"The ambassador," said the girl, warmly, "doesn't call any more. He needn't ever have done so. You ought to know that. And so now you are one of these dashing Western heroes, and you ride and shoot and go into all kinds of dangers. That's different from the Washington life. You have been missed from the old crowd."The girl's eyes, fascinated, went back, widening a little, to rest upon the glittering handcuffs."Don't you worry about them, miss," said the other man. "All marshals handcuff themselves to their prisoners to keep them from getting away. Mr. Easton knows his business.""Will we see you again soon in Washington?" asked the girl."Not soon, I think," said Easton. "My butterfly days are over, I fear.""I love the West," said the girl irrelevantly. Her eyes were shining softly. She looked away out the car window. She began to speak truly and simply without the gloss of style and manner: "Mamma and I spent the summer in Denver. She went home a week ago because father was slightly ill. I could live and be happy in the West. I think the air here agrees with me. Money isn't everything. But people always misunderstand things and remain stupid--""Say, Mr. Marshal," growled the glum-faced man. "This isn't quite fair. I'm needing a drink, and haven't had a smoke all day. Haven't you talked long enough? Take me in the smoker now, won't you? I'm half dead for a pipe."The bound travelers rose to their feet, Easton with the same slow smile on his face."I can't deny a petition for tobacco," he said, lightly. "It's the one friend of the unfortunate. Good-bye, Miss Fairchild. Duty calls, you know." He held out his hand for a farewell."It's too bad you are not going East," she said, reclothing herself with manner and style. "But you must go on to Leavenworth, I suppose?""Yes," said Easton, "I must go on to Leavenworth."The two men sidled down the aisle into the smoker.The two passengers in a seat near by had heard most of the conversation. Said one of them: "That marshal's a good sort of chap. Some of these Western fellows are all right.""Pretty young to hold an office like that, isn't he?" asked the other."Young!" exclaimed the first speaker, "why--Oh! didn't you catch on? Say--did you ever know an officer to handcuff a prisoner to his right hand?"

Hearts And HandsAt Denver there was an influx of passengers into the coaches on the eastbound B. & M. express. In one coach there sat a very pretty young woman dressed in elegant taste and surrounded by all the luxurious comforts of an experienced traveler. Among the newcomers were two young men, one of handsome presence with a bold, frank countenance and manner; the other a ruffled, glum-faced person, heavily built and roughly dressed. The two were handcuffed together.As they passed down the aisle of the coach the only vacant seat offered was a reversed one facing the attractive young woman. Here the linked couple seated themselves. The young woman's glance fell upon them with a distant, swift disinterest; then with a lovely smile brightening her countenance and a tender pink tingeing her rounded cheeks, she held out a little gray-gloved hand. When she spoke her voice, full, sweet, and deliberate, proclaimed that its owner was accustomed to speak and be heard."Well, Mr. Easton, if you will make me speak first, I suppose I must. Don't you ever recognize old friends when you meet them in the West?"The younger man roused himself sharply at the sound of her voice, seemed to struggle with a slight embarrassment which he threw off instantly, and then clasped her fingers with his left hand."It's Miss Fairchild," he said, with a smile. "I'll ask you to excuse the other hand; "it's otherwise engaged just at present."He slightly raised his right hand, bound at the wrist by the shining "bracelet" to the left one of his companion. The glad look in the girl's eyes slowly changed to a bewildered horror. The glow faded from her cheeks. Her lips parted in a vague, relaxing distress. Easton, with a little laugh, as if amused, was about to speak again when the other forestalled him. The glum-faced man had been watching the girl's countenance with veiled glances from his keen, shrewd eyes."You'll excuse me for speaking, miss, but, I see you're acquainted with the marshall here. If you'll ask him to speak a word for me when we get to the pen he'll do it, and it'll make things easier for me there. He's taking me to Leavenworth prison. It's seven years for counterfeiting.""Oh!" said the girl, with a deep breath and returning color. "So that is what you are doing out here? A marshal!""My dear Miss Fairchild," said Easton, calmly, "I had to do something. Money has a way of taking wings unto itself, and you know it takes money to keep step with our crowd in Washington. I saw this opening in the West, and--well, a marshalship isn't quite as high a position as that of ambassador, but--"

(Short Story)

Peggy the Pint Sized Pirate by D. M. Larson Cast of Characters PEGGYSCUMMY - young pirate who says mean things to PEGGYCAPTAIN SLUDGECAPTAIN SOGGYGRUNT - wise old pirate who speaks mysteriouslySEA MONSTERMOM MONSTER EXTRAS - Other pirates Scene 1 - A pirate's cove for games and grubScene 2 - An island where the Sea Monster lurks SCENE 1 (PEGGY is a very small pirate girl who is anxious to be a big pirate. PEGGY enters pirate's cove and sees Pirates playing various games and enjoying grub. Everyone is much bigger than she is and she looks out of place) PEGGY(To audience)Hi, I'm Peggy. Peggy the... Well, I don't have a true pirate name yet. SCUMMY(To PEGGY)Sure you do. It's Peggy the Pint Sized Pirate.(Others laugh and then go back to their games) PEGGYYes, that's what they call me. Peggy the Pint Sized Pirate. But I'm tired of it. I won't stand for it anymore. SCUMMYWon't stand for it? I thought you were sitting down. PEGGY

I'm so tired of short jokes. Anyway, Today is my big day. I finally was going to be a pirate. I've dreamed about this day since I was little.(SCUMMY looks at her)Well, I'm still little... and I'm still dreaming. But finally the day has come. I'm going to do it. I'm going to be a pirate.(SCUMMY laughs at her and then points to CAPTAINS who enter) SCUMMYLine em up! (Pirates line up. PEGGY gets stuck behind the other pirates and hops around trying to see. She slips in between two of them) CAPTAIN SOGGYWe need two crews for a treasure run to Tucson. PEGGYTuscon? (PEGGY gets pushed back and hops around behind) CAPTAIN SLUDGEI get first pick. I�ll take Bob the Brave (BOB happily lines up behind SLUDGE) CAPTAIN SOGGYI'll take Sue the Smelly. (Everyone steps back so SUE can move over by SOGGY who notices her odor. SLUDGE and SOGGY continue picking pirates during the following:) PEGGYI was so excited. This was the first time I tried out for a pirate crew. Captain Sludge had the fastest pirate around. Everyone was anxious to be with Sludge when the sea speed record of 1812 was broken. And then Captain Soggy was great too.Soggy had the only pirate ship that would go underwater. Really! But after

more and more pirates were picked, I got worried because no one was picking me. CAPTAIN SLUDGEAnd I'll take Scummy the Sweet.(SCUMMY sticks tongue out at PEGGY and lines up with others)That's it then.(Pirates all start to talk and go with CAPTAINS) PEGGYWait! What about me?!(Everyone stops and stares at PEGGY. Then they laugh) SCUMMYNo way, shrimp. CAPTAIN SOGGY(Pats PEGGY on head)Maybe when you're bigger. SCUMMYRight, that will happen. CAPTAIN SLUDGEBetter stay here and let the big brave pirates go. We don't want you to get hurt. CAPTAIN SOGGYWe can't handle screaming little girls on ships with sea monster afoot. (Pirates leave and PEGGY sits by herself all upset) PEGGYNow I'll never be a pirate.(PEGGY cries) GRUNT(Old GRUNT enters)What's this boo-hooing I hear? PEGGYNo one wants me to be a pirate. They think I'm too little. GRUNT

Do they now? PEGGYEveryone laughed at me and said I'd be scared. I'm not scared of anything. And I wouldn't cry...(Wipes away tears)I'm not afraid of any sea monsters.(Cries again)Who am I kidding? I am too little. GRUNTYou're not little at all you know. PEGGYWhat? Can't you see me? I'm tiny. GRUNTThere's something I can see that's bigger than any pirate I know. Something that you'll have to see on your own. PEGGYI don't get it. What do you mean? GRUNTGive it time, Peggy and you'll see. PEGGY(Throwing a fit)But I wanna be big now!!!!!!(Jumps around and screams) GRUNT(Waits for PEGGY to stop)Feel better? PEGGY(Calm)Actually, yes. Thank you. GRUNTVery soon you'll get your chance to see what you have that is greater than most. PEGGYWell, I'm not moving from this spot until I find out. GRUNT

Stubborn aren't we? PEGGYPeggy the Stubborn. Naw, doesn't sound right. GRUNTPatience Peggy. Your moment will come.(GRUNT leaves) PEGGYOld people saw the weirdest things. Me being big? Now? But how? So I stayed here and waited for an answer. And it didn't take long. SCUMMY(Runs in)Ahh! The horror! The horror! PEGGYWhat is it, Scummy? SCUMMYBoth ships are gone. Destroyed. PEGGYBut how? SCUMMYThe sea monster! PEGGYReally? And the pirates couldn't stop them. SCUMMYThey tried but the monster is too powerful. Both ships are gone forever. PEGGYHow did you survive? SCUMMYI hid in a barrel when I saw the monster coming. PEGGYYou hid? That's not very piratey. SCUMMYPlease don't tell.(SCUMMY runs and hides)

 CAPTAIN SLUDGE(Enters with CAPTAIN SOGGY)I can't believe our ships are gone. CAPTAIN SOGGYAnd the entire crew was captured. PEGGYWhat are you going to do? CAPTAIN SLUDGEWhat can we do? CAPTAIN SOGGYMaybe I'll open up a little sea side resort. PEGGYYou can't give up. What about your crew? You must save them. CAPTAIN SLUDGESorry, but I'm not going out there again. Not with that monster out there. CAPTAIN SOGGYAnd I could serve soda pop and soup with little tiny umbrellas in them. PEGGYSo you're both a couple of chickens.(Both CAPTAINS stop and stare at her) CAPTAIN SLUDGEWhat did you say? PEGGYChickens.(Acts like a chicken)Brock, brock, brock. CAPTAIN SOGGYI could put chicken between two slices of bread. Someone showed me that on the Sandwich Islands.(CAPTAIN SOGGY exits) CAPTAIN SLUDGE

Fine. You think you're so brave. Then you be captain and take care of that sea monster yourself.(Sticks huge captain hat on PEGGY and it covers her head)Best of luck to you, Captain.(Laughs and exits) PEGGY(Pulls off hat)Captain? Was he serious? Even if he wasn't, it doesn't matter. Someone has to save those pirates.(Grabs SCUMMY out of hiding)Come on, Scummy. We're going to save some pirates. SCENE 2 (Lights come up on an island where the sea monster lives. PEGGY and SCUMMY enter. SCUMMY is terrified) PEGGYI took a little boat with only Scummy to help row. We followed the trail of wrecked ships until we made our way to this little island that must be the sea monsters lair. SCUMMYI don't think this is a good idea, Peggy. PEGGYYes, you said that about a hundred times on the way over. But someone has to save these pirates. SCUMMYAnd what makes you think we can do it? PEGGYBecause I can do anything I put my mind to.(Roaring sound off stage. SEA MONSTER uses microphone for big sound) SCUMMYWhat's that? PEGGYI don't know.

(Roaring sound again) SCUMMYThere is was again.(Roaring)Let's get out of here. PEGGYBut I don't see anything. SCUMMY(A huge shadow appears behind them. Shadow is cast using a cut out behind a light or by the SEA MONSTER standing being a spotlight. SCUMMY sees it)Ahh! Run!(SCUMMY runs) PEGGYScummy! Get back here.(PEGGY stands ready and faces the shadow)I guess it's up to me.(Bravely calls out)Show yourself sea monster. I'm ready for you! SEA MONSTER(Roars. Off)You better run little pirate before I eat you. PEGGYNo, you better run before I eat you. SEA MONSTER(Off)What? You can't eat me. PEGGYI can eat anything I want. SEA MONSTER(Enters. SEA MONSTER is not much bigger than PEGGY. SEA MONSTER can be in a costume with one or two actors inside. If two actors are in costume, one is the head and the other works the hind end and tail)Why aren't you scared? PEGGYHey! You're just a little guy. 

SEA MONSTERUsually the shadow scares most of them away. PEGGYHow did you do that? SEA MONSTERAncient sea monster secret. PEGGYCome on, you can tell me. SEA MONSTERYou're a pirate. I can't tell you. PEGGY(Proud)Hey, no body has ever called me a pirate before. SEA MONSTERThat wasn't a compliment. PEGGYSo what's the deal? How can a little monster like you defeat all those pirates? SEA MONSTEROh, that isn't me. That's my mama. She's the one who destroys all those ships. PEGGYAnd she captured all those pirates? SEA MONSTERYes. PEGGYThen I need to talk to her. SEA MONSTERYou can't do that. PEGGYWhy not? SEA MONSTERShe won't talk to you. She'll just capture you and torture you like the others.

 PEGGYTorture?! That's terrible. SEA MONSTERThey are getting what they deserve. PEGGYI won't hear of it. Take me to them or else. SEA MONSTEROr else what? PEGGYI... I... SEA MONSTERYou... you... what? PEGGYI won't tell you my secret. SEA MONSTERSecret? What secret? PEGGY(To audience)Sea monsters can't resist a good secret.(To SEA MONSTER)I'll tell you if you take me to your mama. SEA MONSTERGive me a hint! PEGGYNope. Not until I see your mama. SEA MONSTERNot one little hint? PEGGYSorry. SEA MONSTERFine. I'll take you to Mama. She'll just capture though. She won't tell you anything. Follow me. SCUMMY

(Sneaks up on them and stabs SEA MONSTER in the foot with a stick)Ha! I got you. SEA MONSTEROw!(Hops around in pain) PEGGYScummy! What have you done? SCUMMYI've defeated the sea monster! PEGGYBut if you hurt the sea monster, we won't know where the pirates were taken. SCUMMYOh. SEA MONSTERWho poked me? That hurts! SCUMMY(Points to PEGGY)She did it.(SCUMMY runs) SEA MONSTERCome back here. I know a little liar when I see one.(Takes a step and howls in pain) PEGGYHere, let me help you. SEA MONSTERWhy would you want to do that? PEGGYWell... I do want you to show me where the pirates are... but... SEA MONSTERBut what? PEGGYI kind of like you too. 

SEA MONSTERYou do? PEGGYI know pirates aren't supposed to like sea monsters, but I do kind of like you. SEA MONSTERAnd why is that? PEGGYBecause you're little and you're so big all at the same time. I wish I could be as brave and strong as you. SEA MONSTERI don't feel so brave and strong with this stick in my foot.(Howls in pain) PEGGYHere, let me help with that. SEA MONSTER(Moves away)No. PEGGYCome on. SEA MONSTERNo, it's gonna hurt. PEGGYDon't be a baby. Let me get it. SEA MONSTERFine, but I can't look. PEGGYOn the count of three I'll pull it out. Ready? SEA MONSTERReady. PEGGYOne, two...(Pulls out stick) SEA MONSTER

...where's three.(Looks) PEGGYStick's out. See, it wasn't that bad was it. SEA MONSTER(Looks at stick then howls)Ow! PEGGYWhat? What? SEA MONSTERNow it hurts. Delayed reaction. PEGGYDon't be silly. It's all in your head. SEA MONSTERYou think so? PEGGYI know so. SEA MONSTERI guess it's not that bad. PEGGYGood. Now take me to your mama. SEA MONSTERUh, Peggy.(Huge shadow looms up behind PEGGY. MAMA MONSTER can remain a shadow unless a production budget allows for a large monster head to appear on stage but this is unnecessary. A shadow cast by a cutout in a light will work with the voice of MAMA MONSTER on microphone) PEGGYYes? SEA MONSTERShe's here. MAMA MONSTERHello, baby. Did you capture another pirate? 

SEA MONSTERWell, not really. This is Peggy. She wants to talk to you. MAMA MONSTERTalk to me? Why? PEGGYI want you to release all those pirates you captured.MAMA MONSTERWhy? PEGGYBecause what did they do to you? MAMA MONSTERThey have made a garbage dump of the sea. PEGGYYou're mad at them because they litter. SEA MONSTERPirates make a lot of trash. PEGGYBut you're polluting the sea with broken pirate ships. MAMA MONSTERGood point. You're a smart little one. PEGGYI guess I make up for size with brains. That must be what that old coot meant. My brains! They must be bigger than any pirates. SEA MONSTERThat's not saying much. I think my ear wax is smarter than most pirates. PEGGYSo what did you do with the pirates? MAMA MONSTERWe're making them pick up all the litter they've made. SEA MONSTER

And that could take a long time. They've littered a lot. PEGGYI promise that they will never litter again if you let them go. MAMA MONSTERCan I trust you? You�re a pirate. SEA MONSTERShe's not like other pirates, Mama. She helped me when I was hurt. She is also my friend. PEGGYReally? SEA MONSTERReally, really. MAMA MONSTERPirates!(PIRATES rush out and crowd together shaking in fear)I'll let them go, but I don�t want to see any more litter.(PIRATES shake head no)Good-bye Peggy Pirate. I wish all pirates were like you.(Shadows fades) SEA MONSTERGood-bye, Peggy. PEGGYWill I see you again? SEA MONSTERYou bet.(SCUMMY slinks in cautiously. CAPTAIN SLUDGE and CAPTAIN SOGGY follow. CAPTAINS happily greet PIRATES)Just don't bring that thing with you.(SEA MONSTER exits) SCUMMY(Sees PIRATES)What happened? PEGGY

They set the pirates free. SCUMMYYou saved them. CAPTAIN SLUDGEI never thought such a little pirate could do such a big thing. CAPTAIN SOGGYHow would you like to be my first mate? CAPTAIN SLUDGEThree cheers for Peggy. PIRATESHip-hip-hurray! Hip-hip-hurray! Hip-hip-hurray! PEGGYThank you all of you. But this means no more litter.(PIRATES nods in agreement) CAPTAIN SLUDGELet's go, you scurvy dogs.(PEGGY watches PIRATES go with CAPTAINS. CAPTAIN SOGGY tosses some litter in front of her. PEGGY's jaw drop when she sees the spot where they were standing. It's full of litter) PEGGYI see my work is cut out for me. END OF PLAY

(Stage Play)

Submitted by:Johgne Clinton Lagahit

Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him. "Pardon, O King," cried the little Mouse: "forgive me this time, I shall never forget it: who knows but what I may be able to do you a turnsome of these days?" The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let him go. Some time after the Lion was caught in a trap, and the hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King, tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight in which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts. "Was I not right?" said the little Mouse.

The Lion and the Mouse

Moral : Little friends may prove great friends

(Fable)