BOTH SIDES OF THE COUNTER.
ALMOST A TRAGEDY.
CHARACTERS.
| Mrs. Ethel Neverby, | A Shopper. |
| Mrs. Maud Sampelle, | A Shopper. |
| Mr. Newcome, | A Salesman. |
| A Chorus of Seven other Salesmen. |
Scene:—The principal aisle of a fashionable shop. Mrs. Neverby and Mrs. Sampelle discovered sauntering along near a prominent counter strewn with rich woollen dress-goods. Mr. Newcome, as they pause for an instant, makes a dash forward toward the ladies: the seven other salesmen for a moment seek to restrain his ardor; but he refuses to be restrained, and instantly holds up to the gaze of the shoppers a piece of cloth with a most alluring air. They pause—halt—whilst the chorus, withdrawing, sing, in a low, melancholy voice—
Chorus.
Poor Newcome!
Nay, we must not seek to prevent it;
If we should, he would only resent it:
Let us then be all silent anent it.
Let him say of his breath, "I have spent it;"
Of his patience, "Behold! I have lent it;"
Of his will, "Woe is me! they have bent it;"
Of his garment, "Aye, lo! I have rent it;
Because I believed that they meant it:
Meant to buy—
Heigh-o-heigh!
O—O—"
[Chorus retire and busy themselves with other remote customers and goods, keeping, however, a wary and observing eye fixed upon Newcome.
Newcome (gushingly). What can I show you this morning, ladies?
Ethel (sweetly). Oh, thank you, we are merely looking as we pass by.