The tragical acts, or comical tragedies of Punch and JudyJudd, W. J. (William J.)
History
The tragical acts, or comical tragedies of Punch and Judy
Judd, W. J. (William J.)
Punch and Judy; Puppet plays
(_PUNCH, suspecting there to be life in some of the bodies, carries
them, one at a time, to the right-hand side of the stage. After
he has arranged two bodies, and is going for the third, a CLOWN
walks up from behind and carries back one of the bodies; he also
lies down as if dead. PUNCH, missing the body, seems nonplussed.
Makes some remark, then fetches another. The CLOWN, unperceived by
PUNCH, repeats his fun. PUNCH is dismayed. Returns to the left of
the stage and asks the bodies: "_Are you all dead?_" and, whilst
PUNCH is looking towards the right, the CLOWN, jolting up his head,
says: "_Yes; all dead._" PUNCH, touching a body, says: "_Was that
you?_" He goes down for his club. CLOWN shifts one to the centre
of the stage. PUNCH, returning, belabors it with his club, says:
"_Oh! it is you, is it?_"--hit, hit--"_You will be dead this time,
I think._" Hit, hit, and places it on the right of the stage. He
now discovers the CLOWN at his antics. PUNCH makes for him; stands
him up against the left pillar of the stage; makes thrusts at him
with the end of his club, counting, "_One, two, three--e--e;_"
but every time the three is pronounced the CLOWN falls flat down,
causing PUNCH to miss his mark. PUNCH says, "_I'll fix you now._"
He spits against the post of the stage, and rubs the CLOWN against
it. He counts, "_One, two, three--e--e._" This time pins the CLOWN
to the post; but the moment the end of PUNCH'S club is removed, the
CLOWN darts away, giving PUNCH a lively knock on the back of the
head--makes after to run off with some of the bodies, and betwixt
the CLOWN and PUNCH the stage is soon cleared._)
END OF PART II.
The performer, when engaged at Church Fairs to give his representations
before successive audiences, holds up the negro to make the following
announcement: "Ladies and Gentlemen: The last act concludes the show.
Our next performance will take place in the course of fifteen minutes,
during which we shall have the honor of introducing the famous act of
THE PERSECUTED DUTCHMAN,
IN
MRS. BARRISNOBE'S HOTEL."
[Illustration]
ACT III.
_Enter SCHMIDT, carrying carpet-bag._
SCHMIDT. I vonder vether I can find a place vere I can sleep tonight.
Here is an hotel. I will just ring the bell. (_he sets carpet-bag on
stage and rings the bell._)
TEDDY (_pokes his head through the window, says_). I say, you there,
what are you doing ringing dat bell all this time for?
SCHMIDT. What, you old black nigger, come at last?
TEDDY. How dare you insult? Call me no nigger. I'm de colored man from
de South; and what do you want, I say?
SCHMIDT. Yaw! What you want with yat black face through dat window?
Come right out here; I vant to talk business.
TEDDY. Who are you calling black? Who rang dat bell?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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