(_As curtain rises, members of Ladies’ Aid Society are seen removing
wraps, the President, Mrs. Jenkins, being in the chair._)
_President._ (_rapping upon table_). Will the meeting please come to
order?
_Miss Loomis._ (_wildly_). Where _is_ my other rubber? They were brand
new last week, and—
_President._ (_rapping again_). Ladies, will you _please_ come to
order? We will open with the minutes of the last meeting, and Miss
Loomis, who acted as secretary pro-tem, will read them.
_Miss Loomis._ (_apologetically_). I didn’t have time to copy them in
the book, but I have them on a piece of paper. (_rummages in bag_). I’m
sure I brought them. Here they are! (_reads_). Take one dozen eggs—Oh,
mercy no, that’s the recipe for angel cake. Wait till I look again.
(_takes crochet pattern from bag_). That’s the pattern for lace that
Brother Tom’s wife gave me. (_Holds it up._) It’s real pretty, isn’t it?
_Mrs. Hodges._ (_eagerly_). Let me see it!
_Miss Loomis._ (_explaining_). You make a double crochet, after you’ve
chained twelve.
_Mrs. Hodges._ Oh, that’s easy! I could pick that out myself.
(_Other members endeavor to examine the crochet pattern._)
_President._ (_with dignity_). Miss Loomis, we are waiting for the
minutes of the meeting.
_Miss Loomis._ (_holding up paper_). O here they are! I’ll read them!
_Miss Loomis._ The regular meeting of the Ladies’ Aid Society was
held on November tenth at the residence of Mrs. Winter, seven members
present, and the President, Mrs. Jenkins, being in the chair. Minutes
of last meeting read and approved. Report of supper committee read and
approved. Proceeds of harvest supper, seven dollars and thirty-five
cents.
_Mrs. Winter._ We charged too much for that supper, or we’d have made
more money.
_Mrs. Hodges._ (_sharply_). I don’t think we charged too much
considering the terrible price of food.
_Mrs. Winter._ (_irritably_). Well, I don’t like to work my feet off
for a measly seven dollars.
_President._ (_rapping_). Ladies, will you please come to order. Miss
Loomis, continue with your report.
_Miss Loomis._ (_nervously_). I lost my place. Let’s see—
_President._ (_to help her_). You were reading about the harvest supper.
_Miss Loomis._ O yes. It was voted to send a box to Mrs. David Brown,
committee to meet at the home of Mrs. Banks, chairlady of the committee.
_Mrs. Banks._ There were only two of the society there.
_Miss Loomis._ I was too busy to come, but I sent a nice hat for the
missionary’s wife.
_Mrs. Banks._ (_aside_). That terrible hat!
_President._ Ladies, I must insist that you come to order.
_Miss Loomis._ (_worried_). Where’s that crochet pattern? I can’t lose
that!
_Mrs. Hodges._ (_handing it to her_). Here you are. I was just counting
the stitches.
_President._ Miss Loomis, if you have finished your report, we will
hear a letter received by Mrs. Hodges, our secretary, from Mrs. Brown.
_Miss Loomis._ Yes, I guess that was all.
_Mrs. Hodges._ (_nervously_). Wait till I find my glasses. (_rummaging
in bag_). Here they are. (_Opens letter._)
“My Dear Friends: Words fail me when I try to express my thanks for the
beautiful box which you sent.—”
_Miss Loomis._ Pleased, wasn’t she?
“My heart is too full to write, as I think of the wonderful kindness
which prompted you to send it.”
_Mrs. Winter._ (_puzzled_). They ain’t usually so thankful.
_President._ Ladies, please come to order, and let us listen to the
letter.
_Mrs. Hodges._ (_continuing_). The beautiful dress for my daughter.
(_aside_). She meant that gingham of Clara’s—Where was I—“The clothing
for myself which seems far too good for a missionary’s wife—”
_Miss Loomis._ Somehow that don’t just fit our box.
_Mrs. Hodges._ (_continuing_). “The gifts for my son and husband are
most thankfully received. Believe me dear friends, I am more than
grateful for your kindness.
“Yours very sincerely,
“RUTH M. BROWN.”
_Mrs. Winter._ Somehow I can’t quite figure that out.
_Mrs. Hodges._ Ours was a nice box, nice enough, but she didn’t have no
call to say quite so much.
_Mrs. Banks._ (_rising_). Ladies, I have here a letter from my
husband’s sister, Mrs. Worthington, which may throw some light upon
Mrs. Brown’s letter. Each Christmas we send a box to Mrs. Worthington,
and I have received this acknowledgment for the gifts which we sent
this year. (_Opens letter._)
“Louisa: I have just supervised the opening of a box, which while
directed to me was evidently destined for the almshouse. In fact,
I doubt whether the inmates of the almshouse would have found the
donations acceptable. Beneath newspapers which formed the packing, I
found an article, which at first appeared to be a abandoned birds’
nest, but which upon closer inspection was evidently intended for a
hat.”
_Miss Loomis._ (_aghast_). My hat! Why I paid five dollars for that
hat eight years ago and it was perfectly good. A bird’s nest! My hat!
_Mrs. Banks._ (_calmly_). May I continue?
“There were a motley collection of ghastly neckties, a tattered
overcoat, a forlorn gingham—”
_Mrs. Hodges._ (_indignantly_). That was a perfectly good dress, only
Clara said she wouldn’t wear it any more!
_Mrs. Banks._ (_continuing_). “And other disreputable apparel. I cannot
understand the insult and assure you that I deem it unwarranted and
unpardonable. I need hardly say that the garments were given to the rag
man.
“Your sister-in-law,
“AMELIA WORTHINGTON.”
_Mrs. Winter._ What an awful letter!
_Mrs. Hodges._ (_shocked_). I’m glad I haven’t relations-in-law like
that!
_Mrs. Banks._ It is evidently clear to you ladies, that the labels upon
the boxes were mixed, and the box for my sister-in-law reached Mrs.
Brown, while the missionary box which we packed was sent by mistake to
Mrs. Worthington.
_Miss Loomis._ (_indignantly_). To say that my hat was a birds’ nest!
_Mrs. Winter._ And disreputable apparel!
_President._ Ladies, will you come to order! I regret of course that
the mistake has been made, for doubtless it places Mrs. Banks in a very
embarrassing position.
_Mrs. Banks._ (_nervously_). Embarrassing is no word for it. She
was so mad, it showed in her handwriting. (_Passes letter round for
inspection._)
_Mrs. Hodges._ (_gently_). Well, there is one good side to it. The
missionary was pleased with her box, and I guess Clara’s dress was
pretty faded.
_Mrs. Winter._ (_apologetically_). And I might have taken time to mend
the overcoat.
_Miss Loomis._ (_firmly_). I make no apologies for my hat!
_President._ I suppose we could have fixed up the box meant for the
missionary with pretty wrappings, like we do other peoples.
_Mrs. Hodges._ (_rising_). Ladies, may I say a few words?
_President._ Mrs. Hodges has the floor.
_Mrs. Hodges._ I think this has been a lesson to us, although it has
probably made a peck of trouble for Mrs. Banks.
_Mrs. Banks._ That’s so!
_Mrs. Hodges._ I think it shows us that our missionary likes pretty
things the same as we do.
_Miss Loomis._ (_interrupting_). That’s why I sent my hat!
_Mrs. Hodges._ (_continuing_). And while I am sorry that it has made
trouble for Mrs. Banks, I can’t help being glad that the missionary got
the nice box, so I would move that hereafter we make our missionary
Christmas boxes as nice as those we send our husband’s relations.
_All._ Second the motion!
_President._ It is moved and seconded that hereafter we make the boxes
we send to our missionaries as good as those which are intended for our
husband’s relations. All in favor say “Aye.”
_All._ (_heartily_). Aye!
_President._ Opposed? It is unanimously carried.
CURTAIN.
We Call Attention to These Numbers for Christmas.
=Christmas at Finnegan’s Flat= =15 Cents=
=Christmas at Golden Gulch= =15 Cents=
Both splendid plays by Seymour S. Tibbals, for Public or Sunday School.
See description elsewhere in this catalog.
=Mrs. Santa Claus Militant= =15c=
And then for your smaller children use these tuneful
cantatas, plays and drills:
=Santa at Sea=—(Cantata) =25c=
=Santa in Southland=—(Cantata) =25c=
By Harry C. Eldridge. See description elsewhere in this catalog.
=Bo Peep’s Christmas Party=—(Play) =15c=
=Home-Made Santa Claus=—(Play) =25c=
=Christmas Chimes=—(Drill) =15c=
=Christmas Surprise Drill= =15c=
=Silver Stars=—(Drill) =15c=
Three Successful Juvenile Operettas
By HARRY C. ELDRIDGE.
=Midsummer Eve= Libretto by Guptill. A musical fairy play, introducing
pretty drills and music. Has been given in hundreds of places and
always pleases. Price 40 cents.
=Under the Sugar Plum Tree= Libretto by Bugbee. Introducing in a novel
way the characters of Field, Riley and Stevenson. Bright music and easy
to learn. Contains a May-pole dance. Price 40 cents.
=In Little Folks Town= Libretto by Bugbee. Is a delightful musical play
for small children, introducing a clever pageant. Price 40 cents.
——HERE ARE——
SOME OF OUR VERY NEW TITLES
It is always a satisfaction to be the first to get hold of new and
novel entertainments, and here is =YOUR= chance:
PLAYS FOR FEMALE CHARACTERS
=Aunt Deborah’s First Luncheon= =25c=
=When Shakespeare Struck The Town= =25c=
=Ye Tea Party of Ye Olden Time= =25c=
TWO CLEVER MUSICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN
=Under The Sugar Plum Tree= =40c=
=In Little Folks Town= =40c=
TWO NEW MOCK TRIALS
=Father Time’s Christmas Trial= =15c=
=Will Soakum’s Matrimonial Bureau= =25c=
THREE SPLENDID BOOKS
=Dramatic Stories, Myths and Legends= { =Paper 35c; Boards 50c=
For Children—The Stage or School Room {
=Good Stunts for Commencement Week= =50c=
Novelties That Will Enliven This Festive Occasion
=What to Say For Closing Day= =30c=
Good Dialogs, Exercises, Etc. for Closing Day
SEND ORDERS TO
ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE
Franklin, Ohio
RELEASED FOR AMATEUR PRODUCTION.
“The Little Politician”
_BY SEYMOUR S. TIBBALS_
_A COMEDY IN FOUR ACTS_
_SEVEN MALES AND THREE FEMALES_
THIS play was produced professionally for several seasons under another
title, and is now released for amateur production without royalty and
without restrictions of any kind. The scenery and costumes are simple.
Time, about two hours. A young society girl plays an important part in
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her fiance. The race for the hand of a wealthy widow by rival suitors
furnishes the comedy. A pretty story is unfolded, but without actual
love-making or any scenes objectionable to the amateur. Recommended for
high schools and dramatic clubs.
[Illustration: hand] =The garden party in the second
act affords opportunity for the introduction of any
number of characters.=
PRICE, 25 CENTS
Sent Postpaid on Receipt of Price by the
ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE
Franklin, Ohio
“THE HOUSE THAT HELPS”
WE ARE SPECIALISTS IN
Amateur Entertainments
It is not a side line with us, but we devote our entire time to that
business
Realizing that many people have grown weary of searching through
catalogs and reading entertainments only to discard them as unavailable
we appreciate the fact that our customers have often spoken of us as
“the house that helps.” We have had practical experience in selecting
and producing amateur entertainments and we feel that we know what will
please the public, and what can be produced under certain conditions.
=Our experience is at your disposal.= Write us, giving full particulars
of your special need in the way of an entertainment, and we will select
a play, an operetta, a drill or even an entire program for you. =But
always enclose a stamp for reply.=
=Remember=, that in addition to our entertainments we carry a
large line of publications of other dealers. If in doubt as to the
entertainment you desire, send particulars and we will suggest
something to fit.
We are at your service.
ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE
Franklin, Ohio
A HIT OH YOUR NEXT PROGRAM!
Something Out of The Ordinary In High-Class Humorous Songs.
MUSICAL SKETCHES FOR YOUNG LADIES
By Harry C. Eldridge
These fill an urgent need in supplying musical numbers with action, for
any secular program, for girls or ladies of any age. Clever words and
singable music combined to make novel numbers for your entertainment.
=THE HAT OF OTHER DAYS.= Everyone knows how ridiculous the changing
styles make out-of-date hats appear. The song is based on this fact,
and the appearance of these “hats of other days” will cause loads of
merriment.
“=I CAN’T DO A THING WITH MY HAIR SINCE IT’S WASHED.=” Did you ever
hear the above expression? They all say it. This song is for a merry
group of girls who have trouble in keeping their hair in bounds. A
jolly song.
=REDUCED TO $1.99.= The figures in a dry goods show window are
indignant at having to participate in so many “reduction sales,” and,
revolting, walk off the stage after telling their troubles in song. The
eccentric motions of these figures make a very laughable number.
=THE WINNING WAYS OF GRANDMA’S DAYS.= Sung in costume, this portrays
the many welcome and pleasing costumes of “ye olden times.” Directions
for minuet included. Very enjoyable.
=Any one of the above sent postpaid on receipt of 25 cents.=
ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE
Franklin, Ohio
* * * * *
Transcriber’s Notes:
Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
Page 5, “but” changed to “put” (I’ll put it beside)
Page 13, stage direction changed to match rest of directions. Original
read:
“_Mrs. W._ (_seats herself and takes up bottle of smelling salts_).”
Page 15, printing issues led to some errors. Original text is below:
_Gladys._ Well, mother, brother and I are some tar-
My dear brother is not forgotten I am glad to see! These
ties will cultivate a love of beauty.
The top line is repeated almost exactly at the bottom of the page:
(_Enter Marie._)
_Gladys._ Well, mother, brother and I are some tag-
That is the first part of “target” which is finished on the next page.
Additionally, that “Enter” should be an “Exit.” The text has been
edited to reflect these changes.
Page 16, “(aside)” changed to “(_aside_)” to match rest of usage. (Yes
madam. (_aside_). Madam)
Page 20, “Mrs. Hodges” made italic to match rest of play. (_Mrs.
Hodges._ (_nervously_). Wait till I find my)
End of Project Gutenberg's The Two Christmas Boxes, by Elsie Duncan Yale