P56S.- 
 
 5 
 
"Ole Virginny" 
 
 Historical Drama 
 in Four Acts 
 
 By T. P. Sullivan 
 
 CHICAGO 
 M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY 
 
 1907 
 
Copyright 1900 
 
 No. 9964 
 
 By T. P 
 
 A ut Jt o r 
 
 Sullivan 
 
 a }i d Proprietor 
 
 J LIBRARY of CONeKESs" 
 Two Copies Keceivwj 
 JAN 10 ]yo8 
 I uopyntm tntrx 
 
 COPYRIGHT— Notice and Warning 
 
 THE right to produce this drama on the 
 dramatic stage is reserved by the author. 
 This play is fully protected by the copy- 
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"Ole Virginny" 
 
 By TIMOTHY PAUL SULLIVAN 
 AUTHOR OF PLANTATION STORIES OF THE SOUTH 
 
 SYNOPSIS OF PLAY. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 Time, July, 1S60. Annandale, Virginia, historic 
 homestead on the Rappahannock, full view of the river; 
 joy and preparation to receive the two college chums at 
 boatlanding. Slaves at wharf to welcome their young 
 master, singing: "Carry Me Back to Ole Virginny.'"' 
 Reception at Annandale. The insult. Slaves' grand 
 jubilee, and Virginia corn shucking. 
 
 ACT II. 
 Time, May, 1863, night before the Battle of Chancellors- 
 ville. Picket scene and dialogue. Confederate campfire. 
 Songs of the war. Reception of Jackson and Stuart at 
 the campfire. Defense of United States ford entrusted 
 to Colonel Mortimer by General Jackson. Display of the 
 great flank movement by Stonewall Jackson on General 
 Hooker's rear. Federal campfire. Songs of the Union 
 sung again. The attack on the Union Army. Wounding 
 of Stonewall Jackson. 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 Time, April, 1865. Scene, Plantation of Annandale. 
 Illness of Judge Mortimer. Fidelity of the old slave, 
 Eben. Solicitation for the absent son. Recital of the 
 battle by Eben. Secret arrival of Colonel Mortimer to 
 see his father. Arrested as a prisoner of war. Meeting 
 of the two college chums. End of war. Happy denoue- 
 ment. 
 
 ACT IV. 
 Time, 1870. Enforced mortgage sale of Annandale. 
 Return of Eben, the old slave, from England. Redeems 
 the old homestead. The old songs again. 
 
CHARACTERS OF THE PLAY 
 
 Judge Mortimer, owner of Annandale. 
 
 Harry Mortimer, his son. 
 
 Lester Rowland, of Boston, Harry's college chum. 
 
 Jim Gibson, of Cumberland County, Maryland. 
 
 John Churchill, English tourist. 
 
 Eben, slave on Annandale. 
 
 Stonewall Jackson, Lieutenant General Confederate 
 
 Army. 
 "Jeb" Stuart, General Confederate Army. 
 Captain Turner, Confederate Army. 
 Private Moore, Confederate Army. 
 Sweeney, Attachee of General Stuart. 
 General Lane, Confederate Army. 
 General Pender, Confederate Army. 
 General Fitzhugh Lee, Confederate Army. 
 .Corporal Casy, Federal Army. 
 Sergeant Krouse, Federal Army. 
 Captain Brown, Federal Army. 
 Sheriff, King George County, Virginia. 
 Miss Hattie Taylor of Bellgrove, Virginia. 
 Miss Crill, Oakenbrow, Virginia. 
 Tilda, houseservant on Annandale. 
 Monroe, slave on Annandale. 
 Federal Picket. 
 Confederate Picket. 
 Couriers, Staff Officers, Slaves, etc. 
 
PRELUDE TO PLAY 
 
 No story or play that was ever written by any author, 
 whether otscure or noted, but was inspired by some 
 incident in real life. 
 
 The injustice of both the social and civil laws of 
 France prompted Victor Hugo to write his masterpiece, 
 "Les Miserables," and select the main character in that 
 book, Jean Valjean, as a victim of such injustice. 
 But the story of the present play is of a different character. 
 It has for its foundation the unheard of fidelity of an old 
 Virginia slave for his young master, and the undis- 
 solvable friendship of two college friends, one from the 
 North and the other from Virginia, whose loyalily to each 
 other during the war between the states equaled any 
 bond of friendship ever contracted by man. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 ''Ho! Captain! Captain Pratt! Can you hold your 
 boat thirty minutes? I just received a telegram from 
 Harry Mortimer of Annandale, Virginia, who states that 
 his train is one-half hour late. He is on his way home 
 from college with a friend." "Well agent," replied the 
 captain, ''while it is against the rules of the company to 
 defer the departure of the boat beyond schedule time, but 
 since the request comes from young Mortimer I reckon 
 in this case I will have to grant it." The above conversa- 
 tion took place on a July afternoon 1860, between the 
 agent of the Weems' line of steamers at Baltimore and 
 the captain of a Rappahannock steamer that plied be- 
 tween Baltimore and points on the Rappahannock river, 
 as far south as Fredericksburg, Virginia. 
 
 Virginia at the period 1860, was in the midsummer of 
 her greatness, both socially and commercially. The 
 Rappahannock valley from 1649 to 1670 was peopled by 
 
6 "OLE VIRGINNY" 
 
 the finest stock of the English race, who were known as 
 the Cavaliers. They came from England and many of 
 them were given grants of land along that river by King 
 Charles of England, and even today the posterity of 
 those first settlers are in possession of the original grants 
 of the king. Up to the period of 1861 the people along 
 the banks of that historic stream boasted of the highest 
 civilization in America, and their claims to such a high 
 standard of culture and learning could not be very 
 well disputed, as their sons were educated at the leading 
 universities of England and America. 
 
 There was not a plantation in that section of Virginia 
 but had a well stocked library, and the boats that left the 
 wharves of the Rappahannock, loaded with tobacco and 
 other products from the soil of that state, brought back 
 from Europe to the shores of the old dominion all the 
 modern innovations in dress, art, science and literature. 
 The traditions of Virginia's hospitality are known 
 world-wide, and even today should anyone pass through 
 the old state they can still detect traces of it in the sons 
 and daughters of those departed social-American kings, 
 who lived before the beginning of the Civil war. And 
 although that blighting conflict destroyed many things 
 material of the Virginians, there were, however, social 
 attributes of those people that a war of a century could 
 not either obliterate or blot out, and those qualities 
 were their refinement and chivalry. The plantations 
 that dot the banks of the Rappahannock, where the 
 scenes of this play originated, bear names today of many 
 of the old manors of England. The heart of Virginia's 
 hospitality up to the breaking out of the Civil war, laid 
 along the banks of the Rappahannock, from Fredericks- 
 burg to Tappahnock, Virginia ; and any stranger of a clean 
 personality would have a hard time in running the gauntlet 
 of an enforced invitation to spend a day or two at one of 
 those hospitable Virginia homes. The most noted of 
 .hose homesteads that were distinguished for their 
 
"OLE VIRGINNY" 7 
 
 lavish entertainment of strangers and friends were 
 Woodlawn, Bellgrove, Oakenbrow and Annandale, 
 near Port Conway on the King George side of the river, 
 and Camden on the Carolina side. But the host of hosts 
 whose reputation for lavish entertainment and hospital- 
 it}^, extending along the entire stretch of tide water, was 
 Judge Mortimer of Annandale. 
 
 The judge himself was one of the old stalwart Vir- 
 ginians — whose magnetic manners and exalted mind, 
 made him respected and admired by all, and whose per- 
 sonality was so strikingly welcome, that the latchstring 
 of his social mansion was always in sight. He was a 
 descendant of Henry Mortimer the original settler, a 
 Cavalier who stood in high favor with King Charles of 
 England, and whose grant of land, called Annandale, was 
 a gift to the original Mortimer by that generous monarch. 
 The dimensions or area of Annandale was one and one- 
 half miles long and one mile wide, extending from a belt of 
 woods in the rear and sloping gradvially down to the river 
 front. The homestead, which was one of the old colonial 
 order, stood on the brow of the hill and had a sweeping 
 and unobstructed view of the Rappahannock river. The 
 slaves, which were owned by Judge Mortimer, idolized 
 both him and his young son, Harry. His humane and 
 kind treatment of them made them devoted to all his 
 interests and his two houseservants, Eben and Tilda,, 
 surpassed anything ever known in human fidelity, — in 
 their unselfish devotion to both their old and young 
 master during the four years' war of the rebellion. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 In the beginning of the first chapter we left young 
 Mortimer and his college friend on their way to catch 
 the boat at Baltimore for Annandale, on the Rappahan- 
 nock. The captain complied with the rec^uest of the agent, 
 and the two collegians were happy when they saw the 
 
8 "OLE VIRGIN NY" 
 
 boat at the wharf in full steam waiting for them. Let 
 us see who those two college companions were. One 
 was Harry Mortimer, son of Judge Mortimer of King 
 George County, Virginia. He just graduated from 
 Harvard and bore off the highest honors from that famous 
 institution. Young Mortimer was the highest type of 
 the southern youth, in honor, manhood and chivalry. 
 He was hurrying home to receive the congratulations 
 of his father and friends. The other young man was 
 Lester Howland, a kindred spirit of the Virginian. His an- 
 cestors were of the old puritanical stock that left England 
 after Cromwell had settled the aspirations of Charles the 
 First. The Howlands of Massachusetts were the most 
 distinguished people of that section of America. Young 
 Howland was also a companion graduate and classmate 
 of the Virginian. They both formed a friendship in their 
 freshman year and continued it up to graduating time. 
 
 It was of the Damien-Pythias order, and the test of 
 their friendship will be demonstrated in the four acts of 
 the play. The both young men had alternated in their 
 summer vacations in the four years of their college 
 course. Mr. Howland spending two in Virginia and Mr. 
 Mortimer spending two in Boston. As both had finished 
 their university life and were to separate for their dif- 
 ferent vocations in life, the Virginian insisted that Mr. 
 Howland should go with him to Virginia and spend a 
 few months on the Rappahannock with his father and 
 friends, reminding him that it would be a fit ending to 
 their long friendship. 
 
 We will now leave the two friends on the boat on its 
 course to the waters of the Rappahannock to be welcomed 
 home by friends and slaves, and we will open the first 
 act of the play on the plantation of Annandale to hear 
 and see the nature of the welcome to the two young 
 friends. 
 
"OLE VIRGINNY 
 
 » 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 Exterioi of Annandale. July, 1860, Colonial building, 
 negro cabins in rear. Rappahannock river in full view. 
 [Enter Judge Mortivier and John Churchill, laughing.] 
 
 Judge — Mr. Churchill, will you. honor me by becoming 
 the guest of Annandale while you are in this part of 
 Virginia? 
 
 Churchill — Judge Mortimer, the cordiality of your 
 invitation leaves me no other alternative than to accept. 
 
 Judge — [Extending his hand.] That answer, sir, has 
 the right ring. Nothing pleases a Virginian more than 
 the acceptance of his hospitality. 
 
 Churchill — That trait is characteristic of your 
 people, Judge. 
 
 Judge— I feel very happy today, Mr. Churchill. My 
 son is to return from" the North after ending his college 
 life at Harvard in a blaze of glory. 
 
 Churchill — Such a son. Judge, is an honor. 
 
 Judge — I feel it, and to show my appreciation of his 
 brilliant ending, I am to make him sole heir of Annandale. 
 
 Churchill — Is he your only son. Judge? 
 
 Judge— He is the only living member of my family, 
 and he has but one relative, Miss Crill of Oakenbrow. 
 [Looking hack towards the house.] Eben! 
 [Enter Eben.] 
 
 Eben — Here I is, Massa. 
 
 Judge — Eben, I received a letter this morning from 
 your young master, stating that he would arrive today 
 on the Baltimore boat. His college friend, Mr. Howland,' 
 will be with him. Have all the negroes don their holiday 
 dress in honor of their young master's return. 
 
10 "OLE VIRGINNY" 
 
 Eben — 'Deed I will, Massa. I am done dyin' to see- 
 my young massa. 
 
 Judge — Mr. Churchill, allow me to give you a sight of 
 a real ripened Virginia peach orchard. 
 
 Churchill — With pleasure, Judge. It will be quite 
 a treat indeed for an Englishman. 
 
 [Exit Judge and Churchill.'] 
 
 Eben — Dis whole plantation will go wild today. 
 {Looking toivards the door.] You Tilda ! 
 
 TiLda — [Putting head out of the kitchen ivindoiv.} 
 What's de matter, Eben? 
 
 Eben — Done tell you good news. Massa Jedge jes 
 got a letter from Massa Harry, dat he am comin' down 
 on dis very boat from Baltimore, and Mistah Howland, 
 dat Yankee man dat was here las' time, am done comin' 
 wid him. 
 
 Tilda — Hush! You aint talkin' husband? 
 
 Eben — Yes, I is. Massa Jedge jes read de letter dat 
 he am comin' down on de boat. 
 
 Tilda — My goodness, Eben. We mus' have every- 
 thing in gorgeous style to please our young massa, to 
 show him dat we done love him. I like Mistah Howland, 
 de Yankee man, but I never did like dat Mistah Gibson, 
 of Maryland, who is over stopping at Walsingham. 
 
 Eben — Woman, hush! Mistah Gibson only come 
 down to dis yere parts to see Miss Taylor of Bellgrove. 
 He am jes smitten wid her, dats all. 
 
 Tilda — You better stop talking dat old honey-way 
 and prepare to meet Massa Harry. Only woman knows 
 de secrets of de heart. 
 
 Eben — You didn't know de secrets of my heart before 
 you done married me. 
 
 Tilda — Secrets of your heart ! I never done see such 
 a honeybee round a beehive in my life as you was 
 before I done married you. [Looking to the left towards 
 the yard.] Monroe! Tell all dem darkies to put on deir 
 barbecue does. You Zena, have dem pickaninnies in 
 
"OLE VIRGINNY" 11 
 
 deir yaller aprons. Young Massa Harry am coming 
 down on de boat. 
 
 [Enter Monroe, turning flip flap.] 
 
 Monroe — Yes, mam. [Exit Monroe.] 
 
 Tilda — -You talk about knowin' de secrets of de heart, 
 don't you know dat Miss Taylor of Bellgrove is kinder 
 pert and sweet on our young massa? 
 
 Eben— Done thought dere was a little sweetness 
 between dem, but I do know dere is a little honeybee of 
 love playin' between Miss Crill of Oakenbrow and Mistah 
 Howland, de Yankee man from Boston. 
 
 Tilda — Dere you go again. You men know nothing 
 of de wishes of de heart. I overheard Mistah Rowland 
 tell de las' time he was down here dat his sweetheart was 
 in Boston, but Miss Crill did say one day to Miss Taylor 
 dat do she never did like Yankee men, if she .ever did 
 marry one, Mistah Howland would be her choice. 
 
 Eben — Why, Miss Crill is old enough to be Mistah 
 Rowland's grandmother. She is what de white folks 
 call an old maiden woman. 
 
 [Enter Miss Crill] 
 
 Tilda i Good day, Miss Crill. 
 
 Crill — Good day. The Judge has just informed me 
 that Harry and Mr. Howland will be here today on the 
 Baltimore boat. She cannot be far away. Harry and 
 Mr. Howland must be well received. 
 
 Tilda — Dat am de truf. Miss Crill. 
 
 Crill — Eben, bring the best singers of the plantation 
 to the wharf and sing some sweet song as the boat is 
 coming to the landing. 
 
 Eben — 'Deed I will. Miss Crill. We will sing "Carry 
 Me Back to Ole Virginny." 
 
 Crill — That is the song. 
 
 Tilda — Better go on dere. husband. I think I hear 
 dem paddles up de ribber. [Exit Eben and Tilda.] 
 [Enter Miss Taylor.] 
 
12 "OLE VIRGINNY'' 
 
 Taylor — Good day, Miss Crill, I hope you feel happy» 
 
 Grill — Why should I not? This indeed will be a 
 joyful day and night for Annandale — all in honor of 
 Harry's return from college. 
 
 Taylor — We all feel happy, and the Judge himself 
 feels as joyful as a young boy. 
 
 Grill — The news of Harry's coming has set the 
 negroes of Annandale wild with joy, and nothing is talked 
 of amongst them but the return home from college of 
 their young master. 
 
 Taylor — The Boston papers paid a high tribute to 
 Harry and especially to the tone of his valedictory. 
 
 Grill — I am delighted to hear that Mr. Howland, 
 Harry's classmate, is coming down again with him to be 
 his guest, and although I have heard a great deal of 
 Yankee abruptness and uncouthness, I will say, Miss 
 Hattie, if Mr. Howland is a sample of Yankeeland, I think 
 that the people of that section have been badly misrepre- 
 sented. 
 
 Taylor — [Laughing.] We must not believe every- 
 thing we hear about any people. Miss Grill. 
 
 Grill — I see Mr. Gibson is continuing his visit at 
 Walsingham. He must be infatuated with someone on> 
 this side of the Rappahannock. 
 
 Taylor — Mr. Gibson took dinner at Bellgrove, 
 yesterday, and said he would defer his departure for- 
 Maryland until Harry returned home. 
 
 Grill — Miss Hattie, I am always considered odd and 
 quaint by all you people in King George Gounty, but I 
 will say that Mr. Gibson is one of the most envious and 
 jealous persons that has ever visited this part of Virginia. 
 He seems to be bored if anyone speaks complimentary of 
 Harry Mortimer. 
 
 Taylor — That may be true, Miss Grill, but we Vir- 
 ginians must look upon everyone as a gentleman until we 
 find him different. Mr. Gibson is reputed to be from. 
 
"OLE VIRGINNY" 13 
 
 an excellent family in Maryland, and he has kinfolks on 
 the Carolina side of the Rappahannock. 
 
 Crill — I will have to be going now, Miss Hattie, as 
 you know, how these negroes of Oakenbrow will act when 
 they hear of the great joy that is to be here at Annandale. 
 [Looking towards house.] Tilda! 
 
 [Enter Tilda.] 
 
 Tilda — Yes, mam. 
 
 Crill — Send Monroe over to Oakenbrow. I want 
 to give him a jar of blackberry wine for the company 
 tonight. 
 
 Tilda— 'Deed I will, Miss Crill. [Exit Tilda.] 
 
 Crill — Goodby, Miss Taylor, you will have to excuse 
 me for a while. 
 
 Taylor — Certainly. 
 
 [Exit Crill. Eiiter Gibson.] 
 
 Gibson — Good day, Miss Taylor. 
 
 Taylor — [Bowing.] Good day, Mr. Gibson. 
 
 Gibson — What is all this stir, gaiety and life, I notice 
 among the Annandale darkies? 
 
 Taylor — Judge Mortimer received a letter from 
 Harry, stating that he and Mr. Rowland would arrive on 
 today's boat from Baltimore. 
 
 Gibson — Ah ! Indeed ? 
 
 Taylor — The Judge is delighted at the brilliant 
 ending of his son at Harvard. From the accounts given 
 in the Boston papers, Harry must be one of the most dis- 
 tinguished students at the college. 
 
 Gibson — Miss Taylor, a man may shine brilliantly at 
 college, yet in practical life never rise above mediocrity. 
 
 Taylor — [Looking slightly indignant.] That may be 
 the exception, Mr. Gibson, not the rule. The young man 
 who shows brilliant talents at college will in after life 
 rise equal to the demands of any position, if those quali- 
 fications are backed by natural ability and good charac- 
 ter. 
 
14 "OLE VIRGIN NY" 
 
 Gibson — I understand that this will be the third visit 
 of Mr. Rowland to Virginia. 
 
 Taylor — I believe it is, sir. 
 
 Gibson — Do you know, Miss Taylor, that during the 
 many conversations I have had with Mr. Rowland, I 
 noticed that sometimes he vinwittingly dropped remarks 
 that savored of that old New England prejudice towards 
 Virginia. 
 
 Taylor — Mr. Gibson, Mr. Rowland has been the guest 
 of Annandale for six weeks each of two summers, and in 
 all his affiliations with the people on both sides of the 
 Rappahannock, we have ever found him a wellbred and 
 polished gentleman. 
 
 [Enter Tilda.] 
 
 Tilda — [Excitedly.] Miss Taylor, de boat am comin' 
 down de ribber. I see de smoke. [Exit Tilda.] 
 
 Gibson — You will excuse me, Miss Taylor. I'll have 
 to leave. 
 
 Taylor — Why, won't you waitimtil Mr. Rowland and 
 Rarry arrive? 
 
 Gibson — I have an engagement with a friend, but 
 will return again today. Goodby. 
 
 Taylor — [Bowing.] Goodby. 
 [Exit Gibson.] 
 [Enter Judge, Churchill and Crill.] 
 
 Judge — All is happiness today, Miss Taylor. Allow 
 me to introduce you to Mr. Churchill, of London, England. 
 
 Taylor — I am delighted to meet you, Mr. Churchill, 
 and I welcome you to our section of the country. [Both 
 advance and shake hands.] 
 
 Churchill — Delighted I am to meet you, Miss Taylor. 
 
 Judge — Mr. Churchill is visiting Virginia, and he has 
 consented to be a guest of Annandale for some time. 
 [Boat ivhistles.] 
 [Enter Tilda.] 
 
 Tilda — Massa Jedge, de boat am comin' right down 
 by Annandale. [Exit Tilda in excitement.] 
 
'VLE VIRGIN NY" 15 
 
 Judge — Let us wave Harry and his friend a welcome. 
 [All take handkerchiefs, and Judge places glasses to his eyes.] 
 That is Harry. He is waving back to us. 
 
 Crill — Yes, it is Harry ! See, Mr. Howland is waving 
 also. [Boat passes out of sight on way to wharf.] 
 
 Judge — Mr. Churchill, we Virginians have an open 
 way of welcome, with no conventional stiff manners, so 
 we want you to make yourself at home in the traditional 
 spirit of our people. 
 
 Churchill— Judge, Thackeray has made us English 
 fully acquainted with the hospitality and manners of 
 your people. I feel honored to be a guest of Annandale. 
 
 Taylor— Mr. Churchill, I hope you will honor Bell- 
 grove with a visit before you leave the King George side 
 of the Rappahannock. 
 
 Crill — Oakenbrow also will expect a little. of your 
 time, Mr. Churchill. 
 
 Churchill — Why bless my heart, it will be hard to 
 get away from you Virginians. 
 
 [Singing heard in the distance. All listen and look 
 towards the road.] 
 
 Judge — There they come! Look how proud old 
 Eben looks. He is carrying Harry's satchel. 
 
 [Enter Harry, Rowland and slaves with valises, umbrel- 
 las, etc.] 
 
 Judge — My dear son. [Embraces Harry. Exchange 
 of courtesies all around.] Harry, my son, this is Mr. 
 Churchill of London, England, he is a guest of Annandale 
 
 Harry — Pleased to meet you, Mr. Churchill. [Shake 
 hands.] 
 
 Churchill — I am delighted to know you, Mr. Morti- 
 mer. 
 
 Judge — Mr. Churchill, allow me to introduce you to 
 Mr. Howland of Boston. He is my son's classmate and 
 friend. [Both advance and shake hands.] 
 
 Howland — I am glad to make your acquaintance, 
 Mr. Churchill. 
 
16 ''OLE VIRGIN NY" 
 
 Churchill — And pleased am I to meet you, Mr. 
 Howland. 
 
 [Slaves exit with baggage.] 
 
 Taylor — I hope Mr. Howland that this will not be 
 your last visit to Virginia. We have enjoyed your trips 
 to our section very much, but as you have finished your 
 college course, I am afraid that we will not see so much 
 of you. 
 
 Howland — Oh, yes you will. Miss Taylor. You 
 Virginians are so hospitable that to meet you once is never 
 to forget you. [Turning to Miss CrilL] Miss Crill, you 
 should pay a visit to the North some time. I have been 
 telling my people all about Harry's aunt and they have 
 expressed a great desire to see you. 
 
 Harry — That is true, Mr. Howland, aunt ought to 
 visit Boston. I know she would like the Yankees better. 
 
 Judge — Friends, will you please pardon our absence 
 for a while? 
 
 Taylor — Certainly, Judge. 
 
 [Exit Judge, Harry, Churchill and Crill.] 
 
 Howland — Miss Taylor, what the future has in store 
 for me I don't know. The immortal bard says that 
 "there is a divinity which shapes our ends rough hew 
 them how we may," but I will say with all sincerity and 
 true candor that in future life I will look back to the 
 vacations I spent along the Rappahannock as the happiest 
 days of my existence. 
 
 Taylor — I am delighted to hear you say so, Mr. 
 Howland. I hope your trip down the river was quite 
 pleasant. 
 
 Howland — Very pleasant, indeed. 
 
 Taylor — I never saw Harry look so happy. 
 
 Howland — King George should indeed be proud of 
 him. His brilliant talents, added to his magnetic manners, 
 have made him one of the most popular students of 
 Harvard. 
 
''OLE VIRGIN NY" 17 
 
 Taylor — We are indeed proud of the honors bestowed 
 upon him at college. 
 
 [Eiiter Harry.'] 
 
 Taylor — {Advancing and taking his hands.] One 
 more welcome to your home on the Rappahannock 
 
 Harry — And this time to stay for good. 
 
 Taylor — Pleased and proud we are to see you. We 
 read all about your brilliant ending at Harvard. 
 
 Harry — Miss Taylor, my classmate here, Mr. How- 
 land, was more distinguished than myself, but his modesty 
 forbears him to speak of it. 
 
 Taylor — Modesty is ever characteristic of great men. 
 [Enter Eben.] 
 
 Eben — 'Sense me, Mr. Howland, but de strap done 
 broke on your trunk when we was liftin' it into de room, 
 and dere is confusion among de darkies how dey should 
 put dem back. 
 
 [All laugh.] 
 
 Ho^VLAND — You will pardon me? 
 
 Taylor — Certainly. 
 
 [Exit Howland and Eben.] 
 
 Harry — My dear Hattie. It is nearly one year since 
 I left Annandale, but in my daily mail at Cambridge I 
 always looked first over the letters to see which one bore 
 your familiar handwriting. Today, as the boat passed 
 from wharf to wharf, coursing down the river towards 
 home, my heart leaped with joy when I came in sight of 
 Annandale and saw you all waving me a welcome to my 
 old home. 
 
 Taylor — Yes, Harry, and no one counted the months, 
 weeks and days of your coming with greater exactness 
 and zeal than your little sweetheart of Bellgrove. 
 
 Harry — I learned at the wharf that Mr. Gibson is 
 down here. 
 
 Taylor — Yes, he is a guest at Walsingham. 
 
 Harry — Hattie, my dear, I did not like Mr. Gibson's 
 manner towards Mr. Howland on his last visit here. His 
 
18 "OLE VIRGIN NY'' 
 
 attitude towards me has been sometimes strange and odd, 
 but for that I care not. He is a Marylander and should 
 know that there is one thing a Virginian will not tolerate, 
 and that is an insult to nis guest, either by manner or 
 word. 
 
 Taylor — My dear Harry, don't let anything disturb 
 this great day and night of joy. Mr. Gibson's conduct is 
 sometimes strange, but all people have their peculiar- 
 ities. Now dear, you will excuse me for the present, as 
 I will have to go over to Bellgrove to prepare matters for 
 the evening, so goodby until later. 
 [Exit Taylor.] 
 
 Harry — There goes the sweetest girl on earth. I 
 think, Mr. 'Gibson, your stay on the Rappahannock is 
 prolonged by your admiration for Miss Hattie Taylor. 
 
 [Enter Eben and Harry looks delighted as he sees him.] 
 
 Eben — I done come to tell you, Massa Harry, dat dere 
 is to be a grand feast and corn shuckin' here tonight 
 amongst all de darkies of Annandale, Oakenbrow, Wood- 
 lawn and Walsingham, all in honor of Annandale's young 
 massa who has done come home after beating dem all at 
 college. [Harry laughs.] Don't you done believe, Massa 
 Harry, dat all de roosters on de plantation am gobblin', 
 de turkeys am crowin' and de pickaninnies am turnin' 
 flip 'flaps, cause deir young massa am come back. I 
 declar, Massa Harry, look yonder [pointing his finger] see 
 your ridin' hoss, Plrebug, lookin' over die fence in dis 
 way. He knows you done come home. 
 
 Harry — It is true, Eben, he is looking this way. It 
 may be animal instinct. I will soon go down to the field 
 and receive his congratulations. Eben, you will find in 
 that large box, that was brougnt from the wharf, some 
 presents for Tilda, yourself and the negroes. 
 
 Eben— Bress your honey heart. You done never did 
 
 forgit us. 
 
 [Exit Eben and enter Judge.] 
 
"OLE VIRGINNY" 19 
 
 Judge — My dear son, I must take your hand again 
 and say that the name of Mortimer, of Old King George, 
 will be perpetuated by you in its highest chivalry and 
 loftiest standard, when I am gone. My son, what do 
 they say North of Buchanan's latest act, and the new 
 party that has been formed, who, it is claimed, will inter- 
 fere with state rights? 
 
 Harry— Father, some of the Northern papers are 
 bitter, while others are conservative and conciliatory, yet 
 with that same delicacy of feeling that actuated Mr. 
 Rowland from touching on the sections and their different 
 theories, the very same feeling deterred me from broach- 
 ing any subject that would tend to embarrass my friend, 
 especially as he's my guest. 
 
 Judge — [Slapping his son on the shoulder.] A real 
 Virginian and a thorough and wellbred gentleman. Mr. 
 Ho wland is our guest and it may be his last visit here. No 
 real gentleman will touch on any subject that is displeas- 
 ing to those they are entertaining. 
 
 Harry — Father, I am anxious to go down to the 
 field to see the negroes and to receive the welcome of 
 Firebug. Won't you come with me? 
 
 Judge — Certainly, my son. We will go together. 
 [Exit both Judge and Harry.] 
 [Enter Ehen with box.] 
 Eben— Tilda, Tilda! 
 
 [Enter Tilda.] ' 
 
 Tilda— What is it Eben? 
 
 Eben — Come here woman. See dose nice presents 
 our young massa done brought us from Baltimore. 
 [Slaiies peeping.] 
 
 Tii^D A— [Picking one out.] My lands, what a honey- 
 sugar plum Massa Harry is. He done know my weakness 
 for colors. [Laugh in the bushes.] Wonder if dem 
 chillen am strayin' round here? 
 
 Eben — Wife, you mus' have all dem darkies fixed 
 up tonight, as all dc white folks am comin' from all de 
 
20 ''OLE VIRGIN NY" 
 
 plantations to welcome Massa Harry home, and to hear 
 de singin' of all de darkies on de plantation. 
 
 Tilda — [Picking out two handkerchiefs.] Sure as you 
 are born, husband, here are handkerchiefs for little Zena 
 and Ike. 
 
 Eben — Look here woman. Here am my present, 
 svire enough. Here am a deacon's coat. Now, how did 
 Massa Harry done know dat I was made a deacon at de 
 las' bush meetin'? 
 
 Tilda — Why, husband, Massa Harry done know dat 
 you got religion, at de las' revival meetin' at Oakenbrow. 
 
 Eben — How did he know I was made a deacon? 
 
 Tilda — Why, man, don't you know dat preacher 
 Jackson, de new pastor on de Caroline side done told 
 massa jedge dat you was done raised to a deacon fer 
 convertin' dat hard sinner. Bill Wilson of Bellgrove, and 
 makin' him go to de mourner's bench? 
 
 Eben — Well, I declare. 
 
 Tilda — I done see Mistah Gibson yisteday pick up 
 flowers in de garden an' hand dem to Miss Taylor. , 
 
 Eben — It makes no diffunce where dat man walks 
 wid Miss Taylor, her heart am bound up wid our young 
 Massa Harry. 
 
 Tilda — Now, you is talkin' husband, and Massa Harry 
 done love her, too. 
 
 Eben — Yes, and dey match jes like two turtle doves. 
 
 Tilda — Man don't know de human heart like a woman. 
 Dat Mistah Gibson has badness in his heart for our young 
 massa. 
 
 Eben — Dat is what I think. 
 
 Tilda — You done know everything when I tell you. 
 [Enter Judge.] 
 
 Judge — Eben, see that everything is ready for to- 
 night. Tell all the negroes on Annandale that they are 
 to have a holiday tomorrow, in honor of their young 
 master's return. 
 
"OLE VIRGIN NY" 21 
 
 Eben and Tilda — Thank you, Massa Jedge! 
 [Exit Tilda and Ehen and enter Rowland.] 
 
 Rowland — Judge Mortimer, Annandale has donned 
 its hohday garb in honor of its young master. What an 
 easy and poetical atmosphere you Virginians live in. 
 Today my bosom throbbed with joy when I heard the 
 voices of the slaves singing: "Carry Me Back to Ole Vir- 
 ginny." It seemed like reading a page from fiction. 
 
 Judge — Mr. Howland, with Virginians, the personality 
 of a man ranks higher than nationality or wealth. When 
 that is all right, he has free access to our hearts and homes. 
 In the last four years, you and my son have alternated 
 in your summer vacations — he spending two in Boston, 
 and you two here in Virginia. You both have ended 
 your college life, and this may be the last time I will ever 
 see you again, as man has no lease on life. Human affairs 
 take many shapes as years roll on. It is only the discern- 
 ing and philosophical mind that can detect the tendency 
 of the times. The solid friends of one year become some- 
 times the bitterest enemies in the next, if conditions and 
 self-interests change. You and Harry have been class- 
 mates for four years, and that length of time seems to have 
 cemented you both into a solid and inseparable friend- 
 ship. Although I never had the good fortune of seeing 
 your parents, yet I know the ancestral history of the 
 Howlands of Massachusetts who left England a little 
 before the Mortimers of Virginia. 
 
 Howland — Yes, Judge. Father told me his ancestors 
 were amongst the Puritans that left England right after 
 the great civil war between the king and parliament, 
 and further stated that one of them, named Ed- 
 ward Howland, distinguished himself at the Battle of 
 Marston Moor. 
 
 Judge — Correct, my dear friend, and on the other 
 hand, the Mortimers who came to Virginia after that 
 terrible conflict were known as the Cavaliers. They were 
 also participants in that civil war, and the head of th£|,t 
 
22 "OLE VIRGIN NY" 
 
 family was Henry Mortimer, whose valor was conspic- 
 uous at the Battle of Edge Hill, under Prince Rupert. 
 This land on the Rappahannock, known as Annandale, 
 was a special grant of King Charles of England to Henry 
 Mortimer, who was the founder of this house. He was 
 my great ancestor, and his name is perpetuated in my 
 son Harry, but strange to say, Mr. Howland, he fought 
 on the opposite side to your people. I have now given 
 you the genealogical history of the Mortimers, and I hope 
 that nothing in life will sever the friendship of Harry and 
 yourself. 
 
 Howland — Judge, I assure you that no matter what 
 may come up in the future, the sacred tie of friendship 
 between Harry and myself will stand all tests. 
 
 Judge — I am glad to hear you say so, Mr. Howland. 
 Hope you will kindly excuse me for a while. 
 
 Howland — Certainly, Judge. 
 
 [Exit Judge.] 
 
 Howland — Grand, proud and exalted old Roman, 
 one of the last of the chivalrous and magnanimous Vir- 
 ginians. With what care and delicacy he brougiit before 
 my vision the pending storm. Could history repeat itself 
 that the same blood and social ties that met each other 
 in deathly conflict in England should meet again on 
 American soil for other causes. Oh, no! Absurd! 
 Fanaticism will die out, and those firebrands on both 
 sides will be extinguishecl by the cool logic of men of both 
 sections. 
 
 [Enter Harry.] 
 
 Harry — What Lester! In somber thought? Let 
 that for the outside world. The negroes of the surround- 
 ing plantations are to give us tonight a real Virginia corn 
 shucking scene, and the songs and dances of the old Vir- 
 ginia darky. 
 
 Howland — Indeed, it would be a novel sight for people 
 of my section of the country to witness. 
 
"OLE VIRGIN NY" 23 
 
 Harry — Well, Lester, it may be a long time before 
 I see you again in Virginia, and I want to make your stay 
 this time a continuous round of pleasure and gaiety. 
 
 Rowland — Harry, you are a happy mortal. Your 
 magnetic personality is the cause of it all. Even the 
 dumb beasts of the field realize that someone has come 
 to Annandale that has thrown a ray of sunshine over all. 
 Today, as the boat drew near the wharf, I saw upon the 
 faces of those slaves a genuine love for their young master 
 that could be compared only to the children of the sun 
 who used to bow their heads in sacred worship as he 
 began his rise in the early morn. Why, that old slave 
 Eben would lay down his life for you. 
 
 Harry — Lester, my father has always been kind to 
 his slaves, and I have tried to follow in his footsteps. 
 
 HowLAND — As I rode by Bellgrove, some time ago, I 
 noticed Mr. Gibson sitting on the porch with Miss Taylor. 
 
 Harry — I have heard that he has been down here for 
 some time as a guest of Walsingham. 
 
 Howl AND — I noticed his attentions to Miss Taylor 
 were rather marked on my last visit here, but there is no 
 disguising the fact. Miss Taylor loves but one man, and 
 he is the heir of Annandale. 
 
 Harry — And there is but one girl that he loves, and 
 that is Hattie Taylor, of Bellgrove. 
 
 HowLAND — She is indeed worthy of your love, and 
 there may be a race between us as to who will be married 
 first, you to Miss Taylor or I to Miss Jennie Haw^kins of 
 Cambridge, Massachusetts. 
 
 Harry — Oh! You old sly fox. You never spoke of 
 
 that before, though to quote old Tilda, the houseservant, 
 
 "I noticed a honeybee of love playing between you both" 
 
 on my last visit with you to Miss Hawkins' home. 
 
 [Exit both Rowland and Harry.] 
 
 [Enter Judge and Churchill.] 
 
 Churchill — Judge Mortimer, I must say that I am 
 thoroughly fascinated with the manners of your house- 
 
24 "OLE VIRGIN NY" 
 
 servant, Eben, and when I return to England I would 
 like to take him along as my bodyservant. 
 
 Judge — [Laughing.] Ah! Mr. Churchill, that would 
 be a rather difficult matter, as I believe he would grieve 
 himself to death to be away any length of time from his 
 young master. 
 
 Churchill — I notice that he is greatly attached to 
 him. 
 
 Judge — Mr. Churchill, Eben is a free negro and his 
 freedom papers were given to him by myself for a piece of 
 heroism and fidelity in saving the life of his young master. 
 
 Churchill — Ah! Indeed? 
 
 Judge — When Harry was about eight years of age, 
 Eben was rowing him over the river from the Carolina 
 side. The boy in reaching over the side of the boat to 
 pick up something from the water fell overboard. The 
 faithful old slave first reached an oar, but as soon as Harry 
 clutched, it broke. In his mad frenzy to save my son, 
 he leaped into the water and grappled him, but as the 
 slave was only a fair swimmer, his strength was gradually 
 giving away with the encumbrance of the boy, who held 
 him closely around the neck, but the old slave faithfully 
 struggled to the boat and grasped the side of it. With 
 one hand holding the side of the boat and the other 
 around the boy, he was finally rescued by people from the 
 Fort. Conway side who witnessed the whole incident from 
 the shore. 
 
 Churchill — What an extraordinary piece of heroism 
 in a mere slave. 
 
 Judge — The most peculiar, and yet the most humor- 
 ous act of Eben's was when I wanted to give him his free- 
 dom papers for his noble act. In fact, he refused them. 
 The whole plantation was astounded at his manner in 
 positively refusing to be set free. He had an idea that 
 freedom meant separation from both his masters, so he 
 cried and begged not to be made a free negro, as he wanted 
 to belong to his old home while he lived, and then again 
 
"OLE VIRGIN NY'' 25 
 
 he always looked down on a free negro, as he believed 
 they were guilty of some misdemeanor. 
 
 Churchill — What a wonderful and devoted black 
 man he is. 
 
 Judge — However, Mr. Churchill, I have made a 
 record of his freedom at King George Court House. 
 
 Churchill — Judge, this is my first trip to America. 
 I am a retired business man of no family, and but one 
 relative, who has extensive estates in Lancashire, England. 
 I have at present large interests in India and British 
 Guiana, but I have instructed my agents there to close 
 them out. My income at present is very large and my 
 physician in London advised me entirely to dispense with 
 business cares and go to America for a year or two for 
 my health. Although I do not look it, Judge, my health 
 IS very bad. 
 
 Judge — I hope, Mr. Churchill, that you will regain 
 some of your strength here in America, and I think there 
 is no better place to recuperate than here in Old Virginia. 
 
 Churchill — I believe it, Judge, as I feel somewhat 
 better since I came over. 
 
 Judge — What do they think in England of the trend 
 of political affairs in the United States at present? 
 
 Churchill — To be candid, Judge, the best thinkers 
 in England fear that there will be trouble yet between 
 the states. 
 
 Judge — What! A civil war! That would be frat- 
 ricidal — it would be a national calamity, Mr. Churchill. 
 
 Churchill — I would be sorry to see any trouble be- 
 tween people of the same blood, but yet, you know, Judge, 
 of our two great civil wars in England — one the War of 
 the Roses, that lasted twenty years and, the other be- 
 tween parliament and Charles the First. 
 
 Judge — Virginia, particularly, would deplore such an 
 issue. 
 
 Churchill — Would it be too bold and embarrassing a 
 question. Judge, in my asking you what position do you 
 
26 ''OLE VIRGINNY'' 
 
 think Virginia would take should serious trouble arise 
 between the Northern and Southern states? 
 
 Judge — Ah! My dear friend, that is a question that 
 an humble son of A'irginia, at present, would find too per- 
 plexing to answer. 
 
 Churchill — You know, Judge, there are strong ties 
 between England and Virginia. 
 
 Judge — There should be, for even this soil on which 
 we stand was a special grant to a great ancestor of mine 
 from King Charles of England. 
 
 Churchill — The Old Dominion has indeed a grand 
 record behind her. 
 
 Judge — A state that gave American liberty a Washing- 
 ton, and that was prominent in building up a republic 
 now great and still growing, would look with pain and 
 horror upon its dissolution, but whatever course Virginia 
 takes, should a crisis ^rise, you may rest assured, Mr. 
 Churchill, she will be actuated only by principle and 
 honesty of purpose. 
 
 Churchill — Noble sentiments, indeed. Judge Morti- 
 mer. 
 
 [Enter Eben.] 
 
 Eben — Massa Jedge, clere am ladies and gemmen in 
 de parlor, dat wish to see you and Mistah Churchill. 
 
 Judge — We will go in, Mr. Churchill. 
 
 [Exit Judge, Churchill and Eben.] 
 [Eyiter Gibson.] 
 
 Gibson — The parlors of Annandale are crowded. All 
 the plantations will be represented tonight in honor of 
 Harry Mortimer's return. How I hate the popularity of 
 this man, and especially as he stands between me and the 
 girl I love. That Yankee Howland I also despise. He 
 does not even know what an insult is. Tonight will tell 
 whether Miss Taylor looks favorably on my suit or not. 
 I'll put her to the test. 
 
 [Enter Taylor.] 
 
"OLE VIRGINNY" ' 27 
 
 Taylor— Why, you here alone, Mr. Gibson. I thought 
 you were to bring Miss Williams of Walsingham to see 
 the jubilee. 
 
 Gibson— No, Miss Taylor, I am not interested in Miss 
 Williams. 
 
 Taylor— Ah ! Indeed ? 
 
 Gibson— I hear that there are quite a number of 
 people coming from Port Royal. 
 
 Taylor — Yes, J\Ir. Gibson, the Mortimers have made 
 Annandale the most talked of plantation on the lower 
 Rappahannock for its hospitality. 
 
 Gibson— The Judge himself is an admirable character. 
 
 Taylor — He is a true type of the exalted Virginian, 
 who respects everyone's opinion, but despises deceit and 
 hypocrisy. 
 
 Gibson— Miss Taylor, this is my third visit to King 
 George, and it may possibly be my last. It may be bold 
 in me to say that my admiration of you has exceeded the 
 ordinary bounds of the casual friend in its warmth and 
 ardor. As you are aware, I have distinguished relatives 
 on the Carolina side of the river. My home is a beau- 
 tiful country seat in Cumberland County, Maryland. 
 I am the only son of Robert Gibson, whose ancestors 
 were among the first settlers of that state. While we 
 never owned slaves, our estates are so large and remunera- 
 tive that our income is sufficient to maintain us in perfect 
 security from any adversity through life. Miss Hattie, 
 I confess to you that I love you dearly, and ask you to 
 become my wife. [Going through the manner of the usual 
 suitor.] 
 
 Taylor— Mr. Gibson, I have listened to the recital 
 of your lineage and earthly possessions, but were you the 
 heir of the richest estates on earth, and your blood 
 descended from the Caesars, I would have to politely 
 decline your proffer of marriage. What hospitality and 
 polite attention I have shown you at Bellgrove was done 
 in the traditional spirit of a Virginia girl. If you have 
 
28 "OLE VIRGIN NY" 
 
 construed those attentions to other than the proverbial 
 spirit of our people, you have been mistaken. I hope, 
 Mr. Gibson, you will consider this answer no slight but 
 the polite refusal of a girl who wishes to marry only the 
 man she loves. 
 
 [Enter Rowland.'] 
 
 Rowland — Good evening, all. The roads from Port 
 Conway are lined with vehicles all directed towards 
 Annandale. {Looking at Gibson.] Are you not going to 
 see the slaves' jubilee, Mr. Gibson? 
 
 Gibson — Such things may suit your vulgar tastes 
 and people from your section of the country, but not mine. 
 [Enter Harry in rear listening to last sentence.] 
 
 Rowland — [Looking sharp and indignant at Gibson 
 and moving towards him.] Mr. Gibson, whether the 
 nature of the entertainment pleases me or people from 
 my section of the country, it matters not. The spirit of 
 the whole occasion is in honor of the genial young master 
 of Annandale. 
 
 Taylor — Mr. Gibson, your manner is not what it 
 should be to a guest of this plantation. 
 
 Gibson — My manner. Miss Taylor, is a matter of inter- 
 pretation, on which Mr. Rowland can place his own 
 construction. 
 
 Rowland — [Looking defiant.] My interpretation of 
 your manner, sir, is that it is grossly insulting and a lady's 
 presence prevents me from resenting it. 
 
 Rarry — [With wrathful look, moving forward, and 
 facing Gibson.] It is my duty to resent any insult offered 
 to a guest of my home. [Addressing Miss Taylor.] Miss 
 Taylor, will you kindly withdraw for a moment? 
 
 Taylor — [Leaving.] Rarry, my dear, discretion. 
 [Exit Taylor.] 
 
 Rarry — [Throwing a withering look at Gibson.] Mr. 
 Gibson, there is one sacred social law that a Virginian will 
 not allow to be violated, and that is the law of politeness 
 and respect to his guest. You have violated that law in 
 
'VLE VIRGINNY" 29 
 
 insulting my honored guest, and I demand that you 
 apologize to Mr. Rowland for your insult. 
 
 Gibson — I refuse! {Haughtily. '\ 
 
 Harry — Then you are not a gentleman, but a coward, 
 and I want you to leave here at once. Go ! 
 
 {Enter Judge, Crill, Taylor, Churchill, and all.'\ 
 
 Gibson — [Leaving.'] I'll go, Mr. Mortimer, but there 
 may come a time when I may be able to dictate to you 
 on this very ground. {Exit Gibson.] 
 
 Judge — {Advancing towards his son.] What is the 
 cause of this scene, my son? 
 
 Harry — Father, Mr. Gibson insulted Mr. Howland 
 right in the presence of Miss Taylor, and I would be un- 
 worthy to be called a "Virginian" if I did not resent it. 
 
 Judge — Right, my boy. You are only demanding 
 
 the time-honored deference and respect of your people 
 
 towards their guests. Ladies and gentleman, let us all 
 
 retire to allow the negroes to get ready for their jubilee. 
 
 {Exit all hut Eben and Tilda.] 
 
 Eben — Mr. Gibson got stung dat time from our young 
 massa. 
 
 Tilda — An' didn't Miss Taylor sting him, too, when 
 he was pestering her about marriage? 
 
 Eben — I done told you I never did like dat man, Mistah 
 Gibson. I never done courted you dat way did I, Tilda? 
 
 Tilda — You had done better not, I would have stung 
 you worse dan Miss Taylor stung Mr. Gibson, but I mus' 
 say dat you was de mos' jealous bee dat I ever see. 
 
 Eben — When was I jealous? • 
 
 Tilda — Don't you remember, man, before I done 
 married you, at de big barbecue dat was given by de 
 Woodlawn darkies when big Bill Jackson, who am now 
 over at Canning, asked me to dance wid him, and put his 
 arms around my neck, why your two eyes looked like coals 
 in de stove, and dat whole night you never done leave 
 my side ? 
 
30 "OLE VIRGIN NY" 
 
 Eben — Never mind talkin' about clem old foolish days 
 of man. You yourself was a jealous bird. 
 
 Tilda — When was I jealous? 
 
 Eben — Don't you remember at de big ball at Bell- 
 grove, when Phoebe Green done gib me a red handkerchief 
 for a New Year's gift, you done tore it to pieces, and you 
 told dat gal she better stay over on her own plantation? 
 Dat's what you did. 
 
 TiLDA^ — Stop talkin' boutdem old giddy days of woman. 
 Let us git everything nice fer tonight. We want to show 
 Massa Harry dat de Annandale niggers will win de prizes. 
 
 Eben — Mr. Rowland is a nice man if he am a Yankee 
 man. I done like him next to Massa Harry. 
 
 Tilda — Now, you is talkin' old man. 
 [Singing heard in the distance from the slaves of the incoming 
 plantations.] 
 
 Eben — Here dey all come, Tilda. 
 
 [Slaves enter, general hand shake all round, ivith words 
 of welcome spoken by each captain.] 
 
 Eben — Come captains, we mus' have everything all 
 ready before we call de white folks out. I will call off 
 de captains from de diffunt plantations. Captain Blass 
 of Bellgrove. 
 
 Blass — Here I is! 
 
 Eben — Captain Parsnip of Woodlawn. 
 
 Parsnip — Here I is! 
 
 Eben— Captain Crow of Oakenbrow. 
 
 Crow — Here I is! 
 
 Eben — Now all you darkies get ready. First will 
 be de dancing and singing between Woodlawn, Annandale 
 and Bellgrove. Den de essence of Ole Virginny, den de 
 corn shucking, and las' cle Virginia reel. Monroe, got all 
 dem chairs ready for de white folks? 
 
 Monroe — Yes, Eben. 
 
 Eben — Bid dem all enter. 
 
 [All enter and take chairs. Beginning of festivities, 
 and after Virginia reel. Curtain.] 
 
"OLE VIRGINNY" 31 
 
 ACT 11. 
 
 SCENE FIRST 
 
 Time, May 1, 1863. Picket scene before Chancel- 
 lorsville, along Rappahannock river. 
 
 Casy — {Federal 'picket.'] Ho, there, Johnnie, I want 
 to make a swap with you. Come here, no one will see us. 
 
 Moore — [Confederate picket.'] All right, Yank. 
 Thought you were wearing iron shoes since that mud 
 march you got into last December when you stole away 
 from us at Fredericksburg. 
 
 Casy — Never mind about fighting, Johnnie. We 
 want to do a little trading now. Have you any tobacco? 
 
 Moore — Reckon I have, Yank. Have you any coffee? 
 
 Casy — Certainly, here it is. [Showing it.'\ 
 
 Moore — Place it on the ground. We must not be 
 seen together. 
 
 Casy — All right, here it is. [Walking half way and 
 placing it on the ground.'] 
 
 Moore — [Advancing and picking it up, at the same 
 time laying tobacco on the ground.] Here is my tobacco, 
 Yank. 
 
 Casy — Let us sit down a while and have a little talk, 
 no one will see us. 
 
 Moore — Reckon it will be all right. [Both sit down.] 
 
 Casy — What corps do you belong to? 
 
 Moore — Stonewall Jackson's corps, A. P. Hill's 
 division and one of the Stonewall brigade. 
 
 Casy — [Looking at him in surprise.] What! One of 
 Stonewall Jackson's men? A soldier every inch of you 
 and a brave one at that. I'll shake your hand. [Both 
 extend hands.] 
 
 Moore — What's your corps, Yank? 
 
 Casy — 13th army corps, Meagher's Irish brigade. I 
 am one of the 69th New York. 
 
 Moore — What! Meagher's brigade of Irishmen that 
 made the three charges against the Stonewall last Decem- 
 ber at Fredericksburg? 
 
32 "OLE VIRGINNY'' 
 
 Casy — I am one of the very same, sah! I am just 
 over a wound I got in that charge. 
 
 Moore — [Rising.] I shake your hand, sir. The Irish 
 brigade's valor, sah, is the talk of the army of Northern 
 Virginia. We first met you at Fair Oaks, then at Gaines 
 Mill. You held us at bay several times on McClellan's 
 retreat to Harrison's landing. No matter what side we 
 fight on, brave men always honor brave men. 
 
 Casy — [Enthusiastically.] Here take all my coffee, 
 and any other damn thing I have, and here are the New 
 York papers, too. 
 
 Moore — Here are the Richmond papers for you. 
 
 Casy — [Rising.] We must be going now, Johnnie. 
 The pickets lately have been watched. They say we are 
 getting too sociable. I hope this war will soon be over, 
 
 Moore — Yes, partner, I reckon if the soldiers had the 
 settlement of it it would have been over long ago. 
 
 Casy — Get to your place quick, Johnnie. Somebody 
 is coming. 
 
 [Both exit.] 
 scene second. 
 
 Confederate campfire. Soldiers sitting around laugh- 
 ing. [Enter Moore.] 
 
 Turner — Well, Moore, what did you get from the 
 Yankee picket? 
 
 Moore — A generous Yankee he was. He was an 
 Irishman from Meagher's Irish brigade that made that 
 terrible charge at Fredericksburg, and a true Irishman he 
 was. He complimented our troops on their great valor. 
 
 Turner — He's like all brave men. He gives credit 
 to whom credit is due. Well, boys, we'll soon give the 
 enemy another brush, as soon as Joe Hooker comes out 
 of the Wilderness. 
 
 Moore — Boys, the foot cavalry is ready at any time 
 for old Stonewall's call. 
 
 Turner — Moore, what do you think will be old Jack's 
 next move? 
 
''OLE VIRGIN NY" 33 
 
 Moore — Captain, don't you know that old phrase of 
 Jack's? 
 
 Turner — No, what is it? 
 
 Moore — He said that if his coat knew his thoughts, 
 he would cast it off. [Soldiers all laugh.] 
 
 Turner — Right you are. 
 
 Moore — We might get orders this very moment to 
 march tonight. [All laugh.] 
 
 I Turner— What do you think of John Pelham, boys? 
 
 Moore — The best artillerist in either army. Didn't 
 he hold the enemy back at Hamilton's crossing last 
 December at Fredericksburg. 
 
 Turner — Ptight you are, Moore. 
 
 [Soldiers all applaud.] 
 
 Moore — Yes, and Uncle Bob didn't forget to mention 
 it, either. 
 
 Turner — Boys, the bravest act that I have seen during 
 the war, from first Bull Run down to Fredericksburg, was 
 the act of that boy from old King George, Colonel Harry 
 Mortimer, of the Fifth Virginia Cavalry. At our last 
 battle of Fredericksburg, on the right at Hamilton's 
 crossing, the enemy made a gallant charge on General 
 Gregg's forces, and captured a piece of our artillery. As 
 they were going off with it. Colonel Mortimer rode up and 
 with drawn sword called on his men to follow him to 
 recapture the gun. The soldiers answered with cheers 
 and made a charge for it. The Colonel, who was in the 
 lead, was the first to place his hand on the gun. 
 The field piece was recaptured and brought back into our 
 lines in full view of that portion of the army. Jeb Stuart 
 himself rode up and complimented Colonel Mortimer on 
 the spot. [Rousing applause from the soldiers.] 
 
 Moore — Brave act it was. Captain. We have all 
 heard of Mortimer's bravery, boys. 
 
 Turner — Boys, we are to have an entertainment at 
 the campfire, tonight. The Stonewall Quartet is coming 
 and I hear that General Stuart is coming to hear the songs 
 
34 'VLE VIRGINNY" 
 
 and Sweeney, his banjo player, to accompany them. 
 
 [Music heard and soldiers listen.] 
 
 [Enter quartet accompanied by Stuart. Cheers.] 
 
 Stuart — I see you are enjoying yourselves, boys. 
 That's right, we may have a hard march before us at any 
 time. 
 
 Turner — We are pleased to see you here, General, 
 as we all know you love music and song. 
 
 Moore — Come, boys, let the Stonewall Glee Club 
 start her agoing. [Sings.] 
 
 Turner— Come, Sweeney , giveussomething on the banjo. 
 
 Stuart — Sweeney, the boys want to hear you. 
 
 Sweeney — All right, General. [Plays.] 
 
 Turner — General Stuart, Private Moore will now 
 give us the new recitation of the army, called "Stonewall 
 Jackson's Way." 
 
 Sweeney and Soldiers — Good for you, Moore. 
 
 Moore — With pleasure, boys. [Recites "Stonewall 
 Jackson's Way."] 
 
 "Come stack arms, pile on the rails, 
 
 Stir up the campfires bright, 
 No matter if the canteen fails, 
 
 We'll make a roaring night. 
 Here Shenandoah brawls along, 
 The lofty Blue Ridge echoes strong 
 To swell the brigade's roaring song 
 
 Of Stonewall Jackson's way. 
 
 "We see him now, the old slouch hat 
 
 Cocked o'er his eye askew. 
 The shrewd dried smile, the speech so pat, 
 
 So calm, so blunt, so true. 
 The blue light elder knows them well. 
 Says he: "That's Banks, he's fond of shell. 
 Lord save his soul, we'll give him" — well 
 
 That's Stonewall Jackson's way. 
 
"OLE VIRGIN NY" 35 
 
 "Silence! Ground arms. Kneel, all caps off, 
 
 Old Bluelight's going to pray: 
 Strangle the fool that dares to scoff. 
 
 Attention ! That's his way. 
 Appealing for his native sod, 
 Lay bare thy arm, stretch forth thy rod, 
 
 Amen! That's Stonewall Jackson's way. 
 
 "He's in the saddle, now fall in, 
 
 Steady the whole brigade. 
 Hill's at the ford cut off, 
 
 We'll win his way out ball and blade. 
 What matter if our shoes are worn: 
 What matter if our feet are torn : 
 Quick step! We're with them before morn — 
 
 That's Stonewall Jackson's way. 
 
 "The sun's bright lances rout the mists of morn 
 And, by George, there's Longstreet, struggling 
 in the ditch 
 Hemmed in an ugly gorge, 
 
 Pope and his columns whipped before, 
 Bayonets and grape, hear old Stonewall roar. 
 Charge! Stuart pay off Ashby's score — 
 That's Stonewall Jackson's way. 
 
 "Ah! Maiden, wait and yearn 
 
 For news of Stonewall's band: 
 Ah ! Maid with eyes that burn. 
 
 The ring upon thy hand. 
 Ah! wife sew on, pray on, hope on, 
 Thy life shall not be all forlorn, 
 The foe has ne'er been born 
 
 That gets in Stonewall's way." 
 
 [Loud applause and cheer from outside.] 
 
36 ''OLE VIRGIN NY'' 
 
 Stuart — Bravo! Private Moore. 
 
 [Enter Courier.] 
 
 Courier — [Saluting.] General Stuart! [Hands him 
 message.] 
 
 Stuart — [Reading message.] Captain Turner, General 
 Jackson will be here at once. Have all your men ready 
 to report to their quarters for marching orders. 
 [Soldiers rise.] 
 
 Moore— What did I tell you, boys, about old Jack? 
 There is something in the wind. [Loud cheering heard 
 from outside.] 
 
 [Enter Jackson.] 
 
 Jackson — We must not make much noise, boys. 
 The enemy might hear us. 
 
 Soldiers — [Leaving.] "It's Stonewall Jackson's way." 
 
 Jackson — General, why should we not win battles 
 with such men as those? 
 
 [Exit all but Jackson and Stuart.] 
 
 Stuart — It's a fact. General. 
 
 [Jackson draws up two cracker boxes.] 
 
 Jackson — Sit down. General. [Each sits on a box.] 
 General, I have just left General Lee, and after a long 
 conference we have decided to attack the Federal Army 
 on flank and rear. While it is against the maxims and 
 first rules of war for a general to divide his forces in front 
 of an enemy, yet all rules and maxims must be subordi- 
 nated to the circumstances and case at hand. We have 
 decided to take my whole corps and make a flank move- 
 ment and strike General Hooker in the rear, near Wilder- 
 ness Tavern. You, with the able assistance of Fitzhugh 
 Lee's cavalry brigade, will guard the army's flank and 
 mask the movement. General Lee is to remain in front 
 of the enemy, making demonstrations of attack, while we 
 are on the march to his rear. It is a hazardous under- 
 taking, but desperate situations require desperate means. 
 [Turning and looking Stuart full in the face.] General, 
 we have made just as equal and desperate movement 
 
"OLE VIRGINNY" 37 
 
 against General Pope at Second Manassas and were suc- 
 cessful, and with a kind Providence, I hope this attack 
 on the enemy will be equally so. 
 
 Stuart — General, there is nothing that I would not 
 undertake with the same zeal and spirit as yourself. We 
 must make Joe Hooker come out of the Wilderness. 
 
 Jackson — Now to the details of the movement, we 
 are to start at daybreak for the enemies flank. A loyal 
 friend of one of my staff will guide us through roads and 
 paths rarely frequented. Should they be impassible, we 
 will take the Brock road to a certain point. If the enemy 
 should observe our movement, we will turn as if to go 
 south, to give him the idea that we are retreating, but 
 after a certain distance we will make another turn in the 
 road and pursue a direct course to his rear. General, 
 your judgment is ever mine, and should any unforseen 
 contingency arise, I know you will be able to cope with 
 it. This movement must be made with as much secrecy 
 and celerity as possible. General ! [Looking Stuart sternly 
 in the face.] Ever since this movement on the enemy 
 has been contemplated, one desire has occupied my whole 
 thoughts. It is this: to block and defend United States 
 ford against the retreat of the Federal Army, should our 
 attack against them be successful. The enemy's stealth- 
 ful cross of the Rappahannock last December at Freder- 
 icksburg has ever rankled in my brain, and I don't want 
 him to repeat it, in case of his defeat. 
 
 Stuart — You are right. General. 
 
 Jackson — With General Lee amusing the enemy in 
 front, while we are stealthily marching to his rear, — 
 United!States ford defended, — there will be only one way 
 for the Federal Army to escape destruction, and that 
 only by cutting a passage through our lines to regain 
 the north side of the river. 
 
 Stuart — General, how many men do you think will 
 be required to hold the ford until we can assist them? 
 
38 ''OLE VIRGINNY" 
 
 Jackson — The success of the defense of the ford, 
 General, will not depend altogether on the number of 
 men, as it will on the metal of the officer who will be in 
 command. Amongst your junior officers is there one 
 that you can recommend for this emergency? 
 
 Stuart — Yes, General, his name is Colonel Mortimer 
 of the Fifth Virginia Cavalry. While under my command 
 his conduct has been heroic and his coolness in the crisis 
 of battle I never saw surpassed. In my next report I 
 wish to recommend his promotion. 
 
 Jackson — Is he near at hand? 
 
 Stuart — Yes, General. 
 
 jACKSON^Send for him at once, General. 
 
 Stuart — [Stepping to the rear and calling his aide.] 
 Sweeney ! 
 
 [Swee7iey entering and saluting.] 
 
 Stuart — Do you know Colonel Mortimer's location 
 of quarters? 
 
 Sweeney — Yes, General. 
 
 Stuart — Present him my compliments. Inform him 
 that General Jackson desires to see him at once. 
 
 Sweeney — All right. General. [Saluting.] 
 [Exit Sweeney.] 
 
 Stuart — General, you can depend on your old foot 
 cavalry to do anything for you. I must say you look 
 better in your new uniform than in the old faded cap 
 and coat. 
 
 Jackson — Ah! General, I thank you heartily for 
 this present, but don't you know my old soldiers hardly 
 knew me at Fredericksburg, when I passed along the lines 
 the morning of the battle, and they considered their 
 feelings hurt because I had discarded the old familiar 
 faded coat and cap. 
 
 Stuart — [Laughing heartily.] It is true. General, 
 I have heard of that incident. [Horse heard in the distance. 
 Enter Harry. Stuart and Jackson arise.] Colonel Morti- 
 mer allow me to introduce you to General Jackson. 
 
"OLE VIRGIN NY'' 39 
 
 Harry — I am honored and pleased with the intro- 
 duction, General. [Exit Stuart.] 
 
 Jackson — Colonel Mortimer, I am to select you for a 
 very important mission. It is rarely I tell my plans to 
 any of my officers, but the nature of your movement and 
 mission necessitates the revealing of the attack on the 
 enemy— so you can govern yourself accordingly, but you 
 are to impart no information to anyone until you arrive 
 at the end of your journey. We are to leave at dawn 
 for the march. You are to precede us tonight with six 
 regiments of picked troops which will be placed under 
 your command by General vStuart. Two guides who live 
 in the vicinity of United States ford will direct you to it 
 by an unknown route through the Wilderness. When 
 you arrive at the ford, make such disposition of your 
 forces that will leave the enemy to believe that' you have 
 more men than you really have. At the sound of our 
 guns tomorrow, which will be about three or four p.m., 
 if all goes well, be ready for an attack. Should we drive 
 and route the enemy, their first thought will be of their 
 line of retreat across the river by the way of United States 
 ford. [Looking at Mortimer boldly and 'placing his hand 
 on his shoulder.] Young man, of the number of brave 
 officers of our army that were suggested to execute this 
 bold movement. General Stuart recommended you as the 
 very man for such a crisis and emergency. I say to you, 
 Colonel, hold the ford until we can swing a part of the 
 army around to your aid, even if it takes a sacrifice, unless 
 you have other orders. 
 
 _ Mortimer— General Jackson, I am fully alive to the 
 spirit of this movement. I will hold the ford if it takes 
 the sacrifice of my life. 
 
 Jackson — I hope you will live, Colonel Mortimer, to 
 see a glorious victory, wdiich you will help to gain. So 
 goodby, and Godspeed. 
 
 [Exit Mortimer and Jackson.] 
 
 [Enter Stuart and Sioeeney ready for the march.] 
 
40 "OLE VIRGIN NY" 
 
 Sweeney — I hope, General, we will get as much lob- 
 ster salad and champagne on this trip as we did when we 
 swung around Pope at Second Manassas. [Stuart laughs.] 
 
 Stuart — We may not be so fortunate this time, 
 Sweeney, in the way of luxuries. 
 
 Sweeney — They say the 11th corps carries some fine 
 cattle. We may be able to eat a sirloin tomorrow even- 
 ing. [Stuart laughs. Music heard.] 
 
 Stuart — Sweeney, the march has started. 
 
 Sweeney — There is Fitzhugh Lee riding alongside 
 of Jackson. He looks ready for any fight, but who is that 
 dashing young officer that is ahead of the troops? 
 
 Stuart — Sweeney, can't you perceive? That is 
 Colonel Mortimer. [Grand entry. Enter drum corps and 
 band, Jackson and Fitzhugh Lee enter at head of column 
 and halt alongside of Stuart. Exit Sweeney. Troops 
 enter, Mortimer in advance. Immense cheering as troops 
 pass on ivhen they pass Jackson. Column passes over the 
 stage at a period of ten minutes. Jackson, Stuart and. Lee 
 with hats off in recognition of the cheering of the soldiers, 
 music at all times playing. Exit Stuart, Jackson and Lee, 
 after column has passed. Closing of scene second.] 
 
 SCENE third. 
 
 [Federal campfire, soldiers sitting around, smoking and 
 laughing. Enter Casy and Krouse.] 
 
 Casy — There is no use talking, Krouse, the next battle 
 will be fought right here in this part of the country. 
 
 Krouse — I believe that, Corporal Casy. 
 
 Casy — Here we are cooped up in a forest cage, and we 
 hardly can see each other ten feet away. 
 
 Krouse — That's so, Corporal. Did you hear that 
 that brave Franz Sigel is taken from us? 
 
 Casy — When did that happen? 
 
 Krouse — Yesterday. 
 
 Casy — Sorry to hear that Jacob. 
 
 Krouse — How did they expect us Germans to fight 
 with any heart, when they remove our brave general ? 
 
'•'OLE VIRGINNY" 41 
 
 Casy — Krouse, it is the talk of the army that the name 
 of Stonewall Jackson will set the Germans flying like wild 
 geese. 
 
 Krouse — Yes, Dennis, but there are others that join 
 in that geese flight, too. [Casy mid soldiers all laugh.] 
 
 Casy — You are right, Krouse, and no mistake. 
 
 Krouse — I don't mind what you say, Casy, you took 
 care of me when I was wounded. You Irish are full of 
 jokes and brave soldiers, too, but I want to tell you about 
 this Jackson business, and how that joke got around 
 about those Germans. You see Stonewall Jackson is 
 everywhere. We first met him at Winchester, then at 
 Strasburg, then at Port Royal, also at Port Republic, and 
 then when we thought he was at Richmond, he came way 
 round by our back front side at Second Bull Run, steals 
 all our provisions, then gives them to his soldiers, goes 
 behind the railroad cut, hits us in our rear front, when 
 we thought he was two hundred miles away. Boys, I 
 think his army and himself travels by the wing. [All 
 laugh heartily.] 
 
 Casy — It is true, Krouse, Stonewall is the devil. He 
 bothers us all, but it seems that he has it in for the Ger- 
 mans. [Soldiers laugh.] 
 
 Krouse — It looks like it, Corporal. 
 [Singing heard.] 
 
 Casy — Here comes some of the Maryland boys, that 
 have been lately added to our brigade, and they are a 
 social and brave set at that. 
 
 Krouse — You bet they are, Casy. 
 [Enter quartet.] 
 
 Brown — Hello, Casy and Krouse. Boys, here are the 
 two funniest characters in the army. 
 
 Krouse — And none can beat Casy for bravery or 
 singing. 
 
 Brown — Boys, we must put in the afternoon in some 
 fun. 
 
 Krouse— What do you think of Colonel Howland? 
 
42 "OLE VIRGINNY" 
 
 Casy — One of the bravest soldiers that ever faced an 
 enemy. Why he could not pass a wounded soldier with- 
 out offering him the contents of his canteen. 
 
 BroW'N — Rightfully said, Casy. I wonder where we 
 are going to strike old Stonewall next. We hit him at 
 Fredericksburg last time. 
 
 CaSy— Yes, Sergeant, we struck him like a rubber 
 ball that hits a brick wall. We rebounded back to the 
 other side of the Rappahannock. [Soldiers all laugh.] 
 
 Brown — That's true, Casy. 
 
 Casy — For heaven's sake, say nothing about Stone- 
 wall. Krouse blames him for Sigel's removal. 
 
 Krouse — He's the cause of other general's removals, 
 Dennis. 
 
 [All laugh.] 
 
 Brown — You're right, Krouse. 
 
 Casy — Sergeant Brown, we are proud to have you 
 Maryland boys added to our brigade. 
 
 Brown — Pleased to hear it Casy. Let us have some 
 singing this afternoon. 
 
 Casy — That's right, Sergeant. 
 
 [Quartet commences to sing all songs of the Union.] 
 
 Brown — We must be jolly, boys, for God only knows 
 how many of us wdll be alive after the next battle. 
 
 Krouse — I want to say one thing about our next 
 battle. Our last battle was at Fredericksburg. We don't 
 know where our next battle will be, but I will say one 
 thing, that if we are attacked, and they would say that 
 Stonewall Jackson was five hundred miles away, I want 
 to say right here to you boys, he will be the first one that 
 will hit us, and it will be us Germans, even if we are in 
 the rear of the army. [Soldiers all laugh heartily.] 
 [Cheering heard in the distance. Soldiers listen.] 
 
 Casy — It is Colonel Rowland, boys, here he comes. 
 [Enter Rowland.] 
 
 Rowland — That's right, boys, enjoy yourselves. I 
 heard your singing and I came over to enjoy your songs. 
 
''OLE VIRGINNY'' 43 
 
 Brown — Come, Casy, give us one of your Irish songs. 
 [Soldieis all applaud.] 
 
 Rowland — Corporal Casy, if your singing equals 
 your bravery, I will listen till night. 
 
 Casy — If my singmg. Colonel, equaled the admira- 
 tion your soldiers have for you, I would be willing to die 
 the next battle. 
 
 Brown and Krouse — You are right, Corporal. 
 [Casy sings.] 
 
 Casy — Come Krouse, give us Sigel and the "Bully 
 Lager Beer." 
 
 Brown and Soldiers — Oh! Yes, Krouse. 
 
 Krouse — All right, boys. [Ki-ouse siiigs. Loud ap- 
 plause.] 
 
 Brown — Boys, wasn't that a strange incident of the 
 war that the First Maryland Regiment of the Confederate 
 Army met the First Maryland Regiment of the Union 
 Army in battle? 
 
 Casy — And the best of it all, they were both brave 
 fighters. 
 
 Brown — Right you are, my boy. 
 
 Casy— This is the beautiful month of May, 1863. It 
 is an afternoon of sunshine. We are well stocked and 
 surrounded with all the supplies of war and far away 
 from any enemy. 
 
 Krouse — Hold on there, Casy, don't you be too sure 
 of that. 
 
 [Enter Courier, saluting.] 
 
 Courier — Colonel Howland, General Howard wants 
 to see you at once. It is reported that cavalry has been 
 seen on our flank today, and Confederate troops observed 
 near United States ford. [Soldiers partially rise to their 
 feet.] 
 
 Howland — I must leave you, boys. 
 
 [Exit Courier and Hoivland.] 
 
 Casy — I think it is only one of Jeb Stuart's raids. 
 [Soldiers resume their sitting posture again.] 
 
44 "OLE VIRGIN NY'' 
 
 Brown — They say that Lee has sent Jackson to Suf- 
 folk with his whole corps. 
 
 Krouse— I don't care if Lee sent Jackson to Egypt, 
 he would come around by way of New York, and would 
 be the first to attack us in our rear. 
 
 Casy — Boys, Krouse is an old campaigner, and he 
 knows all about Stonewall Jackson, anyway. 
 
 Krouse — Yes, and I know something about Jeb 
 Stuart, too. You boys who have been only in a few battles 
 don't know Stuart like I do. Listen! Wherever you 
 find Stuart, Jackson is near him somewhere, and I would 
 not be surprised if Jackson were this minute behind us. 
 [Heavy discharge of musketry heard. Soldiers jump to 
 their feet and listen. More discharge of musketry. Enter 
 courier.] 
 
 Courier — Soldiers, you are ordered at once to your 
 commands. Stonewall Jackson has attacked the 11th 
 corps in the rear. 
 
 Krouse — Mein Gott! What did I tell you about 
 
 this Jackson? It is the Germans he has attacked, too. 
 
 [Musketry heard. Federal soldiers falling hack hurriedly 
 
 carrying paraphernalia of ivar ivith them. Enter Gibson.] 
 
 Gibson — All is lost, men, we must avoid being cap- 
 tured. 
 
 [Enter Howland ivith dratvn sword and hat off.] 
 
 Rowland — Halt! Right here. Captain Gibson. The 
 first soldier that falls back, be he officer or private, I will 
 have him shot on the spot. Rally, here boys. Don't 
 stain your flag with cowardice. Let us make one more 
 charge before the enemy reinforces. We must clear the 
 ford. It is the salvation of our army. Come, follow me! 
 
 Casy — We are with you. Colonel Howland, to the last 
 ditch. Come Krouse, Sigel is in command again. 
 
 Krouse — I am right with you, Casy. 
 
 Brown — Lead, Colonel. Maryland boys are with you. 
 [End of scene third.] 
 
"OLE VIRGIN NY" 45 
 
 SCENE FOURTH. 
 
 [Enter Mortimer with soldiers and drawn sword.] 
 
 Harry — Brave and valorous men, we still hold the 
 ford and Jackson is driving them in on their center. 
 [Musketry fire.] Boys you have done your duty. [Enter 
 Moore.] 
 
 Moore — [Saluting.] Colonel Mortimer, we have taken 
 three hundred Yankee prisoners in their last charge, and 
 amongst them was a gallant young officer who led them 
 right up to our guns. The officer was so brave that our 
 men were deterred from killing him. 
 
 Harry — Send the prisoners to the rear, and bring the 
 officer here. 
 
 [Exit Moore. Soliloquy.] 
 
 Whoever this officer is, he is a brave one indeed. Three 
 different charges has he made to drive us from the ford. 
 
 [Enter Rowland and Moore. Harry salutes, looks and 
 with an exclamation of joy and bewilderment greets him.] 
 What! My college friend, Lester Howland of Boston! 
 What a coincidence! What a fatality! Truth is stranger 
 than fiction. [Advances.] Give me your hand a thou- 
 sand times. [Both shake hands, Howland laughs.] 
 
 Howland — This indeed is a meeting that would stand 
 in romance and fiction under the circumstances. 
 
 Harry — Lester! You are the prisoner of one man 
 and that is your friend, Harry Mortimer. I will explain 
 this novel meeting to that flower of chivalry. General 
 Stuart, my commanding officer. [Looking at Moore.] 
 Sergeant, leave us a moment and see to the prisoners. 
 [Exit Mooi'e.] So you are the officer that has been making 
 charges to drive us from the ford. 
 
 Howland — The very same, Harry. 
 
 Harry — You have bravely tried to execute your 
 orders. 
 
 Howland — While the novelty of our meeting is won- 
 derful, yet I am indeed touched by gratitude for this 
 generous greeting under such circumstances. 
 
46 ''OLE VIRGINNY" 
 
 Harry — Be jolly, my boy, we are fighting for two 
 different causes that neither of us could avert, yet while 
 in the line of duty, our bond of friendship will stand all 
 the storms of civil strife. After this battle I will try and 
 have you exchanged. 
 
 HowLAND — How is your father, Harry? 
 
 Harry — Father is very low. I am afraid I will never 
 see him alive. 
 
 HowLAND — How is your sweetheart. Miss Taylor? 
 
 Harry — She is at Bellgrove. The declaration of war 
 deferred our marriage. 
 
 [Enter Eben.] 
 
 Eben — Massa Harry, de bullits am drappin' all round 
 Firebug. 
 
 Harry — Don't be afraid Eben. Don't you know Mr. 
 Ho wland ? 
 
 HowLAND — Don't you know me, Eben? I am Harry's 
 prisoner now. 
 
 Eben — Mr. Howland, I am done pleased to see you. 
 [Raising his hands.] Fer de Lawd's sake, what strange 
 things de war hab brought on. [Exit Eben.] 
 
 Howland — So Eben followed you to the war. 
 
 Harry — Yes, Lester, he cried and begged to go along 
 and act as my bodyguard, but I have to send him back 
 to father so he can attend to him in his low condition. 
 Have you heard of Mr. Gibson since that July evening, 
 1860, at Annandale? 
 
 Howland — [Smiling.] Jim Gibson, now Captain Gib- 
 son of one of the Maryland companies must be your pris- 
 oner and made so in the last charge, or he is killed. 
 
 Harry — I venture to say he is neither. 
 [Moore enters and hands dispatch to Harry.] 
 
 Harry — [After reading.] Lester, duty calls. Ser- 
 geant, escort Colonel Howland to a place of safety in our 
 rear. He was my college friend at the North, and must 
 be relieved of the ordeal of the ordinary prisoner. I will 
 vouch for all. 
 
"OLE VIRGIN NY" 47 
 
 Moore — Colonel, your orders will be obeyed. 
 
 Harry — Goodby, Lester. 
 
 Rowland — Goodby Harry, and God save you 
 through the rest of the battle. [Exit Howland and Moore. 
 Enter Captain Turner and prisoners.] 
 
 TuRNf:R — Hurry on here Yankees, we are not going 
 to take thirty days to take you to our rear. 
 
 Casy — I only wish it took you only half that time to 
 get to our rear, or we would not be here now. [Mor-timer 
 and Turner smile.] 
 
 Krouse — Dat's right, Corporal Casy, don't stand any 
 insults, if we don't walk fast. Our feet are our own. 
 
 Turner— Come, Yanks, push on. 
 
 Krouse — I am no Yank. I was born in Germany, 
 and was once in the Prussian army. 
 
 Turner — Don't care where you were born qr what 
 army you were in. You were taken prisoner in the Yankee 
 army, and I have no time to listen to Dutch Yankees. 
 
 Casy — KrOuse, don't you know you are a white- 
 washed Yankee, now? 
 
 Krouse — All right, Dennis, it's what you say goes 
 with me. 
 
 Harry — Corporal, what command do you belong to? 
 
 Casy— To Colonel Howland's, sir, the bravest officer 
 that ever led men into action. [Harry places his hand on 
 Casy's arm and sees blood.] 
 
 Harry — Captain Turner, this brave man is wounded. 
 It is a bayonet thrust. Here is my handkerchief. [Tak- 
 ing it from his inside pocket.] I will bind your wound. 
 [Binds handkerchief around Casy's arm.] Take him at 
 once to a surgeon. Captain, don't delay. 
 
 Krouse — Corporal, you wounded and never told me 
 about it? 
 
 Turner — Move on, Dutch Yankee. 
 
 Krouse — [Leaving.] This is all the result of meeting 
 Stonewall Jackson. 
 
 [Enter Eben.] 
 
48 "OLE VIRGIN NY" 
 
 Harry — What brings you here Eben? 
 
 Eben — Massa, I was done 'fraid you was killed. Dem 
 cannon bullits am knockin' de trees down. 
 
 Harry — I am afraid you will be killed. Go back at 
 once to my quarters and have Firebug ready. 
 
 Eben — My goodness, my j^oung massa am a brave 
 man. 
 
 [Exit Eben. Enter Moore.] 
 
 Moore — [Saluting.] Colonel Mortimer, General Stuart 
 commends you on your brave stand, but wants you to 
 withdraw your forces at once and report to him at Wilder- 
 ness church. In the darkness and confusion it is impos- 
 sible to get troops to your aid. 
 
 Harry — Report to General Stuart and tell his orders 
 will be obeyed. [Exit Harry and Moore.] 
 [E7id of scene four.] 
 
 SCENE FIFTH. 
 
 [Wounding of Stojieu^aU Jackson. Enter Jackson and 
 staff.] 
 
 Jackson — ^We must press forward. This disorder 
 must be corrected. 
 
 [Enter General Lane.] 
 
 Lane — [Saluting.] General Jackson, there is a great 
 deal of disorder in this darkness, and my command is 
 greatly scattered. 
 
 Jackson — [Looking boldly at Lane.] General Lane, 
 we must press forward, and cut the enemj- off from United 
 States ford. Providence has given us a glorious victory. 
 We must get between the enemy and the river. We 
 must give them no chance to escape. Go back and tell 
 Colston and Hill to press forward. Look out for sur- 
 prises, and tell the commands for me to allow no one to 
 go down the road without challenging them. 
 [Exit General Lane.] 
 
 Staff Officer — General, are you not exposing your- 
 self too much. You are between the two lines and not 
 far from the enemy. 
 
"OLE VIRGIN NY" 49 
 
 Jackson — It's all over. The enemy is routed, but we 
 must cut him off from the ford. Let us go back to our 
 own lines. 
 
 [7'urns the horse, then goes down towards the road. 
 Voice in the thicket calls out "Halt, Cavalry!" Muskets 
 discharged. Jackson turns horse who goes into the bushes. 
 Horse is pulled back by Jackson, staff officer grabs rein of 
 horse and pulls horse into the road. Jackson reels in saddle 
 and is taken off horse by two of the staff.] 
 
 Staff Officer — Are you hurt seriously, General? 
 
 Jackson — Not much. I can walk down the road by 
 your aid. If any of the soldiers ask who I am, say I am a 
 confederate officer. [Occasional musket fire. General 
 Jackson is held and led on by two aides, soldiers in advancing 
 take a look at him to discover who he is. Enter General 
 Pender, looking sharply at Jacksoji.] 
 
 Pender — My God, it is General Jackson! [Jackson 
 still leaning on staff, half faints.] General Jackson, I am 
 afraid I will have to fall back a little in this confusion. 
 [Jackson rises from his stupor, stands erect with aid of staff, 
 looks at Pender majestically and emphatically states:] 
 
 Jackson — General Pender, you must hold your 
 ground! You must hold your ground. General Pender! 
 
 [Falls back in aides' arms. Arrivaf of Jitter. Curtaiii.] 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 Scene, Annandale. Time, 1865. Illness of Judge 
 Mortimer. Judge seated in armchair, attended by Eben, 
 outside of mansion. 
 
 Judge — [With paper in his hand.] I am afraid Eben 
 that Harry is dead or wounded. 
 
 Eben — No, Massa Jedge, I know dat my young massa 
 am livin', case I done dreamed las' night dat he called me 
 from de oak tree yonder. 
 
50 "OLE VIRGIN NY" 
 
 Judge — This paper I hold in my hand speaks of A. P. 
 Hill's death, and states that a great many of the best 
 officers were wounded at Five Forks. 
 
 Eben — Massa Jedge, don't believe what de papers 
 says, as you done know las' year de papers said dat 
 Henry Williams of Port Royal was killed at Gettysburg, 
 when he was only in a Yankee prison up North. 
 
 Judge — Eben, is Mr. Richard Turner at Woodlawn? 
 
 Eben — No, Massa. He is done gone to Fredericks- 
 burg, and his son, Henry, went into the war a long time 
 ago, and nearly all de men folks on de plantation done 
 gone into Massa Lee's army, since you'se been sick. Even 
 all de slaves have done left de plantations, and gone wid 
 de Yankee soldiers, who has done made cooks out of dem, 
 and soldier men too. Monroe done left our plantation. 
 
 Judge — Will you promise me, Eben, not to leave 
 Annandale, should I die before your young master 
 returns? 
 
 Eben — I'll never leave you, Massa Jedge, never! 
 They would have to tear this old slave to pieces to take 
 him away from de place where he was born and from his 
 old and young massa. 
 
 Judge — That is right, Eben. You have ever been a 
 faithful old friend. You know that you arefree. I have 
 had the record of your freedom made out at the court 
 house. 
 
 Eben — I don't want to be free, Massa Jedge. I want 
 to stay with both my masters. 
 
 Judge — Have you placed my will and papers that I 
 made out for Harry in my private desk, under lock and 
 key? 
 
 Eben — No, Massa, I didn't put dem in any desk, as 
 you know bad people lately has done broken into houses 
 and carried away valuables of the people, but I done 
 sewed de will and papers between de linin' of my vest 
 near my heart for my young massa. 
 
"OLE VIRGIN NY" 51 
 
 Judge — Are the negroes getting plenty to eat, Eben? 
 
 Eben — Oh! dem darkies am hvin' high, Dey am 
 gittin' all de hoe-cake and bacon dey want, but I done 
 fooled dem Yankee soldier men, when dey come around 
 for something to eat. I done told dem dat de Pennsyl- 
 vanie "Bob-tails" was here. Den de soldier men all 
 laughed and said: "Dat settles it, nothing left after de 
 'Bol)-tails'." 
 
 [Enter Tilda.] 
 
 Tilda — How are you feelin' now, Massa Jedge? Will 
 I done bring you some chicken broth out here? 
 
 Judge — Not at present, Tilda, I feel rather weak. 
 
 Tilda — Massa, you jes done grieve yourself to death 
 readin' dem old papers, dat never done tell de truf 'bout 
 anything. Massa Harry am livin', and I know you will 
 see him yet. 
 
 Judge — Ah! Tilda, I am afraid I will not live to see 
 my darling boy. 
 
 Tilda — You are not going to die, Massa. If you die, 
 Eben and I would done die right after you, wouldn't we, 
 Eben? 
 
 Eben — 'Deed we would, wife. Dem old papers said 
 las' month dat George Wilkins was killed, den again nex' 
 week, said he was done promoted at a big battle. 
 
 Tilda — Lawd goodness, I am done glad I can't read, 
 for I know dem papers would taminate me. 
 [Enter Grill and Taylor.'] 
 
 Taylor — How do you feel today. Judge? 
 
 Judge — A little weaker. Miss Taylor. 
 
 Crill — Judge Mortimer, you are just fretting yourself 
 to death because that old runaway soldier. Bob Grene 
 of Carolina spread the news that Harry was seriously 
 wounded in front of Petersburg. 
 
 Judge — Miss Crill, if Harry was not wounded or killed 
 he would find some way of coming to see me or communi- 
 cate. He knows of my low state of health, since he sent 
 Eben back. 
 
52 "OLE VIRGIN NY'' 
 
 Taylor — Judge, in your long sickness, you have not 
 realized that the two armies have shifted their positions 
 in the past year. The Federal army now covers this 
 whole section of the country and nothing can pass between 
 Washington, Richmond and Petersburg without being 
 subjected to the closest investigation. Therefore, Harry 
 would have to pass through a terrible ordeal to get here, 
 as he would have to pass through the enemy's lines, not 
 to mention what might be done should he be found inside 
 them — perhaps condemned as a spy. 
 
 Judge — True, true. Miss Taylor. In my weak con- 
 dition, I have not realized the true situation of affairs. I 
 hope, however, I will live to see Harry alive. 
 
 Taylor — You will. Judge, something tells me you 
 will! 
 
 Crill — Judge, what makes you think Harry is dead? 
 Those newspapers never told the truth about anything. 
 
 Tilda— Dat's de gawd's truf, Miss Taylor. 
 
 Judge — Captain Baker told me when he was here 
 that ever since General Stuart fell at Yellow Tavern, 
 Harry seemed melancholy and exposed himself more than 
 ever. 
 
 Crill — It might be, Judge, th^at Harry is taken pris- 
 oner, and that would account for his silence. 
 
 Eben — Pardon me, Miss Crill for speakin'. My young 
 massa lives, and he is too brave to let dem Yankee soldier 
 men take him prisoner. He would die first. 
 [All look at Ehen.] 
 
 Taylor — Eben, were you with Harry on the night 
 march before Chancellorsville? 
 
 Eben — [Bowing politely.] 'Deed I was, Massa Jedge 
 and Misus. I never done leave my young massa's side 
 'til he told me to go back home to 'tend to Massa Jedge. 
 
 Taylor — Eben, was Harry slightly wounded in that 
 battle? 
 
 Eben — No, Miss Taylor. He was not done afraid of 
 dem Yankee cannon bullits. He was always afraid I 
 
"OLE VtRGINNY" 53 
 
 would be killed, but when his pet hoss, Firebug, was done 
 shot and fell, massa jumped right up and drew his sword 
 and said to de soldier men : "We mus' drive dem enemies 
 back." He was done proud when he was promoted by 
 Jebly Stuart over dem cavalry soldiers, and all dat night 
 on de march, he called out to de soldier men: "Push on, 
 boys, we mus' get to de ford before mornin'." 
 
 [Judge Mortimer faints slightly and falls hack in his 
 chair. Misses Taylor and Crill run to his side.] 
 Crill— Tilda, a little water, quick! 
 [Tilda gets water, hands to Miss Taylor, loho sprinkles a 
 little on Judge's forehead and bathes his face. Judge re- 
 vives.] 
 
 Taylor — Are you feeling better now, Judge? 
 Judge— It's only a Kttle nervousness and excitement, 
 when hearing of my son's ambition to carry out the orders 
 of General Jackson. 
 
 Crill— Don't you think we had better lead you mto 
 the house. Judge, out of this air? 
 Judge — Yes, I think it is better. 
 
 [Judge arises helped by Tilda and Eben and enters the 
 parlor of Annandale. Exit all. Soldiers seen to pass 
 through background. Enter Eben.] 
 
 Eben— Poor Massa Jedge am done proud of my young 
 Massa Harry. I hope he will come. No Yankee soldier 
 man would done harm my young massa. I would die for 
 him. 
 
 [Soldiers seen to pass again through background. Tilda 
 enters, looks after them.] 
 
 Tilda— [£;6en ivaves hand for Tilda to come to him.] 
 What am de matter? 
 
 Eben — Do you know who's around here as a Yankee 
 soldier man? 
 Tilda— Who? 
 
 Eben— Monroe, one of de niggers who run away a year 
 ago. 
 
 Tilda— Hush ! You don't tell me. 
 
54 ''OLE VIRGIN NY" 
 
 Eben — It am de 'truf. 
 
 Tilda— Dat good-for-nothing black ape, to come 
 round here on massa's plantation dat has been treated so 
 kindly by both our masters. I will jes take a hot kettle 
 and burn dem brass buttons off his soldier's coat. 
 
 [Enter Krouse, Casy and soldiers laughing. Krouse ad- 
 dresses Eben.] 
 
 Krouse — Come, niggers, come over the river with us. 
 We will give you jobs as cooks. You are free now. 
 
 Eben — Dis yere darky was always free. 
 
 Tilda — Don't pay no 'tention to dat ole Dutch fool. 
 He has been around here for de las' two days, askin' for 
 cream and chicken. I'll cream him if he don't go 'long. 
 [Soldiers laugh.] I'll throw some sour milk in his face if 
 he comes around here any more. [Soldiers laugh again.] 
 You better go to de front, where de battles am, like a real 
 sojer man, 'stead of comin' round here, beggin' for cream, 
 chicken and pork. [Soldiers all laugh heartily.] 
 
 Casy — Old Tilda's right, boys. We're nothing but 
 chicken roost soldiers. 
 
 Krouse— What! Corporal, we no homeguard sol- 
 diers! We have fought in the biggest battles of the war, 
 and have been exchanged as prisoners. 
 
 Tilda— Dat Irishman is a good sojer man, but if you 
 was taken prisoner, Mistah Dutchman, I bet it was Mistah 
 Stonewall Jackson dat caught you. [Soldiers laugh.] 
 
 Eben — An' if you don't go along man, Mistah Stone- 
 wall wall be after you again. [Soldiers laugh heartily, 
 especially Casy. Krouse looks at Casy.] 
 
 Krouse — How would you like to be my black wife? 
 
 Tilda — Fer de Lawd's sake, did you hear dat, Eben? 
 Why I am too rich in my Virginia blood to marry any old 
 prowlin' chicken, cream-huntin', homeguard sojer man 
 as you is. [Soldiers all laugh heartily.] 
 
 [Enter Sergeant Broivn.] 
 
 Brown — Soldiers, I have been ordered by General 
 Howland, who has just arrived across the river at Port 
 
"OLE VIRGIN NY" 55 
 
 Royal, that this plantation, known as Annandale, must in 
 the future be exempt from any trespass. 
 
 Tilda — Umgh! I jes clone thought you would catch 
 it. Dey is a pickle and a rod waitin' fer you across de 
 river. 
 
 Krouse — Goodby, meines swatzes madchen. 
 
 Tilda — Go on dere, Mistah Dutchman. Git your 
 sour milk some other whar. [Soldiers all laugh as they 
 exit.] 
 
 Eben — Tilda, I know some of dem soldier men will 
 be round here again. Poor Massa Jedge am very sick, but 
 dis old black slave will watch dis plantation for his old 
 and young massa. 
 
 Tilda — Dat is what we will, Eben. I'll'go in de house. 
 You keep watch. 
 
 [Exit Tilda.] 
 
 Eben — I never did see so many sojer men lookin' fer 
 chicken. [Enter Harry Mortimer at the rear, with uniform 
 discolored and dusty, clothes fidl of mud and slightly torn. 
 He looks all round. Ehen sees him and rushes towards him, 
 falls on his knees with his arms around his legs.] 
 
 Eben — My dear young massa! 
 
 Harry — Eben, is father alive? 
 
 Eben — Yes, Massa Harry, but he am very low. 
 
 [Enter Miss Taylor from house, sees Harry and rushes 
 into his arms.] 
 
 Harry — My dearest love! 
 
 Taylor — You have come at last. Your father is 
 dying to see you. He is in a nervous state now, but will 
 rally when he sees you. Eben, you and Tilda watch the 
 roads to see if anyone is coming. Nobody must know 
 Harry is here, as he would be taken prisoner. 
 
 Eben — I done understand it all. Miss Taylor. I'll die 
 right here for my young massa. 
 
 Harry — Hattie, I must see father at once. 
 
 Taylor — Yes, we will go dear, but let me go ahead 
 of you and break the news. 
 
 LOFC, 
 
56 "OLE VIRGIN NY" 
 
 [Exit Taylor and Harry, Taylor in advance.] 
 
 Eben — [Going towards the door of kitchen.] Tilda! 
 Tilda! 
 
 [Enter Tilda.] 
 
 Tilda— What's de trouble? 
 
 Eben — Hush! Massa Harry am done come, and he's 
 in de house with Massa Jedge and Miss Taylor. 
 
 Tilda — Man, be keerful, we mus' watch de Yankee 
 sojer men. Dey would done kill our young massa and 
 carry him into prison, if dey done knew he was in de house. 
 
 Eben — Dat's de truf , Tilda, you watch de Port Conway 
 road and I'll watch de river. [Both advance to watch. 
 Tilda looks and gets excited as she sees soldiers.] 
 
 Tilda — Eben! Eben! Sojers am comi'n' up de road! 
 [Runs towards door to inform Harry. Eben stops her.] 
 
 Eben — What am you goin' to do? 
 
 Tilda— Tell Massa Harry. 
 
 Eben — Have sense, wife. Is you goin' into dat sick 
 room, and tell Massa Harry before his father dat de sojer 
 men am comin'? Go at once and whisper to Miss Taylor. 
 Go quick! 
 
 [Tilda enters house, Eben looks down the road.] 
 
 Eben — Dere am an officer ahead of dem sojers, but 
 dey never will take Massa Harrj^ from here. 
 [Enter Captain Gibson and squad of soldiers. Enter Tilda 
 
 also.] 
 
 Gibson — Eben, is your young master in the house? 
 
 Eben — No, sah! 
 
 Gibson — He was seen coming up the road. 
 
 Eben — De road don't put him in de house. 
 
 Gibson — Don't try to lie to me, nigger. I am going 
 in the house. [Pushing Eben aside.] 
 
 Tilda — Don't you dare push my husban', Mistah 
 Gibson. 
 
 [Enter Miss Taylor, who stops Gibson at the bottom of 
 steps of house.] 
 
''OLE VIRGINNY" 57 
 
 Taylor — Where are you going, Mr. Gibson? 
 
 Gibson — I am going to arrest Harry Mortimer, a 
 Confederate officer, who is inside the Federal lines and is 
 now in that house. 
 
 Taylor — As a gentleman, you would not invade the 
 sick chamber of his father, to bring on a scene that no one 
 would do, unless he was devoid of human feeling. 
 
 Gibson — The duties of my position in this present 
 crisis is not to be moved or blocked by any sentimentality. 
 Come corporal and soldiers, let us enter. [Gibson leads 
 to enter. Miss Taylor blocks the entrance.] 
 
 Taylor — You will not enter here, sir, only by force. 
 
 Gibson — Miss Taylor, I will not allow you to inter- 
 fere with my duty. I will have to drag you by force from 
 that door. [Going towards her to place his hands on her 
 arm. Enter Mortimer, 'proudly, with arms folded, looking 
 Gibson full in the eye. Gibson recedes.] 
 
 Harry — Lay your hands on that lady. Captain Gib- 
 son, and I'll throttle you. 
 
 [Casy and Krouse in exclamation.] 
 
 Casy and Krouse — Colonel Mortimer, we met at 
 Chancellors ville! 
 
 Harry — Captain Gibson, I am here on my own home, 
 where I came on the request of my dying father. 
 
 Gibson — [Recovering himself.] Military laws. Colonel 
 Mortimer, are rigid and inexorable, and are not to be 
 affected by any sentimentality, no matter what ex- 
 tenuating circumstances may be in the case. 
 
 Harry — Military laws were made to be executed in 
 their proper sense and spirit, but no laws, military or civil, 
 were made to be used as the medium by which one man 
 can carry out his personal spite or malice towards another. 
 
 Gibson — Colonel Mortimer, I have no more to say. I 
 tell you that you are an officer in the Rebel Army, found 
 within the Federal lines, and I have to make you a prisoner 
 and to bring you to headquarters at once. 
 
58 -OLE VIRGIN NY" 
 
 Taylor — Mr. Gibson, your desire to bring him to 
 headquarters at once is to have a hasty court martial and 
 perhaps have him shot as a spy. 
 
 Harry — Captain Gibson, you have the rules of war on 
 your side, and from personal enmity, you are only too 
 glad to carry them out to the letter of the law. My 
 present condition shows what I endured to arrive at the 
 bedside of my dying father, but I will ask no favors from 
 you. 
 
 Gibson — I'll have no more parley. Arrest this man 
 Corporal Casy! 
 
 Casy — [Looking defiantly at Gibson.] Under the cir- 
 cumstances I refuse to lay my hands on that gallant man, 
 if I have to be shot for it. A man that will take his hand- 
 kerchief to bind the wound of a poor prisoner and then 
 look out for his further care will never be insulted by 
 Corporal Casy. 
 
 Krouse — That's right. Krouse is right with you. 
 
 Tilda — Dat Irishman is a good man, and dat Dutch- 
 man is good too. I'll give him a whole dish of cream 
 nex' time. 
 
 Gibson — You know. Corporal Casy, that you are dis- 
 obeying the orders of your superior officer and the result 
 of such disobedience? 
 
 Casy — Captain Gibson, you only outrank me in the 
 chance of position. Not in merit. I will tell you wdien 
 I did not disobey my superiors, it was at Chancellorsville, 
 where you skulked. 
 
 Krouse — I fought the same battles with Casy, and I 
 defy you, too. 
 
 Gibson — I am the commanding officer here, and will 
 be obeyed. 
 
 [Enter Hoivland.] 
 
 HowLAND — Who said that you are the commanding 
 officer here? 
 
 Tilda — Now, he will git stung. 
 
"OLE VIRGIN NY" 59 
 
 HowLAND — Captain Gibson, the district from Bowling 
 Green to Port Royal and across the river to Port Conway 
 is under my jurisdiction and command, and any officer 
 who undertakes to make any move against my wishes 
 will be put under arrest. [Howland advances and shakes 
 Harry's hand. Both grasp each others hands ivith joy.] 
 
 Howland — Harry, my friend, I am glad to see you. 
 
 Gibson — Colonel Howland, are you not going to do 
 your duty and arrest a Confederate officer found inside 
 the Federal lines? 
 
 Howland — Captain Gibson, duty is a word you forgot 
 at Chancellorsville, but you invoke it here for a purpose 
 that is enough to desecrate it. [Howland looks kindly at 
 Mortimer.] Colonel Mortimer, I accept your word to 
 remain on your own plantation, until you are. properly 
 'exchanged or the war ends. Your treatment of my men 
 and me after Chancellorsville, in having us exchanged as 
 prisoners of war, I would repay with my life. [Looks at 
 Gibson and soldiers.] Soldiers, you will report at once to 
 your headquarters. 
 
 Cast — Bravo, General Howland, you were always 
 made of the right stuff. 
 
 [Exit Gibson and soldiers.] 
 
 Taylor — General Howland, this act will be ever en- 
 graved on my heart. 
 
 Crill — I think I will forgive all the Yankees on your 
 account. 
 
 Howland — I would indeed despise myself, ladies, if 
 I did not see justice done to people I loved so well before 
 this war. [Looking at Harry.] Harry, make yourself 
 now at home in the old homestead. No guard will be 
 stationed here to annoy you. Your word is sufficient for 
 your old chum and friend. 
 
 Crill — Mr. Howland, this act of chivalry and kind- 
 ness will never be forgot. 
 
 Taylor — Won't you come into the house and see the 
 Judge before you leave? 
 
60 "OLE VIRGIN NY" 
 
 Rowland — Certainly, by all means, Miss Taylor. 
 
 Harry — Lester, could you not make this place your 
 headquarters, instead of Port Royal? 
 
 HowLAXD — I would gladly do so, but the illness of 
 your father prevents it. 
 
 Harry — Let us enter. Father will be delighted to 
 see you. 
 
 [Exit Howland, Grill, Harry and Taylor.] 
 [Enter Eben and Tilda.] 
 
 Eben — What strange things dis war am bringin' on. 
 One time Mistah Howland was Massa Harry's prisoner 
 and now Massa Harry am Mistah Rowland's prisoner and 
 dat on his own plantation. If dis yere war keeps on, a 
 man will be his own prisoner soon. 
 
 Tilda — Didn't Mistah Howland done sting dat 
 sneakin' Mistah Gibson? 
 
 Eben — Didn't dat Irishman done talk to him, and dat 
 little Dutchman, too. Ole woman we must treat dem 
 two people good. 
 
 Tilda — Didn't Miss Taylor sting Mistah Gibson? 
 
 Eben — And for dat stingin' wife he done bring all dat 
 trouble on Massa Harry, cause Miss Taylor before de war 
 did love our young massa best. Dis old darky knows 
 a heap. 
 
 Tilda — 'Deed you've always been a wisdom husban'. 
 [Enter Mr. Churchill.] 
 
 Churchill — Eben, how are you? 
 
 Eben — Very well, thank you, Mistah Churchill. Am 
 'deed done pleased to see you. It hab been a long time 
 since you was here. 
 
 Churchill — Yes, Eben, war makes many changes. 
 How is Judge Mortimer? 
 
 Eben — He has been very ill, sah. Dey all say he will 
 die, but it done grieve me to hear dem say it. 
 
 Churchill — You are a faithful servant, Eben. 
 
 Eben — I done love my both masters. 
 
"OLE VIRGINNY'' ^ 61 
 
 Churchill — Eben, would you go with me to England, 
 when this war ends, and act as my bodyservant? I am 
 a very wealthy man and would pay you well. 
 
 Eben — I done like you very much, Mistah Churchill, 
 but my young massa would grieve if I w^ould go, and I 
 would grieve too, to be away from my massa and ole 
 Virginny. 
 
 Churchill — If I would get your master's consent, 
 would you go? 
 ^^ Eben — Dat I couldn't say, sah. 
 
 [Enter Tilda before the last sente^ice.] 
 
 Tilda — Don't you think your wife would grieve too, 
 to see you go away, Eben? 
 
 J Churchill — So you are married? 
 ^' Tilda — Certainly, we is married, sixteen years ago, 
 and it was a marriage of love, too, wasn't it, Eben. 
 
 Eben — 'Deed it was, Tilda. 
 
 Tilda — Massa Jedge done bought me from Woodlawn, 
 when Eben told him he loved me. 
 
 Eben — 'Deed, kind ole Massa Jedge, did. 
 
 Churchill — Eben, you're a faithful servant. I will 
 see your old and young masters about getting their con- 
 sent to let you go with me to England, should the war end 
 soon. 
 
 [Exit Eben and Tilda. Enter Harry. ^ 
 
 Harry — Thrice welcome to Annandale, Mr. Churchill, 
 [Advances and shakes his hands cordially.] 
 . Churchill — My dear Mr. Mortimer. I heard of the 
 Judge's illness in Washington, and through the influence 
 of friends, I got letters indorsed which got me passports 
 through the lines, and here I am to see my old and dear 
 friends in Annandale once more. 
 
 Harry — Many changes have taken place since you 
 were here last, Mr. Churchill, and many strange things 
 have been brought on by the Civil War. Here I am a 
 prisoner on my own homestead, and more novel is the 
 fact that Mr. Lester Howland, my college friend, whom 
 
62 ''OLE VIRGIN NY" 
 
 you knew well, is the commanding Federal officer of the 
 forces stationed in this vicinity, and at present he is my 
 custodian, in fact, I am his prisoner of war. 
 
 Churchill — Well, well, well, what wonderful beings 
 you Americans are. Here you are in a Civil War, and 
 you retain your friendship and show acts of chivalry 
 towards each other that is enough to astonish the civilized 
 world for its magnanimity. 
 
 Harry — Such is the case at least between Mr. How- 
 land and myself. 
 
 Churchill — Mr. Mortimer, I want to ask a favor of 
 you, and I will feel highly grateful to yourself and father 
 if it can be granted. 
 
 Harry — Name it, Mr. Churchill. 
 
 Churchill — I have a great desire to engage the old 
 slave Eben to act as my bodyservant and carry him to 
 England, to show my friends there the wonderful slave 
 whose fidelity to his old and young masters during the 
 war has been the talk of this whole section of the country. 
 
 Harry — Mr. Churchill, I will consult with father, and 
 take the matter under consideration, but you know I am 
 greatly attached to that old slave. He has been my 
 advisor from early boyhood, but let us go in, Mr. Churchill, 
 and see father. He will be pleased to see you. He has 
 revived a little since I came back, but his hours and days 
 are numbered I am afraid. 
 
 [Exit Harry and Churchill. Enter Miss Taylor.] 
 
 Taylor— Tilda! 
 
 [Enter Tilda.] 
 
 Tilda — Yes, mam. 
 
 Taylor — Harry has company toda5^ and I hope you 
 are well prepared for it. Mr. Howland is to dine with us. 
 
 Tilda — 'Deed I am. Miss Taylor. I went over to 
 Oakenbrow and brought back chicken and wine. 
 [Exit Tilda. Enter Harry.] 
 
 Harry — Ah ! My dear Hattie, this is a novel position 
 
"OLE VIRGINNY" 63 
 
 to[,be in. When this war ends I will ask you to become 
 my dearest wife. 
 
 Taylor — Darling, nothing will please me better. 
 
 Harry — I am sorry to say for our cause, the end is not 
 far off, yet I would like to be with old "Uncle Bob" when 
 the ship goes down. 
 
 [Enter Howland, Casy, Krouse, Churchill and all.] 
 
 HowLAND — [Advancing and shaking Harry's hand.] 
 Harry, you are a free man. [Judge Mortimer, leaning on 
 Eben's arm enters sloivly jrom door.] You can now pursue 
 a peaceful and happy life on your old homestead. We 
 can all go back to our happy homes. The war is over. 
 General Lee has surrendered. [Harry hows his head, with 
 Judge, Crill, Taylor and servants. Hoivland advances and 
 slaps Harry on the shoulder.] 
 
 HoW' LAND — There is no dishonor to the South.in Lee's 
 surrender. The men who measured swords with him and 
 fought against him for four years have nothing but admi- 
 ration for the old Cavalier. It is only the skulker and 
 stay-at-home who never met him in honest and open 
 combat that will crow. His bold stand and bravery for 
 four years is American valor, and is one of the jewels of 
 American fortitude, bravery and chivalry. While ex- 
 hibited in internal strife, it demonstrates to the entire 
 world what metal there is in the American Republic. 
 Civil War seems to be the inevitable and logical solution 
 of making all nations great. Greece, the cradle of civili- 
 zation, had to have her civil war to make her great. 
 Rome, later, had to have her internal strife to make her 
 the intellectual torch of the then civilized world, and to 
 solidify her people to defy all nations. Next came the 
 mighty empire of England who had two great civil con- 
 flicts to make her the greatest empire of the known world 
 today. So it will be with the American Republic. The 
 present war that has just closed will only tend to knit 
 together the American people. The sections will have 
 a better understanding with each other in the future, so 
 
64 "OLE VIRGINNY'' 
 
 it'will be one common cause, one common country and one 
 flag. The posterity of the great American Republic will 
 boast hereafter of the military genius of Lee and Jackson 
 as they will of Grant, Sheridan and Sherman. 
 
 Grill — Mr. Rowland, your speech makes me forgive 
 all the Yankees, if they did steal my chickens. 
 
 Harry — It is now all over and gone and I am fully 
 resigned to the fate' decreed by Providence. Lester, I 
 am in full spirit and accord with the philosophy of your 
 noble sentiments, and accept them in the spirit they are 
 given. [Judge Mortimer leaves Ehen and advances to the 
 front of the group. Harry looks and exclaims.] 
 
 Harry- — Why, father, you here? 
 
 Judge — Mr. Howland, I have heard all of your speech 
 and I say "Amen" to all. I took you for a noble man 
 when I first set eyes on you, and your solid and unyielding 
 friendship to my son and myself has stood the test of 
 civil strife. Give me your noble hand. [Shake hands.] 
 Miss Hattie, come here and let me place your hand in the 
 grasp of my son's, and say to you that I want you to be 
 his wife. [Harry and Miss Taylor grasp each other's 
 hands.] Gentlemen and friends, I want you all to partake 
 of the hospitality of old Annandale once more, before you 
 leave this plantation. 
 
 Casy — Krouse, what do you think of General Morti- 
 mer? 
 
 Krouse — Corporal, I knew he was the right stuff 
 when he took out his handkerchief to bind your wound 
 when we were prisoners. 
 
 [End of act three.] 
 
"OLE VIRGIN NY" 65 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 Scene, Annandale. Time, 1870. Enforced mortgage 
 sale of Annandale. 
 
 [Enter Gibson, gleefully.] 
 
 Gibson — It is my turn now, Harry Mortimer, your 
 wife will bend her proud head and you will ask the shelter 
 of Annandale from Jim Gibson, whom you insulted and 
 ordered off these grounds ten years ago. I hold a mort- 
 gage on Annandale and intend to foreclose it this very 
 day. Annandale, the historic homestead on the Rappa- 
 hannock, whose hospitality before the war was known 
 to the limits of this river is to pass into the possession of 
 James Gibson. 
 
 [Enter Tilda.] 
 
 Tilda, Annandale will be my property before night. 
 Tomorrow, I want you and the other negroes of this place 
 to find other places, as I have provided for other help to 
 take charge here. 
 
 Tilda — Mistah Gibson, j^ou don't hab to tell dis ole 
 black auntie dat. 8he was born on de nex' plantation of 
 Woodlawn and her husban', Elben, was born here an' so 
 was all de niggers dat was workin' here today, but as much 
 as dey love de ole home, dey will follow Massa Harry and 
 work for him till dey die, and you don't hab to tell dis 
 yere chicken to go. Angels don't lib wid satan. [Sticks 
 up her nose and flaunts her head on leaving.] 
 [Enter Rowland.] 
 
 Gibson — Why, Mr. Howland, you here? [Extends 
 his hand.] 
 
 Howland — [Refusing proffered hand.] It may be 
 impolite for me to refuse an extended hand, but under 
 the present circumstances, I decline to shake it. 
 
 Gibson — Well, as you may, Mr. Howland. 
 
 Howland — Mr. Gibson, I did not know that you were 
 in the business of buying up mortgage sales, and especially 
 a life long acquaintance and a man that has entertained 
 you many and many a time at his old homestead. 
 
66 ''OLE VIRGINNY" 
 
 Gibson — It is a matter of business, Mr. Rowland, 
 and if I did not buy others would. 
 
 Rowland — If they did, there is not a man living, I 
 dare say, but yourself, that would not have granted Mr. 
 Mortimer a six month's grace that he asked to redeem 
 the home of his ancestors. It is hatred and revenge that 
 rankles in your mind, Jim Gibson. Nothing more. 
 
 Gibson — You can construe it as you may, Mr. How- 
 land, but Annandale w^ill be sold at mortgage today. 
 
 Rowland — Mr. Gibson, to save Mr. Mortimer the 
 humiliation of losing his ancestral home will you not give 
 me twenty days to pay off this mortgage. 
 
 Gibson — No, sir. I will not. The amount is ten 
 thousand and Annandale will be sold today to satisfy 
 that claim. I will bid you good day, Mr. Rowland. 
 
 Row^LAND— ^A very good day, Mr. Gibson. [Ironically.] 
 [Exit Gibson and enter Harry.] 
 
 Harry — Why, you here Lester? [Doth shake hands 
 cordially.] 
 
 Rowland — Yes, my boy. Why did you not tell me of 
 your misfortune? I heard of it only three days ago. 
 It was shown to me in the Boston Rerald where the 
 famous King George homestead on the Rappahannock, 
 known as Annandale, was to be sold today to satisfy a 
 mortgage. 
 
 Rarry — My pride would not allow me to inform j^ou, 
 my noble friend. I did not want you to know that I 
 should lose the home of my ancestors, that was left to me 
 by my generous father, unencumbered by any mortgage, 
 at the time of his death. I will tell you, Lester, what 
 led up to the present mortgage, and that without coloring 
 anything in my own favor. Father as you know, died 
 in the fall of '65. People that were rich before the war 
 down here were left poor after its close. I did very well 
 from '65 to '68'. The negroes that left after the war, 
 all came back to work for their young master, as they 
 insisted calling me, no matter if they were free as they 
 
"OLE VIRGIN NY" 67 
 
 claimed. A young planter's son, as I was, had no practical 
 experience in the world. On one of my business trips, 
 I met Jim Gibson at Baltimore, who came to my hotel 
 and ingratiated himself into my feelings, by telling me 
 that the end of the war should settle all personal enmities, 
 and especially with people who were fast friends before 
 it, as he claimed we were. I took him at his word and 
 from that time, went into different speculations with 
 him, of which he was the proposer. To briefly state to 
 you, Lester, my whole dealings with that man finally 
 culminated in the present mortgage that he has on 
 Annandale, so now you know all. 
 
 Rowland — Sorry, indeed, am I to hear of this, Harry. 
 
 Harry — What touches me a great deal is the sym- 
 pathetic look the old darkies on the plantation have on 
 their faces when they see me, and I will confess to you 
 that in the past three days I could not pass the grave of 
 my father without thinking that I have committed a 
 sacrilege, in allowing the resting place of my ancestors to 
 pass into other hands, who will look upon the burying 
 ground of the Mortimers as an intrusion. 
 
 Jiow LAND ^-[Placing his hands over his eyes.] Harry 
 this is too much. It has touched me to the heart. I 
 asked this man Gibson for tw^enty-five days' time, to pay 
 off this mortgage, but he haughtily refused. 
 
 Harry — [Looking at Rowland.'] Lester, you are God's 
 noblest son! 
 
 How'LAND— Harry, are there any of your friends who 
 can help you in this crisis? 
 
 Harry — No, Lester, there is no help. My friends 
 here on the Rappahannock feel for me and it pains them 
 to see my misfortune, but they cannot do anything for 
 me at present. 
 
 How^land — What became of Eben, the old slave, 
 that went away to England with that English gentleman? 
 
 Harry — Don't speak of him, Lester, it pains me to 
 ever think I let him go, and yet I am glad he is not here, 
 
68 "OLE VIRGIN NY" 
 
 to see the loss of Annandale and the trouble of his young 
 master, as it would kill him, Lester, my boy, let me tell 
 you that old black slave had more influence over me in 
 my boyhood days than you could imagine. Why I 
 would not dare swear in his presence. What do you 
 think? That faithful old darky sent me his earnings 
 from England the first year, thinking I needed it to buy 
 horses for work. However, I wrote ]\Ir. Churchill that 
 Eben should send no more money, but keep it for him- 
 self. It is now over a year since I heard from him. Mr. 
 Churchill wrote me that the London papers had articles 
 about his fidelity to my father during the war. 
 [Enter Miss Taylor extending hands to Mr. Rowland.] 
 
 Taylor — Ever faithful friend, in time of need, wel- 
 come to our hearts, but not to Annandale. This evening 
 it passes into other hands. 
 
 Rowland — "A friend in need is a friend in deed," but 
 what is the use of the quotation in this case, because the 
 friend in deed cannot help the friend in need. 
 
 Taylor — It is all the same, however, with you, Mr. 
 Rowland. In sunshine or in rain, you are ever the same 
 faithful friend to us. 
 
 Howlaxd — Life has many turns. Mrs. Mortimer, but 
 the honorable and noble will finally, in the end, turn into 
 a haven of happiness. 
 
 [Exit Mortimer, Howlajul and Taylor. Enter Tilda.] 
 
 Tilda — Monroe, come here. [Mo7iroe enters and 
 advances towards Tilda.] I never done like you, Monroe, 
 since you run away from Annandale, from kind massa 
 andbecamea Yankee sojer man, but as you done repented 
 I'll forgib you. Do you believe in dreams? 
 
 Monroe — I done hear ole Eben say dat dey often 
 come true. 
 
 Tilda — Hush! I want to tell you. I dreamed las' 
 night dat I saw my ole husban', Eben, who was done 
 coaxed away by dat Yankee EngUshman — I dreamed 
 I saw him standin' dere yonder at de gate, wid his deacon's 
 
"OLE VIRGINNY'' 69 
 
 coat on,— de one Massa Harry done brought from de 
 North when he done come back and carried off all dem 
 colleges. 
 
 Monroe — Dat may be true, Tilda. 
 
 Tilda — I have an instigation that he will come soon. 
 [Exit Tilda and Monroe. Enter Sheriff and Gibson.] 
 
 Sheriff — Mr. Gibson, I find in this tabulated itemized 
 statement [Sheriff looks at paper] two things which are to 
 be called off with Annandale, namely, the private riding 
 horses of Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer. Do I understand that 
 you wish me to call them off in the items of sale that goes 
 with the plantation? 
 
 Gibson — That is just what I want you to do, Sheriff. 
 
 Sheriff— Allow me to say, Mr. Gibson, that I decline 
 to do so. There is sentiment amongst us Virginians, and 
 I assure you now, that there is a strong feeling on the 
 Rappahannock against the enforced mortgage sale of 
 Annandale, whereby it passes out of the hands of young 
 Mortimer. You will be the sole bidder, which I think 
 you already know, under the circumstances. 
 
 Gibson— All right, Sheriff. I only wish to go through 
 the process of law and record. You will be here at four 
 o'clock to consumate the sale and transfer. 
 [Exit Sheriff and Gibson.] 
 [Enter Tilda.] 
 
 Tilda— Monroe, has de boat come down from Balti- 
 more, yet? 
 
 Monroe— [7oicc inside.] Jes' got in five minutes 
 ago, Tilda. 
 
 [Exit Tilda.] 
 
 [Enter Eben, soft singing in the background: "Carry 
 Me Back to Ole Virginnij;' Eben sloidy, listening, wipes 
 tears and stands at the gate leaning on cane, in deep thought.] 
 
 Eben — Back in Annandale once more, in Ole Virginny 
 where I was born. As I done come up de road I saw 
 some darkies weepin'. I wonder if dere is anything 
 gone wrong wid my young massa. I would done die 
 
70 "OLE VIRGIN NY" 
 
 right here if he was dead. 'Deed it woidd be sorrowful 
 after I done come back over de big ocean to make my 
 young massa happy and to see my ole wife, Tilda, to find 
 some trouble. How my heart did jump wid joy when 
 de ole boat whistled for Port Conway, and a sight of de 
 ole plantation came to my eyes again. Den I done weep 
 for joy. It looks as if dere was something wrong about 
 de place. Dem ole darkies in de field looked at me so 
 strange as I passed by. Dey don't done know me. Dey 
 think I am a Yankee nigger. [Looks at himself.] I done 
 take off my fine English coat, dat kind Mr. Churchill gib 
 me and put on my deacon's coat, de same one dat Massa 
 Hai;ry done gib me, when he came back wid Mr. Rowland 
 from de North, after winning all dem colleges. 
 
 [Darkies heard singing mournful song. Eben listens 
 at the gate, tvalking over the old judges' grave.] De good 
 ole Massa Jedge's grave. Massa, ole Eben done come 
 back. De I^awd done put it in my heart. I could not 
 stay away any longer. I came back to look at your grave, 
 and put flowers on it till I die. [Looks around him, again.] 
 I feel it in my heart dat dere am something wrong. I 
 wonder if my ole wife, Tilda, am in de house. 
 
 [Enter Tilda, looking to left over field.] 
 
 Tilda — You Monroe, get all dem things packed up 
 to take over to Oakenbrow tomorrow to Harry's avmt. 
 Miss Crill am goin' to take care of us darkies until Massa 
 Harry is able to git us some work. Don't leave anything 
 on de plantation for dat ole debbil Mistah Gibson to have. 
 [Looking to right and seeing Ehen.] For de Lawd's sake! 
 Am I dreamin'? Is dis night or is it day? Dere is my 
 dream yonder sure. Am dat you Eben? 
 
 Eben — Why, Tilda, don't you organize me in my 
 deacon's coat? 
 
 [Tilda comes down and rushes towards him.] 
 
 Tilda — De Lawcl be praised, it is you, husban'. 
 
"OLE VIRGIN NY" 71 
 
 Eben — [They embrace.] What's happened, Tilda? 
 Everything looks so mournful. Dem darkies in de field 
 all has bowed heads. 
 
 Tilda — What has happened? Don't ask me, Eben, 
 Poor Massa Harry and Missie's heart done broken. Dey 
 mus' leave Annandale. Dat ole satan man, Mistah 
 Gibson, dat never did like Massa Harry, done got what 
 de white folks call a mortgage, and he buys Annandale 
 dis day, for ten thousand dollars, which Massa Harry 
 owes him, and Annandale will have to be given up to him 
 unless dis money am paid. Gibson tole all of us niggers 
 dat we mus' leave de plantation tomorrow, as he says 
 he don't want any of Massa Harry's people on de place. 
 
 Eben — Tilda, I am now a scripture man. Dey been 
 readin' de Bible to me in England. Dat man Mr. Gibson 
 done hate Massa Harry and Miss Taylor j^ears ago. Listen 
 woman! Did you say dat Massa Harry hab to git ten 
 thousand dollars or be put off Annandale before night? 
 
 Tilda — Yes, dat's de truf. Mr. Howland done come 
 down and dey all feel very bad about poor massa's mis- 
 fortune, but Eben, my husban', when I saw Massa Harry 
 early dis mornin' cryin' over dere over his father's grave, 
 an' askin' his forgiveness, I done then broke down and 
 w^ent into de kitchen and done wept mj^self for two hours. 
 [Eben rises up and looks solemn.] 
 
 Eben — Before dis black ole nigger will see one tear 
 on his young massa's eye, he will die first, and when he 
 dies, he will die here in Annandale on the place where 
 he was born. Tilda, my wife, don't you tell anyone I 
 done come back. Listen to me, woman, and don't do it. 
 Not even Massa Harry. Do you hear me, Tilda? 
 
 Tilda — Yes, Eben. 
 
 Eben — I am going down to de wharf to see one of my 
 young massa's friends. [Exit Eben.] 
 
 Tilda — I declar! He looked so strange at me, when 
 he heard of Massa Harry losing Annandale. 
 [Exit Tilda. Enter Gibson.] 
 
72 "OLE VIRGIN NY" 
 
 Gibson — Little did you think, Mrs. Mortimer, that 
 on that July day in 1860, when you declined the suit of 
 Jim Gibson, that you would one day ask his indulgence 
 for one day's grace on this sale of Annandale. 
 [Enter Taylor bowing coldly.] 
 
 Taylor — Mr. Gibson, I came to ask for the postpone- 
 ment of the sale two days, until Mr. Mortimer hears from 
 his friends in Richmond. 
 
 Gibson — Mrs. Mortimer, since the day you proudly 
 repulsed my suit on this very spot and Mr. Mortimer 
 ordered me off this plantation, have I desired to be pos- 
 sessed of it. The opportunity has presented itself, and I 
 have taken advantage of it; no more, no less. It is my 
 turn now to dictate, and I will say that I will not give 
 one hour's grace, from the time stipulated^ by the terms 
 of the mortgage. [Tilda looks on at distance.] 
 
 Taylor — Mr. Gibson, it is the right of any lady to 
 accept or decline a proffer of marriage, extended to her 
 by any man, and the man who would seek revenge for 
 years because he was refused should be held in contempt 
 by any honorable person. The opportunities which you 
 speak of whereby you got the present mortgage on 
 Annandale were opportunities created by yourself, and 
 that by the most dishonorable methods. Under the 
 guise of enforced friendship, you led my husband into 
 speculations that were a loss to him and a gain to yourself. 
 His mind was too lofty and his noble nature too unsus- 
 pecting to detect the pitfalls and traps that you led him 
 into by intrigue and deceit. So those were the oppor- 
 tunities that you maliciously created so you could ruin 
 him financially and then crush and humiliate him by 
 artfully and dishonorably getting the present mortgage 
 on Annandale. I will tell you to your face that your 
 present act in foreclosing the mortgage on his ancestral 
 home is prompted only for mercenary and malicious 
 purposes, and not altogether on my refusal of your proffer 
 of marriage some years ago. Your first motive was 
 
''OLE VIRGIN NY" 73 
 
 mercenary that you might get Annandale for one-fifth 
 of its real value, and maliciously because you wanted to 
 see Mr. Mortimer humiliated. Let this be our last inter- 
 view, for a man so unprincipled as you would polute the 
 very atmosphere that you inhale. 
 [Exit Taylor.] 
 
 Tilda — Done stung him dis time worse dan ebber. 
 
 Gibson— Within one hour Annandale will be mine, 
 and all others then will be intruders. 
 
 [Enter Sheriff and citizens, etc. Miss Crill passes 
 Gibson, putting up her nose in scorn, then turns.] 
 
 Crill— So, Mr. Gibson, this is your gratitude towards 
 the people whose hospitality you accepted hundreds of 
 times in this section of King George, but I shouldn't 
 expect any more from one that acted a coward on the 
 field of battle. 
 
 Gibson — [Smiling.] So it is you. Miss Crill. 
 [Darkies come in rear, looking downcast.] 
 
 Sheriff — Mr. Gibson, do you want this sale posi- 
 tively to start at four o'clock? 
 
 Gibson — Positively on that time, sir. 
 
 HowLAND — Mr. Gibson, what consideration would 
 you ask to postpone this sale of Annandale till tomorrow? 
 
 Gibson — Mr. Howland, at the hour of four, the sale 
 shall begin, which is now within five minutes of the time. 
 [Looks at his watch.] 
 
 HowLAND — Let me tell you, sir, this act of yours is a 
 satire and an irony on the friendship of man. 
 
 Gibson — Thank you, Mr. Howland. Sheriff, you 
 will begin and consumate the transfer of property 
 according to the terms of the mortgage. 
 
 Sheriff — [Addressing all.] I assure you, gentlemen, 
 that this is a very painful duty for me. I have known 
 the Mortimers from boyhood, but I thought that this was 
 a duty I would never have to perform. 
 [Darkies with handkerchiefs to their eyes and bowed heads.] 
 
 Ladies and Gentlemen, I offer for sale the beautiful 
 
74 "OLE VIRGIN NY" 
 
 land and plantation, known from both ends of the Rappa- 
 hannock as Annandale, the once famous, hospitable 
 mansion of the Mortimers. The area or limits of Annan- 
 dale is one and a half miles long and one mile wide. {Sheriff 
 luipes his eyes and hesitates.] This famous property was 
 a gift from the King of England to Henry Mortimer, the 
 original owner, settler and head of the family. It has 
 passed from sire to son to the present owner, Henry 
 Mortimer. [Harry weeps in his ivife's bosom. Rowland 
 advances to Gibson.] 
 
 Rowland — Man, have you any heart? 
 
 Gibson — [Smiliiig.] Proceed Sheriff. 
 
 Sheriff — This land is to be sold today to satisfy or 
 pay off a mortgage of ten thousand dollars which is held 
 by James Gibson, of Cumberland County, Maryland. If 
 the amount of the mortgage is not paid before the stipu- 
 lated time, according to the long terms of the mortgage, 
 I'll be compelled to go through the painful duty of trans- 
 ferring the famous homestead to the mortgagee, James 
 Gibson. [Sheriff looks at his ivatch.] It is now within 
 ten minutes of the time to close the transfer. I will call 
 aloud and ask if there is anyone of Mr. Mortimer's friends 
 who can come forw^ard to pay the amount of ten thousand 
 dollars, which is the amount of the mortgage to save the 
 once seat of chivalry, Annandale. 
 
 [Enter Eben through the crowd.] 
 
 Eben — Yes, sail. [Holds check in his hands. All ex- 
 claim: "Eben the old slave."] Yes, sah, Eben the old 
 slave am here, and have de money to save his young massa 
 and Annandale. [Cheers from all the darkies.] Here, 
 Massa Harry, is de money, [Harry takes it] dat was done 
 gib to me as a present to you by dat good Englishman, 
 who carried me away and died a year ago. I done grieved 
 for home, and when I got here today to my old plantation 
 I done hear of my young massa's trouble. I am happy 
 now, and willing to die right at my young massa's feet. 
 [Cheers from all the darkies.] 
 
"OLE VIRGIN NY'' 75 
 
 Harry — [Handing money to Hoivland.] Lester, here 
 is the money, pay the mortgage. I am too happy at 
 present to talk. 
 
 Rowland — What a providential intervention! [Ad- 
 vances to Sheriff and gives him the money.] 
 
 Sheriff — The happiest moment of my life! 
 
 HowLAND — I will take up the mortgage, Sheriff. 
 [Sheriff takes money and hands him mortgage jjayers.] 
 
 Sheriff — Mr. Gibson, will you come forward and 
 take the money and sign? [Gibson signs and takes money. 
 Tilda advances towards Gibson.] 
 
 Tilda — You can keep all dem Yankee niggers up in 
 Maryland, dat you was goin' to bring down here. I don't 
 think we will leave Annandale tomorrow. 
 
 HowLAND — I hope you are satisfied now, Mr. Gibson, 
 and the hour of five o'clock that you were to give Mr. 
 Mortimer to pay off the mortgage will also relieve this 
 happy homestead of your infectious presence. 
 
 Gibson — I will bid you all a happy good day. 
 [Exit Gibson.] 
 
 Harry — Rise, Eben, rise. When you die, your heart 
 should be taken from your body, embalmed and set aside 
 in a glass jar, and placed in a room of Annandale as one 
 of the holiest relics of the Mortimers. 
 
 Taylor — Eben your love for your young master and 
 home, will be one of the grandest traditions of Virginia 
 and your fidelity will be ever revered by this plantation. 
 
 [All darkies now advance to shake Eben's hand amid 
 great enthusiasm. Eben starts when shaking hands with 
 the last darky.] 
 
 Eben — What! You here, Monroe? After you ran 
 away from massa during de war, and joined dem Yankee 
 sojer men. You ought to be up in Baltimore or Washing- 
 ton, wid dem crap bone gamblers. 
 
 Tilda — Eben, he done repented. 
 
 Eben — Has he gone to de mourner's bench? 
 
 Tilda — He has, husban'. 
 
76 "OLE VIRGINNY" 
 
 Eben — Den, I forgib him, 
 
 Harry — When old Eben tells us of the kindness and 
 death of Mr. Churchill and his noble act, we will hear once 
 more some of the old songs of Annandale, to memorize 
 this day of ecstacy and joy. 
 
 Crill — Go on, Eben. 
 
 Eben — Massa Harry and friends am now born over 
 again. When I- done leave Ole Virginny I done grieved 
 great deal. Mister Churchill cheered me up by reading 
 letters from Massa Harry and Annandale. De people in 
 England treated me very nice and put my picture in de 
 paper as de faithful old slave. One day Mr. Churchill 
 took sick and de doctor man brought me to his room, 
 Mr. Churchill looked very bad and said he did not expect 
 to live but that he had left a gift for my young massa 
 that would be given to me by de lawyer man. He said 
 he knew I don grieved for home and should go back when 
 he died. Next day Mr. Churchill don died and the lawyer 
 man done give me the check which I don brought to you 
 and here I am back home again with my young massa in 
 Virginny dat I never want to leave no more. 
 
 Harry — And you never will leave again, Eben. Let 
 the old songs be sung. 
 
 [curtain.] 
 
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