Class_£LN-4„2_ai Book.Z WO " GcpiglrtN? COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. TSDENBON L COMPANY PUBLISHERS CHICAGO DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS Partial List of Successful end Popular Plays. Large Catalogue Free. 15 DRAMAS, COMEDIES, ENTERTAINMENTS, Etc. M. F, Aaron Boggs, Freshman, 3 acts, 2Vz hrs (35c) 8 i Abbu San of Old Japan, 2 arts. 2 hrs ^O After the Game, 2 acts 154 hrs. .(2f c ) ! 9 All a Mistake, 3 acts, 2 hrs. (35c) 4 4 All on Account of Polly, 3 acts 2i4 hrs (35c) 6 10 And Home Came Ted, 3 acts, 2^ hrs (50c) 6 6 Arizona Cowboy, 4 acts, 254 hrs ( 3 ^ 7 5 Assisted by Sadie, 4 acts, 2}4 hrs (=>0c) 6 6 As a Woman Thinketh, 3 acts, 2J4 hrs -.• •• (3Sc) 9 / At the End of the Rainbow 3 acts, 2J4 hrs (35c) 6 14 Black Heifer, 3 acts, 2 hrs. (25c) 9 3 Boy Scout Hero, 2 acts, Wx hrs (25c) • l/ Boy Scouts' Good Turn, 3 acts, 134 hrs (25c) 16 2 Brookdale Farm, 4 acts 2/4 hrs -(25c) 7 3 Brother Josiah, 3 acts, 2 hrs. (25c) 10 Busy Liar, 3 acts, 2<4 h. (2dc) 7 Call of the Colors, 2 acts, 1 54 hrs (25c) 4 Call of Wohelo, 3 acts 1 [Vx hrs .(25c) Camouflage of Shirley, 3 acts 24 hrs (35c) 8 10 Civil Service, 3 acts, 2 1 4 hrs. (35c) o o College Town, 3 acts, 2 $4 hrs V,V (3 ^ C) Deacon Dubbs, 3 acts, 2% hrs. (35c) 5 i> Deacon Entangled, 3 acts, 2 hrs. (35c) 6 4 Down in Dixie, 4 acts 2*4 hrs -- (25c) , 8 4 Dream That Came True, 3 acts, 254 brs (3oc) 6 13 Editor-in-Chief, 1 hr . . (25c) . 10 Enchanted Wood, lVx h (3.-»c).Optnl. Everyyouth, 3 acts, 154 h. (25c) 7 6 Face at the Window, 3 acts, 2 hrs ( 2;3C ) 4 4 For the Love of Johnny 3 acts, 254 hrs (50c) 6 3 Fun on the Podunk Limited. 11/2 hrs (30c) 9 14 Gettin' Acquainted, 25 min. (35c) 1 2 Her Honor, the Mayor, 3 art- 2 hrs. (35c) 3 5 High School Freshman, 3 acts, 2 hrs (25c) 12 Indian Days, 1 hr (50c) 2 In Plum Valley, 4 acts, 2 54 his (23c) 6 4 Jayville Junction, 1% hrs. (25c) 14 17 Kicked Out of College, 3 acts, 2% hrs ...(35c)10 9 Kingdom of Heart's Content 3 acts, 254 hrs (35c) 6 12 Laughmg Cure, 2 acts, Wx hrs. (35c) .;; 4 5 Lighthouse Nan, 3 acts, 254 hrs VV ( 1° C) 5 Little Buckshot, 3 acts, 2 54 hrs. (25c) • 7 4 Little Clodhopper, 3 acts 2 hrs (35c) 3 4 Mirandy's Minstrels (30c) Optnl. Mrs. Tubbs of Shantytown 3 acts, 254 hrs .-OSc) 4 7 My Irish Rose, 3 acts, 254 hrs. (35 C ) 6 6 Old Maid's Club, W2 hrs. (30c) 2 16 Old Oaken Bucket, 4 acts \ hrs ( 2:,c - ) $ 6 Old School at Hick'ry Holler 154 hrs (3Uc)li y On the Little Big Horn, 4 acts, 2V 2 hrs (25c)10 - Poor Married Man, 3 acts - hrs (35c) 4 4 Prairie Rose, 4 acts, 2^h.(35c) 7 4 Real^Thing After All,3 ( act.. ? ? R ^trs. R r. e °:.. 2 .. a . C ^(3 2 5c)1012 Ruth in a Rush, 3 acts, 254 hrs ( 35c) 5 7 Safety First, 3 acts, 214 hrs (35c) 5 Southern Cinderella, 3 acts 2 hrs (J0c) 7 Spark o^Life, 3 acts, (25c)4 4 Spell hi OftheImage : 3acts. 3 2 54 ioio Star Bright, 3 acts, 254 h. (35c) 6 Those Dreadful Twins, 3 acts. 2 hrs (2jc) 6 4 Thread of Destiny. 3 acts 254 hrs (3oc) 9 16 Ton v. the Convict, 5 acts, 254 hrs • (25c) / 4 Trial of Hearts, 4 acts, 254 hrs. (35 C ) 6 18 Trip to Storyiand, VA hrs. (25c) 17 23 Uncle Tosh, 4 acts, 2 54 hrs. (25c) 8 o Under' Blue Skies, 4 acts 2 hrs (35c) / 10 When Smith Stepped Oui. 3 acts, 2 h-s (30c) 4 4 Whose Little Bride Are You? 3 acts, 254 hrs (50c) 5 Winning Widow. 2 acts, 154 hrs. (?5c) T.S.DENISON&COMPANY,Publishers,1^4W.^andolphSt..Ch^ SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS DIALOGUES, EXERCISES. RECITATIONS, PLAYS, FOLK DANCES, ETC. FOR USE IN THE SCHOOLROOM BY MARY MODENA BURNS, A.M. AUTHOR OF "Her Honor the Mayor," "Good Things for Sunday Schools, '' etc. CHICAGO T. S, DENISON & COMPANY PUBLISHERS COPYRIGHT, 1920 BY T. S. DENISON & COMPANY ©CU597405 SEP FOREWORD The little plays and exercises contained in this vol- ume are designed in the hope of filling the needs of public school performances, educationally as well as dramatically. Each exercise contains a distinct lesson. The settings are simple, all being intended to be played in the schoolroom. Costumes, when any special cos- tuming is needed, may be made at home. Elaborate costuming tends to develop self -consciousness or van- ity in the young- players. One of the most valuable cultural assets of children is their natural dramatic instinct. President-Emeritus Eliot of Harvard said not long ago that the day would come when every schoolhouse would be also an ama- teur theatre. CONTENTS PAGE Abe Q4 Lincoln recitation in poetry All-United States, The 75 Exercise for a school. History, geography, patriotism Baseball Spelling Match 21 Easy to arrange; very popular Bird Play, The 106 Songs and dialogue for entire school. Nature study. Comedy features Books of the Bible 31 Memory verse Boston Tea Party, The 53 Short prose recitation Boy Who Hated Grammar, The 22 Comedy. Scholars impersonate parts of speech, punctuation marks, etc. Bravery of Peggy Stewart, The 54 Revolutionary dialogue Complete Hallowe'en Program 33 Decorations, program, invitations, stunts fully .de- scribed Doctor Funnybone's Hospital 121 Funny dialogue. Physiology and hygiene Four Winds, The 36 Indian folk dance for entire school Friendly Trees, The . 63 Complete nature-study play for entire school. Songs, etc. CONTENTS PAGE Good Thanksgiving, A I0 4 Dialogue in verse Grandmother's Methods or How to Study . . . .41 Dialogue. Spelling. Methods of study Great Mock Trial of Wind vs. Water g Exercise for entire school. Elementary science How the Colonies Received the News 52 Dialogue, Shadow play Howe in Philadelphia ': ■ . . 58 Colonial dialogue Living Letters 07 A novel exercise in pronunciation March of the Corn and Wheat States, The ... 84 School drill with song and geographical dialogue Paul Revere 5,6 Recitation in rhyme Rainbow Exercise 2Q Drill, song and scientific explanation Revolutionary Days 48 Complete program for school Rhyme of Our Presidents, A 1.34 History memory verse Rubbernecks, The 34 Song and drill for boys. Hallowe'en Sergeant Molly Pitcher . . .60 Costume recitation, prose Story of the Cherry Tree, The 49 Comedy shadow pantomime Surrender of Cornwallis, The 61 Shadow picture Ten Commandments in Verse 74 Short memory exercise CONTENTS PAGE Washington 47 Short dialogue in verse What Caused the War of 1776 50 Dialogue, shadow pantomime Wonders of the World 116 Dialogue 7 girls, 7 boys Words for a Pronunciation Contest 07 Words for a Spelling Match g6 joo commonly misspelled words Note. — All the music called for in this book, with a few exceptions, may be found in " The Golden Book of Favorite Songs," which we will send postpaid upon receipt of price, 15 cents. They are old airs familiar to nearly every one. Schoolroom Entertainments HE GREAT MOCK TRIAL OF WIND VS. WATER Characters: Science, the judge. May be played by a girl draped in a sheet, with the words " Science " on sign on cos- tume ; or by a boy in collegiate cap and gown. Echo, the court crier. A small boy dressed in police- man's play suit, or a small girl in white, carrying a banner reading " Echo." Benjamin Franklin, ~ a juryman. Robert Fulton, a juryman. Thomas Edison, a juryman. William Ferrel, a juryman. Robert Peary, a juryman. John Burroughs, a juryman. The six jurymen are boys in ordinary attire, or dressed as men, with long coats, top hats, canes, etc. Wind. A boy or girl in ordinary costume bearing banner inscribed " Wind." Cyclone. Boy or girl bearing banner inscribed " Cy- clone." io SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Anti-Cyclone. Boy or girl bearing banner "Anti- Cyclone." Hurricane. Girl dressed in gray bearing banner " Hurricane." Thunder. Boy wrapped in long, trailing black cloak with word " Thunder " stitched on it in white. Cymbals. „ Lightning. Girl in long trailing shawl or cloak with -flashes of sinuous lightning cut out from red or silver paper on it. Bears banner inscribed "Lightning." Tornado. Boy draped in black cloak or shawl. Car- ries toy whistle. * Chinook. Boy or girl in Indian play costume. Norther. Boy in cowboy play costume. Water. Boy or girl bearing banner reading " Water." May wear sailor or middie costume. Stratus Clouds. Girl in gray drapery. Gray veil- ing over head and face. Cumulus Clouds. Girl draped in white sheet. She wears a hood like Rosea in the famous Sargent pic- ture. This hood is covered with white cotton. Cirrus Clouds. Blue dress with white gauze drapery. White veil over head and face. Rain. Boy draped in gray shawl. Carries sprinkling can. Hail. Boy draped in gray shazvl. Carries small bag of rice to represent hail. Snow. Girl dressed in black with small bits of cotton sewed on to represent snow. Fog. Girl dressed in gray. Gray draperies of gauze. Gray veil. Sleet. Boy draped in white sheet. Dew. Girl dressed in white. Science seated at desk. Echo in attendance. Science. The first case on the docket is one of libel brought by Water against Wind. Water claims that it has been libelled by Wind because the latter has SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS stated that it is of more importance to the world than Water. Echo, call in the jury. Echo. The jury! (salutes). Echo exits and returns followed by the six Jury- men. They take seats at right. Echo stands at left. Science. The first juryman. Echo. The first juryman. Franklin (rises). I am Benjamin Franklin, born Jan. 17, 1706, died April 17, 1790. Surely I am known to Science. Science. Indeed you are. You are known to every one. I remember one day I was asking a class of very young students if any of them knew what a pen- dulum was. Only one hand was raised. " Well, Johnny," said I, " what can you tell us of the pendu- lum ? " Johnny arose with suppressed excitement, looked me square in the face and said with a tone of great triumph, " Pendulum Franklin," and took his seat. (Laughter.) Franklin. I exhibited in a distinct form the theory of positive and negative electricity and by my famous experiment with a kite I proved that lightning and electricity are identical. I invented the lightning rod for the protection of buildings and I discovered that most storms move across the country from west to east. (Resumes his seat.) Science. The second juryman. Echo. The second juryman. Fulton (rises). I am Robert Fulton, born in Penn- sylvania in- 1765, died in New York City in 181 5. I invented the first submarine or plunging boat, and in 1807 proved that steam could be applied to propel ves- sels with entire success. My first steamboat, the Cler- mont, made a progress on the Hudson River of five miles per hour. (Resumes his seat.) Science. The third juryman. 12 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Echo. The third juryman. Edison (rises). I am Thomas Edison, born in Milan, O., in 1847. More than 300 patents have been issued on my inventions, which include the phonograph, a long-distance telephone, the incandescent electric lamp, and a storage battery for street cars and automo- biles. (Sits.) Science. The fourth juryman. Echo. The fourth juryman. Ferrel (rises). I am William Ferrel. I was a school teacher in Nashville, Tenn., and a self-taught mathematician. In 1856 I discovered an explanation of the general wind system of the globe. If a mass of air starts to move on the earth's surface, it deviates to the right in the northern hemisphere, to the left in the southern hemisphere, and tends to move in a circle the radius of which depends upon its velocity and the lati- tude of the place. (Sits.) Science. The fifth juryman. Echo. The fifth juryman. Peary (rises). I am Robert Peary, an Arctic ex- plorer and civil engineer in the United States navy. I was born in Pennsylvania in 1856. On April 6, 1909, I discovered the North Pole. (Sits.) Science. The sixth juryman. Echo. The sixth juryman. Burroughs (rises). I am John Burroughs, natural- ist and descriptive writer. I was born in Roxbury, N. Y., in 1837. I love nature, the hills and valleys, the rivers and ravines. I love the birds and have watched them and studied them for years. I have described the birds and animals, and the natural beau- ties of my country as no other writer has ever described them. I have taken thousands of readers with me on delightful journeys close to nature's heart, in this country, and in many European trips. (Sits.) Science. Call Water, the plaintiff. Echo. Water, the plaintiff. SC UOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 13 Science. And the Clouds, Rain, Hail, Snow, Fog and Sleet, witnesses for the plaintiff. . Echo. Witnesses for the plaintiff. The school sings some pretty, appropriate song. During the song enter Water, the Clouds, Rain, Hail, Snow, Fog and Sleet. They march about room, then line up on left. Water in front. Science. Rain, take the stand. Echo. Take the stand! (Rain takes chair at right of center.) Rain. I am Rain. Water vapor is present at all times in the atmosphere as an invisible gas. If you heat a pan of water on the stove, it will soon begin to boil and finally will disappear. It has turned into water vapor and is invisible. Science. How can you prove that it is still present in the air, although not visible? Rain. Take a tin cup and fill it full of ice. That lowers its temperature and also the temperature of the air in contact with the cup. Finally drops of water will collect on the outside of the cup where the air has been cooled below its dew point. Science. What is meant by the term dew-point? Rain. It is a degree of temperature at which the air is saturated. That is, the air can contain no more water-vapor at that temperature. If the temperature is lowered, even a trifle, or if more water vapor is added by evaporation, it must become visible as drops of water. This is called condensation. Science. And what is rain? Rain. Rain is condensed water vapor, no longer invisible, but plainly visible as water drops. It is heavier than air and therefore falls to earth feeding the hungry flowers and grass, quenching the thirst of mankind, making the powerful rivers and the mighty seas. Science. You have answered well. Stand aside. Call the Clouds. i 4 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Rain stands at rear. The three Clouds cross to right center. Echo. The Clouds! Stratus Cloud. I am Stratus Cloud. My name means " layer " and I cause what is known as " gray weather." I am a thick, gray, low-lying horizontal cloud-sheet about 2100 feet above the earth. The south wind brings large quantities of warm wet air from the south and carries it over the colder surfaces farther north. As a result this warm air is cooled below the dew point and stratus clouds result. If more warm air is imported, or if the air is cooled decid- edly below the dew point, I am unable to hold up such a great weight of water and rain results. Cumulus Cloud. I am Cumulus Cloud. I gen- erally appear like a mountain in the sky, with flat base and white rounded top that looks like an exploded cotton bale. My top is about 6000 feet above the earth. Cumulus Clouds are formed by convection. Warm air at the earth's surface sometimes becomes warmer than the air that surrounds it. It therefore rises and coming into regions of less air pressure, it then expands. This expansion causes cooling and when the dew point is passed, the excess moisture con- denses in the form of clouds. Convection only occurs during the day, when the sun is shining on the earth, and more often in summer than in winter. Cirrus Cloud. I am Cirrus Clouds, the thin, whispy, white clouds that float high in the sky. I am about 28,000 feet above the earth and unlike the other clouds, I am not composed of water drops. Science. Not composed of water drops? Why, I thought all clouds were composed of water drops. Cirrus Cloud. You forget how high I am and how cold it is in my aerial home. Temperature, as a rule, decreases 1 degree Fahrenheit, for every 300 feet of elevation. Therefore instead of beine: com- SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 15 posed of water drops, Cirrus Clouds are made up of icy-crystals. Science. Call Fog to the stand. Echo. Fog to the stand! (Fog crosses to right center.) Fog. I am Fog. When the air near the earth's surface becomes saturated with water, Fog generally forms, the condensation taking place on dust or some other particle in the air. Winter fogs are caused by warm, wet air from the south becoming chilled in northern climes. Autumn fog is caused by the long cold nights when heat is radiated from the earth and the temperature of the air is forced beyond the dew point. Science. Call Hail, Snow and Sleet. Echo. Hail, Snow and Sleet. (These characters take their places, as the Clouds and Fog retire to back- er ound.) Hail. Hail generally occurs in summer at the be- ginning of a thundershower. A water drop forms high up in the air, winds carry it up even higher and it freezes and is coated with snow, then it falls again and is coated with water. Again it is forced upwr.rd by the wind and another coating of snow is formed. It falls and finally becomes so heavy that it falls to the earth as a frozen sphere with alternate layers of ice and snow. Snow. When the condensation causes precipitation while the temperature is below the freezing point, snow- flakes are formed. During very cold weather the snowflakes are always small, flat and regular and have angles of 60 degrees, or 120 degrees, which are char- acteristic of crystallized water. If the temperature is below zero, Fahrenheit, fine ice needles are formed in- stead of snowflakes. During warmer weather the snowflakes often clot together. Much of the winter rain probably left the cloud as snow and melted dur- ing the descent. 16 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Sleet. Sleet forms when the temperature of the cloud is above 32 degrees while the lower layers of air are below the freezing point. It is simply rain frozen before it reaches the earth. Science. Call Dew. Echo. Dew ! Dew (crosses to right center as Hail, Snow and Sleet retire). I am Dew. In the early evening, just after sunset, the leaves of trees and plants, the grass and the ground, lose their heat rapidly by radiation to space, and become colder than the overlying air. This air loses its heat by radiation and conduction to the colder ground, and soon reaches the saturation point. Any further lowering of the temperature causes the excess moisture in the air to appear on solid objects as dew. (Retires to rear.) Science. Call the plaintiff, Water. Echo. The plaintiff Water. Water (crossing to right center). My children have spoken for me. The soft, life-giving rain, the beautiful clouds that protect from the fierce sunlight, the snow that keeps the earth warm like a wonderful, white woolen blanket, the oceans, the rivers and the streams all speak of the beneficence of water. For ages my claim as chief aid to mankind has been undis- puted. Now I have heard rumors that Wind disputes my claim. Let us hear what she has to say. Science. Echo, call the defendant Wind ! - Echo. The defendant, Wind ! Science. And the witnesses for the defense, Cy- clone, Anti-cyclone, Hurricane, Thunder, Lightning. Tornado, Chinook, Norther ! Echo. Chinook, Norther! Science. Call them all. Echo. Them aH. Science. Tell them to come into court. Echo. Come into court! (All look toward left.) SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 17 Enter from left Wind and her witnesses, while the school sings some appropriate song. They march around the room. Tornado blowing his zvJiistle and Thunder clashing cymbals at intervals. Finally they line up at left. Water stands at rear right. Her witnesses behind the desk. Cyclone (crosses to right center). I am the Cy- clone. Many people think I am very dangerous and confuse me with my brother, Tornado, but a cyclone is a vast whirl of air turning counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere, with spirally inflowing winds. The air in the center of a cyclone is rare and therefore the pressure is low and other air flows in from all sides to equalize the pressure. A cyclone is nearly always attended by heavy rains and sometimes by thunder and lightning. Thunder (crashes cymbals). Axti-Cvclone (crossing and standing beside Cy- clone). I am the Anti-Cyclone. In the center of the Anti-Cyclone is an area of heavy air and consequently high pressure. Many people call me a High. Winds flow outward from the center and turn clockwise in the northern hemisphere. I am usually attended by clear, cold weather. Hurricane (crosses and stands between Cyclone and Anti-Cyclone). I am the Hurricane, a whirling storm that usually occurs in the tropics. I am really another Cyclone, but somewhat smaller and character- ized by terrific winds. Cyclones, Anti-Cyclones and Hurricanes move across the country in fairly well- defined paths, taking about three or four days to cross the country. The relative positions of areas of high and low pressure enable weather forecasters to predict the approaching weather conditions. Science. Let Tornado take the stand. Echo. Tornado, take the stand! 18 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS (Cyclone, Anti-Cyclone and Hurricane go to rear.) Tornado (crosses to right center). I am the Tor- nado, the most dangerous of all the storms. I am usually formed in the southeastern part of a cyclonic area and am always associated with a violent thunder- shower. I occur almost exclusively during the warmer months of the year and during the hottest part of the day. I am characterized by a peculiar black funnel- shaped cloud which extends downward from the heavy cloud masses above, usually reaches the earth's surface, and causes complete devastation wherever it touches. The noise that accompanies my passage is tremendous. (Whistles.) Science. Call Thunder and Lightning! Echo. Thunder and Lightning! Thunder and Lightning (cross to rigJit center as Tornado retires). We are Thunder and Lightning. Lightning. Wait a moment, Thunder, let me speak first. Thunder. That's right; you're a girl. Girls al- ways want to speak first and last, too. Lightning. Oh, they do, do they? Well, just re- member that it is the lightning that causes the thunder. If it were not for me, there wouldn't be any Thunder at all. As raindrops fall they become heavily charged with electricity and as the earth is also charged the potential difference becomes so great that an electric spark passes between cloud and earth, and a lightning- flash is the result. Thunder., The lightning flash suddenly heats the air which marks its path and causes it to expand quickly. This causes a wave of compression to travel out in every direction from the path of the flash, and Thunder is heard. (Crashes cymbals.) Sound travels 1090 feet per second, or about a mile in five seconds. By counting the number of seconds between the flash SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 19 and the sound, the distance in miles of the lightning from the observer may be estimated. Science. Call Chinook and Norther. (Lightning and Thunder retire. Chinook and Norther cross to right center.) Echo. Chinook and Norther. Chinook. I am a hot dry wind occurring chiefly on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains and I am called the Chinook. The air from the Pacific is mov- ing eastward and it is forced to rise by the Rocky Mountains; it expands and cools and heavy rains re- sult. After the top of the mountains is reached, the air begins to descend on the eastern side, but it is now being compressed and grows warm. Sometimes it is 40 degrees warmer than before it started its eastward journey. Norther. I am the Norther, the cold, northwest wind that marks the passing of the Cyclone and heralds the approach of the Anti-Cyclone. I sometimes sweep from my Montana and Wyoming home far to the south, bringing snow, sleet or ice-needles down as far as central Texas. Science. The defendant will take the stand! (Chinook and Norther retire and Wind crosses to right center.) Wind. I am the Wind. If it is too hot I bring the cool ocean breezes to lower the temperature. If it is too cool I bring the warm south wind to benefit mankind. I have been unappreciated too long, and I am glad to have this opportunity to explain to all of you the wonderful aid I am to the world. Water claims to give food to the plants and drink to the thirsty world. This is true, but I bring cool breezes to the parched, summer-stricken cities. Water. Yes, and sometimes you bring cold waves 20 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS in the winter. And killing frosts in the late spring and early fall. Wind. When water becomes stagnant in a place it breeds disease germs. Water. And the tornado destroys farms, cities and even counties. W x ind. Great floods sweep over our land. Water. And high winds destroy many ships at sea. Wind. Without the wind flowers could not grow. Water. Why not, pray? Wind. Because I carry the pollen. I aid the birds in their flight. I furnish power to windmills. Water. And I, too, furnish power to the water w r heels. Wind. I carry the clouds from place to place. ' Tis true that when my children become unruly, great damage results, but I maintain that it does not com- pare with the damage caused by floods. Water. Wind carries great masses of sand across fertile fields and destroys them. Pure water is the greatest gift to mankind WrxD. Pure air to breathe is even of more benefit than pure water. Water. Not at all. Let the jury decide. W'ind. Agreed. We'll leave it to the jury. Sclenxe. The jury will retire. {Exeunt Jury at left.) Wind. Of course, I don't bear any ill-will for Water. Water. Nor I for Wind. Science. Certainly not. Shake hands and be friends. Water. Wind, here's my hand ! Wind. And mine ! (Song may be introduced by school, or folk dance by all the characters.) Enter the Jurv. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS z\ Franklin. The jury have been unable to reach a verdict. We must leave the decision to public opinion. Science. I think we have reached a decision our- selves. Both Wind and Water are of inestimable serv- ice to mankind. Henceforth we will have no more debates, but only loving kindness. These two great forces for good will unite and all the world will be blessed by their loving union. (All sing some appropriate song and march out at left.) CURTAIN BASEBALL SPELLING MATCH The day before the spelling match the teacher ap- points the two best spellers as Captains. They toss a bat from one to another, then place hand over hand on the bat, the owner of the hand coming out at the top being allowed first choice. The entire school is chosen. If there is an odd one, he is made the Pitcher, if not the Teacher assumes this important position. On the day of the match designate the bases, first, second, third and home. The Captains act as Catchers to catch the misspelled words. Pitcher pronounces the words. B Catcher takes his place. A Batter takes his place at home base. Pitcher pronounces word, if Batter spells it correctly, he goes to 1st Base, if Batter misses the word, B Catcher spells it, then batter is out and another takes his place. Proceed as in baseball. As Batter starts to base, if someone is already there he moves on to next base. Three outs on each side make an inning, and nine innings make the game. If a batter passes all three bases and gets home, a score is made for his side. 22 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS THE BOY WHO HATED GRAMMAR Scliool Dialogue CHARACTERS : Billy, the boy who hated grammar. Bob, his chum. Isabelle, a schoolgirl. Marie, her chum. Three Articles. (Small children.) Three Nouns. ( Three large boys.) Two Verbs. (Girls.) Two Adverbs. (Smaller girls.) Two Adjectives. (Boys.) Two Pronouns. (Large girls.) Two Prepositions. (Boys.) Three Conjunctions. (Girls.) Interjections. (Several boys.) Periods. # (Smallest girls.) Commas. (Smallest boys.) Colon. (Boy.) Semi -colon. (Girl.) Interrogation Mark. (Tall boy.) Exclamation Mark. (Tall girl.) The Parts of Speech and the Puncl nation Marks wear ordinary costumes and on their right arms carry shields bearing their name, or mark. Scene: A school room. Desk at right. Entrance at left. Enter Billy from left. Billy. All the kids out there's a havin' recess, and I gotta stay in and study grammar, jest cause I don't talk fine enough to suit the teacher. What difference does it make how I talk? Folks all kin understand what I mean, and I guess that's enough. It don't SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 23 make no difference to me whether the subject comes before the apostrophe or after it, er whether there's a subject at all, er not. I don't care. I should worry. Isadelle (heard talking outside). Let's go in the school room and talk it over. Billy. Here comes that Isabelle Stanley. I'm going to hide. (Gets under desk.) I don't want her to be rubbering around me. Enter Isabelle, Bob and Marie from left. Isabelle. There isn't anyone here. Come in. We can make out the list in here. Bob. I thought Billy had to stay in after school. Isabelle. He did. I never saw such a boy. I think the teacher should put him back in the first grade. His grammar is quite imprudent. Bob. Oh, Billy's all right, but he just hates gram- mar. Marie. I've got the list all ready, Isabelle, but we have twelve girls and only seven boys. We can't have a party with only seven boys. Bob. Why don't you invite Billy? Isabelle. Why, the idea ! He doesn't move in our set at all. His grammar is perfectly astroctious. Marie. He's only careless, Isabelle. His father and mother are among the nicest people in town. Isabelle. Well, I'll not have anyone at my party who doesn't understand the indelicacies of language. He says " hadn't ought to " and " them things " and 11 those kind." My mother disallows me to associate with children who make grammastical mistakes. She says it will have a bad influence on my own Dickens. Marie. You mean your own diction. Isabelle. Yes, that's it. {Bell rings.) Come on, let's go and invite the others to my party. {They go out.) Billy {looks off left). Hello, look what's coming 2 4 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS here. (Stands up and rubs his eyes.) I'll bet a niekel I'm asleep and dreaming. It looks like the Jing- ling and Bay-rum Circus. Music: A march. Enter from left in a straight line, marching, the Parts of Speech and the Punctua- tion Marks. They -inarch around room, pointing their fingers scornfully at Billy as they pass him. Finally they all line up on platform, the three Articles in front. Billy stands at right looking at them. Articles (in unison). Three little words we often see Are Articles, a, an, and the. (They march to left.) Nouns (taking their places). A Noun's the name of anything; As school, or garden, hoop or swing. (Go to rear.) . Adjectives (taking their place at front). Adjectives tell the kind of noun. As great, small, pretty, white or brown. (Retire.) Pronou ns ( advance ) . Instead of Nouns the Pronouns stand ; His head, her hat, your arm, my hand. (Retire.) Verbs (advance). Verbs tell of something being done, As read, write, spell, sing, jump or run. (Retire.) Adverbs (advance). How things are done the Adverbs tell, As slowly, quickly, ill or well. They also tell us where or when, As here or there and now and then. (Retire.) Prepositions (advance). A Preposition stands before a noun, As through a door or in a town. (Retire.) Conjunctions (advance). Conjunctions join the words together, SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 25 As rain or sunshine, wind and weather. Conjunctions sentences unite, As " Kittens scratcli but puppies bite." (Retire.) Interjections (advance). An Interjection shows surprise; As, Oh, how pretty! Ah, how wise! (Retire.) Billy. Humph! I guess I know what interjec- tions is ! Verbs (in center). No, no, no! What interjec- tions are. Billy. That's what I meant, what interjections are. First Verb. A plural subject always takes a plural predicate. Billy. Where does he take her to? The picture show ? Prepositions. Not where does he take her to! Just say, where does he take her. Don't overwork the poor prepositions. Periods (advance). Billy. Hello, what are all them funny little things? First Preposition. You mean what are all those funny little things? Billy. All right, let 'er go at that. What are all those funny little things? Periods. We are Periods, and should be used at the end of every complete sentence. We are also used at the end of abbreviations. (March to rear.) Commas (advance). Commas mark the shortest pause that we make in speaking. In many cases our use depends upon taste. First Comma. Whenever you pause to take a short breath, put in a comma. Second Comma. To set off words in apposition, to separate words in a series from the rest of a sentence, and before and after a quotation, you must use us. (Commas retire. ) 26 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Billy. There hain't no use in using commas, and I ain't a goin' to use 'em. All (throw up hands in horror). What grammar! He is murdering the King's English. First Noun. Perhaps he doesn't know any better. First Verb. Maybe he's only in the kindergarten. All. Poor, ignorant little Willie from the kinder- garten. Billy. I hain't from no kindergarden, and I'know a whole lot more than you think I do. All. Prove it to us. Billy. I don't have to prove it, I admit it. I hain't no baby. Second Adverb (a little girl). Please don't say hain't and ain't. Billy. Why not? I ain't going to be dictated to by no girl. First Adverb. His use of the double negative is amazing. Why don't you say, " I ain't never going to be dictated to no time ! " Then see if you can't add a few more negatives. Billy. Are you trying to kid me ? First Adverb. Not at all. We are trying to teach you grammar. Billy. You can't learn me nothin '. All. Teach, teach, teach ! You do the learning. Billy. Why shouldn't I say ain't and hain't? Second Adverb. Ain't is only a vulgarism. I'm not is the only possible contraction of I am not. First Adverb. And hain't is even worse. Colon and Semi-Colon (advance). Colons and Semi-Colons require longer pauses than commas and shorter pauses than periods. Billy. Has cats got longer pawses or shorter pawses than dogs? First Verb. Say have cats, not has cats. You say boys are, not boys is. Billy. Sometimes I say boys is. SCHOOLROOM EN1 EKTALNMEN1 S 27 First Verb. I don't doubt it. But it isn't correct. Billy. ' Tis to. It's right to say, Boys, is my face clean, ain't it? I mean, isn't it?" First Verb. Of course, because you are not two- faced, you're only one-faced. Interrogation Mark (comes forward). I'm the Interrogation Point. Billy. You look more like a question mark to me. Interrogation Mark. So I am sometimes called. I am used when a question is asked. Exclamation Mark. And I am used to distin- guish words and sentences that are exclamatory. (Brings Interjections fonvard.) I am usually used with Interjections. Interjections (yelling). Hurrah, hurrah ! Ah, eh, tut, tut, alas! Oh, O ! pshaw ! my ! The Interjection Class! Quotation Marks (come forward). We always appear when anyone begins to speak. But most chil- dren forget us. We're the Quotation Marks. First Pronoun (points to blackboard sentence and reads it). Let's you and I go. Billy, is that correct? Billy. Search me. It sounds all right to me. First Pronoun. It means, " Let us go." Now, you can't say, " Let I go," can you ? Billy. No, that doesn't sound right. First Pronoun. Then correct the sentence. Billy. Let us go. First Pronoun. Correct; or, Let you and me go. Second Pronoun {reads second sentence from board). He is as good as me. Billy. It should be, He is as good as I. Because it means that he is as good as I am good. The I is Nominative Case. 28 SC HOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Nouns (clapping hands). Very good, Billy. Billy (pointing to third sentence and reading it). She is as tall as him. That ain't right. I mean — that isn't right. She is as tall as he. Pronouns (applauding). Correct. You'll be a grammarian yet. Billy (reading fourth sentence). Nobody said so but he. He is nominative case and it should be objec- tive after the preposition but. Nobody said so but him. First Pronoun (reading next sentence). Where are you going ? Who ? me ? Billy. It should be "Who? I?" for it means where am I going, not where is me going. Second Pronoun (reads next sentence). Was it him? Was it her? Billy. Was it he? Was it she ? All (applaud). Hurrah for Billy! Interjections (shout). Aha ! Oho ! I told you so ! Best I ever saw ! Billy's learning grammar, Rah, rah, rah ! Billy. I'm going to study every night until I know grammar from cover to cover. I ain't, I mean I'm not, going to grow up in ignorance. I'll not murder the King's English any longer. And when I stop to think, I'm sure I won't make any mistakes. Even the teacher w r on't have nothin' on me. Others (throiv up hands in horror). " Won't have nothin' on me ! " Billy. I mean that even the teacher will be unable to surpass the purity of my etymology and syntax. (Struts to right and sits proudly.) First Noun. Good-bye, Billy, it's almost time for you to wake up. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 29 (The other diameters form a line and march out.) Billy (rubbing his eyes). I wonder if it was all a dream. Well, (hey taught me a lesson. As long as I live I ain't never going to say no bad grammar no more. I mean, even the teacher will be unable to sur- pass the purity of my etymology and diction. (Goes out.) CURTAIN — W alter Ben Hare RAINBOW EXERCISE Twelve girls dressed in zvhite, with hair flowing, each bearing a scarf of gauze of appropriate color, enter, six from left and six from right, one end of the scarf floating behind as they trip in. Music, a waltz — triple time. Girls circle stage, scarfs held high above heads in both hands and swaying slightly from side to side. Form semicircle at front. Girls catch hold of hands, keeping them still raised, and sway scarfs from right to left, moving the feet in waltz step to keep time with the music. Hands dropped at sides, but still hand in hand, swaying body. Four measures. Five to left swing weight of body on left foot, point right toe, raise left arm and lean toward left. Those on right lean toward right. Picture. Odd girls kneel, scarfs held above heads, sway bodies. Their partners circle them, with uplifted scarfs. Eight measures. All face front, sway scarfs and sing: 30 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Tune: "Santa Lucia." (Found in most School Collections) Sun shining in the west, Raindrops are falling, All colors come to rest, Rainbow is calling, Red, Orange, Yellow, Blue, Green and the Violet, too, Rainbow is forming, Rainbow is forming ! Sisters, we're ne'er at rest, O'er the sky bringing, Coolness to brow and breast, Songs of hope singing. Red, Orange, Yellow, Blue, Green and the Violet, too, Rainbow is forming, Rainbow is forming. Two boys enter bearing a large paper rainbow, about six feet across, the colors painted on it. The girls give ends of scarfs to partners and they move scarfs up and do an in front of bow in time to music. Five girls go behind the rainbow, their faces and arms appearing above it, they hold the ends of the scarfs belonging to the 'other five, who kneel in front of the bow. Repeat second stanza of song. First Boy (recites). The rainbow is an arc of prismatic colors. It is formed if the sun is shining and, at the same time, it is raining in a direction oppo- site to the sun. The sun, the observer's eye, and the center of the circle of which the bow is a part are always in a straight line. Therefore the nearer the sun is to the horizon, the larger the bow. The red SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 31 color is always on the outside and the violet on the inside. Second Boy. The radius of the red part is a little over 42 degrees, therefore if the sun is more than 42 degrees above the horizon, no rainbow can be visible. Rainbows, therefore, always occur during the early morning hours or in the late hours of the afternoon. The bow is caused by the refraction and reflection of sunlight in the falling drops of water. The purity of the colors depends upon the size of the raindrops and their uniformity. (All repeat first stanza of song and dance off.) BOOKS OF THE BIBLE The great Jehovah speaks to us In Genesis and Exodus ; Leviticus and Numbers, see, Followed by Deuteronomy. Joshua and Judges sway the land, Ruth gleans a sheaf with trembling hand. Samuel and numerous Kings appear, Whose Chronicles we wondering hear. Ezra and Nehemiah now, Esther the beauteous mourner show ; Job speaks in sighs, David in Psalms, The Proverbs teach to scatter alms. Ecclesiastes then comes on, And the sweet Songs of Solomon. Isaiah, Jeremiah, then With Lamentations takes his pen. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea's lyres, Swell Joel, Amos, Obadiah's. Next Jonah, Micah, Nahum come, And lofty Habakkuk finds room. Then Zephaniah, Haggai calls, Rapt Zachariah builds his walls — And Malachi, with garments rent, Concludes the Ancient Testament. Mathew, Mark, Luke and John, The life of our Lord write upon. The Acts and Romans written by Paul, First and Second Corinthians, Galatians, all ! Letters to Churches follow then, Ephesians, Phillippians, from inspired pen, Next the first-born books of the New Testament, Two Thessalonians, of grand intent. Two letters to Timothy, then Titus appears, Philemon follows, and Hebrews clears The mist of old-time dogmas. Paul is done, And James comes next with epistle one. Two books by Peter, John writes three, And Jude's one chapter next we see, John's Revelations last appear — Glory to God for the Bible dear ! — Selected. i SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 33 COMPLETE HALLOWE'EN PROGRAM i. The Invitations. About the middle of October let the children make a little booklet, with Autumn leaf decorations. Inside is written : To our Hallowe'en Party, We ask you to come, 'Twill be held at the schoolhouse, We'll make things hum. The Ghosts and the Witches, And Goblins, so gay. When the clock strikes three Will hold full sway. 2. Decorations. Good attendance and good recita- tions were rewarded by time on Friday afternoon to cut black paper cats, bats, owls on new moons, witches on brooms, yellow jack-o'-lanterns, white ghosts, variegated autumn leaves, large white cats with holes for eyes. They were put on blackboards and around the room. Strips of yellow paper, 4 inches wide, were fes- tooned from corners to the center of the ceiling. Clothespin witches with brooms appeared on each desk. Several pumpkin heads with lighted candles. Corn stalks in each corner, with kettles hung on tripods. These kettles cpntained popcorn, apples, ginger cookies and water. They were presided over by four Witches dressed in dark coverall aprons, pointed hats, false noses cut from false faces, jute hair and brooms made of twigs bound on a stick. 34 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 3. Each guest was met by two tall ghosts, dressed in white, and had to shake hands with old gloves rilled with wet sand. Groans and howls greeted the en- trance of the visitors. , 4. Program. 1. Suitable song by the school, " Cousin Jede- diahf 2. Recitation, " Seein' Things at Night!' Eugene Field. 3. Looking Backward Dance. Four boys and four girls with clothes on " hind- side-afore " and masks on the back of their heads, sunbonnets and old hats over faces do this dance to piano music or to some song sung by school. 4. Recitation, " Little Orphant Annie." Riley. 5. Witch Scene from Macbeth. Shakespere. Given by three girls, or by three boys dressed as witches. This is given from a corner of the room, over the cauldron containing popcorn. 6. Song by the School. 7. Recitation, " The Raggedy Man." Riley. 8. THE RUBBERNECKS Song and drill for 6 boys. Each boy carries pole six feet long with a masked head on end of pole. Boys and poles draped with sheets. They enter from cloak-room and bow the heads to audi- ence. Then sing to air " John Brozvn's Body," SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 35 Here come the goblins so slowly creeping 'round, Here come the goblins so slowly creeping 'round, Looking here and there, if a naughty child is found, They'll eat him in a trice. Hunky-dory, we're the goblins, Hunky-dory, we're the goblins, Hunky-dory, we're the goblins, We'll eat him in a trice. They sit down and sway heads to left and right and all round, repeating chorus. Then all march out bowing right and left. 5. Stunts. 1. Peanut race for 4 boys. Each blows a peanut around the room. 2. Relay race for 8 girls. Four stand at one end of room with knives and cups of beans. Their part- ners stand at opposite end with empty cups. The four with beans must carry them on knives and fill partners' cups. Then partners must carry them back again on the knives and fill the original cups. Prizes to the pair that have the most beans at the end of the race. 3. Pie-eating contest for eight boys. Boys kneel with hands tied behind them and try to eat a half of pie. 4. Blindfolded girls try to blow out lighted candle, after being turned around three times. 5. All try to pin tails on a black cat. The contest- ants are blindfolded. For prizes for the stunts award large ginger cookies, covered with yellow icing with decoration of a face in chocolate. The festivities may end with a peanut hunt. 36 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS THE FOUR WINDS A Folk Dance of the American Indians. Scene: A zvood. If arranged indoors have sev- eral trees, mounted like Christmas trees in rear. For background cover the wall ivith leafy boughs. Doivn left is a wigwam made of four sticks in pyramid form and covered with burlap or old sheets with Indian de- sign roughly sketched on them. A tripod with kettle stands in front of the wigwam. Under the kettle are sticks of zvood and pieces of red paper to represent fire. A concealed bowl of burning punk or incense adds to the effect. A couple of stools covered with bark represent logs. Music: Three boys seated in front of wigwam beat on Indian drums, rythmically. Use toy drums cov- ered with cloth painted like bark. The drum-sticks should be padded on the ends. Piano or Phonograph plays Indian airs behind scenes. MUDJEKEEWIS Soft Indian music. Ten Indian boys enter from left keeping step to the music. They circle the stage, bows held aloft on left hand, arrows in right hand at side. They form a line facing front. All raise right hands and salute audience by saying in unison " How ! " Put arrows in bow. Aim to right. Then to left. Then kneel on left knee and aim to front. Rise. Put arrows in quiver. Raise bows over head, held by both hands. Bend backward. All face to right. Move around stage in circle. All face front as be- fore. l > 3» 5» 7 an d 9 kneel on left knee, put arrows in SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 37 bow and aim. 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 hold bows over head with both hands and dance around kneeling partners. All resume former position facing audience. I, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wheel to right, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 wheel to left. Enter Mudjekeewis from right. He stands at center rear, with arms folded and head thrown back. He comes to front in time to music. Music ends. Mudjekeewis {recites): From the door-ways of the West-Wind, From the portals of the Sunset, From the earth's remotest border, Where into the empty spaces Sinks the sun, as a flamingo Drops into her nest at nightfall In the melancholy marshes — Comes the West-Wind, Mudjekeewis, Walking lightly o'er the prairie, Whispering to the leaves and blossoms, Bending low the flowers and grasses. Music again plays. Mudjekeewis, followed by the ten boys, circles the stage keeping step to music, and then leads the line out at right. WABUN The music changes to soft, pretty, Indian strains. Enter from right, 8 Indian girls dancing in time to the music, their blankets on backs, arms at sides. The sides of the blankets are attached to wrists. They enter in pairs and dance down the center of stage, then cast off, two couples going to left, two to right. Come down again in fours. Cast off at center, then come down again in a straight line. When at front they extend arms. Hold picture. 2, 4, 6 and 8 turn backs to audience. 1 and 2 join left hands and revolve, as do the other couples. Form circle, all holding hands. Revolve. Face outward, circle again revolves. 38 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Enter Wabun from Left. Form angle, i, 2, 3 and 4 at right, 5, 6, 7 and 8 at left. Wabun at apex. Hold picture. Still holding angle pose, 1, 2, 3 and 4 face to right, and 5, 6, 7 and 8 to left. Extend arms. Wabun (Advances to Front and Recites). Wabun : Young and beautiful is Wabun She it is who brings the morning, She it is whose silver arrows Chase the dark o'er hill and valley. All the birds sing gayly to her, All the wild-flowers of the meadow Fill the airs with odors for her, Whose sweet voice awakes the village, Calls the deer and calls the hunter. Wabun, in her robe of crimson, Soft and gentle East-Wind, Wabun. Music. Wabun dances around stage, followed by the 8 maidens dancing in couples. All dance off at left. * KABIBONOKKA The music changes to a loud war-dance, played very rapidly. The drum players beat furiously and whistle to imitate wind. 8 youths enter from left, dancing war dance, raising knees very high. They dance once around stage. Then each couple takes positions at right and left, grabs each other's hands and whirl rapidly around. Yells, catcalls and whistles. Form string and crack-the-whip. All in time to the rapid music. All dance war-dance in circle uttering staccato whoops, etc. Wrestle for eight measures in couples. All fall exhausted, 4 to left and 4 to right. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 39 Kabibonokka rushes in from left. Poses at rear, then stalks majestically clown to center with arms folded. Kabibonokka (recites) : See the fierce Kabibonokka ! From his home among- the icebergs, In the everlasting snowdrifts, Comes the howling, whistling North-Wind. I am he whose hand in Autumn Paints the leaves with red and yellow ; I am he who sends the snowflakes, Sifting, hissing through the forests, Freezes ponds and lakes and rivers, Drives the loon and seagulls southward, And my hair with snow besprinkled, Streams behind me like a river, Like a black and wintry river, As I howl and hurry southward, Over frozen lakes and moorlands. Tremble, Pm Kabibonokka ! The same music that was first played is again heard. One of the boys crawls like a snake to left and peers off, the others watching him anxiously. He crawls down to Kabibonokka and pantomimes that Mudjekee- wis is coming. Kabibonokka folds arms scornfully and crosses to right surrounded by his followers. Enter from left Mudjekeewis and his ten boys. They fight in time to the music. Finally Mudjekee- wis is slain by Kabibonokka and his followers flee. The music changes to Wabun's air. She enters with her maidens, they are captured by Kabibonokka and his band and forced out at right. Music changes to War-dance and Kabibonokka and his men dance a war-dance around the prostrate Mud- jekeewis. Then all group at right. 4 o SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Shawondasee Music changes to very soft, pretty air, Grieg's Spring Song is recommended. Enter from left twelve maid- ens bearing long garlands of greens dotted with roses. They dance down in waltz time with garlands held overhead. Kabibonokka and his men are forced out at right by the dancing maidens. No struggle, but the men ap- pear dazed and slink off the stage, dragging the body of Mudjekeewis with them. The 12 maidens pose, 6 on either side. Enter Shawondasee from left. She dances down center and recites accompanied by soft music. Shawondasee: Shawondasee, I ; the South-Wind, From the land of dreamy sunshine. In the never-ending Summer. I it is who sends the wood-birds, (Maidens pose by fours.) Send the robin, the Opechee, Send the blue-bird, the Owaissa, Send the Shawshaw, send the swallow. (Girls revolve by fours.) Send the wild goose, Wawa, northward, Send the melons and tobacco, And the grapes in purple clusters. (Odd girls kneel on one knee, partners circle them, all swaying garlands.) From a pipe the smoke ascending Fills the sky with haze and vapor, Fills the air with dreamy softness, Gives a twinkle to the water, Touches rugged hills with smoothness, ( Pose by threes, forming triangle with garlands.) To the melancholy north-land, In the dreary moon and Snow-shoes. Listless, careless Shawondasee. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 4i Shawondasee moves to center and maidens toss one end of garlands to her, retaining other end. They re- volve like the spokes of a wheel. All move around stage dancing in time to the music. They circle once and are followed by Mudjekeewis and his Bow-and-arrow Boys, Wabun and her Blanket Girls, Kabibonokka and his Whistling Crew. All pose with Shawondasee in center, or all dance off stage. End Note : The blankets used by Wabun's Maids should be gaudy and all the same size. The garlands used should be rope about 2 l / 2 feet long twined with leafy vines and paper roses. Suitable music for this folk-dance may be found in " Indian Days," sold by the publishers of this book, price 50 cts. GRANDMOTHER'S METHODS or HOW TO STUDY DIALOGUE Characters: Grandmother, an old woman in white cap and apron. Long dark dress. Spectacles. She is knitting a half -finished stocking. Tom, Will, Richard, Harry, James, Mary, Edna, Kate, Li la, Ruth, Boys and girls in ordinary costumes. 42 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Scene: A room. Grandmother sits in easy chair knitting a stocking. Tom, Mary and Edna are seated around a table studying. Tom. The more I study the less I learn. The words are awful hard. Mary. I know it. I've been studying one word for half an hour and I can't spell it yet. Edna. So have I. Exercise. (Spells.) Exer- cise. E-x-e-r-c-i-s-e. (Shuts eyes.) E-x-e-r-c-i-s-e. E-x-e-r-c-i-z-e. Tom. Nothing like it, it's e-x-e-r-c-i-s-e. Enter Will, Richard, Harry and James. Will. Hello, Tom. We came over to study spell- ing. Richard. It's an awful hard lesson. Harry. Yes, spelling is about the hardest thing we have. James. And the teacher expects us to spend all our time at night learning all these words that we'll never use. (All sit down and study.) Will. Here's a hard one. Umbrella. Tom. Oh, anybody can spell umbrella. U-m- b-r-e-1-l-a. Harry. No, that isn't right. U-m-b-r-e-1-a. Edna. You left out one of the Is. Enter Kate, Lila and Ruth. Kate. We came over to study spelling. Lila. My, what a crowd ! Is the whole school here? Edna. Sit down. We'll learn the lesson together and then we can play some games. Ruth. I think twenty-five words are too many for one lesson. Tom. And such awful hard words, too. (All study.) SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 43 Edna. I've spent ten minutes trying to learn one word, exercise. I've got it now, E-x-c-e-r-c-i-s-e. All. You put in too many cs. Grandmother. Are you children studying? Edna. No. we're spelling. Grandmother. How much time do you put in on your lesson ? Harry. Oh, it'll take us all night. Grandmother (astonished). All night? My, my, what's the world coming to? When I was a gal we never used to study our spelling at all. We just looked it over once or twice, and we were, the best spellers in the country. Maybe you haven't learned how to study yet. Edna. I guess we have, we're in the seventh grader Grandmother. Let me see your list of words. (Looks at it through glasses.) Humph ! These words aren't hard, you only think they are. Ruth. I think they're the hardest words in the English language. Grandmother. Suppose you had to spell without any preparation at all. All. What! Without any studying at all? Richard. That would just suit me. Grandmother. How many of you can spell go, at, stand, cent, lion, on, and do' Kate. Why. we can spell all of them. Mary. They're first grade words, grandmother. I guess we can spell any one syllable word that was ever written. Grandmother. How would you like to prepare a lesson in these words. All. That would be easy. Grandmother. Mary, pronounce the first word in your lesson. Mary (indistinctly). Center. Grandmother. Who can repeat the last syllable of that word? 44 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Will. Ar. (Grandmother writes " ar " on board.) Ruth. Er. (Grandmother writes this on board. ) Lila. Ir. (Grandmother writes this on board. |) Tom. Or. (Also this.) Richard. Ur. (Also this.) Grandmother. Ar, er, ir, or, ur. See the differ- ence in pronunciation. My lands ! If you children knew how to pronounce words distinctly it wouldn't be half as hard. Some words are made up entirely of syllables, but most words are made up of smaller words and syllables. Now, who can tell me what com- poses the word center. Harry. The word " cent " and the syllable " er." Grandmother. That's right. Just the little word cent and the syllable " er." Who can spell cent? (All hands up.) And who can spell " er "? (Hands wave.) I guess you can all spell center. Who needs an hour to prepare such easy words ? What's the next word ? Will. Exercise. Grandmother. That is made up of three syllables. The first is " ex." All. E-x, ex. Grandmother. Correct. The next is " er '' again, the same as in center. All. E-r, er. Grandmother. That's right, E-x, ex, e-r, er, exer, now spell the last syllable. All. Cise. C-i-s-e. Grandmother. See how easy it is. Now, Mary, you'll never forget that word again. Spell exercise. Mary. E-x, ex, e-r, er, exer, c-i-s-e, cise, exercise. Edna. Why, it's just as easy as it can be. Just divide the word into smaller words and syllables and it's perfectly easy. U-m, urn, b-r-e double 1, brell, a, u-m-b-r-e-1-l-a. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 45 Tom. I always spell that u-m-b-e-r-e-1-l-a. Grandmother. That's because you do not pro- nounce it correctly. You say um-ber-ella, instead of um-brell-a. Remember there are only three syllables in umbrella. Not four. Kate, pronounce the next word. Kate. Mag — magner — er — I can't. It's a long, hard word. Grandmother. What is the word about, Kate? Maybe we won't need it at all. Kate. I don't know what it's about. It's a long, hard word. James. It's an important word. My father often uses it. Grandmother. Well, then, it must mean some- thing. So I suppose we had better learn what it is. Call the first syllable, Kate. Kate. Mag. Grandmother. Now the next. Kate. Nif. James. And the next is " i." Just plain " i." Grandmother. Mag-nif-i — what's the last? Kate. C-e-n-t, cent. Mag-nif-i-cent. That's easy. Magnificent. Mag is spelled m-a-g. And n-i-f spells nif, then there's a plain " i '' and a c-e-n-t, cent. M-a-g-n-i-f-i-c-e-n-t. Grandmother. Magnificent. You spelled it cor- rectly. It's magnificent. Li la. Grandmother, I think your way of spelling is magnificent. Grandmother. What's the next word, Richard? Richard. Separate. That's an awful hard word. My mother says she always has to look it up in the dictionary. Grandmother. It is one of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language, and all be- cause most people say seperate, instead of separate. 4 6 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS The correct pronunciation is separate. Sep-a-rate. Now, spell it. Sep ! Richard. Sep — s-e-p, sep, " a," r-a-t-e, rate. Separate. All. S-e-p, sep, a, a, sepa, r-a-t-e, rate. Separate. Grandmother. What are the other words? Edna. Chimney. (They practise this word and learn it.) Tom. Regretted. (Also this.) Will. Disappear. (All learn this.) Richard. Mischief. (And this.) Harry. Noticeable. N-o-t-i-c-e spells notice, and a-b-l-e, able. James. Develop. Mary. Potatoes. (Also learn the singular.) Edna. Ceiling. (Also learn sealing, and the differ- ence between them.) Kate. Committee. Lila. Governor. (Also government.) Ruth. Vertical. Grandmother. If you learn to pronounce each word distinctly, and learn the diacritical marks and sounds, yon will find that learning a spelling lesson is one of the easiest things in the world. Tom. I'll bet we'll all make a hundred in spelling tomorrow. Mary. And we owe it all to grandmother, because she has taught us the correct way to learn a lesson. Grandmother. It's just the same in other things, in geography and history and grammar. Pick the thing apart, dissect it, then pick out the most important part and learn that. Once you have that in your mind it is easy to see the connection between the most im- portant part and all the other parts of the lesson. Don't sit and look at a page and try to learn every word, but pick out the most important facts, get them in your mind, and don't let them go. That's the way to studv. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 47 Tom. Your way is the best. Kate. Yes, it is perfectly m-a-g, mag, n-i-f, nif, i, c-e-n-t, cent. Magnificent ! (All laugh and go out.) CURTAIN. WASHINGTON Let each pupil hold a card with date in view during his recitation. 1732. In seventeen hundred and thirty-two George Washington was born ; Truth, goodness, skill and glory high His whole life did adorn. 1775. In seventeen hundred and seventy-five The chief command he took Of all the army of the State, And ne'er his flag forsook. 1783. In seventeen hundred eighty-three, Retired to private life, He saw his much-loved country free From battle and from strife. 1789. In seventeen hundred eighty-nine The country with one voice, Proclaimed him President to shine, Blessed by the people's choice. 1799. In seventeen hundred ninety-nine The Nation's tears were shed, To see the Patriot life resign, And sleep among the dead. 48 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS All. As first in war and first in peace, As patriot, father, friend, We will be blessed till time shall cease, And earthly life shall end. REVOLUTIONARY DAYS Entertainment for School. Part of the programme consists of shadowgraph movies, acted behind a sheet upon which the shadows of the actors are thrown. Stitch two or three sheets together and stretch the curtain thus made across one end of the room. At each end of the screen, dark, heavy curtains must be hung, forming dark rooms zi'here the actors can stand. Passage at rear is necessary, so actors may cross without getting between the light and the screen. The screen should be dampened and firmly attached at top and bottom, allowing no wrinkles. Use as powerful a light as possible, an auto light with a reflector is good. Have a small screen (in three folds) to put in front of the light at the end of each scene. The players should keep their profiles toivard the screen as much as possible, also standing close to the screen, but be careful not to touch it. They should stand almost in a line, equidistant from the screen, so the shadows will be same density and height. The action should be spirited throughout, as that is what counts. Costumes may be simulated from paper in most cases, as they are shown only in outline. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 49 THE STORY OF THE CHERRY TREE Characters: Little George Washington. His Father. His Mother. The Gardener. When the screen is removed from the light, the out- lines of the cherry tree are seen at right, with two bunches of cherries, one low down, and the other high up. Bright Music. Enter Mrs. Washington, hoop-skirts, hair dressed high ; she carries the hatchet. Show audience hatchet. Look off left. Clap hands three times. Enter Little George. They converse in pantomime. She presents him with hatchet. He is delighted and capers around stage. She goes out at left. George does a war- dance, waving hatchet. He sees the cherries. Drops hatchet, goes to cherry tree. Picks lower bunch. Eats with much gusto. Tries to pick higher bunch, but cannot reach them. Jumps, but cannot reach them. Rubs stomach signi- fying that he is still hungry. Sticks out tongue at cherries. Sees hatchet. Nods. He will cut down the tree. Hacks at roots. Wipes brow. Almost gives up. Looks at cherries. Hacks again. Then tries to reach cherries. Hacks away for dear life. Tree falls. He picks cherries and exits. After short pause enter Mr. Washington, knee breeches, three-cornered hat, overcoat and cane. Sees tree and is very angry. Claps hands. Enter gardener. Gardener looks at tree, scratches head, shakes head say- ing in pantomime that he is not guilty. Mr. Wash- ington waves him off. Claps hands again. Enter s 50 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Mrs. Washington. They converse in pantomime. She also denies the deed and exits. Enter George. Father talks to him angrily. He confesses and shows hatchet. Father draws him to his knee and talks to him in pantomime. They go out at left. WHAT CAUSED THE WAR OF 1 776 Dialogue in Front of the Curtain. Characters: George III, King of England. Stout boy, knee breeches, white stockings, fancy vest and sateen coat. Sword. Large star on breast. His Ministers. Similar costumes, without star. Enter George III. He sits at right. His Three Ministers sit at left. George. I have been thinking about the great debt England has on her shoulders. Why is this? Why are we burdened with this debt? First Minister. It was caused by the French and Indian war in the colonies. George. We must pay it. All Others. Yes, we must pay it. George. Is there any money in our treasury? Second Minister. Not enough by any means, your Majesty. George. Then we must increase the taxes. In some way — in any way — the money must be raised. Third Minister. You speak wisely, sire. George. But the American colonies must help. The French and Indian war was to protect them. See how rich they are growing. Indeed, they are quite able to help. First Minister. That is very true, your Majesty. George. Isn't there an old Navigation Act that says the colonies must trade with no country but England? SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 51 First Minister. I think I have heard of such an Act, sire, but it has never been carried out. George (testily). Why not? I say, why not? Second Minister. Because it was unwise and un- fair. George. But would it bring money to England, if we should carry it out? Third Minister. Undoubtedly, your Majesty. George. Look in the books. See if you can find such a law. First Minister (searches in large book). I have it here, Sire. George. Read it to me. Maybe this will solve our problem for us. First Minister (reads). " Only English ships shall carry goods to the American colonies. The col- onies shall send goods only to England." George (delighted). Good, good! That's just what we need. I'll enforce that law to the letter. First Minister. But, your Majesty — George. Well, sir, what? But what? First Minister. To ruin America's trade is not an honest way to bring money into England. George. Highty-tighty ! Are you the King or am I? First Minister. Oh, your Majesty! I think I see a way to raise money from the colonies — a way which will succeed and will not make the colonies angry. George. Let me hear it, Grenville. First Minister. We shall stamp paper and send it to the American colonies. They'll have to buy it, for it will be necessary to use it for all business. George. I don't understand. First Minister. If one man sells a piece of land to another, the deed must be written on our stamped paper. Otherwise, it isn't legal. The money thus paid by the colonists for this stamped paper shall be 52 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS the Colonial Tax, and we'll use all the money to pay off our debts. George. Good. You've hit on a good idea. Come with me. I'll have some of that stamped paper pre- pared as soon as possible. (Starts out.) That's a great idea, Grenville, a great idea. (They all go out at left.) HOW THE COLONIES RECEIVED THE NEWS Dialogue, Shadow Play Several Statesmen seated. First Statesman. I say it is an outrage, this tax, this stamp act of King George. We'll not submit. Second Statesman. Why should we be taxed at all? What right has England to tax us? Third Statesman. Because she is paying for our French and Indian wars, We ought to be willing to pay our part of the tax, if she is fair to us. First Statesman. But she isn't fair to us. She's unjust and King George is a tyrant. Third Statesman. Treason! treason! First Statesman (hotly). Ay, sir, treason, if you will. It is against the very laws of England herself to lay a tax on us. Third Statesman. Why is it against the laws of England ? First Statesman. There is a law in England that says that no English people shall be taxed unless they have representatives in Parliament. Fourth Statesman. You are right. Away back in the days of King John — did not the people rise up against taxation without representation? It's tyranny. All. Taxation without representation is tyranny. First Statesman. Liberty is dead ! Liberty is dead! Fourth Statesman. Liberty is not dead! Lib- erty lives ! Liberty lives ! SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 53 All. Hurrah, Liberty lives ! First Statesman. We'll go to these agents of the Stamp Act. We'll give them twenty-four hours to re- sign. All. And if they don't we'll burn the roofs over their heads. Liberty forever! (They go out.) THE BOSTON TEA-PARTY A Recitation. England had put a tax upon nearly everything, but the angry Colonists rebelled, so the tax was removed from everything except tea. But the Colonists said, " We will not pay one cent when the mother country treats us like slaves ! " On December 16, 1773, a great vessel appeared in Boston harbor loaded with tea. The Patriots held a lively meeting in the Old South Church and decided that it was time to show England that the American Colonists were sons, but not slaves. The vessel slowly neared the wharf. With a heavy splash and a boom she touches ; out jump the sailors to fasten the rope. But hark! what noise is that? It is the Indian war-whoop, and down rush a wonderful crowd of Indians, yelling and waving their tomahawks. In an instant they board the vessel. The terrified sail- ors stand aghast, as the Indians rush down in the hold and lug out the heavy chests of tea. They yell and whoop, and over go the chests into the dark water below. Suddenly the Indians grow very quiet: they leave the ship and stand upon the wharf mocking the sailors. And they were not Indians at all, but the brave Boston boys disguised in feathers and war-paint. Three hundred and forty-two chests of tea were destroyed, and to this day we can almost hear the splash of the greatest tea-party the world has ever known. 54 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Hurrah for the Boston Patriots, Hurrah for the Boston Tea ! It had to be steeped in the water, E'er America could be free. THE BRAVERY OF PEGGY STEWART Dialogue in Front of Curtain. Characters: Anthony Stewart, a Maryland ship-owner. Peggy Stewart, his zvife. Several Patriots. Enter Stewart, followed by the Patriots. Stewart. I am ready to fight and die for liberty and my country, but no one has a right to tell me what I shall do, and what I shall not do. First Patriot. One of your ships came into the Maryland harbor today loaded with tea from England. Stewart. What of it? First Patriot. You must not sell that tea. You must not pay our money to the English crown. Stewart. No one has a right to tell me what I must do with my own tea. Second Patriot. You must throw the tea over- board, or we'll do it for you. Stewart. I will not. I'll appeal to the Governor. First Patriot. We must all stand together. United we stand, divided we fall. Stewart. Fall then. I'll have nothing more to say to you. Second Patriot. Is that your final answer. Stewart. It is. First Patriot. Then we must rouse the Sons of Liberty. Our duty lies before us. Come, boys! (Patriots go out.) SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 55 Stewart. I'll do as I please. I'm not a Tory ; I'm a patriot, but I'll not throw my tea overboard and ruin myself. I have my wife to support, and my family to think of. Enter Peggy. Peggy. I hear the ship is in. . Stewart. It is, and it has brought you the finest silk gown in all the colony. Peggy. What about the tea, Anthony? You will not allow it to be landed, will you? Stewart. And why not, pray? Peggy. There will be the tax to pay on it. Stewart. I intend to pay the tax on it. Voices Outside. Down with the Tories! Down with Anthony Stewart! (The noise is low rumbles at first, then louder.) Down with the Tories. Burn his ships. Peggy. What is that noise? Stew'art. It's those crazy Sons of Liberty. Do they think they are going to force me to obey them ? Noises (louder). Down with the Tories! Down with Stewart. Peggy. But we are not Tories. Why do they shout like that at our gateway? Voices. Anthony Stewart! Anthony Stewart! Come to the door! Come to the door! (Loud knock- ing.) Stewart (angrily). Ay, that I will. Anthony Stewart is no coward! (Opens the door, shozving a crozvd of angry Patriots.) How dare you come to my home like this? H.ow dare you? Do you think you can frighten me? Mathias Hammond. Here, Stewart, read this pe- tition. Stewart. I will not. I know what the paper is. (Takes it and tears it in pieces.) Do you want my 56 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS answer? (Tears it.) This, then, is my answer. (Throws it in his face.) All Yell. Down with him ! The Tory ! Tar and feathers ! The whipping post ! ( They start toward him.) Peggy (rashes between). Sons of Liberty, listen to me! The ship there in the harbor is named for me, the Peggy Stewart. It is my wish that no ship bear- ing my name shall bring tea into our harbors. We are patriots, and we love our country. I would lay down my life for my country. My husband will not be threatened. (She goes to him and takes his arm.) You cannot force him to destroy the tea, but for my sake, he will destroy his vessel. For my sake, and for the sake of American liberty ! All. Hurrah for Peggy Stewart ! Hurrah for Peggy Stewart ! (shouted the Sons of Liberty as they crozvded around her). Stewart. It shall be as my wife says. Come, in the name of liberty, I will burn my boat and all my cargo. In the name of Peggy Stewart and in the name of Liberty ! All. Hurrah! (Men all go out at left.) Peggy (looking out). They are firing the ship. (Pause.) Black smoke is pouring from the hold. See, the flames ! They leap higher and higher ! Hark! They are cheering. (Distant cheers.) In the name of Peggy Stewart and in the name of Lib- erty. (Exits.) PAUL revere A Recitation. ■ Listen, children, and I'll tell you of a time long, long ago, When George the Third of England was this country's bitter foe. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 57 He had sent his red coat soldiers to oppress the people here, And deprive them of the freedom that to them was held most dear. Then the patriots met together, and they made a solemn vow To defend their rights" like freemen, and ne'er to the tyrant bow. Of both guns and ammunition they had gathered quite a score, Which they hid away at Concord with the hope of getting more. Though they moved with greatest caution to avoid all prying eyes, Their secret was discovered by the watchful Tory spies. They to General Gage right quickly did the welcome tidings bring, Thinking thus to gain the favor of that minion of the king. On the night of April eighteenth, Gage sent part of his command Stealthily across the river on the other shore to land, Then to quickly march to Concord and destroy the rebel's store. Feeling sure were that accomplished they would trouble him no more. But the patriots, too, had watchers, sharp of eye and keen of ear, And they quickly gave the signal to the waiting Paul Revere. Then his gallant horse he mounted — not a moment did he stay — 58 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Through the darkness galloped onward, rousing all along the way. With the shout " Up, up, the British ! " till the echoes rang again, While from every scattered farm-house rushed the eager Minute Men. Twasa strange unequal battle that was fought that April morn, But amidst its blood and carnage, our United States was born. That was long ago, my children, but when April comes each year, W T e, with grateful hearts remember, that wild ride of Paul Revere. — Normal Instructor. HOWE IN PHILADELPHIA Dialogue. Characters: General Howe, white trousers, leggins, red coat, sword. Three British Officers (costumed similarly). Lydia Darrah, a Quakeress. Scene: A room. Enter Lydia. Lydia. Alas ! Sad times are come upon us. Washington with all his strategy has not been able to keep General Howe out of Philadelphia. Defeated at the Battle of Brandy wine, the outlook doth indeed seem dark' for the cause of liberty. (Knock at door.) General Howe (entering with three other BritisJi Officers). Good evening, Mistress Darrah! Lydia. Good evening, friend. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 59 General Howe. Can we have quarters in your house for the night ? Lydia. Thee can. General Howe. 'Tis well. Before we retire we would have a short council together. Lydia. This room is at your disposal. Thee are welcome. General Howe. See to it, madam, that not one of your household knows of this meeting. Lydia. Yes, sir. General Howe. See that they are all abed and asleep before we hold our counsel. Lydia. Yes, sir. (Takes lighted candle and goes out.) General Howe. Come, boys, gather around the table, for I have something of importance to tell you. (Men gather around table. Lydia peers in.) Wash- ington is camped close by our own camp at German- town. (Lydia enters and listens .unobserved.) First Officer (showing paper). See here is a map, General. Our men are here (points). And Washington is here. (Points). General Howe. Tomorrow night when it is dark we will move from here to here. (Traces route on map.) Second Officer. Good. We will completely sur- round him. First Officer. And take him by surprise. General How t e. Tomorrow night. (Exit Lydia unobserved.) First Officer. We'd better turn in. General Howe. I must get back to the camp at once. You understand your orders? Second Officer. Perfectly, General. General Howe. I ought to speak to Mistress Dar- rah before we go. (Goes to her door and raps. Xo answer.) 60 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS First Officer. The Quaker lady is fast asleep. The house is as quiet as the grave. General Howe. I must awaken her. (Raps louder.) Lydia (inside, speaks sleepily). What's wanted? General Howe. We are ready to go now. Will you come and open the door for us? Enter Lydia, yawning. Lydia. Ay, sir, that I will. Tomorrow, General, I must go to the old mill for flour. Will thee give me a pass ? General Howe (writes pass and hands it to her). Surely, Mistress Darrah. Lydia. I thank thee, sir. General Howe. Good night. (Goes out with men. ) Lydia. With this pass I shall get through the lines, and then to warn Washington. This very night I'll save the patriot army. (Peers out.) The British officers have gone. In half an hour they'll be sound asleep, but in an hour George Washington will be out of danger! (Exits hurriedly.) sergeant molly pitcher Costume Recitation. Enter Molly Pitcher, poorly dressed in woolen petticoat, dark calico tuck-up and soldier's cap. It was at the battle of Monmouth in 1777. At one of the guns in the midst of the fiercest fighting was a brave young Irishman, me husband. All day long in the fearful heat I stood by his side as he fired the big gun. Now and agin I'd bring him a bucket of water from a brook right in the very face of the Redcoats. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 61 (S)iaps her fingers.) That for the Redcoats, say I. I had just come up to me man with a fresh bucket of water, when a ball came whizzing over me head, and down at me feet fell me brave lad, niver to rise again, dead beside his gun. " Roll the gun back ! " they shouted. " You'll do nothing of the kind," says I. " I'll work the gun myself." So I I6aded her, shut me eyes and fired. " Give me the gun," said a soldier near me. " Xever, while there's life left in me body," says I. And all the rest of the day I stood at the gun, firing faster and faster. Sure the heart had gone out of me body entirely, and I lived only to take another shot at the men who had killed me own Irish boy. At last it was all over. The men crowded 'round me, but away to me tent I crept to mourn for the lad I'd see no more. The nixt day Gineral Washington himself came to see me. " You made a brave stand at the gun, Molly Pitcher," says he, 4< and you're a sergeant from this day forth, with a sergeant's pension as long as you live. And the name of Sergeant Molly Pitcher will go sounding on forever ! " THE SURRENDER OF CORNWALLIS Shadozi.' Picture. Music: Funeral march, with drums. Enter Washington and his Men. TJiex stand at left. Enter Cornwallis and his Men. They stand at right. Music: "America." Hats are lifted. 62 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Cornwallis gives his sword to one of his men, who slowly advances and gives it to one of Washington's men. British lay down their arms. All sing "America." END. Xote to Teacher: If it is desired to lengthen this programme, patriotic songs may be introduced, original essays,- recitations, and the follozcing shadow pictures, with original dialogue, or with a description of the scene read by one of the pupils. 1. The Capture of Nathan Hale. 2. The Ringing of the Liberty Bell. 3. Washington Crossing the Delaware. 4. Washington at Valley Forge. 5. Martha Washington's Minuet. (Songs from the "Golden Book of Favorite Songs/' Suitable for this Exercise) 1. " Motion Song, Our Flag." 2. " Yankee Doodle.'' 3. " Revolutionary Tea." 4. " The Sword of Bunker Hill." 5. " Years of Peace." SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 63 THE FRIENDLY TREES A Nature-Study Dialogue. Characters: Boys. Picnickers: Ellis, Fred, Harry, Clarence, Rus- sell, Walter. Trees : Oak, Walnut, Hickory, Ash, Elm, Cat- alpa, Sycamore, Buckeye. Girls. Picnickers: Beatrice, Fay, Ida, Blanche, Mabel, Carrie. Trees: Willow, Maple, Apple, Magnolia, Pine, Beech, Fir, Tulip, Birch, Rubber, Locust, Dog- wood. Decoration : Growing plants and vases of wild flowers. Cover one large blackboard with white paper and arrange the motto in leaves " The groves were God's first temples." Branches of trees, with green leaves, in the four corners of the room. Bright colored autumn leaves cut from paper may be gummed on wall. The* plat- form represents a grove. Tack leafy branches on wall at rear of platform and at sides. Arrange potted plants (pots concealed by grass or green paper) at in- tervals. Each child has a branch of green leaves on desk. Bluebirds and Redbirds made of paper may be suspended from ceiling by black thread. Two small kegs on' platform covered with brozvn paper painted to represent tree trunks. 64 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Music: Songs by the school may be introduced be- fore and during the dialogue. Select songs suitable for the occasion. Costumes: The Picnickers wear school clothes with hats, caps and dinner baskets. The Trees zvcar old clothes covered with leafy boughs. If the leaves are not easily found, they may be readily made from paper. The flowering trees wear crowns of their flowers. Birch is dressed in white. Others carry cones, berries, etc., of their particular tree. While the school sings some pretty nature song, the Trees march on the platform and take their places in two lines facing front. The first line, made up of the shorter children, is about half way between front and rear of platform, the second line a little behind them. The lines should form in such a way that each tree may be seen from the audience. The Trees (in unison) : " What does he plant who plants a tree? He plants the friend of sun and sky, He plants the flag of breezes free, The shaft of beauty towering high ; He plants a home to heaven anigh ; For song and mother croon of bird, In hushed ancL happy twilight heard, The treble of heaven's harmony, These things he plants who plants a tree." The Picnickers are heard singing outside, (cloak- room) and finally they enter and wander among the trees. PICNIC SONG Tune: Comin' Thro' the Rye. In the spring and in the summer, Picnickers so gay, SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 65 In the woodland romp and frolic, While the hours away, Come my merry lads and lassies, Dancing in the breeze, Let us sit and study nature Here beneath the trees. Roys (sing) : We would rather have a ball game, Out there in the sun, Sitting down beneath the trees Isn't any fun. Girls (sing) : We've been playing all the morning, Let us rest a while, And the trees are glad to have us See them nod and smile ! (Picnickers sit down.) Ellis (looking around). My, what a lot of trees! I don't think I ever saw so many different kinds all to- gether in one place. Beatrice. How many kinds are there? Ellis. Oh, ever so many. (Points to Oak.) This is a Locust. Oak. A locust. Indeed, I am not. I'm an oak. Picnickers. Oh, listen, the tree is talking. Oak. Of course, I am talking. Isn't it enough to make any tree talk when a boy as big as that one doesn't know the difference between an oak and a lo- cust ? Fred. Well, what is the difference, Mr. Oak Tree? Oak (extending hand with acorn in it). Do you see that ? Fred, (takes acorn). Yes, it's an acorn. Oak. Trees that bear acorns are all oaks. Carrie. An acorn is a nut, isn't it? 66 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Other Picnickers (laugh). A nut, ha, ha, ha! She thinks an acorn is a nut ! Carrie. Well, it looks like a nut. Oak. Let them laugh, little one. An acorn is a kind of a nut, but an acorn always sits in a little cup, like that! (Shows one.) No other nut grows in a cup. Locust. You thought he was a locust, didn't you? The very idea ! I'm the locust. If, instead of acorns, pods hang on the twigs, the tree belongs to the locust family, related to your garden peas and beans. Fay (sitting by the Birch Tree). What a pretty tree this is. I wonder what her name is! Birch. I am the Birch Tree. The bark of the birch tree is so silky white, that I thought everybody knew my name. Sycamore. I am the Sycamore, but most boys and girls call me the Buttonwood, because of my seeds which hang like little balls on slender stems and swing in the winter wind. (Shows one.) These are the seed balls of the Sycamore Tree. Russel. Here's a nut tree. I know this tree. It's a shagbark hickory. Hickory. You're right, and the Shagbark Hickory is the best hickory-nut tree that grows. Russel. Yes, and the hardest to climb. You shed your bark in long narrow strips that curl away from the place where they're attached to the tree, and al- ways cut and tear my overalls whenever I try to climb. But I don't care, the hickory nut's the finest nut that grows. Walter. How about the walnut, Russell? Walnut. You're right there, son. I am the Wal- nut Tree. Here is one of my twigs. (Gives it to Walter.) Split it and you'll see the pith is not solid, but is in thin plates, separated by air spaces. That's the way you can always tell a walnut tree. Ida. I can always tell a walnut tree bv its smell, SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 67 and then the awful brown stain on our fingers. It always stays until it wears off. Fay. Oh, girls, see this pretty tree. (Points to Rubber Tree.) I never saw anything like it before. Rubber. No, because I am the Rubber Tree, and only grow in tropical countries. Beech. I am the Beech Tree. My trunk is gray and in the autumn my leaves are a pale yellow. The beech tree has small, brown spiny husks on the ends of the side twigs ; these husks open and two small trian- gular brown nuts drop down. Clarence. I like the oak tree best of all. It's so big! Blanche. I know a little poem about the oak tree. " A song to the oak, to the brave old oak, Who hath ruled in the greenwood long; Here's health and renown to thy broad green crown, And thy fifty arms, so strong. There's fear in thy frown, when the sun goes down, And the fire in the west fades out, And you show your might on a wild midnight, When the storm through your branches shout." Oak (much pleased). That's very nice, but I can't get over the idea that that boy didn't know an oak tree when he saw one. Look at my leaves. They are all simple and their outline is oval. The borders are cut by deep or shallow bays and they are somewhat leathery in texture, while the veins in the center of the leaf are tough and fibrous. In spring the flowers of the oak come out with the leaves. A fringe of catkins at the base of the new shoot is composed of pollen-bearing flowers. In the angles of the new leaves farther up the stem we find the little acorn flowers, usually in twos. The fringe of catkins falls as soon as the pollen is shed. Little red forked tongues are thrust out by the flowers to catch the golden dust when it is flying 68 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS through the air, and thus to set seed. The acorns of the white oak are eaten by the Indians, after they have been boiled. Ellis. Who, the Indians? Oak. No, the acorns, of course. Mabel {near the Maple Tree). Oh, see the little one-sided wings on this tree. Maple. Those are the seeds of the Maple Tree. The showers of May shake off the little wings, and away they whirl, the heavy seed-end always pointing downward. Before the summer is over, a crop of little maple trees spring up from these little one-sided wings. Ash. All summer long little pale green darts hang among the leaves of the Ash Tree. Each one is a pointed seed-case, and out behind it extends the thin, light, two-edged wing. There is no one-sidedness to this blade, like the maple seed, but it is balanced like a dart. The little feathered arrow may be long or short, depending upon whether it belongs to the red ash, the white ash, or the black. Fir. Under each scale of a fir-cone may be found two seeds, each with a thin, one-sided wing. The hard cones serve as a protection to the dainty seeds. Firs always hold their cones erect, their scales fall, and when they loosen, the seeds are free. Catalpa. I am the Catalpa Tree. Long green pods hang all summer on the tops of the catalpas. Each one is longer than the newest lead pencil, and show no sign of splitting until the autumn. Then the pod spreads apart, and gradually the thin seeds shake out. Each one is in the center of a thin wing, and looks as if made of tissue paper. The wind carries these little seeds for miles.' Elm. The elm tree, too, has seeds with papery rims, like little discs, and the wind often scatters them far from the tree where they were born. The elm is always a graceful tree with many spreading branches. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 69 Harry, I like the trees best in autumn when they are full of red and yellow and green leaves. Ida. The maple trees are the prettiest then, We girls know a song about the brilliant maple leaves. Beatrice. Fay, Ida, Blanche, Mabel and Carrie come to the front of the platform, join hands and form semicircle and sing MAPLE LEAVES Tune: Santa Lucia. Found in most School Collec- tions. When Autumn's breezes blow, Gay leaves are falling, Softly they dance along, To children calling, " Come, join our frolic free, Come, sing and dance with me ! " Dancing and twirling, Prancing and whirling. On the line " Come join our frolic free,'' Fay, Ida, Blanche and Mabel form an X at center and revolve as they sing the remaining lines of the stanza. Bea- trice and Carrie dance from front to rear, forward and back. All resume former positions. Trees and Boys join in singing second stanza. Breezes hum merrily, Tossing us lightly, Then to the waiting earth, To flutter brightly. Dance o'er the wood and hill, Faster and faster still, Leaping and swaying, Leaf games a-playing. ;o SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS On the line "Dance o'er the wood and hill" Bea- trice, Fay and Ida join hands at left and dance in cir- cle, the others do same at right. All resume positions. Fay (near the Maple Tree). Miss Maple Tree, why do you change your colors in the fall of the year ? Maple. When the leaves give up their sap in the autumn, a yellow liquid fills the cells where the green pulp used to be. Chemical changes in the mineral substances deposited in the leaf cells produce wonder- ful shades of red and yellow. Iron is one of the min- erals brought up in the soil water, left in the leaf, and changed to produce the bright red when the leaf mask of green is taken away. Carrie (near the Dogwood Tree). See this tree! It's the prettiest of all. Dogwood. I am the Dogwood Tree. Ellis. I know why you are called the Dogwood Tree. Because of your bark. Harry. She's called a Dogwood Tree because she's full of bow-wows. Dogwood. The Dogwood Tree is never very large and she generally snuggles up against the trunk of some larger tree. The dogwood covers its bare branches with blossoms in May. In the fall it looks like a scarlet flame, holding straight out its branches of red leaves, tipped with berries, like rubies, set on the upturned twigs. Ash. The Ash Tree turns to purple in the fall of the year. Oak. Many oaks turn from green to brown, with- out showing any red or yellow. Tulip. The Tulip Tree turns yellow in the fall. Hickory. And so do the poplars, hickories, wil- low and walnuts. Oak. The deepest red is on the Black and Red Oaks ; the brightest red is on the Scarlet Oak. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 71 Carrie. But why do the leaves have to fall off just when they are the prettiest? Buckeye. Every leaf is a nurse to a bud that is growing between its base and the twig. The tree takes all the green pulp from the leaves before it lets them fall. A store of starch is put away in the twig, close to each bud. This is the food that enables the bud to open in the spring. Sycamore. The trees know that when the cold weather comes, growth must stop, so they save all the good green leaf pulp for food for the little buds. Fir. An easy way to distinguish some trees is by their shape. The Lombardy poplar is shaped like a capital I, or like a church spire. The evergreen trees are generally shaped like a pyramid. Magnolia. The evergreen magnolia tree of the south has a dome like an old-fashioned bee-hive. Birch. Weeping birches and willows have such light foliage, and such fine flexible twigs, that they look like fountains of light green as they stand among the other trees. Walter. Some trees are green all the year round. Pine. The evergreens with needle-like leaves and cones, belong to four familiar, Pine, Spruce, Fir and Hemlock, and they are planted everywhere. Walter. How is it possible to tell these different trees apart? Pine. All the trees with more than one leaf in a bundle are pines. Fir. Spruces, firs and hemlocks have a single leaf at a place upon the twig. Spruces have brackets on the twigs, thick, sharp, three- or four-angled leaves, and stout twigs to match the stout leaves. The cones hang down upon the branches of a spruce tree. Hem- locks have little leaf stems that set them apart from all the other evergreens. I am the Fir, the Christmas Tree. The cones of the pines, spruces and hemlocks hang down, the cones of the fir are held erect on the 72 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS twigs. Fir leaves seem to be fastened right into the twig itself, and do not readily fall. Pine. $5,000 worth of lumber can be cut from one sugar pine tree. Ida. Why do you call them sugar pine trees ? Pine. Because the sap is sweet like maple syrup. Fred. The flagpole at our school was made from a tall, straight pine. Magnolia. Anywhere from Xorth Carolina to Florida, and west to Arkansas, the Magnolia Tree grows. The leaves, even of the young trees, often measure more than a foot in length, and have their long green blades lined w r ith white. The flowers open in June — great cream-colored bowls, made of waxen petals, in a double row, the inner ones painted purple at their bases, giving the flower a purple center. In winter the leaves are still green, but somewhat grimy. In the fall the ends on the twigs support green cones, and later a scarlet seed, like a berry, hangs out on a thread. These seeds are sown in winter. Tulip. The Tulip Tree is a close relative of the Magnolia, but grows in the north. . The flowers do not make much show because they are very much the same in color as the yellowish-green new leaves that surround them. The leaf of the tulip tree has a pecul- iar form. It is broad like a maple leaf at the base, but at the tip it is cut off square as if with a pair of shears, forming a right-angle with its straight sides. Sometimes a Y-shaped piece appears to have been cut from the square tip of the leaf. Dogwood. In the spring the dogwood branches are covered with big, white blossoms, each like a four- pointed star, with a cluster of small white buds in the center. Apple Tree. I am the Apple Tree. In early May my buds open by millions and my new leaves begin to unfold. The leaves - are pale green and coated with white hairs, so that a silvery cloud rests on the tree. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 73 In a few days the apple tree is covered with sweet white blossoms, tinged with pink. Clarence. The apple tree is the best tree of all. Mabel. And the prettiest. Blanche. " What see we in an apple tree? Sweets for a hundred flowering- springs To load the May wind's restless wings, When from the orchard row it pours Its fragrance through the open doors ; A world of blossoms for the bee, Flowers for the sick girl's room, For the glad infant sprigs of bloom, Are all in the apple tree." Ellis. And don't forget the good, old apple pies. The apple tree is one of the best friends a man has. Maple. During the summer sugar is stored in the wood cells of the Maple Tree. In early spring the sap mounts and dissolves this sugar. Holes are bored in the trunk — Fred. And out comes maple syrup. Hurrah for the Maple Tree ! Pine. The sap of the Pine Tree is called resin or pitch. The American Pine supplies turpentine, tar and resin to the world. Rubber. Rubber is simply the hardened sap of the Rubber Tree. Blanche. It's getting late. We must be going home. Clarence. I'll never forget the afternoon we spent with the trees. Picnickers (rise and go out slowly singing). FAREWELL SONG Tune : Chorus of " Soldier's Farewell." Farewell, farewell, dear forest trees, Farewell, farewell, dear forest trees. Curtain 74 SCHOOLROOM EXTERTAINMENTS Note to Teachers: A curtain is not necessary for tJiis dialogue. If none is used the characters march on and off the stage, singing some appropriate song. Any of the Tree Characters may be omitted at the discretion of the teacher. The Picnickers should be good singers. Carrie should be the smallest girl ob- tainable. Blanche and Oak should be good dcclaimcrs. If it is desired to lengthen this dialogue, nature songs and recitations are easily obtained in Teachers' Maga- zines; a simple folk-dance might be given — /'/ there is room on the platform; original essays might be in- troduced. The costumes of the trees may be as simple as de- sired, ordinary dark clothes with a few leaves, cones, etc., will serve the purpose. Songs from the " Golden Book of Favorite Songs " suitable for this exercise. i. "Come With Thy Lute!' 2. " Woodman, Spare That Tree!' TEN COMMANDMENTS IN VERSE I Thou shalt have no gods but me, II Before no idol bend thy knee. III Take not the name of God in vain, IV Nor dare the Sabbath day profane. A' Give thy parents honor due, AT And see that thou no murder do. VII Avoid thoughts and acts unclean, VIII Steal not, though thou be poor and mean. IX Tell not a wilful lie, nor love it, X What is thy neighbor's, do not covet. — Selected. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 75 THE ALL-UNITED STATES -i Geographical and Historical Exercise for a School. 1. Scholars rise at their seats and sing the first stanza and chorus of " Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean." While they are singing the last two lines of the chorus, Columbia enters from cloak room. She wears a sheet draped in Greek fashion, with hair flow- ing and arms bare. She carries an American flag and may wear a red liberty cap on her head. See arrange- ment on an American dollar. Columbia advances slowly and takes place on platform. 2. All scholars give the Flag Salute. 3. Columbia (recites) : This is the American flag ! He must be cold, indeed, who can look upon its folds rippling in the breeze with- out pride of country. It is a piece of bunting lifted in the air ; but it speaks sublimely and every part has a voice. Its thirteen stripes proclaim the original union of Thirteen States to maintain the Declaration of Inde- pendence. Its stars, white on a field of blue, proclaim that union of States constituting our national constella- tion which has received a new star with every incom- ing State. The two together signify union, past and present. The very colors have a language which was recognized by our fathers. • White is for purity; red for valor; blue for justice; and all together, bunting, stripes, stars and colors, make the flag of our country, to be cherished by all our hearts, to be upheld by all our hands. — Charles Sumner. On June 7th, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, offered a resolution, in the Congress of the Thirteen Colonies, declaring that they *■ are, and ought to be, 76 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS free and independent States ; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown ; and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." This brought about the celebrated Declaration of Inde- pendence which, on July 4th, 1776, received the ratifi- cation of the delegates of the thirteen colonies. Thus was I born with thirteen States. 4. School sings " Yankee Doodle " as the Thirteen Original States march once around the room and then to the platform, standing in a row back of Columbia. These States are represented by thirteen girls in white and red dresses, each bearing a shield containing the name of her State. 5. Colloquy of the Thirteen Original States : Massachusetts (steps forward and addresses school). I am Massachusetts, the cradle of liberty. My his- tory begins with the landing of the Pilgrims at Ply- mouth in 1620. The Boston Massacre in 1770 was followed by the destruction of English tea in 1773. The Revolutionary War began at Lexington and Con- cord. I rank first in the production of granite and am preeminently a manufacturing state. In education I lead the world. My seats of learning include Har- vard, Amherst, Boston, Williams, Holy Cross, Rad- cliffe, Mount Holyoke, Smith and Wellesley Colleges. New Hampshire (steps forward as Massachusetts retires). New Hampshire has been called the Switzerland of America, because of her magnificent scenery, mountain peaks and river valleys. I rank first in the production of mica, but my industrial industries are devoted to manufacturing. I was settled in 1629 by an English colonist named Mason, under a grant made in 1623. SCHOOLROOM LXTLiKT. UXMIiX'J S 77 I am called the Granite State, which typifies the .strength and hardiness of my people. Connecticut (steps forward as New Hampshire re- tires). I am Connecticut, the Nutmeg State. My people are noted for their thrift and industry. My first set- tlement was made in Hartford in 1633 by the Dutch. I made my own charter in 1662, and concealed it in the hollow of an oak tree in 1686, when the royal gov- ernor Andros attempted to obtain it. Rhode Island (the smallest girl in the class, steps for- ward). u I'm a very little State, yet I feel myself as great as any in the land. It is not in one's size that one's importance lies, I'd have you understand. And if I choose to wait, and come in rather late To join the federal band, It's because a little State must needs deliberate Before she gives her hand." — Mrs. L. A. Bradbury. The first English settlement in Rhode Island was made at Providence in 1636 by Roger Williams, whose religious views caused him to be expelled from Massa- chusetts. I was the last State to ratify the Constitu- tion in 1790 and until a very recent period foreign- born citizens could not vote unless they owned real estate. New York (steps foncard and recites). I am Xew York, the wealthiest State in the Union and my sons and daughters far outnumber all of my sister States. My rugged mountains on the east and my rolling terraces on the west form backgrounds for 78 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS my beautiful Hudson River and my wonderful lakes. I am also the most important commercial State in the Union, the greater part of the European commerce being carried on through the port of New York City. My school system is comprehensive and vast, including a complete system of adult education. The first explo- rations of New York were made by Champlain and Henry Hudson in 1609. The region surrounding the Hudson was later claimed by the Dutch, who called the place New Netherlands. The national government was first located in New York City ; steamboat navi- gation was begun on the Hudson in 1807, and in 1825 the Erie Canal was completed from the Lakes to the Hudson River. Pennsylvania (steps forward). I am Pennsylvania, the Keystone State, for in the arch of the thirteen original States, I was the keystone. I rank first in the amount and value of my commercial mineral products, first in the production of coal coke, nafural gas, building stones, flint, feldspar, mineral paints, portland cement and iron and steel products ; second in petroleum and clay products, and fifth in iron ores. Pittsburgh is the center of the iron indus- try of the world. I also rank first in the production of rye, and have a large crop of other cereals. The country above Delaware Bay was first settled by the Swedes, and then passed first under Dutch, and then under English, jurisdiction. In my City of Brotherly Love the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4th, 1776, when the old Liberty Bell pealed out freedom unto all the world. The Thirteen States (recite in union). " That old J)ell now is silent, Husheci is its iron tongue ; But the spirit it awaked Still lives, forever young. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 79 And when we greet the sunlight, On the Fourth of each July, We'll ne'er forget the bellman Who twixt the earth and sky, Rang out our Independence Which, please God, will never die." New Jersey (steps forward and recites). Xew Jersey was settled by the Dutch about 161 5. I took a very active part in the War of the Revolution and on my soil was fought the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Red Bank and Monmouth. Newark, Xew Jersey, produces more jewelry, leather and hats than any other city in the Union. Delaware (steps forzeard and recites). Delaware lies on a level plain and very nearly all of its area is under cultivation. Peaches, apples, pears and quinces are extensively raised. During the Revo- lution one of my brigades was under the command of a brave old man who lived to fight roosters and who always put his money on the " old blue hen's chickens." Finally his brigade became known by this nickname and today the sons of Delaware are known as the blue hen's chickens. Virginia {steps forward and recites a short original speech of about i/j words on " Virginia, the Mother of Great Men"). Maryland steps forzvard. All ( includi)ig the entire school) sing: MARYLAND, MY MARYLAND Thou wilt not cower in the dust, Maryland ! my Maryland ! Thy gleaming sword shall never rust, Maryland ! my Maryland ! So SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Remember Carroll's sacred trust, Remember Howard's war-like thrust, And all thy slumb'rers with the just, Maryland ! my Maryland ! I see no blush upon thy cheek, Maryland! my Maryland! Though thou wast ever bravely meek, Maryland ! my Maryland ! For life and death, for woe and weal. Thy peerless chivalry reveal, And gird thyself with beauteous steel. Maryland ! my Maryland ! Maryland {sings solo) : I will not yield the vandal toll, All. Maryland! my Maryland! M. I will not crook to his control. All. Maryland! my Maryland! M. Better the fire upon me roll, Better the shot, the blade, the bow ' Than crucifixion of the soul, All. Maryland ! my Maryland ! M. I'll join the brave heroic throng, All. Maryland ! my Maryland ! M. That stalks with Liberty along, All. Maryland ! my Maryland! M. I hear the distant thunder hum, The Old Line bugle, fife and drum, I pause no more, I come, I come ! All. Maryland ! my Maryland ! Maryland (recites). The main colonization of Maryland was made in 1634 by a bo^v of English Roman Catholic cavaliers under a charter granted to the second Lord Baltimore by Charles I. Marylanders took part in nearly every SC HOOLROOM ENTIIRTAIMMBNTS 81 l);ittle of the Revolutionary War, and in 1812 the State suffered severely from the naval operations of the British: In 1861 my people were divided in sentiment, many being in sympathy with the South, although the State remained loyal to the National cause. South Carolina (comes forward and recites). I am South Carolina. The soil of the State is either loam or clay, rich in phosphate, lime and potash. Cot- ton, maize, wheat, rice and sweet potatoes are the chief staples. The magnolia and the palmetto grow along the coast, pine and cypress in the low country and hard- wood in the highlands. I was the first State to secede from the Union, on December 20th, i860, but in 1869 I was readmitted into the sisterhood of States. North Carolina (comes forward and recites). North Carolina was permanently settled in 1663, when Charles II made a grant of the territory to eight English gentlemen. The State joined the Southern Confederacy May 20, i86t, and furnished some of the best troops in the Confederate Army, having 125,000 in service. The present constitution was amended January 1, 1908, so that no one who is unable to read and write can vote. Georgia (comes forzvard and recites). Georgia was settled by a colony of 120 persons in T 733> under a patent granted to Oglethorpe, Whitefield and the Wesleys. It was established as a barrier be- tween the Spanish and Indians on the south, and the Carolinas on the north, and to provide a refuge for debtors, orphans, and other needy and destitute per- sons. On January 21, 1861, an ordinance of secession was unanimously passed. From the Battle of Chica- mauga in 1863 to the winter of 1864-65 the State was constantly the scene of conflict. The State was re- stored to the Union in 1869. 82 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS The Thirteen States (join hands, Columbia in center). The Pilgrim Fathers suffered, The Patriots nobly fought — But from their strife and suffering Our noble land was wrought. Our sons were bold, triumphant, Refused to bow the knee To English king or English power Or English tyranny, But fought like men and heroes To make this land their own, Where Liberty and Freedom Uphold Columbia's throne. 6. Song (by the entire school). Tune, "Amer- ica:' America, to thee We pledge our loyalty, For evermore. When foreign foes assail, Your sons will never quail, Your children never fail From shore to shore. (Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and South Caro- lina retire.) Our father's God, to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing. Long may our land be bright With freedom's holy light. Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King! 7. Com and Wheat States. Columbia ( recites ) . After the original Thirteen States had won the great SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 83 War of the Revolution, two of my favorite sons appear on the scene. Behold them, Vermont and Maine. Enter Vermont and Maine, tivo boys dressed in overalls, bandanas and tattered strazv hats. Vermont {recites). I was the first State to enter the Union after the original thirteen. I came in on March 4, 1791. Ver- mont is a farming state, but is famous throughout the world for its marble and maple sugar. My famous Green Mountain Boys were in some of the hardest fought battles of the Revolution. In the War of 1812 my sons added fresh laurels to their military record and during the Civil War I sent more than one-tenth of my entire population into action. Long live Vermont and the Green Mountain Boys ! Maine (recites). • Maine was admitted to the Union on March 15, r820. I am known as the Temperance State, as I was the first State to prohibit the making and selling of in- toxicating liquors within my boundaries. I have been a Dry State for over a quarter of a century. Columbia (comes to center and recites). From the wheatlands, from the valleys, Where the mighty rivers flow, Comes a throng of lads and lassies, Singing as they onward go. ?4 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS THE MARCH OF CORN AND WHEAT STATES The characters all retire. A march is played on the piano or grapho phone. If no instrument is available, let the children sing some song in strict march time, singing first verse and chorus, then whistle a verse and chorus, then second verse and chorus, etc. "Marching Through Georgia'' is recom- mended. Enter Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Michigan, girls dressed in gingham all- over aprons, white 'kerchiefs at neck, white sunbonnets and each carrying a rake. Then enter from left in single file, rakes held at shoulder arms. March across rear, down right to front, from right front obliquely up to rear left, 'across rear to center, dozen center in a straight line. Turn corners squarely. When the seven are in a straight line down the center, they all turn to right, march to right of stage, turn and face to left. That leaves the line down the right side of the stage from front to rear, but all facing left. They start to rake floor in time to music. Enter Arkansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, West Virginia, North Dakota, Nebraska and South Dakota, boys dressed in dark waists, red ties, bib over- alls, large straw hats and each carries a hoe. They enter from left in single file, hoes held at shoulder arms. March across rear, dozen right to front (paying no attention to the girls, ziho are raking at extreme right), across front to left, up left to rear, then all face girls and begin to hoc in time to the music. Boys hoe four measures. South Dakota discovers girls. Points to them. Boys advance two steps and try to attract attention of girls, zcho still rake without SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 85 seeming to notice them. On last note of chorus, boys bang hoes dozvn on tloor. Girls scream, si art back and look at boys. Boys remove hats anil make low bow. Girls curtsey. Each line advances to center. All face front. Ohio and South Dakota march to left, Indiana and Nebraska to right. Illinois and North Dakota to left, Missouri and West Virginia to right, Iowa and Minnesota to left, Kansas and Wis- consin to right, Michigan and Arkansas mark time in front at center. Then line up to form this tableau: Right "Neb., Ind. S. Dak., Ohio Left W. Va., Mo. X. Dak., III. Wis., Kan. Mich., Ark. Iowa, Minn. All (sing). - • Tune : " Marching Through Georgia.'' Sound the good old bugle boys, in praise of corn and wheat, Sound it for prosperity, and then the sound repeat, We grow enough to feed the world, we never meet defeat, Peace and Prosperity, our motto. Hurrah, hurrah, the Middle States are we, Hurrah, hurrah, no life is half so free, Sowing, reaping, every day to feed the world, you see, Peace and Prosperity, our motto. All hold same positions. Wisconsin (recites). Wisconsin, the Badger State, entered the Union May 29, 1848. In 1827 lead was discovered in large quan- tities at Potosi and Mineral Point and there was a great rush of immigrants to that section. The Black Hawk War with the Indians occurred in 1832. 86 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Kansas (recites). The excellent soil of Kansas makes it one of the foremost agricultural States. Before the Civil War many bitter struggles occurred in Kansas between the slaveholders and the abolitionists, but the party oppos- ing slavery triumphed and Kansas was admitted as a State January 29, 1861. Michigan (recites). Michigan has a great mineral wealth and ranks first of all the States in its iron production and second in copper. Grapes, cranberries, cherries, strawberries, apples, pears and peaches are raised to a large extent. Lumber is the principal article of manufacture. The capital was removed from Detroit to Lansing in 1838. Arkansas ( recites) . Arkansas contains coal, iron, zinc, marble, copper and salt. Its most valuable production is cotton. Ad- mitted to the Union in 1836, Arkansas seceded March 4, i§6i, and was re-admitted in 1868. Iowa (recites). Iowa became the property of the Linked States by the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, and was admitted to the Union in 1846. An Indian raid, known as the Spirit Lake Massacre, occurred in 1857, in which about 40 settlers were killed and their homes destroyed. Iowa is the banner State for corn. Minnesota (recites). The soil of Minnesota is especially adapted to wheat- growing ; the extent of the country and the abundance of water has made this State an ideal one from the point of Agriculture. In 1783 the Northwest Terri- tory, including Minnesota, was ceded to the United States. In 1862 the Indians attacked the frontier set- tlements, and in a few days killed about 800 settlers. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 87 In consequence the Sioux and Winnebagoes were re- moved from the State, and their lands opened for set- tlement. The seven couples march around the stage in a large circle sinning to tune of "Marching Through Geor- gia." Once again your voices raise, ye Central Valley States, Sing of honest labor and the victory that awaits Ours the hands that reap and sow, the country's wealth creates, Peace and Prosperity our motto. Hurrah, hurrah, the Middle States are we, Hurrah, hurrah, no life is half so free. Sowing, reaping, every day, to feed the world, you see, Peace and Prosperity our motto. Form tableau. Wis., Kan., Mich., Ark., Iowa, Minn. W. Va., Mo., Neb., Ind., N. Dak., III., S. Dak., Ohio. West Virginia (recites). West Virginia was that part of Virginia that seceded from the Mother State in 1863 and remained true to the Union. Every known variety of coal is mined in my State. Missouri (recites), Missouri was admitted to the Union in 182 1 and ranks third among the States in her agricultural wealth. In the early part of the eighteenth century a brisk trade in furs between the French and the Indians led to the founding of the city of St. Louis. The South wished to make Missouri a slave state and the North resisted. 88 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS A compromise was made to the effect that slavery should be permitted in Missouri, but excluded from all other parts of the Louisiana Purchase north of latitude $6° 30'. The activity of the Union Pany saved the State from secession. Nebraska ( recites). Nebraska is a very important agricultural state and was a part of the Louisiana Purchase. The emigra- tion to California in 1849 brought about a general set- tlement in this region. In 1867 the Union Pacific Railway was completed across Nebraska, the territory was admitted as a State., and the capital removed from Omaha to Lincoln. Indiana ( recites). Indiana is the Hoosier State, and the home of James Whitcomb Riley, Booth Tarkington and many other famous later-day writers. North Dakota (recites). The surface of North Dakota is undulating prairie, with occasional hills. The soil is exceedingly fertile and free from stones. South Dakota (recites). In 1861 the territory of Dakota was organized with Yankton as capital, but it was divided into North and South Dakota, and these admitted to the Union as States in 1889. Illinois (recites). Illinois, the pride of the Middle West, is known as the Prairie State. Its river system is the most expen- sive in the Union, and it ranks as second state in the production of coal. The fertility of its soil makes it rank as one of the foremost states in agriculture. Other notable industries are slaughtering, meat pack- ing, and the manufacture of iron and steel. The first SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMEN1 S 89 white settlement was a Jesuit mission founded by Marquette in 1673. {All sing " Illinois.") Ohio (recites). Ohio is the Buckeye State and ranks first in the pro- duction of petroleum, and clay products; third in coal and natural gas and fourth in salt. Stock raising and dairy farming are leading industries and the old Buck- eye State ranks first in her number of sheep, and value of her wool production. Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Har- rison, McKinley and Taft were born in Ohio. The seven couples again marcJi around the stage in a large circle, singing the chorus " Hurrah, Hurrah, the Middle States are We!" Then line up in two lines facing front, the boys behind the girls. Continue sing- ing. Girls turn backs to audience, face boys, two feet away. All hold hoes and rakes on high and form an arch. 8. The Southern States are heard singing " Dixie " off the stage. They sing first verse and chorus before they enter. Then enter Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Ken- tucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ala- bama, Florida and Texas, girls dressed in white and red, wearing large hats trimmed in flowers and carry- ing baskets of leaves and flowers. DIXIE Way down south in the land of cotton, Orange groves and sandy bottom, Look away, look away, look away, Dixie land! Southern flowers in valleys springing, Southern birds in meadows singing. Look away, look away, look away, Dixie land ! Then we'll give three cheers for Dixie, Hurrah, hunah. 90 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS In Dixie land I'll take my stand To live and die in Dixie. Away, away. Away down south in Dixie. Away, away. Away down south in Dixie. Southern States march in coming under the arch, and line up in front. Southern winds are softly blowing, Field on field of cotton growing, Look away, look away, look away, Dixie land ! Come down South, 'we'd like to meet you, Hospitality shall greet you, Look away, look away, look away, Dixie land ! Then we'll give three cheers for Dixie, etc. Florida (steps forzvard and sings. All others group in rear). Way down upon the Suwanee River, Far, far, away — There's where my thoughts are turning ever, There's where the old folks stay. All (sing). All the world am sad and dreary, Everywhere I roam, Oh, darkies, how my heart grows weary, Far from the old folks at home. Kentucky (steps forzcard and sings). Weep no more, my lady. Oh, weep no more today. For we'll sing one song for our old Kentucky home, For our old Kentucky home so far away. {Repeated by All. ) SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 91 9. Cowboys heard whooping behind scenes. All on stage bend over and listen with hands behind cars. Western States sing: THE CAMPBELLS ARE COM INC, (Found in most School Collections.) The Cowboys are coming, O ho, O ho, The Cowboys are coming, O ho, O ho, The Cowboys are coming, with clamor and clatter, The Cowboys are coming, O ho, O ho ! Enter from left, California, Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, Washington, Montana, W'yoming, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Okla- homa, boys dressed in cowboy or Indian play suits. They skip in, keeping time to their singing, and line up in front. From the hills and the prairies we come, we come, From the hills and the prairies we come, we come, From rugged mountains and golden valleys, With noise and clatter, we come, we come ! (They join hands and dance round in a circle, sing- ing): The Cowboys are here, O ho, O ho, The Cowboys are here, O ho, O ho, From hill and prairie and mountain and valley, With noise and clatter we come, we come! Hurray! (Yell.) 10. Enter Columbia, bearing flag, followed by all other States, as all sing second stanza of " Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean." Enter Alaska, a boy in furs ; Guam, a dark-haired girl in red and yellow, with black lace mantilla, high comb and red rose over car: gi SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Hawaii, a girl with flowing black hair, yellow dress, wreath of red roses on head and garland around neck; Panama, a boy in khaki uniform; Philippines, a boy in uniform; Tutuila, a girl in green trimmed with white roses. Alaska (recites). I am Alaska, purchased from Russia in 1867, for $7,200,000. I bring my mines of gold, copper, coal and iron and my fish-laden streams to enrich the United States. My yield of valuable minerals amounts to $20,000,000 every year. Guam [recites). I am Guam, an island in the Pacific Ocean, the larg- est of the Marianne or Ladrone group. I formerly belonged to Spain, but was captured on June 20th, 1898, by the United States cruiser Charleston, on its way to Manila. Hawaii (recites). I represent a group of islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, 2,000 miles from San Francisco. My climate is wonderfully mild, being tempered by the Northeast Trade Winds that blow nine months of the year. My principal crops are sugar and rice, tropical and sub-tropical fruits, cocoanuts and pineapples. I was annexed to the United States on July 7, 1898. Panama Canal Strip (recites). I am the Panama Canal Strip purchased from Pan- ama in 1904 for the purpose of digging and maintain- ing the Panama Canal, a body of water separating North and South America and joining the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Philippine Islands (recites), I represent the Philippine Islands, an archipelago in SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 93 the Pacific Ocean, comprising more than 1,700 islands. The two largest are Luzon and Mindanao. Rice, corn, coffee and cotton are produced. I was ceded by Spain to the United States as a result of the War of 1898. Tutuila Group (recites). I am an island of the Samoan Group and belong to the United States under the treaty of December 2, 1899. between the United States, Great Britain and Germany. All sing as they march around stage and finally off at left. Tune, " Yankee Doodle:' A century of peace has dawned, the North and South are plighted, And all their lover's quarrels have been forever righted, There is no North, there is no South, no Johnny Reb to bandy, No feud, no scores to settle up, no Yankee Doodle Dandy. Yankee Doodle, nevermore, Yankee Doodle dandy, Dixie Doodle's come to town, And no more words to bandy. What have we then in this great land above its bonded boodle, With northern pluck and southern nerve, our cheers for Dixie Doodle. Then hip, hurrah, for this brave youth, unbought of bond or boodle, We'll give three cheers and one cheer more, for grow- ing Dixie Doodle. END 94 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Other suitable songs from " The Golden Book of Favorite Songs" i. "Illinois." 2. " The Farmer." 3. " Flag of the Free." 4. " Oh, Broad Land." 5. " Michigan, My Michigan." ABE ( Written by an unknown prisoner at Charlestown Mass. ) Who was the lad, just reached his teens, Barefooted, clad in home spun jeans: That sought no favors, asked no odds Of high-bred youngsters, men or gods? That fetched the cattle, milked the cows ; Pitched down the hay from off the mows ; Lugged in the wbod and swept the floors, Beside a lot of other chores? Who was this lad, lean, lank and strong, That hailed the day's work with a song, And when the day's last job was done, Hailed with a song the setting sun ? Young Abe. Who was the lad, awkward and plain, With simple mind, untutored brain, That dreamed the dreams of souls whose flight Gain glorious Manhood's loftiest height? That with a zeal which naught could tire, His only light, the pine-knot fire. With pen and pencil, book and slate, Reached for the goal sought by the great ? Who was this lad of lowly birth That sat there by the humble hearth, SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 95 And gathered wisdom late at night, In the dusky glow of the firelight? Young Abe. Who was the man behind the plow, With tangled hair and sweating brow, Whose grimy hands held spade and hoe, And swung the axe with mighty blow? And man with gaunt and graceless frame, Who still dared dream those dreams of fame? Who was this man — too young for care — With homely features, rustic air, That when the evening prayers were said, Back to his books on the hearth-stool sped, And the path of a nation's glory sought In the glare of the blaze of a pitch-pine knot? Our Abe. Who was the man simple and quaint Whose heart and thought were free of taint ; Whose mighty soul and strong right hand Reached out to save his native land ? That dared the giants of debate, His country's flag to desecrate, And in the name of Mammon's laws Defy the Union's righteous cause? — Who was this man with will of steel, Whose heart throbbed for his country's weal — ■ That saw the rising storm of woe And bared his bosom to the foe ? Old Abe. Who was the clear-eyed patriot brave, Who struck the shackles from the slave, And hurled against the threat of kings The war-beat of the eagle's wings? That listened to the martial tramp Of armed hosts in field and camp, 96 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS With ears that caught the sound of strife As pledges for the nation's life? Who steered the ship past rock and shoal. Through storm-swept seas straight to the goal, And faced the fury of the blast With stars and stripes nailed to the mast ? Our Abe. Who was this man so wise, so great, That gave his life to save the State, Whose martyr crown the sun outshone In the glory of the Great W r hite Throne? Old Honest Abe. WORDS FOR A SPELLING MATCH The Hundred Most Commonly Misspelled Words in Our Language. Which, disappear, regretted, chimney, separate, mis- chief, noticeable, necessarily, develop, character, res- taurant, partition, whether, pursue, curiosity, capitol, February, origin, miniature, muscle. Benefited, exercise, poem, preparation, grammar, handkerchief, brethren, victuals, accommodate, pota- toes, persevere, disease, iron, embarrass, umbrella, mil- linery, business, together, arctic, sovereign. Acquiesce, beginning, particular, mischievous, par- allel, surprise, adjacent, several, judgment, thorough, pumpkin, laboratory, until, negroes, except, balloon, management, fulfill, recognize, geography. Analysis, principal, similar, cistern, lettuce, profes- sor, admittance, misspelled, elm, descendant, irrelevant, equipage, precede, government, foreigner, cemetery, occasion, analyze, deceit, conscience. Divisible, detached, hygiene, architect, changeable, SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 97 governor, siege, stationery, supersede, cleanse, niece, athletic, occurrence, vertical, alley, convenience, com- mitte, prejudice, ceiling, sufficient. WORDS FOR A PRONUNCIATION CONTEST Abdomen, address, adult, alias, alternate, applicable. brigand, condolence, construe, cuckoo, despicable, ex- quisite, e.rtant, gondola, harass, Hern/lean, hospitable, il/urtrate, impious, incomparable, inquiry, /amentable, misconstrue, pariah, obligatory, peremptory, preced- ence, precedent (adjective), precedent (noun), vagary. Adonis, amenable, apparatus, apricot, biography, brooch, brusque, cantaloupe, choler, Cleopatra, con- stable, coupon, culinary, defalcate, gape, garrulous, genealogy (not ology), genuine, Italian, Pall Mall (Pell Mell), pretty, quay, status, trow, xylophone, zoology. Aversion, designate, excursion, flaccid, has (He has to go), have (I have to go), oleomargarine, Persia, Persian, turgid, version, auxiliary, February, almond, pumpkin, athlete, athletic, casualty, conduit, falcon, often, salmon, finis, sarsaparilla, vaudeville. LIVING LETTERS A Novel Exercise in Pronunciation. Characters. Jack, James, Arthur, Schoolboys. May, Edith, Cora, Schoolgirls. The Twenty-six Letters of the Alphabet, Boys and Girls. 98 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS An Extra E. An Extra G. An Extra O. Letters wear white dresses or waists, bright green ties and hair-ribbons of paper muslin. The letters are in green, twenty-eight inches long, fifteen inches wide, and have three-inch lines. These are mounted on heavy white paper and hung around the neck of each child by green muslin ribbons. The Letters should move quickly and noiselessly and the children should wear moccasins, if possible. The Letters forming the appropriate words should form in the cloak-room, in single tile, close together. When they move to stage they enter from left rear, and line up at rear, facing toward right, so that audi- enc does not read the word until the proper time, when the Letters face toward front and the word may be read by all. Care should be taken to have the letters in the proper order and to see that they move quickly and quietly. Scene: A school room, with six seats, three at left corner near front, three at right near front. Jack, James and Arthur seated at left, May, Edith and Cora seated at right. All studying. Jack. I'm not going to study any more. I've stud- ied so much now that I'm beginning to get gray hair. James. I'd rather read some interesting book. Arthur. Or go a-fishin '. May. He said " fishin '." Boys never pronounce the final g. Girls always say fishing. Edith. It's funny, isn't it? You boys can pro- nounce the final g, can't you? (Pronounce the last two words " can chew?"*) Arthur. Can chew? Of course we can chew. You mean can't you. Boys always say, can't you, not can chew. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 99 Cora. We don't have to say can't you. You know what we mean when we say can chew, don't you? (last tzvo words pronounced don't chew.) Jack. Not don't chew, but don't you. Why can't girls speak correctly? • May. We don't have to. (Pronounce last tzvo words Jiaf to.) Arthur. Not haf to. Have to. H-a-v-e spells have. There is no such word in the English language as haf. Why do you say haf to? May. You think you're smart, don' chew? I mean, don't you ? Jack. We know we're smart. The only things girls think about is — (Letters run in from left, fac- ing right, suddenly turn, forming word clothes). Cora (noting that Jack has paused, but none of the children see the letters). Well, what, Mr. Jack? Jack (continuing after a pause). Is boys. May. I guess girls don't think of boys any more than the boys think of girls. We have more important things to think about, haven't we, girls. (Letters run out noiselessly at left.) Cora. Yes, indeed. The idea ! I never think about the boys. Edith. Nor I. James. Why, a girl is always thinking about boys. Whenever a girl laughs, she says, he, he, he ! You never hear a boy laugh she, she, she, do you? (Enter Letters forming words keep cool, bat they are fac- ing toward right and cannot be read by audience.) Edith. It isn't so. And you're horrid to say such a thing ! Cora. Indeed you are. Shame on you, James ! May. If that's what you think, we won't have any- thing more to do with you. (Letters face front showing keep cool.) Jack. Oh, that was just a joke. You can take a joke, can't chew? ioo SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS May. Oh, he said can't chew ? Remember, boys, always say, can't you ! It's only girls who can't chew. (Letters run out at left.) Arthur (writing in tablet). How do you spell weather ? Cora. I don't know whether you mean whether or weather ? Arthur. I don't pronounce whether like weather. I mean weather. May (spelling). W-e-t-h-e-r. James. That's a bad spell of weather. May (spelling). W-e-a-t-h-e-r. James. That's a good spell of weather. Arthur (writing). W-e-a-t-h-e-r. Enter Letters for stung. Jack. If you spell it without the " a," you'll be — (Letters face audience.) Arthur (as Jack pauses). I'll be what? Jack. If you leave out the " a," you'll be stung. Cora. Oh, no. You won't be stung by an a, it takes a bee to sting you. (Letters run out.) Arthur. If I had my way, I'd not allow any silent letters in spelling. I'd make a change. May. You can't change the spelling book. (Enter Letters for money.) James. There's one thing he can change, though. Cora. What's that? (Letters face front.) James. He changes his collar every morning. (Letters run out at left.) Jack. He does that because he has to. May. Not hass to, but has to. H-a-s spells has. There is no such word in the English language as hass. Boys always say " because he hass to," when they mean because he has to. Jack. You shouldn't talk. You said Italian (using SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 101 long sound of i) the other day, when you meant Italian ( using short sound). Cora. And you always say Perzhia, when you mean Persia. There is no such place as Perzhia, and the people of Persia are Persians, not Perzhians. Arthur. But I have heard you say apricot (short sound of a), when you meant apricot (long sound of a). Cora. Either way is correct. Arthur. But the best authorities say •* apricot " (long a). Cora. At any rate, I know how to pronounce g-e-n-u-i-n-e. You call it genuine, as though it rhymed with quinine. Edith. Ever so many people mispronounce com- mon little words like almond, pumpkin and often. They try to sound the 1 in almond, and the t in often, but forget the second p*in pumpkin. Letters (heard singing in the cloak-room, first sing the stanza through softly, then repeat it loudly, as they march in, in time to the singing, and stand at the rear, facing audience). MUSICAL ALPHABET Golden Book of Favorite Songs. Little living letters, we, Hear us sav our ABC; A B C D E. F G HI J K L M NOP; O R S and T U V W and X Y Z. Little living letters, we, Hear us say our ABC! (Repeat until they have lined up at rear.) Edith. Oh, look there! 102 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Cora. It's letters. Am I asleep, or am I awake? Arthur. Look at them. May. I never saw such a thing. This must he a dream. Jack. Surely it is. We're all asleep. (Letters step forward and spell wake up, the other Letters turn their back to au'dience.) James. Wake up! I'll bet this place is haunted. They're ghosts, and if they are, I'm goin' to be goin'. G. {comes dozen and shakes finger at James, all other Letters turn backs to audience at rear). You said " goin' " instead of going. What have I ever done to you, that you should slight me in such a manner as that ? James. Why who are you? G. I am the slighted letter G. James. Oh, gee! G. You say readin', writin', runnin', thinkin' on every occasion. Why not say reading, writing, run- ning, thinking? Then I'll receive my just due. (Re- tires. ) X. (comes forward). I'm the unknown quantity. May. Then you're X, aren't you? X. Xactly. And I'm Xtra fine, too. May. I'm pleased to meet you, X. X. Xcuse me, you're a girl and girls are always pleased with an X. May. If I can't get an X, I'll take a Y. V. (comes forward). V stands for five. ' Edith. Just hear V talk. I didn't know you could talk. V. Money talks and I am a V. Z. (comes forward). I am Z, and I make things buzz. Last but not least. Jack. Three cheers for the living letters. Boys and Girls. Rah, rah, rah ; rah, rah, rah ; rah, rah, rah, Letters, Letters, Letters ! Letters (march around and sing). SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 103 Little living letters, we, Hear us say our A B C ; A B C D E F G HI J K L M X O P; Q R S and T U V W and X Y Z. Little living letters, we, Hear us say our A B C. Jack. I never was so surprised in my life. We're mighty glad to meet you, Letters. I always did like you. In fact, there's only one thing I like better. (Letters form word girls, these Letters stepping to front, the other Letters turning backs.) Arthur. Oh, see! Girls, that's what you like, Jack. Girls! Cora. Well, what if he does ? I like — (Letters spell boys.) Edith. You like boys. But there are finer things than boys to think about. My thoughts are on the great and grand things of life. Jack. What things do you like best, Edith? (Letters spell fudge.) Edith (reading). F-u-d-g-e ! Fudge. Xonsense. I don't at all. You must think I'm a (Letters form jay.) Cora. Let's have some fun with the letters. Can't we all play some game? (Letters spell going.) Jack. Going? So soon? And we were just be- ginning to get acquainted. (Letters move toward door and spell gone, the other Letters go out.) May. Gone! TheyVe going, going, gone! (Let- ters all run out.) James. And now what are we going to do? Cora. I think the best thing we can do is to start studying our lessons for tomorrow. (All study.) Enter three Letters and form word end. curtain 104 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS A GOOD THANKSGIVING Reader. Said Old Gentleman Gay, ""On Thanksgiving Day. If you want a good time, then give something away." So he sent a fat turkey to Shoemaker Price, And the Shoemaker said, "What a big bird ! How nice !" Boy dressed as a gentleman in silk hat, long coat, spectacles, etc., enters from left carrying basket. Shoemaker discovered mending shoes. The shoemaker is old, face wrinkled with dark chalk lines and he wears old clothes. Gay gives Price the basket. Price as- tonished. Price looks in, is delighted. Shakes hands with Gay. Gay exits. Price capers around basket, peering in, smacking lips, etc. Price. Now since a good dinner's before me, I ought To give poor Widow Lee the small chicken I bought. Price takes basket and goes out, but immediately returns with smaller basket. The Widow Lee comes in. He gives her the small basket. She peers in, is delighted. Shakes his hand with both of hers. He goes out. Widow (peering in basket). This fine chicken, oh, see ! I'm a proud Widow Lee, And the kindness that gave it, how precious to me ! I would like to make someone as happy as I — I'll give Washwoman Biddy my big pumpkin pie. (Hurries out.) Biddy dressed in calico and apron, hair parted and knotted, is seen washing. Knock heard. She dries hands and goes to door. Enter Widow Lee witJi pie wrapped in paper. Both bozv and shake hands. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 105 Biddy dusts off chair and Widow sits. They talk in pantomime. Widow presents Biddy with pie. Biddy removes paper, and capers for joy. Kisses Widow, who exits after returning the kiss. (Biddy cuts and eats a piece of pie.) Biddy (dancing around). Just look at it now, 'tis the queen of all pies ! Sure a sight of its yellow face gladdens my eyes ! Now it's my turn, I think, and a swate ginger cake For the motherless Finnegan children I'll bake. (Hurries out.) Enter Biddy with cake in tin. She looks out of win- dow and beckons. Enter Rose, Denny and Hugh, dressed in tattered clothes. She gives them the cake. They arc delighted. Rose. A sweet cake all our own, 'tis too good to be true. Biddy. There's enough for you all, Rose, Denny and Hugh. Denny. It smells sweet of spice, and we'll carry a slice To poor little lame Jake, who has nothing that's nice. Enter little Lame Jake ; they give him a big slice, All eat. Hugh. There's a big piece for you, poor, little, lame Jake. Jake. Oh, what a bootiful, bootiful, bootiful cake! I thank you and thank you ! I'll save all the crumbs. And will give 'em to each little sparrow that comes. Reader. The best thing that hearts that are thankful can do Is this : to make thankful some other hearts, too. 106 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS THE BIRD PLAY Nature Dialogue for an Entire School. CHARACTERS : Joe, Frank, George, Fred, Edwin (io or n years old). Harry, Tom, Leo, Dan, Murray, Norman (12 to 14 years old). Leviticus Jupiter Jackson {colored boy; may be a white boy with face and hands blackened with burnt cork). Hazel, Helen, Ruth, Bernice, Bertha, Fa ye (10 or 11 years old). Lucile, Aline, Margaret, Pearl, Dorothy, Chris- tine {12 or 13). Frances, Stella, Edna, Jean (any age). Time: A Spring Afternoon. Occasion : Going Home from School. Children carry books, etc., and wear hats and clothing suitable for Spring. Enter Lucile, Aline, Margaret, Pearl, Dorothy, Christine and Frances walking in groups with arms intertwined. They come in from the left and walk toward the right. Lucile. School is over for today. Aline. Yes, and we had such a lovely nature lesson in our room. Christine. So did we. All about birds. Margaret. Why, that's what our lesson was about, too. Pearl. Let's sit down here in the shade. \Ye have over an hour until it's time to go home. Dorothy. And it's such a beautiful spring after- SCHOOLROOM ILSTliKT. 1INMEN1 S 107 noon. (They sit or recline in a pretty group at right of platform.) Enter Stella, Edna, Jean, Hazel, Helen, Ruth, Bern ice, Bertha and Faye in groups from left. They come to center of stage. Stella. Why are you all sitting here, girls, are you going to have a picnic? Lucile. No, we're just enjoying the spring after- noon. Francis. Sit down, girls, and we'll pretend we're having a picnic. Edna. We will. And we'll talk about the birds. (Second group sit or recline at center.) Hazel. Isn't this fine? I just love the Spring! Enter all the boys, except Jupiter. They sit at left of stage. Joe. What's going on here ? Are we going to have school out here in the woods ? Norman. I've had enough school for today. Ruth. And watch the birds. Aline. Let's sing a song. Frank. No, come on, boys, let's have a game of baseball. Edwin. We won't have time. Go ahead with your song, Alice. We'll all join in the chorus. Faye. Let's*- sing a round. Do you know "The Spring " ? Murray. Sure. Start her out. Go on, Aline. Song : " The Spring." The Spring is come, I hear the birds that sing from bush to bush. Hark ! Hark ! I hear them sing. The linnet and the little wren, the black-bird and the thrush. 108 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS (The group of girls at right sing the first line alone, as they start on the second line, the group at center join in singing the first line. When the group at right sing third line, the group at center sing second line and the boys start in on the first line. On the words "Hark, hark, I hear them sing," the singers put right hands back of right ears and bend, toward right as if listen- ing to the birds. Repeat the round three times, the last time two of the boys produce bird-whistles and imitate the singing of birds.) Hazel. I like the Robin Redbreast best of all. This is the way he sings (imitates bird), "Cheery, cheery, be cheery ! Come out ! Come out ! " He wakes us up every morning singing, " Come out, come out, come out." Most birds love the Spring and Sum- mer, but the Robin loves the Autumn. (She rises, comes to center and recites.) Good-bye, good-bye to Summer, for Summer's nearly done, The garden smiling faintly, cool breezes in the sun, The thrushes now are silent, our swallows flown away, But Robin's here in coat or brown, and scarlet breast- knot gay. All (sing). O Robin, Robin Redbreast, O Robin, Robin dear, The Robin sings so sweetly in the falling of the year. Helen (comes to front and recites). Bright yellow, red or orange, the leaves come down in hosts, The trees are Indian princes, but soon they'll turn to ghosts ; The leath'ry pears and apples hang russet on the bough, 'Tis Autumn, Autumn, Autumn late, 'twill soon be Winter now. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 109 All (sing as before). O Robin, Robin Redbreast, O Robin, Robin dear, The Robin sings so sweetly in the falling of the year. Fa ye (comes to center and recites). The fire-side for the cricket, the wheatstack for the mouse, When trembling night winds moan all round the house ; The frosty ways like iron, the branches plumed with snow, Alas in Winter dead and dark, where can poor Robin go? All (sing as before). O Robin, Robin Redbreast, O Robin, Robin dear, The Robin sings so sweetly in the falling of the year. (All resume former positions.) Lucile. Did you know that the bird's eye is a won- derful little telescope? Tom. A telescope? How can that be? Lucile. It is, because it can adjust itself so that he can see both near and far objects. And it also has this arrangement, an extra little lid that hangs over the eye a little to protect it from the sun. When not needed, this is folded neatly and packed snugly away in one corner of the eye. Aline. I love the Oriole best. He looks like a flame of light with his bright yellow vest, as he whisks about among the apple blossoms. He has a queer, basket-like nest and hangs it on the slender tips of the elm branches far out of the reach of prowling cats. Margaret. The Baltimore Oriole is the prettiest bird I ever saw. Part of him is black and part is as red as fire. Sometimes folks call him the fire hang- bird. Leo. They call him that because his nest hangs down from the tree like a bag. Edwin. Don't you know why that is? Where they no SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS first came from, way clown in the torrid zone, they built their nests that way so the monkeys and snakes couldn't get their eggs. Bertha. Do they have red eggs? Edwin. Xo, black and white. Father calls these birds Golden Robins. Pearl. I'd like to be a swallow and fly away. They fly so swiftly that some people call them Swifts. I'd fly to the beautiful sunny isles away across the ocean. Murray. And get tired and drop down in the water. Dan. No, they don't fall in the water. They light on the top-masts of the ships at sea. Pearl. That would be better than living in a barn or swamp all winter. Dorothy. The Meadow Lark sings with pleasure, lisping notes. Christine. And the Blackbirds, a flock of thirty or more, sing a low sweet accompaniment, while the chief singer's voice rises above all the rest in a clear, strong, touching solo. Stella. There goes a bobolink, singing his tinkling, lively song as he circles above the tall grasses, alights on a slender twig, and tilts up and down just ready to burst with fun. He sings (imitates). Bobolink, bobolink, spink, spank, spink ! June is here ! June, June, June ! Spink, spank, spink ! Bobolink !" Jean. I'd be a mocking-bird. He can sing sweeter than the nightingale. Mother says she saw one whistle to the dog and then chirp like a chicken. They imitate every sound they hear. George. I'd like to be a water-bird, then I could go to sea. Frank. How'd you like to be a loon? Joe. Or a sea-gull? George. Fine. "What would you rather be, Harry? Harry. I guess I'll be an ostrich. They are strong and can run so fast. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS in Joe. And you could eat leather, stones and old iron. Nothing hurts an ostrich. I heard of one that swal- lowed a lady's parasol. Aline. I think the whip-poor-will is a lovely bird. (Comes forward and sings " The Whippoorwill Song," the others join in the Chorus.) Frances. The Red Thrush is the sweetest singer in Xew England. Edna. And don't forget the beautiful sad notes of the Mourning Dove. Fred. A farmer, one day in summer, had a large field of grass drying in the sun. A shower was hiding in a cloud not far away and planning to cause the farmer much trouble. So a wise little Quail perched on a wall near-by cried, " More wet ! more wet ! " The farmer was warned and soon had his hay under shelter, but the little Quail slipped away looking so anxious lest any of her chicks, scampering after her, should come to harm. I'm never going to kill a bird. Dorothy (comes forward and recites). " There's a merry brown thrush sitting up in a tree, He's singing to me, he's singing to me. And what does he say, little girl, little boy, O ! the world's running over with joy. So the merry brown thrush sings away in the tree, I've a nest down there and children three, Don't meddle, don't touch, little girl, little boy, Or the world will lose some of its joy." Jean. The Whip-poor-will and Nighthawk do not build a pretty nest, but dig out a little hollow 7 in the ground to lay their eggs in. The Owl will take pos- session of a Crow's deserted nest, and there, without even taking the trouble to repair it, will lay her eggs and bring up her family. Bernice. Sometimes the owl is dressed in grey, sometimes in mottled, and sometimes in white feathers; ii2 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS now and then you will see one with long tufts of feath- ers which look like horns on either side of its head; but his disposition is always the same. Poor, solemn, songless bird ! The Owl does us great good, for he catches thousands of insects that are very harmful to the farmer. Leo. I'd like to be an Owl. I could sit up all night. Frances. I guess you'd be scared in the dark. Leo. It wouldn't be dark if I were the Owl. Grown-up folks have the most fun after we're all in bed, but an Owl goes to bed in the daytime. Dan. I wouldn't like that. Think of all the fun you'd miss. I'd like to be a Parrot, for parrots can talk when they want to, and they have blue wings aiid red wings and green and yellow and all colors. Fred. I like the little Snow Bird that comes in the Winter Time. Aline. We know a song about the little Snow Bird. Aline and Helen come forward and sing " The Snow Bird." Aline and Helen (sing). The ground was all covered with snow one day. And two little children were busy at play. When a snow bird was sitting close by on a tree. And merrily singing his Chick-a-dee-dee. All (sirng). Chick-a-dee-dee, chick-a-dee-dee. And merrily singing his Chick-a-dee-dee. Aline (sings). He had not been singing that tune very long, Ere Emily heard him, so loud was his song, " O sister! look out of the window," said he, " Here's a dear little bird singing chick-a-dee-dee ! " All {sing chorus as before). Helen (sings). If I were a bare-footed snow bird, I know, I would not stay out in the cold and the snow ; I wonder what makes him so full of his glee ; He's all the time singing that chick-a-dee-dee. $( IIOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 113 All (sing chorus as before). Tom (sings). The bird had flown down for some crumbs of bread, And heard every word little Emily said; " What a figure I'd make in that dress." thought he, And he laughed as he warbles his chick-a-dee-dee. Boys (sing chorus as before). Tom (sings). " I am grateful," said he, " for the wish you express, But I've no occasion for such a fine dress ; I'd rather remain with my limbs all so free, Than to hobble about singing chick-a-dee-dee." All (sing chorus as before). Norman. I should think some of you girls would want to be a peacock. Ruth. Now, what do you say girls for? Boys think as much of their clothes as girls do. Bertha and Margaret. Yes, just exactly as much. Dorothy. Some girls are like peacocks. There's Malvina Dusenberry, I saw her walking along Main Street yesterday, mincing this way and that. With a new dress and a new parasol and new shoes and a new hat. First she'd hold her dress this way (imitates), then she'd toss her head this way (imitates) , then she'd mince this way showing her new shoes (imitates). She held her head up so high, she didn't see a mud puddle in the street when flop ! down she went and ruined dress, parasol and shoes. Poor little Malvina Dusenberry ! Poor little peacock ! Margaret. What bird would you like to be, little Hazel ? Hazel (the smallest girl). Vd rather be a hum- ming bird. Margaret. Why? Hazel. Cause they're so pretty and just as cunning. ii 4 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS And they keep with the flowers all the time and eat honey. Norman. I found a humming-bird's nest once. The inside of it- was just as soft as wool, and little bits of white eggs, like little bits of white beans. Joe (pointing to left). Oh, look who's coming, just as happy as the day is long. Ruth. Who is it, Joe? Joe. It's Leviticus Jupiter Jackson, the little colored boy who works for the grocery man. And he's sing- Jupiter (is heard singing in the cloak room). POLLY WOLLY DOODLE Jupiter (sings, not seen by audience). Oh, I went down South for to see my Sal, Sing Polly-wolly-doodle all the day, My Sally am a spunky gal, Sing Polly-wolly-doodle all the day. He enters carrying basket. Fare-thee well, fare-thee well, Fare-thee well, my fairy fay, For I'm going to Louisiana, For to see my Susi-anna, Sing Polly-wolly-doodle all the day. All. Hello, Leviticus Jupiter Jackson, where are you going. Jupiter. Good ebening, white chilluns, good eben- ing. Where's I gwine? I's (sings) a gwine to Louis- iana, for to see my Susi-anna, sing polly-wolly-doodle all the day. What you all doing here. Habing a picnic ? Bernice. No, we're just talking. Talking about birds. Jupiter. What kind ob talk is you all talking 'bout birds? Tom. Each one is telling about his favorite bird. Jupiter. Pshaw! Is dat so? (At center stand- ing.) SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 115 Joe. Have you got a favorite bird, Leviticus Jupi- iier Jackson ? Jupiter. Hab I? Course I has. And what you think it is? Joe. I guess your favorite bird must be a black- bird. Jupiter. No tain't, no tain't. Mine is de bestest bird in all de world. Sometimes dey's black and sometimes dey's white, and mostest times dey's all kinds ob colors. Red and brown and yaller. And it's de bestest bird what am. Hazel. What bird is it, Leviticus? Jupiter. You can hab three guesses. Helen. Does it live near the water? Jupiter. No, ma'am, it ain't dat kind ob a bird at all. Helen. Does it live in a tree? Jupiter. No, ma'am, it ain't dat kind ob a bird at all. Helen. Does it sing a song? Jupiter. No, ma'am, it ain't dat kind ob a bird at all. Helen. Well, what does it do? Jupiter. It goes (imitates hen) cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck ! Ooo ! Cluck, cluck, cluck, Ooo (imitates rooster). Cock-a-doodle do ! All. It's a chicken. Jupiter (laughs loudly). Dat's right. Chicken. Dat's de bestest bird dere is. Ask any nigger and he'll tell you chicken ebery time. He ain't much to look at, and he can't sing, and he can't fly, but lawsy, lawsy, he shore am good to eat, he shore am good to eat. All (laughing). Yes, indeed, he shore am. Joe. You haven't any of you guessed my favorite bird. All. What is it, Joe? Joe. I have two favorites — the American Eagle and the American Turkey. First in war, first in peace, n6 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS and first on the tables of our countrymen. Here's to the Eagle and the Turkey, may the first give us peace in our States and the second a piece on our plates. All. Hurrah for the American Eagle. Joe. He can fly the highest, fight the hardest and is the king of the earth and the sky. He licked the Spanish armadillo, pulled the tail feather out of the Mexican Buzzard, once upon a time chased the British Lion clear across the Atlantic Ocean, and lately helped to show German Fritz that he belonged back of the Rhine. Three cheers for the American Eagle. All. Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! Joe. And three cheers for the red, white and blue. (All go out at right singing the chorus of "Colum- bia, the Gem of the Ocean." CURTAIN. Note to Teacher : Decorate the room with paper birds and pictures of birds. WONDERS OF THE WORLD DIALOGUE FOR SEVEN BOYS AND SEVEN GIRLS Enter the Seven Girls dressed in Grecian draperies of zrfiite sheets, hair arranged in Grecian style with white tape. Arms bare. Sandals covered with white cloth. First Girl. The First Wonder of the Ancient World is the beautiful and large mausoleum which Artemesia erected in Helicarnassus to the memory of her husband, Mausolus, king of Caria. Concerning the tomb we know not much, but of Artemesia and of her excessive love for her husband many stories are told, one of which is that her grief for his death was SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 117 so great that she mixed his ashes with water and drank them off. Second Girl. The Pyramid of Cheops is the Sec- ond Wonder of the World. It is 764 feet square at the base, and including 20 feet at the apex that have been removed is 500 feet high. The pyramid contained 90,000,000 cubic feet of masonry, and covers an area of over 13 acres, being larger than Madison Square, New York, and twice the height of Trinity Church spire. There is enough material in this pyramid to build a city as large as Washington, including all its public buildings. Herodotus tells us 400,000 men were employed twenty years in building it. It was the tomb of kings. Third Girl. The Temple of Diana^ at Ephesus, is the Third Wonder of the World. The building of it occupied 220 years. The whole length of the temple was 425 feet, and the breadth 220 feet, with 127 col- umns of the Ionic order, in Parian marble, each a sin- gle shaft 60 feet high, and the gift of a king. Fourth Girl. The Fourth Wonder of the Ancient World was the walls and hanging gardens of Babylon. The walls were 337 feet 8 inches high and 84 feet 6 inches broad. Inside the outer walls was a second of equal height. The famous hanging gardens were 400 feet square. They were carried up on arches until the height equalled that of the city walls. On top the soil was made so deep that large trees could take root on it. Fifth Girl. The Fifth Wonder was the Colossus at Rhodes, a celebrated brazen image. It was twelve years in building, and was so large that it is popularly considered to have stood beside the mouth of the har- bor, and that ships sailed between its feet. There were few persons who could reach round the thumb with both arms, and its fingers were larger than most stat- utes. The cost was about $317,000. Sixth Girl. The Sixth W r onder was the Statue of n8 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Jupiter Olympus. This was by the famous sculptor, Phidias. The god was represented as seated on his throne of gold, ebony and ivory, the figure itself being on ivory and gold ; and, though seated, yet of such vast proportions it almost reached the ceiling of the temple, which was 68 feet high. Seventh Girl. The Seventh and last great Won- der of the Ancient World was the Pharos, a lighthouse 550 feet high, at Alexandria, Egypt. Its light could be seen 100 miles out at sea. This tower was designed as a memorial of the king, Ptolemy, who ordered his name to be inscribed on the pediment.. The story goes that the architect, however, first cut his own name in the marble, placing over it in stucco the name of the king. In a few years the name of the king was worn away, leaving that of Sostratus, the architect, to blaze forever on the front of the unrivaled monument. And yet, not forever, as not a vestige of the monument has been visible for ages. (Girls retire to right.) Enter Seven Boys in modem costume from left. First Boy. The first great wonder of the mod- ern world is Niagara Falls. The Niagara River flows from Lake Erie north into Lake Ontario, its descent from the level of one lake to that of the other is 334 feet. At the foot of Grand Island, which reaches within 1^2 miles of the Falls, the river is contracted to a width of 2]/ 2 miles, and grows narrower as it pro- ceeds. By this, and by the descent of the channel, which is about 60 feet in the mile, are produced the swift currents known as the rapids, making the river white with foam. At the Falls, which are 22 miles from Lake Erie, the river is divided by an island called Goat Island. The largest portion of the water is sent down by the Canadian side. Here may be seen the Horseshoe Fall, about 600 yards in width and 154 feet high, The water rushes over with such force SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS ng that it is thrown about 50 feet from the foot of the cliff. The American Fall is about 8 to 10 feet higher than the Horseshoe Fall, but only about 220 yards wide. Power works are operated on either side of the Island to utilize the 16,000,000 horse-power energy pro- vided by the falls. Sfxond Boy. The second great wonder of the new world is Yosemite Valley, California, fifty-seven miles from Coulterville. A valley from eight to ten miles long, and about one mile wide. It has steep slopes about 3,500 feet high, a perpendicular precipice 3,098 feet high ; a rock almost perpendicular 3,270 feet high, and waterfalls from 700 to 1,000 feet high. Third. The Mammoth Cave in Edmondson Coun- ty, Kentucky, is the largest known cave in the world. It consists of a series of caverns, and has been ex- plored to a distance of ten miles. In this cavern is Echo River, which may be crossed by a boat. Plenty of fish are found in the river, but they are without eyes, there being not the least gleam of light within the cave, and hence no need of eyes. All through the cave are found groups of curious and interesting fig- ures, sculptured by the action of the water among the rocks in past infinite ages. The temperature of the cave is always 59 degrees, Fahrenheit. Fourth Boy. The biggest trees in the world are the mammoth redwood trees of California. One of a grove in Tulare County is 276 feet in height, 108 feet in circumference at the base, and 76 feet at a point 12 feet above the ground. Some of the trees are 376 feet high, and 34 feet in diameter. Some of the larg- est that have been felled indicate an age of from 2,000 to 2,500 years. Fifth Boy. The longest tunnel in the world is that of St. Gothard, on the line of railroad between Lucerne and Milan. The summit of the tunnel is 900 feet below the surface at Andermatt, and 6,600 feet beneath the peak of Kastlehorn, of the St. Gothard group. 120 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS The tunnel is 26 l / 2 feet wide, and is 18 feet 10 inches from the floor to the crown of the arched roof. It is g]/> miles long. Sixth Boy. The Panama Canal, completed in 19 1 6, is one of the wonders of the modern world, sepa- rating North from South America and connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific Ocean. On January 4, 1902, the Panama Company offered to sell its entire rights to the United States for $40,000,000. In June, 1902, the United States Congress passed a bill accepting the offer and deciding upon Panama as the route for the canal. On November 4, 1903, Panama, formerly a department of Colombia, seceded from that country, declared itself a republic, and assumed all the Canal Treaty obligations. The United States at once recog- nized the new government and agreed to pay $10,000,- 000 for the rights granted, which included the control forever of a zone of land five miles wide on each side of the canal. The length of the canal is about 50 miles. The last barrier at the Pacific end was blown up Aug- ust 10, 191 3, and in October working vessels made the trip from ocean to ocean. Seventh Boy. The wonder that I wish to speak about is the wonder of all wonders. {The others all gather around him.) It is the progress of the world during the nineteenth century. The nineteenth cen- tury received from its predecessors the horse, and gave the bicycle, the locomotive and the motor car. We received the goose quill and bequeathed the typewriter. We received the scythe and bequeathed the mowing- machine. We received the hand-loom ; we bequeathed the cotton and woolen factory. We received the tal- low dip, we bequeathed the electric and arc lamps. We received the flint-lock, we bequeathed Maxims. We received the sailing ship, we bequeathed the steamship. We received the beacon signal fire, we bequeathed the telephone, telegraph and wireless telegraphy. Surely SCHOOLROOM ENTEKT. II. \ MUSTS 121 the progress of the nineteenth century is the wonder of all wonders. All. Yes, the progress of the nineteenth century is the greatest wonder of all. DOCTOR FUNNYBONE'S HOSPITAL Humorous Dialogue Illustrating the Lazes of Hygiene. Characters: Doctor Funnybone: Boy dressed as an old man, long trousers, long coat, silk hat and large spectacles. White wig made' of cotton sewed on a skull cap. Small cotton mustache made of two triangular bits of cotton gummed on Up with glue. Small side- whiskers and chin whiskers. Get a stick of gray grease paint, and drazv gray lines around the eyes, wrinkles between the eye-brows and across the fore- head and from the corners of the nose to the corners of the mouth. These lines should not be too heavy. If grease paint is not available use soft lead pencil. Red bandana handkerchief. Flower in buttonhole. Cane. Miss Cosy, the Head Nurse. Large girl wearing long light blue or grey dress, white apron, collar, cuffs and cap. Red cross on sleeve. She carries a small tablet of paper attached to apron. Eight Nurses. Girls about the same height, dressed similar to Miss Cosy. Patsy Ricketts. Boy of if. Left foot done up in bandages. Walk with crutch. 122 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Minerva Mulligan. Girl of 12. White wrapper. Head done up in bandages. Pollyanna Plummer. Girl of 14. Light wrapper. Arm in a sling. Billy O'Toole. Boy of 13 or 14. Face done up in bandages. Jimmie James. Boy of 10 or 12. Concealed by sheets in bed. Face pale. Obadiah Hezekiah H i ggin bottom. Boy of 7 or 8. Concealed by sheets. Lena Katrina Schmierkase. Girl of 9 or 10. Con- cealed by sheets. Rastus Jackson. A little colored boy of 13. May be played by a white boy with face blackened with burnt cork. Melindy Sourdrops. Girl of 13 dressed in wrapper. Walks with crutch. Teeny Weeny William. Little boy of 6 with thin piping voice. Melissa Clarissa McGinty. Girl of 13 or 14, dressed in wrapper. Scene : Represents the children's ward of a hos- pital. Four cots in a row at rear. If cots are not available little improvised beds may be made of benches or boards. Jimmie James, Obadiah, Lena and Rastus occupy these cots. Three little tables bearing medicine bottles, flowers, etc., stand between the tables. Large easy chair at center for the Doctor. Smaller chairs and stools around stage. Hang three sheets sewed together and strung on wire in front of the scene for a curtain. Before the play commences three sheets are drawn hiding the stage from the audience. The Doctor and the Children are heard singing behind the curtain. Si HOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 123 THE RAINY DAY The rain is Calling very fast, we can't go out to play, Rut we are happy while we're here, though 'tis a rainy day. Then clap, clap, clap together, clap, clap away ; Our hospital's a happy place upon a rainy day. The curtain is drawn showing Doctor seated at cen- ter, with William on his lap. Patsy and Melindy and Pollyanna leaning against his chair at right. Billy and Melissa at left. Jimmie, Obadiah, Lena and Rastls in the little cots. All (sing second verse). For while the rain comes pattering down we merrily sing our song. To hearts content and spirits light time quickly speeds along. Then clap, clap, clap together, etc. All (sing third verse). We listen all attentively to what the doctors say, But when the sleeping time is o'er it's then the time to play. Then clap, clap, clap together, etc. All (sing the fourth verse). With smiling faces at our posts so orderly we stand, Then quickly turn and now sit down when doctor gives command. Then clap, clap, clap together, etc. Doctor. Now that everybody's feeling good and we have half an hour for a little recreation, what do you think we'd better do? Minerva. Let's play hide-and-seek. Doctor. Oh, we can't do that, Minerva. That takes too much running. Running is all right when 124 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS we're all well and hearty, but it's a little out of place at a hospital party. I'm a poet, don't you know it? I like to show it, and now let's go it. Lena. Oh, Doctor, you vos der funniest mans vot I have already saw yet in all my living. Pollyanna. Doctor Funnybone ! Doctor. Well, what is it, 'Miss Pollyanna Plum- mer? Pollyanna. I've just thought of the most beauti- ful game. Let's all pretend we are angels. Doctor. Well, what do angels do, Pollyanna? Pollyanna. Oh, just go 'round and play harps and make everybody happy. That's what I like best of all. Just making everybody happy. Minerva. Let's play teaching school. And Doc- tor can be the teacher. Doctor. That's a good idea. Now first we'll have a lesson in physiology. William (in a piping little voice). I ain't got that fur yet, Doc. I'm only in numbers. Doctor. Well, shall we have a lesson in numbers? Patsy. Sure, sir, the first thing to do in school is fer you to call the roll. And thin all of us what are here says Prisint and thim that ain't here says Absint. Lena. Such a foolishness. Dem vot hain't here couldn't talk yet already. Doctor. - Never mind. Very well, little pupils. I'll call the roll. Patsy Ricketts. Patsy. I'm here, what's left of me after me acci- dent with the motor car. But in a couple of weeks I'll be walking as good as any of yees. Doctor. Of course, you will, Patsy. The next time you're riding in your express wagon across the street, you want to honk your horn and make the motor car get out of the way. Safety First, Patsy, me boy ! Minerva Mulligan ! Minerva. Sure, I'm here, too. But I got a abscess in the jaw. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 125 Doctor. You'll be as fine as a new dollar in another week, Minerva. Then you must imitate your name- sake Minerva, the wisest of women, and clean your mouth every morning and every night. Minerva. You bet I will. I'll clean 'em twenty times a day rather than have another abscess in the jaw. Doctor. Pollyanna Plummer. Pollyanna. Present, Doctor. Doctor. And how's the arm, Pollyanna? Pollyanna. Oh, I've been thinking such beautiful thoughts, I haven't had time to think about the arm at all. It hardly hurts at all. And just think, Doc- tor Funnybone, it might have been both arms and both legs and even my head. As it is it's only just one little arm that's broke. I'm awful glad it wasn't my head. Minerva. You orter be glad you ain't got a abscess of the jaw. Doctor. Billy O'Toole ! Billy. Sure, I'm here, Doc, and I'm feelin' as fine as Bridget McSwinnigan's cow after it took a bath in the bath-tub. Doctor. Jimmie James. Jimmie (rises up in cot). Here I am, just as good as new and twict as handsome. I ain't hardly sick no more at all. Doctor. Fresh air is a great cure for tuberculosis of the lungs. Jimmie. I told maw I had two buckles on the lungs and she said if I did I must have swallered my sus- penders. Doctor. Obadiah Hezekiah Higginbottom ! Obadiah (rises up in cot). Here I am, Doctor. Feel kind of nervous, but jest as fine as a fiddle. Doctor (calling roll). Lena Katrina Schmierkase. Lena; Dot's me, und I'm as veil as never was. Maybe in der morning after next I can leave der horse-pistol und go back home maybe yet. 126 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS Doctor. You'll be able to go home next week, Lena. Melindy Sourdrops. Melindy. Right here, Doc., Johnny on the spot, as the cat said when he swallowed the canary. Doctor (pause). What's become of Rastus? (Patsy turns sheet down showing Rastus fast asleep.) Patsy. Here he is, Doctor. And sure he's sound asleep. Minerva. He looks like a blackberry in a pan of milk. Patsy (waking him). Wake up, Rastus, wake up. Doctor's here. Rastus. Yas, sah. I'se awake. 'Deed I is. Has we got chicken giblets for dinner? Doctor. I'm calling the roll, Rastus. Rastus. Callin' de roll? Is dat roll good to eat, Doctor? Doctor. Not this time. You just say present. Rastus. Present. Call me again when de dinner bell rings. (Goes back to sleep.) Doctor. Teeny Weeny William ! William (stand up, faces Doctor squarely and gives him the military salute). Ay, ay, sir! Doctor. Melissa Clarissa McGinty ! Melissa. Present, teacher. Doctor. Now what must I do, Melissa? Melissa. You must ask us all kinds of questions about things. Doctor. I'll ask you about the human body. First, what is a skeleton? (Hands all up.) William (in his little piping voice). I know, teacher, I know. (Waves hand wildly.) Doctor. What is it, William? William. A skellington is people with all the meat rubbed off. (All laugh.) Melissa. The human body is composed of a head, trunk and two pairs of limbs. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 127 Billy. Yes, and a stomach and a gizzard and lots of other things. Melissa (points to each). This is the skull, this is the humerus, this is the ulna and this is the radius. Pollyanna. And I got a busted radius. Patsy (pointing to each). And this is the femur and this is the spinal column. Obadiah. I know what the spinal column is, Doc- tor. Doctor. What is it, Obadiah ? Obadiah. It's a big thing that runs up and down your back, and it moves you this way (sways to right) and that way (sways to left). Your head sets on one end and you set on the other. Doctor. What are the bones for? Patsy. Sure and they give us shape. If we had no bones at all, at all, we'd be as limp and shapeless as a bag of sand. Doctor. What are the six great laws of health ? Melissa. Number One, the body must have a proper supply of proper food, such as wheat bread, a little meat or fish, fruit, cereals and vegetables. Pickles and ice-cream and candy ain't good if you take too much. Melindy. Number Two, we must have plenty of fresh air. It is a crime to sleep in a room with all the windows closed. Take long, deep breaths and expand the lungs with good pure air, then force it all out. This exercises the lungs and prevents tuberculosis. Jimmie. That's what I got, the two buckles on the lungs, and I got it by breathing bad air in a closed room all night. I'm going to sleep outdoors all the time when I get well, then I never will catch no cold no time. Lena. Number Three, the body must be sheltered from the weather so dot you ain't too hot or too cold. Keep the feet warm, keep out of drafts and don't never go out in der rain mitout a umbrella. 128 SCHOOLROOM ENTER! AINMENTS Rastus. And always eat plenty ob fried chicken and watermelon. Billy. Number Four, the body must get rid of its poisonous wastes. Exercise plenty every day and take a warm bath and a cold rub right after it. Pollyanna. Number Five, the body must have exercise, rest and sleep. Minerva. Number Six, disease germs must not be allowed to get in the body and poison it. If I'd at- tended to my teeth I wouldn't be in here now with a abscess in the jaw. Keep out bad germs and microbes. William. What is a germ, Doctor. Minerva. It's a little wiggly thing about as big as a needle point. And flies carry them on their wings. That's the reason we should always kill the flies. They carry germs and can give us typhoid fever and rheuma- tism and appendicitis William. Where do the germs come from, Doctor? Lena. Don't you know where der germs come from, Villiam? Vy, der germs come from Germany, of course. Yoost like me. Patsy. If the germs come from Germany, begorry, the microbes must come from Ireland just like me. Doctor. Germs are generally very bad things. We give them a chance to get into food by allowing dust to blow in it ; by allowing flies to crawl over it ; by allowing mice, rats and roaches to run about in pan- tries ; by keeping the food exposed in dirty, dishes, and by handling it with dirty hands. Rastus. I'se got de indyspepsia, Doctor. What makes indyspepsia? Doctor. Eating your food too fast, Rastus. Food should be eaten slowly and thoroughly chewed to enjoy good digestion. Rastus. Dat's right, and it shore makes de good taste last longer, too. Doctor. Half of our trouble comes from poor digestion and poor breathing. Six breaths of cool, SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 129 fresh air taken at the open window, good long breaths, are worth more than five dollars to anyone. Rastus. I'd rather have de five dollars. Doctor. Then you'll have to give it to me to pay your doctor's bill. Rastus. No, sah. I take dat five dollars and buy 'bout 'leben thousand fried chicken wif it, dat's what I'd do. Doctor. Minerva Mulligan, straighten up. Stand up straight and be a man. Minerva. I'll stand up straight and be a new woman, Doctor. Watch me. (Stands erect.) Doctor. All of you must remember that an erect carriage of the body does much to make and keep one strong. (All straighten up.) It gives the heart and the lungs room to do their work, and allows the blood to flow freely through all the body. William. I'm jest as straight as I can be, Doctor. And it feels lots better. Doctor. The body can be straightened only by tightening up the muscles along the back and straighten- ing the spinal column. Pull your chin in and push the back of your necks against your collar. Move the dia- phragm when you breathe. William. Please, Doctor, I ain't got no diagram. Doctor. Now who can tell me the hygienic habits we all should form? Minerva. Keep your teeth clean and you won't get an abscess in the jaw. It hurts awful. Rastus. Eat once in a while and chew your eats hard. Pollyanna. Breathe pure air and thus exercise the lungs whenever and wherever you can. William. Go to bed early and get up late. And keep your window open. Patsy. Take lots of exercise and hold yourself straight. Billy. Look out for germs and swat the flies, 130 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS cause if you don't the germs'll git in you and hurt your innards. Melindy. Never use tobacco 'cause it weakens the heart and the digestive organs don't get enough blood. That brings heartburn and indigestion. Xobacco weakens the muscles, making your hands tremble, and it makes you awful nervous. Also it smells bad. Lena. Und take good care of your eyes, let the light come in by the left side and every leedle once in a while shut your eyes und give them a rest. Und don't let flies get in your mouth, it's a bad habit. Doctor. Yes, indeed, Lena, that's a very bad habit. Obadiah. Say, Doctor. Doctor. What is it, Obadiah? Obadiah. Why is it that some diseases is catch- ing? Doctor. All catching diseases are caused by germs. Lena. Yah, dots vot I said, und germs come from Germany. Doctor. When a person catches a disease he does so by getting germs into his body. Now, these germs that make us sick do not fall from the clouds or spring up from the earth, but come from people who are sick with disease germs. These germs are so small that millions of them can swim in a single drop of water. Billy. How can you kill them, Doctor? Doctor. They will die if they are thoroughly dried and they can be killed with hot water. If our bodies are strengthened by fresh air, deep breathing, cleanli- ness and exercise, they can resist the germs and often conquer them. Flies and mosquitoes carry these germs from place to place. Patsy. And flies hatch in garbage and filth. If garbage cans and piles of filth are screened there would soon be no flies. , Poll va xx a. Mosquitoes hatch in water. The best way to fight mosquitoes is to drain the pools of water, cover or remove the rain barrels, screen the cisterns, SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 131 and carry away the old tin cans and buckets in which the mosquitoes hatch. Doctor. If mosquitoes trouble you make a little lotion of one part cedar oil, two parts oil of citronella and two parts spirits of camphor, and then you'll never be troubled by the stings. Melindy. Oh, Doctor, here comes Miss Cosy and her trained nurses. Doctor. They'll want to show you their morning exercise. Let's give them room. (All move to rear, taking chairs, etc., with them.) Music: Tramp, Tramp, Tramp. Enter from left Miss Cosy marching, followed by Eight Trained Nurses marching in couples. They march once around the room, keeping strict time to the music. Hold heads well up and march like sol- diers. Then line up in front facing audience. It is best to have the nine straight across the stage at front, but if the stage is small five may stand in front and four behind. Miss Cosy and Nurses (sing) : tramp, tramp, tramp! We're the nurses of the land, And we'd have you understand That we mean to propagate the laws of health ! Shun the germ and swat the fly, Or you'll know the reason why — That's the way to put disease upon the shelf. (They march around as they sing the chorus.) March, march, march, each one is marching, Save the Babies is our cry. Let the air and sunshine in, Banish dirt and filth and gin, Kill the skeeter, shun the germ and swat the fly ! (They line up in front as before and sing.) 132 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS As we labor day by day. We can hear the people say, " They are working hard to help the world along," Screen the windows, clean the street, We shall never know defeat, Save the Babies is the burden of our song. (They march as before as they sing the chorus.) March, march, march, each one is marching, Save the Babies is our cry. Let the air and sunshine in, Banish dirt and filth and gin, Kill the skeeter, shun the germ and swat the fly! ( The music continues softly, they line up in front as before and perform the following exercises in time to the music. Miss Cosy giving the commands) : i. Raise arms through front horizontals to high over head. The backs of the hands go before the palms, arms and fingers stretched out stiff and straight. Miss Cosy counts I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Rest! Rise on tiptoe as arms go up. 2. Arms raised through side horizontals to high over head. Miss Cosy counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 3. Raise legs to front horizontal. Toe pointed down to bring foot as nearly as possible in a straight line with leg. Do not bend the leg at knee. Head and trunk erect. Eight counts for left leg and eight for right. 4. Half squat with arms to front or side horizon- tals. Lower the body, raising the heels, bending only at knees and hips. Knees turned out so that they will be in straight line with toes. As body descends raise the hands. Eight counts. 5. Body flexions. Hands on hips, bend body for- ward. Keep legs straight at knees and the head in a straight line with the trunk, the body bending only at SCHOOLROOM ENTERT. UNMENTS 133 hips. Trunk forward 8 counts. Trunk backward 8 counts. Do not let the legs bend at the knees. Trunk alternately to right and left 16 counts. Do not let the head bend over toward the shoulders. March once around stage and line up at front. Miss Cosy. Our lesson today is on Keeping the Baby Well. No. 1. No. 1. A baby must not lie on feather pillows, but on a firm bed. Miss Cosy. Xo. 2. Xo. 2. A baby must never be allowed to crawl on a dirty Moor. Put down a clean sheet for the baby to crawl on. Miss Cosy. Xo. 3. No. 3. The baby must never be allowed to put things in its mouth. It must not eat bananas or any solid food until after it is a year old. Miss Cosy. Xo. 4. No. 4. The baby must have plenty of fresh air. Leave the windows open at night, but put a screen in front of the crib to keep off the draft. Mtss Cosy. No. 5. Xo. 5. If the baby is sick stop its milk at once, give it boiled water and send for the doctor. Miss Cosy. Xo. 6. X^o. 6. The baby should be fed at regular periods. Do not feed it every time it cries, but at the same time each day. Miss Cosy. Xo. 7. No. 7. The milk bottles must be well washed with hot water and borax, and rinsed and boiled before using. Never give the baby a pacifier or allow it to put its fingers in its mouth. Miss Cosy. No. 8. Xo. 8. Bathe the baby every day and in hot weather give it from 2 to 4 spongings with cool water. Wash and rinse the baby's clothes every day and hang them 134 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS in the sunshine to dry. Never tell young children hor- rible stories, especially at bed-time. Teach the child to know no fear. Doctor (coming to Miss Cosy). Your young ladies have done very well, Miss Cosy. I congratulate you. We will now finish the recreation hour by sing- ing " Try, Try Again ! " (All sing.) — Walter Ben Hare. Curtain A RHYME OF OUR PRESIDENTS May be given as a recitation, or each child max recite a verse. The greatest of the world's great men, Soldier and statesman, sword and pen Are symbols of George Washington, First of the Presidents, Freedom's son. John Adams was the second one, And the Capital moved to Washington. Thomas Jefferson was next in line, From 1801 to 1809. Ohio admitted, Louisiana bought, Slave trade abolished, embargo wrought, Steamboat invented, and Lewis and Clark In the far Northwest blazed their mark. In James Madison's day the British once more For two years oppressed us on sea and on shore. Our Capital City was taken and burned, But victory was ours, and the British returned. SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS 135 The fifth President was James Monroe. The Monroe Doctrine all of us know : Xo foreign power should evermore dare To invade the New World, its glories to share. Florida purchased, five new States seated, And the Erie Canal in triumph completed. John Quincy Adams was John Adams' son, The sixth President, and an excellent one. Then came Andrew Jackson, from '29 To 'yj his star did shine. Black Hawks and Seminoles both were chastised, Chicago was founded, the Bank was capsized. Martin Van Buren, the first Democrat To enter the White House, a born diplomat. A great business panic swept over the land, And Michigan entered the Union, so grand. William Henry Harrison next came in view, But died a month later, a good man and true. John Tyler, the first Vice-President, he, To take the chair that death left free. From '45 to '49, James K. Polk was next in line. Florida, Texas, Iowa, too, New stars added to Red, White and Blue. The Mormons fled to the Great Salt Lake. The Lone Star State was the mighty stake Of our Mexican war. Our gallant men Returned victorious once again. And in eighteen hundred and forty-eight Old Wisconsin became a State. Zachary Taylor led the band That wrested Texas from the Mexican hand. 136 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS This paved his way to national fame And our twelfth President he became. But he died in office, at the set of sun, Old Rough and Ready's work was done. Millard Fillmore then began To live his motto " Will and Can." California with veins of gold In 1850 joined the fold. Franklin Pierce in '53, The fourteenth President you see. The Underground Railway worked anew, The Republican Party came in view. James Buchanan, an Irishman bold, His rugged hands the reins now hold. He had riches and honors, yet all of his life, He said, was a failure for lack of a wife. The Atlantic Cable first was laid, Minnesota and Oregon States were made. The John Brown raid was in '59, And the next year seceded old " South Caroline." Abraham Lincoln, raised by the hand Of God to save his native land. He steered the ship past rock and shoal, Through storm-swept seas straight to the goal. O Lincoln, stalwart, honest, brave, Who struck the shackles from the slave! A traitor's hand has laid you low, A madman's cunning, cowardly blow, But in our hearts you'll ever be Our Leader through Eternity. Andrew Johnson, a poor southern boy, Then climbed to the heights that but few enjoy. SCHOOLROOM ENTERT. UNMENTS 137 The next President who comes in view Is a brave, honest soldier, who wore the blue, A man who knew not the meaning of fear, Ulysses S. Grant, to memory dear. The Indian outbreaks occurred once again, The Sioux were defeated, but Custer was slain. Chicago's great fire, Colorado was seated, The Pacific Railroad in glory completed! With Sherman and Grant in those terrible days, In the thick of the fight, was Rutherford Hayes, And so to the White House he marched right along, A soldier, a statesman, so gallant and strong. From a cabin he came on the wild frontier, Our twentieth President, to Americans dear. James A. Garfield his name, but a shot laid him low, And a nation who loved him was plunged into woe. This opened the way for the next President, Twas Chester A. Arthur, of noble intent. Grover Cleveland, the statesman, next was the choice, Democracy's son, and the people rejoice Even now at the policies, far-sighted, sane. Of the man who defeated the bland Mr. Blaine. And then, though defeated for the second term, Four years later his party was firm, And in '93 elected again, To serve four years, this leader of men. Benjamin Harrison next, the people said that It fitted him well, his grandfather's hat. William Henry Harrison, ninth President he, And the number of Benjamin was twenty-three. The name of McKinley we cherish and love, A martyr was he, called to regions above. Like a statesman he handled the war with Spain, 138 SCHOOLROOM ENTERTAINMENTS The revolt in the Philippines told us again That here was a man sent by Heaven to lead Our nation to safety in time of great need. Hurrah, hurrah ! a mighty shout is heard on Juan Hill, We seem to hear that cavalry charge, the shouts of victory still Re-echo in our ears. We feel the joys we felt When the Rough Riders came marching home in the wake of Roosevelt. Our strenuous President was he, the man who knew no fears, He fought the trusts, and fought them hard, for eight exciting years. For every inch a man was he, and Anglo Saxon, Celt, Yankee and Latin tip their hats to Teddy 'Roosevelt. When Theodore Roosevelt's term was done, William Taft the election won. The twenty-sixth to fill the place In the great presidential race. Woodrow Wilson is twenty-seven, The Pacifier, sent from Heaven. When Europe seethed in war's alarm, He guided our ship with a master's arm. The Panama Gates he opened wide, This Teacher President, our country's pride! We've told them all from Washington Unto the twenty-seventh son. But just a word, in time to be The thirtieth President may be ME! Note: This recitation has been used successfully in all sections of the country, many eighth grade teach- ers having each boy and girl commit it in its entirety as an aid to establishing epochs in American history. THE END Star Bright By EDITH F, A. U. PAINTON Price, 35 Cents Comedy-drama in 3 acts; 6 males, 5 females. Time, 2y 2 hours. Scenes: 1 exterior, 2 interiors. Characters: Lemuel Bright, the stern father. Smith, a detective. Smythe, a student. Pulver, the villain. Jake, a rural widower. The Parson. Honor Bright, the wife. Star Bright, the elder daughter. Sunshine Bright, the younger daughter. Bird Denton, a college girl. Milinda, merely in l0Ve# SYNOPSIS Act I. — Jake makes a morning call. Sunshine and Bird ex- change confidences. Smith solicits Bird's assistance. Westcott offers Sunshine a chance. "I'm on the job." Act II. — The wickedness of the world. A game of checkers. The picture gives Bird an unpleasant shock. A faded dress with old-time memories. Smith confesses a fancy for Sunshine. "Canned music" with varying effect. "That voice!" Jake prac- tices a little to strengthen his muscle. Westcott plays a trump card and the game seems to turn in his favor. Bird holds the joker and the game is saved. "You shall marry her!" Act III. — Sunshine hears the true story of the lost Star. Madame Ormand wins Sunshine's confidence. "The picture with its face turned toward the wall." "Just in time for the cere- mony!" Ethelbert Ferdinand Delancy is unmasked. "Do your worst, Madam! -I defy you!" The draping of the wedding veil serves to reveal the bride's heart. "This marriage cannot be. I forbid it!" Smith explains and Star comes into her own. Sunny dreams come true at once. Jake strikes a bargain. "Come on, 'L.indy!" A Country Boy Scout By WALTER BEN HARE Price, 25 Cents Comedy-drama in 3 acts; 14 males. Time, about 2 hours. Scene: 1 interior, a country grocery store. Full of action and ginger that will please all boys. A tug-of-war over a pair of overalls, a rough-house baseball game in a grocery store, a negro's fright over a ghost in a barrel, Boy Scout songs, drills, aims and mottoes, are features of the play. The reclamation of a band of tough breaker boys in the coal mines of Pennsylvania is the main theme. A side-splitting negro, a Chinaman, a Jew money-shark, and several types of red-blooded, fun-loving boys are bound to make this play a big success wherever produced. Strong dramatic climaxes, brim full of comedy and stunts. Pat's Matrimonial Venture By WARD MACAU LEY. Price, 25 Cents Comedy; 1 male, 2 females. Time, 25 minutes. A blundering Irishman, who has answered a matrimonial advertisement, gets into the wrong house and meets a widow who wants a hired man and not a husband. A comical mix-up. T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO Deacon Dubbs By WALTER BEN HARE Price, 35 Cents A rural comedy-drama in 3 acts; 5 males, 5 females. Time, 2M hours. One scene throughout, a farmyard, not difficult to set. A play of pathos, clean cut rural comedy, local color and a touch of sensation, making a truly great offering for amateurs. It is professional-like in construction, yet easily within the scope of any amateur society. The types are true to life, not exaggerated cari- catures. The star role is a comedy old farmer, not the usual stage type of hayseed, but the real, genuine, kind hearted, wise old Deacon, a part as appealing in its way, as Uncle Josh Whitcomb, Nathaniel "Berry or David Harum. The heroine, Rose Raleigh, the brave little school ma'am, is a strong, emotional part. A country boy and a Swede hired girl are great comedy parts; also a comedy old maid (almost a star part), tomboy soubrette. A finely drawn hero, character auctioneer, an excellent villain, etc. The characters are almost all equally good. A male quartet and a crowd of villagers will greatly add to the success of the play. A feature scene in each act: A country auction, a country wed- ding, a country husking bee. This play is a sure hit. SYNOPSIS Act I. — Rose Cottage on an afternoon in June. Tennie Tensen, the Swedish hired girl, wants to borrow some jumps and decides to bid on the hired man at the auction, as "he bane a purty gude looking feller." Miss Philipena arranges for the auction sale. Rose and Amos. "Out of the broken ruins of time fair blossoms grow, God's last amen is a white rose." The Deacon arrives from Sorghum Center, State o' "West Virginny. "Ding, dong, bell, pussy's in the well." The farm is sold to Rose Raleigh for two thousand dollars. The defeat of Rawdon Crawley. Act II. — Same scene, a morning in August. Wedding bells. "Happy is the bride that the sun shines on." Deuteronomy and Yennie bring wedding presents. Miss Philipena takes a nap with disastrous results. Yennie is scared. "Your face, it bane put on backwards." Back from the grave. "You are my wife. Take off that bridal wreath, that sparkling necklace." "Who is this man?" The Deacon arrests Rawdon Crawley. Act TIL — Same scene but a year later and in autumn. The husking bee. Songs and merriment by the villagers. "Rawdon Crawley has escaped!" "This is my punishment and my punish- ment is more than I can bear." The Deacon returns from New York. Miss Philipena and the fractious cow. The Deacon's night- mare. "Cork, cork, cork!" A wheelbarrow for two. The Virginia reel. The death of Rawdon Crawley. "We'll have a double wed- ding and for a honeymoon we'll all go down to Sorghum Center, State o' West Virginny." Their First Quarrel By CHARLES NEVERS HOLMES. Price, 25 Cents A comedy; 1 male, 1 female. Time, 15 minutes. A bit of glue, Which has the appearance of chewing gum, underneath the seat of a chair — and "that's how the trouble began." A subtle bit of humor that will surely please. Could be played in a pa rlor without scenery. T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO The Lady of the Library By EDITH F. A. U. PAINTON Price, 35 Cents A delightful comedy-drama of village life in 3 acts; 5 males, 10 females. Time, 2 hours. Scene: Reading room of a public library; easily set. A most refined and lovable librarian of 60 years, surprisingly youthful in appearance and manner, plays the leading role. Through her selection of literature the town has been brought up to a high standard. Although sincerely in love with a certain judge, she has allowed the whims of others to keep them apart for many years; however, they are finally united. Pearl, the pretty ingenue, a strong part. Bits of good comedy furnished by two typical old maids, a movie actress, newlyweds and the "proprietor of the dust rag." A story that inspires the most pleasant thoughts and is bound to find its way to the heart of every audience. SYNOPSIS Act I. — Morning at the Library. A movie actress in ordinary role. "Miss Avis won't be an old maid when she's a hundred." Burr warns Pearl against the fate of a spinster. The missing book. Mrs. Nelson recalls old times. The new preacher feels called to set to rights a few things. "Would you close the doors of knowledge to your four-footed brothers?" Mrs. Edgeworth exerts her authority. A startling insinuation. Avis unlocks the chambers of the past. "God be merciful to all who are born women!" Act II. — Mrs. Edgeworth on the war-path. Sam assumes the blame. "I'm the guy that put the sin in Cincinnati." The Judge's return takes everybody by surprise. The preacher interviews Pearl and Susanne appeals for religious instruction. Mrs. Edge- worth's accusation is met by opposition. "If this was the Judg- ment Day and you were the Angel of Death itself, I could give no other answer!" "I would stake my very life on her honesty." Act III. — Sam gets poetic through literary association. The preacher hears the story of Pearl's origin. Avis resigns her position. The Judge hears of the pearl ring and finds the long- sought child. Mrs. Edgeworth's change of heart. "Of course the dear child was not at all to blame." The Judge reveals the mystery of the lost volume and Burr contributes his share to the revelation. Pearl speaks her mind. "I have nothing what- ever to say to Burr's mother." Mrs. Edgeworth rejoices. "I have always longed for a daughter." Susanne frightens the min- ister. "Go away, lady!" Avis receives and answers her letter at last. The Judge "considers their ages" and gets his "turn" at last. "Is it too late to find the minister?" At Harmony Junction By FREDERICK G. JOHNSON Price, 25 Cents Comedy character sketch for a singing quartette; 4 males. Time, 20 minutes. The rube station agent, the colored porter, the tramp and the stranger supply mirth and melody while wait- ing for the train "due th' day before yistiddy." T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO The Spark of Life By HARRY L. NEWTON Price, 25 Cents Fantastic comedy in 3 acts; 4 males, 4 females. Time, 2 hours. Scenes: 1 interior, 1 exterior. Characters: Herman Heinie, a German doll maker. Bud Barlow, a college youth. Tommy Tucker, the "darling child." Willard Peck, the mysterious stranger. Clarice, Bud's sweetheart. Toots Snodgrass, the house- maid. Mrs. Heinie, the old doll maker's second wife. Dora Mee, a neighbor's daughter. SYNOPSIS Act I. — Herman Heinie, the eccentric doll maker of Happy Hollow, searching for the Spark of Life with which to put the breath of life into his Masterpiece. Toots the maid of all work, who is afraid of work but knows how to extract a tip. "Ain't he just splen-did." The Mephistophelian plot which brings the doll to life. Everybody happy but not for long. The mysterious stranger "I beg your pardon." The dream comes true, but — Act II. — In which Mrs. Heinie falls in love with the devil, and the road of true love has many twists and turns. The mysterious stranger who will not "stay put." A new recipe for Angel Food, spoiled by too many cooks. The Masterpiece disappears. Sixes and sevens. "I'll paint my face and be a real lady." Act III. — "Everybody hates everybody they shouldn't and everybody loves everybody they shouldn't." Bud, the cause of it all, as popular as an Indian with the smallpox. The deception dis- closed. Herman turns over a new leaf. "I bought a new pair of trousers yesterday and by golly I'm going to wear them from now on. The worm turns, back to the kitchen where you belong. The fifty thousand dollar legacy sacrificed for love. A triple court- ship. "All my life I've been searching for the Spark of Life and now at last I've found it — it's love, that's what it is, love." "Ain't he just splen-did." Happy School Days By JESSIE A. KELLEY Price, 30 Cents Humorous entertainment; 14 males, 11 females. Time, about xV 2 hours. Scene: Easy interior. The old school entertainment has long been a prime favorite with societies, churches, etc., as a sure means of raising money. This is a new phase and breaks away from the traditional setting — the little school at the village, or at the country cross-roads. It being more cosmopolitan, depicting the humorous trials of the city principal and the teachers of the various grades. Introduces impish and fun-craving youngsters of many nationalities; their parents with ridiculous complaints and absurd ideas of our school system; janitor, school physician, truani officer, etc. More characters could be easily introduced. Drills, recitations, etc., may be added according to talent. The comic effect will be decidedly enhanced if played by prominent or elderly people. T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO Kicked Out of College By WALTER BEN HARE Price, 35 Cents College farce In 3 acts; 10 males, 9 females. Time, 2% hours. Scenes: 2 interiors. An excellent comedy of masterly construc- tion, abounding in incident and mirth provoking episode, rapid in action and cumulative in interest. Great opportunity is offered for juvenile comedian to impersonate a temperamental young lady. Side-splitting parts for coon and "cullud" wash-lady. Sporty col- lege boys, the hen-pecked husband, the brusque business man, the college grind, a suffragist leader, three dainty ingenues, a motherly old landlady, a frisky French demoiselle, a saucy kid of ten, and a slangy stenographer, add local college color and general interest. The most popular boy in college is so busy with an invention and with his various social and athletic activities, that he is dropped from the roll, but later makes good and is allowed to re-enter. SYNOPSIS Act I. — Room in "Ma" Baggsby's college boarding house. Col- lege pranks. The new "fawncy dawnces." Tad Cheseldine, the college cut-up, and his chum, Booties Benbow. "I've always told Booties that he ought to go to class at least once a week." The auto race. A rehearsal for the college play. "They say the cheild is in London." Betty and Jonquil visit the college. "I thought you were my long-lost darling baby!" Jonquil and Booties each think the other deaf. Kicked out of college. "Get married and settle down!" Booties introduces his first little wife. Act II. — Suite of rooms in Honeymoon Flats. The Benbows entertain. Salamanca Spivins, the black wash-lady, on a rampage. "Booties, pay the lady what you owe her." "Pay her yourself, you're my wife." "He's done gone and married a man!" Booties at work on his patent air brake. Fleurette. the lady from gay Paree. Salamanca returns with Riley, the cop. Booties introduces his second little wife. A little tea party. The suffragette parade. The jealous Mrs. McCann makes it hot for Sandy. "How many wives have you?" "He's joined the Mormons and hath taken unto himself two wives, and they're both suffragettes." Act III. — Same as Act II. Booties tries to explain. "The doc- tor positively forbids me to kiss anyone; it's not good for my complexion." Mr. Benbow begins to be suspicious. Riley, the cop, becomes a detective. "Not one penny of my money will ever come his way." "My wife, Flora McFlimsy." Jonquil and Betty get wise. "I'm awfully glad you're not married, Booties." Riley, disguised as a Freshman, gets the third degree. A trip to the moon. Mr. Gears offers Booties five thousand dollars for his in- vention. Booties becomes a student once again. The third little wife. All on a Summer's Day By LINDSEY BARBEE Price, 25 Cents Comedy; 4 males, 6 females. Time, 40 minutes. A newly married couple, at a summer hotel, who wish to disguise the fact that they are bride and groom, so overplay the part that they are mistaken for a pair of clever thieves, who have recently been operating in that section. It is full of action and the porch gossips supply the comedy. T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO Macbeth a la Mode By WALTER BEN HARE. Price, 25 Cents School burletta in 3 acts; 7 males, 7 females, also teachers, students, etc., with only a few lines. Time, 1 X A hours. No scenery required, merely a front curtain and an easel with placards an- nouncing scenes. Plot: Willie Macbeth is the social leader of the Senior Class. With his friend Banquo he encounters Three Witches, who prophecy that he will pass his examinations, be elected to a class office and will play on the football team. The first two prophecies come true and in Act II, Lady Macbeth, his mother, arranges for him to play on the football team, by drugging the captain. Macbeth flies to the witches for further advice and learns that he will make a touchdown. He does, but runs with the ball toward the enemy's goal, thus losing the game for his own team. Contains five songs: "FairweU, My Fairy Fay," "Tact," "The Senior Class," "Music and Laughter" and "Good Night," all sung to college airs. This play is very humorous and particularly adapted for schools. THE WITCHES* CHANT Round about the cauldron go; Mathematics you must know. Let X equal the cold stone, When will Y be thirty-one? Drop that in the mystic pan; Tell me, pray, how old is Ann? Double, double, boil and bubble, Mathematics makes them trou- ble. Fillet of a fenny snake, In the cauldron boil and bake; Eye of newt and toe of frog, Wool of bat and tongue of dog, Biology makes 'em cut and jab. Thirteen hours a week in lab. Latin, Greek and German, too, Fifty pages make a stew. And to thicken up the mystery. Take two chapters English His- tory. Physics, French and English Lit, Spend an hour on each or git. All night long from six to three, Study math and chemistry. In the hours when you should dream, Write an English twelve-page theme. Work at night and Sunday, too. Outside reading you must do. Next day, when you're on the bunk, Teacher springs exam — you flunk. Double, double, boil and bubble, High school life is full of trouble. Cool it with a Freshman's blood, Then the charm is thick and good. By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes. Reminiscences of the Donation Party By JESSIE A. KELLEY. Price, 25 Cents The soliloquy of a minister's wife, with tableaux. For 40 or more characters, both sexes, although the number is optional and it can be presented with a smaller cast. Time, about 35 minutes. The wife at the side of the stage recounts the many amusing incidents of the party, tells who attended and what they brought, etc. The characters appear in pantomime. This entertainment is unique. It fills the demand for something that can be put on "at the last moment." It eliminates the usual long preparations re- quired in producing a play; no parts to memorize and it can be played on any platform. Highly humorous, replete with local hits and strongly recommended for church societies. T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO * vfl<- DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS Partial List of Successful and Popular Plays. Large Catalogue Free FARCES, COMEDIETAS, Etc. Price 25 Cents Each M. F. All on a Summer's Day, 40 min. 4 6 Aunt Harriet's Night Out, 35 min 1 2 Aunt Matilda's Birthday Party, 35 min 11 Billy's Chorus Girl, 30 min... 2 3 Borrowed Luncheon. 20 min.. 5 Borrowing Trouble, 20 min.... 3 5 Case Against Casey, 40 min... 23 Class Ship, 35 min 3 8 Divided Attentions, 35 min... 1 4 Fun in Photo Gallery, 30 min.. 6 10 Getting Rid of Father, 20 min. 3 1 Goose Creek Line, 1 hr 3 10 Great Pumpkin Case, 35 min.. 12 Hans Von Smash, 30 min Honest Peggy, 25 min Irish Linen Peddler, 40 min... 3 Just Like a Woman, 35 min... 3 Last Rehearsal, 25 min 2 Men Not Wanted, 30 min.... Mother Goose's Goslings, 30 m. 7 Mis. Jenkins' Brilliant Idea, 35m. Mrs. Stubbins' Book Agent, 30 m. 3 Not a Man in the Flouse, 40 m. Paper Wedding, 30 min 1 Pat's Matrimonial " enture, 25 min 1 Patsy O' Wang, 35 min 4 Rummage Sale, 50 min 4 10 Sewing for the Heathen, 40 min 9 Shadows, 35 min 3 4 Sing a Song of Seniors, 30 min. 7 Taking Father's Place, 30 min. 5 3 Teacher Kin I Go Home, 35 min Too Much of a Good Thing, 45 min 3 Two Ghosts in White, 20 min . . Two of a Kind. 40 min 2 Uncle Dick's Mistake. 20 min.. 3 Wanted: a Correspondent, 45 m. 4 Wstch, a Wallet, and a Jack of Spades, 40 min 3 Whole Truth. 40 min 5 Who's the Boss? 30 min 3 Wide Enough for Two, 45 min. 5 Wrong Baby, 25 min 8 FARCES, COMEDIETAS, Etc. Price 15 Cents Each April Fools, 30 min 3 Assessor, The, 15 min 3 2 Baby Show at Pineville, 20 min. 19 Before the Play Begins, 15 min 2 1 7 3 Billy's Mishaps, 20 min Country Justice. 15 min Cow that Kicked Chicago, 25 m. Familv Strike. 20 min First-Class Hotel. 20 min For Love and FTonor, 20 min.. Fudge and a Buredar. 15 min.. Little Miss Enemy, 15 min. Great Medical Dispensary, 30 m. 6 Initiating a Granger, 25 min.. 8 Kansas Immigrants, 20 min... 5 1 Lottie Sees It Through, 35 min. 3 4 Pair of Lunatics, 20 min 1 1 Pat, the Apothecary, 35 min.. 6 2 Please Pass the Cream, 20 min. 1 1 Second Childhood, 15 min.... 2 2 Smith's Unlucky Day, 20 min.. 1 1 That Rascal Pat, 30 min 3 2 Two Aunts and a Photo, 20 m. 4 Two Gentlemen in a Fix, 15 m. 2 Wanted: A Hero, 20 min 1 1 VAUDEVILLE SKETCHES Price 25 Cents Each Amateur, 15 min 1 1 At Harmony Junction, 20 min. 4 Breakfast Food for Two, 20 m. 1 Cold Finish, 15 min 2 Coming Champion, 20 min.... 2 Fresh Timothy Hay, 20 min.. 2 Her Hero, 20 min 1 Hey, Rube ! 1 5 min 1 It Might Happen, 20 min 1 Little Red School House, 20 m. 4 Marriage and After, 10 min.. 1 One Sweetheart for Two, 20 m. Oyster Stew, 10 min 2 Pete Yansen's Gurl's Moder, 10m. 1 Quick Lunch Cabaret, 20 min.. 4 Si and I, 15 min Special Sale, 15 min 2 Street Faker, 15 min 3 Such Ignorance, 15 min 2 Sunny Son of Italy, 15 min.. 1 Time Table, 20 min 1 Tramp and the Actress, 20 min. 1 Troubles of Rozinski, 15 min.. 1 Two Jay Detectives, 15 min.. 3 Umbrella ^ Mender, 15 min.... 2 Yait a Minute 2 BLACK-FACE PLAYS Price 15 Cents Each Axin' Her Father, 25 min 2 Booster Club of Blackville, 25 min 10 Colored Honeymoon, 25 min. . . 2 Coon Creek Courtship, 15 m... 1 Coontown Thirteen Club, 25 m. 14 Darktown Fire Brigade, 25m.. 10 Good Mornin' Judere, 35 min.. 9 Hungry, 1 5 min 2 Love and Lather, 35 min 3 Memphis Mose, 25 min 5 Oh. Doctor! 30 min 6 Troubled by Ghosts, 10 min... 4 What Happened to Hannah, 15 min 1 A great number of Standard and Amateur Plays not found here are listed in Denison's Catalogue T. S. DENISON & CO IVS PAN Y, Publishers ,1 54 W. Randolph St. , Chicago POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS Illustrated Paper Covers, THE FAVORITE BOOK OF DRILLS IN this Series are found books touching every feature in the enter- tainment field. Finely made, good paper, clear print and each book has an attrac t i v e individual cov- er design. A Partial List DIALOGUES All Sorts of Dialogues. Selected, fine for older pupils. Catchy Comic Dialogues. Verv clever; for young people. Children's Comic Dialogues. From six to eleven years of age. Country School Dialogues. Brand new, original. Dialogues for District Schools. For country schools. Dialogues from Dickens. Thirteen selections. Friday Afternoon Dialogues. Over 60,000 copies sold. From Tots to Teens. Dialogues and recitations. Humorous Homespun Dialogues. For older ones. Little People's Plays. From 7 to 13 years of age. Lively Dialogues. For all ages; mostlv humorous. Merry Little Dialogues. Thirty-eight original selections. When the Lessons are Over. Dialogues, drills, plays. Wide Awake Dialogues. Original successful. SPEAKERS, MONOLOGUES Choice Pieces for Little People. A child's speaker. The Comic Entertainer. Recitations, monologues, dialogues. Dialect Readings. Irish, Dutch, Negro. Scotch, etc. The Favorite Speaker. Choice prose and poetrv. The Friday Afternoon Speaker. For pupils of all ages. Humorous Monologues. Particularly for ladies. Monologues for Young Folks. Clever, humorous, original. Monologues Grave and Gay. Dramatic and humorous. Scrap- Book Recitations. Choice collections, pathetic, hu- morous, descriptive, prose, poetry. 15 Nos. DRILLS The Best Drill Book. Very popular drills and marches. The Favorite Book of Drills. Drills that sparkle with originality. Little Plays With Drills. For children from 6 to 1 1 years. The Surprise Drill Book. Fresh, novel, drills and marches. SPECIALTIES The Boys' Entertainer. Monologues, dialogues, drills. Children's Party Book. Invitations, decorations, games. The Christmas Entertainer. Novel and diversified. The Days We Celebrate. Fntertainments for all the holidays. Good Things for Christmas. Recitations, dialogues, drills. Good Things for Sunday Schools. Dialogues, exercises, recitations. Good Things for Thanksgiving. A gem of a book. Good Things for Washington and Lincoln Birthdays. Little Folks' Budget. Fasy pieces to speak, songs. One Hundred Entertainments. New parlor diversions, socials. Patriotic Celebrations. Great variety of material. Pictured Readings and Tableaux. F.ntirely original features. Pranks and Pastimes. Parlor games for children. Shadow Pictures, Pantomimw, Charades, and how to prepare. Tableaux and Scenic Readings. New and novel: for all ages. Twinkling Fingers and Sway- ing Figures. For little t Yuletide Entertainments. A choice Christmas collection. MINSTRELS, JOKES The Black-Face Joker. Minstrels' and end men's gags. A Bundle of Burnt Cork Comedy. Monologues, stump speeches, etc. Laughland.via the Ha-Ha Route. A merry trip for fun tourists. Negro Minstrels. All about the business. The New Jolly Jester. Funny stories, jo kes, gags, etc. Large Illustrated Catalogue Free T.S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers,154 W. Randolph St. , Chicago I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS % 022 204 587 3 I I ■