_MIMOSA up stage among flowers._
MIMOSA. O dear honorable ones, hold up exalted heads to comfort august
lady with beauty! She comes hither with the kind, worshipful English
lady who tells strange story of little lost one. (_Comes slowly down
C._) The sun shines to-morrow, and the gods will send Mimosa wisdom!
(_Turns to flowers._) O dear ones, beautiful and fresh, I would not the
Princess saw one drooping head.
ENTER _ITO L., cautiously, without perceiving MIMOSA._
ITO. For many mornings I come here. The sentries smile at me, there is
no one to see Ito’s play-acting, and I, the best play-actor in many
honorable dwellings, did not my own play-acting, but that of wise
Sakara, therefore beautiful lady liked not. Would she could see me
play-act doctor or the funeral.
MIMOSA (_throws herself on her knees, half laughing, half crying_). O
dear one, sent by the gods, thy eyes, honorable eyes?
ITO (_drawing back_). I will not play-act that again, most worshipful!
MIMOSA. _Play-act?_
ITO. It was not my play-acting. I would august lady saw my own
excellent games. It was Sakara taught this to me. None liked; even the
policemen said angry words!
MIMOSA. Come to me, O dear little one. Be not afraid, it is joy;
honorable desire to see excellent play-acting.
ITO. The beautiful lady! I would she knew Ito is the most excellent
play-actor. She did not like game of Sakara.
MIMOSA. Dear treasure-flower, beautiful lady will indeed love excellent
play-acting. When the powerful sun travels higher in the sky, if little
Ito returns to the garden he shall do excellent play-acting, the
venerated Princess will like rarely.
ITO. Ito wants neither money nor books, but smiles from the beautiful,
exalted lady.
MIMOSA. O dear kind one, the Princess will give smiles. All will love
honorable, kind little Ito. Make leave-taking, and return, Ito, the
comfort-bringing!
ITO. The lady _will_ smile?
MIMOSA. Truly, O little Ito.
ITO. Then I return. Shall I play-act the doctor or the funeral?
MIMOSA. All the play-acting. Only return. (_ITO bows. EXIT L._) O
joy, joy! Shall I with haste fly to the Princess? Ah, she comes, with
worshipful lady and venerated Ancient One!
ENTER _PRINCESS R. with LADY C. and MISS P., followed by three girls._
PRINCESS. This, O kind ones, is the Chrysanthemum Garden. See honorable
blossoms, how fresh and sweet. They will be gathered for thee; deign to
accept. I will not myself pluck, lest evil come.
CECIL (_briskly_). Dear Princess, you are very kind. May I tell you
more about my brother’s search for the little one?
MIMOSA (_throws herself with a cry at feet of PRINCESS_). O dear
lady, forgive, the gods have sent Mimosa wisdom. Deign to remember.
(_PRINCESS starts._) Nay, O most beloved, it is not evil. Condescend to
remember the words of the most worthy Yamen who sleeps with the gods.
Did he not say the gods of the sea sent thee to cheer his house with
honorable laughter?
PRINCESS (_with surprise_). I remember well, O Mimosa San. Sometimes
when still a little one I heard in the dark the sound of angry waves
and strange moanings, as of voices calling in the hours when sleep
condescended not to rest on my eyelids. He told me to still childish
fears.
CECIL (_aside to MISS P._). G., this is exciting. We are not only
explorers, but discoverers, and that is more than your professor will
ever be!
MISS P. (_to PRINCESS, speaking in loud voice_). Are your father and
mother dead?
PRINCESS. The noble Yamen and the exalted lady sleep with the gods.
MIMOSA. Deign, O most august, to remember the little bag they gave--the
bag worn round venerated neck.
PRINCESS. The bag, O Mimosa San?
MIMOSA. The little honorable silk bag--the gracious Princess has told
Mimosa of it, and the bidding of the powerful Yamen to open it if
trouble dwelt on thy threshold. And we, O most foolish, have forgotten
it.
PRINCESS. The bag? I have worn it so long that, indeed, I had forgotten
honorable words, O wise Mimosa. See, here it is.
CECIL (_excitedly_). Open it, Princess.
MISS P. If you are the young person to whom the money belongs, Ar--his
lordship--will lose £5000 a year.
CECIL (_laughing_). G., you forget. You have called a Princess a young
person. What about the prison?
PRINCESS (_hesitating_). O Mimosa, I cannot! Fear has come to me--my
fingers tremble. It may be I shall learn more evil!
YUKI. Open it, most worshipful. It is only the putting-off man who
sharpens his arrows when he sees the lion. This may be an arrow to
pierce the heart of wicked Sakara!
MIMOSA. Give it to me, beloved Princess. If it be evil-bringing, let
the grief come to me and not to thee.
PRINCESS. Nay, I will not fear. It was here the little one, the
treasure-flower, cried out the cry that has broken my heart. I have
brought sorrow to a child--what else matters? See--I--open! (_Draws out
paper and reads._) “The Princess Kiku has been to the unworthy Yamen
the light of life. The gods of the sea sent her to cheer a threshold
brightened by no treasure-flowers--from a wreck the little one was
saved. The deep secret is known only to the august Son of Heaven.”
CECIL. O you dear little thing! But I suppose £5000 a year is nothing
to a Princess.
MISS P. I am thankful it isn’t one of those solemn Japanese babies.
MIMOSA. O beloved. (_Bows._) Exalted! (_Bows._) August. (_Bows._) There
is no curse. Sakara said the curse of the fathers of Japan. You, O most
gracious, are a barbarian baby.
ALL JAPANESE GIRLS. Comfort-bringing, there is no curse.
PRINCESS. If this is so, I do not mind being a barbarian baby.
MISS P. I should think not, indeed. A most fortunate young woman.
PRINCESS. It is the cry of the child--that terrible cry! (_MIMOSA claps
hands, runs L., returns with ITO. General astonishment._) The little
one! MIMOSA (_excitedly_) his eyes--his eyes!
ITO (_solemnly_). I grieve, most excellent, that play-acting gave not
happiness. It was play-acting of Sakara. Those who are too grave and
wise cannot play-act. I will be----
PRINCESS. O joy too great! O little treasure-flower, my touch harmed
thee not?
ITO. It was play-acting--but it was grief-bringing that play-acting
brought no honorable hand-clapping. I----
PRINCESS (_caressing_). Thou shalt be Princess Kiku’s play-actor. Nay
(_turns to CECIL_), I forgot, most worshipful, I am no Princess, only
a very happy girl (_holds ITO_). Is the excellent Englishman now my
brother?
CECIL. No, your cousin. Do you have cousins in Japan? I will instantly
send to him to come.
YUKI. Let us dance our joy!
TOTMAI. Jolly little things!
HARU. Oh, I say!
ITO. When shall excellent play-acting be?
CECIL. I hope you notice, G., the impression that the most enlightened
member of the powerful British aristocracy has produced. However
(_Japanese girls dance forward_), this is only the beginning. What will
be the end of this Japanese Romance?
[_Kneels by PRINCESS, taking her hand._
CURTAIN.
* * * * *
A BUNCH OF ROSES
A BURLESQUE MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT, BY W. D. FELTER
[Illustration: Decoration]
_PRICE, 15 CENTS_
CAST OF CHARACTERS
MRS. PHŒBE ANN ROSE _from Kalamazoo_
PRUDENCE LOBELIA }
POLLY CLORINDA }
PRISCILLA } _the Bunch of Roses_
PAMELIA }
PATIENCE }
PENELOPE }
LILLY }
PANSY }
VIOLET } _the Rose-buds_
DAISY }
SALLY SPARKS _who only “thinks so.”_
MATILDA JANE _the Hired Girl_
MELVIN MELROSE _the Only Young Man on the Spot_
A burlesque musical entertainment in 1 act, by W. D. Felter (author
of “The Sweet Family,” etc.), 1 male, 13 female characters. Time of
performance about 1½ hours. This is a miscellaneous programme rendered
for the benefit of “The Free Ice Fund for the Philippine Islanders.” It
includes various “specialties,” living pictures, Mother-Goose chorus,
etc., and concludes with a burlesque operetta entitled “JOHNNY JONES.”
The Roses, the Rosebuds and the Only Young Man on the Spot make up an
entertainment that cannot fail to excite continuous mirth for the
better part of an evening. The author has produced this burlesque at
church entertainments in many parts of the country, with unvarying
success.
* * * * *
GERTRUDE MASON, M.D.
Or, THE LADY DOCTOR
A FARCE IN ONE ACT, FOR FEMALE CHARACTERS, BY L. M. C. ARMSTRONG
[Illustration: Decoration]
_PRICE, 15 CENTS_
CAST OF CHARACTERS
GERTRUDE MASON. M.D. _a young Physician_
BERTHA LAWRENCE }
ELLA GRAY } _her Friends_
MISS JANE SIMPKINS _a Spinster of Uncertain Age_
MRS. VAN STYLE _one of the “400”_
NORAH _Dr. Mason’s Cook_
MARIE _a Lady’s Maid_
TIME.--The Present. PLACE.--New York.
TIME OF REPRESENTATION.--Thirty Minutes.
An exceedingly bright piece for young ladies, in which young Dr.
Gertrude, already a victim of circumstances, is made the victim of
a practical joke. The scenes with _Mrs. Van Style_, who mistakes
the doctor for a pawnbroker, and _Miss Jane Simpkins_, who brings a
sick dog to be cured, are hilarious, while _Norah_, an Irish cook,
is deliciously droll. The cook is the star of the piece, but all the
personages are vivacious and every situation bristles with fun.
DICK & FITZGERALD, PUBLISHERS, 18 ANN STREET, NEW YORK
* * * * *
COMEDIES AND DRAMAS
15 CENTS EACH
M. F.
=MY AWFUL DAD.= Comedy that always makes a brilliant hit;
3 acts; 2 hours 6 6
=NIGHT IN TAPPAN, A.= Farce comedy; excessively funny and sure
to take; 1 act; ½ hour 2 3
=NOT SO BAD AFTER ALL.= Comedy; sometimes plays as “Is Marriage
a Failure?” 3 acts; 1¾ hours 6 5
=NOT SUCH A FOOL AS HE LOOKS.= Comedy; one of the best examples
of modern farcical comedy ever written; 3 acts; 2½ hours 5 4
=OUR BOYS.= Comedy; always succeeds; 3 acts; 2 hours 6 4
=OUT IN THE STREETS.= Drama. Wherever this play is presented it
is received with the greatest enthusiasm; 3 acts; 1 hour 6 4
=PAIR OF IDIOTS, A.= Up-to-date society comedy, with bright and
witty dialogue and telling situations; 2 acts; 2 hours 3 3
=PICKING UP THE PIECES.= Effective comedy either as a parlor
play or curtain raiser; 1 act; 30 minutes 1 1
=ROBERT EMMET.= (New version.) A new, actable version of this
great historical drama; 3 acts; 2 hours 10 2
=SAVED FROM THE WRECK.= Drama; serio-comic; 3 acts; 2 hours 8 3
=SCRAP OF PAPER, A.= Comedy of the present time, full of healthy
laughter; 3 acts; 2 hours 6 6
=SHAKESPEARE WATER CURE.= Burlesque comedy; each character a
star; 3 acts; 2 hours 5 4
=SINGLE LIFE.= Comedy; the characters are all comic and all
“Stars”; 3 acts; 2 hours 5 5
=SNOWBALL, THE.= Farcical comedy; the popularity of this comedy
is unexcelled; 3 acts; 2 hours 4 3
=SOLON SHINGLE.= Yankee comedy; 2 acts; 1½ hours 7 2
=STRIFE. (Master and Men.)= Great labor drama; a play for the
masses; 4 acts; 2¼ hours 9 4
=SUNSET.= Comedy; requires some acting with reserve force in both
comedy and pathos; 1 act; 50 minutes 3 3
=SWEETHEARTS.= Comedy combining fun and pathos; 2 acts; 1 hour 2 2
=TEN NIGHTS IN A BARROOM.= New and simplified version of an old
favorite that will draw hundreds where other plays draw dozens;
5 acts; 2 hours 7 4
=THREE HATS.= Farcical comedy; one of the greatest favorites;
cannot fail to be a success; 3 acts; 2 hours 5 4
=TIMOTHY DELANO’S COURTSHIP.= Yankee comedy full of laughable
incidents; 2 acts; 1 hour 2 3
=TRIED AND TRUE.= Stirring play of city life, full of brisk
action and lively dialogue; 3 acts; 2¼ hours 8 3
=TRIPLE WEDDING.= Short excellent drama of home life by the
author of “The County Fair”; 3 acts; 1¼ hours 4 4
=UNCLE JACK.= Drama; comic, with a good moral; 1 act; 1¼ hours 3 4
=UNCLE TOM’S CABIN.= New version. An old favorite rewritten so
that it can be played in any hall; 5 acts; 2¼ hours 7 5
=UNDER A CLOUD.= Comedy drama; bright, breezy, full of snap and
go; 2 acts; 1½ hours 5 2
=UNEXPECTED FARE, AN.= Comedy affording excellent scope for
amusing situations and by-play; 1 act; ½ hour 1 5
=WANDERER’S RETURN, THE. (Enoch Arden.)= Drama with strong
plot and effective characters; 4 acts; 2½ hours 6 4
=WOODCOCK’S LITTLE GAME.= Farce-comedy; funny; 2 acts; 1 hour 4 4
=WOVEN WEB, THE.= Strong and sparkling drama; has a military
flavor, and is frequently played under the title of “In Old
Virginia”; 4 acts; 2¼ hours 7 3
=DICK & FITZGERALD, Publishers, 18 Ann St., N. Y.=
* * * * *
COMEDIES AND DRAMAS
25 CENTS EACH
M. F.
=ALL THE COMFORTS OF HOME.= Comedy by William Gillette. Only
authorized edition of this famous play; 4 acts; 2½ hours 10 7
=BREAKING HIS BONDS.= Strong drama with comic underplay;
easily staged; 4 acts; 2 hours 6 3
=BUTTERNUT’S BRIDE; OR, SHE WOULD BE A WIDOW.= Farce comedy
for laughing purposes only; 3 acts; 2½ hours 11 6
=CAPTAIN DICK.= Effective drama, founded on an episode of
the Civil War; 3 acts; 2 hours 9 6
=DEACON, THE.= Comedy drama that is simply immense. Alvyn
Joslyn type, old man leading character; 5 acts; 2½ hours 6 6
=EDWARDS THE SPY.= Drama; a brilliant episode of the Civil
War; 5 acts; 2½ hours 10 4
=ERIN GO BRAGH.= Up-to-date Irish drama; both serious and
comic in scope, not sensational; 3 acts; 2 hours 5 4
=GOLDEN GULCH. (The Government Scout.)= Drama that combines
fun, sentiment, and exciting situations; 3 acts; 2¼ hours 11 3
=GYPSY QUEEN, THE.= Romantic drama with bright comedy parts;
4 acts; 2½ hours 5 3
=JAILBIRD, THE.= Drama of city life, containing a vivid plot
with well-diversified interest, together with a pretty
love-story; 5 acts; 2½ hours 6 3
=JOHN BRAG, DECEASED.= Farce comedy; one of the best farces
ever published; nothing slow in this piece; 4 acts; 2½ hours 8 5
=JOSIAH’S COURTSHIP.= Farcical comedy drama; uproarious comedy
features alternate with forceful, but not heavy pathos;
4 acts; 2 hours 7 4
=MAN FROM MAINE.= Comedy drama with a wide-awake hero from
“Down East”; 5 acts, 2¼ hours 9 3
=MISS MOSHER OF COLORADO.= Comedy drama with great “character”
parts; 4 acts, 2¼ hours 5 3
=MY LADY DARRELL.= Drama possessing all the elements of
success; powerful situations, effective stage pictures,
and grand climaxes; 4 acts; 2½ hours 9 6
=NIGHT OFF, A.= Comedy of Augustin Daly; printed from the
original prompt-copy; 4 acts; 2½ hours 6 5
=PRISONER OF ANDERSONVILLE.= Military comedy drama. An excellent
play for amateurs, as all the parts are good and evenly
divided; 4 acts; 2¼ hours 10 4
=REGULAR FLIRT, A.= Up-to-date comedy, especially recommended
to those who have produced the author’s “Just for Fun”;
3 acts; 2 hours 4 4
=SEVEN-TWENTY-EIGHT.= By Augustin Daly. There have been several
imitations of this comedy, but none of them approaches the
original; 4 acts; 2½ hours 7 4
=SHAUN AROON.= Stirring drama of home life in Ireland; a simple
real picture of country life in the Emerald Isle; 3 acts;
2 hours 7 3
=SQUIRE TOMPKINS’ DAUGHTER.= Strong comedy drama; 5 acts;
2½ hours 5 2
=STEEL KING, THE.= Comedy drama with brisk action; depicts the
struggle between labor and capital; 4 acts; 2½ hours 5 3
=WHAT’S NEXT?= Farce comedy; 3 acts; plays 150 minutes; raises
150 laughs 7 4
=WHITE LIE, A.= Comedy drama; abounds in laughable comedy
features and strong situations of serious interest; 4 acts;
2½ hours 4 3
=DICK & FITZGERALD, Publishers, 18 Ann St., N. Y.=
Transcriber’s Notes:
Changed =Prendargast= to =Prendergast= in “Miss Prendergast’s
solicitude for Arthur” on page 3.
=bp= changed to =by= in “sits on ground by summer-house” on page 11.
=Nora= changed to =Norah= to agree with list of characters in
“Gertrude Mason”.