PS 991 
 .PI N37 
 Copy 1 
 
 15 cents. 
 
 ^ Roberts' Series of Original Dramas. 
 
 ®'a 
 
 rwELL DOi:^rGrJ 
 
 i A DRAMATIC SKBTCH. 
 
 4' 
 
 UlTAHLK KOU PRIVATE KNTEKTAINMEXTS. 
 
 I CI 
 
 I ^r^^ BOSTON: 
 
 r?^^ I'UBLISIIKD BY CHARLES C. ROBERTS 
 24 Co N Or RES s Street. 
 1867. 
 
 ^XV- 
 
A^EYEE AVEAEY 
 
 >^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 AVELL DOING. 
 
 A OKAMATIC SKETCH 
 
 BOS T () N : 
 ClIAllLKS C. ROBERTS, PUBLISHER, 
 
 ■2-i cuxGiu-:ss,r3B'E'^^."7-7: 
 
 1 8/^7-: I 
 

 CHARACtEiiS. 
 Mr. Hilton, a genuine Reformer and true Philanthropist. 
 Cornelius O'Brien, an out and out Irishman, troubled with 
 a weakness, but whose " heart is in the right place." 
 
 COSTUMES^ 
 
 Mr. Hilton, a neat draAving-room suit. 
 
 Con. O'Brien, rather dilapidated suit, pants tucked into tops of 
 
 his boots, hard-looking hat, and an empty whiskej-flask in his 
 
 pocket 
 
 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by Charles 
 
 C. Roberts, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of tliQ 
 
 Dietrict of Massachusetts. 
 
NEVER WKARVI.N \rELL DOIXG. 
 
 NckN'K: — .1 Pniiriiifi-i'nnin tir Parlor. 
 
 (I'Jnfrr ^[r. Hilton irho seafs himself, and takiny from his 
 pnckil a piert^ of wrifinf/ /taper folded, he peruftes it for a 
 inrtnirnf.) 
 
 IIiLTOx. I doclare I ain almost discouraged in ray la- 
 l)ors, I seem to meet with so little succesH. And yet my 
 friends all tell me that I faroutstrij) them in my efforts at 
 reform. Well, well ; i>erhaps I'm impatient, and expect 
 too much of the poor fellows who have become victims to 
 one of the most fascinating of all vices. I started with 
 the motto, " Never weary in well doing," and as I have 
 had ,somr success I have no right to be discouraged. In a 
 labor like mine one meets with a great diversity of charac- 
 ter ; some, remarkably eccentric, and withal rather mirth 
 provoking. (Peruses paper of/ain.) Jones, he holds out 
 well ; not a drop for a month. Smith, with what he has 
 saved of his rum-money, has provided his wife with cona- 
 fortable clothes, and his rooms look quite neat. Brown is 
 doing well ; White, ditto ; Green has kept sober for two 
 months. (Puts up paper.) I iiave had good luck in these 
 eases, and all that is left for i.ie to do is, '' work and wait." 
 I encountered a singular cliaracter last evening, one Cor- 
 nelius (Vlirien, or Con. O'Brien as they famiharly call him. 
 He is an original specimen of ati Irishman, and as yet I 
 have been able to make but httle impression upon him.— 
 In fact he is so full of fun that I can scarcely get him to 
 talk seriously upon the sul)ject of reform. I told him to 
 call here this evening and I would give him a job of work, 
 ami a few things for his family. I am in hopes by kindness 
 and perseverance to effect something even in ///.n- case. He 
 
4 NEVER WEARY IN WELL DOING. 
 
 seems to be a good-hearted man, but reckless and careless, 
 and little disposed to consider, seriously, the dangerous 
 life he is now leading; nevertheless lam not without hope 
 even in Ms case, and I shall continue, — (A loud knock with- 
 out.,) some one at the door. (Goes to the side and calls.) 
 Come in. {Enter Con. O'Brien.) Ah, Cornelius, I see 
 that you have kept your promise with me. (Both stand.) 
 
 Cox. Ye may well say that Misther Hilton ; you'll al- 
 ways find Con. O'Brien up to his agreements when he 
 don't forget 'um. 
 
 Hilton. I'm glad you came, Cornelius, for I have some- 
 thing important to say to you. 
 
 Con. Will yer honor plase to call me Con., if it's all 
 the same to yourself? 
 
 Hilton. Oh, certainly, if it suits you better. 
 
 Con. Yes, sir. 
 
 Hilton. Well, what I wished to say to you, Corne- 
 lius, — 
 
 Con. Con., if ye plase, sir. 
 
 Hilton. True, true ; well. Con., what I desired to say 
 to you very nearly concerns your happiness and usefulness. 
 
 Con. (Aside.) Oh, murther, what the devil's up now ? 
 
 Hilton. No man, Mr. O Brien, — 
 
 Con. ( Fakes off his hat quickly, and places it under his 
 arm.) Con., sir, if ye plase. 
 
 Hilton. No man. Con., pursuing the course of life that 
 you are, can be either useful or happy. You have a good 
 heart, Con., — 
 
 Con. (Looking pleased.) That's what all the gals say. 
 
 Hilton. You are a stout, able-bodied man, and com- 
 petent to support your family comfortably if you will but 
 try. 
 
NFVKR WKAin IN WF'.LL OOIXO. '' 
 
 Cox. Hut, Mr. Hilton, how can I i^upport my wife an<l 
 cliilclers when I can't got any work at all, at all V 
 
 IIiLTox. The reason why you do not get work is be- 
 cause your employers cannot depend upon you. Tiiey en- 
 gage you to work, and you fail to meet your engagements. 
 Now what is the cause of this loss of employment V 
 
 Cox. {Piilinifi f/ie empty flask from /ils jtoch t.) This lit- 
 tle chap. (S/nrf/iiuj f/ir holl/e.) 
 
 IIiLTox. True, Con., that is the cause. 
 
 Cox. (Aside.) Murther, how beautiful his breath 
 smells. 
 
 IIiLTox. Look at that insignificant bottle. Con., and 
 behold the cause of all your miseries and misfortune. 
 
 Cox. (Addressing himstlf to the hott/e.) Oh, you mis- 
 chievous little devil ye, get out of my sight intirely (T'ork- 
 
 efs it.) 
 
 IIiLTox. Would you carry about your person, Con., 
 an infernal machine, when you knew that you were con- 
 tinually in danger of being blown up V 
 
 Cox. In coorse I wouldn't, and faith I don't nred to, 
 for my ould woman does tin it for me complately. She's a 
 great blower, by my soul. 
 
 IIiLTOx. I don't agree with you. Con. I've called to 
 see Mrs. O'Brien sever-d times, and talked with her about 
 you, and my opinion is that she is a good, imlustrious 
 woman, and only wishes your reform ; and if you were to 
 leave off drinking you would have a hai)i)y home, and live 
 comfortably. 
 
 Con. You talk like a book, Mr. Hilton, but I'm think- 
 ing I'll never see that day. 
 
 Hilton. Nonsense, Con. ; if you have only a mind to 
 reform you can have all the necessaries of life, and a little 
 money to lay by, besides. I dare say now, that you have 
 nothing in your pocket at all. 
 
 Cox. Oh, yes, b\it I have though. 
 
NEVER WEARY IX WELL DOING. 
 
 Hilton. You have V 
 
 Con. Yes, sir; a big hole. 
 
 Hilton. I thought it was something about as valuable 
 as that. Now, Con., I propose to put a little change in 
 your pocket, providing you have a pocket that will hold 
 ch an g. 
 
 Con. {Pulling out the hnflle.) This pocket will hold 
 change, sir ; I don't trust this little joker in a pocket with 
 a hole in it, for fear he'll slip through. 
 
 Hilton. Now, Mr. O'Brien, I am about to make you a 
 proposition. What will you ask me for that bottle ? 1 
 wish to buy it. 
 
 Con. You're not going to take to drink, are ye, Mr. 
 Hilton ? 
 
 Hilton. Not exactly ; but nevertheless I will buy 
 your bottle. What will you take for it, Con. ? cash. 
 
 Con. Did yon say cash V 
 
 Hilton. Cash, Con., cash. 
 
 Con. (Twisting and turning the bottle, smelling it, and 
 heaving a long sigh.) Must I then leave thee. Paradise ? 
 
 Hilton. It has made your home anything but a Para- 
 dise. {Con. stands gazing intently upon the bottle.) Come 
 Con., why do you hesitate so long ? 
 
 Con. (Without looking at Hilton.) Wist, darling, Pm hold- 
 ing a conversation with a departed spirit. 
 
 Hilton. The less conversation you have with that 
 spirit, Con., the better it will be for you. 
 
 Con. (Solemnly and half crying hands the bottle.) There, 
 Mr. Hilton, the struggle's over; take it, and my heart 
 goes with it. 
 
 Hilton. Keep your heart. Con., for your wife and 
 children. Your heart is too noble to go after such a 
 worthless thing as this. I'll give you a dollar for this 
 bottle, Con. 
 
S'KVI.IC Wr,Ai{Y IN WI:LL D()IN(.. / 
 
 Con. a dollar? why, .sir, tluit wouM buy four of the; 
 likes of it. 
 
 IIii.ToN. 'I'hat is not all I'll do; yon may live to l)lt'S8 
 the day that yu sold nie that bottle ; it shall bring you 
 more than a dOUar let me tell you if you will cuter into an 
 Rgreenient with me. 
 
 Con. Well, Mr. Hilton, whafll I do V 
 
 Hilton. Solemnly promise me that you will .spend no 
 part of this dollar for either liquor or another bottle. 
 
 Cox. {Hi'sitid'uKj.) I'll promise. 
 
 Hii/ioN. And keep your promise ? 
 
 Con. On the honor of a true hearted Irishman. 
 
 Hilton. Then, Con., it is a bargain, and the bottle is 
 mine. 
 
 Con. Let me take leave of my old friend, {litnuls the 
 bottle to Con.) Good bye to you, my old companion ; 
 you've stuck to me many a long day, but now your s/nrit 
 is crushed and gone, and like .many another poor divil, 
 you've lost your character. (Kissc^ the bottle and returns 
 to Hilton.) Here, sir, take it, but treat it kindly for mi/ 
 Bake. 
 
 HiLioN. Now, Con., I sshall make au example of 3-our 
 enemy, ((rots to the side und throws it from the wiiidoic ; a 
 crash heard.) There, Con., so perish the evil spirit that 
 makes homes, desolate ; wives, widows; and children, or- 
 phans. 
 
 Con. Well, faith, Mr. Hilton, the little divil made some 
 noise in the world before he entirely went to pieces. 
 
 Hilton. Even so, Con. ; more than he'll ever make 
 again. 
 
 Con. Mr. Hilton, wouldn't it be respectful for me to 
 hold a wake over him, and drink once to his memory ? 
 
 Hilton. Not a drop ; let his memory perish with his 
 debtructiou. Now, Cou., listen. Promise me that you 
 
8 NEVER WEARY IN WELL DOING. 
 
 will not taste liquor for a month, and your wife and chil- 
 dren shall be clothed up, and you shall have work. 
 
 Con. Ah, Mr. Hilton, ye have such a persuasive ^ay 
 wid ye, that the devil, himself, would do as ye ^toldhim. 
 
 Hilton. Come, Con., you have done well so far, what 
 do you say now V 
 
 Con. (Feeliruj hi his pocket for the bottle.) I'll promise; 
 faith I'd promise ye anything you'd ask of me. 
 
 Hilton. (Observes Con. feeling in his pocket.) What is 
 the matter now, Con. ? 
 
 Con. Nothing, sir ; only as I made you a promise I was 
 going to kiss the book again. 
 
 Hilton. No matter for that ; your hook is destroyed, 
 and your promise is enough. Come to me to-morrow 
 morning, and you shall have work. 
 
 Con. Shall I, Mr. Hilton ? faith, I'll go home and tell 
 the ould woman what a streak of luck has run ag'n me. 
 (He goes one side preparing' to exit.) Mr. Hilton, I'll come 
 in the morning. 
 
 Hilton. Not a drop of liquor. 
 
 Con. The devil a taste. 
 
 Hilton. Mr. O'Brien, remember that you are a man. 
 
 Con. Faith, that I will, and an Irishman too, at that. 
 (Exit.) 
 
 Hilton. That man I believe can be .saved, and if he 
 can, it will be Avorth all the time and labor expended upon 
 him. (Sits.) Much of the soil we have to work upon is 
 rocky and unpromising, but occasional success gives hope. 
 I must prepare for to-morrow's labors, (Peruses paper 
 again.) still encouraged never to Weaky in Well Doing. 
 
 (Curtain.) 
 
C. ('. KOl^ERTS 
 
 DKALKi: IN .«rPri,IK8 Koll 
 
 LODGES OF GOOD TEMPLARS. 
 
 J? a Hot Hoxo?^, 15a Hots, O a vein, lilaialc 
 
 p iw. p <>•< i 1 i(> i\ IJooks. Receipts, 
 
 >^ <> 1 i 1 i c a t i o n s , Sc c . 
 
 Regalia Trimmings, Rosettes, &c. 
 I?i«ice *"><> Oents. 
 
 24 CONGRESS STREET, BOSTON. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 H 
 
 015 861 923 A 4 
 
 No. 1. *^He Couldn't Help It; or, Trapp'd at 
 Last. 20 Cents. 
 
 No. 2. " The Late Lamented ; or, Where's My 
 Second?" 20 Cents. 
 
 No. 3. "Never Weary in Well Doing." 15 
 
 Cents. 
 
 No. 1. " Don't Count Your Chickens Before 
 They're Hatched." 20 Cents. 
 
 No. 5. "Mu.Ai's THE Word; or. See P^yerything 
 and Say Nothing. 20 Cents. 
 
 OTilERS TO IP'OHiXjOVxT'. 
 TO BE HAD OF 
 
 CHARLES C. ROBERTS, PUBLISHER, 
 24 CONGRESS STllEET, HOSTON, MASS.