Indians with bows, arrows, and tomahawks, standing in a group near Columbus. SECOND TABLEAU. King and Queen may be standing, each extending a hand toward Columbus, indicative of favor. Red light from front, and martial music. A PLEASANT ACQUAINTANCE. CHARACTERS. Young Man and Maiden. Man brunette; maiden blonde; both attired in peasant costume. Attitude and expression indicative of much pleasure at meeting. THE STOLEN BIRD'S NEST. CHARACTERS. A mother and two children-boy and girl. Mother may be attired in neat plain garb; boy in printed shirt and knee breeches, feet bare; girl in cotton dress and pinafore. TABLEAU. Mother seated, holding in left hand a bird's nest, containing four or five small eggs; right hand raised, index finger pointing toward nest, with a look of sad reproach in countenance. Little girl with head drooped and turned away and apron drawn over one side of face, as though hiding from the mother's gaze. Boy holding large straw hat tightly against his side with both hands; face downcast and averted. INCOMPATIBILITY: A CHARADE. A charade in four scenes. The last scene is the entire word. MR. CLAY. BESSIE CLAY. Small Girl, PATTY. CHARACTERS. MR. SIMMONS (Bessie's lover). SCENE I.-Income. (Pleasant sitting-room. Mr. Clay, with dressing gown and slippers, reading. Martha enters the room and hands a card to Mr. Clay.) Mr. Clay (reading the card).-Very well, Martha, show the gentleman in. [Martha exit.] Martha (opening the door).-Mr. Simmons. Mr. Clay (rising).-Good evening, sir; happy to see you; be seated. Mr. Simmons.-Ahem! Thank you, sir (taking a seat). I-I have called-I have called, Mr. Clay. Mr. Clay.-Yes. Mr. Simmons. As I remarked-I have called-on important business. I-that is we-or rather, in fact; I love your daughter, and-I-wish to ask your permission to pay my addresses to her. Mr. Clay. Well, really Mr. Simmons, you take me rather by surprise. I scarcely know what to say. I had no idea that there was anything of this sort going You must excuse me, Mr. Simmons, but it is hard for a father to think of losing his daughter. Bessie is the eldest, and is the light of our household. We have, perhaps, been too indulgent, but she has never known a on. care, nor ever had a wish ungratified. And I can never relinquish her to any one without being certain her future husband can support her in the same style. Do not think me mercenary, but I should like to ask what your business prospects are. Mr. Simmons.-Certainly, sir, that is quite proper, and as I supposed you would wish to know something of this kind, I have brought a full statement of my income. (Takes a paper from his pocket, with a long row of figures on it and opens it full length. It should be a sheet of legal note.) Mr. Clay (taking the paper and holding it up).—Why, bless me! Is it possible your income is $60,000? Bessie is yours, my boy, and I shall feel proud to be your father-in-law. [CURTAIN.] SCENE II.-Patty-Billy. (Same room as before. Mr. Simmons seated on the sofa.) Patty (entering).-How do you do? Mr. Simmons. Well, Patty, is your sister home? Patty (seating herself).-Oh yes, and she will be in as soon as she takes her hair out of the curl papers. But I shouldn't wonder if she would stop to put on her blue dress, for she was making molasses candy for Billy and me, and she spilled molasses all down the front of her white dress, and she got dreadful mad and boxed Billy's ears, and he said he was going to tell you and then you wouldn't want to marry her, and—oh, you will be my brother, won't you? Brother Charles; won't that be funny! I don't believe I'll like you as well as I do Billy. He is my brother, too. You can't play marbles nor climb chestnut trees, can you? Mr. Simmons. Who told you I was going to be your brother? Patty.-Oh, they were all talking about it at the dinner-table, and pa and ma were dreadful glad. Pa said you were as rich as creases, but I don't see anything nice in them, for ma always scolds me when I get creases in my dresses. Here is [enter Bessie] Bessie, I must go; we've had a very pleasant conversation. Good bye! Mr. Simmons. Your sister is quite an entertaining child. Bessie (aside: I wonder what she told him).—Yes; she is a little chatter-box. Mr. Simmons (leading her to the sofa).—And now, my darling Bessie, I may at last call you mine. I saw your father last evening and he gave a gracious consent to our union. Bessie.-Dearest Charles, I Billy (who is hid under the sofa, groans).-Oh! [Bessie and Charles start and look around the room.] Mr. Simmons.-It shall be the pleasure of my life to minister to your every want, and to render your days a perpetual joy. Bessie.-Oh, you are so good, I can never (Billy groans again. They both start up and look under the sofa. Mr. Simmons drags forth Billy, who puts his hands in his pockets and looks defiant.) Bessie.-Billy, you naughty, wicked boy, what were you doing under the sofa? Billy.-Listening. Bessie. What were you listening for? Billy.-I wanted to hear what Mr. Simmons said to you. You got mad and boxed my ears, and I said I'd have revenge [boldly]! Bessie.-Go up-stairs immediately; I shall tell pa of your conduct. [CURTAIN.] SCENE III.-Tie-A Tableau. (A wedding scene. Patty and Billy should be in the foreground.) SCENE IV.-Incompatibility. (A dining-room. Table spread. Mr. Simmons seated near the table.) Mr. Simmons.-Married two months to-day, and we would be perfectly happy if it were not for this jealous disposition of Bessie's. (Enter servant, who hands him some letters and retires.) Two letters for Bessie (laying them on the table). Here is one from Gerald-dear, old fellow (opens it and reads). "I called on Flossie last evening; she seems quite heart-broken about your marriage- says you have forgotten her; she has heard from you only once or twice since the wedding, and, in fact, seems quite grieved at your neglect. I told her I was going to write, and she asked me to send this picture to you in my letter." (Looking at the picture.) Poor little girl, it is too bad. I have not intended neglecting her, for I love her dearly and always shall. (Puts the letter and picture in the envelope. Enter and the letter drops on the floor.) Bessie, there are some letters on the table for you. I am going out, but shall be back shortly to take you driving. Bessie. He rises [Exit Mr. S.] (Sees the letter on Bessie.-Very well, I shall be ready. Two letters from home, that is good. the floor, picks it up, picture drops out.) Ha! a lady's |