THESSi i filling all orders is always a feature of our business. italogies sent free. Any Play, Dialogue Book, Speaker, uide Book. Wigs and Beards,— in fact anything you want D. AMES, Dramatic Publisher Clyde, Ohio. AMES' SERIES OF _ lNDARD and minor drama. NO. 241. S7S ;h P STRUCK bk>o BY 347 LIGHTNING. S£t •s-* ( FARCE ) as a tO WITH CAST OP CHARACTERS, ENTRANCES, AND EXITS, RELATIVE POSITIONS IP OF THE PERFORMERS ON THE STAGE, DESCRIPTION OP COS- VQ TUMES, AND THE WHOLE OP THE STAGE BUSINESS, 5g CAREFULLY MARKED FROM THE g3 MOST APPROVED ACT- IO XNG COPY. PRICE 15 CENTS. mit 8*< D CLYDE, OHIO: AMES. PUBLISHER. No goods sent C. O. D. Payment MTJST accompany all orders* ? ALPHABETICAL LIST DF .Zin^es' Edition of Plays. » -J^t^ *• FIFTEEN CENTS EACH UNLESS OTHERWISE MARKED. ^ 2 164 39 43 100 125 89 113 226 14 160 161 (il) 152 173 U3 176 162 117 2J7 62 76 141 26 191 1>j4 3 9 46 227 21 L 163 91 36 :-;4 229 223 81 85 So 196 29 18 10 45 79 144 119 Vi m 71 105 201 J93 2(>0 121 St. DRAMAS. A Desperate Game 3 2 After Ten Years 7 5 A Life's Revenge 7 § Arrah de Baugti 7 5 Aurora Floyd 7 2 Auld liobin Gray 25c 13 8 Beauty of Lyons 11 2 Bill Detriek 7 3 Brae, the I\ or House Girl 4 4 Brigands of Calabria 6 1 Conn; or, Love's Victory 11 3 Dora 5 2 Driven to the Wall 10 3 Driven from Home 7 4 East Lynne 8 7 Emigrant's Daughter 8 3 Factory Girl 6 3 Fielding Manor 9 6 Hal Hazard, 25c 10 3 Heroic Dutcmnan of'<6 8 3 Henry Granden 11 8 How He Did it ....1.3 2 Hidd n Treasures 4 '2 Hunter of t lie Alps '9 4 H(dden Hand 15 7 Liguts and shadows of the Gi eat Rebellion, 25c 10 5 Lady of Lyons 12 5 Lady A ud ley's Secret 6 -1 Man and Wife 12 7 Maud's Peril 5 3 Midnight Mistake 6 2 Miriam's Crime 5 2 Michael Erie 8 3 Miller of Dement Water 5 2 Mistletoe- Bough 7 3 Mountebanks (The) 6 2 Old Honesty 5 2 Old Phi 's Birthday 5 3 Outcast's Wife 12 3 Out on the Wo. Id 5 4 Oath Bound 6 2 Painter of (iiient 5 3 Poacher's Doom 8 3 Reverses 12 (i Rock Allen 5 3 Sov of Atlanta, 2>e 14 3 Thekla 9 4 The False Friend 6 1 The Fatal Blow 7 1 The Party-liners 10 4 'J lie <)■ nth man in Black 9 4 TheNe.vMagda'en 8 3 The IWard of Crime ;. 5 3 Through Snow and Sunshine 6 4 The Vow of the Ornani 7 1 Ticket of Leave Man 9 3 Toedles 7 2 Unele'iom'- Cahjn 15 7 Wi.l V-the-Wisi.. 9 4 NO. M. F. 41 Won at Last 7 3 192 Zion 7 4 TEMPERANCE PLAYS. 73 At Last 7 1 75 Adrift 5 4 187 Aunt Dinah's Pledge 6 3 202 Drunkard [The] 13 5 185 Drunkar ,'s Warning 6 3 189 Drunkard's Doom 15 5 181 Fifte n Years of a Drunk- ard's Life 13 4 183 Fruits of the Wine Cup 6 3 101 Lost...: 6 2 146 Our Awful Aunt 4 4 53 Out in the Streets 6 4 51 Rescued 5 3 59 Saved 2 3 102 Turn of the Tide 7 4 63 Three Glasses a Day 4 2 62 Ten Nights in a Bai-Ruoni... 7 3 58 Wrecked 9 3 COMPLIES. IBS A Pleasure Trip 7 3 136 A Legal Holiday 5 3 124 An Afflicted Family 7 5 178 Caste 5 3 199 Home 4 3 174 Love's Labor Not Lost 3 3 149 New Years in N. Y 7 6 37 Not So Bad After All ,...6 5 237 Not Such a Fool as He Looks 6 3 126 Our Daughters 8 6 114 Pas>ions 8 4 219 Ra:js and Bottk-s 4 1 221 So, on Shingle 14 2 87 The Biter Bit 3 2 TRAGEDIES. 16 The Serf 6 3 FARCES AND COMEDIETTAS. 120 Aar-u-ag-oos 2 1 132 Actor and Servant 1 1 12 A Capital Match 3 2 166 A Texan Mother-in-Law 4 6 30 A Day Wei) Spent 7 5 169 A Regular Fix 2 4 80 Alarmingly Suspicious 4 3 78 An Awfi.l Criminal 3 3 65 An Unwelcome Return 3 1 31 A Pet of the Public 4 2 21 A Romantic Attachment 3 3 12) A Thrilling Item 3 1 20 A Ticket of Leave 3 2 175 Betsey Baker 2 2 S Better Half 5 2 86 Black vs^ White 4 2 22 Captain Smith 3 3 84 Cheek Will Win 3 U 225 Cupi s Capers 4 4 49 Der Two Surprises 1 1 sb Struck by Lightning, A FARCE, IN ONE ACT, BY- F. L. CUTLER, Author of Hans, the Dutch J. P.; Lost, or the Fruits of the Glass; Lodgings for Two; That Boy Sam; The Sham Professor; Old Pompey; Cuffs Luck; Wanted, a Husband; Happy Frank's Comic Song and Joke Book; Actor and Servant; Pomp's Pranks; The Musical Darkey; Seeing Bosting, etc. WITH THE STAGE BUSINESS, CAST OF CHARACTERS RELATIVE POSITIONS, ETC. TlQ lS ■ * FROM THE AUTHOR'S ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT. Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1387, by A. D. AMES, in the office of the Librarian ofConyrcss at Washington. +*=%=** Mf vS' -CLYDE, OHIO:- A. D. AMES, PUBLISHER. STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. O- CHARACTERS. Erastus Rumbleb Inclined to Rumble Matilda Rumbleb His Wife Belle Rumbleb The Daughter Platinum Points The Electrical Agent - >:; SCENE— Drawing Room Interior. COSTUMES— Modern. TIME— Twenty Minutes. STAGE DIRECTIONS. e., means Right; l., Left; r. h., Right Hand, l. h.. Left Hand; c, Centre; 3. a 2dE.,] Second Entrance; u. a., Upper Entrance; m. d., Middle Door; p., tta Flat p, F.» Door in Flat; r. c, Right of Centre; l. c, Left of Centre. r. r. c. c. l. c. L. %* The reader is supposed to be uRon the Stage facing the audien8C. TMP92-009017 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING, SCENE -Drawing Boom. Enter Humbler, followed by Matilda, r. Humbler. Don't talk to me, madam, I won't listen. Matilda. But, Erastus Rum. No use. As long as I'm on my feet I propose to run this house. Mat But Erastus Rum. Ever since that girl has returned from boarding school she has been all-fired headstrong. There's no get- ting along with her. Mat. But, Erastus Rum. The idea of her wanting to marry some man that I don't know anything about, and never saw in my life. Mat He wanted to Rum. Yes, I know; he wanted to come here and get acquainted, as he said, but he didn't do it, did he? Mat No, because you objected, and Rum. Of course I did. What do you suppose I want of some bewhiskered dandy around here — Mat "Why, Erastus, you- Rum. I'll just put an end to this nonsence at once. When I get ready for Enter Belle, r. Belle to marry I'll select a husband for her that suits me. Belle, (coming forward) Will you ? I am very thank- ful for your interest in my welfare, papa, but as I 4 STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. am the one most interested I believe I would rather make my own selection. Rum. (in a rage) Hold your tongue, miss; don't speak until you are spoken to. I want you and your moth- er to understand one thing, as long as my name's Kum- bler Belle. You'll continue to thunder and storm. (Hum- bler very angry) But, papa, my mind is made up; I have my own future to look after, and if my life is stormy During the above speech Points enters c, with lightning rod point in left hand. As Belle finishes speaking he holds up the point with left hand and points to it with right. Points, (speaks quickly) You should be properly protected. (takes off hat, bows — cdl start, turn and look at the interruption. Belle looks pleased, goes L. r. ) Rum. Thunder and Points. Lightning generally go together, and Rum, What means this intrusion? Points. Calm yourself, my dear sir; don't allow your- self to get excited. Keep cool ! keep cool ! Rum, Who — who are you? Points, (lifts his hat, bows) Platinum Points, more familiarly known as Lightning Points. Rum. To what am I indebted for this visit? Points. To be sure. Just the question I supposed you would ask, and one of course that should be promptly answered. Rum. Please proceed. Points. With pleasure — nothing pleases me so well as to talk to a gentleman. As I was saying to Scrubby — Scrubby isn't his name you know; it's just a nick-name we have for him — he's with the same company you know. Rum, No, I don't know. Points. That's all, you know. No harm done. (Hum- bler turns away) Your attention a moment, please. As I was saying to Scrubby, that was one thing I liked about the business. Rum. (angry) If you've got any business please state it and then get out of here. Points. Keep cool! Keep cool! Don't get excited! (Humbler turns away) Your attention a moment, please. STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. 5 ¥ou see, sir, I've been down working southern Indiana the most of the season, but they got the small-pox down there, and as I'd never had it they sent Slim Jim down there and put me on this route. Bum, Small-pox — route — up here — I shall go crazy if this idiot remains longer. (exit Belle r. — Points throws kiss Points. And in looking over the battle ground, as the saying is, I discovered that with all the buildings you have here not one of them has the least protection against — Bum. Protection? (aside) What is the man driving at? Points. Now your house is exposed to the freakful electricity, and — Bum. For gracious sakes what are you going to tell? I can't make head nor point. Point, (produces rod point) We are using this season the latest improvement. Now, (touches Humbler on arm) your attention a moment, please, and I will proceed — Bum. (distracted) Oh, cease your infernal racket. Points, (coolly touching him on the arm) Your atten- tion just a moment, please. Last year we used the old style point, but this year we have an improvement of which your humbl e servant is the— Bum. (in a rage) Will you leave this room, you — (exit Matilda, r. Points. There, there; don't get excited. She's gone. Now one moment, please. Owing to the failure of the old— Bum. Death and furies, stop, or I'll break your con- founded head for you! (threatens him Points, (keeping close to him) In the new style by using an extra layer of — Bum. (wild with rage) If you won't leave this room I will, (starts off, Points keeps close to him, Eumbler puts hands to his ears and rushes off a, with Points at his heels) Points. One moment, please. (exit Eumbler and Points, l. Enter Matilda, r., looks around, Mat, Thank goodness he's gone. I wonder what he wanted? I know what he has done. He has got Humbler t> STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. so rumbled that I could see chain lightning fairly flash from his eyes. Enter Points, a, comes forward quickly. Points. In that case, madam, you should have some protection. Now just give me your attention a moment, please. Mat. (goes l. f., aside) Land a massa, it's my tuin now. Points, (goes to her) One moment, please. You haven't a single rod on your house — I've looked it all over. Now I can explain to you in a few minutes — - Mat Don't take the trouble, sir. Points. No trouble at all. Now with this improve- ment I can put a rod on your comb, and run from there to— Mat Sir! Points. Then by sinking into the ground the proper distance — Enter Belle, r. Mat Sink into the ground. The man's crazy. Rushes off c, Points following and talking about light- ning rods &c, as Points gets to door Belle laughs and he turns discovering her — they embrace. Bumbles ap- pears at c. d. -astonished — rushes off l. Belle, (releasing herself) What made you venture here ? Points. Well, in the first place, I wanted to see you, then I had a curiosity to make the acquaintance of my prospective father-in-law. But — (smiling) — how have I played my part? Belle, (claps her hinds — laughs) Oh! splendid, but I'm afraid papa will never forgive the ruse. Points. What care I as long as I have you on my side. (takes her in his arms— Humbler appears a, dragging Matilda. Calls her attention to Points and Belle — Points at same time discovers them and releases Belle, quickly takes lightning rod point from pocket and places it on Belle's head) Now your attention one moment, please. As I was just saying the current of electricity passes down from the point. To illustrate plainer; there is a thunder storm coming up — (points toicard R. Bum- STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. 7 BLER and Matilda, who have been seemingly talking about Points, both run r. and lookout) — that is in our minds. (Humbler and Matilda turn away disgusted) Belle, (archly) I would very much like a protector. Points. Then I'm your man. Bum. Now look here; you've talked me to death, and my wife ditto; now for heaven's sake spare our daughter. (while Eumbler is talking to Points, Matilda leads Belle off at back — seems to talk and gesticulate to her) Mat (coming forward) Yes, good sir, please go away at once. Points, (to Humbler) One moment, please. (Eum- bler turns his back, Points turns to Matilda) Your at- tention for a moment — (she turns her back, Points goes to Belle — iu tragic tones) One moment, please. (Belle laughs) Belle. A thousand if you like. Points, (chucks her under chin, then goes again to Eum- bler, touches his arm) Now, in regard to — Bum. (in rage) If you don't take yourself off I'll kill you. (raises cane to strike, Belle catches his arm) don't, girl, let me get at him. Belle. Papa, don't kill him, buy him off. Bum, Eh! buy him! Why didn't I think of that sooner. Here, you — Points, (to Matilda) As I was going to mention — Bum. (takes him by shoulder and turns him around) How much will you take to leave this house? Point, Take to leave? Why, I've hardly got started yet end— Bum. (hands to his ears) Oh! murder! name your price! Name it! Name it! ^ Points. Well, sir, since you insist upon it, I will say, sir, that you haven't inoney enough to buy me. There is but one article in this house that would tempt me. ( looks at Belle Bum. Name it! name it — it's yours! Point Upon your honor? Bum. Upon my honor. (they shake hands Eumbler stands facing front, Points runs to Belle and embraces her. Matilda runs to Eumbler and touches his arm; he turns. She points to Points and Belle, who come quickly forward and kneel a, between Eum- 8 STKUCK BY LIGHTNING. bleu and Matilda, who instantly turn their backs. Points and Belle rise, Points touches Humbler on the arm, Belle touches Matilda on arm at same time. Points and Belle, (together) Your attention a mo- ment, please. Humbler and Matilda place hands to ears and start off, one each way. Points and Belle laugh, turn to each other and embrace. QUICK CURTAIN. 9^ va iiines' Plays — Continued. us 218 224 233 154 184 209 13 66 116 120 103 50 140 74 35 47 95 11 99 82 182 127 228 106 139 231 235 69 1 15S 23 208 212 32 186 44 33 57 217 165 195 159 171 ISO 48 138 115 55 232 137 40 38 131 101 167 68 54 FAECES CONTINUED. Deuce is in Hira Did l Dream it Domes ic FeHcity Dutch Prize Fighter D tchv vs. Nigger Eh? W at D.d You Say Everybody Astonished Fooling with the Wrong- Man Freezing a Mother-in-Law... Fun in a Post Otfic3 Family Discipline Goose with the C olden Eggs.. Give Me Iv Wife Hans the Dutch J. P Hash H. M. S. Plum How Sister Paxey got her Child Biptiz d How riue ha.i Own Way „. How He Popped the Qaest'il. How t > Tame M-in-Law How Stout Vour Getting....... In the Wrong Box In the Wrong Clothes John Smith Jumbo Jum Kill ng T me Kttie' Wedding Cake Lick Skillet Wedding L Miderbach's Little Surprise Lodgings for Two Matrimonial Bliss Matcii or a Mother-in-Law.. More Blunders than one Mother's Fool Mr. and Mrs. Pringle Mr. Hudson's Tiger Hunt My Heart's in Highlands A y Prec ous Betsey My Turn Next M Wife'* Hointigns My Day and Now-a-Days Obedience On the Sly Paddy Miles' Boy Paten Washing Alaeh ne Persecuted Dutchman Poor Pilicody Quiet Family Rough Diamond Ripples Sch aps Sewing Circle of P riod S. H. A. M. Pinafore Somebody's Nobody Stage Struck Yankee Taking the Census That Mysterious B'dle T ie Bewitched Closet The Cigarette The Coming Man Turn Him Out ..... The Sham Prof ssor The Two T. J's 2^ 142 ioi 56 70 135 147 155 111 157 201 15 172 98 "11 214 145 L90 27 23il L53 24 2:;; 77 88 128 90 61 23J 150 109 151 177 95 1U7 153 170 94 25 92 10 01 122 118 6 10 s 4 197 198 170 216 1' 15 210 203 205 156 130 Thirty-three Next Birthday.. Tit for Tat Vermont Wool Dealer Wanted a Hnsoand VTnen Women Weep Wooing Under Difficultie \Vn;ca win ne Marry Widowc 's Trials Waki'g Him Lip Why they Joined the lie- becca- Yankee Dueiist .'."'.' Ya kee Peddler ETHIOPIAN FARCES. Academy of Stars...! An Unhappy Pair Black Shoemaker Black Statue Colored Senators Chops Cuff's Luck .,..,"* Crimps Tr.p "'] Fetter Lane to Oravesend. '.'.'." Hamlet the Dainty Haunted House Haudy Andy Hypochondriac The Joe's Vis t Mischievous Nigger Musical D irkey No Cure No Pav Not as Deaf as He Seems Old Dad's Cabin OidPoinpey Other People's Children „. Pump's Pranks Quarrel -ome Servants Rooms to Let School Seeing Besting Sham Doctor . 15,000 Years Ago Sport with a Sportsman Si age Struck Darkey Stocks Up, Stocks Dowh That Boy Sam Tlie Select School..... The Popcorn Man.. The Studio Those Awful Boys Twa n's Dodging 4 3 1 7 3 1 2 2 1 5 2 6 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 3 3 3 Uncle .Jeff U. S. Mail Vice Versa. Yillkcns and Dinah 'Virginia Muminv Who Stole the Chickens. ....... William Tell .... Wig-Maker and His Servants GUIDE BOOKS. Hints on Elocution Hints to Amateurs .;. rK CANTATA. 215 On to Victory (with chorus) 25 cents 4 6 xE iiiiiSi™iiiS F C0NGRESS m 016 102 901 4 | ^ PLAYS RECENTLY PUBLISHED. tg 3 L-p PRICE 15 CENTS EACH. R -J~"" niq Raes and Bottles. An original comedy in two acts, by M. Stunrt Tsvior 4 uiaies, 1 female. A play by the author of The Afflicted Family is sufficient inarantee of its excellence. Rags and Bottles are two street .waif,, and the play follows their fortunes through good and bad. An opportunity is given to introduce songs and dances. The balance of the characters are good. Costumes modern. Time of performance 1 1'2 hours. 22ft Du.tch.ey vs. Nigger. An original sketch in 1 scene, by James 0. Lusterf 3 males. A landlord lias two servants-one a Dutchman, the other a negro, who are continually playing tricks upon each other, which are very laughable. Time in playing about 211 minutes. Costumes modern. 221 Solon Shingle; or the People's Lawyer. A comedy in 2 acts, bvJ S Jones An ex "dent pi *y, and easily put on the stage, the scenery not be- ihsr difficult to 'arrange. Some of the best Comedians have starred in the character of Solon Shingle. Costumes modern. Time of performance 1% hours. 222 The Colored Senators. An Ethiopian burlesque in 1 scene, by Bert Richtrds, 3 males. Avery laughable experience of two darkey's, who became dead broke and hungry- their schemes to get a meal of the landlord of a hotel, are A-ery amusing. Costumes modern. Time of performance, 2d minutes. 22*? Old Honesty. A Domestic dram i in 2 acts, by John Madison Morton, 5 male* 2 females. An excellent play with a good moral, showing the truth of the old saying that "Honesty is the best Policy." Scenery, interiors. Costumes modern. Tl o 2 4 bU Fooling with the Wrong Man. An Original farce in 1 act, by Bert Richards, 2 nudes, 1 lemale. Character^ are an Irishman who is not such a tool as he looks a dude, and a society belle. The situations are very funny, and the farce must be read to be appreciated. Costumes eccentric to suit. Time of perform- er's "Cupids' Capers. A farce-comedy in 3 acts, by Bert Richards, 4 males, 4 females U erllows vfith tun from beginning to end. A lawyer, his son, a Dutch- man -ind'a negro are the ma e characters. A giddy widow and her beautiful daugh- ter, a German servant girl, and the Irish hotel proprietress are the females. Costumes modern. Time of performance about 1 hour. 226 Brae the Poor House Girl. A drama in three acts, by C. L. Piper, 4 males 4 females. The character of Brae, is a capital one for a so-brette, after the stvle of Fanchon the Cricket, etc. All characters are good. It abounis in fine situa- tions, and is a great success. Costumes modern. Time of performance 2 hours. 227 Maud's Peril. A drama in 4 acts, by Watts Phillips, 5 males 3 females. A very populor drama of the present time. Strong and sensational. English Cos- tumes of the present time. Easily put on the stage. Timel 1-2 hours. 228 Lauderhauch's Little Surprise. An Original farce in one scene, bv E Henri Bauman, 3 males. A roaring piece, the humor being about equally divid- ed between a Dutchman— a negro digu sed as a woman, and a negro boy. Costumes modern. Place anywhere. Time of performance 20 minutes, 229 The Mountebanks- A Specialty-drama in 4 acts, by Fred. O. An- drews o males 2 females. Two of the characters assume various disguises, at once effective and artistic. The drama is replete with fine situations, and unlooked-,or developments. Mirth and sadness are well combined. Costumes modern. Time of performance 2 hours. An American dram i of the present time. 230 Hamlet the Dainty. An Ethiopian burlesque on Shakespeare's Hamlet, by Uriffin, 6 males, 1 female. Burlesque eostumes of Hamlet. Very fun- ny 2 31" Match for a Mother-in-Law. A Comedietta in 1 act, by Wybert Reeve, 3 males, 2 females. The henpecked husband, his friend, a servant, the wife and the mother-in-law, constitutes the dramatis personam. Very su, table for private and amateur use, as well as professional. Costumes modern. Interior scene. Time 01 232 Stage Struck Yankee. A farce in 1 act. by 0. E. Durivage, 4 males. ( > females i-cenes, interiors. A Yankee becomes badly stage struck, by seeing a play in a barn, discards his affianced for an actress. The manner of his becoming disenchanted, is shown in the play. It is full of laugh. Time 45 minutes. 233 Freezing a Mother-in-law. A farce in in 1 act, by T. E. Pember- ton,3 males, 2 fema es. Costumes modern. One interior scene. Old man 2 walk- in" gents, old woman, walking lady. A mother-in-law is to b* froze 1 in order to gam her consent to her daughter's marriage. She discovers the plot, substitutes water for the freezing fluid, yet pretends to be equally affectual by it. lime 45 234 Old Dad's Cabin. An Ethiopian farce in one act, by Charles White, 2 males, 1 female, An excellent darkey play, full of good situations and sparkling dialogue. Costumes modern. Time 40 minutes.