Unthankful T^an^ful Vb; -by- HELEN L. NEWMAN in. .k— t . .„„• V ,„,.:-.,„ N ,j i,„, ,, ;»:y <1J ; w>... .linn. »in> .h,„. ,„„,. „!„, ^^ ,,,„ ,4b. ^SrSfinLt,' PRICE 25 CENTS Eldridge Entertainment House Franklin, Ohio 2^ Denver, Colo. 944 So. Logan Street YOU WILL BE GLAD TO KNOW OF THESE NEW PLAYS Training Mary By Mary Shaw Page. A bright 1-act play with sim- ple stage setting. William, husband of Mary, essays to train Mary, especially along the lines of correcting carelessness. As la always the case, William gets in deep water, but finally wades out. 2 males, 4 fe- males, and plays about 45 minutes. Price, 25c. The Hired Man's Courtship By Alice Cripps. A short comedy-drama in 2 acts. Captain Edwards tires of wealth and the city, and procures work on Horton's farm, only to find that the farmer's daughter is an old sweetheart. Because of an intrigue on the part of the captain's cousin, an es- trangement takes place, which ends happily when the captain finds the source of certain stories and re- futes them. Aunt Hepsey, Jim and Exra (colored), add comedy to the play. Plays about 45 minutes, and is for 3 males and 3 females. Price, 25c. Merely Anne Marie A comedy in 3 acts by Beulah King. 3 males, 5 fe- males. Time, 2 Vis hours. The scenes are laid in a fashionable boarding house, and the characters are all distinct types and worth while. A successful play- wright, desiring to escape notoriety, seeks seclusion at Mrs. Teague's and becomes the hero of Anne Ma- rie, the dining room maid. The dialogue is bright, the situations clever and the story ends happily. 35c. A Bit of Scandal By Fannie Barnett Linsky. Comedy-drama in 2 acts. — -Francina, who is to play at the recital, composes her own number. On the evening of the 7 recital, Mary Sherman, who precedes her on the program, plays Francina's compositions, which she has stolen. The reasons for the theft all come out later and of course, all ends well. Nine characters. Plays about 1 hour. Price, 35c. Miss Burnett Puts One Over By Ethelyn Sexton. A rollicking 1-act girls' play for 6 characters. Barbara's mother has a friend, Ann Bur- nett, who is to visit the girls at college, with the in- tention of giving a generous sum to the school. The girls, wishing o gain her good will, practice their "manners." Miss Burnett, however, appears in dis- guise and has much fun at their expense. All ends well and the school gets the money. Plays about 45 minutes. Easy setting and costumes. Price, 25c. Eldridge Entertainment House FRANKLIN, OHIO also DENVER, COLO. 944 S. Logan St. ^J ^ntftanfeful Cfjanfeful A Little Girl Who Lost Her Name for a Year. By HELEN L NEWMAN PRICE 25 CENTS Copyright 1922, Eldridge Entertainment Hoojt PUBLISHED BY ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE Fbahkun, Ohio Denver, Colo» Cast of Characters Grandmother Cummens Josiah Cummens, her son Deborah Cummens, his wife Prudence, 18 years ] Fortitude, 16 years [■ Daughters Thankful, 12 years J Simeon, 14 years] i Sons Josiah, 4 years J Goodwife Hopkinton, a neighbor Mercy, her daughter John, her son Dame Fuller, of the children's school Oneemik, Indian youth and runner Shelawnah, little Indian girl, fond of Thankful Other children from 8 to 14 years Scene — Small Puritan settlement near Plymouth. Time — Middle of the seventeenth century. General Directions for Costuming, etc. — Usual Pur- itan dress. Women of Cummens family have caps, lace collars and cuffs. Goodwife Hopkinton has cap and plain collar. The children dress like the elders. Skirts of girls reach nearly to floor. Prudence and Fortitude are large, rosy-cheeked girls. One wears brown, the other dark blue. Thankful is slight and delicate looking, with pale face. Wears dress of dingy drab, with narrower col- lar than her sisters. Simeon is somewhat grotesque, with a man's shortened clothes and shoes too large. Oneemik has tunic reaching nearly to knees, and sandals of buckskin. NOTE — It seems to have been the custom in the very early Colonial times for the old forms of the pro~ noun of the second person, thou, etc., to be used iii speech from elders to children and often from elders to elders, but not from children to elders. nn . QCID 63221 DEC 30 W\ Unthankful Thankful. ACT I. Scene — Combined Uitchen and living room of Cum- mens house. Door at rear from shed and one at left near front from small entry. Fireplace with crane and, ket- tle. Large table at kitchen end and shelf ivith pewter mugs, porringers, plates, etc. As curtain rises, there are discovered Grandmother, sitting by fire, knitting; Prudence, near by at a spinning ivheel; Fortitude, tidy- ing the room; Simeon and Thankful standing together near front end; Mistress Cummens passing back and forth, ivith Josiah following her and asking questions (shown in pantomime). Time- — Morning after Thanksgiving day, 1650. Simeon — (in low tone to Thankful) Oh! I should think 'twould be awful not to have any name! What made Father cay we mustn't call you by yours? Thankful — -.(in shaking voice) Oh, don't Simeon! It's mine still, only I can't have it now. Sim. — (coming closer, speaking still lower) What did you do, Th — ? Thank. — Go away, Simeon! I just wasn't thankful for Fortitude's old drab gown— or for anything else, either ! Sim.- — Oh, my! And Father gave you the spotted calf only day before yesterday! I'd have been thankful enough if he'd given it to me. Thank. — But I'll have my name back, Simeon Cum- mens. Sim. — -Yes, in a year. But a year's an awful long time to wait. You must have been wicked, awful wicked. Are you thankful for anything today? 3 Unthankful Thankful Thank. — (almost in tears) I — don't — I don't be- lieve so. I don't see how I can make myself so, if I don't feel so. Oh, Simeon ! I can't tell anybody how I hate to wear this old drab gown that Fortitude had. And just the same on Lord's Day, too, in the meeting-house ! Sim. — What do you care? Don't be silly! Thank. — Mercy Hopkins sits on the next bench. She has a new one — and, oh, Simeon, just think! It's re-re-red ! And she keeps looking down at hers, and then over at mine ! I don't believe I can bear — bear it ! Sim. — The constable ought to give her a good whack on her forehead. But he spends most all his time watch- ing the boys. Oh, I s'pose all girls are silly! Boys are- n't, not a bit. I like to wear Father's clothes made short. In a year or two I can wear 'em without cutting off at all. (Begins to hum, at first low, then growing carelessly loud.) You're a silly sister and I s'pose you're wicked, too. Oh, you haven't any name! Now, baby, cry boo- hoo, boo-hoo! Little Josiah — (running up and pointing finger at Thankful) Cwy boo! Baby, cwy boo! (Grandmother directs mother's attention to what the children are doing.) Mistress Cum mens — (severely, from the other end of the room) Simeon, go out and bring in wood till the big wood-box is full. (To Thankful, who is now sob- bing.) Help Fortitude make the room tidy. Then study the answer to the next question in the Catechism. (As Simeon passes her, she speaks to him low in reproof. Calls little Josiah to her.) (Exit Simeon.) (Enter Mr. Cummens, who stands a minute before the fire talking with Grandmother (in pantomime) and looking about the room.) (Enter Simeon, bending under an enormous armful of wood.) Unthankful Thankful Mr. Cum mens — Thou must bring more wood today, Simeon, from the pile by the big corn field. Hast thou done thy task this morning with Goodwife Fletcher? Sim. — Yes, honored Father. I carried a bigger stick than usual. It was harder to saw, too (looking at his hands). It made two big blisters. Mr. C. — (going nearer Thankful, who is sitting with lowered eyes, but ivho rises as he speaks to her.) Hast thou been doing right this morning? (Turning to her mother.) Thy mother shall answer for thee. Mother — Yes, she is obedient and ready to help. (Exit Mr. Cummens.) Sim. — (going up to Thankful and speaking in loud tvhisper) I'll make Mercy sorry. Just you wait and see ! (Puts a handful of nuts into her lap.) ACT II. Scene — A similar living room, arranged as school room with several long benches at front end. Before the front bench is a long table. In front of all is a large ta- ble with high-backed chair. Door at left.) Time — Early November, 1651. Near end of day's session.) (As curtain goes up, Dame Fuller sits facing ten or more children, some of them on the benches, writing with great effort.) Dame Fuller — Jacob, make thy letters over again. Simeon, thy words and figures must be more carefully done. Take heed to do just what I say, not what thou wouldst like to do. Content, sit still in thy place on the bench and think of the verses thou must recite. If thy conduct is not good, Simeon, the report will go to thy honored father. (Door opens softly a crack and little Indian girl peeps in.) Unthankful Thankful Shelawnah — (very softly) Shelawnah, she good girl! Shelawnah come in? Dame Fuller — Come in Shelawnah. Sit down qui- etly on this bench. (To the older girls.) I wish now to speak to the girls who have done their first tasks. (Older girls, including Thankful, rise, courtesy and remain standing, while Dame Fuller speaks.) Dame Fuller — You are all to study the names of the books of the Bible, till you can give in order six more than you could yesterday. Then those who recite them correctly may work on their samplers. (Girls seat themselves and begin to study, making much noise with lips.) Mercy Hopkinton — (raising hand, rising and cour- tesying) Please, Dame Fuller, I know mine. I want to recite before the others, and then may I please make my cross-stitch in red, like my dress? Dame Fuller — Thou mayst recite. (Mercy goes forward confidently and begins glibly; then stops, hangs head.) Dame Fuller — (severely) Go back to thy place till I call thee. Thank. — (after reciting correctly, shown in panto- mime) Please, honored Dame, may I have my sampler now? (Dame takes it from drawer and puts it into Thank- ful' s hand.) Thank. — (looking at sampler lovingly) See, Dame Fuller, it is all ready for my name. Dame — See that thy name is made as well as thy sisters, Prudence and Fortitude, made theirs. (Dame steps back, as if from suddeyi thought. At the same time a distressed look comes over ThankfuVs face and she bursts into tears.) Dame — (taking sampler back and putting it away) Study now, child, on thy Bible verses and thy hymn. Unthankful Thankful Thank. — {softly, close to Dame Fuller's ear) May I stay, honored Dame, till all are gone — all but Shelaw- nah? (Shelawnah watches Thankful anxiously.) Dame — Yes, child, thou mayst stay. (Passing out of others may be shortened or pro- longed, according to wish. Every child turns at door and makes formal courtesy to Dame Fuller.) Thank. — (going forward in tears and laying head in Dame Fuller's lap) Do you suppose, good Dame, that I can some time make my — make the name — on the sampler ? Dame: — (stroking Thankful' s hair) I am sure thou canst, my child, if thou art the best daughter thou canst be to thy honored father and mother. Thank — (raising head with look of joy) And will you show me how to make the T, honored Dame? Dame — Yes, I will show thee how to make a beauti- ful T. (Exeunt Thankful and Shelawnah, hand in hand. Turning at door, Thankful makes courtesy. Shelawnah makes queer little jump up and bobs back again to floor.) ACT III. Scene — Living room at Cummens house. Time — Day before Thanksgiving, 1651. (All the family are present except Mr. Cummens.) Grandmother — When did he go, daughter? Mistress C. — Several hours ago, long before light. Oneemik came to get him and Goodman Hopkinton. Grandmother — Dost thou always trust Oneemik, daughter Deborah? Mistress C. — Yes, dear mother. I am sure he would not be false to us. Dost thou not remember that good Unthankful Thankful Massassoit said of him, when he was only sixteen years old, that he should be his trusted messenger for these set- tlements? In the five years since, nobody else could have helped us as Oneemik has. He is stronger and swifter than any other Indian we know and he is devoted to his friends. (Knock at door near front is answered by Prudence. Enter Goodivife Hopkinton, Mercy, John, and exchange salutations. Elders talk in low tones, showing anxiety in pantomime. John joins Simeon and Thankful.) Thank. — Oh, I wish Father would come! John — I shouldn't think you'd care so much; such an awful cross man! Thankful and Simeon — (together) He isn't cross, John! John — Well, I call it cross. Stern, the men say. Thank. — You mustn't talk that way about him,. John. John — I shouldn't think you'd do much standing up for him when he took your name away. ( Turning to Sim- eon.) Look what you had to do, just for tumbling down and hiding a little wood from Goodwife Fletcher's wood- pile. My ! carrying her wood and sawing a big stick ev- ery day for a month ! The fun was only a few minutes — and think how long you were punished for it ! Sim. — Father's punishments do keep a-punishing, some way, till you get more sense, I s'pose. At any rate, he's a good kind. John — So's mine. Simeon — I like my own kind best. He lets me have fun, too. John — Oh, come along out! (Exit John, by rear door.) Thank. — (moving about restlessly, looking dis- tressed) Oh, I wish he'd come, I wish he'd come! (Door at rear bursts open. Oneemik enters, pant- ing heavily. Drops down before fire.) Unthankful Thankful Mistress C. — (going quickly to him and putting her hand on his arm) Speak, good Oneemik! Oneemik — (by jerks) He safe! — All safe! — Onee- mik sleep first! — Run back — show way! (Dozes quickly off, with loud breathing.) Thank — (who has come close to Oneemik) Oh, I'm so glad he's safe! (Sways as if faint, and is caught by her mother.) ACT IV. Scene — Cummens living room. Time — Thanksgiving Day, 1651, near noon. (All the family except Mr. Cummens present, also Oneemik and Shelawnah. Preparations for dinner are going on, directed by Mistress Cummens. Prudence turns fowl on spit; Fortitude lays the table and Thank- ful is generally useful as asked by others. This part of scene may be filled in with variations, as one ivishes. Show may be made of vegetables and fruit. Oneemik braids ears of corn. Shelawnah sits on floor in corner, working with beads. Gets up from time to time to fol- low Thankful around.) Grandmother — After all is ready I want you to sing the old hymn I love so well : "With thankful hearts we sing thy praise, Thou who keepest all our days!" (Beckoning to Thankful) Canst thou sing it, too, my child? Thank. — (taking Grandmother's hand) I wish I could, honored Grandmother, but I'm afraid not. Sim.' — (passing Thankful and twitching her ear) Hungry? I'm starving. THANK.r — No, not very. I don't like Thanksgiving Day. 10 Unthankful Thankful Sim. — Why ? Oh — oo — oo ! (Enter Mr. Cummens.) Thank. — (her face lighting up with quick joy) Oh,. my father, I am so glad that Oneemik brought you back last night. Mr. C. — (taking Thankful by the hand and standing near Grandmother) We are all thankful today that good Massasoit is well again and has put an end to the evil, plan against us. We are thankful, too, for the help that our brave Oneemik gives us. (Stooping down to Thank- ful) Art thou thankful, besides, for many other things, daughter? Thank,— Yes, honored father. I think I am for — al- most everything. Mr. C. — (touching her goivn) Even for this, daugh- ter? Thank. — (very slowly) Would it be like being thankful when you don't like something that you have, if you do like to have it? Sim. — (in low tone, passing) Riddle! What is it you don't like that you have, when you do like to have it? Too mixed up. Make another. Father and Mother — (looking at each other, as if puzzled) What does she mean? Thank. — I thought it wasn't being thankful if I didn't like the drab gown. (Raising head and looking di- rectly into her father's eyes.) I don't like it, honored Father, but I shall just love to wear it now. I don't be- lieve I shall cry any more when I put it on. Mother — (tears coming into her eyes) My poor child ! Thank. — (turning eyes to mother) And I don't be- lieve I shall feel cross about Mercy's any more. When I knew that Father was safe, I began to be thankful way down, all through me, but I didn't know if I was thankful enough for — everything. Do you think I am, honored Unthankful Thankful 11 Mother? (Smooths down the gown.) Yes, I shall love to wear it, and I think I can wear it a good many years. Father — (tenderly) My dear little Thankful! Thankful — (with joyful face) Oh, my father! You said my name again! Oh, I'm so happy! And p'r'aps some time — even if it isn't till I'm as old as Grandmother — I can have a — a red gown. Father — (taking Thankful' s hand and speaking to all, near Grandmother's chair) Our dear, dear Thankful is back again. Grandmother — Bless my dear child. Little Josiah — (jumping about) Tankful, Tank/wJ, TankFUL! I want to sit next Tankful. (All gather about her, then after a minute join hands around the table and. sing:) "With thankful hearts we sing Thy praise, Thou who guardest all our days. The past is full of mercies shown; Pilgrims' God, still keep Thine own!" (At the close, Thankful, as if doing it unconsciously, sings it again, alone, in clear voice, while others ivatch her intently.) New Juvenile Entertainments A-B-C-Capers By Soemple. Here is an attractive and novel number for the Primary Grades or Kindergarten. Little Tim's despair in not being able to master letters is turned to keen interest by the antics of the alphabet troupe. Plays about 20 minutes. Price, 25c. Emily's Dream By Mary Frix Kidd. This is the story of a Geogra- phy lesson, which, instead of being irksome, -was, through the medium of a Good Fairy, made very in- teresting. This is done by presenting a Geographical Pageant. For a large number of children, who pre- sent drills, exercises, etc., in costumes of different nations. Time, about 1 hour. Price, 25c. The Love Flower By Bell Elliott Palmer. A very pretty exercise for 6 or 10 girls and 1 boy. Suitable for Children's Day or Faster, and can be given either in or out of doors. Time, 10 minutes. Price, 15c. The Silver Sandals By Banche Thompson. Ths is a charming new play for 6 boys, 5 girls, fairies, peasants, attendants, etc. The Princess is downhearted and refuses to be con- soled. The fiddler plays, peasants do folk-dances, fai- ries drill, but not until she gets the silver sandals is she contented. Plays 1 hour or more. Price, 25c. When Betty Saw the Pilgrims By Margaret Howard. A pretty story showing how dissatisfied Betty was cured by her mother, who tells the story of the hardships of the Pilgrims, which is illustrated by ten tableaux. Large numbers of chil- dren can be used. Plays about 30 minutes. Price, 25c. Princess Rosy Cheeks By Erne Sammond Balph. A "good health" play for children, which is very impressive. Introduces Fresh Air Fairies, Soap and Water Fairies, Tooth Brush Brigade, Food Fairies, Rest Fairies, and others. Good- sized cast required with two o!der children. Plays about 1 hour. Price, 3Cc. Queen Loving Heart By Jean Ross. A splendid children's play, teaching many good lessons. A pretty story of the crowning of Loving Heart, her capture by the Indians and sub- sequent release, because of her kindness. Can be used for May Day play. 11 speaking parts, Indians, etc. Plays about 45 minutes. Price, 25c. «■! ■ m *' ■ — — — ^ ■ j . Eldridge Entertainment House FRANKLIN, OHIO also DENVER, COLO. 944 S. Logan St. /£ New Juvenile Entertainments A-B-C-Capers By Soemple. Here is an attractive and novel number for the Primary Grades or Kindergarten. Little Tim's despair in not being able to master letters is turned to keen interest by the antics of the alpbabet troupe. Plays about 20 minutes. Price, 25c. Emily's Dream By Mary Frix Kidd. This is the story of a Geogra- phy lesson, which, instead of being irksome, was, through the medium of a Good Fairy, made very in- teresting. This is done by presenting a Geographical Pageant. For a large number of children, who pre- sent drills, exercises, etc., in costumes of different nations. Time, about 1 hour. Price, 25c. The Love Flower By Bell Elliott Palmer. A very pretty exercise for 6 or 10 girls and 1 boy. Suitable for Children's Day or Easter, and can be given either in or out of doors. Time, 10 minutes. Price, 15c. The Silver Sandals By Banche Thompson. Ths is a charming new play for 6 boys, 5 girls, fairies, peasants, attendants, etc. The Princess is downhearted and refuses to be con- soled. The fiddler plays, peasants do folk-dances, fai- ries drill, but not until she gets the silver sandals is she contented. Plays 1 hour or more. Price, 25c. When Betty Saw the Pilgrims By Margaret Howard. A pretty story showing how dissatisfied B et ty was cured by her mother, who tells the story of the hardships of the Pilgrims, which is illustrated by ten tableaux. Large numbers of chil- dren can be used. Plays about 30 minutes. Price, 25c. Princess Rosy Cheeks By Effie Sammond Balph. A "good health" play for children, which is very impressive. Introduces Fresh ' Air Fairies, Soap and Water Fairies, Tooth Brush Brigade, Food Fairies, Rest Fairies, and others. Good- sized cast required with two older chi'dren. Plays about 1 hour. Price, 35c. Queen Loving Heart By Jean Ross. A splendid children's play, teaching many good lessons. A pretty story of the crowning of Loving Heart, her capture by the Indians and sub- sequent release, because of her kindness. Can be used for May Day play. 1 1 speaking parts, Indians, ' etc. Plays about 45 minutes. Price, 25c. Eldridge Entertainment House FRANKLIN, OHIO also DENVER, COLO. 944 S. Logan St. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 017 401 125 4 Making Entertainment Novelties for Church, School or Lodge Miss Nibbs* Novelty Shop By Alta Becker. This is a novel and humorous en- tertainment, introducing 'Liza Ann, Miss Nibbs, two traveling' salesmen, shoppers, mechanical dolls and mechancal maid of all work. A good little stunt where a short, clean, humorous number is desired. Plays about 30 minutes. Price, 25c. The Brightville Indoor Chautauqua By Bessie Baker and Nellie Hanna. Here is a brand . new idea for an evening's entertainment. It is in 5 parts, each part representing a day at Chautauqua. Gives wide scope for introduction of large cast and many specialties. Complete programs suggested as follows: Part 1, Chautauqua Concert Company; Part 2, Living Pictures; Part 3, Musical Entertainers; Part 4, Fanners' Night; Part 5, Coonville Jubilee Singers. Price, 35c. Sorepaw & Fells Indoor Circus By Margaret S. Bridge and Margaret H. Hahn. The~ Grand Annex and Musee, Freaks, Curiosities and ■ Monstrosities, never were in it with the marvelous, amazing, mystifying array outlined in its pages. Ar- tistic, ambling, agile, 'andsome acrobats; cajoling, cadaverous, costly, curious, cunning clowns; Hee- Shee, the Monkey Girl of Yucatan; all of these and many others will he seen in the Big Peerade before the show starts, ladies and gentlemen. Keep to the right — don't crowd. Price, 25c. As Ye Sew A "talking doll" missionary play by Dorothy Crich- ton. A lot of fun and some 'Wholesome lessons are contained in the conversation of the dolls . who dis- cuss the motives of their donors. Splendid for Young People's or Missionary Societies. 10 girls, 1 boy, or all girls. Time, 20 minutes. Price, 15c. Finding the Key A dialog and drill for 10 or 12 girls and boys. Suit- able for any religious program, but especially for Easter. Time, 20 minutes. Deals with problems of youth, recreations, etc.; also with those of Commun- ity Life and the present spirit of Unrest. Interspersed with suggested songs. Drill very effective. 25c. Eldridge Entertainment House FRANKLIN, OHIO also DENVER, COLO. 944 S. Logan St. ^£E