Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus: Musical Christmas play in four scenes

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 69401 *** PRICE 25 CENTS Mr. _and_ Mrs. Santa Claus [Illustration] BECKLEY-CARDY COMPANY _Publishers_ _Chicago_ SUPPLEMENTARY READERS Cloth Bound These books represent a step forward in story-book making and contain fresh material, the kind that is being placed in the best schools of to-day. Artistically the books set a new standard. Each book has from thirty to ninety illustrations which are particularly attractive, and many of which are in colors. Mechanically the books are superior. The paper used, the large type, and the general arrangement are all determined by careful experimenting in order to safeguard the eyesight of children. All books are attractively bound in cloth stamped in two colors. Animal-Land Children--Flora--Grades 2-3 =$0.70= Bow-Wow and Mew-Mew--Craik--Grades 1-2 =.55= A Child’s Robinson Crusoe--Nida--Grades 2-3 =.65= Father Thrift and His Animal Friends--Sindelar--Grades 2-3 =.70= The Like-To-Do Stories--Smith--Grades 2-3 =.70= Nixie Bunny in Manners-Land--Sindelar--Grades 2-3 =.70= Nixie Bunny in Workaday-Land--Sindelar--Grades 2-3 =.70= Nixie Bunny in Holiday-Land--Sindelar--Grades 2-3 =.70= Nixie Bunny In Faraway-Lands--Sindelar--Grades 2-3 =.70= Nonsense Rhymes and Animal Stories--Deming--Grades 2-3 =.65= Story of the American Flag--Fallows--Grades 5-8 =.70= The Teenie Weenies--Donahey-Baker--Grades 2-3 =.70= Two Indian Children of Long Ago--Taylor--Grades 2-3 =.70= THE PROGRESSIVE SCHOOL CLASSICS A new series of reading books, which offers the highest class of literature for all grades at very small cost. No other series at so low a price contains the valuable features of this series, namely: accurate and authentic texts, notes and numbered lines for reference, portraits, biographical sketches, illustrations, new type, good paper and binding, and convenient size. Bow-Bow and Mew-Mew--Craik--Grades 1-2--95 pages (20 cents). Peter Rabbit and Other Tales--Grades 2-3. The King of the Golden River--Ruskin--Grades 4-6. Rip Van Winkle and the Author’s Account of Himself--Irving--Grades 5-8. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow--Irving--Grades 5-8. Thanatopsis, Sello and Other Poems--Bryant--Grades 5-8. The Courtship of Miles Standish--Longfellow--Grades 6-8. The Pied Piper of Hamelin and Other Poems--Browning--Grades 6-8. Evangeline--Longfellow--Grades 6-8. The Great Stone Face--Hawthorne--Grades 6-8. The Man Without a Country--Hale--Grades 6-8. Snow-Bound and Other Poems--Whittier--Grades 6-8. Enoch Arden--Tennyson--Grades 6-H. S. The Vision of Sir Launfal and Other Poems--Lowell--Grades 6-H. S. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner--Coleridge--Grades 7-H. S. The Cotter’s Saturday Night and Other Poems--Burns--Grades 7-H. S. The Deserted Village (Goldsmith) and Elegy--Gray--Grades 7-H. S. Sohrab and Rustum--Arnold--Grades 8-H. S. =Price, per copy, 7 cents postpaid, unless otherwise mentioned.= =Illustrated Catalog of Books mailed free upon request.= BECKLEY-CARDY COMPANY, _Publishers_, CHICAGO Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus MUSICAL CHRISTMAS PLAY IN FOUR SCENES BY MAUD BRUNTON [Illustration] BECKLEY-CARDY COMPANY CHICAGO COPYRIGHT, 1922, BY BECKLEY-CARDY COMPANY _Printed in the United States of America_ CHARACTERS [SPEAKING PARTS] SANTA CLAUS _Who Neglects His Christmas Duties_ MRS. SANTA CLAUS _The Prince’s Mother_ FAIRY QUEEN _A Beautiful Girl_ FAIRY PRINCE _Who Falls in Love with the Queen_ THOMAS PAGE _The Fairy Messenger_ BILLY BUNDY _The Fairy Minister_ TINY TIM _The Fairy Usher_ FLOSSIE FIXIT } ELF GOSSIP } _The Queen’s Maids_ [TO ACT, SING AND DANCE, BUT NOT TO SPEAK] MARY MIXIT _Another of the Queen’s Maids_ JOHNNIE JUMPUP _The Fairy Clown_ OTHER FAIRIES _As many as may be desired_ TIME: _Near Christmas_ SCENES: _Three interiors--I, The Fairy Queen’s Palace; II, Home of Santa Claus; III, Home of Prince’s Mother; IV, Same as II._ TIME OF PLAYING: _About One and One-half Hours_ COSTUMES AND PROPERTIES The Queen’s costume, fan and wand The Queen’s bridal costume and veil The costume for the President’s Messenger, with long coat His costume as the Prince Four Boy costumes for Fairies Two Girl costumes as Fairies One Girl costume for the Elf Costumes for extra Fairies (All to be very dainty and bright colored) Caps for Fairies and Elf carrying their names: Thomas Page, Messenger Tiny Tim, Usher Billy Bundy, Minister Flossie Fixit, Maid Elf Gossip, Maid Mary Mixit, Maid Johnnie Jumpup, Clown Horn for Thomas Page Telegram for Thomas Page Bridal veil for Mrs. Santa Claus Red dress for Mrs. Santa Claus Usual costume for Santa Claus Sleigh for Santa Claus Reindeer for Santa Claus Toys, fruit, nuts, candy, tree ornaments, and gifts Loaded Christmas tree Spy glass and bells for Santa Claus Two pairs of stockings for chimney in Old Lady’s Home Big stockings for Santa Claus, with sign “For Santa Claus” Sign: “How Young Husbands Can Make Their Wives Happy” Big Book to paste sign on--“For My Long Lost Son” Couch in Santa Claus’ home Couch in Queen’s Palace Throne in Queen’s Palace Flowers Light slippers for dancing Santa Claus’ Home Fairy Queen’s Palace Prince’s Mother’s Home Bible for Billy Bundy Wand for Prince Clock for Santa Claus’ house THE STORY OF THE PLAY Santa Claus neglects his Christmas duties, for he has fallen in love with a beautiful girl, the Queen of the Fairies. The Queen also, being completely occupied with her consideration of Santa’s suit, neglects her duty of seeing that the Christmas trees, holly and turkeys are made to grow for Christmas. The President of the United States sends a Messenger to find out what is the matter, but he cannot gain audience with the Queen nor Santa. He appeals to the Queen’s fairy attendants to help him out. So they transform him into a Fairy Prince, and he seeks the Queen’s hand in marriage. The Queen and the Prince are soon so much in love that the Prince forgets to remind the Queen of her Christmas duties. The little fairies are now much puzzled, but the Queen’s maids, Flossie Fixit and the Elf Gossip, and the Fairy Messenger, Thomas Page, undertake to solve the problem. They must not only arouse the Queen to her responsibilities, but Santa as well. They first bring Santa to see the Queen’s response to the Prince’s love making, but when he is unhappy over it, they tell him to forget his troubles by making other people happy. So he goes home and sets to work properly, making toys and other gifts for Christmas. Then the little folks wonder how they can get the Queen to do her part. She has told her attendants not to interrupt her when a guest is present except in a matter of life and death. Flossie Fixit and Thomas Page get up a telegram which Thomas Page hands to the Prince. It states that his home is on fire and that his mother will be burned up unless he makes haste to rescue her. The Prince flies to his mother. Flossie Fixit puts the Prince into a deep sleep. Gossip spreads the report that the Prince has been burned up in the fire. The Queen is so grief-stricken that they are afraid she will die, and Billy Bundy brings Santa Claus to console her. Then her old love for Santa returns, and she takes refuge in his comforting old arms. Finally she says: “I love you, Santa. I will marry you.” So Santa Claus and the Fairy Queen are married. Santa Claus takes his bride home and, as it is the very day before Christmas, he immediately puts her to work making the Christmas trees, holly and turkeys grow. By noon all is finished and Santa Claus starts off on his tour, distributing gifts to all the little children in the world, flying first of course to the side of the world which is dark. He tries to get the Queen to go with him to help distribute the gifts, but she refuses, saying she has done her part of the work. Santa tells her she is not a very satisfactory wife for a Santa Claus. She smiles at him reproachfully, but will not go. Santa wraps the little Queen in his arms for a moment and then goes alone. The Fairy Queen grieves, thinking Santa doesn’t love her any more, and she says: “Oh, why did the Prince have to die?” She throws herself on the couch and finally cries herself to sleep. Billy Bundy, the Fairy Minister, says to Flossie Fixit: “Sister Flossie, the Queen is very unhappy. What _can_ we do? What _can_ we do? You’ve got her married to the wrong man.” “Where is the Prince?” asks Thomas Page. “The Prince is asleep,” says Flossie, “but I will now awaken him.” To this end she picks up the Queen’s wand and waves it back and forth three times. The Queen, awakening, looks through Santa’s spy glass and sees the Prince coming back. She flies out of the door to meet him. The Elf Gossip enters, announcing that the Prince has arrived and the Queen has gone off with him. Thomas Page goes out to see what can be done about it. The Elf Gossip picks up the spy glass. Suddenly she calls Billy and Flossie to look through the spy glass at Santa Claus on his travels. He comes to an old lady all dressed in red, evidently intending to play Santa Claus. There are a tree and stockings by the chimney which Santa Claus comes down, and a sign: “For my long lost son.” She is alone and weeping. Santa comforts her and then invites her to go on his trip to act as Mrs. Santa Claus, as he needs help. She goes, and both she and Santa think this great fun. Elf Gossip declares Santa Claus has kissed the old lady. Meanwhile the Queen and Prince enter Santa’s home. The Queen says: “I would get a divorce, but I just can’t think of breaking dear old Santa’s heart. He is such a darling.” Santa, who (with the old lady) has returned for more toys, enters the door at this point, looking playfully severe; there is a twinkle in his eye. The Prince falls on his knees: “Ah, forgive me for being here,” he says, “I have done the little Queen no harm.” Thomas Page enters, blowing a horn. He announces: “The Supreme Court has ordered me to pronounce the Queen’s marriage null and void, because any marriage is illegal which takes place between a human being and a fairy. In the Court’s judgment, Santa Claus is human.” Billy Bundy steps forward and the Prince says to the Queen: “Here is the minister ready to marry us.” The Queen says she feels she ought to transform Santa into a fairy and marry him over again. The Prince is disconsolate. Santa says: “Cheer up, Prince. I don’t want to be transformed into a fairy. I would rather be human. I am going to give you to each other as my Christmas gift to you.” The Fairy Queen and the Prince rejoice. Santa then brings in the old lady, who is immediately clasped in the arms of the Prince. He says: “Oh, Mother, it seems _so_ good to see you.” The old lady murmurs: “My long lost son!” Santa Claus announces: “The Prince’s mother is going to be Mrs. Santa Claus.” Billy Bundy approaches, and the two couples place themselves before him, one on each side, while he says: “I pronounce you husband and wife.” Curtain opens, revealing a handsome Christmas tree, with an enormous stocking marked, “For Santa Claus,” and from it a book on which Santa reads: “How Young Husbands Can Make Their Wives Happy.” Santa is jubilant over his stocking and the book. He examines the other gifts and distributes them. Billy Bundy says: “We should not keep Santa here to distribute our gifts. Half the little children in the world are waiting for him.” The reindeer drive up to the door. Santa and Mrs. Santa drive off, Mrs. Santa calling back: “We will bring some of the little children back with us.” All dance around the Christmas tree singing: “The Christmas Tree.” Santa and Mrs. Santa return, with a troop of little folks from the audience, to whom they distribute gifts. They are jovial and cordial in their greetings, while the Fairy Queen and the Prince are gracious and delightful. All the little fairies help, distributing the gifts among the audience, crying: “Merry Christmas!” MUSICAL NUMBERS The music to all of the words, as well as the instrumental selections called for, will be found in the NEW COMMON SCHOOL SONG BOOK,[1] published by Beckley-Cardy Co., Chicago. May be sung by chorus on the side or rendered as instrumental music. SCENE I PAGE IN BOOK Christmas Bells 69 Holly and Mistletoe 74 Valentine Song 88 Lady Autumn 44 Santa Claus’ Land 69 SCENE II The Happiest Christmas Day 77 The Owl 42 SCENE IV Santa Claus Is Coming 70 Santa Lucia 149 The Christmas Tree 73 _Tunes for Verses Sung by Fairies_ SCENE I Auld Lang Syne 148 SCENE II Glad Christmas Bells 72 [1] Price 70 cents postpaid. Popular phonograph records that may be substituted for some of the songs. SCENE I Stephanie Gavotte Happy Days Missouri Waltz Dying Poet Let the Rest of the World Roll By SCENE II Whispering Bells--Fox Trot SCENE IV Herd Girl’s Dream Inner Circle Toddle Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus SCENE I _Interior of Fairy Queen’s Palace._ MUSIC: “_Christmas Bells._” _Discovered_, FAIRY QUEEN, THOMAS PAGE, BILLY BUNDY, TINY TIM, FLOSSIE FIXIT, ELF GOSSIP, EXTRA FAIRIES, _including_ [_if desired_] MARY MIXIT _and_ JOHNNIE JUMPUP. ALL THE LITTLE FAIRIES _dancing around_ QUEEN _suddenly stop as_ SANTA CLAUS _outside, knocks on the door and rings bells_. THOMAS PAGE. I hear a knock at the door--and bells! Oh, it must be Santa Claus! ALL THE LITTLE FAIRIES. It _is_, it _is_ Santa Claus! QUEEN. Tiny Tim, let him in. TINY TIM [_runs to the door and opens it_]. Come in, Santa Claus. We are _very_ glad to see you. SANTA CLAUS. How are you, Tiny Tim? May I see the Queen? SANTA _advances as the_ QUEEN _extends her wand in welcome_. MUSIC: “_Holly and Mistletoe._” SANTA _and_ QUEEN _dance together_. THE LITTLE FAIRIES _again form ring around them and all dance_. QUEEN _raises her wand and the ring breaks_. QUEEN _and_ SANTA _dance out of the ring and exit into the garden_. THE LITTLE FAIRIES _stop dancing, and curtsey “Good-bye.” A knock is heard on the door._ THOMAS PAGE. Oh, somebody else is coming! I wonder who it is this time? TINY TIM _ushers in a tall, dignified young man_. YOUNG MAN [_bows to them all_]. I am a messenger from the President of the United States. ALL THE FAIRIES. Oh, Mr. Messenger, we are _so_ glad to see you. [_They all shake hands with him._] YOUNG MAN. What is the matter here? The little children all over the world are wondering if Christmas is going to be late. There are no Christmas trees growing, no holly or turkeys. THOMAS PAGE. Santa Claus is madly in love with the Fairy Queen, and he and the Queen have forgotten their Christmas duties. I propose that we break up this love affair. BILLY BUNDY. Why doesn’t your President, as Commander in Chief of the United States Army, order troops out to bring Santa Claus to time? MESSENGER. That’s just what I’ll ask him to do. FLOSSIE FIXIT. Oh, don’t. He’s not really bad. I suggest that you, Mr. Messenger, allow us to transform you into a fairy prince, so you can win the Queen’s hand in marriage. When Santa Claus recovers from the shock, he’ll be glad enough to attend to his Christmas duties. ALL THE FAIRIES. Oh, how delightful! MESSENGER. Why, have you no fairy princes already in fairy land? THOMAS PAGE. None of them are handsome enough or big enough to suit the Queen. MESSENGER. And you think I will meet those requirements? You really want me to stay and win the Queen’s hand in marriage? The only problem is my poor old mother, who lives all alone and will wonder what has become of me. FLOSSIE FIXIT. We will look after her. ALL THE FAIRIES [_sing and dance_]. SONG [AIR: “_Auld Lang Syne._”] We give you a merry welcome, young man, In the name of the Fairy Queen, We’ll transform you to a fairy prince, Before your face is seen. We want you to love our Fairy Queen, And win her hand in marriage. You’re handsome enough and tall enough, And have a dignified carriage. MESSENGER [_sings_]. All right, all right, I’ll win the Queen, I’ll win her love, I’ll win her hand. Transform me into a fairy prince, The fairest in the land. ALL THE FAIRIES [_sing and dance_]. We transform you to a fairy prince, The prince of princes, handsome. We’ll take you then to see the Queen, But first you’ll have to dance some. FAIRIES _continue dancing around_ MESSENGER _a while_. MESSENGER [_sings and dances_]. We’ll dance and sing together, A fairy prince a-making, And then I’ll dance with the Fairy Queen, Her hand and heart a-taking. ALL _dance and sing, repeating this, a while_. THOMAS PAGE _pulls off his_ MESSENGER’S _long coat and carries it away_. FLOSSIE FIXIT _takes off his hat_. GOSSIP _puts on him a fairy prince’s hat, and_ BILLY BUNDY _puts on him a fairy prince’s jacket_. MESSENGER _stands complete as a_ FAIRY PRINCE. QUEEN _enters_. _She is astonished to see the_ PRINCE. PRINCE _bows gracefully_. ALL THE FAIRIES _bowing, exit_. QUEEN _graciously extends her wand to_ PRINCE. PRINCE. Lovely Queen of the Fairies, I have come to win you as my wife. [_He kneels._] [QUEEN _extends her hand_. PRINCE _takes it in his own and kisses it, cavalier fashion_.] QUEEN [_lifts him to his feet_]. But I have about promised to marry Santa Claus. I love him because he is _so_ good. PRINCE [_pleadingly_]. But I am young and handsome. QUEEN. Beauty is in the eye, and old age gives wisdom. PRINCE. There is no fool like an old fool. QUEEN [_smiles, but speaks earnestly_]. Santa Claus has no follies except his love for me. PRINCE. Queen of my heart, listen to me. Some day you will want a fairy heir to the throne. So you must have a fairy husband. QUEEN. Why, Santa is just a big fairy! PRINCE. I beg your pardon--Santa is not a fairy. Santa Claus is human. [_With this he places on her lips a very tender kiss. That kiss has magic power._] MUSIC: “_Valentine Song._” QUEEN’S _breast heaves with delight and the spirit of youth and an almost childish happiness takes possession of her_. QUEEN _and_ PRINCE _dance out of the room into the garden_. GOSSIP _enters with old_ SANTA. _She takes him where he can look into the garden._ SANTA CLAUS _looks much surprised and disappointed_. GOSSIP. Aw! Forget it! SANTA CLAUS. I suppose love making belongs to youth and to fairies, but not to saints. FLOSSIE FIXIT [_entering_]. Forget your troubles by making other people happy. All the little children in the world are looking to you for a beautiful Christmas. SANTA CLAUS [_bravely_]. That’s so. I had forgotten. I will go right home now where I belong and get the toys and things ready. [_Exit._] BILLY BUNDY [_entering_]. Now that you have got Santa Claus down to business, what will you do to get the Queen to do her part? She told us never to interrupt her when a guest is present unless it is a matter of life and death. FLOSSIE FIXIT. I’ll show you. [_Exit._] [_Returns with_ THOMAS PAGE, _a telegram in his hand_.] PRINCE _and_ QUEEN _enter, much absorbed in each other_. THOMAS PAGE _hands telegram to_ PRINCE. PRINCE [_reads aloud the telegram_]. “Come quickly. The house is on fire. I will be burned up if you do not rescue me. MOTHER.” QUEEN. You must fly--at once! PRINCE. Oh, my poor Mother! [_Gazing into the face of the_ QUEEN.] But how can I leave _you_? QUEEN. You must--and quickly! _Exit_ PRINCE _hurriedly, waving “Good-bye” to_ QUEEN. QUEEN. Let all the fairies go with him and help him put out the fire except FLOSSIE FIXIT, BILLY BUNDY and THOMAS PAGE. FAIRIES _exit_, MARY MIXIT _and_ JOHNNIE JUMPUP _leading_. QUEEN _becomes absorbed in thought and does not see_ SANTA CLAUS _enter and, unobserved, exit dolefully_. SANTA CLAUS [_at doorway to_ FLOSSIE FIXIT]. Her thoughts are with the Prince. We dare not disturb her. I have the toys and gifts all ready, but how are we to get the Queen to make the trees and holly and turkeys grow? FLOSSIE FIXIT. Leave it to us. SANTA CLAUS _exit_. GOSSIP [_at doorway, to_ FLOSSIE]. I will tell everybody the prince was burned up in the fire. FLOSSIE FIXIT. Don’t let Santa Claus know. He won’t be a party to any mischief. GOSSIP _exit and re-enter, talking in low voice to_ FLOSSIE. QUEEN _anxiously awaits the_ PRINCE’S _return. Goes to the door, watching for him._ FLOSSIE FIXIT [_with_ GOSSIP _walks across the room to where the_ QUEEN _has been standing. She picks up the_ QUEEN’S _wand and waves it back and forth three times, saying_]. This will put the prince into a deep sleep. QUEEN [_seeing_ GOSSIP _and_ FLOSSIE FIXIT _talking_]. What are you people talking about? Have you had any news about the Prince? [FLOSSIE FIXIT _appears afraid to tell_.] QUEEN. Tell me. FLOSSIE FIXIT. I hear he was burned up in the fire and all the little fairies who went with him. QUEEN. Billy Bundy and Thomas Page, find out if this is true. BILLY BUNDY _and_ THOMAS PAGE _exit and reappear a few moments later_. BILLY BUNDY. I cannot find out where the Prince lives, but everybody says he and the fairies who went with him were all burned up in the fire. THOMAS PAGE. We have searched everywhere and all we hear is that he was burned up in the fire. [QUEEN, _in despair, weeps, wringing her hands. Peers out of the window, then leans her head sobbing on the window casement._] BILLY BUNDY [_aside to_ FLOSSIE FIXIT]. This is no joke. What have you done? The poor Queen may die or go mad. If that is a false report, the one who started the lie deserves himself to be burned up in the fire. Lying is never right. THOMAS PAGE. It is only a proof of our stupidity. MUSIC: “_Lady Autumn._” BILLY BUNDY [_exit and soon returns with_ SANTA CLAUS, _whom he ushers up to the_ QUEEN]. Santa Claus, we are afraid the Queen will die. Won’t you try to comfort her? SANTA CLAUS _lays a gentle hand on the_ QUEEN’S _shoulder. Shows her the greatest sympathy._ QUEEN [_takes refuge in_ SANTA’S _comforting old arms. She says finally_]. I love you, Santa. I will marry you. MUSIC: “_Santa Claus Land._” CURTAIN SCENE II _Interior of Santa Claus’ Home. Two months later. Discovered at the door_ FLOSSIE FIXIT _and_ GOSSIP, _singing and dancing_. SONG _Air_: “_Glad Christmas Bells._” Oh, wedding bells, oh wedding bells, I hear across the lea, For Santa Claus and the Fairy Queen Are married, you shall see. Oh, wedding bells, oh wedding bells, Peel on, peel on, and ring! For Santa Claus the Fairy Queen To his home he soon will bring. Oh! here they are! Oh! here they are! They dance and sing, they dance and sing; For Santa Claus to his fairy bride Has given the marriage ring. [_Exit._] SANTA CLAUS _and the_ FAIRY QUEEN, _dancing and smiling, enter_. QUEEN [_seeing toys everywhere, remarks playfully_]. Such housekeeping! Just like an old bachelor! SANTA CLAUS [_hurriedly clears the place up, then hands the_ QUEEN _his spy glass and she looks through_]. See all the little children looking for Santa Claus. And see, they have no Christmas trees, holly, or turkeys. Won’t you make these things grow right away? The candies, toys and other gifts are all ready. QUEEN [_playfully_]. I’m kind of tired. I’ve only been married one hour, and you want to put me to work. SANTA CLAUS. But it’s the very day before Christmas, and nothing ready. QUEEN. I can see you are going to be a very _bossy_ husband. Did I promise to obey? SANTA CLAUS [_merrily_]. You did. FAIRY QUEEN _raises her wand_. FLOSSIE FIXIT, BILLY BUNDY _and_ THOMAS PAGE _enter_. QUEEN. Produce the Christmas trees, the holly and turkeys. FLOSSIE, BILLY _and_ THOMAS _exit, curtseying and very happy at receiving this order at last_. MUSIC: “_The Happiest Christmas Day._” QUEEN _keeps time to the music with her wand_. SANTA CLAUS _busies himself gathering toys together and doing up bundles. Finally points to the clock, as music ceases. It is noon._ QUEEN _waves her wand_. FLOSSIE, BILLY _and_ THOMAS _enter_. _Sleigh and reindeer appear at door at the same time._ BILLY BUNDY. We have it all done. SANTA CLAUS [_gathering up his bundles, hurries to the door and speaks jovially_]. Come, Mrs. Santa, we must now distribute the gifts. QUEEN [_sweetly_]. I have done my part. SANTA CLAUS [_stands dumbfounded a moment_]. The time is so short now. I cannot distribute all the gifts in time without your help. [QUEEN _is resolute and will not go_.] SANTA CLAUS [_starts regretfully for his sleigh. Coming back, playfully_]. You are _not_ a very satisfactory wife for a Santa Claus. [QUEEN _looks reproachfully at him_.] SANTA CLAUS _gathers the little_ QUEEN _in his arms for a moment, then exit. Enters sleigh and reindeer prances off, bells ringing._ QUEEN [_throwing herself upon the couch, gracefully, but sadly_]. I don’t believe Santa Claus loves me any more. Oh, why did the Prince have to die? [_She weeps. Presently she falls asleep._] FLOSSIE FIXIT [_to_ BILLY BUNDY _and_ THOMAS PAGE]. Step softly. The Queen is asleep. BILLY BUNDY. Sister Flossie, the Queen is very unhappy. You’ve got her married to the wrong man. What can we do? What can we do? FLOSSIE FIXIT. Why, it wasn’t I who did that. It was you. [BILLY BUNDY _smiles in spite of himself_.] THOMAS PAGE. Tell us the truth about the Prince. FLOSSIE FIXIT. He has been asleep. But I’ll awaken him now. [_Picks up_ QUEEN’S _wand and waves it slowly back and forth three times_.] THOMAS PAGE. Why did you not awaken him before? FLOSSIE FIXIT. I could not get hold of the Queen’s wand. BILLY BUNDY [_apprehensively_]. It will only make matters worse now. QUEEN _awakens_. FLOSSIE _drops wand hurriedly_. QUEEN [_notices_ SANTA’S _spy glass, picks it up, and looks through it_]. Oh, the Prince is coming! Am I dreaming? The Prince, the Prince! Oh, my beautiful Prince! [_She drops the spy glass, and runs out of the door to meet the_ PRINCE.] MUSIC: “_The Owl._” GOSSIP [_enters_]. Did you hear the news? The Prince has returned, and the Queen has gone off with him. [FLOSSIE _smiles_.] BILLY BUNDY [_to_ FLOSSIE]. I suppose now there will be a scandal and a divorce. FLOSSIE FIXIT. Well, we have got the Christmas things all made, and the little children all over the world will be happy. THOMAS PAGE. But we must find a way to make the Fairy Queen happy, too, or she will die, and the little children won’t have any Christmas trees, holly or turkeys next year. GOSSIP [_playfully_]. Why didn’t some of you goody, goody, wise people frame up a scheme that would have helped the children out without making the Queen suffer? BILLY BUNDY. We would have done so in time. FLOSSIE FIXIT. But there wasn’t any time to lose. You’ll see. It will come out all right. THOMAS PAGE. I’ll have to see what can be done to _make_ it come out right. I shall see the Fairy Judge of the Supreme Court. BILLY BUNDY [_horrified_]. That means a divorce! GOSSIP [_looking through spy glass_]. Look here, everybody. _SANTA CLAUS in his travels, as seen through the glass, coming down a certain chimney, finds an old lady dressed all in red. She evidently intends to play_ MRS. SANTA CLAUS. _There is a tree, and stockings by the fireplace, and_ SANTA CLAUS _reads a sign_: FOR MY LONG LOST SON. _The old lady is crying._ BILLY _and_ FLOSSIE _clamor to have a look through the glass_. CURTAIN _opens in the direction in which the spy glass is pointing, showing scene described (Scene III)_. SCENE III _Interior of Home of Old Lady._ _Discovered_: SANTA CLAUS _and the_ OLD LADY. SANTA CLAUS [_who has just come down the chimney_]. Ho! Ho! What’s this? Crying? At Christmas time? OLD LADY [_sobs_]. Oh, I didn’t think you were coming at all; it got so late. So I thought I would play _Mrs._ Santa Claus. But my only son is away. So what’s the use? I thought surely he would come home for Christmas. SANTA CLAUS [_puts his arm about her_]. Never mind. You come along with me. I need a Mrs. Santa Claus to help me distribute the gifts. Perhaps we’ll come across your son in our travels. SANTA CLAUS _and_ OLD LADY _exit joyously and enter sleigh at door_. CURTAIN SCENE IV _Interior of Santa Claus’ Home._ MUSIC: “_Santa Claus Is Coming._” _Discovered_: BILLY BUNDY, FLOSSIE FIXIT _and_ GOSSIP. BILLY BUNDY [_looking through the spy glass_]. Oh, they are having such a lovely time as they enter the different houses and distribute the gifts! The old lady makes a real good Mrs. Santa Claus. FLOSSIE FIXIT [_looking through_]. They have used up all the gifts now and are coming home for more. GOSSIP [_taking the glass and looking through_]. Oh, he has kissed her! Isn’t that dreadful? But I guess the little Fairy Queen won’t care, now that the Prince has come back. BILLY BUNDY [_taking the glass_]. Let _me_ see. I don’t believe he kissed her at all. He wouldn’t do such a thing. It is very wrong to think bad things about people which never happen. [FLOSSIE _and_ GOSSIP _laugh_.] BILLY BUNDY. Hush, they have reached home. SANTA CLAUS [_enters, with the_ OLD LADY]. Where is the Fairy Queen? GOSSIP. The Fairy Prince has returned, and the Queen has gone off with him. OLD LADY. It’s too bad. Do you intend to get a divorce? SANTA CLAUS. I would like to, but I am too tender-hearted. I must protect the Queen from the scandal-mongers. FLOSSIE FIXIT [_looking through window_]. Oh, the Queen and the Prince are coming! OLD LADY [_looking through window_]. There is my long lost son. SANTA CLAUS. Let’s hide, just for fun. SANTA CLAUS _and the_ OLD LADY _exit behind curtain_. QUEEN _and_ PRINCE _enter_. QUEEN. I would get a divorce, but I just can’t think of breaking dear old Santa’s heart. He is such a darling! SANTA CLAUS _enters at door, pretends to look very severe, but there is a twinkle in his eye_. PRINCE [_falling on his knees_]. Oh, forgive me for being here. I have done the little Queen no harm. THOMAS PAGE [_in triumphant spirit, enters, blowing a horn_]. The Supreme Court has ordered me to pronounce the Queen’s marriage null and void, because any marriage is illegal which takes place between a human being and a fairy. In the court’s judgment Santa Claus is human. [BILLY BUNDY _steps up to the_ PRINCE.] PRINCE. Here is the minister ready to marry us. QUEEN. I believe I _ought_ to transform Santa into a fairy and marry him over again. [PRINCE _shows great disappointment_.] SANTA CLAUS. Cheer up, Prince. I don’t want to be transformed into a fairy. I would rather be human. I am going to give you to each other as my Christmas gift to you. [QUEEN, _kneeling, kisses_ SANTA’S _hand gratefully_. SANTA CLAUS _lifts her to her feet, and places her hand in the hand of the_ PRINCE, _then brings into the room the_ OLD LADY, _who is immediately clasped in the arms of her son, the_ PRINCE.] PRINCE. Oh, mother, it seems _so good_ to see you! OLD LADY. My long lost son! SANTA CLAUS. The Prince’s mother is going to be Mrs. Santa Claus. ALL THE LITTLE FAIRIES [_including those supposedly burned up in the fire entering, clap their hands_]. Let’s have a double wedding! MUSIC: “_Santa Lucia._” [GOSSIP _and_ FLOSSIE FIXIT _put wedding veils on the_ OLD LADY _and the_ QUEEN. QUEEN _and_ PRINCE _stand to the left facing_ BILLY BUNDY. SANTA _and_ OLD LADY _stand to the right facing_ BILLY BUNDY.] BILLY BUNDY [_solemnly, open Bible in hand_]. I pronounce you husband and wife. CURTAIN _opens, showing handsome Christmas tree_. SANTA CLAUS _discovers an enormous stocking marked_: “For Santa Claus,” _and a big book from which he reads_: “How Young Husbands Can Make Their Wives Happy.” _He bows his thanks, grinning broadly, examines other gifts on the tree and distributes them. The_ FAIRIES _are delighted with their gifts_. BILLY BUNDY. Oh, we shouldn’t keep Santa Claus here to distribute _our_ gifts. Half the little children in the world are waiting for him. _The reindeer drives up to the door._ MR. _and_ MRS. SANTA [_hurriedly enter the sleigh and drive off, waving gayly and shouting_]. Good-bye! [FAIRY QUEEN _and_ PRINCE _wave in reply, raising their wands_.] FAIRY QUEEN. We will destroy the illusion of time so the little children won’t know it is so late. SANTA CLAUS [_calling back_]. Even so, I am afraid some of them will have to have their gifts on Christmas Day instead of Christmas Eve. MRS. SANTA CLAUS [_calling back_]. We will bring some of the little children back with us. MUSIC: “_The Christmas Tree._” ALL THE FAIRIES, PRINCE _and_ QUEEN _leading, dance around the Christmas tree, singing_. MR. _and_ MRS. SANTA _enter, with a crowd of children from the audience. They are very cordial and jovial as they distribute gifts to youngsters._ ALL THE LITTLE FAIRIES [_help distribute gifts, shouting_]. Merry Christmas! FAIRY QUEEN _and_ PRINCE _shake hands with everybody. They are gracious and delightful._ CURTAIN BOOKS AND HELPS FOR TEACHERS A specially selected list of books and helps which have become popular because of their practical value. There are few teachers indeed who have not been helped by one or more of these publications. We unhesitatingly recommend every one of the titles offered. DRAWING Easy Things to Draw--Augsburg $0.45 SEAT WORK Primary Seat Work, Sense Training and Games--Smith $0.85 Primary Sewing and Color Cards--Cleaveland: No. 1, Animal Series; No. 2, Fairy-Tale Series; No. 3, Children-of-the-World Series. Each set .25 Straight-Line Sewing Cards--Cleaveland .25 PENMANSHIP Muscular Movement Writing Slips $0.15 ARITHMETIC Moody Number Games--Moody. Series 1 $0.85 Moody Number Games--Moody. Series 2 .85 Number Games for Primary Grades--Harris-Waldo .85 Number Stories--Deming .85 LANGUAGE, GRAMMAR AND COMPOSITION Games and Rhymes for Language Teaching in the First Four Grades--Deming $0.85 Language and Composition by Grades--Hammond 1.00 Language Games for All Grades--Deming--Book only .80 With Cards 1.20 One Hundred Stories for Reproduction--Grove .30 Primary Language Stories--Deming .50 MUSIC Best Primary Songs--Kellogg $0.20 Merry Melodies--Hanson .20 New Common-School Song Book--Smith-Schuckai .70 Silvery Notes--Hanson .20 Songs We Like Best .15 Weaver’s New School Songs--Weaver .30 OPENING AND GENERAL EXERCISES Best Memory Gems--Sindelar $0.30 Morning Exercises for All the Year--Sindelar 1.00 CLASS RECORDS Simplex Class Record--Cloth $0.50 Paper .35 Simplex Seat Plan (with Cards) .60 Illustrated Catalog of Books mailed free upon request. BECKLEY-CARDY COMPANY, _Publishers_, CHICAGO CHOICE ENTERTAINMENTS Prepared especially for school use, and particularly for Friday afternoons and special day exercises. DIALOGUES AND CHILDREN’S PLAYS Dialogues and Plays for Entertainment Days--Painton $0.40 District-School Dialogues--Irish .40 The Golden Goose--Guptill .15 Humorous Dialogues for Children--Irish .40 Specialty Entertainments for Little Folks--Painton .40 Twelve Plays for Children--Guptill .40 RECITATIONS Best Primary Recitations--Hoag $0.30 DRILLS AND ACTION SONGS Humorous Drills and Acting Songs--Irish $0.40 MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENTS Rummage--Race $0.25 Uncle Sam, P. M.--Race .25 SPECIAL DAY ENTERTAINMENTS The Best Christmas Book--Sindelar $0.40 The Best Thanksgiving Book--Sindelar .40 Christmas at Stebbinses’--Irish .25 Closing Day Entertainments--Sindelar .40 Merry Christmas Entertainments--Sindelar .40 Polly in History-Land, or Glimpses of Washington--Painton .25 Susan Gregg’s Christmas Orphans--Irish .25 PLAYS The Great Turkey-Stealing Case of Watermelon County--Graham $0.25 The Last Half-Day in the District School--Fraser-Higgins .35 The Prize Essay, or “Boy Wanted”--Painton .35 The Value of X--Painton .35 Illustrated Catalog of Books mailed free upon request. BECKLEY-CARDY COMPANY, _Publishers_, CHICAGO *** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 69401 ***