£ lo ^ - ^ C^.3s^. The SMning Mystery. AMmmG DRAMA IN FOUB ACTS. BY DR. ALBERT CARK. Oh! blest be thine unbroken light! That watched me as a seraph's eye, And stood between me and the night, Forever shining sweetly nigh. BYRON. Tli£ Shining Mystery. A Ml]Ss IIsG DRAMA I]>^ FOUE ACTh^. BY Dr. ALBERT CARR. HILL CITY, S. D. 1909. I Copyright, 1900, by Albert Carr. CAST OP CHAR/\CTERS. PETE MERTON. An old prospector. JOHN MERTON, His wealthy brother . PAUL EATON. A young miner. JIM KRIMMER. An asflayer. HEMP ROODEN. A claim-jumper, POLIE DOBENHEIMER. A wandering Dutch- man. BIDA. The Shining Mystery. Daughter of Pete. MARIA MERTON. Sister to /Pete and John. Her f adis geology. MOLLY MORIARITI. An' Irish woman. The miner's friend. LITTA, Little daughter of Paul and Bida. LiaRARY of C0>\--.-. .J. Two CoDics Rwetvcc^ i JUN II Ikfoy I The Shining Mystery. ACT I. SCENE I. A mountain park in the Black Hills. Molly Moriarity's cabin rear center, iiarge spruce tree R. Rock L. Hemp and Pete discovered R. playing cards on an old bench under the spruce tree. Hemp, I raise you. my pile. Pete. I'm out of dust. Hemp. Then the pot's mine. Pete. No; show up tirst, Hemp. Hemp, Well, here it is— four jacks and a queen. Beat that, old Pete, if you can! Pete. I can beat it. Four kings and an ace beats it, don't it? Hemp. {Presenting pistol.) But it don't this, you old dog! This is what the boys call the joker. Pete. Hemp, you're a dirty cheat! Hemp. I am, am I! {Seizes Pete 4 THE SHIMNG .MYSTERY. St7-iJc< ii at him icith butt of xyiHtol.) Enter Molly from^ cabiu. Molly. {Flourishing rolUngpin,) Let go av the old man, ye cowardly Si^alpeen. Gim'me that pishtol. {Grabs Htrnp's pistol,) Hemp. That dust is mine. Pete. Not a tfi'^in of it, Molly. Hemp. You lying old dog! See, Molly, I had four kings and an ace. {Picks up and shows Peters hand.) ' Pete. Hemp Rooden, 1 did think— Molly, Yis, an I think so meself, Pater. So off wid you, Himp, an lave the money to him it belongs to. Hemp. I tell you, Molly, that dust IS mine, and 1 will have it. woman or no woman. Molly. Divil a grain, ye darkfaced cutthroat! No, not if I die for it. flemp. {Seizing her pistol hand , he wr^enches pistol from her.) Then die, you Irish fool! Enter Polie Dobenheimer R. He pick« up rollingpin which Molly dropped in her struggle with Hemp, and strikes him a violent blow on back. Hemp drjps pistol. Polie picks it up. Hemp. {Walking humphank to L.) My (lod, my back 's broke! THE SHINING MYSTERY. 5 Polie. Of you dont look oud, you kill somepoty. Hemp. {Dropping doiD a on rock. L.) well, I'll be — oh, my back! Molly. Serves ye ngbt, ye blagard, for thrym to murther a poor woman. Polie, Veil, Missus, now dot veller 's quiet, vill you biease deli coe vot blace dis it? Molly. lodade, I will, for yer a lad av liie thru shtripe. This is Giiost Canyon. Pohe. Ghost Canyon! Is dere some ghosts here? lUolly. There 's no ghosts here, bui a sort av a female shpirit, they calls the Shining Mystery. It has appeared near your cabin, has it not Pater? Pete. I wish you would give mt a drir:k, Molly. A drink of something strong. I 'm weak as a cat. Molly. Deed I will. Pater. Come, I'll help yoUi {AsMsh Pete to rise) /Visy, Pater. Now, moind Himp; take your thaivin carcass out o' this, or I'll foiud thim as will take it out for ye. Come, Pater. {Leads Pete into cabin.) Polie. Is your back petter? Hemp. No, you infernal sauerkraut! 6 THE SHINING MYSTERY. Who the devil are you, aiiywny? Polie I bin a DuichtiiHn. M\ rrame IS Polie Polie Dobenheimer. Hemp. Dobenheimer! You hit like a sledsehamrnt-r. Poiie. (At bench) Vol's die? Cart spiel! You bhiy some carts? flemj). Yes! {Polie picks up sack of golddusU a,nd hacks to cabin door^ eye on Hemp-) Say, [Rising.) that, dust '.s mine. Polie, {Putting dust in pocket.) Veil, all right, I keep it voryou. I bin a l)ank, und der veller vot kicks, gets nix. Ver- stay? {Points pistol at Hemp.) Skixl {Hemp jumps. Polie exits into cabin.) Hemp. {Crossing to R. arid sitting down on bench.) Done up and knocked out on the first deal. I must make a raise, sjraehow, and get out. This camp seems to be goinjagin me. Enter Jim Knmmer Li. Jim. Hello, Hemp! Just the feller I'm looking for. Hemp. What's up, Jim? Jim. Nobody round, is there? Hemp. No, they're all inside. Jim What's the matter? Hemp. Kad a little tursle with Molly and her gang,— curse 'em! That's all. THE SHIISING MYSTERY. Jim. {Showing specimen.) Look at that rock. Hemp. (Examining specimen) Why, its the real thing! Jim. It'.s a bird, is'nt it? Hemp. It's full of free gold. Jim. No need to assay ibat! Hemp. Where did you gel it, Jim? Jim. Od old Pete Morton's dump. Hemp. Is the claim staked? Jim. Yes, his cabin Htand^} on it Hemp. Jim, we must have thit claim. You understand, must h;ive it. Old Pete must deed it to us. Jim. Hemp, you'r a bird! Hemp. There's a million in it, if there's a cent! Jim. But how will you get it out of him? Hemp. Leave that to me. Meet me tonight npar the burnt shaft, and we will arrange the busineee. That ftlaim must be ours. {Exit L,) Jim. Hemp, you'r a b'lrdl {Exit L.) Enter Pete from cabin, followed by Molly. Molly. Don't go tooight, Pater. I'm afeared that villain will do you harm. Pete. No, Molly, I've nothing to fear Nothing ever bothers ray cabin but that 8 THE SHINING MYSTERY. spirit — that phantom of the daufjhier, who disgraced me. But I soon £>efc i id of that. I curse it, and th;it dri> es it away, {Exit L.) iMoliy Oh, whin '11 this all ind! {Exit into cabin.) SCENE II. A mountain park in the Black Hills. Enter John and Maria Merton L. Maria has a liMh* hammer in her hand. John. I fear, sister Maria, ae haye lost the path. Maria. Well, John, we can study the formation while we are looking for it. Now, this rock is what is called apatite. JoVm, Indeed, Maria, appetite is a thing easily found in these mountains. {Enter Jim Krimmei' R.) Well met, sir! Can you tell me the way to Molly Moriarity's? Jim. Yes, sir. It's not half a mile below. You're a stranger in the^lack Hills, are you not? John. I am, sir, in search of a brother. Jim. {Aside.) I'll bet a bird he's a mining speculator. {Aloud,) Yow are not looking for a good mine, are you? John. My brother has a claim — Jim. What's your brother's name? THE SHINING MYSTERY. 9 John. Peter MertoD. Do you know him? Jina. Well, I should say! He's my chum — my partner— my companion — John. Indeed, sister, we're in lucK. {To Jim.) This, sir, is my sister, Maria. Jim. Pleased to meet you ma'm. My name's James Krimmer. I'm an assayer and dealer in mines. Maria. Then, you are familiar with the great science of Geology? Jim. Know eyei'y word of it. It's a bird, is'nt it? Maria, I am delighted to meet an intelligent miner, at last. I suppose you have examined the strata with great care; and, in the lower formations, discovered some valuable fossiliferous remaims? Jim. Certain, ma'm, certain! I discovered one, in particular, mentioned by Dana, and called the great — er~er Hippodoodle. Oh, it's a bird! Has a head like a mule; teeth like an alligator, and a tail li/be a sea-serpent. T never assayed it; but it's a bird, sure! Marirt. A bird! Prom your descrip- tion. It resembles a lizard. Jim. When I say bird, ma'm; I 10 THE SHINING MYSTEKY. meao that it's uncommon. Just my way of speaking, Maria, I understand. e)im. {To John) If you want a mine, sir; I've got a claim, calJed the Gold Bird, that goes two thousand to the ton. John. Most tons do. Jim, 1 mean, in free gold, sir, Now, if you'd like to buy a claim, sir; I'll sell you the Gold Bird, at a bedrock price. John. No, my brother has a claim, which, if as rich as I have reason to believe it is, will not only satisfy his ambition, but mine. Here is some of the ore, {Shouis Jim speciinen.) What do you thiuk of it? Jim. (^s*de.) The same stuff I found on the dump. (Aloud.) That is rich ore, sir. John. How far is Peter's cabin from here? Jim. Six miles on a beeline; forty of climbing. You stop at Molly's until to- morrow; and I'll come and show you the way to Pete's. John. {Looking at watch.) It's too late to send Peter word, that we are here. Well, Mr, Krimmer, we'll do as you say. Now, show us t,he way to THE SHINING MYSTERY. 11 Molly Monarir.y's. Jim. Keep to your right arround the ed^e of the mountain, and you cannot miss it. You will see the path, {Points off right.) when you reach that iartje tree, yonder. John. {Going.) Come, Maria. You will come early, Mr. Krimmer. An early start will give us plenty of time to climb and for Maria's geological obser- vations. Jim. Ig will be a delightful trip, sir. I can point out so much, that will be of special interest, to the lady. Maria. You are an intelligent miner. Jim. Yes ma'm. I pride myself on that point. {Anide.) Oh, I'm a bird! John. Remember, sir; early. {Exit John R. followed by Maria. She makes a loiv bow to Jim. He returns bow extravagantly.) Jim. This does beat all calculation ! Stumbled right on to it. I'll bet that John Merton has the coin. I'll soak him with the Gold Bird, or die a trying. Enter Hemp L. Hemp. It must be done tonight. Jim, Hemp, Pete's brother is here. Just talked with him. Hemp, His brother! 12 THE SHINING MYSTERY. \ Jim. Yes: and he showed me some of the same ore I found on Pete's dump. Pete wrote him it was rich as mud. Hemp. This explains why Pete would'nt let anybody visit him; and, why he lived so like a hermit. Jim. We must get him away, some- how, after he signs over the claim. Hemp {Menacingly,) I'll get him away. Jim. What do you n.ean, Hemp? Hemp. To kill him. Jim. Good God, we mustn't vlo that! Hemp. (Hemj) holding up flask.) Do you see this liquor? Jim. Yes. Hemp. Its poisoned. We''l lee the old fool kill himself, after he signs. Jim. I can scheme. Hemp; but when it comes to killing, — I'm not in it. Hemp. {Contemptuously.) Oh, come on ! {Exeunt Hemp and Jim L.) Enter Polie R. with two big pistols in his belt, and a gun. Polie. Molly tole me, dot I better go und look after der olt man. She salt: she's afraid dot broken back rascal vill do him some mongkey business, Acht, das musz nicht sein! {Exit L.) THE SHINING MYSTERY. 13 SCENE HI. /Vnothtr part of the mounlKin park. Large rock ceuter. Enter Hemp and Jim R. Hempi Tnat teiegraai is just the thing. It's lucky you happened have a blank in your cabin. - Jim. I've got e/erything in my cabin. Hemp. Yes, everything, ■ but cash and a good looking woman. Jim. Well, if we carry this deal through, I'm durned, if I don't work 'round that sisier of Pete's. Hemp, Who, the stone-cracker, you was telling me about? Jim. Yes; and she's a bird! She says: I'm an intelligent miner. Hemp. I've heard of those fellows, Jim. They see eyerythmg; know every- tiling; but never find anything. {Looks off L.) That's a norse and buggy coming down the road, isn't Jim? Jim. Sure. Hemp. It stops— a man gets out — ties his horse to a tree — and he's coming this way — and a —What the deuce is it, Jim? Jim. A child — a little child. Hemp. Jim, I'm going to hold him up. He looks like a tendertoot. 14 THE SHINING MYSTERY. Jim. By thunder, no! I'm no high- way man. Hemp. I want a httio change to carry our' affair through. A few hundred to old Pete would establish confideiK ^■. Jim. Well, if you're going to robbing, I'm going home. I'm no crow! Hemp. No, you're a snipe! A bird- livered sniveler! Go hide somewhere, and leave this job to me. Jim. I tell you. Hemp, I'm willing to take part in a little mining iransaction; but when it comes to a deal like this, I'm not in it. You'll have to do this business by yourself. Hemp. Go to the devil! Jim. Don't hurt him, Hemp. {Exit R.) Hemp. (Looking off L.) I wonder what he's got in the basket. I'll soon find out. {Ties handkerchief ovei- lower part of face, and hides behind rock.) Enter Paul Eaton L. leading Eitta, and carrying a lunch basket. Paul. Here is a pleasant spot, Litta. I am afraid darkness will over-take us before we reach Molly Morarity's. Papa's baby sleepy? THE SHINING MYSTERY. 15 Lilta. No, papa; very UDgy. Paul. Well, Litta shall hav^e some supper. {Takes food from basket.) Here is soQie nice cake. {Gives Litta cake,) I wish mama was here. Bui she's gooe, and papa does n't know where. Oh, Bida, I must find you; I must find the mother of my child. I'll sing to forget my sorrow. {Sings.) Hemp. {Advanci7ig and covering Paul until pistol.) Throw up your hands, my warbler, and surrender your dust. PauJ. {Rising, he holds up hands. Litta cling n to l^auVs knee^ and cries.) Come, partner, be decent. Take a part of what I have, and leave me a stake to begin again with. Hemp. All I want of you is your dust: and I want all of that. No fooling, now; or I'll make an orphan of your kid before you can bat your eye. Paul. I have met men low in the scale of humanity; but you are tlie dirtiest, lowest, vilest cur, I have ever met. {Folic appears R.) Hemp. Now, look-a-herP' stranger, another of your compliments, and down goes the trigger. {Polie points gun at Hemp,) Paul. {Cooly and quietly.) There is 16 THE SHINING MYSTEKY a man behiud you, with a j^'un poirJ.ed at your head. Polie. Skix! {Hemp lur :8 head: Paul seizes Jus arm and ivrenches pistol from him. Polie advanee.% gun on. Hemp.) Say, Mr. Prokenpuck, of >ou don't look oud, you kill 8oinepoty. Paul. Mold him, my friend, niitil I carry ihe child to the buggy. If he attemps to escape, blow out his brains. Polie. You bet, I make leber^Aurst of him. {Exit Paul with Litta L.) You're vone of dose bad vellert-: a regular gelt syiper, {Hemp makes dodging feint.) No, moogy business, now. You hear dot? {Hemp dodges righ and left, eonf using Polie. Hemp springs into the air; turns, ayid runs off L. F. E. Enter Paul L. R. E, as Hemp disap- pears.) Veil, py tarn! Paul. Where is he? Polie, He shumped over my het Hhoosc like a circus, und run avay. Paul. Which way did he go? Polie. I deok he veot straight oop. {Polie Grosses to R.) Paul. I'll see you f*gain, my friend. {Hurries off L.) Polie. I petter hurry too, or may be dot robber yeller kill^somepoty pefore I THE SHINING MYSTERY. 17 get dere. {Polie holds gun with both hands, horizontalhi^ on right shoulder ; Orchestra strikes up tune, ^^Jonny get your gun ; " Polie crosses to R. with goose-walk and exits.) ACT II. SCENE I. Pete's cabin R. with side opeD: table and chairs in it: bunk rear. Shaft and windlass Li. Large stump C- Dark, heavily timbered surroundings. Time, night. Rocky eminence back and rear of cabin. Enter Pete R. Pete. Well, here's the old cabin, at last, with It's millions under it. By this letter, I may expect John, any day. I wish he would come. I've made an enemy of Hemp Rooden , and he may do me harm. {Enters cabin; lights candle; sits at table; puts on glasses; takes sealed letter out of pocket, and exam- ines it.) Here' is a letter I have n't opened. I wonder who it's from. It's postmarked, Denver. (Tear* letter open.) Ha -from Paul Eaton! The cowardly 18 THE SHINING MYSTERY. libertine who ruined my daughter; and then sneaked away, leaving? her and her shame as the reward of my hospitality. But I fled from both her and her shame, leaving her my money and my curse for her consolation. {Pulls paper out of envelope.) What's this — a marriage certificate! They were married, afterall. He said he had lost the certificate, but I wouldn't believe him. Maybe I have been too fast. I'll read the letter. {Reads.) "Dear father" — {To audience.) What an affectionate son-in-law. {Reads.) "You stirred up the miners against me; and to save my neck from the rope, I had to leave without a parting word. {To aud.) Yes, the miners would have hung him; and I'd about concluded to help them. {Reods.y^I have sold my interest in the mine for nine thousand dollars. I now have plenty of money. Upon my return I readily found out your wherea-bouts. My baby, Litta, is with me. I found her at the widow Harmon's Bida has diappeared. She is gone, we know not where. I shall start out in search of her, tomorrow morning." {To aud.) I have committed a great wrong. Oh, why was I so hasty and so cruel! Her spirit has haunted me, ever since I came to these THE SHINING MYSTERY. 19 oaountams. Many a nigbt, as I walked to ihe spring, it has appeared lo me. Stood right before me— a bright and shining mystery. But when I saw it, I cursed it; and it sadly vanished away. Poor, poor girl! Oh, bow 1 have wronged her! But I loved her; worshiped her. 1 could not bear even the idea of her being a creature of shame. The very thought of it, drove me mad! {Bushes out of cabin.) Daughter! Bida! My child, 'my child! {Blue light on emi- nence back B: Bida appears, Jtair down and all in white.) Oh, dear spirit forgive me! {Clasps his hands and falls to knees.) Forgive thy erring father. Nightly I have cursed thee, but I will curse no more. Forgive me dear shadow of wrong and sorrow, or my heart will break. {Sobs and cries.) Bida. {Tremulous voice.) I forgive you. {Disappears.) Pete. {Bising from kneet.) She's gone! Oh, God, what is this? A ghostly shadow of the mind; or. Thy visible reproof to a guilty conscience? Enter Hemp and Jim L. Hemp. You bet, I got away from the Dutch fool. {Seed Pete.) Hello, Pete! 20 THE SHINING MYSTEKY, Pete. You here! Why have you coine at this late hour, Hemp Rooden? To murder me? Hemp. No, Pete; I'ye come to make up with you. Jim. (Aside.) He's a bird, isn't he? A jay-bird. Hempi Come, Pete, lei's go into the cabm, and have a talk, Pete. (In front of cabin door, picks up ax.) No man eaters this cabin, except over my dead body. So leave me, tlemp; and we'll settle our difference at some other time and place. Hemp. No, Pete, not until we shake and call it square, Pete. (Putting domn ax.) Well, there's my hand. (They shake.) This settles it. Now, go. Hemp. No, I want to talk to you about this mine. Will you sell it? Pete. No. Hemp. Not for twenty thousand? Pete. No, Hemp, not now. My brother is coming out for a season; and we are going to develop the mine together. He has plenty of money. Hemp. Your brother is deadl Jim, give Pete that telegram, you brought from town this morning. THE SHINING MYSTERY. 21 Jim. Here it is, Pete. {Gives Pete telegram.) Pete. {After readiug telegram.) Yes, killed in a railroad wreck. Signed, Maria— my sister. John's money goes to his children. That defeats all my plans. I cannot open the mine. Kemp. Yes, you can, Pete. I'll show you a way out. There's an old chap, rich as a Jew, looking for a mine. He's a cousin of Jim's. Jim. {Aside) Yes, a forty second cousin on the north side Bemp. And he'll not buy a foot without Jim rncommeuds it. Now, II you will sell this mine to me under a consideration of twenty thousand, :o be paid in ten days, we'll take the affair in hand. We'll make the papers so they are no good until the money is paid, Jim 18 a notary, and can witness the transaction. Pete. {Aside) I have n'l. much confi- den-^e in this fellow; but, if the papers show no transfer until the money is paid, they are worthless in case of default. If he pays, I will then have money enough to go and search for the daughter, I have wronged — search untd I find her. 22 THE SHINING MYSTEKY. Hemp, Well, what do you say? Pete. I'll do it. Hemp. Then we will go inside, and fix up the papers. Pete. No, I'll bring out the candle, and we can do the business here. Hemp, Well, have your own way, Pete. I'll do the best 1 can to show you, that I'm your friend. I can do no more. I might have put up some other claim, equally as good asyour's; but you are an old man, and I want to help you, if 1 can. {Pete goes into cabin.) Jim. Hetnp, you're a bird! Bida {Peeps over eminence M. SpeoJts uith low sepulchral voice.) A vulture! Hemp. {Seizing Jim.) Who's a vulture? Jim. I didn't say anything about vultures. {With trepidation.)' Did you? Hemp. No, you fool! Jim. Th — then, who did say it? I've heard there was a spirit around this place. They call it, the Shining Mystery. Molly says she's seen it. Hemp, Molly keeps plenty of spirits. Why shouldn't she see some? Jim. But they're not this kind. Pete. {Coming from cabin with ptn. THE SHINING MYSTERY. 23 ink, and candle) I've brought pen and ink. Hemp. {Showing bottle.) A.nd I've brought the bottle. As soon as the business is settled, we'll have a good drink all around, and part in peace. Jim. (Aside.) I don't want any. Ugh, "Rough on rats!" Pete. (Crosses to Jim L. Gives him pen and ink.) You hold the pen and ink, Jim. Hemp. {Sets bottle on stump aiid takes out paper.) Read this paper, Pete. {Gives Pete written document. All sit dovin on stage. Form .semicircle, facing audience. Pete, C. Hemp, R. Jim, L, Pet^ sets down candle in front of him; puts on glasses, and reada documtnt to himself.) You see, Pete, it's all made to me. Jim wants to appear as a disinter- ested party. That will give strength to his recommendation. Jim. {Aside.) If there was any stretigth to my recommendations, I'd have sold the Gold Bird, long aeoi Pete. This is all right. Hemp. Let me read it again. {Pete peruses.) Hemp. A dozen times, Pete, if you want to. {Low mysterious mu.sic. Bida steals forth from R. to stump: empties 24 THE SHINING MYSTEKY. bottle, and steals off L. Music stops.) Pete. Hemp, I'll sign this. l[emp. Go ahead, old boy; for it is twenty thousa.nd in your pocket, sure. Pete. {Sig lis,) There, Hemp, that set- tles the deal. {Givts Hemp document', picks up candle. All i ise.) Hemp. Now, we'll have something. {Takes up bottle.) Why the bottle's empty! Did you drink that, Jim? Jim. Me-e-e-e? Hemp. It's deuced queer! {Drops bottle on stump and advances.) Well, Pete, get us some of your best ore. I must have something to show. Pete. I have some good specimens in the cabin — Hemp. That wont do, Pete; I must have specimens, I see come oui of the mine. Pete. I've cleaned up the. floor — Hemp. Then, put in a shot. We can wait 'till you drill. Pete. The holes are all ready. I drilled uhera this morning. I always fire my blasts at night. This gives time for the smoke and powder smell to clear away by morning. Hemp. Well, take down some giant; and load her up and touch her off; and, THE SHINING MYSTERY. 25 as soon as the smot^e clears a a ay, you or I can go down long enough to get, h few good specimens. Pete. {Gets sticks of giant powder and loading tools back L .and, then, advances to shaft.) You feel contiij i', Hemp, you will have the money for me inside of ten days? Hemp. {Advancing to Pete L. Jim Ji.) I know I will. Pete. {With candle still in hand, getting into shaft,) Well, then, I'll get you the specimens. And when you see them, mark me, you will open your eyes. This mine is rich, Hemp, rich in free gold; but I am too old and too poor to open it up. {Decends into shaft.) Hemp. {Advances to shaft— Chord.) Mine, at last! Jim. What are you going to do, Kemp? Hemp. Perfect my title to this claim. Bring me that ax near the door. Juii. {Getting Hemp ax,) What you going to do with the ax? Hemp. Chop away the upper section of the ladder. Jim. Thx:!n. how will he get out? Hemp The blBst will blow him out. Jim. On. Hemp, no! For God sake, no! 26 THE SHINING MYSTERY. Hemp. Hands oflf, you coward, or I'll cut you in two! {Chops ladder.) '\ here goes the ladder! Jt may strike him, and fin eh him before t,he blast. Bida appears L. with ghostly and tragetic movement. Jim sees her; gives a yell, and rush- ing off R, runs into Polie, who is just entering, and knocks him down. Hemp. {Seeing Bida ) The spirit, by thunder! {Rushes off R.) Polie. {Sitting up.) Dot must'a bin a sow clone, vot struck me. {Stands up: sees Bida.) Vot's dot? Der ghost! Oh, ray! Scat! {Bidabecons tohim,) ^ein^ I dont bin acquainted mit you. Bida. {Advances to shaft and peer* in. Moon rises. Speaks plaintively.) Help, man, help! Polie. Der ghost is in trouble. Und a nice, leedle, vomeu ghost. I help her anyvay. I don't bin afraid of anytings, ven I don't vas scart. Veil, Miss Ghost, vot can I do vor ycu? Bida points down shaft,. Polie advances to shaft with fear and trembling, and looks in. THE SHINxNG MYSTERY. 27 Polie. You don't vant me lo go down in dot deep, dark hole, do you? Ow, nit! Pete. {In ahaft.) The ladder— the blast! Bid a. (Kneeling and looking in shaft,) It is Bida, father. Shall 1 let down the windlass rope to you? Pete. No— the ladder -the blast! Bida. [Rising.) He is dazed with fright. Bida runs back and brings sec- tion of ladder and thrusts it into shaft. . Pete. Quick- the blast! Bida. There, I've locked it into the old ladder. (Motions to Polie to assist her.) Polie, You shoost vant me to hold der ladder mit you. (Takes hold of ladder withher.) Kennen eie Deutch sprechen? Bida. Hold fast, my friend, or my faiher is lost. Poiie. (Aside) Der ghosts vater— das ist der dyvel! (Pete groans.) He's coming oop! (Dolefully.) Und I'm hold- ing der ladder for him Ooovv! Bidti. Steady, friend! Bida graspS Pete, as he comes 28 THE SHINING MYSTERY. out of shaft and hurries him to to rear 0. Polie. {Letting go th* ladder.) Dere Sfoes der ladder down der shaft, uni every hair in nay het mit it. Pete. le it really you, Bida? Bida. Yes, father, I am the Shining Mystery. Pete. ( Throwing his arms about her.) My daughter, my daughter! Bida. {Picks up Pollers guyi andjgives it to father,) Come, father. Quick! They may oome back and kill you. {Hurries him off L.) Polie. Der ghost has found her tater: maype her motter is in der hole, too. {Blast goes off, knocks him down to sitting posture.) Der olt lady is coming! To imitate blast, gun is tired off left; and powder in a pan down the shaft touched off. As the smoke rises from the shaft a handful of pebbles is showered on stage from the right. CURTAIN. THE SHINING MYSTERY. 29 ACT III. SCENE I. Same as scene first, act second. Windlass rope in shaft. Jim. Here is Pete's cabin. John. He may be inside. I'll go and ascertain. I haven't seen him for years. [Bnters cabin; looks around; exits into room^ back.) iViana. Tnis formation, Mr. Krimmer, i§ quite irregular. Jim. Nature's junk shop, ma'am, nature's junk shop. Maria {Chipping with little hammer.) Ttjis is all archaean. Jim. Yes'm. (Aside.) I wish, I was in the ark— Noah's ark. Maria, A.nd here are the scratches upon the rock. Jim. Yes'm, there's been some tali scratching here. Maria. This is all the work of the ancient ice period. Jim. It certainly was. {Aside.) I feel like a cake of ice, whenever I look at that shaft. John. {Coming from cabin.) He is ,;()t in the cabin. Jut), Probably otf on a tramp. 30 THE SHINING MYSTERY. {Aside— advancing R.) A tramp from which he will never returo. Oh, liord! John. {Exhibiting specimens.) Maria, here are some of the finest free gold specimens. I have ever seen. If this mine contains much of this material, it is one of the richest. I wish Peter was here. The cabm is unlocked. He can- not, be far away. Jim. {Aside.) No— only a few feet. Enter Kemp L. Hemp. {With hand on ivindlass) This is my mine. John. Your mine! How so, sir? Hemp. I bought it, yeslerday, John. Peter was a fool to sell it. Hemp. I purchased it for a wealthy sVndicate, I shall close the deal in three days. John, What was the consideration? Hemp. Sixty thousand dollars. John. {Aside.) If there is much of this ore in the mine, it is worth a million. I must examine one ledge. {Aloud.) Will you permit me to examine the ledge? Hemp. Certainly. I'll go with you. Jim. {Aside.) My time has come! John. {Going to rear of shaft and THE SHINING MYSTERY. 81 looking in.) Why, Ibe ladder is brokeij away! Peter may have fallen, and be lying dead at the bottom of the shaft. Maria. Oh, horror, brother! Jim. {Aside.) That's where he is, dead as a mackajrei and peppered with free gold specimens. If T was a bird, I'd fly— I'd fly! John. {Picking up candle.) Here is his oandle. I'll go down on the ropet Maria. Oh, no, John! You might fall. John. Pall! You forget, sister, that I served tive years before the mast. Give me a rope to hold to, and that is all I ask. Kemp You lower me first, mister. {Aside) I'll not trust that Krimmer. As soon as the business is settled, J '11 settle bim. {To John.) I'm ready, sir. Give me the candle. John gives candle to Hemp; grasps windlass crank right side; Hemp gets on windlass rope, and John lowers him Then, John goes to front of ah aft, and takes hold of rope. John. When I shake the rope. Mr, Krimmer, you will wind up. {Slides down rope.) 32 THE SHINING MYSTEKY. Jim. YeB, sir. [Aside.] I'm wound up, already. {Crosses to shaft and looks in.) He'e down— (J« seized with a sudden remorse of conscience. Rushes to Maria with terror and trembling.) Oh, Mies Merton, I'ml a terrible wicked man. Maria. What do you mean, Mr. Krimmer? Jim. I mean, I'm a cheat — a swin- dler — a highwayman— a murderer — Maria. Mr. Krimmer, if you say another word, I'll scream. Jim. Don'l, ma'am, don't! I only want to confess. We sent him down the shaft with a candle; and Hemp, that man who is down in the pine with your brother, chopped away the ladder, and Pete was blown to pieces hy the blast. He, now, lies a dead and mangled corpse at the bottom of the shaft. {Maria screams.) Oh, spare me, spare me! {Falls prone before Maria. Folie crawls out from under bunk in cabin. Has bloody rag around head,) Don't let them hang me! Polie. I dreempt, I heard somepotty scream. Maria, Help! Polie. {Rushes on from cabin.) Vot'sder matter, voman? THE SHINING MYSTERY. 33 — ik , Oh, protect me! Polie, Vot shall I brotect you vrom? Man a. That man Polie. Veil, he's— Maria, Look — the rope — quick — it moves— wind it up! John, my brother is in the shaft with a stranger — the man who murdered, Peter. Polie. Vot's his name? Maria. {Pomting to Jim.) Th3.t man called him, Hemp. Polie. Der gelt-sviper! {Runs to right of windlass; winds ciank violently; section of ladder comes> up on rope.) Dot's der pisiness, vot I dropped last night, ven der hair flew oud of my het. Jim. {Jumping up and rushing to Polie.) Don't let them hang me! Polie. {Smashing him and knocking him down.) Be quiet! You scare me to det mit your lunatics. {Maria staggers.) Vot's der matter mit der voman? {Catches her in hi» arms. She faints.) She's done kiboodled! Enter Molly R. Molly. Polie, what's the matter? Polie, Die voman's kiboodled, Molly. Molly. You're huggin her, ye thaif I Polie. {Throwing her to Molly.) Take 34 THE SHINING MYSTERY. ' her — der rope's viggling. Molly. What's the matter wid your head? Polie, I struck it against a sowclone. Molly. [Pointing t@ Jim.] And what ails that feller? Polie. He's get gramps, und he's layin down to gount 'em. Molly. May the divil twisht'im! (Places Maria on rock R.) Say, Polie, what's the matter here, anyway? Polie. Ghosts— murter — shootin, und kiboodling. Dot's Vot's der matter, Molly, Molly. The Lord rave us! John. {In shaft.) I am on the ladder, coming up. Lower the windlass rope to me. {Polie lowers rope.) Steady! Now, swing the rope over and I'll climb out. {Polie swings rope over.) There! Hold the crank. {Polie holds windlass crank; John climbs out on rope.) It is all right, Maria: Peter is not in the mine. Maria. {Rising and advancing.) Thank heaven! Jim. The bla«t blew him out. Oh, I can't hang. (Rushes into cabin. Polie lowers rope full length.) Molly. How do you know, 'til you thry, you sniveler! Sure, that feller THE SHINING MYSTERY. 35 is goin mad wid the bug faiver. Polie sits on windlass crank; takes out pipef lights it and smokes. John. What is the matter with Knmmer? Maria, Oh! he has confessed all: bow he and the miner, you went down in the mine with, overcame Peter; and chopping away the ladder, left him to be blown to pieces hy the blast., John. You don't say so! {Takes out paper.) Then they must hBve obtained this paper by fraud. 1 have just paid the fellow, down in the mine, one thousand dollars, in cold cash, for it. Polie. (Rising.) Is dot so! John. Is that you're husband, Molly? {Polie drops his head.) Molly. {Squirming.) No, sir. It's Polie- one av the bravest mm — Polie. Der rope's viggling, Molly. Molly. Thin- let it wiggle! John. Are you hurt, sir? Polie. Nein. John. This Hemp must not escape. Polie. How gan he? He's down der hole, und gan't get oud, undil I pull him oud. 36 THE SHINING MYSTERY. John. But I want my money. Polie. I'll go und ged it. {Slides down windlass rope.) Molly. (Turning.) Where's, Polie? John. Gone down the shaft. Molly. What for? John. My money. Molly. /\.ud is llimp, there? John. Yes, ma'am^ Molly. See, the rope's shakiu. Let me at the windlass. Come, sir, help me. (Molly goes to right of windlass; John to left.) Now, slow and etidy, sir. Jim comes from cabin. Groans. Molly Another cow gone! (They wind.) Polie. (In shaft.) Hold, steaty und fast. I'm on der ladder, goming oop; der odder veller's on der rope. Put down do'o liddle shtep-ladder, so I gan gome oud. Molly. Hold the crank, sir. I'll give him the ladder. (Puts down ladder to Polie.) Now, aisy, Polie. Polie. Holt solit, Molly, or I'll go to der bottom of der sea in a minnoot. (Molly holds ladder ; Polie comes out on it, pistol in hand. Goes to crank, and winds with John. Hemp appears in shaft with rope around waist.) Here, Molly, holt der grank. (She holds crank.) THE SHINING MYSTERY. 37 Easy — DOW, oop a liddle. {Pulls Hemp out front by colar, covering him with pistol) Jim. Hemp, I have confessed all. Hemp. {Springing on him like a fiend) You have, have you! Maria screams, and runs into cabin, and off R. Moiiy. {Following her.) Niyer moind, Miss Merton, Polie'il take care av thim, Jim. Oh, stop him! {Johii about to interfere.) Polie. Lied'em fight it oud, sir. Of dey kill each odder, dot saves der hang- ing Dake dis pistol, und vatch dot dey don't get avay, {Gives John pistol out of belt; keeps one in hand. Hemp and Jim struggle from R. to shaft.) Vatch'em, sir! Molly, {Callinig.) Oh, Mr. Merton, you're sister has a fit. John runs into cabin and off R. Jim. Don't murder me, Hemp. Hemp. You cur! Jim. You're strangling me. Hemp. Hemp. I'll kill you, you driveling coward! {Swings Jim around into shaft.) In you go! {Jim clings to Hemp^ pulls his legs into shaft.) Be careful! I've got giant powder and capa in my 38 THE SHINING MYSTEKY. pocket, Jim. Don't drop me, Hemp. Hemp. {Beating Jim on head with fist.) Down you go, you white livered scab! {Jim disappears into shaft with terrific yell.) Po]ie. Dere goes number vone;' {Aside) und here is goes number two. {Pushes Hemp into shaft.) Dot's der end of deir mongey pisiness. Loud report heard; Hemp's old hat and smoke comes up out of shaft. Polie puts pistol in belt; takes out pipe and tobacco; fills pipe; takes off coat and lays it on stump; sits on stump, and lights pipe and smokes. Enter Molly from cabin. Molly. Poke, what was that awful noise? Polie. Anodder sowclone. Molly. • Molly. An where are the min? Polie. Down der hole. ACT IV. SCENE I. Inside Molly Moriarity's cabin. Table R. Chairs around room. Molly discovered. Molly. Sure, the ind of villany is THE SHINING MYSTERY. 39 dith. The scoundrels got their just desairts. I tould Bida her husband was here; and, that she may now come out of her hiding. The work of the Shining Mystery is done. Bless her, poor choild, I've fed her and watched over her, while she hovered around the dure of the father who cursed her. Sure, but it'ill be a tinder mating between her and her husband, and her swate little babe! Enter Bida at door, cautiously. Bida. Molly? Molly. Bida, me jewel, are you come! Bida. Is he here? Molly. No, Bida, dear, he wint over to Velton's with your father to mate your paiple. Bida. Did you tell him? Molly. Not a word. Bida. A.nd my babe? Molly. She's with your husband. Biba. i^nd do you expect them soon? Molly. Ivery wane av thim'ill be here, before we know it. Hush! there's some one, now. Just run into that room, and kape yourself close. Oh, but it'ill be a surprise! Bida. Oh, my sweet babe, to clasp you to my breast! This will be a day of recompense and joy, indeed! (Polie 40 THE SHINING MYSTEKY. sings outside. Exit Bida R.) Enter Polie at door. Polie. Veil, Molly eferytings is all right. [Takes out pipe and fills it.) Molly. Yie, Polie. Polie. You Defer saw such huggin und hant shakin as dere vas oop dere, vea dose peobles met. I vas so obdoodled by der sight of it, dot I shook hants mit meinself. Molly. Sure, Polie, there's more joy and surprise for thim yet. Polie. Is dot so! Molly. They have'nt seen the ghost yit. Polie. I saw dot, Molly. Und it do dis. {Becons with finger.) Dot means, it vants me. Und I see, it vas a nice liddle voman ghost, bo I go und help her. Molly. Ah, Polie, I'm afraid, it's the women you're fond of. {Looks at him ooquettishly. Polie sneezes.) Go on wid your story. Polie. Den I took holt of der ladder ; und, priddy soon, I hear some vone coming oop. It vas der dyvel; und der ghost grapped him, und run avay mit him. Oh, my! I vas so scart, der hair all flew oud of my het. Look vonce. {Takes off cap and shows hald head.) Den bang goes der shaft hole, und knocked THE SHINING MYSTERY. 41 ,me flab down on my — back. Ach! I tought I vas det. Molly. By the powers, you had a wild time of it, Polie. Polie. I don't vant any more ghost. Molly. Weil, Poke, where are yegoin now, an what are ye goin to do? Polie, I don't know, Molly. I like it Xjriddy veil, right here. [Sits down,) Molly. [Moving up to him.] Sure, Polie, I belaive this'ill be a good camp. {Smiles at him coquettishly; nudges him.) Polie. (Sneezing.) Molly, ven you look at me like dot, you obdoodle me. Molly. Do I, Polie? Polie, Ya-ah. Molly. Faith, Poke, I've fallen in love wid the Dut'jh, since I saw you. Polie. {Jumping up.) Is dot so! Veil, Molly, I shoost — {Earnestly.) sometimes feel, — ven I denk of you — {Molly smiles at him eoquettishly.) Bave you got a match? Molly. No; but I have a pin. {Sticks him.) Polie. {Jumping.) Is dot so! Molly. Sit down here and watch the house, until I come back. I want to go up the road a pace and see, if thim paiple are coming, nnd moind, now, if 42 THE SHINING MYSTEKY. any one comes, while I am gone, you be very unconsairned; bekase, there's a sacret hero that must be hid. Poiie, Ungonzairned? You mean Jike dis? [Whistles; and assumes an uncon- cerned air.) Is dot it? Molly. The very thing. (Going.) Now moind, Polie, -unconsairned; for there are plinty av pryers around, Poiie. 1 don't know vot dot zecret is; but, you bet, I be ungonzairned. {Exit Molly at door.) 1 like dot Molly priddy \^ell. She don't vas afrait of anydings. Of she try to marry me, I let her, by tam. I tough t I heart somepotty. I must be unconzairned. {Sits in chair at table and whistles.) Enter Bida R. Bida. I cannot restrain my impa- tience. Why do they not come! Molly gone, too! May be J can induce this German to go and hurry them up. It is •the same noble fellow who assisted me so bravely upon that fearful night. Polie. Dere's somepotty, sure. Dey viil see I bin plenty unconzairned. Bida. 1 must see my child, at once. My good friend, — {Polices whistle grows v)eak.) will you — THE SHINING MYSTERY. 43 Polie. (Polie turns head', sees Bida.] Der ghost! [Jumps over table ; falls on back, and pulls table over on him.) Enter at door: Molly, and Paul leading Litta; Pete, Maria, and John. Molly. Paul Eaton, there stands your wife, Bida. Bida. Paul! Paul. Bida! Bida. My babe, my babe! {Clasps Litta.) Peter. God bless you, ray childrefl! Bida here is your uncle John. You have met Maria. {Maria and Bida embrace and kiss.) John. {Taking Bida''s hand.) When I last saw yuu, Bida, you were a babe in your mother's arms. Molly. Who upset the table? {Sets table on legs— sees Polie.) Why, Polie, what's the matter? Polie. {Rising.) I bin unconzairnodi Molly. Why did you pull over the table? Polie. I saw dot ghost. Molly. There's no ghost. Look, there she is; the daughter of the man you helped out of the shaft, and tht> wifo of 44 THE SHINING MYSTERY. him you rescued from that villain, Himp. Polie. Is dot so! Bida. Here is my hand, my noble fellow. It will coDvince you, I am flesh and blood. Polie. {Takes her hand.) I hope, you oxcuse me, missus, for tooking you for a ghost; but, by jimminie, 1 tought you vas. You priddy near kiboodled me. Bida. Well Polie — that is your name, 1 believe — Polie. Yah, my name is Polie — Polie Dobenheimer. Bida. We shall take you and dear faithful Molly into our family circle. Polie. How is dot, Molly? Are we going to be a vamily? Molly. Jist as you say, Polie {Polie f>neezes.) Paul. Dear Bida, faithful wife, faith- ful daughter, faithful mother, and faithful friend, surrounded by our encompassing loves, cold censure steals away. Bida. Dear Paul, in peace and plenty, a mother's joy, a husbands love, and father's blessing, ends my service as the Shining Mystery. CURTAIN. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 017 400 864 4