Houghton, Mifflin & Company, Boston, Mass. Each picture should
be preceded by descriptions from the book; these are indicated
by the number of the page in the volume.

DIRECTIONS.--A good reader must be chosen, who can bring
out the light and shade in the story--one who can make the
listeners feel the pathos of Carol's brief, helpful existence
and the contrasting homely humor of "the Ruggleses in the
rear." A reading-desk and lamp must stand below the platform,
and the audience-room be left in darkness. The reader will
give the signal for the opening and closing of the curtains,
pausing long enough for a full recognition of the scene. As
a repetition of a tableau is often more successful than
its initial effort, the performers should be on the alert,
prepared to give a second view.

The characters in the story call for six young people to
represent Mr. Bird, Mrs. Bird, the Grandmother, Physician,
Mrs. Ruggles, and Uncle Jack, and fourteen children to take
the parts of Donald, Hugh, Paul, Carol, Sarah Maud, Peoria,
Cornelius, Elly, Kitty, Peter, Clem, Larry, Susan, and the boy
singer.

The first hymn, "Carol, Brothers, Carol," is to be sung
behind the curtains, just before they are drawn for the second
picture. A harp, violin, and triangle would assist the piano
in making an orchestral effect. A solo voice supplies the
closing air, "My Ain Countree." The piano may be played very
softly whenever the reader pauses and the tableaux are shown.