One Female and One Male Figure.
This tableau is one that can be easily produced, and will not be
expensive. It represents little Eva seated in an arbor by the side of
Uncle Tom. She has a large Bible before her, which she is reading and
explaining to her friend. A rustic arbor can be made of strips of
wood, covered with white cloth, and painted to resemble slats and
running vines; the dimensions of which are six feet high, four feet
wide, and three feet deep. A rough seat at the back part is occupied
by Eva and Uncle Tom. A festoon of artificial flowers and spruce
should be arranged in front, and a large spruce tree placed on either
side. The person who personates Uncle Tom must be one of large figure
and pleasant countenance. Costume consists of a coat of coarse
material, white pants, light vest, colored handkerchief tied about the
neck, striped hose, low shoes, a wig of black, curly hair, and a
wide-brimmed straw hat, which lies on the ground by his side. The wig
can be formed of curled horse-hair, fastened to a covering made to fit
the crown of the head. Color the exposed parts of the body black, the
lips red. Little Eva should be quite small, pretty, and have long
light curls. Her costume consists of a white dress, trimmed at the top
and around the sleeves with pink ribbon; a straw hat, trimmed with
wild flowers, which hangs by the strings on her arm, and dark shoes.
Uncle Tom is seated on one side of the seat, his legs crossed, body
bent forward slightly, hands placed on his knees, his head turned
towards Eva, and eyes fixed on the Bible with an expression of
pleasure and earnestness. Eva is seated at his side, with her feet
resting on a small stool, one hand placed on Uncle Tom's arm, while
with the other she points to the pages of the Bible. Her face is
turned towards her friend. The countenance expresses sadness. A small
quantity of light is required for the piece, which should come from
the left side. Music, soft and plaintive.