Seeking his fortune, and other dialogues

J. I’ve got tired of Beanville, marm, that’s what’s the matter. I aint goin’ to stay here all my life, raisin’ cabbages, and hoin’ taters. I’m fit for somethin’ better.

J. I had no idee there was so many houses in the world. Bostown’s a big place, to be sure. But I don’t see where they pastur’ all their cows. I didn’t see none in that big lot i...

S. J. (_aside_). The fellow’s just from the country. I must impress him a little. I wonder how much money he’s got. (_Aloud._) Well, as to that, I can’t say, positively. I must...

before a table C. covered with MSS. Piles of newspapers upon the floor on either side of him. A pair of scissors in one hand and a pen in the other. Enter EPHRAIM SIMPSON, L._

ED. (_soliloquizing_). And this is the result of my first week’s labor as an editor. Excellent as my friend Clark has heretofore made the “Post,” I think he will acknowledge tha...

MRS. J. It may be a good plan. We ought to make money; but when I consider that we have a large rent to pay, I can’t help thinking that there is some risk about it. You know we...

MRS. S. (_affectedly_). I must introduce myself as Mrs. Simperton. And this is my daughter, Isadora Malvina. (_MRS. J. bows._) We saw your advertisement in this morning’s “Heral...

A. (_surprised_). I thought you were getting along charmingly. I’m sure the house is full of boarders at good prices, and has been ever since we commenced. What more could you w...

MRS. SKINFLINT (_soliloquizes_). I declare I’ll never buy another thing at Thompson’s store. I paid fifteen cents a yard for my last kaliker dress, and Mis’ Hobbs bought one of...

stage into sitting-room, L., and kitchen, R., as both must be seen at once. There must be a door between. MRS. HOBBS is in the sitting-room, sewing, R. MRS. SKINFLINT enters, L._

C. I was thinking what slaves we were to Fashion and Mrs. Grundy. I don’t know of one of my acquaintances who would have courage enough to do anything which would conflict with...

They are several feet apart, and presided over by BRIDGET MURPHY, R., and KATE O’CALLAHAN, L. Enter FRANK BURLEY, who stands a little in front, but between them, gazing first at...

MRS. B. Oh, no; and yet—let me see. Yes, I am sure he told me that his grandfather died insane. But Frank never could be in such a state. He has too strong a mind for that.

MRS. MURPHY’S stand. Enter JAMES, who examines fruit at each of the stands. MRS. B. and two companions are seen at side entrance, L., looking furtively at MR. B. They talk aside._

CARRIE (_soliloquizing_). So Mrs. Montgomery’s nephew is coming to-day. I hope he is agreeable. I wonder if he is engaged. It must be nice to marry a rich man, and live in the c...

A. H. (_testily_). In my young days things didn’t go on so. Good house-keepers got their bakin’ done by eight o’clock in the morning. They didn’t spend all day in the kitchen, a...

CAL. (_holding it behind him_). It aint a letter; it’s a valentine. It’s got all sorts of pretty figures on the envelope. Promise, Aunt Hannah, that you’ll let me see the inside...

MR. BLISS (_soliloquizing_). Sixty years old to-day! Well, well, how time passes! It seems but yesterday since I was a lad, going to school, and making love to the girls, instea...

with his feet resting on the table, smoking and reading the evening paper. A lady (DICK disguised as MRS. PAYNE) enters L., wearing bonnet and shawl, and closely veiled. MR. BLI...

MRS. P. Possibly we might, if you desired it very much. But I’m afraid you haven’t counted the cost. You have been a bachelor so long, that you might soon tire of a wife, and co...

KATY. It is my private opinion that this blue dress is the purtiest of the lot, an’ as long as Miss Evelyn won’t wear it, there’s no reason why Katy Maguire shouldn’t. It won’t...

M. Katy’s been up to Miss Evelyn’s chamber an’ rigged up in her clothes, an’ she says she’s goin’ to give a grand party in the drawin’-room this avenin’, an’ invites all to be p...

C., with the skirts of her dress spread out so as to make as great a display as possible. Enter ANN, BRIDGET, MARY and JAMES, R. All but MARY make low bows to her. She acknowled...

MRS. M. (_with suppressed eagerness_). Of course I should enjoy it very much. But I wasn’t thinking of myself. The children need it far more than I do. They are both quite feebl...

J. Mr. Jones got the schoolmaster to write that notice for the paper. He came up to the house one night and did it. Jones told him to put it in pretty strong. The marster read i...

MRS. JONES (_turning as she enters, and addressing PATTY in next room_). Dish up the beans, Patty, and be spry now. (_Places pie on table and goes out, R. FLORENCE enters L., an...

MRS. M. I can’t stand boarding here much longer, that’s a fixed fact. Mrs. Jones sets a most wretched table, and the children are really growing thinner every day. If it hadn’t...

MR. F. Ah! I see, you would like a girl of spirit. Then, why not take Kate Ross? The only objection to her is, that she has an imperious temper. I should not care to cross her i...

MR. G. (_going toward door with satisfied smile_). There, I think that will set matters right. I would give something to see how Mrs. Grover will take it, when Bridget, by my di...

MRS. G. (_coolly continuing her sewing_). Certainly. The table was cleared an hour ago. Bridget kept the meat at the fire, but I was sure you had dined down town. Shall I ring f...

MR. H. She has deserted him, and gone, no one knows whither. After dinner yesterday, Brown went to his room a moment, leaving his pocket-book on the table. When he returned, his...

MR. SMITH. Seems to me, Amanda, that for one who runs up such a bill as I paid yesterday, you don’t appear remarkably well dressed. What have you done with all the gay garments...

MR. S. (_excited_). Never! I sent you a pair of the plumpest wild-fowl to be found in the market. My mouth fairly watered for a taste of them as I entered the door, when I was s...

B. No, mum. He axed me “was you out,” and I told him you had gone into Mrs. Clarke’s for a few minutes. He said it was no matter; he only wanted to know had you mended the pocke...

MR. CAMPBELL. Well, I must say it seems pleasant to be home again, once more. After travelling two years through foreign countries, it is really refreshing to reach one’s native...

may be a lounge, but it must have curtains around it. These are necessary, and can be arranged on a light, portable frame. MR. C. enters the room, sets down the lamp on table, R...

AGNES. I had a nice time, and enjoyed myself very much. (_Smiling._) I don’t suppose I should seriously have objected to stopping longer. Do you know, Phil, I made a good many n...

MR. C. What’s to pay now, I wonder? I believe I shall have more adventures in this one night than I met with all the time I was abroad. (_Great pounding at the door._) Halloo th...

MRS. F. (_emphatically_). It’s a shame for any man to be so trying as your uncle is. He hasn’t any business to be so, even if he is sick. It’s nothing but scold and fret from mo...

MR. CROWELL (_in a querulous tone_). Where’s Maria? She’s always gone when I want her. I might die here, and nobody’d know anything about it. (_Knocks on floor with cane. MARIA...

A. P. I can see well enough that I am getting old, and cannot live long, anyway. I get tired out very easy. I think I shall have to ask you to show me to the room I am to occupy...

C. (_to E. M._). We shan’t need to take any further notice of her. She’s deaf as an adder, and can’t hear a word without her trumpet unless we scream at her. I believe you never...

MRS. G. I hope it may prove so, for her money would be a great help to us. In fact, I don’t see how we can get along without it.

FLORA. Oh, yes, mother believes in ghosts, and haunted houses, and all those things, and I suppose that, as a dutiful daughter, I ought to do the same; but I haven’t very much f...

the stage into two rooms, as both must be seen at once. There must be a door between. In right-hand room is a lounge with pillow and blanket. FLORA sits in rocking-chair, solilo...

F. (_soliloquizing_). So Mr. Percival is going to call on me to-day. It is quite fortunate I happened to overhear his plans. I suppose he will repeat that momentous question aga...

FRANK (_not altering his position, but motioning his visitor to a seat_). That’s the way to do. One might as well enjoy life as he goes along. Have a cigar, Aldrich? (_Offers hi...

F. Yes, and, judging from the slight examination I have made, it already needs to be revised and corrected. But there’s no doubt about my getting a situation, Ed. You see what a...

F. Yes, I do. This morning I was awakened by the sound of a bell. I listened, wondering what could be the matter. There were sounds from below, as if something had happened. Doo...

wearing their hats. FRANK is carrying a basket of grapes (or some other kind of fruit). They take off their hats, and FRANK lays both on the table. ANNIE seats herself, R., and...

MRS. SMITH. It is a serious matter. This letter informs me that my sister Sarah is sick, and it is doubtful if she recovers. I ought to go and see her, but I am afraid I shall n...

BRIDGET, R. C. (_washing dishes_). An’ what’s Misther Smith at home to-day for, I wonder? Didn’t the missis think she left me enough to do, widout havin’ him round? I was goin’...

MRS. A. No. They live at such a distance, that there has been but little communication between the two families. Your father met Mr. Haynes in the city a few days ago, and invit...

a curtain extending from front to back of stage, it being necessary that both should be seen at once. SERVANT ushers EUNICE, who has just arrived, into R., one of them._

E. (_interrupting her by advancing and throwing her arms around her neck_). Why, haow d’ye do, Aunt Tildy? I’m proper glad to see ye. (_MRS. A. withdraws from the embrace with a...

B. (_much amused_). That reminds me that when I took my napkin from the ring, she asked me if I used a towel in my lap because I was afraid of spoiling my dress. She also said t...

B. (_beckoning to MR. W., who comes to her, and speaking in a low but audible tone_). Mr. Warner, I wish to introduce you to a cousin of mine, a rustic damsel, who has never bee...

B. I certainly did, but you surely gave me reason. I give you credit for acting your part well. But what induced you to take upon yourself such a character?

DEA. R. I don’t see but I’ve got to wear these clothes, as long as the others are gone, for the convention meets at nine, and I shan’t have much more’n time to eat my breakfast....

F. H. Well—aw—I’m sure, I don’t see what I’m going to do. I never can go out on the street—aw—wearing such wretched-looking clothes. (_Standing up suddenly and gazing upon them....

DEA. R. (_a little vexed_). If you won’t be in such a hurry, Dr. Cummings, I’ll explain it all. You see I came over to Rossville last evening and put up here. I went to bed earl...

JOHN (_entering room, R., with boots in his hand_). It’s most time for me to go to the store, Mary. (_Sits down, C., and puts on boots._) I declare it’s astonishing how soon eig...

a vest on the table, and two coats on as many chairs. A dressing-gown thrown carelessly on the sofa, and slippers on the floor near them. AUNT REBECCA and MARY enter, L._

on chairs, two of MARY’S dresses on sofa, and her shawl and bonnet on JOHN’S arm-chair. Two of JOHN’S hats on table. MARY crocheting, R. JOHN and EDWIN HASTINGS enter, L._

TOM. One of _your_ dignity! That’s a good one. But come now, Dick, do tell us if anything is going on. It’s been the perfection of dulness here for the last three weeks. Any cha...

an arm-chair, R. C. On the table before her are placed an hour-glass and a pack of cards, a small mirror, and an open book. Charts covered with mystical characters are hung on t...

J. (_solus_). I thought I should find a dictionary _here_. Dick told me this morning I was the most “stultiloquent orator” he ever listened to. I never heard the word before, bu...

background is placed a large screen, from behind which—whenever they can escape observation—several boys peer out. Enter DICK, R., with an open letter. He advances to R. C._