Price 25 Cents The Man Without a Country An Original Dramatization of Edward Everett Hale's Story By FRED L. PAULY MARCH BROTHERS, Publishers 208, 210, 212 Wright Ave. LEBANON. O. The Man Without a Country An Original Dramatization of Edward Everett Hale's Story FRED 1/PAULY MARCH BROTHERS, Publishers 208, 210, 212 Wright Ave., LEBANON, OHIO ^ Copyright, 1917. by MARCH BROTHERS ©CI,D 487 IG DEC 3i 1917 The Man Without a Country A dramatization of Edward Everett Hale's well-known story arranged for high schools and other advanced grades ACTS I. The Court Martial at Fort Adams, 1807. II. The Captain's Cabin on the "Nautilus," 1807 (three scenes). III. On the deck of the "Intrepid," 1820. IV. The Ballroom on the "Warren," 1847. V. Nolan's Cabin on the "Levant," 1863. CHARACTERS Colonel Morgan, who presides at the court martial. Several other officers who make up the court. A witness, one of the officers. A marshal, one of the officers. Two soldiers, who act as guards. Captain Shaw, of the "Nautilus." Officer Gridley, his orderly. 4 THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY Captain Vaughn, of the "Intrepid." Captain Heindrich, of the slave trading vessel. Three or more slaves. Mrs. Graff, a famous Southern beauty. Several other ladies. A cabin boy. Captain Danforth, of the "Levant." Several other officers and sailors of the ships "Nautilus," "Intrepid," "Warren" and "Levant." A doctor. Lieutenant Philip Nolan, "The Man with- out a Country." COSTUMES The army and navy officers should wear the regulation- uniforms ; those actually worn at the time of the various scenes are preferred. One boy could take the part of the Captain in all the scenes, if he changes his make-up and gen- eral appearance. In a large school this honor could be shared among several. The soldiers, sailors, slaves, etc., are dressed as their names suggest. Mrs. GraiT and the ladies in the ballroom scene should be dressed accordingly, but the ef- fect will be greater if they can wear costumes THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY worn before the war of '61 -'65. An unlimited number of both boys and girls can be used m this scene. Nolan wears a blue army uniform, with plani buttons after the first act. His make-up should show the advance of years in each act until the last, when his hair should be snow-white. Ihis aging need not appear in any of the other char- acters. ^ ■ SETTINGS The stage settings should be as well chosen as possible to suggest^ the surroundings and in most cases quite simple. The flag may be used in some The flag is not kept from Nolan s sight, for it was always flown in full view from the various ships on which he lived. The last act reveals the fact that he constantly kept count of the stars in the flag. TIME From one to one and one-half hours, accord- ing to the time consumed in some acts. By ar- rano-ing patriotic musical numbers, either vocal or mstmmental, between the acts, a program of two hours can be easily planned. DIRECTIONS The words of the play are few but the actions are many. Probablv no story has been vvntten with more dramatic scenes. Each scene is full b THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY of patriotic fervor, loyalty to country and to duty, pity, pathos and remorse. The words should be spoken deliberately, emphatically and dramatically, never hurriedly. This play can be given successfully only after much careful prep- aration and practice. It was written for a pur- pose and this revival of the story is timely. Act I. — The court martial at Fort Adams, i8oy. [A group of army officers, acting as court and jury, are seated on one side. Seated and facing them is Lieutenant Philip Nolan. Two soldiers stand on each side of a door in the rear. An officer acting as marshal or bailiff stands near. A zmtness is in the chair.] Colonel Morgan [the presiding officer] : State to the court what you know of Lieutenant Nolan's part in this plot. Witness : For some months Lieutenant No- lan has refused to share our shooting, rowing, or other sports. He spends most of his time writing letters, which he closely guards. One day I saw him mail a letter addressed to Aaron Burr. Morgan : Do you know whether or not he ever received any word from Burr? Witness: No, I do not, but everyone knows that Burr always paid Nolan special attention on his several trips to Fort Massac. I know THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY 7 that they frequently strolled together or rowed on the river together. Morgan : That will do. You are excused. [Witness exits.] Lieutenant Nolan, arise! We have heard it testified by this and other witnesses that you are sick of the service and have at times shown a willingness to be false to it. You have acted queerly and refrained from associat- ing with your brother officers. It has been shown that you were a special friend of that arch traitor, Aaron Burr; that when he visited Fort Massac and claimed he had an army be- hind him and would soon form an empire, you promptly stepped out and joined his forces. The evidence, Lieutenant Nolan, is decidedly against you. The court has carefully weighed every word. It has given you credit for your previous good behavior and faithfulness as an officer, but it can do nothing at this time except pronounce against you. Before passing sentence the court asks if you have anything to offer as evidence of your faithfulness to the United States? Nolan [looks around at all present, hesitates, then in a frenzy shouts] : Damn the LInited States ! I wish 1 may never hear of the United States again ! Morgan [steps back, shocked, drops in his chair for a moment, then gets up and zvith zvhite face and pointing finger] : Prisoner, hear the sentence of the Court ! The Court decides, sub- ject to the approval of the President, that you 8 THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY shall never hear the name of the United States again. [Nolan laughs. Everyone else is ex- tremelv sober. He sobers.] Mr. Marshal, take the prisoner to New Orleans in an armed boat and deliver him to the naval commander there. [The marshal gives the orders and the two sol- dier's take the prisoner out of the court-room.] Mr. Marshal, see that no one mentions the United States to the prisoner. Mr. Marshal, take my respects to Lieutenant Mitchell at New Orleans and request him to order that no one shall men- tion the United States to the prisoner while he is on board ship. You will receive your written order from the officer on duty here this evening. [The marshal turns to leave. Morgan turns to his fellow officers.] The court is adjourned with- out day. [Curtain.] Act II, Scene 1. — TJic Captain's cabin on the "Nautilus," i8o/. [Captain Shazv is seated at his desk. An officer enters and salutes.] Officer Gridley : Captain Shaw, I have the honor to report that the gentleman has been lodged in his stateroom and here are your orders. Captain Shaw : Open and read them, Grid- ley. My eyes are bad tonight. Gridley [reads very slozu'ly and emphatically] : "Sir : You will receive from Lieutenant Mitchell the person of Philip Nolan, late a lieutenant in the United States Army. THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY ^ "This person on his trial by court-martial expressed with an oath, the wish that he might "never hear of the United States agam.' "The Court sentenced him to have his wish fulfilled. "For the present, the execution of the order is in- trusted by the President to this department. "You will take the prisoner «" .bo-'^'-d ^0;;; ^^ip and keep him there with such precautions a. shall pre%ent his escape. "You will provide him with such quarters, rations and c?othing as would be proper for an officer of s £te rank if he were a passenger on your vessel on the business of his Government. "The gentlemen on board will make any arrange- ments a-reeable to themselves regarding ^is societv 1 e s to be exposed to no indignity of any kind, nor L he ever unnecessarily to be reminded that he is a prisoner. "But under no circumstances is he ever to hear of his cointry or to see any information regarding ,t ; aiid on wil especially caution all the officers under your omn^nd't? take 'care that, in the various -du^ences which may be granted, this rule in which h.s punish ment is involved, shall not be broken. "It is the intention of the Government that he shall never ^gain ee the countrv which he has disowned. Before t^ie end of your cruise .you will receive orders which will give effect to this intention. ^_ Signed : The Secretary of the Navy. Shaw [musingly]: Well!. Wf, but theti orders are orders. Gridlev, gtve the other offi- cers the orders as you have just read them. Also give ati order that this man shall speak to none of the men unless an officer is present. [Grid- 10 THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY ley salutes and starts to leave.] By the way, Gridley, what kind of clothes is he wearing now? Gridley : His regular lieutenant's uniform, sir. Shaw : Let him retain the uniform, the order so reads, but remove the buttons and substitute plain ones, for the buttons are marked U. S. [Gridley exits. Curtain.] Scene 2. — Same, a few months later. [Sev- eral officers are seated, talking. Shazv is cutting notices out of a nezvspaper.] Shaw : There ! I guess this is ready for "Plain Buttons." Gridley, call him in. [Gridley exits.] I am getting sick of this duty already. I hate to offer him such a perforated paper [holds it up], but duty is duty. I wish I could do some- thing to help this unfortunate man. [Nolan en- ters, folloived by Gridley.] Good evening, Mr. Nolan ; here's a paper for you. It was received in the mail transferred from the ship we just passed. Nolan: Thank you, sir. [Starts to leave.] Shaw [kindly] : Won't you sit down and chat with us a while? [Nolan takes seat.] Here's a new book we've been enjoying. I think you will like it. It's poetry bv that Englishman, Scott— Sir Walter Scott. Nolan : I shall be pleased to read it. THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY 11 Shaw : Suppose you read some aloud now. We like to hear you read. Nolan [^cafi' himself, opens book and be- gins to read the sixth canto] : "Breathes there a man with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said," — [All present begin to look at each other.] "This is my own, my native land !" [All grozv quite nervous. Nolan turns pale, but plunges on.] "Whose heart hath ne'er within him burned, As home his footsteps he hath turned From wandering on a foreign strand? If such there breathe, go mark him well"' — [Some of the officers rise and begin studying maps on the wall. Nolan clears his throat and starts again.] '"For him no minstrel raptures swell ; High though his titles, proud his name, Boundless his wealth as wish can claim, Despite these titles, power, and pelf, The wretch, concentered all in self," — [Nolan chokes, stops reading, flings the book dozvn and darts out of the room. Curtain.] Scene 3. — Same, several years later. [Shazu at his desk; Cridley enters and salutes.] Gridley: Sir, the good ship "Intrepid" stands by. She is bound for the Mediterranean and she asks that we take her pouch of home- ward bound mail. 12 THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY Shaw : Certainly. You say she is bound for the Mediterranean? Then why not transfer No- lan, so we can go home ourselves ? Gridley : The men are all homesick, sir, and we are so near. Shaw: Send Nolan in. [Exit Gridley.] I hate to part with him after all. He is such an interesting passenger. He seems quite changed since that episode here in this cabin, when he un- knowingly read those lines of Scott on patriot- ism. At first he considered his imprisonment a mere farce, but now he seems to be a heart- broken man. [Enter Nolan.] Mr. Nolan, pack up your traps, for we are going to transfer you to the "Intrepid," bound for the Mediterranean. Nolan [shozving surprise and disappoint- ment] : Why! Sir! I thought from the stars and the other signs that we were nearing home. [He breaks doimi and cries. Curtain.} Act hi. — On the deck of the "Intrepid," 1820. [Several ofUcers, hot and someivhat dis- heveled after a sharp skirmish, are standing in a group. The captain of the rival vessel approaches follozt'ed by tzvo officers.] Captain Vaughn : So you have struck your flag at last ! We'll teach you to run this block- ade ! Didn't you know the importation of slaves is now prohibited? THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY 13 Captain Heindrich : Yes ; but a man must make a living, and lots of your people are not m favor of this new law. Vaughn: Why didn't you stop when we fired across your bow? Heindrich : Thought we were the faster ves- sel and could get away. Vaughn: You were not so fast, but your men are some scrappers. We are in these waters watching for just such fellows, and we are pre- pared to enforce the law. Since you would not permit us to search your vessel and have been forced to surrender in the sharp little fight we have just had, I must ask you to give up your sword. [Heindrich gives his szvord to Vaughn.] Officers, take him below and put him under a strong guard. [Turning.] Where is Mr. No- lan? Ask Mr. Nolan to come here. [Nolan im- mediately steps out, zvithout coat or collar and very milch disheveled, somezvhat bloody, as the result of the fighting.] How came you into com- mand of one of the guns? Nolan: A round shot from the enemy en- tered one of our ports square and took right down the officer of the gun himself and almost every man of the gun's crew. So I rushed up, grabbed the rammer and helped the men fire the gun. Vaughn: You certainly did valiant service. Your gun was fired twice as often as any other gun on the ship. 14 THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY Nolan : Thank you. I was just showing them how we do it in the artillery, sir. Vaughn : Mr. Nolan, we are all very grate- ful to you today ; you are one of us today ; you will be named in the despatches. [Vaughn hands Nolan Heindrich's sivord and makes him put it on. Nolan is overcome.] Nolan : Sir, I have not worn a sword since — ■ [Officers rush u[>, pulling tivo or three negro slaves from the other vessel and interrupt Nolan.'] Officer : Captain, can anyone here speak Portuguese? We can't make out a blooming thing these niggers say. [The slaves tremble and keep jabbering.] Vaughn: Who here can speak Portuguese? Nolan : I can, sir. Vaughn : Tell us what these niggers say. Nolan: I will if I can, sir. It is very poor Portuguese that they are speaking, sir. [Nolan goes up to slaves and says a fczv zvords. They say much, in a frightened, jabbering manner.] Vaughn : Tell them they are free, and tell them that these rascal traders are to be hanged as soon as we can get rope enough. [Nolan speaks again, and the slaves give a yell of de- light, zuave their arms, dance np and down, fall on the deck and kiss Nolaji's feet, then rush for THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY 15 the Captain, ivhcn they are caught and held by several officers.] Vaughn [ivell pleased] : Tell them that I will take them all to Cape Palmas. [Nolan speaks again. The slaves are frightened and speak.] Slaves: Ah, non Palmas. Vaughn [eagerly]: What do they say? Nolan [embarrassed, tviping his forehead as though perspiring]: They say, "Not Palmas; take us home, take us to our own country, take usto our own house, take us to our own pick- aninnies and our own women." One says he has an old father and mother who will die if they do not see him. And this one says he left his people all sick and paddled down to Fer- nando Po to beg the white doctor to come and help them, and that these devils caught him in the bay just in sight of home, and that he has never seen anybody from home since then. And this one says [Nolan chokes] that he has not heard a word from his home in six months, while he has been locked up in that infernal barracoon. [All officers show embarrassment and pit\, chiefly for- Nolan.] Vaughn [deeply moved] : Tell them yes, yes, yes. Tell them they shall go to their own homes, if it takes us all summer. [Nolan speaks again to the slaves, and they rejoice.] Nolan [aside] : After all, there's no place like home. [Curtain.] 16 THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY Act IV. — Ballroom on the "Warren," 184-/. {The ship is anchored in the Bay of Naples. Sev- eral officers and visiting ladies, appropriately dressed, are zvalking around and dancing. This act may he lengthened or shortened, as desired. Any number of persons may take part in the dance. A full orchestra may be used, but only the old-time dances should be given, as the "Vir- ginia Reel," "Money Musk," the "Colonial Min- uet," etc. Nolan comes in near the end of the dancing, walks toward front of stage, and talks to tzvo officers. At the close of the music he speaks.] Nolan [laughing] : That story reminds me of an adventure I had with my cousin while try- ing to catch wild horses in Texas. [The tzvo officers start. Nolan eyes them.] Pray, what has become of Texas? After the Mexicans got their independence I thought that province of Texas would come forward very fast. It is really one of the finest regions on earth ; it is the Italy of this continent. But I have not seen or heard a word of Texas for many years. Officer : Texas is out of the map, Mr. No- lan. Let us now join the dancers. [They zvalk off. Nolan stands nonplussed. Just then the or- chestra strikes up the "Star Spangled Banner" and Nolan stands attention, but the captain rushes up and stops the orchestra. Everyone is embarrassed. One of the ladies, Mrs. Graff, a celebrated Southern beauty of those days, steps up to Nolan.] THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY 17 Mrs. Graff: Have you forgotten me, Mr. Nolan ? Nolan : I certainly have not forgotten vou, Miss Rutledge. May I have the honor of a dance ? Mrs. Graff: I am not Miss Rutledge any longer, Mr. Nolan, but I will dance all the same. [They dance zuith several other couples. At the close they zualk, talking, and come to the front of the stage.] Nolan : And what do vou hear from home, Mrs. Graff? Mrs. Graff [looking hint through and through haughtily] : Home ! Mr. Nolan ! ' I thought you were the man who never wanted to hearof home again. [She zvalks off. Nolan zvalks to one side, completely subdued. All others exit on left; a cabin boy dressed in uniform enters on right.] Boy : ^\'hat's the matter, IMr. Plain Buttons ? Can I help you? NoLAX : Youngster, I hope you will never know what it is to be without a family, without a home and without a country. And if you are ever tempted to say a word or to do a thing that shall put a bar between you and your family, your home and your country, pray God in His mercy to take you that instant home to His own heaven. Stick by your family, boy ; forget you have a self, while you do everything for them. 18 THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY Think of your home, boy ; write and send and talk about it. Let it be nearer and nearer to your thought the farther you have to travel from it; and rush back to it when you are free. And for your country, boy, and for that flag [poi)its to the fJ(ig] never dream a dream but of serving her as she bids you, though the service carry you through a thousand hells. No matter what hap- pens to you, no matter who flatters you or who abuses you, never look at another flag; never let a night pass but you pray God to bless that flag. Remember, boy, that behind all these men you have to do with, behind officers and government and people even, there is the Country Herself, your Country, and that you belong to Her as you belong to your own mother. Stand by Her, boy, as you would stand by your mother, through thick and thin. Boy [frightened] : Yes, sir, I will. I never intended to do anything else. Nolan [iu a hoarse ?vhisper] : O if some- body had only said so to me when I was of your aee ! \ Curtain.] Act V. — Nolan's cabin on the "Levant," i86^. [On one zvall is a picture of Washington, ivith a Hag draped over it. A drazving of an old map of the United States as described belozv is on the other ivall. A narroiv bunk is on one side and a small table zvith a Bible is near. Nolan is ill and confined to his bed.] THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY 19 Captain Danforth [entering] : The doctor has just told me you are ill, so I have called. [He sees Washington and the flag. He stops and stares.] Nolan [joyously] : Here, you see, I have a country ! [He points to the map.] I have drawn it from memory. See the Indiana Territory, the Mississippi Territory and the Louisiana Terri- tory as I remember them, and I have tried to patch in Texas, too. [He looks at Danforth.] captain, I know I am dying. I can not get home. Surely you will tell me something now. Stop ! stop ! Do not speak till I say what I am sure you know, that there is not in this ship, that there is not in America — God bless her ! — a more loyal man than I. There can not be a man who loves the old flag as I do or prays for it as 1 do, or hopes for it as I do. There are thirty- four stars in it now, Danforth. I thank God for that, though I do not know what their names are. There has never been one taken away ; I thank God for that. I know by that that there has never been any successful Burr. O Dan- forth, Danforth, how like a wretched night's dream a boy's idea of personal fame or of sepa- rate sovereignty seems when one looks back on it after such a life as mine! But tell me — tell me something — tell me everything, Danforth, be- fore I die ! Danforth : Mr. Nolan, I will tell you every- thing you ask about. Only where shall I begin ? 20 THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY Nolan [smiling and pressing Danforth's hand] : God bless you! [He points to the stars in the flag.] Tell me their names. The last I know is Ohio. My father lived in Kentucky. But I have guessed Michigan and Indiana and Mississippi — that was where Fort Adams was — they make twent}^ But where are your other fourteen? You have not cut up any of the old ones, I hope? Danforth [roughly sketching the states on the map as he repeats them sloivly. A stencil map shoiving the territory of the United States after the Louisiana Purchase can he used to transfer the outline to a large sheet of paper and then colored to represent Nolan's map, or a sten- cil map of the United States as it is today can be used to transfer the faint outline to paper and only the part knoivn to Nolan filled in, then Dan- forth can easily follozv the outlines and quickly fill in the other states as he slowly names them. These stencil maps may be secured from March Brothers, Lebanon, Ohio, for 10 cents each] : Besides Mississippi in the south we have Ala- bama, Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas. Nolan : Yes, yes, Texas. My only cousin died down in Texas. See, I have placed a gold cross where I suppose his grave is. Danforth [continuing] : Over here in the east, Maine. In the central west, Illinois, Mis- souri, Iowa and Kansas. Further north. Wis- THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY 21 consin and Minnesota, and in the far, far west, California and Oregon. Nolan : Oh ! Our grand old country now stretches to the Pacific. I suspicioned so much because I was never permitted to land on that coast. I have often seen the sailors bearing off furs. [A pause.] What happened to the Chesa- peake? What was done to Barron for surren- dering her? Danforth : Oh ! That was away back in 1807. Barron was not punished because he first refused to permit his ship to be searched and only gave in after the "Leopard" had fired on him and he was unable to return the fire. The "Chesapeake" remained in the service of the United States until it was captured by the British frigate "Shannon" in 1813. Her captain, James Lawrence, was killed early in the fight. As his men were carrying him below, mortally wounded, he cried, "Don't give up the ship !" Nolan : How grand ! How heroic ! Would that Burr had been that kind ! Was Burr ever tried again? [Here he grinds his teeth and for a moment reveals deep passioJi.] Danforth: No; but he never had the public confidence again. Nolan : And what about dear old David Porter? 22 THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY Danforth : He was one of the first success- ful American captains in the naval battles of the War of 1812. His son, also a David Porter, is a commander in the United States Navy today. Nolan : Who now commands the "Legion of the West?" Danforth : A gallant officer named Grant. He is about to establish his headquarters at Vicksburg. Nolan: Where is Vicksburg? [Danforth points it out on the map.] It must be at old Vick's plantation that I often visited. What a change! [A pause, then suddenly']: Who is President now ? Danforth : x^braham Lincoln. Nolan : Is he General Benjamin Lincoln's son? I met old General Lincoln when I was quite a boy at an old Indian treaty. Danforth : No. Old Abe, as we call the President, is a Kentuckian like you. I don't know his family. He worked his way up from the ranks. Nolan : Good for him ! I am glad of that ! [Another pause.] This is all so interesting. You see I am like Robinson Crusoe asking all the ac- cumulated questions of fifty-six years. Tell me more. THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY 23 Danforth: Rest awhile, then I shall tell more. You shall know all you wish. [Nolan turns over and Danforth walks over to the map. He turns and speaks aside.] No, no. I can't tell him a word about this infernal rebellion. It would break his heart, and he is so weak now. How he loved his country ! Nolan [turning and saying feebly] : Captain, a drink, please. [A glass is handed him.] Now I shall go to sleep. Look in my Bible, Captain, when I am gone. [Nolan turns over, Danforth leaves room, lights are turned off for a moment to shozv passing of time. As they are turned on Danforth, zvith the doctor and two or three oth- ers, return to the room.] Doctor [looking at Nolan] : He has gone. [The others start.] He has breathed his last. See the smile on his face. He is no longer "A Man without a Country." Officer [picking up a ribbon and medal] : He had this pressed close to his lips. It is his fa- ther's badge of the Order of the Cincinnati. Danforth [looking in Nolan's Bible] : This verse is marked: "But now they desire a better country that is an heavenly: Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God : for He hath prepared for them a city." And on this slip of paper he has written: "Bury me in the sea; it has been my home and I love it. But will not 24 THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY some one set up a stone for my memory at Fort Adams or at New Orleans, that my disgrace may not be more than I ought to bear? Say on it: " 'In memory of " 'PHILIP NOLAN, " 'Lieutenant in the Army of the United States. "'He loved his country as no other man has loved her; but no man deserved less at her hands' " (Curtain.) LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 016 117 446 4 #