THE MAN WITH THE DEMIJOHN.
A TEMPERANCE SKETCH.
CHARACTERS.
| Zekiel Short | (Corresponding Secretary of the Rocky-valley Teetotalers). |
| Phil Carson, | } anti-teetotalers. |
| Ned Hunter, | |
| Chick | (an infantile darkey). |
COSTUMES.
| Zeke. | —Long white overcoat, checked pants, light wig, white hat. |
| Phil. | } Seedy clothes, red noses, and slouched hats. |
| Ned. | |
| Chick. | —Woolly wig, blackened face, overalls, and checked shirt. |
Scene.—Back street in Boston. Should it not be convenient to have scenery, a very good substitute can be obtained by spreading upon the wall at the back of the stage a variety of posters, show-bills, advertisements, &c.
Enter Phil, L.
Phil. Well, if this isn’t particularly pleasant! I’ve been roaming round town ever since the break of day, longing and waiting for my bitters. Dead broke, bank closed, and credit exhausted. Nobody asks me to take a drop. The landlords won’t treat, and I can’t find a copper in the gutter. I have begged of everybody I met; but it’s no use. One man said he would give me a loaf of bread. Bread!—do I look like a man that wants bread? No, I want something to drink: when I can’t get that, I’ll begin to think about bread. Another man said he would give me a breakfast if I would work for him an hour. Work! I never did work, and I don’t think I shall begin now. I’m one of the aristocracy; they don’t work; society takes care of them when they’re unfortunate: so let society take care of me. I wish I could find a dollar, or a half a dollar, or a quarter, or a ten-cent bit, or— (Enter Ned, R.) Halloo, Ned! is that you?
Ned. Yes, all there is left of me! What are you doing down there?