^^s^^ mai Cast JTC LIBRA] OF g- Plays AcTiN'c Copy, with Ke- DescMiption of Cogtume ; £xifs and Kntrances; "Correctly marked v/iih 'SSS?^ [ORATI]«< IllLADKLPHlA: by Til^^^^^^B WHuB-, YORl w^ ^xmitt'B iBramatfc Sfibratg, THE BRAZEN DRUM; OR, THE VANKEE IN POLAND. PS 2919 ^ NATIONAL mmh- . Copy 1 ..^'""^^*«\ t BY SMA'S S. ST[EL5; m iuthor of " Clandare, Stewart's Triumph, Crock of Gold, Lion of the Sea, Aladdin, a Chinese drama ; The FostiU lion, Grecian Queen, Postheel-on Long jaw- bone, Amilie Plater, New York Assurance, The Dream," Sfc, ^c. 1 CORRECTLY PRINTED FROM THE MOST APPROVTO ACTING COPY WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE COSTUME, CAST OP THE CHARACTERS, ENTRANCES AND EXITS, RELATIVE POSITIONS, AND THE WHOLE OF THE STAGE business; To which are added, PROPERTIES AND DIRECTIONS, AS FERFORMLD IN THE AMERICAN THEATRES. TURNER & FISHER, 15 NORTH SIXTH STREET, PHILADELPHIA, AND 74 CHATHAM STREET NEW YORK. s' A .:-'!: ^ k ^ »» r 55- »^\^'^ 5t)^: •• ! • • • • *• • •• • • • • • •! •' " • • •! • • "•- • • «• w^* COSTUME. I COUNT RUFFENHOFF— A rich Russian uniform coat, or fly.jacket ; tight pantaloons, trimmed with silver ; square cap, trimmed with white fur, platted cords and tassel, green feather ; large blue cloak, trimmed with fur. POLITZ and SERFITZ-Green uniforms; huzzar caps. » BLUSTERDOFF— Very large gi:een old fashioned military coat, faced with white ; yellow breeches ; very high dragoon's cap, with the Russian eagle in front; high hoots. MRS. BLUSTERDOFF— A full scarlet gown, trimmei with white fur, and chequered in front with silver lace. COUNT FOLOSKI— A rich blue military tunic, trim- med with gold and white fur ; scarlet tights ; russet boots.; grey fur cap, tassels, white feather ; full grey cloak. GABINSKI and ZYRENSKI— Grey tunics, trimmed with fur ; fur caps, slouched, and tassels. ROWINA— White satin frock ; green velvet coat-dresg, or tunic, trimmed with white fur ; scarlet cap, with gold band and tassels. MURDALE — English huzzar dress ; blue military cloak. CALVIN CARTWHEE;L— Large buffalo robe; belt -of twisted flax ; short linsey trowsers ; old fashioned ,white wool hat, with a " peacock's feather.'* Volunteer Pairioi5^-,National uniforms. CO op < i> <» S P4 12; IN 00 f— 1 X i < . Mills. Watson. Brown. Murphy. 3. Judah. o s - ^ ^ s p:^ H O^ 1 11 so Sf H-H «u H •2 -«1 E^ • . 1 • -a^ u CD ^ go d ^ == w 02 ^ S B S § I S= 's ■5^ o _^ - •I I IP « .- S C3 (a o s of m d CO 00 ^ <=p o .ri H P Eh* <1^ ^ S I I a o R, sinu„thMs.hip, tai they are beaten oTk~ Murdale. {To Rowina.) Fly. fly ' leal fl,» , curs to me ! Fly, fly, Ro^ina!^' ^ ' ^'^^ "'' ^^""'^' [RowjNA throws rmin' rate, that it'll make you bite a hole in the ground big enough to bury you, fur and all. Poll* Guards, advance and seize them. [Beckom guards, Cal. (Pointing pistols) Towser seize 'em ! {Hr fires — 0ne falls,) Now, bite away — there's a tooth-pick for you. [Throtcs a club a'- him. Music //wrry. — Count Ruffenhofp Enters^ fothwed by Blusterdofp, Serfitz, and Guards, — Calvin seiz^'S a brand from fire — Rowina still clings to Murdajle, who stands ready to strike the fint icho advances. Ruf. Now, accursed rebel slaves, surrender I or this in- stant die. Mur, Villain, I'll not surrender ! nor die, till the earth I fall on, has drunk your tyrant blood I Cal, Hurra • some am I. — I'll walk into you like the man with the poker; (advances with red hot poker.) and the way I'll make you snort, will be equal to a red-hot steam ingine a drownin'. Ruf, Guards, seize them — while I secure the maid. Rowina » {Drawing a dagger,) Inhuman wretch ! be* hold this dagger— approach me, and it shall reach your heart or my own. Cal, Go it. Miss ! Bhist. Oh ! murderous plunder ! — that is, I mean, pluiw derous murder! Steal my dagger to steal the Count** life with. Ruf, Slaves ! do you fear — seize and bind the rebels. [ They advance. THE BRAZEN DRUM. S$ Cal Then darn me if some on you shan't go to the devil, jist about as nicely toasted as a slice o' bread in a meltin* furnace. [Music, — Calvin runs at Blust. and the Guards with tht poker — ihp.y run about hoUowina, — Murdale, 5^rfl«/nnj? Ro- winjL^s hand,Jiarhts with Ropfenhofp and Politz— A«t» finally senired and heat doujn L, c, by the aid of Serfitz and the Guards — Ruffenhofp attempts to seize Rowina— she keeps him of witk the dagirer, c. — Calvin is overpowered and dragged r. c, hy Guards, Cal. Nelson, we're trip't— but darn me if I'm used up! END OF ACT I. ACT 11. SCENE l.-^The Sea Coast — Ships at distance — set waves for bringing on Skiff. — Time, Daybreak. Zyrensei, an old Polish Patriot, and two Soldiers gazing off, r. u. e. Zyren. 'Tis clearly dawn, and no trace of our cloud skiff ! what can havt^ happened ? alas ! I tremble for the safety of the brave old Count Poloski, and for our Ameri- can and English friends, who accompanied him. Should an unlucky wind have driven them too near the Russian fortress, discovery and death awaits them. The noble Count would go at all hazards hoping to gain some intelli- gence of his daughter. Friends, look you again — my eyes are weak with age and grief. Gahinski. Ah » look— they come; the Count unfurls his flag; and see— he waves it — they are here. 24 THE BRAZEN DRUM, »_ r Music. — The Cloud Skiff, with blue sails, comes on R. H., bearing Count Poloski, with the Polish flag in his hand — three American and three English Patriots, one of each three %oith a small National flag in his hand — they cheer as skiff comes on ; all get ashore and come down, Poloski in c. Zyren, {Greeting him.) Safe, my noble chief! Polos, Yes, thus far safe, old friend ; and a lucky chance it is that we are so, for the wind drove us almost underneath the very windov^s of the fortress ; but thanks to Heaven and the darkness, the tyrant's sleepy mastiffs mistook the sails of our skiff for a cloud that often gathers there ; we not only escaped unsuspected but received in- telligence of my child and our captive friends. Zyren. Sf Gabin, Indeed ! Polos. ( Taking out a paper.) This paper, tied to a band of straw, was thrown to us from a grated window by Cal- vin, the faithful American, Zyren, Read, my lord. Polos. (Reads) " Dear Gineral, I'm about ; a leetle afore day the Muscovies look'd out and said they saw a great blue cloud ; I lookM out and seen you in your cloudy boat, and directly writ these few lines, and tied 'em to a bit of my bed. Miss Rowina, Murdale, and me, are all here tight enough ; but Pve kal'ated on a plan to git us all loose — there's an iron door that opens on the water side o' this barn, that I'm agoin to work at; so jist cart your skiff this way every mornin' about daybreak — and when you hear three of my rolls on the Brazen drum, jist back up against the wall, and you shall cart off Miss Ro- wina, Murdale, and yours etarnally, Calvin Cartwheel," Zyren. Ohl happy tidings; they may yet be saved ! Polos. Aye, these gallant friends have sworn to aid us to the very last in their rescue ; we'll venture in the foul tyrant's face ; aye, beneath his very guns, and save them, or bravely sink together. Omnes, We will ! we will ! Polos, Let but success attend this single enterprise, and then, oh ! my native land — dear, lost, ill-fated Poland, we must part forever ! Zyren, Leave our country, noble Count, our lands 1 THE BRAZEN DRUM. 95 Polos, Aye, Zyrenski ! '* our lands" indeed ! no foot of Polish earth is now our own ; the tyrants claim it all, and e'en our very lives ! Then what is left for us to g-ain or hope for ? Have not we in three successive struggles, vainly contended for the ancient rights and liberties of Poland — have we not seen our lands divided and our au- thorities usurped by the combined despots of Russia, Ger- many and Prussia ? Have we not seen our Constitution trampled to tlie earth ; its sage founders denounced and chained by o. female despot, a shameless royal bawd? Have we not seen the streets of Praga strewed, nay, piled with the gory corses of our fathers, mothers, sisters, and their unoffending offspring — butchered by the fell Suwarrow ? In short, have we not- seen Rusciosko leave his country in despair ; our dearest relatives yoked like brutes together and driven to dread Siberia ? What then has Poland left for us, or we for her ? despair and desolation ! then why should we remain ? our blood would not be a drop in the great sea of gore that our oppressors thirst for ! Come, brave friends, tp our retreat, and patiently await another dawn ; till then your good old patriotic songs will cheer and beguile the slow- winged hours. Come, old friend, {lo Zyren.) we soon shall seek a land of peace. Zyren, I still will follow you ; and yet to be a wander- ing exile at my years. Polns. When hope of liberty is gone in his native land, the patriot becomes worse than an exile — the slave of his oppressors. [Music. — Exeunt Poloski and Zyrenski, r. h. followed by the rest. SCENE II. — An Apartment in the Fortress, 2 g. Calvin. {Without, u u.) Well, but I tell you now, I won^t be hxivried. Enters l. following Blusterdoff, Blust. Booh ! you won't ? you won't ? Cal. No I won't, for all the eternal Russian bores 'tween here and old Nick, your daddy. 26 THE BRAZEN DRUM. Blust. Nick ! villRin ! by my office, this is— that is, you mean, mighty Nicholas. CaL No I don't, now — I mean the t*oth r devil, down below. I say, now, old Bluster, you'll find a terrible change in the weather when you get there ; I kal'ate, that 'ere round-shouldered nose o' your'n will be a tarna* tion sight redder than it is now. Blast. Booh ' what, rflave — damnation ! my round- shouldered nose? that is you mean — in-tddeC'tb-nl nose. CfiL Outlets of brandy ! Ha! ha' ha « {Looks at his noftf.) ha! ha I well now, by the forewheel of PhoBbus* cart, if that 'ere face-prong o' yourn, aint jist about as slick a pattern of a Varmount waggoner's grease horn, painted red, as ever could be thought on — I never seen but one human critfer with such a cart-elagenous hook ; an' that would ha' been the death on him onlj^ for me. Blust, Eh ! what? the death of him — how, slave ? Cat, Would you like to know ? Blust. Booh : that is, I mean, yes. Caf, Well then, my name aint slave, no how — I'm called Calvin to hum — I won't be christened slave, no how — so you and me won't gee. Blust, Booh; how? {Asid^,) I'll condescend to humor him, Ras — that is, I mean, Calvin ! CA, Oh, very well I considerably well for a Russian bore I Well, this chap's nose I was goin' to tell you on, you see, in jumpin' out of a waggon one day, he caught that owl's-bill nose o' his right in one of the button holes of his coat, and by the forewheel of old Phoebus' cart, if there he didn't hang by it, and there he would ha' hungr till now, if 1 hadn't cut him loose. Blust, But -ahem I but, sir, stop a moment— (mcdt- tates prnfounflly ) that is, I mean, I am one who cannot be imposed on — hark ye, {nof^s to him.) if that man snose was so infernally large, how large was the button-hole af his coat ? tell me thit. CaU How large? Blust, Yes -that is, I mean, how big was it ? Cat, VA ell, I reckon, takin' it up and down, and all round, it mought ha' been a leetle larger than his nose. THE BRAZEN DRUM. 27 Blusi. Oh ! then if that's the case, I'll not pretend to doubt it. But, come, my Yankee, you must back to your quarters. Booh I march ! I command it. CaL But I say, now, old Bluster, you needn't be in sich an allstorrain' hurry, I kal'ate. Blust. What ? Booh ! you ought to thank me, didn't I condescend to take you out in the air ? Cal. Well now you needn't take sich airs on yourself, if you did ; your air aint nothin' to brag on, anyhow, that you must deal it out to a body by the mouthfuls. But, I say, who's little room is that in yonder, {points l.) with all them keys hanging about it ? Blust, Booh ! mine — that is I mean, by deputy. CaL You don't try to make me b'lieve, do you, that you make use of all them 'ere keys ? Blust, Booh, sir I yes, every one of them. Cal, Darn me if I kal'ate you can make any sort o' use of that *ere allfired big one yonder. Blust. Booh ! why not, sir ? Cal, Darn me if it aint big enough to unlock a Rhino- ceros' mouth in the lock-jaw — can't hardly s waller that, no how. Blust. Booh, sir ! have you got the rebellious audacity — that is, I mean, dare you to presume to think, sir, that I, Brouski Blusterdoff, would say what is not true, sir ? We can use it, sir — we haue used it, sir— we rfo use it, and will use it, sir — and mind — that is, I mean, take care that it is not used for you, sir. Cal. Now I kal'ate you need't git your cornstalk so tarnally up about it ; if you do want to make a body b'lieve you use it, why the nation don't you tell how at once, now. Bluit, Well — that is, I mean, there is some reason in that Well, (ioftly ) that great key— but I must tell you in a low key. CaL Well, it don't matter, I reckon, whether it's a high or low key — so jist you drive on and unlock the whole affair. Blust, Well, then, in a low key — that is, I mea.n ^ seer eth^ I shall astonish, convince, petrify and warn you^ 28 THE BRAZEN DRUM. CaL You said you would. BlusL Listen ! you know that at the outside — that is, I mean, the exterior wall of your apartment, there is a sea, CaL Yes, I see there is. Blust. Well, in that wall there is a secret door that opens to that sea. Cat. Opens to the sea — I'd like to see it open— but you don't let the sea in, I reckon. Blud. Booh, sir ! don't interrupt me, sir. CaL Oh, I wouldn't, no how— but I reckon as how, you don't mean to say you ever open that door you're jist about tellin' on, do you, now, for a sartain, eh ? Blust. Booh, sir I we do, sir, and that great key unlocks that secret door. Cat. No, you don't tell — well, by the forewheel of Phoe- bus' cart, if this ere great stone jug o' yourn aint about as mystifFeroiis as my uncle Calvin's cow stable, that had sich a tarnal sight o' doors in it, that the wind didn't know which one to come in at. Blvst. But that is not all, sir — that is, I mean, the most dreadful, doleful, woful secret is to come. Cut. No, now is it — well, drive on, an' relate it right off instanterly, now do. Blust. Now listen— whenever a prisoner goes to become outrageous or disobedient to our— that is, 1 mean, my orders, he is bound, taken to that same secret door, and cast into the sea — the sea carries him under a part of the fortress, and he is never again heard of; so now take warning. [ Pompously, Cat, Never heerd on ? well, now, I kal'ate you hardly expect one to come back, arter sarvir>' him sich an all- fired nasty trick as that 'ere ; that s about equal to the way they sarve some folks in some parts o' my country. Btu'it. Eh ! how's that — how's that? Col Oh, they jist take and cart 'em out into a field, sing a hull grist o' pitiful psalms to 'em, and very pitifiilly take a rope and choke 'em to death. Blust, What barbarous savages ; but come — that is, I mean, go, sir I Cal. Go where ? THE SRAZEN DRUM. 29 Blast. To your quarters, sir — booh, march— I com- mand it. Cal. What an allstormin' loud way you've got o' given the word o' command ; I say, you never heerd tell o' Col. Pluck any way, did you. {During this speech he gets to- wards L H., as endeavoring to examine the keys.) If I could jist pocket that key now, on my road, Blust. Go, sir — remember — that is, I mean, think of that door, the great key, sir. Cal, That's jist what 1 was thinkin' on ; (aside.) 'twould save a hull grist o' saw in', for out o' this we must go, in spite of old JNick, or his son, Nicholas. Blast. Booh, sir I well you obey me — think of that key. Cal, I do — darn me if I can get it out o' my mind ! [Here he perceives a large paper in Blusterdoff^s pocket — while Blust. is swaggering^ and ordering him off, with "Go, sir—come, sir, &,c.'' — Calvin slips it out of his pocket, and throws it off L. h. Blust. What are you looking at, sir — ahem ? Cal. Me ? oh, jist lookin' at a slip o' paper on that floor in yonder, reckon may be, it mought be yourn. Blast. Mine, eh? {Feels his pocket.) to be sure it is mine — that is, I mean, my last important despatches are gone out of my pocket. Zounds 1 mischief I how ? Cal, Never mind, I'll jist run and fetch it. {Aside.) Now to kill two birds with one stone, and pilferate that key. [Exit Calvin, l. h. Blust Quick, quick ! St. Nicholas ! I wouldn't loose that for a hundred rubles. Re-enter Calvin, with a paper in one hand, and a large, key and two smaller ones ia the other, which he conceals, Cal, Guess 1 was about right in my kal'ations, warn't I ? [Gives paper to Blust., at the same time exulting aside, Blust, I thought I was right — that is, I mean, I knew it was gone. Cal. That is, you mean, arter I told you. Blast, Yes— that is, after I discovered it; but zounds I I can't think how I left it. CaU Oh, jist as like as not it left you. 30 THR BRAZEN BRUM. Blvst, But it had to come back to me, like you — do you take ? ha ! ha ! ha ! but come, you can't get a-Way again ! you'Jl keep them in your mind— the big key— the secret door— the sea, eh ? ha ! ha! Cal. Yes — {aside.) and in my pocket, too. (Aloud.) I"m sartain sure not to forget thern. , Blust, Ha, ha, ha ! a warning— that is, I mean, 'twas develish lucky for you, I was so kind as to tell you about them, wasn't it ? CuL Well now, I rather kal'ate it was, for the way I'll recollect about that key and that 'ere door, will surprise you about equal to my runnin' away. Blhst. March ! ha, ha, ha I CuL Ha, ha, ha ! Btusc. Booh, sir ! go, mind the key, the door — march. Cal. Oh, guess I will now — ^jist in the right key for goin' into complete burglary. [ExitjoUawed by Blust. r. h. Enter Count Ruffehuotf, followed by Politz, l. h. Riif, So then, this Murdale — this vile English prisoner, still refuses to disclose the lurking place of the bold rebel Poloski. Poti, He does, my lord; and when I informed him that a dreadful death awaited his refusal, he gave us nought but words of insolent defiance. Rvf. Enough I another day, by hell, he shall not breathe ; but what says the American ? Potu He thus far has avaded our interrogations, yet says we shall know all the particulars concerning Poloski by to-morrow. Ruf, Till then let him be spared ! The night grows late — quick, Politz, go you and see that daring English traitor securely bound, and let the morning drum be your signal to cast his rebel carcase to the sea — away I Poli. I shall obey, my lord. [ t^xit n. h. ^ Rvf. Yes, I have spared the slave too long I the bea^ teous Rowina still contemns and scorns me, and doubtles draws her courage from a hope that her lover is still near her, and may yet save her — that hope shall be destroyed by his death, and leave the proud maiden to despair and me. [Ex a, r. h. THE BRAZEN DRUM. 31 SCENE 111.— An Apartment in the back part of the For^ tress — both sit/es closed in — on one side of the flat a Grated Window — in c. a large Iron Door, with a ponde^ reus Lock to work so as to be heard by the audience — On L. c is the brazen Drum.-^A Lamp is suspended from the ceiling. Calvin Enters r. d., followed by Blust. Cal. Softly and civilly old Buster, if you please, and if you don*t please, I won't be druv off my independent gait, no sort a how. {They come down in front.) I'm a true regular bred Yankee, and they're a s«>rt o* chaps that will go their own gait if the devil does drive — so jist take and behave yourself like a man, 'cause you mought set me a kickin', and if you do, I'll knock that 'ere brandy horn o' * your'ne so fur in, that it'll take a six horse team to draw it out agin. Blust, {In a ra^e.) Brooh, sir ! remember— that is, I mean, think of that key, and that lock yonder — ( points to D. p.) beware that lock, sir— beware I [Advances to seize' him, Cal. You jist stop your lock-jaw, will you, or by the forewheel of Phoebus' cart, I'll peel you like an ingun. [Coming up to him. Blust, Come, sir — none of your familiarities — that is, I mean, keep off! What hoa! Politz, Serfitz I Cal, Yes, call your dogs — I'll give you siir/cits enough. Enter Politz and Serfitz at door, — Calvin pulls off his coat* Now jist come on, you allfired boar-faced varments, and darn me if I don't send you out o' that 'ere door about ai soon as a hurrycane would so many cornstalks. Blust, Away with him to the dungeon. [They advance and take hold 0/ Calvin. Cal, Darn me if some on you won't have to go to old Barebone's dungeon first then. [Music, — Calvin kicks or knocks down Politz and Serf, who hollo loudly — he then makes a blow at Blust., who is at door^ and Mrs, Blust. entering suddenly ^ receives the blow I in her stomach — she falls in Calvin's arms, and shrieks long and loudly — all run to assist her. 32 THE BRAZEN DRUM. Blast. Murder ! murder ! Mutiny and assassination ! CaL {Shaking her.) Jalap— steam — a dose of No. G. Mrs. B. Oh I oh I (Very Loud.) my voice is gone, and Tm gone I— you Blusterdoff, how do you think 1 can faint in this position ? get me an arm chair, sir — quick, an arm chair! BlusL That is, you mean, your fainting chair. [Blust. and Serf, bring her arm chair in c. d. B/«6f. There, ducky I [They place her in a chair — Blust. pulls out a vial, and is about applying it to her mouth, Cal Oh, pooh 1 darn your nastijiitity I {Pulls out a flask.) I jist felt the pulse of her nose, and kal'ate this is her physic — equal to New England — ^jist buss that, ma'am. [Futsjlask to her mouth — she takes a large drink, Mrs B. {Aiide.) How polite he is; why bless me, that tastes very strongly of my cupboard. CaL Wan't I right ? but ma'am, I guess your cupboard must be lined with equa-vitae, Blust. You Yankee villain ! you've insulted— that is, J mean, assaulted my wife — assaulted my officers«=-and even me^ and now prepare for the most dreadful punish- ment, sir. Mrs, B, More punishment; Brouski, I forbid it— the young man only hit me by mistake. Cau You're right, ma'am, and no mistake) and as for the t'others, meanin' them 'ere darned stone-coal-faced varments, they begun the assault, and I only give 'em a leetle of my bone battery. Foli, You shall pay lor this ! [Going. Cal. I kal'ate I will ! if I don't pay the hull on ye, then the devil won't git his due, that's all Why you eternal wolves, it's only a few days ago, since you drag'd me, Nelson, and that poor brave gal from that cellar in the woods, like so many wild hogs — didn't you then put your darned rusty iron yokes and hopples on me ? Blust. Yes, and didn't you keep the whole fortress awake all night, by dancing in them, till we were obligedl to take them off. I Cal. If I don't pay you for the hull of that then take* my fingers for harrow teeth, that's all. THE BRAZEN DRUM. 33 Blust. Brooh, sir ! I'll— that is, I mean — I — • Mrs. B. Brouski, I forbid it — but quick, go instantly to the count, he ordered me to send all three of you to him, immediately ; go, I'll follow as soon as I regain my I spirits. Blust. But the pris-- Mrs. B. Go, sir I Cal. {A^ide.) Go it, old gal ! go it, I say. Blust. That is, I mean — the — Yankee savage. Mrs B. I forbid it. [ Urges Blust. and the rest off at D. Cat. Ha ! ha ! ha I oh, 1 say, now ma'am, darn me if you aint a regular driver, cart, whip and all ; but at the same time ma'am, I beg pardon for that 'ere lick I guv you in the belly, but it wan't my fault. Hope you're bet- ter— take anolher taste of the cupboard. {Puts flush to her mouth — she drinks ) a leetle more ma'am. Mrs, B. No, no more drinking, sir, 1 forbid it. Cal. Oh, so am I, ma am — jst as you say! I reckon as how you're a temperance woman, but not a teetotallar, as we say down East and about there — now my uncle's a teetotaller, and he tuck and cut down his apple orchard for fear his pigs mought eat apples, and thereby grow up to be drunken hogs. Mrs. B. Come, sir, not a word against temperance— I forbid it — but, inform me, are you really a Yankee savage. Cal. Not quite a full blooded Yankee savage— but I reckon, I was a savage Yankee a minute ag^. Mrs. B. Bless me, 1 thought the Americans were of a copper color, and all alike. Cat. Why, ma'am, we are all alike, but not all of a color — must on us now are of no color. Mrs.B. How? {With surprise.) Cat. That is, w'lite — that you know aint any color — then agin some parts o' the nation are pretty considerably speckled with all sorts o' skin, red, brovvn, black and yaller ; now there's my sweetheart, Katy Kornsilk, if she aint the finest color — Mrs. B. {Qnickly.) How I oh, a red savage, I suppose. Cal. Well, I suppose not — a regular full blooded Yan. kee gal ; her hair's so long she can kiver herself up in it, C 3t THE BRAZEN DRUM. feet and all — and her cheeks, by the forewheel of old Phoebus' cart, if they aint jist like two h\g poaches stuck in a lump of fresh butter— oh ! great Goligy, but wouldn't I like to have a buss at 'em now ; {aside.) now to keep in with the old gal; I say, ma'am, I feel so— and you look so— that I reckon I shall have to buss you for her. Mrs. B. ( With affected modesty.) Will you ? well, sir, I— I don't forbid it. Cat. Well, sol reckoned, and so here goes. (Kisses her. Aside^ wiping his mouth.) It aint Kitty, though — tastes a leetle too much of the cupboard. Mrs. B. What a v/inning v/ay he has — sir, inform me, do the white and black Yankees marry one another. Cal, Well, now ma'am, to tell you the clear truth about it, I'm sorry to say, that some queer old critters do go in for 'malgamation ; but ma'am that sort o' way o' mixin' colors don't go down with true blooded Yankees, no how. Mrs. B. Some forbid it then ? Cal. I reckon they do— by old Goligy, if they were all to go in for that, the country 'd be so eternally dark, that the peopl« couldn't see one another. Mrs. B. Indeed! ah ! bless me, what a pity that such a fine intelligent youth like you, should become a rebel. Ca(, No diso^race, I reckon, ma'am — do you know the g^reatest man that ever lived was a rebel ? Mrs, B. No, who was he ? Cal. One George Washington! well known all over this world, and t'other too. Mrs. B. I think I must have heard of him before — but tell me, how came you to leave your country and your'- sweetheirt to join these rebel Poles. j Cal. Why, you set as how, ma'«m, I was carpenter, c?"' - t«r and drum-major in the State of Varmount, and w reckon'd at trainin' and the like, a purty considerable a critter — well, when the news come over that the br. Poles had struck against tyrant Nick, and wanted helf^ " thought o' Rusciosko and Pulaski helpin' us — and thin' I one good turn deserves another, so here goes for Polar I tell'd Kitty about it — she gnaw'd the eend of her apr abit, then wipin' her eyes with the corner on it, say^; ssJ| % THE BRAZEN DRUM 35 ".[ts rather hard, Calvin, to part — but mammy stood it in. old times, and so will I now." Well, she served me up a few notions, and down I went to Boston; there I hap- pened to come across Nelson Murdale, who was a regular pilot, two other Englishmen, and some Boston boys, witli a small vessel, all determined to go the hull critter for the brave Poles. Mrs, B. The wretches ! CaL There a question riz, as to how we were to go for to git into Poland. " Jist wait," says I to 'em, " I've kal'ated on a plan that will take us there jist as slick as a soaped ferret into a rat hole." I shew'd a machine I'd invented for dressin' hemp — says I, "jist cart a few o' them across the big salt pond, and if they don't so aston- ish the Russian rustycrats, that they'll leave us go any- where, then you may saw my body up into lie-tubs for tellia' a lie," — so I tuck and made up a few on 'em, and packed 'em up in long boxes — then we got a hull pack o' shootin' sticks and shootin' things, packed 'em in the same sort o' boxes, and marked 'em all " Patent hemp dressers, for Russia,^* Well, off we sailed in our leetle blue-sail'd Liberty skiff, and by the forewheel of Phoebus' cart, if she didn't skim it across old Neptune's pickle tub a leetle bit faster than a barn-swallow scared by a cart- load o' thunder. I beat Yankee Doodle on the drum, and it appeared to me the harder I beat the faster she went; at first I got sort o' sea- sick, and I felt as though my bowels was playin' swing with my stomach — but arter being soused in pickle a few times, we druv in sight o* one o' your Russian forts, with sich an all-fired liquim vitae name, that 'twould crack one's skull to remember it. Well, out come two or three o' your Muscovies, hairy as Varmount bears, and axed what we was loaded with, and what we was arter ; we telPd 'em we'd come on a bit o' speculation, with machinery; I jist tuck out one o' my hemp machines, tuck a piece o' hemp, and showed 'ern how it worked : " There strangers," says I, " I give that 'ere as a present, jist keep it agoin' and darn me if it'll ever stop, or ever want mendin' — and by my spokes, if I didn't drive it down 'em at sich a rate, that one on 36 THE BRAZEN DRUM. 'em ordered a hull dozen for his farms in Poland. Thej^ lookM into a few boxes, said all right, and told us to drive up to the town ; in we druv, and arter we'd sold and swapM the hull o' my patent hemp dressers, they give us liberty to cart our reraainin' boxes to what they call their serfs, in Poland, and put one o' their Muscovies to pilot us around to it — well, we soon druv up to a big stone barn, somethin' like this 'ere, and there some o' your darn'd Russian varmints had — Mrs.B. Come, that's insolence — I forbid it. Cat. And there they had the brave old Poloski, with his datter and about fifty of his men, reglarly caged— and ready to set to work at dressin' hemp. Arter we'd carted our boxes all into the yard, I give the old chap a wink, says I, " I kal'ate the Muscovies '11 lose by this specula- tion." Six on our crew got the Russian pilot into our cloud skiff again to cart him off somewhere, and somehow, darn me, if they ever got back again; {aside.) though I seen somethin' tarnation like 'em this mornin'. How- somever, one o' your captains with a Boston lady's muff on his head, ordered all the Poles into the yard to help un- pack my patent hemp-dressers — and I tell you what, when they seed the boxes was filled with shootin' sticks and the like, darn me if they didn't jump for joy like a scape- gallows Nathan, that when he got pardoned under the gallows, he jump'd so tarnation fur out o' the cart, and come down so fur in the mud, that he had to run all the way back to git the people to come and help him out. Well, by the time that 'ere Russian captain, with the lady's muff on his head, come into the yard, there stood every man with one o' my patent hemp-dressers on his shoulder, ready to pop at him— and by the forewheel of Phoebus' cart, if he didn't turn as blue as a bit o' brim- stone scortch'd by lightnin'.— Well, he made right arter me — says he, "slave, are these your hemp-dressers?" says I, » jist so, and if you don't want your hemp dressed till there's only a piece o' nothin' left of you, jist back yourselfouto' this— bull dogs and all"— here he rung a bell, and in come a whole flock of Muscovy geese — MiS. B, Geese 1 sir, I forbid — THE BRAZEN DRUM. 37 Cal. Guards, I meant — but we went to work upon 'em with my dressers, and used every Muscovy clean up ; the Poles were free, and the great barn teetotally their'n ; all done slick as dubbin' by my sham patent hemp- dressers. Mrs, B. Wicked — audacious — abominable wretches, did ever any one hear of such a (Bell strikes one — Mrs, B, starts np ) Oh ! Heavens bless me, if it isn't after midnight— and here am I listening to you — you — you — I don't know what to call you. Cal, But, ma'am, as I was tellin' on you— Mrs. B. Tell me no more — I forbid it, sir — but where can the Count detain Brouski so long-, or has the wretch gone to ray cupboard. [Going r. h., drops a key, Cal, There, ma'am, you've dropt somethin'. ♦ Mrs, B. Why, bless me, 'tis the key of that Polish girl's apartment. lAlarm.ed, Cal, Stop, ma'am, Pm on the track on^t — (Picks up the hey — aside.) jist v/hat I want — now old gal, I'll swop with you. {Hides it, and gives her one of the small keys from his pocket.) There it is, ma'am. Mrs. B, Oh, thank you — {looks at it,) Why, bless me — what a mistake Pve made — this is the key of the powder magazine— I'll go instantly and change it. Caf, The powder magazine, ma'am — where mought that 'ere be ma'am ? Mrs. B, (Points l. u. e.) Yonder, 'neath that window that looks out in the sea. (A female voice r. h. calls " Mrs. BlusterdofFl") Oh, dear ! the Countess — I must go. Cal. (Looking at door.) Now you don't mean to tell one, that 'ere old granny is the Count's wife, do ye ? Mrs B. Yes, the noble Countess ! Cal. Countess of witches I no wonder the Count's arter Miss Rowina— I seed that 'ere article yesterday, and darn me if she aint about as ugly as a horse's head skinned. Mrs, JB, Well, she is not as handsome as some, [Displays herjigvre, Cal. Ha ! ha ! ha ! a Countess ! a mouth as wide as a ten acre field — about a half a dozen teeth in it, and them part rotten — ha I ha ! darn me when she opened her C. 2. 3B THE BRAZEN DRUM. mouth if it didn't look like a country grave yard, with a few old mouldy tombstones in it. Mrs, B. No more, sir — I forbid it. Cal. The ugliest woman ever I seen but one — and she was so all-scaring ugly, that one day when she looked in the glass she frightened all her hair gray. [Voice agaif^, Mrs. B, Oh, dear I I must go ! {Looks hack tenderly.) but I'lltake another opportunity to— to — cheer your lonely and lonesome solitary solitude. Cal, Thank ye, ma'am, (aside.) kal'ate I shall skeet out o' this afore that. {Aloud.) One kiss more for my Kitty — and don't let old Browski lock me up — will you. Mrs. B. Another kiss — I — I don't forbid it. Here Blusterdoff, tipsy^ staggers in at door, with a key in his hand, Blust. But I do, ma'am. Cal. (Aside.) Old Brow-sky, turned into a hliie-sky — I'll jist let 'em fight it out. [Goes up listening, Blust, You ought to be tossed into the — {She looks fiercely at him.) that is, I mean, ashamed, ma'am. Mrs, B, And so ought you, sir — you've been at my cupboard, sir— didn't I forbid it, sir ? Cal. Go it, old gal. Blust. And as for-for-y-you, sir, I'll lock you up, and you shall be toasted — that is, I mean, tossed into the sea with your damn'd English — (puts key in the door.) your daran'd English — Mrs, B. Brouski, 1 forbid it. [Blust. attempts to push her. Blast. Go to the dev— that is, I mean, go out ! Mrs, B. I won't, sir. Blust. You shall, madam. [They struggle Blust. tryivg to force Mrs. B. off, Cal, Ha, ha, ha I darn my spokes, now, if that aint a regular Varmount cat hug. Go it, blue-sky— go it, old gal ! [He endeavors to puJi both out, ar.d Jinoliy succeeds ; Blust. hollowing '* You shall go 1 &.c." — Mrs. B. " Brou- ski ! &c." — Mrs. B. screams. Countess heard calling within — Calvin, having pushed them both out, locks the door with the key {eft by Blust. THE BRAZEN DRUM. 39 €aL Ha, ha, ha ! hurra ! hurra for Varmount ; (flourish- ing key.) I'm on the right key, now, and no mistake — now I've lock'd 'jiyself in, I can jist work and kal'ate our road out ; let's see, this key'll let me into Miss Rowina's room — this big chap unlocks yon secret door ; old Blue- sky'U find I've a purty considerable of a recollection. Now then, here goes to try that great door. (Goes to r. h. door and listens, then goes vp to the secret door and fits the hey in it.) Breakin' into a house is a crime ; but breakin' out on'taint, if they don't ketch you; it turns as hard as uncle Calvin's great grindstone, that went by horse-power; however it'll have to come. (Gives a powerful turn of the key — the bolt is heard to fly back.) I said so ; I know'd that pull'd make you talk ; now then to pull open your darned iron jaws ; (pulls.) won't you come — guess you'll have to. (Pulls again — it opens with a jarring sound — he iookr out,) Hurra ! darn my spokes if it aint near day- light; and by old Goligy, if here aint a nice pair of stairs, made, I reckon for the water to come up by; (looks further out.) and by the forewheel of Phcebus' cart, if away yon- der aint the cloud skiif ; hurra ! [Here voices are heard at r. of f. Murdale. ( Without, at back of f.) Off! murderous vil- lains ! off! Cal. Darn my spokes if them eternal Muscovy dogs aint throwin' Murdale into the sea ! Oh ! great Goligy ! what can I do? (Runs about.) darned a rope is there about ! then out goes yon table. [ Takes it up, Rujffenhoff, (Without.) Now, base rebel, die ! [A plunge is heard. Mur. (Without.) Mercy I help! help! Farewell, Ro- wina ! Calvin, help ! [Calvin throws out the table in great alarm. Cal, Hurra ! he's got it! (looking off.) darn my spokes if it aint tuck right under the barn! Oh! airth and crea- tion! what shall I do ? if it wasn't for Miss Rowina, I'd go right arter him ! Oh ! (Runs about in distraction.) But arter all, he's not fool enough to drown right off, I know ! Hurra I I'll jist drum her in ; (Gives three roils on Bra- zcn Drum — shuts door in f.) it won't do for the Muscovies 40 THE BRAZEN DRUM. to see this door open. Now then to fetch in Miss Rowi- na— and then artor Nelson. Bj7 the forewheel of Phoebus* cart, they shall no more stop me than a harry cane. y^ [Gots out door R. i-i., and Locks it after him, SCENE IV.^An Apartment in the Fortress.— ^1 G. Music. — RUFFENHOFF drttgs in RowiNA, struggliTig, Rnwhia. Remorseless and cowardly homicide, think you a murdered lover's cries can fright my soul to thy base purposes ? No ! as death is preferable to bondage, his dying shrieks to me are sounds of joy. Ruf. Ah I do you acorn me still i? proud fool, this in- stant yield, or a lingering death awaits you. Rowina. Never I I dare your dreadest death I 'twill send my soul free and unspotted to it's Lord. Ruf. Hell's vengeance on her scorn ! I'll try her farther. (Opens a lar^e trap in c , and drafrs ker to it.) Behold your fate, proud maid ; beneath this floor sweeps the roaring sea, and — Cat. {Entering r. h., unseen.) Then darn my spokes, if I don't put one hog in salt and water. [Music, — Ha puils Rowina from Ruf., who starts and half draws his sword. Cat, No you don't I Ruf, Ha! accursed slave! what hoal Politz! guards I [Calvin dimrms hlm^ a-nd tripping him\ pushed him into trap, Ruf, Slave I Guards ! help ! help ! Cat, The devil help you, you eternal wolf. {Slams the trap on him, and jumps en it, giving a loud crow.) Miss, it aint the first hog I've put in pickle, darn me. [MuRDALE is heard calling beneath the floor, Mur, Help, help I Rowina, {Shrieking.) Gracious powers ! Murdale's voice I Cal, Eh? darn my spokes, if you aint right. Hurra I (Pulls vj) trap and looks down.) Hurra I Nelson, hurra I 1 11 fish you out in no time. (Murdale is heard struggling.) I've got him — I've got him I hurra I THE BRAZEN DR^M. 41 [Made, — He drawe Murbai.ie? out hy tiie choins on his hands — wet and ■partiallfj insensible — Calvin supports Imr . RowiNA wipes the wet from his face, and endeavors to re- vive him. CaL Darn me if that wan*t the best haul I ever did make ; (pulls out flask.) while I put a leetle o' this inside onhim,jist you rub a leetle outside — look, he's gettin' awake. Rowina, Blessed Heaven ! he revives ! he breathes I — Nelson, my love, look, look upon your Rowina ! Mur. That voice ! where am 1 ? CaL Why in a darned sight better company than you've been in lately. [PuUs the chains from his hands. Mur. Calvin ! Rowina I do my wavering senses mock me I no, no, 1 clasp your lov'd forms ; I feel the thrilling ]iressure of your hands I Great God I 'tis real ! [They embrace, CaL Yes, true real critters, and no mistake ; but, come now, no more time for huggin' ; jist foiier me, and I'll take you out o' this infernal barn, instanterly ; our skiiF is nigh, waitin' to cart us off, and darn me, if ever these allfired Music. — Enter Politz, Serfitz, and Guards, r. u. — Mur- OALE picks up the Count'' s sword — Calvin seizes the chains. Foil. Ah ! the English rebel rescued I where's the Count ? Cal. {Pointing down^ Gone home to old Nick, his daddy ; and I'lJ send you arter him. Poii, Secure the slaves ! CaL Not while I've a claw left, darn me if you do, ['Music. — Murdale heats Politz down — Calvin bedts down Serfitz ami Guards with the chain. CaL There, you eternal ugly dogs, take that ; and bark till I come back again ; dare to foller, and by the forewheel of Phoebus' cart, this iron cartwhip shall skin you alive. [Mwsic— Calvin bears Rowina off r. h. — Mur- dale follows. 42 TIIK BRAZEN DRUM. Poli. Fly, Seriitz, to the; guard-roona— ring the alarm bell ! beat the drum ! Quick, rouse the fortress I [Music. — They all rush out r. h. — Three rolls are heard 971 the Brazen Drum, at which the scene draws to — SCENE V. — And discovers the Outside of the Fortress at back — the Secret Door, with steps reaching to the uater — Windows on each dde. — The stage covered with Moving Waters ^the Cloud Skiff., with Poloski and party move on, L. s, E. — and sails up to Secret Doort at which Calvin stanrfs with RowiNA and. Murdale. — Caltin passes Rowina to Poloski — they embrace — Murdale follows into Skiff — Cal- vin sprm^<5 in after him — the Skiff meves off — the alarm bell of the fortress is heard — the drums beat, and Guards^ Officers, Sfc. appear at the door and present — Calvin takes a gun from one of the party in the skiff, and levels it. PgU, Fire ! and crush the slaves I CuL Yes, you allfired rustycrats's bull dogs-^-yon win- dow leads to your powder garret; jist bark another word about shootin' and I'll send a hot ball into it, and blow you all ten miles t'other side o' creation. Poli. Guards, fire I [They present. Cat. So am I, [He fires into the window leading to the magazine, and a part of the fortress blows up with a terrific explosion — accompanied by the shreiks of the inmates, Cal, Hail Columby, happy land. The Russian dogs may all be — — [ The flags are raised, and the skiff moves of to a Na- tional air, as the CURTAIN QUICICLY DESCENDS. TURNER'S DRAMATIC LI6BARY 1 Therese, 2 Dead Shot, 3 Hamlet, 4 Chimney Piece, -^ 5 Clari,- 6 Dumb Belle, 7 Unfinished Gent, 8 Golden Farmer, 9 John Jones, 10 Uncle Sam 11 Tom Cringle,"^ 12 H anting a Turtle, 13 Provost of Bruges, 14 Wandering Minstrel,- 15 Richard III, 16 Man about town, 17 My Uncle John, 19 The Seven Clerks, 20 Lucille, 21 Douglass, S2 Review, 23 Ugolino 24 P. P, - i^5 Mummy, 26 Wrecker's Daughter, 27 Bottle Imp, 28 Flight to America,- 29 Wallace, SO Omnibus, 31 Damon and Pythias, 32 Gladiator, 33 Pickwick Club, 34 Love Chase S5 Pizarro, 36 Othello, 37 La Sonnambula, 38 Lady of Lyons, -^ 3'3 Athenian Captive, 40 Woman's Wit, 41 The Irish Lion, 42 The Spitfire, 43 St. Patrick's Eve, ^ 44 Rory O More, 45 The Ransom, 46 Pleasant Neighbours, 47 Maid ofMciriendorpt,N 48 Tom Noddy's Secret, 49 The Stranger, 50 Ion, 51 Richelieu, 52 Virginius, - 53 Sea Captain, 54 Love, 55 Maid of Florence, •* 56 John Di Procida 57 Old Maids, 58 Cinderella, 59 Fra Diavlo, 60 Money, 61 London Assurance, 62 Hunchbaclt, 63 School for Scandal, 64 Apostate, 65 Venice Preserved 66 Iron Chest, 67 The Bridal, 68 Love in Humble Life, 69 Raising the Wind, TO Swiss Cottage, 71 Nipped in the Bud, 72 Perplexing Predicament 73 Did you ever send your Wife to Brooklyn, 74 Floating Beacon, 75 The Maid of Croissey. 76 The Mother and Child" are doing well. 77 Luke the Labourer. 78 Brazen Drum. 78 Village Lawyer. 79. Maurice, the Wood- cutter. [ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS TURN PUBLISHERS !-NE Keep always on Sal ^ SUPBBIOa JG COLORED AND P 016 225 897 7 ILLUSTRATED ALMANACS; PJLAYS, d&c. &c., Ever offered to the American public; and which will be sold ai sucli love prices as will ensure universal satisfaction. LARGE AND SHOWY PAINTED TOY BOOKS. A new article,— very showy.— larger thin any ever before pot up. Twelve kinds, with large paintt^d pictures an^ large type, 32 pages, Kxtra Super Koyal Quarto. ELEGANT EDITION OF COLORED TOYS. In every respect equal to the best imported, and snrpa^^iig every tdition lot up this country. 18 popular kinds. — Ro>mI I'Jmo. TOY BOOKS -'—QUAUl O, This is a bti«tit!fitl edition, containing double the number of vings, and twice the quantity of rea«ling matter of any oih.r colorcti books, > welve difti-reiit kinds. BRILLIANT EDITION OF COLORED TOYS. ftmail, but handaomn Toy Books Twelve kinds, at one half ilio price of the cnea p^Bl edition ever publishtrd,— l oyni . MILE-END ALPHABETS, AND A. B. C. Tlia Christmas A. K. C: Mora's Alpfiabef ; To-ner*s A. B C anr! Mv Darling's A B. C, all beautifully colored aim arraneed so as to fold up in pocketmap form. A. C U. < ards, four kinds,— colored on one side with plain lessons on the back. FAIRY TALES. With Colored Frontispieces, and numerous Ei Twelve of the most popular Fairy forming THE JUVENILE NATUR. From Ruschenberger's First Books of Natural History: bf inc books about Anatomy, Quad upeds. Birds, Heptiles, Tishes, liistcu, Plania, t^hella. Minerals, dec. Twelve kinds, j beautiful designs. MISCELLANEOUS CHILDREN'S BOOKS. Constantly on hand, an immense assortment of Children's ihun the Cent Primer upwards ; to which new kinds are con*' alantly being added. The entire variety at tiie lowest cash prioes. I rrA very Hoavy Piicgmt to Xb^m who itll fi^