NO PLAYS EXCHANGED. 
 
 PRICE] 
 
 
 THE AMATEUR STAGE. 
 
 PS 
 
 635" 
 
 No. 54. 
 
 ^ 
 
 « 
 
 THE VILLAGE BELLE. 
 
 NEW TORKi 
 
 VvS»v*v*v 
 
 I^APPY Hours Company, Publishers, 
 
 No. 1 CHAMBERS STREET. 
 
 L M-1 JWL-W ^ f— --^^l 
 
 A. Catalogae of Plays, giving the number of acts and characters, costumes and scenery 
 rea uired. and time of representation of each, wiU be sent free, to any address. _ ^ 
 
Class T ^ fa 3 S 
 Book_^2^.\[k 
 
THE A.MA.TEUII ST^OE. 
 
 THE VILLAGE BELLE. 
 
 A EOMANTIC DKAMA, 
 
 IN FOUR ACTS. 
 
 WITH THE CAST OF CHARACTEB3, COSTUMKS, BIDES OF ENTRANCES AND 
 
 EXIT, RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE DRAMATIS PEBSONvE, 
 
 TIME OF REPRESENTATION, ETC., ETC. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 HAPT>Y HOURS COMPANY, 
 
 No. 1 CHAMBERS STREET. 
 
THE TILLAGE BELLE. 
 
 
 DEAMATIS PERSONiE. ^- 
 
 Count Eichbueg. A ^ 
 
 The Judge. 
 The Judge's Son. 
 Old James, Count Eichburg's Gardener. 
 Anthont, a younff Fovesler. 
 Jailor. 
 
 Countess Eichburg. 
 Countess Amelia, Her Daughter. 
 
 Mary, Vauglder of old J A-MVis, and " ilie helle of the Village." 
 Harriet, Countess Amelia's Maid. 
 Judge's Clerk, Officers of the Court, Peasants, Bell Ringers, &c., tCc. 
 
 Scene is laid at Eichburg, in Germany. 
 
 Time that of Louis li.th of France. 
 
 COSTUMES. 
 The dresses for the ladies and gentlemen ranst be verj' rich, of 
 the Louis Quatorze period. The peasants must be in the German 
 costume of their class. 
 
 PEOPERTIES. 
 
 Act I. — Carpet covering stage. Two pier glasses r.c. and l.c. 
 against flats. Table with ornaments on it against backing in c. 
 A splendid toilet table covered with muslin, &e. Candelabras 
 lighted on table. Looking glass, brush, comb, napkins, toilet bottles, 
 &c., all arranged on table, l.c. Sofa r.c. Other handsoma furni- 
 ture on scene. Chairs, stools, &c. Handbell on table. Handsome 
 basket of flowers. Wardrobe with doors to lock u.e.b. Key to it. 
 Box of jewels on toilet table, with a cross and chain for the neck 
 and a diamond ring, in it. m^ 
 
 Aci IL — Cottage furniture — plain. Knitting for Mary. Bas- 
 kets on stage, one unfinished with canes for James to work at. A 
 bundle of rushes. A stuffed mag-pie. .<». -.^ * 
 
 Act in. — Judge's bench, with canopy, c. Judge's chair c. 
 Judge's table c. , with writing materials on it. Long table c. Papers 
 on it. Prisoner' dock, u.e.r. Witness box s.e.l. Spears for sol- 
 diers. Seals, writing materials, pens, ink, documents, &c. 
 
 Act IV. — Prison table and two benches. Water jug and small 
 loaf on table r.c. Glass out of a pair of spectacles. A. brass button. 
 A lady's head-dress. ^Two playing cards. Money. ^*" 
 
 Copyrighted 1877.' 
 
 TMP92-007468 
 
THE VILLAGE BELLE. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 Scene.— TAe Countess Amelia's Dressing-Room. Centre opening 
 loiih Interior hacking. Door s.e.l. A splendid toilet table, d:c., 
 arranged l.c. JSofa k.c. 
 
 Countess Amelia and maid discovered at table l. Harriet dressing 
 Amelia's hair. 
 
 Countess. (L.c.) Do you kuow, Harriet, wLetlier Old James' 
 daughter Mary has been here this morning? I told her that it 
 would be my birthday on Christmas eve, and that I should like her 
 to come up to the castle and see all my beautiful gifts. 
 
 Harriet. ( Crossly dressijig the Countess' hair — slie speaks. ) Yes, 
 my ladj'. She came before you were awake, and would insist on 
 waiting to see you, though I told her she had better go home and 
 do the housework, and return again. But, no, the damsel was in 
 her Sunday garments, and, no doubt, didn't like to change them 
 again, indeed ! 
 
 Countess. Very naturally, too. She did well to wait. Mary does 
 not seem to be a favorite of yours, Harriet? 
 
 Harriet. I can't say whether she is or she is not, madam. 1 
 think her a very forward, conceited chit — quite spoiled by the favor 
 with which my gracious lady honors her. 
 
 Cowitess. You greatly misjudge her surely! I never saw a 
 sweeter or more humble-minded girl. She is a good daughter — an 
 industrious, modest, and religious one. 
 
4 THE VILLAGK BELLK. 
 
 Harriet. (Tossing her head.) Religion, indeed! She tbiuks of 
 notbiug but dressing. If sbe, dared &be would imitate 1113' gracious 
 lady's most diwtinguisbed toilet. 
 
 Uowiiess. And very pretty she would look iu it. She is evidently 
 the village belle, and is most justly named as sucb. Perbaps it is 
 a little failing of Mary's to care too much for dress ; but happily 
 our national costume prevents her from making herself ridiculous 
 by dressing above her station. But do not keep ber waiting longer ; 
 I'll ring and tell them to send her to me. 
 
 (She rings Vie bell; at the same time there is a knock at the door; 
 
 Haeeiet f/oes to it, and desires the servant outside to send 
 
 Maey. Slie returns to her young lady, and finishes dressing 
 
 her hair. 
 
 Cotintess. I hear Anthony, our blithe young forester, thinks Mary 
 
 would make bini an excellent wife. (Haeuiet starts suddenly.) 
 
 Ob, Harriet ! Take care ; you pulled my hair and hurt me. 
 
 Harriet. I beg your pardon, my lady. There never was such 
 beautiful hair as your ladyship's; it's so long, that when I<im ar- 
 ranging it I can only keep from hurting you by the greatest care. 
 
 (Map at the door. 
 Countess. Come in, Mary. 
 
 Elder Mart, holding a husket of flowers. She curtsies, and conies for- 
 wai\l, L. 
 
 Countess, (l.c.) Good morning, Mary; you look as fresh as 
 your flowers. AVbat a lovely basket ! 
 
 Mary. ( Timidly, i-.) If the Countess would condescend to accept 
 them, I should be greatly honored. The basket is my father's offer- 
 ing. He made it himself, and has wrought the Countess Amelia's 
 name into the handle. We both pray for many happy years for our 
 kindest lady. 
 
 Countess, (iv.c.) Thank you, Mary, and pray thank good James 
 for me. The basket is very elegant, and the flowers ate beautiful — 
 Christmas roses — holly and mistletoe. Now, sit down yonder, and 
 look at the contents of this box (giving Mahy her jeicel box) while 
 Harriet finishes dressing my hair. 
 
 Mary. ( Opens the box, and exclaims :) Oh, my gracious ! here is 
 a cross and a ring that look like sparks of fire. How beautiful! 
 oh! 
 
 Countess. (Laughing.) They are diamonds. The cross was my 
 mother's ; the ring was sent to me by my godfather, the Judge, who 
 tells me be shall expect to see it on my finger to-night when be 
 comes to the castle to spend Christmas with us. 
 
 (A rap at the door l. Haeeiet goes to ansrcer it, and returns. 
 
 Harriet. The Countess wishes to speak instantly to the Countess 
 Amelia. (Amelia rises. 
 
 Countess. Wait here till I come back, my dear child. I have 
 something to give you. (Rut in haste, s.e.l. 
 
THE VILLAGE BELLE. 5 
 
 JRirr'iet. (Aside, E.c.) Yes; somethiug tLat oiiglit to be mi/ 
 perquisite, of course. I wonder bow ladies can reconcile it to their 
 consciences to rob their maids in such a fashion. (Aloud. ) Well, 
 Mary, I suppose you don't want mj/ company ; I am not grand 
 enough a companion for a countess' intimate friend ; so I'll leave yoii 
 to amuse yourself by looking over my young lady's wardrobe. 
 
 ( Unlocks a loairlrobe door u.e.r., and flounces out s.e.l. 
 
 Mary. How cross she is. Well, I don't want her to stay with me. 
 I will just look at the dresses. ( Opens Ihe loardrohe door — looks in. ) 
 Oh, how splendid they are ! (Sighs.) If I were only a young coun- 
 tess ! Ah ! but then my dear father would not be my father auy 
 more, and I should not have the pleasure of working for him, and 
 making him comfortable. No ! That wouldn't do ! It cannot be 
 half so happy to have parents who have all they wish, and have only 
 to ask for things, as to have one who needs help and love, and for 
 whom one must strive and toil and think. That's happiness ! To 
 Jutve everything cannot be so pleasant as to have to gain everything 
 oneself. Besides, Countess Amelia has had these fine things so 
 long that she thinks no more about them than I do of my linsey 
 petticoat. But certainly one would look very nice in them. (Ske 
 (joes to the glass i,., and pids on the cross and lite ring, and Jiolds the 
 latter to flash in the light.) It is just like fire. You pretty things ! 
 (A noise oidside.) Ali ! here comes the young Counters. 
 
 (Mary hurriedly snatches the cross from her neck, and the ring 
 from her finger, and hurries them into the bo.x; inhicli she 
 places on the table. 
 
 Enter IIabrikt, s.e.l. 
 
 Harriet. Mary, you need not wait auy longer. The Countess is 
 going to taks my young lady o\it with her, and slie wishes her 
 daughter to dress in her room. Give me that box of diamonds. 
 
 (Mary gives it hurriedly to the lady's maid and crosses to l. 
 
 Mary. Good day, HaiTiet ; am I to come to-morrow ? 
 
 Harriet. Yes — no ! I don't know. Do as you like ! Countess 
 Amelia will send you her orders, I suppose. (Mary exits timidly l.. 
 Harriet laughs and bounces after her. ) If the Countess was like me, 
 she'd soon bring that chit to her senses. (Folloics out s.e.l. 
 
THE VILLAGE BELLE. 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 Scene. — Inside of James" Collage. Door in flat l. Mart knillbig 
 and siiigi)ifi, c, and lierfalher sealed K., making a basket. 
 
 Mary. (c. ) The CounteKS Ameliii was so delighted with the bas- 
 ket, father dear. I knew she would be ; you are the cleverest, dear- 
 est old father that ever was. 
 
 James. The Couutess is verj' good to ns. Do not let the great 
 lady's favor spoil you, though, my little Mary. I wish soruetinies 
 she would take less notice of you ; it wakes the villagers envious, 
 and I get many a taunt and jeer about my "j&ue lady" daughter ; — 
 the " belle of the village," as they call you. 
 
 Mary. (Going to liini and laying her liand on his shoulder. ) Oh, 
 but yoii don't j\iind Iheni, do yon? You know I am uot a fine lady, 
 but your own little Mary, and not a helle at all. 
 
 Anthony enters l. door in flat. He carries a bundle of rushes aiul a 
 stuffed magpie. 
 
 Anthony. (L.) But the best little girl in Eichburg. 
 
 Alary, (c, starts.) Oh, Master Forester, how you frightened 
 me ! 
 
 Anthony. Pray forgive me, I did not mean to startle yon. Good- 
 daj% James. I have brought you a bundle of rushes for your basket- 
 making, and Mary a magpie that I shot this morning. 
 
 Mary. Oh, what a pretty bird ; but, Anthony, 1 would rather it 
 had been alive than dead. Poor thing ! 
 
 Anthony. Nay ; I would not give thee a magpie for a pet, IMary ; 
 it is a great thief by nature, and mighty mischievous. I will bring 
 thee a pair of wood-pigeons by-aud-by, and James shall make a cage 
 for them. 
 
 (Rap at the door of the cottage l.f. Anthony opens it; the 
 Cocntess Amelia rushes in c. James rises. She grasps 
 Maeic's hand, and cries: 
 
 Gntntess. Blary, Mary ! Give me my ring ! 
 
 Mary. Your ring, my lady ! I have no ring. 
 
 Conidess. Oh, Mary, I am so glad. Then where did you put it ? 
 What has become of it? 
 
 Mary. I do not know what my lady means. 
 
 Countess. The diamond ring I Harriet came for it, received the 
 box from your hand, and gave it to my mother, M'ho kept it in her 
 pocket till an hour ago — when she opened the box the ring was not 
 in it. We had the dressing-room searched everywhere, and it is 
 nowhere to be found. Mary, they say you have stolen it. The 
 officers are coming for you. If you give me back the ring, I will 
 show it us found and they shall never know your fiiult. 
 
THK VILLAGE BELLE. 7 
 
 Mary. Ob, Conutess Amelia! M.v ouce kiud dear ladj- — can you 
 tliiuk such evil of uie? Can yon believe me to be a thief? Indeed, 
 indeed, 1 placed back tlie ling in the box when I heard Harriet 
 coming. 1 had put it on my linger, and tlio cross on my bosom, 
 like a silly vain girl, but indeed I never mieant to steal them. 
 
 Coiudess. My poor j\Iary ! No ; I cannot believe that you would 
 do such a wicked tldng. I ic'dl not believe it ; but everyone else at 
 the Chateau does. ]\Iary, I will not let you be taken prisoner. You 
 must escape and hide till the ring is found. Go — go at once, and 
 Anthony will conceal you in the forest. 
 
 Mail/. ( Tlivows lier.self Hceplug at Ihe feet of Countess Amkxia.) 
 My kindest lady, oh how I thank you for believing in my innocence. 
 
 ( The CovNTESH raises Iier. 
 Coantess. Go, go, Mary ! I hope that Heaven Mill soon make 
 manifest your innocence. 
 
 (James and Anthony are leading Maey out of the cottage door. 
 A scream from outside. 
 Coiudess. Too late ! too late ! My mother is here. She will bo 
 talceii. 
 
 Countess Eichbueg and 
 soldiers at door l.f. 
 
 , . Anthony. i r 
 
 ACT ni. 
 
 Scene. — Tlie Hall of Justice in a Baronial Caslte. Bench c. Pris- 
 soner's hoxv.K.-R. Witness ho.-c h.e.u Table c. Chairs. 
 
 Count Eichbukg, the JifooE seated on tlie hencJt c, the Judge's Son, 
 Soldiers and attendants discovered. 
 
 Judge, (c.) The case is a painful one ; it was ill-judged of my 
 dear godchild to leave such valuable pro])erty in the hands of a 
 peasant girl. 
 
O Till:; VILL.VGK BELLli. 
 
 Count. (L.c. ) My dangliter believed liltle Mary to be a perfect 
 miracle of goodness. The girl's great beauty — she was by general 
 consent called the "Belle of tho Village" — first attracted Amelia's 
 attention. Tlien the sweetness and modesty of the child charmed 
 both her and my wife. She is the daughter of my gardener, who 
 has lived forty years in our service, and we bad every reason to 
 think her honest, 1 confess the crime of his daughter affects me 
 nearly as much as it needs must poor old James himself. 
 
 Judge. My godchild still refuses to believe in the guilt of the 
 girl ; but I cannot shut my eyes to the fact that your daughter's 
 }naid told the servants directly ]\Iary was gone from the castle, that 
 she had seen the diamond ring on the girl's finger. 
 
 Couut. But what could so simple a girl have done with a diamond 
 ring, supposing she had taken it? 
 
 Judge. My dear Count, she might, and probably would, have 
 exchanged it with a pedlar, for finery. I have known such cases 
 happen repeatedl3', where the culprit has long been reputed honest. 
 
 Count. ( Shruggbig his shoulders. ) You gentlemen of the robe 
 have a sad opinion of human nature. 
 
 Judge. The result of our experience. However, occasionally we 
 meet with instances of the most heroic virtue. But it is tune to 
 inquire fully into this sad afiair. 
 
 Mary is hrought in loeeping hetiveen two Juilors, from u.e.r. Her 
 old father foiloiKS and sits k.c. They lake their places. Hakriet 
 is brought in as icitness from the l. She stands l c. 
 
 Judge. Jlaiden, you are accused of having this morning purloined 
 a valuable diamond ring, the property of the Countess Amelia of 
 Eichbiu'g. "Whf.t say you? Are you guiltj' of this crime? 
 
 Mary. (Sobbing.) Oh, no! — no! I\Iy lord, I M'onld not haA'e 
 done such a wicked thing to save my life. I have not stolen the 
 ring ! 
 
 Judge. Well, we will hear the witness against you, and then you 
 shall liave cue more chance of confession. 
 
 (HARKirix is cotuluded into the icitness ho.v, s.e.i.. 
 
 Judge. Witness. I command you, on your oath, to relate all you 
 know about the lost ring of the Countess Amelia. 
 
 Harriet. ( Cnrtesying.) Yes, my lord; of course, my lord. I 
 always knew Jlary — the prisoner yonder — was a weak, vain, foolish, 
 conceited girl! who, because folks called her the "Belle of the 
 Village," thought herself quite equal to .anybody and everybody ! 
 'Ihen my lady, the Countess Amelia, took a great fancy to her, and 
 used to pet her, and give her presents of things that ought, by 
 rights, to have belonged to others, ahem ! (Aside. ) Me ! 
 
 Judge. (Severely.) Kee]) to tho point, witness. Y'our present 
 testimony has notldng (o d<i witli the ring. 
 
THK VU.LAGK Blil.LE. 9 
 
 Harrkl. No, luy lord ; and yet it Las, iu a way, fur if i\Iary Lad 
 not been so flattered, aud petted, aud made much of, she would not 
 Lave stolen the ring. 
 
 Judge. Desist, woman ! Can you assert, ou your oatL, that she 
 stole it ? 
 
 Harriet. I can't say tLat I saw Ler take it ; of course sLe would 
 not Lave done so before me ; but I feel certain of it. You see, my 
 lord, Mary was left with tbose ornaments iu Ler Lauds all alone. 
 "When I came into the room sLe started as if sLe Lad been caugLt iu 
 a crime, pusLes tLe diamonds back into tLe box, covered it over, 
 and gave it to me, looking Lurried and agitated in a way /never 
 saw Ler before. I carried tLe box straigLt to tLe. Countess, and she 
 never let it out of Ler own keeping till sLe opened it Lerself, and 
 found tLe ring gone. AVe searched tLe dressiug-room aud every 
 place for it, aud could fiud it nowLcre. 
 
 Judge's Son. Young woman, it appears to me that tLere is as 
 mucL cause to suspect you as Mary. SLe gave the box to j'ou — it 
 passed tLrougli your Lands to tLe Countess. 
 
 Harriet. (W^eepbig.) See — wLat — it — is to be tLrowu into bad 
 company ! 1 Lave lived ten years witL my ladj', aud sLe knows, aud 
 iiiy lord knows, I Lave always beeji Louest. 
 
 Count Eichhurg. SLe says truly. AVe Lave found Ler Lonesty 
 perfect during all those years. SLe Las the care of the Countess' 
 jewels. 
 
 Judge. Before entering this rooni we were told that yon Lad 
 made n)ention tLat you believed Mary took tLe ring, for that you Lad 
 seen it shining on Ler finger. 
 
 Harriet. (After a ixiuse. ) I don't like the girl, but I don't waut 
 to speak against her, my lord judge. 
 
 Judge. I command you to speak the whole truth, woman, aud 
 that quickly. 
 
 Harriet. ( Reluctantly. ) Well, I did see the diamond riug ou her 
 finger ! 
 
 Mary. Yes, yes ! that is true ! — I Lad it on, aud tLe cross too ; 
 but I put hoth in tlie box wLeu you came iu, 
 
 Harriet. ( Violently. ) I don't believe you did ! I'ou want to 
 make me out a tliief, do you ? EitLer you or I must Lave taken tLe 
 ring. Y'ou tLouglit / sLonld be suspected, so you could take it 
 safely. OL ! my lord, she is a wicked creature ! hhe had Vie ring on 
 Iter finger, and 1 never smo tier take it cfi'.' (Mary utters a cry. 
 
 Mary. (Eagerly.) My lord, I did put it iu the box ! I did, in- 
 deed ! (A pause. 
 Judge. (Solemnly. ) Mary, after the testimony of this witness we 
 can no longer doubt your guilt. Restore the ring, and I have the 
 authority of the Count to sny that he will intercede for your pardon. 
 ]5y the laws of tLis land the piniishment of your crime is death ! 
 But the young Countess loves you — yes, Mary, loves you even now, 
 when you have so cruelly betrayed her coufideuce — aud slie has 
 
10 THE VILLAGE BELLE. 
 
 made her father aud I promise that we will obtuiu a pardon for yon, 
 if you will confess your crime. (Pause. 
 
 Jiulrje. Speak ! 
 
 Mdrij. I am innocent — I am innocent. ( Weeps. 
 
 Jailor. (By the side of Mary, in a gruff voice. ) Best say that you 
 took it, and that you are sorry, and live ! 
 
 Mary. No ! no ! Better die than tell au untruth. My Lord, I 
 never took the ring. 
 
 Judge. I am grieved at j'our obstinacy, unhappy girl ! We can- 
 not doubt your guilt alter the evidence we have received. You will 
 rather die, then, than expiate your fault by confession. 
 
 Mary. Oh, sir ! I dare not speak falsely. I had rather die than 
 live by au untruth. 
 
 Judge's Son. (r.) My father — aud you, Count Eichburg — par- 
 don me, if I tell you that I think you err in accepting this circum- 
 stantial evidence, aud the testimony of one witness alone, who dis- 
 likes the accused. A girl who thinks thus cannot be a thief. 
 
 Judge. Young sir, we have not asked for your advice. Let the 
 prisoner be taken to the castle. To-morrow is the Festival of the 
 Nativity, on which no court of justice sits. The miserable girl will 
 have, therefore, to-night and the next day for reflection. Full pur- 
 don on confession, or sentence of death, then awaits her. 
 
 Judge's Son. (Aside. ) On the anniversary of the first Christian 
 martyrdom. Poor child ! My heart tells me she will perish un- 
 justly. (Mary is led off u.e.r. Old James advances R.c. 
 
 James, (r.c.) Oh, my lord judge— oh, Count Eichburg — for the 
 sake of my past services— in i>ity to my grey hairs — let me share my 
 daughter's prison. 
 
 Count Eichburg. (Rises from bench. ) Poor old man ! James, I 
 pity you from my heart. You shall go with this unhappy girl, and 
 try to convince her of her folly and wickedness. ( To an aUenda)ii. ) 
 See that food is given to them. 
 
 ^„ Count. Judge. tj- 
 
 ACT DROP. 
 
THE VlLLAGIi BELLE. 11 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 Scene. — The Prison of the Castle. IVindoio i..c. Door n.c. Table 
 and two benches. 
 
 Mart and Iter Father discovered u.c. 
 
 James. My darling Mar}', we have fallen on evil days. But you 
 are iimoceiit ! — aud this is my comfort. 
 
 Mary. My dear father ! 1 am also comforted to know that yon, 
 and the dear Countess Amelia, believe my word. But oh, father, 
 the ring may never be found, or not till after I am dead, and it is 
 hard to die so young aud leave you — and — and poor Anthony. 
 
 James. It is all that wicked woman Harriet's doing ! She has by 
 
 false testimony sworn away my child's life ! May she (Marx 
 
 puis her hand before his lips. ) She must have stolen it herself. It 
 could not have vanished without hands. I tell you, I will never 
 forgive her. 
 
 Mary. (Kneeling.) Oh, father, don't say so. Forgive her, for 
 my sake, when I am dead and gone. Forgive her ! lest you aud I 
 should never meet again. Remember the song the angels sang this 
 night— "Peace on earth, good-will to men." Oh, father, you will 
 forgive her, won't you ? 
 
 James. ( Much affected. ) My daughter, my dear, dear Mary 
 — I do forgive her, I will try to feel that I forgive her for your 
 sake. 
 
 (At this moment a Chririmas Carol is sung oidside the prison 
 window at the back of the scene l.c. Maky and her father 
 listen to it. When it ends, there is a lond cheering out- 
 side. 
 
 Mary. Hark ! surely that is Anthony's voice. Ah ! there must bo 
 good news or he would not be glad. 
 
 The prison door opens e., and the Countess Amelia enters, followed by 
 all the Characters in the drama, except Haebiet. 
 
 Countess, (c.) Mar}', the ring is found! You are free! I al- 
 ways believed you were innocent. 
 
 (Maey /ain/s in her father's arins, E.c. 
 
 Count. Where did j'ou find the ring, my good man? 
 
 Anthony. (l.c.) In a magpie's nest, in the belfry, your Excel- 
 lency. 
 
 Judge. Explain ! 
 _ Anthony. Your Excellency must please to know that I am a bell- 
 ringer, aud was goiug to ring in Christmastide, as iu duty bound to 
 do, when we found the tenor bell did not pull easily ; so I went up 
 to see what ailed it. The belfry was dark ; but as I turned the lamp 
 round I saw something glitter like fire in one corner of it. Thinks 
 
12 THE VILLAGK BELLE. 
 
 I, "the church is ou fire!" I stooped and picked up the riug, 
 which ] hope onr gracious ladj', the Couutess, will bury at once, 
 for it is au evil thing, and doubtless was made by Dr. Faustus him- 
 self. So I snatched it up, and ran downstairs crying, "She is saved ! 
 she is saved !" It was a magpie's nest the ring came out of, and 
 there I found these things also ; a glass out of the clerk's spectacles 
 — I knew he had lost one — this brass button, a lady's head-dress, and 
 two playing cards. 
 
 Judge. Those birds are notorious for pilfering. Mary, how can 
 3'ou account for the magpie getting possession of the riug? 
 
 (Mary lolio has recovered, comes forward, 
 
 Mary. Please your Excellency, I had put ou the cross and the 
 riug to see how I should look in them, when I heard somebody 
 coming. I thought it was the young Countess, and that she would 
 be angry ; so I hurried to put them into the box. The riug must 
 have fallen ou the floor. 
 
 Countess Eichburg. And as my daughter always has her dressing- 
 room window opened when she rises, the mystery is clear. Mag 
 flew in, was attracted by the glitter, and bore off the ring to her 
 nest in the belfry, where, but for the ringers, it might have remained 
 fur ever. 
 
 Count Eichburg. Mar}', in memory of this event I shall bestow 
 the farm by the river on your father for his life ; and give you with a 
 dowry to Anthony, as soon as he has done justice on the real thief — 
 the magpie. 
 
 Anthony. Ah ! your Excellency! then Mary must be given to me 
 at once, for I shot the rogue this morning. 
 
 ( The Dramatis Personal now form a tableau. The Count 
 takes Mary's hand, and presents it to Anthony. Old James 
 kneels and kisses the Countess' hand. The Judge's Son 
 congratulates Countess Amelia in dumb show — and the Judge 
 rewards the bell ringers. Characters shout. 
 
 CUBTAIN. 
 
THE ETHIOPIAN DRAMA. 
 
 PRICE 15 CENTS EACH. 
 
 1 Robert Make-Airs. 
 
 56 Stage-struck Darkey. 
 
 2 Box aud Cox. 
 
 57 Black Mail. 
 
 3 Mazeppa. 
 
 58 Highest Price for Old Clothes. 
 
 4 United States Mail. 
 
 59 Howls from the Owl Train. 
 
 5 The Coopers. 
 
 60 Old Hunks. 
 
 6 Old Dad's Cabin. 
 
 61 The Three Black Smiths. 
 
 7 The Rival Lovers. 
 
 62 Turkevs in Season. 
 
 8 The Sham Doctor. 
 
 63 Juba. ' 
 
 9 Jolly Millers. 
 
 64 A Night wid Brudder Bones. 
 
 10 Villikius aud his Dinah. 
 
 65 Dixie. 
 
 11 The Quack Doctor. 
 
 66 King Cuffee. 
 
 12 The Mystic Spell. 
 
 67 Old Zip Coon. 
 
 13 The Black Statue. 
 
 68 Coouey in de Hollow. 
 
 U Uucle Jeff. 
 
 69 Porgy Joe. 
 
 15 The Mischievous Nigger. 
 
 70 Gallus Jake. 
 
 16 The Black Shoemaker. 
 
 71 De Coon Hunt. 
 
 17 The Magic Penny. 
 
 72 Don Cato. 
 
 18 The Wreck. 
 
 73 Sambo's Return. 
 
 19 Oh Hush ; or, The Virginny Cu- 
 
 74 Under de Kerosene. 
 
 20 The Portrait Painter. [pids. 
 
 75 Mysterious Stranger. 
 
 21 The Hop of Fawhion. 
 
 76 De Debbil aTid Dr. Faustum. 
 
 22 Bono Squash. 
 
 77 De Old Gum Game. 
 
 23 The Virginia Mummy. 
 
 78 Hunk's Wedding Day. 
 
 2i Thieves at the Mill. 
 
 79 De Octoroon. 
 
 25 Comedy of Errors. 
 
 80 De Old Kentucky Home. 
 
 2(3 Les Miserables. 
 
 81 Lucinda's Wedding. 
 
 27 New Year's Calls. 
 
 82 Munibo Jum. 
 
 28 Troublesome Servant. 
 
 83 De Creole Ball. 
 
 29 Great Arrival. 
 
 84 Mishaps of Caesar Crum. 
 
 30 Rooms to Let 
 
 85 Pete's Luck. 
 
 31 Black Crook Burlesque. 
 
 86 Pete and Ephrain.. 
 
 32 Ticket Taker. 
 
 87 Jube Hawkins 
 
 33 Hypochondriac. 
 
 88 De Darkey's Dream. 
 
 34 William Tell. 
 
 89 Chris Johnson. 
 
 35 Rose Dale. 
 
 90 Scipio Africanus. 
 
 36 Feast. 
 
 91 De Ghost ob Bone Squash. 
 
 37 Fenian Spv. 
 
 92 De Darkey Tragedian. 
 
 38 Jack's the Lad. 
 
 93 Possum Fat. 
 
 39 Othello. 
 
 94 Dat Same Old Coon. 
 
 40 Camille. 
 
 95 Popsey Dean. 
 
 41 Nobody's Sou. 
 
 96 De Rival Mokes. 
 
 42 Sports on a Tiark. 
 
 97 Uncle Tom. 
 
 43 Actor and Singer, 
 
 98 Desdemouum. 
 
 44 Shylock. 
 
 99 Up Head 
 
 45 Quarrelsome S' rvants. 
 
 100 De ISlaid ob de Hunkpuncas. 
 
 46 Haunted Houm. 
 
 101 De Trail ob Blood. 
 
 47 No Cure, No Pay. 
 
 102 De Debbil and de jMaiden. 
 
 48 Fighting for tlie Union. 
 
 103 De Cream ob Tenors. 
 
 49 Hamlet the Dainty. 
 
 104 Old Uncle Billy. 
 
 50 Corsi can Twins. 
 
 105 An Elephant on Ice. 
 
 51 Deaf— in a Horn. 
 
 106 A Manager in a Fix. 
 
 52 Challenge Dance. 
 
 107 Bonea at a Raffle. 
 
 53 De Trouble begins at Nine. 
 
 108 Aunty Chloe. 
 
 54 Scenes at Gurnev's. 
 
 109 Dancing Mad. 
 
 55 16,000 Years Ago. 
 
 110 Juliaima Johnson. 
 
 Eitlier of the above will be sent b 
 
 V ip.ail. on receipt of price, by 
 
 HAPPY ] 
 
 HOURS COMPANY, 
 
 
 ?To 1 Chambers Street. New Yor":r. 
 
 
 
THE ACTING DRAMA 
 
 1 Single Life. 
 
 2 The Boarding School. 
 
 3 The Spitfire. 
 
 4 The Irish Dragoon. 
 
 5 The School for Tiger^;. 
 
 6 (jabrielle de Ijelle Isle. 
 
 7 The Tipperary Legacy. 
 
 8 Deeds of Dreadful Note. 
 
 9 A Peculiar Position, 
 •o A Private Inquiry, 
 ii I'll Tell Your Wife. 
 T2 The Fast Family. 
 
 13 Antony and Cleopatra 
 
 Married and Settled. 
 
 14 My Friend in the Straps. 
 13 The School for Scheming, 
 
 (Love and Money). 
 16 Our Mary Anne. 
 
 PRICE 15 CENTS EACH, 
 
 T7 Miseries of Human Life. 
 18 An Irish Engagement. 
 jg How -to Settle Accounts 
 With Your Laundress. 
 
 20 Advice Gratis. 
 
 21 A Hasty Conclusion. 
 
 22 Weak Points. 
 
 23 Grace Darling. 
 
 24 A Gray Mare. 
 
 25 The Middle Temple. 
 
 26 The Original. 
 
 27 The Sentinel. 
 
 28 I'he Tiger at Large. 
 
 29 Why Did You Die? 
 
 30 Sayings and Doings. 
 
 31 'I'he Twin Brothers. 
 
 32 .Ask no Questions. 
 
 33 Cure for Coquettes. 
 
 34 The Cabin Boy. 
 
 35 Who Stole the Spoons ? 
 
 36 Mrs. Gamps Tea and Turn 
 
 37 The Village Doctor. [Out. 
 
 38 Family Pride. 
 
 39 Queen Mary. 
 
 40 I'he Three Graces. 
 
 41 The Race Ball. 
 
 42 Presented at Court.' 
 
 43 A Sign of .Affection. 
 
 44 The Dancing Barber. 
 
 45 Who's Your' Friend ? 
 
 46 Charity. 
 
 47 The Wicked World. 
 
 48 Mother and Child are Do- 
 
 ing Well. 
 
 49 Lying in Orainary. 
 
 50 The Ringdoves. 
 
 THE AMATEUR STAGE. 
 
 PRICE 15 CENTS EACH. 
 
 1 Aladdin and the Wonder- 
 
 ful Lamp. 
 
 2 The Loves of Little Bo- 
 
 Peep and Little Boy Blue. 
 
 3 Little Silver Hair and the 
 
 Three Bears. 
 
 4 Robin Hood; or, the? f.;rry 
 
 Men of Sherwood Forest. 
 
 5 Little Red Riding Hood. 
 
 6 The Frog Prince. 
 
 7 Blue Beard ; or. Female 
 
 Curiosity. 
 
 8 Jack, the Giant Killer. 
 
 9 Two Gentlemen at Mivarts 
 TO Dark Deeds. 
 
 11 Marry in Haste and Re- 
 
 pent at Leisure. 
 
 12 Wearing of the Green 
 
 13 The Result of a Nap. 
 
 14 Monsieur Pierre. 
 75 Virtue Victorious. 
 16 Love (Burlesque). 
 
 ,A.float and Ashore. 
 
 Tragedy Transmogrified. 
 
 Fairy Freaks. 
 
 A Medical Man. 
 
 Harlequin Little Red Rid- 
 ing Hood 
 
 Fireside Diplomacy. 
 
 Ingomar (Burlesque). 
 
 Money Makes the Man. 
 
 The Happy Dispatch. 
 
 An Eligible Situation. 
 
 The Pet Lamb. 
 
 The Last Lily. 
 
 The Three Temptations. 
 
 Katharine and Petruchio 
 (Burlesque). 
 
 His First Brief. 
 
 The Girls of the Period. 
 
 Matched but not Mated. 
 
 Penelope ,\nne. 
 
 A Woman will be a Wo- 
 
 Caught in his own Toils. 
 Cousin Florence. 
 Lucy's Love Lesson. 
 A (jame of Billiards, 
 rhe Wrong Bottle 
 A Lyrical Lover. 
 A Bad Temper. 
 Women's Rights. 
 Mischievous Bob. 
 A Pint of Ale. 
 The Last Drop. 
 The Wine Cup. 
 Out in the Streets. 
 .Mothers and Fathers. 
 Taken in and Done For. 
 All'sFair in Love and War 
 Dross from Gold. 
 Aunt Jerusha's Visit. 
 The Village Belle. 
 Lord Dundreary's Visit. 
 My Peter. 
 The Cream of Love. 
 
 THE VARIETY STAGE. 
 
 PRICE 15 CENTS EACH. 
 
 1 The Big Banana. 
 
 2 Dot Mad Tog. 
 
 3 .\ Gay Old Man .A.m I. 
 
 4 The Law .Allows it. 
 
 5 .\ Leedle Misdake. 
 
 6 The Spelling Match. 
 
 7 There's Millions In It. 
 
 8 Tootle, Tootle, Too I 
 
 I 9 Dot Madrimonial Adver- 
 I disement. 
 
 I 10 Mulcahy's Cat. 
 
 11 Dot Quied Lotgings. 
 
 12 All in der Family. 
 
 13 Who Got the Pig? 
 
 14 .\ Mad Astronomer. 
 
 15 A Purty Shure Cure. 
 
 17 I Love Your Wife. 
 
 16 The Ould Man's Coat tails. 
 
 18 The Decree of Divorce. 
 
 19 Let those Laugh who Win. 
 
 20 A Dark Noight's Business. 
 2 1 The Lonely Pollywog of 
 
 the Mill Pond. 
 22 The Dutchman in Ireland. 
 
 Either of the above will he sent by mail, on receipt of price, by 
 
 HAPPY HOURS COMPxVNY, 
 
 No. 1 Chambers Street, New York.