Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-09-26
CLOUD ON THE HONEYMOON.
COMEDY IN ONE ACT.

COMEDY IN ONE ACT.
| CHARACTERS:
MR.. RICHARD PEDDER, Mrs. RICHARD PED.
DER, JOHN, Waiter.
SCENE.
A private parlor in hotel in the White
Mountains, French window at back, open
ing on piazza, shows views of Mount Wash
ington in the distance. Door to sleeping
room, Right. Door TO corridor of hotel,
Left. Usual furniture of parlor, with
table set for breakfast
John discovered looking at bill of
| fare, which has been marked). Broiled
trout, spring chicken, ham omelet. Um
He's getting particular about his food
That's a sign they've been married more
than a week. If he stays out the honey
moon here he'll swear at the cook. They
all do The cooks a kind of safety
valve that lets out the steam when the
matrimonial kettle gets too hot. Well,
I'll order the stuff.
[Goes left.
Enter Mr. Pedder from door r.
Mr.. P. Any letters this morning,
John?
John. I'll ask, sir.
Mr.. P. Thank you. And breakfast
as soon as possible.
John. Won't be minutes, sir.
! [Goes out
Mr.. P. (walking about.) How hungry
! l am. Couldn't eat much of that supper
last night. Perhaps the head cook
| doesn't condescend to look after the late
meals. Hope my wife won't keep me
waiting for breakfast. 'My wife" sounds
well, doesn't it? Gives man sense of
! dignity and comfort to have a wife, And
she's such a darling is Ellen If it
| weren't for thinking of poor little Lulu,
there wouldn't he the faintest cloud on
my happiness.
Enter John, with letter.
John-Only one letter, sir, for you,
| sir.
! mr. P. takes letter; John goes out
Mr.. p Sitting, looks at letter. From
George. He promised to write soon.
What's he got to say9 READS. "Dear
Dick-Hope the honeymoon is proving
all that that the poets describe it to be. y
| [Speaks. You can just bet it is, old
boy. Reads. "The city is beastly
dull; nothing decent at the theatres, and
nearly all the nice girls are out of town"
[Speaks.] And I've got the incest here.
Reads. II must except the Tomlin-
sons, on whom called yesterday to full
ell my promise to you to see how Lulu
was getting on" Speaks. Dear old
Lulu! Reads. 81 saw only Miss Tom
linson and Lulu. Miss Tolnlinson in
quired kindly after you, and Lulu was
very affectionate in her greeting. Poor
little thing it does seem hard you had
to give her up" Speaks. 1t was
tough! Reads. "Perhaps Mrs. Ped
der's prejudices may not prove so strong
as you think, and you may yet all three
be good friends. Having duly reported,
don't think there's any more to tell you.
May join Vaughan on his yacht. He has
written to me twice. With kindest re-
CARDS to the bride, yours, George Ham
mand."
Mr.. P. Golding up letter.. cone can
always rely on George. Glad he's seen
Lulu. Better not let my wife see this.
| She wouldn't like what he says about
her prejudices. Puts letter in pocket. !
| | hear her dress rustling.
ENTER Mrs. Pedder in pretty morning
dress.)
Mrs. P. Here / am, dear.
Mr.. P. And very charming you look,
too.
Mrs. p Gurning round so that he can
see all the dress.) thought you would
like it. Isn't the looping back of the
skirt pretty9 | haven't kept you wait
ing, have 1?
Mr.. P. No; he hasn't brought break
fast, yet,
Enter John with breakfast things, including
kettle with spirit lamp lighted. Mr.. and
Mrs. P. sit and begin eating
Mr.. P. This trout is dried up too
much.
Mrs. P Pm sure, Dick dear, / don't
see anything the matter with it.
John (aside.) thought he was due.
Mr.. P. I'm glad you can eat it;
can't. Change my plate, John.
Mrs. P. No letters for me this morn
ing, JohnY
John. No, mum. Only one for Mr..
Pedder.
HE goes off with plates.
M. P. (aside). Why the deuce couldn't
he simply say "no"2 (Aloud.) Just &
few lines from Hammond, dear. He
sends his kindest regards to you.
Mrs. P. Much obliged to him. / like
George Hammond best of all your friends
[ Ihave met.
Mr.. p Pm very glad you do, for he's
the best have | want you to make
him feel at home in our crib, when We
get back to the city.
Mrs. p. I'll try, Dick. Holding ou
sugar bowl. Does my dicky-bird wan
piece more sugar.
Mr.. p No, thank you. Aside
wish she'd drop that canary racket.
Mrs. p. What does Mr.. Hammond
write about2
Mr.. p. Oh, nothingin particular ONLY
wrote because he promised. Sends
little club gossip and says he may q
yochting.
Mrs. P. Can I read his letter. I'd lik,
to see exactly what he has to say abou
me.
Mr.. p. All right, dear; I'll show it t,
you some time. But Il want you now t.
get ready fOr walk.
(Rises.
Mrs. P. You're in q great hurry thi
morning. Are you sure you are not dy
ing to catch sight of that widow on horse
back2
Mr.. P. The widow be-married again
Mrs. p. Coming to him. Oh, Dick
yon say that as if you thought it woulC
be punishment.
Mr.. p. Perhaps it would be, to he