fjS zs// On mi l%13 HoUinger Corp. pH8.5 Matrimonial Advertisement a Cometiietta in d^nt ^ct EGBERT W. FOWLER BOSTON Z^^^yO^' 1893 ----^-..L L CHARACTERS. , rj^o HARRY ANDREWS, aged twenty-one. KITTIE GREY, aged eighteen. Scene. — The parlor of a hotel. Costumes. — Modern arid appropriate. PROPERTIES. Two newspapers. Two bundles of notes, — one pink, one blue. Fan tied with pink ribbon, and bonnet trimmed with blue, for Kitty. Clock on mantel. Copyright, 1893, by Walter H. Baker & Co. A MATRIMONIAL ADVERTISEMENT. Scene. — Parlor of a hotel. Chair and table ^ L. Settee at r. Door, c. Newspaper on table, L., and also on settee. {Enter Harry Andrews hastily?) Harry. Gracious ! What a run of it ! And if I had missed the 3. 15 train I should have been an hour late. As it is, I am afraid she has come, and. not finding me here, has gone away again. Four o'clock. No, 1 am on time. It's astonishing how very ner- vous I am. Yet, it's no wonder. A man doesn't have an appoint- ment with a lady who is a perfect stranger to him every day in the week, and especially on such delicate business. Who could have imagined a week ago, when Kittle and I were so happy in our first love and engagement, that to-day I should be in this parlor, wait- ing to make arrangements relating to matrimony with an unknown female whom I have never seen, and whose full name I do not know. Well, it's all Kittie's fault ; and if she loses me forever, she can only blame herself. Imagine my feelings on last Thursday evening. As I was standing in the shadow of the large tree before her father's house, preparing to serenade her, and just as I was opening my mouth to sing, — " Love, I will trust thee ever," who should come to the door but Kittie, accompanied by a strange man — a man whom I never saw before. I saw her bid him an affectionate adieu — actually kiss him, and heard him say, "Good- by, dearie ; don't expect a letter from me before Saturday, pet." Pet! After he left, with a heart bursting with emotion, I rushed into her presence, and demanded an explanation, which was refused, and my sufferings laughed at. Kittie even reproached me for what she called my ''insane jealousy," and gave me back my ring. I calmly returned the hat mark she gave me at Christmas, and left the house, fully resolved to do something desperate. Passing the office Q>{\.\\^Times, a happy thought struck me — I entered and in- serted a matrimonial advertisement. The next day I received an answer, signed " Catherine H. 2., Tiniest Since then I have written 3 4 A MATRIMONIAL ADVERTISEMENT. and received seven letters from the fair unknown, who has also re- ceived a blow to her affections, and who always writes on pink note- paper. I have asked for an interview, which she has granted. Let me read her note again. Mr H. 24., Times, — I will meet you at the place you mentioned at 4 o'clock and 15 minutes. That you maybe able to distinguish me, I will wear a bonnet trimmed with blue, and carry a fan tied with pink rib- bon ; and you may, when you see me, show me this note, written on pink paper. Yours, as ever, Catherine, H. 2., Times. Even after receiving this note, if Kittie had been at all friendly, I should have tried to make it up with her. But to-day when I passed her father's house, and saw her standing at the window, she returned my bow with a frigid look, as if I was an entire stranger, and actually turned up her nose at me. So I tear her image from my heart, and place in the vacant spot that of Catherine H. 2., Times. {Looks at watch.) Gracious ! It's time she was here. Hark ! There's some one coming now ! I'll just run out until I see who it is. {Exit R.) {Enter Kittie, c. She has aii umbrella in her hand, and appears as if she had been iti a shower.) Kittie. I wonder if anybody saw me come in. I do wish I had refused to come. If it had not commenced to rain just before I got to the door, I should have gone on without coming in ; but now I must wait until the shower is over. Oh, I will pay Mr. Harry Andrews for his absurd jealousy ! To do that, I would meet any- body. As if he had the right to dictate to me now ! A pretty life I should lead after we were married ! I wonder how I will know the unknown when he comes. Let me see. He will carry the pink notes, and — pshaw ! I shall know him anyway as soon as I see him, for he says he has been crossed in love, aad there will be an affinity between us that needs no outside mark of recognition. My ! there^s some one coming ! What shall I do ! Oh, over here — {Sits 071 sofa, R., and holds newspaper before her face in such a way as to hide it from Harry, who enters at c.) Harry {who sees Kittie oji sofa). By Jove, she^s here ! Now, shall I begin the conversation at once, or shall I wait for her to recognize me ? KiTTi^E {aside) . Gracious me! There is the man! I wish I was at home. Harry {coughing loudly). Ahem ! Kittie {aside). The bold person ! He wants to attract my at- tention, but he shall not see my face if I can help it. {Holds news- paper closer before her face.) Harry. Why in the Dickens don't she speak ? and what makes her hold that paper so I can't see her face ? Maybe it isn't her- A MATRIMONIAL ADVERTISEMENT. 5 (Kittie's/^«, tied unth pink bow, fails to tJu floor.) No, there's the fan! (Kittie stoops to pick up the fan, and in doing so the blicc bonnet shoics above the ed^e of the paper), and the blue bon- net ! Yes, Catherine — it must be Catherine — but why don't she show herself and recognize me ? Ahem ! Kittie {aside). The impudent thing! He'll speak next. I wish I knew what he looks like. Harry {aside). Great Caesar ! Maybe she's one of those black- mailing creatures, and is making a sketch of my face, which, together with my letters, would be just what she would want for a-breach-of- promise case ; but two can play at the same game, miss. {Sits l., and holds tip paper exactly in the^ame position as Kittie has hers.) Kittie. I am dying to see what he is like. I wonder what he is doing now. I'll see. {Looks over top of paper.) Harry. I wonder what she is up to now. I'll just take a peep. {They both look overtop of paper, and inn/iediately drop their heads.) Kittie {aside). My goodness ! I wonder if he saw me. Harry {aside). I was right. It's lucky I caught on to her game in time. Kittie {aside). I wish I was at home. I wonder if I could get out without his seeing my face. But how — yes, I have it ! {Tears a little hole in centre of paper, and starts toward c door.) Harry. She's got her evidence, and is going away — but not if I can help it. {He starts np and closes the door.) Kittie. Oh ! {Reseats herself on sofa.) What shall I do ! He's determined not to let me go until he sees who I am. Harry. This is ridiculous. We can't sit here like this all day, Maybe, after all, she only wants me to break the ice. {Aloitd to Kittie.) Pleasant day, miss. Kittie. Yes ; quite pleasant, indeed. Harry. Quite warm ; don't you think so t Kittie. Yes ; quite warm Harry. Nice little shower we are having. Kittie. 'Most too wet for comfort. Harry. You think so ? Kittie. Yes ; it nearly always is wet when it rains. Harry {after a pause). Yes ; especially when it rains as hard as it does now. Since it seems we will be obliged to stay here together until the rain ceases, allow me to present you my card. {Aside.) My Cousii^ Dick's. {He gives her the card, and takes the paper from before his face.) Kittie. Mr. Richard White! Harry's Cousin Dick! How fortunate ! I need not be afraid any longer. {Lowers paper from her face.) Harry ? ,. ..^^ . \ By Jove, it's Kittie ! {They look at each other in amazement.) 6 A MATRIMONIAL ADVERTISEMENT. Harry {aside). Kittie ! What if she should discover my reason for being here ! Kittie. If Harry should find out that I am here to meet an unknown gentleman, I am lost. Harry {coldly). Good-afternoon, Miss Grey. Kittie {very dignified) . Mr. Andrews, I am really surprised to see you. Harry. Pleasant day. Kittie. Yes ; I have been out walking and — {aside) what a lovely excuse for my being here ! — there came up a rain, so I stopped in here. Harry. About three miles from where you live. Do you often walk this far from home ? Kittie («j-zV/speecli, a darky play — "Bells in the Kitchen,"— written for female characters only, and suggests a programme of songs. The difficulty which ladies have found in collecting humorous material sufficiently refined for their purpose, and the impossibiliiy of procuring an after- piece for this sort of entertainment, of which men have heretofore had a monop- oly, suggested the publication of this book, which meets both these wants. Price 85 Cents. A NEW DRAMA. HICK'RY FARM. A GOMEDY-DRAMA OF NEW ENGLAND LIFE IN TWO AGTS. By EDWIN M. STERN. Six male, two female characters. A charming delineation of New England rural life, presenting a diversity of excellent characters, that of the farmer, Ezekiel Fortune, being particularly good. Scenery : a landscape, with small set cn'.tage, and a plain room. Costumes of the present time. Time of playing, an hour and a half. Price 25 Cents. A NEW BORDER DRAMA. RIO GRANDE. AN ORIGINAL DRAMA IN THREE ACTS. By CHARLES TOWNSEND. Author of "The Spy of Gettysburg," "The Woven Web," "Border Land," "Broken Fetters," etc., etc. Seven male, four female characters. Modern costumes ; scenery, one interior and one exterior. Time in playing, two hours and twenty minutes. This is the latest play of "Western life, and one of the finest drnnins ever written hy this brilliant and successful author. Its interest is unOa^-in^-, it is full of b.ight, clean fun, and roaring comedy situations alternate with thrilling and pathetic scenes. Every character is a good one and worthy of the best talent. This piece can be played in any hall or upon any stage, .ns th.ere are no difficulties in costumes or scenery. Printed directly from the author's acting copy, and preceded by a chapter of "Remarks" in which are givfni, in the author's own words, special instructions regarding the play, the acting of each part, and all necessary details of stage-management. Price, ... 35 Cents. SVNOPSIS: ACT I. The First Day. — Sitting-room at Lawton's. Judge Biggs renders an opinion. Casey in doubt. Segura fails to score. Paul and Icetta. Jealousy. The arrival. Mamie and the Judge. Trouble ahead. A threatened quarrel. The proposal. Refused. " Answer him nothing." The vow. Tableau. ACT II. The Second Day. — The lawn near the parade ground. The holiday soldier. Johnnie in trouble. An "American aristocrat." Cadwalluder frightened. JBiggs indignant. The Indian outbreak. Segura's plan. A cunning plot. The marriage certificate. Paul and Retta. Some clever acting. Segura's triumph. The quarrel. A broken en-ngement. *' Boots and saddles ! " Biggs as a guide," "I won't cry." The departure. Tableau. ACT III. The Third Day. — Sitting-room at Lawton's. The anxious watch- ers. Retta's sorrow. The new friends. Cadwallader's mishap. Mamie's sympathy. " Thanks awfully." Biggs arrives. A roaring row. Cadwal- lader's resolution. Segura's cunning. Home again. Retta's confession. Laying the train. " He has a wife already." Paul in trouble. Betta ex- plodes the mino. Paul in danger. Death of Retta. Finale. GEORGE M. BAKER'S PLA . 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