The Project Gutenberg EBook of Le Noël des Petits Gueux, by Max du Veuzit This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Title: Le Noël des Petits Gueux Author: Max du Veuzit Release Date: December 25, 2008 [EBook #27619] Language: French Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LE NOËL DES PETITS GUEUX *** Produced by Daniel Fromont [Transcriber's note: Max du Veuzit (pseudonyme d'Alphonsine Vavasseur-Acher Mme François Simonet) (1876-1952), _Le Noël des Petits Gueux_ (1909)] Max du VEUZIT Le Noël des Petits Gueux PIECE REALISTE EN UN ACTE PRIX: 1 Franc 1909 Tous droits de traduction et de reproduction réservés pour tous pays PERSONNAGES: UN IVROGNE... 45 ans environ MARIA... 14 ans CARLOT... 8 ans DECOR: Sept heures du soir, en hiver, dans une chaumière misérablement meublée. Une table boiteuse, des chaises de paille, un mauvais lit dans le fond. Port à gauche, au dernier plan, fermant par un loquet de bois. Sur la table, verres, bouteilles vides et chandelier, pêle-mêle. Au lever du rideau, la scène est plongée dans l'obscurité. SCENE I L'IVROGNE L'ivrogne d'une voix pâteuse chante dans la coulisse: --Viens Poupoule, viens, etc... La porte s'ouvre et il apparaît titubant. Une bouteille pleine sort à moitié de sa poche. Toujours chantant, il fait quelques pas, puis s'arrête: -- Une vraie bouteille à l'encre!... Ca manque de bec de gaz! Se cognant au lit: -- Oh!... quelle turne! Se cramponnant au lit: -- C'est c'tte sacrée Maria qu'aura mis une chaise là pour que j'me f... par terre!... Y a plus d'enfants! L'respect d'la famille s'en va complètement! Il cherche une allumette dans ses poches. -- Je... J'vais allumer l'électricité. Il frotte une allumette, qui rate, puis une seconde et une troisième. -- Vive la Régie! Au public: -- La Régie a été instituée pour embêter les citoyens, mais ça prend pas avec moi... quand l'allumette rate, j'crie vive la Régie... pour la narguer!... et quand elle ne rate pas... (Il en prend une:) Vive la République! Tenant délicatement l'allumette enflammée il s'avance vers la cheminée: -- Où qu'il est, le lustre?... Il cherche: -- Le lustre à Bibi n'est pas là! Il allume une autre allumette et va vers la table: -- Là!... Voici le réverbère en question. Il veut atteindre la chandelle mais sa main qui tremble semble vouloir allumer tous les goulots des bouteilles: -- Ca doit être encore un tour de c'tte sacrée Maria... C'est humide, ça peut pas brûler, pardi! Larmoyant: -- Si c'est pas malheureux d'avoir une fille qui mouille tous les bouts de chandelle! Il a fini cependant par allumer celle-ci. Tombant en arrêt devant les bouteilles vides: -- Quelle armée!... Si c'est moi le copain qui ai vidé tout ça j'suis pas à plaindre, mon colon! Se cognant l'estomac: -- Une vraie panse de député qui veut analyser tous les liquides de la buvette... Il passe la revue des bouteilles: -- Zut! Tout est sifflé!... Alors faut serrer la ceinture?... Non! Zidor a des réserves dans sa cave. Il tire la bouteille de sa poche: -- Voilà! M'sieu est servi!! Il boit un peu: -- C'est du nanan... le réveillon oblige. Il commence à boire; son ivresse doit aller croissant. En riant, il chantonne: -- Tout tourne! Tout tourne... (parlant) Ca vous met du soleil en tête... J'ai... j'ai vingt ans... le coeur solide (au public) Y en a pas un qui me roulerait en ce moment. Qu'est-ce qui veut lutter avec moi. J'parie vingt ronds. Il a posé machinalement la bouteille dans un coin et quand il veut recommencer à boire il en prend une vide sur la table. Il la porte à ses lèvres, puis l'examine étonné. La voix de plus en plus pâteuse: -- Ca coule plus! (au public) C'est encore c'tte sacrée Maria... elle a bouché le goulot... Pleurnichant: -- Si c'est pas malheureux d'avoir une fille qui met des bouchons là où qu'il en faut pas!... Il s'asseoit près de la table, luttant contre le sommeil: -- Mon pauvre Zidor! t'as pas de chance avec tes enfants... Ils ne te font que des mauvais tours! Il s'assoupit, mais bientôt se redresse en sursaut: -- Maria!... fais-moi mon lit... (un temps) Tu veux pas me faire mon lit!... (larmoyant) Ca te portera pas chance... Il attend et reprend d'un air autoritaire: -- Ton père est fatigué, Maria! Changeant de ton et pleurnichant: -- Non! mais c'est y pas malheureux... d'avoir une fille qui... qui fait rien au lit! (Il tombe endormi d'un lourd sommeil d'ivrogne. Il est affaissé plutôt qu'assis sur sa chaise; le haut du corps et la tête s'appuient sur la table. Quand il commence à ronfler, la porte s'ouvre timidement et Charlot passe la tête par l'entrebâillement. Les bouteilles l'empêchent de voir son père). SCENE II L'IVROGNE, MARIA, CHARLOT CHARLOT, à voix basse On ne voit rien. MARIA Regarde bien. CHARLOT Sûr!... Y a personne! MARIA, ouvrant davantage la porte Pourtant il y a de la lumière. CHARLOT Il est peut-être reparti! MARIA Mon Dieu! pourvu qu'il ne soit pas allé au cabaret. CHARLOT Mince de réveillon, alors! (Ils sont entrés; Maria aperçoit l'ivrogne, instinctivement, elle saisit le bras du petit). MARIA Oh!... Il est là! CHARLOT Zut! MARIA Fais point de bruit, Charlot. (Elle referme la porte très doucement. Charlot s'est avancé sur la pointe des pieds vers l'ivrogne et l'examine). CHARLOT, piteusement. Il est paf! C'est notre veine! MARIA Chut! il dort! Ne le réveillons pas: ses réveils sont terribles. CHARLOT Il casse et brise tout! MARIA Oui, mais on peut tout de même être tranquilles... on s'couchera sans qu'il nous entende. (Elle prend le petit dans ses bras et l'assied sur une chaise près du lit pour qu'il s'appuie sur celui-ci). Reste là, mon gosse, je vais te déshabiller tout à l'heure. CHARLOT Me déshabiller? MARIA Oui. CHARLOT, plaintivement. Mais j'ai faim, Maria... On va pas dormir comme ça. MARIA, tressaillant T'as faim? CHARLOT Et j'suis gelé, encore! C'est pas ce qu'on a mangé aujourd'hui qui m'a réchauffé l'estomac: un gendarme et du pain, c'est guère réconfortant! MARIA Pauvre gosse... (Ses yeux vont à l'ivrogne dont la respiration devient bruyante. Elle a un geste de colère). Y s'a soûlé, encore, c'bougre-là!... On n'a boulotté qu'un croûton dur d'puis l'matin. Va t'y falloir encore s'coucher sans souper. CHARLOT C'est crevant! MARIA C'est Noël: y s'ra pas allé travailler cet après-midi... Depuis que la mère est défunte, c'est comme ça à toutes les fêtes! CHARLOT Ah! si maman était là!... MARIA Allons, pleure pas, Charlot; tu sais bien que j'fais ce que j'peux pour la remplacer... CHARLOT Mais t'as beau travailler, y te prend toute ta galette. MARIA, haussant les épaules Oui, et après on meurt de faim, pardi! CHARLOT, après un temps Allons, Maria, donne-moi quelque chose, j'ai faim. MARIA, à mi-voix Y a pu rien dans l'buffet... CHARLOT Mais j'ai mal là... (Il montre son estomac et éclate en sanglots) J'veux manger, moi. MARIA Y a rien! CHARLOT C'est amusant! (Soudain Maria s'avance vers l'ivrogne) Ah et puis!!... Tant pis s'il se réveille et s'il casse tout! (Elle le secoue par le bras) Eh l'père!... l'gosse a faim; faudrait voir à y donner à manger. L'IVROGNE, soulevant la tête et essayant d'ouvrir les yeux Hein!... Quoi!... MARIA L'gosse a faim! L'IVROGNE Ca fait rien. (Il retombe lourdement endormi). MARIA, le secouant plus fortement Ben, voyons, écoute-moi... J'te dis qu'on a rien dans l'ventre depuis c'matin et qu'ça peut pas durer comme ça... (Il reste insensible à l'appel de sa fille; même comme elle le secoue trop fortement, il roule sous la table avec un bafouillage incohérent; puis il se tait et reste immobile. Maria en le voyant tomber a un mouvement de recul. De loin, elle le contemple avec mépris). MARIA Ce qu'il est bu!... Il est rien complet! (Charlot enhardi s'est avancé vers son père et l'examine curieusement). CHARLOT Mince! quelle culotte!!... Il en dit pas long en c'moment. MARIA C'est triste! CHARLOT C'est rigolo! MARIA Il a réveillonné sans s'inquiéter de nous. CHARLOT Et c'est pas ça qui va nous caler l'ventre... MARIA Hélas! CHARLOT Dis donc... si tu visitais ses profondes. Il a p't'être pas tout raboté. MARIA C'est une idée! (D'un bond, elle se rapproche de l'ivrogne, et délicatement, elle tâte les vêtements et retourne les poches. Du désappointement peu à peu se lit sur son visage). Non... rien!... Zut!... Ah misère! il a tout boissonné. CHARLOT Y faisait soif pour lui. MARIA, se relevant avec dépit Ses goussets sont nettoyés comme jamais. CHARLOT Alors?... Rien? MARIA Rien!... Quel Noël! CHARLOT Pas besoin de mettre ses soulier dans la cheminée: c'est la mouise! MARIA, apercevant la bouteille Tiens! CHARLOT Quoi? MARIA Regarde... Cette fiole qu'est presque pleine. CHARLOT, prenant la bouteille Il n'aura pas pu boire tout! MARIA Montre un peu pour voir. (Successivement ils sentent le goulot puis goûtent le liquide: la bouteille change donc quatre fois de mains). CHARLOT C'est du mêlé-cass? MARIA Oui c'est bon! CHARLOT Ca chauffe! (Un instant, ils examinent la bouteille en silence. Charlot timidement). Dis donc, Maria? MARIA Eh bien? CHARLOT Si.. si on buvait tout. MARIA, hésitant On serait saoult. CHARLOT Tant mieux! MARIA Oh! CHARLOT Si... comme ça, on sentira plus le froid ni la faim. MARIA, tristement C'est vrai qu'si on avait le ventre mieux garni, c't'idée-là nous viendrait pas. CHARLOT Pardine! (Il va pour porter à ses lèvres le goulot, mais la main de Maria retient la bouteille). Oh, non... faut pas! (Ils baissent la tête pensivement, tenant toujours chacun la bouteille). CHARLOT, après un temps A quoi que tu penses, Maria? MARIA, gravement Je pense aux réveillons d'autrefois... quand maman vivait... CHARLOT Oh, oui! les nuits de Noël. MARIA, les yeux pleins de larmes Les belles nuits blanches dont tous les enfants rêvent. (Ils restent silencieux, l'un près de l'autre, très graves). CHARLOT, timidement après un temps Alors. (Maria saisit brusquement la bouteille), MARIA Tant pis... On a rien à s'mettre sous la dent!... Alors! (Elle boit). CHARLOT Ca va être notre réveillon! (De nouveau la bouteille passe et repasse de main en main. Pendant que le rideau tombe on voit Charlot, ivre, s'appuyer en riant sur sa soeur pendant que celle-ci se soutient au mur pour ne pas tomber). FIN MONTIVILLIERS Imprimerie H. RILLET 10, rue Bavanterie, 10 Ouvrages du même Auteur THEATRE La Noël des Petits Gueux, 1 acte. Paternité, 1 acte. C'est la Loi! (en collaboration avec George Lomelar), 1 acte Le Sentier (en collaboration avec Robert Nunès), 3 actes Le Vieux puits, 2 actes L'Aumône, 1 acte ROMANS La Jeannette. Le Mystère de Malbackt. La Douce Aimée. Cousine Yvette. Amour Fratricide. Agonie Morale. La Faute d'Amy. L'autre Père. Le Vieux Puits. DIVERS Contes normands. Nouvelles. End of Project Gutenberg's Le Noël des Petits Gueux, by Max du Veuzit *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LE NOËL DES PETITS GUEUX *** ***** This file should be named 27619-8.txt or 27619-8.zip ***** This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: http://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/6/1/27619/ Produced by Daniel Fromont Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at http://gutenberg.net/license). Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United States. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, copied or distributed: This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Gutenberg-tm License. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided that - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of receipt of the work. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. 1.F. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the problem. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from people in all walks of life. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official page at http://pglaf.org For additional contact information: Dr. Gregory B. Newby Chief Executive and Director gbnewby@pglaf.org Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt status with the IRS. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state visit http://pglaf.org While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who approach us with offers to donate. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways including including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: http://www.gutenberg.net This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.