Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-12-25
'Twas Two !.
Weeks Before
Christmas
"A Playlet fF
In Two Acts


FATHERi Oppressed with a
load of debt. and short OF
cash)
MOTHER depressed, n natu-
raj result of Fathers state
OF mind) .
MADGE. the daughter, ca stem
ographer earning her living
with her fingers. and spend
ing with both hands.)
DICK. the sont "a bookkeeper.
Daily using an adding ma
chine. and adding daily to his
personal dcbts.)
LITTLE BOBRY, tTho baby of
tho family, deprived OF his
legitimate childish pleasures.
because no one has learned
how TO save)
scene, Dining Room. Family at
Table.
Timct Just two weeks before
Christmas.
BOBBY, Daddy. do you know
what Sunday week Is?
FATHER, (Engrossed with a
pile OF bills.) Sunday again,
I suppose. :,
BOBBY. No. II isn't. It's the
day Santa pays little boys and
girls visit.
FATHERi So It Is! (siEhins)..
so 1t Is! I had forgotten.
BOBBY, do hope Santa win
bring me tricycle.. a gun
and engine. and oh! just lots
Of things. Do you think he
will?
FATHER, Hardly. This Is a
bad year for Santa to travel
Bobby.
BOBBYi (Downheartcdly). Oh.
Daddy! {Begins to cry.)
MOTHER, There! there, son.
cheer up. Wait and see, and
hope for the best.
MADGE, We may as we'll all
cry, because we're In much
the same fix.
DICKS You bet. But I'm sorry,
for the kid. Looks az though
he isn't getting all that
should come to him. Remem-r
Der the good times we had
when we were kids?
I'm the atmosphere OF gloom
which pervades the house
hold. Bobby explodes the
question: Will II always be
hard shedding for Santa, and
will always have to go
without things other little
boys have?
Scene, Tho Same. TEETI
Timei 4 year later.
DICKi Coming in from work.
Hello. Any mail for me.
Mother?
MOTHERt Yes. a letter from the
Planters National Bank.
with n worried smile).
hope 1t isn't some trouble
some business matter.
DICK, You bet not. little Moth
err. Guess again.
MADGE, Crushing in.) Oh.
Mother. Is there any mail for
me?
FATHERt (Also arrivlng). Any
for me?
BOTHER, Yes. indeed. a letter
each. e.
with one movement they
open the envelopes and each
holds up check before the
astonlshcd little Mothers
gaze. She sits down. over
come, and says): don't I'M
derstand.
FATHERS Let me explain. You
remember last year poor little
Bobby had to go without
visit from Santa, and we were
all miserable because we were
In debt. and had no ready
money to make Christmas a
really happy time? Well. a
couple OF weeks lateT, LICK
was talking to a chum Of his
who had opened n Christmas
Savings Account with the
Planters National Bank. He
talked SO enthusiastically
about It. and said the people
there were such friendly
bunch. that Dick caught the
contnGion. He told ua about
II that night. and the three OF
us determined we would each
open an account and keep II
as happy surprise for you.
There's another check In my
envelope. Mother. that is in
your name. and 1t Will help
give you a good time.
HORNY, drumming in. and look
Ing round ut the bright
faccs.) what's the matter?
You all look glad.
FATHER Clicking him up and
kissing him.) We are. lad
die. because not only is this
going TO he good year for
Santa to travel. but we have
all found out that It Is never
too late to grow wise.
mean by that. to learn TO save.
and consequently to be indie
pendent--and happy.
(Curtair)