960 H285 UC-NRLF Sb 135 IO NT !0 NO PLAYS EXCHANGED. BAMCR'5 EDITION T PL7TY.3 &&&&&&^ er Weekly Allowance Price, 15 Cents WALTER fr BOSTON BY WALTER N. KAKCft 4 , 50 THF AMA70NS Farce m Three Acts. Seven males, JVe .teinaies. lllC AJuALUHJ costumes, modern; scenery, not difficult PlayS a full evening, THF CAR1NFT M1NISTFR rarce to Four Act8 - T**^ UC V/ADlflCl fflilUOlEK females . costumes, modem society : sceuety, three interiors. Plays a full evening. DANDY DICK F * rce ^ T^ 66 Acts. Seven males, four females. U AD 111 111 I'll Co8tumes> m odem ; scenery, two interiors, "''.vyt two hours and a half THE ISAV I ADII AITEY Comedy in Four Acts, FourmaleP ten IflU UAI tUHll JJUCA femaleg costumes, modern ; scenery. two interiors and an exterior. Plays a full evening, Comedy in Four Acts., Nine males, font females> costumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. THE HORRV HADCE Comedy in Three Acts, Ten males, five UK nUBBl HUKMi females Cogtumeg , mode rn; scenery easy. Plays two hours and a half. IRIS Drama in Five Acts - Seven males, seven females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. LADY ROENTIFDL Play *** Four Acts- Eignt male8 ' seven fe - LrAlll DUULllllUl* Costumes, modern; scenery, four in- teriors, not easy Plays a full evening. I FTTY Drama in F 0111 -A- cts and an Epilogue. Ten males, five fe- ^ males. Costumes, modern ; scenery complicated, Plays a fur evening. Sent prepaid on receipt of price by Walter fy I3a6er & Company No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts HER WEEKLY ALLOWANCE JFarcical Entertainment in ne BY JESSIE A.IKELLEY AUTHOR OF " THE PEDLERS' PARADE," * < SQUIRE JUDKIN*S APPLE BEE," " MISS PRIM'S KINDERGARTEN," " THK VILLAGE POST-OFFICE," ETC. BOSTON WALTER H. BAKER & CO. HER' WEEKLY ALLOWANCE CHARACTERS. MRS. JACK TEBBITTS . . Who has an allowance. CLEANSING FLUID AGENT . Who helps her economize. DOROTHY FLETCHER . . Who wants a doll (child). PIANO AGENT Who saves a divorce. MRS. FORD Who wants subscriptions. FRUIT PEDLER .... Who plays a bunco game. SPECTACLE AGENT . . . Who saves the family's eyesight. SUSIE PEASE Who sells soap (child). MRS. KELLOGG .... Who has tickets to sell. BOOK AGENT Wtw cultivates tfie family's minds. MRS. BROWN Who is soliciting for a turkey supper. PATENT MEDICINE PEDLER Who saves Mrs. Tebbitts' life. CHAIR PEDLER .... Who makes the neighbors envious. BLIND PEDLER .... Who arouses Mrs. Tebbitts' sympathies. ARMENIAN WOMAN PEDLER WJio is a fraud. RUG SELLER ..... Who can sell Mrs. Tebbitts nothing. NOTE. The entertainment may be given on any platform, with or without a curtain. Arrange the stage as an ordinary sitting-room, Avith table, chairs, couch, etc. As given, it requires five women, two little girls, and nine men, although nearly all of the men's parts can be taken as well by women, if desired. COPYRIGHT, 1907, BY WALTER H. BAKER & Co. HER WEEKLY ALLOWANCE ? , Ui&AMAA -T^X^^^^p*^ rifcT &33ffai^CA SCENE. r Of no importance, a mere platform an sire ring perfectly well for this entertainment, so that it bears the few tables, chairs and other properties called for. (See Note on the opposite page.) MRS. TEBBITTS enters or is. diso&v\swdat rise of curtain. ]v* MRS. TP:BBITTS. There, now, Jack is off to the and I told him to take his dinner downtown so I could have the whole day to clean house. He thought I ought to hire someone to do the cleaning for me, but I'm just sick to death of hired help, and I'll just show him I know how to do it myself, even if I am a young housekeeper ; and besides, there's the thirty-five dollars he gave me for the week's expenses, and I want to show him at the end of the week how much I have saved out of it and what a good financier his wife is. I've always wanted to try the allowance plan, and he has always laughed at it; but last night I told him at how much better advantage I could buy, and how much I could s-ive if I had a regular allow- ance, so he gave me this money and told me to go ahead and try it. Here's my little account book with the pencil attached, and every cent I spend I shall set down at once. People are always laughing at a woman's accounts, but I'll just show Jack that I am an exception. I must get right to work, but first I must put on this big apron and my sweeping-cap. (Goes to glass to arrange it.) There, that looks quite coquettish. I read in the paper the other day that there was no need of looking untidy even if one were house-cleaning, and that's just what I think. Let me see ; what do you suppose I ought to do first? I notice that 4 HER WEEKLY ALLOWANCE. ^j everything is always upset when folks are cleaning house, so I think the first thing to do is to get everything down *f and pile it in the middle of the floor. (Begins piling upi&\ and disarranging furniture.) There, that really looks like house-cleaning, but I wonder what I ought to do next. (Knock at door.) Enter CLEANSING FLUID AGENT./*, rS^buftSS . f AGENT. A1\, ; J see IJ^ave arrived at just the right time house-cleaning ; just the time you naed this wonderful article J have for sale. ^ Will you allow me to demonstrate its wonderful cleansing properties, madam? MRS. T. I am very busy to-day, as I want to get this ., v house all cleaned before my husband gets home to-night. He's going to take his dinner downtown so I can have the "whole day to work. AGENT. Then Fhave here just the thing to help you ' accomplish your purpose. Ordinarily your task would be impossible, but with this to help you it will be but child's play. Here, madam, I see is a rug. Let me show you how quickly a few strokes of this will make it look like .*; ,-.- new. Give me a little hot water please. (MRS. TEBBITTS ^^ gives water in basin. AGENT puts in spoonful of mixture. Takes rug and irijyes with cloth.) Wonderful stuff, madam ; this rug is not only cleansed, but new ; saves you the expense of several dollars in getting a new one; will clean your last year's gown so it cannot be told from new; cleans anything in the house from the finest material to the coarsest without leaving a spot, and also restores the original color to any faded material. The price of this can, enough to last one year, is I know you will 1 be sur- . - prised at the extremely low price only three- dollars, madam. MRS. T. It seems very nice, but my husband has just begun giving me a weekly allowance, and I don't want to fritter any of it away.* I have here my little account book for setting down all my expenditures, and I want to have a snug little balance at the end of the week. AGENT. Just so, just so. I am indeed glad to find a woman of such unusual business ability, and I am doubly HER WEEKLY ALLOWANCE. o pleased because I have here just the thing which will enable you to have that snug little sum left at the end of the week. By the use of this you will save all expense of hiring help for your house-cleaning, for every carpet can be very easily. ; cleansed on the floor by simply going over them with a cloth wrung out of this mixture, and, as I said before, it will also make old clothes look like new. It is a great boon to housekeepers, and you will make the mistake of your life, madam, if you do not take a can of it. MRS. T. I did get a big spot of grease on my blue silk dress, and it faded dreadfully ; so I thought I'd have to get a new one. But if this will make it good as new, I "suppose it would be economy to buy it.' I believe. I will take a can. (Gets pocketbook ; pays him three dollars.) AGENT. Thank "ou, madam. Exit AGENT. MRS. T. Three dollars gone. (Gets account book and writes.) That leaves me thirty-two dollars. This isn't doing my house-cleaning; but no matter, it won't take me long now that I have this wonderful preparation. I be- lieve I'll just get that blue silk dress out and go over it with this stuff and make it look like new ; then I'll fool Jack when he conies home, make him think I have a new dress, then happily surprise him by telling him it's the qld one I've fixed so I won't need a new one. I believe in a wife helping her husband save all she can. I'll get it and fix it right off. I'm d^ n jj^ see now ^ will look. (Goes out and brings in drass^lb does look pretty faded and dirty^ but I guess this will fix it all right. (Spreads skirt on QJftn&frubs spot vigorously with preparation. Have large white patch basted on skirt) I do believe it's taking that grease spot all out. I guess it's just as that agent said but, oh, dear ! it doesn't look as if it were restoring the original color. Why, I believe it has all turned white where I rubbed it ! (Holds up skirt, showing large white patch) That man was a regular fraud, and I'd just li to get hold of him. I'm afraid I shan't be able to wear it, after all, and there's three dollars of my allowance gone. I'll have to be very careful of the rest of it. I'm dread- HER WEEKLY ALLOWANCE fully tired. I've been working so hard all the morning I believe I'll sit down and rest a few minutes and look over the new fashion book. The talks to young housekeepers always say it is much better to rest a few minutes several times a day, and you will feel so ref resheoly ymt ^ flu car^ more than make up the time. (Sits do wnjoeyins reading. Knock at door.) Enter CHILD with extracts. DOROTHY. Hello, Mis' Tebbitts. Won't you buy some extracts off of me ? If I sell a dozen bottles I can get a big doll that will open- and shut its eyes, and say "mamma" if you push hard on her chest. MHS. T. How many bottles have you sold, Dorothy ? DOR. I've only sold one, and I've tried most ev'ry house on the street, and I do want that doll awful. MRS. T. That's too bad. How much is the extract a 'bottle? DOR. It's only thirty-five cents a bottle, but the man says it's worth fifty. MRS. T. I suppose I might take some. It will keep, and it is always handy to have plenty of those things in the house. I believe in buying in large quantities. What flavors have you ? DOR. They're all lemon. MRS. T. Oh, dear, I don't believe Jack likes lemon very well, but perhaps he will learn to. I will take the eleven bottles, Dorothy, and you can get your doll. .(Counts out three dollars and eighty-five cents.) ' ' DOR. Ma said you were easy, and she guessed I could -work you all right: but I didn't s'pose you were quite so " easy as all that. (J*tty4*^lKtt<^) Exit DOROTHY MRS. T. She didn't seem very grateful ; but no matter, it was a good bargain for me. She said they were worth fifty cents ; eleven fifties would be five dollar* and fifty cents, and I only paid three dollars and eighty-five cents, so I saved Let me see, three eighty-five from five fifty. I'll have to write it down. (Writes in book, subtracting?) Five from ten is five, eight from fourteen is six, three from HER WEEKLY ALLOWANCE. 7 four is one one dollar and sixt}^-five cents saved. That helps out quite a lot on that three dollars I paid for that cleansing stuff, and I won't need any extract for a long time if Jack will only eat things flavored with lemon. I think he will when he knows how cheap I got it and how hard I am trying to save. I must go on witk-jay. ing. (Bustles around, piling up more things. ^ door.) y f fr^ Enter PIANO AGENT. Ctrvu^ C< . l^fi &** '* AGENT. Good morning, madam. Have you a piano in your home ? MRS. T. No ; we've only been housekeeping a little while, and have not felt we could afford a piano, but now my husband has given me a regular allowance and I am going to be so systematic and saving that I expect to save enough to buy one in a few months. AGENT. That is just where our plan conies in handy. You say you have a regular allowance ; now just let me put in one of our highest class pianos which we are sell- ing this week at the unheard-of price of eight hundred dollars as a special inducement to young housekeepers like yourself. You pay me five dollars down and five dollars each time you get your allowance, and before you know it you will have an elegant piano all paid for, and a home made happy for your husband for what is home without music ? When your husband comes home, tired from his day's work, you can play some sweet, oldf ballads to him/ I know you play well by the looks of your little white hands. You have the real musician's hands. I presume you have made music almost a life study. MRS. T. Yes ; I took a quarter's lessons when I was a young girl, but I am rather out of practice now. I pre- sume it would all come back to me, and I know Jack would enjoy it so much ! AGENT. Just give me your name, your street and num- ber and the. first instalment of five dollars, and I'll have the piano up here the first thing in the morning. MRS. T. I don't know as I ought to pay out five dollars more just now, but I would like to have that piano if it's such a bargain. 8 HER WEEKLY ALLOWANCE. AGENT. It's the opportunity of a lifetime ; but not only that, but how many less divorces we would hear of if a wife would soothe her husband with sweet music. You never hear of a divorce where there is music in the home. MRS. T. Is that so? Well, I do believe I'll have it. I don't want to run any chances of Jack getting tired of me 'and wanting a divorce, and the piano won't really cost him anything if I pay for it out of my allowance. AGENT. I'm glad to meet such a wise little woman ; I wish there were more like you. Now your name and the street and number. MRS. T. Mrs. John B. Tebbitts, 101 Main St. (AGENT writes.') AGENT. Now the five dollars and your piano will be here in the morning. (MRS. TEBJBITTS hands him money.) Thank you, madam. Good day. Exit AGENT. MRS. T. (writing in book). On account piano, five dol- lars. Let me see how much I have spent now. Cleansing fluid, $3, lemon extract, $3.85, piano, $5 total, $11.85; which leaves me (subtracting}, five from ten is five, eight from nine is one, one' from four is three, one from three is two twenty-three dollars and fifteen cents. (Knock at door.) + T"~^t/ Enter MRS. FORD. CrtMl IbWk* MRS. FORD. Good morning, Mrs. Tebbitts. You're right into house-cleaning, I see. You don't mean to say you do it all yourself, Mrs. Tebbitts ? MRS. T. Yes ; I'm going to this year. By going at it the right way it will be very easy and save quite an expense. MRS. F. I mustn't stay but a minute, then, for I know you are in a hurry to get at it, but perhaps it will do you good to rest a few minutes. You'll be surprised when I tell you rny errand. I'm taking subscriptions for this magazine ; something I never did before, and of course there's no need of my doing it now, for Mr. Ford always gives me plenty of money for everything I want. But I . HER WEEKLY ALLOWANCE. was looking at the elegant premiums they give for such a few new subscribers, and I thought this cut-glass dish would look just too sweet for anything in that lovely new mahogany china-closet I have, so I didn't say a word to Tom about it, but I just made up my mind I would start out this morning and ask a few of my dearest friends if they wouldn't like to take the magazine. Of course I know none of them will refuse such a little thing, for it is only three dollars a year; and even if they didn't care anything about the magazine, they would be perfectly will- ing to give me the three dollars. I'll put your name right down for one, Mrs. Tebbitts. MRS. T. Yes, indeed, Mrs. Ford ; of course I am very glad to do such a little favor as that for you. (Gives MRS. FORD three dollars ; looks sadly at diminishing amount in pocketbook.) W^ (nftb^f Jnrff\ MRS. F. It was awfully nice of you to take it, but I mustn't detain you another minute. You must come over and see how lovely that cut glass is when I get it. Do you know, I asked Mrs. Jones, and she was dreadfully rude 1 about it. She said she thought it was just as bad as begging, and I might as well have a little card printed like the beggars and go round poking it under people's noses. But some folks are so mean about little things ! She could afford to give, me the three dollars just as well as not. Don't work too hard, Mrs.' Tebbitts. Good-bye. Exit MRS. FORD. MRS. T. I didn't want her old magazine a bit, and I did need that three dollars. I just agree with Mrs. Jones that it is downright begging ; but she'd never forgive me if I didn't take it, and she's acquainted with all those peo- ple I want to get in with, so I just had to give her that three dollars. Let me see (consults book), three from twenty-three fifteen is twenty fifteen almost half of my week's allowance gone already. I must hurry with my- cleaning. ( IVipes a chair or two. Knock at door.) Enter FRUIT PEDLER. 10 HER WEEKLY ALLOW4X FRUIT PEDLER. LMadam, can I sell you some very fine V-, apples? Every one of them SOUTH! and a fine flavor [y^ !the very best apples grown in the country to-day. They are such fancy fruit that they are usually four dollars a bushel, but as this is the last bushel I have left, I will let you have them for two dollars a great trade, madam. MRS. T. I believe I do need some apples. My hus- band is very fond of apple pies. Will these make good pies ? FRUIT PED. Delicious I Can't be beat either for cook- ing or eating. It's very seldom you get a chance to buy r. this particular kind of apple; they're scarcer than hen's ,I. teeth. MRS. T. I don't believe I need more than half a bushel. FRUIT PED. Don't make the mistake of your life, madam. This is no ordinary fruit, and I should have to charge you three dollars for half a. bushel, and I will let you have the whole bushel for two dollars. MRS. T. Well, there's a chance to save a whole dollar, and I guess I need to save it, for my week's allowance is going pretty fast. I'll take the whole bushel. FRUIT PED. Yes. madam ; get in vspmething to put them in. (MRS. TEBBITTS gets basket) Twfrdollars, please. {Waits until he gets money; then standing back to M TEBBJTTS cmjities j> files and departs hurriedly.} MRS. T. (examining apples). Well, I never ! Every one of these apples is rotten not a sound one among them ! I thought he hurrjed off pretty quick when he got his money. He just had a few of those elegant ones in his hand to show. Guess that was a bunco game, all right, and I'll have two dollars more to deduct from my allow- ance, leaving only (consulting booh) eighteen dollars and fifteen cents. If I'm real careful I think I can make that last for the week, but I'm afraid I shan't be able to save much. Oh, dear, it's almost noontime and I haven't ac- complished anything. I must hurry now to make up for lost time. (Frantically begins pushing furniture around.} I'll polish this chair next with the furniture polish I bough La|t ( week. (Gets bottle and cloth and begins polish- ingjft^Ntiw I really am getting started at the cleaning. Doesn't that make that chair look nice ? It's such a satis- faction to do one's own cleaning, if you do get dreadfully HER WEEKLY ALLOWANCE. 11 tired. I don't believe I shall ever hire it done again. It's real easy when you go at it the right way. (Knock at door.) Enter AGENT with spectacles. AGENT. Do any of your family wear glasses, lady ? MRS. T. No ; there are only myself and husband, and we both have excellent eyesight. AGENT. Perhaps you think you have, lady ; but my long years of experience in dealing with the human eye enables me to tell at a glance whether glasses are needed or not, and allow me to tell you, lady, unless you are prop- erly fitted with glasses at once you will be completely blind in six months. MRS. T. Oh, that would be dreadful ! But are you sure of it ? Why, my eyes never trouble me, and I never have the headache. AGENT. Just allow me to prove it to you, lad} 7 . Here I will make a mark on this piece of paper, so (makes an extremely small dot on paper) ; hold it up at this distance from you (goes across stage) ; now, lady, can you see the mark I made ? MRS. T. (hesitating). No, I'm afraid I can't. AGENT. Which proves conclusively, without any man- ner of doubt, that you will be totally blind in a few short months unless you allow me to fit you with these wonder- ful glasses I am selling. MRS. T. I suppose I really ought to buy them, but I have spent so much money to-day I don't know as I can. AGENT. Madam, do not let any false- notions of econ- omy deter- you from purchasing these glasses. Think of the long years spent in darkness if you neglect your eyes now. MRS. T. I'm sure Jack would rather have me spend every cent he ever had than be blind. How much do you charge for the glasses ? AGENT. The regular price, lady, is twelve dollars, but as I have a kind heart and am trying to alleviate the suf- ferings of humanity, I will make the price to you, lady, only three dollars. Goodness as its own reward, and although I shall be losing instead of gaining money by the 12 HER WEEKLY ALLOWANCE. transaction, it will be a pleasure to me to think that I have saved those beautiful eyes. MRS. T. How very kind of you ! It is a pleasure in this sordid world to meet a person who thinks more of the good done to humanity than of mere dollars and cents. AGENT. Are you sure your husband's eyes are good ? MRS. T. Yes ; I heard him say only the other day that he had unusually good eyesight better than any of his companions. AGENT. Indeed, I am sorry to hear it, for that is always the case unusually good eyesight, then sudden darkness. How many times I have seen just such occur- rences in my experience ! Madam, I should feel very much worried about your husband's eyes if I were in your place. How old a man is he ? MRS. T. He will be thirty-two next June. AGENT. Yes, just as I thought ; just the age, the dan- gerous, perilous age, the age when a man's eyesight is apt to leave him in a second ; and with the symptoms that you tell me your husband has unusually good eyesight I should indeed feel alarmed. MRS. T. Do you think anything could be done to pre- vent the trouble ? AGENT. Undoubtedly, undoubtedly. With a pair of these glasses put on immediately there would be no danger whatever of his eyes not remaining good indefinitely ; and feeling great sympathy for you in your trouble, I will let you have this pair for your husband even cheaper than your own. For the small sum of one dollar and fifty cents you may save your husband's eyesight. MRS. T. I must take them if it takes the last cent I have. How thankful Jack will be when I tell him from what an awful fate I have saved him ! (Counts out four and one-half dollars and pays AGENT.) Here is your money, and I feel very grateful to you for your 'kind in- terest in myself and husband. 5Lx^tiA^^i/fj(Jxl t AGENT (aside). She's the easiest mark I have struck for a long time. (Aloud.) As I said before, lady, virtue is its own reward, and I consider it a special providence that I stepped in here to-day. Good day, madam. " Exit AGENT. HER WEEKLY ALLOWANCE. 13 MRS. T. I must put these glasses right on. (Puts on glasses) I cannot help thinking how fortunate it was for myself and Jack that he came, even if it did still further lower the allowance. Let me see (consults book) ; eighteen dollars and fifteen cents I had before he came, and I paid him four dollars and a half ; that leaves (reckoning) thir- teen dollars and sixty-five cents. Oh, dear, how money does go, and time, too ! Let me think ; what was I doing ? Oh, yes ; polishing this chair. (Goes at it again) What had I better do next? I believe I'll finish that little centre-piece I was making for the table. Of course I'll want to have that ready to put on when I get the room cleaned, and there are only a few more stitches to take in it. (Takes sewing and sits down) Why, I can't see a thing with these glasses, and they make my eyes ache frightfully ! I believe I'll ask Jack about them before I wear them any longer. (Takes them off) It's real rest- ful to sit down a few minutes. I believe I'm feeling rather tired doing so much house-cleaning in one day. (Knock at door) Enter SUSIE PEA^E. How do you do, Susie ? Why aren't you in school this mornng ? SUSIE. Mother let me stay out this morning so's I could sell some soap. She's cleaning house (guess you are too by the looks), and she said she hated to clean house and not have anything new, and she read in the paper that Parker's, out in Chicago, would give a beautiful chair if you sell ten dollars' worth of soap ; so she's sending me round to "'tlie^'iieigirtfors -to see it' they'll buy some. The chair is awful pretty in the picture. How much will you take, Mrs. Tebbitts ? MRS. T. I suppose I will need quite a lot of soap for house-cleaning, and I do like to please a child. I'll take a dollar's worth, Susie. (Gives dollar) SUSIE. You're an awful nice lady. I'll put the order down and bring it to you as soon as it gets here. Exit SUSIE. 14 HER WEEKLY ALLOWANCE. MRS. T. (consulting book). Thirteen sixty-five less one is twelve sixty-five. I hope no one else will come to-day with anything to sell. I shan't buy another thing of any- one. (Knock at door.) Enter MRS. KELLOGG. MRS. KELLOGG. I'm so glad to find you at home, dear Mrs. Tebbitts. You're house-cleaning, aren't you ? Yon will pardon my coming so early in the day, but I have these tickets to sell for the charity benefit, and I know- how interested you always are in anything pertaining to charitable work. I said to my husband last night, "-I am sure Mrs. Tebbitts will buy at least four of these tickets, because they are only fifty cents apiece, and if there are only herself and her husband in the family, she can give the other two to some of her friends; or if they can't go at all they can surely find four of their friends who would like to go." So I brought over four, and of course if you want more I shall be glad to sell them to you. Mus. T. (aside). I wish I had moral courage enough to avl \yould n't take her old tickets, but I haven't. (Aloud.) FeV, Mrs. Kellogg; of course I shall be delighted to help the good cause along. You can always depend on me to help in the charitable work. I think four will be suffi- cient. That will be two dollars. (Pays.) MRS. K. It is such a pleasure to ask one who gives as cheerfully as you do. Some people seem to buy them so grudgingly. I must run along now, for I have a number more to sell. Good-bye, dear; come over and see me soon. Exit MRS. KELLOGG. MRS. T. "The "Lord loves a cheerful giver," I know, but I must say I didn't give that very cheerfully when I realized it left only ten dollars and sixty-five cents in my pocketbook. Oh, dear ! I don't believe I like an allowance so well, after all. I'm getting rather discouraged; but perhaps it will come out all right. (Knock at door.) I just dread to hear a knock at that door. It makes the cold shivers go all over me. (Opens door.) HER WEEKLY ALLOWANCE. 15 Enter BOOK AGENT. BOOK AGENT. I have here, lady, something which should be in every home a complete set of the immortal bard Shakespeare's works. Just look this volume over, lady (hands her book) ; see how beautifully it is bound ; notice the excellent quality of paper, the good type, the notes at the bottom of each page. MRS. T. It looks very good, but I cannot afford to buy any books at present. BOOK AGENT. Madam, you cannot afford not to buy them. How many times do I see charming, intellectual, cultured young ladies like yourself who after marriage lose all interest in the higher things of life and degenerate into mere household drudges, while their husbands continue to grow intellectually until the time comes when the man is ashamed of his wife and she is kept entirely in the back- ground. How much better, I say, if husband and wife together, under the cosy light of the evening lamp, should read such inspiring words as those of the Bard of Avon. Take, for example, such passages as these : " To be or not to be, that is the question." (Gives Hamlet's soliloquy in tragical manner with ridiculous gestures) Who is not the wiser and better for having read such noble words ? Madam, I repeat, you cannot afford not to buy them. MRS. T. I always did say before I was married that I should not give up my reading and let my husband surpass me in everything. BOOK AGENT. I knew, lady, by one look into your highly intellectual face that you would appreciate Shakespeare. At many places I know instantly that to sell them this work would be like casting pearls before swine ; but you, with your cultured mind, would read and enjoy. MRS. T. How much is the set ? BOOK AGENT (aside). A little flattery works fine with these women. (Aloud) The price is thirty-five dollars for the twenty-four books complete, but in order that all true lovers of Shakespeare may have a chance to enjoy his works, we are selling the set for two dollars down and two dollars a month until paid. Two dollars a month, fifty cents a week less than the price of a box of choco- 16 HER WEEKLY ALLOWANCE. lates and still people say they cannot afford to buy them. MRS. T. I never thought of it that way before. Fifty cents a week is very small. I should never miss it at all. I believe I'll take the set. Two dollars down, you said ? (Hands him two dollars.) BOOK/AGENT. Yes, madam ; and our collector will call each week for the fifty cents. Good afternoon. Exit BOOK AGENT. MRS. T. Two dollars more gone ; but it gives such an air of distinction to have a set of Shakespeare in the book- case. I wasn't going to let on to k*m after ke thought I had such an intellectual face that I didn't care a rap about Shakespeare's works. Now^he'll tell that horrid Mrs. Fiske, who lives next door and thinks she is so literary, that 1 have purchased a set of Shakespeare, and perhaps she won't put on so many airs next time I meet her. Think I'll sit down and look them over a few minutes. (Sits down and turns a few pages.) Oh, dear ! I never could read that trash ! I almost forgot to put it down in my book. Ten sixty-five less two is eight sixty-five. Now for some more cleaning. Where was I ? Oh, yes, I'll clean this picture and hang it up. (Begins cleaning pic- ture. Knock at door.) I wonder who it is now. Come in. Enter MRS. BROWN. MRS. BROWN. How do you do, Mrs. Tebbitts ? I haven't seen you for an age ; and how sweet you look with that big apron and that dear little cap ! MRS. T. Oh, I know I look like a fright, but I have been so busy house-cleaning ! I've worked until I'm tired enough to drop. Sit down ; Mrs. Brown. I'm glad to rest a few minutes. r ^ MRS. B. (sitting down^. I mustn't stop long. You weren't out to the last sewing circle, were you ? We all missed you awfully. You are always such a great help. MRS. T. I had company that day and couldn't get out, What did they do ? HER WEEKLY ALLOWANCE. 17 MRS. B. Oh, we sewed a little, then we made plans for a turkey supper, and we're to solicit everything for the tables, so we can make lots of money. MRS. T. (aside). More money ! MRS. B. I am collecting money to buy the turkeys, and you knqwvthey are awfully high now. MRS. ''T.'- (aside). I suppose I'll have to give something, but I won't give more than fifty cents any way. MRS. B. Do you know, some of the ladies I have asked have only given fifty cents ! Did you ever hear of such meanness ? I should think anyone would be ashamed to give less than two dollars at the very least. I know you can always be depended on to give liberally. MRS. T. (aside). I can't get out of it less than two dol- lars. (Aloud.) Here are two dollars, Mrs. Brown ; that will help a little. (_ $vZT $ ? jrn* f**~i*^) MRS. B. Thank you very much, Mrs. Tebbitts. (Aside.) I thought sure she'd give five dollars after what I said. (Aloud.) We'll have the tickets out next week, and I'll bring some over for you to buy. They are only fifty cents apiece, so I know you will want to buy several. I have got to see all of our church people on the street to-day and report to the Chairman how much I have collected, so I must go right along. Ever so much obliged, Mrs. Tebbitts. Oh, I forgot ; I want you to make a cake, too, for the sup- per. You do make such delicious angel cake ! You'll make me a loaf of that, won't you ? MRS. T. Yes, I'll try to do that. Exit MRS. BROWN. It takes a dozen eggs to make that angel cake, and they are fifty cents a dozen at present. Two dollars for turkey, about sixty cents for cake, besides buying tickets. Well, I must take two dollars more off of my account, leaving me only six dollars and sixty-five cents. That allowance is growing " smaller by degrees and beautifully less." I just won't buy another thing or give another cent to any- body, and perhaps by letting some of my bills run until next week I can get along without letting Jack know how much I have spent. I hadn't finished cleaning that pic- 18 HER WEEKLY ALLOWANCE. ture. (Begins cleaning picture,.) Now I'll hang it Even if I have spent quite a lot of money to-day, I have surely earned a good deal doing all this hard work. Women who come in to clean do charge such dreadful prices and do so little in a day. (Knock at door.) Enter PATENT MEDICINE PKDLKR. PEDLER. Madam, you are looking very tired and worn out. MRS. T. I do feel rather tired just now. PED. Yes, madam, your face shows that you are tired, that you are on the verge of nervous prostration. Your zeal as a housekeeper and homemaker is greater than your strength, and already the lines of age are creeping around your eyes and mouth. MRS. T. Oh, -horrors ! ido I begin to look old already ! (Looks in glass.) I believe I'll never try to clean house again. PED. There is no need of your looking old or of giving up your work if you will only fortify yourself by taking this wonderful elixir. It not only guards against the rav- ages of time, but in cases of lost youthfulness actually restores it. Madam, by that hectic flush on your cheeks I fear you will fill a premature grave unless you at once take steps to prevent it. MRS. T. Oh, dear, then Jack will get married again, and the horrid creature will have all my things ! I just won't give her a chance, allowance or no allowance. How much is your wonderful medicine, and are you sure it will save my life ? PED. There is no doubt of it whatever, madam. A teaspoomful taken three times a day will work wonders in a very short time, and you will be restored to perfect health and beauty. The price, madam, which is a very small consideration, considering its great curative and resto- rative properties, is but two dollars a bottle a mere nothing. MRS. T. Well, it's a mere something to me when I have only six dollars and sixty-five cents left; but this is a positive necessity, so I will take a bottle. (Goes to get pocketbook.) -"" ! *Wi : " HER WEEKLY ALLOWANCE. 19 PED. (aside). What gulls these women are! She looks as strong and healthy as they make them. Arousing a little jealousy does great things in selling my goods a little water, highly colored. They do say folks don't drink enough water, so perhaps it's just what she needs. MRS. T. Here's the two dollars. PED. Thank you, madam. Remember, a teaspoonful three times a day ; not any more, for it is very powerful stuff. t\^U Exit MEDICINE PEDLER. MRS. T. (writing in book). Four dollars and sixty-five cents left. But what is money compared with health ? I'll take a teaspoonful now and perhaps it will rest me and take some of those old age lines out before Jack gets home and sees them. (Takes medicine.) Horrid tasting stuff ! But no matter, if it will keep me from growing old. (Knock at door.) Did you ever know of so many people coming to a house in one day ? Come in, whoever you are. Enter AGENT with chair. AGENT. Just in time, l&dy. I see you're cleaning house. Now, of course, you will want something new. What's the use of cleaning house if you have nothing new ? Nobody knows you've cleaned it. Here's this ele- A . *. gant new style rocker, just right for this corner. Fills inM ' there slick as a whistle. Isn't it a beauty, lady ? Ever see anything handsomer ? Just examine it ; nothing shoddy about it ; solid oak ; finest quality of tapestry up- holstering. Just stand right here, madam, and get the effect. Charming, isn't it ? MRS. T. Yes, it's very pretty, and I'd like to have it. I've always wanted that kind of a chair for that corner; but it's no use talking to me to-day. I've had pedlers here all the morning, and I'm not going to spend another cent ; and anyway I haven't money enough left to buy it if I wanted it ever so bad. AGENT. That's just what that woman who lives next door said. She said your rooms looked rather bare, and what you had was cheap, and you really needed a few good WEEKLY ALLOWANCE. chairs ; but she didn't believe you could afford to buy such a nice one as this. I presume she is watching out of her window now to see if I take it out again. MRS. T. She is watching out of her window at other folks' affairs most of the time. Said I couldn't afford it, did she ? Well, I'd just like to let her see I could afford it (looks in pocketbook), but I have only four dollars and sixty-five cents left, and the week's provisions to buy out of that, so it's no juse to- think of it. AGENT. "I just hate to let that woman see me take this chair out, for I know she'll be right in to tell you how sorry she was you couldn't afford to buy it ; so to help you* out I am going to break a very strict rule of the com- pany, and I don't know but I will lose my position by doing so. We have strict orders to sell nothing except for spot cash, but I will allow you to keep this chair on pay- ment of only four dollars, and I will come around quietly after dark once a week and collect a few dollars until the total amount of twenty-five dollars is paid, and that woman next door won't know but you paid it all now. MRS. T. (hesitating). I know I ought not to spend the money for it now, but I really do need it very much, and it will just make that woman green with envy. You may leave it, and here's your four dollars. AGENT. I'll come next Wednesday evening for the next payment. Exit CHAIR AGENT. MRS. T. (writing in book). All gone but sixty-five cents \ Whatever shall I tell Jack \ Oh, I am so sick of house- cleaning \ (Knock. BLIND MAN gropes his way in.) MRS. T. Oh, you poor man! Are you blind? PED. Yes, kind lady ; I have been blind now for ten years. My eyesight had been very good, when all at once the darkness of night fell upon me. MRS. T. And to think the same thing would have hap- pened to both myself and Jack if that kind-hearted man hadn't come and told me about it this morning. We might even have had to go around selling things like this. I cannot turn you away, though I have very little money left myself. What have you to sell ? HER WEEKLY ALLOWANCE. 21 PED. (showing paper and pencils). I have some excel- lent paper and some red, black and blue pencils. These blue pencils (holding up) are two cents, these red ones (looking in bag and holding up) are three cents, and the black ones (holding up) are five cents. MRS. T. But how do you know the color if you can't see anything ? PED. (aside). I came pretty near getting caught that time. I must look out. (Aloud.) Kind lady, you know 'the touch o the blind is very sensitive, and by simply touching any of these pencils I can tell the color. MRS. T. I have always heard the blind had a very sensitive touch. I don't need any paper or pencils, but I feel I must help you a little, so you may give me fifty cents' worth of something. I would give you the money without taking anything, but I have heard that was not a wise thing to do, and I want to show wisdom in my chari- table work. A^M^HvUuv Ifott^WbA**! PED. (handing a few sheets of paper and couple of yen- cils). Yes, kind lady; I ask no charity in my misfortune if people will only buy. (Aside.) And pay fifty cents for three cents' worth. (MRS. TEBBTTTS gives him fifty cents.) Bless you, for a kind-hearted lady, and I wish there were more in the world like you. (Aside.) That I could work as easy. Exit BLIND PEDLER. . MRS. T. I wonder what he said as he went out ; seemed to be muttering something. Fifteen cents left and nothing in the house for supper ! What shall I do ? I know ; I'll buy a can of salmon and I have a little lettuce and salad dressing ; so I can make a salmon salad. (Knock at door.) Enter ARMENIAN WOMAN PEDLER, basket on arm. ARMENIAN. Oh, lady, please bu} 7 ! I have sick hus- band and seven small child ers. No bread give them. They starve if you no buy. ( Uncovers basket and holds up various articles.) Pretty lace, cheap, so cheap, ten cents ; pins, needles. Buy, lady, please buy. Just little, get bread, take home. 22 HER WEEKLY ALLOWANCE. MRS. T. I can't let this poor creature starve. Here, I have just fifteen cents left; take it and buy your children some bread. I guess we'll have to go hungry ourselves, though. ARM. Thank; much thank. (T modern . interior. Plays two hours and a half. THE NOTORIOUS MRS. EBBSMITP Costumes, modern ; scenery, all interiors PI- ys a, tull evening. THF PRftFI Hi ATP PlayinFourAcis oev en males, five females. U Scenery, three interiors, rather elaborate ; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. THF SCHOftI MISTRFSS ^ arce * u Tli re e Acts. Nine males, seven females: Costumes, modern ; scenery, t^iree interiors. Plays a full evening. THE SECOND MRS. TANQUERAY Pla , y in / our Ac f ght nitllCS D.V6 ICHIHJCS. (JOS- tumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. SWEET LAVENDER Comed y In Tliree Acts. Seven males, four ^ females. Scene, a single interior; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. THE TIMES Comed y ^ Four Acts. Six males, seven, females. Scene, a single interior; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. THF WFAKFB SPY Comedy in Three Acts. Eight males, eight UL ITlWmUl JL.A femaleg costumes, modern; scenery, tNsro interiors. Plays a fult evening. A WIFE WITHOUT A SMILE ^^ S f ^SL modern ; scene, a single interior. Plays a full evening Sent prepaid on receipt of price by falter & Rafter & Company No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts ^tlitam barren Ctutton of , 15 Yftll I IKF IT Comply iu l ' ive Aots. Thirteen n l.UU MIVlw 11 feu. ,,;,.( la-HMjii,. . Plays a lull evening. CAMH I F l >ra; " a i" ^ Nino iii.-'U-s, ll\>- fcmal. v^ililll^LfLi tuitu'^ modern : sceiiery, TarieU. 1'laysafull -- iu riurteeii risalt-^, lliv.- Scenery A r.nr-s,Ureek. J'ia-- MAPV \T1IART Tri -oActs. Tliirteen in;.- iTlAIVi jJlUrt.l%l ]: .,( tin- '.ite. .I'litys a 1 u II even Tllli MERCHANT OF VENICE ' . pit-Mil '.'-TV varied. ' I I'iv ,, ; ,-,i,l ' i I .!,'. THF ttiiV4I^ Five Act--.. Nine males, !; IlL fli T ^L. SHF STftOPS TO fft\ftl!FH Comedy in Fiv( Acts. : JllC ^IVUrj IU VlWytLA Hides, loi ried ; 3tuujes of the period.. TWELFTH NIGHT: OR, WHAT YOU WILL S^..!" u ". tkree Sent prepaid on receipt of price by falter l^> I3afeer & Company No. $ Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts . . PARKHiki. * 00., PR1HTCRC, BOSTON, y.S-A Manufacture J h AYLORD BROS. In.. Syracuse, N. Y. Stockton, CaW.