FRENCH CHARADE.

“L’amont” can be acted well in pantomime by representing an old deaf

man, and his young wife; the old man with spectacles on nose, sitting

in a large chair, reading the newspaper, his young wife standing behind

the chair. A low tap is heard at the door. She starts and listens; the

door opens slyly and discovers a young man. She starts with delight,

but points to the old man, motioning the young man to go. He makes

gestures of despair; then appears to have a sudden thought, bows, and

retires. Soon a loud knock is heard; she goes to the door, and returns

with a letter, giving it to the old man; he reads, shakes his head,

and hands it to her; she looks at it, runs for his hat and coat, and

motions him to go. He leaves at one door, while _L’Aman_ enters at

another. Then they act a lover-like scene, and the curtain drops.

_Table._ She again appears with sleeves rolled up, apron on,

rolling-pin in hand, making cakes, the young lover standing by, and now

and then eating one of the cakes. They hear a heavy step, and the lover

runs for a hiding-place. At last he springs under the table, and she

pulls a table cloth down around it, and goes on rolling cakes. In comes

the old man, hobbling along. He looks around and suspects something,

and begins a strict search. Thus ends that scene.

_Lamentable._ The same actors appear, but the table is turned over,

and, behold! the old man has seized the young lover, and is brandishing

aloft a heavy cane, while the young wife appears, weeping bitterly.

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