Part 9 (1/2)

_Mayor._ Let us write this sad story on a column so that all may read; and let us paint the picture of the Piper with our little ones following him, on a church window, so that all men may know how our children have been stolen away.

_First Councilman._ And may this sad story teach us all to keep our word with every one.

MOTHER GOOSE'S PARTY

PERSONS IN THE PLAY--MOTHER GOOSE, JACK GOOSE, MOTHER HUBBARD, DOG, A-DILLAR-A-DOLLAR, MARY (AND HER LAMB), OLD MRS. SHOEMAN, HER SONS (TOMMY TUCKER, JACKY HORNER), MISS m.u.f.fET, BOY BLUE, BO-PEEP, NANCY ETTICOAT, LITTLE BOY WHO LIVES IN THE LANE, OLD KING COLE, MAN IN THE MOON, TOM THE PIPER'S SON, MISTRESS MARY

SCENE I.--_Home of Mother Goose_

_Mother Goose._ I really think I must give a party. All my friends have been so good to me and I have been entertained in so many homes!

Wherever I go I am sure to see one of my Mother Goose books, and the children all seem to love it so much. Let me see! whom shall I invite? I think I'll ask Old Mother Hubbard to take tea with me and we'll talk about the party together. Jack, Jack!

_Jack_ (_enters_). Yes, mother dear, what is it?

_Mother Goose._ Jack Goose, I wish you to run over to Mother Hubbard's house and ask her to take tea with me this afternoon. Now be nimble, Jack,--be quick!

_Jack._ Yes, mother dear. See me jump over the candlestick! Isn't that fine jumping?

_Mother Goose._ Very fine indeed, Jack. Now do your errand, and hurry home.

_Jack._ Yes, mother, I will. Good-by.

_Mother Goose._ Good-by.

SCENE II.--_House of Mother Hubbard_

_Jack_ (_knocking_). I wonder if Old Mother Hubbard is at home. Hark! I hear her dog barking. Yes, and I hear her step. Here she is!

_Mother Hubbard_ (_opening the door_). Who is this knocking so loud? Oh, it's you, little nimble Jack! Will you come in?

_Jack._ No, thank you, Mrs. Hubbard. My mother wishes you to come over to our house for tea this afternoon. Will you come?

_Mother Hubbard._ Yes, thank you, Jack, I will. Tell your mother that I'm just going to market to buy my poor doggie a bone.

_Jack._ O Mother Hubbard! _please_ let me play with your dog. He's such a dear old doggie! Do you remember how he danced a jig the other day?

_Mother Hubbard._ Yes, Jack, I do; and I think you danced with him. You are both nimble young things and both like to dance. Well, good-by, now.

Have a good time together and I'll bring you something little boys like.

_Jack._ Thank you! Good-by, good-by! Now, doggie, let's dance.

Old Mother Hubbard, she went to the cupboard, To get the poor doggie a bone; But when she got there, the cupboard was bare, And so the poor doggie had none.

_Dog_ (_sadly_). Bow-wow, bow-wow, bow-wow!

_Jack._ Oh! you don't like that song! Never mind, old fellow! Mother Hubbard has gone to the butcher's and she'll get you a bone, I'm sure.

Wait till she comes back.