Effa E. Preston

“ Oh, we watch while others sleep.
2—When the toy shop is silent and dark shadows fall
Then out from the counter we stealthily crawl
Our boxes are tiresome as tiresome can be,
We yearn for the darkness that brings liberty. To soft music of Home, Sweet Home they disappear behind counter, dolls, first and soldiers last. Teddy Bear climbs in his box and pulls down lid.
All: Good night. Good night.
Entertainments for All Occasions
Entertainments for Christmas PAINE PUBLISHING CO. ”

“ H is a happy letter, it stands for Ho, Ho, Ho,
For hop and hope and helping, for health and home you know. E Block:
E is an eccentric letter, it stands for ear and eye,
For enter and for exit, and it is the end of pie. N Block:
N is a needed letter, it stands for nosegay bright,
It stands for nice and naughty, for nonsense, noon and night. All Blocks:
We can spell Christmas and Santa Claus ”

“ No toys are in sight as place is closed for the night. When curtain rises the proprietor has on hat and coat ready to leave.
TIME Late in the evening the week before Christmas.
CHARACTERS AND COSTUMES Soldiers—Boys in blue soldier suits or in scout suits.
Books—Girls in white, book covers of yellow cardboard suspended, front and back, from shoulders. Names printed on covers in black letters.
Blocks—Girls in white, hollow white pasteboard box fastened about waist. All four sides of box bear same letter in red. There are letters for CAT, DOG and HEN. Any letters which spell a word may be used. ”

“ Jumping Jacks—Boys in bright green suits made like tights, legs cut to cover feet, pointed green caps, long sticks fastened up their backs.
Dolls—Girls with blonde curls, half in pink dresses and hats; rest in blue, white slippers and stockings. ”

“ After first part of drill is finished have first row bend knees low through four beats, then rise and second row bend knees for four beats and repeat till tired, when all march to rear of stage in front of blocks. ”

“ Proprietor—Tall boy in cap and long overcoat.
3 In a Toy Shop Proprietor: I’m glad it’s closing time for I’m tired. I always work so hard the week before Christmas and I had a lot of new toys to put away today. I hope I have no trouble in selling them but times are hard. ”