UNDER THE UURELS, A Drama In Five Acts, y. ^. PSJMIPOJM. I=>E.IOE 15 OBISTTS. Chicago: T. S. DENIS ON. NO PLAYS EXCHANGED- New Amateur Plays. less. Price 15 Cents Each, Postage Paid. These plays have been written by authors of extended experience, expressly to meet the wants of amateur clubs, literary and temperance societies, and for school and church entertainments. They are ingenious in plot, entertaining in incidents, and so easy in presentation that no society however little expeiienced* can fail to make them at all times highly entertaining. The plays in this list require no scenery or special stage apparatus. They are pure in tone and lan- guage. " If the succeeding numbers are as good as the first, we predict for them a large demand." — National Teachers'' Monthly, N. Y. and Chicago. , "The farces are full of fvm.'''— Daily Inter-Ocean, Chicago. "These plays are supplying the dearth of good literature in this department."— N. T. School Bulletin. " The publisher of these plays deserves a vote of thanks from all who are at p^7 !;'me called upon to give a school or social exhibition."— iVorma^ Monthly Reviei>.\ " Your plays are new and novel, aud admirably adapted to the use of amateurs."— W. 0. Dyke, West Qorham, Me. " Having used several of your plays, I find them unequaled."— if. L. Spooner, Rushford, N. Y. ODDS WITH THE ENEMY. A drama in five acts ; 7 male and 4 female characters. Leading man, villain, darkey comedian, dandy, leading lady, walking lady and soubrette. Time 2 hours. Scenes, a well furnished room and a poorly furnished room. "It took splendidly. 'Tabbs' made it spicy."— <7. JEJ. Rogers, Dunkirk, Ind. SETH GREENBACK. A drama in four acts ; 7 male and 3 female. Miser, villains, Irish comedian, .eading lady, soubrette, and Msh girl. Time, 1 hour 1.5 m. Scenes interior. "Seth Greenback was a perfect success. It can't be beat as an amateur drama."— M^^; //. Talbott, Coatsville, Ind., Dramatic Club. This play is always a favorite. It has no reference to politics, as its name might imply. WANTED, A COBBESrONDENT. A farce in two acts ; 4 male and 4 female. Time, 45 m. Very interesting and amusing. INITIATING A GBANGEB. A ludicrous farce; 8 male. Time, 25 m. " We used Initiating a Granger. It was laughable beyond description."— J". W. Jimmons, Lawrence^ Mich. A FA MIL Y STBIKE. A spicy farce, illustrating " strikes ;" 3 male aud 3 female. Time, 20 m. Amue Ing mistakes lead to a domestic strike, and the strike itself is misunderstood. Under the Laurels A Drama in Five Acts, By T. S. DENISON, Odds with the Enemy; Initiating a Granger; Wanted, A Corre^ondent; A Fam- ily Strike; Seth Greenback; Hans Von Smash; Borrowing Trouble; Two Ghosts in White; The Pull- Back; Country Justice; The Assessor! The Sparkling Cup; Louva the Pauper ; Our Country; The School- Ma" am; The Kansas Immigrants; The Jvish Linen Peddler; 2s the Editor Inf An Only Dauphter ; Pets of Society ; Too Much of a ' Good Thing; Hard Cider, Etc., CHICAGO : T. S. DENISON. Copyright, 1881, by T. S. Denison. ■jei 1 1 CHARACTERS. MRS. MILFORD. PRANK COLEWOOD ROSE MILFORD. IKE HOPPER. POLLY DOWLER. BOB BUTTON. SOOKY BUTTON. ZEKE. KYLE ("Ky.") BRANTFORD. . SHERIFF. COSTUMES— Modern. STAGE DIRECTIONS, R means right as the actor faces the audience ; li, left, C, center, etc. Note— Lightning may he produced hy blowing finely powdered rosin into a candle flame. Thunder by rattling a large piece of sheet iron. Raiu hy allowing beans to fall through a long narrow box studded on the bottom with pegs or with oblique partitions leaving a narrow opening on opposite sides alternately. Moonlight may be produced by the strong white light 01 a burning tableau powder. SYNOPSIS. ACT I. The Milford Estate. The Contested Will. Conspiracy of Brantford and Mrs. Milford. ACT II. The will set aside. Frank and Rose penniless. Brantford's annoying attentions to Rose. Quarrel of Frank and Brantford. The latter plots ven- geance. Bob Button, the spy. Rose's humiliating situation as a menial. ACT III. Meeting of the Regulators at the Haunted cabin. Ike and Zeke concealed to listen. Their great danger. Scene II.— Cliflville jail. Frank under arrest. Assailed by Bob Button. Desperate encounter. Frank escapes, and soon Rose enters to release him. Button's triumph cut short by the timely arrival of Ike and Zeke. Storm scene. The flight. ACT IV. Brantford's absolute power over the Milford family. His continued at- tentions to Rose. His threats to foreclose the mortgage. ACT V. Attempted escape of Rose. Her re -capture. Brantford's triumph sud- denly ended by a sheriff's posse. Happy denouement. UNDER THE LAURELS. ACT I. Scene.— if ^7/(97'(^'s parlor. A room elegantly furnished, indicat- ing wealth and refinevient. Windoic in flat G. A handsome center table by window. Chairs on either side of table, and JR. and L. 'Cases, books, etc. Seated Mrs. Milford ami Rose in conversation as the curtain rises. Mrs. M. Rose, has Mr. Brantforcl arrived yet ? Rose. I think not, mother. He was not in sight down the road a moment ago. I told Zeke to show him in at once when he came. Mrs M. That was right. Rose. I am anxious to see him. These business aflairs are very perplexing, and Mr. Brantford is such a help to us. B. I do not like him, mother. I think it would be prudent to watch him a little. Mrs. M. Rose, I am grieved to see that you are suspicious. Mr. Brantford has helped me greatly to arrange our affairs since my husband's death. His sympathy and kindness have been doubly grateful to me since things have not turned out as I hoped they would. Rose. B. Mother, I am very sorry you are dissatisfied with the terms of father's will. A small portion would have satisfied me. But it is all yours, mother, while you live. Mrs. M. It would have been more fitting if the will had so stated it. Mr. Milford must surely have been laboring under a, strange delusion, to leave the bulk of his property to you who were not his child, while his wife got only a third, and another heir nothing. Remembar, Rose, you were only an orphan who found a home with my husband's family. Why should you claim so large a portion of his fortune? Frank Colewood's right is just as good as yours. B. (Brushing away a tear.) Mother, I know I was only a friendless orphan, but Mr. Milford was a kind father to me, and his wife was a gentle mother. They had no children, but I did not ask their wealth. I would willingly divide with Frank, but I cannot bear to hear father accused of unfairness. He was too 4 • UNDER THE LAURELS. good. Frank never came to live with us till a year or two before you came. Mrs. M. Child, I accuse no one. Doubtless your father's untimely death prevented his latest wishes from being carried into effect. B. Mother, there is enough for all. Why should we disagree about it? I would willingly give up allto you were it possible. There is much yet to be arranged before the estate is finally settled. Mrs. M. Mr. Brantford is rendering important aid. M. Has he paid over all the money he has collected? Mrs.M. No; he has collected sufficient to settle his own claims against the estate. You know that he and Mr. Milford entered into a partnership in the cattle business, and that Brant- ford advanced most of the money. That must be repaid, B. 1 don't believe that Ky. Brantford advanced the money. I think he is a dishonest man. Mrs. M. Rose, you are too young to express such decided opinions, especially on subjects which you do not understand. {Exit Mrs. if., B.) B. I know when I like people and when I don't, and 1 don't like Kyle Brantford, that's sure. Father hinted to me more than once that Brantford was not above suspicion. It is a shame to squabble over dead people's property! I hate it! Enter Frank L. Frank. What is that you hate so energetically, Rose ? B. Oh, nothing! F. Can you as truthfully say, oh, nobody ? B. No, I can't I It's Ky. Brantford, if you must know, Frank. F. Well, Rose, all I can say is I think he is a villain. Beware of Ky. Brantford ! B. Frank, I am worried nearly to death. If it wasn't for you I don't know what I should do: F. Probably you could get along well enough without me, but I should miss the budding " Mountain Rose." You have been a true sister to me since I came here a friendless orphan eight years ago. B. Oh, those happy years! I scarcely dare think of them. They recall so vividly the uncertainties of the present. Mother is very much dissatisfied of late with her portion. F. She has evil counsel. Ky. Brantford is plotting mischief. B. Others have more right to complain than she. (A pause.) Oh, Frank ! why were you not mentioned in the will ? F. The reason is plain. Rose — or perhaps it would be best now to say Miss Milford— Mr. Milford loved you dearly as his own child. UNDER THE LAURELS. 6 M. And so lie loved you. Frank, your formality pains me. It is out of place between us. F. Yes, Rose, if we were to continue as brother and sister, but the time has come when we can no longer continue our past relations. I am only the poor boy still, while you are the daughter and the heiress. M. Frank, your manner is unkind. F. (Bitterly.) It is so ! My position in the world is yet to win. Yours is already won. If Mr. Milford had wished it otherwise he would have spoken. Perhaps it is better as it is after all. jR. Frank, I cannot bear to hear you speak so. Only wait till everything is settled, and you shall have your share. F. Share! I claim no share. 1 worked for wages and I got them. I make no complaint. Waiting brings me nothing that I prize. 'Tis a short time at least till I must seek my fortune elsewhere, so I might as well go at once. B. Frank, don't go. We need you. Please don't think of it. {Goaxingly.) Won't you stay ? F. Rose, it is hard to refuse. B. You will not refuse your sister ? F. {fuming away^ aside.) Sister! I hate that word. Shall I tell her all ? {To Bose.) My decision has been reached. Why tarry? Enter Polly, B, unobserved. B. (Thoughtfully.) If you must leave I wish you success wherever you go. I am grieved that you will not stay, but as soon as it can be arranged half of all I own shall be yours. F. Thank you. Rose, thank you. Your offer is a generous one. B. (Eagerly.) And you will stay ? F. No! Polly. Frank Colewood, you are a dunce. (Bose starts.) F. Thank you, Polly, for your opinion ; unlike yourself, it is plain. P. And why is it like Miss Rose? F. I give it up. P. Because it is true. B. Don't flatter me, Polly. F. Polly, you are brushing up your wits pretty lively. P. Yes, and I'll brush them up till I've convinced you that you are a dunce for leaving a good home. B. I wish you could convince him. P. Miss Rose, if you will just step into the kitchen and watch my cake a few minutes, I'll see if I can't find that needle cushion I lost yesterday. I must have it. B. Very good, Polly, I'll mind your cake, just five minutes, remember. (Exit Bose B.) 6 UNDER THE LAUBELS. F. Now, Polly, let us skirmish around after that needle cushion. P. Pshaw, Frank, I'm not going to look for any needle cushion. I reckon you'll not get mad if I tell you something. F. Not unless it's something calculated to stir a fellow up pretty badly. P. Oh, it is not bad at all. You see I have been about the house so long that I feel like one of the family. F. Oh, don't spare my feelings. I'm only a hired man now. P. But you might be more. F. What do you mean ? P. I mean you are in love with Rose. Why don't you marry her instead of talking about leaving ? F. Polly, I shall never be a pensioner on ' any woman's bounty. P. Frank Cole wood, I told you you were a dunce. F. I haven't denied it, Polly. P. Then claim your own. Isn't the property as much yours as Rose's? Did not Mr. Milford always say so? She is an adopted daughter; you are an adopted son. F. His will don't say so ! P. That will was made several years ago. Besides nobody seems to understand it. F. I will abide by it, and I don't believe Mrs. Milford can break it. P. I'm afraid they will do something that is not right. Mrs. Milford is a good enough sort of person as things go, but that Ky. Brantford is a — a — F. Villain! P. That's the word I wanted. Strange I couldn't think of it He's too cute to be honest. Frank, do you love Rose ? F. I would die for her. P. Nonsense, what would be the use of dyin' for her? Live for her, and don't talk of runnin' away when there is danger. F. Running away ? Is that what you call it ? I thought you knew me better. P. I didn't mean to offend you, Frank, but unless I miss my guess, there's goin' to be right "^smart o' trouble here. I've hearn things maybe you don't hear. That Bob Button is not the truest man in the world. Don't you tell him anything. This family needs friends. F. Everybody needs them. P. Yes, but good friends. Frank, it is your duty to stay. F. Do you think so ? P. When Mr. Milford was thrown from his horse, and lay dying under the laurel bushes, with no one there but you and a stranger, did he not give you a charge? F. Yes, his last words were " Frank, take care of the family, (aside) and marry Rose." {Aloud.) The family is able to take care of itself. UNDER THE LAURELS. Enter Bob Button, Z, unobserved. P. No, there is danger ahead. Don't go. F. Well, I'll not go, Polly. I'll stay and see things in better shape. {Sees Boh.) Oh, are you here Button ? P. {Quickly passing Fi'ank to B.) Oh, dear, he has heard me. {Exit, B.) F. Button, what do you want ? B. I guess you had better lay off some more work. I'm done fixin' that wall. F. Where is Zeke ? B. He is not back from the post-office. F. It takes that nigger a long time to go to the post-office. Can you replace the barn door yourself, Bob ? B. I 'low not, Mr. Colewood. F. Then I'll help you myself. {Exit both, L.) Enter Poi.ly, B. P. Thank goodness he didn't hear any more than he did. He's a regular spy. Kow I must put this room to rights. Missus Milford says company's coming. {Dusts furniture mgorously.) Enter Ike Hopper, B. Ike. How dye do, Polly V {Stands holding Ms straw hat) P. {Ea/rdly looking up.) I'm well enough. /. I reckon so, Polly. Been that way long ? P. Don't bother me Ike, I'm in a dreadful hurry to get this room put to rights. Why did you come right into this room ? I. I saw Rose Milford in the kitchen and she 'lowed I could see you if I came right in hyar. {Pinches Polly's arm.) Say, can I see you ? P. Yes, and hear me, too, if you don't behave. But what made you call at this time of day, Mr. Hopper ? I. Mr. Hopper! Gosh! that fairly takes my breath, Polly. Why, Jerusalem ! you'll be caUin' me 'Squire Hopper next. Polly, you an' me don't need to pile it on quite so thick as that. P. {Bather curtly.) Speak for yourself, Isaac Hopper. I. Now, Polly, don't get your dander up. I didn't mean anything. P. I don't like to see people act silly. I. Neither do I. Don't you tell anybody and I won't. Polly, that's a mighty nice dress you have on. {Slips close beside her.) That kaliker must a cost twelve and a half cents a yard. {Feels her sleeve.) It's good stuff. {Pinches lier arm) P. Twelve and a half cents ! A sight you ' know about women's clothes. It cost twenty cents, Ike, trimmin's extra. 8 UNDER THE LAURELS. /. Well, it looks pooty, but that's an awful waste of money. P. Do you like it, Ike ? I. You're right I do. It's the nicest thing I've seen for a long time. {PuU Ms arm around her.) Polly, do you kjiow what I came in from work just now for ? P. No ! What did you come for ? I. {Puzzled.) I came for — for— what the deuce did I come for? Oh, I came to inquire about yer horse rake ! P. My horse rake ? I. No, I meant the family horse rake. P, Then you had better go to the barn .if you want the horse rake. ( Withdraws from him.) I, No, I meant the horse radish. {Pronounce reddish.) I knowed it was something found in the kitchen. Polly do you like horse radish ? P. Middlin' like. Do you? J. {Gets close to Polly again.) Yes siree, I like everything that is good. {Suddenly steals a kiss.) Enter Zeke, suddenly^ B. P. {Slaps Ike ha/rd.) How do you like that ? I, {Sees Zeke.) M iss Dowler, when you try to dig a hay seed out o' my eye, I wish you would be a little more keerful. {Claps handkerchief to his eyes.) Zeke. Say, Massa Hopper, are you shore dat was a hay pod ? Wasn't it a little piece of horse radish? Dat's mighty lively medicine to get into de eyes. I. Why, is that you Zeke? I thought I heard the door open. P. Did you get any letters for me, Zeke ? I. De train done left de track down de river, an' de mail was desput skerse to day, so I jes' went into de drug grocery an' got some medicine pamphlidges. Got one apiece. Miss Polly. Heah*s you's. {Rands one to Polly.) P. Git out with your almanix. Z, Massa Hopper, have one? 'Spect it tells when to pull de horse radish. I. Yes, I'll take one. {Takes almanac, opens and reads.) " Nig- ger invented, year one. First wool crop, same year. Z. Dat's a berry good crop. Mighty sight surer nor cotton. P. Do stop your nonsense, Zeke. Did you see anyone coming as you came in ? Z. Yes, seed Massa Brantford ride up to de front gate. I. Plague his skin! Z. What you gwine to plague his skin for? /. Because it's good for nothing else. P. You and Zeke must go at once. Mrs. Milford may come down any minit UNDER THE LAURELS. 9 L All right, then, here goes. Good bye, Polly. (Throws a Tciss. Zeke throws a Mss, unseen by Ike, with extramtgant gestures, and Folly gives him a violent blow loith the broom handle.) Z. Polly, I dropped sumfin'. Did you find it ? (Bxit hastily L as Polly dives at him again.) P. Good gracious ! I wish it was slavery tinies and I was that nigger's boss. He's the tormentenest thing ! {Bell heard.) Just hear that bell ! Brantford always rings it as if he owned the whole plantation. {Exit Polly, L.) Enter Polly, L, showing in Ky. Brantford. Brantford. Polly, will you have the kindness to inform Mrs. Milford that I am waiting? P. Yes, sir. {Exit, L.) B. {Pacing floor.) All goes well; I could not wish it better. Milford's debtors are liberal and pay promptly and the estate is in no hurry to ask me to settle up. It's mighty lucky I have influence with the county court. If the young lady, the sweet Mountain Rose, is disposed to listen to my suit I will have the will approved and the property will be hers and mine. Knot, it shall be mine. I rather think the widow^ Cares something for me, and it is just as well for the present that she does. Ha! its better to be born lucky than rich, that I can swear to, for my luck has never deserted me. Enter Mrs. Milford, L. Mrs. M. Good afternoon, Mr. Brantford, I am very glad to see you. B. Good day, Mrs. Milford, I hope I have not kept you in suspense ? Mrs. M. Oh, no ! but I expected you a little earlier. Have a seat. {They take seats R and L of table.) B. We will proceed at once to business. I have little news for you. I am still endeavoring to collect some of those doubtful claims of your husband's. I am getting along fairly well, but people are dreadful slow pay nowadays. As you know, your husband's sudden death prevented the final settlement of our partnership in the cattle business. A very pretty sum was due me, and I am just paying myself, so to speak. I will render a. statement of transactions any time you wish it. Mrs. M. There is no need of hurry at all in the matter. You are a business man, and everything is safe in«your hands. B. Oh, perfectly safe, madam, still business is business, and it would be well for you to look a little after your own affairs. Mrs. M. It is unnecessary when I have such excellent assist ance always at hand. 10 UNDER THE LAURELS. B. You flatter me, Mrs. Milford, but I shall try to do the best I can. Mrs. M. You were at Cliffville to-day I believe, Mr. Brantford. Did you learn anything new in regard to our will case ? B. Very little. The case which should have been disposed of months ago will soon come before the court. I think' it safe to say, that under circumstances which may be fully shown in the testimony, the will is certain to be set aside. Mrs. M. You mean that it may easily be proved that my husband never legally adopted Rose as his daughter? B. Hum — yes, the testimony may show that. Mrs. M. It must show it. Then if Rose is not an heir, neither is Frank, and the property is all mine. B. Still, the children might reasonably expect something, but that could all be safely left to your generosity. No one doubts your sense of justice in this matter. Mrs. M. I should of course make some provision for them. Frank Colewood would ask nothing and Rose could not expect to occupy the station she has usurped. I certainly do not consider her my daughter. However, she may stay if she wishes. B. I should think a small sum in ready cash would induce Frank to go elsewhere and set up for himself. Mrs. M. Would you advise me to let him go ? B. I certainly should advise it. Mrs. M. I have always considered Frank an honest young man. B. Doubtless he is honest. But remember, Mrs. Milford, he was a waif. You don't know his antecedents, and you can't tell what danger may lurk in his character. Blood will tell. Mrs. M. True, I had not thought of that. I will hint the matter to him. B. Never hint anything in business. Discharge him. By the way, how do you like that new man I sent you, Bob Button ? Mrs. M. Frank says he is a strong hand. That is all I know about him. B. He is a good fellow. Keep him by all means.- He can oversee the plantation when Frank leaves. That reminds me I wish to see Bob before I go. Mrs. M. {Bising.) I will have him called. B. No, don't take that trouble, I will see him as I leave. Mrs. M. He is splitting kitchen wood, I think ; it is no trouble to call him. {Exit Mrs. M., R.) B. I must see tlfe Mountain Rose before I go and settle matters at once. I have wealth, health and strength. All I need is a wife. The grass of many summers has grown over the grave of the first Mrs. Brantford, the wife of my boyhood. God bless her, she was a true loving wife, and 1— (stops short) let that pass now. I can't expect much love for I am incapable of UNDER THE LAURELS. 11 feeling any, but I will try to secure beauty. I fancy I am no bad figure yet, with, my forty years. Beauty and money are trump fi Van Vleck, Deep Biver^ Iowa. "Our Literary Association has presented upward of fifty dramas and farces, but never had any take like th&t.''''— Secretary Chelrntford Center (Mass.), Literary Association. ON THE BRINK, Or, the Reclaimed Husband. A temperance drama in two acts, by H. Elliott McBride : 12 male and 3 female. Time, 1 hour, 45 m. Seven of the characters have unimportant parts, and some of the parts are so arranged that the same pei-son may play two parts. Yankee comedian, old bachelor in search of a wife, old maid in search of a husband, the insane wife, etc. " We rendered On the Brink a number of times very successfully to crowded houses." — Dramatic Club., Cordova, Minn. A PARLOR ENTERTAINMENT. A sketch, by H. Elliott McBride ; 2 male and 5 female. Time, 25 m. A first r-Lo piece for boys and girls in school exhibitions. Very amusing. OUR COUNTRY. A patriotic drama in three parts. Requires 9 male, 3 female. (Admits 9 male, 15 female.) Four fine tableaux. Time, about 1 hour. Based on Colonial and Revolutionary history of IT. S. The narration is lively enough to make it take well. It contains some striking situations. " Our country took so well, that we repeated it to a crowded house. "-^^«/ Sweeney, Winslow, III. A BAD JOB. A highly ludicrous farce, by H. Elliott McBride ; 3 male, 2 female characters. A tragedy man, a poetical man, a simple minded youth, a fickle young lady and a widow. A taking piece, if rendered by those who properly appreciate the ludi- crous. Time, 30 m. ...LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 016 112 407 2 THE SCHOOL MA'AM. A brilliant comedy in lour acts; 6 male, 5 female. Time, 1 hour, 45 m. This play is not a mere tissue of imaginative incidents. There ie scarcely an incident in it but has had its counterpart in the workings of our public schools. It contains a good comic Irish character, an American " Mrs. Gamp," a "self-made man" (poor job), and the typical American "■School Ma'am," anxious to succeed, but beset with difficulties. Every teacher, every director, every citizen, should read it as a hook, whether you wish it as a play or not. THE IRISH LINEN PEDHLEB. A lively farce ; 3 male, 3 female. Time, 45 m. The action is lively, the incidents unexpected and ludicrous. Pat 0"'Doyle, the peddler, is a combina- tion of wit, drollery, cunning and impudence. THE KANSAS IMMIGBANTS; or, The Great Exodus. A roaring farce ; 5 male, 1 female. Time, 30 m. Contains two darky characters. Excrutiatingly comical. Cannot fail to be a popular farce. IS THE EDITOR IN? A farce ; 4 male and 2 female. Time, 20 m. Scene, a country newspaper office. Very amusing. '- A REGULAR FIX. A farce, by J. Madison Morton ; 6 male, 4 female. Time, 35 m. Very popular. MT TURN NEXT. A capital farce, by T. J. Williams; 4 male, 3 female. Time, 45 m. Illus- trates the difficulties an apothecary encountered through marrying in haste. A KISS IN THE DARK. A farce, by J. B. Buckstone; 3 male, 2 female. Time, 40 m. A highly successful farce. THE PERSECUTED DUTCHMAN. A farce, by S. Barry; 6 male, 3 female. Time, 40 m. Good. LIMERICK BOY {Faddy Miles.) A farce, by James Pilgrim; 5 male, 2 female. Time, 40 m. A tip-top farce. I'M NOT MESILF AT ALL. A farce, by C. A. Maltby ; 3 male, 2 female. Time, 25 m. Very funny. A BOUND VOLUME Of plays, containing the first ten plays in this catalogue, substantially and handsomely bound m muslin, gilt stamp. "Will be sent, postpaid, for $1.35. FRIDAY AFTERNOON SERIES. A collection of original, lively dialogues suitable for boys and girls in school entertainments. Some of the dialogues contain both male and female characters; some are for boys alone; some for girls alone. All are short. Price, 25 cents. SCHOOL AND PARLOR TABLEAUX, By Sara L Stocking. A choice collection of original tableaux for school, church, and parlor entertainments. They embrace a wide range of subjects, from the classical to the comic. The historical tableaux admit the use of beautiful costumes, and cannot fail to please. Full instructions given as to costume. The comic tableaux are simple and easily prepared. Price, 25 cts. SCRAP-BOOK RECITATION SERIES, NO. 1, By H. M. Soper, Professor of Elocution. A choice collection of fresh read- ings, pathetic, dramatic and humorous. The editor has taken especial pains to make a collection chiefly of choice vcw jneces, which cannot easily be found elsewhere. The editor's extended experience in teaching elocution has admirably qualified him for discriminating as to what is really adapted to elocutionary purjjoses. "While snecial care has been taken to find new and rare pieces, nothing has been admitted which does not contain real merit. Price, 25 cents. T. S. DENISON, Chicago.