=James.= (_aside, piously_) May the time be far distant.
=Dunn.= Well, gentlemen, what are we to make of this dilemma?
=James.= That's the point. Ah! I smell a rat!
=Joseph.= A rat?
=Dunn.= Bless us! where is it? (_JOSEPH S. and DUNN. mount on chairs and look round the room in an alarmed manner_)
=James.= Don't be alarmed--it was only a figure of speech. (_to JOSEPH_) Permit me to look at your letter, sir. (_JOSEPH and DUNN. dismount from the chairs. JOSEPH hands his letter to JAMES, who compares it with his own_) The same, I'm certain. (_returns JOSEPH'S letter--turns to DUNN._) Kindly allow me to see your letter, sir. (_DUNN. gives it--JAMES compares it with his own_) Exactly the same, by Jupiter. (_returns the letter to DUNN._) It is as I thought. All these letters have been written by one hand.
=Dunn.= Is it possible? But what can have been the writer's object.
=James.= Why, don't you know what day it is?
=Joseph.= I see it all. It is the first of April.
=Dunn.= So it is; and we are nothing more nor less than a trio of "APRIL FOOLS."
DUNN.
JAMES S. JOSEPH S.
CURTAIN.
NEW ENTERTAINMENTS.
THE JAPANESE WEDDING.
A costume pantomime representation of the Wedding Ceremony in Japanese high life. The company consists of the bride and groom, their parents, six bridesmaids, and the officiating personage appropriately called the "Go-between." There are various formalities, including salaams, tea-drinking, eating rice-cakes, and giving presents. No words are spoken. The ceremony (which occupies about 50 minutes), with the "tea-room," fills out an evening well, though music and other attractions may be added. Can be represented by young ladies alone, if preferred. =Price, 25 Cents.=
AN EVENING WITH PICKWICK.
A Literary and Dramatic Dickens Entertainment.--Introduces the Pickwick Club, the Wardles of Dingley Dell, the Fat Boy, Alfred Jingle, Mrs.
Leo Hunter, Lord Mutanhed and Count Smorltork, Arabella Allen and Bob Allen, Bob Sawyer, Mrs. and Master Bardell, Mrs. Cluppins, Mrs.
Weller, Stiggins, Tony Weller, Sam Weller, and the Lady Traveller.
=Price, 25 cents.=
AN EVENING WITH COPPERFIELD.
A Literary and Dramatic Dickens Entertainment.--Introduces Mrs.
Copperfield, Davie, the Peggotys, the Murdstones, Mrs. Gummidge, Little Em'ly, Barkis, Betsey Trotwood, Mr. Dick and his kite, Steerforth, the Creakles, Traddles, Rosa Dartle, Miss Mowcher, Uriah Heep and his Mother, the Micawbers, Dora and Gyp, and the wooden-legged Gatekeeper. =Price, 25 cents.=
These "Evenings with Dickens" can be represented in whole or in part, require but little memorizing, do not demand experienced actors, are not troublesome to prepare, and are suitable for performance either on the platform or in the drawing room.
THE GYPSIES' FESTIVAL.
A Musical Entertainment for Young People. Introduces the Gypsy Queen, Fortune Teller, Yankee Peddler, and a Chorus of Gypsies, of any desired number. The scene is supposed to be a Gypsy Camp. The costumes are very pretty, but simple; the dialogue bright; the music easy and tuneful; and the drill movements and calisthenics are graceful. Few properties and no set scenery required, so that the entertainment can be represented on any platform. =Price, 25 cents.=
THE COURT OF KING CHRISTMAS.
A CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT. The action takes place in Santa Claus land on Christmas eve, and represents the bustling preparations of St.
Nick and his attendant worthies for the gratification of all children the next day. The cast may include as many as 36 characters, though fewer will answer, and the entertainment represented on a platform, without troublesome properties. The costumes are simple, the incidental music and drill movements graceful and easily managed, the dialogue uncommonly good, and the whole thing quite above the average. A representation of this entertainment will cause the young folks, from six to sixty, fairly to turn themselves inside out with delight, and, at the same time, enforce the important moral of Peace and Good Will. =Price, 25 cents.=
_RECENTLY PUBLISHED._
=ILLUSTRATED TABLEAUX FOR AMATEURS.= A new series of _Tableaux Vivants_, by MARTHA C. WELD. In this series each description is accompanied with a full-page illustration of the scene to be represented.
PART I.--MISCELLANEOUS TABLEAUX.--Contains General Introduction, 12 Tableaux and 14 Illustrations. =Price, 25 Cents.=
PART II.--MISCELLANEOUS TABLEAUX.--Contains Introduction, 12 Tableaux and 12 illustrations. =Price, 25 Cents.=
=SAVED FROM THE WRECK.= A drama in three acts. Eight male, three female characters. Time, two hours and a half. =Price, 15 Cents.=
=BETWEEN TWO FIRES.= A comedy-drama in three acts. Eight male, three female characters. Time, two hours and a half. =Price, 15 Cents.=
=BY FORCE OF IMPULSE.= A drama in five acts. Nine male, three female characters. Time, two hours and a half. =Price, 15 Cents.=
=A LESSON IN ELEGANCE.= A comedy in one act. Four female characters.
Time, thirty minutes. =Price, 15 Cents.=
=WANTED, A CONFIDENTIAL CLERK.= A farce in one act. Six male characters. Time, thirty minutes. =Price, 15 Cents.=
=SECOND SIGHT.= A farcical comedy in one act. Four male, one female character. Time, one hour. =Price, 15 Cents.=
=THE TRIPLE WEDDING.= A drama in three acts. Four male, four female characters. Time, one hour and a quarter. =Price, 15 cents.=
=> _Any of the above will be sent by mail, postpaid, to any address, on receipt of the annexed prices._<=
HAROLD ROORBACH, Publisher, 9 Murray St., New York.
HELMER'S ACTOR'S MAKE-UP BOOK.
_A Practical and Systematic Guide to the Art of Making up for the Stage._
PRICE, 25 CENTS.