NO PLAYS EXCHANGED. PS 635 .Z9 — WEFC5 Edition I 5T PL7YY.S c@ Copy 1 ilLL Sam Bo-Jam and His African Colony Price, 15 Cents i Salter i?:b™er & cq! BOSTON S^dn^^^^SCS Ji. IU. Pinero's Plays Price, 50 gents Cacb THF A1W A70NS Farce in Three Acts. Seven males, five fe- lfl£i /\l?ii\£<\/iw males. Costumes, modern; scenery, not difficult. Plays a full evening. THE CABINET MINISTER ■£• WSJ& £ s n tumes, modern society; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. nANIW niPK" Farce in Three Acts. Seven males, four fe- Ui\iJU I Ul\*n. males. Costumes, modern; scenery, two inte- riors. Plays two hours and a half. TUP PAY I A!?n fllTEY Comedy in Four Acts. Four males, lnEi VJ1\1 L>\Jm\U V£UE*A ten females. Costumes, modern; scenery, two interiors and an exterior. Plays a full evening. UfC UATTCC IM ADniTD Comedy in Four Acts. Nine males, K15 nUUOL 1IN UKULK f OU r females. Costumes, modern; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. TU17 UflRftY HAPQI7 Comedy in Three Acts. Ten males, lfl£i nUDDI nUuJL five females. Costumes, modern; scenery easy. Plays two hours and a half. | Df C Drama in Five Acts. Seven males, seven females. Costumes, 1I»W modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. I AIW RftTTNTIFITI Play in Four Acts * Eight males, seven Mdt\U l DUUillirUL females. Costumes, modern; scen- ery, four interiors, not easy. Plays a full evening. I FTTY ^ rama in Four Acts and an Epilogue. Ten males, five lAul 1 I females. Costumes, modern; scenery complicated. Plays a full evening. TIIF MAr'lQTf? ATI? Farce in Three Acts. Twelve males, IflEi ifLriUltJ i txft I La f our females. Costumes, modern; floenery, all interior. Plays two hours and a half. Sent prepaid on receipt of price by Salter & l&ffotv Sc Company No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts Sam Bo-jam, and His African Colony A Negro Farce in Three Scenes By JAY CLAY POWERS Author of "If I Only Had a Million? "A Day in Court" etc. BOSTON WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 1916 Sam Bo-jam, and His African Colony CHARACTERS (As originally produced in San Antonio, Texas, by the au:hc.) Scottish Rite Cathedral, Jan. 28-2Q, iqib. Temple theatre, Feb. II, iqib. Pa Ermeeline - Ma Ermerline - Sassy \ the Ermerline \ Sissy j* twins ) Abe Jackson - - - - Eph Johnson - Sam P>o-jam, an African colonizer Golden Rodd, an octoroon • Queen Lukattiaxkilli - Ho jo, the Prime Minister Hot-foot, a irnge . A Herald - Joshy-oshy, the Queen' 1 's fool, Dashem, the executioner, Bohunkiis. a soothsayer Uaptain Tuff, of the royal guar First Guardsman Second Guardsman Third Guardsman Royal Dancing Girls Train Bearers - Mrs. C. W. Gordon. Mrs. H. W. Weber. f Lucille Morris. t Lillian Wagner. Mrs. Joseph La Franc. Mrs. E. B. Watters. , Mrs. H. B. Vodrie. Miss Ethel Hendricks. Mrs. C. A. Soule. Mrs. Beno Kavton. Mrs. J. C. Bradley. Miss Helen Gordon. Mrs. P. H. Dial. Mrs.W. G. Kingsbury. Mrs. John Culpepper. fMiss Anna Culpepper. 1 Mis3 Helen Kingsbury. Miss Bess Denison. Miss Loys Snodgrass. Miss Ann Noble. Miss Tula Roberson. Miss Lucy McGregor. Miss Earl Winn. Miss Annie Watters. Mrs. Walter Roach. Miss Cecil Pike. Mrs. J. West Nichols. Miss P uline Estes. Mrs. Blu McGowen. Miss Kittie Holden. - Miss Eileen Smith. Miss Vela Adrian. Misses Helen Kingsbury and Anna Culpepper. Dorothy Carr and Norris Reed Guests of the Erraerlines ; the royal guard ; ladies and gentlemen of the court ; train-bearers ; dancing girls. SYNOPSIS Time.— Present. Place. — Texas and Africa, Scene I. — Ermeiiine home in Texas. The birthday party. Scene II. — The African jungle. A month later. Scene III. — Lukattiankilli's court. The next day. Note. — Lukattiankilli is pronounced Loo- catty- an- killy. Copyright, 1916, by Walter 'H. Baker & Co. ©JI.D 44090 JUN -o iyi6 Sam Bo-jam, and His African Colony SCENE I SCENE. — Living-room of the Ermerlines. The stage is un- carpeted and bare of furniture, except for a number of chairs standing against the walls. Doors at back c, at R., and at l. {After rise of curtain, Pa Ermerline, a respectable old ne- gro y enters, r., smacking his mouth. He dusts off chairs with his bandanna.) Pa E. Lordy, but dem goosies sho' am roastin' to a turn. {Calls.) Maw Ermerline ! {Pause.') Maw Ermerline ! Ma Ermerline {off l.). Yas, ole man, whut is it? Pa E. Ain't dem chillun mos' ready? Ma E. {off l.). Yas, indeedy ! . . . How dem goosies doin' ? Pa E. Dey's mos' done, and dey sho' smells beautiful. . . . Hit's 'bout time de chillun's comp'ny wus arrivin'. Enter Ma E., l., a respectable old negro mammy. Ma E. Well, youse dressed, and I'm dressed, and Sassy and Sissy's ready, too, so let de comp'ny come on. Pa E. How does de chillun look in deir new finery? Ma E. Deedy, honey, dey looks and steps jest like two peacocks, dey's dat purty and proud. Dey's de loveliest two twins dat ebber had a eighteenf birfday party. Yas, sa;h (Sassy and Sissy laugh off l.) Here dey come now. Enter Sassy and Sissy, l., dressed fust alike in bright colors. They turn around and display their new dresses for in- spection. Sassy. How do we look, Paw ? Sissy. Yes, Paw, how do we look ? Pa E. Sweet as drippin' honey. Come kiss yo' Pappy. 3 4 SAM BO-JAM, AND HIS AFRICAN COLONY (Sassy and Sissy run to Pa E. and kiss him. Noise and laughter of guests heard off, back.') Ma E. Dar comes yo' comply. Run, chillun, and make 'urn welcome. Sassy. Yes, Maw. Sissy. We shore will ! (They run to door, back c, and admit several young negro couples, who are laughing and talking. The young folks greet Sassy, Sissy, Ma and Pa E. ?ioisily.) Ma E. {clapping her hands). Shet up, chillun, — jest for a minute — and listen to me! (The ?ioise subsides.) Paw, you go look, agin, to dem roast goosies ! Sassy and Sissy, you-all stay here in de receivin' line. And you young folks follow me into de undressin' room, and remove yo' hats and wraps. (Pa E. exits r. The young people, laughing and talking, follow Ma E. off l. and exeunt. Sassy and Sissy come toe.) Sissy. Whut's the matter, Sassy ? You look disappointed. Sassy. I give that triflin' Abe Jackson a special invite to our party, and I don't b'lieve he's a-comin'. Sissy. It don't look as if Eph Johnson was goin* to show up, neither. (Knocking is heard at door, back c.) Maybe that's them now ! Sassy. Come in ! Enter Abe Jackson and Eph Johnson, back c. Abe is flashily dressed ; Eph wears ridiculous clothes. Abe goes to Sassy at r. c; Eph to Sissy at l. c. Abe. Good-evenin', dearie. - Sassy. I'm so glad you come, Abe. Eph. How's mah baby? Sissy. Just dandy, Eph. Abe. You-all shore does look cute. Eph. Yas, cute as de little hosses on a merry-go-round. Enter Pa E., door r. PaE. Howdy do, Abe? Abe. Fine, Pa Ermerline. SAM BO-JAM, AND HIS AFRICAN COLONY 5 Pa E. Howdy do, Eph ? Eph. Scrumbumptious. Pa E. Kin you-all smell de roast goose? Abe. Yes, indeed, sah. Pa E. Kin you smell hit, Eph ? Eph. Kin a mule kick? Well, I reckon. Pa E. I got to baste 'urn a little more. 'Scuse me. . . . Make dem gals ob mine start a little song and put some life into dis ole shack. \Exit, r. Abe. Go ahead and sing, Sassy. Eph. Bust loose, Sissy. {Orchestra plays ; Abe to r. and sits ; Eph. to l. and sits ; Sassy and Sissy sing good, lively duet ; when the chorus is reached, Abe and EvHjoin Sassy and Sissy / the guests enter, l., in couples, and all sing and step the chorus ; Ma E. enters, l., and Pa E., r., and come dozvn ; they beat time and sing chorus with the others. At conclusion of chorus they all cheer. If encored, line up on stage and repeat.} Enter, back a, Sam Bo- jam, a well-groomed, business negro. The guests make way for Sam, and he comes doivn c. Sam. Ladies and gentlemen : pardon my rudeness in walk- ing in unannounced. I knocked at the door several times but could get no response, as you were all singing. Pa E. Youse excusable, sah. Youse excusable. Sam. Are you Mr. Ermerline? Pa E. I is, sah. And yo' name's ? Sam. Sam Bo-jam, African colonizer, at your service, sir. With your permission, I'd like to present a business proposition to all present. Pa E. All right, sah ; we'll hear it. . . . Chillun, pull out dem cheers, and eb'rybody set down and make deyseves comfable while we hears dis gintleman's projec'. (Each per- former gets a chair ; they set the chairs in rows, leaving an aisle down c. Pa E. sits r., next to him sits Sassy, Abe, Sissy, Eph, Ma E. and Sam, in the order named. The guests sit back of this first row.} Now, den, eb'rybody 'pears to be easy. Go ahead, Mr. Jo-jam and 'splain yo'sef. Sam. Bo-jam. Sam Bo-jam, African colonizer. Pa E. Yas, sah ; yas, sah. 'Scuse me. 6 SAM BO-JAM, AND HIS AFRICAN COLONY Sam. I am of pure African lineage and I'm proud of it. Should I so desire I have the right to be called Count Bo-jam, as I hold letters patent from the queen Eph. Look a here, nigger, whut kinder dope you been in- halm 7 ? Abe. Shet up, Eph ! Sam. As I was saying I have letters patent Eph. I got a pair of patent leathers at home, mahsef, but I don't go 'round braggin' 'bout it. Ma E. Hish, Eph ! Sam. Letters patent, that confer on me the rank of Count. Sassy. Oh, Paw, we've got a real, live count in our house. Eph. And his name is Noah. Sam. Why do you say my name is Noah ? Eph. Noah Count. Sissy. Eph, will you please shut up ? Eph. Sartainly. Go on with yo' tale, Noah Count Bo-jam. Pa E. Eph, ef you interrupts agin, you don't git no roast goose. Eph. Den I takes no chances. ( Ties bandanna over his mouth.) Pa E. Go on, please, Count Bo-jam. Sam. Well, her majesty Queen Lukattiankilli Abe. Queen who ? Eph. Now, Abe, you shet up ! Sam. Lukattiankilli, Africa's widowed queen, has given to me letters patent that give to me, in addition to my title of Count, two million acres of fertile land, with the understand- ing that I am to colonize the land with American negroes. My ship, The Royal Shark, is now in Galveston Harbor, tak- ing on board negroes from Oklahoma and Texas. To each negro male will be awarded one hundred acres of land, a house to live in and the first year's supplies. As soon as we get the required number of negroes aboard, which will be about day after to-morrow, we set sail for Africa, there to be received by our rightful sovereign. Pa E. That's goin' some ! Ma E. And youse 'spectin' some of us to go 'long wid you on dis royal ship ? Sam. All of you that want to. Abe. Whut we got to pay ? SAM BO-JAM, AND HIS AFRICAN COLONY 7 Sam. Absolutely nothing. We transport you and your effects absolutely free. Pa E. Don't eben hab to wuk our passage? Sam. No. We have a native crew. All you- all will have to do is to recline at your ease, eat and drink your fill, during the entire voyage. What do you think of the scheme, Mr. Ermerline ? Pa E. Hit sounds good. Eph. Too good to be true. Ma E. Now, Eph Eph. Roast goose, or no goose, I can't keep mah mouf shet. Sam. I am very willing to answer any questions you may care to ask. Eph. Dis Majesty ob yoahs — Queen Look-at-it-an' -kill-it — did I comprehend you to say she's a widder? Sam. Yes. Eph. Winter oats or summer grass? Sam. How's that ? Eph. That is, is her husband livin' or dead ? Sam. Killed in battle. Abe. Does we have to do any fightin* ? Sam. No. Eph. How's Look- at-it-an' -kill-it for looks? Hab she got a good figur' ? Sam. She is the fairest lady, and the most beautifully formed, in all Africa. Ma E. Whut erbout de rest ob de popilation ? Sam. They are but little inferior to the queen. Ma E. Ain't they all awful black? Sam. Not in our section of Africa. Even a short stay in our section bleaches the skin of an American negro and makes him three shades whiter. Sassy. Maw, let's go along with Count Bo-jam. Sissy. Let's go, Paw. Pa E. Me and yo' mammy's too ole for new doin's — and you chiiiun can't go widout us ; but ef we wus twenty year younger, we'd be right thar. Ma E. We shore would, Paw. Sassy. Does you 'low to go, Abe? Abe. Maybe. Sissy. Is you goin', Eph? Eph. Not so's you could notice hit. Dis talkin* erbout changin' color don't listen good to me* I done talked to white 8 SAM BO-JAM, AND HIS AFRICAN COLONY gintlemens whut hab done towered all ober Africa, and dey done told me dat eb'ry last one ob dem niggers is black as ink. No, sah, I ain't goin' on no ship, not me. Sam. There' d be no place for you in Africa nohow . . . with one possible exception. Eph. Whut'sdat? Sam. You might fill the place of the queen's fool. Eph. I 'spec' youse mo' fermiliar wif de duties ob dat job. . . . Ef I wus to change mah mind and go I'd set mah cap for VVidder Look-at-it-an' -kill-it, yessah-ree ! But you needn't worry, 'cause I ain't goin'. Ef you wus on de squar you'd 'a' fetched erlong a sample ob dem beautiful African women wif you. (Enter, back a, Golden Rodd, a pretty octoroon, dressed in the topnotch of fashion, and heavily bejewe led ; she sweeps majestically to front, c.) 'Fore de Lawd ! Sam (rising). What is it, Golden? Gold. I got tired waiting in the auto, so I came in. Sam. Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to present a sample of African beauty, — Miss Golden Rodd. Eph. I thought it wus the queen, hersef. Gold. Her majesty, Lukattiankilli, wouldn't consider that a compliment ; she's ten times more beautiful than me. Abe. Count Bo-jam, when did you say yo' ship w r ould sail? Sam. Day after to-morrow. Abe. Count me in ! (There is a chorus of " And me, and me, and me," from the male guests. Eph kicks himself and appears despondent.') Sam. This is Mr. and Mrs. Ermerline, Goldie. Pa E. (shaking her hand). Sartainly glad to meet you. Gold. Thanks. Ma E. (shaking her hand). We shore is delighted. (Pa E. and Ma E. converse, r., with Sam and Gold. ; Sassy, Sissy and Abe join Eph, at l.) Abe. Now you see, you fool nigger, whut yo' hard haid done done. Eph. I nebber did hab no luck, nohow. Sassy. Abe, when you gits to be a millionaire count or somethin', will you send for me? Abe. I'll come after you in mah special ship. SAM BO-JAM, AND HIS AFRICAN COLONY 9 Sissy. Will you bring ernother millionaire erlong with you for me, Abe ? Eph. Huh ! reckon I ain't good ernuff for you. Sissy. Nothin' short of the nobility for mine. Ma E. I'm sho' delighted you'll slay to supper. I'll go dis minute and put dem goosies on de table. [Exit, r. Pa E. After supper you kin sign up all vvhut's goin' to Africa wid you. Abe. We're all a-goin'. (Chorus of male guests: " We shore is! Yes, indeedy ! Bet yo' lifer 1 Sam. How about you, Eph ? Sissy. Oh, will you let Eph go, too ? Sam. Why, certainly. What do you say, Eph ? Eph. Me for dat vvidder queen, Look-at-it-an' -kill-it ! (Gold, sings good ragtime song. All Join in chorus.) Enter Ma E., r. Ma E. Come on, chillun ; supper done ready ! (With a cheer, all go to door, r.) CURTAIN SCENE II SCENE. — Exterior drop suggestive of African jungle. Set log at c. {After rise of curtain, First, Second and Third Guard, off k., yell:" Wah-hoo-wah / " Pause. " Wah-hoo-wah!" Pause. Then Captain Tuff is heard to answer, off l. : " Wah-hoo-wah ! " Again, off r. .- " Wah-hoo-wah /" Enter Capt., l., in savage costume, spear in hand.) Capt. I-yi-i-yi, ki-yi-yi ! (He looks around expectantly.) First G. (off r.). Wah-hoo-wah ! Capt. Wa-hoo-wah-hoo-wah-hoo-wah ! (Leaps to l. En- ter First, Second and Third G., r., shouting: " I-yi-i-yi, ki-yi-yi /") Is you niggers seed anything? First G. We shore is, Cap'n. Capt. Whut you done see ? First G. Two strange niggers crawlin* 'long fru de bushes. Capt. Whut natiom-nality ? First G. Dey favors dat nigger fum Ameriky, Sam Bo-jam, whut got de queen to back 'im in dat fool colony enterprise. Capt. Hum-bum-ba-zum ! Is dey bearin' weepons? First G. Nary a weepon. Dey acts like dey wus mos' dead. Capt. Den we mus' pounce upon 'urn. Oogoo, you and Looloo run off dis heah way (pointing off l.), make a wide circumlocution and take 'urn in de back. Zobo and me' 11 hide heah and haid 'urn off. When you-all heah me holler, close in on 'urn. Now, run erlong ! First G. ) T ........ . Second G. } ^J 1 ** fa -J*W I [Exeunt, i, Capt. Now, Zobo ! Third G. (creeping off, l.). I-yi-i-yi-i-yi [Exit, l. Capt. Ki-yi-yi ! [Exit, l. (After a pause, Abe, very much bedraggled and travel worn, enters, r. He goes to log at c, and sits down with a deep sigh.) 10 SAM BO-JAM, AND HIS AFRICAN COLONY II Abe. I wonder ef dat nigger done lost hissef ? (Pause.) Eph, is you done lost yo'sef ? Eph (crawling in, r.). I reckon so — I dunno. Abe. Don't talk so loud. Here's a good log; come rest yo'sef. Eph. I will ef I kin git mah legs to wuk. (Crawls to log; rests against log ; sighs.) Abe. Eph, you won't git mad at me, will you, if I axes you a question ? Eph. I dunno. Try it. Abe. Well, then, whut does you think of Africa — whut you done seen of it ? How does you like it ? Eph. Like a little boy likes a bumble-bee whut's down in his pants, but ain't stung 'im yit. . . . Now, I wants to ax you a question. Abe. Yes ? Eph. I done got fermiliar wif de squawl ob tigers and de roars ob lions, and to bein' chased by rhin-os-rasses and hip- pot-nasses, but whut kind ob animal is it whut yells: " Wah- hoo-wah " ? Abe. Oh, shucks ! Dat's jest a plain ole ever day hoot- owl. Eph. How comes hit, den, dat he don't say : " Hoo-hoo- hoo-are-you " ? Abe. Dat's whut he do say, but he says it in de African language. Eph. Oh ! Abe. Does you reckon we was de onliest ones saved when de ship exploded ? Eph. De only ones I seed, arter dat submarine sent dat tor- peder into our midriff, whut looked like dey had a chance, wus Bo-jam and Golden Rodd. Dey wus hangin' on to a door, same as we wus. I nebber shall fergit how dem Oklahoma niggers wailed when de Royal Shark went down. Abe. Maybe we'll git damages sufficient out ob de country whut owned dat submarine to make us millionaires. Eph. I'd like to swap mah damage claim for a good ham sandwidge. How long since we et? Abe. Mah mem'ry says three days. Eph. Mah stomach says six months. ... I wonder whut Pa and Ma Ermerline and Sissy and Sassy's a-doin' ? • . . Dey had sence ernuff to stay at home. 12 SAM BO-JAM, AND HIS AFRICAN COLONY Abe. I 'spec* dey're all settin' around de table eatin' roast goose with drippin' gravy, and greens and taters and Eph. Nigger, shet up ! You'll run me clean 'stracted. . . . I could bust yo' haid in, anyhow, ebber time I think hit wus you fust said you'd go 'long wif dat Bo-jam. . . . I talked agin hit right from de start. Abe. Yes you did — till Golden Rodd come in. Then you wus as keen to come erlong as anybody. But, nebber mind, once we find dat African kingdom ob Sam Bo-jam's we'll be all right. Eph. Like as not when we do find hit thar'll be a elephant settin' on de throne and a spotted leopard 'tendin' door. . . . Abe, I'm so troubled in sperit, I'm goin' to sing a little song. Abe. Go ahead. (Eph sings suitable parody. At conclusion of parody First and Second G., in the distance, yell : " Wah-hoo-wah / " Eph. Did you hear dat ? Abe. Don't be afeered, it's jest them owls. Eph. Maybe hit's de sperits ob dem Oklahoma niggers whut went down in de Royal Shark. {Off R. again : " Wah-hoo-wah / ") Abe. Them owls does sound mighty queer. Eph. Dey sounds so queah dat I'm goin' from heah 1 Abe. So am I. (They start to L., and are confronted by Capt. and Third G. who enter l., flourishing spears and yelling ; " Ki-yi- ki-yi-yi-yi-yi / ") Eph. Hell's broke loose ! Run, Abe ! (Abe and Eph run to r., and are confronted by First and Second G. who enter r., yelling : " Ki-yi-yi y ki-yi-yi / ") Abe {running to a). Help ! Help ! {Drops to his knees. ) Eph {running to a). Don't shoot ! Don't shoot ! {Drops to knees.} SAM BO-JAM, AND HIS AFRICAN COLONY 1 3 Abe. We surrender ! Eph. We sur-ren-der ! {The Guardsmen have been yelling and flourishing their spears, surrounding Abe and Eph. They now lower their spears and burst into loud laughter.} Abe. Whut dem wild men laughin' for ? Eph. 'Cause dey's done ketched some soup meat. Abe. Tore de Lawd, is dey cannibals ? Eph. I reckon so. Dey acts like 'um. . . „ Is you gintlemen cannibals ? Capt. Naw, we's jest plain niggers like yo'seves. Abe (falling on Eph's neck). Thank heavens ! Eph. And de sun and moon and all de stars ! (Abe and Eph rise.) Whut make y'all jump out at us like dat? Capt. I'm Cap'n Tuff ob de queen's royal guards. I mus* take you-all pris'ners before her majesty de queen. Eph. Queen Look-at-it-an'-kill-it? Capt. Perzac'ly. Abe. Does de queen's pris'ners git anything to eat? Capt. Dey gits roast rhinos'rous meat three times a day. Eph. Lead on, Cap'n Tuff ! Rhinos'rous meat hit may be tough, But dis heah nigger's gwine to stuff Until he's shore he's got ernough. (Abe and Eph exeunt in custody of the Capt. and his men, l.) CURTAIN SCENE III SCENE. — An exterior suggestive of the tropics. At back c. are steps leading up to a raised platform, on which there is a rustic throne large enough to accommodate two persons. {Before the curtain rises, shouting is heard off R.,from many throats ; the shouting continues until the curtain is tip.) Herald {blowing horn). Make way for her mightiness. {Cheers.) Lukattiankilli! {Cheers.) By grace ob Gawd, queen ob all Africa ! {Cheers.) Empress ob de Foozle-jooks and sovereign ob de Arkipelico ! {Prolonged cheers. En- ter Her., r., tin horn in hand from which is hanging a pen- nant ; he mounts platform and stands at r. of throne. Her. blows horn.) The royal guard! {Enter C apt. followed by twelve Guardsmen ; they march once around stage and stand in tine at L. 3 facing r. Her. blows horn.) Ladies and gin- tlemen ob de court! {Enter, K.,flve couples ; they stand in line r., facing l. Her. blows horn.) Josh-oshy, the queen's fool 1 {Enter, r., Josh-oshy. He jabbers and cuts capers ; mounts steps and sits with mock dignity in centre of throne. Her. blows horn.) Hot-foot, de dead king's page ! {Enter Hot-foot, R., bearing the crown and royal robes of the king. He stands at foot of steps, r. Her. blows horn.) Hojo, the prime minister! {Enter Hojo, r., carrying in his hand his staff of office. He mounts the steps and stands at l. of throne. Hek. blows horn.) Her exquisite royal highness, Queen Lukattiankilli ! Enter Queen Lukattiankilli, r.; her royal robe has long trai?i which is held off floor by two little pickaninnies dressed as pages. Queen. Whut, ho ! Hab we a new king on de frone ob our fathers ? Josh. 'Tain't de fust time a fool hab set on a frone, friend Lukatti. {He jumps up and springs lightly to foot of steps l.) *4 SAM BO-JAM, AND HIS AFRICAN COLONY 1 5 Queen. Well said, friend Joshy. {She sweeps majestically to throne and sits. The pages arrange her train and sit on steps at her feet. Hot. comes to c, faces Queen, kneels and exte?ids dead king's robe and crown toward Queen.) Once more we are privileged to look on our departed consort's sad regalia, to greet our faithful subjects and stout-hearted guards- men. All. Gawd sabe de queen ! (Hot. resumes his place at r.) Queen. Hojo, whut bizness ob importance confronts us? Ho jo. Your majesty, peace hab been declar'd wif our erst- while enemies, de Tootie-loot-i-cans. Queen. 'Tis well. Hojo. Dem two 'Merica niggers hab been well fed, hab recooterated and await audjence wif yo' imperial highness. Queen. Let them be brought befo' us. (Capt. and two Guardsmen exit, r.) Josh. Is yo' heart under lock and key, friend Lukatti ? Queen. Why, good Joshy ? Josh. Dem 'Merica niggers is powerful handsome; dey may be widder-ketchers. (Abe and Em enter, r., in custody of Capt. and Guards.) Eph. Whut kinder baboon show is dis? Abe. Shet up ! Capt. Face de queen, and pay her obedience. (Capt. and Guards resume their places at l.) Eph. I ain't got none of that kinder money. Abe. Do as I do, ignoramus. {Faces Queen.) Good- even in', Queen. Eph. How's mah baby? Hojo {indignantly). What ! Eph. I means how's yo* health, Queen Look-at-it-an'- kill-it? Hojo. This is an outrage S Cap'n, arrest them furreigners ! (Capt. goes to Abe and Eph. The Queen laughs heartily.) Eph. Whut we done done, Cap'n? l6 SAM BO-JAM, AND HIS AFRICAN COLONY Capt. Ernuff to lose yo' heads. Eph. Queen Look-at-it-an' -kill-it, me and this other nigger don't mean no harm. Ho jo. Summon Dashem, the executioner. Abe. Lawdy ! Lavvdy ! Queen. No, no, dear Hojo, you forgit dat dese niggers are 'Mericans and unfermiliar wif de manners ob court. Eph. Yes, dear Hobo, de queen am right. Hojo. As you will, your majesty. Loose them, Cap'n ! (Capt. resumes place at l.) Eph. Thanks. Abe. Will you shet up ! Queen. We hab summoned you-all into de royal presence to gib a account ob de destruction ob Count Bo-jam's ship, de Royal Shark. Abe. Well, de ship wus jest a-glidin' thru de water, when erlong comes a submarine and blows us all to — to Eph. To hallelujah. Queen. Was dere any survivors 'sides yo'seves ? Abe. We don't know. Queen {distressed). When, oh, when, did you last see dear Count Bo-jam ? Eph. I seen ole Noah — I mean de Count — hangin' on to a door and fightin' for his life. Queen. Summon Bohunkus, the soothsayer. [Exit Capt., r. Hojo. You 'Mericans may stand aside. Abe. Yes, sah. Eph. We'll do dat very thing. (Abe and Em stand at r., front.) Abe (to Eph). You see, Bo-jam tole de truf 'bout bein' a count. Eph. But he shore done lied 'bout de color ob dese Africans. . . . But, eben at dat, Look-at-it-an' -kill-it sho' do look good to me. (Capt. reenters, followed by Bohunkus, an old woman.) Bo. (to c, bowing low). Whut would yo' highness know from de least ob all yo' servants ? Eph (to Abe). She's a conjurer. SAM BO-JAM, AND HIS AFRICAN COLONY 1 7 Abe. Keep quiet. Queen. Kin you tell me aught ob mah good ship, the Royal Shark ? Bo. She rests a thousand leagues beneath the sea. Queen {anxiously). And de survivors ? Bo. Alas, dere is but two. Queen (putting handkerchief to eyes). You may retire, Bohunkus. Bo. {backing to r.). Gawd sabe yo' royal highness. Gawd sabe yo' royal highness. [Exit, r. Queen {removing handkerchief from eyes). 'Tis sad news. We had planned great honors for Count Bo-jam. Josh. 'Twas eben whispered dat he soon might ascend a frone. Queen. Yes, we confess, we had some sech intention. {Sighs.) But we must not grieve. Summon our dancin' gals to soothe our feelin's. {Enter Dancing Girls, r. ; they dance before the Queen and exeunt.) Still our grief am unassuaged. Hot-foot, you wus ebber de dead king's vocal comforter. Sing us a soothin' melody. (Hot. sings a lively ragtime song, all joining in the chorus, Hot. dancing the chorus.) Eph. Dat Hot-foot is some singer, but he can't dance, — no, ma'am ! Queen. Maybe you would favor us wif a 'Merica break- down. Eph. Den hit up " Turkey in de Straw/ ' 'cause dis here nig- ger's gwine to cut up 1 {Orchestra plays " Turkey in de Straw," and Eph. dances jig ; all the others clap time and express satisfaction with his dancing, especially the Queen. At conclusion of dance, the Queen takes the staff of office from the prime minis- ter* s hand and descends a step or two from platform.) Queen. Sech talent shall not go unrewarded ; come here, you dancin' prodigy ! Eph {going to her). Whut I done done now? Queen. Down on your knee ! (Eph kneels.) Abe. I knowed dat nigger gwine git in trouble I 1 8 SAM BO-JAM, AND HIS AFRICAN COLONY Queen (touching Eph's left shoulder with staff \ Rise up, Ephrum, Duke ob Rump-i-stiddy-bump-i-ty and possessor ob de two million acres ob land I had intended for Count Bo-jam. All. Gawd sabe de noble duke ! (Eph rises.) , Eph. Am I dreamin' ? Josh. Friend Lukatti, why not complete de job, and gib de Duke de Count's warm place in yo' affections ? Queen. Whut says Duke Ephrum to dat? Eph. Ef you wants me, Look-at-it, I'm yo' meat. Queen. 'Tis well. Infest him wid de royal robes. (Hot. puts robe and crown o?i Eph.) All. Gawd sabe de royal consort ! Gawd sabe de king ! Eph. Abe, didn't I say all erlong dat I wus goin' to ketch dat widder's fancy? Abe. You shore wus borned lucky. Enter Sam, r., bedraggled and travel- stained. All. Sam Bo-jam ! Sam. Lukattiankilli, what's the meaning of this? Queen. 'Fore de Lawd, is you a ghost? Sam. No, I'm very much alive. Queen. Summon de executioner ! Sam. What are you going to do ? Queen. Hab dat deceitful Bohunkus's head chopped off. She told me dat you had gone to de bottom ob de sea wif de Royal Shark. So I done publicly plighted mah troff to Eph- rum and give him all yo' possessions. Eph. He kin hab all his possessions back, 'cep' mah baby queen. Enter Dashem, r. Queen. Dashem ? Dash. Yes, yo' majesty? Queen. 'Tend to choppin' off Bohunkus's haid. Eph. Wait a minute, Dashem ! (Gold, enters r., and joins Sam.) Lawdy, here's Miss Golden Rodd ! Queen. Who is she ? Sam. A young lady from my home town, New Orleans. With your majesty's permission I'll make her my wife. SAM BO-JAM, AND HIS AFRICAN COLONY 19 Queen. You have mine. Eph. And mine, too. . . . Dashem, you needn't bother dat Bohunkus, 'cause she done done me a favor. . . . Abe, whut you studyin' erbout ? Abe. I wus jest wonderin' where I wus goin' to fit in to all these doin's. Eph. I makes you mah royal envoy to de United States to 'quaint Pa and Ma Ermerline, Sassy and Sissy, and de Presi- dent at Washington, dat Ephrum Johnson's gwine to sit on de frone ob Africa by de side ob Queen Look-at-it-an' -kill-it ! (All sing and dance a good closing chorus.) CURTAIN LOST— A CHAPERON A Comedy in Three Acts by Courtney Bruerton and W. S. Maulsby. Six male, nine female characters. Costumes, modern ; scenery, an in- terior and an exterior. Plays a full evening. A lot of college girls in camp lose their chaperon for twenty- four hours, and are provided by a camp of college boys across the lake with plenty of excitement. The parts are all good, the situations are very funny and the lines full of laughs. Recommended for high-school performance. Price, 25 cents THE PRIVATE TUTOR A Farce in Three Acts by E. J. Whisler. Five male, three female char- acters. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two simple interiors. Plays two hours. Tells of the endeavors of two college boys to disguise the fact that they have been " rusticated " from the family of one of them. Hans Dinklederfer, the leader of a German band, trying to make good in the character of a private tutor, is a scream. All the parts are good. A capital high-school play. Price, 25 cents THE REBELLION OF MRS. BARCLAY A Comedy of Domestic Life in Two Acts by May E. Countryman. Three male, six female characters. Costumes, modern; scenery, easy interiors. Plays one hour and three-quarters. A clever and amusing comedy with all the parts evenly good. There are many Mr. Barclays all over this country, and Mrs. Barclay's method of curing her particular one will be sympathetically received. Good Irish comedy parts, male and fe- male. Strongly recommended. Price, 25 cents THE TRAMPS' CONVENTION An Entertainment in One Scene for Male Characters Only by Jessie A. Kelley. Seventeen male characters. Costumes, typical tramp dress ; scenery, unimportant. Plays an hour and a half. An entertainment in the vaudeville class, with possibilities of unlimited fun. Music can be in- troduced, if desired, though this is not necessary. The opening is very funny and original and the finish — The Ananias Club — can be worked up to any extent. Strongly recommended. Price, 25 cents THE DAY THAT LINCOLN DIED A Play in One Act by Prescott Warren and Will Hutchins. Five male, two female characters. Costumes, modern ; scene, an easy exterior. Plays thirty minutes. A very effective play suited for a Lincoln Day entertain- ment. It offers plenty of comedy, and is a piece that we can heartily recommend. Professional stage-rights reserved. Price, 25 cents PA'S NEW HOUSEKEEPER A Farce in One Act by Charles S. Bird. Three male, two female char- acters. Modern costumes ; scenery, a simple interior or none at all. Plays forty minutes. Jack Brown, visiting his chum, is tempted by his success in college theatricals to make up in the character of the new housekeeper, an attractive widow, who is expected but does not arrive. He takes in everybody and mixes things up generally. All the parts are first rate and the piece full of laughs. Strongly recommended. Frice % /j ants JOLLY PLAYS FOR HOLIDAYS A Collection of Christmas Plays for Children By Carolyn Wells COMPRISING The Day Before Christmas. Nine males, eight females. A Substitute for Santa Claus. Five males, two females. Is Santa Claus a Fraud ? Seventeen males, nine females and chorus. The Greatest Day of the Year. Seven males, nineteen females. Christmas Gifts of ail Nations. Three males, three females and chorus. The Greatest Gift. Ten males, eleven females. The plays composing this collection are reprinted from " The Ladies' Home Journal " of Philadelphia and other popular magazines in answer to a persistent demand for them for acting purposes. Miss Wells' work requires no introduction to a public already familiar with her wit, her hu- mor and her graceful and abundant fancy, all of which attractive qualities are amply exemplified in the above collection. These plays are intended to be acted by young people at the Christmas season, and give ample sug- gestions for costuming, decoration and other details of stage production. These demands are sufficiently elastic in character, however, to make it possible to shorten and simplify the performance to accommodate almost any stage or circumstances. The music called for is of the simplest and most popular sort, such as is to be found in every household and memory. This collection can be strongly recommended. Price y cloth, post-paid by mail, 60 cents net CHEERY COMEDIES FOR CHRISTMAS A Collection of Plays, Pantomimes, Tableaux, Readings, Recitations, Illustrated Poems, etc., Suitable for Use at Christmas By Edith M. Burrows, Gertrude M. Henderson, and others CONTENTS The Awakening of Christmas. A Christmas Operetta for children. Twenty-five boys and thirty-two girls, or may be played by a less number if desired. Scenery and costumes easily arranged ; music selected from popular sources. A Christmas Strike. A very easy entertainment for four boys and three girls. Santa's Surprise. For thirty-three children, or less if desired, and a man to impersonate Santa Claus. The Syndicated Santa Claus. For three males and two females (adults), who speak, and any number of children. Krias Kr ingle's Panorama. A collection of tableaux, recitations, etc. Price, 23 cents PICKING A WINNER A Farce in Three Acts By Mac Pherson Janney Nine males, five females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two interiors. Plays two hours. Three foreign noblemen in pursuit of the millions of an American heiress disguise themselves as a cook, a chauffeur, and a butler, and enter her employ. The police force of McNabb, 111., embodied in a rustic disciple of Sherlock Holmes, misconceives them and causes a lot ot fun for everybody but them. Very funny and original and strongly recommended. Professional rights reserved. Price, 23 cents CHARACTERS Sir Francis Mac Donald, who wants Blanche. Count Alexandre, who wants Blanche s money. The Earl of Norton, also desirous of Blanches coin. The Grand Duke Ruffievitch, equally keen after Blanche s wealth. Col. Arthur Hopkins, the police force of McNabb, Illinois. Fred 1 Mervyn > three gilded youths. Frank ) Hawkins, Lady Janet 's butler. Blanche Kane, an American heiress. Lady Janet Mac Donald, Sir Francis aunt. Isabelle Foster j Olga Foster > three American heiresses. Stella Foster ] THE FIRST NATIONAL BOOT A Farce in Two Acts By M. G. Seven males, two females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, a single in- terior. Plays one hour. Intended to be played by male actors only. Isry Ebbetts's distrust of banks leads him to keep his money in a rubber boot. The fact that he never banks his receipts and his known possession of the " Ebbetts fortune " make him an object of interest to Nine-Fingered Pete and others, including two suffragettes with prohibition ideas. His troubles are many, but he comes out all right. Very funny, Can be recommended. Price, ij cents CHARACTERS "Isry" Ebbetts, owner of Hamderi s Center Store. Eddy Rias, his clerk. Andrew Strong, a mysterious stranger from Portland. Francesca Willets ) members of Hamderis Edwina Bemis J Reform League. Archenbachus Herodotus Snooze, a member of Pinkunis De- tective Agency. Foggerty Young, towri constable. Thomas Rustan, a practical joker. Squire Peckham, chairman of the town council* Farmers. COLLEGE DAYS A College Comedy in Three Acts By George M. Rosener Ten males, four females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two interiors and an exterior. Plays two hours. Quincy Jordan, the son of a tyrannical farmer, wins a scholarship offered by a prominent newspaper and throws off the paternal yoke. At Westward College, which he has chosen be- cause the girl he loves is there, he is at first disadvantaged by his circum- stances, but he soon makes good both with head and fists and not cnly defeats the plot for his downfall that his rivals lay for him, but comes out a victor in college, wins the girl he loves, and carries all before him. A fine piece with many fine parts ; strongly recommended. Lots of come ly. Professional rights reserved. Price, 25 cents CHARACTERS Quincy Jordan, a farmer. Quincy, Jr., his son. Squire Drake, a rich farmer. Jerome, his son. Uncle Hez, a town character. Poor House Onnie, another. Paul Prye, the bully. Professor Rex, a teacher. Hal Dexter, a student. Harry C. Graham, a politician. Jim Brady, a reporter. Jersey, Quincy Jordan s wife. Violet, Squire Drake s daughter. Aunt Sally, a town character. Any number of students. SYNOPSIS Act I. — Exterior of Quincy Jordan's farm, near the summet school of Westward College. Act II. — Exterior of Westward College. The home of Professor Rex. Act III. — Quincy, Jr.'s, law office out West four years later. THE COLLEGE POLITICIAN A College Farce Comedy in Three Acts By H. W. Weis and D. T. Howard ^ Sixteen males, five females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, three inte- riors. Plays two hours. Ted Kingsley, an outsider, applies the political methods of the outside world to the problem of winning the election for football manager in his college and, after an exciting campaign in which he shows great ability in this line and sets the college on end, he wins the office and the sister of his rival at one blow. An exciting play, with the true college atmosphere. Lots of good parts ; not difficult j well recom mended. Price, 13 cents JL lit. Pinero's Plays Price, 50 0c:its each Mill PHANNFI I* la y in Four Acts, Six males, five females. lYlll/-\^0/\nii£iLi Costumes, modern; scenery, three interiors, Plays two and a half hours. THE NOTORIOUS MRS. EBBSMITH i^r^Tt males, five females. Costumes, modern; scenery, all interiors. Plays a full evening. THF PRHFIir'ATF Play in Four Acts. Seven males. fi\*e * "*-« * I\V/r LilVlri 1 £4 females. Scenery, three interiors, rather elaborate ; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. THF QfHflfll MIQTRFQQ Farce in Three Acts. Nine males, lilLi J^IlUULiiUlOIIVLiOO seven females. Costumes, mod- ern; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. THE SECOND MRS. TANQUERAY &*,££*& females. Costumes, modern; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. ^SWFFT I AVFNHFR Comedyin Three Acts. Seven males, O Yf LdLi 1 Ld\ Y LjI\ULjI\ f our females. Scene, a single interior, costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. THE THUNDERBOLT Comedy in Four Acts. Ten males, nine females. Scenery, three interi- ors; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. THF TIMFS ^ omec *y ^ n Four Acts. Six males, seven females. 1 rid 1 1 If 1 Li O Scene, a single interior ; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. THF WFAKTU rama in Five Acts. Nine males, five females. Cos- vAWlIl^Liw tumes, modern ; scenery, varied. Plays a full evening. INfiflMAft Pl a y i n Five Acts. Thirteen males, three females. ll!UUlTl/il\ Scenery varied ; costumes, Greek. Plays a full evening. MABY STUART Tra g ed y in Five Acts. Thirteen males, four fe- IH 4I\1 J IUAA1 males, and supernumeraries. Costumes, of the period ; scenery, varied and elaborate. Plays a full evening. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE SSSSjfiSSS^SS: &£££ picturesque ; scenery varied. Plays a full evening. RlfHFI IFI1 P la Y i* 1 Five Acts. Fifteen males, two females. Scen- 1MWIILLILU er y elaborate ; costumes of the period. Plays a full evening. THF RIVAI S Comedy in Five Acts. Nine males, five females. llllv AM ALiiJ Scenery varied; costumes of the period. Plays a full evening. SHE STAftPQ TO rnVHTIFP Comedv in Five Acts. Fifteen JUL, JIVUrj IV VUliyUER males, four females. Scenery va- ried ; costumes of the period. Plays a full evening. TWELFTH NIGHT; OR, WHAT YOU WILL SrttJSS three females. Costumes, picturesque ; scenery, varied. Plays a full evening. Sent prepaid on receipt of price by Salter 1$, OBafeer & Company No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 8. J. PARKHILL ft CO.. PRINTERS, BOSTON. U.S.A.