0^ .^V'. <^ v" . >l ^, o ..^UM^^^- ^^-^^^^ •^ 4 o -> Cy> 4- "^^^^^ ^<{''^ 4 O «< \y- t'h- .0^ .. \^h^< i^r^^ PRICE 15 CENTS A Forced Friendship ert C. V. Meyers '^: nL BUSHING COMPANY SHOEMAKER'S BEST SELECTIONS For Re2wding[s and Recitations Numbers I to 26 Now Issued Paper Binding, each number 30 cents Cloth •• " •• ... 50 cents Teachers, Readers, Students, and all persons who have had occasion to use books of this kind, concede this to be the best serier, of speakers published. The different numbers are compiled by leading elocutionists of the country, who have exceptional facilities for secur- ing selections, and whose judgment as to their merits is invaluable. No trouble or expense is spared to obt^iin the very best readings and recitations, and much material is used by special arrangement with other pub- lishers, thus securing the best selections from such American authors as Longfellow, Holmes, Whittier, Lowell, Emerson, Alice and Phoebe Gary, Mrs. Stowe, and many others. The forem.ost English authors are also represented, as well as the leading French and German writers. This series was formerly caded ''The Elocutionist's Annual,'* the first seventeen numbers being published S«nder that title. While the primary purpose of these books is to supply the wants of the public reader and elocutionist, nowhere else can be found such an attractive collection of interesting short stories for home reading. Sold by all booksellers and newsdealers, or mailed Upon receipt of price. THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANT 923, Arch Street. Philadelphia^ A Forced Friendship A Farce in One Act By Robert C. V. Meyers cAuihor of "cA Lady's Note/' *'Tell Your Wife," etc. f - 1 , ' . . ' ' -, ^ PHILADELPHIA THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 1^03 ■X A" THE LibRAKY OF CONGRESS, Tvvo Copies Recaivec JUN 26 1903 ' (/Class ^ >xc> n^,, COPY is. Copyright 1903 by The Penn Publishing Company » * *- • o •« • * • • • A Forced Friendship A Forced Friendship CAST OF CHARACTERS Horace Fenchurch, . -- . who rents apartments. Gallop, ....... his man. Alicia Merrivale, . . who also refits apartmettts. Ernestine, her maid. COSTUMES Fenchurch. High silk hat. Tail coat. Gray trousers. Gallop. Brown suit. Bald wig. Alicia. Pretty visiting toilette with gay hat. Ernestine. Plain stuff frock and bonnet. PROPERTIES Dress suit case ; small silk bag containing photograph ; poker tied with ribbon ; bed slat. Time in Representation, Twenty-five minutes. A Forced Friendship SCENE. — Well-furnished parlor with doors ^ c. and L., window R., with lace curtains draped with wide pink rib- bons. Table ifi front, c. A number of dainty girlish furbishings scattered around, cushions, baskets, and the like. Poker with ribbon on it ?tear l. entrance. Noise of pounding on door c. , ivhich is closed. Door suddenly opens, and in tumbles Fenchurch, followed by Gallop, who carries suit case. Fenchurch. Key broken off in the lock. A wtw lock put on the door during my absence of a week ; what does it mean ? I shall see the janitor about it. {^Looks around. Rubs his eyes. ) And this room furbished up with nonsen- sical trappings ! The janitor must have softening of the brain. Such silly things to put into a man's parlor. Ho, Gallop ! Gallop (tvho has placed suit case in front of door, l.). Yes, sir. Fenchurch. Take those ribbons off the window cur- tains. Throw all these cushions and things into my bed- room, and afterward pitch them into the janitor's rooms. (Gallop does as ordered, shoving suit case into entrance, l.) But I haven't a minute, I am late now for my walk. I shall try to meet the lovely creature I saw on the train. Let me brush my hair. (^Exit Fenchurch, l.) Gallop. Such a life as I've led since he saw that girl in the car a week ago. Love at first sight, is it ? And he has traced her to this city, then lost her in a big department store. My poor old legs won't stand much more. Fenchurch (within). Ho, Gallop ! Gallop. Now he wants me to brush his coat. My old 5 6 A FORCED FRIENDSHIP arms are worn out making him beautiful for a girl he does not know. Fenchurch. Ho, Gallop ! Gallop. Ho, Gallop ! As though I were an old horse. Coming, sir, coming. (^Exit Gallop, l. ) (^Enter Ernestine, c, with silk bag.) Ernestine (^placi?ig bag o?i table). Very odd that I for- got to close the door when I went out. No wonder I forget things, rushed from place to place as I am. This comes of being maid to a lady who travels a hundred miles for the opera season here. And why couldn't we go to a hotel ? But, no. Miss Alicia says an apartment is better for us till her father arrives. Thank goodness he comes to-night. Now to bring lier liome from the opera matinee, after I've shopped for her all the morning. Oh, dear ! (^Exit Ernestine, c.) {Enter Fenchurch, i.., piitti?ig on gloves.) Fenchurch. I will walk the streets till I drop for the mere possibility of finding her. There must be some way of becoming acquainted with her. Ah, there goes a glove ! Ho, (iallop ! Gallop (l.). Yes, sir. Femchurch. a fresh pair of gloves from my suit case. {Exit Gallop.) I am so agitated I even split my gloves. Ah, my little charmer, whom I saw first on the train, what a dance you are leading me ! But such eyes ! Such a cupid-bow mouth ! Such an appealing manner ! Gallop (l.). The gloves, sir. Fenchurch. I'll put them on in the elevator. {Hurry- ing c.) Gallop. If you please, sir. Fenchurch. Well ? Gallop. Have you forgotten the silk bag ? Fenchurch. What silk bag? Gallop {at table). This one, sir. Fenchurch. That's no bag of mine. Gallop. It's in your apartment, sir. Fenchurch. Loosen the drawing string and see what's in it. A FORCEt) FRIENDSHIP • ^ Gallop (taking articles from bag). Opera books, marked ''Alicia Merrivale." Two bottles of violet water. A box of caramels. One pair long white gloves. One pair long white silk Fenchurch. Put the things in the bag again. There is some mistake. Take the bag to the janitor. (iS'jc// Fenchurch, c.) Gallop. Yes, I will. But I'll rest my old legs first. There's something queer about that janitor — putting ribbons and things all about our rooms, then leaving a silk bag here that doesa't belong to us. But I must unpack the suit case. No rest for my poor old legs. (Exit Gallop, l.) (^Enter, c, Alicia, closing door after her.) Alicia. How careless of Ernestine to leave the door open. And my bag with the dear opera librettos in it here, too ! And look at the curtains — not looped back, and all rumpled ! And where has Ernestine put all my cushions ? But those curtains ! (Arranging the?n, gets back of them, when Gallop enters, l., and picks tip bag.) Gallop. Now for Mr. Janitor. (Exit Gallop, c.) Alicia (front of curtains). That is better. I cannot understand what Ernestine means by this. And where is my silk bag? (Hand to hMd.) Am I sure it was on the table? That man I saw on the train and who has been fol- lowing me has put everything out of my head. I am glad papa comes this evening. But he was such a nice looking fellow, surely a gentleman. (Enter Ernestine, c.) Ernestine. Oh, miss, they say there is no opera matinee — you told me to come after you there. Alicia. Pardon me, Ernestine. I must have forgotten what I was saying to you in that store. I saw the man who I feel confident followed us there and I was confused. Now I want to try on my new white gloves and read the libretto of to-morrow's opera. 8 • A FORCED FRIENDSHIP Ernestine. Why, miss, I put the bag that had them in on this table. And {^Gazhig around?) Why, what ails this room ? Alicia. What have you done with my cushions and pretty things ? Nothing left but that poker with the ribbon on it. Ernestine. I never touched them. Alicia. And the door was open when I came in. Ernestine. It was open when I came in. Alicia (/« alarm'). We have been robbed. Call the janitor. Ernestine. Robbed ! Come to the janitor. Alicia. My gowns in the next room ! Come, we must investigate and see what else is taken. (Exeunt Alicia and Ernestine, l. ) {Enter Fenchurch, c.) Fenchurch. I am positive I saw her enter this house. Oh, bliss ! Oh, rapture ! She may be a neighbor of mine. I have found her, I have found her. (^Sitting at table.) The beauty of the thing, the romance of it ! I see her, I am en- raptured, I follow her, I lose her, I find her, I (Sinks into reverie. Enter l., Ernestine who sees him, gives a cry and exits l.) Eh! Did I hear anything? No, it is my mind. And she is residing here, or at all events visiting or calling ! Joy — ^joy ! [Enter Gallop with bag, c.) Gallop. My poor old legs ! The janitor is out, I can't find him. This fell out of the bag, sir. [Holding out pho- tograph.) Fenchurch (^glancing at photo. , starting up and grasping it). It is she ! It is she ! Then the bag is very likely hers. Her name is Alicia Merrivale. Heavenly name — Alicia. '' Merrivale " is not so good, but that can be altered. (^Gazes at picture and pockets it.) Give me the bag, I will restore it to its owner. {Exit Fenchurch, c, with bag.) Gallop. Of all the idiots in the world, commend me to the man just fresh in love. {Lights cigar.) He won't be back soon. I'll give my old legs a rest. {Sits at table A FORCED FRIENDSHIP 9 and takes paper from his pocket?) Not even a chance to look at the morning paper yet. And half dead for sleep. (^Reads.) ''City infested by burglars. Gang of female housebreakers discovered." Well, let 'em burgle. (^Yawns.) "Stocks and bonds." Bonds! Bonds of matrimony — bonds (^Cigar falls to floor. He dozes.') (^Enter Ernestine «;z^ Alicia, l.) Ernestine. There he is, miss, there is the wretch. But — oh, Miss Alicia, it is not the same man. Alicia. What do you mean ? Ernestine. There must be two of them. {Running offc.) • Alicia. To leave me alone ! (^Trips over chair. Gallop looks around, jumps up and confronts her.) Gallop {in front of her). Young lady, what do you mean by coming out of that room ? Alicia. Let me go ! Gallop. Let you go ? I believe you are one of the female housebreakers the paper speaks about. Alicia. Let me go ! {He makes a move toward her, ivhen she runs into room, L., slanmiing the door after her.) Gallop {placing chair in fro fit of door and seating him- self on it). There you stay, my lady, till Mr. Fenchurch comes back. My old legs are feeling better already. This is one of my good days. Fenchurch will give me a fiver for this. Ernestine {calling off q.). Miss! Miss! {Enter Ernestine, c.) Gallop. What do you want, ma'am ? Ernestine. I — I can't find the janitor. I wish to see the lady here — I am her companion. Gallop {catching her by the arm). So there are two of you. Maybe the whole gang's here. In you go with her. {Pushing her in l., a7id reseating himself.) This is two days' work, a tenner in my pocket. {Enter Fenchurch with bag, c.) Fenchurch. The janitor is out, and I can get no information regarding her, \ can't make my inquiries too 10 A FORCED FRIENDSHIP public. And I nearly lost myself. Every apartment here is like all the others — I've been pounding on the door the second below here thinking it was mine. Ho, Gallop ! Here, lock this bag up. Take precious care of it. Gallop. Sorry, sir, but 1 can't rise. I've got 'em. Fenchurch. Got what? — another attack of your rheumatism? Gallop. A pair of thieves, sir; they're in the other room, two female women burglars such as I read about in the paper. Fenchurch. Burglars ? Gallop. Caught 'em in this room. Will you go for the police, sir? Fenchurch. Two burglars, and so near Alicia ! Sup- pose they had robbed her ! No, Gallop, I will watch them — it will be almost like protecting Alicia. The janitor may have returned. Bring him here, (^jc// Gallop, c.) To think of Alicia being near burglars of her own sex. (^Takes bag and presses it to his face.) Oh, Alicia! Alicia ! Alicia {at door l.). His back is to us. Let us escape. Ernestine (l.). That's the other one — there are two of them. Alicia {iioticing Fenchurch who has partly turned'). Oh — oh ! Ernestine, it is he — the man who noticed me on the train. {Reenters Alicia, l.) Fenchurch {turning and seeing Ernestine). Villain ! Ernestine. Villain, yourself ! I want that bag. Fenchurch. A hold up, is it? Creature, this bag belongs to some one dear to me. Only murder relieves me of it. Ernestine. I want that bag, and I will have it. Fenchurch. Into that room again. You will shortly see the inside of a jail. To take this bag of all others. In, I say. (Ernestine retreats l., crying.) Such a chance ! I rescue Alicia's bag — the police publish it in the papers — I get acquainted with Alicia. Oh, joy ! Oh, rapture ! (Gallop rushes in, c.) Gallop. Put down that bag. We are in a terrible mess, The janitor has returned and he's coming up^ A FORCED FRIENDSHIP II This is not our apartment — ours is the second door down the corridor, Fenchurch, The door I pounded on just now? And I broke into this room ? But what do I care ! I have rescued this bag from a band of female burglars and I shall get acquainted with Alicia ! Ernestine {door i..'). Fire! Murder! Thieves! Oh, we are two defenseless women. ( Oji her knees.') Spare us ! Fenchurch. Girl, there has been an unfortunate mis- take here. I will explain later on — after I have seen the janitor. Gallop. And I will get your suit case, sir. (^Going L.) Ernestine {on feet). You shall not enter that room. My young lady is there. Thieves ! Fire ! Murder ! Fenchurch. Come, Gallop, we must see the janitor and explain. Ernestine. Drop that bag — drop that bag. Fenchurch. I will restore it to the lady to whom it belongs. Ernestine. It belongs to my young lady, Miss Alicia Merrivale. Fenchurch {dropping bag and fa/ltjtg /imply into Gallop's arms). And I have done this thing ! Ernestine. You bold bad men, you. [Gets poker.) Miss Alicia, don't be afraid. Come out, I've got 'em. Alicia (l., brandishing bed slat, which she drops when she sees Fenchurch). He a burglar ! Impossible ! Oh 1 oh! Fenchurch. Madame — Miss Merrivale. Alicia. How dare you speak my name, sir ? Fenchurch. It is all a mistake. My apartment is the second from this. I entered this room thinking it my own. Alicia. I — I knew he could not be a burglar, Ernes- tine. Oh, dear ! {Hand to heart.) Ernestine. But who threw all our pretty things into the next room along with a suit case to carry them off in ? Gallop. I did. Mr. Fenchurch thought the janitor had put them in our apartment while we were away. Alicia {to Fenchurch). And you have shadowed me for days, sir. Fenchurch. Ever since I saw you on the train. I could not help myself. .12 A FORCED FRIENDSHIP Ernestine. And you really are not burglars? Gallop. No more than you are, Alicia. Mr. Fenchurch, this is all preposterous. Fenchurch. It is, it is ! May I hope Alicia. Nothing. Fenchurch. In that silk bag where I found your name was this also. {Taking photograph.') Alicia. My photograph ! Let me have it. Fenchurch {keeping photograph). May I not call this evening and explain more fully? Ernestine. Your father comes this evening, miss. Fenchurch. May I call then and tell your father how I came by this photograph ? Alicia {reflectively). Your intentions were good — you thought you were protecting me from burglars, I am sure papa will like to thank you. {Giving him her hand.) Gallop. This is living in apartments ! My poor old heart ! {Throwing kisses at Ernestine who menaces him with poker. ) curtain JUI\ 23 1903 Practical Elocution By J. W. Shoemaker, A. M. 300 pages Cloth, Leather Back, ^1.25 This work is the outgrowth of actual class-room experience, and ia a practical, common-sense treatment of the whole subject. It is clear and concise, yet comprehensive, and is absolutely free from the entangling technicalities that are so frequently found in books of this class. Conversation, which is the basis of all true Elocution, is regarded as embracing all the germs of speech and action. Prominent attention is therefore given to the cultivation of this the most common form of human ex- pression. General principles and practical processes are pre- sented for the cultivation of strength, purity, and flexi- bility of Voice, for the improvement of distinctness and correctness in articulation, and for the development of Soul power in delivery. The work includes a systematic treatment of Gesture in its several departments of position, facial expression, and bodily movement, a brief system of Gymnastics bearing upon vocal development and grace of move- ment, and also a chapter on Methods of Instruction, for teachers. Sold by all booksellers, or sent, prepaid, upon receipt of price. 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