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 ^
 
 LITTLE PLAYS FROM 
 AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 FOR YOUNG FOLKS 
 
 BY 
 
 ALICE JOHNSTONE WALKER 
 
 
 NEW YORK 
 
 HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY 

 
 Copyright, 1914, 
 
 BY 
 
 HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY 
 
 Published August, 19 14 
 
 Amateurs may produce the plays in this volume 
 without charge. Professional actors should apply for 
 acting rights to the author, in care of the publishers. 
 
 Printed, March, 1937 
 
 
 € ■ < ' 
 
 
 ■ . ' . « * * 
 
 » •• 4 
 
 • • • 
 
 PRINTED IN THE U. S A. BY 
 
 THE QUINN a BOOEN COMPANY 
 
 SAHWAY, N. J.
 
 Dedicated 
 
 To my pupils for whom these little 
 
 plays were written 
 
 ■

 
 IN 
 
 0> 
 
 
 J 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 PAOI 
 
 I. Hiding the Regicides .... i 
 
 A Play in Seven Scenes. Time about 
 1661. 
 
 II. Mrs. Murray's Dinner Party . . 57 
 
 A School Play in Three Acts. Time 
 1776. 
 
 III. Four Scenes from the Time of Lin- 
 
 coln 
 
 1. In Boston. 1864 
 
 2. Lincoln and the Little Girl. 1850 
 
 3. At the White House. 1863 . 
 
 4. On a Plantation. 1863 . 
 
 121 
 123 
 
 131 
 134 
 145
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 
 
 An Historical Play 
 
 For Children 
 
 In Seven Scenes
 
 NOTE 
 
 The Regicides were the judges who signed the death 
 warrant of Charles I at the time of the great Revolu- 
 tion in England in 1649. During the Commonwealth 
 period they were safe, as the Puritans were in power, 
 but in 1660, Charles I's son, Charles II, was called 
 to the throne and he refused to pardon the men who 
 had condemned his father to death. At this time the 
 Regicides, Whalley and Goffe, fled to New England, 
 hoping for the protection of the Puritans there. They 
 lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts Colony, and New 
 Haven and Milford in New Haven Colony, and their 
 last days were probably spent in Mr. Russell's house in 
 Hadley, Massachusetts. 
 
 The seven scenes in this play take place in New 
 Haven Colony in the years from 1661 to 1664. Presi- 
 dent Ezra Stiles' narrative has been followed in all 
 the essential parts. Tradition as well as facts have 
 been introduced, but it has not always been possible to 
 preserve the historical sequence. 
 
 The great stones of glacial origin that form Judges' 
 Cave are still to be seen on West Rock, New Haven. 
 The inscription, " Opposition to tyrants is obedience 
 to God," printed in rude letters on one of the rocks, 
 is probably of a later date than 1664. 
 
 3
 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 Colonel Whalley | the Regicides. Goffe is Whal- 
 Colonel Goffe j ley's son - in - law ; much 
 
 younger. 
 Governor Leet, of New Haven Colony. 
 John Davenport, the New Haven Minister. 
 Mr. Gilbert, a New Haven Magistrate. 
 Mr. William Jones, neighbor of Davenport's. 
 
 T ^ I King's officers searching for Regicides. 
 
 Kellond ) 
 
 Will Leet, eight years old. 
 ist Neighbor. 
 2nd Neighbor. 
 Quinnibog, Indian runner. 
 Sperry's Boy, ten or eleven. 
 Mistress Allerton. 
 Mistress Davenport. 
 
 Abigail Pierson, seventeen, visiting Mrs. Davenport. 
 Elizabeth Allerton, Mrs. Allerton's granddaugh- 
 ter, seven or eight. 
 Mercy Leet, seven years old.
 
 COSTUMES 
 
 The 1660 costume can be found in any illustrated 
 United States history. Wide collars and cuffs and a 
 broad sash worn over a little boy's coat with bloomers 
 and shoe buckles make the men's costumes easy to 
 arrange. 
 
 The women should have little caps and lace collars 
 and cuffs: skirts full and waists tight-fitting. 
 
 The King's officers, Kirk and Kellond, can be more 
 like Cavaliers: broad hats; sweeping feathers; swords. 
 
 Puritan hats for Whalley, Davenport, and the 
 neighbors in the Guilford scene are very effective and 
 can be made from cardboard and blacked over. Daven- 
 port and Whalley should have long capes. 
 
 The children should be dressed like their elders: the 
 little girls' dresses going to the floor. 
 
 Quinnibog is stained brown and has quills in his 
 topknot.
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 
 
 SCENE I 
 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 Mistress Allerton. 
 Elizabeth, her granddaughter. 
 
 At the house of Mistress Allerton in New Haven 
 Colony. A Sunday in February, 1661. Late after- 
 Moon. Door at the left of the stage. Window at the 
 back to the left. In the right-hand corner the " Secret 
 Cabinet " made of brown paper tacked on a clothes- 
 horse or screen. One division of the clothes-horse is 
 arranged to open like a door. Dishes, blue plates, 
 pewter mugs, etc., painted or drawn with colored chalk 
 on paper covering screen, to make it look like dresser. 
 A table; knitting-work; high stool; armchair; foot- 
 stool. 
 
 Curtain rises on Mistress Allerton in armchair, 
 reading. Elizabeth, on stool, great Bible on her 
 knees, lips move as though learning by heart. 
 
 7
 
 8 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 
 Elizabeth, hast thou finished committing the 23d 
 Psalm? 
 
 Elizabeth 
 
 Yes, Grandmother. It is not as long as the 103d. 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 
 And what was the text of good Mr. Davenport this 
 Lord's day? Thou must tell thy old grandmother, 
 since she cannot now walk to the Meeting-House. 
 
 Elizabeth 
 
 It was in Isaiah xvi: 3, 4. I will read the very 
 words. [Reads] " Make thy shadow as the night in 
 the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray 
 not him that wandereth. Let mine outcasts dwell with 
 thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face 
 of the spoiler." Grandmother, what does "bewray" 
 mean? 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 
 [Holding to chair, rises to her feet, staring ahead.] 
 " Hide the outcasts ! Betray not him that wander- 
 eth." [In a startled voice] They are coming! 
 
 Elizabeth 
 
 Why, Grandmother! what aileth thee? Who are 
 coming?
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 9 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 
 [Sits.] Nothing, child ! What else did John Dav- 
 enport say? 
 
 Elizabeth 
 
 Why — why Oh yes — that the Lord would 
 
 love those that helped the oppressed and to bewray 
 not him that wandereth. What is to bewray, Grand- 
 mother? 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 
 To deliver the outcasts to men who would slay 
 them, my Elizabeth. 
 
 Elizabeth 
 [Gets down from stool, puts Bible on table, goes to 
 stand on Mistress Allerton's left.] Mr. Jones did 
 weep when Mr. Davenport was preaching. 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 Aye, poor man ! well he may weep. It is not three 
 weeks since he learned that his father was betrayed to 
 the new King and cruelly killed. 
 
 Elizabeth 
 What had he done? 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 
 He was one of the judges who condemned to death 
 that man of blood, Charles I ; many of those righteous
 
 io LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 men have been pursued and slain — but not all, — not 
 all! 
 
 Elizabeth 
 
 And are some judges still hiding from the new 
 King? 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 Yes, some they say are in Switzerland. 
 
 Elizabeth 
 
 They might come to New England — to New 
 Haven ! Should we have to hide them ? 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 
 Yes, my Elizabeth, and betray them not. [Rises, 
 walks to dresser.] Elizabeth, seest thou that dresser? 
 Look, it opens thus. [Opens division of dresser.] If 
 any wanderer shouldst come, thou wouldst know where 
 to hide him! 
 
 Elizabeth 
 
 Oh, Grandmother! what a black little room! Does 
 it go far? I never knew it was there. 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 
 This is a secret, child! Canst keep a secret? Aye, 
 I know well thou canst. Tell no one! Tell no one!
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES n 
 
 Elizabeth 
 
 [Dancing around.] No one! No one! Grand- 
 mother! A secret! A secret! 
 
 [Clock strikes six. 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 Fetch me my knitting, child ; the Sabbath is over. 
 
 Elizabeth 
 
 [Fetches knitting, leans on back of Mistress Al- 
 lerton 's chair.] And wilt thou sing with me now 
 the song thy mother taught thee in Old England? 
 
 Mistress Allerton and Elizabeth 
 [Sing] 
 
 " How I love to see thee, golden evening sun, 
 How I love to see thee when the day is done. 
 Sweetly thou recallest childhood's joyous days— 
 etc. 
 
 THE SETTING SUN 
 
 Andante. 
 
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 1 
 
 1. How Hove to seo thee, Gold-en evening sun! 
 
 2. Sweetly thou re - call- est, Childhood's joyous days; 
 
 3. When in tranquil glo-ry, Thou didst sink to rest, 
 
 
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 12 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 
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 How I love to see thee, When the day is done. 
 Hours when I so fond- lyWatch'd thy evening blaze. 
 Then what heav'nly rapt - ture Fill'd my burning breast. 
 
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 CURTAIN
 
 SCENE II 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 Mr. John Davenport. Mistress Davenport. 
 
 Mr. Gilbert, Magistrate. Abigail Pierson. 
 Mr. William Jones. Colonel Whalley. 
 
 Colonel Goffe. 
 
 John Davenport's house, New Haven Colony, 
 March 7, 1661. Night. Door as in Scene I. Win- 
 doiv at back of stage; chairs and table center stage; 
 lighted candles; dishes, tankards, etc., at right side. 
 Furniture, old-fashioned. 
 
 Curtain rises on Davenport standing behind table 
 reading letter: Gilbert right and Jones left, lis- 
 tening. 
 
 Davenport 
 
 [Reads.] " As the names of Whalley and Goffe 
 are omitted from the list of pardoned rebels, the 
 Magistrates of Massachusetts Colony were afraid to 
 harbor them longer. The enemies of the Colony have 
 been exciting suspicions of her loyalty. While Gov- 
 ernor Endicott and the Assistants were still debating 
 whether to arrest them, the Colonels left Boston the 
 
 13
 
 H LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 26th of February, presumably on their way to Spring- 
 field and thence to Hartford and New Haven." 
 [Speaks] So reads the letter lately received from one 
 of our brethren in Boston. 
 
 Gilbert 
 
 And their way will lead them soon to New Haven. 
 They are not unknown to thee, Will Jones? 
 
 Jones 
 
 They were dear friends of my father's; would I 
 could spare them his fate! 
 
 Davenport 
 
 [Lays hand on Jones' shoulder.] Never fear! If 
 they come here, they will find friends and safety. 
 There are no traitors in New Haven Colony. We 
 fled before the tyrant: they stayed and defied him — 
 and should we not protect them with our lives if 
 need be? 
 
 Gilbert 
 
 [Rises.] With our lives, yes, but dare we put the 
 Colony in danger? This brave little settlement; dear 
 to us now as no other spot under heaven. Dare we 
 defy the King openly? Darest thou defy him, John 
 Davenport?
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES x 5 
 
 Davenport 
 
 Who is defying the King? No Hue and Cry from 
 England makes it our duty to arrest them. 
 
 Gilbert 
 Yes, but the Massachusetts Magistrates expect 
 every day a Royal Order to arrest the fugitives, and 
 they dare not shelter them longer. And Massachu- 
 setts has a Charter and is older and richer and more 
 powerful than little New Haven. 
 
 Jones 
 
 Is not our very obscurity our safety? We have 
 no bitter jealous enemies in our midst like Massa- 
 chusetts. 
 
 Davenport 
 
 Well spoken, Will! and we will save the Colonels 
 and harm our beloved New Haven not a whit. Let 
 the King search! Can we not hide? 
 
 [Enter Mistress Davenport and Abi- 
 gail PlERSON. 
 
 Mistress Davenport 
 [Much excited.'] Husband, list! Two strangers 
 be at the door asking for thee; they will not give 
 their names and they will not enter. 
 
 [Davenport looks around at Gilbert 
 and Jones and goes out in silence. 
 All listen. Re-enter Davenport.
 
 1 6 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Davenport 
 
 Mistress Davenport, Abigail, here are the Colonels 
 Whalley and Goffe. 
 
 [Enter Whalley and Goffe. 
 
 All 
 
 Welcome, sirs. 
 
 [Gather round — bow. 
 
 Jones 
 
 [Takes the Colonels' hands.] My dear father's 
 friends. Welcome ! Welcome ! 
 
 Davenport 
 Mr. Gilbert is our Magistrate. 
 
 Mistress Davenport 
 Pray be seated, gentlemen. 
 
 Gilbert 
 
 Thou didst not tarry long in Hartford, Colonel 
 Whalley. 
 
 [Shakes hands with Whalley and Goffe. 
 
 Whalley 
 
 We were three or four days with Governor Win- 
 throp.
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 17 
 
 GOFFE 
 
 And with your Governor Leet yestere'en. We tar- 
 ried until nightfall before approaching your settle- 
 ment. What noble mountains rise to the east and 
 west of your Plantation ! 
 
 Davenport 
 
 Yes, we call them the East and West Mountains. 
 We love them well. Boston has not the like, nor 
 Hartford neither. 
 
 Gilbert 
 
 If the King should send a Hue and Cry for you 
 through the Provinces, you might find a sure shelter 
 on one of those lofty rocks. 
 
 Jones 
 
 [Hotly.] Nay, my father's friends and mine 
 should find security always in my house under the 
 roof built by Theophilus Eaton, my dear wife's 
 father. 
 
 Gilbert 
 
 [Rising.'] But if as Magistrate I should be 
 compelled to command a search of all houses — 
 then
 
 i8 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 GOFFE 
 
 [Rising.] Understand, my friends, that my father 
 and I stand ready to give ourselves up at any time to 
 the Magistrates. We would not endanger the Colony, 
 for the sake of our poor lives. 
 
 Whalley 
 
 We would not have you risk the well-being of your 
 settlement for outcasts whose days at best are few and 
 evil. 
 
 Davenport 
 
 We thank you for these words, we will remember 
 them; they but make us more determined to save such 
 brave men. 
 
 Jones and Gilbert 
 That they do ! 
 
 Davenport 
 
 And as for searchers — I fear them not. My Lord 
 Archbishop of Canterbury sought for one John Dav- 
 enport, but he found him not. Let us do our duty 
 and God will provide for our safety. 
 
 Gilbert 
 
 Yea, " hide the outcasts ; bewray not him that wan- 
 dereth!" 
 
 Mistress Davenport 
 
 And now I pray thee, John, suffer the Colonels to
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 19 
 
 partake of a little refreshment; they must needs be 
 
 faint. 
 
 [Colonels Whalley and Goffe sit 
 down at table. Mistress Daven- 
 port and Abigail begin to bring 
 dishes, glasses, etc. Davenport and 
 Jones take their hats, etc. 
 
 curtain
 
 SCENE 117 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 Governor Leet. 
 Will Leet. 
 Mercy Leet. 
 
 I King's Officers. 
 Kellond J 
 
 ist Neighbor. 
 
 2nd Neighbor. 
 
 Quinnibog, Indian Runner. 
 
 Governor Leet's house, Guilford, Saturday, May 
 1 1, 1661. Door and ivindow as before; zvindow open; 
 table; chairs; high stool; books; papers; ink and quill 
 pen on table. 
 
 Curtain rises. Mercy Leet discovered seated on 
 high stool knitting long stocking and weeping, wipes 
 eyes with stocking. Will's head appears in window. 
 
 Will 
 
 Mercy, what art doing? Leave thy knitting and 
 come to the woods and pull May-flowers with me. 
 
 20
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 21 
 
 [Climbs in window, sits on sill, feet inside.] I know 
 where they grow by handfuls. 
 
 Mercy 
 [Bends over her work, but does not answer.] 
 
 Will 
 
 [Laughing.] Oh! naughty girl! must sit on the 
 stool and knit! Oh! Oh! I know why. Thou didst 
 laugh at prayers when the tabby cat jumped in the 
 window ! 
 
 Mercy 
 
 It is not often I have a chance to sit here, Master 
 Will! It is thy favorite seat! Why wast thou here 
 all yesterday forenoon? 
 
 Will 
 
 [Gets down from window.] I was trying to mend 
 father's pens for him. He was not pleased. 
 
 [Takes quill pen from table. 
 
 Mercy 
 Have a care! thou wilt drop it! 
 
 Kirk 
 
 [Outside window.] Is the Deputy Governor Leet 
 within ? We would speak with him at once.
 
 22 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Will 
 
 [Drops pen, runs to window.] Two strangers! 
 they would see father. 
 
 [Enter Leet, ist and 2ND Neighbor; 
 Kirk and Kellond, the King's Of- 
 ficers. 
 
 Kellond 
 Our business is important and urgent. 
 
 Leet 
 I pray you be seated, sirs. 
 
 Kirk 
 
 These letters will explain all. 
 
 [Hands papers to Leet, who takes out 
 glasses, wipes them, begins to read 
 out loud. 
 
 Leet 
 
 " To our trusty and well-beloved, the present Gov- 
 ernor or other Magistrate or Magistrates of our 
 Plantation of New England." [Speaks"] This is not 
 written to me! I am the Governor of New Haven 
 Plantation, not of New England. 
 
 Kirk 
 It is for thee. I pray thee read further.
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 23 
 
 Kellond 
 
 And would his Honor please not read so loud. 
 
 [ist and 2ND Neighbor take books, pre- 
 tend not to listen. 
 
 Leet 
 
 [Bows and reads lower but distinctly. KlRK and 
 Kellond fidget and look to see whether the others are 
 listening.] "Charles Rex: Trusty and well-beloved, 
 we greet you well. We being given to understand 
 that Colonell Whalley and Colonell Goffe, who stand 
 here convicted for the execrable murther of our Royal 
 Father of glorious memory, are lately arrived in New 
 England, where they hope to shroud themselves se- 
 curely from our laws; and we do expressly require 
 and command you forthwith, to cause both the said 
 persons to be apprehended 
 
 Kellond 
 
 [Interrupting.] It is convenient to be more private 
 in such concernments as this is! Will his Honor 
 please retire with us to another room? 
 
 Leet 
 
 Ah, — as you wish. 
 
 [Exeunt Kirk, Kellond, and Leet, who 
 looks back over his shoulder.
 
 24 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 1ST NEIGHBOR 
 
 [Throwing down book he has been reading.] Will, 
 hasten and fetch hither Quinnibog, the Indian runner. 
 Here hasten. Nay, by the window. Bring him to 
 this window. 
 
 [Puts Will hurriedly out of window, 
 goes to table and writes. 
 
 2ND NEIGHBOR 
 
 [Rises and looks over his shoulder — reads.~\ 
 " King's Officers from Boston seeking the Colonels 
 have arrived this day, Saturday, at Guilford." 
 
 Will 
 Here is Quin. 
 
 [His head appears and he climbs in. The 
 
 neighbors help him down. 
 [Quinnibog's head appears over win- 
 dow-sill. 
 
 1ST neighbor 
 
 [Folding paper.] To Chief Davenport at New 
 Haven. 
 
 [Holds up paper; gives it to Quinnibog. 
 
 2ND NEIGHBOR 
 
 Between the Red Mountains.
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 25 
 
 1ST NEIGHBOR 
 
 Let not the wind catch thee ! 
 
 2ND NEIGHBOR 
 
 [Holds up knife.] This shall be thine if thou goest 
 swiftly and secretly. 
 
 Quinnibog 
 
 [Raises right arm in air, speaks with great dignity 
 and slowly; impassive face.] Quosaquash, sawsounck 
 Totoket, mishe nahma, Mishe mokwa mudjekeewis 
 Quinnipiack! 
 
 [Disappears. 
 
 2ND NEIGHBOR 
 
 What did he say? 
 
 Will 
 
 That he will run as swiftly as the shadow of a 
 cloud passes between Totoket and Quinnipiack. 
 
 Mercy 
 
 Oh no! he cannot do that! I cannot run as fast 
 as that! 
 
 1ST NEIGHBOR 
 
 [Looking at Mercy.] Oh! the little maid! Will 
 she tell ? 
 
 [Takes up book and sits as before.
 
 26 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 2ND NEIGHBOR 
 
 Nay, nor Master Will neither. 
 
 [All are as before. Enter Leet, KlRK, 
 and Kellond. 
 
 Kirk 
 
 [To Leet.] And thou wilt see that we have fresh 
 horses at once and the necessary papers for our urgent 
 business. 
 
 Kellond 
 
 Yes, Sir, at once. The papers at once! 
 
 Leet 
 
 The horses surely you shall have, but the papers 
 are a weightier matter. I must have time for con- 
 sideration. 
 
 Kirk 
 
 But we cannot wait. This is the King's business. 
 
 Leet 
 
 [Slowly.] When the horses are ready return hither 
 and I will give you my decision. In every way I 
 would expedite and advance his Majesty's service. 
 
 Kirk 
 
 Thanks to your Worship. 
 
 [Bows, goes out.
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 27 
 
 Kellond 
 
 Your Honor. 
 
 [Bows, goes out. 
 
 Leet 
 
 [Goes to table, looks at quill all ink, puts it doivn.~\ 
 Mercy, child, thou hast been on the penance stool long 
 enough. 
 
 [Takes her and stands her on stool. 
 
 Mercy 
 
 I thank thee, Father. I have been a good girl. I 
 did not tell the King's Officers that Will had fetched 
 Quinnibog and sent him to New Haven to Mr. Dav- 
 enport. 
 
 CURTAIN
 
 SCENE IV 
 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 Governor Leet. 
 Will Leet. 
 Mercy Leet. 
 
 „ I King's Officers. 
 
 Kellond j 
 
 Governor Leet's house, Guilford, May n, 1661. 
 Late afternoon. Same as Scene III. 
 
 Curtain rises on Governor Leet seated. Kirk and 
 Kellond seated on either side, talking angrily. 
 
 Kirk 
 
 We will not be delayed longer. We are assured by 
 the people at the Inn, who seem better informed than 
 his Honor, the Governor, that Davenport and Jones 
 are sheltering the Regicides. 
 
 Kellond 
 
 That the Colonels have been seen on the street out- 
 side their houses and that Mr. Davenport but lately 
 laid in a store of ten pounds of fresh meat at once. 
 
 28
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 29 
 
 Kirk 
 
 Also men say openly that it is not possible that the 
 Governor should be ignorant of the whereabout of the 
 Colonels. 
 
 Leet 
 
 [Mildly.] I repeat- 
 
 [Leet is very deliberate through this 
 scene, as he is trying to make time. 
 
 Kellond 
 
 [Sarcastically, interrupting.] And that also, of 
 course, entirely unbeknownst to the Governor, an In- 
 dian runner has disappeared from the town, since our 
 arrival. 
 
 Leet 
 
 [Slowly, politely.] You gentlemen, I see, have been 
 listening to the village idlers, who have always plenty 
 of tales for eager ears. I can but repeat that it is nine 
 weeks since I saw those you seek, and I do not know 
 where they are. I also repeat that as a faithful servant 
 of his Majesty I am willing to help you in every way 
 in my power. 
 
 Kirk 
 
 [Roughly.] Then give us horses; promised us these 
 two hours — search warrants and military aid to appre- 
 hend these malignants.
 
 3 o LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Leet 
 
 [Slowly.] Horses you shall have, sirs, I but sent 
 to my highland meadow to procure you my swiftest 
 nags. They should be here now. 
 
 Kellond 
 [Threateningly.] And warrants and soldiers, too! 
 
 Leet 
 
 [Politely.] I fear I have no authority to furnish 
 search warrants. 
 
 Kirk 
 
 [Rising.] No authority! Why, here is his Maj- 
 esty's proclamation. 
 
 [Shows it to Leet. 
 
 Leet 
 
 [Takes letter •, slowly puts on specs, takes them off, 
 ivipes them, puts on again, reads paper.] Um! Ah! 
 but this is not addressed to me, but to the present 
 Governor or other Magistrates of our Plantation of 
 New England. There is no New England Plantation. 
 How can I assume rights to which I am not entitled? 
 
 Kellond 
 
 [Rising.] This is an idle quibble. His Majesty's 
 command is to catch those rascals. This is New Eng- 

 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 31 
 
 land. Thou art a Magistrate. Give us a warrant 
 or disobey the King! 
 
 Leet 
 
 [Rises, says solemnly.] This is New Haven Colony, 
 not New England. I am but the Deputy Governor 
 and cannot overstep my powers. I obey the King by 
 obeying the King's law. 
 
 Kirk 
 
 [Sneeringly.] Thou hast much talk of obedience 
 but little action. — [Pounds on table] What wilt thou 
 do? 
 
 Leet 
 
 [Mildly.] Mr. Gilbert is one of the New Haven 
 Magistrates, too; I will give thee a letter to him, say- 
 ing that I urge every compliance possible with the 
 demands of his Majesty. 
 
 Kirk 
 
 [Mollified.] That will please us well, sir. 
 
 [Sits, 
 
 Kellond 
 
 Very well. 
 
 [Sits.
 
 32 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Leet 
 
 [Slowly goes to table, looks for paper.] Nay, not 
 this. [Rises, goes to door, calls.] Mercy, Mercy! 
 
 [Enter Mercy. 
 
 Leet 
 
 Mercy, run and ask thy mother for another sheet 
 like this. 
 
 [Exit Mercy. 
 
 Kellond 
 [At window.] Are those the horses, your Honor? 
 
 Leet 
 
 They are indeed. 
 
 [Looks out of window. 
 
 Kellond 
 
 Since the horses are at hand we wait oi.ly the letter. 
 
 [Enter Mercy with paper. 
 
 Leet 
 
 [Searches on table, in room, goes to window, calls.] 
 Will, hast thou meddled with thy father's quills? 
 
 Will 
 [From outside.] Nay, Father, I did but-
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 33 
 
 Leet 
 [Sternly.] Answer me not, fetch them at once. 
 
 Kirk 
 But lo! here is a quill! 
 
 Leet 
 
 I cannot use it. 
 
 [Enter Will. 
 Leet 
 Thou keepest thy father waiting! Where hast thou 
 put the quills, meddler! 
 
 Will 
 Nay, Father, I touched them not, thou thyself didst 
 put them in the drawer. 
 
 [Opens drawer full of quills. 
 
 Leet 
 
 [In surprise.] Ah! to be sure. 
 
 [Begins trying one after another. 
 
 Kellond 
 [To Kirk.] This is but slow haste. 
 
 Leet 
 [Cheerfully.] Haste makes waste. Now I can 
 begin. My spectacles. Where are my spectacles? 
 
 [Begins search.
 
 34 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Kirk 
 
 [To Kellond, aside.'] This is too much! 
 
 [They begin to search, Mercy and Will 
 also. 
 
 Leet 
 
 [His spectacles are pushed back on his forehead.] 
 Mercy, run and ask thy mother if she hath seen my 
 spectacles. [Mercy goes out.] Perchance they are 
 shut up in some book. 
 
 [All look in books. 
 
 Mercy 
 
 [Enters.] No, Father, they [begins to laugh]. 
 
 Why, there they are on thy forehead, Father. 
 
 Leet 
 
 Of a surety! [Sits down, dips pen in ink; when 
 clock strikes six. Leet lays down pen and rises.] 
 Good sirs, it is six of the clock and this letter cannot 
 be finished until Monday. 
 
 Kirk 
 
 [Springing up.] But we will not wait until Mon- 
 day. What means this foolery! 
 
 Leet 
 [Gravely.] It is now the Sabbath. We can engage
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 3s 
 
 in no worldly pursuits. No man travels within this 
 Colony on the Sabbath! 
 
 Kirk 
 They will escape us. Thou knowest it well! 
 
 Kellond 
 
 [Furiously.] A plague upon all Puritan notions, — 
 twenty- four hours' delay! Good lack! 
 
 Leet 
 
 Nay, nay, good sirs, softly! softly! on Monday I 
 will myself accompany you to New Haven, and aid 
 you in your errand. 
 
 Kirk 
 
 Your Worship's aid is indeed indispensable. We 
 
 must needs submit, but the King shall know how the 
 
 Governor of New Haven obeys his Majesty's orders. 
 
 [Exeunt Kirk and Kellond, angrily. 
 
 CURTAIN
 
 SCENE V 
 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 John Davenport. Colonel Whalley. 
 
 Mistress Davenport. Colonel Goffe. 
 
 Abigail Pierson. 
 
 Monday night, May 13, 1 66 1, at John Daven- 
 port's. Stage same as Scene II. Stage dark. 
 
 Curtain rises on Abigail on stage with lighted 
 candle, listening. 
 
 [Enter Mistress Davenport with candle lighted.} 
 
 Mistress Davenport 
 [Whispers.] Didst thou hear a rap, sweetheart? 
 
 Abigail 
 
 [Whispers.] Nay, but I thought I heard a branch 
 snap suddenly. 
 
 [Listens. 
 Mistress Davenport 
 
 They may return any time, but we dare not shelter 
 them to-night; a search of this house may be ordered. 
 
 36
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 37 
 
 Abigail 
 
 They were last seen on Neck Lane by the Marshal 
 who sought to arrest them. But they beat him off. 
 Dost thou think, Mistress Davenport, the town mar- 
 shal tried very hard to capture them ? 
 
 Mistress Davenport 
 
 Hush, my dear, of course he did, and when he 
 returned with more men the Colonels were not to be 
 seen. 
 
 Abigail 
 
 No; and how angry the King's Officers were that 
 the Colonels were so near and yet not apprehended. 
 
 Mistress Davenport 
 
 [Listens.] Didst thou not hear that? 
 
 [Both listen. Mistress Davenport, 
 with finger at lip, tiptoes out. Abigail 
 still listens. Low knock is heard at 
 window. Abigail puts out light and 
 goes to window. Another knock. She 
 opens window. Whalley is helped 
 in; Goffe follows in silence, and 
 Abigail quickly shuts window, draws 
 curtain. 
 
 [Enter Mistress Davenport with 
 lighted candle. 

 
 38 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Mistress Davenport 
 
 The Lord be praised that thou art still safe after 
 this dreadful day! Abigail, hast thou refreshments at 
 hand? 
 
 [Abigail sets forth refreshments. Goffe 
 and Whalley sit down at table, eat. 
 
 Whalley 
 
 We were indeed beset, behind and before, but the 
 Lord once more delivered us. 
 
 [Enter Davenport. 
 
 Davenport 
 
 [Takes hands of Judges.] My heart is glad within 
 me. But tell how you escaped the town marshal and 
 why the King's Officers did not meet you? You were 
 both on the same road. 
 
 Goffe 
 
 The good marshal was soon discouraged; it was no- 
 desperate fight. 
 
 [Laughs. 
 
 Whalley 
 Our staves were stout. 
 
 Abigail 
 
 There, I knew good Marshal Kimberly woulif 
 never
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 39 
 
 Davenport 
 
 [Smiling.] Nay now, my dear! such talk will never 
 do. But Kirk and Kellond, the King's Officers, were 
 perilously near thee; they must have been almost in 
 sight ! 
 
 Goffe 
 
 [Stands.] That was indeed a close rub. As we 
 were about to cross Neck Bridge we heard galloping 
 hoofs on the East Road. There was no shelter, no 
 tree, no escape visible; the rapidity of the gallop made 
 us sure the riders were our pursuers. 
 
 Whalley 
 
 [Stands.] Suddenly we bethought us of the possible 
 shelter of the bridge itself, and scrambling down the 
 steep bank we waded under the bridge until the water 
 was up to our armpits 
 
 Mistress Davenport 
 
 Oh, good lack! 
 
 Goffe 
 
 And hardly were we in our cold retreat before the 
 King's Officers rode by at a furious pace, rattling the 
 boards over our heads and scattering dust upon us! 
 
 Whalley 
 [Sits.] I pray we never be any nearer to them!
 
 40 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Mistress Davenport 
 And you have both been wet to the bone all day! 
 
 Goffe 
 
 [Sits.] No, sweet Mistress Davenport, the sun 
 soon dried us. But how fared the day here? 
 
 Davenport 
 
 The day has been an anxious one. Kirk and Kellond 
 suspect us and they are pressing the Magistrates for 
 a search warrant. The Magistrates from Branford 
 and Milford are here and they are still consulting. 
 
 Mistress Davenport 
 
 They may yield and give the Commissioners search 
 warrants this very evening. 
 
 Davenport 
 
 Leet and Gilbert hold that as there is no Governor 
 of New England, they dare not obey the proclamation. 
 The Officers speak most insolently to the Magistrates 
 and accuse them openly of knowing where you are. 
 
 Mistress Davenport 
 
 We fear that Kirk and Kellond will demand per- 
 mission of us to search this house.
 
 HIDLNG THE REGICIDES 41 
 
 Davenport 
 
 This I am willing to grant them — providing out 
 friends are no longer here. Abigail, therefore, will 
 escort you to the house of Mistress Allerton. 
 
 Abigail 
 
 And to-morrow night Will Jones will take you to 
 a retreat where no King's Officer can find you. 
 
 Whalley 
 
 Ah, good Mr. Davenport, there is grave danger in 
 all this for thee, I fear. 
 
 Davenport 
 
 Nay, nay, Colonel Whalley, say not so. Abigail, 
 thy hood, child, [Mistress Davenport ties on Abi- 
 gail's cape and hood] and go by the way of the 
 orchards. 
 
 [Opens window, helps Abigail out of 
 window; Goffe also. Wh ALLEY 
 gets out. 
 
 Whalley 
 
 [Looking backward.] The Lord bless thee, John 
 Davenport! [Disappears. 
 
 [Davenport shuts window softly. 
 
 CURTAIN
 
 SCENE VI 
 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 Mistress Allerton. 
 
 I King's Officers. 
 Kellond j 
 
 Elizabeth Allerton. 
 
 Colonel Whalley. 
 
 Colonel Goffe. 
 
 Mistress Allerton's house, New Haven Colony, 
 Tuesday morning, May 14, 1661. Same as Scene I, 
 table being set for breakfast, plates, dishes, etc., on side 
 table. Vase of flowers on side table. 
 
 Curtain rises on Mistress Allerton and Eliza- 
 beth. 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 
 [A pail in each hand.] Here, Elizabeth, be spry 
 now. Run swiftly to Goody Brown's and ask her for 
 two pails of milk this morning. 
 
 [Gives two pails. 
 
 Elizabeth 
 
 [Surprised.] Two pails of milk? 
 
 42
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 43 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 
 Aye, mayhap we have visitors to-day. Run along, 
 child ! 
 
 [Exit Elizabeth. 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 
 [Looking after her.~\ Would I had not said that! 
 Goody Brown will surely be curious. [Prepares table- 
 cloth, plates, etc., goes to Cabinet, taps and then opens 
 it.] Colonel Goffe, thou mayest safely venture out 
 now. There is no soul abroad and little Elizabeth 
 hath gone to the neighbors for fresh milk. 
 
 [Enter Goffe and Whalley from 
 Cabinet. 
 
 Goffe 
 Good morrow, Mistress Allerton! 
 
 Whalley 
 Good morrow! Good morrow! 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 
 Good morrow, sirs, pray be seated. Here are some 
 of our sweet New England posies. 
 
 Whalley 
 
 This New England is a fair land, rich in bountiful 
 fields, sweet flowers, and true hearts. 
 
 [Bows to Mistress Allerton and sits. 
 [Goffe and Mistress Allerton sit.
 
 44 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 There are no traitors here, indeed. These rude fel- 
 lows, Kirk and Kellond, come from old England. 
 
 [Enter Elizabeth, astonished to see 
 Colonels. 
 
 Elizabeth 
 Oh! Grandmother! and I told Goody Brown that 
 we had no visitors, but that thou saidest they might 
 come ; and here are the Colonels. 
 
 [Goes up to Judges and courtesies. 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 [Anxiously.] Was there any one with thee w T hen 
 thou spakest with Goody? 
 
 Elizabeth 
 
 One of the strangers from Boston was there and 
 he questioned me shrewdly. 
 
 Goffe 
 And what didst thou say, little maid? 
 
 Elizabeth 
 I said nay, we had no visitors. 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 And then? 
 
 [Whalley and Goffe rise and listen 
 anxiously.
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 45 
 
 Elizabeth 
 
 He said he did not believe me and he shook me 
 [begins to cry] and then he ran towards the tavern. 
 
 [The others look at each other in con- 
 sternation. 
 
 Whalley 
 Shall we enter the dark room again? 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 Let me think. 
 
 Goffe 
 
 They will come and search and perhaps find us now 
 that they suspect this house. 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 
 There is another way. Come quickly with me along 
 Neck Lane. Hasten! 
 
 Whalley 
 [Going out.] But what wilt thou say? 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 
 I shall know what to say, only hasten! 
 
 [Whispers to Goffe, who nods and 
 smiles. 
 
 [All go out but Elizabeth. 
 [Re-enter Mistress Allerton.
 
 46 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Elizabeth 
 
 [Weeping.] Oh, Grandmother! did I bewray the 
 Colonels? 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 
 Nay, child, nay. Look quick! dost see the Colonels, 
 sweetheart ? 
 
 Elizabeth 
 [Looking out of window.] Yea, on Neck Lane. 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 
 [Impressively.] If thou wouldst not bewray them, 
 shut thy eyes and stop thy ears until I tell thee to open 
 them. 
 
 Elizabeth 
 
 [Sits on high stool, right front, puts hands over ears, 
 shuts eyes, begins to sing.] 
 
 " How I love to see thee, golden evening sun, 
 How I love to see, etc." 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 
 [Goes out and re-enters with Judges and softly 
 shuts them again in Cabinet. Goes and takes doxun 
 Elizabeth's hands.] Open thy eyes, child, and re- 
 member where thou last did see the Colonels. 
 
 [Loud knocks and enter at once KlRK 
 and Kellond.
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 47 
 
 Kirk 
 
 Where are the malignants, Mistress? I have good 
 reason to believe that they are in this house. 
 
 [Sta?nps up and down, looking around. 
 
 Kellond 
 
 [Points to table.] Look, there they have been 
 breaking fast. It is too late to deny. We have 
 them at last. 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 
 If by malignants you mean the Colonels, I own 
 they have been here. [Points to table.] I could not 
 deny them a morsel of food. But when the child 
 returned they at once left the house by that door and 
 hastened away. 
 
 Kellond 
 
 A likely story! Nay, they are somewhere in the 
 house. 
 
 Kirk 
 
 Why should they stay to be caught? Nay, they 
 have gone, I tell thee. Away! 
 
 Kellond 
 
 [Hesitates.] If they have, every moment is precious 
 —but
 
 48 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Kirk 
 
 [Spying Elizabeth still on stool, marches up to 
 her, shaking her by arm.] And where are thy visitors 
 now ! Fy, little maid, to tell a lie ! 
 
 Elizabeth 
 
 Let me go, sir. I did not know they were here. I 
 told no lie. But now they are gone and thou wilt 
 catch them! 
 
 [Sobs. 
 Kirk 
 
 She tells the truth ! Went they towards the market- 
 place? 
 
 Elizabeth 
 No! 
 
 [Covers her mouth with her hand. 
 
 Kirk 
 
 [Shaking her.] The Neck Lane? Speak, or the 
 King will clap thee in prison ! 
 
 [Elizabeth is silent. 
 
 Kellond 
 The Neck Lane it was ! 
 
 Exeunt Kirk and Kellond 
 
 [Crying.] Neck Lane! to horse! to horse! on! on! 
 [Noise of departure continues and comes 
 in through open window.
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 49 
 
 Elizabeth 
 
 [Goes to window.] Will the King clap me in 
 prison? Will they find the Colonels? [Cries hard, 
 saying in her sobs] Oh deary me! Oh deary me! etc. 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 
 [Still standing by stool, front right, looking tri- 
 umphant.] Nay, weep not so, child! 
 
 Elizabeth 
 [Continues.] Oh deary me! Oh deary me! etc. 
 
 Mistress Allerton 
 
 [Goes to her, puts hand on shoulder.] I am sure 
 they will not. Ask me no questions, but / am sure 
 they will not! 
 
 Elizabeth 
 
 [Stops crying, looks into Mistress Allerton's face, 
 looks at Cabinet, steps towards it, looks back at Mis- 
 tress Allerton, laughs, and throws arms around 
 Mistress Allerton's neck.] Oh, Grandmother! 
 
 curtain
 
 SCENE VII 
 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 Colonel Whalley. William Jones. 
 
 Colonel Goffe. Deputy Gilbert. 
 
 John Davenport. Sperry's Boy. 
 
 Three years later. Judges' Cave on West Rock, 
 New Haven Colony, October 13, 1664. 
 
 Judges' Cave in right back corner of stage. Cloth 
 blackboards hung from ceiling over the corner, if hung 
 askew, make good rock background. Tables under- 
 neath covered with gray shawls over inverted chairs 
 continue idea of the real Judges' Cave. Green boughs 
 and twigs tucked around the edges of the boards and 
 where the tables fit into the walls and the gray shawl 
 or drapery touch the floor, green boughs on the floor, 
 on the walls, over the door, would add to the outdoor 
 effect. Goffe and Whalley must stand on the tables 
 and the green boughs on the tables must be high 
 enough to let them dodge down behind and hide when 
 the Sperry Boy comes. Stump for Sperry Boy to 
 place pail on. Goffe's carving on rock is done with 
 piece of chalk. 
 
 50 

 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 51 
 
 Curtain rises on Whalley and Goffe standing on 
 rock in front of Judges' Cave looking off over the 
 valley below. 
 
 Whalley 
 
 And to-day we look on this scene for the last time. 
 Those gentle streams rolling through the goodly 
 meadows to the sea; the mighty forests, broken by the 
 clearings made by the stout arms of the settlers; the 
 blue hills, lying like some great giant to the north 
 and the smiling blue harbor and vast sea to the south. 
 
 Goffe 
 
 The New Haven folk dwell in a fair land. See, 
 [pointing'] is not that the spot where stands the Neck 
 Bridge under which we found cold comfort the day 
 the King's Officers galloped over our heads? 
 
 Whalley 
 [Looking.'] 'Tis near there, the trees hide it, but 
 I see plainly the field of Mr. Sperry which thou 
 crossed while making pretense of hoeing it under the 
 very eyes of Kirk. 
 
 Goffe 
 
 And did I not run when I at last reached the 
 woods! 'Tis but a small space but how vast it was 
 that day! [Laughs.] 
 
 [Sound of whistling or singing is heard. 
 Whalley and Goffe bend down be- 
 hind bushes.
 
 52 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Whalley 
 [Whispers.] Who comes yonder? 
 
 Goffe 
 Sperry's boy! 
 
 [Enter Sperry's Boy, whistling, with 
 pail tied in cloth; leaves it by stump, 
 goes out whistling. 
 
 GOFFE 
 
 He has not grown much in stature in the two years 
 we have tarried at Milford. Doth he still seek the 
 woodman for whom his father bid him bring food 
 every day? 
 
 Whalley 
 
 This hiding place was a safe shelter for us until 
 the savage surprised us. 
 
 Goffe 
 
 I remember well the other visitor, no less unwel- 
 come, who with his furious cry roused us from our 
 slumbers and sent us hurrying down the mountain to 
 friend Sperry's. 
 
 [Laughs. 
 Whalley 
 Thou meanest the catamount who thrust his horrid 
 head with glaring yellow eyes into our cave! We 
 were indeed affrighted. 
 
 [Laughs.
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 53 
 
 GOFFE 
 
 And to-night we flee from here, before the arrival 
 of the four new Royal Commissioners, to the distant 
 frontier of Massachusetts. 
 
 Whalley 
 
 We have found New Haven winters biting, but 
 those of Hadiey are more bitter. 
 
 Goffe 
 
 The savages, Mr. Russell writes, are bloodthirsty 
 and desperate. I would I could live a man's life again 
 and have a set-to with them. [Flourishes sivord.] A 
 sorry lot we have! always outcasts and homeless wan- 
 derers, hiding by day! fleeing by night! All we 
 fought for lost! England's liberties bleeding under 
 the son of the tyrant! Would I had died with Crom- 
 well, the cause of freedom is lost! 
 
 Whalley 
 
 Nay, my son, freedom is not lost! With our own 
 eyes we have seen its stormy day dawn over England. 
 The black clouds of tyranny but make men long more 
 fiercely for its dazzling light. Neither are all dead 
 who love it. Why, man! if thou and I are alive this 
 day 'tis because the men, women, and children of New 
 England hate tyrants and love liberty!
 
 54 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 GOFFE 
 
 'Tis true, — thou givest me new heart. England's 
 hope still lives while she has sons like these New Eng- 
 enders to maintain in this wilderness her ancient lib- 
 erties and laws. 
 
 Whalley 
 
 Is there not something in the very air of this New 
 England that bids liberty live and tyranny perish? 
 [Voices are heard.] But who comes? [Both stoop, 
 look through branches.] It is John Davenport, 
 and 
 
 Goffe 
 
 Will Jones and Deputy Gilbert. 
 
 [Enter Davenport, Jones, Gilbert. 
 
 Davenport 
 Good day, Colonel Whalley. 
 
 Jones 
 I bid thee good day, sirs. 
 
 Gilbert 
 
 Good day, good day, sirs! 
 
 Goffe and Whalley 
 Good day to you, sirs, good day!
 
 HIDING THE REGICIDES 55 
 
 Davenport 
 We have come to wish you farewell. 
 
 Jones 
 
 You are to be in Sperry's orchard at dusk, the 
 horses are chosen and the guide has come. 
 
 Gilbert 
 
 It is with sorrow that we see thee go, Colonel 
 Whalley. 
 
 Whalley 
 
 Hatchet Harbor, the Lodge, and this cave have 
 made us welcome shelters. 
 
 GOFFE 
 
 [Begins to carve letters on rock.] 
 
 Gilbert 
 
 Thou spentest several weeks at Hatchet Harbor. Is 
 it far from here? 
 
 Whalley 
 
 It is four or five miles distant. [Turns to Goffe.] 
 My son, I would fain clamber down to our friends; 
 lend me thy arm What art thou doing?
 
 56 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 GOFFE 
 
 [Continues to carve.~\ I would leave a message 
 written in the rock itself for thy children's children to 
 read; Mr. Davenport. 
 
 [Gilbert and Jones help Whalley 
 down. 
 
 Davenport 
 
 [Reads] " O-p-p-o " What may it be, Colonel? 
 
 [All are watching Goffe. 
 
 Goffe 
 
 [Takes off hat to Davenport.] 'Tis graven on thy 
 own heart, John Davenport. " Opposition to tyrants 
 is obedience to God." 
 
 [All remove their hats and lift them 
 above their heads and exclaim : 
 
 All 
 
 " Opposition to tyrants is obedience to God." Yea. 
 Yea. 
 
 CURTAIN
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 
 
 A School Play 
 In Three Acts
 
 HISTORICAL NOTE 
 
 The summer of 1776 was one of great anxiety for 
 Washington. He was expected by Congress to hold 
 New York at any cost against the British. But Put- 
 nam's disaster on Brooklyn Heights necessitated the 
 retreat from Long Island and made the loss of New 
 York City only a question of days. 
 
 Washington's main army retreated to Harlem 
 Heights, leaving two brigades in the city and three 
 scattered from Fifteenth Street to Thirty-fourth 
 Street (Kip's Bay) to watch the enemy. On the 15th 
 of September, after a fierce bombardment of the Amer- 
 ican breastworks at Kip's Bay, the British made a 
 landing. The Americans were panic-stricken and fled. 
 Nothing remained but to continue the retreat to Har- 
 lem Heights. The three brigades that were posted on 
 the East River did this; the two in the city seemed 
 lost, for Howe, the English general, had only to 
 stretch his troops from the East River to the Hudson 
 to cut off their escape. Putnam through extraordinary 
 exertions brought these brigades safely into the Har- 
 lem camp that night. 
 
 Professor Henry P. Johnston of the College of the 
 City of New York, in his " Campaign of 1776 Around 
 New York and Brooklyn," writes as follows: " Al- 
 
 59
 
 60 HISTORICAL NOTE 
 
 though skilfully conducted, this escape is to be re- 
 ferred, in reality, to Howe's supineness and the hos- 
 pitality of Mrs. Robert Murray, at whose house the 
 British generals stopped for rest and refreshment after 
 driving back our troops. Instead of continuing a 
 vigorous pursuit or making any effort to intercept 
 other parties, they spent a valuable interval at the 
 board of their entertaining hostess, whose American 
 sympathies added flavor and piquancy to the conversa- 
 tion." " Mrs. Murray," says Dr. Thacher in his mili- 
 tary journal, " treated them with cake and wine, and 
 they were induced to tarry two hours or more, Gov- 
 ernor Tryon frequently joking her about her American 
 friends. By this happy incident, General Putnam, by 
 continuing his march, escaped a rencounter with a 
 greatly superior force, which must have proved fatal to 
 his whole party. Ten minutes, it is said, w T ould have 
 been sufficient for the enemy to have secured the road 
 at the turn and entirely cut off General Putnam's 
 retreat. It has since become almost a common saying 
 among our officers, that Mrs. Murray saved this part 
 of the American army."
 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 General Howe \ 
 
 General Tryon > English officers. 
 
 Captain Campbell ) 
 
 Lieutenant Tom Treat, of the American army. 
 
 Mr. Robert Murray, Quaker. 
 
 Mrs. Robert Murray, Quaker. 
 
 Miss Delight Murray \ 
 
 Miss Phcebe Murray > their daughters. 
 
 Miss Faith Murray ) 
 
 Philip \ 
 
 Spencer V the Morris Children visiting the Murrays. 
 
 Patty ) 
 
 Mammy, their colored nurse. 
 
 A Hessian Orderly. 
 
 Aunt Polly, old apple-woman.
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 
 
 ACT I 
 
 SCENE 
 
 In Mrs. Murray's Parlor, Inclenburg, Murray 
 Hill, New York, September 15, 1776. 
 
 Entrances two, right and left. Small table against 
 wall to right of window, five chairs, loiv chest or 
 settle. Basket of knitting, wound balls of wool, shawl 
 and skirt and apron in bundle on table. Mr. Murray 
 seated by table. Mrs. Murray seated to right front 
 winding yarn, which Faith holds. Phcebe, left 
 front, on settle, sewing. Lieutenant Treat at win- 
 dow, back. Delight, with traveling wraps on, leans 
 on chair, center back. 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 [To Delight.] Thou hast missed the pleasure of 
 seeing George Washington ; he made our house his 
 headquarters while thou wast with thy Tory friends. 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 Yes, we had several edifying talks with George. 
 He is a man of great parts. 
 
 63
 
 64 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Delight 
 
 He will lose New York as he lost Long Island, for 
 all that. 
 
 Phoebe 
 
 So your Tory friends say. 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 
 He has not lost it yet. We have men here to dis- 
 pute any landing Howe may attempt and Putnam's 
 division of more than 3,000 still hold Fort Bayard in 
 the lower part of the city. 
 
 Delight 
 
 Putnam! a fine defense for the town! See how 
 his mismanagement gave Howe Brooklyn Heights! 
 His troops run at the sight of the enemy! 
 
 Faith 
 
 How you talk, Delight! This comes from visiting 
 those Tory Carletons. 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 
 If you had been on the battlefield of the Heights, 
 as I was, the night after the battle, you would have 
 seen that all of Putnam's men did not run at the 
 sight of the British. 
 
 [Turns away.
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 65 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 Yes, Delight, hast thou forgotten already thy poor 
 cousin Reuben? 
 
 Phcebe 
 
 And the Clay boys, and the DeForests. Fy, De- 
 light ! 
 
 Delight 
 
 It were a pity if there were not a few brave Amer- 
 icans. I suppose it is folly to blame the militia for 
 running away when their General himself sets them 
 such an exalted example! 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 Daughter, thy language is light and ill-timed. I am 
 satisfied that our General is acting in the wisest pos- 
 sible way. Putnam's defeat on Long Island made 
 Washington's retreat imperative. 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 Delight, I blush for thee! Did not Washington, 
 with his untrained militia, drive Howe and his regulars 
 in hot haste from Boston only last March? 
 
 Delight 
 
 Yes, but now Howe has returned with more British 
 regulars than before and with a splendid fleet to boot,
 
 66 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 and Washington still has his handful of untrained 
 militia. Provincials! 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 
 Yes, Mistress Delight, you are right. Washington 
 has an undisciplined, unreliable army. Few of us have 
 faced a cannon ; we distrust one another and ourselves. 
 But, Mistress Delight, you can tell your Tory friends 
 that we are inspired by the noblest cause men ever 
 fought for, and that even Provincials will in time be- 
 come an invincible force under such a leader as George 
 Washington ! 
 
 Faith and Phcebe 
 
 Yes! yes! long live General Washington! Long 
 live the army! Delight, you're a Tory! 
 
 [Wave sewing. 
 
 Children 
 
 [Outside.] Oh, here comes Aunt Polly! Let us 
 buy some apples! Come, Aunt Polly! 
 
 Delight 
 Are the Morris children here still? 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 Yes, dear little souls! 
 
 [Enter Patty and Spencer.
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 67 
 
 Patty 
 
 Dear Mr. Murray, Aunt Polly is coming! Aunt 
 Polly is coming! Could I have a penny for apples? 
 
 [Runs to him. 
 
 Spencer 
 
 Aunt Polly is coming! Oh, could we please buy 
 some apples? 
 
 Aunt Polly 
 
 [Outside.] Rich, ripe, red, rosy apples! ap-ples! 
 apples! 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 
 [Catching up Patty.] Rich, ripe, red, rosy apples! 
 ap-ples! ap-ples! 
 
 [Imitates Aunt Polly. 
 
 Spencer 
 Oh, do it again! 
 
 Patty 
 
 That's just like her! 
 
 [Exeunt Mr. Murray and Spencer 
 hand in hand. 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 Yes, bring Aunt Polly in ! Here are some garments 
 I set by for her this morning. 
 
 [Takes from table shawl, skirt, and apron.
 
 68 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Patty 
 [To Lieutenant Treat.] Put them on and call 
 out " apples." 
 
 [Faith and Phcebe pull the skirt over 
 Lieutenant Treat's head, fasten it, 
 put shawl over his head, pin it under 
 chin, tie apron. He takes Delight's 
 parasol for a cane. 
 
 Phoebe 
 We ought to have four shawls. Here, pin it ! 
 
 Faith 
 
 I've never seen her with less than five. Now, bend 
 over! Farther than that. 
 
 Patty 
 
 [Hands baskets with balls of wool.] Here is your 
 apple-basket. 
 
 Phcebe 
 
 Here is Aunt Polly; see what she will say! 
 
 [Enter Aunt Polly, bent double, shawl 
 over head almost concealing face, big 
 apple-basket in one hand, cane in other. 
 
 Aunt Polly 
 [Calling as she enters.] Rich, ripe, red, rosy ap- 
 ples! apples! apples! 
 
 [Enter Spencer and Philip.
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 69 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 
 [Imitates walk and cry of Aunt Polly.] Rich, 
 ripe, red, rosy apples! apples! apples! 
 
 Aunt Polly 
 [Peers at him and sloivly hobbles towards him.'] 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 [Peers at her and slowly hobbles towards her.] 
 
 Spencer 
 Why, Philip! Why, look! 
 
 Patty 
 
 [Clapping hands, dancing up ind down.] Two 
 Aunt Pollys! 
 
 Aunt Polly 
 
 [Shakes apple in front of Lieutenant Treat.] 
 Who'll buy my apples! apples! apples! 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 
 [Shakes ball of worsted in face of Aunt Polly.] 
 Who'll buy my apples! apples! apples! 
 
 All 
 [Laugh.]
 
 70 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Aunt Polly 
 
 [Listens to him, then says dryly] Take off thy 
 shawl, Master Tom; I know all thy tricks. 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 Thou canst not fool friend Polly, Thomas. 
 
 Faith 
 She found you out! 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 
 Good lack! Aunt Polly, you're too smart for me. 
 
 [Laughs — takes off shawl, etc. 
 
 Aunt Polly 
 
 Thou wast always a great boy for tricks, ever since 
 thou wast that high. 
 
 [Points to Patty. 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 
 I believe she wanted these herself. 
 
 [Gives clothes to Aunt Polly. 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 Yes, they will look better on thee. Shall I put 
 them in thy basket? 

 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 71 
 
 Aunt Polly 
 
 Nay, nay, I'll just put them on, and then I'll know 
 where they be. 
 
 [Puts on shawl. 
 
 Delight 
 But it is so warm to-day ! 
 
 Aunt Polly 
 
 Ay ! ay ! and it will be warmer yet ! What art thou 
 doing here, Master Tom, and the Redcoats soon land- 
 ing at Kip's Bay? 
 
 Delight 
 
 Why, that's right below us! 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 How dost thou know? 
 
 Aunt Polly 
 
 From the top of the hill, as I tarried for a breath, 
 I marked their boats full of soldiers making towards 
 the land. 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 
 Landing! Kip's Bay! I'm away! [Looks for hat, 
 which Philip has on.] We must hold them at the 
 landing. This is the worst of news! Patty, have you 
 my hat?
 
 72 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 Why the worst of news? 
 
 LIEUTENANT TREAT 
 
 Because if they make us retreat from here they will 
 cut off Putnam's division of 3,000 men back in the 
 city. Where is my hat? We can't lose 3,000 men 
 now! 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 Nay, but tarry a moment, Thomas! Will there 
 be fighting at Kip's Bay? 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 
 [Still striding up and down.] I hope so, if we 
 Provincials do not take to our heels again. [Makes 
 low bow to Delight. Snatches hat from Philip.] 
 Here, you little rascal! [Kisses Mrs. Murray's 
 hand.] Farewell, dear Madame! Farewell, dear 
 girls ! 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 May the Lord protect thee, dear lad! 
 
 [Guns are heard. 
 
 Patty 
 
 [Clinging to Treat.] Oh! I hear the guns! Don't 
 go and get killed! don't go and get killed!
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 73 
 
 Faith 
 Hark! Yes, those are the guns! 
 
 Phcebe 
 Oh, dreadful ! 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 
 [Stooping to kiss Patty and loosen her hands.'] I'll 
 come back and sell you all some more " Apples ! Ap- 
 ples! Apples! " 
 
 [Throws worsted balls at Children; 
 goes out running, followed by Chil- 
 dren. 
 
 [Sound of horses' feet — guns. 
 
 CURTAIN
 
 ACT II 
 
 Scene same as Act I. Two hours later. 
 
 Spencer writing at table, center; Phcebe at his left. 
 Mammy knitting at left. Delight at right front 
 with Patty in lap. Philip at her side, looking at 
 picture book she is showing them. 
 
 Spencer 
 
 That's a good g, I like that g. Philip couldn't make 
 such a fine g. 
 
 [Holds up letter. 
 
 Philip 
 
 Yes, I could. 
 
 Spencer 
 
 No, you couldn't. 
 
 Phcebe 
 
 You'll never have done, Spencer, unless you hasten, 
 e-n-e-r-a-1. 
 
 Spencer 
 
 [Writing.] G-e-n-e-r-a-1. Now don't tell me! I 
 
 know how to spell, Washington. W-a-s 
 
 74
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 75 
 
 Phcebe 
 
 Oh, Spencer! not a small w, a large one! 
 
 Spencer 
 [Anxiously.] Is it spoilt? 
 
 Philip 
 
 [To Delight.] Spencer spells Washington with a 
 small w. 
 
 [Laughs. 
 
 Spencer 
 [Indignantly.] You couldn't spell it at all! 
 
 Delight 
 
 Come, Master Philip, I thought we were looking at 
 pictures. 
 
 Phcebe 
 
 Perchance I can change it. 
 
 [Bends over letter. 
 Delight 
 
 [To Phcebe.] The cannonading has ceased; I 
 wonder what that can mean. 
 
 Phcebe 
 
 Yes, I noticed that. Do you suppose we've driven 
 the British back to their boats? Why would not 
 Father permit us to go with him and see?
 
 76 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Patty 
 
 When Tom's beaten the British he'll come back and 
 sell us some more apples. 
 
 Philip 
 
 Like this, " Rich, ripe, red, rosy apples! " I thought 
 there were two Aunt Pollys. 
 
 Patty 
 
 I knew, didn't I, Delight? I could tell him even 
 in the dark; he says, " Apples, apples " like that. 
 
 Mammy 
 
 It's time you chilluns went to pick up the playhouse 
 fl ' — a ll yo'r toys'll jes be trompled to splinters. Soop 
 as Master Spencer finish his Mommy's letter, we'll 
 be 'bleeged to go and set about it. 
 
 Philip 
 
 Oh, no, Mammy, not now. [In loud whisper.'] 
 Delight is showing us pictures and it would not be 
 perlite. 
 
 Mammy 
 
 [Placidly.'] Jes' as soon as Mas'er Spencer gets 
 through, we starts.
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 77 
 
 Spencer 
 
 You needn't wait for me, Mammy; you can leave 
 my blocks and I'll pick them up to-morrow. 
 
 Philip 
 Yes, Mammy, I'll pick my toys up to-morrow, too. 
 
 Patty 
 I'll pick my toys up to-morrow. 
 
 Mammy 
 
 To-morrow don't neber come, honey; all de time 
 you's got is jes' to-day. 
 
 Spencer 
 
 [Stretches arms.] There now, Phoebe, it's all done. 
 It is a long letter. Mother will like it. Thank you 
 for helping me. [Puts arms around Phcebe's neck.] 
 Now I'll read it. [Stands on chair.] " My honored 
 Mother. I read every day with Faith; Phoebe helps 
 me write. Mrs. Murray says that I am industrious. 
 
 General Washington " Now isn't that a good G? 
 
 [Shows letter to others, Philip sniffs at it.] " General 
 Washington galloped past the window on his white 
 horse to fight the British ; he is going to beat General 
 Howe as he did at Boston. Tom says so, and he 
 knows. We want to see you. Patty had a ride on
 
 78 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 General Washington's horse. My duty to my hon- 
 ored father. From your son Spencer." 
 
 [Folds letter. 
 
 Delight 
 
 That's a fine letter, in truth. Will you send it to 
 the ferry by Aunt Polly? 
 
 Spencer 
 Yes, when she comes back. 
 
 Mammy 
 
 [Folding knitting and rising.] Now, chilluns, we 
 starts for to put up dem toys, right away, imejit. 
 
 Philip 
 But, Mammy, why can't we wait till to-morrow? 
 
 Mammy 
 
 Yo' don't neber cotch to-morrow, honey, yo' don't 
 neber get near enough to put salt on his tail. [Sol- 
 emnly.] All you hab is jes' to-day! To-morrow neber 
 comes. 
 
 Patty 
 
 Why, yesterday we had to-morrow, and to-day 
 
 Philip 
 
 [Interrupts.] And to-day, we have to-day! 
 Mammy is right. To-morrow neber comes.
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 79 
 
 Spencer 
 All we have is just to-day. 
 
 Children 
 
 Come orij Mammy! all we have is just to-day! [Go 
 out laughing, dragging Mammy with them.~\ To- 
 morrow neber comes; all we have is just to-day, etc. 
 
 [Enter Mrs. Murray and Faith, right. 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 Thy father is coming up the drive; he was talking 
 to a horseman at the gate and perchance he has some 
 news of our men. 
 
 [Enter Mr. Murray slowly. 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 News! Ay, the most appalling news! 
 
 Mrs. Murray, Delight, Phcebe, and Faith 
 [Gather around him.] What is it? What is it? 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 Our army is in full retreat for Harlem. They were 
 seized by panic and fled without striking a blow! 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 Incredible, Robert!
 
 80 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 Would it were not so, but I saw the last part of the 
 affair myself. 
 
 Faith 
 Oh, continue, Father; continue! I beg! 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 Tom has just told me, that under cover of a can- 
 nonade from the frigates the British landed troops 
 near our redoubts down here at Kip's Bay. Our men 
 retired from the redoubts and drew up in line to meet 
 the approaching foe. But although the Americans out- 
 numbered the enemy at first, at the appearance of only 
 sixty or seventy of the British, they were seized with 
 panic and scattered and ran. 
 
 Delight 
 How shameful! 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 Putnam succeeded in rallying them once, but the 
 Connecticut militia broke again before any attack was 
 made. 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 How distressing! Was Washington there? 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 Yes, and his anger was great at such cowardice.
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 81 
 
 He rode into the midst of the fleeing militia, ordering 
 them to re-form behind the stone wall or in the corn- 
 field. 
 
 Phcebe 
 
 What! our cornfield? 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 Yes, our cornfield; and in his bitterness he so ut- 
 terly forgot his own danger, that it is said he would 
 have been killed if one of his aides had not pulled 
 the bridle of his horse and changed his course. 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 How brave he is! 
 
 Faith 
 
 [Suddenly bursting into tears.] Oh! Oh! Oh! 
 It seems as though I could not bear it. 
 
 Phcebe and Mrs. Murray 
 Bear what, dear child? 
 
 Faith 
 
 To — to — to — have the Americans run from the 
 British. Oh! Oh!
 
 82 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Delight 
 
 Never mind, sweetheart! It was the Connecticut 
 militia and not the New Yorkers. 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 The New Yorkers ran, too, as fast as the others! 
 I saw Tom a moment; he told me this and could 
 scarce look at me. 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 Thomas would feel the cowardice of his Connecticut 
 men keenly. 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 As Tom was adjusting his saddle, Putnam went by 
 like an arrow, back into the city to try and rescue the 
 Brigade at Bayard's Hill Fort and bring them safe 
 to Harlem. 
 
 Phcebe 
 
 Why, way down town! They will never get away. 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 Tom no sooner spied him than he leapt to his horse 
 and was after him ; he's one of Putnam's aides. 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 If Putnam's division were captured, would that be 
 the end of the war?
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 83 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 No, as long as we have an army in the field there 
 is hope; but to lose 3,000 men, as well as the city of 
 New York, will be a terrible blow. ... A terrible 
 blow. 
 
 Faith 
 
 Will Putnam try to lead his men to the army at 
 Harlem by the Kingsbridge road, or the Bloomingdale 
 road? 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 He must needs take the Bloomingdale road to the 
 west of us, by the Hudson. Howe's men are in pos- 
 session of the East road, the Kingsbridge road. But 
 in ten minutes' march from this house, Howe can 
 secure the turn of the Bloomingdale road also. 
 
 [Draws map with cane on the floor. 
 
 Delight 
 
 And then? 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 [Still pointing.] With the Kingsbridge road and 
 the Bloomingdale road in Howe's hands and his men 
 holding our road across the island controlling both 
 roads? Putnam is lost! 
 
 [Beats hands together. 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 If only our men had delayed Howe an hour or two!
 
 84 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 Fatal panic! Putnam could easily have saved his 
 division with two hours' start. Now the poor fellows 
 will strain every nerve to save themselves, only to be 
 taken prisoners or killed at the Bloomingdale turn, and 
 in this heat, too ! 
 
 [Goes to windoiv. 
 
 Phcebe 
 This withering heat ! Oh, the poor men ! 
 
 Delight 
 
 Putnam's men are used to running; they won't 
 mind it! 
 
 Faith 
 [Weeping.] Delight Murray! Hold thy tongue! 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 [To herself, center front.] Two hours! If Howe 
 could but be detained! 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 [From window.] There, I was expecting it! 
 
 All 
 
 What? 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 [Pointing.] The British are coming.
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 85 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 Where? Dost thou see William Howe? 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 There, at the head. Tryon is with him. 
 
 [All look out of window. 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 I do not want to see him. 
 
 [Turns away bitterly. 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 [With decision. ,] But / do! Girls, hasten! Come, 
 Delight ; we will speak to William Howe. 
 
 [Catches up scarf, throws over head, and 
 hurries out, dragging Phcebe, who 
 protests. 
 
 Delight 
 
 What does Mother mean? Oh, I know! 
 
 [Takes up hat and darts out. 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 [Looking after them, then goes to window.^ Are 
 thy mother and sisters mad? Look, they are at the 
 orchard wall. Howe has stopped — he is talking to 
 them!
 
 86 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Faith 
 
 And Mother is courtesying, and they are all bow- 
 ing and talking. 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 [Indignantly.] Is Mary Murray making friends 
 with our enemies, flushed and boastful as they are 
 from their shameful victory? 
 
 Faith 
 
 See, they are riding on ; no, they are turning back. 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 They are dismounting! The soldiers are halted 
 and are breaking ranks. Howe and Tryon are com- 
 ing towards the house! 
 
 Faith 
 
 Oh, why didn't we understand before! Of course! 
 Of course! 
 
 [Runs out. 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 [Looks after her.~\ And now she's gone! [Calls 
 after.] Faith! Faith Murray! come back! 
 
 [Re-enter Faith. 
 
 Faith 
 
 Oh, Father: what is it? let me go! dost thou not 
 understand ?
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 87 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 No, I do not understand thy mother and thy sisters! 
 and thee! One moment lamenting and weeping over 
 our defeat, the next parleying with the victorious foe. 
 
 Faith 
 
 [Holding Mr. Murray by his coat lapels.~\ Oh, 
 Father, dost thou not see! [Shakes him by his coat.] 
 Mother will strive to detain the British here until Put- 
 nam's soldiers have made their escape. [Gives little 
 shake.] Now be pleasant, Father; smile on them! 
 Let me go! [Runs out, re-enters.] We must keep 
 them two hours. Fetch thy best wine, Father! 
 
 [Runs out. 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 [Rubs his head.] Truly the ways of women are 
 amazing. 
 
 CURTAIN
 
 ACT III 
 
 Scene same as Act I. Mrs. Murray center, 
 seated. Mr. Murray standing by her, left. Howe, 
 sitting, right front. Tryon, right center, standing. 
 Campbell, left, standing by Phcebe and Faith. 
 Delight, sitting, extreme right. All laughing and 
 talking before curtain rises. 
 
 Howe 
 
 You were caught there, Tryon; ha! ha! she had you 
 there! 
 
 Campbell 
 
 You were routed horse and foot. 
 
 [Laughs. 
 
 Tryon 
 
 [Laughing.] It is all very well for you gentlemen 
 to laugh at me, but why don't you come to my rescue ? 
 
 Howe 
 
 We are far too wise, my dear General; it is too 
 diverting to watch your struggles. 
 
 88
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 89 
 
 Tryon 
 
 They say we British never know when we are con- 
 quered, so I return to the fray. I maintain you've seen 
 the last of your runaway army, Madam. Mr. Wash- 
 ington I am sorry for; he is a gallant fellow, but what 
 could he expect from a handful of undisciplined yeo- 
 manry? Why, they ran like sheep, Madam! Faith, 
 'twas laughable; before only sixty or seventy of our 
 troops. The wildest panic seized them, and they ran 
 like sheep, Madam. At the pace they were going they 
 should be near Canada now. [Laughs.] Would you 
 match such cowards against our brave regulars? 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 No, Friend Tryon, I would not. Our men are no 
 match for the British in running away! 
 
 Tryon 
 
 [Indignantly.] In running away! Why, my dear 
 Madam 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 Yes, when it comes to running away I doubt 
 whether even Americans could flee from Concord to 
 Boston as quickly as thy regulars did last year! 
 
 [Howe, Campbell, and the Misses 
 Murray laugh.
 
 90 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Tryon 
 
 But those rascally Yankees, — I beg your pardon, 
 Madam, those rebels — would not meet our men in a 
 fair fight, but concealed themselves like the bloody 
 savages behind hedges and stone walls. The mode of 
 attack unusual, the foe invisible, naturally our troops 
 were seized with — with 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 [Slyly.] A panic? 
 
 Tryon 
 Um — er — well, yes, a — a panic, but- 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 Yes, a panic, Friend Tryon, and they ran, thy brave 
 regulars, they ran like sheep ! 
 
 [Tryon makes hopeless gesture and bends 
 to Mrs. Murray's fingers. 
 
 Howe 
 
 [Rises and slaps Tryon on shoulder.] We must 
 make our retreat, General, to withdraw you f.om the 
 fire of the enemy. Panic cannot be guarded against. 
 The most reliable soldiers succumb to it. In fact, my 
 dear Madam, I must admit that you see one of its 
 victims before you. [Bows.] You American ladies 
 wage such deadly warfare with your keen tongues and
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 91 
 
 bright eyes, that if I do not beat a retreat instantly 
 we shall all be taken captive. 
 
 [Bows. 
 
 Campbell 
 
 [Jumps up.] Shall I get the troops under way, 
 General ? 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 I protest, Friend William; thou shalt not go yet. 
 Some of Robert's Madeira thou hast had indeed, but 
 did I not promise thee a peach punch such as only 
 Aunt Chloe can brew? I protest against such haste. 
 Faith, speak to one of the servants about the punch. 
 
 [Exit Faith. 
 
 Howe 
 
 If, as I am told, Putnam has already escaped 
 
 me 
 
 Campbell 
 
 [Rising.] Your Excellency's pardon, but would it 
 not be well, as a precaution, to send ahead troops, to 
 hold all the roads leading from the city? 
 
 Tryon 
 
 Oh, Campbell, pray be seated and talk not of catch- 
 ing those fleet-footed Connecticut rogues. [Laughs.] 
 I tell you that, Madam Murray notwithstanding, they 
 are at Hudson's Bay by this time. 
 
 [Laughs.
 
 92 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Howe 
 
 Those Connecticut rogues cannot always be de- 
 pended on to run, Tryon; would that they had run 
 from that rail fence on Bunker Hill! Many a brave 
 fellow of mine would be alive to-day, if those Con- 
 necticut farmers in shirt sleeves with laughable ex- 
 cuses for guns had not obstinately held that frail de- 
 fense in the face of our most persistent attacks! 
 
 Campbell 
 Was it so, indeed! Untrained peasants! 
 
 Howe 
 And when their powder gave out, they fought our 
 bayonets back with the butts of their muskets! In- 
 credible, reckless bravery! 
 
 Campbell 
 
 A pity to lose a brush with such foes! If we pushed 
 on at once! Perchance they have not yet escaped us! 
 
 Howe 
 
 My information was most emphatic that Putnam 
 had already retreated by the Blooming — er — er — 
 
 Bloomingham 
 
 [Turns to Mr. Murray. 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 Bloomingdale road.
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 93 
 
 Howe 
 
 Yes, the Bloomingdale road ; and if that is the case, 
 
 — perhaps 
 
 [Turns to the Girls. 
 
 Delight 
 The sun is monstrous hot now, General Howe. 
 
 Phcebe 
 and Chloe's peach punch is always monstrous 
 
 cool. 
 
 Howe 
 
 You see, Mistress Murray, [sinks down in chair~\ 
 my panic is justified ; we are your prisoners for a few 
 minutes more. 
 
 Campbell 
 [Slowly reseats himself. ,] 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 'Twould indeed be a cowardly action to flee before 
 the peach punch, Friend William. 
 
 Howe 
 [To Phcebe.] And may I beg of Mistress Phcebe
 
 94 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 the favor of seeing the famous sampler of her grand- 
 mother's of which she spoke? 
 
 Phoebe 
 
 [Rising.] With pleasure. It hangs in the hall. 
 Will you come? 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 Tell all about the design, Phcebe. 
 
 [Phcebe goes off, right, followed by 
 Howe. 
 
 Howe 
 
 [As he disappears.] Now Lady Margaret Sidney, 
 first paints 
 
 Campbell 
 
 [Aside to Tryon.] I would the General would 
 let me press on ahead; I'm not so sure this Putnam 
 can have made his escape. 
 
 Tryon 
 
 Why, the General's advices were reliable. Pa- 
 tience, my hot young blade! Putnam has escaped to- 
 day, but we'll bag all of them to-morrow. Here, Miss 
 Delight, talk to this would-be deserter. 
 
 [Campbell, Tryon, Delight talk, left. 
 [Enter Spencer, left.
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 95 
 
 Spencer 
 
 Madam, Aunt Polly wishes to speak to you and I 
 told her to come in. 
 
 [Enter Lieutenant Treat, left, dis- 
 guised as Aunt Polly, shawl drawn 
 way over face, and Patty. 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 [Rising, going right front with LIEUTENANT 
 Treat.] What brings thee here so soon again, Aunt 
 Polly? 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 [Hobbles in silence to corner of stage.] 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 [To Tryon.] Perchance thou hast seen Aunt 
 Polly, the Apple-woman ; she is quite a privileged char- 
 acter in these parts. 
 
 [Tryon nods. 
 
 Patty 
 
 [To Delight.] That is Tom, not Aunt Polly. 
 Don't tell Spencer; he doesn't know. 
 
 Delight 
 
 [Whispers.] Are you sure?
 
 96 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Patty 
 
 [Nods.] Yes. Don't tell Spencer. 
 
 [Starts to dance off near Lieutenant 
 Treat. 
 
 Delight 
 
 [Pulls her back. ,] Then don't tell anybody! We'll 
 have a great big secret! Here, stay with me! 
 
 [Delight, Campbell, Tryon, and 
 Patty talk, left. 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 
 [In Aunt Polly's manner.] I forgot to show thee 
 these apples. 
 
 [Lifts his face and shows Mrs. Murray 
 and audience who he is. 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 [Looks over her shoulder.] Why hast thou ventured 
 in this house, reckless boy? [Louder.] I need no 
 more apples, Aunt Polly! [Softer.] What dost thou 
 want? 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 
 Keep the British here for half an hour more and 
 Putnam's division will be saved. [Loud.] But, 
 Madam, these are tart and savory.
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 97 
 
 Campbell 
 
 [7*0 Patty.] You know George Washington, 
 then. 
 
 Patty 
 I had a ride yesterday on his horse. 
 
 Delight 
 He made this house his headquarters lately. 
 
 Tryon 
 Ah ! then doubtless you know all the General's plans. 
 
 Delight 
 
 Yes, I do, and I'll tell them. 
 
 [Lieutenant Treat refuses to be led 
 out by Mrs. Murray, stops and lis- 
 tens — grasps Mrs. Murray's wrist. 
 Tryon and Campbell stand with 
 backs to him. 
 
 Campbell 
 Well, upon my word, that's monstrous civil of you! 
 
 Delight 
 He's going to fight and
 
 98 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Tryon 
 [Interrupts with scornful laugh.~\ Yes, and run. 
 
 Delight 
 
 Yes, fight and run and fight ! He will give you the 
 slip when you're surest of capturing him. He'll attack 
 when you least expect it. He'll never despair, and 
 he'll end by catching you all. 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 [Makes a motion of pleasure, stands erect."] 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 [Draws him down, keeps him from betraying himself.] 
 
 Tryon 
 
 [Laughs.] Well, Campbell, we get little comfort 
 from this young rebel! Perhaps Miss Phoebe will be 
 kinder to us. 
 
 Campbell 
 
 Yes, show us that famous sampler, Miss Murray, 
 that General Howe finds so fascinating. 
 
 [Exeunt Tryon and Children, Camp- 
 bell insists on going out after DE- 
 LIGHT and turns back in time to see 
 Lieutenant Treat straighten up 
 and look after them.
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 99 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 Out of here this instant, thou mad boy ! Howe shall 
 be kept, fear not ! Only go ! Oh, I am in such agony ! 
 Robert, take him away! 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 
 No, I shall make my escape, do not fear! I tried 
 to send the children for you, but they insisted on my 
 coming here. Patty, the little baggage! recognized 
 me and kept me calling " Apples.'* 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 I will not listen to thee. Go! 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 {Who is watching at door, right.] Begone while 
 there is time! 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 
 I'm off. [Adjusts skirt.'] But this rigging is hard 
 to handle. I grabbed the top layer of Aunt Polly's 
 attire and left her guarding my horse by the river. 
 Our men should be at the turn now, but in ten min- 
 utes' march, if they knew it, the British could seize 
 that turn of the road and trap us all. 
 
 [Takes up basket.
 
 ioo LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 I cannot have thee caught and hung from one of 
 my trees, Thomas. This is desperate business! 
 Hurry ! Away, boy ! 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 
 Putnam's men are a plucky lot. They are nearly 
 dying from the heat and exertion, but they manage 
 to gasp out a cheer for Putnam as he dashes back and 
 forth encouraging them. We can't lose such men! 
 Hold on to Howe! 
 
 [Exit Lieutenant Treat. 
 [Enter Delight. 
 
 Delight 
 Has Tom gone? What did he come here for? 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 Putnam sent him to reconnoiter and 
 
 [Enter Lieutenant Treat. 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 
 Delight, I heard your voice and I came back to 
 thank you for defending our General so gallantly and 
 flouting those arrogant Britishers! 
 
 [Drops basket, stretches hands to De- 
 light.
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 101 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 I told thee to begone! 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 Back again! 
 
 Delight 
 
 Tom Treat! You tiresome creature, come with me 
 this instant! I'll show you a short cut to the river. 
 [Lieutenant Treat starts to leave.] Don't forget 
 your basket! 
 
 [Exit Delight. 
 
 Lieutenant Treat 
 
 Farewell, dear Madam. 
 
 [Takes basket, starts again to leave. 
 [Enter Spencer, right. 
 
 Spencer 
 
 [With letter.] Here, Aunt Polly, take my letter 
 to the ferryman ; please do. 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 [Holding him back.] Nay, Spencer, nay! 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 Yes, take it quick, Aunt Polly. 
 
 [Lieutenant Treat takes letter, exit.
 
 102 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Robert, wilt thou tell Chloe to send the peach punch 
 to the north parlor? 
 
 [Exeunt Mrs. Murray and Spencer, 
 right. 
 
 [Exit Mr. Murray, left. 
 [Enter Campbell, right, walking back- 
 ward and motioning and beckoning to 
 right. 
 
 [Enter Tryon. 
 
 Campbell 
 
 I thought you would never see my signals! I wish 
 we were away! The whole family are in a plot to 
 keep us! 
 
 Tryon 
 
 Oh, my dear boy, you don't know these good Mur- 
 rays yet. 
 
 Campbell 
 
 I know they are monstrous civil to their enemies. 
 And for some good reason. Look how that bewitch- 
 ing lady winds General Howe about her finger! 
 Three times he has risen to go and as many times she 
 has skilfully and apparently artlessly prevailed on him 
 to remain! 
 
 Tryon 
 
 Howe is a courtly gentleman. All women admire 
 him.
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 103 
 
 Campbell 
 
 Something's in the air; I feel it [Walks up 
 
 and down.] What about that apple-woman? 
 
 Tryon 
 
 [Laughs hard.] You are determined to be sus- 
 picious! Why, poor Aunt Polly! When I was gov- 
 ernor I saw her nearly every day: always bent over 
 
 double and rather 
 
 [Taps forehead. 
 
 Campbell 
 
 [Silent, then suddenly grasps Tryon's arm.] " Al- 
 ways bent over double," you say! I saw that woman 
 stand up straight as a pike! I believe a spy has taken 
 her disguise in order to enter our lines! 
 
 Tryon 
 
 Oh, Campbell! you are droll! [Laughs.] I'm go- 
 ing back to the peach punch ! 
 
 Campbell 
 
 That's another thing, that peach punch! it's delayed 
 
 us three-quarters of an hour! Confound it! I'm 
 
 going to have my orderly catch that apple-woman and 
 bring her in for examination.
 
 io 4 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Tryon 
 
 [Laughs harder.] Yes, yes, and after that arrest 
 the town pump ! 
 
 [Exit. 
 Campbell 
 
 [Looks after him, hesitates, then strides to door, 
 calls] Orderly! Orderly! 
 
 [Enter Hessian Orderly, salutes. 
 
 Campbell 
 
 Did you see an old woman with a basket of apples, 
 just now? 
 
 Hessian 
 
 [Salutes.] Zum Befehl, Herr Hauptmann! 
 
 [Enter Delight, overhears. 
 
 Campbell 
 
 Take three men and search the premises for her 
 and bring her to me. 
 
 Hessian 
 Zum Befehl. 
 
 [Salutes, goes out. 
 
 Campbell 
 
 [Stumbles over Aunt Polly's stick.] What's 
 this? [Sees Delight.] Oh, the staff of your feeble 
 old Aunt Polly. 
 
 [Lifts up stick.
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 105 
 
 Delight 
 
 [Carelessly.] It does look like it. Perhaps she will 
 return for it. 
 
 Campbell 
 
 [With meaning.] Perhaps she will! 
 
 [Enter three Children and Mammy, 
 left. 
 
 Philip 
 [To Spencer] Is that General Howe? 
 
 Spencer 
 
 No, I'll show you Gereral Howe; he's coming with 
 Mrs. Murray. 
 
 [Enter, right, Howe, Tryon, Mrs. 
 Murray, Faith, and Phcebe. 
 
 Howe 
 
 [With glass in hand.] This punch surpasses my 
 fondest hopes, fair Madam. 
 
 [Children lined up front, left, Mammy 
 behind them. 
 
 Philip 
 
 [In a hoarse whisper.] The one with the glass?
 
 106 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Howe 
 
 [Turns, sees Children.] Well, Mrs. Murray, I 
 see that I am on parade. [To Patty.] Come, my 
 pretty chuck, have you never seen a general before that 
 you all stare at one so ! 
 
 Patty 
 Oh, we've seen our General Washington. 
 
 Philip and Spencer 
 We want to see him again. 
 
 Howe 
 
 You will soon see him, never fear, as I'm going to 
 capture him. 
 
 Patty 
 
 When? 
 
 Howe 
 To-morrow. I'll bring him back my prisoner. 
 
 Philip 
 
 But his men won't let you. They'll fight! Tom 
 will fight! 
 
 Howe 
 
 I'll catch all his men, too, and make them shout for 
 King George.
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 107 
 
 Philip and Spencer 
 
 To-morrow ? 
 
 Howe 
 
 Yes, all you little Americans will have to turn Eng- 
 lish again, for I'm sure to catch Washington to- 
 morrow and end the war by to-morrow night. 
 
 Patty 
 
 But Mammy says, to-morrow neber comes! 
 
 All the Children 
 To-morrow never comes, to-morrow never comes! 
 
 Howe 
 
 [Good-humoredly.] What do you mean, you little 
 rascals ? 
 
 Children 
 
 All the time you have is just to-day; Mammy says 
 so. So you'll never catch Washington to-morrow! 
 
 Campbell 
 [Aside to Tryon.] That's a true word. 
 
 Mammy 
 
 [Aside to Delight.] Oh, dem chiluns, dem 
 chiluns!
 
 108 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Howe 
 
 If that's the case, you little rebels, I'll begin cap- 
 turing to-day ! 
 
 [Chases the Children, who laugh and 
 dodge. 
 [Enter Hessian Orderly, who salutes. 
 
 Campbell 
 Have you found her? 
 
 Hessian 
 Ja wohl, Herr Hauptmann. 
 
 Tryon 
 
 [To Howe.] Our enterprising soldier here has 
 found a spy. [Laughs.] These new brooms! 
 
 [Laughs. 
 
 Howe 
 A spy! Since he's been here? 
 
 Tryon 
 
 [Laughing.] And a woman at that? Are you not 
 alarmed, Miss Phoebe? 
 
 Campbell 
 Oh, sir, I beg of you
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 109 
 
 Tryon 
 
 She must be fetched here; 'tis a monstrous solemn 
 occasion ! Bring her in, Orderly. 
 
 [Laughs. 
 
 [Enter Mr. Murray. 
 
 [Exit Orderly. 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 A spy! under my roof? Surely Friend Campbell is 
 jesting! Who is it? 
 
 Tryon 
 
 [Laughing.] That is the joke. I'll wager you 
 have been as blind as I to the dangerous menace to 
 society that has been walking our streets so long. 
 
 Howe 
 
 What do you mean, Campbell? Would you accuse 
 our hostess of introducing a spy? 
 
 Campbell 
 
 Why, sir, I 
 
 Tryon 
 
 [Interrupting.] Good lack! I can scarce speak for 
 laughing. Campbell with his brilliant penetration has 
 discovered that a spy has entered our lines, marched 
 into this very room, counted the number of glasses of
 
 no LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 flip Howe has dispatched and who knows what else, 
 
 under the disguise of Oh! how you will all 
 
 laugh ! Under the disguise of Aunt Polly ! 
 
 [Enter Aunt Polly and Orderly, who 
 follows her closely; she shakes his 
 hand off and hobbles, very much bent, 
 to front center. 
 
 Mrs. Murray, Children, and the Girls 
 Aunt Polly! 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 [Hurries to Aunt Polly.] Surely thou dost not 
 mean our dear Aunt Polly ! 
 
 Delight 
 It is a mistake! 
 
 Tryon 
 
 I thought you would have laughed soundly at Camp- 
 bell's idea, Madam. 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 [Clinging to a chair, trying to laugh.] Vastly di- 
 verted! yes! yes! 
 
 Campbell 
 
 By your leave, General, I will proceed to the ex- 
 amination.
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY in 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 I beg, Friend William, that thou wilt permit me to 
 examine our old friend in private. Friend Campbell's 
 well-meant zeal would alarm her unnecessarily. 
 
 Tryon 
 
 Nay, nay, Madam, I protest! Would you cheat us 
 all of the dreadful pleasure of seeing a Yankee spy, 
 bristling with pistols, emerge from that sphinx-like ex- 
 terior? Witness my daring valor, while I remove 
 
 [Steps towards Aunt Polly. 
 
 Delight 
 
 Oh, I pray you, stop this joke. We are all weak 
 with laughter, and let me lead Aunt Polly to the 
 kitchen. 
 
 [Starts to lead her. 
 
 Howe 
 
 Captain Campbell, if the ladies 
 
 Campbell 
 
 [Sternly.] General Howe, I saw this bent old 
 woman suddenly stand erect as a young man when she 
 thought I had left the room. She pretends to be lame, 
 yet she completely forgot her stick. She does not (by 
 your leave) quit my sight until I am satisfied. [To 
 Aunt Polly.] Take off your shawl, woman.
 
 ii2 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Aunt Polly 
 
 [Slowly turns around toivards Campbell, sees her 
 staff in his hand, makes successful grab for it, wipes 
 it on her apron, takes former attitude.] 
 
 [Howe, Tryon, and Children laugh. 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 Thou seest that Aunt Polly is old and eccentric, but 
 we know her well, and if any one tried to penetrate this 
 house in her disguise we would be the first to know. 
 
 Campbell 
 
 [Dryly.'] Doubtless, but not the first to tell ! 
 
 [Orderly and Campbell pull off Aunt 
 Polly's first shawl, she resists — they 
 pull off second shawl, third shawl. 
 Aunt Polly's face is hid. Breath- 
 less interest by Americans. Howe 
 and Tryon amused. 
 
 Tryon 
 
 This is no moment for hesitation ; proceed to the 
 charge ! [Laughs. 
 
 [Jerks off last shawl. Aunt Polly's neat gray head 
 
 is revealed; she is bent over and looks around with 
 
 angry eyes.
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 113 
 
 Campbell 
 [Starts back.] An old woman! 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 [Falls into chair, laughing.] How diverting! 
 
 Delight 
 
 [Hugging Patty, who has climbed on a chair to 
 look.] Aunt Polly! 
 
 The Children 
 Aunt Polly! 
 
 Tryon 
 
 [Claps Campbell on shoulder.] So this is our 
 dare-devil spy! 
 
 Howe 
 
 Well, my boy! better luck next time. 
 
 [Laughs. 
 
 Campbell 
 
 [Puzzled.] This is evidently your Aunt Polly. 
 You may laugh, sirs, but the first one was the spy. 
 She stood straight. Look at those shoulders! 
 
 Faith 
 
 What is a spy, Delight? Some one bad?
 
 n+ LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Hessian 
 
 [Shakes Aunt Polly's sleeve, she struggles, he 
 pulls out letter.] Was ist das, Herr Hauptmann? 
 
 [Hands it to Campbell. 
 
 Campbell 
 
 [Triumphantly.] A concealed letter! [Opens, 
 
 reads to himself.] hm — not in cipher. [To Mrs. 
 
 Murray.] Your name is in it, Madam, and yours 
 [To Howe]. 
 
 [Howe and Mrs. Murray draw near. 
 
 Campbell 
 
 [Reads.] " General Washington galloped past — 
 um — he's going to beat General Howe as he did in 
 Boston " 
 
 Spencer 
 
 Why, that's my letter to Mother ! You've torn my 
 letter. I gave it to Aunt Polly the last time she was 
 here. [Almost crying.] Please give it to me! 
 
 Howe 
 
 And you gave it to Aunt Polly when she was here 
 before ? 
 
 Spencer 
 
 Ye*, to give to the ferryman [takes letter from
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 115 
 
 Campbell and smoothes it out] and now it's spoilt, 
 Phoebe! 
 
 [Goes almost crying to Phcebe to be 
 comforted. 
 
 Howe 
 
 Then your theory of a spy has a fatc.I blow since 
 this letter is found on our old friend. I, for one, am 
 glad we have no dismal scenes with spies. 
 
 Philip 
 Isn't it nice to be a spy? 
 
 Tryon 
 It's not nice to be caught. 
 
 Howe 
 
 Now, my dear madam, pray accept my thanks 
 for your amiable civility to a hungry and thirsty 
 foe, and permit me also to wish the lovely mother of 
 lovely daughters health and prosperity and — a change 
 of heart. 
 
 [Bows. 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 Thy visit has been most welcome, Friend William; 
 if thou wouldst only tarry longer perhaps — perhaps 
 our rebels hearts would change. [Howe smiles and
 
 n6 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 shakes his head.] No? Then we will accompany thee 
 to the porch. 
 
 [Goes out, left, followed by Howe. 
 
 Tryon 
 
 Farewell, my dear young ladies! We leave with 
 heavy hearts such an array of beauty. 
 
 [Bows, goes out, followed by Mr. 
 Murray. 
 
 Children 
 Farewell, Captain Campbell. Aunt Polly is not a spy. 
 
 Campbell 
 
 [Dejectedly.] I suppose I shall never hear the last 
 of this. 
 
 [Starts slowly off, left. 
 
 Delight 
 
 [Looks at him, starts to speak, hesitates.] Oh, — 
 
 Captain Campbell! [Campbell turns.] He 
 
 laughs best, who laughs last! If they are too teasing, 
 refer them to Patty! 
 
 Campbell 
 
 To Patty? [Eagerly.] Ah, Mistress Murray, 
 
 a truce! a truce! You tell me noiv! 
 
 [Stretches both hands towards her.
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 117 
 
 Delight 
 
 [Draws back.] No truces, with foes! but — if you 
 ever meet a certain Lieutenant of the Connecticut 
 Militia, ask him how tall he is — when he stands up 
 straight. 
 
 Campbell 
 
 Then I was right! [Jubilantly.'] I felt it! Con- 
 necticut Militia, you say. He had no panic! A thou- 
 sand thanks for the balm to my wounded vanity! I 
 kiss your hand. [Suits action to word.] Now, I'll 
 laugh at Tryon. Farewell. I hope all your Lieu- 
 tenants are not as brave as this Connecticut Yankee. 
 
 [Bows, runs out, followed by every one 
 but Delight and Aunt Polly. 
 
 Delight 
 
 [Looks after Campbell, then turns to Aunt 
 Polly.] Oh, poor Aunt Polly! Those horrid Hes- 
 sians! Did they hurt you? Did Putnam's men get by 
 the turn? Where is Tom? 
 
 Aunt Polly 
 
 [Taking a note from the hem of her apron.] Them 
 Britishers ain't as smart as they claim. Here's a bit of 
 paper from Mr. Tom. 
 
 [Enter Phcebe, Faith, Children, and 
 Mammy.
 
 n8 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Delight 
 
 Oh, girls: here is a note from Tom! [They crowd 
 around her.] Wait! " If you keep Howe until Aunt 
 Polly brings you this, Putnam's division will be saved — 
 saved by the quick wit of Mrs. Murray! God bless 
 her!" Oh! beautiful! 
 
 [All clap hands softly. 
 
 Phcebe 
 
 There, they are all riding off now. 
 
 [Looking out of window. 
 
 Faith 
 
 And Mother kept them, in spite of everything! 
 Darling Mother! 
 
 Phoebe 
 
 And how she sparred with General Tryon! 
 " Madam, I beg you to remember, we won Bunker 
 Hill!" 
 
 Faith 
 
 [In Mrs. Murray's manner.'] " Friend Tryon, I 
 beg thee to remember who has the Hill now! " Chil- 
 dren, here comes Mother; let's dance around her. 
 
 [Enter Mrs. Murray and Mr. Murray. 
 [Delight, Phcebe, etc., dancing around 
 them.
 
 MRS. MURRAY'S DINNER PARTY 119 
 
 All 
 Mrs. Murray has saved General Putnam's division, 
 etc. 
 
 [They dance around her. 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 Stop! children! stop! ye make me giddy! What 
 does this mean! How dost thou know, Delight, that 
 Putnam is safe? 
 
 Delight 
 
 Aunt Polly brought us this [hands paper to Mr. 
 Murray], in her apron hem. 
 
 Mr. Murray 
 
 [Reads.] " If you keep Howe until Aunt Polly 
 brings you this, Putnam's division will be saved — 
 saved by the quick wit of Mrs. Murray! God bless 
 her!" 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 What! are they by the Bloomingdale turn at last! 
 Is Tom safe? 
 
 Delight 
 
 Yes, Tom is safe and Putnam's three thousand 
 men. Saved by Mrs. Murray's Dinner Party! 
 
 [All make low courtesies to Mrs. Mur- 
 ray, center.
 
 
 120 LITTLE PLAYS FROM AMERICAN HISTORY 
 
 Mrs. Murray 
 
 [Turns with quivering face to Mr. Murray.] 
 Oh, Robert! 
 
 [Hides face on his sleeve. Mr. Mur- 
 ray puts arm around her. 
 
 CURTAIN 
 

 
 FOUR SCENES FROM THE TIME 
 OF LINCOLN
 
 IN BOSTON, 1864 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 Mrs. Beacon, cutting out clothes. 
 
 Mrs. Collins, sewing. 
 
 Mrs. Dillingham, sewing. 
 
 Miss Eaton, packing box for soldiers. 
 
 Fannie, aged eleven, knitting. 
 
 Gertrude, aged twelve, knitting. 
 
 Barbara, aged six, scraping lint. 
 
 Capt. Dillingham, in uniform, arm in sling. 
 
 Capt. Hill, in uniform, leg bound in splint, crutches. 
 
 Costumes of 1864 
 
 Scene: Sitting-room of Mrs. Beacon in Boston. 
 Entrance left. Table right center. 
 
 Curtain rises on the ladies sewing for the soldiers. 
 Barbara sitting on the front of center table, scraping 
 lint. Mrs. Beacon standing cutting cloth at the back 
 of same table. Capt. Hill and Miss Eaton at left of 
 stage, packing box. Capt. Hill has bound-up leg 
 resting on chair. Fannie and Gertrude, right front. 
 Mrs. Collins, left center. Mrs. Dillingham, right. 
 
 123
 
 124 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN 
 
 Mrs. Collins 
 
 [To Mrs. Dillingham.] If I were you I would 
 face that with the bias; it goes faster. 
 
 Mrs. Dillingham 
 I will; I'm glad you spoke of it. 
 
 Barbara 
 
 [Stretching out her little arms.] Oh, I'm so tired 
 scraping lint. I want to play with my doll. 
 
 Mrs. Beacon 
 
 [Standing by table.] Poor little Barbara! she has 
 been a good girl. Every day she comes over and 
 works for the soldiers. [Lifts her down.] There, 
 Barbara, you've worked enough. 
 
 [Barbara plays around with her doll to 
 left of Capt. Hill. 
 
 Mrs. Collins 
 
 How is your Captain, Mrs. Dillingham? Did I 
 hear that he was going back to the army next week? 
 
 Mrs. Dillingham 
 
 His arm is nearly well. I can't keep him home 
 much longer. 
 
 [Enter Capt. Dillingham.
 
 IN BOSTON, 1864 I2 5 
 
 Capt. Dillingham 
 
 Good-morning, ladies; good morning, Captain. [To 
 Hill.] Every one busy as usual. Now don't move. 
 I'll find a seat on the table. [Sits on table.] Do 
 you know, Miss Eaton, I only heard yesterday that 
 Mrs. Bixby, who lives right across the street from 
 my father's house, had sent her five boys to the war 
 and that all of them had been killed. I've played 
 with every one of those boys. 
 
 Miss Eaton 
 
 Poor Mrs. Bixby! If you knew the boys you would 
 be interested in this letter their mother received from 
 the President. 
 
 Capt. Dillingham 
 From Lincoln? Indeed I should. 
 
 All 
 From the President? From Lincoln? 
 
 Miss Eaton 
 [Hands him letter.] 
 
 Fannie 
 
 [To Capt. Dillingham, seeing that he cannot 
 open it.] Let me open it.
 
 126 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN 
 
 Capt. Dillingham 
 
 Thank you ; be good enough to read it aloud. 
 
 [All stop and listen. 
 
 Fannie 
 
 [Reads letter, standing left center.] " To Mrs. 
 Bixby, Boston. Dear Madam: I have been shown in 
 the files of the War Department a statement that you 
 are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously 
 on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless 
 must be any words of mine which should attempt to 
 beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. 
 But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the con- 
 solation that may be found in the thanks of the re- 
 public they died to save. I pray that our heavenly 
 Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, 
 and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved 
 and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to 
 have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of free- 
 dom. Abraham Lincoln." 
 
 Capt. Dillingham 
 
 " So costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom! " 
 It seems as though I could hear his voice saying it. 
 
 Gertrude 
 Then you've seen the President?
 
 in boston, 1864 127 
 
 Capt. Dillingham 
 
 Yes, many a time; he's very tall and thin, his eyes 
 are deep sunken and his face has deep lines. It is full 
 of care and sadness. But when he laughs, his eyes 
 flash and twinkle merrily. You'd like him. All the 
 children do. 
 
 Capt. Hill 
 
 And the soldiers, how they love him! Whenever 
 he visits camp they give him a rousing welcome. 
 
 Barbara 
 
 [Peering at Capt. Hill's leg.] Oh, Mr. Captain! 
 have you lost your leg? 
 
 Capt. Hill 
 
 Oh, no, it's just spliced up for a bit. I should have 
 lost it, though, if some little girl had not been scraping 
 lint. 
 
 Barbara 
 
 Did lint save it? 
 
 Capt. Hill 
 Yes, little lady. 
 
 Barbara 
 
 [Goes to table.] Lift me up again, Mrs. Beacon; 
 I want to scrape some more lint. 
 
 [Mrs. Beacon lifts her up on table.
 
 128 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN 
 
 Capt. Hill 
 
 When I was in the Hospital in Washington, Lin- 
 coln would often visit the sick soldiers. We had 
 three wards of wounded Southern prisoners. I was 
 conducting him one day, and I said, " You won't want 
 to go in there, Mr. President; they are only rebels." 
 I shall never forget how he stopped and gently laid 
 his great hand upon my shoulder and said, " You mean 
 Confederates," and I have meant Confederates ever 
 since. He went through these three wards and his 
 interest was as real for the welfare of the men as when 
 he was among our own soldiers. 
 
 Miss Eaton 
 
 They tell a story of his meeting a Pennsylvanian 
 soldier who stood six feet seven in his stockings. Lin- 
 Doln is six feet four. As the President approached this 
 giant, towering above him, he stopped in amazement 
 as if contemplating the immense distance between the 
 soldier's head and feet. At length, holding out his 
 hand, he exclaimed, " Hello, Comrade! Do you know 
 when your feet are cold ? " 
 
 Fannie 
 
 Some people find fault with his signing so many 
 pardons. 
 
 Gertrude 
 
 Mr. Lincoln is so tender-hearted he's always finding
 
 IN BOSTON, 1864 129 
 
 some reason for forgiving the men. If a man's a cow- 
 ard, the President says, " I never felt sure but I might 
 drop my gun and run away if / found myself in the 
 line of battle." 
 
 Mrs. Beacon 
 
 If a soldier is poor and friendless, " I'll be his 
 friend," Lincoln says. He's not only the Commander- 
 in-Chief of all the armies of the United States, he's 
 the Father of the army, and never did a man better 
 deserve a title than he does the one the soldiers give 
 him of " Father Abraham." 
 
 Mrs. Dillingham 
 When was that title given him? 
 
 Capt. Dillingham 
 
 It was last summer, before his re-election. Lincoln 
 decided to issue the Proclamation calling for more 
 men. His friends tried to dissuade him; they said such 
 a call at that critical time meant utter defeat. 
 
 ' It matters not what becomes of me," replied Lin- 
 coln, " we must have the men! " 
 
 And he got the men ! 
 
 " From Mississippi's winding stream 
 And from New England's shore,
 
 i 3 o SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN 
 
 Six hundred thousand loyal men 
 And true have gone before : 
 
 We are coming, Father Abraham, 
 Three hundred thousand more! " 
 
 CURTAIN
 
 MR. LINCOLN AND THE LITTLE 
 
 GIRL 
 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 Mrs. Wadsv/orth. 
 Mary, aged seven or eight. 
 Kitty, aged seven or eight. 
 
 Costumes of 1850. The little girls, pantalets, bon- 
 nets, and mitts. 
 
 Mrs. Wadsworth 
 
 [Looking out of window.^ The train came in ten 
 minutes ago ; they ought to be here now. This is their 
 
 first trip alone by train Oh, here they come! 
 
 [Enter Mary and Kitty. Mrs. Wads- 
 worth kisses them. 
 
 Mary 
 Oh, Aunt Celia! I thought I would not get here! 
 
 Kitty 
 
 Yes, Mrs. Wadsworth; she almost missed the train. 
 
 131
 
 ::: SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN 
 
 Mrs. Wadswokth 
 Why, teD me about it. 
 
 Mary 
 
 [At rigkt of Mrs. Wadswokth, standing.] My 
 trunk was ready to go and it as almost train time, 
 but the . ..-r:an did not come, and I stood at the 
 gate looking for him. It grew later and later and I 
 thought I coal In't go, and — and 
 
 Kitty 
 [Stcndinv at left.] And she began to cry like every- 
 thing she told me. 
 
 Mrs. Wadsworth 
 That was too bad. little Mary. Did you? 
 
 Mam 
 
 [.Vo^w^.] And just then Mr. Lincoln came by. 
 He heard me sobbing, and he said: " What's the mat- 
 ter, little girl? " and when I told him he said, " How 
 big is the trunk? There is still time if it isn't too 
 big." He pushed through the gate and up to the 
 door. When he saw my little trunk he cried: ,; Oh! 
 Oh! wipe your eyes and come on quick! " 
 
 Kitty 
 And before she knew what he was going to do he
 
 [NCOLN AND THE LITTLE GIRL 133 
 
 shouldered the trunk and was striding out of the 
 yard. 
 
 Mary 
 
 [Laughing.] Yes, and I had to run like everything 
 to keep u; him. His le^ j long! and they 
 
 were going so East 
 
 Kitty 
 
 It was funny to see Mary all out of breath, but 
 laughing and wiping her eyes. 
 
 Mrs. Wadsworth 
 
 I'd like to thank that Mr. Lincoln; he must be a 
 very kind man. 
 
 Mary 
 
 And we were there in time for the train, and Mr. 
 Lincoln kissed me good-by and told me to have a good 
 time. 
 
 [They all turn to walk cut. 
 
 CURTAIN
 
 AT THE WHITE HOUSE— 1863 
 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 Doorkeeper 
 
 To Mr. Lincoln's office; jolly and 
 pleasant. 
 
 Mr. Nicolay, Lincoln's secretary, nervous and quick. 
 Woman, prettily dressed, 1863 costume. 
 Baby, four years old. 
 Mr. A. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 B. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 C. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 D. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 E. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 F. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 G. 
 
 Y 
 
 Mr. H, 
 Mr. I. 
 Mr. J. 
 
 Well-dressed men of affairs from New York 
 City. Dressed in style of 1863. 
 
 Scene: Waiting-room in White House, outside Mr. 
 Lincoln's room. Entrance door from hall and door 
 leading to Mr. Lincoln's room. Seats around the 
 walls. 
 
 134
 
 AT THE WHITE HOUSE— 1863 135 
 
 Curtain rises on Mr. Nicolay and Woman with 
 Baby, all standing. Doorkeeper before Lincoln's 
 door. 
 
 Mr. Nicolay 
 
 It is no use your waiting, madam. Mr. Lincoln 
 can see no one else to-day. Come to-morrow. 
 
 Woman 
 But this is urgent, my 
 
 Mr. Nicolay 
 
 Very sorry, Madam, but a large delegation of im- 
 portant men from New York are waiting and after 
 seeing them the President must go to a Cabinet meet- 
 ing. He's late now. 
 
 [Goes out to hall. 
 
 Woman 
 
 Oh dear! Oh dear! what shall I do! I can't 
 think. May I sit down just a moment? 
 
 Doorkeeper 
 
 Indeed you may, Madam ; all these chairs belong 
 to the people of the United States. 
 
 [Enter NlCOLAY.
 
 136 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN 
 
 Mr. Nicolay 
 
 This way, gentlemen. 
 
 [Ushers in Messrs. A, B, C, D, E, F, 
 G, H, I, J, important, dignified, and 
 self-sufficient gentlemen. 
 
 [Each gentleman must be at the front 
 of the stage when he speaks, and step 
 back among the others, who are strolh 
 ing around the waiting-room, when ht 
 has spoken. 
 
 Mr. A. 
 
 [To Nicolay.] Inform the President at once that 
 the delegation he is expecting from New York hag 
 arrived. 
 
 [Nicolay bows and goes out President's 
 door. 
 
 Mr. B. 
 
 I shall tell Mr. Lincoln the gunboat must be sent 
 at once. It is impossible to have the wealthy port of 
 New York exposed to the bombardment of a Confed- 
 erate cruiser. 
 
 Mr. C. 
 
 When he realizes who we are 
 
 Mr. D. 
 
 And that we represent one hundred million dollars 
 in our own right!
 
 AT THE WHITE HOUSE— 1863 137 
 
 Mr. E. 
 
 [In high voice.] One hundred million dollars! 
 Protection is due us! 
 
 Mr. F. 
 
 Yes, he must see to it that we have that gunboat. 
 Now my tenement district is right there on the river; 
 
 one cannon ball 
 
 [Lifts his hands expressively, 
 
 Mr. G. 
 
 Well, well, but think of my lumber yards! valued 
 now, I suppose 
 
 Mr. H. 
 
 I say, men representing in their own right one hun- 
 dred million dollars 
 
 Mr. I. 
 
 [Interrupts] — must be considered. Fancy the havoc 
 a Confederate cruiser would make with my wharfs 
 worth fifty thou 
 
 Mr. J. 
 
 [Interrupts.] Horrible to think of; but if Lincoln 
 will send a gunboat to protect my railways! Why, 
 sir, those railways are the backbone of this country ! 
 
 [All begin to speak at once, very eagerly, 
 and keep it up until NlCOLAY enters.
 
 138 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN 
 
 Mr. A. 
 
 Warehouses. 
 
 [Repeats, tries to make some one listen. 
 
 Mr. B. 
 
 Gunboat, gentlemen! 
 
 [Same business. 
 
 Mr. C. 
 
 I shall say, " Your Excellency " 
 
 [Same business. 
 
 Mr. D. 
 
 One hundred million dollars! 
 
 [Same business. 
 
 Mr. E. 
 
 [High voice.] Hides! Skins! Pigs! Cattle! 
 
 Mr. F. 
 
 My tenements, sir! 
 
 [Same business. 
 
 Mr. G. 
 
 My lumber yards! 
 
 [Same business. 
 
 Mr. H. 
 
 One hundred million dollars!
 
 AT THE WHITE HOUSE— 1863 139 
 
 Mr. I. 
 
 My wharfs, sir. 
 
 [Same business. 
 
 Mr. J. 
 
 Railways, sir, railways. 
 
 [Enter NlCOLAY. 
 
 Mr. Nicolay 
 The President will see you, gentlemen. 
 
 [The delegation file out into the Presi- 
 dent's room. 
 
 [As they are disappearing] 
 Mr. E. 
 [In high voice.] We represent one hundred million 
 dollars. 
 
 Doorkeeper 
 
 [Shuts door in disgust.] That's the sixth set of 
 grumblers I've turned loose on the President to-day! 
 He'll be thinner than ever. They think Mr. Lincoln 
 ought to give 'em each a gunboat to watch by their 
 beds all night! 
 
 Woman 
 [Rising and speaking timidly.] Don't you suppose 
 the President could see me just a moment? It is a 
 matter of life or death. I've tried to see him for three 
 days.
 
 
 
 140 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN 
 
 Doorkeeper 
 It is too late to-day, Madam, but you come early 
 
 to-morrow- 
 
 Woman 
 
 [Interrupts.] To-morrow will be too late. He — 
 he is to be shot to-morrow. 
 
 Doorkeeper 
 
 [With concern.] Why, now that is bad. It is your 
 husband you wish pardoned, Madam? 
 
 Woman 
 
 [Rapidly and excitedly.] Yes, yes, because he slept 
 at his post, and it wasn't his fault, he'd been marching 
 for two days. 
 
 [The Baby is standing on the chair play- 
 ing with a cane one of the delegation 
 left. The door is opened by Nicolay 
 and the Woman glides back to her 
 place. The delegation file out in 
 complete silence, collect coats, canes, 
 hats, etc., and walk rapidly off in a 
 humbled and mortified manner. Mr. 
 E., the last, pulls down hat to ears 
 and puts both hands in pockets. 
 Doorkeeper and Nicolay watch 
 them go.
 
 AT THE WHITE HOUSE— 1863 141 
 
 Doorkeeper 
 
 [With low whistle.'] Hides! Skins! Pigs and 
 cattle! What's pricked their bubble? They're a 
 mightily changed set of citizens! 
 
 Mr. Nicolay 
 
 [Laughs.] They thought the President was much 
 impressed by their pitiful story and the great wealth 
 they represented. He listened most attentively, but 
 when they concluded he said, " Gentlemen, I am, by 
 the Constitution, Commander-in-Chief of the Army 
 and Navy of the United States, and as a matter of 
 law I can order anything done that is practicable to 
 be done: but, as a matter of fact, I am not in command 
 of the gunboats or ships of war — as a matter of fact, 
 I do not know exactly where they are, but presume 
 they are actively engaged. It is impossible for me, 
 in the condition of things, to furnish you a gunboat. 
 The credit of the Government is at a very low ebb, 
 greenbacks are not worth more than forty or fifty 
 cents on the dollar, and in this condition of things, 
 if / were worth half as much as you gentlemen are 
 represented to be, and as badly frightened as you seem 
 to be, / would build a gunboat and give it to the Gov- 
 
 ernment." 
 
 [They both laugh. NlCOLAY goes out 
 by hall door.
 
 142 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN 
 
 Doorkeeper 
 
 [Calls after him.] Is the President still in, Mr. 
 Nicolay? 
 
 Mr. Nicolay 
 [From hall.] He's gone. 
 
 Woman 
 
 [Bursts into sobs.] Oh dear! My poor husband! 
 They'll shoot him! I'm too late. [Sobs.] To-mor- 
 row at sunrise. 
 
 [Sobs, covers face with hands, continues 
 to sob. 
 
 Baby 
 
 [ Trying to pull down her hands and, not succeeding, 
 breaks into loud cries.] Boo hoo! don't, Mamma. 
 
 Oh 
 
 [And keeps it up until a loud ring is 
 heard from Lincoln's room. 
 
 Doorkeeper 
 
 [Disappears in Lincoln's door, comes back smiling 
 to Woman.] Mr. Lincoln says to send you to him 
 at once. 
 
 [Woman goes into Mr. Lincoln's room 
 hastily. Baby trots after. 
 

 
 AT THE WHITE HOUSE— 1863 143 
 
 Doorkeeper 
 
 [Holding door and patting baby.] Run along, 
 Lulu! 
 
 [Nicolay enters from hall. 
 
 Doorkeeper 
 
 The President heard that young one crying just as 
 he was going and nothing would do but he must come 
 back to find out what the matter was. 
 
 Mr. Nicolay 
 
 But he's keeping the Cabinet waiting. 
 
 [Walks out impatiently. 
 
 Doorkeeper 
 
 [Calls after him.] What of it? Do 'em good! 
 You're always trying to make the President walk a 
 straight line. Thought you had him on time for the 
 Cabinet meeting to-day, didn't you? But the Presi- 
 dent gave you the slip at the last moment. 
 
 [Laughs to himself. 
 [Door opens; enter Woman and Baby, 
 radiant. 
 
 Woman 
 
 He's pardoned him! He's pardoned him! Mr. 
 Lincoln's the best man that ever lived !
 
 144 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN 
 
 Doorkeeper 
 
 [Adjusting her shawl.] Madam, it was the baby 
 that did it. 
 
 [Woman and Baby start to go out. 
 
 CURTAIN
 
 ON A PLANTATION, 1863 
 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 Ole Mammy. 
 
 Sambo, her boy. 
 
 Clementine \ 
 
 Lily V Young women. 
 
 Flora J 
 
 Thomas Jefferson "J 
 
 Julius C^sar V Children. 
 
 Juliet j 
 
 and children as many as stage allows. 
 
 Porch before Darkies' hut, children and women 
 grouped about the stage, some standing, some sitting 
 on boxes, benches, old chairs, or on the ground. Tur- 
 bans of colored handkerchiefs, kerchiefs, aprons, 
 sleeves rolled up. These touches give the effect of 
 negro costume, especially if the hair is covered up. 
 Blacking the skin is not advised. Every one in this 
 scene should be able to sing. The song " When Israel 
 was in Egypt land " is one of the Jubilee Songs, and 
 should not be hard to find, and " Wake Nicodemus " 
 is a well-known negro song. Two entrances, one from 
 
 145
 
 14 6 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN 
 
 Mammy's hut, one from right or left for Flora and 
 Sambo. 
 
 Every one on the stage but Sambo, Flora, Juliet, 
 and Mammy. Before the curtain rises they begin to 
 croon, swaying in time to the music. 
 
 Clementine 
 [Solo.] 
 " When Israel was in Egypt land, 
 
 Chorus 
 Let my people go. 
 
 Clementine 
 Oppressed so hard dey could not stand, 
 
 Chorus 
 
 Let my people go. 
 Go down Moses, way down in Egypt land 
 
 CURTAIN RISES 
 
 Tell ole Pharaoh, ' Let my people go.' 
 
 Clementine 
 " Thus saith the Lord, bold Moses said,
 
 ON A PLANTATION, 1863 147 
 
 Chorus 
 Let my people go. 
 
 Clementine 
 If not I'll smite your first-born dead — 
 
 Chorus 
 
 Let my people go. 
 Go down, etc. 
 
 Clementine 
 " No more shall dey in bondage toil, 
 
 Chorus 
 Let my people go. 
 
 Clementine 
 
 [Sings.] Let them come out." [Breaks off. 
 Shouts to Juliet inside the house.] Heh, there, you 
 Juliet! Mammy said she was coming out on de 
 po'ch. You bring her out. 
 
 Juliet 
 
 [From inside cabin.] She's low in her sperits, and 
 don' want to come.
 
 i 4 8 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN 
 
 Lily 
 
 It's 'cause a year ago to-day Massa sold her Sambo, 
 all de chile she had lef. Ef I don' rouse her up 
 she'll sit all day looking at one of his old caps. I'll 
 fetch her out. 
 
 [Goes off. 
 Clementine 
 
 Thomas Jefferson, you go tote out her cheer for her. 
 [Thomas Jefferson rises and goes in 
 cabin, conies out with armchair which 
 he places to right of stage. The 
 Children roll out of the way and let 
 Ole Mammy enter. Juliet leads 
 her. Lily follows with shawl. Ole 
 Mammy is settled in chair. She has 
 a cane and her head is bent. Carries 
 a boy's cap in her hand. 
 
 Ole Mammy 
 [Begins talking to herself and then says distinctly.] 
 Ole Massa, he sold my Sambo, my baby; he tole me 
 he wouldn't. [Pause.] Just year ago Sambo said, 
 " Mammy, I's sold down de ribber. But de new 
 master won't keep me. I'll run away and join Massa 
 Linkum's soldiers. I'll come back and get you, 
 Mammy, you wait for me." But I waited and I 
 waited and he ain't neber come back — he ain't come 
 back! 
 
 [Begins to cry, hiding her face in the cap.
 
 ON A PLANTATION, 1863 149 
 
 Clementine 
 
 Land sakes! Mammy, give him time; perhaps he 
 couldn't git away as fast as he thought. 
 
 Lily 
 
 Maybe he mighty far down de ribber. 
 
 Juliet and Julius C/esar 
 Let's get Mammy to sing, then she won't cry. 
 
 Julius Cesar 
 
 [Goes close to Mammy.] Mammy, you learn us 
 children " Ole Nicodemus." We disremember de 
 tune. 
 
 [The Children gather about her chair. 
 
 Ole Mammy 
 
 [Taking down the cap and wiping her eyes on it.~\ 
 he ain't come back What you chilluns hol- 
 
 Jerin' about? 
 
 All the Children 
 
 Learn us to sing " Wake Nicodemus." 
 
 [They sit, kneel, and stand around her. 
 
 Ole Mammy 
 Well, let me see. 
 
 [Begins to sing.
 
 i 5 o SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN 
 
 " Nicodemus, de slave, was of African birth, 
 And was bought for a bagful of gold: 
 He was reckon'd as part of de salt of de earth, 
 
 But he died years ago, very old. 
 'Twas his last sad request, so we laid him away 
 
 In de trunk of an old hollow tree, 
 ' Wake me up ! ' was his charge at de first break of 
 day, 
 ' Wake me up for de great Jubilee ! ' 
 
 [All sing Chorus.] 
 
 " De ' Good time comin' ' is almos' here, 
 
 It was long, long, long on de way. 
 Now run and tell Elijah to hurry up Pomp, 
 
 And meet us at de gumtree down in de swamp, 
 To wake Nicodemus to-day. 
 
 Ole Mammy 
 
 [Sings alone.] 
 " 'Twas a long, weary night, — we were almos' in fear, 
 Dat de future was more than he knew, 
 'Twas a long, weary night — but de morning is near, 
 
 And de words of our prophet are true. 
 Dar are signs in de sky dat de darkness is gone, 
 
 Dar are tokens in endless array; 
 While de storms which had seemingly banished de 
 dawn, 
 Only hasten de advent of day."
 
 << T^~ « 
 
 ON A PLANTATION, 1863 151 
 
 Chorus 
 
 [All sing.] 
 De ' Good time comin',' " etc. 
 
 Ole Mammy 
 
 [Sings.] 
 " Wake me up for de great Jubilee ! " 
 
 Thomas Jefferson 
 
 When is de great Jubilee comin'? When will we 
 be free? 
 
 Lily 
 
 I dun know, honey; it's a long time comin'. Per- 
 haps Massa Linkum's soldiers'll bring it. 
 
 [Enter Flora, looks behind her before 
 she speaks as though she were afraid. 
 
 Flora 
 
 [With an air of triumph.'] See what I got! 
 
 [Shows picture of Lincoln. 
 
 Clementine 
 Who's dat? 
 
 Flora 
 
 [In stage whisper.] Hesh! it's Massa Linkum. 
 
 [Gives it to Mammy. 
 [All crowd around to see.
 
 iS2 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN 
 
 Flora 
 
 Jinny found it and she can read and it says Abraham 
 Linkum. Jinny says he's de big general an' he'll set 
 us all free sometime. 
 
 Julius Caesar 
 
 He's got mighty sad eyes; he looks like he want to 
 cry. 
 
 Juliet 
 He's smiling at me. 
 
 Flora 
 
 [Whispers.] And I heard Massa say, if Massa 
 Linkum's sojers come up de ribber — we'll all be free. 
 
 All 
 
 [In whispers.] We'll all be free. 
 
 [Shake heads doubtfully. 
 
 Flora 
 
 [Still whispering.] An' Jinny says, dat all de free 
 Darkies sing a new song; Massa Linkum's sojers 
 learned it to 'em. 
 
 Ole Mammy 
 
 [Rising and leaning on cane.] You, Flora! Did 
 Jinny learn you dat song?
 
 ON A PLANTATION, 1863 153 
 
 Flora 
 Yes, Mammy. 
 
 Lily and Clementine 
 How does it go? 
 
 Ole Mammy 
 
 [Pointing cane at Flora.] You, Flora, you sing 
 dat song. 
 
 Flora 
 [Looks all arou d, then sings very softly.] 
 
 " John Brown's body lies a-molderin' in de grave," 
 etc. 
 
 " His soul goes marching on." 
 
 [All listen intently, their lips move. In 
 the chorus they join one after an- 
 other, always singing very softly, their 
 heads and bodies swaying and their 
 hands silently clapping time. 
 
 All 
 "Glory, glory, hallelujah," etc. 
 
 Lily 
 
 [Excitedly.] You learn dat song, all you chilluns. 
 Then if de day of Jubilee eber come, you sing it.
 
 154 SCENES FROM THE TIME OF LINCOLN 
 
 Sambo 
 
 [Outside, from distance.] Mammy! Where's my 
 ole Mammy? 
 
 Ole Mammy 
 
 [Starts to her feet.] Who dat calling me? 
 
 Sambo 
 
 [Nearer.] Mammy! ain't you goin' to speak to yo'r 
 Sambo! 
 
 Ole Mammy 
 
 My Sambo! my baby! I's waitin'! 
 
 Sambo 
 
 [Enters running, dressed in United States uniform; 
 rushes to embrace Mammy.] I's come back, Mammy! 
 Mammy! 
 
 Ole Mammy 
 
 [Crying and laughing and hugging him.] Sambo! 
 Sambo! 
 
 All 
 
 [Cry out.] Sambo! Sambo! Where you come 
 from? See de brass buttons! Sambo! 
 
 Sambo 
 
 [Still clasping Mammy.] I run away and jined 
 Massa Linkum's sojers. De gunboats are coming 
 up de ribber. I was on de first one. And, chil-
 
 ON A PLANTATION, 1863 155 
 
 luns! What you think! Massa Linkum signed de 
 'Mancipation Proclamation, an' you're all FREE ! ! No 
 more selling down de ribber, Mammy, do you hear! 
 We're all free ! ! ! 
 
 All 
 
 [Shouting and cheering.] We're all free! etc. 
 
 [After a second or two they stop and look 
 at Mammy. 
 
 Ole Mammy 
 
 Massa Linkum, he done it. De Lord bress Massa 
 Linkum! an' keep him, and cause his face to shine 
 upon him! 
 
 All 
 
 [Fervently.] De Lord bress Massa Linkum! 
 
 Clementine 
 Hallelujah! 
 
 Lily 
 
 Glory! Glory! 
 
 All 
 [Sing.] 
 
 Glory, glory, hallelujah!" etc. 
 [Children form ring and dance around 
 Mammy and Sambo; clap hands, 
 jump up and down, etc. 
 
 CURTAIN

 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below 
 
 rtt5 4 
 
 \Y 2 1932L 
 
 1931* 
 
 1 7 1935 
 
 * 
 
 ^ 19 1938 
 
 5 1943 
 
 ! 10.'. 
 IOVU1950 
 
 MR 3 1 1952 
 JAN 2 6 1957 
 
 R £C'D URLfO 
 
 OCT j^n 
 
 FormL-9-15m-ll,'27 
 

 
 7 
 
 ACUITY 
 
 AA 000 415 250 o