small cat is revealed, and appears to be fighting with the rivals, who strike at it.]

But to befriend the lovers true,
There came the Sacred Cat,
She seized the rivals, vain their cries,
In vain they halloed, “Scat!”

[Sidenote: Cat suddenly slides down the cord to floor.]

She fought until they both had fled,
She would not be defied,
Then leaping from the window sill,
She gained the lover’s side.

[SCREEN THE LIGHT]

SCENE 5

[_Within the castle rivals appear seated, with a small
table between them. The_ HAUGHTY RIVAL _wears his
curl-papers covered by a tall hat. The_ HUMBLE
KNIGHT _carries a dagger_. SERVING MAID _stands
outside the screen with tray, ready to appear at
proper time_.]

[Sidenote: Shakes his fist angrily.]

Within the castle’s dining hall,
The rivals sat at meat;
“You coward!” cried the haughty knight,
“I know you meant to cheat!

[Sidenote: Becomes still more angry, and finally half rises, leans over, and shakes his fist directly in the other’s face.]

“You did not care who won the maid,
You were not bold enough,
Why did you not approach the cat
With manner fierce and rough?”

[Sidenote: Humble knight gesticulates.

Enter maid with tea tray.]

The humble knight was roused at last,
And angrily spake he,
He did not see the serving maid
Who brought the toast and tea;

[Sidenote: Serving maid pulls his hair.

She holds tray almost over his head, and when he leaps up, it is tossed into the air, falling with a clatter.]

So to make known her presence there,
And chide him for delay,
She pulled his hair—he sprang about,
Upsetting all the tray!

[Sidenote: Haughty knight laughs, and humble knight draws dagger.]

The haughty knight laughed loud and long,
Whereat the first was wroth,
“I will reveal your schemes,” cried he,
And drew his dagger forth.

[Sidenote: Points scornfully at his rival, who puts hands in pockets and leans back, tilting his chair.]

“Who tried with fine and foppish dress
To win the maiden’s heart?
Who curled his hair with papers tight,
Until the roots did start?”

[Sidenote: At this, he springs to his feet, and makes threatening gestures.]

“I say ’tis false!” the suitor cried,
“And prove it if you dare!
I never dressed in foppish style,
Or tried to curl my hair!”

[Sidenote: Points to his hat.

Pulls off his rival’s hat, revealing a mass of curl-papers, of exaggerated size.]

“Then take your hat off,” said his mate,
And with a sudden wrest,
He seized his rival’s head dress fine,
And lo!—he stood confest!

[SCREEN THE LIGHT]

SCENE 6

[_Same as first._ CAT _appears at left of center_.]

[Sidenote: Cat wags tail and rolls eyes. She may also growl softly.]

The blissful lovers’ wedded lives
Were spent in joy and peace,
And from that fateful day and hour
Did happiness increase.

[Sidenote: Cat blinks her eyes.]

All through the changing years of life,
The cat remained their friend;
The blinking of her yellow eyes,
Her favor did portend.

[Sidenote: Fly appears, and buzzes all around cat’s head.]

She still sat on her pedestal
In dignified repose;
She would not move to brush the fly
That lit upon her nose.

[Sidenote: Enter lover and maiden, from right of stage. Lover crosses to farther side of cat. They carry a pitcher of cream, and a plate of fish and spiders. Lover also carries a large comb.]

Each morning with the rising sun,
Her fond attendants came,
For wilful carelessness or harm,
They never were to blame.

[Sidenote: They offer food to cat.

Then stroke and comb her fur the wrong way. Cat hisses and spits, and wags her tail angrily.]

They fed her on the richest cream,
And spiders by the score,
And combed her fur with loving touch,
When she could eat no more.

And so the Sacred Cat has played
Her part in great events,
If you would see her act again,
Admission is ten cents!

If the shadow play is not to be repeated, the last two lines may read as follows.

You will not see her act again,
For forty times ten cents.

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY

BY CAROLINE VERHOEFF

(_For children between the ages of seven and eleven. All the parts may be taken by girls_)

DIRECTIONS FOR STAGING

But one full set of scenery is required, a wood scene. If the play is presented in a large hall, the scenery may often be procured from a local theater, at little, or no, cost. If a drawing-room is used, a small wood scene, either mounted or unmounted, may be purchased from Samuel French, 28 West Thirty-eight Street, New York City. Where economy is desirable, the following home-made scenery will prove quite satisfactory: _Background_, stretch a rope from one eight-foot ladder to another. Hang sheets over the rope, and to the sheets fasten wall-paper representing a forest. If a good grade of wall-paper is selected, the effect is excellent. For the _wings_ use two large-sized clothes-horses covered as the background, and placed to allow entrances to front and back. The backs of the clothes-horses are hung with white sheets, and in the garret scene they are simply turned to inclose the foreground of the stage, representing white walls. In the last act, a pretty transformation may be effected by means of a tarlatan curtain, green and hung with paper spring flowers, which is allowed to roll down and cover the background by the Spring Fairy. Or, if more convenient, strips of wall-paper with a design of flowers, birds, or butterflies may be used.

PROPERTIES

Two chairs, preferably gilt, for the King and Queen. A couch for the sleeping Princess, and a robe to throw over her. This robe is made of brown cambric, covered on one side with cotton batting and sprinkled with “Christmas snow”; on the other with paper flowers and artificial moss. One or more bare trees or branches. These last are not absolutely necessary.

COSTUMES

These are made of cambric or sateen, in the brightest colors. For King, Queen, and Page copy the pictures in any good fairy-tale book. The Princess requires two costumes, a brown dress to represent the earth in the fall, and one of bright green, hung with spring flowers, to wear when she awakens in the spring. The Prince requires a suit of the brightest gold, with long, flowing sleeves and strings of tinsel hanging from his neck like rays of sunshine. The Fairies dress to represent their respective parts as spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Winter should be all in white, with silver tinsel.

CHARACTERS

There may be as many Lords and Ladies as the stage can accommodate. There _must_ be three of each if the procession in Act II is to be effective, but if the stage is very small, the two children who take the parts of Prince and Princess in the last act may appear as a Lord and Lady in the second. Two Lords and two Ladies will be sufficient for the dance in the last act.

KING
QUEEN
PRINCESS
LORDS AND LADIES
PAGE
{SPRING
FOUR FAIRIES {SUMMER
{AUTUMN
{WINTER

TIME

The play requires from a half-hour to an hour,
according to the number of Lords and Ladies, and to
the length of the dances.

SCENE

Act I—The depths of the woods; Act II—The palace
garden; Act III—A garret; Act IV—Winter woods;
Act V—The awakening in the palace garden.