Author . itie xnprint . IG — iTwn-2 aro 7 5T] r J Sl^e QiJ^e9 of tl;^ ^ast; OR THE MARCH OF PROGRESS. Being a History, in Outline, of the G-rowth and Development of the City of Meri- dian, Mississippi, from the Earliest Period of Its Existence to the Present Time, in the Jorm of ^^^,^ A PLAY, To be Presented at the Opera House in Meridian by a Company of La,dies and Gren- tlemen of the City, in the interest of a Fnnd to be started for the Purpose of erecting a Monument over the G-raves of the Confederate Dead, in Rose Hill Cemetery, in said city. T7s7"ritterL :E]specia-ll37" for tl:Le Occa-sionx BY ONE OF THE OLDEST INHABITANTS. We live for the Present and Future — loving the Past. ->^^-» NlAY, 1889. :^<; JIJN 8 1889 ^'J/ Copyi'ifiljLt, 1889, by E, H, riial. All rifrhts reserved- to Cast of Chiaracters. Meridian. Oarpbt-Bagger, Negro, ^ Jim, Ka Klux, Sowashee Station, Miss Edna Price i Miss Mary White ( Miss Pauline Townsend Watchman, A Voice in the Distance M. & 0. R. R. Conductor Mr. Jas. E. Lockard Methodist Circuit Rider, Mr. Means Blewett Presbyterian Minister, Mr, Oscar Andrews Episcopal Ministkr, Mr. JefF Preston Ragsdale House Clerk, Mr. Giis Kendall Eagsdale House Porter, Mr. Dick Bourdeaux C Mr. Watt J ones Confederate Soldiers, J ^^- ^V^- f • goldsmith ' ^ Mr. W. S. Harris, Jr. and others Mr. J. C. Inge Mr. S. M. Catchings Mr. A. H. Ball Mr. Levi Hurlbiitt Mr. R. A. Fewell Mr. S. M. Catchings Mr. J no. S. Goldsmith Mr. A. H. Ba'l Mr Gus Kendall Mr. E. H. Dial . Mr. A. H. Ball Jno. S. Goldsmith Mr. R. A. Fewell Mr. Levi Hurl butt and others Mr. Henry Brooke Miss Ella Thornton Merchants, Farmer, Eli, Bill, Mike, . ! Colonel, Major, Captain, Welfare Committee,< Gen. Hustler, . Col. Peninink, First Private Member, Second Private Member, Mr. Capitalist, The Spirit of Progress, THT5 INDUSTRIES. Hardware, .... Jewelry and Silverware, The Queen and Crescent Railroad The Post Office, The Cotton Compress, The Ice Factory, The Fire Department, The National Banks, The Queen of Flowers, The Goddess of Grain, Etc., . Crockery, .... The Candy Factory, The Cigar Factory, The Furniture Factory, Insurance Business, Drug Stores, Dry Goods, .... Millinery, .... Photographic Studio, . Music, .... Meridian Daily News, Meridian Daily Democrat, Sash and Blind Factory, Machine Shops and Foundries, Public Schools, Fertilizer Factory, Carriage Factory, Mrs. E\ilalia A. Ramsay Miss Tillie HafteV Miss Evie Cox Miss Susie Montoomery Miss EUie Murphy Miss Daisy Williams Miss Letitia Lockard Miss Lee Dabney Mrs. J. D. Preston Miss Sudie Harris Miss Mollie Murphy Miss Mary Leigh Watkins Miss Nora Hood Miss Hettie Jones Miss Clara Mooser Mrs. A. S. Barnes Mrs. Kutcher Threetbot Miss Birdie Mclnnis Miss Ellie Williams Miss Nannie Lockard Miss Maggie Brown . Miss Eddie Taft Miss Florence Jenkins Miss Pattie Oakley Fairies, Helen Kimbrough lone Kimbrough Aimee Reed Emelle Dial Marie Jefferson Hattie Ramsay TMP92-009096 THE QUEEN OF THE EAST; OR TPlne March of Progress. ACT I. Ante Bellum Era. I Scene : Piney Woods St.ation, known as "Sowashee Station," on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, surrounded by an old Cotton Field and Pine Woods. To be represented by a little girl, plainly and simply djfessed.] Sowashee — I'm only a little Railroad station, Sowashee is my name, I'm known alone to Ragsdale and Ball And all unknown to fame. I belong, 'tis said, to these two men— These visionary beings ; Aladdin's wonders fall far short Of all their wondrous seeings. I'm poor, but proud, and blush to own I have no pedigree ; I was only discovered by Jno. T. Ball In eighteen, fifty-three. One of my owners has it planned To name me "Ragsdale City," And while I'm sure on this he's left, Yet he's certainly very gritty. "Meridian," I think, will be my name — The centre of all creation. Ambitious ! Crazy ! did you say ? Poor little Sowashee Station ! Yes, I'm only a little station On the M. & O., But Ragsdale and Ball, they swear by me. And say thej^'U make me grow. [Enter Mobile & Ohio train in charge of Conductor, who sounds whistle to stop train, puts on brakes, brings train to a stand-still and an- nounces : "Sowashee Station."] ' Conductor — 'i Addressing Soumshee] — Good morning, my little friend ! Out here in the piney woods all by yourself yet ? Sowashee — Yes, I'm still alone. Conductor — Lonesome ? SowASJiEE — No, I pass away the time thinking of the future. Conductor — Discouraged ? Sowashee — No, I'm full of hope — I hope to grow. Conductor — Any other Railroad got here yet 'i Sowashee — No ; none but yours, the M. & O. Conductor— How are you to grow without Eailroads ? Sowashee — They'll come by and by. Conductor — Yes, in the sweet by and by. Where's my friend, Mr. John T. Ball, one of your chief proprietors ? Sowashee — He's up yonder on the hill laying off lots. Conductor — And my visionary friend, L. A. Ragsdale— Where's he ? Sowashee — He's oft" somewhere trying to hold his lands ^waiting for a rise. Conductor — Waiting for a rise ! There won't be any rise anywhere about here in these diggins until Judgment Day. Well, my little friend, I must hurry on — can't stop long at "flag stations," you know. Must hurry along to Marion station, where we make a good long stop. Good- bye till I see you again. Take care of yourself and stay here till I get back on my return trip. There's lots of land around here. Tell Ragsdale to be sure and hold it and not let it get away. Tata! All aboard! [Sounds tohlstle to leave. Exit Conductor loitli Train.] Sowashee {SoUloqulzmg) — Well,' he has cold comfort, to be sure. Yes, I'll be here when he gets back. The day will come yet when he won't snub me in this style. I'm small now, 'tis true; but I see myself a bustling, glittering city, ruling all this region round about. Marion Station, indeed! Marion's nowhere. I'll get ahead of Marion yet. I don't like for him to make fun of me just because I'm little. No, I don't either, and I won't like him any more, so I won't, and — [breaks down in sobs.] [Enter Methodist Circuit- Rider.] Circuit Rider — Hello, what {»lace are you ? Sowashee — I am Sowashee station-^a new town just started. Circuit Rider — Eh-heh! I heard about you and thought I'd come and see. You see I'm a Methodist Circuit Rider and thought I'd better start a church here. You don't seem to be much of a town so far. However, I'll tell the Methodist Conference that I've found you, and we'll plant ourselves down here and wait for somebody to come. Say, sissy, how many inhabitants have you ? Sowashee — Only two — Ragsdale and Bajl. Circuit Rider — Eh-heh ! Still, nevertheless, you are a community. You'll grow and need preaching to. From now on there'll be regular preaching here, you understand, at appointed times. You can count on a Methodist Church, if nothing else. Farewell, for this time! I must go now, but will return. [Exit Circuit Eider.] Sowashee — This now is encouraging! I do believe I will grow. One station house, one church, two inhabi- tants, and lots and streets all laid off! This is getting along nicely. Watchman in the [Soioashee turns and addresses the distance.] Sowashee — Watchman, tell us of the night. What its signs of promise are! Watchman — The owls still hoot from dark till light. And roost o'er the city's marshy site ; The bull-frogs, all with the catarrh, On Front street croak — croak, regular ! Sowashee — But, Watchman, can't you drive them away. And tell them go to the swamps and stay ; That Progress is hovering o'er these bogs, That her touch is death to croaking frogs .' Watchman — No, no, my child ! The owls, they laugh your dreams to scorn. And claim the rights they had when born ; And the frogs, while they these marsh s hug. With a smile jump in, head-first — herchug! 2 The aueen of the East ; Or the March of Progress. [Re-Enter M. & O. Train in charge of Conductor on return trip. Conductor sounds whistle to stop, puts on brakes, and ann Dunces: "Sowashee Station !''] Conductor — You are here yet, are you, my little san- guine pine knot? Any new inhabitants since I saw you last ? Sowashee — No, not exactly, but I've had one caller — a Methodist minister — who proposes and intends establish- ing a Church here. That will be a good start. Conductor — Yes, the start will be good enough, as far as it goes. But don't you reckon it will end with the start ? You needn't felicitate yourself on working up a boom out of this movement ; for a Methodist Church at a place is no sign it's a big place. The Methodists, they are every- where, and they would be here and seize you and hold you, even if you never do amount to anything. Yes, you're right — that's a mighty good start. Keep a'hoping, ray little girl. I don't want to throw any cold water on your visions. Yes, you're moving right along. I can hear you growing. ''The baby's hair is still a'curling." One station house and two inhabitants, fixed — realities already ; one church and a preacher on paper I The town is on a regu lar boom! "Let her roll, Gallagher!" All aboard! [Sounds whistle and train moves oiF.] [Re-Enter Methodist Circuit-'Rider.] Circuit Rider— Well Fm here again and establish a church as I promised. In obedience to the orders of Con- ference I hereby plant Methodism in Sowashee Station. — [He takes Ms seat.] Sowashee — Welcome, Welcome! Fm glad you've come. But I hear another footfall. [ Turns to see, token a Presbyterian Minister Enters.] Presbyterian Minister — Are you Sowashee Station? Sowashee — I am. Presbyterian Minister — Well, I was on the search for you. I heard you were here. I'm a Presbyterian Minis- ter and my object is to establish a Presbyterian Church at this place. Sowashke — Welcome, welcome ! The Methodists have already established themselves, and everything looks bright and hopeful. Presbyterian Minister — You don't say so! They have captured the town already, have they? How many in- habitants have you ? Sowashee — Two. Presbyterian Menister — Who are they ? Sowashee — Ragsdale and Ball. Presbyterian Minister — Well, the Methodists may have the town; I will take the inhabitants. I hereby plant the Presbyterian Church in the city of Sowashee and assert my claim to the owners thereof. [Seats him- Helf.] Sowashee — That's all right, I reckon; but its just like a Presbyterian. He wants the owners of the town just be- cause he imagines they are better than anybody else — the toniest people in town. Well, if they are the only peo- ple in town I suppose they must be the toniest, so he is safe on that proposition. That Methodist brother will, however, hold him a light when it comes to gathering them in from all kinds of material as the town grows and expands. They are both good workers though, and I am glad they are here. But look, here comes another ! [Episcopal Minister Enters.] Episcopal Minister — Are you Sowashee Station ? Sowashee — I am. Episcopal Minister— I heard that there was such a p!ace on the line of the M. & 0. Railroad. I have come to establish a church of the Episcopal faith in your midst. What prospects for future developments of the town? Any more railroads coming in here? Do you think you will grow ? Sowashee— Oh, yes. We already have a Methodist and a Presbyterian Church, a few inhabitants, and besides a railroad in operation we have a railroad in contemplation from Vicksburg to this point to be completed in the near future. I'll be glad to have you here. There'll be plenty of material for you to work on, for 1 am beginning to be impressed with the idea that this is going to be a flourish- ing and a high-toned town in every respect. Have a seat, sir, here with these other Ministers. Episcopal Minister — Very well. From this day forth there is established here the Episcopal Church — and let everybody take notice. [Enter M. c& O. Railroad Conductor, with 7rain.] Conductor — Hello! Things begin to look animated around here. You're growing ! Somebod^^'s come ! Sowashee — Yes, three churches already established — and we might say, four ! Conductor — And those men are all preachers, are they — all got their plants in? Their mills are all ready, wait- ing for the grist. By the way, what churches do those, fellows run ? Sowashee — That serious, faithful looking man, he is a Methodist Minister — a Methodist (^ircuit Rider; I am on his circuit. Conductor — Yes, he looks like one. I'll bet you he honestly believes that religion is abetter thing for a town to have than a railroad; and what's more, hjo'll whoop it, up on that line, too. They put religion above everything else, and are actually in dead earnest about it. Strange people, these Methodists are! Well, go ahead, who are the others ? Sowashee — That jolly, comfortable looking fellow — the one doing all the talking — he's telling some joke or anec dote to the others — he's a Presbyterian; and that correct looking gentleman with the clergyman's vest, is an Epis- copalian. Conductor — Well, where is the Baptist? I'd a thought you would have captured a Baptist belbre now to add to your collection. Sowashee — I told you I might claim four churches as well as three, for the Baptist is the same as here now. There has been a Baptist minister about here looking around. He has gone down to Sowashee creek not far oif, for the purpose, so he said, of investigating our water supply before coming to town and locating. It takes wa ter, you know, to run a Baptist Church. Conductor — Yes, and a heap of it! Sowashee — Now, don't you regard all this as good in- dications for the future, and quite an improvement to the town ? Conductor — Yes, it improves the town considerably as a chicken market. Three preachers and another one a'com- ing! Where aie you going to get the chickens to feed them on ? Yes, I reckon this is a pretty good start — and a proper start. No use in starting off a town without churches. After getting them and some schools, then you'll be ready to grow. Look out, though, my little one, that you don't have more religion in your beginning than you do in your ending. But in the meantime you'd bet- ter throw an anchor to windward for another railroad. Farewell ! I must pull out now. All aboard for Marion The Q,ueen of the East ; Or the March of Progress. But hold I Here comes another train ! Look ! First train from Yicksburs; I Hurrah Station ! Look! SowAsHEK — Yes ! for the Southern Railroad* ! Welcome ! Welcome ! Presbyterian Minister — Another railroad completed ! Marvelous ! Wonderful I Episcopal Minister — God be praised for the final ac- complishment of this great undertaking! May His bless- ings be poured out abimdantly on this town ! M. & O. Conductor — For we are "getting there, Eli, with both feet, and don't you forget it!" [Train comes puffing in from Vicksburg, and Conductor of same cries out- nochee !" 'Sowashee Station — Change cars for Mobile and Succa- [Ourtain Goes Down.] A(JT 11. War Era. been than [ScEXK 1ST: The Town or Station — the name having changed to Meridian — is here represented by a larger girl "Sowashee" in preceding Act.] Meridian — Well, at last they've named me "Meridian." The coming of the new Railroad — the Southern Railroad — had much to do towards deciding it. I'm no longer Sowashee Station ! One of my proprietors insisted for a while on calling me "Ragsdale City,'' but it wouldn't take. Henceforth, I'm "Meridian — the Future Great!'' I expect now to grow right along. Everything is favora- ble. I already have one of the chief requisites to a grow- ing town or cit}' — an institution which no ambitious town can do without — a real hotel — the Ragsdale Hotel — where can be had the best the market affords, and good lodging. One or two stores have, also, been opened — small, 'tis true; got but "tall oaks from little acorns grow." We've ^ splendid and extensive stock of choice new lands, nicely laid otf into lots and squares and sizes to suit the most fas- ' tidious. The frogs and the owls, like the Indians, are being crowded out. I'm rapidly rising above the dignity of a "frog pond." If nothing interferes, I will blossom yet into a city. Oh, I wonder what the future has in store for me! My watchman upon the tower, who is ever scanning the distant horizon on ever}' side and taking in everything between, who reads in the heavens the signs of the times, who noted the asjDect of the planets at the very hour of my birth— my prognosticator, prophet, ora- cle—I hope he is reading the heavens favorably for me to-night, and that his searching eye discerns no evil com- ing! His eye sees everything that's brewing. Meridian — Watchman ! Tell us of the night. What its signs of promise are. Watch M.\N — Our country, once so glad and bright, Is trembling 'neath the tread of war. Mkridian — War — war, it wilt soon be done, As soon as the boys have had their fun. Watchman — No ! Serious and sick'ning grows the gloom The red blood runs — the cannon boom. Mkridian — Oli, Watchman, can't you stop it's flow, .\nd give poor me a chance to grow .' Watch. man — No, no, my child : but bow your head. For I catch the sound of the" soldiers' tread ; Ragged and hungry — they come, they come! 1 lear the sound of the beating drum I [Drum beats and Cuftain Falloij. Tahleau: 7'/)e iSoMler Boya Goofl-Byc. ■'Farewell, mother, I may never See thy loving face again. But, oh, you'll not forget me mother. If I'm numbered with the slain, ABT II, Scene 2nd. [Office in Ragsdale Hotel at night. Negro Porter sitting asleep Enter Confederate Soldier, who sees no one on first entering.] Soldier — Hello boss ! Who's around here ? Where's the clerk, if you've got any ? Hello there, nigger — wake up — wake up! S^Kegro waken ujj and stretches and ga2)es.^ Where's the boss of this shanty — where's the clerk ? Porter — S^Half awake ?[ He's sleep. Soldier — What town is this, any how? Porter — This is Mareegion. Soldier — What place is this — this house — is^it a hotel ? Porter — Yas, sir — Hit's the Ragsdale Hotel. Soldier — Well, I want to stay all night — stir your stumps — wake up the clerk or the proprietor, or some- body — hustle now — get a move on you — I'm sleepy. \PoHer retires slotohj after Ughtiny candle^ and is heard, behind the scene waking up clerk. Clerk comes in half asleep- Soldier — [7b clerk.^ I want to put up here to-night. Can I get a room ( (Jlerk — I reckon so. Soldier — All right — I'm mighty tired. Clerk — Register vour name, please, and pav me vour bill. Soldier — How much for a night's lodging i' Clerk — Twenty-five dollars. Soldier — All right, "let her roll Gallagher." Clerk — [Ringing for Porter^ Show the gentleman up to "Number 40." \ Exeunt Porter and Soldier.] [Enter another Soldier., No 2. Clerk dropped into a, doze.] Soldier — Wake up, mv friend ! Is this Hotel? Clerk — Yes, sir. Soldier — Well, give me a room — wliere's your Regis- ter i? [He Registers] (;1lerk — Twenty-five dollars. [Soldier /tags him..] Soldier — I'm ready. Where's your porter? Clerk — [Rings for Porter. Enter Porter ] Show tlie gentleman up to "Number 40.'' [Exeunt Porter and Soldier. Clerk begins making 2) rep- arations as if intending to retire again when enter two Soldiers.] Soldier, No. 3 — [Registers room. We're worn out. [His registers. ] Clerk — All right. Do you both want to occupy the same room ? the Ragsdale his Name.] We want a coinpanion.. Soldier No. 4, SoLDiEK, No. --) — Yes, any way, just so we get a rest. Clerk — Twenty-five dollars a piece. [Tlie two soldiers pay. Clerh rings for porter sever o.l tinier, who finally gets ck frord his last tr it.] Here, Bill, show these gentle- ha *Thc- Railroiid now known sis tlic \'icksburg ;ind SItiidiaii Railroad, long time (until afttr the war) bore the name of the "Southern Railroad."'' lor a ^ror,i his last trip.] men up to "Number 40." [Torter vnth candle in hand scrolls out lazily with soldiers following ] Plague take these soldiers ! I wish they would sleep out of doors — they're used to it. They bother me coming here this time of night. If this business keeps up this way all night this hotel will be full before morning. It's been go- ing on ever since supper. I'm going to try to snatch an- other snooze before any more of them stumble in here. [CuiUiiu Falls.] The aueen of the East; Or the March of Progress. ACT II, Scene 3d. [Room No, 40, Ragsdale Hotel. Soldiers all sleeping- oti the flooi- — F"inally one scratches himself — then another — and another, and so on, till all get to scratching, groaning and roUin - i^-i-- D„..t„„ ...:n, another soldier.] Enter Porter with Porter— Go right in dare, sir, and go to bed. SohviKR- -[Hesitaimff.] But the clerk didn't send me to this room. Porter- Yas sur, he did. He told me to fetch you to "Number 40." Soldier— But this room is perfectly alive with soldiers. One of the Occupants— If there wasn't nothing- alive in liere but soldiers, you could get through the night with- out a scratch. Come in and make yourself at home— needn't be backward--everythingison a level in here. Soldier- -Well, I reckon I'll have to tackle it -so here goesl [Lies doint. loiih the other soldiers.^ [Curtain Falls.] Tableau :--- The Soldier Bon ^'* D^dn. '•Just before the battle, moHier, I am thinking most of you. While upon the field I'm watching, With the enemy in view.'' Song : Mother, is the Battle Over f Mother, is the battle over? Thousands have been slain, they say. Is my brother coming? Tell me — Has our army gained the day? Is he well or is he wounded? Mother, do you think he's slain? If you know I pray you tell me — Will my brother come again? CHORLS: Mother is the battle; over? Thousands have been slain, they say. Is my brother coming? tell me, Has our army gained the day.' Mother dear, you're always sighing, Since you last the paper read; Tell me why you now are crying. Is my dearest brother dead? Ah! I see you cannot tell me, Brother's one among the slain! Tho' he loved us very dearly, Will he ever come again? Fighting for our glorious Southland, Like a hero he was slain, Still the day may not be distant When in Heav'n we'll meet again. Tableau.— TAe Grave of an '■'■Unknown.'''' "Only a Private ! no ribbon or star Shall gild with false glory his name ! No honor for him in braid or in bar, His legion of honor is only a scar. And his wounds are his roll of fame ! Only a martyr who fought and who fell. Unknown and unmarked in the strife ! But still as he lies in his lonely cell, Angel and seraph the legead shall tell — Such a death is eternal life !" ACT III---Keoonstruction Era. [Scene ist: Return of Peace — The sounds of Hammer and Saw and Brick-Mason's Trowel are heard.] Meridian— "O Peace ! thou source and soul of human life." . "O first of human blessings and supreme I Fair Peace ! how lovely, how delightful thou 1 By whose wide tie the kindred sons of men, Like brothers live — while honest toil Gives every joy, and to those joys a right Which idle, barbarous rapine but" usurps — Pure is thy reign." Thank heaven, I bear enmity to no man ; those who were my foes are my brothers now. "No more shall the war-cry sever. Or the winding rivers be red;" All anger is banished forever When we laurel the graves of their dead 1 Under the sod and the dew, Waiting the judgment day ; — Love and tears for the Blue, Tears and love for the Gray !" Yes, how glad I am for peace ! There's music in the sound of the hammer and the saw, and hope in the ring of the brick mason's trowel. [T?tri>i5 and Addresses Watchman.^ Meridian — Watchman ! Tell us of the night, What its signs of promise are. Watchman — Night — night — night — night, Long night of gloom without a star ! Meridian — Why is it, Watchman, why — tell me pray — Why is my hope so long deferred ? Watchman — Because, my child, the vile hold sway. And honesty is sepulchred. These days are the days of the Carpet-bag — The harvest time of the Scalawag. Let Reconstruction nm ils coiii-3^ , Submit you must to the rule of force. The Carget-Bagger now holds swav — Every dog must have his d?y ! Enter Car'pet=(Bagger. Carpet-Bagger — Ah! This is the goodly city of Me- ridian that you read about !' [Sees Meridian sitting hj and hows coniplacnethj as if desiring to make acquaintance. Meridian turns her hack contenn)tuoiijsly onhim.^ Ah! you stuck up little affair, you ! You snub me, do you ! Y^ou little would-if-you -could, one-horse town, you refuse to make my acquaintance ! These little struggling, thread-bare, pauperized, down-in-the-ditch Southern com- munities are as proud and haughty as if they had the whole earth in a swing. Depriving them of their proper- ty is like clipping the wings of an unruly old chicken — they can't fly quite as high as they used to, but they still step high and keep looking up for a crack in the fence to get througli. All right ! Let her turn her back on me ; let her give me the back of her hand if it gives Iter pleasure. I didn't come all the way from Massachusetts down here to this little village in search of social stayiding. I've quit hunting for social standing. It's time thrown away. There's plenty of that in Massachusetts for any fellow who desires to frit away his time trying to conform himself and his conduct to the whims of that class of people who as- sume to run the social standing question. Poor little Meridian! It breaks my heart to even suspect that I anl not welcome! Ha — ha — ha — ha. — [Retires to one side.^ [Enter Negro ] Negro — Well, gentlew^w, life's purty tough. A nigger has to work hard fur what he gits. Here I is been working hard all de week and ain't got but only $3.00. [Tulls it out and looks at it, and finally ptits it in his pocket.] and got to git some pervisions wid hit. It's bad to have to spend every solitary cent a man's got fur grub. But The Clueen of the East ; Or the March of Progress. yoirs bleeged to have grub. Tlie ole 'omaii and the chikleni needs cloze more'n what they's got. But bime- by, I'll sorter ketch up and git straiglit, I reckon. [Turns to go^ is intercepted by Carpet- Bagger.^ Carpet-Bagger — Hello, my friend! Do you live about here I You seem to be well-to-do and at home. Negro — Yas sir, I lives here. OARPET-BAGGER--Eh-heh ! Glad to see you. I want to get acquainted with all such men as you. Negro — Yas, sir ! I knows you already. You's de new man dat come to dis town so's you can be our nex Circus Jedge, ain't you. 1 seed you las night up to Lock- hart and heard 'em 'scussin' you. Is you just now got in? Carpet-Bagger — Yes— only today; and I want to talk to you quietly and privately about this and various things. [Puts his arm around negro, and while talking in low tone, with other hand in negro's pocket. Meridian repeats following lines, Car- pet-Bagger transferring money to his own pocket as Meridian repeats last two lines.] Meridian — Old Greeley says the scalawags And Carpet-baggers say, With an earnest and a solemn look. To the darkey "let us prey ;" Their spelling of this little word Poor darkey cannot see — Instead of spelling with an A The}' spell it with an E ; And all they have to say or do. Is to tell them they are Rads. And while one hand's around the nig, The other's after scads. [Enter M. & O. R. R. Train.] ]VI & O. Brakeman— Meridian ! Change cars for Selma, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga! [Enter V & M R. R. Train.] Y. e*c M. Brakeman -Meridian! Change cars for Mo- bile, Corinth, Selma, and Chattanooga! [Enter Selma and Meridian Train.] 8. & M. Brakeman— Meridian ! Change cars for Vicks- burg, Mobile, Corinth, and Chattanooga! [Enter Alabaina and Chattanooga Train.] A. & C. Brakeman— Meridian ! Change cars for Mo- bile, Corinth, Vicksburg, and Selma ! [Hotel Porters call out their Hotels.] - [Curtain Fallo.] Tableau : ^'■Reconstruction.'''' ACT III. Scene 2nd. [Deep Dark Forest — Time, Midnight — Enter Three Ku-Klux- -Jim, Bill and Mike — leading Carpet-bagger with Rope arovmd his neck.] Jim— [To Carpet-'Bagger] Say, don't be so skeer- ed, my triend ; be spunky and gritty, and brave, like you ^ere in the war--like you were when you followed up the army, and boldlj^ sold your stuff to the Yankee sol- diers. Now is nothing to then. I declare! If he ain't so skeered he can't talk. His knee-jints are clanking together. Don't be so consounded skeered, you fool you - we ain't going to do nothing to you buthangyou. Say, Bill, don't you think he has been in this world long enough and might aftbrd to "cross over the river" now ? Bill— I don't know. How old is he ? Lemme see his teeth ! [Goes wp and looks Carpet-(Bagger in the mouth. '\ Yes, Jim, I think he has served his purpose here on earth and it would be unfair to detain him. MiKK— That's me too. I'm one of these sort of fellows who don't believe in working a willing horse to death. Even if this apostle is willing to abide longer with us on this terrestrial ball; j^et if he longs to be freed from earth- Ij'" cares, I think we ought to "touch him otf." Carpet-Baggkr— [S/ammerif:g-.] Please, gentlemen, let me go ! Mike- -Didn't we just say we are going to let you go ? CARPhT-BAGGER— But tum me loose— release me, I pray you! Jim— What do you want to be released for? Carpet-Bagger— So I can go back to my home in Mas- sachusetts ; I'll leave and never return. Jim— Well, what did you come down here for ? Didn't you expect to die among us when you came ? You didn't intend to be so temporarj'^ in your sojournment, did you ? Bill — And hav'nt you always heard that this is a mighty unhealthy country? Didn't you know that the people down here die as well as anywhere else ? Jim— Oh, the dying part's all right. That ain't what he's kicking against. He only hates for his relations to know that he died with a rope on his neck. Mike— Oh, if that's all, that can be set all right. We can write to his people that he died with the malaria ; that the chills and fever undermined his constitution. How's that for a "comp," old pard? '^Addrasstng Carpet-'Bag- ger.] He does'nt sa3^ I take it though that silence gives consent. Jim- How shall we hang him— old style or new style? BiLL-He's a nice, genteel looking fellow — let's give him the latest modern improvement. He's got nerve- he can stand it. Mike — Yes, any white man that would steal from a nigger has got nerve enough to stand anything. Bill — Now, boys, I'm always in favor of doing the fair thing — give every man a square deal. Let's not take ad- vantage of him just because we've got him in our power. Let's give him a chance to say his prayers, if he wants to. If there's any one thing I believe in it's religious liberty. Let him pull the stopper out of his prayer bot- tle if he wants to, and just let it run. I'm the man that can stay here and stand it till he gets through. Jim — All right, so far as I'm concerned. What sav you Mike ? Mike — Same here ! But ain't that the regular order any how ? Jim — It is for niggers. But you have to take a special vote when it comes to decorating the forests with one .of these here mangy, one-shirted carpet-baggers. Mike — You're right! Well, lets get at it. Here my friend, siir yourself! Kneel in prayer if you want to. Light in and pray for anything you want to. This is a free country. [Looking Carpet-Bagger in the face.] Boys, I'll be derned my cats if he aint dead ! \'rur7is him loose. Corpse falls over.] BiLL--Is he dead, sure 'nuff? Jim — Yes -He's dead. Bill- Well, poor fellow! We never done it, did we, boys? Mike- No— We ain't guilty. Jim— No, sir— he just died by himself ! Mike — There ain't no body can say he was hung— can they ? Bill— No— If they do, they will sure lie. Jim -What excuse will we give for his being dead— if it's ever found out ? 6 The Q-ueen of the East ; Or the March of Progress. MiKK — Oh, we can just say he froze to death. Bill — But its too hot down here in this swamp lor a man to freeze to death. Let's get up something reasona ble, Mike — Well, here's what happened to him — the buffa- lo gnats got the upper hand of him— overpowered him as it were. Bill- -That settles it— that sounds like it — that's got something plausible about it. [Puts his foot on, corpse and presses if.] Boys, he's undoubtedly a dead carcass I [Curtain Falls.] Tablkal": Remlut'ioji.-ls I ■>. ACT IV. Era of Depression— Doubt-- Yellow Fever. Scene 1st. [ScENK : Merchant Sitting on Dry Goj.is Box in front of Store whittling white jiine. Enter Major.] Major — Hello, Colonel! How's business ? Colonel -Dull- dull ! How's it around your way ''. Major---Du11— nothing doing. Colonel— Have a seat and rest yourself. Where are you going? Major— Am going up to the Bank to make a deposit. Get your book and come on. Colonel- -Got nothing to deposit. Done nothing to- day. [Major takes a seat on hox hy side of Colonel^ and takes a piece of white-pine from, him and ijoesto whittling also.] tlow much have you got !* Ma.jor--- Mighty little, I tell you ; and some of that yesterday's business. Colonel let's go hunting to-morrow** What say you ? Colonel— Hunting is bad here lately. I went the other day and found nothing but mosquitos. Where do you want to go :' Major- Anywhere. Idon't^are. Colonel --All right. We'll go if everything is favora- ble. But talking about business. I was just sitting here turning things over in my mind. Have been studying on it for sometime. I've about made up my mind to leave this town. I believe Meridian has seen her best days. What do you think of her prospects, Major '{ Major— I think myself she has about "struck bottom'' and is there to stay. She's "a dead duck," I'm afraid. Colonel — Yes, sir, she's a "gone coon skin" sure as you're born. I used to think Meridian was going to be a town — in fact, a city\ but I've lost faith. The money panic of '73 knocked the wind out of her sails and she has never recovered, and I'm afraid never will. Major — Yes, that and Radicalism together about "cook- ed her goose." True, since the Democrats turned things over generally in '75, she has looked up a little. Every- thing has looked up so far as this is concerned. But eve- ry body just goes right on by Meridian and pays no at- tention to hur. Drummers won't stop here. They don't want to sell Meridian any goods. Her credit is bad, and w^hile I believe she is improving some, the progress is too slow and gradual. [Enter Captain from Neighboring Store.] Captain — Hello, you two seem to have plenty of leis ure — let's have a game of marbles. I'll bet I can beat any man in sight. Major— Oh, pshaw! I'm tired playing marbles. I've just come from playing a game around on Johnson street. You and the Colonel take a game. I'm on my way to the Bank ^ [Captain takes ii.j> a piece of v^hite-plne and goes to whittling.] Captain— Well lean beat you a game of drafts then, chess, pitching dollars — anything ! W hat are you fel- lows talking so seriously about? Planning something? Major — No, no. We were just discussing Meridian's prospects. Many people are sanguine of iier future and imagine we are really entering on a prosperous season now; but the Colonel and I agree that there is nothing substantial about her sometimes apparent prospects. To tell the very truth about matters, business is sure enough dull now. Captain — I think you are mistaken. I believe the town is on an up grade I think she is fast "pulling out of the kinks." Our cotton sales are increasing every year. I think the town has caught a new hold since the establishment of the Compress a year or two ago. It gave us a new life and a new existence as a cotton market which we have well maintained. All her changes are for the better. Whenever a man goes away from Me- ridian in search of a better place, he's sure to find his way back here sooner or later — isn't sure to do it "as aiun's iron." that so? He's just as [Enter Fanner witli Cotton Sample.] Farmer— [. 7b Colonel] Buying cotton to-day? Colonel -What have you been offered ? [Takes sam- ple and examines it.] FARMER--8f . Can you raise it any ? Colonel -How much do you want to jtrade today? How many bales have you ? Farmer- -Three bales. I need a few things--will trade a little of it. Colonel— George, old fellow, that's about as high as I can go, I reckon. That's all it's worth. Farmer. -What's the news from the yellow fever towns to-day? Any change for the better? No danger of it's getting here, is there ? Captain — No, it will never get here. That's one thing- about Meridian- -she's healthy. It is getting no better though in the towns it has struck. MAJOR-Some of our people are afraid it will get here unless trains are stopped from i-unning, but we've got good quarantines against Mobile, New Orleans, Vicks- burg and Grenada and against everything. We are alright. If it should strike here I would just go ahead with my business same as usual. It couldn't hurt this town — away up her^ in the interior. Where would you go if it should come here? Colonel — Really, I don't know. I think, thougli, I would stay here --not leave at all. Captain — I think that I would too. That, however, is to be decided alter it gets here. Major— Yes, some of our sensible people are making- fools of themselves about it. They are scai*ed to death before it even thinks of getting here. The thing I'm af- ter is to build up business and put some life in the old town instead of .sitting up looking for the yellow fever every minute [Enter Meridian.] Meridian — Watchman, tell us of the night, What its signs of promise are 1 The Q,ueen of the East ; Or the March of Progress. Watchman" — The people soon will take to flight, The town stampede — "a pulse is still — There's a form to shroud and a grave to fill, All shroudtd soon the town will lie And the dead drop down 'neath the burning sky, For the Yellow Death is upon the air And the City lies in the clutch of despair 1" Colonel— Men do you hear those ominous words 2' What are we to do ^ It is already upon us! Major -Gentlemen, I must get my family away from here — I must go ! Captain — Yes, as many people as possible— especially women and children— must he gotten out in spite of quarantines. As for myself I propose to stay and see it through. Colonel — Yes, so shall I — or fall in trying! Fakmek — Gentlemen, my home and all I ha^e is open, free to all I can accommodate. I speak the same for all my neighbors I Send your people out. We'll do the best we can ! Major — Well, I'll go right now ! Come on I Captain — As for me I shall never desert the good old town. On thy needs, Meridian, I will stand and wait I Colonel — Mere too's a heart and hand for any fate I { C u rtui It . £alL>>j --^ ACT IV. Scene 2nd. [ A ,..n„/i ihir- GrtuMs if hcT Sevoos ir/io fell, under the breath of the ieUotv I'exfffenee.'] Meridian--- Thou goddess Fame, who since the birth of Time On foremost wave of human acts sublime Hast rode, and with thy scroll and pen in hand Hast traced the deeds of every race and land ; - Who chooses scenes where heroes' hearts are tried. And marks the spot where modest worth has died. Who hovers o'er the blood-damp'd battle ground. And leaves th}' wreath upon the soldier's mound--- Come, leave those scenes which country's love inspires, Those combats heated by ambition's fires ; Turn from the field where steel and bullets rage, And write new courage on thy living page. Know'st thou, fair Fame, this beauteous sunny land. With flowers bedecked---by balmy breezes fanned ? Thou'st been here oft to crown the hero's brow, None grander though than those who wait thee now. This lovely land is once again in gloom. Upon her breast there's many a new made tomb ; Our summer sun's been changed into a foe. Our breezes fraught with poison and with woe. Yea, monster Death hath stol'n the sun's hot beams. And caught the moisture from the stagnant streams. From filthy pools and marshes low and damp. From fen and flat and from the boggy swamp, And of them wove a yellow mantle long Within whose feverish folds he's wrapt a throng Of rich and poor and manj' a suflferer's slave. And brushed them all alike into the grave. Here "mid these scenes the human heart's been tried, And man\' a hero here, unnoticed, died ; Patiently through nights of fever and of pain The silent night-watch's seen the life-spark wane, And walked exhausted oft from door to door To help the needy---he himself as poor. He who can bend o'er some lone humble bed, Where fever feeds and where it long has fed--- Death's yellow mantle dangling 'gainst his cheek While doing valor which he would not speak- -- Is 'mong the brave, whose modest lives and worth Their God remembers, e'en if fof got on earth. Boast not, thou page, which holds the warrior's name. Nor thou which breathes the honor'd statesman's famel Thou marble shaft, which points towards the skies. Speak not too loud ! Beneath thy base there lies Oft times less virtue than thy carvings tell--- The shaft of monied knaves might do as well; There rests 'neath thee perhaps a heart less brave Than that which sleeps in some neglected grave. Here, o'er a fever hero's humble dust Build thy tail shaft, O Fame---if one you must. [Curtain Falls.] ACT v. Era of Present Prosperity. [Enter Meridian.] [Scene: In Board of Trade and Cotton Exchange Rooms. Merid- ian represented by a lady larger and older than the one representing the city through the three preceding acts.-] Meridi.\n- Ten years almost since the Yellow Death stripped me of some of my best ; but va^ people are a race of men and women who look up and faint not. Business is brightening — everything seems to have a for- ward look. At present I have five railroads — "the Old Reliable," the M. c% 0., who knew^ me in my early days and sometimes twitted me as being only a little "flag sta- tion" lost in the piney woods ; then next the Y. & M ; then the Selma Railroad, now the East Tennessee, Vir- ginia and Georgia, or a part of that sj^stem ; then after the war what a flush time we had building the Alabama and Chattanooga, now the Alabama Great Southern. The construction of it scattered greenbacks about here for a while in the imaginations of many as thick as autumn leaves in Vallambrosa, and everybody felt rich; but finally what a collapse, my countrymen ! Lately we have completed the New Orleans and Northeastern ; and I think that I can rightfulh' claim to be at last a ■^ji-eat railroad centre. A spirit among my people to move on faster seems to be trying to develop. What we need is some rousing spirit to inspire and lead the way. The poet's doctrine, "They also serve who only stand and wait"— I wonder if that applies to towns as well as individuals. May be if I'll only stand and wait, a good fortune will overtake me in course of time. So saj^ some ; while a few others, like a hen with one chicken, keep scratching away with as much flurry and flutter as if they had set the town ablaze with excitement and say we must keep moving and move faster. I really believe we need somebody who [Enter Eli.l Eli — My name is Eli ! I am the Eli that you read about — the fellow that gets there with both feet— and don't you forget it. I have come to take charge of Meridian. I understand that she wants to grow, and is mak- ing desperate efforts to do so. I am the citizen whose influence she long has sought. I was born in the cave where the Dakota blizzards roost. In my infancy the whirlwinds have been my playmates on the prairies, and in my maturer years 1 have run down the great western cyclones, hurricanes and tornadoes until they were out of breath. I am the son of Goliath of Gas, the half-brother of Exaggeration, and am in love with the Spirit of Pro- gress I am the Power of the Press and the inventor of printer's ink — ^job work executed with neatness and de- spatch on reasonable terms— the newspaper, the great moulder of public opinion, weekly, $2.00 a year in ad- vance, and now is the time to subscribe. I am the morn- ing and the evening daily with the very latest Press Dis- patches and Market Reports. I'm The Meridian Daily News and the Meridian Democrat all rolled into one, and don't you forget it ! 8 The Q,ueen of the East ; Or the March of Progress. Meridian— But, my dear sir, you enter very unceremo inously---you seem almost out of breatli ! ELi---Unceremoniously ! You mustn't stand on cere- mony, my unsophisticated friend. Ceremony is out of date. You must go it with a rush— keep things a 'whoop- ing. Yes, run yourself out of breath. Did you know that a boom is about to strike this country. In a short time every town and city will own a boom. In fact the boom is already a booming. Keach out and catch it. You are the town to move nght along I'll take charge of this business From now on,we are the most desirable tOAvn in America---no other town is fit to live in. There must'nt be any kickers in the ranks, but everybody must "gallop with the gang." Any man who wants to go the other way— "his name is Dennis" already ! What shall we do? Why, form a syndicate- -two of them —three— fifty— a hundred. I tell you what, a syndicate is the thing. It's like J<^hnson grass. Plant just one stalk of it and it will send its roots down 316 feet into the ground and spread all over creation and take your prem- ises, and whenever a man succeeds in getting rid of it, all his great grand-children's children will be dead. That's the way with a syndicate. All you want is one; then after a while there'll be more of 'em than you've got inhabitants. I tell you, my friend, we are getting there in "great shape." My motto is "get there'' — not with one foot lag- ging behind— but get therewith both feet, heels clear over the line, and no falling backwards and catching on the hands. I'll go out and summons together some of your prominent citizens and form a General Welfare Commit- tee out of them. That's another thing you need. I tell you, there's nothing on the face of this globe wdth as much jurisdiction as a Welfare Committee. They'll do the thing up brown! They'll set the ball in motion! They'll "paint the town red," and don't you forget it. [Exii Eli.] Meridian— He's a queer being, to be sure. I've heard of him before, it seems to me. Let me see. Eli--Eli. [said reflectiveli/.] He's what you call a progressive citizen, I imagine. He evidently intends to raise a storm of some sort, and, as a calm is said always to precede a storm, I suppose that explains my present drowsy feelings. [Falls Into a sleep.} Tableau : Meridian^s (Dream of the Future. [Enter Eli, accompanied by members of Welfare Committee, viz : Gen. Hustler, Col. Penninink, Capt. Wiseman, and others.] Meridian — Eli, Eli ! I have had such a sweet sleep since you left, and such a delightful dream in the midst of it. O, I think I saw my future in that dream. It was full of meaning. I could read it like a poem. In the bright and lovely vision I saw a beauteous array of Eli — Never mind what you dreampt. This is no time for dreaming. This is not an age of dreams. If you waste your time dreaming you'll never "get there" with one foot, even. The object of life is to get there with hoth feet ! What you want is. Facts — not Dreams. "In this life we want nothing but Facts— nothing but Facts !" Life "is a mere question of figures, a case of simple arith- metic." We are going to organize a Welfare Committee now, and are going to run this town. Give us a rest on dreams and visions. [JSxit Meridian.'] You, now, General, [Addressing Gen. Hustler] are to act as President of the Committee ; you, Colonel, as Sec retary; Capt. Wiseman, he can do the heavy standing around, and I'll act as Treasurer, while all the balance of you will be the Vice-Presidents, the private members and the Standing Committees. We are ready for business now. Whoop her up, boys ! First Private Member— But, here, if the court please, don't you think we ought to place these gentlemen regu- larly and formally in nomination for these offices. To or- ganize otherwise looks most too "cut and dried." Eli— Any way, just so we put the machine a'grinding. [Eli engages a member in undertone conversation.] Second Private Member— Oh, that takes too much time. Life's too short. First Private Member— [^.si^Je to Second Private Member] But, plague take it, I've got a nominating speech in me that's a'lmrting. It must come out ! Eli- -All right, gentlemen, proceed with the nomina- tions. [To third (Private Member.] Go ahead ! Third Private Member— I nominate General Hustler for President of this meeting. Several Voices -I second the nomination. Eli— You've heard the nomination. All in favor of General Hustler as President signify it by saying "Aye ;" all opposed, "No." General Hustler is elected. Next is Secretary. Hurry up, gentlemen ! First Private Member -If the Court please, and gentle- men of the jury, I arise to place in nomination for the office of Secretary a gentleman well known to you all- one w'ho, during the late unhappy struggle between the States, heroically buckled on his armor and rushed to do battle for his Eli -Never mind what he done in the war! We are not running the war now--we are going to do this town up— that's what we are here for ! And it makes no differ- ence, either, which side he died on. We'll stop this whole nominating business ! Colonel Penninink, you are the man picked out for Secretary. Let's get down to business ! [Enter Capitalist.] See ! Look ! There goes sometliing now 'tnat OllglU to be caught. Rope him in ! Go for hira ! General Hustler— Who is it--what is it ? Eli -Why, it's a capitalist. You need all of his sort you can get. Catch him ! Look at him--he's hunting for a good investment right now. He wants to move some- where. Colonel Peninink— But, how do you know he's a capi- talist ? Eli Why, easy enough ! he's a stranger in town — never was seen about here before— of course he's a capi- talist ! General Hustler- -How will Ave catch him, though 'i We don't know how to get at him. A capitalist is a timid, skerry sort of a bird, isn't he ? Eli— Why, just catch him ! Put salt on his tail— meet him at the train with a brass band— ride him around town- write some resolutions about him— tender him a banquet — give him an ovation — do anything. Why, that fellow is in search right now^ for a place to build a factory of some kind — he's got capital. That's what you want. That's the only stuff that wall set the wheels of Com- merce and Industry in motion I tell you, we must have him ! I'll tackle him for you. [Calls to Capitalist from across the stage.] Say— there-- -my friend! You! I say- Are You Coming South ? [ Capitalist looks towards Eli and Eli approach- es him.] Capitalist— What did you remark? Eli — I say, are you coming South ? If so, I want to speak a few plain words that I think will interest a man like you. You are a man of business, ain't you ? Capitalist — Yes, sir, I profess to be. The Q,ueen of the East ; Or the March of Progress. 9 p^n — Well, that's just what I am, too. Birds of a feath- er will flock together ; and not only that, they delight in and seek the same atmosphere, the same climate, and the same surroundings generally — hence I propound to you the momentous question, the answering of which it is dangerous to delay, to-wit : "Ake You Cojiing Sot^th T Capitalist— Well, my dear sir, I iiave not exactly de- cided yet. 1 am looking about for a new home and place for profitable investment. The extreme cold weather of the North- W' est freezes up my j]li — Exactly so — just as I knew ! Freezes up your fac- tory and your whole physical system generally and that of your family. Now, let me tell you, this is the place for you to come to. Gome South ! Come to Meridian ! I tell you, my friend, this is the God-favored section of the earth and Meridian is the hub. We've got five difter- ent railroads going out in six different points of the com- pass and two more that will be built in the near future. One of them reaches across to the rich Mississippi bottoms and connects us with the Father of Waters. Another splits oj)en in its course tlie finest prairie cotton lands in the world and drains the heavily laden cotton fields of West Alabama right into Meridian. Another ijenetrates the heart of the world-renowned pine forests of that re- gion of Mississip])i that dips towards the sea---forests, the envy of the whole wide world. xA.nother oi' our railroads taps the inexhaustible coal and iron lands of Alabama and puts fuel for. factories right at our doors (and as far as iron land is concerned, there's plenty of that down here at Enterprise,) not only that, but it connects us with the markets of the East. Another takes us also through pine woods on to Mobile on the bay, and passing north carries us on by Marion Station to the Ohio Kiver and gives us everything beyond. Yes, we are the coming city of the South. Draw a .straight line from New York to New Or- leans- --the two ctpposing poles of the great commercial magnet of America— and it will pass right through Merid- ian, missing it but a hair's-breadth. Our lands are fine for tr;^.ck farming, cotton, corn, grasses, all sorts of grain and so I'orth, and so forth- and we've got the very larg- est assortment of flowers, sunshine, balmy breezes, health, happiness and prosperity ; and this is the place you are looking for ! Now, what do you say ? Capitalist — From what I've seen I am very favorably impressed with your beautiful and thriving city ; but '- Eli — Exactly so ! Capitalist — I desire, however, to extend my inspect- ions further, after which I shall decide probably upon some point of locating. I am thinking very seriously of moving my establishment to some other than its present lo- cation. I would be delighted to have a longer interview with you on this subject and hope for one some time soon. At this moment I have some private matters demanding my attention, and must beg you to excuse me. I bid you good evening. \(Bows courteously to leave.] Eli — Well, now, my friend, I'd like to know before you go : "Are You Gomtng South V Capitalist — From present prospects I think I'll have to! Eli — Well, let me present you with some of our liter- ature. After perusing this, you will surely want to be- come one of us. [Eli presents Capitalist with a copy of '•'•Are You Coming South?'''] Capitalist — Thank you ! Good-day. sir. Eli— I J ddressing Capitalist.] Good-bye, Colonel. Hope to see you again soon. [Exit Capitalist.] General Hustler — [Approaching Eli., elated— accom- panied by Welfare Cc'.nmittee---slapping Eli on the hack?] "We are getting there, Eli, with both feet— and don't you forget it !" Eli— You bet ! AVe must go now and pass some resolu- tions about that fellow, and have it stated in the morn- ing's paper that a large, new cotton factory is on the eve of being established in Meridian by a number of rich and wealthy capitalists from the East, who are tired and dis- gusted with that frozen section, and who are perfectly in love with our Southern country, and who make miraculous predictions of her wonderful future. Come, let's be at it ! General Hustler -But here---what was that fellow's name^ Eli— Be blamed if I didn't forget to ask him his name. But that makes no difference. His nameis nothiii