CI45 UC-NRLF The Yellow Bag A Drama X By James Ernest Caldwell Author of " Songs of the Pines," " The Castle on the Hill " 1907 C. H. THORBURN OTTAWA Entered according to the Act of Parliament of Canada, in the year 1907, by JAMES ERNEST CALD- WELL in the Department of Agriculture, Ottawa. * V - v \ AND let us remember that it is in the power of every single indi- vidual, no matter to what country he may belong, to add to that store of energy which gives us the light of peace, and that there comes a moment when the contribution of one more individual unit is all that is required to convert our darkness into light. Earl Grey at National Arbitration and Peace Congress, New York, April 18, 1907. F 772 i t /7> THE YELLOW BAG A DRAMA. Dramatis Personce. DON CASTRO A Cuban Sugar planter, in sympathy with the rebels. DOCTOR MIGUEL An organizer in the Cuban rebellion. ANTONIO MACEO A general in the Cuban Army. GOMEZ General-in-chief of the Cuban Army. PINZERO General in the Spanish Army, in Cuba. CAPTAIN PEDRO Of the Cuban Army. CAPTAIN JUAN Of the Spanish Army. SEBASTIAN A private of the Spanish Army. ANDREAS, RODERIGUE, ALPHONSE, LOPEZ AND PHILIP privates and subalterns in the Cuban Army. WALTER WELLMAN A young American in the Consul's Office, Havana. MR. WELLMAN A New York merchant, father of Walter. CHARLES HARTIN Friend of Walter. MARVEL A press correspondent. MANUEL AND SINKEL Servants to Don Castro. CASTELAR A Spanish Statesman. ISOBEL A young lady of Seville, sister of Captain Juan. CARLOTTA Daughter of Don Castro. MARIAN Maid to Carlotta. SOLDIERS Officials, negroes, etc. Scene chiefly in Cuba, also in Spain and New York. 2 ACT I. SCENE I. Andreas, Roderigue and Lopez around a small fire in a Cuban glade. Time night. ANDREAS. One more day past of these delicious days, Wherein the tramp through slimy miles of swamp Is "Glory's Path!" RODRIGUE. A path that never yet Was strewn with flowers ! Ask Nansen if he found The icy coasts and isands of the North A paradise! LOPEZ. But rough or smooth once in We must go through. For my part I'd as lief March all day long, and sleep beneath the moon Here in the bosom of this dusky glade, As feed a furnace in a sugar mill; Follow a mule amid the springing cane; Or stir the heavy soil with heavier hoe. Glory faugh! What keeps Alphonse and Philip RODERIGUE. More than I know. Four short hours should have been More than enough to reach Don Castro's place. An hour there to rest and feed their mules; Five hours on the wearier journey back Should, if I reckon right, have brought them here. ANDREAS. Forget you that the swarming Spaniards come Ever more near our present hiding-place? I'd give small surety that even now Alphonse and Philip are not hanging high, Or feeling sore the garrotte's deadly pinch, As life is wrung from out them, inch by inch! LOPEZ. If it please Heaven and such should be the truth, Think you they'll tell what treasure we have here? ANDREAS. Not if I know the spirit they do bear! Well nurtured are they in the lore of death Have seen him under all the hideous masks Wherewith he frights the guilty and the base ; But they know well he is the one stern friend Can cut the tangled knot of misery. LOPEZ. Enough, Andreas. I must give in to sleep. Your sermon makes me drowse! (Sleeps.) ANDREAS. Poor foolish boy ! (Throws his cloak over him.) He thinks it but a holiday, or like A happy picnic, such as his good priest Was wont to give the children of his flock. No doubt, even now he dreams of some such pranks See how he smiles, and how his lips do move, And hear him! How he raves! Poor boy! RODERIGUE. (Looks at his watch.) 'Tis one o'clock and time to take some rest, Sleep, Andreas, I will watch till morn. ANDREAS. All right, Roderigue, even now I am asleep. (Sleeps.) RODERIGUE. (Apart.) Now while they snore the trusted veteran And the bare-lipped boy I'll wake up wider still. Here am I, strong in lung and lithe in limb, And more's the wonder ! After two long years Of ceaseless worry and unnumbered toils; Heart-sickening bivouacs in the tempest's teeth With rumbling thunder for a lullably: Soul-sickening butcheries, such as ne'er were known Since first the sons of Spain o'erran this Isle! Here am I All I own this tried machete! Yonder beneath Andreas' heavy head A precious pillow are ten thousand notes Each worth ten dollars destined all to be In Gomez' hands to-morrow. Shall they then Feed hunger or quench thirst? Nay! rather swell The scope of this infernal rioting ! Lure more unwary youths like Lopez here Off from their homes to never more know peace. What then? It were an act of mercy Nay A very plain and perilous duty So to act that from such action may Spring peace and rest where ravage hourly grows Like some foul plague till none escape its taint ! What then? I'll spill no blood I've seen enough Andreas sleeps like lead I'll gently draw (Tickles Andreas ear. Andreas mutters and turns over.) His pillow thus (Enter: Alphonse and Philip.} PHILIP. What's this? Thief! Roderigue turned thief? Halt! Traitor! Halt! (They fire. Roderigue disappears in the darkness with the Yellow Bag. Andreas rises up, seizes his rifle, and aims at Philip.) PHILIP Fool ! Drop your gun ! Do you not know us ? ANDREAS. Heaven be praised! Philip its you is it? I thought we were trapped. The treasure ! The treasure ! O the money's gone ! I'm a ruined man ! ALPHONSE. For which thank, Roderigue. ANDREAS. A thousand curses on that traitorous thief! May every dollar that he lugs away Bring its own separate drop of burning gall To scald his soul from now till Hell's his due ! What shall I say to Gomez for this night ? Or what will Maceo think of Andreas now ? How shall I cleanse my most dishonored name ! LOPEZ. (Half awake.} What's the matter boys? Is it time to get up? ALPHONSE. Matter enough, young stupid! LOPEZ. I'm coming. (Falls back asleep.) ALPHONSE. (Kicking him.) Wake up. Sleepy head! LOPEZ. All right. I'm coming. All right. (Falls back.) (Curtain falls.) SCENE II. A room in Don Castro's mansion at Mertullo. Don Castro and Dr. Miguel alone. DON CASTRO You needs must see we planters lie between Two cruel factions. Do we 'can to Spain, Then are our fields, our mills, our homes des- troyed ; 6 Our lives imperilled. Are we known to grant Aid and assistance to the patriot cause, Then treason hovers o'er us, and the hourly dread Of death or banishment by Spain decreed! You who have put all prudence far behind, And staked your lives and fortunes on the game, Think not too hardly of such men as me, Whose wealth's a bond to make them keep the peace ! DR. MIGUEL. But, honored sir, to me your present course Seems but a lengthening out of misery! Did you, and all the class you represent So worthily, but take decided stand ; Cast all your strength, your wealth, your moral weight In with the patriot cause, then then would you Bring quickly down the vacillating scale; Give Cuba peace; destroy the tyrant's power: Spread joy and gladness, drive despair far hence, And in the end gain ten-fold what you lost. DON CASTRO. Some things once lost can never more be found. I have a child, a priceless gift is she, Left by her mother most dear testament. Shall I having put to wreck my fortune thus Still dare to hope, after the storm subsides To find my child ? Strip me of her and then 'Twere a small matter how the world should go ! (Rings a bell a maid enters.} Tell Carlotta her father calls her here. MARIAN. Please sir, she's gone to Pompey's cabin. DON CASTRO. What's over there? MARIAN. Please sir, old Dinah's sick and Miss Carlo tta DON CASTRO. Miss Carlotta's nursing her is that it? Well run and fetch her Dinah's case can wait, I/ively's the word and lively be your gait! (Exit Marian.) No, Doctor, you have failed perhaps to note The invisible ties that bind us to be mute. Though heavy be the hand Spain lays on us, Yet we have borne it long, that jewelled hand; And (in a whisper) 'tis a white hand ! Thus I feel the dread Of one participant in hellish crimes ! Think not the myriad-groan by slavery wrung From uncouth lips, back through two-hundred years, A bootless prayer! God's justice fails not Though it seems to lag there's hope in that for some And Hell for more! Here comes Carlo tta (Enter Carlo tta) Carlotta, this is Dr. Miguel, Maceo's friend. CARLOTTA. And Maceo's friend should have all kind- ness here ! DR. MIGUEX. On his behalf, I thank you for those words. CARLOTTA. And Miguel's friend, as I trust Maceo is, Should have all kindness did he visit us. DR. MiGUBiy. Again Maceo thanks you through his friend. CARLOTTA. And one who, like yourself, has borne a share In raising fallen Freedom from the dust, Must have our gratitude. 8 . DR. MIGUEL. Which I count high reward. DON CASTRO. Sing us that little song Carlo tta, which I heard you at last evening, come. (Carlo tta plays on guitar and sings.) "Fairest of islands! O gem of the ocean! Cuba lies bleeding at Freedom's proud door; Praying, with lips growing cold in devotion, Help me, O help me ! Ere hope be all o er ! ' ' Fairest of islands ! The glad ocean round thee Swelling, proclaims thee his chosen and best; Is there no balm for the woes that confound thee? Is there no help hidden far in the West ? ' ' Fairest of islands ! Despair not in sorrow ! Triumph o'er trouble most surely will come, If not to-day, then most surely to-morrow; God still can hear, and man is not dumb!" DR. MIGUEL. Charming! Charming! A most charm- ing sentiment! How light and true your touch! How many years Have you been playing ? CARLOTTA. I cannot tell you, As long as I remember, I have played. Black Dinah, my old nurse, would for a toy Give me her old man's banjo, so I learned Just as I learned to talk. DR. MIGUEL And sure to me Your talk is sweetest music ! DON CASTRO. Now, my pet, Go and complete your good old Dinah's cure (Exit Carlotta) Now Doctor Miguel, if she were yours Would you not linger ere you brought on her The miseries of houseless deflation ? Faith ! I know you would ! DR. MIGUEL. (Aside.) If she were mine, methinks I'd leave this brawl To make her mine, I'll venture life and all ! DON CASTRO. So take this word to Gomez from a friend I wish him well; he knows what I have done To aid the cause; as much I still will do. DR. MIGUEL. Farewell! Farewell! (Exit, Dr. Miguel.) (Enter Manuel.) MANUEL. Please sir, a young gentleman wishes to see you. An American, I think. DON CASTRO. I must be at Matanzas at six o'clock to meet one of the directors of the sugar trust, but show him in an American must always have our most courteous hospitality. (Exit, Manuel) (Enter, Walter Wellman.) WALTER. Don Castro, I believe. I am Mr. Wellman. Confidential agent of the American Consul at Havana. DON CASTRO. I am most happy to meet you! WALTER. I am entrusted with a delicate task: Our government, built as its freedom is On stalwart acts by our forefathers done, Sees with deep sorrow bleeding Cuba's state; To staunch the wounds that soon must fatal prove Were a most worthy task; but well you know 10 The peril involved by force, how good soe'er The cause :<0o from our president hath come Conciliatory words; it is my task To find what you, and other leading men, Would think a proper plan of settlement 'Twixt Spain and Cuba. DON CASTRO. None were more glad than I that now at last Your worthy president hath moved in this; But to advise, to even hear your plans, Is now impossible for lack of time. I am strict bound to in Matanzas be At six o'clock 'tis now quite after four. At three to-morrow* I will wait your will Stay where you are all mine is thine till then! WALTER. Thanks, and success until we meet! (Exit, Don Castro.) WALTER And is it true that I am here alive Beneath the roof that shields Carlotta's head ! O sweet Carlo tta! How that name hath run With soft, sweet music through my nightly dreams ! O since that hour enchanted, when we met Amid the flowers and music and the gleam Of dark-eyed beauty, when Havana's pride Was at its height since then no more the north Has he'd my polar star ! O sweet Carlotta ! (Pauses.) Did my father know what would he think ? He shall know but ere then we'll weld the link! (Curtain) 11 SCENE III. A public square in Madrid. Citizens crowding up. IST CITIZEN. Come, let us hear the latest news from Cuba. 2ND CITIZEN. They say the rebels ever stronger grow. 3RD CITIZEN. Maceo hath a bloody battle won. IST CITIZEN. If there's not soon a change, then Cuba's lost, And were she lost to-morrow who might care ! Our sons are dying there by hundreds; yes, Iii loathsome, deadly hospitals, as fast As by the rebel's bullets. Yesterday I heard that our old friend Silvado's Two brave boys were both of fever dead. Another draft is coming, soon old men Grey-heads like us must go. 4TH CITIZEN. ' Better loose Spain, Sink her, up to her very eyes in debt : Make her the slave of foreign usurers, Rather than slack our grasp on Cuba's throat ! So speaks our present government We'll see! IST CITIZEN. Ho! Here comes Castelar! CITIZENS. Make way there! Stand back! Make way for Castelar ! (Cheers, groans and hisses from the crowd.) Castelar appears and mounts a small platform. The tumult increases.) A CITIZEN. Silence ! good Citizens, lets hear Castelar ! MORE VOICES. Silence! Silence! ALL. Silence Silence! Order! Order! CASTELAR. Most loyal friends and neighbors of Madrid, Yea, gallant sons of our beloved Spain ! 12 I now salute you in the honored name Of Citizen Though freed of late from all official cares, Yet am I bound by all the holiest ties To labor still for Spain, and for her weal; As you all are, and as you love to be. You know that Spain has need the sorest need Of every son's most loyal service now, Ere from her crown the last bright jewel fall, A crown that once shone peerless o'er the world ! You know full well, my honored friends and true, You know how our young King just ope'd his eyes After his father's most lamented death; Then which of you could well forbear to weep ! Thus to the throne, that once great Philip held, A helpless infant came. You know as well How his fond mother watched his earliest years With most sweet care. The burden of the State On her weak shoulders came, but sHghtly eased By her advisers, humblest of them me. You know how truly for the general good Hath been her care! How pure hath been her court ! What cause of noble import asked her aid, And found it not ? What altar lacking aught Hath she not decked withal ? (Voices. 'Tis truel 'Tis true\) My friends Declare 'tis true, and you will all declare True witness they have borne. But to proceed 13 While each with each did nobly vie to swell The general weal while trade increased, And plenty and content, most widespread, filled The peasents cheek with smiles, our banks with gold, 'Twas then in Cuba's wilder provinces Rebellion rose. Had it a righteous cause ? If someone in this throng should have his toes Trod rudely on, should he then draw his knife Or pistol, and spread death on every side? Granted some acts were harsh, some laws unjust- No loyal son of Spain for that will join Rebellious compact 'gainst his rightful King. While we with zealous promptness strove to quell The insubordinate, from the United States Went covert aid and sympathy to fan The traitorous cause. As well expect The thief to turn policeman, or the wolf Assume the shepherd's care, as those same states Should honour majesty. Sprung from rebellion, impious and vile, 'Twere vain, I say, to think the rightful cause Of order and authority should receive Aught but their scorn. How well they practiced their high sounding creed When freedom was the watchword of the south, When Lee and Beauregard were in the field ! Then blood was free as water treasure trash But they must crush REBELLION mark the word! 14 Our south rebels, we stand for LAW from each Vile sheet, poured from their venal presses forth The venom drops. For forty years they've watched, With jealous eyes, the course of Cuba's fortunes ! Even now a message from their president Comes, insolently urging us to take Unasked advice ! (Groans and hisses) Shall we the sons of Spain of Spain that first Sent forth Columbus to arouse the world That furnished Cortes forth to Mexico That tamed the lordly Incas of Peru Reared cities on the Orinoco's banks; Revealed the wealth of Chili and La Plate- Shall we, who spread our fame from Monterey To Patagonia's cold and cheerless plains, Shall we receive advice ere it be asked? By covert threats be turned about and cowed? VOICES. Never! Never! Never! CASTELAR. Never no never! Well I knew 'twould be Your common answer ! We have trials borne Made sacrifices but while honour lives While Glory bids the Spaniard's heart beat high We'll count them naught for Spain who would not dare to die! VOICES. Long live the King! Hurrah for Castelar! Down with America! etc., etc. (Exigent.) SCENE IV. A room in a house in Seville Captain Juan taking leave of his sister to embark for Cuba. CAPTAIN JUAN. Sweet sister Isobel, do not lament 15 Nor weep for me your tears distress me more Than all the thought of hardship, war and death ! ISOBEL. O that horrid word ! It chills me like a blast From a black cloud charged thick with icy hail ! O cruel war! Two thousand years of Christ! And yet men slay with thousand-fold refined And cruel artfulness their fellow men! Out on our Church that ever spreads her hands In benediction o'er the warrior's head! You as my brother, I can truly bless God be thy guard and guide where'er you go. You as a soldier law's paid murderer Can only have my ban O may that eye, So bright and clear of thine, ne'er truly guide The bullet that shall pierce a human breast! That hand of thine may it ne'er raise a blade To spill the blood the sacred blood of man. CAPTAIN JUAN. Hush! Hush! ISOBEL. I will not hush! My vo'ce shall yet Prevail in higher courts than that of Spain ! JUAN. Tis ten o'clock my regiment goes at twelve Then happy hours in sunny Spain, farewell! For peaceful vineyard come the festering swamp ; For joyous dance cold quaking ague come! For solemn music in cathedral hear The groans of dying men in hospital ! Farewell my sister ! Life till now hath been Without a background for its joyousness ! Now will a thousand blessings wave to us A sad, sad salutation from the past, No more to meet us, vanished now and gone ! Farewell ! Farewell ! ISOBEL. Brother farewell ! (Exit Juan.) 16 (Enter Sebastian.} SEBASTIAN. O fairest, sweetest, dearest Isobel, Light of my life, and more than life to me! How it cuts to the marrow of my soul To see thy tears, that I in vain would dry; To hear thy sobs, that stir me more than all The threats of Church or State for broken laws ! What law can equal the sweet law of love ? First, highest, only law to which I yield! ISOBEL. Why speak you thus Sebastian? SEBASTIAN. I speak thus Because I mean it! Even now were I, Swifter than wind to speed where Juan's men Are ready to depart, it were too late The t me is past my name is now writ down Deserter ! ISOBEL. O horror! Say not so! Fly! Get you gone! Make no delay! A thousand times I'd rather see you dead than see your honour dulled! O go ! For Heaven's sake go ! SEBASTIAN. How can I go ! The time, I say, is past : and were it not, Yet would I leave thee not ! That were a fate Too hard for anything outside of books! Thy brother and thy lover both to go That were too sad for my sweet Isobel! ISOBEL. I am undone ! I find grief hath degrees, Depth after depth to endless depths profound! My brother's gone, but I have still a brother My lover's here but I have lost my lover! SEBASTIAN. O cruel fate! O woman still more cruel! What I have done, I did for love of thee ! 17 One moment cursing war, and all who war : The next bemoaning him who will not war How can I please you, changeful breath by breath! Farewell ! A dream ! "Tis action now till death ! (Exit Sebastian.) (Isabel throws herself on a couch -weeping?) (Curtain falls.) ACT II. SCENE i. Gomez' head-quarters in the eastern part of Cuba. Tents with soldiers on duty. Gomez sitting in front of tent reading a paper. Enter two soldiers with prisoner. 1ST SOLDIER. Here's a spy, General, a scoundrel of the deepest dye ! 2ND SOLDIER. Shall we hang him or shoot him? I say hang him ! GOMEZ. What say you sir to this ? have you not read Our proclamation to the effect that death, Instant and not to be averted, waits On all your kind ? MARVEL. I am a spy IST SOLDIER. Let's shoot the villian! Brazen faced wretch ! GOMEZ. Silence ! MARVEL. I am a spy, and yet a friendly spy SOLDIER. You'll prove it with more than your limber tongue ! GOMEZ. Silence; I say! 18 MARVEL. I am a spy, a paid spy, spying for The greatest paper on this continent The Manhattan Balloon, my name is Marvel. SOLDIERS. Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! a marvel for sure ! GOMEZ. But sir, We must have proof indubitable proof ! Your face no doubt wears more intelligence, Mixed with a modicum of self-conceit, Than ordinary men; but though your face Were ten times more a brass mine than it is You would not dare to wander here alone With it, and only it, your transport ! MARVEL. Here's a letter from the Consul's office in Havana- Here's credentials from our editor-in-chief; And here's a line from Maceo himself. GOMEZ. The first two may be true or may be false, But Maceo's, that's genuine his hand! There's a man for you! had we but a score . Of Maceos this isle were quickly rid Of all Spain's tyrant horde ! But, my dear sir Why did you not reveal your quest, and save Being dragg'd in this unseemly fashion here. MARVEL. O just a tiny joke! these gallant boys Just brought .me where I wanted most to come! When next I'm short of news, a column long, Shall tell how I was taken for a spy And nearly hanged. But, General, Our people wish to know how goes the war? A fellow feeling warms the common heart Of our great nation ! Well they know By history and tradition handed down The mighty burden that must rest upon The leader of rebellion. 19 GOMEZ. Thanks for that sympathy! A thousand times When difficulties fresh have come in floods, Ready to drown me and to quench the fire Of slowly kindling freedom, have I thought Of Washington then like a flash light came Erect I stood and flung abroad my fears ! Then you may say to all Americans, In each department prospers well our cause. Each day brings in fresh bands of ardent souls Eager to whet their blades on Spanish skulls ! The sugar mills are quiet not a soul Dares to extract a single pint of juice. The lordly planters feel that we have power A power that dries the current of their wealth ! In many a proud and stately mansion dwells The fear of grinning poverty to come! 'Tis cruel cruel ruin thus to spread Over our lovely island; but this night, Which now hath all too few of starry beams Will usher in a day of great events Lit by the eternal sun of Freedom ! Ere that day hath lighted Cuba's vales I shall have gone the way of all the earth. Age checks my spirit once I was more The fiery soldier that our cause demands, But shrunken as my spirit cold my fire Both sprang to life at duty's trumpet-call! Best of my days for Cuba have been spent The rest shall follow then I'll die content! MARVEL. Thanks, General, Now may I ask you where Were you born ? GOMEZ. I can't remember but I have no doubt Where many more were born, in bed. 20 MARVEL. When did you marry? GOMEZ. About a year after I fell in love. MARVEL. What do you think of married life in general ? GOMEZ. I think its much the same in general As in private. MARVEL. What is your favourite drink ? GOMEZ. What burns my tongue the least. MARVEL. On which side do you prefer to sleep at night ? GOMEZ. The under side. MARVEL. What is your favourite amusement? GOMEZ. Seeing the Spaniards run. MARVEL. Who is your favourite author? GOMEZ. A reporter who tells the truth. MARVEL. Do you not think we Americans a great people ? GOMEZ. In truth they are the greatest that I know. Matchless in wind and in the will to blow! MARVEL. I hope you won't think me impertinent. Business is business GOMEZ. Sure enough it is. And I'll to mine. (Curtain falls). SCENE II. Roderigue sitting in the shade of a wall outside the grounds of Don Castro's home at Mertullo. RODERIGUE. Well! Well! Well! Well! How many more like me Have said well, well, when all was very bad! Here am I like a miserable tramp, Hungry and tired, and worse than any tramp, 21 Filled with the most tormenting fearfulness! Now what a heaven the past seems in compare ! Though we were hunted then through brake and fen, Still there was something to upbear the soul! Now I am sunk in basest servitude To my own safety, ever on the watch; No friendly eye to guard while I do sleep, But all who lately called me bosom friend Armed to the teeth with wrath and hot revenge. I would I were again in Maceo's camp My honour cleansed but that can never be ! O Cuba! Cuba! Art thou not as I! Chafing at some small troubles that in time With patience, had been righteously o'ercome, Thou hast become outcast from peace and rest Or true increase! O thou infernal war! The devil's own cure for mortal's deadly qualms ! Sower of hatred ! Never from thee sprung Aught that was good since earth was green and young! (Enter Walter and Carlotta walking in the park, they come and lean on the wall outside of which Roderigue is sitting}. Roderigue hearing them approach draws himself closely to the walL CARLOTTA. O Walter, what a sweet surprise it was To see you yesterday ! WALTER. Did you e'er think Of me since last we met? CARLOTTA. Question unkind ! If you had asked if I had ever thought Of aught but you it were more near the mark ! 22 For nights and nights after we parted then In wakefulness I lay. RODERIGUE. (softly). Poor child! CARLOTTA. I often heard That lovers could not eat, and in all truth So could not I. RODERIGUE. (softly) Then I'm no lover now ! CARLOTTA. I seemed as lifted to A higher state, where grosser appetites Were all forgot. My father noticed it But doubtless thought the fearfulness that filled All faces at that most unquiet time, Had touched my spirit too. Often a fear Would almost make me faint, that some mishap Might come upon you, and I ne'er might see Your face again ! WALTER. And it has been to me A year of happiness! What heavenly food Love is, that such a tantalizing taste Should have such wondrous power! RODERIGUE. (softly) Hurry up or I'll never stand straight again ! WALTER. What will your father say when I reveal How matters stand between us? Won't he stare ! CARLOTTA. I cannot tell, but I have dared to hope You oft have won in a more hopeless case. My father is, or was till very lately, rich; And in New York your father's name is known To have a golden sound your looks, were I The judge, have fair and generous beauty Forgive me if I speak too freely thus, I ne'er was trained in love's diplomacy; My tongue was e'er my heart's interpreter! 23 WALTER. Thus do I love thee best in candour sweet, What flower was ever perfect in its kind Until it opened to the wooing sun? And I believe that woman happiest is Who hides not all her love behind her lips. Roderigue rises up suddenly. Carlo tta screams and clings to Walter. RODERIGUE. Pardon me, gentle lady and kind master! WALTER. I didn't know there were tramps in Cuba! RODERIGUE. I am no tramp! It were a cruel libel on their sect To call me such; I think I have a heart, And having ears, I overheard your talk In which was nothing that might bring you shame. And being as I am, a man, I have A stomach 'tis a fact at present I Am not at all in humor to forget! Fair lady you are daughter in the mansion Yonder rear'd. I'm in most hungry plight, With travel toiled, could sleep beside a drum. Grant from the kindness of your heart, where love Hath made sweet happiness a lawful guest, That I may have one quiet night's repose, With due refreshment of the inner man, Within your father's walls ? Grant me but this, And I'll in payment give to you this bag, And all it may contain, a gift to grace Your wedding day; and not till then do you Break ope its clasp. CARLOTTA. What if your load be dynamite we hear The rebels have it in vast quantities? 24 RODERIGUE. 'Tis stronger far than dynamite, and like All things of strength, its master may destroy! WALTER. Most likely a few flasks of rum Few things are stronger than your Cuban rum! CARLOTTA. Lend me your note-book and pencil, Walter, (Writes) Here's a line will gain you good will and ad- mittance. RODERIGUE. Thanks, sweet lady and kind sir. (Takes up the Yellow Bag and exit). WALTER, Some poor Cuban soldier in misfortune! But, sweet Carlotta, it is nearly time To meet your father, and to hear his mind On Cuba's future. Now we'll in, and while I talk with him of how our president May foster peace, I'll keep another band Of subtler thoughts delightfully at work, Rearing a fair and valiant show of words Wherewith to brace and bolster up my suit! And kindest Providence be still our friend ! CARLOTTA. We'll count on that till life itself shall end. (Curtain falls.) SCENE III. Don Castro in a room of his house at Mertullo. Reading a letter. DON CASTRO. Scoundrel! Presumptious wretch! this were enough To turn the stomach of a carrion crow ! Infamous (reads) ' ' In those troublous times a friend On whom you may rely" faith and on you I never will depend (reads) ' 'one word from me May make or mar a fortune," make or mar I do defy you! "when Cuba shall be free" 'Twere well if she were free of such as you ! "Your daughter's charms have quite enrap- tured me" And your vile spirit has disgusted me! (dashes down the letter) Why doth high Heaven furnish forth such fools ! Thinks he my daughter something like a slave That he may buy and I consent to sell! I have not reared Carlotta with all care To yield her now to such a knave as this ! Sweet Miguel, you have aimed a little high ! In truth how we poor fathers fondly dote Over our daughter's sweetly budding charms ! We deem them ours and evermore we plan Their future welfare, daily note their health, Instruct in all the dainty arts that go To make up lovely womanhood. Meanwhile In some remote, unthought-of town or city, Or continent upon earth's under side, Some youth is filled with longing for a mate: A happy chance, which is no chance at all, Brings each to each straightway a thousand charms Swift thoughts, bright glances, lovely wiles- Bind them together then fond parent yield Thy darling child; 'tis hard, 'tis hard, 'tis hard, Even when the mind is wholly satisfied, To yield the dearest treasure of the heart Up to another's care! May Heaven bless My sweet Carlotta and her chosen one! 26 I would, when Walter takes Carlotta's hand; The union may foretell a happier time When our sore burdened island shall have joined Her fortunes with (Knocking.) Who then? Come in! Come in! (Enter Manuel.) MANUEL. Please sir, the fellow who stopped here last night has left a suspicious parcel behind him. What shall we do with it? DON CASTRO. Bring it here, bring it here or wait? I'll go with you. (Exigent.) SCENE IV. The courtyard. A number of negroes gathered around the Yellow Bag IST NEGRO. No sah! No sah! yo' don' kitch dis yer colored gen'l'man ahandlin' dat yer object! Mos' likely an internal machine what blow up the fust man teches it ! I seed de feller what left dat here He look mighty funny when he say "dat fur de missus" I twig um! 2ND NEGRO. (Coming up to it cautiously.) Let's listen maybe dere's a clock in it 3RD NEGRO. You's a nice lot of fools! You is! 'Fraid to open an old yaller bag like Dis yer (advancing. I'll show you what's in it! (His wife rushes from the circle and seizes him.) O stop him ! stop him ! Help me hold him ! You'se a gwine to be bio wed up ! now ! Help me! help me! (Others join her and drag him away seemingly not altogether against his will . Enter Don Castro and Manuel.) 27 DON CASTRO. What's the matter now, what's the matter ? What's all this infernal riot about anyway? IST NEGRO. O please Massa its not an infernal riot. It's an infernal machine dat's what it is ! DON CASTRO. O I see ! it's this bag is troubling you ! 3RD NEGRO. Why please Massa I wanted to open it right now, and dese heah cowardly creatures went an' held me back ! You saw dem Massa ! You saw dem! cose you did! I wa'nt gwine to let dat valise sea' de hull lot on us dis way, no how! DON CASTRO. Well Sambo, take it now and open it Let's see what's in it. SAMBO. Now Massa, Jest you go 'way go 'way right into de house if dis yer machine blow up don' you stay round here, you get blowed up too! Go 'way! go 'way! DON CASTRO. All right Sambo. (Don Castro retires.) SAMBO. Now you niggers, stan' back! Stan' back over dere ! Now (spits on his hands and walks round the valise) . De bes' way to inwestigate de inferior economy of dis yer dishevilled com- position of combustibles, is to begin, stan' back there! what you crowdin' up for here! Stan' back I say! De best way to begin is by operatin' on de circumference Now you niggers how on airth can I do dis yer job and you crowdin' round dis way if you don' stan' back I'll slam dis machine right in among you d'ye hear? (They fall back) derefore I maintain (Enter Carlotta and Marian.) 28 CARLOTTA. Well did I ever see a set of such Simpletons ! Why Sambo, I thought you Were braver than this ! Come, Marian, Since all these fellows fear this worse than death We'll serve ourselves and let them draw their breath ! (Exit Carlotta and Marian carrying the Yellow Bag between them.} (Negroes surround Sambo and sing.) Down dropp'd a humbug from de sky at noon ! Down dropp'd Sambo feed him wid a spoon! CHO. Sing a song - sing a song - sing a song - sing! Jolly negroes - jolly negroes - round a jolly king ! When you hear de melon plunk upon de stem Den you know de time is when dere's juice in dem! CHO. When de ripe bannaner's meltin' in yer mouf, *'*%%% Den'de time de negro say he like de souf ! CHO (Curtain falls.) ACT. III. SCENE I. The American Consul's office at Havana. Walter Wellman and Charles Hartin at desks. CHARLES. I had a glorious trip to Matanzas last week. My father went on business, and I for pleasure. Finest country in the world this Cuba ! Such a beautiful sky and such lovely landscapes! Those glorious palms make me think of the Bible stories we used to read and books about 29 the Cannibal Islands and the Missionaries, that made me long to go a-whaling in the South Seas. WALTER. And perhaps led you on a whaling expedi- tion nearer home ! Whom saw you at Matanzas ? CHARLES. O lots of people from brown babies up to withered old men, but chiefly a sugar planter, by name Don Castro. My father often dealt with him before the war began, but now he's much reduced, almost beggared, but the finest gentle- man! WALTER. What did he think would be the end of the present state of affairs? CHARLES. O, he thought that Spain must lose, a Republic would be tried awhile, then probably absorption by the States; a fortune which he seemed to favour most. WALTER. Then you, by chance, learned all that I did learn By visiting Don Castro's place last week. But though I learned but little for our chief I gained 'a priceless fortune for myself! CHARLES. How so Walter, what do you mean? WALTER. I mean To wed the sweetest maiden in The loveliest island warmed beneath the sun! That's no bad fortune, is it? CHARLES. Well, I should smile ! WALTER. And I do smile! Think what all science now Says of heredity! She's no gypsy Filled with the wildest most outlandish traits No beggar born whose beauty hides a mass Of ignorance and sordid appetites. 30 Four hundred years of culture, flowing down From sire to son, from mother unto maid, Have furnished her with sweetest grace and charm. Her heart's as pure as any new blown flower! CHARLES. So you mean business, Walter? WALTER. That's the truth ! You know I met her in Havana, just A year ago last Tuesday night. She then Was on a visit to her aunt , a lady high Up in society. It never took me long To make my mind up when I saw a thing That suited me, and ere we parted then I knew she was the one in all the world With whom, for me, the perils of marriage failed To daunt my purpose I have burnt my boats And staked my fortune on this sweet event! CHARLES. Well I congratulate you! Does your father know ? When will the event take place? WALTER. My father will not know till I am wed. He would not much admire the match I fear If I but wrote and told him all the case; But having put the thing beyond dispute, When he shall see Carlotta face to face, I doubt not, he will as a daughter love Her as I do my bride that is to be. CHARLES. But the wedding is it to be a great event ? WALTER. 'Twill be a great event for me, but if You mean that all the world shall stand and gaze 'Twill not be great. CHARLES. Where will you live ? 31 WALTER. My term is nearly up when it expires I go to join my father in New York ; He needs assistance such as I can give. Meanwhile, we'll spend a happy month or two Here in Havana. CHARLES. Well I hope to be Beside you when you take Carlo tta's hand! A week from now is that the day you said ? WALTER. Ay that's the day I would that it were here! (Music sounds in the street. They go to the window where a newly arrived Spanish regiment is passing.) WALTER. Another regiment just arrived See The ladies from the windows throwing flowers! CHARLES. Yes poor fellows 'tis with them as with all We start 'mid playfulness and flowers upon The path which ends and only ends in death. (Curtain falls.) SCENE II. Maceo's headquarters in the western part of Cuba. Maceo and Dr. Miguel in conversation before a tent. Soldiers in the rear. DR. MIGUEL. How did you succeed in your fight at Santa Maria ? Were the Spaniards taken by surprise? MACEO. They were in truth We struck them like a cyclone when they fled They left behind some twenty maimed or dead DR. MIGUEL. Had you much loss ? 32 MACEO. Why nothing serious Andreas had his leg cracked by a ball, 'Twas he who lost the treasure, well I felt to pity him So broken down I never saw a man! I almost thought It would have been a charitable act To put a bullet through his wilted heart; But when we raided last, and he again Was given a chance to brighten up his name, How he did mount his horse a thousand men Would not have stopped him till they stopped his heart ! But now he lies with a limp leg on which 'Tis but a chance if e'er he limp again. DR. MIGUEL. About that treasure have you scoured about ? That knave Roderigue I would have trusted much He can't have gone so far when pay day comes 'Twill be a loss to mourn. MACHO. I put a squad of my best men to search The country round about so far no trace Of man or money yet I trust our cause Will still survive it is not built on gold. MIGUEL. What think you of Don Castro that he holds Strong sympathies with Spain I do believe ! Talks of the "blacks" and how they may o'errule This island in the future worse than Spain ! MACEO. I ever thought Don Castro was our friend, The flower and fruit of Spanish chivalry, Brought to a nobler pitch by breathing long The balmy air of Cuba he's not false! 33 DR. MIGUEL. If he's not false then count me most untrue ! Here is a letter I last night received; He calls me "knave" and "scoundrel". "Cuba's foe" With variations, such as could not fail To make one wish, with fire and sword, to teach A lesson to him of humility ! MACEO. Show me the letter. DR. MIGUEL. That were scarcely right I know I have divulged what only was Intended for my eye; but in my zeal I went some farther than perhaps I should. MACEO. If I thought Don Castro false I'd burn His house about his ears before ten hours! DR. MIGUEL. O that were cruel! Don't you know he has A lovely daughter ? MACEO. I am not swayed by daughters, though one hair Of woman's head was ne'er disturbed by me! But who can war and stop for woman's sake? Or who can walk and crush not one sweet flower, Or who can dig and not destroy a worm ? No, Miguel, let him who takes the field Forget the name of woman for a while, Dream not of pleasure that ensnares the flesh, And binds it down in weakness when 'tis most The sternest stuff is needed. Don Castro false ! DR. MIGUEL. I pray you be not rash his taunts to me Are nothing I can hear all that and smile. MACEO. 'Tis settled now I'll have no waverers To-morrow, at this time, the wind shall bear 34 A smoky message to Havana's walls; Which they who understand will thus translate Maceo boils another pot of soup ! (Exit Maceo.) DR. MIGUEL. Now, brave Don Castro, you shall have your bath ! 'Twill take some of the fever from your blood I Next time that you are given a chance to join Your fortunes to a man of Miguel's stamp You'll not refuse! But here comes news in haste! (Enter a trooper.) What news Garcia ? GARCIA. The Spaniards come in force ! Weyler hath sent a mighty power to crush Us like a nut between his closing jaws ! DR. MIGUEL. He often tried to crack the nut before And hurt his teeth 'tis like he will again! GARCIA. But they are desperate now Mercy's a banished word! 'Tis fire for what can burn, and shot and shell For what can die ! No hurricane, charged thick With death and woe, e'er crossed this isle with such A track of merciless destruction ! DR. MIGUEL. How far are they from here? GARCIA. Not twenty miles. (Re-enter Maceo.) MACEO. What news Garcia? GARCIA. The Spaniards come in force. MACEO. All we can do is act the Matadore! Weyler's the bull, and Cuba is the ring, Now let him charge and we his sides will sting! (Exeunt.) 35 SCENE III. Maceo's headquarters. Alphonse and Philip in conversation outside a tent as they clean their saddles, etc. ALPHONSE. This is a strange proceeding, think you not? How kindly we were treated when we last Stopped at Don Castro's place the very best Was none too good for us if he were but Acting a part well then I say, he might Have made a greater fortune on the stage Than he did out of sugar. PHILIP. Yes that's true, I never met a kinder gentleman, and yet He must be scorched and ruined 'tis a shame ! ALPHONSE. I thought this war was aimed at foreign foes But if we must turn on our staunchest friends Then woe to Cuba! (Maceo comes out of the tent.} PHILIP. Heaven save us! We thought you were ten miles away! MACEO. 'Tis never wise in soldiers to be critics you Have heard, no doubt, obedience is your part; But in this present war distinctions nice Have oft been slighted for the common good. 'Twould grieve me more to think that I had done Injustice to a friend than lose a fight, And you can swear that I love not defeat ! PHILIP. And you can swear I was not more surprised, To see Roderigue make off with stolen wealth, Than when I heard that you had turned about And ordered ruin on your truest friend! 36 I doubt you've been misled there's some false tongue Been plotting for Don Castro's overthrow. MACEO. While here we talk, our men are spurring on; I must myself see what this thing portends. If we've false men about us I must know Out with a dozen of our swiftest horse (Attendants rush up.) Each moment's priceless, now ! Exit Maceo and attendants.) PHILIP. This is a perilous time for him to go On such a trip, with such small company! If he should run upon the Spanish lines It were a day of woeful loss to us ! ALPHONSE. God save us from such fate as that would be! Without him, Cuba's cause were all at sea! PHILIP. Did'st ever hear how Maceo come to have Such deep-set hatred of the Spaniards rule? ALPHONSE. No, nothing in particular, did you ? PHILIP. Well what I heard was this; when the last war Was well begun Antonia's father lived, With 'what contentment the dark times could spare, Tilling his little plot of garden ground. One day the Spaniards came that way a horde Of lustful and debased villians, rank With months of plundering and devilment. Antonio's elder sisters then were just Well entered on the marriageable age But never from that day were virgins more, Antonio's father, wild with rage to see 37 His daughters thus by force put to their shame, Made single-handed fight but him they bound, Flogging him till he seemed beyond the reach Of all revival having fired the house They left them, food for anguish and despair. That night Antonio, who had been away, Returned to find his home all desolate, Swept with a loathsome and soul-sickening blight! And in his boyish heart was dropped the seed That now yields Spain a bitter, costly crop. Henceforth the various currents of his life Were all commingled in a surging flood, That ever bore him onward to the goal Freedom from Spain and merciless revenge! Now when he leads a charge you can suppose The fire that spurs him as he spurs his steed ! Not merely duty, no, nor Glory's sheen Can put the fierceness in the warrior's heart That dwells in his ! Kis life he counts not fear, Such being the case, finds naught to build upon. O fearfullest in power is the man Who while he lives doth yet consent to die Who when he dies will evermore live on! ALPHONSE. I often wonder that he never smokes Nor touches wine, for me a good cigar Is little more than a necessity. PHILIP. Listen did you not hear a sound? (The boom of cannon faintly heard.) Heavens! Are the Spaniards then so near! What place would they be sacking? (A bugle sounds.) ALPHONSE. We must away, Cuba hath still her fortunes in the scale, To-morrow's tongue may tell a woeful tale ! (Exeunt.) ACT IV. SCENE I. The courtyard of Don Castro's establishment at Mertullo. Time evening. A troop of Maceo's men, led by Captain Pedro, enter. Captain Pedro fires his carbine in the air, a number of negroes rush out in alarm. 1ST NEGRO. For the lan's sake! What's the matter boss? CAPTAIN PEDRO. We want Don Castro tell him to come out ! 2ND NEGRO. Massa's not at home he's in Havana. CAPTAIN PEDRO. He can stay in Havana then that's where he likes to be best. Birds of a feather ! Well we'll scorch his nest than he can stay with his dear friends the props of Spanish tyranny in Cuba ! Come, negroes, out of the way there too many of these double - tongued Spanish foot lickers about. (Enter Manuel?) MANUEL. For God's sake, Captain, spare the place till Don Castro's here himself! I am but in charge of what is not my own For pity's sake, do not this grievous wrong, which is a wrong in that it conies unearned. CAPTAIN PEDRO. If 'twere unearned we would not here be sent, And being earned we will not now relent. MANUEL. Think of his daughter she will thus be turned Out in the night have pity stay your hand! CAPTAIN PEDRO. How many just as good have been unhoused. And ravished by the gallant sons of Spain ! MANUEL. Is there no price to stay your hand a while ? CAPTAIN PEDRO. No money weighs not 'gainst Maceo's word. If your sweet mistress rests within those walls Warn her out quickly there's no time to lose! MANUEL. This is a cruel errand curse the time ! (Exit Manuel.) (Soldiers fire the building.) (Carlotta's room Carlotta at the window.) CARLOTTA. O loveliest of nights that ever I have known ! How the great earth is bathed in silence now ! How pregnant seems the air with brooding life ! I never saw such solemn beauty steal Over the fields and far off mountain-tops. What majesty attends the rising moon, Even the blazing sun seems not to hold Such peerless empire as the silvery moon. All nature now is hushed and prostrate lies In silent homage to the "Queen of Night." 'Tis strange I feel a sadness, even now, When I am happiest placed, for well I know That any change can never bring me more Of bliss than now is mine, and in a world Where change doth ever come what chance there is That it should bring me ill. (Pauses.) What sound is that ? 40 (Rings. Enter Marian.) Did you hear a shot fired, Marian ? MARIAN. O that's young Pete he's got an old pistol somewhere and every evening he's practising Hope it blows his head off ! CARU>TTA. It rather startled me I wish papa Would never go away and leave me thus! MARIAN. You didn't say that the last time he Left you alone Ha ! Ha ! CARLOTTA. O no indeed, that was the loveliest time! Marian, I often scolded you For less than I did then ! Love makes us eat All words which we have ever said against His power which seems omnipotent indeed ! MARIAN. I think Mr. Wellman an awfully nice young man. What lovely waves his hair is always in! 1 hate to see a man clipped till his skull shines through the stubbles ! makes me sick Bah ! CARLOTTA. How often I have thought papa was all That ever man could be to me, But now he seems far off, as if 'twere at The far horizon of my daily life. And Walter walks beside me every day And sits beside me as I sit alone. And I had almost said, he sleeps with me. MARIAN. O goodness gracious! CARLOTTA. For when I sleep he mingles in my dreams ; And when I wake I often seem to feel His warm breath on my cheek while lingers still Melodious words about my drowsy ears. (Loud knocking at the door.) What's that ? (Enter Manuel.) Why Manuel, What's the matter? 41 MANUEL. O Miss Carlo tta, what I've feared is come The rebels now are going to burn the place You must prepare to leave O there will be A curse on this night's work! CARLOTTA. Well if we must, we must, our time has come They mean no violence to us ? MANUEL. 'Tis violence enough to burn your house, - A home like this with every comfort filled ! But what you fear the most, you need not fear. They may be rebels, but they are not devils! MARIAN. (Crying and wringing her hands.) O what will become of us! What will become Of us! If your rebels are not devils, They are no gentlemen ! CARLOTTA. Lend a hand, now we must save what we can ! MARIAN. Let's fly! Let's fly! I see the fire already! CARLOTTA. O what a fool you are! MARIAN. I'm going (picks up the Yellow Bag). I'll take this. CARLOTTA. Farewell old room. If I had time to weep, I'd shed a tear or two at this farewell! MANUEL. Come ! Come ! (Exeunt.) SCENE II. The country south-west of Havana. General Pinzero addressing a regiment of Spanish soldiers. GEN. PIN. Soldiers of Spain! I tender you my thanks For all the gallant deeds that you have done; The tiresome marches and the fierce assaults; 42 Heedless of pestilence or hidden foes; Again I thank you ! Nobly have you proved That Spain has sons that will not fail her in The hour of her sorest need. Soldiers ! Still there is much to do a hundred fights Have checked but have not killed the baleful growth Of vile rebellion we must weary not While still the head and front of Cuba's cause, Antonio Maceo, lives! He, of all others, we Must silence in the dust The man who brings Him to the earth a rich reward shall earn; His name shall ring from end to end of Spain; His wealth be trebled and his rank advanced, And in the years to come his sons shall see Men point at them and say "Their father slew Antonio Maceo, aud saved for us The wealth of Cuba and the pride of Spain!" (Cheers from the soldiers) (Enter a scout who speaks with the general) GEN. PIN. Soldiers ! I have just heard that even now Maceo hath, for some cause all unknown, Passed northward from the main part of his men With a slight bodyguard. We must prepare. To intercept him as he shall return. You Cirucejo watch the eastward side; And Vallademo circle to the west; While I shall see worse than a needle's eye Shall be the centre for his passage back! Now let each private feel the weight of care A captain bears, and every captain act As though all Spain hung on his single arm! (Cheers) 43 (Enter Don Castro, Manuel, and Sinkel evidently after hard riding) . DON CASTRO. General Pinzero I believe. GEN. PIN. I have the honour to be. DON CASTRO. I am Don Castro of Mertullo a sugar planter. Returning from Havana yesterday I found Maceo's men had been at work, My home a mass of smouldering ruins lay, My servants weeping and disconsolate And my dear daughter gone where, none can tell, I fear some brigand Cuban hath a hand In this atrocious crime that cursed hound Miguel GEN. PIN. Softly, my friend, you speak too loud! I am not young, but still my ears are sound. 'Twere wiser did you not allow yourself To feel so deeply in this present case. You're not the only one this war has shorn Of property, of children or of friends. You must not think the world has changed its course Because calamity hath bruised your heart. What day goes by without some anxious wife Being stabbed with bitter news or some poor child Being orphaned. DON CASTRO. Callous comfort surely that! That if my heart bleeds others are the same ! Could you not send a score of men to search The roads about Mertullo if you could That were a comfort I could more digest! 44 GEN. PIN. We are not here at Spain's expense and cost To trace abducted heiresses we strive To pacify this island and we shall By doing so give safety to you all. DON. CASTRO. A little justice and fair government Would do more to give us settled peace Than all the gold and soldiers Spain can pour Into this island in a score of years! GEN. PIN. So you are a rebel care my friend, I will not have my sovereign so belied. Were't not Maceo stripped you of your wealth I'd little stop to rid you of your life! Come, clear this place of your detested gang. Away! Guard, see them beyond the lines. (Exeunt} SCENE III. Don Castro, Manuel and Sinkel halted by road- side. Horses tied to trees. DON CASTRO. This is for me indeed a luckless day! I little thought, when last I left my home, And kissed my child farewell, so soon I'd be Houseless and childless, yea, and friendless too. MANUEL. Kind master, say not so! though it may be, While God forbid it, you have lost your child, Yet, while I live you still will have a friend. SINKEL. And while you may not wish to call me friend, Yet call me servant, and I shall be pleased, And while you're resting, faint for lack of food, I'll try up yonder, where a smoke is seen, If I can not procure at least a meal. 45 DON CASTRO. Take some money with you, here, what use Is money to me now My child! My child! Curse on the rebels! how I have been served! My money went in secret to their aid; My sympathy begot the same in more, How often strangers to our inward broils At my opinion gave both tongue and pen To Cuba's cause. My trade destroyed my wealth Gone with it too, yet I complained not. Now they have all I value, but my life, How soon they take that too I care not! MANUEL. By Heaven, kind master, we may lose our lives Sooner than we've expected see what comes! (A troop of Cuban horsemen appear at full gallop led by Maceo. As they come up Maceo recognizes Don Castro. He halts his men). MACEO. Don Castro, my old friend, what brings you here? DON CASTRO. That seems a foolish question well you know ! MACEO. I know right well your home in ashes lies! But why are you not in Havana now? DON CASTRO. Because my child is lost my only child! How could you in the face of Heaven set on Your men to such a piece of hellish work ? How can you hope to quell your enemies While thus you drive your friends to black despair ? What have I done that has not been to aid 46 Your cause, which I still hoped would well succeed, But now to hope for that were sacrilege, To hope for aught is more than I can do! dark the day when Cuba raised the sword, For having ta'en the sword, she now by it Must miserably perish! MACEO. How your words Cut to my heart 'tis as I feared it was A traitor's hand begins to show its work! Most deeply do I feel this wrong with you, Which though I feel makes it not light for you Believe me, then, but I was given to know That you of late were far from being friend. 1 trusted Miguel too far that's past But he played on my feelings till I vowed Vengeance on you the troop was scarcely gone Till something made me think all was not right; I made all haste with these few gallant boys To overtake ere they had done their work; But, long detours to shun the Spanish troops Delayed us, till we were some hours too late. God knows I feel this as a serious blow. My honour is my chief dependence now; The loss of that would make me poor indeed DON CASTRO. (springing up) Your words new-life me! I had thought you false! And Maceo if he's false then who'll be true ? So thought I O to lose our faith in man In truth and righteousness O that is death! MACEO. While you gain faith I feel that mine drops down 47 Just like a flower some hidden worm has cut! I trusted Miguel DON CASTRO. A scoundrel pure! He tried to frighten me the foolish knave! The price of friendship was Carlotta's hand; I answered him just as I felt no doubt It angered him now he has shown his skin! MACEO. I'll show it more! O how this treason clogs The first weak steps of every enterprise From Eden down to dark Gethsemane! (Sinkell returns') SINKELL. Here, master, is all that I could get for love or money, and what can't be bought for that is very scarce ! DON CASTRO. Two chickens and a loaf of bread. SINKELL. As you call a dead pig, pork, so you may call a dead hen chicken, but I warrant you it's a long time since those chickens left their shells! DON CASTRO. And methinks it is a long time since this bread was dough. Time was a baby might have stuck his finger in it but I doubt if even Maceo could split it with his sword ! MACEO. We have a slight provision with us Oscar, bring us what you have sit round friends Here's some cold tea to wet your lips I can't abide your rum! DON CASTRO. Nor I either. (Tastes the tea) Excellent! Here's to the health of Maceo and success to Cuba ! MANUEL. (Aside) The master seems to have forgot half his grief. SINKELL. Yes. I never saw such a change. MANUEL. I hope he keeps it up 'twould make me feel like dying too to see him as he was. 48 SINKELL. Where do you think has Miss Carlotta gone ? MANUEL. I think she's gone where you nor I don't know. But, where she's gone is where she wished to go ! MACEO. (Springing up). By Heavens we are sur- rounded ! ALL. The Spaniards! The Spaniards! (They mount and disperse under fire). (Maceo Falls) (Curtain falls) . SCENE IV. A cell in a fortress prison, Havana. Don Castro in irons. DON CASTRO. Now may I claim with Job that God's unjust. And lays his strokes on with too stern a hand ! My wealth consumed the first, my well-loved home All gone in smoke and ashes then my child, Dearer a thousand-fold than all beside, The image of her mother, saint most sweet, O where is she ! It were a joy to know That in a peaceful grave her body lay, Where flowers bloomed above it all year long, While with her mother in some higher state Her disembodied spirit sweetly joined; , that were kinder far than this rank fear That's grown up in my heart till faith is choked. 1 marvel that I live a month ago I had not thought it possible to bear The burden of a grief such as is mine. (Enter the jailor.) 49 JAILOR. How are you to-day, senor? DON CASTRO. As well as any man Who feels the same. JAILOR. You find rebellion pays! You've now free lodging amd free board I doubt If it continues long however. DON CASTRO. I pray your doubt Proves true. I've little now to make me wish To live amid the shattered hopes of time. What is the latest news from the field? JAILOR. Why the latest news is, that Maceo'sshot! The whole army is in ecstasy! The Captain- General is like to burst with pride ! All Spain is illuminated ! Cuba is weeping ! The Americans are gnashing their teeth! And a devilish fuss is raised in general all about the son of a slave, who was better fit to have cut cane than to head an army. How the world makes a fool of itself! DON CASTRO. Antonio Maceo dead ! The fearless man ! The Cuban's idol, and the woe of Spain ! Well may all Spain rejoice, and Cuba weep For Spanish steel this time hath sunken deep! JAILOR. So perish all the enemies of Spain ! in saying which I mean no ill to you. (Exit Jailor.} DON CASTRO. Now I might to my prayers, if I believed God were a human tyrant to be praised Till he forgot his anger all my life Have I believed in kindness, and to grant Forgiveness to the meanest slave that sought It from me ! I can trust that God who worked All kindness through His Son is still the same. 50 And as I hope to be forgiven now. I do forgive all who have wrought me harm; But Miguel ah, there's a bitter pill I'll wait a while (Enter an officer with papers.) OFFICER. Don Castro del Mertullo, I have the honor to inform you that at a court-martial presided over by the Captain General in person, you were convicted of aiding and abetting the Cuban rebels, at present under arms against the sovereign right and majesty of KingAlphon- so of Spain. That in accordance with the laws and usages of Spain enacted to suppress rebellion and all treasonable designs, sentence of death was passed upon you the same to be executed, not later than twelve o'clock noon to-morrow. For the which you may, and jire hereby enjoined to make such preparation as your heart doth warrant you. (Exit officer.) DON CASTRO. So it has come, and yet though I had thought Myself prepared, yea hoping for the worst How death doth chill the soul ah me! My sweet Carlotta ! how your heart would bleed, If you but knew your poor old father's state ; Me thinks t' would be to you a harder fate *Than any I have feared has fallen on you. O War ! O Ruin ! How Death loves thy name ! O Death! How War makes even thee seem kind! 51 V. A secluded square in the outskirts of Havana. A company of soldiers on three sides. A firing party told off. Enter Don Castro and Dr. Miguel guarded, hands pinioned. Dr. Miguel walking first. As they reach the place of execution, they are halted and for the first time Don Castro sees Dr. Miguel's face. DON CASTRO. Miguel! MIGUEL. Don Castro ! CAPTAIN JUAN. Silence! Prisoners. DON CASTRO. Since I must die, I will not fear to speak I would that I might die in better company! DR. MIGUEL. A better one than you died between two Who surely equaled me. DON CASTRO. If I'm a traitor, which I do deny, Then you're a double traitor ! CAPTAIN JUAN. Silence, I say! And will you quarrel thus, While here the very grave stands open for you? I have seen, ere this, two women quarrel About the flowers wherewith they decked a bier ; But this moves wonder more. Soldiers attend! (They are blindfolded.} CAPTAIN JUAN. (Aside.) This is a kind of work I didn't count on I ne'er could watch a butcher kill a sheep But here I am head-butcher over these! Soldiers make ready ! (Enter Walter Wellman and a Spanish official.) WALTER. Are you Captain Juan ? CAPTAIN JUAN. I have the honour to be your humble servant. 52 WALTER. I have a pardon for Don Castro. CAPTAIN JUAN. Show it to me (Reads.) Yes true enough! You have still a chance to die in better company Soldiers unbind the prisoner. Don Castro, I congratulate you! DON CASTRO. (Embracing Walter.) My young friend ! How can I show you gratitude for this! WALTER. This is no time to talk of gratitude Thank God for your escape. (Soldiers fire. Dr. Miguel falls.) DON CASTRO. Poor fellow he seems to die hard very hard Yet a moment gone and I reviled him. I would I had been man enough to have In very truth forgiven him from my heart As I, too late, do now! Ah now he's dead! WALTER. You had a close call too. It was late last night when I heard that you were to be shot to-day, as we Americans say, "I had to hus- tle," and in truth, it took all the skill and ability of the Consul to wring your pardon from Weyler. DON CASTRO. My poor, poor boy! It grieves me, I must be The bearer of a heavy woe to you While this success still makes your youthful heart Beat joyfully WATLER. Why, what's the matter now ? DON CASTRO. Carlotta's gone would I could say she's dead ! WALTER. If my Carlotta's gone, she's wondrous false, That you can wish her dead, seems crueler ! DON CASTRO. She's neither false nor am I cruel, sir, But where she is, I know not. WALTER. Then well I do- She's in her room in the Columbian House, And if you came with me, I think, you'll find That Miss Carlotta still remembers you! DON CASTRO. I'm weak my legs will scarcely bear me up; Let's sit and rest here in this grateful shade Till I grow stronger meanwhile please to tell, Why things are as they are. WALTER. Well on the day your great misfortune fell, I felt a longing I could not put down to see Carlotta as the trains are slow and most un- certain at the present time. I hired a carriage hoping to arrive ere night had well begun. In this I failed; but as I neared the place, the fiery glow was mounting in the sky. I guessed how matters went, and as we came so near that we could feel the glowing heat, whom should we meet but her I looked for most! You may suppose she was not much displeased to see me but to make it short she said, that you were in Havana and would not be home until, at least, more than a day had passed Then we decided to return at speed, knowing you stopped at the Columbian House; but when we reached it, you had left for home. In the excitement, we forgot to tell The servants where or how, their mistress went, A slip which came near causing endless harm ! DON CASTRO. But for it, I would never have been caught In Maceo's company, but I say in truth 54 'Twas worth all I have suffered to have been Among the few that saw him ere he fell On that most lamentable day, and know As I do now, that he at least was true. WALTER. Let us be going now if possible; Carlo tta waits us with what feelings think! DON CASTRO. Yes let us go to meet her I'm as fain As when I wooed her mother in old Spain! (Exeunt.) ACT V. SCENE I. A drawing-room in New York. Mrs. Wellman and daughter, Myrtle. MRS. WELLMAN. I wonder how Walter is! I wish the dear boy were home. Papa looks awfully tired these days. It will be a great relief to him when he has some one he can really trust, these strangers never take the same interest in things one does who really is responsible for success or failure. MYRTLE. Yes, I think Papa looks real bad. I'm sure he must be worrying a great deal. He thinks, that times have reached the worst, and that there will soon be a decided improvement. MRS. WELLMAN. O dear me ! that's been the cry for ten years past and still it doesn't come. I thought when the election was over our troubles would all vanish. The Gold standard doesn't seem to have helped us much, yet. MYRTLE. No more than the golden calf did the Israelites ! I wish Bryan had won. 55 MRS. WELLMAN. Nonsense! Bryan's a demagogue. MYRTLE. If all demagogues were Bryans, and all Democrats demagogues, I'd join the party to- morrow. MRS. WELLMAN. And you might be proud of your company. (Servant enters with letters. Myrtle looks them over). MYRTLE. Here's a letter from Walter! (Opens it and reads) . Dear Father, Mother and Sister I have great pleasure in letting you know that I am married to the sweetest girl in Cuba. She is an heiress but her fortune till the war is over, will not be in evidence. I bespeak for her an equal place in your affections with myself. We are coming home on the West Indian Star due in New York on the i yth inst. Love to all, WALTER." MRS. W. Well this is past belief! Walter married! MYRTLE. And to a Cuban! Who ever heard the like! I do hope she hasn't negro blood in her. MRS. W. Well Moses married a black woman, and he's always been respected. MYRTLE. Just to think of it! This comes of letting boys have their own way too much. Papa should never have let him go to Cuba ! The idea ! MRS. W. I think I can trust Walter, I'd sooner have him write home "I'm married." as he has done than have such stories told to his dis- grace as we have heard of some its easy to do worse than marry! (Enter Mr. Wellman.) 56 MRS. W. Why William! what's the matter? Are you ill You look so pale and wild? MR. W. I am not ill, but fortune has been I fear we're ruined that's the short of it! I've done my best MYRTLE. O dear papa, don't look so please don't; I'm sure mamma and I don't blame you! (Putting her arms around him.) You've done your best ! MRS. W. 'Twill be a sad return for Walter Must we give up our home? MR. W. Money's so scarce, is all the trouble; could I but realize a hundred thousand cash I still could save our home and reputation. I have ample securities but money! money! Our whole system is largely built on faith. When panic takes its place 'tis like a crowd who throng a single door a little time and all might safely pass a wave of fear and scores are trampled down What did you say of Walter? MRS. W. He's coming home. MR. W. I'm glad of that. MRS. W. I wish you would be glad at what I next will tell you ! MR' W. Out with it anything for a change I've been sad enough for the past month! MRS. W. Walter is married. MR. W. Good! I'm very glad! Go on. MRS. W. He's married a Cuban girl. MR. W. Still better if America would follow his example and marry Cuba, 'twould be a glorious wedding MYRTLE. Well I never! 57 MRS. W. She's an heiress. Mr. W. More to be glad of this is a great night for news ! MRS. W. But her fortune is like our own more in remembrance than in fact. MR. W. Still good we'll have a fellow feeling from the start ! Well be ready to give them a royal welcome if Fortune drives us from our house we'll leave with royal courage I feel a load already gone, now you both know the worst. (Exeunt.) SCENE; II. The drawing-room of Mr. Wellman's home in New York. Mr. Wellman in evening dress alone. MR. W. This is the last night I shall call this house My home! Farewell this peaceful anchorage Where I had thought to spend the residue Of my too storm-tossed life! How dreary now Seems the long flight of years for fortunes smile ! How bright it seemed when I was young and strong The road to wealth and high munificence ! Then were the days too short for all my plans; My nights were full of golden-sounding dreams ; Had I a thousand hands unnumbered feet; They were too few to keep my busy brain Unclogged by its innumerable births! Soon o'er my mills the cloudy pillars rose By day, and all the night was reddened by The glow of forges where my genii toiled. 58 My home shone in the social diadem Brighter than most, and not behind the best. My voice became a power within the state, None wished to call me their antagonist ! 'Twa then I must have erred when I forgot That I was here to serve, and sought to make The state serve me how fatal a mistake! But one in which I was not all alone. I'm sorry for poor Walter and his bride. They little know how matters stand just now, But vain regrets are useless he is young; And if he's like his father will enjoy The rugged climbing O the priceless boon Which millions have, yet seem not to enjoy, Of being poor-born, outside of fortune's gate Where all's to gain and nothing can be lost! (Enter Myrtle who seeing him alone goes up to where he is standing and puts her arm about him.) MYRTLE. O papa how sorry I feel about you ! Is there anything, I can do for you? MR. W. Nothing my child, but just be brave and true They also serve who only stand and wait. Were you to yield to fretfulness and turn A scornful face to your old father now, 'Twould be a harder trial than to lose All I have lost or ever hope to gain ! MYRTLE. O dear papa, how could I be so cruel! (Enter Mrs. Wellman.) Walter should soon be here will you tell Him anything about your circumstances? MR. W. Not to-night let trouble stand aside, We'll greet with joy our Walter and his bride ! MYRTLE. Here they come. (Enter Walter and Carlotta.) WALTER. This is my bride, the flower of Cuba, come To fill with sweetness a more northern home. Carlotta this is my father. (Mr. Wellman takes her by the hand and kisses her.} MR. W. Cuba hath sweetness given to many a cup ! And you, Carlotta by your countenance, Will keep the record good ! I welcome you as our great nation would Welcome your island to our heritage, But that a parent stern forbids the banns! Welcome most welcome ! for your own sweet sake, And for the sake of Cuba ! CARLOTTA. Thanks from my heart! For you have made this time Which I had looked to with a troubled mind, One to remember kindly evermore, Like my loved island, war has shorn my wealth, And through my heart shot many a pang of fear, But Heaven has sent, amid these bitter woes, What far outweighs them-! were you all as poor As I feel I am, I could still rejoice That love hath given me such a happy choice ! MYRTLE. (To Walter.) You never told us anything about the wedding, What sort of dresses did the bridesmaids wear? Who was your groomsman, Walter? WALTER. A young man named Hart en did you ever meet such a person Myrtle? By the way, I saw him reading a letter which seemed to give him a great amount of satisfaction I could have sworn 'twas your handwriting. 60 MYRTLE. He didn't let you see What should I know about his letters! Did you get any nice presents ? WALTER. Not quite enough to start a jeweller's shop ! If we had waited till we reached New York we might have done better. By the way, Carlotta, do you remember the fellow you gave the night's lodging to at Mertullo? I believe he came to New York with us. I noticed him as we came ashore. He was looking at us with the drollest look imaginable. I couldn't think when I had seen him before. CARLOTTA. And don't you remember he gave us an old yellow bag for a wedding gift ! I believe I have it yet in my trunk ; Marian carried it out the night the house was burnt and its been knocking round ever since. Come with me Walter, and we'll get it. Exit Walter and Carlotta.) MYRTLE. Isn't she a picture? I think she's just too lovely for anything ! MRS. W. She seems to be perfectly well bred. I was afraid Walter had been too hasty. MR. W. Walter's like his father he knows a good thing when he sees it! (Enter Walter and Carlotta with the yellow bag.) WALTER. This is a present from a weary walker. Don't laugh at it please ! MRS. W. Not much fear. Whew! I wonder you'd touch such a thing, Walter ! (Puts her handkerchief over her nose.) WALTER. How shall we open it ? \ MR. W. By its looks it doesn't seem much odds cut it open! 61 (Walter cuts it open and sees packages of new ten dollar bills.} WALTER. Great heavens! Its full of money! Rolls of it! Wads of it ! Carlo tta this is some trick of yours ! MR. W. Thank Heaven for this ! WALTER. What's the matter father? You often saw money before ! MR. W. None that I ever was so glad of! None so welcome! WALTER. Why so ? MR. W. This saves our home, our fortune and our all ! WALTER. Why did you not tell us this sooner? MR. W. I wished to let you have one happy night before I chilled your blood! MRS. W. But this is yours Carlo tta Walter ? WALTER. 'Tis Carlotta's ! CARLOTTA. And being mine 'tis Walter's. WALTER. And being mine 'tis yours father if you need it. CARLOTTA. 'Tis Providence has sent this timely gift; We'll take it thankfully, and use it well; When he who can a better claim set up, Appears, we'll yield it with all interest due; Meanwhile let us rejoice ! MR. W. Indeed let us rejoice! This stops the leak Which by to-morrow had our fortune sunk! MYRTLE. This seems like a play ! CARLOTTA. And could we see The world as from some pleasant altitude, We'd need few plays to fill a vacant hour! (Exeunt.} 62 SCENE III. A hospital in Havana. Sebastian in a cot, fan in hand, half delirious. SEBASTIAN. I came to Cuba to fight and I am fighting fighting the flies! Shoo! They're like Maceo's soldiers you drive them away on one side and they're right back on the other! This fearful head-ache how it splits my skull ! Its glorious to fight to be a soldier fighting for glory! fighting the flies. Shoo! What a horrid smell there is here a mixture between a drug shop and a slaughter house! Whew ! How is it with forty miles of fresh air blowing overhead that we've got to stifle here! Doctor ! Doctor ! Doctor ! DOCTOR. What's the matter my man? SEBASTIAN. How long am I going to lie here. Tell me the truth now ! DOCTOR. O maybe a week just as short a time As we can make it. SEBASTIAN. Yes make it short whether I die or live ! The sooner out of here the better! (Exit Doctor.) A week a week each hour seems a week; A week will be a year then will it not ! What a fool I was to come here. (Enter Isobel, as a Sister of Mercy,) Who's this? 'tis Isobel upon my life. (She comes beside him, and takes his hand.) O my darling Isobel to meet you thus, In this infernal pit of horrors ! When last I saw you in dear old Seville, How fair you looked but now so sweet and pale ! 63 What brings you here ? This is no lawful place For woman ! Only devils should be seen In such a hell as this ! ISOBEL. Hush, Brother ! hush ! Such talk is mortal sin ! SEBASTIAN. Sin, is it, to call things by their names ? 'Twould be a sin a full grown bearded sin To call aught here, or fair, or sweet but you! ISOBEL. Hush! Look not on my flesh I have re- nounced The world and all its show ! the soul alone Should be thy only care ! soon may your flesh Be but a thing unclean to loath and hide. Are you at peace with God? SEBASTIAN. Are you at peace, or are you only dead? There is a peace when all is harmony, And life beats on in strong and steady throbs That moves the world, a peace that overcomes Through seeing clear God's hand amid the maze Of so called fortune that I have not, I doubt if you have either. ISOBEL. I feel a wondrous stirring in my breast; A yearning for a higher life than this; And yet methinks it has a wildness too! Suggestive of some fiery pleasure-land Dreamed of in youth, when nature ruled us more. But how came you here ? SEBASTIAN. Your words, your taunts cut to the very heart, And touched the centre of my honour hard. Ere I the threshold of your home had passed, I vowed to win my honour back or die So far I have done neither! Hundreds have died of fever, or of wounds; 64 And some have won some glory as they say, But I am here a miserable wreck. Tossed into this vile stagnant pool of death! In truth we've both been fool' d 'tis vain to try To frame aught lovely of the thing called war. I know it holds all Europe hypnotized, As doth the reptile its weak trembling prey That helpless sees its dreaded doom approach By slow degrees yet cannot turn away! Isobel, I pray you for God's love, Renounce this life, which not becomes you well; Return to Spain; fall at our dear Queen's feet; Beseech her in the name of womanhood O'er burdened by the toil we men should bear, Of childhood stunted by their mother's lot Of manhood torn from natural ties to drown All higher instincts in this bloody trade, To cast her sceptre in the scale for peace! From court to court, as an ambassadress Of Loving Kindness go! All powers of Good Shall be around thy path to guard thee safe The voice of every man who loves the truth Shall be upraised to plead and speed thy cause. All priests who spread their hands to bless their flocks Shall waft a benison of Christlike power Thus shall the time which men have looked for long Be ushered in to a war- wearied world ! ISOBEL. 'Tis you, who have the heart to feel this so, And tongue so eloquent, should preach this text. SEBASTIAN. I am too near the end of my short race. 1 feel the week the doctor gives will see The end of my campaign. 65 O say not so. SEBASTIAN. I say but what I feel O, I could weep To think how I have failed in all my plans ! On what a slender prop I raised the walls Of my poor palace, built for you and me! How I had hoped to win your admiration! Here I was vain. How I had hoped to reach Above my rank, how foolish, foolish that! For years you were the highest court I knew, To stamp my actions good or ill for me, And all has come to this! O Isobel! ISOBEL. O do not weep, or think that you have failed, If still you value my poor love at all. You have it yet, increased a thousand-fold. I thought I loved you as the soldier gay, And so I did in truth, but now to me You seem a nobler being than I dreamed! Then I could criticise and see your faults, But now, I can do nothing more than love ! SEBASTIAN. 'Tis sweet to hear, even on the dying bed, That we have lived our loathed dishonour down. 'Tis a sweet opiate will drown my pain. And as I dream o'er all the past and thee, The deeper dream of life within this clay, Shall fade and pass, and usher in the day. (Curtain falls.) CITY VIEW March 2ist, 1897. JOHNNY CANUCK. I. With back to the north, firm-facing the south, An ocean on either hand, With an open eye and a tight-shut mouth, And a million miles of land; The glory of youth upon his brow, The glory of hope in his heart Who is it the world has seen just now From the waning shadows start? Johnny Canuck ! Yes, Johnny Canuck's his name ; May he never bring it shame ! Johnny Canuck. II. Not with a sword, blood-bathed, comes he ; Not with the bursting shell ; But the sound of God-like industry, Is the music he loveth well ; Where his foot hath passed the herds increase, His wand is the staff of life ; Where it waves, the pangs of hunger cease, And the clamour of angry strife. Johnny Canuck; Yes, Johnny Canuck's his name ! May it ever mean fair fame ! Johnny Canuck. 67 III. The beauty of love, the dream of art, Of mystic color and form, Are gathering surely within his heart, To burst in a glorious storm That shall startle and clear the earth, And sweeten the lot of all ; This this is the secret of his birth ; This is his heavenly call ! Johnny Canuck; Yes, Johnny Canuck's his name, And he'll never bring it shame, No he'll never bring it shame, Johnny Canuck ! MARK TWAIN. Jester sage man ! These are the titles, three, We grant you in pre-eminent degree. First, to awake the drowsy ear of mirth With joyous call, a-rippling round the earth; Then dropping in the cup of human tears A pearl of wisdom straightway hope appears ! Then last and best, to break the chilling ice Of cold convention, piteous pride's device, Warming the heart of human brotherhood For these, a precious trinity of good, For these our thanks, and far beyond, above, Gold, laurel, grant we you the wreath of love. So wrote I heedless, but forgive me, pray, You've worn that priceless wreath for many a day ! THE CASE OF UNCLE JIM. When Uncle Jim is told that he Should get a wife, he'll laugh "The girl's not born would marry me A sort of human calf!" For forty cows he always keeps, His years are forty, too; His brow a semi-circle sweeps ; Teeth somewhat out of true. Two hundred acres in a block, And on the seventh line, An extra hundred for young stock And wood soil very fine. Hard working ? I should say he was ! The snow's not off the ground Till he'll be sowing wheat, because Like others, he has found The early wheat escapes the rust, And also fills the best ; So till the wheat's in safely, just Believe that he won't rest. Then, oats and peas and barley, all Are waiting in their turn ; With twenty calves to feed in stall, And barrels of milk to churn ! And now right here with Uncle Jim Things seem to press a bit ; The hired man and orphan limb Don't have much time to sit : At four a.m. they're out of bed; Rain, shine, and Sunday too ; Well paid, well fed, well bossed, well led From Uncle's point of view. The corn comes next, for silos make For dairying a chief prop, And Uncle Jim would surely break Did he neglect this crop ! In drills or hills, which is the best, Has caused him serious thought : Should drills point to the south or west Seed be home grown or bought. But now its getting into June And still no turnips sown ! Flowers, birds and clouds, and all that tune But turnips must be grown ! About this time the "man" feels tired And think's he'll change his place ; In the back swamp a cow gets mired, So Uncle mends his pace. He thinks he'll surely celebrate Upon Dominion Day, But finds his holiday must wait The first bloom's on the hay ! And so the meadows were not shorn Till ripened was the wheat ; Then barley, oats and silo corn, And turnips, cold and sleet! At milking Uncle Jim's at home In fact he leads the crowd ! The pail just gushes up with foam No roughness is allowed. So Boss ! is all you hear him say ; So Boss ! and So Boss ! So ! A hundred times and more each day The soothing words will flow. 70 They say ten years ago or more, He had a mind to wed ; A lady living in the Gore Had almost turned his head. The drive was long and early hours Made him inclined to drowse ; While Susan often talked of flowers, He sometimes mentioned cows ! And so it chanced he came one day On Susan unawares, As in undignified array, She tripped down the front stairs. To kindly soothe a petulance She could not fail to show, With gentle hand and winning glance, He murmured "So, Boss! So!" * * * * i Now when our birth-rate is discussed, And preachers strive to rouse Ontario's conscience, he will just Lament "Too many cows! " So Uncle Jim still toils away, His farm is spick and span, The only price he's had to pay The life of a living man ! 71 THE GIFT. The past! the past! the dreadful, dreadful past! The bitterness of death which it had borne, Pressed on me like some burden weird and vast, Till strengthless all, my tongue refused to mourn. O for some future shore ! my spirit cried Where in my new, but dear-bought wisdom, I May triumph over all my hateful pride, Unfruitful doubt and nameless misery! But ah ! such shore, O where doth it exist ? Fire-mist, star, sun, alike no hope afford Heaven of my youth in gold and amethyst In the mad storm of worldliness ignored. Then from the deep within a voice arose O pining trembler ! trust, and thou shalt see The morning's wings a blessedness unclose, A new white DAY, God's latest gift to thee. A NEW YEAR GREETING. A Glad New Year to thee and thine ! A year of friendships most benign, Filled to the brim with truth and trust, And honest strivings for the just ; Graced with all sweet amenities Visions'such as the poet sees Boundjby the common bond of life, To wage immortal war on strife, And draw from each soul's hidden keys Most sweet and undreamt harmonies. 72 THE CUP. O for a draught of that enchanted cup, Which Alexander lipp'd in far gone days; Which buoyed the mighty Caesar's spirit up, While gloom o'erspread the future's mystic maze ; Which fill'd with unimaginable force Napoleon's footsteps to an Empire's crag; To Nelson was the deep but simple source Of glowing service 'neath Britannia's flag: O for one draught to tense each flagging nerve, To lift the mighty banner in the van Of that vast army, who have sworn to serve, With lowly pride, the Brotherhood of Man! THE PEACE OF PORTSMOUTH. Once more across the wide world-spaces wings A heaven-born ray, to light the gloomy time: Waking a sordid age to nobler things ; Reviving dear, long-vain imaginings; The earth a-thrilling with the pulse of rhyme, What of a thousand lives, a million, yea! If bought by truckling to a base desire ; But when, with peace is ushered in the day, When a high manhood, ruthless as a fire, . Sweeps off the chaff of narrowness and scorn, Planting the hope of human lovers higher, Glory to God ! then such a day is born As prophets long have looked for, soul-a-flame ; And the slow pen of Time inscribes another name. 73 THE YEAR THAT IVEY DIED. There's silence in the house at home And sorrow fills us all ; The summer days have passed away And now it's gloomy fall; The flowers are gone, the sedge is sere By brook and meadow side ; How sad will always seem this year, The year that IVEY died. So innocent, so young, so fair, By us 'twas all unknown How deeply in our daily thoughts Her gentle ways had grown ; But now we feel that love will bind What Time hath ne'er untied, And hearts will soften as they mind The year that IVEY died. " The year that IVEY died," we say, But something checks the breath; The real Ivey was not clay And lives unharmed by death; Immortal, young, beyond all fear Faith rises, clearer-eyed, And holier memories fill the year, The year that IVEY died. 74 LINCOLN'S DEATH CHAMBER. Within this room, so common-place and plain, Lay Lincoln dying, mute and past all pain. Around him stood his stricken comrades all, In voiceless grief, as he beyond their call Passed out of life and light, and gracious speech, To dark Oblivion's timeless, tideless beach. Oft had I heard of sacred shrines and soil Reached only after arduous travel-toil; Of battlefields where green the grasses grow Since drenched by crimson rains and human woe; But here in sight of all Columbia's pride This humble room of all was glorified. For here the irrevocable seal was set Which man, while man, shall nevermore forget; On the pale brow, where killing care long preyed, Death placed his hand, cool, moist, and unafraid; He raised it 'mid the whole world's shuddering frown, And lo! from it had fallen the martyr's crown! Washington, April 17th, 1906.