THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES Price, 50 Cents Alabama A Drama in Four Acts AUGUSTUS THOMAS PUBLI5hED'BY ICPUDL15niNQCO I iili CHARLES M 5ERGEL PRE5. Practical Instructions for Private Theatricals By "W. D, EMERSON Author of "A Country Romance," "The Unknown Kival," "Humble Pie," etc. Price, 25 cents Here is a practical hand-took, describing in detail all the accessories, properties, scenes and apparatus necessary for an amateur production. In addition to the descriptions in words, everything is clearly shown in the numerous pictures, more than one hundred being inserted in the book. No such usefwl book has ever been offered to the amateur players of ai\v country. CONTENTS Chapter I. Introductory Remarks. Chapter II. Stage, How to Make, etc. In drawing-room* or parlors, with sliding or hinged doors. In a single large room. The Curtain; how to attach it, and raise it, etc. Chapter III. Arrangement of Scenery. How to hang it. Drapery, tormentors, wings, borders, drops. Chapter IV. Box Scenes. Center door pieces, plain wings, door wings, return pieces, etc. Chapter V. How to Light the Stage. Oil, gas and electric light. Footlights, Sidelights, Reflectors. How to darken the stage, etc. Chapter VI. Stage Effects. Wind. Rain, Thunder, Break- ing Glass, Falling Buildings, Snow, Water, Waves, Cascades, Passing Trains, Lightning, Chimes, Sound of Horses' Hoofs, Shots. Chapter VTL Scene Painting. Chapter VIII. A Word to the Property Man, Chapter IX. To the Stage Manager. Chapter X. The Business Manager. Address Orders to THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO. ILLINOIS ALABAMA A DRAMA IN FOUR ACTS BY AUGUSTUS THOMAS Mtmber of American Dramatists' Club, Author of "In Miezoura," "The Burglar," "A Man of the World," "TAe Hoosier Doctor," "The Capital," ' The Man Upstairs," " Tkejack- lin's Afterthoughts," "A Proper Impropriety," etc., etc. CHICAGO: THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY. COPYRIGHT, 1898, BY ROBERT HOWARD RUSSELL. COPYRIGHT NOTICE AND WARNING. This play is fully protected by the copyright law, all requirements of which have been complied with. In its present printed form it is dedicated to the reading public only, and no performances of it may be given with out the written permission of the author, who may be addressed in care of the publisher. The subjoined is an extract from the law relating to copyright : SEC. 4996. Any person publicly performing or representing any dramatic or musical composition for which a copyright has been obtained, without the consent of the proprietor of said dramatic or musical composition or bis heirs or assigns, shall be liable for damages therefor, such damages in all cases to be assessed at such sum not less than one hundred dollars for the first and fifty dollars for every subsequent performance as to the Court shall appear just. If the unlawful performance and representation be willful and for profit, such person or persons shall be guilty of a mis demeanor, and upon conviction be imprisoned for a period not exceeding one year. CAST OF CHARACTERS In the original production, Madison Square Tfitater, April 1, 1890. COLONEL PRESTON, an old planter, MR. J. H. STODDARDT. COLONEL MOBERLY, a relic of the Confederacy, MR. E. M. HOLLAND. SQUIRE TUCKER, a Taladega County justice, MR. CHARLES L. HARRIS. CAPTAIN DAVENPORT, a Northern railroad man, MR. MAURICE BARRYMORE. MR. ARMSTRONG, his agent, MR. EDWARD BELL. LATHROP PAGE, a Southern boy, MR. HENRY WOODRUFF. RAYMOND PAGE, a party of business, MR. WALDEN RAMSEY. DECATUR, an ante-bellum servant, MR. REUB. Fox. MRS. PAGE, a widow who thinks twice, Miss MAY BROOKYN. MRS. STOCKTON, another widow, Miss ANNE GREGORY. CAREY PRESTON, an Alabama blossom, Miss AGNES MILLER. ATLANTA MOBERLY, Colonel Moberly's daughter, Miss NANNIE CRADDOCK 7571 58 ALABAMA ACT I TIME : An evening in May, 1880 SCENE : MRS. PAGE'S garden. Walks and beds laid out. Trained vines, plants, etc., about cottage and porch showing right, 2. Picket fence set obliquely from back of cottage to 1, left, with gate, center. Plain bench inside of fence and right of gate. Sack drop showing low per spective of bayou and swamp land with old- fashioned Southern mansion on a distant eminence. DISCOVERED : MRS. PAGE with pruning shears, twine, and watering-pot busy training and tying vines and plants. MRS. PAGE [ With shears, crosses to flower-bed.'] Well, that is the best I can do at any rate. Poor heartsease ! Somebody has stepped upon you, as somebody is always doing upon everything that has a heart in it. ALABAMA [Uses shears.] I suppose you think I'm cruel with my surgical attention, but I mean that kindly too. [ Goes L.] This poor bed is a regular hospital with its broken limbs. [ Up.] The fever of the noon has gone, little fellows, and left you thirsty. [Uses watering-pot.] [Enter LATHROP PAGE to porch.] LATHROP How long before tea, mother ? MRS. P. The usual time, my dear. Are you starving? LATHROP Not even hungry, but if there's a half-hour I'll run over to Clayton's and make a sketch of his end of the bayou. MRS. P. [L] Would you mind getting me that ball ef twine from the back-room mantel before you go ? LATHROP Not at all. Is there a half hour yet ? MRS. P. I don't know, I'm sure. Ask Mandy. [LATHROP exits into house.] LATHROP [Off.] Mandy! Mandy! ALABAMA MRS. P. [ With string.] Dear Latlirop, it really looks as if he had a little of his father's business talent. I hope so. It nearly kills me to think of his passing a life here, where humanity is almost vegetation. But I don't wonder at it. The bayous are so sluggish, and the sun stands still so long at noon-time. [Re-enter LATHEOP. Takes coat from gate where it has been hanging.] LATHROP Here's the twine, mother. Mandy says twenty minutes. MRS. P. Then why go ? LATHROP [Putting coat on.] I can make it in that time if I run. [ Outside gate] MRS. P. Well, don't overheat yourself, my boy. We will wait a few minutes for you. LATHROP Oh, I'm all right. [Exit running easily, L. 2.] MRS. P. Run ! Is there another boy in Coosa County that would run with the thermometer in the nineties? ALABAMA Perhaps you'll live fast enough, dear son, to catch up with some opportunity who knows ? [Looks off JR.] Or will he settle down into such an indolent old bunch of swamp moss as this? Good-evening, Squire. [Enter SQUIRE back of fence, with pail and gig, M. y hangs pail on picket.] SQUIRE Good-evenin', Mrs. Page. [Pawse.] Workin' in you' garden, I see. \He leans indolently over the fence R. of gate. Seams on MRS. P., showing by facial expres sion that he loves her.] MRS. P. Yes, Squire. SQUIRE Certainly does look pretty. [MRS. P. goes to vines at house.] How's the Madery vines ? MRS. P. They are doing very nicely indeed. SQUIRE No bugs? MRS. P. None that destroys them. 4 ALABAMA SQUIRE Some folks says the meada' larks eats the Madery vine bugs, an' I reckon that's so, 'cause we ain't seen none since the meada' larks been so thick. MRS. P. Are your vines doing well ? SQUIRE We ain't put out none this spring. Fact, mother ain't makin' no garden at all, except enough for table greens. MRS. P. And you had such a pretty one last year. SQUIRE Yes, but it took so much time, Mrs. Page took so much time I didn't have a chance to read up on some of my mos' important cases, an' had to decide 'em jes' off-hand like, an' whatever way I think was right. Then the railroad kind-a skeered us. MRS. P. Why so? SQUIRE Well, folks do say that like as not it '11 run right across this bayou. MRS. P. Yes, there is a chance of that. 5 ALABAMA An* in J>t se yents 'ud go up so mother J n me couldn't staj where we are. MRS. P. Oh, I don't think reats will be affect 3d. SQUIRE Well, property certainly will increase. MRS. P. Values will, a trifle, I suppose. SQUIRE Well, anyhow, we ain't makin' no garden. [Pause.] Say, Mrs. Page. MRS. P. Yes, Squire. SQUIRE What's this young feller's name comin' along ovah yondah with Miss Carey ? MRS. P. [Going to gate.'] Where? SQUIRE Over yon - To right. Don't look now 'cause he'll think I'm talkin' about him. Been presented to him twice, an' can't remember his name. 6 ALABAMA MRS. P. [Looking incidentally.'] Oh, that's Mr. Armstrong. SQUIRE Armstrong Armstrong. Funny I forget that name. Couldn't think of it yesterday when Mrs. Clayton said it certainly did seem strange that Miss Carey 'd take such a shine to him, when they was so many promisin' young fellers in Talladega. MRS. P. [L. of gate.] I hope it doesn't worry Mrs. Clayton. SQUIRE [Crosses to L. of gate.] Well, it did seem to dis tress her certainly. An' you know Mrs. Clayton ain't very partial to Northern people since her Beatrice run off with that Yankee drummer. MRS. P. Well, the Yankee drummer makes a very good husband. Carey gets letters from Beatrice. She is happy and has a pretty home in Chicago. SQUIRE Now now don't that show? H-how could any body be happy in Chicago after livin' in Talladega ? MRS. P. I never thought of that. 7 ALABAMA SQUIRE Jes' see him switchin' that cane of hisn, cuttin' the heads off of the four o'clocks. Seems they must always be doin' somethin', them chaps from up North. MRS. P. They don't lose much time. SQUIRE He's certainly not lost much ovah Miss Carey. He's only been here a week. [Miter ARMSTRONG and CAREY. H.] ARMSTRONG Good-evening, Mrs. Page. MRS. P. Good-evening, Mr. Armstrong. You know Squire Tucker? ARMSTRONG Oh, yes ; the Squire and I are old friends of five or six days' standing. SQUIRE Yes, yes. CAREY Good -evening, Squire. [JZnters gate, kisses MRS. PAGE.] How are the larkspurs, Cousin Mildred? 8 ALABAMA MRS. P. They are doing very well indeed. [ Crosses with CARET, MJ\ One or two little fellows at this end of the playground, however, seem to have suffered sun stroke. See what a pretty colony this is. [They goL.~\ SQUIRE [Still back of fence with ARMSTRONG.] Mr. Arm strong. ARMSTRONG Yes. SQUIRE [ Crosses to R. of gate.] Some folks says you all going to run that new railroad o' yourn ovah the bayou yondah. ARMSTRONG That is one proposed route. SQUIRE Well, see here, will that make a dam ovah it? ARMSTRONG A dam? SQUIRE Yes. Won't you' embankment stop up our end of it? ALABAMA ARMSTRONG Oh, no, there will be no embankment. The cheapest construction would be cypress piling with free play to the water below. SQUIRE Well, I'm glad of that. A dam would be a very paramount objection to the road. ARMSTRONG Yes? SQUIRE Yes. Y> see, that bayou is jes' rich with frogs. See heah [holds up pail], I gig them twenty-one in about forty minutes. ARMSTRONG Frogs ? SQUIRE Oh, yes ; their saddle's jes' as sweet as chicken. Now fifteen is a very good meal for mother and myself. ARMSTRONG Yes, but what has that to do with the railroad ? SQUIRE Nothing if you put in piles, but a dam might stop the water, and discourage the frogs ; and most of our citizens is bitterly opposed to that. 10 ALABAMA ARMSTRONG Oh, I see, yes. [Musingly '.] That is a difficulty I hadn't anticipated. MRS. P. [ Up to bench, sits.'] What is that, Mr. Armstrong ? ARMSTRONG I am just learning that the possible inconvenience to the frogs in the bayou is one of the objections to the proposed railway. MRS. P. [Smiling.] Yes, we guard our institutions very jealously. ARMSTRONG Do you suppose any kindred considerations are responsible for Colonel Preston's reluctance ? CAREY [. (7.] Mr. Armstrong, how can you joke about grandpa ? ARMSTRONG I am not joking. SQUIRE [ Calling off L.] Yes, yes, I'm a-comin'. [All turn to him as he picks up pail and gig.] Mother is wav- in' me to come home. I suppose supper is waitin* on these frogs. ii ALABAMA MRS. P. It isn't because you are gossiping with the widow, is it, Squire ? SQUIRE [Laughing.} No, I reckon not, ha, ha ! [Starts and stops L.~\ When these is dressed, Mrs. Page, I'll do myself the pleasure to bring you down half a dozen saddle. MRS. P. Thank you, Squire. SQUIRE Not at all, ma'am. Evenin', Mistah Armstrong, evenin'. [Exit SQUIRE calling.'] Yes'm, I'm comin'. MRS. P. Good-evening, Squire. ARMSTRONG Good-evening. [CABBY bows and smiles.'] MRS. P. Won't you come inside, Mr. Armstrong ? ARMSTRONG I will, thank you. [Enters gate.] These are your friends ? [Indicating flowers.] MRS. P. More than friends, Mr. Armstrong, they are my family. 12 ALABAMA ARMSTRONG Stupid of me not to see they were at least rela tions, Mrs. Page. [Looks at CAREY. ] MRS. P. [Rising.] Carey is affecting an unconsciousness, but I bow. CAREY What was that ? MRS. P. Only a lost opportunity, ray dear. Youth is filled with them. Do you admire flowers, Mr. Armstrong ? ARMSTRONG [ C".] Very much. I've never been familiar enough with them to do more. MRS. P. Not even at home ? ARMSTRONG Not even at home. We live in a brick row in Boston, where the houses are close together like front teeth. A dear old grandmother of mine has put a smile over one window sill with a box of geraniums, but is scarcely generous never prodigal. MRS. P. Well, Carey shall gather some for you. Take my ALABAMA shears, dear. [Passes them.] I'll be gone only a minute. Excuse me. Cut bachelor-buttons, dear. [Exit to house.] CAREY Very funny shears. ARMSTRONG But appropriate. CAREY Appropriate ? ARMSTRONG Very. CAREY [Kneeling at bed up L. C.] Oh, I suppose because of the spring in them. Was that your joke? ARMSTRONG There was no joke. CAREY Do you want me to ask you why appropriate, then? ARMSTRONG No, I meant to tell you. CAREY [JRising and handing him some flowers.] Well, tell me. Hold these. 14 ALABAMA ARMSTRONG And let me hold these [kissing her hands] ;i moment too. CAREY [Half alarmed but wholly willing.] Mr. Arm strong ARMSTRONG Little woman every artist who has tried to put on canvas or in stone his idea of the Fates, has pictured one of them holding a pair of shears just as you hold these ; just as with a pressure of those little fingers, you can turn the tide of a human life. Miss Carey, don't look down. CAREY [Looking up.] Mr. Armstrong ARMSTRONG I am very much in earnest. CAREY You have known me only a week. ARMSTRONG I have been with you only a week, but I have known you always. CAREY Known me ? 15 ALABAMA ARMSTRONG Yes. A dear old man in Boston once wrote, " There are words that have loved each other since the birth of the language, and when they meet that is poetry." Miss Carey CAREY Yes. ARMSTRONG There are lives that have been in rhythm always, and when they meet that is love. I love you, Carey Preston. CAREY [Archly.] But, are there no girls in Boston? ARMSTRONG [ Waiting and becoming amicsed.} Yes, a few but they're in Boston. CAREY [Smiling.'] Oh ! ARMSTRONG Don't smile, little girl. CAREY You smiled. ARMSTRONG Yes, but I I am very serious. I said, I loved you. 16 ALABAMA CAREY And I I- ARMSTRONG Well CAREY I am very glad. [Puts her face on his breast.] MRS. P. [After pause, and off.} Carey CAREY That is Cousin Mildred. ARMSTRONG [Keeping hold of CAEEY'S hand.} Yes, that is Cousin Mildred. [Enter MRS. p.] MRS. P. Well, what have you done ? CAREY [ Undecidedly.} I've cut some bachelor-buttons. ARMSTRONG Truly. MRS. P. An implied significance. ARMSTRONG Yes. Mrs. Page [Pause.} This little lady has told me something of herself. 17 ALABAMA MRS. P. Pleasant confessions ? ARMSTRONG They are proving so. She tells me she does not remember her parents. MRS. P. No. Carey's father went North at the begin ning of the war. The mother died when Carey was too young to remember her. ARMSTRONG She tells me you are the only mother she remem bers. MRS. P. She was a very dutiful daughter too, till her Grandpa Preston took her home. CAREY And am I not still ? MRS. P. Oh, yes; but you understand, Mr. Armstrong, I am no longer in authority. I am only Cousin Mildred. ARMSTRONG Which is quite a good deal, judging from her frequent testimony. [Pause.] You see, Mrs. Page [Pause.] ALABAMA MRS. P. [Smiling.] I think I see, Mr. Armstrong. ARMSTRONG [Brightening.] Thank you, I thought you would. MRS. P. Yes, nearly everybody in the neighborhood has done the same. ARMSTRONG [Inquiringly.] That is MRS. P. Seen. ARMSTRONG Really ? MRS. P. Really yes. ARMSTRONG Well, I hadn't thought that. I've been here only a week. MRS. P. But you have been together all the time. ARMSTRONG True. But then I was Colonel Preston's guest. He had been kind enough to ask me to stop there, 19 ALABAMA and naturally I that is, Miss Carey and I were thrown together. MRS. P. Thrown together ? I don't think " thrown " is the best word under the circumstances. ARMSTRONG Well, perhaps not thrown. [Pause .] But it would be difficult to improve on " together," wouldn't it ? MRS. P. Not only difficult, but misleading. ARMSTRONG Yes. [Pause.'] MRS. P. Well? ARMSTRONG [Still holding CARET'S hand.] Thank you. I I was hesitating for the best form of expression. MRS. P. Verbally, of course. ARMSTRONG Oh, yes, verbally. I understand that pictorially this [looking at hands] is sufficiently effective. CAREY [Trying to disengage hand.] Please don't. 20 ALABAMA ARMSTRONG [Reassuringly.] But why not ? Mrs. your cousin Mildred understands it, don't you? MRS. P. Perfectly, Carey, dear. Come here. [CASEY crosses to MRS. P., who kisses her] ARMSTRONG Mrs. Page, I'd like to say something out of the commonplace to show my appreciation of your encouragement. MRS. P. The commonplaces are more in my way, Mr. Armstrong. ARMSTRONG And mine, but I felt I ought to speak to someone about it. I never seemed able quite to get her grandpa's attention, and besides you had acted as her mother and MRS. P. And I'm glad you tell me first. Colonel Preston is very old. ARMSTRONG I noticed that. [ Crosses Z.] MRS. P. It is easily discovered. And he is very positive in many views as you also may have noticed. ALABAMA ARMSTRONG Yes. MRS. P. With an old man's tenacity, he retains many prej udices against the people of the North. I don't think he, would look favorably upon Carey's alliance there. CAREY Don't you, Cousin Mildred ? MRS. P. No. ARMSTRONG Well, what do you advise ? MRS. P. Telling him, of course ; but knowing his peculi arities, j^ou can humor them. ARMSTRONG Oh, to be sure. MRS. P. I don't know just how well acquainted you are with our little girl, but her nature is rather a biddable one. CAREY [JHalf mutinously.] I know what I want. 22 ALABAMA MRS. P. [Smiling.] Have you known it longer than a week, dear ? CAREY. \Poutingly .] Oh, I'm going home. [She goes up to gate.] MRS. P. You'd better wait and take your dolls. [Crosses to bench. Sits on bench.] ARMSTRONG [L. of bench.] Of course, Miss Carey's people know very little of me. MRS. P. There isn't much to learn, Mr. Armstrong. Carey is a little, unsophisticated Alabama girl, raised on a bankrupt plantation. She is not an heiress she has few personal allurements. If an honest, energetic man loves her, we think he must be in earnest. And after that, there is really little else. ARMSTRONG You are very good, Mrs. Page, and I am in earnest. MRS. P. Colonel Preston would resent any weakness for the North in Carey more quickly than in any other person. 2 3 ALABAMA ARMSTRONG Why so ? MRS. P. Her father Harry Preston Colonel Preston's son- ARMSTRONG Yes. MRS. P. Grieved the old man very deeply at the commence ment of the late war by enlisting with the North. ARMSTRONG Carey has told me her father was a graduate of West Point. MRS. P. Well? ARMSTRONG That should have meant something. MRS. P. So was General Lee but let us not speak of that. Harry Preston went with the North. He was one of the men who came through here with Sherman. Young Preston at that time visited his wife, Carey's mother, who was living with the old man then. She met him against the wishes of his father. .24 ALABAMA ARMSTRONG But she was his wife. MRS. P. Yes, but a member of Mr. Preston's family, and he resented her action. I am not justifying the old man's wrath I only explain that both of Carey's parents hurt him very deeply. ARMSTRONG I understand. [ Goes to LJ\ CAREY Here is Colonel Moberly, Cousin Mildred. MRS. P. [Rising and going down RJ\ Where ? CAREY Good-evening, Colonel. [Enter COLONEL MOBERLY, L. 2.] MOBERLY [L. <7.] Good-evening, Miss Carey. How are you all over at Colonel Preston's ? Good-evening, Mrs. Page. MRS. P. Good-evening, Colonel. Won't you come in ? MOBERLY Thank you. [Enters gate.~] My dear Mrs. Page, I I kiss yo' hand. [Business.] 25 ALABAMA MRS. P. [J?.] You know Mr. Armstrong? MOBERLY [J?. G.~\ I have met Major Armstrong. CAREY [L. C.] Major Armstrong. MOBERLY Major Armstrong of the Gulf and Midland Rail road. ARMSTRONG Thank you, Colonel, 'but it is only plain Mister. MOBERLY My dear Miss Carey, do not permit our friend to undervalue himself. That he does not bear the title is a mere accident of birth. If he had been born, Mrs. Page, a generation earlier, and when our inter necine strife afforded the opportunity, his gallant bearing alone would have won him the rank of Major. MRS. P. I quite agree with you, Colonel. ARMSTRONG You are very complimentary, Colonel. 26 ALABAMA MOBERLY Not at all, Major, not at all. I am informed on very credible authority that you are expecting you' Captain Davenport here in the morning. ARMSTRONG We are. MOBERLY I shall very much admire to meet him. MRS. P. May I ask who Captain Davenport is ? ARMSTRONG He is the projector of the new road, and its chief engineer as well as president. MRS. P. And he is coming here ? ARMSTRONG He is going over the entire line. I simply precede him in my work of acquiring the right of way. MOBERLY Major Armstrong is what we call a skirmish line in the enterprise. Captain Davenport follows with the heavy artillery. ARMSTRONG Precisely. 27 ALABAMA MRS. P. I see. [To porch.] MOBERLY What is Captain Davenport's idea of a meeting at Colonel Preston's ? ARMSTRONG Simply called there because I am making that my headquarters, I think. But how did you learn of the meeting, Colonel ? MOBERLY Well, sah, an editor hears of most everything, especially in a place like this. Mrs. Stockton told me for one. ARMSTRONG Mrs. Stockton ? MOBERLY Yes, there is some talk of the road going her way, five miles from here. ARMSTRONG Yes. MOBERLY Then I also heard it from Mr. Page, the chairman of the Assembly committee on railroads. Mrs. Stock ton has accepted my offer of escort to the meeting to-morrow, unless you object. 28 ALA BAM A ARMSTRONG Most happy to have you there, Colonel. MOBERLY Thank you, Major. [ARMSTRONG is talking to CAREY at fence, L. (?.] MOBERLY I have called on a little business, Mrs. Page. MRS. P. With me, Colonel ? * MOBERLY Yes. Will you ask our friends to excuse us a moment ? MRS. P. Carey, dear. CAREY Yes, cousin. MRS. P. Show Mr. Armstrong the beds at the lower end of the garden. I have a moment's business with Colonel Moberly. [CAREY enters gate J ARMSTRONG Certainly. MOBERLY I am very sorry, Major, to intrude, but 29 ALABAMA MRS. P. [Significantly.'} But it will only be a moment, friends. ARMSTRONG Oh, we can wait. [Exit /., with CABBY.] MRS. P. [At bench seated.] And now, Colonel Moberly ? MOBERLY [L. of bench.'] My dear Mistress Page, I I am in a most embarrassing attitude. MRS. P. Won't you sit down ? MOBERLY That isn't the trouble. I have been asked to a case against you. MRS. P. Against me ! A case? MOBERLY Yes, ma'am, I'm grieved to say it. MRS. P. What is the cause ? MOBERLY The possession of this property. 3 ALABAMA MRS. P. Well, it is mine, and at any rate has no value, or very little. MOBERLY The new railroad is making things ah look up, Mrs. Page. MRS. P. And is my little property coveted ? MOBERLY The title is questioned. MRS. P. Questioned by whom? My husband's family ? MOBERLY Your husband's brother, yes, ma'am. MRS. P. Raymond Page ? MOBERLY Yes, Mistress Page. He says MRS. P. I anticipate you, Colonel. You need not speak it. MOBERLY I much prefer not to. But he is coming himself. [Crosses to JR.] MRS. P. Here ? [Rising.] MOBERLY Here. I thought it only the chivalrous thing to make you aware of it first. MRS. P. I thank you, but you are his attorney. MOBERLY He has asked me to handle his case. MRS. P. And you accepted? MOBERLY As someone must, I thought it best a friend should discuss your interests. But here is Mr. Page. MRS. P. [ C., calling. ] Carey ! CAREY [ Off^\ Yes, cousin. MRS. P. Come here, my dear. MOBERLY Is it best to tell Miss Carey ? MRS. P. I need a friend. 32 ALABAMA MOBERLY My dear Mrs. Page, I MRS. P. Must act as his attorney. [Enter ARMSTRONG and CARET.] CAREY Well, cousin? MRS. P. Mr. Armstrong, will you be kind enough to say to Squire Tucker that I wish to see him on business ? ARMSTRONG Now? MRS. P. Now. ARMSTRONG With pleasure. [Exits L. U. E.\ CAREY What is the matter, Cousin Mildred ? [Enter PAGE/TOWI _.] MRS. P. This is the matter. PAGE [Entering gate.] Good-evening, Mildred. 33 ALABAMA MRS. P. You have business, your attorney tells me. PAGE Then he has told you ? MRS. P. I prefer to hear it from you. PAGE Shall we go inside? MRS. P. Not in my house. PAGE The young lady Miss Oarey, good-evening. CAREY Mr. Page MRS. P. Carey is with me. PAGE Shall she hear ? MRS. P. Everything. PAGE I will state my case materially as I have told it to my tttorn y. 34 ALABAMA MRS. P. If you please. PAGE You are in possession here of property left to my brother, Dabney Page. MRS. P. And my husband. PAGE Well there we begin to differ. MRS. P. Sir, once before you have affronted me. PAGE I am prepared for your indignation, but my brother told me you had never been his wife. MRS. P. Sir! CAREY Cousin Mildred ! MRS. P. My dear, don't believe him. CAREY How could I ? 35 ALABAMA PAGE^ You have been permitted to live here, but the property is mine. That is my case. MRS. P. Is that a just cause, Colonel Moberly ? MOBERLY . You can prove yourself Mr. Dabney Page's wife, of course, Mrs. Page. [MES. P. buries her face in her hands.] CAREY Of course she can. I've heard grandpa say that Lathrop was the image of his father. PAGE The law does not regard resemblance as proof of legitimate descent. MOBERLY [ Crosses to PAGE. ] But damme, sir, every Southern gentleman should. Mrs. Page, I did not think of you' son Lathrop. [ To PAGE.] I relinquish the con duct of your case, sir. PAGE Very well. There are other lawyers. [Crosses to R. corner.] MRS. P. Colonel Moberly ! [She gives him her hand.] 36 ALABAMA MOBERLY Mrs. Page, I I kiss you' hand. [ Goes to gate.] PAGE We will need some proofs, madam, besides senti ment. CAREY . What is it, Cousin Mildred ? MRS. P. The chaplain who married Mr. Page and me was killed in the war, dear, as Mr. Page was CAREY But my mother was there. MRS. P. Yes, and with this same sweet face, my darling. [Holding CAREY'S face.] If she could but have left her memory with you, as she left her eyes. [JEnter SQUIRE.] PAGE Well, madam ? SQUIRE You wanted to see me, Mrs. Page ? MRS. P. I do not know, Squire. I am in some trouble, I felt the need of a friend a legal friend. 37 ALABAMA SQUIRE Well, Colonel Moberly MRS. P. Is on the other side. MOBERLY [Coming down.] Was approached by the other side, Mrs. Page, was approached. SQUIRE Well, befo' we proceed to business, mother begs you will accept these frogs. MRS. P. Thank you, Squire. SQUIRE [Puts plate of frogs on porch and sits spreadingly on bench.] And now kindly state your case to the court. MRS. P. Mr. Raymond Page, your story again. PAGE My case is simply this this lady and her son have been in possession of this property which belongs to our estate. 38 ALABAMA SQUIRE You have never disputed her title ? PAGE Once, yes. But as it was of little worth we per mitted her to remain. It now has a suddenly increased value, and we assert our claim. SQUIRE [Rising and coming down.] On what ground ? [Miter LATHROP, L. 2.] PAGE One that I trust the lady will not force us to press. We insist that my brother, Dabney Page LATHROP [Entering gate.] My father PAGE Yes, your father was * MRS. P. Not before my son. LATHROP [7b MKS. PAGE'S side.] What is it, mother ? What does this mean ? PAGE It means 39 ALABAMA SQUIRE [Interrupting, and with one hand on PAGE'S collar.] Another word, sah, and as this lady's attor ney, and counselor-at-law, I smash you' damned face. CURTAIN. ALA BAM A ACT IT. TIME -. The following morning. SCENE : COLONEL PRESTON'S premises Two-story brick house with green blinds and white porch, rising two steps from stage, set L. from curtain line to 3. Large umbrageous tree, 2, M. C. JRuined wall, with open gateway crossing at 3. Post R. of gate in ruins. Post L. of gate com plete. Wall and posts covered by vines. Hustic table and two chairs in front of tree. Back drop of bayou and vegetation in perspec tive. DISCOVERED : PAGE and ARMSTRONG. Piano heard off, " Down on the Farm" ARMSTRONG [L. of table JR., seated.] Then it is understood, Mr. Page, that your committee will report favorably on our bill ? I would like to be able to say that much to Captain Davenport when he arrives. PAGE [Standing (7.] You may say so, Mr. Armstrong. Of course the bill is not reported yet, but I feel sure 41 ALABAMA that, as chairman of its committee, I can influence a favorable report. There is only one thing in the way. ARMSTRONG And that is ? PAGE Certain expenses that our committee have been put to personally, and which I have defrayed. ARMSTRONG What amount will cover them? PAGE A thousand, I should say. ARMSTRONG I am ready to make that good. PAGE Now? ARMSTRONG Now. Will you accept it ? PAGE Well, not for that purpose. You see the expenses have not been official. ARMSTRONG I understand that perfectly. I have some legis lative experience. ALABAMA PAGE But I am willing to wager you a thousand dollars on the toss of a coin, and let you toss it. ARMSTRONG Done. Head or tails ? PAGE Tails. ARMSTRONG [Not looking at result."] I lose. I will write you a check now. [Business with fountain pen.] PAGE I would prefer the cash, as I need the money to-day. ARMSTRONG I haven't that amount, but this check will be taken by the Talladega bank. I have cashed two there in the past week. Your initials are ? PAGE Make it payable to bearer. ARMSTRONG Oh, I see. All right. [Writes.] It is signed by Captain Henry P. Davenport, our president. [Hands check.] PAGE Thanks. I will now join Mr. Preston. Believe me, Mr. Armstrong, I am as anxious as you can be to gain his consent to the right of way. 43 ALABAMA ARMSTRONG I thank you. I hope you may. [Exit PAGE, R. C. Sound of piano in house.] Well, that's as cold-blooded a bribe as I ever knew. But it's well spent if he can control the committee. [Goes to house. Enter DECATUR, back of house, faith syrup pitcher.] Is that Miss Carey at the piano, Decatur ? DECATUR [ C.] Yes, sah. [Exit ARMSTRONG tO house] DECATUR [At table.] Can't see why New Orleans molasses ain't good enough for Mistah Armstrong. Mars Preston never wants nuffin else, I never wants nuffin else, but Miss Carey says must have maple seerup for Mars Armstrong. Dat Miss Carey she just like her ma used to be. She take shine to young man tain't nuffin too sweet for him. [Enter LATHROP.] LATHROP [-B. C.] Good-morning, Uncle 'Catur. DECATUR Mornin', mornin', Mars Lathrop. How is you dis mornin', s^h ? 44 ALABAMA LATHROP [Smiling a reply. ~\ Mr. Armstrong about ? DECATUR Out in a minute, sab, I guess. He's had his bath and his hot watah to shave, and heah's his maple seerup. LATHROP Maple syrup? DECATUR Yes, sab. Ole Decatur had to ride over nearly to Talladega to buy bottle for him. He he don't like New Orleans molasses. LATHROP Doesn't like it, eh ? DECATUR Dat is, he 'spress a fondness fob maple syrup, and Miss Carey said he must have it. LATHROP Miss Carey, eh ? [ Crosses R. C.~\ DECATUR Yes, sah. [Crosses (7.] Mistah Armstrong talkin' to her now, I 'spects. I jist heah the pyano stop playin'. [ With whispered unction .] LATHROP Well, I'd like a word with Mr. Armstrong ; but if he hasn't had his breakfast 45 ALABAMA DECATUR [Going.'] Dat's mostly Mars Preston's fault, I 'spects, 'cause Mars Preston must have his walk 'roun' de bayou. LATHROP Yes. DECATUR [Second thought.] Has yo' had yo' breakfast, Mars Lathrop ? ' LATHROP . Oh, yes, thank you, Uncle 'Catur. DECATUR Yes, sah. Will you sit down out here, sah ? LATHROP Yes ; wait here. DECATUR Dere's a basket of oranges, sah, sent ovah to Miss Carey from Tallehasse yesterday. You kin try some of them, sah. LATHROP [Sits at table.] Thank you, Uncle 'Catur. [Mcit DECATUE to house.] Armstrong and Carey, eh? Only been here a week, and I I have been born and raised with Atlanta, and can't seem to get on somehow. 46 ALA BAM A [Enter ARMSTRONG from house.] ARMSTRONG Good-morning. An early caller. LATHROP v [Rising.] Mr. Armstrong. ARMSTRONG Pleasant morning.. LATHROP [ <7.] Very. Any news ? ARMSTRONG News ? About LATHROP The road. ARMSTRONG Oh, yes, to be sure. You are the editor of Colonel Moberly's paper, the LATHROP The Talladega Sentinel. ARMSTRONG Yes, yes ! Have you to-day's copy ? [ Crosses to JK. front of table.] LATHROP To-day's ? Why, we print only once a week. ARMSTRONG To be sure. But this is Thursday. 47 ALABAMA LATHROP Yes, we issue Saturday. ARMSTRONG Oh, yes ! LATHROP Colonel Moberly thought there might be some news. ARMSTRONG No ; no change. Mr. Preston still refuses ; we still solicit. LATHROP Your idea is to cross near here ? ARMSTRONG At the head of the bayou. LATHROP We've made a chart of the road, Mr. Armstrong. Colonel Moberly's idea is to print it on our front page. [Shows chart. Gives chart.] ARMSTRONG But not this size ? LATHROP Oh, yes ! ARMSTRONG Indeed ? 48 ALABAMA LATHROP It's quite an important local item. ARMSTRONG But a smaller diagram LATHROP Wouldn't fill our front page. ARMSTRONG ' Wouldn't LATHROP Fill. ARMSTRONG Fill ? Oh, I see. Yes, yes ! News is scarce. LATHROP Yes, and Colonel Moberly is very much interested in the success of this enterprise. ARMSTRONG He has certainly been very kind. [Iteturns chart.] LATHROP Thank you, sir. ARMSTRONG Is the the paper, the LATHROP The Sentinel. 49 ALABAMA ARMSTRONG Yes the Sentinel his only that is, does he con fine his attention exclusively to his journal? LATHROP Oh, no, sir ! Colonel Moberly does most of the law business of this county. ARMSTRONG Attorney ? LATHROP Yes, sir. Then he is the representative of the Richmond Fire, Marine, and Life Insurance Company. ARMSTRONG Indeed ! LATHROP Yes, sir. And he is the colonel of the Talladega Light Artillery. No guns, but a superb organization. ARMSTRONG I can readily understand. LATHROP And the nominee of the out-and-out Democratic party of this district for Congress. ARMSTRONG Well, well ! I'm afraid I haven't appreciated the Colonel. Won't you sit down ? ALABAMA LATHROP Thank you. [ Crosses to steps, L. They sit.'] ARMSTRONG [Musingly.] Yes, yes ! Well, I'm glad the Colonel is interested in our road. But how how do you explain his his enthusiasm ? Local pride ? LATHROP [Looking off.] Local pride, sir, and astuteness. ARMSTRONG [Looking at him quickly .] Astuteness ? I'm afraid I don't quite gather. LATHROP Well, sir ; Colonel Moberly sees if the road doesn't come through here it will go some other way. ARMSTRONG Surely. That's very clever of the Colonel. LATHROP Then if it does come this way, the Colonel thinks his interest in it will help his race for Congress. ARMSTRONG By his interest you mean his enthusiasm ? LATHROP Yes. ARMSTRONG f Well, I I haven't appreciated the Colonel, that is evident. And if the road goes the other way ? ALABAMA LATHROP Then it will probably cross Mrs. Stockton's land. ARMSTRONG And Mrs. Stockton ? LATHROP Is a young widow lady, who people say will one day be Mrs. Colonel Moberly. ARMSTRONG [Rising.'] Well, well, the Colonel is a cuckoo. I remember meeting him at Montgomery with the chairman of the committee on railroads a Mr. Pago, by the way any relation of yours ? I saw him yes terday at your home. [ Goes C.] LATHROP [ Crosses R., back of table.] Mr. Raymond Page. He is my uncle. ARMSTRONG Ah, indeed ! LATHROP There's some coolness between him and my mother, so he doesn't visit us of ARMSTRONG Ah! [Laugh heard off.] 52 ALABAMA \ ARMSTRONG [Up C. Looking off LJ\ Here is Colonel Moberly now. Oh the lady on his right is Mrs. Stockton, isn't it ? LATHROP [ Going to hirn.~\ Yes, sir. ARMSTRONG I remember meeting her. The other ? LATHROP The Colonel's daughter. [ Crosses L.] ARMSTRONG Ah, yes ! [Lifts hat.] Good-morning, Mrs. Stock ton Colonel. [LATHROP bows.] [Enter COLONEL, MRS. STOCKTON, and ATLANTA, L. a] MRS. S. Good -morning, Mr. Armstrong. Has your won, derf ul Captain Davenport come ? [ Crosses to It. , up stage.] ARMSTRONG Not yet. We expect him this morning. MOBERLY Majah, my daughter, Miss Atlanta Moberly. At lanta, permit me to present my dear young friend, Majah Armstrong. 53 ALABAMA ATLANTA Major ? ARMSTRONG [Crosses to ATLANTA.] I have despaired, Miss Atlanta, of escaping military honors, post bellum. ATLANTA Oh, I know papa ! My own name is in memoriam, I believe. COLONEL [R. C.] My daughter, Majah, was born on the day that the city of Atlanta, Georgia, suffered the disaster of an entrance by your General Sherman, sir ; and I called her " Atlanta " in commemoration of that sad event. ARMSTRONG \L. CJ\ A capitol name, Miss Moberly. ATLANTA [Z. o/ ARMSTRONG.] So the members of the second class in geography always tell me, Major. ARMSTRONG Pardon a dull and persevering recruit. [^?.] MOBERLY Mrs. Stockton, you know Major Armstrong of the Gulf and Midland Railway ? 54 ALABAMA MRS. S. [ Up R. ] I have that pleasure. MOBERLY And Lieutenant Lathrop Page, editor of the Sentinel, and second officer of the Talladega Light Artillery ? MRS. S. That too among my benefits. LATHROP [L.] Mrs. Stockton. [They bow.] ARMSTRONG Will you be seated, ladies? [ATLANTA, ARMSTRONG, and LATHROP sit up L. on steps. ] MRS. S. [Sitting down JR. at table. ] Somebody's breakfast so late ? ARMSTRONG Colonel Preston's. He is a little later than usual this morning with his walk. [The threeyoung people talk in dumb show.] MRS. S. [Looking over table. ] Only oranges and syrup so far. 55 ALABAM A MOBERLY [Taking orange.] May I prepare one for you, Mrs. Stockton ? MRS. S. Are you skilled ? MOBERLY [ C] I have studied, Mrs. Stockton. My father used to say that peeling an orange for a lady was a sure test of a liberal education. MRS. S. Liberal, yes especially if the orange belonged to someone else. MOBERLY [ With much manner ogles her.] Ah, Mrs. Stock ton! that is scarcely worthy of you. You must know that, in any matter that concerns you possession, in my eyes, becomes ownership. MRS. S. I prefer to establish a distinction. MOBERLY [ C] The difference in most cases is very slight. [Aside] I wish I knew whether that road was go ing over her property. MRS. S. But where a woman is concerned, Colonel, or I should say may be concerned. 56 ALABAMA MOBERLY [J$y her.] Is concerned, Mrs. Stockton is con cerned, I beg MRS. S. Truly ? MOBERLY Most truly. MRS. S. [Leaning back.] Well then MOBERLY Well [Aside and coming down with orange.] I'm blamed if I ain't on the threshold of a proposal, and I don't know how I got there. [Aloud.] Mrs. Stockton MRS. S. Colonel [ARMSTRONG leaves LATHROP and ATLANTA together.] MOBERLY [Parenthetically. ] Ac accept this fruit. [ Offers orange.] MRS. S. Thank you. [Rises and goes up stage, leaving orange 0*1 table.] 57 ALABAMA [Enter CAREY //*ora house.] CAREY Good-morning. Why, I didn't know you all wer here, [l&sses women.] Good-morning, Colonel. MOBERLY [JR. C.] Good-morning, Miss Carey. You ar as fresh as a blossom. I I kiss you' hand. CAREY Won't you all come in ? MRS. S. On so pretty a morning ? CAREY Then see my garden. MRS. S. You show us that. [Exeunt ARMSTRONG, MBS. s., back of house.] CAREY Aren't you coming, Colonel ? . MOBERLY In a moment, Miss Carey. CAREY Come, Atlanta Lathrop. [Exit back of house.] 58 MOBERLY [Sits at table,] I wonder if there was anything portentous in her leaving this orange. [ATLANTA remains at back while LATHEOP comes down.'] LATHROP [ <?.] Colonel Moberly MOBERLY Lieutenant * LATHROP You know me pretty well you know my people you know whether I am anxious to attend to busi ness, don't you ? MOBERLY Certainly, Lieutenant. LATHROP I have secured the option on lots of land between here and Talladega, and if the new road comes this way, or goes the other, I'll sell some town lots, and get a start. MOBERLY That fs certainly enterprising, Lieutenant. LATHROP I want permission to pay my addresses to your daughter. 59 ALABAMA MOBERLY You' addresses ? LATHROP Yes, sir. MOBERLY Well what do you call what you been doing, Lieutenant?. LATHROP Prospecting, Colonel, and now I'd like the right of way. MOBERLY [Rising.] Well [ Crosses front of table. Sees ATLANTA.] Atlanta, come here, my dear. [She comes aown] Air you in the lobby on this measure? ATLANTA I beg your pardon, papa. MOBERLY This has your approval ? [She smiles and turns to LATHBOP.] LATHROP [Taking her hand.] I'm sure it has, sir. [J3oth to L. corner] [SQUIRE and MBS. p. appear R. TT. M] SQUIRE [Calling] Good-morning, Miss Carey Mrs. Stock ton. No, thanks; here is the Colonel. [ATLANTA crosses to her father] 60 ALABAMA MRS. P. Do we intrude? MOBERLY Mrs. Page, you are morning, Squire. SQUIRE [Looking at COLONEL, but without gesture then looks off L.~\ I salute you, Colonel. MOBERLY You are just in time. MRS. P. [ Coming down C.] Yes ? For what, Colonel ? MOBERLY [.R. (7.] It appears that these young people your son Lieutenant Page, and my daughter believe that their mutual happiness depends on a permanent association. MRS. P. [Looking at LATHROP.] I have been told something of it. MOBERLY Lieutenant Page has asked my approval. MRS. P. Well? MOBERLY I wish to show you that my connection with that affair in your garden last night was very unpremedi- ALABAMA tated. If I had seriously considered it or believed it true, I would not now contemplate this alliance. MRS. P. [ C. With dignity and hurt.~\ Colonel Moberly ! LATHROP [Z. <7.] That matter again. What was it, mother? How does it concern me and Atlanta? [ATLANTA Jt.] MOBERLY I do not consider it. MRS. P. That you have mentioned it is proof that you do, Colonel. My son, for the present I must refuse my consent to this engagement. MOBERLY Mrs. Page MRS. P. No more, I beg you. Lathrop, leave us a moment. Squire [SQUIRE and LATHROP up.\ Atlanta, my dear, there is only kindness for you ; but my boy must bring his wife some other heritage than doubt. ATLANTA \L. C.] Doubt? MOBERLY This is a mistake, Mrs. Page. Atlanta knows nothing. 62 ALABAMA MRS. P. [Quietly.] There is nothing to know, Colonel Moberly ; but you must be aware that ray boy's name will.be in question. It will hurt him very deeply, as it is. It would hurt him more if it reacted upon her. I shall spare him that. ATLANTA I don't understand you. You you refuse your consent ? MRS. P. Yes. [ATLANTA weeping.] LATHROP [Embracing ATLANTA]. What is this trouble, Colonel Moberly ? MOBERLY Your mother only can explain, Lieutenant. LATHROP Mother ! MRS. P. I will explain to Atlanta. Come, dear, don't cry. [Exit into house.] LATHROP [ <?.] What does this mean, Colonel Moberly ? MOBERLY [JR. (7.] It means that I am an ass a blamed ass, 63 ALABAMA Bah, and if I had kept quiet, your ma would never have thought of refusing. [LATHROP at steps.] I wouldn't advise you to follow them. LATHROP [To SQUIRE, who is sitting on steps.] What is this trouble that everyone may know but me ? [SQUIRE shakes head.] [Exit LATHKOP around house.] SQUIRE Colonel [Pause; SQUIRE beckons and pats step beside himself, COLONEL crosses to step and sits by SQUIRE.] Was it the the case, Colonel, of Page versus Page ; possession of certain lands ? MOBERLY Yes, sah. SQUIRE I thought so. [Pawse.] She's a very paramouirt woman, Colonel. MOBERLY She's indeed a superior woman, Squire. SQUIRE I knew her intimately afore ever she was Mrs Page when she was nee nee Mildred Fairfax. MOBERLY A very old family, sah. 64 ALABAMA SQUIRE You know, Colonel, she was previously engaged to Harry Preston. MOBERLY [As matter of course.] The Colonel's son. SQUIRE Oh, yes their attachment was very valid indeed, too but being as they was cousins the Colonel Preston canceled it. MOBERLY On account of the consanguinity. SQUIRE [After puzzled look at MOBEELY, dubiously.] How ? MOBERLY I say Colonel Preston's objection to the marriage was on account of the consanguinity. SQUIRE [Bringing up his average.] Oh, yes ! I s'pose that was just as serious as their being cousins. [ Whispers aside.] Consanguinity ! [Looks cautiously at MOBERLY.] Colonel MOBERLY Well, Squire ? SQUIRE [Looking at house. Pause] You have been a 65 ALABAMA father [pause] and a married man do you con template that marriage is a failure ? MOBERLY [Sadly.'] Well, Squire, it has different results in nearly every different case. It is a rnattah in which one man of honor cannot advise another. SQUIRE [ Thoughtfully] Mother has always been opposed to it, and there being nobody for her to lean on but me MOBERLY Well it is dubious. SQUIRE [After pause.] I was talkin' over this case of Page versus Page last night with Mrs. Page. MOBERLY Yes. SQUIRE She says her few months of married life was 'bout as happy as any similar period of her experience. MOBERLY It is that way with some. SQUIRE And it wasn't a love match either, but mother says marriage wasn't a success with her an' she was 66 ALABAMA married fifteen year [with feeling] when father died. Colonel. MOBERLY Yes, Squire. SQUIRE Do you think it would affect the standing of a court that had continued single nigh on to forty-five years, if it should discontinue? MOBERLY Get married ? SQUIRE Yes, sir. MOBERLY Quite the contrary, Squire. It would add to its impressiveness, certainly. SQUIRE E even if its mother had no other visible means of support? It wouldn't look like deserting her, would it ? MOBERLY Seems to me, Squire, it would appear like providing a companion for her declining years. SQUIRE [Rising offering his hand.] You air sincere, Colonel ? 67 ALABAMA MOBERLY [Rising.] There's my hand, sah. \Tliey shake.] SQUIRE You have placed the case, Colonel, in a comforting and lucid manner. I thank you. [Aside going C.] I wish the Colonel would convene with mother. [Re-enter CARET, MKS. s., and ARMSTRONG from above house.] CAREY [ Up C. ] Here is gran'pa, gentlemen. MRS. S. [L. C.] Where are the ladies ? MOBERLY [_.] Indoors, Mrs. Stockton. MRS. S. I will join them. [ Goes in.] SQUIRE Here is the plaintiff, Colonel, with Mr. Preston. [Goes R.] [Miter PRESTON and PAGE, R. of C. entrance.] CAREY Grandpa PRESTON [C.] My darling [Kisses her] Your old grandad is very tired. 68 ALABAMA CAREY [Bringing him down.] You should not walk so far. See our friends. PRESTON Gentlemen, you honor me. I was about to have my breakfast. Will you join me? Call Decatur, my dear. ALL No, thank you. CAREY [ On porch and calling off.~\ Decatur Sadie, tell Decatur. MOBERLY We have come over, Colonel, to attend the meeting with Captain Davenport. PRESTON Davenport ? [Going to table.] SQUIRE About the land. PRESTON Land ? What land ? CAREY [ Coming to him.] There gran'pa ; don't be excited ! Gentlemen [Appealing to them.] 69 ALABAMA ARMSTRONG [Coming down.] No land, Mr. Preston. Only the right of way for the railroad. [H/nter DECATUE, back of house. PRESTON But why do they come to me? I have said no I do not want your railroad on my plantation, Mr. Armstrong. CAREY Sit down, gran'pa. Decatur, bring gran'pa his coffee. [Exit DECATUE. ] [Coming to MOBEELY.] Colonel Moberly, don't talk to him of this. You don't know how it worries him. PRESTON Carey, won't our friends have breakfast? Tell Decatur to set some plates. [ABMSTRONG goes back of table. ] CAREY It is very late, gran'pa. All the gentlemen have been to breakfast excepting Mr. Armstrong. PRESTON Then sit down, Mr. Armstrong. ARMSTRONG Thank you. [Sits R. of table.} 70 ALABAMA PAGE I have been trying to get Colonel Preston to consent to the road, and to assist it. There is nothing I would not do to persuade him. SQUIRE [JR.] Would you dismiss the suit, sah, that you pro pose to bring against his cousin, Mrs. Mildred Page, sah? PRESTON Suit against Mildred ? What suit ? PAGE Nothing to be talked of now. CAREY Never mind, gran'pa! PRESTON [Rising.] Nevermind? A suit against Mildred \ Who is thereto protect her but me? What is the suit you are bringing, Squire ? SQUIRE I am for the defense, Colonel. I represent Mrs. Page. PRESTON Defense ! Has it gone so far, sir ? Mr. Page! PAGE [ (7. ] Colonel Preston. PRESTON What suit have you against Mrs. Page? PAGE A civil action, sir. PRESTON No action against a lady can be civil, sir. What is your complaint [pause], Squire? SQUIRE He claims her property. PRESTON Has it been mortgaged? Has she been in need ? SQUIRE He disputes the title. PRESTON How? CAREY Never mind, gran'pa ! Don't tell him, Squire ! PRESTON Carey, Carey dear, be quiet. I am waiting, Squire. [Pause. ] Colonel Moberly - . MOBERLY .] He denies her marriage to his brother. PRESTON What! 72 ALABAMA PAGE It did not occur. CAREY Gran'pa PRESTON And you are on my premises ! You bring that lie to me ! You have it in your heart, and take my hand you were walking with your arm through mine. CAREY Gran'pa ! [Enter DECATUB, who goes back of table. ] PRESTON Be quiet ! CAREY [ To the men.~\ But he is not strong enough for this. PRESTON It needs no strength. Colonel Moberly, you are my friend. Decatur, bring that case of pistols. Ray mond Page [ Throws a glass of water in PAGE'S face.] [Picture everybody standing and alert ; MOBERLT Seizes PAGE. ARMSTRONG and CARET hold PRESTON. ] 73 ALABAMA PAGE You are an old man, sir. Your years protect you. I will meet any friend you name. [Exits after a meaning look at MOBEELY. Old man sinks on chair, CAREY by him. ] SQUIRE [Rushing up (7.] I shall throw him in the bayou with the frogs. MOBERLY [Restraining him up L. C. ] Squire, as a member of the Judiciary, you cannot. Colonel Preston has named me as his friend. I will meet Mr. Page. CAREY [At table.] Come, gran'pa, your breakfast take some coffee. PRESTON Not now, my dear not now. I will go inside. [Rises totters.] Decatur. DECATUR Mars Preston. [DECATUR comes down and takes PRESTON'S arm quickly.] PRESTON My friends, excuse me. [Exit icith CAREY and DECATUR into the hoitse.] 74 ALABAMA SQUIRE [(7.] I haven't seen bolonel Preston so animated for years. ARMSTRONG [.R. C.} It doesn't look very encouraging for the meeting this morning. MOBERL [L. C.] lo does not, sah. [Enter MRS. PAGE from house.] MRS. P. [ On steps.] Colonel Moberly MOBERLY Yes. MRS. P. What is the matter with Colonel Preston ? [ARMSTRONG in dumb show to SQUIRE, and exit with him above house] MOBERLY An unpleasant interview with Mr. Raymond Page. MRS. P. [ On steps. ] About me ? MOBERLY Yes, madam. [She leans against post.] Mrs. Page, there was a circumstance that makes a meet ing necessary. 75 ALAB AM A MRS. P. A meeting ? MOBERLY An affair of honah. MRS. P. Nothing can make that necessary, Colonel Moberly. MOBERLY Colonel Preston threw some water into Mr. Page's countenance. [MRS. P. starts.] A mere soupcon as to quantity, but enough to convey his meaning. MRS. P. Well [meaning " Speak on!" comes down.] MOBERLY Mr. Page has asked the meeting. MRS. P. [Scornfully.] With that old man ? MOBERLY [Impressively, after a pause.] With me. MRS. P. Colonel, this must not be. MOBERLY It cannot be avoided. Mrs. Page your pardon hear me, please. I I esteem it an honor to rep resent you to resent Mr. Page's insinuations. I should like a double right to do so. 76 ALA BAM A MRS. P. A double right ? MOBERLY The exigency what might be termed the mili tary exigency of the hour excuses my precipita tion. I am making a formal proposition of marriage. MRS. P. It is your chivalry, Colonel, that prompts you. MOBERLY My sentiment, believe me. I have always admired you. Your answer. MRS. P. You are a very singular gentleman, Colonel Mo- berly, but I must believe you serious. MOBERLY Mrs. Page! MRS. PAGE I do not know how to answer you. MOBERLY Consider it until this evening. And, Mrs. Page, I think it but fair to both you and Squire Tucker, to say that my offer is not without competition. The Squire admires you. MRS. P. You are jesting, Colonel. The Squire 77 ALABAMA MOBERLY [Interrupting her.~\ A very manly, true-hearted gentleman, Mrs. Page. He has had few advantages, but I respect his sincerity. MRS. P. [Half rebuked.] Colonel Moberly I respect yours. MOBERLY [Sowing."] Thank you, madam. MRS. P. It is hardly necessary for me to consider your offer. It is no secret here around Talladega, that when a girl, I loved Harry Preston. We were cousins, and MOBERLY I know. MRS. P. I married Dabney Page for worthy motives out I have loved all these years that cousin. I do not think I could ever do more than respect another. MOBERLY Consider me a suitor for that respect. Take till this evening, Mrs. Page. It may be that to-morrow evening my Atlanta will need a friend. MRS. P. No no; I will not consent to that affair. It is barbarous. I I 78 ALABAMA [Miter DAVENPORT, R. C., through gate, carrying small valise. MRS. PAGE sees him and pauses. MOBERLY turns.] DAVENPORT Is Colonel Preston here? * MOBERLY You are Captain Davenport, sah ? DAVENPORT I am. MOBERLY I am Colonel Edgefield Moberly, sah very happy to meet you, and welcome you to Talladega County. We have the pleasure of knowing your Major Armstrong. DAVENPORT [Smiling.'] Yes ? MOBERLY [Crosses C.] This is Mrs. Mildred Page. Mrs. Page, I present Captain Davenport of the Gulf and Midland Railway. [They bow.] Just set your knap sack down, sah, and I will send a niggah for it. I will find Colonel Preston, sah. [Exits with effusion, back of house.] [DAVENPORT looks about sets valise L. of table.] 79 ALABAMA MRS. P. [At steps.] You were expected earlier, Captain Davenport. DAVENPORT The stage was delayed. Are your May mornings all like this so warm ? MRS. P. We do not think this warm. Is it your first visit to Alabama ? [Enter DECATUR.] DAVENPORT I have been here before. DECATUR I take your valise, sir ? DAVENPORT [Back of table.] A little carefully, please; the lock is broken. [DECATUR starts at the sound of the voice.] DECATUR Afo' God! Why wh why DAVENPORT I beg your pardon! DECATUR [Sotto voce.] Ghosts sure. [Goes off. ~\ DAVENPORT r JR. (7.] I seem to have frightened the old man. 80 ALABAMA MRS. P. As you startled me, Captain. DAVENPORT Startled you ? MRS. P. The voice is very like that of a son of Colonel Preston. DAVENPORT Harry Preston ? MRS. P. You know the name ? DAVENPORT I know the man. [Pause.] And the voice startled Decatur. MRS. P. Decatur ! You know DAVENPORT I knew him as I knew you, Mildred as you [extending his hand] must know me. [She gives her hand breathes quickly starts to faint recovers herself grasps her heart.] MRS. P. [Earnestly but quiet.] Harry 1 DAVENPORT [More quietly.] Yes. [Embraces her.] 81 ALABAMA MRS. P. [Looking up.~\ I cannot tell you how how glad I am. [Almost in whisper. ,] DAVENPORT [In same key.] Your tears do that MRS. P. [Going from his breast.] Your father DAVENPORT Never mind him now. [Embrace.] MRS. P. Tell me why you are here. DAVENPORT [Leaving her.] Because it is spring because every breeze from the South for eighteen years has brought its message to me. MRS. P. Then why not come- before ? DAVENPORT [Holding her hand and looking at the house.'] You must know my letters came back unopened. He refused to read them. I come now, because there is the excuse of business. MRS. P. But you come as Captain Davenport. DAVENPORT Because I am Captain Davenport. 82 ALABAMA MRS. P. What? DAVENPORT [Removing gloves.] Yes General Davenport died in my arms on the field, and dying he said, "Preston, you are a boy whom I have loved. I have left what worldly goods I have, to you as I leave you my blessing now." I valued the blessing more than I valued the material bequest, because the next letter from the South brought me a father's curses brought me the news of Margery's death. MRS. P. In my arms, Harry. DAVENPORT [Looking in her face.] You were kind to her, dear I knew. MRS. P. But go on. DAVENPORT Out of gratitude to dear old Davenport, I took his name his little money gave me some leverage my civil engineering threw me with the railroads. [Crosses Z.] I have succeeded if bank accounts and embankments and new cities in the wilderness mean success. 83 ALABAMA MRS. P. [ C.] And is it not success ? DAVENPORT I do not know I feel my years. Time has left its warning on the temples. I am strong enough in the material sense, but my life is empty and unprom ising. I have thought so much of late about my father. MRS. P. [ Crosses to table.] He will be so glad to see you. He talks constantly of you. DAVENPORT [Turns]. Kindly? MRS. P. Oh, very! [He sits with emotion R. C.] He will be glad to see you. [She takes his hand.] DAVENPORT No. Do not tell him unless he knows me. I wish to see him first. I tried to persuade myself I didn't love him, Mildred. MRS. P. I know. [JBack of his chair.] DAVENPORT Of course you do you have suffered. It becomes so different at forty, doesn't it ? 84 ALABAMA MRS. P. DAVENPORT When the survey of this road was projected, the line ran five miles from here. I loved the maps I loved the names. Talladega, on the chart, was only the width of a dot away. I said, " It shall cross his swampy plantation, and bring him riches." MRS. P. But he does not want it. DAVENPORT So Armstrong writes me but I shall persuade him. [Enter CAKEY.] I am to meet CAREY Captain Davenport. DAVENPORT [Quickly.'] What! [Rises and turns.] CAREY Good-morning, Captain. DAVENPORT [Hoarsely.'] My God! CAREY [Timidly.] Gran'pa will be out in a moment. Cousin Mildred gran'pa says make Captain Daven port at home. [jEfeaY.] 85 ALABAMA DAVENPORT [Crossing L. C.] At home ray God that is Margery's face Mildred MRS. P. It is Margery's daughter. DAVENPORT [At porch.] Margery's daughter MRS. P. And yours. Did you not know why Margery's death DAVENPORT Was this? [To porch and, weeping, turning quickly.] Impossible ! MRS. P. You saw Margery the last time at that gate. DAVENPORT [ Quickly.] When we came through with Sherman yes. MRS. P. You met at my house. DAVENPORT [Leaning on porch post.] Yes yes, I remember. MRS. P. Your father never let her come back here. She lived with me till she died. The baby, Carey, has 86 ALABAMA always been with me. Harry Harry does it grieve you ? DAVENPORT [Recovering.] Grieve me grieve me It is the sight of land to a starving shipwreck. [ Incidental music, " The Vacant Chair" pp. andante. Enter PRESTON and CAREY]. MRS. P. Harry your father be careful. [ C.] CAREY [Onporch.~\ Captain Davenport, this is my gran'- pa Colonel Preston. DAVENPORT [Crosses CJ\ Colonel Preston. [ The old man comes down and they shake hands.] PRESTON I am pleased to meet you, Captain but I'm afraid our dull old place will seem sleepy to the energetic Captain Davenport. DAVENPORT It is a rest, sir. [PEESTON turns, consults CAREY. Goes back] How changed how changed ! [7b MRS. p., but watching PRESTON.] My voice does not startle him and the old eyes are grown too dim with age. ALABAM A PRESTON [Turning to DAVENPORT.] I have been very much delayed with breakfast, Captain Davenport, and I fear it is cold, but I shall be pleased to have you join us. [Turns to house ascends steps.] DAVENPORT [Sotto voice.'] My father and my child ! [Impulsively starts to embrace them MBS. p. restrains him.] [Incidental music, forte.] CURTAIN. ALABAMA ACT III. SCENE : Ruined gate-way, G. Masonry post, J2., standing; the other, L., in ruins. Virginia creepers over both. Fragment of wall on either side. Background of tropical shrubbery. Cal cium on for moon, illuminating wall and front of stage only. All back of wall in almost total darkness. Footlights down to a glow. No border lights. Song off by negroes before rise of curtain, " Carry me back" continued diminuendo after curtain is up. DISCOVERED : DAVENPORT and MRS. PAGE. DAVENPORT [C.I Yes, just such a night as this, Mildred, I stood here with her. The old gate was in its proud perfection then, both posts standing. Beyond the bayou there, the Confederate camp fires were like stars. MRS. P. [Leaning against post.] Then Lath rop was a babe in arms ; but I came here to see you too, when Mar gery said you had dared to come. 89 ALABAMA DAVENPORT You did, dear girl. It seems only a night ago that she came down this path, with old Decatur. [Mus ingly.] Nineteen years and when the air grew heavy with the dew you took us to your house. MRS. P. It brings back the time so vividly. DAVENPORT Yes ; when I came up this morning the weedy smell of the swampland brought the dead years back we were children again, Mildred, wading for pond lilies ; and to-night this magic odor of magnolia restores the shattered gossamer of all my boyish dreams. Those negro voices from the bayou in the same old songs MRS. P. Ah, but the years DAVENPORT The years have brought their pictures. It is beautiful beautiful with its deca) r . This old sentinel gate-post watching by his sleeping com rade, and the creepers [touches the vines] in their charity have covered every wound. MRS. P. It was a kind old gate to us. 90 ALABAMA DAVENPORT To you and me, Mildred, yes. Five years before that time, we parted here ; you were leaning against the post as you are leaning now tears on your cheek, and the moonlight made them look [ Turns to her. Pause.] MRS. P. Well? DAVENPORT \Half surprised.] Look as they look now, and -I I was weak enough to do their bidding, and go away. Mildred, why are you weeping ? MRS. P. Habit, I suppose. On such nights as this, I've wept, if you call this weeping, for twenty years and more. DAVENPORT [Earnestly to her.] I loved you, Mildred, very, very much. MRS. P. I think you did. DAVENPORT [ Turning away.] What sorcery there is in the air ! [Inhales heavily.] Dead thoughts, dead hopes are breathing with us. Can the conjuring night revive a love, I wonder ? ALABAMA MRS. P. A love ? DAVENPORT Yes ; a love that's dead, I fear. MRS. P. What love, Harry ? DAVENPORT The love of the old Mildred for the cousin sweet heart. MRS. P. Do you think that ever died ? Do you think because you went away, I could forget you ? DAVENPORT You said to go. MRS. P. I thought it for the best. Our families both opposed us. DAVENPORT Yes, the audacious assumption of every generation to regulate the heart affairs of the one that follows. Such a cruel wrong ! MRS. P. Cruel, even if right. DAVENPORT I shall never stay away again. [Pause.] Such a rest ! Home, father, a daughter, Mildred. 92 MRS. P. When will you tell him ?* DAVENPORT To-night perhaps, or to-morrow. He spoke of hia son once to-day, and my heart failed me. MRS. P. He talks of you always. DAVENPORT Never in anger ? MRS. P. Never ! He has spoken of you tenderly for the last twelve years. DAVENPORT Have I not written in that time ? MRS. P. No, and longer. DAVENPORT My blind resentment. Is that he, coming there ? MRS. P. [Looking through gate to RJ\ That is the Colonel, dear old soul ! I promised he might escort me home. He is very much depressed to-night, and I must make him still more unhappy. Are you sure you can prevent that meeting ? 93 ALABAMA DAVENPORT Not sure. When you told me of it, I asked the Colonel to let me be his representative. I have seen Mr. Page's second I will see Page himself before the affair. Have no fear. [ Crosses JRJ\ [Enter MOBEBLY R. C. MRS. p. goes L. 7.] MOBERLY [C.] My dear Mrs. Page, here you are. Miss Carey said you were about the grounds. Mrs. Stockton has gone on to your house with Squire Tucker. MRS. P. [L. C.] Captain Davenport is with me. DAVENPORT [Lighting cigar.] Here, Colonel. MRS. P. Mrs. Stockton is my guest to-night ; we must go, Colonel. MOBERLY Ah, yes ! This is the kind of a night, Captain, that we pride ourselves upon here in Alabama. DAVENPORT I am willing to admit that your Southern moons seem brighter than our colder ones. 94 ALABAMA MOBERLY More gold in them, sah more heart in them, and I contend, sah, that a girl raised under them has got more music and more poetry in her soul, sah. [Inhales effusively and glares at MRS. P.] DAVENPORT I think that, too ; and this old place is like some enchanted ruin in its decay. MOBERLY All of the ruin, Captain, is not decay. This old gate was battered down, sah. DAVENPORT Battered down ? MOBERLY Yes, sah. Some of Sherman's flank got as far down as this. Our Colonel Cavanaugh made a stand against the Yankees at this very gate. See here, sah. [Goes to broken post, and drawing vines aside, shows dismantled gun.] DAVENPORT [R. <7.] A brass field piece. MOBERLY \L. G.~\ Yes, sah, a cannon. The shot that dis mantled it shattered this post, and killed Colonel 95 ALABAMA Cavanaugh and gunner number three of this piece. It has been here ever since. [MBS. P. sits on ruined wall, L. ] DAVENPORT Is it possible ? [Looks closely at gun.'] MOBERLY Strange as it may seem, sah, that gun is really the nucleus of the Talladega Light Artillery. DAVENPORT Indeed ? Is the organization so old ? MOBERLY It does not antedate the war, sah ; the Talladega Light Artillery was recruited only six years ago, when the county felt the need of some military organization for its moral salutary influence upon the blacks, and called upon me to undertake the work. DAVENPORT I see. MOBERLY Starting as we did, we could of course have made it a cavalry or an infantry company; but knowing that this piece was lying here, we made it Light Artillery. 96 ALABAMA DAVENPORT [Amused.} Yes, yes ! * MOBERLY Imagine our surprise when Colonel Preston, attaching certain sentimental values to its juxta position with his gate, declined to consent to its appropriation. DAVENPORT I understand. MOBERLY Yes, sah. It was a serious disappointment, but we still retain the hope that Colonel Preston will ulti mately endow the Talladega Light Artillery with that gun. DAVENPORT In the meantime I suppose the battery is able to drill. MOBERLY Oh, yes, sah, we have what we call our mock-turtle gun for practice, and we have a superb organiza tion. The Light Artillery are almost a balance of power, Captain Davenport, in our primary elections; my nomination for Congress is a tribute of their appreciation. They did not permit a blamed niggah to the caucus and, sah allow me to say, sah, they air a unit on the subject of the Gulf and Midland Railway. 97 ALABAMA DAVENPORT I thank them, Colonel, -through you and permit me to say that the Gulf and Midland will take pleasure in endowing the Talladega Light Artillery with four guns, if they will accept. MOBERLY Captain Davenport \takes his hand and wrings it] you are too generous ! Mrs. Page, my arm, madame. [ Goes to wing ; turns in a burst of magnanimity J\ Captain Davenport, from this moment you air an honorary member of the Talladega Light Artillery ! [Exit with MRS. P.] DAVENPORT [Laughing softly.'] Bless the old war horse ! He's like them all big-hearted and loyal if you once get through their insulation of politeness and pom posity. But the new generation is pushing them from their hobbies. They are going as the old wall here has gone. [Pause. Pulls vines away and looks at gun.~\ And time in its tenderness, I hope, will hide their faults, as it has covered these with beauties. [Exit Z.] Song, " Little Consolation" by negroes to empty stage. After quite a wait PRESTON comes slowly through the gate and stands by post, reflect ively smoking. He is looking off toward the bayou, and indicates the retrospection of dream- 98 ALABAMA ing senility. The music continues. CAREY enters and slips her arm through the old man's. He looks down and pats her cheek. She snuggles to him. PRESTON looks away again and wipes his eyes. They advance a few steps. CAREY releases her hold and, stepping back cautiously, takes a magnolia from her throat, and fastens it in the vines on the upright post. She then rejoins PRESTON, and diplomatically and caressingly cajoles him into an exit R. Tfie music continues. ARMSTRONG comes through the gate-way, looks after PRESTON and CAREY, goes to post, takes the magnolia, kisses it, and speaks. ,] ARMSTRONG She will come back. [Puts the flower in his lapel music diminishes.] Dear, dear little Carey ! Strange that I should go through the social seasons of the Northern cities to fall hopelessly in love with this little girl, who has never seen a street car. But then Niagara and the Palisades never impressed me like this sleepy bayou has. She is coming and alone. To-morrow I must leave this place, but I can't leave her. [Enter CAREY.] Little girl so sweet of you to come! CAREY Mr. Ned [He draws her to him.] You got the flower ? 99 ALA BAM A ARMSTRONG In both arms. CAREY What are we to do ? Gran'pa is coming I only ran ahead. ARMSTRONG There is nothing to be done. I will speak to him. [DAVENPOBT comes on behind the broken wall and overhears; the light of his cigar shows to audience.'] CAREY But if he should say no and Cousin Mildred thinks he will what will you do ? ARMSTRONG What will you do, Carey ? CAREY I I shall die. ARMSTRONG Here? CAREY [Inquiringly.'] Here ? ARMSTRONG On this old place ? CAREY Where else ? ARMSTRONG With me. We won't die, either. Will you got 100 ALABAMA CAREY You you would not wish me to. ARMSTRONG I do wish you to. Will you go ? CAREY Ask gran'pa first you will ask gran'pa first ? ARMSTRONG Surely. I will ask him now. \Enter PRESTON. Song off ceases.'] PRESTON Carey, dear [Pause.~\ Who is with you ? CAREY Mr. Armstrong, gran'pa. PRESTON Was that why you ran ahead from me ? CAREY [After looking at Armstrong.] Yes sir. [GoesL. C.] ARMSTRONG [ (7.] Colonel Preston PRESTON [R. CJ\ Mr. Armstrong. ARMSTRONG I have to thank you for a very pleasant week in your home here. 101 ALABAMA; PRESTON You are kind to speak of it, sir, but we are the debtors. You've rather brightened up the old place a bit. Carey's father was a hurdle-jumper, and that sort of thing, and it's kind o' like the old days to hear a horse come in on a canter again. ARMSTRONG My business takes me away to-morrow. PRESTON We shall hope to see you again sometime. I'm sure Carey joins me in the invitation, though she doesn't say anything. CAREY Of course I do, gran'pa. ARMSTRONG Colonel Preston, I've been here only a week, but I like the country very much. PRESTON It's a pretty season with us. ARMSTRONG And, Colonel Preston I don't think I ever met a young lady that seemed so sincere and so good and so interesting as Miss Carey is. PRESTON Carey, dear. [Crosses, C., with a little alarm. She takes his hand.] 102 ARMSTRONG [L. (7.] I've become very fond of her, sir in fact, Colonel Preston I think more of her than I ever thought it possible a man could care for a girl. I love her. PRESTON My dear you'd better go to the house. CAREY Mr. Ned PRESTON [Severely] What ! ARMSTRONG I think I speak her wishes, Colonel Preston I am sure she loves me, too. PRESTON But, sir, you are a stranger here, you are from the North. ARMSTRONG I am but Carey loves me. PRESTON No no, sir she is but a child. You take advan tage of her inexperience. She knows nothing of the world, Mr. Armstrong. ARMSTRONG She will never know more, living here. 103 ALABAMA PRESTON She was born here, sir. She would die in youi country. No no, I cannot hear of it. You must not see Mr. Armstrong again, my dear. Say good-night to him now. The North robbed me of everything that made life worth living, sir, but this child. And they would take her, too. No ! Go to the house, Carey. Mr. Armstrong good-night ! ARMSTRONG Carey [Pause.] [CAREY exit.] You are cruel, Colonel Preston; there is something more important than your prejudices. PRESTON What is it, sir your wishes ? I thought I was so poor, Mr. Armstrong, that I should never see one of your Northern gentlemen again. Ah ah but I'd forgotten that my little girl might be coveted. ARMSTRONG Your resentment, sir, has no place where that little girl's happiness is concerned. PRESTON Your happiness you mean. She could not be content with you you are too old for her, sir. You must be thirty she's only eighteen. She belongs here. You wouldn't know how to treat her in your 104 ALABAMA home. She'd die there as quickly as that flower on your coat, sir. Do magnolias grow in Massachusetts ? [DAVENPORT appears back ofwattJ] DAVENPORT [Back of ruined post. ~\ I've seen them growing there, under proper condi tions. But women's hearts, Mr. Preston, are not magnolias, and if they were, I've seen magnolias stifled in Alabama. [Comes into gateway.'] PRESTON [Giving way to JR. C.] Captain Davenport. DAVENPORT [ (7.] I'm speaking for my young friend here. PRESTON He needs no attorney ; he has spoken for himself. DAVENPORT Then you need one, and I shall speak for you. PRESTON To whom, pray ? DAVENPORT To yourself. [To ARMSTRONG.] And my boy, I can talk more freely with him, if you leave us. ARMSTRONG Thank you, Captain. I prefer to do so. [Exit L. ] 105 ALABAMA DAVENPORT Colonel Preston, there is a great danger of a mistake in this matter. You and I are more nearly through with everything, than those young folks are. PRESTON I know my years, Captain Davenport. DAVENPORT Hearts are a little bigger than sectional resentment. PRESTON I don't know that they are, sir. Sectional resent ment broke my heart. Your North came to my peaceful little corner here, and ruined it. They took my only boy. They impoverished me in possession, and in affection, too. My heart was big enough, sir, but it couldn't keep your cavalry off of my grave yard. My colored servants loved me, but they have been driven away into vagabondage and theft and ignorance. My boy loved me, too, but they estranged his love. DAVENPORT Mrs. Page has told me something of him. She says he wrote to you that you refused to see his letters. PRESTON Mrs. Page should not speak of my affairs to a stranger. I don't care to talk of them, either. I wish 106 ALA BAM A to be left alone. I come out here at night because I can be alone. I don't want your railroads, Captain, screaming across my quiet bayou. I don't want any thing from your people. DAVENPORT [ Crossing to JK.] I respect your feeling in the mat ter, Colonel Preston, but I can't help thinking it is your personal view that blinds you. Things, some times, are too personal for a correct appreciation. The North and South were two sections when they were a fortnight's journey apart by stages and canals. But now we may see the sun rise in Pennsylvania, and can take supper the same day in Talladega. It is one country. Alabama sends its cotton to Massa chusetts some of it grown very near your grave yards. The garment you have on was woven twenty miles from Boston. Every summer Georgia puts her watermelons on the New York docks. Pennsylvania builds her furnaces at Birmingham. The North took some of your slaves away yes but one freight car is worth a hundred of them at transportation. Our resentment, Colonel Preston, is eighteen years behind the sentiment of the day. PRESTON Mine is not, sir. DAVENPORT I think it is. That little girl loves Mr. Armstrong. 107 ALABAMA; He is a manly, worthy suitor, but you are letting the memories of '65 come in between them. PRESTON Memories ? They are realities to me. Do you see that crumbled post? It is leaning on a cannon. Like that, my ruined life has, under it, the realities of that invasion. DAVENPORT [Crosses L. (7.] I saw the gun. Have you looked at it lately ? PRESTON [C.J Why, sir? DAVENPORT [Drawing away the vines.] Nature is teaching a lesson from it. See ! a meadow-lark has built her nest in the mouth of this silent cannon. PRESTON Well, sir ? DAVENPORT If it were charged, and had a lanyard on it, this feathered pioneer would have some rights we old sol diers should respect. Colonel Preston, let us be generous to the little girl. 1 08 ALABAMA PRESTON Captain Davenport, you seem incapable of appre ciating what I feel. I cannot talk to you longer. [Goes fi.] DAVENPORT Mr. Preston. PRESTON No no, sir. [Exit !.] DAVENPORT [<7.] I wonder how much of that I am to blame for. Would it have been better to tell him ? No, that would look like intruding my more immediate right. What is this? [Looking off.] Carey ! Carey ! [Exit~L.] [Enter CAREY and DECATUR through gateway] CAREY [ C.~\ Do not come any further, Uncle Decatur. DECATUR [R. (7.] It's a almost breakin' de ole man's heart, Miss Carey. CAREY I will come back some time. 109 ALABAMA [Miter ARMSTRONG, L. ] ARMSTRONG Carey ! CAREY Mr. Ned. ARMSTRONG We must be quick. The horses are in the lane. CAREY Poor, poor gran'pa ! Be good to him, Decatur. DECATUR Yes, Miss Carey. CAREY The old place never seemed so beautiful before. You are sure, Mr. Ned, we will come back ? ARMSTRONG Quite sure, Carey ! Are you crying ? Do you regret it now ? CAREY No, no. I will go with you. ARMSTRONG I love you, Carey. CAREY Oh, I believe you! Good-by, Decatur. [Takes a letter from her belt.} Tell him not to grieve. Here, take this letter give it to him in the morning, no ALABAMA DECATUR Yes, Miss Carey ; when he comes to breakfast, an* ax whar you is, Decatur give him this. CAREY Mr. Ned. [Goes to ARMSTRONG.] ARMSTRONG Come, come, little girl ! Good-by, Uncle Decatur. Here's something for your trouble. [Offers a coin.] DECATUR No, sah thank you, Mars Armstrong, ole Decatur can't taKe it. it seems too missionary, sah. CAREY Good-by, Decatur dear old Decatur 1 ARMSTRONG Come! [Starts Z.] DAVENPORT [Re-entering -R.] Carey ! [ARMSTRONG and CAREY turn."] DAVENPORT Come here, my dear. Won't you say good-by to me? CAREY Captain Davenport ! [ Goes to him.'] DAVENPORT Decatur I in ALABAMA DECATUR Mars Davenport ! DAVENPORT Did you know your young mistress was going away ? DECATUR Y yes, sah. DAVENPORT You were helping her ? DECATUR Yes, Mars Davenport ; Decatur certainly was. DAVENPORT Why? DECATUR W why ? DAVENPORT Yes, why ? DECATUR Because 'Catur loves her, sah. DAVENPORT Why do you love her, Decatur ? DECATUR Why, sah, I'se done raised her. I raised her ma too, e'en most. I loved her rna, too, sah. Miss Carey jis' like her ma used to be. 112 ALABAMA DAVENPORT Give me that letter. That will do. Go to the house. DECATUR Yes, sail. [JSxit.] ARMSTRONG Captain Davenport, you do not propose to interfere with our movements ? DAVENPORT Yes, Ned, I think I do. ARMSTRONG I shall not permit it. Carey ! CAREY Mr. Armstrong. [Starting to ARMSTRONG.] DAVENPORT Carey! [She pauses between them.] Carey! [Pauses.] [She goes back to DAVENPORT.] You trust me, don't you ? CAREY [Looking up at him, he holding her hand. ] Yes, sir. I I trust Mr. Armstrong, too, Captain. DAVENPORT That is right. I trust Ned myself. He is very manly and honorable, I think. He won't ask you to go with him. ALABAMA ARMSTRONG But I do ask it. Carey! [Pause. She looks at ARMSTRONG.] Carey. [Pause. CARET looks hypnot ically to DAVENPORT, who is extending his hand goes to DAVENPORT, It. C.] Captain Davenport, why do you interfere in this ? DAVENPORT I have the right to do so. ARMSTRONG [L. C.] You have not the right. You control my services, but you don't control me. I resign from your employ. DAVENPORT I can't allow you to do so. You will need the em ployment in order to provide, I hope, for this little woman, who is paying you the greatest compliment this life will ever bring you. But, in your impetuous way, you are making it too expensive for her. Carey, you know something of your mother ? CAREY Yes, sir. DAVENPORT She came down to this very gate nineteen years ago, Decatur with her to meet her husband, not a mere acquaintance of a week. Colonel Preston had forbidden their meeting, and he never allowed her to 114 ALABAMA come into the house again. He relented, but it was too late. The mother was dying. She gave her life to you, little girl. The old man has lavished upon you the tardy tenderness he should have given her. Do not repeat that hurt to him. You are both young. A year or two at most will see his story told. Ned ! ARMSTRONG Captain ! DAVENPORT From Colonel Preston's point of view, we of the North have inflicted gi-ievous wrongs upon him. In his hospitality he has forgotten them sufficiently to make you and me his guests. Let us not justify every adverse opinion by being unworthy of his trust. Come, tell me you think I'm right. ARMSTRONG [Pause. Advances and shakes hands.] I think you are, Captain. [ Crosses to HJ\ DAVENPORT And so you will go back ? [ To CAREY.] CAREY Yes, I will. DAVENPORT That is best. CAREY But won't you talk to gran'pa, Captain ? "5 DAVENPORT Yes, I will do that. CAREY I'm sure you can tell him. DAVENPORT I do not think words can affect him. He is too in vulnerable to persuasion. There must be the appeal of some event. Your going would have touched him deeply. Wait perhaps you had better go ! ARMSTRONG AND CAREY What ! DAVENPORT Yes, that is the most direct appeal. I will give this letter to him, and tell him you have gone. ARMSTRONG Do you mean that ? DAVENPORT Not literally. Carey can go to her Cousin Mil dred. Yes, go there, Carey, and stay to-night. CAREY To Cousin Mildred's ? DAVENPORT Yes, to Cousin Mildred's. CAREY But what will Cousin Mildred say ? 1x6 ALABAMA DAVENPORT Nothing, if you tell her that Captain Davenport told you to come. Do you trust me, dear ? CAREY Yes. I don't know why I do, but I trust you, Captain Davenport. DAVENPORT Bless you, little woman ! [Kisses her forehead.] Good-night. CAREY [ Going to wing, L., and stopping.] I I am afraid. DAVENPORT Of what ? CAREY Afraid to cross the meadow alone. DAVENPORT Ned will go with you. [Pause. ARMSTRONG crosses to CAREY pauses Returns and takes DAVEN PORT'S hand pause goes to wing to CARET. ARMSTRONG and CAREY CXeunt DAVENPORT draws vines and covers bird's nest in the cannon; sits at break in wall, L. C. Song off) " Pm goirt back to Dixie. " CURTAIN. A L A I* A M A ACT IV. SCENE: Same as Act II. Lights set for early aawn. DISCOVERED: SQUIRE entering \L.\ MOBERLY, 3i., from behind house. The SQUIRE has a case of pistols under his arm. MOBERLY [R. C.] Did you discover anyone, Squire? SQUIRE [Z. C.] Only the kitchen do' ajar, Colonel, and the fire started. The family evidently not up. MOBERLY It is only five o'clock. SQUIRE Captain Davenport knows the appointed iiour, does he not ? M.OBERLY He arranged it himself. SQUIRE I don't suppose he is alarmed ? 118 ALABAMA MOBERLY He was a Northern officer, Squire, and I never saw one that wasn't brave as Julius Csesar. SQUIRE I think this is the guest chamber on this corner. I will throw some pebbles at the window and arouse him. [JBusiness.'] MOBERLY [At table.'] That is the most cautious and expedi tious method. SQUIRE I'm almost afraid o' breaking one. MOBERLY He can't have gone to the grove ? SQUIRE Hardly. If he doesn't come, Colonel, I will repre sent you. MOBERLY Thank you, Squire; I have every confidence in you. SQUIRE [(7.J While you was trying to rest iast night, Colo nel, I sat up by the kitchen fire, an' molded some slugs of augmented size for these dueling pistols. If one of them takes effect, its action will be final, I am sure. 119 ALABAMA MOBERLY You are more than considerate, Squire. SQUIRE Not at all, Colonel. This is a matter in which I believe in the utmost executive clemency. [Places case on table MOBERLY sits at table and produces letters. SQUIRE resumes with pebbles breaks window enter DECATUB up JR., with firewood.] DECATUR Mornin', Squire Tucker. SQUIRE Mornin', Decatur. We are trying to arouse Captain Davenport. DECATUR [(7.] Captain Davenport been up fo' more'n hour, sah. Walkin' roun' de bayou an' rubbin his hair. SQUIRE [Z. a] Yo' heah that, Colonel ? MOBERLY Yes, Squire. None of the other members or guests air awake, Decatur ? DECATUR No, sah. MOBERLY Be careful not to disturb them. I2O ALABAMA DECATUR Captain Davenport wake Decatur, sab. 'Taint more'n five o'clock, but I'se made bim a cup o' coffee. Yo' all have a cup coffee, sab ? SQUIRE Mother made us some, but we didn't enjoy our ap petite. Would you like a cup now, Colonel ? MOBERLY I think I would, squire. DECATUR Yes, sab. Decatur bring it right heah, sab. [Exit back of house.] SQUIRE [(7.] Ef they is any white folks, Colonel, that despise a niggah, it's because they neveh own one, I say. MOBERLY Very true, Squire. SQUIRE Who could be more intelligent or discriminatin' than that old man ? I really believe he would have voted the Democratic ticket, if permitted to exercise his ballot. [Enter DAVENPORT, Jf2.] DAVENPORT Good-morning, gentlemen. ill ALABAMA SQUIRE AND MOBERLY Good-morning, Captain. DAVENPORT [ Cheerfully.] We see the sun rise, don't we? MOBERLY Yes, but as Richard says, " where, to-morrow ? " DAVENPORT True. MOBERLY Captain DAVENPORT Colonel MOBERLY [ With papers] There air some preliminary steps in case there should be any accident this morning. DAVENPORT I understand. [ Crosses R. SQUIRE sits on steps] MOBERLY The Squire and I have been up most of the night arranging my affairs. He has witnessed these signa tures. I admit them in the presence of you both. You can also witness them in the event of [Passes paper. 1 DAVENPORT I understand. 17? ALABAMA MOBERLY [Other papers.] Some provisions fo' my daughter. I have nominated Mrs. Page as her guardian. DAVENPORT An excellent selection. MOBERLY You air more than kind, sah. I don't know why I should burden you, Captain Davenport, a stranger, with my personal matters DAVENPORT I beg you, Colonel MOBERLY But your very kindness invites it. DAVENPORT You honor me with any trust. MOBERLY I have nominated Mrs. Page Atlanta's guardian, as an expression of my confidence in her. I very unintentionally affronted her, Captain. Believe me, I esteem her very highly. DAVENPORT I can believe that very readily. MOBERLY She also did me the honah to listen to a proposal of marriage from me, although she subsequently de clined it. 123 A LJ A B A Tvi n DAVENPORT You have ray sympathy, Colonel. MOBERLY It did not distress me, Captain. I had thought it my duty as a gentleman, but ray affections had been always more than equally divided toward Mrs. Stockton. DAVENPORT [ Under standingly.] Yes. MOBERLY I have left Mrs. Stockton this letter [shows it] saying so, and Mrs. Page, I am sure, will say nothing of the other mattah. [Passes letter. ] DAVENPORT Of course not. MOBERLY [Third letter.] Here is a letter that I am unde cided about. DAVENPORT What is it ? MOBERLY It is to Mrs. Page. She declined my offer, Captain, because she still cherishes a regard for her cousin, Harry Preston, whom she thinks to be living, but whose death I have described in the paper. 124 ALABAMA DAVENPORT Young Preston's death ! Indeed ! MOBERLY [6 T .] Yes, sah. We were young men together, Captain. After she married Page, Mr. Harry Preston also married married Miss Margery Clayton. I was his best man. DAVENPORT Go on. [Sits on table.] MOBERLY We belonged to the same social organizations. We gave charades and amateur theatricals together. On one occasion, we did the combat scene from Macbeth with great success. He was a West Pointer, and a superb swordsman. SQUIRE I've seen him take a hurdle, sah, over that wall and split a dozen water-melons with his sabah in a ride of fifty yards. MOBERLY Yes, indeed, sah. SQUIRE Every niggah on the plantation loved him. MOBERLY He was very much of your build and deportment, Captain, but a little taller, I should think, Squire ? 125 ALABAMA SQUIRE Half a head, easy. DAVENPORT But his death ? MOBERLY He was with the North, I was with the Confeder acy. We met at Sharpsburg. I recognized him right before me with his sabah in the air. Why, sah, with his knowledge of the weapon, I wouldn't V lasted any longer in front of him, than a snow-ball in perdition. He recognized me, too, and as we rode together, he lowered his point to our old position, an' cried "Lay on, Macduff." We did our old charade combat on that field of wah, befo' the eyes of both commands. DAVENPORT There are many such instances. MOBERLY As we were finessing, two up and two down, this same Raymond Page, who was in my command, rode presumably to my rescue, and struck poor Harry Preston to the earth. We left him dead on the field. DAVENPORT [Significantly, aside.] So it was Raymond Page who killed Harry Preston. 126 ALABAMA [Enter DBCATUB with coffee.] DECATUR Heah you are, gentlemen. Will you all have some cold chicken wif you' coffee ? [Sets coffee on table.] DAVENPORT [J2.] No thank you, Decatur. SQUIRE Well, I wouldn't mind a little bit o' second joint. I go with you, Decatur. [Exit With DECATUR.] DAVENPORT And this letter contains that story ? MOBERLY Yes, sir. Had we not betteh start ? DAVENPORT There is plenty of time. I expect a call here. [Enter LATHROP hurriedly L. C. ] LATHROP Colonel Moberly my mother has had a night of mental agony. She has told me the meaning of this meeting. MOBERLY Well, you certainly have no resentment toward me, Lieutenant ? 127 ALABAMA LATHROP Pardon me, if I gave that impression, but this quar rel is mine. DAVENPORT It is not a matter for your care, my boy. [ Goes up L.~\ LATHROP I think it is. Come let us go to this meeting. My mother and Mrs. Stockton will be here in a moment to prevent it I MOBERLY There is a phase you overlook. Your very name, Lieutenant LATHROP Cannot be in question ! It has been in the care of my mother, a lady above suspicion. It is the insult to her I will resent. DAVENPORT [ Up -Z.] Colonel, Mr. Page is coming here. I wish to see him alone. [Enter SQUIKE with chicken up stage, comes down R. of LATHROP. ] LATHROP I shall see him first. 128 ALABAMA DAVENPORT No, no. [Hand on LATHROP'S breast.] There is no time to lose. Colonel, kindly retire with our young friend. MOBERLY [Taking LATHROP by the arm.] Come, my boy. LATHROP Let me go ! DAVENPORT Squire ! SQUIRE Come, come, Lieutenant. [Takes him.] LATHROP No, sir. How dare you, Squire Tucker ! Sir ! [MOBERLY and SQUIRE conduct him out, kicking, L. 3.] [Miter PAGE R. C.~\ PAGE Captain Davenport ? DAVENPORT [At porch.] Yes, sir. PAGE Well? DAVENPORT I sent for you. I will not waste your time. I 129 ALABAMA represent Colonel Moberly, at present. You are to meet him this morning. PAGE I am. DAVENPORT I ask you to apologize to him. PAGE For what ? Colonel Preston's assault ? DAVENPORT For your slander of Colonel Preston's cousin, Mildred Page. PAGE Does he fear the meeting ? DAVENPORT [L. C.] No, sir, but he has more at risk than you have. He has a daughter a reputation for honor. Life means something to him. You are only a black leg. PAGE [_K. C. ] Sir ! Is this your idea of a second's duty ? / DAVENPORT I am from the North. The duello does not obtain there. But I am familiar with the code. As I under stand it, gentlemen of honor are under no obligation to meet blackmailers and crooks. You are a bribe-taker, 130 ALABAMA Mr. Page the type of a man we summon the servants to eject. PAGE By God, sah! [Draws pistol, which DAVENPORT knocks from his arm with his cane as a sword.] DAVENPORT You are a very versatile party, Mr. Page. One doesn't often meet a duelist who will also take the drop on one. And by the drop [pointing to pistol and kicking it X.] I mean the accepted inter pretation. PAGE You called me a bribe-taker, sir. DAVENPORT Yes. Mr. Armstrong gave you rny check for one thousand dollars. I redeemed it yesterday from the Talladega Bank. It bears your indorsement. PAGE Are you not also a bribe-giver ? DAVENPORT Yes, sir. In my business I have never yet found a legislative body, however honorable, but there was in it some such moral leper as yourself. You will apol- gize to Colonel Moberly ? PAGE I will meet him, sir, or publish him for a coward. ALABAMA DAVENPORT Your cause is an unjust one, Mr. Page. You know your brother honorably married Mildred Fair fax. You know their boy is entitled to his name. PAGE I know the contrary. DAVENPORT I saw them married. PAGE You? DAVENPORT I. PAGE What bluff is this ? Who are you, sir ? DAVENPORT Harry Preston. PAGE What ? [Pause.] I deny it. DAVENPORT [Showing forehead.] Your mark given on the field of Sharpsburg. Mr. Page, the job has changed hands. Mildred Page is to be my wife. I repre sent the honor of this family. I know you for a blackleg and a liar, but I do not retreat behind that trifling technicality. I will fight you. PAGE You? 132 ALABAMA DAVENPORT I. You know the West Point cadet. Throw a deck of cards in the air, and I will take those dueling pistols and put holes through two of them before they reach the ground. I will place a postage stamp over your heart, and if I don't shoot you through that at twenty paces the shot don't count. Come! PAGE I have no quarrel with you. DAVENPORT Then you have none at all. PAGE Good-morning, sir. DAVENPORT Stop! You meet me this morning in Bayou Grove, or you apologize to Colonel Moberly, or I publish you for a coward. PAGE Where is he ? DAVENPORT Ah! [Picks up pistol ; calls, "Colonel! Colonel!"] [Enter PRESTON.] PRESTON Good-morning, sir! Someone woke me throwing pebbles at my window. Were you calling ? 133 ALABAMA DAVENPORT Calling Colonel Moberly. [Calls.] Colonel, [Enter MOBEELY, BQUIBE, and LATHROP.] Mr. Page wishes to apologize to you and Colonel Preston, and Mrs. Page's son, and withdraw. MOBERLY Well, sir. PAGE Consider that I do so. MOBERLY As a gentleman of honah I must. There is my hand, sab. DAVENPORT [Interposing.] No. Good-morning, sir. PAGE Good-morning. [Exit.} DAVENPORT You would have regretted it, Colonel. MOBERLY What procured that ? DAVENPORT [(7.] Certain legal concessions of mine; nothing, Colonel, feel assured, stultifying to you. MOBERLY * I am sure of that, Captain Davenport. [ Crosses to L. a] 134 ALABAMA PRESTON [L. CJ\ Then, as I understand it, there will be no suit against Mildred? DAVENPORT None, Colonel Preston. [PKESTON crosses M. (7.] [Enter MRS. p. and MKS. STOCKTON L. of C.] MRS. P. [ Coming down C.] Oh, what what has happened ? I saw that man. Harry! PRESTON [JK. C.] Harry where? What MRS. P. I meant Raymond Page. Where is Lathrop ? LATHROP Here, mother. [MRS. P. and LATHKOP cross to each other L. C.] DAVENPORT [(7.] Calm yourself, Mrs. Page; there has been no meeting. MRS. P. [L. C.] It must not take place. DAVENPORT [ (7.] There will be none. MRS. P. Thank God! 135 ALABAMA PRESTON [.K. <7.] Sit down, my friends. There is the morning sun. Take seats. [Enter DECATUR/br coffee cups.] Decatur! [Crosses (?.] [DAVENPORT to MRS. p.] DECATUR [R. C.] Yes, sab. PRESTON Get breakfast for our friends as quickly as pos sible. Tell Sadie to help you. DECATUR Yes, sab. PRESTON We'll have something to eat in a few minutes, my friends. Decatur! We can't kill the fatted calf, be cause we haven't any calf, and we haven't any returned prodigal, but we'll have a chicken or two. Decatur, rap on Miss Carey's door, and tell her to dress as quickly as possible; that our friends honor us with a visit to breakfast. [ Crosses R. (7.J DECATUR [ C.I Miss Miss Carey! PRESTON Certainly Miss Carey. 156 ALABAMA DECATUR Miss Carey! [Pause. Looks at DAVENPOBT, who taps him with cane and gives him letter.] PRESTON [M. (7.] What is the matter ? I said Carey. DECATUR [ (7.] She gimme dis note last night, sah. PRESTON Last night a note ; I can't see it. Get my spectacles. DECATUR Yes, sah. [Exit.] PRESTON I can't wait. Bead it, Mildred. Probably doesn't want to be called, not feeling well. [ Goes to table.] MRS. P. [C. AppealinglyJ\ Captain Davenport DAVENPORT [Down L. C.] Read it, my dear madam. PRESTON Why, why, what is the matter ? MRS. P. Be brave, be brave ! [Heads.] "My Dear Grand pa : Forgive me ; I know how much I am about to hurt you, but I love you and will come back. " 137 ALABAMA PRESTON Come back 1 MRS. P. " I am going away. I love Mr. Armstrong almost as much as I love you." PRESTON Armstrong ! My God ! Where is she ? Colonel Moberly MOBERLY Colonel Preston, there is some mistake. Read on, Mrs. Page. MRS. P. [Looks at DAVENPOBT, who insists.] " You do not know how good he is, grandpa, or you would forgive me. I will I will come back. God bless and keep you till I come. Your Carey." PRESTON [Sinking on table.] My God ! My God ! Carey, Carey ! MOBERLY [Crosses up L. C.~\ I will call out the Light Artillery, sir, and place every crossroad under martial law. Lieutenant LATHROP [To MOBEBLY.] This is some mistake. 138 ALABAMA DAVENPORT [(7.] Lathrop ! [Warning of silence.] Colonel Preston. [MRS. p. goes back o/' PRESTON.] PRESTON Yes, yes, you gentlemen of the North, the ruin wasn't quite complete, was it ? And so you took the little girl. Oh, God forgive me ; was I too proud, was I too harsh ? I hate him, but I would have said "yes," rather than this wrong rather than this wrong to her. Gone gone all night night ? Ah, ah ! the sun can never shine again. MRS. P. Cousin, cousin ! [Enter ARMSTRONG to porch.] Ah [All look at ARMSTRONG, MRS. STOCKTON works R. up stage.] DAVENPORT Mr. Armstrong ! PRESTON [Rising.] Where is she ? Mr. Armstrong, tell me where she is. ARMSTRONG [Looking at DAVENPORT.] Why, why I thought she was here. PRESTON You do not speak the truth. 139 ALABAMA ARMSTRONG That is, I thought she would be here. PRESTON Would be here ? Where is she ? Where did you take her ? My God ! Will no one make him speak ? > [Enter CAREY and ATLANTA L. (?.] CAREY Gran'pa gran'pa, forgive me ! PRESTON [ (7.] Carey ! [Embrace.] CAREY [L. (7.] Gran'pa, gran'pa ! [Kisses him, MRS. s. comes down R.'\ PRESTON Let me look at you. No, no ! no need to ques tion. The Eastern sky is not more beautiful with truth. Carey, Carey, Carey ! [Fondles her, ARMSTRONG down L.~\ MRS. P. She has been all night with me. PRESTON And you read that letter ? MRS. P. Yes, because Carey wrote it meaning to go. It might have been so terrible. 140 ALABAMA PRESTON My darling, did you love him so ? Mr. Armstrong, we are rich in something besides weeds, you see. Carey, Carey ! [fondles her.~\ ARMSTRONG Forgive me, Colonel Preston ; my offense and my atonement are one and the same sentence: I love this little lady. PRESTON [To CAREY.] And you'd rather have him than your old grandad, would you ? CAREY Not not for a grandfather, I wouldn't ; but gran'pa [Hides her face.'] PRESTON Yes, yes ; I'm an old dolt, I know. CAREY. Tell us you forgive us. [Takes ARMSTRONG'S hand.] ARMSTRONG Colonel Preston [Enter DECATUR.] PRESTON [To ARMSTRONG.] I like you, sir, I like you. This is rather manly, I think. My darling ! [Embraces CAREY again, DECATUR comes to him C.] Good- 141 ALABAMA morning, Atlanta. Decatur, get two more chickens. You'll all stay, won't you ? CAREY I might have gone away, but for Captain Daven port ; and then he said, " Go to Cousin Mildred's." PRESTON [To table.] Captain Davenport, you take sudden liberties with a stranger's family. DAVENPORT [ (7.] I approved the union. PRESTON You approved it, sir ? DAVENPORT Yes, in the name of Carey's father. PRESTON [Rising.'] What ! DAVENPORT I had his sanction. PRESTON Carey's father, Harry Preston my boy ? DAVENPORT Yes, sir. His letter. [Draws letter, MOBERLY drops down R.] PRESTON A letter to me ? 142 ALABAMA i DAVENPORT [ Withholding letter."] To me. Listen, listen, Colonel Preston ! [Heads.] " My Dear Davenport : I am glad young Armstrong likes my daughter Carey." CAREY [Down X.] My father DAVENPORT Your father, Carey. Listen ! [Heads.] " I ap prove their union. Say that to them for me." ARMSTRONG Carey? DAVENPORT "Tell my father it is my desire. Ask him to waive his objections." PRESTON My boy says that ? DAVENPORT Yes. [Heads.'] " Tell him he does not need the little girl, that I will be with him always in her stead." [Emotion.] PRESTON Go on, sir. [DAVENPORT watches PRESTON closely.] DAVENPORT [Inventing, and not reading letter.] I think of him always. Tell him to remember the day he gave me 143 ALABAMA my pony with the silver tail the old canoe on the bayou. Tell him I long to put my arm about him, as he so often put his strong one around me. PRESTON Oh, thank God thank God ! Let me see that, sir. [Enter DECATUE and goes back of table.] I see no lines Ah, here are my spectacles. Come come ! But there is nothing there, Captain Davenport. DAVENPORT No, there is nothing there, Colonel Preston. PRESTON [Half guessing the truth.'] You were laughing at an old man. DAVENPORT [ Quickly.] I was inventing it. PRESTON [Crescendo.] But you couldn't invent the pony with the silver tail. DAVENPORT [Climax approaching. ~\ I rode that pony that canoe was mine. Why don't you don't PRESTON [ Climax.] Yes yes, I know you ! [Embrace] 144 ALABAMA DAVENPORT Dear dear old father! And we've lost all these years. PRESTON We haven't lost a day. I've had you witn me always. [Joins MRS. P.] MOBERLY [ Crosses E. C.~\ Harry Presfton ! DAVENPORT [(7., shakes hands SQUIRE pats DAVENPORT on back while DAVENPORT is shaking hands With MOBERLY. DAVENPORT tUTHS SQUIRE shakes his hand, and returns to step, wiping his eyes.] Yes, Edgefield, dear old boy, and Squire Ah, Mildred, Mildred I have dreamed of this. [MOBERLY goes H. to MRS. STOCKTON.] MRS. P. [R. C.] And I ! But Carey Carey. [CAREY is hysterically speechless.] DAVENPORT [ (7.] Yes yes, Carey. [She comes to him.] Don't try to say it, darling. I know. It would not be worth the telling if we could speak it. [ Goes up with CAREY and COLONEL PRESTON, j US ALABAMA MRS. P. [ C.] Colonel, I knew this yesterday, but was under bond of silence. You must have thought me heart less but you see MOBERLY [ Coming JR. C] You' composure rather heightened my admiration for you. [ Goes JR. again MRS. P. up.] SQUIRE [ Going C. and slowly picking up letter.] Here is your letter, Captain. DAVENPORT [ Coming down JR. C.] This is not mine. SQUIRE It's the one you read your father. [ Goes to step.] PRESTON ' [Up C.] I'd like to keep it. DAVENPORT [Laughing.] I read the blank side only. Why, forgive me, Colonel, but it was your letter to Mrs. Stockton. [Hands it to her.] MRS. P. AND MRS. S. What? MOBERLY My dear madam it was written under peculiar conditions. 146 ALABAMA DAVENPORT Yes, when he thought he might be dead before you read it. [ Crosses L. ] MRS. S. [Z. of table, reading.'] "Love of a lifetime sincere respect." [/Speaks.] Why, Colonel, I thought Mrs. Page MOBERLY Yes, yes, Mrs. Stockton ; beauty is easy enough to win, but one isn't loved every day. That was meant to be the statement of a post-mortem. MRS. S. I am glad it is not. [Down 22.] MOBERLY [It. with MRS. s.] You do not know how proud you make me. I would never have dared give you that myself. Captain Davenport, you can send the rail road any way you like, and I suppose now it will cross Mrs. Page's land, but I am richer in this possession. PRESTON The railroad DAVENPORT [(7.] Shall not disturb you, father. I meant it only for your good, but I am with you now. Ned '47 ALABAMA ARMSTRONG Captain ! DAVENPORT Direct the survey by the way of Mrs. Stockton's. [MOBEKLY bows.] If you want an interest in it, Mildred, it must be through Lathrop and Atlanta. MRS. P. [ Up L. C.] They have my consent. SQUIRE [After pause and survey of all others paired.] Well perhaps it wouldn't V been for the best with mother Zeanin' on me. CURTAIN. 148 Hageman's Make-Up Book By MAURICE HAGEMAN Price, 25 cents 1 .16 importance of an effective make-up is becoming more appar ent to the professional actor every year, but hitherto there has been no book on the subject describing the modern methods and at the same time covering all branches- of the art. This want has now been filled. Mr. Hageman has had an experience of twenty years as actor and stage-manager, and his well-known literary ability has enabled him to put the knowledge so gained into shape to be of use to others. The book is an encyclopedia of the art of making up. Every branch of the subject is exhaustively treated, and few ques tions can be asked by professional or amateur that cannot be an swered by this admirable hand-book. It is not only the best make up book ever published, but it is not likely to be superseded by any other. It is absolutely indispensable to every ambitious actor. CONTENTS Chapter I. General Remarks. Chapter II. Grease-Paints, their origin, components and use. Chapter III. The Make-up Box. Grease-Paints, Mirrors, Face Powder and Puff, Exora Cream, Rouge, Liquid Color, Grenadine, Blue for the Eyelids, Brilliantine for the Hair, Nose Putty, Wig Paste, Mascaro, Crape Hair, Spirit Gum, Scissors, Artists' Stomps, Cold Cream, Cocoa Butter, Recipes for Cold Cream. Chapter IV. Preliminaries before Making up; the Straight Make up and how to remove it. Chapter V. Remarks to Ladies. Liquid Creams, Rouge, Lips, Eyebrows, Eyelashes, Character Roles, Jewelry, Removing Make-up. Chapter VI. Juveniles. Straight Juvenile Make-up, Society Men, Young- Men in 111 Health, with Red Wigs, Rococo Make-up, Hands, Wrists, Cheeks, etc. Chapter VII. Adults, Middle Aged and Old Men. Ordinary Type of Manhood, Lining Colors, Wrinkles, Rouge, Sickly and Healthy Old Aee, Ruddy Complexions. Chapter VIII. Comedy and Character Make-ups. Comedy Ef fects, Wigs, Beards, Eyebrows, Noses, Lips, Pallor of Death. Chapter IX. The Human Features. The Mouth and Lips, the Eyes and Eyelids, the Nose, the Chin, the Ear, the Teeth. Chapter X. Other Exposed Parts of the Human Anatomy. Chapter XI. Wigs, Beards, Moustaches, and Eyebrows. Choosing 1 a Wig, Powdering the Hair, Dimensions for Wigs, Wig Bands, Bald Wigs, Ladies' Wigs, Beards on Wire, on Gauze, Crape Hair, Wool, Beards for Tramps, Moustaches, Eyebrows. Chapter XII. Distinctive and Traditional Characteristics. North American Indians, New England Farmers, Hoosiers, Southerners, Politicians, Cowboys, Minors, Quakers, Tramps, Creoles, Mulattoes, Quadroons, Octoroons, Negroes, Soldiers during War, Soldiers dur ing Peace, Scouts, Pathfinders, Puritans, Early Dutch Settlers, Englishmen, Scotchmen, Irishmen, Frenchmen, Italians, Spaniards, Portuguese, South Americans, Scandinavians, Germans, Hollanders. Hungarians, Gipsies, Russians, Turks, Arabs, Moors, Caffirs, Abya- sinians, Hindoos, Malays, Chinese, Japanese, Clowns and Statuary, He^-^ws, Drunkards, Lunatics, Idiots, Misers, Rogues. Address Orders to THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO, ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. APP13V362 QCT 2 9 1962 v iJffi VD Form L9-100m-9,'52(A3105)444 1 We also carry a full line of grease paints, face powders, hair goods, and other "ma.e-up" materials. The Dramatic Publishing Company CHICAGO THE LIBRARY SITT OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES UCLA-Young Research Library PS3022 .A31 y L 009 607 677 3 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY AA 001 221 024 1