Grace Cooke Strong

“ Gates is going to marry Hilda.
Mr. B. (springing up in surprise) . No?
Mr. T. Yes.
(Hilda appears in door l. and listens intently, unnoticed by the others.)
Mr. B. He's too old.
Mr. T. Oh, no, merely a dignified age for a girl so conservatively reared as Hilda has been. She is much in advance of her years, I assure you.
Mr. B. (pacing the floor thoughtfully) . I don't like it.
Mr. T. I think it a most suitable match, and I am intending to present the happy pair with my most precious heirloom—the Templeton teapot.
(Hilda disappears.) ”

“ I am tired of living in the past and being old fashioned and hearing about the teapot. I want to live for myself and have friends that don't belong to the best families. I am going to Cousin Anne's in New York; she will find me something to do that will keep me busy and happy. Don't worry about me. With love, Hilda."
Mrs. T. Gone! My dear child! What will become of her? (Sinks into a chair.)
Sue (wiping her eyes) . She has gone to New York alone—at night! (Cries audibly.)
Prof. G. (trying to comfort Sue) . My dear Miss Templeton, do not let your feelings overcome you. ”

“ Hilda! Horace, have you seen——? (In despair.) Oh, it's of no use. Sue! (Enter Sue, l.) Sue, have you seen anything of Hilda?
Sue. She came in here after dinner.
Mrs. T. (looking out r.) . She must have gone out, for her wraps are not in the hall. How unfortunate!
Sue. She will be at home presently. (Looks at basket.) I wouldn't leave that basket there, Celia. If—if Professor Gates should happen to call this evening he would surely stumble over it; the dear man is so near-sighted.
Mrs. T. (moving basket from door) . It's only a few things that I've collected for poor Mrs. McLaffety. ”

“ Templeton, so I take this happy occasion to announce——
Mr. T. (recovering himself) . Surely, surely. I had forgotten—the excitement of the past hour—you understand. We are most happy.
Mrs. T. A most appropriate match; the ages are so suitable.
Mr. B. (shaking hands with Prof. G.) . Professor, please accept my congratulations.
Dean (doing likewise) . No one has introduced us, Professor, but I wish you joy.
Mr. T. Hilda, can't you say something?
Hilda (kissing Sue) . I am so happy. Aunt Sue, so very, very glad.
Mr. T. I've got to dispose of this teapot ”

“ Mrs. B. Alas, my poor brother has spent so much time over his old antiques that he has lost his mind!
Mr. T. I am ready to apologize to Mr. Dean as soon as he explains his—rather singular appearance in my house.
Mrs. B. Eric, did Mr. Templeton find you carrying off the teapot?
Dean. Yes.
Mrs. B. Have you no regard for your family? Why did you do this thing?
Dean. I have nothing to say.
[Pg 16]
Mrs. B. The poor boy is out of his mind. Leon, we must take him home.
Mrs. T. He is as unfortunate as Hilda. Poor Hilda, gone from her home——!
Dean (anxiously) . ”

“ Mrs. T. I'm sure that no burglar would ever want it. My rings are another matter.
Sue. We'll have to sit up all night.
Mr. T. (replacing teapot on mantel) . This shall not stay in the house another day. Fool that I have been to keep it so long.
Mrs. T. I'm more anxious about Hilda—out we know not where, and bandits on every corner. (Noise without.) Ah, here she is now. (Enter r., Hilda and Prof. Algernon Gates in street costumes, the latter perceptibly agitated.) Hilda, I'm so relieved that you have come. Good-evening, Professor. ”

“ Sue, will you kindly go to the door? [Exit Sue, r.
Mrs. B. Oh, Eric, how did you know where to find her?
Dean (to Hilda) . Miss Templeton, will you kindly convince these people that I am neither a burglar nor a lunatic?
Hilda. Mr. Dean saved me from that horrid man this evening, and to reward him I gave him the teapot. He isn't to blame for anything.
Enter Sue, r.
Sue (picking up basket) . Mrs. McLaffety's boy has come after this.
[Pg 17]
Mrs. T. Will you kindly hand it to him, Sue? (Exit Sue, r., with basket.) Mr. Dean, we are doubly indebted to you.
Mr. T. (shaking hands with Dean) . ”

“ I know him well by reputation. His collection of antiques is very valuable.
Mr. B. Finest private collection in Massachusetts. Eric will hardly leave it. He's never even been to see us since we moved here. But come over to see my burglar alarm. I've just set it. It's going to revolutionize the catching of burglars in this country.
Enter Mrs. Fanny Burnett, r., hurriedly.
[Pg 9]
Mrs. B. Oh, Leon, Leon, the burglar alarm is going off! I am sure there's a burglar in the pantry.
Mr. B. We'll see about this. Come, Templeton.
(Mr. T. takes a revolver from a drawer in the desk.) ”

“ Prof. G. I couldn't find Miss Hilda, but I've saved it! (Sees Hilda.) Oh—what——
(Collapses into chair. Sue fans him with newspaper. Mr. T. seizes teapot.)
Mr. T. You've rescued the teapot!
Mrs. B. Did you fight with the burglars?
Mrs. T. The poor man has been handled most roughly.
Mr. B. (grasping Mr. T.'s revolver) . Which way did the fellows go?
[Pg 18]
Prof. G. (regaining breath) . No burglar—the McLaffety boy—didn't see him—collided most forcibly! He spilled his basket; the teapot rolled out.
Mr. T. Do you mean to tell me that the McLaffety boy was stealing the teapot? ”

“ T. Sue, will you please bring Hilda's wraps?
(Sue rises and gathers up Hilda's belongings. Exeunt Mrs. T., Hilda and Sue, l. Prof. G. watches them from door.)
Prof. G. A most remarkable young woman—Miss Templeton—marvelous self-control.
Mr. T. (sitting down at desk and looking longingly at his work) . True, and a most alarming occurrence. Hilda shall not go out alone again.
Prof. G. (moving about nervously) . You cannot be too careful. And now, Mr. Templeton (pausing by desk and clearing throat several times) , there is something—in fact—I must explain—to be brief, I love Miss Templeton. ”

“ Plays a full evening. A clever and vivacious play, full of fun and action. Mr. Easyman's fad of spiritualism leads him into a difficulty that is a source of endless amusement to the audience. Irish and old maid comedy parts. ”

“ I was about to telephone, when we found Hilda's note——
Mrs. T. She's tired of antiques——
Mr. T. I have burdened the poor child too much with my hobbies.
Sue. She's gone to Cousin Anne's.
Mrs. T. And Professor Gates has gone after her.
Mr. B. (importantly) . Come, I think we'd better attend to that burglar; he may escape.
Mrs. B. (hysterically) . It's the same one that set off our burglar alarm. Leon said that the cat did it.
Mr. B. That may be. (Seizes telephone book.) I'll 'phone myself. (Starts for door r.; stumbles over Dean's suit-case.) What is this?
Mr. T. The burglar's suit-case. ”

“ A capital sketch of Hebrew life and character, combining good comedy with genuine pathos. Moves very swiftly and is very effective. Can be strongly recommended for either vaudeville use or for amateur theatricals. ”

“ Twenty-two males and twenty females are called for, but one person may take several parts and some characters may be omitted. The stage is arranged as a country store and post-office in one. Costumes are rural and funny. Plays a full evening. ”

“ The Templeton Teapot Price, 15 Cents
WALTER H. BAKER & CO.
BOSTON
COPYRIGHT, 1889, BY WALTER H. BAKER & CO.
A. W. Pinero's Plays Price, 50 Cents Each
THE AMAZONS Farce in Three Acts. Seven males, five females. Costumes, modern; scenery, not difficult. Plays a full evening.
THE CABINET MINISTER Farce in Four Acts. Ten males, nine females. Costumes, modern society; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening.
DANDY DICK Farce in Three Acts. Seven males, four females. Costumes, modern; scenery, two interiors. Plays two hours and a half.
THE GAY LORD QUEX Comedy in Four Acts. ”