[Gutenberg 53086] • The Inventor. Introducing the Wishing Box. A Christmas Play

Excerpt from The Inventor, Introducing the Wishing Box: A Christmas Play

Act I.

(Curtain rises. Aunt Susan seated near table with knitting in hand.)

Aunt Susan (laying down knitting). Dear, dear, its snowing still. This will certainly be a white Christmas. (Resumes work.) I must hurry and finish this sock for Abner.- Hes been such a faithful hired boy, and I don't know of a thing that would please him better for Christmas than a pair of nice red socks. (Holds them up to view.) (Knits a few moments.) They're finished now, and I know he'll be plumb tickled. He did say somethin' about a baseball an' bat, but these here socks are better. I must wrap them up in paper. Where's that piece the meat came in? (Rises and searches, at last finding it.) I don't believe in this new-fangled nonsense about red ribbon and holly tags for wrapping presents. (Wraps socks in meat paper.)

(Enter Abner, whistling, sets down lantern, takes off boots and puts on bright colored carpet slippers. Goes to mirror and combs hair.)

Abner. - The chores are all done now, thank goodness. Where's that book I wuz readin', "Wyoming Will, the Hero of Gold Gulch?" (Searches on table and finds it. Sits down to read.)

Susan. - Did you shut the henhouse door and lock the stable?

Abner. - Yes, ma'am. I got up at three o'clock this morning, an' I swept the barn an' fed the horses an' cows an' pigs an' chickens, an' did the milkin', an shoveled paths, an' split kindlin' an sawed wood, an' cleaned the harness, an' got the mail, an' shoveled some more, an' mended the sleigh, an' did the evening chores, an' now it's nine an' I'm through. (Sighs.) Nothin to do till to-morrow. Ain't I the lucky guy?

Susan. - Yes, Abner, you are a right lucky boy to be hired man here I can tell you, an I hope you won't be foolish an' run away to the city. You may be plumb thankful you have to work. Do you know who finds mischief for idle hands?

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