The Mandie Collection

by Lois Gladys Leppard

  MANDIE: Liza, it’s bedtime. Take the girls to the other room and get them dressed for bed. Joe and I will make up the mattresses, and then you can help the boys.

  LIZA: (Stands up and motions to the girls.) Come on, all you lil’ gals. Bedtime.

  (The girls follow her as she exits off the hallway.)

  JOE: I’ll get the mattresses. (He starts toward the exit off the hallway.) We put them in the big closet down the hall this morning. (Exits.)

  MANDIE: (Follows him across the stage.) I’ll help you. (Exits off the hallway.)

  LIZA: (Enters from the hallway, gently pushing the little girls ahead of her. The children are wearing their nightclothes.) Come on, you lil’ boys. You’s next.

  (Mandie and Joe enter carrying a cornshuck mattress, which they place on two benches they push together. Liza exits through the hallway as she herds the boys ahead of her.)

  JOE: (Straightening up.) One down. Four to go.

  MANDIE: (Giving the mattress a little pat.) Five to go. Don’t forget Liza has to have a bed, too.

  JOE: I thought some of the little ones could sleep three on one mattress. With the backs of benches to keep them from falling off, there’s plenty of room.

  MANDIE: (Straightening up.) You’re right. And I’ll sleep in the next room.

  (Mandie and Joe exit through the hallway and bring in more mattresses. Liza leads the little boys back into the room in their nightclothes and puts them and the girls on their beds. Then she helps Mandie and Joe and gets her own mattress, which she places on the floor between the boys and girls.)

  MANDIE: Liza and I can get the quilts. You go ahead. See you in the morning.

  JOE: (Picks up his coat and hat, puts them on.) Good-night. (He goes to the open door.)

  MANDIE: Good-night.

  (Joe exits through the doorway and closes the door.)

  (Liza exits through the hallway and comes back with an armload of quilts, which she lays on the table.)

  LIZA: I git de rest of dem quilts if you wants to kivver de chillun wid dese. (Exits.)

  MANDIE: Sure, Liza. (She begins going from bed to bed distributing the covers.)

  LIZA: (Enters from the hallway with more quilts.) Dis be all of dem. I left one fo’ you.

  (Mandie takes some of the quilts, and she and Liza finish distributing them. The children are all covered for the night.)

  MANDIE: You go ahead to bed, Liza. I’m going to sit down at the far end and go over the script for the play one more time before I retire for the night. (She picks up the stack of papers on the table.)

  LIZA: (Flopping down on her mattress and pulling a quilt over her.) ’Night, Missy ’Manda.

  MANDIE: (She walks over to the lamp at the hallway end of the room and blows out the light.) Good-night, Liza. (She carries the papers and goes to sit down in a chair by the other lamp, which is near the door. The scene becomes quiet. There is a giggle now and then from the children, but they soon fall asleep. Mandie reads her papers and begins to nod. She drops off to sleep in the chair. She is suddenly awakened by someone [George] opening the door. Quickly sitting up and rubbing her eyes. She looks toward the door.) Who is it?

  GEORGE: (Pausing just inside the doorway as he closes the door.) I’m sorry. I didn’t know someone was using the basement. You see, I’ve just got back into town after many long years away, and I thought I’d run over to visit this old church where I went as a child.

  MANDIE: (Gasping as she quickly stands up and straightens her skirts.) I see. My name is Amanda Shaw, Mandie for short, and these children are all orphans. (She waves her hand toward the sleeping children.)

  GEORGE: I apologize. I’m George Simpson. Are you related to Mr. John Shaw?

  MANDIE: (Completely awake now, responds in surprise.) Yes, he’s my uncle, and he married my mother after my father, Jim Shaw, died.

  GEORGE: (With a big smile.) Well, well, well! I remember your father very well before he married your mother. After that he seemed to disappear, but Mr. John Shaw was very kind to me when I was growing up. You see, I was an orphan, too.

  MANDIE: If you were an orphan, where did you live here in Franklin when you attended this church?

  GEORGE: Oh, here and there, mostly with my mother’s old cousins, who have just died. That’s why I’m back in town.

  MANDIE: Did I know them? Who were they?

  GEORGE: No, you probably didn’t know them, because they left town years ago to live over in Jackson County. They owned the huge house on the hill just as you go around the curve on Bryson City Road. It has been closed up ever since they moved away, and I find it’s in bad shape. I’m their only heir, and they left it to me, but I don’t know what I’ll be doing with it.

  MANDIE: Don’t you want to live in it? I know the house you’re talking about. It looks like a mansion, really, it’s so big.

  GEORGE: No, it would be impossible for me to live here in Franklin. You see, I have a home in New York and my business is up there, so I don’t need the house.

  MANDIE: New York? I’ve never been there, but some day I will go. Couldn’t you move your business down here so you could live in the house? I’m sure it would be beautiful if someone would fix it up.

  GEORGE: (Laughing.) No, I couldn’t do that. I’m an actor and I have to stay where the theater is.

  MANDIE: (Quickly looking at George.) The children are here temporarily so we can have them in a Christmas play here in the church. My friend Joe Woodard and I are presenting it the Sunday before Christmas—next Sunday, in fact. (Looking up directly into his eyes.) Could we persuade you to act in our play? Please?

  GEORGE: Sorry, but I won’t be in Franklin this coming weekend. I will return next week to do something about the house though.

  MANDIE: How much are you going to sell the house for? I mean, you must be planning to sell it since you don’t want it.

  GEORGE: Why? Do you know of someone who might be interested in buying it?

  MANDIE: (Sighing.) No, not exactly. I was just thinking what a perfect home it would make for these orphans here. You see, they’ve all been farmed out wherever a family needs them to do work, and I’m sure they’re being mistreated. Can you imagine little ones like these having to work for their keep?

  GEORGE: (Pacing about a few steps.) Yes, I know exactly what it’s like. I went through all that and somehow managed to survive. I ran away from the last place that gave me a home, because they beat me. I was fourteen and I hitchhiked—walked most of the way, really—to New York. I got various backbreaking jobs and was able to get some education. Then, when I was seventeen, I was really lucky. I got a job as driver for one of the big Broadway producers. He gave me my start in show business. But I am well aware that not all orphans are given an opportunity like that.

  MANDIE: (Smiling.) I’m sorry, Mr. Simpson, but I am happy for you now. (Smiling, she looks up at him.) Don’t you think the house would be a good place to put these orphans?

  GEORGE: (Pauses for a moment before replying.) Yes, I agree. I remember being in the house. It probably has twenty rooms. But it’s in bad shape right now.

  MANDIE: (Mandie frowns and walks around. Stops to face George.) I know what we could do! If you would give us the house for the orphans, I could probably get the money from the townspeople to fix it up.

  GEORGE: But what about maintenance? How would you run the operation? After all, there are regular bills, such as food and clothing among other things, that have to be funded from somewhere.

  MANDIE: (Closing her eyes as she looks upward. Then turns to look at George.) If you will donate the house to the orphans, I will come up with the money to run it. I have faith in the people’s kindness here in Franklin and, above all, I have faith that God will supply the funds. (She clasps her hands as she holds her breath, waiting for his answer.)

  GEORGE: (Hesitates a moment. Steps forward with his hand out.) It’s a deal. You get the money rounded up and I will be back in town, probably on Christmas Eve. We’ll seal the bargain then.


  (They shake hands.)

  MANDIE: (Suddenly stands on tiptoe and plants a kiss on George’s cheek.) Thank you! With all my heart, I thank you!

  GEORGE: (Quickly embraces her and then steps back.) Now I have to go. I have someone waiting for me. I will see you as soon as I get back in town. (He walks toward the door.)

  MANDIE: (Follows George to door.) Thank you again.

  GEORGE: Good-night now. (He exits the door.)

  MANDIE: (She closes the door and leans against it. Softly to herself.) It’s going to be a long night before morning comes when I can tell Joe the good news. The Lord is going to take care of His orphans.

  CURTAIN

  ACT II

  THE SCENE:

  AT CURTAIN:

  MANDIE: (Reading from the book as she sits in the chair.) Joseph and Mary went from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, and into the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be taxed according to a law made by Caesar Augustus. He declared that all the world should be taxed. While they were there they had to stay in a stable, because there was no room for them in the inn.

  (A light illuminates the manger left downstage. Mary and Joseph are sitting by the manger in the straw.)

  MANDIE: (Continues reading.) Mary’s first son was born in that stable manger. She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in the rough bed.

  (As she reads this, Mary picks up a baby from the manger for the audience to see and carefully places Him back in the bed. He is wrapped in white garments.)

  MANDIE: (Continues reading.) There were shepherds watching their flocks in the fields. The Lord’s angels appeared to them and they were afraid. The angel said—

  JOE: (From offstage.) Fear not; behold, I bring you good tidings of a great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

  LIZA AND THE ORPHANS: (Liza, with the ten orphans dressed in white robes and wings, enters left stage and comes to stand behind the manger.) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

  MANDIE: (Continues reading.) And the shepherds came to see what had come to pass, and after they had seen the baby Jesus, they went out into the night and spread the word. Herod, the king, sent wise men from the east to find the newborn baby. The star they saw in the east went along with them and showed them the way. (Pause for soft music from offstage.)

  MANDIE: (Continues reading.) When the wise men saw the baby, they fell down on their knees and worshipped Him. They brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh and laid it before Him. But God warned them they should not return to Herod and that they should return to their country by another route. And after they left, the Lord’s angel appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him to arise and take the baby and His mother and flee into Egypt, because Herod would seek out the baby and try to kill Him. Then Herod died.

  LIZA AND THE ORPHANS: And because the son of Herod was king now, Joseph didn’t go to Israel like God told him. He went to Galilee instead, and settled down in the city called Nazareth.

  MANDIE: (Closing the book and rising.) And today we are having an early celebration of Jesus’ birth. (She turns to look at Liza.)

  (Liza herds the orphans forward to stand in a line across the stage.)

  (The piano offstage begins playing, and Mandie steps to one side as the orphans, led by Liza, begin to sing old Christmas songs.)

  MANDIE: (After two songs, Mandie waves to Liza to stop. The piano music also stops. Mandie steps forward to center downstage.) Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like you to meet our chorus. (She motions toward the orphans, and they all come to stand by her.) These ten little children are all orphans. I doubt that any of you knows any of these little tykes. When Joe Woodard and I got permission to put on this play at the church, we wanted to make this a real Christmas—what Christmas really stands for—Jesus’ birthday, not just the time when Santa Claus comes and everyone is so anxious to receive all the gifts they can get, with no mention of our Savior. Presents should be given to show our love for other people, people who are poor and needy and who won’t receive much else for Christmas. (Mandie pauses as she spots Uncle Ned in the audience.) These children don’t have a real home. They live wherever people will take them in exchange for work. Imagine little ones like these having to work for their keep. (She pauses as a murmur goes up from the audience. Continuing.) I want to ask each and every one of you to help these orphans. And I’ll tell you how you can do it. You probably all know about the old house that’s been closed up for years and years out on Bryson City Road, just around the curve. Well, the owners died recently in Jackson County, where they had moved many years ago. And I met the man who has inherited the house, George Simpson, their cousin. (She pauses as she sees some of the older people looking at each other in recognition of the name. She takes a deep breath and continues.) Now, Mr. Simpson has agreed to give us the house for a home for these orphans provided we donate enough time, work, and money to get it in livable shape and maintain it. (She pauses as there are loud murmurs from the audience.)

  MANDIE: (Continuing as she looks over the audience.) Just look at these two little boys here, Jake and Jasper. (She motions toward the two boys.) They are not aware of it yet, but they were separated when they were babies after the death of their parents. That shouldn’t ever happen to anyone. (She pauses to allow the audience to make remarks among themselves.)

  (The two boys step out of line to look at each other and rush to embrace.)

  (Continuing in a stern voice.) Now here’s what every person in this audience must do. Everybody here can give something. If you don’t have money to give, you can give time and work. We have promised Mr. Simpson that the people of Franklin will come to the rescue of these little orphans, and we are going to keep our promise. Please don’t say you’re too busy or you can’t afford to give even a few dollars. No matter how poor you are, you can still share in some way. We can always find someone poorer than we are, and these little orphans are poorer than anyone in this audience. (She pauses, but the audience is quiet.) (Continuing in a firm voice.) Now, I want the donations to begin. Who will make the first one? We have a chance to help these children, and I want you to assist in some way. Come on now. Who has money to give? Who will volunteer to work on the house? Speak up.

  (The audience has become restless and murmurs among themselves.)

  MAN: (Stands up, shaking his fist and yelling at Mandie.) We don’t need no half-breed telling us what to do with our money and time! Who do you think you are?

  MANDIE: (Shocked.) I am what God made me and I can’t change that so you’d better like it!

  JOE: (Rushing out from behind the curtain to Mandie’s side. Yelling and shaking his fist in the air.) This is God’s house and no place for such talk, mister!

  UNCLE NED: (Rushing up on the stage to join Mandie.) Come, Papoose.

  AUDIENCE: No, we don’t! No! Never! Use your own money! (The audience quickly exit the church.)

  MRS. TAFT: (Rushing up on the stage to join Mandie.) I’ll fix that man! You just wait and see! He’ll live to regret what he said to my granddaughter!

  MANDIE: (Seeing Liza and the orphans standing nearby.) Please take off their costumes, Liza, and take the children all over to the house. We’re going to eat there. (She wipes her eyes with the back of her hand.)

  (Liza exits with the orphans, and Jenny and Abraham, who played Joseph and Mary, follow them offstage.)

  MRS. TAFT: Come on, dear. Everyone is due over at your house in a few minutes. Your mother and Uncle John went on ahead, before that ugly man made his remarks, and asked me to see that everyone else gets there on time.

  MANDIE: Just give me a few minutes, please, Grandmother, and I’ll be along.

  MRS. TAFT: All right now. Don’t be too long. (She exits the way Liza went.)

  MANDIE: (Mandie steps down from the stage and
sits down in the front pew. Joe and Uncle Ned follow her. Looking at Joe.) I’m sorry everything went so badly. I guess I ruined it all.

  JOE: (Reaching to hold her hand.) No, you didn’t, Mandie. You did wonderful. It was that selfish man who tried to ruin everything.(He stands up.) I’m going on over to your house because I know you want to talk with Uncle Ned. You haven’t seen him since he got here. But please hurry. I’m hungry. (He laughs as he exits left stage.)

  MANDIE: Uncle Ned, what did I do wrong?

  UNCLE NED: Papoose must learn to think. I always say think. Think before acting. Think what people will say when Papoose demand money and work from them.

  MANDIE: (Looking at him in surprise.) But I didn’t demand it, Uncle Ned. I was only asking for it.

  UNCLE NED: No, no, Papoose must walk softly when asking for something. Cannot make people do things. Must set example to influence them.

  MANDIE: But I thought I was doing the right thing showing them the orphans and telling them about the house.

  UNCLE NED: Papoose must set example. Show people she can work and give.

  MANDIE: You mean we should go ahead and start work on the house if Mr. Simpson will let us?

  UNCLE NED: (Smiling.) Yes, begin work. Others will come.

  MANDIE: I’m not sure about that. The other people in the audience were saying things that sounded like they were agreeing with what the man said.

  UNCLE NED: Trust. We work. Other people will work.

  MANDIE: Trust, yes, I must trust in the Lord to help. (Mandie reaches for the old Indian’s hand, and together they look upward to say a prayer.)

  MANDIE: Dear Lord, we need your help to provide a home for the little orphans. Please help. Thank you, dear Lord.

  UNCLE NED: Yes, Big God, we need help. Please help. (Uncle Ned stands and pulls Mandie to her feet.) Must go eat now.

  MANDIE: (Wiping her reddened eyes with the back of her hand.) Even you are hungry! (She smiles up at him as they start to exit the stage.)