THE DOUBTFUL BANK NOTE.

CHARACTERS.

Middle aged Man.-Old Woman and Child.

COSTUMES.

MAN.-Shirt sleeves turned back; butcher's apron and spectacles.

OLD WOMAN.-Old-fashioned scoop bonnet with cape; cloak; figured dress (waist and skirt of different material); check apron; skirts very short; white stockings and low shoes; basket and umbrella.

CHILD. If a girl, plain chintz dress and doll. If a boy, colored shirt and suspenders; half length loose pants; express wagon or kite.

SCENE.

May be either a country store or a cobbler's shop. If the store-which will be most effective-it should contain a little of everything. Kitchen, store-room, and pantry may be rifled to furnish stage properties, and none of their contents rejected. It will be necessary to have a counter, or imitation one formed of tables and covered with a plain shade of muslin. On it should be scales, ball of string, and wrapping-paper. Place counter to rear of the stage-tubs, buckets, baskets, brooms, etc., stand on the floor. Rope, brushes, poultry, hams, etc., hang upon hooks. If arranged as a cobbler's shop, low wooden bench, with cobbler's tools, thread, wax, and a number of old shoes is all the stage furniture necessary. With either setting figures are arranged as follows:

Man stands at front centre facing audience. He is turned partly to left, as though to catch the light from window right, and holds in both hands, as if testing and carefully scrutinizing a five-dollar bank note. On his left, facing audience, stands the Old Woman, basket and umbrella in left hand held high as her waist; right

hand beyond the cloak, with open palm showing eager Face uplifted to his with a most anxious and woe begone expression.

ness.

Child stands to right of the man gazing upward with childish curiosity, neglected toy in its hand. Adult figures present three-quarter view to audience. Child profile.

THE HEART'S RESOLVE.

CHARACTERS.

The Dame and the Maiden.

STAGE PROPERTIES.

Table, two chairs, and footstool (quaint old furniture if possible), pot of growing plants piece of knitting, a very elegant white silk gown and pair of old-fashioned spectacles.

COSTUMES.

Scotch peasant's dress. Old Dame should wear the snood with white under cap showing round the face. The Maiden is in house dress without either snood or plaid. (They may hang upon the wall with good effect.) She should wear an apron of some plaid material.

SCENE.

Living-room of peasant's cottage.

Table right;

upon it the flower-pot and knitting. Large arm-chair left. Silk robe thrown across it. Another chair beside the table. Upon it is seated the Maiden, facing audience. Her right foot upon the stool and hands clasped upon her knee. Expression extremely sad, but very resolute. Old Dame stands slightly back of her, bending toward her with pleased look and persuasive manner. In her left hand she holds to view the sleeve

of the silken robe, and in her right the spectacles, as though just having taken them off after examining the dress.

Stage should be so arranged that the figures will be directly in the centre-close together. Right hand of the Dame touches the dress of the Maiden.

The following verse from the old Scotch ballad may be read by an unseen person while the tableau is shown:

A chain of gold ye shall not lack,
Nor braid to bind your hair
Nor mettled hound, nor managed hawk,
Nor palfrey frisk and fair.

And you, the foremost of them a',

Shall ride on forest green!

But yet she loot the tears down fa'
For Jock o' Hazeldeen.

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