.A Q* ^°^ "W G°\' A WE? * „«? ♦> 9> r* 0° u$ '.Ejf- V' it. *+ ^ & %> '-Wm : #* «f »T V. - "V * o N o ^ ^ °o. /imateur l£Vl DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS Partial List off Successful and Popular Plays. Large Catalogue Free. Price 15c each, Postpaid, Unless Different Price Is Given DRAMAS, COMEDIES, ENTERTAINMENTS, Etc. M. F. Aaron Boggs, Freshman, 3 acts, 2y 2 his (25c) 8 8 After the Game, 2 acts, \% hrs .(25c) 1 9 All a Mistake, 3 acts, 2 hrs. (25c) 4 4 American Hustler, 4 acts, 2]/ 2 hrs -. (25c) 7 4 Arabian Nights, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 4 5 As a Woman Thinketh, 3 acts, 2y 2 hrs (25c) 9 7 At the End of the Rainbow, 3 acts, 2% hrs (25c) 6 14 Bank Cashier, 4 acts, 2 hrs. (25c) 8 4 Black Heifer, 3 acts, 2 hrs. (25c) ..., 9 3 Brookdale Farm, 4 acts, 2*4 hrs ;.(25c) 7 3 Brother Josiah, 3 acts, 2 hrs. (25c) 7 4 Burns Rebellion, 1 hr (25c) 8 5 Busy Liar, 5 acts. 2 54 hrs. (25c) 7 4 College Town, 3 acts, 2J4 hrs (25c) 9 8 •Corner Drug Store, 1 hr. (25c) 17 14 Danger Signal, 2 acts, 2 hrs.. 7 4 Daughter of the Desert, 4 acts, 2^4 hrs (25c) 6 4 Down in Dixie, 4 acts, 2V 2 hrs (23c) 8 4 Dream That Came True, 3 acts, 2 '4 hrs (25c) 6 13 Editor-m-Chiff, 1 hr (25c) 10 Enchanted Wood, 1 ! 4 h. (35c).Optnl. Everyyouth, 3 acts, 1 J.4 hrs. (25c) 7 6 Face at the Window, 3 acts, 2 hrs (25c) 4 4 Fascinators, 40 min (25c) 13 Fun on the Podunk Limited, m 1% hrs (25c) 9 14 Heiress of Hoetown, 3 acts, 2 hrs (25c) 8 4 High School Freshman, 3 acts, 2 hrs (25c) 12 Honor of a Cowbov, 4 acts, 2^ hrs " (25c) 13 4 Indian Days. 1 hr (50c) 5 2 In Plum Valley, 4 acts, 2*4 hrs ..(25c) 6 4 Iron Hand, 4 acts, 2 hrs.. (25c) 5 4 Jayville Junction, iy 2 hrs. (25c) 14 17 Kingdom of Heart's Content, 3 acts, 2% hrs (25c) 6 12 Lexington, 4 acts, 2*4 h. .(25c) 9 4 M. F. Light Brigade, 40 min (25c) 10 Little Buckshot, 3 acts, 234 hrs. (25c) 7 4 Lodge of Kye Tyes, 1 hr. (25c) 13 Lonelyville Social Club, 3 acts, \y 2 hrs (25c) 10 Man from Borneo, 3 acts, 2 hrs (25c) 5 2 Man from Nevada, 4 acts, 2 1 / & hrs (25c) 9 5 Mirandy's Minstrels. ... (25c) Optnl. New Woman, 3 acts, 1 hr.... 3 6 Old Maid's Club, \y 2 hrs. (25c) 2 16 Old Oaken Bucket, 4 acts, 2 hrs ' USd 8 6 Old School at Hick'ry Holier, 154 hrs (25c) 12 9 On the Little Big Horn, 4 acts, 2% hrs (25c) 10 A . Out in the Streets, 3 acts, 1 hr. 6 4 Prairie Rose, 4 acts, 2}4. hrs. (25c) 7 4 Rustic Romeo, 2 acts, 2% hrs (25c) 10 12 School Ma'am, 4 acts, 1^ hrs. 6 5 Scrap of Paper, 3 acts, 2 hrs.. 6 6 Soldier of Fortune, 5 acts, 2y 2 h. 8 3 Southern Cinderella, 3 acts, 2 hrs (25c) 7 Third Degree, 40 min. . . . (25c) 12 Those Dreadful Twins, 3 acts, 2 hrs (25c) 6 4 Tonv, The Convict, 5 acts, 2*4 "hrs (25c) 7 4 Topp's Twins, 4 acts, 2 h.(25c) 6 4 Town Marshal, 4 acts, 2*4 hrs (25c) 6 3 Trip to Storyland; 1 '4 hrs. (25c) 17 23 Cncle Josh, 4 acts, 2\/ A hrs. (25c) 8 3 L T nder Blue Skies, 4 acts, 2 hrs (25c) 7 10 Under the Laurels, 5 acts, 2 hrs. 6 4 When the Circus Came to Town. 3 acts. 2^ hrs. (25c) 5 3 Women Who Did, 1 hr. ..(25c) 17 Yankee Detective, 3 acts, 2 hrs. 8 3 FARCES, COMEDIETAS, Etc. April Fools, 30 min 3 Assessor, The. 10 min 3 2 Baby Show at Pineville, 20 min. 19 Bad Job, 30 min 3 2 Betsv Baker, 45 min 2 2 Billv's Chorus Girl, 25 min... 2 3 Billy's Mishap. 20 min 2 3 Borrowed Luncheon, 20 min.. 5 Borrowing Trouble, 20 min.... 3 5 Box and Cox, 35 min 2 1 Case Against Casey, 40 min... 23 Convention of Papas, 25 min.. 7 Country Justice, 15 min 8 Cow that Kicked Chicago, 20 m. 3 2 T.S.DENISON& COMPANY, Publishers, 154 W. RandolphSt., Chicago SING A SONG OF SENIORS A COMEDIETTA FOR GIRLS BY LINDSEY BARBEE AUTHOR OF After the Game," "At the End of the Rainbow," "The Dream That Came True," "The Fifteenth of January," "The Kingdom of Heart's Content," "The Thread of Destiny," "A Trial of Hearts," "IV hen the Clock Strikes Twelve," "In the College Days." CHICAGO T. S. DENISON & COMPANY Publishers -; J Sing a Song of Seniors characters. Peggy Hood Barbara Ayers . . . Constance Cary. . . ^Seniors of Mrs. Cole's Fashionable Jane Ray School for Young Ladies. Cecile Rose J Miss Romney . A Member of the Faculty Mrs. Cole Principal of the School Place — Sitting room of the suite belonging to Peggy Hood and Barbara Ayers. The first night of the school year. Time— The Present. Time of Playif G-~-Ab out Thirty Minutes. COPYRIGHT, 1915, by eben h. norris. 2 ©CI.D 41346 JUL 29 1915 yuof SING A SOXG OF SENIORS. STORY OF THE PLAY. It is the first night of the school year in a girls' seminary and some of the girls have planned a lark in honor and celebration of their reunion after the summer vacation. A girlish looking stranger — presumably a freshman — en- ters the room under the impression that it is her own. Confused at the mistake, she is about to withdraw hur- riedly, when the girls, foreseeing a lark, pounce upon her and attempt to impose a mild form of hazing by forcing her to undergo a mock examination. Ridiculous questions are propounded, and just as the fun is at its height the Principal of the school enters and, greeting the stranger cordially, introduces her as the new member of the faculty. CHARACTERS AND COSTUMES. Peggy Hood — A trifle slow and languid. Barbara Ayers and Constance Cary — Active and full of life. Jane Ray — Rather given to contrariness. Cecile Rose — Typical society girl. Miss Romney — Slight and girlish in appearance. Mrs. Cole — Stately, dignified and middle-aged. All the girls except Cecile wear simple school dresses, preferably middy blouses or sailor suits. Barbara may wear a large work apron if desired. Cecile appears in a fashionable tailored suit and hat, with fancy blouse. Miss Romney wears a simple house gown. Mrs. Cole, a black dress with a touch of white and carries a lorgnette. PROPERTIES. Lounge with pillows, packing box, desk and chair, cur- tained bookcase, table, a large chair, a smaller chair, step- ladder, window curtains, chafing-dish, hassock, clock, lamp, SIXG A SOXG OF SENIORS. books, globe, picture (Mona Lisa) around packing box. Lemon squeezer, lemons for inside of packing box. Nails for top of table. Lunch cloth for table drawer. Glass, tumblers and box of crackers for inside of bookcase. Hammer for Barbara. Suitcase, box of candy, and umbrella for Cecile. Packages of silver polish for suitcase. Sugar and pitcher for Peggy Box of dates for Constance. Lorgnette for Mrs. Cole. Scene Plot. Window Table -j Door 'ou° r~^\ Ladder Cha,r Ua Chair Bookcase Packing Box Lounge \ 1 Door Deskt ChairO' STAGE DIRECTIONS. R., means right of stage; C, center; R. C, right center; L., left; 1 E., first entrance; U. E. : upper entrance; R. 3 E., right entrance up stage, etc. The actor is supposed to be facing the audience. Sing a Song of Seniors Scene: Sitting room in the boarding school suite of Peggy Hood and Barbara Ayers. Door C. in F., leading to hall and at L. leading to bedroom. JVindozc R. of C. in F. Lounge with pillows L. of C. in F. Step-ladder R. of C. in F. by window. Table and two chairs dozen R. Bookcase R. 2 E. Desk and desk chair L. 2 E. Large packing box L. of C. Pretty rug on floor and various adorn- ments characteristic of. boarding school girls. Stage well lighted throughout the act. Curtain rises, disclosing Barbara on top of a step-ladder, adjusting a curtain pole, and Peggy leaning against the packing box. Peggy is surrounded by a general confusion of articles, among Which one discerns books, pictures, a lamp, a clock, a hassock, a chafing-dish. A large globe on the top of the box tozvers over one shoulder. Peggy (sighing and looking around disconsolately) . It doesn't look very encouraging, does it. Bob ? Barbara (looking up). What? Peggy (pointing to the debris). Why — this mess — Barbara (resuming her task). No worse than the mess of other years. Peggy. Oh, yes, it is! (Waits for Barbara to anszeer.) It certainly is — (Barbara shrugs her shoulders and whistles). Why shouldn't it be? Barbara (indifferently). Don't know, I'm sure. Peggy. By the time one is a senior she is supposed to have accumulated a lot, isn't she ? Barbara. Everything, I believe — save brains. Peggy (petulantly). Now, don't spoil the first night of our reunion by sarcasm. Barbara (hammering and hitting her finger). Profanity would be more appropriate, come to think about it. Peggy. It's the last time we'll unpack together. 5 6 SIXG A SOXG OF SENIORS. Barbara (savagely). Which proves that blessings don't always brighten as they take their flight. Peggy. Pessimism should never be a part of the Senior's creed — Barbara. Nor should sentimentality. {Long pause. Peggy languidly piles up books. Barbara hammers.) Peggy. Bob! Barbara. Well. Peggy (coaxingly). Won't you put this chafing-dish on the table for me? (Holds out cJiafing-dish.) Barbara. Now, Peg, here I am at the top of a ladder. Why can't you do it? Peggy. It's always easier to come down in. the world than to climb up. Barbara. Nonsense. Peggy. I can't move, I tell you. One foot is under the dictionary; the world is resting on my shoulders, and, be- sides, I've gained seven pounds. Barbara (descending ladder). Give it here, then. (Takes it and places it on table.) Peggy (sighing). That's nice of you. I thought maybe the girls would be in and we'd need it. Barbara (tinning). What girls? Peggy. The Seniors, of course. Barbara. They're not all back. (Climbs ladder.) Peggy. Jane and Constance are here. Cecile will be in tonight. Counting us, there'll be five — quite enough for a stunt of some sort. (Pause.) Bob! Barbara. Well. Peggy (pleadingly). Would you just as soon hang Mona Lisa: 9 (Holds out picture.) Barbara (shortly). No, I wouldn't just as soon. Peggy (coaxingly). Please, Bob — you know I can't get up. Barbara. Shake oft the world, the flesh, and the devil, if that's what's holding you back. Peggy. You'll find the nails right there on the table. (Barbara slowly descends the ladder.) Hang her in that SING A SONG OF SENIORS. 7 darkest corner — her grin gets on my nerves. (Barbara gets nail and Jiangs picture L. of C. in F.) Barbara. Now look here, Peg, if you want anything else done, you'll have to do it yourself. Henceforth I'm not at your service. Peggv. While you're up would you mind putting Kip- ling on the lower shelf? (Barbara hesitates, then obeys ungraciously.) Thanks. I'm beginning to see the end of my troubles. Barbara. Your troubles! (Sarcastically.) Aren't you mixed as to ownership? Peggy (sweetly). What's mine is thine, dear roommate. (Barbara climbs ladder again and begins to hammer.) Enter Constance C. in F. Constance (at door). Hello, there! I heard the sound of the hammer and thought I'd take a peep at the knockers' club. Barbara (waving hammer). Come in, Connie, and mix with the debris. Constance (entering). Don't care if I do. What chance have I for that hammer? Barbara. None at all. This is an all night's job unless I can get the janitor to help us out. Constance. The janitor! Honest to goodness, the freshmen are figuratively tearing him limb from limb. He's as popular as the only man at a seaside resort. Barbara. Why don't you ask him for his hammer? Constance. I did. He's loaned it and can't remember who borrowed it. (Throws herself on lounge.) Peggy. How fortunate for us ! Barbara (suspiciously). Look here, Peg, do you mean to say that — Peggy (interrupting). I'm the one who did the borrow- ing. I certainly am. Never for a moment did I dream that such luck would attend us. Constance. It isn't fair that you should have the mo- nopoly of that hammer. Unless you promise it to me — instantly — I'll reveal the whereabouts of the guilty party. 8 SING A SONG OF SENIORS. Peggy. Don't stoop to blackmail. We'd promise it anyway. Connie (turning), would you mind putting this clock on the top of the bookcase? (Holds out clock as Constance rises reluctantly and takes it, subsequently placing it on bookcase.) And the hassock over there by the big chair? (Constance obeys.) And, oh, could you lift this lamp to the table? (Constance takes extended lamp and does as requested.) Oh, that's good of you. Barbara (descending ladder). Peg, this grafting is get- ting to be a nuisance. You've got to rise to the occasion — right now, too. I'll put the world where it belongs (places the globe on the desk) and remove the dictionary (places it on lower shelf of bookcase), and even lend a helping hand. (Grasps her hand.) Get up! Peggy (rising). You make me tired, Bob. Barbara. Well, you've been making me tired ever since you took the lid off that old box. Enter Jane C. in F. Jane (at door). What a noisy set you are. Do you keep it up all the time? I'm just moving across the hall and — Peggy. Why on earth are you moving across the hall, Jane? (Perches on side of box.) The value of real, estate in this vicinity will go down. Jane (as she seats herself on lounge). Thanks for those welcoming words. Why, I've no reason at all for chang- ing my room. I was entirely satisfied. Constance. Then why — Jane. Just this. I didn't want the school authorities to think me too complacent and happy ; so I complained. Your value goes up a notch or two if you complain. Barbara (mounting ladder). This is a bully good corri- dor, Jane. Miss Emery is deaf in one ear and very absent- minded. Jane. I prefer my jailors with faculties unimpaired. Constance. And it's mighty convenient to the back stairs. (Sits in chair L. of table.) Jane. Preferring to be open and above board, this is no inducement to me. SING A SONG OF SENIORS. 9 Peggy. Well, you certainly can't find anything against the crowd. Jane (placidly). I'm not so sure of that. Barbara. You old knocker ; you're worse than the whole anvil chorus. Jane. And I came to borrow a hammer. Constance. Go to the foot of the line. Little Connie's beat you to it. Jane (rising). Then I'll ask the janitor for his. Peggy Do. He's just crazy about lending it. Jane (crossing to back of table). Got your chafing-dish, haven't you? Any eats? Barbara. Maybe so. Better hang around. Jane. Might as well. I'm in no particular hurry, any- way. (Stands by tabic.) Enter Cecile C. in F. Cecile (advancing to C. and dropping suitcase, box of candy and umbrella). Girls! (All rush to embrace her.) Peggy. Cecile ! You dear ! Jane. I sure am glad to see you. Constance. You blessed old roommate! Barbara. Stand off — and let me look at you. (Pulls Cecile R. of C.) My! But you're reeking with Paris! Peggy (pushing Cecile into chair L. of table). Sit right down and tell us everything. Take off your hat. (Unpins her hat.) Barbara (taking it). And let me try it on. (Puts on the hat, draws up hassock and sits at Cecile' s feet.) Did you have a grand time abroad? Cecile. Perfectly wonderful. (Takes off her coat.) Jane (taking Cecile' s coat and placing it on lounge). Did you learn a lot? (Sits on lounge.) Cecile (laughing). Why — I forgot to notice. Constance (perching on arm of Cecile' s chair). Can you speak French like a native? Cecile. Depends on the native. Peggy (leaning against packing box). And aren't you glad to be back? 10 SING A SONG OF SENIORS. Cecile (rapturously). Glad! Honest, I don't know how I've stayed away from you all so long. When Dad put me on the train last night I wept buckets and streams, until he almost decided to let me stay. But now! Well, I'd have to be paid to leave you. Barbara. What did you buy? Cecile. Scads of glad rags — Jane (rising). Let's look at them. (Kneels by suitcase at C.) Cecile. Oh, don't open that! Jane. Why shouldn't I open it? Isn't it yours? Cecile. No. Can't you see that it isn't? (Points to it.) Jane (reading initials). J. C. D. Who on earth is J. CD.? Cecile (mysteriously). That's just it. Who is he? I feel exactly like one of the George Barr McCutcheon hero- ines. Constance (joining Jane at C). But what are you doing with -this suitcase? Cecile. Fate hurled it into my hands. Barbara. Don't be silly. Did you steal it? Peggy. Have you eloped and changed your initials? Cecile. No — to both questions. (Leans her head on her hand and gazes dreamily into space). Oh, but he was a stunner ! Gibson and Fisher style all rolled into one. Jane. Go on! (Sinks on floor.) Cecile. He and his suitcase had the section opposite mine. Barbara. I hope you weren't weeping the aforesaid buckets and streams when he first appeared. Red eyes don't make a hit. Cecile. Don't you worry about me. Merry sunshine wasn't in it when compared to my beaming smile. (Pause.) He was awfully reserved. Constance. That means he wouldn't flirt. (Seats her- self on suitcase.) Proceed. Cecile. And I'm positive he's a Yale man. Everything about him fairly screamed of college. Peggy. But didn't anything happen? SING A SONG OF SENIORS. 11 Cecile. There wasn't time for much to happen. He rode only two stations, and just as I was deciding what to wear when I should lead the junior prom with him, it was time to get off. (Pauses.) Jane (impatiently). Well? Cecile. The porter mixed our suitcases. That's all. Nevertheless, I see — possibilities, and football games, and Yale week ends, and — Barbara (starting up). Let's open it. Cecile (holding her back). I'm dying to, but I'm scared. Constance (getting off suitcase). Nonsense. (Lifting it.) Heavens, but it's heavy. How did you ever carry it? Cecile (releasing Barbara, ivho immediately seizes the suitcase). I dragged it most of the time. I didn't know men's things were so heavy. Still, I suppose all his toilet articles are gold-tipped. (Rises and stands back of girls.) Peggy (joining group around suitcase). More likely that his shoes are inside. Cecile. Well, here goes, anyway. (Counts.) One, two, three! (Girls wrench open the suitcase with an effort and gaze inside.) Oh-h-h ! Constance (taking out an article). What can it be? (Examines it.) Oh-h ! Silver polish! Jane (rising). Cecile, he's a drummer, and — silver pol- ish! Oh! (Rushes to desk chair at L. 2 E. and collapses laughingly.) Cecile. I don't believe it. Constance (rummaging in suitcase). Oodles of the stuff — just oodles! (Betzveefi shrieks of laughter.) And the Yale Prom — and the week ends, and — Peggy. He must have used some of his own article to make himself so resplendent. (Returns to packing box and seats herself on it.) Cecile. I suppose you think the joke's on me. Barbara (rushing to lounge and falling upon it). Foot- ball games — and the Yale Prom — and — Cecile. Oh, be still, you idiots. You would have done the same. You know it. 12 SIXG A SOXG OF SENIORS. Jane. And he, I suppose, has your suitcase with all the foreign labels — Cecile. And incidentally ail the things I brought you people from abroad. Now whom is the joke on? Coxstaxce (rising). Let's drown our sorrows in the flowing bowl. (Moves to chafing-disJi on tabic.) Barbara. I wish we could. Peg, haven't we anything to offer our guests ? Peggy. Alas! alas! Xo alcohol. (Turns.) Jane, can you help us out ? Jane. Gave the last I had to my freshman crush. Peggy (turning). Connie? Coxstaxce. Swapped mine for a screw driver. Peggy. Cecile ? Cecile (dropping listlessly in choir L. of tabic). Don't even suggest any kind of spirits after my dull, sickening thud. (Groans.) Silver polish! And he was such a peach. Peggy (fishing a paper sack from box). Here are some lemons — Jane. Too suggestive of the faculty. Cut 'em out. Cecile (pointing to candy box on floor). There's a box of candy. I haven't opened it ; so I don't know how good it is. Jane. Unknown quantity stuff doesn't go — reminds me of algebra. Coxstaxce. I'll contribute some stuffed dates. (Exit C. in F.) Jane (fretfully). Dates! Why bring up history? Barbara (rising). Dates! Candy! (Picks up candy box at C.) There are some crackers in the bookcase. And lem- ons! (Peggy tosses her the bag.) Get some water, Peg. Peggy. You get it. Barbara (depositing the articles on table). Xo, sir — walk off your fat. (Peggy walks to door at L. and hesi- tates.) Peggy. Anyway, we haven't any sugar. Jane. Stop in my room, Peg. There's some on the closet shelf. (Exit Peggy at door in L.. appearing shortly with a large china pitcher; she then goes out C. in F.) SIXG A SOXG OF SENIORS. 13 Barbara. Squeeze the lemons, Jane. You'll find a lemon squeezer in that box. And — oh, yes ; here's the chafing- dish to squeeze 'em in. (Hands Jane the chafing-dish. Jane produces lemon squeezer from box.) Enter Constance C. in F. with dates. Barbara. Connie, help me roll out this table. (Bar- bara and Constance roll table to C, placing lamp, nails and part of the chafing-dish on top of the bookcase.) There are some tumblers in the bookcase, Connie. (Constance takes tumblers from bookcase.) And (opening table drawer) here's a lunch cloth — clean, too, for a wonder. (Spreads table and Constance places tumblers on it.) Now, Cecile, arrange the eatables (Cecile obeys), not for- getting a garniture of silver polish, my dear. (Cecile threatens to throw the suitcase at her.) And I'll get the chairs. Peggy enters C. in F. with pitcher of water and sugar. SJie and Jane proceed to make the lemonade. The other girls busy themselves in different ways. Barbara. Now, let's see. Connie, you may have this chair. (Pulls chair originally at R. of table, to table, front- ing audience. Constance seats herself.) I'll pile some pillows on this hassock (goes to lounge, returning with pil- lows) , and it won't be half bad, Jane, if you keep your balance. (Jane seats herself on hassock at extreme R. of table nearest audience.) We'll let the silver polish queen have the big chair, for she has on her store clothes. (Pulls big chair for Cecile between Constance and Jane.) Drag up the box, Peg. (Peggy pushes packing box to extreme L. of table, nearest audience.) I'll take the step-ladder. (Pulls step-ladder between Constance and Peggy and sits on lower step.) This is great. Fall to! Peggy (passing candy to Jane). Sweets to the sweet. Jane (passing crackers to Peggy). Crackers to the cracked. Cecile (passing dates to Constance). Have a date with me ! Constance. A date with a peach — you bet I will. 14 SING A SONG OF SENIORS. Cecile. Don't say peach. It reminds me of him. Barbara (rising). Let me fill up your glasses. (Pours lemonade.) Now, what'll we drink to? Jane. Ourselves — there's nothing better. Barbara. Then here's to ourselves. (All drink the toast, standing.) And may it be the best year ever. Peggy. One thing is sure — it's the most fun being to- gether again. (All are seated.) Constance. All we need is a — freshman. Jane. A freshman ! How disloyal of you ! Constance. Not at all. Has there ever been a first night together when we didn't have a freshman to — well, advise? Cecile. Yes, one — when we ourselves were freshmen. Constance. That's another story, as my friend Kipling says. But if a new comer were to happen along right now, after we've eaten, drunk and been decidedly merry, wouldn't it be a lark? Peggy. It certainly would. Heaven send us a fresh- man ! Jane. There are plenty wandering around. In fact, Enter Miss Romney C. in F. Miss Romney. Oh, I beg your pardon. I do ; I do. My room is on this corridor and someway I stupidly con- fused it with yours. With many apologies I'll withdraw. (Starts to go.) Constance (rising). Not yet, my dear. We've been waiting for you. (Advances to door and grasps her hand.) Miss Romney (in surprise). I think there is some mis- take. Constance. None whatever, little one. The fervency of our welcome extends to all freshmen. Miss Romney (laughing). But I'm not a freshman. Constance. Oh, a special, then. In our code, 'twixt freshmen and special there is no difference. Miss Romney. Really. (Tries to pull away.) Cecile. Tarry a moment. We may have a message for thee. SING A SONG OF SENIORS. 15 Barbara (rising). Your name, please. (Moves to L. of Miss Romney.) Miss Romney. I am Miss Romney. Jane. Is that all ? Didn't your parents give you an- other? How stingy of them. Barbara. We waive all formalities here. Constance (sternly). Therefore — your name. Miss Romney. Violet. Peggy. Modest, shrinking and sweet. Isn't it an ideal name for a newcomer? Cecile. Introduce us 'round. Constance. Of course. How careless of me. (As she introduces them the girls rise and bozv profoundly.) This is Miss Rose (indicating Cecile), exactly like her name, who is a great help in polishing up new students — silver polish preferred. And Miss Ayers (indicating Barbara). No, she has nothing to do with the hair invigorator. Miss Ray (indicating Jane), the merry sunshine of the crowd. (Jane draws hassock to R. 2 E. and seats herself.) Last but not least, Miss Hood (indicating Peggy). Now, I see by your eye that you're going to ask for some sarsaparilla. You can't have it now, but maybe later, when you really have that "tired feeling." (Peggy seats herself in desk chair L. 2 E. Cecile still remains in the large chair. Bar- bara and Constance stand on either side of Miss Rom- ney,) Barbara (pushing Miss Romney in Constance's chair). Now sit here, Violet. There are certain little preliminaries which must be settled before you can become a member of this august institution of learning. Miss Romney. But you girls don't understand. Constance (loftily). Seniors understand everything. (Stands back of Miss Romney.) Miss Romney. But — Barbara (interrupting). And it now devolves upon you to answer the questions that are propounded to you. (Miss Romney makes gesture of protest.) Not a word — not a word. (Stands at Miss Romney's left). Fellow seniors, if the victim grows obstreperous, use force. (Impres- 16 SING A SONG OF SENIORS. sively.) I shall now present a problem in mathematics, upon the correct solution of which your future welfare depends. Attention! Let x = the freshman intelligence. If this intelligence be made the subject of sophomore ex- egesis, junior ^.rperiments and senior ^rtinguishments, find the value of x. Miss Romney {coughing nervously). Why — I can't — I— Barbara. You have heard the answer, my friends. She begs to be ^.reused. Strike one ! Constance {sternly). Write the Marseillaise in Ger- man. Miss Romney. I can't — I won't. Constance (sarcastically). Then perhaps you will put Die Wacht Am Rhein into French. Miss Romney. This is ridiculous. Constance. Friends, the candidate has been weighed and found wanting. Her reasoning is slow, her mind is dull. Cecile. Then polish up a bit. (Throws her a cake of silver polish.) Peggy (rising). Perchance her talent lies in other lines. (Impressively.) Name all the important battles since the beginning of time, giving the date of each. (Sits.) Miss Romney (apparently very nervous). I never could remember dates. Cecile. Then cram 'em. It's the only way. Have" one on me. (Throws date to her.) Jane (rising). For mere relaxation, give Mark Antony's speech in classic Latin; then turn it into indirect discourse. (Long silence.) In this case silence is not golden. Flunk number five! (Sits.) Cecile (rising). One last opportunity remains to the candidate. If she will write a ballad to the Seniors, using the form of iambic pentameter, employing each figure of imagery and embodying various illustrations of prosody, we'll call it square. Miss Romney (despairingly). I can't. Cecile. There's no such word in our vocabulary. (Sits.) SING A SONG OF SENIORS. 17 Constance. Friends, we have before us the saddest of all spectacles — a failure! She has not reached the heights. She has not even started. She has not crossed the Rubi- con ; instead, she has fallen in. She has not seized upon Opportunity. She has not even waved him a careless greet- ing. Fettered by incapacity, debarred from achievement, she stands there, abject, humiliated, at whom we point the finger of scorn. (All point at Miss Romney with accom- panying groans.) Enter Mrs. Cole C. in F. All but Miss Romney rise. Mrs. Cole. Young ladies, I knocked several times. Your merriment doubtless muffled the sound. Peggy (in agitation). Oh, Mrs. Cole — won't — won't you sit down? Mrs. Cole (seeing Miss Romney). Why, Miss Romney, I have been looking everywhere for you. Won't you come to my office and go over the schedule of your work? (Girls gaze at Miss Romney in amazement.) I am glad that you have been meeting your pupils in an informal way. Glimpses of the real school life are invaluable to the teacher. Miss Romney, young ladies, as you have doubtless discov- ered, is the new instructor in the English department. Miss Romney (rising and holding the package of silver polish). May I take the polish — as a souvenir? (Exeunt Mrs. Cole and Miss Romney. Barbara and Constance ga.ee at each other in increasing agitation. Cecile sinks limply into the big chair. Jane falls prostrate and Peggy rushes to packing box and tumbles in.) Curtain. Macbeth a la Mode By WALTER BEN HARE. Price, 25 Cents School burletta in 3 acts; 7 males, 7 females, also teachers, students, etc., with only a few lines. Time, l 1 ^ hours. No scenery required, merely a front curtain and an easel with placards an- nouncing scenes. Plot: Willie Macbeth is the social leader of the Senior Class. With his friend Banquo he encounters Three Witches, who prophecy that he will pass his examinations, be elected to a class office and will play on the football team. The first two prophecies come true and in Act II, Lady Macbeth, his mother, arranges for him to play on the football team, by drugging the captain. Macbeth flies to the witches for further advice and learns that he will make a touchdown. He does, but runs with the ball toward the enemy's goal, thus losing the game for his own team. Contains five songs: "Fairwell, My Fairy Fay," "Tact," "The Senior Class," "Music and Laughter" and "Good Night," all sung to college airs. This play is very humorous and particularly adapted for schools. THE WITCHES' CHANT Round about the cauldron go; Mathematics you must know. Let X equal the cold stone, When will Y be thirty-one? Drop that in the mystic pan; Tell me, pray, how old is Ann? Double, double, boil and bubble, Mathematics makes them trou- ble. Fillet of a fenny snake, In the cauldron boil and bake; Eye of newt and toe of frog, Wool of bat and tongue of dog, Biology makes 'em cut and jab. Thirteen hours a week in lab. Latin, Greek and German, too, Fifty pages make a stew. And to thicken up the mystery. Take two chapters English His- tory. Physics, French and English Lit, Spend an hour on each or git. All night long from six -to three, Study math and chemistry. In the hours when you should dream, Write an English twelve-page theme. Work at night and Sunday, too: Outside reading you must do. Next day, when you're on the bunk, Teacher springs exam — you flunk. Double, double, boil and bubble, High school life is full of trouble. Cool it with a Freshman's blood, Then the charm is thick and good. By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes. Reminiscences of the Donation Party By JESSIE A. KELLEY. Price, 25 Cents The soliloquy of a minister's wife, with tableaux. For 40 or more characters, both sexes, although the number is optional and it can be presented with a smaller cast. Time, about 35 minutes. The wife at the side of the stage recounts the many amusing incidents of the party, tells who attended and what they brought, etc. The characters appear in pantomime. This entertainment is unique. It fills the demand for something that can be put on "at the last moment." It eliminates the usual long preparations re- quired in producing a play; no parts to memorize and it can be played on any platform. Highly humorous, replete with local hits and strongly recommended for church societies. T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO The Thread of Destiny By LINDSEY BARBEE. Price, 25 Cents Comedy-drama of the Civil War in 3 acts; 9 males, 16 females. Time, 2V 2 hours. Scenes: 1 interior, 2 exteriors. Characters: Peyton Bailey, of the U. S. army. Beverly Montgomery, a con- federate scout. Colonel Montgomery, a gentleman of the old school. Tom Randolph, a Southern gallant. John Morton, of the North. Ralph, who did not go to war. George and Uncle Billy, slaves. A Union Scout. Virginia, the toast of the country. Betty, the "Little Colonel." Edith, a northern cousin. Louise, a spy. Bight charming southern girls. Mrs. Montgomery. Miss Melissy, of in- quisitive nature. Fanny and Mammy, slaves. SYNOPSIS. Act I. — Betty breaks a looking glass. Edith calms her fears and tells her "the signs of the times." "Virginia has seceded." Beverly enlists. "A Virginia woman does not even recognize an acquaintance among the enemies of Virginia." Act II. — "I don' wan' no tarnished silber linin' to my cloud." "There are some things more precious than money, than jewels." "Death cannot conquer love — nor eternity." "Some day there will be no North, no South, but the Union." The Union scout falls a prey to Edith's fascinations and her cleverness wins the coveted dispatch. Virginia opens the door — to Peyton. Beverly is dis- covered. Friendship proves stronger than duty. Act III. — Three years work a great change. Peyton pleads in vain. George and Fanny "take de road to de Ian' of happiness." "In our little circle the stars and bars are floating high." Virginia gives Peyton another rose and together they trace against the background of blue and gray "the golden thread of destiny." Shadows By MARY MONCURE PARKER. Price, 15 Cents Play of the South today and a dream of the past in 1 act; an interior scene; 3 males, 4 females. Time, 35 minutes. Charac- ters: Prologue and the Awakening: Robert Ashton, Virginia's sweetheart. Aunt Geranium, an old colored mammy. Virginia Lee, a southern maid. The Dream: Gordon Sanford, a soldier in love with Alice. Harold Hale, the successful rival. Mrs. Horace Fairfax, a stern mother of long ago. Alice Fairfax, her dutiful daughter. STORY OF THE PLAY. Virginia Lee's mother insists upon her marriage with a rich suitor, who has agreed to restore their impoverished estate. Vir- ginia has a sweetheart of her childhood days and hesitates in making a choice, but finally decides upon wealth instead of love. An old colored mammy, who has spent her life in the Lee house- hold, understands the situation and tells Virginia of a similar episode in the life of Virginia's grandmother. Virginia in ponder- ing over the incident and grieving over her own troubles, falls asleep. She dreams of the story just told and the dream folks appear and play their parts. Virginia awakens, the shadows flee and she comes to her senses and her lover. The old colored mammy says: "Dis heah ole worl's jes' full of shadders. Fokes comes an' dey goes, ripens and drops like the fruit on de tree. Ole Mars is gone, old Mistis gone. De substance melts and fades away. Ain't nothing left but shadders." T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO The Deacon Entangled By HARRY OSBORNE. Price, 25 Cents Comedy in 3 acts; 6 males, 4 females. Time, 2 hours. Scene: 1 interior. Characters: Deacon Penrose, a member in good stand- ing. Calvin, his nephew. Rev. Sopher, a supporter of foreign mis- sions Harry Baxter, a sporting writer. Rafferty, a policeman. A Plain Clothes Man. Mrs. Penrose. Ruth, her daughter. Georgie, Rev. Sopher' s daughter. Katy, a maid. SYNOPSIS. Act I. — In which the Deacon finds himself in a tight corner. Dr. Sopher, who can coax money out of a wooden Indian. A thou- sand dollars for the new pipe organ. Cal arrives. A clean-up- clouter instead of a ministerial prospect. "Did I forget my necktie and button my collar in the back?" The Deacon spends a night out. "We won't go home until morning." Act II. — The raid on the gambling joint. "Why didn't you jump when I told you." On bail. "A thousand dollars to the Doc or you lose your job as Deacon; a thousand to the judge or six months." A sporting chance. Ready for the game. A donation to Foreign Missions and a double barreled courtship. The elope- ment. The arrest. "Come on Cal, I'll see you through." Act III. — The big game. Tied in the Tenth. Cal goes to the box. A Pinch Hitter. "Over the scoreboard." On the Deacon's trail — the Horse pistol — pay the fine or go to jail. A hair line finish. "Hold on, Copper." "Here's your thousand and here's your girl. Look happy and have your picture taken." A new son-in-law. "Bother Boarding School." The Deacon smiles. A Trial of Hearts By LINDSEY BARBEE. Price, 25 Cents College comedy in 4 acts; 6 males. 18 females. Time, 2V4 hours. Scenes: 3 interiors, 1 exterior. Characters: Dudley Van Antwerp, a wealthy college man. Philip, his best friend. Roger, Teddy, Jack and Jerry, fraternity men. Mrs. Van Antwerp, of great im- portance. Honor, Dudley's wife. Fourteen lively sorority girls. A chaperone and a maid. SYNOPSIS. Act I. — Gretchen and Jerry play Romeo and Juliet. Ted pleads the cause of Kappa Psi. Jack argues for Delta Chi. Dudley intro- duces Honor to his mother. Virginia learns of Dudley's marriage. "I want to go home — oh, I want to go home!" Act II. — The football enthusiasts bring news of Barbara. Gretchen and Jerry study Latin and argue fraternity. Honor finds it all a little strange. Dudley tells Virginia his love story. "Oh, Dudley, you hurt me!" "There's nothing left for me but to go away!" Act III. — "I wonder if people ever get too busy to care!" Mrs. Van Antwerp opens fire and Honor stands her ground. "I mean to stay!" "I wish I had no heart — it aches so!" "Dear little girl, it is good-bye." Honor hears Dudley declare his love for Virginia. "Oh, Dad-Dad — your little girl is coming home!" Act IV. — Gretchen and Jerry "grow up." The Seniors toast the past, the present and the future. Mrs. Van Antwerp reproaches herself. "Here comes the bride." The Kappa Psis and the Delta Chi holds reunions. "Honor, is it really you?" "If you want me, I am here." T. S. DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers 154 W. Randolph Street, CHICAGO DENISON'S ACTING PLAYS Price 15 Cents Each, Postpaid, Unless Different Price Is Given Documentary Evidence, 25 min. 1 1 Dude in a Cyclone, 20 min.... 4 2 Family Strike, 20 min 3 3 First-Class Hotel, 20 min 4 For Love and Honor, 20 min.. 2 1 Fudge and a Burglar, 15 min.. 5 Fun in a Photograph Gallery, 30 min 6 10 Great Doughnut Corporation, 30 min 3 5 Great Medical Dispensary, 30 m. 6 Great Pumpkin Case, 30 min.. 12 Hans Von Smash, 30 min.... 4 3 Happy Pair, 25 min V 1 I'm Not Mesilf at All, 25 min. 3 2 Initiating a Granger, 25 min.. 8 Irish Linen Peddler, 40 min... 3 3 Is the Editor In? 20 min... 4 2 Kansas Immigrants, 20 min... 5 1 Men Not Wanted, 30 min 8 Mike Donovan's Courtship, 15 m. 1 3 Mother Goose's Goslings, 30 m. 7 9 Mrs. Carver's Fancy Ball, 40 m. 4 3 Mrs. Stubbins' Book Agent ?o min 3 2 My Lord in Livery, 1 hr.... 4 3 My Neighbor's Wife, 45 min.. 3 3 My Turn Next, 45 min 4 3 My Wife's Relations, 1 hr 4 6 Not a Man in the House, 40 m. 5 Obstinate Family, 40 min 3 3 Only Cold Tea. 20 min 3 3 Outwitting the Colonel, 25 min. 3 2 Pair of Lunatics, 20 min....: 1 1 Patsy O'Wang, 35 min 4 3 Pat, the Apothecary, 35 min.. 6 2 Persecuted Dutchman, 30 min. 6 3 Regular Fix, 35 min-., 6 4 Rough Diamond, 40 min 4 3 Second Childhood, 15 min.... 2 2 Smith, the Aviator, 40 min... 2 3 Taking Father's Place, 30 min. 5 3 Taming a Tiger, 30 min 3 That Rascal Pat, 30 min 3 2 Those Red Envelopes, 25 -min. 4 4 Too Much of a Good Thing, 45 min 3 6 Treasure from Egypt, 45 min. 4 1 Turn Him Out, 35 min 3 2 Two Aunts and a Photo, 20 m. 4 Two Bonnycastles, 45 min.... 3 3 Two Gentlemen in a Fix, 15 m. 2 Two Ghosts in White, 20 min . . 8 Two of a Kind, 40 min 2 3 Uncle Dick's Mistake, 20 min.. 3 2 Wanted a Correspondent, 45 m. 4 4 Wanted a Hero. 20 min 1 1 Which Will He Marry? 20 min. 2 8 Who Is Who? 40 min 3 2 Wide Enough for Two, 45 min. 5 2 Wrong Baby. 25 min S Yankee Peddler, 1 hr 7 3 VAUDEVILLE SKETCHES, MON- OLOGUES, ETHIOPIAN PLAYS. M. F. Ax'in' Her Father, 25 min.... 2 3 Booster Club of Blackville, 25 m.10 Breakfast Food for Two, 20 m. 1 1 Cold Finish, 15 min 2 1 Coon Creek Courtship, 15 min. 1 1 Coming Champion, 20 min .... 2 Coontown Thirteen Club, 25 m.14 Counterfeit Bills, 20 min 1 1 Doings of a Dude, 20 min.... 2 1 Dutch Cocktail, 20 min 2 Five Minutes from Yell Col- lege, 15 min 2 For Reform, 20 min 4 Fresh Timothy Hay, 20 min.. 2 1 Glickman, the Glazier, 25 min. 1 1 Handy Andy (Negro), 12 min. 2 Her Hero, 20 min 1 1 Hey, Rube ! 1 5 min 1 Home Run, 15 min 1 1 Hot Air, 25 min . . 2 1 Tumbo Jum, 30 min 4 3 Little Red School House, 20 m. 4 Love and Lather, 35 min 3 2 Marriage and After, 10 min.. 1 Mischievous Nigger, 25 min.. 4 2 Mistaken Miss, 20 min 1 1 Mr. and Mrs. Fido, 20 min 1 1 Mr. Badger's Uppers, 40 min. 4 2 One Sweetheart for Two, 20 m. 2 Oshkosh Next Week, 20 min . . 4 Oyster Stew, 10 min.. 2 Pete Yansen's Gurl's Moder, 10 min 1 Pickles for Two, 15 min 2 Pooh Bah of Peacetown, 35 min. 2' 2 Prof. Black's Funnygraph, 15 m. 6 Recruiting Office, 15 min 2 Sham Doctor, 10 min 4 2 Si and I, 15 min 1 Special Sale, 15 min 2 Stage Struck Darky, 10 min.. 2 1 Sunny Son of Italy, 15 min.. 1 Time Table, 20 min 1 1 Tramp' and the Actress, 20 min. 1 1 Troubled by Ghosts, 10 min:,-. 4 Troubles of Rozinski, 15 min.. 1 Two Jay Detectives, 15 min.. 3 Umbrella Mender, 15 min.... 2 Uncle Bill at the Vaudeville. 15 min 1 Uncle Jeff, 25 min 5 2 Who Gits de Reward? 30 min. 5 1 A great number of 'standard and Amateur Plays not found here are listed in Denison's Catalogue T.S.DENISON & COMPANY, Publishers, 154 W.Randolph St., Chicago POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS Price, Illustrated Paper Covers, 25 cents each , t pnctsocnm i » LITTLE PEOPLE'S IPLAYf i ^T.S.DENISQiT I COMPANY W8USHERS CHICAGO TN this Series J- are found books touching every feature in the enter- tainment field. Finely made, good paper, clear print and each book has an attractive individual cov- Jf er design. orousj DIALOGUES All Sorts of Dialogues. Selected, fine for older pupils. Catchy Comic Dialogues. Very clever; for young people. Children's Comic Dialogues. From six to eleven years of age. Dialogues for District Schools. For country schools. Dialogues from Dickens. Thirteen selections. The Friday Afternoon Dialogues. Over 50,000 copies sold. From Tots to Teens. Dialogues and recitations. Humorous Homespun Dialogues. For older ones. Little People's Plays. From 7 to lj-^eart