a curtain through the middle of the stage from rear to front. On the
right side of this screen from the audience sits MR. RADCLIFFE, asleep
as he was during the dream pictures, and on the left side it shows MISS
DAYTON, asleep as she was then. Reproduce as much of the original rooms
as possible in the space. She rouses, sits up, looks about her with a
bewildered air. MR. R. remains asleep._
MISS D. How strange! It must have been a dream, yet it was so real.
(_Leans head on hand. Speaks musingly._) I wonder where Jimmy is now. We
used to be close chums for a long time. And what romps we used to have
at Christmas time. (_Silent a moment._) Why! This is Christmas Eve! Oh!
I remember that Gretchen talked about it. Poor Gretchen! I’m afraid I
was cross. No, I was rude—just plainly rude—to her because she was glad
Christmas was here. Jimmy always used to be so jolly at Christmas, and
so kind. I wish Gretchen—(_thinks a moment._) And there’s Annette! I was
worse than cross to her. I was unkind. I wish—(_rises_)—well—I’m old and
lonely—and I’ve been rude and unkind—but Christmas isn’t over yet, and
perhaps I can make it brighter for some of them. I’m going out to get
some things for Gretchen and Annette. (_Looks out of the window._) It’s
raining still, but what do I care! (_Puts on waterproof cloak and her
hat; takes umbrella._) It’s fun to be out in the rain. Jimmy and I used
to love to go out in the rain. Oh! I forgot my rubbers. (_Begins to put
them on._) How nicely Jimmy used to put mine on for me. My feet were
smaller then. (_Looks at her feet and smiles._) What fun we used to have
at Christmas! (_Hurries out._)
MR. R. (_rouses, pulls handkerchief from his face, takes feet down, sits
up and stares about him, exclaiming_) Why, Kitty! Oh! (_Disappointedly._)
It must have been a dream, but it seemed so real. (_Leans elbow on chair
arm and head on hand._) Say! But she was a pretty girl! And jolly, too!
And didn’t she love Christmas? What larks we used to have! We two—with
the Christmas trimmings and the mistletoe. (_Sits up suddenly._) And it’s
Christmas time now! What fun! (_Drooping dejectedly._) But that was long,
long ago. And I’m growing old, and—I think—I’m crusty and mean as well.
Yes, a crusty, mean old bachelor. That’s what I am. How I did act to
those boys this morning! Poor little chaps! (_Starts to his feet._) But
there’s time to get straight again. It’s Christmas Eve! (_Excitedly._)
Hurrah! (_Hurries on his hat and coat, catches up an umbrella._) I’ll
make it all right. They shall have their Christmas from me yet! (_Rushes
out._)
CURTAIN.
SCENE IV: _MISS D. enters at left, MR. R. at right. Both have umbrellas
held in front of them with heads bent down as if walking against a wind,
and hurry ahead. They run into each other, start back, lift umbrellas._
MR. R. I beg pardon, Madam. I didn’t see you. I’m out for some Christmas
shopping—
MISS D. No apologies needed. I am on the same errand—in memory of many
years ago.
MR. R. (_eagerly_). That’s my case, Madam—many years ago—(_stops, lifts
hat_). I beg pardon, I forgot myself.
MISS D. (_bowing and starting to go_). Good evening, and a merry
Christmas to you.
MR. R. A merry Christmas. (_They pass, then both stop and each looks
back at the other. He comes back._) You may think me a little out of
balance—but I must ask if you ever knew anyone by the name of Dayton?
Kitty Dayton, she used to be when I knew her. Your way of saying “Merry
Christmas” made me think of her.
MISS D. That is my name, but (_doubtfully_) you—?
MR. R. (_eagerly_). Did you ever know a boy named Jimmy Radcliffe? Many
years ago?
MISS D. Indeed, I did. Jimmy and I were good friends.
MR. R. I’m Jimmy! Aren’t we good friends still! (_Dropping umbrella,
she doing the same, he grasps both her hands._) Oh, Kitty! I mean—Miss
Dayton! I’ve never forgotten you, and today I dreamed I was Jimmy and you
were Kitty again, and we were having our Christmas larks together.
MISS D. (_eagerly_). So did I.
MR. R. And I had been beastly to some poor little chaps, and was going
out to set myself straight, if I could, and play Santa Claus.
MISS D. (_laughing_). Oh, Jimmy! You’re the same boy still. I’ve been
lonely and cross, too, and I was coming out to try and redeem myself.
MR. R. (_picking up her umbrella, closing it and putting it under his
arm; tucking her hand also under his arm and taking his own umbrella._)
Now, this is real “comfy.” We’ll go together. It’s like old times. This
is “merry Christmas!” What a lark! (_They go out._)
CURTAIN.
THE END.
SONGS WORTH WHILE
_For School, Home, and All Kinds of Entertainments_
Price, $1.00
[Illustration]
A collection of 159 old familiar songs that all the world loves to
sing—American patriotic airs, folk songs and ballads of many lands,
college and glee club ditties both sentimental and humorous, plantation
songs and Negro spirituals, songs of the sea, and a few juvenile and
sacred numbers. Words and complete piano music are given for each
selection. Careful editing is one of the strong points of this admirable
collection. Printed on a good quality of paper, well bound to open flat,
size 7 by 10¼ inches, with a stout paper cover in colors.
Partial Contents: Ah! I Have Sighed to Rest Me; Alice, Where
Art Thou?; A-Roving; Believe Me, if All Those Endearing Young
Charms; Ben Bolt; Bold Fisherman; Boola Song; Campbells Are
Comin’; Co-Ca-Che-Lunk; Come Back to Erin; Come, with Thy
Lute; Comin’ thro’ the Rye; Cousin Jedediah; Cruiskeen Lawn;
Darling Nelly Gray; Dear Evelina; De Camptown Races; Deep
River; De Golden Wedding; Drum Major of Schneider’s Band; Faded
Coat of Blue; Flow Gently, Sweet Afton; For He’s a Jolly Good
Fellow; Gaily the Troubadour; Girl I Left Behind Me; Good-bye
to Summer; Grandfather’s Clock; Hail, Hail! the Gang’s All
Here; Harp That Once Thro’ Tara’s Halls; Home, Home, Can I
Forget Thee?; I Cannot Sing the Old Songs; I’ve Lost My Doggy;
Juanita; Killarney; Kingdom Comin’; Larboard Watch; Lily Dale;
Listen to the Mocking Bird; Little Brown Jug; Long, Long, Ago;
Mandolin Song; Marseillaise; McSorley’s Twins; Michael Roy;
Minka; Mollie Darling; My Last Cigar; Oh, Come, Come Away; Oh,
Dem Golden Slippers!; Oh, My Darling Clementine; Old Zip Coon;
Over the Banister; Polly-Wolly-Doodle; Quilting Party; Reuben
and Rachel; Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep; Rumsty Ho!; Sally
in Our Alley; See, the Conquering Hero Comes; Sleep, Baby,
Sleep; Soldier’s Farewell; Solomon Levi; Spanish Cavalier;
Steal Away; Sweet and Low; Sweet Genevieve; Swing Low, Sweet
Chariot; There Is a Tavern in the Town; There’s a Meeting Here
To-night.
T. S. DENISON & COMPANY _Publishers_
623 South Wabash Ave. CHICAGO
DENISON’S CHRISTMAS SONGS and CAROLS
_For All Kinds of Indoor and Outdoor Christmas Programs_
Price, 40 Cents
[Illustration]
An attractive collection of thirty-two Christmas carols, hymns, and
juvenile songs, practically all being old favorites, with the addition
of one or two new numbers. Just what teachers and musical directors need
when they want to brighten up a Christmas exercise, play, or dialogue
with an appropriate song. It contains a fine selection of song material
for community Christmas tree celebrations, and church, school, lodge, and
home programs. Each selection has an easy and practicable accompaniment.
The book is carefully edited, and printed on a good quality of paper,
well bound to open flat, with pages 7 by 10¼ inches, and a stout paper
cover handsomely designed in two colors.
Contents: Angels From the Realms of Glory; As With Gladness Men
of Old; Away in a Manger; Brightest and Best of the Sons of the
Morning; Carol, Brothers, Carol; A Child Is Born in Bethlehem;
Christians, Awake! Salute the Happy Morn; Christmas Is Here;
The Christmas Tree; Deck the Halls With Boughs of Holly; The
First Christmas; The First Nowel; God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen;
Good King Wenceslas; Hang Up the Baby’s Stocking; Hark! the
Herald Angels Sing; Hark! What Mean Those Holy Voices?; Jolly
Old Saint Nicholas; Joy to the World; In Bethlehem a Babe Is
Born; It Came Upon the Midnight Clear; O Come, All Ye Faithful;
O Little Town of Bethlehem; O Sanctissima!; O Verdant Pine!;
Silent Night! Holy Night!; Up on the House-Top; The Wassail
Song; We’re Going Home for Christmas; We Three Kings of Orient
Are; What Child Is This?; While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.
T.S. DENISON & COMPANY _Publishers_
623 South Wabash Ave. CHICAGO
Denison’s Plays
_Cover the Field_
Hundreds of
Titles in
these Series
[Illustration]
Send for Complete
Descriptive
Catalogue
T.S. DENISON & COMPANY _Publishers_
623 South Wabash Ave. CHICAGO
Denison’s
Plays _stand
for_
Quality
[Illustration]
Send for Complete
Descriptive Catalogue
T. S. DENISON & COMPANY _Publishers_
623 South Wabash Ave. CHICAGO