SCENE IV.

(_As curtain rises, members of Ladies’ Aid Society are seen removing wraps, the President, Mrs. Jenkins, being in the chair._)

_President._ (_rapping upon table_). Will the meeting please come to order?

_Miss Loomis._ (_wildly_). Where _is_ my other rubber? They were brand new last week, and—

_President._ (_rapping again_). Ladies, will you _please_ come to order? We will open with the minutes of the last meeting, and Miss Loomis, who acted as secretary pro-tem, will read them.

_Miss Loomis._ (_apologetically_). I didn’t have time to copy them in the book, but I have them on a piece of paper. (_rummages in bag_). I’m sure I brought them. Here they are! (_reads_). Take one dozen eggs—Oh, mercy no, that’s the recipe for angel cake. Wait till I look again. (_takes crochet pattern from bag_). That’s the pattern for lace that Brother Tom’s wife gave me. (_Holds it up._) It’s real pretty, isn’t it?

_Mrs. Hodges._ (_eagerly_). Let me see it!

_Miss Loomis._ (_explaining_). You make a double crochet, after you’ve chained twelve.

_Mrs. Hodges._ Oh, that’s easy! I could pick that out myself.

(_Other members endeavor to examine the crochet pattern._)

_President._ (_with dignity_). Miss Loomis, we are waiting for the minutes of the meeting.

_Miss Loomis._ (_holding up paper_). O here they are! I’ll read them!

_Miss Loomis._ The regular meeting of the Ladies’ Aid Society was held on November tenth at the residence of Mrs. Winter, seven members present, and the President, Mrs. Jenkins, being in the chair. Minutes of last meeting read and approved. Report of supper committee read and approved. Proceeds of harvest supper, seven dollars and thirty-five cents.

_Mrs. Winter._ We charged too much for that supper, or we’d have made more money.

_Mrs. Hodges._ (_sharply_). I don’t think we charged too much considering the terrible price of food.

_Mrs. Winter._ (_irritably_). Well, I don’t like to work my feet off for a measly seven dollars.

_President._ (_rapping_). Ladies, will you please come to order. Miss Loomis, continue with your report.

_Miss Loomis._ (_nervously_). I lost my place. Let’s see—

_President._ (_to help her_). You were reading about the harvest supper.

_Miss Loomis._ O yes. It was voted to send a box to Mrs. David Brown, committee to meet at the home of Mrs. Banks, chairlady of the committee.

_Mrs. Banks._ There were only two of the society there.

_Miss Loomis._ I was too busy to come, but I sent a nice hat for the missionary’s wife.

_Mrs. Banks._ (_aside_). That terrible hat!

_President._ Ladies, I must insist that you come to order.

_Miss Loomis._ (_worried_). Where’s that crochet pattern? I can’t lose that!

_Mrs. Hodges._ (_handing it to her_). Here you are. I was just counting the stitches.

_President._ Miss Loomis, if you have finished your report, we will hear a letter received by Mrs. Hodges, our secretary, from Mrs. Brown.

_Miss Loomis._ Yes, I guess that was all.

_Mrs. Hodges._ (_nervously_). Wait till I find my glasses. (_rummaging in bag_). Here they are. (_Opens letter._)

“My Dear Friends: Words fail me when I try to express my thanks for the beautiful box which you sent.—”

_Miss Loomis._ Pleased, wasn’t she?

“My heart is too full to write, as I think of the wonderful kindness which prompted you to send it.”

_Mrs. Winter._ (_puzzled_). They ain’t usually so thankful.

_President._ Ladies, please come to order, and let us listen to the letter.

_Mrs. Hodges._ (_continuing_). The beautiful dress for my daughter. (_aside_). She meant that gingham of Clara’s—Where was I—“The clothing for myself which seems far too good for a missionary’s wife—”

_Miss Loomis._ Somehow that don’t just fit our box.

_Mrs. Hodges._ (_continuing_). “The gifts for my son and husband are most thankfully received. Believe me dear friends, I am more than grateful for your kindness.

“Yours very sincerely, “RUTH M. BROWN.”

_Mrs. Winter._ Somehow I can’t quite figure that out.

_Mrs. Hodges._ Ours was a nice box, nice enough, but she didn’t have no call to say quite so much.

_Mrs. Banks._ (_rising_). Ladies, I have here a letter from my husband’s sister, Mrs. Worthington, which may throw some light upon Mrs. Brown’s letter. Each Christmas we send a box to Mrs. Worthington, and I have received this acknowledgment for the gifts which we sent this year. (_Opens letter._)

“Louisa: I have just supervised the opening of a box, which while directed to me was evidently destined for the almshouse. In fact, I doubt whether the inmates of the almshouse would have found the donations acceptable. Beneath newspapers which formed the packing, I found an article, which at first appeared to be a abandoned birds’ nest, but which upon closer inspection was evidently intended for a hat.”

_Miss Loomis._ (_aghast_). My hat! Why I paid five dollars for that hat eight years ago and it was perfectly good. A bird’s nest! My hat!

_Mrs. Banks._ (_calmly_). May I continue?

“There were a motley collection of ghastly neckties, a tattered overcoat, a forlorn gingham—”

_Mrs. Hodges._ (_indignantly_). That was a perfectly good dress, only Clara said she wouldn’t wear it any more!

_Mrs. Banks._ (_continuing_). “And other disreputable apparel. I cannot understand the insult and assure you that I deem it unwarranted and unpardonable. I need hardly say that the garments were given to the rag man.

“Your sister-in-law, “AMELIA WORTHINGTON.”

_Mrs. Winter._ What an awful letter!

_Mrs. Hodges._ (_shocked_). I’m glad I haven’t relations-in-law like that!

_Mrs. Banks._ It is evidently clear to you ladies, that the labels upon the boxes were mixed, and the box for my sister-in-law reached Mrs. Brown, while the missionary box which we packed was sent by mistake to Mrs. Worthington.

_Miss Loomis._ (_indignantly_). To say that my hat was a birds’ nest!

_Mrs. Winter._ And disreputable apparel!

_President._ Ladies, will you come to order! I regret of course that the mistake has been made, for doubtless it places Mrs. Banks in a very embarrassing position.

_Mrs. Banks._ (_nervously_). Embarrassing is no word for it. She was so mad, it showed in her handwriting. (_Passes letter round for inspection._)

_Mrs. Hodges._ (_gently_). Well, there is one good side to it. The missionary was pleased with her box, and I guess Clara’s dress was pretty faded.

_Mrs. Winter._ (_apologetically_). And I might have taken time to mend the overcoat.

_Miss Loomis._ (_firmly_). I make no apologies for my hat!

_President._ I suppose we could have fixed up the box meant for the missionary with pretty wrappings, like we do other peoples.

_Mrs. Hodges._ (_rising_). Ladies, may I say a few words?

_President._ Mrs. Hodges has the floor.

_Mrs. Hodges._ I think this has been a lesson to us, although it has probably made a peck of trouble for Mrs. Banks.

_Mrs. Banks._ That’s so!

_Mrs. Hodges._ I think it shows us that our missionary likes pretty things the same as we do.

_Miss Loomis._ (_interrupting_). That’s why I sent my hat!

_Mrs. Hodges._ (_continuing_). And while I am sorry that it has made trouble for Mrs. Banks, I can’t help being glad that the missionary got the nice box, so I would move that hereafter we make our missionary Christmas boxes as nice as those we send our husband’s relations.

_All._ Second the motion!

_President._ It is moved and seconded that hereafter we make the boxes we send to our missionaries as good as those which are intended for our husband’s relations. All in favor say “Aye.”

_All._ (_heartily_). Aye!

_President._ Opposed? It is unanimously carried.

CURTAIN.

We Call Attention to These Numbers for Christmas.

=Christmas at Finnegan’s Flat= =15 Cents= =Christmas at Golden Gulch= =15 Cents=

Both splendid plays by Seymour S. Tibbals, for Public or Sunday School. See description elsewhere in this catalog.

=Mrs. Santa Claus Militant= =15c=

And then for your smaller children use these tuneful cantatas, plays and drills:

=Santa at Sea=—(Cantata) =25c= =Santa in Southland=—(Cantata) =25c=

By Harry C. Eldridge. See description elsewhere in this catalog.

=Bo Peep’s Christmas Party=—(Play) =15c= =Home-Made Santa Claus=—(Play) =25c= =Christmas Chimes=—(Drill) =15c= =Christmas Surprise Drill= =15c= =Silver Stars=—(Drill) =15c=

Three Successful Juvenile Operettas

By HARRY C. ELDRIDGE.

=Midsummer Eve= Libretto by Guptill. A musical fairy play, introducing pretty drills and music. Has been given in hundreds of places and always pleases. Price 40 cents.

=Under the Sugar Plum Tree= Libretto by Bugbee. Introducing in a novel way the characters of Field, Riley and Stevenson. Bright music and easy to learn. Contains a May-pole dance. Price 40 cents.

=In Little Folks Town= Libretto by Bugbee. Is a delightful musical play for small children, introducing a clever pageant. Price 40 cents.

——HERE ARE——

SOME OF OUR VERY NEW TITLES

It is always a satisfaction to be the first to get hold of new and novel entertainments, and here is =YOUR= chance:

PLAYS FOR FEMALE CHARACTERS

=Aunt Deborah’s First Luncheon= =25c= =When Shakespeare Struck The Town= =25c= =Ye Tea Party of Ye Olden Time= =25c=

TWO CLEVER MUSICAL PLAYS FOR CHILDREN

=Under The Sugar Plum Tree= =40c= =In Little Folks Town= =40c=

TWO NEW MOCK TRIALS

=Father Time’s Christmas Trial= =15c= =Will Soakum’s Matrimonial Bureau= =25c=

THREE SPLENDID BOOKS

=Dramatic Stories, Myths and Legends= { =Paper 35c; Boards 50c= For Children—The Stage or School Room {

=Good Stunts for Commencement Week= =50c= Novelties That Will Enliven This Festive Occasion

=What to Say For Closing Day= =30c= Good Dialogs, Exercises, Etc. for Closing Day

SEND ORDERS TO

ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE

Franklin, Ohio

RELEASED FOR AMATEUR PRODUCTION.

“The Little Politician”

_BY SEYMOUR S. TIBBALS_

_A COMEDY IN FOUR ACTS_

_SEVEN MALES AND THREE FEMALES_

THIS play was produced professionally for several seasons under another title, and is now released for amateur production without royalty and without restrictions of any kind. The scenery and costumes are simple. Time, about two hours. A young society girl plays an important part in overthrowing a corrupt political boss and brings about the election of her fiance. The race for the hand of a wealthy widow by rival suitors furnishes the comedy. A pretty story is unfolded, but without actual love-making or any scenes objectionable to the amateur. Recommended for high schools and dramatic clubs.