Dramatic Reader for Lower Grades Part 4

_Jack Frost._ Yes, yes, I know what you would ask. Such kindness as this should meet with some reward. The leaves of the proud Oak, the Maple, and the Willow shall fall to the ground when the cold of winter comes; but the Spruce, the Pine, the Juniper, and all their family shall keep their leaves and they shall be green all through the year. They shall be called the Evergreen Trees.

CORNELIA AND HER JEWELS

PERSONS IN THE PLAY--CORNELIA, NYDIA THE MAID, JULIA, ELDER SON, YOUNGER SON

SCENE.--_Home of Cornelia_

_Nydia._ Madam, the lady Julia waits to salute you.

_Cornelia._ Bid her enter, I pray. It is not fitting to have her wait.

_Nydia._ She is at the door, gracious madam.

_Cornelia._ Welcome, thrice welcome, fair Julia.

[_Nydia carries Julia's casket._]

_Julia._ Thanks, dear Cornelia, for your kind greeting. May you and all your household have peace and joy.

_Cornelia._ And may those blessings be yours also, dear Julia. But tell me, what treasures have you in that charming casket?

_Julia._ A few poor jewels, fair friend. Bring me the casket, Nydia.

These are some presents my parents and husband have given me.

_Cornelia._ I am so glad you have brought them to show me. You are very kind, for you know I greatly admire beautiful jewels.

_Julia._ See, here is a pearl necklace.

_Cornelia._ How lovely! Let me clasp it about your neck. It is very becoming. And what other gems have you?

_Julia._ Here is a girdle my mother gave me for a wedding present. Isn't it pretty?

_Cornelia._ Pretty! my dear, it is exquisite! Your mother showed much good taste when she chose this for you.

_Julia._ And here are some rings from the far East. See these emeralds and rubies; how they flash in the sunlight!

_Cornelia._ How well they look on your white hands! But I see something else.

_Julia._ Yes, this is my handsomest jewel, a diamond bracelet. This I like best of all.

_Cornelia._ They are all lovely, my dear friend, and I am glad you have such beautiful things.

_Julia._ But, dear Cornelia, where are your jewels? All Rome knows how rich your famous father, Scipio, was, and surely he gave you many handsome ornaments. Please show them to me.

_Cornelia._ Oh, no, dear friend. But hark! I think I hear my sons.

Nydia, tell them I wish to see them.

_Nydia._ Here are the children, madam.

_The Boys_ (_running in_). Dear mother! darling mother!

_Cornelia._ Tell me, my Caius, what did the pedagogue teach you to-day?

_Caius._ O mother! It was wonderful! He told us how Horatius kept the bridge in the brave days of old. Wasn't that a great and n.o.ble deed, mother mine?

_Cornelia._ Yes, my darling. And you, my Tiberius, have you been pleased with your lessons?

[Ill.u.s.tration: CORNELIA AND HER JEWELS]

_Tiberius._ Mother, how you must honor our grandfather, the n.o.ble Scipio! Our teacher told the boys of his great campaigns in Africa and how the Senate called him Africa.n.u.s after the war was over.

_Cornelia._ Yes, my son, such work and such lives are lessons worthy of study. They teach the young how they too may live and die for their beloved country.

_Caius._ I shall try to be a brave man some day, too, dear mother.

_Tiberius._ And I, mother, shall try to be worthy of our n.o.ble family.

_Cornelia._ My dear, n.o.ble boys! Julia, these are my jewels.

_Julia._ How you shame my vanity, n.o.ble Cornelia! What are all the precious stones in the world compared with these n.o.ble boys! Daughter of the famous Scipio, the world will remember you through the great deeds of your sons, and all mankind will honor you as CORNELIA, MOTHER OF THE GRACCHI.

CINDERELLA

PERSONS IN THE PLAY--CINDERELLA, MOTHER, FATHER, KATHERINE, ELIZABETH, FAIRY G.o.dMOTHER, PRINCE, HERALD

SCENE I.--_Cinderella's Home_

_Mother._ I am so glad we are all invited to the ball at the Prince's palace. You know, my dear, that it will be a great pleasure for our girls.

_Father._ Yes; and I suppose you will all have to buy new ball dresses.

_Katherine._ O mamma! isn't it lovely! May I have a blue silk dress?

_Elizabeth._ And may I have pink, dear mother? And shall we get them to-day?

_Mother._ Yes, my child; and you may both go with me to buy your dresses and slippers.

_Cinderella._ Dear papa, may I go to the ball at the Prince's palace?

_Father._ You, my child! Aren't you too young for parties? Ask your mother.