Old Scrooge: A Christmas Carol in Five Staves.

Topper and Snapper. Dress suits of the period – 1840.

Peter Cratchit. Jacket or short coat. Very large standing collar and neckerchief.

Little Cratchit. Calico shirt. Short trousers. Shoes and stockings. Apron.

Tiny Tim. Same as Little Cratchit, with the addition of a jacket.

Scrooge's former self. First dress: Cutaway coat. Knee breeches. Second dress: Cape coat. Hessians.

Ignorance and Want. Clad in rags. Fleshings.

Old Joe. Gabardine or long-skirted coat. Shaggy wig and beard. Old smoking cap.

Mrs. Cratchit. Plain black or brown dress. Cap and apron.

Mrs. Merry, Kemper and Misses Kemper. Handsome house dresses of the period.

Misses Fezziwig. Low-necked dresses with short sleeves.

Mrs. Badger. Plain walking dress. Bonnet and shawl.

SCENERY, FURNITURE and PROPERTIES

ACT I

SCENE I. – Scrooge & Marley's Counting House, 1st G. backed by an interior 2d G. Set fire-place – painted grate fire L. Window in flat L. C. Double doors in flat, thrown open, R. C. Scrooge's desk and chair near window – ruler, pens, ink and paper on desk. Bob Cratchit's Desk in inner room in sight of audience. Lighted candles on both desks. Scuttle of coal near fire place. Clothes hooks on flat for Scrooge's hat and great coat. Coal shovel for Bob to enter with. Subscription list for Mumford to enter with. Clear stage of desk, chair and scuttle.

SCENE II. – Scrooge's apartments 3d or 4th G. Door L. C. and window R. C. in flat, backed by a street scene. Small grate fire and mantel L. 2. Old-fashioned clock and two plaster casts on mantel. Door R. 2. Table L. C. Lighted candle, spoon, basin and writing materials on table. Saucepan of gruel on hob. Two easy chairs near fire place. Lights down. Fender at fire. Ringing bells of place. Scrooge's hat and coat hung on the wall. Chain made of cash boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, purses, etc., for ghost to enter with. Toothpick for Scrooge to show. Trap ready for ghost to disappear.

ACT II

SCENE I. – Scrooge's bed room 1st G. Chimney C., with painted coal fire. Door L. C., window R. C. Trap near hearth for Spirit of Christmas Past to enter. Small four-post bedstead with curtains L. Bureau or washstand R.

SCENE II. – An old school room 3d G. Door L. C., and window R. C. in flat. Chair at window. A stuffed parrot on stand near R. 3. Two or three school desks, a platform and desk for the master; books for young Scrooge.

SCENE III. – A wareroom, full depth of stage. An elevated platform, centre of flat, for the fiddler. Old-fashioned arm chair at L. 2, for Mrs Fezziwig.

SCENE IV. – Plain room, 2d G. No properties.

SCENE V. – Drawing room, 5th G., trimmed with evergreens. A Christmas tree, trimmed and lighted, R. U. E. Ornaments on mantel. Fireplace L. Suite of parlor furniture. Centre table C. Toys for children – doll and doll's dress for Belle. Trap ready for spirit to disappear.

ACT III

SCENE I. – A room in Scrooge's house, 1st G. Flat painted to show game, poultry, meats, etc. Torch, shaped like a cornucopia for Spirit of Christmas Present.

SCENE II. – Bob Cratchit's home – Plain room 4th G. Door R. and L. C., backed by kitchen flat. Dresser and crockery C. of flat. Fireplace L. U. E. Saucepan of potatoes on fire; six wooden or cane-seat chairs; a high chair for Tiny Tim. Large table C.; white table-cloth; large bowl on side table R.; three tumblers and a custard cup without a handle. Nuts, apples and oranges on dresser. Small crutch for Tiny Tim to enter with. Goose on dish for Peter to enter with.

SCENE III. – A street mansion with lighted windows showing shadow of a group inside, 1st G. Snow. Torch and ladder for lamp lighter.

SCENE IV. – Drawing room 4th G. Arch 3d G. Handsome suite of furniture. Large table R. Sideboard with wine and glasses at flat C. Piano L. 2d E. Coffee-urn and cups on small table R. 3d E. Piano-stool, music stand. Sheet music on piano. Salver for waiter.

ACT IV

SCENE I. – Scrooge's bed room 2d G. as in scene 1, act 2.

SCENE II. – Street 1st G. Snuff-box for Snuffer to enter with.

SCENE III. – Pawn shop 3d G. Doors R. and L. C. in flat – Table C., four common chairs; a smoky oil lamp – lighted, and a piece of white chalk on table. Bundle of bed curtains – same as on Scrooge's bedstead – blankets and shirts for Mrs. Mangle to enter with. Bundle of under-clothing, towels, sheets, sugar-tongs, tea-spoons and old boots for Mrs. Dilber to enter with. A package containing a seal, pencil-case, pair of sleeve-buttons and scarf pin, for Shroud to enter with. Purse of coins for Old Joe.

SCENE IV. – Street – exterior of Scrooge and Marley's 1st G. Window L. C. No properties.

SCENE V. – Bob Cratchit's home – same as scene 2, act, 3. Table C., candles and work-basket on table. Book for Peter on table; calico or muslin for Mrs. Cratchit and Belinda to sew.

ACT V

SCENE I. – Scrooge's apartment, as in scene 2d act 1st. No additional properties.

SCENE II. – Street – exterior of Scrooge's house 1st G. Brass knocker on the door. Turkey for boy to enter with.

SCENE III. – Drawing room same as scene 4, act 3. Handkerchief for Fred to blindfold.

OLD SCROOGE

STAVE ONE

SCENE I. —Christmas Eve. Counting house of Scrooge & Marley. Set fireplace with small grate fire L. Centre door in flat, thrown open, showing a small inner chamber and desk, at which Bob Cratchit is discovered seated, endeavoring to warm his hands over the candle. Small desk, L. C., at which Scrooge is discovered busy at figures.

Enter Bob Cratchit, from inner room, with coal shovel, going toward fireplace

Scrooge. And six makes twenty-eight pounds, four shill – What do you want in here?

Bob. My fire is nearly out, sir, and I thought I would take one or two lumps of coal, and —

Scro. You think more of your personal comforts than you do of your business and my interest.

Bob. The room, sir, is very cold, and I —

Scro. Work sir, work! and I'll warrant that you'll keep warm. If you persist, in this wanton waste of coals, you and I will have to part. (Bob retires to his desk, puts on his white comforter, and again tries to warm his hands. Scrooge resuming). Four shillings and ninepence —

Enter Fred'k Merry, C. D., saluting Bob as he passes him.

Fred. A Merry Christmas, uncle. God save you.

Scro. Bah; humbug.

Fred. Christmas a humbug, uncle! You don't mean that, I'm sure?

Scro. I do. Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry? What reason have you to be merry? You're poor enough.