V H H The Little Black Devil A SKETCH BY GORDAN V. MAY AUTHOR OF OUTWITTING THE COLONEL I CHICAGO T. S. DENISON, PUBLISHER 163 Randolph Street THE LITTLE BLACK DEVIL. CAST OF CHARACTERS. Prof. Mossbanks Olivia His Daughter Dick Fellows Olivia's Lover Time — The present. Costumes — Modern and appropriate. Time of Playing — Ten minutes. Properties — A small bundle, containing a letter and the image, for Professor. STAGE DIRECTIONS. R.j means right of the stage; C, center; R. C., right c^er; L., left ; I E., first entrance ; U. E., upper entrance, etc. ; D. F., door in flat or back of the stage ; i G., first groove, etc. The actor is supposed to be facing the audience. Author's Note. — This sketch has been very successful. Its theme is entirely new. Each member of the cast should change their facial expression, voice and gesture, the moment they take up the image ; which should be done in full view of the audience. On laying it down, a brief pause should ensue; as if they were collecting their scattered senses; then resume, in a modulated tone. On this entire change of behavior rests the success of the play. The finale should be well worked up ; each talking and acting in angry manner, and all together. Keep it up to the climax of throwing it off. Copyright, 1901, by T. S. Denison. 2 THE LITTLE BLACK DEVIL. Scene. — Professor Mossbank's study. Doors R. and in Hat. Table C. Chairs R. and L. of fable. Professor enters D. F. as curtain rises. He carries a small package, which he sets on table. Enter Olivia^ D. R. Professor. Good morning, my daughter. Olivia. Good morning, father. I have something to say to you. Professor. Something to say to me? Well, my dear little girl, what is it? - Olivia. Last night Mr. Fellows called, and he asked me to be hi ' i wife, and— and, I accepted him, and — and he will be here this morn- i ing to see you ; there ! ; Professor. And so that is what you wanted to say to me, is it? (jWell, my dear, Dick Fellows is a very commendable young man, and t- if you love him — Olivia. Oh, indeed I do, father, dearly. Professor. Then let him come, and he and you shall receive my blessing. Olivia. Oh, you dear, dear papa. You have made me very happy. : {Exits D. R.) I Professor. Oh, you dear, dear papa. Ha, ha. The little witch. |Make her happy. Of course I will, if it lays in my power. {Goes .to table.) I wonder what this is? {Opens parcel^ and takes out {letter.) Ah, it’s from my old friend Burchard. {Reads.) My 'Dear Mossbanks: — I send you herewith one of the many curiosities which I have picked up in the course of my travels. It is a little black image of the devil. There is nothing peculiar about it except the legends which are attached to it; for know, that the Hindoos (believe that whosoever has it in his possession, or about his ^oerson, immediately loses all good instincts, and becomes sullen, angry, excitable, in short, devilish. You may take the legends for what they are worth. Yours truly, John Burchard. {Begins un- ioing parcel.) A little black devil, eh? With the power to change lin inoffensive person into a fiend. Ha, ha. Why, the idea is absurd. wonder that Burchard should even be so foolish as to write such .lonsense. {Picks up image.) For nonsense it is. Pure and unde- iled. The idea of a little, rude, stone image — why it’s worse. It’s 3 a OF ILL LIB. / 4 THE LITTLE BLACK DEVIL. downright folly. That’s what it is. He’d ought to be kicked. He’d ought to be choked. He’d ought to be hung, drawn and quartered. He’d ought to be — Enter Dick and Olivia, D. R. Well, what do you two want here? Don’t you know that this is my hour for study, hey? Don’t you know that? Don’t you know THAT? Dick. Excuse me. Professor Mossbanks, but I called to see you on a matter of great importance; in fact, not to take too much of your valuable time, I am here to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage. Professor. What?— W-h-a-t? W-H-A-T! You villain, you idiot, you compound essence of concentrated gall ! What do you take me for, eh? What do you take me for? Never, never. Do you hear me, sir? NEVER! Olivia. Why, father, you told me a few minutes ago that you were quite willing that I should marry him. Professor. I told you that, did I? I told you that? Never! But I will tell you now, that I would rather see you dead, than the wife of that man; or any other man. Do you hear? Or any other man. (Olivia sinks into chair at table. Professor stands near table.) Here, you young loafer, get out of my sight; out of my house, or I’ll — (lays image on table and starts toward Dick) — in- vite you to stay to lunch. So you want to marry my daughter? Well, Richard, my boy, there is no one whom I would rather trust her future with than you. Come on, let us have a glass of wine, and we will talk over the affair with my dear daughter. (During Professor’s last lines Olivia picks up the image.) Olivia. Never! You need not bother to discuss my affairs or my future. I am quite able to look out for myself. Dick. Olivia ! Professor. My daughter ! Olivia. Olivia ! My daughter ! Oh, don’t speak to me. I am disgusted with the whole affair. I’ll leave this house to-day. Not another moment will I stay to be insulted by two such cowards. Dick. (Going toward her.) Olivia, what has come over you? Olivia. Don’t you dare come near me, or I’ll scratch your eyes out. Dick. Stop, Olivia. Something is the matter. Professor. She must be crazy. Olivia. Crazy! Crazy! So that is your scheme is it? To call THE LITTLE BLACK DEVIL. 5 me crazy and have me sent to an asylum. Ah, yes. But I have found you out. Out of m> way or Fll brain both of you. {She lays image down and raises a ehair, then lets it fall slowly, and eomes R. to Professor. Dick runs baek of table.) Professor. She has surely gone mad. Olivia. Oh, you dear papa. I am so glad that you have agreed to our marriage. It is the happiest day of my life. Professor. {Aside.) Ah, she is rational once more. What a blessing. {Aloud.) Agree? Of course I agree. I would do any- thing to make my little daughter happy. Dick, my boy, come here. {During Professor's last line Dick pieks up the image.) Dick. What for? Professor. What for? Why, to receive my blessing and con- gratulations. Dick. Blessings and congratulations fiddlesticks. What do I want of your infernal old blessings. Ha, ha. You are an old fool, a numbskull, a back number, a dried up old fossil. And as for your daughter, I Olivia. Oh, Dick. Dick. Don’t oh, Dick me, do you hear? I won’t have it, I tell you! I won’t have it! You are a pair of sinners, and you tried to inveigle me into a marriage ; but it won’t go ! No, sir ! I see through the game, and I’m going! Don’t try to stop me or I’ll — {Throws the image on the door.) Olivia. What was that ? Professor. What? Why, it is my little black devil. Dick^^* [ black devil? Professor. Yes, and ah, I see it all now. Dick, Olivia, for heaven’s sake don’t touch it. Wait, let me read you this letter. {Gets letter from table and eomes C.) This morning I received a package from my old friend Burchard, who is traveling in India. It contained that image and this letter. My Dear Mossbanks: — I send you herewith, one of the many curiosities, which I have pi:ked up in the course of my travels. It is a little black image of the devil. There is nothing peculiar about it, save the legends which are at- tached to it ; for know, that the Hindoos believe that whosoever has it in his possession, or about his person, immediately loses all good instincts and becomes sullen, angry, excitable ; in short, devilish. You may take the legends for what they are worth. Yours truly, John Burchard. 6 THE LITTLE BLACK DEVIL. Olivia. Well, father, you had it when we came in. Dick. Yes, Olivia, and then you took it. Professor. And you, Dick, just held it yourself. Olivia. Truly, the thing is accursed. What shall we do with it? Dick. We must get rid of it some way. Professor. I’ll take it to the door, and throw it out. Dick. Don’t you do it. I’ll take it. Olivia. No, no, let me have it. {All take hold of the image at same time.) Professor. Get away, both of you. Dick. I won’t. I’m going to take it out. Olivia. You shall not. {A general hubbub ensues as they slowly make their way up stage. On reaching D. F. it is tossed off stage. Professor then comes slowly down C. with Dick and Olivia on either side of him. Tableaux.) Professor. At last ! Dick. Yes, thank heavens ! Olivia. I am so glad ! Professor. Come now, my children, and receive my blessing. CHRTAIN. TBIK THE SCStF-BOm RECITATIOH SERIES. A bouquet of choice thoughts to tickle the fancy. C01«TENTS OF No. 4. A Tribute to Grant, (Eloquent). The Joshua of Fine (Description). The Latest Barbara Frietchie, (Comic). “Leadville Jim.” Jerry, (Pathetic.) The Wee, Wee Bairnie, (Pathetic). The Mutilated Currency Question, (Hum- orous.) Memory, (Poem.) How a Song Saved a Soul. A Deco^'atioi Day Address. Mr. Hoffenstein’s Bugle, (Very Funny.) What the Robin Can Tell. Mary’s Night Ride, (Vivid Description.) Mr. HopwelPs Theory of Suppressing a Fire, (Humorous.) A Model Summer Hotel, (Humorous.) Pat and the Oysters, (Humorous.) Family Government, (Apt Illustration.) The Heroes and the Flowers, (Beautiful Description. ) Expecting to Get Even. Driving a Hen, (Humorous.) A Retrospective. Where are Wicked Folks Buried? Romance of a Hat, (Humorous.) Forever, (Sentimental.) Courtship Fair and Square, Every Year, (Didactic.) Temperance Song Recital, Strangely Related. Kit, or Faithful Unto Death, (Pathetic.) Sam’s Letter, (Very Funny.) Kindness. A Tribute to Longfellow. Civil War, (Tragic.) Petah, (Comic.) Drinking a Tear. The Married Man and The Bachelor. The V-A— S-E. - Price 25 Cents. The Battle of Mission Ridge, (Stirring Description.) Heroic Medley, A Christmas Carmen, The Girl in Gray. An Easter-Tide Deliverance. Fading. Aurelia’s Unfortunate Young Man, (Hum orous.) Fritz and His Betsy Fall Out, (Humorous, Help Me Across, Papa, (Pathetic.) Mr, Diffident’s Speech. Scene from Leah the Forsaken, (Dramatic.! A Railroad Car Scene. Death of Little Hackett, (Pathetic.) Farmer Stebbins’ Appearance on Roller? An Untimely Call. He Guessed He’d Fight, (Comic.) Only Five Minutes to Live. Calling the Angels In. Caliber Fifty-four. Mother’s Doughnuts, The Prospects of The Republic; Oration Intensely Utter, (Humorous.) Napoleon Bonaparte. Autumn Thoughts, (Humorous./ A Christmas Song, The Froward Duster. The Convict’s Soliloquy the Night before Execution. Aunt Sylvia’s First Geography Lesson (Humorous.) I Am Dying, Egypt, Dying, (fine Poem.] Burdette’s Adivce to a Young Man. Drinking a Farm. Bill Mason’s Ride. Queen Vashti’s Lament. : Lady Macbeth — Sleep-Walking Scen% Tragic. Women and Their Wayn T. S. DENISON, Publisher, 163 Randolph St., CHICAGO. « TtiAN THE SCRAP-BOOK RECITATION SERIES. M. M- scz)I=>e:i=r. HUGGBTS PF^OM THE MINES OP IMAGINAIHION. CONTENTS OF No. 6. - PRICE 26 CENTS, POST-PAID. A Nameless Hero (Heroic Poem). Mark Twain’s Mining Story. A Culprit (Humorous Poem). The Friar’s Christmas. For the Chief’s Daughter (Tragic Poem). Burdock’s Music Box (Very Funny). Eulogy on O’Connell. Agnes, I Love Thee. Neighbors (Specimen of Gossip). Jerusalem by Moonlight. Purpose. The Chariot Race (Fine Description). Birth of the Rainbow (Poem). Tom’s Little Star (^Capital Short Poem). Unwritten Poems. Emancipation of Man (Burlesque). Christine. How I Tended the Baby (Comic). Battle of the Cowpens (Heroic Poem). Nebuchadnezzar. Universal Education. Temperance Lesson — Just Twenty-one. Pat’s Reason (Comic). Defence of Hofer (Patriotic). Thet Boy of O urn (Dialect Poem). Hannibal’s Address. She Referred Him to Her Pa. Patriotism. Winnie’s Welcome (Irish Poem). Speech of Patrick Henry (Patriotic ration). My First Pantaloons. Peaceable Secession (Oration). Pharisee and Sadducee. A Soldier Tramp. Domestic Economy (Humorous). The Flying Dutchman. Une Robe Angelique. A Frontier Bridal — Almost a Tragedy ( Fine Poem), The Origin of Scandal. The Unknown Speaker (Prize Oration). Decoration Day Poem — “Memorial Day.” Little Charlie’s Big Story. The Donkey’s Dream Humorous). Startling Revelations (Very Funny). “There is a Spiritual Body.” Praying for Papa. Minding the Hens (Humorous^ Der Shpider und Der Fly. One Thing He Forgot. Curly-Head. Jimmie’s Prayer. He Gave Him a Start. Shall America Betray Herself ? Kiss Deferred, The (Fine PatheaiR Poem.) If I Were a Boy Again. The Rustle of a Wing. Light over the Range (Miner’s DiaJ<*«t>' Grady’s Great Speech, “The New So»»*i»«” The Oak and the Vine (Humorous). Cassandra Brown. Empty Nest, The. Aux Italiens (a Poem). The Blind Preacher. Lorraine. The Curtain Fixture (Humorous) The Telegram. She Would be a Mason (Humorous). A Mysterious Duel. The Last Hymn, a Story of Shipwreck. Waiting for the Bugle. The Codfish. T. S. DENISON. Publisher, 163 ]^andolph Street, CHICAGO. DENISON’S ACTING PLAYS. Price 15 Cents Each, Postpaid, Unless Different Price Is Given. FARCES AND SKETCHES. M. In the Wrong House, 20 min. . . 4 Irish Linen Peddler, 40 min. .. 3 Is the Editor in? 20 min 4 John Smith, 30 min 5 Just My Luck, 20 min 4 Kansas Immigrants, 20 min. .. 5 Kiss in the Dark, 30 min 2 Larkins’ Love Letters, 50 min. 3 Limerick Boy, 30 min 5 Love and Rain, sketch, 20 m.. 1 Lucky Sixpence, 30 min 4 Lucy’s Old Man, sketch, 15 m. 2 Mike Donovan, 15 min 1 Misses Beers, 25 min 3 Mistake in Identity, sketch, 15 min 0 Model of a Wife, 25 min 3 Movement Cure, 15 min 5 Mrs. Gamp’s Tea, sketch, 15 m. 0 My Jeremiah, 20 min. 3 My Neighbor’s Wife, 45 min... 3 My Turn Next, 50. min 4 Narrow Escape, sketch, 15 m.. 0 Not at Home, 15 min 2 On Guard, 25 min 4 Persecuted Dutchman, 35 min. 6 Pets of Society, 30 min 0 Played and Lost, sketch, 15 m. 3 Pull Back, 20 min 0 Quiet Family, 45 min 4 Realm of Time, musical al- legory, 30 min 8 15 Regular Fix, 50 min 6 4 Rough Diamond, 40 min 4 3 Ro w in Kitchen and Politician’s Breakfast, 2 monologues. . . 1 Silent Wohfhn, 25 min 2 Slasher and Crasher, 1 h.l5 m. 5 Squeers’ School, sketch, 18 m.. 4 Taming a Tiger, 20 min 3 That Rascal Pat, 35 min 3 Too Much of a Good Thing, 50 min 3 Turn Him Out, 50 min 3 Twenty Minutes Under Um- brella, sketch, 20 min 1 Two Bonnycastles,45 min. ... 3 Two Gay Deceivers, 25 min .... 3 Two Gents in a Fix, 20 min. . . 2 Two Ghosts in White, 25 min. 0 Two Puddifoots, 40 min 3 Uncle Dick’s Mistake, 20 min . 3 Very Pleasant Evening, 30 m. . 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