m^" Venison sjpecialties I FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY By Ragna B. Eskil ^S.jDenison & Company Publishers ■ Chicago III lililillil mw: nil! III! Ill l|!!l llill I ll: Price, 30 Cents ill i iiiiiiiiyiiiiiiii DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS Partial List of Successful and Popular Plays. Large Catalogue Free. DRAMAS, COMEDIES, ENTERTAINMENTS, Etc. M. F. Aaron Boggs, Freshman, 3 acts, 2y2 hrs (35c) 8 8 Abbu San of Old Japan, 2 ;icts, 2 hrs (35c) 15 After the Game, 2 acts, 154 hrs (25c) 1 9 All a Mistake, 3 acts, 2 hrs. (3Sc) 4 4 All on Account of Polly, 3 acts, 2^ hrs (35c) 6 10 And Home Came Ted, 3 acts, 2»4 hrs (50c) 6 6 Arizona Cowboy, 4 acts, 2J4 hrs (35c) 7 5 Assisted by Sadie, 4 acts, 214 hrs (50c) 6 6 As a Woman Thinketh, 3 acts, 2}^ hrs (35c) 9 7 At the End of the Rainbow, 3 acts, 214 hrs (35c) 6 14 Black Heifer, 3 acts, 2 hrs. (25c) 9 3 Boy Scout Hero, 2 acts, W/l hrs, (25c) 17 Boy Scouts' Good Turn, 3 acts, IM hrs (25c) 16 2 Brookdale Farm, 4 acts, 2J4 hrs (25c) 7 3 Brother Josiah, 3 acts, 2 hrs. (25c) : 7 4 Busy Liar, 3 acts, 2^ h. (25c) 7 4 Call of the Colors, 2 acts, 1^4 hrs (25c) 4 10 Call of Wohelo, 3 acts, MA hrs (25c) 10 Camouflage of Shirley, 3 acts, 2^ hrs (35c) 8 10 Civil Service, 3 acts, 2^/4 li^rs. (35c) 6 S College Town, 3 acts, 2^4 hrs. (35c) 9 8 Deacon Dubbs, 3 acts, 2^4 hrs. (35c) 5 5 Deacon Entangled, 3 acts, 2 hrs. (35c) 6 4 Down in Dixie, 4 acts, 2^4 hrs (25c) 8 4 Dream That Came True. 3 acts. 2V^ hrs (35c) 6 13 Editor-in-Chief, 1 hr (25c) 10 Enchanted Wood, 1^ h.(35c).Optnl. Everyyouth, 3 acts, 1 1^ h. (25c) 7 6 Face at the Window, 3 acts, 2 hrs (25c) 4 4 For the Love of Johnnv. 3 acts, 2J4 hrs (50c) 6 3 Fun on the Podunk Limited, 11/2 hrs (30c) 9 14 Gettin' Acquainted, 25 min. (35c) 1 2 Her Honor, the Mayor, 3 acts, 2 hrs (35c) 3 5 M. F. High School Freshman, 3 acts, 2 hrs (25c) 12 Indian Days, 1 hr (50c) 5 2 In Plum Valley, 4 acts, 2J4 hrs (25c) 6 4 Jayville Junction, H^ hrs. (25c) 14 17 Kicked Out of College, 3 acts, 2M hrs (35c) 10 9 Kingdom of Heart's Content, 3 acts, 2J4 hrs (35c) 6 12 Laughing Cure, 2 acts, IH hrs. (35c) 4 5 Lightnouse Nan, 3 acts, 2J4 hrs (35c) 5 4 Little Buckshot, 3 acts, 2J4 hrs. (25c) 7 4 Little Clodhopper, 3 acts, 2 hrs (35c) 3 4 Mirandy's Minstrels. . . . (30c) Optnl. Mrs. Tubbs of Shantytown, 3 acts, 214 hrs (35c) 4 7 My Irish Rose, 3 acts, 2j4 hrs. (35c) 6 6 Old Maid's Club, IJ^ hrs. (30c) 2 16 Old Oaken Bucket, 4 acts, 2 hrs (25c) Old School at Hick'ry Holler, 114 hrs (30c) 12 9 On the Little Big Horn, 4 acts, 21/2 hrs (25c) 10 4 Poor Married Man, 3 acts, 2 hrs (35c) 4 4 Prairie Rose. 4 acts, 2V-2 h.(35c) 7 4 Real Thing After All, 3 acts, 2J4 hrs (35c) 7 9 Rustic Romeo, 2 acts, 254 hrs (35c) 10 12 Ruth in a Rush, 3 acts, 2J4 hrs (35c) 5 7 Safety First, 3 acts, 254 hrs (35c) 5 5 Southern Cinderella, 3 acts. 2 hrs (30c) 7 Spark of Life, 3 acts, 2 hrs (25c) 4 4 Spell of the Image, 3 acts, 2^4 hrs (35c) 10 10 Star Bright, 3 acts, 2^4 h. (35c) 6 5 Those Dreadful Twins, 3 acts, 2 hrs (25c) 6 4 Thread of Destiny, 3 acts, 2]f4 hrs (35c) 9 16 Tony, the Convict, 5 acts, 2i4 hrs (25c) 7 4 Trial of Hearts, 4 acts, 2J4 hrs. (35c) 6 18 Trip to Storyland, 1^4 hrs. (25c) 17 23 Uncle Josh, 4 acts, 254 hrs. (25c) 8 3 Under Blue Skies, 4 acts. 2 hrs (35c) 7 10 When Smith Stepped Out. 3 acts, 2 hrs (50c) 4 4 Whose Little Bride Are You? 3 acts, 254 hrs (50c) 5 .5 Winning Widow, 2 acts, 1^4 hrs. (25c)- 2 4 8 6 T,S.DENISON&COMPANY,Publishers,154VV. Randolph St., Chicago FOR THE SAKE of PEGGY A CHILD WELFARE PLAY In One Act BY RAGNA B. ESKIL AUTHOR OF [unt Harriet's Night Out," "America in the Making," "Betty's and Bobby's Christmas." "Lottie Sees It Through" "Who's the Boss?" Etc. CHICAGO T. S. DENISON & COMPANY Publishers i?S(.^^ FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY CHARACTERS. Mrs. Thompson The Social Leader of Clinton Mrs. Lennox. .Chairman of the Child Welfare Committee Mrs. Black. . . .A Nezvcomer, Interested in Child Welfare Mrs. Casey. . . .Who Always Agrees zvith Mrs. Thompson Mrs. Strath more. . .A Wealthy Friend of Mrs. Thompson Mary Her Daughter Peggy Mrs. Thompson s Daughter Annie The Thompsons' Maid Mrs. Stanika One of the Mill Women Joseph Her Son Miss Sims A Trained Nurse Miss Brown 4 Teacher Ten to Twenty Children {or more) between the ages of four to six years. Place — The Living Room of the Thompson Home. Time — The Present. Any Afternoon in the School Year. Time of Playing — About Forty-five Minutes. COPYRIGHT, 1920, BY RAGNA B. ESKIL, ^ TMP96-00729i ©G1.D 5(^154 DEC -2 1920 FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY 3 COSTUMES AND CHARACTERISTICS. Mrs. Thompson — A woman of about thirty-five. She is one of those charming, gracious women who are very set in their notions against a thing, but whose influence is worth winning. She wears a pretty afternoon dress. Mrs. Lennox — An efficient, kindly woman, older than Mrs. Thompson. She wears a well-tailored suit. Mrs. Black — A young newcomer in town. She wears a pretty street dress. Mrs. Casey — Fat and jolly and with a habit of agreeing with the most influential person present. She is rather dowdy in her dress. Mrs. Strath more — A strikingly pretty young woman, very richly dressed. She carries a handbag with the chart in it. Mary — A rosy-cheeked, healthy girl of about six. She is dressed in a plain, well-made serge or linen dress and a simple hat. Peggy — A delicate girl of about five. She is dressed in white and has a white wool shawl about her shoulders. Annie — She wears the regulation maid's black dress and white apron. Mrs. Stanika — She is not dowdy, but is dressed to look "foreign." She wears a shawl instead of a hat on her head. Joseph — A frail looking boy of five or six. His mother is proud of his "American" clothes and he looks quite dressed up. Miss Sims — Regulation nurse's costume. Miss Brown — Wears a school dress and hat. The children, both boys and girls, should be dressed in every-day school clothes. If the play is supposed to take place in the winter time, then, if the stage is large enough, they may come in with their hats and coats, and remove them immediately on entering. FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY SPECIAL PROPERTIES ^ An easy chair; a Child Welfare chart with stars on it for Mary ; smaller charts for the school children, including two extra ones for Peggy and Joseph. This may be the closing feature of a child welfare contest, if desired. As an advertisement for the contest, it might be announced that the twenty children (or more, if the stage is large enough to accommodate them) between the ages of four and six, who pass the highest Child Wel- fare tests of height and weight and general health, will be allowed to take part in the play, and the girl who has the highest number of points will take the part of Mary. Enough time of course should elapse between the ending of the contest and the performance of the play to allow for drilling the children. The dialogue of the children on pages 19-20 can be changed to suit the local needs. STAGE DIRECTIONS. R. means right of stage ; C, center ; R. C, right center ; L., left ; up stage, away from footlights ; down stage, near footlights. The actor is supposed to be facing the audience. FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY Scene: The living room of the Thompson home. This is a well-furnished room of good taste end charm. It is very comfortable and there are several vases of Howers. A large easy chair is at the lower right and there are at least six other chairs. The door to the front hall is at the left and the door to the dining room is at the right. The curtain rises on an empty stage. The door bell rings at the left. Annie enters from the right, crosses the stage and returns ushering in Mrs. Lennox and Mrs. Black. Mrs. Lennox is an austere but kind-hearted woman of about forty. She is a frequent visitor at the Thompson home, and Annie, who is of the better class of maid, ad- mires her greatly. Mrs. Black is a newcomer in the town. She is an up-to-date woman of perhaps thirty-five. Annie. Won't you take seats? (Mrs. Lennox and Mrs. Black take seats near the front.) I'll call Mrs. Thompson right away. She's upstairs with Peggy. Mrs. Lennox. Peggy's not sick again? Annie. Just one of her spells. Mrs. Lennox (half rising). Oh, then, we won't stay, Annie. Tell Mrs. Thompson we'll come again. Annie. Oh, it isn't anything serious. Peggy's dressed and sitting up and the nurse is with her. Mrs. Thompson won't like it if I don't call her. Mrs. Lennox (settling back in her chair). Well, tell Mrs. Thompson I've brought Mrs. Black, who has just moved here f ro.m Coleman, with me, and that we want to see her about the Child Welfare Station. Tell her we won't keep her long. Annie. Yes, ma'am. (She starts toward the door at the left and then turns abruptly zcifh her hands clasped im- ploringly.) Oh, Mrs. Lennox, you'll get her to help with the Child Welfare, won't you? 6 FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY Mrs. Lennox. Why, Annie, what does it mean to you ? Annie. Oh, I know I shouldn't talk, but it's for the women at the mill. Mrs. Thompson won't let them bring their children to the Child Welfare examinations at the school. And, believe me, those women need to learn how to take care of their kids. Mrs. Lennox (half to herself). So that's why we don't get any response from the mill women. Annie. Yes, ma'am, that's why. Mrs. Thompson says if the women bring their children to the Child Welfare, then it looks as if the mill ain't taking the proper interest in them. Mrs. Lennox. But that isn't right. Child Welfare Is for every one — rich and poor alike. Annie. Yes, I know, but that's what Mrs. Thompson don't understand. She thinks it's charity. Oh, I know I shouldn't be talking this way, but just yesterday there was a mill woman come here with her little boy, and he was aw- fully pale and weak looking. I shouldn't have let her in, but I did, and she wanted to take the little boy to the Child Wel- fare, but Mrs. Thompson said she shouldn't. Mrs. Thomp- son's awfully sweet, but I wish you could make her see this thing right. But I mustn't stand here talking. (She hastily goes out.) Mrs. Black (looking about the room). I don't see how anyone so monstrous can live in such a charming place. Mrs. Lennox. Oh, you have the wrong idea entirely. Mrs. Thompson isn't monstrous. On the contrary, she is one of the sweetest, most charming women you ever met. Only, like some sweet and charming women, she is very set in her ideas, and she has quite taken it into her head, as Annie said, that Child Welfare is a charity affair, and hence rich people have nothing to do with it, and as for the mill people — well, Mr. Thompson, as you doubtless have heard, has instituted admirable working conditions, and she holds that a Child Welfare Station here would seem to Indicate that the workers needed outside help. So she's opposed, and so long as she stands against it we won't get far, while FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY 7 if we win her over, she'll make the station a big success from the start. Mrs. Black. Has she only this one child? Mrs. Lennox. Yes, Peggy's the only child and they both think the world of her. Mrs. Black. Is she an invalid? Mrs. Lennox. Oh, no, she's merely delicate. To tell you the truth, I think if Peggy were not pampered so much, she would be better. But they have a trained nurse for her all the time, and — Mrs. Black (whose seat faces the left door). Sh — someone's coming. Mrs. Thompson enters. She is very charming and gra- cious in manner. Both Mrs. Lennox and Mrs. Black rise. Mrs. Thompson {holding out her hand to Mrs. Len- nox). Oh, this is delightful of you to come. Mrs. Lennox. Mrs. Thompson, this is Mrs. Black. The Blacks have just moved here from Coleman. Mrs. Black was interested in Child Welfare work there, and — Mrs. Thompson {shaking hands zvitJi Mrs. Black). Well, even if you are interested in Child Welfare, I am glad to know you, Mrs. Black. With my little girl so delicate as she is, and with my work among the people at the mill, I don't get around to calling on all the charming people who come to town. But won't you be seated? (jNIrs. Lennox and Mrs. Black take their chairs again and Mrs. Thomp- son seats herself near them.) Oh, dear, I know by the way Mrs. Lennox is acting that she is the chairman of some committee or something, and that she has designs on me. Mrs. Lennox (smiling). I have; but first how is Peggy today? Mrs. Thompson (her face clouding). I don't know. Dr. Merritt can't find anything organically wrong with her, but she's so weak and listless all the time that it makes me quite worried. I — Annie comes in from the left, followed closely by Mrs. Casey. Mrs. Casey speaks zvith a brogue. 8 FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY Annie. Mrs. Casey, ma'am. (She goes out.) Mrs. Casey. It's just me, Mrs. Thompson. (Mrs. Thompson rises.) How do, Mrs. Lennox. {She looks in- quiringly at Mrs. Black.) Mrs. Thompson. This is Mrs. Black, Mrs. Casey. (Mrs. Black acknowledges the greeting.) Mrs. Casey (shaking hands). I'm pleased to meet you, Mrs. Black. You live down in the second house from the corner with the green shutters on F Street, don't you? And your husband's the new man at the bank, ain't he? Well, I hope you like our city. (To Mrs. Thompson, in a mournful tone.) How is your little Peggy today, Mrs. Thompson? That's what I come to inquire about. I say it ain't no more than neighborly to ask how your neighbors be when they're ailing. Mrs. Thompson. Thank you, Mrs. Casey, for your kind- ness. Peggy isn't very well, I'm sorry to say. Mrs. Casey (shaking her head). The poor child! I do hope you'll be able to raise her. Mrs. Thompson. Why, Mrs. Casey! Mrs. Casey. Well, I was just saying to Mrs. Murphy the other day when Peggy was out for a drive with her nurse, that she was so weak and white looking, wouldn't it be too bad if the Thompsons with all their money couldn't raise her. Mrs. Thompson. Oh, Mrs. Casey! Mrs. Lennox. What nonsense, Mrs. Casey. Peggy is delicate, but there's nothing so alarming about her condition. Mrs. Casey (heaving a sigh and seating herself without being asked. Mrs. Thompson resumes her seat.) Oh, I hope you're right, Mrs. Lennox, I hope you're right. I've buried seven children myself, and folks might think I'd be a pessimist, but I says it aiift no use for to give up hope until the very end. (Cheerfully.) That's my philosophy of life — don't give up hope until the end. And I tell you what, Mrs. Thompson, us mothers need all the philosophy of life we can get when our children are ailing, don't we? FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY 9 Mrs. Thompson. Oh, but Peggy's going to get well. {Desperately.) She must get well — she's all we have. Mrs. Lennox {anxiously). There's nothing new that's wrong with Peggy, is there? Mrs. Thompson. No. Dr. Merritt had a specialist come from Chicago only last Tuesday to look her over, and he says there's nothing wrong with her organically. He says what she needs is building up and more outdoor exercise and more interest in things. He prescribed a special diet for her, but Peggy doesn't like milk or eggs, or cereal or bread, and when Miss Sims, the nurse, tries to get her to eat them, she cries. I don't know what we're going to do. The specialist laid such emphasis upon those particular foods, too. Mrs. Lennox {eagerly). Perhaps if she'd get interested in the Child Welfare contests at the school — Mrs. Thompson. Yes, the specialist said something about that, too, but {raising her hands) don't talk Child Welfare to me. Not that I wouldn't be interested and do everything for it that I could if conditions were right for it here, but we have no slums, and surely you don't think that we aren't doing everything we can for Peggy. We have a trained nurse for her always, and we send for the doctor every time there's the least thing the matter with her — Mrs. Casey. Well, I couldn't afford a trained nurse for my children, but I sent for the doctor every time they was going to die. {She sighs heavily.) Mrs. Thompson. Oh — Mrs. Lennox. But you misunderstand, Mrs. Thompson. This Child Welfare movement concerns every child. Mrs. Black. Rich or poor, it doesn't matter. Mrs. Thompson. I can see it for the very poor, who live in the slums and are so very ignorant, but {shaking her head and smiling) — but not for my Peggy. Mrs. Black. But you say she lacks interest in things, and this might be just the thing needed to get her inter- ested. 10 FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY Mrs. Casey. Have you any chi4dren, Mrs. Black? Mrs. Black (in a low voice). No, I haven't. Mrs. Casey. Well, then, that's probably why you think this Child Welfare is so good. But theory and practice i . always different. After you've buried seven children the way I has, then you'll know what's good for them. And I agrees with Mrs. Thompson — this Child Welfare ain't for her Peggy. Mrs. Lennox {a little nettled at Mrs. Casey's interrnf- tions). But I am a mother, too, Mrs. Casey, and I consider this Child Welfare good for my three chilldren. Mrs. Casey. Yes, but your children be healthy, Mrs. Lennox, and healthy children don't count. It's us as has the ailing ones what knows. Mrs. Black. But, Mrs. Casey, do you really know what Child Welfare is? Mrs. Casey. Sure ! It's weighing and measuring, and sending notes home to the mothers and telling her what to feed thin Katie and what to starve fat Paddie, and I say no teacher nor nurse got no right to interfere with home affairs. Let the teacher look after the writing and reading, and let mothers look after the feeding. Mrs. Black. But perhaps the teacher and nurse have made more of a study of the care of children than the moth- ers have had time to do. Mrs. Casey. What ! Can old maids know more about children than what the instinct of the mother tells her ? Do you believe for one second any old maid nurse can tell me who has buried seven children how to take care of the blessed darlings? Mrs. Thompson (hastily). Oh, Mrs. Casey, we must admit that medical knowledge has increased wonderfully the last few years, and that it has shown that oftentimes the mother's instinct has done exactly the wrong thing for the child. I think I show by employing a trained nurse all the time and by calling in the doctor every little while that I trust more to science than I do to instinct. FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY 11 Mrs. Casey (changing front). Oh, sure, sure, Mrs. Thompson. I was only arguing for the sake of arguing. Mrs. THOMrsoN (to Mrs. Lennox and Mrs. Black). And that's the point I was trying to make. I know that Mrs. Lennox is interested in every idea that is new and advanced, and I presume you are also, Mrs. Black. And I should be interested, too, in this Child Welfare movement if I thought it were needed, either in my own home or among our people. But surely you will agree that Peggy is as well taken care of as any child can be, and as for the mill people — well, with all the improvements — the hospital, the shower baths, the reading rooms, the social clubs and all that Mr. Thompson has tried to do for the men, I should hate very much to see them go outside the mill for the care of their children. Mrs. Lennox. But, Mrs. Thompson, I am afraid you have been misinformed. The Child Welfare Movement is no more a charitable affair than the public school system is. Child Welfare aims to teach both the mothers and the chil- dren themselves how to look after the children's health, and I think the mill people understand this. I knozif that some of them want to bring their children to the Child Welfare meetings at the school. Mrs. Thompson (bitterly). Yes, I know they do, too. Why, one woman even came here yesterday afternoon — a Mrs. Stanika. She brought her little boy with her — he was as frail as my Peggy and my heart ached for her. He wouldn't eat the things he should have, either, and he had no interest in playing and he couldn't bear to have his mother out of his sight. She had lost a little girl a year ago, and she was afraid this boy was going the same way. And she wanted me to give her special permission to take him to the Child Welfare examinations at the school — she said she knew I was opposed to the mill women doing it. But of course I wouldn't let her. I don't think the mill people are quite that much in need of charity — and she cried. It was an awful ordeal for me. I sent her with a note to Dr. Merritt, asking him to do for her little bov as 12 FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY though it were for Peggy. More than that I couldn't do. Mrs. Casey. And enough I should think that was — and the nerve of a mill woman bothering you with her troubles, as if you ain't got none of your own ! Mrs. Thompson. Well, I want them to look upon me as their friend, of course. Mrs. Lennox. But, Mrs. Thompson, Child Welfare isn't a charitable institution, as I said before. Rich people are sponsoring the movement for their ozvn children. Mrs. Black. Yes, rich women in Boston and New York and Chicago are sending their children to Child Welfare classes. Mrs. Lennox. I understand your friend, Mrs. Strath- more, has been sending her little girl to Child Welfare classes now while she has been in Boston. Mrs. Thompson. Margaret Strathmore has sent Mary to Child Welfare classes! Why, Mary is as delicate as Peggy, and, if anything, Margaret has been even more care- ful of her than I have been of Peggy. Mrs. Casey. Well, Mrs. Strathmore can be telling you herself now whether she has or no. Mrs. Thompson. Yes, she'll be back in two or three days now. But how did you know? Mrs. Casey. Oh, ask me for news, if you want any. My friends say I know more than any newspaper as was ever printed. Then, maybe you'll be surprised to hear she's in tow^n now ? Mrs. Thompson. Mrs. Strathmore back! Mrs. Casey. She come on the noon train. I seen her go by. She looked stunning as ever, and not so worried like, and she had a little girl with her, and she — the little girl, I mean — looked something like Mary, but again she didn't, for she was so big and strong. Annie enters from the left, followed by Mrs. Strath- more and Mary. Mrs. Strathmore carries the handbag zmth the clmrt in it. Mary is a well behaved child who rc^ diates health. FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY 13 Mrs. Casey (quickly). Speaking of angels — Annie. Mrs. Strathmore, ma'am. (She zmthdraws I'm- geringly.) Mrs. Thompson {greeting Mrs. Strathmore affection- ately). Margaret, this is a surprise! I thought you wouldn't be here for several days yet. Mrs. Strathmore (smiling). We surprised everybody, even daddy, didn't we, Mary? Mrs. Thompson. Why, is this Mary? Really! What has happened? Mary. Oh, I've been getting well and strong ! Mrs. Strathmore {seeing the others and recognising Mrs. Lennox and Mrs. Casey. She takes Mrs. Lennox's hand). Oh, Mrs. Lennox, I am so glad to see you. I have so much to thank you for. {To Mrs. Thompson.) It was Mrs. Lennox, Emily, who is the cause of the change in Mary. I was complaining to her one day how weak Mary was, and she told me what Child Welfare education did for children. I was skeptical, I'll confess — I thought it was some kind of charity doing — but when we went to Boston, Mary had a sick spell and the doctor we had also advised me to take her to a Child Welfare class that was organ- ized there. I did — and you can see the result. Mrs. Lennox. Oh, I'm so glad, Mrs. Strathmore. Then perhaps you'll help us in organizing the work here. But I don't believe you've met Mrs. Black. She's new here, but very much interested in Child Welfare. Mrs. Strathmore {shaking hands). I'm glad to hear that, Mrs. Black. {To Mrs. Lennox.) Really, are you organizing here at last? You certainly can count on me. {To Mrs. Thompson.) You're taking an active part, aren't you, Emily? Mrs. Lennox {quickly). Mrs. Thompson isn't quite convinced yet, but just as soon as she is, I know she'll be our strongest support. Mrs. Thompson (falteringly). I don't believe I've been seeing it in the right light. 14 FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY Mrs. Strath more. Well, just look at Mary. Isn't that proof enough? Mary {holding up her arm to Mrs. Thompson). Just feel the muscle in my arm. Daddy was so surprised, and he says he's so proud he doesn't know what to do. But where's Peggy? Mrs. Thompson. She's in her room upstairs. She isn't feeling very well. Mrs. Strath more. Oh, that's too bad. Another one of her spells? Mrs. Thompson. Yes, just like Mary used to have. Mary. May I go up to her? Miss Sims, the nurse, appears at the door. Mrs. Thompson {in alarm). What is it, Miss Sims? There's nothing wrong with Peggy? Miss Sims {smiling). On the contrary, Peggy wants to know if she may come down here. She heard the voices and took a notion to see the people. Mrs. Thompson. Oh, I don't know. Isn't it too much excitement? What do you think? Mrs. Strathmore. Oh, let her come. It might be just the thing she needs. Miss Sims. I think myself it might do her good. She could sit in the arm chair over there. Mary. Oh, do let her come. Mrs. Thompson. All right, then. (Miss Sims turns to go.) Mary. I'm going to run and meet her. {She runs out after Miss Sims.) Mrs. Thompson. It's most unusual for Peggy to want to come where people are. Mrs. Strathmore. Mary was that way, too. Maybe Peggy's beginning to waken up. Because I think that's what she needs most — to get interested in things, and to want to 1)e well herself. Mrs. Thompson. If Peggy could get as well as Mary, I'd try anything and do anything. FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY 15 Mrs. Casey {sententiottsly). Well, you never can tell what'U start things, can you, Mrs. Lennox? (Mrs. Len- nox merely smiles in answer.) Miss Sims and Mary appear at the door supporting Peggy between them. Peggy appears very wan and zvhite beside Mary. Mrs. Thompson (arranging the easy chair). Here, Peggy, dear. Now are you comfortable? See all the ladies here. You know them all, don't you, except Mrs. Black, who is a new lady in town. And Mary, isn't she big and strong? Wouldn't you like to be like her so that you can run out and play with the other children? (Peggy sJiyly nods her head up and down.) Mary (earnestly) . You can be well like me easy, Peggy. All you need to do is to eat the right things, and sleep regular hours with all the windows wide open and take the right exercises. (To Mrs. Strath more.) Then she'll get a muscle just like me, mother, won't she? (To Peggy, who gets quite interested.) Just feel it. Isn't it hard? Don't you want one like that in both arms, and surprise your daddy as I did mine? Oh. he was the most surprisedest daddy you ever saw. Peggy. Oh, mother, can I? Mrs. Thompson. Yes, dear, if you'll do what Mary did. Mary. Where's my chart, mother? (To Peggy.) I brought that over just to show you. Mrs. Strath more (smiling and drawing the folded chart from out of her handbag). This is INIary's Child Welfare Chart. It's pretty nearly her dearest possession. (To Mary.) Explain it to Peggy and the ladies. (The women draw near, zmthout obscuring Peggy and Mary from- the audience, and listen appreciatively zvhile Mary unfolds the chart and explains.) Mary. This chart shows how much I should weigh for my age. All these little squares are marked off for the days and the pounds, and this red line shows how much IVe lost or gained each day. You see how straight slant- 16 FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY ing the red line is litre — that shows for that week I didn't do anything wrong, and so I gained each day. There's a crook in it here — that day I ate too much candy and ice cream and so was sick — and I lost a whole half pound, wasn't it, mother? Then these three days we had company and I was so excited and wouldn't go to sleep like mother said, and then I lost this much. The other crooks you see are just teeny ones, for I didn't do things I shouldn't do for very long at one time. You see every week we gain or don't lose, we get a red star, and I wanted to have lots of red stars, so I was careful — and you see I got them. Oh. Peggy, you just ought to get a chart like this, and then you'll get well and strong — mother says I can go in swim-, ming next summer — and — and it's lots of fun getting the stars. Peggy. Isn't it Jiard getting the stars, though? Mary {thoughtfully). Yes, it is, sometimes. But then it gets easier after you get used to it, Peggy. Will I have to drink milk the way the doctor said? Mary {promptly). Sure. {Confidentially and oblivions of tJic older people.) But you'll get so you like it. I used to hate it, too, but when I saw how the other children that wouldn't drink it didn't get stars, I made up my mind I'd like it, and now / really do. And you will, too. Peggy. Really, will I ? Mary {decisively). I'll bet you anything. And just feel that muscle again. Peggy {looking iip at Jier mother zvitJi eager eyes). Oh, mother, may I have a chart right away? Mrs. Thompson. We'll see, dear. If they have any in town, we'll get one just as soon as we can. Mrs. Lennox. They have them over at the school. In fact, they organized a class of a few children whose moth- ers were interested, only about two weeks ago. I didn't think of it before, but it's probably that class your mill woman wanted her little boy to join. Mrs. Thompson. And I didn't let her! Well, I'll get FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY 17 all the mill women to join now, and all the women who I thought were too rich, too. Mary (to Peggy). But you know when you have a chart it's more fun if you join a class instead of doing it at home by yourself. (To Mrs. Strathmore.) Mother, I may join here, too, mayn't I, and then I can look after Peggy? (Mrs. Strathmore smiles her assent.) Mrs. Casey. Now ain't she the darlint ? Mrs. Thompson. Will you go with Mary to the class, dear? Peggy. Oh, yes. Tomorrow morning, mother? Mrs. Thompson. We'll see when they have it. Mrs. Strathmore. If you aren't convinced, Emily, you could go over to the class and see it first yourself. Mrs. Thompson (quickly). Anything that helped Mary that way convinces me. Mrs. Lennox (smiling). Why not make absolutely sure right now? It must be just about closing time for the school. I know Miss Brown, the teacher in charge of the class in health training. Why not ask her to have the pupils stop in here and show what they look like? The school's only a block away, so it won't be any inconvenience for them. (To Mrs. Thompson.) Unless you mind having them here? Mrs. Thompson (cordially). Oh, not at all! Peggy. Oh, yes, mother ! Mary (clapping her hands). And maybe they'll do their exercises or sing something ! Mrs. Lennox. All right, then, I'll telephone. It's in the hall, isn't it? (She goes out.) Mrs. Casey. Well, now, who'd ever think that science could do more than a mother's instincts Mrs. Strathmore. Yes, it's wonderful what medical study is able to do. Really there are mighty few children who need be sickly today — if only we grown-ups would realize it. (Mrs. Casey suddenly puts her handkerchief up to Jicr eyes and starts to rock back and forth.) 18 FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY Mrs. Thompson (going to her and putting her arm across her shoulder). Why, Mrs. Casey, what's the matter? Mrs. Casey (stopping her rocking and drying her eyes). Oh, I know this ain't no time to be crying, but it just come over me all in a flash — maybe if I'd had more science and less instinct, I'd still had my seven children. (She sighs deeply.) Mrs. Lennox (returning). I got Aliss Brown right away and she's perfectly willing to come. I asked her to have the children bring their health charts with them, and they'll be here in less than five minutes. Annie appears from the right. Annie (to Mrs. Thompson). It's that woman from the mill, ma'am — the one that was here yesterday. She's come again and says she must see you. Mrs. Thompson. Mrs. Slanika? Oh, I'm so glad. Tell her to come right in here. Annie's eyes seek Mrs. Lennox, zuho makes a slight nod, and Annie beckons happily tozvard the right exit, and Mrs. Stanika, holding Joseph tightly by the hand, comes in haltingly. Annie goes out slozdy. Mrs. Stanika. I ain't want to bother you again yet, Mis' Thompson, but it's Joseph. He cry all the time for some paper with red lines in school they have. Mary. This? (She holds up the chart.) (Joseph tugs yes at his mother's skirt.) Mrs. Stanika (her eyes lighting). Ja, that's him! (To Mrs. Thompson.) Please, Mis' Thompson. Mrs. Thompson (zvinningly). I've changed my mind since yesterday, Mrs. Stanika, and I find that the Child Welfare health classes are a good thing. So you can take your Joseph and I'll take my Peggy and all the mill women can take their children. Mrs. Stanika (hardly believing her ears). I can take him ! I can take him ! (Sinking dozmi on the nearest chair, she folds Joseph convulsively to her.) Oh, now my Joseph live! He no die like Marie — :he live! FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY 19 Annie relieves the strain of the situation after a moment by appearing at the door. Annie. A lot of children, ma'am. ■ Mrs. Thompson. We're expecting them. Show them right in. The children come trooping in, followed by Miss Brown. They have their charts rolled in their hands. For a moment they look around a little azi^kzi^ardly. Annie stays in the room for the rest of the play. Mary (in a friendly tone). Oh, you have your charts. This is mine. (The children unroll their charts and show them around. The zvomen mix zvith the children and ask them questions in low tones. There is no restraint in this scene.) First Girl (to Mary). Oh, you've got lots of stars on yours ! Mary. Well, I've had mine longer than you've had yours. First Girl. I'm going to get a star every week. First Boy. So'm I, Second Girl (to Peggy). Haven't you a chart? Peggy (shyly). Not yet. Second Boy. Oh, Miss Brown, Peggy hasn't a chart ! Miss Brown. I have an extra one here for her. Peggy. Oh, thank you. (A group crozvd around to ex- plain it.) Third Girl. Oh, Miss Brown, this little boy hasn't any, either. Miss Brown. Here's one for him, too. Mrs. Stanika. Oh, thanks, thanks. Third Boy (to Mrs. Casey). And when I get big, I'm going to be so big I can't go through the door. Fourth Boy. I'm going to be bigger than that — I'm going to be as big as the policeman on the corner (or the best-knozim large man in tozvn). Fourth Girl (to Mrs. Black). I brush my teeth every day without mother telling me to. 20 FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY Fifth Girl (to Mrs. Lennox). I go to bed at eight o'clock without crying any more. Sixth Girl (to Mrs. Thompson). And I eat cereal now, too. Miss Brown. Well, children, shall we show Peggy and Joseph our drill ? (The children quickly arrange themselves in the center of the stage for the drill. Mrs. Stanika_, with Joseph standing beside her, has taken a seat at the extreme lower left of the stage, and Peggy is in her arm chair at the ex- treme lower right, with Miss Sims and Mary standing beside her. The other women ore in the back. The chil- dren give all or part of the follozmng drill or march and then sing ''Ho, Ho, Child Welfare Days Are Here.") Mary (as soon as they have finished, calling across to Joseph). Isn't it fun, Joseph? Mrs. Stanika (in a prophetic voice, holding Joseph close to her). It is life! Curtain. FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY 21 HO, HO, CHILD WELFARE DAYS ARE HERE. ^(faay Ti'mt, 1. Ho, bo, Child Wel-fare days are here, Tra la, tra la, tra lal 2. Ho, ho, for milk and wholesome fruit, Tra la, tra la, tra lal 3. Ho, ho, to bed we now do go, Tra la, tra la, tra lal 4. Ho, ho, Child Wei -fare days are here, Tra la, tra la, tra lat We wel- come them with right good cheer, Tra la, tra la, tra lal Have made us each a health re-cruit, Tra la, tra la, tra la! At eight, or half-past eight or so, Tra la, tra la, tra lal To make us strong -er ev - 'ry year, Tra la, tra la, tra lal They teach us health to make our creed, And how from illness to be freed. Candy, cream-puffs, cakes and pies. Too much of these we now de - spise. Without a whimper, cry or tease, And night air never makes us sneeze. Each boy and girl they give a chance, No matter what his circumstance. Ho, ho. Child Wel - fare days are here, Ho, ho, for milk and wholesome fruit. Ho, ho, to bed we now do go. Ho, ho, Child Wel - fare days are here. Tra la, tra la, tra lal Tra la, tra la, tra lal Tra la, tra la, tra lal Tra la, tra la, tra 1»I 22 FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY SUGGESTIONS FOR FANCY MARCHING. I. — On the Curve. 1. With a single file start from corner of stage, form a circle, then keep making smaller circles until the leader reaches the C. of stage, when all reverse and unwind in curves parallel to those made in winding, thus forming a 2. Starting from the back corner of stage, keeping quite close together, form a snake thus: ilRAA. 3. Starting from C. of side of stage, form a jf^^-^ /' — ^ Each one on the first half of the line step- •^ \ \ P^i^g' ii^ front of the corresponding mem- "^ A y her on the last half of the line where the X*.^^ \.-^ file crosses at C. 4. Starting In each case from the C. of stage, form the two following figures : 5. Starting from C. of back of stage, taking care to pass each other (as in No. 3) gracefully and without confusion where the line crosses in forming the loops, the file is led to form : FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY 23 II.— Straight Lines. Starting in each case at the back of the stage, from the center (or near it) or either R.. or L. corner, as the illus- tration shows, form the following figures: ?UW III. — Double File. Starting in each case from the C. of back of stage the couples march as follows : O At C. of front of stage one couple turns to right, second to left, third to right, and so on; pass up sides of stage, and from the corners of back they form the following : 24 FOR THE SAKE OF PEGGY Couples meet at C. of back of stage, and forming fours march thus: The End. DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS Partial List off Successful and Popular Plays. Large Catalogue Free FARCES, COMEDIETAS, Etc Price 25 Cents Each M. F. All on a Summer's Day, 40 min. 4 6 Aunt Harriet's Night Out, 35 min 1 2 Aunt Matilda's Birthday Party, 35 min 11 Billy's Chorus Girl, 30 min... 2 3 Borrowed Luncheon, 20 min.. 5 Borrowing Trouble, 20 min.... 3 5 Case Against Casey, 40 min... 23 Class Ship, 35 min 3 8 Divided Attentions, 35 min... 1 4 Fun in Photo Gallery, 30 min.. 6 10 Getting Rid of Father, 20 min. 3 1 Goose Creek Line, 1 hr 3 10 Great Pumpkin Case, 35 min.. 12 Hans Von Smash, 30 min.... 4 3 Honest Peggy, 25 min 8 Irish Linen Peddler, 40 min... 3 3 Just Like a Woman, 35 min... 3 3 Last Rehearsal, 25 min 2 3 Men Not Wanted, 30 min 8 Mother Goose's Goslings, 30 m. 7 9 Mrs. Jenkins' Brilliant Idea, 35m. 8 Mrs. Stubbins' Book Agent, 30 m. 3 2 Not a Man in the House, 40 m. 5 Paper Wedding, 30 min 1 5 Pat's Matrimonial Venture, 25 min 1 2 Patsy O'Wang, 35 min 4 3 Rummage Sale, 50 min 4 10 Sewing for the Heathen, 40 9 4 7 3 Shadows, 35 min 3 Sing a Song of Seniors, 30 min. Taking Father's Place, 30 min. 5 Teacher Kin I Go Home, 35 min 7 Too Much of a Good Thing, 45 min 3 Two Ghosts in White, 20 min. . Two of a Kind, 40 min 2 Uncle Dick's Mistake, 20 min.. 3 Wanted: a Correspondent, 45 m. 4 Watch, a Wallet, and a Jack of Spades, 40 min 3 Whole Truth, 40 min 5 Who's the Boss? 30 min 3 Wide Enough for Two, 45 min. 5 Wrong Baby, 25 min FARCES, COIMEDIETAS, Etc. Price 15 Cents Eacli April Fools, 30 min 3 Assessor, The, 15 min 3 2 Baby Show at Pineville, 20 min. 19 Before the Play Begins, 15 min 2 1 Billy's Mishaps, 20 min 2 3 Country Justice. 1 5 min 8 Cow that Kicked Chicago, 25 m. 3 2 Family Strike, 20 min 3 3 First-Class Hotel, 20 min 4 For Love and Honor, 20 min.. 2 1 Fudge and a Burglar, 15 min.. 5 M. F. 6 8 5 1 3 4 6 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 Great Medical Dispensary, 30 m. Initiating a Granger, 25 min.. Kansas Immigrants, 20 min . . . Lottie Sees It Through, 35 min. Pair of Lunatics, 20 min.r... Pat, the Apothecary, 35 min.. Please Pass the Cream, 20 min. Second Childhood, 15 min^... Smith's Unlucky Day, 20 min.. That Rascal Pat, 30 min 3 2 Two Aunts and a Photo, 20 m. 4 Two Gentlemen in a Fix, 15 m. 2 Wanted: A Hero, 20 min 1 1 VAUDEVILLE SKETCHES Price 25 Cents Eacli Amateur, 15 min 1 1 At Harmony Junction, 20 min, 4 Breakfast Food for Two, 20 m. 1 1 Cold Finish, 15 min.... 2 1 Coming Champion, 20 min.... 2 Fresh Timothy Hay, 20 min.. 2 1 Her Hero, 20 min 1 1 Hey, Rube! 15 min 1 It Might Happen, 20 min 1 1 Little Miss Enemy, 15 min.... 1 1 Little Red School House, 20 m. 4 Marriage and After. 10 min.. 1 One Sweetheart for Two, 20 m. 2 Oyster Stew, 10 min 2 Pete Yansen's Curl's Moder, 10m. 1 Quick Lunch Cabaret, 20 min. . 4 Si and I, 15 min 1 Special Sale, 15 min 2 Street Faker, 15 min 3 Such Ignorance, 15 min 2 Sunny Son of Italy, 15 min.. 1 Time Table, 20 min 1 1 Tramp and the Actress, 20 min, 1 1 Troubles of Rozinski, 15 min.. 1 Two Jay Detectives, 15 min.. 3 Umbrella Mender, 15 min.... 2 Vait a Minute 2 BLACK-FACE PLAYS Price 25 Cents Eacli Axin' Her Father, 25 min 2 3 Booster Club of Blackville, 25 min 10 Colored Honeymoon, 25 min... 2 2 Coon Creek Courtship, 15 m... 1 1 Coontown Thirteen Club, 25 m.l4 Darktown Fire Brigade, 25m.. 10 Good Mornin' Judge, 35 min.. 9 2 Hungry, 1 5 min 2 Love and Lather, 35 min 3 2 Memphis Mose, 25 min 5 1 Oh, Doctor! 30 min 6 2 Troubled by Ghosts, 10 min... 4 What Happened to Hannah, 15 min 1 1 A great number of Standard and Amateur Plays not found liere are listed In Denison's Catalogue T.S.DENISON&COMPANY,Publishers,154W.RandolphSt., Chicago POPULAR ENTERTAIN Illustrated Paper Cc E^TERTAIiNER IN this Series are found books touching every feature in the enter- tainment field. Finely made, good paper, clear print and each book has an attractive individual cov- er design. A Partial List DIALOGUES All Sorts of Dialogues. Selected, fine for older pupils. Catchy Comic Dialogues. Very clever; for young people. Children's Comic Dialogues. From six to eleven years of age. Country School Dialogues. Brand new, original Dialogues for District Schools. For country schools. Dialogues from Dickens. Thirteen selections. Friday Afternoon Dialogues. Over 60,000 copies sold. From Tots to Teens. Dialogues and recitations. Humorous Homespun Dialogues. For older ones. Little People's Plays. From 7 to 13 years of age. Lively Dialogues. For all ages; mostly humorous. Merry Little Dialogues. Thirty-eight original selections. When the Lessons are Over. Dialogues, drills, plays. Wide Awake Dialogues. Original successful. SPEAKERS, MONOLOGUES Choice Pieces for Little People. A child's speaker. The Comic Entertainer. Recitations, monologues, dialogues. Dialect Readings. Irish, Dutch, Negro, Scotch, etc. The Favorite Speaker. Choice prose and poetry. The Friday Afternoon Speaker. For pupils of all ages. Humorous Monologues. Particularly for ladies. Monologues for Young Folks. Clever, humorous, original. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 016 215 168 A # Monologues Grave and Gay. Dramatic and humorous. Scrap- Book Recitations. Choice collections, pathetic, hu- morous, descriptive, prose, poetry. 15 Nos. DRILLS The Best Drill Book. Very popular drills and marches. The Favorite Book of Drills. Drills that sparkle with originality. Little Plays With Drills. For children from 6 to 11 years. The Surprise Drill Book. Fresh, novel, drills and marches. SPECIALTIES The Boys' Entertainer. Monologues, dialogues, drills. Children's Party Book. Invitations, decorations, games. The Christmas Entertainer. Novel and diversified. The Days We Celebrate. Entertainments for all the holidays. Good Things for Christmas. Recitations, dialogues, drills. Good Things for Sunday Schools. Dialogues, exercises, recitations. Good Things for Thanksgiving. A gem of a book. Good Things for Washington and Lincoln Birthdays. Little Folks' Budget. Easy pieces to speak, songs. One Hundred Entertainments. New parlor diversions, socials. Patriotic Celebrations. Great variety of material. Pictured Readings and Tableaux. Entirely original features. Pranks and Pastimes. Parlor games for children. Shadow Pictures, Pantomimes, Charades, and how to prepare. Tableaux and Scenic Readings. New and novel; for all ages. Twinkling Fingers and Sway- ing Figures. For little tots. Yuletlde Entertainments. A choice Christmas collection. MINSTRELS, JOKES The Black-Face Joker. Minstrels' and end men's gags. A Bundle of Burnt Cork Comedy. Monologues, stump speeches, etc. Laughland, via the Ha-Ha Route. A merry trip for fun tourists. Negro Minstrels. All about the business. The New Jolly Jester. Funny stories, jokes, gags, etc. Larse Illustrated CatalosTUA Free T.S.DENISON & COMPANY,Publishers,154W.Randolph St., Chicago