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A DRAMA A PROLOGUE AN D FOUR ACTS, With a description of Costumes and Characters, Entrances and Exits and the ivhole of the stage business carefully jorinted from t^^^a^Uhor'^s oriqinal manuscript. .h nietta according to act of Coyigress in the year 183 by A. D, AMES, 4w thi office of the Libarian of Congress, at 'Washington* ' CLYDE. OniOi :l. t). AMES, PUBLISHER, THE IIIDDIH TREASUEES. CHARACTERS IN THE PROT.OGUE. Jof^eph Stone, „ (« Miner) Age 35 Mark Payr.r, , (a Villiah) Age 24 Sam Luse, {a Miner) Age 30 iNrartha, (Joe's Child) Age 10 Susan Baker, (an Orphan) Age 22 Ben Baker, , (her Brother) Age 15 COSTUMES— PROLOGUE. Joseph Stone, Miner^s suit, Mark Payne, Bough clothes ---r^r^^* Sam Luse, Jliner's suit, M.irtha, Neat dress — white apron, Susan Baker, Dark dress — hat. Ben Baker, Top boots, pants tucked in — hat on bccK cf head. Mark Payne, (a Villian) Age 32 Sam Lnse, (a Miner ) Age 40 Ben Baker, (a Miner ) Age 23 Martha, {Sam's adopted child) Age 18 Susan, ^ . . , , (Savi's housekeen^*'^ Age 30 Two Officers. COSTUMES— DRAMA. Mark Payne, Bough clothes — slouch hat — heavy boots, pants in hoots-^ red shirt — belt, Sam Luse, Miner's coarse clothes — leavg beard, Ben Baker, Miner- s coarse clothes^ -^mall mustache— pick or shovel, INL'U'tha, Dark dress, rather short — cape and large hat, Susan, Dark dress, apron and cap. Officers, Uniforms, Eight years are supposed to elapee between the Prologue and Act L Time of perfrTmance — One and three-foith ii<.:re. ^1 1 The Hidden Treasures. PROLOGUE. ; yCENE. — Mountainous, full depth of stage, rocks at back, and set trees mat ^ front — Moonlight, Enter Mark r. 3, e. Mark, I wonder how this is going to end. I feel a little nervous about it, but I must shake off that kind of feeling. My mind is made up, I am ietermined to get possession of Joe Stone's property. I know he has got it, and I don't see the use of his hoarding it up. His mine turns out very well . I can get no work — but I'm not particular about that, for I don't like to feel obliged to work continually and earn only a little at a time. But I must have money and I don't know of any easier way to get it than to take that. I may not succeed but if he will not tell me where it is, why, — I shall be obliged to get rid of him, then I can search for it myself, without any inter- ruption from him. There is no one else has any claim on it except his lit- tle girl, and she is too young to think much of it now; so [ will risk it any way. I'll see him to-night, that is what I am here for, and if it comes to blows, to flave trouble I will leave this place for a time, until it is all for- gotten. Now I'll go and wait for him down the road, 'tis most time he was here. {exU l. u. e. Enter Susan, r. 1 e. Susan, I declare I am so tired I don't know what to do. I have search- ed everywhere for my brother Ben, and not a trace of him could I get. No one has seen him to-day. Weill expect something dreadful has happened to him, for I have felt all day as though some terrible blow was going to fall on us. I wish I knew what to do, or where to go. Just as like as anything, he has been off fishing gone to sleep and fallen into the river and is drowned. Oh, dear I don't know what I should do. {whistle heard off R. — looking in that direction.) There he comes now, ^fter all my worry he is safe, and I am so thankful. Enter Ben. r. 1 e. with basket, fishing r^ole, etc* Ben. {laughing) Hi, ha, ha, why Susie, what is the matter? You look as though you would like to give me a taste of birch, if there was any of it around here, which I atn very glad^is not the case. Susan. Yes, I shouUl just like to do that, and you know you deserve it too. But come, tell me where you have spent the day. Such a fright as you have given me. Ben. Well, I atn very sorry Susie, indeed I am. I didn't suppose I was worth worrying about. But to answer yjur question. I have been fishing don't you see? Susan. Yes, as fir as lines and basket go, I should infer that had been your occupation. But I fail to see any fish. Ben. No, I suppose you dou't see them., since 1 haven't opened my bas- ket, {opens basket) Look now, what do you think of that? Susan, Well, I think you have had very good luck, but the next time 4 THE HIDDEN TREASURES. you want to go I wish you would let me know about it before you leave, so I shall not have to worry about you. We are all alone now, and as I am to have the care of you, I think it only right, that I should know where you spend your tirnc. Isn't that right? Ben. {Uiif in g down pole and basket) Certainly my sister, and I will try to do so in the future. I say Susie I Don't you think I am getting pretty tall now ? Susan. Well, yes, you are certainly growing very fast. Ben. That is what I thought, but that was not all I was thinking. Do you know what 1 ought to do ? Susan. Well I cannot say I know what you refer to, but I suppose you have been forming some foolish plan. What is it? Ben. I say Susie, that is not • very encouraging, when a fellow has an idea, and wants to tell you about it. I don't consider it very foolish now, you bet. Susan. Well, perhaps I was a little hasty, but I will wait until I hear it, and then T can judge better. Now tell me all about it. Ben. Well I was thinking our money is going very fast, and I don't see what we are going to live on after that. So I made up my mind it would be a pretty good plan for me to ask Mr. Stone to let me help him down at the mine. It would'nt be much 1 could do, or much I should make, at first I know, but it would be some help to us. Now what do you think? Susan. Well I dor/t know Ben, you are so young yet, and the work is 80 hard, I wish you could get something easier to do, but we will see. You may ask Mr. Stone and see what he says about it. But come, if we are to have any of your fish to-night, we must hurry home. Ben. (picking up basket and pole.) Yes I suppose we had better be mov- ing on, for I begin to feel a little hungry. Do you know Susie that word •home' sounds very hollow to nie lately ? I have such strange dreams at night, and all through the day they haunt me. I try to forget them by singing, and reading, but it is of no use; I can't drive them away. I don't know what it is, but if I were superstitious, I should say that every- thing is not just right. What isyour opinion? Susan. I don't know, but L too have felt strangely to-day. But I think it is only fancy. Come, let us go now, and prepare supper. ' {exit l. 1 e. Be7i. Well I hope it is all right, but I have my doubts. Hallo 1 here cames Mattie. See her run though, I should think some one was after her. Enter Martha running, l. 1 E. JIallo, Mattie, what's the matter? House ain't afire is it? Martha. Oh no, Ben, nothing's the matter, only I have run all the way to meet father, I thought he would get here before I did. He likes to have me come to meet him, and I like to come. He is late to-night, where can he bo I wonder ? Ben. I guess he will be along soon now, and 1 must run along, for Su- sie may want some wood or something. {exit l. 1. e. Martha, {looking after him) What a good brother B^n is to Susie; he always helps her. Oh dear! I wish I had a brother like him; but I haven't anybody but my father, {looking l. 3 k.) Who is this coming? it is not papa — why it is Sam ! Enter Sam, L. 3 B. 8am. {patting Mattie) How are you little one ? What are you here for ? Martha. Waiting for my father. Is he coming? Sam. I have not seen him to-night, I reckon he will soon be along now. Probably he is working a little later than usual. Come let us sit down a little while and wait for him, I am tired and a little rest will do me good. Marth'L. Are you tired ? I suppose papa is too, and perhaps that's the reason v/hy ho is so late now. TTIE HIDDEN TREASURES. 5 Saw.. Perhaps that is it, — he is taking it easy walking up the road,— you love your father very much, don't you? Martha. Oh, yes indeed, — and he loves me too. Sam, I wish 1 had a little girl to love me, hut I haven't. Martha. I am very sorry you have none of your own — but I love you very much you know. 1 like to hear you sing, will you please sing something for me now ? Sam. I guess you will have to excuse me to-night, Mattie, for I'm so tired, and I do not feel quite right. Some other time I will. I think I had better start along home now, you will not have very much longer to wait, surely. Martha. I should like to have you stay longer with me, but I will not be long away now. Good-bye. {exit Sam l. I e.) I don't see where papa can be. I don't like to have him stay so late, {hears voices) Hark! what was that? Some one talking— but it isn't father. It sounds like somebody very angry and quarreling. I'll run and hide, until they have passed. {hides behind a rock, and ivaiches. Enter Joe, and Mark masked, !,. 3 E. Mark, [roughly) Now, then once more I say, tell me where that mon- ey is ? Joe. Ko ! Again I tell you I will not. It is for my little girl, and I shall tell 1)0 one where it is but Mattie, that is settled. Mark. Very well, as that answer is final, I shall be obliged to search for it myself, and as I shall not wish to be disturbed at any time, I shall have to remove you. {goes behind Joeand stabs, Joe falls but rises again and grasps the mask, from Mark' s face) Joe. Villian ! You have murdered me, but you will gain nothing. {as mask falls, Mark looks hastily around and runs off r. 3 e.) Help I help ! Martha, {running to him) What is it papa ? Arc you very much hurt ? Joe. Yes, dear, run for Sam as quickly as possible I {Martha starts but Joe calls her back. Joe. No Mattie, come here first, I may not live till you get back, and I must teli you where the treasure is. Are we alone dear? Mattie. {looking around.) Quite alone papa. Joe. Listen then, I must whisper it, for though we see no one, we may be beard, {ivhispers to her.) You know where it is now my child, and you must tell no one. Let them remain there while you stay here, and now tell Sam it was my request that he should take care of you, I know he will do it. One kiss, and now run for them, and hurry back. Martha. Yes, papa. They will come and take you home, {exit l. 1 B. Joe. Oh, that villain, Mark ! Why did I not tell Mattie, his name ? It will be too late when she returns. It may be that she saw him but if she did, it would do no good, she is so young. Oh, dear, if they would come I could tell them, but 'tis too late now, I am going fast, and must — die — alone. {dies. Enter Martha, Sam, Susie, and Ben, l. 1. s. Martha, {running to Joe.) Here they are papa. Sam. Yes, Joe. {goes to him) 'Tis too late, he is gone now. Poor Joe I Who could have done so foul a deed. I did not know that there was any one who disliked him, even in the whole place. Susie. This is indeed a dreadful blow. Ben. Did you say you saw him Mattie? Martha. Yes Ben, I saw him but did not know him, he is a stranger to me, but I saw his face and shall never forget it, and young as I am, I make this vow, that in the years to come I will make it the work of my life, to bring this man to justice, and revenge my father's death. TABLEAU— END OP PROLOQUB. DRAMA. ACT !• SCENE LSimilar to one in Prologue, A set tree near f., with cavity in ihi base, to conceal box. Enter Mark and Sam, h, 3 e., talking — Martha unobserved at back, listening. Mark, I cannot wait, I must have my money, and that right away. Savi. So you say; but you know that I have no money to meet your bill. I have worked hard to save enough for that, but I have failed to do BO. If you will wait awhile longer—as soon as I can raise it you shall have it, but I cannot promise to pay it at any particular time. Mark, Well, Martha has plenty of money. You could easily get hold of that, I suppose ? Sam, Take her money? No, 1 would not touch so much as one penny of it to save me from starving. Mark, Oh, indeed I How concientious we are. Well, you needn't, touch it; just tell me where it is and I will help myself. Sam, Tell you where her treasures are? Not even if 1 knew — you are the last one to whom I would reveal her secret. Martha is as precious to me as though she were my own child; and before I would do so base a deed as that, I would pray that my tongue would refuse to utter a sound again. I pay nothing but honest money. Mark. Then if you cannot pay me, and refuse to tell me where I can get it, I shall find out for myself — and what is more, Martha shall tell me her- self where it is. You see I am determined to have my money, and if she refuses to tell me, why, I- Martha, {coming dow7i quickly) No you won't! Easy, now. I have heard all you have said, and I am not at all afraid of you, bu t to save that good man any further annoyance from you, I will settle his note to you. The rest 1 shall keep for myself ; and as for you making me tell you where it is concealed, you might as well try to get the information from this man. No threats of yours will be of any service to you whatever. Mark, Well, I think you are rather bold for a girl of your age. I sup- pose you think you are capable of overpowering me. Martha. I don't think anything about it— I know it. In an emergency T should not hesitate to defend myself, nor should I fail. Strong man as you are, I should have you at my mercy. Mark. Enough of such nonsense. You say you will pay the money ? Martha, That is what I said, I believe. When you present your bill, and not before. Mark, Well then, you had better get it, and you can have the bill on your return, {aside) That will give me a chance to follow her. Martha. Never mind about me, I will bo ready as soon as you are. Mark, Don't be so sure of that, you might not be able to keep your word. Martha. I am not at all afraid of breaking it. Mark. We will see — here it is. {producing bill) Fifty dollars. Martha, {imitating) So — we will see. Here it is. {producing monty) Fifty dollars. You see I expected you, so came prepared. Mark, {aside) Baffled again I " But I shall not give it up yet. Not much. {gives a receipt to Martha Martha.. Here is your receipt, Sam ; take care oi' it for the present. Sam. Thank you, Martha. I cioii't like to have you do this, but I hoi)e Ihail-l Booxx be ,al)le to repay you. THE HIDDE]^ TREASURES. 1 Mariha, Now don't worry about that, for you have already paid more than that in kindness to me. 'Tis I, who still owe you. But come, you had better go home now, for you are tired and need rest. Sam. Yes, 1 am very tired to-night. Are you not coming with me? Martha. Not yet. ' I will wait a few moments for Ben, he will soon come now. Sam. I do not like to leave you here. Be very careful child, that villain may do you harm. Martha. 1 do not fear him. Don't worry, I shall be safe enough. {exity Sam, l. 1 e. Mark, [walklvg to and fro) You have foiled me again, but I will find your treasure yet. Martha. {sarcasiicaUy) Do— and when you have found it let me know. Won't you ? Mark. You will be likely to discover your loss, and that very soon, un- less you leave this place suddenly, and take it with you. Martha. Leave this place? Not much fear of that just at present, sir. I have a great interest in my surroundings lately. Mark. Indeed — how strange! Martha, Do you think so ? I think it only natural, under the circum- •tances. Mark. I suppose that sneak, Ben Baker, is the attraction. Martha, Then you suppose wrong. I like Ben very much, but as for his being a sneak— I think that applies better where it comes from. Mark. Take care, girl, how you call names. Martha. Oh, yes, 1 am taking care that they don't land in the wrong place. But guess again, at the reason I have for staying here. Mark. I don't know what your affairs are. They don't concern me. Martha. I don't know about that. Listen, and I will tell you. It is no secret. Ben enters l. 3 K., and stops, —To — revenge — my — farther's— death I ' Mark, (starting) Well — what has that to do with me Martha, Much I Very much indeed. Mark. I do not understand you, girl. Martha. Then hear my story — it may make my meaning plain to you. Eight years ago, one evening about seven o'clock, as that was about time for my father to return from his work, I had run out to meet him, as was my custom ; but I had long to wait for him, and was about to return home when I heard loud voices. Being but a little child, and not recognizing my father's voice, I hid behind yonder rock until they should pass. 1 bad scarcely concealed myself when two men came by, one my father, the other a stranger to me, who wore a mask. The man said : **Now then, once more I say, tell me where that money is?'' My father answered, "No 1" The man then struck my father in the back, and in his agony he seized the mask, tore it from themnn'a face, disclosing it to my view in the full light of the moon. The assassin then fled, and I ran to my father, who told me where the treasures were, and bade me let them remain there while I stayed here. And there they shall be until I accomplish my work — then I shall leave this place forever. Now you see I have all the facts in the case, and if you cross ray path you will find I am a desperate girl to contend with. Mark. That would be quite a story for a paper. But you need not think that I am to be shaken in my determination to secure your treasure by any such talk ss that. No, when I ask you for it you will tell me, or you know the result. Martha, I suppose you would kill me; but there would be no logic in that, for they say **dead men tell no tales," and I don't believe ' dead girJ* do. either. 1 know I would not be so foolish as to return and tell you my 8 THE HIDDEN TREASURES. aecrct after you had killed me. So you sec, it would still remain a mystery to you, and there would be another murder to answer for. Mark. True. But no one would know who did it. Ben. (coming forward) Yes they would, for I have heard all your talk, nnd I could furnish testimony enough to carry the case and convict you. There is no use of your trying to frighten Mattie with your threats, and if there is going to be any trouble, and she needs any help, here is the place to come for it, 1 will help her. Martha. Thank you, Ben, but I do not fear him, and I judge he will think best to leave me alone in the future. It will be to his interest at any rate. Mark. We will see. That money first ! {exit r. 3 e. Ben. I know that man too well to trust him. He is a mean villain, and would stop at nothing to gain his end. He needs close watching, and I Bhnll keep a sharp eye on him in the future. Martha. I hope there will be no trouble ; but I guess it is about time to go now, for Sam will be anxious if I stay any longer. Ben. Yes, I think I have worked hard enough for one day, and I have been so unsuccessful, I am quite discouraged. Martha. You must not talk like that, we will try to have a pleasant evening, and see if I can't cheer you up a bit. Ben, I do not like the way M*ark talked, I am afraid he means to do you harm. Martha. In that case I shall do him harm, I reckon. Ben. You ! What can a powerless girl like you do ? Martha. Defend myself, {'produces pistol) Look, what do you think of that? Ben. {astonished) Why Martha, you cannot use that, can you ? Martha. I should hate too, but I guess in case of necessity I could raan- nge to hit an elephant if I was close enough to him. Shall I show you some of my skill ? Ben. Yes, but be careful you do not get hurt. That is a very dangerous plaything. Martha. Then look at that knot in the tree, and I will hit it. (fires) There, go and see for yourself. {Ben goes to tree, gets the bullet, which has been placed there Ben. Well done, Mattie. Where did you learn to do this ? Y"ou are a good marksman. Well, not exactly that, either, but 'tis all the same; you know what I mean. Martha, "Practice makes perfect," you know, and that is the way I learned. Ben. Well, I guess you can defend yourself if necessary, but I hope you will have no occasion to use that. Martha. I don't intend to. Have you anything to defend yourself with? B:n. Xo, I have no weapons but my arms. Martha. Then I will give you this — you may find it handy sometime. Here is some ammunition. {gives box from pocket B:n. Thanks, Mattie. But you may need it. Martha. I guess not. I am still well armed, you see. {producing revolver) Isn't that pretty? Ben. My stars. Where did you get these? Martlia. They are some of my hidden treasures. I thought they might as well be used as to lay away rusting. Come, let us go home now. [exeunt, l. 1 e. Enter Mark, r. 3 e, Mark. [looking, after Marilia and Ben) Gone! Just gone. Well, she is a plnol