George M. Baker

“ Thornton. This is hardly the place for a woman who would guard her good name from scandal.
Charity. You forget I am a woman above suspicion: that I have won a good name, by daring to enter such dens as yours, on errands of mercy.
Thornton. Ah! indeed! what errand of mercy brings the saintly Charity Goodall into my humble saloon?
Charity. Ah, you confess ownership! The spider of the gilded web! You, who, under the guise of a gentleman, lured my husband from an honorable life: you, who, with flattering promises of honorable wealth, tricked a brave lad to his ruin. ”

“ Bragg of the Rangers; every man a sharpshooter, and their commander—well, modesty forbids my mentioning him in fitting panegyrics. Why, how you stare! You don't look well.
Harry. I don't know you.
Capt. Won't do, my boy, won't do. You may be able to bluff common folks, but I'm Bragg; Bragg of the judicial brow, Bragg of the penetrating eye: it's a keen one, and, when I fixed that detective's orb upon you, I said, There's my man! Why, they've fitted out an exploring party for the purpose of hunting you up,—Mrs. Charity Goodall, Jessie, Tom Larcom, and that black imp Stub. ”

“ Charity. Yes, I. When man shrinks from the work of salvation, let woman take his place. Look up, child! Foul treachery has insnared him. From the toils of the false friend, from the crafty arts of the boldest of schemers, we will snatch him: from the depths of despair, we will save him. Past redemption, Robert Thornton? False! While there is life, there is hope!
(Charity with her arms about Jessie, c.; Thornton, l.; Capt. Bragg, l. c.; Maynard, r. c.; Mrs. Maynard, r. Tom and Kitty come on r., and stand behind fence, looking on, quietly.) ”

“ Jessie, the man you loved has been false to you, to all. He has abused the trust I placed in him. He has become a spendthrift, a libertine, a gambler, and a drunkard.
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Jessie. I will not believe it: 'tis false. Harry Maynard is too noble. Mr. Thornton, you have been misled, or you are not his friend.
Thornton. I was his friend till he betrayed and robbed me. I am his friend no longer. Jessie, you must forget him; he will never return to his old home, his first love. He has broken away from my influence: he associates with the vilest of the vile, and glories in his shame. ”

“ Tom. Hooray, Kitty: tell me all about it. I'll be off by the next train. Come (gives her his arm) , I can't keep still: I must keep moving. (Exeunt l.)
Jessie. Lost! lost to me, and I loving him so dearly! You must forget him! He said forget: it is impossible. He loved me so dearly, too, before he left this house in search of fortune. No, no: I will not give him up; there must be some way to save him. If I only knew how! O Harry, Harry! why do you wander from the hearts that love you? Come back, come back! (Covers her face and weeps. Enter Charity Goodall from r., through gate.) ”

“ He must be taken from her side, made unworthy of her, made to forget her. The task is easy to one skilled in the arts of temptation. Once free, her heart may be turned towards me. 'Tis a long chase: no wonder I am melancholy, Harry Maynard; but there's a keen, patient hunter on the track, who never fails, never. ”

“ Die, die like a dog! Why did you come back here to ruin me, to drag me down from my position, to make me a by-word and a scorn among my neighbors? Why didn't you die in the gutters of your infamous city? ”

“ Harry (taking up gun) . Captain, have you been meddling with my gun?
Mrs. Maynard. Of course he has: he's always meddling.
Capt. Mrs. Maynard, that's an absurd remark. It's all right: one of my surprises. You must know I wanted a rooster for to-morrow's dinner. I'm very fond of them: there's such a warlike taste about them. And we are a little short of roosters; my last one, being a little belligerent this morning, walked into Higgins's yard, and engaged in deadly combat: so deadly that Higgins's fowl was stretched a lifeless corse upon the ground: for Bragg's roosters always lick, always. ”

“ Kitty. Don't say a word against Mr. Thornton; he's just splendid.
Chorus of Girls. Oh, elegant!
Tom. There it is! Vanity and vexation! here's a man old enough to be your father. Comes up here in his fine clothes, with a big watch-chain across his chest, and a seal ring on his finger, and you girls are dead in love with him at first sight.
Kitty. Tom, you're jealous. Harry Maynard is not content to settle down here; he wants to see the world, and I like his spunk. If I was a man I would get the polish of city life.
Stub. ”

“ The snow comes faster and faster. It's time Stub was back from the depot with Charity. Ah, 'twill be a dull Thanksgiving for us this year: not like the old times when we had Charley, Harry, and Jessie, to make us all merry. Dear me! time does break up households. ”

“ House on r. with porch covered with vines; fence running across stage at back, with gateway c., backed by road and landscape. l. c., large tree, with bench running round its trunk; trees l. Time, sunset. Enter Tom from l., through gate, a bunch of flowers in his hand.
Tom. The same old errand: chasing that will-o'-wisp, Kitty Corum,—she who is known as the girl with two strings to her bow; who has one hand for Tom Larcom and another for Nat Harlow, and no heart for either. I'm the laughing-stock of the whole neighborhood; but misery loves company, and Nat is in the same box. ”

“ Tom and Kitty, Thornton and Jessie next, others form in front of them. Stub goes to l. Dance Hull's Victory. When Tom and Kitty come in front, Tom talks with Mr. Maynard, who stands r., and Kitty makes signs to Nat: he comes over, takes her arm, and they go up and off, l. u. e., appearing soon after in the loft at back; they sit on the hay, and watch the dancing. The dance is continued some time, Stub dancing by himself, l. When it is Tom's turn to dance, Stub slips into set, and gives his hand. Tom dances a little while before finding his mistake ”

“ Jessie. Then don't wait, but hurry in, or I won't be responsible for your supper: huskers are such a hungry set.—Come, Harry.
Harry. Don't wait, Mr. Thornton: it takes a long time to get the milk; don't it, Jessie?
Jessie. Not unless you tease me—but you always do.
Harry. Of course, I couldn't help it; and tease and milk go well together. (Exeunt Jessie and Harry, l. Thornton stands c.looking after them.)
Thornton. Yes, yes, 'tis a cheery old place. Pity the storm should ever beat upon it; pity that dark clouds should ever obscure its brightness; yet they will come. ”

“ I declare, somebody's attentions are really overpowering. No matter where I am, either at home or abroad, when night comes I always find a bunch of flowers placed in my way. Of [Pg 20] course these are for me: no one would think of offering flowers to Jessie. Poor Jessie! 'tis eighteen months since Harry Maynard left home, and six months since a line has been received from him. Ah, well! this comes of having but one string to your bow. I manage matters differently. (Sits on bench. Enter Nat from l., through gate; steps behind tree.) ”

“ He was a brave, noble fellow, who took a poor country girl from her home, and made her the mistress of a mansion, rich in comfort and luxury. For years our life was one of happiness; and then a friend, a false friend, Jessie, led him into temptation, with the base hope of securing his riches by his ruin. The friend failed to acquire the one, but wrought the other. He died ere he had become the wretched sot he hoped to make him; died in my arms, loving and repentant. I had his fortune, but my life was blighted. I refused to be comforted until the wretchedness about me brought me to my senses. ”

“ An', Miss Jessie, I lub Massa Harry almos' as much as I did de cap'n; an' I'd do any ting for him an' you, who he lub so dearly.
Jessie. I know you would, Stub. Heaven only knows when he will return to us. If he comes not soon, my heart will break. (Weeps; goes and sits on bench.)
Stub. Pore little lamb! She wants a letter: she shall hab one too. Massa Harry won't write: den, by golly, I'll jes make up a special mail-train, an' go down dere to de city, an' fotch one. It's jes easy 'nuff to slip down dere, an' hunt Massa Harry up, an' I'll do it. ”

“ It's all right, captain. Join us: we were expecting you. (To Thornton.) I can say that truly, for he's always popping in where he's not wanted.
Capt. Ah! thank you. A-husking, I see. What's the yield?
Maynard. Excellent. My five-acre lot has given me two hundred bushels. That's what I call handsome.
Capt. Pooh! you should see my corn. There's nothing like Bragg's corn. My three-acre lot gave me three hundred bushels, and every other ear was a red one.
Chorus. Oh!
Capt. Fact, by jingo! (Nat and Kitty enter r., followed by huskers.) ”

“ Tom (threatening Stub) . Will you be quiet?
Stub. Ob coorse. Don't waste de fodder.
Nat. Ah, Tom, Nature never cut you out for a lover.
Tom. P'r'aps not; but I've got art enough to cut you out, Nat, if you do make up to my property, Kitty Corum. (Enter Kitty, r., overhearing last words.)
Kitty. Indeed! Your property! I like that. And when, pray, did you come into possession?
Tom. That's for you to say, Kitty. I'm an expectant heir as yet. Don't forget me in your will, Kitty.
Nat. Don't write your will in his favor.
Kitty.
"When a woman wills she wills: depend on't ”

“ This reminds me of my warlike days at country muster, and the Lawless Rangers. Ah, those rangers! every man with a Roman nose, six feet high, and a dead shot: not a man would miss the dead eye at one hundred paces,—if he could help it. Ah! I can see 'em now as I gave the order: ready—aim—fire (raising gun and firing as he speaks.) Murder! the blasted thing was loaded. (Drops it, and staggers across stage to l., trembling. A fowl drops from r., at the shot. Enter r., Mr. Maynard, Stub, Harry, Jessie, Tom, and Mrs. Maynard.)
Maynard. Who fired that gun? Ah, Capt. Bragg, what's the matter? ”

“ That vision in the night,—Jessie, with her warning finger: and the old melody I loved so well rang in my ears. I vowed I'd drink no more, though I should die of madness. (Buries his face in his arms upon the bar. Enter r., down steps, Capt. Bragg.)
Capt. Found a new place. (Looking about.) Superb—gorgeous—dazzling! Here's juiciness! Just my idea of a palace. The man who figured this place no doubt believes his plan original. Absurd! I planned it years ago. Bragg's plan stolen! Fact, by jingo! (Raps on bar.) Come, young man, business, business. (Harry raises his head: Bragg staggers back.) ”

“ Thornton. You plead in vain: he is beyond your reach.
Stub (rising, behind bar) . Dat's a lie, dat's a lie! (Runs up to door, c., and throws it open.) Quick, Miss Jessie: he's up dar. Go fur him, go fur him! (Steps l.)
Jessie. O Harry, Harry! (Runs up steps, and exits through door.)
Thornton. Curse that fool: you must not enter there! (Goes towards door. Charity runs up, closes door, and stands with back to it.)
Charity. Back! you shall not enter here.
Thornton. Woman, stand back: who shall prevent me? (Stub steps before Charity, and presents pistol to Thornton.) ”

“ Daley (goes to Tom, and shakes him) . Come, friend, rouse up. (Another shake.) Do you hear? rouse up!
Tom (slowly rises and looks at him) . Rouse up? wha's that (hic) ? No, le's fill up; that's besser (hic) .
Daley (shaking him) . Well, get up; you're in the way.
Tom (sitting up, and looking at him) . Say, wha's (hic) yer name?
Daley. My name's Daley.
Tom. Daily (hic) what? Times? Oh, I know: you're a (hic) newsboy (hic) , you are. Don't want no papers. (Attempts to lie down again.)
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Daley. Come, come, this won't do. Get up, I say!
Tom. I always take (hic) my breakfast in bed.
Daley. ”

“ But where's Harry Maynard?
Tom. Off gunning with Mr. Thornton. He said he'd be back in time for the husking: they must have lost their way.
Kitty. His last night at home, too.
Stub. Yas, indeed. Off in de mornin', afore de broke ob day. I's gwine to drive dem ober to de steam-jine station. Miss Jennie gwine to see him off; 'spect she'll jes cry her eyes out comin' home.
Tom. Well, I can't see the use of Harry Maynard's trottin' off to the city with this Mr. Thornton. Let well enough alone, say I. Here's a good farm, and a smart, pretty girl ready to share life with him ”

“ Tom Larcom, b. Nat Harlow, and between them four farmers, three girls; another girl standing c.; beside her on floor, kneeling, a farmer picks up the husks thrown by the huskers, and puts them in a basket. A small pile of corn, d., which the occupants of the benches are at work on, throwing the corn into bins, r.; the husks behind. Just back of b., Hanks seated on a barrel with violin playing, "In the sweet by and by." Stub leaning against wing, l., i e. listening; stool r., i e.; red lanterns hung r. and l., red light from footlights. Hanks plays the air through during the rising of curtain. ”

“ Maynard c., with hand on gun; Stub l., holding up fowl; others starting forward watching group. Tom has Nat down in the loft with fist raised above him. Kitty kneels r. of them, with her apron to her face. ”

“ Goes off l. u. e. Dance goes on. Enter Capt. Bragg, r., with a chicken-bone in one hand, and a piece of pie in the other; stands watching the dancers. Tom appears in loft, behind Nat. Nat puts his arm round Kitty, and is about to kiss her; Tom pulls him back upon the hay, and pummels him.)
Nat. Help! Murder! Murder! (Dance stops.)
Capt. Hallo! Thieves! Burglars! (Seizes the other gun, raises it, and fires. Fowl drops from l. Stub picks it up; Mr. Maynard seizes Captain's arm.)
Stub. Dere's anoder rooster dead shot. ”