PS 3089 
 .T33 B6 
 Copy 1 
 
 s Older " DE \VITT*S *> Actingr Plays. 
 
 PRICE 15 CENTS. 
 
 DE WITT'S ACTING PLAYS. 
 
 (lVvinil>er 353.) 
 
 BORDER LAND. 
 
 An Original Draina, 
 
 BY 
 
 CHARLES TOWNSEND, 
 
 Author of ''Deception,'" "Oh Guard,'' '' Miss Madcap) " *' A 
 Wonderful Letter" " The Woodman,'' etc. 
 
 TOGETHER WITH 
 
 A Deaciiption of the Costumes— Catt of tlie Cliaracters— Entrances 
 
 and Exits— Relative Positions of tlie Performers on the 
 
 Stage— and tlie wiioie of I lie Stage Bnsiness. 
 
 Item fovh : 
 THE DE WITT PUBLISHING HOUSE 
 
 No. 33 Hose Street. 
 
 NOW 
 READT. 
 
 ( m^k COMPLETE DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF DE WIH'S ACTINO 
 J PLAYS, AND DE WITT'S ETHIOPIAN AND COMIC DRAMAS, containing 
 S Plots, Costnme, Scenery, Time of Representation, and every other inf orma- 
 ^ tion, mailed free anf 
 
DE WITT'S ACTING PLAYS -Continued. ^ 
 
 259, 
 192, 
 
 74, 
 
 53. 
 
 73. 
 
 30, 
 
 131, 
 
 276, 
 306, 
 
 277, 
 
 206 
 241 
 
 180 
 303 
 
 19 
 
 60 
 191 
 246 
 301 
 224 
 187, 
 174, 
 211, 
 
 64, 
 190, 
 197, 
 225, 
 252. 
 
 18, 
 116. 
 129. 
 159. 
 278. 
 282. 
 273. 
 243. 
 271. 
 244. 
 270. 
 274. 
 122. 
 177. 
 100. 
 299. 
 139. 
 
 17. 
 233. 
 309. 
 
 86. 
 137. 
 
 72. 
 144. 
 
 34. 
 189. 
 253. 
 
 119! 
 239. 
 
 48. 
 
 32. 
 164. 
 295. 
 105. 
 228. 
 
 M. F. 
 
 Fruits of the Wine Cup, drama, 3 cts 6 3 
 
 Game of Cards (A), comedietta, la., rf 1 
 
 Garrick Fever, farce, 1 act 7 4 
 
 Gettrude'B Money Box, farce, 1 act. 4 2 
 
 Golden Fetters (Fettered),drania, 3.11 4 
 Goose with the Golden Eggs, farce, 
 
 lact 5 3 
 
 Go to Putney, farce, 1 act 4 3 
 
 Good for Nothing, comic drama, la. 5 1 
 
 Great Succe.ss (A), comedy, 3 acts.. 8 6 
 Grimshaw, Bagshaw and Bradshaw, 
 
 farce, 1 act ^ 2 
 
 Heir Apparent (The), farce, 1 act... 5 1 
 
 Handy Andy, drama, 2 acts 10 3 
 
 Happy Pair, comedietta, 1 act 1 1 
 
 Hard Case (A), farce, 1 act 2 
 
 Henry Dunbar, drama, 4 acts 10 3 
 
 Henry the Fifth, hist, play, 5 acts.. 38 5 
 
 Her Only Fault, comedietta, 1 act. . 2 2 
 
 He's a Lunatic, farce. 1 act 3 2 
 
 Hidden Hand, drama, 4 acts 5 5 
 
 High C, comedietta, 1 act 3 3 
 
 High Life Below Stairs, farce,2 acts. 9 5 
 
 Hinko, romantic drama, 6 acts 12 7 
 
 His Last Legs, farce, 2 acts 5 3 
 
 His Own Enemy, farce, 1 act 5 1 
 
 Home, comedy. 3 acts 4 3 
 
 Honesty is the Best Policy, play, 1. 2 
 
 Household Fairy, sketch, 1 act 1 1 
 
 Hunting the Slippers, farce, 1 act.. 4 1 
 
 Hunchback (The), play, 5 acts 13 2 
 
 Ici on Parle Francais, farce, 1 act... 3 4 
 
 Idiot Witness, melodrama, 3 acts. . . 6 1 
 
 If I had a Thousand a Year, farce, 14 3 
 
 I'm not Mesilf at all, Irish stew, la. 3 2 
 
 In for a Holiday, farce, 1 act 2 3 
 
 In the Wrong House, farce, 1 act. . . 4 2 
 
 Irish Attorney (The), farce, 2 acts.. 8 2 
 
 Irish Broom Maker, farce, 1 act. ... 9 3 
 
 Irishman in London, farce, 1 acts. . 6 3 
 
 Irish Lion (The), farce, 1 act 8 3 
 
 Irish Post (The), drama, 1 act 9 3 
 
 Irish Tutor (The), farce, 1 act .5 2 
 
 Irish Tiger (The), farce, 1 act 5 1 
 
 Irish Widow (The), farce, 2 acts 7 1 
 
 Isabella Orsini, drama, 4 acts 11 4 
 
 I Shall Invite the Major, comedy, 14 1 
 
 Jack Long, drama, 2 acta 9 2 
 
 Joan of Arc, hist, play, 5 acts 26 6 
 
 Joy is Dangerous, comedy, 2 acts. . 3 3 
 
 Kind to a Fault, comedy, 2 acts 6 4 
 
 Kiss in the Dark (A), farce, 1 act.. ..23 
 
 Ladies' Battle (The), comedy, 3 acts 7 2 
 
 Lady of Lyons, play, 5 ar+s 12 5 
 
 L'Article 47, drama, 3 acts.. 11 5 
 
 Lame Excuse, farce, 1 act .4 2 
 
 Lancashire Lass, melodrama,4 acts. 12 3 
 
 Larkins' Love Letters, farce, 1 act.. 3 2 
 
 Leap Year, musical duality, 1 act... .1 1 
 
 Lend Me Five ShilliugB, farce, 1 act 5 3 
 
 ■'^ iar(The), comedy, 2 acts 7 2 
 
 Jlife Chase, drama, 5 acts 14 5 
 
 iLimerick Boy (The), ftwce, 1 act 5 2 
 
 Little Annie's Birthdaiy, farce, 1 act..2 4 
 
 Little Rebel, farce, 1 act 4 3 
 
 Little Ruby, drama, 3^ acts 6 6 
 
 Little Eni'ly, drama, 4 acts 8 8 
 
 Living Statue (The), f»ce, 1 act 3 2 
 
 Loan of a Lover (The), vaudeville,!. 4 1 
 
 109. Locked in, comedietta, 1 act 2 
 
 85. Locked in with a Lady, sketch 1 
 
 87. Locked Out, comic scene 1 
 
 143. Lodgers and Dodgers, farce, 1 act.. 4 
 212. Loudon Assurance comedy, 5 acts. 10 
 
 291. M. P., comedy, 4 acts 7 
 
 210.' Mabel's Manoeuvre, interlude, 1 act 1 
 
 1C3. Marcoretti, drama, 3 acts 10 
 
 154. Maria and JIagdaleua, play, 4 acts.. 8 
 63. Marriage at any Price, farce, 1 act. . 5 
 
 249. Marriage a Lottery, comedy, 2 acts. 3 
 208. Married Bachelors, comedietta, la.. 3 
 
 39. Master Jones' Birthday, faice, 1 act 4 
 
 7. Maud's Peril, drama, 4 acts 6 
 
 49. Midnight Watch, drama, 1 act 8 
 
 15. Milky White, drama, 2 acts 4 
 
 46. Miriam's Crime, drama, 3 acts 5 
 
 61. Model of a Wife, farce, 1 act 3 
 
 302. Model Pair (A), comedy, 1 act 2 
 
 184. Mcmey, comedy, 5 acts 17 
 
 250. More Blunders than One, farce, la. 4 
 312. More Sinned against than Sinning, 
 
 original Irish drama, 4 acts II 
 
 234. Morning Call (A), comedietta, 1 act. 1 
 
 108. Mr. Scroggins, farce, 1 act 3 
 
 188. Mr. X., farce, 1 act. 3 
 
 169. My Uncle's Suit, farce, 1 act 4 
 
 216. My Neighbor's Wife, farce, ] act 3 
 
 236, My Turn Next, farce, 1 act 4 
 
 193. My Walking Photograph, musical 
 
 duality, 1 act. 1 
 
 267. My Wife's Bonnet, farce, 1 act 3 
 
 130. My Wife's Diary, farce, 1 act 3 
 
 92. My Wife's Out, farce, 1 act 2 
 
 218. Naval Engagements, farce, 2 acts. . . 4 
 140. Never Reckon your Chickens, etc., 
 
 farce. 1 act 3 
 
 115. New Men and Old Acres, comedy, 3 8 
 
 2. Nobody's Child, drama, 3 acts 18 
 
 57. Noemie, drama, 2 acts 4 
 
 104. No Name, drama, 5 acts 7 
 
 112. Not a bit Jealous, farce, 1 act 3 
 
 298. Not if I Know it, farce, 1 act 4 
 
 185. Not so bad as we Seem, play, 5 acts. 13 
 84. Not Guilty, di*ama, 4 acts 10 
 
 117. Not such a Fool as he Looks, drama, 
 3 acts 5 
 
 171. Nothing like Paste, farce, 1 act — 3 
 14. No Thoroughfare, drama, 5 acts. . . .13 
 
 300. Notre Dame, drama, 3 acts 11 
 
 269. Object of Interest (An), farce, 1 act. 4 
 
 268. Obstinate Family (The), farce, 1 act. 3 
 
 173. Off the Stage, comedietta, 1 act 3 
 
 227. Omnibus (The), farce, 1 act 6 
 
 176. On Bread and Water, farce, 1 act... 1 
 254. One Too Many, farce. 1 act 4 
 
 33. One Too Many for Him, farce, 1 act 2 
 
 3. £100,000, comedy, 3 acts 8 
 
 90. Only a Halfpenny, farce, 1 act 2 
 
 170. Only Somebody, farce, 1 act 4 
 
 289. On the Jury, drama, 4 acts 5 
 
 97. Orange Blossoms, comedietta, 1 act 3 
 
 66. Orange Girl, drama. 4 acts 18 
 
 209. Othello, tragedy, 5 acts 16 
 
 172. Ours, comedy, 3 acts 6 
 
 94. Our Clerks, farce, 1 act 7 
 
 45. Our Domestics, comedy- farce, 2 acts 6 
 
 155. Our Heroes, military play, 5 acts. ..24 
 178. Out at Sea, drama, 5 acts 17 
 
BORDP]R LAND. 
 
 ^n a^rigiual gruma, 
 
 IN THREE ACTS 
 
 By CHARLES TCWNSEISrD, 
 
 Author of " Deception,^'' '^'■On Guard,^^ '^ Miss Madcap, ^'> "^ Wonderful Letter,''^ 
 " The Woodman,'''' etc. 
 
 AS ORIGINALLY PERFORMED UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE AUTHOR. 
 
 / 
 
 TOQETHEB WIIU 
 
 A DESCRIPTION OP THE COSTUMES— CAST OP THE CHARACTERS — EN- 
 TRANCES AND EXITS — RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE PERFORM- 
 ERS ON THE STAGE, AND THE WHOLE OP THE STAGK 
 BUSINESS. 
 
 ,^^RYOF( 
 
 
 NEW YORK: ^*N^0* ^ / 
 
 THE DE WITT PUBLISHING HOUSE/ 
 
 No. 33 Rose Street. 
 
 Copyright, 1889. by R. H. RussEii & Son. 
 
BOEDER LAND. 
 
 CHARACTEES. 
 
 v^^f^*- 
 
 Jack Ralston, a gnide and scont. 
 
 Joe Dempsey, alias Baron Hereford, alias 
 
 "OklBeii." 
 Hon. Patrick McFadm^e, a New York 
 
 politiciau. 
 Mk. Lester, a banker. 
 Cyrus, his servant. 
 
 Kidder, Dempsey 's pal. 
 Charley, a young " terror." 
 ]\Iary Lester, a New York belle 
 Polly, ber sister. 
 Miss Spriggins. 
 Winona, an ludiau girl. 
 
 TIME— The present day. 
 An interval of six months is supposed to occur between the first and second acta, 
 and of twelve hours between the second and third acts. 
 
 TIME OF PLAYING— TWO HOURS. 
 
 SCENERY. 
 
 Act I. — Elegantly fHmished drawing-room iu Lester's house in the city of New 
 York. Easy chairs r. and L. ; elegant table L. v. E., with books, etc. 
 
 Act II. — Plain i-oom in ]Ralston's ranch in Arizona. Common chairs r. and L.; 
 rough table b. c. front; door in flat c. 
 
 Act III. — Woodland in 4th grooves. Rocks l. u. e. 
 
 COSTUMES. 
 
 Ralston.— Act 1, Black cutaway suit, derby hat, long hair to fall over shoulders. 
 
 Act 2, Full buckskin suit, wide-brim white hat, rifle, revolver, knife. Act 3, 
 
 Same as Act 2. 
 Dempsey.— Act 1, Black Prince Albert suit, patent-leather shoes, gloves. Act 2, Rusty 
 
 black suit, slouch hat, full beard, spectacles. Act 3, No coat, vest, nor sus- 
 penders, woolen shirt, belt, slouch hat, boots, knife, and revolver with blank 
 
 cartridge. 
 McFaddle, a "sporting " politician. — Act 1, Prince Albert coat, "loud " trousers, 
 
 silk hat, high collar, large cuffs, cane, cigar in mouth. Act 2, Shabby suit, 
 
 battered hat; last entrance, black eye, collar open, coat off. Act 3, Same as 
 
 Act 2; carries gun. 
 IjESter. — Act 1, Business suit, gray hair, mustache. Act 2, Light suit, black soft 
 
 hat, boots or leggins, riding whip, gloves. 
 Cyrus. — Act 1, Neat black suit, white tie, gloves, etc. Act 2, Light suit; last entrance, 
 
 collar open, coat off, bloody handkerchief, etc. Act 3, Same as Act 2; carries 
 
 gnu and very large revolver. 
 Kidder. — Act 2, Woolen shirt, rough trouserSj high boots, slouch hat, knife and 
 
 pistol. Act 3, Same as Act 2. 
 Charlie — Act 1, Knee pants, short jacket. Acts 2 and 3, Light suit, long trousers. 
 Mary. — Act 1, Elegant house dress. Acts 2 and 3, Riding habit, wide-brim straw 
 
 hat, shawl, gloves. 
 
BORDER LAND. 6 
 
 Polly. — Act 1, Short skirts, hair loose, like young girl. Act 2, Light dresB, straw 
 bat. Act .3, Same, with light cloak. 
 
 Miss Spkiggins.— Made up extravagautly girlish, paint on face very conspicuous. 
 Cohtuiiie affected and girlish throughout. 
 
 Winona.— Acts 2 and 3, Indian girl's costume, short skirts, leggins, beads, mocca- 
 sins, fancy bracelets, knife at girdle. 
 
 PROPERTIES. 
 
 Act I.— Cane forMcFADDLE; folded paper for Lester; revolver for Ralston; 
 sho)-t dagger for Dempsey. 
 
 Act II.— liandsome dagger in sheath for Winona; long rope and very small dog 
 for McFaddle; lariat, riding gloves, and whips tor Lester and Mary; rifle lor 
 Ralston. 
 
 Act III. —Four revolvers, one loaded with blank cartridge, for Dempsey; three 
 rifles, two large bowie knives. 
 
 SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAY. 
 
 Act I. is at the residence of Mr. Lester, a wealthy New York banker. McFad- 
 dle, a ward politician, has introduced a bill in the Legislature to reduce the rate 
 of interest, and now ofl:ers his services to Lester to kill the bill. Lester indig- 
 nantly refuses, and McFadden leaves, breathing vengeance. Jack Ralston, a guide 
 and scout, lias just arrived from Arizona, bringing a report from a silver mine in 
 which Leestr is interested. He tells of his trip, and gives a modest account of his 
 adventures in New Yoik. Charlie and Polly, Mr. Lester's young hopefuls, now 
 appear, and have an uproariously funny scene with Miss SpRiGGiNS, an " old maid " 
 governess, who is very anxious to marry. This is followed by a scene between Joe 
 Dempsey, a brilliant, polished scoundrel, and Mary Lester, the banker's eUle'st 
 daughter. Dempsey wishes to secure Mary's f(n-tune, and accordingly makes love 
 to her, with every prospect of success. During a soliloquy by Dempsey we learn 
 that he is, in reality, an outlaw, who has secured his present social position through 
 forged letters of introduction. He exits, chuckling over his good fortune, as Lester 
 and Ralston enter. In a speech of marked pathos Ralston tells how his brother 
 was murdered by Dempsey. Mary enters, and a richly humorous scene takes place 
 between her and the bashful scout. They exit, and while Dempsey is congratulating 
 himself on his success Ralston enters. The recognition is imitual. Dempsey is 
 exposed.Mhe act ending with a startling tableau. 
 
 Act II. is at Ralston's ranch in Arizona. Mr. Lester has brought his family 
 west on a pleasure trip. Polly and Charlie are in their glory, and make things 
 exceedingly lively for Miss Spriggins and McFaddle. Lester has given employ- 
 ment to "Old Ben," an alleged cripple, who is really Dempsey in disguise. An 
 irresistably comical love scene between Miss Spriggins and McFadden is followed 
 by a neat and effective interview between Mary and Ralston, in which the latter 
 successfully pleads his cause. " Old Ben " now appears with a message from the 
 mines, requiring Mr. Lestkr and Ralston to go there at once. No sooner are they 
 gone than Dempsey throws off his disguise and calls in Kiddi r, one of his gang, to 
 assist him in liis scheme of securing Mary, and holding her for a heavy ransom. 
 TLe plot is overheard by Winona, an Indian girl, who hastens to inform Ralston. 
 The action of the play now becomes rapid and exciting, though free from all taint 
 of '' border ruflian " or '* dime novel " business. Ralston throws a blanket over a 
 
4 BORDER LAND. 
 
 a chair, puts on Marx's shawl aud broad-brimmed hat, and is pounced upon by 
 Dempsky aud Kiddek. Others enter, Dempsey escapes, but Kidder is captured. 
 Ralston leaves his captive with McFaddle aud Cyrus, aud rides ou to overtake 
 Lester. Mary, meau while, has gone for a ride, Kidder escapes fi-oui his guards, 
 which makes an immensely funny scene. Ralston and Lester return only to learn 
 from Winona that Dempsey has triumphed at last, and Mary has fallen into his 
 clutches. 
 
 Act III. is in the mountains. Dempsey. Kidder, and Mary enter. The former 
 announces that he must have rest as he is worn out. Kidder, left alone, considers 
 that things look rather squally, and resolves to cut loose from Dempsey. McFad- 
 dle and CYRUS, who are helping to trace Dempsey, now appear, and their alternate 
 scenes of fear and bluster are highly amusing. Ralston now appears, followed soon 
 after by Winona. Some one is heard approaching, and they conceal themselves. 
 Dempsey enters, calling for Kidder, and is covered by Ralston's revolver. His 
 cunning does not desert him, however, for he points behind Ralston, crying, 
 "There is Mary 1 " Ralston turns, and like a flash Dempsey draws his revolver and 
 fires. Winona, who has seen the motion, springs in trout of Ralston, receives the 
 shot, and falls in his arms Dempsey is about to fire again wheu Kidder wrenches 
 the pistol from him, aud exits. Winona has a very pathetic death scene, aud as 
 Ralston bends over her, Dempsey draws his knife, steps behind him, aud is on the 
 point of stabbiug him when Ralston turns instinctively, grasps his wrist, aud hurls 
 him off. He then draws his own knife, and a thrilling duel is fought, ending with 
 the death of Dempsey. The play ends with Mary in the arms of Ralston as the 
 curtain descends. 
 
 SYNOPSIS OF EVENTS 
 
 FOR BILLS AND HOUSE PROGRAMMES. 
 
 Act I.— Mr. Lester's House in New York.— The "honest" politician— Rals- 
 tou^'s arrival— His adventures— Opinion of New York— Polly and Charlie— " Recite 
 your lessons"— The proposal— False colors— The story of a murder— The bashful 
 scout—" Her fortune is mine !"— Face to face— The exposure— "Dempsey the rene- 
 gade!" 
 
 Act II.— Ralston's Ranch in Arizona.— A pleasant trip— "Those dreadful chil- 
 dren!"— McFaddle and his dog— An astonished Irishman- "Snakes "— Two brave 
 men— The Indian girl— A modest lover— "Old Ben" aud Kidder— Plotting— A sur- 
 prise party— KiUler escapes— Dempsey's triumph. 
 
 Act III.— In the Mountains —Mary a captive— Dempsey's threat— McFaddle aud 
 Cyrus— The "babes in the wood "—On the trail— " Time's up, Joe Dempsey"— 
 Death of Wiuoua— Kidder on hand— Man to man— The duel— Saved I 
 
 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 in the Flat, or Scene running across the 
 back of the Stage; CDF. 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. 
 
 J8^ The reader is supposed to be upon the stage facing the audience. 
 
 ll'^fS^/S 
 
BORDER LAND. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE. — Elegantly furnisheAl dratclug-room in 4:(h grooves. 
 
 McFaddle {heard offc). All rignt; tell him I'm here, ye blackguard! 
 Tell him I'm here, an' be lively now! 
 
 Enter McFaddle, c. d. 
 
 Mc;F. (r. front). Dom a naygur, anyhow! The idea av me — me, the 
 Hon. Patrick McFaddle, av the Noo York Legislature, bein' obliged to 
 tell nie business to a naygur! A naygur ! mmd that. Faith, an' av I 
 hed to hire naygurs to work for me, I'd get me Chinazers, that I would ! 
 
 Enter Mr. Lesteu, l. u. e. 
 
 Lester. Good morning, sir. What may I have the pleasure of doing 
 for you, Mr. — Mr. 
 
 McF. The Hon. Patrick McFaddle, sor, mimber of the Noo York 
 Legislature, sor. 
 
 Lester (r>.). "Well, sir? 
 
 McF. Well, sor! Ye air doubtless aware that I, meself, sor, hev in- 
 trodued a bill afore the Assimbly to reduce the rate av lagel interest to 
 five per cent., sor. 
 
 Lester. Well, sir ? 
 
 McF. Will, sor ! Ahem ! As ye air a banker, sor, I tho't I'd call on 
 ye, sor, to see av it would be to your interest to hev vij/ interest for your 
 interest to kape up the rate of interest by killing me own bill. 
 
 Lester. That is interesting. 
 
 McF. Yer roight, sor, yer roight. Now, w^hat d' ye say? I'm aisy to 
 deal wid, sor. Yis, sor. 
 
 Lester. I say that it will be to your interest to get out of my house 
 at once! 
 
 McF. (puffing cigar). The divil ye do! D'ye mane what ye say, eh? 
 D'ye know who yer talkin' to, sor ? 
 
 Lester. Of course I do, you contemptible shyster! It is men like 
 you who have made our State government the laughing stock of Amer- 
 ica. Go sell yourself, if you choose.' But I will not buy you. (c/-05.ve.9 r.) 
 
 McF. (l.). Ye won't, eh ? Well, ye ould duffer, Til bust yer business 
 
 fer ye. I'll — Wah! — I'll make wan per cint lagel interest, an' I'll — I'll 
 
 Whoop!— I'll make usury punished by killin', so I will, an' V\\— {backing 
 
6 BORDER LAND. 
 
 towards c. d.) I'll — {hacks against Cyrus, who enters c. d.) What d'ye 
 run agin me fer, ye blamed orang-outang ? 
 
 Cyrus. What' fo' yo' run inter me fo', yo' mis'ble no 'count Irish ? 
 Don' yo' know a gen'lemun when yo' see one ? Huh ! 
 
 McF. Ah, coal-tar! Av we was outside I'd knock the brains out av yer 
 impty head, so I w^ould. [Exit, c. d. 
 
 Cyrus {at c. d.). Yah! j^a-h! Irish ! 
 
 Lester. Well, Cy, what do you want ? 
 
 Cyrus. I 'clare to gracious, Mr. Lester, I'se done fergot. Dat ar' 
 Irish jes joggled my brains all up. An' — an' I'se presactly fergot to re- 
 member — ()h, now I has it! Dar's a man down sta'rs es wants ter see 
 yo'. Ses he's from Harrison-you-know! 
 
 Lester. From where? 
 
 Cyrus. From Harrison-you-know, an' he w'ars long ha'r down his 
 back, an' — an' he ses it's erbout er mine, an' 
 
 LiiSTER. Oh, you mean that he is from Arizona. 
 
 Cyrus. Presactly! Dat's him. An' he's got orful sharp ej'^es, an' — 
 an' 
 
 Lester. Very well. Show him up. {exit Cyrus, c. d.) Perhaps they 
 have struck ore in that silver mine at last. I had given it up as a bad 
 investment. 
 
 Enter Cyrus, c. d., followed hij Ralston. 
 
 Cyrus. Mr. John Ralston ! 
 
 Ralston. No 'tain't; it's J.tck Ralston ! [Exit Cyrus, c. d. 
 
 Lester {shaking hands). Glad to see you, Mr. Ralston. From Arizo- 
 na, eh ? 
 
 Ralston (c). Yes, an' I wish I war back thar ag'in. 
 
 Lester {seated r.). Why so ? 
 
 Ralston {seated c). 'Cause this yer great big town makes my head 
 whirl. What with the lamity slam of them ar' steam ingines a haulin' 
 cars over yer head, an' ther slamity lam of the hoss cars, an' ther ever- 
 lastin' pretty gals, an' these here store clothes wot I ain't used to, an' 
 ther miles an' miles of wagons, an' people rushin' around as ef they'd 
 jest ketched a lot of hoss thieves — whoo! — it's awful. 
 
 Lester. You had no trouble, I hope ? 
 
 Ralston. Not a powerful lot. I met one chap who seemed tremenjus 
 glad to see me, but when I told my name he 'lowed he war mistook an' 
 left. Then another chap came along an' says, "Hello, Jack! How's 
 things in Arizona?'* I reckoned he must be one of them bunco men 
 what I'd read about, so I took him sorter gentle by the collar. "The 
 grass is greener nor the men," says I; then I shook him some an' butted 
 his head ag'in my fist a little. 
 
 Lester. What then ? 
 
 Ralston. That's all. He went away tryin' to cough up some teeth out 
 of his throat, an' I came here. 
 
 Lester. Bravo ! If all strangers were like you, bunco men, like 
 Othello, would find their occupation gone. 
 
 Ralston. So Mr. Othello has give up business? 
 
 Lester. Er— yes— he is dead. But what bring you here ? 
 
 Ralston. Well, sir, they've struck it rich at the mines, an' they wanted 
 me to come on with the report. Not that I know anything about mines, 
 which I don't, being as I'm a plains-man. But, you see, the country is 
 full of troublesome Indians, an' 'tain't everybody as knows how to dodge 
 'em. 
 
 Lester. And you? 
 
BORDER LAND. / 
 
 Ralston. Wal, it war a long ride, an' I had a bit of a scrimmage or 
 two — had to let daylight through half a dozen, may be ; but 'twan't any- 
 thing serious. 
 
 Lksteii (aside). Bless me ! Kills half a dozen Indians, and thinks it 
 nothing serious ! 
 
 Ralston. Would you like to look at the report ? 
 
 Lester. There is no particular hurry. 
 
 Etiter Polly aiid Charlie, c. d. 
 
 Polly. Hello, pop ! Come along, Charlie. 
 
 Li:sTER. Now then, what have you children been up to? 
 
 Pol. (l. froid). Children ? Well, I never ! 
 
 Ciiarlip: (l. froni). Children ? Oh, come now, I say 
 
 Lester (i;.).*This is my daughter Polly, Mr. Ralston. 
 
 Ralston (r.). Call me Jack, please; I'm not used to bein' "mistered." 
 
 Pol. {to Charlie). Isn't he sweet? 
 
 Char. He's a chump. 
 
 Pol. Well, he's a man, anyhow. 
 
 Char. A man ! And what am I ? 
 
 Pol. Nothing. 
 
 Char. Yah ! 
 ' Pol. Bah ! [thet/ go np l. quarrellinr/.) 
 
 Leste[i. If you choose, we will step into the library and look over the 
 report. 
 
 Ralston. All right, sir. [Exit with Lester, r. u. e. 
 
 Char. (c). Where's the old dragoness ? 
 
 Pol. {().). Who — Miss Spriggins ? 
 
 Char. Yep. 
 
 Pol. She's locked up ! 
 
 Char. Jugged, eh? (Polly vods) You did it? 
 
 Pol. Cert. The idea of young ladies and gents like us having such 
 an Egyptian mummy for a governess ! Mean old thing ! I locked her 
 up in her own room. 
 
 Char. Hooray ! Now we'll have a circus. 
 
 Enter Miss Si'RIGGIns, c. d. to c. 
 
 Miss S. I'll "circus" you ! Oh, you bad, mean, wicked, horrid, awful, 
 terrible, shameful, naughty, dreadful children ! How dare you lock me 
 me up ? What shall I do with you ? Say ? 
 
 Char. (r.). Give us you a blessing. 
 
 Pol. (l.). Tell us a love stoiy. 
 
 Miss S. (o.). Silence ! 
 
 Char. Turn a handspring. 
 
 Pol. Dance a jig. 
 
 Miss S. Silence! both of you. Sit down, {they sit) Yqm shall recite 
 your lessons right here. What is legal interest ? 
 
 Pol. All you can get., 
 
 Miss S. What are taxes ? 
 
 Char. Something you swear out of paying. 
 
 Miss S. What is the leading American industry ? 
 
 Pol. Politics. 
 
 Char. Boodle. 
 
 Miss S. I won't have such answers. What is the chief product of the 
 Southern States ? 
 
8 BORDER LAND. 
 
 Pol. Democrats. 
 
 Chak. Niggers. 
 
 Miss S. Now, sir, how many are five times eight ? 
 
 Char. Five times eight are — {looks at Polly.) 
 
 Pol. {Joud, half whisper). Nineteen ! 
 
 Char, {rapidly). Nineteen. 
 
 Mrss S. No. 
 
 Char, {to Polly). Fll thump you. {aloud) Fourteen. 
 
 Miss S. No. 
 
 Char. What's the question? 
 
 Miss S. How many are live times eight ? 
 
 Char, {rapidbj). Twenty. 
 
 Miss S. {rapidly). No. 
 
 Char. Tliirty. 
 
 Miss S. No. 
 
 Char. Forty. 
 
 Miss S. Yes. 
 
 Char. Fifty. 
 
 Miss S. No, no ! 
 
 Char, and Pol. {together). You said yes. {rise and dance around 
 stage,) 
 
 Miss S. Come back and sit down this minute ! 
 
 Char, and Pol. {together). Shan't ! shan't ! shan't ! 
 
 [Lock arms and exit, skippnng, c. d. 
 
 Miss S. {c.). Ah, me ! Was there ever a poor, young, innocent, tender 
 soul tried like mine ? Are all my gay, girlish spii'its to be forever crushed 
 down by these reprobates ? Ah, me ! In a few years I shall be an old 
 maid in spite of myself, unless I meet my heart's true love, who will lead 
 me to the altar, a sweet young bride, (savagely) I'll get a husband one 
 of these days, or I'll know the reason why. [Exit, r. I e. 
 
 Enter Dempsey aiid "^amy, l. u. e. 
 
 Mary {coming down to r.). And so, Baron, you really do like America? 
 
 Dempsey {stands heJtind Mart, ivho sits ii. fro// 1). Yes indeed. Your 
 people are so charming — so natural — so free from all atfectation. And 
 yom^ energy and enterprise are simply bewildering to an easy-going 
 European like me. 
 
 Mary. Yet socially, I suppose, in your eyes we are mere barbarians ? 
 
 Demp. In my eyes. Miss Lester, you are nothing of the sort. No court 
 m Europe can show more culture and refinement than I have seen in 
 America. Your men, with their sturdy independence, your lovely wo- 
 nnnen, with their beautiful faces and charming manners, form a social 
 laristocracy wbidi the choicest circles of the old world might vainly hope 
 to equal. 
 
 Mary. Ah, Baron, you overpraise us, I fear. 
 
 Pemp. {si/s beside her). I speak from .he heart, Miss Lester; and 
 ccKnGd my heart be false to one whose good will I cherish above all else 
 on -earth ? Miss Lester — Mary — may I call you by that name, the sweet- 
 est 'ever borne by woman ? 
 
 Maky. If — if you prefer. 
 
 Demp. Then hear me. I have known you but a short time, yet in that 
 tim<e you have won my heart. Do not cast it aside. I cannot plead 
 with a handsome face nor wily tongue ; but I can give you the love of 
 an honest heart, wealth, rank,"^ and title.. 
 
 Mary {aside). A baroness F 
 
BORDER LAND. 9 
 
 Demp. I will not paint the grandeur of my ancestral home, nor tell of 
 the honors and glories that await you. Let me speak for myself alone. 
 Silent, Mary ? Do my words tind no echo in your heart ? 
 
 Mauy. I— I cannot tell you, Baron. I do not know my own mind. 
 You have honored me greatly— have made me a dazzlmg offer, and yet 
 — I cannot telL 
 
 Demp. Think it over— consider it well; but remember that the happi- 
 ness of a proud, honored name is in your hands— that my future is yours, 
 to make or mar, as you will. 
 
 Mary (c). Ah, Baron, you know how to reach the heart of woman, 
 with all her pride and vanity. 
 
 Demp. You flatter me. {exit Mary, l. 1 e.) Victory ! I'm in for a cool 
 million ! '' Was ever won\an in this humor wooed ? " Shades of Shake- 
 speare ! I believe I would make a very decent stage villain. (.s^Yv k.) How 
 the little fool swallowed my pretty speeches ! Baron Hereford ! That's 
 good. How my old gang in Arizona would howl to see me in these 
 togs- Yet I was born a gentleman, educated as a gentleman, and went 
 to the devil— like a gentleman. I have been a soldier, deserter, cow- 
 boy, miner, and road-agent. To-day, thanks to some cleverly forged 
 letters of introduction, I pose as a man of rank, a rich baron, with a 
 splendid castle (in the air), and a dead sure thing of winning a wife with 
 a million as a dowry. You are in luck, Joe Dempsey— beg your pardon 
 —Baron Hereford ! Ha, ha, ha ! {Exit, laughing, l. 1 e. 
 
 Eiit^v Lester and Ralston, r. u. e. to c. 
 
 Lester. That is a good showing, Ralston, and we owe everything to 
 you. If you had not risked your money to keep the mine going, we 
 should never have reached pay ore. ^ . 
 
 Ralston. I did it on my brother's account. He had an uiterest m the 
 mine, you know. An' when the money what you sent on were stolen 
 by Dempsey's gang, he says to me, "Jack, thar's money m that yere 
 mine. You've saved up some rocks, an' ef you want ter chip m an keep 
 'er goin', we'll strike it rich some day." An' so we did, but my brother, 
 poor chap, never lived to see it. {xits r. of table, l.) 
 
 Lester. He died, then ? {^its r.) , , ., u *u 
 
 Ralston. Died? He was murdered and robbed— shot through the 
 back by that whelp of a Dempsey. They brought him into camp, and 
 all the livelong night he lay on my arm gaspin' for breath, while the lite 
 blood ebbed awav, an' his great honest heart beat fainter an fainter. 
 Along to'rds mofnin' he opened his eyes an' pressed my hand a little. 
 '' I'm goin', Jack," says he. "I hate to leave you, old fellow, but my 
 time's up. Remember who killed me, an'— an'— take care of— mother. 
 Then the light died out of his eyes, an' to look at him, you'd a thought 
 he was asleep. 
 
 Lester. But what became of Dempsey ? 
 
 Ralston. Oh, the boys chased him clear across Arizona, but^he man- 
 aged to give 'em the slip. I'll meet him though, some day, an when 1 
 do, by the living God, thar'll be a new devil in purgatory ! {^rises and 
 comes doirn l.) , , i i i 
 
 Lester (r. c). I wish you could meet him right here, the scoundrel ! 
 
 Enter Mary, c. d. 
 
 Mary (c). Meet whom, papa ? 
 
 Lester (r.). The " old boy," I believe. Let me present him. 
 
10 BORDER LAND. 
 
 Mary (dow)) c). Eb? 
 
 Lesteu. e1i ! Oh, I beg pardon. I mean, let me introduce my friend 
 Mr. Ralston — my daughter. Miss Lester. 
 
 Mary (l. c, shakes luinds with Ralston). The famous guide and 
 scout. I have often read about you, sir. 
 
 Ralston (awktcardltj). 'Bout me, miss? Whj% I never done anything 
 worth readin'. 
 
 Mary. Your coolness and bravery in times of danger — ^jour wonderful 
 battles and thrilling adventures— they really make me think of the 
 knights of old. 
 
 Ralston. Wal — er — I've sorter thought it were all night with me 
 sometimes. But it weren't anything — I know — that is — er — you know — 
 (confused) I — you see — {aside) What a reg'lar lop-sided fool I'm makin' 
 of myself I 
 
 Lester {smilinr/). You are too modest, Jack. Excuse me for a few 
 minutes, {uoing r.) Mary will be delighted to hear you tell some of your 
 many adventures. 
 
 Ralston {d'tains him. Mary <joes mt l.). Oh come, I say, you ain't 
 goin' to leave me alone with her ? 
 
 Lester (h.). And why not ? 
 
 Ralston. 'Cause I'm scared to stay. 
 
 Lester. Afraid, eh ? And I thought you plucky. 
 
 Ralston. I'm plucky enough when it comes to tightin' Indians or cata- 
 mounts, or the devil himself. But to be left alone with such rosy cheeks 
 an' sparklin' eyes — Oh Lord ! 
 
 Lester. Nonsense ! She won't hurt you. 
 
 Ralston. I know that, but she'll scar' me to death. 
 
 Lester. Ha, ha, ha! I'll risk it. [Exil, r. u. e. 
 
 Mary {[..front). Now, Mr. Ralston, I'm listening. 
 
 Ralston (ij.). Yes — mum. 
 
 Marv. Won't you sit down ? 
 
 Ralston (v/'/.v r. c). Yes — mum. 
 
 Mary. Well? 
 
 Ralston {after a pause). Er — yes — pretty well. 
 
 Mary. I am afraid you find it rather dull here, after your exciting life 
 in the West ? 
 
 Ralston {pause). Yes, mum — er — no, mum. I don't know. 
 
 Mary. Life on the plains must be very romantic. 
 
 Ralston, No, mum, but it makes you powerful hungry. An' then it's 
 sorter — a sorter — {looks straight ahead.) 
 
 Mary. As you were saying 
 
 Ralston {pause). Yes, mum — exactly — that's what I said. 
 
 Mary. I suppose the Indians are very bloodthirsty ? 
 
 Ralston. Sorter; but they like whiskey better. 
 
 AIary. You have had many narrow escapes, no doubt? 
 
 Ralston. Why, yes, miss — I've had to scramble purty lively some- 
 times, when they've been arter my ha'r. 
 
 Mary, What did they want with your hair ? 
 
 Ralston. Why, miss, to show that they'd cooked my goose — er — that 
 is— salted my bacon — that is to say^-snuffed me out — er— you know— 
 I mean — {asid^^) Whoo ! Good Lord, what do I mean ? {aloud) Yes, miss, 
 you see, that's it. 
 
 Mary. Exactly, (aside) Poor fellow, what does he mean ? 
 
 Ralston {quickly). I think your father wants to see me. miss; so, if 
 you don't mind, I'll just go in "thar, [Kcil, r. 1 e. 
 
 Mary (laiif/Iiing). Here is a curiosity; a really modest man. He 
 hardly looked at me once, poor fellow. He is a gentleman at heart. 
 
BOEDER LAND. 11 
 
 Enter Polly, quickly, c. d. 
 
 Pol. (c). Yes; and isn't he good looking? 
 
 Mary (u.). Who? 
 
 Pol. Who indeed? Why, your modest gentleman. I think he's a 
 regular stunner. 
 
 Mary. Polly Lester ! Where did you learn to speak in that dreadful 
 manner ? 
 
 Por,. Dreadful ? Why, I'm sure I talk plain enough. 
 
 Mary. No ladv ever uses slang. 
 
 Pol. {sits on table snunging fee'). Vm not a lady; I'm only a "horri- 
 ble child." Old Spriggins says so, anyhow. 
 
 Mary. "Old Spriggins"! For shame, Polly! What would people 
 think to hear you talk like that ? 
 
 Pol. People ? Do you mean the baron ? What do I care for him ? I 
 bet you he's a fraud. And as for Jack, he thinks I'm a brick ! 
 
 Mary. Polly! 
 
 Pol. I don't care; it's so. {comes to Mary at c.) But there, sis, don't 
 worry. I'll take a tumble, and I'll cheese my racket, and I'll gush to 
 gurgle if I sling any more slang. So, tra-la-la. {at c. d.) I'm going to 
 brace right up. [Exit, c. d, 
 
 Mary. Here comes the baron. Oh dear, I don't believe I want to 
 marry him, title or no title. [E.vit, r. 1 e. 
 
 Enter Lester and Dempsey, l. u. e. 
 
 Lester. And you think my daughter loves you ? 
 
 Demp. (c). I flatter myself that she does. True, I have not the an-y 
 grace nor the flattering tongue that some possess; but I love your 
 daughter more than life, and my greatest happiness will be in minister- 
 ing to hers. I can give her wealth, rank, a title 
 
 Lester. Excuse me, Baron; but these claims have no weight with 
 me. I am an American, and we are all sovereigns. An American 
 gentleman yields precedence to no man on earth. If my daughter loves 
 you I shall off"er no objection to your marriage. But I will tell you frankly 
 that I would rather see her the wife of an honest, upright American than 
 wedded to the proudest title of any European court. 
 
 Demp. Quite right, sir, quite right. I agree with you perfectly. And 
 if I did not feel certain that my love for your daughter was returned, I 
 would not for a moment have ventured to press my claims. 
 
 Lester. Very well. Settle it between yourselves, {fisid'^) I hope she 
 will refuse him. [^'^-vtf, r^. 1 e. 
 
 Demp. (r.). The old chap fights rather shy. But then, what do I care? 
 I am sure of the girl, and sure of her fortune. Once let me get that 
 into my hands, {going c.) and I don't care a cuss what becomes of her. 
 
 Enter Ralstox, o. d. Chord— pa vse. 
 
 Df'MP. {to l. front). Jack Ralston here ! 
 
 Ralston {comes doirn slowly). So, I've run you down at last, Joe 
 Dempsey ! 
 
 Demp." I don't know you. Let me pass, fellow. 
 
 Ralston. Lying scoundrel ! (//?/r/.9 Dempsey to the floor and draws 
 revolver.) 
 
 Demp. (l. front, raises right arm). I am unarmed. 
 
 Ralston. So was my brother when you murdered him. 
 
12 BORDER LAND. 
 
 Demp. Give a man a chance. 
 
 Ralston. I will, {pnck-els revolver) 'Twouldn't look just right to kill 
 you here. Get up. Pull yer stakes an' leave these diggins. Head fer 
 the West, an' don't ye jump the trail— for yer dead meat if ye try it. 
 When we're back in ther ole hills ag'in, then I'll give ye a show for yer 
 life. 
 
 Demp. {rises — aside). Curse the luck ! I'm done for. 
 
 Ralston. Come now; daylight's burning ! {turns (ncay.) 
 
 Demp. All right, {lurus, sees that Ralston Jias turned au-ay, pauses, 
 draws Joiife, tiptoes behind him, and is about to stab him, when the 
 latter turns and seizes his iiplifted arm. Music — chord.) 
 
 Ralston. Ah ! {forces Demi'Sey to his knees.) 
 
 Enter Lester, Mary, Charlie, and Polly, r. and l. 
 
 Pol. Murder ! 
 Char. Police ! 
 
 Mary. Mr. Ralston 
 
 Lestei!. Who is that man? 
 
 Ralston. A coward, thief, and murderer ! — Joe Dempsey, the rene- 
 gade ! (Dempsey on knees, Ralston standing over him.) ^ 
 
 Lester. Polly. 
 
 Mary. Charlie. 
 
 L. Dempsey. Ralston. r. 
 
 QUICK CURTAIN. 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 SCENE.— Plf«<?i room in Ralston's ranch in Uh grooves. Table and 
 chairs R. c. ; chairs r. and l. 
 
 Enter Lester, Mary, and Miss Spriggins, r. u. e. 
 
 Lester (c). Well, my dear, and what do you think of Arizona now ? 
 
 Mary. I think it is a splendid country, {sits r.) 
 
 Miss S. (l.). The country is all well enough, but you should have 
 left those heathenish children at home. Not that I care, for I am not 
 the one to find fault and grumble and keep my tongue going all the 
 time, for everybody knows that I never say anything whatever ; not but 
 what I think I ought to once in a while, but I am one of the sort that 
 believes silence is golden ; so whenever I feel like talking I just shut 
 my lips tight and never say a single solitary word ! 
 
 Lester Oh-h-h ! Then you don't feel like talking to-day ? 
 
 Miss S. Not a bit; but I do think {sits l.) it was so very kmd in Mr. 
 Ralston to let us liave the use of this house, and I do wish he was here 
 now, for I am so timid, and I am so afraid that that awful Dempsey is 
 around, and Mr. Ralston should never have allowed him to go after 
 he captured him in New York ; and I am sure I saw an Indian, and 
 those dreadful children racing around and getting •into all sorts of 
 trouble, and raising Cain all the while, and 
 
BORDER LAND. - 13 
 
 Polly ru7is on, followed by Charlie, k. u. e. 
 
 PoL, Whoo ! 0-oh ! Murder ! Get away ! 
 
 Mary (r.). What is the matter, Polly ? 
 
 Pol. (l.) He was ch-ch-chasing me 'with a snake ! 
 
 Miss S. (o. front, qatheriny iq) her skirts). A snake ! Oh dear ! oh 
 dear ! What shall I do ? 
 
 Char. (l. c). Oh, rats ! It's dead. And if it wasn't, one look at you 
 would scare it to death. 
 
 Miss S. You are a bad young man. You ought to be spanked. 
 
 Char. Oh, had I ? May be you'd like to try it, old paint shop. 
 
 Lester (r.). Leave the room, sir. 
 
 Char. Yessir. Come along, Polly. [Exit with Polly, r. u. e. 
 
 Enter Dempsey, l. u. e., disguised. Bends over as if unable to stand 
 erect. Left hand on knee. Speaks roughly. 
 
 Demp. Begs parding, sir, but the hosses air ready, ef you wants a bit 
 of a ride, sir. 
 
 Lester. Thanks, my good fellow. You are indeed a faithful chap. 
 
 Demp. (i;.). I tries to be, sir, even though I ain't nothin' but a poor ole 
 cripple, sir, a poor ole cripple. 
 
 Lester. There, there, Ben. Cheer up. Perhaps something can be 
 done for you. 
 
 Demp. Bless you, sir, bless you. 
 
 Lester. Come, come, no thanks, {exit Dempsey, l. u. e.) Now then, 
 Mary, if you are ready. 
 
 Mary. Yes, papa. \Exit with Lester, l. u. e. 
 
 Miss S. I don't like the looks of that cripple one bit. I don't believe 
 that he is just what he is, or just what he ought to be, anyhow. Per- 
 haps he is a robber, {comes to c.) And they have gone off* and left me 
 all alone. Oh dear ! oh dear ! Pm so timid. What will become of poor 
 little me ? 
 
 Enter McFaddle, l. u. e. Has a long rope which is held by a person 
 out.Hide, so that he is apparently struggling with a large animal. 
 At end of speech he drags on a very small dog. 
 
 McF. Come along wid ye — aisy now— aisy ye brute — murtherin' Mo- 
 ses — whoop — yah — {contuiues struggle) Steady now — wah — be dacent — 
 there ye air. {down c.) 
 
 Miss S. (R.). Oh sir ! 
 
 McF. Oh mum ! {aside) There's a quare ould hin ! 
 
 Miss S. I am so glad to see you here. 
 
 McF. Air ye ? So'm I; thougli I thought me an' me dog would niver 
 git here, faith an' I did. 
 
 Miss S. Then you are not a native of this dreadful locality ? 
 
 McF. No indade ! I'm from Noo Yark, I am. Hon. Patrick McFad- 
 dle is me name, ex-mimber av the Noo Yark Legislature, where I orter 
 be in now, worse luck, av I'd only got the re-nomination. 
 
 Miss S. How was that ? 
 
 McF. Oh, they didn't understhand poUytics. 
 
 MissS. No? 
 
 McF. No. Ye see, I introjuced a bill into the Legislature to rejuce 
 the lagel rate of interest; then I used me influence to kill me own bilj, 
 which was all fair an' roight, an' I made a good thing out av it. But the 
 
14 BORDER LAND. 
 
 cat got out av the bag, an' the dirthy haythen bate me out av me boots 
 at the nixt convintioii. 
 
 Miss S. That was too bad. 
 
 McF. Yis, mum. So I skipped out, an' here I am, growin' up wid the 
 counthry, an' lookin' for another Legislature in need av an honest 
 poUytician. 
 
 Miss S. Such genius as yours must always command admiration. Ah, 
 if we only had more great men like you ! 
 
 M(;F. Yer roight, mum, yer roight. {aside) It's a daisy she is. Wonder 
 how she'd look wid the paint scraped oft" her face. 
 
 Miss S. {aside). I've made an impression ! {aloud) Ahem ! Did you 
 ever feel the sweet delight of love's young dream ? 
 
 McF. {aside). Jerusalem ! {aloud) Did I ?— Hum ! Well, mum, I know 
 the symptoms. Love is loike the maysles — the oulder ye air the worse 
 ye have 'em. 
 
 Miss S. {meltingly). Did you never feel a passionate, eager longing 
 for a single heart ? 
 
 McF. Oh, fraquently, mum, fraquently, {aside) whin hearts were 
 trumps ! 
 
 Miss S. Then you could appreciate a heart that would beat for you 
 alone — for a soul that would commune with yours in silent rapture ? 
 
 McF. I — I guess so, mum. I dunno. I — {aside) What the divil is she 
 tryin' to git at ? I dunno. 
 
 Miss S. Then come to my a"ms, Patrick darling ! {throws her arms 
 around his neck.) 
 
 McF. {asid('). Howly Moses ! {she looks at him lovingly) Murther ! 
 {louder) Murther ! 
 
 Enter Charlie and Polly, l. u. e., and come down. 
 
 Fire ! {quickly) Oh Lord ! Take her oft* ! Take her oft" ! 
 CiiAK. and Foh. {tor/ether, each side of them). Snakes ! 
 Miss S. Snakes ! Oh, oh, oh ! {Gathers shirts and exit, l. 1 e. 
 McF. Snakes ! Murther ! murther ! [Exit with dog, r. 1 e. 
 
 Char. Hooray ! I saj', Polly 
 
 Pol. Say it. 
 
 Char. Didn't she fly though ? 
 
 Pol. Well, I should twitter ! 
 
 Enter Ralston, l. u. k. 
 
 Ralston. Hillo, youngsters ! Yer lookin' chipper. 
 
 Pol. Oh, it's Jack ! 
 
 Char. Hi]), hip, hurrah ! {each takes his hand; they come doivn.) 
 
 Pol. Where've you been so long ? 
 
 Char. Kill any Injuns ? 
 
 Pol. Did you shoot Dempsey ? 
 
 Char. Old Spriggins was mashing an Irishman 
 
 Pol. And we hollered "snakes" 
 
 Char. And scared 'em both to death. 
 
 Ralston. Whew ! Well, you have been goin' it. No, I didn't kill 
 any Injuns, an' I didn't shoot Dempsey, for he's turned up missin'. But 
 whar's the other folks ? 
 
 Pol. {sits 0)1 table). Oh, papa and Mary are out riding — they didn't 
 expect you to-day; Miss Spriggins has just kerJlummuxed, and Cyis 
 
BORDER LAND. 15 
 
 Char. Of course. He's the laziest nigger in the world. 
 
 Ralston. Well, come along, youngsters. Let's have a look at the 
 ranch. [E,cii, n. 1 e. 
 
 Pol. (r.). It's Mary he wants to see. 
 ' Char. (c). Poor fellow ! If he only knew as much about women as 
 I do 
 
 Pol. Oh, bother! [Exeunt, r. 1 e. 
 
 Enter Cyrus, l. u. e., rubbing his eyes, to u. front. 
 
 Cyrus. So I'se de laziest niggah (yavms) in de worle, is I ? Now I 
 calls dat pussonal, sah, pussonal. I isn't lazy, (yawus) No, sah. I'se 
 jes tired— dat's all— tired. Ifs pow'ful ha'd wuckdoin' nuffin' out heah, 
 {yawns) an' I s'pect I'se mos' wucked to def. {yawns.) 
 
 Enter McFaddle, r. u. e. 
 
 McF. {nervously). I_I_I_I wonder av she's gone. Hello, there's a 
 naygur ! I say, coal-dust, {coming down) hev ye seen ony thing av a 
 she-lunatic around here ? 
 
 Cyrus. A what-am-tick ? 
 
 McF. A lunatic, maniac, banshee ! 
 
 Cyru's. What's dem— Injuns ? I isn't 'fraid ob no Injuns. 
 
 M(;F. (c). Nayther am I. But this was a white wan. 
 
 Winona {off l. u. e.). 0-o-o-o-la ! 
 
 Cyrus. Christofo Columbus ! What's dat ? 
 
 Enter Winona, l. u. e. 
 
 McF. {rushes to Cyrus; they cling to each other at r. front). It's an 
 Injun ! Oh, I'm killed, I'm killed ! I'm dead, Pm dead ! 
 
 Cyrus {motioning over McFaddle's shoulder). Go 'way ! Shoo ! Go 
 'way ! I ain't done nuffin. Go 'way dar ! Scat ! Shoo ! 
 
 Winona (down l.). Me no hurt — me good girl — me want Jack. 
 
 McF. Navgur 
 
 Cyrus. Eh ! 
 
 McF, It's a squaw. 
 
 Cyrus. Am dat so ? {looks round.) 
 
 McF. Av coorse. The idea av yer bein' afraid av a girl. Ahem, 
 hem ! {steps toward Winona, but runs back as she turns to him.) 
 
 Cyrus. What fo' yo' run, huh ? 
 
 McF. I didn't; I only slipped. Now watch me. Hem ! I say, Poca- 
 hontas, what's yer name ? 
 
 Win. Winona. 
 
 MoF. Swate child av the wilderness ! An' what do ye do for a livin' ? 
 
 Win. Me sing, an' dance, an' love Jack. 
 
 McF. Oh, you love Jack, eh ? Well, that makes it nice for Jack. Now 
 I say, wine— ^rum— gin — eh, what's yer name ? 
 
 Win. Winona. 
 
 McF. Well, Winona, couldn't ye jes transfer a little av yer aflection to 
 me ? {pats her under the chin.) 
 
 Win. Take care ! {dran^s knife) Winona can kill ! 
 
 M(;F. (r. front). Och ! Murther, murther ! Fire ! Polace ! 
 
 Cyrus {r. front). P'lice ! Fiah ! She ! Go 'way ! 
 
 Enter 'Raj^to:>s quickly, r. u. e. too. 
 
16 BORDER LAND. 
 
 Ralston. Eh ! What's all this row ? 
 
 Win. {embracing kim). Jack ! Poor AVinoua — been so lonesome ! 
 
 McF. There ! Luk at him, luk at him ! Huggin' a squaw ! 
 
 Ralston. Thar, child. Winona is a poor Injmi girl that I rescued 
 from a gang of cut-throat Apaches. I'm her only friend, an' the man 
 what insults her must answer to Jack Ralston. 
 
 M(^F. We wouldn't touch a hair of her hid, would we, coal-bin ? 
 
 Cyrus. Golly, yo' don' ketch dis chile foolin' roun' dat ar' butcher 
 knife. [Exit with McFaddle, r. 1 e. 
 
 Enter Dempsey, l. u. e. to c. 
 
 Demp. {coming down). Mr. Lester is comin', sir. 
 
 Ralston. Who're you? 
 
 Demp. Ole Ben, sir; a pore mis'ble cripple wot Mr. Lester is good to. 
 
 Ralston. Um. I believe he'd be good to the devil himself. Well, 
 tell him I'm here, {crosses to r. front.) 
 
 Demp. Yes, sir. {goes, pauses, raises Jist unseen by Ralston or Win- 
 ona) Yes, sir, yes, sir, \E.cil, l. u. e. 
 
 Win. Who that man ? 
 
 Ralston. I don't know. Some hanger-on, I reckon. 
 
 Win. He hate you — me see his eyes. Bad — hate — hate. Winona 
 watch. {Exit, L. u. e. 
 
 Ralston {looks off r. u. e.). Thar she comes on the gallop, jest as she 
 galloped into my heart. Thar ! I'm talkin' like a fool ag'in. (l. c.) What 
 right have I to even think about her ? She's a lady — educated, refined- 
 while I— jest a scout — tit for nothing else. Seems to me some things 
 ain't lixed jest right in this world. Hello, who's this ? 
 
 Enter Miss Spriggins, c. d. 
 
 Miss S. Dear Mr. Ralston ! {taK-es his hand) What a pleasure it is to 
 grasp your noble hand. How much we owe you, my lips can never tell. 
 You have won all our hearts, and {very gushingly) mine, untouched till 
 now, is ever at your service. 
 
 Ralston {aside). Good Lord ! 
 
 Enter Mary, r. u. e. 
 
 Mary. Mr. Ralston, I — {hesitates, Ralston goes to her and takes her 
 hand. Miss Spriggins down l.) Oh, Miss Spriggins, when papa comes, 
 will you please tell him that Mr. Ralston is here ? 
 
 Miss S. {aside, crossing to r. front). That's it ! that's it ! Of course ! 
 Wants to keep him to herself. Well, she shan't have my own sweet Mr. 
 McFaddle, anyhow. [Exit, r. 1 e. 
 
 Mary. Mr. Ralston, I am so glad to see you again. 
 
 Ralston (l.). Yes, miss. 
 
 Mary\ Yes, miss ! What a cool greeting, {lays off hat and shawl) Are 
 you not glad to see me ? 
 
 Ralston. Glad ! Is the sick man who has tossed in pain all night 
 glad to see the sunshine ? Is the traveller over yon desert waste glad 
 to see pure water ? Glad ? Why, Miss Mary, I've thought of nothing 
 else for weeks — I've — I've 
 
 Mary {sits ii.). Go on. 
 
 Ralston. I can't. When you look at me so friendly like, I can't say 
 a word. My tongue gets thick an' tangled up, an' \ act jest like a 
 blamed fool. An' I ain't anything else— a mere simple 
 
BOBDER LAND. 17 
 
 Mary. Do not speak that way, Mr. Ralston. You are j'oung, brave, 
 and honest. You have a splendid future before you, and 
 
 Ralston. That's jest it, Miss Mary. I sometimes feel as if I could be 
 something more than a mere scout an' guide — that I might even hope 
 to — {^igliing) Well, no matter. I'm goin' away, miss, {up c.) Good-bye. 
 
 Mary. You are not going to leave us ? 
 
 Ralston {don^i c). I must. 
 
 Mary (l. c). Why must you? 
 
 Ralston. When I was a little boy I remember seein' a bright star 
 through the cabin window, an' wishin' with all my heart that I might 
 have it. Another bright star shines on my wild an' troubled life— an 
 earthly star, yet none the less remote, for poor Jack Ralston never hopes 
 to win her. 
 
 Mary {shyly). Have you tried ? 
 
 Ralston. Miss Mary, I'd rather you'd take this knife and drive it right 
 into my heart than talk that way. Can't you see that it raises impossi- 
 ble hopes ? 
 
 Mary. Why impossible ? 
 
 Ralston. Why? 
 
 Mary. Oh dear — must I really ask you to marry me ? 
 
 Ralston. Hold on — wait a minute — let me think. Do you really 
 
 Mary {i^ide glance). Yes, I do ! 
 
 Ralston. — really love me ? 
 
 Mary. With all my heart, {emhracing) So there now — {holds him at 
 anil's length) you dear great goose ! And a nice time you have had in 
 finding it out. 
 
 Ralston. But how was I to know? Wliy, Mary dear, I half believe 
 it's all a dream, even now. 
 
 Mary {dose beside him). Jack, may be a kiss would — would rouse 
 you, if you are not afraid to take it. 
 
 Ralston. Well, I'll try it. {kisses he)-.) 
 
 Enter Lester, r. u. e. 
 
 Lester. Ahem ! 
 
 Mary. Papa ! Oh good gracious ! {runs to l. front.) 
 
 Ralston (k.). Now I'll catch it. 
 
 Lester (c). Well, you are a pretty pair ! What does all this mean ? 
 
 Mary {advancing). Please, papa 
 
 Lester. Well ? 
 
 Mary {retreats, then advances, speaks quickly). I love Jack and Jack 
 loves me, and we're going to be married, so there now ! {slower) Please 
 give us your blessing, papa dear. 
 
 Ralston. Yes, give us your blessing, papa dear. 
 
 Lester. When I was j'oung, lovers became acquainted before they 
 married; but in this fast age they marry first and get acquainted after- 
 wards. 
 
 Ralston. Do you 
 
 Lester. Do I ? Of course I do. Why, Jack, my boy, {takes his hand) 
 we all growl at losing our treasures, but there is no man living more 
 worthy of' my brightest jewel than yourself. Come here, Mary, {takes 
 her hand) Always give her the last word, Jack. She will have it any- 
 how. And you, my daughter — don't grumble at his little foibles. No 
 man is perfect. Heaven bless you. Now be oflf. {they start r.) 
 
 Eufer Dempsev, l. 1 E. 
 
18 BORDER LAND. 
 
 Demp. Begs parding, sir, but a man were jes here from the mines, 
 wot sed as how you an' Mr. Ralston air wanted thar pertickler bad. 
 
 Rai-ston (k.). What's the matter? 
 
 Demf. ((;.). They think as how they've struck a rich vein of gold, an' 
 wants ter know 'bout workin' it. 
 
 Lester (l.). Very well. 
 
 Mary. I'll go too. 
 
 Demp. Begs parding, miss, but the roads air powerful bad, an' it'll be 
 dark afore they gits back. 
 
 Lesti':r. He is right, Mary. You had better remain here. There is 
 no danger — is there, Ben ? 
 
 Demp. Oh no, sir — not a bit, not a bit. 
 
 Mary. Good-bye, then, papa. Good-bye, Jack. Don't be long, dear. 
 I feel a strange, nameless dread at having you go. {f.mhvacinri him.) 
 
 Ralston. There's nothin' to fear. An' we'll make a flyin' trip, {exit 
 Mary, r. 1 e.) Now then, Mr. Lester. 
 
 Lester. All ready. 
 
 Ralston. Then away for some of the hardest riding you ever had. 
 
 \Exit irith Lester, r. 1 e. 
 
 Demp. {matc/ie.s' Ihem off, lisfenft a moment, then stands erect and 
 speaks in natural tones). Aye, Jack Ralston ! Ride hard, curse you ! 
 {comes dotrn c.) You have played it high and mighty with me, but now 
 it's my turn, {calls off'u 1 e.) Kidder ! Oh Kidder. 
 
 Enter Ktdder, l. 1 e. 
 
 Kidder. All right, cap. 
 
 Demp. 'Sh ! You confounded idiot ! 
 
 Enter Winona quickly, r. u. e., and stands listening, unseen. 
 
 Blast you ! I am Old Ben here. Do you understand ? 
 
 Kid. Yes; but you needn't b'ile up so. 
 
 Demp. Is everything rcadv ? 
 
 Kid. Bet yer life. 
 
 Dkmp. Then mind what I say. Bring up the horses, and when I signal 
 come ahead. We will nab the girl, and once in the mountains the devil 
 himself won't tind us. 
 
 Kid. I reckon he'd spot you anywhere. But how about Ralston ? He 
 owes you one fer killin' his brother, an' ef he gits ther drop on me, my 
 name is mud. I'm tellin' yer. 
 
 Di;mp. Don't be afraid. I shall look after him, I owe him one for 
 spoiling my little game, {exit Kidder l. 1 e.) Now my dainty Mary, 
 good-bye to your fool's paradise. {Exit, l. 1 e. 
 
 Winona {v.). What sa.y— carry off Mary? What for — money? Yes, 
 yes. Ole Lester heap rich — give big ransom. Winona stop that. 
 
 Enter Ralston quickly, w. u. e., lariat in hand. 
 
 Ralston. Tough luck. Lester's horse in a gully with a broken leg, 
 so I've had to ride back for a fresh animal. {i/oin<j l.) 
 Win. {(letttininq him). Oh, Jack ! 
 Ralston (o.). Thar, thar, gal, don't stop me; I'm in a hurry. 
 
 Win. Winona heard 
 
 Ralston. All right — tell me to-morrow. 
 Win. About Marv. 
 
BORDER LAND. 19 
 
 Ralston (.s/f(9;).s). Marv? 
 
 Win. Yes. 
 
 Ralston. What about her ? 
 
 Wl\, Bad mans here — talk — say carry her ofl" to mountains — hide — git 
 ransom — kill you. They here soon. 
 
 Ralston. You heard this ? 
 
 Wix. Yes — Winona heard. 
 
 Ralston. Oh ho ! Well, they won't do it, whoever they are. Run, 
 gal, fetch me a blanket, quick, [exit Wlnona, r. 1 e.) Case of abduction, 
 eh ? Well now, I'll let 'em practice on me a little, to sorter get their 
 hand in. 
 
 Enter Winona, r. 1 e,, wilh large blanket. 
 
 Win. Here, Jack. 
 
 Ralston. Thankee, gal. Now vamose. (6.r/7 Winona, r. u. e.) Wants 
 to carry off Miss Mary, eh, {arrangt^s blanket on chair, u. front, with back 
 to L. u. E.) an' kill me in the bargain ? Now I call that sorter unchristian. 
 (})ic/cs up Mary's hat and bonnet) I wonder how these here riggins go 
 on. {business tcith them) Thar ! {sits b. front) Now for a surprise party. 
 
 Enter Dempsey and Kidder, l. u. e. to c. 
 
 Demp. {cfmtioHsl}/). Come on; the coast is clear. 
 Kid. Thar she sets. 
 
 Demp. 'Sh! Easy now. {they creep behind R\hSTO}i and seize him, 
 Kidder on his right. He throttles Kidder. At the same instant) 
 
 Enter Cyrus and McFaddle, r. u. e. Dempsey runs offh. 1 e. 
 
 McF. {thrones off coat and dances about). A tight ! Whoop! Slug 
 him, Mr. Ralston, slug him. {slrikes at Cyrus) Hooray ! Slug him. 
 
 Ralston {has forced Kidder to his knees) Hand me that lariat, {binds 
 Kidder) Thar! Sorter 'stonished, ain't ye, Kidder? Who war with 
 ye ? Was it Dempsey ? Lost yer voice, eh ? Well, ye won't need it 
 long. Stand up. (Kidder rises) Look here, you two — hang onto this 
 chap till I get back. I'm goin' arter Mr. Lester, an' then we'll 'panel a 
 jury an' have a trial. Now freeze to him — he's mighty slippery. 
 
 [Kcit, R. 1 E. 
 
 McF. {has one end of rope, Cyrus has the other). I say, na3^gur ! 
 
 Cyrus. Huh ! 
 
 McF. Won't he make a beautiful carpse ? (Kidder lunges at McFad- 
 DLK, u'Jio drops rope and yells.) 
 
 Cyrus. Hi, dar ! Hang on ! He's de debble himse'f ! I tole yo'. 
 
 McF. {picks ii]:) r<)})e and starts l,, Cyrus i7i rear). All right now, 
 coal-tar. Come along now, come along. Ais}^ now, aisy. Don't let 
 the naygur step on ye wid his fairy-loike feet, or ye'll die afore ye're 
 hung, so ye will. 
 
 Cyrus {imitating locomotive). Choo ! choo ! choo ! Ding-dong, ding- 
 dong! All aboard fo' de necktie party ! [Exeunt, l. 1 e. 
 
 Enter Miss Spriggins and Mary, r. u. e. 
 
 Miss S. Oh, dear me ! {sits l., Mary r.) What an awful, dreadful, 
 frightful, horrible, terrible country this is ! Everybody killing every- 
 body, and when men are so very scarce too. Not that I care anything 
 about the creatures, which I don't, as I despise the whole race of men. 
 
20 BORDER LAND. 
 
 though to be sure* that is a delightfully sweet Irish gentleman who 
 arrived a short time ago, and is stoi)ping here now ; and very nice and 
 bright and witty he is too, and he said the very sweetest things to me, 
 just as those heathenish children came in, though of course I wouldn't 
 listen to a single solitary word. I am so painfully shy and inexperi- 
 enced, you know, my dear. 
 
 Marv. Yes, indeed you are. I have often pitied you. 
 
 Miss S. To be sure you have; and you're a nice, clever girl, Mary; 
 and we innocent young things ought to contide in each other; and if it 
 were not for wishing you bad luck I would like to see you married. But 
 to think of having a brute of a husband coming home from the "lodge " 
 drunk, going to bed with his boots on, after hanging his hat up on the 
 floor, and telling how his mother used make mince pies. Oh, it's quite 
 too dreadful to think of. 
 
 Mary. Then we won't think of it. Papa and Mr. Ralston will be 
 coming back soon, and I shall ride out to meet them. 
 
 Miss S. I advise you to stay at home. Some of those ferocious men — 
 
 Mauy (r. front). Those ferocious men would never harm me, my dear. 
 
 [E.cM, R. 1 E. 
 
 Miss S. (c). AVhat a girl ! Oh, if I only had her bold, fearless nature. 
 (looks of) There she goes, riding like mad; and it's getting late, too. 
 Well, I think I will stroll 'aroun'd a little. Perhaps I shall meet that 
 darling, dearest Mr. McFaddle again. [Keif, r. u. e. 
 
 McFaddle {outside). Oh, Murther, murther ! 
 
 Entei- McFaddle and Cyrus, l. u. e., showing marks of a hard strug- 
 gle ; coats q/f, collars lorn open, etc. McFaddle has a black eye, 
 Cyrus a bloody handkerchief. They come down front, c. 
 
 McF. Oh dear, oh dear ! 
 Cyrus. Oh Lord, oh Lord ! 
 McF. Pm kilt intirely ! 
 Cyrus. So'm 1, so'm I ! 
 
 Both {look at each other, then turn away). Wow, 'ow, wow ! 
 McF. {pointing to eye). Luk at mf' eye. Pll be cross-eyed foriver ! 
 Cyrus {showing handkerchief). Look at my nose. Dat'U be cross- 
 eyed too ! 
 
 Both {same business). Wow, 'ow, wow ! 
 
 McF. He knocked a lung out ! 
 
 CvRus. He knocked all ob my lungs out ! 
 
 Both {same business). W — o — w ! 
 
 McF. Me good looks air spoiled foriver ! 
 
 Cyrus. So's mine, so's mine ! 
 
 Both {same business). Wow, 'ow, boo hoo ! 
 
 Enter Ralston and Lester, r. u. e. 
 
 Ralston. Hello ! what's the matter here ? 
 
 McF. (r.). Ye see, Misther Ralston 
 
 Cyrus (l.), 'Zactly, Mr. Ralston 
 
 McF. That air fool naj'gur 
 
 Cyrtts. Dat ar' chucker-headed Irish 
 
 McF. Oh, turn off yer gas, ye jumpin' baboon ! 
 
 Cyri'S. Don' yo' sass me, er Pll brack dat udder eye ! 
 
 Ralston. Come now! {seizing them) So your prisoner has escaped, eh ? 
 
 McF. Yis, sor. Ye see, that infernal 
 
BORDER LAND. 21 
 
 Ralston {shaJdnr/ them). You're a fine lot ! I ought to shoot both of 
 you. Get out ! {pushes them l. c.) 
 
 Enter Miss Spriggins, r. u. e. 
 
 Lkster. Where is Marj' ? 
 
 Mlss S. (c). Isn't she with you ? 
 
 Ralston. No. 
 
 Miss S. She rode out to meet you. 
 
 Lester. Merciful Heaven ! 
 
 Cyrus (l.). Dar ! I done tole yo' dat man gittin' 'way would make 
 trouble. If yo' only friz to him, like I did, yo' inis'ble, no 'count 
 
 McF. Oh, dhry up, ye orang-ertang ! [Exit irith Cyrus, l. 1 e. 
 
 Ralston. Be calm, sir. (Miss Spriggins r/oes l.) She's probably ofl* the 
 trail a bit. I'll soon find her. (aside) Pray Heaven I may. 
 
 E/iter Winona, breathless, l. u. e. 
 
 Win. (r. i%). Jack ! 
 
 Ralston (c). Winona — what is it ? 
 
 Win. Mary 
 
 Ralston. 'What of her ? Speak, gal ! 
 
 Win. Bad mans — stop horse — catch her — take her away. 
 
 Ralston. Quick! Which way ? 
 
 Win. To the mountains. 
 
 Ralston. Dempsey ! Sure as sin ! 
 
 Lester. That scoundrel ? Oh, my child ! (starts l.) 
 
 Ralston (detnininrj him). Stop, sir. You'd only throw your life away. 
 Trust in me. I'll bring her back in twenty-four hours, or die in the at- 
 tempt. 
 
 l. Miss Spriggins. Lester. Ralston. Winona. r. 
 
 QUICK curtain. 
 
 ACT IIL 
 
 SCENE.— Troo(f^«?KZ or rocky jyass. Practicable rocks R. u. E. 
 Enter Dempsey, Mary, and Kidder. 
 
 Demp. (c). We'll stop here and rest a while. It's not really safe, but 
 the horses are blown, and I'm done up. 
 
 Mary (r.). And you will need all the rest you can get, Joe Dempsey ! 
 
 Demp. Ah, you interest me. 
 
 Maby. Mr. Ralston will 
 
 Demp. Exactly. Mr. Ralston — your hero — will hunt the villain — that's 
 myself— thank you— hunt the villain down, to rescue the fair maid— 
 yourself, my dear— from a fate worse than death. That's the way they 
 always do in novels. But in reality the villain will kill Mr. Ralston at 
 sight, and hold you for a snug ransom, in the most approved banditti 
 style. • - 
 
22 BORDER LAND. 
 
 Mary. Hold me for ransom ? 
 
 Demp. Precisely. You are very sweet and lovable, my dear, and if 
 I had not been exposed at your home in New York, I would certainly 
 have married you — for revenue only. I am a re^'ular free trader when 
 it comes to matrimony. Ralston spoiled my little game, but, luckily, 
 you came West on a pleasure trip, and tumbled right into my arms. 
 And thus, my dear, I get the cash without the trouble of marrying. 
 
 Mary. You will get no ransom for me, Joe Dempsey. 
 
 Demp. Indeed ? You surprise me. {takes her icrist, speaks tfiih grad- 
 unll!j increasing force) \i my demand is refused -if payment is even 
 delayed — I will give you over to the vilest devils that follow in my band. 
 You" shall drag out an existence so low and degraded that hell itself 
 would be a heaven in comparison ! {releases her.) 
 
 Kid. (l., aside). Whew ! The cap'n is a-gittin' riled up ! 
 
 Demp. {up c). Go, {points r.) lie down under those sheltering rocks. 
 I'll call you when I'm ready, {exit Mary, detiffntlij, r. v. e.) Keep your 
 eyes on the girl, Kidder ; watch the back trail too, though I doubt that 
 we're followed. I must have a nap. [Exit, l. 2 e. 
 
 Kid. (c). All right, cap. {doam c.) Now I call that ar' mighty cheeky. 
 Me keep watch, when I'm half dead for sleep myself. Things begin to look 
 sorter squally 'round here. Hosses used up, a long ride afore us, an' 
 Ralston on our track. Cuss me if I like it. An' ef Dempsey gets the 
 boodle, which ain't likely, he'll cabbage the whole damn business, an' 
 I'll be left in the mud anyhow. Kidder, you're fly, you ar'; you'd better 
 skip, you had. Good-bye, cap'n ; sleep sound, and may the devil get 
 you afore sundown. [Exit, r. 1 e. 
 
 Enter Mc^addle, followed by Cyrus, l. u. e. Both are heavily armed, 
 and walk on tiptoe, slio wing great caution. 
 
 MoF. 'Sh! 
 
 Cyrus {whirls around). 'Sh! 
 
 McF. Whist! 
 
 Cyrus. \^]\\9,i\ {whirls around.) 
 
 McF. Whist! 'Sh ! D'ye hear that ? 
 
 Cyrus {frightened). Ye-ye-yes ! 
 
 McF. {coolly). That's inore'n I did. 
 ■ Cyrus. Oh ! {pointing) Look a' dat ! Look a' dat ! 
 
 McF. {frightened). Oh dear, oh dear ! What is it ? 
 
 Cyrus {coolly). NufRn 'tall. 
 
 McF. {disgusted). Think yer smart, don't ye, ye leather-headed coon ? 
 Yah ! {goes l.) 
 
 Cyrus (c.). Now look yere. Am yo' gwine to stan' eroun' jawin' all 
 day, or am yo' gwine ter holp me ter captur' dis yar Dempsey, say ? 
 0-oh ! Jes let me cotch sight ob him once— jes once ! He'll tink de 
 day ob prohibition am a-comin', suali ! {struts about) I'll jes par'lyze 
 him ! 
 
 McF. Here he is now ! 
 
 Cyrus {drops gun, kneels c). Oh, please, Massa Dempsey ! Please, 
 sah ! Don' hu't me, don' hu't me, sah ! I's nuffm but a po' mis'ble, no 
 'count niggah, an' I wus only jokin' nohow, an' I won't do so no mo'. 
 (McFADDLEp?-ods him in back unth gun) Wow ! woo ! {falls on face.) 
 
 ]\IcF. Luk at him now, luk at him ! Thar's a brave naygur ! Oh, 
 git :ip now, ye mumblin' idiot. Git up ! 
 
 Cyrus {rising). A-a-a-ain't he dar ? 
 
 McF. Av coorse not. Come along wid ye. 
 
 Cyrus. Fee coming, {aside) I knowed he wasn't dar. [Ereunt, r. 1 E. 
 
BORDER LAND. 23 
 
 Enter Ciiaulie and Polly, l. u. e. 
 
 Pol. (c). There, smarty ! You knew the way home, you did Oh 
 yes; you knew all about it. I hope you're satisfied now. We're com- 
 pletely lost, I tell you; and the chances are that the horses will o-et away 
 while we're moonmg around up here, {doion c.) Oh dear, I'm half starved 
 
 Char. (l. c). Well, 'tain't my fault. 
 
 Pol. Whose is it ? 
 
 Chau. Yours of course. You would go off on a long ride yesterday 
 and you would stay at the fort last night, and here we are— at the end 
 of creation. We ought to be labelled, "Lost, strayed, or stolen. The 
 tinder will please return to Ralston's ranch, right side up with care and 
 get a suitable reward." {crosi^es r.) ' 
 
 Pol. (l.). And a suitable blowing up we'll get, if we ever do see home 
 again. 
 
 Cm AH. There's somebody coming. Let's hide. 
 
 Pol. Where? 
 
 Chak. This way. [Kcennt behind rocks, l. u. e. 
 
 Enter McFaddle and Cyrus, r. 1 e. 
 
 McF. Thar, naygur, I hope ye air satisfied. Thar's nobody around 
 here at all at all. 
 
 Cyrus. Cose not. Dey prob'ly seed me a-comin', an' sorter skedad- 
 dled. Dar's my gun, {holding it uj)) an' dar's my son ob a gun. (s/ioias 
 pistol) Oh, I'se dang'us, I is ! I'se an unhitched cyclone, I is ! Wah ! 
 I'se a lion in de paf, I is ! Nuflin kin scar' me. No, sah, nu^iu 'tall. 
 {rj-osses l.) 
 
 Char, (outside). Ola, ola, ola, yip, yip, ya-a-a-a ! 
 
 McF. and Cyrus {together). Oh ! {t/tey rush into each other's arms anil 
 struggle down to r. front, badly frightened.) 
 
 Enter Charlie and Folly fi-om behind rocks. 
 
 Pol. Ha, ha, ha ! Look at them ! 
 
 McF. {looks around). Ah, it's only the kids. I knew it— I knew it 
 wasthim all the while, {going l.) 
 
 Cyrus. So did I. I knowed it wus dem. Cose 1 did. Da-da-dat's 
 why I wasn't 'tall scar'd. See ? 
 
 McP\ An' what's ye doin' here, I'd know ? 
 
 Pol. Trying to find ourselves. We are lost. 
 
 McF. Lost air ye ? Swate babes av the woods ! 
 
 Char, {stei-)s up to McFaddle). Look here, Irish ! I want none of 
 your guff ! 
 
 Cyrus {beside Charlie). Dem's my sentiments. 
 
 McF. Oh, what's der matther wid ye ? 
 
 Char, and Cyrvs {together, hands i)i pockets, cross to r.). Oh, we're 
 all right ! 
 
 Enter Ralston quicki//, l. u. e. 
 
 Ralston. Pat, you an' Cyrus climb the rocks ( pointinr/ r. front) yon- 
 der. Don't expose yourselves, but keep a sharp look out. The trail is 
 gettin' warm. 
 
 McF. All roight, sor. An'— av— an' av we're kilt at all, I'll yell an' 
 let ye know, so I will. 
 
 Cyrus. Yesser, we'll bofe yell [Er>t tnth McFaddle. r. 1 e. 
 
24 BORDER LAND. 
 
 Ralston (c, seeing Charlie and Polly). What brought you here ? 
 
 Char, (r.). Our horses. 
 
 Pol. (l.). That's right, silly. The fact is, we're lostr— thanks to him— 
 stupid ! 
 
 Char. Oh, of course. Lay it to me. That's the woman of it. 
 
 Pol. Oh you ! 
 
 Char. There; I hope you feel better now. 
 
 Pol. Never mind him, Jack. Tell us where we are. 
 
 R\h?>-vo-!i {poi)itiiig -L.). Do you see that point of rocks. It's twenty 
 miles away, but the fort is thar. Head for them rocks, an' ride as if the 
 Old Nick war after you. God bless you both ! Thar, now go. 
 
 Por-. Can't you come ? He'll be sure to lose me. 
 
 Ralston. No; Pve business here. Good-bye. (/'//e/yft-ciV l. u. e.) Jack, 
 my boy, you are in for a tussle now ; but with that ar' sweet gal in the 
 devil's clutches, I feel as if I could fight a regiment. 
 
 Enter Wlxona, l. u. e. 
 
 Win. (l. c). Jack ! 
 
 Ralston. Winona, gal, you here ? {they come dozen c.) 
 
 Wln. Yes. Danger, Jack — big danger. 
 
 Ralston. I know thar's danger, gal, an' you orter staid at the ranch. 
 
 Win. You save Winona once. Now Winona save you. 
 
 Ralston. Save me ? Why bless you, gal, I'm a match for any of 'em. 
 
 Win. Yes — you brave — quick — strong arm ; but Dempsey here — many 
 men — you all alone — nigger an' Irish no 'count. 
 
 Ralston. I don't care, gal. But you 
 
 Win. Hush ! Listen. Some one comes. Hide ! 
 
 Ralston. Behind them rocks, quick ! (Winona hides behind rocks, l. 
 u. v..) Now, if it's my bird, {follows Winona.) 
 
 Enter Dempsey, r. u. e. Comes slowly doicn r. 
 
 Demp. Kidder ! Kidder ! Blast you ! Kidder, I say ! The fellow 
 has sloped, confound his rascally hide. What in thunder shall I do ? If 
 I thought 
 
 Ralston {aiming revolver). Throw up your hands ! 
 
 Demp. {throws np hands). Ralston ! 
 
 Ralston {steps forward, folio teed 6?/ Winona). Aye, Ralston. Time's 
 up, Joe Dempsey ! 
 
 Demp. Remember your word. You promised to give me a chance. 
 
 Ralston. Yes, I promised, an' I'll keep my word. I'll give you a 
 chance, man to man, face to face. Then drop yer gun, draw yer knife, 
 an' may the devil stand by to help you ! 
 
 Demp. {points behind Ralston). Look! There's Mary! (Ralston 
 turns quickly and looks ofL,.) There, curse you ! {draws pistol quickly 
 andiires at Ralston. At the same instant Winona throws herself in 
 front of Ralston and receives the shot.) 
 
 Win. Ah ! {fdls into Ralston's arms.) 
 
 Ralston. Winona ! {she sinks down.) 
 
 Demp. Confusion ! {is about to fire again, when) 
 
 Enter Kidder quickly, r. 2 e., and wrenches pistol from him 
 
 Kid. No you don't ! 
 
 Demp. What do you mean, fool ? 
 
BORDER LAND. 25 
 
 Kid. I mean that I've cut loose from yom' gang, Joe Dempsej'. It's 
 fair play now. [Kat. u. 2 e. 
 
 Ralston (bends over Winona. Dempsey st^iuds icithjol led arms up 
 M.) Winona! Look up. Speak to me, child. It's Jack; don't you 
 know me ? 
 
 Win. Dear Jack — lift me up — me love you — me save you. {/hrows her 
 tirms ai-oHud his neck) Winona happy — Great Spirit calls her home — 
 love — love — ah ! {nrms ftill and //end si/i/cs doirn.) 
 
 Ralston. Winona! .Winona! Dead, dead, dead! (lai/s Iter dow)i.) 
 
 Demp. Now is my time! {draws kiiife, creejjs behind Ralston and 
 strikes just as Ralston turns and catches his in'ist.) 
 
 Ralston. Sneaking coyote ! (hin-ls him back and draws knife) Now> 
 Joe Dempsey ! {they Jiyht with their knives. Dempsey is slain.) 
 
 Enter Mary quickly, l. u. e., forming tableau with Ralston. 
 QUICK CURTAIN. 
 
D£ WITT'S mim PLAYS. 
 
 JE3^ »teas6 notice that nearly all the Comedies, Farces and Comedibitaa In tba foliaw*^ 
 litst of " De Witt's Acting Plays " are very Buitable for represeutatiou La Rmall Amateuj 
 Theatres and ou Parlor Stages, as they need but little extrinsic aid from complex sceuer^ 
 or expensive costumes. They have attained their deserved popularity by then- droll situa- 
 tious, excellent plots, great humor and brilliant dialogues, no less than by the fact that 
 they are the most perfect in every respect of auy edition of plays ever published either in 
 the United States or Europe, whether as regards purity of text, accuracy and fullness of 
 stage directions and scenery, or elegance of typography and clearness of printing. 
 
 *^* In ordering please copy the figures at the commencement of each piece, which 
 indicate the number of ihd piece in " Dk Witt's List of Actin'S "'^lays." 
 
 JS^ Any of the foUowL g Plays sent, postage free, on rcceip^jf price— J?'£/fce» Cent^ 
 each. 
 
 .^3- The figure followi/Qg the name of the Play denotes t^e number of Acts. Tht, 
 figures in tUe columns iudi<jato the number of characters — il. i?-ale; F. female. 
 
 75. 
 
 m. 
 
 208. 
 
 114. 
 167. 
 
 93. 
 
 40. 
 
 89. 
 258. 
 
 287. 
 
 166. 
 310. 
 
 41, 
 141. 
 223. 
 
 67. 
 
 36. 
 279 
 29C. 
 160. 
 179. 
 
 25. 
 
 70. 
 261. 
 226. 
 
 24. 
 
 65, 
 
 68. 
 219, 
 
 7«. 
 205, 
 
 149 
 121, 
 
 M. : 
 
 Adrienne, drama, 3 acta ^ 
 
 All that Glitters is not Uold, comic 
 
 drama, 2 act.s 6 
 
 All ou Accouutof a Bracelet, come- 
 dietta, 1 act 2 
 
 Anything lor a Change, comedy, 1 act 3 
 Apple Blossoms, comedy, 3 acts. .. 7 
 
 Area Belle, farce, 1 act 3 
 
 Atchi, comedietta, 1 act ? 
 
 Aunt Charlotte's Maid, farce, 1 act. 3 
 Aunt Dinah's Pledge, temperance 
 
 drama, 2 acts 6 
 
 Bachelor's Box (La Petite Hotel), 
 
 comedietta, 1 act 4 
 
 Bardell vs. Pickwick, sketch. 1 act. 6 
 Barrack Room (The), comGdietta,2a. 6 
 
 Beautiful Forever, farce, 1 act 2 
 
 Bolls (The), drama, 3 acts 9 
 
 Betsey Baker, farce, 1 act 2 
 
 Birthplace of Podgers, farce, 1 act.. 7 
 
 Black Sheep, drama, 3 acts 7 
 
 'Black-Eyed Susan, drama, 2 acts. ..14 
 Black and White, drama, 3 acts. ... 6 
 
 Blow fur Blow, drama, 4 acts 11 
 
 Breach of Promise, drama, 2 act^., 6 
 Broken- Hearted Club, comedietta. . 4 
 
 Bonnie Fish Wife, farce, 1 act 3 
 
 Bottle (The), di-ama, 2 acts 11 
 
 Box and Cox, Romance, 1 act.. ... 2 
 
 Cabman No. 93, farce, 1 act 2 
 
 ^^''ptaiu of the Watch, comedietta, 
 
 1 act 6 
 
 Caste, comedy, 3 acts 5 
 
 Cast upon the World, drama, 5 acts. 11 
 Catljarine Howard, historical play, 
 
 3act8 12 
 
 Caught by the Cuff, farce, 1 act 4 
 
 Charming Pair, farce, 1 act 4 
 
 Checkmate, comedy, 2 acts 6 
 
 Chevalier de St. Geovfre, drama, 3a. 9 
 Chimney Corner (The), domestic 
 
 di-ama, 3 acts 5 
 
 Chops of the Chan-nel, fnrre, 1 act.. 3 
 Circumstances alter Cases, comi« 
 
 operetta, 1 act 1 
 
 Clouds, comedy, 4 acta 8 
 
 Co«aical Ceuutesa, farce, 1 act <, 3 
 
 M. F. 
 222. Cool as a CiT^mbcr, farce, 1 act.. .32 
 
 248. Cricket on tl^ Hearth, drama, 3 acts 8 6 
 
 107. Cupboard Liac, farce, 1 act 2 1 
 
 152. Cupid's Ey*' Glass, comedy, 1 act.. 1 1 
 
 52. Cup of Tea, lomedietta, 1 act 3 1 
 
 148. Cut Offwitl a Shilling, comedietta, 
 
 1 act .2 1 
 
 113. Cyril's Suco-^s, comedy, 5 acts 10 i 
 
 20. Daddy Gray drama, 3 acts 8 4 
 
 286. Daisy Farm drama, 4 acts. 10 4 
 
 4. Daudelion'e .Dodges, farce, 1 act... 4 Ji 
 
 22. David Garrick, comedy, 3 acts 8 3 
 
 275. Day After tht- Wedding, farce, 1 act 4 2 
 
 96. Dearest Mamma, comed:\^tta, 1 act.. 4 3 
 
 16. Dearer than 1 ife, drama, 3 acts. . . . 6 5 
 
 58. Deborah (Leal \, drama, 3 acts 7 6 
 
 125. Deerfoot, farce, 1 act 5 1 
 
 71. Doing for the Pest, drama, 2 acts. . 5 S 
 
 142. Dollars and Cents, comedy, 3 acts. . 9 4 
 
 204. Drawing Room C'Hr(A),comedy,l act 2 1 
 
 21. Dreams, drama, L acts 6 3 
 
 2G0. Drunkard's Warning, drama, 3 acts 6 8 
 
 210. Druuk-.rd's Doom .The), drama, 2a.l5 5 
 
 2G3. Drunkard (The), drpma, 5 acts 13 5 
 
 186. Duchess de la Vallie'e.play, 5 acts.. 6 4 
 
 242. Dumb Belle (The), far'-ce, 1 a«t 4 2 
 
 47. Easy Shaving, farce, 1 ,\ct. . . 5 2 
 
 283. E. C. B. Susan Jane, irusical bur- 
 lesque, 1 act 8 1 
 
 202. Eileen Oge, Irish drama, \ acts 11 8 
 
 315. Electric Love, farce, 1 act 1 1 
 
 297. English Gentleman (An), comedy- 
 drama, 4 acts 7 4 
 
 200. Estranged, operetta. 1 act 2 1 
 
 135. Everybody's Friend, comedj 3 acts 6 5 
 
 C30. Family Jars, musical farce, ? sets.. 5 2 
 
 103. Fanst and Marguerite, drama, 3 !»cts 9 7 
 9. Fearful Tragedy in the Seven Diah». 
 
 interlude, 1 act 4 \ 
 
 128. Female Detective, drama, 3 acts 11 4 
 
 101. Fernande. drama, 3 acts 11 ^0 
 
 90. 
 262, 
 
 145. 
 102. 
 83. 
 
 Fifth Wlioel, comedy, 3 acts. ..o, . .10 
 Fifteen Years of a Drunkard's Life, 
 
 melodrama. 3 arts ...., 19 
 
 First Love, comedy, 1 act ... 4 
 
 Foiled, drama, 4 acts f 
 
 Founded ou Facts, faro>, 1 ac*' .. . .4 
 
DE WITT'S ACTING PLAYS.-Oontiiiued. 
 
 » y. Frriits of the Wine Cup, drama, 3 eta G 3 
 i'^-i. Game of Cards (A), comedietta, la.. 3 1 
 
 74. Gai-nck Fever, farce, 1 act 7 4 
 
 53. Gertrude's Mouey Box, larce, 1 act. 1 I 
 ('3. Goldeu Fetters (Fetter«d). drama, 3.11 4 
 30. Goose with tiie Goideu l^gyB, larce, 
 
 lact 5 3 
 
 131. Go to Putuey, larce, 1 act 4 3 
 
 ^76. Good for Notliiug. couiio drama, la. 5 I 
 J06. Great Success (A), comedy, 3 acts. . 8 h 
 111. Grimshaw, Bagsliaw aud Bradsliaw, 
 
 farce, 1 act 4 2 
 
 203. Heir Apparent (The), farce, 1 act... 5 1 
 
 241. Haudy Andy, drama, 2 acts 10 3 
 
 28. Happy Pair, comedietta, 1 act > >> 1 
 
 151. Hard Case (A), farce, 1 a.t 2 
 
 8. Heury Duubar, drama, 4 act^^ 10 3 
 
 180. Hem-y the Fifth, hist, play, 5 a'.ti--. iS 5 
 J03. Her Only Fault, comedietta, 1 d'-c. . 2 2 
 
 19. He's a Lunatic, farce, 1 act 3 2 
 
 60. Hidden Hand, drama. 4 acts 6 5 
 
 191. High C, comedietta, 1 act 3 3 
 
 246. High Life Below Stair3,far'je,2 acts. 9 5 
 301. Hiuko, romantic drama, 6 acts 12 7 
 
 224. His Last Legs, farce, 2 acts 5 3 ; 
 
 187. His Own Enemy, farce, 1 act 5 1 
 
 174. Home, comedy. 3 acts 4 3 
 
 i'4. Honesty is the Best Policy, play, 1. 2 
 
 04. Household Fairy, sketch, 1 act 1 1 
 
 .90. Hunting the Slippers, farce. 1 act. . 4 1 
 197. HuuchbacK (The), play, 5 acts 13 2 
 
 225. Ici on Parle Fraucais, farce, 1 act... 3 4 
 252. Idiot Witness, melodrama, 3 acts. .. 6 1 
 
 18. If I had a Thcusaud a Year, farce, 14 3 
 116. I'm not Mesilf at all, Irish stew, la. 3 2 
 
 129. In for a Holiday, farce, 1 act 2 3 
 
 159. lu the Wrong House, farce, 1 acr. . . 4 2 
 278. Irish Attorney (The), farce, 2 acts. . 8 2 
 282. Irish Broom Maker, farce, 1 act 9 3 
 
 273. Irishman in London, farce, 1 acts. 6 3 
 
 243. Irish Lion (The), farce, 1 act 8 3 
 
 111. Irish Post (The), drama, 1 act 9 3 
 
 244. Irish Tutor (The), farce, 1 act 5 2 
 
 270. Irish Tiger (The), farce, 1 act 5 1 
 
 274. Irish Widow (The), farce, 2 acts 7 1 
 
 A22. Isabella Orsini, drama, 4 acts 11 4 
 
 '77. 1 Shall Invite the Major, comedy, 14 1 
 
 100. Jack Long, drama, 2 acts '. . 9 2 
 
 299. Joan of Arc, hist, play, 5 acts 26 6 
 
 139. Joy is Dangerous, cornedy, 2 acts.. 3 3 
 
 17. Kind to a Fault, comedy, '2 acts 6 4 
 
 233. Kiss in the Dark (A), farce, 1 act . . 2 3 
 309. Ladies' Battle (The), comedv, 3 acts 7 2 
 
 86. Lady of Lyons, play, 5 acts. ! 12 5 
 
 137. L'Article 47, drama, 3 acts 11 5 
 
 72 Lame Excuse, farce, 1 act 4 2 
 
 144. Lancashire Lass, melodrama.4 acts. 12 3 
 
 34. Larkins' Love Letters, fnrce, 1 act.. 3 2 , 
 189. Leap Year, musical dualitv, 1 act... .1 1 
 253. Lend Me Five Shillings, farce, 1 act 5 3 
 
 111. Liar (The), comedy, 2 acts 7 2 
 
 '19. Life Chase, drama's acts 14 5 
 
 239. Limerick Boy (The), farce, 1 act 5 2 
 
 48. Little Annie's Birthdav. farce, 1 act.. 2 4 
 
 32. Little Rebel, farce. 1 act 4 3 
 
 164. Little Ruby, drama, 3 acts 6 6 
 
 205. Little Em'ly, drama, 4 a^ts 8 8 
 
 165. Living Statue (The), farce. 1 act 3 2 j 
 
 ''C ■ -^au of a Lover (The), vaude^'ille,!. 4 1 I 
 
 109. Locked in. ^omediettA,, 1 act 2 2 
 
 bo. Locked in with a Lady, sketch 1 1 
 
 87. Locked Out, comic scene 1 1 
 
 143. Lodgers and Dodgers, larce, 1 act. . 4 2 
 
 212. Loudon Assurance, comedy, 5 acts. 10 3 
 
 2'Jl. M. P.. comedy, 4 acts 7 2 
 
 210. Mabel's Mauiuvre, interlude, 1 act 1 3 
 
 1(.3. Marcoretti, drama, 3 acts 10 3 
 
 154. Maria and Magdalena, play, 4 acts 8 6 
 
 G3. Marriage at any Price, farce, ] act.. 5 
 
 249. Marriage a Lottery, comedv, 2 acts. 3 
 208. Married Bachelors, comedietta, la.. 3 
 
 39. Master Jones' BirtLdav, farce, 1 act 4 
 
 7. Maud's Peril, dran;a, 4 acts 5 
 
 49 Midnight Watch, drama, 1 act 8 
 
 15. Milky White, drama, 2 acts 4 
 
 46. Miriam's Crime, drama, 3 acts 5 
 
 "1. Model of a Wife, farce, 1 act 3 
 
 rf02. Model Pair (A), comedy, 1 act 2 
 
 184. Money, comedy, 5 acts 17 
 
 250. More Blunders than One, farce.'ia. 4 
 312. More Sinned against than Sinning, 
 
 original Irish drama, 4 acts 11 
 
 234. Morning Call (A), comedietta, 1 act. 1 3 
 
 108. Mr. Scroggins. farce, 1 p,ct 3 S 
 
 188. Ml-. X., farce, 1 act 3 3 
 
 1G9. My Uncle's Suit, farce, 1 act 4 1 
 
 216. My Neighbor's Wife, farce, ] act 3 3 
 
 2.16. My Turn Next, farce, 1 act 4 J 
 
 193. My Walking Photograph, musical 
 
 duality, 1 act". 1 1 • 
 
 267. My Wife's Bonnet, farce. 1 act...! . 3 4 
 loO. My Wife's Diary, farce, 1 act 3 1 
 
 92. My Wife's Out, farce. 1 act 2 2 
 
 218. Naval Engagements, farce. 2 acts. . . 4 2 
 140. Never Reckon your Chickens, etc., 
 
 farce. 1 act 3 4 
 
 115. New Men and Old Acres, comedy, 3 8 5 
 2. Nobody's Child, drama, 3 acts 18 8 
 
 57. Noemie, drama. 2 acts 4 4 
 
 104. No Name, drama. 5 acts 7 6 
 
 112. Not a bit Jealous, farce, 1 act 3 3 
 
 208. Not if I Know it. farce, 1 act 4 4 
 
 185. Not so bad as we Seem. f/Iay, 5 acts.l3 2 
 
 84. Not Guilty, drama, 4 acts . . 10 6 
 
 117. Not such a Fool as he Looks, drama, 
 
 3 acts .. 5 4 
 
 171. Nothiug like Paste, ffirce, 1 act. . . 3 J 
 14. No Thoroughfare, d*«ma, 5 acts 13 6 
 
 300. Notre Dame, drama, 3 acts 11 8 
 
 269. Object of Interest (An), farce, 1 act. 4 3 
 268. Obstinate Family (The), faice, 1 act. 3 3 
 173. Oflf the Stage, comedietta. 1 act. ... 3 3 
 
 227. Omnibus (The), farce, 1 act . . 5 4 
 
 176. On Bread and Water, farce, 1 act. . . 1 2 
 254. One Too Many, farce, 1 act 4 2 
 
 33. One Too Many for Him, farce, 1 act 2 3 
 ?. £100,000, comedy, 3 acts 8 4 
 
 M. Only a Hallpenny. farce, 1 act 2 2 
 
 170. Only Somebody, farce, 1 act 4 2 
 
 289. On the Jury, di'ania. 4 acts 5 6 
 
 97. Orange Blor.soms, comedietta, 1 act 3 3 
 
 66. Orange Girl, drama. 4 acts 18 4 
 
 209. Othello, tragedy, 5 acts 16 9 
 
 172. Ours, comedy, 3 act^i 6 S 
 
 04. Our Clerks, farce. 1 act 7 li 
 
 45. Our Domestics, comedy- farce, 2 acts 6 6 
 
 155. Our Heroes, military play, 5 acts. ..24 5 
 178 Out at Sea, drama, 5 acts. 17 5 
 
DE WITT'S ACTING PLATS.-Oontmuea, 
 
 147. 
 
 aoo. 
 
 285. 
 15«. 
 
 82. 
 127. 
 
 23. 
 
 293. 
 
 62. 
 
 61. 
 138. 
 217. 
 110. 
 
 60. 
 
 59. 
 
 95. 
 280. 
 
 181. 
 196. 
 
 255. 
 157. 
 132. 
 237. 
 183. 
 
 38. 
 
 77. 
 316. 
 
 195. 
 247. 
 194. 
 
 13. 
 229. 
 158. 
 201. 
 264. 
 
 79. 
 203. 
 
 37. 
 
 35. 
 313. 
 
 221. 
 10. 
 26. 
 
 207. 
 304. 
 78. 
 215. 
 •jr.6. 
 232. 
 
 31. 
 150. 
 120, 
 
 M. F. 
 
 Overfaiiti iCoute. comedy, 3 acts 11 5 
 
 Pair of Shoes (A), larco, 1 act 4 3 
 
 Partuers for Lilu, comedy, 3 acts 7 4 
 
 Peace at auy Price, larce, 1 act 1 1 
 
 Peep o' L»ay, drama, 4 acts 12 4 
 
 Peggy Greeu, farce, 1 act 3 10 
 
 Petticoat Pariiameut, exti"Hvagauza, 
 
 lact 15 24 
 
 Philomel, romantic drama, 3 acts.. . 6 4 
 
 Photogiapliic Fix, farce, 1 act 3 2 
 
 Plot aud Passiou, dis<,ma, 3 acts. ... 7 2 
 
 Poll aud Partuer Joe, burlcbqe, la., 10 3 
 
 Poor Pilli«x)ddy, farce, 1 act 2 3 
 
 Poppl^etou's Predicauieut.s. fai-©e, la. 3 C 
 
 Porter's Kuot, drama, 2 acts 8 2 
 
 Po.st Boy, diama. 2 acts 5 3 
 
 Pretty Horse-lireakcr, farce 3 10 
 
 Pretty Piece of Busiuesa <A), come- 
 dy, 1 act .. 2 3 
 
 182. Queen Maiy. drama. 4 act.-s 37 U 
 
 Queerest Courtship (The), comic 
 
 operetta, 1 act 1 1 
 
 Quiet Family, tiarce, 1 act 4 4. 
 
 Quite at Home, comedietta, 1 act. . . 5 2 
 
 Race for a Dinner, farce, 1 act 10 
 
 Kegular Fix (A), farce, 1 act 6 4 
 
 Richelieu, play, 5 acts 12 2 
 
 Rightful Heir, drama, 5 acts 10 2 
 
 Roll of the Drum, drama, 3 acts 8 4 
 
 Romeo ou the Gridirou (A), mono- 
 logue, for a lady 1 
 
 Rosemi Shell, burlesque, 4 scenes.. 6 3 
 
 Rough Diamond (The), farce, 1 act. 6 3 
 
 Rum, drama, 3 acts 7 4 
 
 Ruy Bias, drama, 4 acts 12 4 
 
 Saiah's Young Man, farce, 1 act 3 3 
 
 School, comedy, 4 acts, 6 6 
 
 School for Scandal, comedy, 5 acts. .13 4 
 
 Sci-ap of Paper (A), comic drama, 3a. 6 6 
 
 Sheep iuWolf s Clothiug, di-ama, la. 7 5 
 
 She Stoops to Conquer, comedy, 6a.l5 4 
 
 Silent Protector, farce. 1 act , 3 2 
 
 Silent Woman, farce, 1 act 2 1 
 
 Single Married Mau (A), comic ope- 
 retta, 1 act 6 2 
 
 Si.sterly Service, comedietta, 1 act. . 7 2 
 
 Six Months Ago, comedietta, 1 act.. 2 1 
 
 Slasher and Crasher, farce. 1 act, . . 5 2 
 
 Suapping Turtles, tluolog\ie, 1 act. . .1 1 
 
 Society, comedy, 3 acts 16 5 
 
 Sold Again, comic operetta, lact... 3 1 
 
 Sparking, comedietta, 1 act 1 2 
 
 Special Performances, farce, 1 act. . 7 3 
 Still Waters Run Deep, comedy. 3a. 9 2 
 Sweethearts, dramutie contrast, 2a.. 2 2 
 Tail (Tale) of a Shark, musical mon- 
 ologue, 1 scene. 1 
 
 Tamuig a Tiger, farce, 1 act 3 
 
 Tell-Tale rx -.''t, comedietta. 1 act. . 1 2 
 
 Tempest in a ica^^ot eomedj', 1 act 2 1 
 
 AT. 
 
 257. Ten Nights in a Bar Uoom, drama, 
 
 5 acts 8 9 
 
 146. There's no Smoka without Fne, 
 
 comedietta, 1 act, 1 3 
 
 83. Thrice Married, personatiou i^iece, 
 
 1 act. 6 1 
 
 2+5. Thumpin<g Legacy <A), 1 act 7 1 
 
 251. Ticket of Leave Mau, drama, 4 acts. 9 3 
 
 42. Time and the Hour, drama, 3 acts, 7 3 
 
 27. Time and Tide, drama, 4 acts 7 6 
 
 l:j;]. Timothy to the Rescue, farce, 1 act 4 2 
 loo. 'Tis Better to Live than to Die, 
 
 farce, lact 2 1 
 
 134. Tompkins tiie Troubadour, farce. 1. 3 2 
 
 2 . 2. Toodles (The), diania, 2 acts 10 2 
 
 2o5. To Oblige Beusou. comedietta, 1 act 3 2 
 2J8. Trying It Ou, farce, 1 act 3 3 
 
 29. Turuiug the Tables, tiarce, 1 act.. . . 6 3 
 
 214. Turn Him Out, farce, 1 act 3 2 
 
 IJH. Tweedie's Rights, comedy, 2 acts.. 4 2 
 
 1 26. Twice Kdlcd, farce, 1 act 6 3 
 
 2 Jl. 'Twixt Axe and Crown, play, 6 acts.24 13 
 I'JS. Twiu Sister.^, comie operetta. 1 act 2 2 
 
 265. Tuo Bounycastles, farce, 1 act 3 3 
 
 220. Two Buzzardfe (The), farce, 1 act 3 2 
 
 5G. Two Gay Decei 'ers. tace, 1 act 3 
 
 123. Two Polts, farce, 1 act 4 4 
 
 288. Two Roses (The), comedv- 3 acts. ..74 
 292. Two Thorns (Tbe), comedy, 4 acts.. 9 4 
 294. Uncle Dick's Darling, drama, 3 acts 6 6 
 
 162. Uncle's Will, comedietta, 1 act 2 1 
 
 lOG, Up for the Cattle Show, farce, 1 act 6 2 
 
 81. Vandyke Brown, farce, 1 act 3 ? 
 
 317. Veteran of 1812 (The), romantic mil- 
 itary drama, 5 acts 12 5 
 
 124. Volunteer Review, farce, 1 act 6 e 
 
 91. Walpole, comedy in rhyme 7 2 
 
 118. Wanted, a Young Lady, farce, 1 act. 2 1 
 231. Wanted, One Thousand Spirited 
 Young Milliners for the Gold Re- 
 
 gion.s, fai-ce, 1 act 3 7 
 
 44. War to to the Knife, comedy, 8 acts 5 4 
 311. What Tears can do, comedietta, la.. 3 2 
 105. Which of the Tavo? comedietta, la.. 2 10 
 2(;6. Who Killed Cock Robin? farce, 2a.. 2 2 
 
 98. Who is Who ? farce 3 2 
 
 12. Widow Hunt, comedy, 3 acts 4 4 
 
 213. Widow (The), comedy, 3 acts 7 6 
 
 6. William Tell with a Vengeance, bur- 
 lesque 8 2 
 
 „.,, /Window Curtain, monologue 1 
 
 ^ J Circumstantial Evidence " 1 
 
 136. Woman in Red, drama, 4 acts 6 8 
 
 161. Woman's Vows aud Masons' Oaths, 
 
 drama, 4 acts 10 4 
 
 11. Woodcock's Little Game, farce, 2a.. 4 i 
 290. Wrong Man iu tUe Right Place (A), 
 
 fa rce, 1 act 2 5 
 
 64, Young Collegian, farce, 1 act 3 2 
 
'Ts^^-^ 
 
 ETHIOPIAN AND COMIC DEAMA. 
 
 I Nothing so thorough and complete in the way of Ethiopian and Comic Dramas has ever 
 
 teen printed as those that appear in the following list. Not only are the plots excellent, the 
 
 fiaracters droll, the incidents funny, the language humorous, but all the situations, by.play, 
 
 t)sitions, pantomimic business, scenery, and tricks are so plainly set down and clearly 
 
 \plained that the merest novice could put auy of them on the stage. Included in this 
 
 talogue are all the most laughable and effective pieces of their class ever produced. 
 
 \***Iu ordering please copy the figures at >the commencement of each piece, which 
 
 Icate the number of the piece in " De Witt's Ethiopian and Comic Drama." 
 
 \8^ Any of the following Plays sent, postage free, ou receipt of price— ^i/<een Cents 
 
 ^=* The figure following the name of the Play denotes the number of Acts. 
 )s iu the columns indicate the number of characters — M. male; F. female. 
 
 The 
 
 / M. F. 
 
 jbsent Minded, Ethiopian farce, 1 
 
 /act ... 3 1 
 
 /ifricau Box, burlesque, 2 scenes. . . 5 
 /Africauus Bluebeard, musical Ethi- 
 
 I opian burlesque, 1 scene 6 2 
 
 / Ambition, farce, 2 scenes 7 
 
 /. Awful Plot (An) Ethiopian farce, la, 3 1 
 •ko. Baby Elephant, sketch, 2 scenes... 7 1 
 42. Bad Whiskey, Irish sketch, 1 sceu^ ^ 1 
 79. Barney's Coiirtship, musical intef^ 
 
 lude,lact 1 2 
 
 40. Big Mistake, sketch, 1 scene 4 
 
 6. Black Cha^> from Whitechapel, Ne- 
 
 ~ gro pieco 4 
 
 10. Black Chemist, sketch, 1 scene .... 3 
 
 11. Black-Ey'd William, sketch, 2 scenes 4 1 
 46. Black Forrest (The),Ethiopian farce, 
 
 lact 2 1 
 
 10. Black Magician (De),Ethiopian com- 
 icality 4 2 
 
 2ft. Black Statue (The). Negro farce 4 2 
 
 27. Blinks and Jinks, Ethiopian sketch. 3 1 
 
 28. Bobolino, the Black Bandit, Ethio- 
 
 pian musical farce, 1 act 2 1 
 
 20. Body Snatchers (The),Negro sketch, 
 
 2 scenes 3 1 
 
 78. Bogus Indian, sketch, 4 scenes 5 2 
 
 89. Bogus Talking Machine (The), farce, 
 
 1 scene 4 
 
 24. Bruised and Cured, sketch, 1 scene. 2 
 08. Charge of the Hash Brigade, comic 
 
 Irish musical sketch 2 2 
 
 48. Christmas Eve in the South, Ethio- 
 pian farce, 1 act 6 2 
 
 35. Coal Heaver's Revenge,Negro sketch, 
 
 1 scene 6 
 
 12. Coming Man (The), Ethiopian sketch, 
 
 2 scenes 3 1 
 
 41. Cremation, sketch, 2 scenes! 8 1 
 
 '4. Crowded Hotel (The), sketch, 1 sc. 4 1 
 
 , Cupid's Frolics, sketch, 1 scene .... 5 1 
 
 \Daguerreotypes, sketch, 1 scene 3 
 
 \)amonand Pythias, burlesque, 2 sc. 5 1 
 
 darkey's Stratagem, sketch, 1 scene 3 1 
 ykey Sleep Walker (The), Ethio- 
 
 '; an sketch, 1 scene 3 1 
 
 124. 
 111. 
 
 139. 
 50. 
 Gi. 
 95. 
 
 67. 
 4. 
 136. 
 98. 
 52. 
 25. 
 
 M. F. 
 Deaf as a Post, Ethiopian sketch,, . . 2 
 Deeds of Darkness, Ethiopian ex- 
 travaganza, 1 act 6 1 
 
 Desperate Situation (A), farce, 1 sc. 6 2 
 
 Draft (The), sketch, 2 scenes 6 
 
 Dutchman's Ghost, 1 scene 4 1 
 
 Dutch Justice, laughable sketch, 
 
 1 scene 11 
 
 Editor's Troubles, farce, 1 scene.. . 6 
 
 Eh ? What is it ? sketch 4 1 
 
 Election Day, Ethiopian farce, 2 sc. 6 1 
 Elopement (The), farce, 2 scenes. . . 4 1 
 
 Excise Trials, sketch, 1 scene 10 1 
 
 .Fellow that Looks like Me, inter- 
 lude, 1 scene 2 1 
 
 First Night (The), Dutch farce, 1 act 4 2 
 Fisherman's Luck, sketch, 1 scene. 2 
 Fun in a Cooper's Shop, Ethiopian 
 
 sketch 6 
 
 Gambrinus. King of Lager Beer, 
 
 Ethiopian burlesque, 2 scenes 8 1 
 
 German Emigrant (The),sketch,l8C. 2 2 
 Getting Square on the Call Boy, ■» 
 
 sketch, 1 scene 3 
 
 Ghost (The). Sketch, 1 act 2 
 
 Ghost in a Pawn Shop, sketch. 1 sc, 4 
 
 G'ycerine Oil, sketch, 2 scenes 3 
 
 f.oiug for the Cup, interlude 4 
 
 Jood Night's Rest, sketch, 1 scene. 3 
 Go and get Tight, Ethiopian sketch, 
 
 1 scene 6 
 
 Gripsack, sketch, 1 scene 3 
 
 Guide to the Stage, sketch 3 
 
 Happy Couple, 1 scene 2 1 
 
 Happy Uncle Eufus, Ethiopian mu- 
 sical sketch, 1 scene 1 1 
 
 Hard Times, extravaganza. 1 scene. 5 1 
 Helen's Funny Babies, burlesque, 
 
 1 act 6 
 
 Hemmed In. sketch 3 1 
 
 High Jack, the Heeler, sketch, 1 sc. 6 
 
 Hippotheatron, sketch 9 
 
 How to Pay the Rent, farce, 1 scene 6 
 
 In and Out, sketch. 1 scene 2 
 
 Intelligence Office (The), Ethiopian 
 sketch, 1 scene 2 1 
 
An MmmM 
 
 LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 
 
 018 604 069 7 
 
 HOW TO MAIAaE 
 
 AMATETO THEATEICAIS. 
 
 Being plain instructions for construction and arranjrement of Stage; 
 making Scenery, getting up Costumes, '^Making Up'^ to represen 
 different ages and characters, and how to produce stage Illusions a. 
 Effects. Also hints for the management of Amateur Dramatic Clut^ 
 and a list of pieces suitable for Drawing Room Performances. ,Han(* 
 somely illustrated with Colored Plates. 
 
 JPHce, 25 Cents, 
 
 DE WITT'S SELECTIONS 
 
 MTEl 11 PABLOR THBATKIGALS. 
 
 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 PLAY , 
 
 "HUMPTY DUMPTY." 
 
 The celebrated Pantomime, as originally played for 1,000 nighis by the 
 iate Gkoiigk L. Fox. Arranged by John Denier, Esq. Eight male, 
 four female characters. ,/ 
 
 Price, 25 Cents,