
audiobook
by George M. (George Melville) Baker
A bustling, one‑room “shoe” houses a weary old woman and a lively crowd of children, each clamoring for a Christmas gift that seems forever out of reach. The cramped setting becomes a stage for slap‑slap humor and heartfelt yearning, as the matriarch juggles endless demands while trying to keep a roof over their heads. With witty dialogue and a sprinkling of song, the play captures the chaotic spirit of a holiday season lived on the edge of poverty.
When a rag‑clad beggar arrives, the children’s curiosity turns to excitement, for the stranger may hold the key to their wishes. The old woman’s quick thinking and the chorus of tiny voices create a lively, musical tableau that celebrates generosity, imagination, and the simple joys of Christmas. Listeners will be drawn into this charming, festive tableau, eager to see how the shoe‑house family navigates the holiday’s unexpected twists.
Language
en
Duration
~18 minutes (17K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Edwards, MWS and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2015-04-30
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1832–1890
Known for lively amateur theatricals and comic stage pieces, this 19th-century Boston writer helped make home and community performance more accessible and fun. He also worked in publishing, bringing the practical side of popular entertainment to a wide audience.
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