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 THE 
 
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 A Drama in Four Acts, with a Prologue and Sequel. 
 
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1882, by CHARLES 
 
 S. FORD, of Philadelphia, Pa., in the offict'; of the Librarian of 
 
 Congress, at Washington. 
 
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 A Drama in Four Acts, with a Prologue and Sequel. 
 
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 29 1832 
 
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 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1882, by CHARLES 
 
 S. FORD, of Philadelpliia, Pa., in the office of the Librarian of 
 
 Congress, at Washington. 
 
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THE SPIRIT MONITION. 
 
 Dramatis Personse of the Original Cast, as presented under the 
 auspices of the 
 
 ECLECTIC DEBATING AND LITERARY SOCIETY, 
 
 OF PHILADELPHIA, PA., 
 
 AT 
 
 CA.K,IVCIiOSS' OI»EK,A HOXJSE, 
 
 ON THE 
 
 E"VElSri3SrC3- OF IVn.A.^Z' S3, 188S. 
 
 Wm. Graywood, C. S. FORD. 
 
 Walter Ridgely, F. W. HULFISH. 
 
 Sylvester Brown, A. C. DILWIN. 
 
 Simon Gregory, N. G. TUSTIN. 
 
 George Leonard, alias Wm. Green, - - H. PHILLIPS. 
 
 Detective Franks, P. F. McCABE. 
 
 Judge, Mr. HOCKSTADTER. 
 
 Banker, CHAS. SWIFT. 
 
 Horace, - THOS. HAMILTON. 
 
 Jasper, DAN DeMAUPAY. 
 
 Mrs. Graywood, Miss E. GOLDSTIEN. 
 
 Spiritual Medium, - - - - Miss ANNIE HOLMES. 
 Nina St. Clair, - - - - Miss LAURA M. FORD. 
 
 Rose, Miss JULIA BENTON. 
 
 Lulu, Miss ELOISE LARUE. 
 
 Mrs. Leonard Miss B. E. MECKER. 
 
 Gamblers, Servants, Attendants, etc. 
 Time — Present. Costume — Modern. 
 
 TMP92-0 09334 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 In presenting this Melo-Drama to the public, the author trusts 
 he will not incur the charge of egotism in speaking somewhat of 
 the motives that prompted its production ; he feels, in a meas- 
 ure, the necessity for doing this, lest some over-anxious friend 
 or would-be critic should undertake the work for him, and, 
 either unconsciously or intentionally, place him in a false 
 position. 
 
 The material and essential idea on which the play is founded, 
 grows out of the teaching of modern Spiritualism and the pos- 
 sibilities of Mediumship ; hence the title — " The Spirit Moni- 
 tion " — expressive of a class of phenomena that has for centuries 
 obtruded itself into the mental horizon of humanity, and which 
 has, back through the ages past, and is now engrossing the 
 serious attention, deep thought and study of some of the best 
 trained intellects. 
 
 It is not the intention, in this preface, to persuade your reason 
 or judgment, but only to consider a dramatization, showing 
 how future events are made to cast their shadows before, and 
 that every effect, whether apparent or real, has its adequate 
 cause, and that it is often as difficult to decide what is the action 
 of our own intellect or what we have received from circum- 
 stances or contact with the mind of others ; yet, there are cases 
 where the distinction is so evident that it is not to be doubted. 
 
 "The Spirit Monition " illustrates a case in point ; and with 
 this object in view, the play is sent adrift over the glittering sea 
 of the drama. 
 
PROLOGUE TO "THE SPIRIT MONITION." 
 
 Scene — Graywood's receiDtion room — table (L. C.) — Mrs. Gray- 
 wood on chair, arranging evergreens around room — descends 
 from chair — (C.) 
 
 Mrs. Graywood — There ! Christmas in memory ever green ! 
 (pause) What ominous suspense ! Why does Mr. Graywood 
 not come ? This makes the third night he has sat up with Mr. 
 St. Clair, who must be very low indeed, or my husband would 
 not remain from home. It is now 4 o'clock and Christmas 
 morning. 
 
 Enter— (C)— Graywood and Ridgely (Gra. L F ) (Rid. R F). 
 
 Mrs. Graywood — Come at last! (Graywood sits down.) 
 
 Ridgely — Mrs. Graywood, Mr. St. Clair has just died. 
 
 Mrs. Graywood — St. Clair dead ! 
 
 Mr. Graywood — Yes ! We sat by his bedside from early last 
 evening until 2 o'clock this Christmas morning. When he 
 opened his eyes and whispered these words : "Nina — my will 
 — is — ", and then death sealed his lips forever. 
 
 Mrs. Graywood — (sobbing with grief and slowly retiring) — 
 Poor Nina is now an orphan. [Exit at L]. 
 
 Ridgely — And now I leave you, Graywood; my wife will be 
 anxiously waiting my return home. 
 
 Mr. Graywood — Farewell, Ridgely ! 
 
 Ridgely — (aside) — Truly their grief is heartfelt. [Exit at C D.] 
 
 Graywood — Death ! - What is death, but the shifting of a 
 scene on the stage of life — Nature's process for freeing the spirit 
 from its matrix of clay ! And yet ! St. Clair's transition fills 
 my soul with grief. 
 
 (Lights lower. Draws handkerchief. Tremulous music. Lays 
 head on table.) 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
ACT I. 
 
 Supposed lapse of two years. 
 Scene 1. — The Conspiracy 
 
 Lawyer Browri's office (desk, book-case, etc.) Enter Brown — 
 fR) So ! St. Clair's will not yet found! strange ! Gray wood and 
 Ridgely each declare they were witnesses to a will that be- 
 queathed all his property to his daughter Nina, excepting the 
 old hcn^r^ and lot adjoining the St. Clair estate, which he left to 
 Graywood. If this will does not come to light, Graywood, of 
 course, has no claim, and Nina becomes sole heiress (minus law- 
 yer's fees). A considerable loss. 
 
 There's Gregory. St. Clair's former partner, .whose claims are 
 in my hands for collection ; but before I risk Gregory's name in 
 the courts I shall venture on a scheme more promising. If suc- 
 cessful, I shall be sure to feather my own nest, and perhaps se- 
 cure an equal division of the property between Gregory and 
 myself. 
 
 To accomphsh this, a will must be found, and 'twill be an 
 easy matter to forge the signatures required. 
 
 If my memory does not fail, St. Clair died on Christmas day, 
 1869. Graywood declares that he was witness to a will dated 
 September 18th, 1864. I. shall date my will just six months 
 prior to St. Clair's death. This will be ample time to justify an 
 impression that he made his second will and destroyed the first. 
 I will send for Gregory, and if he consents to my scheme, the 
 property is ours. (Sits down and write — reads note aloud ). 
 Mr. Gregory : 
 
 Dear Sir : Please call at my cffice, instantly, as business of 
 importance aw^aits you. 
 
 Yours in haste, 
 
 Sylvester Brown. 
 
 Rings bell — enter boy. (R) 
 
 Brown — Deliver this note at once and bring an answer. 
 [Exit boy]. (C) 
 
 Suppose he refuses the golden opportunity to replenish his 
 depleted exchequer ? what if he does ! he is in my power ! ! One 
 word from me would ruin him forever! 
 
 Enter boy. (C). 
 
 Brown — Did you bring an answer ? 
 
 Boy- — Mr Gregorv is here himself. 
 
 Enter Gregory. (C) Exit boy. (R) 
 
 Brown — Ah ! You are punctual to my summons, Mr. Gregory; 
 be seated, sir. 
 
 Gregory — ■ You know I am always promjot in attending to 
 business matters. 
 
 Brown — Yes, and if you are as prompt to recover the fifty 
 
housand dollars you lost at your last gambling venture, I can 
 assist you to accomplish that desirable end. 
 
 Gregory (aside: How could he have learned this!) — My last 
 gambling venture ! What do you mean ? 
 
 Brown — I mean that the gambler broker, Merchamp, has ob- 
 tained judgment against you for fifty thousand dollars for three 
 notes of demand which you gave lor money loaned, and which 
 you lost while gambling at his rendezvous. 
 
 Gregory — Yes ! Tis true, and the judgment is closed and the 
 sale takes place to-morrow. 
 
 Brown— And what then ? 
 
 Gregory — Then ! I will be a beggar. 
 
 Brown — But it can be prevented ! 
 
 Gregory — How ? 
 
 Brown — Listen ! You and myself bear honorable names ; re- 
 putations above suspicion. Mr. St. Clair, your former partner, 
 has died intestate. At least no will can be found. I propose 
 that we make one, and draw it in favor of ourselves. 
 
 Gregory — Would you make a forger of yourself? 
 
 Brown — No ! I am not as expert in that line as you are ; there- 
 fore, your talent can be utilized again to our mutual advantage. 
 
 Gregory — What mean these insinuations ? I shall place you in 
 the hands of the law for making this base proposal ! 
 
 Ah ! Indeed ! Gregory ! Ha ! ha ! ha ! You should not attempt 
 to play the game of bluff on an old gamester! If you invoke the 
 law, I shall take a hand in the game myself and raise you three 
 checks that were successfully forged by you, and upon which 
 you obtained the money, [Brown produces checks]. 
 
 Gregory — Give me those checks ! [making a grab for them]. 
 
 Brown [standing back] — Halt, Gregory ! You see your pre- 
 tended innocence has no potency with me. Foxes are cun- 
 ning, but they get trapped sometimes. 
 
 Gregory, [aside) — Too true ! Well! What would you have me 
 do? 
 
 Brown — Copy the signature of St. Clair and two witnesses on 
 the will which I shall draft, and do it as perfectly as the names 
 were forged to the checks of Wilson Bros., Davy &Co. and; — 
 
 Gregory — Enough ! Whose two signatures shall I copy ? 
 
 Brown — Dead men's signatures ! 
 
 Gregory — Yes ! And my secret electric photographic process 
 will so accurately transfer these signatures from the original 
 that the court itself will svrear to their genuineness. 
 
 Brown — Exactly ! I find you apt to discern my scheme, and 
 this very day the document shall be executed, and by morning 
 I will have St. Clair's last will and testame •^-t ready for your 
 skillful engrossment. [Brown and Gregory rise from their 
 chair] 
 
Gregory — In the morning then we meet here again ; [aside] 
 This man has me in his power! [exit] (C) 
 
 Brown — So ! Gregory's conscience is made plastic, and his 
 ready assent to my plan shows him to be just the villian adapted 
 to tlie work. In the morning, by ten o'clock, St. Clair's will 
 shall be registered and publicly announced, making Gregory 
 and myself joint heirs to his property, [exit Brown] 
 
 Scene 2 — Steeet in Philadelhhia. 
 
 Enter Horace (R) — I wonder what Jasper wants with me at 
 Lawyer Brown's to-night; it may be he intends to invoke the 
 spirits. If he does, and they assume the shape of any of my 
 kin, I will speak to them, if every hair of my head turns into a 
 telephone wire. 
 
 Scene 3d — The Youthful Amateurs. 
 
 Lawyer Brown's Office. Rose (housemaid) [Dis. 3] dusts fur- 
 niture, &c. [Sings] "The day that I left home ! " Wont I have 
 a jolly time to-night! Mrs. Brown has gone to the country, 
 and Mr. Brown left word that he would not be home till morn- 
 ing. [Sings] "Oh, he won't be home till morning." He knows 
 how to enjoy himself when Mrs. Brown is away, and I will take 
 advantage of his absence and have a little fun to myself. I met 
 Jasper at the gate this evening, and he said he would be here, 
 and perhaps Horace will come too ; and then we will all rehearse 
 for the concert next week. Let's see — the first song I sing is, 
 [sings] "Bessie of the Lee." 
 
 Knock at door. (Rose opens it.) 
 
 Enter Jasper — (Rose embraces him at L 1st.) 
 
 Rose — (X to R C; Jasper, X to L C) — My darling, I knew 
 ^ou would come. 
 
 Jasper — Ah ! now. Rose, stop ! Don't torment me. 
 
 Rose — (coming to Jasper) — Tell me the news, quick ! Where 
 have you been? What have you done? Who did you see? 
 What do you know ? (Dances around.) 
 
 Jasper — What do you think I know ? Do you take me for a 
 walking lexicon, or a carrier pigeon ? 
 
 Rose — No ! but — Oh ! Jasper — did you see Daisy to-day? 
 
 Jasper — No ; I saw no daisies, nor sunflowers, nor lilies ; but 
 I see a Rose now. 
 
 Rose — [sings] — ''Little Daisy." Oh, Jasper, let's rehearse for 
 the concert. 
 
 Jasper — All right. You start off with a song. 
 
 Rose — [sings] — 'Lark in the Air." Now, there, it is your turn. 
 
 Jasper — I don't intend to sing. 
 
 Rose — Well, play your mouth-harp, 
 
 Jasper plays variations. (Rose dances.) 
 
 Knock at door. (Enter Horace.) [L 1st.] 
 
Horace — Blooming wild as ever; just like the rose she is 
 named after. (X to C.) 
 
 Rose— Sir Horace, here is Jasper — (aside) — My mash ! 
 
 Horace — You seem to be enjoying yourself, Jasper. 
 
 Jasper— I always do, when in the company of Rose. 
 
 Rose — Yes, we do enjoy ourselves ; don't we, darling ? (Chucks 
 Jasper under chin.) Sir Horace, we have been rehearsing for 
 the concert, and as you intend to take part, we would like to 
 hear your, recitation. 
 
 Horace — Well, if you promise to sing one of your songs for 
 me, I will give it. 
 
 Rose^All right. Go ahead. 
 
 Horace — [recites] — Now for the song. 
 
 Rose — [sings]— "Greenwood Yesterday." 
 
 Bell rings. (Rose looks out the window.) [R C] 
 
 Rose — Mercy ! It is near morning. There is Brown with 
 Mr. Gregory. Get out the back door, quick ! 
 
 Horace — But Rose — 
 
 Rose — Don't stand on the order of going ; (Rose pushes them 
 out) but go at once. [Boy off at R.] Brown will think I just 
 got up to let him in, for he left his keys in his ofhce last night. 
 [Runs off at L.] 
 
 Enter with Brown and Gregory. 
 
 Brown — Rose, I would not have rung the bell, but I forgot 
 my key last night. Get breakfast for this gentleman and my- 
 self as soon as possible. 
 
 Rose— Yes, sir! (Sings, Yes, Sir! Yes, etc.) [Exit .at R.] 
 
 Gregor}^— That is a lively piece you have. 
 
 Brown — Yes. She is as full of mischief as I am of the devil. 
 Now, Gregory, for the finishing touch to the, will. ■ (PuWs docu- 
 ment from his pocket.) There^ is a sample of legal accomplish- 
 ment, and if there is any technical point of law omitted, it will 
 take more than Blackstone himself to find it. (Reads will.) 
 
 I, Wesley St. Clair, finding myaelf in the yellow sere of life, and 
 knowing that death is the heritage of humanity, I feel that my worldly 
 affairs ought to be placed in order so, when the Boatman comes to take 
 me across — no sin of omission in this respect will be added to my bur- 
 den. 
 
 Now, therefore I Wesley St. Clair, do make my last will and testa- 
 ment by bequeathing all my real and personal property of what ever 
 kind and wheresoever found, equally between Sylvester Brown, my life 
 long friend, and William Gregory, my former partner in, business who 
 stood by me in many a financial storm, and saved me from numerous 
 threatened business wrecks. It is my wish that the inanslon in which 
 I now reside shall revert to William Gregory, for the sole use of himself 
 and family, as part of his share in the division of said property. The 
 residue of the estate to be sold immeadiatly succeeding my death, and dis- 
 posed of as aforesaid. 
 
In testimoney whereoff I hereunto set my hand and seal 
 
 This 2oth day of June, 1869, 
 
 Gregory — I see you have left Nina out in the cold. 
 
 Brown — Of course! It is natural that I should. St. Clair, as 
 is well known, amply provided for her; but, unfortunately for 
 the child, the institution to which he entrusted her money has, 
 through ruinous speculation, ceased to exist, and Nina no longer 
 enjoys an income. 
 
 Gregory — It has been two years since that event. Well do I 
 remember how she was compelled to leave her boarding school, 
 because her bills were no longer cashed. Still, that money was 
 only intended to make sure of her education. 
 
 Brown — No doubt of that; but do not forget that St. Clair was 
 terriblv involved within six months of his death, and you and 
 myself being his supposed largest creditors, it will appear plausi- 
 ble Lhat he should have made his will in our favor. Besides, 
 he, at the time, did not dream that his property Avould enhance 
 in value so speedily. 
 
 Gregory — Ah ! Brown, those claims of ours, you know, are 
 fictitious andtrumped up, and could not be collected by law. 
 
 Brown — What of that? They are on file against him, and 
 who is there living to dispute them now? They cover nearly 
 the value of his property at the time I date this will. 
 
 Gregory^I see the motive thatpromy^ts you to exclude Nina; 
 but she should in some wav be provided for. The amount the 
 estate will bring now, would warrant some portion for her. 
 
 Brown — Let your pious conscience rest on that score, for if 
 the estate falls into our possession, we can have a just excuse to 
 give her a good sum, by virtue of the price it brings in excess 
 of value at tlie time the will was made. , 
 
 Gregory — ^Now, promise this and I am satisfied ; but the girl 
 should be cared for now, and not be permitted, by want, to 
 wander the streets like an arab. 
 
 Brown — It is her own fault. She has been offered a home in 
 my famil}^ repeatedly, but prefers, as she says, "to eat the bread 
 of independence by selling flowers." 
 
 Gregory- — Yes ! She's a spirited girl and has inherited her 
 father's nature. ■ 
 
 Brown — Now, air, what other point of objection to the pro-m- 
 ising document? 
 
 Gregory — None whatever. Your skill and wisdom i? mani- 
 fest, and I have prepared to give it the final attest— by your 
 permission. (Reaches for the paper.) 
 
 Brown- Make no blunder. 
 
 (Gregory takes paper; lights are lowered ; dark lantern sud- 
 denly flashes from the table. After short interval, lights go up.) 
 
 Gregory— 'Tis finished. (Hands paper to Brown.) 
 
 Brown — By heavens ! Line for line ; signatures exact, without 
 
10 
 
 the millionth part of a line variation; duplicates of signatures 
 on the dockets of the court. Now, dame Fate, we fall upon thy 
 bosom. 
 
 Gregory — Amen ! 
 
 [scene closes.] 
 
 Scene 4 — Nina, the flower giel. 
 
 A street. (Ent. R) Nina with basket of flowers. 
 
 Nina — How I do love to be surrounded by the perfume of 
 flowers. [Takes one from basket] Here is a rose from papa's 
 grave, how delightful it smells. [Enter Horace Ridgely] 
 
 Horace — Ah ! Nina, we meet again. 
 
 Nina — Yes, Horace. See this rose, is it not beautiful? 
 
 [Horace takes Rose] — How fragrant ! Who can tell the origin 
 of such sweetness? 
 
 Nina — I have heard that love once was at a feast given by 
 Olympus, and while at a light and lively dance, overthrew with 
 a stroke of his wing a cup of nectar, which precious liquid fal- 
 ling on the rose, embalmed it with that delightful fragrance 
 which it still retains. 
 
 Horace — Why Nina your description is quite classical. The 
 poet once said that love in his bower 
 
 Had two blush roses of birth divine ; 
 He sprinkled one with a rainbow shower, 
 But bathed the other with mantling wine. 
 Soon did the buds that drank the floods. 
 Distilled by the rainbow, decline and fade, 
 While those which the tide of ruby dyed, 
 All blushed with beauty, like thee sweet maid- 
 Nina — How beautiful the sentiment! The rose has always 
 been a theme for poets, who have truly called it the daughter 
 of heaven, the ornament of earth, and the glory of spring. 
 Here, Horace, is a spray I selected expressly for you. Do you 
 understand the language of flowers ? 
 
 Horace — Not perfectly, but I understand this one denotes " a 
 bond of love,' and I shall keep it ever in remembrance of you. 
 So farewell Nina ! To-morrow we meet again ! 
 
 [Exit Horace] (L) Nina — What a strange feeling he always 
 leaves with me. 
 
 Enter pedestrienne who inspects flowers. 
 
 Ped — Have you flowers to suit me ? 
 
 Nina — That depends upon your purpose in getting them. 
 
 Ped. — Give me one suitable for a nice young man. 
 
 Nina — Do you love him? 
 
 Ped. — yes, I love him as the flowers love the dew, oh ! too 
 utterly too ! and I hope he — 
 
 Nina — You hope he loves you ; well, here is a hawthorne, 
 which denotes hope. 
 
11 
 
 Ped. — Thanks, [walks off] Hope! I shall hope until I win. 
 [Exit] (R) 
 
 [Enter male ped.] (R) — Ah ! Flower girl ! 
 
 Nina — A nice bouquet, Sir? 
 
 Ped. — Let me see, what have you ? I wish something for a 
 •child in death. 
 
 Nina- -Then here is a sprig of cypress and a white rose, the 
 one denotes mourning, and the other silence. 
 
 Ped. [takes the sprig] (aside ). [How well adapted] — Thanks; 
 your choice is very appropriate. [Pays Nina. Exit ped.] (R) 
 
 Nina [takes Angelica in her fingers] — Here is one for Mr. 
 Graywood, which reminds me that I must call on him for an 
 explanation of his last conversation with me, when he said na- 
 ture intended me for a higher sphere, and that the law would 
 do me justice. He must have some reason for talking this way; 
 and then, the interest he takes in me ! Why, every day I meet 
 him two or three times, and he always greets me so warmly, 
 and parts with some kind word of warning or advice. If I be- 
 lieved in guardian spirits, as he does, I should think that he 
 was an angel in human form, especially sent by my dear father 
 and mother to watch over me. I shall stop and see him on my 
 way to my poor abode. [Arranges flowers] — Oh ! Why have I 
 been deprived of everything — mother, father, fortune and home 
 — home, the dearest place of all ! [Clasps hands Exit -Nina] 
 
 Scene 5 — The Resolve. 
 
 Sitting-room in Graywood's house. (Mrs. Graywood sitting at 
 table.) [R C] 
 
 Mr. G.— (Enter L)— What legal mockery ! 
 
 Mrs. G. — Has some new point developed? 
 
 Mr. G. — Yes ! the found will has been admitted to probate. 
 
 Mrs. G. — I suppose you will file exception to its audit ? 
 • Mr. G. — I shall endeavor to delay its final adjudication. 
 
 Mrs. G. — What valid reason can you establish ? 
 
 Mr. G. — There are technicalities of the law ample for the 
 purpose, but my private plea will be — my constant impression 
 that the genuine will can be found. 
 
 Mrs. G. — That constant impression means that you believe 
 the spirits will aid you to find it. 
 
 Mrs. G. — With your encouragement I should never find it. 
 
 Knock at door. [Enter Nina at L 1st.] 
 
 Nina — (with greeting) — I have brought a boquet for you, Mr. 
 Graywood. 
 
 Mrs. G. — Why Nina ! How glad I am to see you ! 
 
 Mr. G. — Ah ! Nina ! Your gift is very acceptable. This is an 
 Angelica, the emblem of inspiration. 
 
 Mrs. G. — Dear child, how little you know of the dangers at- 
 tending you as an unprotected flower girl. 
 
13 
 
 Mrs. G. [aside] — To think that such a child as Nina should be 
 so wronged. 
 
 Nina (to Graywood) — I should have brought you the question 
 flower, Mr. Graywood; for I want you, if you will, to answer 
 one lor me. 
 
 Mr. G. — Certainl}'-, Nina. What is the question? 
 
 Nina. — The other day when you said "the law would do me 
 justice," what did you mean? 
 
 Mr. G. - Simply this, Nina; that you have been cruelly 
 wronged out of your father's estate! 
 
 Nina.— I can scarcely believe that any one could be so wicked 
 as to wrong me, but I will not, I cannot, think that my dear 
 papa died leaving me to the mercv of strangers. 
 
 Mr. G. — Yet there is a will on record which bequeathes all 
 of your father's property to lawyer Brown and Mr. Gregory; but 
 I believe that document to be a swindle and a forgery! 
 
 Nina. — A swindle and a forgery! 
 
 Mrs. G. — You should be cautious in making these charges, 
 Mr. Graywood, unless you can prove them. 
 
 Mr. G. — I cannot lielp expressing my convictions. 
 
 Nina. — How can this Avill be a forgery if it has been signed by 
 the proper witnesses, Mr. GrayAVOod? . 
 
 Mr. G. — You mention a very significant point, Nina; for these 
 witnesses are a certain George Leonard and a William.Raymond. 
 
 Mrs. G. — Why, Mr. Graywood, these ])aities are dead! 
 
 Mr. G. — Yes: and tliis f.cct will raalce it an easy matter to 
 palm their forged signatures upon the court. 
 
 Mrs. G. — You speak too positively, Mr. GrayAvood. Let us 
 discuss Nina's affairs in other directions. 
 
 Mr. G. — A^ery good! [Rises from seat f to Nina] Well, Nina, 
 Mrs. GravAvood and myself haA^e decided that you are to come 
 and make your home Avith us. We Avill take no refusal! 
 
 Mrs. G.^— Yes, dear; I am often lonesome, and your compan- 
 ionship Avill be more valuable than all your earnings from the 
 flowers. 
 
 Nina.— [f to Mrs. G.] I am' very grateful for your kind offer, 
 and I am sure I could be A^ery happy in your home. 
 
 Mrs. G. [embracing Nina] — Then, dear Nina, you will not re- 
 fuse. Come to my dressing room and see the dresses I have 
 purchased for you in expectation of this change. 
 
 Nina. — Dear Mrs. Graywood, how kind you are! ' [Exit Nina 
 and Mrs. G.] 
 
 Mr. G. — Truly, this is a case of love at first sight. Why they 
 take to each other like tAVO magnets. It is an eveiit that brings 
 
 e joy, as Nina Avill no longer be subject to street temptation. 
 
 [Mr, Graywood sits down and reads paper. After a pause] 
 Ah! the London Glohe. Here is a strange bit of news (Reads) 
 "The celebrated Madame Biavotska, the Russian medium, has 
 
13 
 
 located in this city, and will give private seances only to those 
 with whom the spirit world desires specially to communicate." 
 
 [Repeats paragraph excitedly.] How singular that this par- 
 agraph should meet my eye at this time. If there is any mor- 
 tal being the spirit world ought to communicate with that mor- 
 tal is myself; and as this advertisement points me to their 
 instrument, I shall visit this new star in the spiritual firmament; 
 and who knows but that St, Clair will speak to me face to face. 
 To London I go. 
 
 Enter Ridgely(C) — You go to London; for what? 
 
 Mr. Graywood. — Ha! Ridgely; you here. Yes, I go to Lon- 
 don. Read this, and you will know the reason. (Hands paper 
 to Ridgely, who reads paragraph.) 
 
 Ridgely. — Ah! Still on the hunt for the shade of St. Clair. 
 
 Mr. G. — Yes ! and if there is an avenue by which he can re- 
 turn, I will find it. 
 
 Ridgely — Mr. Graywood, we are friends, but I feel constrained 
 to say, that while I emulate you as a man, and consider the 
 goodness of your motives in behalf of Nina, your enthusiastic 
 and persistent search after shadows seems inconsistent with 
 your practical common sense. I fear 'tis but the fruitage of 
 your deistical education. 
 
 Mr. G [rises from chair f to L] — HowRidgley, Deistical Edu- 
 cation ! Such fruitage can never prove as barren as the soul- 
 less instruction of the atheist. To him, the world lies half 
 buried in sand, like the great Egyptian sphinx of stone, and the 
 universe is the cold, iron mask of a shapeless eternity ! 
 
 Ridgely — Still, reason is his guide, and nature his only la- 
 boratory ! 
 
 Mr. G. — And reason teaches me that those shadows which 
 you deride, are the indications of existing realities, the sub- 
 stance of things unseen ! 
 
 Ridgely — Have not your efforts failed repeatedly, and would 
 you spend time, mone}^ and risk the perils of the ocean, on the 
 basis of a mere newspaper puff, or is this puff an indication, or 
 perhaps the substance of a shadow? Ha! ha! Nonsense! non- 
 sense ! 
 
 Graywood [f to R] — This substance of a shadow has en- 
 vironed me about since St. Clair's death. It is present in my 
 dreams by night, and quickens my intuitions by day. Even 
 now, I hear 'a voice, in the tone of a silver bell, saying: "be 
 firm ; let no power on earth, not even Ridgely's sarcasm, or the 
 ocean's danger stay me in my resolve." So, to London, I go. 
 
 Ridgely [advancing to door] — Well Mr. Grey wood, if you have 
 decided, I can only wish that good spirits [sarcastically] may 
 attend you. [On exit] The only trouble is, his .deistical educa- 
 tion. CC) 
 
 CUETAUSr. 
 
14 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 THE SPIRIT MONITION. 
 
 At London. 
 
 Seance room in the house of Madame Blavotska, medium. 
 
 Mad. B. — (seated. [L C] Lulu, her maid, arranging her hair.) 
 — Be brief, Lulu, I am already exhausted. 
 
 Lulu— Do you intend to give audience to-day? 
 
 Mad. B. — Yes ; there is no respite for mediums in these tran- 
 sitional times. There are too many hungry souls seeking spir- 
 itual food. 
 
 Lulu — Do you know whom your next visitor will be ? 
 
 Mad. B. — Certainly ! A gentleman from America will call 
 to-day ; his spirit friends have led him to brave the ocean ex- 
 pressly to communicate with him, through me. You know that 
 I always have a fore-gleam of every person that crosses my 
 threshold. 
 
 Lulu — How strange ! Do the spirits never deceive you ? 
 
 Mad. B. — Never, as to the character of my visitors. Are you 
 nearly finished ? 
 
 Lulu — There, you look exquisite ! 
 
 Mad. B. — I shall now retire, Lulu, and when the gentleman 
 calls, will be ready to receive him. (Exit Mad.) [R 1st.] 
 
 Lulu — Dear me, what a strange creature. I wonder if all 
 mediums are like the madam. How good and kind she is ! I 
 wish I was a medium — no I don't either. It would not suit me 
 to be bored to death by every crank in the universe ; but then, 
 madam is not cold souse for every one that calls, for she does 
 not admit more than one out of every ten. She tells me that 
 her clairvoyant power enables her to see persons at the door 
 and read their character. I wish I was a clairvoyant, if only 
 that I might watch my darling Oscar, and see where he goes the 
 night's he is absent from me. (Bell rings.) I wonder if it is the 
 gentleman from America! (Exit Lulu.) [C D.] (Enter gentle- 
 man with Lulu.) Be seated, sir; I will call themadame. (Exit 
 Lulu.) [R 1st.] 
 
 Mr. Graywood — Here I am at last, in the house of the 
 celebrated Madame Blavotska. There is an air of refine- 
 ment pervading the place that bespeaks the character of the 
 woman. I feel that I have not obeyed my impression in vain. 
 Ah ! She comes. (Rises.) 
 
 Enter Mad. B. — (R 1st.) — You are punctual, Mr. Graywood; 
 I anticipated your coming. 
 
 Mr. G. — Anticipated my coming ! and already know my 
 name ? Pray, madam, who preceded me with this information ? 
 Mad. B. — Your spirit friend, St. Clair. 
 
15 
 
 Mr. G. — St. Clair? Madame, a rapsody of joy fills my soul, 
 and I will listen with holy reverence to the words you utter. 
 Tell me more, for it was to communicate wth St. Clair that I 
 came this journey. 
 
 Mad. B. — Be seated, sir. I have a message from your spirit 
 friend, St. Clair; I find your mission is a noble one, and master 
 minds have aided him in spirit life to bring you here, that you 
 might gain knowledge by which justice may be dispensed and 
 villiany foiled. 
 
 Mr. G. — May their will be done ! 
 
 Mad. B. — St. Clair passed from earth December 25th, 1869. 
 
 Mr. G.-T-Great heavens ! 'tis true. (Astonishing proof of her 
 inspiration.) 
 
 Mad. B.— He left a will dated September 18th, 1864. Sir 
 Walter Ridgely and yourself were the witnesses. This will you 
 are unable to find. 
 
 Mr. G. — Yes ! but is this will yet in existence ? 
 
 Mad. B. — It is! And in 'behalf of the daughter of St. Clair, 
 you are here to know of its whereabouts. 
 
 Mr. G. — That alone is my mission. 
 
 Mad. B. — There is another will claimed to be St. Clair's. This 
 will has been forged and consummated by two villians named 
 Gregory and Brown. 
 
 Mr. G. — My impression, then, was right. 
 
 Mad. B. — Please — not so demonstrative; you make me nervous. 
 
 Mr. G. — Beg pardon, madame, proceed. 
 
 Mad. B.^The false will divides the St. Clair estate equally 
 between Gregory and Brown, and by virtue of this will, they 
 are petitioning the courts for jDossession. 
 
 Mr. G. — This is indeed true. 
 
 Mad. B. — Their villainy must be foiled. Your spirit friend, 
 St. Clair, informs me that his last will and testament can be 
 found in the library of the north wing of the St. Clair mansion. 
 It is secreted in an old family checker-board, which rests on the 
 topmost shelf of the largest book-case. 
 
 Mr. G. — This is truly a revelation from the spirit world. 
 
 Mad. B. — The court will find this will to be perfectly valid. It 
 gives possession of the property to St. Clair's daughter, Nina, 
 the legitimate heir. But I see a question rising in your mind. 
 
 ]V[r. G. — (aside) — Why, she is a psychometrist and reads my 
 thoughts. (Aloud) — Yes, there is ; can you tell me what it is? 
 
 Mad. B. — How you may invalidate the forged will. 
 
 Mr. G. — You are right, madame. (Aside) — 'Tis astonishing. 
 
 Mad. B. — It will be easily done. George Leonard, one of the 
 supposed witnesses to this will, is believed to be dead, but he 
 still lives. 
 
 Mr. G. — Are you not mistaken on this point, madame? I was 
 present with many others at his funeral ceremonies ; besides his 
 
16 
 
 wife received payment on an insurance policy subsequent to his 
 death. 
 
 Mad. B. — That is all true; but George Leonard was removed 
 from the casket before burial, by a dexterous feat performed by 
 the undertaker. 
 
 Mr. G. — Impossible, madame. 
 
 Mad. B. — Yet, true ! George Leonard fled the country. He 
 has since returned, and, under a false name, is living on the 
 banks of the Hudson. His exact location can be determined 
 by the post-mark on his wife's mail matter. 
 
 Mr. G. — Madame, you astonish me, but I have faith in your 
 words. 
 
 Mad. B. — Your object here is now ended ; my obligations to 
 St. Clair filled — (rises — turns in direction of R 3d.) 
 
 Enter spirit of St. Clair. (R 3d.) 
 
 Mad. B. — (starts back and stares at figure)— The self-same 
 spirit that claims to be St. CI lir. (Takes Graywood by arm.) 
 Look there ! Do you not see its graceful form ? 
 
 Mr. G. — No ; none but ourselves and vocant air ! 
 
 Mad. B — (to spirit) — Have I not your full commsnds obeyed? 
 
 Spirit — Yes ! Every syllable, and I do you thank. 
 
 Mr. G. — (aside) — She is now in a deep clairvoyant state. 
 
 Mad. B. — ^(still gazing on spirit( — Why, then, come again in 
 chrysalis form, and splendors of your rank. 
 
 Spirit — To save my friend from sudden death ; for I see that 
 the steamer in which he intends to passage home will encounter 
 storms terrtfic, and nearly all on board will sink, to rise no 
 more in mortal flesh. Warn him of this danger, and sound it 
 loudly in his ears. (Exit spirit while talking.) (R 3d.) 
 
 Mad. B. — Would all had ears and eyes like mine. (Turns to 
 Graywood.) But sir, before we part, permit me to fore-warn 
 you of impending, danger. You intend to take the next 
 steamer for America, but your journey must be delayed until 
 the next departure, as the first steamer will encounter a heavy 
 storm, attended with disastrous results. According to your 
 faith, sir, so be it to you. (Madame bows, s]3eaking.) [Exit 
 madame.] (R 1st.) 
 
 Mr. G. — (Absorbed in thought) — But, madame, my thanks 
 are due. She has gone — glided away like a picture of the mind. 
 Do I dream? No! 'tis a reality. I am in London. Those 
 words: "According to your faith, so be it to you. I will 
 have faith in this, The Spirit Monition; and shall begin by seek- 
 ing some other passage home, so in case the steamer I intended 
 to take does sink, I will escape a watery grave. [Exit.] (C D.) 
 
 [curtain.] 
 
17 
 
 ' ACT III. 
 
 Scene 1 — News of the Disaster. 
 
 Street in Philadelphia. Ridgely (R) — I do nottliinkGreywood's 
 trip to London will turn out very favorably, if Mrs. Greywood 
 keeps up her melancholy moods much longer ! 6he labors un- 
 der the delusion that Mr. Greywood is in constant danger, and 
 yesterday she related a dream in which she saw Mr. Gray wood 
 brought home dead. I assured" her that dreams are but the re- 
 sult of physical irregularities but she still desponds. The 
 whole business grows out of her deistical education ! 
 
 [Enter newsboy (L)crying J Evening News ! Terrible disaster at 
 sea ! 
 
 [Ridgley buys one and reads] [exit boy] (R) — "The English 
 steamer that left Liverpool on the 80th inst. for America, en- 
 countered a heavy gale. She stood the storm for hours and 
 then sunk beneath the waves. Every passenger was lost." 
 [After a pause] Why this is the very steamer on which Gray- 
 wood took ])assage ! The telegram by cable stated that he would 
 embark on the 30th. Great God ! Gray wood dead ! Impossible! 
 Oh ! How shall I break the news to Mrs. Graywood. There is 
 more in her dream than I could credit! [Exit Ridgely in tears] 
 (L) 
 
 Scene 2 — The Enigma. 
 
 Sittingroovi in Graywood^ s [Scene opens; Mrs. Graywood and 
 Nina seated at table.] Nina — What time did Mr. Graywood 
 reach London ? 
 
 Mrs. G. — His cable dispatch announced his safe arrival on the 
 27th, and that he would return on the steamer leaving Liver! 
 pool on the 30th. 
 
 Nina — Well, this is the 14th, and he has already been home- 
 ward bound 13 days. So we shall soon see his face and hear 
 his voice again ! 
 
 Mrs. G. — Oh ! Nina, how sad I feel. I have a constant dread 
 of some impending danger to my husb^Jnd. 
 
 Nina — Dear Mrs. Graywood, do not give way to these strange 
 feelings, it makes me feel so unhappy. 
 
 Enter Ridgely (C) — Mrs. Graywood, where is the cable dis- 
 patch you received from Graywood ? 
 
 Mrs.G. — Oh, Ridgely ! What is the matter? Why are you so 
 pale? Speak! Tell me the cause of your excitement! 
 
 Ridgely — Mrs. Graywood, I cannot! Here, Nina, read this for 
 her. [Hands paper to Nina] (Nina reads the ship news) [All 
 stand. C] 
 
 Mrs.G. — Every passenger lost ! Oh! heaven; Can it be? My 
 husband in a watery grave! Oh! oh! my husband ! [faints; Nina 
 sobs]. 
 
18 
 
 [After an interval] Nina — It is false ! Mr. Gray wood cannot, 
 must not, be dead ! ' 
 
 Ridgely — Be brave, Mrs. Graywood, this rumor ma}' be false 
 (aside) [Would that I thought so ! ] 
 
 Mrs. G. — No ! no Ridgely I feel that it is true ! 
 
 Ridgely — If true, 'tis the work of those infamous' lying, spi- 
 ritual mediums 1 Every one of them should be gibbeted ! 
 
 Enter messenger (C) — A dispatch from New York. 
 
 Ridgeley [takes dispatch and opens it] — From Graywood! 
 
 Mrs. G. and Nina — From Mr. Graywood ! 
 
 Ridgely [reads dispatch] — "I did not leave Liverpool on the 
 30th, as per last mes-age, having been warned not to do so, but 
 reached New York to-day on another steamer. Will come 
 home by the next train, Graywood. 
 
 Nina — See, I knew he could not be dead ! 
 
 Mrs. G. Why, how strange ! Who could have warned him to 
 delay? 
 
 Ridgely — This is an enigma to me ! 
 
 Nina — Perhaps a good spirit warned him of the danger ! 
 
 Ridgely — Spirit or mortal, it was good advice. 
 
 Mrs. G. — Rather feel that God's providence has saved him 
 from a watery grave j 
 
 Nina — How thankful and happy we should be ! 
 
 Scene 3 — The detective. 
 
 Street scene in Philadelphia Enter Det. (R) notes, in hand, and 
 looking back. 
 
 Detective — Well, all the cranks not dead yet! Graywood, 
 the giain merchant, has just arrived from London, and 
 has given me one hundred dollars on account of five 
 hundred to work up a job ! Ha ! ha ! And such a job I 
 Talk about your " voodooism, " "Stigmata," "slate writing," 
 and materialization ! Why, Graywood's genii eclipses them 
 all! This spirit Solon gives the information that George Leon- 
 ard still lives, and that St. Clair left a will concealed in the 
 old mansion. Graywood believes this stuff, and pays me to 
 plan a scheme by which a clandestine search can be made, and 
 then I am to go on the trail of George Leonard, a man whom I 
 know is dead. All right ! Mr. Graywood, while you are inspired 
 by your spirits, I am inspired by your cash, and when you come 
 to look for George Leonard and the will, you will find them as 
 your money will be — dematerialized. (Exit L) 
 
 Scene 4 — Room at Geaywood's House. 
 
 Mr. Graywood and Ridgely enter. (C) 
 
 Ridgely — The news of your supposed death was a terrible 
 shock to your wife's nerves. (Both sit at table.) 
 
19 
 
 Mr. G. — Yes, but since my return she has regained her usual 
 strength and vivacity. An ! mine was a narrow escape. 
 
 Ridgely — I must confess that your abundant faith in the me- 
 dium saved you. 
 
 Mr. G. — I hope you consider it a sufficient test to warrant 
 proper search for the will. 
 
 Ridgely. — It is, indeed, an incentive to follow the balance of 
 her advice implicitly, and you should call to our aid a good de- 
 tective, that George Leonard may be found. 
 
 Mr. G. — I have already secured the service of Detective Franks, 
 He will be here to-night to report his plans. 
 
 (Enter servant) — [C] — A gentleman to see Mr. Gray wood. 
 
 Mr. G. — Send him up immediately. 
 
 (Enter gentleman) — [C D] — This is Mr. Gray wood, I presume? 
 
 Mr. G. — That is my name, sir. (Rises.) 
 
 Gent — I see by the papers that you have a cargo of grain con- 
 signed to you. Is it for sale ? 
 
 Mr. G. — Yes, sir ; to the highest bidder, 
 
 Gent— Will you give me a note of preference if a bid is made 
 by 10 o'clock in the morning? 
 
 Mr. G. — (taking pen, writes) — With pleasure. Your name, sir? 
 
 Gent — (pulls off disguise) — My name, gentlemen is — 
 
 Mr. G — Ah ! Detective Franks. Wonderful transformation, 
 
 Ridgely — You rascal ! 
 
 Detec. — This is part of my profession. All things to all men. 
 
 Mr. G. — Then your grain purchase was all a sham ? 
 
 Detec. — Of course ! I could not purchase the load for $5, 
 with the boat thrown in. We detectives are poor. We spend 
 more money than we earn. (Laughter.) [The trio form line C] 
 
 Mr. G. — Well ! Have you found a plan of operation in my 
 case, from the cue I gave you to-day ? 
 
 Detec. — Yes ! I propose that you and Ridgely call upon 
 Gregory to-morrow night at 8 o'clock. He will, in all probabil- 
 ity, receive you in the library. I will send a man to see him 
 privately, at 8.15. This will occasion Gregory's absence from 
 the room, and give you time to secure the will, if it is there to 
 find. This in your possession, your main object is accomplished. 
 Meanwhile, I will spread my net for the living dead-man, George 
 Leonard, and we can afterward report progress. 
 
 Mr. G.— Splendid, old fellow ! 
 
 Ridgely — Yes! Very feasible. 
 
 Detec. — Then you each agree? 
 
 Mr. G. — Yes ; and in the morning will send Gregory a note, 
 advising him of our coming. 
 
 Detec. — Right ! Now, then, to don my disguise. Good- 
 night, gentlemen, I'm off ! Give me a note of preferment, Mr. 
 
20 
 
 Gray wood, for your cargo of grain. (In chorus) — Ha! Ha! Ha! 
 [Exit detective.] (C) 
 
 Scene 5 — The Genuine Will. 
 Library at St. Clair Mansion — Gregory at Table. (C) 
 
 Greg. — The tenure of my stay here will be short unless the 
 property is secured by the will being faithfully adjudicated. I 
 wonder what infernal design Graywood had in obtaining an in- 
 junction against the administrators. Can he suspect the com- 
 plicity of Brown and myself in the improvised will? Or does he 
 possess a clue as to the existence of the genuine onf^? He and 
 Ridgely call here to-night, and I'll sound them to their depth. 
 
 Servant. — (R 1st) Two gentlemen. Sir. 
 
 Greg. — Show them up. [Enter Graywood and Ridgely. 
 
 Greg. — Good evening, gentlemen; be seated. Your note ap- 
 prised me of your coming, and I will be pleased to have an in- 
 terview. 
 
 Graywood. — I never felt more honored in the past than while 
 sitting in the St. Clair mansion. 
 
 Ridgely — And little dia I dream that you, Mr. Gregory, 
 would ever become its proprietor. 
 
 Greg.— (Aside) Would that I was. (Aloud) Yes! Old Clio, 
 the Father of Time, performs some strange freaks by the flight 
 of his wings. 
 
 Graywood — It created a seven day's wonder when the papers 
 announced the discovery of St. Clair's will! 
 
 Greg. — No doubt; but the wonder is that the court granted a 
 stay of proceedings in its execution. 
 
 Graywood. — I suppose this will only tend to make your 
 claims more valid. 
 
 Greg, (aside) — He evidently does not suspect. 
 
 Enter Servant (R 1st) — Gentleman below. Sir, who desires a 
 private interview. 
 
 Greg. — Excuse me for a short time, gentlemen, as this is a 
 very unexpeded interruption. (Exit R.l.) 
 
 Ridgely,— Now is our opportune time to test your spirit 
 theory, Graywood. So be sharp. 
 
 Graywood. — Yes; and I have been taking observations pre- 
 paratory to our search. According to instructions I will 
 find an old family checker board on the topmost shelf of yon- 
 der book case. Within that checker board I will find St. 
 Clair's will. (Ascends to reach shelf, searches, produces 
 checker board covered with dust! Descends.) Ah, Eidgely, 
 our game is won! (Opens checker board) Ye gods, Eidgely! 
 The will is not here. 
 
 Ridgely — What! Not there! Ah, Graywood, you have 
 been tricked. 
 
21 
 
 Graywood — But wait; there is surely some secret partition. 
 Yes; a slide. Ah! it gives; 'tis open! Behold, Eidgely! (Pro- 
 duces papers) The last will and testament of Wesley St. Clair! 
 
 Ridgely — A thousand pardons, Graywood, for my lack of 
 faith ! 
 
 Graywood. — This is no place for apologies, Ridgely; but 
 thanks be to the Gods for this wonderful success! But hark! 
 He comes! (Graywood hurriedly replaces checker board; se- 
 cretes will, and each resume seats. 
 
 Enter Gregory (R 1st) — I hope my absence has not marred 
 your pleasure, gentlemen! 
 
 Ridgely. — Oh, no! Mr. Graywood has been recounting to 
 me his many pleasant associations in connection with this old 
 mansion in the past. 
 
 Gregory. — 'Tis pleasant to recall happy memories. 
 
 Graywood. — And, oh, how joyful are those memories when 
 associated with acts of justice and truth. 
 
 Gregory. — I suppose, gentlemen, that you are here to-night 
 in reference to the justice of the ruling of the court in the case 
 of the will? 
 
 Graywood, — You divine our mission, sir. It is with a view 
 to fix speedy date for the cross-examining of our respective 
 evidence in court. 
 
 Gregory. — You can appoint the time. My proofs are com- 
 plete (aside) unless the old adage lies that dead men tell no 
 tales. [Gentlemen rise 
 
 Graywood. — [Graywood and Ridgply approach door] Then 
 we will name the December term. [Both exit Rlst. 
 
 Gregory, — So be it. I shall appear. (Curtain) 
 
22 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 Scene 1 — The Adeoit Swindle. 
 
 Street at midnight in Schenectedy, K. Y. Hotel de Hudson in view. 
 
 [Enter George Leonard (alias William Green), counting notes 
 from wallet.] (L) 
 
 Green — Just one hundred dollars left out of the five thousand 
 paid by the insurance company to my wife after my supposed 
 death. Well! This is the gamblers fate 1 The old adage holds 
 true — "Come easy ; go easy ! '' That was an easy swindle on the 
 insurance company; and how adroitly managed by the under- 
 taker, who only charged me fifty dollars for the job. Ha! ha! ha! 
 I can see that coffin before me yet, with thick folds of crape all 
 around it, reaching to the floor. I'll never forget — Ha! ha ! ha! 
 —while stretched in the cofiin — Ha! ha! ha! — I wanted to 
 cough — Ha! ha! ha! — but didn't dare. Ha! ha! ha! And 
 then the mourners passing around my corpse, looking at my 
 pow^dered face — ha! ha! he! — with pennies on m 3^ eyes — ha! 
 ha ! he ! he ! — and their crocodile tears dropping on my shroud 
 — ha ! ha ! ha ! ho ! ho ! Then the lid of the coffin came down 
 with a bang — ho! ho! he! he! he! — skinning my nose — ha! 
 ha! ha! — and I touched the spring and the bottom fell open 
 and down I slid^ — ha! ha! — through a hole in the floor to the 
 cellar — ho ! ho ! ho ! — and how quick I pushed the log of wood 
 up into the coffin, and fastened the bottom again — he ! he ! he ! 
 — the undertaker making as mach noise as possible in screwing 
 down the lid, to drown the noise insidt — ha! ha! ha! ha! It 
 rouses my mirth when I think of it — ha ! ha ! he! he ! ho ! Yet 
 its remembrance brings with it f-ome dread feeling of gloom in the 
 future, as a consequence. But why should I brood over and 
 anticipate future evil at this time when I should be at the gam- 
 ing table, with a smile on my face, and appear as happy as a 
 lord ! I must make one more effort to win back that which is 
 lost — the insurance money on my life. [Exit Green] (R) 
 
 Enter Detective Franks — (L) — Ah ! I've scented my game at 
 last ! He's as swift as a roe, but I will make sure that he does 
 not give me the slip as easily as he did the insurance company. 
 He has a destination, and I will dog his footsteps into his very 
 kennel ! [Exit detective.] (R) * 
 
 Scene 2 — The Akeest. 
 
 Night Scene in gambling Room in Hotel de Hudson — Four men 
 seated at table CR.C. ) — Enter Detective Frcmks loitli Graywood. ( L. C.) 
 Banker. — ^All ready, gentlemen. 
 1st Gambler. — Stop, I w^ant to shift my checks. 
 2nd Gambler. — Go ahead ; give us a turn. 
 
23 
 
 Detective (aside to Grajwood) — This is one of the most 
 noted dens in the city. Here fortnnes are made and lost in a 
 night. 
 
 .Grajwood. — Who is the proprietor? 
 
 Detective. — That is not publicly known. The backers of 
 the bank are headless. [Voice from table] The ace loses, and 
 I am a ruined man! 
 
 Gray wood. — Who is he that spoke? 
 
 Detective. — He is a trusted clerk in a well-known banking 
 house. 
 
 Another voice from table. — The king wins and 1 am on it 
 fo" a thousand dollars. Now I quit and cash in my checks. 
 (Speaker receives money and retires.) 
 
 Detective. — That young man is a counter hopper in a dry- 
 goods establishment. 
 
 Graywood. — Who is the man with the white vest? 
 
 Detective. — He is here known by the name of William 
 Green. 
 
 Green (rising). — Great God! my last dollar is lost! 
 
 Detective (aloud) — But his real name is George Leonard! 
 
 Green — Who mentions the name of George Leonard? (ad- 
 vancing toward Detective ). 
 
 Detective. — A mere coincidence, Sir! This gentleman was 
 relating a dream in which a person of that name figured. 
 Why, do you know of such a man? 
 
 Green. — No! No! — that is — I once knew a George Leonard, 
 but he is dead. (Aside) Would that I had never known 
 him! 
 
 Graywood (Aside) — This is our man. 
 
 Detective. — Yes; and he is on the alert! 
 
 Green (Aside). — Ah! these men mean mischief; but as 
 chances are against me I now feel ripe for any venture. 
 
 [Approaching door. 
 
 Detective (following). — Did I understand you to say, sir, 
 that George Leonard was dead? 
 
 Green. — I said so, I believe! 
 
 Detec. — Then you lie ; for ' George Leonard stands before 
 me! 
 
 Green. — Hush! In heaven's name who are you? 
 
 Deteotiv'e 'Throwing ojff disguise ) — I am — • 
 Green. — Ha! Detective Franks!! (Gamblers rise in conster- 
 nation.) 
 
 Banker. — Who talks of detectives here ? 
 
34 
 
 Detective. — I do, sir ; and my mission is to arrest this man. 
 (Lays hand on Green's shoulder.) 
 
 Banker. — On what charge, sir ? 
 
 Detective. — That is my business! Sufficient for you to 
 know that 1 am not here to disturb you or your game, unless 
 my prisoner is interfered with ! 
 
 Green. — Produce your warrant. 
 
 Detective. — There. Eead your charge ! You are arrested 
 in the name of the law! [Gamblers withdraw.] (L. 0.) 
 
 Green (reading warrant). — By heavens ! Gentlemen, I 
 swear to you that this charge is false! 
 
 Graywood. — But what have you to say in reference to the 
 five thousand dollar swindle perpetrated on the life insurance 
 company ? 
 
 Green. — By the shades of death, I swear — 
 
 Detective. — Enough, Leonard ! You are the living evi- 
 dence of your crime ! 
 
 Green. — But this is a charge of forgery. Of that charge I 
 swear I am innocent ! 
 
 Detective. — But listen : One, Sylvester Brown, and Simon 
 Gregory are in possession of a will purporting to have been 
 executed by a Wesley St. Clair, now deceased. 
 
 Green. — Wesley St. Clair ? 
 
 Detective. — Yes ! and this will bears the signatures of two 
 witnesses, respectively George Leonard and Wm. Eaymond. 
 
 Green. — Then it is indeed a forgery ! William Eaymond 
 is dead, but I never saw or signed such a document as the will 
 of Wesley St. Clair ! 
 
 Graywood. — Then you can annul these scoundrels' work ! 
 
 Detective — If your signature has been forged to this will, 
 the law will require you to testify against it ! 
 
 Green. — But since you know of my funeral trick I am lost! 
 My very presence in court will be the cause of a second arrest. 
 
 Detective. — In case of such an occurrence I will pledge you 
 bail, and if thereafter you do not care to chance a trial, why, 
 be knave enough to skip as you did before. 
 
 Green. — Ah ! I see ; you simply wish me to swear that my 
 signature has been forged by this Gregory and Brown. 
 
 Detective. — That is all! This matter is a secret between 
 the parties chiefly concerned, and the insurance company will 
 have very small chance of discovering your identity ! So 
 come with us, Leonard, and be glad that your safety on that 
 point is comparatively secured, [Exit trio.] (L.O.) 
 
25 
 
 "Leonard, alias Grreen. — The curse of William Green be on 
 the Hotel de Hudson for ever ! 
 
 Scene 3— Showing the White Feathee. 
 
 Philadelphia Street — Court house in vieiv — Enter Gregory and 
 Brown (R) 
 
 Gregory — I tell you, our game is up, and it would be prudence 
 not to appear in court ! 
 
 Brown — Why man, are you mad ? to show the white feather 
 at this juncture would make our guilt transparent. Mr. Gregory, 
 we must wear the guise of virtue and innocence to the last — Be 
 present, and overrule all objections ! 
 
 Gregory — Our objections will avail nothing. The decision of 
 the judge, as you well know, will be imperative 
 
 Brown — Gregory, shake off these groundless fears, they are 
 but the shadows of fancy. Remember, great prizes involve great 
 risks ! 
 
 Gregory — Oh, fool that I was to be lured by this golden glit- 
 ter! 
 
 Brown — Pshaw ! Nonsense ! rather dream of your future pros- 
 perity. Nerve up, man 1 Why Graywood and Ridgely lack the 
 essential point of evidence against us ! Without George Leonard 
 or William Raymond to deny their signatures, the judge will 
 unquestionably rule in our favor ! Even if we do lose our case, 
 who is there living to prove us guilty ? Remember that dead 
 men .tell no tales ! 
 
 Gregory — Your words inspire me with hope, but, mark me. 
 Brown, Graywood and Ridgely will bitterly dispute the validity 
 of our claims ! [Exit Gregory and Brown] (L) 
 
 (Enter Graywood and Ridgely) Ridgely (R) — Have you any 
 doubt as to the decision of the court ? 
 
 Graywood — None whatever ! Our cause is just, and the evi- 
 dence is positive ! With the addition of George Leonard's living 
 testimony, the court has but one resource — to grant our claims! 
 Then the law will make it hot for Gregory and Brown ! 
 
 Ridgely — Ah ! the villians. Did they but dream that George 
 Leonard will face them in the flesh, they would make their 
 presence scarce ! 
 
 Graywood — Ah ! Ridgely, a villain's darkened mind sees not 
 the net he weaves around himself while in the act of consum- 
 mating crime. But come, the hour is nigh when justice gives a 
 banquet, 
 
 Ridgely — Graywood, your faith is marvellous ! 
 
 Graywood — Why should I lack in faith ? St. Clair saved me 
 from a waterv grave, pointed out the will, and brought the dead 
 to life, and now, he whispers to me from the skies and bids me on 
 to victory. (Exit Graywood) 
 
26 
 
 Ridgely — And yet I fear it all grows out ot his deistical edu- 
 cation. (Exit) 
 
 Scene 4 — Risen from the Grave. Recompense at Last. 
 
 Court in Session. Judge on bench. 
 
 Enter Brown (R 1st} and Gregory, apparently conversing, 
 (go up L.) 
 
 Enter Detective Franks with Graywood. (R 1st.) 
 
 Gray wood — (as they advance to front of stage) — I see the in- 
 surance company is represented, after all; that will, be bad for 
 Leonard. 
 
 Detec. — 'Yes ! Evidently their point is to learn how the court 
 will dispose of the signature of George Leonard, but we can 
 have his bail in readiness, in case of his arrest. In the mean- 
 while, I'll see that he don't give us the slip. [Exit detec] (R) 
 
 (Graywood takes seat.) [R] 
 
 Enter (Horace) Ridgely with Nina, advancing to froat. 
 
 Horace — Nina, you tremble ! perhaps it will be too much for 
 you to witness the scene about to transpire. 
 
 Nina — No ! no ! I wish to witness the triumph of my dear, 
 good friend, Mr. Graywood, for we are now sure that he will 
 establish vay claims to papa's estate. 
 
 The court is rapped to silence. 
 
 (Horace) Ridgely conducts Nina to seat. [R] 
 
 Judge-(holding up two documents) — Here are two documents, 
 each drawn up in due form, both purporting to be the last will 
 and testament of one Weslev St. Clair, deceased. Each of these 
 documents bears the signature of Wesley St. Clair ; but one only, 
 has been filled in by his own hand. This one bears the signa- 
 tures of two witnesses — to Avit, namely, William Graywood, Esq. 
 and Sir Walter Ridgely. These two signatures have been proven 
 to have been legally attached to said will, on date September 
 18th, 1864, which date said will bears. The second document, 
 purporting to be the last will and testament of Wesley St. Clair, 
 deceased, has been written by other hands, but bears the bona 
 fide signature of Wesley St. Clair. It also bears the signatures 
 of two witnesses — to wit, namely, one George Leonard and Wil- 
 liam Raymond. Said witnesses have since died, but the genu- 
 iness of their signatures is not questioned, as their exact dupli- 
 cates are attached to other i ecorcls in this court. In consequence 
 of this fact, said signatures are believed to have been legally 
 attached to said will, on date .June 20th, 1869, which date said 
 will bears. In accordance with the dates affixed to each of the 
 aforesaid wills, there is an interval of four years and nine months 
 between the drawing of tlie first and second will. One oaly, of 
 these two wills can be executed, and the action of the court is 
 invoked to decide which shall stand valid in law. By the stite- 
 mony submitted, we find that three years elapsed subsequent to 
 the death of Wesley St. Clair, before either of these two wills 
 
■27 
 
 came to public notice. At the end of that time, singular as it 
 may appear, Sylvester Brown and Simon Gregory placed on 
 probate the will dated June 20th, 1869. Simultaneously with 
 this event, Wm. Graywood entered a demurrer against its exe- 
 cution, pleading the existence of another will, which could not 
 be found. Pending this demurrer, William Graywood produced 
 the will dated September 18th, 1864, which disposes of the St. 
 Clair property principally between said William Graywood and 
 Nina, daughter of Wesley St. Clair; while the document placed 
 on probate by Sylvester Brown and Simon Gregory, is drawn 
 in their own favor ; therefore, we will now review the remark- 
 able testimon}^ which has been submitted by the aforesaid Wm. 
 Gay wood, inasmuch as his allegations and their approximate 
 corroborations must, in a great measure, determine the final 
 decision and ruling of the court. [Sensation.] 
 
 (The court is rapped to silince.) 
 
 Judge — Said Wm. Graywood testifies that the spirit of Wesley 
 St. Clair, deceased, instructed him through the agency of a spir- 
 itual medium at London, England, as to the exact place whereat 
 the undiscovered will could be found ; said Wm. Graywood fur- 
 ther testifies, that, in accordance with instruction, so received, 
 he instituted search for the aforesaid will, which he found as 
 aforesaid. 
 
 Brown — (rising) — Your honor, may I suggest that you re- 
 view ends at this point, until the medium shall appear to cor- 
 roborate the statements submitted by Wm. Graywood? 
 
 Judge — Testimony given through the* agency of a spiritual 
 medium would not be admissible, unless corroborated by 
 facts ; therefore, the speaker's suggestion is over-ruled. The 
 court considers the statements of Wm. Graywood independent 
 of the spirit or spiritual medium. If Wm. Graywood found 
 the will by virtue of an alleged spirit direction, he has simply 
 proven that the information given was correct. But there is 
 a missing link in the chain of evidence necessary to f stablish 
 the validity of the will. Tliat missing link is the living tes- 
 timony of either of the two witnesses to the document drawn 
 in favor of Gregory and Brown, to wit, namely : George 
 Leonard or William Raymond. (Sensation.) 
 
 (Court is rapped to silence.) 
 
 Judge — As aforesaid, neither of th'ese men are alive to tes- 
 tify; therefore, as the genuiness of each of the wills stand 
 unchallenged, precedents in law compel a. ruling in favor of 
 the will dated last. Therefore, it is the order of the court, 
 that the last will and testament of Wesley St. Clair, bearing 
 date June 20th, 1869, and drawn in favor of Gregory and 
 Brown, stand valid in law. (Sensation.) 
 
 (Brown and Gregory rises — Graywood rises — enter George 
 Leonard, with Detective.) (R 1st.) 
 
28 
 
 Leonard — (advancing to Judge's bench, at C) — Your honor, 
 the decision of the court must be reversed! George Leonard 
 stands before you and swears that the document declared 
 valid is a swindle and a forgery ! 
 
 Spectators — George Leonard ! (Sensation.) 
 
 (Court is rapped to sihnce.) 
 
 Leonard — I, George Leonard, do solemnly declare that I 
 never affixed my signature to a document purporting to be 
 the last will and testament of Wesley St. Clair ! And, in the 
 name of Justice I demand the arrest of Simeon Gregory and 
 Sylvester Brown. 
 
 (Judge signs to officers who advance toward Gregory and 
 Brown.) (Consternation in court.) 
 
 Brown — George Leonard risen from the grave to foil me ! 
 Then let him suffer! (Draws pistol and shoots Leonard as 
 officer arrests him.) 
 
 Leonard — (staggers^ — falls at C.) — Ha! this is death, (Dies.) 
 
 (When Leonard falls, Mrs. Leonard rushes forward and kneels 
 by his head) — My husband shot! (Weeps aloud.) 
 
 Detective — (advancing to front) — The gambler's career is 
 ended ! 
 
 Graywood — (advancing) — The law is vindicated ! Justice is 
 enthroned ! Recompense at last ! 
 
 Ridgely — (advancing) — Yes ! And it is my opinion that the 
 whole business is the result of — 
 
 Nina — Mr. Graywood's unbounded faith in the spirits. 
 
 [curtain.] 
 
29 
 
 SEQUEL. 
 The Spirit Monition. 
 
 Scene Graywood's reception room. — Mr.Graywood: head on table 
 asleep — Enter Mrs. Graywood from L — rubbing her eyes as if 
 waking. 
 
 Mrs. G — He has fallen asleep as I did, but the morning is far 
 advanced, and he must be aroused. Mr. Graywood! Mr. Gray- 
 wood ! musing with morpheus, no doubt. 
 
 Mr. G. stares around — Mrs. Graywood, where am I ? 
 
 Mrs. G. — Why are ycu not awake ? 
 
 Mr. G. — Awake ! Did you ever talk with a sleeping man ? 
 
 Mrs. G. — But wh^t is the matter, Mr. Graywood ? 
 
 Mr. G. — Matter ! Did you not hear the result? 
 
 Mrs. G.— What result? 
 
 Mr. G. rising from chair — Why, Mrs. Graywood, you were in 
 court; Where is Nina? (f to R) 
 
 Mrs. G. — In court ! What do you mean ? (f L) Nina has been 
 summoned from boarding school and is now probably weeping 
 over her father's remains. 
 
 Mr. G. — And you did not see George Leonard shot! 
 
 Mrs. G. — How foolishly you talk ! Mr. Leonard and his wife 
 dine with us to-day. 
 
 Mr. G. excitedly — What ! My trip to London, a delusion ! 
 The medium a myth, The lost steamer a phantom ! The detec- 
 tive a sporting spectre ? The checker board a sham ! and the 
 will a blank 1 The decision of the judge a mockery! and Law- 
 yer Brown no forger ! 
 
 Mrs. G.(In terrified manner) — Why, Mr. Graywood, has your 
 reason left you ? 
 
 Mr. G. — No ! no ! no ! Ah ! I see now 1 St Clair has just died : 
 I am at home : my wife — I was asleep ! It was all a Dream ! I 
 (Both at C. F) CURTAIN. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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