George M. Baker

“ T. Rob, my boy, 'tis a wild dream. She is a rich heiress; in a year will be mistress of that grand estate yonder. (Enter door in flat Wilder Rowell.) Rob. Yes, mother; but I am a soldier of the Union; and, out of that glorious majority who are to battle for its rights, the North will pick its trusty leaders. Why may not I rise? Why may not I win rank and glory? and, when that is gained, why may not I dare to ask the hand of her I love so dearly, Gaylie Gifford? ”

“ Ah! here's Mattie Trueworth, a girl I would lay down my life for, and who laughs at me. Heigho! if I wasn't a boy, I should be very much in love with her. How d'ye do, Mattie? (Enter Mattie R.) Mattie. Oh! it's you, Hiram Jenks. Hiram. Yes, it's me, Mattie: the standard-bearer, (pompously) bearing the old flag, that has conquered in so many battles; under whose folds so many household gods have fallen, never to rise again. Mattie. Pshaw! you'd look more manly bearing the flag of your country. Hiram. S'pect I would, Mattie: it's what I'd like. But dad says No. Mattie. ”

“ No! there is work for tender hands and willing hearts. To care for the needy, to protect the helpless, at home; to heal the wounds, and charm away the pain, in the hospitals,—this is our work: to it I give my whole heart; my whole fortune, if need be. Henceforth I am the guardian of your mother and your sister. (Enter Crimp door in flat) . Alone, if need be, I will stand the Home-Guard, a bulwark against adversity. Hiram. You shall not stand alone, Miss Gaylie. They say I'm but a mere boy, but I'm heart and hand with you in this cause. ”

“ Rowell, you are insulting. Rowell. Come, be reasonable! You can never hope to win her. Give me your promise, and the farm is yours. Rob. No! A thousand times no! You know my secret, but you know not me. I do love Gaylie Gifford, and with a hopeless love. The very fortune you taunt me with seeking is a bar to keep me silent. Rowell. Then take the farm. I will willingly give it up to purchase your silence. She can never be yours: 'twas her father's wish, that, when she became of age, her hand should be given to another. Rob. And that other, yourself. Am I not right, Wilder Rowell? Rowell. ”

“ Nonsense, Florence? Then you are not in sympathy with the woman movement. Florence. Yes, Carrie: I am an earnest advocate for reform. Noble women are doing brave work in educating our sex to a realizing sense of their power for good in many of the walks of life heretofore kept sacred to the foot of man. But foolish women, who raise the cry of oppression or slavery, are no better than the political demagogues of the other sex,—loud in speech, but dumb in council. Caroline. And so you think mother has made a mistake? Florence. I certainly do. A woman's duty is to care for her household. ”

“ If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Scrooge. My very words, when I was asked to give a trifle for the poor! Spirit. Man,—if man you be in heart, not adamant,—forbear that wretched cant until you have discovered what the surplus is, and where it is. Will you decide what men shall live, what men shall die? It may be, that, in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless, and less fit to live, than this poor man's child. Scrooge. He must live! he must live! Poor Bob! poor Bob! Spirit. ”

“ I a poor soldier, she a rich heiress! She would think me as mercenary as I know you to be. No, no, I cannot: I love her dearly, truly, but must still love on in secret. (Falls into chair, and buries his face in his hands on table) . Rowell (rising. Aside) . Honorable to the last! There's no fear of him. (Aloud.) Think well of it, Trueworth. Take the farm, and make your dear ones comfortable. The prize you covet hangs too high. (Aside.) Silent! I'll look in on him again (takes deed) : an hour's reflection may awaken a better spirit. ”

“ Hiram. Sometimes I think I have, Mattie, when I look at you. Don't be hard on me. Think me a boy, if you will: only remember that I love you dearly; for your sake, would die a thousand deaths. Mattie. What unparalleled devotion! (Sits in chair R., and turns her back.) Hiram. Mattie, Rob must soon leave for the battle-field. You will then need a friend. Let me take his place, be a brother to you; or give me the right to be nearer and dearer. (Kneels, and takes her hand.) Speak, Mattie: I love you dearly, truly. (Enter door in flat Hosea, followed by Rowell.) Hosea. ”

“ Rowell. No more of this. Quit that man's side. I command you, obey me! Gaylie. You command? You forget I am a leader here. I entreat you, in the name of justice, to deal fairly and honorably by this true hero, who leaves all to serve his country, to recognize his right to the hand which I freely give. Come, sir, do we part friends? Rowell. Not on such terms as you offer. (Crosses to R.) Gaylie. Then beware! you make yourself my enemy. Already you disgrace the rank you've bought, not won. ”

“ The position of the Spirit should hide it till this. Scrooge staggers back till he reaches chair, L.) Am I that man who lay upon the bed? No, Spirit! Oh, no, no! Spirit, hear me! 245I am not the man I was. I will not be the man I must have been but for this intercourse. Why show me this, if I am past all hope? Assure me that I yet may change these shadows you have shown me, by an altered life. (The Spirit slowly lets his hand drop by his side.) I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the past, the present, and the future. ”

“ Gaylie. Mattie, before Rob goes, I must know the meaning of this quarrel between him and my guardian. Why is it kept from me? You must know: I conjure you, as you value my friendship, as you love your brother, speak before 'tis too late. Mattie. O Gaylie! I do know; for his sake I will speak. You are the cause of this quarrel. Both these men love you. Gaylie. Indeed! Oh, I'm so glad! Mattie. Glad! You should be ashamed of yourself. You can't marry them both. Gaylie. Oh! you don't know what I can, what I will do. Rob (approaching) . Mattie, sister, good-by. ”

“ Rob. O Gaylie! am I awake? You give me life; you give me hope: you make me bold to speak. Gaylie, I love you, dearly, truly. Gaylie (placing her hands on his shoulders) . As dearly and truly as I love you? O Rob! it must be deep and strong.
44 Rob (clasping her in his arms) . Mine, Gaylie, mine! oh, this is happiness indeed! Crimp. Hi, das a fac. De Union foreber! Rowell. Girl, are you losing your senses? I forbid this folly. Gaylie. And who are you? Rowell. Your guardian. You shall not throw yourself away upon a common soldier. Rob (comes down) . A common soldier! True. I glory in my rank. ”

“ Hiram Jenks is his baptismal name. I call him Hi, for short: see the pun? ha, ha, ha! Hi Jenks, when I'm in a highly humorous vein,—that's another; and when he's in a teasing humor, I call him Hi, son. There's another! Ha, ha, ha! Can't help it: I'm always doing it. I must be funny; in my office, at my table— Rowell. You seem to be a very busy man, Mr. Jenks. Hosea. I am. I'm a auctioneer, funeral undertaker, coroner, lawyer, expressman, carpenter, shoemaker, any thing by which I can gain an honest penny. There's only one office that seems necessary to my happiness. I would be a postmaster ”

“ Rob. Obeyed orders, colonel. Grant. Do you know me, sentinel? Rob (saluting) . I do, general. Boxer. And didn't you know better— Grant. One moment, colonel. Sentinel, you are the first man that ever dared put out my cigar. You did perfectly right: orders must be obeyed. Your name. Rob. Robert Trueworth. Grant. How long have you been in service? Rob. Two years. Grant. That's all. (Waves his hand. Rob salutes and retires.) Colonel, your orders are too strict. I cannot talk without a cigar. Boxer. Sorry I have not one to offer you, for I do like to see a man enjoy himself. ”

“ Rubina places crown on her head; stands with her hands raised to the crown. Gloria starts up, resting on one hand, her other hand raised to her brow, terror in her eyes. Queen Mab on her knees in front of bank, her hands clasped, resting in her lap, head thrown back. Somna, R., and Sootha, L., in line with Queen Mab, crouch each with one hand on her shoulder, the other outstretched, as though warding off danger. Hatred and Discord run R. and L. of Rubina; each has hand on her waist, the other raised in triumph. ”

“ Why, I should no more doubt Gaylie's love for our Rob, than I should doubt— Mrs. T. Your love for Hiram Jenks, eh, Mattie? Mattie. There's another jealous one! He thinks Mr. Rowell is in love with me, or pretends he does, and continually quarrels with me about him. But we always make up, and I really believe that it's for the pleasure of being reconciled every day that he does it. Mrs. T. Ah! Hiram Jenks is a good, honest, smart, reliable young man: so you be careful, and not quarrel too often. There may be a time when there will be no reconciliation. Mattie. ”

“ Hosea. What! back out? Don't you do it! It's always blackest just afore day. The right must conquer: it's a magnificent farm. It's only a question of time: a hundred dollars if you have it ready. The Union must be preserved: best cows in the country. Look at the uprising: a million freemen in arms,—ninety acres of meadow-land,—marching on to victory. And we're so far north, you know, it's a safe investment. I'll write a receipt. Rowell (throws down money, and rises) . There's your money. Hosea. ”

“ Religion glides over the earth,
So pure, so bright,
She decks the earth with heavenly light,
That charms to calm and sweet repose.
Oh, lovely spirit!
Genia in triumph shall soon arise;
Blenda calls beauty from out the skies;
She shall be honored evermore;
Goddess of Art, your crown is secure.
Joyous are we, &c.
(Music continues until all change to their old positions.) Poesie. I am enraptured with your beauteous art;
Sweet Blenda, let me henceforth share your heart. Genia. Classica waits, fair maid: we hold her dear ”

“ You are the smartest girl in the school, Lucy, with this inharmonious exception. Lucy. I the smartest? You flatter me; and you forget our aged schoolmate, Patience Plunkett. Bessie. Aged! Why, Lucy, what could have possessed that mature—to speak mildly—female to class herself with young girls like us? Lucy. I'm sure I don't know; but Maria Mellish, 203who is always fishing out mysteries, told me her father, a farmer, has recently made a mint of money; and Patience has a foolish idea that she can procure an education, even at her age, and so entered Rosebush Institute as a pupil. ”

“ He must fall gracefully upon his knees before me, and, in accents too wild to be resisted, say, "Patty, my heart"—not art, Mr. Bounce; I'll have no artful man—"is at your feet." Not hat. Hats are for heads, not feet, Mr. Bounce. When you can do that, speak: till then a gulf as wide as that which once yawned between Felix Frederick Freelove, and his Araminta Augusta Violetta, separates us. ”

“ Rowell. I offer it again. Consider, Robert Trueworth, 'tis you who are driving your family from home. Rob. You have had your answer. Scoundrel! Rowell. That name again!
35 Rob. Ay, again and again! Plead no more, Gaylie. Ask no favors for me or mine, of that man: even from your dear hands, I could never take the fair farm which he has polluted by ownership. Rowell. Robert Trueworth, you shall repent this. (Comes close to him.) You are making me your enemy. Rob. I am satisfied. Better open war than false friendship with a heartless foe. Gaylie. ”

“ Trueworth Farm. Gaylie. Sold Trueworth Farm? And you refused to sell it to me four years ago! Rowell. Yes,—yes, I remember. I didn't like to part with it now, but I wanted money— Gaylie (rising) . Oh! I bear you no malice, colonel. (Gives check.) Rowell. Thank you. And now, Gaylie, that we are alone, may I once more press you for an answer? (Takes her hand, and puts his arm about her waist.) You know how dearly I love you: make me happy by saying that you return that love. Gaylie. And would that really make you happy, colonel? Rowell. Happy? The happiest of men! Gaylie (drawing herself up) . ”

“ Good-by, colonel: if you want your next mail, you'll have to come for it. (Hiram goes up, followed by Hosea; meet Gaylie and Mattie coming in; Mattie comes down R., is stopped by Hiram; Gaylie speaks with Hosea, L. C.) Hiram. Mattie, won't you make up? Mattie. No, sir: I have higher aspirations. Hiram (tragically) . I know: to the owner of Trueworth Farm! Mattie, it's hard to lose you, but it's for the best: I see my error. I cannot win you; and so I freely give you up to a better, a richer man,—the owner of Trueworth Farm. Farewell! ”

“ Duplex, widow of the celebrated match-manufacturer, whose decease last winter was chronicled in our paper, arose and spoke warmly of the oppression of the female sex. She vehemently asserted their ability to achieve success in any path trodden by man, and eloquently styled herself the champion of her sex in its endeavors to throw off the yoke of bondage, and victoriously array itself by the side of man in his onward march of progress. ”

“ Oh, blind man! blind man! not to know that ages of incessant labor by immortal creatures for this earth, must pass into eternity before the good of which it is susceptible is all developed; not to know that no space of regret can make amends for one life's opportunities misused. ”