Patriotic Plays and Pageants for Young People Part 23

[Looks toward his books.

JASON (coaxing).

Come On, Abe, it's no fun without you.

LINCOLN (decidedly).

Not to-night, Jason.

FRANCOIS.

You'll miss ze husking, Abe.

LINCOLN.

I know that, Francois; but then I'll gain--so much else! (Looks again towards his beloved books.) There's husking to do there, Francois.

NANCY.

You'll be sitting here all lonely, without any friends.

LINCOLN (with one of his rare smiles).

Without any friends--! Why, Nancy!

[Glances towards his books for a third time.

POLLY (with a sniff).

He means that he'd rather have Defoe and Bunyan and Aesop than us.

LINCOLN.

Now, Polly.

POLLY (with conviction).

You would. You know you would.

JASON.

Then you're not coming?

LINCOLN.

No, boys, I'm not coming. I tell you, it's like splitting rails. Once you get tired or give up, your work gets the better of you. I mean to stick to what I've set out to do.

TOM (regretfully).

Well, then, good-night, Abe.

LINCOLN (with the utmost friendliness).

Good-night. Good-night. (With a general stir and in the midst of a chorus of leave-taking, he sees them to the door.) Watch your lantern, Amy. Good-night. Good-night, all.

[For a moment he stands and there comes to him the sound of laughter and retreating footsteps, and a gay lilt from Francois fiddle. As the sound grows fainter and fainter he crosses resolutely to the hearth, tosses on a cone or two, places the shovel where it will be within easy reach, and stretches himself on the floor before the fire.

From outside a sudden gust of wind brings clearly a last s.n.a.t.c.h of the air that Francois is playing in the distance. Lincoln raises his bead and listens, smiles whimsically to himself, and then opens his books.

LINCOLN.

And now for the husking!

[He lies full length, absorbedly studying in the fire-glow as the curtain falls.

COSTUMES ABRAHAM LINCOLN. Blue flannel s.h.i.+rt. Faded black knee-breeches and much-worn coat. Tall boots which he wears for out-of-doors, and changes for old slippers.

POLLY. A brown woolen dress and scarlet cloak. Hair worn in quaint fas.h.i.+on with combs.

NANCY LINCOLN. Dark-scarlet woolen dress, and brown cloak. All the dresses of the girls are of the simplest. Their cloaks likewise.

AMY ROBY. Deep-blue woolen dress. Little white ap.r.o.n with pockets.

Dark-blue cloak with hood.

LUCY BROWN. Dark-green woolen dress and cloak.

TOM BUSH. Dark-brown flannel s.h.i.+rt. Dark-blue knee-breeches.

JASON BROWN. Faded red flannel s.h.i.+rt. Dark-blue knee-breeches.

FRANCOIS DURAND. Tan-colored flannel s.h.i.+rt. Dark-brown knee-breeches.

Crimson sash-belt.

NOCTAH. The usual Indian costume of buckskin. Fringed tunic. Long trousers. Moccasins, or imitation moccasins of khaki. (The suit should be of khaki also--the nearest imitation of buckskin.) He should wear a wig of long, coa.r.s.e black hair. If this wig cannot be had, simulate it thus: make a tight-fitting skull-cap of black cheesecloth. St.i.tch it where the parting in the hair should come. Make two braids of plaited black cheesecloth, and fasten them to the skullcap so that they will fall over the ears. They should be bound with a few wisps of red and green. Noctah wears neither war-paint nor feathers, but his face and hands should be stained brown.

DIRECTIONS

FOR INDOOR ARRANGEMENT OF THE PAGEANT OF PATRIOTS

While an outdoor stage is by far the best setting for a pageant there are times and seasons when such a setting is not obtainable, and the indoor pageant becomes advisable. And while no number of footlights can hope to give the actual radiance of sunlight and blue sky, the indoor pageant has several a.s.sets in its favor. It lends itself to such festivals as Lincoln's and Was.h.i.+ngton's birthdays, and its performers need have no fear of rain. Its dancers are sure of a level s.p.a.ce. Its woodland scenes can be arranged to suit the occasion, and the enhancing effects of fire-glow, sunrise, or dimming twilight can be obtained as in no other way.

If a painted forest scene cannot be had, tree branches fastened to green screens placed right, left, and background can be made to do for the outdoor setting. The screens can be covered with forest-green burlap or cheesecloth. Real pine trees, in stands covered with green to imitate bank of moss, are very effective. For a log to be used as a seat, two vinegar barrels fastened together, covered with bark-brown burlap splashed with green paint for moss and white for lichen. Red electric light bulbs half hidden under f.a.gots for the outdoor fire effect.

The procession at the end can cross the stage, or march through the a.s.sembly-room or hall in which the pageant is given. An armory or large gymnasium is an ideal place in which to give the indoor arrangement of the pageant if the stage of a small auditorium or theater is not procurable. Many of the directions for the producing of the outdoor pageant can be applied to the indoor one, and, therefore, those who direct the indoor arrangement of the pageant are referred to the outdoor arrangement. The directions for the final tableau, the march, and the costume of The Spirit of Patriotism will be found there.

Throughout the pageant, its entire acts and marches, patriotic airs should be played as much as possible.

THE HAWTHORNE PAGEANT

THE HAWTHORNE PAGEANT

1. CHORUS OF SPIRITS OF THE OLD MANSE 2. PROLOGUE BY THE MUSE OF HAWTHORNE 3. FIRST EPISODE (In Witchcraft Days) 4. DANCE INTERLUDE 5. SECOND EPISODE (Merrymount) 6. PROCESSION OF PLAYER FOLK

CHORUS OF SPIRITS OF THE OLD MANSE

From the dim world of dreams Fraught with shadows and gleams We entreat you and beckon and call.