1857
First performed: September, 1857
Cast of Characters. — [ Nothing to Nurse .]
As first performed at Laura Keene's Theatre, September, 1857,
Mr. Maximum Muddle, Mr. Jefferson,
Uncle Brads, Mr. J. H. Stoddart.
Mr. Edward Ashton, Mr. Duncan.
Mrs. Foxingem, Miss Wells.
Bessie Foxingem, Miss C. Jefferson.
Miss. Fanny Travers, Miss Charlotte Thompson.
Scene , New York . — Period , the Present.
Time of Action , one day .
STAGE DIRECTIONS.
L. means First Entrance Left . R. First Entrance Right . S. E. L. Second Entrance, Left . S. E. R. Second Entrance, Right . U. E. L. Upper Entrance, Left . U. E. R. Upper Entrance, Right . C. Centre L. C. Left Centre . R. C. Right of Centre . T. E. L. Third Entrance, Left . T. E. R. Third Entrance, Right . C. D. Centre Door . D. R. Door Right . D. L. Door Left . U. D. L. Upper Door, Left U. D. R. Upper Door, Right .
The reader is supposed to be on the Stage, facing the Audience.
Scene 1
Scene . — A well furnished parlor in the boarding house of Mrs. Foxingem in New York. Enter R. I . Mrs. Foxingem and Bessie.
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Muddle heard without . L.]
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Enter Muddle , hurriedly, D. L .
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Exeunt Mrs. Fox and Bessie R . There's a new tag for the "Distress'd Mother," and now for the last act of "A Bold Stroke for a Wife."
EnterFanny Travers , R.
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very forcibly
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[ very wildly,
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Rising — he gently forces her to sit .
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Fanny starts up and holds by her chair, Muddle imitates her action, and they face each other
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[ Greatly excited
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[ gasping
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Both drop into their chairs, Fanny stamping and screaming, Muddle at first as if fainting, but suddenly trying to hold Fanny still Mrs Fox and Bessie , run on the R. H . exclaiming;
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Takes chair to R . and throws himself into it.
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During the foregoing speeches Mrs. Fox has applied smelling bottle to Fanny , while Bessie chafes her hands, as she recovers. Bessie turns to Muddle.
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[ Running to sideboard and pouring out wine
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Drinks another glass
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Bessie replaces wine & c ., on sideboard .
[ Rising
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Exit ., L. D.
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( Coaxingly .)
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( Holds up Mrs. F's hand in a theatrically, solemn manner ).
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( Severely ).
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( Laughing .)
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Enter Bessie hastily , L. D.]
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( Grasping her hand .)
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Exit Fanny , R. D.]
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Exeunt Mrs . & Miss Fox , R. Uncle Brads outside , L.]
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Enter uncle Brads , L. D.]
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( Runs into Brads' arms and speaks over his shoulder aside .)
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( Aside ).
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Exit Brads , L. I.]
[ Rushes to R. H. and pulls bell incessantly
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Enter Mrs. Fox. with baby, R. D . Muddle ceases to ring, ana seizes the child.
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[ Holding it out at arms length
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[ Giving her the baby
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Enter Bessie R. D. hastily .
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Maud . [ Seizes the baby from Mrs. Fox and rushes off L. D.]
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Edward Ashton heard , L. D. outside
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Muddle makes another rush towards R. D., but is caught and stopped by Mrs. Fox. Enter Edward Ashton , L. D.]
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[ Aside
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Exit L. D.]
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[ passionately ].
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Going L. D.]
[ Seizing and stopping Edward, imploringly
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Exit Edw. Ash . R. D. — Muddle sinks into a chair and groans .
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Uncle Brads calls outside L.
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Muddle jumps up in great alarm .
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Exit Mrs. Fox R. D.
Enter uncle Brads , L. D .
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Exit L. D.]
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Enter Bessie .
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[ Overjoyed
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Enter Mrs. F. R. D .
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Attempts to take it .
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Enter uncle Brads , L. D .
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Approaching Mrs. F
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[ Assuming grief
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Going
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Snatches baby from Mrs. F., uncovers its face and discovers it to be a nigger; the ladies scream — Muddle drops into a chair and throws his handkerchief over his face
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Muddle jumps up and walks away .
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Enter Fanny and Edw. Ashton, L. D .
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[ Laughing violently
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[ Having laid the baby on a sofa or arm chair
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[ Joyously
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Middle, who has been talking with Bessie, brings her forward
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Presenting Bessie .
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