NO PLAYS EXCHANGED. 
 
 BAKER'S 
 
 or 
 
 Edition 
 
 PL7YY.S 
 
 A DOUBLE SHUFFLE 
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1889, BY WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 
 
piays for /Amateur Sfyeatrieals. 
 
 BY GEORGE TO. BHKER, 
 
 Author of "Amateur Dramas,'''' "The Mimic Stage," "The Social Stage," "The Drawing- 
 Rootn Stagey "Handy Dramas," "The Exhibition Dramas," "A Baker's Dozen," etc. 
 
 Titles in this Type are New Plays. 
 
 Titles in this Type are Temperance Plays. 
 
 DRAMAS. 
 
 In Four A cts. 
 Better than Gold. 7 male, 4 female 
 . char 
 
 In Three Acts. 
 
 Our Follts. 6 male, 5 female char. . 
 
 The Flower of the Family. 5 
 male, 3 female char 
 
 Enlisted for the War. 7 male, 3 fe- 
 male char 
 
 My Brother's Keeper. 5 male, 3 fe- 
 male char 
 
 The Little Br own Jug. 5 male, 3 
 female char 
 
 In Two A cts. 
 Ahove the Clouds. 7 male, 3 female 
 
 char 
 
 One Hundred Years Ago. 7 male, 
 
 4 female char 
 
 Among the Breakers. 6 male, 4 female 
 
 char 
 
 Bread on the Waters. 5 male, 3 female 
 
 char 
 
 Down by the Sea. 6 male, 3 female 
 
 char • 
 
 Once on a Time. 4 male, 2 female char. 
 The Last Loaf. 5 male, 3 female char. 
 
 In One A ct. 
 otand by the Flag. 5 male char. . . 
 The Tempter. 3 male, 1 female char. 
 
 COMEDIES AND FARCES. 
 
 A Mysterious Disappearance. 4 
 
 male, 3 female char 
 
 Paddle Your Own Canoe. 7 male 
 
 3 female char. . , 
 
 A Drop too Much. 4 male, i female 
 
 char 
 
 A Little, More Cider. 5 male, 3 fe- 
 male char 
 
 A Thorn Among the Roses. 2 male, 6 
 female char 
 
 Never Say Die. 3 male, 3 female char. 
 
 Seeing the Elephant. 6 male, 3 female 
 char 
 
 The Boston Dip. 4 male, 3 female char. 
 
 The Duchess of Dublin. 6 male, 4 fe- 
 male char 
 
 Thirty Minutes for Refreshments. 
 
 4 male, 3 female char 
 
 We're all Teetotalers. 4 male, 2 fe- 
 male char 
 
 Male Characters Only. 
 
 A Close Shave. 6 char 
 
 A Public Benefactor. 6 char. . . . 
 A Sea of Troubles. 8 char 
 
 COMEDIES, etc., continued. 
 
 Male Characters Only. 
 
 A Tender Attachment. 7 char. . . 15 
 
 Coals of Fire. 6 char. . . . „ . . 15 
 
 Freedom of the Press. 8 char. ... 15 
 
 Shall Our Mothers Vote? n char. 15 
 
 Gentlemen of the Jury. 12 char. . . 15 
 
 Humors of the Strike. 8 char. ... 15 
 
 My Uncle the Captain. 6 char. . . . 15 
 
 New Brooms Sweep Clean. 6 char. . 15 
 
 The Great Elixir. 9 char 15 
 
 The Hypochondriac '3 char 15 
 
 The Man with the Demijohn. 4 
 
 char 15 
 
 The Runaways. 4 char 15 
 
 The*Thief of Time. 6 char 15 
 
 Wanted, a Male Cook. 4 char. ... 15 
 
 Female Characters Only. 
 
 A Love of a Bonnet. 5 char 15 
 
 A Precious Pickle. 6 char 15 
 
 No Cure No Pay. 7 char 15 
 
 The Champion of Her Sex. 8 char. . 15 
 
 The Greatest Plague in Life. 8 char. 15 
 
 The Grecian Bend. 7 char 15 
 
 The Red Chignon. 6 char 15 
 
 Using the Weed. 7 char 15 
 
 ALLEGORIES. 
 
 A rrangedfor Music and Tableaux. 
 
 Lighthart's Pilgrimage. 8 female 
 
 char. 15 
 
 The Revolt of the Bees. 9 female 
 
 char 15 
 
 The Sculptor's Triumph, i male. 4 fe- 
 male char 15 
 
 Thb Tournament of Idylcourt. 10 fe- 
 male char 15 
 
 The War of the Roses. 8 female char. 15 
 
 The Voyage of Life. 8 female char. . 15 
 
 MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC. 
 
 An Original Idea, i male, 1 female 15 
 
 Bonbons; or, the Paint King. 6 male, 
 
 1 female char 25 
 
 Capuletta; or, Romeo and Juliet 15 
 
 Restored. 3 male, 1 female char. . 15 
 
 Santa Claus' Frolics 15 
 
 Snow-bound; or, Alonzo the Brave, 
 and the Fair Imogene. 3 male, 1 
 
 female char 25 
 
 The Merry Christmas of the Old 
 
 Woman who Lived in a Shoe. ... 15 
 
 The Pedler of Very Nice. 7 male 
 
 char 15 
 
 The Seven Ages. A Tableau Entertain- 
 ment. Numerous male and female char. 15 
 
 Too Late for the Train. 2 male char. 15 
 
 The Visions of Freedom, ii female 
 
 char 15 
 
 WALTER H. BAKER & CO., 23 Winter St., Boston. 
 
A DOUBLE SHUFFLE 
 
 & Cometitetta in ©ne &ct 
 
 EY */ 
 
 HENRY OLDHAM HANLON 
 
 SI. 
 
 73i" W 
 
 BOSTON 
 
 1 891 
 

 Fred Somers, a Collegian. 
 
 Jack Hilton, " stroke " 0/ //*<? 'Varsity eight. 
 
 Richard Wentworth, Professor of Entomology. 
 
 Belle Somers, F fed's sister. 
 
 May Singleton, Fred's fiancee. 
 
 Period, now. Costumes, of the present day. 
 
 Copyright, 1891, by Walter H. Baker & Co. 
 
 TMP9c-C07C50 
 
A DOUBLE SHUFFLE. 
 
 Scene. — A drawing-?~oom with window at back opening on 
 garden. Doors r. and l. Belle Somers discovered seated at 
 piano, l. c, acco?npanying her brother, who is singing a college 
 song as he walks up and dozvn the room with his hands in his 
 pockets. 
 
 Fred Somers (singing). — 
 
 Nut-brown maiden 
 Thou hast a very tiny foot. 
 
 Nut-brown maiden, 
 Thou hast a tiny foot. 
 The tiny foot is thine, love, 
 The shoe upon it ni-i-i-i- 
 
 Belle (stopping suddenly and turning round o?i piano stool). 
 Fred, my dear brother, you poor fellows must be dreadfully hard- 
 worked at college ! 
 
 Fred (stroking his moustache). Yes, rather ! But what put 
 that idea into your head so suddenly, just as I was about to size. up 
 the nut-brown maiden's foot? 
 
 Belle (taking book of college songs from piano and opening it 
 on her lap). Well, I read somewhere a description of the New 
 York Stock Exchange, telling how the brokers when their brains 
 were racked after an exciting day's work, would play leap-frog as a 
 kind of relaxation, and indulge in all sorts of childish games and 
 foolishness. 
 
 Fred. I believe they do. But what of that? 
 
 Belle. Only that it seems to me you college men are so wearied 
 by study, that it is as a kind of relief for your minds you sing such 
 nonsensical songs as these (holding up book). 
 
 Fred. Nonsensical songs ! You don't know what you are 
 talking about, Belle ! Why, those are the finest songs in the 
 world ! You should see the audiences that assemble when our 
 Glee Club gives a concert, — the most cultured people in the city 
 attend. 
 
 Belle. I should say the Browning Societies would certainly be 
 there. 
 
 Fred. Of course they would ; but why do you mention them 
 in particular? 
 
 Belle. Because it might interest them to try to find the mean- 
 
 3 
 
4 A DOUBLE SHUFFLE. 
 
 ing {turning over leaves of book) of some such rubbish say — as 
 this, — 
 
 " The owl and the pussy-cat went to sea 
 In a beautiful pea-green boat. 
 They took some honey and plenty of money 
 Wrapped up in a £$ note." 
 
 Fred (laughing). Well, of course some of the songs are ridic- 
 ulous ; but then there are others — I should like you to hear Jack 
 Hilton sing " Thou art my own love." By Jove, he has a splendid 
 baritone ! 
 
 Belle. " Jack Hilton ; " that is the wonderful young man who 
 is to visit us shortly, and with whom I am to fall desperately in 
 love at first sight. " The best all-round man in the college," isn't 
 that what you call him ? 
 
 Fred. Yes; and that is what he is too. Why, he ran one hun- 
 dred yards well inside of evens the other clay ; and if there had 
 only been somebody present to time him, he would have established 
 a record for the distance ; but unfortunately there wasn't, and he 
 had only his own watch to go by. 
 
 Belle. Anything else ? 
 
 Fred. He can clear six feet in the high jump — is one of the 
 best oars in the boat-club — he rowed stroke in last year's 'Varsity 
 eight, you know — and — oh, he can do anything he gives his 
 mind to. 
 
 Belle. Except study, of course. 
 
 Fred. He could do that too, if he wanted ; but, you see, Belle, 
 he doesn't need to study much. He has $12,000 a year, and of 
 course needn't take up any profession. He will keep horses and a 
 wife, and all that sort of thing, and settle down. I wonder I have 
 not heard from him to say whether he will come or not ; it is a 
 week since I wrote. 
 
 Belle. I thought that letter you got a couple of days ago was 
 from him. 
 
 Fred. What letter ? I haven't had a letter for weeks. 
 
 Belle. One came directed to you, all the same. I saw it on 
 the mantel. (Rising and going to the fire-place and searching 
 amongst the bric-d-brac.) Here it is — unopened too ! 
 
 Fred (taking it eagerly). I know the handwriting — it is from 
 Jack ! (Opens letter and reads.) 
 
 " Dear Fred, — I will gladly accept the invitation you gave me 
 some years ago (what does he mean by "years ago" — my letter to 
 him must have been mislaid too) and be with you on Thursday 
 next, if I don't hear from you in the meantime that it would be 
 inconvenient. I shall arrive at the depot by the train scheduled to 
 get there at ^2.30 p.m." Thursday ! Why, that's to-day ; and 
 (looking at his watch) by Jove, it's two o'clock now. (Looks out of 
 window.) Here comes a messenger-boy. Perhaps this is a tele- 
 gram from Jack. Hello, boy, hand it in here. (Takes telegram 
 frojn boy through the window.) Wait a minute till I see if it 
 
A DOUBLE SHUFFLE. 5 
 
 requires an answer. {Reads telegram.} All right, boy, no answer. 
 (Turns to Belle.) Hang it all, Belle, I must leave you and goto 
 Riverton at once. This is from Templeton to say that Timkins, 
 the trainer, is sick, and that I must go right away and look after 
 the crew. The race takes place to-morrow, so I can be back 
 again on Saturday. I must go. It's too bad, and Jack coming — 
 but it can't be helped. Tell Hilton to excuse me : or, stay, I'll see 
 him myself at the depot — his train will be in before mine starts, 
 and I'll give him a lunch somewhere, have a chat with him, and 
 then send him on here. Good-by, Belle, take care of yourself and 
 Jack. Don't let him propose till I get back. Give my love to 
 May. Tell her I'm awfully sorry, but I have to go. Give her a 
 kiss for me. Good-by — I'm off. 
 
 Belle. Good-by, Fred. (Exit Fred.) What a pity he has to 
 go and his friend coming. Couldn't they have got somebody else 
 to coach the crew ? It's strange they'd trust Fred, knowing his 
 unfortunate tendency towards practical joking. I should not 
 be surprised if he were to hide the oars on the day of the race ; 
 and he would, too, only he has the honor of his college so much 
 at heart. I wonder what this Jack Hilton is like, and if I shall be 
 so much taken with him as Fred thinks. It is a funny thing that 
 once Fred makes a friend of any one, he immediately sets him 
 down as the very husband for me. Why, there was — what's- 
 his-name — oh, yes, Dick Wentworth, who graduated with him 
 from High School, a solemn kind of boy, I believe. Fred was 
 of a serious turn himself in those days, and I was almost engaged 
 to him by Fred although I have never seen him. ■ He has become 
 a professor of entomology, Fred says. I don't think I would 
 make a good entomologist's wife. No, I'm sure I wouldn't. I 
 couldn't bear to see a husband of mine sticking pins in poor little 
 butterflies. I'm much too — 
 
 (Enter Fred's affianced, May Singleton, hastily, with a copy 
 of the Century Magazine in her hand. ) 
 
 May. Oh, Belle, what fun ! Fred is up to his old tricks again. 
 Nothing will break him of them. Not even my telling him that I 
 would not marry him if he didn't stop practical joking; for how 
 could I tell but that on our wedding-day he would pretend he had 
 forgotten the ring — or, perhaps, tell the clergyman the wrong day, 
 or something of that sort ! 
 
 Belle. What is it, dear? Why, Fred has only just this mo- 
 ment gone to the depot to — 
 
 May (interrupting he?'). Yes, I know all about it. You see, 
 I was at the news-stand there buying this {shows the Century), 
 when I heard Fred's voice behind me (he hadn't seen me) crying, 
 " Why, Dick Wentworth, where on earth have you come from ? " 
 
 Belle. Dick Wentworth ! 
 
 May. Yes, that's the name. I could see with the corner of 
 
6 A DOUBLE SHUFFLE. 
 
 my eye that Fred was addressing a grave-looking young man in 
 black, who shook hands with him and said, " I thought you had 
 got my letter, Fred, but it doesn't matter. If it is inconvenient, I 
 can go back and wait for a more opportune time." Fred cried, 
 "Not at all, my dear boy." When, all of a sudden, a bright idea 
 seemed to strike him, and he burst out laughing and said, " Dick, 
 will you do something for me ? Promise me, on your honor as a 
 gentleman, that you'll do it. There is no harm in it. I only want 
 to play a little joke on my sister Belle. I did get your letter and 
 was interrupted before I had read it through, and thought it was 
 from Jack Hilton, a college friend of mine. I hadn't read the sig- 
 nature of your letter, you know, and so Belle expects Jack. Now 
 I'm called away, and won't be back till Saturday, and I want you 
 to let her think you are Hilton till I return. You need not tell any 
 lies —just let her think you are Jack. But come, let us get some- 
 thing to eat, and we'll talk it over at the restaurant ; " and so they 
 went off together, Fred in great spirits over his happy thought. 
 Now, what do you think of that ? Isn't he incorrigible ? 
 
 Belle. Oh, but May, I can never receive Mr. Wentworth 
 and pretend not to know who he is ! 
 
 May. No, of course you couldn't ; and what's more, you won't 
 have to do it. Why, Belle, dear, don't you see, two can play at 
 that kind of game. 
 
 Belle. 1 don't understand you, May. 
 
 May. Well, listen to me. From this moment till next Satur- 
 day you lose your identity just as Mr. Wentworth loses his. You 
 will be May Singleton, Fred's betrothed, though you needn't men- 
 tion that interesting fact — I mean the engagement — and I will be 
 Belle Somers, Fred's beautiful and accomplished sister, and will 
 play the hostess and do the honors to the manner born. Oh, it 
 will be fun, Belle ! 
 
 Belle. Yes, it will be great fun if we can do it ; but don't you 
 think papa will give it away ? 
 
 May. Oh, no, not at all ! Mr. Somers is so deaf, you know, 
 and won't know what is going on. It will be splendid, and we can 
 turn the tables on Fred, and perhaps it may help to cure him of 
 his nonsense. 
 
 Belle. All right, dear, just as you please ; but mind, if Fred is 
 angry with us, you will have to make peace with him, not I. 
 
 May. Trust me for that ; besides, we are only playing his own 
 game. But, say, Belle, what do you know of this Mr. Wentworth ? 
 
 Belle. Only that he is a professor of entomology at some col- 
 lege or other. 
 
 May. Entomology! what's that? Oh, I know — insects. I 
 hope he won't have any of them with him — I mean in his baggage. 
 I do so hate beetles and bugs — they are such — Oh, Belle, here 
 he comes ! {Both start up "and run to the window.) Fancy a 
 man like that trying to fool us I Why, he couldn't do it for ten 
 minutes unless we helped him out, 
 
A DOUBLE SHUFFLE. 7 
 
 {Enter Dick Wentworth, nervously.) 
 
 Dick (to May, who has advanced to meet him). Miss Somers, 
 I believe ? 
 
 May. My brother's college friend, Mr. Hilton ! I'm glad to 
 meet you, Mr. Hilton, and have to apologize for my brother's 
 absence. Fred has been called away quite suddenly, or he would 
 be here to meet you. 
 
 Dick. I met your brother at the depot, Miss Somers. 
 
 May. Oh, I'm glad of that. Allow me to make you ac- 
 quainted with my particular friend, Miss Singleton. This is Mr. 
 Hilton of whom you have heard Fred speak so often. 
 
 Belle (after greeting Dick). And you are the great athlete. 
 How delightful ! Belle and I do so adore athletes. 
 
 May. Yes, indeed, we do. You have been training a great deal 
 lately ; don't you find it fatiguing ? 
 
 Dick. Yes. I have been in the train since ten o'clock this 
 morning. It is fatiguing, and makes one so horribly dusty. 
 
 May. How forgetful of me ! Of course you would like to go to 
 your room. (Rings bell.) You can tell us of all your great exploits 
 later on. (Tells servant who efiters to show Dick to his room. 
 Exit Dick.) 
 
 May (laughing). He does not look much like an athlete, 
 does he ? 
 
 Belle. No ; but I think he feels so flattered to be thought one, 
 that he will play his part out. 
 
 May. What did Fred say Jack Hilton could do ? 
 
 Belle. Let me see : he was the best all round man in college — 
 he could jump six feet — could run any distance up to ten miles, 
 had rowed stroke in the eight, and is, besides, the best singer in 
 the Glee Club. 
 
 May. He sings too, does he ? How nice ! 
 
 Belle. Yes ; and Fred says he is wonderfully good in that 
 song that the music-book is open at on the piano. 
 
 May. What piece is that ? 
 
 Belle. Let me see (going to piano), I know I opened the book 
 at it when Fred mentioned it. Oh, yes ; this is it, " Thou art my 
 own love." 
 
 May. I should like to hear him. 
 
 Belle. So should I. Let's go for a stroll in the garden. (They 
 go out with their arms round each other's waist.) 
 
 (Enter Dick, looking much stouter than before.) 
 
 Dick. I think this joke of Fred's isn't such bad fun after all, 
 and I believe I will be able to go through with it. I have put on 
 every vest I had with me, and I flatter myself I look the athlete 
 now. Fortunately I found a copy of " Outing " in a bookcase in 
 my room, and I have written all the records I could find on my 
 
8 A DOUBLE SHUFFLE. 
 
 shirt-cuff, in case they should ask me questions. Let's see {look- 
 ing at his left cuff). High jump, a hundred yards dash, quarter, 
 mile, broad jump, putting the shot, and so forth. I wonder what 
 they think I am great at. I guess I could do one about as well as 
 another. Here they come. {Swells his chest, and tries to look 
 powerful as he advances to meet them.) 
 
 {Enter Belle and May.) 
 
 May. Mr. Hilton, May and I have been out in the garden 
 looking at the path, to see how it will answer for a running track. 
 For I suppose you will want to be called early in the morning for 
 a couple of hours run before breakfast ? 
 
 Dick {aside). A couple of hours run before breakfast, good 
 Lord! {Aloud.) No thank you, Miss Somers. You see, I take 
 a different exercise every week, and this happens not to be my 
 running week. 
 
 Belle. And what are you training for this week, Mr. Hilton ? 
 
 Dick {aside). What shall I say? {Aloud.) The high jump 
 this week. Yes, this is the week for practising that. 
 
 May. Oh, how delightful ! Fred read to me some time ago of 
 how the amateur champion high jumper was at an afternoon tea, 
 and when a young lady, wearing a very high hat, told him that she 
 would like to see him jump, he leaped right over her, hat and all, 
 without so much as touching a feather. 
 
 Belle. O Mr. Hilton ! won't you jump over us ? {They stand 
 side by side.) Please do, Mr. Hilton. 
 
 May. Do, please, Mr. Hilton. 
 
 Dick {aside). What the deuce am I to do now ? (Aloud.) 
 You must excuse me, ladies. You really must ! For you see, when 
 the Amateur Athletic Association heard of that remarkable exploit 
 you mentioned, Miss Somers, they forbade all members jumping 
 over ladies, — 'it became quite common, you know, everybody was 
 doing it, — on pain of being classed as professionals. {Aside.) 
 What nonsense I'm talking. {Aloud.) Of course I could do it 
 easily, only I am prevented by the association's prohibition. 
 
 May. How high can you jump, Mr. Hilton ? 
 
 Dick {looking at his cuff in a very hurried 'manner). Twenty- 
 three feet, one inch, was mv last record. 
 
 Both Girls. Impossible. Twenty-three feet, one inch ! 
 
 Dick. Fact, I assure you. Oh, no ! I mean {referring to cuff 
 again) \o\ seconds with a flying start. (What am I saying, I 
 must change the conversation.) Miss Somers, won't you sing for 
 me? I see a song-book open on the piano, and I'm so fond of 
 music. 
 
 May. I'm sorry to say, Mr. Hilton, that neither of us can sing; 
 but we have been looking forward to hearing you. Fred says you 
 sing "Thou art my own love" delightfully, and we are quite 
 anxious to hear you sing it. 
 
 Dick {aside). If I can't sing it to her, I should like to say it to 
 
A DOUBLE SHUFFLE. 9 
 
 her. {Aloud.) I am very sorry, Miss Somers, that I must plead 
 a severe cold, a slight touch of the grippe, I believe, caught one 
 wet day last week while I was chasing a remarkably beautiful 
 specimen of the — ahem! {Aside.) I was nearly giving myself 
 away that time. 
 
 May. " A remarkably beautiful specimen of the female sex," — 
 let me finish your sentence for you. And pray, where were you 
 chasing her to, Mr. Hilton? 
 
 Dick. Her horse was running away, you know, and — and I 
 caught it. I had to run my level best to overtake her; but I did 
 it, and, I believe, saved her life. 
 
 May. How romantic ! Let us walk in the garden, and you can 
 tell us the denouement. 
 
 Belle. Pray excuse me, Belle, and you, Mr. Hilton. I have a 
 letter to write I had forgotten till this moment. 
 
 May. Well, don't be long over it. Come along, Mr. Hilton. 
 
 {Exit May, followed by Dick.) 
 
 Belle. I hope May won't lead that young man on too far. 
 He seems quite smitten already. I shall go to papa, and see if he 
 has finished his afternoon doze. {Exit R.) 
 
 {Enter Jack Hilton cariying a grip-sack.) 
 
 Jack. This is too bad of Fred. He is just the same, always 
 up to some mischief or other! When I got off the cars at the 
 depot, there he was — he had missed his train — Fred always does 
 miss his train ; and after he had shaken hands with me, he made 
 me promise solemnly what do you think ! — to come on here and 
 swear that I am a professor of entomology, whatever that is, that 
 my name is Dick Wentworth, and that I had graduated from High 
 School with him. He says it is a joke on his sister, and that I 
 must keep it up till Saturday, when he returns. What an awkward 
 position it places me in, and what will Miss Somers think of me 
 when she finds out I have been deceiving her. Stop a moment 
 {looks round room; then through doorL.). Yes ; there's a library ! 
 1 must get hold of a Webster, and see what it is I am a professor 
 of, or I shall be found out as sure as my name's Jack Hilton ! 
 
 {Exit Jack. Enter Dick and May, he gesticulating) 
 
 Dick. And just as we entered the straight in the last lap, and 
 he was leading me by twenty yards, I put on a desperate spurt, and 
 gradually wore him down, breasting the tape an easy winner by 
 three-quarters of an inch ! {Aside!) By Jove, " Turf, Field, and 
 Farm " : couldn't have done better than that ! 
 
 May. Oh, how exciting that must have been ! and you can 
 really run a mile in 4.30 ? 
 
 Dick {referring to cuff). Easily, Miss Somers. Why, I think 
 nothins: of it ! 
 
10 A DOUBLE SHUFFLE. 
 
 May. Oh! how delightful it would be for a woman to go 
 through life with a man who could go so fast as that ; and yet some 
 girls don't like fast men. 
 
 Dick {excitedly). Miss Somers, your words embolden me and 
 give me hope. I know I'm presumptuous, and that our short ac- 
 quaintance does not warrant my speaking thus to you ; but, you 
 know, when I was at high school — I mean at college — with your 
 brother Fred, he said that the dearest wish of his heart was that 
 we should be one : by "we," of course, I mean you and me, Miss 
 Somers. 
 
 May {tragically). Stop, Mr. Hilton, before you go any farther. 
 Let me tell you what Fred has said to me over and over again. 
 (Puts her handkerchief to her eyes?) 
 
 Dick. Go on, Miss Somers : don't keep me in this agony of 
 suspense. What did he say ? 
 
 May. These very words, — and oh ! I know he meant what he 
 sa id, — "If any man ever dares to propose for you, I'll blow his 
 brains out." 
 
 Dick {astonished). "Blow his brains out!" Did Fred say 
 that? But surely he can't expect you to remain single all your 
 life, — you, so young, and, may I add, so beautiful ! 
 
 May. Of course, I suppose he only meant if anyone proposed 
 for me without his permission. 
 
 Dick. Oh ! that's a different thing altogether. You really 
 frightened me. Then, if I can gain his permission, I may come to 
 
 you, Belle. May I call you Bel 
 
 May. If you do, you will be the first man who has ever done 
 so ; but I think it would be better, Mr. Hilton, until Fred gives his 
 sanction, for us to continue to act merely as friends. 
 
 Dick. Very well, Miss Somers. Fred will be here soon, and, 
 in spite of his threat, I shall speak to him. Oh, Miss Somers, I 
 had forgotten! Is there a post-office near here? I have some 
 business I have to attend to myself. 
 
 May. Yes, but it is some distance from here. I will walk with 
 you as far as the gate, and show you the way. (Exeunt.) 
 
 (Enter Jack with a Webster under his arm : seats himself at 
 table, and opens the dictionary.) 
 
 Jack. I thought I would never find it, the room was so con- 
 foundedly dark. Why, I've been for the last ten minutes searching 
 for "entomology" in a "Josephus;" but I've got a Webster at 
 last. Let me see {turning leaves) : B, C, D, L, H, I, F, E, Ea, 
 Eb, Ef, Em, Et : here it is, "etymology," — " That part of phil- 
 ology that explains the derivations of words." Oh, that can't be 
 it, of course not: its "^tomology ; ' I'm looking for. (Searches 
 again.) Here it is, " Entomology." (Reads to himself with a 
 puzzled look on Ids face.) 
 
 (Enter May through the window, and Belle through door.) 
 
A DOUBLE SHUFFLE. II 
 
 Belle. What have you dc#e with him? 
 
 May. He has gone to the post-office. (Sees Jack.) Who's 
 that ? 
 
 Belle (seeing him also). I don't know. Whoever he is, he 
 seems to be quite at home. Ahem ! 
 
 May. Ahem ! 
 
 Jack (starting up and advancing towa?'d them). Excuse me, 
 ladies ! My name is " Wentworth," " Dick Wentworth." I went 
 to high school with Fred Somers. 
 
 Both Girls (astonished). Dick Wentworth! 
 
 Jack. I met Fred at the depot, and he had not time, he said, 
 to give me a letter of introduction to his sister. 
 
 May (aside). Oh, Fred, Fred ! I'll pay you well for this. 
 (Aloud.) Mr. Wentworth, I am delighted to know you ; and no 
 letter of introduction is necessary. Fred has often spoken to me of 
 you, and you are very welcome. Mr. Wentworth, Miss May Sin- 
 gleton, a friend of mine. (They bow.) 
 
 Belle. I also have heard of you, Mr. Wentworth ; and your 
 fame as an entomologist has preceded you here. 
 
 Jack (aside). By Jove ! I'm famous, am I ? You are too good, 
 Miss Singleton. 
 
 Belle (aside to May). This is Jack Hilton. 
 
 May ( nods). I've seen his picture. 
 
 Belle. Curiously enough, I was reading Edgar Allen Poe's 
 "Gold Bug" last night, and wondering what it was like, — the 
 bug, I mean. Now you can tell me, Mr. Wentworth. What is a 
 scarabseus like ? 
 
 Jack. A scara — which ? 
 
 Belle. A scarabaeus. 
 
 Jack. I have always thought it the wisest plan, Miss Singleton, 
 when teaching — when teaching (edging over towards dictionary, 
 and peeping at it) entomology to let the pupils first see the insect, 
 and afterwards to discourse with them about it. Now, in a box 
 which will follow me from the depot I have quite a collection of 
 — of — of — those insects you mention, and will be happy to show 
 them to you when it comes. (Aside.) So I will when it comes. 
 
 Bblle. You have some beautiful butterflies, I suppose. 
 
 Jack. Yes, indeed, some wonderfully beautiful ones. 
 
 May (aside). I don't seem to count for much in this convention. 
 
 Belle (reproachfully). And you stick cruel ^ins through their 
 poor dear little bodies. 
 
 Jack. Occasionally, only occasionally ; but not unless abso- 
 lutely necessary ; that is, when they show fight, you know. 
 (Aside.) What does she mean by my sticking pins in butterflies ? 
 
 Belle. Oh, dear! I could never like a man who would do such 
 hard-hearted things. 
 
 Jack. You couldn't? then hear me swear, Miss Singleton, — 
 From this moment I shall never injure in any way any insect that 
 you wish me to spare ! 
 
12 A DOUBLE SHUFFLE. 
 
 M ay {aside). This is getting interesting! {Rises and goes to 
 piano, and plays softly.) 
 
 Jack {earnestly). Miss Singleton, I am a plain-spoken fellow, 
 and have a way of blurting out at once what other men would, 
 perhaps, take years to say. Listen to me, and forgive me, for I 
 can't help myself. Fred wrote to me, asking me to come here for 
 a week, and said in his letter that he hoped I should find a wife 
 here. I know he was thinking of his sister there; but when I saw 
 you — 
 
 (May begins playing " Thott art my own love."") 
 
 Jack {listening). Do you know the words of the air Miss 
 Somers is playing ? 
 
 Belle. Yes. "Thou art my own love." (May steps out of 
 the room.) 
 
 Jack. Oh, if I could only be ! — Miss Singleton, do you believe 
 in love at first sight ? 
 
 Belle. I do, Mr, Wentworth. But, one moment : c^id Fred 
 never tell you of his engagement ? 
 
 Jack. Great Heavens, Miss Singleton, don't tell me that there 
 is any tie between you and Fred! 
 
 Belle {sighing). There is indeed a tie, — a very close one. 
 But oh Mr. Wentworth, I will never marry him! never! and I am 
 sure he has no intention of marrying me. 
 
 Jack {aside). This is an unfortunate affair! Fred kindly invites 
 me here, willing to accept me as a brother-in-law, and I take 
 advantage of his doing so by falling in love with the girl he is 
 engaged to. It is too bad ; but then if they don't want each other 
 it's all right. {Aloud.) Then if you think he does not wish to 
 marry you, may I not hope ? Forgive me, I know I am abrupt ! 
 
 Belle. Yes. I think you may hope. But oh, is it not warm 
 here ? Let us go for a stroll, and I'll show you my bees. Are you 
 fond of bees ? 
 
 Jack. Fond of them ! if they are yours I love them ! 
 
 Belle. Then let us go. {They go through window.) 
 
 {Enter Fred Somers, laughing.) 
 
 Fred. I wonder how my comedy of errors is working! For- 
 tunately, when we stopped at the first station, who should come 
 into the car I was in but Tom Henderson. " Where are you going, 
 Tom ? '•' says I. " To coach the crew," says he, " Timkins is sick." 
 — " Good-by," says I, and jumped from the car as the train was 
 moving. They had evidently sent for him, knowing what an 
 erratic individual I am, and fearing that I should not show up. 
 He is quite welcome to the job, and I can now straighten up 
 matters a bit here, and we will make a jolly party, and go see the 
 race to-morrow. 
 
 {Enter Dick.) 
 
 Dick {surprised). You here; Fred I 
 
A DOUBLE SHUFFLE. 1 3 
 
 Fred. Yes ; another man has taken my place. And how are 
 you, Dick (holding out his hand). 
 
 Dick (drawing back). Fred, before I take your hand, I have 
 something to say to you that you may not like to hear ; but first let 
 me ask you a question : have you a revolver about you ? 
 
 Fred. A revolver ! No. What on earth do you mean ? 
 
 Dick. Listen to me, Fred, and you'll know ! I have proposed 
 for your sister ! 
 
 Fred. Oh, you have, have you ? Well, I must say you don't 
 seem to have lost much time in the matter. 
 
 Dick (greatly relieved). And you don't want to blow my brains 
 out? 
 
 Fred. No ; why should I ? To tell you the truth, Dick, after 
 what has passed between us, I really don't think you have any 
 brains to blow in or out. 
 
 Dick. Well, I didn't think you would, you know ; but your sister 
 said she was positive you would if I told you. 
 
 Fred (aside). I wonder what Belle meant by talking such 
 nonsense. (Aloud.) Well, Dick, I "11 admit that 1 had quite 
 another scheme for my sister's happiness ; but if you can win her, 
 you need fear no opposition at my hands. 
 
 Dick (seizing his hand and shaking it warmly). Oh, thank 
 you, Fred, a thousand thanks ! And may I tell her what you 
 say ? 
 
 Fred. As soon as you like. 
 
 Dick. I'll go at once. I know where to find her. (Exit.) 
 
 Fred. I wonder what Jack has been about to let Dick get ahead 
 of him like this. Here he comes. I'll ask him. 
 
 (Enter Jack, moodily.) 
 
 Fred. How are you, Jack? you see I've got back before I 
 thought I should. 
 
 Jack (gloomily). So I see. 
 
 Fred. Confound it, Jack, you don't fancy 1 want to blow your 
 brains out, do you ? You haven't something to say to me that will 
 raise blood-thirsty thoughts to my fevered brain ? 
 
 Jack. I'm not so sure of that ! 
 
 Fred. Well, out with it, man ! What's the matter with you ? 
 
 Jack. Fred, you remember in your letter to me, you wrote 
 expressing a hope that I should find my future wife here ? 
 
 Fred. Yes, I do, and I see it all now"! You have let another 
 fellow get the start of you. Jack, I'm sorry. 
 
 Jack. No, Fred, that's not what it is. It's worse than that. 
 To make a long story short, Fred, I love Miss Singleton. 
 
 Fred. ^Great Heavens, man ! do you know what you are 
 saying ? 
 
 Jack. Forgive me, Fred. I knew it would displease you ; but 
 I could not help myself, you know, and it is only fair that I should 
 tell you. 
 
14 A DOUBLE SHUFFLE. 
 
 Fred. I'm sorry I spoke so roughly, Jack, I am really sorry 
 for you ; and I can only hope that she refused you in such a 
 manner as not to pain you. 
 
 Jack. Refused me ! no, indeed ! She certainly did not do 
 that. 
 
 Fred But she must have told you that we are engaged. 
 
 Jack. She did ; and she also told me that she had as little 
 intention of marrying you as you have of marrying her. 
 
 Fred. She told you that ! {Aside.) O May, May, I knew you 
 were a bit of a flirt, but I did not dream that you could have thrown 
 me over like this ! I see it all now. I told her that if she could 
 find a better man than I, she could have him. Vain fool that I am, 
 I did not think such a man existed! and now — and now she has 
 taken me at my word. Oh, why did I bring him here to de- 
 stroy all my happiness? {Aloud.) Jack, Jack, what have you 
 done? 
 
 Jack. Fred, dear old fellow, I know I've done wrong. 1 did 
 not think you cared for her so much. She led me to think differ- 
 ently. I'll go away, Fred, and live down my misery as best I 
 can. 
 
 Fred (proudly). No, Jack, no ! If she cares so little for me, 
 or so much for you, as to give me up thus easily, it is I that shall 
 go away and forget that I ever knew her. But, Jack, like a good 
 fellow, send her to me : I must hear it from her own lips before I 
 can believe that she intends to ruin my life. 
 
 Jack. I'll tell her you want to see her. (Exit Jack.) 
 
 Fred (bitterly v . O May ! I never could have thought that you 
 would treat me so cruelly, — I who would have done anything- in 
 the world to make you happy. And you did seem to love me ! 
 O woman, woman, 'twas ever thus ! (Seats himself at table, and 
 buries his face in his hands. Enter May.) 
 
 May. What! Fred back so soon ? Oh, I'm so glad! (Draws 
 near to him.) But what's the matter with you? Are you ill? 
 (Tries to caress /->'vi.) 
 
 Fred (repulsing her). Do not touch me ! How dare you ? 
 you who engaged \ourself tome, and the minute I turn my back 
 accept the addresses of another man ! Go ! leave me! 
 
 May. But I never did accept them. 
 
 Fred. What ! didn't you tell him you would never marry me? 
 
 May. No, I did not ; nothing of the kind. 
 
 Fred. Do you mean to say that you didn't tell him you had as 
 little intention of marrying me as I had of marrying you? 
 
 May. Certainly not ! He did propose for me after he had 
 known me ten minutes ; and, as you are so fond of practical jokes, 
 you can't blame me if, to punish him for his assurance, I ventured 
 to try one on him by telling him he could have me if he got your 
 permission. I knew, Fred, dear ! you would not give it. 
 
 Fred. Hang practical jokes ! Don't you see, girl, that I have 
 given him my permission, and that I can't go back on my word ? 
 
A DOUBLE SHUFFLE. 1 5 
 
 And oh ! — I'd forgotten — do you know that your new lover is not 
 the man he represents himself to be ? 
 
 May. Yes, Fred, I do. I overheard your plot at the depot, and 
 determined that two could play at that game. Fred, Belle and I 
 have changed places : she took my name and I hers. 
 
 Fred. Then who is it that has proposed for you? 
 
 May. How can I tell? O Fred, Fred! you have mixed things 
 up terribly ! 
 
 Fred. I have, I have ; I know it ! But, tell me, was it the 
 entomologist, or the athlete? 
 
 May. Both. 
 
 Fred. Both ! oh, this is a thousand times worse. Then two 
 men have been making love to you, have they ? 
 
 May. No, only one. 
 
 Fred. But you said " both " just now. 
 
 May Yes, 1 did. They are both athletes and both entomolo- 
 gists, you know. Why, you made them so yourself! 
 
 Fred. May, if this mystery is ever satisfactorily unravelled, I 
 shall never play a practical joke again I swear it ! 
 
 May. Here they come ! Now, Fred, I have a plan : just say, 
 "Jack, you can have her," and then await developments. 
 
 {Enter Belle, Jack, a?id Dick.) 
 
 Fred {as they approach}. Jack, you can have her : take her. 
 She is yours. 
 
 (Jack goes to Belle and puts his ar?n round her waist. Dick 
 tries to do the same with May, but she keeps him at a distance.} 
 
 May {laughing). Stop a moment ! Mr. What's-your-name, you 
 may run a mile in 4.30, but you are going a little too fast now. 
 Didn't I tell you you had to get Fred's permission first. 
 
 Dick {triumphantly). Yes, Miss Somers, and he has given it. 
 
 May {turning to Fred). Did you tell him he could have vief 
 
 Fred. Not by a — 
 
 May. Fred ! 
 
 Fred. I beg your pardon. I meant to say, certainly not. I 
 never said so. You see, Dick, I am going to marry her myself. 
 
 Dick. What, marry your own sister ! You can't do that, you 
 know. 
 
 Fred {laughing). She is not my sister: there is my sister. 
 ( Pointing to 'Belle.) 
 
 Jack. You Fred's sister ? Oh, I'm so glad ! 
 
 Dick. I can't make it out at all. Everybody seems to be some 
 one else. 
 
 Fred. Yes, Dick, we have all been playing parts. 
 
 Belle. Why, Fred, what part did you play ? 
 
 Fred. Oh, I played the fool. 
 
 Dick. If you did, I'd like to know where I came in. 
 
 May. No, Fred, you didn't; at least, not more than usual. 
 
16 A DOUBLE SHUFFLE. 
 
 The summing up of the affair is this : You, Fred, thought to fool 
 us girls, and no doubt, when making your friends personate each 
 other, flattered yourself that you had shuffled your cards pretty 
 well; but Belle' and I have now taught you, very effectually I 
 think, that it is not only in dancing that such a thing can be accom- 
 plished as A Double Shuffle. 
 
 Curtain. 
 
A NEW PLAY FOR FEMALE CHARACTERS. 
 
 A Companion to "REBECCA'S TRIUMPH." 
 
 ANITA'S TRIAL; 
 
 Or, Our Girls in Camp. 
 
 By Esther B. Tiffany, author of "A Rice Pudding," "That Patrick," 
 " Young Mr. Pritchard," etc. 
 
 Price, -------35 cents. 
 
 This is a bright and sparkling comedy in three acts, for eleven 
 female characters. Its §tory is entertaining, and its dialogue dis- 
 tinguished by this author's delicate humorous touch. One scene only 
 is necessary for the three acts — a camp in the woods, easily arranged. 
 The dresses are simple and picturesque camping costumes. The enor- 
 mous success of " Rebecca's Triumph " has created a demand for this 
 sort of piece, to meet which we confidently present "Anita's Trial," 
 in which is solved, with no less success than in its predecessor, the 
 difficult problem of constructing a play of strong human interest with- 
 out the assistance of male characters. 
 
 The O hronqthanatqletrq n; 
 
 OR, OLD TIMES MADE NEW. 
 
 An entertainment in one act for sixteen girls, written for the Class Day 
 Exercises at Dana Hall School, Wellesley, Mass., by two members 
 of the Class of '87 and first performed before members of the school 
 and their friends, June 18, 18S7, and later at Ellsworth, Maine, 
 April 6, 1888. 
 
 Price, ------- 25 cents. 
 
 THE PEAK SISTERS. 
 
 A humorous entertainment for young ladies. Arranged by Mary B. 
 Horne. Any number of ladies may take part, but seven only are 
 necessary. No scenery; costumes very simple. This laughable 
 trifle meets with invariable success wherever performed. 
 
 Price, -------15 cents. 
 
 THE BOOK OF DRILLS. 
 
 A group of entertainments for female characters for stage or floor per- 
 formance, by Mary B. Horne, the author of " The Peak Sisters," etc. 
 
 Price, -____-- 30 cents. 
 
 WALTER E BAKER & CO, Publishers, 23 Winter St, Boston. 
 
By the Author of "Out of His Sphere." 
 
 T^-^^ _. ^ — — - ^ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 he oRMr 
 
 Or, Caught in His O 
 
 .A. COl&JZJDIZ: HZEST TH3 016 103 816 7 
 By DAVID HILL, 
 
 Author of " Forced to the War," " Out of his Sphere, 
 "Placer Gold," "Bound by an Oath," Etc. 
 
 Eleven male and two female characters and supers; six male characters oniy 
 heing important. Costumes modern and eccentric rustic. Scenery may be made 
 elaborate or simple, according to circumstances. John Haymaker is a good 
 character, new to the stage, and full of rustic humor and shrewdness. Alvin 
 Joslin, as played by Mr. .Davis, comes nearest to it in flavor. The other char- 
 acters are excellent, generally rustic types and those of low life in the city, 
 where the incidents of " The Granger's" second act occur. The story is original 
 in idea, and of great humorous possibilities. Just the thing for a Grange enter- 
 tainment. Can be played with the simplest accessories, yet will amply repay 
 care in getting up. 
 
 Price 25 Cents. 
 
 STZ-iXsTOIPSIS : 
 
 ACT I. Scene 1. Highway. Farming a trade. " It takes more good, sound 
 common sense to run a farm successfully than it does a national bank. A 
 good shot. Evolution. Isaac as an informer. Hard to hear. " Measter 
 Haymaker, dom it ! woolye stop that dinging and come here." Scene 2. 
 The lovers. Philopened. The penalty two kisses. Caught in the act. 
 " Well, young man, when you are satisfied, please give me your attention." 
 Wager between Richard and Haymaker. " I will wager that you will be out- 
 witted at your own game inside of a month ; and your daughter's hand shall 
 pay the penalty if I win." " And if you lose ?" " If I lose, I will never 
 trouble you or your daughter again." The acceptance. Scene 3. Hay- 
 maker's house. Richard unfolds his plan to Mrs. Haymaker and Minnie. 
 They join him in the plot to outwit Haymaker. Off to the city. 
 
 ACT II. Scene 1. City street. " The Granger." Lots of fun. Taken for a 
 greenhorn. New kind of game. Baiting the trap. Hoav the pickpockets 
 were caught. " Feel at this moment jest like speakin' in meetin', don't ye ?" 
 Held in tow. Off to the " tavern." Scene 2. City bar-room. How Hay- 
 maker fooled the crowd. Releasing the pickpockets. Parting advice. 
 " When you pick up another Granger on the street, don't take him for a 
 pumpkin until you have tested the rind." How the traps were worked. 
 Tough yarns. Richard and Minnie disguised. The song. Charity. 
 " Yengster, jest lead the way tu them there books." Scene 3. Room in 
 tenement house. Evolution again. The supper. The drugged coffee. 
 Haymaker falls asleep. Richard happy. "Hurrah! we together have out- 
 witted John Haymaker." Minnie's keepsake. Haymaker caught in his own 
 traps. 
 
 ACT III. Scene 1. Highway. Haymaker and Cushing. " Your're an old, 
 meddlesome, wizzled, knock-kneed and dried up jackass." Cushing aston- 
 ished. " Wa'all, I swow ! I'll be blowed if 1 ever seed Haymaker like that 
 afore." Sckne 2. Haymaker's house. Waiting for Haymaker. "O my! 
 there is father coining now." Crest-fallen but spunky. Haymaker's explan- 
 ation. His admiration for those who outwitted him. "If they would 
 confess I would give them a thousand dollars and a position for life." Taken 
 at his word. Richard and Minnie again in disguise. The song. Haymaker 
 dumbfounded. " Well, it's beginnng to dawn upon me that I'm a confounded 
 old fool." Fulfilling the contract. Haymaker's closing words. "Though 
 I still advocate the theory of evolution, it never again shall be the principal 
 tool to catch John Haymaker in his own trap." 
 
 Walter H. Baker & Co., 23 Winter St., Boston. 
 
 •♦ 8. J. PARKHILL & CO., PRINTERS, 222 FRANKLIN ST., BOSTON.