MAPHINE, OR !THE« true ^ LOVERS.! A ROMANTIC DRAMA. BY M. A. BLIVEN. iliiiiiiiiii iiiiiigiiiiiiiiiiiHigiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiEiiiiiKiiaiiiii MAPHINE, OR THE TRUE LOVERS. A ROMANTIC DRAMA. Representing New England Scenes of Thirty or Forty Years Ago. 5 ACTS. 18 SCENES. Copyright, 1898, by M. A/ BLIVEN. HOPE VALLEY, R. I. : FREE PRFSS BOOK PRINT. 1 898, I- 22029 1^^^' r ^|3t^^ DRAMATIS PEE SON. E. Mk. Mortox. Fais^nie Mortoa^. Levay Allex. Maphij^e Farse. Andrew Farse. Helen Jones. Mr. More. Mrs. More. George Evans. Mr. Born. Boy. Girl. Episcopal ^Iinister. Policeman. Sambo Johnson, (colored.) Dinah, (colored.) Doff Waite, (colored.) Rosanna, (colored.) Mr. Barte. TMP92-008668 A C^ T F I Pv S T. SCEXE P^IRST. PRETTY FAXNIE MORTOX. {An old- fashioned dining room with table fipread for dinner; Fannie Morton, a beautiful yovng lady, dre.-^ised old style; Dinah, a colored ii the pitcher, bring>< the water, then ^tand^ /■//.sf one x'ide of Mr. Mortons chair.) Fannie. "Father, how do yon like your new clerk?"' Mr. Morton. "Very well, very well indeed. I gness he's going to be just what I want; good penman." Fannie. "Iiather good looking." Mr. Morton. "Well, yes, looks well enough, but its not the looks I'm after — its the work." (Fannie, lavc/hing): "I know you are a great work- er, papa, and like to see others work." Mr. Morton. "We have to work if we get anything in these days." Fannie. "I don't know but I shall be down to the office this afternoon. If Helen Jones comes over, we are o^oinsf down to the oak and willow for a swine:." Mr. Morton. "Very well." Mr. Morton (to DinaJi.) "Dinah, don't get a lot of darkies in here while your mistress is out." Dinah. "No sah." (Dinah then .s-'/f.s down to dinner, eatx andact^fooli^li.) (Mr. Morton takes /r/.s hat, steps to the door, tnrns toward Fannie mying): "Fannie, who do you think came into the store this morning?" Fannie. "Well, father, I can't guess. I'm not good at guessing; do tell." Mr. Morton. "One of the smartest young men in town." Fannie. "I know whom you mean — (leorge Evans; vou are alwavs tellino; how smart he is:, but somehow T never liked his looks— looks fopp'sh." Mr. Mortov. "Well, lie's got the dollars, or, at least his father has. Judge Evans and his family stand high in society.'' Fannie. "He can keep his dollars for all me. Peo- ple want sometliing besides dollars to make them hap- , 3[r. Morton. "Hush, my child, you are inexperi- enced. Money brings us all the luxuries, besides, it gives one power and position." Fannie. "I guess it won't buy love." Mr. Morton. "I say love I There are two or three kinds of love,, sensible love and foolish love." Fannie. "Papa, what do you call sensible love?" Mr. Morton. "I don't know as I can explain it at present, I'm somewhat in a hurry, but I'll tell you what I call foolish love; and that is for a handsome young lady to set her heart upon some poor young m^an who has nothing but his day's pay to depend upon." [Fannie drops her head whiht Dinah wal-e.'< vp faee^ an Mr. Morton paRf< out.) A C T F I R S T . Scene Second. GOIXG TO TIIF OAK AND WILLOW. {Same dining room; Dinah clearing the table; Fannie \dl ready for a^ walk; a rap at the door. Dinah opens if; Helen Jonex inquires for Fannie; i>i shown into the dining room, Fannie rises, shakes hands, passes compli- ments, mying): "Helen, be seated. I'm very glad you've come; I'd almost given you up. ^\ on't you lav off your things?" Helen. ^^No, thank you; if we are going down to the oak and willow for a swing, its time we started/' Helen. '*0, Fanny, have you seen George Evans since he came home? He's looking fine.'' Fannie. "I never took much fancy to George, he's too much of a dandy." Helen. "Pshaw, Fannie, you are fooling; I call him good looking. I hear your father has a new clerk. How do you like him?" Fannie. "Oh, he is a good, sensible looking fellow." (Dinah turns ^ round to the (jirls and says): "Missy, I say he look mighty han'some when he call here todder night — he look like a shentleman." (Girl^ laugh.) Helen. "Now you've said it, Dinah, does he call to see Fannie?" Dinah. "You don't s'poses he call to see me." Helen. "No, Dinah, Sambo would pull your wool." Fannie. "Well, Helen, if we are going out, let's be going." (So saying, start. Dinah wipes her hands and laughs, saying): "I'm going to try on Missy Fannie's new bonnet, and see how I look in it." (Passes into an- other room, soon returns with the bonnet i)i her hand, steps up to a large mirror and trys it on and says:) "Golly, don't I looks grand, spose Sambo see me nowl (Finally begins singing ^'Old Zip Coon''^ or some other nigger ditty and steps it out. Fannie enters al- most catching Dinah ivith the bonnet on. Dinah snatch- es off the bonnet and holds it behind lier and backs out of the room and returns immediately.) Fannie. "Dinah, what were you doing?" Dinah. "Nuffin, Missv, nuffin." Fannie. "Dinah, you've been into somethins'. I now. Dinah. ''True's de Lawd, Missy, hope to die." Fannie. "Have you seen my fan ?'' Dinah. "Yes, Missy, right dere on de table." {Fannie take>< the fan and pa.sscs out. Dinah in a com- ieal position, eurtain faJU.) ACT SECOND. ScEXE First. THE LITTLE BE(WAR. (Fannie and Helen seated upon a rustic seat vnder a large oak tree; rope thrown over a large limb for a swing; Fannie sai/x): "This is a lovely spot, is it not? I should like to come here every day." Helen. "Well, you may come here for all me. I don't see anything so very lovely in trees; and there is nothing else but a spring and brook." Fannie. "Just look at those beautiful ferns around that moss covered rock. Seems to me I never saw such a lovely sunset. Its just resplendent, blending in blue, pink and gold." Helen. "I don't know but you see beauty in a sun- set; but, for my part, I can't see any." (Just then a, little ragged girl, about eight years old, conies up with a beseeching look and says): "Ladies, will you please give me a few pennies?" Fannie. "Whose little girl are you, and what's your name?" Child. "My father's name is Andrew Farse, and my name is Maphine Farse." Fannie. ''Have yon a mother?" Child {very md.) "No, lady, she died of a hroken heart last summer, that is, I heard Mrs. More say so." Helen. ''Do you live down in that old house bv Mr. More's?" Child. "Yes, marm.'" {Fannie and Helen give ^ome pennie><, Fannie .^ai/infi): "I will come down and see you some day. Would you like to have company?" Child. "Yes, marm." ( Child turns Wound and srr?/.s-) ; "Thank you, ladies. " {Child runs aivay.) Fannie to Helen. "Do you know that little girl ?" Helen. "IVe seen her down to Mr. More's." Fannie. "It's a sad sight to see the poor little thing begging." Helen. "Y''es, it is. Mrs. More said her father drank up everything, and sometimes abused his child if she refused to go out begging; and most of the money he spends for liquor." Fannie. "I should think the selectmen would look after the child." Helen. "I should say look after the child I If they meddle with him, they lose a vote; that's what Mr. More said." Fannie. "Has he always drank like that?" Helen. "No, he was once a good husband and father, but you see he fell into bad company." Fannie. "That will ruin any one." Helen. "Mrs. More said his wife was a loveh^ wo- man, who died broken hearted." Fan trie {alinoM in fears.) "I wish some one would take the poor child and give her a good home: did you notice what a sweet, sad little face?" {Just then George Evans, a foppish looking young man passes; sees the girls, stop)s and shakes hands, passes eompliments.) George. ''Have some seats, girls, don't be in such a hurry." (Helen and George sit down, Helen saying): "What's the news, George?" George. "I suppose you've heard all about Miss Ida Lewis, the American Grace Darling, being pre- sented with a testimonial lifeboat." Helen. ''Yes, I saw that in the New York World; and in the same paper, I saw where the Harvard Col- lege crew Avas defeated bv the Oxford a length and a half." George. "I hear that "Walter Smith is going to enter Harvard." Helen. "Yes, that is so, he is going to lit himself for a profession.'' George. "Miss Morton, I've just come from your father's office. I see that he has a new clerk." Fannie. "Yes, Levay Allen is working in the office." George. "He seems to be quite a gontleman." Helen. "Don't praise him to Fannie, she's already in love with him.'' Fannie, looking meek and hashfid says) : "It's getting late, Helen, let's be going." (.4// start in a harry.) A T S E C^ N D . SCEXE SeCOXD. MR. MORTON'S OFFICE. [Inside of a gentleman^ office. Mr. Morton seated at 10 the desk looking over lahjcr; Helen Jove.s and George Evans stand near each other laughing and tcdking in a low tone. Fannie Morton stands near a. table at which Levay Allen is seated with ledger hejore him. They are looking very affectionately at each other and talking in a. confidential way. Young man enters somewhat intoxi- cated, goes np to the desk ivhere Mr. Morton is siitivg and say.s): '^How do, old man, got any new rum ?" Mr. Morton. "No, sir, don't deal in that kind of stnif ; shonld think you had got about what you could carry." Drunken Man. ''What do you take me to be? I'm about as stout as tiie best of them, and can carry as much new rum. Well, old man, guess I'll be going, will you tell me where I can get some?" Mr. Morton. "I guess you'll find some round the the corner." {Drunken man starts towards the door, turns around saying): "All right. Good bye." {Pas.sc:-; out.) (Mr. Morton looks cross and says to Fannie): "Fan- nie, it's time you was home; don't be bothering Levay." {All look with surprise as the curtain fallx.) A C T S E C N ]^ . Scene Third. SEE WHAT INTEMPERANCy. WILL DO. {Scene in Mr. Morton'' s parlor; plain, old-fashioned parlor; Fannie sits reading; Dinah opens the door and shows in Levay Allen. Fannie rise^, greets him with a siveet smile, saying): "I've longed to see you all the morning." {Soon they are seated.) Ijcvay. "I'm glad to find you all alone; for I want to have a good, long talk with you.'' Fannie. "I meant to have gone done to the office. 11 yesterday; but papa is so cross I dare not go." Lev ay. "He's been dreadful cross of late, can't bear to have me speak to you; I don't know but I shall be obliged to leave the store." Fanvie. "I hope not. I should feel dreadfully to have you leave." {Fannie rryx and icipe-'^ her eyes upon her apron; Lecay puts hu arm. around her, very affectionately, and fleased; Fannie and Dinah laughing.) Mr. Morton. "Seems to me you are having a very good time, what is it so funny ?" Fannie. "Dinah wants a party; that is, she wants to invite Sambo Johnson, Rosana Perry and Doff 24 AVaite; can she invite them to come Saturday night ?" Mr. Morton. * 'Dinah, you don't want a party." Dinah. ^'Yes, Mas'r I do, I wants to ^vite my sweetheart/' Mr. Morton. ''Dinah, you're the bother of my life; will that stop your teasing?" Dinah. "Yes, Mas'r." Mr. Morton. "Very well, you can ask them to come; and don't let me hear any more about parties." {Mr. Morton xit^i doivn and begins reading the paper, Fannie and Dinah talks about ivhat Dinah will wear to the jjarty. Dinah says:) "I say I'll wear my yellow gown, but Missie, how shall I fix dis wool of mine?" Fannie. "Oh, wear a yellow bow." {Dinah looks eoaxingly and says:) "Missie, can I hab a bit ob blue ribbon to tie round my waist?" {Mr. Morton look^ up from his paper ivith surprise and .say.s): "How strange! some people are born to good luck; there's Levay Allen, seems to prosper in everything he undertakes." {Fannie looks up with a. eunning swile and says:) "Not in choosing a wife I" Mr. Morton. "He's turned out very different from what I supposed he would; lets see, it's nearly two years since he left my place. I see by this paper he's a fortune coming; a legacy from his uncle Avho lately died in New York." {Fannie jumps up and says): "I'm glad of that; papa, please read it." {Mr. Morton reads): "New York, Sept. 10. Enter- ed for probate, the last will and testament of the late Levay Arnold, by the executor, James Brown. Mr. Arnold was a very eccentric old gentleman, who resid- 25 ed in New York over half a century. It is evident the bulk of his large estate goes to his nephew, Levay Allen of Newport." {Mr. Morton sits roithoiU speaking for a short time, then savs^: "I guess he'll come out ahead of all the young men in town, after all." Fannie "I've always told you so, papa." Mr. Morton. "Yes, you've always clung to him like the bark to a tree.'' Fannie {laughing, says) : '"We are to be married, soon." Afr. Morton. "You don't mean it, Fannie," . Fannie. "Yes, I do, we are already engaged." Mr. Morton. "If that's the case, don't be running off to get married ; for I suppose you'll marry him after all." {Fire alarm; bells ring; Fannie jumps up and saysy. "Fire!" {all rush for the door. Curtain falls.) ACT FIFTH. Scene Second. DINAH'S PARTY. {Scene in Mr. Morton's kitchen; Fannie Morton and Helen yones st2i}td looking in the door; Dinah and Rosana Perry dressed gaudily. Sambo and Doff very high collars. Three take hold of hands; Dinah in the ring; dance around as the curtain rises, all sing) : "On the carpet here We stand, Take your true hib by the hand, Take de one dat you lub best Before you close your eyes to rest." (Dinah chooses Sambo; commences singing]: "What a baful choice you made, Don't you wish you longer stay, Gib her a kiss and send her away And tell her she can no longer stay.'' Sambo kisses Dinah and sings; to tune of Lucy Long): "I lub my Dinah best of all, She is de gal for me; Oh, how I lubs my Dinah, No gal so sweet as she." 26 {Doff Waite sings ^ to same air) : "Sambo lubs his Dinah, An' dat ara berry nice; But gib me my Rosanna For my deary, deary wife." {Savibo and Doff sing together^ Sa?nbo singing Dinah's name; Doff' Rosanna' s Sambo j 'D\x\B.\\^ Dinah, \/1arlin' Doff \ Rosanna, Rosanna, J When will you marry me; For your de sweetest darlin' Dat eber I did see." Banjo plays, all dance. Curtain falls. ACT FIFTH. Scene Third. MARRIAGE OF FANNY MORTON. {Mr. Morion'' s parlor, new and richly furnished. The minister and a ftw friends standing. The bridal party enter, take their places in front of minister. Levay on right hand , Fannie on the left. Minister reads from Episcopal Marriage Service): "Dearly be- loved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony ; which is commended of Saint Paul to be honorable among all men : and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, dis- creetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God- Into this holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined ; if any man can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace, {and also speaking tinto the persons who are to be married.) I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgement when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye shall not be lawfully joined in matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that if any persons are joined together otherwise than as Gods word doth allow, their marriage is not lawful." 27 (The minister ^hall i^ay to the man): "Levay, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live to- g-ether after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep only unto her, so long as ye hoth shall live?*' {The man shall unsirer): '"1 will/' ''Fannie, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep hini in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"' {The woman shall answer): "1 will/' {Then shall the minister say): "Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?" {The minister receives the ivoman at her father^ s Itands, causes the man with his right hand to take the wo7nan by her right hand and to say after him the fol- loicing): "I, Levay, take thee, Fannie, to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and, thereto, I plight thee my troth." {Then shcdl they loose hands and the woman with her right hand taking the man by his right hand shcdl like- wise say after the minister): "I, Fannie, take thee Le- vay to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth." {Then again loose hands, and the man shall give the 2S woman a ring, and the minister taking the ring shall deliver it to the man, to put upon the fourth finger of the woman'' s left hand, and the man holding the ring there, and shall say): "With this ring, I thee wed, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."'' (And the minister shall say): "Let us pray." "Our, Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all man- kind. Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of ever- lasting life; send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy name; that, as Isaac and Eebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, (whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge,) and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." {Then shcdl the minister join their right hands to- gether and say): "Those whom God hath joined to- gether, let no man put asunder." (Then shall the minister speak unto the eompany): "Forasmuch as Levay and Fannie have consented to- gether in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a ring, and by joining hands; I pronounce that they are man and wife, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and 29 of the Holy Ghost. Amen." {And the minister shall add this blessing): ^^God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, hless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that ye may so live together in this life, that in tlie world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen."^ (Guests congratidate the ivedded pair. Curtain falls.) ACT FIFTH. Scene Fourth. FIVE YEARS WEDDED. {Scene in Mr. Mortoii's richly far iilshed parlor; Fan- nie and Levay seated and looking happy.) Fannie. "Isn't it a pity about George Evans drink- ing so; I feel sorry for Helen; I don't suppose she ever thonght of his being a drunkard; there's no safe- ty for our friends and neighbors short of prohibition." Levay. "It will finally come to it." {Dinah enters imth a card and hands it to Fannie; Fannie reads aloud): "Miss Maphine Farse." {Fannie rises saying): "Show her right in here." {Dinah passes out, and returns with a well-dressed, stately looking young lady, who recognizes Fannie; Fan- nie shakes hands and introduces her husband. All .sit.) Maphine. "Grandpa and I are stopping at the At- lantic House for a few weeks; and, as I hoped you'd not forgotten me, I thought I'd call." Fannie. "I'm glad to see you; it does one good to meet old friends. I didn't know as I'd ever see you again; you have changed very much since I saw you last." 30 Maphinc. "Yes, I was nothing bnt a child then; yet I've not forgotten my old friends; by the way, what's become of that Miss Jones?" Fannic: "Married to that George Evans; poor girl, I pity herl'^ Maphinc. "I nsed to think he was qnite a gentle- man/' Lcvay. "Miss Farse, your grandfather must be getting along in years.'' Maphiiie. "Yes, he's over sixty; and thinks I must go everywhere he does." {Fannie, laughing,) "He likes good company." {all laugh; Levay gets up in a hurry, saying): "I must go to the office and see what's going on there." {Passes out.) Fannie. "You remember Dinah?" Maphine. "Was that she that came to the door?" Fannie. "Yes, she's much fleshier than she used to be." Maphine. "I should say so; how long have you been married, Mrs. Allen?" Fannie. "A little over five years." Maphine. "Have you any children?" Fannie. "Yes, I've two, a boy and a girl; I'll have Dinah bring them in so you can see them." Maphine. "I'll see them some other time as I'm somewhat in a hurry." Fannie. /'Must you be going?" Maphine. "Yes, I've a carriage waiting at the door." Fannie. "Do come over often so as to renew our acquaintance." {Maphine gets vp and .starts. Cnrtain falh.) i 31 ACT FIFTH. Scene Fifth. FANNIE ALLEN S TWENTIE THANNIVERSAR Y (Scene in the Morton ijarlor; Fannie and her two children seated; hoy sixteen^ girl eighteen years old; Le- ray enters 'with Maphine and a fine looking gentleman; Maphine introduces her husband, Mr. Born;- Fannie rises, and gives them a warm reception.) Ijcvay. "Vm much surprised and pleased to have you call this evening; for it's our twentieth anniver- sary.^^ Maphine. ''Is it possible ?'^ Fannie. "Yes, and some how, I'm feeling sad." Mr. Born. ''Mrs. Allen, you should not feel sad such a night as this. ^^ Fannie. "I know I ought not; but then, it brings a train of thoughts; I can't help thinking of the changes twenty years have wrought. '^ Levay. "Changes come in spite of us."' Mr. Born. "That is so, Mr. Allen." Fannie. "You see, father's been dead over ten years; and here are our rosebuds;'' (pointing to the chil- dren.) "Now look at our frost bitten locks, yet our hearts have ever been warm; and, as to-night is our anniversary, let me show yoa a little token of true love." (All clap their hands and say): "Yes, we all want to see it." (Fannie leaves the room for a few seconds, returns 2vith a large silk handkerchief; ivaves it as she enters, saying) : "This is an emblem of union — union of hearts. I well remember the day it was hemmed; there was a tear to every stitch; I've always cherished it next to the dear old flao-." 32 (Levay steps up to his wife and says): "My dear, as yon are feeling sad, let me sing you a song/' (All say): "Do give iis the song/' (Levay sings): "None So Fondly Loved As You." NONE SO FONDLY LOVED AS YOU, As fond memory brings to view, The scenes of many years ago, Tlie oak, the willow by the spring, How oft we've swung upon their limbs; When ivy 'round the oak did twine, And true hearts beat in love's own time. CHORUS. Darling ever true, none I love but you; Darling ever true, none so fondly loved as you. I've picked up acorns filled with dew, With my darling ever kind and true; Oftimes we roamed the meadows through And plucked wild roses wet with dew. Where ivy 'round the oak did climb, And true hearts beat in love's own time. CHORUS. Oftimes we've loitered near the brook. And gathered ferns from every nook; And some times in those happy hours, We wandered through the fields of flowers. When ivy 'round the oak did twine. And true hearts beat in love's dear time. CHORUS. I see in dreams the rocks, and rill That gently flowed beside the hill; As I listened to the whip-poor will, Those happy days they haunt me still. When ivy 'round the oak doth climb And true hearts beat in love's sweet time. I'BRARY. OF. CONGRESS 016 l62'4i4'4 $ \