PS 1059 
 .B22 F6 
 1876 
 Copy 1 
 
 ed. The "Popular Edition" of Baker's Reading Club and 
 r. Nos, 1, 2, 3, and 4, 50 selections in each. Price 15 cents each. 
 
 Hintered, according to Act of Congress, in the yenr !&"»;, >>y George M. Bauer, in the Offic oi tin* 
 Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 
 
jCtOOooa^QOooo^goQOGo^ o go gaga go ggggc*^ ;«■ 
 
 SPENCER'S UNIVERSAL STAGE. 
 
 $ ^ 
 
 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. $3T No Plays exchanged. 
 
 11. 
 
 13. 
 
 14. 
 
 . iLost ru London. A Drama in 
 Three Acts. G Mule, 4 Female char- 
 acters. 
 
 . Nicholas Flam. A Comedy in Two 
 Acts. Uy J. B. Buckstone. 5 Male, 
 3 Female characters. 
 
 , The Welsh Girl. A Comedy in 
 One Act. By Mrs. Plan. Lie. .i Male, 
 2 Female characters. 
 
 John Wopps. A Farce in One Act. 
 By W. E. Suter. 4 Male, 2 Female 
 characters. 
 
 The Turkish Bath. A Farce in 
 One Act. By Montague Williams 
 and F. C. Burnand. G Male, 1 Fe- 
 male character. 
 
 The Two Puddifoots. A Farce 
 in One Act. By J. M. Morton. 3 
 Male, 3 Female characters. 
 
 Old Honesty. A Comic Drama in 
 Two Acts. By J. M. Morton. 5 
 Male, 2 Female characters. 
 
 Two Gcntiemen in a Fix. A 
 Farce in One Act. By W. E. Suter. 
 
 2 Male characters. 
 
 Smashington Goit. A Farce in 
 One Act. By T. J. Williams. 5 Male, 
 
 3 Female characters. 
 
 Two Heads Better thanOne. A 
 
 Farce in One Act. By Lenox Home. 
 
 4 Male, 1 Female character. 
 John 1 >obbs. A Farce in One Act. 
 
 By J. M. Morton.- 5 Male, 2 Female 
 characters. 
 
 The Baughter of the Regi- 
 ment. A Drama in Two Acts. By 
 Edward Fitzball. G Male, 2 Female 
 characters. 
 
 Aunt Charlotte's Maid. A Farce 
 in One Act. By J. M. Morton. 3 
 Male, 3 Female characters. 
 
 Brother Bill and Me. A Farce in 
 One Act. By W. E. Suter. 4 Male, 
 3 Female characters. 
 
 Bone on Both Sides. A Farce in 
 One Act. By J. M. Morton. 3 
 Male, 2 Female characters. 
 
 T>unducketty's Picnic. A Farce 
 in One Act. By T. J. Williams. 6 
 Male, 3 Female characters. 
 
 I've written to Browne. A Farce 
 in One Act. By T. J. Williams. 4 
 Male, 3 Female characters. 
 
 18. 
 
 19. 
 
 20. 
 
 Lending a Hand. A Farce in One 
 
 Act. By ii. A. A'Becket. 3 Male, 
 
 2 Female characters. 
 My Precious Betsy. A Farce in 
 
 One Act. By J. M. Morton. 4 Male, 
 
 4 Female characters. 
 
 My Turn Next. A Farce in One Act. 
 By T. J. Williams. 4 Male, 3 Fe- 
 male chavs'iters. 
 
 21. Nine Point* of the Law. A Com- 
 
 edy in One Act. By Tom Taylor. 
 4 Male, 3 Female characters. 
 
 22. The Phantom Breakfast. A 
 
 Farce in One Act. By Charles Sel- 
 by. 3 Male, 2 Female characters. 
 
 23. Bandelions Bodges. A Farce in 
 
 One Act. By T. J. Williams. 4 
 Male, 2 Female characters. 
 
 24. A Slice of t,uck. A Farce in One 
 
 Act. £y J. M. Morton. 4 Male, 2 
 Female cl>a;acters. 
 
 25. Always Intended. A Comedy in 
 
 One Act. By Horace Wigan. 3 
 Male. 3 Female characters. 
 
 26. A Bull in a China Shop. A Com- 
 
 edy in Two Acts. By Charles Mat- 
 thews. G Male, 4 Female characters 
 
 27. Another Glass. A Drama in One 
 
 Act. By Thomas Morton. G Male, ) 
 3 Female characters. 
 
 28. Bowled Out, A Farce in One Act. 
 
 By H . T. Craven. 4 Male, 3 Female 
 characters. 
 
 29. Cousin Tom. A Commedietta in 
 
 One Act. By George Roberts. 3 
 Male, 2 Female characters. 
 
 30. Sarah's Young Man, A Farce in 
 
 One Act. By W. E. Suter. 3 Male, 
 3 Female characters. 
 
 31. Hit Him, He has No Friends. 
 
 A Farce in One Act. By E, Yates 
 and N. H. Harrington. 7 Male, 3 
 Female characters. 
 
 32. The Christening. A Farce in One 
 
 Act. By J. B. Buckstone. 5 Male, 
 
 d Female characters. 
 35. A Race for a Widow. A Farce 
 
 in One Act. By Thomas J. Wil- „ 
 
 liams. 5 Male, 4 Female characters. /) 
 3 d - Tour Life's in Banger. A Farce 
 ; in One Act. By J. M. Morton. 3 
 
 Male, .'3 Female characters. 
 3?. True unto Beath. A Drama in 
 
 Two Acts. By J. Sheridan Knowles. 
 
 G Male, 2 Female characters. 
 
 e, .i i- emaie cnaracters. G Male, 2 Female characters. c ) 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS. 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR OF 
 
 * Sylvia's Soldier/ »0:iee on a Time," "Down by the Sea," "Bread on the Waters," 
 "The Last Luai," " Stand by the Flag," " The Tempter," "A Drop Too Much," " We're 
 All Teetotalers," "A Little More Cider," "Thirty Minutes for Refreshments," 
 " Wanted, a Male Cook," " A Sea of Troubles," " Freedom of the Press," " A 
 Close Suave," "The Great Elixir," "The Man with the Demijohn," "New 
 Brooms Sweep Clean," " Humors of the Strike," " My Uncle the Captain," 
 "The Greatest Plague in Life," "No Cure, No Pay," "The Greciaa 
 Bend " " The War of the Roses," " Lightheart's Pilgrimage," 
 » The Sculptor's Triumph," " Too Late for the Train," " Snow- 
 Bound," " The Peddler of Very Nice," " Bonbons," " Capu- 
 letta," "An Original Idea," " Enlisted for the War, 
 "Never say Die," "The Champion of her Sex," 
 44 The Visions of Freedom," "The Merry Christ- 
 mas of the Old Woman who lived in a 
 Shoe," " The Tournament of Idylcourt, 
 " A Thorn among the Roses," 
 *' A Christmas Carol," 
 "One Hundred 
 Years Ago," 
 fee. 
 
 
 BOSTON : 
 GEORGE M. BAKER AND COMPANY, 
 
 41-45 Fbankles Street. 
 
 ■/p. 3 
 
 c I a I *o Z3 
 

 w£ 
 
 Copyright 
 
 By George M. Baker, 
 
 1876. 
 
 Electrotyped at the Boston Stereotype Foundry, 
 19 Spring Lane. 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS. 
 
 CHARACTERS. 
 
 Abner Howland, a Merchant. 
 
 Oscar Lop.ing, his Ward. 
 
 Tom IIowland, his Nephew. 
 
 Policy Newcomb, an. Insurance Agent. 
 
 Spicer Spofford, Clerk in an Insurance Office. 
 
 Mrs. Gordon Rowland, a Widow. 
 
 Alice IIowland, her Daughter. 
 
 Lina Howland, Abner's adopted Daughter. 
 
 COSTUMES. 
 Modern and appropriate Summer Dresses. 
 
 Abner. Light pants ; white vest ; shoes ; white stockings ; 
 
 Panama hat; long, wiiite hair; dark coat, thin. 
 Oscar. First dress : Dark pants, tucked into long boots ; blue 
 
 flannel shirt, sleeves rolled up; red handkerchief tied about 
 
 his head. Second dress : Light suit, with straw hat, blue 
 
 ribbon. 
 Policy Nf.wcomb. Light pants; white vest, very long thin 
 
 gray coat; broad-brimmed straw hat; bald wig, with red 
 
 curly hair, and "dabs" of side-whiskers. 
 Spicer Spofford. Very fashionable suit; light curly wig; 
 
 light mustache ; eye-glass and cane. 
 
4 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Mrs. Gordon Holland. Black bombazine dress ; white 
 
 widow's cap ; neat gray hair. 
 Alice. ) Act 1 : Pretty muslin morning dresses. Acts 2 and 3 : 
 Lina. ) Afternoon dresses, to suit taste. 
 
 This play is modelled after the now fashionable "Society" 
 plays, where taste in setting the stage, and in the selection of 
 apparel for both male and female characters, is indispensably 
 necessary to success. No extravagant characters — with the 
 exception of " Spofford," something of the " Dundreary " style, 
 and Newcomb, of the "Col. Sellers'' type — are introduced; 
 the author's design being to present an every-day story, with a 
 home setting, in which people we meet arc the actors. 
 
 207 Springfield Street, 
 
 Boston, July 25, 187G. 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Act I. — Scene : Handsome apartment in Abner 
 Howland's house. Doors opening to garden, c. in 
 flat. Window l. in flat, with lace curtain. Easy- 
 chair at window. Mantel with clock ; vases and or- 
 naments it. Under mantel, work-basket, with chair 
 beside it. Door l. l. c. opposite door, table with 
 damask cover, writing materials on it. Mrs. How- 
 land in chair l. of table, sewing. Abner How- 
 land seated r. of table, with newspaper. 
 
 Abner. Now I'm not going into a passion. I don't 
 blame yon, sister, but I say, emphatically and decidedly, 
 this absurd flirtation must be stopped. 
 
 Mrs. H. But, Abner — 
 
 Abner. Don't but against my decision. I can't, 
 shan't, and won't allow it. This fop, this dandy, this 
 Spicer Spofford, — bah! the name's enough to sicken 
 one, — has gained access to my house on the pretence 
 that he was a dear friend of your husband, my brother. 
 Pretence, mind you, for Gordon was a plain, blunt 
 man, thirty years older than this whipper-snapper. Do 
 you suppose Gordon could have formed a friendship 
 with this walking clothes-horse, who is no credit to 
 anybody but his tailor ? 
 
 5 
 
6 THE FLOWEP. OF THE FAMELY. 
 
 JWr.?. H. Don't be unjust, Abner; you kr.o-v noth- 
 ing against the man, and he can make Li i ery 
 agreeable. 
 
 Abner. So it seems; for without as much as u by 
 your leave" to me, her adopted father, he makes 
 love to Lina. It's absurd, ridiculous ! He's a fortune- 
 hunter. 
 
 Jlrs. H. Ah, there you are wrong, for by your de- 
 sire Lina passes foi my daughter. 
 
 Ahr^r. T ; : Alien I went abroad, ten years ago, I 
 left this child of an old friend — a child whom I had 
 •ted — to be brought up by you, to call you u moth- 
 er " and me " uncle," for then I had made up my mind 
 she should marry my ward, Oscr.r Lo;ing, on his 
 return. Gordon was a poor man then, and I feared, 
 were it known that she was to be the heiress of a rich 
 old bachelor, some fortune-hunter would snatch her 
 before my return. 
 
 . //. I njpeete 1 this was your intention. 
 
 Abner. I've no doubt of it. Trust a woman for 
 smelling a match. Well, I came back a rear asro to 
 find that Gordon had embarked in speculation, gained 
 I -mail fortune, but, continuing his risks, had lost all, 
 and died a poor man. 
 
 Mr*. H. Gordon was a good, kind husband and 
 father, and a Christian. 
 
 Abner. Xo doubt of it. A good Christian, but a 
 poor speculator. 
 
 Mr*. H. He never meant to leave me penni! 
 Often in the midst of his speculations he said to me, 
 ; - Fear not, wife ; should I fail, you are well provided 
 for." 
 
THE FLOWER OP THE FAMILY. 7 
 
 Abner. Humph ! the old house at Mayburn, with 
 nothing to live upon ; poor provision that. Gordon 
 was always too generous ; he didn't look out for him- 
 self. Not like me — I'm all for self. 
 
 Mrs. H. You, Abner? the most kind and gen- 
 erous — 
 
 Abner, No such thing. There's my ward, he will 
 be a rich man. I expect him every day. With Lina 
 for his wife, I shall have made comfortable provision 
 for her future. No more expense on her account. But 
 now, in steps this fellow, who must have found some 
 clue to her expectations, and is trying to win her for 
 my money. I tell you, sister, I don't like it. 
 
 Mrs. H. Then why not tell him so, Abner? 
 
 Abner. And raise a flame where now there's but a 
 spark. No, no, I've too old a head for that. But you 
 ought to know some way to stop it. Women who are 
 so handy at making matches must surely have some 
 reserved power with which to break them when occa- 
 sion requires. 
 
 Mrs. II. Ah, but Lina evidently favors Mr. Spof- 
 ford's attentions. 'Twould never do for me to inter- 
 fere. Were it my own daughter, Alice — 
 
 Abner. Then I should have nothing to say. Alice 
 is all well enough ; too much given to romping, racing, 
 ridinir, and fishing — 
 
 3Irs. II. And equally well skilled in washing, sew- 
 ing, and cooking. 
 
 Abner. O, yes; Alice is a good girl, and will make 
 some poor fellow a capital wife ; but to pick out my 
 Lina, the flower of the family, — one in a thousand, — • 
 
P THE FLOWEE OF THE FAMILY, 
 
 graceful, beautiful, accomplished, — fit mate for a prince, 
 
 — it's — i 
 
 Jlrs. H. But if she loves him. 
 
 Aimer. I won't let her ; would break Oscar s 
 heart, 
 
 Mr*. H. They have never met, 
 
 Abmer. But my letters to him have been filled with 
 
 praises of her. He must be half in love with her from 
 
 :ription, an the ^ight of her will complete the 
 
 conquest. But if he comes and finds this dandy — O, 
 
 :;'- .' 51 .: ". lidi Eol 
 
 Mr*. H. I wi-h I could help rmld be 
 
 unkind for me to interfere. I am but a dependent 
 he: 
 
 Aim er. Now, stop that; stop it, I taj. You a 
 dependent ! You are my unlucky brothers widow. 
 You shared his poverty, and you have a right to share 
 my prosperity; for had I died before him, all I have 
 would have been his. Dependent — you ! Why, 
 you have brightened my dull old bachelor quarters 
 with a woman's cheering influence, and made me a 
 
 -ndent upon you for comfort, peace, and happir 
 I am the gainer, not you ; and you know I am all for 
 don't talk of dependence. Tell me some way 
 I _ rid of this intruder. C '..: 'I you manage to give 
 him a hint that his company is no longer agreeable? 
 
 Mrs. H. I suppose I could. 
 
 Abmer. And you will, Mary, when I confess to you 
 that this match has become something more than a 
 ?, — tJbat on it depends ray fortune. 
 
 Jlrs. IT. Your fortune, Abner ? 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 9 
 
 Abner. Yes. I am terribly embarrassed. My real 
 estate is heavily encumbered, and ill luck everywhere 
 is following my investments. One of our steamers blew 
 up at the wharf: no dividends there. A train smashed 
 on our railroad : heavy damages, and no dividends for 
 a long time. The White Squall is a month overdue. 
 Three months ago I borrowed fifty thousand dollars 
 of my shipbuilders, Silas Warner & Co., pledging the 
 cargo of the White Squall for its repayment. She's 
 overdue. Something's the matter with her insurance; 
 and the Warners are frightened — threaten to attach 
 this place. And the fat 's sizzling in the fire gener- 
 ally. 
 
 Mrs. II. And I have heard nothing of this. 
 
 Abner. Well, you see, I've been expecting Oscar 
 every day. He is of age. I hold large sums belonging 
 to him, which I would not touch without his consent, 
 though ruin threatened me. Were he at home, he 
 would help me until the White Squall arrived. But 
 now, how can I ask his help should the girl I have 
 promised him be won by another ? 
 
 Mrs. II. Abner, you should have told me of this. 
 There is my old house at Mayburn, just as I left it 
 "when Gordon died ; sell it, with all it contains. You 
 can surely raise money by its sale. 
 
 Abner. No, no; if my house goes with the rest, 
 you must have a home, Mary. No, no ; not that. 
 
 Mrs. II. And yet, Abner, you are all for self. If 
 this is selfishness, how near it is akin to nobility. 
 
 Abner. O, tut ! tut ! tut ! Help me to get rid of 
 this man. • , - . , - 
 
10 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 3Irs. H. His next visit shall be his last. I will 
 promise you tli.it. 
 
 Abner. Good ; you promise. I feel better, for 1 
 know you will not f.iii me. 
 
 Una {outside a). You are just as hateful as you 
 can be, Tom Rowland. 
 
 Abner. There's Lina, and quarrelling with Tom, as 
 usual. Do you know, Mary, I had fears, when Tom 
 came here, that he would fall in love with Lina; but 
 they quarrel every day, and evidently detest each 
 other. 
 
 Mrs. II. I cannot imagine what has come over 
 Tom, he was always so gentle in the old place. 
 
 Abner. O, it's all right. Let them fight, if it keeps 
 them from falling in love. I'm just selfish enough to 
 enjoy it. 
 
 (Enter Lis \> c, holding her apron filled with flowers. 
 She comes down l.) 
 
 Lina. I've had glorious luck, mother, foraging in 
 Tom's flower-beds. Aren't they sweet ? ( Takes a hand- 
 ful, and showers them on Mrs. H.'s head into her la}).) 
 And isn't he just raving. He chased me with a rake ; 
 but the rake's progress, unlike Hogarth's, was rather 
 slow, and I escaped. Here, uncle, a rosebud for your 
 coat {comes back of table to r. of Abxer). Let me 
 fasten it {places rose in coat). There now, you are 
 adorned for conquest. Prepare, O city maidens, to be 
 captivated. Who will be this old man's darling. Pre- 
 pare to be caught. 
 
 Abner. My darling is already caught {slips his arm 
 about her waist). 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 11 
 
 Lina. Do you think so ? Haste makes icaist {slips 
 away.) free, uncle. Ha, ha ! I'll not let you spoil my 
 posies. I want them for my vases {goes to mantel, 
 and arranges floicers). 
 
 Abner {to Mrs. II.). Now, isn't she just splendid. 
 Ah, Mary, if your girl only had her winning sweetness, 
 her beauty, her grace, what a pair they would make. 
 
 Mrs. H. O, she's sweet, Abner. But then, like 
 you, I'm a bit selfish, and my Alice just suits me. 
 
 Abner. Lina, you're a wild thing; you want a hus- 
 band to tame you. 
 
 Lina. Do I ? Whose husband do I want ? 
 
 Abner. Whose husband ? Well, say mine. 
 
 Lina. I'll say what you like, uncle, but I'll have 
 my own. 
 
 Abner. Oscar Loring is my choice. 
 
 Lina. You may have him ; but I can't imagine 
 what a man is to do with a husband. 
 
 Abner. Marry him to the girl he loves best. 
 
 Lina. Hadn't he better marry the girl he loves 
 best himself. 
 
 Abner. Not when she is his daughter. 
 
 Lina. Ha, ha, ha ! Uncle, I'm caught at last. 
 But Oscar Loring I have never seen. You are a mer- 
 chant. You don't expect to sell goods without a 
 sample. 
 
 Abner. You shall see the goods, and I know you'll 
 like the pattern. 
 
 Lina. I shouldn't like a pattern husband {stands 
 back). There, look at my flowers ; aren't they lovely ? 
 If I could only have secured a few geraniums before 
 
12 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Tom surprised me; he's so stingy. I watched my 
 chance, and when his back was turned, went through 
 the beds as Sherman marched to the sea (sings). 
 
 Hurrah ! hurrah ! for Tom has left them free ; 
 Hurrah ! hurrah ! the choicest now for me ; 
 Marching over flower-beds with none to hinder me, 
 Gayly assailing Botania. 
 
 (Enter Tom c. with a rake ; stops in doorway.) 
 
 Tom. Bo-tania! Look here, Lina, if I catch you 
 among my flower-beds again, I'll tan you without 
 any Bo. 
 
 Lina. Who cares for yon, grubber. I wouldn't 
 make such a fuss about a few flowers. 
 
 Tom. Few! Hear that. My prize geraniums! 
 You would have torn them from their mother earth, 
 ruthlessly despoiled my beds of their beauties. 
 
 Lina. Who is to see these beauties, if they lie abed 
 forever ? 
 
 Tom. O, you're a nuisance. 
 
 Lina. You're another. 
 
 Mrs. H. Children ! 
 
 Abner. Don't interfere. Let them spat. I like it. 
 
 Tom. I tell you, Miss Lina, private rights must be 
 respected. Here I slave in the garden day after day, 
 for what ? . 
 
 Lina. Exercise, I suppose. You don't accomplish 
 much. 
 
 Tom. That's fhlse. My flowers are the admiration 
 of the whole neighborhood ; they overtop everything. 
 
 Lina. Yes, that patch of sunflowers is a towering 
 monument of your skill. 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 13 
 
 3 Tom. Look at my dahlias. 
 
 Lina. I try, Thomas; but your cabbages put their 
 heads together to prevent my seeing them. 
 
 Tom. You are trifling with my horticultural aspi- 
 rations. 
 
 Lina. Where do they grow ? They must be rare 
 plants to have such stupendous titles. 
 
 Tom. O, T won't talk with you (stands his rake 
 against side of door next window, and goes to win- 
 dow}. 
 
 Lina (sings). " Nobody axed yon, sir, she said." 
 
 Tom. I detest you. 
 
 Lina. Do you ? Then we shall never be separated 
 on account of incompatibility of temper. 
 
 Tom. I wish somebody would carry you off and 
 marry you. 
 
 Lina. I mean to be married first, and carried off 
 afterwards. 
 
 Tom. You're a goose ! 
 
 Lina. You're a donkey ! 
 
 Tom (grimacing). Ya! Ya ! Ya! 
 
 Lina (grimacing). Bray, donkey, bray ! 
 
 (Tom flings himself into chair at window. Lina 
 seats herself by work-basket, and busies herself icith 
 worsted. Abxer looks at his watch.) 
 
 Abner. Ten o'clock. I must be getting up to town. 
 Can I bring you anything, Lina? 
 
 Tom. Yes, uncle, bring out a muzzle. 
 
 Lina. Do they muzzle donkeys, uncle? By all 
 means, let Tom have the proper harness. 
 i Tom. I spoke for you, Miss Impudence. 
 
14 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Lina. Indeed! Don't rob yourself on my account 
 {lifting her dress). There's muslin enough here for me. 
 
 Alice (outside c). All aboard. All aboard. Boat's 
 at the landing; bait's in the b<>at; skipper's looking 
 for a crew (appear* in doorway with bag swung at her 
 side,jishiny-po!e i)i hand). And I'm the skipper, thank 
 yon. O, here you ore. It's a glorious day tor sport. 
 Who'll go? Come, Tom, forsake your favorite earth 
 
 " For the feep, blue, boundless sea." 
 
 Torn. No, I thank you. Fishing 's cruel sport ; I 
 don't like it. 
 
 Lina. You'll never be accused of cruelty, Tom. 
 Tom. Do you mean to say I can't fish? 
 Lina. Indeed you can. 
 
 •• With perseverance worthy of a better caus 
 all day, and never a nibble. 
 
 Torn. O, I've hooked something in ray day. 
 
 Lino, It must have been in your school-lays, when 
 you hooked Jack. 
 
 Alice. Don't tease him, Lina. Come, Tom; I'll let 
 you take off my fish. 
 
 N \ I thank yon; I've other fish to fry. 
 
 Alice. Then I won't interfere with your cooking. 
 Come, Nuoky, you try the rod with me. 
 
 Aimer. I should be delighted, but I must <ro to 
 town. 
 
 Alice. Lina? 
 
 Tina. Don't ask me; you know I am not a lover 
 of manly sports. • 
 
 Alice [with a mock courtesy). Ahem ! The flower 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 15 
 
 of the family has spoken. By the way, shouldn't 
 flirtation be classed as a manly sport? Ha, ha! Linn, 
 you're no lover of manly sports, O, no. You are an 
 accomplished young lady, skilled in drawing, painting, 
 music, and all those art-ful ways which make charming 
 girls; while I — I love to race across the green ; to 
 drive the black horses at their topmost speed ; to pull 
 a boat ; and, when nobody's looking, to climb a tree. 
 I want exercise, freedom, a brisk breeze upon my 
 cheek, blue waves dancing about me. O, that's just 
 glorious ! 
 
 Abner. Yes, yes, that's all well enough, Alice; but 
 you're too boisterous. A woman's place is inside the 
 house ; she should be gentle, devoted to household 
 affairs, soft of step, sweet-voiced. These are the 
 qualities that beautify woman, and what every man 
 hopes to find in a wife. 
 
 Alice \ 
 
 Tom \ (together). Hear, hear, hear ! 
 
 Lina ) 
 
 Alice. O, Nunky, when do you expect to find 
 yours ? I know you've a poor opinion of little wild 
 me. But don't be discouraged ; one of these days I 
 may turn about and be an honor to you. I hope I 
 may, for you have always been a kind — 
 
 Abner. There, there, stop that. 
 
 Alice. I'm off. Wish I could drum up a recruit. 
 By the way, I had a dream last night. 
 
 Lina. A dream ? 
 
 Tom. That's nothing. I had the nightmare. 
 
 Lina. How natural. " Birds of a feather," Tom. 
 
16 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Tom. You be banged ! 
 
 Mrs. II. Children ! 
 
 Abner. Don't interfere, Mary. 
 
 Alice. Yes. I dreamed I was in my boat on tho 
 lake, and a pickerel — such a beauty ! — took my hook. 
 He weighed fifteen pounds. 
 
 Tom. What a whopper ! 
 
 Alice. He was. Tom, don't interrupt. I drew him 
 into the boat; and what do you think he did? 
 
 Tom. Died, of coarse. 
 
 Una. No ; died of exposure. 
 
 Alice. He raised himself erect, and, with a tear in 
 his eye, a tremor in his voice — 
 
 Tom. And a hook in his ^ills. 
 
 Alice. — Asked me to marry him. 
 
 Lina. Poor fellow. Knew he was to be cooked, 
 and wanted a mess-mate. Did you accept him ? 
 
 Alice. No, Lina. I served him as you do your 
 admirers {points to bag). I sacked him. 
 
 Lina. What a lucky escape from becoming a mer- 
 maid. 
 
 Alice. Now I'm going to catch him in earnest ; 
 and if I succeed, and he asks me to marry him, I'll 
 send him to you for your official sanction. 
 
 Abner. If he comes to me, I'll eat him. 
 
 Alice. Ha, ha, ha! And serve him right. Good- 
 bye to you, and good luck to me ! {goes up to door c. 
 — Policy Newcomb enters ; pole strikes his eye ; he 
 ejaculates " Oh!" claps his hand to his eye ; hits the 
 rake and sends it down upon Tom's head ; then comes 
 e. c. holding his hand to his eye. Tom jumps up, 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 17 
 
 rubbing his head. Alice stands in door, looking at 
 Policy an instant). I really bog your pardon, sir, but 
 yon should keep your eyes open. [Exit. 
 
 Policy. Don't apologize, it's all right. What is 
 the loss of an eye or two to the happy possessor of a 
 ten thousand dollar accident policy, who draws a 
 weekly stipend of fifty dollars for the time he is dis- 
 abled. That eye ought to be good for six weeks 
 {rubs it). No, confound it, it's all right. 
 
 Abner. Does your eye pain you? 
 
 Policy. No. I wish it did. I've had the worst 
 kind of luck with that policy in a railroad smash-up 
 twice ; not a hair of my head injured. Blown up in a 
 steamboat explosion, and landed safe in a rival boat. 
 Run away with by a furious horse : he went over a 
 precipice; I went safely into a tree. An unfortunate 
 investment; it's on its last day, and I've not a scar 
 to show. 
 
 Lina (aside). Crying because he's not hurt. The 
 man 's a fool. 
 
 Abner. And you came here to tell us of your mis- 
 fortunes ? 
 
 Policy. Eh. I beg your pardon (gives letter). Read 
 that, if you please. (Aside) Nice snug quarters ; 
 luxury and comfort. Policy, my boy, you're in luck 
 this time. 
 
 Abner (after reading letter). Ah, I understand. 
 Mr. Newcomb, I believe. 
 
 Policy (bombastically). Policy Newcomb, agent for 
 the " Live-for-Ever Life," the " Never-say-die Endow- 
 ment," and the " Blow-up and Bust-up Accident " insur- 
 2 
 
18 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 ance companies ; three of the noblest institutions in 
 the country, sir; with marble buildings in every large 
 city, sir ; high-salaried officials, sir, who ride in their 
 carriages, sir; liveried coachmen, and servants at their 
 beck and call, sir. Institutions which draw in millions 
 of the savings of all classes, sir, and pay out nobly, sir 
 (aside), when they can't help it. 
 
 Abner. From this letter, I understand we are to 
 have the pleasure of your society for a few days. 
 
 Policy. Exactly. Sheriff Thorne — 
 
 Abner {interrupting). I understand. Let all busi- 
 ness matters be settled in private. Mrs. Howland, Mr. 
 Newcomb will stop with us. 
 
 Mrs. H. I'm sure any friend of yours — 
 
 Abner. Will be heartily welcome, of course. Will 
 you find a room for Mr. Newcomb ? He may wish to 
 change — 
 
 Policy. Nothing at present. My superfluous linen 
 will follow me (aside) wherever I go. Still a little 
 soap and water might be of service — 
 
 Mrs. H. O, certainly. (Rises. Abner steps up to 
 her.) 
 
 Abner. Mary, what I feared has come. This man 
 is .a keeper. Keep it from the girls. 
 
 Mrs. H. I will be careful (crosses to r.). Mr. New- 
 comb, will you follow me ? [Exit r. 
 
 Policy. With pleasure. (Aside) I've seen that 
 lady's face before (going). 
 
 Abmr. Mr. Newcomb, make yourself at home here. 
 I will see you again. Just now, I must go to town. 
 
 Policy (returning). To town ? How ? may I ask. 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 19 
 
 Abner. Behind a pair of fast trotters (goes up 
 stage). 
 
 Policy. Fast trotters (runs after him and brings 
 him down). Mr. Howland, one word (emphatically). 
 Are you insured ? 
 
 Abner. Insured ? 
 
 Policy (tragically). Pause, reflect, ponder. Fast 
 trotters are sleek-coated demons. There is frenzy in 
 their eyes, madness in their hearts, delusion in their 
 heels. In their company your life is but a hair's-breadth, 
 a horsehair's-breadth from destruction. Pause ere it 
 is too late. Let me write you for ten thousand in the 
 Bust-up and Blow-up Accident Company. The outlay 
 is small ; the profit, should you be mangled or crippled, 
 large ; should you perish by accident, immense. 
 
 Abner. Mr. Newcomb, I've no time — 
 
 Policy. Think of those infuriated steeds in a mo- 
 ment of frenzy forsaking the peaceful, macadamized 
 road, dashing with you at headlong speed to the brink 
 of a frightful precipice. What supreme delight would 
 animate your breast, as you hung over that frightful 
 abyss, from which nothing could save you, to know 
 you had in your pocket that priceless policy for ten 
 thousand dollars. 
 
 Abner. Ha, ha, ha! Not to-day, thank you Mr. 
 Newcomb. I know my horses better than I know 
 your company. I'll take my own risk. Good-bye, Lina. 
 I'll be back to tea. 
 
 Lina. Good-bye, uncle ; a pleasant ride ! 
 
 Abner. Good morning, Mr. Newcomb. Mrs. How- 
 land is waiting for you, and she'll insure you — ha, ha, 
 ha ! — good accommodation. [Exit c. 
 
20 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Policy. He don't bite. Laugh away ; but a jocular 
 vein won't save the jugular {going r. sees Lina). 
 What a pretty girl {stops and looks at her work). Ah, 
 fancy work. Do you like that, miss ? 
 
 Lina. O, yes ; don't you ? 
 
 Policy. Me ? I think croquet is one of the most 
 fascinating employments of the fair sex. 
 
 Lina. Indeed ! What excellent taste ! Hence- 
 forth ray work will be si pastime {laughs). 
 
 Policy {aside). She's making game of me. {Aloud) 
 But don't you think it's a little bit wearing on the 
 eyes ? 
 
 Lina. It must be, especially after contact with 
 such a hard substance as a fishing-pole. 
 
 Policy {aside). Hem ! sharp 's the word there. 
 {Aloud) Good morning {walks off r. 1st e. very stiff. 
 Tom watches him off, then runs down to Lina, kneels, 
 and puts his arm about her icaist). 
 
 Tom. Darling, we are alone once more. 
 
 Lina. Yes, Tom, " the cruel war is over " again. 
 
 Tom. Yes, sweetheart, we can now dismiss the 
 frown from our brows, the venom from our tongues, 
 and be again a happy pair of lovers. 
 
 Lina. O Tom, you can't imagine how hard it is 
 for me to speak so sharply to you, whom I love so 
 dearly. 
 
 Tom. Yes, I can. " A fellow feeling," you know. 
 Forgive me for all the hard words I have spoken. 
 
 Lina. As I hope to be forgiven. 
 Tom. It's our only course, Lina. War before 
 others ; love and peace in secret. If Uncle Abner 
 knew I dared to love you •— 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 21 
 
 Lina. He would lock me up, send you away, and, 
 O, dear! I tremble at the thought; but, fortunately* 
 
 Mr. Spofford, my Spicer, is the suspected party, and 
 not Tom How land. 
 
 Tom. Spofford! Lina, I hate that man. To see 
 him with his infernal eye-glass ogling you; to hear his 
 silly speeches ; to watch his confident assurance that 
 he lias captivated you. Lina, I try to be patient; but 
 I know some day I shall pound that chap. 
 
 Lina. And ruin your prospects. No, Tom, be 
 patient still. The other will soon appear, and then I'll 
 change my tnctics. 
 
 Tom. Indeed ; and be as deeply interested in hirn 
 as you now seem to be with Spofford. That's con- 
 soling. 
 
 Lina. Well, where's the harm ? If I can fascinate 
 him, will not my powers of attraction be enhanced ? 
 Shall I not be a richer prize for you to win? 
 
 Tom. And I shall win you? Assure me of that, 
 and I care not how many suitors flicker about the 
 flame that burns for me alone. 
 
 Lina. That's very pretty, Tom. Be comforted ; 
 my hand is yours when you shall dare to claim it. 
 
 Tom {seizing her hand). 'Tis the dearest little hand 
 in the wide, wide world (kisses it frantically. Policy 
 enters r. 1 e. wiping his hands with his handkerchief). 
 
 Policy. -Ahem! (Lina screams and bends over her 
 zoorJc. Tom jumps up and goes to table with his back 
 to Lina. Policy looks from one to the other, then 
 steps to c. / looks at each again slowly, then) 
 
 Policy. If I had only known — but I didn't. You 
 
22 THE FLOWER OP THE FAMILY. 
 
 see I am a new-comer; not used to the ways of the 
 house; but it's all right. I'm blind {pointedly to 
 Lina), color-blind. I shall take occasion to congratu- 
 late Mr. Howland — 
 
 Tom {turning to Newcomb). Not for the world. 
 Open your lips to speak of what you have here seen, 
 and we are ruined. 
 
 Policy. You don't say so ! 
 
 Tom. I cannot explain the circumstances under 
 which we are placed ; but, as you say, it's all right. 
 And I am ready to buy your silence, if it is necessary. 
 
 Policy {indignantly). Buy? Buy me? Young 
 man, are you insured ? 
 
 Tom. No. 
 
 Policy. No? Young man, look at that fair, blush- 
 ing face bending in happy confusion over her work- 
 basket. She loves you ; you love her ; you love and 
 live together. You would draw her from her secluded 
 and happy home to share your fortunes. You would 
 do this, rash youth, knowing the uncertainty of life, 
 with a full knowledge that in your daily walks a brick 
 from some towering chimney might fall upon your 
 head to crush you; two bricks, perhaps, with but a 
 single thought — to mash you. Be wise ; secure her 
 future before you attempt to secure her. Let me 
 write you for ten thousand in the Never-say-Die, and 
 then you may laugh at fate, and, beneath a pile of 
 bricks, triumphantly smile to know the loved one re- 
 joices in the possession of that policy. 
 
 Tom. Yes ; I see what you want. If I take a 
 policy, your mouth is sealed. 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 23 
 
 Policy. We never go back on our policy-holders. 
 
 Tom. Well. {Aside) Confound this fellow! {Aloud) 
 I'll reflect upon it. 
 
 Policy. There's no time like the present {takes 
 circular from his pocket). Here, look at our state- 
 ment, — surplus enormous. 
 
 Tom {aside). O, bother {takes paper, and goes up 
 to window. Policy folloics, and talks in pantomime). 
 
 Lina {laughs). Poor Tom! his troubles have com- 
 menced. If he hadn't been quite so handy with his 
 kisses, this miserable man would never have had it in 
 his power to make us tremble in his presence. 
 
 Tom {jiointing to window). O, yes ; those are 
 mine; raised them myself. I'm something of a gar- 
 dener. Stroll out, and look over the beds. I'll join 
 you presently. 
 
 Policy. Thank you, I will {comes down with Tom, 
 and takes his hat from table). I'm a Conner sure in 
 garden sass. I'll look up your mammoth cabbages. I 
 don't care much for roses, but among the green 'uns 
 {at door) I'm at home {Exit. Tom toatches him off). 
 
 Tom. Lina ! 
 
 Lina. Tom ! 
 
 {Reenter Policy, c.) 
 
 Policy. By the way, you'll want an accident policy 
 to go with — 
 
 Tom {angrily). Mr. Npwcomb, I want nothing 
 but to be rid of your inf- — delightful society for ten 
 minutes. 
 
 Policy. Don't get mnd. It is your interest I have 
 at heart. You are a gardener, in hourly danger of 
 
24 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 having your foot split open with a hoe, or your head 
 scraped with a rake; or — or — of being stung by 
 some poisonous reptile — a toad, or a bull-frog. What 
 a salve would it be to your wounded anatomy, should 
 you — 
 
 Tom. Another word, and no policy for me. I'd 
 sooner take the consequences. 
 
 Policy {aside). That policy wouldn't suit this pol- 
 icy. {Aloud) O, very well. I leave the matter to 
 your calm consideration; but remember, there are vital 
 interests at stake. \_12xit c. 
 
 Tom. There's a martyr at the stake, that's sure. 
 O, Lin a, what's to be done ? 
 
 Tina. Don't ask me ; you've brought this upon 
 yourself. 
 
 Tom. Brought this upon myself? Well, I like 
 that ! 
 
 Tina. And I don't like it. You've compromised 
 me, sold yourself to that hateful insurance thing, and 
 ruined our prospects. 
 
 Tom. Well, you had a hand in it — a very pretty 
 one, too. Don't be angry, Lina ; I'll find some way to 
 insure our safety. 
 
 Tina. Indeed! Haven't you had enough of in- 
 surnnce yet? 
 
 Tom. Don't be cruel {bending over her- tenderly, 
 loith clasped hands). Nothing shall part us. 
 
 Alice {outside a). Come right in ; never mind the 
 water. 
 
 Tom. The deuce ! {runs to table / picks up a book ; 
 sits in chair l. of table, and reads. Enter c. Alice. 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 25 
 
 She comes down to table. Oscar appears in doorway ; 
 stoj?s there.) 
 
 Alice {as she enters). Nobody will mind your ap- 
 pearance. A shipwrecked mariner finds sympathy all 
 the world over. 
 
 Oscar. You are very kind; but people are not 
 fond of having shipwrecked mariners deluge their car- 
 pets with briny tears. I think I'll stop outside. 
 
 Alice. Come in ; I insist. Nobody will eat you. 
 
 Tom (aside). I should say not; a less tempting 
 morsel I never saw. 
 
 Oscctr. O, very well, if you insist (comes down). 
 And now I am here, will you be good enough to tell 
 me where I am, and to whom I am indebted for hos- 
 pitality. 
 
 Alice. This is the residence of Mr. Abner Howland. 
 
 Oscar (starting). Abner Howland! 
 
 Alice. That lovely young lady yonder is Miss Lina 
 Howland. 
 
 Oscar (bows to Lixa). (Aside) My guardian's 
 choice. Well, well ! he told but half the truth. 
 
 Alice. That studious young gentleman there is Mr. 
 Tom Howland. 
 
 Oscar (botes and shakes hands with Tom). Glad to 
 meet you, sir. Br-r-r (shivers). 
 
 Tom (aside). A chilling reception. 
 
 Oscar (to Alice). And you ? 
 
 Alice (laughs). O, I'm — I'm — nobody. 
 
 Oscar. Indeed ! Then I am indebted to Nobody 
 for my life, for which I am truly grateful (bows to 
 Alice. She acknowledges). Miss Howland, and you, 
 
26 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Mr. Howlancl, will, I trust, pardon this damp intrusion, 
 when I inform you that {sneezes) I've caught a cold. 
 Where was I ? O, having arrived last night at the 
 cosy little hotel at Mayburn, and catching — {s?ieezes) 
 
 Tom {aside). Hope it is not catching here. 
 
 Oscar. — Catching a glimpse of the lake this morn- 
 ing, I was seized with — {sneezes) — a desire to have a 
 pull — {sneezes) 
 
 Tom {aside). That's a pull back. 
 
 Oscar. — On its placid waters. I equipped myself 
 in this rather unfashionable suit, obtained a boat, and 
 for a time — {sneezes) 
 
 Tom {aside). That's for the fifth time. 
 
 Oscar. — Enjoyed myself hugely, until seeing this 
 young lady, Miss Nobody — {sneezes) 
 
 Tom {aside). Must have had a delightful duet. 
 
 Oscar. — Fishing, I made a quick turn to see what 
 she was catching. 
 
 Alice. Caught a crab, and capsized the boat, that's 
 all. 
 
 Oscar. No, that's not all.; for you at once rowed 
 to my assistance. Just in time, too, for these heavy 
 boots were fast dragging me to the bottom {sneezes). 
 
 Tom {aside). I'm glad he's touched bottom. 
 
 Lina. O, Ally, has your dream come true? 
 
 Alice. Lina, don't you dare speak of that. 
 
 Oscar. A dream ! That's good. What was it ? 
 Dreams are so delightful — {shivers) 
 
 Tom {aside). He shivers with delight. 
 
 Oscar. — When young ladies tell them. 
 
 Lina. O, this was the queerest — 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 27 
 
 Alice. Lina Rowland ! if you tell — 
 
 Lina. I will. You must know, Mr. — By the way, 
 you have not introduced yourself! 
 
 Oscar. No? {Aside) I don't mean to, either. {Aloud) 
 O, certainly, I must introduce myself {claps hand to 
 his breast). I've left my cards at the hotel {shivers) ; 
 and then I'm so flustered by being in the water so 
 long {shivers) ; and this costume is not exactly fitted 
 for a ceremonious call ; so, if you please, for the pres- 
 ent I will be — Mr. Nobody {sneezes). 
 
 Tom {aside). Nobody! He must be the great 
 Julius Sneezer! But, my dear fellow, you must be 
 very damp and miserable, soaked with water ; fortu- 
 nately, I can furnish you with a change of raiment. I 
 won't answer for the fit. 
 
 Oscar. Anything will answer, thank you {sneezes 
 violently). 
 
 Tom. You couldn't have a worse fit than that. 
 
 Oscar. But I'm anxious to hear about the dream. 
 
 Alice. That story will keep. Attend to your com- 
 fort, I beg. 
 
 Tom {comes r.). Do, old fellow, make yourself 
 comfortable and presentable; for you certainly are not 
 making a favorable impression, either upon the ladies 
 or the carpet. Come. 
 
 Oscar {comes to r., turns and botes). Excuse me, 
 ladies. {Aside) I have fallen unawares into my guar- 
 dian's cosy nest. Unknown, I will learn more of my 
 promised bride, and Miss Nobody. {Follows Tom off, 
 
 R. 1st E.) 
 
 Lina. So you have fished to some purpose to-day. 
 
28 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Alice. Have I ? I've always been told that there 
 is as good fish in the sea as ever was caught; but let's 
 wait until mine is properly dressed. 
 
 Lina. His address is that of a gentleman. 
 
 Alice. He is a gentleman. You should have heard 
 his talk in the boat. Such expressions of gratitude ! 
 such a glow ! such a — really, it almost upset me. 
 
 Lina. No wonder; your boat is so small. 
 
 Alice. Then, his eyes! Did you ever see finer? 
 
 Lina. Ha, ha, ha ! the dream is certainly coming 
 true. 
 
 Alice. Nonsense, Lina! Do yon suppose he will 
 give a second glance at such an insignificant romp 
 as I? 
 
 Lina. No doubt of it ! and with as much expres- 
 sion in those eyes — did you ever see finer, Ally? — 
 as endangered your safety in the boat. Ha, ha, ha ! 
 
 Alice. I won't give him the chance. I'll keep out 
 of his way until he leaves the house. 
 
 Lina. Do, Ally. That will make him crazy to 
 return. That's strategy, Ally. 
 
 Alice. Lina, you are provoking. 
 
 Li?ia. It is the smitten heart that feels the smart. 
 (Spofford ajypears in door c. with eye-glass to his 
 eye.) The wounded bird that flutters. 
 
 Spofford {conies down a). Yah, yah, yah If that's me ! 
 
 Alice ) 
 
 Lina {■ Mr. Spofford ! 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! Spofford 's the wounded 
 bird that flutters wound the candle. 
 
 * Meaning " Yes, yes, yes ! " 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 29 
 
 Alice. Ha, ha, ha ! 'Tis the moth that flutters round 
 the candle. 
 
 Spofford. Ith it ? Yah, yah ! I didn't know what 
 kind of a bird it was. But I'd just as lives be a moth- 
 bird as any other. 
 
 Lina. And where's the candle, Spicer dear ? {takes 
 his r. arm and looks up into his face.) 
 
 Spofford (aside). Spicer dear! She weally loves 
 me. (Aloud, looking down at her tenderly) And can 
 you weally ask, Lina dear? 
 
 Lina. Ha, h.*;, ha! So I'm a candle ! 
 
 Spofford. No, no, no! Not a weal candle, you 
 know ; but something bwilliant ! 
 
 Alice. Gas-light, for instance. 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! But the candle 's — wax 
 can<He, you know — not a bad idea, because you're so 
 finely moulded. 
 
 Alice (aside). And have a stick to support you. 
 
 Lina. Mr. Spofford, that was really a fine compliment. 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! I thought you'd like it — 
 the candle — made it out of my own head. 
 
 Lina. O, Spicer dear, how lonesome we should be 
 without your daily visits ! 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! Fisher says to me this 
 morning — Fisher, you know, is the landlord at the 
 hotel over at Mayburn. Rough fellow, Fisher ; but 
 he amuses me, Fisher does. Eats with his knife, you 
 know — Yah, yah, yah ! Fisher says, " What will the 
 young ladies do without you over at Squire Rowland's? 
 They cant play croquet on the lawn when you a e 
 gone." Then I said a good thing — a deuthid bright 
 thin 2. 
 
30 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Lina. You ? 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! I said they'll be more for- 
 lawn than ever! Yah, yah, yah ! Wasn't that good? 
 
 Lina (wonderingly). More for Lawn ? 
 
 Alice (slowly). More — for — lawn ? 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! Don't you thee ? You 
 won't go to the lawn ; but you'll be more for going to 
 the lawn ; that is, you'll wish that you could go for 
 more lawn; and yMi'd be lawn for — Deuth take it, 
 I've got mixed somehow ; but that forlorn idea was 
 good ; made it out of my own head. 
 
 Alice (sighs). Iligh-ho ! 
 
 /Spofford. What's the matter with Mith Alice ? 
 
 Lina. Low spirits, I guess. 
 
 Spofford. What the death makes folks say high- 
 ho, when they're in low spirits ? 
 
 Lina. You haven't said a word to her. 
 
 Spofford. O, she's jealous. (Aside) She's in love 
 with me too, poor thing ! (Aloud) Mith Alice, can you 
 tell me why my left arm is stronger than my light ? 
 
 Alice. Your left arm stronger than your right ? 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah! 
 
 Alice. No ; I'm sure I cannot. 
 
 Spofford. Because, you see, while there's more on 
 my right arm it's Lina, and my left has something to 
 spare. 
 
 Alice (locking her arm in his, l.). I see, something 
 to spare me. Now that was very good. 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! I thought you'd like 
 tint ; made it out of my own head. 
 
 Alice (aside). There's nothing to spare there (they 
 promenade to left). 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 31 
 
 Spofford. Now, what shall we do this morning; play 
 croquet or ride ? ( Turn to e. and promenade back.) 
 
 Lina. Croquet, of course. 
 
 Alice. Ride, by all means. 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! Croquet and ride. 
 
 Lina. No ; croquet will be sufficient. I don't care 
 to ride. 
 
 Alice. And I don't care to play croquet. 
 
 Spofford {stopping in c). Yah, yah, yah ! 
 
 Lina. I insist upon croquet. 
 
 Alice. The mallets are locked up in my room, and 
 will not come cut this morning. 
 
 Lina. I will not ride, and you cannot go without 
 me. 
 
 Alice. O yes, we can. Can't we, Mr. Spofford ? 
 
 Spofford. Well, now, weally — 
 
 Lina (goes e.). I understand you prefer Ally's 
 company to mine! 
 
 Alice (goes l.). Two is company, and three is 
 none. I understand ! 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! But, the deuce ! Take 
 two from onc\ and nothing remains. What am I? 
 
 Alice. A cipher, of course. 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! I sigh-for company ! Now 
 that's a sudden thing, but it's good — that cipher — 
 made out of my own head {looks at each). Poor 
 things! I've fascinated both; but I can't marry but 
 one. Why wasn't I born a Mormon ? (Enter Mes. 
 Howland, e. 1 e.) Ah, good morning, Mrs. Howland. 
 
 Mrs. H. Good morning, Mr. Spofford. I am glad 
 you called. I wish to speak with you alone. 
 
32 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! Certainly. (Aside) Alone ! 
 What the deuce is the matter now? (Enter Tom, 
 e. 1 E.) 
 
 Tom. I've induced our unknown friend to crawl 
 into bed, after rattling down my meerschaums and 
 other ornaments with his confounded shivering and 
 sneezing ; and I'm going over to Mayburn to get him 
 a dry suit. 
 
 Mrs. H. Take the girls with you, Tom ; they'll 
 enjoy the ride. 
 
 Alice. Not I, mother. I'll take the opportunity of 
 your entertaining Mr. Spofford — alone, to divest my- 
 self of my fishing-skirt. Don't be alarmed. I'll not 
 disturb your delightful tete-a-tete. [Exit door l. 
 
 Lina. And I'll go with Tom, mother. I don't 
 think I shall enjoy the ride in his society; but to 
 oblige you — 
 
 Tom. O, humbug ! You're dying to go ; you know 
 you are ;■ but I won't have you. You'll scare the 
 horse. 
 
 Lina. What a pity that would be! You're such a 
 poor driver. Now I will go, just to spite you. There's 
 a short cut to the stable across the dahlia bed (going). 
 
 Tom. If you dare cross that, you'll catch it. 
 
 Lina. Stop me if you can, booby (runs off a). 
 
 Tom (running after her). Stop, I say ! Plngue ! 
 torment ! nuisance ! [Exit c. 
 
 3frs. H. (seating herself l. of table). Mr. Spofford, 
 please take a seat. 
 
 /Spofford (seating himself r. of table). Yah, 
 yah, yah ! 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 33 
 
 Mrs. H. As a friend of my late husband, you were 
 kind enough to search me out, and tender your sym- 
 pathy. 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! Mr. Rowland, your late 
 departed, was a nice man, he was. Used to lend me 
 small sums, and didn't dun me. I always liked Mr. 
 Rowland. 'Twas mighty inconvenient, his dying. 
 
 Mrs. H. Your sympathy was very kind ; and were 
 I in my own house — 
 
 Spofford. Now, don't apologize. It makes no dif- 
 ference to me. I'm just as glad to see you here as if 
 it was your own house. 
 
 Mrs. II. Yes ; but still there is a difference — 
 
 Spofford. Not the least. I can call anywhere. I 
 have a way of making myself at home at all times and 
 in all places. 
 
 Mrs. II. Still, I am compelled by circumstances to 
 thank you for your kindness, and ask you to cease 
 your visits here. 
 
 Spofford. Circumstances ! Yah, yah, yah ! Neigh- 
 bors talk about it! But who cares ? Mere gossip. 
 Not to be thought of. 
 
 Mrs. II. (rising). Mr. Spofford, I am very sorry 
 you will not understand my meaning; it compels me 
 to speak plainly. Your society is no longer agreeable 
 to me, or the master of this house (crosses to r.). I 
 shall give orders that you are not to be admitted to 
 the house or the grounds. Good morning. 
 
 [Exit R. 1 e. 
 
 Spofford (still seated). Yah, yah, yah ! Kicked 
 out ! that's the English of it ! Now, now, now ! what . 
 3 
 
34 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 the deuce is the matter with her ? Somebody 's been 
 meddling. Heard something. And I'm to be cut off 
 in the flower of my youth ! Yah, yah, yah ! Guess 
 not, Mrs. Howland. Spofford hasn't set his head to 
 work for this conclusion — just as both of those girls 
 are so captivated that they would follow me to the end 
 of the earth. Yah, yah, yah ! I've got it. An elope- 
 ment ! Deuced good idea. A ride over to the par- 
 son's what's his name at Mayburn to-night ; a word 
 in the parson's ear — a marriage ! And then they 
 won't give orders to keep me out of the house, or the 
 grounds. They'd have no gwounds on which to do it 
 then. That's good — no gwounds ; made out of my 
 own head, too. Yes, Miss Lina is the one ; she's 
 pretty, and silly ; just suits me. The other — I'm afraid 
 of her. I'll try it {takes paper and pen, and writes). 
 
 {Enter c. Newcomb / he stops and looks at Spcf- 
 ford, lohose back is half turned to him.) 
 
 Newcomb. Hallo ! a new arrival ? Chance for a 
 speculation here. Strike while the iron 's hot {comes 
 down l. ; sits in chair and slaps the table with his 
 hand). Stranger, are you insured? 
 
 (Spofford looks up with a start / Newcomb starts; 
 falls back in his chair. Spofford does the same.) 
 
 Newcomb. Spicer Spofford. 
 
 Spofford. Policy Newcomb. 
 
 Newcomb. What is your little game here, Spofford ? 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah! What's yours? You lead 
 and I'll follow suit. 
 
 Newcomb. There's no mystery about my pres- 
 ence here. The old gentleman, Mr. Abner Howland — 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 35 
 
 (Alice steps in from door l., which should be icell 
 up stag®, so that the parties at table have their backs 
 to her ; shi sees them, and is about to retire, but stops) 
 
 — is in difficulty. He owes a large sum to certain par- 
 ties. He is unable to pay ; so I am here. 
 
 Spofford. . Yah, yah, yah ! A keeper ! 
 
 Alice. A keeper in uncle's house ! \_Exit door l. 
 
 ATeiccomb. Yes, a keeper. Now for your play. 
 
 Spofford. Yas! Play? You've hit it, Policy. I'm 
 on a pleasure trip. 
 
 Newcomb. You've tripped already. Won't do. 
 Try again, Spicer. The Bowcliffe Insurance Company 
 give their clerks no pleasure trips. Try again. 
 
 Spofford. Well, then, call it a diplomatic mission. 
 
 Newcomb. A diplomatic mission from the office ? 
 They'd as soon trust a baby. 
 
 /Spofford. Ah, you don't know everything, Policy. 
 I've found out something; a grand, universal discovery 
 
 — all out of my own head, too. 
 
 Newcomb. Well, if you've found you've got a head, 
 that is something no one has ever yet discovered. 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah ! Something royal — a fortune! 
 This is a secret, Newcomb. 
 
 Newcomb. Of course. 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! Well, you see, about 
 three months ago, I was looking over the policy-book, 
 and I came across a paid-up policy for twenty-five 
 thousand dollars, taken out, ten years ago, by one 
 Gordon Howl and. 
 
 Newcomb. Gordon Howland ? Yes. I wrote his 
 myself; and 'twas a good day's work for me. 
 
36 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! Well, he's dead and 
 gone, poor man; and the policy has never been«paid. 
 
 Newcomb. Not paid ! How is that ? 
 
 /Spofford. No claim has ever been made. Don't 
 you see, he did it to surprise his family when he should 
 die. Hid the policy. Couldn't tell when he was 
 struck down ; and there is the money unclaimed. 
 
 Newcomb. It was written in favor of his wife ; and 
 she — 
 
 Spofford. Is now in this house. 
 
 Newcomb. O, ho! I see ! I thought I'd seen that 
 face before. Good! And you, Spicer, like a good 
 friend, have come down here to communicate the 
 joyful news. 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! I guess not, Policy. 
 That's not my little game. O, I'm a deep one, New- 
 comb. I don't look it, but I am. 
 
 Newcomb. You don't look deep, Spofford, that's a 
 fact. 
 
 Spofford. But I am. She's got 'two daughters — 
 one too many — but they're both in love with me. Do 
 you see? I'll marry one; you shall marry the other. 
 
 Newcomb. Well, that's kind of you, Spicer, to re- 
 member me in this ; especially as you can't marry both. 
 Why, Spicer, what a head you have! 
 
 Spofford. O, I'm sharp ! I've worked my cards 
 well ; only just now — I'm kicked out ! 
 
 Neiccomb. Kicked out? 
 
 Spofford. Yes ; forbidden the house by Mrs. How- 
 land. Perhaps she's an idea that all is not right. But 
 I'm going to play my trump card now. 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 37 
 
 Newcomb. Let's see the little joker. 
 
 Spofford. I've just written a line to Miss Lin a. 
 She's the favorite {looks at paper). "Meet me at the 
 arbor to-night, at seven. I am forbidden to see you. 
 They shall not part us. I'll bring a vehicle ; the par- 
 son at Mayburn will expect us," &c, &c. She'll come. 
 A little persuasion, and an elopement. See, New- 
 comb ? 
 
 JWewcomb. Short notice. Do you imagine she will 
 consent? 
 
 Spofford. Don't I tell you she's in love, with me ? 
 She'll come (rises). I'll tuck the note into her basket 
 {comes to r. and places note). She'll be sure to see it. 
 It's a deuced deep scheme; made out of my own head, 
 too. Good-bye (going). 
 
 JSTewcomb (runs after him and brings him down). 
 Stop ! You are about to undertake a deed fraught 
 with danger. You will drive over to Mayburn. The 
 road is rocky, precipitous, dangerous. You may be 
 pursued; perhaps overturned; shot at; killed! Let 
 »*e Avrite you an accidental policy. 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! You do it well, New- 
 comb — deuced well ; but a good cook makes pies and 
 eats bread. Now that's good ; sudden, but good. Made 
 it out of my own head. [Exit c. 
 
 Policy. Bread made out of his own head ! Why 
 shouldn't he — dough-head ? What a fool ! Marry the 
 girl if you like ; but I'll go to the fountain-head (at 
 door). I'll try for the old lady. [Exit c. 
 
 (Enter Alice, door l. She runs up to c. door and 
 looks after them.) 
 
38 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Alice. Ruin threatens my uncle ; and my dear fa- 
 ther lias somewhere hidden the power to save hiin. It 
 must be found. Be mine the task. Heads may scheme, 
 but hearts, through faith and love, oft work and win 
 (stands at door with right hand raised). 
 
 [ Curtain.'] 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 39 
 
 Act II. — Scene same as Act I. Mrs. H. seated in 
 easy -chair l. of table, winding yarn from a skein 
 which Newcomb holds on his hands. He is seated 
 r. of table, very stiff, with a marked look of admi- 
 ration on his face. Alice seated r., reading a book. 
 
 Mrs. H. I'm so sorry to trouble you, Mr. Newcomb. 
 This must be an irksome task to you. 
 
 Policy. Not a bit of it, Mrs. Howland. I — I like 
 it ; 'tis a pleasure to sit and see one's self wound into 
 the fingers of lovely woman. There's a positive feeling 
 of attachment in it. 
 
 Mrs. II. All, you look at it in a business light ; 
 attachments, I believe, are in your line. 
 
 Policy (aside). That's a hit at the keeper. (Aloud) 
 No ; quite a romantic episode. To feel that with every 
 twirl of your fingers I am being drawn into your 
 domestic rounds, being drawn nearer and nearer to — 
 (bends towards Mrs. H.). 
 
 Mrs. H. Sit straight, Mr. Newcomb ; you'll tangle 
 the skein. 
 
 Policy (straightening up quickly). Thank you. 
 (Aside) Hang the skein ! (Aloud) How can I help 
 unbending in your society ? I have seen so little of 
 female society, that I desire to grasp (bends forward 
 again with hands stretched towards Mrs. H.). 
 
 Mrs. II. Keep your hands apart, Mr. Newcomb ; 
 do, please ! 
 
40 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Policy {straightening up and stretching his hands 
 apart). Thank you. I must be very awkward. 
 
 Mrs. II. That is to be expected at a new employ- 
 ment. I think you told me, Mr. Newcomb, you are 
 unmarried. 
 
 Policy. At present. Yes ; a poor, forlorn bachelor. 
 O, Mrs. Howland, I trust you may be spared the mise- 
 ries that are the portion of such as I. No one to love ; 
 no one to sew on a button, or care a button. 
 
 Mrs. H. Be careful, Mr. Newcomb; my yarn. 
 
 Policy (straightening up). Thank you. (Aside) 
 She's not interested in my yarn. (Aloud) Yes, Mrs. 
 Howland. I am an unwritten policy, waiting for some 
 one to take the risk ; but a policy, Mrs. Howland, des- 
 tined to enrich the taker with lar^e dividends of affec- 
 tions during life, and a rich endowment when time 
 shall break the brittle thread (gesticulates). 
 
 3Irs. II You'll break my yarn. Do be careful, 
 Mr. Newcomb. 
 
 Policy (straightening up). Thank you. (Aside) 
 Confound the yarn ! 
 
 Mrs. H. So rich a prize, Mr. Newcomb, will not 
 long remain unsought. 
 
 Policy (Aside). Ah, ha! There's speculation in 
 those eyes. (Aloud) Do you think so? — really, truly 
 think so ? Make me happy by repeating that pro- 
 phecy. 
 
 Mrs. H. Your time will come, depend upon it. 
 
 Policy. " Fly time, and bring the joyful day." I have 
 singled out the object of my adoration. As yet she 
 knows not the deep love she has inspired; but she 
 
THE FLOWER OP THE FAMILY. 41 
 
 holds the threads of my destiny in her two lovely 
 hands — in her lovely two — O, pshaw! I feel I am 
 rapidly being drawn nearer and nearer to — 
 
 Mrs. II. {loinding the last of the skein). The end 
 at last, Mr. Newcomb. 
 
 Alice {laughs). Ha, ha, ha! 
 
 Policy. Eh ! What amuses yon, Miss Alice? 
 
 Alice. Only my book, sir. 
 
 Policy. And your book is — 
 
 Alice. "The Fortune Hunter." Have you read it ? 
 
 Policy. No. Blood-and-thunder adventures in the 
 mines do not interest me. I wonder they should 
 you. 
 
 Alice. You are mistaken. The fortune-hunter that 
 interests me is no daring desperado; but a smooth, 
 calculating rascal, who is endeavoring to secure a good 
 woman's hand, that with it he may snatch her little 
 fortune, and enjoy it. 
 
 Policy {confused). Ah — yes — indeed! Quite 
 another character. Well, does he succeed? 
 
 Alice. I think not. He deserves to be defeated ; 
 but domestic dramas are such masquerades, we must 
 wait patiently, until, like you and mother just now, 
 we have reached the end. 
 
 Policy. O, yes, yes ; exactly. {Aside) I don't like 
 this. Can she suspect ? {Aloud) Shall I hold another 
 skein, Mrs. Howland ? 
 
 Mrs. II. That's all, thank you. I am going to the 
 garden {goes vp stage). 
 
 Policy. May I go with you? I'm very, very fond 
 of roaming: among* the lilies and daffo down dillies. 
 
42 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Mrs. H. I si) all be very glad of your company, 
 and will take pains to show you the sweetest and pret- 
 tiest. [Exit c. 
 
 Policy. Thank you. {Aside) And the richest is 
 yourself. Newcomb, my boy, you're in favor here. 
 Policies are looking up. [Exit c. 
 
 Alice (rises, and passes to chair l. of table). Poor 
 mother ! She little dreams that she is the object of 
 adoration, soughi by uncle's keeper! I dare not tell 
 her my discovery, lest I awaken hopes that may not 
 be realized. I must begin my search at once. That 
 policy, of such priceless value now, must be hidden 
 somewhere in the old house. I have no clue to its 
 hiding-place. I must find an excuse to visit our old 
 home alone ; and once within its walls, I will not give 
 up the search until it's mine. 
 
 (Enter Oscar, r. 1 e.) 
 
 Oscar. May I come in? 
 
 Alice. If you are the unskilful oarsman who was 
 put to bed, like a naughty boy, as a punishment, and 
 if you are ready to say you will never, never do so 
 again, you may. 
 
 Oscar. I am ready to say anything that will give 
 me an opportunity to speak with you. 
 
 Alice (aside). What a handsome fellow! 
 
 Oscar. I believe I am a little more presentable ; 
 and, thanks to our friend Tom's accommodation, fully 
 recovered from the effects of my bath. . 
 
 Alice. I am very glad to hear it. What a queer 
 adventure ! 
 
 Oscar. Very. It cannot be called romantic; for by 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 43 
 
 all the rules of modern fiction, it's the heroic yonng 
 man who, at the peril of his life, saves the beautiful 
 maiden from a watery grave. We have transgressed 
 those rules, for a beautiful maiden has saved — 
 
 Alice. The heroic young man who couldn't manage 
 his boat. Ha, ha, ha ! 
 
 Oscar. Laugh at me if you will ; but I shall al- 
 ways bless the awkward turn that made us friends. 
 
 Alice. Friends ! Do you think so ? I fancy that 
 when you have left this place, you will laugh in turn 
 at the unwomanly hoiden who caused the accident. 
 
 Oscar. If you think so, then I shall never leave this 
 place. 
 
 Alice. Indeed ! So, having caught my fish, I must 
 preserve it. Ha, ha, ha! 
 
 Oscar. Preserve the recollection of how yon caught 
 it. I am content. I shall remember it as one of those 
 chance occurrences which are turning-points in lite. 
 
 Alice. So serious as that? 
 
 Oscar. You do not know me. For years I have 
 been a wanderer in the old world, with wealth at my 
 command; every wish gratified. I have enjoyed all 
 the delights of travel. I have met many beautiful 
 women ; but I came back to my native land, heart 
 whole. But now — 
 
 Alice. Excuse me ; but this language from a stran- 
 ger to a stranger — 
 
 Oscar. You will pardon. It may be presuming, 
 but 'tis honest and earnest. Now, though we have 
 never met until this day, I've found my fate. There 
 is but one desire in my heart — to become nearer and 
 dearer to you. 
 
44 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Alice. Sir — Mr. — you forget — 
 
 Oscar. It is that one word, forget, which has made 
 inc speak. But that you had said I should forget you, 
 my voice would have been silent. 
 
 Alice. You have no right to speak thus to me. 
 
 Oscar. I have the right of every honest man to 
 tell a woman of his love — 
 
 Alice. No more of this, I beg. My uncle and 
 guardian will be pleased to see you, should you call 
 during your stay at May burn. 
 
 Oscar. And you ? 
 
 Alice. Will be glad to meet any friend my uncle 
 shall present. 
 
 Oscar. And he will present me in form, and then 
 we shall become — 
 
 Alice {giving her hand). Friends, if you desire it. 
 
 Oscar. Yes, dear friends. And that I may hasten 
 the time, the good time coming, I will now take my 
 leave. For the debt of gratitude I still owe you, let 
 me slip this ring upon your finger, to remind you it 
 will never be forgotten (slips a ring upon her finger). 
 Ah ! some one has been before me ! A fair exchange — 
 
 Alice. — Would in this case be a robbery. I can 
 never part with that. 
 
 Oscar. Ah ! a favored suitor ! 
 
 Alice. Yes, my father. You see it bears a motto. 
 
 Oscar {talcing her hand, and examining the ring). 
 A curious one. u Search the Scriptures." A wise pre- 
 cept. 
 
 Alice. My father, in apparent health, was stricken 
 down suddenly, a year ago. He was brought home 
 
THE FLOWER OF* THE FAMILY. 45 
 
 nncl laid upon his bed, from which he never rose again. 
 He was a kind and noble father, and we all loved him 
 dearly. He could not speak or move. I noticed that 
 Lis eyes moved towards that ling on his finger which 
 I had never seen before. Believing that I understood 
 his wish, I took it from his finger and placed it upon 
 mine. The satisfied look that beamed upon me I shall 
 never forget. I thought I understood his meaning, and 
 morning and evening since he died I have followed its 
 precept: I could not part with it. To me it seems 
 a happy talisman. 
 
 Oscar. I would not take it from you. Let mine 
 repose near it. It has no motto. I will give it one. 
 "Search the giver." When you may come to know 
 him better, you will find among the tokens of human 
 frailty he must possess one redeeming virtue — a deep 
 respect and a growing love for one to whom this new 
 proof of goodness lends an added charm. Good-bye. 
 We shall, we must meet again (kisses her hand, and 
 goes towards door. Enter Mrs. II. cmc/ Newcoub). 
 
 Mrs. II You are going to leave us ? 
 
 Oscar. Yes, Mrs. Howland, with many thanks for 
 the kind treatment I have received. 
 
 Mrs. H. I hope you suffer no inconvenience from 
 your accident. 
 
 Policy, r. Accident? 
 
 Mrs. II, c. This gentleman was capsized upon the 
 lake this morning. 
 
 Policy. Ah, ha ! Another fearful warning! 
 
 " Life, 'tis a strife, 'tis a bubble, 'tis a dream, 
 And man he is a little boat a-floating down the stream." 
 
46 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 But the little boat will get upset, and the angry 
 waves lash the frail craft, and drag — 
 
 Oscar, l. Excuse me, sir, but your boat is pitching 
 rather heavily on a calm lake. 
 
 Policy. Are you insured ? 
 
 Oscar. I'm in doubt ; consult my agent. 
 
 Policy. Be warned ; be wise. You are a water- 
 man, a skimmer of the seas. You trust your skull to 
 the mercy of a pair of sculls — mere spoons. Water 
 is a deadly fluid when taken into the system in too 
 copious draughts. You must see the folly of trusting 
 yourself on the angry deep without a life-preserver. 
 
 Oscar {looking at Alice). I was fortunate enough 
 to find one in the hour of adversity. 
 
 Policy. The only real preservers are the Burst-ups 
 and Blow-ups. I'm their accredited agent. Let me 
 write you for ten thousand — 
 
 Oscar {laughs). Not to-day, thank you. I'll take 
 my chances with the preserver I have already secured, 
 and like so well that I am anxious to give it another 
 trial. Good afternoon {bows, and exits c). 
 
 Policy. He don't bite ; after such an escnpe, too. 
 O, he must listen to reason. Here, Mr. — what's your 
 name ? — one word — [Exit c. 
 
 Mrs. H. I declare ! Mr. Newcomb is the most per- 
 severing man I ever met. It's a wonder he hasn't 
 attempted to induce me to take a policy. 
 
 Alice {laughing). He will, mother, take my word 
 for it ; and such a policy ! 
 
 Mrs. H. What do you mean, child ? I haven't a 
 cent to invest in such a venture. 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 47 
 
 Alice. He only requires your assent to write you, 
 as lie terms it, for life. 
 
 Mrs. II. Let me catch him trying it, that's all. I 
 always did detest insurance. 
 
 Alice. Don't say that, mother ; it may yet prove a 
 blessing to us. 
 
 Mrs. II. That was the only subject your father and 
 I disagreed upon. 
 
 Alice. Indeed ! {Aside) That accounts for the 
 hiding. 
 
 Mrs. H. It's tempting Providence — that it is ; and 
 I'm glad your father took my advice, and let it alone. 
 I had my way in that. 
 
 Alice. Indeed! {Aside) If I cannot disprove that, 
 I shall be no true daughter of a noble father. {Exit l. 
 as LitfA enters c. hurriedly.) 
 
 Una {throwing off shawl and hat on chair by 
 window). So — so — Mr. Spofford has been forbidden 
 the house, and by you, mother ! It's a shame to treat 
 a gentleman in this manner! 
 
 Mrs. H. Lin a! 
 
 Una, r. I will speak. What right have you to do 
 this? 
 
 Mrs. H., r. I acted on your father's wishes, Lina. 
 
 Una. Indeed ! Am I to be treated like a child ? 
 I like Mr. Spofford, and I will not allow my admirers 
 to be driven away in this manner. When I am tired, 
 I know how to rid myself of them. 
 
 Mrs. H. Mr. Spofford came here as my friend, 
 Lina. Yon will certainly allow me the privilege you 
 claim, of ridding myself when I am tired ? 
 
48 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Lina. O, pshaw ! You know very well that was 
 but an excuse. 
 
 Mrs. H. Then I acted rightly. No gentleman 
 would seek to gain admission here by a subterfuge. I 
 am sorry you are not satisfied, Lina (crosses to r.), but 
 your father's wishes must take precedence with me. I 
 hope you will think better of my action. [Exit r. 1 e. 
 
 Lina (stands looking after her). Mother, mother! 
 don't go! — I've driven her ofF! Just like me. But 
 she has spoiled all my pleasure. He won't come here 
 again. (Enter Tom a, runs down and puts his arm 
 about her waist.) 
 
 Tom. Here you are again, darling. 
 
 Lina (slipping away from him to r.). You here 
 again, booby ? 
 
 Tom. Hallo! What's the matter? We are alone. 
 
 Lina. How can two be alone? 
 
 Tom (running to her and clasping her in his arms). 
 Only when they are one — one in heart — in soul. 
 
 Lina (jmshing him away). Twaddle, Mr. Howland 
 — borrowed from the pages of the last new novel. 
 
 Tom (c. staring at her). Twaddle ! Borrowed ! 
 Mister Howland ! Somebody must be listening (creeps 
 on tiptoe up to door a). Nobody there! (In same 
 manner to door l.) Nobody there ! Ah ! (runs and 
 lifts the cloth on table; looks under). Nobody there! 
 What can be the matter — Miss — Miss Howland ? 
 
 Lina. Well, Mr. Howland ? 
 
 Tom (angrily). Will you just tell me the mean- 
 ing of this confounded — (Lina looks at him sternly) 
 ah — I mean, darling — explain — explain — 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 49 
 
 Lina. Attend to your geraniums — your mammoth 
 cabbages — your prize poppies — and let me alone. 
 
 Tom (loolting round). Confound it, somebody's 
 ear must be at a keyhole ! {Aloud) I shall do nothing 
 of the sort. My attention at this moment is bent on 
 attending a fairer flower — the flower — {holding out 
 his hand). Come, pet — 
 
 Lina {slapping his hand). Go, pest ! 
 
 Tom. We are un watched; it's all right. You are 
 alone with me who loves you. ( Gets angry.) Confound 
 it, Lina, this has gone far enough. I demand an ex- 
 planation : why are you so cold — so distant? {She 
 turns upon him suddenly ; he runs behind tabled) I 
 see it all. You are not a pet, but in a pet, because 
 Spicer Spofibrd has gone. You grieve at his absence : 
 I don't. I rejoice that he has at last been made to 
 see his place — outside the door. 
 
 Lina. You rejoice! — you! — at this insult to a 
 gentleman in every way your superior? 
 
 Tom. Lina ! 
 
 Lina. Silence, sir. I will not listen to you. I 
 doubt not you are the cause of his dismissal — you, 
 with your absurd jealousy ! 
 
 Tom. Well, I like that. I jealous ? That's good ! 
 I'm a martyr. Give me another shot! 
 
 Lina. I give you what he has received — a dis- 
 missal. 
 
 Tom. You don't mean that, Lina ? 
 
 Lina. I do. From this moment, all is at an end 
 between us. Henceforth we are strangers. 
 
 Tom. Yes, I understand — before company. {Aside) 
 4 
 
50 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 She can't mean it. (Enter Altce, l.) O, no, I see. 
 (Aloud) Very well ; henceforth we are strangers. 
 That suits me. I shan't be the first tto ask an intro- 
 duction. 
 
 Alice. Quarrelling again. You children should be 
 locked up in separate apartments. 
 
 Lina. O, no. Tom and I have come to an under- 
 standing at last ; we shall never quarrel again — shall 
 we, darling f 
 
 Tom (aside). Confound it, I don't understand this 
 skirmishing. Never mind ; I'll keep up the excitement. 
 (Aloud) No, baggage, we shall never, never, never 
 be friends. You, the flower of the family? Bah! 
 you're a quarrelsome, disagreeable, disappointed old 
 maid, and t I'll never speak to you again — never ! 
 
 [Exit c. 
 
 Lina, Ally, do you know Mr. Spofford has been 
 
 forbidden the house? 
 
 » 
 
 Alice. Yes, dear. 
 
 Lina. Yes, dear? And can you calmly brook 
 tyranny ? Such interference with our rights and 
 liberties — 
 
 Alice. Liberty to flirt and mitten ! Is that what 
 you mean, Lina ? For my part, I am glad he has been 
 retired. He is very amusing for a while ; but one 
 soon tires of a man like him, whose wit is all out 
 of his own head. You understand? Yah, yah, yah! 
 (laughs). 
 
 Lina. I think he's splendid ; and I, for one, shall 
 not drop his acquaintance in this summary manner. 
 
 Alice, Not when your father wishes it ? 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 51 
 
 Lina. My father's wishes can be easily made to 
 give place to mine. 
 
 Alice. And you desire to continue this acquaint- 
 ance ? 
 
 Lina. I certainly do, and shall (goes to basket, seats 
 herself, and takes work. Alice goes l.). 
 
 Alice (aside). She must have a deeper interest in 
 this man than I imagined. Shall I disclose his true 
 character? Would she believe me? (Lin a discovers 
 note.) Ah! the note — I had forgotten that. She 
 reads it. 
 
 Lina. Poor fellow ! ( To Alice) You see he has 
 not forgotten me. Even now he is w T aiting for me at 
 the foot of the garden (rises ; drops note into basket). 
 
 Alice. You will not meet him, Lina? 
 
 Lina. Not when the poor fellow is dying to* see 
 me ? 
 
 Alice. Lina, you must not. He is an adventurer — 
 a worthless fortune-hunter. 
 
 Lina. Whom you, if I mistake not, were pleased 
 to be noticed by. Ah ! Ally, beware of jealousy. 
 
 Alice. Linn, I detest that man. 
 
 Lina. And Hike him. I shall go. And if I should 
 not return before father arrives, tell him I have gone 
 to comfort a slighted guest. [Exit door l. 
 
 Alice. Am I awake? Will she elope with that 
 man ? (Runs to basket and takes note.) 'Tis plainly 
 proposed, and she — (tosses ?iote on table). No, no, 
 this must not be. She is wild, giddy, and in her wil- 
 fulness may throw herself away. Triumph he cannot. 
 He is deceived, believing us to be sisters. Drive to 
 
52 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Mayburn. Ah ! happy thought ! I can save her, and 
 serve myself (runs to door l. and turns key). She 
 lias left her shawl and hat here {runs to chair and 
 takes them). I do like a frolic; and I will mystify 
 Mr. Spicer Spofford (puts on shawl), balk his matrimo- 
 nial designs (unicinding veil from hat and putting it 
 on), and gain an entrance to the old house at May- 
 burn. It's a wild frolic ; but, with so much at stake, 
 the end must justify the means (throws veil over her 
 hat, and exits c. Mrs. H. enters r. 1 e.). 
 
 3frs. II. Where are you going, Lina? Poor child, 
 she is still angry (goes to door, a). Lina ! (Enter 
 Policy c). 
 
 Policy. It's no use calling, Mrs. Rowland. I tried 
 to stop her, hearing you call ; but she sped across Mr. 
 Tom's flower-beds in the most reckless manner. Won't 
 I do as well ? I'm awful lonesome. 
 
 Jlrs. II. (coming down a). Ah ! a little homesick. 
 
 Policy. O, no ; perfectly comfortable here, Mrs. 
 Howland. How could I be homesick when I am near 
 the object of my hopes? 
 
 Mrs. II. Ah ! somebody wants a policy. 
 
 Policy. I hope so ; I think so ; I flatter myself 
 somebody does. Ah ! (sighs, and clasps his hands, 
 looking tenderly at Mrs. II.). 
 
 3Irs. H. I'm glad of it for your sake, though I 
 detest anything that bears the name of policy. 
 
 Policy (crestfallen). Oh ! (Aside) There 's a 
 damper. (Enter Tom, c.) 
 
 Tom. Hallo ! Where are the girls ? Uncle has 
 arrived, and is in a towering passion. Something 's 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 53 
 
 gone wrong. Look after his tea. O ! here he is (comes 
 l. Enter Abner; stops in doorway). 
 
 Abner. O, Mary, Mary, Mary ! 
 
 Policy {coming it.). O, Mary's her name. I'll call 
 her pet names. Mary — Molly — Polly ! 
 
 Mrs. II. (r. c.) Why, Abner, what's the matter? 
 
 Abner. After your promise to me — your solemn 
 promise to me, that man Spofford is still allowed the 
 liberty of my house! 
 
 Mrs. II. I obeyed your wishes; spoke with Mr. 
 Spofford; and he lias left the house, never to return. 
 
 Abner. Left it ! Yes ; in company with my daugh- 
 ter ! 
 
 Policy (aside). His daughter? Ho, ho! Spicer 
 has made a slight mistake ! 
 
 Tom. Li n a gone ! 
 
 Mrs. II. You must be mistaken, Abner. 
 
 Abner. Do you suppose I do not know my own 
 daughter? I met them on the road, with that man 
 driving like mad. O, this is unendurable! {comes to 
 table and picks up note). 
 
 Mrs. H. I do not understand it. 
 
 Abner. This explains all. The villain has eloped 
 with Lina! 
 
 Tom. Gone — eloped — my Lina ? 
 
 Abner. Your Lina? 
 
 Tom {aside). O Lord! Fve let the cat out of 
 the bag. (aloud) No, no. Our Lina. She is ours, you 
 know; the tlower of the family. Let's drive after them 
 with the blacks; we can overtake them. Come, 
 come ! there is no time to be lost. 
 
54 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Abner. Not a step. She has made her own choice. 
 Henceforth she is no daughter of mine. 
 
 Lina (outsider., knocking at door). Uncle, mother, 
 let me out ! 
 
 Tom. Ah, that dear, dear voice (runs, unlocks 
 door, and throws it open). She's here! My — our 
 Lina! (Enter Lina. Tom is about to embrace her ; 
 she pushes him one side.) 
 
 Lina. Uncle, welcome home (kisses him). 
 
 Abner (with his arm about her). My child, my 
 child ! I thought I had lost you ! 
 
 Lina. Because I was not here to greet you ? 
 
 Abner. No. Because I thought I saw yon riding 
 towards Mnyburn with Spicer Spofford. I'll swear 
 'twas your hat and shawl. 
 
 Lina. My hat and shawl ? I left them here (goes 
 to ivindow), and they are gone. It must have been 
 Alice. 
 
 Abner and Jlrs. IT. Alice ! 
 
 Lina. It's one of her wild frolics. She must have 
 turned the key upon me, and gone. 
 
 Abner. With this shame-meed adventurer. I see 
 it all. This note was hers. 
 
 Lina (coming down L.). That note — 
 
 Mrs. H. 'Tis false, Abner Howland. My child 
 could not stoop to a disgraceful act. 
 
 Abner. Yet she has gone — stolen from my house in 
 disguise. It could be no other. This note ; the lock- 
 ing of that door. She has disgraced us all. 
 
 Policy (aside). Spicer's head is level afteY all. 
 He'll win. 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 55 
 
 Mrs. H. False, all false. She will return to prove 
 her innocence. 
 
 Abner. Not to ray house. My child must not be 
 contaminated by her influence. 
 
 Lina (aside). What shall I do ? I dare not tell 
 the truth. 
 
 Tom {extreme l.). Darling, I knew you could 
 not be false. 
 
 Lina. Hush ! 
 
 Tom. Certainly, before company. 
 
 Abner. She has forsaken ray roof; henceforth to us 
 she is lost. 
 
 Mrs. LL. No; she is my child. Though all the 
 world turn against her, my heart tells me she is inno- 
 cent. My arms shall be open to receive her. My child, 
 my child, my child (sobs, and falls into Abnee's 
 arms). 
 
 Tableau. — Abnee supporting Mes. H. t c. Tom 
 and Lina looking on. Policy, e. with a red handker- 
 chief to his eyes. Curtain. 
 
56 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Act III. — Scene : Same as Act II. Mrs. How- 
 land seated u. of table, handkerchief to her eyes. 
 
 Mrs. II. A long, weary night of watching; the 
 morning speeding fast, and still no signs of Alice. Her 
 sudden disappearance, that suspicions note, may be 
 to Abner's fretful nature sufficient proofs of guilt; but 
 to me, her mother, they are nothing. She would never 
 forsake me for a lover without my full consent. No, 
 no ; I know my girl too well for that ; and though her 
 absence may alarm me, I trust her fully. She can do 
 no wrong. 
 
 {Enter Newcomb, c. Stops in doorway.) 
 
 Newcomb. There she is ; seventy-five thousand vir- 
 tues, neatly packed in bombazine and crape. A fortune 
 just for the asking. Now's the time ; the promise of 
 her hand must be mine ere the return of the victorious 
 Spicer. I wish she was a trifle younger ; but, hang it ! 
 w r here money is the mark, it won't do to stick at trifles 
 {comes down r.). Ahem! Mrs. Howland. 
 ' Jlrs. II. Well, Mr. Newcomb. 
 
 Newcomb. Mrs. Howland — can — will — that is, 
 do you — (Aside) Hang it, where's my tongue ? This 
 business is not so easy as I imagined; not a bit like 
 insurance. (Aloud) Are you insured ? No, no, — en- 
 gaged ? Are you engnged ? 
 
 3Irs. H. Not at present, Mr. Newcomb. I will 
 listen to you with pleasure. You were saying — 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 57 
 
 Newcomb. Yes, thank you. I was saying — thank 
 you (takes out handkerchief and wipes his face) , it's 
 very warm — 
 
 Mrs. H. Yes, and you have been walking, and 
 become heated. You should keep cool, Mr. New- 
 comb. 
 
 Neiocomb. O, I do — I am. Just now, I'm abso- 
 lutely shivering. Took a long walk this morning over 
 to Mayburn. Saw your house. What a cosy little nest ! 
 
 31rs. H. Do you think so? 
 
 Newcomb. O, splendid ; fit abode for gods and 
 goddesses, satans, and those other paragorical things, 
 you know ; quite poetic. Of course, it's insured — I 
 mean comfortable. 
 
 Mrs. H. Very comfortable, Mr. Newcomb, but not 
 insured. (Aside) He wants to make a penny by 
 insuring it, I sec that. 
 
 Newcomb. O, yes, yes ; pity it is tenantless. 
 
 Mrs. H. It will be so no longer; indignant at Mr. 
 Hovvland's suspicions, I propose thfs very clay to quit 
 this roof, and take possession of my own house. 
 
 Newcomb. Right. Mistress in your own house, 
 you mny laugh to scorn the suspicions of the world. 
 But then you need a protector, Mrs. Howland, against 
 the storms of — 
 
 Mrs. II. A protector? Nonsense! with a light- 
 ning-rod at every corner. 
 
 Newcomb. Lightning-rods! thunder! I — I — beg 
 pardon. 
 
 Mrs. II. (aside). It's the old story. He wants to 
 insure- it. - 
 
58 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Newcomb. Ah, Mrs. Rowland, there are storms 
 which surpass the fury of the elements. You in that 
 lonely dwelling will require a protector that shall be 
 like the sheet-anchor of hope in the convulsions of life, 
 a protector that shall defy the threats of fate, the 
 torch of incendiary — 
 
 Mrs. H. Ah, Mr. Newcomb, you have fire in your 
 eye. 
 
 Newcomb. Both of them, Mrs. Howland ; I can't 
 help it. I blaze with excitement at the thought of you, 
 a lonely woman in that loveiy dwelling — no, a lovely 
 dwelling in that lonely — pshaw ! — 
 
 Mrs. II. I understand you perfectly, Mr. New- 
 comb. You want to protect me ? 
 
 Newcomb. I do, I do, I do ! 
 
 Mrs. H. Do you really think there is need of it ? 
 
 Newcomb. Let your own heart answer that question, 
 Mrs. Howland. 
 
 Mrs. II. And the terms, Mr. Newcomb ? 
 
 Newcomb. On <your own terms, Mrs. Howland. I 
 am ready, willing, and eager to write you — ah, pro- 
 tect you. 
 
 Mrs. H. That's a very liberal offer. I never re- 
 ceived such a one before. 
 
 Newcomb. Ah, Mrs. Howland, you flatter me. 
 
 Mrs. II. But my judgment has always been 
 opposed to such proceedings. I dare not tempt Prov- 
 idence. 
 
 Newcomb, {Aside) Opposed — proceedings — and 
 she's buried one husband! (Aloud) Ah, Mrs. How- 
 land, fear not; lightning never strikes twice in the 
 same place. 'Tis a safe investment. 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 59 
 
 3frs, H. And you would advise me to take a 
 policy ? 
 
 Newcomb (on his knees). I do; dear woman, I do. 
 Take a policy — this Policy — and bid defiance to the 
 storms of adversity, the billows of fate, the — the — 
 O, I will be your sheet-anchor, your — your — 
 
 Mrs. If. (rising). Mr. Newcomb, are you beside 
 yourself? 
 
 Newcomb. No, I am beside you, waiting for your 
 lovely hand to lift me to happiness; your lovely voice 
 to insure, — ahem, — assure me you will take this fond 
 and loving Policy — 
 
 Mrs. H. No more, sir. I thought that in your 
 enterprising zeal you wished to insure my dwelling. 
 I have been mistaken. Never address me in this man- 
 ner again ; if you do, you may find I have a protector 
 in Abner Howland, who would not hesitate to horse- 
 whip you for insulting his brother's widow. [Exit l. 
 
 Policy {still on his knees). Yes ; thank you. 
 " She has gone from my gaze like a beautiful dream." 
 
 Thus vanish my hopes of fortune, and Spicer is vic- 
 torious (rises). 
 
 (Enter Spoffoed cautiously, c. very dejected.) 
 
 Spofford. • Sh — sh — Are you alone, Newcomb ? 
 
 Newcomb. Ah, he's here. Welcome, victorious 
 Spicer. 
 
 Spofford. Don't, Newcomb, don't; it's deuced un- 
 plcMsnnt, you know, in my present crushed and forlorn 
 condition. 
 
 Newcomb. What's the matter ? Where's the bride ? 
 
60 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Spofford. Don't, Newcomb, don't! I weally can't 
 stand it! I'm a martyr, you know. 
 
 JVewcomb. You're a noodle ! Speak out, man. You 
 eloped, didn't you ? 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! Splendid beginning, 
 you know. I came in a buggy ; she came in a shawl 
 and hat, with a deuced veil over her lovely face. 
 Awful shy she was; wouldn't speak a word, you know. 
 So romantic. But she jumped into the buggy, and we 
 drove to Mayburn. 
 
 JVewcomb. Ah, like Caesar, " you came, you saw " — 
 
 Spofford. You keep still, Newcomb. I didn't seize 
 her; she w T ent willingly. But I'd forgotten one im- 
 portant item— to find out where the parson lived! 
 "Wouldn't do to ask her, you know — so I drove to the 
 hotel, jumped out to inquire, leaving her in the buggy. 
 When I came out, Miss Lina was gone ! 
 
 JVewcomb. Yes; and in her place you found Miss 
 Alice, the heiress. You're a lucky dog, Spicer. 
 
 Spofford. Miss — Miss — I don't understand, New- 
 comb. 
 
 JVeiccomb. Miss Alice is the daughter of Mrs. How- 
 land, the other only the adopted child of Abner 
 Howland. They were both in love with you, and by 
 stratagem Alice gained the place you designed for the 
 other. So, you see, fate, and not your infernal head, 
 has placed the winning card in your hand. 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! I see. But where is 
 she ? 
 
 JVewcomb. Where you left her, of course. 
 
 Spofford. In the buggy? No, Newcomb ; you're 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 61 
 
 wrong. When I returned, the vehicle was empty. 
 I've not seen her since. 
 
 N'ewcomb. You surprise me. She left with you. She 
 has not returned. 
 
 Spofford. Not returned ! Good gracious, New- 
 comb, don't tell me that. I shall be arrested for kid- 
 napping, you know. What's to be done ? 
 
 Newcomb. Nonsense ; put a bold face on the mat- 
 ter. She left with you — eloped, and thus has com- 
 promised her fair fame. You're in luck again. Boldly 
 ask Uncle Howland's consent to your marriage. He'll 
 be glad enough to give it; and she'll be glad to marry 
 you. You say she loves you? 
 
 Sp>offord. Of course ; she couldn't help it, you 
 know. 
 
 Newcomb. Then be resolute, and she is yours. 
 Here comes Mr. Rowland. Attack him boldly. 
 
 Spofford. Attack him? What for? I wouldn't 
 harm a hair of his head. 
 
 Neiccomb. Pshaw ! Boldly ask her hand. 
 
 Spofford. He'il break my head. 
 
 N'ewcomb. No matter ; it hasn't been of much use 
 to you. No doubt you'll get along better without it. 
 {Enter Abner, c.) 
 
 Abner. How — you here, villain ? (seises Spofford 
 by the throat n. and shakes him). How dare you 
 enter my house again ? A pretty scandal you've raised 
 (sha7t-es), rascal ! 
 
 Spofford. Don't, Mr. Howland — please don't ; it 
 hurts, you know. 
 
 JSfeiccomb. Spare the repentant prodigal, Mr. How- 
 land, he comes to make reparation. 
 
62 TELE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Abner. Reparation ! What reparation can you 
 make for this dastardly outrage? 
 
 Spofford. I have come to ask your consent to our 
 marriage. 
 
 Abner {releasing him). That's something like. It's 
 a pity you hadn't taken the straight road in the first 
 place. 
 
 Newcomb. He feared you would frown upon his 
 pretensions; so, like a skilful general, has taken posses- 
 sion of the town before he makes terms. All, Mr. 
 Howland, love, young love will dare much — {aside) 
 for mojjey. 
 
 Abner. So you wish to marry Alice. {Aside) It's 
 the only course left after this elopement, and it will 
 remove him from Lina's path. {Aloud) You will 
 marry her at once ? 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! I love her to distrac- 
 tion. Give your consent, and I can gain hers. 
 {Enter Mrs. Howl and, l.) 
 
 Abner. Very well. I've no doubt you're a very 
 nice young man ; and you have my free consent to 
 marry Alice Howland, — the sooner the better. 
 
 Mrs. II. And I forbid the banns. 
 
 Abner. Mary, you are crazy. {Aside) She eloped 
 with him. She must and shall marry him, to save her 
 reputation awd our honor. 
 
 Mrs. II. You have no right to plan and plot in her 
 absence. ( To Spofford.) Sir, where is my daugh- 
 ter? 
 
 Abner. Hiding until her lover there wins our con- 
 sent to their marriage. 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 63 
 
 {Enter Alice, c.) 
 
 Alice. 'Tis false ! She is here to answer for herself. 
 
 Spofford (n. c. to ISTewcomb, e.). O, it's .-ill up. 
 
 Newcomb. It's nil right ; stick to your text. Don't 
 give up the girl. Seventy-five thousand reasons 
 against it. 
 
 Mrs. H. (running up to Alice in door). O, Alice, 
 child, where have you been ? 
 
 Alice (clasping her in her arms). On an errand, 
 mother, full of promise. Good morning, nunky ; are 
 you very, very angry ? (Enter Lina, e.) Lina, dar- 
 ling, here I am, safe and sound. 
 
 Lina. Where have you been? (going towards 
 Alice.) 
 
 Abner (stepping before her). Stop! There must be 
 no communication between you and that misguided 
 girl until this serious business is settled. 
 
 (Alice goes down to l., followed by her mother. 
 Newcomb, e., Spofford with him. Lixa, e. c. Abnee, 
 c. Alice, l. c. Mes. H., l. Alice Howland.) 
 
 Alice. Now, nunky, don't be angry ; it's only one 
 of my frolics, you know. 
 
 Abner. Look at this gentleman — Mr. Spicer Spof- 
 ford. 
 
 Alice. How do do, Spicer? (Laughs) Ha, ha, ha! 
 
 Abner. Silence ! This gentleman has asked your 
 hand in marriage of me, your guardian, since you are 
 a member of my household. What is your answer? 
 
 Alice. What .was yours, nunky? He didn't ask me. 
 
 Abner. I gave my full consent. 
 
 Alice. Then he must be perfectly satisfied. 
 
64 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Abner. And you will marry him ? 
 
 Alice. Let me look at him (crosses ; goes round 
 Spofford, eying him from head to foot, Spofford 
 turning and facing her as she goes. She then returns 
 to til a). I'd rather not, if you please, nunky. 
 
 Spofford. And that is your answer? 
 
 Alice (imitating). Yah, yah, yah ! Made it out of 
 my own head, Spice'r. 
 
 Spofford (to Newcomb). She's laughing at me. 
 
 JVeiccomb. They laugh who win. You wait. 
 
 Abner. Alice, it grieves me that you refuse to take 
 the only course that can justify your absence from my 
 roof the past night. It is my duty to guard ray daugh- 
 ter from intercourse with one so reckless of reputa- 
 tion. 
 
 Alice. One moment, uncle. Lives have been ru- 
 ined, hearts broken, by the poisonous breath of sus- 
 picion. Pause, ere you make the child of your dead 
 brother a mark for the unmerciful to assail with slan- 
 derous tongue. I can justify my absence. 
 
 Abner. Only by consenting to become that man's 
 wife. 
 
 Alice. Never ! Never ! 
 
 Abner. Then you must quit my house. 
 
 Lina. O, father ! 
 
 Abner. Peace, my child ; your fair fame must be 
 protected. She must quit this house at once. 
 
 Mrs. II Let us go, my child. The old house is 
 still left us. 
 
 Abner. No, no; not you, Mary. I cannot spare 
 you. 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 65 
 
 Mrs. H. Nor I my Alice. Better so ; mother and 
 child will not be parted. 
 
 Abner. Alice, would you rob your mother of her 
 good home? 
 
 Alice. Uncle, would you rob me of my good name? 
 
 Abner. Tis your own fault. Marry Spofford. 
 
 Alice. Never ! Never ! 
 
 Abner. Then go, ungrateful child, go ! 
 
 Alice. No ; I will not leave this place until I have 
 justified my actions. Uncle, you must — you shall 
 hear me. 
 
 Abner. Will you marry that man ? 
 
 Alice. Yes. 
 
 Abner. How ? 
 
 Mrs. II. Alice! 
 
 JVeicco?nb. It's? all right, Spofford : I told you so. 
 
 Alice. On one condition. 
 
 Newcomb. O, hang it L 
 
 Alice. You shall hear my story. If you then desire 
 it, I will marry him. 
 
 Abner. H'm ! Well, go on. 
 
 Alice. I do confess I left this house in Mr. Spof- 
 ford's company. 
 
 Abner. The truth at last. 
 
 Alice. Every word, nunky. By him I was driven 
 to May burn. 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! I'll swear to that. 
 
 Alice. He left me in the carriage while he entered 
 the hotel. Left alone, I leaped from the buggy, and 
 vanished from his sight. 
 
 Abner. Indeed ! Who will swear to that ? 
 5 
 
6Q THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 {Enter Oscar, c.) 
 
 Oscar. I will, guardy. 
 
 Abner. What? Oscar Loringl 
 
 Alice. Oscar ! {He goes l.) 
 
 Una. Oscar ! 
 
 Neiccomb. Now, who the deuce is Oscar? 
 
 Abner {grasping his hands). Welcome, welcome 
 home, my boy! Lina, here he is. Alice — Ah, I 
 forgot. 
 
 Oscar {crosses to Lina). Have I been properly 
 introduced ? {shakes hands.) t 
 
 JAna. Welcome, welcome home ! 
 
 Oscar. Thank you. ( Crosses to Alice.) And what 
 says Miss Nobody ? {shakes hands.) 
 
 Alice. I knew you was a prince in disguise. 
 
 Abner. Oscar, Oscar, one moment. That young 
 lady at present is in disgrace. 
 
 Alice. No, nunky — on trial. 
 
 Oscar. Then I am here to be her advocate. I've 
 heard queer stories of an elopement, and think I can 
 help on the denouement, 
 
 Alice. You ? 
 
 Oscar. Yes, I. 
 
 Abner. That young lady eloped last night with 
 that gentleman, Mr. Spicer Spofford. 
 
 Oscar. Did she ? Then it must have been the 
 runaway couple I saw drive up to the hotel at May- 
 burn, where the young lady left her gallant and took 
 refuge in the little house opposite. 
 
 Mrs. II Our old home at Mayburn ! 
 
 Alice. Where I passed the night alone. 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 67 
 
 Oscar. Not quite alone, for I was her companion. 
 
 All. You ! 
 
 Oscar. Her unseen companion. You must know 
 I am rather inquisitive ; and on seeing this young lady 
 — whom I recognized — desert her companion and en- 
 ter the tenantless house, I was very curious to know 
 what it all meant. So, leaving our spectacled friend 
 searching for her, I lighted my cigar, strolled over 
 under the trees, and watched. Soon I saw a light in 
 one of the lower rooms; then it passed to another; 
 then up stairs ; in short, I saw that slender -flame 
 appear and disappear, first in one place, then another, 
 for two mortal hours; finally, it disappeared. Still I 
 watched. I must have smoked a dozen cigars, and I've 
 had no breakfast. An hour ago the door opened, the 
 young lady appeared, started in the direction of your 
 house, guardy, and I have followed her. 
 (Eater Tom, c.) 
 
 Tom. I'll swear to that. How are you, old fel- 
 low ? 
 
 Oscar. Ah, glad to see you again, my boy. 
 
 Abner. Oscar Loring! Tom! 
 
 Tom. I know. I've been in the secret. 
 
 Lina. You have? and didn't tell me? 
 
 Tom. No ; spoiled your little flirtation, Lina. 
 
 iAna. O, you nuisance ! 
 
 Tom. Ah ! you bao^aa-e ! 
 
 » OS o 
 
 Mrs. H. Children! 
 
 Abner. But here's mystery piled on mystery. Is 
 anybody sane enough to tell me what it's all about? 
 Alice, c. Let me speak, uncle, for I alone can 
 
68 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 clear it. You see I have a witness to my disappear- 
 ance and reappearance. 
 
 Abner. Yes, that's all right. But why were you in 
 the house ? 
 
 Alice. For your sake, nunky. Yesterday morning 
 I overheard two individuals in this house — who shall 
 be nameless — concocting a villanous plot — 
 
 Spofford. The game's up, Newcomb. 
 
 JVeiccomb. It does look hazy. 
 
 Alice. — By which I learned that you, nunky, are 
 embarrassed, and that a keeper had been placed in 
 your house. I further learned that my father had left, 
 somewhere, the power to save you. I took advantage 
 of a note which was not meant for me. 
 
 Abner. Not meant for you ? (looks at her, then 
 at Lin a, who turns away her head. Abner whistles). 
 Go on. 
 
 Alice. I renched the old house by stratngem, and 
 commenced my search. For hours I ransacked every 
 accessible hiding-place, and had about given up the 
 search, when, in closing a drawer, this ring, my father's 
 gift, was caught, and attracted my attention ; the 
 motto, " Search the Scriptures," seemed at that mo- 
 ment an inspiration, for I flew to father's room. There 
 on the bureau reposed his inseparable companion — a 
 pocket-bible, — this — (produces book). I opened it ; 
 and there, neatly folded, was this (opens book and 
 unfolds policy) . 
 
 JVeiccomb. The policy for twenty-five thousand dol- 
 lars ? 
 
 /Spojford. On the Bowcliife office ? 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 69 
 
 Alice. Right. A paper which, presented at that 
 office, will place in your hands, nunky, a sum sufficient 
 to free you from embarrassment. 
 
 Abner. And you would give this to me ? 
 
 Alice. With mother's consent. 
 
 Mrs. II. Do with it as you please; I detest policies. 
 
 Abner. I'm an old fool. You'd have done this for 
 me, and I would have turned you out of doors. O, 
 child, child ! you have made me ashamed of myself! 
 {clasps her in his arms). 
 
 Alice. Shall I many Mr. Spofford ? 'Tis to him 
 we are indebted for all this good fortune. He came 
 all the way from the Bowcliffe office to let us know 
 of it — 
 
 Spofford. Yah, yah, yah ! I'll swear to that. 
 
 Alice. — After he should have succeeded in marry- 
 ing a daughter of Mrs. Howland ! 
 
 Abner. The villain ! I see it all. No, no, Alice, I 
 was wrong. The old selfish feeling got possession of 
 me; but now, he must not only be a bold man but a 
 noble one who could gain my consent. 
 
 Oscar. What say you to me, guardy ? 
 
 Abner. You? Why, you are promised to another; 
 she'd break her heart — The Flower of the Family! 
 
 Oscar. Ah, guardy, who is The Flower of the 
 Family? 
 
 Abner. Why, my — {looks at Lin a ; hesitates, looks 
 at Alice). She of course who at another's need would 
 dare all to become an angel cf mercy {takes Alice in 
 his arms). She's here. 
 
 Alice. And you will use the policy to free you from 
 
70 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 that debt which makes it necessary to keep that man 
 Newcomb in the house. 
 
 Abner. No, child, for Oscar has returned ; be will 
 aid me until the arrival of the White Squall. 
 
 Oscar. The White Squall has arrived. She was 
 signalled when I left Mayburn. 
 
 Abner. Then I have no need of help. 
 
 Spofford (to Newcomb). Hadn't we better be 
 going? I've made an ass of myself. 
 
 Neiccomb. So you have ; all out of your own head. 
 (Coming forward.) Mrs. Howland, I rejoice at your 
 good fortune. Here you have another proof of the 
 inestimable benefits of insurance. The man is taken 
 off; but when he leaves behind such solid comfort as 
 that policy will give, the widow's heart must leap for 
 
 Abner. Your further services can be dispensed with, 
 Mr. Newcomb. I will settle with your employer this 
 very day. As for you, Mr. Spofford — 
 
 Spofford (alarmed). Spare me. Til see the policy 
 paid at once. It was only a joke, you know. Made it 
 out of my own head. Come, Newcomb, let's be going. 
 
 Abner. Go, fools ; and learn by this experience that 
 Honesty is the best Policy. 
 
 Newcomb. Honesty ! What's that ? The best pol- 
 icies are put out by the Burst-up and Blow-up, the 
 Never-say-Die, and the — 
 
 Abner (takes him by the ear and leads him up to 
 door). I am sorry to be obliged to put out a very bad 
 Policy. 
 
 Newcomb (at door). Thank you. I'll call again 
 
THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 71 
 
 when you're at leisure. I want to ask a very im- 
 portant question. 
 
 Abner. What is that ? * 
 
 JVewcomb. Are you insured ? . \_l£xit$ c. 
 
 Abner. Now, Mr. Spofford, shall I attend you? 
 
 Spofford. Don't trouble yourself (backs up to door, 
 holding on to his ears). I can find the way out. Yah, 
 yah, yah ! {turns and runs off c .). 
 
 Abner. Good riddance ! ( Comes down.) Now, my 
 dear boy, let me present you in due form to the fair 
 being I have pictured to you, whom I have reared to 
 become your wife. Lina, my child ! 
 
 Lina, r. c. Not me, uncle! I do not deserve 
 him. I have deceived you. 
 
 Abner. You deceived me I 
 
 IAna. Yes; my heart has long been given to an- 
 other. 
 
 Abner. And that other? • 
 
 Tom, r. {taking Lina's hand.) Your unworthy 
 nephew. 
 
 Lina. Yes, uncle ; I love Tom, and Tom loves me. 
 
 Tom.. Heart and soul. 
 
 Abner. What ! you two ? Why, you fight like 
 cats and dogs! 
 
 Lina. Only before company. 
 
 Tom. Preparatory lessons in connubial bliss. 
 
 Lina. Tom, you wretch ! 
 
 Tom. Lina, you darling! 
 
 Abner. I see it all. I've been humbugged. But 
 what's to become of you, Oscar? 
 
72 THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY. 
 
 Oscar. I leave my fate in these dear bands which 
 once saved me from a watery grave. 
 
 Alice. A very shallow one — two feet of water. 
 Ha, ha, ha! 
 
 Abner. More mystery. When shall we get at the 
 bottom of it ? 
 
 Mrs. IL, c. When I understand how Gordon Howland 
 could have insured his life without my knowing it. 
 
 1'om. When Lina is my darling wife. 
 
 Lina. And we shall begin to quarrel in earnest. 
 
 Oscar. When I become the sole owner of this 
 charming life-preserver. 
 
 Alice. And my dream shall come true after all. 
 
 Abner. All for self. Well, have your way. The 
 old man plotted and failed. The young romp, whom 
 nobody dreamed had the power, has outwitted a pair 
 of scoundrels. 
 
 Alice. For which •he takes no credit. The ring 
 with its precious motto has been the talisman to suc- 
 cess. 
 
 Abner. And the genius of the ring proved herself, 
 after all, The Flower of the Family. 
 
 Abner, c. Mrs. Rowland, 
 r. Lina, Tom. Oscar, Alice, l. 
 
 ( Curtain.) 
 
36. 
 37. 
 38. 
 39. 
 
 40. 
 
 41. 
 
 42. 
 
 h 
 
 o 
 i) 4:5. 
 
 1 
 
 44. 
 
 45. 
 46. 
 
 47. 
 48. 
 
 49. 
 
 50. 
 
 51. 
 
 \ 52. 
 
 1 
 
 t 
 
 I 
 
 J 
 
 SPENCEH'S UNIVERSAL STAGE, 
 
 Diamond cut Diamond. An In- 
 terlude in One Act. By W. H. Mur- 
 ray. 10 Male, 1 Female character. 
 
 Look after Brown. A Farce in 
 One Act. By George A. Stuart, 
 M. D. 6 Male, 1 Female character. 
 
 Monseigneur. A Drama in Three 
 Acts. By Thomas Archer. 15 Male, 
 3 Female characters. 
 
 A very pleasant Evening. A 
 Farce in One Act. By W. E. Suter. 
 
 3 Male characters. 
 
 Brother Ben. A Farce in One 
 Act. By J. M. Morton. 3 Male, 3 
 Female characters. 
 
 Only a Clod. A Comic Drama in 
 One Act. By J. P. Simpson. 4 Male, 
 
 1 Female character. 
 Gaspardo the Gondolier. A 
 
 Drama in Three Acts. By George 
 Almar. 10 Male, 2 Female charac- 
 ters. 
 
 Sunshine through the Clouds. 
 
 A Drama in One Act. By Slingsby 
 Lawrence. 3 Male, 3 Female char- 
 acters. 
 
 Won't Judge hy Appearances. 
 
 A Farce in One Act. By J. M. Mor- 
 ton. 3 Male, 2 Female characters. 
 
 Wursey Chickweed. A Farce in 
 One Act. By T. J. Williams. 4 
 Male, 2 Female characters. 
 
 Mary Moo ; or, Which shall I 
 Marry? A Farce in One Act. By 
 W. E. Suter. 2 Male, 1 Female 
 character. 
 
 East Lynne. A Drama in Five 
 Acts. 8 Male, 7 Female characters. 
 
 The Hidden Hand. A Drama in 
 Five Acts. By Robert Jones. 10 
 Male, 7 Female characters. 
 
 Silverstone's Wager. A ( ommedi- 
 etta in One Act. By R. R. Andrews. 
 
 4 Male, 3 Female characters. 
 Dora. A Pastoral Drama in Three 
 
 Acts. By Charles Reade. 5 Male, 
 
 2 Female characters. 
 
 Blanks and Prizes. A Farce in 
 One Act. By Dexter Smith. 5 
 Male, 2 Female characters. 
 
 Old Gooseberry. A Farce in One 
 Act. By T. J. Williams. 4 Male, 
 2 Female characters. 
 
 53. Who's Who. A Farce in One Act. 
 
 By T. J. Williams. 3 Male, 2 Fe- 
 male characters. 
 
 54. Bouquet. A Farce in One Act. 2 
 
 Male, 3 Female characters. 
 
 55. The Wife's Secret. A Play in 
 
 Five Acts. By George W. Lovell. 
 10 Male, 2 Female characters. 
 
 50. The Babes in the Wood. A 
 
 Comedy in Three Acts. By Tom 
 Taylor. 10 Male, 3 Female charac- 
 ters. 
 
 57. Putkins : Heir to Castles in the 
 
 Air. A Comic Drama in One Act. 
 By W. R. Emerson. 2 Male, 2 Fe- 
 male characters. 
 
 58. An TJgly Customer. A Farce in 
 
 One Act. By Thomas J. Will'ams.. 
 3 Male, 2 Female characters. 
 
 59. Blue and Cherry. A Comedy in 
 
 One Act. 3 Male, 2 Female charac- 
 ters. 
 
 60. A Doubtful Victory. A Comedy 
 
 in One Act. 3 Male, 2 Female char- 
 acters. 
 (". The Scarlet Eetter. A Drama n 
 Three Acts. 8 Male, 7 Female char- 
 acters. 
 
 62. Which will have Him ? A Vau- 
 
 deville. 1 Male, 2 Female charac- 
 ters. 
 
 63. Madam is Abed. A Vaudeville in 
 
 One Act. 2 Male, 2 Female charac- 
 ters. 
 
 64. The Anonymous Kiss. A Vaude- 
 
 ville. 2 Male, 2 Female characters. 
 
 65. The Cleft Stick. A Comedy in 
 
 Three Acts. 5 Male, 3 Female char- 
 acters. 
 
 66. A Soldier, a Sailor, a Tinker, 
 
 and a Tailor. A Farce in One 
 Act. 4 Male, 2 Female characters. 
 
 67. Give a Dog a Bad Name. A 
 
 Farce. 2 Male, 2 Female Characters. 
 
 68. Damon and Pythias. A Farce. 
 
 fi Male, 4 Female characters. 
 
 69. A Husband to Order. A Serio- 
 
 Comic Drama in Two Acts. 5 Male, 
 3 Female characters. 
 
 70. Payable on Demand. A Domes- 
 
 tic Drama in Two Acts. 7 Male, 1 
 Female character. 
 
 Price, IS cents each. Descriptive Catalogue mailed free on application to 
 
 CEO. M, BAKER & CO., 
 
 Nos. 41-45 Franklin Street, Boston. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 015 785 396 G 
 
 I 
 
 < Smkteuf ¥^e&trirfkl£ 
 
 _. CEORCE M. BAKER, 
 
 Author of "Amateur Dramas" " The Mimic Stage" " 7%e Social Stage," " TVie Drawing-Room 
 Stage" " Handy Dramas" " 2%e Exhibition Drama" "A Baker's Dozen" <fcc. 
 
 Titles in this Type are BTew Plays. 
 Titles in this Type are Temperance Plays. 
 
 15 
 
 DRAMAS. 
 
 Z« Three Acts. Cts. 
 
 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 Jug, 5 m fle, 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 
 
 Bread on the Waters. 5 male, 3 female 
 
 char 
 
 Down by the Sea. 6 male, 3 female 
 
 char 
 
 Once on a Time. 4 male, 2 female char. 
 The Last Loaf. 5 male, 3 female char. 
 In One Act. 
 
 Stand ey the Flag. 5 male char . . . 
 The Tempter. 3 male, 1 female char. 
 
 COMEDIES AND FARCES. 
 
 A Mysterious Disappearance. 4 
 
 male, 3 female char 
 
 Paddle Tour Own Canoe. 7 male, 
 
 3 female char 
 
 Ai Drop too Much. 4 male, 2 female 
 characters 
 
 A Little More Cider. 5 male, 3 fe- 
 male char 
 
 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 
 
 Thirty Minutes for Refreshments. 
 
 4 male. 3 female char 
 
 We've all Teetotalers. 4 male, 2 fe- 
 male char 
 
 Male Characters Only. 
 
 A Close Shave. 6 char 15 
 
 A Public Benefactor. 6 char 15 
 
 A Sea of Troubles. 8 char 15 
 
 A Tender Attachment. 7 char. ... 15 
 
 Coals of Fire. 6 char 15 
 
 Freedom of the Press. 8 char. ... 15 
 
 COMEDIES, &c, continued. 
 
 Shall Our Mothers Vote? 11 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 Cure no Pay. 7 char 
 
 The Champion of Her Sex. 8 char. . 
 The Greatest Plague in Life. 8 cha. 
 
 The Grecian Bend. 7 char 
 
 The Red Chignon. 6 char 
 
 Using the Weed. 7 char 
 
 ALLEGORIES. 
 
 Arra7iged 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 Idylcourt. 10 
 female char 
 
 The War of the Roses. 8 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. 
 
 ■0? 
 
 Baker's Humorous Dialogues. Male characters only. 26 cents. 
 Baker's Humorous Dialogues. Female characters only. 25cenU.