Chapter III: Part II: Dialogues, Exercises, Musical Pieces and Plays (1)

ALL THE YEAR ’ROUND.

_For One Adult or Large Boy and One Small Boy._

_Santa Claus must be made to look very short and fat._

_BOY enters, sits down, leans elbow on table and his head on his hand._

BOY. Whatever shall I do? Christmas is almost here and not a single thing finished. You see (_addressing audience_), when a fellow’s folks have a small purse and a large family there’s no such thing as spending money for us boys. (_Gets up, walks back and forth talking, with hands in pockets._) All we earn goes for shoes, I guess. (_Stops and looks at his own, then looks up laughing._) Anyhow, they wear out fast enough. (_Resumes walk._) But I’m glad I’m big enough to work for my own shoes. If I did nothing but play while father worked _for_ me I’d feel worse than anything. (_To audience._) You know how that is. Besides, I’m the oldest of the bunch and ought to be worth something. But you know—(_stopping_) it does beat all how many things grown folks can find for boys to do.

I go to school—of course—and I take a job whenever I can catch it out of school hours, and I carry papers mornings, but that don’t take all the time, and I thought I’d get a lot of things done for Christmas since I can’t buy things. But do you s’pose I’ve done it? (_Sits down._) No, sir-ee. Not a thing finished.

I was making a shoe box for father and I haven’t got any farther than getting a box to work on, for I’ve had to milk the cow and feed the chickens—and mend the gate—’cause father was away. Then I had a new woodbox for mother—a jolly nice one—all trimmed with bars of wood and stained; but, no, sir, mother, she needed me for ’bout a hundred and ’leven things, and work at it I couldn’t. And this boat for Bub (_shows it_), not half done. And a bob-sled for little Sis—and a photograph frame for Gramma—and—oh, pshaw. I’m just plum disappointed, and that’s the truth. Not a gift done for anybody. (_Leans elbows on knees and chin on hands._) If I was a girl I guess I’d cry. (_SANTA CLAUS walks in, lays his hand on BOY’S shoulder. BOY jumps up as he looks around._) Jiminy! You most scared me. (_Bows._) How de do?

SANTA CLAUS. Very well, thank you: and how do _you_ do? What’s the trouble?

BOY. Excuse me; but how’d you know it was trouble? It isn’t a serious trouble, you know; only boy trouble.

S. C. Boy troubles are hard to carry sometimes. What are yours?

BOY. Mostly, I guess, that I’ve not got my gifts done—and can’t finish them now, ’cause there’s not time. And that means that there will be less for the stockings, you know.

S. C. That _is_ hard lines. But why couldn’t you finish them?

BOY. Sit down, won’t you? (_They sit down._) Why—because—well, I had to do lots of things. Kindling, you know, and bringing in wood for mother—and taking care of the baby sometimes—and keeping little Bud out of mischief—and sometimes—well, you see, I’m the oldest, and the others are too little—sometimes I wash the dishes. Mother has so much to do, and I ought to, don’t you think so?

S. C. Indeed, you ought, and I’m proud to find a boy who does it. But do you know, son, _I_ think you are making a great mistake.

BOY (_looking alarmed_). Am I? What? I’m sorry.

S. C. You say you have nothing to give at Christmas. It strikes me that you are giving a good many things, and very nice ones, too.

BOY (_bewildered_). I don’t understand.

S. C. No? (_Smiles, winks at audience._) What is Christmas for, anyhow?

BOY. _For?_ Why—it’s Christmas, Santa Claus’ birthday, you know. (_S. C. nods._) And it’s for—for good will to men, I guess—and—

S. C. (_nods_). Right you are, son. And what do you give Christmas gifts for?

BOY. Oh—because it’s fun; ’cause a fellow likes to make it nice for the other folks and give ’em a good time, and—well, ’cause it’s fun.

S. C. Right you are again, son. See here, now. Didn’t you milk the cow for father and all such things while he was away?

BOY. Yes—’course.

S. C. And didn’t it make him feel comfortable to know that things were going right while he was gone?

BOY. Guess so. Sure.

S. C. More comfortable than to have a shoe box?

BOY (_slowly_). Per—haps—yes.

S. C. And you got kindling, and took care of the baby, and washed dishes for mother?

BOY. ’Course.

S. C. And didn’t that make it easier for her than if she had a pretty woodbox?

BOY (_slowly_). I guess so. Yes—sure.

S. C. And doesn’t little Sis enjoy having long rides on your sled better than to have a sled of her own to go alone on?

BOY. I’m not so sure about that.

S. C. _I_ am. And didn’t little Bob like the snow man it took you so long to make for him better than the little boat? And didn’t dear old Grandma care more for the yarn you wound, and the needles you picked up, and the fires you built, and the errands you did, and—

BOY (_squirming_). Aw. Hold on. Those are such little things.

S. C. True enough, and each of them took some of your time, and kept you from making the photograph frame; and each of them made her lonely day a little easier, didn’t it?

BOY. Well, I should hope so. Say. I think it must be awful when you can’t run and holler and have fun—and—I guess some day _I’ll_ be old like that. (_Shrugs shoulders._) Gee! (_Whistles softly._)

S. C. (_rises, puts arm across BOY’S shoulder_). Don’t you begin to see, my son, what I mean?

BOY (_looks at him a minute_). That little things strung along are better to make folks happy than a bigger thing for a gift at Christmas?

S. C. (_slaps BOY on the back, grabs his hands and shakes them vigorously while he laughs. BOY rises._) That is it, to a tee. And do you begin to see any farther?

BOY (_looks at S. C. in silence a minute_). Perhaps you mean—do you mean—that to live that way—doing little things all the time—would be like Christmas? (_Excitedly._) Jiminy Christmas! I see! I see! Why! I can keep Christmas going the whole year ’round that way!

S. C. That is the only Santa Claus worth while, and the only Christmas that can ever be real, for it is the Christmas spirit of love and kindness. (_BOY whirls around, tosses up his cap. S. C. exit._)

BOY. Christmas and Santa Claus all in one. And every day in the year. Say—(_turns suddenly and S. C. is gone_). Why—where—(_looks all around, then says slowly_) well, I’ll be—isn’t that the queerest thing? (_Puts hands in pockets._) But I see it just the same. (_Musingly._) “The Christmas spirit of love and kindness.” “The only Santa Claus worth while.” Christmas every day in the year. (_Shouts._) Hooray for Christmas. I’m going to tell mother. (_Exit._)

A BOY’S CHRISTMAS.

_For Three Boys of Ten or Twelve Years._

_Two sit whittling, one working on the edge of a small wooden box, the other at the edges of a piece of wood about one inch thick by a foot square. The third has an oblong box partly together and is sawing the other piece or whittling the edges as they talk._

FRANK—

Christmas is coming—it’s awfully slow—
What do you think you will get? Say, Joe.

JOE—

I don’t know, Frank, and I don’t much care
If only I get some good skates—so there!

TOM—

That isn’t what bothers me most, you see,
I always get lots on the Christmas tree,
But what shall I _give_? That’s the hardest part.

JOE—

I’m making my little kid brother a cart.

(_Holds it up._)

But somehow this wood won’t saw a bit straight,
And it splits where I nail it. That’s what I hate.

FRANK—

Right you are there, Joe. See what I’ve made?
My knife’s pretty dull, so I broke the best blade.

TOM—

What do you call it?

FRANK—

A box, at the start,
For sister’s best ribbons; but it would come apart
Till I put some big nails in. They broke it in two,
And I had to stick it together with glue;
And now it don’t look so awfully well.

(_Looks at it dolefully._)

JOE—

Put pictures all over it, then you can’t tell
It ever was broken. That’s what _I_ would do.
But say! How it bothers when one works with glue.
Now this! (_Holds it up._) It has stuck everywhere that it could
Except where I wanted to make it real good.

TOM—

That’s just what’s the trouble. It’s this way with me.
I work hard, and make things as nice as can be,
But somehow, they never seem quite the right way
To give for a present on Christmas-tree day.

JOE (_exclaims suddenly_)—

I know!

FRANK—

Well, what is it?

TOM—

Out with it, then, Joe.

JOE—

We like to make gifts like the others, you know,

(_They nod in agreement._)

But something or other most always goes wrong.

FRANK—

I know how it is.

TOM—

Yes, you’ve put it quite strong.
But Mother can understand things at first sight,
And _she_ will say “thank you,” and call it all right.
I’ll give this to _Mother_. She’s just the right one!
She’ll like it and use it, because I’m her son.

FRANK—

Say, Joe, you’re a trump to think up a nice way
For us to give presents on Christmas-tree day.
My box goes to Mother—she knows about glue,
And she’ll fix it up till for something ’twill do.

TOM—

This board I have whittled all smooth, and ’twill make
A board to cut on for bread or for cake.
I’ll give it to Mother, and she’s sure to say
“Thank you, Tom; you make nice gifts for Christmas-tree day.”

A CHRISTMAS BARGAIN.

_For Two Characters, MOTHER and CHILD._

_Stage setting: The furnishings of a modern room. Costumes modern and simple._

MOTHER (_draws CHILD to her side, kisses her, CHILD stands with MOTHER’S arm around her_). It is almost Christmas time, little girl. What would you like to have Santa Claus bring you?

CHILD. I only want one thing, mother dear, and Santa Claus can’t give me that, nor anyone else.

MOTHER. Are you very sure, dear? Santa Claus can do wonderful things, you know.

CHILD. I’m very sure, motherkin. And if I can’t have that, I don’t care about Christmas.

MOTHER. Why, my little Mary? Tell me about it, dear. Possibly I can arrange it, for I want to have you happy more than anything else in the world, especially at Christmas time. Tell me.

CHILD. You won’t laugh at me?

MOTHER. No, dear; I won’t even think a laugh.

CHILD. Well, then, I want to be grown-up and have you a little girl.

MOTHER. Why, Mary, Mary!

CHILD. Now you are laughing at me.

MOTHER. My _dear_! I’m just as sober as I can be.

CHILD (_pouting_). Your eyes laugh, anyhow.

MOTHER (_takes CHILD by the shoulders and holds the CHILD in front of her at arm’s length_). Look in my face, Mary; straight in my eyes, and tell me why you want such a strange thing.

CHILD (_hesitatingly_). I—don’t—just like to, mamma. You might not like it.

MOTHER. I shall like it if you tell me the true reason, dear.

CHILD. And you won’t cry?

MOTHER. Not a tear.

CHILD (_slowly_). It’s because I’m so tired of being told I can’t do things, and of having to do things I don’t like. Oh, mamma! You don’t know how tired I am of being somebody else. I want to be _just me_.

MOTHER (_drawing CHILD to her side again_). Are you some other mamma’s little girl?

CHILD. Not another mamma’s little girl, but I can’t be the me I want to be. The me inside of me wants to be a very different me indeed.

MOTHER (_They sit silent a moment_). Would you like to try it just for one day?

CHILD (_standing up suddenly_) Mamma, dear! What do you mean?

MOTHER. I mean this, Mary. Suppose that just for one day we pretend that you are mamma, and I am Mary. I shall have to say that we must both stay at home, just us two. If there were more time I wouldn’t say even that. But if you’ll agree to that we’ll try.

CHILD (_eagerly_). To do just as I want to?

MOTHER. Yes, dear.

CHILD. And you will do what I tell you?

MOTHER. If I possibly can.

CHILD (_jumps up and down_). Oh, goody, goody! And I can have what I want for dinner? And wear the dress I want? And I needn’t go to school? Nor practice? And I can sit up as late as I want to? Really?

MOTHER. All of that.

CHILD. All right. When will we begin?

MOTHER. Right now, if you like. It’s morning, and it isn’t school time yet. But I’d like to ask one question. Is this to be the Christmas present you want more than anything? And are there to be no other gifts?

CHILD. Why, mamma, if I could be really the mamma, and not just pretend, and if it could be all the time, and not just one day, I wouldn’t want another single thing. I truly wouldn’t. But I think—I wish—I could have a few other things, little ones.

MOTHER. Very well, then. You are mamma now, and I am Mary.

CHILD. First thing, then, I’ll have chicken for lunch and cream puffs. (_Goes toward the door._) And some of that raspberry jam—and—coffee. (_Turns to MOTHER._) _Yes_, I’m going to have _coffee_. _You_ can’t have any, Mary. It isn’t good for little girls. But _I_ can have it. Mammas always do. (_Turns to door again._)

MOTHER. Are you going to cook them, mamma?

CHILD. No; ’course not. Bridget’ll cook ’em. (_Turns suddenly to MOTHER._) Oh, mamma! Will you tell Bridget to mind me? ’Cause she don’t know I’m mamma, you know.

MOTHER. Very well. I’ll do it now. (_Goes out._)

CHILD. And hurry back, please, ’cause I want you to be Mary.

CURTAIN.

SCENE II—_MOTHER sewing. CHILD comes in dressed fancifully._

CHILD. Mary, have you finished that hemming? ’Cause I want you to practice.

MOTHER. Not quite, mamma. But can I play when this is done?

CHILD (_severely_). No, Mary, you can’t. You’ve played enough; and if you don’t go to school, why, you’ve got to study at home—just lots. (_Sits down, adjusts dress, folds hands._) You’ve got to do lots of sums, and most fifty words in spelling. And you’ve got to practice—two—hours. Just scales and finger exercises, _nothing_ else. (_Apologetically, aside._) I’m not doing this to be mean, mamma, I truly ain’t. But I want you to see how it feels to _have_ to do things you don’t like. (_Continues with dignity._) You see Mary, mothers know lots more than little girls. I mean they _think_ they do—and _I_ know you must do that way.

MOTHER. But I’m hungry, and it’s long past lunch time.

CHILD. I know it, Mary, but you finish that before you can have any lunch. (_In a little girl’s tone._) Really and truly Bridget is horrid. She said it would take her too long to fix all the things I told her to, and when I in-sis-ted—I had to stamp my foot at her—she just said all right, but I’d have to wait for ’em then. Does she do that way when you are the mamma?

MOTHER. She is rather trying sometimes.

CHILD. Mercy! I should think so! (_Resumes grown-up air._) Now, after lunch—when it comes—if it ever does—I’m going to play _all_ the afternoon. Oh! I forgot. Don’t mothers ever play? Don’t you play sometimes, when you are the mamma?

MOTHER. Oh, yes.

CHILD. But how?

MOTHER. I read (_CHILD makes a face_) or do fancy work.

CHILD. I hate sewing.

MOTHER. Or I have a friend to lunch.

CHILD. Yes, but you only sit and talk.

MOTHER. Or I write letters.

CHILD. That’s worse than sewing.

MOTHER. Or I play the piano. Oh, I enjoy myself very much.

CHILD. Well, I don’t think mammas have a bit good time if that is all they do. (_Jumps up, skips across the floor._) Oh, I know! (_Stops, sits down in another chair, is dignified again._) I forgot. (_Apologetically._) You see, I’ve been Mary so long. Well, Mary, you go and bring me my jewelry. (_MOTHER hesitates._) Go right along, child. You must obey me at once. (_MOTHER goes out, CHILD smiles._) I guess she finds that isn’t very easy. (_Bounces up and down on her chair._) My! But it’s horrid to sit still so long! I’d like to go swing, only mammas never do. (_Squirms about. MOTHER enters, hands her two jewel boxes._)

MOTHER. Shall I practice now?

CHILD. No; do your sums. All those on the four pages I showed you—_all_ of them. (_Opens boxes._) Now I’m going to put all of these on—all the rings and all the bracelets. (_Tries them on._)

CURTAIN.

SCENE III—_Evening. MOTHER reading, CHILD sitting upright and nodding, trying to keep awake. After three or four hard nods she yawns and says_:

CHILD. Mary, it’s time you went to bed. I’d have sent you long ago, only papa was away and I was lone—I mean—I missed him.

MOTHER. Shall I go to bed now?

CHILD. No. My head aches.

MOTHER. Shall I smooth it? Little girls can’t help much when folks don’t feel well, can they?

CHILD (_snappishly_). Don’t talk like that to me. I’m feeling real mizzable. (_Sighs, leans back in chair._) Read to me. Quick.

MOTHER. What shall I read?

CHILD. Oh, for goodness sake! You ask foolish questions. Read what mammas like, of course.

MOTHER. Not Cinderella?—nor the Fairy Prince—or—

CHILD (_wistfully_). If I was Mary I would say, “Yes.” But I’m mamma. (_Then suddenly runs to her mother and leans against her._) Oh, I don’t want to be Mother any more. It’s hard and tiresome. I want you to cuddle me—my head aches—and I haven’t played all—day—lo—o—ng. And Bridget has been horrid—and I never want to taste cream puffs again—nor fruit cake—nor lots of sugar in my tea. Bridget said I ate enough of ’em to sink a ship. And I feel awful here. (_Hand on stomach._) Oh, mamma, mamma! (_MOTHER holds her close and kisses her._) And, mamma, it’s almost Christmas, and I promised to take this for a present. And it’s all—just—wasted! Oh, dear me!

MOTHER. Little Mary, listen to me. Some day you will be as happy to be a really mother, I hope, as I am; but just now you are a little girl, and I don’t want you to be anything else.

CHILD. I don’t want to any more.

MOTHER. And _I_ think the nicest present you can have will be to forget all about yourself, and have a lovely, happy time with some other children. Shall we ask Santa Claus for that?

CHILD. Yes, oh yes! But, mamma, I know there isn’t any really Santa Claus, but I like to think there is.

MOTHER. So do I, dear. There really is a Santa Claus spirit, though, which every one can have.

CHILD. Sing to me, mamma. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without it.

MOTHER (_taking CHILD in her lap_). You are rather a big little girl to be rocked, but I’ll try it. (_Sings Christmas carol._)

CURTAIN.

In the foregoing it is well to have the one personating “Mother” a large woman in order to make as much contrast as possible between her and “Mary.” As Mary has a good many lines to learn, her part must be taken by one not too young; but with proper dressing the effect of a little girl can be attained. If Mary is too large to be held in the lap in the last scene, let her sit on a footstool and lay her head on Mother’s lap.

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS.

_For One Adult or Large Girl and One Child as Small as Can Learn the Part._

_This may be presented wholly without accessories, except a chair and a small table and work basket, or made to picture a Puritan home._

_The effect of this simple thing lies in the spirit put into it by the actors. Well done it is exceedingly effective._

_Costumes and directions at the close._

CHILD (_enters, goes to MOTHER, who sits sewing—leans against her knee_)—

Mother, I heard the children say
That Christmas will be here tomorrow.
I never heard of that before,
Is it a time of joy or sorrow?

Did you keep Christmas years far back
In your old home across the water?

MOTHER—

Yes, child, with gifts and great yule logs.
But that was long ago, my daughter.

CHILD—

Tell me about it, mother dear,
Why did you have such Christmas gladness?
And did you give to all you loved?
Did you help all who lived in sadness?

MOTHER—

Dear child, this is the time of year
The dear Lord’s birth is celebrated.
But heathen rites and wicked mirth
Have marked for theirs all things created.
And so ’tis wrong for us to join
In ceremonies so unfitting.

(_Puts down her work, takes CHILD’S hand._)

But come. The storm is fierce without,
And glistening snow is downward flitting.

(_Rises._)

To bed, oh little daughter mine.
The pines and winds their songs are singing,
And all the stars—and Lady Moon—
Their watchful care to you are bringing.

(_MOTHER starts to go out, CHILD steps in front of her and
looks up into her face._)

CHILD—

But, Mother dear, on my birthday
You give me gifts, and I am merry.
Why is it wrong on Christ’s birthday
For us to help make others cheery?

MOTHER—

To bed, my little daughter mine,
Nor vex your childish heart with fretting.

(_Starts to go, CHILD again stops her._)

CHILD—

But, Mother, _you_ had Christmas time,
You told me so; you’re not forgetting?

MOTHER—

Nay, child, I don’t forget.

CHILD—

Then why
Can it be wrong if _you_ could do it?
You are so good. It made _you_ glad.

MOTHER—

But I have learned to sadly rue it.

CHILD—

But tell me why. I cannot see
Why joy displeases the good Father.
For when we’re glad we want to share,
And make all others glad together.

MOTHER (_moves toward the door_)—

’Tis time my little maid should go
And on her pillow white be sleeping;
While God shall guard through all the night.
And winter stars their watch be keeping.

(_They go out._)

MOTHER (_returns alone, clasps hands as she says_:)

My little maid! _Can_ it be wrong
To give her Christmas joy, I wonder?

(_Thinks, gets work basket, sits down, fashions a rough doll,
previously prepared, from bits of cloth. She puts on a dress
of gray, like her own—it can be tied and pinned together by
previous practice—with apron and kerchief. This is done as
she talks, with occasional pauses, finishing it silently and
holding it up to view._)

Was it all wrong—that happy mirth—
In the old home in England yonder?

Her childish questions reach my heart.
God loves to have us glad, most surely;
And loving Him, our love for all
Must stronger be, and grow more purely.

(_Goes out holding up the doll for her own admiration. After
short interval returns without the doll, goes to window and
looks out, speaking slowly._)

And now ’tis dawn; the night is gone,—
And it is holy Christmas morning.
Snow-drifts and ice and glittering stars
Are miracles for its adorning.

(_A pause. CHILD runs in joyously, hugging the doll. As she
talks she clasps her MOTHER and shows all possible joy, dancing
up and down, etc._)

CHILD—

Oh mother dear! Oh mother dear!
See what I found beside me sleeping!
If God kept watch He knew it came,
And knows how Christmas we are keeping.

If you love _me_ so much, and love
To give me gifts like this, dear mother,
How very loving God must be!
He must love more than any other!

MOTHER (_takes CHILD’S hand and puts her arm around her_)—

Dear little maiden mine! Your faith
That best of lessons holy,
That loving God is loving _all_;
And Love is Help to high and lowly.

CURTAIN.

COSTUMES.

Both dress alike. Dress gray, plain waist and close sleeves, skirt to ankles. White apron, white kerchief crossed over the shoulders, plain muslin caps, not tied under the chin, white stockings, low shoes.

The mother is very gentle and loving, the child eager and impetuous. This can be made very “taking” by having both the characters children; the smaller the better.

THE KING OF THE YEAR.

_For Seventeen or More Characters._

_This can be carried out with children entirely or with part adults._

CHARACTERS.

NEW YEAR.
SAINT VALENTINE.
SAINT PATRICK.
EASTER.
MAY and JUNE.

_Boys._
APRIL FOOL.
FOURTH OF JULY.
VACATION TWIN.

_Girls._
HALLOWE’EN.
THANKSGIVING.
VACATION TWIN.

SANTA CLAUS, _the King_.

_No stage setting required except throne for the KING._

GREETING SONG.

_Tune: “A-Roving.”_

CHILDREN (_enter, curtsey to audience. Sing._)—

We’ve gathered here, kind friends so dear,
To choose ourselves a King;
And when we find the nicest kind
We’ll clap our hands and gayly sing,
A welcome to our king
We will gayly sing.

CHORUS.

Oh, glad will the day be when
We have a king who joy will bring!
We’ll give a joyous welcome
To our king.

(_NEW YEAR enters, bows to children. They curtsey to him. He sings._)

_Tune: “Kingdom Comin’.”_

My little friends, I bring you greetings
For a happy New Year’s Day.
I’m the holiday of hope and rejoicing,
And I drive dull care away.
You all enjoy the rosy pictures
Of the future that I bring,
And you like to make my good resolutions,
So you’d better crown me king!

CHILDREN (_singing chorus_).

The New Year comes, ho, ho! We hate to see it go;
For we like to make good resolutions
Which we never keep, you know!

(_NEW YEAR steps to one side. VALENTINE enters, salutes the children first, then the audience._)

_Tune: “She’s Gone; Let Her Go.”_

VALENTINE—

I’m the patron saint of the children,
But I care for all true hearts as well.
Be they sixteen or sixty I love them all,
And they long for my magic spell.

Dear Cupid’s my merry attendant.
He obeys me where’er he may be.
You may roam this wide world over,
But you’ll never find a friend like me.

CHILDREN—

Valentine is a good saint, we love him;
Cupid dear is a very good friend,
With his kisses and darts, and his loving hearts,
There are thrills for us without end.

(_VALENTINE retires. SAINT PATRICK enters, salutes, and sings._)

_Tune: “Mush, Mush.”_

SAINT PATRICK—

Oh, me darlin’s, I’ve come to remind ye
That ’tis I’m the best fri’nd can be found.
Where’s the toime for sich rollickin’ fun now
As ye’ll get when my day comes ’round?

ALL (_join_)—

For ’tis mush, mush, mush tu—ral—i—ad—dy,
Sing mush, mush, mush tu—ral—i—ay,

(_PAT. dances, all keep time._)

There’s ne’er a gossoon in the village
But welcomes Saint Patrick’s fine day.

SAINT PATRICK—

So children dear, don’t ye forget me,
I’ve hearts of all kinds for yer choice,
Take yer pick,—but don’t fail to remember
An’ shout fer me wid yer swate voice.

ALL—

For ’tis mush, etc.

(_PAT. dances, etc._)

(_SAINT PATRICK retires, EASTER enters, salutes, etc._)

_Tune: “Upidee.”_

EASTER—

I come to bring you Easter morn,
Easter morn, Easter morn,
It tells the winter’s cold has gone
Happy Easter morn,
The day when come the flowers of spring,
The day when all the sweet birds sing.

ALL—

Happy Easter day is here,
Happy day, happy day!
For winter’s death has gone away,
Blessed Easter day.

(_APRIL FOOL dances in, sings joyously, attitudinizing._)

APRIL FOOL—

I come to banish solemn thought,
April fool! April fool!
You’re free for jokes—but don’t get caught,
Jolly April fool!

(_Points to EASTER._)

She’s all right, sure, but follow me,
And fun and frolic you shall see.

(_Music, but no singing. APRIL prances and dances, CHILDREN wave hands in time, others move heads in time. At close APRIL bows himself back into a place with the other holidays. MAY and JUNE enter._)

_Tune: “Noah’s Ark.”_

MAY and JUNE—

Oh children dear, see here, see here,
We’ve come with beautiful flowers.
The winter gray has gone away,
And we’re not afraid of the showers.

MAY—

May time posies
Are all for you to be picking;

JUNE—

June time roses
Are yours, you may gather them all.

MAY—

The grass is green, come choose your queen,
Here’s crown and scepter of flowers;

JUNE—

On bush and vine my blossoms twine,
And sweeten the sunny hours.

CHORUS.
May time posies, etc.

CHILDREN—

The flowers have come, the blessed flowers,
With joy our voices are ringing.
For May-time posies, June-time roses,
Give we thanks as we sing.
May-time posies
Are all for us to be picking!
And June-time roses
Are ours, we may gather them all!

(_MAY and JUNE retire, July enters, keeping time with a slight tap of his drum until he reaches his place, and very lightly through the first verse, then louder at the chorus._)

_Tune: “Rumsty Ho!”_

JULY—

The firecrackers pop, and the guns go bang!
Hip hurrah! Hip hurrah!
The cannons go “boom!” and the gay bells cling-clang!
And the boys shout the message “Fourth of July!”
Hip—a—yi! Fourth July!

This day is jolliest of them all.
Hip hurrah! Hip hurrah!
The crackers are popping, and drums do call,
And the flags are a-flying on house and hall,
Hip—a—yi! Fourth July!

(_CHILDREN join. JULY marches, taps drum, all keep time, softly patting hands, strike hands at second syllable of “Hurrah, hurrah!” and again at last syllable of hip—a—yi and July._)

The drummer boys drum, the band calls sweet,

ALL—

Hip hurrah! Hip hurrah!

JULY—

The soldiers are marching along the street,
And you have to keep time with your hands and feet.

ALL—

Hip—a—yi! Fourth July!

(_JULY retires, VACATION TWINS enter._)

_Tune: “McSorley’s Twins.”_

VACATION TWINS—

Oh, we are Vacation, and we are the twins,
Who are worth all the rest of the year.
No school times for us, but we play all day long,
And nothing but fun you can hear.
And ’tis camping and riding and fishing we go,
With tramping o’er mountains and lea,
Will you tell us if ever a king there could be
Who would rule you so kindly as we?

CHORUS.

CHILDREN—

Yes, we know you, Vacation, we know you so well
You will be a delight, that is clear,
Such elegant times you give us, yes we know
You’re the best of them all in the year.

(_Repeat the chorus._)

(_HALLOWE’EN hurries in._)

_Tune: “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”_

HALLOWE’EN—

Wait a little, children dear,
Wait and hear! Wait and hear!
You’ve forgotten something near,
Listen, you shall hear.

(_Slower and with much emphasis on each word._)

In autumn time there comes a night
Full of fright—a ghostly night,
When you see full many a sight,
Many a sound shall hear

(_She continues, using the college chorus._)

Here the witches call! A—a—a—ah!

(_Sung slowly with a wail._)

(_Stage whisper._)

Oh aren’t you glad to hear such a call as that?
Hearts going pit—a—pat, hair rising ’neath your hat,
Oh, aren’t you glad at the call of the witches’ cat
At old Hallowe’en?

(_Quicker._)

Wait a little, children dear,
Wait and hear! Wait and hear!
You’ve forgotten something near,
Something you shall hear.

(_Slower, with earnestness, marks signs in the air._)

Magic tokens then appear,
Spells are wrought, sounds you hear,

(_Slower._)

Fortunes told for all the year,

(_Very slow and soft._)

Told you soft and clear.

ALL (_very loud_)—

Hear the witches call! A—a—a—ah!

(_Repeat, with hands over ears, then a third time very softly._)

CHORUS.

ALL—

(_Remove hands from ears, reach out both hands to HALLOWE’EN._)

Yes, we are glad (_hands clasped over head, eyes staring_) to hear
such a call as that,

(_Softer._)

Hearts going pit—a—pat, at such a call as that,
Yes, we are glad (_pause, count five_) to hear such a call as that

(_Silence, all listen with hand at ear, count ten slowly, then loudly._)

At old Hallowe’en.

(_THANKSGIVING sings behind scenes, all start, listen, and as she enters, as indicated, all smile and CHILDREN take hold of hands._)

_Tune: “Auld Lang Syne.”_

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days of auld lang syne?

(_Enters slowly._)

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

For all the blessings sent to us,
For all the love that’s given,
For country dear, for home, for friends,
We thank thee, God in heaven.
Thanksgiving gives us sweetest cheer,
It turns our thoughts above.
For all the blessings of the year,
We thank thee, God above.

(_Second verse repeated by all. Raise faces and fold hands during the last lines. THANKSGIVING retires._)

(_SANTA CLAUS, behind scenes._)

_Tune: “Oh, Dem Golden Slippers.”_

SANTA CLAUS—

I am coming near, I am almost here,

(_All listen._)

I am bringing you merriment and joyous cheer,

(_Enters. As he sings CHILDREN show various degrees of delight._)

Happy hearts and faces that smile, and smile,
I am bringing to you children, as I come.

(_Winks, nods, shows full stockings and bundles in his pack._)

And the varied fruits of the Christmas tree,
And the overflowing stockings you soon shall see;
And the bundles queer, and surprises dear,
I am bringing to you, children, as I come.

CHILDREN—

(_Clap hands at “merry” wherever it comes in the chorus, surround SANTA CLAUS, taking his hands, etc._)

Oh, ’tis merry Christmas! Oh, ’tis merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas that we love best of all the whole round year!
Oh, ’tis merry Christmas! Oh, ’tis merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas who’ll be our king!
He’s best of all the year!

(_Repeat chorus, they all surround SANTA CLAUS, taking him with them as they march around the stage, half the children on either side. If necessary, sing the chorus a second time to prolong the march. They end by leading SANTA CLAUS to the throne and placing him upon it, and as the children sing the next verse they crown him. The holidays stand half on either side._)

CHILDREN—

There’s no other one under all the sun
Brings us such gay hearts and such cheery fun.
So we crown him king, and we love to sing
How we love him, as we crown him our king.

(_HOLIDAYS join._)

CHORUS.
Oh, ’tis merry Christmas, etc.

ALL (_sing_)—

Oh, our hearts grow tender when he comes ’round,
And we try to make happiness for all abound;
For his love for us makes us love you all,
So we love him, and we crown him for our king.

CHORUS.
Oh, ’tis merry Christmas, etc.

CURTAIN.

DIRECTIONS.

As they sing each holiday comes forward in turn and offers Santa Claus an emblem, which he hands to the children, and which they fasten—with pins or otherwise—to the high back of the throne, or to the curtain behind him, except the basket of flowers which May brings, and the roses from June. The basket is placed at his feet, and the wreath on the arm of the chair which forms his throne. The horn of plenty is also placed at his feet.

Each makes a low bow as he presents his offering.

New Year offers a large card.

St. Valentine a huge valentine.

St. Patrick a big green shamrock, cut from green cardboard.

Easter a stalk of lilies.

April his cap and bells which he takes off for the purpose.

May-day her basket.

June her wreath of roses.

July a flag.

Vacation Twins a tennis racket and a butterfly net.

Hallowe’en a witch riding on a broom, cut from black cardboard.

Thanksgiving a horn of plenty, full of grain and fruit.

Each bows, gives offering and retires to place.

DIRECTIONS.

No stage setting is absolutely needful for this little play except the throne for the king, but if there can be a small platform on either side of the throne large enough to accommodate the children, or those personating them, having the holidays on the level, it will give a better effect. The throne can be merely a large upholstered chair, or it may be draped and surrounded with curtains and a canopy overhead.

COSTUMES.

NEW YEAR should be quite a small boy (if children take the parts) in full dress suit. This is not difficult to make and may be of cambric. If an adult takes the part, the costume may be the same, or the traditional figure of Father Time may be followed.

SAINT VALENTINE—Shakesperian costume, tights, trunks, cloak, etc. Carries a mandolin.

SAINT PATRICK—Knee breeches and long frock coat of gray, battered “plug” hat, green vest and stockings, low shoes with buckles.

EASTER—Long white dress with gold cord and tassel around the waist, gold band around the head, hair hanging loosely. Carries a stalk of lilies.

APRIL FOOL—Jester’s suit (can be of cambric), black tights and trunks, jacket reaching half way to knees and belted in, bottom of jacket, and the wide collar cut in long points and trimmed with orange, with tiny bells on points. Hood close fitting to head (see Fig. 1), with three curved horns turning forward. These horns are stuffed with hair. The collar is fastened to the hood, not to the jacket.

MAY and JUNE—Two little girls. White or light dresses trimmed with flowers, wreaths on head. May’s flowers are delicate spring flowers, those of June are roses, and she carries a wreath of them.

FOURTH OF JULY—Boy with drum hung before him, firecrackers around his neck, carries a flag over his shoulder, drumstick in right hand.

VACATION TWINS—Sailor or khaki suits; one carries a butterfly net, the other a tennis racket.

HALLOWE’EN—Long black gown, white cloth over the head, hanging evenly all around the shoulders, places cut for eyes. Carries witch riding on broom cut from black cardboard.

THANKSGIVING—Puritan costume; or it may be brown, flowing robe trimmed with autumn leaves. Carries a horn of plenty, full of grain (in the grass form) and fruit. This with either costume.

SANTA CLAUS—The traditional dress.

MRS. RANDY’S CHRISTMAS.

_A Christmas Play in One Scene._

_Eight Characters; Three Adults, Two Little Boys and Three Little Girls._

MRS. RANDY _The Mother_
MRS. VAN DUSEN ⎫ _Visitors_
MRS. GRAHAM ⎭
MARY ⎫
SUSIE ⎪
ANNIE ⎬ _Mrs. R.’s Children_
TEDDY ⎪
JOHNNIE ⎭

_Stage setting: A bare room with one pine table and two chairs. MRS. R. is seated by the table darning stockings. Her work basket is on the table._

MRS. RANDY. Dear me! How late it’s a-gettin’. I just have _got_ to finish this mendin’ before the children get home, ’cause they’ll distract me so I don’t know what I’m doin’.

This is the first day I’ve had at home in goodness knows when, ’ceptin’ Sundays, of course, and there’s enough needs doin’ here to keep a dozen busy.

Now let’s see. Tomorrow’s Christmas, and I ain’t got nothin’ to speak of ready for the children. I thought I’d ’a been able to save just a little by now; but that winder Teddy broke took all I’d laid by to pay for it; and the spankin’ he got didn’t pay it back neither.

So here I be, stockin’s most mended, but just about nothin’ to put in ’em. There’s those red apples Mrs. Jones gave me yesterday, and there’s that pair of white kid gloves I’ve been savin’ for most two years. I was goin’ to wait till Mary got a little bigger ’fore I gave ’em to her, but I guess she’ll have to be big enough now. She’ll be real proud to have a pair of white kid gloves, like what real ladies wear. I know these are genooine, for the lady what wore ’em gave ’em to me. Then I was plannin’ to buy a fine silk tie for Teddy, but now I can’t, so I’ll just see what I can do with that old one that used to be his father’s.

But there isn’t anything for the little ones, and now I can’t buy ’em anything. I must do something, but I surely don’t know what.

TEDDY (_rushing in excitedly_). Ma! Just look! There’s a fine motor car stopped out in the street.

MARY (_following_). And Ma! See! A fine lady is gettin’ out.

MRS. R. Well, if she ain’t a-comin’ right in here. Run out, quick, all of you. You ain’t one of you dressed fit to be seen by a lady like that. (_A knock—she shoos them out._) And I ain’t fit neither. Oh, my! (_She turns her apron wrong side out, hastily picks up some stockings from the floor. Another knock. She opens door._) How d’ye do? Won’t you come in? It’s a fine day, ain’t it?

MRS. VAN (_steps one step inside the door_). I believe you are the person who takes care of the rooms occupied by the “Ladies’ Literary Club,” are you not?

MRS. R. Yes, ma’am. There ain’t nothin’ wrong, is there?

MRS. V. (_ignoring her question as before_). I am Mrs. Van Dusen, of the charitable committee of the club. I presume you have some children?

MRS. R. Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Van Dusen. I am Mrs. Randy. Yes, I have five children.

MRS. V. Oh, yes. (_Aside._) What large families these people have. I see my surmise was correct. I presume you have nothing ready for their Christmas?

MRS. R. Yes, I have for two of ’em, though it ain’t what I’d like. See. (_Showing the gloves._) Mary’ll be real pleased to have these. They’re real ladies’ gloves, ain’t they?

MRS. V. Don’t say “ain’t.” It’s bad grammar and it gets on my nerves. (_Looks at gloves through lorgnette._) Goodness! Those dirty things? You ought at least to send them to the cleaners first, though even then they are in dreadfully bad taste. But I must go, for I have other charitable calls to make. Here is money to buy something for the children. (_Hands a coin from her purse._)

MRS. R. Thank you; but I’d rather not. We’d a-done somehow if you hadn’t called.

MRS. V. Now, Mrs. Randy, don’t be foolish. You know it is wrong to be proud, and it is especially unbecoming to the poor. (_Puts money on the table._) Now you can get presents for them and say they came from Mrs. Van Dusen. Goodby. (_Exit._)

MRS. R. Well, I s’pose she means to be kind, but I must say I don’t think she knows how very well. I didn’t want to take her money, but now I’ll have to. I wish Providence didn’t provide in such queer ways, sometimes. Well—as she says—it’s wrong to be proud, so I’ll get something with it. (_Picks up the coin._) Fifty cents. Now ain’t that fine? Why, I can buy some presents and most a Christmas dinner, too. But I must get the children to bed early so I can fix things up. (_Calls at the door._) Mary! Teddy! Oh, children! All of you come in now. (_Children enter._)

MARY. Who was that lady, Ma?

TEDDY. What did she come for, anyway?

JOHNNY. Gee! But wasn’t that a swell automobile, though!

ANNIE _and_ SUSIE. Ma, who was it?

MRS. R. Just you wait till tomorrow an’ see. It’s a secret now, and if you ask another word I won’t tell at all. Were you playin’ with the Smith youngsters?

MARY. Yes. An’ oh, Ma. They’re a-goin’ to hang up their stockin’s. Can’t we hang up ours, too?

MRS. R. Now, I just wondered if you’d remember about tonight’s being Christmas Eve, and you did, didn’t you?

MARY. Yes, of course.

TEDDY. You bet.

MRS. R. We ain’t got no chimney, and Santa Claus can’t come that way, but you just hang ’em on the back of the chair and I’ll leave the door open so he can get in that way, and I hope he’ll not forget and pass us by. Now, Mary, here’s a stockin’ for you. The foot is too full of holes for you to wear ’em, or me to darn ’em; so I just sewed it across the heel, and it’ll have to do. Teddy, I must have lost your other stockin’; anyway I can’t find ’em now, so you can just use this old sock that used to be your father’s before he went to the Philippines. And here are your stockin’s, Johnnie, and Susie and Annie. (_Helps pin them up._) Now you all get to bed quick’s you can. Mary, you look after the little ones, won’t you? You see, I’ve got so much to do to make things tidy for Santa Claus, that I can’t bother ’bout ’em. Now just scoot! All of you. And don’t you dare peek, or Santa Claus won’t leave you nothin’. (_All hurry off. MRS. R. opens the table drawer and takes out gloves and tie and places them on the chair, gets apples and puts in the stockings, also._) Now that ain’t enough for ’em all, so I’ll go buy somethin’ with that money. (_Musingly._) Let me see. Oh, yes; I know. (_Door opens and TEDDY puts head in, saying, “Ma.” MRS. R. slams drawer shut and hurriedly covers chair with apron, then answers, “What?”_).

TEDDY. Ma, where’s my nightgown?

MRS. R. Land sakes, Teddy. I forgot. I lent it to Mrs. McRoy to cut a pattern for Joe, an’ I s’pose she forgot to bring it back.

TEDDY. But Ma, what’ll I do?

MRS. R. Wear Johnnie’s other one.

TEDDY. Can’t. It’s too little.

MRS. R. Well, then wear Mary’s other one, but for goodness sakes go to bed or Santa Claus won’t never come. (_Children go out._) Now I’ll go over to the store and get some things. I’ve a fine idea. (_Puts on shawl and hat, takes basket._) I’ll be back in a minute, and they won’t know I’ve been away. (_Exit. After a moment the door opens and MARY puts her head in. Dodges back and then enters in nightdress. Closes door and starts to go toward the table, when the door opens again and TEDDY starts in. She motions him back, tries to push him out, then pulls him in and both go to the table. The door again opens and the others come in in their nightgowns. All go toward the table on tip-toe, stop and listen and rush out. After a pause the children come cautiously in and get nearly to the table when they hear their mother coming, and rush out again. MRS. R. enters with a loaded basket on her arm, sets it on the table._)

MRS. R. There we are. Things for a good dinner, anyhow. I know what I’ll do for the playthings. (_Takes off shawl and hat, sits down and works. Directions for this at the end._) Susie always did want a doll baby, and here’s one she can’t smash. (_She works with frequent pauses, holding up her work from time to time._) I think that is real scrumptious. I’ve seen ’em in stores lots of times that didn’t look a mite better. Won’t she be tickled? And I’ve thought how to make a elephant just like the one in the store that Joe’s been begging for. Here’s just the thing. Queer how things grow sometimes. You can work hard and you can’t do no better than nature. See that now! You never know what you can do till you try. ’Tain’t quite what I wanted, but it’ll have to do. Leastwise it’s all he’ll get, so he’d better like it. There’s Annie, now. She’s allus beggin’ for something pretty, so I got her some beautiful tissue paper to cut out fancy. (_Takes paper from basket._) It only cost three cents, and she’ll be just happy. (_She begins to put things in stockings. Knock at door. She opens door to a lady._) How do you do, Miss? Have you lost your way? I can show you real easy.

MRS. GRAHAM. Thank you, but I think this is where I wanted to come. Aren’t you Mrs. Randy, the mother of little Mary and Teddy, and Susie, Annie and Johnny?

MRS. R. Yes, ma’am, they are my little folks. I hope they haven’t broken anything, or made any trouble. Are you one of the school teachers or anything like that? How did you know them?

MRS. G. Oh, no. I’m not a school teacher; only a friend of one of the teachers; and as I have no little children of my own I wanted to find some little folks to help have a good time this Christmas. Just think how lonely it would be not to have any children to share your Christmas with. So I am going to ask you to let me have the pleasure of giving something to yours. Won’t you? Please let me, Mrs. Randy.

MRS. R. Well, I must say that it’s very kind and friendly of you to want to do that; and when you ask it that way, of course I’ll let you if it will give you pleasure, though I must say I would hate to take presents from some. But you don’t know how thankful I am, for the children’s sake. I just didn’t know what I was going to do for some of them.

MRS. G. Don’t say any more about it, please, but put these little things with the others in their stockings tonight, and say they came from Santa Claus. Wouldn’t you like to wear these yourself? (_Hands her the red holly berries from her own dress._) They will be becoming to you. Good-night, and a merry Christmas.

MRS. R. Thanks, ma’am. The same to you and many of ’em. (_Exit MRS. G._) There now, just look at that. (_Surveying the parcels._) I ought to be pretty kind if I am to deserve such a friend. How different she is from that Mrs. Van Dusen. Why, I declare. She didn’t even tell me her name. I guess she wasn’t thinkin’ much about herself. Well, this surely does make me happy. I wonder what’s in this bundle. (_Opens it, admires things, fills stockings._) And now, so much has happened that I should be perfectly happy if I could only get word from my John in the Philippines. It’s been so long since I heard from him that I can’t help bein’ worried ’bout him. Seems as if he surely wouldn’t let Christmas go by without sendin’ me word—if he’s alive—but it’s been so long—(_knock at the door. A voice asks, “Is this Flower Street?”_) No, this ain’t Flower Street. You’ve got a long way off. You go down that way (_pointing_) nearly half a mile and you’ll cross it. Good-night. (_Comes in and sits down again._) Dear me. That gave me quite a turn. I must be gettin’ silly tonight, but it does seem as if my John was a-comin’—or was near—or somethin’. (_Knock at the door, which she opens to receive a telegram, which she reads, then waves it over her head, calling to the children, who run in in their nightgowns._) Oh, hurry! Merry Christmas! Oh, just think! Your father is comin’ tomorrow!

CHILDREN (_dancing around the chair_). Santa Claus has been here already! Hurrah! Hurrah! Merry Christmas!

CURTAIN.

DIRECTIONS.

When Mrs. Randy returns from her purchase of Christmas things, she lays aside her hat and shawl, sits down and takes a clothes-pin or a potato from the basket. If a potato is used, one of the odd-shaped ones with a small, round knob at one end, which can be made to look like the head of the doll, is best. Then out of the table drawer she takes some pieces of bright cloth and dresses the potato, or clothes-pin, for a doll, tying on a skirt with a string, folding a square of cloth for a shawl and pinning it on the shoulders, and folding another piece for a bonnet, and tying it on with a bit of string. No sewing is needed.

The elephant for Joe is made of potatoes or carrots. A large oblong one is the body; a small long one is the trunk, fastened to the body by long wire nails or brads. In the same way four small ones form the legs of the beast; two large, black-headed pins are the eyes, and two flaps of brown paper, pinned on, the ears. A square of red cloth is a blanket for the back, and is pinned to place. The tail is a bit of string with ravelled end.

These things made, as she talks, with fitting pauses, and held up to view, cause much merriment among the children in the audience.

READY FOR SANTA CLAUS.

_Illustrated Song for Twenty-seven or More Children._

_This is an attractive form of entertainment for the younger grades of school. Just the number indicated may be used, or more of each kind can be added as desired._

_Directions at the close._

SONG.

CANDY BAGS—

_Tune: “Rig-a-jig.”_

(_CANDY BAGS march around the stage, then stand at front, on left side, in double row facing the audience, and sway from right to left in time as they continue the song. They should be singing as they enter._)