Elizabeth F. Guptill

“ His whiskers are very predominant. They grow as thick as a crop of well fertilized clover in a good hay year. His hair is long, thick, and curly, so that if he bumps his head getting down a chimbley, it won’t hurt him none—I mean not any. These hair and whiskers are of a sandy color, which is one reason he is called Sandy Claws. The other reason is because he has claws.
Aunt Hepsey—Hold on there, Betsey! I’ve seen many a picture of Sandy Claws in my day, but nary a one that had claws.
Miss P.—Nor, I, Miss Bascom, but if Uncle Sol says so—
Aunt Hepsey—Land yes, there’s no disputin’ Sol Perkins. ”

“ A recitation may be a recounting of incidents, but a monologue has action; it becomes alive, and you are carried along with intense interest. A great variety of subjects. Also twenty-eight selections as follows: For Washington’s Birthday (4) . For Labor Day (4) . For Memorial Day, Flag Day, and other Patriotic Occasions (3) . For Thanksgiving Day (8) . For Christmas (9) . Price, thirty cents.
RECITATIONS FOR PRIMARY GRADES, ORIGINAL AND UNIQUE. By Elizabeth F. Guptill. A collection of an unusual sort. Every one is as interesting as a story, and every one has a very decided point. ”

“ Aunt Hepsy— (clapping) Brayvo, children, brayvo! Where ever did you find sech a proprate song as that, Miss Peppergrass? (Miss P. simpers) You never writ it your own self, did you? Wal, I guess that’ll take the wind outen Hanner Ann Jenkinses sails. I allers thought a heap o’ po’try, myself, but I s’posed it took a lot o’ brains to write it. Did it take you days ’n days? And what was all the flumadoodles with their hands for?
Miss P.—Why, motion songs are very popular in the cities, I’ve heard, so I thought we would give some at our entertainment. ”

“ The girls carry garlands of evergreen while the boys carry wreaths of the same. After a spectacular drill and fancy march they all sing a beautiful Christmas song, which accompanies the drill. Following the song they wind a spiral to the center of the stage, unwind same and march off. Complete instructions are given. It is the best Christmas drill ever published; easy to produce and decidedly novel. Price, 15 cents.
PEARL’S CHRISTMAS. Original, pleasing and interesting Christmas dialogue with an excellent moral, for 3 boys and 4 girls. ”

“ The author has brought out with skill the humorous incidents that help make up the life of the country girl and woman, while the fashionable woman of the city, who is interested in parties, teas and golf, is just as truthfully depicted. ”

“ Aunt Hepsy—She’ll skin him alive, ef he does say it wrong. Hanner Ann writ that ere little varse herself, ’n she’s prouder of it [9] than a kitten with its fust mouse. Better say “pretty toy,” Ruby, ef your ma says so.
Reuben—A jumpin’ jack is a pretty toy.
Miss P.—We will now sing our welcome song. (Several begin to sing, in different keys. Miss P. raps on her desk and they stop.)
Miss P.—No, no, children. Wait till I give you the key. I will start the songs, and you must wait for me. Why, what would people think if you started in like that, all out of tune? ”

“ A GARDEN ROMANCE. This is a dainty little song telling of the romance and wedding of Marigold and Sweet William. It is just the song for dainty little girls to sing.
COME TO THE NURSERY RHYME GARDEN AND PLAY. Here is something different for the little folks to sing. The Nursery Rhyme Folk are so familiar to children, it will be no trick for them to remember the words. The music has a most captivating swing. ”

“ He doos hate ter have any body doubt his stories—and after all, we’ve never went to sea.
Miss P.—Next is a recitation by Aaron and Mosetta Peaslee.
Aunt Hepsey—What’s the name ont?
Aaron— (as he and his sister come out) Name’s “Aaron and Moses.”
Miss P.—But I told you that wouldn’t do for a piece, and you were to learn another.
Miriam— (rising) ’Tis another, Teacher—or rather it’s the same one made longer. Ma she said it was too bad to change it when ’twas so ’proprate, ’n Reuben’s mother she fixed it up fer ’em. It’s good, now, Teacher, really, ’n Ma she says it’s that or nothin’. ”

“ Aunt Hepsy—I haint a doubt they was, Miss Peppergrass, not a mite o’ doubt; but I was so flabbergasted at hearin’ them ere new words sung to thet old tune and so dumfounded at seein’ all them young ’uns a wavin’ their paws, wild like, in the air, thet I [11] never once noticed if it war graceful. It sure was, though, an’ that’s a fact.
Miss P.—Next will be a recitation by Lucinda Lowe. An old poem, with new variations. (Lucinda advances, bows very low, and recites. She announces the name of her piece, as do all, in the old-fashioned way.) ”

“ Aunt Hepsey—Least said soonest mended, child. Best keep still, and go on with the programmy.
Miss P.—Music by the orchestra. “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night.” (Peter, Jacob, Rhoda, Miriam, Betsey, and Sammy come out.) (Sammy has a drum, Peter “bones” or “clappers,” Jacob a jewsharp, or harmonica if he can play the tune on it, Rhoda has a triangle, and Miriam and Betsey have paper covered combs.)
Hiram— (from doorway) Shell I come, teacher? I’m all rigged out in these doodads.
Miss P.—Yes, come and take your part. Santa Claus has a right to whistle at a Christmas entertainment. ”

“ Aunt Hepsy—Good for you, Sally.
Miss P.—Next, a recitation by Patience Toothacre, “Watching for Santa.”
(Patty comes from entry, dressed in long nightie. She has bare feet and flowing hair, and carries a candle.)
Aunt Hepsy—For the land sakes, Patty Toothacre! Go dress yourself.
Patty— (indignantly) I is dressed, underneath. This is my—my—
Reuben—Cuss tune.
Miss P.—Reuben!
Reuben—That’s what you called it.
Patty—
I’se watching for Santa. ”

“ LITTLE PIECES FOR LITTLE PEOPLE. Each set has twenty cards containing twenty-nine bright, pretty recitations for boys and girls, from five to ten years of age. Teachers like the pieces because of their convenient form. Being printed on cards, all wearisome copying is avoided. ”

“ Christmas Entertainments
CHRISTMAS AT PUNKIN HOLLER. A new Christmas play by Elizabeth F. Guptill that abounds in clean, wholesome fun from beginning to end. It depicts the trials of the teacher of an old-fashioned “deestric school” in conducting the last rehearsal for the Christmas Entertainment. Some of the pupils are in “custom,” as big Jake puts it, and “Sandy Claus” is there. The children go through their parts with gusto and more or less success. May be given in any schoolroom by any number. Easy to produce. ”

“ Aunt Hepsy—Think it was a lot o’ sheep a blartin’, most likely.
(Children laugh. Miss P. raps for order, gets the key, with an old-fashioned tuning fork, if one can be obtained, and starts the song. All stand up to sing. Tune: “Tramp, tramp, tramp, the boys are marching.”)
SONG.
We are gathered1 here to-night, on this Christmas Eve so bright,
Just to show you all2 the things that we can do. ”

“ At close, bow airily, and dance to seat.)
Aunt Hepsey—Wal, ef that aint the purtiest thing I ever saw! And Fay makes a sweet fairy. Now you writ that, I’m sure, Miss Peppergrass. Oh, you needn’t acknowlidge it, ’nless you wanter, kaze I kin tell, by the way you blush, ’n simper. You needn’t be ’fraid ter own it, fer it’s as good as anythin’ Longfeller ever writ, I’m sure.
Miss P.—Next a recitation by Johnny Lowe—“Hang Up Your Stocking.”
Johnny— (he speaks very low and fast.)
Hang up your stockin’ on Christmas Eve ”

“ Every dialogue in this book is decidedly to the point and easy to prepare. They will delight young and old alike. Contents: Is There a Santa Claus? 2 small children, Santa Claus and chorus; Herbert’s Discovery, 2 boys; The Christmas Dinner, 2 little girls, 1 larger girl and 2 boys; Playing Santa Claus, 1 small and 2 larger boys; A Double Christmas Gift, 2 small girls, 2 larger girls, and 3 boys. Price, 15 cents.
EVERGREEN AND HOLLY—SONG AND DRILL. By Elizabeth F. Guptill. A drill for any even number of boys and girls, or all girls. ”