> 635 
 19 H64 
 >py 1 
 
 S@Oi3»ai3!3(^w^. 
 
 *• i_ *i' 
 
 EXCHANGED. 
 
 Baher'5 Edition 
 or Pl7\y3 
 
 tVf' y-^ *^' 
 
 ,4"- 
 
 Bound by An Oati 
 
 1 
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1889, BY WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 
 
 f 
 
ays for f\fr\a 
 
 rieals. 
 
 AutJtor of ^^ Amateur Dramas,''* "The Mimic Stage,** **The Social Stage^" "The Drawings 
 Room Stage** ''^ Handy Dramas^* "The Exhibition Dramas^** "A Baker's Dozen^** etc* 
 
 Titles in tliis Type are New Plays. 
 
 Titles in, this It/pe are Temperance I*lays, 
 
 DRAMAS. 
 
 In Four A cts. 
 Better than Gold. 7 male, 4 female 
 
 char. 
 
 25 
 
 
 In Three Acts, 
 r Folks. 6 male, 5 female char. . 15 
 Flower of the Family. 5 
 
 ale, 3 female char 15 
 
 N LISTED FOR THE War. ^ male, 3 fe- 
 male char. 15 
 
 My Brother's Keeper. 5 male, 3 fe- 
 male char. 15 
 
 The Littfe JSrotvn Jug, 5 male, 3 
 female char. ......... 15 
 
 In Two A cis. 
 Above the Clouds. 7 male, 3 female 
 
 char 15 
 
 One Hundred Years Ago. 7 male, 
 
 4 female char 15 
 
 Among the Breakers. 6 male, 4 female 
 
 char 15 
 
 Bread on the Waters. 5 male, 3 female 
 
 char 15 
 
 Down by the Sea. 6 male, 3 female 
 
 char 15 
 
 Once on a Time. 4 male, 2 female char. 15 
 The Last Loaf, 5 male, 3 female char. 1 5 
 
 In One Act. 
 Stand by the Flag. 5 male char. . . 15 
 The Tempter, 3 male, i female char. 15 
 
 COMEDIES AND FARCES. 
 
 A Mysterious Disappearance. 4 
 
 male, 3 female char 15 
 
 Paddle Your Own Canoe. 7 male 
 
 3 female char. . , 15 
 
 A. Drop too IHuch, 4 male, i^ female 
 
 char 15 
 
 A. J At tie More Cider, 5 male, 3 fe- 
 male char 15 
 
 A Thorn Among the Roses. 2 male, 6 
 
 female char 15 
 
 Never Say Die. 3 male, 3 female char. 15 
 Seeing the Elephant. 6 male, 3 female 
 
 char 15 
 
 The Boston Dip. 4 male, 3 female char. 15 
 The Duchess of Dublin. 6 male, 4 fe- 
 male char 15 
 
 Thirty Minutes for Refreshments. 
 
 4 male, 3 female char. • . . • • • 
 We're all Teetotalers, 4 male, 2 fe- 
 male char '5 
 
 Male Characters Only* 
 
 A Close Shave. 6 char 15, 
 
 A Public Brnefactor. 6 char. ... 15. 
 
 IS 
 
 A Sba of Troubles. 
 
 6 char. 
 8 char. 
 
 '5 
 
 k. 
 
 COMEDIES, etc., continued. 
 
 Male Characters Only. 
 
 A Tender Attachment. 7 char. • . 15 
 
 Coals of Fire. 6 char 15 
 
 Freedom of the Press. 8 char. ... 15 
 
 Shall Oar Mothers Vote? 11 char. 15 
 
 Gentlemen OF THH Jury. 12 char. . • 15 
 
 Humors of the Strike. 8 char. ... 15 
 
 My Uncle THE Captain. 6 char. . . • 15 
 
 Nkw Brooms Sweep Clean. 6 char. . 15 
 
 'J'he Great Elixir. 9 char 15 
 
 Thk Hypochondriac. 3 char 15 
 
 1 he Man with the JJemijohn, 4 
 
 char 15 
 
 The Runaways. 4 char. .••..• 15 
 
 The Thief OF Time. 6 char 15 
 
 Wanted, A Male Cook. 4 char. • • • 15 
 
 Female Characters Only, 
 
 A Love of A Bonnet. 5 char 15^ 
 
 A Precious Pickle. 6 char i^i 
 
 No Cure No Pay. 7 char 
 
 The Champion of Her Sex. 8 char. 
 The Greatest Plague in Life. 8 chaf 
 The Grecian Bend. 7 char. . . 
 The Red Chignon. 6 char. . . • 
 Using the Weed. 7 char. . • . 
 
 ALLEGORIES. 
 
 A rrangedfor Music and Tableau:^ \ 
 
 Lighthart's Pilgrimage. 8 fema^ 
 
 char 
 
 The Revolt of the Bees. 9 fema] 
 
 char 
 
 The Sculptor's Triumph, i male. 4 fd 
 
 male char 
 
 The Tournament of Idylcourt. 10 fe 
 
 male char 
 
 The War of the Roses. 8 female char.| 
 The Voyage of Life. 8 female char. 
 
 MUSICAL AND DRAMATICl 
 
 An Original Idea. 1 male, i female | 
 Bonbons; or, the Paint King. 6 male, 
 
 I female char 
 
 Capuletta; or, Romeo and Juliet | 
 
 Restored. 3 male, i female char. 
 
 Santa Claus* Frolics 
 
 Snow-bound; or, Alonzo the Brave. 
 
 AND THE Fair Imogene. 3 male, i 
 
 female char 
 
 The Merry Christmas of the Old 
 
 Woman who Lived in a Shoe. . . . 
 The Pedler of Very Nice. 7 male 
 
 char 
 
 The Seven Ages. A Tableau Entertain- 
 
 ment. Numerous male and female char. 
 Too Late for the Train. 2 male char. 
 The Visions of Freedom, u female 
 
 char • 
 
 WALTER H. BAKER & GO., 23 Winter St., Boston. 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH 
 
 ^ Bomesttc Btatna tn jFottt ^ct$s mtt a Ptologue 
 
 DAVID HILL p s t. . , . <i T 
 
 AUTHOR OF " FORCED TO THE WAR,** " OUT OF HIS SPHERE," 
 <* PLACER GOLD," ETC. 
 
 ^ti^H'^'^^rt. 
 
 First produced hy the Thespian Society oj Barton Landings Vt., 
 February 2<?, 1888 
 
 
 'SHINGfC' ,, 
 
 BOSTON 
 
 1890 
 

 CHARACTERS. 
 (As originally cast by " The Thespian Society.**) 
 
 PHILIP RAYMOND 
 JACOB JOHNSON . 
 SETH RANDOLPH 
 EDWARD LE ROY 
 ELIAS AMSDEN . 
 SAMBO 
 
 DRUCILLA JOHNSON 
 LUCY SNUFF . 
 MRS. RAYMOND . 
 MABEL RAYMOND 
 OFFICER, ETC. . 
 
 A blind miller 
 
 A speculator 
 
 A vagabond 
 
 In love with Mabel 
 
 ^^ Bound by an Oath ' 
 
 Serva7tt to yacob 
 
 Sister to Jacob . 
 
 . Thomas Landon 
 N. L. Stimpson 
 
 . D. W. HiLDRETIl 
 
 . Ed. Mkrrel 
 
 . Will Allen 
 
 . I. M. Conner 
 
 Miss L. M. Robbins 
 
 A lo?ie widow . Mrs. D. W. Hildreth 
 Wife of Philip . Miss Myrtie Stimpson 
 Daughter of Philip . Mrs. H.W. Buchanan 
 
 "The Thespian Society'* was organized in December, 1873, by 
 Capt. S. B. Tucker. From that time until the present (1890) it has continued 
 to flourish, and is still running with many of the original cast. No other 
 country Dramatic Society, I think, can be found that has held together for 
 this number of years, or that has received so many comments from the press 
 in its own as well as other States. In 1887, D. W. Hildreth (David Hill) 
 took charge of the club, and presented his new play, " Forced to the War," 
 which was received with phenomenal success. This induced him to try liis 
 hand at another production, and in 1888, " Bound by an Oath " was pre- 
 sented with like, if not better, results. The members most worthy of men- 
 tion in making this club a success are S. B. Tucker, C. H. Colley, H. W. 
 and E. M. Buchanan, N, L. Stimpson, C. Ford and wife, E. Merrel, T. Lan- 
 don, Miss C. Parker, Miss L. M. Robbins, Miss May Johnson, Miss L. 
 Rogers, and Mrs. H. W. Buchanan, not to mention your humble servant 
 and wife. D. W. HILDRETH. 
 
 Copyright, 1890, by D. W. Hildreth. 
 
 /Z-ZY/S 
 
 1 
 
PROPERTIES. 
 
 PROLOGUE. — Gun cotton, for lightning. Knives, revolvers and torch for 
 light. 
 
 ACT I. — Scene i. Table, chairs, sofa, books, pen, ink, paper, cabinet, etc., 
 etc. Large hanging mirror, r. c. Knife and revolvers for Seth. Tumbler, 
 bottle, tray, etc. — Scene 2. Bundles for Lucy, and letter for Sambo. — Scens 
 3. Wheelbarrow, bundles, rustic chair, letter, Bible, small bundle, etc. 
 
 ACT 2. — Scene i. A cot, stand, stool and candle for each room. Tumbler, 
 pipe, small box, wallet, false money, long wallet, and dark lantern. — Scene 2. 
 Bundles, box containing old glass arranged to break down. — Scene 3. Same as 
 in Act I ; also fan, packages of false money, large book, notes, etc. 
 
 ACT 3. — Scene 1. Same as in Act i. Scene 1. Also letter, revolver 
 and phial. — Scene 2. Bible and cane for Phillip. — Scene 3. Table, chairs, 
 etc. Furniture plain. Gun cotton, cup and saucer, large candle, letter, etc. — 
 Scene 4. — Gun cotton, zinc for thunder, rain box, wind, smoke pots, red lights, 
 candles, phial, wallets, paper-knife, revolvers, pan of coal, check, bottle and 
 tumbler. 
 
 ACT 4. —Scene t. Shawl, sunbonnet, Bible, etc. — Scene 2. Wallet 
 and paper. — Scene 3. Phial, knife, revolver, handcuffs, etc. 
 
 COSTUMES MODERN AND APPR0PRL4TE. 
 
 Description of Fire Scene (Act 3, scene 5). Take three blocks eight inches 
 square, and bore six holes in each block an inch in diameter, and two inches deep. 
 Fill these holes with red fire, placing a fuse in each for quick lighting. Place 
 one directly under trap, one outside of room occupied by Seth, and the other out- 
 side of room occupied by Elias. Then take three iron plates (spiders with 
 handles attached will be found the most convenient) and after saturating a quan- 
 tity of wicking with turpentine mixed with resin, cover each plate with a small 
 amount, and place with red fire. Keep a quantity near at hand to feed fire if it 
 should diminish. If help is scaice, the work can be accomplished in the fol- 
 lowing manner: When Jacob starts to fire the mill, he does so by lighting the red 
 fire, one tub, at a time as needed, and also the wicking, both of which are directly 
 under Seth's window outside. Edward, who is^ beneath the trap, cautiously 
 removes a board, previously arranged in the floor'of room occupied by Seth, and 
 lights wicking underneath. This causes flames and a dense smoke to poui into 
 the room. This smoke has an agreeable odor, and can be inhaled without chok- 
 ing or any dire effects whatever, and is perfectly safe. Just before Seth enters 
 trap, Edward hghts red fire beneath it and hastens out by a back exit. When 
 Seth hfts trap door, which same must lift toward audience, the red light and fire 
 is distinctly seen and into which he descends. He then controls this part of the 
 fire himself. The fire outside of the room occupied by Elias is run the 
 same way. Care must be taken to not let the lights diminish until scene 
 closes. 1 have worked this scene several times as described, and find it can 
 be easily done, and with little expense. The mill scene is also simple. Tuck 
 cotton cloth upon frames for the sides, back and centre, and paint it a dirty yellow, 
 excepting two feet and a half which is painted to represent sheathing. Wall 
 paper can be used if necessary. In Seth's roo.m, window should be back, and door 
 L. c. In room occupied by Elias, door should be back, and small window r. c. 
 Centre scene should contain a square aperture closed up with boards arranged 
 to remove. 
 
 The Author. 
 
SYNOPSIS. 
 
 PROLOGUE. Interior of cave. The storm. Robbery and murder. Bound 
 by an oath : " As God is my witness, I will keep this secret until my dying 
 day." Tableau. 
 
 {Lapse of Jive years between Prologtie and First Act.) 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE T. Parlor in Johiison'^s house. Surrounded by wealth. Sambo in 
 trouble. Return of Seth Randolph. A murder prevented by a mirror. Dru- 
 cilla's courage. "Rats." Seth runs the establishment. 
 
 SCENE II. Highway. Interview between Sambo and Lucy. " Hev you 
 pot the valerian cremens, or are you clean gone crazy." 
 
 SCENE III. Yard in front of Raymond' s house. The blind miller and his 
 family. Jacob Johnson again. His demand for the hand of Mabel. The 
 refusal. Jacob's threat. The blind miller's opinion of Jacob. " It ain't for 
 me to murmur agin the Lord — it ain't my way ; but when he put that theer 
 man together He made a great mistake." Edward and Mabel. Elias the 
 oath-bound. Face to face. " For God's sake, who are you ?" " Elias Ams- 
 den, the lad ye bound by an oath." 
 
 ACT. n. 
 
 SCENE I. Interior of mill. Elias and Edward. The hidden money. Elias 
 and his secret. "O money! money! you are the bane of my life; but I 
 worship you as a God ! " 
 
 SCENE II. HigJiway . Sambo and Lucy again. ** Lor a-mighty ! who 
 crushed de tea-set .^ who broke down de box ? Who de — " A ludicrous scene. 
 
 SCENE III. Room in Johnson^ s ho Jise. Jacob and Drucilla. The wolf and 
 the lamb. Mabel pleads for her parents. Jacob's demand. Seth interferes. 
 Edward and Elias. They pay Raymond's notes. Jacob's discovery. *' Every 
 dollar of that money is a base counterfeit." Edward and Elias charged with 
 counterfeiting. Deeper in the toils than ever. Seth Randolph's remorse. Elias 
 driven to despair. " Oh, I be doomed — doomed." 
 
 ACT TIL 
 SCENE I. Parlor in JohtisotCs house. Two rogues well met. Plan to secure 
 
 Mabel. Seth refuses to act. Face to face with Elias. His curse. Jacob's 
 
 villainy. Plan to drug Seth Randolph and Elias, and burn them together with 
 
 the mill. A diabolical plot. 
 SCENE II. Highway. Turned into the streets. Phillip's trust in the Lord. 
 
 " He will guide us through the wilderness like as he did the Israelites of old, 
 
 if we're not afeer'd to trust Him." Discovered by Lucy. A friend in need. 
 
 " Now you just follow me and I'll take you home in a half a jiffy." 
 SCENE III. Roo7n in Lucy s house. Mabel and the letter. The hound still 
 
 upon the track. Mother and daughter. '* Then, though I crush my heart in 
 
 doing it, I will marry Jacob Johnson." 
 SCENE IV. High7uay. Jacob started to burn the mill. 
 SCENE V. Interior of mill. Edward and Elias. Edward in hiding. Elias 
 
 contemplates suicide in order to reveal the oath. Seth and Jacob. The check. 
 
 The drugged wine. Seth outwitted. "Oh, I am lost! lost! " Jacob fires 
 
 the mill. Storm, flames and smoke. Seth recovers. Locked in. To the 
 
 rescue of Elias. Edward beneath the trap. A double rescue. Seth Randolph 
 
 saved but dying. " Let — let me speak ! Ja — Jacob — O God ! — he — Jacob 
 
 — he done this — he — " 
 
 ACT IV. 
 .SCENE I. Room in Lucy'^s house. Mabel and Lucy. Phillip's anxiety. 
 
 Learns of Mabel's object. Off to the rescue. " Lead the way, Betty, and 
 
 I'll follow you with the strength of a giant." 
 SCENE II. A wood. Confession and deathof Seth Randolph. " Place me 
 
 where the birds can sing over me and where streaks of sunshine can reach my 
 
 grave." 
 SCENE III. Parlor in Jacob'' s house. Drucilla and Jacob. She criticises his 
 
 actions. " Mr. Johnson, outside from bombast and cynicism, you are of little 
 
 account." The dove in the eagle's claw. Elias to the rescue. Phillip, Mrs. 
 
 Raymond and Lucy. Elias attempts suicide. Timely arrival of Edward. 
 
 " kill the fatted calf, the prodigal has returned." Jacobin the toils. Return 
 
 of the money. A happy termination. 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 PROLOGUE. 
 
 SCENE. — Interior of cave. Dark stage. Lightning and 
 
 thunder^ with wind and rain. As curtain rises ^ Elias 
 
 Amsden rushes in from R. i E. 
 
 Elias. There ! now I be safe from the storm. Swift as 
 I was it nearly overtook me before I reached the cave. 
 How dark it grows ! And the wind, how it moans ! 
 (^Lightning and heavy thunder.^ Heavens! what a flash! 
 That must ha' struck somewheres. Outside the cave is a 
 big hemlock — {Goes to mouth of cave and looks offK. IE.) 
 Mercy ! it's all ablaze. How quickly the lightning set it on 
 fire. {Lightfiing and thunder.) There goes another flash ! 
 {Retreati7tg back into cave.) It be safer in here, though I 
 ha' no love for the darkness. {Cries of ''Help! help!''"' 
 heard off K. i e.) Hark! what was that? Did I not hear 
 cries for help? {Cries repeated.) There it is again. 
 {Goes to 7nouth of cave and looks off^. i E.) Oh, Heavens ! 
 there be two men bearing the body of another between them. 
 They be passing the burning hemlock. Why, they be 
 coming this way. {Running back into cave.) Oh, what 
 shall I do ! If I be seen I shall surely share the same fate. 
 {Noise outside.) They be close at hand. I will hide if 
 there be a place to put me. {Goes down cave c. L., a^td 
 hides behind big botdder. Storm dies away as scene pro- 
 gresses.) 
 (Jacob Johnson and Seth Randolph enter r. i e., with 
 
 the body of their victim. They deposit body 7iear center of 
 
 stage.) 
 
 Seth. Hark'ee, now, Jacob, Fm a second Pilate. I 
 wash my hands of this murder. Understand ? 
 
 Jacob. You do — eh? Wash your hands of a murder 
 which you helped to commit. Slip your own neck out of the 
 noose, and leave me to hang. Help get me into the trap, 
 and then desert me because I happened to strike the blow. 
 
 Seth. Yes, yes, Jacob; but you struck too hard — 
 altogether too hard. Murder was not my intention. We 
 wanted the money — that was natural. To secure it, it 
 
 5 
 
O BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 necessitated a blow ; but that blow should have been given 
 gently — gently, Jacob. Indeed! so gently, that the spark 
 of life would have remained. You overdid the job, Jacob. 
 
 Jacob. Well, it's done, and can't be undone. I struck 
 too hard, I admit that, but he should not have struggled. 
 He aggravated the assault through his own desperate 
 endeavor to escape. Had he yielded to our demand, no 
 trouble would have ensued. However, now that the deed is 
 done, what are you going to do about it ? 
 
 Seth. I don't know, Jacob. On that point my heart is 
 exceptionally tender. I long for his resuscitation. Bring 
 him to life, Jacob, and Til return my half of the boodle 
 without a struggle. 
 
 Jacob. Bah ! this accident has frightened you. It has 
 made you tender and chicken-hearted as a woman; and 
 women are cowards. 
 
 Seth. Not always, Jacob. The most heroic act I ever 
 witnessed was performed by a woman. That act was the 
 saving of my miserable carcass from a watery grave. Indeed ! 
 she rescued me from a position so perilous, that even men 
 shuddered to make the attempt. Don't stigmatize a woman, 
 Jacob, because if you do, what little sense of manhood I 
 have left will rebel in an instant. 
 
 Jacob (^after a pause) . Well ! 
 
 Seth. Well, Jacob. 
 
 Jacob. Something must be done. 
 
 Seth. There must ! I admit that. 
 
 Jacob. What shall it be? 
 
 Seth {advancing front). I pass ; you can play it alone. 
 
 Jacob {following and tapping hint on shoulder). Seth, 
 come back. {They go down stage. Seth, l., Jacob, r.) 
 This is no place to show the white feather. The deed is 
 done, and you must help cover it up. This cave is rarely if 
 ever visited. The stranger whom we have disposed of is 
 unknown in these parts, and will never be missed. I have a 
 few suggestions to make. 
 
 Seth. Make them. 
 
 Jacob. Let us bury the body, divide the money, swear 
 eternal secrecy to each other, and part for ever. 
 
 Seth. Your suggestions are adopted, especially the 
 latter. To one, however, I object. 
 
 Jacob. What is that.^ 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 7 
 
 Seth. Dividing the money. I want none of it. My 
 conscience is against it. 
 
 Jacob. You are a coward. 
 
 Seth {turning np07i him fiercely^. You lie. 
 
 Jacob {totiching revolver^ . What ! 
 
 Seth. I mean, in the present sense of the word. I am 
 a coward only as a guilty conscience makes me one. No 
 matter how much I craved that money under ordinary 
 circumstances, it has no charms for me when bathed in 
 human blood. You struck the blow, and have earned the 
 reward. I won't touch it. 
 
 Jacob. Well, will you help to bury the body? 
 
 Seth. I suppose I must. 
 
 Jacob. Then search with me for a fagot. We need a 
 ligh t . ( They search for fagot. ) 
 
 Seth {findi/ig fagot). Here is your fagot — light it. 
 (Jacob lights it.) 
 
 Jacob. Now for an examination of the cave. {Goes 
 down stage followed by Seth.) The Devil could not have 
 chosen a better place. 
 
 Seth {sarcastically). Or better subjects for it, eh, 
 Jacob ? 
 
 Jacob. Silence! your remarks are too pointed. Here! 
 look at this boulder. It juts out over, leaving a large cavity 
 underneath. Stow the body in there, and only the resurrec- 
 tion can find it. {Discovers Eli as, and jumps back in sur- 
 prise. ) The Devil ! 
 
 Seth {starting) . Eh — what I have you found him 
 already ? 
 
 Jacob. The Devil? No; would that I had. {Dragging 
 YA.ihsfrom behind rock.) How came you here? 
 
 Seth. I should remark the same. 
 
 Elias. I was sheltering myself from the storm. I saw 
 you coming, and so concealed myself. 
 
 Jacob. Have you overheard our conversation? 
 
 Elias. I have, sir ; but I could not help it — indeed I 
 could not. 
 
 Jacob. Do you know who we are? 
 
 Elias. I do, sir; but I be not f blame for that. I be 
 not f blame for knowing you, sir. 
 
 Jacob. Here, remain where you are. Move, and your 
 life shall pay the forfeit. Seth? 
 
8 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 Seth. Jacob ! 
 
 Jacob. Follow me. {They advance to front of stage. ^ 
 We are discovered — ruined. 
 
 S£TH. We are, Jacob. 
 
 Jacob. What is to be done.^ 
 
 Seth {slozuly). Hang! 
 
 Jacob {starting). Hang? Not while this right arm can 
 strike. The sod that covers one can cover two ; and a dead 
 tongue is ever silent. He must die. 
 
 Seth. Must? 
 
 Jacob. So I remarked. To avoid any disagreement 
 between ourselves, we will settle the question by tossing a 
 coin. Whoever the choice falls upon, must dispose of the 
 boy. Do you consent ?- 
 
 Seth {after a pause). I consent. 
 
 Jacob {taking coin from his pocket). Well, here goes. 
 {Tossing coin into the air.) Name your choice. 
 
 Seth. Heads you win. 
 
 Jacob {holds torch and looks at coin). It is heads. You 
 are the boy's executioner. Perform your duty. {Goes up 
 
 R. I E.) 
 
 Seth. Very well. (Seth looks toward boy, then turns y 
 and goes down L. i E. Pauses a moment , then takes long 
 dirk knife from his pocket and feels the edge. At last he 
 turns and goes down center to Eli as. Slow music.) Boy, 
 you see the exit to this cave? To the left is a path that 
 leads to your father\s cottage. Take it, and go home. 
 
 Jacob {springing down front) . What! 
 
 Seth. Jacob, stand back. This boy is in my hands — I 
 shall dispose of him. 
 
 Jacob. Yes, but you would set him free. Once free, 
 and you know the consequences. 
 
 Seth. Til take the consequences. Though the gallows 
 stared me in the face, and the rope was already around my 
 neck, I would not harm a hair of that boy's head to save my 
 lile. 
 
 Jacob. Are you determined? 
 
 Seth {^oing down c. L.). I am adamant. 
 
 Jacob {going r. i e. ; aside) . No power can move him 
 when once he has decided. Something must be done, and 
 quickly, too. {Aloud.) Seth? 
 
 Seth. Jacob ! 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 9 
 
 Jacob. Come here. 
 
 Seth (/<? Elias). Boy, don't move from your tracks 
 until I return. (Advances /ro/il.) Well? 
 
 Jacob. If you refuse to dispose of him, you must frighten 
 him into silence. I have known him from an infant. When 
 once his word is given he is as immovable as yourself. 
 Extort from him a promise to keep this a secret, and ^ve are 
 •^rife ; otherwise, you know the consequences. Are you for, 
 i)r against it.'* 
 
 Seth. I am for it, Jacob, just so long as it don't take 
 blood. If it comes to that, I enter a protest. You are bet- 
 ter adapted for the frightening process than I am, so I sur- 
 render the case into your hands. Do it gently, though, as 
 gently as possible without resorting to force. 
 
 Jacob. Leave that to me. (Jacob goes down r. with 
 torch. Seth turns l.) 
 
 Seth. Boy, I have changed my mind. Unless you 
 swear eternal secrecy in this matter, — well, youVe got to go 
 under, that's all. You had better swear. This man will do 
 the business, I can't. 
 
 Elias {clinging to Skiw) , Oh, no — no! For the love 
 of Heaven, let me live ! Oh, I beg of you not f murder me ! 
 
 Jacob. Shut up! {Sy^tk pushes hint o%)er to Jacob.) 
 Another word, and it's all over with you. Now listen. Our 
 conversation must have convinced you that this murder was 
 unintentional. The law, however, knows no difference. 
 Swear upon your sacred honor to keep it a secret, and you 
 are safe. Refuse, and your body shall rot in the same hole as 
 the one beside you. Down and swear. 
 
 Elias {kneeling back of corpse^. I swear it. 
 
 Jacob {stands r. witJi revolver pointed at Elias, Seth 
 stands I., the same). Then say, **As God is my witness, 
 Iwill keep this secret until my dying day.'' 
 
 Elias {lifting his hands to Heaven), As God is my wit- 
 ness, I will keep this secret until my dying day. 
 
 Jacob. You swear it ? 
 
 Elias. I swear it. {Tableau.) 
 
 Jacob. Elias. Seth. 
 
 Corpse. 
 
 R. CURTAIN. L. 
 
 Lapse of five years between Prologue and first Act. 
 
lO BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE I. — Parlor in Johnson's house. Folding doors back 
 looking into r 00771 beyo7id. Table with books ^ etc.y L. i E. 
 Side entrances L. a7id' R. Lounge C.L. Large hangi7ig7nirror 
 c. R. Secretary l. Altogether, a richly fur7tished apart- 
 77zenk As curtai7t rises, Jacob atid Drucilla enter from 
 R. 3 E. Jacob co77tes down l. Drucilla, r. 
 
 Jacob {i77ipatiently^. Come, come, Drucilla, youVe 
 harped on that long enough. The girl suits me, and if I can 
 win her hand it's a privilege I have. Besides, this house 
 has been without a mistress long enough. 
 
 Drucilla {with toss of- head). Indeed! without a mis- 
 tress. Is this my recompense for all these years of toil and 
 drudgery ? Are you aware, Mr. Johnson, that I am mistress 
 here ? 
 
 Jacob. Yes, you are mistress here, that is evident. But 
 recollect, Drucilla, you are only a sister. As such, you can- 
 not expect to supply the place of a loving and devoted 
 wife. 
 
 Dru. a loving and devoted fiddlestick ! What does a 
 man at your time of life want of a wife, I wonder. Besides, 
 the girl don't love you, and never will. If she does, she's a 
 downright fool, that's all. 
 
 Jacob. That is, in your estimation. Remember, though, 
 that your way of thinking is as different from mine as black 
 is from white. You have no affection for anything, unless T 
 except the love for darning a stocking, or sewing on a patch, 
 which, I believe, you are especially fond of. (Drucilla 
 shrugs her shoulders.') This girl may not love me now, but 
 she will after marriage ; at least, I will take the chances. 
 
 Dru. Well, I declare !■ One would think to hear you 
 talk that the girl was already at your command. What does 
 Mabel want of you ? Are you aware that she is already in 
 love with Edward '^. What are you, with your sour visage, 
 and ungainly figure, compared with him ? If I'm any judge of 
 character, your proposition will meet with a prompt refusal ; 
 and it ought to. 
 
 Jacob. Not so fast, Drucilla. You do not consider that 
 I hold the family within my power, and she dare not refuse. 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. I I 
 
 I could turn them into the street if I desired ; and as for 
 PhilHp, her father, you know the hold I have upon him ? 
 
 Dru. Yes, I do ; and if you take advantage of it, you 
 are a greater rascal than I take you to be, and goodness 
 knows you are enough of one already. However, have your 
 own way. You always would be headstrong and unreason- 
 able, and I expect you will in this. Remember, though, I 
 will tolerate no undue extravagance. I won't stand it. (£lr// 
 
 R. C. D.) 
 
 Jacob {co7Hing down c). Ha! ha! ha! how little she 
 knows of the rod I hold over the Raymond family. Every 
 dollar they possess, the honor of the family even, is in my 
 hands, and it rests with me to save them from poverty and 
 disgrace. The old man is blind and helpless. The forgery 
 that was committed, and for which he mortgaged me his 
 place, I still hold against him ; and though he was innocent, 
 it is impossible for him to prove it. (Sambo enters unper- 
 ceived, c.) Before I yield up that girl, I will foreclose on 
 the mortgage, turn the whole family into the street — aye! 
 and place Phillip Raymond in a prison cell. Such is my 
 vindictiveness towards those who work against me. 
 
 Sambo. MasY Johnson ? 
 
 Jacob (^tnrning quickly^. How now, you black rascal! 
 How dare you intrude upon me thus unceremoniously ! 
 
 Sambo. 'Spects I have 'casion, MasY Johnson. 
 
 Jacob. What do you want ? 
 
 Sambo. I'se gwine to tole you, sah, gwine to squatulate 
 dis yer minute. Lor a mighty ! MasV Johnson, what you 
 tink ? Dar's a man outside what says he's a gwine to enter 
 dis yer tickler compartment spite of de debbil sure. He tole 
 me so with his own mouf, sah. 
 
 Jacob. He told you so, did he? What does he look like? 
 
 Sambo. Dass it, Mas'r Johnson, dat's de tickler question 
 I was tinking on. ' Pears to me, if I disremember perzactly, 
 he was a resemblance to de scare-crow in MasV Wottle's cora 
 field, sah. 
 
 Jacob. A beggar — eh? Tell him to be off with him- 
 self. I have no patience with any such trash. 
 
 Sambo {going). Yes, sah, Pse gone, sah. (Stops.) 
 
 Jacob. Well, why don't you go? 
 
 Sambo. I was tinking dat de genPman might refuse to 
 go, sah. 
 
12 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 Jacob. Well? 
 
 Sambo. Under de circumstances, de situation would be 
 werry disembarrassing, sah. 
 
 Jacob. You are a coward. Tell him to begone, or I will 
 order his arrest. That will settle the question at once. 
 
 Sambo. And if he don't go den, sah? 
 
 Jacob. Clear out and do as I command you. 
 
 Sambo. Tse gone, sah. (^Exit c. D.) 
 
 Jacob. That negro is a regular nuisance. {Seats himself 
 at the table and writes.') I will write to this Raymond family 
 stating that I shall call upon them at two o'clock sharp. I 
 may as well decide my fate first as last. That the girl will 
 refuse my hand, I haven't a doubt; but the knowledge of her 
 fathers affairs will soon bring her to terms. After that I shall 
 have nothing to fear. (^Com??iotion otctside.) Just as I ex- 
 pected ! That negro's cowardice has got him into trouble. 
 (^Rising from table.) 
 
 Sambo (withoitt) . Lor a mighty ! don't shoot ! don't 
 shoot, sah! Ise not prepared to die — indeed ! I isn't, sah. 
 (^Backing in c. t>., followed by Seth Randolph, with pointed 
 revolver. Sambo runs behind ]xcob, who advances front.) 
 O Mas'r Johnson ! for de love of de Lord, save me -— save 
 me, Mas'r Johnson. 
 
 Jacob. Shut up I you black imp. {Turning to Seth.) 
 Well, sir, by what authority do you enter here? 
 
 Seth (r. ofc). Oh, I was only trying to look Erebus 
 out of countenance. I trust the endeavor has not occasioned 
 you any displeasure ? 
 
 Jacob. Villain ! you are insolent. Leave the room, or I 
 shall be under the necessity of resorting to force. 
 
 Sambo {behind Johnson) . Dar's gwine to be a murder in 
 dis yer house sure's you're born. 
 
 Jacob. Are you going, sir ? 
 
 Seth. Oh, not just at present. A call that is too short 
 is as unpolished as a call that is too long. Custom has 
 taught me to adhere strictly to etiquette. T\rt rules of eti- 
 quette must govern my departure. {Passing down R. H. 
 corner. ) 
 
 Jacob. Your audacity is without precedent. Sambo, 
 show him out of the house. 
 
 Sambo {retreating down l. n. corner), O Mas'r John- 
 son ! 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 1 3 
 
 Jacob. Do as I command you. 
 
 Sambo. I couldn't do it, MasV Johnson. I couldn't do 
 it nohow. 
 
 Jacob. Will you obey me, you black rascal? Why are 
 you shivering as if stricken with the ague ? Put this vaga- 
 bond out of the house. 
 
 Sambo {shiveri?tg^ . Lor a mighty ! Fse dun gone for. 
 Ise tooken wid de cranks, MasY Johnson. I can't move — 
 indeed I can't, sah. 
 
 Jacob {starting to'wa7'd him^. You cowardly wretch! 
 
 Seth. Hold on there, friend ! An ungovernable temper 
 is man's worst enemy. Learn to bridle the tongue, and 
 half of the battle is accomplished. I perceive my counte- 
 nance is not familiar to you, although it is wreathed in smiles. 
 Jacob, have you visited the old cave lately. 
 
 Jacob {starting) . How ! What ! 
 
 Seth. Oh, nothing. I was merely talking as one m a 
 dream. Look at me, Jacob. Behold in my face the old 
 familiar land-marks of friendship. Has five years served to 
 obliterate me from your memory? 
 
 Jacob {looking at him sharply) . Seth Randolph ! 
 
 Seth. The recognition is complete. Jacob? 
 
 Jacob. Well ! 
 
 Seth. Shake. {]aco^ gives hand reluctantly,) Jacob, 
 do you know why I am here? 
 
 Jacob. No. 
 
 Seth. I want money. 
 
 Jacob {starting back) . Money? Do you expect to find 
 it here ? Why, man, I haven't a dollar at my disposal. 
 
 Seth {advancing front) . Avoid the law, and cheat the 
 lawyer. That's my motto in rainy weather. I shall not 
 resort to the law to get my half of this estate. Jacob ? 
 
 Jacob. Well! 
 
 Seth (J>ointingto Sambo). Let Erebus pass out. 
 
 Jacob. What ! 
 
 Seth. Let him pass out. 
 
 Jacob {aside). Curse it ! I must obey him. {Aloud,) 
 Sambo, you can go. 
 
 Sambo {starting off) . Bress de Lord ! Pse jess gwine 
 to fly. 
 
 Seth. Here you, Erebus, come back. 
 
14 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 Sambo (^making off). Couldn't tink of it, sah, couldn't 
 tink of it nohow. (Seth points revolver at him. Sambo re- 
 turns.) Lor a mighty ! Tse a-coming. Put up yer popping 
 iron, MasY Somebody, Fse right here. 
 
 Seth. Bring me a bottle of wine. 
 
 (Sambo looks at Jacob), 
 
 Jacob. You can bring it. 
 
 Seth {pointing off). Go. {Sambo runs out c, iy,y Jacob, 
 it has been five years since we parted with each other at the 
 mouth of the old cave. 
 
 Jacob, Well! 
 
 Seth, Since that time my conscience has undergone a 
 wonderful change. Indeed, so case-hardened has it become 
 that I now demand my share of that money, 
 
 Jacob, What! would you rob me ? Never! Before I will 
 yield up that money, the law shall take its course. 
 
 Seth, And when it does it will find you upon the gallows. 
 Kind of makes you wince now, don't it ? Come ; give me my 
 share — you dare not refuse it. 
 
 Jacob. Dare not — dare not I say you ? Bah ! who rec- 
 ognizes you? What jury, after one glance at your face, 
 would convict me on your testimony? I defy you. 
 
 Seth. Well, my face is against me, thaf s a fact. The 
 face is a mirror to the heart ; and when the heart is evil, the 
 evil seems to crop out and show all over the man. However, 
 there's the lad — 
 
 Jacob, What of him? He is demented, broken down in 
 spirits, and no longer responsible for what he does, 
 
 Seth. And we are the cause of all this ? 
 
 Jacob, Call it as you please, 
 
 Seth. Jacob, listen to me. To kill a man outright, is 
 murder. To murder his peace of mind, is no crime. Now, 
 to my thinking, he who ruins the happiness of another, com- 
 pelling him to live in perpetual torture and mental anguish, 
 is a greater murderer than he who robs a man of life. We 
 are the murderers of that boy. How does it make you feel, 
 Jacob? 
 
 Jacob, You are mad, 
 
 Seth. Mad? Then is a guilty conscience a species of 
 insanity. Now to show you how far that insanity has taken 
 me. {Taking paper from his pocket,) When I parted from 
 
BOUJND BY AN OATH. Ij 
 
 you, five years ago, I compelled you to write down every par- 
 ticular of that murder, and affix your signature, {Showing 
 paper. ^ Here is the paper — I perceive you recognize it. 
 Now, Jacob, unless you place five thousand dollars at my 
 disposal, I will hand this paper to the proper authorities, and 
 by so doing show up that murder to the eyes of the world. 
 Think it over. {Goes up stage , a^id throws hi?nself into chair 
 facing mirror. His back is toward audience. He leans back 
 in chair and lights cigar. ) 
 
 Jacob {down c, l, aside). That man must die. Until 
 he is disposed of I am no longer safe. Ha I a thought. His 
 back is toward me. I could easily steal upon him unawares, 
 and stab him to the heart. I then could conceal the body, 
 and he would never be missed. It shall be done. {Goes 
 to table, opens drawer, takes out papers and dagger. He 
 conceals dagger; alojid.) Seth, as you say, half of that 
 money belongs to you. Wait but a moment, and I will fill 
 out the check. {Pretends to W7'ite check.) There! now I 
 will bring it to you that you may see if it is all right. {Con- 
 ceals dagger in right hand and crosses to Seth. As he lifts 
 it to strike, Seth, who has watched his movements in the 
 mirror, suddenly points revolver at him over his shoulder. 
 Jacob starts back in surprise. Chord. ) 
 
 Seth. Jacob, stand back. 
 
 Jacob. Ha ! would you murder me ? 
 
 Seth. Jacob, that mirror is like your own heart ; it re- 
 veals all there is in it. 
 
 Sambo {entering c, with wine, etc). Here am de wine, 
 MasY Somebody. 
 
 Seth. Very well. {Rises, takes glass, and comes down 
 c. R. Jacob c. l.). Here's to your health. May you be 
 more successful in your next attempt. {Drinks and returns 
 glass. Sambo falls back.) Jacob, fill out that check. 
 
 Jacob. Give me time. Give me a week, and you shall 
 have it. {Aside.) In that time I will dispose of him, or may 
 my right hand be withered. 
 
 Seth. Your wish is granted. Disappoint me, though, 
 and you know the consequences. Erebus, advance. 
 
 Sambo. Pse coming, sah. {Comes down front.) Fse right 
 here, sah. 
 
 (Seth takes glass and is about to drink as Drucilla enters 
 R. 3E.) 
 
l6 BOUND BY AN OA^TH. 
 
 Dru. Mr. Johnson, I wish to inform you — (^Perceiving 
 Seth.) Why, who^s this! and a glass in his hand, too. 
 Jacob, why is such a vagabond in the house ? 
 
 Seth. Pardon me, madam ; but I am your brother's most 
 intimate and confidential friend. Is it not so, Jacob? 
 (^Drinks.^ 
 
 Jacob {with difficulty^. Ye-yes. 
 
 Dru. I want to know ! I was not aware that my brother 
 was the associate of ruffians and beggars. Why, his face 
 would make a good photograph for a rogues gallery. ( Tw'fi- 
 ingto Seth.) Do you know, sir, I take you for a contemp- 
 tible worm t Bless me ! if I'm any judge of looks, you are 
 a bold, bad man. 
 
 Seth. Which show^s, madam, how little you can read 
 the human face. A rough exterior often covers a costly gem. 
 I speak that with reference to myself. The plainer the bird, 
 the sweeter the song. Are — are you a vocalist, madam ? 
 
 Dru. You insulting thing ! Jacob, it is my desire that 
 this man shall leave the house. Command Sambo to put 
 him out. 
 
 Sambo {retreating dow ft r. c). O Missus ! I couldn't do 
 it ! couldn't do it nohow ! 
 
 Dru. Why don't you speak, Jacob? Has your tongue 
 become suddenly tied? Why do you entertain such a 
 character in the house? 
 
 Jacob. Drucilla, he is here — 
 
 Seth. On particular business, ma3am. Business of 
 such a vital nature as not to require your presence. You 
 can go — eh, Jacob ? 
 
 Jacob. Under the circumstances, Drucilla, you had 
 better retire. It will only be for a short season — 
 
 Seth. After which, you can return. This is what the 
 tide said to the shore: **I go; but I shall come back." 
 And mind, no listening at the key-hole either. A listening 
 ear is an abomination. Erebus, advance. (Sambo starts 
 forward. ) 
 
 Dru. Stay where you are, sir. {Sxu^o falls back.) 
 
 Seth {authoritatively). Erebus, advance. {Sambo starts 
 forward again.) 
 
 Dru. {fiercely). Stay where you are, sir. (Sambo r//;/j 
 back.) If the master of this house is devoid of courage, I 
 
BClUND BY AN OATH. 1/ 
 
 will assume command myself. As for you, you contemptible 
 sneak — leave the house this instant. 
 
 Seth. Beautiful is woman in her natural sphere. Per- 
 verted, the Devil is no comparison. Often have I stuffed 
 the ballot-box in their behalf, and admired them for their 
 courage and temerity. {Suddejily crashing tumbler upon 
 the floor and shotiti7ig.^ Rats!!! 
 
 Dru . {screami7tg and rtin7iing down stage c . R . ) . Mercy ! 
 
 Sambo (^juinping and dropping tray), Lordy Gody 
 mighty ! whar is um ! 
 
 Seth {^juinping i^tto chair down c, and flourishing two 
 revolvers) . Everywhere ! everywhere ! Cover your figure- 
 head, you black bull of Bashan, or off goes a pendant. 
 (Sambo darts under table. Drucilla holds up chair to 
 protect herself .) That's right! dodge about, for in it rests 
 your safety. This house, and all there is in it, belongs to 
 me ; with the exclusive right to shoot — pop — bang — • blaze 
 away — {^Shoots revolvers arou?id room as scene closes in.) 
 
 (^Disposition of characters.) 
 Seth {in chair). 
 
 Sau^o (^under table). 
 Drucilla. Jacob. 
 
 R. * L. 
 
 SCENE II. — Highway. 
 (Sau^O enters fro?n I.., backing on.) 
 Sambo. Hi! dar — clar out! doan you trouble dis yer 
 chile no mo' — doan you do it. Lor a mighty ! what am de 
 world a coming to ! Tarrin^ times down at MasV Johnson's 
 — ebery ting discumbobalated in a heap. Nebber saw de 
 likes in all dis yer chile's recommembrance. Dars de Missey 
 next ting to gone wid de steerics, and Mas'r Johnson, he 
 doan say nuffin, but jess give me dis yer letter to deliver, 
 an' den dat yer shooting popperer running de house. I 
 can't see through it nohow. {Looking off "l.) Git out, dar! 
 doan you come dis yer way, 'cause I can't stand it ! {Enter 
 fro7n R., Lucy Snuff, with basket a7id bimdles. She stands 
 and stares at Sambo, who does not observe her.) Doan 
 want nufTlin mo' to do wid yer on top of dis yer yearth. Clar 
 out! 
 
1 8 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 Lucy. What on airth is the matter? 
 
 Sambo (^jumping back). Hey! git out, dar — git out! 
 I doan — {Perceives Lucy.) Lor a mighty! is dat you, 
 Missey Lucy? 
 
 Lucy. Land a massey ! yes. Hev you got the valerian 
 cremens, or are you clean gone crazy. You look scater than 
 Deacon Applejack did when the hornets chased him out of 
 the raspberry patch. Sakes alive! didnH he run, though. 
 AinH anybody dead, is there? 
 
 Sambo. Lor a mighty ! dar's gwine to be a funeral at 
 MasV Johnson's afore a week. 
 
 Lucy. Sakes alive ! you don't say ! Well, it's nuthin' 
 more nor less than I expected. I told Drucilla last week, if 
 she didn't wear an anica plaster atween her shoulders she'd 
 hev the spine-on-er-gee-tus agin, spite of yarbs an' doctors. 
 Nuthin' like an anica plaster for spine-on-er-gee-tus, I kin tell 
 ye. When wus she tooken down? 
 
 Sambo. Tooken down! Who? Missey Johnson? Laws 
 a massey ! dar's nuffin de trouble wid her — she nebber was 
 took. 
 
 Lucy. I want tu know ! Then Jacob is sick, is he ? I 
 knew he would be when I heard him sneeze twice afore break- 
 fast tother mornin'. I told him then tu take a dose of 
 cannibal innicus, an' soak his feet in hemlock tea, or he'd 
 hev the fever worse than Uriah did, an' you know Uriah wus 
 awful bad. He wouldn't du it, though. Men are hateful 
 critters when they set out for it, I kin tell ye. If you ever 
 cotch a cold, Samuel, jest take some cannibal innicus, an' 
 soak your feet in hemlock tea. It'll help you every time. 
 Has he hed tu hev a doctor? 
 
 Sambo. Who! Mas'r Johnson? Dar's nuffin de trouble 
 wid him. He doan want no doctor, Mas'r Johnson doan. 
 
 Lucy. Sho ! you don't say ! Then for massy's sake ! 
 who is sick? 
 
 Sambo. Dar ain't nobody sick, I tole yer. Lor a mighty ! 
 can't dar be a funeral in de house widout de measels? 
 
 {Crosses to K.) 
 
 Lucy {crossing to l.). Well, well, goin' tu be a funeral in 
 the house, an' nobody sick. You beat all the niggers for 
 talkin' in columdrums I ever did see. Land a massey! I 
 wus jest a-goin' over there ; but your talk has flusterated me 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. I9 
 
 SO, I hardly know whether tu go ahead, or jest turn around 
 an' go back. 
 
 Sambo. Better go back, Missey Lucy, now recommember 
 what I tole yer. Dar's a man wid de popper irons what has 
 taken lawful possession of de whole ting. He took it wid 
 his own permission, he did. Doan you go near de house. 
 
 Lucy. Gracious goodness ! a man taken lawful posses- 
 sion? Well, well, what will happen next, I wonder. {Sets 
 down bmldleSy approaches Sambo, and talks significantly.) 
 Do you know, Samuel, I alius did think there wus somethin' 
 kinder cur'us about Jacob's affairs ? You know what the 
 general report is, don't ye ? Well, folks will talk, ye know, 
 an' perhaps there's nuthin' tu it. Leastwise, I hope not. 
 Then the officers have really taken possession. 
 
 Sambo. Ossifers? Who said anything about ossifers! 
 Dar ain't no ossifers at Mas'r Johnson's. 
 
 Lucy. Didn't you say the officers had taken possession 
 of the house ? 
 
 Sambo. Didn't say nuffin 'bout ossifers. What fo' 
 ossifers go to Mas'r Johnson's? He ain't stole no sheep, 
 Mas'r Johnson ain't. 
 
 Lucy. Land a massey ! who said anything about sheep ! 
 You niggers will mix things up the wust of any people I ever 
 did see. Hev you started for anywheres in particular? 
 
 Sambo. Wussdat? 
 
 Lucy. I didn't know but you might be goin' down tu 
 Phillip Raymond's. Of course I don't keer, an' only ask out 
 of curiosity. Poor man ! it wus a great caramity when his 
 sight wus tooken from him. It does seem cur'us, though, 
 that he should let Elias sleep in the mill, even if he does run 
 it. Why, if it wus mine, I should know he would sot it on 
 fire. Kind o' cur'us about that boy, now, ain't it? 
 
 Sambo. Doan know nuffin 'bout dat Elias. Mas'r 
 Johnson says I doan want nuffin' to do wid him. 
 
 Lucy. ^Massey sakes ! what did he say that for? Why, 
 there wern't no smarterer boy in town than Elias wus, afore 
 that mystery preyed upon his mind. Why on airth he don't 
 tell about it is mor'n I can see inter. Well, I must run 
 along, or I shall never get there. {Takes up basket and 
 bundles,) I'm goin' tu take Drucilla some corn an' cowcum- 
 hers. She's dreadful fond of cowcumbers, Drucilla is, an' 
 
20 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 then agin, she says they'er good for her dispeperie. I 
 reckon I shant be in the way, so I'll run my chances. If 
 you see Mrs. Raymond, you tell her my rhumatiz is a heap 
 better, an' jest as soon as the first surveyance offers, Fll drop 
 down an' see her. {Starts offi..) 
 
 Sambo (calling), MisseyLucy! 
 
 Lucy (Ji^rning back) . Well ! for the land sakes what do 
 you want now? I'm in a dreadful hurry. 
 
 Sambo. Dar's a bran new litter of pigs down to Mas'r 
 Wottles — see'd 'em all myself. 
 
 Lucy (Jndigftant) . Well, what on airth du I keer for a 
 litter of pigs. {Goes off i..). 
 
 Sambo. Ya! ya! .ya! nebber saw de likes of dat ole 
 woman on top of dis yer yearth. Golly ! she can talk faster 
 than a guinea hen can cackle — dat's a fact. Knows ebery- 
 ting, too. Lor a mighty ! what she want to 'sinuate dat yer 
 ting 'bout Mas'r Johnson fo'.^* 'Spects she doan know nuffin 
 'bout it. Ya ! if I doan deliber dis yer letter mighty quick, 
 dar'U be de debbil to pay. Mas'r Johnson'll send dat yer 
 shooting popperer after me sure. Hi ! git out dar ! Doan 
 you come dis yer way — doan you do it. {Runs off K.) 
 
 SCENE III.— Yard in front of Raymond's cottage, r. 
 Porch over door entwined with vines, etc., etc. Highway 
 leading from extre7ne R. u. e., down past cottage, and off 
 L. Grist mill seen in the distance. Phillip discovered 
 seated in rustic chair in front of cottage. Mrs. Raymond 
 stands in front of porxh, with Mabel beside her. She 
 holds letter in her hand as scene opens. 
 
 Mrs. R. {reading) . * ' To Phillip Raymond : 
 
 I shall call upon you 
 at two o'clock sharp. I particularly request that Mabel shall 
 be present. 
 
 Jacob Johnson." 
 
 Alas! too well I know what that call portends; and unless 
 his heart is unusually lenient, we shall be turned into the 
 streets, homeless and friendless. 
 
 Phillip. Cheer up, Betty, cheer up. This here wureld 
 we're living in ain't all amiss. Theer's patches of sunshine, 
 a'most as big as the shadows, spread out all around us. 1 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 21 
 
 could wish they might shine a leetle brighter sometimes — 
 enough to keep us and the old home together — and I reckon 
 they will if we don't murmur too much agin it. Don't be 
 down spirited, Betty, s'longs the mill wheel continues to 
 turn. 
 
 Mrs. R. Ah, Phillip, you always look on the bright sme, 
 even in your sorest afflictions. Sometimes I bless Heaven 
 for it. But at present, our situation is most deplorable ; 
 and unless some unforeseen event occurs, I can see nothing 
 but ruin staring us in the face. 
 
 Phillip. Well, Betty, theer's worse things than being 
 stared at by ruin. Now I ain't discouraged — not at present. 
 Them theer notes won't spile if they keeps a leetle longer. 
 Why ! Jacob's art may have a streak of generosity run 
 through it; though, if he does, it will be the first in my 
 remembrance. Anyhow, let us sing until the lightning 
 strikes. Theer'll be time enough for mourning after that. 
 
 Mabel. What is his reason, think you, for wishing me 
 to be present? . 
 
 Mrs. R. Alas! my child, I know not, unless — unless — 
 
 Mabel. Why do you hesitate, dear mother? 
 
 Mrs. R. Oh, I dare not speak the words that are hover- 
 ing on my lips ! I have noticed his manner toward _ you of 
 late, and it has haunted me — filled my soul with dread. If 
 I am not greatly mistaken, I can too easily interpret his 
 meaning. 
 
 Mabel. Alas ! dear mother, you do not mean — 
 
 Mrs. R. I mean, my child, that Jacob Johnson cherishes 
 for you more than a friendly affection. What it will termi- 
 nate in, I dare not say ; but the end is too apparent. 
 
 Mabel. O mother! you do not mean — Pleaven ! he 
 would not ask me to become his wife? Impossible ! I would 
 rather die. I never can — I never will. 
 
 Phillip. And you never shall, my child, you never shall. 
 
 Mrs. R. But you know, Phillip, we are completely in 
 his power. If he should insist upon it, what could you do? 
 
 Phillip. Do? Why, I'd refuse, of course. Do you 
 think as how another man has the power of control like a 
 father over his own child? The laws of God are agin it. 
 Blind and helpless as I am, I would beg, starve in the streets, 
 afore my Mabel should wed a man whom I believe — 
 
22 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 Mrs. R. {grasping his arm). Hush! hush! Phillip. 
 Even now he is coming toward the house. 
 
 Phillip. Well, let him come. It ud do him good to 
 hear some of the sentiments of public feeling there is agin 
 him. 
 
 {Enter Jacob Johnson, r. u. e.) 
 
 Jacob {touching his hat). Ah, quite a family gathering! 
 It delights me exceedingly to see you thus congregated to- 
 gether. You doubtless received my letter.-^ 
 
 Mrs. R. I have just been reading it to Phillip. We are 
 very sorry, sir, but — 
 
 Phillip. Hold on, Betty, hold on right theer! What 
 have we done to be sorry for.^ Not one blessed thing. 
 {Turning to ]acov>.) You see, sir, business have been dull 
 lately — werry dull. The water in the stream is low, and 
 that theer lowness keeps the grists away. If you had the art 
 to wait a leetle longer, Jacob, just till the stream comes up — 
 no longer, maybe — perhaps I could do something by you. 
 I ud try it, anyhow. 
 
 Jacob. Yes, yes ; no doubt your intentions are all right. 
 Recollect, however, that your property, at forced sale, would 
 not pay me the amount of your indebtedness. Have you 
 made any provisions for your payments in case of a postpone- 
 ment ? 
 
 Phillip. On'y the arnings of the mill. Beyond that, I 
 can't say. 
 
 Jacob. Then you must not blame me for foreclosing on 
 the mortgage. Well, let that rest. I am a man of few words, 
 and will come to the point at once. I want your daughter 
 for my wife. She has doubtless perceived before this, that 
 I have cherished more of an affection for her, than others of 
 her kind. My social position, my wealth, and I tnist, her 
 respect for me, will lead to an acceptance of my hand. 
 
 Mabel. Oh, sir, will you not spare me? 
 
 Phillip. Spare you, child.'* You have the 'power to 
 spare yourself. If you don't want the gentPman, you have 
 but to say no, and that eends the matter. 
 
 Jacob. Not too fast, Phillip. A refusal might lead me 
 to bring matters to a crisis. Please give the matter in ques- 
 tion a careful consideration before rendering your decision. 
 
 Mrs. R. Would you compel us to give you our child in 
 marriage regardless of whether she loved you or noXl 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 23 
 
 Jacob. I trust that my wealth, my social position — 
 
 Phillip. True love, sir, for the matter of that, have 
 nothing to do with wealth or position. It are the man it 
 wants, wheether he have a dollar or not. Now, Jacob, you 
 say as how you are a man of few words. I be the same. 
 My Mabel shall decide your fate with her own purty lips. If 
 it be ** yes " you can have her; but if it be *' no," you may 
 as well go home, and may peace go with you. Mabel, do 
 you want this here gentPman, with his wealth, and position, 
 and other titles, for a husband? 
 
 Mabel. Oh, father ! you know I can never love him. 
 He surely would not marry me without my love. 
 
 Phillip. That have nothing to do with the case. A 
 man wof s in love, and desp'rate, would do a'most anything. 
 Come ! you must decide your fate, my child, the gentPman 
 is waiting. 
 
 Mabel. O father ! I cannot marry him, indeed, I can- 
 not. 
 
 Phillip. Theer, Jacob, you have your answer — all in a 
 nut-shell. I hope you'll neer be hard on us on that account. 
 He are not much of a man who would marry a girl against 
 her will. 
 
 Jacob. Phillip, you are burning your own fingers. Re- 
 member, I am not to be thwarted in my designs. I will give 
 you until to-morrow afternoon to think this matter over. At 
 that time, this girl must come to my house witli a favorable 
 answer, or the amount of your indebtedness, or the law shall 
 take its course, I wish you a good afternoon. (^Exit r. u. 
 
 E.) 
 
 Phillip. It ain't for me to murmur agin the Lord — it 
 ain't my way ; but when he put that theer man together. He 
 made a great mistake. He are nothing but a shark, and we 
 the fish he is after. I had a-hoped it might have been dif- 
 ferent. 
 
 Mrs. R. {weeping). Oh, Phillip! I knew how it would 
 end. Heaven protect us ! what shall we do ? 
 
 Phillip. Well, Betty, just now I am summat timourous 
 about answering. These here eyes of mine — blind as a cave 
 fish — holds me like a boat wot is anchored, and makes me 
 useless. You and Mabel are both strong, and both capable ; 
 and with both strength and capability, you can both look 
 
24 BOUND BV AN OATH. 
 
 into the hereafter with summat of hope. The wust Jacob 
 kin do by me is the sending of me to jail ; and that theer 
 thing may be a blessing, for it gives me a bed, and three 
 meals a day, which the like you may not have the happiness 
 to get. 
 
 Mabel. Oh, he surely cannot be so hard hearted ! 
 
 Phillip. You do not know that theer Jacob, child, so 
 well as your father. I have known him nigh about twenty years, 
 going on, and so much as a particle of goodness I have never 
 found. He will do as he has said. 
 
 Mabel. Then I will accept his hand. It shall not be 
 said of me that I was the means of turning you into the 
 streets in your blind and" helpless condition. 
 
 Phillip. Tut ! tut ! child. You talk in parables ; and 
 parables is a language I fail to understand. Come, Betty, 
 lead me into the house. I'm a-going to give this matter a 
 keerful study ; and Pm a-going to do it with the Bible upon 
 my knees. I can't read it with these here eyes of mine, but 
 I can think a heap better somehow, when we get kinder as- 
 sociated together. {They help hwz p'ojn the chair, and he is 
 led into the house by Mrs. Raymond.) 
 
 Mabel (watching the7n off) . O my poor father ! I can 
 never live to see him turned into the streets, blind and help- 
 less as he is. If my poor hand can save him, it shall be 
 given. O Edward! Edward! must I give you up? Father 
 of mercy ! have compassion upon me, and teach me what to 
 do. {Throws herself into chair weeping.) 
 
 Edward {eriters fro7n r. u. e., carrying small bimdle). 
 All this world is but a bubble, and that bubble is full of 
 trouble, with a bubble, and a stubble, and a — {Perceives 
 Mabel.) Hello! Mabel, in tears? I didn't think you would 
 weep so soon after learning of my departure. 
 
 Mabel {looking tip). Your departure? Are you going 
 away, Edward? 
 
 Edw. Yep ! Pm gone ; or, that is — Pm most gone. Let 
 me explain. {Drops bundle, and seats himself opposite 
 Mabel.) My worthy Uncle called me into his study this 
 morning, and said, '' Edward, you are a useless appendage." 
 Admitted. '* Edward, you are no longer wanted." Admit- 
 ted again. ** Edward, here is a dollar. Take it, and shift 
 for yourself." Here is the money, Mabel. Take it, Pm 
 afraid of robbery. ( Throws dollar into her lap.) 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 2$ 
 
 Mabel. O Edward ! how can you joke on such a solemn 
 occasion. 
 
 Edw. Solemn ? You just bet if s solemn. But why are 
 you in tears? I dislike tears; and then again, they don't 
 become you. 
 
 Mabel (aside). Oh, how can I ever tell him! Yet I 
 must! {Aloud.) O Edward!, what will you think of me 
 when I tell you we must part forever? 
 
 Edw. {minpiiig up) . Think of you? By George! I would 
 think you was a mighty queer girl. That's just the way, 
 though. Let a man get cut out of an inheritance, and he 
 gets cut out of everything that wears petticoats. 
 
 Mabel. How can you talk so, Edward? You know I 
 would do anything for your sake ? 
 
 Edw. Yes, until I got the grand bounce, and then leave 
 me. 
 
 Mabel. No, no, Edward. Listen to me : Mr. Johnson 
 has been here. 
 
 Edw. I know it. I met the old skinflint down the road. 
 Said **good-by" to him as pleasantly as I knew how, and 
 all the old sardine did was just to grin. I see through it, 
 though ; money — fine clothes — upper crust — (Picking up 
 bundle.) Good-by, Mabel, Pm oif. 
 
 Mabel (pidling hiin back). Edward, will you listen to 
 me? Mr. Johnson says unless I marry him, or father settles 
 his mortgage, he will turn us into the street ; and he even 
 threatens father with something worse. 
 
 Edw. (dropping bundle). He does — eh? That puts a 
 different face on the matter. How much is the bill ? I mean, 
 how much is your father owing him? 
 
 Mabel. I hardly know ; but it must be in the vicinity of 
 five thousand dollars. 
 
 Edw. Whew ! then my dollar won't settle it. Snakes ! I 
 wish I could plant it and make it grow. Well ! (Pauses.) 
 Say, Mabel, are you going to marry him? 
 
 Mabel. O Edward ! what can I do? 
 
 Edw. Conundrum ! I give it up. You shan't marry that 
 old haddock, though, if the sky falls. (Noise off L.'u. E.) 
 Hello ! what's all that ? (Eltas enters l.u.e. zvith wheelbarrow 
 loaded with bundles, etc. He is followed by boys, who throw 
 sticks at him, and shout, ^^ Murderer ! Coward I Fool I ''^ 
 
26 BOUND BV .VN OATH. 
 
 They upset his wheelbarrow near front of stage, Edward 
 interferes.) Clear out ! Have you no more manners than 
 to pick upon a poor fellow who is minding his own business ? 
 Away with you, or Til show you what a full-blooded Yankee 
 is made of. {They run off l. u. e., shouting ** Coward I 
 Murderer ! " etc. ) 
 
 (Elias, assisted by Mabel, rights wheelbarrow and bimdles. 
 
 Elias seats himself on handle of wheelbarrow^ as Edward 
 
 comes dow7i front. Mabel re77iains r . ) 
 
 Elias {tfiuch affected). Poor Elias ha' not got many 
 friends, Edward. 
 
 Edw. Well, he's got one, and don't you forget it. And 
 if I'm not mistaken, he has another in Mabel here. 
 
 Elias. Yes ; Mabel be a friend f Elias, Mabel be. Once 
 I had the fever. It wus in a room dowji there in the old 
 mill ; an' no one would come a-near of me ; an' I wus left 
 t' die. But one day, Mabel comes, an' watches over me, an' 
 cares for me till the fever had turned, an' I was well again. 
 I ha' not forgotten it, Edward. 
 
 Mabel. And richly have I been rewarded by your close 
 attendance to the mill since my father's blindness. Your 
 faithfulness and careful management have been the sole 
 means of keeping the family together. 
 
 Edw. You just bet it has. Still, Elias, you stand abuse 
 like a western mule. Are you a coward ? No; you proved 
 your courage when you saved Higgins' child from drowning. 
 To repay you he orders you out of the house. How is that 
 for an exemplification of humanity ? 
 
 Elias. Higgins be not the only man who ha' turned me 
 from his house. But it be all right; I ha' got used t' 
 trouble, Edward. 
 
 Edw. Well, so have I. You see, without going into de- 
 tails, that skinflint of a Johnson has been here and snarled 
 things up generally. 
 
 Elias {rising agitated). What be that ye ha' said? 
 Johnson been here? Ha' that man Johnson been here? 
 
 Edw. Of course he has. Don't you see the atmosphere 
 is clouded? It hasn't cleared up since he left. 
 
 Mabel. It is true, Elias ; and he had the impudence to 
 ask me to become his wife. 
 
 Edw. And all the time, recollect, she was pledged to me. 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 2/ 
 
 Elias {greatly agitated^ . You become his wife ! Say it 
 slow — say it slow, Mabel. I fear I ha' made a mistake. 
 You become the wife of Jacob Johnson ? 
 
 Mabel. He has said it, Elias. He is determined that I 
 shall marry him. 
 
 Elias (slow^ and with inuch feeling). He — Jacob 
 Johnson — marry you? You who ha' been a friend t' me? 
 Who ha' cared for me when I wus sick? Who ha' been 
 like a sister t' me? You become the wife of that man? Ye 
 shall not do it, Mabel, ye shall not do it ! 
 
 Mabel. But to refuse is to turn my poor parents into the 
 street. 
 
 Elias. Ye be not turned into the streets — not while 
 Elias lives. Run in now — I ha 'a word t' say t' Edward. 
 {Leads her toward door.) Run in, and remember I be a- 
 working for ye. (Mabel exit into house. Elias comes 
 down.) Edward, I ha' a question t' ask, an' then ye can 
 follow Mabel. If ye love her, an' I ha' reason t' think that 
 ye do, meet me at dark to-night at my room down there in the 
 old mill. {Graspiftg his arm.) I ha' a surprise for ye, 
 Edward. 
 
 Edw. Well, Fve had two already, and it will take a gal- 
 vanic battery to give me another. However, I '11 be there, 
 and don't you forget it. 
 
 Elias. Ye shall not regret it, Edward, ye shall not 
 regret it. Run in now, for Mabel be in waiting. {Leads 
 him toward door.) Run in an' tell Phillip I be mad; 
 that a volcano has sprung up in my bosom ; that poor, 
 simple Elias will save him, or the God he ha' wor- 
 shipped ha' turned against him. (Edward exit into house. 
 Elias comes down front.) Oh! that I had the tongue t' 
 speak, I would use it now. I would expose that accursed 
 fiend t' the eyes of the world, or perish in the attempt. 
 (Seth Randolph enters r. u. e. unperceived.) Alas ! I 
 cannot. My word is given, an' when I give my word, it is 
 a covenant not t' be broken. I will keep my oath ! {Turns 
 to take wheelbarrow, and perceives Seth, whom he recognises. 
 Chord. They stare at each other for a mo7nent in silence.) 
 
 Seth. Well! what are you staring at? Are you aware 
 that he who leers at another shows a breeding of ill man- 
 ners? Besides, it places a gentleman like myself in a very 
 embarrassing position. 
 
28 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 Elias. Ye be no gentleman, sir. 
 
 Seth. No gentleman? Insult added to contumely. My 
 friend, ignorance has calloused your judgment. If I am no 
 gentleman, for Heaven's sake ! what am I ? 
 
 Elias {pointing at hi7n with finger^ . Ye be a murderer, 
 Seth Randolph. 
 
 Seth {starti^tg back^ . Damnation ! exposed ! For God's 
 sake ! who are you ? 
 
 Elias. Elias Amsden, the boy ye bound by an oath, 
 (Picture.^ 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 29 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 SCENE I. — Interior of mill. Divided stage, showing two 
 rooms in same fiat. Room to the R., contains old cot, 
 stool, stand, and lighted candle. Above cot is small win- 
 dow. Trap door, c. Entrance R. C. Room to L. con- 
 tains cot^ old stool, stand, etc. Entrance L. c. Middle 
 pay'tition shows opening for box stove. This opening is 
 closed with boards arranged to be moved. If convenient, 
 pidleys and belts should project into rooms. Time, even- 
 ing. At rise of curtain Eli as is discovered in room to R. 
 He sits opposite stand, with his head resting upon it. 
 Music at opening, 
 
 (Seth Randolph enters roo7n to l.) 
 Seth {feeli7tg in his pockets^. Where did I put that 
 candle? Oh, here it is! {Takes candle fro?n his pocket,) 
 Now for a light. {Lights candle and tries to balance it on 
 table.) That won-t work! Well, must have a candlestick 
 somehow. {Perceives tumbler.) Here! Fll substitute this. 
 {Puts candle in tumbler and jams paper around it, ) There ! 
 there's a candlestick worthy of a patent. {Examines room,) 
 This is no drawing-room ; but it is safer than abiding with 
 Jacob, if I do own half of the establishment. {Seating him- 
 self at stand,) Ugh! that boy gave me the shakes. He 
 will not expose me, though, and Jacob dare not, so I have 
 nothing to fear. {Yawns.) Well, Fll have a smoke, and 
 then retire. {Takes out pipe, lights it, and lea7is back 
 smoking. Loud rap at door in opposite roo7n.) Hello! I 
 guess Tm going to have neighbors. {K7wck repeated.) 
 
 Elias {rising, and going toward door) , I be a-coming, 
 Edward, I be a-coming. {Ope7is door. Edward enters.) 
 I thought as how ye would not disappoint me. {They come 
 
 d0W7l.) 
 
 Edward. Disappoint you? No; not when there 's any- 
 thing at stake. {Sits down on cot a7id looks aroimd.) 
 Whew ! this is a gloomy hole. Arn't you afraid of ghosts? 
 
 Elias {sitting 071 stool). I be no believer in ghosts, 
 Edward, unless they be clothed in flesh an' bone. I be 
 haunted enough by them already. Ha' ye found out how 
 much Raymond be owing? 
 
30 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 Edw. It knocks the spots off from five thousand dollars. 
 Mabel and I figured it up after you left. I haven't seen 
 figures look so gloomy since the day I figured fractions in 
 school when I wanted to go fishing. Every one loomed up 
 just like a thunder-cloud. 
 
 Seth. Their talk has a flavoring of money in it ; and if 
 anything can send a thrill like electricity through me, it is 
 money. Til draw up a little nearer. {Moves up to opening 
 in partition and listens.^ 
 
 Elias. Edward, I be going t' tell ye a secret, an' I ha' 
 the confidence in ye that ye will keep it. That I know the 
 murderers o' the man thatwus found, ye be well aware; an' 
 ye know I ha' been put t' a'most every test t' compel me t' 
 expose 'em. I ha' been threatened, an' kicked, an' abused, 
 until I be not the same as formerly, either in body or mind. 
 I be a man, though, for all o' that ; an' I ha' a heart like as 
 other men ; an' there be feelin' in that heart ; an' it be 
 tender. It be that tender, Edward, that often of a night, 
 when I be here alone, an' everything be still — all but the 
 water of the river out there — that I ha' wept, an' I ha' done 
 it often. But I be constrained by an oath. I ha' often 
 wished I had died afore I had taken it ; but that be too late. 
 I ha' taken the oath, an' I be bound t' keep it. 
 
 Seth {aside, listening) . Thank the Lord for that ! 
 
 Elias {continuing). The secret I have for ye, be not 
 one relating t' the oath, but one that will interest ye far 
 more. {Rising.) Wait but a moment, Edward, an' I will 
 come back. {Goes to trap, which he opens, and descends.) 
 
 Edw. Poor fellow ! I believe his brain is turned without 
 a doubt. What the deuce can he have in that wheel pit 
 that's going to be of any interest to me? I'm all of a 
 muddle. 
 
 Seth. That fellow convinces me that I am more of a 
 brute than I gave myself credit for. That, however, is just 
 the way. The man w^ho builds up too good an opinion of 
 himself, will frequently get that opinion shattered when least 
 expected. Out of evil, evil springs, no matter how you white- 
 wash it over. {Listens.) 
 
 (Elias emerges from trap with squall box. He returns 
 front.) 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 3 1 
 
 Elias. The night afore my father died, he called me t' 
 his bedside, an' said, *' Elias, ye ha' been a good lad, but ye 
 ha' a secret about ye that's a-going t' be the ruin o' your life. 
 So long as ye keep it, ye will ha' no friends, an' ye will live 
 in torment wid yourself; " an' it has been a fact. (^Opens box 
 and takes out wallet. ) Then he takes this wallet from 
 underneath his pillow, an' he says, '* Elias, ye will need 
 money sometime, an' money will be a friend t' ye when ye 
 ha' no other. I ha' saved a little in my day, an' I be now 
 going t' make it a present t' you. When I be gone," that's 
 what he said; '* when I be gone, an' be placed beside your 
 mother, get the money out o' the place, an' put it with this. 
 Then ye hide it away until your mind be righted, or ye ha' a 
 friend in whom ye can trust it." This wallet, Edward, con- 
 tains over five thousand dollars, an' the time ha' now come t' 
 use it. To-morrow ye can settle Phillip's notes, an' by the 
 doing of it release Mabel from all further persecution of that 
 man. 
 
 Edw. ( grasping his hand) . Elias, I — I — Well — I — 
 Dash it all ! you've choked me all up. You're gold, that's 
 what you are, real gold. B-blast it ! you're better than gold. 
 You're a trump ! How can I ever thank — 
 
 Elias ( putting wallet back into box) . I want no thanks, 
 Edward. It be a pleasure for me t' assist ye. Ye ha' always 
 been a friend t' me, an' I ha' not forgotten it. Wait, now, 
 an' I will return this box. Then I will bid ye a good-night. 
 {Takes box and descends into trap.) 
 
 Edw. Why, that poor fellow is all heart. Over five 
 thousand dollars in his possession, and no one knew it! 
 That beats me. To know that we can beat that old haddock 
 — why, I could hug that poor fellow closer than a bear. 
 {Jumps up and walks floor .) 
 
 (Seth has slowly risen from his seat, comes down front, 
 pauses, turjis back, then returns front again as Edward 
 ceases speaking.) 
 
 Seth. If the devil ever took pains to tempt one man 
 more than another, I am that man. Here is an opportunity 
 to strike, and yet, my heart rebels against it. {Seats him- 
 self on stool meditating. Elias emerges from trap,) 
 
 Elias. It has been said, Edward, that I ha' been hired 
 
32 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 V keep that secret. That I ha' not been hired, I solemnly 
 attest ; an' I ha' the God that watches me t' witness it. 
 Now ye can go t' Mabel. Say nothing t' her about this 
 matter, an' when the time arrives, ye can give her a happy 
 surprise. Good night, Edward, an' may ye rest the better 
 for what I ha' told ye. 
 
 Edw. {graspifig his hand). Elias, I'm stuck for 
 words to express my thanks. All I can say is, if I could 
 knock those murderers into a cocked hat, and relieve your 
 mind of this burden, I'd do it, so help me Jeremiah ! {Exit 
 c. D.) 
 
 Elias. I would that ye had the power, Edward, I would 
 that ye had the power. {Closes door, returns, and sits upon 
 edge of cot. Moonlight through window shines upon hi^n during 
 the following.) I remember when I wus a wee bit of a lad, 
 that one summer night, as I wus a-weeping over the loss of 
 some childish toy, my mother took me upon her knee, an' 
 after kissing the tears away with her own loving lips, she 
 said, **You be grieved to-night, my child, an' all over a 
 trivial matter. If you grow t' manhood," an' I can remem- 
 ber how she looked when she said it — looked with her 
 great brown eyes, — "if you grow t' manhood," she said, 
 **you will encounter trouble, as must all who live the 
 longest. An' when it comes, you will look back t' this 
 moment — this little period of grief," as she called it, **an' 
 find it t' be the happiest hour of your life." Oh, how faith- 
 fully ha' the words come true that she uttered ; for to-night, 
 if that childhood's hour could come back t' me, it would be 
 all the earthly heaven I would ask. {Rises and arranges 
 furniture, cot, etc.) There be not much comfort in sleep, 
 an' yet it be necessary t' live. I be threatened with death 
 by Jacob, an' now his confederate he comes, an' there be a 
 new danger. He be the lesser villain o' the two, an' yet he 
 be a villain, so I ha' nothing t' hope. O Jacob ! Jacob ! ye 
 ha' murdered one, an' ye be a-killing another by inches. 
 {Extinguishes candle, and throws himself upon couch. 
 Dark stage.) 
 
 Seth {who has risen from stool and advanced front). 
 Seth, you old rascal, you are getting womanish. You want 
 that money, and you don't want it. You know if you take 
 it you are a damned villain ; and you know if you let it 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 33 
 
 alone you will always curse yourself. Query ! shall I take it, 
 or shall I not. {Pause.) Well, Tm going to let the coin 
 decide. {Takes a copper from his pocket.) If it turns 
 up heads, the die is cast ; but if it turns up tails, I'm an 
 honest man. Now, Seth, cheat the Devil once in your life, 
 and reform. {Snaps copper. Picks it up and looks at it.) 
 Just as I expected — Fm booked for another crime. Well, 
 once I extricated myself from a like difficulty, and methinks 
 I can again. {Takes wallet fro7n his pocket, opens it, and 
 takes out large roll of bills .) Here are ten thousand dollars 
 in this one roll — all counterfeit. I know it because I 
 helped engrave 'em myself. I will steal that money, because 
 I need it ; but I will replace it dollar for dollar with this. 
 Before the deception is discovered, I will be out of the 
 country. Eureka ! what a thought ! {Returns wallet to his 
 pocket. Takes out dark lantern and lights it.) Now, Seth, 
 catch the hunter asleep and steal his gun. {Goes to opening 
 in partition and listens. Music.) All seems to be quiet. 
 Now to gain access to the room. {Slowly removes boards 
 and looks into room.) The coast is clear. {Cautiously 
 enters room. Stops and listens, then slowly lifts trap-door 
 and descends. As trap-door closes, Elias starts, sits upright 
 and looks around. Music.) 
 
 Elias. It be but a dream! it be but a dream! {Sighs, 
 then sinks back upon couch.) 
 
 Seth {slowly raises trap, partly emerges and looks 
 around). He still sleeps. Now for my own room. 
 {Closes trap, cautiously enters his own room and replaces 
 boards.) There ! everything is as I found it. {Advances front.) 
 Well, Seth, you have made the exchange; but you have 
 lowered yourself in your own estimation. {Holding 7ip 
 fnoney and looki^tg at it. ) O money ! money ! you are the 
 bane of my life ; but I worship you as a God. (Seth stands 
 with money held aloft. Elias sits upright as if listening. 
 Scene closes in.) 
 
 SCENE II. —Highway. 
 
 (Sambo enters from l. carrying box and large bundle. He 
 is followed by Lucy with bundles.) 
 Sambo {looking back) . Come — come along, dar. Can't 
 
34 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 wait all day, Missey Lucy. Dis yer child gwine to go home 
 sometime fo^ break of sunset. 
 
 Lucy. For the land sakes donH hurry so. Give me that 
 box tu sit down on, can't ye? (Sambo places box c.) Tm 
 clean gone tuckered tu death. {Sits down on box.) There ! 
 now you jest wait till I catch my breath, an' then Til trudge 
 along. 
 
 Sambo. How you gwine to cotch it, Missey Lucy, wid a 
 hook? Lor a mighty Mas'r Johnson tole me to help you 
 over wid the tings, and stiver right back. 'Specks I cotch 
 um something besides- breif if I don't reccmmember his 
 orders. 
 
 Lucy. Well, Jacob won't break his puckering string if he 
 waits. Land a massey ! this world wern't recreated in a 
 minute. Let him fret. Tm a-goin' tu rest if the hull world 
 sees me. 
 
 Sambo. 'Spects you are, Missey Lucy, 'spects you are. 
 Lor a mighty ! dar's nuffin under de sun more stubborn den 
 a woman — 'cept a mule. Dat's a fact. 
 
 Lucy. An' there's nuthin under the sun blacker than a 
 nigger. If Drucill can afford tu give me these things, I 
 guess you can afford tu help carry 'em ; an' there ain't no 
 use makin' sech a fuss about it either. I didn't intend to stay 
 all night ; but Drucill resisted upon it so, that I consented. 
 Land a massy ! I didn't see anything at Jacob's that you 
 told about ! There wasn't so much as a stranger about the 
 house. You niggers will lie the wust of any people I ever 
 did see. 
 
 Sambo. You doan know nuffin 'bout it. What you say 
 am a 'spursion on de black man's character. Didn't that 
 shootin' popperer shovel-de-freeze de compartment? Ain't 
 dem holes dar in de partition made by de bullets ? Did you 
 see 'em, Missey Lucy? 
 
 Lucy See 'em — yes; an' asked Drucilla all about 'em. 
 She said they wus made by moths — nuthin under the sun 
 but moths. An' she said if they didn't git some kind of 
 consarvitive, they'd bore the hull house down about their 
 heads. I told her if they got under the keerpet tu jest dust 
 some pellmation in an' that would fix 'em. Pellmation an' 
 helenbore are the best consarvatives for moths I ever did see. 
 You jest write that down, Samuel, an' remember it. 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 35 
 
 Sambo (^excited'), A-a-a-and Missey Drucilla said dat 
 dem yer holes in de partition wus made by mofs? 
 
 Lucy. Why, of course she did. Is there anything so 
 awflilly wonderful about that? 
 
 Sambo. Dar ain't nuffin wonderful 'bout it — nuffin 
 wonderful 't all. I wus jess a-tinkin.' I wus a-tinkin' if dem 
 bullet-holes in de partition wus made by mofs, what dey 
 would be called if dey wus made by cannon-balls. 
 
 Lucy. Why, cannon-ball holes, of course. Sech stupid- 
 ity I never did see. Here ! (^Noticmg Sambo who has been 
 resting first on one foot aiid then the other,) If you are gettin' 
 tired, you kin have one eend of this box. I don't like tu see 
 ye teeterin' fust on one foot an' then on t'other. 
 
 Sambo, (^edging off). N-no-no ! thank'ee, Missey Lucy. 
 Tse no squatter. I, I kin stan' — I kin. 
 
 Lucy. Well, theii for Massey's sake du stand still. I'm 
 not particular about sittin' broadside tu a nigger anyway. 
 It was only out of a generous compulse that I asked ye. I 
 don't keer nuthin about it, I hope you don't think, not a 
 thing. 
 
 Sambo {edging back) . Lor-a-mighty ! I isn't afeard to sit 
 alongside of yer ! Dat isn't the reason I refused, Missey Lucy. 
 Dat isn't the reason 't all. It am de fact dat de box am of 
 such small kervacity dat I might crowd yer. I doan want 
 to crowd yer, Missey Lucy. 
 
 Lucy {hitching alo7tg) . Well, I kin hitch along, can't I ? 
 I won't bite, if you are a nigger. {Hitches to l. with back to 
 c. 
 
 Sambo. Den dis yer chile will occupy de seat. {Sits down 
 carefully on box, and faces R. while Lucy faces L. Box 
 must contain glass y and so arranged as to break down. ) Dar ! 
 dar! I'se here. Mus, look out fo' de bearings, though, or 
 dar 'llbe a bustification sure. {Braces himself as if expecting 
 to fall. ) 
 
 Lucy. Land a massey ! du you think this box won't hold ? 
 Why, it is strong as — {Jounces up and down on box which 
 suddenly collapses, and all go down together. Sound of broken 
 glass.) Gracious Peter! there goes the glass-ware! For 
 mercy's sake help me out of this ! {SAUhO jumps up and as- 
 sists Lucy. ) I never did see sech an awkward, stupid, clumsy, 
 dodunk of a stick as a nigger is. 
 
36 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 Sambo. Dar ain't nuffin stupid 'bout a nigger. Dey's got 
 jess as much brain as a white man. I tole you dat de box 
 wouldn't hold ? I tole you all about it. 
 
 Lucy (^picking up things^ . Well, if you hadn't sot down 
 like a spile-driver it would a held. A box cant hold every- 
 thing no more nor a museum. Come ! pick up your traps 
 an' we'll trudge along. 
 
 Sambo {pickifig up remnants of box and bundles^ . Don't 
 care nuffin' bout de traps — nuffin 'tall. Dis yer chile gets 
 blamed fo' most ebberyting, 'Spects if a streak of light- 
 ning should hit yer, dat dis yer chile would have to take 
 de consequences. 
 
 Lucy {going r.) Well, crawl out through a gimlet hole 
 if you want tu. If you had kept off from the box, it 
 wouldn't a broke. Now the tea-set Dnicilla gave me is 
 smashed, an' I haven't another tu replace it. {Exit R.) 
 
 Sambo {following her) . Lor' a-mighty ! who crushed de 
 tea-set? Who broke down de box? Who wus de cause of 
 de carastophe dat discombobolated de equilibrium of de 
 consarn? Who — {Goes off k.) 
 
 {Scene changes .) 
 
 SCENE in. — Roo7n in Johnson's house sa7ne as in Act /., 
 
 Scene /. 
 
 Jacob {seated at table i.. Looks at watch). Ten minutes 
 of two, and that girl has not arrived. If she disappoints me 
 now, it will be worse with her than she is aware of. Curse 
 the luck I everything of late works in opposition to my 
 wishes. The return of that scoundrel portends no good of 
 itself. He knows too much about me. I dare not oppose 
 him, for he has me completely in his power. He has taken 
 a room in Raymond's mill. Elias occupies the one next to 
 it. By one bold stroke I could spring a trap upon them that 
 would dispose of both of them at once. It shall be done. 
 I will set the trap, and spring it, or my name is not Jacob 
 Johnson. 
 
 (Drucilla enters r. 3 e.) 
 
 Drucilla {coming down). Mr. Johnson, I wish an 
 explanation as to the conduct of that vagabond you are so 
 freely entertaining. Bless me ! he seems to nm the establish- 
 ment ; eating and drinking, damaging the furniture, abusing 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 37 
 
 the servants, in fact, doing just as he pleases, while you 
 coolly remain seated, and let him do it. Now why is this 
 the case, I would like to ask? 
 
 Jacob. Well, Drucilla, the fact is, I — Well-er-you see, 
 we were friends together when I was in the East. I tolerate 
 him on that account. Quite likely I put up with more from 
 him than I would from others for those simple reasons. 
 
 Dru. Quite likely; but I have my doubts about the 
 matter. I know this much, he is wearing out his welcome ; 
 at least, he is with me ; and if you haven't the courage to 
 turn him out, I shall take the case into my own hands. I 
 won't stand it, I tell you. 
 
 Jacob. Well, well, Drucilla, have a Httle patience. It is 
 possible he may disappear as suddenly as he came. It is 
 better to have the good-will of such a fellow, than the ill- 
 will, if it does discommode us at times. Have patience, 
 Drucilla. 
 
 Dru. Fm all out of patience, I tell you. Now I want to 
 know another thing. How did you succeed with that silly 
 courtship of yours? Not very satisfactory I should judge, if 
 your looks are any indications. 
 
 Jacob. More satisfactory, perhaps, than you may think. 
 She is to render me her decision this afternoon. By the way, 
 Drucilla, would it meet with your displeasure to retire when 
 she arrives ? Such matters, you know, can be better adjusted 
 without the presence of a third party. 
 
 Dru. O yes, I can go. I might know I shouldn't be 
 wanted. I have no desire to witness such silly nonsense — 
 it is far beneath me. As I can hear a step in the hall, 
 perhaps I had better retire at once. You may be glad 
 enough for my advice before you get through with the 
 matter. (^Exit r. 3 e.) 
 
 Sambo (^enters c). Here am a card, Mas'r Johnson. 
 ( Gives card, ) 
 
 Jacob {glancing at ca^'a). The young lady in question. 
 (Td? Sambo.) You can admit her. (Sambo ^:n*/ c.) Now 
 1 soon shall know if there is a second refusal in store for me. 
 
 (Sambo ushers in Mabel, after which^ he remains standing 
 in archway c. Mabel comes down front. ^ 
 Mabel. You desired me to bring my answer this after- 
 noon. I now am here to fulfil that promise. 
 
38 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 Jacob* Yes, yes, I understand. {Advancing, and placing 
 chair.) Please be seated. (Both sit.) After carefully con- 
 sidering the matter, you have concluded to render me a favor- 
 able decision. Well, your decision is wise. You can dress 
 well, live at ease, and I will liquidate your father's burden- 
 some debts. 
 
 Mabel. I fear, sir, you do not quite understand me. I 
 have called to plead with you — plead with you as only a 
 woman can for her parent's welfare. Oh, sir, you cannot be 
 so cruel as to turn them into the street because a simple girl 
 is unable to love you ! Surely, sir, you cannot. 
 
 Jacob. Really, Miss Raymond, I was not expecting this. 
 I have been very lenient toward your father, very. As for 
 yourself, you know I cherish for you a very ardent affection. 
 
 Mabel. Then let that affection restrain you from acting 
 unjustly. Let it lead you to be merciful, and you will have 
 the heartfelt thanks of an unfortunate family. Abandon the 
 promise you would forcibly extract from me, and Heaven, I 
 know, will reward you., 
 
 Jacob. Quite impossible. I am only performing my 
 duty. A duty, which, but for my love for you, would, ere 
 . this, have led me to more stringent measures. I considered 
 that my offer of marriage would be regarded as an honor. 
 As you see fit to regard it otherwise, you must not blame me 
 for taking advantage of the privilege allowed me by law. 
 
 Mabel. And that privilege means to turn us forth into 
 a pitiless world, homeless and friendless. Oh, sir, do not 
 add another sorrow to a home that is already saddened. 
 Allow us a little time — a year is all we ask. Allow us that, 
 and if God will answer our prayers we will endeavor to meet 
 your demands. 
 
 Jacob. Miss Raymond, this is idle talk. Accept my hand, 
 and all goes well with you. Refuse, and the law shall take 
 its course. I have spoken. 
 
 Mabel. And you would marry me regardless of my love? 
 Are you aware that I could never make you happy? 
 
 Jacob. The risk is mine if I see fit to take it. You will 
 learn to love me as an adopted child learns to love its new 
 parents. But why this silly argument? The sooner you 
 decide this question, the sooner we shall understand each 
 other, 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 39 
 
 Mabel. Will nothing change your mind? 
 
 Jacob. No power under Heaven. 
 
 Mabel (aside) . O my poor father, forgive me for what 
 I am about to do. (^Rising from chair ; aloud.) Jacob 
 Johnson, listen to me. If God ever .gave a man a heart 
 without one thrill of compassion in it, He has given it to 
 you : for you are a tyrant in all its forms so far as you dare 
 exercise it. If, knowing that I despise you ; knowing that 
 1 hate you as only a woman can hate, you then will accept 
 my hand — 
 
 (Seth enters c. unperceived by Sambo, takes him by the ear 
 and starts front, ) 
 
 Sambo {crying out). Hi dar ! — git out! Dis yer chile 
 ainH done nuffin ! Let go dat ear, Mas'r Somebody. Let go, 
 I tole yer. 
 
 Seth {whirling hi7?t over to c. R.). Never obstruct the 
 highway, Erebus, as you value your life. The laws of the 
 country are against it. 
 
 Sambo {holditigon to his ear). Hain't distructed no high- 
 way. Hain't done nuffin to cause any such salt and buttery 
 attack. Dis yer chile wus minding his own business. 
 
 Jacob {who has risen from chair ^ and is ahnost unable 
 to control his anger) . Sir ! sir ! do you perceive that this 
 interview is strictly private ? 
 
 Seth. I do, Jacob, and that my presence has disturbed 
 you. However, don't mind me. Consider me one of the 
 family; an obsolete member, so to speak. Continue your 
 courtship, Jacob, Til sit down over here and read the news. 
 {Sits down R. h. c. and takes paper from his pocket .) 
 
 Jacob. It is my desire that you leave the room. When 
 this interview has terminated you can return. 
 
 Seth. Yes, that is quite rational. The son goes out at 
 night, and returns in the morning. The hard earned dollar 
 goes out, but never returns. A good sentinel stands by his 
 post, ril guard you, Jacob, and if you are overpowered, Til 
 take your place. Go on, Jacob, go on. {Reads.) 
 
 Jacob {controlling his anger) . Rather than create a dis- 
 turbance, I will tolerate your presence. Remember, though, 
 you are not wanted. {To Mabel.) Miss Raymond, am I 
 to understand from your uncomplimentary remarks that my 
 offer was accepted ? 
 
40 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 Mabel. Will no power under Heaven cause you to 
 release me.'* 
 
 Jacob. No; I tell you. It shall be your hand, or the 
 money, if it breaks a thousand hearts. 
 
 Mabel. Then, sir, release my parents, and though my 
 life is ruined, you can have my hand — 
 
 Edward {rushifig in, followed by Elias). No he can't! 
 ( Chord, All start. Edward crosses to Mabel, and clasps 
 her in his arms. Elias remains c.) 
 
 Jacob. Damnation ! 
 
 Edw. Mabel, Fve come to save you. Fm going to knock 
 the bottom out of those notes, or break the bank. (^To 
 Jacob.) Come, Jacob, trot them out, and Til settle them 
 in the wink of a bird's eye. 
 
 Jacob. There is treachery at the bottom of this. What 
 brings you here, and in the company of that man? (^Points 
 to Elias.) 
 
 Edw. An honest impulse brings me here. I've come to 
 settle Raymond's notes. 
 
 Elias. An' I be come t' witness the settlement. 
 
 Jacob. You witness the settlement of Raymond's notes? 
 So, so, I perceive — I perceive! {^Sarcastically.) Even 
 fools know how to conspire. 
 
 Elias. I be no fool, Jacob Johnson. 
 
 Mabel. O Edward ! where did you get the money? 
 
 Edw. It matters not, Mabel, so long as I came by it 
 honestly. I will explain at another time. {To Jacob.) 
 Come ! the quicker you trot out those notes the better. This 
 atmosphere is contagious. 
 
 Jacob. Pooh! what have you to do with Raymond's 
 notes? Bah ! you couldn't raise a dollar to save your life. 
 
 Edw. Couldn't — eh? You just figure up your claim, 
 and I'll cover it with as handsome bank-bills as your snaky 
 eyes ever gazed at. Oh, I've got the money, and don't you 
 forgef it ! 
 
 Seth {down R. I. E.). Never refuse money, Jacob, 
 when it is offered you. It is imprudent, as I have learned 
 from past experience. 
 
 Jacob. What is it to you? {Aside.) Curse the luck! 
 they are all linked together. 
 
 Drucilla {enters r. 3. e. Looks around astonished). 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 4 1 
 
 Well, I declare! Is this a celebration? A pretty private 
 interview, indeed ! Jacob, why have you deceived me in 
 this matter ? Why are these people here ? 
 
 Jacob. They have intruded themselves upon me without 
 my consent. They are scheming to ruin me ; but they shall 
 find me equal to the emergency. I will outwit the whole of 
 them. {Goes down L. to secretary, which he opens, and 
 looks for papers. ) 
 
 Dru. {down c. L.). Indeed! a conspiracy? I do not 
 wonder at it. The character you have entertained for the 
 past few days is capable of plotting anything. 
 
 Seth. Madam, behold in me a monument of innocence. 
 All I can say is, that present procedures relate to money, 
 and — most everything does. 
 
 Elias. We be here f settle Raymond's notes, an' save 
 his daughter. She be not agoin t' marry Jacob- 
 
 Edw. You're just shouting she ain't. 
 
 Dru. Indeed ! is she not capable of managing her own 
 affairs? Jacob, will you please render an explanation of 
 all this? I am surprised! astonished! Sambo, fan me. 
 {Hands Sambo large fan, which he itses.^ 
 
 Jacob, {returning to table with papers^. My explana- 
 tion is this : These people think to intimidate me ; but 
 they have mistaken their man (/<:? Edward.) Now, sir, 
 you claim to have money. Well, then, here are Raymond's 
 notes. {Places notes on table.) The total amount, with 
 interest added, is five thousand five hundred and fifty dollars. 
 Count out that amount upon this table in American currency, 
 and they belong to you. I defy you to do it. {Straightens 
 back defiantly.) 
 
 Edw. Defy a Le Roy ? By the blade that killed Caesar, 
 the lamb shall outwit the lion. Here ! give me room accord- 
 ing to my strength. {Advancing to table.) I remember 
 when I was turned from the house with but a single dollar. 
 I planted that dollar, it took root, sprung up, budded and 
 blossomed. Here, Mr. Johnson, is the fruit. {Takes oict 
 large package of bills and flourishes them over the table.) 
 
 Jacob {aside). Curses light on him! where did he get 
 that money I 
 
 Edw. Now, sir, prepare to count. {Spreads out money 
 on table. All, with the exception of Seth, form circle 
 around him.^ 
 
42 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 Seth {aside r. i e.). The decisive moment has 
 arrived. If the deception is not discovered, I have made a 
 strike. If detected, I have been the cause of more ruin 
 than a- dynamite bomb. {Watches count. ^ 
 (Edward places seve7i packages on table, five of which 
 a7'e divided into ten lesse?' ones. He breaks ope7t two of 
 them, and spreads the contejits out. ) 
 
 Edw. There ! you see what it is to have money. Five 
 of these packages are divided into ten each. Each package 
 contains one hundred dollars. That makes five thousand. 
 The balance is in these other two. You see, sir, we have 
 figured these notes as well as yourself. Count it, and if 
 correct, fulfil your part of the contract. (For a moment 
 Jabob stands as if puzzled how to act. Then he reaches out 
 and takes package from table. ^ 
 
 Mabel. O Edward ! Edward ! how can I ever thank 
 you ? Who has thought so much of my poor father as to 
 ever befriend him like this? Oh, tell me, that I may kneel 
 before him and bless him. 
 
 Edw. Your deliverer stands there. {Points to Elias. 
 Chord. ) 
 
 {All show great surprise and look at Elias. Seth alone 
 appears unconcerned. ) 
 Mabel. What! Elias? {Crossing to Y,iaas and grasp- 
 ing hi7n by the hand. ) O Elias ! are you such a friend to 
 me as this? I thought you to be as poor as ourselves. Oh, 
 how can we ever thank you? 
 
 Elias. Ye ha' no one f thank, Mabel. I be but doing 
 my duty by ye. I ha' nothing f say about the money — 
 Edward can explain that as he ha' a mind. {Looking 
 sharply at Seth and Jacob.) It be not money obtained 
 by crime, though, or by any lawless act that ye could blush at. 
 {During the above, Jacob has bee^i slowly counting the 
 money. Suddenly he stops, takes a bill, looks at it care- 
 fully, turns it over, scrutinizes it closely, and does the 
 same with others. Seth watches him and grows greatly 
 excited. At last, Jacob goes to secretary, takes out a book 
 and brings it to table. Business of looking in book and 
 comparing bills. At last, apparently satisfied, he lays 
 down the book, gathers up the Raymond notes and puts 
 th^m in his pocket. This latter movement is noticed by 
 Env\RD.) 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 43 
 
 Edw. How, now! what means that act? Is not the 
 count correct? 
 
 Jacob (^smiling). Certainly; even to a dollar. I con- 
 gratulate you on your success. 
 
 Edw. Of course you do. A man with half a heart would 
 do that ; but why are you so free about pocketing those 
 notes ? 
 
 Jacob. For reasons which you too readily understand. 
 {Pointing to tnofiey.^ Every dollar of that money is as 
 worthless as the paper it is printed on. 
 
 Elias. ?^hat! 
 
 Edward. ^ 
 
 Jacob. I say, every dollar of that money is a base coun- 
 terfeit. 
 
 Elias {wildly). You lie! you lie! Jacob Johnson. It 
 be good, every dollar of it, an' I will take me oath f it. 
 
 Dru. {excitedly). Fan me — fan me. Sambo. 
 
 Seth {starts forward as if to speak, and then falls back; 
 aside) . No ; I dare not. O God ! what a brute I am ! 
 Curses light on me for stealing that money. 
 
 Jacob. Take your oath to it, will you? Here! look at 
 this? {Holds up book and compares bills.) Look in the 
 book and then at the bills. Compare the signature. Look 
 at the print. The texture of the paper. Ha ! ha ! ha ! they 
 are as beautiful a lot of counterfeits as was ever in print. 
 
 Mabel {clinging to Ysm p^kd) . Oh, Edward! Edward! 
 
 Dru. Fan me, Sambo. 
 
 Elias {trembling with rage) . Jabob ! Jacob ! ye be a 
 crazing of me. Ye be makin' me desperate. Ye be tearin' 
 from my lips — 
 
 Jacob {affrighted, and starting forward), Elias Ams- 
 den, beware ! 
 
 Elias {starting back) . Oh, J be doomed — doomed ! 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
 {Disposition of characters.) 
 
 Elias. 
 
 Mabel. Drucilla. 
 
 Edward. Sambo. 
 
 Seth. {Table,) Jacob. 
 
 R. L. 
 
44 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 SCENE I. — Room in Johnson's house same as in Act /., 
 and Act IL As curtain rises ^ Sambo is discovered stand- 
 ing in center of room. 
 
 Sambo. Lor a-mighty ! but Tse a gwine to vacate dese 
 yer premises sure. Ebbery ting 'pears to be helter-skelter 
 lately. Mas'r Johnson acts as if the debbil wus in him, and 
 Missy Drucilla — she jess galvinates round de 'stablishment 
 as if she wus stung wid a hornet, and MasV Raymond — 
 mighty sorry 'bout him- — turned into de streets to-day — 
 right into de streets wid his family, and Mas'r Edward, he 
 done gone and runed away — can't find him nowheres, and 
 dat yer shootin' popperer ain't de same at all — don't say 
 nuffin to nobody — why, I can't see through it nohow. 
 'Spect's it am a judgment on dis yer community. Bress de 
 Lord ! but I'se agwine to trabbel afore it reckons me in wid 
 de rest of de family. I is, sure's you're born. 
 
 Drucilla {enters c). What is this muttering about, I 
 should like to inquire ! 
 
 Sambo {starting). Hi dar! Why, Missey Drucilla, de 
 furniture is all displaced. Takes dis chile de whole time 
 lately to keep dis compartment in 'spectable condition. 
 ( Arranges furniture. ) 
 
 Dru. Indeed! well, you have nothing else to do. 
 Where is your master? 
 
 Sambo. Doan know — doan know nuffin 'bout it. 'Spect's 
 he am wid dat shootin' popperer somewheres. 'Pears to 
 take mighty sight of interest in him lately, Mas'r Johnson 
 does. 
 
 Dru. That vagabond, indeed. He's a good-for-nothing 
 villain, if I'm any judge of character. Tell Jacob, when he 
 arrives, that I wish to speak with him. {Exit r. 3 e.) 
 
 Sambo. I'll tole him — I'll tole him, Missey Drucilla. 
 Lor a-mighty ! it won't mount to nuffin, though. Dat man 
 am de contraritest critter — why, he won't do nuffin dat's 
 wanted of him, nuffin tall. Ya! ya! ya ! he says Missey 
 Drucilla's tongue am like a perennial spring; alius on de run. 
 'Spect's it am a fact, 'cause it has nebber dried up since my 
 connection wid the family. 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 45 
 
 {Enter Jacob Johnson followed by Seth.) 
 
 Jacob. Sambo, take this letter to whom it is addressed. 
 
 {Gives letter,^ 
 
 Sambo. Yis, sah! yis, sah ! Fse jess ready to fly, sah. 
 
 {Pauses.^ 
 
 Jacob. Well, why don't you fly? 
 
 Sambo. Missey Drucilla wants to speak wid you a minute. 
 
 Jacob. Well, Drucilla can wait. Now do as I command 
 you. 
 
 Sambo. Yis, sah ! Tse gone, sah ! {Exit c.) 
 
 Jacob. Seth, please be seated. (Seth sits r. of table^ 
 Jacob l.) I have a few remarks to make. 
 
 Seth. Make them, Jacob. 
 
 Jacob. It is evident that we understand each other 
 thoroughly. That knowledge informs us that we are two 
 villains. 
 
 Seth. It does, Jacob, with this exception. One has a 
 conscience, and the other hasn't. 
 
 Jacob. Pooh ! your conscience must be a curious com- 
 bination. It certainly is, to make you repentant one night, 
 and a counterfeiter the next. 
 
 Seth {par^tly rising) . What ! 
 
 Jacob. Seth, the money that was paid on those notes 
 was counterfeit, and you knew it. I now am convinced of it 
 from the fact that I have a letter in my possession, which 
 you dropped, showing your connection with as sharp a band 
 of counterfeiters as there is in the country. 
 
 Seth {agitated), Jacob, give me that letter. 
 
 Jacob. Never ! it is of too much importance. 
 
 Seth. Give me that letter, I tell you. {Starts to draw 
 revolver. Jacob watches his movements and covers him 
 first,) 
 
 Jacob. Take away your hand — take it away. (Seth 
 reluctantly lets go of revolver.) For once in our career I 
 stand at the head. {Places his revolver on edge of table.) 
 Now listen. This letter balances the paper in your posses- 
 sion which you compelled me to write and sign. Exchange 
 with me, and we have only verbal proof of each other's 
 guilt. 
 
 Seth. No ; when I yield up that paper, my power over 
 you has weakened. As for that letter, you dare not use it. 
 
46 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 so I have nothing to fear. Don't rouse the demon within 
 me, Jacob, because if you do I shall be dangerous. 
 
 Jacob. You have nothing to fear from me. My revenge 
 shall fall upon those who paid me that money. 
 
 Seth. But the ones who paid you that money are inno- 
 cent. 
 
 Jacob. Nevertheless, unless that girl accepts my hand, 
 they shall suffer. 
 
 Seth. Shall? 
 
 Jacob. I have said it. They are completely in my 
 power. 
 
 Seth. . Is your power over them greater than the power 
 of that lad over us? 
 
 Jacob. Bah ! that lad is demented. A full confession 
 from him would be regarded with no more weight than a 
 feather. 
 
 Seth. Be not too sure, Jacob. The weight of an argu- 
 ment is not felt until each sentence has been carefully 
 analyzed. I tell you, the confession of that lad would send 
 us to the gallows. At least, beware how you irritate him, 
 for it is in opposition to my wishes. 
 
 Jacob. Seth, you would w^ork against me? 
 
 Seth. Well, my heart is touched. Through me that 
 family has been ruined. I stole that money. D'ye hear? I 
 stole every dollar of it and replaced it with counterfeit. We 
 together, Jacob, have been the cause of much mischief. For 
 my part I am sorry. To-morrow, if God spares my life, I 
 will return that money, and they can settle those notes as 
 was their intention. 
 
 Jacob. And by so doing you would cheat me out of the 
 girl. Seth, you don't mean it. 
 
 Seth {strikmg table with his fist) . I do mean it, so help 
 me God ! {Rises, and goes down R. i e.) 
 
 Jacob {aside). Curse him! he would ruin me. Before 
 to-morrow arrives, he shall be a dead man. {Aloud.) 
 Seth, come back. Sit down until I have finished. (Seth 
 returns to chair.) Now beware of what you do. To-night, 
 I will call upon you at the mill, and bring with me that five 
 thousand. Until that time, promise me that your lips shall 
 be sealed. 
 
 Seth. You have my promise. 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. ^7 
 
 Jacob. Good. To-night, we will talk this matter over 
 candidly. Why, man, with the amount I shall pay you 
 added to what you already have, you will be independent. 
 Don't crush that independence by returning money to a man 
 who would use it to frustrate my designs. 
 
 Seth. Your designs are villainous. You would force a 
 girl to marry you contrary to her wishes. I tell you it is not 
 right. So much innocence should not be joined to such a 
 mountain of guilt. (Jacob winces,) Oh, you can wince, 
 Jacob, but I mean it. 
 
 Jacob, fiah ! you would do the same thing if given an 
 opportunity. 
 
 (Elias is seen to appear in archway^ c.) 
 
 Seth. Never. Villain though I am, I respect a woman. ; 
 They are man's helpmeet ; and as such should wed a man, \ 
 and not one whose manhood has been crushed out of him. 
 We are not men, Jacob, we are fiends ; and too many such 
 fiends have dragged noble woman down to their same level. 
 Charge me with the whole catalogue of crimes ; but don't 
 you dare repeat that I would insult a woman. 
 
 Elias {advancing front). Ye ha' a spark of manhood 
 about ye that I had not dreamed of. 
 
 Seth / (turnins^ upon him in\ r- y- \ ^ i u 
 
 JACOB j^ -A). ]^,S^ ^""^ ^'^ 
 
 Elias. I ha' a word t' say t' ye, Jacob, an' I be willin' ye 
 both shall listen. Between the two of you, ye ha' made my 
 life miserable ; an' even now ye be not satisfied until ye ha' 
 crushed me into the grave. Ye ha' bound me by an oath, 
 an' I ha' kept it ; an' by the keeping of it, ye ha' been saved 
 from the gallows. This, however, has not led ye t' regard 
 me with any favor : for if ye ha' a chance t' bear down upon 
 me, ye do it with all the power ye can command. I ha' but 
 few friends, an' ye be the cause of it ; an' the few friends I 
 have ye delight t' torture in a way that makes ye despisable. 
 Yfe ha' turned Phillip into the street, an' ye done it out of 
 spite. I had the money t' settle his notes, an' that money 
 was good, an' ye knew it. If ye two stole it, then ye be 
 worse than a Judas : for he hanged himself for his sin, while 
 ye ha' not the kindness t' do it. Now I would ask of ye a 
 
48 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 favor ; an' if the keepin' of that oath ha' been the saving of 
 ye, ye will grant it. Will ye leave Edward unmolested, an' 
 once more place Phillip Raymond in his old home? 
 
 Jacob {emphatically^ . No ; not until he settles his notes, 
 or that girl becomes my wife. 
 
 Seth. Hold on, Jacob, A hasty decision is often the 
 cause of much evil. 
 
 Jacob. Well ! 
 
 Seth. The sword of Damocles hangs over us. You 
 must remove it. 
 
 Jacob. There is nothing to remove. If * he fails to 
 settle the notes he must expect to suffer the penalty. I gave 
 him the time allotted by law before turning him out of the 
 house. Unless he does settle them, he shall never again 
 return to his old home. 
 
 Seth. If the money should be raised — what then? 
 
 Jacob {aside). Curse him! he is determined to work 
 against me, {Aloud.) Why, if he raises the money, that 
 ends it ; that is, so far as Raymond is concerned. As to 
 this fellow^s accomplice, he has meddled too much with my 
 affairs to receive any leniency whatever. 
 
 Elias. He has not meddled with your affairs, Jacob 
 Johnson, he has not done it. He has but performed an act 
 what wus right in the sight of God an' man. If ye think t' 
 marry Mabel with the crimes ye ha' committed staining your 
 character, ye shall be disappointed : for I will work against 
 it with all the means that lay in my power. 
 
 Jacob. What ! would you break your oath ? Beware ! or 
 you shall not be given an opportunity. Remember, I am 
 not to be trifled with. 
 
 Elias. I ha' no fears for your threats, I be beyond that. 
 I shall keep the oath I ha' taken as I ha' promised ; but if 
 the worst comes t' the worst, I ha' a way t' reveal it. 
 
 Jacob {startled). What mean you? (Seth turns and 
 looks 'EiAAS full in the face.) 
 
 Elias. First, will ye grant me the favors I ha' asked of 
 ye? 
 
 Jacob. My answer is given. Only to yourself will I show 
 the least compassion. And this, understand me, is not 
 through fear of any punishment you can inflict. 
 
 Elias {forcibly). Then, Jacob Johnson, listen t' my 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 49 
 
 words. Often in the small hours of the night I ha' kept 
 awake, an' studied upon that oath, an' pra3^ed t' God t' show 
 me a way out of it, an' at last my prayer ha' been answered. 
 The language of that oath, an' I ha' not forgotten it, is this: 
 ''As God is my witness, I will keep this secret until my 
 dying day." Do ye mark that? " — until my dying day." 
 Now if ye refuse me the favors I ha' asked, I will ha' a dying 
 day, an' it will come sooner than ye expect it ; an' when it 
 does come, ye two shall suffer for the crimes ye ha' com- 
 mitted. This be my curse. {l\rns slowly^ and exits c.) 
 
 Jacob (^after a pause^ . Well ! 
 
 Seth. Well, Jacob. 
 
 Jacob. He dare not do it. 
 
 Seth. He will. You must do as he has said. 
 
 Jacob. And give up that girl 1 Never ! 
 
 Seth. But I say you shall. 
 
 Jacob. What! 
 
 Seth. My liberty is at stake as well as yours. The vilest 
 worm that crawls will cling to life. So will I. You must 
 come to terms. 
 
 Jacob {aside). I will pretend to yield. {Aloud.) Very 
 well ; we will talk it over to-night. 
 
 Seth {rising). I tell you, Jacob, we must be cautious. 
 Crime cannot toy with justice no more than fire with powder. 
 You give up the girl, and I will give up the money. Between 
 the two, we can undo one act out of the many we have com- 
 mitted. Think it over. {Exit c.) 
 
 Jacob {down c). Yes, I'll think it over, and in a way 
 not suited to your taste. To-night I will visit him at his 
 room, and that visit shall be our last. I will drug him with 
 wine, and then rob him, not only of the paper he holds 
 against me, but of that money. Then with coal gas I will 
 asphyxiate that other wretch, after which, I will fire the mill. 
 This will rid me of two enemies at once, and I shall be free. 
 {Shaking his fist off c.) Remember, Seth Randolph, that 
 those who plot against Jacob Johnson, will come to grief, as 
 you shall find out to your sorrow. 
 
 {Scene closes in.) 
 
50 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 SCENE W. — Highway. 
 
 (Mabel enie7's from l.) 
 
 Mabel. Oh, what will be the end of all this? Turned 
 into the streets without even a place to lay our heads. The 
 thought is terrible. I care not for myself; but my poor 
 father. Oh, to think that he should be brought to this! 
 {Looks off L.) There he comes now, led on by my ever 
 patient mother. In his arms he carries his bible, which he 
 clings to through all his adversities. 
 
 (Slow music, Phillip oiters fro7n l. led on by Mrs. Ray- 
 mond.) 
 
 Phillip {speaking as he enters^, Theer — theer, Betty, 
 don't be discouraged. The good Lord will guide us through 
 the wilderness like as he did the Israelites of old, if weVe not 
 afeerd to trust him. I am not worrit for ourselves — not for 
 ourselves, Betty. I thowt as how this thing might happen, 
 theerfur it comes kiend of nafral like to bear it. Mabel, 
 hold this book. (yiAB^i. takes bible. ^ These here knees of 
 mine shakes a-most like poplar leaves in a gale, and I can 
 navigate no furder. Bear a hand, Betty, and help me. 
 (Phillip is assisted to a seat on bank.) Theer! theer! 
 that's right. Now give me that theer bible. 
 
 Mrs. R. O Phillip ! you will never stand this journey. 
 The shades of night are falling, a storm is approaching, and 
 we have not reached a single house. If obliged to remain 
 out to-night it will be the death of you. {Lightning and 
 ihunde?' ; distant. ) 
 
 Mabel. Surely, mother, some kind neighbors will take us 
 in if we can only reach them. It is ,only a mile to Lucy's 
 cottage. If we can reach that, I know she will give us 
 shelter. 
 
 Phillip. The two of you must not worry on my account. 
 Pm a-going to be rested in a minute, and wen I am. Til jour- 
 ney along furder like a new man. If we reach Lucy's, well 
 and good. If not, we have the happ'ness to know that the 
 Lord is with us. 
 
 Mrs. R. Well, Phillip, for my part, I feel that the Lord 
 has deserted us. 
 
 Phillip. Theer, Betty, is wheer you have made a mis- 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 5 1 
 
 take. It is we poor critters who, in our shortsightedness 
 desert the Lord. You remember wen the ship left us in 
 Liverpool — left us a-standing theer on the dock and sailed 
 away widout us — well, the ship went down and was lost, 
 while we what was left on the dock was saved. Theer was a 
 blessing as awaited us as we little dreamed of. Now, wen 
 these here troubles come, and saddens our 'arts, making us 
 rebellious like, sermuch so that we could take the reins out 
 of the Lord's hands to run to our own liking, it is time 
 to stop. In the eend, them theer calamities may be seen to 
 be directed to our future happiness and welfare. Don't find 
 fault with the ways of the Lord until you know you are wiser 
 than He is. 
 
 Lucy (ujho has e7itered fro^n k.). For the land sakes ! 
 has the millerium come, or am I lookin' cross-eyed. {Look- 
 ing sharply at Phillip.) I declare! it is Phillip, sure as 
 natur. Has the house burned up, or what on airth is the 
 matter. 
 
 Mabel. Mr. Johnson has turned us into the street, Lucy. 
 Even now we are seeking for a place of shelter. 
 
 Lucy. You don't say ! The old curmudgeon ! turned 
 your poor blind father into the streets? I alius did think 
 that Jacob wus sorter perunious, but I never charged him 
 with sech meanness as that. An' you are seekin' for shelter? 
 Land sakes ! you jest bundle up an' follow me right back 
 hum. 
 
 Mrs. R. Will it not be intruding too much upon your 
 generosity? Remember, Lucy, we are without a dollar. 
 
 Lucy. Land a massey ! what do I keer about money. 
 While I've got a hunk o' pork, an' tu turnips, you're welcome 
 tu 'em, goodness knows ! Why, I had jest started for your 
 house. Well, wonders will never cease ! The next thing 
 we know, water will run up hill without a hydraulin' ram. 
 Come, Phillip, come tu my house, an' I'll give you as good a 
 cup o' Rapanese tea as you ever tasted. Nuthin like Rapa- 
 nese or Hysong tea tu quiet the nerves, I kin tell ye. 
 
 Mrs. R. O Lucy ! how can we ever thank you? 
 
 Lucy. There ! don't mention that agin. Come, Phillip, 
 I'm good on a lift, if I am clumsy. (Lucy and Mrs. Ray- 
 mond assist Phillip to his feet. Lightning and thunder 
 distant. ) 
 
52 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 Phillip. I told you, Betty, as how summat ud turn up, 
 and theer has even afore I was aweer. If we cannot reward 
 you in this wureld, Lucy, Tm almost sure you will be 
 rewarded in the next. This here book that I hold has said 
 it, and it has never told a lie. 
 
 Mrs. R. We will not burden you, only for the night. 
 On the morrow, Mabel and I will seek work, and if we find 
 it, will arrange a place for Phillip. 
 
 Lucy. Don't you fret about Phillip. Land sakes! Pve 
 got room enough for us all, an' four cats besides. Now you 
 jest follow me, an' Pll take you hum in half a jiffy. {All 
 exeunt r. Phillip assisted by Lucy and Mrs. Raymond.) 
 
 SCENE in. — Roo7n in Lucy's house. Practical door r. c. 
 Window L. c. Table near R. i E. Chairs, etc. Furni- 
 ture plain. Lightning and thunder should be continued 
 through the sce?ie, gradually growifig Clearer, Time, even- 
 ing, 
 
 {Enter Lucy, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond and Mabel, r. c.) 
 
 Lucy. Now jest make yourselves right tu hum. Phillip, 
 you sot down here. {Leads Phillip to seat down stage, L.) 
 There! now I'll jest take your things, an' then I'll fix that 
 Rapanese tea quicker'n a cat kin jump. You see, we don't 
 know when we're apt tu be tooken with sickness, so I alius 
 keeps a kettle o' hot water ready for use. {Takes things.^ 
 I'll be back'n less'n half a minit. {Exit L. i e.) 
 
 Mrs. R. {seating herself near VmiAAV), Good old soul ! 
 There is nothing in the house too good for the needy traveler 
 who comes under her sheltering care. Would that the 
 world contained more just such people. {Lightning and 
 thunder '^ distant.^ 
 
 Mabel. She is, indeed, kind. And how thankfiil we 
 should be that we reached here before the storm that is 
 approaching had overtaken us. I shudder even now to 
 think of our being exposed to the warring elements. {Cros- 
 ses to window,^ 
 
 Phillip. Theer is a way as is always provided, my child, 
 wen we can master the patience to wait. I had no fears for 
 myself; not for myself as much as for the two of you. I 
 could brave the storm as is a-coming, brave it a'most cheerful 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 53 
 
 like, could the sight on^y touch Jacob's 'art and make him 
 feel responsible. But the man as has no 'art, has no sense of 
 responsibility ; and that are the trouble with Jacob. 
 
 Mrs. R. Sometime he may be consumed in the fire of 
 his own kindling ; and it may overtake him sooner than he 
 expects it. 
 
 Phillip. No man can escape the vengeance of the Lord. 
 Bide your time — bide your time, Betty. Why, crippled 
 and sightless as I appear — and I am both, I am sorry to say 
 — I would not change places with that theer Jacob for all 
 his wealth and position. Even the thowt as how such a 
 thing could happen, wownds my 'art, and makes me blush 
 for my manhood. 
 
 Lucy {outside). Scat! scat! I say. I never saw a cat 
 that wasn't alius a trianglin' under a body's feet. {Enters L. 
 IE.). Land a massey ! I nearly upsot the hull of this tea on 
 the floor. {Crosses to Phillip.) Now, Phillip, you drink 
 this, an' if it don't recreate your spirits like a glass of Bogun 
 whiskey, I'll spin you a skein o' yarn for nuthin'. The rest 
 of us will drink ours in t'other room. {Gives cup and saucer 
 to Phillip.) 
 
 Phillip. Lucy, theer are names as this world will remem- 
 ber long after yours is forgotten ; but while the next world 
 may not contain of them so much as a scratch, yours will 
 shine out emblazoned with gold. I hope as how this will be 
 the case. 
 
 Lucy. Land sakes! how much like Uriah you du talk. 
 You used tu know Uriah afore you wus tooken with blind- 
 ness. Well, he argefied so much on the scrip'ters, an' how 
 people should conductor themselves in this world, an' all that 
 sort o' thing, that I used tu think he wus out of his head. 
 Poor man ! he's dead, though, an' here I am, a lone widder, 
 a-tryin' tu keep soul an' body together. 
 
 Mabel {at window), Mercy! how dark it grows. 
 {Flash of lightning.) And the storm — how swiftly it 
 approaches. 
 
 Mrs. R. Now that we are sheltered from its fury we can 
 regard it without alarm ; but to think how narrowly we es- 
 caped from facing it — even now it makes me shudder. 
 
 Lucy. Land sakes ! let the storm alone. Uriah used tu 
 say that the more we medicated over troubles, the larger 
 
54 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 they grew. I allow its about so. Til jest light a candle an' 
 scatter 'em out along with the shaders. (^Exit L. i e.) 
 
 Phillip. Theer are wisdom in her words — theer are 
 wisdom in her words. Now, Betty, I have a mind to rest if 
 as how theer is a place to put me. 
 
 Mrs. R. Lucy is coming now. We will see that you are 
 made as comfortable as possible. 
 
 Lucy {eitters l. i e. with lighted caji die. When conven- 
 ieiit, this candle should be extre77iely large) . There ! Fve got 
 this candle lit at last. It isnH as purty as some, but I reckon 
 there are qualities about it that will last. You see, the taller 
 overrun, so I put the balance into this. I ain't so much on 
 eteket as on sober reality, I kin tell ye. {Sets candle on 
 table.') 
 
 Mrs. R. When convenient, Lucy, you may show Phillip 
 to his room. The excitement of the day, and the fatigue 
 derived from walking, have greatly unnerved him. I will go 
 with you. 
 
 Lucy. Gracious ! why didn't I think of that afore. Here 
 — ril take that cup an' saucer. {Takes C7ip and saucer.) 
 Now jest follow me, an' Pll show you the best room in the 
 house. 
 
 Phillip {rising from chair assisted by Mrs. Raymond) . 
 The bible says, " Cast thy bread upon the waters, and it will 
 return to you after many days." Well, I counsels as how 
 you will be rewarded for this here kindness, Lucy, and it 
 may overtake you long afore you are aw^eer. 
 
 Lucy. Land sakes ! I hope so. If there's anything I 
 dislike, it is tu wait for things that's a-goin' tu du me any 
 good. {Exit L. I Y.., followed by Mr. and Mrs. Raymond.) 
 
 Mabel {at window). I love to watch the storm! One 
 flash succeeds another in quick succession, and fills me with 
 awe. In it I behold a power over which we have no control. 
 {Turns fro7n window.) O Edward ! Edward! How cruelly 
 we were torn apart ! Even now you are in hiding for a crime 
 you could not possibly have committed. Some one is guilty 
 of this, and would to Heaven they could be made to suffer. 
 Hark ! some one approaches ! Who can have wandered 
 here in the face of such a storm. 
 
 Sambo {rushing in from ^. c). Lor a-mighty! dis yer 
 chile am frightened mos' to death. Dar's de tarrinest storm 
 a-comin', and Fse gwine to go home right in the face of it. 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 55 
 
 Mabel. Why, what brings you here? 
 
 Sambo. Fetched a letter to yer, Missey Mabel — fotched 
 it from Mas'r Johnson. Lor a-mighty ! Tse done trabbeled 
 de whole country ober — thought I should nebber find you, 
 sure. Here's de letter, Missey Mabel; hope dar's nuffin in 
 it to harrer your feelings. {Gives letter.^ 
 
 Mabel {taking letter), A letter for me? And from 
 Jacob? {Aside.) How my heart beats! {Opens letter,) 
 I tremble to read the contents. {Reads,) 
 '* To Miss Raymond : 
 
 Unless you call upon me to-morrow with a 
 satisfactory answer, your father will be arrested for a forgery 
 committed against me in the past, as also will that upstart, 
 Edward, for passing counterfeit money. Accept my hand, 
 and all will be dropped. 
 
 Jacob." 
 O Heaven ! the blow has fallen. What shall I do ! It must 
 — yes, it shall be done. {To Sambo.) Run — run to your 
 rnaster. Tell him I will be there — that I will see him in 
 the morning as early as possible. 
 
 Sambo." Fll tole him — I'll tole him, Missey Mabel. 
 'Spec's dat man am up to some more of his deviltry. {Starts 
 off.) Doan know what am de trubble wid Mas'r Johnson — 
 keeps dis chile running wid letters de whole time lately. 
 {Lightning and thunder.) For de Lord's sake! if dis chile 
 doan hurry he will get cotched in the hurryclone sure. {Runs 
 out R. c.) 
 
 Mabel. The die is cast. I am destined to become the 
 bride of a man I utterly loathe. My poor father must not 
 know of this ; only to my mother will I reveal the secret. 
 Oh, why are we so afflicted when there are so many around 
 us who are happy. 
 
 Mrs. R. {eyiters l. l e.). Did I not hear some one 
 enter the room? {Perceives that Mabel is agitated.) Why, 
 my child, what is the matter? 
 
 Mabel. O mother! mother! how can I ever tell you? 
 Read this — it will explain all. {Gives letter.) 
 
 Mrs. R. {reads letter). Oh, the villain! We are lost! 
 lost ! {Sinks into chair, c.) 
 
 Mabel. No, mother, no. I will save you, though it 
 breaks my heart in doing it. I will accept his offer. 
 
56 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 Mrs. R. You — you, Mabel? Impossible! you know 
 not what you say. 
 
 Mabel. Mother, listen to me. Unless I marry Jacob, 
 father is ruined — Edward is ruined. If my poor hand can 
 save them, consent that I shall make the sacrifice. 
 
 Mrs. R. But your father, Mabel. 
 
 Mabel. He must not know it. Only yourself shall enter 
 into the secret. If father is arrested, and sent to prison, he 
 will surely die. Mother, you must consent. 
 
 Mrs, R. Oh, my child ! I dare not consent to what I know 
 will be the ruin of your life. Act your own judgment, 
 Mabel, and may God direct you in the right course. 
 
 Mabel. Then mother, though it breaks my heart in doing 
 it, I will marry Jacob Johnson, (Sinks at her 7nother's feet, 
 and buries her face in her lap.) 
 
 SCENE IV. Highway. Night. Storm still continued. 
 
 Jacob {enters). The night is as favorable as I could 
 wish. The wind from the advancing storm will fan the 
 flames, and the rain will entirely obliterate my footprints 
 from the soil. It was on such a night that — bah ! why 
 will the scenes of that night for ever rise up before me. Do 
 what I will, I cannot efface the picture of that murdered 
 man from my memory. Well, no more of this ! Such 
 thoughts will make a coward of me ; and if I ever needed 
 courage, it is in the job I have before me. It is evident 
 that those men must be disposed of, or I am ruined. Ru- 
 ined? Curse them! they shall never take from me that 
 wealth which my scheming has gathered together. These 
 men disposed of, the power to put Phillip and that young up- 
 start in jail, and that girl is completely in my power. 
 Ha ! ha ! when kindness fails, then force must be resorted 
 to, is the rule I work by. {Exit l.) 
 
 SCENE V. — Interior of mill, saine as in Act 2., Scene i. 
 Night. Lightning and thunder ^ windandrain. Lighted can- 
 dle in each roojn. Seth discovered in room to l. He is sitting 
 on cot with his head resting upon his hands as ifdespondeftt, 
 Elias and Edward discovered in room to R. Elias sits 
 upon side of cot. Edward in chair. Music at rise of 
 curtain. 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 5/ 
 
 Edward. Say, Elias, this thing is about played. Lodg- 
 ing in a wheel pit is worse than joining the nomads. Besides, 
 it isn't half so pleasant. Vm going to take my bundle and 
 emigrate. 
 
 Elias. Ye must ha' patience, Edward. So far ye be 
 not mistrusted of hiding here; not even by the occupant of 
 the adjoining room. I ha' reason V think he be out to- 
 night, so ye can talk with freedom. Ha' patience for a little 
 longer, an' ye will not regret it. 
 
 Edw. Well, haven't I had patience. I've hung in that 
 water-soaked hole until I'm bleached out whiter than a win- 
 ter ermine. Who has visited me? Nothing but rats. Now 
 what are the presence of rodents compared to the presence 
 of the woman you love. 
 
 Elias. Ha' patience for a little, Edward, an' ye shall see 
 her. Even now she may not be so well situated as your- 
 self. 
 
 Edw. What do you mean by that .^ 
 
 Elias. I tell ye, Edward, that the blow Phillip expected 
 has fallen. To-day he has been turned into the streets. 
 Even now they may be exposed t' the storm that ye hear ap- 
 proaching. 
 
 Edw. (^jwnphigtohisfeet). Curse of Minerva ! you don't 
 mean it. Give me my hat ! I'm out of here quicker than 
 a streak of chain lightning. (^Starts for door.) 
 
 Elias {rising and catching hold of his ar7n) . Ye must 
 not go, Edward. Come back, an' I will give ye an explana- 
 tion. 
 
 Edw. What! and leave Mabel out in the storm? What 
 do you take me for? I'll find her a shelter, and give that 
 Jacob the St. Vitus dance, or I'm not a Le Roy. Let go of 
 my arm. 
 
 Elias {dragging him back). Edw'ard, ye must listen t' 
 reason. Sit down until I ha' finished talking t' ye. (Edward 
 resists.) Sit down, I tell ye. {Forces him into chair.) 
 Why, man, ye ha' not the sense o' the girl that ye love. 
 Think ye I would leave them t' battle the gale? Ye ha' no 
 common sense, man. 
 
 Edw. But you say that, even now they might be exposed 
 to the storm. 
 
 Elias. I said that t' show ye how others could be as bad 
 
58 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 off as yourself. Now if ye ha' a mind t' listen, I will ex- 
 plain. (Sits on side of couch. ^ If possible Mabel was f 
 reach Lucy's cottage with her parents; an' she had half of 
 the day in which t' do it. If she failed, I was f be notified. 
 As I ha' not been notified, I ha' reasons t' feel that they be 
 safe. 
 
 Edw. Well, that's a relief; but that hound of a Jacob — 
 what about him ? Blast it ! I could make a sieve of him in 
 just about five minutes. I beUeve him capable of anything — 
 murder even, if given an opportunity. 
 
 Elias (agitated) . Hush ! hush ! Edward ; ye ha' not a 
 right t' say that. Ye can call call him a bad man — a very 
 bad man ; but ye ha' no right t' say he would murder. Ye 
 do not know it. 
 
 Edw. Well, a murder has been committed in these parts, 
 and you know who done it. Now I'll bet a dollar — 
 
 Elias (rising). Edward, ye had better go into hiding. 
 I would not have you found out by the man of the next 
 room. (Goes and opens trap.) The storm be on the in- 
 crease, and will send him in. 
 
 Edw. Let him come. Blast him ! I believe it was he 
 who stole that money. Oh, I could annihilate him and 
 everybody else. (Springing to his feet.) I'm a regular 
 Hercules boiling for a fight. 
 
 Elias. Ye may feel like a Hercules, Edward, but ye ha' 
 not the looks of one. Come ! ye had better go below. 
 
 Edw. Well, just as you say. (Descending trap.) Hang 
 it ! I don't like being a prisoner. How long has this thing 
 got to last ? 
 
 Elias. Not for long, Edward. The day be not far dis- 
 tant when ye shall be free. I ha' a way t' do it that ye ha' 
 not dreamed of. 
 
 Edw. Thank the Lord for that. Well, if you hear a 
 howl in the night, you may know I've struck a rat. Hurry 
 matters along, because the quarters I occupy are worse than 
 a spare bedroom in winter. (Disappears.) 
 
 Elias (closing trap). Ye little know, Edward, of the 
 sacrifice I shall make, ye little know it. (Advancing front. 
 Lightning and thunder.) There be a terrible storm out o' 
 doors, an' it be a fit companion t' the fiercer storm within 
 my heart. Alas ! there be nothing left for me but t' die ; an' 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 59 
 
 t' accomplish it, I ha' the means in this bottle. {Takes 
 phial from his pocket. Holds it up a7id looks at it, ) To- 
 morrow, I will return my life t' the God who gave it, an' 
 when dying, will reveal the secret that has preyed upon my 
 mind for years. If it be a sin, then may the Lord forgive 
 me : for I take my life for the purpose of doing good. {Re- 
 turns phial to his pocket,^ Now for the last time I will seek 
 rny couch ; an' if I sleep, it will be my last but one upon 
 earth. {Extinguishes candle.^ God only knows the agony 
 I suffer; an' if He be a just God, He will save me from this 
 terrible doom. {Throws himself tipon couch. Storm grows 
 nearer.) 
 
 {During the last of Elias's soliloquy, Seth arouses himself, 
 and looks aromtd as if dazed. Then he rises, and mechan- 
 ically approaches front, pauses, a7id stares at the floor like 
 one i7t deep meditation. As Eli as seeks his couch, Seth 
 slowly speaks.) 
 
 Seth. There may be no direct communication between 
 this world and the next ; but if a muffled sentence don't 
 reach us once in a while from that unseen country, then I'm 
 a liar. Something to-night whispers to me of danger ; and 
 I can catch the word, ^'danger! danger! danger!" just 
 as plain as I can catch the sound of the wind there on the 
 outside. If it isn't some spirit whispering in my ears, then 
 what is it? Jacob is overdue. Curse it! I put no more 
 confidence in that man than I do in myself; or half as much. 
 Without confidence the heart is weak; therefore, to insure 
 the safety of my valuables, I had better hide them. {Takes 
 paper and wallet from his pocket. Re?noves money and 
 returns wallet back again. Looks at paper.) This paper is 
 Jacob's confession to that murder ; and while I hold it, he is 
 in my power. Once lost, and my game is up. {Hides 
 paper and ?noney under head of cot.) Hark ! he comes. It 
 will not do to find me here. {Fixes cot, crosses room, and 
 seats himself opposite stand as Jacob enters c. l.) 
 Jacob {coming down) . Seth? 
 Seth. Jacob ! 
 Jacob. I have arrived. 
 
 Seth. So I perceive. I was aware of the close proximity 
 of some evil spirit five minutes ago. Please be seated. 
 Jacob (^seating himself on cot). I have come to bring you 
 
6o BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 that five thousand as I agreed. It is best that two men 
 situated as we are should be on friendly terms. We may 
 need each other's assistance. 
 
 Seth. True ! I had not thought of that. Assistance in 
 the hour of trouble is a godsend. And such assistance ! 
 Well, Where's the check? 
 
 Jacob. Here it is. {Producing check. ^ Examine it 
 closely, and see if it is all right. {Gives check ; aside. ^ It 
 is only loaned for a few hours. 
 
 Seth {exajuining check). Five thousand dollars ! Well, 
 that means Paris and the old continent. The signature is a 
 little shaky, but never mind. {Puts check in his pocket.) 
 Jacob ? 
 
 Jacob. Well ! 
 
 Seth. Let us shake. ( They shake hands. ) Such friend- 
 ship as yours is without a parallel. How can I ever. reward 
 you for this great sacrifice upon your w^ealth. 
 
 Jacob. It is nothing. Assist me to wed that girl, and it 
 shall be doubled. You made one grand stroke when you 
 stole that money. {Ironically .) For me it was the grand- 
 est stroke you ever made. 
 
 Seth {sarcastically) . Yes, it was a beautiful stroke ; a 
 most excellent stroke. Why, it placed in my pocket over 
 five thousand dollars. Besides, it ruined a whole family, 
 shattered the prospects of a loving couple, and made me 
 hate myself. Oh, that was a delightful stroke, Jacob. 
 
 Jacob. Bah ! haven't you recovered from your weakness 
 of to-day? Why, man, you are growing penitent. Come! 
 let us drink. {Takes bottle and glass from pocket.) 
 
 Seth. Now, Jacob, you have touched a tender chord. 
 No man understands the little weaknesses of my heart like 
 yourself. However, I must refuse. 
 
 Jacob. Refuse? What! Seth Randolph refiise a drink ! 
 Now do I believe in your repentance ? 
 
 Seth {rising to his feet and speaking forcibly). Hark'ee, 
 Jacob, and I'll give you a lesson in Temperance. I learned 
 to drink in early youth. It became a power over which I 
 had no control. It lured me to the gambling table. It led 
 me to squander my inheritance, and sink my father in bank- 
 ruptcy. Once, when heated with wine, and half crazed, I 
 struck my mother to the earth for reproving me for my con- 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 6l 
 
 duct. From that moment no word ever issued from her lips, 
 and she went to the grave, where she was soon after joined 
 by my father. Then I fled — fled from that home which 
 gave me birth. I came to you. I placed myself under your 
 fostering care. And such care ! How like a shepherd you 
 have watched over me, Jacob. To you I owe my first knowl- 
 edge of crime. With you am I guilty of murder. Now, you 
 ask me to drink. Why? Not out of friendship, — oh, no! 
 Oh ! I know you, Jacob, and that knowledge leads me to be 
 wary. 
 
 Jacob {tmmoved), Seth, this is Madeira, your favorite 
 drink. {Holding up bottle,^ 
 
 Seth {forcibly^. Well, what is Madeira when poisoned. 
 
 Jacob. Poisoned.'* Why, man, what do you mean? 
 What reason have I for putting you out of the way ? 
 
 Seth. Because, I am an obstacle in your path. You 
 tried it once and failed. Since then I have been cautious. 
 
 Jacob. Seth, you are mad. Don't judge me by the past. 
 To-night, I come to you as a friend ; and have proved it, by 
 giving you that check. Here — I will drink first to convince 
 you that this wine is all right. {Fills glass and drifiks.) 
 (Seth approaches front. As he does so, Jacob quickly drops 
 powder into tymbler,^ 
 
 Seth {aside\. Am I mistaken? How can he poison 
 that which he arinks himself. These parched lips crave the 
 drink that he offers, and yet, something in here whispers not 
 to touch it. If I now refuse, he will call me a coward ; and 
 that I can never stand. {Aloud.) Jacob? 
 
 Jacob. Well ! 
 
 Seth. Fill up that glass. {]acob fills glass.) Give it 
 to me. {Takes glass.) Now you say this wine is all right? 
 
 Jacob. How can it be otherwise when I have drank of it 
 myself ? 
 
 Seth. Stranger miracles than that have happened, even 
 in the nineteenth century. {Holding up glass and loohng 
 into it.) Beware of the serpent in the glass! {Raises glass 
 to his lips, pauses^ then looks sharply at Jacob.) Jacob, if 
 you are deceiving me, you had better pause. I shall live 
 long enough to tear you limb from limb. 
 
 Jacob {slightly agitated). The wine is all right. 
 
 Seth. Very well. {Lifting glass.) Then here is luck to 
 
62 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 one or both of us. (^Drinks half of glasSy suddenly stops, 
 looks into tumbler, then at Jacob, and then hurls glass upon 
 the floor.) Curse you ! you have played me false. 
 
 Jacob {retreating). You are mistaken. The wine was 
 all right, I tell you. 
 
 Seth. You lie. The taste was peculiar. Even now I 
 can feel it permeating through every fiber of my system. 
 Hell furies seize ! you shall suffer for this. {Staggers down 
 front, draws kfiife, and turns back. Lightning and heavy 
 thunder . Music . ) 
 
 Jacob {draws revolver and retreats down c). Back! 
 back ! I say. Approach me at your peril. 
 
 Seth. With death staring me in the face, I know no 
 peril. Curse you ! we will die together. {Starts forward 
 again — staggers. Jacob avoids and runs down front.) 
 You shall never escape me ! I tell you, you shall not ! ( Turns, 
 reels forward, striking wildly with knife. ] acob again avoids 
 him and runs down stage. ) O God ! am I too late ? Fool ! 
 fool that I was to trust you ! {Makes one more effort to rush 
 forward, suddenly stops, drops knife, and clasps his hands 
 to his head.) Ha! my brain ! My eyes grow dim! Oh, I 
 am lost ! lost ! {Staggers back and falls heavily to the floor. 
 Jacob stands in background, with drawn revolver, watching 
 him. At last he approaches, takes him by the shoulder and 
 shakes him.) 
 
 Jacob. He is safe enough for the present. I perceived 
 his condition, or would have shot him down like a dog. 
 Now for the check and the paper he holds against me. Takes 
 check fro7n pocket.) Here is the check. Fool ! did he think I 
 would give him that money ? {Returns check to his own pocket 
 and then continues search.) Where can he have placed that 
 paper? {^inds wallet.) Ah! here it is. {Opens wallet.) 
 Curse it ! the wallet is empty. Never mind; I can wait no 
 longer. Fire will consume the paper, and the money I can 
 do without. {Throws wallet upon stand.) Now for fixing 
 that idiot in the next room, and then to fire the mill. {Goes 
 out I., c. and returns with pan of coal.) The coal is as I 
 left it and well on fire. Once the room is filled with gas, and he 
 is safe. {Removes board from centre partition, and cautiously 
 inserts pan into next room.) There! nothing could work 
 more satisfactory. To fire the mill is easy. In the room 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 6$ 
 
 below are a lot of rags and shavings which will easily ignite. 
 I will set them on fire and then — peace be to their ashes. 
 ( Goes to center of room, turns, looks carefully aroimd, then 
 goes out c. L. Lightiting and thunder, wind and rain.^ * 
 
 {Pause. Music through rest of scene. Red lights which 
 gradually increase in brilliancy off R . arid L . Fire and smoke 
 gradually seen through different parts of the stage. Heavy 
 fire and s7noke under trap to be seen when trap is open. 
 
 Time must be allowed to make the scene appear natural. At 
 last Seth is seen to slowly move. Then, with apparent ex- 
 ertion, he sits upright and looks wildly around. Clasping 
 his hands to his forehead, he utters a cry, and staggers to 
 his feet. ^ 
 
 Seth. O Heavens! am I asleep? Do I dream? Oh! it 
 comes to me now. That accursed wine ! Fool that I was 
 to touch it! Ha! what means this? The room on fire? 
 My God ! 'tis too true. Curses light on that fiend, this is 
 his work ! {Staggers to cot.^ I must save that paper. 
 Without it my hold upon that man is lost. {Takes articles 
 from cot, and puts them in his pocket.^ Now for revenge on 
 that Devil in human shape. {Runs to door which he finds 
 locked.') What ! locked in? Caged here like a dog to perish? 
 It must not — shall not be ! {Rushes down c. Recollects him- 
 self.') Hold, Seth. Brace up and be a man. Do away with this 
 cowardice. He whom you have wronged is doubtless in like 
 danger. You must save him ! Save him, if you perish in the 
 attempt. {Crosses to partition, tears out boards, and crawls 
 into room. Perceiving the pan of coal, he picks it up and 
 hurls it through window, breaking glass.) There, that is dis- 
 posed of. Now to save the man I have wronged. {Shaking 
 Eli AS.) Rouse up here or you are lost! {Dragging him 
 from cot.) Wake up, my friend, or your doom is sealed. 
 
 Elias {rousing himself and perceiving Seth). You be 
 here ? Ha' ye the wickedness f murder me ? 
 
 Seth. I would save you. Look ! we are surrounded by 
 fire. Come ! come with me. {Starting with hi7n toward 
 door. ) 
 
 Elias {holding back) . No — no ; I be not going ! I — 
 
 * For description of fire scene, see page 3. 
 
64 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 I — Edward ! he be beneath the trap. Leave me, and save 
 him. O Heavens ! I — I choke — (^Falls heavily upon floor. ) 
 
 Seth. a man below? Pll save them both or perish! 
 (^Drags Elias to door which he finds locked.^ This locked? 
 Oh, for the strength of a giant ! {Hurls himself agai^ist 
 door which gives way,) There! {Drags Y.IAAS to the otit- 
 side^ then returns.) Now for the man in the room beneath. 
 My brain is on fire ; but I must not — will not fail. {Lifts 
 trap. As he does so, fire and smoke issue through opening. 
 Seth pauses a ?no7nent, then dashes in.) 
 
 Edw. {outside) . What ! trying to save me ? Blast it ! I 
 ain't there! I doubted }• our word and started after Mabel. 
 Discovering the mill on fire, I turned back. Come ! let's to 
 the rescue. 
 
 Elias {enters c. t>. followed by Edward). Ye go back, 
 Edward, ye go back. I ha' nothing f lose if I perish. Ye 
 go back. {Descends trap.) 
 
 Edw. Not while a man is in danger. If he risked his 
 life for me, it is right I should risk mine for him. {Follows 
 Elias. Music. They soon emerge dragging the form of 
 Seth. His clothes are onfi.re, and his face blackened with 
 smoke.) Pm afraid we're too late. He's a dead man. 
 
 Elias. It has that appearence. We ha' not a moment t' 
 lose. {They start with Seth toward door.) 
 
 Seth {with effort) . Wait ! wait but a moment ! ( Turns 
 so as to face audience.) Let — let me speak! J-Jacob — 
 O God ! he — Jacob, he done this — he — he — {Falls back 
 into their arms.) 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 6$ 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 SCENE I. — Room in L^icy'^s house, same as in Act 3, Scene 3. 
 Time^ morning. Large sun bonnet and shawl on table. As 
 curtain rises, Lucy and Mabel are discovered. 
 
 Lucy {assisting Mab^i.). Well, I spose if you must go, 
 you must. Of course you know your own business best, 
 though there's a heap o' people as don't. How long will it 
 be afore you'll return ? 
 
 Mabel. If nothing happens, dear Lucy, I shall be here 
 to dine with you. Should I be detained you must not wait 
 for me. Some matters I have to adjust may keep me un- 
 avoidably delayed. 
 
 Lucy. Land sakes ! don't let any orinary matters rob you 
 of your dinner. Uriah used tu say, that, tu work on an 
 empty stomach, wus next thing tu visiting an overtaken ; an' 
 Uriah used tu hit things about correct. Why, I'm going tu 
 have frickerseed chicken for dinner, with injin molasses for a 
 side dish ; an' I wouldn't have you miss it for a pewter 
 button. 
 
 Mabel. I will endeavor, if possible, not to disappoint you. 
 {Going to door.) Tell mother I started somew^hat earlier 
 than I intended, and thought best not to disturb her. If 
 nothing prevtyits, I shall be here by twelve. {Exit c. R.) 
 
 Lucy {at door) . Well, I shall look for you with all the 
 eyes I've got. {Speaking off.) W^hen you cross over the 
 hill, jest look in the direction of your father's mill. I saw a 
 big light in that direction last night, an' ten to one if Elias 
 hain't sot it on fire. {Closes door and coines down front.) 
 It is cu'rus how Phillip lets every straggler inter that mill, 
 jest because there happens tu be a couple of empty rooms. 
 Tu hear any day that it had burned dow^n wouldn't surprise 
 me in the least. {Goes to table and pids on sun bonnet and 
 shawl.) Kinder cu'rus what Mabel is after on sech amornin' 
 as this. Why, the road is full of gullets from last night's 
 rain. She seem agitated, tu. Likely as not she has gone 
 over tu intercreed with Jacob ; an' poor consolation she 
 will get. {Noticing that she has put on things.) Goodness 
 gracious ! what hev I got these things on for? I ain't a-goin' 
 
66 BOUxMD BY AN OATH. 
 
 anywheres. {Takes off bonnet and shawl and throws them 
 
 on table. ^ I du believe Vva growing more an' more absent 
 
 minded every day. Next thing I know, I shall be mistakin' 
 
 some man for my departed Uriah. Well, I can hear Phillip, 
 
 so I reckon I had better fix up things. {Arranges chairs^ 
 
 etc.) 
 
 (Phillip, carrying bible, e?iters L. i. e. assisted by Mrs. 
 
 Raymond. 
 
 Phillip. You say as how Mabel has left her room. Now 
 wot I say is, if Mabel has left her room, wheer can the child 
 have gone ? 
 
 Mrs. R. {assisting him to chair). I think, Phillip, that 
 she is not far away. Trouble for the past few days, may 
 have unsettled her nerves. No doubt she has gone out for a 
 morning walk from which she will soon return. 
 
 Lucy. Land a massey ! let the child alone. Airly morn- 
 in' walks is what throws the blood into the cheeks ; an' 
 goodness knows she needs it at present. She said she had 
 some business, or suthin\ tu attend tu ; but if possible, 
 would be back by twelve. I hope she will, for if she don't, 
 that frickerseed chicken will be cold as a dog's nose in Jan- 
 uary. She et a lunch afore she started, so I reckon she 
 won't starve. 
 
 Phillip {agitated). You see as to how it is, Betty. 
 The child had business afore her. It is not for long she 
 would walk on a morning like this, for it is Wiet and windy. 
 The child had business that took her away. On'y give me 
 the nature of that business afore my suspicions lead me 
 astray. 
 
 Mrs. R. Phillip, I think you are borrowing unnecessary 
 trouble. Whatever business Mabel may have before her, 
 believe me, it is for our benefit. 
 
 Phillip. Theer it is again. I tell you, Betty, theer is 
 that underlying your words as befogs them. I am not to be 
 deceived. I have the sense of understanding, and this here 
 blindness of mine has made it sharp, and easy to penetrate 
 the truth. You are .prevaricating with me, as I am well 
 aweer; and I have the boldness to say, and with good 
 reason, too, as how it is not right. Tell me, Betty, if the 
 nature of Mabel's business has anything to do with that theer 
 Jacob ? 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 6/ 
 
 Mrs. R. Oh, Phillip, how should I know! Do not 
 compel me to say that which I shall be sorry for — oh, do 
 not! 
 
 Phillip Sorry for? Are you that sorry, that you fear to 
 speak the truth? I have not forgotten the words of that 
 child — not as I heerd them from her own lips. I remember 
 as how she said — and I heerd her say it, you understand — 
 heerd her say as how she would marry Jacob, and save her 
 father. Now, Betty, is it come to pass that she is giving 
 herself to that theer snake to save us? 
 
 Mrs. R. {bursting into tear s^. O Phillip ! Phillip! 
 
 Lucy. Land a massey ! you don't think Mabel would 
 marry Jacob, do ye? I as soon think of her marrying an 
 ooring owtang without any teeth. You let Mabel alone for 
 that. 
 
 Phillip. Mabel has a self-sacrificing disposition. She 
 loves her old blind father — God bless her 'art for it ! and 
 she would sacrifice herself to save him. I know wot that 
 theer Jacob is after. I remember as how, to please him, I 
 put my name upon paper — upon a paper I didn't understand. 
 For you know, Betty, I was ignorant as to business affairs, 
 and at the time was half blind ; and the signing of that paper 
 was one of my greatest weaknesses. Well, of a suddint, and 
 it was like as a shock to me, he held up that paper, and 
 called it a forgery. Then, to save the exposure as would 
 nat'rally follow, I — fool that I was — mortgaged him my 
 property, and made myself his prisoner. Now he wants my 
 Mabel. Because he can't have her, and I can't pay the debts 
 as I never owed, it comes nat'ral to turn us into the street. 
 Is it not likewise nat'ral to punish me for that theer crime, 
 unless Mabel sacrifices herself to gratify his wishes? 
 
 Mrs. R. O Phillip ! let Mabel explain this matter to you 
 as she will. Why will you force me to speak when you know 
 it is breaking my heart? 
 
 Phillip. Because it is right. What ! would you trample 
 your own flesh and blood in the dust for the sake of walking 
 upon roses? Out upon you for the dolt that you are ! (^At- 
 tempting to rise. ) Help me to my feet. 
 
 Mrs. R. Why, Phillip, what would you do? 
 
 Phillip. Pm a-going to find Mabel and bring her back. 
 Pm a-going to hear from her own lips whether the suspicions 
 
68 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 I have against her have any foundation or not. I tell you 
 Tm a-going to find out. {Struggling to ?'ise.) 
 
 Mrs. R. {forcing hi?n back i?tto chair). Wait, Phillip, 
 and I will tell you all. It is true she has gone to Jacob's. 
 
 Phillip ! he wrote her a letter stating if she didn't marry 
 him, he would arrest you for forgery, and Edward for passing 
 counterfeit money. She has gone to give him her hand to 
 save Edward and you. 
 
 Lucy. Land a massey ! who ever heard the beat. 
 
 Phillip. I thowt it ! I thowt it ! I tell you. {Struggling 
 to his feet.) Give me my hat and lead the way. 
 
 Mrs. R. Where would you go ? 
 
 Phillip. Pm a-going to that theer Jacob's and meet him 
 face to face. I can't see him with that ugly visage of his ; 
 but I can hear him talk, which is quite enough. I'm a-going 
 to make him retract that promise — if I thowt as how Mabel 
 had given it — or Til knock him down, if it takes this here 
 bible to do it. 
 
 Mrs. R. {trying to keep him back). Phillip, you have 
 not the strength. The distance is altogether too great. 
 
 Phillip. Strength? I'm all strength. I feel like as how 
 my muscles had turned to iron. I could walk miles — miles, 
 
 1 tell you, before she should wed that theer viper as I knows 
 him to be. Give me my hat. {Groping wildly around.) 
 Come ! is there no one to help me find my Mabel? 
 
 Lucy. Goodness gracious ! I'll help ye if I die a widder 
 in doing it. Here — here's your hat. (Gets his hat and 
 puts it upon his head.) There now, Betty and I will lead 
 you, an' it won't be no fault of ourn if you don't reach Jacob's 
 afore you know it. That frickerseed chicken can have a 
 postponement. ( They put on things.) 
 
 Mrs. R. O PhilUp ! what will be the end of all this? 
 
 Phillip. The end, as I knows it, is at that theer Jacob's ; 
 and theer it is I'm a-going to go. Come, Betty, bear a 
 hand. Lead the way, and I'll follow you with the strength 
 of a giant. {They exeunt^, c. door.) 
 
 SCENE II. — A wood', or, when convenient^ interior of 
 shed joining Raymond's house, Edward and Sambo 
 enter from L. supportiiig Seth Randolph. 
 Seth. {slowly, and with much exertion). It is no use, 
 
 friends. The days of Seth Randolph are numbered. The 
 
BOUND BV AN OATH. 69 
 
 fire I inhaled has done it. I — I had hoped to have reached 
 thit sleuth-hound of a Jacob ; but it is too late. Lay me 
 down, please. I — I have something to say. Something I 
 must reveal to you before it is too late. {They place him c. 
 of stage back. Edw^ard supports his head. Sambo remains 
 standing ^.^ There! that will do. 
 
 Edward. Are you comfortable, friend? 
 
 Seth. Yes, comfortable as can be expected, if dying is 
 considered a comfort. {Looking around.) Where is the 
 other? 
 
 Edw. If you mean Elias, he has gone to Jacob's. 
 
 Sambo. 1 comed for him, sah. Dar's trubble at MasY 
 Johnson's — debbil to pay dar, sure. He sent fo' Mabel, 
 sah. 1 tooked de letter myself — tooked it right in de face 
 of de hurryclone. Lor a-mighty ! but I was a drownded 
 nigger, I kin tole yer. Mabel, she comed over dis mornin' 
 — comed over from Missey Lucy's. I met her down dar by 
 de ole mill. Why, sah, when she see'd that de ole mill 
 wasn't dar, she cried, sah, cried like as if her heart would 
 break. Well, she went over to Mas'r Johnson's, wid me be- 
 hind her, and on de way, she said, kind of suddin' like, she 
 wished she was dead. I heard her say it, sah. So 'spectin' 
 dar was something wrong, I comed and tole Mas'r Elias. 
 Dat Elias — why, he jess jumped up and started as if de 
 debbil was after him. 
 
 Edw. You see, this Jacob is determined to force Mabel 
 into a marriage with himself. Elias has gone to upset it 
 while I watch over you. 
 
 Seth. And what a wretch do you watch over. Are you 
 aware, friend, that you attend a man who has helped to 
 make all this mischief ? 
 
 Edw. Well, I had an inkling in that direction. How- 
 ever, this is no time for reproaches. If I can assist you, I 
 am willing to do it. 
 
 Sambo. I'se of de same mind, Mas'r Somebody. 
 
 Seth. A warm heart can beat beneath a black skin. 
 Yes, you both can assist me. First, open my coat and 
 remove a wallet you will find in one of the pockets. (Ed- 
 ward removes wallet.) Now, inside of my vest, you will 
 find a paper. Remove that, please. (Edw^ard removes 
 paper.) Thanks now, my black friend, draw closer to me, 
 and listen to my words. 
 
yO BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 Sambo {sitting close to Seth, r.). Pse here, sah. 
 
 Seth. Very well. Let what I say be indelibly stamped 
 upon your memory. Five years ago, a murder was com- 
 mitted in this town. One there was who witnessed the 
 deed. In order not to share a similar fate, he took upon 
 himself an oath not to reveal it. That oath, through all 
 adversities, he has kept until the present day. You remem- 
 ber him well. 
 
 Edw. Yes — Elias. Heavens! that oath has been the 
 ruin of his life. 
 
 Seth. It has; and the ones who administered it are 
 guilty of the deed. Nov/, for aught the public know, the 
 perpetrators of that crime have dwelt in their very midst; 
 and suspicion has diverted first upon one and then upon 
 another. This Elias, so I have learned, told of the murder 
 at the time, and where the body could be found ; beyond 
 this, he would not go. Now, friends, I will finish the story. 
 I am partner in crime to the murder of that man. The one 
 who struck the blow, however, was Jacob Johnson. 
 
 Sambo {Jioldiitg tip his hands t?i horror^ . Lor a-mighty ! 
 
 Edw. I am not surprised. Go on. 
 
 Seth. Gentlemen, with me, and as a dying man I say it, 
 that murder was unintentional. Not one dollar of the 
 money would I touch. After compelling Jacob to admit in 
 writing that he committed the deed, I took the paper, and 
 fled the country. In time I became one of a band of counter- 
 feiters. At last, I returned, bringing money of our own 
 workmanship with me. I took a room in the mill. One 
 night I listened to your conversation with Elias, and learned 
 of the money beneath the trap. I stole it with the result 
 as you have seen. If you will open that wallet, you will find 
 that money, every dollar of it, I wish to return it to its law- 
 ful owner. As you were the one to use it, I confide it to 
 your care. Do with it as you think best. 
 
 Edw. I will see that Elias has the money. Have you 
 anything further to offer? 
 
 Seth {after a pause). Only this. That paper is the 
 confession to that murder. Take it, and bring Jacob to jus- 
 tice. As for myself, I am beyond the reach of the law. My 
 life is swiftly ebbing out as I can feel at the present moment. 
 All I ask is, that you will bury me decently. Place me where 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. /I 
 
 the birds can sing over me, and where streaks of sun- 
 shine can reach my grave. Leave no stone to mark where I 
 sleep, or — or mention my name. I was not fit to live, and 
 am not fit to be remembered when dead. 
 
 Edw. And is this all? 
 
 Seth (^slowly and with difficulty^ . No ; one thing 
 more. There is a locket around my neck. In one side is a 
 likeness of the only woman I ever loved. The other side 
 contains the likeness of my mother. Do not remove the 
 locket, please, or the picture. I — I would have them 
 remain with me until — until — eternity. {I/is head slowly 
 sinks icpon Edward's shoulder,^ 
 
 Edw. Believe me, sir, your wish shall be attended to. 
 Is there anything further we can do for you ? You may be 
 thirsty; if so, we will procure water, {Pause.) Are you 
 more comfortable, friend? {Pause.) Have you any further 
 remarks you would like to make? {Pause. Not answering^ 
 Edward looks into his face and finds him dead.) Heavens ! 
 he is dead. 
 
 Sambo {jumping to his feet) . Dead? MasY Somebody 
 dead ? 
 
 Edw. Yes, Sambo, he has dropped to sleep in death 
 without a struggle. It is better that it so should be. Let us 
 carry the body to some shelter, procure an officer, and hasten 
 to the house of Jacob at once. 
 
 Sambo. Pse ready, sah. Lor a-mighty ! to tink of dis 
 yer chile living at MasV Johnson's all dese years widout 
 being murdered. Why, it jess takes away my breff. Tse 
 done living dar now, sah, done fo' sure. 
 
 Edw. Well, let us be off. Assist me to remove the 
 body. (Edward lifts at head. Sambo at feet.) 
 
 Sambo. Fse wid you, sah. Mighty tickhsh job, dis! 
 {Going off .) Lord ! what a narrow escape dis yer chile has 
 had. {They go off i.. i e. with body.) 
 {Music, ) 
 
 SCENE III. — Room in Jacob's house, same as in Act /., 
 and Act IP As scene opens, Jacob is discovered pacing 
 floor. 
 
 Jacob. As yet, I have heard nothing relating to those 
 who occupied the mill. If they escaped, I should have 
 
y2 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 heard of it before this. The night was so extremely stormy, 
 and the building in a spot so secluded, that the fire was 
 hardly noticed, if at all. Ha ! ha ! so far my plans have 
 worked admirably. Not one, even my own servant, noticed 
 my abscence from the house. Oh, Jacob ! when they outdo 
 you in artifice they must be on the alert. 
 
 Drucilla (^enters r. 3 e.). Well, Jacob, so you have 
 lost the mill. I expected as much when you turned Phillip 
 into the street. Do you know 1 look upon that act as an 
 abominable piece of rascahty? {Comes down R. H. c.) 
 
 Jacob (l. c). And why, please let me ask? Did I 
 overstep the limits of the law.'^ Every man must look out for 
 his own interests regardless of his neighbor. As for the pe- 
 cuniary loss on the mill, that was nothing, for it was heavily 
 insured. 
 
 Dru. Well, I shall never overlook the w^ay you have used 
 that family. Phillip, blind and almost helpless — just think 
 of it. Ifs a disgraceful reproach upon the name of Johnson. 
 Jacob {irritated^. Look here, Drucilla, Pm not in the 
 right mood this morning to receive a curtain lecture. If you 
 can't come in here and talk with more civihty, you had bet- 
 ter remain without. {Goes dow?i L. H. E.) 
 
 Dru. {going dowji c). Indeed! indeed! Mr. Johnson. 
 Are you aware whom you are addressing? Remember, I am 
 your sister. 
 
 Jacob. Yes, and sometimes sisters can make themselves 
 disagreeable. I know my own business without any of your 
 interference. Of late you have seen fit to meddle with my 
 affairs more than is acceptable. 
 
 Dru. I want to know ! Am I not the mistress of this 
 house? W^ho figures the interest on your notes, keeps your 
 books, gets your meals, and even darns your stockings? 
 Who, week in and week out, counsels me on business mat- 
 ters they are not capable of managing themselves? Mr. 
 Johnson, outside from bombast and cynicism, you are of but 
 little account, {Returns r. i e.) 
 
 Jacob {seating hijuself at table Q. L.). Well, well, Dru- 
 cilla, we won't quarrel. I am irritable this morning, I admit. 
 You are a good sister, and, if I do say it, full of excellent 
 qualities : but sometimes it does seem as if you talked a little 
 too much. However, I think I could hardly do without you. 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 73 
 
 ■ Dru. Still you will insist upon getting another mistress, 
 and as you are well aware, quite contrary to my wishes. 
 
 Jacob. That is a matter of an entirely diiferent nature. 
 Already I have the girPs consent. Even now I am expecting 
 her, that we may arrange matters for the coming event. 
 
 Dru. Indeed! you had not informed me of this? 
 
 Jacob. 1 thought it was not necessary. 
 
 Dru. No ; it is not necessary I should know anything. 
 That girl, Mr. Johnson, will be a useless appendage. Am I 
 not as good in my capacity, as a wife? 
 
 Jacob. Hardly, Drucilla. 
 
 Dru. Well, anyway, I know the girl docs not marry you 
 willingly. It is done to save her parents from the web you 
 have woven around them; and for my part, I think it is an 
 outrageous piece of business. (^Exit hurriedly r. 3 e.) 
 
 Jacob. So, so, snarl like a lynx if you want to. If you 
 knew the truth you might even growl. My mind is set upon 
 winning that girl, and may I be cursed if I don't do it. 
 (^Rises and goes down c. ) Where can that servant have betak- 
 en himself? I have not seen him this morning. Ah ! I hear a 
 step. He has either returned, or it is the girl I am expect- 
 ing. (^Returns to table, Mabel, ve7y pale, enters c.) 
 Ah! Miss Raymond. I have been awaiting your arrival. 
 Please be seated. (^Offers chair. ^ 
 
 Mabel (down r.). With your permission, I prefer 
 standing. I have come here pursuant to }our command. 
 To plead with you, I know is useless. I now await your 
 orders. 
 
 Jacob {seating himself c. l.). Miss Raymond, I had 
 hoped to have found you more consistent ; but if you con- 
 tinue to remain obstinate, it will be to your own detriment. 
 Already I have suffered considerable loss at your father^s 
 hands ; and the burning of the mill, which you have learned, 
 no doubt, has made it even greater. Still, with your hand 
 in marriage, I will overlook these losses, reinstate your par- 
 ents in there old home, and even rebuild the mill. 
 
 Mabel. I understand. You would purchase me, body 
 and soul, with money. You care not how many hearts you 
 are breaking, or whether I love you or not, if only you can 
 possess me. To save my parents, I come before you. If a 
 mferciful Heaven will hear my prayers, I shall be saved from 
 
74 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 this thraldom. If not, then with you I must submit to drag 
 out my miserable existence. 
 
 Jacob. Am I to understand from this that my offer is ac- 
 cepted ? 
 
 Mabel. Take it as you choose. 
 
 Jacob. Then I shall claim your hand. To consummate 
 matters, I shall request that the wedding take place without 
 delay. Your parents well established, and yourself surround- 
 ed with every luxury, I trust you will look upon your situation 
 with a degree of happiness. 
 
 Mabel. Is the bird, taken from its native element and 
 caged, ever happ}? Does the galley slave, chained, to the 
 oar, ever sense a thrill of joy? No more can I, caged, 
 chained to a man I utterly loathe and despise, know what joy 
 or happiness means. 
 
 Jacob. Well, if you will persist upon making yourself 
 miserable, you alone must suffer. Sometime yon may think 
 differently. {Elias seen m archivay. ] acob perceives hhn, 
 and starts to his feet with a cry. Chord. ^ Great Heavens ! 
 
 Elias {pale and haggard-looking) . I be no spirit, Jacob 
 Johnson. 
 
 Jacob {feebly). You — you — 
 
 Elias. Oh I I ha' no doubt ye be surprised f see me ; 
 but afore I ha' done with ye, ye will be more surprised. 
 {Advanci7ig.) 
 
 Mabel {rushing to Ell\s). Oh, Elias, my old friend, 
 can you save me ? 
 
 Elias. I be a working for ye, Mabel, I be a working for 
 ye. First, tell me why ye ha' come t' this house? 
 
 Mabel. O Elias ! I am here to save my parents. Only 
 by marrying that man can it be accomplished. I have pro- 
 mised him my hand. 
 
 Jacob {recovering himself) . And she shall keep her pro- 
 mise if the devil stands in the way. 
 
 Elias. Be not too sure, Jacob. I ha' made a covenant 
 with myself t' protect her ; and I be going t' do it, even un- 
 to death. 
 
 {N'oise without. Phillip heard speaking off c. All look to- 
 ward c.) 
 
 Phillip {without). Lead me into the house. Take me 
 to wheer I can meet that man, and stand afore him face to 
 face. 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 75 
 
 Mabel {sinking into chair ^. h. c). Oh, Heavens ! my 
 father. 
 
 Jacob (excitedly^ . Curse him ! why is he here ? 
 
 Elias (c. l.). He has come, Jacob, f save his daughter. 
 
 Lucy {speaking as she enters^ . Land a massey ! who'd a 
 ^thought it. 
 
 {Enter c. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond and Lucy.) 
 
 Mrs. R. Here we are, Phillip. The man you seek is be- 
 foi'e you. 
 
 Phillip {standing c. Mrs. Raymond to the right of 
 him, and Lucy near R. 3. e.). Then let me speak to him. 
 Let me say to him as to how I pronounces him a villain. 
 Tell him to return the daughter as he called from me, or may 
 he live accursed of God. 
 
 Mabel {going to hi?n and putting her arms around his 
 neck). O father! I am here. Your Mabel is safe. 
 
 Phillip {caressing her). And is this my Mabel? My 
 Mabel safe from the fangs of that viper, as he is? Tell me, 
 my child, why you wounded my 'art by coming here. 
 
 Mabel. O father ! I done it to save you. Only by my 
 marrying that man can you be free. 
 
 Phillip. Then let me rot ! No child of mine are a-go- 
 ing through life bound to a man as devils would blush to 
 own. Hunger shall come ; prison shall come ; death shall 
 come, afore you shall wed that theer Jacob. 
 
 Jacob. Bah ! you are a lot of crazy fools. Don't think 
 I will easily consent to yield after addressing to me such a 
 homily. Beware, Phillip Raymond, or the prison shall re- 
 ceive you with all your infirmities. 
 
 Phillip. Theer are worse places for an honest man than 
 a prison ; and one on 'em — 1 am arnest in saying it — is the 
 standing in your presence. Already through your villainy, 
 as I knows on, you have robbed me of everything but free- 
 dom. Take that, if as how you wants it, and the life wot 
 goes with it ; but this here child of mine, may God strike 
 her dead afore she ever becomes your wife. 
 
 Jacob. If this is your answer, then have you sealed your 
 own fate. Thwarted from wedlock with this girl, I will hurl 
 you all down to the lowest depths it is possible for my na- 
 ture to conceive. I tell you I am resolved and will triumph. 
 
 Lucy. Land a massev ! what a wretch. 
 
y6 BOUND 13Y AN OATH. 
 
 Mrs. R. O Phillip! think upon your fate. 
 
 Phillip. Out upon my fate, Betty, out upon it! The 
 shark has bitten me afore, theerfore the second bite will come 
 the more natVal to bear. The worst he can do by me will 
 not torture me half as much like as if his plan had succeeded. 
 Bear a hand, Betty, and give me a seat. I can stand no 
 longer. (He is assisted fo chair near R. H. corner. Mrs. 
 Raymond stands r. of ///;//, Mabel l., and Lucy down c. 
 R.) Theer, that will do. 
 
 Elias {who has remained standing near c. l., now ap- 
 proaches table^. If ye ha' a mind, Jacob, I would ask of ye 
 a question. 
 
 Jacob. Well ! 
 
 Elias. Ha' ye failed f remember the warning! gave ye, or 
 do ye look upon my words as of no account ? 
 
 Jacob. I look upon them as so much chaff. What are 
 you that I should have cause to fear? (Contemptuously .^ 
 Nothing but a crack-brain and half idiot. 
 
 Elias {wildly^ . What ! ye call me idiot ? Ye dare f 
 say that I be an idiot? Now shall ye tremble at my curse. 
 Oh, I be mad — mad! Five years ha' I cringed before ye 
 like a slave, when ye should ha' been my slave, and crawled 
 in the dust at my feet. Oh, Jacob ! I ha' ye spread out be- 
 fore me where I can read ye like a book ; and ye be all de- 
 vil — devil. (Clasping his brow with his haftds. ) O Elias ! 
 what ha' ye t' live for now? Now shall ye die, and show 
 this fiend up t' the world. (Takes phial from his pocket. 
 
 Mabel (going towards him. ^ O Elias! what would you 
 do? 
 
 Elias (motioning her back^ . Go back, Mabel, go back. 
 I would free ye, an' I ha' but one way t' do it. Come not 
 near me now. (Mabel goes back.^ If ye love Edward, an' 
 if ye love your parents, ye must listen t' my words, but make 
 no attempt t' save me. 
 
 Mabel. But you would do yourself harm? 
 
 Elias. I be of no account. My life ha' been a curse, 
 an' there be one who ha' cursed it. I be bound by an oath, 
 an' the revealing of it can only be done on my dying day. 
 This shall be that day, an' ye must not interfere. 
 
 Jacob (in evident alar?n) . Elias, beware ! Do nothing 
 rash or you will repent it. (Aside.) The first word he 
 utters of that murder, I will stab him to the heart. 
 
^ Sound by an oath. t^ 
 
 ' Elias. Hark ye, Jacob, f my words. Ye thought to 
 destroy your enemies when you burned the mill. Ye — 
 
 VnwAAV {interruptmg) . Wheer away, theer ! wheer away. 
 The mill — has that theer mill been burned ? {Aitefftpts to 
 rise. Is held back by Mrs. Raymond and Makel.) 
 
 Lucy. Well, now, I ainH a bit surprised. 
 
 Elias. Ye listen f my words, Phillip, an"* ye will find 
 out. 
 
 Phillip. But I want to know if that theer mill has 
 been burned 1 
 
 Mabel. It has, dear father, it burned last night. 
 
 Phillip. Oh curs^ him ! curse — -- {Mrs\ Raymond and 
 Lucy quiet him as Elias continues. ) 
 
 Elias. I ha' told ye, Jacob, that ye thought f destroy us 
 by burning the mill ; but I ha' escaped, for which T ha' your 
 confederate f thank. Now; Jacob, I be going t' make you 
 tremble. 
 
 Jacob {savagely). Do it at your peril. Beware ! you 
 never shall live to utter a syllable. {Starts to draw knife.) 
 
 Elias. Jacob I ha' come prepared. {Suddenly draws 
 revolver y and points it at Jacob across table. Chord. - Jacob 
 staggers back and sinks into chair,) Now ye move afore I 
 ha' finished, an' ye shall die along with me. 
 
 Jacob. But you do not mean — 
 
 Elias. I do mean that I be going t' die; an' my last 
 words will be the revealing of that oath. Now I Want ye all 
 t' listen ; but let no one, not even my friends, interfere 
 with me, or it will be- at their peril. 
 
 {Music, Elias stands c. with revolver pointed at Jacob. 
 All look at him as if stupefied. In his left hand is the 
 phial. He removes cork^ slowly raises bottle and is about 
 to drink, when shouts are heard without. He pauses a 
 moment, during which, Edward follo^ued'by Sambo, rtish 
 into the room from c, Edward shouting ''Saved! saved! " 
 as he enters.) 
 
 Edward {down c). Kill the fatted calf, for the prod- 
 igal has returned. Mabel, Fm a free man. I've got back 
 that money from the man who stole it. 
 
 Mabel {throwing herself into his arms). Heaven be 
 praised ! Now is Elias saved from his terrible doom. 
 
7^ BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 Eli AS {who has lowered revolver and stands c. L.). The 
 money has nothing f do with the oath. I be going f die 
 an' reveal that. 
 
 Edw. Well, now, I reckon you won't. Say ! Elias, the 
 cat's out of the bag. Fve got the whole sum and substance 
 of that oath down on this paper. Here it is. ( Takes paper 
 frofn his pocket,^ 
 
 Jacob {starting toward him) . Curse you ! give me that 
 paper. 
 
 Elias {starting forward and pointing revolver at Jacob) . 
 Ye go back ! 
 
 Jacob {retreating] aside). My game is up. 
 
 Elias. Edward, will ye speak those words again? I ha' 
 a fear that I did not understand. What was it ye said about 
 the oath? 
 
 Edw. I said I knew the whole sum and substance of it ; 
 and I've got the proof to back it up. The murder that was 
 committed here five years ago was done by Jacob Johnson. 
 
 Mabel {clinging to Edward) . O Heavens ! 
 
 Lucy. Land a massey ! 
 
 Jacob. You lie ! The man who informed you has done 
 it to clear himself. 
 
 Edw. The proof is in black and white on this paper, 
 with your name to back it. 
 
 Jacob {aside). I am a doomed man. 
 
 Phillip, I warn't no better opinion of the man then to 
 believe it. He led me into a forgery of his own making, and 
 the man as would do that, would murder. 
 
 Mrs. R. O Phillip ! what an escape our Mabel has had. 
 
 Elias. Well, Jacob, what ha* ye t' say t' the charge that 
 is laid against ye. 
 
 Jacob {despairingly) . I have nothing to say. Tell me, 
 if you will, the whereabouts of the man who has made this 
 disclosure ? 
 
 Edw. He is dead. His dying words was the confession 
 to that crime. Evil though he was, he couldn't hold a 
 candle to you, if I do say it. 
 
 Jacob. Save your taunts, young man, they are useless. 
 As the Fates have conspired against me, I may as well hasten 
 my doom. In yonder cabinet are the papers bearing Phil- 
 lip's signature. The forgery he committed was concocted by 
 
BOUND BY AN OATH. 79 
 
 myself. It was I who arranged the papers for him to sign. 
 You can destroy them. I suppose you have no objection to 
 my visiting my sister ; There are some matters I wish to 
 arrange. (Starts off.^ 
 
 Edw. (stopping htni) . Wait, Jacob, you need a conduc- 
 tor. (Calling off ,^ Here, officer, you are wanted I (Enter 
 officer C.) This man is in want of bracelets. Put them on 
 and lead him to his sister. Let him escape at your peril. 
 
 Officer. Mr. Johnson, you are my prisoner. 
 
 Jacob. Umph ! there is no need mentioning that. (He 
 is hafidcuffed. Starts off.) All together, you have con- 
 quered. That you may be cursed, though, with all the 
 tortures of an Ixion, is my parting blessing. (Exit with 
 offcer, R. 3 E.) 
 
 Sambo (who has rernai7ied near r. c). Good-bye, MasV 
 Johnson. Golly ! but dis yer chile had a narrow escape, I 
 kin tole yer. 
 
 Lucy. Land sakes ! you don't s'pose he would touch a 
 nigger, du ye? 
 
 Phillip. Theer is more evil in that theer Jacob than in 
 old Satan himself. 
 
 Edw. And he took it all with him when he went out. 
 (Crossing to Elias with Mabel.) Elias, my old friend, 
 why' are you so silent? 
 
 Elias (down c. Edward and Mabel to r. of hijn). I 
 be dumb, Edward, I be dumb. I ha' not the power f 
 express the thoughts that be raging here. (Places ha^id 
 upon his heart,) T' be free from that accursed oath — oh, 
 it be Heaven itself! But I can't realize it, Edward, I can't 
 realize it. 
 
 Mabel. You will in time, Elias, and then we all shall be 
 so happy. 
 
 Edw. You just bet we shall. You can take that money 
 and invest it in stocks. We shant want it; or — er — I 
 mean, Phillip won't. As for myself, I got the grand bounce 
 at home, and I suppose I shall here — eh, Mabel? 
 
 Mabel. Not so long as that dollar lasts, and you behave 
 yourself. 
 
 Phillip. Well, Edward, if you loves this here child of 
 mine, as I loves her, you can have her. I will re-build the 
 mill with Elias for a partner. Being as now I am useless 
 
80 BOUND BY AN OATH. 
 
 myself, you shall take my place. {^Lifting his hands, ^ 
 Theer, children, now may God bless you. 
 
 Mrs. R. And make you as happy as I am at the present 
 moment. 
 
 Lucy. Land a niassey ! Uriah used tu say that the only 
 happiness he ever knew, wus settin' down tu a good dinner. 
 Gracious ! that makes me think of that fricerseed chicken. 
 
 SaxMBO. Lor a mighty ! took us to it. 
 
 Edw. Yes, let us go. I want to get out of here as soon 
 as possible. What say you, Elias.'* 
 
 Elias. I be ready, Edward, I be ready. The good Lord 
 has answered my prayers, an' I would bless him for it ; but I 
 ha' not the mind t' do it here. If there be happiness in store 
 for me, I be thankful for it; but never — never, if I live the 
 life of the oldest, oh never again let me be Bound by an 
 Oath. 
 
 (^Disposition of characters. ) 
 
 Sambo. 
 Lucy. Elias. 
 
 Phillip. Edward. 
 
 Mrs. Raymond. Mabel, 
 
 R. L. 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
In the Enemy'8 Gamp;^ 
 
 OR, THE STOLEN DESPATCHES. 
 
 A Drama in Three Acts, by 
 S. J. BROWN, 
 
 Price, -------15 cents. 
 
 Eight male, two female characters. Good leading part, genteel 
 Tillain, Irish and negro character. Time of playing about two hours. 
 While not distinctively a war-play its incidents are concerned with im- 
 aginary events of the Rebellion, and it is not unsuited to the needs of 
 Grand Army Post^. Scenery, simple interiors and landscape drops, 
 very easy camp scene. 
 
 SYNOPSIS. 
 
 ACT I. Capt. Oliphant's home in the North. An unfinished honey- 
 moon. The call of duty. A wife's anguish. "My hand girt on 
 the sword that will be raised against my father ! " The rebel spy. 
 The Stolen Despatches. "He is Madge's father! Rather 
 a thousand times my own disgrace, than be his executioner." The 
 penalty of silence. Disgraced. Jj 
 
 ACT II. Scene I. Irish and negro. Colored dentistry. Scene XL ^ 
 The prison. A little story over a bottle of wine. "I understand. 
 Good bye, old friend, and may Heaven bless you." The Escape. 
 A shot in the dark. ** Now, my lady Madge, by fair or foul means 
 you must be mine." Scene III. Dead to the world. A wife's 
 devotion. " I must bear it all for Malcolm's sake." A warning. 
 "There is peril everywhere for friends of rebels." A false knave. 
 " To remain is certain death ! " To the Rescue. 
 
 ACT III. Scene I. The camp. " If I could only hear from Madge !" 
 The flower girl. The price of a passport. " I pay it, but to only 
 one." Husband and wife. "What is this woman to you?" A 
 conundrum whose answer is death. " For the love of Heaven, get 
 me the pass ! " The Deserter. Scene II. The villain's suit 
 renewed. " Why not ; your husband no longer lives." The lie in 
 his teeth. Misunderstood. " Can you not trust your wife } " Re- 
 captured. Scene III. Sentenced to Death. "You will 
 sometime know that Malcolm Oliphant died for another's crime — 
 true to the Union — true to the last." A Reprieve. The spy's 
 death. " We have plotted together and die together." Reunited. 
 
 Walter H. Baker & Co., 23 Winter St.. Boston. 'j 
 
LlDKHKT ur k^UnUKCOO 
 
 A NEW IRISH DR 
 
 017 400 587 
 
 SHAMROCK # ROSE, 
 
 A Romantic Story of Irish Life during the Rebellion 
 of '98, in four acts. 
 
 By JOHN FITZGERALD MURPHY. 
 
 Seven male and three female characters. Costumes and scenery not diffi- 
 cult. Every part a good one. A sure hit. Printed as played under 
 the author's persona) direction, at the Dudley St. Opera House, 
 Boston, St. John's Hall, Boston, and the Newport Opera House. 
 
 ^ Act. I. Scene, Squire Fitzgerald's Home, in Wicklow. Rose's story of Desmond's 
 arrival. Shaun Gary hears a bit of valuable news. Barney O' Brady meets an unexpected 
 visitor and shows nim the door. Ileen and Barney. The Fugitive. The arrival of the 
 soldiers. Capt. Beck quarrels with the Squire, The defence. The murder. The Arrest. 
 
 Act. II. Scene I: A Landscape. Cary and the Captain plot the abduction of Rose. 
 Douglass* dilemma 'twixt love and duty. .S'r^w^ //; The Prison. Barney's cell. Hot Irish 
 in a stonejug. A friend in need. The red coat. Scene III : Ro<5e receives a false message. 
 Scene Iv: Desmond's cell. The Death Warrant. Celt and Saxon. Barney a guard. 
 The death knell. The Escape. 
 
 Act III. Scene I : O' Byrnes' Wood. The purty girl milking her cow. Barney pro- 
 poses to Ileen. Desmond hears bad news. Barney, in the guise of a soldier, gets important 
 information from Cary. Scene II: Exterior of Reek's Castle by moonlight. Rose a Cap- 
 tive. Barney brings good news. The proposal and refusal. The ass kicks. The false 
 captive. The Rescue. 
 
 Act IV. Scene : Corrigm6r at Sunrise. Shaun Cary a captive. The arrival of Nano 
 and Ileen. Tracked by Beck. Nano keeps Beck at Bay. The duel. Cary's shot. Beck's 
 death. The *' Shamrock and Rose." 
 
 Price 
 
 %5 cents. 
 
 Incidental to this piece occur the following new songs by Messrs. R. 
 W. Lanigan and Leo. A. Munier, entitled 
 
 SHAMROCK AND ROSE. MY IRISH QUEEN. 
 
 MA BOUCHALEEN BAWN. 
 
 Tike three published together at 60 cents ; obtainable only of the publishers* 
 
 For other novelties see the preceding page, 
 
 Walter H. Baker & Co., 23 Winter St., Boston. 
 
 S. J. PARKHIkl. 4 CO., PKINTERS, 222 FRANKLIN 6T., BOdTON.