No. 2. 
 
 Just Published. The "Popular Edition" of Baker's Reading Club and Hand 
 Speaker. Nos. 1, 2. and 3. 50 selections in each. Price IS cents earh. 
 
 PR 5232 
 .R16 U6 
 Copy 1 
 
 Copyright, 1876, by George M. Baker 
 
Spencer's Universal Stage. 
 
 A Collection of COMEDIES, DRAMAS, and FARCES, adapted to either Public or Private 
 Performance. Containing a full description of all the 
 necessary Stage Business. 
 
 PRICE, 15 CENTS EACH, sr- No Plays Exchanged. 
 
 1. LOST IN" LONDON. A Drama in 3 Acts. 
 
 6 male, 4 female characters. 
 
 2. NICHOLAS FLAM. A Comedy in 2 Acts. 
 
 By J. B. Buckstone. 5 male, 3 female char. 
 
 3. THE "WELSH G-IRL. A Comedy in 1 Act. 
 
 By Mrs. Plauche. 3 male, 2 female char. 
 
 4. JOHN WOPPS. A Farce in 1 Act By 
 
 W. E. Suter. 4 male, 2 female char. 
 
 5. THE TURKISH BATH. A Farce in 1 Act. 
 
 By Montague Williams and F. C Burnand. 
 
 male, 1 female char. 
 
 6. THE TWO PTJDDIFOOTS. A Farce in 1 
 
 Act. By J. M. Morton. 3 male, 3 female char. 
 
 7. OLD HONESTY. A Comic Drama in 2 
 
 Acts. By J. M. Morton. 5 male, 2 female char. 
 
 8. TWO GENTLEMEN IN A FIX. A 
 
 Farce in 1 Act. By W. E. Suter. 2 male char. 
 
 9. SMASHING-TON GOIT. A Farce in 1 Act. 
 
 By T. J. Williams. 5 male, 3 female char. 
 
 10. TWO HEADS BETTER THAN ONE. A 
 
 Farce in 1 Act. By Lenox Home. 4 male, 
 
 1 female char. 
 
 11. JOHN DOBBS. A Farce in 1 Act. By J. M. 
 
 Morton. 5 male, 2 female char. 
 
 12. THE DAUGHTER of the REGIMENT. 
 
 A Drama in 2 Acts. By Edward Fitzball, 
 6 male, 2 female char. 
 
 13. ATTNT CHARLOTTE'S MAID. A Farce in 1 
 
 Act. By J. M. Morton. 3 male, 3 female char. 
 
 14. BROTHER BILL AND ME. A Farce in 
 
 1 Act. By W. E. Suter. 4 male, 3 female char. 
 
 15. DONE ON BOTH SIDES. A Farce in 1 
 
 Act. By J. M. Morton. 3 male, 2 female char. 
 
 16. DUNDUCKETTY'S PICNIC. A Farce in 1 
 
 Act. By T. J. Williams. G male, 3 female char. 
 
 17. I'VE "WRITTEN TO BROWNE. A Farce 
 
 in 1 Act. By T. J. Williams. 4 male, 3 female 
 char. 
 
 19. MY PRECIOUS BETSY. A Farce in 1 
 
 Act. By J. M. Morton. 4 male, 4 female char. 
 
 20. MY TURN NEXT. A Farce in 1 Act. By 
 
 T. J. Williams. 4 male, 3 female char. 
 
 22. THE PHANTOM BREAKFAST. A Farce 
 
 in 1 Act. By Chas. Selby. 3 male, 2 female char. 
 
 23. DANDELION'S DODGES. A Farce in 1 
 
 Act. By T. J. Williams. 4 male, 2 female char. 
 
 24. A SLICE OF LUCK. A Farce in 1 Act. By 
 
 J. M. Morton. 4 male, 2 female char. 
 
 25. ALWAYS INTENDED. A Comedy in 1 
 
 Act. By Horace Wigan. 3 male, 3 female char. 
 
 26. A BULL IN A CHINA SHOP. A Comedy 
 
 in 2 Acts. By Charles Matthews. 6 male, 4 
 female char. 
 
 27. ANOTHER GLASS. A Drama in 1 Act. By 
 
 Thomas Morton. 6 male, 3 female char. 
 
 28. BOWLED OUT. A Farce in 1 Act. By H. 
 
 T. Craven. 4 male, 3 female char. 
 
 29. COUSIN TOM. A Commedietta in 1 Act. By 
 
 Geo. Roberts. 3 male, 2 female char. 
 
 30. SARAH'S YOUNG MAN. A Farce in 1 
 
 Act. By W. E. Suter. 3 male, 3 female char. 
 
 31. HIT HIM, HE HAS NO FRIENDS. A 
 
 Farce in 1 Act. By E. Yates and N. H. Har- 
 rington. 7 male, 3 female char. 
 
 32. THE CHRISTENING. A Farce in 1 Act. 
 
 By J. B. Buckstone. 5 male, 6 female char. 
 
 33. A RACE FOR A WIDOW. A Farce in 1 
 
 Act. By T. J. Williams. 5 male, 4 female char. 
 
 34. YOUR LIFE'S IN DANGER. A Farce in 
 
 1 Act. By J. M. Morton. 3 male, 3 female char. 
 
 35. TRUE UNTO DEATH. A Drama in 2 Acts. 
 
 By J. Sheridan Knowles. 6 male, 2 female char. 
 
 Descriptive Catalogue mailed free on application to 
 
 CEO. M. BAKER & CO., 41 
 
 36. DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND. An Interlude 
 in 1 Act. By W. H. Murray. 10 male, 1 female 
 char. 
 
 A Farce in 1 Act. 
 6 male, 1 female 
 
 By 
 
 ^ 
 
 37. LOOK AFTER BROWN. 
 By George A. Stuart, M. D. 
 char. 
 
 38. MONSEIGNEUR. A Drama in 3 Acts. 
 Thomas Archer. 15 male, 3 female char. 
 
 39. A VERY PLEASANT EVENING. A 
 Farce in 1 Act. By W. E. Suter. 3 male char. 
 
 40. BROTHER BEN. A Farce in 1 Act. By J. 
 M. Morton. 3 male, 3 female char. 
 
 41. ONLY A CLOD. A Comic Drama in 1 Act. 
 By J. P. Simpson. 4 male, 1 female char. 
 
 42. GASPARDO THE GONDOLIER. A 
 Drama in 3 Acts. By George Almar. 10 male, 
 2 female char. 
 
 43. SUNSHINE THROUGH THE CLOUDS. 
 A Drama in 1 Act. By Slingsby Lawrence. 3 
 male, 3 female char. 
 
 44. DON'T JUDGE BY APPEARANCES. A 
 Farce in 1 Act. By J. M. Morton. 3 male, 2 
 female char. 
 
 45. NURSE Y CHICKWEED. A Farce in 1 Act. 
 By T. J. Williams. 4 male, 2 female char. 
 
 46. MARY MOO ; or, Which shall I Marry? 
 A Farce in 1 Act. By W. E. Suter. 2 male, 1 
 female char. 
 
 47. EAST LYNNE. A Drama in 5 Acts. 8 male, 
 7 female char. 
 
 48. THE HIDDEN HAND. A Drama in 5 Acts. 
 By Robert Jones. 16 male, 7 female char. 
 
 49. SILVERSTONE'S WAGER. A Commedi- 
 etta in 1 Act. By R. R. Andrews. 4 male, 3 fe- 
 male char. 
 
 50. DORA. A Pastoral Drama in 3 Acts. By Chas. 
 Reade. 5 male, 2 female char. 
 
 55. THE WIFE'S SECRET. A Play in 5 Acts. 
 By Geo. W. Lovell. 10 male, 2 female char. 
 
 56. THE BABES IN THE WOOD. A Com- 
 edy in 3 Acts. By Tom Taylor. 10 male, 3 fe- 
 male char. 
 
 57. PUTKINS ; Heir to Castles in the Air. 
 A Comic Drama in 1 Act. By W. R. Emerson. 
 
 2 male, 2 female char. 
 
 58. AN UGLY CUSTOMER. A Farce in 1 Act. 
 By Thomas J. Williams. 3 male, 2 female char. 
 
 59. BLUE AND CHERRY. A Comedy in 1 Act. 
 
 3 male, 2 female char. 
 
 60. A DOUBTFUL VICTORY. A Comedy in 
 
 1 Act. 3 male, 2 female char. 
 
 61. THE SCARLET LETTER. A Drama in 3 
 Acts. 8 male, 7 female char. 
 
 62. WHICH WILL HAVE HIM ? A Vaude- 
 ville. 1 male, 2 female char. 
 
 63. MADAM IS ABED. A Vaudeville in 1 Act 
 
 2 male, 2 female char. 
 
 64. THE ANONYMOUS KISS. A Vaudeville. 
 2 male, 2 female char. 
 
 65. THE CLEFT STICK. A Comedy in 8 Acts. 
 5 male, 3 female char. 
 
 66. A SOLDIER, A SAILOR, A TINKER, 
 AND A TAILOR. A Farce in 1 Act. 4 male, 
 2 female char. 
 
 GIVE A DOG A BAD NAME. A Farce. 
 2 male, 2 female char. 
 
 68. DAMON AND PYTHIAS. A Farce. 6 
 male, 4 female char. 
 
 69. A HUSBAND TO ORDER. A Serio-comic 
 Drama in 2 Acts. 5 male, 3 female char. 
 
 70. PAYABLE ON DEMAND. A Domestic 
 Drama in 2 Acts. 7 male, 1 female char. 
 
 ■45 Franklin St., Boston 
 
 67. 
 
UNDER A VEIL. 
 
 a Cometiietta in @nz &ct 
 
 SIR RANDAL ROBERTS, Bart., 
 
 GEORGE M. BAKER, 
 
 BOSTON : 
 
 GEORGE M. BAKER AND COMPANY, 
 
 41 Franklin Street. 
 1877. 
 
f lit 
 
 CHARACTERS. 
 
 Charles Devereaux. 
 Pritchard. 
 Elizabeth. 
 Waiter. 
 
 Costumes modern. 
 
 Copyright. 
 By GEO. M. BAKER. 
 
 1877.. 
 
UNDER A VEIL. 
 
 Scene I. — Two rooms right and left, stage divided in the 
 
 centre; a door of coimnu'nication between rooms, fastened by 
 
 a bolt on either side ; small tables, sofas, and arm-chairs. 
 
 Practicable doors, i e l., 2 E. l., and 2d e. r. Window 
 
 at back of R. room. Door at back of L. room. 
 
 Pri. {advancing towards table). Beg pardon, sir. 
 
 Cha. (lazily). All right. 
 
 Pri. Beg pardon, sir, exceedingly sorry to disturb you ; 
 (to Waiter) he's asleep. 
 
 Cha. (snores.) 
 
 Pri. {loudly). I'm really very sorry to wake you, sir. 
 
 Cha. (still lying on sofa). What ! you don't mean to say 
 it's twelve. 
 
 Pri. Twelve ! ah, to be sure, the hour I was to wake him 
 for the ball. No, sir, it's only ten o'clock ; but {looking at 
 him) he's asleep again — the devil ! (Calling loudly.) I'm 
 really pained to awake you, sir — 
 
 Cha. (half rising and yawning). What on earths the 
 matter ? Oh, it's you, Mr. Red Lion, is it? {Sinks back, 
 
 Pri. Beg pardon, sir, I am not Red Lion : it is my neigh- 
 bor of the next hotel I suppose you allude to. Here, sir, 
 you are in the first and best hotel in the town, -* the White 
 Horse. 
 
 Cha. (stretching himself on sofa). All right, with all my 
 heart, then, Mr. White Horse. What is it ? 
 
 Pri. Well, sir, the fact is, I'm in a dreadful fix — a most 
 awkward predicament, out of which I cannot extricate myself 
 without your assistance. You see, sir, if you will only pardon 
 
 3 
 
4 UNDER A VEIL. 
 
 it, but my daughter was only married to-day. Yes, sir, 
 married ; in fact, sir, she was married to make her happy — 
 you know, sir, — you understand ! And, sir, just as we are 
 having a little dance in honor of this marriage, which takes 
 up all our spare accommodation, a lady and her maid arrive, 
 asking for rooms ; and, as they require two beds in one room, 
 I dared to hope that perhaps, sir, you would oblige me by 
 changing this room for the next one. You see, sir, that the 
 bedroom belonging to this sitting-room has two beds, whilst 
 in here {throwing open door in centre partition) there is only 
 one bed, though in all respects furnished in the same manner. 
 If you, sir, would oblige me by just looking in {on turning to 
 Charles, finds him asleep) — Confound it, he's asleep again ! 
 {To audience.) An idea occurs to me ; {turning to Waiter) 
 here, George, catch hold of one end of this sofa. {They 
 take sofa, and carry it into next room with Charles asleep 
 on it. There, I don't believe he'll find it out ; here, George, 
 his luggage. {Brings baggage, but leaves letter^ There, now, 
 that's all right, and' now {entering next door, and closing with 
 bolt) I can fetch the ladies up. ; {Exit. 
 
 Re-enter Prichard ushering in Lucy and Elizabeth. 
 Prichard carrying candle. Charles asleep in 
 r. h. room. 
 
 Pri. These are the rooms, madam. This door leads into 
 the bedroom. 
 
 [Shows door i E. L., and Elizabeth takes luggage in. 
 
 Luc. Many thanks. Don't forget the horses at six o'clock 
 to-morrow morning. 
 
 Pri. To the moment, madam. {Aside to Elizabeth, who 
 has re-e?itered.) If you can find time, join us downstairs. 
 Don't forget ; I shall expect you. 
 
 Eliz. All right ; as soon as missus has done with me. 
 
 {Exit Pri. 
 
 Cha. (r. h., waking up). Hullo ! there's somebody talking 
 in the next room. [Listens, silting up. 
 
 Luc. Y911 seem to know the landlord, Elizabeth ? 
 
 Eliz. Oh, yes, ma'am, I've known him for some time : 
 his wife was a friend of mine, and his daughter that married 
 to-day is my godchild. 
 
 Luc. Indeed ! Then I suppose you'd like to join them 
 downstairs. You can go, and I'll open my things myself. 
 
 Eliz. Oh, thank you, mum I [Exit I* 2 E. 
 
UNDER A VEIL. 5 
 
 Lucy unpacking her boxes, L. H. 
 Cha. {sitting on side of sofa, r. h.). By Jove ! one hears 
 every thing that is going on next door. Seems to be a lady 
 and her maid — not very gentlemanly to listen, Master 
 Charley, but it's interesting. Ah, well ! when I was young 
 this might have led to an adventure. I should never have 
 rested until I had made the acquaintance of my fair neigh- 
 bor, — for I suppose she is fair, — whilst now there's not the 
 slightest danger. Confound it ! I must see this woman, 
 though. {Rising, and going towards door.) Hullo ! I could 
 have sworn the'lock of the door was on the other side just 
 now. That's deuced funny. {Looking round the room.) 
 Why, where the mischief am I ? and how on earth did I get 
 here ? 
 
 Luc. {looking at her watch). Half-past ten. 
 Cha. Ah ! I understand. I thought I had a terrible night- 
 mare. A frightful monster held me by the feet, and another 
 by the head ; it appears, however, that these monsters must 
 have been the Red Lion or the White Horse, and my room 
 has been given to this lady, whoever she may be, to suit 
 their convenience. Well, I don't care very much about see- 
 ing her. All women are alike — just as cats are all alike. 
 {Stoops down to examine the door.) Why, there's no lock! 
 only a bolt. Well, I can't help that; let's see if we can't 
 get another nap until it's time to go to the ball. 
 
 [Returns to sofa. 
 Luc. {book in hand, seated on sofa). This " Voyage round 
 the World " is always a charming book to read. 
 
 She puts her book upon the table, and leans her head 
 
 upon her arm as if to read book; perceives 
 
 letter. 
 
 Luc. Why, here's somebody's letter ! {Takes it up, com- 
 
 ing down front.) Not very ladylike to read it, I suppose ; but 
 
 all women are curious. Seems to be unfinished. Of course 
 
 it's very wrong to read this letter {reads), — 
 
 " My dear George, — As I quite anticipated on my 
 return from home, the Government appointment I ex- 
 pected has been given to another. Pardon me, if on 
 receiving this intelligence, I quitted London without 
 bidding you adieu — and as it seems " — 
 This is really too bad of me, — 
 
 " that I am too lazy to do any thing, as you all of you 
 always said " — [Pausing. 
 
6 UNDER A VEIL. 
 
 What on earth does that mean? T should much like to see 
 the author {reading again from letter), — 
 
 " I intend as soon as I have realized what property I have, 
 to go to Baden, and once more try my luck at the tables. 
 If I win, I shall found a hospital: and if I lose —well, in 
 that case, the only thing I can see for me to do is to 
 join my mother." ^Finishing reading letter. 
 
 That's all ; this gentleman has got no further,, or else he has 
 taken away the end of it. 
 
 [Commences re-reading in a low tone. 
 
 Cha. {rousing himself). Oh ! I can't lay here any longer. 
 Morpheus won't come to my aid. What shall I do ? Welt, 
 I might just as well finish my letter to George. Why ! wl\at 
 the deuce have I done with it ? {Searches in his pockets.) 
 Why, it seems to me I left it on the table before I went to 
 sleep. [He looks upon the table. 
 
 Luc. {again reading letter). " In that case, the only thing 
 I can see for me to do is to join my mother." 
 
 Cha. {striking his forehead). Confound it ! I've left it 
 in the next room. 
 
 Luc. {putting down letter, and taking up book). After all, 
 I'm not George, and I've no right to read that letter. 
 
 Cha. But then my letter must be in the power of this 
 woman. It appears to me that I've a perfect right to — 
 
 [Knocks gently at door. 
 
 Luc. Good gracious ! there's some one knocking. Who is 
 there ? What do you want ? 
 
 Cha. A thousand pardons, madam. I am the person who 
 inhabited a few minutes ago the room you now occupy ; and 
 by accident in leaving the room I left an unfinished letter. 
 
 Luc. {aside). Dear me ! This is the young gentleman 
 that's too lazy for any thing. 
 
 Cha. Would you be kind enough to return me my letter ? 
 
 Luc. {embarrassed). Sir, I'll ring in order that your letter 
 may be brought to you. 
 
 Cha. A thousand pardons, madam ; but pray don't trou- 
 ble to ring. Can't you slip it under the door ? 
 
 Luc. Oh, certainly ! There it is. [Passes letter. 
 
 Cha. Thanks. {Aside.) A charming voice, — soft as a 
 bird's ; and, if the plumage only corresponds — {He goes to 
 examine fastening) Confound this bolt ! Infamous hotel ! 
 {He returns to table, and prepares to write) By the way, I 
 
UNDER A VEIL. 7 
 
 should like to know if she's read this (looking at letter). 
 Well, there's a very old method for ascertaining that : ask 
 her. {Goes to door, and knocks.) Madam, pardon me — 
 
 Luc. What do you want, sir ? 
 
 Cha. Madam, my letter was left open on the table ; and 
 in taking it up — without, of course, the slightest desire — 
 your eye must naturally have fallen upon it, and — 
 
 Luc. (aside). I understand. (Aloud.) I don't understand 
 you, sir; and, inasmuch as I've done what you desire, I 
 must beg that we have no further conversation, as I shall 
 refuse to answer. 
 
 Cha. Why, may I ask ? I was asleep just now, and 
 dreaming charmingly. If you like, I'll tell you the dream. 
 
 Luc. Certainly not, sir. 
 
 Cha. Very good : it'll keep for another time ; but then, 
 inasmuch as it was you that woke me up, permit me at least 
 to converse with you as a compensation. 
 
 Luc. (aside). He is not stupid. 
 
 Cha. I beg pardon : did you speak ? 
 
 Luc. (aside). What have I to dread? He seems a gentle- 
 man. (Aloud) Well, sir, proceed, as you consider yourself 
 aggrieved ; only remember that I trust to your feelings as a 
 gentleman, and your discretion. 
 
 Cha. Madam, you may depend upon it. (Wheeling arm- 
 chair to door, and speaking through keyhole.) Are you 
 married ? 
 
 Luc. (affronted and aside). Upon my word ! (Aloud) Do 
 you call that discretion, sir ? 
 
 Cha. Most certainly; as a subject of conversation I see 
 nothing against it. Society prescribes certain forms of con- 
 versation ; and, to ascertain what forms to use, one must 
 know whether one is speaking to a widow or a young girl, 
 to an old maid or a married woman. 
 
 Luc. In — I — I am married. 
 
 Cha. (aside). So much the worse. I, madam, am a 
 bachelor, and I'm going to Baden. Where may you be 
 going ? 
 
 Luc. A long way off, sir. 
 
 Cha. To — 
 
 Luc. To rejoin my husband, naturally. 
 
 Cha. By the way, madam, do you love your husband ? 
 
 Luc. Excuse me, sir, but, if you don't mind, we'll change 
 the conversation. 
 
8 UNDER A VEIL. 
 
 Cha. Whatever pleases you, madam, pleases me. (Pause!) 
 A charming hotel, madam, is this Golden Lion. So well 
 furnished, so well decorated ! My goodness me ! it gives 
 me the inclination to set fire to the place. 
 
 Luc. If you've any such intentions, sir, pray remember 
 that I'm in the hotel. 
 
 Cha. Very good ; only just remember, that, in not setting 
 fire to the hotel, I'm saving your life. (A paused By the 
 way, madam, now I come to think of it, you do not love your 
 husband. 
 
 Luc. Sir ! 
 
 Cha. When one is compelled to separate one's self from 
 a husband that one loves, one is not so light-hearted as you 
 were just now, and — 
 
 Luc. Really, sir ! 
 
 Cha. Madam, pardon me, but you do not evidently pos- 
 sess a husband who would make you cry out in the words of 
 Sterne, " Oh, Love, king of gods and men ! " Now, if it had 
 been my fate to have crossed your path, I swear that — 
 
 Luc. And I swear to you, sir, that I would never marry a 
 man who was too lazy to do any thing. 
 
 Cha. Madam, you have read my letter. 
 
 Luc. I, sir ? oh, dear, no ! I can assure you I only looked 
 at it. By the way, would you mind informing me how it is 
 that you came to inhabit this room ? 
 
 Cha. Well, the fact is, I went to sleep on the sofa : I've 
 some faint recollection of the landlord coming in and asking 
 me something about moving out ; but he was so long about 
 it that I fell asleep again, and during that time I fancy he 
 had me quietly carried, sofa and all, into the next room. By 
 the way, I have a charming idea. 
 
 Luc. May I venture to ask it ? (Aside) I should like to 
 have a look at this man. 
 
 Cha. Madam, in the East, you are aware that a veil is a 
 protecting wall between man and woman. If you would 
 endeavor to put on such a veil, and would do me the honor 
 of granting me an interview, — the landlord can supply us 
 with refreshments, — we can converse more easily than 
 through this partition ; in fact, we shall be in the East ; and, 
 further, I pledge myself on my honor as a gentleman, that 
 nothing shall in any way cause you to regret our inter- 
 view. 
 
UNDER A VEIL. 
 
 / ue (aside) His letter announces that he intends to risk 
 his fortune What if 1 could dissuade h.m ? .t would at 
 feast be the act of a Christian, and -and ^a^man 
 
 Cha. What! not a word? must I then Deseecn >uu 
 
 con " ? —~" 
 
 Isinjrs.) Oh ! let my voice persuasive 
 
 Penetrate to your inmost heart ; 
 Oh ! list to my prayer so plaintive, 
 
 Through the door that keeps us apart. m 
 T„r T consent, but upon one condition ; and that is, 
 that you explain to' me ho£ it is that a man can be too lazy 
 
 t0 ar y Very g good ; at least I will explain to you the mean- 
 
 ing L i *t"^^<^«°v * * f - *— s i sha11 
 
 pr-senting myself. (Goes to window, calling) Mr. Kea 
 ^E^SS Id better alter my *jg£W. 
 " S down stage). He has absolutely conde- 
 
 P« For nobody else but you, sir, would I have disturbed 
 myself iSn the auspicious occasion. To-day! yes'erday! 
 did I tell you that my daughter was married? Yes, sir, to 
 
 *VtT You couldn't do better, my dear White Horse if 
 vnu intended <riving your daughter a husband. Just listen 
 I me for a moment ; 5 you will Sblige me by gomg up -your- 
 
 ^r^^^^X^one is a father, 
 
 J::;J°o/kpat.ence) - candles, sir, yes, s,r, and flowers , 
 
 y<? Gi£' Afterwards you will bring up some refreshments; 
 tea, for instance. 
 
IO UNDER A VEIL. 
 
 Pri. Tea, sir ? 
 
 Cha. Yes ; tea, tea, tea. 
 
 Pri. Senna tea ? 
 
 Cha. No, confound you, ordinary tea ! 
 
 Pri. Ordin — ordmorary — onding {Charles impatient) — 
 You're not ill, I hope, sir ? 
 
 Cha. Not in the least, thanks. {Going, Charles stops him). 
 Ah, by the way, landlord, that lady in the next room — what 
 sort of a person is she ? 
 
 Pri. Char— ming, sir ; be-a-u-ti-ful. Oh ! she's much 
 handsomer than her father ; but if hereafter he should 
 betray her, if he should — 
 
 Cha. Who the devil are you talking about ? 
 
 Pri. My shon-in-law. 
 
 Cha. Confound your son-in-law ! 
 
 Pri. Yes, sir, certainly, sir : that's what I say, and — 
 
 Cha. Be off, and do what I told you. 
 
 Pri. Yes, sir, directly ; but you'll understand that on 
 such an auspicious — 
 
 Cha. There, there — be off; Red Lion — he's gone. 
 
 Pri. (tttrning at door). White Horse Hotel, sir, please. 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 Cha. (alone). I suppose he'll do what I've told him. I 
 ought to change my coat too. Upon my honor (dressing 
 himself), I'm delighted with my evening ; and somehow or 
 another, oddly enough", I feel quite curious to see this 
 woman ; in fact, I begin to be interested. It's so long since 
 I've been in the least interested — yes, it's six months since 
 any thing of the kind has happened. And my heart is, after 
 all, but human : it detests a void. [Goes on dressing. 
 
 Enter Prichard and George, l. 2 e., carrying candelabra 
 and vase of flowers. 
 
 Pri. (still drunk). George, your conduct is schandalush : 
 your master's daughter is married to-day, and you take no 
 more notish of the event than a cow, than a cow or calf ; 
 you've no heart, George, you've no shoul. 
 
 George. But, sir — 
 
 Pri. Hold your tongue ; pray for her happiness, and go 
 down and tell her I'm coming. [Exit George. 
 
 Enter Lucy i e. l., veil hi hand, and long cloak on, hiding 
 figure. 
 
 Luc. (perceiving flowers). Oh, what a charming change ! 
 I congratulate you, sir, 
 
UNDER A VEIL. II 
 
 Pri. I'll tell her, madam, she will be delighted ; such a 
 day, you understand, madam. If she's only happy! May 
 heaven — 
 
 Cha. He's having a reel in the next room now. 
 
 Luc. Who are you talking about ? 
 
 Pri. Eh, my daughter, madam ; at this moment she's so 
 happy — may she be so all her life! and as to your maid, 
 madam, she dances as if my daughter's happiness depended 
 on her legs, you understand. Madam, of course I mean — 
 
 Luc. Perfectly ; be good enough to open that door, and 
 show the gentleman in, who is in there. 
 
 [Sits down, and puts on veil. 
 
 Pri. But, madam — 
 
 Luc. Do what I tell you. 
 
 Pri. {hesitating, yet opens door of communication, and 
 enters Charles's room). Sir ! 
 
 Cha. All right, I've heard; you can announce me. 
 
 Pri. You wrote your name in my book ; but you see, 
 sir, my daughter's — 
 
 Cha. You've forgotten it ; say Mr. Charleston King. 
 
 Pri. {re-entering L. h.). Mr. Charles, son of a king ! 
 
 Ltic. Son of a king ! 
 
 Cha. {entering). Charleston King, at your service, madam. 
 
 Pri. {aside, going). A veiled woman in my house on 
 such a day ! {Exit. 
 
 Cha. {taking a chair near Lucy). It is really too good 
 of you, madam, to receive a man in your rooms who you 
 never saw ; and I scarcely know how to thank you. 
 
 Luc. You will thank me, sir, by explaining how it is that 
 one can be — 
 
 Cha. Too lazy for any thing. 
 
 Luc. Precisely. If you will take the chair near you, you 
 can be seated. 
 
 Cha. Well, you see, in this world men have all sorts of 
 faces. (P richard enters with tea-tray.) Confound this 
 fellow ! Just as I was getting on so nicely ! 
 
 Pri. {putting down tea). Madam — 
 
 Cha. Talking of faces, let me draw your attention, madam, 
 to this one {pointing to Pri.'s face). There is a face that has 
 committed faults — crimes. 
 
 Pri. Crimes ! Faults ! Me, madam ! me, sir ! Here is 
 the best tea, which upon this auspicious day — 
 
13 UNDER A VEIL. 
 
 Cha. That'll do. 
 
 Pri. Crimes ! Faults ! Yes, madam, your maid has 
 charmed us to such an extent with her dancing on this 
 auspicious — 
 
 Luc. {taking no notice of Pri.). Go on talking, sir, whilst 
 I pour out the tea. 
 
 Cha. Well, madam, in consequence of my misfortune my 
 lifetime has indeed been a miserable one, — sorrow upon 
 sorrow, faults accumulating upon faults. 
 
 Pri. {leaving). Crimes ! Faults, indeed ! [Exit. 
 
 Cha. My friends always insisted on declaring that I was 
 too lazy to do any thing ; and the unlucky star that I was 
 born under, gossiping tongues, and certain circumstances 
 all combined, seemed to favor such a prediction. 
 
 Luc. But, sir, was this merited ? {Making tea.) Will 
 you have a cup of tea, Mr. — Mr. — 
 
 Cha. {absorbed). Apollo. 
 
 Luc. Mr. Apollo. 
 
 Cha. Madam ! Ah, a thousand pardons. I was ab- 
 sorbed in thinking of my miserable self. 
 
 Luc. {getting interested). Have you no relations ? 
 
 Cha. I had an uncle, a well-known merchant, but he died 
 two years ago. 
 
 Lice. And didn't he leave any thing ? 
 
 Cha. Oh, dear, yes ; he left a very nice fortune. In fact, 
 he adopted this young lady on purpose to do that. 
 
 Lttc. Oh, that wasn't right. 
 
 Cha. I don't know that it's wrong; but it is not on 
 account of this that I owe him a grudge. I heard that the 
 only way in which he could discharge an obligation to a 
 friend of his was by adopting this friend's daughter, who was 
 left an orphan, a very charming person, I heard ; at least, so 
 I was told, for I refused to put my foot inside his house. 
 
 Luc. Curious determination ! 
 
 Cha. Pardon me : not at all. The fact is, he insulted 
 me, — he made me a present. 
 
 Luc. A present ! what could it be ? 
 
 Cha. " A v6ty handsome dressing-case ".{a waltz is heard 
 playing outside), with my name engraved upon it, and below 
 my name the following compliment : " Too lazy to do any 
 thing." I was furious, but I wanted a dressing-case: so, 
 as 1 wanted a dressing-case, I kept it. I'll trouble you for 
 
UNDER A VEIL. 1 3 
 
 another cup of tea, at least if you don't find me too lazy for 
 that ? [Handing cup. 
 
 Luc. With pleasure. [Hands cup. 
 
 Cha. Thanks ; don't let's talk of my unfortunate self any 
 more ; a little more sugar, please. 
 
 Luc. This country band really plays that waltz charmingly. 
 
 Cha. {listening and pondering). Yes, oh, yes ; how often 
 have I heard that air, and how happy have I been ! 
 
 Luc. That waltz ? 
 
 Cha. My mother used to play it to me when I was a little 
 child! 
 
 Luc. Have you any control over yourself ? 
 
 Cha. Most certainly, a good deal even ; ask me to prove 
 it. 
 
 Luc. You would not grant what I ask. 
 
 Cha. 1 wouldn't. Ah, madam ! you want to send me 
 away. 
 
 Luc. Not at all : only I wished to explain to you, that, 
 never having worn a thick veil in a room, I'm simply stifling. 
 
 Cha. I can quite believe you. Nothing, nothing is so 
 dangerous as a thick veil : you must take it off at once, — 
 you must. 
 
 Luc. If you can sufficiently control yourself to sit in a 
 chair here without turning your head, I will sit behind you, 
 and we can finish our conversation without my being stifled. 
 
 Cha. {reproachfully). What, madam ! 
 
 Luc. Well, you must choose ; for, as I don't want to die 
 of suffocation, I shall be forced to give you your conge. 
 
 Cha. {taking chair down front of scene, and sitting). 
 Madam, this is the second time it is my good fortune to 
 save your life to-night, in return for which — 
 
 Luc. {advancing with a cup of tea in one hand, whilst with 
 the other she keeps him down in the chair). Then, sir, I am 
 to understand that, notwithstanding all the misfortunes con- 
 nected with your nickname, you have still hope. 
 
 Cha. Yes, — hope, that poor little creature that nothing 
 can kill. 
 
 Luc. It is, then, this hope that takes you to Baden ? 
 
 Cha. Baden is, as far as I'm concerned at this moment, 
 my last hope in this world; then, if my luck is once more 
 against me, if fortune fails to help me, if that poor little 
 creature, hope, succumbs to bad luck, why, then — 
 
14 UNDER A VEIL. 
 
 Luc. You'll go and join your mother. 
 
 Cha. Yes, madam, I shall go. 
 
 {Endeavoring to turn round. 
 
 L?ic. If you do that, I shall have to tie you with my hand- 
 kerchief. Don't you think now, joking apart, that it would 
 be wiser, without tempting fortune at Baden, to go to your 
 " mother at once " ? (Waltz music again.) She'd play to 
 you again. (Listening.) Come, do you hear that waltz? and 
 when you hear it once more by her side, — that dear mother, 
 — you'll be happy, and — 
 
 Cha. Ah ! then, in reading my letter, you evidently did 
 not understand, did not comprehend. 
 
 Luc. Comprehend what ? 
 
 Cha. The country that my mother is gone to. 
 
 Luc. No. 
 
 Cha. It is the Country of Peace, of Repose, — the only 
 land from which the mother cannot return to console her 
 child. 
 
 Luc. (making a movement as if to show herself). Then, 
 sir, am I to understand that if you lost — you would — (stops, 
 and reseats herself) — he has no mother ! 
 
 Cha. It would not interest you, madam, to learn all these 
 details ; but please to remember that you are not my friend 
 George, and that I've not absolutely gone on my knees to 
 you to read my letter. 
 
 Luc. (aside, looking at Charles). Just imagine if it were 
 him ! (Rising zuith animation.) Well, sir, I don't repent of 
 having read your letter : in fact, I congratulate myself on 
 having done so ; and I am also glad to see you here, for now 
 I can implore you, beseech you, to renounce such fatal plans ; 
 to beg of you with clasped hands to do so, in the name of 
 your mother. 
 
 Cha. Madam ! 
 
 Luc. Listen, sir. I cannot explain to you my object in 
 being so curious ; but what is your name ? 
 
 Cha. Charleston King. 
 
 Luc. Sir ! 
 
 Cha. That is my veil. If you want to take it off, remove 
 your own. 
 
 Luc. No, sir : that is impossible ; but — 
 
 Cha. In that case, madam, I am Charleston King, too 
 lazy to do any thing, but quite at your service. 
 
UNDER A VEIL. 1 5 
 
 Luc. {aside). What shall I do? {Looking round, sees 
 /lowers.) Ah ! {Takes a sprig of May, and comes towards 
 Cha.) Sir, we are about to part, probably never to meet 
 again ; would it be repugnant to your feelings to accept a 
 souvenir ? 
 
 Cha. Pardon, madam, but you don't propose giving me a 
 dressing-case ? 
 
 Luc. Don't be alarmed. The souvenir I give you, do 
 you promise to keep it? 
 
 Cha. For ever, madam, I swear it. {Aside.) What can 
 it be ? 
 
 Luc. {kissing sprig, and leaning against back of Cha.'s 
 chair). Take it. 
 
 Cha. {looking at it, but not taking it.) A sprig of May ! 
 
 Luc. Upon which I have just left a kiss. (Cha. moves.) 
 You have sworn never to part with it. Good ! Should you 
 persist in your fatal project, at the moment when you are 
 about to commit this frightful act, perhaps my poor little 
 sprig may catch your eye ; perhaps it will remind you of the 
 days of your childhood, those happy days that have fled 
 away; those Sundays when your mother's smile was upon 
 you as you filled your little arms with flowers, and brought 
 your childish offering to her knees. 
 
 Cha. Keep still, my heart ! 
 
 Luc. If you should' have such thoughts, your courage 
 will be tried ; for, in speaking to you of me, my little sprig 
 will also remind you of your mother; and if you shouid 
 still desire — 
 
 Cha. {seizing sprig). No, no ! I have no longer any such 
 desire {seizing her hand, and kissing it, slides upon his knees). 
 I swear it to you on my knees. But I must see the angel 
 who — {Lifts his head, when Lucy turns away). Ah, 
 cruel ! This hand at least I hold. [Covers it with kisses. 
 
 Luc. Give me my hand, sir, or else — 
 
 Cha. Or else — 
 
 Luc. Tell me your name. 
 
 Cha. Shall I see your face ? 
 
 Luc. No, no ! I cannot possibly — 
 
 Cha. Madam, I implore you ! I beseech you ! 
 
 Eliz. {outside). It's me, mam. There's no key. 
 
 Luc. Elizabeth ! — Get up at once, and return to your 
 room, I implore you ! 
 
1 6 UNDER A VEIL. 
 
 Cha. Madam, I obey you ; but — 
 
 Luc. {going towards door). Thanks, sir, and don't forget 
 my lecture. 
 
 Cha. {entering his room). In thinking of you, madam, I 
 shall always remember it. [Exit. Lucy opens door. 
 
 Elis. {entering 2 E. L.). Why, the key's fallen out. {Aside.) 
 She's been up to something, I know. [Replaces it. 
 
 Luc. {still upset). You must be tired, Elizabeth. Go to 
 bed, my good girl, go. [Reseats herself, and takes up book. 
 
 Elis. {takes off^tea tilings). I tired! Oh, no, mum! 
 {Returns.) Surely thirty waltzes or quadrilles wouldn't tire 
 me much ; and there's only two hours to sleep. It's not 
 worth while going to bed: so, if you please, mum, I'll sit 
 up with you. [Sits on sofa. 
 
 Luc. It must, then, be that nephew, the son of his sister, 
 of whom Mr. Mortimer always avoided speaking to me. 
 
 Cha. {in next room, uneasy). What on earth made her so 
 anxious to know my name ? 
 
 Luc. At any rate, I have his promise : that's some con- 
 solation. By the way, Elizabeth, did you know Mr. Morti- 
 mer's nephew ? 
 
 Elis. Well, yes, — little Charley Devereux. Oh, yes ! I 
 recollect ; and I — I — {falling asleep and dreaming) thank 
 you, sir : I don't dance any more. 
 
 Cha. And to think she'll leave without my seeing her 
 face! It's abominable! [Rises. 
 
 Luc. {Looking at Elizabeth). She's asleep, poor thing ! 
 She'll catch cold. [Covers. her with her cloak. 
 
 Cha. Ah,. this window ! Perhaps there's a veranda. 
 
 [Goes to window. 
 
 Luc. How can I ascertain for certain that he is Mr. Mor- 
 timer's nephew? I must know it somehow. 
 
 Cha. No road here ; perhaps by the other staircase. I 
 shall just go in without knocking, as if I had forgotten ; 
 that's it : here goes. [Exit, slamming door. 
 
 Luc. That noise was in his room. I think he's gone out. 
 If I was certain that dressing-case he spoke of would tell 
 me! {At door.) Sir, Mr. King! No answer. What have 
 I to fear ? [Enters room, closing door. 
 
 Cha. {gently opening 2 E. L. door). Yes, this is the room. 
 {Looking round.) She sleeps ; my handkerchief too. Now, 
 my charming girl, let me see your face. {Takes candle y 
 
UNDER A VEIL. 1 7 
 
 starts back.) Confound it ! Well, there's the end of my 
 dream. [Heaves a sigh, arid goes out. 
 
 Eliz. {starting ufi.) There's somebody in the room. (Goes 
 to door at back, and looks in). I knew she was up to some- 
 thing : I'll find it out, see if I don't. [Exit I L. E. 
 
 Luc. (Searching). Ah, here it is at last, — Charles Dever- 
 eux. It's he, it's he ! (She returns hastily, arid bolts door.) 
 Ah, how my heart beats ! what shall I do now? (Thinking.) 
 The fact is, he's very nice, notwithstanding his nickname. 
 
 Cha. (entering, and falling into arm-chair). Another 
 dream, that takes itself off to the land of dreams. (Strik- 
 ing table.) No, it's always the same. If you were to go to 
 a masked ball where there was only one woman — oh, love ! 
 oh, frenzy ! the mask falls, ugh ! no more love, no more 
 frenzy. The woman's ninety, and ugly as — heaven knows 
 what. 
 
 Luc. He's come in. (Calling at door) Mr. King ! 
 
 Cha. And such a voice ! 
 
 Luc. Sir. 
 
 Cha. Woke her up, I suppose. Madam — 
 
 Luc. Sir, I should like to have a few words of explana- 
 tion with you. 
 
 Cha. (running to fasten door). Oh, by jingo ! 
 
 Luc. He's locked himself in. (Aloud.) Pardon me, sir, 
 for troubling you; but — but — if I mistake not, you are 
 Mr. Charles Devereux, the nephew of Mr. Mortimer. 
 
 Cha. I suppose you mean, madam, that that gentleman 
 was my uncle. I don't dispute the fact. (Aside.) How the 
 mischief did she find that out ? Ah ! it's that confounded 
 landlord told her. 
 
 Luc. Well, sir, I've a most important communication to 
 make to you from his adopted child. 
 
 Cha. But I don't want to hear what she's got to say, 
 madam. You know her ? 
 
 Luc. Yes, sir, I know her ; and I also know that she has 
 been seeking you for a long time, in order to give you up a 
 fortune which by right belongs to you. 
 
 Cha. What you propose, madam, is ridiculous. I could 
 never accept a farthing. 
 
 Luc. But suppose in seeing her you happen to like her, 
 and that — 
 
 Cha. I shall never like her. 
 
l8 UNDER A VEIL. 
 
 Luc. Perhaps you might. If she were like me, for 
 instance ? 
 
 Cha. Never, madam. I'm sworn celibacy, — a knight of 
 Malta, in fact. 
 
 Luc. {aside). What an extraordinary change ! {Aloud.) 
 Mr. King, I'm in the greatest danger, and you alone can 
 save me. 
 
 Cha. Madam, I've saved you twice to-night, and I dis- 
 tinctly refuse to do it any more. 
 
 Luc. {aside). He's absolutely getting impertinent. Sir, I 
 have something to return to you that belongs to you, — a 
 pocket-handkerchief. 
 
 Cha. Thanks: I've got it, — one with a monogram. I 
 really believe I must barricade my door. 
 
 [Puts furniture against door. 
 
 Luc. He's got it ! Why, he must have come in here, 
 then; and — and — of course he saw Elizabeth with my 
 cloak round her. I see. Ha, ha, ha ! 
 
 Cha. Confound her, she's laughing! She laughs too as 
 if she was only twenty. 
 
 Luc. So, sir, you refuse to open the door ? 
 
 Cha. Quite impossible, madam. I'm gone, I'm a long 
 way off, I'm on my road to Baden. 
 
 Luc. Pleasant journey, sir. {Aside.) It can't be helped, 
 I must have recourse to more violent means. [Exit L. D. 
 
 Cha. I verily believe she's going to burst the door in : 
 I'd better bolt. The devil ! this is becoming serious. It 
 almost reminds me of my adventure amongst the savages in 
 Africa, where the daughter of a king, with'rings in her nose, 
 took a violent fancy to me. The king favored the marriage, 
 and told me quietly that I had the choice, if I didn't marry 
 his daughter he'd eat me. I at once answered, " Your Maj- 
 esty, I prefer to enter your family to your mouth ; I'll marry 
 your daughter to-morrow." And during the night I escaped 
 to the coast. Let us do the same, and escape to the coast. 
 
 [Makes for door. 
 
 Pri. {appearing at door drunk). Miss Lucy Mortimer 
 wishes to have the honor of seeing you, sir. 
 
 Cha. Miss who, did you say ? 
 
 Pri. Well, sir, beg pardon, it's your cousin's uncle or 
 your uncle's cousin. 
 
 Cha. Ask the lady to walk in, wretched man. 
 
UNDER A VEIL. 19 
 
 Pri. {announcing Lucy, who is in Elizabeth's cloak 
 with a thick veil on). Miss Lucy Mortimer. 
 
 Cha. {advancing confused). Madam, I thought I — 
 Luc. {speaking ^to him in a disguised voice, and throwing 
 back veil). We'll, sir, what do you think of me? 
 
 Cha. Ah, madam ! Even the most confused man in the 
 world could but confess that you are charming. {Aside.) If 
 my neighbor were only half as pretty ! Charming is not the 
 word ; but, excuse me, you come here at five in the morning, 
 and ask me what I think of you. Well, that's all right, I 
 suppose ; but pardon me if I go further, and venture to ask 
 in the most humble manner in the world a little question. 
 Luc. {same voice). I'm listening. 
 
 Cha. I scarcely know how to put it, but by what curious 
 coincidence do you come to know my name ? 
 
 Luc. {in ordinary voice). Because, sir, I found out. 
 {Points to dressing-case^ Because it's the name of a kind, 
 frank, brave young fellow, whom I really don't find too lazy 
 for any thing, and whom I've also learned to know as too 
 honorable to misinterpret. 
 
 Cha. That voice ! impossible. {Points to L. H.) It can t 
 be you. Who could I have seen there just now ? 
 
 Luc. My maid, who was asleep whilst I was here, read- 
 ing your name. 
 
 Cha. Why, it's like a dream. But your husband, 
 madam — 
 Luc. He too has gone to that land of rest. 
 Cha. You are then — 
 
 Luc. Miss Lucy Mortimer, your cousin, who can no long- 
 er retain the fortune that so justly belongs to you. 
 Cha. {confused). But I absolutely refuse to — 
 Luc. Ah, if you refuse me, I shall ask you to give me 
 back my sprig of May. 
 
 Cha. {kneeling). Never. I will keep it to the last mo- 
 ment of my life, and with it the hand I now hold. 
 
 [Sinks on his knee. Door opens. 
 Luc. Get up : here's some one coming. 
 Enter Prichard, r. 2 e. 
 Pri. Madam, sir, the postilions are harnessed : I mean 
 the horses. ' ■ 
 
 Cha. Confound that landlord ! — Come here, landlord. 
 {Takes Pri. up c.) Did you ever hear that this hotel of 
 
20 UNDER A VEIL. 
 
 yours was infected with a malady of the most infectious 
 character ? 
 
 Pri. Sir, I beg most distinctly to state that — 
 
 Cha. Landlord, you're very drunk. 
 
 [Pushes him through door into 7iext roo?n, where he 
 falls on sofa. 
 
 Luc. Oh, Charles, dear ! I hope we sha'n't catch it. 
 
 Cha. Don't be afraid, dear : the malady which I allude to 
 is one from which we are both of us suffering, and it is one 
 that has but one remedy for its cure. (To audience.) Dear 
 friends, the malady is love : the remedy is marriage. If 
 any of you are suffering from some of the premonitory 
 symptoms of this insidious disease, you will, I feel sure, 
 accord us your utmost sympathy. But if there should be 
 any here who have not yet been attacked, and who wish to 
 avoid contagion, let me strongly recommend them to avoid, 
 upon any pretence whatever, a conversation with a lady 
 which is to be carried on 
 
 UNDER A VEIL. 
 
 Curtain. 
 
"Books that our Teachers ought to hare os hasi to SPICE UP with now &aa 
 tt«." — St. Louis Journal of Education. 
 
 READING CLUB U HA1Y SPEAKER, 
 
 BEING 
 
 Selections in Prose and JPoetry, 
 
 Serious, Humorous, Pathetic, Patriotic, and Dramatic FRESH 
 
 and ATTRACTIVE PIECES for SCHOOL SPEAKERS 
 
 and READING CIRCLES. 
 
 In the words of the Gospel Banner, — 
 
 * From grave to got/, from lively to severe? 
 
 In poetrv and prose ajutlicious mixture here } 
 
 Beside outlandish dialects, full of words odd and qveer, 
 
 Which stir one's sense of Inrmor as they fall upon the ear, 
 
 Pleasant to those who read or speak as unto those who hear. 
 
 Published in Parts, each Part containing Fifty Selections. Paper Covers, 15 
 eents each. Printed on Fine Paper, and Handsomely Bound in Cloth, price, 
 60 cents each. 
 
 READING CLUB 3STO. 1. 
 *'Tv"e have many readers and books that purport to furnish pieces for the use 
 of amateur speakers and juvenile orators. But the great defect in nearly all of 
 them is, that their selections are made from the same series of authors. We are 
 surfeited ad nauseam with 'The boy stood on the burning deck,' 'On Linden, 
 when the sun was low,' ' My name is Norval ! ' or, ' My voice is still for war.' 
 But in this volume, the first of a series, Mr. Baker deviates from the beaten 
 track, and furnishes some fifty selections which have not been published before 
 in any collection of readings. Mr. Baker has himself written many pieces for the 
 amateur stage, and achieved a reputation as a public reader, so that he is eminently 
 qualified by his own experience for the task of teaching others." — Phil. Age. 
 
 READI3STG CLUB 2STO. 2_ 
 "Mr. Baker deserves the thanks of the reading public for his indefatigable 
 
 endeavors in the field of light and agreeable literature. The selections are made 
 
 with good taste, and the book will be of great value for its indicated purpose."— 
 
 New Haven Cmtrier. 
 
 " In its adaptation to day schools, seminaries, colleges, and home reading, the 
 
 work will be found very superior in its variety and adaptability of contents." — ■ 
 
 Dayton {Ohio) Press. 
 
 IR, ZELA.3D I IDTO- CLUB 3STO- 3- 
 " This is one of those books that our teachers ought to have at hand to spice 
 up with now and then. This is No. 3 of the series, and they are all brim full 
 of short articles, serious, humorous, pathetic, patriotic, and dramatic. Send and 
 get one, and you will be sure to get the rest." — St. Louis Journal 0/ Educw 
 Hon, Jan. 1876. 
 
 "The young elocutionist will find it a convenient pocket companion, and the 
 general reader derive much amusement at odd moments from its perusal" — 
 Forested Stream, N. Y., Jan. 6, 1876. 
 
 JRE-A-XJUSrO- CLUB asrO- 4- {Just Heady.) 
 
 Sold by all Bookseller s, and sent by mail, postpaid, on receipt of price. 
 
 LEE & SHEPAED, Publishers, Boston. 
 
COMPILED BY HIMSELF. 
 Comprising the Famous American Readings. 
 
 In Neat Paper Covers. Price, 15 cts. Each. 
 
 NICHOLAS NICKLEBY (at the Yorkshire School). 
 THE STORY OF LITTLE DOMBEY. 
 MR. BOB SAWYER'S PARTY. 
 A CHRISTMAS CAROL. 
 DR. MARIGOLD. 
 
 BOOTS AT THE HOLLY TREE INN. 
 NICHOLAS NICKLEBY (short reading). 
 BARDELL AND PICKWICK. 
 DAVID COPPERFIELD. 
 MRS. GAMP. 
 This style, for the use of readers and schools, is worthy of examination 
 Also, in one handsome i2mo volume, illustrated. $1.50. 
 
 The Independent Household Dickens. 
 
 CHARLES DICKENS'S WORKS. 
 
 A new edition in fifteen 121110 vols. Elegantly bound and handsomely 
 
 illustrated. 
 
 DAVID COPPERFIELD. 
 PICKWICK PAPERS. 
 DOMBEY AND SON. 
 OLD CURIOSITY SHOP. 
 OLIVER TWIST. 
 CHRISTMAS STORIES. 
 EDWIN DROOD. 
 CHILD'S HIST. OF ENG. 
 
 Price per Volume, $1.50. 
 
 TALE OF TWO CITIES. 
 NICHOLAS NICKLEBY. 
 LITTLE DORRITT. 
 BLEAK HOUSE. 
 GREAT EXPECTATIONS. 
 OUR MUTUAL FRIEND. 
 MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT. 
 BARNABY RUDGE. 
 
 In issuing this new edition, which will be furnished either in sets 
 or separate volumes, the publishers offer the best edition for the price 
 
 in the market. 
 
 * • • • > 
 
 LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers, 
 
 41-45 FRANKLIN ST., BOSTON. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 # 
 
 ftkyg fof Sir[ktetitf U 
 
 BY CEQRCE M. BAI 014 529 M9 
 
 Author of "Amateur Dramas;' " 7%<? J/imfc Stage" " 77*e Social Stage," " 77ie Drawing- Room 
 Stage" " Handy Dramas" " 7%e Exhibition Drama," "A Baker's Dozen," <fcc. 
 
 Titles in this Type are IVew Plays. 
 Titles in this Type are Temperance Plays. 
 
 DRAMAS. 
 
 /# Three Acts. Cis. 
 
 The Flower of the Family. 5 
 male, 3 female char 15 
 
 Enlisted for the War. 7 male, 3 fe- 
 male characters 15 
 
 My Brother's Keeper. 5 male, 3 fe- 
 male char 15 
 
 The Little Brown dug. 5 male, 3 
 female char 15 
 
 In Two Acts. 
 Above the Clouds. 7 male, 3 female 
 
 characters 15 
 
 One Hundred Years Ago. 7 male, 
 
 4 female char 15 
 
 Among the Breakers. 6 male, 4 female 
 char. 15 
 
 Bread on. the Waters. 5 male, 3 female 
 char 15 
 
 Down by the Sea. 6 male, 3 female 
 
 char 1 - 
 
 Once on a Time. 4 male,' 2 female char. 15 
 The Last Loaf. 5 male, 3 female char. 15 
 
 In One Act. 
 Stand by the Flag. 5 male char. . . 15 
 The Tempter. 3 male, 1 female char. 15 
 
 COMEDIES AND FARCES. 
 
 A Mysterious Disappearance. 4 
 
 male, 3 female char 15 
 
 Paddle Your Own Canoe. 7 male, 
 
 3 female char 15 
 
 A. Drop too Much. 4 male, 2 female 
 
 characters. 15 
 
 A. Little More Cider. 5 male, 3 fe- 
 male char 15 
 
 A Thorn Among the Roses. 2 male, 6 
 
 female char 15 
 
 Never Say Die. 3 male, 3 female char. 15 
 Seeing the Elephant. 6 male, 3 female 
 
 char 15 
 
 The Boston Dip. 4 male, 3 female char. 15 
 The Duchess of Dublin. 6 male, 4 fe- 
 male char 15 
 
 Thirty Minutes for Refreshments. 
 
 4 male, 3 female char 15 
 
 We're all Teetotalers. 4 male, 2 fe- 
 male char 15 
 
 Male Characters Only. 
 A Close Shave. 6 char 15 
 
 A Public Benefactor. 6 char. . 
 A Sea of Troubles. 8 char. . . 
 A Tender Attachment. 7 char. 
 
 Coals of Fire. 6 char 
 
 Freedom of the Press. 8 char. 
 
 COMEDIES, &c, continued. 
 
 Shall Our Mothers Vote? u char. 
 
 Gentlemen of the Jury. 12 char. . . 
 Humors of the Strike. 8 char. . . 
 My Uncle the Captain. 6 char. . . 
 New Brooms Sweep Clean. 6 char. . 
 
 The Great Elixir. 9 char 
 
 The Hypochondriac. 5 char 
 
 The Man with the Demijohn. 4 
 
 char 
 
 The Runaways. 4 char 
 
 The Thief of Time. 6 char 
 
 Wanted, a Male Cook. 4 char. . . . 
 
 Female Characters Only. 
 A Love of a Bonnet. 5 char. . . . 
 
 A Precious Pickle. 6 char 
 
 No Ore no Pay. 7 char. 
 
 The Champion of Her Sex. S char. . 
 The Greatest Plague in Life. S cha. 
 
 The Grecian Bend. 7 char 
 
 The Red Chignon. 6 char 
 
 Using the Weed. 7 char 
 
 ALLEGORIES. 
 
 Arranged for Music and Tableaux. 
 
 Lightheart's Pilgrimage. 8 female 
 char 
 
 The Revolt of the Bees. 9 female 
 char 
 
 The Sculptor's Triumph, i male, 4 fe- 
 male char 
 
 The Tournament of Idylc ui.t. 10 
 female char 
 
 The War of the Roses. S female char. 
 
 MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC. 
 
 An Original Idea, i male, 1 female 
 char, 
 
 Bonbons ; or, the Paint King. 6 male, 
 1 female char 
 
 Capuletta ; or, Romeo and Juliet 
 Restored. 3 male, 1 female char. . 
 
 Santa Claus' Frolics 
 
 Snow-bound ; or, Alonzo the Brave 
 and the Fair Imogene. 3 male, 1 
 female char 
 
 The Merry Christmas of the Old 
 Woman who lived in a Shoe. . . 
 
 The Pedler of Very Nice. 7 male 
 char. 
 
 The Seven Ages. A Tableau Entertain- 
 ment. Numerous male and female char. 
 
 Too Late for the Train. 2 male char. 
 
 The Visions of Freedom, ii female 
 char 
 
 CEO. M. BAKER & CO., 41-45 Franklin St., Boston. 
 
 Baker's Humorous Dialogues. 
 Baker's Humorous Dialogues. 
 
 Male characters only. 2 
 Female characters only. 
 
 cents. 
 26 cents.