^ ^'7 Always order * ' DE WITT^S *> Actiii;? Plays. PRICK 15 CENTS. j>^ /T>%'^M'l^ ACTING PLAYS. W^M r-\ I I 4 '-(lViiiikl>ei- 335.) >0/ A WARM RECEPTION. Comediettci I 3»' o INT x: -A. o TC . Translated from the German <'I'- Sfjlineegfjsloljer " of Rudolf Jarosy, and adapted fi),uur/ Ins Itnt). Good Heavens ! Have you a father ? I never thought of such a circumstance. Angels so seldom have fathers, you know. \ho(n)i'i) I have an idea. You introduce me to your papa; I'll wait here. You will see that he will have some pity for a poor un- fortunate—not try and murder him, as you are so willing to do. LiL. {siiikiui/ into a cluitr and dr())>pinr/ tlie irraps). Well, I shall give you up. You don't begin to know what you're talking about. Call my father to come and find you here ? 'Twould be the last time you'd ever be caught in a snow storm. Mad ? Why, he's terrible when he's angry. Artulr. Why should he be mad at the sight of me ? Oh really I must decline to believe yonr father a brute, without better proof than that. {seats hinise'f again.) Lir,. {starin'j at liim). Wliat are j'ou sitting down again for? Won't you please go ? Well, I'll explain to you then. Perhaps if you realize that I am really distressed and that you are getting me into trouble, you will do as I ask. {almost in tears.) Arthur {s'rionsl//). I don't understand, {rising/) I beg your pardon— I'm quite ashamed Lir,. No, sit down now. I will tell you. When I was quite a little child my mother was taken away. She died from fright. She was ill and very nervous, and. one night when she was alone in the drawing- room a man appeared at the window. Mamma thought he was a burg- lar. She started to run, but was too weak, and fell on the floor in a dead faint. She revived for a few minutes, but later fell back and died just as papa arrived. He loved her devotedly, and was distracted at her death. Since then he has utterly withdrawn from society, and we live here quite alone. You can understand now from what I have told you that the sight of a stranger here, together with the surprise and knowledge of our adventure, will make him very angry, and it will be dirticult for me to explain your presence here. Arthur. Poor child ! Ltl. No, no, don't think papa is ever unkind; he simply detests sur- prises and adventures, and, above all, hates strange young men. Q . * A WARM RECEPTION. Arthur. Strange? Ah, yes, to be sure, {produces Ids card) Allow me. {'/n-ese/Us it.) LiL. {reads it sloidy, then rises and steps hac/,). No ! you ar.e not Ar- thur Harding? {//e boirs) Good Heavens! is it possible? 1 did not recognize you. But on the stage you look quite dilierent. Arthur. Yes, my Grecian robes are not quite of this cut {lanfjhinr/.) LiL. You really "the great actor Harding? And I have been looking at you all the evening ! Ah ! how wonderfully you play — wonderfully ! Why, you know, I sat in the box, right next to the stage, and I never took iny eyes off of you. You were beautiful — no, I mean — that is — you Arthur {pids out his hand, she. relucfanth/ gives hers). Look ! Let us be enemies no longer. I am very sorry and ashamed for my whole evening's performance, in that I have offended you; but it was not through impudence, but through — {/xtuses sn-iousUi) Well, nevermind what. I must tell you the truth. I have seen you before to-night — often in the streot^-knew you were in the box all the evening, and, in order to see you again, waited after the performance. Now am I par- doned ? LiL. [rjpnth) withdrawing her hand and leaving him). Yes, yes, of course. You see I'm surprised, {coming t^ack awl giving him her hand again) There, I wont be your enemy. I can't say any more now. {moves ciivay) But you nmst go, Mr. Harding, and please go immediately. Papa may be here any moment. Arthur. I will, {picking iq^ his hat) But first — {taking her hand again) first, won't you tell me the name of my little new friend ? LiL. I ? Mine, do you mean ? Oh, Lilian. AiiTHUR {(jentlij, looking do ion at her). Lilian ! {she starts) Thank you. LiL. No, i mean Miss West. Voice of General West heard outside. General. Don't talk, you driveling idiot ? What do I hire you for? — To obey my orders; and you haven't done it. Missed her? — missed my daughter, and let her come home alone. Wliere were you, eh ? (a whini- jieriiig voire heard to answer. Lilian and Authuk stare at each other and listen.) Ltl. {frightened). Too late ! Oh, good Heavens ! what's to be done ? Pa]3a is furious. Wait — I have it." Come, quick, in there. {poiiUiug to R.) Arthur. Allow me to suggest Ltl. {pushing him bef>re her). Go, go ! Hurry ! Please refrain from a discussion this time, and obey. [Exeunt, r. d. Enter General West, c. -d., followed hy Mary. Grneral. Where were you ? Where were you, I say ? Didn't I tell you distinctly to be there at ten o'clock, and wait by the left entrance ? Didn't I, eh? {J>rin in r/) LW'mn alone at this liour ! Where is my daughter ? Go tind her, and if she has the sole of her foot wet, you'll pay for it. March ! {e.vit Maky, l. d.) My Lilian alone ! Why did I let her go to the theatre ? I knew something would happen. She should have waited for me; she knew I was to be there. Just like women — heedless. Only to think of her standing down there alone, and perhaps some dude walking up and speaking to her ! {) Lilian ! Lilian ! Enter Liijax, r, d., followed by Arthur in livery. Ltl. {rxnninr; up to her father and taking his arm). Oh! papa, wliore were you ? Genkkal {taking hold of her and looking at her). Where was I ? What did you run away "from your old father for, eh ? I waited there and you didn't come. Ho\v did you get home ? {turning on Arthur) Who's this ? Arthur {sfe/)/iing forward and boiring). Sir, I General. Hold your tongue till you're spoken to. Ltl. (motioning AirriiUR to ke stUl and sfe/i Jnick). WHiy, papa dear, I waited for ever and ever down there by the right entrance. General. Left! LiL. No, right! General. Right? Just my luck. I waited at the left; so did Mary. LiL. {Ifuighin)/). Then there's not much wonder that we didn't meet. But by the" luckiest chance I ha] )pened to meet our new servant there, (pointing to Artihu;) and he got me a carriage. Gexioral. Not the fool he looks. Shouldn't have thought he would have known enough, {taming to Arthur) Ever been in the military service ? Arthur {ind/gnanfl//). No, sir; but Gener.al. Keep still, I tell you. Go tell Mary we want the tea. Right wheel, march ! Out with you, wooden-legs. (Lilian motions him tor,n.) [RcitKKVWVK, L. D. General. Tell me, dear child, where did you get that booby ? {they walk up and dovui vutJi his hand on her shoidder) Can't have him here— want a good solid old servant, who knows his business— must send this one olF. LiL. Yes, papa, onlv you see I didn't want to be quite without any. This man came and applied, and I thought I'd try him ; but I will send him away to-night. General. No, he must stay till to-morrow; I want him to-night. Lir. But I have already told him he could go. He's so horribly green, you know— really, he's done more harm than good; and for just one iiight we can get'on witliout him, eh ? General. No, he must stay here to-night. Some one's commg. Ltl. Papa, you're fooling. Not at this hour— a guest? Good gra- cious ' General. You'll see. {ealls) Hi there, you ! {to Lilian) Wliat's the fellow's name ? Lil. Arth— Oh!-Idon'tknow. I'll fetch him. _ General. No, you stay here, {calls) Joseph 1 William ! Francis ! Ste- phen ! Enter Arthur, l. d. Arthur. Sir ! 8 A WARM RECEPTION. General. Got cotton in your ears, eh ? Can't hear when you're spoken to. What's your name ? ARTiiuit. Artliur, sir. General. Arthur? — Ar-thur ! (mockingh/) Ar-thur ! I've lived, have I, to have a servant named Ar-thur ? {disya.siediij, seatimj himself ) Pull oil' these overshoes. Arthur. Sir t {//es Hates; lookft at Lilian; at a scoicl from her he droits 0)1 his knees and aftem.jjts to pull offshoi^s.) Gi:neral. Ouch ! Hi there, what are you doing ? Want to break my le. Perhaps he has talents, as they say, and can make his way. It isn't impossible. Gkneral. I don't care if he's the greatest success on earth — he's an actor, stands around in front of the footlights, with his cheeks all painted up, and makes an ass of himself. I've seen them. LiL. Well, pai)a, you should have seen the young man who played at the theatre to-night, and you would not be so unjust. He's hardly been on the stage two month3,'they say, and he was cheered to the echo, and encored again and again. They say he going to be very great. Genkral. Do they ? Well, he is the exception that proves the rule. Don't you forget it; young Fielding will never make a mark, unless it be a black one. Enter Arthur, c. d., carrying empty salver ; crosses to l, and exit l. D., looking back kiiowingly at Lilian. LiL. {slowly and thoughtfully). Where is the young man now, papa? General. No one knows. He's playing mider an assumed name. Poor old Major ! Enter Arthur, l. d., with some teaspoons ; crosses and exit c. d. He's all broken up al)out it. (looks at watch) He ought to be here by this time ; he had some luggage to look after, Enter Mary, c. d., carrying travelling-bag, ichich she takes across and out l. d. Ah ! there's part of him. " Coming events cast their shadows before." Go, Lilian, (piickly, and see about the tea. I want some myself, and the Major will be frozen through. Exit Lilian, l. d. Enter Major Fielding, c. d. Your hand, old fellow. So, here you are at last, and right welcome too. We'd almost dven you up. Your luggage is in yonder, {points l.) and I hope you will be put up quite comfortably. You'll excuse lack of servants, eh?— got a new one to-day, and he's a blunderhead— gets every thing wrong end foremost. Major {slippi)ig of overcoat and lavinq hat on tablp). Don't mention it, West; don't mention it; I can take care of myself. I shan't notice 10 A WARM RECEPTION. any neglect. I don't think I notice anytliing of late — since my son left me. General. Tiiere, there; never mind him. That will all arrange itself for the best. Just sit down and make yourself comfortable; tea com- ing right in. [seal themselves at fire, r.) Now then, what is the news ? Major. None — unfortunately none. I can't tind out where he is. General. No matter about him, my old friend; try and think about something else. Fate will take care of all that. Major. Can't help it, West. He was all I had. I fear I was too harsh. But he had never seen Lilian — never had seen the girl. This will make no difterence, General ? You don't take offence at his actions ? No ? {then shake hands) I thank you. AVe must not split friendship if I can help it. GENERAL. What do you take me for ? After all the battles we've been through together, do you think I'd back down for an affair like this ? Not if I know it. Enter Arthur, c. d., iviih tea, fo/lomed hy Lilian wUh cake ; they pass to table L. Major. AVest, you have always been a firm friend. I appreciate it. (Artmur turns at his tcords, and drn})s a citp on tJie floor.) Arthur. Father ! (General a)id Majob, Jump from their chairs.) General. Great Heavens ! Major. Arthur ! My son ! You here, in this house — and in this dress ? LiL. (aside). I thought so. - General. Have I "got 'em again," or what does all this mean ? Arthur. It means. General West, that I am Arthur Fielding. General. Wh-at? By all the powers ! ARTMuit. The same; who left his home to do what he thought was right. Father, lam sorry for it all; but I cannot regret the step. I have made my name famous, and have earned a place in the world. Major. Your hand, my boy. We'll have no more hard words. Arthur {jjiving hand, and then turninf/ to the General). General West, I left my home because I refused to be married to a woman I then did not love. Since then I have learned better, and now love your daughter with all my heart and soul. Will you give her to me {lan.gh- i)ir/ over to Lilian) if I can get her consent. General. Upon my word, I don't know what to make of all this. A man in livery walking in here at midnight, and demanding my only daughter ! Major {r/oinn vp to General and layinri his hand on his shouldi'v). For my sake, A¥est. Lilian, speak up, my child. Will you marry my boy ? LiL. {rerii much embarrassed). I — I — I Arthur [r/oing to her and talang both her hands). Lilian, j^ou will not refuse? {he places his arm about her, and her head drops on his sJionlder ; he smiles victor ionsli/.) U\joK {raising his ha)id). Bless you both, my children. May you never know anytliing but hapi)iness. Arthur, one thing more: For the sake of your old father, will you not come back to the homestead. You know there's enough, and more than enough, for us all. (Lilian raises her head and looks entreatingly into tier lover's eyes.) Arthur {after a struggle). I will, sir. {holds out his hand) There's A -WARM RECEPTION. H my hand on it. I think in my heart too, in spite of my laurels, I shall be glad to get back. General {who has not yet recovered from his astonishment). Well, perhaps now that you two have made it up, and presented yourselves with my daughter, you will allow me to have a word to say. (Ltltan holds out her hand to her father) Oh, I consent, my dear, I consent — only would you mind telling me where you two met ? Lilian a)Kl Arthur {together, with his arm still about her). In a snow storm ! CUBTAIK STAGE DIRECTIONS. R. means Right of Stage, facing the Audience; L. Left; C. Centre; R. C. Right of Centre; L. C. Left of Centre; D. F. Door iu the Flat, or Scene rnuuiug across the back of the Stage; C. D. F. Centre Door in the Flat; R. D. F. Right Door in the Flat; L. D. F. Left Door in the Flat; R. D. Right Door; L. D. Left Door; 1 E. First Entrance; 2 E. Second Entrance; U. E. Upper Entrance; 1, 2 or 3 G. First, Second or Third Groove. R. R. C. C. L. C. L. jg^ The reader is supposed to be upon the stage facing the audience. The Ulster. A FARCICAL COMEDY, IN Three Acts. By SYDNKY ROSKNKKLD. Eleven male, seven female characters. An irresistibly fixnny play full of action and amusing dialogue. A capital piece for a good amateur company. Costumes of the day. Scenery, two interiors, easily managed. Time of playing, two hours. PRICE, 15 CENTS. SYNOPSIS OF EVENTS. ACT I. DRAWING ROOM OF MR. FLIPPER'S HOUSE IN NEW YORK. An early call — Search for the Ulster — Mike and Patsy exchange compliments — The English footman — Mr. Flipper's jealousy — Quick, the detective — A suspicious character — Circumstantial evidence — Sadie confides in her aunt — The new groom — Another clue — The torn envel- ope — An affair of honor — Peter embarrassed — The first kiss. ACT 11. RECEPTION AND EXHIBITION ROOM AT PROF. BARTONS. The Ulster reappears — Barton's system — Agnes on parlor skates — A bad fall — Courtship on rollers — The proposal — Deaf as a post — A little angel on wheels — The music teacher — Mr. Flipper bewildered — A legal separation — Poison to cure poison — Sobs and tears. ACT III. MR. FLIPPER'S DRA WING ROOM. Patsy and the " muzishian " — A stranger appears — Do not rob me ! — A glass of wine — Quick's testimony — My son ! my son ! — Whose Ulster is this?— The mystery solved — A round of laughter. Copies sent, post-paid, to any address on receipt of the price. DE WITT'S ETHIOPIAI^ AND COMIC DEAMA.-Coiitmued. 33. 94. 103. 18. 60. 37. 90. 109. 19. 149. 151. 9S. 147. 129. 101. 117. 44. 8. 119. 49. 132. 145. 22. 27. 125. 30. 114. 76. 91. 87. 135. 92. 9. 57. 65. 66. 115. 14. 105. 45. 55. M. F. Jealous Husband, sketch 2 1 Julius tke Suduzex'. burlesque, 3 sc. 6 1 Katiiua's Little Game, Dutch act, 1 sceue 1 1 Last of tiie Mohicaus, sketch 3 1 Laughiufj Ga«, sketch, 1 sceue 6 1 Live lujuu, sketch, 4 sceues 4 1 Lost Will, sketch 4 Lucky Job, farce, 2 scenes 3 2 Luuatic (The), farce, 1 sceue 3 Makiug a Hit, farce, 2 scenes 4 Malleolus Trespass, sketch, 1 sceue. 3 '.Meriky, Ethiopian farce, 1 sceue... 3 1 Micky Free, Irish sl^etch, 1 sceue . . 5 Mltluight Intruder, farce, 1 sceue . 6 1 Milliner's Shop (The), Ethiopian sketch, 1 sceue 2 2 Moko Marionettes, Ethiopian eccen- t)"icity, 2 scenes ... 4 6 Molly Moriarty, Irish musical sketch, 1 sceue 1 1 Motor Bellows, comedy, 1 act 4 Musical Servant, sketch. 1 scene.... 3 Mutton Trial, sketch, 2 scenes .... 4 MyWife'sVisitors, comic drama,lsc. 6 1 Night in a Strauge Hotel, sketch, Isc. 2 Noble Savage, Ethi'n sketch, 1 sc. .. 4 No Pay No Cure, Ethi'n sketch, 1 8C. 5 Obeying Orders, sketch, 1 scene.... 2 1 100th Ni-ht of Hamlet, sketch 7 1 Oh, Husli ! operatic olio 4 1 Oue Night in a Bar Eoom, sketch . . 7 One Night in a Medical College, Ethiopian sketch, 1 scene 7 1 One, Two, Three, sketch, 1 scene.. 7 Painter's Apprentice, farce, 1 scene. 5 Pete and the Peddler, Negro and Irish sketch, 1 sceue 2 1 Pleasant Companions, Ethiopian sketch, 1 sceupi 5 1 Polar Bear (The), farce, 1 scene. ... 4 1 Policy Players, sketch, 1 scene 7 Pompey's Patients, interlude, 2 sc. 6 Porter's Troubles, sketch, 1 scene.. 6 1 Port Wine vs. Jealousy, sketch 2 1 Private Boarding, comedy, 1 scene. 2 3 Recruiting Office, sketch, 1 act 5 Rehearsal (The), Irish farce, 2 sc... 3 1 Remittance from Home,sketch.l sc. 6 Rigging a Purchase, sketch, 1 sc... 3 81. 26. Iba. 15. 69. 21. 80. 84. 38. 74. 46. 69. 56. 72. 13. 16. 7. 121. 47. 64. 100. 102. 34. 122. 2. 104. 5. 28. 134. 62. 32. 39. 75. 93. 29. 97. 137. 143. 85. 116. M. F. Rival Artists, sketch, 1 sceHe 4 Rival Tenants, sketch 4 Rival Barbers' Shops (The). Ethio- pian farce, 1 scene 6 1 Sam's Courtship, farce, 1 act 2 1 Sausage Makers, sketch, 2 scenes.. 5 1 Scampini, pautomime, 2 scenes 3 3 Scenes on the Mississippi, sketch, 2 scenes 6 Serenade (The), sketch, 2 scenes.... 7 Siamese Twins, sketch, 2 scenes. . . . 5 Sleep Walker, sketch, 2 sceues 3 Slippery Day, sketch, 1 scene 6 1 Squire lor a Day, sketch 5 1 Stage-struck Couple, interlude, 1 sc. 2 1 Stranger, burlesque, 1 sceue 1 2 Streets of New York, sketch, 1 sc. . .' 6 Storming the Fort, sketch, 1 scene. 5 Stupid Servant, sketch, 1 sceue 2 Stocks Up! Stocks Down! Negro duologue, 1 scene 2 Take It, Don't Take It, sketch, 1 sc. 2 Them Papers, sketch, 1 scene 3 Three Chiefs (The), sketch, 1 scene. 6 Three A. M., sketch, 2 scenes 3 1 Three Strings to one Bow, sketch, 1 scene 4 i Ticket Taker, Ethi'n farce, 1 scene. 3 Tricks, sketch . 5 2 Two Awfuls (The), sketch, 1 scene,'. 5 Two Black Koses, sketch 4 1 Uncle Eph's Dream, sketcli, 2 sc... 3 1 Unlimited Cheek, sketch, 1 scene.. 4 1 Vinegar Bitters, sketch, 1 scene 6 1 Wake up, William Henry, sketch. . . 3 Wanted, a Nurse, sketch, 1 scene, . . 4 Weston, the Walkist, Dutch sketch, 1 scene 7 l What shall I Take ? sketch, 1 scene. 7 1 Who Died First ? sketch, 1 scene. . . 3 1 Who's the Actor? farce, 1 scene.... 4 Whose Baby is it ? Ethiopian sketch, 1 sceue 2 1 Wonderful Telephone (The), Ethio- pian sketch, 1 scene 4 1 Wrong Woman in the Right Place, sketch, 2 scenes 2 2 Yotmg Scamp, sketch, 1 scene,, 3 Zacharias' Funeral, f^ce, 1 scene.. 5 I *a^— -3^ A COMPLETE DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF DE WITT'S ACT- lN2^~*ING PLAYS AND DE WITT'S ETHIOPIAN AND COMIC DRAMAS, containing Plot, Costume, Scenery. Time of Representation, and all other informa-^ tion, mailed free and post paid on application. Address THE DE WITT PUBLISHING HOUSE, No. 33 Kose Street, New York. I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS , 014 212 099 9 # Ai iDllspeiauin mw w Adteiirs. HOW TO MAITAaE AMATE^JE THEATRICALS. Being plain instructions for construction and arrangement of Stage, making Scenery, getting np Costumes, '■'■Making Up^^ to represent different ages and characters, and how to produce stage Illusions and Effects. Also hints for the management of Amateur Dramatic Clubs, and a list of p^oces suitable for Drawing Room Performances. Hand- somely illustrated with C-'^ Ted Plates. JPrice, 25 Cents, DE WITTS SELECTIONS AMATEl Al PARLOR TMTEICALS. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 &; 5, Being choice selections from the very best Dramas, Comedies and Farces. Specially adapted for presentation by Amateurs, and for Parlor and Drawing Room Entertainments. Each number, 25 Cents, PANTOMIME PLA Y, '^HUMPTY DUMPTY," The celebrated Pantomime, as originally played for 1,000 nights by tho late George L. Fox. Arranged by John Denier, Esq. Eight male, four female characters. Frice, 25 Cents, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS P 014 212 099 9 e