Henry Fisk Carlton

Name: The Story of Nathan Hale
Author: Henry Fisk Carlton

Summary

“The Story of Nathan Hale”, is a work by Henry Fisk Carlton. It explores elements such as Hale, Long Island and shoemaker.

Quotes from The Story of Nathan Hale (Henry Fisk Carlton)

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ HALE
Why, what's wrong with a staff appointment? I'd be honored if it were offered to me.
HULL
Yes, so was I. That's why I'm here. I was a lieutenant of artillery when General Washington asked me to join his staff. I jumped at the chance—
HALE
Who wouldn't?
HULL
I wouldn't, again! Why, all I've done for two months is write letters, sit at a desk, answer questions, and run errands! It's no duty for a man who craves action!
HALE
Yes, William, you have always been a fire eater. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ HALE
It is an order, sir.
WASHINGTON
Well, my boy, no man knows better than I the impossibility of some orders.
HALE
But, sir—
WASHINGTON
I hope, though, that this is not impossible. I have to have the information. The safety of my whole army depends upon it. I must know particularly where General Howe intends to strike next.
HALE
Yes, sir.
WASHINGTON
If he comes across the East River, we can protect ourselves and keep out of his way. But if he comes across Long Island Sound—do you realize what that may mean to us?
HALE
Yes, sir. He can cut off our retreat. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ HALE
I can do that, too, sir.
CUNNINGHAM
All right, then, do it! And if you have any further statement or confession to make, now is the time to do it.
HALE
I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.
CUNNINGHAM
Humph! Now, guard, when I give the word, kick the ladder and let the rebel swing. Are you ready?
VOICE
Ready.
CUNNINGHAM
Steady—now! [noise of ladder, gasp, etc.] [pause] So let all spies, rebels, and traitors swing! March the guard off!
VOICE
Guard—fall in! Quick step— [etc.]
MONTRESSOR [to himself]
Poor fellow—and he's hardly more than a boy. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ Exactly! Now, Mrs. Chichester, let's set a trap for him. Will you help me?
MRS. CHICHESTER
I will that! A rebel—and like as not a spy—in my tavern!
DREW
Go in to him, engage him in conversation, then look out the window and remark that you see a small boat landing. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ POND
That's true enough. You look—well—more like a country schoolmaster than anything else.
HALE
That's what I hope to pass for.
POND
How long will you be on Long Island?
HALE
I shall try to be through my business in a week. I wonder if you would meet me at the same place you are going to leave me—say, a week from tonight? [Pg 18]
POND
I'll send a small boat ashore for you, soon after dark a week from tonight.
HALE
Good! I'll be there—unless—
POND
Yes?
HALE
Unless I am unexpectedly detained.
POND
Oh, sir—we won't even think of that! ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ HOW TO BE A GOOD RADIO ACTOR
The play in this book has actually been produced on the radio. Possibly you have listened to this one when you tuned in at home. The persons whose voices you heard as you listened, looked just as they did when they left their homes to go to the studio, although they were taking the parts of men and women who lived long ago and who wore costumes very different from the ones we wear today.
The persons whose voices you heard stood close together around the microphone, each one reading from a copy of the play in his hand. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ There are some directions in this play which may be new to you, but these are necessary, for you are now in a radio broadcasting studio, talking in front of a microphone. The word (in) means that the character is standing close to the microphone, while (off) indicates that he is farther away, so that his voice sounds faint. When the directions (off, coming in) are given, the person speaking is away from the microphone at first but gradually comes closer. The words (mob) or (crowd noise) you will understand mean the sound of many people talking in the distance. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ All you will need to do is to remember that you are taking the part of a radio actor, that you are to read your speeches very distinctly, and that by your voice you will make your audience understand how you feel. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ He is not! I know every young blood hereabouts. An' he's not a native here, I kin warrant ye that.
DREW
I have it!
MRS. CHICHESTER
What—don't scare a body to death! What have ye got?
DREW
I know where I've seen him! He's a rebel. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ HALE
You can do it without endangering yourself or your boat?
POND
There'll be no difficulty about landing you. There is, however, a British man-of-war, the Halifax, in these waters. We have to watch out for her. But it's dark enough tonight to be perfectly safe.
HALE
Good! Can we go at once?
POND
Yes, sir. [calling] Bos'n!
BOS'N
Aye, aye, sir!
POND
Get the ship under way for Long Island! Bring her into that secluded cove near Huntington! You know the place. [Pg 17]
BOS'N
Aye, aye, sir! [calling] All hands on deck! Man the windlass! Weigh anchor! [etc.] [mob, setting sails, etc.] ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ Since they could not be seen, they did not act parts as in other plays, but tried to make their voices show how they felt.
When you give these plays you will not need costumes and you will not need scenery, although you can easily arrange a broadcasting studio if you wish. You will not need to memorize your parts; in fact, it will not be like a real radio broadcast if you do so, and, furthermore, you will not want to, since you each have a copy of the book in your hands. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ A rebel! Indeed! In my tavern? I'll go throw him out! [Pg 26]
DREW
No! No! We must make certain first. But I think he's an officer in the rebel army. Some months ago I was captured near Boston. I escaped later. But while I was a prisoner, I saw this fellow—unless I'm much mistaken. I saw him again the other day in Jamaica, at the shoemaker's; and now—look at him—here through the crack in the door!
MRS. CHICHESTER
He's lookin' fer somethin'—out the winder.
DREW
He's watching the shore of the cove!
MRS. CHICHESTER
Lookin' fer a boat to fetch him away, I'll warrant ye! ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ Yer a schoolmaster, I take it from the looks o' ye?
HALE
That's what I've been passing for. [Pg 21]
SIMON
Now, where's that awl? Oh, here it is. And what name be ye usin' hereabouts?
HALE
Call me Master Nathan. [knock]
SIMON
Oh, someone at the door.
HALE
Had I better hide?
SIMON
No, no! 'tis better that ye sit right over there in the dark corner. Ye look innocent enough. Come in!
DREW [coming in]
Good morning, Simon.
SIMON
Good morrow to ye, Lieutenant Drew! I've got yer boots all finished fer ye.
DREW
Right! You're hard at work, I see.
SIMON
Always hard at work, Lieutenant. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ HALE
Things do look pretty black for us.
HULL
Black! They couldn't be blacker! [Pg 4]
HALE
Have you any idea what the General's next move will be?
HULL
No!—and what's more, I don't think he knows. It all depends on General Howe's movements, and what those will be nobody knows.
HALE
Is General Washington in his office now?
HULL
Yes. Did you come to see him?
HALE
I was ordered to report to him.
HULL
And here I've been keeping you out here—that shows what a good staff officer I am! I'll announce you at once. [knock]
WASHINGTON [off]
Yes, come in. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Henry Fisk Carlton, The Story of Nathan Hale

“ Well, I'll git the boots fixed for ye—then git out fast! No use runnin' any risks.
HALE
You're right, Simon. I shall take every care not to run into that man again.
ANNOUNCER
Our next scene is a few days later. It is evening. Darkness is just falling. Mrs. Chichester, the keeper of the Huntington Tavern, is bustling about her kitchen, when Lieutenant Drew enters the back door. ”

Henry Fisk Carlton

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Quotes from The Story of Nathan Hale (Henry Fisk Carlton)

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