Lucy A. Yendes

“ Being in business for himself, Mr. Brown could not drop his work, as his clerks did, regardless of importance, when the clock pointed to the hour of five--and on this particular day he had been in close consultation with one of his out of town drummers, and in planning the fall campaign of business the time had sped so rapidly that he was surprised to find it half past six when the commercial man left him--and as he left the street car he half wished he had kept the cook for a day or two until he was fairly initiated, for he was hungry--very--and did not want to wait to cook a dinner. ”

“ It will save cooking fresh;” and he again emptied it into a still larger kettle and sat down to a really good breakfast of which rice was not a component. Under the exhilarating influence of the coffee he grew facetious, and sustained all sides in a family conversation--to keep up a flow of spirits during the meal--varied by calls to an imaginary Bridget, whom he assured in a very good imitation of Maria’s blandest tones, “Mr. Brown will bring company to dinner to-night, so be prompt.” ”

“ Ordinary sitting-room; lady in widow’s weeds, knitting near table--having books, papers and work on it--in center of foreground. She rises to greet army officer in uniform, who enters at left, carrying hat in left hand, and in his right, official paper which he passes to lady who reads and turns to him as the reader (who is concealed) pronounces the first words. Her face expresses surprise and incredulity during first half of first line; then expostulation and entreaty. At the words: “Great God,” she drops back into her chair, overwhelmed by the thought. ”

“ The reader should practice in the room where the entertainment is to be given, at least enough to be sure of its acoustic properties and so secure the right pitch of voice,--height and size of room, as well as shape and furnishings, making a great difference.
The reading must be given in front of the closed curtain, that the manager may be having the stage prepared for each succeeding tableau, that it may be presented promptly when desired. ”

“ At the last moment it has sometimes been found that the curtain would not work, or that those appointed to manipulate it did not understand its mechanics, and great embarrassment has resulted. A signal must be determined upon, between the reader and the stage manager, that the curtain may rise at the point proper to illustrate what has just been read--not what will follow. ”

“ There is a thick warm mist, that the sun seeks vainly to pierce; trees, lofty and beautiful, wave to the airy motion of the birds; but there, a group of Indians gather; they flit to and fro with something like sorrow upon their dark brow ”

“ He moves not; his eyes are set in their sockets; dim are their piercing glances; in vain his friend whispers the name of father and sister--death is there. Death, and no soft hand, no gentle voice to bless and soothe him. ”

“ The effectiveness of the above poem will depend mainly upon the reading. The words are a constant outburst of emotions that find relief only in vocal expression--and unless the reader can fully enter into sympathy with the various feelings displayed by the widowed mother when she learns that her only remaining son is drafted, its rare qualities will be lost on the audience. ”

“ The reader should stand in front of the drawn curtain, reading during arrangement of stage for scenic illustration. Everything must be in readiness for prompt and silent changes from one tableau to another, that the poem may be “illustrated,” not spoiled. ”

“ Two dressing rooms are necessary, even if the characters are all of one sex--as things can be more easily arranged with but few to disturb them.
4All persons not needed behind the curtain must be excluded, as their presence only tends to confusion and delay.
The assistants who manage the furniture and other stage accessories, must know just what is required for each tableau, and when--and have those near at hand that are first needed, storing at the greatest distance those not again required, when clearing the stage. ”

“ He would 79cook some rice! The baker’s man would come with hot rolls, which he had ordered the day before, and with the strawberries (which he heard the grocer’s boy bringing even now) coffee, and eggs, he would breakfast like a king. Also, he would bring Ed Nash home to dinner, and to stay all night, for spend another evening by himself he would not--if he could help it.
After a careful toilet Mr. Brown began a search for the rice, rightly judging that it would require longer to cook than coffee or eggs. That was premeditated intellect. ”

“ A stage manager who will see to all these details and provide himself with intelligent assistants who will quietly “set” the stage for one picture and clear it for the next, behind the curtain, in such a manner as not to interrupt the reader in front of it, nor take the attention of the audience, is equally necessary. ”

“ Kitchen scene, with woman washing in center of stage, side face to audience; clothes baskets, soiled linen, boiler, clothes bars, etc., scattered in the room. The washer-woman sings last two lines, while curtain is raised.
2. Same scene. Woman and tub in background facing audience while she rubs and sings; children on floor in foreground. Sings again.
3. Baby is the most conspicuous part of this picture, and the livelier the better, even to laughing or crying. Woman hums the tune as she works. ”

“ The kettle was full--no room for water--rice must have swollen--get a larger kettle! Eureka!! And he got the larger kettle, and again flooded the rice, hoping it would be done by the time he had arranged his breakfast on the table. It had been cooking half an hour, and he had often heard Maria say that half an hour of quick boiling was enough--more spoiled it. To be sure this had not been “quick,” but “the extra length of time ought to compensate,” he reasoned, and with a very good show of logic. ”

“ It is such a shame not to retain the idioms of a language. Bridget, do you mind if I call you Biddie? it is more euphonious, and modernizes the old classic appellation. But what is this liquid in the pan here? ”

“ The music continues through the entire reading and should be very soft, player and piano may be hidden. A child eight or ten years old will often be found who can take the part gracefully and keep time to the music, but if not, get a young lady--as the beauty of the tableaux depends largely upon the dancing. The dress should be white and simple.
The Grandmother sits in the background, in ordinary makeup for old lady. The words suggest the appropriate tableaux at the places indicated.
ABOU BEN ADHEM. ”

“ Copyright 1893.
3 GENERAL SUGGESTIONS. In preparing tableaux to illustrate a song, poem or prose reading or recitation, the manager will find that success depends largely upon promptness. This requires a thorough knowledge of the part to be rendered, as well as of the places in the reading where tableaux are to be shown, and of the characters and stage settings for each picture.
A full dress rehearsal is indispensable, as many points--insignificant of themselves--will come up for adjustment that cannot be decided upon at the last minute ”

“ Foot-lights are essential for tableaux, and if not supplied, a row of small hand lamps at the front edge of platform is easily procured. Candles are good also--but not quite so safe. Shades for either may be made of old tin cans, all the seams unsoldered, top and bottom removed, the tin being turned toward the audience, and throwing the light on the picture. Shade must at least be as high as the blaze. Wings are as difficult to make seem natural as anything, and yet should be easily made and adjusted, by first cutting a pattern of the desired shape and length ”

“ Of course, women have no idea of ‘system’ such as a man uses in his business--but I know that it can be carried into the domestic economy with very good results, and I shall be glad of a chance to show you the effect of a little brain power in the kitchen. ”

“ The peasants whispered, under their breath,
“’Tis the beautiful Ladye Clare.
She seeks the heart that she threw away;
She is creeping on bended knee
To her lover’s castle, that frowning stands,
Where the Rhine runs down to the sea.” [10]
TABLEAUX.
1. ”

“ Aged couple at supper table; woman at end, man at side facing audience; lighted lamp on table--small, so as not to hide man’s face.
2. Heads bowed while blessing is asked.
41 LESSONS IN COOKERY. Miss Cicely Jones is just home from boarding-school and engaged to be married, and as she knows nothing about cooking or housework, she is going to take a few lessons in the culinary art to fit her for the new station in life which she is expected to adorn with housewifely grace. ”

“ Every day you’ll be thinking about the poor fellow who’s doing time because you made him; and every night you’ll be lying awake, crying, because you made him suffer so much, for such a little thing; and every time the minister in your church says anything about forgiving your enemies, you’ll be thinking he means you ”

“ Mr. Courtenay, a lawyer, who carries his head away up in the air.
To-day I was let set up in a arm-chair, tucked up in a quilt. [1] I soon got tired o’ that, so I ast Betty to git me a glass o’ ice water to squench my thirst, an’ when she was gone I cut an’ run, an’ went into Susan’s room to look at all them photographs of nice young men she’s got there in her bureau drawer.
The girls was all down in the parlor, ’cos Miss Watson had come to call. Betty she come a huntin’ of me, but I hid in the closet behind a ole hoop-skirt. I come out when she went down stairs, an’ had a real good time. ”

“ I’m going to sound the burglar alarm and have you arrested; then you will be sent to State’s Prison.”
“Well,” almost laughed Mr. Callaghan, “why don’t you do it? I’m waiting.”
“Because,” she answered, hesitatingly,--“because you’re standing in front of it.”
“Oh, am I?” answered Callaghan. “Then I’ll move away, I always like to be polite to ladies.” He moved away a few steps. She frowned a little bit. Then she said “Excuse me. Will you please move a little further away?” “Certainly,” he replied, “anything to oblige a real lady.” ”

“ Sitting-room scene; couch at right of center of foreground, head pointing toward left and a little back. Desk or table at convenient distance on left, where angel writes, facing the dreamer, who has raised his head and watches intently, resting it on his hand. Angel’s look is toward the book of gold.
2. Same as preceding, except that Angel’s head is raised while speaking, and she looks at Abou.
3. Angel stands, holding scroll so that both audience and Abou may see and read his name. ”

“ Only the “cue” lines are given for each tableau, the well-known poem being found in various collections, and space forbidding an entire reprint.
Characters and Costumes:--The old man, who is speaking; the artist, who may be a young man, in sack coat or cardigan jacket, with fez or smoking cap; the mother in quaint old style dress, hair parted on forehead; two small boys in roundabout and long pants, such as were worn thirty years ago. ”

“ All of the important subjects, such as Government, Responsibility, Punishment, Examinations, Prize-giving, Reports, Museums, etc., are exhaustively treated, NOT in the stilted way usual with books of its kind, but woven into the story of a teacher’s experience. ”

“ I don’t believe one o’ them young men ’ll come to it; the girls have give ’em dead away. I don’t care, worth a cent. Wot for makes ’em box my ears ’f they want me to be good to ’em?
TABLEAUX.
1. Boy’s room. Geordie in an arm-chair wrapped in a quilt.
2. Girls’ room. Geordie, fixed up as described, stands in center of foreground--grinning self-consciously.
3. Parlor. Miss Watson and Geordie in foreground, side face to audience; sisters scattered in rear and at sides.
4. Clothing store; counters, shelves, etc., may be simulated by tables, boxes and what-nots, on which clothing may be piled. ”

“ And lo, Abou Ben Adhem’s led all the rest!” [3] Characters and Costumes:--Abou Ben Adhem, on a couch over which an oriental spread is thrown. (If the genuine article is not to be had, substitute one of the most brilliant coloring obtainable.) He should be large and dark-skinned, head enveloped in turban of bright colored cloth or pure white. Angel, tall blonde; must be blonde, even if golden wig has to be rented or made of yellow Germantown yarn; face and arms freely powdered; hair hangs loosely and shows for all it is worth ”

“ Old lady pacing across stage front, carrying baby in red night-dress.
2. Baby in cradle; grandmother near, facing audience, sings “Hush, my dear; lie still and slumber.” If Grandmother’s part is taken by some one who can not sing, this may be done by a hidden voice. ”

“ Silverware on table, on which sits half-opened dark lantern; side-board in background; burglar behind table in center, faces audience while examining silverware, face lighted by lantern. (Face may be darkened by scorched flour.) ”