H 73 : >S 3519 .8423 28 1917 Copy 1 The Crank A Play in Four Acts by J. A. JACOBSEN 4 V i THE CHARACTERS: Marcus Lee. .. .Editor and candidate for governor. Daniel Webster Billings, his uncle; retired news- paper publisher. "Ginger" Billings' mulatto valet. Ralph Sterling Friend and classmate of Lee. Hiram Scribner. .Assistant Editor of the Observer Paul Pryor A young newspaper reporter. Silas Pettigrew Capitalist and politician. Sam Miles, Politician and Chairman of State Com- mittee. Russell Pike Capitalist and political boss. Harry Kidder Pike's secretary. Benjamin Archer University professor. Margaret Archer, his daughter; engaged to Marcus Lee. Mrs. Cromwell Her cousin; a young widow. Mrs. Robinson Billings' widowed sister. Miss Tuller. . .Society Editor and Lees secretary. Time: Recent years. Place: The capital of one of the states in the Middle West. ■ ACT I. Library in Mr. Billings' Home. Two large windows facing a small park., where tree? and a church steeple may be seen in the distance. The room is comfortably, but not elaborately furnished with a large leather-npholstered sofa in the right foreground and heavy leather covered chairs, a large brown rug, a flat-top mahogany writing desk at the right; opposite a hre-place in front of which is piaced a settee, some chairs and a tabic with a vast- of flowers. Over hre-place guns, swords and shields artistically arranged. Between windows bookcases and a phonograph. Pictures on the walls: Washington, Lincoln, Billings' parents, his late wife and a landscape. A door at each end of the room. BILLINGS. (Alone in the room, resting on the sofa at the right, reading a newspaper. He is a pale, gray- haired man about sixty- five with a short gray beard. Dressed in a "pepper-and-salt" travel- ing suit. He handles the newspaper in an im- patient manner, turning the leaves and search- ing the columns, as if looking for something of importance; grumbles). Hang it all, . . I wanted to see the name of the poor devil, who is going to be Mark's opponent, before I start on this trip. Those high-binders are slower than (Shouts) oh, sav, Ginger! GINGER, (his mulatto valet, enters from door to the right) Yes, suh ! BILLINGS. Arn't there any convention extras out yet? This afternoon paper has no news. GINGER. I ain't heard the kids shoutin' no extrys yet. suh, but we ain't goin' to start for an hour, and maybe them pink sheets will be out by that time BILLINGS. Yes, maybe. Say, Ginger, has the baggage been taken to the station? GINGER. Yes, suh, and checked, too; I've got the checks right here (produces some baggage checks from vest pocket.) BILLINGS. When did Mark say he would be home? And how about Miss Margaret? I want to have a talk with them before I leave. (Looks at his watch and assumes a half sitting position.) GINGER. Mr. Mark phoned he would be here 'bout three o'clock, but I don't know nothing about the ladies ; they all went in the car, — to some meeting, I heard them say and after that for a drive to the country club. — Now I'm goin' to fix your medi- cine, suh ; it's time for them yaller powders now. (Starts to leave the room.) BILLINGS. Oh, bother the yellow powders ! GINGER. There's only about a dozen of them left, suh. BILLINGS. How long will they last at the rate I am taking them ? GINGER. Just two days more, and the doctor says you don't need any more of them. He says nature and climate will do the rest. BILLINGS. All right, I will finish them on the train. GINGER. Yes, suh. (Leaves the room.) BILLINGS. (Lies down again and resumes reading the newspaper.) MARCUS LEE enters from the left. LEE Hello, Uncle Daniel! Resting up for your long j(5urney ? BILLINGS. (Sits up) Oh, there you are at last! — Yes, I am trying to get used to leading a life oi leisure and idleness. LEE You are not going to be id'e. Sightseeing, talking with a lot of fellow tourists, reading maga- zines and bossing Ginger will keep yen busy -enough, 1 should think ! BILLINGS. Bossing Ginger! Why, that fellow is getting so he is bossing me ! (At this moment Ginger enters with a powder on a paper in one hand and a glass of water in the other.) 8 GINGER. Your yaller powder, suh. BILLINGS. (peevishly) I told you, I did not want that nasty stuff now. — You swallow it for me and get to blazes out of here. GINGER. Sorry, Mr. Billings, but I reckon you go* to do the swallowing yourself! that's old Doc. Slocum's orders. BILLINGS. Oh, all right; here goes — (Ginger gives him the powder, which he swallows with some diffi- culty, washes it down with water and hands the glass back to Ginger, who leaves the room) — great Jupiter, what an agony ! — - (as he brushes powder off his coat and wipes his mouth) — I — never knew what it was to ail. till two years ago, and 1 am not used to all this fuss, — but if it helps me. t should not mind; and I think it does, for my rheumatism seems to have left me — (suddenly) But the time is short, and I must have a talk with you (walks over to the desk and seats himself in the armchair, while Lee takes chair on opposite side) Any news yet from the enemy's camp? LEE Not yet, but I think there will be before night. I told Scribner to ring me up here as soon as the nomination is out. BILLINGS. Of course, it does not make a particle of dif- ference as far as the final result is concerned. You are bound to win, no matter whom they put up against you. You are the nominee of the majority party in this state, — the party that has held all the offices from governor down to doe-catcher for Ike last thirty years. — Why, .you could not be defeated if you tried! But ] am curious to know, who is going to be Russell Pike's goat this time; (laughs). I wish Pike himself would run, for I should like to see him get a dose of the same me- dicine he has been handling out to his poor dupes all these years; leading them to defeat and oblivion and then turning around an d doing business with the victors the minute the struggle is over. But there is no danger, that the boss himself will be a candidate for any office ; it is worth more to be boss. Some obscure beggar, who needs the advertising will enjoy the cheap spot-light till the votes are counted, — and you are it. (Laughs.) Oh, it is too easy to be exciting! — Too easy! — i Leans across the table; seriously.) -- But joking aside, Marcus, you don't realize how proud and happy it makes me to know, that three months from next Tuesday I shall have the privilege of helping to elect my sister's son to the highest of- fice in our state. And when the boy I reared and educated is getting to be recognized as one of the great statesmen of this nation then I shall call it square with Fate for that boy of mine I lost many years ago. Mark, I am going to get my reward, for [ know you will make good; vou have brains and ambition, you have education and training for a great public career, you have good sense, and you have character, — and you are going to marry a girl who will be a great help to you. She is not only winsome and attractive, but she is endowed with a very level head and a splendid character. — (He stops short and looks sharply at Lee, who has been listening with a serious expression on his face.) — Why, what's the matter? You don't seem very enthusiastic, — aren't you feeling well? LEE. I never was in better health : n my life, and I 10 appreciate deeply the honor my party has shown me, — but there are men in that party, — prominent men, — whose principles I cannot endorse, and whose plans I cannot support, neither as a candi- date, nor as governor. And as the editor ol the leading' newspaper in this state, it is my duty to stand up for what T know to be right, even if by doing so I shall lose vhe support of oui most powerful and influential citizens. — Uncle Daniel. I am afraid I am going to have a lot of trouble on my hands, while you are away; I see it coming. It may mean my defeat in the fall; perhaps that is why 1 cannot share your enthusiasm at the present moment. BILLINGS. What do you mean?' What's up? LEE The rawest grafting schemes ever proposed, and I am not going to stand for them — But don't let me trouble you with politics now ; you need rest. — Are yon going to stop off in the mountains or go right through to the coast? BILLINGS. Answer my question; what is the trouble : LEE Well, to state the case briefly: Our friend, Pettigrew, has made me understand, that 1 must not oppose the Indian Land Purchase Bill, which yon know is the rottenest steal ever planned . in this or any other state, nor must I tell the truth about the army post scheme, by which Pettigrew and others hope to clean up nearly half a million dollars on the sale of their Rivervicw subdivisions, if the deal goes through. If I don't keep silent on these subjects during this campaign, the recog- nized leaders of my own party intend to knife me. And Pettigrew actually had the nerve to ask me to 11 promise him the temporary appointment as United States Senator, in case Senator Smart dies or re- signs after I take office. BILLINGS. The paper here says the senaior cannot pos- sible live four months, and that he may die at any moment. LEE Yes, I know; he is a very sick man, and if he is unable to go to Washington for the coming session, they must have a man in his place, who will look after their interests. BILLINGS. And Pettigrew wants the appoinment? — For himself? LEE For himself, — or for someone of his choice. BILLINGS. Did he say that, — using those words? LEE He did, and he very frankly gave his reasons. I never felt so insultet in my life ! BILLINGS. What did you tell him? LEE Wait till you hear it all. — Did you know, that our next legislature will be asked to appropriate three million dollars for a new capitol? BILLINGS. Why, we don't need a new capitol ! Ii we spend two hundred thousand to complete the east wing, we will have a state-house that will do good service for the next fiftv vears. It is a fine building! "lee Exactly. Nevertheless, our professional patri- ots have quietly put their heads together and de- cided, that the present building" is drafty and un- sanitary and too small, — that a special capitol com- mission is to be appointed to prepare a report for the guidance of the next legislature, and that a bill providing for a capitol bond issue will be introduced at the same time. This is, as yet, a secret, of course ; — that is, the plan is known to the inner circle only, but it is not a party secret by any means. Russell Pike and Silas Pettigrew and their respective lieutenants are working hand in hand. Their fat palms are fairly itching! BILLINGS, Is that all? LEE That is all for the present, and it's enough. And being their candidate for the governorship, they had to take me into their confidence, because they will need my services. As Pettigrew puts it: 1 am expected to do my duty to my party, to my political and personal friends and to myself." BILLINGS. What do they want you to do? LEE Promise the senate appointment to Pettigrew. — if such an appointment is to be made by me, — keep silent about the two land schemes and the capitol scheme, if I cannot openly advocate them, and promise not to veto the capitol bill, if it is passed by, the legislature. BILLINGS. And — did — you promise — I mean, did you de- clare yourself? LEE Pettigrew is the only man, who has spoken to me about this. It was yesterday. I toll him I 13 would see him and Sam Miles here this afternoon and talk it over. There are too many people run ning in and out of the office, and I want to tell them quietly and privately what I think of their schemes. They will know where I stand, when 1 get ihrough with them. BILLINGS. (Gives Lee his hand.) You don't need my ad- vice, i know you will do what is right. — But I hope you have misunderstood Silas Pettigrew; he has always been my friend, and while I know he is very fond of money, — and knows how to make it — I never considered him crooked; perhaps you two can reach an honorable understanding. — Anyway. I am not going to worry abobut yo.u You are all right. LEE. Thank you, uncle. (An automobile horn is heard outside: a mo- ment later animated conversation and laughter, and Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Cromwell and Margaret Archer enter from the left. The men rise and meet them.) MRS. ROBINSON. We have had the loveliest ride! (To Billings) : How do you feel, brother? It is getting cooler and you will have a good night's sleep on the train, and tomorrow you will be in the mountains, (straight- ens his neck-tie) — and the mountain air will just make a new man of you. (LEE and MARGARET are conversingly quietly by themselves.) MRS. CROMWELL. (To Lee and Margaret.) Don't be so exclusive' We have something to discuss, before Mr. Billings starts on his trip, and here isn't much t'me left. (The ladies and Billings seat themselves near table opposite fire-place, while Lee remains standing.) 14 LEE. Well, what it it? Politics or family affairs? MARGARET. Just politics. Your candidacy was endorsed unanimously by the women's club this afternoon. MRS. CROMWELL. In turn for which the women expect you to advocate equal suffrage both in your paper, on the stump and after you become governor. LEE. How about the anti-suffrage women? What do they want me to do in return for their endorse- ment? MRS. CROMWELL. Oh, they don't count ; they arc-, negative and consequently not entitled to consideration. LEE. (To Mrs. Robinson.) What are you, aunt Jane, pro or anti? MRS. ROBINSON I am neutral and noncommittal. LEE. And you, Margaret, what pledges do you want me to make? MARGARET. Father says it is wrong for a candidate for of- fice to make pre-election pledges. MRS. CROMWELL. Not this kind of a pledge, my dear. This is a matter of political principle, and a candidate should declare himself, that's all. BILLINGS. I suppose, Margaret, your father means prom- 15 ises of reward, such as appointments, and illegal agreements to be fulfilled after eleclion. MRS. CROMWELL. Of course. MARGARET. Well, I don't care; Mark should not make .my promises unless he possitively knows he can keep them, so I am going to be neutral like auntie, — although .1 do believe women should vote if they want to. LEE. (Laughs.) Well, you women seem to be rather divided on this subject, and if yon three represent, the membership of the women's clubs, then it would probably be wise for me, too, to be neutral on the suffrage question. MRS. CROMWELL. Shame on you ! LEE. (Trying to be serious.) Don't think I am try- ing to make light of this great question; for J am not. 1 have never denied women's right to vote and hold office, and if their taking active part in public affairs will purify our politico, then 1 am for it, of course, if all good and intelligent women can be depended on to exercise their right and not leave it to the vicious and ignorant, who will be sure to exercise their right, because certain forces in our political system will see to it that they do. There lies the danger. Too man}- of you good women would remain neutral and passive, and the bad element might grow stronger instead of weaker. — But as to what I will do when elected governor, — you must remember, I am not elected yet, — al- though 1 hope to be, of course, . MRS. CROMWELL. Hope to be ! What a pessimist you are ! How 16 could you possible lose? — And think of little Peggy as "the governor's lady" !— And the wedding right after election! November will surely be an eventful month this year. — You know, Mark, I am telling Margaret to have the wedding before your inauguration, while auntie thinks it ought to be after. What do you think? BILLINGS. What does the bride-elect say? MARGARET. We have not fixed the date yet. There is plenty time to consider that. — Mark, I want you to get the biggest vote any governor ever had in this state; (goes to the table, takes a flower from the vase, fastens it in Lee's buttonhole)— wear this as a pledge ot my loyal support. LEE. Thank you. Peggy; I may need it. (The tele- phone rings, Lee goes to answer it.) Hello, — yes. hello, Scribner !, . . . what ! (excited) what is that"- 1 . .. .great Scott! ....Well, all right. .. .yes. of course, get out an extra at once.... no, I shall not be at the office for an hour or more. ...No. — Thank you, Scribner. Goodbye. (Advances slowly and gravely toward the others.) Margaret, yon are going to be mistress of the executive mansion without a doubt, no matter who is elected. .THE OTHERS. What do you mean? LEE. Scribner just telephoned, that Professor Ben- jamin Archer has been nominated as my opponent, and that he has reluctantly accepted the nomina- tion. 17 MARGARET. (Excited.) Father?-— Daddy nominated to run against you ! BILLINGS. Well, I'll be LEE. (To Margaret.) Yes, your father. But win- not? He lias always belonged to that political party— in theory, you know; a silent, passive party- man, to be sure, but he is no doubt the most re- spectable man they could find. — Too good for that crowd.— But now, Peggy, if you want me to sur- render the "pledge of loyal support" you just gave me. 1 will do so. (Removes flower from button- hole and offers it to her.) MARGARET. Mark, how can you ! . MRS. CROMWELL \ ou have her word MRS. ROBINSON. (Puts her arm around Margaret.) i ou poor girl, you wil be in an embarrassing position; but- after all, we women have no pare in politics, and that is very fortunate for you in this case. BILLINGS. Besides, her father is not a candidate in earn- est; his yarty cannot elect anybody in our state; he knows that, and everybody knows it, so what is the difference? But I am giad they honored Pro- fessor Archer with the nomination; it's the only decent act that gang has done in years. — Now, look here, this does not need to cause any embarrass- ment or misunderstanding between two sensible young persons, — does it, now? 18 LEE. Lee, of course not. but (takes Margaret's hands and looks her in the eyes) Peggy, how do you feel about this? Is it going to make any dif- ference? Or will you be just as interested in my success from now on as you have been? MARGARET. (Takes the flower Lee is holding in his hand and puts it back in his buttonhole.) There ! That's my answer! Now let us all talk sense! BILLINGS. A sensible women is the noblest work of God ! MRS. CROMWELL. Even nobler than the proverbial "honest man''? BILLINGS. Yes, and much scarcer. MRS. CROMWELL. (Laughing.) Well, 1 like that! MARGARET. ( Worried.) I hope they will not ask father to waste his time and health traveling around the country making stump-speeches; but if they do, he will not consent to it, for he must know he could never be elected, and I am sure he has no desire to be. He is too much wrapped up in his work at the university to have political ambitions. — I wish, though, he had not accepted the nomination. BILLINGS. He probobdy had no opportunity to decline; was he present at the convention? LEE. No, he telegraphed his acceptance from Fair- field, Scribner told me. 19 BILLINGS. From Fairfield? Is he at ]• airfield? MARGARET. Yes, he went to Fairfield yesterday to deliver a lecture at the teachers' summer school. He will be home this evening. BILLINGS. Oh, well, he will perhaps make three or four set speeches on national issues during the cam- paign, and that will be all they will expect of him. GINGER. (At the left entrance; announces) : Mr. Petti- grew and Mr. Miles! Enter Silas Pettigrew and Sam Miles (They greet everybody cordially). PETTIGREW. (A thin, gray-haired man about the age of sixty.; Mr. Miles and I have come here for a little conference with our next governor (bows to Lee) and (turning to Billings) 1 am glad we arrived in time to say good-bye to you, Billings. I hope you will have a pleasant trip; it will do you good, I am sure. BILLINGS. I hope it will. I am going to the Puget Sound country and Alaska to get away from our hot summer weather, — but I shall be back in time for election ; it would never do to lose my vote ! PETTIGREW. (Smiling.) I should say not ; — not this vear ! A NEWSBOYS VOICE (outside). Extre-e pa- per! All about the nomination of Archer for gov- ernor! Extre-e Herald! All about the conven- tion! Extre-e! Extre-e! All about Professor Archer's nomination! 20 (Miles tries to hide a grin, while the others feel uncomfortable and embarrassed.) PETTI GREW. (Suddenly and rather forced.) Ha, that's a joke! (Glances from Lee to Margaret. In an apologetic tone:) Well, this is a rather queer situa- tion, — but such is politics. 1 should not have re- ferred to it at all, if this newsboy hadn't— I can realize how you must feel, of course MARGARET. Please don't apologize! Father's nomination was a shock at first, but we all accept the situation gracefully. BILLINGS. And good-naturedly. PETTI GREW". You would be without any sense of humor, if you didn't! I am glad you feel so cheerful about it. MILES. (Still grinning.) 1 wonder, how the professor will get along with old Pike! PETTI GREW. Ha-ha! They certainly will make an v.dd looking team ! BILLINGS. Poor Archer! MARGARET. Tell me, Mr. Miles, what sort of a man is Mr. Pike? I have heard so many — well — queer things said about him. Is he so uncouth and rough? MILES. Have you never seen him? MARGARET. No, I don't think I have. 21 MILES. Well, he is a rather stout, middle-aged, loud- voiced, ruddy-faced citizen, who wears a limp string-tie, a slouch hat, chews tine-cut and carries his tooth-brush prominently displayed in his upper left-hand vest-pocket along with his comb, lead pencil and fountain pen. And to prove to a critical world, that he is "a perfect gent'' of fastidious tastes, he is in the habit of doing his own manicur- ing in public— Rut 1 would not call him rough; he is just a human hog; still he is gentle and good- natured enough, as long as he is not crossed. MRS. CROMWELL He must be a regular old bear: MILES. Yes, that description fits him although his political enemies have frequently referred to him as "a gray wolf" — Nog. hear, wolf, — take your choice ! MRS. CROMWELL. \\ hat office does he hold? PETTIGREW. tie does not hold any office except that of State Chairman and National Committee man of the minority party ; that is all he wants for himself in the way of office, but it is enough. (To Lee) He is your real opponent, not Professor Archer; Archer is merely a — merely a- — MARGARET. Merely a what? PETTIGREW. I mean, that as long as Pike and his crowd know they cannot carry the election, they nomi- nated your honored father just to show the people how respectable they are. Your father is our 22 state's most eminent authority on political econo- my, and he has always advocated the principles the minority party stands for in national politics, so it was perfectly proper that he should he placed at the head of his party's state ticket. It is not his fault, that the men, who are responsible for his nomination, don't care a rap for political principles or any other kind of principles, nor for national issues which most of them don't understand. MRS. ROBINSON But why are they in politics, if they don't understand it? PETT1GREW (laughs) I am afraid it would take too long- to explain that riddle ! MARGARET. Please don't try. It is better that some my- steries remain unexplained. RALPH STERLING has entered quietly from the left and seems embar- rassed, when he sees so many present. LEE. Why. hello. Ralph! Come right in! STERLING. I thought you were alone; it is four o'clock. LEE. Yes; uncle is about to leave, ;\nd we shall soon get down to business. (To the others) Allow me to present my friend and class-mate, the Reverend Ralph Sterling, pastor of the People's Church. (He introduces Sterling to all present.) Mr. Ster- ling has been here only a month, and he has been so busy getting acquainted with his work, that he had not had time to meet any of my friends. (To 23 Miles). He was the champion orator of our class at College, and he has offered us hir services as cam- paign speaker. (To Sterling.) Mr. Miles, you know, is our State Chairman and in direct charge of my campaign. STERLING. My experience in politics is very limited, bat I shall do my best, and I place myself entirely at your service. MILES. Thank you, Mr. Sterling; I am sure we can use you, although we don't consider this a close •contest. LEE. It may be closer than you think. GINGER. i enters from right carrying Mr Billing's hat and stick). The car is waiting, suh ! GTDMjIM£ : fiMi^pa^ (Looks at his watch.) All right, Ginger, it is time to be off. — Now, you ladies will go to the station with me, of course. (To the men) : And I suppose you political pirates have important business, so I will excuse you and give you my "blessings. (They all follow him out through the left door, which is open. Animated conversation.) PETTIGREW and MILES return in a mo- ment, PETTIGREW. You don't suppose he is going 10 ring that young preacher in on us, do you? MILES. It looks that way; he evidently had an ap- pointment to be here at four. 24 PETTIGREW. We shall have to side-track him, that's all ! It is Marcus Lee, we arc doing business with today,. and we don't want any witnesses MILES. Witnesses or no witnesses, we are going to have trouble with our candidate, judging iiom the way he received our proposition yesterday. PETTIGREW. Yes, I am afraid he is one ot those super-sen- sitive, conscientious cranks, — 01: maybe he is just a plain hypocrite. MILES. Let us hope he is just a hypocrite, then it will merely be a question of how much he wants for himself, and the rest will be easy. But if he is the kind of a crank you mentioned, then we are up against it. PETTIGREW. Well, we shall soon find out. — Here they are. LEE and STERLING enter together. LEE. Now, let us get down to business. t Places chairs around the writing desk, while Sterling is conversing with 1'ettigrew and Miles.) PETTIGREW. Which church is it you are the pastor of? STERLING. The People's Church. — We are holding meetings in the Apollo theater every Sunday fore- noon. My work here is as yet, merely in the experi- mental stage, but similar movements have met with much success in other cities and have done a great deal of good among the very large class ni 25 people, who do not affiliate with any of the other churches. PETTIGREW. What denomination do you represent? STERLING. The People's Church is non-denominational, We la}* no stress upon creeds and dogmas but em- phasize the importance of character, right thinking,, right living and good citizenship PETTIGREW. Is there any organized society backing the mo- vement financially? STERLING. There is, but I have not yet nailed upon the na- tional organization for any assistance and shall not do so, until my success here justifies expenditures for extension of the work. The collections taken at c:><- : meeimg umirMv nay the rent of the 1 heater, which is very reasonable, thanks to the liberality of the management. MILES. And where do you come in ? STERLING. You mean my salary? MILES. Yes, you surely don't work for nothing? STERLING. I happen to have some means of my own, so I can manage to get along, and besides, I do certain- literary work, which adds a little to my income. PETTIGREW. You say, you emphasize "good citizenship"' among other things? Do you preach politics in your pulpit? 26 STERLING. Not party politics. Just honest, upright citi- zenship, and I think that is badly needed in all our political parties, just as much as uprightness and honesty and christian charity are needed in the different churches. I ask no man to break with his political part}', nor do I ask anv person to leave the church he already belongs to. My aim is to make better citizens and better church-members and to reach those, who are just drifting around bound for nowhere. PETTIGREW. Well, that is wery interesting: (gives Sterling his hand) — I am glad to have made your acquant- ance and hope to see you again i, ome day, and if there is anything I can do for the uplift movement, let me know. I should like to hear more about your work, but Mr. Miles and I have come here for a private conference with Mr. Lee, and I am sure you will excuse us, if we get busy. LEE. I asked Mr. Sterling to join us. PETTIGREW. Mr. Sterling would not be interested. His speciality is "good citizenship", and not party po- litics. He just told us so. STERLING. (To Lee). If these gentlemen came here with the understanding that they were 1o have a private •conference with you, then I don't wish to intrude. LEE. Very well, Ralph. Come back here a l.ttle -later ; it will not take us long. STERLING. All right, — in about half an hour. Good after- 27 noon, gentlemen. (Leaves through door to the left.) LEE seats himself in armchair at the desk with Miles at his right and Pettigrew on the opposite side. LEE. Well, we are alone now; start the fireworks. PETTIGREW. Air. Miles has some routine niatters he likes to take up first. LEE All right. MILES. (Takes some papers out of his pocket and spreads them out before him on the desk). — Here is a list of the meetings I have arranged for you. We think you ought to make one speech at each county seat and as many rear platform talks as possible, besides addressing four or five mass- meetings in each of the three largest towns' in the state. LEE. You have my work very nicely laid out foi me, but you seem to forget, that I am addressing a great number of the people of tlrs state every day through the editorial columns of my newspaper. MILES. But, look here, what will the people say, if you don't show yourself and meet the voters face to face? LEE. I am going to gtve them all the information they need in order to vote intelligently, and that is all that is necessary. PETTIGREW. I believe he IS a crank. 28 LEE. Put me down for two speeches here in this city at any time it may suit the convenience of the central committee. J will also, if requested, ad- dress two mass-meetings in each of the other two big' towns and will agree to make six more speeches in other towns to be designated by your committee. That will make twelve speeches. The resi of my personal campaigning will be done through the Observer. And that is final. MILES. (Earnestly and somewhat excited.) — Now, see here, that will look as if you thought you had a cinch on the governorship; yon will queer your- self with a lot of people, if you cut down your campaign that way. Even the candidate of the majority party cannot afford to do that. LEE. 1 have told yon what I will do, and that settles it. PETTIGREW (Impatiently). Let us get through with these details; we have important ma.ters to discuss. MILES. Just one moment! It has been customary in the past, that candidates for state offices address special meetings for at foreign voters, and — LEE. Foreign voters? MILES. (Peevishly). ~ Yes, foreign voters! You know very well what I mean. There are thousands of them in this state. — Now, the German Tur- ners are going to have a convention here next week, and you are down for a speech either at the Turnerhall or at Krausmeyer's Park, where there is going to be a big German picnic. The commit- 29 tee has arranged for that. — Then the Ancient Order of Hibernians will expect you to address them, when they meet here on Labor Day, and we will arrange for a big Norwegian rail}', when the United Norwegian Singing Societies come here for their big noise on the fourth of July. There will be Norwegians and Swedes from all over the state, and their votes count just &s much as real American votes. LEE. Look here, Sam ! For a man, who claims descent from the Pilgrim Fathers, your ideas of American citizenship strike me as being very un- american. (Rises to his feet) — Let me tell you something. As candidate for the office of gover- nor 1 want only American votes, and when I ad- dress my fellow-citizens, I shall address them as Americans, — not as Irishmen or Norwegians or Germans. Is that quite clear? PETTI GREW Now I KNOW he is a crank. MILES. (With loud voice). Do you mean to say you will ignore those nationalities? Arc you absolute- ly, completely crazy? LEE. (Calmly and with deliberation; — I mean to say, that it is time this country is united, and in order to unite our country and make it a nation instead of a cosmopolitan crazy-quilt, we shall have to stop the un-american practice of dividing our citizens into groups and clans and tribes. ThaiA what I mean. (Sits dowai.; MILES. It is those foreigners, who set themselves apart from the rest of us. Don't they meet here as Germans, Irish and Scandinavians? 30 LEE. Yes, when they come together as turners, sin- gers or lodge-members — when they meet to keep alive certain customs, sentiments and traditions from the land of their fathers. And there can be no objection to that. The countries of Europe have contributed and are still making valuable contri- butions to American culture, and whatever is good and useful will be absorbed in our national life and remain with us. — But all that has nothing to do with American politics and with the duties of vot- ers, and I don't believe these people really desire to be regarded as anything else but Amer'can ci- tizens like the rest of us. They have done their magnificent share in the building up of this coun- try, they have worked for it, fought for it, and died for it. America is their country just as much as it is yours and mine, because they have no other country. It is you shortsighted professional politi- cians and a few of our Anglo-Saxon bigots, who insists upon tacking on the hyphen. MILES. (With a mirthless laugh) — When you hear them jabber away in their foreign lingo, you would hardly call them Americans ! LEE. Would you be an inferior citizen or less of an American than you are, if you could speak Spanish or Russian or Welsh? MILES. Me? No, — I guess not. LEE. Then why regard ability to speak more than one language as an affliction and a disgrace instead of an accomplishment? MILES. (With a gesture of weariness) — Oh well, 31 what's the use arguing? — Are you going to talk to the foreigners, or are you not? LEE. 1 would not insult American voters by addres- sing them as foreigners in their own country. If they want to hear me as Americans, they will have the opportunity. And we will now consider this subject closed and disposed of. MILES. (Gathers up his papers). — All right! Have vour way. PETTIGREW. (Slowly and deliberately). — Now, that is settled, let us have a definite understanding in re- gard to what we may expect from you. — Mr. Miles knows about the conversation I had with you yesterday. — We have talked it over, and he agrees with me, that you owe your party LEE. Whatever I may owe my party for nominating me, I can only pay back by being true and loyal to honest principles. PETTIGREW Mark Lee, this is a political conference, — not a mothers' meeting. — Let us be practical and talk sence. — (Leans over the de : k and points his finger at Lee to emphasize his remarks.) — Do you realize what it will mean to the prosperity of our state to make eignt hundred good, productive quarter section farms out of that fertile Indian re- servation of ours? — Do you realize what it will means to our laboring population, if the capitol bill is passed? — At least one million dollars for wages alone ! — To say nothing of the public improve- ment. — You are a public spirited man, Mark Lee ; cant you see how wrong it would be to oppose these propositions? Can't you see, you would be 32 cutting" your own throat? The people will turn .against you, if you don't fall in line, and your fu- ture career will be ruined, even if you do succeed in being elected governor. LEE. Do you mean to tell me, that it is the people who are behind these schemes? PETTI GREW. The "schemes", as you call li em, are for the public good and are bound to meet with enthusi- astic public approval. LEE. But vmi told me yesterday, tiiat the plans are as yet known to only a few politicians; — where does the public demand come in? MILES. Somebody has to take the initiative in every- thing, — start the ball rolling. We will take the people into our confidence when we are ready. PETTI GREW And we will be ready the minute we get you lined up with us. LEE. Jn that case the dear, unsuspecting public will have to wait a long time, before they are let into the great secret. — by }< r ou. PETTI GREW Will you state your objections? LEE. Certainly. — I object to the proposed capitol bill, because we don't need a new building. If the state spends two hundred thousand on the east wing, we shall have a capitol that will last us through two generations. To spend two or three or four million dollars on a new building:, which 33 we don't need, will simply mean, that a few private individuals are going to get in their graft at the expense of the peoule of this state, and I will not stand for it. PETTI GREW (Pacing the floor.) And the other proposi- tions ? LEE. More private graft. In one case the Indians will be robbed of nearly one and a half million dol- lars through the undervaluation of their land, and in the other case Uncle Sam will have his pocket picked for at least half a million. — Gentlemen, you must not ask me to lend myself to such schemes. MILES. (Angry; clutching the desk and half rising from his chair.) What do you suppose we are in politics for? For our health? Why should we support you and work for you, if you will do nothing for us? (While Miles speaks the door to the right opens, and Margaret, Mrs. Robinson and Sterling appear in the doorway un-noticed, but withdraw quickly, leaving the door ajar.) LEE. (Gets up from his chair and walks toward Pet- tigrew with one hand outstretched.) Mr Petti- grew, I should hate to think, that you really mean this; I cannot believe it. PETTIGREW. And you cannot see any of the public benefits I mentioned in connection with these plans? LEE. (Emphatically.) I can see nothing but graft and corruption and crooked politics. 34 PETTIGREW. (Shakes his fist.) Young man, you had better be a little careful ! LEE. That is just what I intend to be. MILES. (Gets up from his chair and approaches the other two.) Let us come to the point. (To Lee) What are you holding out for? LEE. What do you mean, Sam? MILES. Aw, cut the comedy, — what is your price? You don't suppose we mean to leave you out, when the divvy is made, — do you? LEE. (Trying hard to control himself.) Mr. Miles, you may consider yourself relieved from any further connection with my campaign. And your hat is out in the hall. (Points to the door at \he left.) MILES. I shall remember that. (Starts to leave the room.) PETTIGREW. Wait a minute. Miles! I think we are both about ready to go. (To Lee; with trembling voice) And to think, that 1 actually seconded your nom- ination, — you — you — ungrateful — damned — crank ! Yes, that's what you are : A Crank ! — One of those pin-headed reform-cranks — You will be an un- washed socialist next! What will old man Billings say, when he learns of this? You will ruin his paper in six months — you — you. — you — idiot ! — But never 35 mind, I can save the ten thousand dollar campaign contribution 1 promised. Not a cent for your cam- paign now! (As he and Miles back towcrd left exit) Not a cent will you get for your campaign ! LEE. And not a cent of the people's money will you and your pirate crew get, if I can prevent it ! (Exit Pettigrew and Miles). (Lee stands a moment still facing the door; as he turns around slowly, he sees Margaret, Sterling, and Mrs. Robinson, who enter from the opposite side of the room.) MARGARET. (Walks toward Lee smiling.) Mark, dear, I am proud of you! We heard what just took place here. I suppose it was eaves-dropping, but the door was open, and we could not avoid hearing it. Anyway, I am glad I heard it, — because I know you better now, — and I know certain other people bet- ter, too. LEE. (Smiling.) Perhaps it is just as well, that you should realize the dangers and pitfalls political candidates are exposed to, inasmuch as you now are interested in the welfare of two of them. Keep an eye on your unsophisticated father; thev may be after him next STERLING. And you have lost your campaign manager! LEE. No, I did not lose him ; I fired him. — Will you take his place, Ralph? Not as State Chairman, of course, but as my personal assistant? STERLING. I shall be glad to do all I can for you. 36 MRS. ROBINSON. What was the trouble really about? You men seemed so awfully angry. LEE. Miles and Pettigrew lost control of their politi- cal machine, and it made them peevish. MRS. ROBINSON. Lost control of the machine? LEE. Yes; they found they could not turn the crank. CURTAIN. 37 ACT II. Forenoon of the day following Act I. EDITORIAL OFFICE OF THE DAILY OBSERVER.— On the wall in the background there is a window, to the right a safe. On the right wall also a window and next to that in the foreground a table with newspaper files. On the left two doors; one in the background leading to the hall, one in the foreground leading to '-lie other offices Near the left wall a stenographer's desk and chair. Near the right wall on a large rug and about three feet from, the window a larare flat-top desk with writing material, a framed photograph, telephones etc. A large office chair and revolving bookstand on the farther side of the desk and a few other chairs for visitors placed conveniently near it. On the back wall, on each side of the window, pictures of Benjamin Franklin and Horace Greeley. MISS TULLER (Alone in the room, seated at her desk and busy at her typewriter; after a few moments she removes the paper from the machine and looks at "her work. Reads:) Rules for the Editorial Staff — Some rules! I wonder what he will think of next! (Takes the paper over to the larger desk and places is on the writing pad face down, with a paper weight on top of it.) But it is his own funeral, {Picks up the photograph and looks at it.) T wonder 38 how long that will be here. — Well, 1 shou'l worry, so long as I keep my job. (Returns to her own desk, looks at her wrist-watch.) He ought to be here soon now. (Takes a mirror from her desk drawer, surveys herself and fusses with her hair. Replaces the mirror in the drawer, puts a blank sheet in the machine and begins to write.) 1 1 1 RAM SCRIBNER. (.Assistant editor, a man about fifty, without coat and vest and with shirt-sleeves rolled up to the elbows, enters from door in front. He looks worried.) Not here yet? MISvS TULLER No, but it's after nine, so I gues he will be here soon. — You look as cheerful as a hearse this morn- ing, Mr. Scribner; what's the matter? SCRIBNER. When a man of my age has to learn the news- paper business all over again, it's no joke I have just read those new rules. The Observer will be a hot sheet from now on, if the boss does not change his mind ! MISS TULLER. I am afraid the rules will stand, — for a while. am way. 1 just made an extra copy that is going to be printed in heavy type and framed. SCRIBNER. G-o-o-d night! (Returns to hi? office and col- lides with Paul Prvor in the door.) Look out, vou idiot ! PRYOR. I \ young reporter, in a rather loud summer suit, tan shoes, many colored silk shirt and a straw hat with a rainbow-hued ribbon perched on the 39 back of his head.) Pardon me, Mr. Scribner! — Say, what's the meaning of this? (referring to a sheet of paper in his hand). SCRIBNER. (As he passes through the door and slams it.) Don't ask me. PRYOR. (To Miss Tuller.) Say, Kid — MISS TULLER. (Offended.) Are you speaking to me? PRYOR. Excuse me, Mabel, but what in — MISS TULLER Not "Mabel", Miss Tuller, if you please. PRYOR. Oh, why be so finicky? Be a good scout, can't you? MISS TULLER. You have no more right to call me by my first name than Mr. Lee and Mr. Scribner. Even Mr. Billings always called me Miss Tuller. Try to be a gentleman, even if you are a police reporter. PRYOR. (As he stuffs a stick of chewing gum into his mouth.) You are the end of the limit! All right, Miss Tuller, don't you think we will all be a bunch of respectable old fogies pretty soon, if we live up to this? (waves a sheet of paper). MISS TULLER. Well, wdiat are we going to do about it? We will all have to adapt ourselves. 40 PRYOR. (Laughs.) Yes, you too! Won't those haughty society dames give you the frozen stare, when you refuse to describe their dry-goods display ! Honest- ly, I am sorry for you Mab — Miss Tuller. — And me, — what will I write about? Can you imagine me turning out nothing but high-brow stuff and all that kind of dope? MISS TULLER. (Smiling.) No, honestly, T cannot. But maybe you can learn. You are a bright young man, aren't you ? PRYOR. Aw, quit your kidding! Say, what do you suppose they will do with the story I turned in last night about the Richman divorce scandal? I got most of the yarn out of the marmalade butler and the rest of it from the chauffeur and the maid. 1 spent three bucks on the chauffeur to get him drunk so he would talk, and blew in a five-spot on the French maid for a vaudeville show and feed. She told me all she knew and pinched some photo- graphs for me. MISS TULLER. And how much did you spend on the butler? PRYOR. Nothing; he has got notice to quit at the end of the month and is sore enough to talk without getting paid for it. MISS TULLER. Will the chauffeur and the maid keep their jobs? PRYOR. Sure, the maid stays with Mrs. Richman, and the chauffeur will keep on driving the car for the 41 old gink. — Oh say, but that's some story, girlie! And to think that maybe I have had all that work and expense for nothing! Wouldn't it make you wild? MISS TULLER. Perhaps the paper can get along wtihout that kind of stories. Really, I think they are unne- cessary. PRYOR. You do, eh? Well, I guess I don't get any sympathy here. I am going to put it up to Scribner. So long. (Leaves through first door.) Miss Tuller resumes her work and Marcus Lee enters from the farther door. LEE. Good morning, Miss Tuller. (Hang? up his hat.) . MISS TULLER. Good morning, Mr. Lee. (Keeps on with her work.) LEE. (Seats himself at his desk, looks through some "copy", which has been left there for his inspection and finally takes up the paper, Miss Tuller has left on the de.sk; looks at it a moment.) Miss Tuller! MISS TULLER. Yes, sir? LEE. Just come over here a moment and tnke this chair (points to a chair at his right). MISS TULLER. (Brings her note-book.) Dictation? LEE. No. — You have had charge of the society news, liaven't you? 42 MISS TULLER. Yes, but Mrs. Hobbs in Mr. Scribner's office has assisted me, and at times we have to get help from some of the other girls. LEE. But you have been in charge? MISS TULLER. 1 have. LEE. (Reads.) "The society editor shall in the future under no circumstances give detailed descriptions of how the ladies are dressed at social functions, nor shall any unnecessary reference be made to the gowns, jewels, dogs, automobiles, horses or any other articles of luxury owned by the people, whose names appear in our society columns, and any inti- mate, descriptive remarks referring to the personal appearance of women, whose names occur in print,, shall be considered in bad taste, even if such re- marks are of a complimentary nature." — Do you think you can follow these instructions? MISS TULLER. We will try. Of course, some of the people, especially the ladies, will no doubt resent this and make it unpleasant for us. LEE. Never mind that! — I have no objection to re- cording society news, but I am going to put a stop to all that silly twaddle this paper has been so full of, — like all the rest. It is disgusting, nauseating! It makes conceited, vulgar fools out of the rich and the well-to-do, and anarchists out of the poor. — Do you agree with me? MISS TULLER. (Hesitatingly.) Yes, I think I do. 43 LEE. Very well, Miss Tuller. Now you may go and instruct Mrs. Hobbs and the others about this, and ask Mr. Scribner to come in and bring one or two of the reporters with him. No. — Just tell him to- bring Pryor, if he is in the building. .MISS TULLER. Yes, Sir. (Goes to her desk, takes some papers and her note-book and leaves the room through the fiist door.) (While Lee is arranging the papers on his desk, SCRIBNER and PRYOR enter from the door in the foreground.) LEE. (Looking up.) Good morning, gentlemen! SCRIBNER and PRYOR. Good morning. LEE. Be seated, please. SCRIBNER and PRYOR. take seats near Lee's desk. LEE. I suppose Miss Tuller handed each of you a> copy of the new rules for the editorial staff? SCRIBNER. Yes, we have read them. LEE. Well, what do you think of them? SCRIBNER. 1 don't suppose it makes any difference what we think? 44 LEE. Yes, it does. I want co-operation and team- 'work here. If my present staff will not work in harmony with me and my ideas, I shall get a new staff. I cannot run this paper alone, you know. SCRIBNER. We will obey orders, of course; but — honest- ly, Mr. Lee, don't you think your ideas are too radical? Isn't there a danger, that we may hurt the business end of this paper? I am afraid we will get a lot of people down on us : Society women, the sporting element, university circles and even the business men. Thousands of newspaper readers are looking for the very things you plan to exclude from our columns. Isn't that going to cut down our circulation? And if our circulation is decreas- ed, how about our advertising? That's where the money is made. — You will pardon me for speak- ing so plainly, but I have been connected with this paper for twenty-five years, and I naturally feel concerned about the future of it. LEE. (Kindly.) I understand. But I am willing to take the chances. Are you with me? SCRIBNER. If you can risk it, I can. LEE. Good. — Now we will take up some details. (Selects some papers.) Here is that "Beauty and Popularity Contest" among the co-eds at the Uni- versity. That's under the ban. SCRIBNER. Cut it out? LEE. Yes, of course. Smacks too much of the live 45 stock pavilion at the State Fair. Vulgarity is too- mild a name for it. Even if the young- people them- selves have so little sense, I cannot understand how parents will permit their daughters to be placed on public- exhibition in that manner and their phy- sical charms judged and discussed, as if they were a herd of Jerseys. — Besides, it is unfair to the plain-looking girls to call attention to their lack of good looks. SCRIBNER. Rubbing it in — eh? LEE. Exactly. — You notify these people that it is contrary to the policy of the Observer to give pub- licity to beauty contests. SCRIBNER. All right, sir. LEE. And in regard to police news : We are not going to ignore it by any means; '.he public is en- titled to know what is going on, but this practice of keeping fugitives from justice fully informed as to the plans and clues of the police department must be discontinued at once. SCRIBNER. Those reports are often deliberately mislead- ing, you know. LEE. In that case they are plain, deliberate lies and beneath the dignity of a respectable newspaper And another thing in this connection. Cut out the romantic hero stuff ! A person on trial accused of a crime is either a criminal or an innoceni citizen. But he is seldom a hero. It does not concern the public how he is dressed or what he had for break- fast, nor do we want any more idiotic drivel about 46 the ''magnificent steel nerve" displayed by the de- fendant in the courtroom. Such journalism tends to make heroes out of thugs and to envelope the commonest kind of a thief in a halo of romance And it has a demoralizing effect on the unthink- ing part of the population, particularly young boys. SCRIBNER. 1 admit you are right in principle, but you know great newspapers have gained their populari- ty by giving the people the stuff they want. If only our circulation does not suffer. LEE. (Takes up some sheets of copy and some pho- tographs.) I suppose this is some of the stuff the people want? (Faces Pryor.) Young man, are you a newspaper reporter, or just a common scav- enger? PRYOR. I don't know what you mean. LEE. You will know in a minute. Did you write that article yesterday about the homecoming of the woman whose husband was killed in the auto- mobile accident? PRYOR. I did. LEE. You said she was hysterical and had to be carried from the train to the cab? And that she screamed and struggled as she was carried through the station? PRYOR. Well, — I wrote it up LEE. You were there, weren't you? 47 PRYOR. Yes, I rode in on the train from the Junction and tried to interview her, but her brother refused to let me get near her. LEE. And to revenge yourself you cooked up this mes;;, of lies. Her brother says she was perfectly calm in her grief and walked unassisted from the tram, and now they are threatening to bring suit for damages. — Do you call this reporting; PRYOR. We are supposed to write live dope to hold our jobs. I do my best. SCRIBNER. You are not supposed to invent lies about people. LEE. And this! Are you responsible for this write- up on the Richman family scandal ? PRYOR. (Eagerly.) Yes, but that is true, every word of it. LEE. It is^eh? How do you know it is true r PRYOR. The servants told me. LEE. (Showing him the photographs.) Where did you get these pictures? PRYOR. From Mrs. Richman's maid. LEE. Did she steal anything else for you? 48 PRYOR. Some letters. But she stole them a long time ago; she just let me have them as proof. And the whole thing cost less than ten dollars. LEE. How long have you been a newspaper reporter? PRYOR. About two years ; one year on this paper. LEE. Would you like to keep your job? PRYOR. Yes, Sir. LEE. Then you take these photographs and the let- ters the maid gave you, and return them yourself to Mrs. Richman immediately. Not to the maid, but to her mistress. Explain to Mrs. Richman how these things came into your possession and tell her that your employer ordered you to return them at once with our apologies. PRYOR. But Mr. Lee — LEE. If you don't do as I tell you, I shall have to do it myself, but in that case you will be hunting another job tomorrow. PRYOR. (Reluctantly.) All right. I will do it. (Takes the photographs and letters and puts them in his pocket.) LEE. (Hands him the manuscript.) Now tear that 49 up and throw it in the waste-basket, before you go. (Pryor does as he is told.) LEE. And report here at two o'clock this afternoon. PRYOR. Yes, Sir. (Leaves the room.) LEE. Did you read that copy he just tore up? SCRIBNER. No, I just glanced at it, when I left it on your desk. LEE. "Paul Pryor" ! That young fellow is well named ! — But he is not to blame, Scribner It is the system! This damnable system of journalistic vulgarity and corruption that is going to make our American press the Scarlet Woman of Twentieth Century Literature ! Just to get any kind of so- called news without the slightest regard for truth or decency seems at times to be the main object. Dishonest editorials that are paid for, maudlin sentimentality, insincere eulogy and flattery, sick- ening pretentions of piety, revolting details of crime and vice, sinister insinuations, scandal and back-stairs society gossip, all mixed into one malo- dorous stew, is what too many of our newspapers offer their readers. And I refuse to believe, that this is "the stuff the public wants." SCRIBNER. There is some of that; — too much, in fact; I admit that, but taken as a whole, I consider our American press pretty clean and decent. In your eagerness to correct some of the evils, you do an injustice to the thousands of clean newspapers and 50 able, clever writers and editors, when you make such sweeping assertions. There are no better newspapers in the world than the American P a P ers - I consider them superior to the press of any other country. LEE. They are superior to the foreign papers in most respects, and that is why I cannot stand to see their influence for good spoiled by the faults I have men- tioned. — Mr. Scribner, let us make a clean, reliable, truthful, fearless newspaper of the Observer, — even if it costs me the governorship. — You know, I had a quarrel yesterday with Sam Miles. He and Petti- grew are through with me already, and I guess I am through with them. SCRIBNER. That's too bad! How did it happen? LEE. I cannot very well give you the details; not yet. Perhaps later. It depends on what they are going to do. STERLING. (Enters from Scribner's office.) Will you see Mr. Pettigrew? LEE. Pettigrew here? STERLING. Yes ; he says he wants to have a word with vou. LEE. (After thinking it over.) I will see him. (Sterling goes to the door which he opens for Pettigrew. who enters the room with a serious ex- pression on his face.) LEE. Well, what can T do for }-ou? 51 PETTIGREW. You can let me do something for you. SCRIBNER. (To Lee.) Nothing else just now? LEE. No. (As Scribner reaches the door) — Oh, yes, while I remember it : I notice our dramatic writer invariably refers to New York as "Gotham". Tell him that is too stale. If he cannot spell New York, he can call it Jerusalem or something equally ap- propriate, only cut out "Gotham" ! That word gets on my nerves ! SCRIBNER. (Smiling.) All right; no more "Gotham". (Exit Scribner.) PETTIGREW. Your nerves are still on edge, I see. LEE. Not more so than usual. I am just doing some house-cleaning here. PETTIGREW. You are too exited about everything; you seem to be seeing ghosts everywhere ; you see something evil and sinister in every word one ut- ters, in every proposition that is put up to you. What in thunder ails you, man? Are you on the verge of nervous collapse? LEE. Mr. Pettigrew, what brings you here today? PETTIGREW. For the sake of avoiding public scandal and in the interest of party harmony I have come to ask you to reconsider and retract your rash words of yesterday. 52 LEE. (With sarcasm.) And do you also expect me to apologize? PETTIGREW. Never mind the apologies. Just show that you have some sense. Come over to headquarters and patch it up with Sam. LEE. I will do nothing of the kind, and you may tell Sam Miles for me, that if he ever dares to show his face in this building, I shall order the janitor to throw him out. PETTIGREW. I suppose you realize what this attitude of yours may mean to you? LEE. Yes, it means that I can go before the people with clean hands and a clear conscience. It means that I shall not be obliged to associate with crooks! PETTIGREW. (Angrily.) Who is a crook? (At this moment Sterling enters the room carrying a small package and a letver.) STERLING. Oh, I beg your pardon ! LEE. You are not intruding; — what's on your mind? STERLING. Pryor left this with me and asked me to deliver it to you. (Hands package and letter to Lee, who opens the letter and reads it.) PETTIGREW. (To Sterling.) Well, have you transferred 53 your activities in the. interest of general uplift to the Observer office? STERLING. I am doing some work here for Mr. Lee temp- orarily, — just during the campaign. PETTIGREW. Good! I suppose you expect your reward in the way of a good, fat State office ? Private Secre- tary to the Governor, or maybe something still tetter? STERLING. I am not an office-seeker. PETTIGREW. So much the better, then you will not be dis- appointed. Your friend here may not have any plums to distribute, when the votes have been counted. — Mr. Lee, are we to understand, then, that the campaign committee is not required to make any efforts in your behalf? Unless you are willing to bury the hatchet and co-operate with the organization, we shall have to treat you as a rebel -and a deserter. LEE. I am going to conduct my own campaign in my own way and shall need no assistance. PETTIGREW. (Disgusted.) Of all the crazy cranks ! f Angry) Well, it is war then ! War to the finish ! Do you understand? War! Good-day, gentlemen ! (Exit Pettigrew.) LEE. I hope I have seen the last of that "leading •citizen" for some time to come. — Did Pryor tell you about this? (points to the package) 54 STERLING. He did. LEE. This is what he says: (reads letter) "Mr. M. Lee, Editor of the Observer. Dear Sir: — Having; accepted a flattering offer from the Herald, I here- by resign my position with you and return to you the Richman papers and photographs, which I ob- tained as your agent, while in your employ. Yours truly, Paul Pryor." Well, it did not take him long to get another job, did it? — And now I shall have to return these myself. Nobody else can do it ; as he says, he was "my agent". STERLING. It will be rather embarrasing, of course, but it is the only right thing to do. — By the way, — how about lithographs? A representative of the West- ern Lithographing Co. is here. LEE. No lithographs or posters. I don't believe in defacing out streets and buildings and walls with campaign pictures. It should not be allowed. Get word to headquarters that they are to send over all the litographs they have of me over there, and when they arrive, put them in the furnace Enter Professor Archer, Margaret and Mrs. Cromwell. Usual greetings exchanged. PROFESSOR ARCHER. (A serious, pale man about sixty with smooth- shaven face, wearing gold-rimmed spectacles, gray clothes and a large Panama hat ; — he shakes hands with Lee.) I really don't know what to say to you; this is, indeed, a strange situation, but I trust you will understand my position. 55 LEE. Of course, I understand it, and I don'i blame you in the least. ARCHER. The question is, if you will believe, what I am just about to tell you. LEE. Believe you? Why shouldn't I? ARCHER. Because it sounds so ridiculous. Read these telegrams (hands some telegrams to Lee, who looks at them.) LEE. In this you are offered the nomination, in this you accept, then you withdraw your acceptance and Pike answers "Too late; convention has ad journed." — Did you change your mind? .ARCHER. I seem to live up to the old tradition that all professors are un-practical and absent-minded. My only excuse is, that 1 was so overwhelmed, when the first telegram came, that I forgot everything else. I was just about to begin my lecture at Fair- field when the message was handed to me, and the surprise was so great, that it almost upset me. Somebody gave me a telegram blank, but I had no pencil or pen, and in my confusion I asked a young man to write the answer and sign my name. LEE. Did you not tell him what to answer? ARCHER. No, I did not think of it, and he tock it for granted that I wanted to accept. (Sits down and mops his brow.) And two hours later the young 56 man called at the hotel and handed me a copy of the telegram he had sent, and then, Marcus, I realized what I had done, and I hurried down to the station and sent another message withdrawing my acceptance, — but it came too late. — Maicus, can you ever forgive me? LEE. There is nothing to forgive. ARCHER. Of course, my candidacy will make no differ- ence as far as the result is concerned, although I believe that some day a majority of the people of this state will change their views on the great tariff and taxation questions and send a delegation to Washington that will advocate the only sound and practical economic principle — MARGARET. But father, dear, that has nothing to do with the governorship, you know. ARCHER. No, no, of course not. That is something else. As I was saying, Marcus, while my candidacy can- not possibly hurt your chances of election, the situation is very embarrassing to all of us, and I prefer to withdraw, — just refuse to run. I can do that, can I not? LEE. Yes, but don't! They might keep your name on the ballot anyway. You need not go in for an active campaign. Mr. Archer, I don't want you to withdraw, you will do me a favor, if you allow your name to remain on f he ticket. ARCHER. But I don't like to be associated with that man 57 Pike and his crowd. They are not my kind of people. LEE. And they will not expect you to get down to their level and take any active part in their coun- cils. ARCHER. Very well, then. I am glad you feel that way about it. I am going home to take a nap now; couldn't sleep all night. (Shakes hands with Lee) Oh, by the way, Margaret, we must call on Mr. Billings. MARGARET. Don't you remember, he started on his vaca- tion last night? ARCHER. Oh — yes, to be sure ! How stupid of me ! Well, we must be going. — Oh, while I remember it, Mr. Sterling, have you read Henri Bergson's latest ? No? Come over this evening and take dinner with us and I will let you take the book home with you ; there are some things in it I want to call your special attention to. May we expect you"* STERLING. Thank you, I shall be delighted. MRS. CROMWELL One moment, please. — (To Lee) Isn't there anything I can do, — address envelopes, folding cir- culars or anything? — I mean it. LEE. You! MRS. CROMWELL. Yes, why not? Don't you need some assistance, Mr. Sterling? I can write shorthand and pound a and I am jus ig to do some real 5 ERLIN 1 do need some help. bv. .ill probabhr be too hare g g be pr. MRS and I want to learn all about pc LEI Pnt her to well. — Z m begin tomorr Ml Bright an - is sum pre - _ her dv. 5 ever.:r.j - ' . 5 LI s but later, perha E - - - . - g 5 - Mar- - me age and have a. ET snrg< >n con::, had been mar: - - than a 59 year, and since then she has made her home with the Archers, her own parents being dead. STERLING. She seems to be a bright and interesting sort of a girl. I am glad she offered to help us with the campaign work. — Really, I like her style. """ LEE. I knew you would like Louise; (smiling) she is a strong believer in "good citizenship, right thinking, clean living" and all the other viitues you described to Pettigrew yesterday. — And she might be induced to play the organ in the People's Church, if you can manage to interest her In your- self. — Going to try, old man? STERLING. There you go ! I was not thinking of anything like that! The telephone rings and Lee answers it. LEE. Hello! Yes, this is the Observer This is Mr. Lee speaking You want to see rme privately? Why, yes, — where are you now? .Down stairs? Well, I can see you now, then Yes, come right up All right, good-bye. (Hangs up receiver.) Ralpb, who do you suppose is coming up here? STERLING. Cannot guess. LEE. Russell Pike, the boss ! I think I know what he wants. Better clear out, he will be here in a minute, and he insists that he must see me ^lone. STERLING. All right, I must get to work. (Leaves through door in the foreground.) 60 Lee busies himself with some paper on his desk. After a few moments, enter Russell Pike, a man answering very closely to the description given by Miles in the first act. He does not remove his hat until after he is seated. LEE. Mr. Pike, I believe? Have a c eat. PIKE. (Looks around carefully.) Glad to meet you, Mr. Lee. (Takes a chair.) Say, (in a hoarse whisper) there ain't nobody apt to butt in, is there? LEE. No, I think we can talk undisturbed. PIKE. Nice weather we are having. LEE. Yes, it has been a pleasant summer so far. PIKE. I suppose you expect to be a busy man for a few weeks ; between running the paper and cam- paigning you will have your hands full, eh? (chuckles) LEE. 1 am looking for a rather strenuous time. PIKE. (Moves his chair closer.) What do you think of our candidate? LEE. If you mean your candidate for governor, I think you made an excellent choice. 61 PIKE. Oh, sure! — of course, we stand as much show with him as we would with a burglar at the head of the ticket. (The humor of the situation over- comes Pike, who tries hard to suppress a fit of laughter. Suddenly he seems uncomfortable, and looks searchingly around the floor and under the desk; finally he swallows with a great effort.) — You know we've not always been particular about the character of our candidates, because it was no use, but I don't mind telling you. that it was me, who started the Archer boom on the quiet and I did it to show you I am right. — Do you get me? LEE. I am not sure that I do. PIKE. (Moves his chair closer.) Why ; don't you see, Archer would not make any real campaign against you, even if he was a campaigner, which he ain't. He ain't no practical politician ; there is so much clear daylight between his feet and the ground, that he don't know he is on earth half of the time. But he's a fine man, of course, a smart man when it comes to booklearning. Oh yes ! We are proud of our candidate ! (Another laughing fit and . another convulsion followed by a painful SAvallow.) LEE. You seem to regard Mr. Archer's nomination as a practical joke. PIKE. Well, it is and it ain't. When we nominated a decent, respectable citizen like Archer, we handed him a nice bouquet and showed him the honor he deserves, at the same time as we put our or- ganization right with the people and redeemed our- selves. He appreciates the honor, which is all he 62 will get out of it, and the boys need a good front, so it is a good thing for everybody. LEE. In other words, your convention was merely a matter of form, not to be taken seriously. PIKE. (Eagerly.) That's it! Now you've said it. And the boys on the inside understand, of course, that you are the main squeeze we have to do business with. LEE. And now you have come here PIKE. To do business. The same as we have always done. — Now, look here, all we intend to do in the way of campaigning is to circulate the usual elec- tion dope in support of our candidates for Con- gress, — just to make a showing as a party, you un- derstand. On state issues we haven't a leg to stand on, and everybody knows it, so you will have clear sailing. We ain't going to interfere with you in any way, first because it would be no use, and also, because we believe you will do the right thing by everybody. Us politicians must stand together, governor, — ain't that right? LEE. The politicians in this state have just been through about seven lean years, haven't they? PIKE. (Bangs the desk with his hand.) "Lean years" is right ! But we see a pretty fair harvest ahead of us, if everything is carried through without any hitch. — Being on the inside yourself, I suppose you know all about it. so it's not necessarv for me to 63 go into details. All I want is your word and your assurance that you will tote fair. LEE. Mr. Pike, I admit, that I have been informed in regard to the schemes that are on foot, and knowing something about the political history of this state, I expected you would call on me. But it is useless for us to discuss this matter any further. Your ideas of "toting fair" are so dia- metrically opposite to mine, that we have no com- mon ground to meet on. I am in politics to serve my state to the best of my ability, you to serve yourself and to get all the profit you can out of it. I may as well tell you frankly, that I consider the capitol bill and all the rest of the schemes nothing but a great conspiracy to rob the people, and that I not only refuse to join in the conspiracy, but that I shall do my best to expose it. PIKE. (Rises and puts on his hat.) Now, mind you, I am not going to run after you. I never run after nobody. I want a final answer now, for I am not ■coming back here. LEE. You have my final answer. (Pettigrew and Pryor enter from door in back- ground.) PIKE. (Who has seen them.) Well, Mr. Lee, I must be going. And I want to repeat before I go, that we intend to elect our candidate, so you can save yourself the trouble of sending for me any more. We have a ticket this time that can win, and I am surprised that you should stoop to such tricks as to ask me to be a traitor to my own party ticket. Who would ever have thought that of you ! 64 Lee stands still and silent at his desk, looking at Pike, as he leaves the room, followed by Petti- grew and Pryor. CURTAIN. 65 ACT III. Two weeks after second act. Evening. RUSSEL PJKE'S OFFICE and political head- quarters of the minority party. A plainly furnished, uncarpeted room. In the background a wndow and along the wall a bookcase, a filing-case and a safe. To the right a door and in the right fore- ground a large couch. To the left a window and another door in the left foreground. Near window on the left a roll-top typewriter desk and set at right angles with it a long, plain writing table. Harry Kidder's office chair is placed, so he can work at both the desk and the table. At right angles with the table is Russell Pike's flat-top desk and a number of chairs are placed around the desk and table, which are covered with newspapers, letteis etc. On the wall a clock and pictures of race-horses and prize-fighters.- HARRY KIDDER in shirt sleeves, seated with his feet on the table. PAUL PRYOR seated on the other side of the table. They are discussing the evening papers. KIDDER. By heck! I believe it can be done! I have got my job picked out already. Insurance Commis- sioner for mine ! 66 PRYOR. And where do I come in? KIDDER. Oil inspector woul fit you, I guess ; you are so slick and smooth. Or maybe warden of the pen ; you ought to have been there long ago. PRYOR. Oh, I guess I am too young for that; but jok- ing aside, Harry, don't it look to you as if we had Saint Mark "groggy and bleeding freely?" KIDDER. He certainly seems to be getting himself in wrong with everybody. PRYOR. And we will see to it that he gets in deeper every day. This number of the Herald is just the beginning, and I wrote most of the hot stuff myself. Old man Pike has told me to go as far as I like. — And he told me I can have a good job on the Herald as long as I want to stay. KIDDER. Well, his word is good ; he practically owns the paper, you know. (Looks at the clock.) He ought to be here soon ; it is half past seven, and the Prof. is due here in a minute. PRYOR. The Professor coming up here tonight? You are not going to let him meet Pettigrew and Miles, — are you? KIDDER. I should say not ! We will get rid of the old book-worm before they get here. PRYOR. Does Archer come in here often? 67 KIDDER. He has only been here once, and he tried to explain his views on the tariff to me and Pike, till we had to ask him to let up. He is a joke, but I am afraid the old codger isn't so much of a fool as he looks. We are not taking- him into our confidence ; it wouldn't do. PRYOR. What is he coming up for tonight? KTDDER. He telephoned that he wants to have a talk with us about what is in the paper, said something about fair play. PRYOR. Aha ! Wants to shield his prospective Son-in- law, eh? — Do you think he has spunk enough to make trouble? KIDDER. He doesn't know enough. Pike will talk to him like a father. Just watch and see. RUSSELL PIKE. Enter Hello, boys! KIDDER AND PRYOR. Good evening. PIKE (as he removes his coat and throws it on the couch). Pretty damned hot tonight, — but it is going to be hotter by and by. (Goes over to Pryor and shakes hands with him.) Paul, you are a corker. (Laughs): Honestly, that stuff you are writing is great! We will have that sanctimonious porcupine pulling in his quills, if you can keep it up the way you have started. — Why ain't you fel- lows smoking? (Goes to his desk and takes out a box of cigars. Kidder and Pryor light cigars.) 68 PRYOR. Don't you smoke yourself, Mr. Pike? PIKE. No, I stick to good old fine-cut; (takes a pinch of "fine-cut" from his vest pocket.) A cigar or pipe is always in the way. KIDDER. The professor telephoned a little while ago that he is coming up. PIKE. The devil he is ! KIDDER. The Herald seems to have stirred him up. PIKE. (Has one of his convulsive laughs.) The poor old stiff! He don't know he is alive. — But I guess 1 had better put on my coat; he might bring ladies along. (As he walks over to the couch and puts on his coat.) Those girls are always trailing him like a pair of nurse-maids. I suppose they read fairy tales to him at night, after they have tucked him into his little crib. (Another outburst of merri- ment.) KIDDER. Speaking of fairy-tales, I hope you are pre- pared to tell him some good ones tonight, so he will keep on slumbering and not butt into this cam- paign. PIKE. (Seats himself at his desk and places his feet on top of it.) Leave him to me, Harry. I know just how to handle feeble-minded people; that's the secret of my success. — Listen, boys ! There are three kinds of citizens; the feeble-minded, the ab- 69 sent-minded and the cranks. If it wasn't for the first two classes, us politicians would have to go to work, and there would be no such animal as a political boss. But the feeble-minded and the ab- sent-minded are most always in the majority, and we know just how to handle them. Once in a while some smart, brainy crank like Marcus Lee will rear up on his hind legs and begin to snort. He is onto our tricks, and for one reason or another he is going to show us up, if he can. Then it is up to us to put him in wrong with the mob, for if we don't, the feeble-minded and the absent-minded may wake up and turn on us, don't you see? — Get him in wrong with the people, that's the thing to do, and I guess we are doing it ! (Another gurgling laugh.) PRYOR. You did a pretty fancy piece of acting that morning at Lee's office when Pettigrew and I just happened to drop in? PIKE. Didn't I ! And by crickets ! I believe Petti- grew actually thinks Lee sent for me ! PRYOR. Of course he does. I told him to come and see for himself. And you ought to have seen how mad he got when I told him I could prove that Lee was going to do business with you alone and double- cross his own crowd. KIDDER. What did he say? PRYOR. He turned pale as a ghost, and said: "Young man, if what you tell me is the truth, then I want to know all about it." 70 PIKE. Ha-ha-ha! Pretty slick work! And tonight we will line him up with us on the quiet and get a good chunk of his mazuma. PRYOR. It was lucky I met you just as I was going to deliver my plunder to Mrs. Richman, wasn't it ? PIKE. Lucky is the word! I could tell by the way you looked that you had troubles on your mind You looked as sick as a kid who has just been in- troduced to his dad's corncob pipe. PRYOR. But it did not take us long to set the trap did it? PIKE. No, it was pretty speedy work, all right. KIDDER. What is Pettigrew? Feeble-minded or absent- minded? PIKE. Pettigrew? — He is sixty per cent hypocrite, five per cent politician and the rest just plain crook. The other day he fired a poor clerk, who had to lay off two weeks on account of sickness, and the next day he donated a thousand dollars to that high-toned six thousand dollar preacher of his, so he could go east for a two months vaca- tion with his family. He takes the blood-money he gets from his poor tenants down in those shacks on. River Street and buys church organs and memorial windows for them. On Sundays he passes the col- lection plate in church and on week-days he col- lects rent from dive-keepers. (Chuckles.) I owm 71 some of that kind ©f property myself, — but I don't go to church ! That's the difference between him and me. — When I get ready to join the church, I am going to sell some of my property to Pettigrew, before 1 hit the sawdust trail. He'll buy it all right! (Laughs uproariously, and the other two join in.) (As they are laughing, Professor Archer en- ters unnoticed. He carries a walking stick in one hand and a folded newspaper in the other. He hes- itates a moment, then approaches, and the others finally notice him.) PIKE. Hello, governor ! Have a seat. (Shakes hands and places a chair for him.) ( Kidder busies himself at his desk, while Pryor starts to read a newspaper.) PIKE. Are you out alone tonight? ARCHER. Yes, I came up to see you about some scandal- ous articles in the Herald. PIKE. (As he gets up.) Wait till I shed my coat; I don't need it now. (Throws coat on the couch and resumes his seat with his feet on top of the desk. Takes a pen-knife out of his pocket and begins to Lrim his finger-nails.) Well, governor, wliat can 1 Jo for you? ARCHER. Don't call me "governor"! I am not governor, nor do I expect to be. In fact, I would a thousand times rather be defeated than win the election by such methods as those your paper employs. PIKE. I am going to keep right on calling you gov- 72 ernor, so as to get you used to the title, for we are ging to elect you as sure as the Lord made little apples. — Russell Pike says so ! ARCHER. You know I am the nominee against my will and desire, but since I am unfortunate enough to have my name on your ticket, I demand that you carry on a clean campaign and abstain from libel- ous attacks on the candidate, who heads the other ticket. PIKE. Well ? ARCHER. I refer to the various articles appearing in to- night's Herald, in which Mr. Lee has been so grossly misrepresented. You know these things arc not true. PIKE. To tell you the truth, I have been too busy to read the articles. I just glanced at the head-lines. But I understand it is only a scrap between the two papers and has nothing to do with the campaign. You see, Professor, Mark Lee raised hell with a reporter for doing what he was hired to do, and that reporter got sore and went to work for the Herald, and I suppose he is just getting even. Lee didn't treat the kid fair, you know. — Besides, governor, you must remember I am not the editor of the Herald. ARCHER. But you own most of the stock in that paper and have it in your power to dictate its policy. PIKE. 1 own most of the stock in the La France Mil- linery Company too, but as I am no authority on 73 trimming bonnets, I don't never butt in with my advice. I am satisfied, as long as I get my divi- dends. And I feel the same way about the Herald. (Humbly) I am not an educated man, governor. ARCHER. (Spreads out the newspaper.) Here on the front page is an article that accuses Mr. Lee of hav- ing sent for you for the purpose of conspiring to betray his own party. — On the next page another article accusing him of being so prejudiced against our foreign-born citizens, that he refuses to recog- nize them. These accusations are untrue! PIKE. Now, hold your horses, Professor! Lee did talk with me over the telephone and invited me to call on him at his ofhJce, and I am also reliably in- formed, that he has refused to make campaign speeches to the foreigners. ARCHER. But the facts have been twisted and miscon- strued. PIKE. (Soothingly.) That's too bad; we will see about that. If that's the case I am glad you told me. We want to make a clean campaign, as you say, and the Herald will have to cut out that kind of sculduggerv. ARCHER. (Hands him the paper.) Read it yourself. PIKE. I left my specs at home, but I will look into it, and there will be no more of it, — not in the Herald. I promise you that. ..ARCHER. (Relieved.) Thank you, Mr. Pike. I am glad 74 you agree with me. Now, I am preparing a series of articles on the tariff, conservation of natural re- sources, army re-organization and other subjecis of national interest, which should appear in all our party organs in the state, and I would suggest, that these articles be sent out by our committee in pamphlet form a little later on. PIKE. Fine! That's just what we want! — Do you hear that, Harry? KIDDER. Yes, Sir. PIKE. As soon as the Professor's articles are finished,. he will give them to you, so we can have them printed. (To Archer.) Is that the idea? ARCHER. Yes; we must educate the voters to get a clear understanding of the real issues. PIKE. That's it. governor! They sure need educa- tion! (Starts to chuckle, but checks himself sud- denly.; ..ARCHER. (Rises.) And now I shall not take up any more of your time ; it is getting late. I am glad we have had an understanding. (Shakes hands with Pike.) Good night, Air. Pike. (Nods to the others.) Good night, gentlemen. Exit Archer (As soon as the door closes behind Archer,. Pike, Kidder and Pryor burst into loud laughter.) PIKE. (Incoherently.) "It is getting late"! And it 75 is only eight o'clock! I wonder how that poor sucker will ever find his way home! (Stops sud- denly and reaches for the telephone.) Hello! give me Main five, six. seven! Hello! Is this the Herald?. .. .This is Pike Listen! Have one hundred thousand extra copies printed of tonight's issue and send them over here just as fast as you can turn them out Yes, we are going to flood the state with them And listen: No more of that rough stuff in the Herald till about a day or two before election, then we will start another cy- clone Yes, the country papers will do the dirty work in the meantime (Chuckles.) Yes, yes, you bet ! — Remember, don't retract nothing, only be as decent as you can and boost Archer to the limit No, we don't want Archer to take the stump; tell the people he is too busy and must save his strength. .. .Yes, that's it! All right! — Good- bye, Higgins! (Hangs up the receiver.) — Now, look here, Harry, don't let the Professor get on to what we are doing; don't let him find out, that we are distributing those papers, — and don't tell him anything; just jolly him along. Understand? KIDDER. I understand. PIKE. (To Pryor.) And you go on with your report- ing and let well enough alone till we get ready to hand his Nibs the the second upper-cut. In the meantime, get your dope ready and make it good, and strong. PRYOR. Leave it to me. (Rises.) I guess I will beat it ; I have got a date with my girl. PIKE. All right, Kid; give her my love, but don't give 76 her or any other skirt any information that don't concern them. Don't blabber! PRYOR. You know me ! (Leaves the room whistling.) PIKE. Paul is a smart youngster and all right, if he don't get his nut swelled. KIDDER, i Who is busy folding circulars.) Oh, I guess he will keep his head. Enter Pettigrew and Miles. PIKE. Right on time! Sit down and make yourself comfortable. PETTIGREW. We met that young reporter just as we got off the elevator; does he know that you expected us? PIKE. (As he turns the key in the door and pulls down the window shades.) No, I don't think he does, — but that fellow is all right;— he knows what is good for him. MILES. (In an undertone.) By the way — (nods to- ward Kidder) — is this man — PIKE. Oh, he is all right. — Harry, shake hands with Mr. Pettigrew and Mr. Miles. This is Harry Kid- der, my right bower. He is the fellow who looks after my grammar among other things. (They shake hands and express mutual pleasure at meeting etc.) 77 PETTIGREW. Your new reporter seems to have a very fair knowledge of grammar judging from to-night"s- Herald. I suppose it was him who wrote those ar- ticles about his former employer. PIKE. You bet! Ain't it great! But we got to cut it out for a while. Archer just left, and he was hot under the collar, so I promised him we would let up. MILES. Let up? PIKE. As far as the Herald is concerned, but we are going to scatter a hundred thousand extra copies all over the state, and you know what that means. MILES. I just saw Scribner. He was grouchy as a bear and wouldn't talk to me, but somebody else told me that he is furious because Lee refuses to deny those charges. Pie says it is beneath his dignity to notice them. PETTIGREW. He is long on dignity. PIKE. He'll need every bit of it when we spring our next surprise and that's the time old man Archer will go back on him, and the girl too, by thunder! PITTIGREW AND MILES. What is that? PIKE. (To Kidder.) Did those plates come? KIDDER. Yes, and the proofs too; they are in the safe. 78 PIKE. All right. — Well, now, you know we are not in this game for fun. I have nothing against Lee per- sonally, but we have got to beat him and run him out of politics, or we are ging to be down and out. FETTTGREW. Yes, I see, but — MILES. What is it you have up your sleeve: PIKE. First we have to get Archer where we want him, because that old pickle is going to be our next governor, and we have got to gain his confidence. PETTIGREW. Yes, but how? He doesn't believe any of these yarns. PIKE. Not now, but he will later on, when we fire torpedo number two. MILES. And when will that be? PIKE. The day before election. PETTIGREW. Tell us the joke ! PIKE. It's no joke; — out before I tell you about that, you fellows will have to come across with some of the long green to help us finance this campaign. You will have to pay for the hundred thousand copies of the Herald and the mailing of them; that 79 will cost us thirty-five hundred, and we think you ought to dig- up enough more to make it an even ten thousand. PETTIGREW. I brought five thousand. (Takes a package of bank notes out of his wallet and places it on Pike's •desk.) MILES. And here is three thousand from our committee. {Places the money on the desk.) PIKE. Come again, come again ! Two thousand more ; you are getting off easy at that. Pettigrew and Miles exchange glances MILES. Three thousand is all I can get out of cur cam- paign funds and half of that is my own money. PIKE. Come again, Pettigrew, be a sport ! PETTIGREW. (With a sigh.) Oh, all right. (Hands over two thousand dollars more.) PIKE. There ! I knew you had it. (Hands the money to Kidder.) Here, put these bales of chicken-feed in the safe and let us have a squint at the pictures. (Takes a chew of tobacco.) Kidder takes the money and goes to the safe. MILES. I suppose you have heard of Lee being hanged in effigy on the University campus? 80 PIKE. ISio, but I approve of it! Are the students boosting Archer? MILES. They are all worked up over an editorial in the Observer criticizing the beauty contest. I guess Lee was right at that, but he is catching the devil for it all over the state. PIKE. He is, eh? MILES. And the German and Norwegian papers are on his trail, too, for insulting the foreigners. PETTIGREW. It is strange he does not go more out of his way to explain. PIKE. Why, that man is a crank! PETTIGREW. That's what I have always said: A crank! MILES. Yes, the craziest kind of a crank. PIKE. Well, we should worry ! Kidder returns from the safe and hands Pike some plates and prints. PIKE. PI ere we are! (Shows the prints to Pettigrew and Miles.) What do you make out of that? MILES. A check for five hundred dollars made out to> John H. Fox, signed by Marcus Lee. PETTIGREW. And this is for the same amount payable to Marie Bernier and signed by Lee. What does this mean? Who are these people? PIKE. Mrs. Mortimer Richman's servants. PETTIGREW. Well? PIKE. You know why that kid reporter quit the Ob- server? PETTIGREW. Yes, because Lee wanted him to return some letters and photographs he had bribed the Richman servants to give him. PIKE. And when he refused, Lee returned the junk himself. We knew he was going out there, and we had him watched. We have witnesses to prove that he entered the house at eight o'clock in the evening and stayed there a full hour. It looks bad; Richman was not at home, you know. MILES. But how about these checks? PIKE. Well, Pryor is on good terms with the girl and the flunkey and they told him, that after Lee had told his story to Mrs. Richman and made his fool apologies, she called them in and fired them on the spot for slandering her and stealing her property, — ■ right before Lee, and he speaks up and rays that inasmuch as they had been led astray by an em- ployee of his, he felt it his duty to pay them some- 82 tiling for losing their jobs, and so he gives them those checks on the Farmers' National. The damned fool! (Laughs . ) Well, — you know my connection with that bank. — I had the checks pho- tographed the next day and have affidavits from my witnesses who saw him go in and come out of that house. MILES. Where are those servants now? PIKE. They went to Chicago and got married and went from there out to Los Angele-e-s. PETTIGREW. And Mrs. Richman? PIKE. Gone to Europe and will not be back till next spring. But my witnesses are here, and so are these plates, by cricket ! PETTIGREW. And you will use them — PIKE. In the tierald the dav before election. I guess that will do the business, eh? PETTIGREW. (Shakes his head.) It is a shady piece of business, Pike, but — PIKE. I am kind of sorry for the poor guy myself; — he is a pretty square sport, you've got to I and it to him, — but politics is politics and war is war. MILES, ft is a dirty trick to play — 83 PIKE. Politics is dirty, most generally. And we just have to win this figth. (Leans forward.) Remember the Capitol and Indian land and the army post and the senatorship! Where do we come in? PETTIGREW. But Miles and I are not supposed to know any- thing about this, and our contribution must be a secret. PIKE. Sure, it is just between us. MILES. Well, let us get out of here. (They get up and leave.) PIKE. Here, this way. (Takes them to the side-door in foreground and opens it.) Just follow the stair- way at the end of that hall and you will get out through the alley, where nobody will see you. MILES AND PETTIGREW. Good night. PIKE. Good night, fellows. Exit Pettigrew and Miles. Kidder locks his desk and straightens up the papers on the table. PIKE. (Returns the plates and prints to the safe and locks it. Walks back in front of the table.) Harry, when I run across a skunk like Silas Pettigrew, I get a better opinion of myself. (Sits down on a chair by the table resting his head on his hand.) KIDDER. (After a pause.) I would not trust him out of 84 my sight; he would double-cross his best friend for money. PIKE. So would I, Harry, if there was enough in it But I don't pass the plate in Church. CURTAIN 85 ACT IV. Scene I. The day before election. Late afternoon. Living room in Professor Archer's home. The room, which is connected with the professor's study on the left and the dining room on the right, is comfortably and tastefully, but not elaborately furnished. The door in the background leads to a small reception room. Margaret, in tears, on a settee with her face hidden against a sofa pillow. Mrs. Cromwell sitting close by trying to calm her. Mr. Archer walking exitedly forth and back, flourishing a newspaper. MRS. CROMWELL. Please don't condemn him, uncle, till you hear his side of the story. ARCHER. There can be only one side to evidence like this ! I am beginning to see everybody in a differ- ent light. I am afraid I have misjudged Mr. Pike, and that I have had an entirely wrong estimate of my would-be son in law. Oh, what a disgrace ! What a disgrace ! MARGARET. (sits up). Father, don't! Let us wait. 86 ARCHER. And to bring such disgrace and humilation upon you! How can he explain it? But I have sent for them, and we shall know the truth this very evening. (The door-bell rings). There is somebody now. ( Goes to the door and returns with Russell Pike, who looks embarrassed. Margaret does not respond to his greeting, but gives him a sharp, searching look, which causes him to look down, but only for a moment.) PIKE. You sent for me, Professor Archer. I suppose it is in regard to the article about Lee you want to see me. Too bad, ain't it? ARCHER. But is it true? PIKE, (Points to the paper.) There is the evidence, and i saw the original checks. (Looks at the ladies.) Say, Professor, hadn't we better talk about this alone? MARGARET. No, I want to be here ; it concerns me. PIKE. Yes, it is too bad. MRS. CROMWELL. But how did the Herald know about those checks? And what was the object in publishing all this? PIKE. The object was to give this state a decent man for governor instead of a hypocrite. — We done this to help Mr. Archer win. 87 ARCHER. If you and your paper can prove, that Marcus Lee called on Mrs. Pichman as her — as her lover, which this paper plainly insinuates, and that he hribed the servants to keep silent, then you have done a service both to the state and to my daugh- ter and me.— Rut, ("shakes his fist at Pike) if these allegations are false, — MRS. CROMWELL. And they are false ! PIKE. (Sharply.) What do you know about it? MRS. CROMWELL. I know Mr. Lee, and 1 know a few things about you. ARCHER. Lee has often appeared so absent-minded and irritable the last three months, that — PIKE. Why, he ain't right in his mind ! He has been at outs with his own party leaders right from the beginning of the campaign, because he is opposed to public improvements, that they and everybody else are in favor of. Maybe he is jealous because he cannot get all the .edit for himself. (Takes a chair.) ARCHER. Opposed to puulic, improvements? I don't understand. — what are they? PIKE. This is no time to go into details, but I know you will be with us, when everything is explained to vou. You are a sensible, pubbc-spirited man. MARGARET, (who has been looking steadily at Pike, ever since he came into the room.) I begin to understand; — oh, I hope I am right! (Looks toward the door.) Why doesn't he come? PIKE. Who do you expect? Lee? ARCHER. Yes, I have sent for him. PIKE, (rises). Well, I will see you tomorrow, Professor. 1 guess there ain't anything more I can say or do just now. ARCHER. No, you stay. We need you here. PIKE. 1 don't want to be mixed up in any family quarrels. ARCHER. As the principal owner of the Herald, you are already mixed up in it. We will all have to face this. PIKE. Mind you, we have not come right out and accused Lee of any wrongdoing; we have just pub- lished the evidence we have, and the people will have to judge. They are the jury, and we will have the Verdict by tomorrow night. ARCHER. (stares at the newspaper). This paper will be in the hands of nearly every voter in the State by the time the polls open tomorrow. 89 PIKE. And if it doesn't elect you governor, I miss my guess. ARCHER, (clutches the paper). And if these insinuations are false ? PIKE. You will be governor just the same! And he cannot do anything to the Herald. We just pub- lished certain facts, that's all. ARCHER. (angry). Do you for a moment suppose I will consent to serve as governor, if I win the election by the help of a lie?' By the ruin of an honest man's reputation? MARGARET. (Goes over to Archer and puts her arms around him). Calm yourself, father, please don't get exited ! Mark will explain everything. — — (Seriously.) He will have to explain. PIKE, (who seems uncomfortable.) Yes, of course, that's up to him. (The door-bell rings and Mrs. Cromwell answers it.) Enter Lee and Sterling, wearing light over- coats. They are both pale and look tired and worried. For a few moments there is tense silence, everybody staring at Lee, who looks as if he expects somebody else to speak first. LEE. (smiling faintly). Well, Peggy — ? MARGARET. Sav this isn't true! (Rushes toward him but is restrained by her father.) 90 ARCHER. lie owes us an explanation first. (Mrs. Cromwell and Sterling hold a brief con- sultation to one side, and Mrs. Cromwell hurries into the study to the left.) PIKE. (rises.) As I said before, I see no sense in my staying here; you will have to fight this out among yourselves. (Walks towards the door.) LEE. (blocks his way). Don't be in a hurry, Mr. Pike. PIKE. I am in a hurry; — let me out! LEE. Not yet ! This is the first time I have ever wanted to be in your society, and you will have to oblige us by gracing this occasion with your pres- ence, until we are ready to excuse you. PIKE. (Tries to crowd past Lee and Sterling; but is pushed back.) Look here, Professor, — do you stand for this in your house? ARCHER. (Firmly.) I must insist, that you remain with us, till we hear from Mr. Lee. Mrs. Cromwell returns from the study and takes her place on the settee with Margaret. PIKE. (Resumes his seat and places his hat on the floor besides his chair.) Well, all right; if you are bound to make a public show of this, I guess I can stand it, if vou can. 91 ARCHER. I suppose you have read the Herald this after- noon ? LEE. I have. ARCHER. Well, what about it? LEE. The facts published are correct and true. I did call at the Richman residence, spent about an hour there and gave two of the servants each a check for five hundred dollars. ARCHER. (Sinks down in *a chair.) My God, it is true after all! PIKE. (Triumphantly.) What did I tell you? Margaret weeping on Mrs. Cromwells shoulder. ARCHER. Have you no sense of honor? " LEE. It was my sense of honor, that made me do what I did. ARCHER. In other words: You paid out a thousand dol- lars, so people should not find out about your af- fair with Mrs. Richman? PIKE. That's it! LEE. Shut up, Pike! — Mr. Archer, it pains me to> 92 hear you say that. Mrs. Richman is a good woman and a very much abused woman. I have found out, that she is not to blame for her troubles. ARCHER. Well, of all the impudence — LKE. Do you mean to say, that you believe the vile insinuations in the Herald? ARCHER. You must admit, that appearances are against you. Why don't you explain? We are entitled to an explanation. LEE. And I am entitled to your confidence. — I realize that this will look queer to strangers, and that it is very likely going to cost me the govenor- ship, but you have known me nearly all mv life, and I hope it is not necessary for me to prove my innocence to you and Margaret. If it is, then there is no need of any explanations. MARGARET. Why don't you say it isn't true? Why don't you explain what you paid that money for? And why yon called on that woman? LEE. Margaret, — my enemies, and some of my friends, call me a crank, because my ideas on many things are different from the ideas and opinions of most people, and because I don't hesitate to ex- press those ideas and try to live up to them. ARCHER. (Impatiently.) Well, what has that to do with this case? 93 LEE. (Adressing Margaret.) Most people think,, that love is the only essential to a happy married life. I disagree with those who think so. — There can be no true happiness, Margaret, unless there is perfect confidence. Complete, unquestioning con- fidence is just as necessary as love. ^Raises his voice.) All the malicious insinuations in the world could never for one moment shake my faith in your loyalty, and if I don't occupy an equally high place in your confidence, then I want to know it right now. MARGARET. (Rushing over to him.) I believe in you, Mark, you need not explain to' me. (They em- brace.) ARCHER. (Impatiently.) But this does not clear you of suspicion in the eyes of the world. The door-bell rings. Sterling answers it and ushers in Pryor, who looks confused and surprised. PIKE. What the devd are you doing here? PRYOR. You sent for me, — didn't you? PIKE. No, you idiot. I did nothing of the kind! Get out of here and go about your own business. Pryor looks around in a bewildered way and starts for the door, but Sterling stops him. There is a scuffle, and Pryor is forced into a chair PIKE. What's the meaning of this? 94 MRS. CROMWELL. 1 telephoned the Herald office and asked them to send Mr. Pryor over at once, and I also men- tioned that you were here, Mr. Pike. I suppose that is how they got the impression that you had sent for him. PIKE. You women are pretty smooth ! Well, what do you want with him ? ARCHER. Young man, did you write this article? (Shows him the newspaper.) PIKE. (To Pryor.) You are not on the witness stand ARCHER. It will be better for him to take the witness stand now than later. LEE. Let me ask him a few questions. (Shows »\im a letter.) Did you write this? PRYOR. I did. LEE. (Reads the letter.) "Mr. Lee, Editor of the Observer. Dear Sir: Having accepted a flattering offer from the Herald, I hereby resign my position with you and return to you the Richman letters and pothopraphs, which I obtained as your agent, while in your employ. Yours truly, Paul Pryoi." — Is that what you wrote? PRYOR. (Sullen.) I guess so. 95 LEE. . Is it? PRYOR. Yes, that's the letter. LEE. What did I tell you in regard to those photo- graphs and letters you had bribed the Richman servants to steal for you ? PIKE. That ain't fair! PRYOR. You told me if I did not return them to Airs. Richman, you would do it yourself and give me the bounce. LEE. Now tell Mr. Archer and the ladies what hap- pened. PIKE. Keep your mouth shut, you fool! LEE. No interference, please; he will either tell his story here or in the courtroom. PRYOR. (Frightened.) Well, I met Mr. Pike on the street and told him all about it, because I was sore, and he offered me a job and told me to resign and return that stuff to you, and then we fixed it up to watch you when you went out there that night. And after you had left Mrs. Richman's house I saw the chauffeur and the maid and they showed me the checks you had given them. LEE. What did they tell you? 96 PRYOR. They told me you apologized to Mrs. Richman, and that she called them in and discharged them. And then you gave them five hundred each, be- cause you kind of felt responsible for their getting in trouble on account of me having enticed them into it. LEE. Did they say anything else? PRYOR. No. Only that they thought you ought to have been a preacher or a professor, because you're such an easy mark. (Everybody laughs except Pike.) The bell rings again, and Margaret goes to the door and ushers in Pettigrew. PETTIGREW. (Looks around in surprise.) Quite a gather- ing! Are the candidates comparing notes? LEE. Yet, just checking up a little. You know Mr. Pike, 1 presume? PETTIGREW. (Hesitates.) Oh yes, I believe we have met. — I understand you wanted me to come over, Mr. Lee. LEE. Yes, as you are one of my political sponsors, I want to ask you what you think of my chances of election now. PETTIGREW. (Shakes his head.) It looks bad, of course,, but I don't think you can lose. There is a normal 97 majority of thirty thousand votes to overcome, you know. Let us hope *or the best. LEE. (Shows him the newspaper.) What do you think of this? PETTIGREW. (Embarrassed. Glances at Pike, who watches him coldly.) What do I think of it? It is a low- down piece of work; it was an awful shock to me. I cannot understand how anybody can stoop to such tricks. PIKE. (Laughs.) Now, this is getting to be funny! Let us all cash in and finish this game. (To Petti- grew.) You hymn-singing old hypocrite, why don't you tell these people that you knew all about this and helped to plan it? Why don't you teli them about the ten thousand you and Miles gave me in my office the night you sneaked home through the alley? PETTIGREW. (Angry.) You are going too far — PIKE. No, I ain't! I am going still farther! To- morrow night the Herald will have a front page article retracting everything that has been printed against Mark Lee and apologizing for it. I am a good sport, and I know when I am beaten. ARCPIER. But it will be too late to affect the election. PIKE. We don't care a hang which way the election goes now, do we Pettigrew? They are onto our 98 game and the jig is up, but by thunder! You are going to face the music with the rest of us ! STERLING. Mr. Pike, it will save you some work, if you will just use this copy we have prepared (hands him a manuscript) and sign this statement to. published in the Observer tomorrow, t — " ^Pf/C£ * (Glances at the paper.) Sure. (Takes his fountain pen and signs one of them, which he hands to Lee and puts the o^her in his pocket.) LEE. Thank you. PIKE. Oh, don't mention it. (To Sterling.) Say, you are the fellow who preaches down at the Apollo, ain't you? STERLING. Yes. PIKE. I heard you the other Sunday for about ten minutes ; 1 had to step in somewhere to get a pebble out of my shoe. I understand you ain't par- ticular what kind of people you preach to, so if I can sell my property down in Hell's Half-Acre to Brother Pettigrew, I will join your church. Petti- grew owns so much of that kind of property al- ready, and I know he is in the market for more. Pettigrew walks out indignantly and slams tne door. PIKE. (Opens the door.) Wait a minute, Pettigrew! We are going the same way. Well, so long, every- body ! (Bows awkwardly and grins.) I have en- joyed your little party so much! Good afternoon! Exit Pike and Prvor. 99 ARCHER. Marcus, — for the second time I have to ask you to forgive me. (Takes his hand.) LEE. (Puts his hand on Archer's shoulder.) Forgive you ! I am lucky you did not meet me at the gate with a shot-gun. I shouldn't have blamed you, if you had. — But let me ask you one question: Has Pike or anybody else tried to make you piomise to do certain things, in case you are elected? ARCHER. No. — In fact, they have seemed rather reluctant to discuss any public questions with me, and as I have never taken my candidacy seriously, I have not cared to mingle much with them. LEE. That's good ; I am glad to hear it, for I think you will be elected governor tomorrow. (Mrs. Cromwell and Sterling walk together into the next room.) MARGARET. (Steps between her father and Lee and links her arms in theirs.) Wouldn't it be great, if both of you could be rewarded with a high office after all this trouble ! LEE. Peggy, the faith you showed in me today is worth more to me than all the political honors in the world! 1 would not trade it for a throne! ARCHER. Wasn't it Schopenhauer who said, that a woman's faith in one she loves is as sublime as her native intuition is mysterious and uncanny ? 100 A NEWSBOY'S VOICE (outside) Extree paper! All about the death of Senator Smart! — Extr-e-e ! CURTAIN. 101 ACT IV. Scene II. Evening of the day after election. Living room in Professor Archer's home. Same as Scene I. The double doors between the living room and the study are thrown open. Mrs. Robinson and Margaret are seated at a table, on which there is an electric reading lamp, looking at the evening papers. MARGARET. Was Uncle Daniel very angry? MRS. ROBINSON. Ginger says he swore, but you cannot blame him. He got the paper in the dining car yesterday morning an did not touch his breakfast. And when Mark and I met him at the station he was all worked up. You know, Daniel is always cross when he is hungry, and he didn't say good morning or anything, just shook the newspaper under Mark's nose and stuttered something about dis- grace and ruin. Oh, I never saw him in such a temper ! MARGARET. What did he say, after you told him the truth? MRS. ROBINSON Oh. he calmed down, of course, and after he 102 "had his breakfast lie went down-town and hasn't been home since, except to sleep. I wish they were through with it ! MARGARET. They are still checking up reports from the •country precincts ; you know it takes so long for .all the return to come in from the country. It looked this afternoon as if father is elected by a small majority, but I hope the last returns will change the result. (The telephone rings in the study and Margaret goes to answer it.) Enter Mrs. Cromwell and Billings who greet Mrs Robinson. BILLINGS. (Looking tanned and robust.) Well, Jane, it is all over but the shouting. MRS. ROBINSON. And who are we going to shout for? MARGARET. (Returns from the study and greets Billings.) Mark has just telephoned, that he will be over in a little while. It is about time. I have not seen him or father since night before last. BILLINGS. Did he say anything else? MARGARET. He said he is hungry and want some "dutch lunch." — What is the latest news? MRS. CROMWELL. We will let Mark tell you himself. MARGARET. Is it all over? 103 Enter Archer, looking tired and disheveled. He- kisses his daughter and shakes hands with Billings and Mrs. Robinson silently. MARGARET. Please tell me, father, who is elected? ARCHER. The last returns are in. Marcus carries the city by a majority of five hundred and fifty-seven votes, but I carry the state by a little over two thousand. All the other candidates on Marcus' ticket are elected with about the usual majorities. This is an awful injustice, Billings! BILLINGS. (Extends his hand.) Allow me to congratu- late you — ARCHER. (Emphatically.) No congratulations! I must refuse to qualify. How can I eccept the office in this way? I was in hopes that the final returns would save me this ordeal. I feel like a thief! BILLINGS. Now, look here, Archer; whatever injustice has been done is not of your making, and the people know it by this time. Why the whole state has been ringing with denounciation of Pettigrew and Miles and Pike; since the Observer and Herald came out last night and exposed the conspiracy. You have the people's sympathy just as much as Marcus, so cheer up, old friend, and make up your mind to be a good respectable governor for the next two years. ARCHER. I suppose I must face it, then. 104 The door-bell rings and Archer answers it himself. Enter Lee and Sterling. LEE. Hello, everybody! (Shakes hands with Ar- cher.) This is a great victory for the people. ARCHER. Why my dear boy, the people have been cheated and fooled! How can you call that a vic- tory ? LEE. I see I am in for a speech, and I shall need some nourishment before long, so please, girls, get busy with the dutch lunch ; I have only had an apple since breakfast. MRS. CROMWELL. [ will attend to the commissary; the maid is out for the evening. MRS. ROBINSON. And I will help you. STERLING. Can't I make myself useful? MRS. CROMWELL. Yes, tag along; we will give you a nice, white, clerical-looking apron and put you to work slicing ham and cheese. (They start for the dining room.) MARGARET. Father and Uncle Daniel, please sit down and rest, you must be awfully tired, and you, too, Mark. LEE. I am not tired ; only hungry. 105 (They all sit down except Lee, who remains standing near the center of the room.) BILLINGS. Well, how about the great victory? ARCHER. Yes, please explain just what yon mean. LEE. Can't yon see, that the great spell has been ARCHER. broken? What spell? LEE. The spell of the absolute one-party rule this State has been suffering under for a generation. No party is great enough and good enough to be trusted with absolute power. The parties in this state were too unevenly balanced, and the result was, that a ring of more or less unscrupulous and self-seeking politicians intrenched themselves so strongly, that they could do anything they pleased. You know what they planned to do here." I saw I had to fight them, even if it meant my own defeat, but that's nothing! The people are awake now, and the truth is known all over the state. Isn't that a victory? Russell Pike will never again be a po- litical power in this city and state ; — isn't that a victory for the people? And that man could never have been exposed, if he hadn't been led to over- reach himself. — And how about our friends Miles and Pettigrew, uncle? They can never regain their standing in our party. Isn't that a victory''' Isn't it a victory for the people, when grafters and hypo- crites are unmasked and branded and made harm- less for all time to come? BILLINGS. Mark, you are right. 106 LEE. 1 know I am right; and when a benevolent Providence had in some mysterious way provided the minority party with a candidate like you, Pro- fessor Archer, then I said to myself: Now is the time to strike! Now is the time to break the com- bination ! MARGARET. And did you want Daddy to win all the time? LEE. Of course I did ! Don't you remember I asked him as a favor to allow his name to go on the bal- lot, when he wanted to withdraw the day after he was nominated? MARGARET. Then you are not really a crank; you just played crank and made people turn against you just to help father win! LEE. Oh, yes, I am a crank, — a political crank — ac- cording to the conventional standards, and a journalistic crank, too, although I will confess, that if my opponent in this case had happened to lie a gangster, I should probably have taken a dif- ferent course. ARCHER. Why did you never explain this to me beto-re? LEE. To tell the truth, I didn't dare to. I needed your help to kill the Dragon, and I was afraid an exaggerated sense of fair play might have led you to back out. (The doors to the dining-room open and Mrs. Cromwell announces that the lunch is ready. She is followed by Mrs. Robinson and Sterling.) 107 STERLING. Did we miss a good speech? LEE. Not you ; you have heard it before. — Now, let us break our fast ! (They all start for the dining-room, when the door-bell rings and someone answers it.) Enter Paul Pryor carrying a letter in a long envelope. PRYOR. Pardon me for intruding, but a special messen- gen from the Capitol brought this letter short!}' after you left the office and asked that it be handed to Mr. Lee immediately. LEE. ^Takes the letter, looks at the envelope, but does not open it.) Thank you, Paul. Oh, by the way, this young man is back on the Observer Staff. Mr. Pike did not seem to have any more use for him after night before last, so I put him to work again, and I think we can make a cracker-jack of a newspaper man out of him. Paul is a writer of considerable imagination, you know. (Laughter.) This letter seems to be from the governor. Will you please read it to us Peggy? (Hands her the letter.) MARGARET. (Opens letter with a hairpin.) Oh, I am so exited ! I wonder what it can be ! BILLINGS. Condolences I suppose. MARGARET. Oh!— What do you think!— Why, Mark! The governor has appointed you to succeed Senator 108 Smart! And we are going to Washington! (She throws herself into his arms.) (Great joy, congratulations, etc.) LEE. (To Archer.) Unless you think you would like to have Ralph as private secretary, I am going to take him with me to Washington, if he is willing to go. MRS. CROMWELL. It wouldn't do to leave uncle here all alone. ARCHER. You will be here with me, of course. MRS. CROMWELL. (Embarrassed.) Why, — yes, but — n-not if Ralph goes to Washington. P (Great surprise! Tableau.) CURTAIN. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS lIllDlllliHlilllillWIi 015 907 971 5 <