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Daddy Long-Legs

Chapter 1: DADDY LONG-LEGS
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About This Book

An orphaned young woman raised in a charitable home is sponsored by an anonymous benefactor whose playful secrecy shapes her education and opportunities. Through letters she develops a candid, witty correspondence while attending college, pursuing literary ambitions, and navigating friendships and romantic tensions. The stage adaptation traces her maturation across domestic and study settings, alternating comic episodes with tender reflection on class, independence, and gratitude. Key figures from the orphanage and the patron’s social circle intersect with her life, and revelations about identity and love resolve the social and emotional conflicts by the conclusion.

The Project Gutenberg eBook of Daddy Long-Legs

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Title: Daddy Long-Legs

A comedy in four acts

Author: Jean Webster

Release date: April 14, 2025 [eBook #75857]

Language: English

Original publication: New York: Samuel French, 1914

Credits: Susan E., Chris Hapka and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DADDY LONG-LEGS ***

DADDY LONG-LEGS

By JEAN WEBSTER

FRENCH’S STANDARD LIBRARY EDITION
SAMUEL FRENCH, 28-30 West 38th St., New York

BILLETED.

A comedy in 3 acts, by F. Tennison Jesse and H. Harwood. 4 males, 5 females. One easy interior scene. A charming comedy, constructed with uncommon skill, and abounds with clever lines. Margaret Anglin’s big success. Amateurs will find this comedy easy to produce and popular with all audiences. Price, 60 Cents.

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH.

A comedy in 3 acts. By James Montgomery. 5 males, 6 females. Costumes, modern. Two interior scenes. Plays 2½ hours.

Is it possible to tell the absolute truth—even for twenty-four hours? It is—at least Bob Bennett, the hero of “Nothing But the Truth,” accomplished the feat. The bet he made with his business partners, and the trouble he got into—with his partners, his friends, and his fiancée—this is the subject of William Collier’s tremendous comedy hit. “Nothing But the Truth” can be wholeheartedly recommended as one of the most sprightly, amusing and popular comedies that this country can boast. Price, 60 Cents.

IN WALKED JIMMY.

A comedy in 4 acts, by Minnie Z. Jaffa. 10 males, 2 females (although any number of males and females may be used as clerks, etc.). Two interior scenes. Costumes, modern. Plays 2½ hours. The thing into which Jimmy walked was a broken-down shoe factory, when the clerks had all been fired, and when the proprietor was in serious contemplation of suicide.

Jimmy, nothing else but plain Jimmy, would have been a mysterious figure had it not been for his matter-of-fact manner, his smile and his everlasting humanness. He put the shoe business on its feet, won the heart of the girl clerk, saved her erring brother from jail, escaped that place as a permanent boarding house himself, and foiled the villain.

Clean, wholesome comedy with just a touch of human nature, just a dash of excitement and more than a little bit of true philosophy make “In Walked Jimmy” one of the most delightful of plays. Jimmy is full of the religion of life, the religion of happiness, and the religion of helpfulness, and he so permeates the atmosphere with his “religion” that everyone is happy. The spirit of optimism, good cheer, and hearty laughter dominates the play. There is not a dull moment in any of the four acts. We strongly recommend it. Price, 60 Cents.

MARTHA BY-THE-DAY.

An optimistic comedy in three acts, by Julie M. Lippmann, author of the “Martha” stories. 5 males, 5 females. Three interior scenes. Costumes modern. Plays 2½ hours.

It is altogether a gentle thing, this play. It is full of quaint humor, old-fashioned, homely sentiment, the kind that people who see the play will recall and chuckle over to-morrow and the next day.

Miss Lippmann has herself adapted her very successful book for stage service, and in doing this has selected from her novel the most telling incidents, infectious comedy and homely sentiment for the play, and the result is thoroughly delightful. Price, 60 Cents.

(The Above Are Subject to Royalty When Produced)

SAMUEL FRENCH, 28-30 West 38th Street, New York City
New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free on Request

DADDY LONG-LEGS
A COMEDY IN FOUR ACTS
BY
JEAN WEBSTER
All Rights Reserved

CAUTION.—Professionals and amateurs are hereby warned that “DADDY LONG-LEGS,” being fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States, Great Britain and Canada, is subject to a royalty, and anyone presenting the play without the consent of the owners or their authorized agents will be liable to the penalties by law provided. Application for amateur acting rights must be made to Samuel French, 28-30 West 38th Street, New York. Applications for professional acting rights must be made to Henry Miller, Henry Miller Theatre, 124 West 43d Street, New York City.

New York
SAMUEL FRENCH
Publisher
28-30 West 38th Street
London
SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd.
26 Southampton Street
STRAND

Copyright, 1912 (in Novel Form), by The Century Co.
Copyright, 1914, by Jean Webster
Copyright, 1922, by Samuel French

Especial notice should be taken that the possession of this book without a valid contract for production first having been obtained from the publisher, confers no right or license to professionals or amateurs to produce the play publicly or in private for gain or charity.

In its present form this play is dedicated to the reading public only, and no performance, representation, production, recitation, or public reading may be given except by special arrangement with Samuel French, 28-30 West 38th Street, New York.

This play may be presented by amateurs upon payment of a royalty of Twenty-Five Dollars for each performance, payable to Samuel French, 28-30 West 38th Street, New York, one week before the date when the play is given.

Whenever the play is produced the following notice must appear on all programs, printing and advertising for the play: “Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French of New York.”

Attention is called to the penalty provided by law for any infringement of the author’s rights, as follows:

Section 4966:—Any person publicly performing or representing any dramatic or musical composition for which copyright has been obtained, without the consent of the proprietor of said dramatic or musical compositions, or his heirs and assigns, shall be liable for damages thereof, such damages, in all cases to be assessed at such sum, not less than one hundred dollars for the first and fifty dollars for every subsequent performance, as to the court shall appear to be just. If the unlawful performance and representation be wilful and for profit, such person or persons shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be imprisoned for a period not exceeding one year.”—U. S. Revised Statutes: Title 60, Chap. 3.


CHARACTERS
Jervis Pendleton    
James McBride    
Cyrus Wykoff    
Abner Parsons    
Griggs    
Walters    
Judy    
Miss Pritchard    
Mrs. Pendleton    
Julia Pendleton    
Sallie McBride    
Mrs. Semple    
Mrs. Lippett    
Sadie Kate  
Gladiola  
Loretta Orphan Children
Mamie at the John
Freddie Perkins Grier Home
Carrie  

SYNOPSIS OF SCENES
ACT I

The dining-room of the John Grier Home on Trustees’ Day.

ACT II

Judy’s college study, an afternoon in May, one year later.

ACT III

The sitting-room at Lock Willow farm, summer, three years later.

ACT IV

Mr. Pendleton’s library, two months later.