NO PLAYS EXCHANGED Bugbee's Popular Plays fA O <"i i -^ \ { The Old Class Reunion BY WILLIS N. BUQBEE PRICE 2S CENTS TheWillisN. Bugbee Co. SYRACUSE, N. Y. The Bugbee Entertainments ARE FAVORITES EVERYWHERE Some Class. Commencement Play in 4 acts by- Edith F. A. U. Painton, 6m., 9f. Claimed to be the best commencement play on the market. Full of good healthy humor. Time 1 hour 40 min. 35 cents. Aunt Sophronia at College^ College comedy in 3 acts by Willis N. Bugbee. One of the best short plays we have ever offered. Full of fun from start to finish. 5m., 7i, Time 1J4 hrs. 25 cents. Billy's Aunt Jane. Comedy in 3 acts by Willis N. Bugbee. For school or community. Good darkey character. 8m., 7f. Time lj4 to 2 hours. 25 cents. Patriotism at Boggsville. Play for grammar grades. 8m., 5f. Good for indoors or out. A very up-to-date play. Time, 30 minutes. 25 cents. Graduation at Gayville. A play for grammar grades. 6m., 6f. Includes a mock commencement, class poem, etc. Time, 30 minutes. 25 cents. Coonville 'Ristocrat Club. A darkey play for church or school or any occasion. Clean and wholesome. 6m., 6f. Time, 1 hour. 25 cents. Darktown Social Betterment S'ciety. A good whole- some darkey play. Very funny. For 9 male charac- ters. Time, 30 minutes. 25 cents. Uncle Eben's S'prise Party. Here is another splen- did negro play. It certainly is a surprise party. 6m., 6f. Time, 30 min. 25 cents. Uncle Si and the Sunbeam Club. A delightful play for grammar grades. Opportunity for specialties. 7m., 7f. Time, 30 min. 25 cents. The Willis N. Bugbee Co., Syracuse, N. Y. Bugbee's Popular Plays Ike Ola Class Reunion By WILLIS N. BUGBEE Author of "Billy's Aunt Jane," "Aunt Sophronia at College," "Graduation at Gayville," Mrs. Deacon Spriggs," "Coonville 'Bistocrat Club," etc., etc. Copyright 1919, by Willis N. Bugbee THE WILLIS N. BUGBEE CO. SYRACUSE. N. Y. ^ ^ ^"^ The Old Class Reunion Hon. Hiram P. Tucker — .^...A Senator and Politician Myron A. Green. ^ An Enterprisir^ Stockraiser Henry U. Grant ,u..-. — .An Erstwhile Inventor John H. Hillis A Local Merchant Albert T. Hooker. Editor of ''The Blankville News Journal'* Ralph W. Spicer....^.... A Clergyman Percy A. Montgomery A Successful Traveler (Commercial) Mrs. John H. Hd^lis ^ Formerly Alice Pitcher Mrs. Norman Fisher Formerly Elsie Williams Mrs. Alexander Van de Griff. Once plain Amanda Spriggins Mrs. Thomas Smith ....^....Formerly Dorothy Mae Goodman Mrs. Joshua Bigger Formerly Martha Stout Miss E. Louise Jackson ......^ A ^'Gifted'* Poetess Dr. Fannie E. Pfndleton, M. D. The costumes and makeup should represent people of middle age and should "be in keeping witth the occupations suggested. OCT 23 1919 C-.-n 52 029 •vtO I ^ THE OLD CLASS REUNION The Old Class Reunion Scene: A school hall or assembly room decorated with pen- nants and festoons of rihhon or paper to represent the old class colors. Me. and Mss. Hillis and Henry Grant are discovered completing the decorations, John. Well, everything's ready for the Alumni banquet of the famous class of 19 . Henry* Let's see — you said you had received a reply from every one of the old class, didn't you? Mrs. H. Yes — from every one. Strange, too, that after thirty years every one of our old class should be alive and well. John. And if they do come it will be the first time we have all met together in the halls of our Alma Mater since that evenit- ful night in June, 19 . Henry. A wonderful class it was. Nothing like it had ever happened before in the annals of our school history. John. At least in our opinion. Mrs. H. And what high ideals each one of us had. We shall soon see how nearly we measure up to those standards we had set for ourselves. Henry. Some of us, I fear, have sadly failed. John. And some others have no doubt reached far beyond their goal. Henry. That was always the way in school — some always had perfect lessons and others never had them. I am afraid I was one of the latter. Mrs. H. Ah, here are some of our old classmates coming now. Who can they be? Henry. That's more than I can tell you — and yet their faces look familiar. {Enter Albert^ Hooker, Hon. H, P. Tucker and Mybon Green.) Henry. Welcome, thrice welcome, classmates of 19 . Albert. Well, well, Henry Grant, how are you anyway? and John Hillis — and Alice Pitcher. (All shake hands heartily,) ^ 4 THE OLD CLASS REUNION Henry. She is Mrs. Hillis — John's wife — ^now. Albert. What? Alice and John married? Mrs. H. Yes, and I do believe this is Bert Hooker and Myron Green. John. And Hiram Tucker. How do you do, Hi? I'm mighty glad to see you. Hiram. And I am glad to see you, too, John — my old chum of thirty years ago. Henry. And here are more coming. (Enter Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Van de Griff and E. Louise Jackson. ) John. Well, now who have we here? Henry. They've got me stopped. Anyway they are welcome to our city. Mrs. H. I think I know — ^^it's Louise Jackson and Manda Spriggins — or Mrs. Van de Griff, I should say. Now aren't you? Albert. By George! That's so, and if here isn't Elsie Williams! Mrs. Fisher. Mrs. Norman Fisher now. Albert. No matter, we're just as glad to see you for all that. Mrs. V. And I assure you we're equally as glad to be here. Louise. Doesn't it seem like the good old times though. Myron. Like the good old times of thirty years ago Mrs. F. Thirty years? Why, it doesn't seem possible, does it? Myron. And yet there have been many changes in that time. (Enter Ralph.) Ralph. Thirty years, did I hear you say? Henry. Well, well, well, if here isn't our old friend, Ralph Waldo Spicer! How are you, old chap? John. Remember, Henry, this is the Rev. Mr. Spicer now. Henry. I beg your pardon, sir, I didn't mean to be rude. Ralph. Tut, tut, my boy, no apologies are needed. We are boys and girls again tonight. Albert. You're right, Ralph. As Holmes says: "Hang the Almanac's cheat and the Catalogue's spite! Old Time is a liar! We're twenty tonight!" John. Let's see — how many are here now? Mrs. H. Ten — and four more to come. John. Well, here are two of the four. (Enter Percy Montgomery and Mrs. Bigger.) Hiram. How are you, Percy Montgomery? Say, this is great. (They shake hands.,) Percy. Isn't it, though. I'm right glad to see you. Louise. And here's Martha Stout. Why, Martha, you look just the same as you did that night we graduated. Mrs. V. I Sure enough, it's Martha Stout! Mrs. F. I Mrs. B. No, you are all wrong. I am Mrs. Joshua Bigger now. THE OLD CLASS REUNION 5 Albert. Bigger, did you say? You were Stout once but now you're Bigger. Haw! haw! haw! Mrs. B. I see you are as full of your jokes as ever. Albert. And why shouldn't I be? It's better to laugh than to cry. Mrs. B. I thought you might grow more sedate with age, you know. Albert. Age? What are you talking about? We're none of us old. I quote Holmes again: "We're twenty tonight, who says we are more?" (Enter Dorothy Smith.) Mrs. V. (rushing forward and clasping her in her arms). And here's Dorothy Mae Goodman! You dear, dear girl! I'm so giad. Dorothy. And so am I, Amanda. Such splendid times we had tGgether! I shall never forget them. Johzn. Well look! Here comes the last of our famous class. He^^ry. Last but not least — Dr. Fannie Ellsworth Pendleton. (Enter Fannie.) Several. Sure enough, it's Fannie. (They crowd around her.) Myron. We welcome you as our classmate, but we hope that your professional services will not be needed this evening. Fannie. I hope not, for indeed I've had so much to do I had barely time to catch the train. Louise. We hear you have made a great success of your work. Fannie. That is just as people look at it. However, I'll tell you more about it later. Ralph. I think we shall all have opportunity to tell of eur victories and defeats. By the way, who is to be our president since we have no regular alumni organization? Mrs. F. Let us have the same officers we had when we graduated. Ralph. Let's see — ^Hiram was our president as I remember. John. Yes, and Alice was our secretary Mrs. H. I have already assumed or rather re-assumed the duties of that office. Ralph. And who was vice-president? My memory fails me. Henry. Why, Percy was vice-president. Percy. With never anything to do. Henry. And Myron was treasurer, as I recollect. Myron. And I still have a balance of five cents in the treasury. Dop^THY. After all these years? Myron. I have kept it as a reminder of those dear old days. Hiram. Fellow classmates, if I am to be the presiding officer I feel it my duty to call this meeting to order at once. (All take seats.) Dear Colleagues — I mean Classmates: It is with the greatest pleasure that I assume the duties of presiding officer of this legislative body — I mean this alumni gathering. We have been called from various parts of the country and from different walks 6 THE OLD CLASS RETTNION in life to renew here this evening our friendship and associations of High School days. It matters not whether our lives have been successes or failures, we are all classmates still and shall, I hope, continue to remain so until the end of life. Many of us have never met since that eventful day in June when we received our diplomas from this dear old High. I -think it will be very interesting if each onej will tell us the story of his or her life during the past thirty years. This may be done as the secretary calls the roll. Alice — I mean, Mrs. Hillis — will you proceed with the roll call? Mrs. H. Certainly. I shall call each one by the names we used to know and I will begin with our worthy president, Hiram Philip Tucker. It is rumored that he has climbed^ high on the ladder of Fame. Hiram. I can only say that whatever height I have at- tained has been reached by hard and patient climbing. I worked my way through High School and through College and after that I entered the law office of Hodge & Podge. Then I went into politics and — do I see some of you laughing? John You were always a politician, Hi. Hiram. Maybe so — at any rate I have succeeded fairly well. I have just been elected to the State Senate for the third term. Whatever have been my duties and wherever they have called me I have always kept our class motto in mind: "Ever Onward and Upv/ard." Albert. Married, Hi? Hiram. Yes, sir — married the finest girl in the state — the daughter of our party leader. Henry. You certainly have a head for business, Hi. Mrs. H. Next is Myron Alonzo Green. Myron. Well, as you all know, I entered Mossville Agricul- tural School the next year after my graduation from here. Then my grandfather died and left me a snug little sum which I at once invested in full-blooded. Holstein cattle. The next thing I did was to marry a sister of that "finest girl in the state," and Hiram and I live in the same town. Mrs. p. How delightful! Myron. And I wish to say that if any of you come to our town just inquire for the "Sunnyslope Stock Farm*' and there you'll find me and my wife and a hearty welcome for you all. Hiram. Allow me to Join in that invitation. Mrs. H. Well, now here comes Elsie Genevieve Williams. Mrs. p. I can relate my history for the past thirty years in a very few words. After leaving here I entered the Normal School and graduated from there four years later. I secured a position as grade teacher at Blankville and it was while teach- ing there that I became acquainted with Mr. Benjamin Pisher, a promising young druggist — that is, he promised to provide a com- fortable home for both of us and — well, he has kept his promise, that's all I've got to say. Martha, I congratulate you. You can have all the sodas you want for nothing. Mrs. p. I am not as crazy for them as I used to be. Mrs. H. Edna Louise Jackson is next. THE OLD CLASS REUNION 7 Louise. Oh dear! Must I tell everything — my failures and disappointments and all? Hiram. No, Miss Jackson, we do not wish you to go too deeply into your personal affairs if by so doing it will cause you embarrassment. Louise. Oh, thank you! Thank you! I will only tell you of my life work. I first began writing news items for the Buzz- ville Courier Then I ventured into poetry, and after climbing Parnassus' Heights and loitering and browsing beside the bab- bling brooks I have entered into the broad green fields of fiction. And oh! Such rich and fertile fields they are! Mykon. If they're any richer than mine they must be some fields. Louise. Oh, but you do not, you can not understand. Lit- erature is so different from other vocations. It is so diversified. Hiram. Any money in it? That's the all important ques- tion today. Louise. As to that I cannot say yet, but I have great hopes. I have written a beautiful novel entitled "The Romance of a Chicken," and several charming poems, one of which is dedi- cated to this very class. Shall I read it to you? Hiram. Better wait until after the roll call. Mrs. H. Next is Percy Algernon Montgomery, b^ Percy. As you all know, geography was my favorite study. ^it was always my ambition to travel. Albert. We know you used to travel around with the girls considerably. Percy. For over twenty-five years I have been gratifying my ambitions — I have done nothing but travel. Ralph. Twenty-five years of traveling must have taken you pretty much all over the world, hasn't it? Percy. Hardly so. I have my regular route — as a commer- cial traveler. {Several say "OTi!") Mrs. V. You were always such a ladies' man, I suppose you are married, of course. Percy. That's the trouble. I never could quite decide be- tween them so I am still a bachelor. But if I have failed in that respect I have been very successful in my calling. I have been called the best salesman in my line. John. What is your line may I ask? Percy. Corsets — we handle the best fitting corsets in the world. Mrs. H. Ralph Waldo Spicer is next. Ralph. It was always my intention to become a doctor of medicine, but Fate has made me a doctor of divinity I early became convinced that it was my mission in life to minister to men's souls rather than to their bodies. After receiving my col- lege degree and becoming a full-fledged minister, I was appointed to my present charge in the city of , an(^ I have good reason to believe that my work there has been greatly blessed. Fannie. Isn't it good to know that at least one of our class has trod the straight and narrow path? Mrs. H. Next is Martha Bell Stout. Mrs. B. I was born and brought up on a farm and have 8 THE OLD CLASS REUNION always loved country life, so when Joshua Bigger popped the question to me I at once accepted him and I've never been sorry for it since We have been very prosperous; my husband has succeeded his father as Squire Bigger; and we have three little Biggers nearly ready for High School. If any of you ever come over to we'd be real glad to have you come and see us. Joshua's a great hand to visit. By the way, I've brought some carnations? (any flower), our class flower. Every year we have a delightful bed of them in our front dooryard. Sevebal. How lovely! Mrs. H. Next on the roll is Amanda Ann Spriggins. Mrs. S. I, too, was born and bred on a farm, but I never liked farm life. I detested it. So when the rich Mr. Van de Griff came to spend the summer at our house and then invited me to spend the winter with them in New York, I was only too glad to accept the invitation. As a result I married the younger son, Alexander Van de Griff, who has become one of the leading stock brokers of New York. We have a beautiful home on Fifth Ave- nue and a summer home in the suburbs. I have everything that heart could desire. Dorothy. How very fortunate you are! Mey. H. Albert Thomas Hooker is next. Albert. All I've got to say is that I am sole proprietor aiji' editor of the *'Blankville News-Journal." I started as errand W4 and worked my way to the top until now I'm the whole cheese— I mean the whole thing. I conduct a fearless sheet. I am not afraid to say what I think, no matter where it hits, and thereby I've made many enemies as well as many friends. John. You were always a fearless speaker, Al. Albert. And I haven't grown any less so. Mrs. H. Henry Ulyssus Grant. Henry. You've heard the proverb, "A rolling stone gathers no moss?" Well, that's nje all over, I'm the embodiment of that proverb. I've never been known to remain in any one occupa- tion for more than a year or two at a stretch. I've been farmer, carpenter, grocer, painter, bookkeeper, huckster and a few other things, and a failure in every one. But I have brighter hopes for the future. Louise. You and I are both looking to the future. Ralph. What's your present occupation, Henry. Hfnry. I am an inventor. You know I was always great on science. Well, just at present I am at work on a new source of power for automobiles — something that will sell for about one-fourth the price of gasoline Myron. Say, when you get that on the market just let me know about it Henry. If I succeed my everlasting fortune will be made. Albert. But if you fail? Hfnry. Then I'll simply change my occupation again, that's all. Mrs. H. Dorothy Mae Goodman. THE OLD CLASS REUNION 9 Dorothy. Do you remember the dramatics our class used to put on? Se\'Eral. Yes, yes, indeed we do. John. Great stunts they were, too. Dorothy. Well, I am doing that sort of thing every day now. Several. What? Acting? Dorothy. Yes, I am with the Wellington Stock Co. as lead- ing lady. I made my first debut fifteen years ago at the Eldorado Theatre. Mrs. V. So you were never married? Dorothy. Why, I forgot to tell you, didn't I, that my name now is Mrs. Dorothy Mae Smith. My husband is stage manager of our company. Percy. An actress! Gee whiz! This is becoming mighty interesting^ By the way, a good many prominent actresses are wearing our Queen of Sheba corsets — finest on the market, with double re-inforced steel stays and covered with Mrs. H. Next is Fannie Ellsworth Pendleton. Fannie. You already know that I am a physician. I have been practicing for nearly twenty years, and I have now the largest practice of any physician in the city of . I hardly get time to sleep or to eat. You remember how interested I used to be in athletics, don't you? Several. Yes! yes! Mrs. F. You were the leader of athletics among the girls. Fannie. Well, now I advise all my patients to take plenty of exercise and fresh air. They are the very best kind of medi- cines I know of. Myron. You're right, Fannie. I quite agree with you. Mrs. H. John Henry Hillis comes next. John. My life story hasn't been a very exciting one so far. My education ended with the High School. I assisted my father in the store until about ten years ago when he retired and I succeeded to the proprietorship. I married our secretary about twenty years ago, and she has been appointed post mistress of this village, so you see we are both in the store together most of the time. Mrs. H. Well, my name comes last of all, but as my husband has already told you the most important part I will simply let it go at that. Hiram. This has certainly been a remarkable class. Several. Hasn't it though! Hiram. I believe you were the class prophet, Martha. How have our real lives compared with the prophecy? Martha. I think my prophecy was a dismal failure. Louise. May I read my poem now? Hiram. Yes, go ahead. Louise. (Reads,) 10 THE OLD CLASS REUNION Oim OLD CLASS. A wonderful class left Grandville school Some thirty years ago — Went out in the world their luck to try And their marvelous skill to show. [ A few had talents and some had grit, And some were athletic and strong, And some had only the gift of speech And some had the gdft of song. But all had hopes of a future grand — Sweet dreams of wealth and fame, In trades and professions and halls of state — Oh, lofty and high was their aim! How many have reached the crowning height? How many succeeded in life? How many of them have failed outright, Or v/eary grown in the strife? j The many seasons have come and gone With their winds and rains and snow, And that class has been scattered far and wide Since thirty years ago. {She sits down.) Albert. That's a fine poem, Louise^ — very fine. I shall be pleased to publish it in the next issue of the News-Journal. Louise. Oh, will you? I shall be so delighted to have you. Ralph. It is very true, too, especially in regard to the tal- ents. I fear that some of us have kept ours wrapt up in a nap- kin all these years. Mrs. Williams. It is true about the "gift of gab" too. All of us were endowed with plenty of that. Louise. Dear me! I didn't say "gift of gab" — I said "gift of speech." Mrs. W. Well, anyway, it all means the same thing. Mrs. S. I think it would be perfectly lovely if we could all join in singing our old class song. Mrs. H. With Dorothy for leader. Several. Yes! yes. The class song! Dorothy. Then you must all sing it with the same spirit, that you used to sing it. {All join in song. ..Tune *'Vacant Chair,'') CLASS SONG. Here's to thee, dear Alma Mater! May thy glories never die; Happy years we've spent together In thy care, old Grandville High. THE OLD CL»ASS RETJNION 11 We have filled our heads with knowledge In thy classrooms and thy halls, And though sad are we at parting, We must go where Duty calls. Chorus. Alma Mater, we must leave thee; Thou hast been a mother kind; Sweet shall be our memories ever Of these scenes we leave behind. Fare thee well, dear Alma Mater, Out into the world we go; There are many pit-falls waiting; We shall soon Life's trials know. But whate'er may be our mission. We shall ever loyal be, And our thoughts will oft be turning, Dear old high school, back to thee. Fannie. That was certainly very fin5. Mrs. B. Doesn't it seem natural — just as if we were back in our teens actually performing our commencement stunts again. John, Mr. President, Classmates: — I have a word to say. The banquet table is ready and waiting for us. Hiram. Then let us adjourn thitherward at once. Myron. Wait a minute. Hi! Let's have the class yell, too. Hiram. Then we'll have to call upon our old yell leader. Can you do it, Henry? Henry. I think I can. That was one thing I could do if nothing else — was to yell. Ready everybody! {All join in giving yell. Henry leads, waving arms.) Now again! {All yell,) Curtain. :^i t/C^ 0^^^j^^ ¥ "W The Bugbee Entertainments ARE FAVORITES EVERYWHERE Hiram and the Peddlers. A farce in 1 act. The climax is a great surprise. 5m., 2f. Time, 30 min. 25 cents. Closing Day at Beanville School. The most popular play for intermediate grades we have ever offered. 7m., 7f. (more or less). Time, 30 min., or more. 25 cents. Seven Little Soldiers and Seven Little Maids. For primary or intermediate grades. A splendid patriotic number. Book contains also "The Little Patriots' Loyalty Drill." 25 cents. Midgets' Grand Parade. A delightful pageant for little tots. Very easy to produce. Time, 30 min. 25 cents. Funny Little Food Folks. A novelty entertainment for children. This is something different. Time, 30 min. 25 cents. Jolly Christmas Book. By Willis N. Bugbee. The latest, jolliest and most usable Christmas book on the market. Full of good things for a complete Christmas program. 35 cents. America's Flag. A beautiful patriotic march and drill with tableaux. For 8 or 12 girls. 25 cents. Following the Stars and Stripes. A splendid new patriotic pageant. This should be on every program. For any number of children. Time, 15 to 45 min. 25 cents. The Spirit of Christmas Time. A delightful pageant introducing pretty little drills, dances, songs, tableaux, etc. For any number. 25 cents. The Willis N. Bugbee Co., Syracuse, N. Y. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS The Bugbee Ent ARE FAVORITES E> 017 400 515 1 ^ Pretty Pageants for Young Folks. These pageants are not only pretty but right up to the minute. Very easy and pleasing. Good for any time. 30 cents. Commencement Helps and Hints, for Eighth Grade People. Contains salutatories, valedictories, histories, class will, prophecies, banquet, class drill, play, yells, mottoes, colors, novel sports, songs, stunts, etc. A valuable book. 35 cents. Uncle Peter's Proposal. A farce in 2 acts by W. T. Newton, 3m., 2f. A very clever little play. Time, 30 minutes. 25 cents. Old Class Reimion. A prophetic class play. The members of the old class get together for the first time in 30 years. 7m., 7f. 30 minutes. 25 cents. Mrs. Deacon Spriggs. A two-act play for older women. Full of good healthy fun and lively gossip. 12f. 30 min. 25 cents. Romantic Molly. A one-act play by Ada S. Macom- ber. Full of comical incidents. Parlor scene. 4m., 3f. 30 min. 25 cents. NEW SONGS Our Latch String Hangs Outside. A dandy new welcome song that will start your entertainment right. Sheet music. 25 cents. Just Smile and Say Good-Bye. A capital song to send your audience home feeling good natured. Bright and catchy. 25 cents. De Coonville Jubilee. The 'Ristocrats of Coonville hold a jubilee and "Dey didn't get home till de break ob day." Sheet music. 25 cents. The Willis N. Bugbee Co., Syracuse, N. Y.