IPS 3545 064 H6 The ■'-"^^ Honest Shoe Maker BY Rea Woodman, M. A. PRICE 15 CENTS. £U>RIDG£ ENTERTAINMENT HOU! Franklin, Ohio. V- • • • • • • • . • XniHONEST SHOEMAKER A Doroestic Play for Little Folks in Four Scenes. Adapted from Grim's Fairy Tale, ''The Shoemaker and the Elves." By REA WOODMAN, M. A.. Author of ''Preserving a Smith," "The Rescue of Prince Hal," /'The Clever Doctor," and "Galliger." COPYRIGHT 1912 BY REA WOODMflN. Eldridge Entertainment House, Franklin, Ohio. Dedicated to Frederick Evans Delzell, a little Texas boy, whose unalloyed confidence in my ability to ' 'tell a ^tory, " is very precious to me. C1.D 31169 THE CHARACTERS OF THE DRAMA. John Dobson, the Honest Shoemaker, Mary Dobson, His Wife. First Creditor. Second Creditor. First Customer. Second Customer. Nix and Trix, the Kindly Elves. Scene 1. The Shoemaker's Shop One Monday Afternoon. Scene II. The Shoemaker's Shop the next Morn- ing. Scene III.' The Shoemaker's Shop One Week Later. ' Scene IV. The Shoemaker's Shop Christmas Eve. THE HONEST SHOEMAKER. SCENE I. The Shoemaker's Shop — One Monday Afternoon. {The Shoemaker's Shop. A plain room, con- taining, besides a long heavy curtain against zvall, only a shoemaker s bench and a table. John Dobson, the Shoemaker, is discovered sit- ting on the bench in an attitude of extreme de- spondency.) John, {smoothing out his leather apron). I do not understand how it is that I do not get on. I work hard, yet here I am, a perfectly poor man. There is hardly anything in the house to eat, and I have only leather enough for one pair of shoes, {sighs). I do not under- stand why I do not get on. {Sighingly he takes up a large piece of leather.) This is all the leather I have in the world. It will make one pair of shoes. Then I do not know what we will do. {There is a loud knock at the door.) I hope that is not a customer, for I have nothing to sell, {calls). Come in! {Bnter the First Creditor, in a stiff hat, with a cane.) John, {rising). Good evening, sir. Pirst C. Good evening. I suppose you remember me? John, {sighing). I do. First C. {taking a paper from his pocket). Well, what are you going to do about this little bill? John. I am going to pay it as soon as I can. " First C. {frowning). You said that yesterday. John, {sighing). I did. And I say it again today. First C. Come now. This won't do, you know. Either you are going to pay it, or you are not. John. You said that yesterday. First C. Well, I say it again today. {There is a melancholy pause.) Well, what are you going to do? Speak up. 4 John, {holding up the leather). You see this? It is all the leather I have. I shall make a pair of shoes in the morning. If I sell them, I may be able to pay you something. Let me see ; how much is your bill ? Pirst C. (tzvirling his stylish cane). You know per- fectly well how much it is. John, (sitting down on the bench). No, I don't. I get 'em mixed. Pirst C. (referring to the bill). This is for milk de- livered at your door for the past five weeks. It is for one dollar and forty cents. John. Oh yes, I remember now. Well, I can't pay it. Pirst C. I will call tomorrow, sir, and if you do not pay it, I will have you arrested. Good day, sir. (He goes, stiffly.) John, (alone). Little did I think, a year ago, that I would not be able to pay the milk bill. But I will not be discouraged. Things will take a turn. (There comes a knock on the door, zuhich he does not hear.) I will not be discouraged. No man should lose courage while he is able to work. (Enter the Second Creditor, as if very angry.) Sec. Cred. (in a surly tone). Good afternoon. I rapped, but you did not hear me. Are you going to pay that little bill today? John, (taking up an azvl). Which bill is it? Sec. Cred. (crossly). You know which bill it is. John. No, I don't. I get 'em mixed. Sec. Cred. (more crossly). Here, I have no time to lose. You know which bill it is. John. No, I don't. All you fellows look alike. Sec. Cred. (in a rage). We all look alike — w^e all look alike, do we? I'll show you how we all look alike. You can't bully me, sir. I tell you that right now. (He slams the bill on the table.) I'll have the law on you, that's what I'll have. Here is my bill. Do you see it, sir? ; '5 ' " ^ ^' John, {measuring leather). Yes, I see it. Sec. Cred. All right, sir. You say you do see it, sir.- I will call tomorrow, and if you don't pay it, we'll make you pay it. Do you understand? {pounds on the table). We'll make you' pay it. Them as can't pay their debts, the Law sends 'em to jail. That's the Law, that is, and I'll have the Law on you ! That's all I have to say, sir ! {He flings out.) John, {rising, and looking at the bill). I do not understand why it is that I do not get on. {Enter Mary Dobson, in an old dress., patched and clean, zuith a little shazvl about her shoulders.) Mary. AVhat is that, John, — a bill? John, {hiding the bill). No, just a — a little piece of poetry I was learning. Mary. I don't see how you find any time for poetry. Well, put it away and come to supper. John. See. what a fine piece of leather this is! Mary, {shaking her head). I know, John, I know. That is the last piece of leather you have. You can not deceive me. John, {putting it down gently). It is. We are very poor. Mary, {placing her hand on his arm). Well, John^ you must not be discouraged. It will come out all right if you do not lose hope. John, {looking steadily dozvn). Tomorrow I will make the very best pair of shoes that I know how. Things will take a turn. Mary. That is the way to feel. Come to supper now. We have only bread and tea. The potatoes are all gone. John, {looking steadily dozun). There are a good many people who have n't any bread to-night. {Jle takes oif his leather apron, and lays it gently on the bench.) Mary. That is true, John. We should be very thank- ful. {She lifts the candle.) 6 John. Things will take a turn. {They go out, she carrying the candle.) CURTAIN. : SCENE 11. The Shoemaker's Shop — The Next Morning. , {The Shop, as before. On the table, promi- nently placed, a pair of bran-new shoes.) {Bnter John Dobson, in his leather apron.) John, {sitting dozvn on his bench). I will make the very best pair of shoes that I can — the very best. It is a beautiful morning, and we have had a good breakfast. I can not feel discouraged in such a beautiful world. Things will take a turn. {He examines some of his tools.) Now I'll make the shoes that are to bring us good fortune. Why, where is my leather? {He hunts everyzi'here.) I laid it on the bench the last thing I did last night, all cut out, so I could get to work right away. {He searches again.) It is gone. And it was all I had! What will become of us? {He buries his face in his hands, thinks a minute, then slozvly looks up.) I will not tell my vv^ife; she was so happy this morning. She said, ''John, this is going to be a beautiful day for us. I feel it." I can not tell her this. {Looking around vague- ly, he sees the new shoes.) Why, what are these? I did not make these. {He examines them.) Who put them here? Hov/ strange. {He rubs his eyes.) I hope I am not going crazy. These are bran-new. (calls). Mary! Mary! Come here! {Bnter Mary Dobson, wearing a dust cap and carry- ing a mop.) Mary, look here! I just found these. Mary. Found them ! Are you crazy ? John. Somebody put them here in place of my leather. They are here, and it is gone. Mary, {examining the shoes). How do you know? Why, John, look! They are made of your leather! Look ! John. How can that be ? Mary. But they are, anyway. Look ! John. So they are. (He sits down from sheer weak- ness.) Mary, 3^ou are a smart woman. My own leather! Now what do you know about that? Mary, (crying). Oh John, somebody made them for you in the night! John. But what shall I do with them? Mary. Sell them; they are yours. Somebody means good to us because you were patient and hopeful. Don't you see? I must scrub the kitchen floor; there will be many customers now. Oh, I am so happy, dear John! (She goes, drying her eyes.) John, (staring at the shoes). How could anybody make them in the night? It could not be. And if I sell them, I may be arrested for stealing. I do not know what to do. I am in a worse case than I was. (Enter the First Customer.) First C. (taking off his stylish hat). Good morning. John, (rising). Good morning. First C. Your wife told me to come right in. I want to buy a pair of shoes, and your shop has been recom- mended to me. I am willing to pay a good price for them. I do not wear store shoes ; they hurt my feet. Have you any good shoes, number ten? John. I have a fine pair of shoes here that I have just finished. (He holds up the shoes, turning them around admiringly.) They are first-class in every particular. First C. (taking them). Are they soft leather? I must have soft leather. My feet are very tender. John. These shoes would not hurt anybody's feet. The Queen of England wears shoes made out of this leather. First C. (using a red silk handkerchief with much 8 elegance) . Indeed ! And she is supposed to be very particular. ' John. Oh, she is — a most particular old lady. Will you try them on? First C. No, I never try on my shoes in public. I will pay for them, and take them with me, on the under- standing that you will take them back if they hurt my feet. John. Certainly, sir, certainly. Pirst C. {taking out a fat pocketbook). How much are they? John. Ten dollars. Pirst C. (counting out the bills). Here is the money. (John wraps up the shoes.) I will bring them back to you if they do not suit. John. You are a stranger in town, sir? Pirst C. (putting azuay the fat pocketbook). I am, sir. I arrived from Europe this morning. John. Europe is a very pleasant place to live, they say. Pirst C. It is, sir. Good day, sir. John, (bowing him out). Good day, sir. Thank you. Call again, sir. (7Vie Pirst Customer goes.) Ten dollars! Now I can pay all my debts, (takes off his apron). I will buy some more leather, right away, and get to work. Things have taken a turn. (Enter the Second Customer, ''a stylish lady," push- ing a doll buggy.) John, (zvith marked urbanity). Good morning, Madam. Let me assist you. (He helps her get the buggy to rights.) What may I do for you? J^ady. C. I want to buy some shoes for my little girl. John. I am sorry. Madam, but I am just out of children shoes, — just this morning. Can you call again? Lady C. (much occupied zuith her face veil, which catches her eyelashes). No, I am going to New York tomorrow to attend a ball. 9 John, {visibly impressed). Ah, that is unfortunate. Can you not leave your order, Madam? I could send them to you. Lady C. {spreading her train). I guess I could do that, only she needs the shoes to go to the ball. John, {putting on a pair of spectacles, and opening a big ledger). Can you not call this afternoon? I can have them here by 2 o'clock. Lady C. That will do, I think. Please write down one pair of red slippers, one pair of blue slippers, and two pairs of strapped shoes. John, {•zi-riting) . What color, Madam? Lady C. I told you the color. Blue and red. John, (ziriting). Excuse me. Madam, wdiat color are the strapped shoes to be? Lady C. {arranging her veil). Black. For street wear. John, (chezmng his pen holder). What number? Lad\ C. (blinking painfully binder the taut veil). Baby size, of course. John. But there are several baby sizes. Madam. Lady C. Oh. Well, put doAvn number three. That is all today. John, (shutting the ledger, and taking off the spec- tacles). That is a fine child you have there. Madam. Lady C. {sighing). Yes, I have six children. {She begins to turn the buggy — no easy task for a lady with a train and a veil!) John, {assisting). That is a large family, Madam. Lady C. And all my children are so delicate! My oldest boy has the electric fits. John. Dear me, that is very distressing! Lady C. {adjusting her hat and veil and train). Good morning. John, {bowing and bowing). Good morning, Madam. {The Lady Customer goes, zvith dignity and difficulty.) 10 She does n't know what size shoe her baby wears ! And the mother of six children ! Women are very silly. It's lucky I have the money. I could not afford to lose so elegant a customer. {He takes his top coat and hat and colored scarf from a wall-peg and puts them on.) I will buy some potatoes, and surprise Mary. (Winds the long scarf around and around his neck.) Things have taken a turn. (He goes out, whistling.) CURTAIN. SCENE III. The Shoemaker s Shop — One Week Later. (The Shoemaker's Shop. John Dobson, in his apron, is discovered seated at the table, on zuhich a candle burns. He is ''Hgitring up accounts'' laborously and earnestly.) John, (-fignring). Two and seven is nine, and five is — is fourteen. Five and eight is (counts on his fingers) thirteen, and one to carry is fourteen. That makes it easy, to have it come out fourteen. Fourteen from four- teen is nothing. Four from nine is five — five dollars. I have made five dollars and fourteen^cents above ex- penses in one week, and here it is. (He jingles the coin in a little canvas moneybag on the table.) Five dollars and fourteen cents. That is a large sum. (He contem- plates the figures.) I did not know there was so much arithmetic in the shoe business. There never was before. (There is a timid knock on the door.) That can't be a customer. — Come in ! (Enter the Second Creditor, carrying a lighted lan- tern.) Creditor. Good evening. John, (staring at him) . Oh, it's you ! Cred. (embarrassed) . I know it's late, but — John. Well, I should say it is. It's nearly midnight. 11 Cred. I know it, but I'm in trouble, andl — I — John, (coldly). What's the matter of you? Cred. (twirling his hat in his. hand). I know it looks queer for me to come here so late — John, (sourily). It does. What do you want? Cred. I — you see, I — (Then he blurts it out.) I will be arrested tomorrow morning and put in jail if I do not pay my meat bill. John. So you'll be arrested! At what time? Cred. At 9 o'clock. John. Well, why don't you pay it? Cred. I have n't got any money. And if they put me in jail that will be worse. How can a man earn money when he is in jail? John. Sit down. (The Creditor sits doivn on the bench, a broken man.) You want to borrow the money from me? Is that it? (The Creditor nods, his head bent.) You want to borrow money from me. (He stares hard at the miserable Creditor.) A week ago you said you would arrest me, — do you remember? Cred. I do. John. You said you'd have the Law on me. Cred. 1 did, aad I would have. That was good busi- ness. You paid the money, and I did not have you ar- rested. That was good business, too. You are an hon- est man. I need a friend, and I — I thought I'd make free to ask you — John, (jumping up). Shake hands. (They shake hands, solemnly.) How much is that bill? Cred. Four dollars and twenty-five cents. John, (taking up the canvas bag). I will give it to you right now — Cred. No, no, I will come again in the morning. I can wait. I — I'd rather wait. I will go home and tell my wife that I will not have to go to jail. She is sick in bed. (He breaks down.) 12 John, {placing his hand on his shoulder). That's all ridit. That's all risrht. Cred. I — (herns to go). Good night. Johji. Good night. Call around in the morning. (The Creditor goes. John stands still a minute, shaking his head sadly. Then, sighing, he puts the moneybag in his pocket, and takes up a number of pieces of leather from the bench. ^ By the time he has matched and -fitted these, he is zchistling cheerfully a mournful air.) There, I have cut out four pairs of shoes, just for an experiment. Every night for a week I've left leather cut out, ready to make up, and in the morning the shoes have been made up. It is very strange. To night my wife and I are going to watch and see who does the work. She thinks it's fairies. I don't. I don't believe in fairies, and besides, who ever heard of fairies that could make shoes? Anyway, I am making money very fast. (Enter Mary, wrapped in a cosy shawl.) Mary. Who was that came in? John. A man to see me on business. Mary. It is nearly midnight. You know fairies never appear until midnight. John, (arranging leather cuttings on the bench). I do not expect to see any fairies. Mary. Well, we shall see. There, is no use arguing about it. W^here shall we hide ? John. Let us get behind that curtain. Did you leave the door unlocked? (He hides behind the curtain, so that he can peek out at one side.) Mary. Yes, and I left a light in the kitchen. (She hides behind the curtain, so that she can peek out at the other side.) John. I should not think that fairies would need a light. (A clock outside strikes tzvelve. Upon the last stroke, the Blves, Nix and Trix, caper in. They zvear only short, ragged, skimpt, one-piece slips, and their hair tumbles 13 down their shoulders. They take up the leather pieces, and, holding them high, dance around the table three times. Then, sitting down on the bench, their backs to the audience, they hammer and tack and rap away at a great rate, tossing their tousled heads all the while. Pres- ently, they spring up, each with two pairs of bran-new shoes, and put them neatly on the table, with manifest pride. Then, after dancing around the table three times, they scamper out.) Mary, (coming out). I told you so! John, {coming out). You said fairies. Tliey are Elves. Mary. It's the same thing. I told you so! John. It is n't the same thing at all. But I don't care; they have brought us fame and fortune. Mary, {wiping her eyes). The dear little Elves! I wish we might do something for them. John, {examining the shoes). So do I. How good they are ! Mary. I wish we could do something to show that we are grateful. I tell you what. I'll make each of them a little coat and waistcoat and cap. Did you notice how thin their dresses were? Poor little things, they must get very cold. John. Yes, and they were barefoot. I'll make shoes for them, and buy some stockings. Mary, '(looking absently at the candle). I suppose their mother is dead. John, (examining the shoes). They understand the shoe business, all right. Mary. And let's leave the things here for them Christ- mas Eve. Then they'll know that we are truly thankful. John. That is a good idea, Mary. Mary, (lifting the candle). Ugh, it is very cold. I am glad I put on this shawl. (She goes toward the door.) John, (looking down at the shoes, on the table). Things have sure taken a turn. I never believed in fairies 14 before. Why, I can't make better shoes myself. Mary, (shivering). Come on. Do not stand there talking all night. CURTAIN. SCENE IV. The Shoemaker's Shop — Christmas Bve. {The Shoemaker's Shop. John Dobson is dis- covered standing by the table, zvithout his apron, and zvith a flozuer in his button-hole. He holds tzvo pairs of shoes and stockings, and a quan- tity of holly. Tzvo candles burn on the table.) John, {arranging the gifts and holly on the bench). This is the nicest Christmas we have ever had. I am not worried about money any more, for all my debts are paid. We have flour and potatoes enough for the win- ter, and I have got my wife a silk dress for Christmas — but she does not know it 3^et. And the kind little Elves did it all ! (Enter Mary, in a pretty dress, zvith a red flozver in her hair. She carries a number of little garments, and a box tied zvith red ribbon.) Mary. Well, v/hat do you think, John? There just came a poor woman to the door. She said she has three children, and her husband is out of work. John, (arranging holly sprays on the bench). Did you give her some money? Mary, (putting her gifts on the table). I gave her a dollar, John. Tomorrow I am going to see her. She seemed like such a nice woman. John. You can take the children a Christmas gift, if you want to. We can afford it. (proudly). I bought some holly to surprise you. Mary. That is very nice. And I bought some candy for the Elves. (She arranges the garments in tzvo piles, overstrewn with holly.) Oh, is not this the most beau- 15 CT 19 1912 tiful Christmas ! We are able to buy whatever we like, and as much as we like — I never had such a Christmas in my life ! Oh John, do you think we are thankful enough ? John. Yes, I think we are, but of course we can not show it all at once. Mary, {standing oif to survey the table). No, that is true, John. We have the rest of our lives to show it in. Don't the things look pretty? John, {looking at the table). Those are good warm coats, Mary. {There is a thoughtful pause.) I did n't know that Christmas was such a — such a — a blessed sort of time. Mary. It never was before — not in this house. Maybe it's because we're so thankful. {Sleigh bells are heard in the distance.) Ivisten! Sleigh bells! {The merry ringing diminishes and softly dies azvay.) Oh John, is it not beautiful? I am so happy I almost want to die! John, {brusquely, turning away). Hurry up! I'm- afraid they'll come! Mary, {zvistfully) . I wonder if they know about Santa Claus? Johii. {starting out). Well, if they don't, they soon will. Come on. {With a lingering look at the presents, they go out.) (The clock strikes twelve. On the last stroke, Nix and Triv come scampering in. Silently, they look for their usual zvork, and discover the presents on the table and bench. They examine and compare them, with many gestures of surprise and delight, and, finally deciding that the gifts are for them, they dance around the table three times, hugging their presents. 7'hen, in gleeful panto- mime, they don the garments, shoes and all, helping each other, and often stopping to eat candy and frisk about. Then, their hands ftdl of holly sprays, their pockets bulg- ing zvith candy, they circle aground the table three times and, after jerky little bozvs, scamper out, throwing kisses recklessly.) CURTAIN. 16