Scro. Spirit! Hear me! I am not the man I was. I will not be the man I must have been, but for this intercourse. Why have shown me all that you have, if I am past all hope? Good Spirit, your nature intercedes for me, and pities me. Assure me that I yet may change the shadows you have shown me, by an altered life. Your hand trembles. I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present and the Future. The spirits of all three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. Oh! tell me I may sponge away the shadows of the future. (Grasps the easy chair in his agony, as if struggling to detain it.) Do not go, I entreat you. It shrinks, it has collapsed, it has dwindled down into an easy chair. Yes! my own chair, my own room and best—and happiest of all—my own time before me to make amends in. Oh, Jacob Marley, Heaven and the Christmas time be praised for this! I say it on my knees, old Jacob; on my knees! (Rises and goes and opens door R., 2d E.) They are not torn down—the bed curtains are not torn down, rings and all. They are there—I am here—the shadows of the things that would have been, may be dispelled. They will be; I know they will! (Commences to dress himself, putting everything on wrong, etc.) I don't know what to do! (Laughing and crying.) I am as light as a feather; I am as happy as an angel; I am as merry as a school boy; I am as giddy as a drunken man. A Merry Christmas to every body! A Happy New year to all the world! Halloo here! Waoop! Halloo! (Dancing and capering around the room.) There's the saucepan that the gruel was in; there's the door by which the Ghost of Jacob Marley entered; there's the corner (pointing into adjoining room) where the Ghost of Christmas Past sat. It's all right; it's all true; it all happened. Ha, ha, ha! (Laughing heartily.) I don't know what day of the month it is. I don't know how long I've been among the Spirits. I don't know any thing. I'm quite a baby. Never mind; I don't care. I'd rather be a baby. Haloo! whoop! Halloo here! (Bells or chimes commences to ring. Goes to window and opens it.) No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial, cold; cold, piping for the blood to dance to; golden sunlight, heavenly sky; sweet, fresh air; merry bells. Oh, glorious! glorious! (Looking out of window) Hey! you boy in your Sunday clothes, what's to-day?

Voice outside. Eh?

Scro. What's to day my fine fellow?

Voice outside. To-day! why. Christmas Day.

Scro. It's Christmas Day; I haven't missed it. The Spirits have done it all in one night. They can do any thing they like. Of course they can. Of course they can. (Returns to window.) Halloo, my fine fellow!

Voice outside. Halloo!

Scro. Do you know the poulterers in the next street but one, at the corner?

Voice outside. I should hope I did.

Scro. An intelligent boy! a remarkable boy! Do you know whether they've sold the prize turkey that was hanging up there? Not the little prize turkey; the big one?

Voice outside. What the one as big as me?

Scro. What a delightful boy. It's a pleasure to talk to him. Yes, my buck.

Voice outside. It's hanging there now.

Scro. Is it? Go and buy it.

Voice outside. What do you take me for?

Scro. No, no. I am in earnest. Go and buy it, and tell 'em to bring it here, that I may give them the directions where to take it. Come back with the man, and I'll give you a shilling. Come back with him in less than five minutes, and I'll gave you half a crown. That boy's off like a shot. I'll send it to Bob Cratchit's. (Rubbing his hands and chuckling.) He shan't know who sent it. It's twice the size of Tiny Tim. Joe Miller never made such a joke as sending it to Bob's will be. I must write the directions for that turkey. (Sits at table to write.)

Scro. (Addressing the knocker on the door.) I shall love it as long as I live. (Patting the knocker.) I scarcely ever looked at it before. What an honest expression it has in its face. It's a wonderful knocker.—Here's the turkey.

Scro. Halloo! Whoop! How are you! Merry Christmas! There's a turkey for you! This bird never could have stood upon his legs, he would have snapped 'em short off in a minute, like sticks of sealing-wax. Here's your half-crown, boy. Now take the monster to Bob Cratchit, Camden-town; and tell him it's a present from his grandmother, who wishes him A Merry Christmas, and A Happy New Year. Hold, that, turkey is too large for you to carry; take a cab, here's the money to pay for it.

Scro. Why, here comes James Badger and wife, as sure as I live. Good morning!

James. Good morning, sir! A Merry Christmas to you!

Scro. The same to you both, and many of them.

Mrs. B. He seems in a good humor, speak to him about it.

Scro. Going to church, eh?

James. We were going, sir, to hear the Christmas Carols, but mindful of the obligation resting upon us, which falls due to-morrow, and of our inability to meet the payment, we have called to beg your indulgence, and ask for a further extension of time.

Scro. Why, James, how much do you owe me?

James. Twenty pounds, sir.

Scro. How long since you contracted the debt?

James. Ten years to morrow, sir.

Scro. Then you have already paid me over half the amount in interest, which interest has been compounded, and I have, in fact, received more than the principal. My dear fellow, you owe me nothing, just consider the debt cancelled.

James. Surely, sir, you cannot mean it.

Scro. But I do.

Mrs. B. Oh, sir, how can we ever sufficiently manifest our gratitude for such unexpected generosity?

Scro. By saying nothing about it. Remember, James and wife, this is Christmas day, and on this day, of all others, we should do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

James. May Heaven reward you, sir. You have lightened our hearts of a heavy burden.

Scro. There, there! go to church.

James. We shall, sir, and remember our benefactor in our devotions. (Shaking hands.) I can say heartily a Merry Christmas.

Mrs. B. And A Happy New Year. [Exeunt L.]

Scro. I guess they are glad, now, that I am alive, and will be really sorry when I die. Halloo! Whoop!

Enter Mr. Barnes, L., passes across stage; Scrooge follows and stops him.

Scro. My dear sir (taking both, his hands), how do you do? I hope you succeeded yesterday. It was very kind of you. A Merry Christmas to you, sir.

Mr. B. Mr. Scrooge?

Scro. Yes. That is my name, and I fear it may not be pleasant to you. Allow me to ask your pardon. And will you have the goodness—(Scrooge whispers in his ear.)

Mr. B. Lord bless me—you take my breath away. My dear Mr. Scrooge, are you really serious?

Scro. If you please. Not a farthing less. A great many back payments are included in it, I assure you. Will you do me the favor?

Mr. B. My dear sir (shaking hands with him), I don't know what to say to such munifi—

Scro. Don't say any thing, please. Come and see me. Will you come and see me?

Mr. B. I will—with great pleasure. [Exit, R.]

Scro. Thank'er. I am much obliged to you. I thank you fifty times. Bless you!

Scro. Halloo, Bob Cratchit! What do you mean by coming here?

Bob. I am very sorry, sir; I was not coming, I was only passing, sir, on my way to hear the Christmas carols.

Scro. What right have you to be passing here to remind me that it is Christmas?

Bob. It's only once a year, sir; it shall not be repeated.

Scro. Now, I'll tell you what, my friend. I am not going to stand this any longer: and therefore I give you permission to pass my house fifty times a day, if you want to. I give you a week's vacation, without any deduction for lost time. I am about to raise your salary. (Giving him a dig in the waistcoat; Bob staggers back, and Scrooge follows him up.) A Merry Christmas, Bob! (Slapping him on the back.) A Merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow, than I have ever given you for many a year! I'll raise your salary, and endeavor to assist your struggling family, and I'll be Tiny Tim's Godfather. Come along, my good fellow, we'll go to church together, and discuss your affairs on the way. Tiny Tim, what do you say to that?

Tiny Tim. I say God bless us, every one.

Bob. I would like to say something, sir, but you have deprived me of the power of speech.

Scro. Come on, then, we'll talk it over as we go. Come Tiny Tim, and go with your Godfather. (Takes Tim on his shoulder. Exeunt, L.)

Fred. Is it possible! You surprise me. I never had the least idea that you had ever met Uncle Scrooge, much less that he was an old admirer of yours.

Mrs. M. Oh! do tell us all about it, dear mother; I'm dying to hear it.

Mrs. K. Well, you must know, my dear children, that Fanny Scrooge—our mother, Fred—was my earliest friend and schoolmate, and through her I became acquainted with her brother—your uncle; at that time a noble spirited boy, fresh from his studies. Our friendship soon ripened into love, and a betrothal. I cannot describe to you how happy and light hearted I was, and how true and devoted your uncle continued. Our marriage was deferred until such time as he should be in a position to provide us a suitable home. After he left Mr. Fezziwig's, where he had served his time, he entered the service of Jacob Marley, and subsequently became his partner. It was at this time I observed a change in him; he was not less ardent than before, but I soon discovered that avarice had become the guiding passion of his nature, and that our love was subservient to its influence. Foreseeing that only misery could ensue from our union, I released him from the engagement. And now after the lapse of many years, with the exception of the day, five years ago, when he attended your father's funeral, we have not met or exchanged a word with each other.

Mrs M. But, mother, did you really love him?

Mrs. K. I did, my dear—previous to the discovery of the change in him.

Mrs. M. And did you not sacrifice your love in releasing him?

Mrs. K. I merely sacrificed my desires to common sense. Love, to be lasting, must be mutual, and if it is not paramount to all other passions, it ends in misery or hate. Hence, being guided by judgment, I soon found by experience that true love can again exist if worthily bestowed.

Fred. Well, dear mother, I agree with your estimate of Uncle Scrooge. This is the sixth Christmas Day of our married life, and each Christmas Eve I have invited him to come and dine with us, but he has never yet honored us with his presence, and I suppose he never will.

Scro. (Gently opening the door and putting in his head.) Fred! may I come in? (All start and rise, and Fred rushes toward the door with both hands extended.)

Fred. Why, bless my soul! who's that?

Scro. It's I, your Uncle Scrooge. I have accepted your invitation. Will you let me in?

Fred. Let you in! (Shaking him heartily by both hands.) Dear heart alive! Why not! Welcome! welcome! My wife, your niece—Yes, you may. (Scrooge kisses her.) Our mother.

Scro. Belle! Heavens! What shall I do? (Aside.)

Mrs. K. I fear that our meeting will be painful. I beg your permission, my son, to retire.

Fred. No, no, no. This is Christmas Day. Everybody can be happy on this day that desires to be, and I know that your meeting can be made a pleasant and agreeable one if you both so will it. "Peace on earth and good will to man," is the day's golden maxim.

Scro. Although somewhat embarrassed, I concur most heartily in the wise and good-natured counsel of my dear nephew. Never before have I experienced the joys common to this day, and never hereafter, while I am permitted to live, shall I miss them. In the past twenty-four hours I have undergone a complete revolution of ideas and desires, and have awakened unto a new life. Instead of a sordid, avaricious old man, I trust you will find a cheerful, liberal Christian, ever ready to extend to his fellow creatures a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

Fred. Why! uncle, I wonder you don't go into Parliament. I could dance for joy. (Embracing him.) You dear old man! You shall ever find a hearty welcome here.

Mrs. M. I join with my husband in his earnest congratulations.

Mrs. K. I confess, Mr. Scrooge, that I am rejoiced to find your nephew's assertions so quickly verified, and that an opportunity is offered to renew an acquaintance which I hope will end in uninterrupted friendship. (They shake hands.)

Fred. Ah, here comes Topper and the girls.

Fred. Come, girls, hug and kiss your Uncle Scrooge, he has come to make merry with us. (Takes the girls to Scrooge, and endeavors to make them hug, doing most of the hugging himself.) Hug him hard! This is Topper, and this is Snapper, they are both sweet on the girls. (All laugh.)

Julia and Sarah. Oh, you bad man.

Fred. Come, let us lose no time. What do you say to a game? Shall it be blind man's buff?

All. Agreed.

Fred. Come, Uncle Scrooge, the oldest, first.

Scro. Do with me as you please; it is Christmas Day.

(They play a lively game, falling over chairs, etc. Scrooge catches each lady, and guesses wrong, until he gets Mrs. Merry, who, in turn, catches Topper, who pulls the bandage down and goes for Julia, and pretends that he tells who she is by the way the hair is fixed, etc. Scrooge and Mrs. Kemper retire up stage, and converse.)

Julia. Ah, that's not fair, you peeped. I won't play any more. (Goes up stage with Topper.)

Fred. Well, I could have guessed that catch, and it's nothing more than fair that he should peep before making it. It seems, my dear, that our company have divided into couples. Ought we not demand an explanation?

Mrs. M. As master of the house, it is your duty.

Fred. Mr. Thomas Topper and others, we have long suspected you of some horrible design against the peace and happiness of this family. What say you to the charge?

Julia. On behalf our clients, we plead guilty.

Sarah. And urge extenuating circumstances.

Fred. Then nothing more remains, but for the Court to pronounce sentence, which is, that you be placed under the bonds of matrimony, at such time and place as may suit your convenience. But, Madam Belle Kemper and Ebenezer Scrooge, what have you to say in your defense.

Mrs. K. Only this, that Christmas works wonders.

Scro. In other words, Mrs. Kemper finds that Christmas has restored me to a primitive condition, and leaves it to time to test the merits of the happy change. (To audience.) We all have cause to bless Christmas, and it shall always be my delight to wish you A Merry Christmas, and A Happy New Year, with Tiny Tim's addition of "God bless us every one."

---