THE COWBOY'S 
 PLEDGE . 
 
 A DRAMA IN A PROLOGUE 
 AND ONE ACT. 
 
 By Dr. Albert Carr. 
 

f 
 
 THE COWBOrS 
 PLEDGE . 
 
 A DRAMA IN A PROLOGUE 
 AND ONE ACT 
 
 By Dr. Albert Carr. 
 
 Copyright. Wlo by Albert Carr. 
 
 CAUTION. The presentation of this drama for 
 profit without the permission of it's propriator 
 is strictly forbidden. Managers desiring to 
 produce this drama are respectfully requested 
 to communicate with the author. 
 
 FIRST EDITION. 
 
 HILL. CITY S. D. 
 
 1910 
 
CAST OI<^ OHARAGTERiS. 
 
 JACK H ART WE I. L. 
 
 Poreman of the Circle-bar 
 ran oh, A man of hie word 
 
 JOE CORLSON. 
 
 The handsomest cowboy on 
 the range. 
 
 '' CHERRY." A cowboy. 
 
 BILL, BARTON. A saloon-keeper. 
 
 ETHEL RAYMOND. 
 
 The fair and the true. 
 
 MOLLY MINGER. 
 
 A young lady of many vices, 
 which she casts aside for 
 the lovc.oi- an honest man. 
 
 PROLOGUE. 
 
 SCENE. Bill Barton's saloon. 
 
 ]jap8e of two months between 
 Prologue and Act one, 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE. Circle-bar ranch. 
 
 Duration of drama, lialf hoar. 
 
 ©CID 2^9; 
 
THE COWBOY'S 
 PLEDGE . 
 
 PKOLOGUE. 
 
 SCE>'^. Inside BUI Barton's 
 saloo't^. Cowboys at bar snioking 
 cigarettes and drinking. 
 
 Bill. [Behind bar.] This is od ihe 
 house. 
 
 [Bill sets up drinks. (Jowboys 
 drink. 
 
 Cherry. Here comps quiet Jack. He 
 don't driuk, but he'ti a blamed good 
 fellow. 
 
 Bill. You bet he is, and worse 'an 
 forty bronchos in a mix up. 
 
 Cherry. We'll do the drinkiiij^ Cor 
 him.. Come, boys, this is ou me. [Bill 
 sets up drinks. Enter Jack Hartwell, 
 B.] Here's to the health of .lack 
 Hart well! 
 
 [All drink. 
 
 Jack. How are you boys? Having 
 a little time? 
 
4 'J'FJE CX)WBOV'8 PLEDGK. 
 
 Chorry. You bet! We're chasin' the 
 wildcat. Gome, Jack, have a cigar. 
 
 JacU. Not now, Cherry. I have a 
 letter to lead. It is from home. 
 
 Cherry. Go ahead, Jack. There's no 
 side-tracking a letter from home. 
 
 Cowboys. That's the stuff! You 
 bet! Etc. 
 
 Jack . [Sits down at table, R. Opens 
 letter.] It is from sister, Jennie. 
 [Reads. \ ''On hecoration Day, we 
 marched with the old soldiers to the 
 cemetery. 1 jdactd a large wreath of 
 beautiful white floivers on mother * 
 grave. [Kisses letter.] Dear mother! 
 [Bows Jiead, and sits sadly and. 
 meditatively. 
 
 Enter Joe Corlson and Molly 
 Minger, R. 
 
 Cherry. Have a drink, Joe. 
 
 Joe. I'll take whisky. Cherry. Molly 
 don't drink. 
 
 Molly. You're a liar! [To Bill] 
 Gim'me that bottle, you mooly. [All 
 drink.] I wish, I was a fish. 
 
 Bill. What'ud you do, Molly? 
 
 Molly. {Making swimming motions.) 
 I'd Bwim. (Laughing.) What else could 
 I do? 
 
THE COWBOY'S PLEDGE. 5 
 
 {All laugh and pound bar. 
 
 Bill. That's one OD me. Have a drink 
 on the house. 
 
 [Bill seta up drinks. All drink. 
 Molly turns, notices Jack, walks 
 towards him, and pauses near him. 
 
 Molly. I wonder what's the matter 
 with Jack. He's sittin' awful silent and 
 sad-like. {Advancing.) Say, Jack, any- 
 thing gone wrong? 
 
 Jack. No, Molly, 
 
 Molly. What's the matter with you? 
 
 Jack. I just received a letter. 
 
 Molly. From your girl? 
 
 Jack. No, from home. From my 
 little Bieter. 
 
 Molly. Why does it make you sad? 
 
 Jack. It speaks of my mother's grave. 
 
 Molly. {Gently.) Say, Jack, did you 
 ever love anyone else besides your 
 mother and your sister? Did you 
 ever love a girl, a girl that might love 
 
 you? 
 
 Jack. Yes, once. I loved, but I lost. 
 [A pause.'] With what good there is 
 left in me, I am going to do good. 
 
 Molly. {Placing hand on Jack' g 
 shoulder.) Say, Jack, do you know, I 
 like you better than any other chap on 
 Uie lange? 
 
6 THE COWBOY'S PLEDGE. 
 
 Jack. (Rising.) I like you, Molly. 
 You are young, handsome, quite a girl. 
 But you're on the stray, on the stray. 
 
 Molly. I know it, Jack, I know it. 
 {Wldvipering .) I ought to be dehorned. 
 
 Jack. [Putting arm about her.) Don't 
 cry. {Holding both her hands.) You say, 
 you like me better than any other chap 
 OQ this range? 
 
 Molly. Yes, Jacjk. 
 
 Jack. Well, then, if you'll straighten 
 up for one year, I'll marry you,-- make 
 you my wife. 
 
 Molly. Will you, Jack? 
 
 Jack. Yes, but on these conditions: 
 {Counting on fingers.) No cigarette; no 
 swearing; no liquor; no cowboy. The 
 violation of any one of these conditione, 
 the contracts off, and I'm free. 
 
 Molly. {After a momenfs thought.) 
 I'll do it, Jack. 
 
 Jack. {Taking her hand.) The last 
 
 promise I made my dying mother was, 
 
 when once I gave my word, to keep it. 
 
 I have given it to you, Molly. I will 
 
 keep it,[jRamngr hand.] so help me, God! 
 
 [Molly takes flask out of her pocket, 
 
 and gives it to Jack. He throws it 
 
 away. 
 
 Molly. Well, I've begun. 
 
THy COWBOY'S PL.EDGE. 
 
 Jack. Yes, you've begun. 
 
 [Jack walks slowly to R. and exits. 
 Molly staggers towards table, R. 
 Molly. {At table.) No cigareete; do 
 swearing; no liquor; no cowboy. 
 
 [Sinks down onto chair. 
 Joe. What's the matter with Molly! 
 [All advance.] Jack been ycolding you, 
 Molly? 
 
 Molly. No. 
 
 Joe. Then what the deuce ails you? 
 Molly. (Rising.) Vm goiag to be a 
 decent woman, and marry an honest 
 
 man. 
 
 Joe. You don't say! Who's the 
 lucky man? 
 
 Molly. Jaou Hartwell. 
 Cherry. That's what Jack was 
 buzzing her about. She's goio' to quit 
 raisin' h— 1, and go to raisin' kids. 
 
 {Cowboys laugh and yell. Molly 
 looks coldly and defiantly at them. 
 
 UROP-CURTAIN . 
 
THE COWBOY'S PLEDGE. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 SCENE. Outside the Circle-bar 
 ranch. Ranch-house tvith long 
 vorch, R. Large cottonwood tree, 
 C. Bench under tree. 
 
 Enter Molly B.R.E, 
 
 Molly. I thought I saw Jack ride up 
 to the barn. [Enter Jacky L.] Yes, here 
 he is. I've found you. How do you 
 like my new riding-dreee? Isn't it a 
 dazer? 
 
 Jack. You're much improved in 
 appearance since you begun to walk m 
 the straight way. 
 
 Molly. Yeu dear old sweetheart! 
 [Bounds towards Mm with open 
 arms. 
 
 Jack. {Motioning her hack,) Not yet, 
 Molly, not yet. When the year is up, 
 you can lay your little head right here, 
 {Tapping breast.) and I will love and 
 cherish you, and defend you against the 
 world. 
 , Molly. [With a sigh.) It will be the 
 
THE COWBOY'S PLEDGE. 9 
 
 longest year of ray life. 
 
 Jack. Fight ii out, little girl, fight it 
 out. 
 
 Molly. I'm doing all 1 can, ain't I 
 Jack? 
 
 Jack. Yes, you've stuck it out for 
 two monthf. There are ten more. 
 
 Molly. Well, bye-bye! 1 just came 
 to report, and get your opinion of my 
 new riding-dress. 
 
 Jack. Is that ail? 
 
 Molly, Not exactly. If you would 
 ki88 me once, only once, Jack, it would 
 reward me for the past two months, 
 and wonderfully shorten the next ten. 
 My heart is beginning to hunger for 
 love, Jack, — your love. 
 
 Jack. {Raising hands.) No,- no! I 
 am afrai<?, it raight — and besides you 
 forget, I'm a cowboy. 
 
 Molly. That's right! {Counting on 
 fingers.) No cigarette; no swearing; oo 
 liquor; no cowboy. 
 
 {^Drops head, and exits R.R.E. 
 
 Jack. I am confident now, Molly will 
 win. 
 
 Enter Joe Corlsgn, L. 
 
 Joe. Old pard. I've come to have a 
 heart to heart talk with you. 
 
10 THE COWBOY'S PLEDGE. 
 
 Jack. Very well, Joe. 
 
 Joe. I understand you have agreed 
 to raarry Molly, if she keeps straight 
 for a year. 
 
 Jack. I have. 
 
 Joe. She's keeping awful straight. 
 She wont let me come near her. 
 
 Jacts. Thai's proper. 
 
 Joe, She used to be my girl- I noiiss 
 the little devil. 
 
 Jack. I don't doubt it. 
 
 Joe. I'm having a lonesome time of 
 it, Jack. 
 
 Jack. Undoubtedly. 
 
 Joe. Say, old pard, you don't 
 really mean to raarry that girl? 
 
 Jack. If she keeps straight for a 
 year, I certainly shall. 
 
 Joe. You don't mean it! 
 
 Jack. Yes; if I ever meant anything 
 in my life. 
 
 Joe. Why she's a — 
 
 Jack. {Fiercely.) Don't say it, Joe. 
 
 Joe. Well, I won't. I didn't mean 
 anything, only — 
 
 Jack. It is the only, that annoys 
 me. 
 
 Joe. You certainly wouldn't raarry 
 her, take her to your home in the East, 
 and introdvce her to your pure and 
 
THK COWBOY'S PLEDGE. 11 
 
 inaocent sister as your wife. 
 
 Jaok. If I introduced her to my 
 sister, it would certaioly be RvS my 
 wife. Joe, I believe, Molly loves you. 
 
 Joe. No, she's dead feone on you. 
 
 Jack. No. She loves you, but 
 respects me. In you she found love: id 
 me, salvation. She tired of being a 
 trifle and a plaything. She's trying, 
 now, to be a woman. 
 
 Joe. You are taking dangerous 
 chances. Jack. One likes to know, that 
 the mother of his children is a pure 
 woman and has always been such. 
 
 Jack. (Aside.) That's a dagger thrust! 
 
 Joe. Do you know, Ethel Raymond, 
 the boss's niece, is here? She came this 
 morning. \Jack staggers towards 
 eottonwood tree. Joe lights cigarette. 
 Drops case.] So long, Jack. 
 
 [Exit Joe, L. 
 
 Jack. Ethel here! It is five years 
 since she left for her home in the East, 
 She has never written; never sent me 
 any word. Oh, she has forgotten me! 
 Perhaps she is married. [Enter Ethel 
 Rayinond from ranch-house. She steals 
 softly to-war ds Jack. He has back to 
 her.] But what, what if she has 
 not forgotten me; is not married; still 
 
12 THE COWBOY'S PLEDGE. 
 
 thinks of me as I think of her — 
 
 Ethel. {Grasping Jack's hand.) Jack! 
 
 Jack. {Turning.) Ethel!— Yes, it is 
 you. 
 
 [About to embrace her, steps, drops 
 head, then hands. 
 
 Ethel. Why did you not answer my 
 letter? 
 
 Jack. I - never received any letter 
 frona you. 
 
 Ethel. You did not! JSiother must 
 have destroyed it. She has done every- 
 thing to keep me from you. But the 
 day I became of nge, aad mistress of 
 my own property, I started out to 
 find you— you, Jack. That is why, I 
 am here. 
 
 Enter Molly R.R.E. 
 
 Jack. God help me! 
 
 {Molly steals across stage to cotten- 
 wood tree, and hides behind it. 
 
 Ethel. Are you married, Jack? 
 Jack. No. 
 
 Ethel. Do you love another? 
 Jack. No. 
 
 Ethel. Do you still love me? 
 Jack. Yes,— yes, with all my heart 
 and soul. Many times in the last tiv« 
 
T i 1 ^: CO w BO y 's ple dge. i a 
 
 years, I would have given all the rest of 
 my life for one moonent with you in my 
 'arms, my lips pressed to yonra. But, it, 
 canoot be now. I am pledged to 
 another. I have given my wurd to 
 marry her under certain eooditions. 1 
 did this in my loneliness and desperation. 
 I promised ray mother on her dying bed, 
 to keep my word, when onee given. 
 I have give<u it. Nay, nay, Eihel, 
 between you and me, there is a 
 grave— ray mother's grave. I dare not 
 step over it. 
 
 Ethel. Jack, you will either break 
 your word, or break my heart. Either 
 your konor or my happiness must be 
 the sacrifice of this mistake. It is for 
 you determine — which. 
 
 [Hurries into ranch-house with 
 emotion and despair. 
 
 Jack. {Reeling.) What have I done! 
 What h*ve I done! What have 
 I doBe! 
 
 ISinks down on bench. 
 
 Molly. {Coming from behind cotton- 
 wood.) What ha^re you doae, you 
 chump! You've made a benevolent 
 society of yourself, and put your foot 
 in It. 
 
 Jack, {Desperately) Molly, do yeu 
 
U TBE COWBOY'^; Pi.EDGE. 
 
 love me? 
 
 Molly. I like you, Ja.;k, but I don't 
 love you. You don't, ijive me no 
 chance. 
 
 Jack. {Simply.) That's so; I doo't. 
 
 Molly. You don't love me, Jack. 
 You're just eroing to marry me to make 
 me good. 
 
 Jack. No matter what my motive. I'll 
 keep my word. 
 
 Molly. Poor tioy! You l<.ve Ethel. 
 Ethel loves you. 
 
 Jack. How do you know that? 
 
 Molly. I stood behind the cotton- 
 wood, and heard you two. 
 
 Jack, {h'eproachfiilh/.} Did you do 
 that, Molly? 
 
 Molly. {With mock i^age andjealovsy.) 
 Yes, and I'm going to do something 
 terrible. What's this! [Picks up Joe^s 
 cigarette crxse J Why, its Joe's cigaret te 
 case. I've seen that before. Do you 
 know what I'm going to do? It's just 
 fierce! I'm going to smoke a cigarette. 
 [Takes out cigarette. 
 
 Jack. {With a flush of satisf action.) 
 Are you, Molly? 
 
 Molly. Yes. {A pause.) Why don't 
 you tel! me, not to? 
 
 Jack. Because it is a matter of vour 
 
THE COWBOY'S PLEDGE. L 
 
 own honor, your own conpcience. 
 
 Molly. (Counting on fingers.) No 
 cigarette; no swearing: no liquor; no 
 cowboy. If I violate any of these 
 conditions, the ]igs up. If I light th^s 
 cigarette, my wedding ^oes up in the 
 first puff of smoke. 
 
 Jack. (Innocently.) Arn you -^oing 
 to light that cigarette? 
 
 Molly. No, I'm going to put it back 
 in the case, and think about it. [Jack 
 drops head.] Gim'rae a match. 
 
 \Jack raises hand, to vent pocket, 
 then dropa it. 
 
 Jack. I'll not give you a match. 
 
 Molly. There's one in the rawo, 
 [Takes match out of case.] Here's a 
 place to scratch it. [Puts cigarette in 
 mouth.] Now, for the light, Here goes 
 my Jacky! [Lights match .ori cigarette 
 case. She brings light toivards cigarette 
 and ivithdraws it several times. Jack 
 rises as .she brings light toivards 
 cigarette, and sinks doivn as she 
 withdraws it.] You don't want me to 
 light it, do you? 
 
 Jack. Are you going lo light it? 
 
 Molly. Yes, if I can find the end of 
 It. [bb] Here, you hold the match. 
 
 Jack No, — never! 
 
16 THE COWBOY'S PLEDGE. 
 
 Molly. {Admoniahingly,) You want 
 to be more careful with that word of 
 yours, after this. 
 
 Jack. (Nodding head affirmatively,) 
 Yea- 
 Molly. Ouch, I'm burnt! [Throws 
 match down. Jack sinks back with a 
 look of profound dejection. Drops head 
 in hands, and heaves deep sighs. Molly j 
 aside] Poor fellow, how he's suffering! 
 Love is a terrible thing. I must release 
 him. [Quickly lights cigar^ette and 
 smokes. Jack sl&wly raises head and 
 sees her smoking. Dejection vanishes 
 from his face, and he smiles.] Why 
 don't you tell me to stop smoking? 
 [Jack turns head away.] That's a d — m 
 poor cigarette! [Throws down ciga- 
 rette.] There, Jack, I've broke two of 
 the conditions, and I'm going to 
 break a third. [Throws arms about 
 Jack and drops down on bench beside 
 him.] Poor brother Jack, I'm so sorry 
 for you, I could die. 
 
 [Bursts into tears, and cries on his 
 
 shoulder. 
 
 Jack. There, there! You g» and tell 
 
 Joe, I want to see him, [Both rise.] 
 
 You have helped me; I am going to help 
 
 you. 
 
THE COWBOY'S PLEDGE. 17 
 
 [Exit Molly, L. Enter Ethel from 
 ranch-house. Jack draivs revolver 
 and loads it. Ethel advances tn 
 alarm. Jack puts revolver back in 
 belt. Ethel pauset. 
 
 Enter Molly and Joe^ L. 
 
 Joe. Mo!!y said, you wanted to see 
 me. 
 
 Jack. Yes, I've something to say to 
 you. Joe, you love Molly. 
 
 Joe. I'll admit, I didn't want her to 
 marry you. 
 
 Jack. She's not going to marrv me. 
 I'm not going to marry her. 
 
 Joe. Then the contract's off? 
 
 Jack. Yes, Molly, you love Joe. 
 
 Molly. I must confess it. What 
 woman could help loving the big sport! 
 Wh«n--a girl has a feller like that, she's 
 got the world. 
 
 Jack. Then you've get the werld, 
 Molly. Have you a sister, Joe? 
 
 Joe. No. 
 
 Jack. Any other female relations 
 living, that you know of? 
 
 Joe. Sorry to say. Jack, none. 
 
 Jack. Then you have no woman to 
 disgrace by marrying Molly. [Draws 
 revolver., and aims it at Joe. ] Throw up 
 
18 THE COWBOY'S PL.EDGE. 
 
 your hands, or I'll fire. 
 
 Joe. {Throivinq v.p hands.) What's 
 up, Jack? 
 
 Jack. Is your word j^ood for any- 
 thing? 
 
 Jo*^. I always keep it. 
 
 Jack. Then promise me, you'll marry 
 Molly, or I'll shoot you on the spot. 
 
 Joe. Do you mean if. Jack? 
 
 Jack. I mean it. Molly is a triie 
 woman in spite of her former mistakes, 
 I am certain, you were the first that led 
 her to those mistakes. Will you marry 
 her? Come, your answer. 
 
 Joe. Yes, I'll marry her. 
 
 Jack. You have given your word 
 
 \^Puts revolver hack in belt. 
 
 Joe. I'll keep it, old boy, and in my 
 future conduct, I'll try and profit by 
 your noble example. Give me your 
 hand. 
 
 [They clasp hands. Jack 
 places Molly's hand in Joe's 
 Turns, sees Ethel. 
 
 Jack. I am free, Ethel. Pre© 
 to love you; free to marry 
 you. Will you accept me, now? 
 
THE COWBOrS PLEDGE. 19 
 [Ethel rushes into Jack^s 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
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