POLLOCK'S JUVENILE DRAMA.

THE
MAID AND THE MAGPIE,

A DRAMA IN THREE ACTS.

5 Plates Characters, 5 Scenes, and 3 Plate Wings.
TOTAL 13 PLATES.

ADAPTED ONLY FOR

Pollock's Characters and Scenes.

LONDON :

Printed & Published by
B. POLLOCK,
At his Wholesale and Retail
Theatrical Print & Tinsel Warehouse,
73, HOXTON STREET.

Sold by all Theatrical Print and Booksellers.

CHARACTERS REPRESENTED.

—:0:—

MEN.

EVERARD (Father of Annette)

FARMER GERVAS (Annette's Master)

JUSTICE BAILLIE (The District Magistrate)

BLAISOT (A fellow servant of Annette)

ISAAC (A travelling Jew)

RICHARD (Son of the Farmer)

ST. CLAIR (An Officer, and a friend of Everard.

WOMEN.

ANNETTE (The Maid of Palaiseau)

DAME GERVAS (Annette's Mistress)

Soldiers, Dancers, &c.

The reader is supposed to be on the stage, facing the
Audience.

N.B.—Care should be taken in cutting out the
Characters and Set Pieces, that the number of Plate
and number of the Set Piece be marked on the back
of each figure and Set Pieces, that they may corres-
pond with the Book.

THE MAID AND THE MAGPIE.

ACT 1.

Scene 1, No. 1.

A Farm Yard formed by two scenes, place the scene
1 No. 2, at the back of your stage, the farm-house
on Scene 1, on left hand in front. The tree, with
the Magpie in the cage hanging on it, to be put
right hand. The fence to be put across the stage
a small distance from the Farm House. [Wing,
No. 15.

MAGPIE. (Calling.) Annette ! Blaisot !

BLAISOT. (Without.) I'm coming, coming.
[Enters in skipping and snapping his fingers, left
hand, plate 1. I never have a moment to spare.
Well, what do you want ? Nobody here—but here
comes Annette, it must have been her that called me.
Enter Annette with basket, plate 2.

ANNETTE. Why Blaisot you look as fresh as a daisy.

BLAISOT. I have been looking for you Annette
such a time, and I think you a pretty girl, and your
words are as sweet as honey ; and if I can serve you
in any way I will do it.

ANNETTE. You improve in your manners very
fast Blaisot; and if you were to be more industrious
I might say something to you. I hate idleness.

MAGPIE. Blaisot ! Blaisot !

ANNETTE Maggy is calling you Mr. Blaisot. [Exit.
BLAISOT. Maggy is always calling something. I
wonder why Dame Gervas keeps such a chattering
devil. I don't know which chatters most all day
long. I will be down to you before long.

[Pointing to the Magpie.

Enter Dame Gervas, left hand, plate 1.

DAME GERVAS. Well, I'm sure, you and the mag-
pie do nothing else but chatter, do you suppose that
Annette cares anything about you, not she. Go and
get the large table and place it under the trees,

4

BLAISOT. I will, and set it out in the first style to celebrate Master Richard's return. And he has obtained his discharge I hope he intends to stop with us.

DAME GERVAS. He has served seven years, and now intends to remain with us. Blaisot, go and attend to your business.

BLAISOT. What a treat it will be to hear him talk of his battles, the large cannons, and—[she pushes him out, right hand.

[Place the table as in 1st scene under the trees. Enter Gervas, left hand, plate 1.]

GERVAS. To celebrate my son's arrival I have invited all the village, and ordered some wine that the guests may drink his health; and I have engaged the fiddlers in the village to attend, so that we may have a joyful day. I hope, dame, you will not let anything vex you on this occasion, but set everything out in the best style.

DAME. I that have got one of the sweetest tempers in the place, be vexed, indeed—no, no, not I; but I must attend to the things myself, or they will not be fit for any one to see.

GERVAS. Within twelve miles round, there is not such another woman, which makes me call you what you are.

DAME. Well, what now do you please to call me.

GERVAS. To prevent your being out of temper again, I intend calling you wife. *(Laughing.)* Then there is Annette, a good-looking girl, and as industrious as any in the place.

DAME. But you must know that we do not want good-looking, but hard-working servants.

GERVAS. But you must know that Annette was put under our care for protection, and not as a common servant. You should not upbraid the poor girl because her father has turned soldier, you cannot tell how soon we may be in the same condition, for he was once a wealthy farmer.

DAME. That's true. I'll go in and see that all things are right, and then we will go and meet our Richard.

5

GERVAS. And so we will—and we must think of getting him a wife.

DAME. There are other things before that.

GERVAS. I have a sudden thought just come over me.

DAME. Indeed! Richard's marriage is in your thoughts, and he shall marry—

MAGPIE. Annette! Annette!

GERVAS. Dame, the bird is a good judge; did you not hear it?

DAME. I will not hear any such thoughts, Mr. Gervas.

Enter Annette, left hand, plate 2.

ANNETTE. I thought I heard you call, ma'am.

DAME. Yes, Annette. While I go and get the plate you set the table, but be careful, for it is only three weeks since we lost a silver fork. I don't blame you.

ANNETTE. Ever since that I have been in trouble.

GERVAS. You talk more about that fork than its worth.

DAME. I never think of it. Come, Blaisot, and assist me in getting ready.

[Exit both, left hand.

GERVAS. Annette, do not look so dull, as you are placed under my care, I will never abandon you.

ANNETTE. I shall always esteem you as a father and a friend; but, alas! my poor father—I wish he were as happy as you.

Enter Dame Gervas and Blaisot, left hand, plate 1.

DAME. Annette, to your care I leave the plate and the spoons, as it is only on particular occasions we use them.

ANNETTE. I will take particular care of them.

GERVAS. We are going to meet Richard, Annette.

[Exit both.

BLAISOT. To meet Richard, then I'm off.

[Exit right hand.

ANNETTE. That worthy man gives me courage, when I see my dear Richard again, and my poor father writes me word that when his regiment is

6

quartered here he will come and see me, then I shall
be happy indeed.

Enter Isaac behind the gate, left hand, plate 1.

ISAAC. Don't you puy to-day, Miss Annette ?

ANNETTE. I have nothing to spare to-day.

ISAAC. If you vants any ting to-morrow I shall
be at te Swan in te village two days.

ANNETTE. Very well.

ISAAC. Very pretty knives and scissors, any potty
vants to puy.
[Exit right hand.

Enter Blaisot, left hand, plate 1.

BLAISOT. Richard is coming—I saw him.

ANNETTE. How does he look ?

BLAISOT. Like a maypole. He asked me when
I saw Annette ? I told him I always saw you, and
that you only wanted to see him.

ANNETTE. Is it possible, then I shall see Richard
once more.

BLAISOT. The villagers and music escorting
Richard, and welcoming him on his safe return. I'll
go and lead the way. [Exit, right hand.

Enter Richard, right hand, plate 2. Blaisot, left
hand, plate 2. Gervas and Dame, plate 4. Soldiers
dancing, plate 3, Villagers, &c., left hand.

ANNETTE. Ah, Richard ! do I behold thee once
more. Now you are come we shall be happy.

RICHARD. It is the smile on those cheeks which
speaks of future happiness.

GERVAS. Come, my friends, I have provided some
good wine to drink Richard's health.

VILLAGERS. Thank ye, thank ye, Farmer Gervas.

GERVAS. Well, Richard, I hope you intend to
stop with us.

RICHARD. Yes, father. Having served my country
with honour, I think I am entitled to spend the
remainder of my days with my friends.

GERVAS. Sit down by the side of Annette, I know
that will suit you. Dame, you sit at one end, and
I will sit at the other. [Exit Richard, Annette,
Gervas, and Dame. Re-enter, seated at table, plate 2.]

7

Here's Richard's health. Now, my friends, let us
adjourn under the chestnut trees, and we will follow
and join the dance.

BLAISOT. Yes, master, I will lead the way.

[Exit Blaisot and dancers, left hand.

RICHARD. Before it gets late, mother, I must go
and see my uncle.

GERVAS. Do, Richard, will you go with him, dame?

DAME. To be sure I will.

RICHARD. Adieu, Annette, for the present, we
shall soon return. [Exit all but Annette, right hand.

ANNETTE. I must count the plate, and put things
in order. I dearly love Richard, and I think I have
gained his affections too; if so, we shall soon be
crowned with success.

Enter Everard, left hand, plate 1.

EVERARD. I cannot be mistaken, surely this is the
house where the protector of my child lives. Oh,
my child, if I could but speak to her alone. [Aside.

ANNETTE. Not a spoon mising this time, I have
counted them. This poor man has been wandering
about some time. My good friend, what is the
matter with you?

EVERARD. *(Discovering himself.)* My child, my
daughter.

ANNETTE. Good heavens ! Is it you father ?

EVERARD. It is my child, thy father. Having
arrived in Paris, I asked but for one day, for the
purpose of visiting you, but was refused. I begged
it of the captain, but he answered me harshly. I at
the moment resented it with angry words, and in my
rage I struck my officer, which by martial law is
death, and I have fled.

ANNETTE. May God protect you.

EVERARD. Fear not, my child, the eye of Providence is upon us; and as I have been fortunate enough to find you alone, promise me that you never will make known his situation.

ANNETTE. On my word I promise you. Come
aside, father, here comes the old Baillie.

8

[Exit Everard and re-enter sitting in chair, plate 4.
Enter the Baillie, left hand, plate 1.

BAILLIE. Ah, Annette, I have found you by your-
self at last, have I? Who is that man you are re-
lieving ?

ANNETTE. A poor traveller worn out through want of food and fatigue.

BAILLIE. Your kindness is always shown to
strangers, when shall I receive any from you ?

ANNETTE. Poor man do you find yourself better.
Mr. Baillie there is nobody at home.

BAILLIE. It matters not, I can wait till there is.

Enter Servant with a letter, right hand, plate 2.

SERVANT. Mr. Baillie, here is a letter brought by
a soldier.

BAILLIE. Annette, will you read it for me. I
dare say it is about some deserter.

EVERARD. Alas ! I have fallen into the hands of
justice.

[Exit Annette and re-enters reading letter, plate 3.

ANNETTE. Mr. Baillie, the inclosed is a description of a deserter from the regiment of Fusiliers, who was tried by court martial and condemned to death. He stands six feet five inches—full faced, and inclined to be stout. By name Francis Everard, and you, Justice Baillie, are requested if any such man pass through any of the places in your jurisdiction to arrest such man.

[Exit and returns, plate 1.

BAILLIE. In the first place here is a man. I will
examine him. Stand up my friend. [Exit Everard
in chair and re-enters, plate 1, left hand.] You
don't answer the description, so you may go.

[Exit Everard, right hand.

ANNETTE. Mr. Baillie, I should think it almost time
for you to go too, and then I could get on much better.

BAILLIE. Well, I shall bid you good-day, but it is
your master's son, Richard, whom you are thinking
of; yet for all that, I, Mr. Baillie, ought to have a
little respect shown to me, but I shall remember it.

[Exit muttering, right hand.

9

ANNETTE. Father, I fear you will soon be detected.
You had something to tell me—what is it?

EVERARD. I have no money, and I know you have
not, one thing only remains, I must part with your
poor mother's silver spoon, which I have kept up to
this time.

ANNETTE. Must you part with that ?

[Exit and re-enter, right hand, plate 4, with spoon.]

EVERARD. Yes, my child, it is my last resource.
You can dispose of it for me, and place the produce
behind the stone in the lane that leads to this village,
I shall be there early in the morning unnoticed.

ANNETTE. I don't think I shall have time to turn
it into money before night. Yet, I forgot, the Jew
said he would call again. The money shall be there
to-night.

EVERARD. Adieu, my dear child, When next we
meet may happier days shine upon us.

Exit Everard, right hand.
(During the time Annette is looking after her father,
the magpie hops down from the trees on the table,
takes up a spoon in his beak, and flies across the
stage.)
Exit Annette into the cottage.

End of First Act.

## ACT II.
### Scene 2, No. 3, Wings No. 16.

A Room in Farmer Gervas's House.

Enter Annette, plate 4, right hand.

ANNETTE. I am afraid the Jew will not come back
again to-day. (The Jew calls out behind, "does any
pody vant to puy ?") Here he comes, I hope he
will give me the full value of the spoon, as it is for
my poor father.

Enter Isaac, plate 1, left hand.

ISAAC. I just look in to see if you vant to puy or
sell anything in my vay.

10

ANNETTE. What will you give me for this silver spoon?"

ISAAC. Ten shillings.

ANNETTE. Do you suppose I stole it, by offering me so little?"

ISAAC. That's not my pizziness; well, I will give you twelve shillings.

ANNETTE. As I want the money you must have it, make haste in case anybody should come in.

ISAAC. I understand you.

[Exit.]

Enter Blaisot, left hand, plate 2.

BLAISOT. Have you been dealing with that old Jew?

ANNETTE. I have been selling him something that I did not want.

BLAISOT. Why not say you had been given it away, for it is the same thing. Why not apply to me for a little?

ANNETTE. I did not wish to force my troubles upon others?

BLAISOT. I must go, for if Dame Gervas sees me standing here, she will not forget to scold me.

Exit, left hand.

ANNETTE. Now, to the stone in the lane, for the time is running fast, and my father will think me neglectful.

Enter Richard, left hand, plate 2, without his hat.

RICHARD. Where are you going in such a hurry, Annette?

ANNETTE. To assist one that would wish to assist another.

RICHARD. I am pleased to find my Annette so well employed.

[Exit, left hand.]

Enter Dame, plate 1, left hand.

DAME Go, and put the other room to rights while I look over the plate.

[Exit Dame, and re-enter seated at table, plate 4.]

ANNETTE. You will find the plate all right.

Exit, left hand.

DAME. I shall count them over. There are eleven forks, that is all right; but here is only eleven

11

spoons, that is not right. (Calling Annette, she enters, left hand, plate 2.) A spoon is missing, and this will not do; it is not long since we lost a fork.

ANNETTE. They were right when I counted them.

DAME. So it appears, go and look if you can find it.

[Calling Blaisot.]

Enter Blaisot, plate 2, left hand.

DAME. Go and look down by the trees where we supped, and see if you can find a spoon, for one is missing. [Exit Blaisot, left hand.] This spoon will be like the fork, but that will not do for me.

BLAISOT. I have looked all under the trees, but cannot find the spoon.

GERVAS. What's the matter, now! Another fork or spoon lost. It can only be mislaid.

DAME. Hush! Say no more; here cemes the Baillie. I shall inform him of my loss, he may throw some light on it.

Enter Baillie, left hand, plate 1.

BAILLIE. I have received information that a robbery has been committed of some plate, I brought my clerk with me to inquire into it.

GERVAS. We have no such persons as thieves about here, Mr. Baillie, they are only mislaid.

DAME. If Mr. Gervas were to lose his house, it would only be misplaced. I tell you, Mr. Baillie, I have lost a fork and spoon, and I am sure you will do your duty in assisting to find out the criminal.

BAILLIE. Certainly, I will, I am placed in authority for that purpose.

GERVAS. It is such a trifle to make a noise about.

Enter Clerk, left hand, with book, plate 4.

BAILLIE. Let us be seated. [Exit and re-enter seated at table, plate 5.] Now, Clerk, write down what I tell you. I shall examine all present first.

BLAISOT. He may examine for a month if he likes.

ANNETTE. And two for what I care.

[Exit.]

BAILLIE. Put down Dame Gervas had stolen a

12

silver fork about three weeks ago, and a silver spoon
yesterday. To whom did you entrust your plate?

DAME. I always gave it to Annette.

BAILLIE. It looks very black against Annette.

Enter Annette with handkerchief in her hand, plate
2, right hand.

ANNETTE. Good heavens? Did I hear myself suspected.

DAME. If Annette has any money by her, I should
like to know how she came by it.

GERVAS. How came you by it, Annette?

ANNETTE. I have reasons for not satisfying you,
but I came by it honestly.

BLAISOT. She sold some cast off things to old Isaac
the Jew, this morning, and that's the way she came
by the money.

GERVAS. Is that the truth, Annette, what Blaisot
states?

ANNETTE. Yes. I did sell something to the Jew,
and I wish he was here to prove it.

BAILLIE. Put down, Blaisot saw money pass between the Jew and Annette, this morning.

DAME. I think we had better have the Jew brought
before us, Mr. Baillie.

BAILLIE. By all means, we must examine him first.

BLAISOT. If he is anywhere to be found, I'll bring
him forward, and he will set all things right.

[Exit Blaisot, right hand.

Enter Richard, left hand, plate 2.

RICHARD. Who dare accuse Annette of a crime.

Enter Blaisot and Jew, plate 2, right hand.

BLAISOT. Here is the Jew, he will soon settle all.

RICHARD. Now, Mr. Isaac, give us nothing but truth.

BAILLIE. He must attend to me first. Mr. Isaacs,
have you had any dealings with anyone in this room?

ISAAC. I did a little with this young women.

BAILLIE. What business did you do with her?

ISAAC I pought one silver spoon, and I gave a
very good price for it.

RICHARD. What do I hear! Can I believe my ears?

13

ANNETTE. It is true, Richard, I sold him a spoon,
let him produce it.

ISAAC. I cannot, for it was stolen from me.

RICHARD. As you cannot produce the spoon, do
ou know what sort of a one it was?

ISAAC. Vell, vell, it was marked with a G.

BAILLIE. The evidence is quite sufficient. Annette,
you must go to prison, and the Jew may be set at
liberty.

[Exit all, left hand.

[The soldiers pass across the stage and Annette in the
centre, (as in plate 5.) During the time they
are passing the drop scene to fall.

End of the Second Act.

## ACT III.
### Scene 3, No. 4, Wings No. 14.

A Prison, Annette seen, plate 2, with handkerchief.

ANNETTE. How disappointed my poor father will
be when he finds the money is not there; I'll ask
Blaisot to dispose of my cross for him, I can trust him.

Enter Jailer, left hand, plate 3.

JAILER. A person wishes to speak with you of the
name of Blaisot.

[Exit Jailer, right hand.

Enter Blaisot, left hand, plate 3.

ANNETTE. Blaisot, I want you to do me a favour.
I gave all the money I had to Mr. Baillie, and now
want to obtain a little; would you be so good as to
sell my cross, and that secretly.

BLAISOT. I will not sell it; while I have any it is
at your service. What do you want with it?

ANNETTE. You know the stone entering in the
ane, place the money behind that, but mind you
are not observed.

BLAISOT. I will do anything to serve you, Annette.

ANNETTE. As you will not sell my cross, perhaps
you will take it as a keepsake from Annette.

BLAISOT. I will never part with it. Farewell,
Annette.

[Exit, left hand.

Enter Jailer, left hand.

14

JAILER. Another person wishes to see you, his name is Richard, this must be the last. [Exit Jailer, left hand. Enter Richard, left hand, plate 2.

RICHARD. Annette, I have come to see you for the last time. If you are guilty tell me, and if innocent tell me true, for I will believe as truth whatever you confess.

ANNETTE. Richard, as this is our last meeting on earth, I declare that I am innocent of the crime. Enter Jailer, left hand.

JAILER. You must take leave of your friend, young women for the Baillie has arrived.

[Exit all, and re-enter, Annette in Richard's arms, plate 4, right hand, they cross the stage and exit.]

### Scene 4, No. 5.

A Village—The Parish Church on one side, and the Prison on the other. Wing, No. 15. Enter St. Clair, plate 3, right hand.

ST. CLAIR. Could I but meet Everard, he little thinks I have got his discharge. I must inquire for Everard's daughter, who is servant to Mr. Gervas. Here comes one who can inform me.

Enter Blaisot, with cross in his hand, left hand, plate 3.

BLAISOT. Now to the stone according to my promise; and here is poor Annette's cross, I must take care of that.

ST. CLAIR. Can you inform me the way to Mr. Gervas's house?

BLAISOT. Yes, sir; this footpath is the nearest way to Mr. Gervas's.

ST. CLAIR. Thank you, my friend; I thought I was not far off. [Exit right hand.

BLAISOT. I wonder what that officer wants; I dare say it is about Annette. He will find them all out, they are gone to see Annette. [Exit right hand. Enter Everard, plate 1, left hand.

EVERARD. I was certain that something had happened to Annette by the money not being there, and I thought I heard some one say they were going to

15

see poor Annette. I must not pass the sentinel, or else I shall be noticed. *(The sentinel in plate 5 to stand by the prison.)*

Enter St. Clair, with pardon, left hand, plate 3.

ST. CLAIR. Everard, I bring you something that you will gladly accept, it is your pardon. During your absence the captain has considered on what has passed, and feeling he was the cause of your conduct, he interested himself, and obtained your discharge, and you are free.

EVERARD. My friend, I cannot express my feelings for the news you have brought me, fly to my daughter and learn what has happened.

ST. CLAIR. I should like to see her, and will accompany you, Everard. Enter Gervas and Dame, plate 4, left hand.

GERVAS. Poor Annette, as we can do no good for her, dame, we had better go home. [Exit both, right hand. *(The procession of Annette going to the place of execution, to pass as in plate 5.)* Enter Blaisot, plate 3, right hand.

BLAISOT. Here is poor Annette's cross which she gave me. I have done what she requested me, and will now go and count what money I have left. [He exits, left hand, and returns. plate 2.] I thought I heard some one call. Enter Everard, plate 1, right hand.

EVERARD. My friend, have you heard any account of one named Annette?

BLAISOT. Yes, too much. I'll go and get the cross and money which I left when you called me. and then I will return and tell you. [Exit.

EVERARD. What can that man mean?

Enter Blaisot, looking up, plate 4, left hand.

BLAISOT. Look, look, the magpie has flown away with the cross? *(You must make the magpie fly with the cross up to the steeple.)* I see her, she has taken it to the steeple. I will be after you quicker than you think for. Here goes.

EVERARD. My friend, you said you would tell me about poor Annette.

16

BLAISOT. I did, but I cannot stop now, for I have lost my cross, and I would not lose that for all the world; but wait till I return, I shall not be long.

[Exit, right hand for the belfry.]

EVERARD. He puts great store in that cross, for why I cannot tell, but he said he should not be long before he returned.

[Blaisot to appear at the window of the belfry, which is to be cut out, scene 4, No. 5.]

BLAISOT. (Hallooing.) See what I have found. The spoon, the fork is found. The girl is innocent. What does nobody hear me? Well, if they can't hear me one way I will make them hear me another, for I will toll the bell. [Exits into the belfry, a bell to be heard ringing.]

EVERARD. That man cannot be in his right senses, first hallooing and then ringing in such haste.

Enter Richard, plate 2, Gervas, plate 4, Dame Gervas, plate 4, all left hand, calling out what is the matter. Enter Blaisot, left hand, plate 4.

BLAISOT. What is the matter indeed? I have been shouting and to no purpose, and as I could not make anyone hear me I thought I would set the bell a ringing, Annette, is innocent.

GERVAS. Tell us in what way she is innocent.

BLAISOT. Go, and fetch poor Annette, for she is innocent; the way I found out was, the magpie stole the cross that poor Annette gave me for a keepsake, and flew with it into the steeple, I pursued her and found the cross together with the fork and spoon which Annette has been condemned for. With joy I roused the whole village. The magpie is the thief and Annette is innocent. See here comes Richard with poor Annette.

Enter Richard with Annette, right hand, plate 3.

Gervas and Dame on left hand. Blaisot and Everard on right hand. Richard bearing Annette in the centre, forming a complete picture, with a general shout that she is saved, when the

CURTAIN FALLS.

London: Published by B. Pollock, 73, Hoxton-street, N.