,Z36l^1^^ UNIVERSAL STAGE. Price 15 Cents. A Comrades Luck, OR The Stolen Will, A Drama in Five Acts. J B-2- T. E. O-IXjXjESX'IE:. KEARNKY. NRB.: NONPAREIL PRINT. Wyomixo Aveni'k. 1881. A COMRADE'S Luck OR The Stolen Will, A Drama in Five Acts. s-z- T. El. o-iXjXjEsx'Ie;. KEARNEY, NEB.: B. H. CtOULDING. Wyoming Atknue. 1881. A COMRADE'S LUCK, OR THE STOLEN WILL DRAiVL\TI8 PERSON i^. tlUGH ('RAVEN, a Designing Lawyer. .JOHN DALGREN, a Patviotic Farniei-. EDWIN GREY, Rival of Craven. MICKEY McGEE, The Widow's Victim. DENNIS 0' GRADY. A Veteran. JOHN JOHNSON. A Higli Private. OTTO SCHWARTZ, A Dutch Recruit. OFFICER OF THE DAY, Captain of 40th Regular* ROBERT DUNBAR, A Guerrilla Chief. REBEL LIEUTENANT, Aide to Dunbar. HENRY WIRTZ, The Prison Fiend. MINISTER. CAESAR, A Contraband. MRS. DALGREN, Widow of John Dalgven. ETHEL DALGREN, Her Daughter. WIDOW MALONY, An Irish Landlady. LENORE WOODFORD, A Planter's Daughter. Union Soldiers. Rebel Soldiers, Copyright, 1880, By J. E. GILLESPIE. SYNOPSIS. Scenes in Indiana, Tennesske and Georgia. ACT I. A lawyer's plot for office and fortune. Filling up the ranks. Preserve the Union, or perish with it. ACT II. Camp life. The policy of '62. The bone of contention. The strategy' of chess and war. The compact of blood. The bold escape. Battle for the flag. The deadly ambuscade. ACT III. The horrors of Andersonville. Wirtz, the Prison Fiend. Close quarters. The Prisoners' friend. Blood hounds on the trail. ACT IV. The mortgaged homestead. The warning vision. The reluct4tiit bride. Saved at the altar. ACT V. The Traitnr'.'i Doom. The dowerless widow. The unexpected wed- ding gift. I'oxtmnfn — Modern and appropiialt\ Note. — For right of repi-esentation on the pxiblic stage, addresi* ./. K. (iillespie. Kearney. Nebraska. TMP92-009234 A Comrade's Luck, OR THE STOLEN WILL. Act 1. Scene 1 — A Imc office in YaUonia. Craven {solus reading a letter.) Chancery court two years behind and the heirs at law waiting for a decree. Well, let 'em wait. • Meanwhile, that purloined parchment, the golden key to Ethel Dalgren's fortune, is in my hands, and I've time enough to marry the girl, unearth themi.ssing will and claim our estate. This letter alone contains no clue, but in connection with certain facts might hereafter prove a strong link in the chain of circumstantial evidence. ( Strikes mote/i. caid hiuiiing letter lights a cigar.) Heiress of half a million and ignorant of her claim. By Jove, I adore the girl; she is ravishingly beautiful, and her fortune would fit me exactly. {A hnock at the door.) Come in. (Enter John Dalgren c. d.) Ah ! Mr. Dalgren; {they shake hand.'i) be seated. How goes the harvest at West Farm? Dalgren. Well, thank you; quite well. We have had bountiful crops and sold our surplus at war prices. If this murdering business keeps up, our farmers will all have their hands full of Uncle Sam's money. Craven. It will take your handsfull to buy a breakfast. Our currency must depreciate more and more as the war continues. Dalgren. But the war ought to be finished and laid by this year. Craven. Ought to be, but won't be. We are beaten for lack of generalship. The rebels killed five thousand of our boys at this late battle of Fair Oaks. Dalgren. Then our country needs more volunteers, and you and I, Lawyer Craven, ought to be ashamed that we have shirked duty so long. Our neighbors have been talking the matter over, 'and as the cropping season is now 2 A COMRADE'S LUCK, off hands, they intend to enUst and help clean out the rebels. We meet this evening on the village common to enroll vol- unteers, and expect to organize a full company. Craven. You, I presume, will command the company? Dalgren. By no means. I have no desire for oifice. I have thought, however, of giving my influence to young Grrey. lie, I think, would make us a good officer. Craven (aside.) The deuce ! I must block that game somehow. {Aloud — No doubt of Grey — none whatever. I've half a mind to go with you myself. If I must be a soldier, I want to pick my company, and I know none I would sooner go with than the Vallonia boys. Dalgren. Then be at the rally this evening. Craven. If I can. Dalgren. We shall expect 3'ou, and ijow I will not de- tain you longer from business, but as I am to meet several of your friends this afternoon, let me say to them that you are going to enlist in our company? Craven. Say what you will for me, and success attend you. {Exit Dalgren c. d. ) If that fellow Grey takes com- mand of this company, goes to the front and covers himself with glory, what sort of chance will I have with Ethel? She loves him even now, and I've heai'd her say she would never marry a man who had not fought for the Union. Confound the war, it interferes with business. Well, I suppose I'll have to be a soldier, but I must hava a commission. That, however, will be easy to obtain, as my brother-in-law is in the war department. All right, I'll take command of that company myself — (loud hnochiiig at the door.) Come in. {Enter excitedly Micheij McGee). What can I do for you, sir? Mickey. Its the houly bands of wedlock I'm sufferin' from, and av the coort plazes a bit of divorce would be delightful. Craven. Well, sir, state your case. Mick. Faix, I can do that same in the twinklin of a bed post. My name, sir, is ]Michael McGee. I've lived along wid widdy Maloney two years jist, and paid me borrd stidy wake by wake. Well, she married me last night fernenst me will. D'ye moind that now? Cpaven. Against your will. Why, how could that be? Mick. Azy enough, yer honor. She put a decate upon OH THE STOLKN WILL. :; me. Yor liouor .sees, av the coort plazcs, I'm fond of a drop of the craythur once in a while, jist, and the widdy mixes it up for me, d'ye moind. So last night she made it that sthrong I lost the rickelection av meself intirely, an whin I waked up this mornin', be me soul, its out av me own chamber I was, and slaping in a strange bed. "Ilillo!"' sez I, "Phats the matter? Phere am I ? Sure its a f aymale apartment, for there's pittycoats against the wall." "Hillo!" out loud, sez I, "Widdy Maloney, phats the matter?" Then outside the dhure sez she wid a coaxing voice: ''Is it tay coffee, or coffee tay, this mornin, husband dear?" '-Phat?" sez I. "Siire, its married we wuz, last evenin', husband dear," sez she. "The divil," sez I, "3Irs. Maloney, phere is my britches?" "It's not Mrs. Maloney now, but Mrs. McGee!" sez she. "Mrs. Maloney !" sez I. "McGee!" sez she. "Go to the divil. Phere is my britches; let me out!" sez I. Well, at last, by the risk av me life, I got me britches and escaped from the place, an its a total divorce I'm wan tin as soon as iver ye can make out the papers. (A furious kuockinr/ at the door, Miclcey starts iip alarmed). Murther and blazes, there she comes now, bating upon the dhure. Hide me, or I am a corpse intirely — [tries to hide Mmself). Widow SIaloney (putting her head in at the door). Have ye seen me husband, sir. Sure it was here I heard the voice of him (entering). Phere are ye, Michael, bad scran to yez (discovers and seizes him). jMrcK. Be off wid yez. Hould on! Let go me ear! Murther. and blazes, Widdy Maloney, hould on ! Widow M. It's Widdy McGee I'll be in two minutes, ye blatherin spalpene, av ye don't come along paceable. It's for better or worse I took yez, an by that same token I'll not let yez chate an decave me wid loafin whin ye should be at worrik (exit pushing him out c. d.) ACT 1. SCENE 2. — The village common. A crowd discovered — Craven, Dalgren, Grey, Mickey, O Grady, ScJnvartz and others. Music of fife and drum continueing several moments, at pause in music .wme one in croivd calls for speech. Several Voices. Grey ! Grey ! Speech from Grey! Grey. Excuse me, friends. That honor belongs not to me. Mr. Dalgren should be our speaker. 4 A COMRADE'S LUCK, Voices. Dalgreu! Dalgren! John Dalgren! (^Dal- gr-en is pushed forioard). Dalg. Neighbors and friends: I never made a speech in my life and I can say nothing to interest you ; but as this occasion seems to demand a speech, let us have one from Lawyer Craven. He can talk to us if he will. I claim your attention for Mr. Craven. Crowd. Craven! Craven! (^Craven, is pushed for- ward^. Cravep. Friends and fellow countrymen: I came here to act, not to speak. I have no words to express my sentiments on this occasion. I can only say that I desire to enlist in your company and contribute my all to the defense of the Union. (Applause). I have watched with intense interest the struggle now in progress. It is no holiday game, this game of war. Blood is being poured out like water, and thousands of our fellow citizens have offered up their lives to save the Nation's life. Shall we remain at home while brave men seek the battle-field to die in our defense? No ! We have tarried too long already. {A Intgle call is heard in the distance). Hark ! The bugle- call of Freedom ! Our country calls — we must obey ! Write my name down on your list. Better die for the nation than live in dishonor. (Applmise. Grey writes name using drnm for table.) O'G-RADY (stej)ping forward to Greg). Write down the name of Dennis O'Grady. My native country was long since ruined by traitors, and from that time to this day her childerhave been at the feet of a tyrant. I hate the traitor everywhere, and in this, my adopted country, I'll fight the Southern traitors as long as I've blood in my veins. McGee. And I'll go 'long wid yez, me bhy. It's mar- ried fernenst me will I am, and I go to the war for the sakes av pace at home. Divil a wan of them rebels could be equal to the loikes of Widdy Maloney and seven childer to begin life wid. Schwartz. Make me down Schwartz on dat baper. Der Union is betterish goot as never vas. Der Bebel Con- federacy is a humpug und a schwindle. I fights mit Sigel. Johnson. Write down the name of John Johnson. ( Others come fortcard and give their names.) Grey (closing book). Our list Ls complete, and I OR THE STOLEN WILL. 5 am to announce that the ladies of Vallonia have prepared a banner which they will now formally present to our com- pany. Let some one who can drill the company take charge of it and form us in line to receive this honor. I nomin- ate for that duty the Mexican Veteran, O'Grady. Crowd. O'Grady ! O'Grady ! Sergeant O'Grady ! O'Grady. Fall in men. Be lively ! (//e forms cam- pan^L.) (^Entei- companij of ladies R., EfJtcl Dalgren at their head hearing a hatiner). Etlel. Citizen Soldiers : In answer to the call of honor, you are about to leave your homes to endure hardships and dangers in defense of the the Nation. You may not all return, but those who die for the right will ever be remem- bered, and the nation they ransom with blood will be ever precious to those who survive. You Avill take with you this symbol of our Nation's honor, made by the hands of those whose hearts will be with you and whose prayers will follow you in your marches, toils and triumphs. Cherish this emblem of liberty. Defend it with the courage of men and bring it back to us in the days of the great jubilee of peace, when the war shall have ended and the Nation is saved. (she presents flag to Edwin Grey who receives it and says:) Grey. Ladies : The beautiful banner you have made for us shall be defended in honor for the sake of the givers, and the motto embroidered on its silken folds is engraven on the hearts of the company. Preserve the Union or perish tcith it ! O'Grady. Now boys. Three cheers for the flag and the ladies! Hip! hip! hurrah! (cheers). Song: — Yes, we'll rally 'round the flag, boys, We'll rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of freedom. We'll rally from tlie hillsides. We'll gather from the plains, Shouting the battle' cry of freedom. Union forever! hurrah, boys, hurrah! Down witli the traitor! up with the star! While we rally 'round the flag, boys, rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of freedom. End of Act 1, A COMRADE'S LUCK, ACT 2. SCENE 1. — A campfire and Meaminf) Jcetlle of beans, c. Stack of arms r. and u. Soldiers grouped and employed variously, smokiny, playing cards, etc. Schwartz sitting behind kettle stirring contents withlong spoon. Johnson reading a newspaper. Craven in background pacing to and fro.) Johnson {folding jiajyer). The President's proclama- tion is a fair warning to the rebels, and they have a hundred days to consider it. Let them lay down their arms or loose their slaves. 1st Soldier. I thought we were to fight for the Union, not for the negro. We never intended to interfere with slavery. What right have we to do so ? 2nd Soldier. But emancipation is not the cause of the war, nor its object. It comes as a military necessity, and as a means of effectually crippling the enemy. I say, therefore, emancipate. The sooner the better, to end the war. 3rd Soldier.. give us a rest on politics, and lets have a joke or a song Schwartz. Yah, music vas so better as bolitics, und dem beans vas ready booty soon. Johnson. Then let us have the song of the beans. All hands! (lie heals fi me) One, two, three, four, sing: {Air: Sweet Bye and Bye.) There's a spot that the soldiea,s all love, The mess tent 's th-e place that we mean, And the dish that we like to see there, Is the old-fashioned white army bean. Chorus: — "Tis the hean, that we mean, And we'll eat as we ne'er ate before, Tlie army bean, nice and clean. We'll stick to our beans evermore. The German is fond of sauer kraut. The potato is loved by the Mick, But the soldiers have long since found ont. That thro' life to our beans we should stick. Chorus: — 'Tis the bean, etc. [^Refrain. — Air: Tell Au.nt Khody.] Beans ftn- breakfast, Beans for dinner. Beans for supper, Beans, beans, beans. Craven. Sergeant, it is time for guard mount. O'Grady. Fall in, guards. {Mickn/, Johnson (did six others take guns. O' Grady drills them briefly in manual of arms. After which he commands: Rigid face I Forward, march ! ' Excimt R. E.) OR THE STOLEN WILL. 7 ACT 2. SCENE 2. — Tennessee. A chicken coop l., pig pen v.. , etc., a hoiisein the distance. Enter 0' Grady and guard, n. 1st K. O'Grady. Halt! Sentinel nuinbcr four, you Avill take your position over this risidence of the fcatlierecl craytliurs and arrist ivery thavin son-of-a-gun that corues midliu round yerbate. {Jolinson takex position as sentinel). Attention, guards! Forward, march! (at pig sty) Halt! Number foive ? Phere the divil is number foive, now ? Schwartz. It vas Mickey McGee. He vas prokeu ranks oud. O'Grady. Thin I'll break the head av him and have him courtmartiald besides. Mtck. Sure, Sargint, its not foive I am. Bedads, I thought it was ten. Yez gave us the order whiles back to double up, an I doubled foive up to ten. I forgot the rick- election of meself intiroly. O'GrRADY. Your post IS here. Ye'll take charge of the pig pen and i)iously guard the contents of the same. Mick. Ohone, Sargint, an if the flays ate me up alive ye'll be afthcr tellin the Widdy Malouey that I died like a man for the sake of me country. O'Grady. Have no fear of the flays, man. If one crosses yer bate give him the bayonet. Attention, guard ! Forward! March! {E.remit 0' Gradij and guard). MiCK. Och ! MuTtheration. It's a foine time I'm having all to meself gharding pig pens for the rebels. Swate duty this is onyhow. Hillo, I've got the black shptilpeen. (claps his thumb on the hack of Jiis Jiand). Och, but it's hungry ye was. (rolls thiinth over carcfuUi/). Phere the divil are yez? Be the ptiwers of darkness and the light of the moon, its gone skeedadling away like a witch on a bit of a bhrumesl^ick. Hillo, number fcmr ! Is it ashlape yez are alriddy ? Wake up man ! Phat haave yez in the cantane ? Johnson- Buttermilk. Mick. And I've phiskey in mine. Buthermilk and phiskey should meet half way. Come off" the bate a little, and lets trate aich other, (fhet/ meet and drink). Johnson. How is it Mickey? Mick. lUigant. Shure if there's a drink in the worrld I loike betther than buthermilk it is phiskey. an if there's a drink more illegant than aitlier, its both toirither in a quart cup. 8 A COMBADE'S LUCK, Johnson. Hist! Here comes some onel Back to your post! (^Enter Craven and Grey, R.) Mick. Halt! Who are yez, onyway? GrREY. Captain Craven and guard. Mick. Advance guard and give the countersign. ( The countersign is given and they 2^ass out of sight, L.) Johnson. Come this way again, Mickey. Mick. Wid all the plazure of life, if the baste phat gave the buthermilk is not dhry. Johnson. Plenty left, (they meet c.) Give us a toast, Mickey. Mick. Thin here's to the man phat jist passed, Captain Craven: May company A soon be rid of him and the divil fly off wid the bones av him. JoHNSO . He's bent on a sparking campaign to-night. Mick. Yis, an takin long wid him as body ghard a betther man than himself, the la'd he chated out of the commission. Johnson. I've lost all confidence in him of late. I be- lieve. Mickey, he would sell us out to the rebels. Look how he hangs around that old traitor, Judge Woodford, and how he makes an exhibition of us to the old rebel's girl. In the name of common sense, did we enlist in the United States Army to be a fancy guard for a popinjay's courtship, or stand sentry over pig pens and clnqken coops? Mick. No ! be the powers. I took up arms to retreat in good order from the Widdy Maloney and her seven child- ren. But phat is that comin this way. Halt and mark time, or I'll blow the head off yez intoirely. Who are yez, ony- how? {Enter Caesar, R.) Caesar. I's only a nigger what belongs on de place here. Mick. An phat is it yez could be wan tin this way? Foine toime o' night for naygurs to be out. (Menaces negro ivith hayonety Johnson. Don't frighten him Mickey. What is your name, sir? Caes. Caesar, sah. Johnson. Caesar what? C. Jes Caesar, sah, dat's all. J. Well Caesar, why don't you leave that old rebel who calls himself your master, and come along with us to be a soldier? OR THE 8T0LKN WILL. 9 C. Wouldn't like dat at all, sah. It am clean agin nature, sah. J. Why so? C Why, you hearn about dem two dogs what fight ober de bone ? J. Yes. C. But you don't nebber hear dat de bone fight? J. Certainly not. What of that? C. Why, you sees, Massa, dis chile am de bone ob con- tention. "Taint fashionable for de bone to fight. Mick. Mr. Johnson, how the divil kin ye dcmane yer- self to hold conversation wid a dirthy naygur? Sure the black baste will git de best of yez ivery time, wid the im- pudence of himself. Caes. Yah! Yah! Dat's so, but dat ain't what I come to tole yer. Dem rebels am comin ter-night shore. I heard it from a nigger what blongs on Marsa Dunbar's plantation. Col. Dunbar am comin to-night wid five hun- dred ferrillers. Youz bettor git dat Cap'n ob de company outen de parlor from young Miss and all youens git ready or dat stockade will be tuck in less'n no time, {stoops to the gronnd and listens). Dah, now, hear bosses foot plain. JoANSON {stooping to listen). It is true, Mickey. Our orders are to fall back to the stockade in case of danger. Let's go by the house and warn Captain Craven. AVon't you come with us, Caesar ? Caes. No sah ! De bone don't fight. (Exeunt.) ACT. 2. SCENE 3.— ,4 parlor in the house of Judge Woodford. Graven and Lenore at a table playiny chess. Lenore. This little game is said to illustrate the sci- ence of war. Do you find it so, Captain ? Craven. Only in so far as they are both matters of pastime for those who move the men. L. (inoving apiece). Check! C (confusedly). I must lose a pawn. L. There is no alternative. (The// maJce several moves, meantime enter c. D. Col. Dunbar and attendants. Dun- bar stealthilt/ approaches Craven). C. Your knight endangers my castle. I must move it at all hazzards. (^^moves a ^^iece). 10 A COMRADE'S LUCK, L. Too late, sir, (moviag a j^i'^ce) you are surrounded. Check mate ! Now surrender ! Dunbar. Surrender ! {a pistol is jwinfed at Craven, who throws up his Icands). Cra. Don't! don't slioot! I surrender without conditions. L. Ha! ha! Captain, You are doubly checkmated. Do you now not see there is strat jgy in chess and war? Dun. Yankee! You must surrender that stockade. Surrender it at once, or we will carry it by assault and roast the last one of you alive. Cra. Oh! my goodness, General, don't do that. I'll surrender everything right away. Dun. Order your guard on the porch to put down his gun and come in. Let him not suspect. Go you {to an at- tendant by the rear and secure the gun. {Exit attend' t R.) CuA. [goes to tcindoio). Grey! Come here, and get a dispalch for the stockade. It is important. Come instant- ly. Leave your gun. Dun. Who is your second in command? Cra. Lieutenant Dalgren. Dun. Take a seat, sir. {Craven sits). Lenore, some paper. {She hri7}gs paper, p)id inlc). Write an order to Lieut. Dalgreu to march immediately with half tlie com- pany down the river to the long trestle to meet Genl. Neg- ley th yre at midnight to join in an expedition against the guerrillas. Sign it officially, and countersign it by oi'der ' Gen. Negley in command of the Dejitartment of Middle Tennessee. Craven writes). Cra. It is written. DiJN. And duly signed, llemember, sir, if this mis- carries, we blow your brains out. Cra. No fear but Lieut. Dalgren will obey orders. {Enter Grey, R. Makes shov) of resistance ivhen ordered fo yield). Surrender! Surrender! It's no use to fight. We are surrounded. {Grey siirrende/'s). Dun. Watch that fellow closely. Dock, {to an attend- ant ) put on your Yankee toggery and take this order to the stockade. Report to me as soon as the Yankee Lieutenant starts for the trestle. {Exit attendant). What have you in your pocket, Captain? {searches him). Hello, what's this ? Lenore, your scissors. {Lenore rij)s liiiing of coat and takes forth a jiajier). OR TIIK STOLEX WILL. 11 Lenore. What precious document is this, cousin? The vahant Captain's commission? Dun. {after reading). Why, this is the will of one Robert St. Clair, bequeathing to his niece, Ethel Dalgreu, half a million of dollars. It is duly signed, sealed and attested, but does not appear to have been recorded anywhere. This precious scamp must ha^'e stolen it. Cra. No: No! I— Dun. {placing will on tahle). Yankee, I am lawyer enough to know that this document you carry so carefully concealed, is a genuine will, and I apprehend it is worth a great deal to you. Now, I'll surrender it back to you on one condition. Cra. Name the condition. Dun. Come this way. {Tlicy eonverse apart in dnr.ih show. Lenore leaves small i'eheljlag a)id sijigs:) Farewell fin-ever, old Star Spangled Banner, No longer you'll wave o'er the land of the free, For we have unfurled to the broad breeze of Heaven, Thirteen bright stars "round the palmetto tree. Dun. {aloud). And you will arrange to betray General Negley's command ? Cra. Provided you return me the will and destroy that witness of my treason. Dt:N. Murder my prisoner ! {Aside — No matter, I'll deceive him, and, ha ! ha ! tell him no lie, either.) He shall die. Cra. Then I am bound to you. Dun. a bloody compact ! Search that fellow. {Attend- ant jxioceeds to .search Grey. A package of letters and a photogriiph are taken from him. ami passed to Dunbar.) T>\:'f^. {loohing at photograpli). A Yankee girl! By Jove, what a lovely face ! When we take the war home to the Yanks, I mean to call on thnt girl ; meantime, I'll keep the picture. {Ashe is putting the pdiotograph in his pocket Edwin Grey .matches the ivill and picture and rushes out R., closing and bolting the door. Dunbar and attendants try to open the door. Mcanwliilc a scuffle is heard on the porch. A gun is fired without. The door yields, a rebel soldier staggers in and falls orer the threshold dead. Exeunt Dunbar and others i\. Enter Mickey and Johnson l.) Mick. Phere the divil is the Captain? Ochone, we're all kilt intirely. {discovers corpse of rebel soldier. ) A dead Eibbil! O, l)e jabbers! Phat '11 become of us ! Come out of this now ! (^Exeunt.) 12 A COMRADE'S LUCK, ACT 2. SCENE i.—The. stockade. Alarm without. Soldiers snatch their accoutrements. Voice at the Gate. Open ! O'Grady. "Who comes there ! Voice. A comrade. Open quickly, I am pursued! (Gate opens. Enter Grey.) Grey. Comrades, we are basely betrayed! Craven has sold us to the Guerrillas ! AVhere is Lieutenant Dalgren and the other men? O'Grady. Gone to meet General Negley at the lower bridge, by orders of the Captain. Grey. Then he has gone to his death. Craven has betrayed him into ambush. The stockade will be stormed ' in a few moments ! Schwartz. Der Cabptain is so tammed a coward as a dog. Ve are not so many men as to fight dem rebbels. Vat ve shall do now, Sarghent ! O'Grady. Hold the fort against ivery odds. Schwartz. Vel, I fights so long as anybody, but I like not to fight mitout ve do some good. ( VoJU'i/s nf muslxctri/ outside.) O'Grady. To the port holes, ivery man av yez ! Voice {loithonf). Bloody murther, let me in! Open the gate, or I'll climb over the top av itl Let me in ! Let me in ! It's Mickey McGee, the Widdy Maloney's man, shot thro' the gizzard wid a cannon ball. ( Gate ojjens, — Mickeii rushes in. Mick. 0,begobs! We're all kilt now intirely. The Rebels are all around us and iverybody is a prishoner. Phere ismephiskey? (feels, for caiifeeu). Death and tin thousand black cats, they've shot the canteen right aft" the nick of meself ( Yells and firing without) . G'Grady. Here they come ! Now, men, stiddy, and let 'em come ! Shoot as soon as iver ye git aim ! {Firing^ noise, confusion. 0^ Grady falls, wounded.) Schwartz. Shoot so quick as you can ! Dem Rebels is runnin booty soon, (shoots). Dot vas pishness! Hurrah'. Dem Rebels ish vipped ! (Firing ceases). O'Grady. It's a dyin bhy I am. O'Grady has fought his last battle. To you, Edwin Grey, I leave the command. Don't give up, me bhy, as long as there's a man alive in the fort. Arrah ! but it's a sorry thing to die and be buried away from Norah and the childer. OR THE STOLEN "WILL. 13 Mick. Take comfort, man. Sure, it's for the counthry ye're dyin, not\'; and the counthry must befrind yer widdy and childer. Schwartz. So must it be, oder de gountry would not be vort to fight for. GiiEY. Hark ! They rally ! To your post^;, men ! Be brave, and God defend the right! (^Ye/ls and firinij — sol- diers fall one bji one). Di]'SBAK(ivifhoiif). Surrender! Your stockade is on fire ! Haul down your flag ! Grey. Come and take it ! Dunbar. Attention, batallion ! Fix bayonets! Charge! [The gate is hatfcred down. Rebels rush into the fort and its defenders are killed or fall wounded. A number of rebels also are killed. Mcan- tvhile Dunbar and Grey meet in sword combat, they fight over the flag — Grey falls, clutching flay to his bosom.) Dunbar [iciping his siconl). By Jehovah ! he has won a soldier's grave. He deserves an honorable one. {Rebel at- tempts to take Jl(fff). Leave him his flag for a winding sheet. Spread it over his bosom: brave men honor the brave. (Bugle notes in clistanee). Hark! the signal fur help! Away to triumph over the Lieutenant's party. (Exeunt). ACT 2. SCENE 5. — A forr est and river. Enter Dalgren and com- pany, n., E., driven in by rebels and forced fighting across stage to l. DaLvI. Steady men ! Close up ! Charge ! ( Rehels are driven across stage to R. E.) Rebel Lieut, (crossing sicords wifli Dci)t, jyhtcrs JkijuI on Scliirarf.z, dead). Ah, Schwartz, ye'U ate no more b;nirs. Pace to your ghost. May it fly away to Heavi'n before the divil knows ye're dead. Ah, begorra, if iver I git back to the AViddy ^laloney, its foine tales I'l be tellin her. reaches Edirni). Its bladin to death, yez are. Av I could only stop the blood, the wound is not mortal. ( Htanc.hes blood vntk handkerclilef. ) Come out of this, me bhy, or be roasted alive. Come, lane on me, and we'll crawl outside in'irely. < As they nsonccll. Edwin Grey and 3Iickei/ Mc Gee in close confinement. Grey. Four long and dreary months — four months of living death in this hell. Dead to the world : alive only to the keen pangs of starvation. Home, friends, mother! Ah, Mickey, I had the best mother in the world. Mick. Cheer up, me bhy. Don't shpake of it. Cheer up. We'll be exchanged by and by, I'm thinkin. G. Exchange! Parole! I've listened to the music of those words, and after each disappointment have hoped again, and hoped on till of late despair seems to have taken right hold of my heart, and a pain as of death seems to be lodged there. It will not go away, tho' I've tried my best to banish it. M. Sure lad, the pain is not in your heart, but the stomach, jist. If it was not for the wee bit of tobaccy phat the naygur gave me, I'd fale that same pain meself. Cheer up, an try to be a man. Sure, we'll git out o' this some foine day, or why did we escape so many scrapes alridy? G. I've often thought of that. Why were we left alive, when so many brave men were shot down? I think some- times the Lord intended we should escape to tell the story of that man Craven's treachery. M. Now, indade, ye make me sick at the stomick. It was a sorry day for us all when he took charge of the com- pany. It was as foine a company as iver marched to bat- tle, and the likes of O'Grady for a Sarghint was niver sane in the worrild before, and Liftenant Dalgren was as good an officer as iver stood on two shanks. Maybe the mane de- cavin villain phat betrayed us all is even now at this minit makin love to Miss Ethel, tellin her all sorts of decateful stories. 0. Forbear, Mickey ! Say no more. That thought is poison to me. I cannot endure to hear you mention the name of John Dalgren's daughter in the same breath with that of the wretch who betrayed her father to his death. M. Beaizy,lad. Don't walk about so woild-like. Sure, the naygur will be afther bringin us our two pieces of bread soon. Ah, begobs, if I was jist back to the Widdy Maloney, I'd be contint. She was a mild shpoken woman, once in a while, jist, and an angel altogither — to fry eggs. OTl THE STOLEN WILL. 17 I moind well the dinner she gave the Praste that day his riverance came to didicate the big chapel. I moind well the illegant shoat that sat in the dish fernenst his riverance, wid the brown little praties all round it. Och, but the rickerlection of that same makes me mouth wather intirely. Murther, why don't the black naygur come wid our bits of bread. Gr. Mickey, let's make one more effort to escape. We have tried twice. The third time is said to be the charm. M. Upon me soul an that's no lie. "We've twice tried and are close locked up for that same, but I'm wid ye, me bhy, for a third trial; how will we manage it? Gr. Overpower the jailer and lock him securely gagged in the cell. M. And thin walk out as bould as two bricks, and whin we git a shtart shtrike out for the swamps of the Oemulgee. But here comes the naygur wid our rations. [Enter negro with tivo small pieces of bread and a twist of tobacco. ) Negbo. Done brung yer rations, Massa Glrey, an here am a twist of bacca for the outlandish genTman. M. Upon me word, I belave ye've a soul in yez, if yez are a naygur. . N. To be shore dis chile got a soul in 'im. You spose de good Lawd make a man and not put a soul in 'im? Gr. We prisoners have always found the whitest souls under the darkest skins. They are our best friends. N. Yah! we knows. De great day of jubilee am comin.' We'se bin a waitin for it, and singin for it an prayin for it. Gr. Could you not help us to escape ? N. Shore, I can. M. Thin do it, bedads, an I'll say ye've a soul as big as a barn door. Gr. How will you help us ? N. " Well, yer see, dey are gwine to hab a big blow-out at de jailer's house ter-night, for his youngest gal am gwine ter git married. De jailer will be shore to git on a tare like he done las' year when his toder gal got married, an he will be stone blin' drunk as a loon. Den when de n)oon begins to rise I'll steal de keys outen de drawer an onlock you out. 18 A COMRADE'S LUCK, G. But how will we keep the hounds from trailing us ? N. Jes do like de oder niggers do, an you'll spile de scent. I'll fetch you a lump o' sassifetida. Jes rub dat on yousef when you is gone a short distance, an you'll spile de scent so de hounds will lose de trail. Voice {^vithout). Hurry up, you rascal, or I'll be after you with a black snake ! N. Comin, Massa; right now, Massa. Gr. For God's sake, do not fail us to-night! N. Don't be fraid. I'll do what I says I'll do. (^Exit negro.) M. Phat the divil does he mean now by a black snakes? G. . Oh, a whip, I suppose. M. Murtheration. Phat a counthry, phere they bate a naygur gintleman wid a black snakes. ACT 3. SCENE 8 — ^/om<. Time: night. Baying of hound.'S in the di.'itanci'.. Enter Negro stealthily. Ilfl stoops, listens, and then backons R. NeciRO. Come on ! Come on ! {Enter Grey and Mich- ey. They pass over the stage. Afterwards enter Wirtz and rebels — they pass across stage. Then re-enter Negro, Grey and Mickey.) Make haste now. an spile de trail. Gimme dat oder foot. Rub him in well. {Ruhs assmfvetkla on Grey., Midxcy and hunxi'lf.) Dar. now, dat's nough. (E.cp.nnt.) ACT 4. SCENE 1. — Indiana. Room in a farm house. Widow Dalgren and Ethel. Widow. I would not say one word, Ethel, to influence you iu this matter, but it is my duty to explain our posi- tion so that you will have a clear conception of the embar- rassments which surround us. One question, however, you should answer, and I know you will do so with frankness. What are your feelings towards Cajitain Craven ? Do you love him ? Ethel. I do not. I am grateful to him for his kind- ness to us and for his goodness to father when wounded, bvit I do not think of him in any other sentiment than frienpship. Widow. Friendship is generally more lasting than love. Listen, Ethel. The notes your father extended to Captain Craven has been due for some time, but he has never de- OR THE STOLEN WtLL. 19 niancled payment. He mijiht have pressed those notes, and as ho 111 lids a mortgage, could have sold our home. Your father's letter, written in his dying hour, conjures us to place confidence in Captain Craven as his best i'riend and true comrade, wlio sought his body on the scone of that fearful ambuscade, and administered t(j him wlien mortally wounded. I uidcr such obligations to him it would seem no easy matter to lightly reject his proposal. Ethel. I — I am not ungrateful, but I — I do not want to marry Captain Craven. W. Then I will not urge you to a distasteful match, but as your mother, let me advise you to think seriously on this important subject. E. I am sure, mother, you know what is best. I will think of it. ^V. Do not suppose, Ethel, that I want to dictate to you. T only wish you to please yourself You need give no an- swer to his proposal until you have considered the matter well. {Exit Widuw.) E. The wishes of my mother have always been to me as sacred as her commands. It is evident she thinks it best for me to accept this propositi ; but if I marry Captain Craven, would I ever be able to forget Edwin Grey? Would not his face alwa3's haunt my remembrance, and charge me with being false to my own heart. There is a fiercte pain in the very thought of this. Besides, I fear Captain Craven is not all he seems. But I must not speak or think thus. It is slieer ingratitude. ^len should be judged by their ac- tions, and the acts of Captain Craven have always shown him to he our friend. He has placed us under the most sacred obligations by his kindness to father. What is my duty? Mother wants me to marry him, and for her sake and the sake of my dead father, I will trust him, though my heart breaks with its wild struggles. ( Wcepa. A rap- ping at I lie door. Ethfl drii'x her fears and admits Craren. He takes her hand and comes fonrard. ) Craven. I leave to-morrow for the front. I shall probably never see you again, but ere I go give me an an- swer. Pledge me your troth, and if I fall on the battle fiield, I shall have in death the happiness to know that ono true heart clierishes my memory. 20 A COMRADE'S LUCK, E. Captain Craven, you have my esteem. My heart has long been given to another. C. But that one is, alas ! no more. He died as many others must yet die — for the country. He was my friend, my comrade in arms, and in his sacred memory I would offer to befriend and protect you. Will you send me away with a feeling that you despise me — reject me — scorn my friendship? E. I do not despise or scorn, but I have only friendship to offer. C. I ask no more. The memory of Edwin shall be sacred to me as to you. Only give me your promise and I shall be content. E. I dare not answer now. I am not ungrateful, but I — I must have time to think. • C. Ethel, you are cruel. I must go without a hope, and I shall ^eek death in battle as the only relief from your scorn. E. I scorn you not. I scorn only to be an ingrate. Take my promise, if you will. C. Let it be given at the altar tomorrow. I will but kiss your hand, and march to the front, and I shall not re- turn to claim my bride until the war is ended, and our country is saved. E. Let it be as you say, and now I beseech you leave me. C. You will meet me at the altar then to-morrow, (he takes her hand). E. To-morrow, if I am living, I will meet you there. C. Till then, adieu ! (IJxit). E. To-morrow ! ah, me ! I fear 'twill be but the begin- ning of many a sad tomorrow. My heart is filled with foreboding of I know not what, (sits partly reclining on sofa, hands clasped in attitude of prayer, sobs convulsively. The curtain falls, and after a brief interval of sad music rises, disclosing a tahleau in which Etliel ajypears asleep and unpleasantly dreaming, wldle in the background the vision of her deceased father is shown, with uniform torn, his arm shot away and blood stains on his face. lie points loith a broken sword to the cronchiag figure of Craven, whose left ha)id is outstretched as if to grasp OR THE STOLKN WILL. 21 Efhel, while Aw rifffit hand, holding a jlay, is plaeed so as to screen his face from detection.) Vi. [start !)ig from deep (IS the vi'sioit V((itis/u's). What a fearful dream ! my father ! ACT 4. SCENE 2. — Room in farm house. Widow Dalgrcn and Ethel. Widow. Look not so sad, Ethel. It is true marriage is a fearful responsibility, but I know you will make a hap- py wife. A good daughter must needs become a good wife. Ethel. Ah, mother, if I had not given my promise, or could retract it ! W. But it is too late to think of that now. E. Alas ! my heart is heavy. You know not how it has been aching since yesterday. The moment my promise was given, I felt somehow that I had done wrong. I strove against the feeling, but it overcame me in spite of my struggles. At length, exhausted, I sank to sleep, but my forebodings only assumed a more vivid appearance in my dreams. Methought, I saw my father, not as when he marched away to the war, but with uniform torn and blood- stained. His arm was gone and there was blood dripping from a wound in his face. He frowned sternly upon me, and pointed a broken sword at the form of a man cowering away from him, and I seemed to hear the voice of my father thrill with wrath, as he said, ^^ Beicare of the trait- or .'" That fearful warning rings yet in my ears. What does the vision mean, mother ? W. It was only your feverish imagination. There is no truth in dreams. E. This one had such an appearance of reality, was so vivid,' and the face of my ftither seemed so stern and his voice so dreadful, as he uttered the wor^ls, "Beware of the traitor," that it was long before I could believe it was only a dream. Alas ! if it was a warning, it has come too late ! (^A knocking at the duor). W. The company has arrived. Come, let us meet them in the parlor. {Exeunt r.) 2-2 A COMRADE'S LUCK, ACT 4. SCENE ». — .i parlor. A table decorated as an altar. Craven and Ethel with hand.s Joined. Minister and coiiipani/. Minister. If any man knows just cause or impedi- ment, why these two persons. Hugh Craven and Ethel Dal- gren, should not be joined in holy wedlock, let him speak now or ever afterwards hold his peace. Wilt thou, Hugh Craven, have this woman, Ethel Dalgreen, to be thy lawful wife ; wilt thou love, comfort and cherish her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only to her, so long as you both shall live. Dost thou promise this in the presence of Almighty (^1 noise at the dvor). Voice. Sthop that now ! (^Enter Mlcliey^ i^npportlng Edtvin Grei/, followed hy Negro, k. ) Mickey. Here is a gentleman phat would spake wid yez av he can find the voice av himself. Craven. Let the cerenKuiy proceed. Minister. It cannot proceed until the cause of this interruption is known. Speak, sir ! Grey. I come to denounce Hugh Craver as a traitor, a nuirderer and a coward. Hti sold his command in my pres- ence to the enemy, betrayed Lieut. Dalgren into an ambus- cade and caused his death. I denounce this man Hugh Craver as a thief. He has stolen a will under which Ethel Dalgren inherits a fortune. He keeps that will now con- cealed and designs to claim the fortune after this unholy marriage. C. Finish the -ceremony, we have no time now to bandy words with a mad man. M. Then it's soon ye'U have toime to bandy words wid the Judge Advocate. I've ordhers to arrist yez and be jabers, I'll be doin that same in spite of yeself, {Michcij seizes Craven). It's a foine charge and a full yard of spec- ifications yell have to answer at head((uarters, an' if yez get oft' unhanged, me name's not the Widdy Malony's hus- band. ( Gtejy and Ethel shakes hands. Craven glares upon them and tries to break loose from Miekey). M. (leading Craven off). Come along wid yez. The traitor's doom is dfeath. Minister. And such be the doom of all traitors, OR THE STOLKN WILL. 2:5 ACT "i. SCENE 1.— .1 field. Tents in the distance. Beat of muffled drum behind scenes R., and tramp of funeral proce.mon sloirli/ approaching. After a feu- .seconds, the command is heard Column Left March! ichen enter 2 R. K. officer of the day, with guard canductinr/ Craven to execution. Xear 2 l. e., the officer of the day faces about and gives command, Halt! Sergt. op G-uard. Halt ! Front face ! 0. D. Retire from the prisoner. S. Guards to the I'ear, two paces ! march ! right dress ! order arms! parade rest! (Theae movements being exe- cuted. Craven stands alone near c. of stage, facing officer of the dag. 0. D. (talcing from belt a paper read.s). Headquarters Army of the Cumberland, ^ May 5th, 1864. ( The proceedings, findings and sentence of the court mar- tial in the case of Hugh Craven, late Captain, U. S. Volunteers, having been submitted to the President of the United States liavo been approved by hina. It is therefore ordered that Hugh Craven be shot to death at the head of his coffin on the oth day of June, 1864, between the hours of nine and eleven o'clock a. m. A detail of eight men and a sergeant from the 40tli Regiment of Regular Infan- try will, under command of a captain as officer of the day of said regiment, execute the said sentence according to the lette'r and jmrport of tlie same. By order of ^ (rEORUE H. Thomas, Major General. F. A. Dalton, a. a. G. Prisoner, you have heard the sentence, which it is our painful duty to execute. Your hour is at hand ! We would gladly extend you any ftivor consistent with our duty. Have you a last request to make. Craven. None ! The day for supplication is past and I feel only contempt for these funeral horrors and the sol- emn wording of that warrant, with which you would terri- fy me into confession. The victim of a flimsy conspiracy, and an ignorant court martial, I scorn both judge and exe- cutioner. Curse them all ! May fire and sword eat into the heart of the North ! May the Union cause go down in blood ! May Yankee skulls bleach unburied on Southern battle fields ! May the flesh and blood of Union men rot into the soil of rebel prisons, and may helpless cripples fill 24 A COMRADE'S LUCK, Northern homes, supplicating charity at the hands of ava- rice. 0. D. The curse of a dying traitor recoil on your own soul! The cause you have Ibetrayed will triumph. The bones of Union soldiers will not bleach in the sun, but rest in honored graves, and the cripples of the war will never need to supplicate charity, for they will receive justice at the hands of a grateful nation. C. Time will give the lie to your prophesy. May the curse of innocent blood cling to you all forever ! 0. D. Sergeant, conduct the prisoner to the place of execution. S. Attention, guard ! carry arms ! forward two paces ! left face ! forward march ! (^Exeunt 2nd L. E., doio heat of muffled drum behind scenes L., as ciirtain decends). ACT 5. SCENE 2. — A parlor in house of Widoio Dalgren, Enter Widow aud Captain Grey. Grey. No clue to the stolen will, no confession what- ever could be wrung from Craven. He died as he had lived a villain to the last. Widow. His unrepenting perfidy forbids all pity. Gr. I had an interview with him the day before his execution and in the approaching shadows of his fearful doom, besought him to place me in possession of the will. He gnashed his teeth at me and hissed: "That will, sir, is a handful of ashes. Ethel Dalgreen will never enjoy the fortune of her uncle." W. Then he has burned the will and there remains no hope of establishing Ethel's claim. She can bring you no dower. Captain Grey, except a loving heart. G. I ask none other. I care nothing for the fortune. Let its loss be no bar to your consent. W. You certainly have my full and free consent. Love without money is far better than money without love. (Boor hell ringx.) I must leave you now to answer a call at the door, meanwhile make yourself at home. i^Exit Wi- dow c. D.) G. I'm the happiest fellow in the universe, about to be married to the girl I've loved since I was a school boy, {crosses to R. E., and stands looking). Ahl there she 1)1! 'I'llE STiiI.KN Wri.l,. j:. comes. Ill go to meet lu^r where llie ilowens .-ind soiiu' birds will lend eiiehantmeiit to our umtual vows. ( Exit (ri-eij, R. K. Enter. Mickiij. c. d. ) Mickey. Has Cu])id run claiie oft' vvid him? Sure, the Widdy Dalgrane tould me Id Ibind him here, (crussi's to R. E., and looks out). Phat the divil does he mane now pokin' his face in the young lady's boimet ? Arrah, ua pogue ! that was love among the roses anyhow. But it s not the fashion of the ould country to be watchin" a young couple sparkin . ( Goe!^ to loircr conwr o'f yooj//. K.. (UhI looks (i.t u pictnrt' on tlic iraU.) Oclione! The picture of Liftenant l)algrane. A betther man never tasted salt. It's a consolation anyhow to know that the villain who be- trayed ye is at the prisint moment squarrin accounts wid his own law partner, the divil. {Enffrn.. (irci/and Eflirl. They do not observe Mlckeij). (1. I suppose I must submit, but tell me Ethel why Vou wish to postpone our marriage an entire week. Ethel. Oh. there can be no harm in a little delay. (j. A little delay. Why it seems an age. A whole week. E. 'J'he time will quickly pass. Besides, we ])romised our mutual friend, Mickey, that he should be present at the wedding. (j. True, but his furlough was signed with mine and 1 expect him here next Sunday. Will you not consent tliat the wedding shall be the day of his arrival. E. If you insist on that day, yes ! ix. Then it is an agreement. E. A bargain. M. {coming foinrard). Wid a livin" witness to the same. (I. Ha! ha! welcome, Sergeant! you ai-e fairly cap- tured, Ethel, r insLSt on the day. E. l>ut this was a trick. You cannot fairly hold me to my bargain. M. Upon me worrid. Miss Ethel, the Captain was inno- cent of my presence altogether, and not act-essory to the thrick, which was no thrick at all, but just as it ha])pened intirely. T hold yez both to the bargain. iv Then T see no escape I'roni it. 26 A COMEADE'S LUCK, G. {taking Mlcheys hand). You are more (han vvr-1 come, Sergeant, for coming so opportunely to my aid. M. Yis, I thought yez would be nading support in the tribulations and trials of courtship, so I hurried away whin the execution was over, and instead of goin' round by Cin- cinnati, to visit relashuns I postt'd on straight afther yez. stoppin' in Vallonia jist long enough to attend to a bit of business, and it's a foine wedding prisint I've brought out along wid meself. ( Takes from his bosom a purer f doiie ■up in a green silk handkerchief). E. You will bring Mrs. Magee with you to the wedding I hope, for you aie no longer nuirried against your will if I hear aright. M. Faith, ye may well say that now. It's reconciled, now, I am intirely to the Widdy Malony and her siven childer likewise. Arrah ! but 1 missed her coaxin' ways and gintale bohrding house down at Andersonville ( begins to undo parcel). This was the Widd}- Malony's prisint to meself, displays haiidkerihief) illigant enough ("or the nose of St. Pathrick (removes handkerchief and presents parch- ment with seals), and here is my wedding prisent to yez both, me childer. (Enter Mrs. Dalgreen, followed bt/ negro). (}. What ! the stolen will ! W. (takiug the parchnieut). Ethel's fortune snvcd! M. The same, I'm thinkin'. (jr. How and where did you get it? (.'I'aven told me he had burned it. M. He tould me the same lie and stuck to it altogether until he saw the coffin foreninst his nose. Thin, sez I, its but foive minutes life ye have now by the ordherly's watch. Spake out an' aze yer soul. Phereisthe will. Spake, man. Hell is worse than piirgathory. He was moighty pale like. He looked up at the sun and then down at his coffin, and into the grave beside him. i'eve no time to waste man, spake out! It will be the betther fin- yez on the long jcair- ney. Thin; he fell on his knees and called to the Lord ior mei'cy. Confess, says I. Phere is the stolen Avill ! and at the last moment he gasped out his confession and toidd nie phere I'd foind the will, concealed behind the wainscot of bis office in Yallonia. OR THI 3T0Lr!f WHL 77 W. Most faithful friend! how can we ever reward _you. M. Azy enough, Widdy, iizy enough! all the reward I'd iver be askin' is to witness a weddin', av its convanient to the young folks. W. {joining hands of Ethtl and Eduln). May love and truth abide in your wedded life. You have a mother's blessing, my children ! M. And ye have my blessin' altogether, wid also 1 trust the kind approval of these friends of '■ A Comrade's Luck." (Disposition of ihorafteia at fall of cnrtaiii.) Negro. Edw I N . Ethel. Widow. Mickey. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 016 103 291 8