Public-domain ebook

The Inventor. Introducing the Wishing Box. A Christmas Play

Name: The Inventor. Introducing the Wishing Box. A Christmas Play
Author: Elsie Duncan Yale

by Elsie Duncan Yale

Read now Add to library

Language: en286 downloads on Project Gutenberg

Subjects

Christmas plays

In: Children & Young Adult Reading·Plays/Films/Dramas

Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #53086.

The opening · free to read

The sitting room of Faraway Farm. Rocking chairs, table covered with red cloth or oilcloth, braided rugs, small mirror hanging on wall, beneath which are comb and brush. Lantern, carpet slippers, books, and large box (see suggestions).

CHARACTERS AND COSTUMES.

TOM.—Ordinary street clothes, long overcoat, and afterward cap with college band. Carries college flag, after he comes from the Wishing Box.

EDITH.—Dressed as girl of fourteen in traveling costume.

AUNT SUSAN.—Gingham dress, white apron, white wig.

ABNER.—Old suit, blue overalls, boots, afterwards removed for carpet slippers. After he comes from the Wishing Box wears checked suit, gay necktie, derby and carries “sample” case of soap and perfumes.

MISS WISE.— } Teachers. Long cloaks and veils. MISS MARKUS.—}

MISS PRISCILLA.—} Spinsters. Old-fashioned dress, carry MISS PRUDENCE.— } old valises, umbrellas, bundles, bird-cage, } etc.

RASTUS (1) Black face.—Pullman porter. Dark uniform trimmed with brass buttons, cap lettered “Pullman.” Blackened face and hands.

RASTUS (2) White face.—Same size boy, costumed identically. He takes Rastus’ place, as provided in the play.

INVENTOR.—Should be dressed to suggest “absent-mindedness,” as, for example, a tan shoe on one foot and a black one on the other, gloves on wrong hands, etc.

GENERAL SUGGESTIONS.

The magic wishing box is a large packing box, lettered “Wishing Box Patent Applied For.” Across the rear of the platform a dark curtain is stretched, making as it were a false wall to the room. This conceals the box until it is needed, and affords opportunity for the characters to make the necessary changes in their costumes. One side of the box, also the top are removed, so that the characters may enter the box through the top, using a small stepladder if necessary, and come out again quickly, being enabled to change their costumes and receive the necessary accessories through the side which has been removed. It is important that everything necessary for the change of costume should be in readiness. In the case of the Pullman porter it will be found advisable to substitute for “Rastus,” a boy costumed in exactly the same manner but with face unblackened.

WARNING.

PERMISSION FOR PUBLIC PERFORMANCE.

According to the provisions of the Copyright Act of July, 1909, the owner of the Copyright “shall have the exclusive right to print, reprint, publish, copy and vend the Copyright work.”

The purchase of this copy or of any number of copies does not carry with it the right of Public Performance for any purpose whatever, but the Owners of the Copyright hereby grant permission for Public Performance to any bona fide purchaser of ten or more copies who shall in good faith make such a purchase for the purpose herein stated.

Performance from borrowed or rented copies is not permitted.

HALL-MACK COMPANY, Owners of the Copyright.

AUNT SUSAN (laying down knitting).—Dear, dear, it’s snowing still. This will certainly be a white Christmas. (Resumes work.) I must hurry and finish this sock for Abner. He’s been such a faithful hired boy, and I don’t know of a thing that would please him better for Christmas than a pair of nice red socks. (Holds them up to view.) (Knits a few moments.) They’re finished now, and I know he’ll be plumb tickled. He did say somethin’ about a baseball an’ bat, but these here socks are better. I must wrap them up in paper. Where’s that piece the meat came in? (Rises and searches, at last finding it.) I don’t believe in this new-fangled nonsense about red ribbon and holly tags for wrapping presents. (Wraps socks in meat paper.)

(Enter Abner, whistling, sets down lantern, takes off boots and puts on bright colored carpet slippers. Goes to mirror and combs hair.)

ABNER.—The chores are all done now, thank goodness. Where’s that book I wuz readin’, “Wyoming Will, the Hero of Gold Gulch?” (Searches on table and finds it. Sits down to read.)

SUSAN.—Did you shut the henhouse door and lock the stable?

ABNER.—Yes, ma’am. I got up at three o’clock this morning, an’ I swept the barn an’ fed the horses an’ cows an’ pigs an’ chickens, an’ did the milkin’, an’ shoveled paths, an’ split kindlin’ an sawed wood, an’ cleaned the harness, an’ got the mail, an’ shoveled some more, an’ mended the sleigh, an’ did the evening chores, an’ now it’s nine an’ I’m through. (Sighs.) Nothin’ to do till to-morrow. Ain’t I the lucky guy?

SUSAN.—Yes, Abner, you are a right lucky boy to be hired man here I can tell you, an’ I hope you won’t be foolish an’ run away to the city. You may be plumb thankful you have to work. Do you know who finds mischief for idle hands?

ABNER (promptly).—Yes, ma’am, you do. I know what I’d do if I had a lot of money, though.

SUSAN.—What would you do?

ABNER.—I’d go to a high-class hotel an’ hire a number-one room, an’ leave orders to be called at three.

SUSAN.—That’s a crazy notion.

ABNER.—Then, when they knocked on my door, I’d say, Nix, I don’t have to get up.

SUSAN.—Hark! I hear someone at the gate. I hope it ain’t a tramp. I ain’t got no time for those fellers that don’t want to work between meals. Cut out the meals, I say, if that’s the case.

ABNER.—You’ve got as much sympathy for them as you have for me. The only place I find sympathy is in the dictionary.

SUSAN.—Don’t stop to talk, Abner, but open the door.

(Abner reluctantly lays down his book and rises.)

ABNER.—Got to tend door, too. Next thing I’ll have to wear a frilly apron and a dinky little cap. Miss Susan is sure the President of the Society for the Prevention of Leisure.

VOICE.—Anybody home?

ABNER.—Nobody but the lamp and that’s going out.

(Opens door and enter storm-bound party.)

The book keeps going