PS 635 .Z9 C4683 Copy 1 AT)Y, (A THRILLING ITEM — Farce, 3 males, 7 female, i \ SEEING BOSTING — Farce, 3 males. eneh. ( AAR-U-AG-OOft '>. — Farce, 2 males, 1 female. AMES' SERIES OF | VNDARD AND MINOR DRAMA, NO. 131. Z 9 C,4<^ THE CIGARETTE. WITH CAS? OF CHARACTERS, ENTRANCES, AND EXITS, RELATIVE POSITIONS I HE PERFORMERS ON THE STACK, DESCRIPTION OP COS- TUMES, AND THE WHOLE OP TH E STAG E BUSIN ESS, CAREFULLY MARKED PROM THE MoST APPROVED ACT- ING COPY. PRICE 15 CENTS, CLYDE, OHIO: A. D. AMES, PUBLISHER, OUR CATALOGUE FREE TO ANY ONE AMES' SERIES OF ACTING PLAYS. PRICE FIFTEEN CENTS EACH-CATALOGUES FREE. «•» NO. *• *• 12 A Capital Match, farce, 1 act, by J. M. Morton 3 a 30 A Day Well Spent, farce, 1 act, by John Oxenford 7 5 2 A Desperate Game, comic drama, 1 act, by Morton 3 2 75 Adrift, temperance drama, 3 acts, by C. W. Babcock, M. D 6 4 SO Alarmingly Suspicious, comedietta, 1 act, J. P. Simpson 4 3 39 A Life's Revenge, drama, 3 acts, by W. E. Suter 7 5 78 An Awful Criminal, farce, 1 act, by J. Palgrave Simpson 3 3 15 An Unhappy Pair, ethiopian farce, 1 act, by G. W. H. Griffin 1 1 65 An Unwelcome Return, com. intl'd, 1 act, by George A. Munson 3 1 31 A Pet of the Public, farce, 1 act, by Edward Sterling -------- 4 2 21 A Romantic Attachment, comedietta, 1 act, by Arthur Wood 3 3 43 Arrah DeBaugh, drama, 5 acts, by F. C. Kimiaman 7 5 123 A Thrilling Item, farce, 1 act, by Newton Chisnel 3 1 73 At Last, temperance drama, 3 acts, by G. C. Vautrot 7 1 20 A Ticket of Leave, farce, 1 act. by Watts Phillips 3 2 12a Auld Robin Gray, emo. drama, 5 acts, Malcolm Stuart Taylor, 25 cents 13 3 100 Aurora Floyd, drama, 2 acts, by W. E. Suter. 7 3 89 Beautv of Lyons, dom. drama, 3 acts, by W. T. Moncnefl 11 2 8 Bett( r Half, comedietta, 1 act, by T. J. Williams 5 2 98 Black Statue, ethiopean farce, 1 act, by l J, White.. 3 2 113 Bill Detrick, melodrama, 3 acts, by A. Newton Field 6 4 86 Black vs. White, farce, 1 act, by George S. Vautrot 4 2 14 Brigands of Calabria, rom. drama, 1 act, W. E. Suter b 1 22 Captain Smith, farce, 1 act, by E. Berrie 3 3 84 Cheek will Win, farce, 1 act, by W. E. Suter. 3 49 Der two Surprises, Dutch farce, 1 act, by M. A. D. Clifton 1 1 72 Deuce is in Him, farce. 1 act, by R. J. Raymond 5 1 19 Did I Dream it ? farce, 1 act, by J. P. Wooler 4 3 42 Domestic Felicitv, farce, 1 act, by Hattie L. Lambla 1 1 GO Driven to the Wall, play, 4 acts, by A. D. Ames 10 6 27 Fetter Lane to Gravesend, ethiopean farce 2 13 Give me my Wife, farce, 1 act, by W. E. Suter 3 3 117 Hal Hazard, military drama, 4 acts, by Fred. G. Andrews 8 3 50 How She Has Her Own Way, sketch in 1 act, by Ida M. Buxton 1 3 24 Handy Andy, ethiopean farce, 1 act - - 2 W Hans, the Dutch J. P., Dutch farce, 1 act, by F. L. Cutler 3 1 116 Hash, farce, 1 act, by W. Henri Wilkins 4 2 52 Henry Granden, drama, 3 acts, by Frank L. Bingham 11 8 17 Hints on Elocution and how to become an Actor 103 How Sister P. got Child Baptized, ethiopean farce, 1 act 2 1 76 How He Did If, comic drama, 1 act, by John Parry ....... 3 2 74 How to Tame Your Mother-in-law, farce, 1 act, by H. J. Byron 4 8 35 How Stout You're Ge ting, farce, 1 act. by J. M. Morton 5 2 26 Hunter of the Alps, drama, 1 act, by Wm. Dimond. -------- 9 4 47 In the Wrong Box, ethiopian farce, 1 act, by M. A. D. Clifton 3 95 In the Wrong Clothes, farce, 1 ^t ---;-v, £ , 77 Joe's Visit, Ethiopian farce, 1 act. by A. Leavitt and H. Eagan 2 1 11 John Smith, farce, 1 act, by W. Hancock 5 3 99 Jumbo Jum, farce, 1 act 4 6 S2 Killing Time, farce, 1 act 1 1 9 Lady Audlcy's Secret, drama, 2 acts, by W. E. Suter 6 4 3 Lady of Lyons, drama, 5 acts, by Bulwer lj J 101 Lost, temperance drama, 3 acts, by F. L. Cutler 6 2 106 Lodgings for Two, comic sketch, 1 act, by F. L. Cutler d 46 Man and Wife, drama, 5 acts, by IL A. Webber U 7 91 Michael Erie, drama, -2 acts, by Egerton Wilks 8 3 36 Miller of Derwent Water, drama, 3 acts, by E. FiUtoall 5 2 88 Mischievous Nigger, Ethiopian farce. 1 act, by C. W hite 4 2 34 Mistletoe Bough, melodrama, 2 acts, by C. Somerset 7 3 tf JEP~ Catalogue continued on next page of cover. .Jgj THE CIGARETTE, A COMEDY, IN ONE ACT, — BY— » NEWTON CHISKELL, AUTHOR OF "A THRILLING ITEM," ETC* Printed from the original copy of Mr. Chisnell, with the stage bus- iness, etc., carefully marked. Entered according to act of Congress wi the year 1334., tyt A. D. AMES, in the ojfice of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington* 3 6 4T4 -* CLYDE, OHIO, *- * L^ A. D. AMES, PUBLISHER. ■ \ &x* « * THE CIGARETTE* CHARACTERS REPRESENTED. BEGINA VON RUREMONDE. TCHERITA, — A Javanise, Begina's slave, slightly copper colored, an$ wearing an Oriental costume* MAURICE BE PRENIL. MIDDLEBOURG. DE MO^SQUET. A SERVANT. This Comedy was first produced at the Theatre Gymnase Dramatique, Paris, France, April 20th., 1878. o- COoTUMES— MODERN. TIME OF PERFORMANCE ONE HOUR. TMP92-008828 The Cigarette. SCENE I.-— A Javanise Salon in a Paris c^artment, elegantly furnitTied. Tchcrita discovered smoking — seated on a cushion. Enter a servant, fi. 1 b. Servant. M.Maurice de Prenil. Tcherita. M. Maurice? You are mistaken, I am not the person he de- sires to see. It is Madam Regina von Ruremonde, your mistress and mine. Say to M. Maurice that Madam i3 not at home, that she is undoubtedly in the Bois de Boulogne, and he will certainly find her in one of the walks where she is accustomed to promenade. {exit servant, b. 1 a. — Tcherita recommences smoking Re-enter servant, b. 1 s. Servant. M. de Prenil insists. He says it is with you and not Madam that he desires to speak. Tcherita. Very well, ask him to come in. (exit servant, b. 1 ». Enter If. Maurice, b. li. Maurice. Good morning Tcherita. Tchcrita. Good morning. If you take pleasure in smoking, you know .that my mistress permits it. Sometimes she even sets us the example, by smoking herself. Maurice. Yes, I know. Tcherita. Only do not take one of the cigarettes, which are on the man- tel piece. Maurice. And why not? Tcherita. Because, those cigarettes have been prepared by me according to the custom in my own country. Maurice. According to the custom of Java? Tchcrita. Yes, the custom of Java, which exposes the persons who smoke them to some little inconveniences. Maurice, (smiling) Ah, they die, do they not, die suffering the most in- tense agony — Tcherita. Oh no, it is not so bad as that. Maurice. What then does happen to*the|Unhappy persons who have the imprudence to smoke one of these Javanise cigarettes? Tchcrita. Nothing but telling the truth, but they will tell that in spite of themselves. If they have at the bottom of their heart a secret, which they wish to conceal, it is at that secret they will commence, nothing stops them, neither prudence nor fear, they talk and talk— you do not believo me? t THE C1GAMJ&TTJE. Maurice. Certainly, certainly. Tcherita. You say certainly, certainly, but you do not believe me. Maurice. I believe that your cigarettes are made from the leaves of dried Indian hemp, otherwise called hashish — believe that those who smoke hash- ish are impelled to speak a great deal, and those who talk much may tell evervthing even the truth. I believe that, with all my heart. Tcherita. That and nothing else? Well take one of these cigarettes and your first word will be to tell me that you love my mistress. Maurice. I do not need to smoke one of your cigarettes to tell you that, because it is very true that I love her as much as one can love, and that is really what discourages me. Tcherita. Why does that discourage you? Maurice. Because, this very day I am going to leave her, to leave her forever. I came to bid her farewell. Tcherita. Farewell ? Maurice. Farewell to her and to you. To you fi rst, since I find you alone. It has always seemed to me Tcherita, that you hold kindly feeling for me. Tcherita. Yes, indeed. But what is that you were saying to me, you are going away? Maurice. Yes. Tcherita. And why are you going away ? Maurice. Because I must. Tcherita. And why must you ? We will not be satisfied with that ex- cuse. Maurice. It is now four months that I have known your mistress. In seeing me during these four months living in the same manner that she lives, she who has thirty millions, you have no doubt come to believe me rich, very rich. Tcherita. I confess that I have concerned myself very little about the matter, but really if I had concerned myself about it I would have believed you rich. Maurice. Well you would have been wrong. The day I met your mis- tress, I was on the point of departing for America. I have a cousin there who has promised to make my fortune. I was about to leave, but I saw her and in order to see her again, I postponed my departure until the next day, I postponed it again to the day after, and have continued to do so from day to day until four months have passed, four months during each of which I have spent twenty thousand francs, so that on the day I first met her I had a little more than eighty thousand. Tcherita. Twenty thousand francs a month? Maurice. Yes, yes. It is very expensive living in Paris at the side ot the richest heiress of Botavia, at the side of a widow, whose nabob of a hus- band left her at his death a fortune of thirty millions. It is expensive but I do not regret my ruin — I have not quitted her during these four mouths, lor four months I have been able to see her daily — I have been constantly at her side, have breathed her air, I have had my share in this perpetual intoxication, in which her fortune and her beauty permits her to live. It amuses her to design — she permits me to give her lessons, and that privilege has only cost me twenty thousand francs per month. But it is nothing, Tcherita, it is nothing: if instead of four months, my happiness had lasted only fifteen days, still I would not think I had any right to complain. Tcherita. And now you have nothing left? Maurice. Oh, I have still enough to pay my passage to go and find my cousin in America, that cousin who has promised to make my fortune. Tcherita. But I thought you told me just now, that you loved my mis- tress — Maurice. Certainly, I said so. Tcherita. Then why do you not marry her instead of going away t Maurice. Marry her? Tcherita. Yes. Maurice, {shaking his head) It is impossible, entirely impossible. THE CIGARETTE g 6. Tcherita, Many men have asked her hand. She has turned a deaf ear to all of them so that now only three suitors remain to the field, the amia- ble M. de Monsquet, Middlebourg the banker, and yourself— the first tr/c you know as well as I do, are clowns who only serve to amuse her. Here only remains then — Maurice. No, Tcherita, no, I will not marry your mistress. Tn order to marry her, I would naturally have' to tell her that I love her, and I would jqo sooner have said that, than the idea would occur to her, that it is her fortune with which I am iu love. {Tcherita moves uneasily) If that thought would not come to her at once it certainly would some day or other. No. you see, in order for me to marry her, we must Tcherita. What must you? Maurice. Well, I mean — we must exchange places, it must be for your mistress to break the ice and declare that she adores me. Tcherita. Oh I Maurice. And as such a declaration would be very unusual, it is decided* ly better that I should depart. Tcherita. You do not love my mistress. M'-urice. Certainly, Tcherita, I love her and with all ray soul, but my love for her does not prevent my being an honest man, and having common sense. I have spent in her society the four happiest months of my whole 1 fe. Now, my happiness is at an end— I knew beforehand that it must end someday. Enter the servant, r. 1 b. Servant. M. Middleboursr, M. Baron de Monsquet. Tcherita, {to Maurice) Your two rivals. I am charged with a commis- sion lor them, which will probably not make them laugh. Do you care to assist in the scene? Maurice. No — i remember that your mistress needs a few little articles to complete a certain costume that she desires to wear. I am going for them. Tcherita. {showing him a door, l. 1 e,) Pass out this way. Of course you will return ? Maurice. Certainly, I will return, Tgo away — I do not escape. Tcherita. You will not be gone long, then?' Maurice. I will be back soon. {exit, L. 1 E. Tcherita. (to servant) Show in those two gentlemen. {the servant goes out, a. 1 e. Enter Middlebourg and Baron de Monsquet, B. 1 e. De Monsquet. How do? Javanese, how do? Middlebourg. How do you do ? Tcherita, Good morning gentlemen. Be seated I pray you, I have some- thing to say to you on behalf of my mistress, which will please one of you. (they sit De Monsquet. One of us ? Tcherita. Yes. De Monsquet. Which one? Tcherita. Ah, I do not know. De Monsquet. This is annoying, for that is just the point we would de- sire to know. Tcherita. You both love my mistress, do you not? Dz Monsquet \ and \ {together) Ah ! Middltbourg. ) « r Tcherita. You both desire to marry her, do you not De Monsquet. "} and > {rising with a bound) Ah I Middlebourg. J S THE CIGARETTE* ■ Teherita. Well then, what I have to say to you is, that mj mistress hat resolved to take one of you for a husband. Middlebourg. One of us ? Tchenta. Ye3. Middlebourg. Which ? Teherita. Ah, I do not know. Middlebourg. That is annoying for this is just the point— — ^ Teherita. Perhaps you are surprised that from among so many adorers, the choice of my mistress should have settled on you two. Middlebourg. Not at all, I am not surprised, as for me . De Monsquet. No more am I, Javanese, no more am I. Teherita. Her first idea you know, was never to marry again, and this she has very plainly declared to all the aspirants for her hand, young or old, rich or poor, who have not ceased to surround her since the day of her arrival in Paris. Some of them took the hint and discreetly retired. The others did not understand so easily, but they finally finished by aban- doning the suit. You alone have not given up— neither rebuffs nor morti- fications have succeeded in discouraging you. De Monsquet. What does she say ? Teherita. And your perseverance has finally touched her. • Midolebouro. Good enough! Teherita. Unfortunately she is not able to marry you both. It was nec- essary at any cost to prefer one to the other — this has appeared impos- sible to her. De Monsquet. ) and V (together) Oh, but I would have thought— Middlebourg. } Teherita. Entirely impossible. Both of you by different merits have produced impressions on her heart exactly equal. She has decided there- fore that the simplest way out of the dilemma was to impose a test on both of you, and marry him who came out of that test successfully. I>e Monsquet. A test ? Teherita. Yea. De Monsquet. What is it? Teherita. I will tell you in a moment, and now if you will be kind enough to excuse me — Middlebourg. Is it difficult, what we will have to do? Teherita. No. Middlebourg. Ah, so much the better. Teherita. It is the simplest thing in the'world, and yet when you hare done this thing which is the simplest in the world, you will certainly have given to my mistress the greatest proof of Ioyo that a man can give to ft woman. Middlebourg. The greatest proof of love ? Teherita. Yes. Middlebourg. Do you understand De Monsquet ? 1 certainly do not. De Monsquet. No more do I. Teherita. Excuse me — I will not detain you long. (exit,h, De Monsquet. This is indeed singular, for I had imagined that he who, after myself stood the greatest chance of pleasing Madam von Ruremonde, was this M. Maurice de Prenil who never leaves her side. Middlebourg. My idea exactly. I thought that if she 4 did not decide to marry me, she would without doubt marry M. Maurice. De Monsquet. And now I find that you are my rival— Middlebourg. Yes indeed, just as I find that you're my rival, my only rival — De Monsquet. I am delighted at this discovery, Middlebourg. So am I. De Monsquet. Because, at last between Madam Ton Euremond© and myself, there is only you — Middlebourg. At last you are my only rival. THE CIQARETTE. *>? De. Monsquet. Now I think I will have no trouble — without wishing to appear conceited at all I — Middlebourg. That is just what I waB about to say myself. De Monsquet. There is only one thing that perplexes me, and that if this test. Middlebourg. Oh yes, the test. De Monsquet. What can it be? Middlebourg. Something very easy, Tcherita told us. De Monsquet. Yes very easy, and'yet when we shall have gone through it, we will have given to her mistress the greatest proof of love that a man can give to a woman. Perhaps it has something to do with these cigarettes. Middlebourg. Ah yes, these famous cigarettes, compounded bv Tcherita and which compels one to tell the truth. De Monsquet. I have nothing to fear from these cigarettes. Middlebourg. Neither have I, I am not afraid of them. De Monsquet. I will smoke one of them, I will smoke two of them, t will smoke three of them, and after each puff I will tell her it is herself and not her fortune that I love. , Middlebourg. I will smoke ten, I will smoke twenty, I will smoke thirty and then I will say to her that I love her fortune and not— {recovering) — no no, that is not what I wish to say. Enter Tcherita t t., followed by a servant — the servant earring a platter on which are two cups and a sugar bowl. De Monsquet. At last, we are about to discover — Tcherita. (to the servant) Place the platter on the little table, draw for- ward these two chairs— that will do, (exit servant, l.) And now, gentle- men— Middlebourg. Now — Tcherita. You will see, it is very simple. But first have the kindness to be seated. It is very simple I assure you, each of you take a cup, drink — i and the one who is alive a quarter of an hour from now will marry my mis- tress within fifteen days. Middlebourg. What is that you say? Tcherita. You do not understand? I am not surprised at that, T speak the language of Holland passibly, but I am not at all sure of my French. I will begin again. These two cups have been prepared by me. De Monsquet. By you ? Tcherita. Yes, by me. Middlebourg. Ugh I Tcherita. You will each drink the contents of one of them — De Monsquet. and Middlebourg. Tcherita. And the one that is alive a quarter of an hour hence, will marry the thirty millions of my mistress within fifteen days. Do you understand this time ? Have I spoken French ? De Monsquet. It is not extraordinary French but it can be understood. Tcherita. You see, it is very simple. Middlebourg. Very simple, very simple. So in one of these cup3 there is ? Tcherita, Yes. i Middlebourg. Prepared by you ? Ttshcrita. Yes — I was born at Java, you know — De Monsquet. We know. And in the other cup ? Tcherita. There is nothing in the other cup — nothing at all. De Monsquet. ' vrui uauj [Yes— and J- (together) Ah ! • ) Middlebourg, 3 THE CIGARETTE* They both rise, male a half turn around the table and find themselves De MoH' squet in Middlebourg^ s place and Middlebourg in that of De Monsquet, Tchcrita. If you prefer — De Monsquet. This is funny. Just now it seemed to me that I prefered the other, and now — Tcherita. You may' put sugar in it if you wish. Middlebourg. Hey ? Tcherita. I say you may use the sugar. Do I not make myself under- stood ? De Monsquet. This is a joke, confess now that it is only a little joke. Tchcrita. I do not know, (a carriage is heard) But my mistress is here and you can ask her herv>l& Middlebourg. I would have prefered the cigarette, I would have rery much prefered — Dc Monsquet. So would I. Enter Regina, «. 1 t, jRegina. Good day, gentlemen, good day. (to Tcherita who relieves her of her hat, her fur trimmed cloak, etc.) Well, it is done? Tcherita. No mistress, not yet. Regina. What! These gentlemen have not drank! (to De Monsquet and Middlebourg) You have not drank 7 Tchcrita. No, mistress. Regina. You were wrong to let it cool. It is no longer worth anything. De Monsquet. Ah, then when it is cold — JRegina. The effeot is still the same— ah. Yes, there is no change in the effect. But in relish I mean, it is not good at all when it is cold, is it Tcherita? Tcherita, It is not so good, hut still it is agreeable. (exit l. cany hg Regina? s hat cloak and gloves De Monsquet. Come, Madam, come. JRegina. Where is it you want me to come? De Monsquet. You certainly were not serious, when you proposed that we should— Rcgiua. Certainly I was very serious. Have you not told me a hundred times, that if you ever had an opportunity, you would gladly die for me. Middlebourg. I have said that, I was the one. De Monsquet. Yes, it was I, I have said that. JRegina. Well, you have that opportunity now. De Monsquet. But you did not understand. I said that I would willing- ly give my life to make you happy, well suppose I should take one of these two cups, and that I should not take the right one. He would marry you. JRegina. Without doubt. De Monsquet. (toith force) I know it,*you wouldjnot be happy ?| Middlebourg. That is what I was about. to say, if he had not said it I should have said it. pointing to cups) Suppose that I should have taken the wrong one, and that I should have — then he would be the one you would marry. So that I would have made you unhappy. I do|not wish that, I do not wish that. JRegina. Indeed, you think that with the Baron—'? Middlebourg. (in a low voice, leading Regina to one side) The Baron, what Baron? he? come now 1 Ho has himself called the Baron de Mon- squet, but he is no Baron, and his name ia not De Monsquet. It is Fusil. If you marry him, you will not be the Baroness be Monsquet, you will be Madam Fusil. Retina, (with pride) Well, but— De Monsquet. (approaching) What is he saying to you Regina. Nothing— nothing— I assure you. ^ De Monsquet. Do not marry that man. Ho is a rascal. I know it is the custom at Paris to call all men that have money, rascals, but it ia aq^il* THE CIGARETTE. o that senee that I call him a rascal. When I tell you that he is a rascal, it is the same as saying, that he is really a rascal. If you marry him, you will be the wife of a rascal, and with your fortune, there is no necessity for that. Middlebourg. (icho daring the last speech has examined the cups) And then, the more I think of it, the more impossible it appears. You are good at heart — Fusil will bear me witness. De Monsquet. Fusil ! Middlebourg. No, I mean to say De Monsquet. De Monsquet will bear me witness that yon are good at heart, and it is impossible that this idea, that this savage idea should have^oecurred^to you. I am sure it is this Tcherita. De. Monsquet So am I. I am sure of it. Middlebourg. She was born at Java, the wretch. De Monsquet. At Java, the birth place of diabolical decoctions. Mid'lebourg. She must have seen in us, an opportunity to realize the knowledge. she received from her family. De Monsquet. She must have wished to place the drug which her mo- ther — Regina. It is true that this idea occurred to me, after talking with Tcherita Middlebourg. You dr. Lot know to what you expose yourself. Suppose we had accepted the test. D: Monsquet. Suppose that, listening only to our love, we had drank the con tents of those two cups. Middlebourg. Suppose that one of ub should have fallen there, at your feet. Regina. (frightened) Oh, I beg of you. Middlebourg. What then would you have done? Tfjjina. {changing her tone) I would have had him carried out. De Monsquet. It would have been very kind in you to have had him carried out, but that would not have been the end of it. The matter would have been spoken of abroad, and one fine day the justice would have come to ask your account. Regina. (laughing) As for that, I assure you that if the justice came to ask my account, I would have a very simple reply to give him. Middlebourg. What reply would von make. Regina. I would very quickly call Tcherita. (calling) Tcherita! Enter Tcherita, l. Tcherita. Mistress. Regina. You will see how simple my reply would be. Take one of these cups, Tcherita. These gentlemen have not touched them. Tcherita. Oh no, mistress I can guarantee you thev have not touched them. Regina. Take one ofthe cups, I will take the other, and we will drink to- gether, (they drink) There. De Monsquet. ~\ and [(together) Oh! Middlebourg. \ Regina. Decidedly, I was right, when allowed to get cold, it is not good at all . ° Middlebourg. Madam. Regina. Well, do you believe that after this, justice could ask anything more of me? J ° De Monsquet. You have been trifling with us, Madam. Regina. And whose fault is it? You bad only to drink, and heaven only knows tne embarrassment I would have been in. I would hare been oblig- ed to marry you both. But Tcherita, assured me that you would not 10 THE CIGARETTE. De Monsquet. Ah, Tcherita, you did ? Tcherita. Yes, I was sure, perfectly sure that you would not drink, and I said so. Mlddlebourg . Very well, do as you please, Madam. And now I think the only thing left for us to do, is to yield our claims to M. Maurice de Prenil. Regina. M. Maurice De Monsquet. It is not difficult to see that after having treated us in this way — Mlddlebourg. This turn of affairs is curious to say the least — and in or- der to prove to you, that I bear no resentment towards you, I will give you a piece of good advice. In case you desire to marry M. Maurice de Prenil, I advise you to do it very soon — the poor boy can not wait any longer. De Monsquet. He is at the end of his rope. Mlddlebourg. He had a hundred thousand francs, but he spent it all in four months, in trying to make you believe that he was rich. Regina. Trying to make me believe Midd'ebourg. Yes, trying to make you believe that he was rich. Dz Monsquet. In which object, I ignore him. Regina. Ah ! Mlddlebourg. That, Madam is what I had to say to you. Are you com- ing De Monsquet? De Monsquet. Yes my dear friend, I am coming. Middlebourg. (to Regina) Marry M. de Prenil, madam, marry him — and I advise you-again, marry him quickly, (to De Monsquet in making him pass before him) Why didn't you drink ? De Monsquet. It was your place to drink, I would have drank after you. (exeunt, a. 1 k. Regina. Insolents! (after a silence) Tcherita! Tcherita. Mistress. Regina. Do you think it would be possible to find in the world a woman more unhappy than I? Tcherita. That would be difficult. Regina. Say impossible, Tcherita. Tcherita. No. I can not say impassible, but — Regina. Say impossible, I wish it, I wish you to say tnat it would be im- possible. Tcherita. (coldly) Yes, mistress. It would be impossible to find in the world a woman more unhappy than you. Regina. Very good. Thus it is that I alone can never be loved. When a poor girl listens to her lover, she does not doubt, she knows that he is sincere, she knows well it is. herself that he loves and not her fortune, be- cause she has no fortune. Because my husband, because M. Van Rure- monde of Batavia has left me thirty millions I never can be, never, never, never! When I enter any place, people say, "here comes thirty millions," and if any one is kind enough to observe that there is also a little woman there, they reply, "oh yes, it is true there is a little woman, but what is a little woman along side of thirty millions?" Therein lies my unhappi- ness. And never, whatever I may do, will it be possible lor me to escape it. Tcherita. Oh, if you wished, there would be a very simple way/ Rerina. (quickly) A way, a way ? Tcherita. Nothing, strictly speaking, obliges you to keep that fortune. You could very easily disembarrass yourself of it. Regina. What do you say ? Tcherita. I say. that if you wished, it would be a very easy matter to disembarrass yourselr. Regina. Of my fortune? Tcherita, Undoubtedly! Regina. (with conviction) No, indeed. The idea! THE CIGARETTE, U Tcherita. Ah ! Regina. What? You seriously propose to me to renoutes my fortune? What you say is absurd. Tcherita. It is not absurd — but I confess — Regina. Certainly, it is absurd. Say that it is absurd — I want you to oay it is absurds Tcherita. {coldly) Yes mistress, it is absurd. Regina. Very well, (silence) Tcherita I Tcherita Mistress. Regina. This M. Maurice, this M. Maurice de Prenil — did you hear, Tcherita, did you hear what those two gentlemen who have just left said of him? Tcherita. Yes, mistress, I heard perfectly. They said — Regina. (violently) It is not true, is it? These two men have basely slandered him. Tell me that they have lied. Tcherita. No, mistress, they told the truth. Regina. Tcherita! Tcherita-. Those two gentlemen told the truth. Regina. This hundred thouaud francs spent in four months in order to make me believe him rich ? Tcherita. It is very true that M. Maurice de Prenil has spent all he had, but it was not to make you believe that he was rich. Regina. Why then? Tcherita. Simply because it is expensive to live near you, mistress, and he desired to live near you as much as possible. Four mouths ago M. Maurice de Prenil met you for the first time. He saw you and he loved you. Regina. (ironically) Yes, yes, I know, no one can see me without loving me. That is understood. Tcherita. You are rich, fabulously rich — he was almost poor. 80 his first thought was to separate himself from you — to go away, but as he loved you— i Regina. He remarned. It always happens like that. One wishes to go away but does not go. Continue, Tcherita, continue. He wished to go away and he remained — Tcherita. I will wait, said he, I will live happily as long as I can. It will be time to depart, when I have nothing left. Regina. And he spent all that belonged to him— all, all, absolutely all, for the sole pleasure of not leaving me, of seeing me every day ? Tcherita. Yes, mistress. Regina. That is a very pretty story, and when did he relate it to you? Tcherita. This very day, not an hour ago. Regina. Indeed! And presently he will return, will he not? and now, that you have had time to relate to me what he has told you, now that I am prepared, he will fall at my feet, and will play his great farce out to the end. Tcherita. No, madam, no, he will come presently, it is true, but he will not fall at your feet. He will tell you he is going away, that is all, he will tell vou he is going away, and he will go. Regina. Will he ? . Tcherita. Yes, mistress* Regina. Set ously ? Tcherita. Seriously. Regina. And do you believe 'hat? Tcherita. Yes mistress, I believe it. Regina. But this i3 madness — it is — say that you do not believe !t. I Want you to say that you do not believe it. Tcherita. I cannot say that mistress, for I really do believe it. Regina. He will fall at my feet, I tell you. Tcherita. That is just what I advised him to do — yes, mistress, when he jg THE CIGARETTE. was here, I advised him not to leave, and as he loved you to tell you so simply and honestly, 'no,' replied he, 'I will not tell her that, if I did, the idea would occur to her at ouce that it was only her fortune — ' Megina. Hum ! Tcherita. And he was not mistaken. You already have that idea. 'In re mistaken, mistress, he is here. Enter Maurice, R. 1 E. Regina. (vert/ much agitated) Monsieur Maurice. Madam Re ina. (aside to Tcherita) What was I going to say to him ? Tcherita. [aside) Indeed I do not know. Regina. Monsieur — Maurice. Madam — ■ Regina. Ah! (she rapidly unrolls the roll of engravings, which Tcherita places in her hand) I have looked at these engravings that you have had the kindness to bring me, they are very well, there are here the elements out of which to construct a very pretty costume, but the costume itself is not here, we must have a design, you design very nicely, you — Maurice. But madam, it seems to me that yflu too, design very nicely. Regina. Oh, no, no. I draw very badly, very badly— you have told me so yourself often enough. Maurice. I ? Regina. [very agitated and very tender) Certainly you have told me that, you were very merciless with me — very merciless, I have always been spoiled, when I was little I used to draw good little men, they were very ugly, but were pronounced very pretty, because I was little— later in life I have continued to draw good little men, they were still very ugly, but people continued to pronounce them pretty, because I have always been spoiled, I repeat it — it should not be forgotten, and if I design badly, you should not expeet too much of me — I ought to be pardoned. Maurice, {very much agitated) Madam. Regina. Well ? Maurice. I am not of your opinion. I find that you design very well. Regina. You say that in order not to do what I ask you. t But you have time enough since you no not leave until six o'clock. Tcherita. [seated on a pile of cushions) There is also a train at midnight. Maurice, (interested) That is so. Regina. Well then, I think that I will not wear that costume when you are gone, I will have but little heart to do so. But that makes no difference I want this design, I want it very much. fy THE CIGARETTE. Maurice. Well, I will go home and — Regina. {interested) No, no, hei'e. I do not want yoti to go away, 1 would rather not have you go. Maurice. Madam- Renin a. There in that chamber, where I amuse myself in drawing, yoM will find crayons, colors, everything necessary. Will you be kind enough? Maurice, '{warmly) To serve you ? Oh ! Regina. You sa.y— * Maurice, {coldly) I go to design this costume madam, and I will try to lesign it well. (<"**< into chamber, r>. 3»k. Regina. Do you say now that he loves me, Tcherita ? It is not true, he does not love me. Tcherita. Certainly mistress, he loves you. Regiva. Why then does he not. tell me so? Did I not furnish him an op* portunity ? And here, a moment ago, when I spoke of my good little men, Jould he not understand? Tcherita. I told you that he loves you, mistress, but I also told you that he will never confess it. He loves you and he will go away* Regina. He will go away, you think? Tcherita. I am sure of it, mistress. Regina. But I do not want him to go away. 1 do not want it. There ought to be a way to prevent it. Tcherita. Hum! Regina. I wish there was one* Tcherita. You might, as an experiment, try that which he has indicated himself, invert the usual custom, and tell biro that you love him. Regina. That I love him ? Tcherita. Yes* Regina. It seemed to me that 1 just told him that a moment ago* Tcherita. Oh, but perhaps not in a way that he understood you. .Per- haps he desires that the statement should he made in express words. Regina. In express words? That I should say to him in express words, —Do not go away, I love you ? Tcherita. Ye.3. Regina. You talk nonsense. It ia nonsense and then it is unbecoming, say that it is unbecoming, I wish you to say it* Tcherita. Yes, mistress, it is unbecoming, but then — Regina. And then has he not said that very possibly after that, the step might appear risky to him^ and then— Tcherita. That can be so arranged that the step will not appear risky to him at all. Regina. And how is that ? Tcherita. How is that? Regina. Tell me quickly and do not make me repeat* Tcherita. Ordinarily, mistress when you return from the Bois you take a cigarette and smoke,' why not to-day as you do every day, take a cigar- ette, one of these, see? Regina. Ah ! your famous cigarettes ? Tcherita. Yes, mistress. Regina. Do you really believe in them? Tcherita. Try one of them, mistress. Regina. (aside) Yes, in that way I can say all 1 have to say and no one can reproach me for it. {resolutely) Well give me one of them, which ever you wish, it is all the same to me. ( Tcherita goes for a cigarette on the mantel) Well ! Tcherita. Here it is, mistress, here it is. Regina. (seated on the sofa) You know that I have no faith at all in your cigarettes. Tcherita. We will see. Regina. (commencing to smoke) They have an excellent flavor* THE CIGARETTE. 15 Tcherita. Yes, mistress, and very mild true cigarettes for a pretty wo- rn^ n. Rcgina. They are excellent, but as to their power, I have not a particia of faith in that. Enter Maurice, from chamber with a, drawing. Maurice. Here is a rough sketch, madam, and — Regina. Ah I There he is. Tcherita. {aside to Regina, smiling) At least, do not say that you detest him, madam — Regina. Who knows ? Maurice. Here is a rough sketch, madam, and I came to ask you — (Re- gina looks at the sketch laugh-inn) I came to ask you if this sketch — (fresh burst of laughter from Regina, more marked — aside to Tcherita) What is the matter with her? Tcherita. My cigarettes, you understand — she has just taken one. Maurice. Oh, heavens, at least there is no danger. Regina. {who during these two speeches has been looking at the design brought by Maurice) She is curious enough, your little woman here, but surely she is not much better designed than my little men. Maurice. What? Tcherita. The truth, I have told you the truth. Regina. So you are going away. Maurice. Can a person speak to her? will she understand? Tcheriia. Yes, yes, she understands? but in a quarter of an hour she will not remember anything you have said to her. Regina. Oh, yes I will remember it. Tcherita. [No mistress, you will not remember it, you will very soon be- come unconscious, and when vou return to yourself you will have no rec- ollection of what you have said. Maurice. She will become unconscious? There is danger then, she must not — we must prevent her — {Regina throws away Iter cigarette Tcherita. Oh, she does not need to' smoke anymore. The effect is pro- duced. All that she thinks, all that she has in her heart she will now speak. Regina. Yes, I will speak. So you are going away, and you are very proud of it and say to yourself, that in going away you are doing your duty as an honest man. Maurice. Regina? Regina. It is very curious, but I have another idea of honesty. It would seem to me, that after having for four months, allowed a woman to think that you loved her — {after (together) Madam? Middlebourg. j Regina. Good day gentlemen, good clay. Middlebourg, De Monsquet and I h;>.ve reflected. De Monsquet. I was going to say, we have reflected, Middlebourg and I, and there is a test that we ask nothing better than to accept these cigarettes prepared by Tcherita. Tcherita. {laughing) Ah! Ah! (got*, to mantel De Monsquet. These cigarettes which force one to speak the truth. All we ask is the privilege of smoking them before you, you will then see that we are sincere. Tcherita. My mistress accepts. Here, (giving them two cigarettes) But I ought first to inform you that my mistrss*, having had the imprudence to smoke one of these cigarettes, has confessed to M. Maurice de Prenil, that she loves him, so that now the marriage is well under way. Middlebourg. {laughing) Having had the imprudence to smoke one of these cigarettes. De Monsquet. (laughing) One of the cigarettes that were there on the mantel ? Tcherita. Yes. Middlebourg. (exploding with liughter) But they were only ordinary cigarettes. De Monsquet. As we mistrusted ourselves under their influence, we took them away and put others of our own in their place. Maurice. How? Regina. (smilwg) Yes, my friend, and I saw them do it. But what matters it? You have said to Tcherita, that you would remain absolutely firm. Maurice. Ah, my love, how can I prove it to you. (changing tone, en- thusiastically) Hold, I would be willing for you to be twice as rich as you are. THE CIGARETTE. Regina. {smiling) And you would marry me all the same? Maurice. Without hesitation. Be Monsquet. ( and -l (together) So would we, if it comes to that, so would Middlebourg. { we. Regina. (to Tcherita) You know that I have no faith whatever in your cigarettes. Tcherita. And you are wrong mistress, for you see that even when others are put in their place, they compel one to tell the truth none th« the leas. CURTAIN-. THE LATEST NEW PLAY ! ^ JUST ISSUED AND NOW READY. £ PRICE 25 CKWTS. HAL HAZARD, OR THE FEDERAL SPY ! A Military Drama of the late war of the Rebellion, in four acts, by Fred G. Andrews This drama is a great success, and is published now for the first time, from the author's original manuscript. There has been a de- mand for a play which could be used by Grand Army Posts, Mili- tary Companies, etc., which would be effective, and yet not difficult to represent. This want Hal Hazard will supply. It has eight male characters and three female. A few soldiers, both U. S. and C. S., may be used, but there is no elaborate drills or difficult stage business to try the patience of the manager. It takes from \% to 2 hours to present it. The leading character is a double one. "George Clarendon," who assumes the character of ' k 01d Hal," a very deaf and shrewd old man, who is equally at home in the Confederate or Federal Camp. As the Spy he is always on hand at the proper time, and always conies out ahead in all places where his services are needed. The other characters are all good, consisting of a Captain and Lieu- tenant in the U. S. Army, and four Confederates. Generals Sher- man, Stoneman #nd Garrard are represented, but may be omitted if desired. TherC is also an excellent Leading Lady, Old Woman and Negro Comedy Woman. We think those who order and produce this play will be more than pleased. AMES' PLAYS-Continued. HO. K. T. 09 Mother's Fool, farce, 1 act, by W. Henri Wilkins 6 1 1 Mr. & Mrs. Pringle. farce, 1 act, by Don T. De Treuba Cosio 7 2 23 My Heart's in the Highlands, farce, 1 act 4 3 32 My Wife's Relations, comedietta, 1 act, by Walter Gordon 4 4 90 No Cure No Pay, Ethiopian farce, 1 act, by G. VV. H. Griffin 3 1 61 Not as Deaf as He Seems. Ethiopian farce. 1 act 2 37 Not so Bad After All, comedy, 3 acts, by Wybert Reeve 6 5 44 Obedience, Comedietta, 1 act, by Hattie L. Lambla 1 2 81 Old Phil's Birthdav, drama, 2 acts, by J. P. Wooler 5 2 33 On the Sly, farce, 1 act, by John Madison Morton 3 2 109 Other People's Children, Ethiopian farce, 1 act, by A. N. Field 3 2 1-26 Our Daughters, society comedy, 4 acts, by Fred L. Greenwood 8 6 85 Outcast's Wife, drama, 3 acts, oy Colin H. Hazelwood 12 3 83 Out on the World, drama, 3 acts.. 5 4 53 Out in the Streets, temperance drama. 3 acts, by S. N. Cook 6 4 57 Paddy Miles' Boy, Irish farce, 1 act, by James Pilgrim 5 2 29 Painter of Ghent, play, 1 act, by Douglass Jerrold 5 2 114 Passions, comedy, 4 acts, by F. Marmaduke Dey 8 4 18 Poacher's Doom, domestic drama, 3 acts, by A. D. Ames 8 3 51 Rescued, temperance drama, 2 acts, by C. 11. Gilbert 5 3 110 Reverses, domestic drama, 5 acts, by A. Newton Field 12 6 45 Rock Allen the orphan, drama, 1 act, by W. Henri Wilkins 5 3 96 Rooms to Let without Board, Ethiopian farce, 1 act 2 1 59 Saved, temperance sketch, 1 act, by Edwin Tardy 2 3 48 Schnaps, Dutch farce, 1 act, by M. A. D. Cliffton 1 1 107 School, Ethiopian farce, 1 act, by A. Newton Field 5 115 S. H. A. M. Pinafore, burlesque, 1 act. by W. Henri Wilkins 5 3 £5 Somebody's Nobody, farce, l act, by C. A. Maltby 3 2 94 Sixteen Thousand Years Ago, Ethiopian farce, 1 act •_ 3 25 Sport with a Sportsman, Ethiopian farce, 1 act 2 79 Spy of Atlanta, military allegory, (i acts, by A. D. Ames, 25 cents... 14 3 92 Stage Struck Darkey, Ethiopian farce, 1 act 2 1 10 Stocks Up, Stocks Down, Ethiopian farce, 1 act 2 62 Ten Nights in a Bar Room, temperance drama, 5 acts 7 3 64 That Boy Sam, Ethiopian farce, 1 act, by F. L. Cutler 3 1 40 That Mysterious Bundle, farce, 1 act. by H. L. Lambla 2 2 38 The Bewitched Closet, sketch, 1 act, by H. L. Lambla 5 2 87 The Biter Bit. comedy, 2 acts, by Barham Livius 5 2 101 The Coming Man, farce, 1 act, by VV. Henri Wilkins 3 1 67 The False Friend, drama, 2 acts, by George S. Vautrot 6 1 97 The Fatal Blow, melodrama, i acts, by Edward Fitzball 7 1 119 The Forty-Niners, or The Pioneer's Daughter, border drama, 5 acts, bv T. W. Hanshew 10 4 93 The Gentleman in Black, drama, 2 acts, by W. H. Murray 9 4 112 The New Magdalen, drama, pro. 3 acts, by A. Newton Field 8 3 118 The Popcorn Man, Ethiopian farce, 1 act, by A. Newton Field 3 1 71 The Reward of Crime, drama, 2 acts, by W. Henri Wilkins 5 3 16 The Serf, tragedy, 5 acts, by R. Talbot 6 3 68 The Sham Professor, farce, 1 act, by F. L. Cutler.. 4 6 The Studio, Ethiopian farce, 1 act 3 102 Turn of the Tide, temperance drama, 3 acts, by W. Henri Wilkins.. 7 4 54 The Two T. J's, farce, 1 act, by Martin Beecher 4 2 7 The Vow of the Ornani. drama, 3 acts, by J. N. Gotthold 8 1 28 Thirty-three next Birthday, farce, 1 act, by M. Morton 4 2 108 Those Awful Boys, Ethiopian farce, 1 act, by A. Newton Field 5 63 Three Glasses a Day, temperance drama, 2 acts, W. Henri Wilkins.. 4 2 105 Through Snow and Sunshine, drama, 5 acts 6 4 4 Twain's Dodging, Ethiopian farce. 1 act, by A. Newton Field 3 1 5 When Women Weep, comedietta, 1 act, by J. N. Gotthold 3 2 56 Wooing Under Difficulties, farce, 1 act, by J. T. Douglass 4 3 41 Won at Last, comedy drama, 3 acts, by Wybert Reeve 7 3 70 Which will he Marry, farce, 1 act, by Thomas E. Wilks 2 8 58 Wrecked, temperance drama. 2 acts, by A. D. Ames 9 3 111 Yankee Duelist, farce, 1 act, by A. Newton Field 2 2 NEW P LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 016 102 640 2 # i L.A! I O PRICE 15 CENTS EACH. The following plays are entirely new, having been printed from the original Mss. of their respect- ive authors. Address, A. D. Ames, Pub'r. Lock Box 102. Clyde, Ohio. WILL-O'-THE-WISP, OR THE SHOT IX THE DARK. A comedy drama in 3 acts by the celebrated novelest and dramatist, T. W. Hanshew. 9 males, 4 females, a play of intense interest, and now published for the first time. Each character good. Costumes easily arranged. Time of per- formance about 2 hours. THE EMIGRANT'S DA UGHTER. A border drama in 3 acts by Len. Ellsworth Tilden, 8 males, 3 females. Time of playing 2 hours. This drama is replete with startling situations, thrilling incidents, and is inter- esting from beginning to end. The charactersare all good, including Indians Coyotes, etc., as well as excellent leading parts. A comedy — a parly who represents a Professor of Phrenology, will keep an audience in mar? of laughter. AAR- U-A G-OOS? OR AN EAST INDIAN DRUG. An original farce in 1 act by Malcolm Stuart Taylor, 2 males, 1 female character. To an- nounce a play by the author of the 'The Afflicted Family' is sufficient guar- antee of its excellence. Time of plaving 35 minutes. SEEING BOSTING. A "mixuption" in 1 act by F. L. Cutler, 3 males, A Landlord, Yankee, Negro — the scrapes the Yankee and Negro get into are truly laughable. Time 20 minutes. ACTOR AND SERVANT. A dutch farce in 1 act by F. L. Cutler, 1 male, 1 lemale — shows the trial of an actor with a blundering Dutch ser- vant — roars of laughter in it. Time 25 mjinutes. THE LICK SKILLET WEDDING. A farce in 1 act by A. 11. Gibson, 2 males, 2 females. Time 20 minutes, just the thing for a short afterpiece. MA TRIMONIAL BLISS. A scene from real life by Ida M. Buxton, 1 male 1 female, as performed at Temperance Hall, Woonsocket, Pi,. I. A poor abused husband and a strong minded wife, constitute the dramatis personce. Just the thing for exhibitions, amateur clubs, etc. Time 20 minutes. THE MUSICAL DARKEY. A farce in 1 act by F. L. Cutler, 2 males. Interior^scene — a splendid farce for an Ethiopian comedian who can sing and dance. Time 30 minutes. THE HIDDEN TREASURES. A drama in a prologue and 4 acts, by Zella Careo, 4 males and 2 females. Amateurs will find this a capital play for their use, and one which will please them. Time of performance 1 and 3-4 hours. POMP'S PRANKS. An extremely ludicrous Ethiopian farce for 2 male characters, by F. L. Cutler. Scene, a plain room — time 20 minutes. Pomp's pranks are certainly funny and will bring down the house. NE W YEA RS IN NE W YORK; OR, THE GERMAN BARON. An original comedy in 2 acts, by W. H. Spangler, Jr. — 7 male G females. We recommend this as being one of the best of modern comedies. There is a great variety of characters, each one entirely different from all the others. The Dutch character is immense, and every speech is the signal for a laugh. Order a copy at once.