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                        ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE.


                           THE AMATEUR DRAMA.

                             --------------

                              Santa-Claus.

                                BOSTON:
                          GEO. M. BAKER & CO.
                         149 Washington Street.

                         KILBURN & MALLORY, SC.


          Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year
          1868, by GEORGE M. BAKER, in the Clerk’s Office in
          the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

------------------------------------------------------------------------




                         SANTA CLAUS’ FROLICS.

                            BY THE AUTHOR OF

   “Sylvia’s Soldier;” “Once on a Time;” “Down by the Sea;” “Bread on
  the Waters;” “The Last Loaf;” “Stand by the Flag;” “The Tempter;” “A
    Drop Too Much;” “We’re All Teetotallers;” “A Little More Cider;”
      “Thirty Minutes for Refreshments;” “Wanted, a Male Cook;” “A
       Sea of Troubles;” “Freedom of the Press;” “A Close Shave;”
         “The Great Elixir;” “The Man with the Demijohn;” “New
            Brooms Sweep Clean;” “Rumors of the Strike;” “My
           Uncle the Captain;” “The Greatest Plague in Life;”
              “No Cure, No Pay;” “The Grecian Bend;” “The
             War of the Roses;” “Lightheart’s Pilgrimage;”
                “The Sculptor’s Triumph;” “Too Late for
                     the Train;” “Snow-Bound;” “The
                   Peddler of Very Nice;” “Bonbons;”
                       “Capuletta;” “An Original
                               Idea;” &c.

                                -------

                                BOSTON:
                          GEO. M. BAKER & CO.
                         149 WASHINGTON STREET.

------------------------------------------------------------------------




        Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868,
                          BY GEORGE M. BAKER,
           In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the
                       District of Massachusetts.

                    STEREOTYPED BY C.J. PETERS & SON
                        No. 5 Washington Street.

                                -------

               PRESS OF RAND, AVERY & FRYE, BOSTON MASS.

------------------------------------------------------------------------




                         SANTA CLAUS’ FROLICS.

              A CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT FOR LITTLE FOLKS.


                                -------

[_The rising of the curtain discloses room, with a fireplace_, C., _on
  either side or above which are hung stockings of various sizes, from
  the baby’s little sock to Bridget’s long and broad red, blue, or
  black hose. On the right of the fireplace is the Christmas tree,
  hidden by a curtain, which is so arranged that it may be easily
  removed (or, if double parlors are used, or the entertainment is
  given in a hall or vestry, the tree can be placed in one corner of
  the audience-room, and while the attention of the auditors is
  diverted by the entertainment in the other room, or upon the
  platform, the tree can be lighted). Six or eight children in the
  scene, arrayed in night dresses and caps, with lighted candles in
  their hands, moving about, and occasionally looking up chimney._]


                   SONG.—Air, “_We’re all Noddin’_.”

_Girls._

We’re all waiting, wait, wait, waiting,
We’re all waiting for Santa Claus to come.
To catch him we’re waiting; he’ll surely be here;
The moments fly quickly, and midnight draws near.

_All._

We’re all waiting, wait, wait, waiting,
We’re all waiting for Santa Claus to come.

_Boys._

We’re all freezing, freeze, freeze, freezing,
We’re all freezing, here, waiting in the cold;
For Santa to bring us our presents we wait;
Come, hurry, old fellow; ’tis really quite late.

_All._

We’re all freezing, freeze, freeze, freezing,
We’re all freezing, here, waiting in the cold.

_Girls._

We’re all nodding, nod, nod, nodding,
We’re all nodding, and dropping off to sleep;
To our warm little beds ’tis time we should go;
Come, hurry, good Santa; pray don’t be so slow.

_All._

For we’re all nodding, nod, nod, nodding,
For we’re all nodding, and dropping off to sleep.

_Boys._

We’re all yawning, yaw, yaw, yawning,
We’re all yawning; so let’s go off to bed.

_Girls._

To stay any longer we’re surely unwise;
We’ll wait for the daylight to open our eyes.

_All._

For we’re all yawning, yaw, yaw, yawning,
We’re all yawning, and going off to bed.

  [_Exeunt_, R. _and_ L., _repeating the last two lines_.


_Santa Claus peeps out from chimney, then enters. Costume, rubber
  boots, with pants tucked into them; heavy fur coat, with red
  comforter tied about it; red comforter about his neck; peaked fur
  cap; long gray hair and beard; very red face; strapped to his back a
  large basket, filled with toys._

_Santa_ (_looking_ R. _and_ L.).

Ho, ho, my little rogues. You set a trap
To catch me napping; _now_ who takes the nap?
I’m an old schemer; even your sharp eyes
Could never find me in this queer disguise.
Dream on, my darlings, while I treasures heap.
Ho, ho! to fill your _hose_ while you’re asleep.
Year after year, I drop in on the sly,
Through chimneys made for me so broad and high;
To pop down them is made my cheerful duty;
It _suits_ me too—sometimes, almost too _sooty_.

(_Takes basket off back._)

Let’s see: what year is this? why bless my eyes,
It’s 1872.—Good Gracious! how time flies!
And children multiply so fast, ’tis clear,
A partner I must have another year.
I’m really getting old. This wrinkled phiz
Of good old age a striking symbol is.
And yet I’m strong, can frolic, dance, or play
With young folks yet for many a Christmas day.
So I’ll not grumble; while I can, I’ll strive
To let my boys and girls know I’m alive.
What though my hair is gray, my heart is young,
And green as Christmas boughs around me hung.


               SONG.—Santa Claus. Air, “_Captain Jinks_.”

I’m Santa Claus, the Christmas king,
And every year I gayly sing,
Ho, boys and girls, to you I bring
Such lots of Christmas Presents;
A clipper sled, for merry Ned,
For merry Ned, for merry Ned,
A waxen doll, for pretty Poll,
You’ll find among my treasures.

(_Spoken._) But, bless you, I don’t sing very loud, for I know that
“Little pitchers have big ears,” and I wouldn’t have them hear me for
the world. Ah, many and many a time I’ve heard a soft voice in the
middle of the night, cry out, “Who’s there?” Ah, ha! Then I creep about
softly, and sing very low,—

I’m Santa Claus, &c.

The boys and girls in me delight,
In me delight, in me delight;
They hang their stockings in the night
To wait my midnight coming.
With generous store I fill them all,
I fill them all, I fill them all;
With generous store I fill them all,
And creep off in the morning.

(_Spoken._) For, bless the dear little rogues, they’re only half
asleep. Wouldn’t they like to catch me! But no, no, I’m away up the
chimney, and when morning comes I peep in, and hear them cry, “Why, who
has been here, and left these beautiful presents?” Ah, ha! then I
sing,—

Why, Santa Claus, the Christmas king,
Who every year doth gayly sing, &c.

(_Children sing outside._)

We’re all dreaming, dream, dream, dreaming,
We’re all dreaming that Santa Claus has come.

_Santa._

Dream on, my darlings, unto each of you
Morn shall bring joy; your dreams shall all be true.
Here are the stockings; bless me, what a row!
Little and big, they make a wondrous show.

(_As he speaks he fills stockings._)

First comes the baby’s; what a tiny thing!
’Twill just hold a rattle and a rubber ring;
This is a girl’s, so very neat and small;
I’ll stuff it with candy, and a pretty doll.
Ah! here’s a boy’s. It’s very strong and blue.
A nice new pair of skates, my lad, for you;
Another girl’s. What can I find to please her?
Ah, here’s a tea set; don’t think that’s a _teaser_.
Another boy’s! Ho, this will never do,—
Hole in the heel; a present would drop through;
A ball of yarn will make him wiser grow;
’Twill mend his stocking and his habits too.
What monster’s this? It must be Bridget’s, sure;
’Twould hold all I have brought, I fear much more.
A nice new gingham dress—a good warm shawl—
Don’t fill it—then here goes a waterfall.

And now I’m off. (_Sees audience._) Hallo! whom have we here?

I really am found out; that’s very clear.
Now don’t expose me, for I did not mean
Upon my annual visit to be seen.
If you are all my children, ’tis not fair
To tell my secrets even to the air;
So keep them close; don’t whisper I’ve been here;
And shut your eyes; I’m going to disappear.
With “Merry Christmas” wishes all I greet,
Hoping next year my visit to repeat.
And now good night—I’m off. Yet ere I go,
A little magic I propose to show.
Shut fast your eyes a minute—one, two, three.
Presto! change! Behold the Christmas tree.

(_The Christmas tree is suddenly disclosed. Santa Claus approaches it,
and distributes presents._)

------------------------------------------------------------------------




                       SPENCER’S UNIVERSAL STAGE.


               _A Collection of COMEDIES, DRAMAS, and
               FARCES, adapted to either Public or
               Private Performance. Containing a full
               description of all the necessary Stage
               Business._

                               ----------

            _PRICE, 15 CENTS EACH._ ☞ _No Plays exchanged._

                               ----------

1. =Lost in London.= A Drama in Three Acts. 6 Male, 4 Female characters.

2. =Nicholas Flam.= A Comedy In Two Acts. By J.B. Buckstone. 5 Male, 3
    Female characters.

3. =The Welsh Girl.= A Comedy in One Act. By Mrs. Planche. 3 Male, 2
    Female characters.

4. =John Wopps.= A Farce in One Act. By W.E. Suter. 4 Male, 2 Female
    characters.

5. =The Turkish Bath.= A Farce in One Act. By Montague Williams and
    F.C. Burnand. 6 Male, 1 Female character.

6. =The Two Puddifoots.= A Farce in One Act. By J.M. Morton. 3 Male, 3
    Female characters.

7. =Old Honesty.= A Comic Drama in Two Acts. By J.M. Morton. 5 Male, 2
    Female characters.

8. =Two Gentlemen in a Fix.= A Farce in One Act. By W.E. Suter. 2 Male
    characters.

9. =Smashington Goit.= A Farce in One Act. By T.J. Williams. 5 Male, 3
    Female characters.

10. =Two Heads Better than One.= A Farce in One Act. By Lenox Horne. 4
    Male, 1 Female character.

11. =John Dobbs.= A Farce in One Act. By J.M. Morton. 5 Male, 2 Female
    characters.

12. =The Daughter of the Regiment.= A Drama in Two Acts. By Edward
    Fitzball. 6 Male, 2 Female characters.

13. =Aunt Charlotte’s Maid.= A Farce in One Act. By J.M. Morton. 3
    Male, 3 Female characters.

14. =Brother Bill and Me.= A Farce In One Act. By W.E. Suter. 4 Male, 3
    Female characters.

15. =Done on Both Sides.= A Farce in One Act. By J.M. Morton. 3 Male, 2
    Female characters.

16. =Dunducketty’s Picnic.= A Farce in One Act. By T.J. Williams. 6
    Male, 3 Female characters.

17. =I’ve written to Browne.= A Farce in One Act. By T.J. Williams. 4
    Male, 3 Female characters.

18. =Lending a Hand.= A Farce In One Act. By G.A. A’Becket. 3 Male, 2
    Female characters.

19. =My Precious Betsy.= A Farce in One Act. By J.M. Morton. 4 Male, 4
    Female characters.

20. =My Turn Next.= A Farce in One Act. By T.J. Williams. 4 Male, 3
    Female characters.

21. =Nine Points of the Law.= A Comedy in One Act. By Tom Taylor. 4
    Male, 3 Female characters.

22. =The Phantom Breakfast.= A Farce in One Act. By Charles Selby. 3
    Male, 2 Female characters.

23. =Dandelions Dodges.= A Farce in One Act. By T.J. Williams. 4 Male,
    2 Female characters.

24. =A Slice of Luck.= A Farce in One Act. By J.M. Morton. 4 Male, 2
    Female characters.

25. =Always Intended.= A Comedy in One Act. By Horace Wigan. 3 Male, 3
    Female characters.

26. =A Bull in a China Shop.= A Comedy in Two Acts. By Charles
    Matthews. 6 Male, 4 Female characters.

27. =Another Glass.= A Drama in One Act. By Thomas Morton. 6 Male, 3
    Female characters.

28. =Bowled Out.= A Farce in One Act. By H.T. Craven. 4 Male, 3 Female
    characters.

29. =Cousin Tom.= A Commedietta in One Act. By George Roberts. 3 Male,
    2 Female characters.

30. =Sarah’s Young Man.= A Farce in One Act. By W.E. Suter. 3 Male, 3
    Female characters.

31. =Hit Him, He has No Friends.= A Farce in One Act. By E. Yates and
    N.H. Harrington. 7 Male, 3 Female characters.

32. =The Christening.= A Farce in One Act. By J.B. Buckstone. 5 Male, 6
    Female characters.

33. =A Race for a Widow.= A Farce in One Act. By Thomas J. Williams. 5
    Male, 4 Female characters.

34. =Your Life’s in Danger.= A Farce in One Act. By J.M. Morton. 3
    Male, 3 Female characters.

35. =True unto Death.= A Drama in Two Acts. By J. Sheridan Knowles. 6
    Male, 2 Female characters.

36. =Diamond cut Diamond.= An Interlude in One Act. By W.H. Murray. 10
    Male, 1 Female character.

37. =Look after Brown.= A Farce in One Act. By George A. Stuart, M.D. 6
    Male, 1 Female character.

38. =Monseigneur.= A Drama in Three Acts. By Thomas Archer. 15 Male, 3
    Female characters.

39. =A very pleasant Evening.= A Farce in One Act. By W.E. Suter. 3
    Male characters.

40. =Brother Ben.= A Farce in One Act. By J.M. Morton. 3 Male, 3 Female
    characters.

41. =Only a Clod.= A Comic Drama in One Act. By J.P. Simpson. 4 Male, 1
    Female character.

42. =Gaspardo the Gondolier.= A Drama in Three Acts. By George Almar.
    10 Male, 2 Female characters.

43. =Sunshine through the Clouds.= A Drama in One Act. By Slingsby
    Lawrence. 3 Male, 3 Female characters.

44. =Don’t Judge by Appearances.= A Farce in One Act. By J.M. Morton. 3
    Male, 2 Female characters.

45. =Nursey Chickweed.= A Farce in One Act. By T.J. Williams. 4 Male, 2
    Female characters.

46. =Mary Moo; or, Which shall I Marry?= A Farce in One Act. By W.E.
    Suter. 2 Male, 1 Female character.

47. =East Lynne.= A Drama in Five Acts. 8 Male, 7 Female characters.

48. =The Hidden Hand.= A Drama in Five Acts. By Robert Jones, 16 Male
    Male, 7 Female characters.

49. =Silverstone’s Wager.= A Commedietta in One Act. By R.R. Andrews. 4
    Male, 3 Female characters.

50. =Dora.= A Pastoral Drama in Three Acts. By Charles Reade. 5 Male, 2
    Female characters.

51. =Blanks and Prizes.= A Farce in One Act. By Dexter Smith. 5 Male, 2
    Female characters.

52. =Old Gooseberry.= A Farce in One Act. By T.J. Williams. 4 Male, 2
    Female characters.

53. =Who’s Who.= A Farce in One Act. By T.J. Williams. 3 Male, 2 Female
    characters.

54. =Bouquet.= A Farce in One Act. 2 Male, 3 Female characters.

55. =The Wife’s Secret.= A Play in Five Acts. By George W. Lovell. 10
    Male, 2 Female characters.

56. =The Babes in the Wood.= A Comedy in Three Acts. By Tom Taylor. 10
    Male, 3 Female characters.

57. =Putkins: Heir to Castles in the Air.= A Comic Drama in One Act. By
    W.R. Emerson. 2 Male, 2 Female characters.

58. =An Ugly Customer.= A Farce in One Act. By Thomas J. Williams. 3
    Male, 2 Female characters.

59. =Blue and Cherry.= A Comedy in One Act. 3 Male, 2 Female characters.

60. =A Doubtful Victory.= A Comedy in One Act. 3 Male, 2 Female
    characters.

61. =The Scarlet Letter.= A Drama in Three Acts. 8 Male, 7 Female
    characters.

62. =Which will have Him?= A Vaudeville. 1 Male, 2 Female characters.

63. =Madam is Abed.= A Vaudeville in One Act. 2 Male, 2 Female
    characters.

64. =The Anonymous Kiss.= A Vaudeville. 2 Male, 2 Female characters.

65. =The Cleft Stick.= A Comedy in Three Acts. 5 Male, 3 Female
    characters.

66. =A Soldier, a Sailor, a Tinker, and a Tailor.= A Farce in One Act.
    4 Male, 2 Female characters.

67. =Give a Dog a Bad Name.= A Farce. 2 Male, 2 Female Characters.

68. =Damon and Pythias.= A Farce. 6 Male, 4 Female characters.

69. =A Husband to Order.= A Serio-Comic Drama in Two Acts. 5 Male, 3
    Female characters.

70. =Payable on Demand.= A Domestic Drama in Two Acts. 7 Male, 1 Female
    character.

                      ----------------------------

                         _Price, 15 cents each.
          Descriptive Catalogue mailed free on application to_

                      GEO. M. BAKER & CO.,
                      149 WASHINGTON ST., BOSTON.

------------------------------------------------------------------------




                     Plays for Amateur Theatricals.

                          By GEORGE M. BAKER.

               _Author of “Amateur Dramas,” “The
               Mimic Stage,” “The Social Stage,”
               “The Drawing-room Stage,” “A Baker’s
               Dozen,” &c._

                  =Titles in this Type are New Plays.=

                      ----------------------------


                                DRAMAS.

                            _In Three Acts._

                                                     _Cts._


            =My Brother’s Keeper.= 5 male, 3 female      15
            characters.

                             _In Two Acts._

            =Among the Breakers.= 6 male, 4 female       15
            characters.

            SYLVIA’S SOLDIER. 3 male, 2 female           15
            characters.

            ONCE ON A TIME. 4 male, 2 female             15
            characters.

            DOWN BY THE SEA. 6 male, 3 female            15
            characters.

            BREAD ON THE WATERS. 5 male, 3 female        15
            characters.

            THE LAST LOAF. 5 male, 3 female              15
            characters.

                             _In One Act._

            STAND BY THE FLAG. 5 male characters.        15
            THE TEMPTER. 3 male, 1 female charac.        15

                          COMEDIES and FARCES.

            =The Boston Dip.= 4 male, 3 female           15
            characters.

            =The Duchess of Dublin.= 6 male, 4           15
            female characters.

            WE’RE ALL TEETOTALERS. 4 male, 2 female      15
            characters.

            A DROP TOO MUCH. 4 male, 2 female            15
            characters.

            THIRTY MINUTES FOR REFRESHMENTS. 4 male,     15
            3 female characters.

            A LITTLE MORE CIDER. 5 male, 3 female        15
            characters.

                        _Male Characters Only._

            =Gentlemen of the Jury.= 12 char.            15
            =A Tender Attachment.= 7 char.               15
            =The Thief of Time.= 6 char.                 15
            =The Hypochondriac.= 5 char.                 15
            =A Public Benefactor.= 6 char.               15
            =The Runaways.= 4 char.                      15
            =Coals of Fire.= 6 char.                     15
            WANTED, A MALE COOK. 4 char.                 15
            A SEA OF TROUBLES. 8 char.                   15

                                FARCES.

            FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. 8 char.                15
            A CLOSE SHAVE. 6 char.                       15
            THE GREAT ELIXIR. 9 char.                    15
            THE MAN WITH THE DEMIJOHN. 4 char.           15
            HUMORS OF THE STRIKE. 8 char.                15
            NEW BROOMS SWEEP CLEAN. 6 char.              15
            MY UNCLE THE CAPTAIN. 6 char.                15

                       _Female Characters Only._

            =The Red Chignon.= 6 char.                   15
            =Using the Weed.= 7 char.                    15
            =A Love of a Bonnet.= 5 char.                15
            =A Precious Pickle.= 6 char.                 15
            THE GREATEST PLAGUE IN LIFE. 8 cha.          15
            NO CURE, NO PAY. 7 char.                     15
            THE GRECIAN BEND. 7 char.                    15

                              ALLEGORIES.
                   _Arranged for Music and Tableaux._

            =The Revolt of the Bees.= 9 female           15
            characters.

            LIGHTHEART’S PILGRIMAGE. 8 female            15
            characters.

            THE WAR OF THE ROSES. 8 female               15
            characters.

            THE SCULPTOR’S TRIUMPH. 1 male, 4 female     15
            characters.


                         MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

            =The Seven Ages.= A Tableau                  15
            Entertainment. Numerous male and female
            characters.

            TOO LATE FOR THE TRAIN. 2 male               15
            characters.

            SNOW BOUND; OR, ALONZO THE BRAVE AND THE     25
            FAIR IMOGENE. 3 male, 1 female
            character.

            BONBONS; OR, THE PAINT-KING. 3 male, 1       25
            female character.

            THE PEDLER OF VERY NICE. 7 male              15
            characters.

            AN ORIGINAL IDEA. 1 male, 1 female           15
            character.

            CAPULETTA; OR, ROMEO AND JULIET              15
            RESTORED. 3 male, 1 female character.


                          _TEMPERANCE PIECES._

            THE LAST LOAF. 5 male, 3 female              15
            characters.

            THE TEMPTER. 3 male, 1 female character.     15

            WE’RE ALL TEETOTALLERS. 4 male, 2 female     15
            characters.

            A DROP TOO MUCH. 4 male, 2 female            15
            characters.

            A LITTLE MORE CIDER. 5 male, 3 female        15
            characters.

            THE MAN WITH THE DEMIJOHN. 4 characters.     15

------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           Transcriber’s Note


Punctuation has been normalized, including the removal of spaces
between authors’ initials.

                                -------

Note that the cover page contains the title "Santa-Claus" although this
differs from that used later in two places as "Santa Claus' Frolics."
The variation has been retained.

                                -------

The first page of Spencer’s catalog originally located in the front of
the book has been moved to the back of the book with the balance of the
catalog pages.

                                -------

The author’s and publisher’s use of spelling has been maintained,
except in the following cases:

The spelling of “Teetotallers” in the title “We’re all Teetotallers”
has been changed in two places; from both Tretotaller and Teetotalers
as originally printed.

In item 51 of Spencer’s booklist, the word Farcé has been changed to
Farce.

                                -------

Spellings of the names of the following authors listed in Spencer’s
catalog have been maintained, however it is noted to the reader they
differ from other published sources:

Montague Williams has been noted as Montagu Williams in other sources.

Lenox Horne has been noted as both Lennox Horne and Charles F. Lennox
Horne in other sources.

George A. Stuart has been noted as George A. Stewart in other sources.

                                -------

Italicized words and phrases are presented by surrounding the text with
_underscores_.

Bold-face words and phrases are presented by surrounding the text with
=equal signs=.

The author’s use of mixed-size capital letters to identify the
characters is presented by the use of all capital letters.