The Watermelon Patch

Edison summary: The opening scene shows a typical Southern watermelon patch with the customary scarecrow figures scattered among the vines. A number of darkies are sneaking through the vines and picking out the best melons. While thus engaged the scarecrows throw off their outer garments and appear as animated skeletons. They are soon discovered by two of the darkies, who are very much frightened and give the alarm. They all seize what melons they can lay their hands on and scamper off, with the skeletons in close pursuit. In order to avoid the risk of breaking the melons while climbing a fence they dexterously roll them under the lower rail and secure them again on reaching the other side. Entering the woods the pillagers succeed in eluding their pursuers by hiding among the trees while the skeletons continue down the road. As soon as the skeletons pass the darkies sneak out and retrace their steps through the woods until they reach a cabin, where the parson and a number of friends and neighbors are gathered. To the music of banjos and bones all hands make merry. A cakewalk is followed by buck and wing and other styles of negro dancing. Suddenly the door is thrown open and in come the men with the melons, which are thrown on the floor, this being the quickest way of opening and serving them. Benches and tables are brought and the whole company sit down and proceed to enjoy the melons as only Southern "coons" can. The next scene shows a close view of two boys who seem to think eating watermelon the only pleasure in life. Their actions are very realistic and the facial expressions most amusing. The picture now reverts to the scene in the woods where the melon thieves eluded the skeletons. The pursuers have warned the farmers, who appear with a pack of large bloodhounds, who soon get on the scent, which leads up to a cabin. The farmers, who have been following the trail of the bloodhounds, now arrive and proceed to nail up all the doors and windows. One of them climbs up to the roof and places a large cover over the top of the chimney. It is evidently their plan to smoke the merry-makers out. The next scene shows the interior of the cabin. The "coons" are still busy with the melons, but several get quite uneasy when they hear the nailing and boarding up of the house. The smoke is now seen settling around them and they are seized with violent fits of sneezing, and the entire company of merry-makers becomes thoroughly frightened. They at once start an investigation and all hands make a mad rush to escape from the building, only to find themselves locked in. After numerous attempts a large negree is finally shoved head first through one of the windows. The closing scene shows the darkies coming out of the building in all manner of ways and each is given a parting remembrance by the farmers, in the shape of a kick or a clout over the head to vary the monotony. All of the watermelon thieves are genuine negroes, and the action throughout the entire picture, as well as the photographic qualities, are all that can be described. The picture will make a sure hit everywhere. Fully described and illustrated in Circular No. 268.