George M. Baker

Name: The Merry Christmas of the Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe
Author: George M. Baker

The Merry Christmas of the Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe

Summary

“The Merry Christmas of the Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe”, is a work by George M. Baker. It explores elements such as Santa Claus, Shoe and curtains.

Quotes from The Merry Christmas of the Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe (George M. Baker)

George M. Baker, The Merry Christmas of the Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe

“ Who, to fond parents, are rich gifts themselves;
And now I've come, resolved to make a show
In that old mansion with the copper toe,
Where dwells a dame, with children great and small,
Enough to stock a school, or crowd a hall. [162]
If they are worthy of our kind regard,
Christmas shall bring to them a rich reward.
So I have donned for once a meaner dress,
To personate a beggar in distress.
If to my wants they lend a listening ear,
The rough old shoe shall glow with Christmas cheer:
If they are rude, and turn me from the door,
Presto! I vanish, and return no more. Song: Santa Claus ”

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Source: Gutenberg

George M. Baker, The Merry Christmas of the Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe

“ Living in a shoe! Aha! (Heads disappear.)
Well, I'll get in, and make the children warm.
Tucked in their beds, they're always safe from harm.
And in their dreams, perhaps, such gifts will rise
As wakeful, wretched poverty denies. (Disappears behind shoe.)
Enter cautiously, R., Santa Claus; his fabled dress is hidden by a long domino, or "waterproof;" he has, swung about his neck, a tin kitchen, on which he grinds an imaginary accompaniment to his song. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

George M. Baker, The Merry Christmas of the Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe

“ Down at Copper Toe Shoe.
Oh, you sha'n't, &c.
Santa. Well, well, I'm puzzled! Here's a grand surprise.
Bless me, the tears are dropping from my eyes!
Thank you, my children. This is quite bewitchin';
With eatables you've nearly filled my kitchen.
Ah, little ones! you've learned the better part.
They are the poor who lack the kindly heart;
And they the rich, the noble, and the high,
Who never willing pass the sufferer by.
Now comes my triumph. Children, speak up bright: [166]
What day is this?
All. Christmas.
Little Girl. No; 'tis Christmas night! ”

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Source: Gutenberg

George M. Baker, The Merry Christmas of the Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe

“ Can burrow in the lowliest spot on earth;
That sweet compassion's ne'er so poorly fed,
But what she finds an extra crust of bread.
Now, to reward your generous hearts, my chicks,
Into the earth these magic seeds I sticks;
These cabalistic words in Hebrew mutter,—
"Ene, mene, moni, suti, sutter;"
Presto! appear! and, glittering bright and free,
Beams on your sight the mystic Christmas tree. (Shoe divides, and disappears R. and L. Curtains at back open, disclosing tree.)
Song: "We'll gather round the Christmas Tree." Santa Claus and Old Woman distribute presents to the company. Curtain falls. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

George M. Baker, The Merry Christmas of the Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe

“ A curtain, of same material or color as back stage, should be hung in rear of shank, that children standing behind may not be seen. A settee is placed behind it, on which the children in the dwelling stand. 1, 2, and 3 lie upon the stage, and stick their heads out when required. The characters can pass between the curtains at back, to their places. When the tree is disclosed, all the characters are in front, the settee is removed, the braces unfastened, and, at a signal, two boys run off the shoe, and others draw the curtains. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

George M. Baker, The Merry Christmas of the Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe

“ The choicest Christmas gifts should on them shower. Song: Old Woman; air, "Comin' through the Rye."
If a widdy's with her biddies,
Living in a shoe,
If a widdy's work unstiddies,
What'll widdy do? (Heads appear as before.)
Every mother loves her biddies ”

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Source: Gutenberg

George M. Baker, The Merry Christmas of the Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe

“ The old man's hungry: quickly disappear! (Children scamper behind shoe.)
Santa. She drives them in. To me 'tis very clear
Old Santa fails to find a welcome here.
O. W. We're very poor, have fasted many a day,
Yet from our door ne'er drove the poor away. Song; air, "Balm of Gilead," by the Children, who march in as before, carrying sticks, on which are stuck apples, potatoes, crusts of bread, turnip, carrot, "beat," &c. They move around the stage, singing as they pass Santa; the last time, pitch their potatoes, &c., into his tin kitchen. He stands L. of stage ”

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Source: Gutenberg

George M. Baker, The Merry Christmas of the Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe

“ But not the whole gettin', one's body tight fits in,
Is noffin' to this, which is drefful. Oh, oh!
Drat these grand fashions! they wakens my passions,
A-nippin' and gnawin' my poor stomach so!
[163]
(Heads disappear.)
Now, there's a touching song to move the heart,
Hark! what's that? I thought I heard them start. Song: Children, outside; air, "Oh, dear, what can the matter be?" ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

George M. Baker, The Merry Christmas of the Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe

“ Drapery was hung at the sides and back; a Christmas tree, filled with presents, was placed well back on the stage, and hidden by curtains arranged to separate in the middle. In front of these was placed "Copper Toe Shoe House." The rear view represents the frame made of wood, in two pieces, to separate in the middle, of the following dimensions: ten feet from toe to heel, five feet and one half from heel to top, four feet and one half across top, heel about twenty inches long, eight inches high. ”

George M. Baker

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Quotes from The Merry Christmas of the Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe (George M. Baker)

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