Laura Rountree Smith

“ I’m the ghost of the leaves, my spirit grieves,
As my fancy a picture about them weaves;
They dance and they play in merry October,
The life of the leaves can never be over!
[Children wearing dresses covered with autumn leaves dance in; six at the right, six at the left; pass [28] each other several times, form a circle. ”

“ Merry sailor lads are we,
Upon the sea we go;
Singing quite new-fangled tunes,
And songs of long ago.
As we journey on our way
We sing, “Ye-ho, ye-ho”
While we are sailing the ocean. Chorus.
Away, away, our ship’s a tidy craft,
Away, away, we never stoop to graft ”

“ Witch:
Vertumnus, now if you are wise,
You’ll not forget to wear disguise.
Vertumnus:
In disguise I’ll journey, you understand,
To seek again Pomona’s hand. Scene III
[Pomona’s home in the woods. Pomona seated by spinning wheel. A knock is heard, enter Vertumnus as ploughman.]
Vertumnus: Fair Pomona, I can not help but sing today; I come to tell you of all the beauties of spring. If you will come with me to the fields you will see new life returning everywhere. In every [59] little blade of grass upspringing, in every mellow bird note, there is nature’s call. ”

“ Dialogs and Plays The Hallowe’en Ghosts
[A dialog for twenty or more children, all ages. Eight wear sheet and pillow-case garments, enter from right and left on a darkened stage, make comical gestures, whirl round in couples, line up, recite] :
We’re the Hallowe’en Ghosts,
Much like lamp posts;
We make curious hosts,
We’re the Hallowe’en Ghosts.
Hush, hush, hush!
[One at a time, they tip-toe back to seats arranged at back of stage.]
First:
Oh! who will sing a ghostly song?
Second:
Ghostly hours to us belong.
Third:
We ought to act in a ghostly way. ”

“ For Pomona now is on her way.
[A Trumpeter appears and blows his horn, each time before a fruit or group of fruits enter.]
Apples:
Apples rosy, Apples red,
See us nodding overhead;
Apples rosy, round and sweet,
Everywhere are good to eat.
[Dance around in couples, and line up at back of stage.]
Pears:
We are Pears, so very shy,
Scarcely nodding to passersby;
As we heard Pomona call,
We’ll do her honor one and all.
[Dance in a circle, and line up beside Apples.]
Bananas:
We’re Bananas, spick and spandy,
And you always find us handy ”

“ On Hallowe’en when elves and witches are abroad, we find it the custom over all the world to build bonfires, to keep off evil spirits; and this is the night of all nights to entertain friends with stunts similar to those performed two hundred years ago. On this night fortunes are told, games are played, and if it so happens that your birthday falls on this night, you may even be able to hold converse with fairies—so goes the ancient superstition! ”

“ The boys form a circle at the right, girls form a circle at the left, hold cat-tails high; all circle toward the right, all circle toward the left, go to center and back in each circle; each circle forms a line, stand with sides to audience, face each other, march forward and back twice; march forward, pass between and back to places, repeat and stay on opposite sides; march again, meet, hold cat-tails touching, end couples pass under the next, and next, until all have passed under and returned to place in lines. ”

“ Here I come with fairies many,
If you’re dull you can’t see any:
Gnomes, earth spirits by my side,
Close to earth delight to hide.
The “Little People,” very small.
The “Good People,” who are very tall;
The “Gods” and “Leprechauns” ’tis true,
Go “rat-a-tat-tat,” they make a shoe.
[All sing.]
[43]
Tune: “Lightly Row.”
Dance away, dance away,
Vanish ’ere the break of day;
Dance away, dance away,
Late on Hallowe’en.
Fairy folk all wish you well,
As they cast on you a spell;
Dance away, dance away,
Late on Hallowe’en.
[Fairies ran off stage.]
Owl:
Who—Who—Who—o—o?
Cat:
Meow—Meow—Meow—ow. ”

“ Each girl holds muff in right hand. First group marches to front, holds muffs up, down, right, left, to four counts; marches to back of stage and takes position facing audience. The second group of three now enters, goes through the same exercise and takes place in front of the first group. The last group enters, and goes through the same exercise as the others and takes place in front of others. All now march to front of stage keeping positions. Hold muffs up, down, right, left, wave to and fro, back line holds muffs up, second line holds muffs up, front line holds muffs up. ”

“ Exercises A Hallowe’en Acrostic [For ten children, either boys or girls.]
A witch comes on the stage with a basket full of letters to spell the word “Hallowe’en.” She pins one on each child, and they dance about and stand in groups; as she calls for the letters, one by one they arrange themselves in a line, come forward, hold up letter and recite.
All:
Witches, witches, leaping ditches,
Everywhere are seen;
Witches, witches, with their switches,
Late on Hallowe’en.
H.:
Hold your head up high, for passing by
The cat and owl do often cry.
All:
Meow, meow! ”

“ Fourth Boy:
The bonfires we will light in turn,
While the wicked witches burn.
Fifth Boy:
Pile cabbage stalks up by your door,
The fairies have brought the stork before.
Sixth Boy:
At cross-roads don’t linger, lad or lass,
’Tis there the Hallowe’en fairies pass.
[They give a little drill in imitation of a torch-light procession, using electric torches or electric candles. Recite as they march.]
First Boy:
Heigho, for the fairies on Hallowe’en,
They scamper away across the green.
All:
They’re looking for me, they’re looking for you,
Oh scamper away whatever you do!
Second Boy:
Hist! ”

“ As Folly touches one with a wand he rises and goes through the stunt suggested by the Witches spell in the last scene. One dances, one sings a nonsense song, one may give a dumb-bell or Indian-club drill, one skates, one comes forward on a Kiddy-cart to represent the wild rider. Bring in all talent possible to make this part of the program funny. [53] A Clown Dance would be appropriate. The children of various nations recite. ”

“ Vertumnus—A young man. COSTUME SUGGESTIONS
While no special costumes are necessary, they will add to the program. The fruits especially should be made to represent what they speak of, and the Horn of Plenty may be made of pasteboard, decorated with colored fruits and flowers, or a large waste basket filled with fruits would do for this purpose. October will be pretty crowned with autumn leaves. There will be no difficulty in getting a long, black cape for the Witch, and a pointed black hat. She carries a cane and raps on the floor when ready to recite. ”

“ The tiger is often in a rage,
You’d better put him in a cage.
You may come from shores remote,
But you don’t want to be the goat.
[10]
Pass out cards with the questions and give guest a certain time to complete; those who have correct lists are presented with bags of peanuts. ”

“ Your very funny, old STUFFED CAT!
[The child holding the cat pokes it, the cat rises and walks about, the children laugh, while the student shows his surprise, and walks off in an indignant manner.]
[14]
A Pumpkin Climbing Game
The children are shown a room with half a dozen pumpkins on the floor. They practice walking about, stepping over them. One is blindfolded. The pumpkins are quickly removed and the rest laugh at his efforts to step over them. Apples or candles in candlesticks may be used, instead of pumpkins. This game makes much laughter. ”

“ What if he came to life?
[The objects mentioned, now come forward from behind the screen, and scare the first children, who run off the stage. They shake fingers at the audience and recite] :
Be very careful what you make,
Or you may find ’tis a mistake
To cut such cunning people out;
They’ll come to life beyond a doubt,
On Hallowe’en, on Hallowe’en!
Hurrah! hurrah! for Hallowe’en!
[18]
Drills Clown Drill and Song
[The drill is given by ten boys dressed as clowns. March in, hands on the shoulders of the one in front, keep in step. Form line at front of stage, and sing.] ”

“ At the back of the stage stretch wire netting the entire way across, and cover completely with pretty sprays of autumn leaves, willow and oak. The children may wear white costumes with artificial leaves red, yellow, brown and green upon them.
[21]
[They enter in couples, hold hands high, bow to audience, whirl round, two and two; each takes right hand of partner, whirls round, bows to partner; girls hold out skirts in both hands, skip round partner, arms on hips; repeat, one arm on hip, one over head, join hands, skip again in couples; all pause, sing.] ”

“ On all the mighty oak trees grow
A nut whose name you surely know—Acorn.
Other little jingles can readily be made up like the above, naming such nuts as peanut, pecan, philbert, etc.
[11]
Hallowe’en Stunts A Shadow Play for Hallowe’en
A person standing out of view, recites the following verses as pictures appear. The pictures may be cut from dark tag board and lowered from above or shifted in from the side, or real people may pose back of the sheet if desired. ”

“ Witch:
What will you do, when the witch is seen,
Late at night on Hallowe’en?
[All cover faces with hands.]
Witch:
Music’s charms, music’s charms,
Will always silence all alarms.
[The Witch disappears, they all join hands, skip forward and back, repeat song, skip off in couples.]
The drill can be lengthened by introducing any familiar folk dances and songs.
Cat-tail Drill
An even number of girls and boys enter with real or made cat-tails, tied with yellow and black streamers of tissue paper. They enter from right and left. ”

“ A Hallowe’en Carnival and Wax-work Show CHARACTERS Folly—An older boy. Owl—A small boy. Cat—A small boy. Witch—An older girl. Stilt-Walkers—Any number boys and girls. Mad March Hare—A small boy. Jack-o’-Lantern—A small boy. Poppy Ladies—Four girls. Chinaman—A boy. Eskimo—A boy. Japanese—A girl. Holland—A girl. Indian—A boy. Negro—A boy.
Silhouettes of bats, black cats and owls are hung by threads from the ceiling. The characters are grouped about the stage. They wear fancy costumes and masks, and pose as statues. Boys on stilts, standing at right and left, help give a comical appearance ”

“ Owl:
Who—Who—Who—o—o?
Cat:
It may be another name for pluck,
But a horse shoe always brings good luck.
[Irish, girl dressed in green skirt with bodice, white blouse and apron. Have an older person speak. Smaller folks come on stage and give a fairy dance and song.] ”

“ Oh scamper away whatever you do!
[Scamper off right and left. All who have taken part return on stage, America carries large flag. Sing one verse of “Star Spangled Banner” to close.]
CURTAIN
The Witch’s Dream Characters and Costumes Fear—Wearing black cloak, carries banner with the word “Fear” printed on it. Witch—Regular witch costume, carries megaphone. Owl—Owl mask and gray cape. Cat—Cat mask and black cape. Rain—Raincoat and cap, may carry umbrella. Moon—Yellow suit, moon face. Jack-o’-Lantern—Carries large Jack-o’-Lantern. ”

“ Folly wears the most comical costume of all, he is attired as a court jester, half the costume black, half yellow, wears a cap and bells, carries a noisy rattle.
Scene I
[The first song is sung back of the scenes. Have stage darkened, only Jack-o’-Lanterns as foot-lights.]
Tune: “The Campbells Are Coming.”
On Hallowe’en Night, Ho, Ho, Ho, Ho,
The Witches and Brownies, Ho, Ho. Ho, Ho;
The Owls and the Cats. Ho. Ho. Ho, Ho,
On Hallowe’en Night, Ho, Ho, Ho, Ho. ”