THE DEACON

AN ORIGINAL COMEDY DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS

BY

HORACE C. DALE

Author's Edition, With the Cast of the Characters, Synopsis of Incidents, Time of Representation, Description of the Costumes, Scene and Property Plots, Sides of Entrance and Exit, Relative Positions of the Performers, Explanation of the Stage Directions, and all of the Stage Business.

Copyright, 1892, by Horace C. Dale. All rights reserved.

NEW YORK
HAROLD ROORBACH
PUBLISHER

Note.—The acting rights of this play are expressly reserved by the author. Theatrical Managers wishing to produce it should apply to the author in care of the publisher. Amateur representation may be made without such application and without charge.

THE DEACON.

CAST OF CHARACTERS.

Grand Opera House,
Reading, Pa.,
Dec. 16th and 17th, 1886.

Violinist, Policeman, Villagers, etc., by the Company.

Time of Representation.—Two Hours and a Half.

Time, the present. Locality, Eastville, Va.

Note.—Officer, in Act I, Pedro and Parson Brownlow can be doubled and played by Read. Officer in Act IV, by Violinist.

SYNOPSIS OF INCIDENTS.

Act I. Scene, Eastville Hotel garden. The Robbery.—Pete delivers an invitation.—"By golly, he's mad already."—Meeting of Graef and Wheeler.—"I'm no coward; I'll either live down the stigma attached to it, or die in the attempt."—A promised reward.—The Deacon's arrival.—"I'm a gentleman, sir."—"Be sure to put a little stick in it."—The Deacon gets hilarious.—Pete imposes upon Billy.—The Deacon is sick.—"Oh, my head, my head!"—Triumph No. 1.—Curtain.

Act II. Scene, Mrs. Thornton's sitting-room. Pete promotes himself.—"I spruced up to do de honors ob de 'casion."—Miss Amelia is anxious about her dear little pet.—"Ze dog or ze money."—"Horrid men, but dear doggy woggy."—The Deacon's reception.—The Deacon makes a mistake.—"Everything lovely admires me."—"Were you and Bill married by candle light?"—"Deacon, you are drunk!"—Miss Amelia prescribes for the Deacon.—Triumph No. 2.—Curtain.

Act III. Scene 1. A street. Mother and child.—"Mamma, will we never reach papa's house?"—The meeting of husband and wife.—"What, you here!"—Accused of many bitter things.—Left in the streets.

Scene 2. George Graef's lodgings. Graef meditates.—The finding of the diamonds.—Meeting of Graef and Mrs. Darrah.—"Minnie, is this you?"—"Welcome little coz."—The photo.—"Yes, alas, too well!"

Scene 3. A street. Pete has a dream and persuades Billy to accompany him on an expedition.

Scene 4. A wood. The treasure hunters.—"Oh, Lor', I'm dead!"—"Let's go home and get the mules."—The treasure is found.—Caught by the spirits.—Tableau. Curtain.

Act IV.—Scene, Mrs. Thornton's sitting-room. Daisy shows Pete what she would do.—Miss Amelia's heart is in a flutter.—"I know I'll refuse him."—Pete at his old tricks.—"Then kiss me."—Consternation. —Pete continues his tricks.—"'Tis he, by Jerusalem!"—The Deacon taken by surprise.—More consternation.—"I was insulted by a colored woman."—Billy creates some excitement.—"Thank heaven, at last I enfold thee!" Curtain.

Act V. Scene, Mrs. Thornton's sitting-room. The Deacon in clover. An interruption.—"Hang the Parson!"—The interrupted marriage ceremony.—"That man has a wife living."—"'Tis false!"—An attack.—Pete to the rescue.—"No, it is a forgery."—The villain foiled.—Arrest of George Darrah.—Reinstatement of Graef.—Refusal of a hand.—The Deacon is obstinate.—"I can't help it, Minnie, I mean it."—Mrs. Darrah and Nellie forgiven.—"Oh, Deacon, don't be so silly."—The Deacon made happy. Curtain.

COSTUMES.

Mrs. Thornton.—Act II. Light tasteful morning dress, with head dress. Act IV. House dress with apron. Act V. Elegant silk dress. Slightly gray-mixed wig.

Helen.—Act II. Street dress, with hat, gloves, etc. Act IV. House dress and apron. Act V. Bridal dress with train, orange blossoms, veil, gloves, etc.

Miss Amelia.—Act II. Either a very plain or very flashy dress; eyeglasses dangling from cord; regulation spinster curls, gray. Act IV. Dress to suit taste. Act V. Elaborate get-up for the occasion.

Mrs. Darrah.—Acts III and V. Dark dress, bonnet, gloves, etc.

Nellie.—Acts III and V. Dark dress to suit taste, hat, etc.

Daisy.—Act I. Tasteful maid's dress and hat. Act II. Same, minus hat. Act IV, 1st entrance, same with dusting cap. 2nd, 3rd and 4th entrances, same, with apron, minus cap.

Deacon.—Acts I, II and IV. Old-fashioned-cut pantaloons, dotted vest, old-fashioned easy fitting coat; ditto shirt collar; broad brimmed, light felt hat; square watch fob dangling from watch pocket; square glass