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Co. \ 7 ^ 38465 TMP92-00e883 THE FORTUNE HUNTERS; OK, Lost and Found, DRAMATIS PER^ON/E: MISS HONORA DEVEREUX. LADY KILCOCK. MOLLY. r CAPTAIN JACK DE LACEY. SIR LANCELOT BAGNAL, Bart. MR. BARRY O'BRIEF, Lawyer. JACOB ELDERLY, M. P., of the Society of Friends. MR. SAWNEY OATKAKE, the Laird of Glencanniboy. MR. ANDREW MERRY, Honora's Guardian. BARNEY. ACT L Scene I. — Miss Devereux's Boudoir. [Enter Honora, and Molly, her Maid.] HONORA. And so you tell me, Molly, that people say I am beset by fortune-hunters. Very kind of them, indeed. They think my money is my only attraction. MOLLY. Bad manners to them, but they do, Miss. The envious wretches! There's Miss O'Grady's maid that's mad jealous of me because she hasn't a fine head o' hair like mine to dress every day HONORA. Like yours [glancing at Molly's neat head completely covered with a muslin mob-cap] ? MOLLY. I mane yours. Miss, of coorse. Don't I be dressin' it every day, an' it as long an' as thick as a hank o" flax ! Miss O'Grady, now, has nothin' but a wee wisp. 2 THE FORTUNE HUNTERS. HONORA. Nonsense, Molly ; it is the fashion to com- press one's hair ; you have trouble enough with mine. MOLLY. Then there's Mrs. Nv.i^.nt's maid would pick out your eyes if she could put them in again in her own mistress's head. HONORA [smiling]. You are an incorrigible flatterer. MOLLY. Flattherer, aye ! That's a nice word to use to me that has loved you ever since we were babies to- gether [tossing her head]. If ye don't like me, get some- body that won't flatther ye [putting her apron to her eyes]. Wait till the day comes (which God forbid it ever will) when ye haven't a penny o' mone}^ left, an' then ye'll see * whether Molly loves ye or not. HONORA. Dear Molly, don't cry. I was only jesting. I know you honestly think I am the loveliest creature on earth. Only don't expect everyone else to think the same. Why, you are prettier yourself, my little Molly. MOLLY. Me? The Lord forgive ye. Miss Noreen ! Sure, nobody would have the impidence to say that but Barney. HONORA. Well, Molly, a good heart is better than beauty or gold, and I know the worth of yours. Go now. I would be alone. Exit Molly [muttering indignantly]. Me, indeed; that's good. HONORA. So they say all my lovers are fortune- hunters, do they? I own I had hoped I was not so ugly or ill-humored but that I might be loved for myself alone by some worthy heart. And what a devoted wife I could be ! Heigho ! I would rather die than marry a man who did not love me. If I do not meet such a one I will found a hospital and be a nurse therein till the end of my life. Poor Molly ; she loves me at any rate. If ever the day comes when I shall find myself without a penny, then I shall discover who really loves me. Those were her words. Well thought of, Molly. I could almost wish that such a day were come ! Let me see. Could it not be managed? Safely and without discovery? [Sits down and thinks deeply, then starts up and walks about again.] I think I have it. I could call a meeting — as people call a meeting of their creditors. I could invite all my ad- mirers to afternoon tea, letting each suppose himself the only invited guest. Thus they will have no notice of anything extraordinary ; and I will rake occasion, when all are present, to disclose to my friends that I am ruined. 1 shall see by their looks, by their conduct, how they are affected by the news ; and if anyone remains behind the THE FORTUNE HUNTERS. 3 Others to comfort me, to make the proposals which I am always staving off, that one will really be a faithful soul. Alas! must I doubt Jack along with the rest? Can I believe that he, with his clear true eyes and brave, open countenance, is a fortune-hunter like the rest? No; I will never let the idea near me; but it will be fun to 'see the discomfiture of the others— if, indeed, poor things, they are really as mercenary as the world says. [Rings the bell.] [Enter Molly.] HONORA. Molly, come here ; I am going to confide in you; I have hit upon a plan which will prove the sin- cerity of my suitors. You know Molly, I am an orphan, without father or mother to tell me whether what I do is right or wrong. My guardian is good, and lets me follow all my fancies; my chaperon dozes over her novels, and imitates his example. So you and I will carry out a' little freak which I have made up my mind to indulge in. MOLLY [with sparkling eyes]. Yes, Miss. HONORA. To-morrow, a number of gentlemen will come here in the afternoon. When you bring in the tea, you must look very sad. If you could make your eyes a little red MOLLY. So I will. Miss [rubbing her eyes]. HONORA. I am going to tell these gentlemen that I have lost my fortune; that I shall not have a penny left. I shall hint that I must think of earning my own bread for the future. MOLLY [clapping her hands]. More power to you asthoreen! Won't I be crowin' over Julia O'Grady and Betsy Nugent when all the gintlemen is fighting to get you without a penny? HONORA [sighing]. I hope you may be right; but I do not want everyone to propose to me. One husband is all any woman wants, Molly. MOLLY. Och, then, wouldn't I stake my life upon his honor. Captain de Lacey, for wan. HONORA [abruptly]. You mav go now, Molly I must be quick about making my arrangements. Now that the Idea has occurred to me, I must carry it through with- out delay ; for I could not live long in this suspense. [Exeunt Honora and Molly by one door. Enter Bar- -V ney by the other, with books from circulating library, which he deposits on the table.] 4 tHE FORTUNE HUNTERS, BARNEY [soliloquizing]. Well, well, what a foine gin- tleman intirely Captain de Lacey is ! 'Tisn't alone his handsome face, but it's the walk of him, and the spache of him. Faith, it's enough to make a man forget he has a character and go into the army ! Many's the time I have thought of axin' him to spake for me an' get me in, only for lavin' little Molly here. Wirra, wirra, it's a sore thing for a man to fall in love before he has seen the world a bit, and is ready to settle down. Now, if Miss Devereux here would only marry the Captain, I could marry Molly and we'd all go into the army together at wanst. But Molly wouldn't stir from her misthress. Patience, Barney ! If the misthress has a heart in her body at all, at all, she must be in love with the Captain ; an' if he isn't half mad about her, I'll ate Croagh Patrick ! (Glancing in a mirror.] I wondher how I'd look in my unicorn. Bad scran to it, that's not the word, but it's near it, anyhow, an' it'll have to do till I larn a few more dictionary words. I know I'm behind in my education. but if wanst I was in the army Aisy, aisy, Barney, Sure, if you were there, and there came to be a war be- tween the English and Irish, maybe they'd be mane enough not to let ye fight for yer own country ! [Enter Molly, with flowers to place on table.] BARNEY. Here's herself, with the flowers lookin' ashamed o' themselves beside her. Arrah, Molly bawn. but that ugly ould cap's becomin' to ye. Faith, the uglier the clothes ye put on, the beautifier ye look ! It'd be a bad lookout for the corn if there was nothin' but you to be dressed up for a scare-crow. MOLLY. Barney, ye have no taste. This cap is the •highest art. Miss Nora says. But, oh, Barney, I have such a secret to tell ye — a dead secret — only between you and me and the misthress herself. BARNEY. Anything about the army? MOLLY. Bother the army! If ye'd rather have the army nor me, off with ye. An' when ye come back with neither arms nor legs, who will you get to spake to you then? [Barney starts and surveys his limbs lovingly.] MOLLY [laughing]. But I was goin' to spake about somethin' more important. Barney, what would ye 'say if you heard Miss Nora had lost her fortune? THE FORTUNE HUNTERS. 5 BARNEY. Troth, I'd peel off my coat and have a stand-up fight with any wan that took it from her ! MOLLY. That's the boy ! But whisht, Barney. She's takin' it from herself. BARNEY [scratching his head]. See that, now. Ye have the room goin' round with me. I niver can be up to you women-folks. MOLLY. It's to prove whether her lovers are after her money or herself, d'ye see? They're hot enough now, follyin' her, but when her money's all gone, we'll see who'll stick to her. Sure the heart is vexed out o' my bod}'' with the impidence o' people tellin' me that it's because she's an heiress that she's so run after. An' I'd like to see them shamed afore the world, so I would, so I would. BARNEY [stroking his chin meditatively]. So you would, so you would ! My little Molly, you're the flower o' innocence this day ! You'll see them droppin' off like leeches that's been on long enough. But I think I know wan all the time that'll come up to the mark. MOLLY [with sparkling eyes]. Whisper, Barney! Is it the Captain ? BARNEY. Whisper, Molly! Faith, it is. MOLLY. Barney, you are a jewel ! BARNEY. Molly, we are all going into the army, bag and baggage, horse and foot ! MOLLY. But, Barney, when ye open the door to the gintlemen to-morrow, mind ye have on a very long face. An' if ye see me lookin' red about the eyes BARNEY. All right; I'm up lo the business. See if I don't look as if I wouldn't stay another hour, if I could help it, with people that is so low as to lose their money [puts on an insolent look]. MOLLY. The very thing! But there's Miss Nora's bell. [Exit. BARNEY. Well, now, of all the female feminine de- sates that iver I heard concocted, if this doesn't bate them out, my name's not Barney O'Dowd ! To think of any wan plottin' to take in such a figure of a man as Captain de Lacey — an' him in the army! To think of these two feline and effeminate persons — dictionary again, Barney ; you're gettin' mixed wanst more — conspiratin', to try whether a man will be fool enough to marry without a little money in his pocket. Sure it's meself knows the de Laceys niver were rich ; great and grand as the family always was since Noah himself sailed his boat in the flood. The onraisonableness of women is enough to put a man 6 THE FORTUNE HUNTERS. a^inst matrimony. Sure it's many the generous boy hat had to turn his back with a breakin' heart on the girl he adored, an' all for the matter o' a few nasty pence! But, be me sowl, as long as Barney has a tongue in his head, it's not Captain de Lacey'U be put in such a fix, an' him an' me foster-brothers since we were the height of two turfs! Faith, I'll go off this blessed minute an' put him up to the whole affair. Scene II. — Miss Deverenx's Drawing Room. [Enter Captain de Lacey.] CAPTAIN DE LACEY. So I am the first! How gladly would I be at the other end of the world rather than here on such an occasion, knowing what I know and feel- ing as I let;]. Oh, Nora, v/hy has distrust entered yoin* once generous heart and why, having conceived such a plot to entrap the mercenary, did you not keep your own counsel — why did you put it in the power of a well-mean- ing fool to place me in the hateful position in which I find myself? I alone, of all the men who will to-day hear a falsehood from your lips, know that it is a falsehood, and I shall be forced to turn my back upon you in your seem- ing trouble. You will believe me false-hearted and money- seeking, while I — can I seek your presence again after this proof of your distrust? Had I not been told that the loss of your fortune is a sham ; had I been allowed to believe your tale; above all, had it, indeed, been true, how gladly would I have hailed the opportunity of avow- ing my love, of comforting you under an adverse stroke of fortune. I had hoped that I possessed your heart; now I can no longer dream that such is the case. True and loyal love does not harbor distrust. [Enter Honora, looking pale and anxious.] HONORA. You Jack. Is it you [nervously] ? What a beautiful day! I hope you are well. [Aside]. Good heavens ! how stern, how mournful he looks. My heart misgives me. If he were to fall away from me [The door is thrown open, and Barney, looking most impertinent, announces Mr. Barry O'Brief.] [Enter Mr. O'Brief.] THE FORTUNE HUNTERS. ^ HONORA. How do you do, Mr. O'Brief? O'BRIEF. Charmed to see you looking so lovely, Miss ! )evereux ! BARNEY [announces]. Sir Lancelot Bagnal, Mr. Ja- :ob Elderly, Mr. Sawney Oatkake. [Enter all three gen- ti rnen.] iviISS DEVEREUX [greeting each]. How do you do~- .:.;— do? [Gentlemen smile beamingly on her, and bow low over her hand; then turn and scowl on each other.] SIR LANCELOT BAGNAL [aside]. I thought I was coming to a sweet little tete-a-tete — never thought to have to run the gauntlet of these confounded fellows. [Aloud]. Charming weather, Miss Devereux. HONORA. Indeed? I am so glad to hear it. I was afraid I heard some one say it rained heavily. SIR LANCELOT. Oh, ah true. I had forgotten. But, then MR. SAWNEY OATKAKE [aside]. Never was so disappointed in my life. Here I come with a proposal on the tip of my tongue — beautiful composition. Never shall equal it again — lost me a night's sleep. And now I seem as far as ever from getting leave to make it. [Aloud]. Miss Devereux, I have brought you a charming new song. It is called "Scots wha hae" HONORA [repressing a smile]. Thank you so much. Anything quite new is a boon nowadays. MR. ELDERLY [aside]. I see I shall have no oppor- tunity of making a proposal. Need not have put off my journey to London. Might as well have been attend- ing to my parliamentary duties. [Aloud]. Sweet friend, Honora Devereux, I felt very happy that the Spirit had moved thee to call me to thy side to-day. But for that call I had been in my place at Westminster at this moment. HONORA. Is it possible? Have I triumphed over your constituents, Mr. Elderly? I am immensely flattered by you having considered my wishes of more importance than theirs. MR. BARRY O'BRIEF [aside]. By my word, we have n, full court to-day. And I thought to have had all the pleadings to myself. [Aloud]. Can I tempt Beauty to show her enchanting face within the dismal precincts of the Four Courts? We have at present a very interesting case in progress S THE FORTUNE HUNTERS. HONORA. Oh, yes, and I have read your great speech for the plaintiff with extreme interest. O'BRIEF [aside]. She has, has she? Why, she means the speech of my namesake, the great O'Brief. She has fallen into a most natural blunder. I will not undeceive her. [His eyes fall on Jack de Lacey, who has retired behind Nora's chair and is looking upon the proceedings with an air of stern abstraction.] O'BRIEF [aside]. Confound him! He looks as if he was in possession already. Why does he not condescend to make himself agreeable? [The other gentlemen all follow O'Brief's gaze, and struck with the same suspicion, scowl at Jack.] [Enter Barney, with the tea-tray, looking as insolent as possible, and followed by Molly, who takes up her stand beside her mistress, with dejected looks, and red circles under her eyes. HONORA [pouring out the tea]. Now, gentlemen, I am going to ask you to pledge me in a cup of this ladies' beverage, which I fear some of you do not care for much. SIR LANCELOT. On the contrary — I assure you MR. OATKAKE. It is my only beverage — almost MR. ELDERLY. The wise man's friend, MR. O'BRIEF. The most delightful, exhilarating HONORA. Then let me ask you to drink my health in a cup of tea. [It is served round.] SIR LANCELOT. The health of the loveliest MR. ELDERLY. The most amiable and friendly MR. OATKAKE. The most sensible and wise- MR. O'BRIEF. The most enchanting and fascinating of her sex. HONORA [turning her head slightly]. Captain de Lacey, will you not also join? You do not, I hope, fear that I have poisoned the cup. JACK [coldly]. Even if poisoned, I drink. Madam, your good health. [Drains the tea-cup and returns it with a frigid bow. The other gentlemen smile.] SIR LANCELOT [aside]. There has been a quarrel in that quarter. MR. ELDERLY [aside]. Some unfriendliness MR. OATKAKE. A decided coolness. MR. O'BRIEF [aside]. I judged the fellow wrongly. He looks as if he had got into chancery. HONORA [folding her hands and looking round upon THE FORTUNE HUNTERS. Q her suitors]. Gentlemen, I have asked you to drink my health to-day, because my health will henceforth be very precious to me. It is, in fact, the only earthly possession now left to me. [Sensation among the gentlemen, who think they have not quite heard or understood her.] I wish to make known to you, my particular friends this day, before the whole world learns the news, that the unusually large fortune left me by my dear father, and hitherto enjoyed by me, has lately passed away out of my hands. I was unwise enough to sell out all my investments for a wilful whim, and to place all my capital in the great bank of M , which, as you all know, failed last week. Therefore I find myself without a penny in the world. This is why I have alluded to my need of good health. In the future I shall have to labor, like many others, for my daily bread. [Profound sensation among the suitors.] SIR LANCELOT. My dear, impulsive lady MR. OATKAKE. So very imprudent! MR. ELDERLY. Friend, I fear in this case thou hast not been moved by the Spirit. MR. O'BRIEF. I am afraid even the law cannot help. HONORA. My friends, can you not advise, assist me? SIR LANCELOT [aside]. Ah, what a disappointment, yet what an escape ! Such a charming Lady Bagnal as she would have made ! If it were not for that infernal mort- gage ; but let me be a man! [Aloud]. Certainly, my dear lady. I for one will think deeply over the matter. It is a shameful case. I shall go instantly and see what can be done. Miss Devereux, accept my respectful sym- pathy, and I wish you a very good day. [Exit. MR. OATKAKE [aside]. Would that the poor, bare lands of Glencannieboy would permit of my sacrificing my- self to so amiable, so sensible a woman. But the duties of property are pre-eminent. [Aloud]. My dear Miss Devereux, I shall make active inquiries among my friends for something that may suit you. In the meantime, good afternoon. Considering this trying announcement, you must be in need of rest. [Exit. MR. ELDERLY [shaking Honora's hand warmly]. Count upon me as a friend ; count upon me as a friend. Write to me at the Westminster Palace Hotel. Excuse my hasty departure ; but I must calch the evening mail. [Exit. MR. O'BRIEF [aside]. Ah, that my small patrimony of two hundred a 3'ear, and the consuming fires of an ambitious heart, did not utterly forbid my consoling and 10 THE FORTUNE HUNTERS. protecting so ravishing a being. Fortunately there are no grounds for a breach of promise against me. [Aloud]. Miss Devereux, fairest of women, if ever you need counsel for your defence, appeal to me. "I give thee all. I can no more, though poor the offering be, etc." Heaven bless you! [Wrings her hand and exit. HONORA. Alas, are they all gone? [Looks around.] Ah, Jack ! JACK [striding forward]. Madam, I wish you a very good morning. [Exit. HONORA. Jack, too! O me, what have I done? Molly, my heart is broken! [Falls into Molly's arms.] MOLLY [supporting her]. My curse upon the whole o' them ! Dear, darlin', sure ye still have got Molly. HONORA. Help me to my room, Molly. Let me hide from the eyes of a cruel world! [Exeunt Honora, leaning upon Molly, who embraces her with one hand and wipes her eyes with the other as she goes.] [Enter Barney to take away the tea things.] BARNEY. Now, will any wan have the goodness to tell me what is the. manein' of all this uproar? Captain Jack goes tearin' past me out o' the door like a manejack, and the misthress is in a faint upstairs ! An' me that thought I had made everything so smooth an' aisy for them all ! Lord, there's no satisfyin' gentle folks ! The Captain had nothin' to do but ask her to marry him on the spot, an' she'd have been the happiest woman alive, an' herself the luckiest ; but instead o' that he turns on her as if she had poisoned him, an' walks out, lavin' his good luck behind him! Well, well [collecting the cups], Barney's conscience is aisy in the matther. Whisht, here's Molly ! Faix but her eyes is red enough now, anyhow ! [Enter Molly, sobbing. Barney goes to meet her, smiling.] BARNEY. Och, jewel, where's your purty eyes gone at all, at all? Faix, I'll have to be gettin' a candle to look for them. MOLLY. Don't grin at me, sir. I wonder ye have the impidence to spake to me! Do you think I don't know your villainous sect at last, afther all I have seen an' heard this mornin'? BARNEY. Hurroo ! Bedhershin ! So this the way ye talk to me afther all that's come an' gone? Then if that's THE FORTUNE HUNTERS. II the way ye take it, my good girl, I'm goin' to tell ye that I never could be^r fools, an', if people falls out with the blessin's of heaven, it's not Barney'll ever stir a foot again to coax them. Here's a big fortune, an' two people that love each other like — like — you an' me MOLLY. Me, indeed ! Ye desateful creature ! If ever I loved ye afore, it's all over now. I'd rather have my poor, desaved. broken-hearted misthress' little finger than the whole of your.onfeelin' existence! So, there's for ye! An' ye may go to your army, afther your precious Captain, for neither Miss Nora nor me will ever nave anything to do with such onconducted, misshapen cratures as goes by the name of men in this wicked world again ! [Exit in a flash of passion. BARNEY [looking after her and heaving a long sigh]. Well, well, my girl, ye can go, an' welcome to ye. It's not Barney that's goin' to marry a firebrand like you, an' the army open to him! I'll lave ye to cool a bit, anyhow; an' maybe when I come back in half a dozen years I'll find ye a wee thing meeker! Captain Jack's regiment laves this country to-morrow. See if I don't list in it afore night ! Och, sure a man's the only raisonable bein' God ever created ! I'll folly Captain Jack over the world, an' lave off bein' flouted an' picked at by a — person that makes my heart too soft all the time to allow me to give her a batin'. Faith, the next man that angers me, I'll bate him for Molly ! An' if ever I get into the middle of a good war, I'll punish every wan that ever disagreed with me ! Hurroo ! [gathering up the tea things, and seizing the tray] this is the last time I'll ever be such a milksop as to touch such implements as these. The next tea-thray I handle will be a gun! ACT IL Scene I. — Drawing Room at Castle Rackett. [Honora, as companion to Lady Kilcock, discovered seated at needlework, alone.] HONORA. Alas ! how sloAvly and sadly do my days pass in this lonely spot ! Her ladyship's scoldings and complaints afford the only distraction from my own repin- ing thoughts. Two unhappy years have passed away since 12 THE FORTUNE HUNTERS. the ill-starred day when I conceived the idea of testing the disinterestedness of my lovers. Would it not have been better to have married Jack in blind trust, without seeking to prove him insincere ? But no ; had I married him then I should not be the drag upon him which he dreaded to find me. Wise and prudent Jack? to fly from before the frowns of fortune ! Scarcely had you turned your back on me in my trouble and humiliation with those few cold words which remain burned into my heart, when I learned that what I had pretended in an unlucky jest had proved too true, and that I was in reality reduced to a state of beggary. My guardian arrived the next week to break the sad news to me, but I received hisj tidings quietly enough ; for was not my heart already/ broken, and of what use to m« were now the luxuries and/ pleasures of the world? They could not bring back my' faith in a disinterested love. Let them go, I said, and let me begin a new life in which I shall forget that I ever believed in human nature ! My guardian was very kind, and offered to get me a situation. I begged him to do so, but insisted that it should be sought under a new, an assumed name. I v/as resolved to cast off every relic of the painful past, and to go forth friendless and alone into a future of toil. My guardian assented to my request, and here I am. Miss D^rcy, the humble companion of the whimsical Lady Kilcock ! She knew my mother, but has not the faintest idea of my identity. Strange to say, she thinks Miss Devereux is at present traveling abroad, and does not seem to have heard of her loss of fortune. For me, I do not enlighten her ; so sensitive am I to her contempt, so anxious to remain unknown. In this sad life I have only one atom of comfort, the sympathy of my faithful Molly, who, with the connivance of my guard ian, has contrived to get taken into Lady Kilcock's service for my sake. She keeps my secret, and my loneliness is soothed by her presence in the house. But here comes Lady Kilcock! [Enter Lady Kilcock; stands in the doorway, and puts up her eyeglass.] LADY KILCOCK. Miss Darcy! HONORA. I am here. LADY KILCOCK. Really, Miss Darcy, you might sit in the light, so that I may see when I enter the room whether you are in it or not. HONORA. Where would you wish me to sit, madam? THE FORTUNE HUNTERS. T3 LADY KILCOCK. there it is ! That persistent habit of yours, of irritating an old woman's nerves with ques- tions, as if it mattered to m.e where you sit ! HONORA [receiving an armful of things from her— a book, a work-bag, and some letters]. Is there anything I can do for you at present. Lady Kilcock? LADY KILCOCK. Do have pity on me, and give me a moment to breathe ! [Drops into a comfortable chair.] There, read these letters for me. This one first. It is from an impertinent nephew of mine, in whom I am foolish enough to take some interest. He has been abroad for two years with his regiment and is just come home. For reasons of my own I have asked him to visit me here. HONORA [reads]. "Dear Aunt, thanks for your kind invitation. You and I never could quite hit it off, I think ; but I am very willing to kiss and be friends." LADY KILCOCK [bristling]. Flippant young rascal; he knows I never could bear kissing. HONORA [continues]. "I hope to be with you at the old place to-morrow night.'' LADY KILCOCK. That will be to-night. HONORA. "Meantime, believe me your forgiving nephew. Jack de Lacey." LADY KILCOCK. Audacious jackanapes! Forgiving nephew ! I have half a mind to telegraph to him to stay where he is. HONORA [aside]. Jack coming here! Jack her nephew ! Alas, what fatality is this? What a trick of fate to deprive me of my hard-won seclusion and obscurity ! LADY KILCOCK. But, of course, he is already on the way; and besides, the telegraph wires at Ballydrimindru are' broken. Heavens, what a country to live in! Only for the duty of keeping a motherly eye on my tenantry, and seeing that they do not over-eat themselves — poor Paddy's besetting sin — I should live in England, that land of comfort and respectability ! Hey, Miss Darcy ! What are you staring at? Do you see any dropped stitches in my v/ork? HONORA [confusedly]. Did I stare? Oh, no. My eyes rested on your work by chance. LADY KILKOCK. I was saying that as the young man is this moment on his way from the station, I cannot pre- vent him coming here, im_pudence and all. I suppose he intended to be here for dinner; but I dare say the train has been late. This letter ought to have come this morn- ing, and you see it only arrives when I am ready to go to bed. 14 THE FORTUNE HUNTERS. HONORA [aside]. To think he may be here at any moment ! Oh, that she would order me to retire, so that 1 might have time, before morning, to brace myself for the inevitable meeting ! LADY KILCOCK. Yon see Are you listening to me, Miss Darcy? I am obliged to talk to you for want of a better confidante. You see, I have set my heart upon making the future of this impertinent rascal. He is my ' sister's only son ; and though even she never paid me suffi- / cient respect, I am bent upon doing him a good turn by/ marrying him to an heiress. The lady is at present our of this country, but I intend taking measures to brin^ them together. i HONORA [aside]. Oh, Jack, Jack! So fortune-hun/- ing runs in the blood of j^our family! [Aloud], l^jo doiibt, madam, he will listen dutifullv to your suggestions. LADY KILCOCK. I hope he will, I hope he will. He ought to be here by this time [fidgets about]. Really] I grow tired of waiting on him. It is like his audacity | to keep an old woman sitting up for him past her usual h6ur for rest. I HONORA. I think I heard wheels. No, it was onH the wind rolling over the trees. LADY KILCOCK. If you begin to listen, and fancy things like that, I shall get nervous and lose my night's sleep, Miss Darcy. Yes, I think I must really go to bed. An interview with that scapegrace, to-night, could only make me ill. He would be sure to ruffie all my feathery, and then laugh in my face. I shall leave you to receive him and see that he gets whatever refreshment he pref^s after his journey. Tell him I am not very strong, and sitting up at night disagrees with me. Now, you may ring for Betty, and 1 will bid you good-night. Take care that my nephew is made comfortable, Miss Dancy ; and mind, no flirting ! You are 3^oung, and I have no doubt are as giddy as other girls when you get an opportunity. So that I warn you expressly that I will tolerate no flirting. [Exit. HONORA. How the pitiless blows of evil fortune rain upon me ! I must now play the hostess alone to my false lover, and invite him to take note of my humiliation. Well, I will defy this cruel fate, and nerve myself to be equal to the occasion. I will treat him with the coldness he deserves, and he shall not see a trace of the sorrow that overwhehns me. Hark, I hear coming footsteps. He has arrived. THE FORTUNE HUNTERS. 15 [Throws herself into a chair, and takes up a fan and book. Servant announces Captain de Lacey. Enter Jack, who looks round for his aunt, and pauses and bows, seeing a young lady rise to receive him.] HONORA [bowing with haughty reserve]. I am charged with a message for you, Captain de Lacey. Lady Kilcock bids me say she is fatigued, and has retired for the night. I am commissioned to see to your comfort in her place. JACK [amazed]. Nora! HONORA [with gentle hauteur]. I am known in this house as Miss Darcy. Please to address me by that name. JACK. May I ask you wherefore you have changed your name? HONORA. Pardon me ; I decline to enter into explana- tions. I must pray you to address me by the name which is now m.ine. JACK [aside]. A fresh accession of fortune has, I sup- pose, led to her adoption of another name. She fears to inform me of it lest my cupidity should be excited once more. Admirable girl, how lofty are her opinions of my sex. [Aloud]. I did not expect to find you here. Miss — Darcy. In olden times I never heard you speak of my aunt ; though I remember now, the old lady had some acquaintance years ago with members of your family. HONORA. I have only lately made Lady Kilcock's acquaintance — under peculiar circumstances. But let us speak of other matters. JACK. With pleasure. [Aside]. She is over-anxious to keep me at arm's length, I think. Seems nervously afraid of my renewing my old attack. She is evidently caught here by me unexpectedl3^ and annoyed at having to meet me. I cannot guess why she has come to pay a visit to this desolate corner of the world, though, and still more wh)'^ she consented to this awkward tete-a-tete interview. Women are most perplexing. [Aloud]. 1 fear you must find this dreary old Castle Rackett a dull place of sojourn, Miss — Darcy. To one so brilliant, so sought after, so accustomed to pleasure, this district must seem like a sort of penal settlement. HONORA [aside]. What does he mean? Brilliant? Sought after? Cruel, cruel Jack, to taunt me with allu- sions to the happy past! Kow harsh, how unfeeling are men I How differently I should have acted had our posi- tions been reversed. [Aloud, frigidly]. I have lost my l6 THE FORTUNE HUNTERS. taste for amusement Captain de Lacey. The quiet and retirement of Castle Rackett have some advantages. JACK [aside]. How beautiful she looks with her airs of cold disdain ! She has grown more lovely, though with a different expression, since the days when she was all blushes and winning laughter. Ah, Nora, Nora, had you been only a trusting girl, with ten poimds a year for pin- money, how gladly would I have asked you to share the fortunes of an honest soldier ! But your gold and your suspicions must forever part us. [Sighs, rises and paces about the room.] Enter SERVANT. Dinner is served forLaptain de Lacey. JACK [offering his arm to Nora]. Will you permit me? HONORA [coldly]. No, thank you; I have dined. I suppose it is hardly necessary for me to go to table. JACK [bowing]. Do not let me inconvenience you in the slightest degree. HONORA. Can I do anything further for you this evening? I think all orders have been given for your comfort. JACK. I do not doubt it. Many thanks for your atten- tions. 1 shall not require to trouble you further this even- ing. HONORA. I wish you good night, then. JACK. Good night. [Aside] . Extraordinary girl ! Frigid to a degree that makes my teeth chatter in my head ; and yet assuming to be bound by my wishes and commands. How incomprehensible are the vagaries of women! [Exit. HONORA. Thank heaven this intolerable interview is over ! Unkind, heartless that he is, never to say one sym- pathetic word, never to ask how I have fared in my lonely struggle with the world since last we met ! Ah, well, I ought to be cured of my foolish affection for him now. I have succeeded in doing my duty to-night and it can- not be that I shall be called on to entertain him alone again. I shall avoid him as much as possible during his stay in this house. Scene H. — Drawing Room at Castle Rackett Early in the Morning. [Molly dusting. Enter Barney, dressed as a sergeant in the army, and decorated with stripes for good conduct.] BARNEY [speaking with exaggerated English accent]. I have come to look for — aw — the Captain's aw MOLLY [looking up and starting]. Barney! THE FORTUNE HUNTERS. 17 BARNEY. Molly ! MOLLY. You here ! BARNEY. You here ! MOLLY. Ah, then, Barney BARNEY. Ahem ! Bernard if you please ! "^ MOLLY [making a curtsey]. Oh, indeed, Bernard, is it? Then, Bernard, where else would I be? Isn't this my place? BARNEY. Then — aw — you have left — aw — after all your faithful vituperations, you have quitted the service of — aw — that beautiful lady. Miss Devereux, who took in all the gentlemen, including my master, the Captain? MOLLY. I haven't desarted her. I lave that to you. I'm here in this castle because she's in it. BARNEY. Hurroo ! I mane really — aw — you don't tell me so ? And so you and your mistress are located at present as visitors in this locality? MOLLY [aside]. I'm not goin' to humble ourselves afore him. ' [Aloud]. Well, an' what if we are, Misther Barney ? BARNEY. Bernard. Oh, nothing. Only it's a very remarkable coincident that Captain de Lacey and myself should drop in upon you. MOLLY. Captain de Lacey ! Do you mane to say he's in the house? BARNEY. You must have been in bed when we ar- rived last evening, Molly. Don't you know — aw — that Lady Kilcock is the Captain's lawful aunt; and as he was coming here, and as I'm his servant, I axed for leave to get home, too — aw — a little leave of absence, as this is my own part of the country, alanna. MOLLY. Alanna ! Faix, that's the only dacent word ye said since ye begun, Barney ! For God's sake lave off spskin' English, an' talk the way a body can undherstand you ! Well, then, an' how do ye like the armv, afther all, Barney? BARNEY [drawing himself up]. Finest place in the world for a man, the army ! A man can become a gentle- man if he likes. Finest place in the world, the army ! MOLLY [admiringly]. Then, now! I suppose ye'll be a gineral some o' these days ! BARNEY. I hope so, Molly. The Captain he looks at me [points to his stripes] and says he, all conduct, Ber- nard, all conduct. A man may come to anything he plazes in the army. MOLLY. An' what about your religion, my good boy? BARNEY. Finest place in the world for religion, the l8 THE FORTUNE HUNTERS. army ! Finest place in the world ! Sent off to your church every Sunday, an' if ye as much as smile on the way you're fined for it. Finest place in the world for religion, the army ! MOLLY. Well, then my good Gineral, it's well ye jilted Molly two years ago, for I'm feared she's not fit to be a Gineral's lady. BARNEY. Hekscuse me, Molly. It was you that jilted me MOLLY, An' I suppose it was my misthress that turned her back on the Captain? BARNEY. Basely took him in when she could have given him a fortune. No man in the world would stand sich conduct. MOLLY [firing up], ^t's well for ye to be down on her now. poor lamb, an' her without a penny in the world, earnin' her bread just as hard as meself ! BARNEY. Arrah, whisht with yer nonsense, Molly ! Sure ye're enough to make a man forget his accent! .Don't I know it's all purtense? MOLLY [putting her apron to her eyes]. It wanst was, Barney ; but now it's rale truth. The fortune raley left her afore yourselves two was well out o' the country. It's Lady Kilcock's companion she is now, the darlin', an' the ould crature leads her a life of it, I can tell you. Sure if she hadn't meself to cry with her sometimes at night in her room, it's half way to the grave she'd be afore this. BARNEY. See that now. What an escape the Captain had, to be sure. Only for me he'd ha' been married to her as sure as a gun ; to a wife without a penny, instead o' the fine fortune he ought to have the spendin' of; such a figure of a man as the Captain ! MOLLY [aghast]. Only for you ! BARNEY [emphatically]. Only for me. D'ye think 1 was goin' to see him done in sich an onhandsome manner? Faith, says I, I'll put him up to the plots o' them two schamers. An' I tould him the whole of it. MOLLY. Oh, ye thief o' the world ! An' what did he say? BARNEY [scratching his head]. Why, faix, he said a thing that bothered me intirely. Barney, says he, as sol- emn as a judge, Barney, you have put it out of my power to .do what I should have done had you left me in igno- rance. Then he sighed awful an' he never has been the same man since. Why, he wouldn't ax her because he knew she had the fortune in her pocket all the time MOLLY. Oh, ye low, mane, ongenerous crature! Don't THE FORTUNE HUNTERS. IQ j-^e sec the manein' o' the Captain's conduct, God bless his handsome face ! Ye're not fit to belong to sich a masther. Well, thank the heavens, I have wan morsel o' comfort to give my poor, unhappy misthress this mortal day I ' i: wasn't because he thought her poor that he desarted her. Go off with ye, ye tale-teller, ye meddle-maker. [Seizes a broom and hunts Barney, protesting and gesticulating, out of the room.] [Exeunt Barney and Molly. [Enter Captain de Lacey, followed by Barney.] CAPTAIN DE LACEY. Yes I want you. You may pack up my things again immediately, as I shall leave for London to-night. B/\RNEY. Faix, yer honor, and it's me that'll go with you cheerful. Excuse my accent Captain, but that imp. Molly, has put me all wrong in my spache. Sure an' didn't we get a great surprise, yer honor, to find sich people here afore us? I beg yer honor's pardon, Captain, don't look so angry, but it's nieself can't help jumping for joy to think how I saved ye two years ago. Sure herself hasn't a penny now. Mockin's catchin', an' Molly tells me that it's companion to Lady Kilcock the proud young lady is, an' no mistake. CAPTAIN DE LACEY. Rascal, what do you mean? BARNEY. Rascal, indeed ! That's my thanks. It was rascal when she was rich an' now it's rascal when she's poor. Faix, meself doesn't know what would plaze ye, Captain dear ! CAPTAIN DE LACEY. Do you mean to tell me, sir, for a fact, that Miss Devereux has in reality suffered a reverse of fortune? That she lives here in the capacity of Lady Kilcock's companion? BARNEY. The very thing I was sayin', only put into language. Sure, education is the blessin' o' the world. Barney'll have to go back to his dictionary. If ye don't believe me, Captain, sure ye can ax them that knows betther nor me. CAPTAIN DE LACEY. Silence, fool ! BARNEY. To be sure. Silence, if ye like. Only wan 'd think yer own foster-brother might get lave to spake to ye. But silence or otherwise, it's meself is glad ye're not tied to that cowld-hearted crature, an' her without a penny after all — you that was born, by the look o' you. to have millions ! CAPTAIN DE LACEY. Begone, sir. this instant, or I will kick you out of the house ! [Exit Barney, grumbling. 20 THE FORTUNE HUNTERS. [Enter Honora calling Molly. Draws back upon per- ceiving Jack who advances quickly to meet her.] JACK. Stay, Nora, Tell me, I implore you, can this that I hear be true? Have you, in reality, experienced a reverse of fortune? HONORA [proudly]. Did I not inform you two years ago that such was the case? JACK. Ah, yes; but then I knew that the story was untrue. Tell me, am I a second time the victim of a hoax ? HONORA. You knew that the story was untrue? JACK. Yes ; Molly, your maid, in whom j'^ou impru- dently confided, betrayed your secret to that impertinent fellow, Barney, who took upon himself to warn me that the story of your loss of fortune was a hoax. He thought to do me a kindness ; but of course it was impossible for me to approach you under the circumstances, even had I not been deeply hurt at your distrust. Do you not see in how unhappy a position I was placed? HONORA. Yes I see. But now the story is true, and I am punished for my want of faith. Please to let mc go. To-day I leave this house; so that you need not depart so abruptly on my account. JACK. I swear you shall not go away. Nora, my long- loved Nora, how shall I tell you how 1 have suffered on 3^our account? You made me miserable in the past — make my happiness in the future. HONORA. Ah, you are too generous. But no, I will never ruin you; that would be adding injury to the pain I have already caused you. JACK. Ruin me? I have enough for two people who can be content without luxury. Nora, be a poor soldier's wife, and together we will face the world ! [Enter Lady Kilcock. who stands at the door and puts up her eyeglass.] LADY KILCOCK. What do I see? Did I not say expressly — no flirting? Miss Darcy, I am ashamed of you. Captain de Lacey, you shall leave this house. JACK. All in good time, auntie. Meantime allow me to introduce you to my chosen wife — if she will accept me. Help me to plead with her. LADY KILCOCK. Plead? Confusion! What does it all mean? JACK. It means that we are old friends. It is a case of long-standing attaohmeat. THE FORTUNE HUNTERS. ^^ LADY KILCOCK. The designing minx ! Let her get out of my sight. [Servant announces Mr. Andrew Merry Enter Hono- ra's guardian, bows to Lady Kilcock, and shaKes hand? warmly with Honora and the Captain.] MR MERRY. My dear Miss Devereux I am very glid to see you I am happy to say I am the bearer of *''HONORr"'Lady Kilcock, Mr. Merry. LADY KILCOCK. Miss Devereux! Ward of Mn Merry' What do I hear? The very he.ress I had set %ONORA^"Mr. Me^f am truly glad to see you. I. se?ms^thiV is a lucky d'ay. May I ask what are your •;^^^.Sy Cer^^^^^^^ UylaJe^^LUl^fo/r'ldSle father .^m safe keeping and at your disposal, not a penny of it lost as you nave supposed it '£ be ^^^^ ^^^ ,„, i ouV molt itVsfactorily. ?t appears to me, however, that ^ 'Jjp' mTrSy ' A deception has. indeed, been practised, „a1L b^u^^^ake^'aWbUme upon myself and hope S be forgiven when you understand my motives. I ex- pect to mike it clear that I have a,';'^^ f°r t^^ *'^„\'i,,/^|[^ Lter Molly and Barney. .°"^ ™'*,^°°':^at'^y ward was letters. They stand hstenmg.] Seeing that tnyw a little wilful and S^J"™"/"'' 'bent and .=0 pretended to to humor her to the top of 'i^'^^.^^"'; *"''j>°o^inff that a h r that her property was y«f '^ f "jf,, and Captain de strong f '='^''"«="* "='=^l„''t'*end ng to my little scheme. LTt^o L^^heT^Trl'coi^mTdld^eris companion to Lady '^HONORA. Dear friend, you indeed acted wisely. lA-nV KILCOCK Excellent, Mr. Merry! . MCK Sir, you have made me the happiest man m the '"ik^RNEY [to Molly]. See *at now^ fAJ^l^Z ir;o';;;i%fghtry?ennour^fidV < [End.] /' - WHITE LIE. Comedy Jn Two Acts for Young Ladies. By ELLA KEATINGE. Price, per Copy, 30 cents. Five Copies for $1.00. Characters Mrs, Margaret Pavne. ♦ Mademoiselle de Bassano, Laura. Her Daughter. ■# A Teacher of French. MrfS. Margaret Andrews. 5 Mme. Jones. A Dressmaker. Florence, Her Daughter. J Mary, Mrs. Payne's Maid. Florence is led into telling a " White I^ie " in excuse for not having done her French exercise. In consequence she is forced in a manner most amusing for the audience, but most perplexing for Florence, to tell a number of untruths to guard against being found out, placing herself in the most ludicrous positions, with disastrous consequences. Mademoiselle de Bassano's part is miuch intermixed with French. A refined and most enjoyable play. CARNIVAL; or, Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Comedy In One Act for Young Ladies. Adapted from the French by DOROTHY REYNARTZ. Price, per Copy. 30 cents. Five Copies for $1.00. Characters Mrs. Smith. Washerwoman. * Alice, ) ,^ _ , „ , ,. r:„„,, u rs u* * Dr-r-r-.r- \ Fashionatlc YouHg Ladlcs. Emily, Her Daughter. ^ Bessie,' Mrs. Allison. % Priscilla.) ^,^ .... NELLIE. Her Daughter. | Cornelia. / ^'^^^'^ ^^"*"- In order to swell their scant income, Emily persuades her mother to let their room to strangers coming to town to see the festivities. She receives more demands for her room than anticipated and their one room is in the course of events let to different parties at once. The complications arising when the various parties arrive to take posses- sion and to retire for the night, are very laughable. FLIRTATION CURED. Farce Comedy in One Act (Male Characters.) By FRANCIS LESTER. Price, per Copy. 30 cents. Five copies for $1.00. Characters »4 A C.J , T^ J •* Bernard, 1 Meyer, An Elderly Dude. * r. 1 1 * w. . c • ' . -5 Paul. Sin Ashley s Employ Ashley, Dentist. « t f ^ John, J Meyer has been annoying Ashley's daughter by persistent attempts to flirt with her. Acting under instructions her servants lure the tin- fortunate Meyer, who is made to believe that he is going to a rende.-- vous with her, into her father's ofS.ce. Ashley, ignorant of all this, sees in Mej'er's protestations nothing but a fidgety patient, and succeeds in extracting some of Meyer's teeth in spite of all resistance. The play is uproariously funny. THE LAST COAT. comedy in one Act. (Male Characters.) By JOHN EDGCOME, Price, per Copy, 30 sents. FSv* Cop!e« for $1.00. CHARACTERS Thomas Dana. Painter. ^ Wolfgang Goeth. Poet Richard Wagneer, Musician. ^ Jones, Landlord. Isaac, Old Clothes Dealer. Three young artists iu reduced circumstances find themselves at last T\'ithout even a penny to buj- some food. Their efforts to obtain «ome edibles on credit end disastrously. Isaac appears as helping hand, and each of the three without knowledge of the others, sells his coat to him. When they meet in their shirt sleeves, an invitation arrives from a wealthy man who offers them his protection. The way how they get to their coats is very entertaining. A CUP OF COFFEE comedy in one Act for Young Udl««, by DOROTHY REYNARTZ. Price, per Copy, 30 cents. Flv« Copies for $1.00. Characters Mrs. Mathilda Ryan. ^ A Peddler-woman. Mrs. Rose O'Brien. ■? A Lady, Collector for Aid SocUty. Alice, Mathilda's Friend. £ Another Lady. Jennie, Mathilda's Maid. J A Cobbler's Wife. Two Children. Mathilda returning home finds that Alice has sent her some genu- ine Mocha-Coffee. She has at once some prepared, but is prevented from enjoying it by a succession of annoying callers, presenting very funny incidents. When at last relieved of all unwelcome company, another disappointment awaits her in place of the anticipated delec- tation. A number of really enjoyable scenes are woven around the plot. IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO MEND, comedy In one Act for Young Ladies. By DOROTHY REYNARTZ. Prica. per Copy, 25 cents. Three Copies for 50 cents. CHARACTERS GRACE, Age 16. ) s-g^g^g^ Esther. Age 18.' Hazel, Chambermaid. Grace is a spoiled child with a good heart, who responds to the advice of her elder sister with stubbornness, At length she repents and is for- given. A thoroughly enjoyable play, affording splendid opportunity for emotional acting, especially in Grace's part. TWO MOTHERS. Drama in Four Acts, by DOROTHY REY- NARTZ. Price, per Copy, 35 cents. Seven Copies for $1.50. .Characters. HiLDBGARD, Countess of Taunberg:, A Widow. Adelheid, Her Daughter. Elizabeth, Hildegard's Sister. Margaret, Wife of the Bailiff of Castle Taunberg. Bertha. Her Daughter. Christina. ) Young girls, serving Jn Agnes, / Castle Taunberg. The Blessed Virgin. Two Angels. The Queen of Tunis. Two OF HER Court Ladies Servant Girls, Court-Ladies. Etc. Adelheid, accompanied by Bertha, goes with many other young girl<; on a pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of I^oretto. While at sea the girls are captured by African pirates, and given over to the Queen of Tunis. The Queen sets them all free vsrith the exception of Adelheid, whose devotion to, and trust in. the Blessed Virgin angers the Queen. By a highly dramatic incident Adelheid is at last miraculously rescued through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin. Young I^adies' Sodalities will find this and the following play specially suited to their needs. ST* ELIZABETH OF THURINGIA; or, the Miracle of Roses* a Legendary Drama In Five Acts, by ELIZABETH FOLDING, Price, per Copy, 35 cents. Seven Copies for $1.50. .Characters. Kunigunde. a Peasant's Wife. Trudchen, Gottlinde, Gertrude, Adelind, LlEBWARTA, Gerlind, Martha. Her Children. Poor Women. Elizabeth, Landgravine of Thurin- , gia. Sophie, Her Mother-in-law. RoSAMUND.Countess of Falkensteln. Bertha, ^ Hading. > Ladies in Waiting. Emma, J The Castle-Bailiff. Wiborad. Maid-Servant. A Messenger, A Hermit, An Angel. The Empress, A Herald, Young Girls Cladin White, Etc. St. Elizabeth, beloved by the poor, whom she feeds and clothes, is persecuted by her cruel and ambitious mother-in-law, who plots to obtain Elizabeth's crown. The bailifl, Sophie's tool, is employed to watch Elizabeth's steps, but when he accuses her of having stolen the food which she gives to the poor, the contents of her basket is fouud 10 be miraculously turned into beautiful roses. The empress, hearing pf Sophie's treachery, comes to Elizabeth's assistance, re-instates her to power and punishes Sophie, The play is full of dramatic incident;^ HARD OF HEARING, comedy in one Act 'for Youne Ladles, by OLGA STEINER. Price, per Copy. 25 cents. Thr«« Copies fcr 50 cents. Characters Daisy, Directress pro temp, ) Pupils of Lou, Niece of Mrs. Everett, Y Mrs. Everett's Rose, New Pupil. ) Boarding School. Mrs. Everett has appointed Daisy directress pro temp, during her absence, much to the chagrin of I.OU, who by virtue of her relation- ship, thinks herself entitled to that office. Daisy finds occasion to ad- monish I,ou. Just then Rose, a new pupil, arrives, and in order to get her revenge I.ou informs Rose that Daisy is quite deaf, telling Daisy the same story about Rose. This results in very laughable efforts on part of each of these two, to make themselves understood by the other, both of them at the same time inwardly resenting the supposed rude- ness of the other. The play develops most comical situations and winds up with I«ou getting her just dues. THE SKELETON IN THE CLOSET, a comedy in One Act by FRANCIS LESTER. Price, per Copy, 30 cents. Five Copies for $1.00. CHARACTERS Mr. Smith, Senator. * Doctor Alfred Brown. Beatrice. His Wife. \\ Mr. White. Lawyer. LiVEWELL Jones. Merchant. y, Mrs. Goodcheer. Mr. Jones ANNA, His Wife. 4 j Housekeeper. Mr. Jones' Clerk. * Mr. Jones and his young bride return home from their wedding tour. Jones had not yet revealed to his wife the secret of the family skeleton and is in dread lest she discover it ; yet he has not the courage to speak to her about it. Meanwhile his wife hears queer rumors, which at first alarm her, but by tact, courage and confidence in her husband she discovers the very innocent little skeleton and all ends happily. ^ HOUSEHOLD AFFAIRS ; or, A Cause for Di- vorce A Comedy in One Act by JOSEPH ROSETTL Price . per Copy, 30 cents. Four Copies for 75 cents. CHARACTERS Benedict Brown. * Samuel Martin, | Eugenia's Eugenia, His Wife. * Isabella.HIs Wife. -> Foster Parents. Benedict refuses flatly to allow his wife to take her parents into their home. The two ladies feel ^uch insulted at that, and Isabella advises Eugenia how to get cause for divorce by vexing Benedict^ to a degree that he would strike her, with Martin and his wife waiting in an adjoining room to be witnesses to the assault. Wh«n, howev«r, Xhaj HOUSEHOLD AFFAIRS (Contintied): woi:ld-bc witnesses rush in at the sound of a blovr, they aie Surprised Viy the fact that Eugenia, enraged at Benedict's coolness, has struck kiiti. All ends in happiness, but Martin vows by himself to try the fxperiment with Isabella. Very witty dialogue and lively action. The ;nay is ftlways received with storms of applause. THE FORTUNE HUNTERS; or. Lost and Found* Comedy in Two Acts. Price, per Copy, 30 cents. Rv« Copies for $1.00. CHA RACTERS Mr. Barry O'Brief, Lawyer. Jacob Elderly. Of the Society of Friends. Mr. Sawney Oatkake, Laird of Glencanniboy. Barney. Miss Honora Devereux. Lady Kilcock. Molly, Honora's Maid. Captain Jack de Lacey. :^ !R Lancelot Bagnal. Mr. Andrew Merry, Honora's Guardian. Honora is besieged by many suitors, who, she fears, are attracted by her wealth. To test their faith .she is going to tell them that her fortune was lost in a bank failure. She confides her plan to Molly, w^hoin turn gives the secret away to Barney, from whom Captain I,acey learns the story. The latter is much chagrined at being sus- pected with the rest, and when Honora apprises them all of her al- leged misfortune, he leaves her as well as her other suitors, much to the grief of Honora, who is really in love with him. In a cleverly worked succession of events the lovers meet again with the usual end. Barney and Mollie furnish some highly amusing scenes. HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY, comedy in Four Acts. (Male Characters.) By RUPERT HOUSE. Price, per Copy, 30 cents. Five Copies for $1.00. .Characters... First Customer. Second Customer. Physician.' Policeman. Mr. Strong, Retired Gentleman. Charles, His Nephew. Harry, Charles' Friend. Mr. Buckley, \ Of Adams & Buck- Mr. Adams ' ley. Dry Goods. Charles, an honest young fellow, carries his love of truth beyond prudent limits, despite his friend's protestations. This leads to a wager that Charles will yet suffer the direst consequences for his imprudent actions. Harry's prophecy comes true, as Charles is in turn disin- herited by his uncle, discharged by his emploj'ers, discarded by his iiauctie, and on the point of being tak^n to a I^unatic Asylum, when re»- cued by Harry, who explains all. The affair ends to everybody's sat- isfaction and Charles is re-instated in all his rights. A Web of lies. a comedy m^ One Act hy JOHN EDc; COME. Price, per Copy, 30 cents. Five Copies for $r.oo. CHARACTERS Henry Clay, Retired Merchant. -^ EUPHROSINE, Clay's Aunt. Anma, His Wife. % Leo Miller, the Family Physicl-u. Eliza, Her Friend. ^ JohN Stone. Elmira Green. Eliza visits her friend, Mrs. Anna, and in order to be guarded against would-be suitors, she is introduced by Mrs. Anna as a married woman. This necessitates a succession of untruths to make good the first one. When Eliza falls in love v^rith the doctor the situation be- comes as embarrassing for her J as amusing for the audience. At last she is disentangled from the Web of lyies, the end being the usiial en- gagement. PLEASANT WEDDING GUESTS, a comedy m Three Acts by FANNY RITCHIE. Price, per Copy, 30 cents. Five Copies for $1.00. Characters Benjamin Strong, Mayor. ^ Thomas, Their Son. Mary, His Wife. •? John Hill, of Forest Hill, Ad iron- Elizabeth,) „^ . T^ .. A dacks. , f 1 heir Daughters. "^ », ^ Anna, j ^ ^ Mrs. Goodenough. Mr. Hopper. The Mayor's daughter is to be married, vt-hen an aunt of Mr. Strong, a peevish old maid, and an aged uncle of the bridegroom make unexpectedly their appearance as wedding guests. They succeed in making themselves a grievous nuisance. At length they recognize each other as old friends, and the old uncle is skillfully led by the susceptible spinster to propose marriage to her. A very amusinrr comedy. THE NEW SQUIRE. Comedy in One Act. By FRANCIS McEnroe. Price, per Copy, 35 cents. Five Copies for_$i.25. Characters Baron of Bergen. " ■? Fred, His Ward and Nephew. Francis, His Valet. i Herman, 1 p The Mayor. ^ Conrad, ' ®^^*" ^• Peasants. The Baron of Bergen, while on the way to take possession of a large domain, fallen to him by inheritance, is detained and sends his valet ahead. The peasants of the domain mistake the valet for the Barorj. The valet vastly flattered and pleased at the honors oilered him, keepji vip tbe delusion, and brings about a pretty state of affairs, when at th»- critical moment, the impostor is unmasked by the arrival of the iei,l Baron. THE DAWN OF REDEMPTION; or, The Adoration, of the Magi KingfS. a Christmas Play in Four Acts by ELIZABETH POLDING. Price, per Copy, 30 cents. Eight Copies foi*$i.5o. Characters First Shepherd. Second Shepherd. GoAS, A Sing^er. Slave. First Jew. Second Jew. Shepherds. Judges, High Priests, Guards, Angels, Populace. Gaspard, 1 „,. ,- ^ M,., ^...^r, I Wise Men from the Melchior, }■ p Balthasar, j *^ ■ The Virgin Mary. Saint Joseph. The Infant Jesus. The King Herod. The King's Favorite Page. The Angel Gabriel. A Christmas Play, which is somewhat more pretentious than the general run of what is offered under this name. It has a clever plot and interesting dialogue, ami is interspersed with vocal and instru- mental (Piano) selections, the vocal numbers to be sung to appropriate music. The Court of King Herod, the Magi Kings and their train of followers, afford opportunities of staging the play with much splendor. Withal it also adapts itself effectively to moderate re- sources. French Plays* Persons in charge 0/ Institutes and Young Ladies^ Circles^ -must be/amiliar •with the difficulty 0/ meeting ivith short French play Sy fitted in all respects ta be read or acted by young ladies. The publishers have been induced to publish et/ew plays that "ivill be found to be just as suitable for acting, as for reading ivith divided parts in French classes. SUi^AN^TE* Com^die en un Acte. Price, per Copy, 40 cents. Six Copies for $1.50, PERSONNAGES. Mme. BeleSMES. * AGATHE, Cousine d' Elisa. Mme. Dervieux, Niece de Mme. -$ DaME GERTRUDE, Vieille Gouver- Belesmes. ^ nante. Elisa, Fille de Mme. Dervieux. ^ LA DEMOISELLE DE COMPAGNIE. com