_Dumb._ Let a certain number of the actors be seated in a row, when the
door opens, or the curtain is drawn aside; let them remain perfectly
silent for two moments, then let them silently rise and walk out of the
room. Or as they sit silent, some actor can come in and ask questions
to each, receiving only a vacant stare in answer; he then can rush out
of the room, calling them a stupid set; it would be too plain to call
them dumb.
_Found._ This can be made very amusing by arranging a court scene,
judge, jury, and lawyers, and a prisoner’s box, in which an actor,
dressed as a servant-girl, can be seated as the criminal accused of
stealing a pocket-book. Witnesses can be examined. After the court has
gone over the case, and the lawyers make as much sport as possible
in their examination, a boy, dressed as a ragged Irish boy, should
rush in, pocket-book in hand, calling on the judge to hear him. After
ordering him to be turned out, and much talk being made about turning
him out, at last, in a broken Irish voice, he must scream out, “Plaase
yer honor, it’s me that _found_ it,” holding aloft the pocket-book. The
judge must request to see the pocket-book. (A young boy once acting
this part, caused much laughter, by exclaiming, “Och, and indade is the
court honest?”) The judge having examined the pocket-book, declares the
girl innocent, and dismisses the court.
_Dumbfound._ The room should be partially darkened, and some of the
actors seated around the room talking as they please. One of the actors
can be dressed as a ghost. A giant ghost acted by dressing up an
umbrella, or a broom, arranging it with long white drapery of sheets,
and the person carrying it can raise the dressed-up umbrella or broom
as they enter the room. The ghost can glide slowly around the room;
its occupants should exhibit silent horror, either by crouching down,
contortions of the face, or in any way possible, but not a sound should
be uttered.