,V ^_ ^o v .0' -^o. .".iy V * .0-' ^- ^ ^y^%\F.- _/ -^^^ A ^^ -%. ^ 0> " '^-.z) Jj^-T-. W' /.. >9-ni. •- .<^' .-, ic^ ,4 O^ '^^ 0^ ,>- -r,. ^<^. .'^^ ■"A" 4 o <. ■ ,B; "bv^ :[^m^^^ ''^o^ '<^ * O „ O ^ -(J,^ 4 o o. *vV^. s^ A ^ ■ >'" c .0 y ->' ^o. -^ .^^ ^>^1!*^ .0' ^. * O « ^ -(J,^ V U .A^ '^^^^A^„ '"V .<<^' ir^^- »^^^/■ v\^ v^ • » s ^ > V ^. ^^ ^•/.>^% AT PINEY RIDGE A PLAY OF TENNESEE LIFE IN FOUR ACTS DAVID K. HIGGINS Copyright 1906, by DAVID K. HIGdINS All Rights Reserved S'l lip and piinterl in the United States. Publislied December, 1906. All acting rights, both professional and amateur, are reserved by David K. Higgins. Performances forbidden and right of representation reserved. Application for the right of performing this piece must be made to him. Any piracy or infringement will be prosecuted in accord- ance with the penalties provided by the United States Statutes : — ■'Sec. 4966. — Any person publicly performing or repre- senting any dramatic or musical composition, for which e )pyright lias been obtained, without the consent of the proprietor of the said dramatic or musical composition, or liis heirs or assigns, shall be liable for damages there- for, such damages in all cases to be assessed at such sum, not less than one hundred dollars for the first and fifty dollars for every subsequent performance, as to the Couit shall appear to be just. If the unlawful perform- ance and representation be willful and for profit, such person or persons shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction be imprisoned for a period not exceeding one year." — U. S. Revised Statutes, Title 60, Chap. 3. ^f 3^ Characters. General Deertng, President of the Bank of Tennessee. Mark Briarson, Cashier of the Bank of Tennessee. Major Jartree, a Teller of the Bank. Israel, a relic of tlie '*ole days". Jack Rose, from Piney Ridge. Zeb Lane, a Mountaineer. Rube Holler, l SiLE Bates, > Friends of the l^ane P^amily. 8am Long, ) Abe Moonlight, a Darkey Swain.. AzALiE Deering, the General's Dauglitei". Chlotilda Beverly, a Friend of Azalie. Dagmar, an Octoroon. Susannah, a "A^aller Gal". Mammy Summers, her Mother. Mrs. Lane, Zel)'s Wife. 'Cindy Lane, the Outcast of Piney Ridge. The Scenes are laid in the suburbs of Chattanooga, Tennes- see, and the adjacent mountains al)out the year 1885. 'ACT I. Porch and Garden of Gen'l Deering 's Plantation — Late Summer. ACT JI. A room in Gen'l Deering 's house — The Spring- Following. ACT III. In the Tennessee Mountains — Sunday at Piney Ridge. ACT IV. A room in the old Briarson Mansion — The last night of the year. ^^AT PINEY RIDGE." ACT I. SoENE: Porch of (jencral Deering's House (R). Vieiv of garden. Prae. Whidoiv {R) ihrough irhieh view of Halluay — Large Door opening onto Porch through ivhicJi Characters make entrances and exists (R). Large Red Rose Bush in full bloom L. C. House and Porch covered with fiowering riucs. — Dense foliage iu garden. House and Porch taking up half (R) — of stage — two steps up to floor of porch — Hedge row across in 3. Summer southern land- scape on drop. Rustic bench in frojit of Rose Bush (L. C). Music at Rise: ''Mg Tennessee Home." (About Sunset — Lights up — Red Medium — tui'us to dusk and to Moonlight at cues.) At Rise. (Enter Israel from house to porch with decanter.) (R.) Mammy. (Offstage R 3.) Susannah ! Susannah. (Off stage R. 1.) Yas, ma'am. Mammy. You heah me. Susannah. No, ma'am. Oome seben ; come 'leben. Israel (Speaking off R. on i)orch.) Go long out o' dah ; shootin' dem craps. Susannah. Yah, yah, yah; dat's mine — dat's mine — I won — I won. (Laughs; runs on R. I E.) Israel. What you lieen doin', Susannah? (On porch.) Susannah. (C.) Been a-shootin' craps with dat sassy little nigger, Gabriel. Israel. You's de biggest tom-boy I ever see'd, Susannah. Susannah. Yah, yah, yah; Gabriel's mammy done give him lot o' pennies fob to buy popcohn at de circus. Now, I's gwine to eat all pooh little Gabriel's pop-cohn myse'f. I's gwine to de circus to-night witli mah beau. (X. L. C.) Israel. 'Pears to me lak a circus boun' to set de whole cullud l»op'lation crazy. Susannah (C). I's gwiiie to 1)1' civeus gal one o' deso Hue days, Uiiele Israel. ISEAEL. Slio ! Wliat yon gwine 'to do in de circns? ((SV/rrr/.sf/r in- terest.) Susannah. I's gwine to be de Yallali Qneen ob de arena! Yes-sali; an' stan' np on de boss's back an' ride ronn' an' ronn' an' roun' de ring. (Imitates circus ridinfj in circle in ('.) Israel. Look lieab, Gal, don't you let de (irin'ral cotcli yon ebasin' dat gray colt o' bis'n round de pasture, tryin' to play dat circus queen, or lie'll ride you roun' an' roun', you heali me I Wliat you want in dat liottle \ Susannah {taking ftask from pocket). Mammy, sbe say, you want to gib ber litt'e drap fob ber rbeumatiz. {At foot of porch.) Israel {going to table on porch, ,als am sassy. {Exit into house, H.) Susannah {comes doirn; steals up on porch; is aJioiil to fill bottle from decanter). Got to git a little drap or Mammy '11 git mad, an' den I won't git to go to dat circus to-night. {Bus.) {Filling flask from bottle.) {Enter Briarso)i {L. o) during speech; seizes Susannah, around waist at foot of steps, corner of porch R.) Beiakson. Susannah ! Susannah. Oh, Lordy! Makk. I've caught you I {Bus — she striiggling in vain to get au-ay during following.) Susannah. Youse hurtin' me, Mistah Briarson. Mark. Don't you know 1 could send you to jail? Susannah. Jes' foil a little drap like dat"? Maek. Yes, and I'd do it, too, only you're so devilish pretty. Susannah {breaks away a bit). You stop dat — Imggin' me so tight! Mark. Not so fast, my yellow bird. {Enter Dagmar, L. She is an actoroon about forty-five years of age; large, magnificent type of woman; dresses in cheap but showy attire; NOT the conventional turbaned slave uoman.) Dagmar. Heah! Heah ! What you doin'? (L.) Mark {still holding Susan). Hello, Dagmar Dagmar. Shame on you, Mark Briarson. Mark. I'm not hurting her. Dagmar. You'se a huggin' her a little too hard for res]iecta])ility. Mark. I'll hold her til! the General comes. Dagmar. 'Spose de Gineral's daughter comes? Mark. Bah! Bah! {Releases Susannah.) Susan {running off' ciuickhj to R., fhen turning). Boo! (Exit U. IE.) 6 (Dagviar and Mark converse at corner of pore]). Site he- low.) Dagmar. I see yoii |)ass de house an' T follow yoii. Wlia' yon been dese three weeks"? Mark {coming down to R. C). U]) in the mountains, hunting and fishing. Dagmar {C). Huntin' huh? What you find up dali in de mountains — at Piney Ridge— huh! Mark. T found him. {Loir; looking around.) Dagmar. What I tole you? x\n' de name? What's de name? Mark. Jack Rose. Dagmar. Rose"? Dat am de name of de fambly whar T leave de chile. You b'lieve me now? Mark. Hush. {Looks around cantiouMg.) Dagmar. Dah's nol)ody widin earshot. {Ahriiptlg.) Gimme ten dollahs. Mark {giring her the moneg). We must be careful. Dagmar. Cahful — why, I've been waitin' for over twenty years fob you to grow up an' lie a man, befoh I'd dare to tell you who your mother was. C^ab'ful? Who owns dat big plantation 'cross de way? Who's a gentleman, moving in de first cir- cles of society? Who's goin' to marry de Gineral's dau'tah? You is — youse rich, an' youse goin' to make me rich; you don't need to say careful to me; I'll do my part, see dat you does yours. Mark. I will. I will. But we must be on our guard. He's com- ing here this evening. Dagmar, You're safe, Honey. In dis worl' Fate rattles us all in her dice-box, an' we lies right whar we fahs. Sure's gospel Honey, he's never gwine to be nuthin' but plain Jack Rose and yuse bound to be Mr. Mark Briarson, Esquire, cashiei- o' the Bank of Tennessee. {Pockets money.) Israel {entering from house, R.). How do, Mr. Briarson. Mark. Hello, Israel. General home? Israel. He's in de house. Mark. And yoiu' Miss Azalie? ^ Israel. She out in de galiden. Mark {going up R. C). Tell the General I'll see him before I go. {E.rif C. off R. into garden.) Israel {loolmig after him). Yes, sah. {To Daginar) — It's evidential who de young gen 'men come to see. {Goes np.) Dag MAR. Reckon dat's a match, sure. {R. C.) Israel. Mark an' Azalie? I reckon. {Coming down L. C.) Dagmar {up steps of porch; aside, chuckling). I'll dance at dat weddin', sure enuff. {Speaking into open door, R.; suppressed hate.) That weddin' will be my day o' reckonin' with you. General Deering. I'll dance — I'll dance, for sure. Israel (L. C). Mv, Miss Azalie a heap too good for Mark. Dagmar (7?. C). Huh! {Turns on him.) I'd like to see de man any woman ain't a heap too good fob. Israel {adravcing to her, C). Spec' youse a thinkin' you'sef a heap too good fob me now. Dagmar (C*.). Fob you'? {ScorufuUg.) {Proudly.) (Jo way, niggali! (Jo dowii to de kitchen an' make love to dat queen o' spades — dat black widah — she's vouali gait and col ah. {Cross to L.) Israel {C). Now, Dagmar, you knows youse mab tubey rose. Dagmar (L. C, turns fiercely on him). You hush you mouth! Don't you dare to raise you' eyes to me! I'se a lady, I is. My ancestah was de iirst Gov'nah of Tennessee. Blue blood courses in my veins, an' don't you dare to imagine fob a minute dat a lady of my (|uality would condescend to notice a low-down black nigger like you! {Sireeps off' and exits L. IE.) Israel {standing C, looking after her). G'long, you lemon-faced old hag. {Turns.) I'd mah'ed dat wench twenty years ago if it hadn't been fob dat white blood in her. White blood spiles de niggah. {R. C.) {Susan- nah enters quick, R. 1 E.). Susannah. Israel ! Israel {startled). What dat? Susannah. You ole black .stove-i)ipe ! {Runs off' R.) Israel {hohhling after her). I'll stove-pipe you if I cotcli you. {Exit R. IE.) {Enter General Deering to porch from house R.; sits in chair on porch.) General. r like to sit out here on the porch. The air tastes good. {Takes out newspaper ; sits R. of table; reads.) {Susannah enters R. singing a southern ballad; finishes it at foot of porch ; General listening.) General. That's a pretty song, Susannah. Susan. I learned dat song 'specially foil you. Say, Marse Gin- eral, dah's a circus in town. (Foot of porch.) General. Circus, eh? Susan. Ilni huh. General (on porch). Say, "Yes, sir"! Susan (belou-). Um— -yas, sah. General. You want to go? Susan. Uni — (puts Jnuid orer month) yas sah- wid luali Ijcau. (lENERAL. Well, here's some pennies for you. Susan. Youse a gen 'men, Alarse Gineral. General {handling silver which he has tahoi from his pocket). I'm going to give you five dimes. Susan {cage rig). Um huh. {Holding out hand.) General {severelg). I'm going to give you four dimes. Susan {puzzled). Um huh ! General ( slo wig ) . I'm going to give you three dimes. Susan. Um — golly — better hadn't say " Um huh" agin or I won't liab nuffin' comin' to me. General {counting dimes into her hand). One, two, three — {Pause) — four — {Pause) — five. {Susan- nah's hand still outstretched for more. General closes her hayid, signifying that is all.) Susan. Oil, thank you, jMarse (Tineral. {Ihois off R.) I'se goin' to de circus — I'se goin' to de circus! {Genera} resumes seat and reads as Az(die enters from R. U. around house; Mark folio u-'nu/ her.) AZALIE. Father! Father! (Sees him.) Oh, heah you are. {Goes to General and. kisses him.) General ( tenderly). Ah! daughter. AZALIE. Mark has seats for tlie theater to-niglit. General. T ho])e vou'11 enjov yourselves. ■ "Mark {L.C). We'll have to go in your carriage. General, mine's out of order. General {rising). I'll tel! Israel. Mark, you look better for your vacation — bettali color. AzALiE {tnrns au'ai/ to L. ('.). Mountain air 'pears to agree with Mark. Is it the scenery that attracts you there so often? Or is it some merry little mountain maid? {Going to Mark, L. C). {Genercd sits L. of table.) Marfv {elose to her.) Would you l)e jealous, Azalie? Azalie. The idea. {(Jrosses to rose l/usJ), L.) I must have some roses for to-night. Mark {following tier). You're sweeter than all the roses. Azalie {pieking roses). You're a flatterer. Mark {sentimentallg). Flatter you? Azalie, you have never felt that aching void. {Hand on his heart.) Azalie {mock srutimentality). Oh, yes, I have, Mark. Very often of late. Mark {eagerly). You have, Azalie? Azalie. Y'es, Mark, ever since you went away I've had that lone some feeling here. {Hand on heart.) Morning, noon and night. And, Mark, I know the cure for it. Mark. What, Azalie? 10 AZALIE. Breakfast, dinner, and sni)i)ali. {Laur/hs — goes to oppo- site side of rosebush.) Mark (laufjli.s — turns (uray.) Yon 're a worse flirt than a Yankee girl. {Goes to Gen- eral who is reading on porch.) I dro]jped in at the clnb last evening, General. Some of the [noniinent members were dis- cnssing who's to be our next (lovernor. Yonr name came up. (teneral {looking up from paper). T believe my over-zealous friends have done some talking. Mark. C/Olonel Ransome declared himself. He said positively that you were the logical candidate. General. That's right fine of the Colonel. Mark. It strikes me yon ought to make a flght for the nomina- tion. General {shakes head). Let the office seek the man. Mark {turning awag). I'm going to work for you just the same. {Going to- n-ards L.) General. Go ahead, ^lark. {Resumes paper.) ]\Iark {going to L. of Azalie). I'll call at seven, Azalie. Azalie. I'll be ready. Mark. Good-bye. {Exit L.) General and Azalie. Good-bye. General {looking oirag from paper, musiu(/lg). "Good-bye." There's bound to come a time when we have to say "Good-bye" to everybody and everything. Azalie {goes to General). Something is wrong with you, father. General {attempts to read again). Business troubles, daughter. Azalie {kneels at Jiis feet). Tell me all about it, won't you deah ? {Taking newspaper from him.) General {takes gelloir enrelope from pocket and hands her). Read that. Azalie {looks at envelope — opens it). What funny writing. {Reading letter.) "I'll be thar a Wednesday ter git ther money in yo' bank. Jack Rose." Who's he? {Looking up.) 11 General. A young- inoiiiUaineer. Tliere's coal and ii"on on his tract of mountain land. Tic sold a i)ai-t of it last year for a large sum of mone}'. AZALIE. Is tlie money in your bank, father? General. It sliould be. But 1 invested it. Somehow, the investment didn't prove fortunate. In fact, none of my investments have been fortunate of late. AzALiE {drawing mvay a trifie). Can't you pay this money? General. I must. He's not a man to be i)ut off. Vou see, he has discovered another mine on his land and he wants this money to develop it. AZALIE. This is Wednesday — did he call for it to-day? General. He called at the bank in a hurry this morning, and told Mai'k he didn't have time to draw a check to-day, as he was going to the circus. 1 invited him out here to supper this evening — J may be able to persuade him to wait, but I'm afraid he'll demand his money to-morrow. If I only had another month. {Half to self.) AzALiE {rises to C). You might sell tlie plantation, father. It doesn't pay any more. : ; General {rises). I was thinking of that. How would vou like to go to the city to live? {Doini to R. C.) Azalie {coming to him R. C). I'd like to go anywhere for your good, father. General {embraces her). How your mother spoke then. You grow more like her every day, {Enter Susannah R. in big hurry.) Susan. Mars Gin'ral, Mars Gin'ral! A^our gray colt done stuck his lef hind leg in a post hole an' he can't git it out! General. Susannah, you've been chasing that colt again! Susan. No, no. Mars Gin'ral! Dat Gabriel — dat little nigger — he done chase him. ( tT^^ T^ T^ T? A T Gabriel ! (Galling off I^) If that colt's leg is broke I'll break every bone in your black carcass. {Exit R. 1 quick.) 12 AZALIE. Did yon chase tliat colt, Susaiiiiali f {I/oisc (jallop effect ready L.) Susan. No, Miss Azalie. J only shied a little stick at 'im — 'bout so long. {Stretcltes arms out wide — laughs.) Azalie. You're a very wicked girl, and I'm afraid you'll never go to Heaven. Susan {runs> and looks off R. in front of lioitse). 1 don't care; I'se gwine to de circus. Azalie {looking after General). Dear old father! flow I wish I could help hini ! There's always trouble at that old bank. 1 wish there never were any banks at all. Only banks of flowers. {TJiis last spoken as she u-alks up (uid exits R. 3 E.) Susan {looking off' R. 1 E.). Golly! Dat gray colt dun got his lef hind leg out all riglit. {Cue for horse gallop effect off L.) .Jack Kose {off L.). AVhoa, thar, Colonel! {Riding on to C. from L.) {Israel meets him (\ and leads off the horse R.) Hyar, gal! Kin yoii tell me if this air Gineral Deerin's i)lantation? Susan. Yes, sah. Jack {down C.). Air he to hum? Susan. He down in de field. Jack. Wal, you run down thar an' tell him T'vc come — Jack Iiose, of Piney Ridge, tell liim. Susan. Yes, sah. Jack. I'd give a dollah for a horn of red liquor — I'm dry as a pine chip. Susan {runs to decanter and pours Jack a glass dur- ing his speecli). Yes, sah. {R ringing it to him C.) Jack {looks at Susan approvingly) . Gal, you hev got a great head — all wool an' a yard wide. Susan. Yes, sah. {Holding otit hand.) Jack {drinks). That air's sweet as ther blushin' cheek of a purty gal. (jive my boss a drink. Susan {hand still out). Yes, sah. 13 Jack {placing silver dollar In her hand). Givo iliat hows all the drinks he wants. 8 usAN ( excitedly) . Yes, sah! {Going up H.) Jack. An' keep the cliauge. Susan {running off R. o E.). Yes, sah. Jack {calling after her). Don't fergit ther name — Jack Rose, of Piuey Ridge. {Solus.) Piney Ridge! Now, thet air am a fine place to hail i"ro]u. Wonder if I'll ever come to live in a grand house like the Gineral's? Reckon not. 1 wur raised on Piney Ridge, an' that's my limit. What good air money to a durned fool that don't know what to do with itf {Sits on bench L., con- templating his boots.) In ther niornin' I'll go back to the city, fix up my business thar; buy that breechloader shotgun an' them two settali pups, an' go back to Piney Ridge an' git married — an' live, an' die, on Piney Ridge. {Disgusted drawl. Slaps thigh.) An' I'll be gol-derned if I do ! {Rises.) Thar's sumthin' says ter me, "Jack Rose, you're made fer better things." {Stands left of rosebusli, hidden.) {Enter C. from Garden, Azalie, folUnred by Israel, ivho carries a small sprinkling can of water. Azalie does not see r/ack nor shou- by action that she suspects he is there.) Azalie. Give me the sprinkler, Israel. {He does so. She sprinkles /lowers about garden, Israel folloning her.) Jack {aside). That looks like a purty good thing. Azalie. I hope when we're gone, Israel, whoever buys the place will take good care of the flowers. Israel {L. C. back of her). When we's gone, Miss Azalie I Y'^ou don't mean to say dat de Gineral's gwiue to sell de ole plantation? Why I couldn't live nowhere else. Azalie. He needs the money. Israel. Must need it powerful bad. Azalie. He owes a rich man a big sum of money and he is pressing father. {Goes to R. and watering ffon-ers around, house.) Jack {aside). If it was me I'd ]iress his daughter. Israel. Who's de man? 14 AZALIE. Yon don't know liini; a Air. IJose from np in the moun- tains. Jack {aside). * Me! Israel. AVon't be wait awhile? AZALIE. I'm afraid not. Israel. He's a mighty mean man. {Israel goes on porch.) AzALiE {crosses to R. and waters plants down corner of porch). That's what I think. Jack {aside, left side of bush). Jieckon I won't git a chance to press his daughter. She looks like she jes' come down from the blue sky and fetched a piece of it along with her. {Azcdie comes to bush L.; waters R. side of it; passes in front of it to L. side as he dodges round behind it to R. side; she sprinkles it from L. side and pours water on him; he starts; she sees Jiini for, the first time.) AZALIE, Oh, I beg- your ])ardon, sir! Jack {R. of bnsh, dow)i). That's all right. I was so green you couldn't tell me from the bush. Reckon you all the Gineral's daughter? {Looks intently at her.) Say, 1 know you. Yes, — you don't remember me do you? No? AVhy, don't you recollect? A year ago last summer, one night, a party of you rode by Piney Ridge — up in the mountains ? You rode a black boss AZALIE. Y"es! Jack. He was a right smart kind of a boss. Hev you got him yet. AZALIE. He's down in the stable now. Jack. I'll go out an' take a look at him afteh supper. Say, do you remember the young feller who held thet boss an' gev you a drink o' water outen a gourd cuiv! AZALIE. AVasityou? Jack. I'm the very same feller. AzALTE {offers hand cordially). I'm glad to see you. 15 Jack {takhiy lici- luuid tliuullij cuid shaking it awk- ivardly). - So'm I. {Israel has been up C. by porch looking intcnily at Jack during the fofegoiitf/. Comes down C, eyes staring — fright- ened — aivestruck.) Jack {sees liiiu). Hullo! {To Israel) What's the matter with you? Israel {dou-n R. C). Go 'way! You'.se dead, T say. You'se dead! Jack. Wal, if I be, I don't know it. Israel. Come 'way, Miss Azalie, dat ain't no man. Dat's a gliost! You'se dead, I say. I see'd you lyin' dead over dah in de meadow by de fence aftali de hattle was ovah — wid a bullet in yo ' heart ! Azalie {starts to cross to Israel). Israel ! {Remonst ratingly) . Jack {detidus her). Let him go on. Who am If Israel. You'se Colonel Briarson, sah. Jack. lieekon not. There's no Briarson nor no briars 'l)Out me. My name's Jack Rose. {Azalie shows sjic rcco(/iii2es name and bach's up staark when it comes to money. How about thet account of ourn! As I figure it — it stands, in- cludin' interest to date, forty-two thousand five hundred an' sixty dollahs and seventy-five cents. General ( sm iles ) . Yes, sah. Don't leave out the seventy-fi\'e cents. Jack. 'Course not. It's mine an' I want it. {To General.) That's a heap o' money, (Jineral. General. Y^'es, sah. Jack. Might be a hea]) o' use to a man when he's tight pressed? General. A heap, sah. {Puzzled.) Jack. AVal, I was thinkin' if I set to work an' bought all thet machinery an' things didn't pan out all right, I might be up a hard row o' stumi)s. So I'd about concluded to let thet money stay in your bank another year. General. Do you mean that, sah! {Astonished.) {Enter Israel from house.) Jack. I never say what I don't mean. {Quietly.) 17 General (a side). Thank God! Thank God! {Tunis awaii.) Israel. Suppali, sah. {Exits into house.) General. Come, Mr. Rose. ( 'oine, Azalie. {Exit into house B.) {Azalie erosses to porch — Jack folloivs. She stands on top, he at bottom of step. She turns inrpulsireli/ to him.) Azalie. Mr. Rose, you're leaving that money in tlie hank to help us. Jack {fuiuhtiuf/ stoucJi hat). T changed my mind. Azalie. You're good as gold. You're hettah. You're an angel. You're another. T could kiss vou. Jack. Azalie. Jack. Azalie. Jack. T could stan' it. {Azalie, ivho has taken a step donii as lie takes one up, bends over and. kisses him suddeidif and exits B. info honse.) Jack {stands in delight ed awazement an instant.) Good-hye, Piney Ridge — I'm goin' to stay right hyar. (Jams on hat recktessJ/f and f(dloirs her off' R.) {SnsiDrnab's Sonr/. wherr site ei-osses stage.) Niggah mighty hap]»y when he hoein' oh d(^ coi-n ! Dat sun am a-slantin'. Niggah mighty happy when he hear de dinnah horn! Dat sun am a-slantin'. Dat sun am a-slantin' jes' sure's you horn; Den rise up mighty an' give it to him strong; Fling in a tech oh de ole-time song; De old dun cow wid her ding-dang-dong; Good night, Mistah Wippoorwill, T wish you mighty well. Mistah Whip]>]ioor-will, T wish you mighty well, T wish you mighty well. {Stage darkens. Pause. Susannah hegins singing off R. 1. Her voice grows louder as though approaching. She is singing a verse of som,e negro melody, ivith a tinge of melam-' choly in it. During verse of song she comes on R. 1 E., 18 crosses to C. and up and off L., bach' of set row. During same stage changes from dusk to moonlight.) {Enter Mark in evenuig dress and top coat from, L. Goes to foot of porch, R. — listens.) Cindy {calls off' L.). Mark! Mark! {Enter Ci}idg, L. Mountain girl, plain blue gingham dress and sunhonnet; fiad, slight; mournful voice, but not monotonous ; mountain dialect.) Cindy (L. C.) It's me— C^iiidy. {Brcathlcsslii.) Mark {R.' C). I see it is. Cindy. I was goin' by an' I see yoii-uns a-eoniiii' through the gate. {Tenderness in tone.) Mark {slightlg petulant). What made you come? Cindy. I hed to come. Mark {looks at h^r (/uestioninf/lg). You- Cindy. I hev left father — motlier — home, fer you. Mark. Sh! When did you leave the ridge? Cindy. Yisterday. I've walked all ther way, an' last night I slept out in a field with only a buncli of hay fer my ])iller; but I didn't keer — I wur a comin' to you. An' now I've got hyar, ve ain't glad to see me. You he\'n't turned agin' me too, hev yef Mark. J wish you hadn't come. Cindy. Don't — don't say that, Mark. Mark. I can't mairy you at |u-esent. It would s])oi] all my plans — ruin me. I'd only make you unhappy and myself miser- able — it was all a mistake — and as much your fault as mine. Cindy. My fault? Mark. Oh, I know. The man is always a villain in these things. But you tem])ted me with your cunning simplicity. Cindy. Ye lie! Ye lie! Ye come to me — ye told me love testified everytliing. I wur weak — I wur blind — blind. {Turns awag.) 19 Mark. Tlmt's wlitit evory woman says. C^NDY {tuiHs fiei-vdy). My God! 1 could kill ye fer that. {Turns airaij.) No, no! {In loiv tour of despair.) What'llldo! Wliat'U I dol {Crosses to R.) Mark. Does anyone know that I Cindy. Ye coward! I swore not to tell till ye come fer me. I keep my word. Mark. And I break mine, T sn]ii)ose. Hasn't yonr fatlier sns- ])ected me? Cindy. Ye know lie hain't. The man he sns]iects will be found dead. {With (jiiict intensity, pointing at ground.) Mark. Why do you subject me to this danger {tooJiing ana-ioitslg about) if you love me? You may be followed. CiNDY'. Why don't you come back to me — afore it's too late? Mark. T did wrong, 1 admit. Tf money CiNDY. Don't — don't speak ter me! I'm goin' away — ye needn't ter 1)6 afraid. T won't never come back no more. {Starts toward L. 2 E.) Mark (foUoiring). Have a little patience. I can't leave here now — my inter- ests — our future — ^won't ]iermit it. ClNDY\ I come alone — if you don't want me I can go alone. Mark. Now, don't be rash — where are you going! Cindy. I'm goin' ter live — and fergit you. {Quirk rxit L. 2 E.) Mark {solus). She'll not tell! And when once I'm married, her pride will hold her tongiie. Damn fool I've been. {On porrh.) AzALTE {o/f R. in house). Mark, is that you? Mark. Yes. {Entering door R.) AZALIE. J Shan't we be late? Mark. T think not. {Burin () the foregoing she has rome on into halt and he is hrtpiug hrr on irith tier rloaJi, a pinh one.) 20 AZALIE. Oil, I forgot my opera glasses. {E.rifs off R. in Jioiise.) Mark. Ah, did you? {Follons Iter.) [Chulii, i('-<')ifcri)t(/ from L. ropose to Miss Beverly T take a glass to give me courage. Then I take another glass to give me more courage, and b^^ the time I get mv c(mrage well up — I'm so full 1 can't talk at all. {Exit R. 3 E.) {General about to exit R. when Mark, alio Jias been drink- ing at sideJ)Oard , conies doirn and liails Iiiin confident iedly.) Mark. Say, General, that tip on cotton is straight. General. No, no, Mark; no more cotton market foh me. I've done with s})eculation. AVhen 1 want to gamble I'll sit down to a siame of draw poker. Some fun foh vour money there. {Exit R. 1.) Mark. Cotton's bound to go up. It's got to — I'll ask Azalie to marry me — I'll ask her to-night. Tlien, if anything happens, the General will have to stand bv me for her sake. {Exit R. V. E.) {Enter through C. and down — Jarh and Azalie.) Azalie. Oh, but you must, not insist on dancing with me all the time. Jack Rose. I don't keer to dance with any o' the others. You're jest as purty as a lily o' the valley to-night. But, slio, what's the use? Solomon in all his glory wan't as purty as you, whether you're fixed up er not. How'm I! 25 AZALIE, I like you. But, I prefer a wliite one. {Bcfcrs to tic.) Jack. Red's purtier. {Widtz begins off R. U. E.) AzALiE {laughs; crosses to /?.). There goes the waltz. Jack {catches her luoxJ ; detains tier). Let's stay hyar an' talk — ,jes' you an' me. AzALTE (.s//.s- B.: L. of B. talAe). What shall we talk al)outf Jack. Oh, you an' me. {Sits on arm of sofa L.) Say, do you think I'll ever amount to anything? AZALIE. What a question! Of course T do. T know of no young man with a fairer prospect. Jack. Jest now — while I'm lookin' right straight at you. AZALIE. You're rich. Jack. An' that's all? AZALIE. Oh, no; father says you have a grand liead for business. Jack. I hope it'll never git too big fer my hat. But I'm so back- ward in book larnin' and sich. AZAIJE. That's nothing. Andrew Johnson couldn't read or write at twenty-one, and he l)ecame President. Jack. Who helped liini along? Azalie. His wife. Jack. I hain't got ary wife. AzALiE {rises). But you can get one. Jack {rises and crosses to her; ca(ierly). Kin I? Azalie {stops, stigJittg confused). Of course — if you find some one you love — and who loves you — and you get married — naturally you'll have a wife. (Crosses and sits on sofa L. C.) Yes, I reckon. {Ahashed, B. C; aside.) I wonder if she'd hunch if I'd move alongside? {Sits on edge of sofa. Aloud.) Say, what you sittin' so fur off, fob? Azalie ( laughingly ) . It isn't my fault. ^ 26 Jack {movina closer). Say, do you remember the first night I come hyar! AZALIE. The e veiling you Jack. You tlirew me thet kiss? AZALIE (Id H (J Its). Haven't you forgotten that! Jack. Reckon T won't nevah fergit that. AZALIE. Never is a long time. Yevy often the oklest of friends forget each otlier; and you have only known me a few short months. Jack. You furgit that black lioss an' tlier night you ride past Piney Ridge. AZALIE. You saw me only for a few moments then. Jack. 'Twur long enough. Why, I stood and watched you gal • lopin' out o' sight in ther gray night mist a feelin' thet sun- thin' 'blongin' to my life was gone. My life! Thet air a one chaptered story, Azalie. Ther beginnin' — what's thet you all call the beginnin' of a book? Azalie. The preface. Jack. The preface air a missin'. You s(H' T was a waif, Azalie, a castaway. 1 war found one mornin' in front o' a cabin door in the mountains by the woman as afterwards became a motlier to me. The only mother I ever knew — she's gone now — poor mother. Yes, sir, she found me wrapped up in an old gray soldier coat, under a rosebush, one mornin' — like Moses in the bullrushes. She brought me up an' left me the farm an' the ore that's made me rich. Azalie. Then you don't know who your real parents were? Jack. Sich parents don't gineral'y come back — though I 'spect they'd be glad enough to own me now. So, for the land sakes, don't tell my story, ur I'll have fathers an' mothers a bobbin' up all 'round. " {Looks around quietly, in a half- humorous, half -serious manner.) 1 jest thought I'd tell you. Azalie. And she found you under a rosebush. Jack. Yes, a Jack rosebush— like this yar one growin' out the window. [Goes to bush at window L.) So she called me Jack Rose. 27 AzALiR {starting foniird L.). 1 lovo J.'ick Ivosos. {I iHpiilsirclij.) J ACK {intercepting) . Do ye? {'Fiien let her i^ass to windon- L.) AzALiE {turning to Mm). Did yon ever hear tlie story of how tliey first grew? Jack. No. {Hits on arm of sofa.) Tell me! AZALTE. Well, 'there was once a Governor of an island — Cnba, 1- think — liis name was Jacque-minot. He had a daughter who fell in love wfth a yonng soldier, who madly loved her in return. Jack. (^onrse; he eonldn't help it. AZALIE. But his father and the Governor were sworn enemies, and so the lovers had to meet in secret. One night they were standing together beside a white rosebush, his arm was 'round her — {Jaclx slgJy slips his arm round Azalie) — when her father came u])on them and killed them both. {Jaclx take^ Iris arm awaij — looking around.) Then he ordered the gar- dener to cut down the bush, that the sight of it might never remind him of his child. But the blood of the lovers had fallen u]^on its roots, and the next morning when the (jovernor went into the garden it had s])rnng up again, only, instead of white roses, the blossoms were blood red. And so, we call them Jac(iueminot, or Jack Roses for short. {Turns to window.) Jack {rises — goes to her). That's a cute fairy yarn. Eeckon your father don't bear me no such grudge. Azalie. Why! Jack. 'Cause he might s]nll my gore if he came along hyar now. Wouldn't make nuich difference to me if he did. 'Cause I could die fer ye, Azalie, tho' of course I'd a heap sight rather live; live fer ye, Azalie, don't ye understand — I'm a otferin' ye my life — heven't ye nuthin' ter give me? Azalie {turninq impulsively; emhracinq him). Yes! Jack. Gee wuts ! {Chlotilde laughs as she enters irith Mark, R. U. E.) elACK {picking rose from hush at nmidou- L.) Thet's the purtiest rosebud I most ever see. Chlotilde. Oil, heali you all are. {Azalie crosses to Chlotilde, B. C. np. Mark crosses to Jack, down L.) 28 Jack. (iood eveiiin', Mr. Briarsoii. Makk. Good evening", Mr. Rose. Chlotilde {iisif/c to A tali I'). Your gown is very liecoming. Green's niy eolor, too. Isn't it funny? Mark {to Jack). Your attentions to Miss Deering are l)eing remarked. Jack. Folks will talk. Mark. They're very ol)jeetionable, sir. Jack. The lady haint said so. Mark. Well, I say so. l^erhaps you are not awai-e, sii-, that she's my promised wife. Jack (a side). Oh, what a liluff. Mark. You eom])rehend, sir, Sutn'ly. Tlien it's all right? Jack. Mark. Jack. Sut'nly its all right. Ha-ha! Ha-ha! (Takes Mark's a nil and leads him up to sideboard.) Chlotilde {to Azalie, asi(te). Has Mr. Rose been flirting with you ? Azalie. No; has he been flirting with you? Chlotilde. Oh, desperately, and Major Jartree is furiously jealous. Now, Azalie, if you were in my place and Mr. Rose should ask me to be his little wife — what would you do? Azalie. Appears to me I'd wait until he asked me. {Waltz Jjegins off stage B. — CMotilde goes doiru R. — Jack doicH to sofa L.) Mark {crosses to Azalie). ShaH we dance this waltz, Azalie? Azalie {takes Mark's arm). Oil, Miss Beverly, Mr. Rose is just dying to waltz with you. {Mark and Azalie exit R. U. E.) Jack {falls on sofa). I'm most dead. Chlotilde {waltzing alone). Don't you just love to waltz! Jack. SoiiietIme« — not now — ^I'ln weary. Chlotilde {sluing on sofa beside him). I'm weary, too. We have so many sentiments in common. ]sn't it funny? Jack. Yes; makes me laugh. {Laughs.) Chlotilde. Waltz music always makes me feel so desolate. Oh, dear. {Ogles him over fan.) Jack, Eh? Chlotilde. It's so sad to be alone in the world. I've been an orphan for — three — long — years. Jack. ] 'm an orphan myself. Chlotilde. F'ather and mother both dead"? Jack. Both of 'em. Chlotilde. So are mine. Isn't that funny"? We can sympathize with each other. {Reclines head on his slionlder.) Jack {removing her head). Say, whar's yer guardian"? Chlotilde. I haven't any guardian. I'm of age. I'm at liberty to do just as I i^lease. Jack. Not with me — {aside — then aloud) — 1 thought Major Jar- tree was your guardian. Chlotilde. Oh, dear, no. The Major takes a great deal of interest in my affairs — {enter Major R. U. E.; glares at them — espe- cially my money affairs. Perhaps you are not aware that I'm worth over twenty-five thousand doUars, which the Major advises me to invest in real estate; but I prefer to deposit it in General Deering's bank, where your money is, only the Major advised me not. {Confidenlially to Jack.) Jack. Oh, the Major advised you not, did he? Chlotilde. Now, what's your advice- — {leaning head over his arm) — I'll do just what you say"? {Major — harried exit off C. — angrg.) Jack. The Major is head clerk of the bank; he ought to know. Chlotilde. The Majoi- told me not to mention it to any one. 30 Jack. Oh, the Major did, did lie ? Chlotilde. But I thouglit yon ought to know. i\nd now T want to ask your advice on another sulijeet — do you believe in mar- riage ? Jack. Wal, yes, in moderation. Chlotilde. Oh, you're so funny! And don't you think money ought to marry money? Jack. Wa', thet de])ends on how much the gal's got. Chlotilde. Oh, you sweet thing. (Covers her face and his with her fan. ) Jack. Here, what you at? (Rises.) Trying to shut yerself up in the dark with me? (Enter Israel uith chauipagne from R. 1 E.) What you got tliar, Israel, champagne? Israel. Yes, sah. (Exit R.) Jack (pouring it out in glass). Have some champagne. Miss Beverly? (Major appears, C. — Chlotilde sees him and goes up C. to R. U.E.) Chlotilde. Oh, the Major — he's furious, perfectly furious — I'm sure thev'll light a duel over me. Oh, dear — it's so romantic. So funny! (Exit R. U. E.) Jack (coming to C). Major, will you join me! Major. No, sah, I will not, sah. Jack. Why not, sah? Major. Undahstand me, sah, I'm attached to Miss Beverly. Jack (drinks and puts glass on tray). Go ahead and serve the attachment. Major. You're poking fun at me, sah; I call you out, sah. Israel I Israel (frightened, enters R.). Yes, sah. Major. Fetch the General's dueling pistols. Israel. De, de, dewellin' pistols; you aint gwine to fight, is you? Major (X. to L.; walk up and down). None o' your business; fetch the pistols. 31 Israel. Oil, Lordy! Day's gwine to be l)lood shed sure. (Gels pistols from draucr in sidehoard up L.) Major. Load them, sah, Israel (C). Dey is loaded, sah. {Hands them out to Major.) Dey is loaded. Major ( tahing pistols ) . Now! {Points pistols at Israel — who dodf/cs.) Israel. Hold on lieali, I ain't {iii,htin' dis dewel. {Exits off' C to R. H.) {Enter Chlotilde from B.. U. E.) (^hlotilde. Oh, Major — oh, Jack! {Falls in faint in Jack's arms.) Major. My hot blood got the bettali of me — ail's fair in love. Take her, my boy, and be happy. Jack {holding Chlotilde). I can't. Major. I'm engaged already. Here, Major, yon take her! {Pitts her in Major's arms.) Now, don't say 1 never gave yon anything. {E.rit R. 1 E.) Chlotilde ( reviving ) . Oh, where am I? Maj or. Yes, where are we at! Chlotilde. Oh, Major! Dear Major! (Cfinf/s to Jiim.) Isn't it funny 1 Ma.IOI!. Let's go out on the \eranda and discuss tliis proposi- tion. {Stuffing pistols iit hip pockels to concad I hem — takes her — offering his arm ivith a fiourish — oat C; as he goes up the pistols show from tinder his coat-tails.) {Enter Jack and General from lihrarg, R.) Jack. Yes, Gineral — I'm ot¥ fur New York in ther mornin' — I'm 'goin to sell that iron mine. General {at R. of Jack). (Jood fortune to you, sah. Jack. When T come l)aek we'll fix fur the weddin'. Generai-. Wedding, sah? Whose wedding? Jack. Mine and Azalie's. General. Who says so, sah? 32 Jack. Azalie ! . ' General. Oh, well, if Azalie says so, I reckon I'll have to endorse her note of hand. {Sliakcs Jack's hand warmly — music — ^iop. General sees Major and Chlotilde, who appear at hack outside door, kissing.) Look at the Major! Look at him! {Major and Chlotilde retire hnrriedli/.) (Major and Chlotilde retire Jnirriedli/.) Jack. Another weddih'. General. Azalie! (Enter Azalie, followed by guests from R. U. E. Azalie comes C, joins Jack.) General. My friends, I have the honor to annonnce the engage- ment of my daughter to Mr. Rose. (Enter Briarson — door L. 3 E. Enter C, Major and Chlotilde.) Mark. General Deering, that marriage can never take i)laee. General. j\Jark Briarson Mark (L.). I say Jac^k (C). (Interrupting.) Don't mind him. (Jeneral; he objected to my makin' love to Azalie. 'Tain't likelv he'd agree to mv marrvin' her. Mark (L. C). You can't marry her 1 say; — you're a white nigger, {(len- eral excitement.) ' Jack (C). Hold on — say that agin (veyy ([iiictly). Mark. Your mother is an octoroon. She was my father's slave. Jack. Wal, I'll be darned. If you wan't sicli a crazy jealous lune I'd have to make you prove that. (Ilalf-laugh of intense "suppressed feeling.) Mark.— (Goifig to D. in F. or Door L. 3 E.) 1 can prove it. Dagmar — Dagmar — come here. (Enter Dagmar door — dragged in by Mai'k to C. up.) Dagmar (simulating protest). Now, Mistah Mark, don't — don't — please don't. MAm^.— (Puts her to L. C.) Now tell what you told me. Who is he? Dagmar. Don't force me to say it. I don't want to; 'deed I don't. Mark. Who is he! 33 Dagmar. If 1 mus', I urns'. He am my own son. Jack {turning to Azalie, speaking in low, disfi)tct tone, never tailing his eye from Dagmar). Thar, Azalie, didn't I tell you I'd have father's an' moth- er's abobbin' up I Azalie. It's a shame! A shame! It isn't true. Father {turns to General R. C). General {crosses to Jack). {To Mark) If this isn't true, sah, you shall answer to me. Jack {stopping (U'uerat irith liand). Easy, Gineral, this yere (juestion's mine. After I'm an- swered the gentleman will have nuthin' more to say. {Guests start to leave R.) Don't you all go; I want you to hear it out. {Turns to Dagmar.) Now, then, you say you're my mother — 'splain ? Dagmar. Don't make me si)eak out heah. honey. (L. C.) Jack. You come hyar; speak hyar — s])eak. (('.) Mark. The story is ])lain encnigh. (L.) Ja(jk. I wur addressin' this woman. You've had your say, sail. 'Tween us there's no more talk. You understand? (Turus to Da (/mar.) Go ahead, we're wnitin'. Dagmah. You all force me to tell. (Jenei-al Denrin' kuowed me afore de wall, knowed me ever since. I used to b'long ter (^>lonel Briarson, Mark's father; after dat I b 'longed to (V)lonel Briarson's brother. He was your father. {Pause — looks at Jack — watchful.) Jack. Go ahead. Dagmar. De day of de battle, out in de meadow yander — de colonel he gave me his motherless boy an' he say to me, "Dagmar, take de chilluns" — dat war Mark an' my own little babby. "Take de chilluns up into de mountains"; de Colonel say, "Stay U]) dah till I comes fer ye, an' if I don't never come, swar dat aftah de wah is over you'll l)ring back my boy to his home. Dey'll be some kind fren' left to bring him up right an' see dat he gets de old plantation." You knows, Gineral Deerin', dat I bring back de chile. {Looks at Mark — General nods.) Jack. An' yer own boy? 34 Dag MAR. I dun let' him up iu de mouutaius. Jack. Whar at? Dagmak. At de door of a widow woman's cabin. 1 dun wrap him \\V in a ole grey soljer coat. Jack. Any marks on the coat? Dagmak. Dey was tive lettahs uudah de collah — PL B. C. S. A. (slowly). Jack. I liev got the coat. An' if ye air a tellin' ther truth, I wur tliet thar baby. {Azalic buries face on General's shoul- der.) AZALIK. Oh, father! father! Jack. pjf ye air a tellin' ther truth. Dagmar. 'Fore Heaven, 1 does, honey. Jack. I ain't a l)elievin' you. Dagmar. 'Fore my maker. Jack. An' yit I'm a douhtin', fer a mothei ez would desert lier child 'ud lie to (lod. Dagmar. You don't understand, honey, ye don't understantl. J de- serted you foil your good. I knows de u])hill struggle dat de cullud boy has in de world. Yer skin was white — yer father was white; but yo' poh mother was marked wid jes' 'nougli black blood to make you a nigger. An' T didn't want it so, honey, an' I smothered de mother love in my bres' an' 'ceived ye — 'ceived de worl', an' let ye grow up white — dat war my ambition — dat war my love. Jack. Yer love! Yer love! — tliet let me grow up a lie. Thet made me the richest man in Tennessee — thet gave me life filled with bright ho])es an' dreams — thet won fer me the hand of the dearest girl on earth. Ye let it all go on to the ha]ii)iest hour o' my life — and then yer mother's heart couldn't stand the strain any longer, an' you come in hyar an' curse me. Yer a ])urty mother, you are. {Turns airay.) Dagmar. Mark say you oughtn't to marry Miss Azalie. He say tain't right — 'twar all Mark. He make me speak. 36 Jack (hi caking in quick). All Mark! 'Conrso it war. Vo did everything I'er Mark. Ve left me u]) in tliei- nionntains to grow np in obseurity an' poverty— fer my riches only come jes' lately— but Mark, ye brung him back to civilization an' o])portunity. Mark got the raisin' — the eddication — the fortune — the name. 1 believe ye, mammy. 1 believe yer story, all 'ceptin' one point— yer left thet out. When ye thought to pass yer son off fei- wliite, yer ambition soared higher than the life of a poor mountaineer, an' so you left the C^olonel's baby up tbar, an' ye brought yer own down hyar. {Picture.) .Mark {crosses to Jack at C). You lie! Jack {facing him — controls himself). Vou're no gentleman, sah ! {Dagmar goes doivu L. hack of sofa. Mark tnrns airag ?o, no marryin'. H's bad enough as it is. I'm goin' to f oiler her till 1 lind thet man, an' when I do I'm goin' to kill him. {Azalie, who has been listening, draws further into E.) I hev a clue. Thar war marks on thet baby to show thet one of it's parents hed nigger blood in his veins, an' my Cindy's white. Mark. Then I can pi'ove to you that Jack Rose is the man. Dag- mar was just here and claimed him for hei' son before every- body. I can prove it by General Deering. Come. {Starts B.) Zeb {holding him by shoidder). But nuthin' to the Gineral about ther marks on ther child. I know it — (^indy's mother knows — an' you know. No other livin' bein' must know it, not even Cindy. Mark. You can trust me. We'll find the General in the library. {Exeunt door B. 1 E.) Azalie {re-entering through door E. 3 E. to C). They mean Jack. No, no ! I won't believe it. I must find him and warn him. {Goes to door B. U. E.; stops at Cindy's voice.) 38 (/iNDY {enters door ('. — anxioas — hurried). Dad! Dad! {Sees Azalie.) Wliar's dad? He come in liyar. He's l)eeii a-folleriii' me. W'liar is he? {Looking about.) AZALIE. (/indy! {Comes to her C.) Yon will save him? Cindy. Whar's dad? He come in hyar. AZALIE. He's in there {points to library door) with Mr. Briarson. CiNni' {erossing ton a rd, door). (^)ni('k, afore it's too late. AZALIE. He's hunting Jack Rose. Cindy {stops, turns irith back against door i}i surprise). .lack Rose! AZALIE. To kill him — to send a bullet through my heart. Cindy. Then it's Jack you love? Jack? AZALIE. Yes, yes! Your father accuses him of l)eing faithless to you — but it isn't true, say it isn't true! C^INDY. I'd die for Jack {erosses C.) if it would do any good. AZALIE. Y^ou accuse him then? Cindy. [ ain't accusin' no one. I'm hyar to see a guilty man made to gin me back my good name. No one thinks I hev a right to it. They all seem to think I ought to gin uyi fightin' for my no-account life; but I never will. T never will — till I die. {Buries fare on her arm.) AZALIE. Y^ou dare not call Jack guilty! Cindy. I must hev time to work fer my honor an' tell I do I won't accuse no man — nor clar no man. {Starts tojrard door L. 3 E.) AZALIE. It is another man. I knew it! Cindy. I'm glad it's Jack ye love, but if you s]ieak yer mind afore I gin ye leave I'll swar thet all ye say is false. {Down C. to Aznlie.) I'm fightin' fer my life — my more than life — an' you must wait in silence till I've hed my chance. AZALTE. But he may return at any moment, and your father has sworn to kill him. 39 Cindy. Then go and warn liiui. I tliouglit ye loved another man. But, oh! I'm glad it's Jack. Now go. {Puslies Azalie up R. V. E.) Zeb {outside R.). Good evenin', Gineral. (^INDY. I'll meet dad. Ye've come to me like a voice in the wil- derness. Ye've giv me lio])e, an' I'll save the man ye love. Now, go — go. AZALIE. Yes, yes, — ^to warn Jack. {Exit R. U. E.) Zeb {outside). Thank ve, Gineral, ver offer's kindlv meant, but I kin 'tend to this affair alone. {Entry R. I. E.) Cindy! Cindy, It's me, dad. {Both up C. somen-Jiat, not too tnucli.) Zeb. Ain't ye got no |)i"ide ter kee]) ye from follerin' a man as cast ye off when he onghter married ye? Cindy. Maybe he'll marry me now. dad; thet's what I come to see, ' Zeb. It's too late fer that. Yer child died without a name. Ye won't tell me who it was tliet brung this shame on ye, but I suspicioned who it was ever sence the night he brought ye liome in Gineral Deerin's kei'ridge; an' now I'm sartin'. Whar's yer s])erit, gal? Ye ougliter want revenge. He threw^ ye over fer the Gineral 's daughtei-. Now he's rich Jack Rose hayn't no more use fer Piney Ridge folks. Cindy, Take me home, dad. I'm tired. 'Tain't Jack Rose ye hev a right to kill. {Takes ZeJj's arm.) Zeb. We've gone too fer fer foolin'. All Piney Ridge is a ])ointin' at ye — yer mother can't lift up her head fer shame. AYe've bore it all in silence; but some man owes me an ac- countin', an' the time hez come fer him to pay thet debt. Ye say Jack Rose hain't ther man — well, then, speak out — tell me his name. [Cindy turns head aivai/ — he forces her to knees.) I want thet man's name. By the Eternal! I'll make ye speak! Cindy. Don't ye know me better 'n to think I'd betray the man I love? Thar hain't no fear, no torture, thet could drive me to it. I'd die fer him an' be happy doin' it. I believe in him, I believe he's done the best fer lioth on us, an '11 make me his wife jest as soon as he kin, an' I'll wait fer him forever. 40 Zeb. An' I'll not wait an lionr. {Raises gun.) Cindy {rises to feet). Then find liini if ye kin. Ye 'II git no help from me. I won't tell ye his name. Zeb {going to her). Thar hain't n<» need. J see through all yer lies. I've found him already. Jack {o/f' stage C.) . All right, Major. Zeb. Thar's my man ! Cindy {turns doini hanp up (\ and ctiiigs to Zeh). No — no! taiu't Jack! — tain't him! {Forces him down stage a little.) Zeb. I've only one shot hyar! The Lord of Hosts is deliverin' my enemv into niv hands! {Ureakiiu/ ainni, partly raising ri'fie.) C^iNDY {rusltiiKf to door C). Jack! Jack! Zeb. Yer too late. (iSfarts up C. Site stops him.) C^NDY. No! No! I swar he ain't ther one! To kill an innocent man is murder! Wait! Justice will find him without yer stainin' yer hands with blood Yer shan't do it! {Struggles witli Zeh {Zeh gets L. side) for gun — tirists if out of ]iis hands.) Ye shan't do it! (Ruus up to door C. Fires gun off into air fhroiif/Ji door arch in ('.. fhot staggers down as jack enters C) I saved ye, Jack! 1 saved ve ! {Azalie enters R.) {Zeh starts to pick up rifle. Jacks steps on it and faces him over her. Azalie kneels over Cindy.) CURTAIN. 41 ACT III. At Piney Ridge. Scene 1: Exterior of Zeh Lauc's cahin at Piney Ridge the folloiving Sundoi/. — A irild, picture.sque moun- tain scene.- — Vie if of Moccasin Bend at Chatta- nooga, Tenn., tooking down into the valley. — Drop shoirs Tennessee River irinding through the valley in distance and, doirn. — A practical run from R. C. 8 up and off R. 4. — Small run off R down in I ''utrance. — A rude cahin in 2 left. — A rude hendi ai corner of calmi. — Two or three stumps. — A tripod with fire hurning L. C. oppo- site 3 in front of cahin. — Three stum^fs. Time: Late afternoon, cJianging to sunset a)id moonlight. Effect: Cm tain. — Music stops just before i-ise. — Pause. — Shot fired on stage. Discoveked at rise: Ruhe Holler, stahrart youiig mountain- eer, standing C. up stage holding rifle he has just fired. — Sile Bates and Sam Long, mountain- eers, L. loading rifles. — Zeke, an old monntain- eer, sitting on stump, L. C. ruhhing gun harrel. — Mrs. Lane, Cindy's mother, rough old woman, molding bullets at fire L. C. and chewing snuff sticks. — Mark Briarson reclining on center run. — Riihe comes to R. corner at top of small run to small rose hush on u-Jiicli a rose is hanging hy broken stent. MvHK Holler. C/Ut tlier steiiL {lireaks off rose, puis it in buttonhole.) Tliet's how I'll cut him off. [Crosses to L. and gets bullet of Mrs. Lane, loads rifie.) He hadn't orter be let live, ther oriiery cuss. Zeke. The ornery cuss! {R.uhblng gun barrel.) Mrs. Lane. Amen! sez 1 — it being' Sunday. (Tliis atu-ays said u-itl> a malif/nant, satirical expression.) Rube. Thar's a slug with my compliments to Mr. Jack Rose. {Ramming it do am in rifle, muzzle loader.) Mrs. L. Amen ! sez 1 — it bein ' Sunday. Rube. — (Crossing to R.) I didn't 'low he hed ther nerve to show his head on ther Ridge agin. C-ounts on his money, raebbe, gol dern him ! 42 Zeke. — (Drairl this out — ruhhinf/riolcNflij — everij time.) Gol — dern — Jiim Rube. I don't Mow as Zeb'll settle I'er casli. Leastwise thar's others as can't he bought. (Jol dern him ! Zeke. (toI — dern — him Mrs. L. Amen! sez I — it bein' Sunday. Rube.— (Tr> Marh.) Did ye hear him say any pertieulars? Mark. — {Comes doint to L. C.) No. He was talking with Major .lartree at the Chatta- nooga House bar. As I passed them I just caught the words, "I'll go u]) to-morrow and see Zeb Lane." Mrs. L. It bein' Sunday. Rube. Goin' to steal in an' out like a fox, eh? AVal, I never drawed a bead on one of them varmints wethout T fotched him. {Points gnu. Mark (joes up L. Men go off L.) Mark. You'll soon have your chance. {Exit L. tjehind eabin.) Rube. Thet's all I'm })rayin' fer. {Enter (Unieial ond Azcdie dotrn run R. U. E.) (lENERAL. — ( Co m ing doiin . ) Look out for your footing, daughter; this i)ath is danger- ous. {To RiiJje.) Does Mr. I^ane live here? Rube. I reckon he do, (lineral Deerin'. General. Why, Mr. Holler, how are you? {Offers hand.) Rube. — {ShaJies liand nitlt General.) Fust rate, Gineral. General. How's the Ridge? Rube. Goin' to elect you Governor. General. — ( Laughs. ) My daughter, Mr. Holler. {Azalie comes doioi rim, bows to Rulje ; he salutes her.) Rube. Gineral Deerin'. Mrs. Lane. General. — {Crossing to Mrs. Lane.) Madam, this is a pleasure. {Mrs. L. nods head with stiff jerk.) This is my daughter Azalie. {Azalie hows; Mrs. Ij. same.) Is your husband at home? 43 Mrs. ^J. Tie's goiu! to clnu'cli, it bein' Sinierty of ealling to inquire about your daugh- ter. Mrs. L. — {Lights all (loan ttipe, at C's entrance.) Cindy f Thar's my darter, {Music Enter Cindy from cabin; carries e((rthen water pitcher; crosses to R. 1, noticing no one.) General. She is well, tlien? Mrs. L. Kinder peek-ed. I'm a leetle af eared of her head. Zeb hed a sister wlmt died in the 'sylum. {Aside to General.) General, Speak to her, Azalie. xlzALiE, — {To Cindy at R.) Don't you remember me, Cindy! {To her — lou\) You saved liis life that night. — save his honor now. Cindy. Kain't ye hev no patience? Azalie. Not wlien my heart is ))reaking. Cindy. Women's hearts were made, to break. Afore he comes back from the No'th mebbe I won't need ter speak — mebbe the danger'll be past. {To Mrs. L.) I'm goin' to the spring, ma'am. {Exit R. over smcdl run. Lights up.) Mbs. L. Used ter go to ther spring ter meet — him ! {With hatred.) Rube. An' she goes thar now every evenin' an' waits fer the traitor ez never comes. General. — {Coming down a bit.) Has she never revealed his name! Rube.— (i?, C.) Never. She are just a woman. I loved C^indy; I love her yet, {Azalie comes down.) Thar's a rose fer ye. Miss Deerin'. {Gives her the rose he shot from bush; crosses to Mrs. L. at L. C.) But it are not the Rose I'd lay at the feet o' Cindy Lane. {Piclis up rifle and exits L. behind cabin.) Mrs. L. My Cindy hed ther whole Ridge a runnin' arter her once't. Azalie. — {Crosses to L. to Mrs. Lane.) Is there anvthing we can do, Mrs, Lane? Mrs. L, Nuthin'. Ez my ole man says, it all rests wetli ther Lord, It bein' Sunday. {Exit into cabin.) 44 AZALIE. Let lis go, father. {Thci/ sfaii fo fjo. Met hij Majof, irho conn's (loirit run R. 4 E.) Major. — {Cotucs C. on run, /iu.slwd face, excited nuniner.) All! here voii are. Tliev told me over at the liotel I'd find you heah. Whew ! I'm hot and thirsty. {At C.) AzALiE. — {Neai' cabin. Picks up dipper from bench). Here's a dipper. I'll run down to the spring and get you a cold drink of pure mountain water. (Crosses to run R. 1 E.) Major. — {Crossing to her R.) It isn't my tipple, but any drink from youli hand would be neetah. AzALiE. — {Aside — at run. ) I must speak to her. I know my Jack is not the man. {Exit over small run R.) {Enters Mark L. 3 and goes to R. C. Sees Major, stops.) Mark. Hello, Major! Major. — {Seated R. on stiiDip.) Hello, Briarson ! (rENERAL. Well, Mark, where did you come from? * Mark. I'm out for trout. Knew you were at the Mountain View Hotel. Was just going over to ask the favor of i-iding home with you; my nag has gone lame. General. AVhat's the news, Major I Major. — {All during this scene Major has shon-u suppressed excitement, and is l)ruscjue uith Briarson.) C^olonel Gordon informs me that the Mem])his Uelegation has swung over to you. General. That's good. {C.) Major. — {Rises; comes foiicard a bit.) But I've come to inform you that youali name must not go befo' that convention to-morrow. General. — {Surprised.) Why, Major— Major. The Democracy of Tennessee names you for youah finan- cial standing — youah commercial integrity General. AVell, sir, are they cliallengedl Major. They are. General. Bv whom? 45 Major. I5y mo, your friend, who is hero to save yon from n catas- trophe. General. You astonish me. Major. General Deering, you're a ruined man. Your bank, that people call a house of steel, is a house of straw. {Turns to R.) General. — {Striding up to him.) Major Jartree, are you drunk I Major. — {Points to Mark.) Your trusted cashier will vouch for the sober truth of my utterances. General. — {Turns to Mark; crossing to him.) Well, Briarson, can't you speak, sir! Mark. — ( Trembling. ) It's a mistake — a delusion of the Major's. General. Give me the whole of it, Major; hold nothing back. Major.— (i?. C.) Last week 1 received a letter from a friend in New Orleans saying it was whispered there in business circles that Deering and Company were bulling the cotton market. {Mark sinks on stump L.) General. Why didn't you inform me at once? Major. Because — forgive me, General — 1 feared you might be in on the deaL General. My hands are clean. Major. I know that now; but, you see, in every morning's mail there was a letter from Simpson and (^ompany to Deering and Company. General. I never saw one. Major. Briarson looked out for that Mark. — {Jumping up. ) Jartree, you've gone far enough. Major. I'm going further. This letter came yesterchiy afternoon. {Takes letter from pocket, hands it to General.) Mark. I protest General. At my opening a letter addressed to me? {Breaks seal; reads.) From Simi)Son and (*ompany to Deering and Com- ])anv. A demand foi' ton thousand for margins — 46 Major. I've been over his books; they're full of false entries. There isn't ten thousand easli on hand. There are entries and bUink papers in ])hiee of bonds and securities, which he has pledged to keej) up his infernal speculations. Mark. — {Coming to General.) I'll make good — I'll win out General. You villain ! Mark. I'll scpiare everything up. General. One hundred thousand to meet the first Mark. I'll sell my plantation. Major. It's mortgaged now for more than it's worth. General. Defaulter! Thief! Major. — {Near General.) And the worst is behind. He's carried on his transactions in your name; he's so compromised you that should you run for Governor you'll defeat your party at the polls. General. — {Grasping IJriarsoit \s throat.) Scoundrel ! Mask. — {On one knee.) No, No! Keep it quiet. Accept the nomination. Your friends will see you through. General. — {Enraged. ) You blackleg! You dare to pro])ose such a course of dis- honor to me! Damn you! {Snatehes frhip from Mark, strikes him, then reeoils. Mark falls R. General recovers himself — intense, quiet passion.) I have owned slaves, but you are the first human being I ever struck with a whip. And you, that I have loved and trusted as a son ! Hardin Briarson was my boyhood friend, my companion in arms. He whispered his dying message in my ear; his last words were, "Look out for my son." His son! No, sir; I can't believe you the son of such a father. {Mark rises.) Major. Back breed, General; back breed. {Mark goes irp R. as Major crosses; General to L.) General. Bankrupt ! Bankrupt ! Major.— (L. C.) General, I was in your regiment in '02. I've been in your bank ever since you started. You can count on me for all I'm worth. General, Thank you. Major. But I reckon we're swamped. {UpC.) 47 Makk.— (/^. C. up.) Well, what are you going to do? Major. — {Goes up L. C.) You're going to jail, sah. General, No, no, Major. {Crosses to Mark at foot of large run C.) Leave Tennessee to-night! {Briarxon exits over l)ridge K. E.) For tlic second time in my life 1 stand looking at ruin. When the lighting was over 1 returned home to tind a mother- less girl — the plantation overgrown with hrush and weeds — and a dismantled house standing open to the wind and rain. 1 met the issue squarely. 1 had youth and courage. It was a struggle — only those wlio went through can understand. But I succeeded — I've lived to see my State i)rosperous again — and to-morrow her tirst citizens would name me for their Gov- ernor. I can surrender my ambition — hut the Bank! — to close its doors in the face of people crying for their money — money entrusted to my honor — well, T have faced death be- fore. But my daughter, my Azalie! There's where my heart breaks. {Sinks on stiinip R. Major on stump L.) Jack. — {Off L. Nois(\^ of Jiorses' Jwofs.) Whoa, thar! {Jack enters L. from Jjehind eahin. Comes to C.) W^hy, Major! How air ye? Major. — {Not tookiuij up.) Mr. Rose! Jack. Howdy, General? General. — {Looks up in surprise, tlien turns head.) Mr. Rose! Ja(Mv. .)es' got luu'k from New York; conic up bere to see Zeb Lane. {A pause; looks froin one lo other, flien to Major.) What's the row? Bank busted? Major. Busted, Jack. Account o' that durned cashier? Major. Account o' him. Jack. Shoo! He couldn't bust nothin'. ( I ENERAL. ( Rises.) Mr. Rose, to-morrow morning my bank closes forever. Jack. Thunder! Then you can't run fob Governor? General. I shall be obliged to decline the nomination. Jack. Look liyar! That New York syndicate jjaid me two hun- 48 dred thousand dollars for my mine and its all alayin' in the ox})ress office down at Chattanooga. Reckon that would tide you over! {To Major.) Majoh. I reckon; way over. {Rises.) Jack. ()l)en your doors as usual to-morrow mornin' — I'll swing in line — deposit that two hundred thousand — an' Deering's hank '11 stand as solid as the I'ocks of the Tennessee mount- ains. General. As a man of lionah I must refuse. Jack. Gineral Deering, I'm in youh l)ank now foh over forty thousand doUahs. If the bank busts I lose my money. F'>ut sho! what's the use? The Major warned me tlie night o' the l^arty — that's what hurried me off to New York so fast. 1 come to you as a man of business ; as a man of business, sah, you are bound to accept. General {imjjulsireli/ sJiak'nig his lunul). Mr. Rose, you're a white man. Ma.jor. Mr. Rose, you're a perfect southern gentleman. Jack. You'll accept? General. Yes, sah. Ma.jor. You bet, sah. Jack (C. I'discs hat). Then I'll cast my first vote foh (Jineral Decrin', the next (Jovernor of Tennessee. General {goes up to run C). Come, Major. {Turns uifh great feeling.) God bless you, sah. Jack {turning carelessly anag, cros.scs to L.). Oh, that'll be all right. {General goes up to ru)) as Azalie comes on from run R. 1 E.) Major {crossing, (iencral goes up run o). Look out foil yourself, up here, sah. {On run R. U. E.) General. You may be in danger. Azalie {sees Jack). Jack! Jack! You shouldn't come here. {())i small run R.l.) Jack. I had to come, iVzalie. Azalie {goes to General, R. C.). Father, he is risking his life. 49 Jack. You needn't to fear for me. J was brouglit up in these hills. I've got a heap o' friends on the Ridge an' Zeb Lane will think twice before making any trouble. I can take care of myself. Major ( up on run). I'll give odds on you every time, sah. {Major cxifs over run 3.) Jack. Gentlemen, I'll see you in the molinin'. (tENERAL. Good night, Mr. Rose. (Goes up run.) Come, Azalie, {General folio irs Major off.) Azalie {turns on run). Jack — Jack. Azalie — AZALIE. 1 love you — I believe in you — I'll wait for you foi'ever. {Throws hi)n the rose — e.vits overrun.) Jack. I'll come back for you, sure. {Pieks up rose.) I 'd rather stand hyar holdin' this flower than be governor. {Enters Mrs. Lane from cabin, stares at Jaelx.) Howdye, Mrs. Lane? {Advances — offers hand — she picks np hullet mold.) Zeb home? {She turns an-aij.) Look hyar, ]\rrs. Lane, you ain't goin' ter condemn me without a hearin', be ye? Mrs. Lane {tvrns to him shnvly as .she speaks). Thar's nuthin' so becomin' a fool ez a shet mouth. Jack. An' so you're kee})in' nuun. Mks. L. {points (if him thr('al('}ii))(/fii). I liyan't a argeefyin' — my ole man 'II do all tliet. He's ])in a argeein' religion ter me fer twenty years. He's to church now — it bein' Sunday. Jack. Wal, ye got somethin' ter say! Mrs.' L. I could speak a leetle o' my mind to you-uns if Zeb liedn't a toted his rifle along wetli him. Jack. Toted his rifle, eh? Why, T thought Zeb was too good a church member ter do any shootin' to-day — it bein' Sundav. * Mrs. L. He'll be a comin' home terectly. Jack. Now, look hyar, Mrs. Lane — I heard some ugly talk down the mountain associatin' me with this affair of Cindy's. Now, I want to tell vou it's a lie! 50 Mks. L. Ye '11 hev to do yer talkin' with Zeb. Jack. That's what I'm liyar fer. {Folio icing her as she goes to cabin.) Ain't ye goin' to invite me in to wait fer him? Mrs. L. {at cabin door, turns on him). We-uns air not entertainin' gentlemen o' yer color to-day. {Exits, shuts door.) Jack. That's what I'm goin' to get everywhar. {Turns.) Cindy's got to talk, {(iocs up run rapidlg; tvhen half ivay up a shot fired off ; L. behind cabin; Jack falls on run. Enter Rnbe Holler from behind cabin; goes to foot of run; Jack rises suddenly, revolver concealed at side.) Jack. That's a tine way to say "liowdye do" to a feller; yon want to go learn how to shoot. {Rube rceods to C. at foot of run.) Rnhe Holler, this ain't no affair o' yourn. I hev got the right to kill yon {bringing pistol up slou'lg as he says tJiis). I'm sorry fer yer widowed mother an' yer little sisters. {Said in tone as if he intended to shoot — then abrupt.) I make you a present to youali fambly, sah. {Exits c[uick over run R. 3.) {Enter Mrs. Lane and mountaineers from cabin and back.) Mrs. L. Did yer shoot, LJnhef Rube {in dazed surprise, lookiurson, others hold Jack L. C. a trifle up.) Fetch a light. {Mrs. L. ludds lantern up to Mark's face, crossing to C.) Mr. Briarson! Who's tother? {Lantern turned on Jack.) Jack Rose ? Jack {struggling to get at Briarson). Let me get at him; let me settle it with him. {Breaks aivay and comes down R. C, stopped by Zeb.) Zeb. Ye '11 settle it fust with me. Jack {facing Zeb at C, Jack on left, Zeb on right). That's what I'm hyar for — to talk it over (|uietly with yon — bnt the sight of that moccasin set me afire. Zeb. The sight o' you sets the fire of righteous wrath a blazin' in me. Jack. I never wronged yer Cindy, if thet's yer meanin'. Zeb. Thet's my meanin'. Jack. Whar's yer proof? Zeb. Ther child were marked — Dagmar's yer mother. Rube {to ivhom Zeb handed his rifle as he separated Jack and Mark, handing Zeb his rifle). Kill him, Zeb. Zeb. T will — {Crossing to Rube and taking rifle.) Jack. Wait. {R. of Zeb.) Zeb. I won't hyar ye. Jack. Ye must — down in ther valley thar's an old man I love — he's in trouble an' I promised to meet him in ther mornin' an' hel]) him out. His honor's at stake; let me go now nn' I swar I'll come back hyar at this hour to-morrow niglit. 54 Mrs. L. Don't yer do it, Zeb. Zeb {lifts gun). No! Jack {C, taking hold of gnn barrel and pointing at Mark). Then send yer bullet through him, too — Did ye never ausi^ect him? Who tirst told ye Dagmar was my mother! Zeb. Briarson? Jack. Briarson — who was it l)rouglit the woman into General Deerin's ter claim me fer her son? Briarson, I've told ye why I'm hyar; ask him why he's lurkin' 'round yer cabin after dark. Mark. It's a trick to escape you. Jack. Call Cindy an' let her decide it. Mark. She won't speak. Jack. I'm ready to face her, why do you object? Zeb. Call ther gal. Mrs. L. She air down to the spring. Jack {looks off bridge R.). No! Thai' she is a holdin' my boss. {Snrjjrisc) Zeb. Wharf Jack. Thar. {Points off R. U.) Bv ther old cedar. Zeb." By the everlastin', she's thar. Jack {never taking eyes froyyi Mark, alert, tense). I left that boss behind the cabin. Zeb. How'd she get him thar! Jack. Must a led him fer some one who wanted to git the boss without alarmin' the bouse. Mark {eagerly). And who would that be but you? {Points at Jack.) Jack. You— Mark. Absurd. 55 Jack. Leave it to Cindy. Zeb. She air a comin' toward us. Jack. Now, then, whoever she's holdin' that lioss fer she'll go to. I'm willin' to stand liyar and take my chance. {Stands down C, Mark starts off' run B. 1.) Zeb. Stan, whar ye be, Briarson. {Levels gun at Mark, n-Jio stops on, run.) We'll see this thing out! I'll shoot ther fust man thet moves! {Zeb and Mrs. L. tnick into cabin, only end of gun barrel appearing in door, others behind cabin. Jack stands C, Briarson half n-ay up small run, down B. Cindy appears on bridge B. 3 E.) Cindy {coming slowly dotrn main run B. U.). What's keepin' you-uns? Air thet you standin' thar, Jack Rose? {Zeb and others raise hammers of guns and rush out. Cindy rushes dou'n to Jack — screams.) Ye sliayn't tech liim ! Ye sliayn't tech him! Mark {rouiinf/ dmin to foot of run //.). T told you it was all a trick. (Cindy looks at Marl: in Jiorror.) Zeb {raises rifle). Jack Rose, yer my man ! Jack. Wait ! Zeb. No! Jack. Ye musi ! I'll hold her 'twixt yer bullets an' me! {Su'ing iu(l Cindif around to Ij. of him.) Zeb. Ye coward! {Briarson steals up and off' bridge B. during this.) Jack. T ain't afraid — I'm lookin' down yer giuis without a tremble! But if I'm goin' down I'm goin' down a-fightin'. This cal's got ter speak ther ])lain truth. Cindy, did ye bring thet boss fer me! Cindy {tvildli/). No! No! Jack. Then ye brought it fer him! {Turns — sees Mark gone.) Fer him! — an' he's gone — he's run away — the coward's run away! {Goes up to foot of main run in triumph.) Cindy {rushing to B. 2 E.. wildly). He's got ther boss! Ah! Run, Mark, run — run! (Laughs wildly. Falls on knees at stump B. down stage.) 56 Jack. Yer daughter's spoke at last! Now, then, Zeb Lane, if yer want to shoot me — blaze away! {Cindy R., Jack trifle R. of C, Zeb L. of C, Mrs. L. L. of C, others L. up.) CURTAIN. 57 ACT IV. Scene: The old Briarscm Mansion — evening of Deeemher 31st, same year. Set: A (iiiainf, pietnresciue room in a verii old-fashioned Southern ma)ision. Reuinant of old splendor — faded irlace on shares for me? Abe. I'd make it pay you, sah. 62 Jack. To-morrow 'II bo tlie first of .January. iMai'ry Susannah and begin with the New Year. Mr. Kose, you take my breatli away. Susan. What '11 Mammy say? Jack. I'll fix that. Susan. Mr. Jack, you'se de Imlliest man! (lolly! Now, if I could only go to dat ball — — Jack. What's to hinder? Susan. Mammy. Jack (crosses to B. to mantel). Trot along. I'll fix that. {At fireplace.) Susan. Come for me in half hour, Abe. (Pushes hhn over chair L.) Abe (geAs up, goes to door. At door L., deep emotion). Mr. Rose, I wish you a ha|)i)y New Year. Jack. Same to you, Abe. (Susannah Jxisses Ahe at door.) Abe. Yum! Yum! diocolate creams! (E.rit L.) Susan. I must run home an' get ready. (Gets .^^liairl and hat.) Jack. The students give a reception at the Academy to-night. The C^ommittee forgot to send me an invitation. Reckon T better go along with vou an' x\be. Susan (at door R. 2 E.). Oh, dey's all cullud folks at our party, Mr. Jack. Yu'd be out o' place dab! (Exit R. 2 E. Music. Plaintive.) Jack (solus). Out o' place ! Been raised white; colored folks don't want me. Been called "black" and white folks won't have me. Yes, I reckon I'm out o' place. (Gets old cavalrg sirord whieh stands in corner of fireplace, draws it from scahhard.) This was Colonel Briarson's sword. He drew this in defense of slavery. Thought it was right. But what a curse to both races it has been! How it has struck me down! (Places sword against mantel R.) The Colonel sleeps out yonder in the meadow. I can see his grave from this window. Some- thing tells me I am his son. (Goes np R. C.) Things are in a ]iowerful snarl with me. You don't feel it sleepin' out thar under the snow, but I feel it hvar in vour house where I'm an 63 outcast. Sure enough, riches don't always bring happiness. My cabin home on Piney Hidge was rough, and I was poor, l)ut I was happy there. 'Pears like I can see the steep gray ledges now and hear the wail of the snipe flyin' down the ravine. I want to go back tliar. I'm homesick, and I've got no home. {Turns and lenns head over stair rail.) (Asalie passes window; knocks lightly at door, then softly enters at close of speech.) AZALTE (C). Jack! Why — x\zalie ! I knocked. Jack {turns). AZALIE. .Jack {places chair). I didn't hear you. Sit liyar by the fire, {tihc sJiakes her head.) You must be cold. AzALTE {crosses and sits L. of table R.). Father tells me you're going away. Jack. Yes. AZALIE. Up north. Jack. For good. AzALiE {rises). Do you think that's right? Jack. It's best. {Turns to (I) Azai.ik {ayilatcd, crosses to C). Must we give u]) all ho])e'? I can't! I can't! {(Uosses to L. G.) Jack (C). Listen, Azalie! To-day a fellow-student called me a "nigger." I knocked him down. The Princii)al of the Acad- emy expelled me. It's come to this. I'm black till I'm proved white. We can't afford to waste our lives in hunting u]) ]U'Oofs. I can't tie you down to that chance. Azalie {sits chair L. C). If Cindy Lane would only s])eak. Jack, She did speak the night Briarson stole my horse. It saved my life. It convinced Zeb Lane, but that weren't enough to convince the iworld. Cindy fell in a swoon that night, and when she came to her reason was gone. The doctors say it may never return. Briarson 's gone. Dagmar sticks to her story. {Takes out dead rose from breast pocket,) When you threw me this flower I said I'd come back for you sure. I was full of hopes that day. They're dead, like the rose. {Lets his hand fall.) 64 AzALiE {unpHlsively approaclies hlni). 1 love you! 1 will not give up you! I will uot give you up! Jack. You're the daughter of the Governor of Tennessee. I'm — the world calls me Dagniar's son. AzALiE {till' US unatj L.). I know — I know. {Holds out Itaiid.) I only came to sa\ ' ' good-bye. ' ' Jack. Not hyar — not hyar! I'll walk along home with you. {Opens door for her. They exeunt L. Musie ehanges. Entei Dagmar R. Looks around.) Dagmak. Dah's no one lieali. Come in. {Fitter Mark Br'uusoH R.) Mark {goes to door L., opens it, looking after Jack and • Azalle.) If T die for it, I'll keep them apart. Dagmak. You'se taken you life in your own hands, Mark Briarson. {Ahe Moonlight appears txuk of ivindoir.) Abe. Golly! {AIjc disappears.) Dagmak. Whodah? {Goes to irindoir C.) No1)ody. How dare you conie hack lieah, boy l ^Iakk {eouies doirn //. crosses li.). A man will dai-e tlie devil for money. Dagmak {at sideboard L.). 1 don't believe dah's money heah"? Makk. No? {Picks u J) suord at fireplace. Laughs. Dagmar gets bottle of ivhisky at sideboard.) T tell you, I didn't sink all T got from the bank in my speculations, and T wasn't the idiot to ])ack it all away with the cliances ten to one against my escape. No indeedy! t determined if they caught me they'd get none of my booty. So I hid it here. {Strikes fireplace nith suord.) Cached it like the miners do their gold. Dagmak (L. C). Dey'll cotch you sure. {Coming to table R.) {Briarson takes a drink. During following scene he works at bricks of fireplace with suord and drinks at intervals. Dagmar drinks often, holding bottle all the time.) Mark. If they capture me, I want you to swear never to reveal who I am? Dagmar {scornfully ; both drink). Swear yourself! You'se done all de talkin'. boy. Mark. I? 65 Dag MAR. How about dal Lane gal i" [At buck of table.) Maek {seated R. of table; laughs). She's a lunatic. Her word don't go. It's your jaw I'm afraid of. Dagmar (Uffll/). My jaw? You make nie mad. {Drinks.) Mark. They may ])rihe you. Dagmar. Bribe me! Ha! 1 sees 'em; I sees 'em! Dig up your money, boy', and be off — an' see dat you give me lialf; but money's not de onliest stake E'se playin' for in dis yere game, {Taking another drink.) Mark {drinks). No. It's love for me, eh, mother? Dagmar. Don't you call me no ''mother." I ain't your mother. I never was your mother. Mark {stares at her). You told me y(m were my mother. Dagmar. I dun tole you dat to make you my dupe, my tool, chile. Mark {half rises at table, eagerli/)- Then I'm not — — Dagmar. Yes, you is; you'se a born niggah — your mother was a slave gal on dis yei-e ]i!antation. {Ufark sits again.) Slie was killed by a stray bombshell dat bust near de stable wbar we all was a liidin' de day of de battle out yaiider. You was a babby — a slee])in' in lier arms — an' you 'seaive without a scratch, 1\Iark. Ha ! ha ! Providence! Dagmar. Humph! Dumb luck! And I grab you n]i an' carry you up to de mountains 'long wid de Colonel's habby, an' for what you think I bring you back? For love? Uh ! ura ! For re- venge, revenge on de Briarsons; revenge on de Deerings ! {Strikes fist on table.) Mark {intensely interested). On the Deerings? Dagmar. Yes, sah! Colonel Briarson loved me — you heah? He loved me in spite of dat I was his slave. I was beautiful dem days, an' he love me. {Sits L. of table.) Dere was a young woman dat live in de Deerin' family. De ward of de (rineral's father, an' de Gineral he care for her jest like she was his sister — an' he, dat (rineral Deerin' — he 'fluence Colonel Briar- 66 son to marry lier — an' she 'fhieiu-e liini to sell nie; an' he sell me — yon heah f De man 1 love sell me. (Rises.) Den I hate him! I hate dem all — an' I lives — to get even. ] made you de Briarson heir; den 1 aim to marry ycni to de (lineral's daugh- ter — marry his Azalie to a niggali; hut you fool me dah ; an' when she fall in love wid Jack Hose, I claim him for my son to part dem. An' now she's pinin' away for him an' I'se a standin' atween dem forever. S])ite o' his money — spite o' her father's power — s])ite of dem all. T laughs whar her heart am breakin' like mine break, years ago. T laughs whar you weejis, Gineral Ueerin', Gov 'nor of Tennessee — Gov 'nor. of Tennessee. (Shal-cs fi.st at iriiuloir C. (lud then exits ivildly door R. U. E.) Mark {rises, joins her Idiif/h, looking after her). No need of swearing you in. ( Wateli at the kitche)t door. Knock at door L. Music plaintive.) Mark. What's that? {(iocs to door L., looks throufih kci/hole.) A woman! Alone! (Moonlight. Opens door.) (E)iter L. Cindy. She goes R. to fireplace — kneels before fire.) Mark. Cindy! Cindy. Ye ain't glad to see me. But I won't trouble you. I come to see Jack Rose. Mark. He's not here. Cindy. I'll wait till he comes. I've got suthin' to tell him. (He looks inquiringlg at her.) Oh, I'm in my right mind. Ever since that night 1 led (,s/7.s R.) Jack Rose's boss to the obi cedar fer you — a savin' yer life, an' in my blindness almost a-costin' Jack his — I've been in darkness. Yesterday the light o' reason come back to me — an' dad told me wliat ye done — an' what ye are; an' that's what's brung me hyar to-night. ^Iark. Look here, Cindy — it'll do you no good to see Jack Rose, and it may do me harm. You wouldn't injure me, would you! C^iNDY (rises). I don't know as I've any call to feel lovin' towards ye, Mr. Briarson, an' if tellin' wliat T know is goin' to hurt ye, I reckon ye '11 have to stand it. ((joes to R. of table.) Mark (sits in front of table). Remember your oath. Cindy. Have you remembered yourn ? The i)romises you made? Everv one of them broken! Mark. Well, well, it's too late to cry over it. Will you go with me now? 67 C'lNDY {tiin/.s fo fireplace). No. Mark (L. of table). Tlien stay and tell liiiii tliat 1 am the man your father swore to kill, and when you have told liim tliat Cindy {R. of table). I'll tell him that he's white and that you're black. And wlien I've told Jack Rose that, I'll go back home. {Turns R. U. aiuay froyn table.) Mark {crosses to fireplace, takes out tin cash box from- under bricks he has displaced.) I'll pay you more to be silent than he will to speak. See! I've got money here. {She turns away to R. C, passing back of table.) More money than you ever dreamed of. Cindy {stands up C). T ain't a sharin' with thieves. AIark {R. C, following her a hit). We'll go away together to-night, and I'll make up to you for my neglect. Cindy. (Jan you make up to me for^the heart break? Can yer make up for the shame you've heaped ui)on me! I don't want your money; it 'ud scorch my lingers. 1 don't want yer love; it has branded my soul. {Moves down L. C. a bit.) Mark. Cindy, I'll take you u}) north. I'll marry you. Why, you used to say you'd rather be my wife than own all Tennessee. Cindy {going to L. C). An' now I wouldn't be your wife if you could give me the whole world. Mark {up back C, desperately). My God! Don't you understand! If I'm found here it's all up with me. ] should have been away an hour ago. You don't want to send me to prison, do you? Come with me, Cindy. I'll be good to you. Your life shall be as happy as love can make it. Think! If you refuse we are separated forever. I know I've wronged you, but you love me still — love me too well to want revenge. Cindy {turns C). Yer riglit. I don't want revenge. I want justice. {Mark gives way a bit to R.) Ye trampled me under yer feet as ye'd tread a dead leaf inter the dust of the mountain road, an' I loved you through it all; but when ye'd tried to throw yer guilt on an innocent man, an' him the only friend I had, I knew 'at ther time fer love an' silence was past — an' I come down hyar to give his name an' the gal he loves l)ack to (\^\- onel Briarson's son. {Eriter Dagmar R. door.) 6S Mark {advdncas to her slonlij (uul (/cts (tromul to L. of her.) Oh, you're set on that, are yon f {I)y (ieiierdl and Azalic, < iiizcus. Enter Ahe and Sheriff 1*. I'. E. Hiihc, coiniiKi fonard Mark, slopped Jiij Jaek L. C.) Mark.— (7?. ('.) Don't let him shoot me! Jack.— (.4f L. C.) Course not; only did that to make you talk. Governor, I reckon this ])roof clinches it. AzALiE. — {Coming to Jaek C.) Jack ! General Deering. — {Crosses to /?. — to Briarson.) You are under arrest. Mark. — {Drops eash box.) Damn you all ! {Rushes up staireasc, opens window to Ixdeony. General rushes up stage to targe window C, open- ing it.) General. Halt that man I {Calls out.) Stop him — if you have to do it with a bullet! {Rife shot off stage. Mark f(dls out win- dow R. C. Short pause.) Zeb Lane. — {Appears at window C, rifle in hand.) Air my gal Cindy thar with you 'uns ? {Azelie buries faee on Jack's shoulder C, Cindy stands with clasped hands L C ) CURTAIN. Ali / AT PINEY RIDGE A PLAY OFTENNESEE LIFE IN FOUR ACTS DAVID K. HIGGINS Copyright 1906, by DjAVID K. HIGGIN;s All Rights Reserved Two Copies Received DEC 26 1906 OlASS ,/^ XXc.No. ' LB Mr '07 v^.' * .•;*^ ^. ^0^ ^ 5 ' • ' ;r':5:Tv.v' . t ' a \^ •' ,o'> .,^ ^ vf- 'Mm: ^% : ^^ >>-' '"^. LV^'* ^^ > ^f* ^ ^ ' T^lH^v ° '^^"^ 0^ -% ^^ ^ -^ * O " " .^ ^>' <.'?'%. O H ^* '""^ •.^#" !-^> 5 ° * -r to %7«<>' ^^^ m; \j' BOOkBINDINC Cfani\;;ie P; Sep'— 0( ^0'