Bz.t Si ished. The "Popular Edition" of Baker's Reading Club and ker. Nos, 1, 2, 3, and 4, 50 selections in eacli. Price 15 cents each. l!OQ^(^^ooaoQ<^(jao^ ^(jo/ jf s ^ SPENCER'S UUIVERSAL STAGE. A Collection of COMEDIES, DRAMAS, and FARCES, adapted to either Public )'{ or Private Performance. Containino a full description of all ^ ' the necessarrj Stage Business. ^ '■ f PBICE,15 CENTS MA.CH. ^^^ No Plmjs exchanged. C. 1. liost f.ii riOiidon. A Drama in Three Acts. 'Mule, 4 Female char- acters. 2. Nicliolas Flam. A Comedy in Two Acts. JJy J. B. Buckstone. 5 Male, 3 Female cliaracters. 3. The IVelsJfi «irl. A Comedy in One Act. By Jlrs. Planche. 3 Male, 2 Female cliaracters, 4. John ^Vopps. A Farce in One Act. By \y. E. Sutcr. 4 Male, 1> Female characters. 5. The TurliisU Bath. A Farce in One Act. By Montague Williams and F. C. Burnancl, ^Male, 1 Fe- male character. The T\vo Puddifoots. A Farce in One Act. By J, ]M. Morton. 3 Male, 3 Female characters. Old Honesty. A Comic Drama in T'.vo Acts, J'.y J. M. jMorton. 6 Male, 2 Female characters. Ttvo Gentlemen In a Fix. A Farce i/\ One Act. By \i. E. Suter. 2 ]Male cliaracters. Smashin$;ton Goit. A Farce in One Act. l?y T. J. Williams. 5 Male, 3 Female characters. Two Heads Better thanOne. A Farce in One Act. By Lenox Home. 4 Iilale, 1 Female character. John T>oljbs. A Farce in One Act. By J. i>I. JSlorton. 6 Male, 2 Female characters. The Haiighter of the Kegi- ment. A" Drama in Two Acts. By Fdward Fitzball, (J Male, 2 Female characters. Annt Charlotte's Mnid. A Farce in One Act. By J. 31. Jlorton. 3 Male, 3 Female characters. Brother Bill and Me. A Farce in One Act. By W. K. Suter. 4 Male, 3 Femaln characters. 15. I>one on Both Sides. A Farce in • Onr Act. r>y .1. IM. IMorton. 3 Male, 2 Female characters. J" T*«nd«chetty's Picnic. A Farce in One Act. By T. J. AVilUams. 6 ilMale, 3 Female characters. U. I've -written to BroAvne. A Farce in One Act. By T.J.Williams. 4 Male, 3 Female characters. 10 11. 12. 13 14 spending a Iland. A Farce in One ( ) Act. i3y ti. A. A'Becket. 3 Male, 2 Female characters. 19. One Act. By J. j\I. Morton. 4 Male, 4 Fcm:ik characters 20. My Turn IVext. A Farce in One Act. ;ii 4 Male, 3 Fe- V A Com '4! By T. J. AVilliams. male ciiavr. tters. 21. Wine Poiiii ? of the Iia-%v edy in v»no Act. By Tom Taylor, 4 Male, .> Female charact/.>rs. { 22. The Phantom Breakfast. A ^, Farce in One Act. By Cliarlcs Sel- y^ by. 3 Jlale, 2 Female characters. ^. 2.3. Bandelions Bodges. A Farce in One AcN Bv T. J. Williams Male, 2 Female characters. 24. A Slice of I^ticlc. A Farce in One Act. r- J. U. Morton. 4 Male, 2 Female c^.-v.acters. 25. Alwaj's Intended. A Comedy in One Act. .'.^y Horace Wigan. 3 IMalc. 3 FemaJe characters. 26. A Bnll in a China Shop, A Com- edy in Two Acts. By Charles I^Iat- thews. Male, 4 Feuiale characicrs. 27. Another Olass. \ Drama in One Act. By Thomas Morton. G Male, 3 Female characters. 28. BoAvled Out, *A Farce in One Act. By II. T. Craven. 4 Male, 3 Female characters. 29. Cousin Torn. A Commedietta in One Act. By George Koberts. 3 31ale, 2 Female cliaracters. .30. Sarah's Young Man„ A Farce in One Act. By \\\ E. Suter. 3 Male, 3 Female characters. 31. Hit Illm, He has Wo Friends. A Farce in One Act. By E, Yates and N. II. Harrington. 7 Male, 3 Female characters. 3?- The Christci»ing. A Farce in One ici. ByJ.B. iiiickstone. 5 Male, ( o Female characters. ( 35. A Race for a "^VidoAv. A Farce in One Act. By Thomas J. Wil- ( liams. 5 Male, 4 Female characters. ( 2-^ Your T^ife's in I>anger. A Farce ( in One A^t. By J. "M. Morton. 3 { ]\Ialc, 3 Female characters. ( 3^^. Tr^ie unto Beath. A Drama in ( Two Acts. By J. Sheridan Knowles. ( G 3Iale, 2 Fcrnale characters, i Or>QO.QCOC-X)e4X:Orj000300QOOaQCQOOCOQOtXOOC)OOC ©^ SHALL OUR MOTHERS VOTE? a BY THE AUTHOR OP *Sylvia'« Soldier,' "Once on a Time," "Down by the Sea," "Bread on the Waten,* " The L4ist Luai." " Stand by tlie Flag," " The Tempter," "^ Drop Too Much," " We're All Teetotak.-s," "A Little More Cider," "Thirty Minutes lor Refreshments," " Wanted, a Male Coolt," " A Sea of Troubles," " Freedom of the i'ress," " A Close Shave," "The Great Klixir," "The Man with the Demijohn," "New Brooms Sweep Clean," " Humors of tlie Strike," " My Uncle Uie Captain," "The Greatest I'lague in Life," "Ko Cure, N^^Pay," "The Greciuu Bend," "The War of the Koses," " Lightheart'g Pilgrimage," " The Sculptor's Triumph," " Too Late for the Train," " Snow- Bound." "The Peddler of Very Kice," " Bonbons," " Capu- letta," "An Original Idea," " Enlisted for the War," "Never say Die," "The Champion of her Sex," "The Visions of Freedom," "The Merry Christ- mas of the Old Woman who lived in a Shoe," " The Tournament of Idyicourt, •• A Thorn among the Koses," "A Christmas Carol," "One Hundred Ytars Ago," ^ ^'^.. 'pe Foundry, .19 Spring Lane. SHALL OUR MOTHERS VOTE? CHARACTERS. John Ready, President of the Excelsior Debating Club. James Rose, Secretary. Tom Slowboy, Treasurer. Sam Sly, Frank Wilson, Charlky Boardman, Frank Black (colored) Isaac Pearl, Percy Kimball, NoRVAL Young, Mike Shea, Debaters. Scene. — Eoom^ Presidents Desk and Chair ^ c. Sec- retari/, Table, and Chair^ k. of Desk. Four Chairs R., and five Chairs l. The whole arranged in a semicircle back. {Enter ■&", John 'REAjyY, followed by Slowboy.) Beady, Treasury entirely empty, you say, Slow- boy ? Slowboy, Not a dollar, not the minutest particle of 169 170 SHALL OUR MOTHERS VOTE? scrip, not even that very small specimen of hard money — a nickel. Rtady, Where has it gone ? It was only a month ago we collected the annual assessment. Sloioboy. And it was only last week we had our great 'debate On *.' The Influence, of Peaoe," In! which our members became so much interested, that four panes of glass were broken, the looking-glass smaslied, one chair received a broken back, and another had a compound fracture of one of it-s legs. Of course, all these little eccentricities of genius must be paid for; and the trensuryis empty. If this is one of the influ- ences of peace, we had better change the subject. Beady. The members were a little emphatic on that occasion ; but it was a glorious debate ; and the question, "Resolved, that Peace is the foundation of Prosperity," was carried before we broke up. Slowboy. Yes; and 'twas the peace party broke up the furniture, and smashed the windows. "' " '^ ^ Will Heady. Ah, Slowboy, I fear you bear malice ; for you, if I recollect aright, were one of the war party. Slowboy. My voice is still for war. Heady. ^We must fiud some way to fill the treasury, I fear the members will not stand taxali .n. ; ^..^ Vyv Slowboy. With the storied memoiies of their plucky forefathers before them in this centennial year, I should say, not a cent. It must be raised by fines. The peace party have cariied the day. Let us have peatje. Heady. I do not understand you. . Slowboy. My plan is very simple. We are con-i stantly interrupted in debate. There's that Sam Sly, SHALL OTJB MOTHERS VOTE ? 171 for instance. Heretofore you have tried to suppress the interruption with the remark, " The gentleman is out of order ; " wliereupon the gentleman subsides until he feels like breaking out again. And they do break out often, especially Sly. Now, I propose to fine a member, for each and every interruption, five cerits. Some of them will find it impossible to keep quiet; and our tre.isiiry will fill rapidly. Heady. That's quite an idea — if it can only be made to work. Slowhoy. I think it can. And if we succeed, Sam Sly will pay dear for this night's debate. Heady. Sam Sly again. Slowboy, I fear you are malicious. Sly is one of our best debaters ; and be- cause you do not agree on all points — Slowhoy {angrily). We agree on no point. He's a saucy, conceited cliap, that's forever interrupting. I never atten)ptelack. Out on de fly! Away wid yer nonsense. Dat ar Bunker can't fly — ain't got de wings. 3Iike. Aisy, will ye, Blackey ? Don't 1 tell yez 'twas a ball? Black. O, quit foolin'. Dey don't fly at a ball ; dej dance — so. {Shuffles.) Mike. Out, ye heathen ! I'll not disturb yer igno- rance. Ready. {Takes chair., and raps on table.) The meeting will please come to order. {All sit. Tom Slowboy, r., next table; Isaac Pearl, Frank Wil- son, next him; Sam ^LY^extreme r. ; Norval Ypung, l., close by president) s desk ; then Mike Shea; Frank Black, extreme l.) In the absence of our secretary, with the minutes, it will be necessary — SHALL OUR MOTHERS VOTE? tTS James Hose (outside). Hold on a minute I Here J ami {Enters r., with a pen behind his ear^ a hlanJc hoohuri' der his arm^ and a roil of paper in his left hand. Jle drops the roll^ stoojys to pick it iip^ and the pen drops from his ear. 'Stoops for that^ and drops the ' book f pick's tip that,, cmd places pen behind his ear^ when he goes through the sa7ne performance again.) Shiobog, Seems, to me the secretary is behind time ; he ghould be fined. v ; jSlg. Don't you see he is picking up the minutes he haf^.,lost. ( This just as the secretary is picking up his book a second time. All groanS) Sloiobog. Puns should be.fingd,] JSly. oY.ouM Tiever find one, Slowboy. {All groan.) Ready {rap)ping'). Order, gentlemen. {Secretary goes to his place.) The first business in order is the reading of the records of ^hc last meeting. Sly {jumping up). I mo\'e, Mr. President, the reading be disi)ensed with. {Sits.) ,, Slowboy ^ {jumping up). Mr. President, I hope the motion, Ayill not prevail. {Sits.) Sly {rising). Mr. President, the records of our regular were read at our last special, when we voted to adjourn immediately after the reading, I don't. see any; necessity for reading .theni.r again^it this timet, unless the gentleman who objects is unable to under- stand. them at one reading. {Sits.) Slowboy ywm/>i;z^ a^},. Mr., President^ does Sam Sly mean — •1Y4 SfiALL OUR MOTHERS VOTE? iieady {rapping). Tlie gentleman is out of order. The calling of names is unparliamentary. Is the mo- tion to omit the reading seconded? - Frank. Second the motion. Sly. Question ! Sloioboy. Mr. Piesident — All. {Except Slowboy, president^ and secretly.) Question! Question! Black. Question afore dc meetin'-house. Mike. O, hush yer pate! Yez always howlin*. Iieady. It is moved and seconded, that the read- ing bf the records be dispensed with. All those in favor will manifest it by the usual sign. {^All raise hands except Slowboy.) Contrary minded. (SloW'- boy's hand up.) It is a vote. Black. ( T'o Mike.) Dat ar feller jes like a mule. 3fike. Always kickin' up. &y {aside). Had him there. Beady. The meeting is open for business. Slowboy {jumping vp). Mr. President. Beady. Mr. Slowboy. Slowboi/. Mr. President, in view of th^ many in- terruptions by which the more orderly have been made to suffer, and in consequence of tlie low state of our treasury, I move, sir, that, during our deliberations and discii«5feioris this evening, any member interrupting •another in the orderly i)rogress of debate, shall be ^ned for each and every offence the sum of five cents. {Sits, All groan.) ' Sly (rising). Mr. President. Beady. Mr. Sly. SHALL OUB MOTHERS VOTE ?r 175 %. Mr. Pi-esident, althmigh I seldom -ngr^- with the views of the gentleman who has just made the mo- tion, finding tliose views in general to be cumbrous, old-fjshioned, and unsuited to the progressive spirit which I trust animates our councils, yet, in this case, his motion is so manifestly in accord with the spirit of harmony and good order for which I have always been an ardent worker (Slowboy i;roa?is), that I has- ten, sir, to second the motion. lieadi/. It is mov^ed and seconded, that any mem- ber, interrupting another in. the orderly progress of dt)bat(? be fined for each and every offence th6 sum of five cents. The motion is before the meeting. Seve^ral.. Question I Question! Meadi/. The question is called for. Those in favor of the motion xvill maTiifest it. (^// t/;^) -Contrary ' minded. It is a unanimous vote. Ife there any further business to como before the meeting ? {Pause:) We will then proceed'with the debate. {Bmds.) "Besolved, that the good of mankind, the purity of the ballot-box' • and the interest of Society, demand that ourVmothers shall vote." Mr. Is.iac Pearl will open in the affirmative, Mr., P^rcy Kimball in the negative. {Sits.) Frank Wilson, {rising). Mr. President, I movfe that the question be amended by the addition of -rand- mothei-s. I. don't think they should be slighted, ami 1 ye got a splendid one. .r .Qharley Boardman. I've got .an.;auhMIannah ; cant you put, her in.?,. , ,om •i,;0 \--«&, ■ , Mike {jumping up), TrotB.Tput in the coozens ^°9r...>yiat eoulcl:aa Irishman do widout^his coozens! r 176 SHALL OUR MOTHERS VOt^E? Itea^y.\ "Gentleinen, you are all entirefy out of order. ~ Slowhoy {jumps up). Then fine them, Mr. Sec- retary, put down Wilson, Boarclmnn, Shea, — Heady, Not quite so fast, Mr. Slowboy ; they have made no interruption. I should have said tlie amend- ments were out of order, as the question for debate chosen at a previous meeting cannot be amended at a subsequent. Mr. Pearl, you have theHoor. (Slow- boy sits.) .Isaac Pearl {risin//), Mr. President, ■ this is an age of progress, and I think the Literary Debaters of this society in the selection of the resolution on wliich I have the honor to speak in the affirmative here, have shown a commendable spirit of enterprise, which will be rewarded with the gi-ateful plaudits of a ransomed nation, when woman, granted her rights, shall wield with man an equal power in the government of this enlightened Community. ( Cries of " Good^^ ** Good^^ and clapping of hands from those who speak iri the affirmative.) ' ■ . Slfyioboy {jumping up). Fines ! Fines ! Mr. Pres- ident, this is out of order. Put down Sly, and — Heady. Order, Mr. Slowboy. Judicious applause is /il^ays allowable in our debates. Sit down. (Slow- boy sits.) Go on, Mr. Pearl. ' ' Jpeatl. And who should have the first place in the moving march of reform? Who are best fitted to liav^ a voice in the government? Who are heaven- born electors ? Our mothers, sir. Is not their first duty -government ? Who govern us? Who Jiave governed the greatest men that ever lived ? Mothers. SHALL OUR MOTHERS" VOTE? 177 Thoy tencli onr infant lips tlie language of our country. They lead our infant steps in the path of duty. , Tliey spur us on to excel, and guard our ways with good counsel. Give them the ballot, and their influence will make better laws. Give them the ballot, and the ward- room and the feleCtion-booths will be cleansed of* cor- ruption. Give thetrt the ballot, and society will be an ever-changing spectacle of wrongs crushed out, and* reforms working goodness, purity, and peace, while justice, exalted to the highest place, shall ever crown the earnest worker with the laurels of victory. {Ap- 2Jlause, and cries of " GoocV Pearl siis.) Black, (Tb Mike.) Dat's so. It jestak^ de bul- lets to crush up de spe'tacles, an — an — Mike. Whisht yer blarney. Ye's on the ither side. Ready. Mr. Percy Kimbnll has the floor. Percy {rising). Mr. President and Gentlemen, are we prepared tp accept the views of the gentleman who has prect-ded ine, and forever submit to petticoat gov- ernment? He has spoken eloquently, I admit ; but, sir, truth is above the vapid utterances of an impas- sioned harangue, which, I doubt not, has bfe^en carefully com])ilod from all the speeches of the last fifty years. What l^'^re we to be forever tied to our mothers? Are we to give lip the bi%ht anticipations of the future, \then we are to have stifl'-tailed coats and long-crowned bfeavers, and to cut lo6se from our mothers' apron-^ strings, and do just as we please? (Applause^ and cries of ''^Good'^^'^'Gdod,^^ from the speakers on the negative.) • • ■ Sly {rising), Mr. - President —;- 12 178 SHALL OLii MOTHERS VOTE? Slowboy {jumping vp).^ An interruption. Fine him, Mr. President. Mr. Secretary, put down Sam Sly live cents. i^ly. Mr. President, I rise to a point of order. Heady. State your point, Mr. Sly. Sly. The gentleman who has the; ^oor has intro- duced* such wild fashions — stiff-crowned coats and long-tailed beavers — as to seriously affect the aspect of the questionT I respectfully ask that he keep to the question. Heady. Your point is well taken,, Mr. .Sly. The speaker will be more careful in, future. Slowhgy. Ain't Sly going to be fined ? Heady. No, sir.. He had a right to object. You, sir, ^^ere the interriv})ter, and must be fin,e|d< Mr, Sec- retary, fine Mr. Slowboy live cents, {^hOV^BOY sits down in a J tuff.) . ^-^ , Black. Dat are Slowboy^ lie's got no sense. Mike. , Begorra, that's broight him to his five sinses, onyhow. Sly [aside). Plad him there. Heady. (^J,q on^ Mr. Kimball. Percy. I should have, said stiff-tailed coats and long-crowned beavers. No, no, — long-crqwned coats and stiff-tailed be^yers. ^o, ; np. Plague take , it — they've put m« out. N^o, Mr. President, I'm do^ii on the Mother movement. Fair play is a jewel. Mothers govern us until we are free ; once fre^, 'tis Man's priv- ilege to govern them, and I am not in favor of giving up one iota of our manly privileges, when we get them. {Sits. Applause by the negative.) . SHALL OUR MOTHERS VOTE? 179 Heady. Gentlemen, the question lias been oyjened on both sides, and is now ready for general debate. All {jumpinf/ up). ]Mr. President — Heady {rapping). Order, gentlemen ; one at a time. Mr. Frank Wilson has the floor. {All sit but Frank.) Frank {speaks very fast). Mr. President, Pni in favor of mothers voting, 'cause Pve got a mother, and she's smarted and better than any man that ever lived. She ain't going to be abused if I can help it. Pd like to know where us fellows would have been if we hadn't had any mothers? Who's so kind as they are, who has a lot of cookies tucked away when we come home hungry — ; ; . ■ Sloiohoy {jpmping up).. W^hat's cookies got to do with yoting? .^^j .,,;;., ,;.^o< : . M»i>!'ji4';' Heady. Mr. Slowboy, you are out of ordei*. Fine Slowboy five cents, Mr. Secretaiy. Slowhoy. Ml-. President, I've just as much right to object to cookies as Sly has to long-tailed hats, f Heady. Mr. Sly rose on a point of order, and ad- dressed the chair; you interrupted the speaker; be seated. (Slowboy sits.) Go on, Mr. Wilson. Frank. Yes ;. and I do like to know, when a fellow has the ear-ache, who knows just where to pnt her hand on something to stop it; and when a fellow gets a crack in the skull ^t base-b^ll, who kno^s. where to find a piece of brown paper; and when a fellow strikes his toe and comes home limping, who knows how to cure it up with Russia salve? (Sly lakes a pin fronx his coaty passes his hand behind those next him^ and at this pair^t sticks it i^itq^ Slowboy.) () . .r^.cy ^ 180 SHALL OUR MOTHERS VOTE? ' Slowho}/ Xjumpihg icp). O, O, O, confound you, Ike Pcnrl'l Heady. Mr. Slowboy, you nrc out of order. Slowhoy. Well, I gtiess you'd be, with a big pin stuck into your arm ! 'Twns thnt Ike Pearl. Pearl {rising). Mr. President, I indignantly deny the chnrge. Slowboy. Well, I felt the charge, anyhow, right on my ciazy bone. Ready. B« seated, sir. You are fined five cent.H. (StoAVBOY Si^5.) ^ ' ■ • Frayik. Yes, sir, Russia salve; "great Nature's bahn." Why, our mothers; and 1 think if Uricle Sam had « few of them in the gov.ernment, we shouldn't have the President witli the ear-ache becaiise so many office-seekers are hanging round it; nor so majiy cracked skulls on the battle-field ; nor so many broken toGS when' felloAvs run so fast for office. That's the sort of mother's boy I am ; and if someliiing ain't done pretty quick, if they don't put our mothers in office and let'em vote pretty soon, the country^ will go to smash, and the glorious bird of freedom go li"mj)ing round with a cracked skull and a crushed toe, crying out, "Mother! Mother! "and there shall be no mother to console him! (Applause. lie sits.) Mike. Be jabers, his fut's down on that. Black. Yes, indeed, he's a ^oe-mater. Norvdl {jum.jying rip). Mr. President — Ready. Mr. Young. ' ' ' Nerval. My name is Norval — ' Slowboy. O, pshaw I this is rto time for declamations. SHALL OUR MOTHERS VOTE? 181 Ready. Mr. Secretaiy, fine Mi".' Slowboy five cents for interiMiptian. -^ • Slowhoy, Mr. President, this is unjust. Heady. TJiose who make laws slionlth of the gentTemanwho lias pre- ceded me. He>talUs like a boy, like a boy who thinks' the old gnarled oak can be twisted as easily as tlie y^jung sapling* I dare do all that may become a man : who dares do more is none. Get thee to a nunnery, oi" a nuraery,. thou Valiant gentleman,- who prattles sa sillily of Russia salve, and l>rown paper, and cookies. Give mothei-s bonnets, not ballots. They are not fitted for the stern alarms of the political camp. I haven't j^t much to say on this question, for, like Othello, rude am I in speech, and little skilled in the set phrase of peace. But I am opposed to giving mothers the ballots Let mothers be content to fit us for the political field, where, ** Blow, winds, come, wrack I ' V. At least we'll (lie with harness, on our backi" Black, Hear dat! hear d.at ! Dat's a clincher. Way up! way up! :^ j 3Ii7ce. Yis, up the spout. — Mr. Prisident — '■ Heady, 'Mr. Shea. Mike. -Mr. Prisident, sir, yer honor, it is my priv- ilege ■ to «tand in this august confederacy of brave and 182 SHALL OUR MOTHERS VOTE? inlightenecl fleliberators, on the side av our female mithei-s. Sir Mr. Prisident, yer lionor, in my opinion the ballot slioukl be in the strongest hands : and haven't I a mither? To be sure I have. Don't yees all know her? Haven't yees all, wid ginerous heart, patronized her panut-stand? To be sure yees have. An' mo mither, Sh* Mr. Prisident, yer lionor, is the hiead av the hiouse at home. She can knock me daddy down wid a bioomstick before he can lift his arm to stay the im- pinding crisis. She's tVie spryest on the fnt. Haven't I seen her chase the daddy from attic to cellar, and" pin him in; the coal-hole; and he wid three minutes the starts too? Don't she always bate him in a fistic en- counter? An' as for. strong .lungs, whoop! she can out-talk a regiment widout takiu' breath. Would I go back on me mither ? Niver, Sir Mr. Prisident, yer honor; for didn't she tell me wid her own mitherly lips that if I said a word agin her having the ballot here to-night, she'd flay me alive whin I came home? An', Sir Mr. Prisident, yer honor, me .fray opinion is, that mithers should have the ^ballot. (Sits.) Charley J3 oar dman (rises). Mr. President. Ready. Mr. Boardman. Charley. Mr. President, when a fellow comes here and tells us what his mother told him to say, and ain't got no opinion of his own, I think he'd better be sent home in quick order, to meet the punishment his cow- ardice m.erits. t,, Mika {jumping up). "What's that ? A coward *— ami? . , ' Ready, Order, Mr. Shea. Secretary, fine Mr. Sheai five cents for interruption. SSALIi OUR MOTHERS VOTE? 185 Slowhoij. Goofl, goorl! Serves liim jJight, ' Remhj, Also fine Mr. Slowboy five cents. • Slowboy. Mr. President, I protest — Keachj, Be silent, sir. — Go on, Mr. Bojlnlmnn. Charley. I've no more to sny, Mr. Pre8ier had none ; but I gwine in foi* unibi'rsal freedom, and de Declaration of Independence, an' ^— an' de star-spangled banner, onto ebery -scliool-house in de land, and de colored man on top ob de wood-pile. {Sits» Applause.) Sly {rising). Mr. President, so much has been said on both sides of this question, that my feeble voice need not be raised on this occasion. Sloioboy. Then sit down. Ready. Order, gentlemen. One mor^ fine for Mr. Slowboy., Sly. But, sir, I should be nngrntefnl to the mother that bore me, did I not pronoauce her Mrorthy to staad 186 SHALL OUR MOTHERS VOTE? foitli, clotherl with the right t * i'l; ,-•- ^ i^J SHALL Orrlt MOTHERS VOTE? 187 Black. Say, Mike, am she guilty, or am she not guilty? Mike. O, whisht yer blarney I . Slowboy. Mr. President, I'd like to have the secre- tary read the list of fines. jiHose {reads). Mike Shea, five cents ; Tom Slow- boy, forty.cents. Slotohoy. Darn it, just my luck! Sly (risinr/). Mr. President. As our excellent treas- urer has, like other famed inventors, fallen under the axe of his own guillotine, let us be magnanimous. I confess, sir, I must be held answerable for one of his interruptions. I move, sir, that ,the_ fines imposed this evening be remitted. j :,,,,, , jShea {jimijnng up). Second the motion. Heady. It is moved and seconded that the fines im- posed this evening be remitted. Those in favor of the motion will manifest it. {All up.) Contrary minded. It is a vote. Sly. Mr. Presidotnt, I move we now adjourn. JBoardman. Second the motion. Heady. It is moved and seconded we now adjourn. Those in favor will manifest it in the usual manner. {All up.) Contrary minded. It is a vote. Sloibhoy {coming down). Sam Sly, you're always in luck. I thought I had you on the fines. Sly. Did you, "Slowboy ? Remember the old max- im, " Curses are like young chickens, and still come home to roost." [^ExeunU - "Books that ov Teachers ought to hare os hand to SFICS U? vlth bov uH then." — St. Loois Journal of Education. HEADING CLDB fflJ HANDY SPEAKEE, BEING Selections in Prose and Poetry, ■Serious, Humorous. Pathetic, . Patriotic and Dramatic. FRESH and ATTRACTIVE PIECES for SCHOOL SPEAKERS and READING CIRCLES. In the words of the Gospel Bannkr, — ' From grave to gay, from, lively to severe,^ In poetrii and jiro.te aiudiciou* mixture here ; liesidc oiitlaiidL>/i dialects, full uf xcordi odd and queer. Which ftir one's senae of humor us they fall upon the ear, I'leasant io those who read or speak as unto thuse tcho hear. Published in Parts, each Part containing Fifty Selections. Paper Covers, 15 cents each. Printed on Fine Paper, and Handsomely Bound in Clotli, price, 60 cents each, iiEA^iDiasrca- C3l.xjb :^TO- i. "We have many readers and books that purport to furnish pieces for the use of amateur speakers and juvenila orators. But the great defect in neariy ail of them is, that their selections are made from the same series of authors. We are surfeited ad nauseam with ' The boy stood on the burning deck, ' ' On Linden, when the sun was low,' 'My name is Norval ! ' or, ' My voice is still for war.' But in this volume, the first of a series, Mr. Baker deviates from the beaten traick, and filrnishes soine fifty selections which have not been published before in any collection ofreadings. Mr. Baker has himself written niany pieces for the amateur stage, and achieved a reputation as a public reader, so that lie is eminently qualified by his own experience for the task of teaching others." — J-/iil. Age^ K.EA.r>I2SrC3- CIL.XJB 3sro. 2_ "Mr. Baker deserves the thanks of the reading public for his indefatigable endeavors in the field of light and agreeable literature. The selections are made with good taste, and the book will be of great value for its indicated purpose." — Ne'w Haven Courier, "111 its adaptation to day schools, seminaries, colleges, and home reading, the work will be found very superior in its variety and adaptability of contents."— Dayton {Ohio) Press. HEA.3DllvrC3- CXiXJB IvTO- 3. "This is one of those books thr.t our teachers ought to have at hand to spice 7^/ wiih nosy and then. This is No. 3 of the series, and they are ail brim full of short articles, serious, humorous, paihetic. patriotic, and dramatic. Send and get one, and you will be sure to get the rest." — St. Louis Journal 0/ Educa- tion, Jan. 1876. , . "The young elocutionist will find it a convenient pocket companion, and the genaitfai reader deiive much amusement at odd moments from its perusal." — Forest a7td Stream, N. V., Jan. 6, 1876. ■ ie,E-A.X>I2SrO CUXJB 3SrO- 4- iJuMt Readt/.) Sold hy all Booksellers, and sent by mail, postpaid, on receipt of price, LEE & SEEPARD, Publishers, Boston. SPENCER'S UNIVERSAL STAGE, 36. 37. 38. 39. 42. 43. 48, nSainond cut l>iaiiioiid. An In- ] tcrlude in One Act. By W. H. Mur- ray. 10 Male, 1 Female character, j Zjook after Brown. A Farce in One Act. By George A. Stuart, ; M. D. () Male, 1 Female character. Monseigneiir. A Drama in Three Acts. By Thomas Archer. 15 Male, i 3 Female characters. ; A very pleasant Evening. A i Farce in One Act. By W. E. Suter. i 3 ]Male characters. j Brother Ben. A Farce in One j Act. By J. M. Morton. 3 Male, 3 | Female characters. I Only a Clod. A Comic Drama in One Act. By J. P. Simpson. 4 Male, 1 Female character. Gaspardo the Gondolier. A Drama in Three Acts. By George Almar. 10 Male, 2 Female charac- terp. ! Sunshine through the Clouds. A Drama in (>ne Act. By Slingsby Lawrence. 3 Male, 3 Female char- acters. Don't Judge toy Appearances. A Farce in One Act. By J. M. Mor- ' ton. 3 JNIale, 2 Female characters. IVui-sey ChicliAveed. A Farce in One Act. By T. J. Williams. 4 Male, 2 Female characters. Mary Moo; or, Which shall I Marry? A Farce in One Act. By W. E. Suter. 2 Male, 1 Female character. £ast liynne. A Drama in Five Acts. 8 Male, 7 Female characters. The Hidden Hand. A Drama in Five Acts. By Robert Jones. 16 Male, 7 Female characters. Sil verstone's "Wager. A Commedi- etfa in One Act. Jiy R. K. Andrews. 4 JMale, 3 Female character.s. Dora. A Pastoral Drama in Three Acts. By Charles Keade. 5 Male, 2 Female characters. Blanks and Prizes. A Farce in One Act. By Doxtor Smith. 5 JIaic. 2 Female characters. , Old D-0OQt)QT)Og»'t) LIBRflRY ui- '-uw 015 785 412 4# CEORCE M. BAKER, Author of ''■Amateur Dramas;' " The Mimic Stage" " The Social Stage," " The DratDing-Boom Stage," " Handy Dramas^' " TAe Exhibition Drama," "^ Baker's Dozen," &c. Titles in this Type are Wew Plays. Titles in this Type are Temperance Plays. DRAMAS. In Three Acts. Tlie Floiver of tlie Family. 5 male, ^ female char Enlisted for the War. 7 male, 3 fe- male characters My Brother's Keeper. 5 male, 3 fe- male char The Little JSrown Jug, 5 male, 3 female char In Two Acts. Above the Clouds. 7 male, 3 female characters One Iliiiiclrecl 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. Tlie Last Loaf. 5 male, 3 female char. /« 07ze Act. Stand by the Flag. 5 male char . . . The Temjiter. 3 male, i female char. COMEDIES AND FARCES. A Mysterious Disappearauce. 4 male, 3 female char Padtlle Your Own Canoe. 7 male, 3 female char A. IJrop too Much. 4 male, 2 female characters 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 Wc^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 A Tender Attachment. 7 char. . . . Coals of Fire. 6 char Freedom of the Press. 8 char. . . . CEO. M. BAKER COMEDIES, &c., continued. Shall Our Mothers Vote ? n char. Gentlemen of the Jury. 12 char. . . Humors of the Strike. 8 char. . . My Uncle the Captain. 6 char. . . New Brooms Sweep Clean. 6 char. . The Great Elixir. 9 char The Hypochondriac, schar The Man with the J}etniJohn. 4 char The Runaways. 4 char The Thief of Time. 6 char Wanted, a Male Cook. 4 char. . . . Fetnale Characters Only. A Love of a Bonnet. 5 char. . . . A Precious Pickle. 6 char No Ci;re no Pay. 7 char The Champion of Her Sex. 8 char. . The Greatest Plague in Life. 8cha. The Grecian Bend. 7 char The Red Chignon. 6 char. .... Using the Weed. 7 char ALLEGORIES. Arranged for Music and Tableaux. Lightheart's Pilgrimage. 8 female char The Revolt of the Bees, g female char The Sculptor's Triumph, i male, 4 fe- male char The Tournament of Idylcourt. 10 female char The War of the Roses. 8 female char. MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC. An Original Idea, i male, i female char, Bonbons ; or, the Paint King. 6 male, I female char Capuletta ; or, Romeo and Juliet Restored. 3 male, i female char. . Santa Claus' Frolics Snow-bound ; or, Alonzo the Brave AND the Fair Imogene. 3 male, i female char The Merry Christmas of the Old Woman who lived in a Shoe. . . The Pedler of Very Nice. 7 male char • • •. • The Seven Ages. A Tableau Entertam- ment. Numerous male and female char. Too Late for the Train. 2 male char. The Visions of Freedom. 11 female char & CO., 4l-<^5 Franklin St., Boston. Baker's Humorous Dialogues. Baker's Humorous DIalosues. Male characters only. 25 c«nU. Femala character* only. 26 cent Ho LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 015 785 412 4 t I 11 •