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 Taggs, the Waif. 
 
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 RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE PERFORMERS ON THE STAGE. 
 
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 183 Fruits of the Wine Cup 6 3 
 
 104 Lost 6 2 
 
 .TO 
 
>Taggs, the Waif ; 4* 
 
 -OR- 
 
 Unele Seth. 
 
 A DRAMA 
 
 IN FIVE ACTS, 
 
 — BY — 
 
 Lbii WarE, 
 
 Author of " My Pard," "Mountain Rose,'' "Claim 3-:;," " Gypsay's 
 Warning," "Pop's Kid,"' "Deoils Comp.ict," tl Gfyp, the 
 Heiress," etc., etc. 
 
 — o- 
 
 TO WHICH IS ADDED 
 
 A DESCRIPTION OF THE COSTUMES— CAST OF THE CHARACTERS 
 
 —ENTRANCES AND EXITS— RELATIVE POSITIONS OF 
 
 THE PERFORMERS ON THE STAGE, AND THE 
 
 WHOLE OF THE STAGE BUSINESS. 
 
 Entered accordinp to act of Cottare** in the i/ear 1896 by 
 
 AMES' PUBLISHING CO., 
 in the office of the Librarian of Gonjrest at Washington, 
 
 AMES' PUBLISHING CO. 
 
 —-CLYDE, OHIO : 
 
yh 
 
 0° A \*\ 
 
 ,1^ 
 
 CAST OF CHARACTERS., [s X 
 
 Taggs, The Waif. 
 
 Hannah Dold, Mike's wife. 
 
 1 1 f.i.i nk, The out-cast. 
 
 Bijou Darington, An Adventuress. 
 
 Seth Mulberry, Uncle Seth, P. M. 
 
 JEFF Dupree, Gentleman Jef!. 
 
 Mike Doud, A saloon-keeper. 
 
 Alberta Casague, .". A French Detectiv . 
 
 French y, A Thug. 
 
 Hilly Dalton, One of Mike's taughs. 
 
 TIME OF PLAYING— 2 hours. 
 
 SYNOPSIS OF EVENTS. 
 
 ACT I.— Mike Doud'a saloon in New Orleans— Taggs and the Frenchman— A 
 game of solitaire —Hannah, laggs and the kitten— Mike Doud's little druige— 
 "I'm only Tags', the Waif" — Taggs and ltakly— .Seth Mulberry in Doud s saloon 
 —Mulberry and Taggs— "Wouli you like a little gal like me?"— "I'll be your 
 1'ncle Seth"— The marriage certificate— Jeff Dupree— "'Oh! Helene, Helene, my 
 child'— A plan to secu o Mulberry's money— A lute sto:y— Frenehy attempts to 
 stab Mulberry— Frustrated— Hurrah! lor Uncle Seth. 
 
 ACT II.— Bi ou Darrington, the Adventuress, and Jeff Dupres — "I'm dead 
 broke" — The compact— Taggs and Bijou — "Razzle, dazzle" — Home of Uncle Seth, 
 at Mulberry Flats— Tagg's suoper — "Disscs and bread and bread and l.'tsses" — 
 Uncle Seth arid Targs— The les-on— The story o: Adam and Eve— Jeff Dupree. 
 Taggs recognizes him — A pricooffered forthe farm— "The Apostle Paul said" — 
 Bijou Darr.nston's offer— L'agg's version of "Jac c and Jill" — 'Lasses'and bread" 
 — "I don't like you"— Ras! rats'. — .lelf Dupree — "Luck at last" — "Then, I'm 
 only Taggs, the Waif" -Taggs tells how she came to bo at Mulberry Farm — "There 
 h something crooke !, vou want to cheat my Uncle Seth." — Helene, Jeff Dupree's 
 discarded wife and Seth Mulherry's daughter— At the Grand View Hotel — Meet- 
 ing of Helene and Dupive.— "l'ou are not my wife" — "Ohl God, deceived! dis- 
 grace '. ilishonored!" 
 
 ACT III.— Uncle Seth and Ta.-gs at the Grand View Hotel— Ta.ggs astonished 
 at the tine furniture— Helene poses as a statue— Taggs, the clock and be 1 bo\ — 
 —The song— Biiou and Dupree — Papers to be s gnei for the sale of the farm — The 
 warning v lee— "I'll not sign"— Helene drops disguise— "Father!" 
 
 ACT" IV.— Seth's soliloquy— The wrecked South— Uncle Seth tells Taggs of his 
 family — "Unele Seth, I'll ba your little incandescent"— Jeff Dunpee foiled— "The 
 government has lought my faim" — lhe quarrel— "Don't date touch him, 'cos he's 
 my Uncle Seth." 
 
 ACTV. — Dupree and Bijou— "I am penniless'' — Wo are found out and must 
 )<ave to-night" — The French detective on Bijou Darrington's trail, plays the part 
 of telegraph operator — Uncle Seth and Taggs at telegraph office, waiting for the 
 midnight train — The wreck — "My Godl my child'' — "Saved, father, I did not go 
 to New Orleans"— Meeting of husband and wife— Doud dead — "You have no proof" 
 — Tne lost marriage certificate turns up— Attempt to stab Uncle Seth — Taggs 
 throws herself before him and receives, her death wound — Arrest of Bijou— Helene 
 and her father re-united- 
 
 STAGE BISECTIONS. 
 
 r., means Right; L., Left; r. it., Right Hand; l. h., Left Hand; 
 C, Center ;s.B., [2d e.,] Second Entrance ;u. e.. Upper Entrance; 
 M. d., Middle Door; f., the Flat; D. f., Door in Flat; e. c, Right 
 of Center; l. c, Left of Center. 
 
 R. R- c. c. l. c. l. 
 
 * # * The reader is supposed to be upon thesta£e facing the audience. 
 
 Tunoi-fin?^^? 
 
TAGGS. THE WAIF; 
 
 -OB- 
 
 Uncle Seth. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE. — Mike's saloon, near the levee in New Orleans — fall depth 
 — bar set c. to l. — card table up R., chairs to table and cards on 
 same — bottles, glasses, etc., on bar — a newspaper for Taggs — a 
 telephone at end of bar, c. — Taggs discovered behind bar ivith 
 her doll in her arms — Frenchy standing c. of bar, front, look- 
 ing at Taggs. 
 
 Frenchy. Whar's Mike ? 
 
 Taggs. Up on de levee. 
 
 Frenchy. What's he doin' ? 
 
 Taggs. Nothin' that's honest, I guess. 
 
 Frenchy. Say Taggs, just to kill time, while we'ns are waiten' 
 fer Mike, 'spose you sing a song fer a feller. 
 
 Taggs. Nary ! 
 
 Frenchy. W hy ? 
 
 Taggs. 'Cos'! I don't wanter. 
 
 Frdnchy. If Mike was here, I guess you'd sing. 
 
 Taggs. But he ain't here, and I won't sing fer you. 
 
 Frenchy. May be you'ns don't like me ? 
 
 Taggs. Mavbe i 
 
 Frenchy. Well, if you won't sing, I guess I'll just play a °-ame 
 of solitaire till Mike comes, (seated at table, Taggs behind bo*— 
 voices offL. calling Taggs ! Taggs! Taggs listens; voices of l. 
 laughing and calling Taggs,- Taggs starts l., 2 e., pause c, burst 
 of laughter, l., Taggs run off l., 2 e., Frenchy looking after her) 
 She's an imp, and siie'll ketch it if Mike or Hanner lcnowed she 
 went oil' with them kids. She's a sly oie — burst up de whole 
 gang some of dese days, give we'ns away ter the cops and then 
 good bye, Mike and Frenchy and all de rest of dem. 
 
4 TAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SETII. 
 
 Stops, sudden thought, slyly looks around stage, rises and starts for 
 bar — pause — 
 
 Enter, Hannah, r. r. E., Frenchy slips behind bar, about to drink 
 from bottle. 
 
 Hannah, (watching Fkenchy-— in a gruff voice) What yer 
 doin''? 
 
 Frenchy. (startled, drops bottle and backs out from b.ar) Nbthin' ! 
 
 Man. Tears ter me you was doin* somethin'. (behind bar 
 
 Frenchy. (aside) Was purty near. 
 
 Han. Whar'sMike? 
 
 Frenchy. On the levee 
 
 Han. Wbar's Taggs? 
 
 Frenchy. Gone with the kids. 
 
 Han. Gone witli the kids! Leave business and gone with the 
 —drat that brat— she'll sleep in the cellar with the rati fer that, 
 to-night, (looking oJTl., 2 e.) Yes. there she goes, with 'er fish 
 pole in 'er hand, a streakin' it fer the levee, (calls) Taggs! 
 Taggs! (pause) No, she couldn't hear thunder, if she didn't 
 wan ter. 
 i Frenchy. Say, what makes 'em call 'er Taggs? 
 
 Han. What makes 'era call you Frenchy? 
 
 Frenchy. 'Cos', 1 corned from de French quarter of de city. 
 
 Han. Den I guess dey call 'er Taggs, 'cos' she come from de 
 Taggs quarter. (behind bar 
 
 Frenchy. Well, I guess I'll go and hunt up Mike, (going l., 
 2 1-. ) I'll go find -.Mike, (pause) I'm goin' after Mike. 
 
 Han. (sharp) Well go! don't stand talkin' about it. (exit, 
 Fkenchy, i..,2e.) Drat that Taggs, I'll make it hot fer her 
 when I see her. Ain't worth 'er salt, but I'll fix 'er — (burst oj 
 laughter) thare she is now. (exit, l, 2 e. 
 
 Fe-enter, Hannah, l., 2 e., lading Taggs by the ear, throws her 
 over to R. c. 
 
 What you's mean by runnin' o3f that er way — say ! 
 
 Taggs. Didn't. (sullen 
 
 Han. Yes yer did too— what'd yer gofer? What yer got in 
 yerarms? 
 
 Taggs. Nothin'. 
 
 Han. Yes, yer have too— let me see what it is. (hold o/Taggs 
 forcing her arms apart) Thare, that dratted doll, (throws doll 
 l., 2 e.) Yer still hangin' outer that. 
 
 Taggs. Quit that, you old eroekodile, you most knocked all de 
 saw dust outeu my Raldy. (struggling 
 
 Han. Crockodile, am I ? (shakes her ) I'll teach you— open 
 yer arms and let me see what yer got. 
 
 Tag^s. I won't! 
 
 Han. Yes, yer will too— (struggle) Thare, that dratted cat. 
 Didn't I tell you this mornin' nor, to t ring that mangy beast here 
 again? Where did you get it this time? 
 
 Taggs. Down on the levee— they was goin' to kill it. 
 
 Han. Pity they didn't— now you take that thing right outer 
 here, and if I see it 'round her- again, I'll scald it. ' (Taggs hesi- 
 tates) Go! I say. (Taggs goes slowly, picks up doll, cat in arms, 
 
JAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SETH. 5 
 
 stops c, undecided) Well, are ye goia' ter throw that critter outen 
 the street, or will I have ter throw both yer out? 
 
 Taggs. (sullen) It's mine and I'll keep it. 
 
 Han. Your'n? Why, you ain't got no right to claim nothing 
 —you ain't nobody only Taggs, the Waif. Why, that there cat 
 wouldn't own you fer her mistress, you ain't good enough— you 
 ain't nothin', only — 
 
 Taggs. Mike Doud's little drudge, that's all, ter go at his beck 
 and call — to sing and dance fer his gang of cut-throats, 'cos' I am 
 the Waif— no father nor mother, nor nothin', and you won't even 
 let me have the friendship of a stray cat, what's kicked from door 
 to door— you'ns ain't got no right ter throw it outen de street, ter 
 be chawed up by dd (log?. 'Cos' I love de kitty, yer wants ter 
 kick 'erout. God mule de cat, and God made me, and God made 
 us Waifs and without friends — and now you say — 
 
 Han. That you'll sure go into the cellar, less'en yer throw 
 that air cat out. Come, inter the cellar you go. 
 
 Taggs. No ! no ! 
 
 Han. Then throw that dratted cat out and get behind dat bar, 
 whare you belongs. 
 
 Taggs. (going l., 2 e., slowly, with cat) Kitty, I can't even be 
 friends with you, 'cos' I'm only Taggs, de Waif. 
 
 (puts cat out l., 2 e., comes c. and picks up doll 
 
 Han. Friends? Yer got enough friends in dat rag baby you 
 think so much of. You fool away enough time with that, when 
 3 r er orter be in here, sin gin' to amuse de customers of de house. 
 You mind yer biz closer, or I take that away from yer and throw 
 'cr in de ash barrel. tyoing to R. u. e. 
 
 Tangs. Better not try ter take Kaldy from me. 
 
 Han. Why? 
 
 Taggs. 'Cos' ! I'd scratch yer eyes out, if yer did. 
 
 (hugging doll close in arms 
 
 Han. You? (laughs) You stay right here now till Mike 
 comes. 
 
 Enter, Mike Doud, l., 2 e., coming down. 
 
 Doud. Well, that won't be fer long then — what's the matter 
 now, old woman ? 
 
 Han. Nothing, only I was just er firia' out a cat, that that 
 thare pest was er hangin' onter. 
 
 Doud. Well, that's all right. Look'ere my girl, I didn't bring 
 you up ter the high standard that I have fer yer, to hug up all de 
 stray animals in New Orleans. I bringed you up ter tend beer 
 ler Mike and Ilanner Doud, and you'll do ic too, or you go inter 
 the cellar and dodge the rats ergin. (to Hannah) Whar's Billy? 
 
 Han. Ask her. (points to Taggs 
 
 Taggs. I don't know. (sullen 
 
 Doud. Then whar's Frenchy? 
 
 Han. Went out a huntin' fer j r oti while ago. 
 
 Doud. Then I'll hunt him up — you get a move on yer, old 
 woman, fer there's goin' ter be work hereto-night; the towns full 
 er p anters and Mexican?, on their anual tradin' trip, and they've 
 all got too much of the shiners, and Mike Doud's place will have 
 to relieve some of 'em 'fore mornin'. Lite out old woman, and get 
 realy ler work, (exrt, Haxxah, r. u. e.— £o Taggs) You stay 
 
j TAGGS, THE WAIF; Cli, UNCLE SETH. 
 
 ' right here and keep yer eye3 pealed fer business, and if any stray 
 oats er dogs, er anything else comes around, why, you jist let'em 
 alone— say, do you remember that strap I got tocher day? Well, 
 1 get 'er fer you, so carry yerself accordin'. Now then, drop that 
 doll and get me my coat. (Taggs goes for coat behind bar, comes 
 c) Now hold it lor me — (she can't hold coat high enough) hold it 
 up, willye. (stie tries again) Git upon that chair, (gets on chair 
 «lowly) Maybe ye think you've got 90 days ter do this jb in? 
 Now, hold it. (she holds' coat, he goes in it with a jerk — a paper 
 jails out, she jumps down and covers paper with doll) IfFrenchy 
 comes before 1 come back, tell him to wait, or if any of the others 
 come in, tell 'em I want 'em to-night sure — don't forget now and 
 don't ye leave here neither. (exit, l,, 2 e. 
 
 'Taggs. (looking after him) Mean old crockodiles, both of 'em. 
 I'd like to shove 'em inter the river, (picks up doll and vaper) 
 Wonder what that is? (examines paper) Wish I could read, but 
 he never gets this ag'in — I'll keep er till I see some feller what 
 kin read and find out what it is. (puts paper in bosom) I'd like 
 ter stomp all de saw dust outen they'uns, jist like they do you 
 sometimes, Raldy, but never mind, we're goin' ter run away 
 sometimes, Raldy, quick's we git some more of the shiners. Le's 
 see how much we <ior. (very sly, takes money from pocket and 
 counts) One — two — three — lour — five — six — seven — my! Raldy, 
 we can't never go no Where's and take de cat, on only seven cents, 
 we'll have ter stay and be Taggs, the Waif. Now, we're all alone, 
 Kaldy, and I'm goin' ter — (looks around, calls) Kitty! kitty! 
 kitty! (goes u, 2 e., gets cat) Poor kitty, (sits at table) It's 
 pretty rough when a feller can't be friends with a cat— kitty, I 
 love you, 'cos' you and Raldy's the only friends I got, 'cos' I'm 
 only Taggs, the Waif, (lays head on table and crys) Poor kitty — 
 poor Raldy — poor Taggs— ain't nothin', ain't nobody. (crying 
 
 Enter, Seth Mulberry, l., 2 e., comes down l. c, bewildered, 
 
 Seth. Well, here I am, right here in the middle of this big town 
 <>f New Orleans, with a load of cotton and two blind mules on my 
 hands, and I'm so twisted and turned around. I don't know North 
 from straight up. This bere town ain't no place fer an old planter 
 like me ter be a hangin' around in, fer I hain't seen nothin' but 
 trouble since I come here — was'er drivin' in this mornin', when 
 the railroad cars went right in front of me and the mules, and that 
 thaie engine give er screech, fit ter waken all the dead and burried 
 people ter the last six or seven generations. "When that thare 
 machine let out that beller, that off mule, old Nancy, jist laid 
 down and squeeled, and the other one, old Jerry, begin ter prance 
 and then he begin ter dance, and then he begin ter run like a calf 
 in a bumble bees nest. How that mule did run, and run, and run, 
 till he went right slap through a pane er glass, bigger'n a barn 
 door — he did be gad! (sees Taggs) Hello! little gal, what's the 
 matter? 
 
 Taggs. (crying) Ain't nothin'. 
 
 Seth. Ain't ther' ? What yer cryin' fer? (goes to Taggs 
 
 Taygs. 'Cos' I can't find no name fer me cat. Can't you'ns 
 tell me one? 
 
 Seth. Well, I might and then ergin I mightn't. 
 
TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETII. 7 
 
 Taggs. Try. 
 
 Seth. (seated) Call him Tommy, that's er nice name. 
 Taggs. No ! no ! 
 
 Seth. Then call him Jimmy, that's er nice name. 
 Taggs. No ! no ! 
 
 Seth. Then call him Dickey, that's er nice name. 
 Tag js. No ! no ! 
 
 Seth. Why don't none of them names suit yer ? 
 Taggs, 'Cos' he ain't that kind of a cat. Say, you'r an old back 
 number planter, ain't yer ? 
 
 Seth. Well, 1 might be and then e gin I mightn't. 
 Taggs. But ye are, ain't yer? 
 
 Seth. What ye 4fenter know fer? 
 
 Taggs. 'Cos' if ye are, I got ter fleece yer; you'll have ter fork 
 out de shiners fer de lush. 
 
 Seth. What! eh! 
 
 Taggs. Buy de drinks — maybe ye understand dat, you moss 
 back! 
 
 Seth. Well, then I'll take a glass er water. 
 
 Taggs. Water ? 
 
 Seth. Er if ye ain't got that handy, I'll take a cup er coffee. 
 
 Taggs. Coffee ? 
 
 Seth. Er a cup er tea. 
 
 Taggs. Tea? Say, what's de matter wid yon? Do you know 
 where yer at? 
 
 Seth. Well, I might and then ergin I mightn't. 
 
 Taggs. AVeil, yer in Mike Doud's place, one of de toughest 
 saloons in de city, saba? Now, what will ye take? 
 
 Seth. A glass er butter milk. 
 
 Taggs. Not much you won't; this ain't no creamery. De 
 weakest thing we got is beer. 
 
 Seth. Then I'll take a piece of beer. 
 
 Taggs. Piece of beer ? 
 
 Seth. Well, then a plate ot beer. 
 
 Taggs. A plate of beer? Say, it's a good thing you don't liv 
 in de North. We sell beer by the glass. 
 
 Seth. Then be gad, I'll take a glass er beer. 
 
 Taggs. That's the ta'.k, old man. (gets beer) You either got ter 
 trade er get fired out. {brings glass to table, sits 
 
 Seth. Well, I didn't come in here ter be fired out. (drinks) 
 Say, little gal — 
 
 Taggs. My name ain't little gal. 
 
 Seth. Well, what might it be then? 
 
 Taggs. It might be Smith, but 'taint. 
 
 Seth. Then what is it ? 
 
 Taggs. Taggs. 
 
 Seth . Taggs— Taggs what ? 
 
 Taggs. Why, Taggs nothin*. 
 
 Seth. Just Taggs? 
 
 Taggs. Just Taggs. I ain't nothin' but just Taggs 
 
 Seth. Are you Mike Doud's little gal ? 
 
 Taggs. Ain't nobody's little gal, only Taggs, de Waif. 
 
 Seth. What do ye get fer stayin' here ? 
 
 Taggs. Why! 1 most generally gets licked. 
 
 Seth. Does he— does he lick yer ? 
 
 Taggs. You bet — it's regular— 'bout twice a week I guess, and 
 
S TAGGS, THE WAIF; Oil, UNCLE SETH. 
 
 sometimes he puts me in de cellar ter fight de rats. 
 
 Seth. And then what, do you do? 
 
 Taggs. Why! I sets down and cusses Mike Doud. 
 
 Seth. Whar'd Mike Doud git you? 
 
 Taggs. Why ! he got me off en asteam boat — I uster be a mascot 
 fer Jeff. He'd never play le-sen I'd touch de cards fer him, but 
 dey have busted up all de games on de river, and so Mike Doud 
 said I got er come here and wait on customers and sing fer 'em. 
 
 Seth. And you sing fer 'em, do you? Well, won't you sing 
 tome fer me? 
 
 Taggs. You'r a pretty nice kind of an old Jay, and I kinder 
 likes you — yes, I'll sing some, butye'll have ter buy another beer. 
 (goes' for beer at bar) Every song generally calls fer five beers, 
 but I've kinder taken a shine ter you, (coming t> table) and I'll 
 sing ler the two beers. (Seth drinks) Ante. 
 
 (.holding out her hand 
 
 Seth. Eh ? 
 
 Taggs. Produce! (rapping on table 
 
 Seth. What! 
 
 Taggs. Pay fer de beer. 
 
 Seth. O ! (purse in hand 
 
 Taggs. (looking in purse) My ! you've got stocks of de shiners, 
 ain't you? 
 
 Seth. (hands coin) Thare. I 
 
 Taggs, (takes coin) Why! that's a dollar; you only owe me 
 ten cents. i 
 
 Seth. You keep the rest of it. 
 
 Taggs. Fer sure? (in surprise 
 
 Seth. Yes, and maybe some more 'fore I leave. 
 
 Taggs. My ! I'm 'fraid I'll get— 
 
 Seth. Eh ? 
 
 Taggs. Held up. 
 
 Seth. Fer what? 
 
 Taggs. Fer de 90 cents, (puts moner in pocket) Thare ! Mike 
 Doud don't get his maulies on dat. Say, old man — 
 
 Seth. My name ain't old man. 
 
 Taggs. Well, what is it then ? 
 
 Seth. Do yer want'er know? 
 
 Taggs. Course I does, er I wouldn't er ask yer. 
 
 Seth. Well then, if yer want ter know, I'll tell ye. My names 
 Mulberrv, Seth Mulberry, but all the young folks up our way 
 call me Unc'e Seth. 
 
 Taggs. Uncle Seth? That kinder sounds nice, believe I'll call 
 3 er Uncle Seth. Can I ? 
 
 Seth. If ye want ter, Taggs. 
 
 Taggs. Well, I wantter. Say, Uncle Seth, whare do you live? 
 
 Seth. Live way up in Mississippi, on Mulberry Flat. 
 
 Taggs. Got any kids like me and Raldy up thare? 
 
 Seth. No Taggs, ain't got nothin' but er farm and two blind 
 mules. 
 
 Taggs. Wouldn't yer like tor have some girls like me and 
 Ealdy? 
 
 Seth. Why I might and then ergin I mightn't. 
 
 Taggs. 'Cos' if yer does, yer can have us. 
 
 Seth. What would Mike Doud say? 
 
 gs. DangMik^ l>oud, if he says anything, I'll sure put 
 
TAGGS, THE WAIF; OE, UNCLE SETH. 
 
 cr head on him — he ain't in it with dis fambly. {holds up doll 
 Enter, Hannah, r. u. e., stops and looks at Setii. 
 
 Ain't ye got noihin' but de blind mules, Uncle Seth? 
 
 Seth. Yes, got er wagon. 
 
 Taggs. I mean, ain't dere anything else up dare? 
 
 Seth, Yes, there's a big hotel, but 'tain'fc mine. 
 
 Taggs. I don't care, I wouldn't want er hotel, dey's too much 
 trouble. 
 
 Han. (comes c, calls) Taggs! 
 
 Taggs. (aside) O! lordy! Uncle Seth, there's de old crocko- 
 dile. 
 
 Han. Come here! (Taggs goes to her) Who is that? 
 
 Taggs. Old planter from up country. 
 
 Han. What made you'ns call him Uncle Seth? 
 
 Taggs. 'Cos' dat's his name! He told me. 
 
 Han. Has he got any of the dosh? 
 
 Taggs. You bet ! Lot's of it, a whole sack full — (stops suddenly) 
 er no! no! he ain't got any, it was_ another feller, h : ain't got 
 none. 
 
 Han. Ta.igs, yer a little liar, he has too. (goes back of bar) 
 You'll go in eie cellar fer that. Now Taggs, you mind de gentle- 
 man ani I see that he's enjoyin' hisself. (aside to Taggs) And you 
 keep him here till Mike comes, or the worse fer you. I'll send 
 for them. (exit, r. u. e. 
 
 Taggs. Old crockodile, I'd like to push 'er In de river, (to 
 Seth) Le's finish what we was talkin' erbou". About where 
 you lived. 
 
 Seth. O, yes! and do you think you'd like ter live thare? 
 
 Taggs. That's a good piece from here, ain't it? 
 
 Seth. Ye-, a long ways. 
 
 Taggs. Furder dan Mike Doud could come? 
 
 Seth. Further than he would come, Taggs. 
 
 Taggs. Den yer bet yer neck, I'd like ter gojUncle Seth 
 
 Seth. Well then you may go if yer wanter. 
 
 Taggs. Bully ler you, Uncle Seth— shake, (they shake hands) 
 Le's have another beer, Uncle Seth, 'fore Mike comes, fer he's 
 a goin' ter try ter fleece yer outen all yer dosh, but I won't let 
 him. 
 
 Seth. If he tries that game with'yer Uncle Seth, he'll get fooled, 
 that's all. 
 
 Taggs. Why so, Uncle Seth, got a gun? 
 
 Seth. Never you mind, just wait and see. 
 
 Taggs. Will ye hurt him ? 
 
 Seth. Well I might, and then ergin I mightn't. 
 
 Taggs. Say, Uncle Seth, kin you read? 
 
 Seth. Why child, I'm the postmaster up ter Mulberry Flat. 
 
 Taggs. (hands paper jrom bosom) Well, you just read that er 
 then, and see what 'tis — Mike dropped that a while ago and I 
 found er. 
 
 Seth. (unfolding paper) Why, a marriage certificate. 
 
 Taggs. Then 'tain't noihin' about me? " (disappct 
 
 Seth. (reading) "Jeff Dupreu to" — what! What's that 
 
 Helene— Helene— my child— my daughter, am I dreaming? What 
 
10 TAGGS, THE WAIF; OH, UNCLE SET II. 
 
 can that mean ? I thought ye dead, and now this cursed paper 
 tells me that you live — worse than death. O! Helene! flelene! 
 
 Taggs. What's the matter, Uncle Seth— do you know anything 
 about that ere paper? 
 
 Seth. Aye! Taggs, too much! too much! I'll tell ye all about 
 it gome time. 
 
 Taggs. Hush ! Uncle Seth, here comes Mike Doud. 
 
 Enter, Mike Doud, l., 2 e., goes behind bar and drinks. 
 
 Doud. How's business? 
 
 Taggs. Ain't none. 
 
 Seth. Mister, is your name Mike Doud? 
 
 Doud. That's what I'm generally called. 
 
 Seth. Then I sure wants ter talk with yer awhile, if you'll sit 
 with me. 
 
 Doud. (aside t) Taggs) He ain't no cop, nor nothin' ? 
 
 Taggs. IN'aw ! 
 
 Doud. Alright sir! I'm yer man. (seated 
 
 Seth. Taggs, bring ns some beer. We can just as well be com- 
 fortab'e while we are about it. (Taggs brings beer to table and 
 goes up) Mr. Doud, did you ever know a girl, a woman, a lady 
 by the name of Dupree, Helene Dupree? 
 
 ! Doud. Well yes, old man, I knowed a woman by that name : 
 she wasn't much of a lady ttiougli, ter my way er thinkin', but i 
 knowed er 'fore her name was Dupree, 'fore she married — 
 
 Seth. And she was — 
 
 Doud. Wall, she was stewardess on a Mississippi steam boat on 
 the "Saucy Belle," run from New Orleans up ter Memphis — her 
 name then was Helene Shepherd, so she said, but I never believed 
 it. She met Jeff Dupree on one trip — he was the best poker 
 player that was on the river — I guess they knowed each other 
 'fore that time, least wise they got married mighty quick, an I 
 that's all I know, only that Jeff soon left her, and that I ain't got 
 1.0 more beer in this here glass. 
 
 Seth. Taggs! some more beer fer Mr. Doud. (she serves him 
 
 Doud. What'd yer wanter know fer, old man? Some relation 
 of yours ? 
 
 Seth. Yes, er— that is, no, her father is a friend of mine, that's 
 all. Well, I guess I'll go — good-bye, Taggs. 
 
 Doud. Don't rush off, old man. 
 
 Enter, Feenchy and Dalton, l., 2 e., go up to bar— Seth c. 
 
 Frenchy. "Well, I'm back again, Taggsy, and I gofer in United 
 States dis time— see ! 
 
 (shows money — Taggs sets out glasses for them to drink 
 
 Seth. Good-night, Taggs. 
 
 Taggs. Ain't goin' Uncle Seth? It's early yet. 
 
 Seth. But my bed time, Taggs— time little" gals like you was 
 in bed too. 
 
 Doud. (during above Doud talks in undertone to Feenchy and 
 points to Seth — aside) He's got the dosh. 
 
 Frenchy. Then he's our meat. (crosses to Seth 
 
JAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETH. It 
 
 Enter, Hannah, r. u. e., stops at end of bar. 
 
 French}/, (to Seth) See here my ancient of the back woods' 
 set 'em up. 
 
 Seth. (Mike, Hannah and Dalton talking together, pointing to 
 Seth, c.} Set what up? 
 
 Frenchy. Why the drinks, of course. Everybody sets 'em up 
 when they come to town. 
 
 Taigs. No, they don't either. 
 
 French}/. Yes, they do too, don't they boys? 
 
 Dou !. Why certainly they do. 
 
 Han. Course they do. it makes trade better, (aside to Taggs) 
 Keep yer mouth shet, you little brat. 
 
 Seth. If yer wanted a dime ter buy a drink with, why didn't 
 yer say so? 
 
 Frenchy. Would yer give 'er to me ? 
 
 Seth. Well, I might and then ag'm I mightn't. 
 
 Taggs. Yer better go on and go ter bed, Uncle Seth, if yer 
 go in' ter. 
 
 Doud. {grabs Taggs and shakes her) Shet up! 
 
 Taggs. Well, he's my Uncle Seth, and I'll talk ter him if I 
 wanter. (slips to Seth's side of stage 
 
 Han. Drat that brat. 
 
 Frenchy. Say, yer old moss back, yer don't know who yer 
 talk in' to, do yer? (mad 
 
 Seth. A feller 'bout your size, I guess. (cool 
 
 Doud. Stick wid him. Frenchy, he's got de shiners. 
 
 Taggs. And he'll keep 'em too. 
 
 Han. Shet up! Stick a knife in him, Frenchy. 
 
 French}/, (others — Doud, Hannah and Dalton crowd to 
 Frenchy's back, drivini Skth r, Taggs front of table) Why, 
 darn yer ornery picter, I'd have yer to know dat I'm de boss on 
 dis street, I rule de roost— I'm FrenchV, de kid. 
 
 Seth. And I'm Seth Mulberry, a feller what can take care of 
 himself. 
 
 Taggs. Good fer you, Uncle Seth, good fer you. 
 
 Han. (to Taggs) Shet up! (Doud shakes his fist at her 
 
 Frenchy. Say, yer old Jay, I wanter tell you a story, (takes 
 chair front of Seth, sets fool in same) Once there was an old moss 
 back like you come ter New Orleans, and I asked him ter set 'em up 
 and he wouldn't do it— the next mornin' the cops found him up 
 on de levee wid a hole in him, here, (hand on heart) Dat's de 
 kind of a feller I am. (crosses over to others 
 
 Seth. (cool) It is, is it? 
 
 Frenchy. Yes, it is, is it ! 
 
 Seth. Now, let me tell you a story, (takes chair, crosses to 
 "Frenchy and sets foot in same) Once there was a ornery half- 
 breed cuban like you, come to Mulberry Flat, and tried to rule the 
 roost — well, all to once, he disappeared — thev hunted 'round fer 
 two days and succeeded in gettin' enough pieces in a market 
 basket ter hold a funeral over. They generally thought that a 
 powder mill exploded, but it didn't, it was yer Uncle Seth that 
 hit him— that's the kind of er man I am. (crosses down to r. 
 
 French}/. 0! it is, is it? 
 Seth. Yes, it is, is it. 
 
 Taggs, Bully fer you, Uncle Seth, yer got the whole eanf 
 
12 TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETH. 
 
 carrolled. 
 
 Han. You shet up you imp and come here ! 
 
 Taggs. Go to thunder yer old crockodile ! 
 
 Dond. What's de matter wid you Frenchy ? Stick de knife in 
 him. 
 
 Frenchy. (knife in hand) Old man, I'm goin' ter have some 
 excitement. {feeling edge of knife 
 
 Seth. And a hlack eye if ye ain't powerful careful ! 
 
 Taggs. Stay wid 'em, Uncle Seth. 
 
 Han. You shet up. (Taggs front of Seth 
 
 Frenchy. Mike, take that blasted kid away from thare; take er 
 away er I'll cut her shoe strings fer her. 
 
 (Taggs laughs, Seth lifts her upon table 
 
 Han. What's de matter Frenchy? Git a move on yer. 
 
 Doud. Knife him Frenchy, knife him ! 
 
 Taggs. Cowards! cowarls! 
 
 Frenchy. (croivd up) Old man, I'm goin' to have a piece of yer 
 < a r , will ye give up? (croivd up 
 
 Seth. No! {goes side of table, Taggs stands on table 
 
 Frenchy. Then, dam yer, here's at ye ! 
 
 (starts to rush on Seth with knife, otlurs crowd up 
 
 Seth. Stop! (all pause) I'll tell ye what I will do, I'll give 
 'e just five seconds ter git out of here, or I'll blow yer all ter 
 Memphis. 
 
 Presents pistols at crowd — they start back, stumbling against each 
 
 other. 
 
 Taggs. Hurrah fer Uncle Seth, Raldy ; hurrah ! hurrah ! 
 
 On top of table wildly dancing and whirling doll above her head — 
 confusion, 
 
 CUB TAIN. 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 SCENE I.— Woods in 2nd. grooves, 
 
 Enter, Jeff Dupree, l. e., and Bijou Darkixgtox, r. e., they 
 meet c, he raises his hat as they pass, pauses r. c. and looks 
 after her — Bijou u c, going. 
 
 Jeff. Bijou — Miss Darrington — 
 
 Bijou, (turning) I beg your pardon — Jeff Dupree! 
 
 Jeff. At your service, (shaking hands) 1 thought I could not 
 be mistaken in your identity, although it hnsbeen live years since 
 we have met, but that rive years has rested lightly with you Bijou 
 —pardon me, but it has been an improvement — you look more 
 charming than ever. 
 
 Bijou. Thanks, Monsieur ! but you flatter me, however I can 
 not return the compliment, lor your lace tells me that father time 
 lias not been so kind to you, lor by the lines < n your face, the 
 crow's feet at your eyes tell me that you have seen trouble. As I 
 Yisq— (raising his hat) a gray hair— ah! old father time is shaking 
 
TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETH. IS 
 
 a dredging box over your head. 
 
 Jeff. Yes, 'tis true. Five years ago I was, as you know, a 
 prosperous planter, was independent — to-day I am a baggar, 
 caused by the war and the cursed South. 
 
 Bijou. Take care, you forget that I claim the South as my birth 
 place, my country, my hom3. The blooJ that courses through my 
 veins— though French — is the warm blood of the Sunny South. 
 
 Jeff. And am I not a Southerner? I am as loyal to" her cause 
 to-day, as I was the day Abe. Lincoln issued his call for 20,0l)J 
 more men, but my espousing the cause of the South, is the reason 
 of my present poverty — the reason I am known as Gentleman Jett. 
 
 Bijou. Gentleman Jett', the noted gambler, the prince of that 
 light fingered gentry. 
 
 Jeff'. The same! the day was, when I would have scorned a 
 card, to-day 'tis my ruling passion — the war is the cause of it all. 
 First, my slaves were set free, then my plantation was lost in 
 obscurity — 'tis true, I still own it, but a southern gentleman 
 work? No! all I had left was my boat, the ''Saucy Bell." 
 
 Bijou. The Saucy Bell? The noted blockade runner; and 
 was that vours ? 
 
 Jeff. Yes, and a truer little craft never danced merrily over 
 the bosom of the old Mississippi. 
 
 Bijou. The Saucy Bell. Ah! I've often heard of that darin j 
 little craft — and where is she now? "The South has great cause t > 
 thank her for her work, Monsieur — 'twas a good cause, and the 
 Saucy Bell worked nobly for it. [ would like to see that boat, 
 where is she now? 
 
 Jeff. To-day she lies in tne mud at the bottom of the Mississippi 
 river. That cursed Yankee hoard found her, burned her to the 
 water's level, and in glee, watched the murky waters of the old 
 Mississippi close over her, watched her pass from their sight for- 
 ever. That is why I cursed the South — 'tis the reason 1 bee inn a 
 gambler — the reason you see me here to-day — to, if possible, re- 
 plemish my almost exausted exchpquer — but you do not t;ll nu 
 whv I find you here in the grounds of the Grand View hote 1 . 
 
 Bijou. The reason ! 'Tis almost identical with yours, Monsieur. 
 
 Jeff. With mine, Bijou? 
 
 Bijou. Yes, when a woman is thrown upon her own resources, 
 there is but one thing for her to do these d iys. 
 
 Jeff. And that is? 
 
 Bijou. To marry a rich husband, that is why you see me here. 
 
 Jeff. And you have — 
 
 Bijou. Failed! Yes, Monsieur, the bait was not sufficiently 
 tempting; I have failed, so now you see me leaving. 
 
 Jeff. Leaving; so soon? Surely you are not dissatisfied with 
 the accommodations of the Grand View? Or have you become 
 tired of this truly beautiful spot? 
 
 Bijou. Oh ! Monsieur, poverty very often forces one to become 
 tired of a place, whether they will or not — 'tis so in my case. A 
 three france piece would look a fortune in my eyes — in fact, I have 
 been ejected from the Grand View, on account of an unpaid bill. 
 
 Jeff. So bad as that ? 
 
 Bijou, So bad that I have not a sou ! 
 
 Jeff. Bijou, I cm help you if you will. Have you any objec- 
 tions to a partnership with me? 
 
 Bijou. I object to nothing, if it will only bring me money, that 
 
U TAGGS, THE WAIF; OH, UNCLE SETH% 
 
 I must have. 
 
 Jeff. And that I can promise you, for with your help, I can 
 see my way clearly to a cool 5,000. Bijou, we wera once partners 
 in the play house and mud pie business — were sworn lovers when 
 we were seven years of age — [ could trust you then — I feel that I 
 can trust you now. 
 
 Bijou. Only say money, and I will stop at nothing— but your 
 wife? 
 
 Jeff. My wife? I have no wife — 'tis true there is one who 
 bears my name, but my name only. She with her cursed nor- 
 thern principles and her clandestine lovers, her false heart — has 
 drove me to what I am, has ruined me. I killed her lover, I 
 should have killed her— we are enemys till death. But no more 
 of that, we have other busines-. I told you that I w r as hereto 
 improve my fortunes, now I will tell j r ou my plan for doing so, 
 but first, will you read that? (hands legal paper 
 
 Bijou, (reading) "Mulberry Flats, Aug. the — " 
 
 Jeff. The date is to be filled in. 
 
 Bi,ou. O! yes. (reads) "1867: This is to certify that I, Seth 
 Mulberry, of my own free wi.l. agree, that if I ever wish to sell 
 my farm, (known as Mulberry Flats, consisting of 40 acres) I will 
 at once notify and give the first chance to purchase same, to Jeffer- 
 son Dupree, for a sum upon which we may agree, as a forfeit on 
 his (Duprees) part to fulfill his part of contract, I this day do 
 receive from him $200; said $200 in case of sale to be credited 
 to him. Signed, Jelt'erson Dupree and — " the other signatures 
 are not here as yet. Well — (turning to Jeff 
 
 Jeff, (slipping one paper off of other) Xow read. 
 
 Bijou, (reading) "Keeeived of Jeff Dupree $200, being: pay- 
 ment in full lor my farm, known as Mulberry Flats; signed, 
 etc., etc." (taming) Well, one is an agreement, the other a 
 receipt, both unsigned except by you — as they are, they are worth- 
 less — what they may lead to, I do not pretend to know —enlighten 
 me. 
 
 Jiff, (takingpopers and placing them as they were at first) I will, 
 I expect to get Mulberry to sign that paper, when he does so, he 
 will not. know that there are two papers, one cut so that thosi 
 words show through that are wanted, and those that are not 
 wanted, do not show. When he will sign that paper, they are 
 both together and innocent enough. Then all we have to do is to 
 remove the upper one and he has clearly sold hi* farm for $200 — 
 and you must sign of course, as a witness, and we are joint owners 
 ot Mulberry Flats. 
 
 Bijou. All very well, Monsieur, but 1 do not want to own a 
 farm or be a dairy maid, all i want is money. 
 
 Jeff. And you shall have it too. Listen : the government has 
 decided to purchase the land as a national park, and have voted to 
 pay him $5,000 for it. He knows nothing of that, so for $200 we 
 can get $5,000. 
 
 Bijou. 1 see! I see! What a win 1 fall, what a God send — and 
 my part is — 
 
 Jeff. To play the part of a disinterested friend to both sides, to 
 persuade the old man to sign that paper, to sign it yourself, and 
 to see that w r e have no witnesses but yourself. 
 
 Bijou. If I do all this, then — 
 
 Jeff, There is a five pound note. 
 
TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETH. 15 
 
 Bijou, (takes money) Five pounds, the bank of England, $25. 
 
 Jeff. Yes, $25, and if you succeed, I promise you 50 times the 
 amount. 
 
 Bijou. Ah ! Monsieur, we must succeed, but the amount quite 
 takes my breath away. 
 
 JetT. Buc $1,250 will soon restore it. 
 
 Bijou. Oui ! 'Twould tempt one to return from paradise. 
 
 Jeff. Take that $25, go to the Grand View, i roeure a room — 
 my room is 96, you get 95 or 97, so as to be near me, cultivate the 
 acquaintance of old Mulberry and his adopted daughter — he ii the 
 Postmaster, so you will have a good excuse. I shall try to arrange 
 h meeting to take place in the parlors of the Grand View soon. 
 Meet me in the lobby of the hotel this evening at (looks at watch) 
 seven. I trust you fully, don't dare to play me false. 
 
 (exit, L. E. 
 
 Bijou. Oui! Monsieur — not 1, au revoir till seven. Was there 
 ever such a wind fall, $25, with the promise of 1250 more, and ten 
 minutes ago, I was penniless. I have tried for days to raise the 
 wind, and succeeded at last, when least expected. To-morrow he 
 may not know me, or may wish to marry me, just as the notion 
 takes him. (looking at bill in hand 
 
 Taggs. (off r., singing) "Razzle, dazzle, boom tarara, I whistle 
 and wait for Katie." 
 
 Enter, Taggs, r. e., on a run, with a pail in hand, stops suddenly 
 and looks at Buou. 
 
 (aside) Ain't she a diz? 
 
 Bijou, (aside) The f dry of the forest— a heroine in r.ig.; — an' 
 un cut gem — a diamond in the rough. 
 
 Taggs. (singing and looking at Buou) "Dj coppers will git 
 you, Suzy," 
 
 Bijou. What have you in your pail, lirt'e girl? 
 
 Taggs. Xothin' ! do yer want some? 
 
 B jou. And what were you going to get in it? 
 
 Tangs. Blackberries fer to make a pie fer my Uncle Seth's sup- 
 per, Saba ? 
 
 Bijou. And why don't you get them? 
 
 Taggs. 'Cos' I don't know a blackberry from a ham sandwitch, 
 an 1 Uncle Setli'll have ter do widout a pie to-night. 
 
 Bijou. A country girl not know a blackberry? (laughing 
 
 Taggs. 1 ain't no country girl, I come from New Orleans, uster 
 tend bar thar' fer .Mike; Doul, and yer be!; yer neck, we run de 
 toughest joint in de city. 
 
 Bijou. Then how did you cime to be away up here? 
 
 Taggs. Why yer see, Uncle Seth, he come down dar on a little 
 sport. n' fake, and he got inter a scrap wid de coppers, and he 
 come inter Mike's joint, so's dey wouldn't git sights on him. 
 
 Bijou. But how did you come here? 
 
 Taggs. Wid me legs o' co'rse. Yer don't see no trolly cars a 
 runnin' here, do ye? 
 
 Bijou. But who are you? 
 
 Taggs. I'm de letter that never came. 
 
 Bijou. O! but little girl, you don't understand me— what 13 
 your name ? 
 
16 TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SET II. 
 
 Taggs. Taggs. 
 
 Bijou. Taggs what? 
 
 Taggs. Why Taggs nothin'. You don't 'spose a feller has ter 
 have a handle to his name if he don't wanter, do you? 
 
 Bijou. But most people do. 
 
 Taggs. But I ain't most people. I'm just Taggs. 
 
 Bijou. Wliere do you live ? (Taggs down on stage, playing with 
 vail) Litlle girl — Taggs — 
 
 'Taggs. Hun! 
 
 Bijou. Where do you live? 
 
 Taggs. With my Uncle tieth up ter Mulberry Flats; that's 
 where. 
 
 Bijou. Then you are his adopted daughter, are you not? 
 
 Taggs. Huh ! 
 
 Bjou. He took you to raise? 
 
 Taggs. I don't need no raisen— I'll bring myself up. Say, 
 \\ hat's your name? 
 
 Bijou. Bijou Darrington. 
 
 Taggs. And what was yer doin' here in the woods? 
 
 Bijou. I was taking a constitutional. 
 
 Taggs. (interested) Whar's you takin it to? 
 
 Bijou. 1 mean I was taking a walk. 
 
 Taggs. O ! I generally comes here ter roll on the grass and kick 
 up my heels and holler just as loud as I can, 'cos' there ain't no 
 n em old cop ter come along and tell yer to keep off'en the grass 
 and ter move on. 
 
 Bijou. Well Taggs, I've rather taken a fancy to you, and while 
 1 stay at the Grand View, I am going to take you as my protegee. 
 
 Taggs. Your what egee? 
 
 Bijou. Why, I'll be a friend to you and learn you all I can. 
 
 Taggs. (aside) Ah! rats, I thought she inent something when 
 she said that biir word. 
 
 Bijou. And I'll come to see you often at your house. You 
 want me to come, don't you? 
 
 Taggs. (aside) Yes, I'm just dyin' to see you. 
 
 Bijou. What did you say, Taggs? 
 
 Taggs. You'll send me word 'fore you come, won't you# 
 
 Bijou. Yes, if you wish it. 
 
 Tangs, (aside) Then I won't be at home when she comes. 
 
 Bijou. Well, I must be going — I'll see you soon, Taggs. 
 
 Taggs. Wait! I wanter ask yer somethin' — can I? 
 
 Bijou. If you wish too. 
 
 Taggs. Well then, if a nigger in Tennessee calls a white man :i 
 liar, how long will it take a doctor to pick de lead outen him? 
 
 Bijou, (aside) Really, she's a very peculiar child, (aloud) I 
 don't know Taggs, how long will it? 
 
 Taqgs. Dey~don't pick it out, dey just bury him"and let 'er g G 
 at that — see! (runs off r., 1 e., laughing 
 
 SCENE II. — Kitchen in 3rd grooves — small table l. laid for two, 
 three slices ofbreadandjug of molasses on table, chairs to table, 
 small box on chair for Taggs to sit on — chair up R. 
 
TAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SET II. 17 
 
 Enter, Taggs, l. e., on a run, calling. 
 
 Taggs. Uncle Seth ! Uncle Seth ! Say, Uncle Seth, I couldn't 
 —why! where's Uncle Seth? {goes l., 3 e., calls, goes R., 3 e., 
 calls, goes c, calls, comes down, rattles pail loudly as a gong, call- 
 ing) Supper ! supper ! supper ! Come on to supper, Uncle Seth ! 
 (pause) I guess lie ain't eomin'. (goes to table) Supper all ready. 
 My! I'm awful hungry— L guess I won't wait fer Uncle Seth. 
 (climbing in chair) 'Cos' I yot a appetite that'll kick if I do. 
 (looks over table) Lasses and bread, and bread and lasses, and 
 that's what ge s me every time— I like lasses, (pouring molasses 
 on plate, holds jug very high, so as to make molasses string) and I 
 like bread too. (takes two large pieces) 1 wish Uncle Seth would 
 come. If I was as big as my appetite, I bet I'd be a dandy. 
 
 (eating 
 
 Enter, Seth, r., 1 e. * 
 
 Seth. Hello! Taggs, eatin' supper, are ye? That's right my 
 girl, that's right; girls like you wariter eat lots — eat all yer want. 
 Taggs. You b t yer neck I will, Unole 8 :th, if the grub holds 
 our. (eating) Whar' ye bin? 
 
 Seth. (brings clear from it. to c.) Bin puttin' up the mail. 
 Taggs. Nothin' fer me 1 reckon? 
 
 Seth. Xo! Who'd ye 'spose would write to you, Taggs? 
 
 Taggs. How'd i kno\v who migh ;? Lot's t r people might write 
 ter me. 
 
 Seth. Yes they might, ami then ergin they mightn't. 
 
 Taggs. That's so, Uncle Seth — why don't yer come on ter yer 
 supper ? 
 
 Seth. 'Cos' I ain't hungry, Taggs— you go on and eat your 
 supper. 
 
 Taggs. Ain't hungry ! My ! I wish I could divide my appetite 
 with you, 'cos I believe I've got enough fer two. (eating) Bread 
 and lasses fer supper and ain't hungry ? Well then, if Uncle Seth 
 ain't hungry, I ain't either. (climbs down 
 
 Seth. Done eatin', Taggs? 
 
 Tag is. Yep! Wasn't as hungry as I thought I was. 
 
 Seth. Then if yer done eatin', come here and we'll go on with 
 school teachin'. (Taggs goes to him oni kneels side of him) Now 
 Ta<rg*, have ye forgot what I told you yesterday? 
 
 Taggs. I 'spect 1 have, Unc'e Seth, try me and see. 
 
 Seth. Well then we'll commence on arithematic— let me see 
 how fer you can count. 
 
 Taggs. One— two? 
 
 Seth. Yes, that's right, go ahead. 
 
 Taggs. Three — four — live— six— seven— eight— nine — ten. 
 
 !-eth. Don't sop— go on. 
 
 Taggs. (quick) Jack— Queen — Kins. 
 
 Seth. Xo! no! Tasrgs, that ain't right. 
 
 Taggs. Yes it is, Uncle Seth. That's the way we counted at 
 31 ike bond's plaC3. 
 
 Seth r But that ain't right, it's ten — eleven— twelve — thirteen 
 
 Taggs. Hold on Unale Seth, you are runnin' in a marked deck 
 on us. 
 
 Seth. Ah ! Taggs, my girl, I fear ye'll never learn. 
 
18 TAGGS, THE WAIF; OH, UNCLE SET II. 
 
 Taggs. So do I Uncle Seth, but give me another chance. 
 
 Seth. Well then, if there are Ave sheep in a pen, and two jump 
 out, how many left? 
 
 Taggs. (studies) Wei!, (slowly) thcre'd be— was it sheep or 
 hogs. 
 
 Seth. Sheep. 
 
 Taggs. Then thare wouldn't be none left. 
 
 Seth. Taggs! Taggs! 
 
 Taggs. Well there wouldn't— 'cos' if one was ter jump out, ah 
 the rest would foller. 
 
 Seth. Taggs, ye'll never learn it. 
 
 Taggs. Try me on somethin' else. 
 
 Seth. Well then, have you forgot [all about Geography I told 
 you? 
 
 Taggs. I 'spect I have, Uncle Seth, try me. 
 
 Seth. Then what is a strait? 
 
 Taggs. (studies) A strait is a — er — when the boys play 'em, 
 they beat three of a kind. 
 
 Seth. Taggs ! Taggs ! 
 
 Taggs. Yes, they do, Uncle Seth — that's the way they play at 
 Mike Doud's. I know what a streight is — try me on samethin' 
 else. 
 
 Seth. Get the Bible, Taggs. 
 
 Taggs. That's the stuff, (rising) That's a boo'.c out of sight. 
 {going r., 3 e.) 1 remember what you told me about that. 
 
 (exit, k., 3 e. 
 
 lie-enter, Taggs, r., 3 e., with large book, with great show oj weight, 
 comes to Seth. 
 
 My ! that's heavy, why don't yer get a littler one, Uncle Seth ? 
 
 {takes former position 
 
 Seth. (opening book) What did we read about last, Taggs ? 
 
 Taggs. Why, it was erbout snakes and apple-, and men and 
 women. 
 
 Seth. Adam and Eve, Taggs. 
 
 Taggs. Yes! them's the teller's, only I couldn't think of their 
 names, and how was they dressed, Uncle Seth. 
 
 Seth. They made dresses of fig leaves. 
 
 Taggs. That's the stuff— fig leaves, (pause) Say, Uncle Seth. 
 did de snake come ter Eve? 
 
 Seth. Yes, that's what the Bible says. 
 
 Taggs. (pause) Did Eve wear boots? 
 
 Seth. Wear boots? Taggs, what yer thinkin' about? 
 
 Taggs. O! I was jis' a wonderin' if the snakes got in like dey 
 :lid in Mike Doud's boot's once. 
 
 Seth. Taggs, ye orient ter talk that er way about Bible people, 
 'tain't right. 
 
 Taggs. O! I know it Uncle Seth, but I was just a thinkin'. A 
 feller can't keep from thinkiu' yer know. 
 
 Seth. Now Taggs, you be right still, and I'll read some fer ye. 
 
 Taggs. How still must I be. Uncle Seth? 
 
 Seth. Be so still ye can hear a pin drop. 
 
 Taggs. Well go on with yer readin'. Uncle Seth. 
 
 Seth. (reads) Chapter the thirteenth — 
 
 Taggs. Don't read that one, Uncle Seth. 
 
JAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETS. 19 
 
 Seth. Why not? 
 
 Taggs. 'Cos' thirteen is a hoo do every time. Read fourteen. 
 Seth. (reads) Chapter fourteen, verse first*, and the Apostle 
 Paul said — 
 
 Enter, Jeff, r., 1 e., quickly. 
 
 Jeff. Good evening sir? I am told that this is the Post oflic ; 
 and you the postmaster. I am stopping at the Grand View, and 
 tailed to have my mail sent in care of that house, so I suppose I 
 shall call for it here ! Lavv'son — Frances Lawson ! 
 
 Seth. Well, I'll see. (looks over a number of letters in his hat 
 
 Taggs. {aside) Gentleman Jeff. 
 
 (looks at him ami laughs, he meets her eye and starts 
 
 Jeff, (aside) The devil! Taggs! How came she here? 
 
 Taggs rises and goes to l. c, about to speak to Jeef, he signs to 
 her not to sjieak — she goes back to Seth, troubled — icatches Jeff. 
 
 Seth. Well Mister, there's nothin' here fer yon. 
 
 Jeff. No! probably the letters I am expect: n.i;\ will arrive to- 
 morrow. 
 
 Seth. Well, they might, and then a'gin they mightn't. 
 
 Jeff. Exactly sir! but I shall take the benefit of the doubt and 
 rail. I greatly enjoy the walk here from the Grand View, the 
 scenery is very picturesque— I should greatly like to own such a 
 place as this lor it's historical ree.ml. There was a great battle 
 louglit heie a few years ago, 1 believe . 
 
 Seta. Yes, Mister, blood v and sickening, as well as great. 
 
 Jeff. So you saw that, did you? Was in that battle, maybi? 
 
 >tth. No ! What account would I be in battle? They wanted 
 soldiers— strong men who could fight a hand to hand conflict, if 
 necessary. 1 was born here, Mister. Father and mother lived 
 and died here, and so will I. 1 love the old place as though it was 
 a living thing. Years ago I was familiar with every stone, every 
 giant tree in the woods, where the squirrels barked and chattered 
 a 1 day, but now 1 am an old man, of no use to any one, and those 
 things are but a memory, a dream. I've sat here in the old house 
 and looked at the old trees and that grand old mountain thare, with 
 her snow cappe 1 summit, until I've grown to love 'em as liv.n' 
 things. 1 know that's wrong, and the good book here, says we 
 ortent ter do it, but stranger, I can't help it, it's my nature, but 
 'twon't be fer long. I'm goin' down all the' time, soon I'll fall, and 
 then a short time, all there'll be to mark whar' Seth Mulberry was, 
 will be a mound of green moss, jist like the old tree. 
 
 Taggs. O: Uncle Seth, 1 wish you wouldn't talk that er way, 
 it makes me feel like 1 was er goin' ter have the chills and fever'. 
 
 Seth. Well! well! Taggs, 1 won't do it no more, but yer Uncle 
 Seth's kinder got the blues this evenin'. Excuse me Mister, fer 
 runnin' on so, but I'm glad ye like Mulberry Flat3, I want every 
 body ter like it, and like old Seth Mulberry and Taggs too, don't 
 we Taggs ? 
 
 Tangs. Yer bet yer neck we do, Uncle Seth. 
 
 Jeff. Yes, Mr. Mulberry, I do like Mulberry Flats, I have taken 
 a great fancy to it, and would be glad to call the place my own, 
 and if you should want to part with it, we will not haggle over 
 
SO TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETH. 
 
 the price. 
 
 Seth. Well Mister, I don't know, it don't look right fer me ter 
 part with the old place, but here's all I live fer. (putting arm 
 around Taggs) She's all I got, and if the worst come 2 , we'll have 
 to part with the farm — we'ns are all right now, Mister. 
 
 Jeff. Well &ir ! at any time you wish to sell, communicate with 
 me at the Grand View, and as J said before, the price shall be no 
 object. (exit, k. k. 
 
 Seth. (Taggs takes former position) Taggs, what do ye think 
 about sellin' the old place? 
 
 Taggs. I don't know, what do you think? 
 
 Seth. We may have to", Taggs. 
 
 Taggs. Then if we have to, why sell er, and if don't, why don't. 
 Go on with yer readin', Uncle Seth. 
 
 Seth. Whar* was I? Chapter fourteen. And the Apostle 
 Paul— 
 
 Taggs. Say, Uncle Seth — now what did Paul say? 
 
 Seth. Why the Apostle Paul said — 
 
 Enter, Bijou, K., 1 e., quickly. 
 
 Bijou. Good evening, Uncle Seth — Mr. Mulberry. I beg par- 
 don, but I have heard you called Uncle Seth so often, the title has 
 become so familiar to me Monsieur, that I quite forgot myself, 
 being an entire stranger to you, let me ask your pardon. I do 
 not wish to intrude Monsieur, but merely called to a>k for mail. 
 1 was expecting, by this day's post, a remittance from my limine, 
 France — what you Americans call, the land of the sunshine. Is 
 there any maiTfor Bijou Darrington? 
 
 ^eth. W ell, I'll see. (business with hat as before 
 
 Tags, (aside) Bats! she's the one what said I was goin' lerbe 
 her, what you call it — she's jist like a cat, all right while ye rub 
 the fur the right way, jist like velvet then, but you bet yer neck, 
 the claws are thare, and I 'spect somebody'll get scratched too. 
 
 Seth. No, Miss, thar's nothin' fer yer. 
 
 Bijou. Then 1 have had my walk for nothing, but perhaps what 
 I am expecting, may arrive by to-morrow's post. 
 
 Seth. Yes, it might, and then ergin it mightn't. 
 
 Bijou. 'Twill give me great pleasure to call to-morrow, as I 
 believe I can claim acquaintance with the little girl — your daughter 
 — I met her less than an hour ago, Monsieur. 
 
 Seth. Did you meet the lady, Taggs? 
 
 Taggs. (slowly) Yes, 'twas in the woods. 
 
 Bijou. Yes, 'twas in the woods, and we soon became acquainted, 
 and I hope we. will be the best of friends during my stay at the 
 Grand View, this summer. 
 
 Seth. Well, I don't know, I was er thinkin' of sendin' Taggs 
 Ter school clown ter Memphis — we'ns are poor people, Miss, but°I 
 want Taggs ter be edicated. 
 
 Bijou. Why, Monsieur, the very thing, I can offer you a plan, 
 if you will not think it forward in me. 
 
 Taggs. Well, spring it, she can't turn our stomach, can she, 
 Uncle Seth ? 
 
 Bijou. I was about to offer my services as teacher, happily, 
 Monsieur, I am blessed with a good education, and as f am stop- 
 ping at the Grand View for the summer, and with nothing to do 
 
TAG GS, THE WAIF; OB. UNCLE, SETK. S) 
 
 I should like nothing better than to teach your little girl, I woulc' 
 become her tutor gratis. 
 
 Seth. But the trouble it would put you too — 
 
 B>j >u. Trouble ? No Monsieur, believe me, 'twould be a pleas- 
 ure. 
 
 Set 'i. Taggs, would ye like the lady to teach ye, so ye can read 
 books, so ye can read figures like the girls in the city's? Woulc 
 ye, Taggs? (pause) Taggsi 
 
 Tuij is. Huh ! 
 
 Seth. !>n ye want the lady f-r yer teacher? 
 
 Taggs. (sullen) Ain't dead stuck on it. 
 
 Bijou. I am sure we would get along nicely. 
 
 Seth. O! Taggs is bright— I been a teaehin' her — she's quick 
 ter learn — Taggs, make yer respects ter the lady and say a piece. 
 
 Taggs. Oh ! Uncle Seth, I don't want to. 
 
 Seth. Do Taggs — say it fer me then. 
 
 Taggs. Well, I'll say it fer you. 
 
 Seth. (to Bijou) I'learned her this, but I didn't know all of it, 
 so she fixed it up ter suit herself. Go on, Taggs. 
 
 Taggs. Jack and Jill went up the hill, 
 For to rush the growler ; 
 Jack fell down and broke a $3 bill, 
 And Jill said, keen the change Jackey, it's all yours. 
 (runs off l. k., laughing and singing 
 
 Seth. Taggs is an awful lively girl. Miss— I don't know what 
 I'd do, if it wasn't fer her, she's all the sunshine of my life now, 
 and Taggs loves her Uncle Seth too. 
 
 Bijou. Yes, I see that there is a great bond of friendship be- 
 tween you, she will be a great support for you to lean on in your 
 old age. 
 
 Seth. Yes she might, and then ergin she mightn't. I thought 
 that once before, but ye know that man proposes and God dis- 
 poses. 
 
 Enter, Taggs. l., 3 e., comes to table. 
 
 Taggs. That ain't right. Uncle Seth. Man proposes and de 
 girl give3 him de razzle dazzle. (climbs into chair and eats 
 
 Bijou. But Mr. Mulberry, don't you become lonesome here? 
 This place is so quiet. Don't you sometimes long for the noise 
 and bustle of the city ? 
 
 Taggs. (aside) Bustles is outer date now. 
 
 Seth. I uster, but not now— long's Taggs is satisfied, then I'm 
 
 satisfied. . , ,,,,.. 
 
 Bijou. I should think, Monsieur, that you would sell this place 
 and o-o to the city — with all the tourists and moneyed men stop- 
 ping 'at the Grand View, get them to bidding against each other, 
 and°you could get a great deal more for the place than 'tis really 
 
 worth. 
 
 Seth. But that ain't right, that would almost be cheatin'. The 
 good book says, "treat yer neighbor as yerself." # 
 
 Bijou. Y T es, Monsieur, that i- true, but there is a gentleman at 
 the hotel now. who wants your place badly, and will give an 
 exorbitant price for it, he even offers $200 for the first refusal of 
 
22 TAGGS, THE WAIF; Oli, UNCLE SET a. 
 
 it. 
 
 Seth. Well, lie might, ami then ergin lie mightn't. I ain't de- 
 cided ter soil, when I do I'll — I'll see him first. {exit, r:., :i e. 
 
 B jou. (uwtzhing him off — aside) My* lirst stroke for 250 pounds 
 — now to make my peace with the girl, (aloud) Taggs, Monsieur 
 Mulberry has left us to grow better acquainte 1 with each o her. 
 Won't you come and shake hands with ine? [pause) Tagga ! 
 
 Ta/gs. (at table eating) Huh! 
 
 Bijou. Shake hands ■ with me and let us be friends, (pause) 
 Won't you? 
 
 Taggs. Huh ! 
 
 Bijou. Don't you want to shake hands with me? 
 
 Taggs. (aside) O! I'm just dyin' ter shake hands with her. 
 
 Bijou. If you don't shake hands with me, I shall think that 
 301 don't like me — (pause) are you coming? 
 
 Taggs. (aside) I s'pose I'll have ter, fer Uncle Seth's sak \ 
 
 Puts hand in molasses and crosses to Bijou, slowly — they shake 
 
 hands. 
 
 Bijou, (jerks hand away, jumps back) Whv! Taggs, what's 
 that? 
 
 Taggs. (u c, licking her fingers) Lasses! 
 
 Bijou. Molasses? (holding hand away from dress 
 
 Taggs. (licking fingers and laughing) Yes! (aside) She's 
 'iraid she'll git stuck on herself, (aloud) Here, eat 'em oft", thev 
 are good. (hands piece of bread 
 
 Bijou, (wipes hand with bread) Taggs, why did you serve me 
 that' way? 
 
 Taggs. 'Cos' I wanted too, that's why. I don't like you — you 
 are a cat, but you won't scratch me, nor my Uncle Seth, neither. 
 
 Bijou. Why Taggs, what ever put such an idea as that in your 
 head ? 
 
 Taggs. Why! itjistcome thare, that's all. (by table — aside) 
 I bet I'll raise her clean outen degame right now. (jumping back) 
 O! th are's a rat! a rat! aratrunnin' at you — a rat! a rat! (scream- 
 ing — Bijou screams and runs to opposite side of stage, jumps on 
 chair and gathers up skirts, looking for rat — Taggs opposite of 
 Bijou, laughing and pointing to her) Another train held* up in th'j 
 West. (exit, l. e., on a run, laughing 
 
 SCENE III. — A Street or Wood seine in 1st. grooves. 
 
 Enter, Jeff, r. e. 
 
 Jeff. At last luck seems to favor me. This scheme of mine will 
 certainly prove a success. I had almost given up all hope of ever 
 restoring my fallen fort ines — cards we e all a gainst me — nothing 
 went right, but nu\v 1 teel most s.xnguine of success. Old Mulberry 
 failed to recognize me as his son-in-law. (laughs) What a sur- 
 prise it would be to the religion-; ol 1 crank, to learn t lat Frances 
 Lawson, the gentleman of leisure, was his promising son-in-law, 
 Jeff Dupree, who won the title of the prince of gamblers, in the 
 palmy days of the old Mississippi. They called me gentleman 
 Je& then, and gentleman -Jeff it shall be, corns what may. 
 
TAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SET II. 23 
 
 Enter, Taggs, r. e., on a run and laughing, runs into Jeff. 
 
 Taggs. Hello! what yer tryin' ter do? Yer better knock a 
 feller down and be done with it. That jarred all my teeth loose ; 
 I 'spect I'll have ter gum it through all the rest of my life. Why ! 
 hello ! Jeffey old boy. how do you run ? 
 
 Jef. Taggs! you have not forgotten me then? 
 Tangs. Forgot you? Not much, when a feller says that Taggs 
 will fergit her friends, then all they've got ter do is ter put up 
 their dukes and shy their castor, (pugalistic attitude) That's me 
 every tiim, yer c m bet yer neck I m a dead game sport. 
 
 Jeff. So I see, and as lively and light hearted as ever. Taggs, 
 was you ever serious a minute in your life? 
 
 Taggs. No, I 'spect not ; 1 jist always teel like I wanted to holler 
 jist as loud as I can, and be a bad gang and paint things red, list 
 like Mike Doud does, when he gits a jag on. O ! sometime* I feel 
 jist like I wanted ter sit right down kesplunk (sits on stage) like 
 that and cry, only I feel more like laughin'. ( a'ighs 
 
 Jeff. Yes, Taggs, I can easily believe that — it's your disposition. 
 The clouds may cross the sun, but it makes no dark spot for you — 
 you are always happy and have been ever since I knew you. 
 
 Taggs. Say, Jeff, how long have you knowed me? 
 
 Jeff, Why. ever since you was about four years old, when I 
 first went on the Saucy Bell. 
 
 Taggs. Well, it you've knowed me that long; on the dead 
 square now, Jeftey, who am I? 
 
 Jeff. Now Taggs, you have asked me a hard question. You've 
 been Taggs, the Waif, ever since I knew you. When I went ou 
 the Saucy Bell, you was there, no one knew how long you had 
 been there, or where you come from — you was under no one's 
 charge, so I took you in care — 
 
 Taggs. Then I ain't nobody in particular, only jist Taggs. 
 
 Jeff. That's about the size of it, Taggs. 
 
 Taggs. And I s'pose I'll jist always be Taggs, the Waif. 
 
 Jeff. That lies with you, Taggs, whether you make a name for 
 yourself to be proud of, or to be ashamed of, is with you and you 
 onlv — you are practically on your own resources. 
 
 Taggs. What's de matter wid Uncle Seth ? Ain't he in it? 
 
 Jeff. Your Uncle Seth, as you call him, is an old man, Taggs, 
 his work is nearly over, and as you must know, is a very poor 
 man. 
 
 Tagjs. Yes, I know that, but all I'm kiokin' about, is dat I 
 wanter be somebody. I don't care who, just so I'm somebody 
 'ceptin' Taggs. 
 
 Jeff, (aside) I fear that will never be. (aloud) Why do you 
 call Mulberry your uncle, TagiS? 
 
 Taggs. 'Cos' 1 loves him and he loves me — he's the only one 
 that was ever kind ter me ; he don't get mad and lick me like Mike 
 Doud did, and he said I could call him my Uncle Seth. 
 
 Jeff. And how did you come to be away up here? I thought 
 you was in New Orleans. 
 
 Taggs. Well, Uncle Seth came down thare and I seen him at 
 
 Mike's, and I took a shine to him right off— dey was agoin' ter 
 
 razzle dazzle him ter all hisdosh, and we got inter a scrap? I was 
 
 ired of bein' a beer waiter fer Mike, and Uncle Seth said I could 
 
 ome and stay with him if I wanted to, and I iustco ne, and that's 
 
24 TAGGS, THE WAIF; 017, UNCLE <F.TII. 
 
 all there is to it. Say, what did you c >me here lory 
 
 Jeff. I am here to make a trade, if possible. (Taggs imitates 
 dealing cards) No! (laughing) that's all passed, Taggs, I've quit 
 that. 
 
 Taggs. And who are ye goin' ter trade with? 
 
 Jeff I wish to purchase your uncle's farm, Mulberry Flats. 
 
 Taggs. What do you want with a farm, Jeii? Snmethin' 
 crooked thare, you are goin' ter cheat my Uncle Seth outen ii. 
 
 Jeff. No, Taggs, I have broke away from that old life. I have 
 resolved to be a gentleman — not the gentleman Jeff you knew of 
 the old days-- 
 
 Taggs. Say, Jeff, when I was a mascot fer you, we used to play 
 'em outen sight, didn't we? 
 
 Jeff. Yes, they were exciting times, but they are past, gone 
 with the old life. I shall see your uncle and buy his farm, if he 
 will sell, and I will pay him far more than the worth of the place 
 too. I shall see him in the parlor of the Grand View, soon — 'twill 
 be better for both of yon, for him to sell. [going l., 1 e. 
 
 Taggs. Dat sounds mighty nice, but on de dead square, I be- 
 lieves yer a liar. So long Jeffey, old boy. (exit, R., 1 e., singing) 
 "Kizzle dazzle, boom tarara, I whistle and wait fer Katie." 
 
 SCENE IV.— Parlor of the Grand, View, full depth, set as 
 elaborate as possible — table r. with lighted lamp, chairs, etc., 
 door c. — Helene discovered at table, dusting, dressed as cham- 
 
 ] bermaid. 
 
 Helene. Alas! how disgustingthis work has become to me. A 
 few years ago, I would have laughed at the mere mention of me 
 becoming a servant, but now that is all changed, and I am glad to 
 be allowed to work in the Grand View, for a mere pitance. Ah! 
 poverty — poverty, what a blight — whac a curse is that word — 
 what a delusion is life — one day we may be bright and happy, 
 diessed in velvet and silks, the next, dressed in rags, perhaps 
 begging our bread. My friends of the old days do not recognize 
 me, even the dogs look nt me. What a chasm between poverty 
 and wealth that can never be bridged over, until the end, then we 
 lay side by side, all men equal — no fine velvets or poor calicoes — 
 only six feet of earth. O! why did I ever come back here to the 
 scenes of my childhood? All is changed, old friends are gone, 
 my father as unforgiving as ever, and my place in his heart filled 
 by another. I can see myself now as a child, happy all the day, 
 at, night kneeling by my mother's knee reading the Bible, or listen- 
 ing to that old song, (pause — orchestra plays "Rock of Ages" vera 
 sojtly) O! what memories crowd my mind, memories Avhich I 
 thought were dead. Again I see myselt on my wedding day, a. 
 wife. O! God, help me — the unloved wife of a gambler, a mur- 
 derer — taunted — despised — jeered at — deserted by all — no one to 
 befriend me, no one to pity me, even my father deserts me for 
 another. 
 
 Jeff, (without c.) Very well then, when she comes, request 
 her to come to the parlor. 
 
 Enter, Jeff, c. v., comes down— pauses and looks at Helene, whose 
 back is toward him. 
 
TAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SETH. 25 
 
 Ahem! (Helene turns to face him) So it seems we meet again! 
 iNot content with playing the spy and traitor until you ruined me, 
 you see fit to dog my footsteps ;rnl follow me where ever I go. 
 Take care — I give you warning — if you persist in following your 
 course, by heaven's I'll kill you, a< [ killed your lover years a o. 
 
 Ilelene. You judge ma wrong — hear me Jeff — as God is my 
 judge, I was true to you. Cliftord Vance was not my lover. 
 
 Jeff. Not your lover ? 
 
 Ilelene. No ! my brother — he was a criminal, I tried to help 
 him out of the country. 
 
 Jeff. A lie! I listened to your false tongue till you ruined me, 
 that is enough, I believe you no longer— lie was your lover — I had 
 the proof, saw you in his arms, bur, he escaped me then, but on 
 the Saucy Bell, I caught him cheating at cards, and'I drove the 
 knife to his heart, and with pleasure, watched his death. 1 only 
 regretted that he hadn't more lives, so ihat I could have taken 
 them. I killed him, I made a mistake — curse you, I should have 
 killed you. 
 
 Helene. Mercy ! 
 
 Jeff. Mercv? Aye! the mercy I would show the snake after 
 it has bitten me. Mercv! what mercy did you show to me, when 
 you led that cursed Yankee hoard down upon the Saucy Beije? 
 You pointed her out, watched them touch the torch to her, saw 
 the bosom of the old Mississippi clr-se over her, and then ask me 
 for mercy ! 
 
 Helene. 'Tis false, Jeff. 1 knew nothing of the burning of the 
 Saucy Belle, until the next day. 1 neither saw nor spoke to the 
 soldiers at any time. 
 
 Jeff. Aiie! an infernal lie ! When Sherman, at the head of hi-; 
 band of cut-throats, cried, "On to Richmond," you played the spv, 
 you took them to my plantation, and in their path, they left noth- 
 ing but devastation and ruin. I've cursed the day when first I 
 saw you, for you with your cursed northern principles and your 
 false tongue, have ruined me body and soul, and you ask fo.- 
 mercy. 
 
 Helene. As there is a God above me, you judge me wrong. I 
 never did you harm, Jeff. I loved you too well, I loved you the 
 day we met — God pity me, I love you now. I was a true wife to 
 you then, and if you'd let me, would be now. I did you no wrong. 
 We were hippy before enemy's poured false stories in your ears, 
 which you believed— I am your wife and I am innocent of them 
 all. 
 
 Jeff. 'Tis true, you bear my name. You married to better 
 your position — so did I — we have both failed — but Helene, you 
 are in my way here, you mar my plans — will you do what I ask? 
 
 Helene. If itisrignt, Jell"? 
 
 Jeff. I only ask you to leave here, to go to my plantation, stay 
 there in obsi-urity, and lorjrive and forget. 
 
 Helene. To forgive you i-> easy, I do forgive you with all my 
 heart, but to forget — Oh! Jeff, the wound of the sword will heai, 
 but those of the tongue— never ! 
 
 Jeff. Will you go? {soft music till curtain 
 
 Helene. Will you come to me, Jell? 
 
 Jeff. I may, I make no promises. 
 
 Helene. And will you love me, Jell? 
 
26 TAG (}S, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SETH, 
 
 Jeff. Love you? No! that time is passed. 'Tis out of rity 
 that I offer yon this asylum. Go there, and stay all the rest of 
 your days in your shame. 
 
 Helene. Xo! no! don't say that word, Jeff. What have I to 
 be ashamed of? Poverty is no sin — don't say shame, an I not 
 your lawful wife? 
 
 Jeff. Since you force me to tell you, I will. The Padra who 
 performed the marriage ceremony for us, was no more a Padra than 
 
 Helene. A lie! Jeff, a lie! 
 
 Jeff. The truth as there's a God above me, you are no more a 
 wife to-day, than you was before we ever met. Once more, will 
 you £0? 
 
 Helene. \>tiggers to c.) O! God, deceived, disgraced, dis- 
 honored. 
 
 (faints and falls prostrate c. — Jeff retreats and looks on smiling 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
 ACT in. 
 
 SCENE. — Same as Act. 2nd., scene 4th., except that Helene is on 
 pedestal l , posinj as the statue of Science — clock on wall, R. 
 
 Seth. (without c.) Come on Taggs! come on, this is the way 
 and here's the very door. This here is the place he said fer us ter 
 come. Come on Taggs, er we'll be late fer the meetin'. 
 
 Enter, Seth and Taggs, c. t>. — they come down. 
 
 Purty fine, eh, Taggs? 
 
 Taggs. [looking around) You bet yer neck! My! I should 
 kerslobber to ejaculate that it was clean clar outen sight, by a big 
 nlnriality and more country's to hear from. 
 
 Seth. It's far too fine fur such as we'ns, Tagajs. 
 
 Tangs. That's about the size of it, Uncle Seth, My! I wish I 
 had a clothes brush. 
 
 Seth. What fur, Taggs? 
 
 Taggs. Wanter brush my dress so I can set down. Wli y, Uncle 
 Si-th, that's vehefc on them chairs. I guess them's jist ter look at 
 though, (sees statue) Well, that beats me ! I cash out — no \\>t>, 
 \er run a bluff on dat— I'll stand de beer to the feller who tells me 
 what dat is. 
 
 Seth. (up to statue) That is a — er — I should say from the looks 
 of it, that it is a — piece of stone that's been a — er — seems as if it 
 was a — er — one of them — I don't know what. 
 
 Taggs. Jist what I thought all along. 
 
 Seth. It's too fine fer we'ns here, Taggs. 
 
 Taggs. Yep! (touches Helene) My! cold as a stone. 
 
 Seth. She is a stone, Taggs. (looking up) That's what she's 
 made of. 
 
 Helene. (aside) My father! (startled) What ha* brought 
 him here? O! would that 1 were stone— how can I stand the test 
 that I'm about to be put too? 
 
 Taggs. (looking at Helene) O! you stony hearted thing, why 
 
TAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SETII. 27 
 
 don't you make a kick fer a fire. I would if I was as cold as you 
 — what time is it, Uncle Seth ? 
 
 Seth. (look s at watch) Jist six, that's the time we waster 
 come. 
 
 Taggs. Six? [points to clock) Yer ten minutes fast, Uncle 
 Seth. 
 
 Seth. Fast? No sir! Taggs, if 1 was ergoin' ter be hung, and 
 they was er watchin' the time by that watch — when the time 
 come around and that old watch said the hour, I'd never say she 
 was a second too fast, I'd be ready. That's what I think of that 
 watch. Too fast? No sir! 
 
 Taggs. Then, if that's the case, I'll jist set er up, Uncle Seth 
 
 (crosses and turns clock to six 
 
 Enter, Bell Boy, k., 1 e., sees her move clock — Taggs returns to 
 statue, and boy turns clock back and exit, R.,*l e. 
 
 What was yer a lookin' at, Uncle Seth? 
 
 Seth. I was er lookin' at that thare rock woman — 'pears to me 
 Taggs, that I knowed somebody, er seen somebody what looks 
 like her sometime or other. 
 
 Helene. (aside) Will he recognize me? O! I pray heaven 
 that he may not, while this black cloud hovers over m ■• I pray 
 that no one may know me. 
 
 Taggs. Do you know what I'd do wid her, if I had 'er Uncle 
 Seth ? 
 
 Seth. What, Taggs? 
 
 Taggs. Why! I'd work er up inter marblesand play keeps wid 
 de boys. Well, Uncle Seth, dat clock's been wound backwards — 
 any how she's runnin' backwards — what time is it? 
 
 Seth. (looking at w ate n) Jist two minutes afjer six, Taggs. \ 
 
 Taggs. Do you still think yer right, Uncle Seth? 
 
 Seth. I know it, Taggs, I know it. 
 
 Taggs. Then I'll set er up again. 
 
 (goes to clock as before, Bell Boy as before , 
 
 Seth. (at statue) I ort ter know 'er, but I guess I don't. 
 
 Taggs. My! I wish them people would come. I'm gettiu' tired 
 a waitin'. (crosses to Seth 
 
 Seth. Mustn't git impatie.it. Taggs, it's always the privilege 
 of the rich ter keep the poor a waitin' fer 'em. 
 
 Taggs. Well, I'm gettin' tired any how. 
 
 Seth. Come and look at the rock woman, Taggs. 
 
 Taggs. O ! I don't wanter, I seen 'er once. 
 
 Seth. Then look at the furniture. 
 
 Taggs. I've seen that too, Uncle Seth. 
 
 Seth. Well then, see what time 'tis. 
 
 Taggs. Have twice, clock's a runnin'ibackwards 
 
 Seth. Then I don't know anything else. 
 
 Taggs. Believe I'll dance a can can. 
 
 Seth. Don't ye do it, Taggs, don't ye do it. 
 
 Taggs. Then I know- what I'll do, I'll sing a song. 
 
 Seth. That's right, Taggs, sing fer yer Uncle Seth. 
 
 Taggs. What will I sing ? 
 
 Seth. Sing "Sweet Bye and Bye, 1 ' Taggs 
 
 Taggs. That's a chestnut. 
 
 Seth. But it's a mighty good song, Taggs. 
 
2S TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETH. 
 
 Taggs. I'll jist let 'er go at that any way. (sings chorus oj 
 "Sweet Bye and Bye") What time is i", Uncle Sethi 1 
 Seth. Five minutes after six, Taggs. 
 Taggs. Reckon yer right, Uncle Seth ? 
 Seth-, I know it Taggs, I know it. 
 Taggs. Then I'll set' 'er up ag'in, Uncle Seth. 
 
 (crosses and turns clock to 6:05 
 
 Enter, Bell Boy, r., 1 e., looks at Taggs, then pulls hands off of 
 clock, puts same in pocket and exit, r., 1 k. 
 
 Did you notice his nerve, Uncle Seth? He don't work me like 
 that, (goes and marks hands on clock with black crayon, 6:05. 
 
 Seth. Here they come, Taggs. (Taggs runs to Seth 
 
 Enter, Jeff, c. d. 
 
 Jtff. Ah I Mr. Mulberry, delighted to see you. (shaking hands) 
 You are prompt to keep an appointment. Sorry I have kept you 
 waiting. 
 
 Enter, Bijou, c. d. 
 
 Bijou. Mr. Mulberry — (bowing) and here's my little friend 
 Ta^o-s. (goes to her) You don't know how fond 1 have grown o 
 voti; (arm around Taggs) I never saw a child before that at- 
 tracted me so. 
 
 Taggs. (aside) Child! rats, talk about nerve. (Bijou kisses 
 Taggs— Taggs jumping away) Don't you do that ag'in. 
 
 Bijou. Why, Taggs? 
 
 Taggs. Been eat in' onions, that's why. 
 
 Jeff. Now Mr. Mulberry, no doubt you are very curious as to 
 why 1 asked you to meet me here in the Grand View thiseveninsr. 
 The other day, I told you 1 greatly desired to call*Mulberry Fiats 
 my own, and if you ever wished to sell the place, to give me the 
 hrst refusal of it. Now I've asked you here this evening to see if 
 you will not sign this contract to that effect. 
 
 Helene. (aside) Trickery! 
 
 Seth. Well I might, and then ag'in I mightn't. Ain't no 
 lightnin' rod scheme is it, Mister? 
 
 "jeff. Not at all, 1 merely wish you to sign this paper, that if 
 you ever wish to sell your farm, you are to give me the first bid 
 upon it — to show you that I mean fair. I agree to give you $200 tor 
 the first refusal— if you never wish to sell, then I loose $200— that's 
 my risk, but when you do want to part with your farm, you must 
 communicate with me, get my ofter on it. If I do not offer you 
 as much or more than any one else, then you have the right to 
 refuse my offer, keep the $200 and sell to the one who offers more. 
 
 Seth. 'That seems fair enough, eh ! Taggs? 
 
 Taggs. Better sign 'er, Uncle Seth, and get the $200. 
 
 Jeff. This way, Mr. Mulberry, you can write on this table. 
 Miss Darrington shall be our witness. 'Jubilant 
 
 Helene. (aloud) Fraud I 
 
 Jeff, (quickly to Buou) Did you speak? 
 
 Bijou, (aside to Jeff) Not 1 ! don't get nervous. 
 
 Seth. Give me yer paper. 
 
 Jeff. Certainly— (hands paper) here to the table, Mr. Mulberry. 
 
JAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SETH. 29 
 
 Seth. I want no table, (hand on TaGG's head) Here's my 
 table — it shall be innocence beneath this paper (Taggs kneels) ami 
 a just God ter witness it from above, and if there's evil in it, may 
 it burn the hands of those who wrought it. 
 
 Helene. (loud) Right! 
 
 Taggs. Scat! where's that cat? 
 
 Bijou, (to Jeff) Did you speak? 
 
 Jeff. Not I. (to Seth) Sign, Mr. Mulberry. 
 
 &eth. Don't move. 
 
 Seth about to sign — Jeff and Bijou back of Seth and Taggs, 
 
 shaking hands. 
 
 Jlelene. (loud) Don't! 
 
 (Jeff and Bijou jerk hands apart, look around 
 
 Taggs. Scat ! 
 
 Seth. Don't you bob, Taggs. 
 
 (about to sign, Jeff and Bijou shake hands as before 
 
 Helene. (loud) Don't! 
 
 (Jeff and Bijou jerk hands apart as before 
 
 Taggs. (looking around) Seat! where's that cat? 
 
 Seth. Don't you bob, Taggs. (business as before 
 
 Helene. (loud) Don't! (Jeff and Bijou as before 
 
 Taggs. (as before) Scat! kill that cat. 
 
 Seth. Three times I've heard that, 'tis a warning from above, 
 I won't. (drops paper — Taggs rises, paper in hand 
 
 Helene. (loud) Right! (quick till curtain 
 
 Jeff. What's that! Who dared to speak? Come forth coward, 
 show yourself — who dared to give that warning. 
 
 Helene. (throwing drapery from her) 'Twas I! your wife, 
 Helene Dupree. (Taggs teirs up contract 
 
 Seth. Helene! (arms out-stretched to her 
 
 Helene. Father! (arms out-stretche I to hi n 
 
 Taggs stamping on torn contract and laughing — Bijou runs between 
 Helene and Seth — Jeff r., 1 e., beaten. 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 SCENE. — Kitchen in Uxcle Seth's house, table l., chairs to same 
 — Seth discovered at table, — chorus off R., "Old Kentuckey 
 Home," very soft and repeat. 
 
 Seth. Alas! poor Kentucky Home— poor devastated South. 
 Ah! what memories are recalled by the soun 1 ofth t old song. 
 I see myself as a boy, rutin. ngover the woods and hills asfree ami 
 wild as a bird. Ah! those were happy days, with no cloud to 
 cross my sun — wh it a change for me— again I see myself with my 
 children at my knee, see them as happy as I at their time of life. 
 Alas! another change, I see my boy going bad, see him a criminal, 
 fleeing from justice, at las: dying the death of an out cast — then I 
 placed all my hopes on Helene. Ah ! how those fond hopes were 
 misplaced, for she too is led off by the tempter, by a devil in hu- 
 
SO TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETh. 
 
 man form— if time could but stand still— 
 
 Enter, Taggs, l,, 3 e., on a run, laughing. 
 
 Taggs. O! Unc'e Seth, you jist orter seen me climbing a tree. 
 \pause) Why! what's the matter, Uncle Seth? (going to him 
 
 Seth. Well Taggs, I guess the old man's got the blues ag'in. 
 
 Taggs. Chills and fever symptoms, Uncle Seth? Ye mustn't 
 do it. 
 
 Seth. But I can't help it, Taggs, everything seems dark to-day, 
 even the wind makes the old apple tree moan and sigh dismally. 
 
 Taggs. Well, if you was as full of green apples as that apple 
 tree is, I expect you'd moan and sigh too, Uncle Seth. 
 
 Seth. 1 was a thinkin' of the old days, Tagss, before the cruel 
 war wrecked the South, before the cotton fields were dyed red 
 with the life blood of the soldiers of both sides. Them was tryin' 
 times, Taggs. It's well ye wasn't here to see the sicknin' sight, 
 it makes me faint to think of it — there was a great battle fought 
 here. (Taggs kneeling side of him, his arm around her, her hand 
 on his shoulder) Fer days and days, I seen the soldiers marchin', 
 marchin', first the Blues and then the Greys, then the Blues, then 
 the Greys, right in front of that door — finally one mornin' I heard 
 the boom of a mortar and then the scream of a shell, as it went 
 over on it's mission of death, then I knowed that the great battle 
 had come, that the two sides had clashed together, that many a 
 li e would pay for that day's work. Ah! Taggs, ye can't know 
 what a scene that was; I pray heaven that ye never may. Men 
 were blood mad, fighting like tigers — is it any wonder that brother 
 fought brother? I sat here in this room and heard the rattle of 
 i he musketry, the boom of the cannons and the screaming of the 
 shells, and i prayed to the God of battles to lend us aid, (rising, 
 Taggs remains) and in my agony, I walked the floor and cried. 
 [walking floor) O ! our poor South, poor devastated country, what 
 will become of you — (seated as before) to-day you see the South a 
 wreck. 
 
 Taggs. That's past, don't talk about that, Uncle Seth. 
 
 Seth. No, I won't Taggs, I won't, I'll talk of something else. 
 1 want to tell you something about myself. Once I said I'd te? 
 you all about that paper — 
 
 Taggs. What I give you down ter Mike Doud's? 
 
 Seth. Yes, ye asked me once if I had anj T — 
 
 Taggs. Kids like me? 
 
 Seth. Yes, Taggs, I'll tell you all about it, 'Twas long ago- 
 first my boy went bad and died the death of a criminal, then my 
 girl Helene, she was tempted, and like many another one she fell. 
 A serpent in the guise of a man, came to my house, with false 
 words of love, he won her heart — she was innocent then, God 
 pity her, she is guilty now — he lured her from home, and then he 
 deserted her. He has blasted my life, as he has ruined her's. 
 You've seen them both, Taggs, one of them you know. 
 
 Taggs. (.rising) Uncle Seth ! 
 
 Seth. Aye! 'tis so — do you want the names? 
 
 Taggs. Tell me — yes— (up to him 
 
 Seth. One of them was the girl at tli3 Grand View, who gavt 
 the warning. 
 
 Taggs, And the other, Uncle Seth, the other? 
 
 Seth. Your friend, Jeff Dupree. 
 
TAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SETII. SI 
 
 Taggs. (starting to c.) Gentleman Jeff— no! not my friend; 
 if he wronged you, he's my enemy. 
 
 Seth. Spoken like my own true hearted Taggs. (she runs into 
 his arms) Your enemy and mine for life. Thare, Taggs, I didn't 
 want to tell ye this, but 'tis best you should know. Now 'tis all 
 over and we'll be our same old selves ag'in. I'll go an 1 see if the 
 mail man's a comin'. 
 
 Taggs. O! I forgot, when I came in, Uncle Seth, I saw the 
 mail man, an 1 he said there was only one letter fer this office to- 
 dav, and he ji<t give it ter me, here 'tis. (hands letter 
 
 Seth. Only one! Mail business is fallin' off— why ! Taggs, 
 this is fer me, got a government stamp on it. 
 1'aggs. Break 'er open, Uncle Seth. 
 Setn. Thare must be some mist ike. 
 Taags. Break 'er open, Uncle Seth, break 'er open. 
 Seth. (reads aloud) "Seth Mulberry, P. M., Esq." 
 
 (looks at Taggs 
 Taggs. Break 'er open, Uncle Seth. 
 
 Seth. (reads) "Mulberry Flats, Miss, G. B," (looksatTAGis 
 Taggs. G. B. ? Grand Bounce, no — goodbye, no — goo I boy, 
 no — girl baby, no — government business, that's it, break 'er op n, 
 Uncle Seth, break 'er open. (Seth opens letter and reads vera 
 sloto, after reading he jumps up, letter in one hand', hat in the otner, 
 laughing and dancing — Taggs puzzled ) What is it, Uncle Sjth, 
 what's the matter? 
 
 Seth. Why you see — (laughs) listen while I read 'er fer you — 
 here, wipe my spec's, Taggs. (she does so) Somehow the letters 
 "won't stand still. 
 
 Taggs. Why, no wonder you can't read, your eyes are full of 
 tears. 
 
 Seth. No, they ain't. 
 Taggs. Yes, they are — you are cryin'. 
 Seth. No, I ain't! 
 Taggs. Yes, you are ! 
 Seth. No, I ain't, that's the way I laugh. 
 Taggs. Yes, you are! (she wipes his eyes 
 
 Seth. Darnel, if I don't believe I was er cryin', Taggs. 
 Taggs. Course ye was. 
 
 Seth. The old man's a leetle off, Taggs, a leetle off. Now li-ten, 
 while I read, (reads) "Washington, D. C." 
 Taggs. D. C. ? O! ye-, dollar catchers! goon! 
 Seth. "Dear Sir: We understand you are the owner of Mul- 
 berry Flats, where the great battle was fought, during the late war. 
 The government has voted to purchase your farm, for the purpose 
 of turning it into a National park, and have voted you $5,000 for 
 it, you to remain there as keeper, at a salery of $800 per annum. 
 We enclose you check of ?500 as one payment, and to defray ex- 
 penses of your coming here, to arrange" — (aloud) What do ye 
 think o' that, Taggs— have ye got a kiss fer yer Uncle Seth ? 
 
 Taggs. Five thousand dollai s, you bet yerjneck I have ! (kisses 
 him) They are three fer a quarter, Uncle Seth. (kittenish 
 
 Seth. Never you mind, after this we'll kiss every hour of the 
 day, and I'll pay a quarter a piece fer 'em. 
 
 Taggs. Bully ! fer Uncle Seth, I'll be a million air in less than 
 a year. O ! I'm so glad, I could jist bust -now I can have a pink 
 dress with a tail to it, can't I? 
 
32 TAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SETII. 
 
 Seth. Eh ? 
 
 Taggs. Why, one of them businesses you know. 
 
 (imitates dress en train 
 
 Seth. Ah! Taggs, fine feather-; don't make line birds. 
 
 Taggs. I know it, Unc'e Seth. but I ain't in the bird business. 
 I can have it, can't I? I'm goin' ter tell Rildy about it now. 
 
 {going R., 1 e., imitating dress en train 
 
 Seth. Ah ! Taggs, ye are the light o' my life. 
 
 Taggs. Yes, Uncle Seth, I guess I'm your little incandescent. 
 
 (going r., 1 e. 
 
 Setlr You think a good deal of yer Uncle S^th, now don't you 
 Taggs ? 
 
 Taggs. {coming to Seth) Yes, Uncle Seth, I guess I loves you 
 better'n any body else in the whole wide world. 
 
 Seth. I knowed ye did, Taggs, only I wanted ter hear you say 
 it. I knowed yer loved yer Uncle Seth, if he is old and — and— 
 and — 
 
 Taggs. Moss backey ? 
 
 Seth. That's it, only I couldn't think of the word. 
 
 Taggs. Yes bet yer neck, Uncle Seth, I think you are a high 
 roller. 
 
 Seth. Taggs! Taggs! 
 
 Taggs. O! I forgot, I mean you'r my Uncle Seth. 
 (running R., 1 e., laughing and looking back at Seth, runs into Jeff 
 
 Enter, Jeff, r., 1 e., jumping back, startled. 
 
 Hello ! Jeifey, old boy, come and play a stock of reds with me. 
 
 (exit, R., 1 e. 
 
 Jeff. I can stand this no longer — that child — that beggar never 
 let's an opportunity escape her of throwing in my face a remem- 
 brance of my past life. I must hasten with my work, secure his 
 signature to that paper, and leave here for a time, then return and 
 drive them forth and claim as my own, Mulberry Flats, (aloud) 
 Your pardon, Mr. Mulberry, for my seeming intrusion this morn- 
 ino-. I have come to apologize to you for that little affair of last 
 evening and to explain to you the reason of the disturbance. I 
 have neglected to speak to you before, but my sister, who is stop- 
 ping at the Grand View, is hopelessly insane, became so at the 
 death of her father. Instead of her brother, she believes me to be 
 her husband, and every old person she sees, she calls father, as 
 you observed last evening. I trust yon will over look the distur- 
 bance. I am here to have you sign the contract of last evening — 
 see 1 have prepared a new one to take the place of the one which 
 was accidentally detroyed last night. 
 
 Seth. Accidentally ? 
 
 Jeff. Yes, accidentally. The young lady, Miss Taggs, in her 
 alarm, last evening, at discovering herself in the presence of a 
 maniac, evidently became so frightened and nervous, that she 
 destroyed that paper, quite unconscious of what she was doing — 
 consequently this morning, I offer you a new one. 
 
 Seth. (rising) Jeff Dupree— 
 
 Jeff, (aside) That name! (soft music till curtain 
 
 Seth. Ye come here this morning, as of old, burdened with a 
 pack of lies — 
 
 Jeff. Old man — 
 
TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETH. tb 
 
 Seth. Silence ! I listened to you, uow hear me. You come to 
 me with a story, like a cloud of dust in summer time — 'twill settle, 
 but do no harm. Not content with robbing me of my child, of all 
 I held dear, and dragging her down to the level of your associate-. 
 Not content with lureing her from home with false words of love, 
 with false promises of happiness: not content with blighting her 
 life, ye now seek to ruin mine. Now, that the girl is here, at the 
 Grand View, a servant, ye seek to blind me, to make me think she 
 is your sister. A maniac! a maniac! Aye! and well she may be, 
 poor child, she has suffered enough. She left her home, innocent, 
 for love of you, she fled with you— for what? Desertion, con- 
 tempt, now 'tis the maniac sister— with what new lie will ye come 
 to me next? 
 
 Jeff. By heavens ! old man, I'll stand your insults no longer— 
 this morning I come to you — 
 
 Seth. With a lie. 
 
 Jeff. As you will ! I come this morning, to ask yon, will you 
 sign that paper — will you except my offer? 
 
 Seth. Will ye acknowledge to the world, that my girl, Helene, 
 is your wife? 
 
 Je(F. By heaven ! no ! that can never b • ! 
 
 Seth. Then hear my answer, no! Take, your paper, go, seek 
 to ruin more homes, to blight more lives — paltroon that you are. I 
 know ye now, could kill ye where ye are — the sight of your false 
 face drives me mad. Ye ruined the child, now you seek to rob 
 the father. 
 
 Jeff. Rob! who dares to say that I am not honorable in my 
 offer to you. that I attempt anything that is not honest with you. 
 Who dares to accuse Jeff Dupree of theft? Speak old man, before 
 I strangle you — who dares? 
 
 Seth. 1 ! Old Seth Mulberry ! read! (hands letter 
 
 Jeff, (reads — aside) Beaten! Curse those fool government 
 clerks, why could they not have waited. 
 
 Seth. What have ye to say now? 
 
 Jeff. This! though you are an old man — though I have failed 
 in my plans — though your daughter is to-day an out-cast; I regret 
 nothing that I have done. If it were to do over, I would do the 
 same. Your daughter, curse her, has ruined me. When first I 
 saw her I was rich, to-day I am a beggar, to the world I shall tell 
 her story, and to-day 1 shall tell it to you as I told her yesterday ; 
 she is no more a wife to-day then she was the day I first saw her. 
 What she is now, what she may yet become, I leave you to think 
 out for yourself, old man. 
 
 Seth. Go ! and to the world I shill tell your story, not only as 
 a coward and paltroon, who mocks at a woman's love, who despises 
 a woman's heart, but as a thief and a murderer. 
 
 Jeff. Stop ! or as there's a God above me— 
 
 (raises hand to strike 
 
 Seth. You, call on Ilim who is above? 
 
 Jeff. You dare repeat those words of a moment ago, and by 
 heaven, I'll kill you where you stand. 
 
 Enter, Taggs, r. , 1 h., on a run, rearing dress en train, 
 
 Taggs. Jeff Dupree! (running between them) Don't you dare 
 
84 TAGGS, THE WAIF; 017, UNCLE SETII. 
 
 touch him ! 
 Jeff. Don't dare? And why, yoa pauper? 
 Taggs. 'Co?' he'srjqy (throwing arms around Setii) Uncle Seth! 
 
 CUBTA1N. 
 
 ACT V. 
 
 SCENE I. — A street or woods in 1st. or 2nd. grooves —lights down. 
 Enter, Jeff, l., 1 e., followed by Bijou. 
 
 Jeff. Yes, Bijou, we are beaten, those infernal government 
 clerks have written him that he is to receive $5,000. for his farm- 
 he has received the letter, and of course will except their offer. 
 That fixes us, all we have to do, is to leave here, and the sooner 
 the better. 
 
 Bijou. But my 250 pounds I was to receive? 
 
 Jeff. That? Well, that has faded from your sight and your 
 reach, as quickly as it sprang up. 
 
 Bijou. But Monsieur, you have deceived me, you have taken 
 my time — 
 
 Jeff. That's valuable. {laughs 
 
 Bijou. And now you calmly tell me, I shall get nothing. 'Tis 
 fraud, Monsieur — I want money — I have worked for you. 
 
 Jeff. And I have payed you for it. 
 
 Bijou. Five pounds, $25, a princely sum, truly. Yes, you gave 
 me five pounds, I in turn gave it to the grasping landlord of the 
 Grand View. Monsieur, to-day I am penniless, have not a sou. 
 
 Jeff. You are very little better off than J, Bijou. 
 
 Bijou. But Monsieur, I listened to you, stayed here to work for 
 you, when I might have gone on, might have done better, might 
 have been one of the money Queen's by this time. 
 
 Jeff. Yes, and you might be sleeping in the woods, with the 
 clouds for a quilt, too. I picked you up and installed you in the 
 Grand View; at that time, as well as now, you had not a franc. 
 You seem to think you were hired by me. Try and remember 
 that we were partners, Bijou. I advanced you money, and now 
 you owe me $25 — 'tis true you want money, so do I. if this plan 
 had not failed, we would both have reached our goal. I told you 
 when we met here, that I was almost a beggar. To-day I am 
 worse off than ever, with the prospects of the old life staring me 
 in the face. We have failed miserably here, but one thing is left 
 us. that is to leave— 
 
 Bijou. To leave? How? Where? 
 
 Jeff. Luckily L have a few dollars left, enough to take us away 
 from here — I care not where— to-night we will catch the midnight 
 express. 
 
 Bijou. To-night? So soon— why Monsieur, 'tis but four hours 
 of that time now, surely you are in a great hurry. Say to-morrow 
 or the next day. 
 
 Jeff. That Avould be too late. 'Tis true I am in a hurry, I have 
 good cause to be. We leave to-night at midnight. 
 
 Bijou. Not I, Monsieur! 
 
 Jeff. Fool ! I tell you we are found out, our plans are known ; 
 
TAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SET II. S5 
 
 there is a noose around your neck, around both our neck's— would 
 you stay here and strangle? 
 
 Bijou. Monsieur, you are lieing to me, you have money, you 
 have succeeded in your plans; Mulberry Flats are yours, and now 
 you seek to be rid of me, to client me of the promised reward, to 
 be alone, that you may enjoy your ill gotten gains by yourself. 
 The trick is worthy of ynu, of the honest Jeff Dupree, but it shall 
 notsuctei'd, so surely as Bijou, the Adventuress stands before you, 
 I swear you shall never suci eed. Ton don't know me, Jell Dupree, 
 if you think to make ihe dupe and the tool of me, as you did of 
 that other one. You have money and I'll have my part, or — 
 
 Jeff*. What? {sneering 
 
 Bijou, (distinct) Your life! Ah! you start, and well you 
 may, for I hold the power over you. Do you think I'll be the 
 fool not to use it? To be as that other one was, let you do as you 
 please, believe what you say, do your bidding? No! you don't 
 know me, I can be as cruel as — 
 t Jeff. A she devil ! 
 
 Bijou, Aye! as a devil. I'll make the fine gentleman Jeff, 
 who is so anxinns to be rid of my company, go down at my feet 
 and beg me not to exercise my power. I'll send you back to the 
 dirt ami squalor of the low tenement house you came from— send 
 you to the rock quarries of Tennessee, and with a ball and chain 
 for company. 
 
 Jeff, (aside) Dam the woman ! 
 
 Bijou. The day was when you was proud of your title of gen- 
 tleman Jeff. To-day I am proud of the title of Bijou the Adven- 
 turess, for I'll make you,- coward tnat you are, do my wishes. 1 
 I've but to say one word to the authorities, and th3 murder of 
 Clifford Vance will be avenged. \ 
 
 Jeff. Fool! you don't know what you siy, bridle that tongue 
 of yours, or by heaven, I'll drive this knife through your 
 treacherous heart. 
 
 Bijou. No you won't, for you dare not, and besides I can take 
 care of myself— see ! (presenting revolver 
 
 Jeff, (aside) Every one turns against me. (aloud) What 
 would you have me do? 
 
 Bijou. Pay me what you promised — 
 
 Jeff. I have no money. 
 
 Bijou. Then go! 
 
 Jeff. Go! where? 
 
 Bijou. I care not— to satan. Come, the money, I am waiting, 
 be quick, for if you wish to leave on the midnight express, re- 
 member 'tis but a short time for you to wait — the money. 
 
 Jeff. I have no money. 
 
 Bijou. A lie ! 
 
 Jeff. The truth. I'll tell you all! We must leave here to- 
 night; we are found out and our plans are known; by morning 
 'twill be too late. We can do nothing to Mulberry, for he has 
 sold to the government — I saw the letter, read it, but that is not 
 all. I saw"my wife, Helene, at the Grand View the other day — 
 we had a quarrel, in my anger, I told her that we were not mar- 
 ried, that she was no wife— 
 
 Bijou. A lie! 
 
 Jeff. Silence! We have no time to spend in quarreling. To 
 
38 TAGGS, THE WAIF- OB, UNCLE SETH. 
 
 prove that she is legally my wife, she has gone to New Orleans, 
 in search of Mike Doud, the witness to the ceremony, and with 
 him she'll return to-night on the midnight express, to prow her 
 claim. We must be at the station, when they step off, we step on 
 — that's my reasons — now here's yours, listen <-nd mar.i t lem 
 well. Yon threaten me with the law, while you yourself are 
 wanted in France for the theft of your step-mother's jewels, years 
 ago, even now the detectives are in Americ: > >i your track. When 
 caught, as you surely will be, you know i ■ penalty, the guillo- 
 tine awaits you. Bijou DelMaur, I know you, know you well. 
 'Tis I who holds the high cards now — will you come with me and 
 go free, or will you stay behind and be taken ? 
 
 Bijou. Are you telling me the truth? 
 
 Jeff. Tes! will you go? 
 
 Bijou. There is but one thing for me to do — I must— yes, I'll 
 go— I am readj'. {exeunt, r.,1e, 
 
 SCENE II. — Telegraph office at Mulberry Flats, loio railing crosse 3 
 stage in 3d. grooves — back of rail, a table at R. c, with instru- 
 ments on, chair to table, Operator seated in chair — advertise- 
 ments on walls, etc — red and white lanterns lighted, sitting on 
 table — instruments buisy. 
 
 Operator, (throioing downpen and rising) Bah! this life is dis" 
 o-usting, if naught comes of my stay here, after another week, 1 
 shall leave and push farther South. When is this game of "fol- 
 low my leader" to end, I wonder? How absurd I would appear 
 in the eyes of my old friends of LaBelle, France, should they see 
 me, thegentleman of leisure, Alberta Casague, here in this study 
 little office, waiting for, I know not what ! Truly a detective's 
 lile is changeable, one day we are a gentleman of leisure, the next, 
 maybe, a farm laborer; one day a railroad magnet, the next, may 
 sie us as a clerk in a dusty little box of an office like th's. 'Tis 
 five years since I went in the employ of the Court; five years con- 
 tinually on the move, ever on the alert in quest of a woman, and 
 with the slightest of clues to aid me — a photograph— (looks at 
 photograph in hand) wanted for theft. I've looked at this portrait 
 so often, that it has become indeliably impressed upon my mind. 
 I would know her among a thousand. For five years I have 
 searched for you in vain. I have been around the entire world, 
 always to hear that you are ahead of me— a little further — like the 
 " Will-o'-the-Wisp," I can never come up to you, but as sure as 
 my name is Alberte Casague, I'll run you down yet. 
 
 (seaicd at table 
 
 Seth. (o[?'l.,1e.) Come on, Taggs, this here's the place. 
 Here's what we'ns a huntin' fer, we ain't lost the place this time. 
 Come on, ye might get run over out thare, come here 'tore ye get 
 a leg cut offer somethin'. 
 
 Taggs. (o/Fl., 1 e.) Why, there jun't no cars here ter hurt a 
 feller now, Uncle Seth. 
 
 Enter, Seth and Taggs, i.., 1 e. 
 
 Seth. Well, there might be. 
 Taggs. And then ergin there mightn't. 
 
 Seth. That's so, Taggs, that's so. (to Operator) Say, Mister, 
 is this here the place— 
 
JAGGS, THE WAIF; Oil, UNCLE SETS. S7 
 
 Taggs. {climbing up railing) What' yer juggle lightnin' over 
 the wires? 'Cos if 'tis, this here's the place we a-lookiu' fer, 
 ain't it, Uncle Seth? 
 
 Oper. This is the depot of the Great Southern railroad, if that 
 is what you are looking for. 
 
 Seth. Well, Mister, I guess that's what we air lookiu' fer, eh! 
 Taggs ? 
 
 Tag s. Yer bet yer neck, and we found er too, didn't we Uncle 
 Seth. We are a full house, us two, dead game sports. 
 
 (climbing up 
 
 Seth. (pulling hr back) Don't Tag's, don't, ye mustn't do 
 that, (she clings to rail) Comedown! (pulling 
 
 Taggs. Don't, Uncle Seth, yer goin' ter spill me right out on 
 the floor. 
 
 Seth. Will ye com j down ? (hold of her 
 
 Taggs. Well I might. 
 
 Seth. Yes, and then ergin yer mightn't. 
 
 Taggs. That's so, Uncle Seth, but I wanter talk to the feller in 
 the cage! Say, Mister, do you own this railroad? 
 
 Oper. Own it? I merely r 'present the company. 
 
 Taggs. Huh? 
 
 Oper. I am the agent. 
 
 Seth. Mister, kin we wait here fer the train ? 
 
 Ober. Certainly, if you wish, (picks up red and white lanterns, 
 comes out of railing and starts i.., 1 e.) Was you going away on 
 the train, old man? 
 
 Seth. No ! 
 
 Oper. The girl then? 
 
 Taggs. Naw, where' d I be goin' ? 
 
 Seth. I was er waitin' fer somebody. 
 
 (exit, Operator, t,., 1 e 
 
 Taggs. (looking after him) Auction! auction! auction! 
 
 Seth. Taggs ! Taggs ! 
 
 Tangs. Well 'lis ! t guess I know what a red light's fer, they 
 had 'em 'down ter New Orleans, only dey used red flags — that's 
 where yer buy yer cheap stuff 1 . Where did that feller go wid de 
 auction sign? 
 
 Seth. Went ter see if the train was er eomin'. 
 
 Enter, Operator, l,,1e,, with white lantern only. 
 Mister, how long 'lore that thare train from New Orleans comes? 
 Oper. She's due here now, 'tis just twelve, she's the mid- 
 night express, you know. Sin may be an hour late. 
 
 Enter, Helexe, l., 1 e., sees Seth and retires. 
 
 Helene. (aside) My father and that girl, what can have brought 
 them here to-night? 
 
 Oper. You might have a long wait of it, if you stay for the 
 midnight express to-night. 
 
 Seth. And then ag'in I mightn't, fer she may come soon. 
 
 Oper. True, but she will be in luck, if she get's 1 ere by 1 o'clock 
 to-night. (enters office and sits at instrument 
 
 Taggs. There's somebody standin' there at that door., (points 
 %., 1e.) Uncle Seth, and I'm goin' to see who 'tis, (rises and 
 crosses to l., 1 p., stumbles over dress and falls c.) Eats! I o-ue^s 
 
?>s 
 
 TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETH. 
 
 that dress don't fit me. {rising 
 
 Seth. Ah! Taggs, fine feathers don't make tine bird?. Such 
 dres?es is fer the fine ladies, not such as we'n^. 
 
 Taggs. That's about the s'ze of it, I guess. 
 
 Oper. (aside) What's that? Gone down through— my GoJ, 
 that is terrible, (aloud) Old man, had you friends on that train ? 
 
 Seth. Friends? Man, my daughter— that train — what is it — 
 what's happened? 
 
 Oper. God pity you old man — God pity all who were on that 
 ill lated train — she's gone through the Black Hollow trestle. 
 
 Seth. O! Helene ! Helene, to find you, only to loose you. 
 
 Enter, Helene, l., 1 e., quickly. 
 
 Helene. No! Thank GoJ that I changed my mind — instead ot 
 going to New Orleans, I wrote to one who could prove my inno- 
 cence. I was expecting an answer to my message, on that train. 
 My errand here as elsewhere, will prove fruit ess. Justice will 
 never be done. I have made my last effert, now I go — 
 
 Seth. Don't — don't go — Helene — 
 
 He'ene. (turning) What! father, did you say~ that — do you — 
 do you want — want me to — 
 
 Taggs. Want you ? You bet yer neck he wants you. 
 
 (Seth opens his arms to Helene, she runs to him 
 
 Taggs. They've cuddled ! (hugs herself 
 
 Helene. Father, you forgive- - 
 
 Seth. Aye ! and together we'll forget. 
 
 Enter, Jeff and Bijou, l., 1 e., quickly. 
 
 Jeff. Agent — here— two tickets for Nashville. Quick, man' 
 the train is over due now. 
 
 Oper. There will be no midnight express to-night, for she lies 
 at the bottom of Black Hollow, a mass of ruins, with her human 
 cargo beneath her. 
 
 Bijou, (to Jeff) Then we are ruined ! 
 
 (Taggs up to Jeff, close 
 
 Jeff. No! quick — back to the hotel, we will procure a carriage 
 
 Taggs. Here! who yer tryin' ter run over? Keep oft' the 
 grass. 
 
 Oper. Lr'sten ! (listeninj to instrument) Sixty lives are lost — 
 but few names are known — among them is Mike Doud — 
 
 Helene. Mike Doud! my last hope gone. 
 
 Jeff. Mike Doud, dead ! At last I'm free once more. 
 
 Seth. Aye! to recognize your wife. 
 
 (Seth leading Helene in front of Jeff 
 
 Jeff\ Out of my way, old man, I don't wish to bandy words 
 with you. Stand aside, or, I'll strike you to my feet. 
 
 Taggs. "Well, I don't think! I'm doiu' his fightin' now, so if 
 yer wanter scrap, jist put up yer dukes and shy yer castor. 
 
 (front of Jeff, pugalistic altitude 
 
 Bijou. You? "What are you? You pauper! 
 
 Taggs. I'm a red hot Jackson democrat— me and Unc'e Seth 
 are — Saba ? 
 
 Jeff. Old man, if I must tell you again— listen! do you think 
 that I will acknowledge to the world, that woman as my wile? 
 No! 1 told you before, she was not my wife. There was but on© 
 
TAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SET II. SO 
 
 person who could deny that ; lie held her certificate, and he is dead ; 
 the certificate has long since been destroyed, her last plan has 
 tailed. What more can yon hope for? 
 
 Set'i. {paper in hand) This! her marriage certificate — 
 
 Helene. (kneeling to Set h) Fa her! 
 
 Seth. Signed and registered by the clerk— 
 
 Taggs. And I found 'er and give 'er to him; Jeffey, old boy. 
 
 Jeff. 'Tis useless, tor it was a false priest who — 
 
 Seth. According to the laws of Lousiana, no priest or no cere- 
 mony is required. She's yer lawful wife, and ye dare not deny 
 it. 
 
 Bijou. Peace, you old fool— 
 
 Seth. Silence ! 
 
 Taggs. Yes, quit chewing de rag. 
 
 Seth. (to Buou) To you of the' foreign tongue, with your 
 fine clothes and silky maun >rs — go ! with yer questionable charac- 
 ter — with yer — 
 
 Jeff. Stop! old man, don't dare to repeat those word =, or by 
 heaven, I'll kill you where you stand. 
 
 Seth. I dare do anything! [do repeat! what she is now, what 
 she may yet become— as she sinks lower and lower — 
 
 Bijou quickly draws revolver and aims at Seth — Taggs, who has 
 been watching her, suddenly sprints between Seth and Buou, 
 as she slioots, Taggs throws up anas and falls c, prostrate — 
 other's horrified — bETH holds her in his arms. 
 
 Jeff, (to Buou) Fool! you have ruined all ! 
 
 Oper. (leaping over rail) At last my search is ended. Madam 
 DelMaur, in the name of the law of the French government, you 
 are my prisoner — I arrest you for the theft of your step-mother's 
 jewels. 
 
 Bijou. Alberte Casague, the French detective! 
 
 Oper. At your service, Madam ! For live years you have led 
 me a long chase, but at last 'tis ended. I have now but to follow 
 the instructions of the Count — your father — 'tis this — (handing her 
 a dagger) 'tis all the sympathy he is disposed to show. 
 
 Bijou. Suicide ? (examining daggei 
 
 Oper. Yes, Madam ! suicide or the guillotine — choose. 
 
 Bijou. 'Tis a sharp medicine. Monsieur! 
 
 Jeff. But it will cure the disease. 
 
 Oper. Silence sir! For you, I have this to say — (Buou at- 
 tempts to stab Operator in back, Helene sees her and strikes her 
 arm. she drops dagger — Operator looks around — to Helene) 
 Madam, I thank you. (to Buou) I advise you not to attempt 
 that again, (hands her the dagger) Choose now and choose 
 quickly ! 
 
 Bijou, (aside) 'Tis the dee 1 of a coward. (very slow 
 
 Oper. Your answer — lam waiting! 
 
 Bijou. You want my answer? Then take it. (throws dagger 
 away from her) 'Tis no ! I am ready to answer for my crimes. 
 'Take me back to France, back to my proud father — do with me as 
 yon will — I am ready for the guillotine. 
 
 Oper. As you will, 'tis all I have to offer! (to Jeff) Sir! I 
 leave you to the American authorities and a just God. May they 
 deal with and judge you justly, and impose upon you the pun- 
 
40 TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETH 
 
 ishment you so richly deserve. Go! but remember there is a 
 noose around your neck, have a care that you do not step from 
 the straight path and draw that noose taut. 
 
 Jeff. And to you, sir! I say — go back to your sunny France, 
 to your gay Paris, to your fashionable world. Take your prisoner 
 there, show her all, lead her to the b'ock, watch her head roll in 
 the saw dust, then sny, "Justice at last, you are avenged." Go! 
 leave free born America and think yourself lucky, if you escape 
 the dagger or knife thrust — 
 
 Oper. Of a free born American. Assassin! Go? (exit, Jeff, 
 l., 1 e., sullen) But first, (Jeff turns) that knife, Monsieur, I 
 want it, give it to me — (pause) give it to me. (Jeff hands knife, 
 Operator points l., 1 e., Jeff leaves very sullen) Now Madam, 
 we must move, there is no need of an operator here the rest of this 
 night. Shall 1 use the bracelets? 
 
 Bijou. As you please. 
 
 Oper. Then I shall trust you, but no tricks, mind you— now 
 then, forward. (he wheels Buou around to L., 1 e. , exit, 
 
 Helene. Father, they have gone! 
 
 Seth. Yes, and she has gone, {rising) All! Helene, I'm glal 
 to have you back again, (arm around her) That one there held 
 your place in my heart, but now that I have you, we'll go back lo 
 the old place and strive to forget the pasr, but in our hearts we'll 
 always treasure sweet memories of that one there! Ah! Taggs, 
 you treely gave your life for mine — your's was a heart as true as 
 steel — we never knew what you was to us, until vou left us. 
 (they kneel) Her spirit has «;one to the God who gave it, and mav 
 the angels watch over you and guard you tenderly in thenex: 
 
 CUBTAIN. 
 THE ejjd 
 
^ ^ 
 
 .ZLmBs' Plays — G nntinued. 
 
 NO. 
 
 146 
 53 
 51 
 
 59 
 
 1(12 
 
 62 
 
 58 
 
 Our Awful Aunt 4 
 
 Out in the Streets 6 
 
 Rescued 5 
 
 Saved 2 
 
 Turn of the Tide 7 
 
 Three Glasses a Day 4 
 
 Ten Nights in a Bar-Room... 7 
 
 Wrecked 9 
 
 COMEDIES. 
 
 A D iv In A 1 1 .otor's OHice... 5 
 
 A Legal Holiday » 
 
 A Pleasure Trip 7 
 
 An Afflicted Family 7 
 
 Caugnt in the Act 7 
 
 Captured 6 
 
 Caste 5 
 
 Factory Girl 6 
 
 Heroic Dutchman of '70 8 
 
 Home 4 
 
 Love 's Labor Not Lost 3 
 
 Mr. Hudson's Tiger limit 1 
 
 New Years in N. Y 7 
 
 Not So Bad After All 6 
 
 Not Such a Fool as He Looks li 
 
 <>ur V. iys ii 
 
 Our Daughters 8 
 
 Pug and the Baby 5 
 
 Passions 8 
 
 Prof. James' Experience 
 
 Teaching Country School J 
 
 Rags and Bottles 4 
 
 Scale with Sharps and Flu 
 
 Solon Shingle 14 
 
 Two Bad Buys 7 
 
 The Biter Bit 
 
 The Cigarette 4 
 
 82.00(1 Reward 2 
 
 TRAGEDIES. 
 
 The Serf 6 
 
 324 
 
 136 
 168 
 124 
 257 
 24 S 
 178 
 176 
 207 
 
 199 
 
 174 
 158 
 149 
 37 
 237 
 338 
 126 
 265 
 114 
 264 
 
 219 
 
 2:;: i 
 221 
 262 
 87 
 131 
 240 
 
 16 
 
 FARCES & COMEDIETTA S. 
 
 12!' Aar-u-ag-oos 2 
 
 132 Actor and Servant 1 
 
 316 Aunt Charlotte's Maid 3 
 
 289 A Colonel's Mishap 5 
 
 12 A Capital Match 3 
 
 303 A Kiss in the Hark 2 
 
 166 ATexan Mother-in-Law 4 
 
 A Day Well Spent 7 
 
 169 A Regular Fix 2 
 
 286 A Professional Hardener 4 
 
 80 Alarmingly Suspicious 4 
 
 320 All In A Mud He 3 3 
 
 78 An Awful Criminal 3 3 
 
 313 A Matchmaking Father 2 
 
 31 A Pet of the Public 4 
 
 21 A Romantic Attachment 3 
 
 123 A Thrilling Rem 3 
 
 21) A Ticket of Leave 3 
 
 329 A Valets, Mistake 5 
 
 321 A Day in a Doctors Office 5 
 
 175 Betsey Baker 2 
 
 rk 
 
 8 Better Half 5 2 
 
 86 Black vs. White 4 2 
 
 22 Captain Smith - 3 3 
 
 84 Cheek Will Win 3 
 
 287 Cousin Josiah 1 1 
 
 225 Cupids CaDers 4 4 
 
 31 1 Cleveland s Reception Party. 5 3 
 
 24y Double Electi-n 9 1 
 
 49 Der Two Surprises 1 1 
 
 72 Deuce is in Him 5 1 
 
 19 Did 1 Dream it 4 3 
 
 220 Dutchy vs. Nigger 3 
 
 188 Dutch Prize Fighter 3 
 
 42 Domestic Felicity 1 1 
 
 148 Eh? What Did You Say 3 1 
 
 218 Everybody Astonished 4 
 
 224 Fooling with the Wrong Man 2 1 
 
 233 Freezing a Moiher-in-Law... 2 1 
 
 154 Fun in a Post Office 4 2 
 
 184 Family Discipline 1 
 
 274 Family Jars 5 2 
 
 209 (4oose with the Golden Eggs.. 5 3 
 
 13 Give Me My Wife 3 3 
 
 307 Hallabahoola, the Medicine 
 
 Man 4 3 
 
 ^ Hans, the Dutch J. P 3 1 
 
 271 Hans Brummel's Cafe 5 
 
 116 Hash 4 2 
 
 120 II. M.S. Plum 1 1 
 
 50 How She ha* Own Way 1 3 
 
 140 How He Popped the Ouest'n. 1 1 
 
 74 How to Tame M-in-Law 4 2 
 
 35 How Stout Your Getting 5 2 
 
 247 Incompatibility of Temper... 1 2 
 
 95 In the Wrong Clothes 5 3 
 
 305 Jacob Shlaff'a Mistake 3 2 
 
 199 Jitnmie Jones 3 2 
 
 11 John Smith 5 3 
 
 323 Johanes Blatz's Mistake 4 3 
 
 99 JumboJum 4 3 
 
 82 Killing Time 1 1 
 
 182 Kittie's Wedding Cake...- 1 3 
 
 127 Lick Skillet Wedding 2 2 
 
 228 Lauderbach's Little Surprise 3 
 
 302 Locked in' a Dress- maker's 
 
 Boom 3 2 
 
 106 Lodgings for Two 3 
 
 288 Love in all Corners 5 3 
 
 139 Matrimonial Bliss 1 1 
 
 231 Match for a other-Min-Law.. 2 2 
 
 235 More Blunders than one 4 3 
 
 69 Mother's Fool 6 1 
 
 23 .My Heart's in Highlands 4 3 
 
 208 My Precious Betsey 4 4 
 
 212 My Turn Next 4 3 
 
 32 My Wife'. Relations 4 4 
 
 ISO My Day and Now-a-Days 1 
 
 Neighbor's Wife 3 3 
 
 mka's Leap Year Venture.. 5 2 
 
 259 Nobody'sMoke 5 2 
 
 310 Our Hotel 5 3 
 
 334 Olivet 3 2 
 
 44 Obedience 1 2 
 
 33 On the Sly „ 3 2 
 
 r5 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 015 793 099 
 
 NO. 
 
 57 Paddv Miles' Boy 5 2 
 
 217 Patent Washing Machine 4 1 
 
 165 Persecuted Dutchman 6 3 
 
 195 PoorPilieody 2 3 
 
 159 Quiet Family 4 4 
 
 171 Rough Diamond 4 ?! 
 
 180 Ripples 2 
 
 267 Room 44 2 n 
 
 309 Santa C'aus' Daughter 5 4 
 
 48 Schnaps 1 1 
 
 138 Sewing Circle of Period n S 
 
 115 S. H. A. M. Pinafore 3 3 
 
 55 Somebody's Nobody 3 2 
 
 327 Strictly Temperance 2 2 
 
 232 Stage Struck Yankee 4 2 
 
 241 Struck by Lightning 2 2 
 
 270 Slick nnd Skinner 5 
 
 1 Slasher and Crasher 5 ? 
 
 326 Too Manv Cousins 3 3 
 
 339 Two Gentlemen in a Fix 2 
 
 137 Taking the Census 1 1 
 
 328 The Landlords Revenge.! 3 
 
 252 That Awful Carpet Bag 3 S 
 
 315 That Rascal Pat 3 2 
 
 4n That Mysterious B'dle 2 2 
 
 38 The Bewitched Closet 5 2 
 
 101 The Coining Man 3 1 
 
 167 Turn Him Out 3 2 
 
 291 The Actor's Scheme 4 4 
 
 308 The Irish Squire of Squash 
 
 Ridge 4 2 
 
 285 The Mashers Mashed 5 2 
 
 68 The Sham Professor 4 ' 
 
 295 TheSnellin' Skewl 7 r 
 
 54 TheTwoT.J's i ? 
 
 28 Thirtv-rhree Next Birthday.. 4 ? 
 
 292 Tim Flannigan 5 
 
 142 Tit for Tat 2 1 
 
 276 The Printer and ITis Devils.. 3 1 
 
 263 Trials of a Country Editor.... 6 2 
 
 7 The Wonderful Telephone.... 3 1 
 
 281 Two Aunt Emily 8 
 
 312 Uncle Ethan 4 3 
 
 269 TTniust Justice B 
 
 170 U.S. Mail - 2 ? 
 
 213 Vermont Wool Dealer 5 
 
 332 Which rt Which 3 3 
 
 151 Wanted :i Husband 2 1 
 
 56 Wooing Under Difficulties 5 3 
 
 70 Which will he Marry 
 
 135 Widower's Trials 1 
 
 117 Waking Him Up 1 
 
 155 Why they Joined the Re- 
 beccas 4 
 
 111 Yankee Duelist 3 1 
 
 157 Yankee Peddler 7 3 
 
 GUIDE BOOKS. 
 
 17 Hints on Elocution 
 
 1X0 Hints to Amateurs 
 
 CANTATA. 
 
 215 On to Victory 4 6 
 
 ETHIOPIAN FARCES. 
 
 2 4 Academy of Stars H 
 
 3 5 A Coincidence 8 
 
 65 An Unwelcome Return 3 
 
 15 An Unhappy Pair 1 
 
 172 Black Shoemaker 4 
 
 98 Black Statue 4 
 
 22 Colored Senators 3 
 
 214 Chops 3 
 
 145 Cuff's Luck 2 
 
 190 Crimps Trip 5 
 
 27 Fetter Lane to (iravesend 2 
 
 Haunted House 2 
 
 Hamlet the Dainty 6 
 
 How Sister Paxey got her 
 
 Child Baptized 2 
 
 Handy Andy 2 
 
 Hypochondriac The 2 
 
 In For It 3 
 
 In the Wrong Box 
 
 Joe's Vis't 2 
 
 88 Mischievous Nigger 4 
 
 250 Midnight Colic 2 
 
 128 Musical Darkey 2 
 
 90 NoCureNoPay 3 1 
 
 61 Not as Deaf as He Seems 3 
 
 244 Old Clothes 3 
 
 234 Old Dad's Cabin 2 1 
 
 150 OldPompey 1 1 
 
 246 Othello 4 1 
 
 109 Other People's Children 3 2 
 
 297 Pomp Green's Snakes 2 
 
 134 Pomp's Pranks 2 
 
 258 Prof „B«oes 'Latest Invention 5 
 
 177 QuarreUome Servants 3 
 
 96 Rooms to Let 2 1 
 
 107 School 5 
 
 133 Seeing Bosting 3 
 
 170 Sham Doctor 3 3 
 
 94 16.000 Years Ago 3 
 
 243 Sports on a Lark 3 
 
 25 Sport with a Sportsman 2 
 
 ■age Struck Darkey 2 1 
 
 238 Strawberry Shortcake 2 
 
 10 Stocks Up, Stocks Down 2 
 
 64 That P.ov Sam 3 1 
 
 253 The Best Cure 4 1 
 
 282 The Intelligence Office 3 
 
 122 The Select School 5 
 
 U8 The Popcorn Man 3 1 
 
 6 The Studio 3 
 
 108 Those Awful Boys 5 
 
 245 Ticket Taker 3 
 
 4 Twain's Dodging 3 1 
 
 197 Tricks 5 2 
 
 198 Un.le Jetf 5 2 
 
 216 Viec Versa 3 1 
 
 2'V, Villkens and Dinah 4 1 
 
 210 Virginia Mummy 6 1 
 
 203 Who Stole the Chickens 1 1 
 
 205 William Tell 4 
 
 156 Wisr-Maker and His Servants 3 
 
 Happy Franks Songter 
 
 ar 
 
 The Little Gem Make-Up Box. Price 50 Cents.