A' Class Book Copyright )^'°_ C0P5(FIGHT DEPOSnV /-. ^»^ # Secretary of State .Abraham, Lincoln cs FRANKLIN P. NORTON SIX DRAMAS OF American Romance and History BY FRANKLIN i P. NORTON The Secretary of State Financier of New York Abraham Lincoln, or The Rebellion Otomis, The Indian of Mexico The Third Term King of Wall Street NEW YORK THE SCHULTE PRESS 132 East Twenty-third Street 1915 Copyright, 1915, h FRANKLIN P. NORTON AUTHOR These "Plays" are fully protected by the copyright law. In their present form they are dedicated to the reading public only, and no performance of them may be given, except by special arrangement with the owner of the acting rights. These rights are for sale separately, and can be purchased at moderate rates. Full information can be had, now or at any time in the future, by writing to, or calling on THE SCHULTE PRESS, 132 East 23rd Street, New York City, Printed in tbe United States of America. 311915 Preface In offering these "Plays" to an indulgent public, the author wishes to make a frank confession that the credit, if any credit be due, belongs not so much to himself, as to William Shakespeare, and his immortal works, and to the Bible. Shakespeare's literary style, and his methods of dramatic conception and construction, have been attempted to be imitated, and much of his thought, and some of his actual language, have been used. The same is true, (but in a lesser degree) of Ben Jonson, Christopher Marlowe, and Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton; whose superb plays, have been freely resorted to both for thoughts and language. It, in fact, has been an enthusiastic effort, (however unworthily executed) to inject a strong flavor of Shakespeare and the others, into the text of a series of "Dramas," that would have for their aim, the presentation of some striking events in American life, conditions, and history. In the "Secretary of State" some rich gems of the many that are found in Milton's "Paradise Lost," have been utilized, with the idea that they would sparkle most brilliantly when separated from the cluster. From the Bible, the book of books; whose sacred pages I have read and studied with enthusiasm for a number of years, there has seem- ingly come to me great help and inspiration in literary composition. A word seems necessary in regard to Hubert's belief, (in "The Third Term") that the spirit of George Washington, appeared to him; which illusion or delusion, whichever you may prefer to term it, was shared in by Hubert's friends. The author wishes to be distinctly understood as saying that no such appearance, is either probable or possible, except that t.ie influence of some good man, who has passed away but left an enduring record behind him, often becomes real to those who venerate him. It is the author's sincere hope that the plays may be the source of some pleasure and profit to at least a few persons. F. P. N. THE SECRETARY OF STATE DRAMATIS George Washington President United States Thomas Jefferson Secretary of State Alexander Hamilton A Statesman Aaron Burr A Politician James Monroe Friend to Jefferson Lawrence Montague A Captain in the Regular Army The Chevalier Henri Boulanger An attache of the French Embassy The Sieur de Morny A "Secret Service" Spy Hogarth (the Hunchback) A Villain Judge of the Court Scene, Philadelphia, Pa. (At that time the Capital of PERSONS. Officer of the Court A Detective Jailor, and his Aids Young Courier Stephen Servant of Jefferson Clergyman Alice Stanley Orphan ward of Jefferson, betrothed to Montague Emilia. . . IVife to Boulanger, but passing as his Sister Miriam Loomis Keeper of a Bagnio Senators, Ambassadors, Notables, Ladies, Conspirators, Lawyers, Gamblers, Soldiers, Assassins, Musi- cians, and Servants. the United States.) ACT I Scene L — Philadelphia. A Salon in the house of Miriam Loomis; elegantly furnished: Baccarat tables at the rear, with a few players and spec- tators; at one side in front, a table with wines, fruits, etc.; at the other side a group of richly dressed Senators, Ambassadors and notables, some standing, some seated; Miriam passes them wine from a tray and returns to table. boulanger. Vive la republique! — (They drink.) Ha, ha, a sentiment that meets with But a hollow response. The Republic I An experiment ; against tradition, and The splendor of the Nations. Mine Associates of the embassy and myself, Cry out bah ! burr. Hush, sir! not so loud; The lady might betray us. boulanger. Nay, Burr. She's true blue ; you can trust Miriam. At our statelier homes, where chaste, yet Vain charms, exact from captives heavy Ransoms, there are sins more glaring oft. Than those which hang betwixt the lip and Eye of wanton beauty ; and Miriam's only Frailties are those her silken robe casts A kind charity over. — We are safe here. burr. Still we have a secret; and a secret in The possession of a woman, is no longer A secret. boulanger. Oh, as you please : — Miriam ; The baccarat players are too noisy; See to it, will you ? Thanks. ^Miriam withdraws.) You see she takes the hint. Proceed your Excellency. burr. Revolution, And the reign of terror in France, under The so-called republic, has forced many Of the European powers into a coalition Whose avowed purpose is the restoration Of the monarchy. We, representing the Most potent forces of the Federal, (or Monarchial) party of America, make a, Common cause with them, on the promise That a treaty will be made with whom We shall choose our King. boulanger. Vive le Roil BURR. This Boulanger, is to be left to the Diplomacy of you and your friends across The seas : I meanwhile will seek those vast Tracts of our land, beyond the Mississippi, Where civilization is yet in its infancy. To stir up the desperate classes by Sophistries, and win them to our ranks. Adjacent to that soil, lie the French Colonies, with a large force of soldiers. Whose General, Dreyfuss, (a loyalist) Has sworn fidelity to our cause. We Have here all the conditions drawn ; it Only lacks the signatures. (Shows paper.) THE SECRETARY OF STATE BOULANGER. But the Secretary of State, is a modern Briareus ; Some of his hundred hands will clutch at us, And then — treason's swift doom, the hangman. BURR. Ah, is it so ; then we must destroy Briareus !• — Our cause is greater than The life of any single man. This scroll Is a stern clarion call to battle, bloodshed. Yea, perhaps — murder. Our parchment sent To France, Jefferson sent to hades or Oblivion ! the last my charge ; we'll make Our minions strike for victory, while We stride to power. An attendant announces "Alexander Hamilton.' BOULANGER. Welcome ! your Excellency : we had almost Despaired of your coming. BURR. But relied Still on your word, which is better than Many a man's bond. HAMILTON. Burr, my honor is Untarnished yet, and I hope to keep It so. Who is the hostess ? BURR. A lady,^ — Unknown to society, and to the secret Service. A model meeting house : a place Where Judas' silver would pass current. HAMILTON. We can be secret, yet still sincere : Note the difference between secrecy And treachery. What constitutes a traitor? One who publicly advocates what he Privately opposes. We, all of us stand And have stood, for a pyramidal Empire : Its base the people, and gradually Ascending to the apex of a crown. Bravo! bravo! SENATORS, ETC. HAMILTON. Thomas Jefferson, Our august Secretary of State, claims That truth to be self evident, which says That all men are created free and equal. At our splendid functions, where the rich And titled gather in competition social. There's not a sunbeam creeping o'er the Floor, but seems a glance from that censorious Eye, whose baleful gleam suspects a special Privilege. But even Jefferson and his Spies may o'erlook the serpent that the Flowers hide : then wreath the face in smiles, To mask a heart that's full of deadly wiles. BURR. Remember, Gentlemen, that we meet here Again to-morrow night; for the twelve Labors of Hercules, were but pastime To our task. Now, what say you to a Walk in the Gardens? — come. (Exeunt all but Boulanger and De Morny: some Baccarat players come to the front and join them.) DE MORNY. What luck, Montague? MONTAGUE. I have only been an onlooker. DE MORNY. Baccarat is a stupid game. But dice is fine; come, a throw or two. With me. (They play and Montague loses.) DE MORNY. There's no limit to my luck ; unless perchance I play against a purse whose contents are IN AMBIGUO. MONTAGUE. Not in doubt, sir; I never Play for more than I can pay ; double The stakes. DE MORNY. Oh, as you wish. (They throw.) Fortune is still amiable. SPECTATORS. Montague loses ! Poor fellow. The same. DE MORNY. Another throw, the stakes MONTAGUE (handing wallet). De Morny, I pray you Excuse me, I am penniless : but what Matters it, I have not long to live. DE MORNY. A suicide? — let me entreat a genteel Way ; either the pistol or the subtle Poison. MONTAGUE. Neither: there's no necessity To kill myself, if I were so inclined; The public executioner will perform That favor for me. A GAMESTER. You are bankrupt? Ha, ha, then go to that Democrat, who Gives to outcasts, a social status and A name ; Jefferson. THE SECRETARY OF STATE MONTAGUE. Jefferson ! BOULANGER (aside). He never hears that name, but he turns Pale and trembles : I wonder why. Are you going Gentlemen? — so be it; I'll stay and comfort Montague. (Exeunt all but Boulanger and MontagueJ Montague, you have lost all, and are Desperate ? MONTAGtJE. Not at all. I was always the master Of my purse, and not its slave : we have Parted company, I have lost nothing. BOULANGER. You are a strange enigma, Lawrence : — Fiery in war, and lukewarm in love. Your beard of most exquisite and formal Cut, handsome face, and lithe limbs ; a Disposition both moody and boisterous ; Rather sanctimonious, and yet possessing A vocabulary of strange oaths : risking Your life for a soldier's reputation, only to Have the reputation survive you. Confide in me ! our ages roll together ; Basking in the same beams, that illumine The heaven of hope ; you have I am sure — Some dark secret MONTAGUE. You are right: A secret that doth haunt my waking hours, And fill my dreams with horror ; listen : More than a year ago while on service In an outpost on the frontier, with the Rank of Captain ; hating our Colonel, And beguiled by some fiery spirits, I joined their revolt against him, and Several lives were lost ; we were tried by Court-martial and sentenced to be shot. Which was done to all, myself excepted ; I was taken into the presence of the Secretary of State, who thus addressed me ; "A just sentence has been passed upon you, Which you richly merit, and must suffer : Your father was my dear friend, for his sake I spare you this disgrace, that you may Meet a soldier's death at the hands of The Indians" BOULANGER. Oh, such rare clemency! Such tender pity ! — saved from the bullet, To be tomahawked and scalped by the Redmen. MONTAGUE. Bowing low I left, joined my Troop, and fought for a year like a devil : Courted ambush and danger imminent; Took disastrous chances ; death became as Longed for, as Mecca to the drooping pilgrim : I seemed to bear a charmed life ; death Eluded me. BOULANGER. How sad, how unfortunate! (Aside.) At least for me. MONTAGUE. Now, to conclude: We were ordered back to Philadelphia ; Yesterday came this word from Jefferson : "You have broken your promise, and must Pay the penalty ; you will hear from me Soon ; prepare to meet your bride." BOULANGER. Bride! A most saintly and constant creature, Who will embrace you closely, and her Name is — death. MONTAGUE. Alas, only too true; For Jefferson though kind-hearted, is Stern and relentless in the discharge Of duty. BOULANGER. Yet life is sweet ; too sweet To lose without a struggle : come, join us. Who vow the death of your grim tyrant ; Whose arrogancy has aroused the ire, Of his greater master, Washington ; help Us to set up royalty, and be a sharer In the emoluments. MONTAGUE. Not emoluments. But ignominy ! — for Jefferson seems An instrument of Divine providence, Like those seers and prophets of old : To all who oppose him, one common end — Disaster. BOULANGER. But think of those who love you, Have a care for them ; relatives, friends, Perhaps a sweetheart. MONTAGUE. Remorse and sorrow, Are in full possession of my soul : I Have all these you name, even a sweetheart. BOULANGER. Tell me of her? MONTAGUE. A Strange attachment; I love, and am against my will beloved. BOULANGER (agitated). Strange, indeed ! MONTAGUE. While lying in durance vile, Awaiting the dread hour of the verdict, We were visited often by a young girl. Who brought each of us fragrant flowers: A prison angel 1 the daughter of a Dead soldier ; she learned of our sad fate. Through her place of employment, a Bureau, 10 THE SECRETARY OF STATE Of the War Department. A rare maiden; Chaste as an icicle, pure as snow; One only to be melted into the heat Of sentiment, by a breath as wooing. And gentle as the springtime breezes : She came, I saw, and was conquered; I loved madly at first sight ! BOULANGER (aside). He speaks of Alice : standing upon the Brink of the grave, he covets the rose. That I will pluck and wear. MONTAGUE. Pardoned from A felon's end, to be killed in battle ; For her dear sake I courted ghastly death. As eagerly as the lepers sought in the Ancient days, Bethesda's pool ; and failed ! Back to Philadelphia, after a year's absence. An intense, an irresistible longing. Came over me to see her. Intoxicated By her greeting, I lost my head utterly, And coward-like declared my passion ; Finding that she loved me. Coming now To my senses, I thought of the great Wrong done her, and tried to undo it : I told her to forget what I had said; That I was a villain and a scoundrel ; And rushed madly from her presence. — Alas, I shall never see her again ! BOULANGER (aside). Not if I can prevent it. The demon. Jealousy, rankles in my breast, and makes Your doom assured. (Aloud) How annoying, That fate should interfere with such a Promising romance. MONTAGUE. Nothing remains now, But a frail strand of life : distraction. The desperate man's remedy for care, I have tried, and failed; repentance. Still is left me ; all may yet be well : Time flies, beauty fades, and mortal custom Palls on our wearied senses : the richest Prizes that the world has to give, are Not inherited outright, but held only By life tenure : I am content to die. As we may not meet again, I'll say farewell ! BOULANGER. Must you go? — well then adieu ! (Exit Montague.^ I trust forever! I designed you for Jefferson's assassin, for I knew that He held over your handsome head the Dread suspended sentence : you, his victim, Suits as well. When the love of Alice, Shone upon your face, I cursed you from The depths of my tortured soul. My course. Is plain : to help establish a King here. And make my name a byword ; then with The lovely Alice, to return to France, To bask in the beams of the restoration ; (Sure to come despite the pseudo republic,) And share in the perquisites which will Be showered on all its votaries. I am married, what of that? it is not Known here, and over there it won't matter : Alice and I will live in a splendid chateau. In the provinces ; it will excite no scandal, 'Tis quite a common caper over there. (Re-enter Montague, in the custody of four soldiers.) MONTAGUE (to BOULANGER^. The hair broke, and the suspended sword. Has fallen ; you see my dilemma. Had gone only a few blocks along the Street, when I was arrested, on a Military warrant, which calls for my Positive appearance to-morrow night. At the War Department. The soldiers gave Me a few moments respite to return Here for some papers. Once more, good-bye ! BOULANGER. Good-bye ! (Exeunt Soldiers with Montague.^ Perdu, lost, lost 1 ah, ha, ha ! (Exit.) Scene II. — Philadelphia. Archaeologic Room, of the War Department: "walls and ceiling decorated in bas-reliefs and arabesques ; everywhere are seen antique offensive and defensive weapons: engines., cannon, guns, armors, shields, battle-axes, strong- bows, swords, daggers, spears, javelins, etc. The Spectators leave, and then the Clerks leave: Alice, engaged at her typewriter, remains. Closing up time, and I am left alone. (Looking at clock.) It is the hour of The appointment. — — What is love? Love is, it seems, so strange a frenzy. That it is not subject to reason's sway. The law itself laughs at lovers' perjuries. When I heard his story, I should have Frowned, and seemed perverse, and said him Nay : he might have kept true, so long as I was willful. Ah me, love is cruel : — And yet, how sweet a lover's tongue does Sound ; it falls like music on the ear. I would have fain denied my secret. But he would not have it so, and took Me in his arms ; and I foolishly gave Way to that I did most long for : then Suddenly breaking away he left me, With harsh words upon his lips : did he Impute my eager yielding to light love? Impetuous he was, and I not bold. Enter Jefferson, and a secret service Detective: Alice arises and passes out bowing to them on the way. THE SECRETARY OF STATE 11 JEFFERSON. So you, as a skilled and renowned Detective, think this new conspiracy, The most formidable one of all? DETECTIVE. Very powerful, and awfully dangerous : Hamilton, heads the traitors. JEFFERSON. Pardon me. Sir ; Hamilton heads no traitors 1 — He may be mistaken, he can be deceived. But he cannot be corrupted. DETECTIVE. And next In the way of authority and influence. There is Aaron Burr. JEFFERSON. He, has ambition ; The sin that caused the rebel angels' fall. A man of marked ability ; yet some think Him very unscrupulous. Well, proceed. DETECTIVE. Boulanger, an attache of the French Embassy, the least erected spirit Of them all, is the serpent of the Cabal : his motive, a strange mixture Of ambition, avarice, love and lust. JEFFERSON. A wicked fellow, but very strong with The aristocracy here and abroad ; said To be a great favorite of Washington. It took me many years to mount as high As this poisonous adder has in a jiffy: But I hold the weapons, and when he Crawls across my path, I'll bruise his head. DETECTIVE. The scheme is hydra-headed : Hamilton, Is simply working for his pet idea Of a monarchy; Burr, secretly aims To be that Kingdom's King; Boulanger, True to none, treacherous to all, yet Deems riches and preferment will result; Hopes to ingratiate himself with the Looked for restoration abroad, by Advancing royalty here ; and then to Return to France with a bride, who is To be — the young lady that just left us. JEFFERSON. No, no, not her, but another ; Jefferson has Another bride for Boulanger. DETECTIVE. You have! Might I ask whom ? JEFFERSON. One, the only one. That can keep such a false and fickle Creature, ever faithful — the grave. The courting is done upon the scaffold. And the ceremony performed by the hangman. I have heard of his attentions to Alice ; And how his insidious flattery has Wrought upon her : she is a noble girl. Just a little vain, and he is handsome, And soft spoken.— Go on now. DETECTIVE. There is Little more to be said, save that you. Being the main obstacle in the plotters' Way, are to be got rid of, by fair means Or foul. They dread your power to sway The people's minds ; what you already know. Or may discover; and the worst of them. Say that dead men tell no tales. JEFFERSON. Enough : I will see you again on this matter ; Meantime, you and your secret service men, Hang lynx-eyed upon their track. (Exit Detective.^ It was ever thus : virtue may reign, peace Smile, and all streams flow to the ocean Of content ; and yet the malignant and Envious faction, will rear its gorgon Head. Well was it said : "Eternal vigilance, Is the price of liberty." (Re-enter Alice.J My child, how is it that the clouds hang Upon your face, when Aurora's softest tints. Were wont to nestle there ? My kind and true Protector ! I almost had said. Father. JEFFERSON. That is and ever shall be, my attitude Towards you. ALICE. Father ! — that dear name. Grows dearer to an orphan. JEFFERSON. Less than an Orphan, so long as Jefferson lives ! Thy own father, loved me well ; he was A stanch friend, amongst some true and Many false ones : he died and left you To me. And thou shalt have a dowry. Girl, fit for the mightiest : not wealth. And a be-jewelled crown of adulations. But a pure heart and deft hands ; sowing And reaping in the rich harvest fields Of honest industry. 12 THE SECRETARY OF STATE ALICE. Oh, you are kind ! I should be very happy, and was — until JEFFERSON. Until what ? — there, you are wilting like A rose, that languishes for moisture : sighs, And tears not far away : what ails my Alice? (Aside.) Can she love Boulanger, and not Montague? ALICE. A mere nothing; just one of Those sorrows that young girls have. JEFFERSON. You are loving and tender, and there is That at your heart, which can make you Blush and pale even in a breath. Each day, Your adolescence paints to you the open Gates of lovers' paradise, to be entered On the morrow. Among your admirers. Say, whose is the face most deeply stamped Upon your fancy? Is it the dashing And polished Frenchman, the chevalier Henri Boulanger? ALICE. No, I dread that man, — He is very attentive, and compliments And flatters me, but my soul, guided by Some inner knowledge that I know not of, Rises in rebellion : oh, no, not him. And the others? JEFFERSON. ALICE. Well, there's the sieur De Morny, Boulanger's friend, and equally Detested ; and Aaron Burr, who talks love Nonsense on his own account, and then Commends Boulanger ; says that for his sake. Boulanger would be the right man. I don't Know what he means, and I distrust him. JEFFERSON. You are right ; for Burr has a well known Weakness for women ; and men who have such Idols, (not of wood or stone, but flesh) Are not to be trusted. Beware also of Boulanger ; for your virginal intuition, Has rightly judged him. ALICE. I am quite sure There is some subtle tie between the two. Which takes in others ; not callers like them, But employed here : strange calls are made At strange hours, curious questions asked. Keyholes peeped into, documents pored over. Mysterious meetings inside closed doors. Your name mentioned with oaths : these things, Have some deadly aim, and I do fear them ! JEFFERSON. They are plotting some calamity ; but Never fear, we will signally defeat them. — Now to return to our subject; will you, Confide in me? what is the name of Your lover? (Enter a Soldier.^ SOLDIER. Lawrence Montague, whom you Ordered brought here, waits below, sir. ALICE (eagerly) Lawrence Montague! JEFFERSON (aside). Is the man she loves ; I have not been misinformed. (To Soldier.^ When this lady leaves me, bring him in. ALICE. Ordered brought here — and by soldiers — I fear some evil — what does it mean? Do you know Lawrence ? JEFFERSON. You call him Lawrence; Quite familiar : how many times has he Spoken to you ? ALICE. Oh, I don't know, not often, Perhaps a dozen altogether ; once over There by the armor of Macbeth : alas ! That was the last. JEFFERSON. Did he talk of love? Come Alice, I must have the truth? — I insist upon it as a father? ALICE. Yes, In fervent words !— He asked me to be His wife, and I at last consented : then JEFFERSON. Then, he suddenly cooled, left you, And has not returned? ALICE. Alas, just so! Oh, explain his actions ! JEFFERSON. Nearly always, A sure sign of the fickle and inconstant Lover; who Tantalus-like only longs, For what is just beyond his reach. Zounds! but I'll have a great surprise In store, for this amorous young soldier. You're angry with your Alice ; not without Cause : I have been indiscreet I know. And now must suffer for the fault. THE SECRETARY OF STATE 13 JEFFERSON (assuming anger). Angry! I wish that you both could know just How furious I am : mischievous maid, And audacious youth.— Leave me now. But remain at hand, I will join you Presently. (Alice starts and comes back.) ALICE. His face is set and stern ; I dare not call him father ; yet I must Tell him. — My protector ! JEFFERSON. Well, my child, What is it? ALICE. Nay, do not frown on me, But smile ; for even at the risk of Your displeasure, I say that no amount Of distrust or suspicion, can ever Shake my faith in Lawrence. (Exit Alice.) JEFFERSON. Egad the girl has spirit ; an almost Infallible symbol of a guileless heart. (Pauses.) Spies and traitors in the War Department ! this looks ominous ! — The schemers it seems, plan to make my Orphan ward, an instrument to aid my Deadly foes, while some swaying from ambition, To the upas lust, seek to assail her virtue. Burr, lascivious, but decorous, hopes By her marriage to his minion Boulanger, To smooth the thorny pathway to illicit love. (Enter two Soldiers.) Soldiers, admit your prisoner : and stay ; You had best remain without, lest he Carry some concealed weapon, or in his Rage, assault me : despair often supplies A lifelong defect, and makes a nonentity, A hero. /^'^kimi (Soldiers bow and retire, enter Montague, Jeffer- son now sits at desk.) Approach sir. — You probably have guessed That the reason of your summons here. Is the grave matter of the suspended Sentence ? MONTAGUE. Sir, I had already arrived At that conclusion. JEFFERSON. The decision being Left in my hands, there goes with it A solemn obligation to discharge the Duty rightly. MONTAGUE. Most solenan ! JEFFERSON. You have. No doubt, in remembrance, the reasons I gave you for my intense interest in The case. MONTAGUE. For my dear father's sake. JEFFERSON. Your father was a soldier. I knew him. And many people knew him to be one Of the bravest and most honorable Men, that ever drew the breath of life : I could not see his son, die a felon's Death : I begged from Washington, the Privilege of a disposition of the Matter ; to give you a chance to meet, An honorable end : you know the rest. MONTAGUE. I fought bravely ; and strove for death : And yet I live. JEFFERSON. Oh, miserable delusion, Of man's egotism : you fought bravely ! Your father too, fought bravely ; but on His death bed, he told me that war, Was so far away from the heart of The Infinite, that it could only be Continued by man's pride. War, my dear sir, Is the primitive, the first step of Progress : to be used to tame savages : Ergo ; those nations that war to-day. Are partly savage. But truthful. MONTAGUE. Startling sentiments. JEFFERSON. The culture of the ages. Is moulded by the pen, not by the sword ; And progress is the magic power, that Moves all activity. Behold these weapons ! — Which bear mute testimony in themselves. Of the coming end of war : amidst their Horrid, uncouth, and terrible shapes, we Mark the subtle fact, improvement ; proving More eloquently than words, that intelligence, And not barbarity, was the latent force. That brought them into being. But now to business. — Here is the Report of your Colonel : (Reads paper.) "Obedient and earnest as to discipline, temperate and regular in habits, good language, good morals: exhibitions of bravery even to recklessness; saved on one occasion a woman (married), from the Indians; on another occasion two children, risking almost certain death." This is a trifle in your favor. — But, Lawrence Montague, doomed to almost Certain death ; since your return some Few months past, have you passed your Time in solemn meditation, and recipient Been of the prayers of pious men ? 14 THE SECRETARY OF STATE MONTAGUE. No, I can't say that I — that is — JEFFERSON. That is, You have not done so, but instead have Given way to dissipation and debauchery. MONTAGUE. Although Virginia born, I sometimes think There flows in my veins, a tinge of the Romantic blood of the ancient troubadours. A wild heart, alive to love and sympathy. While danger — which sobers even the boldest Men, fills it with an insane delight : Like the peaceful shepherds of the olden Days, who were mild and gentle, and yet Caught frenzied madness from the Maenad's Haunting eyes. — If you were young like me, Condemned like me, while hope still beat High in spite of hopelessness, and life Looked far more lovely from contrast with Approaching death, you might like me have Fallen! JEFFERSON. I might have been reckless, yea, Riotous ; but not like you, a coward And a sneak. MONTAGUE. Apologize to me for those Words, or prisoner as I am, I will Assault you ! JEFFERSON. Your hurt honor, may be Mollified, by making you see yourself. As you are. I will not speak of your Excesses with dissolute companions, but Bring before your eyes the vision of A sweet innocent girl, whose virtue you Have craved, but could not tarnish. Still chaste and pure as the mountain dew, Yet, her tender heart is blighted ; for you, A felon, out on parole, won her affection. Wrung from her a promise to marry you, And then left her. — What can you say? MONTAGUE. Damnable act ! I deserve no mercy ! — There's no excuse, except — I loved her : I loved her then ; and now, standing in The shadow of eternal separation, (except perchance we meet in Heaven^ how dearly I love her now ! — I solemnly resolved, Never to speak of love ; but one look At that fair face, after a year's absence, Unnerved me, and I needs must give — To receive again — warm tokens of fidelity. Base knight ! false lover ! who records vows, He knows must soon be broken. Revoke all Thoughts of mercy; I deserve the full Penalty. JEFFERSON. Your sentence shall be severe : — Imprisonment for life. MONTAGUE. Imprisonment for life ! That's worse than death. JEFFERSON. Not necessarily: You shall be placed for life, in the sole Custody of a dear friend of mine, the Only one fit to guard you ; your place Of confinement, some government building : How much like a prison it will be. Depends upon how much you learn to love It and your jailor; for love is the Soul's eyes ; to be loveless, is to be blind ; To be surrounded by beauty, and not Be able to see it. MONTAGUE. Can love take root, Spring up and flourish, in a prison ? JEFFERSON. To the brave heart and dauntless mind. All places are alike : a man may be a Slave, and yet be master of heaven's Choicest gifts ; a man may be free. And yet be a slave to evil passions ; A man may be happily married, and yet Become a prisoner for life by faithlessness To marriage vows :— Our Spirit ! soaring to The lofty heights of good, or sinking to The dark abyss of evil, can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven. MONTAGUE. Those inspiring words give me new courage : My case seems desperate, but a drowning Man will cling even to a straw. JEFFERSON. ^ Just so; And such a frail support, has proved to Be many a man's salvation. I must leave You now : to have been severe, causes Me much sorrow : in the terrible ordeal Now before you, my sympathy goes out To you, for I go to send your jailor Here. MONTAGUE. Stay ; one word before you go ; Alice, your ward, for so she is regarded. Tell her — not now but when I am dead — That I loved her. JEFFERSON. Nonsense ; such follies. Are not to be entrusted to a messenger. (Exit Jeffeeson.) THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS MONTAGUE. Shall I Stand idly here, and wait for Certain doom, or make a bold dash for Liberty? (Tries doors.) All doors are locked, but this ; and here, The soldiers are probably just outside; But I may be able to escape them. To fly, is to become a fugitive from Justice ; for my trial was fair, and that I was not shot, but stand here, is Due to Jefferson's mercy, exercised In the even course of orderly procedure : To run away then, is to be a coward : Besides, so subtle is authority, that Though its chains which bind us, be but Gossamer, we dare not seek to break them, — If Alice were to bring me flowers now. Lovely roses, rich with the significance Of love, they could but grace the earth Where my hopes lie buried ! (He falls into a chair and drops head on desk.) Re-enter Alice. ALICE. He said he had just sentenced a man. To be a prisoner for life — in my sole Charge — my prisoner — hard labors Solitary confinement : those were the Pith of his strange words ; and when I Asked him to explain, he sternly told Me to stop talking, and come and take My captive away. Who can he be ? Where is he ? MONTAGUE. ■ That voice ! — so silver sweet In utterance, falls like a benediction. On my troubled thoughts — Alice. What does she here so long after hours? Perhaps has returned for something. She must not see my face. ALICE. f Oh, sir, Here you are. — Do not give way to Despondency; Mr. Jefferson is gracious; There may be hope for you yet. He said That you were to be in my care ; I don't Know why, unless it is because I visit Bad men like you, and try to make them Better: I will try to be very good to You, and hope that you may learn to Like me. MONTAGUE. Like you ? — I love you, Alice ! (Turns around so she can see his face.) ALICE. Mr. Montague! (Rising he takes her hand.) Lawrence ! — (Very sadly.) So you are the Condemned man ? MONTAGUE. Yes. — The fatal words Pronounced, the measure of my servitude Defined, and then he left me, saying; "I go to send your jailor to you." ALICE. And he told me to come here and get My captive. MONTAGUE. Great heavens ! a light breaks Through the tempest in my mind. (Embrace.) My own Alice ! — (Jefferson appears at door.) He has pardoned me. The terrible doom, That hung over me like a pall, and which Made me leave you in such a seemingly Heartless way, has been remitted : he has Pardoned me, and besides with lavish Munificence, given me all your lovely Self. (Embraces again as Jefferson advances.) JEFFERSON. My children; For you are almost as dear to me as My own ; let me share in your happiness. — When I was told sometime since of your Betrothal, I felt that one who could Win the love of Alice, must indeed be A paragon of excellence, and as I had Already arrived at the conclusion that Lawrence was innocent, at heart, I saw A pathway of joy, out of a labyrinth Of sorrow ; and was confirmed in this View, by what has just transpired between Us. My severity, was but assumed, To test you ; and well have you stood The trial. (They fall to knees.) ALICE. An earthly Father ! Of my dear departed Father's choosing: From my fond heart forever now, I'll Blot the name of orphan. MONTAGUE. Through you, sir; All through you, I have been saved from A dreadful fate ; and, chastened by sad Experiences, enabled to re-enter life's Struggles, with the adored Alice, for A helpmate. May my Father, from his home. In the empyreal skies, look down upon Us, and bless you ! JEFFERSON. Rise, my dear children : For you are mine, both mine : and in your Sweet and young delight — ^your love — (Life's crown of gloryj, my own lost youth Is resurrected. (Exeunt.) 16 THE SECRETARY OF STATE ACT II Scene I. — Philadelphia. The sumptuous Parlors in Boulanger's Mansion: glass casements opening to the rear lawns: beyond in the distance the domes of Independence Hall: in the center of room are sliding doors, which closed, shut off the bach Parlor from view; they are now open. EMILIA (looking in pier glass). I am glad that I am young and beautiful ; Else how could I retain the love of My handsome and accomplished husband? It was no mean prize, that I drew in The lottery of love : riches and a title, Added to this charmer. Warned by the Dread fate of the King, Louis the XVI., He parted with his title, rather than His head ; but will no doubt soon have It back again, for though an agent here. Of the French republic, he is really Working with the royalists. (Enter Boulanger.^ BOULANGER. What Emilia, You here? I thought you had retired To your chamber, not to leave it again Until the morn? EMILIA. Away from you, Henri, Is banishment, to be near you joy. Why are you so anxious to be rid Of me? BOULANGER. Nonsense! — you are very jealous, And trifles light as air, you magnify Into most portentous things. EMILIA. Sometimes, Perhaps I do : but Henri, I love you. And it is no trifle, for me to pass. Not for what I am — your wife ; but as Your sister. BOULANGER. But I told you there was A reason for that ; a grave and vital Reason. EMILIA. Can there ever be any good Reason, for a wife to tell a falsehood About the true relation between herself • And husband ? BOULANGER. Well, we won't argue. — Come dear, go to your room ; the secret Cabal meets here at ten-thirty ; it lacks Only ten minutes of that time, and I Have some things to do in the meantime. (Rudely.) You must go. (Exit Emilia.J 'Tis past the hour; Montague should come. "Pardoned by Jefferson," he wrote, "and To be married to Alice to-morrow." — What if he does not come? then must I Contrive, a new way to be rid of him : And if my devilish invention thrive, I will yet obtain Alice, all unpolluted By his profaning touch. Well, Montague, Thou hast escaped the felon's doom ; But art thou farther from destruction. Fool? I have revealed thy secret projects, To the President; backed up by lies. And circumstance's treacherous evidence; That Washington threatens to withhold , His approval of the pardon, (a right, He still held in reserve) and let the Execution take its course. False Montague, Thou stand'st on a precipice, and in The smooth and glassy surface of the Lake below, I see thy tottering form Reflected an instant ere it sinks to Rise no more. In the interval, though Thou still keep betrothed, ha — ha — Thou never shalt be wedded. (Enter Servant who announces: ley.") "Miss Alice Stan- BOULANGER. Alice Stanley! — What in the world brings her here? Let me think : — admit her ; — and stay, On your life allow no one to enter Unannounced. (Exit Servant, enter Alice.) ALICE. Mr. Boulanger; — where is Mr. Montague? BOULANGER. Miss Alice ; delighted I am sure ! — Be seated. So you expected to find Mr. Montague here? ALICE. He sent me some Awful intelligence ; my anxiety forced Me to seek him without delay ; I did Not find him at his apartment, but an Open note lay on his desk from you. Asking him to call at once upon its Receipt. Has he not been here ? BOULANGER. Not yet. And I fear will not ; he makes promises. Only to break them ; never keeps faith : He is not to be trusted. You wrong him : I know him to be the soul of honor. THE SECRETARY OF STATE 17 BOULANGER. But honor is an essence that's not seen : A biased judgment says they have it oft, That have it not. ALICE. You wish to insinuate. That he is dishonorable, and my love Blinds me to the fact. BOULANGER. Let him be what He will, and ply his trade of libertine. To his heart's content, so long as he Harm not you. ALICE. Libertine, an ugly word. Surely you have been falsely informed, Or believe the whispering lies of your Own malice. BOULANGER. I may be over punctilious ; If so, it springs from my solicitude For you : yet what I know, is not mere Surmise or suspicion, but that which came From his own lips : shocking words, that Little used as I am to villainies. Did move my too acute sensibility. To confute a slanderer, one must Catechise him : I demand that you tell Me what he said to you. BOULANGER. 'Tis no matter. What he said : no more, no doubt, than He'll deny. ALICE. Innuendo; the coward's weapon: I insist sir, that you speak out. BOULANGER. I do protest myself your friend ; that you Distrust me, is to say the least annoying : Though I am loath to recite the vulgar Speeches of a ruffian ; yet to save you Pain, I will speak ; and haply may my Words spoken in pure sincerity, be more Then confirmed by some rankling sore yet Lingering in your memory, of occasions When aroused suspicion was too easily Allayed. ALICE. Go on, go on, I beseech you ! BOULANGER. That he had made love to you for pastime ; And with an ulterior motive, too vulgar To be mentioned : solicited an avowal Of your love, merely to gratify his vanity ; And then growing weary of the comedy. Had left you : then cursed dissembling Nature for making him so fickle, that Constancy were to him a feat impossible. — This and much more had he blabbed, when I indignant ordered him to pause; and Lack of iniquity, fwhich oft causes me Inconvenience^ alone saved him from My wrath. ALICE (walking away). Alas, that cruel speech. Has reft my heart ; turned faith to doubt. And trust to deep suspicion ! — It cannot Be true, and yet Lawrence's note said that Our' nuptials must not take place now — He could not foresee the end — would explain . All when he saw me. — Sought for once — twice; And twice forsaken. BOULANGER (aside). Muttering, and then Abstracted : my devil's venom courses Through her veins ; another stroke, and She is mine. (Goes to her) Miss Alice, Though forsaken, your plight is not a Hopeless one : deserted but not disgraced. Many a foolish maid has swapped her heart. Just to look into lovely tantalizing eyes. And listen to soft speeches ; suffered for The temerity, and lived to laugh at Her folly, safe in the keeping of one Who really loved her. I am for the present, Your loyal knight : it will be easy to Love me, when you cease to distrust me. ALICE. It is cruel of you to address me so ; My heart is sad, I loathe the name Of love ! BOULANGER. But in the days to come. His baseness proved, my virtue verified. Should storms again arise, will you make This fond heart, your haven of safety? ALICE. Oh I don't know, I cannot promise : — perhaps. I am very faint — and dizzy. BOULANGER. You look pale, Are far from well ; you tremble — totter ; Let me support you, help you to a seat. (Enter Servant.) Some one has called to See me, who is it? servant. Lawrence Montague: — He waits outside. BOULANGER. Here, this lady has Swooned ; help me to convey her to some Vacant chamber. (Removing Alice they return.) Now go and send a maid to her at once, She needs one of her own sex ; and then Admit Mr. Montague. (E.vit Servant.) 18 THE SECRETARY OF STATE The cards rarely turn up as we call them, But the astute man learns to make the Most of the ones that he gets. Alice's Coming and her swoon, I had not counted On; but how to use it? that is the Question ; let me think : — to make him believe, She comes here often on secret assignations. He'll credit almost anything, for he is Framed as artless as the azure elements. Over his sickly love, this very night This foul lie shall cast a withering blight. (Enter Montague.^ BOULANGER. Ah, Montague you are come in happy time. That I may ease a heart o'erflowing with Gratulations : my dear friend, felicity And joy ! MONTAGUE. Nay, do not congratulate me, But condole with me. BOULANGER. Why what a brow, For the day before your marriage ; man : Ah, I see, you weary of your toy, already? MONTAGUE. No, I love her yet more, if that were Possible. BOULANGER. You love, are loved, will wed To-morrow, and still are unhappy: such An anomaly in adoration, is hard to Fathom, please explain the riddle? MONTAGUE. Having gained my pardon, and the hand Of my sweetheart, at one stroke, being Anxious that my best friend might share In the joy, I sat down and wrote you The facts, without details. BOULANGER. Came duly to hand : For gladness. That epistle, I laughed and wept MONTAGUE. That was about two weeks ago : Since that time I have been treading on Air, and eating the ambrosia of flowers ; Until about an hour ago I sat musing Over the ceremony to-morrow, in blissful Ignorance of impending evil, when the Door opens, and enter a process-server With this bombshell. BOULANGER. A mandate from a court! An order to show cause ! — What is it? MONTAGUE. A rude breaker of day dreams : read — read BOULANGER (reading). "Whereas, it has been brought to the attention of this court, that Lawrence Montague, contemplates an immediate marriage, when there is reason to be- lieve that as a convicted felon. He is legally incapaci- tate to enter into such a contract. In order that the female contracting party, may be saved from the unfortunate results of a mock alliance, the said Mon- tague is enjoined and prohibited from any further action in the premises, and is cited to appear at this court on the morrow, to show cause why this injunction should not be made permanent. Publica- tion left with the petitioner. Petitioner, George Washington." BOULANGER. Upon my soul, 'tis like a mortal hurt, For me to know of this. MONTAGUE. You may hardly Imagine my distress. — Strange to say. Your letter asking me to call came soon After. BOULANGER (aside). Not at all strange to me. For this cunning brain devised the whole Foul plot; and even the just Washington Was fooled : strange ? Yes, that distorted Truths, can make the instruments of virtue. Aid the schemes of vice. MONTAGUE. You are moved? No wonder. Well I wanted to break the Harsh news to Alice, that she might no Longer dwell in a fool's paradise, so Scribbled a few words, which no doubt like My thoughts, lacked coherence. Then to The barber's and from there here. BOULANGER. No doubt You are puzzled to know the reason of My hasty summons. MONTAGUE. Quite naturally. I must say that I am : BOULANGER. Alternating between Ridicule of my fears, and vague alarm For your safety, I at last sent for you. To assure myself that you were still free, And to warn you of imminent peril : but Alas that paper removes all hope ; the Dread bolt which I feared, has struck you. MONTAGUE. You knew of it before ? BOULANGER. Well not exactly; But I had it on the best authority. That a lewd scandal had come to the THE SECRETARY OF STATE 19 Ears of the Chief Executive : a vile Attempt to lead a young girl from the Path of virtue: that Washington, furious, Had vowed to save the innocent thing, From the despoilers. The actors in the Plot are not just known, but rumor says The names of Aaron Burr, Jefferson, some Others, and MONTAGUE. My own. BOULANGER. Alas 'tis true : And not strange either ; for what details Of the story that have leaked out, fit Your own case so closely, that one sand Not another more resembles. MONTAGUE. It were Damnation, to cast my Alice in such A bawdy play ! BOULANGER. Just the self-same thought, That struck me : and yet MONTAGUE. Yet what, man? A world of venom lurks beneath that, "yet." BOULANGER. The cases are so remarkably alike, in All but one particular. Come, out with it. MONTAGUE. What particular? BOULANGER. The young girl herself. — I am sure I have in mind, the real heroine. Of the story. She is young and pretty, Works in the war department, where she has Been admired and flattered so much as To utterly turn her head : some debauchee. No matter who, covets to enjoy this Rare morsel ; and she it seems is not Averse, her reluctance springing alone From timidity, so some Sir Pandarus, Must be provided in the shape of a Cuckold husband ; one who to gain life, Liberty, or even filthy lucre, is Willing to accept infamy. MONTAGUE. A strange tale; How learned you of it? BOULANGER. She and her lustful Adorers, make this house their rendezvous. You no doubt remember that the august Monarchial conspirators, met at Miriam's Bagnio ; that I asked you to join us, But you refused ? MONTAGUE. I do ; and as that secret. Was confided to me in good faith, I have Felt in honor bound not to divulge it. BOULANGER. Well, all the members of that cabal, have The free run of my house ; and as you know. Amour and ambition are always blended ; This maid appears, that this instance may Prove no exception to the rule. I found That under one silly pretext or another. The girl was becoming a regular visitor ; Either with escort or alone. Suspicious, I smelt a mouse, but what could I do? You know I am so deuced affable. She is here now, called at three, and Now lacks but an hour of midnight : I'll not put up with the imposition longer; I shall at once forbid her the house. MONTAGUE. But stay : — what has all this to do With me. BOULANGER. Why, my dear fellow, don't you See it yet? you are slow to-day to Apprehend ; it seems clear as crystal to Me : these scandal-mongers have got you Engaged to the wrong girl. MONTAGUE. By heaven! I never thought of that : I believe you Have hit it. BOULANGER. Some senile fools there are. Who in persistent dotage of some fair, But frail one, having been supplied with Sweets, must needs but brag of it; then Dame rumor takes the amour up and whispers Names and social ties : your pardon and Betrothal, have furnished food for gossip Too : out of such strands, wagging tongues Can weave an incongruous story ; and such A one has come to the ears of Washington. Get a little out of sight ; I will give You a glimpse of her. MONTAGUE. Excuse me, I pray; I have no desire to see the poor thing. BOULANGER. Oh, she's quite harmless ; besides you know You are no longer susceptible. (Exit Boulanger.^ MONTAGUE. If his guess prove right, I can see a Ray of sunshine through the murky clouds. Rumor rarely gets things altogether right : This error exposed, an amende honorable Will follow. But the silly girl; I feel 20 THE SECRETARY OF STATE Sorry about her. The moth will ever thus, Flutter 'round the candle, not content Until its wings are singed. fBouLANGER and Alice appear at the arched door and converse in dumb shoiv.) My God, Alice ! — Start eyes from your spheres, and cheeks Pale with horror ! It cannot be my Alice ; There must be — there is — some mistake : And yet to doubt it is to question the Efficiency of sight. (Droops in dejection.) I remember now how strange she acted, Upon the mere mention of his name. (Alice leaves and Boulanger approaches.) BOULANGER. Why what's the matter, man? You are ill? MONTAGUE. Never mind me : you have told me some Foul lie about that girl ; she has too Sweet a face to be a strumpet. BOULANGER. Lawrence, A harsh speech to a friend : you will regret It upon reflection. MONTAGUE. Give me their names : — Death, you shall expose them ! these curs Who tempt the young and innocent. BOULANGER. If you are so insistent : Aaron Burr, And your patron saint, Jefferson. Oh, well. MONTAGUE. Jefferson ! No, no, he could never sink so low. BOULANGER. What more natural? Jefferson with all His ability and learning has but one Passion. MONTAGUE. Passion ! — BOULANGER. Insatiate ambition; The love of power : craves the Presidency. Burr craves a crown, has vast political Influence, but is fond of love intrigues; And just at present covets a fair one. Whom Jefferson controls ; so he has sold Tlis kingly aspirations, for a mesS of Petticoat pottage. MONTAGUE. Damnation ! prove this. Beyond a doubt, and I swear to rid the Earth, of such a foul blot : if those who Hold the seat" of •power,- can use it thus-. Law dies, and the murderous and vengeful Arm, dispenses justice! BOULANGER. Zounds! dear fellow, Why should you be skeptical about an Everyday occurrence in political corruption : You have seen the girl ; I have seen her, Together with the parties mentioned, and Heard them talk it over : what better proof Could you have than that? — unless of course You question my veracity. MONT.-VGUE. I scarce hear; There is a tempest in my soul, whose noise Could drown the thunder. BOULANGER. You are distressed; Then why not become a loyal knight to Injured innocence; join our band, now Meeting in an adjoining room, who propose This very night to kidnap Jefferson, and Imprison him in some out of the way place. MONTAGUE. I am with you body and soul : — but I must See what a walk in the lawns can do to Restore my composure : the air seems stifling. And my senses reel. (Exit Montague.) BOULANGER. Start, From the covert woods, poor deer, but on Thy track the bellowing hell-hounds come, Sure of their prey ; but not more sure, Than, Montague I am of thee. (Exit.) (Enter Aaron Burr.) Boulanger's mansion ; the splendid quarters of Treason : and o'er these tiled marble floors. The while I stalk — methinks there rings from My heels the triumphant sounds of victory ; And the magnified shadow of this resolute Form, rises threatening to the massive dome Of that sentinel of liberty and equality, Independence hall, across the way. In that old Hall, that cradle of liberty. The young child is being rocked, which Grown to manhood, may become Immanuel's Prototype; and make the world by far Too good, for those of us who delight More in evil ; and therefore I, or some Other man", "miisf Herod-like arise, to Kill the aureole while in its infancy. Among the costumes made for- Nations, how Shall we be appareled ; in the imperial Purple,, or the democratic sackcloth? Which is best, which is right? — Right, — Is that which is boldly asserted, and Plausibly maintained ; then though patriots, Yea, angels, plead for a republic, here;. .... THE SECRETARY OF STATE 21 The might of our armies, and the sophistry Of our contentions, must and shall make a Kingdom, palatable. (Enter de Morny. ) DE MORNY. Burr, are you the only conspirator arrived? BURR. Yes, the others are late. DE MORNY. Then being late, I must invoke their instant presence. Traitors, patriots, officeholders, looters; Culled from authority's choicest classes : Who covet more from their much getting; Appear thou ! — Appear in the likeness of The anarchist, whose one idea of content, Is discontent ; or an alderman, who grows Fat off his own ordinances ; or a legislator, Who has waxed rich by breaking quixotic Lances against statutory windmills. BURR. Hush, if they come in and hear you, it Will surely anger them. DE MORNY. Pshaw, why they are Not wicked men of the Borgia type : your Real conspirator, will quake, and change His color ; choke off his breath in middle Of a word ; and again begin and stop again ; As though he were distraught, and mad with Fury; but these genteel cut-throats, love to Feed, sleep and dress well; and are timid As to personal safety. (Enter Boulanger with Senators, Ambassadors, Notables, etc. (and a group of Hirelings, Rene- gades, Assassins, who remain apart); they mingle together a minute in dumb show.) HAMILTON. Well, gentlemen, now that we are together. Let us proceed to business : what has Been done, and what have we yet to do? boulanger (showing paper). When we last met, our treaty with the Royalists of Europe, only lacked our Signatures; now the instrument has been Signed and sent to Paris : we have here A copy, which must be sent by trusty messenger. To General Dreyfuss ; who has pledged that Upon its receipt, he will march towards Our Capital, reducing all obstacles by The way. To allay the chaos thus bred, The federalists, (who are almost supreme) Will insist upon the choosing of a King : Burr will be that King; you and 1, my lords. Form the first Council : so much for the Chore of our great scheme. conspirators (in chorus). Bravo ! Bravo I HAMILTON. The existence of such an infamous paper. Has been it seems with intent kept from me. I will gladly use force, stratagem, cunning. What you will — for all weapons are alike fair. In love or war : but to make a treaty with A foreign power, to use the army of that Power, against my countrymen ; — that I Will not sanction. burr. Then let us continue. Without the coward : besides, he'll never Follow anything, that other men begin. HAMILTON. Withdraw that epithet, sir, or prepare Yourself for bloody business. BURR. I take back. Nothing ; my voice is in my sword. (They fight and Burr is disarmed.) BURR. Hamilton, Chance has enabled you to humiliate me This time ; but we will meet again, when Vengeance will be mine : you have reason Sir, to dread our next meeting. HAMILTON. The future, Is yet to be made ; the present compels Me, Gentlemen, to take my leave. (Exit.) FIRST SENATOR. Good-bye, and good riddance to him ; for He was like to prove a stumbling block. To all our plans and projects. SECOND SENATOR. I believe. He would have proved a safer counselor, After all ; for how can we expect glory. To spring from the chaos of civil strife. Or pride to be augmented by the flash Of muskets and the roar of cannon. FIRST SENATOR. List you ! How oft amidst thick clouds and black doth Heaven's all-ruling Sire, choose to reside. His glory unobscured, and with the majesty Of darkness round cover His throne ; from Whence deep thunders roar, mustering their rage, And Heaven resembles hell. THIRD SENATOR. How about Jefferson? Shall no hand be raised to strike him down? Amongst the despised apostles of human rights; Known by the name of Democrat or Republican, He is perhaps the greatest. 22 THE SECRETARY OF STATE SECOND SENATOR. Yes, he above All the rest, in shape and gesture proudly Eminent, stands like a tower ; and on his Face alive with intellect, deeply graved, Sits deliberation, public care. BURR. Mark me, No attempt must be made on his life. Humph, shall we barter the mighty space Of our large honors, for the vulgar name Of assassin? THIRD SENATOR. Those lusty cut-throats there ; Hired for our more bloody and brutal work ; Might kidnap and confine him in some place. Until our schemes bear fruit. We'll discuss. That problem at more leisure. — The loyal Miriam, knows a courier, tried and true, To deliver this precious document to General Dreyfuss. This paper lost, we Are like to lose our heads ; and where great Faith must be reposed, a woman's wit. Is better than man's cunning ; so we had Best accept her proffer. This courier, Will be here shortly. — Let us go aside. And debate our business in regular assembly. (Exeunt all but Boulanger into the back Parlor, and the sliding doors are closed, shutting them from, the view of the audience; exits to and entrances from this room are made through a small ornamental door, cut in the sliding doors.) (Enter Courier and Servant.^ servant. You say that you are the courier, spoken Of by Miriam Loomis, and you were to Call at this hour for an important paper? courier. Yes ; and here is a letter from her, which Vouches for me. servant. Well, remain where you are, I will deliver your letter and message. (Servant goes to back Parlor and knocks, door is opened, servant delivers message in dumb show, and returns.) Be seated, some one will be out shortly. (Exit Servant.) COURIER. Now Cometh exultant success, or abject Failure : if they give me the paper to Carry to General Dreyfuss ; a copy of A treason treaty with a foreign faction. Against this government, signed with their Names, I will hie with it at once to Jefferson ; and with this damning proof his. Good-bye to conspiracy and conspirators: But supposing they reject me as a bearer. What then ? great heavens ! I dread to think Of it. (Enter de Morny from back Parlor, with his mouth full of pie, a small pie in his hand, and an Am- bassador.) de morny. I asked you to come out with me. In order that we may discuss the pate. Or as they call it here in America, The small pie. How think you it stands? What is its place amongst the rarer dainties? ambassador. And it was to talk of such a light trifle, That you coaxed me out here. de morny. Light! say you? If your pie crust has not baking soda, And shorten, in proper mixture, it is Like to prove a HEAVY job on your hands: A much harder affair to be rid of, than Any puzzle that arises in political intrigue. ambassador. Bah, a man with his brain full of sublime Ambition, has no chance to talk of pie. DE MORNY. Pooh, a man with his mouth full of pie. Has no chance to talk of sublime ambition. ambassador. Well, I will back to our friends; when You have gorged yourself to satiety. You can follow. (Exit Ambassador.) DE MORNY (to Courier). Hist, be wary. — What would they do to me. If they knew that I, the Sieur de Morny, Wrinkled and cadaverous, in seedy clerical Attire, with periwig, was a secret service Detective in disguise? (Takes off wig, and replaces it.) COURIER. Your life would pay the forfeit. Tell Jefferson an attempt is to be made To kidna:p him, one hour after midnight — Boulanger, at his own request, has been Picked to instruct the kidnappers, and Start them on their nocturnal enterprise, And in his evil hands, it may mean murder : Not to fail to change his quarters to the Archaeologic Room of the War Department; Taking his armed Guard with him. — They half suspect Miriam, but I guess they Will let you carry the paper to Dreyfuss : THE SECRETARY OF STATE 23 Don't wait too long for it : once in your Keeping, away with it to Jefferson ! (Exit.) (Re-enter Montague.) This man is evidently a spy : was told When he got a paper, to take it at once, To Jefferson : if there was more said, That is all I heard : I will lay low. And see what he is up to. (The Courier is beckoned to from the door of back Parlor, and handed a packet; the door is then closed.) The precious parchment, Is mine at last ! hermetically sealed, And carefully superscribed : aha, but It will never reach its destination. (Reading address.) "Gen. Louis Dreyfuss, Commander army of France, Colonies of North America." (Montague coming from behind, confronts the Courier.) MONTAGUE. Give me that packet. An impudent demand : who are you ? (They grapple, and Montague gets paper.) MONTAGUE. Another word, and I'll expose you to Those inside : I hate thee spy, because Of him thou servest, but spare thy life. For this new sword, as yet unstained with Human blood, is virgin to thy master. To remain here longer, it seems, is not Discreet; so without more ado I'll leave. (Exit Courier.) MONTAGUE. I'll put this letter in my pocket : What part it was meant to bear in their Schemes, I care not; it sufficeth that I Have kept it from him whom I despise. (Exit Montague into Gardens.) (Enter from back Parlor Boulanger and five Assassins.) boulanger. It has in solemn synod been decreed, This very night to kidnap Jefferson ; But there is one without, made desperate By wrongs, who vows his death. That he May commit this crime and suffer for it The death penalty, is my desire, for he Is the very devil in my path : and such Proceeding holds you free of blame. But Should he hesitate or quail at the last, Then you yourselves kill them both ; or At least kill him; for better Jefferson Alive, than he. Do you find yourselves so Constituted that you may promise this? first assassin. My Lxjrd, such business is our trade; And we do well, for those that pay us well. boulanger. Well said, my man ; and as an earnest. Of still greater sums to follow, I give You these gold coins. ASSASSINS. My Lord, you have Bound us to you forever. boulanger. Your leader. Waits outside ; I will call him to you : — Montague! halloo! ('£n/fr Montague.) Lawrence, here are five stalwart men, to Aid you on your vengeful visit to-night. To Jefferson's home : and five trustier men, Ne'er handled the pistol or stiletto. Now all of you go out into the Gardens ; I have sent a man to view the house. And arrange a plan of action ; when he Returns I will send him to you. MONTAGUE. My veins, Are on fire ! and nothing will allay the Fever, until my dire work is done ! If men, Will play magic oriental sorcery with The hopes of men, let those who with Their sleight-of-hand, evoke an evil spirit. Beware, lest at times they raise a fiend I (Exeunt.) 24 THE SECRETARY OF STATE ACT III Scene I. — Philadelphia. Library and Study (large) fefferson Mansion. (Jefferson and Monroe discovered. Stephen, a Servant in the background.) JEFFERSON. So, at the Capitol and other places, Where politicians most do congregate. They speak of me by opprobrious names ; And say that I wish to remove the barriers Between the patrician and the plebeian? MONROE. Yes, they call you a demagogue, who caters, To the common people. JEFFERSON. Common people. — There arc no common people ! — All men, Arc but the image of a common Maker ; Born with the unalienable right to life. Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If they have lost that divine nature, it Is because of tyranny, oppression, and Other wrong; or that they have been falsely Taught ; or worse, not taught at all. MONROE. Invest Me with authority, give me chance to speak My mind, and I will through and through. Cleanse the foul body of the infected state. If they will patiently receive my doctrine. JEFFERSON. James, you are a doctrinaire : you have a Theory of government, which you maintain With wondrous cogency ; perhaps in the future, When your wisdom has been seasoned, some Monroe doctrine may become famous. MONROE. ■Alas, My present humble status in the sphere Of politics hardly betokens that. JEFFERSON. But You are young, only 35, and able beyond Your years ; and for that ability I chose You counselor: in the ripe rewards which Hope offers to the aspiring mind, there Is some rich prize for you : you may yet Be Secretary of State — yea President. MONROE. Never, even in fancy, did I soar so high. The President of these United States sits High on a throne of royal state, which far Outshines the wealth of Portugal or Spain, Or where the gorgeous east with richest hand Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and gold, For he is raised, not by divine right, but By the people's sovereign will, to this great Eminence. (Stephen, zvho has gone out, returns with Miriam Loom IS.) JEFFERSON. My faithful Miriam ! Hist Stephen, no one saw her enter? STEPHEN. Not a soul, sir. JEFFERSON. That is as it should be; This band of traitors, must not know that The mistress of the rendezvous where they Meet nightly, is our emissary. MIRIAM. The courier, Has he come — have you got the paper — The proof of their guilt? JEFFERSON. Not yet, but I pray we may, and quickly, for we are All drowsy ; and hope deferred, maketh The heart sick. But you are agitated ; What ails you? MIRIAM. Oh, I fear for your life : — Awful threats are made against you nightly : To-night, a little ere they started for The meeting at Boulanger's house, Burr and The other leaders having gone ahead. This band of wine crazed assassins, in the Pay of Henri Boulanger, swore to have Your life this very night : their actions Filled me with alarm ; a vain half hour Struggle with my dread, and then I start To warn you. JEFFERSON. There, Miriam, don't fret. — Zounds ! by the soldier's heart that once Beat beneath these statesman's robes, I will Beard this band of silk-stockings, and their Paid cut-throats, in the gilded den. MIRIAM. Madman ! You shall not go into such deadly peril : What hope for one amongst so many? JEFFERSON. Hope? No plight can conquer a brave man's heart : Yea, as when lured once, to the ambush, Of the redskin foe, I clove my passage, Through a sea of plumes ; that adorned the Warriors heads, and marked their degrees THE SECRETARY OF STATE 25 In the hierarchy of fame. Reach me that Sword, Stephen, — not that delicate blade, For ball room ornament — that broadsword ; Such a weapon as Coeur de Lion used, when He drove the Moslems from the Holy- Land :- Once, naught but a plaything in my trained Hand, but now awkward for lack of practice ! (He lets the sword drop in despair.) STEPHEN. But there's another instrument, which you Are now master of, more potent than the Sword. JEFFERSON. What is that? That magic tool. With which you wrote the immortal "Declaration of Independence" — the pen. JEFFERSON. True ! — take away the sword ; it but began The world's work; (Stephen hangs up sword.) Take up the pen ; for it must finish it. (Jefferson takes up pen.) The soldier and the statesman : — The soldier, armed to the teeth, with a Heart inured to bloody thoughts and deeds. Sudden and quick in quarrel ; ever seeking New lands by conquest. The statesman, chock full of wisdom, with A heart full of patriotism and love, slow To quarrel, quick to be reconciled; and As the love of justice bodies forth the Form of laws unknown, the statesman's pen. Turns them to statutes, and gives to Divine principles, a local habitation And a name. MONROE. Hark! The ring of a horse's hoofs — a pause ; A mounted man has stopped before the house : See to it. (Exit Stephen, others expectant.) HOGARTH, the hunchback (solus). A man on horseback, calling at this hour Of the night : — they are so eager to see Him, that they don't suspect my entry. I'll hide me here, and spy upon them : Boulanger and Burr pay well for secrets : And O ho ! this knotty soul of mine. Doth treasure up some grudges. (Hides.) JEFFERSON. Ah, welcome avant-coureur ! Forerunner of the doom of traitors ; you Have come at last, bearing a document, In which we have reason to hope that Treason's agents, have wrote down with due Regard to periods, and subscribed their Names, to their own death warrants. COURIER. Alack, Scoff at me, condemn — imprison me; I Stand disgraced. JEFFERSON. They spurned your offer? They suspected — they gave it not? HE, . Aaron Burr, with his own hand he gave it. JEFFERSON. Hosannas! we have got it, we will soon See what it contains : out with it. COURIER. Hear me, Your honor, and then dismiss me, even With an arbitrary use of power, to some Dungeon. JEFFERSON. Hah, recreant ! you think to Make some lame excuses : be brief. COURIER. Armed, With the letter of credit from Miriam, I sought Boulanger's house at the hour Appointed, was admitted to the parlor : From the rear room came the muffled sounds Of angry voices ; heavy footfalls from The heels of ill-shod men ; and once a Shrill cry of "Death to Jefferson." JEFFERSON. Mark, how the devious path of crime. Compels the fastidious aristocrat, to Mingle with the boor. In a moment your spy, De Morny, came out on the sly and said : "Tell Jefferson that they are going to Kidnap him, at one hour after midnight : Boulanger has asked to be in charge Of the renegades, and in his evil hands. It perhaps means murder : not to delay. But go at once with his armed Guard to The archaeologic room of the War Department. JEFFERSON. Speak not of ME, the NATION is in peril ! The dispatch, man,— the dispatch ! COURIER. Was Given me soon after ; handed through the Slightly opened door: I read the address, O joy! — to Commander in Chief, French Army, In American Colonies, General Dreyfuss. JEFFERSON. Hah ! so General Dreyfuss has turned traitor, To the Republic of France, and gone over 26 THE SECRETARY OF STATE To our common enemies, the Royalists of America and France : so methought, as I Have had secret evidence to that effect. Now there is danger ! imminent danger ! The already mighty monarchial cohorts, Reinforced by the French army; with this Country long at peace, and therefore no Standing army to oppose them, God knows, What may happen. Every territorial section, Has its volcano, and all peoples have Their Vesuvius of unbridled appetites And passions ; and we sleep lazily on. When the conflicting elements are almost Evenly balanced in the struggle for An eruption. That paper, were our salvation ! You had it ; where is it ? I know not : it was Taken from me by one of the band. I had scarce read the address, when lo! Muscles of steel gripped me from behind, And wrested the packet from me ; And before my startled sight appeared. The stalwart figure of an armed man ; Who said in substance, I know you, spy; And ought expose you to the Cabal : I Spare your life, for the first blood that Stains this sword, — will be Jefferson's. Your life, sir, is in great danger. JEFFERSON. MY life! I bade thee grasp that packet, as thy honor : A jewel, whose loss may cause the sacrifice. In civil strife, of whole hecatombs of lives ! Begone ! — redeem thy reputation as a sleuth — Back to Boulanger's, to Miriam's — anywhere — Regain the packet, or crawl on from youth To age, and know that from a lack of skill, Thou hast failed in that which had saved Thy country, and made thee famous. COURIER. From you, to light me I'll not fail again. One smile, back to triumph : JEFFERSON. Failure is success. Boy :— from mistakes like yours, men have risen. To be Chiefs of Police. Try again ; and May success crown your effort. (Exit Courier and exit Hogarth, from his hiding place.) Eager, ardent, bright, willing — but young. I love the young ! — for as our deeds do Not ripen, in our own time, but in the Race which follows us ; so from the young. My soul mirrors the image of many a Patriot, supporting the creed of Jefferson. MONROE. May the saints grant that your prophecy. Of the lofty place that this broad land, Is destined to take among the Nations, Shall prove true. JEFFERSON. Yes, for sweet America ! Heaven grant it ! O my country, for thee, And thee only — though skeptics believe it Not — are toil arid terror my familiars : I would make thee great and fair : I would Make these broad lands on this side old Ocean, common pleasures, where men may live. And re-create themselves : upon thy brows, Wreath the conquering laurel ; at thy feet. Bowing humbly down, make drudges out of Despots : westward the course of empire. Takes its way, but empire falls when men. Are taught to sway. MONROE. But this meditated attack upon you. Is serious : you must change your quarters, At once ; for it would be criminal, not To heed de Morny's warning. Don't delay, But you and your armed guard start for The War Department. By the way, have you An armed guard, in this land of simplicity? JEFFERSON. I have a number of servants, of no mean Physical strength, and they have been drilled, As they say for emergencies by Hogarth, The hunchback, who is Captain.- — Stephen Bring him to me. (Exit Stephen.) MONROE. Hogarth, The hunchback : a strange name. JEFFERSON. A strange. Fellow also : but we often find lurking Beneath these human monstrosities, some Streak of rarest virtue; like a pyrite, With a vein of gold. (Enter Hogarth.^ HOGARTH. At your service, sir. JEFFERSON. Captain ; the efficiency of your bodyguard, Will now be put to the test : get them in Readiness to accompany me presently. I am going to my chamber to prepare For the trip : when you are ready, inform me. Stephen, I need your help : come Monroe : — And Miriam, you MIRIAM. Will leave for my home. (Exeunt all but Hogarth, who goes to the open window and whistles softly and a man enters.) THE SECRETARY OF STATE 27 INTRUDER. Whew, you kept me waiting, A long time. HOGARTH. You were sent here to find Out from me, when Jefferson had retired ; And the easiest way for the men to get To him; were you not? INTRUDER. That's it precisely. HOGARTH. Well, in order to furnish you with that Wee bit of information, — the conjunction Of the stars not being propitious for the Exercise of the black arts which nature Gave me to match this gnarled body, — I had to wait, — and watch: — the result, Jefferson is warned of the danger. By a courier on horseback, and attended By some lusty servants, myself amongst The number, leaves very shortly for the Archaeologic Room of the War Department, To spend the night. INTRUDER. Who was this informer? How did he get wind of it? Bodyguard in another part of the building. So far away that they can be of no use. When that has been done, I will go outside And whistle : then you can do the business. Can I answer. HOGARTH. Neither query, I will back to Boulanger, With the news : — the scene must be shifted ; The kidnapping will be done from that place. But how to get in ? that's the question — And there's the janitor. HOGARTH. A few members, Of the Cabal, hold big places in the War Department, and at least two of these. Have keys : your band must go there, enter. Overpower the janitor; and one of them, Change clothes with him and take his place; While the rest conceal themselves and wait, For Jefferson's arrival. INTRUDER. An excellent plan; And we will follow it to the letter. But, one thing — he is like to get there. Ahead of us. HOGARTH. Leave that part of it to me : It is now about a quarter past eleven : I will see that he does not get there, Until twelve : that will give ample time. For you to put the gang on the right scent. And have them get there and prepare for him. Under some pretext, I will bestow our INTRUDER. Your whole plan is admirable, and I Will leave you now in order that it May be put in operation. (Exit by window.) Thus do I ever make my purse my god ; And take crooked methods to replenish it. I must get hold of that Dreyfuss paper : It's a far richer treasure, than the goose. That laid the golden eggs : both sides need it, And once mine, it goes to the highest bidder. Humph, some think this hump upon my body. Doth make my mind less wonderful and fine ; Forgetful of the fact, that what mortifies The flesh, but stirs the soul to greater love. The only way to wean fairest creatures. From their infatuation for graceful forms, Is to tempt them through cupidity : therefore, I must have gold, in generous quantity. I'll take a course of dancing lessons. And study fashions to adorn my body: Once crept in favor with fair damsels, I shall maintain it with some little cost. (Exit.) Scene II. — Archaeologic Room of the War Depart- ment, the same as before, except that 6 cap-a-pie (complete from head to foot) armors, stand at one side, five of them in a group at rear, and one at front: they represent the armors worn by 6 great Kings of ancient times: Montague, secreted in the front one, lifts up his visor. MONTAGUE. Here stand I, encased in the armor. Of King Richard the III. ; with thoughts as Bloody, and heart as cruel, as that arch Tyrant ; for Thomas Jefferson dies to-night, And by this hand. Hogarth, the Captain of His bodyguard, just turned traitor, revealed The secret of his coming here to spend The night, to escape our visit to his home ; But he will find us here before him. This armor, borne upon my stalwart form. Now stands free from its support behind, and When I step down from this solid pedestal, (As did the exquisite marble statue, fabled Galatea, from hers), Jefferson will rub His eyes and swear that this dull form Of brass and steel, has suddenly become Endowed with life. (Steps from pedestal.) A lovely night ! — a fleecy cloud here and There, and all the rest a heavenly blue. Adorned with its patines of bright gold : On such a night, methinks the soul should Be at peace with all the rest of human kind: Not till the skies are full of sharp lightning. And the dread thunder claps, might one commit 28 THE SECRETARY OF STATE A murder. — Luna is now hid from my sight : This horrid deed doth deaden my conscience. As yon brief vapor doth obscure the moon : Ere either shadow shall have passed away. The mighty must be ashes. (Listening.) It is he — I hear him coming : now to stand On the pedestal ; close my visor ; and await The signal. (Enter Jefferson. He sits down and takes up a book.) JEFFERSON (reading). "A stateman's worth is written in the History of his country." — So sayest thou. Sage and venerable moralist. Let me then Ever continue to proceed upon the Theory that all men are created free. And equal. — Sublime equality — thou art. The Patriarch's legacy, showing us the Way to earthly paradise ; urged on by Minist'ring angels ; — but alas ! we see thee Yet, but in our dreams ; by the first stages — Just rising o'er the earth. — When I am dust. Shall my name shine through the future years, A patriot and a liberator : adding one more To that galaxy of stars, scanned by astrologers, From their mystic laboratories, to find their Powers, benign or evil, to fix the destinies Of men. A patriot is more than a citizen : The patriot's keen eye, intensified by love, Eager scans all phases of his country's laws ; To discern imperfections and impurities : As Galileo from the heights of Fesola, Through optic glass once viewed the moon; To descry new lands, rivers or mountains. On her luminous face. To shape the future. We must scrutinize the past ; and avoid the reefs. On which the ships of state, have foundered. The heaven inspired statesmen's agencies, The status quo ; and the entente cordiale : (Respect for properties, and love of men) Fills the world with peace and prosperity : But when territory limits are maintained, Alone by standing armies ; the glory of The nations is obscured : — as when the sun, New risen, looks through the horizontal Misty air, shorn of his beams ; or from Behind the moon in dim eclipse, disastrous Twilight sheds on half the terrestrial globe. And with fear of change, perplexes rulers. (A pause.) As an apostle of the Gospel of the elevation of the masses, I am the centre of combustible forces, That take in the world : a single mistake, An act of bravado, or an act of cowardice, May bring ruin on the land : for behind, The seemingly serene political skies, Is the gathering tempest. — Added to this acute sense'of responsibility, Is the dread of the assassin : they mean To have my life ; if not to-night ; some Other time. The sombreness of my feelings, Makes these armors of the world's great kings, Haunt my sight like so many spectres. This one, with its brass cuirass and greaves, Is that of the murderous Richard : — the Cavernous eyes seem full of speculation ; And the hand that grasps the dagger with Which he slew the Princes in the Tower, Might well belong to the living. — Pugh ! I must shake off this gloom : I'll spend A minute on the balcony. (Exit.) (Enter Hogarth. HOGARTH. I must make a desperate try. For that packet ; before I give the signal. I had almost lost hope, but Jefferson was Kind enough to go out on the balcony : But he may return in an instant. My mother, Who was a witch, told me the only rule, To reason by, was "Reductio ad absurdum." From the probable — let me reduce the Problem — to the absurd : the packet must Have been taken from the courier, by a Cutthroat, and not by a member of the Cabal ; The cutthroats are all here ; they may have Removed their coats : absurdity — the coats Are here, with the packet in one of them. Hidden away behind these armors, are the Coats, sure enough — and here the packet : — Marked General Dreyfuss : eureka ! I have it. Now, when Jefferson returns, I can give The signal. (Exit.) (Re-enter Jefferson.) JEFFERSON. The silvery splendor of the skies, Is quenched in an universal inky pall : — The darkness is provocative of gloom. (A whistle is heard, as from the street, and Mon- tague starts to descend.) (Enter Alice.) ALICE. You here ! — I am very glad ; For I need your care now. Father. JEFFERSON. Alice ! Here at this late hour ! — and pallid face. And eyes still flushed from wept tears. Young maid, what is thy cause of sorrow ? ALICE. Oh, my heart is full of despondency. Doubt and fear : but I am safe ; now that I am with thee. JEFFERSON. Safe ! thou fragile flower. Why, in the violent storms that come in Life, the wind may blow and rend the trees ; But leaves untouched the perfume-breathing Violet. ALICE. That man — why did I love him ? Clinging to a breast, that meant not shelter. But betrayal. THE SECRETARY OF STATE 29 JEFFERSON. Come Alice, you must cheer up : These lovers' quarrels are a fixed episode In courtship : but are you sure you really Love him? ALICE. Love him ! — oh, be still my heart ! Love him I did — how fondly — would women, Were my listeners now, for they might know. Forever fled my dream ; farewell to it — All is over. JEFFERSON. The pathway that leads to True love, is never smooth and level ; But rough and steep, and hard to follow. By fainting : when I came to, I was in A boudoir, seated in an easy chair, With a servant in attendance. Boulanger Returned in ten minutes, and I left ; Being importuned by him to enter the Parlor on my way out. Distracted, I Walked for miles up and down the streets ; Then came a mad longing to visit here — Where the flower of hope first budded. JEFFERSON. This is a problem hard of solution. Do not pass judgment yet; or think of him, Too harshly: for like the jealous Phaedra, Thou mayst wrong thy Theseus. (Reflects.) There is but one thing to do. True love, cannot long abide with baseness. Listen : at 10 o'clock to-night I received, A shocking note from Lawrence that our Wedding must be postponed, at least for The present. Full of vague terror, I sought Him at his apartment ; where my agitation Was further increased by seeing a letter From Henri Boulanger, asking him to call At once; as I always feared that man. I went to Boulanger's house : in answer To my query, he said Lawrence had not come ; And then assailed his honor; expressed Solicitude for me, because of his attentions : While on his demon handsome face insult. Appeared more loathsome from its false mask Of pity. JEFFERSON. I would not believe that knave, Under oath. But the cruel letter to you : Why postpone your marriage? — What followed? I accused him of slander; he retorted That he spoke of what had been told him : I questioned his truthfulness, and dared Him to repeat anything : then he said that Lawrence had told him that he didn't love me ; Never expected to wed me ; but courted For pastime, — and — thou canst interpret shame, Read it in my face, for I cannot speak it. JEFFERSON. And you believing this man unworthy Of credence, yet felt that he might have Stated the facts, because Lawrence had Already awakened misgivings by his . Painful communication? Exactly so: . And the sad remembrance of what seemed, To be fickleness on a former occasion. Having avouched his friend's falseness ; Then, in heartfelt words he told me of His own regard ; and implored a return. I was too dazed to refuse outright. But was saved from further xoqipromise, What is that? JEFFERSON. To see Montague. MONTAGUE. Montague is here. Has heard Boulanger's lie, and denies it. ALICE. Great heavens ! Lawrence ! JEFFERSON. Montague here! And covered with a coat of mail. May I Ask the reason of this strange conduct? MONTAGUE. I came here to kill you. JEFFERSON. To kill me ! — Are you crazy man ? for what ? MONTAGUE. For nothing: Unless the base lies of a cowardly villain, Be something. I now beg your forgiveness ! Boulanger accused you of unnatural conduct; But Alice's story has revealed his baseness : There's no support to the scoundrel's lies, Except the court injunction. JEFFERSON. What injunction, Lawrence ? MONTAGUE. A paper served on me to-night ; Whose purport I at once made known to Alice, In a few scribbled lines ; where the court, On the petition of the President, has Cited me to appear to-morrow to show cause, Why its forbiddance of my marriage, Shall not be made permanent. ALICE. The law, then, And not your spent affection, forbade our Union— you love me still? 30 THE SECRETARY OF STATE MONTAGUE. Couldst doubt it, Alice? — and yet I must confess I doubted You : but of that more hereafter. JEFFERSON. Washington, The petitioner ! — that explains a letter, I got from him yesterday, to deliver To the bearer, (a lawyer's clerk) all the Papers in your case. MONTAGUE. Now for the devil's lie, That drove me mad. Boulanger told me of A scandal, which had come to the ears of Washington, that Burr was enamoured of a Maid whom you controlled ; that a bargain Had been struck between you, to provide the Girl with a husband as a cloak for Burr; That the silly creature had agreed, and Met Burr and you at his house to talk it Over : she was there then, came hours ago : Then he left me, and returned soon after To the arched entrance of the parlor. With Alice. JEFFERSON. That villain, that modern lago. Who stands very high with the President; As in fact he does with all, (who do not Really know him) has with a mass of lies. Backed up by some truths, so set Washington Against you, that your life is in danger. By the revokal of my pardon : — but I Will save you. MONTAGUE. Save! — dreadful alternative: Save — thyself; for this very room swarms With my confederates in thy murder. JEFFERSON. ALICE. Look ! the armors are alive ! Where? JEFFERSON. Hush! Silence the woman : a shriek — a cry — To arouse their suspicion that we mean To give an alarm— will startle from its Panther-pause the horrid murder ! We are in A desperate strait, and must use our wits. To get out of it. My band, — we ought Bring them to our aid, with a yell in Unison. MONTAGUE. Hogarth, has stowed them away. Beyond the reach of hearing. JEFFERSON. What, Hogarth! Has he turned traitor? MONTAGUE. Yes it was he, That put us wise to your corning here. JEFFERSON. Well, there's the janitor. MONTAGUE. Bound and gagged, And his place taken by one of the assassins. JEFFERSON. Although the lion's skin is a trifle short, We can use it with the help of the fox's : Be bold — until we get a chance to run. MONTAGUE. How? JEFFERSON. We cannot get past them to escape. By the main entrance ; but there is a door. Place yourself in a threatening attitude Towards me ; and I will back to that door : Alice must follow — screaming: once there, We will rush through and lock it behind us. Are you ready? MONTAGUE. Yes. (They reach the door.) JEFFERSON. Alas, the door is locked ! (A hoarse murmur arises, and the five men con- cealed in the armor advance menacingly.) FIRST ASSASSIN. So you thought you would escape by the door? And it was locked ; as we had seen to that. SECOND ASSASSIN. And here have we waited ourselves tired ; Wanting to give the slow-poke a fair chance, To do the sticking; as he is a duflfer. At the business : and then he goes and tries. To give us the slip. FIRST ASSASSIN. Well that ends him ! Our instructions were, if Montague didn't Fix Jefferson ; that we must fix Montague : In either case our pay to be the same. It is better this way anyhow, for Jefferson, Is too big game ; and were we to kill him. We would surely swing for it. ASSASSINS. Down with him I Down with Montague ! (They advance on him, two of them with pistols leveled at his face, and at a signal "Now" they both fire, and Montague falls: Alice screams and falls upon him, and then faints: Jefferson bends quickly down and scans his face, then looks solemnly to heaven.) THE SECRETARY OF STATE 31 HOGARTH (eavesdropping). The job was well done : Those fellows are masters of their art: Boulanger will pay well for this ; I'll see Him in the morning at Miriam's. (Exit.) FIRST ASSASSIN. The deed, Is done ; no further wounds, can make it Deadlier : now to make our escape before They bag us. (Exeunt Assassins.) Scene III. — A Court Room: — the hearing on the In- junction. A jew Lawyers, and some Spectators present. (Enter the Courier.) The defendant be added to the records. And the case closed. JUDGE. It is so ordered: And the clerk is instructed to obtain A copy of the certificate of death, and File it with the other records. (Enter Montague and his Lawyer.) MONTAGUE. O, let me — Let me but meet him face to face ; I'll Split in two his venomous heart; — albeit The presiding dignitary of this court, Shall o'er him cast the ermine ! Women, after all, are the best detectives. Eve, (harmless as a dove) was no match For the wily serpent: her sex to save life; Were forced to learn of the snake's cunning. In despair over the loss of the packet, I went to Miriam ; and she told me not To lose sight of Boulanger; that the thief, Would yet return the packet to him; (if He had not already done so). I have Spied upon him at his house, and when He came out followed him here. Pluck and Patience, and I'll yet be Chief of Police. (Cry of "The Justice of the Court." Enter the Judge, preceded by a court officer: all those present arise and remove their hats; the Judge bows and takes his seat.) JUDGE. In the matter of the people through a Petitioner— versus — Montague. Permanent injunction prayed for. LAWYER. Your honor, Is probably aware that the morning papers, Contain the following news item. (Reads.) "Word was received at Police Headquarters, a little after midnight, from a reliable source, of the death of Lawrence Montague, at the hands of assassins. Further details were suppressed for the present, in order to facilitate the detection of the guilty parties." JUDGE. I saw it to my amazement. — The petitioner sought to restrain this Defendant from fulfilling by ceremony, A marriage contract which he had entered Into with Miss Alice Stanley : but no Action by this court is now necessary — A higher Court hath intervened. LAWYER. Your Honor, I ask that the fact of the demise of Silence, sir: Don't you know the court is in session ? MONTAGUE. I know naught ; I care for nothing ; outside. They told me HE was here. That he was here: Of whom do you speak? MONTAGUE. Henri Boulanger. — Here he comes. (Enter Boulanger) Draw! Thou defamer of chaste girlhood. My sword BOULANGER. Is out, but only in defence. MONTAGUE. Thy crest, Is but a spurious emblem of nobility ; I'll set my heel upon it ! (A few passes and they are separated and seated.) JUDGE. What ruffian is it, who dares to affront The decorum of this place ? LAWYER. It is Montague, JUDGE. The dead returned to life! SECOND LAWYER. Yes, your Honor : — allow me to explain the Seeming miracle ; and in such a way that Will not violate the police ban of secrecy. Montague, was encased in a suit of armor. With the visor open ; he was attacked by Five assassins, two of whom fired their Your Honor. 32 THE SECRETARY OF STATE Pistols at his exposed face : he felt his Only hope was to fall, and if he escaped The shots, to lie still as if struck and Mortally hurt : fate made his strategy sure, For he was not quick enough, and the shots Struck the armor on the top of his head, And he lost consciousness ; the blood at the Same time trickling down his face from the Impact of the metal with his scalp. His friend Believing him dead. JUDGE. A natural inference. SECOND LAWYER. Notified the police : and on his revival, Sent them word ; but the papers went to press, With the error. JUDGE. A very romantic story: Told more often in the drama and novel, Than in real life. BOULANGER (aside to lawyer's clerk). ' Go to the War Department, And tell them that Montague is here, and To send two soldiers with the warrant and Arrest him. (Exit Clerk). JUDGE. The fact that he is alive. Brings the action again before the court. According to the records before me, the Defendant was sentenced by a court-martial, To be shot : he made the usual application For pardon ; he was set at liberty by order Of the President about a year ago ; but No written pardon has yet been filed. We must assume then this defendant to be Free to marry ; with all the other rights Of citizenship ; and that failure to file A record of the pardon is an oversight. The petitioner, who holds the pardoning Power, and who seeks to enjoin the marriage, Can only prevent it by filing at the War Department his written refusal to Relieve this defendant from a felony; Which action will be an automatic consigning Of the defendant to prison, to await The execution of the sentence. Your Honor, Shall we then conclude that the prayer of The petitioner has been denied ? JUDGE. You may. — I will not ask the defendant to submit Any proofs ; as the ex parte proofs of The petitioner, with these added ones Filed this morning, are in my opinion Insufficient to establish a just ground For restraint:- — the injunction is therefore Dissolved. (Cheers.) We are well satisfied. With your Honor's disposition of the case. The injunction, had it been continued, Would have been of little use ; as the President has decided not to pardon The culprit, and will to-morrow file a Writing at the War Department, to that Effect. In the meantime he has ordered His re-arrest. (Judge bows to Lawyer). (Enter two Soldiers.) FIRST SOLDIER. Lawrence Montague? MONTAGUE. Here am I. FIRST SOLDIER. We arrest you, by order of the President. (Exeunt Montague and Soldiers.) JUDGE (to officer).. The Court will take a Recess for half an hour. OFFICER (announcing). "The Court will Take a recess for half an hour." (Exeunt all but Boulanger, Lawyer, and the Courier.) boulanger (to Lawyer, the Courier feigns sleep). When I read the Newspaper this morning, I thought it was useless to appear here ; But came as a matter of policy. lawyer. Egad, The Judicial obsequies of the defendant, Which promised to be but a tame affair, With a few solemn looks and no tears, Had a most startling denouement. boulanger. . Hearken :■ — A hunchback, named Hogarth, a servant of Jefferson's, who has given me some rare Bits of gossip about his master's affairs. Is locked up in the United States prison. As an accessory in the assault on Montague. He writes me that he has a packet, which Means life or death to me, and hints at Selling it to me, — or some one else. Scenting great danger, I sent him word I would surely visit him in prison, at Two o'clock to-morrow. I dare not go myself ; Will you act as my proxy ? THE SECRETARY OF STATE 33 LAWYER. Certainly : — Two o'clock to-morrow, at the Government Prison. BOULANGER. Here is a letter giving you Power to act for me. Get the document Away from him by cunning — or force — If possible : failing that, buy it. I understand. (Exeunt Boulanger and Lawyer.) Jehoshaphat ! the lost is found ! Hogarth Has the missing treasure. Now let me prove My skill. Help brain — wit — nerve, — help me To regain it. (Exit.) ACT IV Scene I. — The Gardens of the Presidential Mansion. Senators, Ambassadors, and Notables, present: some strolling — some seated. (Enter Burr, Boulanger, a few other Conspirators, and De Morny.) boulanger. All things favor us : — ^you remember Genet ? Edmond Genet ; the envoy of the French Republic ; who was sent here to coax this Country into a war with England? Contained besides the treaty, an official Document signed by Senators and others High in authority, warning him that the Capital, and parts of the United States, Were in a state of rank anarchy : this Anarchy must exist here, when the packet Reaches him, which will be in two days. The Genet rabble will gather again at Their headquarters to-morrow : our men will Circulate amongst them, commit acts of Violence, and incite them to mad deeds Of riot and revolt. The meeting at midnight To-night at my house is to perfect our plans : Don't fail to come. I do:— A rabid demagogue, whose mad ravings have Incensed our better classes, and brought Him into disfavor with his own Government; Which now threatens to recall him. BOULANGER. To-day, A mob in the streets, inflamed by his Heresies, became unruly and seditious. Harsh cries rose upon the air that if Immediate war was not declared against The British Isles, the President would Be deposed. Washington distinctly heard it; And a bitter and disdainful smile curled His proud lips. And that very incident. Is fraught with power ; and we must use it To the utmost, by adding fuel to the Flames of their revolt. Above all others. The one thing that makes our schemes risky, Is the people's love for Washington : but The glories of the sun are often quenched, In the black tempest ; so we can hide His fame in the whirlwind of revolution. BOULANGER (intensely). To give General Dreyfuss, a pretext to Bring his army to our aid, the packet OMNES. Never fear, we will be there. DE MORNY. Now, fellow members of our august Council, Let us talk of something more agreeable. Under His Majesty, as one of the Council, I shall allow full freedom to violate The laws : — of nature. I, myself like to Take a drink, whenever I am very thirsty, (Which is often) ; and eat a half a dozen Times a day. CONSPIRATOR. You will make a better glutton, Than a counselor. OMNES. Ha, ha, ha ! BURR. Silence ! here comes Washington. (Enter Washington.) WASHINGTON. Welcome friends ! — Alas since I have been President, friends are becoming dearer, For I am making so many enemies. You have heard of the riot this afternoon? 34 THE SECRETARY OF STATE Yes, your excellency : — delighted that You take it so calmly : your brow is placid, It has left no headache. And called by the Federals in derision, "Democrats." As the leader of that party. All their shafts are leveled at my head : Defeat me and my party falls, they think. WASHINGTON. No, for I look At it as a philosopher. In all countries. And at all times, it is easy to gather, A huge army of discontent and complaint. The wide world is filled with men, who Atlas like magnify their helpful burdens, Until they become a world upon their shoulders. BOULANGER. But in the light of to-day's mad turmoil. Can this system of government, stand forth. Without a blemish? Vl^ASHINGTON. With all the anathemas. That have justly been launched at Kings, We have still this painful truth to add, That Republics are ungrateful. Not the less. Our task is a heaven appointed one : for We must not only hold what hath been gained, For liberty ; but find a new and loftier. Conception of that term. History tells that The mighty kingdoms of Macedon and Rome, Are now divided into innumerable lands ; So, the wealth, power and rights of Kings, Must descend, rich legacies, to many heirs. Exactly ;— but not bequests from the Kings, But from Parliaments : who take the estates Of Kings, and share them among the people. WASHINGTON. Now that we are with nature, let us eschew Politics. I am weary of this war clamor. The acrimony of parties, the long debates And tedious delays of Congress : come now. Let us wander to and fro among the flowers. (Exeunt.) (Enter Jefferson and Monroe. ) JEFFERSON. Monroe, I almost despair of the Republic. MONROE. Despair of the republic ! — why so ? JEFFERSON. Because the odds against us are too great. The mighty Federal party, now in control. Of the government, are mostly royalists, They long for, and mean to have a King : And who are to oppose them? why a party. Of great worth, small as yet but growing. Of course, — Achilles down, the Grecian Cohorts flee. JEFFERSON. There is no one of power, Who will aid me, except that patriarch Of the new world, the peerless Washington : But the antics of the Frenchman Genet, An agent here of the reign of terror, Has prejudiced him against republicans; And the tricky royalists who surround him, Have made him think that I am a disciple Too of Robespierre, and therefore unsafe. Hear this from a daily paper : "It is Reported that the President may ask for The resignation of the Secretary of State." You are beset on all sides by powerful And bitter enemies ; but your cause is just, And may yet triumph. JEFFERSON (to himself). For Alice's sake. Even at the risk of an open rupture, I must plead to him for the life of The brave young soldier. (Enter Alice.) Heaven be praised! He must be safe, or this sworn friend. Would not seem so composed. JEFFERSON. Brings you HERE? What trouble. The servant at your home, Told me you were here. Where is Lawrence? The speech that trembles on your ashen lips. Is choked by pity. If harm come to him. Infamy blots forever your fair fame : Think, — by the cruel attempt on his life. Your own was saved ! JEFFERSON. Be patient my child. Child no more : I love, I suflfer. And I am become a woman : — loving, suffering. What else doth make a woman's heritage ? THE SECRETARY OF STATE 35 JEFFERSON. You are Jefferson's ward, a soldier's love: Such a girl, can hear the truth, and never Quake with fear: — you ask me for your lover? There — where that gloomy mass of stone, Lowers amidst the city, like a black cloud, In a clear sky, — there in the federal prison. ALICE. God help me ! (She droops and is supported.) (Re-enter Washington and Boulanger; the Conspirators following apart.) 'WASHINGTON (reading a letter). "One long weary day has passed without a sight of you. I would almost lose hope did I not remember that we will soon be united never to part. As ever, Alice." This letter from Miss Stanley, came to you, Some time ago. BOULANGER. Yes, about two months ago, — Being less endearing, I picked it out From some others. WASHINGTON. It seems the emanation. Of a pure hearted girl, and breathes much Devotion to you. These tempters have wrought Sad havoc with her innocence. (Jefferson approaches.) JEFFERSON. Sir, you see this young lady, drooping under A burden of sorrow, too heavy for her Young shoulders ; torn, even at the altar. From the man she loves ; a soldier, sentenced To death, and with your consent freed and Put on probation, and after one year, (Well had he stood the test) pardoned by me. For my sake ; if not for mine — for hers, — I pray you to approve that action. WASHINGTON. But, Your judgment in that case was very bad : All the rest of the guilty suffered ; Then why not he ? JEFFERSON. Simply because the deed. Was committed not through malice but his Youth's mad folly : he sought not nor foresaw. The sad ending : besides, he has recently Made me his debtor ; so deep as to my Very life. WASHINGTON. If what is told me is true. You will, in spite of honor, go still Farther in his debt. JEFFERSON. Lies, sir, from a knave, Whose lips are as full of poison, as was Lucrezia Borgia's ring. BOULANGER. Does he mean me. Your Excellency? JEFFERSON. If the shoe fits you, It must be yours. BOULANGER (aside). A very palpable insult: I dare not resent it at present. JEFFERSON. Sire, Your brightness has drawn around you. Many men of title, wealth, and power. Whose secret aims are inimical to the Life and peace of this republic. Perhaps, Your more elegant satellites may serve You best ; I measure not myself with them ; Yet sometimes doubt whether vain dandies, Paped and nursed at the thrones of Kings, Could give your primal rule, its present Glorious policy. WASHINGTON. Traitors among my friends! Oh, you are like the Genet mob to-day, You people the void with your own phantoms. There is no doubt that you are sincere ; But are you safe? that is the question. You need a sane man to keep you in check ; For you would clear with a leap the gulf, That divides the apostle and the agitatof ; The republican and the revolutionist; A democrat and a demagogue ; A zealot and a fanatic. JEFFERSON. New light. Shed on old truths, is first always viewed As heresy : the spread of good is offensive, To those who profit by evil. — I have Ever been to you a faithful servant ; Nor have I fawned for smiles, or begged For favors, like some that move about you. WASHINGTON. Why so haughty ? remember he that makes. Can too unmake. JEFFERSON. You cannot erase the past. You may strip me of office, break off Our friendship ; but my name — ^my deeds — Are forever indissolubly linked with The name of Washington ! 36 THE SECRETARY OF STATE BOULANGER. Discharge him, now; He won't be missed : the great man dies, Yet the morrow comes again, the rivers Still flow on, just the same as ever. He is but the moon and you the sun ; Your glory shines on him, and he reflects it : An opaque body like myself for instance. Would glow as brightly from a borrowed beam. When he ceases to be your protege, he will Soon sink into oblivion. JEFFERSON. That MY stake ;— Ah, deep gamester, what is THINE? Look to it well ;- — lose not a single trick ; Or else that Judas head will soon adorn A gibbet ! (Exeunt Washington, Boulanger, and Con- spirators, the last scornfully.) Lost ! My Lawrence is lost ! I thank you Father ; Mercy was your plea : may heaven soften. The President's hard heart ! JEFFERSON (detaining her). Whither away? Stay yet awhile. ALICE. Fie ! I should be there now ; Stay me not ; I love him — and he is "in Distress : I must to yon grim prison. JEFFERSON. Justice, Ofttimes thy decrees are cruel. Those cells. Have held of prisoners a multitude : — Had THEY fond sweethearts or wives too? Yes, — and virtues and vices like us all. This young maid and her prisoned lover. Is of humanity but a sorrowful phase. — Go not to-night, you would not be admitted : — Think not that those iron bars open to love : Only for the LAST FAREWELL, love enters; And then amidst tears renews the blessed Ties of life; while just outside, impatient. Waits the executioner. I do not apprehend you ; But no wonder ; anxiety has dulled my Senses : the few cuts dealt you here, were Harmless : they may snub you, scorn you, but, You are still mighty ! Lady, the Secretary, Is but the servant of the President : With him opposed he can do nothing: While we speak, the merest tyro of Ward Politics, is not less powerful than the Secretary of State. I am but a woman ; And women's concern with public affairs. Is yet limited : but my woman's wit says, That the overthrow and debasement of a Man like him, means ruin to the land ! JEFFERSON. And yet the wind is calm, the sky is clear; Nor from the globe's ceaseless revolutions. Start no portent to warn the unheeding world: Albeit, to-night, and then another sun. May bring with it the great Republic's fall ; And carry consternation to remotest lands, Into the hearts of freemen. — Thy lover's Fate and thine ; my country's fate and mine ; Are interwoven threads. — Why weepest thou. Thoughtless woman ? in my vast warp of care. Millions such strands exist 1 To weep, standing, Alice, is a double tax upon your strength : — Sit here, awhile. — Ah, there come musicians : We'll listen to an air, and then depart. O, that they might play a solemn dirge : my Heart-strings are attuned to none other key. (Music: and the scene becomes animated. States- men in full dress; Ambassadors in gorgeous uniforms; Ladies in rich attire; Young Ladies and their Beaux, promenade. Music ceases.) O mercy, save him ! You can — you must save him ! Are you not State Secretary ? — the Lord of peace and war ; Beneath whose light, as ocean tides beneath The sun, the solemn policies of nations, Ebb and flow ? — art thou not Jefiferson ? JEFFERSON. Yes, I was — but that was yesterday :■ — Snubbed and defied to-day ; I know not What to-morrow. The statesman; the diplomat; the lover. One, rapture finds in the multitude's applause; That is the statesman : the diplomat, chock Full of vanity, struts like a peacock. In a uniform of spangles ; the lover's soul. By Cupid's arts deluded, sees Helen's beauty. In the girl he's courting. — Thus doth that sly trickster, inclination; Lead each one by the nose, a different way. To the far off goal of happiness. THE SECRETARY OF STATE 37 ALICE (rising). Alas! When joy meets joy, more pleasure it does borrow; When grief meets joy, grief adds unto its sorrow! JEFFERSON. Now, let's away: — Such merrymaking Endeth only with the day. (Exeunt Jefferson, Monroe, and Alice, as music starts again.) Scene II. — The Government Prison : a wide Corridor in the centre, with Cells on each side. Montague is seated in a condemned cell reading; Hogarth is pacing the corridor. Boulanger's tool, will be here shortly ; And then my precious Dreyfuss packet, I Will see what ransom you will bring me, — A man needs money always, but he needs It most, when he is in jail; for justice. Though blind, can yet see the outstretched Moneyed hand. — In that cell, there is a Poor devil, who is soon to be executed. That is the condemned row : this row is For those awaiting trial ; and I its inmate, Am allowed upon the corridor. I have ever Longed to be a notorious criminal : Not a blackguard who stabs in a quarrel ; But one who does crime for wealth and power. (Enter through the corridor Gaoler, and De Morny : Hogarth retires into his cell.) Your interview with the condemned man. Must be a brief one. (De Morny is admitted into cell; the Gaoler remains outside.) DE morny. Montague, you are no doubt nonplussed To find a reason for this visit ? MONTAGUE. I must confess that I am. De Morny, DE MORNY. You remember, Our dice game at Miriam Loomis bagnio? MONTAGUE. Yes, very well. You always considered me, To be a bona fide conspirant against The republic? Yes. DE MORNY. I am no conspirator. But a secret service detective. (Removes wig.) You astound me ! MONTAGUE. DE MORNY. Quite naturally. — Montague, To set you free, and to complete the Damning proof against the Cabal, we must Get hold of a certain dispatch ; addressed To General Dreyfuss, of the French Army. I come to you, as it is known that you Were at Boulanger's house when this packet Was delivered to a courier, a spy in Our employ, and was taken from him by An unknown man. MONTAGUE. I, myself, was that man. DE MORNY. You were ! MONTAGUE. I heard him mention That it was destined for Jefferson ; And at the time, I hated that very name, Ingrate that I was. DE MORNY. Never mind that, now : Joy ! the packet, — let me have it. MONTAGUE. I cannot: I put it in my pocket, and — it is gone. DE MORNY. Perdition ! gone I — you put it in your pocket. Then what become of it? MONTAGUE. Is a mystery : I took no store by it, but cannot fathom How it got out of my pocket. DE MORNY. That packet, Would have saved you : it was proof of treason. Against the Government ; and the detection. And arrest, of the plotters, would have made The President so grateful to Jefferson, That the grant of a pardon to you was Sure to follow. — Now all seems lost ! But one desperate hope remains. MONTAGUE. What is that? 38 THE SECRETARY OF STATE DE MORNY. That the President may act upon the proofs, I gave him this morning, that Boulanger, Is plotting to get you out of the way. Because he loves Alice ; and hopes to take Her over to France, where a mock marriage, Will be performed : and that he is already Married. MONTAGUE. Married ! — to whom ? To the woman. DE MORNY. Who passes as his sister. MONTAGUE. To the depths. Of that man's villainy, there seems no Bottom. DE MORNY. -farewell ! I must leave you now,- My prayers are yours. (Exeunt De Morny and Gaoler.) (Enter Boulanger and a Guard: Guard remains in the rear of corridor. BOULANGER. The President, in a whimsical mood. Asked me to be present at the execution. I can better shape my face to artifice. Than to these lugubrious occasions. However, the melancholy event will not Be all gloom, for Alice will be here. (Enter Alice.) Alice ; — Miss Stanley. This is a solemn, And very sad event ;■ — you have my sympathy. Cheer up ; you will not be friendless, Alice, Even though you lose friend Montague. ALICE. Were you ever his friend ? BOULANGER. Indeed I was, And would be still, did I not love you. ALICE. Oh do not speak of that. BOULANGER. Why should I not? I am young, well born, and brave as Montague : And can give you all that, which is to Young souls, most dazzling ; wealth, position, A splendid palace in sunny France ; where, In the company of singing birds, and Odorous flowers, you will forget the past. Promise me that after some days devoted, To buried hopes, you will sail with me ! I will not listen further. At your home, When plunged in despair by your falsehood, I heard your hints without remonstrance : But now you stand revealed in your true self : I would sooner die, than ever marry you. BOULANGER. These are wild words : — stop and consider : You may — you will, yet change your mind. Never ! — when Lawrence dies, the world dies : Then, with fond affections froze, warm heart Congealed to ice, and renouncing my friends, My joys, yea, my religion; I'll find mayhaps Associates as cold and passionless as I, In the dark confines of the convent's Everlasting winter. BOULANGER (aside). Disposed to be shrewish : I'll find a way to tame her. — Excuse me ; I must speak to the Gaoler. (Exit Boulanger.J My heavy heart weighs down my body : I Will sit here on this bench. (Enter Lawyer and Gaoler.) GAOLER. Might I ask in what capacity, You come to visit Hogarth? I am a lawyer. Ah, I see, his adviser; and you come By appointment? Yes, at his own request, I was to call about this hour. GAOLER. Enter : — As he has the freedom of the corridor, We leave the door unlocked. (Lawyer enters cell and is lost to sight: exit Gaoler.) (Enter Jefferson and Clergyman.) JEFFERSON. Forgive me, Alice ; I have been tardy, I own it ; and such sorrow as yours can 111 brook delay. ALICE. Oh, I knew that the Prison office would detain you. THE SECRETARY OF STATE 39 JEFFERSON. In truth, I did but await this Reverend gentleman : Who comes to temper stern justice, with Sweet mercy : to soothe Lawrence with the Rites of the church ; and to send his soul. Upon its airy flight, galvanized with a Pious blessing. CLERGYMAN. Love, smitten by iron bars : — And thou art she, on whose young shoulders, Falls this weary weight of woe. My child. Only from heaven above comes relief. Or consolation springs, for such a grief. GAOLER (just entering). My friends, I'll admit you to the condemned. Surfeit your sorrows : but remember, be brief. The hour is almost here. (Gaoler and the others enter cell.) ALICE. Lawrence ! MONTAGUE. Alice ! (They cling together.) JEFFERSON. See, Sir, true love triumphs over adversity. The heart that loves, no cruel bolt can bind. And when to dungeon fond loVer is consigned. The flame in his mate's breast, burns brighter. CLERGYMAN. Heaven does not always send woe in wrath ; Sometimes it strikes because it loves. Sweet picture of faith and trust, thou wouldst Almost persuade justice to sheath her sword. Nay, I cannot lose thee ; thou art my sun. Put thy light out, and all is darkness. MONTAGUE. Weep on, my love ; for every pearly drop That falls, makes thee less of woman, And more of angel. Come, the prayer; The church's last comfort to the prisoner. CLERGYMAN fKNEELINGJ. Pray to the Lord, In secret, and He will reward you openly. Kneel, young man, and offer up a silent Prayer to that Throne, where true penitence. Takes the place of expiation. (Montague kneels by the Clergyman; they pray silently.) (Enter Courier and a Jailor.) JAILOR. Son, you wish to see the prisoner, Hogarth? If you please. The poor fellow. Is a relative of mine ; — very distant. (Aside.) A small lie here is justifiable. JAILOR. Well, this is his cell. (Looks in.) There is somebody talking with him now, But you wait here till the visitor goes. (Exit Jailor.) COURIER (peeping in). Confusion, the lawyer ! He got ahead of me ; my goose is burnt To cinders : this money, would have bought The packet from Hogarth ; but the lawyer. Is forced in this case to be true to His client : — still, in the glorious panorama. Which expectation paints for the youthful, There's no such thing as failure ! No sweet oblivious antidote, ere bore Such healing to the distempered mind, As that scrap of parchment will medicine To my fainting heart : — the country will Be saved ; and your humble servant be a Police Chief. — I'll keep watch on them. (Enter Boulanger. Bell tolls at intervals.) BOULANGER. Listen ! — that sad and dolorous sound, is Montague's death knell : may like fate betide. All those who oppose my inclinations. (He passes the Guard, who hands him a note.) From whence came this letter? — Brought by A messenger, I presume? (The Guard nods.) (Boulanger opens letter and reads contents.) Whew ! — the devil ! a pardon for Montague ; Signed by Washington : — what the deuce made Him do it ? O, that cursing were not vulgar ; My anger then I'd vent in oaths. Most strange. That he did not send it to the Gaoler : — Enclosed in a plain envelope too ; no seal. Her lover to be set free ; it wracks my soul ! Shall I destroy it? — no, it is too risky. By Jove, I have it ! Noting the envelope. Did not contain a scrap of writing, but the Address to me, I deemed it unimportant. Put it in my pocket, and opened it. Some time after : when I read its purport, I was distracted, for it was too late To save life. Ha, ha ! this is the way, I'll fool the President. 40 THE SECRETARY OF STATE GAOLER (as Clergyman and Montague arise). The signal bell is tolling : please take The lady outside. What would you do? Force me to lay off the snowy laces. Of joy, for the raven crapes, of despair? — Not to revel in the bliss of satisfied love ; But to grovel in the narrow confines, And solemn pursuits of the mourner: — Alack, I cannot bear it ! (Lovers embrace.) CLERGYMAN. Come, my child; You must leave here ; these rules are stern ; There's no gainsaying them : you have only One to look to now : He will not desert you. (Exeunt Pastor and Alice into corridor.) Enter five Soldiers, who line up in the rear.) boulanger. Alice ; — heed me, Alice : — Look! — the executioners! — his doomsmen: — It is not too late ; I can yet snatch him From the grave. And will you : ALICE. The grave ! — and you can save him I BOULANGER. I will, upon one condition : Swear to be mine. ALICE. Coward : — that were for him. More bitter than to die I BOULANGER. Well, thy decision, Alice? — ^grim death, — sweet life, — according As thou answerest. Avaunt thou tempter: — Thou shouldst grant his life, as a boon ; Not as the wage of shame. Be deaf to mercy; Make me the victim of your envious hate. Of him who thought you friend ; this heart Can break, and scorn you : — while Lawrence, Leaving forever this sad earth, will wait My coming up in heaven ! BOULANGER. Lady, listen: I like intrigue, but I am no scoundrel. The ruby in my veins, is of the noblest. That France affords ; I loved thee from The first sight of those dilating eyes : Ambition melted into love, and love faded Into thee : I can place you in the shadow, Of a throne, — nay, perchance, by the side Of the throne itself : — you surely must be Susceptible to such a prospect : — hast Thou decided? ALICE. No, no ; that is, I dare not : Be merciful, — one moment ; you can see How weak I am : — It will avail nothing, If I consent : you have not ; you cannot have, The power to set him free. BOULANGER. Look at this : I hold his pardon ; — with the right to Use it if I will : see here, the signature, George Washington; with the seal of the United States. O, thou blood-dyed traitor! Thou shalt not be his murderer ! — tremble, I will unmask thee. BOULANGER. Stop, you do but rave : — If you play the telltale, this scroll I hold, Shall disappear and be replaced by one, writ, Like the tryant Draco's laws, in human blood. Here is a gas flame : seek to betray me ; And when your lips speak the first word, I burn the pardon ! ALICE. Wouldst thou, vain man, Peril thy soul, by such a crime? BOULANGER. This pardon. Was a favor to ME, from the President : — Come, — thy election. Have mercy, — save him. Without this harsh condition. My God, look I (Enter from cell into corridor, Montague in the custody of the Gaoler: and Jefferson.) BOULANGER. Yes, there thy lover comes ; Led forth by the Gaoler to the place Of doom ! Shall he pass by thee to a Felons death, when thou canst save him? (Alice goes to Montague, and stays him.) ALICE (to Boulanger.) I yield, vile tempter; I embrace dishonor! But I cannot plunge into the dark abyss, Without a parting word to Montague : — With hollow words to seek to palliate, My treachery, — to prepare him for the blow: Else the inhuman act will make him mad. THE SECRETARY OF STATE 41 MONTAGUE. Why, Alice, what does this mean ? ALICE. Tell me; Is not life, — more precious than love ? MONTAGUE. Life, or love : why life lasts for awhile. But love lasts forever ! You must not die : — I can save you ; and should I not do so, This heart of mine, would be a prey forever, To the canker of remorse ! — Yes, I am glad,— Glad that I made the sacrifice. MONTAGUE. Why Alice, You speak in riddles ; what sacrifice ? I,— I will be your friend, ay, your devotee ; Exalt you to an earthly saint, and adore You from a distance ! — Alas, never your wife. But another's. MONTAGUE. Poor Alice, this trouble. Has made you delirious : — Not my wife ; — Whose wife, then ? Henry Boulanger's : — nay. Do not seek to dissuade me ; for my resolve. Is fixed and irrevocable. MONTAGUE. A thousand, Deaths, rather than see you in the toils, Of that villain. Noble woman ! thou wouldst Immolate thyself : to save me, you mean to Marry him : there is however, thank the lord ; A legal barrier in the way : that man, — Is already married ! Heaven above, married! — Can this be true ? — He don't deny it. MONTAGUE. He, Dare not deny it ; because it is well known. At the Secret Service. If it please you. Move on, now. BOULANGER. Oh, have' it thus, GAOLER. I have been too lenient : You will not, you dare not. Murder, Lawrence ! — that man has a pardon. Signed by Washington ; I read it : — search him ! (BouLANGER bums pardon) Horrors! don't let Him burn it ! GAOLER. Stop ! — what are you burning? BOULANGER. Too late, now. Just a billet doux from A charmer ; whose fair fame might suffer. By a search. A pardon : — preposterous, sir ; The poor girl labors under a delusion. JEFFERSON. This man's character is vile, and his Actions suspicious. Alice says that he Had a pardon ; which is denied by him. She is agitated, but could hardly be Mistaken : — the ends of justice demand. That the execution be halted, until This strange episode can be sounded. I am sorry Sir, to have to oppose one Of your exalted station ; but my orders Are severe; I dare not disobey them. Without an order from the President : The sentence must be carried out on time. (Looks at watch.) It lacks one minute : — Follow me — (Enter from Hogarth's cell the Lawyer, with a paper in his hand.) The packet ! Yield it traitor ! Yield it in the name of the law ! LAWYER. Hands off! Ho there ! a thief ! Help ! help ! GAOLER. Silence ! What is the meaning of this noisy brawl ? LAWYER. This youth made an unprovoked assault Upon me, and stole some valuable papers ! Arrest him! GAOLER. What have you to say to this? COURIER. This packet contains treasonable matter; A plot against the Government. GAOLER. The deuce! How do you know this ? Who are you ? 42 THE SECRETARY OF STATE Secret Service man. It is a copy of An unlawful treaty; and was sent to General Dreyfuss ; but it went astray. (Gaoler takes it.) Let me see it. JEFFERSON. COURIER (surprised.) Jefferson, here! BOULANGER (aside.) My lawyer ! — this must be — yes, it is, The paper that Hogarth meant. Hold, there ! That letter belongs to me. GAOLER. Oh, stand back, sir. BOULANGER (aside.) Damnation ! I am ruined ! JEFFERSON (reading.) "General Louis Dreyfuss, Commander Army of France, Colonies of North America. Halleluiah ! the Dispatch ! And this is. Yes, the young courier. Eureka, my lad! Your motto is "Success" — for you there's No such word as "Failure." I could not fail, Sir, when I had your kindling words to Light me on to triumph. JEFFERSON. Now for the contents. (Opens the packet and reads.) Great God ! Who would have believed that the traitors. Would go so far : a Treaty, made with the Royalists of Europe ; to have a monarchy here ; To seat a King! Signed, Aaron Burr, Henri Boulanger, Harman Blennerhasset, Francesco de Miranda. And other American and European notables. Upon the receipt of which, he (Dreyfuss) Has agreed to march on Philadelphia ; Subduing all obstacles along the route. Furthermore, it is alleged that the Capital, And other parts of the United States, Are in a state of rank anarchy ! A treasure! That document is more precious than the Fabled gems of rich Golconda : it means Death to traitors ; salvation of the Republic ! JEFFERSON. Strange, that the sad fate of Montague, Should bring us here at this opportune time. clergyman. Providence often brings various agencies Together, with miraculous coincidence. To frustrate crime. JEFFERSON. True — and that should Teach us the futility of evil. The immediate arrest of these conspirators. And the reduction of their plots to naught. Shall be the chief subject of our thoughts. But we have a duty — a most solemn duty, To perform, here : to save the life of this Gallant young soldier ! I will now despatch By a swift messenger, this guilty evidence To Washington ; and as a trifling reward. For its discovery, implore him to pardon Montague. When he sees Boulanger's name On the scroll, his heart will incline to mercy ; For that demi-devil, hath his sense infected. (Starts to go.) I go, and will soon return. With the President's answer; in the interim. The execution must be delayed. Impossible ! The time remaining we must count in seconds. JEFFERSON. Come, sir, you do but increase your repute, As a faithful officer, when you add to Your other virtues, the quality of mercy. CLERGYMAN. Be thou deaf to his entreaties; I am Of the church; my prayers shall move thee. Would that I could grant the boon; but Alas, I have no power to do so. But, reflect; Can you not see that unusual circumstance Arises here : something which the law Could not foresee and provide for? A pardon, From Washington is sure; but we lack a Few minutes to obtain it. Are you willing To sacrifice this man, and make your life One long sad regret? No, no, have mercy! And when you stand for judgment at the Last trump ; this deed will shine about you. Like an aureole ! BOULANGER. Hah! the bell tolls twice: 'Tis two o'clock ; the hour set for Montague's Departure to the undiscovered country. I charge you, jailer, do your duty. THE SECRETARY OF STATE 43 MONTAGUE (to Bouhnger.) Devil ! I look down at thy feet ; but there are no Cloven hoofs ; and yet thy attributes proclaim Thee devil! Let the squad of soldiers, March out to the courtyard; the prisoner And I will follow. (The soldiers file around until the rear gets in line with Montague.) Come, sir, fall in. (Montague joins rear.) JEFFERSON. Power Eternal ! An innocent man perchance, must sufifer The death penalty ; a precious life must Be lost, for the lack of a few minutes ; When the most of us are groaning under The leaden weight of a superfluity of time ! (The soldiers start.) Would to heaven. That Washington were here ! THE GUARD. Halt ! soldiers ! Washington IS here. (The Guard takes off hat and throws back cloak, revealing Washington.) JEFFERSON. Your Excellency, here ! Why, you appear among us, as by enchantment! WASHINGTON. Jeffersop, your much amazement, and the Startled looks, actions and exclamations. Of the rest, are not surprising, when. Within a prison's walls, I suddenly appear Before you, in the role of a masquerader. What prompted me to act thus? Boulanger complained of having lost His sweetheart, through a vile plot entered Into by Jefferson, Burr and Montague ; The lewd details of which I will not mention; And clinched the charge, by very strong proof. In the shape of letters ; which letters I Now believe were forgeries. JEFFERSON. A forger, too. WASHINGTON. To me this morning, came a Government spy. Disguised as a pseudo Sieur de Morny ; Who told me that Boulanger was a member Of an organized conspiracy, against the Government ; and that he was a married man. This startling revelation made me doubt. The justice of Montague's death sentence. De Morny begged me to pardon him; I promised to consider the matter. To get at the truth, I decided to send Boulanger here, come myself, incognito. And watch for disclosures. As a pardon, Might be needed, I made out one, addressed To Boulanger, and put it in my pocket. A sudden impulse led me to give the paper To Boulanger; and when he burnt it, I Resolved to be an actor in the drama. That the catastrophe — should be for me The prompter's cue — to speak my lines. Of mercy — and of pardon. JEFFERSON. Then you do Pardon the prisoner? The Lord bless you. For this gracious act of clemency. Kneel, my children, and thank the President. ALICE (kneeling.) Would that I could show you my feelings ; To paint in words, the emotion that surges Through my heart, as artfully as nature. Blues the violet : Then you might see HOW I thank you ! MONTAGUE. I weep, sir; and I perceive, That your eyes, too, are moist. Ah, your highness. Such tears, are but the dew which falls below. From heaven ! WASHINGTON. Arise, arise, my lovers. Go you both forth from this dreadful place, And revel in your love. (Boulanger attempts to escape.) Stop that man! (Boulanger is halted — draws his sword and tries to break through the soldiers — is overpowered and brought back.) GAOLER. What shall Be done with him? WASHINGTON. Arrest him, in my name — MINE ! The charge : High Treason I (Enter De Morny.) DE MORNY. Ah, I have found, Your Excellency, at last. WASHINGTON. De Morny, here. You are the bearer, I am sure, of some Important news. DE MORNY. At our confab this morning; When I told you that the conspirators. Would meet at noon at Boulanger's house. To promote and incite riots in the streets ; You ordered me to conceal some spies in 44 THE SECRETARY OF STATE The meeting room ; that we might overhear them ; And get evidence against them, that would Warrant their arrest. WASHINGTON. Well, did you do this? DE MORNY. By bribing two servants, I was able To secrete our men. I myself, mixed with The Cabal, and through a series of adroit Questions by me, and answers by them, their Horrid guilt was proven by their own lips. All this evidence, together with their names. Spoken in answer to the roll call, was Written down by my secreted spies; and then — WASHINGTON. "And then" — That is the most potent phrase, Of all. DE MORNY. I gave a whistle signal; our men, Waiting just outside, surrounded the house. And arrested the whole batch. WASHINGTON. Well done, De Morny! This valuable service, shall Not go unrewarded. DE MORNY. Not one escaped; but Aaron Burr; and he was not then present; We have since learned, that he has fled. To the far West — beyond the Mississippi. BOULANGER. Then, you, the seedy Sieur de Morny; The devoted student of geology and insects; Were nothing but a treacherous spy? DE MORNY. That's all— And at your service, sir. (Removes wig.) WASHINGTON. With your proof; And the conclusive testimony of this Despatch, which the young detective has, Almost miraculously, put in our hands. The conviction of these traitors, and the Meting out to them of a deserved penalty. Is almost certain. So much for them. We have only left that rebel General, Louis Dreyf uss ! What shall be done to him ? JEFFERSON. The submission by me to the Government Of France, of this document, proving his Criminal compact with the foes of the French Republic, will result in his quick Removal from command. He will be lucky, If he escape the guillotine. WASHINGTON. You are right. And to dispose of this abnormal fellow ; This monstrosity, who commits crime for The mere love of it ; let him be locked up. To await trial. JEFFERSON. Hah, base, fallen plotter; Thou hast gambled with fate — and lost ! Away with him! (Boulanger is taken off between two soldiers.) Lawrence, do I dream? Saved — even at the very brink of the grave, To be infolded in these arms. You are mine, Always mine! MONTAGUE. Yes, my sweet one, yours forever I WASHINGTON (to Jefferson.) I take this occasion, sir, to renew, Strengthen, and intensify, that friendship. Which always has, and 1 hope ever will. Continue to exist between us ; but which Of late, threatened to break (as is too Often the case), under the severe strain Of politics. JEFFERSON. I thank God, that through The trials of these lovers, we have been Brought so close together. See, your Excellency : (Points to the lovers.) See, through lust, avarice, ambition, war. Skepticism, selfishness, theft, and disgrace: Winding along her rough banks, where these Discordant elements foment infernal babel. The divine stream of purifying love flows on ! WASHINGTON. A fine allegory, sir; and besides, that Sweet picture, is very significant. In these lovers, reunited, we are reminded. That man and man ; nation and nation ; and Church and state; are forever inseparably Blended ; and that true liberty, will never Prevail, until they learn to walk lovingly Together, hand in hand ! (Exeunt.) FINANCIER OF NEW YORK PERSONS REPRESENTED. Edward Harrison, a Financier and Railway Magnate. Addison, "I tt- r • j ., ' His friends. Algernon, J Duke of Swamplands (no Revenues) 1 Suitors Marquis of Carenaught (a Spendthrift) ■ to Count von Schlammer (Dissipated) J Maud. Leonard Cassatt, a Bank Teller. Vincent Harrison, Son to Harrison. Trebals, a Pawnbroker. Isidore Goldstone, a Rich Merchant. Lawyer (Harrison's Family Counselor). Max (a Clerk in Trebals' Pawnshop). Court Scene Accessories, a Magistrate, Clerk, Of- ficers, Hummer (a Criminal Lawyer), a Bank Teller, Wilson and Jennie (convicted of Misde- meanors). Scene — New Ephraim (a Colored Waiter). Clergyman. Richard Craft, ] Martin Slyfellow, 1 Directors of the Ralph Cheatham, |- United Pacific Nathaniel Steel, Railroads. Randolph Roeber, J Maud, Daughter to Harrison. Alicia, her Waiting-maid. Esther, Daughter to Trebals. Edith, Rosalie, Dorothy, Nora and Laura (Maud's Girl Friends). Children Singers. Wedding and Other Guests, Musicians, Messengers, Servants, Newspaper Reporters, Policemen, Pawnbroker's Customers and Clerks, etc. York City. ACT 1 Scene i. — The New York office of a transcontinen- tal railroad. (Enter Addison and Algernon.) Addison Yes, this huge deal, Harrison's latest coup, Is on the tip of every speculator's tongue; Gives to the papers good selling headlines. And supplies the gossip for a nine-days' wonder. Algernon Truly a colossal scheme in finance; The world has yet to see its equal — To combine under one head, the two great Competing transcontinental railway systems. Addison . The sums involved in the transaction Present such a dizzy array of figures As to strike terror to an arithmetician : Harrison, 'tis said, has hazarded his own; Together with great loans from many friends. But hush! — here he comes. {Enter Harrison.) Harrison Good day, friends ! My worthy Addison and Algernon: — Bad day, I might say, for the fact is That I am somewhat indisposed. Algernon What, sick? I trust your malady is not beyond the Easy reach of physic. Harrison I hardly know myself What it is — nor how I came by it. Addison Perhaps Your mind is tossing on the vast prairies ; There, where your locomotives, with big boilers, The giant cyclops, (as it Weit) of commerce, Do pull their rich laden freight behind them. Carrying useful merchandise to every part: An^ as they roar along upon their journey, The startled stag, or bellowing buffalo. Flee into the forests in awesome reverence, And let them pass upon their lightning way. Algernon Believe me, sir, had I such heavy capital, Sunk in the enterprise, the better part Of my thoughts would be with my investments : I should be peering into the blue heavens. In search of clouds, whose fall might deluge The earth with rain, and undermining trains, Plunge cars, freight, passengers and all, Down some steep embankment — or worse still. Into the swollen river. Addison My foot, striking A nail, would throw me in a nervous fit, When I thought that a badly-driven spike Might cause a spreading of the roadbed rails : I should not see a street gang's red danger Signal, and not bethink me straight of flagman. Or switchman's fatal error; which ending in A rear-end collision, would play the devil With my stocks and bonds. Harrison As you are aware. In the "Street" I am called "The man who Never fails at anything." That reputation, And my vast wealth, were only attained. By overcoming great and constant obstacles, Whi^h still pursue me in this greatest deal; As I fifid myself, by a decline in stocks, In urgent need of half a million; for the Lack of which, the scheifte is jeopardized. 45 46 FINANCIER OF NEW YORK Algernon Your Need is our opportunity; and though You may not like our unasked proffer, We hasten to tender you the full amount. (Aside to Addison.) To loan this Croesus Money, is like doing a favor for a King. Addison We are sorry to hear of your dilemma ; But sympathy will enhance our friendship. Come — let us go at once to yonder desk. And arrange the loan. (They leave Harrison.) Harrison Thank My stars, that load is off my mind. Such an idea as ruin, I laugh to scorn ; Yet I must confess that things look black; And Wall Street after all is but a Great financial ocean ; rising and falling, In tumultuous waves, and threatening wreck. To the too daring speculators! (Joins others.) (Enter Trebals and Esther.) Trehals Now, Esther, put on your brightest smiles, And sparkle like unredeemed diamonds do. When we show them to our customers. Esther Father Whatever whim led you to bring me here? Your conduct seems most strange and foolish. Trebals The daughter of Trebals, the Pawnbroker; His only child ; the heiress to his money : My child, they are looking for such bargains. Ah, my friend, Goldstone; what brings you here? (Enter Goldstone.) Goldstone How do you do, friend Trebals ; I came to make a short call on Harrison; And mix with my pleasure a little business. Trehals You are a Hebrew, but like to curry favor. With these Christians. Why don't you spend Your money, and time, with your own peopl€S ? Goldstone Jew or Gentile, 'tis all the same to me: All men are our brothers. Trebals Too many brothers, In the family, won't let the property Go half way round. Addison (Rising from desk.) Now, Harrison, This business being done, we two will Leave you. Harrison Good-bye, then, until we meet At Delmonico's for lunch. (Exeunt the Two; Harrison comes forward.) Trebals, I will Be with you at once. Come to my office, Goldstone : I will get you those papers and You can look them over. Trebals (to Esther) That is Mr. Harrison: He is one of the richest men in Wall Street; That street, where rich men most do congregate. He is a proud, arrogant, and haughty man; For that I hate him, but more because as A competitor, he takes from me many Profitable deals. Like many other Gentiles, Whose bosoms are so big with hatred that They must vent it on some harmless thing. He rails against our sacred nation. If I forgive him let me be cursed by My tribe. Esther Yet you come here to see him. Trebals He owes Me one hundred thousand dollars — If the son weds you, I will call the Debt off. He is sweetmeats with you already, And will marry if his father pushes him. Esther Father, are you crazy? Trebals Esther, don't speak Like that — I am shaky enough already, When I think of the loss of the monies. Harrison (Coming forward) Trebals, I owe you a hundred thousand dolls., Upon my note which falls due to-day. I Desire to renew the note for sixty days. Trebals Yes, I have the note here. The debt is due; Why don't you pay it? Harrison I am not bound to Make excuse to you, nor will I do so. Come, — your answer. Trebals I will renew the note: — And all I ask you in return for this. Is that you will join with me to bring My child, Esther, here, and your son, Vincent, Together in, way of marriage. Harrison Marry my son, To your daughter — never, sir. Trebals Then, the note Goes in the bank right away for collection. But, think it over; some day Esther will Get the business. Harrison Think it over, nothing: Don't dare to speak of it again. Trebals Listen. (Aside) It breaks my heart to part with My hundred thousand ; but some day I will More than get it back, from my son-in-law. — When the wedding takes place, I will tear Up this note. Harrison Not for a thousand notes Would I make such an alliance with you — A pawnbroker! Trebals Pawnbroker or stockbroker, FINANCIER OF NEW YORK 47 It is all the same. We loan money to The poor, who pawn their clothes for their Necessities, while you sell the suckers, Your gilt-edged stocks and bonds; whose Only value is on their edge. Harrison Insolent ! You are an usurer; and frequent the Marts of trade, to loan out money at Unlawful rates. Trebals Shall I not lend out. What is mine, for just as much as it Will bring; by right of that universal law. Of the supply and the demand? Harrison You may In all things else, but money. With that, The wisdom of the ages says — thus far And no farther shalt thou go — by fixing Interest at a legal rate. Trebals There are fools Would risk a prison and the forfeiture Of the principal, by breakage of the law: But we make the loan at the legal rate ; And then sell the borrower, a diamond Worth a hundred — for a thousand. Harrison By such Cunning device, do you and others like you. Pursue your usurious and nefarious traffic. Shame upon me — I disgrace myself, and My rich friends, by holding any intercourse Whatever with you. Trebals Many a time and oft, Sir, in New Street, you have berated me, About my ripe bargains and my heavy gains, On purchases and discounts of commercial notes. And in the loan crowd on the Stock Exchange's Babel floor, you have scorned the money. That was sent by me. You are a rich man, And a high-toned man, and pride yourself On your integrity. The law winks at what You do, but calls the same thing in me, A crime. You loan out money on call at Seven to a hundred per cent, per annum : The deals are numerous, and are lecorded; Yet the authorities take no action. You call me "Three Balls," the sneaky pawny ; But consider yourself to be a very Honorable man. Harrison I am quite likely to call You so again ; to scorn you, and to spit At you too ; if I deal with you, it will Not be as equal ; but as a convenience. Or as it were, a slave, who's handy to My purposes. Trebals If you dare to spit at me, I will expectorate tobacco juice at you. {Aside) Shall I let him have the money? He is safe, and the loan breeds me usurv ; And 'tis best to feign to be his friend : Besides, I don't yet give up those hopes. Of making Esther one of the four hundred. Harrison Well, Trebals, if you have no more to say; I will pray you begone. Trebals Don't get so huffy I will show humility, forget my wrongs, And sue to be your friend : and to that end, I will renew the note — provided that you Back it with a good endorser. Harrison Surely, man. You do not want an endorser on my note? Trebals When a man puts up an extension on his Business, it shows that he is getting luny : When a man puts up an extension on his note, His credit smells a little. Harrison {Aside) My borrowing, Is overtaxed already : I know not where To get more favors. Ah, I have a scheme : It's dishonorable, but will work no injury; And desperate ills require like remedies Trebals, wait here a moment, until I speak To Goldstone. Esther How long must I remain here. On exhibition? Trebals Exhibition, Esther? — Oh, That is a word you often use, when we Put the pawned watches in the shop windows. Esther What is that, Father? Trebals This instrument? Why, it is a stock ticker. Esther A stock ticker; What is it for? Trebals It ticks on that tape. All the sales of railroad stocks and bonds ; When they are made in the Stock Exchange. Esther Gracious, hear it click and buzz with speed : They must do a large business? Trebals ^ So large, That if the real estate sales in the whole United States, were all made in one place; It would be no larger. They monopolize The business, Esther. Esther Is it not? But that is very bad, Trebals No, it is very good For us. It drives lots and lots of people. To the hock shop. Harrison {Returning) Well, Trebals, This note for a hundred thousand dollars, At sixty days, drawn by me to my order, And endorsed by myself and Goldstone ; I think will suit you. Trebals Isadore Goldstone, eh? Goldstone is near as rich as Solomon was: Let me see it. {Aside) That is a forgery; It is not Goldstone's signature : but it FINANCIER OF NEW YORK 48 Suits me to keep it dark for the present Yes, this will answer; and here is the Old note. Harrison Well, that is all : I will now Bid you good day. Trebals Good day, Mr. Harrison. Wall Street is a dangerous place ; if you Ever get broke, remember that Trebals Lends money on second-handed clothing. {Exeunt Trebals and Esther) Harrison The insulting wretch! — {Goes to the ticker) Upon my soul — huzzah ! — the market is Rising, rapidly ; my stock. United Pacifies, Now selling way up to a hundred and forty — The previous decline in United Pacifies, Compelled us members of the pool, to barter Everything we had to make our margins good ; But this big rise, gives us heavy balances, At all our brokers. A few moments ago. Heavily in debt, and now on Easy Street The way that Trebals scrutinized the note, I am sure he suspects the endorsement. To be bogus. I shall wait until to-morrow. In order to allay his suspicion, and then Pay off the note in full and destroy it. Why do we always fail to bear the strains. That fate, to try our mettle, subjects us to? My extremity, and Goldstone's presence; The vile scheme took hold of me like a flash I went to the office, drew up the note, And forged on the back the name of Goldstone. Goldstone {Coming forward) Let us go to lunch. Harrison Yes, you will make One of us : I dine with Addison and Algernon, At Delmonico's. {Exeunt) Scene H. — Sitting room in the Harrison mansion. {Enter Maud attired in riding habit, and Alicia.) Maud Ah, methinks Mazeppa's wild ride must have been glorious ; save for the dread of the trees' lowering branches. We went like the wind. I tell you, Echo has some speed — and spirit too. To-day I rode him first without an attending equerry. Alicia I know no more about horses than what the loving eye doth teach : to my mind Whitenose is a hand- somer creature. Maud Whitenose is gentle as a lamb, but not so fleet as Echo. Let us be seated a moment ; then I must go and change my dress ; for I am to talk with father, here, upon important business : the all engrossing marriage topic. Alicia, am I not the most unfortu- nate of women? Alicia Why, Mistress, you are young, rich, and adored by many suitors ; what more can you have ? Maud Ah, therein lies my sorrow. I am compelled to choose a husband — I choose my gloves, my hats, my gowns ; but my lover — I must have no choice in that matter: he must be a magnet, that draws me toward him ; and whose attractions I cannot resist. Alicia But you have intimated that you have an admirer, possessing this quality. Maud Yes, but he is barred from the list by my father, because he is poor and has no social standing. The names from which I am to choose, include several of my wealthiest beaux, and besides, three foreigners with titles, but in reality it i.^ only the noblemen, for my father favors them ; and by a like system of elim- ination, I will be deprived even of a choice, for he strongly inclines to the highest title — the Duke. Alicia That is the Duke of Swamplands? Maud Yes, and I do not think that it is I he cares for; I am afraid that he seeks to obtain from my father's money, a living income, as his swamp lands produce nothing but the malaria and mosquitoes. He is like most noblemen, highly educated and polished, but filled to the brim with all the vain and shallow ideas that aristocracy fosters : you must walk just so ; you must eat just so ; you must talk just so ; if you should show any humanity or feeling with a servant, he is shocked at the breach of decorum — he is the pink of propriety. Alicia You mentioned three titles: the second, I presume, is the Marquis of Carenaught? Maud Yes, the spendthrift sport, who once won the Der- by : he talks of nothing but his horses, and prides him that he can ride them himself, or rather he could, for they were sold under the hammer to satisfy a moiety of the demands of a multitude of creditors. Alicia And now, being broke, must perforce look up some new capital. Maud He made a hasty trip to this country for that very purpose ; was lionized by our set, and became daz- zled by its wealth. A feverish desire has taken pos- session of him to marry me, in order to get my father to stake him. He tells me that I am a thor- oughbred, and have speed, and would wed me as he buys a horse. Alicia And the third and last, is the young German Count with the odd name which I can somewhat recall only by thinking of one who slams things around. Maud Schlammer — Otto von Schlammer. His father died and left him the title and the old ancestral castle on FINANCIER OF NEW YORK 49 the Rhine — everything else had been swallowed up in Rhine wine. Alicia And this engulfing stream in the father threatens to become a torrent in the son, and any dowry that a wife brings him would soon be squandered for the same evanescent joys. May fate so order it, that you will be able to steer clear of these mercenary lovers, and marry one who loves you for yourself. Maud Amen to that ! Now, come with me ; I need your services that I may return more quickly. (Exeunt) (Enter Harrison.) Harrison That forged note I gave to Trebals this morning, weighs on my mind : I shall have no peace until I get it back ! Why do I recoil at this, and stifle conscience as to the dubious way that my vast fortune was ac- cumulated? Four years ago, with a half million dol- lars all told, I was appointed President of a railroad, with a salary of fifteen thousand per annum — and now I am worth at least twenty-five millions. Pshaw, is it not right to make money? Yes, when the money is new value added to the world ; not when it is ab- stracted from others. This money that has come to me, by our clique having sold to the railroad many branch lines, for twenty times their value, and jug- gling with the revenues, in our stock speculations, has made many people poor. (Enter a lawyer.) Welcome, Counselor Livermore. Be seated. Lawyer I thank you, sir. As your family counselor, I wrote you that I would like to meet you and your daughter here, at this hour, on important business. Harrison At your service, sir. I charged Maud to be pres- ent; she will soon join us. Lawyer You will recall that just before you wife died, she made Maud and you promise that Maud should make no choice from her adorers until her next birthday, then some four months away. Harrison One of her whims. I say it with all respect — she was full of them. Another, was her evident liking for that inpecunious upstart, Leonard Cassatt. Lawyer She spoke highly of him to me, and I have heard other expressions in his favor. The Coin Exchange Bank, in its numerous branches, is fond of giving young men a chance to show their mettle by placing them in responsible position. Cassatt is now a tel- ler in the 72nd Street branch, and is soon to become Assistant Cashier. Harrison I am a director in the Coin Exchange Bank and I will soon put a stop to this idiotic practice of entrust- ing the bank's funds to such young scamps. This Cassatt is a mere parvenu : what right has he to enter the home of a millionaire? My wife and Maud met him at some silly benevolent function, invited him to call, and have since made much of him. Lawyer " ' And now you continue to receive him, for your wife's sake? Harrison Confound it! I am forced to, for a short time. She knew that I hated him, and she exacted a prom- ise from me that until Maud's next birthday, he should be allowed to pay his respects to her. Zounds ! many a time I have come near breaking the promise and kicking him out. A man like that to court my daughter; the idea is absurd! (Enter Maud.) Maud Ah, Mr. Livermore, you are already here; I have kept you waiting. Lawyer Not at all. Miss Harrison, I have only had time to exchange a word with your father. Harrison Now we will hear what you have to say. Lawyer Well, then, to be brief. Harrison Ha, ha, brevity! — lawyers say that they never imagine, but deal only in cold facts ; yet they relate a simple tale with great circumlocution ; I presume to justify the charge of a heavy fee. Lawyer There is not much can be said here. Your wife handed me a sealed letter addressed to Maud, to- gether with a parcel ; both to be delivered ten days before her next birthday. That time has arrived — here they are. Maud (having opened letter, reads) Dear Maud: I am much concerned about your happiness, surrounded as you are by a number of adorers. You need a mother's guidance at this crisis in life, and something tells me that I must leave you. I have devised a plan which I trust under Providence will protect you. Your father favors the noblemen, whilst my motherly intuition tells me that you favor Leonard Cassatt. Proceed at once to have each of your suitors select one of these caskets; the order of choosing to be determined by lot. The caskets will be opened on your birthday; and he who chooses the one containing the diamond ring, shall be your hus- band; the ring is my wedding present. Heaven bless you. Mother. Harrison A piece of damnable nonsense I Maud Why father, you surprise me. Harrison To give this upstart, Cassatt, the privilege to win my daughter by lottery; I'll never submit to it! ( Walks away: Maud tmtwaps the parcel.) And yet, it 50 FINANCIER OF NEW YORK is three to one — there's slight chance that Cassatt will choose the right one. And if he does, I'll find a way to fix him. Any other behest of my wife I would gladly fulfill ; but this particular one is most obnox- ious. Not to appear unnatural, I will pretend to be reconciled to it. Maud Oh, look here, Papa! Four lovely jewel cas- kets, made of solid gold and all alike save the inscrip- tions. Each one boldly inscribed in engraved letters, thus: "Beauty" {hands them to him, one by one) "Wealth," "Character," "Disposition." Harrison Yes, very charming, indeed. Not a bad idea after all ; highly romantic and original ; something out of the common. Let us at once arrange to carry out my dear wife's wishes. The contestants must be noti- fied ; that is rather a ticklish job for me to do. Lawyer You had best leave that to me. I can do it with more propriety than yourself. I will go to them as your family lawyer, show them the letter confided to me, have them express a desire to enter the lists, and then extend an invitation. How about fixing the time? Harrison It is best to make one bite of the cherry ; to have all choose at one time: and night seems most fitting. To-morrow night, then, at eight-thirty. Lawyer Very well. Now I will take my leave. Good day, Miss Maud, best wishes. Maud Thank you, sir, you are very kind. Harrison I am going out, too. {Exeunt Harrison and Law- yer: Harrison bows stiffly to Cassatt, and scowls back at him.) Maud Here comes Leonard. I will put the caskets away out of sight; he must not see them yet. {Enter Cassatt.) Maud Why, your presence is an agreeable surprise. Cassatt Am I detaining you ? Did you intend to leave with the others? A4aud Not at all, Mr. Cassatt. Cassatt Then I am happy! 'Tis such a delight to be alone with you. Maud Idle word — you are just like the others ; it is only my wealth that brings you here. Cassatt Lady, I swear, I almost wish that you were poor, that I might adore you without constraint. Mai{d Have you not heard the old saying, that often when poverty enters the door, love flies out at the window? Cassatt Poverty is not love's only bete noire; wealth is also sometimes a bugbear. Your father is rich and mighty ; I am poor and humble ; naturally he desires you to wed in his own class, and I am in honor bound to respect his wishes. Feeling as I do, I know that I should keep away from you ; but not being able to do so, I come and utter commonplaces, and beat back the burning words that tremble on my lips ! Maud Mr. Cassatt ! {Aside) Sweet consciousness, he loves me ! He should not have had me for money, even if he chose the right casket — for I love him truly 1 Cassatt You are offended? Maud Not at all ; I am delighted ! I love and am beloved ; what more can woman want? Cassatt {taking her hands) Do you mean it? Oh, speak those words again! Maud Have patience, Leonard. My life is full of per- plexities, for I am a woman and cannot barter all that a woman holds dear, for money, or position. My father seeks to sacrifice me on the altar of his ambi- tion, and my soul is full of rebellious thoughts which I am sure would at last have resulted in an open rup- ture had matters remained as they were. Cassatt Something has occurred? Maud My mother's dying wishes communicated to-day by her lawyer, and which I shall not disregard. A rather strange way to get a husband, but considering its solemn origin, likely to prove a good inspira- tion. Others will give you the details, suffice to say that you are mentioned and will have a chance — that is, if you care to compete for so unworthy a prize. Cassatt I have adored you as I might a star in the skies — beautiful — but far beyond my reach. The slightest chance to win you will top my wildest dreams. Maud Now that we understand each other, my heart is full of joy ; but I must remain silent, for fate may yet sever us ; you may not succeed under my mother's plan; and then, sad lot — we must forget each other. Cassatt Sad lot, indeed! {Enter a footman, bearing a salver.) Maud What is it, Andrew? Footman Two callers, your ladyship. j . ,, ,. FINANCIER OF NEW YORK 51 Maud Read their cards to me, please. Footman Duke of Swamplands; Marquis of Carenaught. Maud Admit them, Andrew, but first send Alicia to me. (Footman bows and retires.) So, so, the Duke of Swamplands and the Marquis of Carenaught; I won- der what brings them here at this hour? Cassatt I think that I had best be going. Maud Not at all ; on the other hand I pray you to remain. (Enter Alicia.) Alicia, I sent for you, as I have some male callers, and you must play your usual role of chaperon. Alicia Whew! I act that part so often now, that hence- forth I'll powder my hair, paint wrinkles in my cheeks, and put a soberer habit on. (Enter Swamplands and Carenaught.) Maud Ah, your Graces! This is a pleasant surprise. Swamplands My dear Miss Harrison, you are the flame and we are the moths, don't you know ; we cawn't keep away, even though we singe our wings. Carenaught We passed your house on our way back from the Club, and couldn't resist the temptation to run ovah. Maud Your Graces, allow me to introduce Mr. Cassatt. Carenaught Delighted, I am suah! Swamplands Deuced glad to meet you, don't you know ! A man of note, and an American I presume, as I cawn't re- call ever having seen the name in Burke's book of the "Peerage." Cassatt Not noted, my lord, nor even rich ; but just a poor man who has to work for a living. Swamplands Haw, haw ! you are joking I am suah, but we will let it pass. By jove, in one of my recent speeches in the House of Lawds, I was applauded to the echo for this sentiment, "The poor have no rights, but are allowed to feed on the crumbs which fall from the rich man's table." Carenaught I like to hear a talk that has some sort of an idea back of it, and makes you take sides either for it or against it ; but in many of your speeches in the House of Lawds, deuce take it, I cawn't tell what you are driving at; it makes me weary, and I detest being weary ! Maud Well, Marquis, I guess that you don't have a chance to get weary in New York? Carenaught Upon my honah. Miss Maud, New York is a stun- ning place; but with all the sights ovah heah, still am I plagued with the ennui for lack of the racing sport at Ascot, Epsom Downs and Newmarket. I under- stand that you used to have jolly racing heah, but that now you only have a lot of skates running out West ; but this is not running, either, but skating — haw, haw, deuced clevah idea to have the horses skate, and no easy tawsk to teach them. Cassatt Your lordship, has fallen into a ludicrous error. "Skates" is a slang word here to signify a very poor class of horses — what you term on the other side, "Plugs." Carenaught Ah, I see what you mean ; haw, haw, quite stupid of me, I am suah. (Airs from a drinking song sung in German within. Enter Vincent.) Vincent Ah, how are you, my lords, Duke and Marquis? Delighted to see you! Swamplands Ah, Vincent, very glad that you are heah. Carenaught Devilish good of you to drop in, deah fellah. Vincent And Cassatt, too ; how are you, Cassatt ? Cassatt Quite well, thanks. Carenaught Who is it that sings in German, airs from an old drinking song? Vincent Oh, that is Von Schlammer; he has been taking too much and is quite hilarious ; I wanted to see if the coast was clear before I steered him in here. Swamplands Egad, in that case we had best be going; I cawn't endure him, when he is in his cups. Vincent Don't go, your Graces ; he is not so very bad. Carenaught We nevah thought of staying long, anyway. Swamplands (aside to Maud) I am making my plans for a quick return to Eng- land, and I don't want to be a cad, you know, and pester you with attentions on all occasions ; but I think you are awful clevah, don't you know ; and I am suah that you will be greatly fawncied on the othah side. Maud But, your Grace, I haven't made up my mind to go abroad. Swamplands I cawn't believe that you will refuse the chaunce to become a Duchess. Au revoir. 52 FINANCIER OF NEW YORK Maud Good day, my lord, and to both your lordships. (Swamplands and Carenaught bow. Exeunt.) Maud I will return to my room, Vincent, and you enter- tain the Count, as you always do when he is tipsy; but stay. I think Alicia, that you had best remain out of courtesy, he may feel slighted if he sees no lady present. Alicia Yes, I will do as well as you ; for Rhine wine makes all women look alike to him. (Exit Maud.) (Singing is resumed within. Enter Von Schlamnter.) Von Schlammer Mein guter freund, Cassatt; give me your hand. (To Alicia) Ach, du liebes Fraulein. I am your royal knight-errant, ever ready to drink with you, or fight for you. Alicia Not my Knight-errant, but an erring Knight, hard- ly able to drink with me, for you are almost full now ; and not fit to fight for me, for it is as much as you can do to keep upon your feet. Von Schlammer If I can find some honorable way to cease being a suitor to Miss Harrison, (for the Von Schlammers pride themselves upon their honor), my word upon it, Alicia, I'll court you; for I never yet saw maid that pleased me half so well. Alicia You flatter me, my lord. Von Schlammer No, by my troth, I am in earnest! Alicia But with your present intemperate habits it would not be safe for any one to marry you. Von. Schlammer Then I'll reform, and drink in moderation ; or bet- ter still, I'll never drink at all. Alicia My lord, you don't know what you are saying; and if you do, you couldn't carry it out: no woman, love she ever so dearly, could wean you from your love of wine. Von Schlammer Alicia, hear me, if I do not keep quite sober, talk circumspectly, use no profanity, and drink but now and then ; carry a prayer book in my hand, and look seriously grave ; nay more — go to Church, and while prayer is being said, bow my head, close my eyes and respond with a sigh and unctuous amen ; study all the abstruse problems of theology to make con- version quicker ; as one who mortifies the flesh, to win a sweetheart — then Alicia, never trust me more. Alicia You have promised to reform ; I hope that you will keep faith, my lord. Von Schlammer Never fear. But to remove all doubts, donner wet- ter, I will pledge it with a sparkling glass of wine. (Rings the bell.) Some wine, ho! — Ephraim, I say! (Enter Ephraim.) Ah, Ephraim, you look good to me; where were you the last time I was here? Ephraim 1 dunno ; I specs dat it war to serve booze at Massa Harrison's directorate meeting; dat's the only time dis yer darkey is away from here. Von Schlammer Well, you American Zulu, go and get the spiritus frumenti. Ephraim Spiritus frumenti! Golly, dis coon is gwine to ask yer to be moah explicit. Von Schlammer Wine, stupid, wine. Ephraim Oh, that's it : ho, ho ! I thot it war an animal. (Exit Ephraim.) Alicia I beseech you, sir, not to indulge any more. Von Schlammer Fair maid, you have made me happy; I must revel, one good spree, and then I will taper off ; first, ten glasses daily, then five, then three, then nothing — perhaps. (Re-enter Ephraim with wine.) Cassatt Count, I will have one glass with you, and then I must be going. Von Schlammer Sorry to lose your esteemed company. Ephraim, serve Alicia first. What, she refuses? that's bad: now to Cassatt, Vincent, and myself; you, Ephraim, you will join us? Ephraim I will, sah, if you insists upon it. (They clink glasses and drink.) Von Schlammer (sings) O thou spirit of wine, invisible; One mighty whole, and yet divisible ; Thou separatest us from all our woes, Makest staunch friends of bitterest foes: If we have no other appropriate name With which to commemorate thy fame, Let us then call thee devil! Vincent By Jove, Count, you Germans are fine singers! Cassatt Yes, an exquisite little bit of melody. Von Schlammer Come, Ephraim, what are you dreaming of; fill them up again. Vincent Excuse ipe, Count, no more for me. FINANCIER OF NEW YORK 53 Von Schlammer Why Vincent, what ails you? Let us drink to the health of Esther, the young Jewess, whom you are so enamoured of; you love her, don't you? Vincent Yes, I love her so much, that I don't want drink, or anything else to come between us. Von Schlammer Oh, just this glass. {They drink. Sings:) Von Schlammer was a merry peer, Had lands and castles on the Rhine; He mortgaged all that man holds dear, And spent the revenues for wine. Ho, fill up again. Cassatt, you'll join me? Cassatt No more for me, my lord. Von Schlammer By heaven, then I'll drink alone! (He raises the glass high; and Alicia begins to sob) What's that? (He goes to Alicia and watches her) To perdition with drink ; it has brought sorrow on the thing I love ! (Dashes the glass away.) ACT II Scene i. — The Directors' Room of the United Pacific Railroads. Ephraim (Arranging bottles and glasses on a sideboard.) I suspects dat the directors of these yer corporations or trusts, are jest like other men, arter all, and in some respec's even worser ; the Good Book says, put not your trust in things corporeal, but in things spiritual. Now these yer railway Directors dat meet here, are saints in public, but in private life dey are sinners, just like the rest of us ; some drink whiskey, some drink wine, and some drink — water. From my standpoint, dese water drinkers are the worsest of all. (Enter Harrison.) Harrison Nobody here yet, Ephraim? Ephraim No sah, not a soul yet, sah. Harrison Well, I hope they won't be late; they know that at to-day's meeting we are going to cut a melon. (Exit Harrison.) Ephraim They are gwine to cut a melon — a watermelon, I bet. Golly, how I used to love to steal dem water- melons when I war down South. I hope dis yer one is very large, so dat dar will be a big piece for me. (Enter Harrison, Craft and Slyfellow.) Harrison Our Directors' Meeting was called for two o'clock ; it is now the hour, and Steel, Roeber and Cheatham are not yet present. Craft, you are on time; and, Slyfellow, so are you. Slyfellow In my ethical talks to the young I always dwell on the sacredness of a trust reposed in you by others. (Enter Steel, Roeber and Cheatham.) Harrison Ah, here you are, Cheatham — and Roeber — and Steel. (Shakes with each.) Right on time. Steel We are all here now. I must shake hands with you. Craft — and you, Slyfellow. Harrison We will now proceed to business. (They sit around a large writing table.) Steel But business is not yet in order ; we have not had a drink. Ephraim, pass around the whiskey and wine. (Ephraim pours a glass of zvhiskey for Craft, and a glass for Steel, but Slyfellow hesitates.) What, Sly- fellow, you don't refuse at the first hurdle, do you? Slyfellow But, my dear Steel, it is generally believed that I am a Prohibitionist. Steel Well, that don't go with us; we know your habits better. Slyfello7v Give me a little wine, then. Harrison And the same for me. Roeber, we all know that you drink no intoxicants ; we'll excuse you, Roeber. Well, here's success to our enterprise! (All but Roeber drink, and Ephraim removes the glasses and takes a quiet drink himself, and exit Ephraim.) Steel Now, Harrison, we will listen to you. Harrison The storm of indignation that has broken all over our land against the "Trusts" has swept av/ay the heavy tariff (as the tariff was believed to be the father of the trusts), and a period of industrial depression ensues. Then, too, the world-wide craze for automo- biles has tied up vast sums of money in an unproduc- tive luxury and consequently money has become very scarce, and is loaning at high rates. All this militates against any sustained rise in value on the Stock Ex- change. Craft Well may you say that, for the spasmodic rise in United Pacific culminated to-day, and the stock de- clined ten points. Cheatham We can't afford to let this decline go any further; we must put a lot of ginger into the market; give 54 FINANCIER OF NEW YORK them one of the same old tricks, that have so often fooled them before. Harrison Cheatham, that, as we all know, is just what brings us here. We now have in the treasury of the United Pacific Railroads one hundred million dollars' worth of the stock of some small competitors. This stock we propose to at once divide up amongst ourselves. Craft \'ou mean that we are going to cut a "melon" for the benefit of the stockholders. Slyfellow Well, the stockholders — are ourselves; for us Di- rectors and our wealthy friends own at least three- quarters of United Pacific. Steel But there is now outstanding one hundred million dollars of United Pacific debenture bonds which we issued to buy this very stock that we now propose to divide. I favor it ; but there will be a hue and cry of a steal. Roeber We can work it some other way. Of course we must pocket that money ; but not in such a barefaced manner ; besides, the courts will not allow it ; they will restrain us. Cheatham The courts don't take notice of anything unless it is stuck right under their noses by the public prose- cutor ; and the public prosecutor doesn't interefere with the wealthy unless some sorehead makes complaint ; and then only when the sorehead is backed up by an aroused public sentiment. The glitter of gold upon the pages of law blinds the eyes of those whose duty it is to interpret them. Slyfellow The total amount of the stock of United Pacific, I believe, is about one hundred million dollars? Harrison Just about a hundred millions. Slyfellow And our clique (composed of ourselves and five others) owns seventy-five millions of it? Harrison Yes, seventy-five millions. Slyfellow And the treasury stock, that we propose to divide up, also amounts to one hundred millions? Harrison Yes. Slyfellow Then our clique will get seventy-five millions of this money. This is a huge sum. I am afraid to con- sent to it ; it might get us into trouble. Harrison But we have a perfect right to do it ; we are not committing a crime ; we are simply taking what be- longs to us. Where we gain, is that the sucker public cannot reason; and the mere announcement of the cutting of a "melon" makes them crazy to take a stock (that the melon adds no value to) off our hands at a price twenty points higher. Slyfellow Show me wherein we have the right to take it? Harrison Well, I will tell you. When we became Directors of United Pacific there were two hundred million dollars of bonds, which were a mortgage debt upon the property. The property being worth three hun- dred millions, there remained one hundred million dollars of value back of the stock; making it worth par. Another mortgage debt of one hundred milHons was placed upon the property, making the stock worth nothing (except this treasury stock bought with the proceeds of the mortgage). Slyfellow Ah, I see. Then this treasury stock, being our se- curity, we have a right either to leave it in the treas- ury for safe-keeping, or to divide it up. Harrison Exactly so. Roeber And the mere fact of taking it, does not in any way increase the value of United Pacific stock. Harrison Of course not ; but you cannot make the suckers see this. Now we will take a vote : how say you, shall this distribution be made — yes or no? Directors Yes. Harrison Carried unanimously. I will put our action in writ- ing. {Writes and reads) We, the Directors of the United Pacific Railroads, hereby order that one month from date all the stock of other railroads, now lying in the treasury, shall be divided among the stockhold- ers. Edward Harrison, Chairman of the Board. Craft Come, gentlemen, affix your signatures. {They all sign.) Harrison Now, gentlemen, having finished our business, we are ready to go. Just a few minutes of fun, and then we will depart. Skillful chefs will brag of their cook- ing, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating; to show that I am right as to the way the "lambs" will view this melon cutting, we will arrange to have the news flashed to the Stock Exchange, and then watch the stock ticker, here. Cheatham How shall we send it? by a messenger, or phone it over? Harrison Waiting outside are a number of reporters who with true reportorial daring and cunning, aic met to gain quick news of our action. We will leave this paper open on the table, unlatch the door, and retire to an adjoining room. I'll wager that inside of five minutes the news will be all over town. FINANCIER OF NEW YORK 55 Directors All right, ha, ha, all right! (They open the self- bolting door and retire.) (Enter Ephraim, pushed in by the Reporters.) Ephraim I say dat you can't come in hyar. Reporters But we are reporters. Ephraim I don't care ; re-porters is a darn sight worser than other porters. Reporters Why, we represent all the papers, including the Tribune, Times, World, Sun — Ephraim And the moon — I presumption ; it don't make no difference, you ain't a-gwine to come in hyar. Reporters We must come in. Ephraim What you doin' thar? Stop dat pushin' and shov- in'! Reporters Now, altogether, boys, altogether! (Ephraim is pushed down, and the Reporters rush in; the Direc- tors peep in.) Ephraim These yer Directors has gone to dat room, thar ; dey is comin' right back. Reporter Hush, boys ! stop your noise ; we've got to keep quiet. What's that paper, lying there on the table? (Reads it.) Ah, here's a little joker that tells us what we want to know — copy it, boys. (They copy it in their note books; and Exeunt "cheering.") Ephraim I dunno why dey call such trash, reporters; dey surely nevah had no bringin' up. (Exit) (Re-enter the Directors, laughing) Harrison That trick of ours went through with ease: may the balance of our enterprise prove equally lucky. Roeber Lucky — we will have to be lucky if we succeed in disposing of our seventy-five millions of clique stock, even though this melon goes with it. Steel Why so? Roeber Because we are in bad odor with the public ; the whole country is but an argus with a hundred eyes, and every eye is bent upon directors. Steel Well, what fault can they find with us? Roeber The dictionary defines a director as one who is put in to direct, or guide ; but the chief aim of the pres- ent-day director, is. to wreck and destroy. Should the directors own all the stock of their concerns, they are woefully deficient in humanity ; should they be only partial owners of their concerns, they are woefully deficient in integrity. The first mentioned form trusts and raise the prices of life's necessities ; the second do fleece the other stockholders. Cheatham Now, that may all be true; but, Roeber, did we come here to moralize? Roeber No, we didn't; but we did come here to look the rising storm right in the face and see if there isn't a way to weather it. Old things are passed away: we have got to look up some new schemes; now that railroads must be physically valued. Craft Excuse me, gentlemen ; I will go and keep tabs on the stock ticker: the reporters have been gone long enough to expect results. Directors Yes, do so, Craft. (He goes to the stock ticker) Slyfellow What do you understand, Roeber, by that term, "physical" value? Roeber Why, it is the natural value, or the intrinsic value : the price that property sells for in the open market; or if there is no sale, a nice discrimination between the bid and asked prices. The earning power of a railroad varies according to the state of trade: some- times ten per cent, is paid on the stock, sometimes nothing; therefore the only real value of a railroad stock is the value of the railroad. Slyfellow And these physical valuations will bring out in hid- eous contrast the actual values of railroads, and the huge piles of their securities. I am afraid that the day of inflated stock issues has passed — alas, forever! Harrison Well, what do we care : we have got ours. Slyfellow Yes, but we want to get more. Craft (watching ticker) Hurrah ! — United Pacific is soaring upward like a skyrocket! When I came over here, it was selling at one hundred and thirty-two ; now it is one hundred and forty-five — now fifty — now fifty-five — now sixty — where it sticks. Directors Hurrah, hurrah! (They all gather around the ticker) Harrison Hey ! hey ! that's so ; it is up to one hundred and sixty, and it holds there like a rock. Now that we have got the stock up where we want it, we will or- der our clique brokers to unload. This can easily be done in the next few days ; for when the news spreads over the country, there will be a perfect flood of buying orders. 56 FINANCIER OF NEW YORK Slyfellow And I will spend a few thousands judiciously among the newspapers to see that the thing is "writ- ten up" in to-morrow's issues. Steel Gentlemen, I respectfully submit that there is but one way to fittingly "celebrate" such an event. Directors What way is that, Steel? (Steel opens door and Ephraim comes in) Steel Ephraim, you know what I want. Ephrahn Oh, yes sah, I knows. (He pours and hands whis- key to each, and a glass for himself) Steel Now, you are all ready? Directors We are. Ephraim We is. Harrison Why, you rascal, what are you doing with that glass in your hands? Ephraim Ise a gwine to contribute my widow's mite to the gen'ral jollificashun. Directors Ha, ha, ha! Steel Now, gentlemen, let her go! (They drink, and curtain) Scene II. — Grand Salon in the Harrison Mansion. (Enter Harrison, Addison, and Algernon) Harrison Yes, this is my daughter's birthday ; and the swains are to make choice of the caskets, which will be opened immediately afterward, and the winner an- nounced. We had at first intended to have the choos- ing take place some days ago ; but concluded to have that, as well as the opening, done on Maud's birth- day; at a one o'clock luncheon. Addison The novel contest now to occur, might well be called, "love's lottery." Algernon Chance, enters in some way into all afifairs of the heart: love at the best is but a lottery. Harrison See, here are the caskets. Addison Only four of them ; not so difficult to pick the right one of these golden toys : and what a prize he gains that chooses right. By my soul, were I younger, I'd like to have a try at it myself. Algernon Three out of four of the aspirants have titles; so you are quite sure to get a nobleman for a son-in- law : lucky fellow. Addison Yet, in spite of this good fortune, you seem to be distrait. Harrison I am worried almost to death over that injunction 1 Addison You are afraid that the United States Supreme Court will forbid you stockholders of the United Pa- cific Railroads from grabbing the hundred millions? Harrison Yes, to prevent the cutting of the melon; and the devil knows what will happen to me then. Algernon How is that? Harrison Well, our clique bought up most all the stock of United Pacifies at a low price ; then we cut the melon, and the stock went way up, as we knew it would : the next day we were going to sell out and pocket a profit of many millions ; but that meddling cur, Leonard Cassatt, got the holders of a few hundred shares to apply for an injunction ; when this news came out, the stock took a big drop, and we still have all of it on our hands. The Court is sitting to-day ; and may hand down the decision : if it is against us, (and it surely will be) there will come another big drop in the stock ; and that means — damnation. I dare not think of it. Addison Why are you so sure the decision will be against you? Harrison The devil, man ; what court would dare to sanction such a barefaced thing as the cutting of this melon is. The courts and the authorities, don't want to hinder us ; but what can they do, when some meddling reformer like this Cassatt, compels them to take ac- tion. Algernon Why does this Cassatt interfere in the matter? Harrison Oh, he is a member of a society that demands hon- esty and honor, from all who hold positions of trust. I hate him! Algernoti Yet, he is one of the casket choosers : you accept him as a suitor of your daughter. Harrison That is my wife's doings ; and too long a story to tell now : but after to-day, I'll show him the door. Addison But, there is a slight chance that he may choose right. Harrison It makes no difference; he shall never have her. FINANCIER OF NEW YORK 57 love me, and nothing Algernon Why did you set the aflfair in the daytime, and at one o'clock? Harrison Because these one o'clock luncheons have become an ultra fashionable affair. Addison Listen; the music starts again! That is with me a favorite air. Harrison I never cared for music. • Algernon 'Tis said, that a man who stores no music in his soul, is only fit to betray his country, or wrong its citizens. Harrison Money is a jealous mistress : else, is her command. Addison Now, the orchestra plays a wedding march; the guests are coming. (Enter Sivamplands, Carenaught, Von Schlammer, Cassatt, Vincent, lawyer, Maud, Alicia, coterie of Harrison's ivealthy friends, and some Children Singei-s.) Lawyer (to Attendant) Go draw aside the draperies, and discover. The several caskets, to these amorous swains. Now make your choices ; and may the Lord, Direct your judgment, to your own content, And the happiness of this fair lady. Each chooser swears to enter in good part, And if you fail you take it not to heart. The Good Book says, that sometimes wisdom. Is denied to men, and given to babes. After each choice the children will sing. Their view of it, in lines which have been Writ for them. The Duke of Swamplands, now, Will make the first assay. Swamplands (Goes to Maud) To win thee, lady; I would much sooner try some othah way. Than trust to chaunce ; for luck may gain the day. If Swamplands, and his valet, play at dice. The stakes, a pearl of inestimable price ; My valet by chaunce may secure the prize. Then Swamplands slowly pines away and dies. Maud That is the hazard you take, my lord All mariners take risks to reach the haven; Why fear, when marriages are made in heaven? Swamplands (Goes to caskets) First — to survey the inscriptions ovah : Beauty — Wealth — Character — Disposition. Surely this lady has every one of these : But only vulgah peasants choose their mates, For character or for disposition : Then there but remains, beauty and wealth. Look on beauty, and you shall see 'tis Valued at its weight; making them dearest, That have most of it: to get it then. You must pay a costly fabulous price ; And nobility is more valuable than gold: To win against American millionaires, I must tender her a title: and a title Is but a solitaire, that needs a golden Setting ; therefoah, this casket do I choose ; Wealth gains my voice. Lawyer Take away the casket, and leave but three. To puzzle and perplex the next devotee. Children (sing) Where, oh where, is false love bred ; In the heart, or in the head? The heart is full of vows of honey. The head teems with desire for money: Toll the bell, his love's grown cold ; A miser loves but yellow gold. Lawyer Count Von Schlammer, it is your turn. Von Schlammer (goes to Maud) Lady, mislike me not for dissipation ; Too prevalent a folly in our nation : When I wed, I promise drink to shun; Favor local option, even prohibition. Maud There are the jewel caskets, noble sir, And one of them contains the diamond ring: My lord Count, although you win me never, I feel highly flattered by your favor. Von Schlammer (goes to caskets) After marriage, if late night sometime, I return home with a heavy load of wine, My wife will rise from her watchful bed. And break the nearby broomstick o'er my head; That is, provided that I wed a shrew: A gentle nature is the thing for me. Then disposition casket, I choose thee: If my guess, proves to be nix kom raus. Von Schlammer must look for another spouse. (He goes to Alicia: Attendant removes casket) Children (sing) You that choose not by the view. Or silver buckle on her shoe; Looking deeper than mere skin. To find out what there is within: Let us children tell you this ; Your choosing is not far amiss. Lawyer Marquis of Carenaught will make selection : And Mr. Leonard Cassatt, takes what remains. This is fortune's own doing; by lots drawn Before the contest. Carenaught (goes to Maud) Deah Miss Harrison; I was never clevah at games of chaunce, In fact have lost a fortune on the races: But if I lose the prize, deuce take it, You cawnt refuse your friendship. 58 FINANCIER OF NEW YORK Maud My lord, I shall always feel highly honored, To be one of your friends. Carenaught {goes to caskets) First, beauty. Bring me the fairest creatures Europe born, That I may contrast them with Americans: And yet methinks in such a multitude, This lady would shine as bright as any. Beauty — why, surely, that must mean the lady. For she is almost peerless in her graces ! What says the othah casket? Ah, character. Good name in man or woman, my deah friends. Is but a mirror which reflects their souls : The homage paid to beauty, wealth, or power. Is trash ; 'Twas mine — 'tis yours — and soon Will be another's ; but our characters — Take them away, and we are poor indeed. I will take my chaunce with this one. {Attendant removes the casket) Children {sing) He ought wed one of the saints; Who never laces nor paints, Thinks it very immodest To wear a split skirt, And would not for the world Be considered a flirt; Because she has a character. Cassatt {goes to Maud) Lady, you see I have no choice ; my duty Is to take what's left ; the casket, beauty. If fate should entrust you to my keeping; Earth will be elysium: if not, I trust You will get one more worthy of you. Maud Kind sir, you know my prayers are with you. I fain would speak my heart secrets freely, But my peculiar plight puts a bridle On my tongue. {Cassatt goes to casket) Heaven help me, must I lose the man I love! That he has chosen right, is a fond hope, More slender than a hair. This bud of love, Which might have bloomed so fragrant, is Nipped by an early frost. {Aside) Cassatt What is beauty? A harmonious blending of graces and charms. The meaning of the word is lost sight of, And to-day it stands for made-up faces, Profusely adorned with rouges and laces. I might not have selected this casket ; It was compulsory: we have no choice, In things inevitable: a higher and a Wiser power, chooses for us. To him That trusts in an overruling Providence, Whatever happens is good luck. I take This casket gladly. Children {sing) All the world sighs for beauty, beauty! Beautiful features, beauty of clothes. Beauty of moonlight, beautiful rose. Beautiful mountains, beauty of sea. My own, thou art beautiful, I love thee. Lazvyer Now we will go and round up our luncheon, With some delicacies ; then return, open The caskets, and announce the lucky man. {Exeunt all but lawyer; he draws the draperies, and disappears) {Enter Ephraim) Ephraim Come in, sah, de lottery am over. {Enter Cheatham and Sly fellow) Slyfellow Did they have a lottery? Ephraim Yes, sah ; a very re-shar-chay affair. Does you think, sah, dat the Loosiana lottery is gwine to come back soon? Slyfellow I don't know ; I believe not. Ephraim They talk of de policy of de government; what it ought to be; but we nevah had any policy like the Loosiana, sah ; I alius had de coin in them days. Cheatham Stop that infernal talk, and bring Harrison here instantly. Ephraim Oh, Ise a gwine to. {Exit Ephraim) Slyfellow This will be a great shock to Harrison. Cheatham Well, it can't shock him any more than it has me: and besides, I guess he rather expected it. Slyfellow What makes you think so? Cheatham He had great nerve to ask us if the decision came out, to come here and tell him ; he wouldn't have made such an unreasonable request, unless he was frightened. Slyfellow That is true ; and so he may not be surprised that the case has gone against us ; but he will be frantic over the terrible consequences that have ensued. {Enter Harrison) Harrison Cheatham, Slyfellow, you here; what's the matter? Cheatham The United States Supreme Court has handed down its decision on the injunction. Harrison Well? Cheatham We are restrained permanently from dividing up, the whole, or any part, of the hundred millions. Harrison The devil! I about expected as much. How does the stock market take it ; almost a panic in the stock, I suppose? FINANCIER OF NEW YORK 59 Slyfellow Worse than a panic — a regular crash! Harrison Damnation, I am sick at heart; all seems lost! I must be on the scene; I must try to give commands, even if the very walls are falling around me; wait, I will get my hat and go with you. Cheatham It's no use, curses on it ! The die is cast ; the brokers have sold us out ; they had to do it to save themselves : they got the best prices they could, but our money is all gone, and we are indebted to them in heavy amounts besides. Harrison Do you know, man, the extent of my calamity ? All my real estate is mortgaged up to the handle ; and the proceeds together with all my personal property, was put up with these brokers, to buy the stock : it is all gone ; and I owe them besides : I am a ruined man ; poorer than a beggar ; I am worse off than nothing ! Cheatham The other members of the clique, including my- self, lose as well as you : my losses, (not to speak it too profanely) make me damn mad! Slyfellow ■ Harrison, you need and have, our deepest sym- pathy in your woe. Your losses are greatest, be- cause you were by far the biggest member of the clique. Cheatham Come, Slyfellow, let us be going. Harrison I thank you gentlemen, for complying with my re- quest, and bringing me the news. But, stay My insolvency will soon be public gossip ; but at all haz- ards, I must keep it secret awhile. The brokers must be pledged to silence. Cheatham That was the first matter thought of; we warned the brokers, and they swore to keep mum. Harrison Ah; I am glad you thought of it. Good day. {Exeunt Cheatham and Slyfellozv) This disaster is awful ; I am crushed ; I can't think ; in my desperation any way of escape that presents itself, will be quickly embraced. Then there's that forged note that I gave to Trebals ; I can't pay it, and discovery will follow. I shall be convicted of a felony, and have to serve a term in jail. I did wrong; and fate seems deter- mined to expose me: for always when I was just about to pay it, something went wrong. What can be done? Why not have Vincent marry Esther? In that way I may be able to hush up the forged note ; besides, Trebals is worth many millions ; and God knows how I will now support those dependent upon me. As for this foolish farce here, it must go no farther: a Duke's influence is great. Maud must marry the Duke. Here are the keys — let me see; ah, I have it, now to open these, and if the diamond ring is not in the Duke's casket, then — put it there. The Duke chose wealth ; this one. {He opens it) Just as I thought — no easy matter to pick rightly out of four — not here. Let's try this one, beauty — not here. Another trial — disposition — ah, here it is! Von Schlammer won ! Now to gently transfer it to the wealth casket, the Duke's pick — lock them all up — and the job is done. {Exit) {Re-enter the Luncheon Party) Swamplands What has become of our host? Vincent Ephraim called him out: some callers I presume. Here he comes. {Re-enter Harrison) Harrison I crave your indulgence, ladies and gentlemen: some of my business associates had to see me on ur- gent matters. Maud But, dear father, you have yet to partake of your dessert. Harrison I had just finished as the summons came. Lawyer It was the wish of the late Mrs. Harrison That each casket with its enclosed gem. Should be kept by the unlucky choosers. As a slight token of her best wishes. Now we will open them, one by one: Beauty — Wealth — Character — Disposition. The diamond ring, lies in the Wealth casket: The Duke of Swamplands wins! {Applause and congratulations) Maud {aside) Have the skies too many sorrows Of their own, to help to lighten mine? Woe is me ! Torn from the man I love ; And given to one I do not even fancy! Szvaniplands I am very sorry foah you poor fellahs! But I have been always deuced clevah, At solving puzzles, don't you know. This young lady, is a charming creatuah, And a great prize : to win her with you Three chaps pitted against me, is a rare Bit of fortune ; like capturing the Derby, Or the Diamond Sculls ! {A Child takes the dia- mond ring and gives it to Sivamplands) Child Only timid lovers ever linger, Go put the ring upon her finger. {As Swamplands nears Maud, she staggers and falls in Alicia's arms) Alicia Great heavens, she has fainted! {Exeunt) 60 FINANCIER OF NEW YORK ACT III Scene i. — A Street. {Enter Harrison, Vincent, and a Messenger Boy) Vincent Take this note to Miss Esther Trebals, and bring me an answer; make haste; she Hves over the pawn- broker shop, across the way. Mesenger I know sir, Trebals' big pawnbroking place. (Exit.) Harrison Now the only thing left for us to do, is to pos- sess our souls in patience, until the boy returns with Esther's answer. When she promised to elope with you to-night, was she eager ? Her mind might change at the last minute. Vincent Last night, the elopement was decided on, because we both thought it was the best thing to do. We were to be married to-night, and I was to call at the pawnshop to-day and arrange all the details ; first sending her word, and receiving her reply, so as to make sure that she was in the shop. She was ner- vous, naturally, and may change her mind. Harrison Well, we will soon see. Strange coincidence, that when I came to you this morning and suggested that you marry Esther in a clandestine manner, you had taken the bull by the horns and already planned an elopement for to-night. Vincent Your kindness, father, made my treachery and in- gratitude loom up darkly; can you ever forgive me? Harrison I have already done so. You know that I was bit- terly opposed to such an alliance. Vincent Yes, father, and that you now consented, is as sur- prising, as it is delightful. What caused your change of front? Hairison I had some reasons for it, which I won't go into now : besides, she is beautiful, you love her, and she will make a good wife. Vincent If Esther's reply says, come; you propose to have me go to the pawnshop and arrange with her the time, manner, etc., of our flight to-night: after giv- ing me time to do this, you will suddenly enter and angrily command me to leave, and never to visit the place again. Harrison Exactly ; that is what I said when we started here. He must be made to believe that I knew nothing of your plot; and am still bitter against your union. Vincent I have an idea. Esther and I didn't believe that Trebals would permit a marriage without your con- sent ; but you know he favored the match : why not let me tell him that you have consented? Harrison My pride wouldn't permit me to do that, after the way I scorned him: besides, he may grow suspicious; or even cranky, and oppose what he before favored. (Aside) When he finds out that I am bankrupt, if he knew that I had put up this job on him, I couldn't use one cent of his vast fortune ; and he would pros- ecute me on the forged note. Vincent Dear father, you walked away as though you were distressed : never mind, I will do as you say. Here comes the messenger ; let us go and meet him. (Exeunt) Scene H. — Trebals' Pawnbroker Shop on the Bow- ery. During the progress of this scene, two clerks stand behind the counter and wait upon the customers that come in to pawn from time to time, and this pawning is conducted in an undertone, and by dumb show, so as not to interfere with the action of the play. , . (Enter Max) Max Sometimes I says to mineself. Max, you bees von leetle fool : you love the sharming Esther ; but do you think she will ever love you? At times, she is so sugar sveet, that she vould loan money on me; and then she is so sour, as ven a hocker offers her a worthless thing to pawn. Mebbe her father wouldn't let me haf her anyways: he is the richest man on the East Side, and I am only his clerk. I think he wants to ved her to Vincent Harrison, that rich Gentile: he came to see Trebals vonce, met Esther, and now he sees her often; while her father vinks at it. He is a Gentile and I am a Hebrew : races should stick together in marrying; for ven the ancient Israelite took the Egyptian maid to wife : "Thy hand vill be against every man, and every man's hand against thee," vas the penalty laid on Ishmael, the dusky Hagar's offspring. (Enter Esther) Esther Oh, Max, I am very glad that you are here alone. Max Most sharming, Esther; do you really mean vot you just said? (Aside) Now she is sugar sveet, and mebbe vill make some love mit me. Esther For I have a favor to ask of you; and heed me good, Max, be sure and keep it a secret. Max You knows it, and I knows it, and nobody else is the wiser. Esther When father comes in, make some excuse to get away, and run with this note to Vincent Harrison. Max Vincent Harrison! All right, Esther. (Aside) Now, not herself but her vords, are as sour as vine- gar. FINANCIER OF NEW YORK 61 Esther I just came in, and found a messenger from Vin- cent had been waiting five minutes. I told him to re- port that I would send a written answer by Max. Vincent is across the street: do^this. Max, and I will never forget you. {Exit) Max "Forget." I haf heard that vord somevere: ah, I knows, it was ven Trebals offered to loan a tough, one dollar on his vatch, and he told him to "forget it." Does Esther vant to haf some funs with me? {Enter Trebals) Trebals What was it that my daughter gave you, eh? Show it to me, like a goot boy. Max Why that was only a leetle trifle. Trebals Don't try to make humbug with me, Max ; it looked like a letter; out with it. Max Here it is then ; but Esther vill be mad yust like anythmg. Trebals So, so, a witch-hazel, sveet smelling epistle to Vin- cent. {Reads it, aside) "Dear Vincent: Don't fail to come over. In regard to the elopement, I want to say that, after much reflection, I have given up all thoughts of such a thing: I haven't the heart to leave father so." No wonder I call that girl a diamond; she is always thinking of her father. They were go- ing to skip ; that's just what I want ; it is the only way to get her in that high-toned family. Max, go bring Esther here. {While Trebals re-reads the note, Max returns zvith Esther) Mine little dear, when was the wedding to take place? Esther Oh, you have read my note. To-night, father, Vin- cent was coming here to tell me when to leave: can you ever forgive my intended desertion? Trebals I can — and will, if you do as I bid you: tear up this note, and send word to Vincent that you are all ready to elope ; to come and arrange the dovetails. Esther Details, father. Trebals Yes, yes, that is the word. Esther Then you consent to our nuptials? Trebals No, I don't consent ; I am mad like a wild bull — at least I want Harrison to think so: but I'll fix that with Vincent. Go and write as I told you. Esther All right, father. Trebals Max, you go along and carry the message. {Exeunt Esther and Max) {Enter a Policeman) Policeman {to a man at counter) Look here you fellow, what are you doin' with that suit of clothes? Pa^vner I want to pawn it ; I am hard up : what's that to you? — they're my clothes. Policeman None of your back talk, or I'll soon settle your hash. Trebals {approaching) What was the matter, Meester Copper? Policeman Why another cop and myself were coming down on a Third Avenue car, when this duffer and his pal got aboard : he had a loose suit of clothes on his arm, and it looked suspicious: they got off and one stood on the corner, while this fellow came in here. {Enter a Policeman with a Prisoner) Here comes the cop with the other one. Trebals Well, I am no fence : Trebals' Pawnshop is no re- ceptacle for stolen goods. Pawner Why you won't run a man in for pawning his own stuff, will yer? Policeman It's dollars to doughnuts that you are a pair of burglars: I'll just run through the pockets; perhaps there is something that will identify the owner. Yes, sure enough, here's a card ; that's not your name, is it? nor your friend's here? Pawner No Policeman I thought not. We will just take you two inno- cents to the Police Station. {Exeunt Policemen with Prisoners) {Re-enter Esther and Max with Vincent) Vincent Hello, Trebals ; I am very glad to see you, my good friend. Trebals You hello, too, Vincent. You are a little short of monish ; you have been too extravagant ; you want to hock something? Well, Esther will attend to you. {Trebals goes away) Vincent Sweet, I thank you for your promise — Hope stills the anguish of the anxious mind, And Cupid laughs when maidens grow so kind: Then you will be mine to-night? Esther But, Vincent, do you think this rash step to be for the best? Vincent Our union will prove the truth of the adage, that, "Love laughs at locksmiths"; and the falsity of the 62 FINANCIER OF NEW YORK adage that, "The course of true love never runs smooth." Esther So be it, Vincent; I will go. Vincent Pretty Jewess! I take you, the richest treasure of your father, and leave in pledge my true heart's plighted faith. {They go aside and converse) {Enter the Duke of Szvamplands, disguised) Swamplands I think my disguise is awfully clevah : I do not be- lieve that any fellah could penetrate it, and discover underneath, the Duke of Swamplands. What would Harrison and his guileless daughter say, if they knew that I frequented pawnshops? It is no disgrace to be poah, but it is deuced inconvenient, old chap, foah you are forced to pawn some personal effects to meet present requirements. Trebals Well, mine friend; what can we do for you? Szvamplands Are you Mr. Simpson, the proprietor? Trebals Pooh, Simpson — no, I am Trebals, the proprietor. Swatnplands You see, I am from abroad ; and I am visiting the slums. Trebals The slums! What you think, this is no slums. Swamplands Don't interrupt, cawnt you wait till I finish? I am visiting the slums, and othah places of interest, in your city, to get the material for a fawncy article in London "Temple Bar," don't you know. Trebals No, I don't; how should I. Swamplands Among your numerous clientele Trebals Clientele! — was the devil is das? Swamplands Patrons, my dear fellah: among your numerous patrons, which class prevails ; those who come here through necessity, or those who come here through depravity ? Trebals Oh, many peoples want to get rid of all useful things, to buy fine dress ; while with others it is yust a habit, like drinking or gambling ; some, of course, are forced here by actual want — ^by poverty. Szvamplands Poverty — a dreadful word ! Well, old top, there is no use to conceal the truth longer, I am deuced hard up and am obliged to pawn this diamond star ; I cawnt tell you how much I dislike doing it, for it is a heirloom, do you understand, a heirloom in our family. Trebals No, I don't understand, I nix versteh; we have some fine hair oil in our family; but heirloom — I never heard of that. Szvamplands Heirlooms are rich and rare jewels, that have been in the possession of the nobility for centuries, and which they do not like to part with : they are a dis- tinguishing mark of rank and royalty ; your ignor- ance is natural, for you have no such insignia ; you are one of the common people — only a pawnbroker. Trebals Donner wetter ! you call me common, only a pawn- broker; do you see these three balls? They are far more precious than any of your heirlooms. As part of an escutcheon, they were blazoned on the shields of the rich and noble family of the Medici ; the first pawnbrokers : were handed down by them to their descendants ; and we have had them in our family ever since! Swamplands Aw, quite a clevah yarn from history; and really a fact, too. Trebals Yust excuse me a moment. (Aside) Damme, here comes Harrison ! H I tell Vincent, he'll stay and face him, and they will quarrel ; no, I will keep mums and get him out of the way. Say, Vincent, you and Esther, please and step into that room a minute. Vincent All right, Trebals. Trebals I have a leetle private business. (He shoves them in and locks the door) Max They both prides them on their ancestors : the one boasts of heirlooms, and the other brags of three gilded balls. It vas no use ; Trebals is vain and proud like a peacock, and would say "Raus mit him," if he even suspected that I vas sveet on his shild. For truly good birth, I am more worth than either of them : I am named Max, after my father ; and my father is the original Max, who started the first "Busy Bee" lunch room. Now, the devil comes to me, and tempts me! He says. Max, pack up a big bundle of watches, diamonds, and other valuable things and run avay ; my conscience says, no, Max, think of your distinguished family ; the devil says run, my conscience says be honest ; and between the two I have the devil's own time, even if I have not yet took his adwice. (Enter Harrison) Harrison Where the devil, is this man, Trebals? Zounds! I will see him at once ! Trebals Here I am. Why, Meester Harrison! What can I do for you? Negotiate a loan to you, taking your old clothing for securities? FINANCIER OF NEW YORK 63 Harrison None of your vulgar witticisms, sir. I won't have my son coming here — do you hear me ? Damn it ! do you apprehend ? He was seen just now to enter here : where is he? Trebals What I know? I am not your son's keeper. Damn it! do you apprehension me, sir? Harrison But, he was here ; what made him go out ? Trebals Vv'hat made him go out? Why, I pushed him. Harrison You pushed him! What do you mean? What for? Trebals Just because I didn't want him in here — and I don't want you here, either. I came to you, and voluntarily ofifered you the honor and distinction of an alliance with the rich and illustrious Trebals fam- ily; and you scorned me, sir. The Knights of the Three Balls, never forget — and seldom forgive — an insult. Harrison Such a union would be a mesalliance. Trebals Such a union, would be a mess — an unsavory mess. Harrison My son shall never marry your daughter, unless he elopes with her! Trebals My daughter shall never marry your son, unless she elopes with him! (They shake fists) Clerk (behind the counter) Under the powerful microscope, these stones show a yellow tinge. Swamplands You are a nawsty liar! Clerk Here, take your diamonds, and get out! (Clerk comes out) Swamplands I'll chawstise you, sir! Clerk Get out, I say! (Pushes him) Swamplands You vulgah, impertinent cad! The ideah to call the Swamplands jewels yellow! I'll teach you! (They grapple, and Swamplands' wig comes off) Harrison Merciful powers — the Duke of Swamplands! Swamplands Harrison! — you here? What a deuced unlucky chaunce! (Exit the Duke, and then Harrison, as Trebals unlocks the door and lets Esther and Vincent in) Scene III. — Centre Street, in front of the Tombs. (Enter Trebals and a lawyer.) Lawyer We are very near the court room now, and the trial won't come up for five minutes ; let us pause and get our breaths. — Continue, now. Trebals As I said, this Harrison gave me the forged note; and he should be treated just the same as poor crim- inals. When we went before the Magistrate yester- day why didn't you show him the note, and get a warrant out for Harrison's arrest? Lazvyer Simply because I thought the best and safest way for you was to have him summon all the parties in in- terest ; examine them ; and then issue the warrant on his own volition ; if you had insisted yesterday upon an arrest warrant, and the Magistrate find the evi- dence insufficient, Harrison could bring a suit against you for heavy damages. Trebals x Damages ! Heavy damages ! Father Abraham, then I am glad you didn't "do it. Harrison is a hopeless bankrupt ; the endorser is not liable because his name was forged; and the note is worth nothings; I lose one hundred thousand dollars ; but I will be amply re- venged for it, and the other injuries he has done me ; but heavy damages,— hold me, I feel such a faintness. Lawyer . Steady, there.— Come we had best be movmg.— Did not Harrison's son Vincent marry your daughter Esther? Trebals Yes, they eloped; and my pet wed the son of a prodigal; for Harrison had lost all his mazuma at the time and was a pauper. He is poorer than Job's turkey. His poverty was kept secret awhile, but it finally got into all the newspapers. His wealthy friends all deserted him, so he wanted to ally himself with the rich Trebals, before the news came out ;— but I will have revenge ! (Exeunt) (Enter Harrison) Harrison Now are the happy thoughts of former days, Turned by misfortunes into terrors ; For shorn of my wealth by one fell blow, I stand, too, a chance to lose my liberty. See, yonder yawns the grim and ghastly Tombs; All hope abandon, ye who enter there : Christened with the awful name of "tombs" Because it is the graveyard of dead hopes: With loud and frantic outcries of despair. Its victims sink behind its gloomy walls. Built like the Mosques of the Mohammedans, W^ith gables ; and a high tower with balconies : From such a minaret, the Turkish muezzin. Summons the faithful to their daily prayers: And aught else but prayer, there nothing is. That can avail in prison : and better thus ; For stricken sore, they turn then to their pod : While rich men's crimes do flourish in their filth ; And defiant here, will meet the eternal doom. (Exit) 64 FINANCIER OF NEW YORK Scene IV. — A Magistrate's Court. Clerk George Wilson, to the bar. {An OMcer brings Wil- son from the wire cage.) Magistrate Officer, let us hear what you have to say against this man? Officer He was drunk and disorderly, your Honor, and I had to take him in. Magistrate Wilson, what have you to say to this charge? Wilson I wouldn't be so discourteous as to contradict the officer. Magistrate Thirty days in the Penitentiary. {The prisoner is removed) Clerk Jennie Travers, to the bar. {An Officer brings Jen- nie from the wire cage) Magistrate Jennie, you are charged with soliciting men for immoral purposes. A few months ago you were here on the same charge, and I let you go, on a promise to reform. Jennie {crying) I tried to get work, sir, and did on two occasions, but my employers soon found out about me, and dis- charged me. Magistrate Officer, you are sure that she was soliciting? Officer I am, your Honor. Magistrate I am sorry, Jennie, but I will have to sentence you to the Penitentiary for sixty days. {The prisoner is removed, sobbing loudly) Magistrate Trebals, complainant: against Harrison. An ex- amination into an alleged forgery. The complainant, Trebals, has importuned us so hard, that we issued summonses for the accused, and some witnesses who it is claimed can give testimony against him. The fixed hour has now arrived, and this cause must in- terrupt our regulated course of session. I say, is Harrison here? Harrison Yes, your Honor. Magistrate You are charged with the commission of a crime. You may understand, sir, that all persons who are proceeded against criminally, are brought alike be- fore the Magistrate Courts. Misdemeanors are pun- ished by the Magistrates themselves ; but in graver crimes, the accused are held for trial before higher tribunals ; and to this end are either locked up in the Tombs ] or paroled oh bail. Harrison I understand you perfectly, your Honor. {Enter Trebals) Magistrate I am sorry for you ; a gentleman of high standing in the community ; to be exposed to the rude and scornful gaze of a promiscuous crowd. Trebals Oh, that will do him goot. Magistrate I told your accuser that the examination might take place in my chambers ; but he, destitute of pity, demanded that it be held in open court ; which, being well within his rights, I could not gainsay. Trebals What you think? This is no full dress party. Magistrate Silence ! — Kind sir, it is hoped that Trebals will think better of this matter, and here before our face ■ will withdraw this seeming groundless charge, and with ample apologies to yourself and wounded honor, together you will go from here in friendship and in amity. Harrison Yet, if he remain obdurate ; my spirit, almost brok- en under misfortunes, and the penalties of doing wrong, will scarcely feel the added stroke. Magistrate Trebals, there are some who think, myself among the number, that you through pure malice and bitter hate have trumped up a charge against this financier, which though it may have a show of truth, is yet es- sentially both base and false ; and that when your fury has run a wearying course, you will excuse yourself, withdraw the charge, and confess that you have done this man a grievous wrong. Trebals I will confess nothings ; I will have the law on him, or you shall confess that your judiciary and courts are but travesties of justice. Why did you not put him in the prisoners' pen there, where you put the poor criminals : who though their sins are light, yet are locked up like pigs in a pen, to wait their fate ; as arrest is almost equivalent to conviction. You show no alacrity to pursue the rich malefactors: and when they are brought here ; you set them free as easily as water is bailed out of a leaking boat. Magistrate Well, you shall have justice : — look to it that some of it does not react upon yourself. Take the witness chair : — now swear that all your evidence shall \fe. the truth. Trebals I never swear. Magistrate You affirm: — raise your right hand. {Trebals af- firms) You have conscientious scruples againpt swearing ? FINANCIER OF NEW YORK 65 Trebals I have no scruples, as you call them, against any- thing. Magistrate What is it, then? Trebals I stopped swearing, because I had so many com- petitors ; there are too many people using cuss words. Magistrate You don't apprehend me; but no matter: — now go on with your testimony. Trebals Was is das? Magistrate Ha, ha, you are not familiar with that word : — I mean, tell me your story: what you accuse Harrison of. Trebals What I accuse him of : listen, — I wanted my daugh- ter to become one of the four hundred, so I got her to marry his son ; and then he, — her father-in-law, goes and loses all his money. Magistrate We take no cognizance of such matters here. I thought you said he gave you a forged note? Trebals Yes, he did. Magistrate You have the note with you? Trebals I have it in my pockets : here it is. (Magistrate takes note) Magistrate Now, what part of this note is a forgery? Trebals The name of Goldstone on the back. Magistrate This endorsement of Isidore Goldstone? Trebals Yaw. Magistrate Tell us all about this note, and how you know that his name is forged? Trebals I loaned him one hundred thousand dollars on his note: the day the note came due, he sends for me to come to his office, that he wanted to renew it. Magistrate And you went ? Trebals I went, because I wanted to show him my diamond. Magistrate Your diamond? Trebals Yes, — my daughter, Esther. Magistrate Oh, leave her out! Trebals What? Magistrate Come, go on with your story. Trebals I told Harrison that I would renew the note, but he would have to have a goot endorser; he told me very goot, wait a minute: he went back to his private of- fice, where Goldstone happened to be sitting at the time ; and soon he was back with this note. Magistrate You say that Goldstone was in the private office : his name here on the back of the note, might have been written then and there: how do you know that it was not? Trebals It was written then and there, but not by Goldstone, Magistrate Not by Goldstone: by who, then? Trebals Meester Harrison. Magistrate Incredible, sir: — what makes you think so? Trebals I don't think it ; I am sure of it ; because I know Goldstone's writing. Magistrate How can you be sure of it: you are not an expert? Trebals Was is das? Magistrate Why, an expert is one who is skilled in his busi- ness. You are not skilled in handwriting, — but you are skilled in your pawnbroker's business, are you not? Trebals You bet I am ! Why I have some hockers who in- sist that their Waterbury watches contain Swiss movements: and others come to soak watches whose cases are filled with lead, pewter or brass, and yet swear that they are solid gold. They want to get my geld. Magistrate Ah, I see : — and to ascertain the real nature of the metal you have to use acid? Trebals Nein, — I use X-Rays. Magistrate Have you in your establishment a light penetrating enough to pierce into solid substances: — the wonder- ful X-Ray? Trebals Yaw, — I have it in my eyes. Magistrate You meant to say that you have an unusual keen- ness of vision. Why did you call it an X-Ray? Trebals Because it has saved me many a ten-dollar bill. 66 FINANCIER OF NEW YORK Magistrate Ha, ha ! — When did you first notice the forgery ? Trebals Right away when he gave me the note. Magistrate Did you say anything to him about it? Trebals I said nothings. Magistrate Why not? Trebals Because I wanted to have somethings on him. Magistrate Did you expect ever to charge him with forgery? Trebals Listen. He hadn't lost his money then, and I iwanted Esther to become number four hundred and one; if he helped me I would keep quiet about the forgery ; if he didn't I would turn him over to the law. Magistrate Trebals, your motive is perfectly palpable : you wanted to hold the note over his head, in terrorem. Trebals Was is das? I have heard me of ta-ra-ra bum te-a, but "in terrorem" — nix versteh. Magistrate That phrase means, in a threatening manner. Well, I think we have heard all of your evidence : you may leave the stand. {To the Clerk) What other parties were summoned in this case ? Clerk Isidore Goldstone, and a handwriting expert. Magistrate Let them appear. Clerk Isidore Goldstone, please come forward. {No re- sponse) Not present, your Honor. The Paying Tell- er of the East Side Bank, please come forward. {The Paying Teller comes forzvard) Magistrate Take the witness stand. You swear that your evi- dence shall be true. {He swears) Are you able to swear whether the endorsement of Goldstone on the back of this note is genuine or not? Teller {looking at note) I am. Magistrate How is it that you are able to do so? Teller Because Isidore Goldstone is a depositor in the East Side Bank, of which I am the Paying Teller. Magistrate Ah. that being so, you must be very familiar with his signature? Teller Yes, your honor. Magistrate Is that Goldstone's handwriting? Teller It is not. Magistrate Do you swear positively that it is not? Teller I do. Magistrate That is all ; you may leave the stand. Harrison, the evidence in this case demands that you be held for the action of the Grand Jury. Trebals O, worthy Magistrate! O, upright Judge! Magistrate The Court will admit you to bail in the sum of ten thousand dollars ; which I presume you can easily pro- cure? Harrison No, your Honor ; my recent ventures have been so disastrous that I am hopelessly bankrupt ; there is scarcely a thing that I can call my own. I may yet have a friend whose friendship survives the loss of fortune; but I have made no effort to search for such a one. Magistrate I am sorry for you, then, but you will have to be confined. Trebals O, most wise Judge! A second Solomon dispens- ing justice! Magistrate Now, Harrison, if you have anything that you would like to say we will lend an attentive ear. Harrison But little at this time. Fortune has acted in my af- fairs, as is her custom. It has ever been her way with those she really loves, to slowly wean them from their love of the world and turn them from the mor- bid and discontenting lusts of wealth, to emulate the usages that prevail in that sweet after land of im- maculate conceptions. My rapid rise and sudden fall have taught me this : A thankful heart doth get much out of little ; but a greedy heart gets little out of much. Magistrate Good, sir. I am glad to see you take the rebuffs of fortune in this philosophic way. Officer, do your duty. {Officer takes Harrison and starts to go) {Enter Goldstone) Goldstone Your Honor, I am a little late, from no fault of mine ; a breakdown on the cars. Magistrate Your excuse is a valid one. As long as you are present it seems only proper that we should take your testimony. Let the prisoner remain. Take the stand Goldstone. You swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Goldstone I do. {He raises right hand) FINANCIER OF NEW YORK 67 Hummer {noted Criminal lawyer) As counsel for the defendant Harrison, I object, your Honor, to the admission of the evidence of this man, in that it will be a rank injustice to the defend- ant. Harrison is bankrupt, cannot pay the note, and Goldstone will have to pay one hundred thousand dol- lars if the endorsement is proven to be his. Here we have a direct and powerful motive to commit perjury, by swearing^ that the writing is not his ; and were such perjury committed, it would ^o far towards convicting my client on the charge of forgery. Besides, your honor, this witness is of the same stock and race as the accuser. Magistrate What would you think of a man, who to aid another simply because he was of the same nationality, would even palter with the truth? Hummer I should regard such a course of conduct as utterly inconsistent with the rectitude of conscientious scrup- ulosity. Maf'istrate Then I forbid vou ever making a?ain in this Court such a race-prejudice base insinuation as you have just made against Mr. Goldstone. Hummer I apolosfize, your Honor ; my zeal for my client led me too far. Magistrate (hands note to Goldstone') Look at this note. Trehals He never signed it ; if he swears true I lose a hun- dred thousand, but gain my revenge; if he swears false, (he'll have to pav the note) I lose my reveng^e, but gain a hundred thousand. {Extends his arms sidezvays to resemble a scale) Money — Revenue : Ra- ven "e-^Monev: which of the two weighs the heavier? — Father Abraham, I cannot part with either ! Magistrate Goldstone, the uncontradicted evidence in this case shows that the note you are examinins- was eiven to the complainant Trebals by the defendant Harrison; and it purports to have been endorsed by you. Tre- bals asserts that your name on the back was_ not written by you ; but that it is a forgery of Harrison. The Paying Teller of the East Side Bank testifies also that your name is forged. Is that your handwriting? Did you endorse this note? Goldstone {agitated) Did I endorse the note^let me see ; I don't remem- ber,— I must have time to think:— I will refresh my memory by a talk with Harrison. Magistrate Very well. {Goldstone leaves the stand and con- fers with Harrison) Trebals He wants time to think; the truth springs from the lips like the gracious water, when Moses struck the rock ; but the lie takes time to think. Goldstone {aside to Harrison) That is not my writing; who put my name there? Surely you can prove your innocence? Harrison It is all my doing ; I wrote your name on the back ; but heaven help me, with no intent to defraud you ; I was sure that I would be able to pay it ; I knew that it was dishonorable; but to me it did not seem a crime. Goldstone Alas, what can I say — what can I do to help you! Harrison Nothing, — you must tell the truth : and I, the once rich and proud Harrison, shall become a convicted felon. Goldstone No, no, dear friend, that is too shameful. The Bible says, what is more glorious than that a man lay down his life for his friend ; I am required to make no such sacrifice to save you. I think that I can do it without even sacrificing my honor, and the end justifies the means. {Goldstone takes the stand again) Magistrate Well, Goldstone, are you able now to answer? Goldstone Yes, your Honor. Magistrate Is the endorsement yours? Goldstone It was endorsed by my agent; and I hereby con- firm his action. That binds me to pay the note, and I will do so. Trebals I won't submit to it. This is a lie to get him out of the jug; but your Honor won't allow them to pull the wool over your eyes. You will lock him up? Aiagistrate Why, Trebals, you almost make me believe with Pythagoras in the transmigration of souls; for that soul that now controls your body is as cruel and un- natural as a ravening wolf. This gentleman, Mr. Goldstone, is one of your own race ; even if he did strain a legal point to save a friend, his act was kind, humane, and merciful. Trebals Men don't show mercy unless they make a profit by it, or because they are forced to. Magistrate Our tendencies to mercy are not constrained; But awaken of themselves: and once aroused, They flow onward like the mighty Mississippi ; Whose strong current and compulsive course, Ne'er feels retiring ebb, but keeps right on, And empties in the Gulf of Mexico ! Trebals Harrison never showed me mercy. Har7'ison Your Honor, you might as well stand on the ocean 68 FINANCIER OF NEW YORK beach and attempt to stem the rising tide ; or bid the hurricane gusts of heaven to spare your favorite trees, as seek to sway his hate. Trebals Hates any man a thing deserving of his love? He laughs at my losses, begrudges my gains, and in de- rision calls me a Jew. Is not a Jew the same as a Christian? If you tickle us, do we not giggle? If you strike us, do we not holler? Are not Jews' out- sides or cases, and insides or works, just the same as Christians'? I am very rich, and my Esther was queen of the east side four thousand ; but I wasn't satisfied. I wanted her to become one of the west side four hundred ; so against the traditions of my race I married her to the son of this Christian gentleman, who was reputed to be worth thirty millions, and isn't worth thirty cents. Magistrate Well, Trebals, I am deeply sorry for you ; it is very bitter to meet with reverses in our social ambitions. Unfortunately this Court can afford you no relief ; you may get it in a court of equity. Trebals Himmel 1 He is trying to have some fun mit me. M agist ?■ ate As for you, Harrison, you are honorably discharged from custody, and the complaint against you dis- missed. The Court regrets that you have been sub- jected to these indignities. (Repressed applause, and exeunt Harrison, Goldstone and Trebals) ACT IV Scene I. — Reception Room of the Harrison Man- sion. (Enter Von Schlammer and Alicia) Von Schlammer Fraulein, as I arrived here a little early I thought that instead of going directly to the parlors, where Miss Harrison and the Duke of Swamplands are to be united in the holy bands of matrimony, I would first come to the reception room. Alicia And as I happened to be passing we just met by chance. Von Schlammer Yes, lucky chance ! But tell me, why wasn't the af- fair held in the church? Alicia Why, Miss Harrison pleaded for a simple wedding, and her father, almost heartbroken over his loss of fortune, at last consented. The very few friends who stuck to him in adversity were the only ones invited. Von Schlammer How does the Duke take his prospective father-in- law's downfall? Alicia When I see him in company with Maud he acts like a man who had a white elephant on his hands, but was trying heroically to make the best of it. Von Schlammer The fair, the charming Miss Maud Harrison, will soon be the Duchess of Swamplands. It only lacks fifteen minutes of the time set for the ceremony. Our own wedding will follow swift upon ; only one week apart. Alicia, you love me, don't you? Alicia Yes, but Von Schlammer But what? Alicia I feel that I am doing you a great wrong. I am so far beneath you. Von Schlammer No, mein liebes Lamm! You are as far above me as the skies are from the earth ! Alicia Then, too, I am haunted by the spectre of the drunkard ; you may give way to intemperance again. Von Schlammer Alicia, life is but a struggle between opposing pas- sions — some good — others bad. My love for you is divine ! My love for liquor beastly ! Guarded by you and sweet children why should I not continue to re- sist the tempter? And our home would rise an earthly paradise, where the serpent had forever given up hope to enter. Alicia Dear Otto, you have painted the picture very fair; and although the reality fall short of it, still peace and joy may be there. But I must leave you now. I have to prepare myself and put the finishing touches to the bride's toilet. Von Schlammer Adieu then, Fraulein, for a few moments. I left Carenausht in the billiard room. I will join him there. (Exeunt) (Enter Maud in bridal dress concealed by a cloak) Maud No one here? I thought that I might see Leonard. Shame on me. Niobe, who wept so over the death of her children, had no more cause for sorrow than I have over my buried hopes. Torn from the man I love and decked out in silks and laces to be bound forever to a man that I am not even attached to ! Can a more dreadful fate be imagined for a woman ; a fragile, delicate plant that subsists almost entirely up- on affection? O, woe is mine! Woe is me! (She breaks out in a paroxysm of grief) (Enter Cassatt) Cassatt Maud — Miss Harrison — you here! And in tears! This piteous spectacle is not unlike my dream. Maud What dream? FINANCIER OF NEW YORK 69 Cassatt I dreamt last night that the diamond ring that the Duke chose turned into a snake on your finger, and bit you. Then I seemed to see your mother standing by your side and beckoning me to come and take you. Maud Oh, I, too, often lie awake in restless ecstasy, dreaming such horrid fancies. They are but the off- spring of a mind laboring under grief. Cassatt Your anguish and my anguish make it sure that the happiness of two lives are at stake ; you must refuse to go farther with this tragedy. Maud Alas, I can do nothing I Cassatt Strong in your woman's sense of right, you can refrain from uttering hollow and insincere mockeries of solemn marriage vows. If your father forbids you the house a temporary asylum can be found in some respectable family. A few days to have our troth well plighted, and then we'll go to the church and be united. Maud Would to heaven that it might be so, Leonard ! But it is impossible; for I am resolved to suffer anything rather than become unfilial, and undutiful to my la- mented mother. Cassatt But your mother devised the scheme of the caskets out of her great love for you ; to guard and protect you. She would be filled with remorse and horror could she know of your present peril. No, for my sake, for your sake, for her sake, you must refuse to marry the Duke! Maud Leonard, you could not nor did not know my mother as I knew her. She was an earthly saint, and I believe that it was impossible for her to have had a wrong inspiration upon a matter so very, very dear to her as my welfare. Yes, I shall obey her behest and leave the rest to Providence. Cassatt Heaven help me ! I believe it has — for my soul ris- ing above agony, soars into exultation over your ex- hibition of noble womanhood 1 Maud {extending hand) Farewell ! Cassatt Farewell 1 Oh, fatal knell ; a word that makes one shudder, yet farewell! (Exit Maud) When I lose you the light goes out and darkness comes. {Exit) {Enter Harrison) Harrison My downfall is complete ; and has now become no- torious. The gorgeous religious, commercial and so- cial structure that I built, rested not on the rock of moral excellence, but on the quicksand of money: and the winds of heaven came and beat upon that temple, and great was the fall thereof. Nothing will ever make the rich man repent, and see the folly of his ways, but adversity. The awful blows that I have received may prove my salvation. Yet my conver- sion is but half accomplished: I begin to see that the golden calf was but a poor substitute to worship in place of the Almighty; I have lost my antipathy to Trebals and Cassatt; appreciate their real worth, and could easily learn to like them. But the caskets; there's the rub: I lack the courage to confess, that I tampered with them : although through the base de- ception, Maud is not to marry the winner, Von Schlammer, but goes to the Duke. Under the old light, this marriage seemed a blessing ; under the new light, it seems a curse. The only thing that I have to console me is that Von Schlammer might not have proved any more desirable. {Enter Addison and Algernon) Harrison Addison and Algernon, my good friends, I am glad that you are here ! Addison But my dear fellow, you look sad — must it be so? why not put a merrier visage on? Harrison Some of my sins have died ; and I am in mourning for them. I borrowed half a million from you two gentlemen, which you would have lost, had I not deeded this mansion to you as security. I owe you much in money — more in love; and from that love, I have the privilege to hold this wedding here. This house belongs to you ; these very walls are yours, as mortgage for the debt; and after to-day you shall have possession. Algernon Do not hurry so ; it will suffice if you vacate within the week. Were we free to act our pleasure, you should not leave at all, but we had to borrow to loan to you. {Enter Goldstone) Harrison Excuse me, I will rejoin you in a trice. Isidore Goldstone, welcome ! My rescuer, deliverer ; the good Goldstone, the generous Goldstone — oh, that I had an epithet jxpressive enough to qualify your name ! Goldstone Stop and consider, Harrison, and use your encom- iums sparingly. What am I? Our race, by a large part of the world, is held in scorn and hatred. The most scathing harangue of bitter invective is sur- passed when men say that Goldstone — is a Jew. Harrison Men say many things rather than their prayers; things they know little about ; things they don't mean. You — why you lost one hundred thousand dollars to keep me from a felon's cell : you paid the guilty note I gave to Trebals. Speak of the devil, and he always appears. {Enter Trebals, follozved by Vincent, Esther and Carenaught; they stand in a group. Harrison and Goldstone join Addison, Algernon, Slyfellow and Steel. The last two having just entered) 70 FINANCIER OF NEW YORK Trebals So, this is the palatial mansion, where Meester Har- rison lives, eh? Solomon, in his glory, had a ten years' lease on yust such a property. But he can't stay here ; and I gloat over it : he is going to be put out ; the same as the poor people of the East Side are for the non-payment of rent. Harrison, the plutocratic — the aristocratic — the autocratic — or any other atic — has to leave and go into an attic ! Esther Father, you ought not give way to hatred : you must not only love your friends, but you must love your enemies also. Trebals I love my friends, but I keep my eyes peeled when I am with them : my enemies — are enemies, in spite of my love. Esther Mister Harrison, is Vincent's father, and you were always crazy to have me marry Vincent. Trebals That was to make you one of the four hundred ; but your father-in-law lost all his monish, and is now as poor as a church mouse. Fate seems against you, Esther, I thinks me that you and Vincent will have to open a delicatessen. Vincent Ha, Ha, Trebals! A delicatessen — to sell sauer- kraut, mixed pickles and cheese; not for ours, eh, Esther ? Esther You must not take the remark of father, seriously ; he is very fond of his jokes. Trebals Then why not go in the pawnbroker's business? My hock shop may soon be sold out under the ham- mer: you can buy it cheap, and Max, of the "Busy Bee" ancestry, will be throv^^n in to boot. Esther knows all the tricks of that trade. Vincent You are a practical man, Trebals ; you know that a newly-married couple cannot live ofif of love, alone ; and that it is always a struggle to pay expenses. I thank you for this solicitude. I am sure that Esther and I will get along : we are devoted to each other, and that is a whole lot to a young pair just starting out together. Esther Oh, I am so happy with Vincent, and I look for- ward to the future with confidence. I am so fortunate, that I will try to be content, whether I either lack the good things of this life, or abound in them. Carenaught By Jove! I rather like this marrying, don't you know : it seems to stir one up to say or do something quite quixotic, and absurd : but deuce take it, Cas- satt and myself, have been unlucky in our attempts to hitch up with a running mate. Esther But Marquis, you may not have yet run across the right one. Carenaught Perhaps not; but I attribute my failure to othah causes. On the othah side, they call me care-naught, or don't care, because I am such a nonchalant loser ; and a spendthrift, who cawnt keep money. I guess that the American millionaires have got on to my rep- utation — as they snub me. They seem to idolize their filthy lucre, don't you understand, and are afraid that I will blow it in. Thebals {noisily) These multi-millionaires, and trust magnates, in their endeavor to make the prophet Nazarene's con- demnation of the rich, as elastic as the Sherman Anti- Trust Law, say that "Needle's eye," does not refer to a sewing needle, or even a darning needle, but to a narrow pass in the mountains of Palestine. To in- terpret a law falsely does not evade its penalty ! Harrison {approaching) Look here, you Trebals, I am no eavesdropper Trebals Ich versteh sie nicht ! Harrison What is he saying? Some insult, I imagine. Trebals Not at all ; I only said : "I don't get you." Harrison Ah, I see — then I will explain. An eavesdropper, is one that with a malicious intent, tries to overhear the private talk of others. I didn't try to overhear you ; I couldn't help myself : neither could my guests : and your bombastic and noisy utterances assailed their ears, much to my mortification. What brought you here anyhow? What right have you to come unin- vited into my house? Trebals Your house! It don't belong to you any longer: and as for an invite — I did receive one from my estimable son-in-law, Vincent. Harrison Your estimable son-in-law, Vincent! He should never have been your son-in-law, had you not coerced your daughter, Esther, to entice him to elope with her. Trebals Esther should never have been your daughter-in- law, had you not coerced your son, Vincent, to en- tice her to elope with him. Harrison You were ambitious ; I was rich as Croesus : you determined to ally your family with mine — you suc- ceeded : your vaulting ambition did o'erleap the ele- vated mark ; yet fell down on the other side, for I had become a bankrupt. Trebals You were a beggar ; I was rich as creosote : you de- termined to get a part of my mazuma by marrying Vincent to Esther : you suck-seed-ed : your pole vault- FINANCIER OF NEW YORK 71 ing ambition leaped over the elevated railroad, and fell down in the mud gutter, for I had become bank- rupted. Harrison You, a bankrupt! Impossible! Trebals It is possible — and probable, too, from the condi- tion of my pocketbook, which looks as though an elephant had stepped on it. Harrison Why, you were known to be worth many millions. I beseech you, sir, say that you are only fooling! Trebals But I am not fooling; I wish I were: I lost all my precious, precious money in United Pacifies. Harrison United Pacific Railroads ! — lost all your vast for- tune in that stock: incredible, sir! Trebals Why, incredible? I held many millions' worth of the stock, which I had bought and paid for. When the news that the watermelon had been cut, was flashed into my brokers' offices, I was crazy to get a slice of it. Harrison Well, did you do so? Trebals Yes, I got a slice, a very large slice ; but it was all — water, and no — melon. As I was saying, I quick- ly ordered them to buy for me at any old price, five times as much stock as I then held. This they did ; bidding for and taking every share in sight. Harrison Then it was your buying that gave the stock, after the melon was cut, such a big boost. We expected a big rise, of course ; but this rise was unprecedented — the stock fairly soared. Trebals Yes, the stock fairly soared; and now I am sore — damned sore ! Harrison Ha, ha! Now all these heavy purchases were not paid for in full : you bought them on a margin : how much margin did you have up? Trebals Twenty-five points margin: after putting up my last dollar. Harrison And having paid such an inflated price for your holdings, you were ruined by the decline which set in, when the United States Supreme Court stigmatized ■the melon as being rotten? Trebals Yes, the stock dropped like a punctured kite; and I was wiped out of stocks, money, everything! Now I am chewing the rag— that did the wiping. Harrison Ha, ha, ha! Trebals What are you laughing at? Harrison Ha, ha, ha, ha! this is too funny for anything! Trebals Funny — where is the joke? Tell me where the fun comes in for a man to be worth twenty-five millions, and then go broke? — for I want to laugh, too — haw, haw. Harrison Trebals, the loss of your money was a great catas- trophe ; there is nothing funny about that : the funny part is that you lost it in United Pacifies. Trebals Why so? Harrison Because, I lost all my money in that stock. Trebals Incredible, sir: do you mean to tell me that your lost money went in this way? I didn't know you had much at stake in that property. Harrison You knew that I was a Director, did you not? Trebals Yes, I knew that, but did not think you owned much stock. Harrison Like yourself, the melon was my undoing. I loaded up to the muzzle with the stock in anticipation of its cutting; but before I could sell out, the Court's ad- verse decision, made the public look at the juicy fruit, askance ; the bottom dropped out of the mar- ket, and I was cleaned out of stocks, money, every- thing ! Trebals Haw, haw, haw! Harrison I can't see anything to laugh at, sir. Trebals Haw, haw, haw, haw ! This is the funniest thing that ever was ! Harrison What, you unfeeling man : funny for a wealthy man to become a pauper? Trebals Harrison, the loss of your monish was a great cats-as-trophy ; there is no joke in that : what tickles me is that you lost it in United Pacifies. Harrison Ha, ha, ha! There is no use, Trebals, in trying to be at enmity with you : for your good nature, and humor, are infectious : they have permeated me from head to foot. I think that the best thing we can do, is to let bygones, be bygones ; shake hands and be- come the best of friends. What do you say? 72 FINANCIER OF NEW YORK Trebals With all my heart, Meester Harrison. {They shake hands) Trebals is always willino- to be friendly : he is not so bad as he is reputed to be : his bark is worser than his bite. Harrison Trebals, we now enter into cordial relations, which I trust will never be interrupted. Trebals Vincent and Esther are united; and Harrison and Trebals will form a leetle union on their own hook, to make it pleasant for th^J;iny tots ; that may soon reasonably be expected. Esther ( blushing ) Oh, father, you are looking too far ahead. Mr. Harrison, you are very good and kind. This delight- ful reconciliation removes the only obstacle to our becoming one loving and happy family. Harrison May God grant that it will prove so. Vincent Trebals, Esther, father — all is joy! There is but a single cloud to mar the general sunshine : heaven help her, I am afraid that Maud is unhappy. Harrison (aside) That fear weighs too, like lead, upon my heart! (Enter Ephraim) Ephraim Massa Harrison, you done told me to promulgate the arrival of the Parson. Harrison Yes, Ephraim, has he come? Ephraim Yes, sah, he am just arrived. Harrison Did you conduct him to a place where he could make his preparations? Ephraim Yes, massa, I tuk him to dat spare room, and left him thar: he soon came out and said that all the specked potatoes Harrison No, no — spectators, Ephraim. Ephraim Yes, sah, something like that. They must all as- semble in the parlors, because he were gwine to per- form the sarahmony. He had a long, thin, black ul- ster on. Harrison A long thin black ulster — that was no ulster he had on ; it was a ministerial robe — or surplice, that the Clergy wear at all services. (Addressing all) Come, my friends, let us go to the parlors. (Exeunt all but Ephraim) Ephraim These wedding services don't amount to nothin' — they are too dry. Thank goodness, they only come to one person three times in their life. They didn't use ter come but once; but that war before the age of divorces. (Exit) Scene H. — The Parlors of the Harrison Mansion: sumptuously furnished, and profusely adorned with plants and flowers. (Enter Harrison and two Attendants) Harrison The wedding guests are now about to enter: Dan- iel, you go to the bridegroom ; and Martha, you go to the bride ; and apprise them of the fact. When I ring the bell, the Duke and his best man will enter on that side; and Maud and her bridesmaids will en- ter on the opposite side. Do you understand? Attendants Yes, sir, perfectly. (Exeunt an Attendant at each side, and Harrison at back) (Enter in procession — Clergyman, Harrison, Care- naught, Von Schlammer, Addison, Algernon, Trebals, Slyfellow, Steel, Goldstone, Cassatt, Vincent, lawyer, Esther, Alicia and other wedding guests. They spread around the room, leaving a space in the back centre, where the officiating Cler gyman takes his stand. Harrison rings bell, and the Musicians play a wedding march. (Re-enter Daniel) Daniel Master, the bridegroom has not yet arrived. Harrison The bridegroom not yet here ! That is strange. Why did you not return with this intelligence at once ? Daniel Thinking that he would arrive shortly, I waited as long as I dared to; then started to warn you — when the bell rang. Harrison Go instantly, and warn my daughter of the Duke's absence. Confusion ! it is too late ; here she comes with her bridesmaids. (Maud and her Bridesmaids march over to the Clergyman) Clergyman (after a wait) Where is the bridegroom? Harrison Reverend sir, and you my kind friends all : I crave your lenity : something — I know not what, but which I am very sure was unavoidable, has delayed the bride- groom. Clergyman Indeed! Then, the bride and her maids, will please be seated until his arrival. (Advancing and speaking aside with Harrison) Yonder timepiece shows it al- ready ten minutes past the appointed hour : yet lovers, like schoolboys, ever move faster than the clock. The matter seems serious, and should be at once looked into. Harrison And shall be — but who can I send? (To Lawyer) Ah, Counselor, you have been to the Duke's apart- ments : you know the street and number ? FINANCIER OF NEW YORK 73 Lawyer Yes, very well. Harrison Will you kindly make a hasty trip there, and ex- press our solicitude for the Duke, in that he may be ill? In that way it may luckily be revealed too, how soon this strain can be lifted from our guests' pa- tience and the ceremony proceed. Laxvyer With great pleasure: and as the distance is short, you will not have long to wait for my return. {Exif) Clergyman With your approval, I will say a few words to your guests of explanation and apology. Harrison Do so, by all means. Clergyman Dear friends : Our worthy host regrets exceedingly that the felicity of this occasion should be marred by the inexplicable absence of the groom. A mes- senger has been dispatched for him ; which will no doubt ensure his speedy arrival. During the interim, our host begs that you cast aside all formality and propriety of behaviour and mingle together in pleas- ant intercourse. {The Guests group promiscuously: some sit down) (A group of girls, promenading) Edith My gracious ! I think that I would surely faint, if I were going to be wed, and my dear intended was late at the ceremony. Rosalie You ought to know, Edith, that lukewarm lovers are always tardy. Dorothy Rosalie, you show a spirit of envy. Some girls there are, who aim to shine the bright particular star of all occasions ; and when a lovelier girl, relegates them to play second fiddle, they become like you, envious. Rosalie How dare you say that, Dorothy : I — envious ; why I have so many strings to my bow — or rather, beaux on a string, that 'tis I who am envied of all. Nora Maud is beautiful, and sweet; but that is not enough to create love : there must be affinity. This is not a love match; but what is called a marriage de convenance : and has ceased to look attractive to the Duke, now that Maud is no longer wealthy. Laura When the Duke's absence was announced, Maud's face became wreathed in smiles ; as though she had been given a new lease of life : surely the bridegroom is not of her picking. Dorothy It seems that the Duke is the mother's choice : but I guess that the grand title had something to do with it. Edith Oh, that divine love; said to be heaven made; should be bartered and bargained for like merchan- dise ! {They walk away) Sly fellow {to Steel) I sincerely hope that no detailed report of this wedding will get in the newpapers. Steel Why so, Slyfellow? Slyfellow Because I shall be forever disgraced in the esti- mation of the Smart Set. Steel But the young girl has made conquest of, and leads a Duke, to the altar. And besides, it is not so long since that Harrison was the lion of this very Smart Set. Slyfellow Yes, when he was worth his millions : he lost his charm in their eyes, at the same time he lost his money. Steel Well, I don't care a darn, what they think of my presence here : nevertheless, I would have staid away had it not been for one thing. Slyfellow What was that one thing? Steel You know, that on account of my nerves, the Doc- tor forbade me to drink, except on extraordinary oc- casions ? Slyfellow Yes, you told me so. Steel Well, I saw my chance here, to drink booze, and escape the Doctor's wrath, by making believe that I thought this an extraordinary occasion. Slyfellow By this bit of strategy, you are able to indulge in your favorite propensity, and still seem not to dis- obey your physician's command. Well, how have you fared so far? Steel After I had been here some little time, and found no cordial forthcoming, I gave Harrison a gentle hint that I was pretty thirsty : whereupon, to my con- sternation, he tells me, that for various reasons, (which reasons he was not himself aware of) it was voted by the ladies, to hold this particular function "dry." Slyfellow Egad! What did you say to that? Steel I didn't say damn ; but I meant it ; and he knew that I did. Fully bent upon breaking the silly edict, I was just about to bribe Ephraim, to serve me on the quiet, when I hit upon another way more in keeping with the respect due to my host. I sent Ephraim out on an errand to the nearest saloon. This house used to 74 FINANCIER OF NEW YORK be mostly "wet" ; to-day it is nearly "dry." This in- dividual only, having gone for "local option." Have a drink, Slyfellow. {Takes a flask from his pocket) Slyfelloiv No, I thank you. Steel Well, here's looking at you! {He takes a drink, and puts the flask back) {Enter Ephraim with a Messenger Boy) Ephraim Here am a letter for you, sah : the messenger says he must delivah it to you in person, sah. Harrison Very well: — sign for it, Ephraim. {Exit Ephraim and Messenger.) The Duke's coat of arms; it must be from him : I am afraid something is wrong. {Opens and reads inaudibly) So he is going to marry another. The miserable cur ; thank God I am rid of him ! What shall I do ? The wedding is off ; and some fitting excuses, apologies and amends, must be made to our guests : ah, I have it, I will let the Clergy- man read this letter to them. {To Clergyman) See, here is a communication from the Duke ; kindly read it aloud. Clergyman With pleasure. Dear Friends: Mr. Harrison has just received this message from the Duke of Swamp- lands, and desires that it shall be read to you. {Reads) "My Deah Harrison: Although appearances are much against me, you cawnt possibly believe my dear fellah, that I could bring myself to be enough of a cad, to jilt a girl, just because her father had met with devilish hard luck, and lost all his cawsh. The facts are that I am deuced extravagant, and deuced poor ; and have been contracting many debts, on the strength of my name and title. My creditors, owing to repeated failures of promises to pay them, became frightened; and being suspicious as to my real char- acter, had me arrested and imprisoned for obtaining goods under false and fraudulent pretences. To con- tinue to be considered an imposter and pretender, is to remain in prison : while to prove that there was no deception, but that I am really the Duke of Swamp- lands, is to regain my liberty at the expense of my honah and reputation ; as the scandal will be noised in the newspapers, and soon come to the ears of the Peerage. Either alternative, is not to be thought of, and another way presenting itself, I am forced to embrace it; so as I write, I have just agreed with a business man, who made a vawst fortune in "Oleo- margarine," to marry his daughter ; in consideration of the payment of these debts, and a million dollars to come to me with her as a dowry. I hope to retain the friendship and esteem of your daughter and your- self ; and would say to you both that I remain your most obedient servant. Swamplands. P. S. — This note is not confidential, and you are at liberty to show it to others." Harrison Dear friends, sweet friends, let not your blame light on me. I would rather lose some function of the mind, or that part of my body most valued for loco- motion, than to have had you so fooled! Addison We do not think of ourselves, but of you : our dis- appointment is nothing to your sorrow. Goldstone Harrison, our hearts go out to you in your many trials. When misfortunes come, they come not as single soldiers disguised as spies, but uniformed and led, and numerous as a battalion. A Matron It is a very presumptuous and delicate thing to speak to a young girl in the way of consolation, under such circumstances; but even at the risk of offending, I must say, Maud, do not take it too deeply to heart; such things very often turn out for the best. Edith Maud, dear Maud, all of us girls feel awfully sorry for you! {Edith, Rosalie, Dorothy, Nora and Laura, cling to Maud, tenderly) Maud I thank you, one and all, for your sympathy, solici- tude, love ! I am deeply wounded ; but not hurt be- yond repair. Harrison Although I am now going to reveal a secret, it is a secret that every person here ought to know, on account of the distressing culmination of this affair. Maud was in no way attached to the Duke : she was being sacrificed. Clergyman Sacrificed ! Pardon me for asking a somewhat im- pertinent question : Why did you consent to this great wrong? Harrison {Aside) What can I say? The horror of that casket changing, comes o'er my memory, like the pure air is contaminated by the smell of a carcass ! Yet they all expect an answer. — My wife, as some here are already aware of, left a dying behest, that the rival claims of the aspirants for Maud's hand, should be settled by a casket choosing contest. Four jewels, whose cases were inscribed : Wealth, Beauty, Char- acter jnd Disposition. Of these jewels, sapphire, ruby, diamond, emerald, the diamond, a finger ring, was to win the bride. Clergyman Ah, I see ; and the Duke chose the right casket. Harrison Yes — No, no ! Heaven help me, I must make con- fession I My repentance for past offences seemed sin- cere, and I yearned to avow this one, that no evil con- sequences might ensue; but a false delicacy of the Duke's feelings restrained me. But fate, after taking my wealth, has determined that no other bar shall stand between me and true manhood; by driving me now to confess. I tampered with — I changed the caskets. Cler gyman You changed them? What do you mean? FINANCIER OF NEW YORK 75 Harrison My inordinate ambition craved the highest title : I opened the caskets, and when I found that the dia- mond ring was not in the Duke's ; I put it there. (The Guests give zvay to horrified exclamations and ges- tures) Maud Oh, father, how could you ever do a thing like that! Clergyman Patience, friends ! Have charity ! Let only those of you that have never yielded to temptation, condemn this man ! Trebals Harrison, you wanted Maud to marry the Duke, because he had a title : but the title don't change the man : you can't make a man — a man, by calling him a Duke ; what's in a name ? The poet says : "A nose by any other name, would smell a smell as well." (This speech, zvhich Trebals believes is a successful attempt to quote Shakespeare, puts the Guests in good humor again) Clergyman Thank heaven, that your daughter's happiness was not permanently jeopardized by your weakness. Cir- cumstances arose which caused the Duke's desertion. There is a swift current in the affairs of men, that bears them ever nearer fortune ; though sometimes they fret and struggle in its all-embracing grasp. But now, Harrison, a very natural question arises to my lips : Who was the real winner ? Harrison Count Von Schlammer: I found the diamond ring in his casket. Alicia Count Von Schlammer the winner — my Otto ! The winner of what? Why, heaven help me, of my dear- est friend, Maud Harrison's hand, under the sacred and inspired plan of her mother. What sorrow is like unto my sorrow ! Clergyman The lady talks wildly, and is agitated and grief- stricken. She seems vitally affected by your dis- closure. Harrison Yes, she is deeply concerned ; she is engaged to be married to the Count. Alas, my treachery, is already leaving a trail of woe ! Clergyman What course are you going to pursue under these distressing circumstances ? Harrison I do not know : I dare not disregard my wife's wishes : I want to carry them out to the end. Clergyman But that is impossible ; unless. Count Von Schlam- mer should feel in honor bound to fulfill all the con- ditions of a contest that he became a party to, and marry your daughter. Von Schlammer Donner and blitzen ! Von Schlammer is engaged to his Alicia, and no power on earth can take him away from her. I did enter the contest, but was glad when the Duke was declared the winner, for I had learned to love my sweet Alicia, and at once gained her prom- ise to marry me. Alicia Yes, Otto, I gave you such a promise, but my bet- ter judgment told me that it was wrong to do so. Just stop and think : you have been fortunate ; you won a prize worthy of you, and by an error came near losing it, but a lucky chance has made it right : Oh, I am so glad ! Von Schlammer This is folly, Alicia; this revelation has bereft you of your senses — you are mad. Why, liebes Fraulein, the jesses which bind us together, are my dear heart strings ! You ought not desert me, ought she, Miss Harrison? Maud Pardon me, Count, a slight digression before I an- swer. When the sad results of my mother's plan, were set aside by the Duke's declining, it was like a rift of gold in a pall of clouds : then came the start- ling denouement that you were the winner. A man almost a stranger to me ; and now engaged to Alicia : but you chose as my mother wanted him that gained me to choose : you are Mother's choice. Count, to ask my views of this tangle, were to ask a prostrate man, what sort of electricity the lightning bolt con- tained, that struck him to the earth ! Trebals This is a pretty ticklish problem, and it can't be solved by the pawnbroker, or the financier, or the lover — but by the theologian. Why not leave it to the Parson ? He is skilled in yust such matters ; and can balance the moral niceties as exactly as drugs are weighed by an apothecary. Omnes Yes, let the Clergyman decide. Harrison Your Reverence, I am sure that you will oblige. Clergytnan , It is an unpleasant task, but we ministers must un- dertake such things. First, to get the views of the different parties in interest. Alicia, what have you to say? Alicia The Count, the Duke, the Marquis, and Leonard were all self acknowledged suitors of Maud ; and by her mother's letter were expressly mentioned as the contestants : the Count chose right ; but being deceived, engaged himself to me. I am like a woman that a man marries under the false report of his wife's death : I must suffer^and I only. Clergyman Count, from your silence, I infer that you do not in any way dispute the truthfulness of this statement? 76 FINANCIER OF NEW YORK Von Schlammer It is absolutely true in every particular. Clergyman Alicia's ethical view of the case, exactly coincides with my own. Miss Harrison, what is your spontan- eous conviction : do you see your duty as we seem to see it.'' Maud I cannot solve the puzzle ; yet some solution must be found. Some of life's troubles that come to us, are crushing in their utter helplessness : I am fitter to weep, than to reason! Alicia Your worship, let me tell you this, for it will save time and trouble: I will never — never (I am forced to be harsh, to be convincing) wed the Count, unless the late Mrs. Harrison, from the grave, gives me leave to do so. Von Schlammer Ach, mein lieber engel ! you won't be so cruel ! you will change your mind? Alicia Never — I swear it! Carenaught She is like a balky horse, Count, you cawn't move her; you had best make the best of a bad mess, and take a chaunce with Miss Maud; she is a thorough- bred, and will go well for a long distance. Von Schlammer The devil take it, then let it be so. Clergyman To be proper and punctilious, the ceremony should be postponed until some future time. Von Schlammer Verdammt! Von Schlammer has got his Dutch blood up: the marriage will take place now — or not at all ! Maud Yes, let it take place at once: it is fixed and irre- vocable, and the horror of it can only be aggravated by delay. Clergyman What say you, Harrison? Harrison Proceed with the ceremony, your Reverence. {The Clergyman, Bride and Groom, take their stand) Clergyman Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of these congregated friends, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony {Enter Lawyer) Lawyer Ah, I perceive that the Duke has arrived! Harrison No, I just received word from him, which I im- parted to the rest, that he has jilted Maud, and is to marry another — that is Von_ Schlammer. Lawyer What in the name of all that's sacred is the meaning of this? Harrison Horrible ! I tampered with the caskets ; opening them, I found the diamond ring in Von Schlammer's choice, and transferred it to the Duke's. I just con- fessed that Von Schlammer was the real winner ; and they are being married. Maud is heartbroken : my wife's mad scheme has wrecked her life, for she cares nothing for Von Schlammer. As a result of my treachery, Von Schlammer became attached to and engaged to Alicia; and their parting, caused by her veneration of my wife's wishes, was pitiful. Laxvyer Reverend sir, stop this service, I adjure you ! A cruel sacrifice, an irreparable wrong, is being done, because it is believed to be the commands of the dead : but this is an error — for Swamplands was really the winner! {Sensation) Clergyman Nothing but such vital intelligence could justify this interruption — but how can you prove it, sir? Lawyer Listen — and mark me well. Mrs. Harrison longed to have Maud the wife of Leonard Cassatt. She felt sure that they loved each other ; and that Leonard was worthy of her; this was the constant burden of her talk to me. Grown frantic over her inability to overcome her husband's stern opposition ; the casket choosing plan was born of her desperation. Her last words to me, were, "Try to help the lovers ; even if you have to resort to artifice." After the choosing, as I drew the draperies, the guests having repaired to the dining room, an irresistible impulse came over me to open the caskets. Slipping behind the curtains, I did so ; and found the diamond ring in "Wealth," the Duke's choice ; and an emerald charm in "Beau- ty," Leonard's choice. Hastily transposing them, without volition on my part as it seemed, I joined the guests at luncheon. When I opened the caskets to decide the contest, and saw the ring again in the Duke's, I was startled, — and sorry too : but determin- ing to tamper no more with what seemed the doings of fate, announced the result. Amazed to see Von Schlammer as bridegroom, I asked Harrison what it meant ; he just told me of his confession ; and the whole mystery was explained. Clergyman Thank God that you came in time ! Omnes Amen, to that ! Harrison But you say that you put the diamond ring in Leonard's casket; I found it in Von Schlammer's. Lawyer Well, you think you did, but I am quite sure you were mistaken about that. Well, Mrs. Harrison's plan of selecting a husband for her daughter, having FINANCIER OF NEW YORK 17 failed of success, we will have to return to the old — yet ever new — method of Cupid. Harrison Counselor, what is that? Lawyer Love, my dear fellow, love! Cassatt On that particular question, I beg to have a hear- ing, for I do protest that I love her better than my life. And too, according to this Counselor's tale, in my somewhat presumptuous contention for her peer- less self, the mother gave her gracious approbation. Harrison What have you to say, Maud? Has this young scapegrace ever talked to you of love? Maud Yes, dear father. Harrison And what did yo% say? Maud I told him that the only thing that kept my love for him within bounds, was the fear of your displeasure. Harrison Well, love each other, my children. {They em- brace) and revel in your love. Good blows are bet- ter than bad caresses : fortune only gave me some harsh, but loving strokes, that I might have the rich compensation of this hour. Alicia Otto ? {no answer) What, is your Dutch blood still up? Otto— Dear Otto! Von Schlammer Ach, there is no use to try to withstand you. {They embrace) . You are a sweet girl ! A noble woman ! — and now as we plight our troth anew, I am prouder of you than ever ! Omnes Bravo! Bravo! two pair of lovers reunited! Lawyer The last scene of all and ending, of this strange romantic story, is a sealed packet, also given to me by the lamented Mrs. Harrison, to be opened at my discretion either before or after Maud's nuptials. I will break the seal and read its contents. {Reads) My Good Friend : You will find enclosed, various securities, to the total amount of about five hundred thousand dollars : being money that I have saved from my husband's munificent allowances for household ex- penses, personal requirements of the family, and pin money. These securities are all made out in Maud's name ; and I leave them to her with my blessing. Signed &c. Maud Is not that just glorious of dear mother! Just like her: such thoughtfulness, self-sacrifice, care! Lazvyer Maud, I congratulate you. Your devoted mother was generous : a half million is not to be sneezed at. Harrison, that was one of your wife's whims; you know she was full of them. Harrison Heaven forgive me those idle words ; she was a trulv noble woman ! Well, Maud, you won't be so badly off after all: you will have something with which to start housekeeping. Maud Yes — and fortune has been so gracious to me, that I too must be eenerous. First, I p-ive to you, papa, and to Mr. Trebals the sum of fiftv thousand dol- lars each ; and to the Count and Alicia, jointlv, one hundred thousand dollars ; and to Vincent and Esther, jointly, one hundred thousand dollars. Now don't throw up your hands, all of you, in deprecation, mean- iner that you won't take it, for you can't help your- selves : I am groins to out it in the bank to vour cred- it, and that ends it. {They gather around Maud, and she goes from one to another to receive their con- gratulations and thanks) CvVLTAllfl. ABRAHAM LINCOLN OR THE REBELLION DRAMATIS PERSONS. Abraham Lincoln President of United States Thomas (Tad) His Son Jefferson Davis. . .President of Confederate States Alexander H. Stephens Vice-Pres. Stephen A. Douglas, Charles Sumner U. S. Senators James Buchanan former President William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, Edwin M. Stanton Members of Lincoln's Cabinet U. S. Grant, W. T. Sherman, Philip H. Sheridan, George G. Meade, W. S. Hancock, Winfield Scott Generals of Union Army JuDAH P. Benjamin, Howell Cobb, Robert Toombs Confederate Statesmen Robert E. Lee (Stonewall) Jackson, John B. Gordon, A. P. Hill, James Longstreet Generals of Confederate Army John Wilkes Booth An Actor Mr. Kenton A friend to Davis Clerg-yman, Herald, Soothsayer, Two Grave-diggers, Two Gate-keepers, Fool, Pompey (colored ser- vant). Mrs. Lincoln, Mrs. Davis, Auntie (coloredj. ACT I Scene I. — Washington, D. C. A street. Inaugura- tion day; people passing to and fro; enter a throng of negroes, who stand and shout while waiting for the parade; enter two Southern Sen- ators, who harangue the negroes. First Senator. How ! now, you base-born and unworthy Men; why stand you in idleness upon The street, without the overalls and tools Which show your occupations? Negroes. Why, sir, to see Marsa Lincoln. First Senator. What business have such as you with Mr. Lincoln. Negroes. This is Inauguration day and we want to shout when Marsa Lincoln and the procession pass by. Second Senator. Shout ! Men do shout when calamity comes, But not for joy. But why should I bandy Words ; you are incapable of sense or Judgment: where are you employed? First Negro. Why, sir, we all believe that Marsa Lincoln will ;iet us all free, and we are employed in shouting for him. Second Senator. I want none of your insolence ; I asked You a plain question. You, sir, what trade Are you? (to second negro) Second Negro. In the matter of trade, Sir, I shall answer cate- gorically that I have none; I simply gather up the snow flakes which fall in the South in the summer time. Second Senator. But, you saucy knave, what trade? Give me A direct answer. Second Negro. Why, sir, I help to provide clean and unclean people with a white outside ; to wit : cotton shirts and collars. First Senator. Ah, I see; thou art a picker of cotton. Second Negro. Just so; I do not bother with statesmen's matters nor parson's matters, but just with the white pure cotton. I am indeed, sir, a worker on a cotton plantation. First Senator. But, wherefore art not in the fields to-day? Why dost thou and thy companions stand Idly on the streets? First Negro. Why, we have a day off to see Marsa Lincoln, and to rejoice at his election as our next President. First Senator. Wherefore rejoice? does his election Mean advancement in the cause of liberty? What triumph or what tribute follow him As the proud array marches to the Capitol. How many times have such as you stood here And shouted for the Presidents of old, Until your cries have rufifled the Potomac Far away? Men who have made you what You are ; and ever have been thoughtful Of your welfare. Have you forgotten Tackson? why, you have stood for hours Upon the streets, your children in your Arms, and when the pageant came in view, Have you not raised a general shout. That wayfarers have paused to listen To the replication of the sounds, made By the vibrant air? And do you now Take off a holiday? and do you now Humbly prostrate yourselves before him Who comes in triumph o'er the glorious Dead? Be gone! — run to your houses; fall 78 ABRAHAM LINCOLN 79 Upon your knees, pray to God to mitigate The wrath, that needs must follow such Ingratitude. Second Senator, Colored men, if you are sincere and Desire those rights which only go with Reason, gather together all the people Of your race to the base of that marble Pile, from whence Washington looks smiling Down upon our lawful institutions, and Those practices which have made this country Great; and lifting your eyes to Heaven Implore pardon for this present fault. Do this eagerly, and although you are Poor and unknown, you'll find yourselves Exalted. (Exeunt negroes in a crestfallen manner.) First Senator. See, unless their basest nature is moved They have no understanding or no wit. Go you, that way towards the Capitol, Disrobe the monuments which are decked In honor of the agitator ; let no statue Either of man or beast remain ornamented: I will do the same through these streets. We owe It to ourselves as Southern Senators. (Tears off the decorations from statue on the stage.) (Exeunt.) Scene II. — Whole stage. Washington. Avenue, leading to the Capitol. (Crowds of people line the street on either side, wait- ing for the procession to pass- There are soldier police in different places, and as parts of the crowd are disorderly, they are cautioned, some are ordered away and some arrested and taken off. Much loud talking, shouting and cheering are indulged in as follows) : "Hurrah for our next President." "The Union must be preserved." "Down with the nigger worshipper." (Soldiers order this man away.) "Shoot the abolitionist" (This man is arrested and taken off.') "Lincoln will govern the whole country honestly and well." "Who will set fire to some of the black Republican's houses?" "Three cheers for Abraham Lincoln : hurrah ; hurrah ! hurrah ! tiger." "Let's turn the country over to the niggers." (General cries now of "Here they come," "Here comes the parade.") (A platoon of soldiers come upon the stage and push back the spectators on either side, to make way for the parade.) (Conspirators, who are sitting and standing around a table, at one side; one of them fills glasses and they all drink.) First Conspirator. Here's to our enterprise. Conspirators. We drink deeply to that. Second Conspirator. Must Lincoln then die to-day? First Conspirator. No, not TO-DAY; but remember: when Lincoln's life stands in the way of our Cause ; that day brings Lincoln's death. Second Conspirator. Fill up ; fill up, and drink again To what's already sworn. (They all. drink.) (Enter the Procession, with music : Lincoln, Bu- chanan, Douglas, Sumner, Seward, Chase, and others, in carriages, surrounded by soldiers: great cheering, waving of flags, hands, etc.) Lincoln (rising and bowing) : Friends ! Sumner. Bid every noise be still ; peace : The President is about to address you. Lincoln. My countrymen ! your general applause Is sweeter than the music in my ears; If all our citizens remain as true. The Union never will be split in two. (Unbounded enthusiasm.) Buchanan. When one has occupied the most exalted Position in the gift of his countrymen, The pinnacle of his ambition is reached, When he turns his mighty sceptre over To such a man as Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln. Buchanan has been severely criticised; But it seems to be the misfortune of The great to be misunderstood : now with Your consent, we'll make our way towards The Capitol. Douglas. Countrymen, kindly stand on either Side and let the Presidential party pass. A Voice. Abraham Lincoln! Abraham Lincoln! Lincoln. Who is that so shrilly calls upon my name? (A man presses forward holding a paper in air.) Soothsayer. I am a soothsayer, and possess the power of divin- ation; I and my fellows conjure the wandering stars and make them tell their secrets ; we have cast the President's horoscope, and find it full of danger; listen: take heed, and you may avoid these perils. Lincoln. * What can be avoided, whose end is purpos'd By the highest power ? No ; Lincoln will 8o ABRAHAM LINCOLN Not read the future; content to use the Present to the best advantage; the Future will take care of itself. Soothsayer. Look to your own life! Oh do not turn away; your own safety ; a conspiracy, yea, treason against the government, a plot against your life. Lincoln. Where learned you this dark secret? this Seems but the vagary of a distempered Mind : we cannot notice rumors ; the air Is full of them; pass on. Soothsayer. Mr. President, Oh, pray you! read this paper; it contains the details and many of the names; if the rebel hosts are not successful, you are to be assas- sinated; read it, Mr. President. First Conspirator. That fool must be silenced; perdition! It means the gallows for us. Conspirators (rushing forward). Lock him up ; don't let him interfere with the procession ; the man is crazy, tear him away. (They force him off the stage. Music; and the parade passes on.) Stephens. Will you go see the order of the exercises? Davis. No, no, not I. Stephens. I pray you go ; you'll see a richly Gilded picture. Davis. I am not fulsome ; I do lack some part Of that quick spirit of flattery which Douglas possesses : like the whipped dog That laps its cruel master's hand. Stephens. Davis. I have observed you much of late That you are gfreatly changed ; and have Puzzled myself to find the wherefore. You used to confide in me and tell Me of your plans of new statutes and Measures, to be perfected for the General good. Davis. Stephens, be not deceived; even if I Have held close my bosom's secrets ; and Only talk to men of airy nothings : Worried I am of late with passions of Some force ; conceptions onlv affecting Mvself : and therefore let not my good Friends be grieved, you amonest the number. But think poor Davis with himself at war Forgets to show his love to other men. Stephens. Then I have much mistook your actions : This silence which your fritnds thought Anger ; was but distress over your country's Wrongs ? Davis. Alas, just so : listen to the mad Shouting; I do fear the people choose Lincoln for their idol. Stephens. Aye, do you fear it? Then must you join With those who will fight against it. What think you the result of this man's Elevation? Davis. I scarcely know myself: a dim foreboding Of some great calamity to our country To come from this day's hollow show. We seem to have fallen upon evil times : The compact made by our forefathers Wherein they formed the Union of the States, under the Constitution ; which Enumerates established institutions. And the methods by which they shall be Maintained ; is now violated by those States, who having no further use for The slaves, claim that their ideas bind us Together, and not the original contract. Stephens. Why, this man is a colossus ; and with His band of worshippers doth ruthlessly Tread down our laws and liberties. I have Longed to tell you of our plans, but your Austerity and well known integrity. Have swayed me from the purpose : would I Could hold a mirror up to your eyes Wherein your glory might be reflected ; That you might know how great your power And what the people think of you, and What they expect of you in this crisis: Would you could behold yourself. Davis. No, Stephens, there is great danger in that Thought; to make myself the centre of my Desires ; and have those spots of selfishness And pride yet in my soul, add greatly to Themselves, and become the nucleus of a Range of hills of monumental error. Pause, there, my friend, before you ask A man who has lost himself in others' Woes, to seek to fan the selfish fires Which still flicker in his breast. Stephens. I only seek to modestly discover to Yourself, that part of you which is your Country's; to arouse you against her foes, To help to avenge her wrongs. Davis. My beloved country ! If thou plead'st for Her ; thou receiv'st thy full petition At the hands of Davis. {Exeunt) Scene III. — Washington. A Public Place, near Capitol. Enter General Scott and staff, marching across stage, when they are met by an Orderly, who salutes. ABRAHAM LINCOLN 8i Scott. Have all my instructions given in the general or- der, relative to the preservation of peace at the Inaugural ceremonies been carried out? Orderly. Yes, General Scott, they have. Scott. What has been done? Orderly. Squads of riflemen have been stationed in each wing of the Capitol; underneath the platform erec- ted on the steps are a full company; and two bat- teries of flying artillery in the streets ; besides, the regiment you just sent for are in the next street awaiting further orders. (Scott unrolls a map and with his staff consult over it.) Scott (to Orderly.) Very well; let this regiment be distributed in squads around through the crowds gathered near the President. Orderly. Yes, General. (Orderly salutes and retires.) Scott. I have no precedent to guide me here And shall no doubt be criticised severely: The talk is something more than idle threats; I think that peace can only be preserved By the strong arm of the military. (Exeunt Scott and staff.) Scene IV. — Whole stage. Washington. The Capi- tol. (In the background are seen the building and ap- proaches; on the stage is a platform erected for the Inaugural ceremonies ; some spectators on stage, and more coming all the time; some Sen- ators and Congressmen of the States which se- ceded, in a group at one side talking in low tones. Soldier police are seen in the background, and on the stage.) First Senator (who favors secession.) So be it; to-night then at the same place. Second Senator. Yes, to-night; here is the notice. (Reading.) All ^ members of the Southern Confederacy are hereby notified to attend a meeting at the usual place at 12 o'clock sharp, when final action will be taken regard- ing secession from the union of States, following the example set by South Carolina. If secession should be determined upon, the members of the or- ganization will at once leave Washington for their respective States. Your lives may depend upon your secrecy. ('SignedJ Sturtevant, Secretary. Music is heard and shouts. Toombs. Hark! listen to the splashing of the stream Which bears the black-republican to power. Mason. Why should we submit to practices revolting? Our friends in Washington greatly outnumber Theirs, and the surrounding land is all Southern in sentiment: sedition, riot; Insurrection : be our weapons ; to seize Washington and hold it as (which it isj. Confederate territory. First Senator. It is a desperate chance and Full of danger ; it may cost us our lives. Toombs. Then let us die ! for he who cuts from Me many years of life, frees me from Many cares and miseries. Second Senator, Away then, to proclaim It about the streets; we'll soon have the soldiers And the populace with us. (Many start to move away.) First Senator. Are you mad? it must not be; it will Ruin our cause, and we may lose all Bv giving way to passion ; and Davis, Who is now about to join us, will leave Us. (Sounds of drums and fife are heard, and a squad of riflemen march upon the stage; the seceders place themselves in a threatening attitude as if ex- pecting arrest.) First Senator. Do they mean to arrest us? Toombs. Stand close together; we will resist This outrage to the death. (The soldiers, who have been marching directly to- zvayds them, now deploy and line up at one side of the stage; more people gather and then the procession marches on the stage, headed by the Supreme Court, in cap and gown; some Sena- tors, some Congressmen; Embassies from For- eign nations, richly dressed. All ascend the plat- form and take seats, with the Justices of the Su- preme Court at one side of the seats reserved for the President and his party. Then enter Lin- coln and Buchanan, walking together, followed at a short distance by Seward, Chase, Douglas, Sumner, Mrs. Lincoln and her two sons, and a few others, some of them ladies.) (Great cheering, mingled with some hisses.) (Crowd: three cheers for Abraham Lincoln, our new President: hip, hip, hurrah, hurrah, hurrah; tiger. The President bows profusely, as he with the others ascend the platform and take their seats; the cheering continues and Lincoln arises and steps to the front of the platform, followed by Senator Baker.) Senator Baker. Fellow citizens : I take great pleasure in introduc- ing to you our newly-elected Chief Magistrate, Abraham Lincoln. 82 ABRAHAM LINCOLN (Great cheering.) (The President has a silk hat in his hand and is per- plexed what to do with it. Douglas arises and takes it away.) Lincoln. That "little giant," Stephen A. Douglas, Is holding my hat. His defeat by me for The Presidency, has not made him sore. {Laughter') My friends and fellow countrymen : Actual dangers which surround us, are not So dreadful, as horrible imaginings. To quiet fears, create hope, and guarantee To the States, irrespective of geographical Position, their proper place in the Terrestrial system defined by the Stars and stripes : rigid respect for Property rights, whether private, state, Or national : the absolute freedom of Speech in advocacy of any doctrine : To change or modify our institutions By lawful methods, but strict enforcement Of laws until so modified; that the Union must and shall be maintained : These are the doctrines we are here to Enunciate ; as being not our beliefs Alone, but dear to every patriot in Whatever land. Fellow citizens, would That with some happy inspiration of Diction, I could cull choice words ; words That burst from a heart filled with love For you and yours ; to properly thank you For this magnificent reception. (Great cheering as Lincoln sits down.) Chief Justice Taney, of the United States Supreme Court arises. Taney. The Supreme Court of these United States through me their Chief Justice, will now administer to the President the oath of office prescribed by the Con- stitution, and sanctioned by the immemorial usage of nations: Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln (having risen). The Honorable Roger B. Taney, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Taney. You solemnly swear that you will faithfully exe- cute the duties of the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of your ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, so help you God? Lincoln (kissing Bible). I do so swear. Taney. Then having complied with the law you are le- gally and duly installed as President of these United States. Douglas (having risen). Now let us give three hearty cheers for the Presi- dent : hip, hip, hurrah, hurrah, hurrah. Lincoln. I am touched by your kindness. Buchanan (having risen). Abraham Lincoln, as you have been duly Elected and installed as Chief Executive, It becomes my duty as the last incumbent To give into your hands the badge of office. I cannot give you a be- jewelled crown Or golden sceptre, the baubles which show The pride of temporal power and the Attributes of pomp, pride and majesty. Your rule is above such sceptred sway; it Is enthroned in your heart, which beats In unison with the best traditions Of a free and enlightened people. (Hands Lincoln gold bound baton.) Lincoln (taking baton). While it is true that my head is not to Be adorned with the round and top of Sovereignty : a crown ; yet this emblem Represents much loftier power, a government Of the people, for the people, and by The people. Under such a reign we must All work in harmony ; and if there be Any here in whom passion has strained The chords of affection, I say to them That we are not enemies but friends. Lovers of a common country. Memory Stretches its mystic chords from the Battlefields and the graves of the struggle For our independence, to the living Hearts at the hearthstone to-day; and the Mighty impulse of National perpetuity Strikes a chord of melody in every Breast, when evoked by the better angel Of our nature. In the words of that Colossus of eloquence, our own immortal Webster: The Union now and forever, One and inseparable. (Great enthusiasm, and the band plays a few strains of the "Star Spanqled Banner," after which it plays a classic "March," and the procession marches from the platform and off the staqe : headed by the judges of the Supreme Court; then Lincoln and his party, and Seward, Buchanan, Chase, Sumner, Douglas; theii members of Foreign Embassies, then the U . S. Senators and Congressmen.) (Curtain.) ABRAHAM LINCOLN 83 ACT II Scene I. — Whole stage. Washington. Garden and rear of house of Senator Davis' home. Pompey, a colored servant, sitting on porch. Pompey (rising and yawning.) I specs there must be something of extraordinary cussedness goin' on, for Marsa Davis to keep me out of bed so late. I guess I'll try to woo Mr. Morpheus in the hall on the servants' bench. (Goes in house : enter Davis.^ Davis. Hello, Pompey, where are you? (takes out his watch) I cannot see the time, or by my agitated Thought make guess of it ; but even to split In two the heavy interim of waiting Should bring them here (Pompey snores) ; ah ! fast asleep. Were it my fault to sleep so, I would Not seek to amend it : fire ! fire ! wake ! Pompey (coming out). Marsa, did you call? Davis. Did I call ; no, I shrieked. Where have you been? Pompey. Me, Marsa? Davis. Never mind, don't proceed with the attempt To excuse, it may lead you into falsehood. I know that thou hast been asleep, and see Thy tell-tale eyes are proofs against thee. Put a little more fire in the grate, the air Is chilly; when it is lighted, get to bed. (Exit Pompey; Davis walks to front of stage.) It means our country's death, there's the rub. For I can find no personal fault in him ; Self made and rugged in integrity. He is a striking figure, this modern Brutus, And means no doubt to govern wisely. Power Is an intoxicant and taken in copious draughts. Makes men drunken with ambition : surrounded As he is with evil counsellors hungry For the spoils and perquisites of office ; May climb to the clouds on the ladder of Success, and then look down with scorn upon The humble instruments by which the ascent Was made : besides he represents that fanatic Element, who are sworn on moral grounds To disrupt the Constitution on the slavery Question ; without the formality of amendment, But simply their own fancies. Oh, my country! You have indeed fallen upon evil times : Would that some prophet could set thee right Without a bloody and a cruel fight. (Enter Pompey.) Pompey. Marsa Davis, the fire is goin' ; stooping down to light it I found this paper lyin' in the grate, and it looked like a sort o' promiscuous place for such a large envelope, Davis. Give it me ; get to thy Honest bed ; but stay, provide our friends with some Simple nourishment, some cold meat and wine. Pompey. Yes, sah. Davis. Stephens gave me this paper and after Reading it I threw it in the grate, but It comes back to me ; it contains the Seceders' plot ; I am entreated to Preserve the sovereignty of my own State. For my own State ; why my ancestors Fought for our independence against George the third, when he was called a King. Heavy imposts laid upon us to be used For benefits abroad, not here, brought on The war for colonial independence: And now the common land not yet welded Into states, but known as territory, The equal property of all the States, Can only be populated according to Northern sentiment : my loved country If thou are wronged, these worthy men Shall receive what aid that Davis substance, Yea, even life can give them. (Enter Mrs. Davis, from house.) Mrs. Davis. Oh, here you are. What mean you Jefiferson To keep away from bed so long, wandering About the grounds? Your absence frightened Me and I arrayed myself to look for you. Davis. Why, what a shame it is that you should Be so disquieted; kept from your sleep And driven into the midnight air to Look for me ; greatly to blame am I for Not confiding in you ; I am expecting Some friends. Mrs. Davis. Friends ! at 12 o'clock at night, I Charge you look sharp, for such friends may prove Your bitter enemies. Davis. No, they are staunch and true. And come at this late hour upon important matters Of the State. Mrs. Davis. From what I read and what I hear And what you j^ourself give out by inference, there's Murder in men's smiles. Come, you must retire At once with me, and Pompey shall be left To tell them so. Davis. Oh, good Lord, render me Worthy of this, noble wife! Now, dear wife, leave Me awhile. Go in, and by and by I promise that all My affairs and policies shall be tuned To your approving voice, or die for want ABRAHAM LINCOLN Of action. (Exit Mrs. Davis into house.) O, woman, thou art so noble, that Everything thou touch'st is refined By contact with thy wondrous charm. (Enter Pompey, from house.) POMPEY. Sah, the festivities are all prepared. Davis. That's good. Some one knocks, see who it is, The side gate, the noise comes from there. (Exit Pompey.) Since Stephens first whet me against Lincoln, I am ill at ease : to be in doubt in a Great crisis, means bitter conflict between The spirit and its meaner instruments. With no cessation of hostilities Until the problem's solved ; the breast Then like some petty province, inaugurates A local insurrection. (Enter Pompey.) Pompey (presenting card.) Gemmen to see you sah ; sent in his card. Davis. Stephens at last; there are others with him? Pompey. Several individuals, sah, but they look like spectres, ghosts, or hobgoblins; I am so scart that I must look white in the face ; their eyes are as black as coal, and their cloaks pulled around their faces. Davis. Bid them come in. (Exit Pompey.) The conspirators, and evidently disguised: They hide their faces from the light ; Black thoughts must ever breed suspicion : Plots, counterplots, stratagems and treasons That fear to use the day, but under Cover of the darkness seek to pursue Their slimy way unmolested. If such Care is necessary in the hatching, In the sub?enuent steos not Erebus Itself can hide them from detection. (Enter the conspirators slowly and mysteriously, with black cowls covering their eyes, and their spring over-cloaks pulled up around their faces : Stephens, Hunter, Toombs, Cobb, Benjamin, Breckinridge and Slidell; Lee, Jackson and Magruder in military undress.) Stephens (taking off cowl). Good evening, Davis; do we trouble you? I hope we're not intruders on your rest? Davis. No, no, you are alwavs welcome here; Know I all your friends you bring along With you? Stephens. Yes, every one of them ; and no man here But honors vou, and every one doth wish You had a knowledge of the love That every southern patriot holds you in: This is Toombs. (Toombs advances, taking off mask and shakes hands. As the other names are called they also take off masks one by one.) Davis. Toombs, you are very welcome. Stephens. And this Breckinridge. Davis. He is welcome, too. Stephens. Here is a soldier from Virginia. Davis. Ah, Lee ! I am delighted to see you. Stephens. These, Cobb, Benjamin, Jackson and others. Davis. More than welcome, gentlemen, one and all. What watchful cares sit heavy on your minds That you would disclose to me? Stephens. May I entreat a word with you? (Walks aside with Davis.) Toombs. Here lies the South, doth not the moon rise here? Jackson. No ; I will point my sword to where the Moon is soaring; but 'tis obscured by Yon dark clouds, the threateners of rain. (Davis and Stephens conferring at one side.) Stephens. We have just held our secret meeting, and Having settled our plans came at once here. Finding ourselves close watched by Government Detectives; donned masks to convey the idea That we were a party of revellers Going to a masquerade. Davis. Ah, that explains matters; your appearance Was so strange that I wondered at it. Stephens. Washington is no longer a safe place For us, and we leave to-morrow for our Respective States. The secession of South Carolina has fired every Southern heart; and most of the States Are now perfecting plans to secede, and To form a union, to be called the Confederate States. We have already Aroused a strong sentiment for our cause Here in Washington, and emissaries will Be left here to continue the work. Davis. Every patriot must stand by his country And his State in this crisis. I shall start For Mississippi in a few days; had I known Sooner of your plans I could have left To-morrow. Stephens. Now you deserve the thanks of every Loyal man. (They walk over and join the rest.) ABRAHAM LINCOLN 8S Davis. Give me your hands again one by one. Slidell. And let us swear a solemn oath, to bind Us to our undertaking. Davis. What need have such as we of oaths; Our plighted word's enough; if honor And our country's wrongs are all too weak, Ihen stop we vaunting and let's home to bed, And give high placed tyranny full scope: Let every southern patriot be proscribed, And where the axe falls next depend on lottery. But if our cause (as 1 am sure it does) Bears fire enough to kindle courage in The hearts of cowards; what should it do With us who are reputed brave. Benjamin. Has anything been done to secure the aid Of Horace Greeley? He runs the largest Newspaper in the North; and while a strong Republican believes in strict adherence To the Constitution. I think he will Present our side of the case very clearly To the Northern people. Hunter. Oh ! let us have him ! for his whitened hair Gives sacredness to his opinions; if we Can say his judgment ruled our plans. Our deeds will stand commended in the Eyes of men. Cobb. No, leave him out ; for he is in the Enemy's country, and can prove but at the Best a lukewarm friend. Toombs. But how about Washington? Shall no blow Be struck here for liberty? I think we Should seize the Capital, and let those fall Who seek to oppose our way. Stephens. Toombs, well urged ; I think we have great Power here, besides the city more than Half belongs to us : we will arm our friends And set them on, and let Tyranny, The Capital and Lincoln fall together. Davis. That course will seem too bloody, Stephens; For if we assail the seat of government, We will bring down upon us innumerable Foes. We all stand up against the spirit Of wrong ; and the spirit is not of blood ; Then relief should come without the shedding Of blood; but blood must flow, and copiously I fear. Let all our part in this national Tragedy be for justice, not vengeance; When we take life, let it not be as butchers, But as sacrifices on the altars of our Country. (Enter Pompey from house.) POMPEY. Marsa Davis, dear Marsa, quick, hide these Gemmen : from the window of my room I saw soldiers march up the street and stop at your gate; listen, that's them now. (Sounds of knocking.) Davis. Let them come, we are not malefactors. Go and open the gate. Slidell. Perdition ! no, don't go yet ; they will Arrest us and we may lie in Fort Lafayette For years: rebellion, even treason against The Government, their charge; the proofs These masks and the damning papers we have About us. We must conceal ourselves. Davis. Better to go in the house and leave by The front door. Slidell. No, they have left guards there; here, quick. Hide behind this tent. Now be silent for Your lives. (Knocking renewed, and Pompey at sign from Davis goes and comes back with a detachment of soldiers.) Captain. Senator Davis? Davis. At your service. Gentlemen. It must be Urgent business that has brought you here When the night's so far advanced. Captain. Gen. Scott, at military headquarters, was in- formed that a party of men wearing masks and muffled up in cloaks, were seen entering your prem- ises a short time ago. We were at once ordered here, and given a military warrant, to arrest all sus- picious or disorderly persons tha*- we might meet. But they are not here; you have not seen them? Davis (aside.) To tell the truth is cowardly here ; To lie is unmanly; I will have to Use diplomacy. Captain. You have seen nothing of them. Senator? Davis. Suspicious or disorderly persons are Rarely seen in my house or on my grounds ; I have seen no such persons here to-night. Captain. Very well, sir, then we will take our leave; but perhaps it would be well to leave you a guard dur- ing the night. Davis. No, I do not deem such action at all necessary. Captain. Good-night. Davis. Good-night, gentlemen. (The Captain bows, and exeunt soldiers.) 86 ABRAHAM LINCOLN Davis. Gentlemen, come forth, the coast is clear. Cobb. And well have you borne yourself, and used Much tact, to get us out of this dilemma. That threatened dangerous consequence. Davis. You heard all? Cobb. Yes, every word; and our thoughts alternated Twixt mirth and apprehension. Benjamin. Now, 'tis the part of wisdom, that having • Weathered this gale, our business being Done, we break otf betimes and seek some rest. Davis. After you have partaken of a light lunch, Which is already prepared; now don't Object; it will be of no avail. Come Gentlemen. (They enter house.) (Enter soldier, who stealthily crosses stage and looks in window of dining-room.) Soldier. There's the conspiracy sure enough! But they fooled the Captain all right. Davis arises and speaks, 1 can see his Shadow, and ha ! ha ! in my mind's eye Methinks I see that same shadow in the Dim light cast by the gloomy walls of Some federal prison. The Captain damned Me and said my disclosure to General Scott was all rot, but I saw masked men Enter these gardens ; and what a man sees With his own eyes, he is sure of. I stole away from the rest and came Back here, and here they are winding up Their evil work with a feast. fPoMPEY is now seen in the back part listening.) General Scott shall hear of this the first thing In the morning; I'll get out now before They see me; what's this? (Picks up a paper and reads it.) "To the Members of the Confederacy. All mem- bers will leave Washington at once; those who are Members of Congress to first send notice to that body that they sever their connection with it. Emissaries of our cause will remain in Washington, whose names are as follows as per the cypher code. The Society by a majority vote is pledged to seces- sion, (signed) Sturtevant, Secretary." Well, I'll be d — arned ! this is more than I hoped for; evidence enough to convict Them, in their own writing. General Scott Will see this in the morning; now for Home and sleep. (Attempts to leave, but is met by Pompey, with a drawn pistol.) POMPEY. Here you eaves-dropper, give up that paper. You sneak ; you midnight marauder ; give it up I say, and go 'long with me to Marsa Davis and tell him what you doin' on his ground after midnight. Soldier. Throw down that gun, and get out of my way. POMPEY. Do as I tell yo' chile, for Ise g'wine to shoot. (The soldier here grabs the pistol, and a scuffle en- sues, the pistol goes off, and the soldier makes his escape. Davis and the rest come out in haste.) Davis. Who fired that shot ? POMPEY. A robber ! quick ! chase him down to the gate. (Pompey, followed by the rest, go out and quickly return.) He's dun got away sure enuff, Marsa Davis. Hunter. What was he doing? POMPEY. It was one of them soldiers, sneaked back to spy ; he looked in the window, saw you, and said he'd report it in the mornin' to General Scott; then he picked up a paper about secession, read it, shook his fist and said it was a testimonial which would convict you all. Davis. Testimony, Pompey; testimony, not testimonial. POMPEY. Yes, sah, that was it ; then he started away, I tried to stop him with the pistol, but he pulled it from me, and it done gone off. Stephens. Then from that vast field of expedient Which thought furnishes to all men; choose We but this : immediate flight. We are Amongst enemies ; those enemies have the Mighty power of the Government back of Them : our actions and deeds, however worthy. Will be distorted into crimes. Cobb. Then let's to bed at once ; a few hours Of sleep, then up with the lark, to pack And arrange the prosy details of a Journey; and away with the morning train. Good-night, Davis. (Shaking hands.) Davis (as the others begin shaking.) Good-night to you, one and all. (As they look back to bow a last adieu.) And remember. Gentlemen, ere the morning Sun dyes these leaden clouds with streaks Of gold, you must be far from Washington. Scene II. — Richmond, Virginia. A street. Enter two citizens, meeting. First Citizen. Whither away so fast, my friend? and yet Methinks I can answer my own question: Thou goest to see the ceremonies in The Public Square. ABRAHAM LINCOLN 87 Second Citizen. Right; but it requires no oracle to Tell that, for every man and woman in Richmond will turn out to see the Brilliant illumination of the city, In honor of the inauguration of President Davis. First Citizen. Well, the whole thing is so mixed up That it takes a wise head to unravel it. He was inaugurated only a year ago. And now he is put to it agam: besides I for one cannot get head or tail to What they are doing either here at home, Or in the field. Second Citizen. Why, my dear fellow, it is all as plain As the nose on your face; his first term Of one year was under the provisional Government; then the constitution was Passed, making a permanent compact, And fixing the President's term of office At six years ; President Davis was re-elected. And to-day was duly installed in office First Citizen. Why, you have made that so clear, that a Child could understand it; but what is to Come out of it all? I guess it will puzzle You to tell me that. Second Citizen. When it was seen that the Constitution Was no longer binding on the Union, Certain States determined to break loose And form a government of their own : When the attempt was made to enter them And interfere with the exercise of their Liberty ; an army had to be raised to Quell this foreign invasion; that army Is now doing heroic service. But for This war, the Confederate States would Now be pursuing their peaceful way Under their Constitution ; an instrument Modeled almost exactly after the one Signed by Washington, Adams, Jefferson, And the others. First Citizen. I thank you very much for this, for now I see the whole thing clearly. Our cause Is truly noble, and every citizen should Give his property, nay, his life for it. (Exeunt-) Scene III. — Whole stage. Richmond. The Capitol. (Capitol, in the deep background, with broad balcony in front and wide marble stairway leading down into the Public Square in front; the Public Square is of level concrete ; the whole scene illu- minated, and adorned with foliage, monuments and statuary; spectators in gay attire are seen on the balcony, the windows of the Capitol, and in the square.) (Flourish, and enter President Davis, Vice-Presi- dent Stephens and the Cabinet; Toombs, Sec. of State; Menninger, Sec. of Treasury ;'W alker, Sec. of War; Mallory, Sec. of Navy; Benja- min, Attorney General; Reagan, Postmaster- General. They march slowly until half-way down the steps, where, in response to cheering, they stand and bow. Cobb. Let us give three cheers for Jefferson Davis, the President of our Confederate States : hip, hip, hurrah. Hurrah, hurrah; tiger. Seidell. And the same for Alexander H. Stephens, Our worthy Vice-President. (Cheers are given.) Cobb. Three cheers now for the Cabinet. (Cheers are given.) (President Davis and his party now continue down the steps and onto the stage, going to their left where two raised seats stand for the President and Vice-President, who both sit down, but Davis rises and says : Davis. My fellow citizens : I am happy to be Your Chief Magistrate again; once more Inaugurated for a term of six years, and Looked upon I hope with friendly eyes. (Cheers.) Citizen. Peace ; be silent, he begins again to speak. Davis. Many years ago our forefathers formed The Union : this Union, purchased and Gained by conquest vast tracts of land Known as territory; it was the common Property of all and subject to the Practices of all. When we saw that an Institution of the South : slavery (Which was formerly an institution Of the North also and expressly Recognized by the Constitution) was To be prohibited in this territory; We seceded and established our own Union : and it is this Confederacy That we are fighting to preserve. (Cheers.) We have been accused of deserting the Flag : this charge we indignantly repel : It is the enemy who has trampled All that the flag stands for, in the dust. We love the old flag, and view with deep Sorrow the attempt to make it an emblem Of tyranny and oppression. The history Of nations shows that many a flag conceived And born from the painful throes of the People, has afterwards been waved over Scenes of rapine and murder; that by its Glory the crimes might be sanctified. (Cheers.) (Takes a flag from the decorations.) 88 ABRAHAM LINCOLN You all see this flag? (Shouts of yes, yes.) May I descend, and will you give me leave? (Citizens cry Yes, yes; come down; and Davis de- scends the steps of his throne and walks to the centre of the stage with the flag-) What does the American Flag represent? Thirteen stripes and thirteen stars, for the Original thirteen States, and one added Star for each new State. The stars are now Thirty-four in number, as twenty-one new States have been formed. (Cheers.) The glory of the Stars and Stripes cannot Be dimmed by those who have repudiated The doctrines for which it stands; and I Exhort, 1 implore you to love it; for It stands first for liberty, and second For the sovereignty of every State. (Cheers.) ('Davis goes back and sits down; cries of Stephens, Stephens. Stephens speaks from the steps of his throne.) Stephens. Countrymen, and lovers of country ! Hear me for my country's sake (and to Hear you must keep silent.) Oh, believe That 1 am honorable, and have respect For that honor: if your awakened wisdom Find anything to censure, let it be so. You all loved the Union, and Stephens's Love was no less than yours; why did we Then secede? Mot that we loved the Union less, but that we loved principle More. We hold that the Constitution cannot Be changed by revolution, but by the Method provided in the instrument: Amendment. To-day we inaugurated our President, and to-night we have met Together to honor him. An Allegory, Which will very briefly represent the Glorious traditions of the past will Now be presented. (Sits down.) (Trumpet sounds and thirteen young ladies, repre- senting the thirteen original States, march in; they wear crowns and blue waists covered with stars, and red and white striped skirts, and white sashes around waist with the name of the State in gold in front. They come from each side of the balcony, and having formed a single column facing the audience, march down the steps to the front of the stage; the line from right to left is: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Mas- sachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia.) (New Jersey, in the middle of the line says :) We represent the 13 American Colonies of Eng- land, who in the War of the Revolution gained their independence, became Sovereign States, and form- ed the United States, under the Constitution. (The young lady at the right end of line says : "Con- necticut," the one next to her says "Delaware," and so on in regular order down the line they speak the name of the State they represent. After this they About Face and march to their right around and back to a point directly across the stage from the President, where they form a group.) (Trumpet sounds, and young lady costumed like the others enters along the balcony, and descending the steps walks to front of stage and says : "/ represent the first new State, Vermont, joined the Union in 1791." She turns to her right and goes around and back and joins the group. An- other young lady comes from the opposite side of the balcony and descends the steps to the front of stage and says: "Kentucky, 1792," and also joins the group. In this way they keep com- ing rapidly one at a time from alternate sides of the balcony and going through the same for- mulae, "Tennessee, 1796," "Ohio, 1802," "Louisi- ana, 1812," "Indiana, 1816," "Mississippi, 1817," "Illinois, 1818," "Alabama, 1819," "Maine, 1820," "Missouri, 1821," "Arkansas, 1836," "Michigan, 1837," "Florida, 1845," "Texas, 1845," "Iowa, 1846," "Wisconsin, 1848," "California, 1850," "Minnesota, 1858," "Oregon, 1859," "Kansas, 1861.") (There are now 34 young ladies in the group, which is the number of States in the United States when the war broke out.) (The Ballet-master arranges some artistic and chaste evolutions for the young ladies to go through.) (As a climax to this scene a young lady comes to the front as "Chorus" with a banner of large dimen- sions of American flag and Eagle, and recites these lines : When America, with her new-born right, Unfurled her standard to the air. She tore the azure robe of night. And set the stars of glory there ; She mingled with its gorgeous dyes The milky baldric of the skies, And striped its pure celestial white With streakings of the morning light : Then from his mansion in the sun She called her eagle-bearer down. And gave into his mighty hand > This symbol of a Nation grand. Majestic monarch of the cloud! Who rear'st aloft thy regal form. To hear the tempest-trumpings loud. And see the lightning lances driven. When strive the warriors of the storm. And rolls the thunder-drums of heaven: Child of the sun! to thee is given To guard the banner of the States, To keep its folds forever free From faithlessness and tyranny. Flag of the fond heart's love of home ! By angel hands to patriots given; Thy stars have lit the welkin dome. And all thy hues were born in heaven. (Curtain.) ABRAHAM LINCOLN 89 ACT III Scene I. — Gettysburg, Penn. A rocky pass in the mountains. (Two Union pickets, marching up and down.) Picket. Who comes there? (A Lieutenant staggers in bearing a flag; and some soldiers.) Lieutenant. Friends of this flag, and henchmen of the Union. (Plants the flag in the ground.) Picket. How came this plight? Lieutenant. Cowards make enemies of friends ; he that Bore this flag being in danger, was About to throw it down, leaving it an Easy trophy for the enemy. Felling the Coward I took it from him and beat my Way into our lines. (He staggers and falls.) Second Picket (to soldiers.) Take hold and bear him to a place of safety. (Noise is heard, followed by musket shots.) Picket. 'Tis the Rebels ; I see their gray uniforms ; let's hide in yonder thicket. (Pickets fire and retire.) (Enter straggling soldiers (Confederates), followed by Generals Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Long- street, Hill, Pettigrew, and body guard.) Jackson. There lies Gettysburg, — and that huge mass Of rock, is Cemetery Hill. From that height, Field-glasses will have an unobstructed Scope. Thence we can see the position of Both armies, and like skillful chessmen Make our moves in this great game of war. Longstreet. After two days of conflict, with terrible Carnage on both sides, upon this the Dawning of the third day, the battle stands As though it had just begun, a victory For neither side; but God knows what would Have become of us, Jackson if your division Had not stood like a stone wall. Hill. Now, comrades, may the fates to-day stand Friendly, that this battle won, we lovers Of peace may in smiling scenes lead on Our days to age. The enemy beaten let's Pursue him with rapid marches, and taking Possession of great cities, hold them as Hostages to force a treaty. What says Our great General Lee? Lee. Good counsel stands approved until it Can be bettered; therefore, let me speak, And weigh you carefully the merit of My words : a quick invasion of the Enemy's country, and to administer To him a crushing defeat; to persist Until he has to concentrate forces To resist us ; to withdraw them from our Territory; but when he has massed an Army sufficient to defeat us, 'twere Foolhardy to remain amidst our foes To meet certain destruction ; but to retreat Across the border line, so that at our Backs we can have friends, not enemies. This seems to me to be good strategy. Longstreet. Let us follow our Commander's admirable Plan, to the letter ; and to do it we Must crush the army that now confronts us. Come ! seek we at once the summit of Yonder mountain, and give our orders for Immediate action ; yesterday I noticed But faint resistance on Dan Sickle's wing And sudden charge throws them in panic. (Exeunt.) (Re-enter the two Union pickets.) Picket. I wanted to shoot; but our orders were not to fire unless we were fired upon. This troop of Rebels were evidently of some consequence. I wonder who they were? Second Picket. I would like to know; but our course is plain, to keep at their heels, see where they are bound for, and then report to the Colonel. (Music is heard, and Picket goes to flies and looks.) Here comes another Union picket. (Enter another Union picket.) Old Picket. What means this music? New Picket. The great Union Generals are coming this way : Meade, Hancock, Sedgwick, Sickles and Slocum. Old Picket. Is it so? Well we have our work, and we must be about it. (Exeunt three pickets.) (Music continues, then enter with drums and colors, Generals Meade, Hancock, Sedgwick, Sic- kles and Slocum. Sickles. As this day dawns our cause seems desperate Indeed; repulsed yesterday at many Points by overwhelming numbers, it seems Best for us to fall back until our forces Can be recruited. Hancock. There is a crisis in the lives of men When boldness leads them on to fortune; Hesitation or doubt are treacherous foes. More subtle than the cruel enemy: Let us plan, then, with the cunning of 90 ABRAHAM LINCOLN The fox, but execute with the courage Of the lion, if fall we must, let the Enemy pay dear for it. Meade. Right, Hancock. When reverses come shall we go back Dismayed? or with our shining bayonets At the enemy's breast make him retire? Do we lack spirit? then let us think Of the heroes who led this very army; The army of the Potomac : Winfield Scott, McDowell, McClellan, who more than held His own against our brave and formidable Foes : Burnside and Fighting Joe Hooker, These two, hurling their forces against The enemy, at Fredericksburg and at Chancellorsville ; but He who rules the Destinies of men, was not propitious. Emboldened by success the enemy quitting Our front, marched into Pennsylvania; And we following met him here at Gettysburg; Where for two days we have been beaten Back, owing to his superiority in men And cannon : let us now meet his terrible Assaults, which are sure to come to-day. Bravely ; and when we have him weakened. Take the offensive ourselves, and beat Him backward home. Hancock. General Meade, Your plan indeed bears all the outward Marks of wisdom : then let our fiery and Impetuous blood give way to your sage Counsel. (Enter a Courier breathlessly.) Courier. The enemy advances in heavy lines, and many a cannon vomits forth its lightning and its thunder. Meade. Then we must out and fight ! O, that it were given to men sometimes To anticipate the future ; I feign would Know the end of this day's horror ere The fight begins; but night will come. And with it perfect knowledge : come ! away ! (Exeunt.) Scene H. — Gettysburg. The field of battle. (Cemetery Hill in the background, with some soldiers on it passing to and fro, and some cannon mov- ing.) (Enter on the main stage, a squadron of Infantry, in rout.) General Slocum (brandishing sword.) Halt ! if you be men ! Reform your ranks ; and stop this cowardly Retreat. All is not lost, although the Repeated assaults of the enemy all Along the line made us give ground ; 'Twas but the bending of the sturdy oak Under the fierce blasts : he cannot charge Forever ! and once his ardor has been Cooled by bloody repulses, then will We give him a taste of our steel. (Shots and noise, and then enter the Confederates, who charge the Union columns, and after a se- vere conflict Union forces retreat off the stage, Confederates pursuing, and then enter Generals Lee, Longstreet, Hill and Pettigrew, all on horseback.) Hill. Oh, look General, how the foemen fly! While our forces pursue and harass them. Longstreet. At no time during the three score years And ten (man's maxim allotment of life). Could I find such a convenient time to Die, as here upon this battlefield, that My spirit migiit rise to Heaven upon The shouts of our victorious countrymen. Lee. A noble sentiment, and uttered by A worthy patriot ! But now listen great Things, for we are still in the midst of Enemies, and our meditations must be Made in spite of noise and danger imminent ! How can we turn this partial victory Into a lOUt? If we withdraw our troops From the enemy's shattered lines, they Will be led into treacherous security; Then from the top of Cemetery Hill, Will we belch fiery death into their Lines, from the cross-fire of 100 cannon; When these devilish instruments have made The forest resound with the clamors from Their rude throats, then will we charge with Twenty thousand men into the Union centre ! If this does not rout them, then philosophy Is but an idle dream, or sweet religion But an unsubstantial fabric of conjecture. (Enter a General in sumptuous uniform of the Union army, excited and brandishing his sword.) Union General. Where's he that wears golden marks of merit Upon his shoulders? I will not cross swords With one below my rank ; kind fortune send Him, hear my call ! for such I fight, or None at all. (Confederate Generals level their pistols at him, and cry out : "Surrender." ) Hill. Do not shoot him but Ifeave him to me ! (Hill dismounts and approaches him) I do protest that your vaunted prowess Is false as the cause you do represent : In single combat will I prove this true. Or fall a victim to my cowardice and you. Union General. Your words are voluble enough, your blows Remain as yet unknown ; lay on that this Good sword may give them trial. (Exit fighting furiously; and then re-enter Hill, wounded in tht' arm.) ABRAHAM LINCOLN 91 Lee. Ah! you return conqueror I see General? But you are wounded ! Hill. 'Tis but a scratch, and I gave as As I received; then seeing the enemy ODming this way in great numbers, to warn You I deemed so urgent, that I took To my heels without more ado. LONGSTREET. Let us make haste then to Cemetery Hill, And give orders for the furious storm Of shot and shell; and when this counterfeit Of Jove's thunder has stunned them, then Sweep down the mountain side with our Avalanche of men, and overwhelm them at The point of the bayonet. (They are fired at by some approaching soldiers in the background.) Lee. Let us do so, and it brooks no delay; The messengers of death are on their way. (Exeunt.) (Furious cannonading now ensues, and finally ceases : then enter a large force of Union soldiers, fol- lowed by Generals Meade, Hancock, Slocum, and Sickles, and a few staff officers with field- glasses. Hancock takes a field-glass and levels it upon the Confederate batteries and forces on Cemetery Hill, which is to the left of the stage and reaching way off in the background.) Hancock. Now, General, our prayers seem granted; 'Twas thought the enemy would no longer Fight, but keep the hills and pester us With cannon shot; it proves not so, their Forces are being formed to carry out A movement of much magnitude. (Meade takes the field-glass from Hancock, and sur- veys the scene himself.) Meade. I seem to know their plans, as though Within their bosoms ; they have massed their Guns upon the mountains, and under cover Of this storm of shot and shell, will soon Make a furious onslaught on our lines. Soldiers ! they are about to charge us with Great bodies of troops ; stand your ground, And we will repulse them, or bar their Passage with our Union dead : in peace we All admire the men of patience and humility ; But these very men can change their natures, And dealing alone in the grim instruments Of death, become relentless and cruel as Fate. Here can you prove, that the patriots Of old, your reputed fathers, did beget You : that when your country is in peril. You can look on even death, indifferently. (To Adjutant) Adjutant, give your orders. Adjutant. Form into single columns of battle, along the whole line : march ! (The soldiers here form into columns of men, the lines extending from front of stage way back to the background of Cemetery Hill; on the right side of the stage.) Hancock {who has been using field-glass.) Here they come ! (Putting away glass and draw- ing his sword) Now soldiers, remember, your deeds are About to be indelibly recorded upon The pages of history; if cowardly, the Lapse of years may mitigate, but not Ettace your deep sorrow; if brave, the Hosannas will reach the hollows where Echo lives, and endless repetitions Will reverberate through future years ! (The Confederates are now seen charging down Cem- etery Hill, in the background, and soon they also com,e through the flies onto the stage, where a fierce hand to hand combat takes place, the Union forces are at first forced back, the Generals fight- ing sword duels, afterwards the Confederates are completely routed, the Union soldiers leaving the stage in pursuit, the Generals and the staff offi- cers remaining . The stage is covered with fal- len soldiers.) Meade. When the golden sun sinks to rest to-night He looks upon the success of our arms, And smiles to think of rebels' overthrow. Hancock. This is indeed a glorious victory ! Complete and far reaching; and full of Deepest consequence to the final success Of our arms. — The battle of Gettysburg! Meade. Upon the outcome of this battle hung The very life of the Nation ! Thank God ! The victory's ours. (Looking on the ground) But see ! the ground is covered with the Dead ! the losses on both sides are frightful. We must give orders at once for their Kindly burial : and ask the President To provide some marble testimony to Their bravery and self-sacrifice. (Curtain.) Scene HL — Gettysburg. A small section of the National Cemetery. (Two grave-diggers, working in partly dug grave.) First Digger. Is he to be buried in Christian burial who died in bloody warfare? Second Digger. I tell you he is ; and therefore set about it straight to finish his grave. Public sentiment of all ages has passed upon it and pronounced it Christian burial. 92 ABRAHAM LINCOLN First Digger. How can that be, unless he was non compos men- tis, and could not distinguish between right and wrong? Second Digger. Ask not me; go to those who are learned. First Digger. It must be SE DEFENDENDO, (in self de- fence), it cannot be otherwise; for here lies the point: the enemy came to him; therefore to defend himself was right; but mark you, if he had gone to the enemy, he is guilty of murder, and goes to the potter's field. Second Digger. Nay, but hear me, brother digger; if I quarrel with you and in the fracas kill you, the gallows makes amends to your widow ; but if I homicide you in warfare the Nation is responsible, and the Nation cannot be subpoena'd into court. First Digger. But is this law? Second Digger. Certainly it is; martial law. Well, here's the truth about it: if this war had not been brought about by the great, whom the law cannot touch, this man would have been buried out of Christian burial. First Digger. Why, there you speak truly ; and much shame it is that great ones can break the moral law but not their poorer neighbors. Why should not those who bring on the wars do all the fighting? Second Digger. That saying shows thee to be possessed of great wisdom. The man who has to carry the water is very careful not to upset it. I will try your wis- dom farther ; answer me this question : who are first in authority over property? First Digger. Oh, that is easy to answer : why the Surrogate, of course. Second Digger. The answer is good, but it is not the true answer. Your Surrogate probates the wills and testaments of your great landowner, your great accumulator of stocks and bonds, your great trust magnate, and others of like character; all of whom make the poor sweat. But there is one who tops even the Surro- gate. First Digger. And who is that? Second Digger. Your grave-maker, for he probates the will of God, who hath decreed that all men, be they either rich or poor, honest men or rogues, shall equally inherit six feet by two of ground, with a few inches extra in length for your tall man, or in breadth for your fat man. (Enter Lincoln and Seward.j (They are looking around, and incidentally over-hear and are attracted by the talk of the grave-diggers; but stand well away from them.) First Digger. Ha ! ha ! no caveat needs to be filed there, for that will cannot be broken; and no man that ever lived, not even Adam, received more, nor will they ever. But now I will put a question to YOU, and if you answer not, confess yourself to be stupid. Second Digger. Very well, let me have it. First Digger. Who is the only merry person amongst those gathered in attendance at a funeral ? Second Digger. Ha! ha! let me see: is it the corpse? First Digger. No; the undertaker, for he gains where the oth- ers lose : although his forthcoming bill will violate all rules of arithmetic, he knows that no one will dare dispute it. Second Digger (dropping his clay pipe.) There goes my pipe ! and broken too ; here, go to the village, get me another, and bring a paper of tobacco also. (Exit First Digger.) Lincoln. Seward, have these fellows no thought of The solemnity of their surroundings. That they laugh and crack jokes at grave-making? Seward. Being accustomed to it, has made it a Congenial and even enjoyable task To them. So are all those who perform Honest toil recompensed. Lincoln. 'Tis even so : with what nice discrimination Doth nature select her agents ; giving To each man qualities, that make him See in his own work, the most fortunate Phase of existence. Now, your Headsman: The lugubrious nature of his occupation Would make of him a dispeptic and a cynic, Were it not that HE looks upon it As a useful industry; and smiles while He is about it. I will speak with this Fellow: whose grave is this, my dear sir? Second Digger. This, this is for a malefactor ; I know him not by name. Lincoln. This is a National cemetery, and only Soldiers and sailors, who die in the war Can be interred here; therefore you are In error when you call him a malefactor. Second Digger. Hast ever read the Scripture? thereabouts where it speaks of Cain, who did the first murder: and the Lord asked him where Abel was, and Cain an- swered : "I know not, am I my brother's keeper?" And the Lord said : "Thy brother's blood crieth un- to me from the ground." ABRAHAM LINCOLN 93 Seward. You are right ; the shedding of man's Blood by his fellow man, is not only Abhorred by God, but by all civilized Peopfes : but war — here the case is vastly Different; here men slay and are slain For the love of country ; that existing Institutions may be maintained. Is it not glorious to die that your Country may live? Second Digger. If it's good for a country to live it's good for a man to live; and that's what God made him for; let's reverse it then, and have existing institutions, as you call them, die, that men may live. Lincoln. My good fellow, your ethics are as Far from the hollow and artificial Statesmanship of to-day as the Apostles Differed from the men of their time. Your philosophy has the strength and Purity of the mountains. (A bell begins tolling.) Seward. Come ! that bell warns us not to tarry Longer: the ceremonies are about to begin. (Exeunt Lincoln and Seward; curtain.) Scene IV. — Gettysburg. The National Cemetery. (Great vista of graves and monuments, in the hack perspective with the stage arranged to corres- pond; rising piece of ground near front of stage one side, where Lincoln stands and makes his address. A bell is tolling, and some people gather : solemn march, then enter a party com- posed of civilians, soldiers and sailors, followed by Lincoln and Seward and other dignitaries ; then enter a chorus, of young ladies and children, carrying wreaths of flowers; they line up on the stage facing the audience, children in front, and young ladies next; a clergyman then makes prayer :) Clergyman. Almighty God! our Heavenly Father, without whose aid no victory can be won, or no good fruits can follow in the wake of triumph, we implore Thee to bring this war to a speedy termination, and that at' its close Thy Kingdom may be still more firmly established on the earth. We ask Thy favor for this cemetery ; a resting place for the brave soldiers and sailors who fall upon the battle-field. May the self-sacrifice and consecration to duty of these noble men find favor in Thv sight, when their immortal parts appear before Thy throne of grace. May the baser passions disappear from the earth, and be replaced by forces that savor of Heavenly things ; then the horrors of war will cease ; the in- humanities of civil aflrairs will cease, and Peace on Earth Good Will amongst Men will prevail every- where. All this we ask, not from our own deserv- ings, but through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Seward. When the smoke cleared away from the Battle-field of Gettysburg, there was Disclosed to view the prostrate forms Of many men; the dead and the dying, The blue and the gray; so numerous and So interwoven together, as to cover The ground with a carpet of humanity, Whose rosebuds were of blood : the unreasoning And irreconcilable passions of life. Had been blended and made into a common Whole, by the master hand of death. That sad scene was an inspiration to This Government ; for from the soul harrowing Picture arose the sacred nature of the Obligations that we as a people and As a nation owe to those noble men; And this National Cemetery, for the Burial place of soldiers and sailors. Whether they be Union or Confederate, Was the result. We are met here to-day To dedicate, to consecrate this ground To that holy purpose ; and we mingle Our voices, our emotions, our tears. Together in one requiem to the dead. (The Chorus now sings some beautiful music (a requiem) , during the latter part of the singing they go to the rear and decorate the graves and return singing all the time : they have gathered in regu- lar formation again, but when the singing is done they drop to one side in a group.) Seward. The President of the United States, who earnestly desired to be present on this occasion, and add to the tributes of praise which spring from the hearts of the people in remembrance of the nobility of these departed men : will now address you. Lincoln. Four score and seven years ago our Fathers brought forth upon this continent A new Nation, conceived in liberty, and Dedicated to the proposition that All men are created equal. Now we are Engaged in a great civil war; testing Whether that nation, or any nation So conceived and so dedicated, can Long endure. We are met on a great Battlefield of that war. We have come To dedicate a portion of that field As a final resting place for those who Here gave their lives that the Nation Might live. It is altogether fitting And proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot Dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we Cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, Living and dead, who struggled here, have Consecrated it, far above our power To add or detract. The world will little Note nor long remember what we say here, But it can never forget what they did Here; it is for us, the living, rather To be dedicated here to the unfinished 94 ABRAHAM LINCOLN Work which they who fought here have thus Far so nobly advanced. It is rather For us to be here dedicated to the Great task remaining before us : that From these honored dead we take increased Devotion to that cause for which they Gave the last full measure of devotion ; That we here highly resolve that these dead Shall not have died in vain, that this Nation, under God, shall have a new birth Of freedom; and that Government of the People, by the people, and for the people, Shall not perish from the earth. (The oration seems to add to the impressive solem- nity of the occasion, and all remain silent.) (The Chorus coines together in formation again, fac- ing the audience, and sings again; then the band plays a solemn March, and the Chorus takes up the tune and marches out, followed by the civil- ians, soldiers, sailors and last Lincoln and Sew- ard.^ (Curtain.) Scene V. — Washington. The White House; Presi- dent's study.) Lincoln (throws down book, arises and walks.) In silence and alone, the soul must feed Upon itself ; and then the dose not being Mixed with the tempering plaudits of Sycophantic men, is tasted in its native Bitterness, and the shallowness of him Is seen who seeks to soar not to nobler Ends, than power. To be justly great, Is not to have great power or wealth, But to help great hordes of men, who have Nothing; not even liberty, that Heaven-born Legacy to men. I have become a fixed Figure for passion to point his vehement Finger at, when the tempest rages in the Hearts of men ; the mountain top around Which the lightning flashes and the thunder Rolls, when the usurping clouds dethrone The God of azure. I am not happy ! for The jubilant shouts I hear are mixed with Dying groans, and pale faces of widows And fatherless children spectre-like rise Before me. — Men made furious by passion Aiming to cause general destruction By scientific processes ; and all for The Union ; can any real union be attained By hearts and souls filled with hatred And revenge? No, this carnage must have A deeper purpose ; Providence angered at Our delay, has ordained that the chains With which the colored man is bound. Must be severed by bursting shells and The terrible blows of cannon balls. The first exultation which comes from ■ Power, has gone, and left me saddened And aged ; so that I shall be pleased When Heaven releases me from this world Of tumult and turmoil, and I enter in That peaceful and simple Kingdom, whose Portal is the grave. (Enter Mrs. Lincoln.) Dear wife, I am glad you came in for I have something weighty for your ears. Mrs. Lincoln. Dear husband, these weighty matters are My source of woe, for look how they do Bear you down ; your hair is streaked with Silver, and your face, oh, so careworn : You little know how you are changed in Disposition, for yesterday at supper You absent-mindedly arose, and with Your arms across stood the picture of Surmise ; and when I asked you what the Matter was, you looked upon me with Ungentle looks, but made no answer. It will not let you eat, sleep or talk Naturally, and has wrought so much Lfpon you that I scarce know you as My joyous husband of former times. Lincoln. This is a tribute which fate exacts From every one, to make the body fade In the soul's service ; I have been called To these duties, and I must discharge them Without counting the cost to myself. Would we could have the happy quiet days Of old; still I love you none the less. Mrs. Lincoln. All lawyers know that a simple assertion Is no proof ; but I will put you to the Test, and hereby command you to pay less Attention to office cares and more to me. You used to tell me that I was very Handsome, an opinion held by the world; I flatter myself that those charms are Not entirely gone ; besides I am still Young, at least in spirit, and I demand Sir, that you shall consider me to be The chief object of your existence, not Your country. Lincoln. I shall in all things obey the commands Of my superior officer. Mrs. Lincoln. Why, 'tis a loving and fair reply, and Given with such evident sincerity, That my orders will not take the roughness Of authority, but the persuasive nature Of requests: what have you on this morning? Lincoln. The cabinet meeting. Mrs. Lincoln. After that, what ? Lincoln. Nothing particular for a few hours. Mrs. Lincoln. Then you will come with me; but not for Pleasure, and yet what can give you greater Joy than seeking Willie's grave? our dear son; Had for a while and lately lost. You will Go, will you not? ABRAHAM LINCOLN 95 Lincoln. Yes, dear wife, yes. I saw him last night. Mrs. Lincoln. Saw him? Lincoln. Yes, in my sleep, when the spirit catching Its sentry the body napping, visits the Land of dreams : I saw him as plainly As I do you, with outstretched arms and Plaintive voice, whispering "Father, there Are no slaves up here." Mrs. Lincoln. He oft appears to me, and you also In all the fond lights which recollection Throws around the dear departed ; but your Vision was but fancy of a care-laden mind. Lincoln. Call it what you will, it was as true As any picture that the mind creates While in possession of its functions. Mrs. Lincoln. Well, I will leave you now, but remember Our visit to Willie. Lincoln. Oh, I shall not forget that. If you run across Tad, send him in to me. Mrs. Lincoln (going to door and returning.) You will take care of your health now Won't you? and forget my peevishness. Let me help you, confide in me more; And this loving partnership in care Will make the burden lighter. Lincoln. My faithful, true and honorable wife, No dearer thing than thee is graven On my heart. (Exit Mrs. Lincoln, Lincoln sits down to his lab- ors, enter Tad.j Tad. Father, I have been playing ball an hour or so and yet you did not come out and join me. Lincoln. I would surely have been there, Tad, but Your mother was here, and now I am waiting For the Cabinet. Tad. The Cabinet! Oh those tiresome men, how they bore me with their mock dignity and stiff ways ; let me play one of your Cabinet officers and show you how he looks to me. (Sits down in a very stiff and upright manner, rises stiffly, opens a huge book, examines it closely, then struts up and down the room, saying: Most urgent sir, affairs of state demand immediate attention.) Lincoln. Ha! ha! ha! excellent Tad, excellent — But, seriously my boy, these men are Learned, good and noble, and our country Cannot get along without them ; besides They have been of vast service to your Father. You would not want to do away With them, would you? Tad. Yes, if I were President, I would soon make them walk the plank. Lincoln. How would you run the Government? Tad. If they ever make me President I would take all my officers from our ball club. I would make the pitcher Secretary of State; the catcher. Secretary of the Treasury ; and the Secretary of War I would give to the umpire, because he is an all around fighter. Lincoln. Ha ! ha ! very good my lad, very good in Its way; but how would you solve all The grave questions that would arise? Ball players know little of state affairs. Tad. This present war is a dispute over slavery, ain't it? Now, when anybody disputed a law or wanted to make a new one, instead of fighting about it they would send their ball team here and challenge us, and if we found that they had licked the scrubs, we would accept, and the result of the dispute would depend upon the result of the game. If they had not walloped the scrubs we would send them back to get a reputation. Lincoln. Ha ! ha ! Ah, ha ! a novel and Somewhat startling exercise of the Principle of arbitration, and yet well \\'ithin that method ; for ball-playing Requires thought as well as action. And arbitrators are always required To possess these qualities. These Chimeras of thy immature mind have Already taken shape among our men Of wisdom ; and the great problem is How the civilized nations can abolish Warfare, and thus save the sacrifice Of human life and prevent the wanton Destruction of property. (Enter servant.) Well, John? Servant. Sir, the members of the Cabinet have arrived and told me to inform you that they await your pleasure. Lincoln. Show them right in, John; now. Tad, you Will have to leave me, but I will see you Later on the ball-ground, but only for a Short time to-day, as I have an engagement With your mother. Tad. Well, it's too bad, father, that you cannot come out with me now. If they ever want me to become President they will have to raise the salary. (Exit Tad.) 96 ABRAHAM LINCOLN (Enter the Cabinet Ministers: William H. Seward, Secretary of State; Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury; Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War; Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy; Montgomery Blair, Postmaster-General; also an Attorney-General, and a Secretary of the In- terior.) (They are followed by their secretaries, each one of whom carries a huge volume, which volumes are laid upon the table, and the Secretaries go out; and the Cabinet Ministers take their seats after bowing to the President. Stanton and Blair walk off to one side, conversing together.) Lincoln. Gentlemen, we will not consider to-day Our customary matters; let them rest Awhile. Meantime we will express our Deeper purposes, (to stenographer) Give me those papers, please. Blair (aside, to Stanton.) Stanton, he must mean the Emancipation Proclamation. 'Tis most inopportune, The project is not ripe. I pray you Stanton, bring up the more important Questions of the war department. Stanton. I shall do so at once. (Advances to table, and opens the huge portfolio and addresses Lincoln). Very distinguished Sir: Most urgent; Various dispatches from the Generals In command of our armies, seeking for Immediate instruction on vital questions. Lincoln (angered at interruption, and then break- ing into a smile.) Stanton: that will keep. (Sits down, crosses his legs, and speaks with great earnestness.) A lady, who had one child, a boy of eight years, invited a number of friends to dinner. On enter- ing the dining-room with her guests she was greatly chagrined to find James, the son, seated at the table cramming jelly down his throat, and the sides of his face literally covered with it. "Why, James, what are you doing?" said she, in an angry tone. "Why, mother, cook says that when the cork is taken out, it won't keep." (All the Cabinet laugh, which is joined in by Lin- coln. Stanton looks insulted at first, but he soon breaks out in hearty laughter.) (Stenographer here hands paper to Lincoln, and hav- ing become serious, he arises as though to speak.) Seward. Honored Sir: Affairs of the Department Of State; veri^ urgent. Slidell the Confederate emissary in Europe, Reports to his government, its probable Recognition by the European Powers. Lincoln. What can we avoid that's purposed by The unchangeable hand of fate ; yet all That human agencies can do must be Our part : telegraph our Ministers At the European Courts, that such action Must be prevented at all hazards. (To Stanton.) Stanton, let me have those dispatches I will look over them, and to-morrow We will our judgment join, to answer Them discreetly. Now, Gentlemen, listen Great things : the great question of human Liberty ; striking off the chains from The negroes, held as slaves, by those in Open rebellion against this Government. Chase. Pardon me. Your Excellency; most pressing: The Treasury Department, condition of Our finances, our credit so impaired Abroad that gold keeps rising. Lincoln. Et, tu. Brute! Thou too. Chase? then must I desist, and for these paltry details Of every day occurrence, postpone An act, whose fame unfolds as this earth revolves. Chase. Not for all the honors that this brief World affords would I or any of us here Oppose this glorious measure; but its Success depends upon deliberate and Most careful action. Seward. Liberty to these southern negroes, means The death knell of the irrepressible conflict. But we must not be too hasty, lest Enemies infect the public mind with doubts, By covert innuendoes ; the people Are easily fooled. Lincoln. Not so; you can fool some of the people All the time ; all the people some of the Time ; but you can't fool all the people All the time! Seward. You wean us from ourselves, and almost Make us noisy partisans of your most Worthy cause. Lincoln. He, who is slow to espouse this cause, Is fashioned of the stuff that cynics Are made of. Why, every bondman, in his Own heart learns the right to cancel His captivity : nor stony hearts or Laws writ down in error, nor airless Prisons or cruel thone-s, can subjugate Men's spirit; but freedom grown weary Of these puny bars, never lacks power To dismiss them : if we know this, then Let's tell it to the world besides ; that, the Part of tyranny which we forbear We can shake off at pleasure. ABRAHAM LINCOLN 97 (The members of the Cabinet clap their hands and cry : "Bravo." "Bravo." Seward. In ages yet to come, full often will This instrument be glorified ; by people Yet unborn, and language yet unknown. Stanton. And wherever this shall be, Abraham Lincoln will be known to have set the Slaves at liberty. Lincoln (waving paper in the air.) Then by this Proclamation, given under My hand and seal, I hereby set those Colored bondmen free. Let Emancipation's Flag be now unfurled, and thus proclaim It to the world. (Curtain.) ACT IV Scene I. Appomattox^ Va. General Grant's tent. (Generals Meade, Warren, Parke, Humphries and Wright, gathered around a table, with lighted candles, studying plans of battle.) Meade. Now gather close about this taper, and Let us arrange for our necessities. Here are the plans for this day's battle; And methinks they fairly bristle with Dangerous and war-like stratagems. Warren. The rough and deadly elements of war Are here set down with mathematical precision. (Sounds of marching soldiers are heard, and a cry of "Halt." Then enter General Sheridan, the Generals salute. Sheridan. President Lincoln has arrived and also General Sherman, whom you know were To come here to meet General Grant In a grand Council of War. Meade. You bring great news ; the trumpet itself Grows hoarse that welcomes such illustrious Guests to our presence: are they near by? Sheridan. We may expect them momentarilv. (Flourish.) And here they are, even as we talk of them. (Continued flourish, and enter President Lincoln and Generals Grant and Sherman. They salute those present, which is returned, and then all bow to the President, and he bows in return.) Grant. Mr. President : the Chief Mag'istrate of This Nation : and Commander in Chief of Its armies, — we humbly desire to assure You of our continued devotion and respect : And in compliance with military custom. We salute you ! (The Generals draw their swords and carry them at present arms.) No empty toasts shall soldiers drink to-day, But great cannon, to the clouds shall speak; And the Heavens may happily respond With their still greater thunder. (Cannon are heard.) Lincoln (taking sword). Behold this weapon: a graceful instrument, Yet potent in destruction ; by this tiny Steel have nations been subdued, rebellion And insurrection quelled ; but 'tis not The blade, but the master MIND behind it ; In itself a trifle, but taking sorcery From the trained hand, to overcome the Bold and put to flight the coward. Let us use it while we may, dexterously And well, for its proud empire seems doomed : Shining bauble, thou hast held thine own In the age of iron ; but this is the age Of reason. Sherman. Nations that live by the sword, shall Perish by the sword. All the pride, pomp. And circumstance of war. cannot deceive Or beautifv its hideous visage; for War is Hell ! Lincoln. Sherman, that sDeech should become historic. — But now to business : have you prepared The plans for this dav's movements of our Armies? (they hand him plans) Ah, I perceive you have ; and Here's a map, that very useful trifle. Whereby the vast contents of a country Are broufht within the comnass of ths All embracing eye. (To Grant.) Now Lieutenant-General Grant, Explain to me more fully the ample Proposition of which these papers speak. Grant. Phil. Sheridan will leave at once with Twenty thousand men ; and ere the tell-tale Sun has warned the unsusnectine foe, will Strike him in the rear; with us in front, It will be a case of the devil or the Many fathomed sea. Sherman, at the head Of the Union soldiers who streamed Into the enemies' country from the Great Northwest (like the stars in number^, Has fousrht a hand to hand combat in His march from Atlanta to the sea ; And now sits as conqueror in that city From whose harbor the first shot and shell Were sent booming across the startled Deep. He leaves here to-night to complete The enemy's discomfiture. ABRAHAM LINCOLN Lincoln (with enthusiasm.) Sherman, that daring movement of yours Is scarcely equalled by the great Napoleon's Chef d' oeuvre: the crossing of the Alps. Sherman. Commander: your eulogy sits smiling On my heart; but to my troops more Than myself this praise belongs, for they Have performed prodigies of valor. Bellona's bridegroom wrapped in armor Impenetrable to steel, never dealt death Around with greater gusto, than these soldiers From the farms and shops. Lincoln. ■ 'Tis true ; those noble men have fought From morn to night, and only laid their Weapons down for lack of opposition. Proceed General. Grant. We will at once make a bloody assault Upon the confederate position ; the Rebels will seek safety in flight. As discretion is valor's most substantial Part ; finding the warlike Sheridan in The way, their timid souls will force them To surrender ; the war will cease, and Torn flap-s and dented muskets will adorn Our walls as monuments of this terrific struggle. Lincoln. May God grant that we may triumph in To-day's battle, and our victory be so Complete that smiling peace may spread Her rosy garlands through the land : but Defeat while not probable is possible ; What will you do in the case of repulse? Grant. You see this artery upon this map; Pursuing its sinuous way amidst the Cities, towns, rivers, valleys and Hills ; that line is the road to Richmond. We will fight it out upon that line If it takes all summer. (Curtain.) Scene II. — Appomattox. A road through the forest. (Loud alarms; enter Generals Lee and Gordon, leading their horses.) Lee. Mount, mount, Gordon, ride and give these Orders unto our legions. We must have parley With the enemy, to see what terms of peace Can be patched up. I have made an offer To General Grant, and expect an answer Shortly, that the war cease and both our Armies be used to enforce the terms of The military compact. If this fails we Must surrender, for we are in desperate Straits and bayed about with many enemies. Gordon. Why, surely things cannot be so bad, the Righteous cause hath always room for hope. Lee. The righteous, yes; but is slavery righteous? You know I held the great Napoleon, strong And his opinions, particularly wherein He said : "God is on the side of the greatest Battalions," now I change my mind and Credit omens and tokens which seem to make Appear, the side which hath the greater Right: coming from Bull-Run two mighty Eagles followed us, and refused to feed Upon the foe, who dead and dying lay as Numerous as the sands upon the shores Of the Potomac; all this day they've Hovered o'er our heads with frightful cries, As though the banquet they expected had At last been spread. Gordon. I'll away then with these orders ; a truce, Is the only tool left for present use. (Exit Gordon on horseback, followed by Lee, who leads his horse.) Scene III. — Appomattox. The Field of Battle. (T7V0 forts, at side of stage, with iron gates.) (Generals Hill, Gordon and Pegram, with staffs and colors, standing in a group on the stage; when enter General Lee.j Lee. Fates, we will soon know your pleasures : That we shall die sometime, we know ; what Matters then whether it be a few years Hence, or presently. Greatly outnumbered And practically surrounded, our lives hang On as slender a thread as the hair-suspended Sword over the head of the bound Damocles. Gordon. Shall we give orders for immediate battle? Lee. Yes, if General Grant turns a deaf ear To my overtures for peace : that we will Soon know ; and see, our messengers are Here already. (Messengers advance and salute) Now speak Messengers, what reply did The General make to our friendly and Pacific offices. Messengers. Thus, after greeting, spake General Grant: "I know your Commander, General Lee, To be a most finished soldier, a patriot. And an honorable man : in matters of Courtesy I take pleasure in anticipating His wishes ; but in affairs of war I insist Upon his immediate unconditional surrender." Lee. So, so; and what judged you proper To say for us in reply to this. Messenger. "Then take my General's defiance from My lips ; the mildest retort my embassy permits." ABRAHAM LINCOLN 99 Lee A dignified reply : now will we give him Fierce and bloody battle ; the thunder of Our cannon shall be heard at once : Let fire and smoke be the agents of Our wrath, and gloomy omens of our Enemy's decay. So hence at once to fight ; We will be victors or captives ere the night. (Exeunt, and the gates of the forts open, and the army comes out and follows.) (Enter two gate-keepers out of the forts, zvho patrol up and down keeping guard of the gates of the forts.) First Gate-keeper. This is a sorry job indeed, to keep open these gates. Second Gate-keeper. Not at all ; it is very wise : if our forces meet with disaster they rush in here and we close the gates ; also we close them if the enemy is seen approaching. First Gate-keeper. I do not question its sagacity, I mean that it car- ries no perquisites : now to be Porter of Hell-gate is a very honorable and also very lucrative post. Second Gate-keeper. How is that? First Gate-keeper. Rogues, who always seek to go there as quickly as possible, will bribe the porter to let them in, and when they grow weary of the fire and brimstone will bribe him to let them out. Second Gate-keeper. What class of men chiefly go there? First Gate-keeper. All classes ; but your rich man and your drunkard predominate. Second Gate-keeper. Why are the rich and the drunkard in the majority? First Gate-keeper. Dost confess thyself so ignorant. The rich, in the most cases make their money by violation of law ; absolute license exists in the infernal regions, there- fore they think it a profitable place. Second Gate-keeper. But how about the drunkards? First Gate-keeper. They are very much annoyed by inability to get liquor at all hours on the Sabbath day and between midnight and morning on week-days, so they pre- fer to go where there is no excise law. Second Gate-keeper. Ha ! ha ! I like thy wit well ; and in the chaff there is much wheat. (They resume their guard.) (Loud alarms, and the Confederates in full retreat pour across the stage and enter the gates of the Forts : excepting General Hill and his troops, which have been covering the retreat, they remain outside.) Hill (brandishing sword.) Thanks to our fortunate stars, all Survivors but ourselves are safe within The forts, where we must join them presently. There may we rest our beaten army, no Longer fit to fight ; and leave resistance To these stony walls that raise their jutty And abutted fronts, massive and high Against the foe. Colonel. Our men fought well ; so well that had courage Been the only thing at issue, the victory Had been ours ; but lack of numbers and Scarcity of food, spelt defeat even Before the fight began. But get we in! The enemy's upon us ! (The Union soldiers come rushing in. The Confed- erates under a fierce hand to hand combat get in the gates and close them, but General Hill is cap- tured; then enter General Grant and body-guard.) Gen. Parke (to Grant.) General, I think we have captured Lee. Grant. This is not Lee ; but I assure you a Rich prize nevertheless ; one almost as Great. — Let the trumpets sound a parley. (Trumpet sounds.) You, Sheridan, tell them our demands : Immediate surrender, or our shot and Shell thunder in- a circle, for they are All surrounded. (Trumpet sounds parley in answer from tvithin, and a Herald appears on the walls.) Herald. What would your puissant Commander with Us? I am empowered to hear and answer His demands. Sheridan. He asks that you lay down your arms, and Stop this bootless and unequal fight; Wherein your chances of success are as If Hercules should be beaten by his page. Herald. These frowning: walls will laus^h your siege To scorn ; and our stout hearts will make Amends, for what we lack in numbers. (Herald disappears.) Grant. Enough of words, proceed we then to deeds : Call in our men renowned in discipline ; Bring with you ladders to scale the walls ; All the arts and sciences of war that We have learned on many a bloody field, Shall be brought in play to capture the Remains of Lee's proud army, and plant The Stars and Stripes upon these works. (General activity on the stage under the motion orders of General Grant; some go out and return with more forces wUh ladders, which they raise under ABRAHAM LINCOLN fire from above, which is returned; the men scale the walls, hand to hand fight and victory; and oth- ers have battered down the gates, when a Herald bearing a white flag appears on the walls.) Herald. Our Commander disconsolately admits Defeat, and craves an immediate interview- To arrange the terms of a surrender. Grant. Halt ! shoulder arms ! Sheridan. Halt ! shoulder arms ; pass the word along. Grant (to Herald.) Now, let your Commander seek us here, We shall await his coming. Herald. You will find him in this, as in all Things else, the soul of honor. (Exit Herald.) (The Union troops line up on the stage opposite to the Forts and facing them, with Grant in centre of staqe. and Generals Meade, Sheridan, Warren and Parke near him. (Solemn march) and enter out of the gates of forts some Confederate troops that line up on the stage opposite to and facing the Union troops; then enter Lee and his staff, and Generals Gordon and Pegram. They all form a group near the group made by the Union Gen- erals. Grant and Lee shake hands.) Grant. The cries of faction and the noise of Strife cannot sever our life-long friendship. Cemented at Monterey and many another Battlefield in Mexico. Lee, we fought Side hy side for the same country and For the same flag. Lee. That pa?e has been indexed in my memory Because I love to con it o'er. Then Our country united by one common Impulse of patriotism strove to extend Her benig-nant influence to her less Fortunate neighbors. But now I tread on Horrors : the business that brings me Here to-day, rends my heart strings and makes Their mus'c discord : yesterday we were Antagonists : to-dav beggars, pleading For mercy to a victorious foe. We are compelled to surrender: give Us the best terms you can. Grant. Lee, you have great cause of sorrow, and Your evident distress touches me deeply. The conditions of surrender will be as Gracious as this enlightened Nation Ought to make with brothers who have been Warring with brothers, and seek to lay down Their arms, that general peace and amity May prevail throughout the land: each Officer and man to be allowed to return To his home and not to be disturbed By United States authority, so long As he observes his parole and the laws In force where he may reside. (Lee consults with his Generals, and then answers.) Lee. So be it: under these liberal and just Terms we capitulate ; the war is over. My soldiers return to their homes. For Myself, what is left? Farewell the aspiring Mind ! farewell the paths of glory ! I had Been happy if the general camp had stood Even without war; the tents dotting the Plains, camp fires ; the glad company of The forests, and sleeping under the canopy Of the stars. But the big wars : these make Ambition, virtue; farewell the midnight Bivouac, the shrill trumpet, calling to arms ; The neighing steed, beating drum, piercing Fife, battle flag; and the magnificent Evolutions of the well drilled troops. (Goes over to two cannon.) And, O you awful engines, whose rude throats The heaven's dreadful thunder counterfeit, Farewell ! Lee's occupation's gone. (Walks over to Grant, and with bowed head and de- jected mien, offers Grant his sword. Grant takes it and says: Grant. With the aid of this weapon you have Fought your way to the proud position Of the greatest military strategist Of modern times ; your country needs this Sword, but needs it in your hands. (Gives sword hack to Lee.J (Curtain-) Scene IV. — Richmond, Va. The Evacuation. (The Capitol huildinq at Richmond, Virginia; fires smouldering and indication of damage to building and to adjoining houses; noise of cannon and musketry now and then; men come out of the Capitol, and men, women and children come from houses, and run away; then enter General EwELL, and a colored slave, who is a fine speci- men of a young athlete.) EwELL. Slave, get on that wall and report to me What thou see'st; mv sight was ever near; To far off objects ineflfective. Slave (after climbing wall.) Why. the troops in grav are flving in p11 directions, and can it be? yes, a mighty mass of blue is march- ing directly to the Capitol building here. EWELL. Why, Richmond then has fallen ! They have Taken our Capitol, and the Confederate Cause is doomed. All the glorious things For which we fought, reduced to an epigram, Will stand upon the pages of history as The "lost cause" ! ABRAHAM LINCOLN Coward that I am to see my country Ruined before my face. In Alabama Wast thou held as prisoner for seeking From thy master to escape. I broke thy Bonds and set thee free, and thou did'st Swear by thy rude but honest conception Of a God, ever after to be my abject Slave. Come now, run this sword through the Body that holds thee in subjection. Thou wilt not ; then hold it whil'st I run upon it. Slave. General Ewell, you want to die on your own swoid like those antique Romans. In other words you are going to commit suicide, and you want me to help you. Ewell. Call'st thou such a patriotic act suicide? Come now, be a man ; there's none to call Thee to account. Slave. Yes, one above, whose all-seeing eye nothing escapes. He said : "Thou shalt not kill." Thou shalt not kill others, thou shalt not kill thyself. Ewell. Thou art right, slave ; 'though ignorant Uncultured and painted in a hue that Brings reproaches from the lips of men, Thy soul is quick to respond to the Master touch of thy Creator. (Ewell is clambering on the wall to get a sight when he is shot and falls at the feet of the slave. The slave bends over him with terms of endearment.) Slave. O, master ! worthy master ! speak but one word to me, or show some signs of life : still, quite still. So I am free, but would not so have bought my liberty. Oh, master ! far from this country your slave will fly, where these sad scenes will be forgotten. (Exit.) (Music is heard approaching (playing the Star Span- gled Banner), and enter General Weitzel and forces, and President Lincoln and crowd of citi- zens, women and children, some of them colored.) Weitzel. Mr. President : after picking our way through A labyrinth of death, abattis, earthworks, Rifle-pits and torpedoes, we stand at last In the heart of Richmond ; for behold the Confederate Capitol ! Within those walls Sat the Government that waged the bloody But unsuccessful rebellion against The Union. Citizens, make way, the good Abraham Lincoln, patron of virtue, America's best champion, successful in The battles that his armies fought : The country's utmost boundaries have Only circumscribed the power of his Sword, which brought to yoke the Union's Enemies ; now having felt the sternness Of his wrath, we taste the sweetness of His love : with honor and with fortune Is he come to take the cruel heel of War, from oiif your fruitful vines and Harvest fields, to pour soft ointment on Your wounds, and bind them with the soothing Bands of peace. (Great enthusiasm amongst the crowd, with cheers and joyful cries of "Long live Abraham Lincoln." Flags are held up, with shouts of "The Flag of our Union," "The Re-United States." One man raises a flag and shouts "The boys in gray and the boys in blue will fight side by side until death for you." (One old colored woman, an Aunty, holds a sick white child in her arms, who is frightened and crying to go home ; but the good negress tries to get the^ child to look at the President, which the child is afraid to do, so she turns the child's head, and turns around herself to accomplish her object, all the while singing : "See yeah, honey, look at the apostle, and you'll get well." "Touch the hem of his garment, honey, an' yur pain will be done gone." "Glory! Hallelujah," "God bress Massa Linkum." "Open the pearly gates." "I'se on the mount ob rejoicin." "Chariot of fire." "De mount ob transfigurashun." "My tribulations all done gone." (The spectators are much amused at this, finally the nurse gets the child to look at the President. The President smiles and the child throws a kiss at him, when the nurse withdraws it.) Lincoln (in response to cries for a speech.) My countrymen ! The Almighty has His own Purposes : for it must needs be that Offenses come ; but woe to that man by Whom the ofTense cometh. If we shall Suppose that American slavery was one Of these offenses, which in the Providence Of God must needs come, but having continued Through His appointed time He has willed To remove ; and that He gave to both North And South the late terrible war, as the woe Due to those by whom the offenses came ; Shall we discern therein any departure From those Divine attributes, which the Believers in a living God always Ascribe to Him. Fondly did we hope, Fervently did we pray, that this mighty Scourge of war might speedily pass away ; Yet if God willed it to continue, that All the wealth piled by the bondman's Two hundred years of unrequited toil Should be sunk, and that every drop of Blood drawn by the lash should be paid By another drawn by the sword, as it Was said of old, so still it must be said : "The judgments of the Lord are true and Righteous altogether." With malice towards none, with charity For all ; with firmness in the right as ABRAHAM LINCOLN God gives us to see the right, let us strive To finish the work we are in : to bind up The Nation's wounds, to care for him who Shall have borne the battle, and for his Widow and orphans, to do all which may Achieve and cherish a just and lasting Peace among ourselves, and with all Nations. (Curtain-) ACT V The Fate of the rival Presidents. Scene I. — Irwinsville, Ga. A country road. (A storm with thunder and lightning; enter KentonJ Kenton. Awful ! sublime ! these mighty forces have Full sway, and man looks on astounded. Let the great God, who makes this thunder In the skies, find out the wicked now. Tremble, thou wretch, whose blanched cheek Denotes a heart conscious of undivulged Crimes, unknown to justice: homicide, hide That blood spattered hand ; adulterer, thy Illegitimate progeny : and thou accumulator Of quick wealth, who under covert and Convenient scheming has preyed upon Thy fellows ; worthless promotions, watered And manipulated securities, intemperance, Monopolies; cowards, to pieces shake, {thunder), And make restitution before you are Summoned to this dreadful Tribunal. (Enter a farmer.) Farmer. Who's abroad in this foul weather? Kenton. One whose mind is like the weather, in A tumult. Have you seen a poor old Man, almost akin to a tramp, moving About here? Farmer (aside.) He may be an officer looking for President Davis, for Davis said in his letter to me that he would seek shelter at my farm-house, disguised as a tramp, No, I have seen no such man; who is he? Kenton. He is my best friend : a man wedded to Calamity ; who from the loftiest position In the land has been forced to counterfeit The beggar and the vagabond ; a commander In chief of the nation's armies, humbled to a Paltry two thousand men, who have Now deserted and left him alone (save For his faithful wife and a few friends). A fugitive from justice and a renegade, — So called by the mad mob who clamor For his life. Farmer. Why these sad details tally with and must mean no other than our honored President, Jefferson Davis, a man whom I love, and who sent me word that he would seek an asylum at my farm-house. Kenton. Is it so, friend? give me thy hand, I Thank my stars for this good piece of news. Come, we will look for him together. (Exeunt.) Scene II. — The same place. A forest. Storm con- tinues. (Enter a fool, attired in a motley suit.) Fool. Oh, this water, it is decidedly wet. It is not Holy water, for it could not be used in churches to sprinkle the face with, and yet it is wholly water, for it containeth not a particle of dryness. I will gather some fagots and start a blaze. (Exit.) (Enter Davis (disguised as a mendicant.) Davis. Blow, winds, and split the trees; fall, rain. Till you have drencii'd our bodies, drown'd The fields, enraged the cataracts and made The rivers Hoods. You sulphurous and Fiery lightning, and you, all shaking Thunder, blind the eyes and crack the hearts Of these ungrateful men (shows great distress). Still rumbling ; spit fire, spout rain ; nor Wind, rain, thunder, lightning, were my Subjects: I tax not you, you lofty elements With desertion ; you never gave me kingdom, Called me ruler : you owe me no allegiance. And yet I call you servile forces ; that Do with an ungrateful country join, to Persecute a head so old and white as This. O ! O ! 'tis foul. (Enter fool.) Fool (clapping his hands.) Bravo ! A well constructed speech, and spoke like a true actor. Thou railest on fortune in good set terms, and to whom : to thine own egotism, to a mot- ley fool, and to the elements; a most unappreciative and unprofitable audience. Davis. Who art thou? and why arrayed in this Peculiar garb, which smacks of the courts Of by-gone Kings? Fool. One, who hath been a courtier, and growing tired of playing the fool, in a dress suit, hath donned the liveries of the clown. ,i Davis. To whom have you played courtier, in this Land of republican institutions? Fool. To the Kings of Finance, the Kings of Politics, and the Kings and Queens of wealthy society. Now, who art thou who hast taken thy reduction to beg- gary so much to heart? Davis. I am a man, fool, so steeped in misery That even thy droll sayings can bring ,. No solace. i' ABRAHAM LINCOLN 103 Fool. Is thy foul disease organic or habitual? Has na- ture given thee imperfect machinery, or hast tliou abused that machinery? Are thy habits lewd, intem- perate, lustful or avaricious? Art a gourmand or a glutton? With what brands of wine or liquor dost thou and thy boon companions wassail the night away ? Davis (laughing.) You speak so sagely of illness, that you Must be learned in physic. Tell me this : Can'st administer to a diseased mind? For there lies all my cause of sorrow. Fool, I am one who occupied the most Exalted position in the gift of my Country, and now looked upon with Indifference ; nay, hunted down like a Common felon : turn thy glances there. Patience, thou young and rosy cherubim ; Ah, there, even thou showest despair. Fool. It seems thou hast learned to love the mad shouts of the multitude, the fickle multitude, better than the approving voices of thine own conscience. Davis. I exercised my functions in a palace, and When I walked was greeted with general applause. Fool. If all thou aim'st at is to strut well, take a course of lessons from the rooster, in the nearest barn-yard. Davis (contemplatively.) General-in-chief , too ; mighty armies I moved, like the chess-player moves his men. Fool. The checkmate thou hast received shows thee to have been a miserable player; the execrable use of thy pawns hath left thee nothing to pawn. Davis. Fool, you are wiser in this clown's part Than ever as courtier : from this day I Abjure forever the state of Ruler; And as a hermit, anchorite or recluse, Will end my days in exile and in poverty. To be condemned as I am is better than To have the axe suspended for a while By flattery ; to be at the bottom of the Ladder is better than to be at the top And fall. Come then, thou stormy fortune; The wretch whom thou hast blown unto the Worst has nothing to fear from thy blasts : But who comes here ? (Enter Kenton and Farmer.) Kenton. We have run upon somebody at last. That grotesque suit provokes laughter. And the other, a thing of shreds and patches : Why, this must be the President. (Approaching.) Davis. Ah, Kenton, you have arrived? Kenton. Yes, an unavoidable delay prevented me From being here to meet you, for which I crave forgiveness. Davis. And this gentleman? Kenton. Is the farmer to whom you wrote the letter. Davis. Friend, I am glad to meet you; and Let me thank you in advance for your Kindness and trouble. Farmer. I revere you and your character and life ; labor is still labor, but being congenial it antidotes the pain. Kenton. We have been seeking you and have strolled Far away from the farm-house ; but it Will not take long ; come, let us go. Fool. Gentlemen : before you go you must partake of some refreshment. My quarters are not sumptuous, for I live in that cave, nor my food epicurean, con- sisting chiefly of spring water and berries. The flesh must be mortified, even though, as sometimes fol- lows, the feelings suffer mortification also. I seek to remove that vile lecherous flesh which hath accumu- lated from partaking of rich wines and choice viands at all hours. And see. Gentlemen, is not the result gratifying (shows that his clothes are much too large around stomach), do I not dwindle? do I not grow thin? {Davis, Kenton and Partner laugh heartily.) Kenton. Your kindliness we receive with thanks, and Regret much that we are unable to enjoy Your hospitality. Davis. O, come, let us go in and look the Cavern over ; and at least drink of the Refreshing spring water. (Led by the Fool, they all enter the cave.) (Enter three soldiers.) Sergeant. Well, it is evident that this slippery rebel is not hereabouts, and so I told the Captain when he divided the company up in squads of three men and sent us out scouring the country. It will be good for him if I don't find him, for this day's hard tramp has put me in no good humor. Soldier. What's the idea of sending us out to look for him anyway? There's as much chance of our running across him as there is to find a needle in a hay- stack. Sergeant. Well, you don't know it all, so close up. He's not around here, but he's not far away, because reliable word was received at military headquarters in Macon that he was seen a few miles from the village of Ir- winsville, and Irwinsville is near by 104 ABRAHAM LINCOLN Second Soldier. Hark, listen to those voices. Let's hide behind this rock. (They conceal themselves.) (Davis, Kenton, Farmer and Fool come out of cave.) Davis. Now, fool, for so I am forced to still Call you, in lieu of a better title, and One more in keeping with your wisdom And gentle manhood, accept our thanks Once more. We rest in the hope that an Acquaintance so profitably begun may be some Day renewed. Fool. Visit me again. Send in your card and I will grant thee an audience. If thou comest well attired I will view thee with suspicion ; if in thy present garb thou art sure of a royal welcome. Farmer (to Davis.) Now, it is better for your security that we seek shelter without further delay. The country is be- ing scoured for you by soldiers. Kenton. Come, let us move on at once. Sergeant (coming out with drawn pistol, followed by the two soldiers. Halt ! throw up your hands ! (Soldiers search them for weapons, finding none they are allowed to drop their hands) {Sergeant grabs Davis roughly) : So we've caught you at last, you rebel runaway ; but a fine chase you gave us, gallivantin' about the woods, sometimes as a tramp and sometimes as a woman. Kenton (to Sergeant.) You hound, are you so ignorant as not To know that such as you approach this Man, only upon their knees. (Sergeant makes a wicked pass at him). I shall report your brutality To General Wilson, in command at Macon. Sergeant (a little scared.) Well, I have done no more than my duty. Bring this man along; I will go before and tell the news to the Captain. (Exit Sergeant.) Davis. From President to prison. Oh ! God ! This is an extreme which almost leaves Me voiceless with despair ; and from the Dungeon, where ? to death ? Come then death And welcome, for life ; these strange mutations Make us hate thee. Soldier. Do not take on so, sir ; the sergeant is rough, that's true ; but he's not a bad sort after all, good at heart. We'll use you right, we know what belongs to you; and as for the prison, don't worry about that; you won't have to stay there more than a year or two, for I heard General Wilson say that you would be con- fined in Fortress Monroe, and after the public clamor had died away you would be released. Kenton. That is true, Davis, every word of it ; For I have received letters from men In Washington and they say that the Members of Congress are most all in favor Of your incarceration in Fortress Monroe For a short time : so good-by, and God bless you ! (Davis is led away.) (Curtain.) Scene III. — Washington. The White House. Presi- dent's study. Lincoln, seated by lamp; Enter Mrs. Lincoln. Mrs. Lincoln. Reading? I will not ask you what you read, It must be good, for you look so comfortable. Lincoln. I have been reading a strange article, written I should judge by a dispeptic and a rank pessimist; very funny, for the satirical rogue says that a great man's memory will not outlive liim half a year, un- less lie builds up evidences around him while he lives, of being the bequeather of great wealth at his death; (laughing)' though I hold it not wise to have the matter so plainly set down, yet I cannot dispute its truthfulness. Mrs. Lincoln. It is rather a blunt way of attracting attention to human frailties. But, listen, I have a surprise for you, and I want you to be good and promise to go. Lincoln. Go ? go where ? Mrs. Lincoln. Do you see these? They were just given to us, box tickets for to-morrow's performance of "Our Ameri- can Cousin" at Ford's Theatre ; what do you think of it? do you want to go? I think it would be perfectly proper, and besides it will give your mind a much needed rest. Our friends think we should go by all means. Lincoln (with boyish enthusiasm.) That will be a treat indeed. I should certainly like to go ; (hesitating) provided that those think it pro- per, who are better posted on the proprieties than I am. Mrs. Lincoln. Well, we will talk it over further with our friends. (Exit Mrs. Lincoln. Enter Thomas, the son, who sits on sofa.) Lincoln. Well, Tad, my boy, I suppose that you have come to give me your daily report of your studies and your sports. Now, go ahead, let me hear how you made out at school to-day. Tad. Well, Father, this is what YOU would call an off day. I'm just simply discouraged, that's all, I can't see any hope. ABRAHAM LINCOLN 105 Lincoln (smiling.) Why, my son, you have been getting along very nicely, ana have so expressed yourseit trom day to day, with nov/ and then only a little temporary set- back. VV hat's wrong to-day .'' Tad. Why, that grammar, it's as slippery as an eel; when you thmK you've got it pat it sups out of your head and you haven't got it at all. 1 he nouns, pro- nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, prepositions, con- junctions and interjections get all twisted up in your head, and you don't know 'em when you meet 'em. Lincoln (laughing.) Well, Tad, that is an experience that we all have been through, and it is folly for any one to belittle it or make lignt of it; but cheer up, my lad, for al- though the wisest men in the world have never been able to entirely surmount this very dithculty, they have been fairly learned and successful men. Now, tell me of your sports? Tad. Why, Pop, what do you think, there is a new base ball out, 1 saw one of them to-day for the hrst time, they're as hard as a negro's head. Say, father I like those colored people, and would love to see them free ; but how are you going to get anything into their heads when they are so hard. Lincoln (laughing heartily). Tad, although a LITI'LE hard to get it in, once in, it will be impossible to get it out. But seriously, my lad, the thickness of a man's head has nothing to do with what the man is. The skull is but a casket to Che brain, while thought is hrst inspired by the soul, then practically applied by the mind, the brain is only one of the mind's agents. Thought is awakened from within, the same as the milk grows in the cocoa- nut. Let us once fan the vital spark which God has implanted in the souls of these men, and it will grow into a glorious blaze. (Lincoln becomes enthused with his subject, and gets up and walks (meditating) he finally goes to Tad, and finds him asleep). Why, fast asleep ; I would it were my privilege to sleep so quickly. Thy youth has none of the knotty prob- lems that years bring to the minds of men, there- fore thou sleep'st soundly. (Lincoln sits down, takes a book, and soon the lighted lamp grows dim.) How ill this lighter burns ! Ha ! what is this ! (Boat appears on curtain.) I think it is the fever of my mind That shapes this wondrous apparition : This boat, sailing to an unknown shore. Thou hast no use or sound of voice, therefore Must speak, if thou speak'st at all, by Some peculiar excellence of shape. Or by the eloquence of thy adornments : Thy beauty's more than human, therefore Must thou sail to the Celestial shore ; And bid'st me be ready to go with thee : Although I am bathed in glory, like the Moon at the full ; that would be worn awhile, Not cast aside too soon ; yet am I ready, For I have tried to teach myself to say : Thy will be done. (Ship vanishes; and curtain.) Scene IV. — Washington. A street. (Enter Booth, Powell and other conspirators.) Booth (looking at watch.) Fifteen minutes to ten; and ten was the Hour set for our brave and glorious deeds : Powell, you will have to hurry to Seward's House, and see to it that you leave no Botches in the work ; let this be his Last night on earth; the rest of you quickly To the places assigned you; and on the Stroke of ten use your weapons with vigor And skill ; that the master spirits of this Monstrous tyranny may pass the Stygian Shore unto the realms of perpetual night. Powell. John Wilkes Booth — you need have no fear About our part of the job : for stony walls, Nor armed and most unusual vigilance. Can save our prey. Atzerodt. Shall no men else be silenced, but the President and Cabinet? There's Sumner, A most violent abolition orator; His silver tongue awakes the very stones. And makes them prate 'gainst slavery. Powell. Well urged, friend ; 'tis most proper that Sumner, one of the staunchest props of Lincoln, should not outlive Lincoln. His influence is great, and if he use It to the uttermost he will prove a Dangerous foe. Booth. Our course then will seem like vengeance; The swapping of evil for evil. 'Tis justice We seek, not vengeance; when the great Brutus did the Tarquin stab, 'twas love of Country that impelled the blow. Let's kill This man as a physician would treat some Humor of the blood ; who finding a foul Disease, administers the soothing antidote: So will our weapons purge the blood-politic. Of its leprous reproach. Powell. Away then! to action! for by delay Many great resolves have fallen to decay. (Exeunt, with covert examination of weapons.) Scene V. — Washington. Exterior of Ford's Theatre. (Front of the theatre faces the audience; large sign up at one side marked "Stage Entrance." It is a few minutes before ten o'clock P. M., and there are some loiterers hanging around, some go and some come ; a new-com,er asks "What is going on here to-night?" another answers, "Why, don't you know? President Lincoln and family are at- io6 ABRAHAM LINCOLN tending the performance of 'Our American Cousin,' " then another says, "Let's stay until he comes out-" Other similar talking goes on.) (Enter Booth, stealthily and muffling up face.j Booth. Abraham Lincoln; sits in this theatre Witnessing a comedy ; utterly oblivious That he this very night is to play The leading part in the greatest tragedy Of modern times : the tyrant, grown Arrogant, falls before the arm of a weak But determined man ; myself ! thou, little stage ! upon which in Compressed form the tragedies of life's Great stage are acted ; temple of Thespis ; Often have I trod thy boards with treacherous Murder in my eye ; imaginary murder ; Aimed at some wicked King; whose subjects In rebellion raised, have chosen me For their deliverer : or as a Knight ; Beauteous in aspect, and attired richly In a scarlet cloak guarded with gold, Have I to some fair maid dedicated My fortunes and my sword : with fixed Face, impressive gesture and deliberate Gait, moving towards my design like a Ghost; the victim falls, and I am seized And bound : breaking from these hirelings, O'er his dead body I thunder forth the Beauty of the lines ; a set speech by The immortal poet. Thus does Caesar bleed In sport ; but at contrived murder, Premeditated and malicious, my soul Sickens. Oh, you horrid agencies that Influence mortal thought, fill me to The brim with your infernal suggestions, That my mind see not the ghastly wound It purposes, and sophistry delude me with The damning lie, that my country will Profit by this crime. Thou sure and firm set Floor, echo not my steps as I do walk, That these gaping fools may take no notice Of my whereabouts. I stay, and it's a doing, 1 go, and it is done : (Clock strikes ten while he listens). The clock exhorts me ! hear it not Lincoln, For it is the hour, that summons thee Before the Supreme Power. (Enters the theatre.) (Two citizens, talking, standing apart from the others.) First Citizen. Hark ! did you not hear a sound ? Second Citizen. There is more or less noise all the time in a place like his. To what particular thing do you refer? First Citizen. A hoarse whisper ! The soughing of a disem- bodied spirit. I am strangely wrought up to-night — a nervous foreboding of coming evil : the wind seems to sob and moan, and see ! the lightning bolt has struck, but the thunder drum is muffled; so are the loud voiced instruments made mute, when playing for the dead. (Commotion in theatre-) Hark! what noise is that in the theatre? (Booth staggers and limps out of the theatre by the stage entrance, followed by mob, crying "Stop the assassin," "Shoot down the scoundrel," "Stop him; don't let him escape." People also come out of the front entrance of theatre, and join in the cry. Booth, with a pistol in each hand, backs away followed by the mob; when he reaches the front of stage he cries "Sic Semper Tyrannus," waving the pistols in the air. Some one pushes a horse through the wings, and mount- ing the horse Booth disappears.) (After Booth disappears there is great excitement, and more people gather. Talking goes on as fol- lows: "The President has been shot," "Who shot himf" "Is he still alivef" "Did the assassin es- cape?" Then a platoon of police come up, and a police sergeant conies out of the theatre and says to them:) Sergeant of Police. The President has been assassinated, and is lying at the point of death. Clear away this gaping throng as they are bringing him out of the theatre. (Lincoln is brought out on a stretcher and de- posited on the stage.) Sumner. This costly dust yet shows some sign Of life, which happily may grow by contact With the open air. Doctor. Stand well away, for this frail spirit Must be treated tenderly, or 'twill Take fright and fly away : and see the Tints of returning consciousness ; now He opens his lips, as if about to speak. Hush ! let's try and catch his every word. How fares your Excellency? Lincoln (faintly.) Ill fare, for this lead within me hath Little of nourishment ; but doth persuade The immortal part of me to quit a body So inaptly fed. (Groans-) Oh ! this pain doth wrack my body, to Its remotest part. Doctor. I pray your Excellency, be calm; and Speak only when it brings you peace. Lincoln. 'Tis you must speak such words ; for you Must tell me that the Union's saved; And that our brave but mistaken foe, Have joytully laid down their arms; And now humbly bow at the shrine Of universal liberty. That the Nation Receives them back with open arms, love And general amnesty. ABRAHAM LINCOLN 107 Stanton. All this can I tell you and something more : For added to what you already know ; Johnson's surrender to Sherman, followed Swift upon Lee's to Grant, and all those Who raised their hands against the flag Are burning to swear allegiance; their Penitence is most marked, and shows itself So seated in their hearts, as to silence Contradiction. Lincoln. I thought so much, for my prophetic soul Could see no other termination to This war; the Judgments of the Almighty Are true and righteous altogether. Then in this atmosphere of supreme content Let me bid farewell forever to this world. (Dies.) (Doctor examines him critically, and. falls back bow- ing his head. They all understand and lower their heads also. The widow, convulsively throws her- self upon his breast, sobbing.) Stanton. Now he belongs to the ages! You that have been mute witnesses to this Chance; who know the worth of this great Man; in days to come while yet your very Souls are wrenched with sorrow ; draw your Breath in pain to present him aright To the dissatisfied. His life was noble, And the creative essences so mixed in Him, that nature seemed to say to all The world: this is a perfect man. (Curtain-) (The play ends with an impressive view of the re- mains of Abraham Lincoln, lying in state in the Rotunda of the Capitol at Washington.) OTOMIS THE INDIAN OF MEXICO DRAMATIS PERSONAE. Maximilian, Elmperor of Mexico. Don Antonio Morello, a Senator. Other Senators. Benito Juarez, President of Mexico. Rafael de la Torre, an Artist (noble and rich). Otomis, a General (an Indian). Alfredo, his Lieutenant. Manuel, his Chief of Staff. Rodriguez, a Young Mexican Grandee. Passapae, a Veteran. Prison Warden and Guards. A Priest. Brushy, an Artist's Factotum. Esmeralda, Daughter to Don Antonio. Melissa, her Maid. Perdita, a gay Friend of Alfredo. Magdalal Salome }■ Artist's Models. Eulalie J Nobility, Ambassadors, Church Dignitaries, Courtiers, Citizens, Soldiers, Officers, Couriers, Secretaries, Conspirators, Attendants, etc. Scene — The Capital of Mexico (Mexico City). ACT 1 Scene I. — Mexico City, Mexico. A Street. {Enter Alfredo and Rodriguez) Rodriguez: And you, Alfredo ; my friend, my second self ; who hast had my pocketbook, as though the leathern thing were thine, shouldst know of this, and keep it from me. Alfredo: 'Sdeath, rude Rodriguez, you wrong me deeply : — I never dreamed before, that the dusky Otomis, had the slightest chance with Esmeralda. Rodriguez: Well, we have no time, now, for altercation. Here is the grand casa where her father lives : — I'll call him forth. Alfredo: Do ; and color your speech with like timorous accent and dire yell, as when at night, the negligence kindled fire is spied in populous cities. Rodriguez: What ho, Don Antonio! awake, arise! Alfredo: Senor Antonio, look to your cage: the door is open and your daughter flown! {Don Antonio appears at a window.) Don Antonio: Ho, there what is the reason of this bold disturbance? How dare you two gallants, full to the brim with insolence and wine, start my quiet. Rodriguez: Don't you know me, Senor? I am Rodriguez. Don Antonio: What, you here again? If you cannot take Rhythmic prose composition that is arranged into lines of >f syllables, although these lines do not begin with capitals, is oratorical and dramatic, and its salient features are grasped Fividly, than ordinary prose that has no limitation but the and where words are often hyphenated an equal number made much more more easily and ____ _dth of the page, the regularity of the colunm. This it seems might be properly designated "Rhythmic metrical prose," tradistinction to Poetry, Blank verse, or Prose. "OtoiniB" ia written entirely in this style. In my daughter's hints ; the kindest way to say that you are an unwelcome suitor; then take my plain words : my daughter is not for thee, but for Rafael de la Torre. Alfredo: If you do not rouse your minions, and at once pursue her, she will be the squaw of an Indian ; whose complexion looks just as coppery, despite the benefits of white men's clothes and cultivation : your grandchildren will be half-breed papooses. Don Antonio: Pursue her, sir; what do you mean? Alfredo: That your daughter has fled your house, for the sole and most unhallowed purpose of marriage with Otomis, the Aztec Indian. Don Antonio: You are a ruffian. Alfredo: You are a — grandee. Don Antonio: This outrage shall not escape punishment : I know you Rodriguez ; but your confederate I cannot distinguish by the moonlight. Rodriguez: Do not believe, senor, that we would be dare-devil enough to appear here, solely to mock and tantalize your highness : most fortunate, the news has come to us, that your fair daughter ; attended by a female jade of weekly hire, has left the shelter of your arms, to subject her pure self, to the sensual clasp of a savage : the immediate object marriage. Quick — satisfy yourself ; and if you find her home ; let loose on us the retribution of the law, for thus deluding you. Don Antonio: That your words, carry conviction, is attested by the 108 109 beating of my heart: I will put you to the proof; remain here until I return. Alfredo: Now, when he comes out; read this letter, to him: and don't let on that it is mine. Rodriguez: Look, there are signs of commotion in the house already. Alfredo: Yes, the turning on of gaseous currents, has changed the darkness, into a blaze of light; the hurrying of feet, and hoarse murmurs, disturb the stillness. {Enter belovj, Don Antonio, and Servants with torches^ Don Antonio: The disobedient minx: who would be a father? O, my darling child ! gone she is : think you that we'll be in time to save her? Alfredo: I am quite sure of that, if you will follow our advice. Don Antonio: What can I do? I know not where they may be apprehended. Rodriguez: Senor, listen to the contents of this letter. (Reads) "Meet me at the old Franciscan monastery, opposite Don Antonio's home, at midnight. The charming Esmeralda, will await me, at a nearby friend's : I am to wed her ; and want you for a witness. — Otomis." Alfredo: If in warning you, we stand convicted, of as great a sin as treachery ; it is all my doing. Don Antonio: Your very good motive, justifies your act. But, tell me— you have not yet met Otomis? Rodriguez: Not yet: it lacks a few minutes of the hour. Don Antonio: The saints be praised! then Esmeralda will be snatched, from the hands of the despoiler: when he appears, he shall be arrested. Alfredo: That is your only course, senor : and to that end, you can conceal your forces in the grim shadows of yonder monastery. In order not to arouse his suspicions, we will remain here ; and when you return, will join in as though just arrived. Don Antonio: So be it. Away then, to execute the plan. My peers of the state, will acquit me of all blame: for if such vagabonds may have action free, our state will soon be turned to anarchy. (Exeunt all but Alfredo and Rodriguez) Alfredo Don Antonio is a member of the Junta : and hath a potent voice within that body: may he so vent his bile to them ; that to-night's outrage, will cost Otomis his place. Rodriguez: Otomis appointed you to your present office; and yet you dislike him: why is this? Alfredo: Dislike — is too mild a word: I hate him !— Three grand ones of the City, oft doffed their sombreros in personal suit, to President Juarez, to make me Generalissimo: and by the ringing of an oath ; I know my worth : I am fitted for the place. But Juarez, full of bombastic pride over his own military glory, derides my claim to skill and prowess, in a pedantic discourse on the technique of battle, filled with a horrible misuse of the epithets of war: and in conclusion, nonsuits my mediators ; saying : "I have already chosen Otomis." Rodriguez: Why you are only twenty- seven : perhaps he deemed you too young, to be in supreme command of the army. Alfredo : Otomis is only thirty : three years my senior : and besides, I am a better soldier. Mere striplino-s when the hi? war with the United States broke out, we both enlisted : and boys we were, yet did some desnerate deeds of valor. The war over, I remained in the army : for that I had learned to love the clink and flash of swords ; and more, I must confess, on account of a natural cruelty, which makes me gloat and glory at distress. Otomis too continued a soldier; and we rose step by step, until now, some ten years later, we are rival aspirants for Generalissimo : that, damn him, he hath gained. Rodriguez: Ah, I see you have that quality, which in some degree afflicts every man: you are envious. Alfredo: Call it what you will: it burns within me, and will yet be his undoinsr. You had best leave me, now: he may appear at any moment: after the arrest, you can join the throng as if by accident. Rodriguez: I will do so : farewell for a while. (Exit) Alfredo: I did not tell that snioe, that I was madly in love with Esmeralda ; because the youne puppy adores her himself ; and being barred from the house by her father, I suegested to him that I carry her, tokens of his affection, in the shape of pearls and diamonds : which being sfiven me for that laudable purpose, I put in my pocket. Many loving words has he received in return for his costly gifts: not framed, 110 as he supposes, by her lips; but by my own. (Enter Otomis) Otoniis: Good Alfredo, you are on hand. You are as true as the damascus steel, in this good sword. Come, follow me. Alfredo: First let me tell you something that will make you as full of quarrel as a rattlesnake. Don Antonio has learned of your escapade, and with a few paid hirelings has gone in search of you. Otomis: How know you this? Alfredo: He stopped me on the street, and accused me of being in league with you. Although in the trade of war, we dare slay men : to give an enemy his quietus in personal spite, is held a murder. My natural iniquity is so great, and his chatter was so provoking, that two or three times I was on the point of stabbing him between the ribs. Otomis: I would not have had you done so, for the world. In taking his daughter without leave, I do him a grievous wrong. But there was no other way. Alfredo: But the magnifico is very powerful, and hath a voice, when he sees fit to use it, both to condemn and punish. You take his wrath too lightly. Otomis: Let him do his worst : President Juarez and the Junta ; cannot ignore my services. I have yet to learn, but should I learn that bravado is bravery, I will proclaim it. I got my life and being from the aborigines: and the deep voiced thunder, speaks to me more persuasive, than the murmurings of men. I love the gentle Esmeralda : — were it not so ; I would not put my savage, wild condition, into the art and artifice of civilized convention, for the whole worth of Mexico's mines. Alfredo: Hark! what noise is that? Here comes the troop that seeks you. There is yet time to escape : but you are obstinately brave ; you will not flee. Otomis: Not I — I shall remain and face them. {Enter certain Army Officers, with torches) What have we here! Some army couriers ; and my personal staff. In the name of all that's wonderful, what brings you here? Courier: A warlike fleet, from France ; has entered the harbor at Vera Cruz. As the Junta, sits here in Mexico City, the Capital, the news was sent here at once. I know not what it means; but it must bode grave doings ; for the President and Junta, are raised from their beds, and met already: and you was hotly sent for ; when not finding you at the barracks, we and your staff, have searched the city, only to find you now. Otomis: This is startling news: and to tell truth, interferes sadly with a gage, that I am in honor bound to keep : but my duty is plain, I will go with you : first allow me a moment's absence, to make excuse to one who waits for me. Manuel: All right, General ; when you return, we will start. (Exit Otomis) Alfredo, you are Otomis' lieutenant ; and second to him in command : and are with him, almost like his own shadow : — what brings him here? Alfredo: Manuel, vou are chief of his staff, and a warm friend, therefore I will tell you. He, (a most skillful strate9'ist) has been out-manoeuvered by a petticoat. (Re-enter Otomis pursued by Don Antonio and Serv- ants, and Rodriguez) Otomis:. Stand back, I say! Don Antonio: Lay hands on him, arrest the villain! Alfredo: What ho, a nieht assault! Draw, men, and defend your General. You, Rodriguez, I will have a thrust at you. Otomis: Put un your polished swords, for the night air will tarnish them. In the fierce drama of war and personal combat, I know my part so well, that I require no prompter. — Now, kind sir, what is your charge against me? Don Antonio: That you have corrupted and stolen away, my daughter : and but for this arrest, you would have married her. I require, for my protection, that you shall be taken before the authorities, and bound over to keep the peace : and furthermore that the Junta, as a fitting mark of their displeasure, shall remove you from ofifice. Courier: If you seek to bring the matter before the Junta, you can have your wish to-night. Don Antonio: It would be unfeeling to call them forth now. Courier: They are already in session. Don Antonio: You must be mad: they rarely meet at night ; and besides, I have not been notified. Manuel: It is true, senor: and see ; here come two couriers in search of you. Ill (Enter two Couriers) First Courier: Don Antonio Morello, you are most urgently summoned to an immediate meeting of the Junta. The welfare of the nation is in extremis. Don Antonio: The state in danger! that is grave news: I will go with you at once. But what is to become of my daughter? She is not safe while this redskin is at large. Otomis: Never fear: — I will follow you. I also am summoned. Don Antonio: Come on then : and the more pressing business once despatched ; you shall answer my charge of abduction. If a father's wrongs can my comrades sway, you'll be shorn of office ere the break of day. (Exeunt) Scene II. — Mexico City. A Council Chamber. President Juarez presiding, and the Junta in their seats. Juarez: Mr. Secretary, how many of our members are yet absent? Secretary: Only Don Antonio Morello. We have therefore much more than a quorum, and can proceed. 1 Sen What serious business, hath called us out at midnight? Juarez: A telegram, from the Commandant at Vera Cruz. A fleet, of French war vessels ; great in numbers, heavy in ordnance, and filled with troops, arrived in the harbor of Vera Cruz, this afternoon. In spite of resistance, (not armed but verbal) the troops were landed; when the city fell into a great tumult ; and these soldiers, with their sympathizers, have complete possession. The cry everywhere is, "On to the Capital." The aim and object of this brazen foreign invasion, is being brought here by the Commandant's messengers ; who will reach us shortly. 2 Sen. Methinks there is a sinster portent in this news. 'Tis known to you all, that the proud and rich grandees, hidalgos, cientificos : and in fact all that have not learned to love Mexico, for herself ; and who profited by the monarchial rule ; despairing of overthrowing the republic; have. formed a plot to seat a foreign Prince, on a Mexican throne. In this movement they have strong allies in the Clerigos — the purveyors of the Gospel. Juarez: Yes, we have heard of this ; and even heard that the expedition was sailing on the seas; but gave it little credit. 3 Sen. In this dire extremity ; if what is feared indeed prove true; whom can we count as our friends ? 4 Sen. The liberales ! — That great mass of patriot and loyal white men ; either native or foreign born : and besides we have nearly all the native Indians. Juarez: Yes, thank heaven, we have countless tried and true adherents. But here comes Don Antonio, and the valiant Indian. Enter Don Antonio, Otomis, Alfredo, Rodriguez, and Servants. What means this rabble, that follows at Otomis' heels as if about to take him into custody? Otomis: The magnifico, must answer that. Don Antonio: Servants — leave us; and return to your beds. (Exit Servants) Most Excellent, — ^that man hath done me wrong; which I at proper time will preach upon. Although my hot blood within cries out for haste, my private griefs must wait on our state afifairs. Juarez: Know then, that our beloved land hath been invaded by a foreign foe: and we must at once muster our army, to give them battle. Messengers with full reports are now on their way here. Our information is but meagre : to get all the news, and also to save repetition, we will await their coming. In the meantime, nothing can be done. — proceed Don Antonio, we'll listen to your charges. Don Antonio: My daughter, my only daughter! Juarez: Well, what of her? Don Antonio: This tender and dutiful girl, has left my roof to-night ; weaned away by the wicked sorcery of that man. Juarez: What, by Otomis! — We are sorry to hear this, for he is a daring and skillful soldier ; and we counted much on his help in this great crisis. What can you say in your own defense? Don Antonio: Nothing, but that it is true. Otomis: Nothing, Most Excellent, but that his daughter fled his house to meet me ; and under friendly shelter waits my coming. Juarez: Where is she now? Otomis: Alfredo, you best know the place where the old fortune teller lives, close to the Franciscan monastery: — Go fetch Esmeralda hither. (Exit Alfredo) 112 Don Antonio: Your worships, I ask that if he be proven red-handed guilty of the charge, you dismiss him from his office. Senators: We will, we will. Otomis: Then, by your leave, I'll spend the interim betwixt, now and the maid's arrival, in telling you as truthfully as though confessing to a Clerigo, the story of our love. Juarez: Speak on, brave Otomis. Otomis: If I except four last moons, wasted in amorous delights, my entire life since this form of mine has seven years growth, has been passed in feats of ambuscade and battle : and I shall little my defense promote, by making my own plea. But by your gracious pardon, I will at least attempt it. My ancestors were from the mighty Aztecs : who lived in Mexico, under Montezuma : — They were conquered by Cortes, and his Spanish conquistadores ; and their bodies, but not their spirits were crushed and humbled. The Aztecs have lived and fought, on the Tierra Caliente; or hot lands of the coast: where the poisonous reptile lives amongst the gorgeous flowers. From there roving, we fixed our dwelling place, and built our pueblos, on the vast elevated plateau ; known as the Tierra Templada; or temperate regions : where the climate is salubrious, and the rich soil rewards the toiling swain. And oft would we climb the lofty mountain peaks, to the Tierra Fria; or frozen zone: where all vegetation is wrapped in a white mantle, of eternal snow. Such rare descent I think entitles me to gain as rich a prize, even as Don Antonio's daughter. I asked her father's consent to wed her: was scornfully repelled : then planned to-night's elopement. Juares: "."'I Let not your emotion overcome you : proceed with the tale. Otomis: I met Esmeralda in the forest: where I love to go when away from duty. She, woman like, became fascinated by my glittering uniform ; and asked me of my battles. I ran through to her admiring ears, the famous campaign of the war with the United States: — Palo Alto, Monterey, Beuna Vista, Cerro Gordo, Churubusco, and Chapultepec ; and others equally glorious and sanguinary. I spake too of the treasures of Mexico, that I had seen, (whereof she had something heard, but not from an eye witness) of the great farming lands, where grows the golden grain ; of the variegated wood producing forests ; and quarries everywhere, whose bowels of gold, silver and onyx, had been dug out, leaving mammoth cavities. Such was the story; and of the barrancos, or deep ravines ; ■ upon whose dizzy sides, the peasant hunts the chamois. All this Esmeralda heard with dilating eyes ; whose iris soon took on the hues of love. Upon this hint, I spoke; and with blushing cheeks she listened to my burning words. I told her that when wed, we would dwell in a Pompeiian palace, where the hanging rose gardens bloom all the year, and the fountains sparkle in the sun ; while from the terraces, are seen gleaming in the distance the cold peaks of the volcanoes. 1 Sen. And she consented : — what woman looking on your handsome face and stalwart form, could do otherwise. 2 Sen. I think my own daughter would have done no less. Juarez: Senor, come, you had best admit that this man will make you a good son-in-law; and that your child has made a most judicious choice. 'Tis true he is an Indian ; but a mere matter of complexion, is trifling, compared with the corroded state of many white men's souls. Don Antonio: I tell you one and all, that I would sooner see my dauehter lyinsr dead at my feet, than to have her the wife of a savage. But hark! — the blare of a trumpet: that must be the bearers of the news you wait for. No more of my affairs, now. {Enter Messengers) I Mess.: Most Excellent President: and you members of the Junta. Juarez: You bring tidings from Vera Cruz : — we hang upon your words. I Mes.: We are sent to inform you that the French troops, are being prepared for a rapid march upon Mexico City, here. Juarez: The impudent and lawless horde : we will give them a warm reception. I Mess.: But they are great in numbers; and will surely beat down your defences, and enter the City in a few days. Juarez: What, enter our Capital ! How dare this hostile force, flaunt itself so proudly upon the soil of Mexico: what is their purpose? I Mess.: The monarchial party, and the clerio-os, entered into a plot with the French Emperor, to seat a scion of the house of Hapsburg, upon a Mexican throne. They brought him with them ; and he is soon to be proclaimed King. 113 Juarez: And this pseudo King; who is to rule, not by Divine right, but by the power of French bayonets ; who is he ? I Mess.: Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph : Archduke of Austria ; and brother of the reigning monarch there. His Queen — Carlotta Maria Amaha. 1 Sen.: Can such a frighful danger, suddenly appear, and overhang us like a summer cloud, without arousing apprehension and alarm? Juarez: No, senor,- and furious anger too. But it will help us none to storm and rage : we must look the imminent danger in the face, and see what way there may be out of it. 2 Sen.: If we remain here, we stake all on the defence of the City : if that falls, our Government falls. No, we had best remove the offices, and afifairs of state, to a safer place : to San Luis Potosi. Juarez: Well then, we will go, to San Luis Potosi ; and that \\ ithout delay. And you, Otomis ; we leave in supreme control of the Capital : and commission you with full power to further strengthen the outworks, around the city. Never capitulate until all hope is lost. Otomis: The tyrant duty, has changed my soft bed of down, for the rough and steel couch of war: yet I do gain such virtues, from doing hard things.; that I am moved to undertake them with a prompt alacrity. I gladly accept the post : and will sooner lose my life, than lose the City. Juarez: We like your answer well. Now we will wait until your ladylove appears ; to try and help her soften Don Antonio's heart : and then to bed, for an early start at sunrise. {Enter Alfredo and Esmeralda) Esmeralda {to Otomis): What, in this place, and surrounded by all these men ! C3, I feel that something dreadful has occurred 1 You promised to meet me, and I waited for you so long, that I grew sick with fear: and then Alfredo came and said that you had sent him for me. Otomis: Sweet one, be composed. By the blackest cloud, or fiercest wind, I swear; that my seeming perfidy, was really no fault of mine. Esmeralda: I believe you, and trust you. Tell me — what danger was it that beset you? Otomis: This is the council chamber of the Junta; and these Senators, constitute that body : they sent for me in haste : on my way to meet you I was intercepted by their messengers. Esmeralda: How idle, my frantic fears seem now; and all my jealous doubts. Otomis: Your father, too is here. Esmeralda: My father! — where? {DonAntonio arises from his seat in the Junta, and comes forzvard: Esmeralda clings to him) Can you ever, ever, foreive me and take me back to your heart a?ain : I am a willful, perverse, ungrateful child. Don Antonio: You are the very apple of my eye: and was hitherto my daughter: what you are to me in the future, depends upon how you amend your ways. Whose wishes shall you most delight to follow? Esmeralda: I do discern here a divided duty: — To be true to filial love, or love that springs from beauty. You did bep^et me, and raise me : to you I owe life. But I love Otomis better than my life: and he is worthy of such love : trust me, a woman's heart iudo-es clearer and truer than a father's wisdom. I looked beneath Otomis' color, which is but skin thick, deep down into his very soul, and there I saw such dazzling beautv, as when a cut glass chandelier, is lighted by electricity. I Sen.: This seems to be no passing fancy, but a rapture that will last forever. Don Antonio: Heaven help me, she appears to be as much bewitched, as I was in courting her mother. Esmeralda: You will let me be happy, won't you father? Juarez: How can you resist such a naive appeal, senor? Don Antonio: Well then, I do consent. {The lovers take hands) But this marriaee planned to-ri