Chapter I: Preface

In the preparation of "The Exhibition Drama," the author has endeavored to present as great a variety as in the previous volumes of this series, and to comply, as far as possible, with the requests of numerous correspondents. Thus "Enlisted for the War" was written in response to a demand for something, based on the late civil war, which should meet the requirements of various Posts of the G. A. R. The musical allegories, "The Visions of Freedom," and "The Tournament of Idylcourt," were prepared for the graduating-class in a Boston grammar-school, and are of the same general character as those previously issued. The Christmas entertainment, and the dramatization of Dickens's "Christmas Carol," have both been successfully performed at sabbath-school entertainments. These, as well as the allegories, are plentifully supplied with tableaux, easily represented, and are adapted to the wants of many occasional exhibitions.

That "Amateur Dramas" are successful, the appearance of a fifth volume is convincing testimony. In addition to this, the warm commendations of the press, frequent testimonials from public teachers, and last, though not least, a steadily increasing demand for the old as well as the new, convince the author that he is honorably catering to a healthy appetite for innocent and wholesome recreation.

G. M. B.

207 WEST SPRINGFIELD STREET, BOSTON.

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

ENLISTED FOR THE WAR; OR, THE HOME-GUARD 9

NEVER SAY DIE 85

THE CHAMPION OF HER SEX 109

THE VISIONS OF FREEDOM 135

THE MERRY CHRISTMAS OF THE OLD WOMAN WHO LIVED IN A SHOE 157

THE TOURNAMENT OF IDYLCOURT 173

A THORN AMONG THE ROSES 201

A CHRISTMAS CAROL 227

All the above are published separately, and can be obtained of LEE &
SHEPARD, Publishers, Boston. Price 15 cts. each.

ENLISTED FOR THE WAR;
OR,
THE HOME-GUARD.

A DRAMA IN THREE ACTS.

_Also a complete two-act drama, by omitting the second
act, and two characters._

CHARACTERS.

ROBERT TRUEWORTH, a Soldier of the Union.
WILDER ROWELL, Guardian of Gaylie Gifford.
HOSEA JENKS, Auctioneer.
HIRAM JENKS, his Son, "a mere boy."
CRIMP, Colored.
GEN. GRANT.
LIEUT.-COL. BOXER.
GAYLIE GIFFORD, an Heiress.
MRS. TRUEWORTH, Robert's Mother.
MATTIE TRUEWORTH, Robert's Sister.

COSTUMES.

ROBERT. Acts 1 and 2, Uniform of a private. Act 3, Uniform of a
colonel.

ROWELL. Act 1, Modern dress, change to colonel's uniform. Act 2,
Colonel's undress uniform. Act 3, Fashionable dress.

HOSEA. Act 1, Make up "fat;" blue coat with brass buttons; nankeen
pants; striped vest; white necktie; face florid; nose a little
pimply; curly gray wig. Act 3, Something like the same, but figure
rather emaciated; cheeks sunken; and a little more bald than in
first act.

HIRAM JENKS. Act 1, Short jacket, through which his arms protrude;
light pants, very short; blue stockings; thick shoes; crop wig;
general juvenile appearance. Act 3, Short dress bob-tail coat,
&c.; not dandified, but neat; should be an entire change from Act
1.

CRIMP. Act 1, Black woolly wig; gray pants; white shirt, sleeves
rolled up; wide-rimmed straw hat. Act 2, Disguise of an old
darkey; gray wig; gray side-whiskers; blue shirt; white duck
pants, with one suspender. Act 3, Black coat and pants; white
vest; white necktie.

GEN. GRANT. Uniform of major-general, with cloak; military slouch
hat, full beard, and make up as usual.

GAYLIE GIFFORD. Act 1, Neat travelling-suit. Act 3, Handsome
evening-dress.

MRS. TRUEWORTH. Black dress, white collar and cuffs, and widow's
cap, very neat.

MATTIE. Act 1, Muslin dress and white apron; sleeves rolled up. Act
3, Evening dress.

NOTE.—"ENLISTED FOR THE WAR," here presented in its most simple
form, can be elaborately produced, if preferred. Where a military
display is desirable, the second act will allow of "an awkward-squad
drill," "relieving guard," a bayonet-drill, or the introduction of a
camp song. At the end of the third act, the returning company might
march across the stage, behind windows and door, illuminated with
white and red lights, with the chorus "Marching through Georgia."