THROWN ON THE WORLD; A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS; — Composed by — BENJAMIN L. WERTHEIM. (o) (iA-^'/i/- (Tf ^^^j-? PEINTERS, Kicl.irMiMi, - - VxTgrna. ) 635 ^99 THROWN ON THE WOKLD; >py 1 A DEAMA m FIVE ACTS ; — Composed by — BENJAMIN L. WERTHEIM. (o)- ;iV 22 1882 ]Sfo..=^-9-3 ;^-^- d^V-^-^/ c^ ^^ pei:nters^ Kicl.mond, - - YiiTinia. €^' Eutered according to act of Congress in the year 1882 by BENJAMm WEETHEIM, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. TMP92-0075i5 THROWN ON THE WORLD; — OR, — :ri^rv- ^^ >^^^^ mm©. ACT I., SCENE 1st. WILD BKN _ > _ OUR HERO. KATE - - - OUR HEROINE. JERRY - - - OUR NEGRO SEEVANT. CUT THROAT RUBE - - OUR OUTLAW CHIEF. OAK /i A DAN - - - (>UR BOAR L»ER BULLY. NAT . . - A TRAI I OR. CHARLES • • - THE OUTLAW'S FRIEND, BIRDIE • • • THtf CUTTHROAT'S WJFB BILL, BUCK, ISIOK, MI^K— all outlaws in Cut Throat's gang. IN DAKOTA. stage Scenery : A dense forest and withered oak— the out-laws retreat. [Enter (2) outlaws — Cut-Throat Eube and Dakota Dan.] r. T. H. ''AYell, Dan, what of the boy ? Das he yet that stion^" siis])i('ioii that you are not his father? D is now 12 years since we ca]>tured thein. He must he a])out sixteen years of age, Ibr the girl is fifteen to-day ; anil I liave her safe ; and to-niglit at 12 o'clock, sharp, she shall be my wife. 2 THROWN ON Tin-: wokld; D. Dan. - wai, Oiptaiii, the boy is all riglit, and I can say one thing tor him, that he is the best shot in Dakota. He can't be beat with a rifle, and he is a terror to the reds, as well as the whites. They have given him the name of the boy Dead Shot, but I will do away with that for a few minutes, and talk ^biz.' Have you arranged every thing for the marriage ?" C. T. EuBE. " 'No, I am going home in a few minutes? and tell her to get ready for our marriage. Of course, she will kick like a mule against it, at first, for, jou knoAV, she thinks that I am her Dad, but I will soon settle that niat- ter with her." D. D. '' But, Captain, suppose she don't agree witli you on that point, and mean what slie says— wliat then ?'■ C. T. E T'EE. "Well, THEN it must be done by force. There is enough under me to force a weak girl to do my will; you know my word with my men is law." DD Well, I don't think any of tlie boys will oppose doing as you want to, but the girl may give you some trouble. By the way, Knbe, I can give you a lift in tluit by playing par- son for you. How will that do?" (\ T. Iv. " Yes, Dan, that is a good idea, if you will play it all right." D. D. '^You can bet on me fixing that thing up fair and square." 3 V. T. E. '' Well, I will go home and tell her to get ready to inarry me to-Dight — if not by her will, by my force. ^1 They separate, not knowing that they had been watch- ed by the boy scout, faithful negro, who had been a silent listener to that diabolical plot. erEijKY. ''Well, 'fore de good Lord, did ye eber hear de beat ob dat ! Well, I'll see wedder dat man— or dat wolf, you had better call him — will marry Miss Kitti(», or not. I don't think he will eber do it as long as Marse I'en is around — that nibble boy, ^ Wild Ben,' they call him, for I will lose every drop of blood in my body for him and Miss Kate ; (xod knows T will face death any time for them. So now I had better go and tell him what I have seen and heard, so that he can save her, and win her little hand, for I know she would make a good wife for him, and a good mistress for lK)or Jerry ; and I will help him all I can — so I had better be off at once.' Hut here he comes now. [Enter Ben, sing- ing-] Benn. "Well, Jerry, what have you seen and heard for the last day or so ? " Jerry. *'Ah ! Marse Ben, I heard and seen lots, lots of things, and good things for you to hear. I have found out that the Captain of them Cut Throats intends to marry Miss Kate to-night at 12 o'clock, whether i^iiE is willing or not. Must 1 go and tell her tuat you will jje there ^ THROWN ON THE WORLD; iu time to sinc lier from such a fate as that. * * * Ben. Go at once, Jerry, and tell her to liaA^e courage, and ^ stick it out ' until the last minute, and I will save her from that villain at the risk of my own life ; and tell her the boy Dead Shot has never broken his word. Go, Jerry, I hear some one coming this way." Jerry. " Yes, Marse Ben, I am off like a shot out of a shovel." [Exit Jerry.] Ben. "Yes, if I am not very much mistaken, I hear some one coming down the road : so I will hide behind this oak, and see who the new-comer is. Ah, yes, I see him coming, and it is no other than Cut Throat Itube — so 1 will keep con- cealed and hear what he has to say. (Enter Cut Throat Kube, and looks around.) C.T. R. "WeU,I think it is near 12 o'clock, and 1 had better be going, but before I go I will disguise myself, so that I will not be recognized." § So he goe-i out. 11 With this he pulls out a black mask, and puts it on, and the goe-i off. Ben puts in his appearance as soon as he goes out. Ben. "Ah, no ! Ko one has seen and recognized you l>ut me. So you think it all your own way to-night; but, I am t-iinking, you will be very apt to fall throngh. But iiere comes the parson, so I will step aside and hear what lis lias to say. OR, SAVED BY OVU HERO. 5 |D. D. enters in his f ilse colore as Priest, -It is now five minutes of the time, and I will go and meet Rube in the lane. D. D. goes off. Ben. 'vI tliink it is time for me to be going to Rubers raneh. 2nd scenery open ^ ;it Ilube's ranch. Kat(». is sitting in a chair mending lier torn frock, when the door is violently thrown opt^n, and (\ T. R. and T). 1), enters ready for the ceremony. r. T. 1?. K'hairs, if ycm jJease, Kate," ivATE. "Yes, my lord, witli })leasure,^- I). I). " I>y (rosh. Rube, she is a beauty." (\ T. K. '• Yes, Dan, she is a beauty, and to night she will b^iir the name of Kate, the Queen of the Outlaws, or the Cut Throat's wife." Kate. "(), myOod! Troul)le again of the worst type I Wlio ever heard of a father marrying his own daughter? My (lod ! my (lod I what has happened !" C T. R. "Y^ou are no daughter of mine, girl." Kate. * Why have you not taught me so V^ C. T. R. " Yes, but now I want you for my wife — Refuse, and your penalty is death, by throwing you on the world to starve and be the prey of wild beasts. You hnve no one lo protect you; if you consent yoii siiall liccoinc the queen of tlic OiitLiw.--. Xo tak<' your choice. O THROWN ON THE WORLD; Kate. "Well, sir, I have fou..d it out that I am no daugli- ter of youi'8, and am glad to learn that I am the daughter of no such base villain as you are. I am a weak girl, and for marriage talk, I would sooner die before a panther in the forest than to become your wife. Now, sir, you have my answer." G. T. E. "Well, Dan, we will have to force her to marry nw. so take your position. I won't give her any choice." Kate. "W^hat ! must I be forced to marry you 'i Oh, has not my protector come yet ? Has he not come yet ? " C. T. E. " Take your place, I say, Dan, and start the cere- mony immediately." Kate. " Well, sir, you have me in your power ; but I will sooner consent to marry a wolf than you. Oh, has he not come? — sh, I have spoken too loud. I have betrayed myself." C. T. E, "Yes, you have letrayed yourself. Hasn't who come yet f " PEOLONG : At this moment the door flies open, and Ben enters with a brace of revolvers, and speaks roughly as follows: Ben. "Hasn't who come yet ? Oh, hasn't 1 come yet ! I How dare you base villains to force a weak girl to marry! ! ! Eeleaseyour holds or by the living God, I will kill you both in your tracks. Don't move, for you knoAV the penalty. Wild Ben, the Boy Dead Shot, never misses his aim. Move a mussle, and you are both dead men. TABLEAU. Kate faints in Ben's arms; C. T. R. on one side. D. D. on tlit otlior. oil, tixlVED BY OUR HERO. ACT II., SCENE 1st. IN DAKOTA. STAGE SCC?nERY. A forest with pretty flowers and winding roads. PROL' NG. As the curtain rises the young couple comes from the ruffian's house through the forest wending their way home. ' Ben. " Now, Kate, I will put you in that little log hut over the way till I come back from home — if you are aatis- hed ; if not, you can roam around in the forest till I come l)ack from my father's house." Kate. " Ben, I would sooner roam in the woods till you come back, for I do not know who will come to that hut while you are gone. I heard from Jerry that Eube wouM marry me, or kill me on first sight. What must I do about it, Ben?" Ben. "Let it go on till the time comes." Kate. "What then, Ben." Ben. " I will be there, you can ' bet your bottom dollar.' Come and I will lead you to the woods." Exit both Scene opers SCENE SECOND. Pecota Dan's home. Docota Dan as Ben's father. Enter Ben. Ben. "Hello ! Everybody asleep but Jerry. Well, Jerry, have you spied anything since yesterday I" Jerry. "Yes. Ben, your father is as mad as blazes with you for saving Miss Kate, but he is not aware that you know he is the priest in false colors, but I won't let him get the best of you, if he has to kill me right away." 8 THROWN ON THE world; Ben. ^'Ko, Jerry, he has not found out that I know he play- el priest. But here comes father now. Don't let anythi ^ ( ut about what I said. There is going to be a rough time." * Enter Dakota Dan.] D. D. "Where in the worhl did you come from, you loafer. You 'ain't' a bit of count, you good for nothing hound. Where have you been all night, sir "i " Ben. "I have saved a fair maiden from being ruined, sir." D. D. "Who is that fair maiden !" Ben. "Katie Stanley is her name." D. D. "Katie Stanley,^ did you say ? " ^ Ben. "Yes, sir ; that's the very girl, and she is a fairy, too. Y^ou can bet your dust and nuggets on it." D. D. "Well, who tried to ruin her f" r>EN. "That ugly-looking cur that calls her his daughter." D. D. " Well, who is he f Ben. "He is Henry Sti nley, and a mean scoundrel at that. He is the Captain of a band of outlaws — the same as that to which you belong. They call him Captain Cut Throat Rube. He ]ias thrown his daughter out on the world, and I have saved her. I sprang in the house, unknown to the Captain iind priest, with weapons in hand, and I saved her and took her with me." D. D. " That will do for you, young man ; you have talked enough. Henry has driven his daughter out, and you saved her; and you stand and see me kill my wife to get her out of my way." PROLONG. Dan Pulled a heavy pistol from his belt, and discharged its contents in the body of the woman, and she died without a groan, and then turning t > Be-^, said, 9 D. D. **K I had one more load in here I would blow out your brains; so you can now go and perish with that 'lairj ' you have saved. Now tell me how you like that for atra^^'Mly ? Ben. " I don't like it a bit, and before you get out of this Bcrape you will torture death ; and I will say more, I ha^ e al- ways treated you with respect, but now you have killeil iiiy mother, a d was not satisfied — said you would kill me. I know all your tricks — you want to get rid of all of us, so tliat you can run about with all that band of outlaws to stea! and to murder people. That is what you want, but I will liUi t you down, and kill or wound you on first sight.'^ I'ROLONG. Saying this, Fen goes one way and his father the other. As tht j ,^ •rt out, Ben'a negro comes running and saying, Jerry. '< You have turned my master out — now turn me oit too, for I is goin' anyhow." § Scene closes. SCENE THIED. The pretty autumn forest with its pretty flowers. As the scene closes there co;i!s Kate out. anl hearing souae one coming, thinks it is Ben, but is mistaken. Kate. "Well, here comes Ben, and I am certainly glad lie is coming. But, oh, I am mistaken. O Lord, it is my fath(*T after me again I He will surely take me away. Oh ho^^ I \si.sh Ben was here I But I will keep up a good courage, aial I will remember the words that Ben told me: ^ Wait till the time comes, I will be there.^ " 1| Enter C. T. R. C. T. R. '' Hello ! I've got you now in my clutches agaf )?, aid am going to keep you so for a little while. Now, how do you like that for a joke ? " Kate. ^-Oh, how I wish Ben was here I" 10 THROWN ON THE WORLD ; C. T. II. " Oh, SO do I; I should like very much to see him. How I do wish the brute was here !" Ben. [Enters immediately with revolvers in hand.] "Well? sir, yira no sooner wished than your wish was granted. — What do you wan't here again, trying to kidnap again. '•Ah, well, William Stanley, are you here again to make trouble with the girl I" C.T.R. "Well, I don't exactly wrdt to make trouble if I can avoid it. All I want is tlie girl for my wife. Give her withawill^andallisiiy^bt. E fuse, and then it will be done by force. Kow take your choice." Ben. "Refuse f ^ yes all times to such a cur as you are. I think I am heavy enough to protect her at any moment of danger, unless death prevents." C. T. R. "Well^you refuse then ?" Ben. "Yes ! a thousand times refu ^e, yes ! ! !" C.T.R. "Well, then, I will put my men on her track, and take her dead or alive. Ben. " Have your own way, and I will have my own say ; if you do I will live for nothing but for revenge on you and your biind. I will never be satisfied until you see all your men fall and with them Dakota Dan. You shall see them all die, and then you will die the worst death man can die — that is, death at the gallows." C.T.R."Yes, you speak right brave now, but when the time comes you will be gone — you, ha, ha, ha, ha! Such talk would do for a drama on the stage, but not out here in these parts of the country. 11 Kate. "Say what you will, Cut Throat Rube, about B( n he is more in honesty than you are in ruffianism. You tri- umph to-day, but your time will come soon, and when Ave do strike, it will be a hard blow to you and your outlaw band. Out Throat Rube turns aside saying : "• Now is my chance to kill the little brat — now or never. * Drawing a revolver from his belt with the intention of taking the life of Ben, when Kate miets him, knocks the re- volver out of his hand, and pointing a silver-mounted revol- ver to his face, said : Kate. "Hold, you base villain, you would not take a man's life in that way with his back turned to you? IJon't move, for you know what is in front of you." TABLEAU. As the curtain drops Kate keeps the outlaw king with her pistols, and Jerry meets Ben with a hand shake. ACT III., SCENE 1st. In Dakota. Scene The withered oak, or the trio's resting place. As the curtain rises, Jerry comes facing the withered oak. Jerky. ^'Well, the best thing I can do is to shoot everbody that comes along except it is Massa Ben, and Missis Kate, and Ben's friend, Nat. But hush — sh ; here comes some one, so I will hide here behind the oak and see who comes." '1 he nogro hides behind the oak, and then conies in Cut Throat Rube, saying, C. T. R. ''I will kill Ben or die in the attempt." As this was said J rry jumf;s from behind the oak and said. Jerky. "Yes, I will kill you before you make the first at- tempt." " Crack ! " went Jerry's rifle, and Cut Throat Rube falls with a wound in the arm. So Jerry goes to look for Ben and Kate. Here comes Ben, Kate and Jerry, the latter relating tlie words that came from Cut Throat Rube's lips. Then Ben said : Ben. "You did right, Jerry ; you did just what I wanted you to di). It will i;iake war against us. and we will kill them all out. They have fire-arms but no amuntion That is where we have the best of them. Nat has destroyed all their amunition for me for whisky. But well we will have to figlit. But I reckon Nat will help us fight. There will be nine to four. So we better be making arrangements for the enemy.. ^jScene opens. S en ;, tlie outlaws retreat. As the ^cene opons there sets nine men awaiting Cut \. hroat. Rube's return; i here is a silence aud ihon Dakota Dan speak* D. D. "I wonder what keeps Cut Throat Rube so long. I think one of you had better go out and look for him. He may be in trouble. I would uot be ;it all suprised. Nat, you had better go out and look lor him. Bring him dead or alive. Nat went out and soon returaed with ( ut Thr;)at Rube. He was ahot iu the arm, Nat says. D. D. ''Where did you find him, Nat." Nat. "At the withered oak, senseless" D. D. "Waa there anybody in sight f Nat. Yes, Kate, Ben and Jerry were there, and they did the fatal work." T>. D. "How do you know f Nat. "They confessed it." D. D. "All right, tiiat means w^ar against them sure." By this time Cut 1 hioat Rube recovered, and said, C. T. R. "I will settle that question very soon.:' D. D. "What will you do with those durned rascals. Rube." C. T. R. "Why, I will make war with them. I will go out on the 'war path' with my men, and kill or capture all of them D. D. " Then you mean business, eh ? C. T. R. "Yes, for all, up and down. I wan't every man armed for war right away." D. D. "All right, they are ready for war now." C. T. R. "Well, let us make a move for the woods. Nat you go out on the field and spy for us." As they leave the scene closes. SCENE THIRD. The withered oak. As the scene opens there comes the trio, Ben Kate and Jerry, who were all following but Nat, the outlaw spy, and the trio's friend who said. Nat. "Look out Ben, and gt,t ready. (;iit Tliro.rt Rule 14 and his gang are coming towards you to make war of the worst kind with j^ou. I was sent out as spy, and I give you warning against them. I did as you told me about the pow- der and sliot, and I am at your service. I am nothing but a drunken ' cuss,' but you can depend on it that I am a friend to you as long as I live." Ben. "All right, jSTat ; much obliged to you ; want a drink ?" Nat. " Yes, thank you. Good-bye, Ben, here comes the band. I must give the signal." Exit Nat. Ben. '-Well, I tell you Kate and Jerry, I think we will have a heavy fight to-night with Cut Throat Rube's gang, and we must be ready to meet our enem^^" Kate. "How do you know this ! Nat warned me of it." Ben. " Jerry, you go over the hill and see that the enemy does not come down on us so unexpected. If they come, blow the signal." Jfrry. "All right, master, I will." Exit Jerry. Ben. "Well, Kate I will fix you for the fight. Are you wil- ling to fight the foe f ' Kate. "Yes, Ben, perfectly willing." Ben. "I will fix you so that you can't get hurt in any way." Kate. "I will do as I am bid." Ben. "Well, I want you to back up against the tree, and hold your weapons under your apron to make them believe you are not fixed to meet the foe ; but if any one advances towards you, tell them *to stop at their peril ; if they come closer, shoot them down like a dog." OK, SAVED BY OUR HEKO. J 5 Kate. "All right, Ben, I will work at your will, and try to do it as you tell me to." Bi^N. "Hush ! here comes the enemy. I heard Jerry's sig- nal for danger." S-Teral men with C. T. R. and D. D. at their head each had with him gleaming knives in their hands. Ben. "Well, old Cut Throat, what do you want here, eh f * C. T. R. "I want the girl." Ben. "I give my consent, if you can manage her. Send one of your men there and take her." C. T.R." Charlie, you go there and take the girl, and bring her here."' Charlie. '-Yes, sir, I will." Charles advanced toward Kate. Kate. ''Stand back, man, at your peril ! StaudibacikI! I say." Charlie. "No, no, my little lady ; I must take you for Cut Throat Rube's prisoner." He still moves towards Kate, and then Kate drew her revolver from under her apron and shot Charlie dead. 0. T. E. "Nat, go in and take her dead or alive." Nat. "I shall do no such a thing. I am a friend to the trio, and an enemy to you, and in this fight I fight for them^ I am an honest man, only run mad by whisky, but I ^vill go against ruffianism all I can. I am a pure Texan, and will stick to our hero and his friends. Now I have forsaken you forever." C. T. R. "You have gone against your own self and it wil go hard with you. You can fight against me at' you please," 10 THROWN ON THE WORLD ; Nat. ^'That is what I intend to do." * * * C. T. R. ^' They went in with their knives in their hands. Kate and Ben and Nat's revolvers spoke several times in succession, and every bullet left its mark. After the second shot Jerry joined tlie fight. Soon it came to an end, and Ben's party were the victors, only losing one man — Nat. Then Ben and Kate spoke as follows : Ben. "Now look at your men, you cowards. You have stood and seen your men fall like leaves oif a tree." 0. T. R. AND I). T>. TOGETHER. "Ycs, you have killed our men — now kill us." All four knives met together, and then Ben and Kate drew their revolvers and said : Kate and Ben together. " Yes, you have killed our parents, and we avenge their deaths." As this is said, Ben and Kate meet their enemy knife to Ivuife, and a revolver to each foe's face, while Jerry stands 1»ehind leaning on a rifle, forming a tableau as the CURTAIN DROPS. 17 ACT FOURTH, SCENE 1st. SCENE 1st. the Outlaw's cave. As the curtain rises there sits Cut Throat Rube ami Dakota I 'an conversing in a low tone about the fight and defeat. C. T. R. " Dan, it is very lonely without the boys— 'ain't it,' eh ! What do you think about it !" D. D. "Well, I won't speak about him. He was killed. But Rube, I was just thinking of those three rascals. How spunky they fought last night ! They fought like tigers, and I tell you one thing, and that is, we must talk a plan over to get hold of the girl, and then the negro, and Ben will come to rescue them. We will capture them all. It would be a good plan to get them when asleep." C. T. R. "Yes, Dan, that plan is bully — to take them in their sleep, because Ben generally goes out to look for game this time of year ; and wlien he goes we will have a good chance, to make our game. We will fix that plan riglit away." D. D. "The best thing for us to do is to wait until dark, and then we can venture further than in the day time. If we capture them we will string the negro up, kill Ben, and then you can marry Kate, as soon as everything is settled. Kow what do you say to that Rube f — Good plan, ain't itf " C. T. R. "Yes, Dan, that is as good a plan as we can make. We will wait till night, and then we will make our plan out straight." Is THROWN ON THE WORLD J I ). 1). '^All right, we will go now and scout around till night? und tlien make our move for our prize." They exit. As thev go out sc^uc closes. SCENE SECOND. Withered oak. As tli'^ sG?ne spens Jerry and Kate are lying down asleep, and Ben is loaLiiig ou the stock of his rifle. Ben. " I think I will go out and shoot some game while the}- are asleep. I can take a nice little hunt while they are asleep. I can get a little game for breakfast by the time they wake, so I will go." Exit. Sholdering his rifle he leaves camp. As scon as Ben left, the two ruffians, Cut Throat Rube and Dakota l^an, came in. D. I). "Wait till I go and see whether or not they are asleep. C. T. E. "All right, Dan, you take up the girl and I will lake the negro, and fly to our retreat as fast as possible, Ibr we do not know when he will come back and discover our plan. Let us ^ git.' " D. D. "Yes, Rube, take the lead.'' So they take thiir p'isoners and escape to the withered oak. After a while Ben comes back with his gun, and singini^c his woodland song As becomes in, he hollows, Ben. "Ho, ho ! hello, hello, Jerry ! O Kate ! where are you I AVell, I rec^kou they have gone up the road a little ways to pick wild-flowers, and, while they are gone, I will sing a little song called, ^ Angel mother's grave.' [He sings.] But not a sign of Kate or Jerry is in sight. I wonder have they be- trayed me ! What has happened ! No, I don't think the\ have betrayed me. I w ill bet a nugget that they were kid- napped in their sleep by them two remaining ruflians.' And now, on my knee, I swear an oath, that I will never rest OR, SATED BT OUE HEEO. I9 mifilthehvo remaining ruffians are killed or in my power - hope God will help „.o to serve n,y mission. iViUrcS nem.er n.ghtnor day until I fill this mission, and wh^n i ft ed, I will see who will ,nany Kate Stanlev. I love her with nil my heart, and God knows I would die to save he. Sl.e was ragged when I saved her at first from Cut Throat'] tubl But now I have changed her. Since then she is SDnnk^• Zd braveenough to become any man's wife_on the "^^^^ f! ,, r'"^ "''^^*''' »■'" ''"'I ^oMer scout, oh, weH I ^nn't be WelI, Dan, I will go and search for the negro,' while you watch the girl. O look ! yonder is Ben ! Come here Bail, Here is the young brat. We have them solid now. Tiiey tihroW Beb dowQ as he is seen to appear in the cave. T hey bind him tight »» quick as a fl», and then take Kate for ray^ witb, aud live h ippy the rest of my days, and I want you to watch him well, for he is a keener — you can bet on it. So I'll go. Exit. After a little while Ben pret^'nclcd he was a.^l'i-p. D. D. "I guess I Can tj;ike a little nap, too, while they are both asleep." Ben. " Ah, here comes ^ome one. I wonder who it is ! It is my good servant." Jerry. "Hold still, master, I will cut your bauds loose." Ben. "All right, and then go to the witheied oak, and look in the trunk of the rotten tree, and bring me the two iron chains and all tlie weapons right aw ly. ITe.ir me ? Jerry. "Y^es, sir, I will; Pse gwine." OR, SAVED BY CUE HERO. 21 REN. "Jerry, you ^ot nil I see, so you ^<, and cut the rope from arouiulKute, and, when she feels free, she will scream for me, and that will wake the ruffian. He will sprint at you, but I'll meet him." B^i^i:£"h^i^;i'i-k^l' "'■^"'" '^^ '^^ " -'-^ -"^ «P""^« at Jerry, but BENi "No you don't, my fellow, I must keep my pledge. I I told you when you killed that woman that this'knife would kill you, or you kill me one. Kow take your knife. I will give you a show for your life. I trust to God I may come out of this fight victor." D. D. [taking his knife.] "Are you ready V Ben. "res,come in." ^ii^'^^Si^T^: '"'''''''• '^^" P'""^^^^ '''' ^"^^'^ "' ^^-l^ota Dan's heart. He Ben. "I have done it, and who can I thank but One, and that is God. He has given me the strength to kill the worst r enemy on earth. There is one more that haunts me— Cut Throat Rube, and before the sun sets twice I will be clear of niffianism in Dakota. I have a good plan to get him in my power. I will disguise myself with Dakota Dan^s coat, hat, pants and false beard, and take him alive. Now, Jerry, you take care of Kate, while I try to jday my trick, and if I want you I will call you three times. Hear me f So I will go f" Ben goes one way and Kate and Jerry the .ther. The seen" ..p«ns SCENE SECOND. Fori'Bt and flowers . Whon the soere op^ns there .-its Cut Tin o«t Rube, balf asleeo as our nero comes iu in disguise. Cut '' hroat Rube mistakes h»ni for Dan C. T. R. "Well, J)an, what did^^ou come Iwire for I la every* thing well at the caveF' 22 TriROAVN ON THE WORLD ; Ben. " Yes, Rube, everything is well, and I came to show you a plan to catch the negro, and if you will do as I say, I will show you." C. T. li. "What is it, Dan ! Any thing you say, I will do.'^ Ben. "Well, here is a pair of chains, with a pair of iron risbons. Hold out your rists, and I will put them on you f '^ C. T. K. "Very well, put them on me, and show me what to do with them." Ben. " Here goes." " Click ! " weut the cufFs. " Now, sir, you are my prisoner I Ha, ha, ha !" C.T. R. "Wh3',^ what do you mean ? Dan,^ have you de- ceived me f'^ Ben. "No, Dan has not deceived you — but Ben has. I Taking off his false beard, Ben continued, "You are a 4loomed man forever: Jerry, Jerry, Jerry !" Jerry. "Yes, sir ; I am here in time. Oh, master, you done that trick up fine. I couil not done better mysef, if I tried." Kate. "Thank tte Lord, we are free of ruffianism !" Ben. "Kate, I would like to speak with you a second!" Kate. "Certainly, with pleasure ; and I will not refuse any- thing you ask of me ?" Ben. " Thank you, Kate, I love you with all my heart, and 1 never spoke of love to you before. The reason is, I was always on the war path, and I swore that bitter oath that I would kill out ruffianism, and then ask you to be my wife. If you think me unworthy of your hand, refuse ; if I am, say 'ves.' " OR, SAVED BY OUR HERO. . 23 Kate. *^l)ear Ben, I coiU 1 not refuse you. Hove you, and 1 can never iepiiy you lor what you have done for me. You have saved my Hie several times." Ben. " Tiiank you, Kate, we shall be wedded at 12 o'clock. Jerry^ go and bring- the [>arson for the ceremony, and meet the friends at the overland coach, and also keep the prisoner in charge. Hear me ! " Jerry. ''Yes. master, I will do as I am bid ; and if this here man don't walk along straight, I will brain him sure." |As Kate and Ben goes out, Jerry comes in the rear with the charge, saying " Come along, you whelp, or I will break your back." Scene closes. SCENE THIRD. Jq the forest with its pretty flowers. As the s ene opens Ben and Kate enters arm infirm. Ben. "Hush — sh, there comes Jerry with his prisoner." Jerry. "Come along you poor white devil. If you don't step faster, I will mesmorize [!] you. You poor white devn."^ Master Ben, I will leave him liere, and go and get your friends." Ben. "All riglit, Jerry. (To C. T. 11.): "Captain, 'ain't ' you sorry for what you have donef" C. T. R. " Sorry ? No ; but if I were aloose for a few min- utes, I would kill you both. Do you hear that smart slick ? If you are going to be a ruffian, die one." Ben. "Ha, ha, ha ! you will never get loose any more. Old hox. Well, here comes the crowd now." Enter several young friends of Ben and Kate and an old 21 , THROWN ON THE WORLD. man a])ont iifty. His name was Moss — same as Ben^s iiaiit!^. Hr iia?] two children stolen from him sixteen years ago. lie was «>ii a search for them. When he came to the marriag(\ h(' said to himself, ^' I will sit down here awhile, and,|)erha[>s, I can learn something of my long lost children.'' Ben. "do ahead, Brother parson." C. T. K,'' Xo, Mot yet; let me reveal a secret which I have kex>t for sixteen ,> ears, and, then let me die." Ben. '^\11 ligld; go ahead. Cut Tliroat Rube." 0. T. K. '^It was sixteen years ago when Dakota Dan and I met togerliei', arul we made a plan to steal two children. We killed their inothei-, and drove their father away. We then fled with tlie chihlren to Dakota, and there we raised them ; and so the giil ami boy are brother and sister, and that man tliere is their own dear father. This is all I have to say now; you can put nie to death any way that suits you. I am will- ing to die." I When tliis is said, the old man went to Kate and Ben, and gave them a bU-ssing, and rained kisses on their faces, and, hugging them, said, "Thank God, I liave found my long-lost cliildren after a l«»ng sixteen years' search, and also the mur- derer of my wife. There is a good h ;i n d-shake and a low bow as the last curtain drops. Yours Tki ly, BENJAMIN WERTHETM, (Sole Proprietor.) ^ LIBRPRY OF CONGRESS 015 793 051 5