j*^ o«q|. Class _j2£ Book Copyright N^. COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 3 vvX^ J % FQR OLD ELI % Comctip of tale Eife in 4 ^cte BY LOYD OSCAR THOMPSON Copyright, 1909, by Samuel French CAUTION.— All peraons are hereby warned that " Por Old Eli " being fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States, is subject to royalty, and anyone presenting tiie ijlay without the consent of the owner or his agent, will be liable to the penalties by law provided. Ap- plication for stage rights must be made to Samuel French, 24 West 22d Street, New York. AU Rights Reserved New York SAMUEL FRENCH PUBLISHER 26 WEST 22D STREET London SAMUEI, FRENCH, Ltd. 26 Southampton Street, STRAND ;r.,,, ©OLD 17833 TMP?6-0067C0 FOR OLD ELI. trbe Cl5aractcri5. The names are piiuted iu the order iu whieh they appear upon the stage. CiiAULEY Walkeu, Captain of the Yale Track Team. Dick Carson, Walker's room-mate. " Autik" Au.mstkong. "Bkef" Cami'cell. '^BiM." Baily. Assist A^'r PiiOFESSoii Allbright. Jack LroLOW, a Freshman ; room mate of Walker and Carson. Alice Fairfield, Ludlow's cousin. Edith Van Noiiton. i\lARY CaLDERWOOD. GwEN Hardy. ]Mks. Fairfield, Alice's mother. Helen Beckwito, friend of Alice. 'Bub" Tirneil ' Spud" Fostf:r. • vSkinny " Allison. ■'Andy Anderson. Jim D'>vioirr. Tom McCoy. Tf.d Jones. "Ollie" Ollcott. Mike McCarty, th.e Yale Trainer. "Sport" Hendricks, A "Mucker." Students, swipes, etc., etc. FOR OLD ELL Scenes. ACT I. Sitting room of Walker, Carson and Ludlow, Vanderbilt Hall, Yale University. Two days before the Yale-Harvarfl Track Meet. ACT II. The famous Yale Fence in front of Vanderbilt Hall, Yale University. Twilight of the evening before the Yale- Harvard Track Meet. ACT III. Dressing-room of the Yale Track Team during the Yale- Harvard Track Meet. ACT IV. Library and den of Alice Fairfield's home. The evening following the Yale-Harvard Track Meet. The Place. — New Haven, Conn. The Time. — Present. FOR OLD ELI. Room of Charley Walker, Diok Carson and Jack Ludlow, Vanderhilt Hall, Yale University. Typical College Room. Large window R. Doors l. and R. c. Piano r. Couch r. Book-case l. c. Cozy corner L. Fireplace l. Small table ivith tea service l. Small table ivith chafing dish L. Flat top desh with two chairs l. c. Morris chair about c. On rise of curtain room is seen to be in great disorder. Papers, bools, etc., are scattered over desk and floor. Clothing thrown carelessly on chairs, sofa and cozy corner, etc. etc. (Enter V^alkt^r r. c.) Walker. Wonder where the fellows are. (goes to door l. and looks in) I say, Carson ! Ont somewhere I expect. He Y^^asn't at the field tliis afternoon, but perhaps he will show np later, (goes to ivindow R. and looks out) Gad, but tl)is is a great day! And the Harvard meet only day after to-morrow. We must win that! We must win! (laughs a littUi) Oh, we're goin"- to all right. This thing of being Captain isn't what it's cracked up to he. It's getting on my nerves I guess. Well, (sighs) I suppose I must plug out that Greek a little, (he pulls off sweater and exits L. returning in a minute with bath- robe on. He goes to book-case and gets Greek hook and Lexicon, sits doivn, opens book and reads) But if now for these things done, I have accusation, if 5 G FOR OLD ELI. at that time, when I concerning these things — what the deuce does that mean ? (looks over Lexicon) Ah, here it is — " to be exact, accurate or jjrecise in lan- guage," 1 bet I'll be exact in my language pretty soon. (reads from Greek hook) 1 have accusation, if at that time when I concerning these things, exact in language — oh, gee ! that's a rotten translation ! I wonder where that trot is. (rummages over desk) Ah here it is, (opens it) This is better, (reads) But if I now have accusation against these deeds, if at that time while I was refining about these jioints, the Campbell. (outside) Oh, Charley Walker! (Walker starts to rise, hut sits down and continues to study) Campbell, (outside) Oh, Charley Walker! Walker. Ooh, hoo! (keeps on studying) — and gave themselves into Philip's power. Campbell, (outside) Come here a minute. Walker. Can't I'm busy. (reads) — Philip's power, and at the same time Campbell, (outside) I want to ask you some- thing. (Walker gets up very reluctantly and goes to the window r.) "^\^alker. Well, what do you want? Campbell, (outside) Wliere is our Greek lesson for to-morrow? Walker. Come on up, I'm studying it now. Campbell, (outside) No, I can't. I promised Armstrong I'd study with him, and he didn't know where the lesson was, so we matched to see who'd go and find out. I lost. Walker. Hard luck. Beef. Campbell, (outside) Oh, I don't know, I stuck him to do the translating. Walker. Well, that's better. Campbell, (outside) Well, where's the lesson ? Walker. Wait a minute, and I'll see. (lie gets Greek hook and turns pages) From Section 240, the FOR OLD ELI. 7 next ten pages, to Section 27G. He didn't give us much tliis time. Campbell, {outside) No, I should say not! Well, much obliged. Walker. Don't mention it. So long. Campuell (outside) So long, Charley. (YvALKER goes lack to desh, picks up hooh and reads) Walker, {reading from "Trot") — and at the same time he was master of Euboca, and of {Students outside singing, gradually drawing nearer.) Here's to good old Yale, Drink it down, drink it down, Here's to good old Yale, Drink it down, drink it down, Here's to good old Yale, She's so hearty and so hale, Drink it down, drink it down, Drink it down, down, down. (V/alker heeps time to music as he reads, then catches himself and studies harder than ever.) AValker. —and Thebes, and Byzantium. Do you know what these irreverent men are saying? {Singing keeps up, and he goes to window and pulls down hlvnd.) Voice, {outside) Oh, Charley Walker! {He comes hack to desk and studies.) Walker. — or what they are doing? Students, (outside) Oh, Charley Walker, come on down. Walker. Can't, I'm busy. Students, (outside) Oh come on. Don't be a grind. Etc. etc. Walker. Ko, T'm studying. Voice, (outside) Oh, very well. Come on, fellows. (Singing is resumed and dies away in the distance. Walker continues to study.) 8 FOR OLD ELI. Walker. — or what they are doing? They are not acting as if they were giving up ? Guess I'd better read it from the Greek once, (takes Gh-eeh booh and starts to read) Carsox. {Gutside) Oh, VVaiker, oh, Charley Walker i Walker. Tliere is Carson now. Ooh, hoo ! (runs to window and puts up blind) Carson, (outside) Throw nie out my sweater, will you, please. Walker. Sure, (he looks all around for sweater. Goes into room L. a^id looks, then returns to window R. In meantime Carson ichistles) Walker. I say, Carson, I can't find it. Carson, (outside) Oh, all right, I"ll go up for it myself. (Walker returns to desk and studies.) (Enter Carson r. c.) Carson. I bet I did those three flights in record time. (Walker keeps en studying) What! Not studying, are you, Walker? Walker. Yes. Carson. Don't do it, my boy, it hurts the brain. (he exits l, and retuims in about a minute with sweater on. He starts to go out r. c. Walker. I sa}'^, Carson. Carson, (stopping) Well? VfALKER. (without looking up) Ah — er — where are you going, Carson? Carson. Down on the fence. Why? Walker, (looking sqiiarely at him) Wliy weren't you out at the field this afternoon ? Carson. Mike told me not to come. Walker. Oh, he did, did he? Look here, Carson, you have been missing too much practice lately. Carson. Do you think so ? Walker. Yes I do. And what's more, T am not going to stand for it any longer. You know the FOR OLD ELI. 9 Harvard Meet is day after to-morrow, and without your points in the sprints and broad jump, where would we be ? And here you are not more than half in shape. Do you know I have more than half a notion to let Gordon run in your place, you knov/ he beat you out yesterday. Carson. Oh, you don't mean that, old man. I know he beat me out, but I was feeling rotten yester- day, (crosses to Walker) Come on, cheer up, old fellow, I'll be all right day after to-morrow. Mike knows his business. Walker. Maybe he does. Carson. Sure he does. I guess this (KnocJcing is heard at door.) Cabson. Come in. (Enter "Artie" Armstrong, "Bill" Baily, and " Beef " Campbell.) Carson. How are you fellows ? Come on in, the water's great. Walker. Hello, fellows. ' Armstrong. How are you? (he crosses to piano, sits and plays softly) Baily. Hello, boys, (he crosses to Walker) Campbell. How are you fellows? Carson. Sit down. Campbell. Don't care if I do. (he lounges on sofa) Walker. Thought you were going to study Greek, Beef. Cajsipbell. Oh, I forgot where the lesson was when I got back. We matched again to see who'd find out; Artie got stuck, so I came with him. Walker. Oh, I see. Carson, (crossing to Campbell) Well, Old War Hoss, do you think you can beat Hadley this year? Campbell, Well you just watch me. 10 FOR OLD ELI. Carson. That's what I hope to do. {they con- verse, Campbell gesticulating) Baily. So you think it is easy money, do you, Cap? Walker. No, I don't say that ; but if Carson can win his fifteen points we shall win. Baily. Well he can do that all right; he has done it for the last three years. Walker. Well I am not so sure of that. He is stale, and then Mike has been letting him off too easy lately. Baily. Stale ! Walker. Yes. He had no life at all yesterday; why, Gordon beat him in a trial. Baily. Surely he wasn't doing his best. Why, man, Carson is the greatest sprinter in this country. Walker. J know, that's what we all thought, but I am afraid this time. Baily. By Jove! (tahes out notc-hool,:) I don't know but I had better hedge. I've got a cool thou' on the meet. Walker. That's a lot, Baily, but I guess it may be safe after all. (They converse.) Carson. Say, Beef, how's the little peach ? Campbell. Oh, don't you worry about her. Armstrong, (turning around) I say, fellows, have you heard of Beef's latest mash? All. No, tell us about it. Campbell. Oh, shut up, will you ! Armstrong. Well, last night Beef was going down along York Street, near the Medical School, Lord only knows where he was going, when he saw what he thought was a peach come out of a house and walk very rapidly down toward Crown Street. Carson. What he thought was a peach ? Armstrong. Yes, just wait. Campbell. Ah, cut it will you? FOR OLD ELI. H ARMSTRONG. Well Of course he gave f^se and fnllowpd her out near the Normal bchool. rreuy ni he saw she was slackening her pace so he quick- soon h^s-i^vi e w ^^ ^^^ ^^ ^.^^^^ j^^ ft him and "said, " Yas, Honey, it suah am. (All laugh but Campbell. He Ihrows sofa pillow ai ^ Armstrong.) Campbell. If it wasn't so much work I'd sit on ^°^\rvstrong. Oh, I don't know. cI^soT That sure was a good one on you. Beef, ?nd you a Southerner too CVvMPBELL. Oh, it's a darned be. Arvs?RONG. No it's not either; you know you -.01^ me thafyourself after you got home last mght Campbell. Well there;s no use balling a fellow cut, but here's one on Artie. Armstrong. Ah shut up ! , ., Campbell. The other night Artie weiitto^^he '-^raud to see, " For The Sake Of Her Che-ild, or ^Vn Is Not Gold That Does Not Glitter," or some- tlfg like that, and thought he l^ad a mash on h ingemie. Well after the show he ^^i^ed at the stage pntrance for her, and when she came out he bracea her She turned around and gave him the glassy eve" for about two minutes, and then said Say li\ilP hoy, hadn't you better run home, mamma wants vou." (.4// laugli hut Armstrong.) Armstrong. TUVs a darned lie. You might know the first man has no show Carson, {crossing to window) Id think you fellows would get tired joshing each other. Campbell. Oh, 'tis a lot of work, but I cant let the little runt get ahead of me. 12 FOR OLD ELI. Carson. By Jove, fellows ! Here comes All- briglit. He's coming up to pound some of Hume's phiiosophy into me. Baily. I'll bet you ten to one he can't do iL Campbell. Uuing down) 'Scuse me if I seem to take a nap. Carson. Come on, fellows, we'll let him lecture to all of us and have some fun. All. All right. {Knoclsing at door.) Carson. Pts-s-s-s ! {Loud knoching.) (Very loud knochmg.) Carson, (in monotone) Come in. {Enter xIllbright.) Allbrigiit. Good afternoon, gentlemen. All. {in monotone) Good afternoon, Professor Allbright. Allbright, You honor me too greatly, gentle- men; only Assistant Professor. All. Not at all, Professor Allbright. Allbright. I suppose, Mr. Carson, you have carefully considered the portion of Hume's " Treatise on Human Nature," which I outlined for you at our last meeting? Carson. Well, you see, Professor, I have been forced to ah — devote so much time to other subjects. You know Professor McCarty {winks at fellows) has been giving us a pretty hard course in the hundred yard dash lately. Allbright. Ah — er — Professor McCarty? Ah — I — what department does he have? Carson. He gives courses in the 100, 220, 440, 880 Allbright. Ah, Higher Mathematics. I under- FOR OLD ELI. 13 stood there was to be a new man in that department. I must cultivate his acquaintance at once. I dare say he is a very learned man. Carson. Yoii bet he is. He can't be beaten. Allbright. But, ilr. Carson, jou ^vouidn't per- mit Mathematics to take you away from the pro- found cogitations of the immortal Hume? Carson. Oh not at all, not at all, Professor; but do be seated, {motions to chair l. of desk. All- bright crosses and sits) You see, Professor, I have enjoyed so much your discourses, and tiie masterful way in which you have promulgated the profound cogitations of the immortal Hume, (aside) ahem, how's that? — that I did not want to be selfish, so have invited a few of my friends in to get tlie benefit also. Allbright. You do me a great honor, gentlemen. (he looks over desk) Carson. Pts-s-s-s ! All. (in monotone) Not at all. Professor All- bright. (.1// sit in very exaggerated listening attitudes.) Allbright. If you have any questions to ask or comments to make, I hope you will not deem it a breach of etiquette to interrupt me, gentlem.en. All. (in monotone) We shall not deem it a breach, Professor Allbright. Allbright. Thank yoiL Are we read}^ to pro- ceed, gentlemen? All. (in monotone) We are ready. Professor Allbright. Allbright. Very well, (clears tltroat) In the " Treatise on Human Xature," which is in every respect the most complete exposition of Hume's Philosophical conception, we have the first thorough- going attempt to apply the fundamental principles of Locke's empirical psychology to the construction of a theory of knowledge. Do I make myself clear, gentlemen ? 14 FOR OLD ELI. All. (in monotone) Very clear, Professor All- bright. Arjvistroxg. {uside) About as clear as mud. Allbrigiit. To resume; in the first instance then, Hume's Philosophical work is to be regarded as the attempt to supply for empiricism in Psychology a consistent, that is a logically developed theory of knowledge. In Locke {Enter Ludlow hurriedly, very much excited.) Ludlow. I say, Carson, you and Walker will have to — oh, I beg your pardon, i didn't see you fellows. How do you do, Allbright? Campbell. Professor Allbright, Freshman ! Ludlow. Excuse me. Professor Allbright Allbright. Only Assistant Professor. Ludlow. But I say, Carson, you and Walker will have to help me straighten up this room. (He picl's up hoolcs and carries them to hook-case.) Carson. What's up, Ludlow? Ludlow. Oh, there's the deuce to pay, but come on quick, fellows. {He starts to clear things off desk.) Walker. Hold on here, Ludlow, keep your shirt on. Campbell. Yes, for Heaven's sake, don't work so hard unless it's necessary. Ludlow. Well, it certainly is necessary with half a dozen girls coming here in about two minutes. All. Girls ! Ludlow. You bet your life, and some peaches too. You fellows know most of them. Carson. Who are they? Ludlow. My cousin, Alice Fairfield, she just telephoned me they were coming, you all know her, and her mother Baily. We all know her too. {All laugh.) FOR OLD ELI. 15 Ludlow. And Mary Calderwood, and Edith Van Norton, and n fii^-'id of Ali:'e's fiuui St. Margaret's, a Helen Beckwith of PittHburg, s!ie"s corae on to see the meet — and — and — Gwen Hardy. Cai!vSOX. Here's where you shine, Beef. Campbell, Just watch my snioice. (.1// start to straighten up room.) Allbrigiit. You will have to excuse me, gentle- men, {he starts to jv'el- vp tools, etc.) We shall continue our little discourse on the divine Hume at some more opportune time in the future. Carson. Oh no, Professor, don't go; stay and meet the ladies. Campbell. Sure, you will make a hit with the dragon. Allbrigiit. Very well, gentlemen, if you insist. Perhaps I shall have an opportunity to discuss the immortal Hume. Armstrong. Yes, perhaps you will — not. Carson. Ludlow, you run down to Honest John's and get some giuh. Ludlow. All right. {Exit Ludlow r. c.) Carson. This is the first time Beef has worked since the Princeton Meet. Campbell. Yes, and it is the last time I'll work till the Harvard Meet. (Walker gets broom from room l. and throve it to Armstrong, icho sweeps dirt under desk, etc. Walker goes out l. c.vl returns soon ivith coat on, Campbell stands a! ^woJc-case and Carson throws books at him. When Carson throws Allbright's book he expostulates. He piclcs it up, takes out handJcerchief and dusts it off very carefully.) Allbright. Gentlemen, gentlemen ! My Hume is not a base-ball ! l(j FOR OLD ELI. Carson. Oh, excuse us. Professor. Armstrong. I say, Beef, you want to look out for Ludlow, he will cut you out. Campbell. Don't you worry, kid, you just keep your peepers on me. {When room u in remonahJe degree of order Ludlow returns irith Lneeda biseuUs, etc. Carson has lit lamp under chafing dish and now iiial-es tea, putting in a big handful. Laughter of girls is heard outside.) Carson. By Gad, here they corne! I must get out of this sweater. (Exit Carson l. pulling off sweater.) (Enter Alice Fairfield, Edith Van Norton, Mary Calderwood, Cwen Hardy and Mrs. Fairfield r. c.) Alice. Hello, beys, awfully glad to see you (shal-es hands with Walker) Hello, Charley! Oh, pardon me! {makes deep courtesy) Captain Walker! How's the team, Captain? We've simply got to beat the Johnnies this year, xind here is Professor Allbriiiht. How do you do, Professor? {shakes hands tvith Allbright) Allbright. Only Assistant Professor. (Alice crosses to Ludlow and tliey converse. In the meantime the other girls have entered and are talking with Armstrong, Baily and Camp- bell r. c. Mrs. Fairfield follows.) Mrs. Fairfield. Well, here we are at last. How do you do everybody? {shakes hands with Walker) T rather doubted the propriety of bringing the girls up here, but they wouldn't take no for an answer. {sees Allbright) Ah, who is this? Walker. Oh, this is Professor Allbright. Mrs. Fairfield allow me to present Professor Allbright, America's foremost authority on Hume's Philosophy. FOR OLD ELI. 17 Mrs. Fairfield. I am most happy to meet you, Professor. Allbright. I am greatly honored, Madam, but I am only Assistant Professor. You know {They converse. He takes Iter to cozy corner and they sit. Walker crosses to Alice and Ludlov/ and they converse, Ludlow very seriously, motioning toward Campbell. Alice and Walker laugh. In the meantime Armstrong and Mary have crossed to the piano, Mary play- ing softly. Baily and Edith have crossed to desk, Edith sitting on chair and Baily on desk. Campbell and Gwen are seated on sofa.) GwEN. I just love runners, don't you, Mr. Camp- bell ? Campbell. Oh, now, Miss Gwen, you said last Fall you liked football players. GwEN. But this is track season, Mr. Campbell. Campbell. Well, I throw the hammer, you know. GwEN. Oh, yes, but that isn't the least bit excit- ing. All you do is to stand in a foolish little circle, and toss a little iron ball on the end of a wire. You don't have to work hard at all. Campbell. Don't we though? Gwen. No. But the runners ! Isn't it just grand the way Dick Carson runs the hundred — what do you call it — yard jump? {He expostulates and they converse. Walker, Alice an ^ Ludlow take tea around.) Allbright.. As I was saying, my dear Mrs. Fair- field, in the " Treatise on Human Nature," which is in every respect the most complete exposition of Hume's Philosophical conception, we have the first — Mrs. Fairfield. But pardon me, my dear Pro- fessor Allbright, do you think the psychical phenom- ena of Hume's philosphicaL cogitations are quite com- patible with his early training? 18 FOR OLD ELI. Alice. There, mother is in her glory now all right. Baily. Yes, Miss Edith, I have a thousanl bet on this meet. Edith. Oh, Mr. Baily, what if you should lose? Baily. It would be skiddo for me I guess. (Enter Carson l.) Cabson. Hello, everybody ! Alice. Hello, Dick ! (she shakes hands with him) Other Girls, (together) How do you do, Mr. Carson? Good afternoon. Dink, Hello, Dick! Carson. Excuse me for being late, but that is, I — ah — you see I w^isu't exactly presentable when you came in, so I just slipped on the top stair and came down. (Girls laugh.) Felloivs. (together) Rotten! Bum! Throw him out ! Etc. Carson, (shakiro hands with Mrs. Fairfield) How do you do, Mrs. Fairfield? Awfully nice of you to come up. Mrs. Fairfield. Well, Mr. Carson, as T said a few moments ngo, I doubted the propriety of bring- ing the girls up here, and I should not have done it, had it been any other room than yours. Carson, (bowing very loiv) You honor me ex- ceedingly, Madam. Alice. Come, Dick, sit down over here, and I will give you somje tea. Carson, (sitting l. of desk) Thank you, you are awfully kind. Alice. Oh, don't mention it. Ludlow, (coming dose to Carson) I say, Carson, can't you make that big lobster give me a chance ? Carson. Sure, (to Campbell) I say, Beef, look here a minute, I want to tell you something. FOR OLD ELI. 19 Campbell. Can't, I'm busy. Carson. Come on, got a great joke to tell you. Campbell. All right. I'll be right back, Miss Gwen; you'll keep my place for me won't you? GwEN. Oh, certainly. (Campbell crosses to Carson and Ludlow slips around and sits by Gwen oti l.) Campbell. Well, what is it? Carson. Why, the other day when I was coming up Chapel Street — oh you're stung, Beef, get next. (Campbell looks around and starts toward Ludlow) Campbell. You little runt— I'll— I'll— spank you. Gwen. Oh no, please don't, Mr. Campbell. There is room enough for all of us. {she moves closer to LuDLOW, making room for Campbell. I was just telling Mr. Ludlow how much I like ham* (Ca:mpbell grins and Ludlow makes grimace.) mer — ah — th — throwers. Carson. Give us a little music, Mary, can't you? Liven things up a bit. Mary. All right. What shall it be? Carson. Oh, any old thing. {She plays " Boola " and they all sing.) Carson, {at end of song) Oh I say, Alice, Ludlow said you had a friend visiting you, and that she was coming up. (All look surprised.) Alice. Why — why — where is she? She stopped downstairs to look at that picture in the hallway; she sfiid she would be right up. I — I — had completely for.Totten her. Isn't that awful? i^lRS. Fairfield. Why, what is the matter, daugh- ter? Alice. You know we left Helen downstairs and she hasn't come up yet. 20 FOR OLD ELI. Mf;s. Faikfii:ld. [rising) This is awfully shocking! Wandering around in a men's dormitory all alone. We must go and search for her im- mediately. Come, girls. Mrs. Fairfield starts for door, Allbright follow^ ing. Allbright. Pray permit me to accompany you, my dear Mrs. Fairfield. Mrs. Fairfield. Certainly, my dear Professor Allbright. {Exit Mrs. Fairfield and Allbright r, c.) Alice. Come on, everybody, this is awful. Helen will never forgive me. (starts for door) No, Dick, you stay here, we might miss her. (Exit Alice with Walker r. c.) Carson. All right. Just as you say. (In the meantime Gwen has started for tlie door accompanied hy Campbell and Ludlow. Mary and Armstrong exit together, and Edith and Baily.) Carson, (returning) By Jove that is a mix up ! (he crosses, pours out a cup of tea, and sits l. of desk. Stirs tea) Here's to good old Yale, drink it down, (he drinks tea) Bah, no wonder women get gour balled when they drink that stuff, (pause) I wonder what Walker meant when he said I was stale. Rot ! I never felt better in m.y life. And the old dad is going to be there too. Coming all the way from Europe to see me win. Win ! Win ! Gad, just watch me! Get on your marks — get set (Knocking at door.) Carson. Come in. (Enter Helen r. c.)' FOR OLD ELI. 21 Carson, (rising and coming forward) Hello — why — why — I — I — beg your pardcin. Helen. How do you do? {she steps forward holding out her hand) 1 suppot^e you are — Jack? Carson. No, I am sorry to say— that is — yes — yes — sure I'm Jack. But do sit down, (he almost forces her into chair r. of d^slc) Take oif your wraps. Have a cup of tea. {he runs to get her a cup of tea) Helen. I just knew you were. Alice has told me so much about her cousin Jack. Carson. Is that so? And she has told me so much about her friend Helen. Helen. Yes that is right. Alice said we were to begin calling each other by our first names right away. Carson. By Jove, that will be jolly ! 1 bet you can say Dick just great. Helen. Dick ! Carson. Yes, that's my — no — no — I mean Jack. Dick is my room-mate's name, Dick Carson you know. Helen. Oh ? yes I have heard of him too. Carson. Is that so? What have you heard? Helen. Oh, Alice thinks he is just fine. She says he is to be elected Captain of the Track Team for next year. She thought I would fall in love with him at first sight. Carson. Is that ?o? Well what do you think? Helen. Oh, I don't know, I think Jack is an awfully nice name. Carson, (disgustedly) Oh! Helen. Wliat ! ■ Carson. Oh. that is — thanks awfully. Slip her. We'll call it square. (They shake hands.) Helen. Say, T think you are an awfully funny fellow. Jack. 22 FOR OLD ELL Cabson. Do you? Well I think you are an awfully nice girl — Helen. Helen. Do you ? Slip her. {They shake hands.) Helen. But tell me, what do you do in the track meet ? Carson. Oh, I run the hundred and two-twenty. Helen. Is that so? I thought Alice &^.id you ran the mile; that Mr. McCarty had said that you were a comer; that some day Jack Ludlow would be as great a runner as Captain Walker. Carson. That is mighty nice of Alice to say that. You see it is this way; I used to run the mile, but just at the last minute I have been switciied to the sprints. Helen. Oh, I see. {pause) It was too bad we missed each other at the dance at St. Margaret's last year, but really it wasn't my fault. Carson. Eh — yes, yes, I was awfully sorry, but truly it was impossible for me to go. Helen. Why, Mr. Ludlow, I tliought you were there. Carson. Oh — why — yes I was there, of course I was. I — ah — was thinking of anotlier dance. Helen. Oh, let me see, what was tlie name of the man you brought with you from Andover? Carson. Why — wliy — that was — ah — that was— Gorman, yes. Bill Gorman. He's in ITnrvard now. Helen. Is that so? I thouglit hiis v.-.wuis was something like — Keating, yes, Keating, that was it I am sure. Alice had an awful crush on him. Carson. Oh yes, it was Keating that time. It was Gorman the other time. Helen. Why, I didn't know you were there but for one dance. Carson. Oh no, I didn't mean St. Margaret's. Ha, ha! Did you think I meant St. Margaret's? FOR OLD ELI. 23 Oh no. It was to the Bradford Academy dance that Gorman went with me. Helen. Oh, 1 see. Carson. Say, you're all right ! Do you know I believe I could nearly fall in love with you — H — Helen. Helen. Nearly ? Carson. No, completely, head over heels, down and out. Hele>^ Do you tell every girl that the first ten minutes you have known her? Carson. Well I should say not. It takes at least half an hour to tell some. Helen. (pouting) Oh! You — you — (sud- denly) My gracious, Jack ! Do you know what I am doing? Carson. No, what? Helen. Something awful. Carson. Something awful? Helen. I should say so! I am sitting in a college man's room without a chaperone. Carson. Is that all? I thought it was some- thing awful. Helen. Isn't that enough? And we haven't been introduced ! Carson. Do you think we need an introduction —Helen ? Helen. May be not Jack. Carson. Slip her! (They shake hands.) Helen. But my, oh, T must go now. What on earth would Mrs. Fairfield pny? I had forgotten all al^out the others. Where are they? Carson. Oh, don't go, please. They will be back soon. They went to hunt you. And — and I have eomething to tell you. Miss Beckwith. Helen, (roqnetfishlv) "Who? Carson. I — I didn't mean to say that — H — 24 FOR OLD ELI. Helen. It is awfully nice of you to let me call you that, but — i)ut — perhaps you won't want me to when I tell you. {She sits on diair n. of desk, places elbows on desk and hmd in lutnds in exaggerated listening atti- tude.) Helex, My gracious! Wliat can it be? Carson. Jt — ifs pretty serious business, and I had no idea where it was- leading me; or I never should have done it. , Helen, (mock seriousness) Oh dear, I just know you ha\e killed a man, or at least robbell a bank! Caeson. Please be serious. Keally, I am aufuily sorry, and I want you to say yon will foryALivER. It hurts some yet, but it will be all right. Keep on bathing it. Ollcott. Oh, he's got Andy, he can't get better tjlian second. ' (Harvard cheering. All turn away dejectedly.) V/alker. What did he get? Ollcott. Only second. That puts them ahead a^ain. FOR OLD ELI. 53 Baily. (outside announcing) Four-forty yard dash won by Bradford, Harvard ; Anderson, Yale, second. Time, forty-nine and one-fifth seconds. (Swipe chalJcs up points. Harvard 37. Yale 35. Harvard cheering.) Walker. How's the hammer throw? Ollcott. Beef's away ahead, and McCoy was pushing Hadley hard. There I think Baily is going to announce it. Baily. (outside announcing) Hammer throw, Campbell, Yale, first ; Hadley, Harvard, second. Dis- tance, one hundred and sixty-one feet, four and one-half inches. (Fellows in room get excited. Loud Yale cheering.) (Swipe chalhs up points. Harvard 40. Yale 40.) DwiGHT. Tied again, Gad, this is close! (Enter Foster dejectedly. He crosses to corner and sits.) Ollcott. Hard luck, Foster. They are going out for the start of the hurdles. (Enter Campbell and McCoy.) Walker. Great work. Beef. Hard luck, Tom. Campbell, (sitting on bench) Thanks, I am not going to work again for a year. How's the ankle? Walker. Better, thanks. (Enter Baily.) Baily. Last call for the two-twenty yard dash. (Crosses to Walker) I've had the referee put off the mile for a few minutes on account of your ankle. Walker. Thanks, kid. (Gun craclc is heard.) Baily. There they go in the hurdles. I must hustle. 54 i''OK OLD EIJ. (Exit Baily and Ollcott. All luatch.) DwiGHT. Oh, it's all off. Armstrong never could run the low hurdles, and Andy is too tired after the four-forty. Allison. Just wait, he may get a place yet. Croavd. (outside cheering) Harvard, Harvard, Manning, Pearson ! etc. (All turn away dejectedly.) Walker. How about it? DwiGiiT. Both first and second. Walker. Harvard ? DwiGHT. Yes. Walker. Let me try it now. (He tries to step on foot, hut sinhs baclc to bench toith a groan) Get some more hot water. {Exit tSAViPE, returning in minute iciih hot water.) Baily. {outside announcing) Two-twenty yard liurdles won by Pearson, Harvard ; Manning, Har- vard, second. Time, twenty-five and one-fifth seconds. (Swipe chalks up points. Harvard 48. Yale 40.) Campbell. Gad, that is rotten ! Eight points ahead ! Can't something be done ! (Enter Baily, Andersox and Armstrong.) Baily. How is it. Cap ? Can you run ? Walker. Yes, I'll run yet. Put on the adhesive, Mike. (Mike takes the adhesive plaster and puts it on. Gun crack is heard.) Baily. There goes the two-twenty. (Exit Baily. All watch. Cheering outside.) Campbell. Look at the kid come, would you ! Speed! Carson could beat a cyclone! 'Dwigiit. And look at Ollcott, too. If we get first and second that ties us up again. FOR OLD ELI. 55 Crowd. {outside cheering) Carson, Carson, Ollcott! Etc. Campbell. By Gad, they've done it ! Walker. What is it? Campbell. First and second. Walker. For us? Campbell. You bet your life. Baily. (outside announcing) Two hundred and twenty yard dash, won by Carson, Yale; Ollcott, Yale, second. Time, twenty-one and three-fifths seconds. The score is now tied forty-eight each. (Swipe chalks up points. Harvard 48. Yale 48.) Walker. All right, now watch me. (He tries to stand, hut again sinks to bench ivitk a groan) Get me a pair of tennis shoes. I'll try them. Mike. You can't run in tennis shoes. Cap. Walker. Let me try 'em. Mike. All right. (He gets tennis shoes and helps Walker put them on. Enter Baily.) Baily. Last call for the mile. They won't put it off any longer. Come on, old kid, win this and we've got 'em skinned. (All iuatch Walker as he tries to stand. Enter Carson. He watches too. Walker gets up and steps on foot carefully. Takes step, grits teeth, takes another and si7iks to floor with a groan. DwiGiiT. Oh, that settles our hash ! (All look dejected.) Campbell, (to Ludlow) I guess it's up to you, kid. Walker, (getting up and standing supported by Mike) No, Ludlow has done his share, and he is dead tired. It would kill him to run another mile. There is no one here who has trained for the long distance, but Jones. 5G FOR OLD ELI. Jones. Ob, I can't run the mile. Walker. No, I wasn't going to ask you to, Jones. We know 3'on can't run anything. But, fellows, it is up to one of you. It's for Yale, fellows, Yale ! Old Eli is calling. 1 can't go, I am worse than no man. But she needs someone, som.eone who dares enter that race. Someone who will stand the gatf. Who will run the mile? Carson. I will. All. Y'ou ! Carson. Y"es, I. Walker. Why, Carson, you can't do it. Y'ou never ran over a four-forty in your life. Carson. That doesn't make any difference. Yale needs me, and it is for Old Eli this time. (Exit Carson. All start for door.) Mike. Wait a minute you fellows. There goes the greatest athlete Yale ever saw, yes, and the whitest man, and you fellows turned him down with- out a hearing, and now look what he is doing for you and Yale. You are a pretty bunch, ain't you? What th' hell if he was drunk. (Yale cheers is heard very loud with three Carsons) There, the crowd sees he is going to run. Hear that cheer? Did you ever hear it given louder? Now all of you go out and help him win. (Gun crack is heard. Mike snaps watch. All exit but Mike and Walker. Mike starts to go.) Walker. Let me have the watch, ilike. Mike. All right. (He hands watch to Walker and exits.) Walker. Mike is right, he is the whitest man in Yale. Yes, and the whitest man God ever made, and I, I didn't trust him. What if he was drunk, maybe there was a reason. That girl ! Miss Beck- with ! He seems pretty hard hit. And I said he was FOR OLD ELI. 57 a disgrace to Yale. Ob, I was a selfish cad. Can 1 ever make it right with liim? Crowd (outside cheering) Harvard, Harvard! Newman, Newman ! Yale, Yale ! Carson, Carson ! Etc. Walker. There, there, they must be at the end of the first lap. (He hobbhs over to door) YeSj there they go. (Looks at watch) Sixty seconds! The first quarter must have been close to fifty-six_, and the kid is sticking like a leech. If he can only stand the gafi' till the last two-twenty he will win on \\h nerve. Poor old Yale has only one man in this. Two to one. (" Bright College Years" is started. He hobbles to feet.) Walker. There, there, they are singing, "Bright College Years." Now he will run. (Pause) There they are at the half. (Looks at watch) Two-five_, Gad, what a pace ! But he's sticking. Go it, Carson, old boy, go it ! Oh, God, if I were only there ! (He pauses till end of song, waving handkerchief above head on last two lines) Yes, for Yale, for Old Eli! Carson, Carson, you are doing it! (Very loud cheer- ing outside. He looks at vmtch) Third quarter, three-twelve! Newman's after a record, but he is bound to stop soon. Go on, Carson, go on ! Oh, here's where it hurts, old boy. I know, I know, on the last lap before the sprint. I know, I have been there, but' stick to him, stick to him! (Cheering outside) He's getting ready for his sprint. Not yet, boy, not yet ! Wait till he starts ! Wait till he starts! Wait till he starts! But watch him, watch him close, watch him, watch him — now! Now, boy, go it, go it ! Yale, Yale ! Go on ! Yale ! Carson ! (Verj/ loud rh^ering outside) He's even, yes he is, now, boy, it'? only a little way! He's got him, he'a got him ! He's passed him ! Carson ! Carson ! Carson ! 68 FOR OLD ELI. (Very loud Yale cheering. Walker sinks to bench exhausted. Enter crowd yelling. Campbei.i. and McCoy carrying Carson on their shoul- ders. Carson has hunch of violets in his hands.) CURTAIN. ACT IV. Library and den of Alice Fairfield's home. Even- ing following Yale-Harvard Track Meet. Door with portieres c. Door l. Fireplace iviih ingle-nook seats r. Morris chair before fire- place. Divan r. of c. d. Piano l. Table witJt two chairs about c. Small desk with two tele- phones L. On rise of curtain room is lighted only by firelight. Helen is discovered seated in Morris chair before fire. (Enter Alice c. She starts toward fireplace and sees Helen.) Alice. Oh, hello, dear; I didn't know you had come down yet. (Pause) What's the matter, honey, why so pensive? Helen, (feigning surprise) Oh, nothing, why? Alice. Oh, nothing, why? Why, my dear, you have a look in your eyes as if your thoughts were a thousand miles away or — or — perhaps they were only about a mile, in a certain room in Vanderbilt Hall. Sprinters, who can jump in at the last minute and do a mile, in record time, are danj^erous. Helen. Now, Alice, please don't. You know Alice. Yes, I know you were so excited you threw him your violets when he finished. Helen. Of course I was excited. Didn't I want Yale to win? But I should have thrown them to anyone. FOR OLD ELI. 59 Alice. Yes, and when they were coming down tlie home stretch didn't you cry with all your might, " Come on, Dick ! Come on ! Come on ! " Oh, I was watching you. Helen. Oh, Alice, you must never tell anyone. I didn't realize what I was doing. Alice. No, perhaps not, but the fact remains that you were more than ordinarily interested. Helen. But, dear, you know I can never, never forgive him. Alice. Never forgive him for what? Fooling you or — or — the other? Helen. I can never forgive him for either. It makes me angry yet when I think how he deceived me. There was absolutely no call for it, and then — and then — the other — oh I can't bear to even think of that. Alice. Helen, dear, do you know I think we made a horrible mistake. Dick Carson never drank a drop of liquor before in his life, and I cannot believe he did so this time without some reason for it. Helen. What reason could there be? Alice. I don't know, (pause) but I have heard of men getting drunk when tiiey had been jilted. Helen. What do you mean? Alice. You know you turned him down pretty hard, dear — and then — — Helen. Well I am glad he did if he is that kind of a man ! Alice. Oh, I don't believe that was it after all, anyway I have sent him a special note asking him to come to-night. I told him I was sorry for the way we treated him yesterday, that I trusted him and wanted to see him, and if he comes you must be nice to him. {Teleplione hell rings. Alice turns on UqJits, qoes to dcsTc and sits. She speaJcs before taking down receiver.) GO FOR OLD ELI. Alice. Promise me please, dear. Helen. Yes, I'll tr}^, but we must have a formal introduction. Alice. Oli, certainly if you want it. (she takes down receiver) Hello — Itello — site hangs up receiver and takes down other one) Hello — yes this is G708 — yes ]\Irs. Fairfield's — Who? — Gwen Hardy? — Yes she's here. I'll call her; just hold your phone, please. (places receiver on table and goes to door and calls) Gwen, oh Gwen, dear! You are wanted at the ph.one, dear, (she goes hack to phone and talks) Hello — no, but she will be right down, (puts doivn receiver and crosses to Helen) Oh dear, such popularity! Helen. Which one is it this time ? (Enter Gwen c.) Gwen. Which phone is it, Alice? (looks at phones) Oh yes, I see. (she crosses to phones and then turns and looks at other girls, showing that she wants them to go) Alice, (laughing) Come, Helen. (Helen rises and they start out c.) I think maybe we are de trop. (as they reach door she calls hack) Five minutes limit, Gwen. (Exit Helen and Alice laughing.) (Gwen sits down and takes up receiver.) Gwen. Hello — yes this is Gwen — Oh it's you, Mr. Campbell ?— What— Oh, did I?— All right then, William — what? — William is too dignified? Y'ou don't want me to call you Willie, do you? — AAHiat? — just plain Will? — All right then, Plain Will — (other telephone hell rings) — oh dear, wait just a minute please, (takes doivn other receiver and puts it to other ear) Hello — (turns to 1st phone) — Wait just a minute, (turns to 2nd phone) Yes this is Main 6048 — yes this is Gwen. (turns to 1st phone) Wait just a minute. — \Vhat? — There is no one hp'-e. - — (turns to 2nd phone) — What? — Oh it's you, Mr. I FOR OLD ELI. (Ji Ludlow — (to 1st phone) No, lie's not. {to 2nd phone) There is no one lieie. Wait just a minute please, {to 1st phone) If you don't wait just a minute I'll never speak to you again, William Camp- bell, {to 2nd phone) No he's not, really he's not, Mr. Ludlow.— Oh did I ?— All right, John— what?— John is too dignified?— Just plain Jack — all right PI — {to 1st phone) How many dances? I shan't give you any if you don't wait. — No — no — don't hang- up, W — Will. I'll — I'll talk to you in just a minute. (to 2nd phone) How many dances? — I shan't give you any — What? — Oh no, don't hang up — {to Isi phone) Oh no, don't — hello — hello — oh dear, he's gone, (to 2nd phone) Oh no, don't — hello — hello — hello — oh dear, he's gone too. {hangs up receivers and stands up) My gracious, I hope I haven't made them both angry! {crosses to table c.) Oh dear, what am I to do? (sees pliotograph and pichs it up) Oh, here is a perfectly dear picture of Mr. Lud — J a — Jack in his track suit. I shall ask Alice to give it to me. {Enter Helen, Edith, Mary and Alice c. Helen and Edith Cross to fireplace.) Alice. Time's up, Gwen. Mary. Which is to be the lucky one this time, Gwen ? Gwen. Oh, gracious, I don't know. Alice. Methinks it was William's melodious voice I heard over the telephone, {mode seriousness) Look here, young lady, I won't stand for you trifling with the young affections of my Cousin Jack. Gwen. Oh no — I — I — won't, Alice — Oh yes, here is a perfectly dear picture of Jack — I mean Mr. Ludlow in his track suit. Won't you give it to me, Alice dear? (Mary crosses to piano and looks over music.) Alice. I am afraid I couldn't, and then what would William say? (^2 FOR OLD ELI. GwEN. Oil dear, I had forgotten ail about {ii;ii ! Alice, {laughing) I am afraid you are a fickle little flirt, Gwen. (Enter Mrs. Fairfield c.) Mrs. Fairfield. Good evening, girls, I ara awfully glad to see you. (Mary and Edith bow and smile. Alice crosses to Mary.) Gwen. How do you do, Mrs. Fairfield ? Mrs. Fairfield, {crossing to her) Well, my dear, it has been a very exciting day, hasn't it ? Gwen. I should say so, and you should bo awfr.lly proud of Jack. Wasn't he Just fine in the two — mile — run? See, Alice, I knew what the name of it was this time. Alice. Yes, but, Gwen dear, haven't you forgotten how grand William was in the hammer throw and shot put? {Alice laughs) Gwen. Oh gracious yes. Wasn't he just — just divine, Mrs. Fairfield? Mrs. Fairfield. (sitting l. of table) Yes indeed. Oh you foolish little girl ! (pause) Well our friend Richard Carson did remarkably well after his disgraceful conduct. Alice. Mother, I think we have all been mistaken, thai, is, I don't think we understand all of the circum- stances. Mrs. Fairfield. 1 don't think there are any further circumstances to understand. Allbright. (outside) No, I thank you, I shall enter ijumediately. Mrs. Fairfield. Ah, here is our dear friend Professor Allbright. Allbright. Good evening, ladies. All. Good evening, Professor Allbright. Allbright. Only Assistant Professor. Mrs. Fairfield, (advancing to shal-e bauds) FOR OLD ELI. 53 We are delighted that you honor us witli your presence this evening. Allbright. The pleasure is all mine, my dear Mrs. Fairfield. Mhs. Fairfield. Oh, now, don't be selfish, my dear Professor Allbright, allow us at least a part of the pleasure. Come, let us be seated. (She leads liim to divan L. of door and they sit talk- ing earnestly.) Edith. Yes, it certainly was a great meet ! Fifty- one to fifty-three ! But tell me, what do you think about Dick Carson, did he get drunk purposely? Helen. I am sure I do not know, Edith. There, you mustn't be too hard on him. (Enter Ludlow c.) Ludlow, Hello, everybody ! All. Hello, Jack ! Etc. etc. Ludlow, Thought I'd come early and avoid the rush. Alice, (cominfj forward and tailing both his hands) Good ! We're awfully glad to see you, Jack, old boy, and we are as proud of you as can be! I'd kiss you right here if it were not for all these people. Ludlow, Come on, you folks, you're excused. Alice. No nothing like that. Jack, Ludlow. Oh, very well, such is always my fiitc. Mrs. Fairfield. John, aren't you going to allow your old aunt to congratulate you ? Ludlow. You bet your life, (he crosses to her and shakes hands bowing very low) Yours is the one that counts most, (GwEN turns up her nose.) Allbright, I understand, my young friend, that you have brought glory to Yale by your exertions upon the Athletic Field to-day. If you acquit your- •self as credibly with your academic curriculum 64 FOR OLD ELI. throughout your course, we shall all have reason to be proud of you. Ludlow. Thanks Prof., I shall try. {he returns to others) But say; wasn't it great? Fifty-three to fifty-one ! And the way Carson ran the mile ! And he never ran over a four-forty in iris life before. But it was for Yale ! Say, what won't a fellow do for Yale? Alice. But tell us. Jack, hew did he happen to run the mile? We all felt pretty gloomy when poor Charley sprained his ankle, and then when we saw Dick come out when the mile v/as called, we didn't know what to make of it till the race was started. Ludlow. Well you see it was this way ; when Cap sprained his ankle there wasn't anyone to run the mile, so he called for a volunteer to do it. I tell you he made a great plea for Yale ! There wasn't a man there but would have done it or killed himself trying; but Carson was too quick for them. He just butted right in and said, " I will." We couldn't believe our ears at first, because when all the fellows turned him down at the beginning of the meet, he told us he was done with us and Y^ale too, and I d:dn"t l)lame him either. But there he was saying it sure 'nuff. " Carson, you can't do it," Cap said, " You never ran over a four-forty in your life." " That doesn't make any difference ! Yale needs me, and it is for Old Eli this time." Y^ou all saw the race. I wouldn't have missed it for a million dollars ! Think of it! After he had won three events already, and broken one record to run a race like that ! Run ! Why Carson is the greatest runner that ever lived ! Well as you know, everyone Avent clear plumb crazy when he beat Newman out, and his father came and hustled him off to his room in an auto before any of the fellows had a chance to square things with him. I tell you what, the old man was proud of Dick. You know he used to be quite a long distance runner himself when he was in Yale along in the seventies. FOR OLD ELI. (35 Alice. Well, 1 .should think he would be proud. Ludlow. But 1 must tell you why Carson was (It'unk. Alice. Oh, do you know? Ludlow. You bet I do, I knew all along tliere was some good reason for it, but it wasn't v;hat I thought. {he looks at Helen. She looks down) Alice. What was it? {she looks at Helen) Ludlow. Well, after the meet Mike got us all in the dressing room, turned everyone else out and gave us thunder. Gad, but that man can swear! He can make a drunken Irishman on St. Patrick's Day look like a Methodist minister when it comes to swearing. Alice. W^ell, what has swearing got to do with Dick? Ludlow. Well you know Dick had gone stale. Alice. Yes. Ludlow. So Mike had given him champagne {all. girls start) to try to bring him around, in time for the meet, and he got good and gloriously! drunk., . (Edith whispers something to Helen. Helen shakes her head.) Alice. But why didn't he tell everyone before? , . Ludlow. Because Dick needed something to goad him on; at least Mike said he did, but I don't believe it. Alice. We all owe Dick an apology. Oh I do hope he will come to-night ! LuDLOM\ Yes, he's coming all right. He's gone to the train with his father, but said he would be here later. Alice. Gh, I am so glad! ' . . Mrs. Fairfield. Y''es,