BY CAROLINE A. CREEVEY AND MARGARET E. SANGSTER.
THE NIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING.
CHARACTERS:
| Ethel Forrester. |
| Elise Forrester, sister of Ethel. |
| First Fairy. |
| Second Fairy. |
| Elgin, a fairy messenger. |
| Genius of Thanksgiving. |
| Purveyor of Turkeys (a boy). |
| Miss Maize. |
| Miss Corn Tassel. |
| Rosy-cheeked Apple (a girl). |
| Golden Pumpkin (a boy). |
| Nuts and Raisins (a boy). |
| Red Cranberry (a girl). |
| Beets, Carrots, and Turnips (a boy). |
| Miss Grape. |
| Miss Mince Pie. |
| Miss Celery. |
Scene.—Ethel's bedroom.
Enter Ethel Forrester. She throws off her hat and shawl, and sits upon her cot-bed.
Ethel. So tired! So tired! Shall I ever get rested? To-morrow is a holiday, but for me a sad one. I have no nice dinner for mamma and Elise. I hoped something would turn up. But nothing has. After all, things don't turn up. You have to wade right through things. It's foolish to expect, for instance, a nice dinner to drop from the clouds for us, mamma and Elise and me; yet unless one does we shall not stand much chance of anything except bread and tea. Here are my car fares, though. I will buy an orange for mamma, and two apples for Elise. They've got to be content with that. What time is it? (Clock strikes outside.) Twelve, I do declare. Well, I'm too tired to undress. I am sleepy—and hungry. To-morrow is—Thanksgiv— [Falls on the bed, and sleeps.]
Enter two Fairies. They stand, one on each side of Ethel's head, wave wands over her, and sing "The Fairies' Sleep Charm."
Sleep, dear one, sleep, and close thy tired eyelids;
Good angels wake and watch till morning light.
Love sees the trouble and the brave endurance,
And soon, for thee, dear child, will all be bright.
First Fairy. She seems quite exhausted.
Second Fairy. She does indeed.