ACT II

Time: Christmas morning.

Scene: Same as Act I. During first part of scene, the troupe, all but Pepper and Tim, are very busy arranging tent for their special performance. Barney and Dutch move mess-table to [R.], cover it with red cloth, and set two boxes upon it as seats for the guests of honor. Ben and Jerry bring in a gymnasium mattress and a small low platform, which they arrange [Center], covering it with a bright-colored cloth. Harry, Jack, and Mike set soap-boxes with boards for seats at back of stage.

Barney. Did yez iver see annything loike the change in the Boss?

Ben. I jes' lay awake half de night studyin' 'bout it.

Jerry. I tell you, he's just treatin' those two kids white, he is.

Jack. First time ever, for him.

Mike. I'm just shtruck doomb, I am. Says I to meself, says I, "There's magic in ut."

Dutch. Nein,—it's dot little Christmas Tree vot doos ut.

Harry. Well, h'anyway, 'e's h'evidently 'ad a change of 'eart. 'Ow's the kids this morning?

Ben. Fine as silk! I war expectin' to fin' 'em all tuckered out, but not a bit of it, sir! Dey's sharp as persimmons. Don' seem lak dey could a-walked all dat way widout no lift.

Barney. Did yez tell them about the show, thin?

Dutch. Ve did, und dey're so oxzited dot it seem like dey'd shump out o' deir shkins.

Jerry. Have they heard of the tree?

Ben. No. Mr. Pepper, he say, don' let on—keep dat fer er s'prise.

Dutch. Und since deir folks iss such heathens—dey ain'd t'inkin' 'bout noddings like dot.

Jack. Hustle up—you talk too much. The kids' folks'll be here after them if you don't get a move on.

Mike [gazing with pride at the result of their labors]. It's a foine soight, sure.

Harry [leading the way to the tent door]. Come along, fellows—it looks to me as 'ow we're ready. 'Oo'll be the 'erald an' tell 'em we're comin'?

[Exeunt all but Dutch.

Dutch [goes to footlights and speaks to the piano]. If der bant vill blees be so kint und blay a chune fer der grant marsh! [Exit. After a moment enter Dutch and Ben with the children, Sonny hanging to Ben's hand and dancing with excitement. They are lifted into place.]

Ben. Now, den, honey, you-all's gwine to see der circus, sho' 'nuff.

Dutch. So! Is you gomf'table?

[Exeunt Ben and Dutch.

Bub. Oh, Sonny, we're goin' to have a circus all to ourselves.

Sonny. It's better than just comin' in like other folks, isn't it, Bub?

Bub. Oh, lots! I guess it's a sure enough Christmas, too, Sonny. [He rocks to and fro with delight. The piano plays a gay, quick march, and the Circus enters, in procession, headed by Pepper himself and ending with the dog. They march several times around the stage, then take seats on the boards. Dutch suddenly catches up his tray, and goes about shouting his wares, with a great air of being very busy.]

Dutch. Beanuts! Beanuts! Here's your fresh-roasted beanuts! Bop-corn! Bop-corn und beanuts!

Jack. How do you sell 'em, Dutch?

Dutch [incensed]. You tink I vould sell dem on Christmas? Vot you take me for, hein? Haf some—it's a bresunt. [Passes them about, and then takes up his stand (R. front) just behind the boys. Pepper steps forward and stands beside the platform. Makes a fine sweeping bow to the boys.]

Pepper [with his best professional manner], Mr. Benjamin Franklin Simpson and Mr. Daniel Webster Simpson, we have the great honor to make you welcome to the most world-renowned, the most marvelous single-ring circus upon the face of this Terrestrial Globe—Pepper's Perennial Circus, so named because it never folds its tents from season's end to season's end. I, Gentlemen, am Peter Piper Pepper, the fortunate proprietor of this colossal assemblage of artists. The members of my Company have desired the honor of being presented to you personally before they exhibit to you their unparalleled skill. It gratifies me exceedingly to comply with this wish. [Steps to side of platform and motions to troupe. As he calls them by name they step forward and bow, with flourishes.] Gentlemen, allow me to present to you the distinguished, the glorious Signor Frencelli, and Signor Cocodilla, who have charmed the crowned heads of Europe. [The clowns come forward and bow.]

Dutch [sotto voce to the boys]. Deir names is Barney O'Brien und Jerry Pickle, but dot vouldn't do for der bosters. [Clowns sit down.]

Pepper. Gentlemen, you see before you the world-renowned Marco Brothers, known from the frozen North to the sunny South, for their skill and ability in acrobatic feats. One of them also is a famous bareback rider and performer of feats of equestrian valor. He has a further talent of which you will be given an example a little later.

[Hopkins and Limber Jack make their bows.

Dutch. Dot's Harry Hopkins, und de big feller is Limber Jack. Dey yust bass for brudders.

Pepper. Now, Gentlemen, our show has the distinction of possessing the great Mr. Barlow, the only native African minstrel upon any stage. Mr. Barlow is a prince in his own country, and indeed we esteem him a prince in whatever sphere he may adorn.

Dutch. Dot's Ben Chackson, und he ain't crossed no vater vider dan der riffer. [Makes a face.] But ve makes it up to der peoples vat pays for der seats.

Pepper. And now, Gentlemen, last, but not least we have the noted, the justly celebrated Professor Wormwood, whose successful methods of training the dog and the monkey until they are rendered all but human, have been copied the world over. Professor Wormwood, with his dog, Schneider, and his South American monkey, Jocko.

[Mike steps upon the stage with the dog and
monkey, makes his bow, and admonishes
them to do the same.

Dutch. Dot's Mike McGinnis.

Bub. Have the dog and the monkey got some other names, too?

Dutch. No,—dey don' need dem.

Pepper. Gentlemen, our little entertainment is now about to begin. Professor Wormwood will give an exhibition of his clever animals.

[As each is called upon to do some little
"stunt," he bows elaborately, and does
whatever he has to do with a great deal of
professional air, then returns to his place,
as before. The little boys, after Dutch's
suggestion, applaud vigorously, and the
rest of the troupe look on at each other's
"acts" with condescending approval.
These are given in the following order.

[Mike puts the animals through a number of tricks.

Dutch [to the boys]. Abplaud! Abplaud!

Bub [puzzled]. What?

Dutch [clapping hands]. Abplaud! Dey mus' have abplowse!

[While the animals are performing, the
canvas parts (R. front). Enter Farmer
Simpson, unnoticed by anyone save
Dutch, who watches him at first uncomprehendingly,
then with suspicion. The
farmer looks about in horror, craning his
neck to see all that is going on. Shakes
his fist at the Ringmaster, sees the children,
and makes as if to grab them. Dutch
interposes his body with determination.

Dutch [sotto voce, but decidedly]. Vot you t'ink you do—hein?

Farmer. You gi'me those children!

Dutch. You vaits. You don' gotta take 'em yet.

Farmer. They're mine and I've come to git 'em.

Dutch. You is deir vater, hein? All right; you vaits. Shoost sit down und look at der show. [Shoves him down forcibly on a convenient box or keg, then carefully stands between him and the boys. Children shout and applaud the animals. Farmer watches at intervals, and during each turn he rises as if to protest, and is emphatically set down by Dutch. His resistance is more and more feeble each time, and his interest in the performers visibly increases, until at the end he actually stands looking open-mouthed over Dutch's shoulder, even betrayed into applause. When he catches himself clapping, however, he stops short and clasps his hands behind his back. Professor Wormwood finally bows himself off.]

Peter. I have the honor to announce Signor Frencelli and Signor Cocodilla in their great act.

[Clowns come forward and bow, do juggling
tricks, etc. Same business for the rest.

Sonny. Oh, Bub, I think our dad would like this, don't you?

Bub. I reckon he would, if he'd just ever come and see it.

[Clowns bow themselves off.

Peter. Gentlemen, the famous Mr. Barlow will now entertain you.

[Minstrel tells a darkey story.

Bub. Don't you wish he'd come and live at the farm, Sonny?

Sonny. Yes, I do. S'pose he would?

[Minstrel bows and sits down. All applaud.

Peter. Now, Gentlemen, one of the Marco Brothers will show his marvelous strength and agility.

[Limber Jack turns flip-flaps, etc. Presently
Harry steps forward and they swing Indian
clubs, gayly decorated, to music.
Then Limber Jack takes his seat, and
Hopkins takes the stage alone.

Harry. Yer honors, I 'eartily regret that I cannot this morning give a h'exhibition of my famous bareback riding h'exploits, h'owing to the fact of our 'orses being h'otherwise h'occupied—— [confidentially] a-h'eating their h'oats, ye know. But, h'anyway, I can make the h'attempt to show you 'ow it is done, with a h'imaginary 'orse. 'Ere, Mr. h'O'Brien, will you kindly h'assist me?

[Barney brings a chair without a back, and
Harry, after pretending to quiet a mettlesome
steed, mounts, and goes through all
the motions of dashing about the ring bareback.
He wears an intensely serious look,
fixing his eyes as it were upon the horse's
ears, cheering him on, leaping off and on,
standing lightly on one toe, etc. The
Ringmaster watches and cracks his whip,
the music plays a light and quick air, the
whole troupe rise and watch breathlessly,
bending in time to the music as if in time
to a galloping horse. Jerry comes forward
with a wand, and Harry leaps over
it. Then Barney brings a hoop, wound
in gay colors, or covered with tissue paper,
and Harry springs through it. This is
his culminating feat, and now the horse
apparently slows down and stops, Harry
leaping off and making a low bow toward
the seats of honor.

Bub [applauding wildly]. Why, I could almost see the horse!

[Harry retires to back of stage, and makes
a quick change in full view of the audience,
to a ballet skirt and a yellow wig.
The clowns assist him to dress, hooking
him up behind, and holding a mirror for
the proper adjustment of the wig, etc.

Peter. Gentlemen, having shown you his prowess as a bareback rider, Signor Marco will now be introduced to you in a new light. Our traveling arrangements being somewhat—ahem!—circumscribed, we have never been able to carry any of the fair sex with us upon our tours. Believe me, Gentlemen, such is the surpassing genius of Signor Marco that we have never felt the need of ladies, as I am sure you will agree. [Harry now comes forward with mincing steps and a coy smile.] Gentlemen, allow me to present to you the celebrated artist, the far-famed and charming Mademoiselle Zarah! [The troupe all bow with great enthusiasm to the transformed Harry, who courtesies and smiles with all professional airs and graces. The music strikes up, and Zarah dances. When the dance is ended, Zarah bows again, and goes through the motions of catching bouquets from the troupe or audience.]

Peter. Mademoiselle Zarah, assisted by the whole troupe, will now favor us with a song.

[Popular song, adapted to the occasion by the
use of Christmas words. The boys applaud
long and loudly; the troupe, after
making a general farewell bow, break ranks
and gather around them. Jerry and
Barney remove platform.

Sonny. I'd like to go to a circus every day.

Bub. Don't I wish I could! Well, it's a fine Christmas present, anyway.

Peter. Did you like it?

Bub and Sonny. Oh, did we!

Bub. It was just right!

Peter. Can you think of anything that would be an improvement—for a Christmas celebration, you know?

Bub [embarrassed]. Well, Mr. Pepper—you see—we've always heard the other children telling about Christmas—and Christmas Trees—and we did wish we could see one. This is next best, you know—but we did wish we could see a tree.

Pepper [nods to clowns]. Well,—I'm not Herman—nor yet old Santa Claus, but I guess I can do this trick. [Waves his whip, and the two clowns suddenly throw back the canvas (back Center) and disclose a small tree, lighted and raised high, framed by the sides of the tent.]

Bub [claps his hands]. Oh, is that what a Christmas Tree looks like!

Sonny. Oh, Bub, let's go and see it. [They slip down from their places and slowly approach the tree. Farmer makes as if to seize them.]

Dutch [catching his arm]. No, sir,—you vaits shtill longer a leetle bit!

Sonny. Oh, Bub, look at all the pretty shiny things.

Bub. And candy, Sonny, and toys, and the star on top! [The men fairly swell with pride.]

Barney. Sure it's the best I iver did see, for a small one.

Jerry. Makes me feel like a kid myself—we always had 'em every year.

Mike. It joost warms the very cockles of me heart.

Harry. I'd 'ave you look at their faces—they're 'appy, all right. It 'as the circus beat h'all 'ollow for them.

Jack. Between the two, they'll not forget this Christmas!

Ben [leaning over the children]. Look at all dem C'ris'mas gif's, honey! Dey's every las' one fer you.

Bub [disappointed]. Not anything for anybody else?

Sonny. Not nothing for Ben? I likes Ben!

Bub. And Dutch, and everybody? [The men are confused at this turn of affairs.] Only for us? Why, we thought Christmas trees were for everybody. And they've all been so good to us!

Peter [throwing himself into the breach]. No, that's a big mistake, boys! There is something on that tree for them—something that says every man in this here show gets a whole week's wages for a Christmas present, and then he can get what he wants most!

[A moment's silence, then there is a great
clapping of hands, and slapping of each
other's shoulders, and all press forward
and shake hands gratefully with Peter.

Dutch [to Farmer]. Vot I tells you? No maitter how shtrict you goes for to be [slowly, and with emphasis], you cain't kills Christmas! Yust look at der liddle tree! Laist night ve all vas reddy to cut somebody's t'roat, und dis mornin'—Bresto! Shangch!—ve're de pest frien's efer. It's der Kinder, und der Tree, und Christmas! I tells you, der ain'd noddings like Christmas der whole vorld rount!

[The Farmer, who has been unbending gradually,
at last nods in hearty acquiescence.
Music strikes up, and all sing "Christmas
Song." Bub and Sonny, unmolested,
climb up to examine the little tree.

CHRISTMAS SONG[31]

Frank E. Savile.

[[audio/mpeg]] [[MusicXML]]

1. The Christmas chimes are ringing out,
Across the valleys sounding clear,
And as the echoes float about,
Tell of peace and Christmas cheer,
With joyous voices bless the day,
And with sounds of merry cheer,
Let us all keep holiday
For Christmas comes but once a year.
2. Old Christmas comes with merry train,
Bringing joy and mirth again;
The chimes ring out the glad refrain,
"Peace on earth, good will to men."
Be many Christmas days in store,
May no sorrow soon befall;
To young and old, to rich and poor,
A merry Christmas to you all.

CURTAIN