►S 3531 fl28 »75 1916 ^opy 1 PRICE 25 CENTS I THE PRIZE ESSAY or "Boy Wanted" BECKLEY- ORDY COMPANY Chicago THE PRIZE ESSAY OR, "BOY WANTED" A COMEDY FOR GIRLS IN TWO ACTS BY EDITH F. A. U. PAINTON his BECKLEY-CARDY COMPANY CHICAGO P5 353I , f\ Z.% P75 Copyright, 11)16, by BECKLEY-CARDY COMPANY M 28 1916 ®CU J 108.9 7 CHARACTERS Kate A Student at Blankville High School Ora Her Sister Hester Rival of Kate Joy Ora's Chum Carrie A Gypsy Pro-temporary Susan. . . ._ Maid at the Home of Kate and Ora Marie Clara !- Just Students Ella Place : Blankville Time: Near Commencement Time of Playing: About One Hour SYNOPSIS Act I — In the Wood. Afternoon. The Mischief on foot. Act II — Parlor at the home of Kate and Ora. Evening. The mischief iinclerfoot. COSTUMES Students : Act I — School costumes, to suit. Act II — Dainty evening dress. Carrie: Disguised as gypsy, faded calico wrapper, old- fashioned shawl, mask. Hobbles about on cane, speaks in high, cracked, trembling falsetto tone. SYNOPSIS FOR PROGRAM Act I. Hester meets her conscience, — also Carolina, — and a plot unfolds. The girls bewail their lack of boys, and have their fortunes told. Kate and Susan search for the lost essay. Kate is given a false clew, and Susan accuses the gypsy of kidnaping. "Stolen!" Act II. A class reception with a missing hostess. "Boy Wanted!" Kate learns where her essay is hidden, and both Carrie and Hester repent, confess, and are forgiven. A fore- cast of the future. "Come right in, boys!" STORY OF THE PLAY Hester, through jealousy, secretes the essay Kate has written to submit in a prize contest, under a rug in her room, and persuades Carrie, disguised as a gypsy, to send her out on a false search until too late to enter the paper in the contest. The plan works well until Carrie's conscience impels her to confession, when Hester repents, and all is forgiven and forgotten. Susan, the maid, who has no taste for grammar, but a decided taste for boys, furnishes the comedy. PROPERTIES Handkerchief and book for Hester; basket of pink roses and watch, for Ora ; cane, shawl, small twig for Carrie ; apron, cap, small mirror, dust-cloth, and sign, ''Boy Wanted" for Susan. STAGE DIRECTIONS E. means right of stage; C, center; R. C, right center; L., left. The actor is supposed to be facing the audience. ■ 1 THE PRIZE ESSAY ACT I Scene: A icood. Log near hack. Hester, discovered, pacing hack and forth, looking anx- iously and nervously in all directions. Hester. Why doesn't she come? She said she would be sure to be here early, and it seems as though I have been waiting for hours already. But I suppose I haven't. [Pause, still walking hack and forth uneasily] Dear me! how my heart beats! It's the hardest work in the world to be really downright wicked! I'm almost tempted to back out even now! If it wasn't that Kate is always winning all the honors of the class, I'd run and dig up her old essay this very minute, and clear my skirts of the whole deal before it is too late! But— [>Sfefs teeth firmly together] I won't! I just won't! If it wasn't for her, I'd win at least ''Honorable Mention" now and then, and I'm going to, too, this time! So, there, Mr. Conscience, just you ' ' get thee behind me ! ' ' But ! what would the teachers say if they knew what a wicked, wicked girl they are harboring here at Blankville High School? But they shan't know ! No, sir ! [Walks to R.] Carrie enters L., hohhling in on cane, follows Hester stealthily to B., lays hand on arm, speaks in cracked voice. Carrie. Not so fast, my pretty little lady ! Hester [screams]. 0-o-o-o-h! [Carrie laughs a mocking laugh in her cracked voice. Hester slowly recovers] How 7 8 THE PRIZE ESSAY you did frighten me, Carrie — or — I mean — Carolina ! You 're great ! Carrie. So you think I '11 do, eh ? Hester. Do ? You 're simply perfect ! Now don 't forget your part! Carrie. Trust me for that. Hester. Remember, now, she must be sent far enough away to keep her from getting back home in time to find her essay, — right, of course, where she herself left it, you imderstancl, — [Carrie nods tvisely] in time to hand it in before the time is up. Carrie [after uneasy paiise'\. I wish — Hester [sharply]. Wish what? Carrie [hesitatingly']. Wish^you — had somebody else to — to — do your dirty work. Hester. Dirty work? Why, it's only a little fun! Carrie. Fun ? Hester. Of course. Isn't it as much fun to play gypsy as it was to act darky in — Carrie [looking around apprehensively]. 'Sh ! Hester. pshaw! There's nobody anywhere near, and the trees have no ears. Of course it's just a joke. Carrie. Humph ! Well, I only hope the rest will see the joke. Hester. They will, — when it's over. I tell you it doesn't amount to anything. I've just got a little grudge toward Kate, and I want to get even with her. See? Carrie. Wish you could do it alone ! Hester. Well, I can't, and I need you. Carrie. But — Hester [sharply]. You're not thinking of backing out, are you? Carrie [hesitatingly]. N-o-o-o-o ! — only — Hester. Because I wouldn't advise you to, you know. If I should tell ]\Iiss Norton how I saw you hiding down in the hall after she had sent you — Carrie [looking around uneasily, as if afraid some one woidd hear]. Don't, Hester! I'll do the best I can. I like a THE PRIZE E8l^AY joke as well as anyone, but it seems to me this might be carrying it a little too far, and I wouldn't really hurt Kate for the world. Hester. Of course not. Neither would I. Carrie [pointedly]. Are you sure? Hester. Sure. Carrie. But what 's the great hurry about it ? Hester. Well, the teachers are very particular about the time, and refuse to allow one extra minute after nine-thirty to-night. [Carrie nods] We're all so inclined to put off doing everything until the very last minute that they are determined to cure us of the habit this time, once and for all. Carrie. I see. [Pause] Well, — I '11 fix her. Hester. And, Carolina, if you ever dare to tell — Carrie. Tell? Me tell? Hester. Somebody might scare you into it. [Walks L., listens] Carrie [laughs harsJdy]. 'Twould be easier to scare me out of it. [Laughter out L. Carrie starts and looks out L., apprehensively] I'd be too much afraid of everybody and everything to squeal on you, when it would only mean giving myself away the cheapest. [Laughter out L., nearer-] Hester [uneasily]. Here comes somebody, — right this way, too. You'd better hide for a little while. It's too light yet for you to show yourself to advantage. Carrie, [mockingly]. Yes, lady. [Hobbles off R.] .Hester. dear ! I wonder who it is. I hope they won 't see how guilty I feel. [Rubs cheeks with handkerchief] Am I blushing, I wonder? My cheeks feel so hot. O dear, dear me! I don't like to feel so — so — so uncomfortable. If I ever get out of this scrape, I'll— I'll— I'll—well, I'll try to be good. [Laughter off L. again] There! they're surely coming. I'll just sit down and pretend to be study- ing. '[Sits on log, opens book, reads] Ora enters L., with large basket of pink roses. 10 TEE PRIZE ESSAY Ora. Hurry up, Joy, here's a nice place to sit. If we don't hurry, we won't get our wreaths all made before the reception to-night. Joy enters. Joy. I know. Aren't you glad that we've chosen the pink rose for our class flower? Why, here's Hester! Ora. Hello, Hester. What are you doing? Hester [sarcastically]. Playing the piano. Can't you see? [Girls laugh] Joy. You seem to have an unusually industrious streak, Hester. Ora. Yes, and good-natured one, too! Better hippety-hop to the candy shop, and get something to sweeten yourself up. [Sits on log, sorting roses for wreath] You must have been feasting on pickles or sauerkraut this afternoon. Hester. Humph ! Joy. If you stay here, you can help us make these wreaths. [Sits by Ora and begins to work] Hester [sarcastically] . Thanks ! So kind of you ! Ora. Oh, no charge! — if you'll be careful not to spoil them. Joy. Have you handed in your essay for the contest, yet, Hester? Hester, Of course. Haven't you? Joy. Oh, yes. But, of course, we girls don't stand any kind of show with you and Kate ! Hester [scornfully]. Kate? I don't see why she always has to take every prize. Ora. She doesn't have to, — but she almost always does. Dear old sis ! As Susan says, ' ' She don 't seem to know nothing about failing, noway." Joy [laughing]. Will you never teach that maid of yours to speak correctly ? Ora, I 'm afraid not ! She has a weakness for grammar. But she's great fun. Hester. Well, I, for one, will be glad when school is over, and we won 't any of us have to worry about our language and deportment, and all that. S TEE PRIZE ESSAY 11 Ora mid Joy. "Why, Hester ! Hester. Won't youf Ora. Not I ! Joy. Nor I ! I want to enjoy every minute of it while I can. Ora. I do wish we weren't such a '^hen party" of a class, though. [Sighs] If we only had ^'just one boy!" Joy and Hester. O, Ora ! Ora. Well, don't you? Joy [hashfidly]. Well — maybe — a little. Ora. Thought so ! A boy would add such distinction, — and be such a protection, — and — and — all that, you know. Susan's always bewailing our lack of boys. "You ain't never going to do nothing big, noways, without no boys ! ' ' she says. Hester [sarcastically] . And I suppose your maid runs the house ! Ora. Oh well, she helps a lot. We could hardly get along without Susan ! Joy. But I think our not having any boys is a strong argu- ment for the superiority of women. It shows how much smarter we girls are than the boys, you see. We graduate, — they ''quituate." Ora [laughi^ig]. That's good! I must tell Susan about that. Hester [scornftdly] . Susan ! Humph ! Carrie hohhles hack in R. Carrie. Pretty ladies, let the old gypsy tell your fortunes. Girls [jumping up] . 0-o-o-h ! Hester [turns away]. Mercy. Carrie. Don't be afraid. The old gypsy likes pretty little ladies. Ora. And can you really tell fortunes? Carrie. Try me. Joy. But we have no money. Carrie. Thefi give me just a rose. Nolbody ever gives old Carolina any roses now. Once, when she was young and 12 THE PRIZE E^SSAY pretty like you, many roses fell in her path. Now, — [Pauses, shakes head sadly] Ora [while selecting rose]. You poor soul! Of course you shall have a rose. These pink roses are the emblem of our class at school, you know, and they mean a great deal to us, because they express our motto, — ''Noblesse oblige!" [Pirn rose on Carrie] "Nobility brings obligations," you know! [Stands hack to admire effect of rose] See! what a pretty one ! Carrie [repeats slowly, with air of guilt, glancing uneasily over shoulder at Hester]. ''Nobility — brings obligations!" Joy. Yes, isn't that a splendid motto? It is to that one pur- pose that our lives are to be given. But do tell our for- tunes, now. Carrie. Give me your hand. [Studies it silently. Hester starts off L.] Ora. Where are you going, Hester? Hester. To school. I have to study once in a while, — if you don't! [Exit L.] Ora. Wonder what's gone wrong with Hester to-day! It's not a bit like her to be so cross and — and — disagreeable. Joy. Oh, she probably feels out of sorts about the essay contest. She's always jealous of Kate, you know. Ora. Well, she ought to be. Kate is sure to get the prize. She 's the smartest girl in all the state, — if I do say it ! Carrie [tracing lines of Joy^s hand with little twig]. I see you in a big crowd, — soon, — very soon, — ^much noise, — much laugh, — many girls, — no boys. Ora. Humph ! Must be the reception to-night. Carrie. Much worry, — ugh ! — tears, too ! — many tears from pretty eyes, — some storm, — then many smiles, — and much joy! Ora. Great time you're in for, Joy ! Joy. Do keep still, Ora. Let her go on. Carrie. Much eat, too! Ora [smacking lips]. Of course. There's always "much eat" when the girls get a chance at divinity and fudge. \ THE PRIZE ESSAY 13 Carrie. You study much — do work, much work — don't much like figures, and them funny criss-cross lines, and round circles. Or a. Geometry, Joy ! Joy [to Ora]. Now, how do you suppose she found that out? I was just hoping that Miss Norton would forget about the problems to-night. Ora. She read your mind, Joy. Isn 't she wonderful ? Joy [to Carrie]. Go on, please. Carrie. I see in the far future much sun, — much riches, — great things. A nice little home, — a big, brave, handsome husband,— much joy. Yes? That's all for the pretty lady. Joy. Thank you. Ora. It's certainly enough for one pretty lady. [Extends hand to Carrie] What do you see for me, please? Carrie. Big place, — school, — much noise, — many children, — girls, — boys, too, — you teacher. Yes? Ora. Perhaps. Carrie. You have a sister, — beauty, — good, — wise, — trouble coming, — black clouds. Ora. To Kate ! Oh, surely not to Kate ! Carrie. Much tears, — something lost, — something white, — make many worries ! Ora [drawing hand away]. I — guess — that will do. Let's go home, Joy, right away. She frightens me. What could happen to Kate? Dear old Kate! Hurry. [Runs off K.] Joy [to Carrie]. What made you tell her that? Carrie [shaking head mysteriously]. The old gypsy has to tell what she sees. Joy. dear! dear! [Calls R.] Wait for me, Ora. I'm coming! I'll never have my fortune told again, never, never, never. [Exits R.] Carrie. Poor girls ! I wish I hadn 't frightened them. I let my tongue get away from me that time. But why did I let Hester work me into this business anyway? I never felt so mean in my life, — never! But if I back out now, 14 TEE PRIZE ESSAY she'll tell Miss Norton about — hist! somebody coming! [Sits on log with hack to audience, and mutters to herself, marking on ground with cane and cautiously looking to see what is going on] Kate enters R. Kate. Hurry up, Susan. We must find that essay. I would rather lose almost anything else I have in the world. Susan enters. Susan. Yes, Miss Kate. I ain't so slow now, be I? Kate. Susan ! Susan ! Such language ! You must say, ' ' I am not so slow now, am I ? " Susan. Well, I did say, '*I am't so slow now, be I?" — didn't I, Miss Kate? Kate. Dear me, yes! That's just exactly what you did say, Susan, and what I don't want you to say. Susan [innocently]. Why, come now. Miss Kate, didn't you not say, just this very minute, that I should ought to say it that way ? Kate. Well, never mind. I must find that paper, whether you learn to talk properly or not. Susan. In course, Miss Kate. You can't never make nothing out of me, nohow, but just plain Susan. Kate [searching ground] . I must have lost it on the way home from school. It couldn't have got out of my composition book any other way. Susan [helping her search]. I shouldn't ought to be so far from home, noways, with but just my cap and apron on. [Fauses, taking small mirror from pocket of apron and looking at reflection, smiles with satisfaction] Kate. you're all right, Susan. You're not apt to meet Pete on this street anyway. Susan [protesting archly] . Miss Kate I Kate. And if you do, he likes your cap and apron, — with you inside it. Susan. Miss Kate ! TEE PRIZE ESSAY 15 Kate. If Mamma wasn't so sick that it would be such a shock to her if I didn't win the prize, — Dr. Erwin said she mustn't be shocked or grieved in any way, you know, — and if Papa hadn 't promised me that trip to the beach this summer if I did win, — why, — why, — well, I don't think I 'd care so much, but as it is — Susan. Of course, Miss Kate, you wouldn't never care noth- ing about it, then. Kate [points L.]. You go over there, Susan, and hunt every- where. I'll see if I can't find some sign of it here. Susan. All right. Miss Kate. Kate. Don't overlook it, Susan. No, I won't never do that, nohow. Miss Kate. [Starts L.y turns hack at entrance] The idee, anyway, of a class that ain't got no boys in it to protect 'em, and wait on 'em! They might o' knowed they couldn't do nothing, nohow, without no boys ! [Exits L.] Kate. And on the subject of our class motto, too, — "Noblesse oblige.'^ And now to have it lost! to have it not even have a chance to do any good, — to have all the teachers think that I was disobedient in not writing it, or else careless in losing it, — how can I stand it? [Sits near front, weeping] Carrie [has kept her head howed almost to the ground in order to keep out of sight. Now looks hack over shoidder at Kate, shaking head guiltily, and muttering to herself] ' ' Nobility — brings — obligations ! ' ' Kate. When we chose the blue and white for our colors, — the blue for truth, and the white for purity, we meant that every one of us should live ever and always to the one end as voiced in our motto, realizing to the full the obliga- tions nobility always brings. Carrie [as hefore]. "Nobility — brings — obligations!" Kate. I have tried ! I have tried ! [After pause, rises] But I have no time to waste in tears. I must find it. [Goes to log hy Carrie to look for it] I must ! I must ! Carrie [rising and facing Kate] . Is the pretty lady in trouble ? 16 THE PRIZE ESSAY Kate. 0-0-0-0-h ! Carrie. Don't be afraid of me, pretty lady. I'm a good gypsy, and I tell people their fortunes, and help them out of their troubles, like all good gypsies do. Can't I help you, pretty lady? Kate. Oh, I wonder if you could! If you only, only could ! Carrie. I am sure I could. Let me see what is in your hand. [Looks at hand] I see trouble, — a white paper, — much writing, — pretty writing, — lost, — yes, — lost on the way to the big brick store. Kate [eagerly]. Oh, I had forgotten. I did go to that store before I went home. I did ! I did ! Carrie. Wait ! I see it lying,r— all folded up so nice, with its pretty black writing, — right down between two stones, near where the water flows, — trickle, — trickle, — trickle, — trickle, — Kate. Oh, if it should get wet ! I must hurry ! [Tries to jnill hand away] Carrie. No, no ! It will lie very still and quiet so nobody else will see it till the pretty lady comes, — for it loves the pretty lady, and is going to win for her a prize, — O lovely prize! — Kate [all excitement]. Oh! Oh! Let me go! Let me go! Quick! [Runs off B.] Carrie. She 's safe now, — for hours ! Susan [co7nes in L. hastily]. Did you call. Miss Kate? Carrie. Ugh ! Susa7i. Oh ! Oh ! Oh ! Who are you ? and where is Miss Kate? Carrie. I am a gypsy, of course, — where are your eyes? [Susan puts fingers to eyes] And what do I know about your Miss Kate? Susan. You've just gone and stealed her, so you have! I've hear'd what you gypsies be always up to doing. And I'll just have you arrested, and locked up in a jail, so I will. Help! Help! Help! THE PRIZE ESSAY 17 Class [off L., yelling]. What's the fuss? U— s— Us ! Blankville High School — That's the fuss. Carrie tries to run. Susan [catching hold of her]. No, you don't, old woman, noways! — not never till you tell me where Miss Kate be gone to. Marie, Clara, and Ella enter L. Marie. "1 Clara. I What's the fuss? Ella. J Ella. Susan. Marie. What is it? Clara. What's wrong? Susa7i. Miss Kate is stolen by gypsies ! Marie. Kate ? Clara. Stolen ? Ella. Gypsies ? Susa7i. Yes, stole by gypsies. She was right here just a minute ago to look for her paper, and new she just ain't nowhere. Ella. Her paper ? Marie. What paper? Clara. Looking for what? Susan. Why, her essay. All. What? Susan. Her prize essay that was — Hester runs in L. Hester. What's all this fuss about? Quarreling? Ora runs in R., followed by Joy. Ora. Kate ! Kate ! [Looks all around group in surprise] Why, isn't Kate here? Susan. No, Miss Ora, she just ain't nowhere. 18 THE PRIZE ESSAY Joy. What? Isn't anywhere? Susan. She's just been and got stole by gypsies, Miss Ora^ and here is one of the wretched thieves now. Girls [together, in horror] . Stolen ! All gather around Carrie in amazement and curiosity. Carrie suddenly raises head and points an accusing finger at Hester, who drops head and turns guiltily away. Hold pose for curtain. CURTAIN ^ 1 ACT II Scene : Parlor at the home of Kate and Ora. Susan discovered alone, dusting furniture. After business, pauses, standing with hands on hips, surveying the room critically. Susan. There! I reckon this room is plenty clean enough to suit them young ladies now. It'll look like a cyclone had struck it anyway, before the blowout's over, with all the monkey-shines they be forever cutting up ! The idee, any- ways, of a reception without no boys to it ! I 've jest got a good sound notion to get some boys to come in anyways. But how? [Thinks] I know. I'll jest get that sign Mr. Brown had up to his office window, and I'll stick it right up here. That '11 bring 'em. It brung him an office boy quick enough, and it '11 bring boys to these here doings, sure. [Gets sign, "Boy W anted,'' and hangs in window, then stands hack, surveying it proitdly] That looks like business, it do, for a fact. It's just alike on both sides, too, so everybody outside can tell what it says. [Sighs] If Miss Kate was only found ! It 's her what 's worrying me, most of everything. If there was just one boy in the class, I'd send him in a jiffy to look her up. But — [Sighs] — dear! If that old gypsy hadn't got away so slick, I 'd ' known where she 'd been an ' gone to. But she swore nobody hadn't been stealing Miss Kate noways. She said if we'd jest wait, she'd be coming home all right, and so, like plumb id jits, we let her get away. And no Miss Kate yet ! dear ! O dear ! 19 20 . THE PRIZE ESSAY Ora enters C. Ora. Hasn 't ^liss Kate come home yet, Susan ? Susan. No, Miss Ora. I ain't saw no signs of her nowhere. Ora. You meant to say, ''I haven't seen any sign of her any- where," didn't you, Susan? Susan. Well, ain't that what I said? — ''I ain't saw no signs of her nowhere. ' ' 07'a. But that isn 't what I said. I said — Susan. Never you mind, Miss Ora. You jest can't never learn me no grammar, noways. I wasn 't never meant for no edicated young lady. I jest got to talk 'Nited States like it's spoke by common folks. [Looks at Ora admir- ingly] My ! how sweet you be in them fine togs o' yourn ! Ora [hows loiv]. Thank you, Susan. Snsan. "Well, I must jest run upstairs now, and see if the bedrooms be in good fix for them girls to lay their duds off in.- [Exits B.] Ora. Dear me ! That Susan ! She never will learn to speak properly. [Sees sign] Well, I declare! If Papa hasn't got his sign up here ! Wonder what in the world he wants with a boy here at home. [Sighs] I do wish Kate would come home. She was so anxious to have the class recep- tion here. If she doesn't hurry, she won't have time to dress before the other girls get here. [Loud ring of hell at L.] Dear me! There they come now. [Laughter out L.] If Kate was only here! Enters Susan, ushering in Hester, Joy, ]\Iarie, ClxVra and Ella, all laughing, L. Susan. Here be the bunch, ]\Iiss Ora. [Exits L.] Ora. Quite a Susanic announcement, girls. But I'm very glad to welcome you. Joy. Why, where is Kate? Ora. Not home yet. All [in amazement]. What? [Ora shakes head. All look at one another in consternation] Oh, dear! THE PRIZE EHfSfASfAr 27 Kate. But, girls ! Girls ! It is not to be lovely and sweet, and to have everybody love me that I have made up my mind to this, — no, — not even to do just a lot of good; because we can do that, you know,- in every walk of life, when we once resolve to follow the Golden Rule. I had a deeper reason than any of these, — All [eagerly]. What? Kate. To live up to our motto: to live my life every day — every hour — yes, every minute of it, demonstrating ''Noblesse oblige" — putting into active use the nobility God has given me, and the teachers have worked so hard to develop in me. Joy. But why you, more than others, Kate ? Kate [gravely] . We who are better equipped than others for the battle of life by either birth or breeding— yes, or even in brain or brawn — have a duty to our friends, and to the world that we are under obligations to fill. "Noblesse oblige!" This shall be my motto through life, and my mission to all humanity. All. Dear Kate ! Kate. 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There is an appropriate literary quotation for each day — 303 in all, 100 interesting stories, anecdotes and recreations, a goodly number of poems, many birtliday exercises and those of the seasons, special day programs, related songs and readings, Bible references, etc. The exercises are in endless variety, emphasizing moral principles and teaching lessons of proper conduct, right thought, ideals of life, and the appreciation of nature, literature, science, and art. Each day has its own lesson and an abundance of the best material for use therewith. All special days and school occasions, also birthdays of noted men and women, are duly recorded and suitably com- memorated. The material is for all grades, and the teacher will find the book an invaluable aid in her work. 252 pages. Cloth. Price, 60 cents THE BEST CHRISTMAS BOOK Edited by Joseph C. Sindelar There is nothing better or newer published in the way of Christ- mas entertainments. The material contained in this book is fresh and original, much of it having been written specially by Marie Irish, Harriette Wilbur, and Thos. B. Weaver. There is a wealth of new ideas, and a complete program for everyone. It is positively the "Best" book of Christmas entertainment exercises published. Ar- ranged according to grades. The following list of classified contents will show the variety and scope of the work. Contents : 82 recitations, 36 quotations, 4 mono- logues and readings, 10 dialogues, exercises and plays, 7 fancy drills and marches, 4 acrostics and motion songs, 3 tableaux, 4 pantomimes and pantomimed songs, 9 songs with music, 8 songs of new words to old tunes, 14 facts regarding Christmas and Christmas customs in other lands. Illustrated. 192 pages. Paper. Price, 30 cents BECKLEY-CARDY CO. Educational Publishers CHICAGO BEST BOOKS AND HELPS FOR TEACHERS OF ALL GRADES Morning Exercises for All the Year. By Joseph C. Sindelar, author of the "Nixie Bunny" books, etc. Contains over 300 exercises, arranged day by day, there being an exercise for each morning of the ten school months, beginning with the first day in Sep- tember and ending with the last day in June. 262 large pages. Cloth. Price, 60 cents. Language Games for All Grades. By Alhambra G. Deming, Princi- pal Washington School, Winona, Minn. Designed to establish the habit of correct speech and to increase the child's vocabulary. 90 pages. Cloth. Price (with 53 cards for pupils' use), 65 cents. Easy Things to Draw. By D. R. Augsburg. A teacher's handbook, with 203 simple drawings for reproducing on the blackboard. 77 large pages. Paper. Price, 30 cents. Simplex Class Record. The most convenient, compact and practical teacher's class book published. Provides space for 432 names. 76 pages, ruled in three colors. Size, 4J/2x7% inches. Cloth. Price, 30 cents. Simplex Seat Plan. A simple card and pocket device for keeping a correct list of the pupils for easy reference. Size, 6x9 inches. Cloth. Price (with 100 cards), 35 cents. District-School Dialogues. By Marie Irish. A collection of twenty- five new, humorous flialogues for children of all ages. 160 pages. Paper. Price, 30 cents. The Best Christmas Book. By Joseph C. Sindelar. Dialogues, reci- tations, songs, drills, pantomimes, tableaux, etc., for Christmas entertainment. 192 pages. Paper. Price, 30 cents. Best Memory Gems. Selected and edited by Joseph C. Sindelar. Con- tains 400 of the choicest gems culled from the best in litera- ture, and indexed by authors, by first lines, and by sentiment. For primary, intermediate and grammar grades. 64 pages. Paper. Price, 15 cents. Best Primary Recitations. By Winifred A. Hoag. Over 200 original recitations for first and second grades. 88 pages. Paper. Price, 15 cents. Best Primary Songs. By Amos M. Kellogg. Nearly sixty songs for primary and ungraded schools. 48 large pages. Paper. Price, 15 cents. Merry Melodies. By S. C. Hanson. A book of school songs. Over one -half million copies already sold, 64 large pages. Paper. Price, 15 cents. 128-page illustrated Catalogue of Books mailed upon request BECKLEY-CARDY CO. Publishers CHICAGO LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ■I 018 348 644 5