NO PLAYS EXCHANGED. 'BAHER's Edition' PS 1103 .B885 P8 Copy 1 or PL7\Y3 « ^f3fSC3f^f3t3t:^3bl3fi^lb^f^^itFmt^ii^ifS)^tJ^ AT RETREAT COPYRIQHT. 18»«. BY WALTIR H. BAKCR « CO. M /In Ia. W. PINERO'S PLAYS, i i!c Uniformly Bound in Stiff Paper Covers, ifAw ylv Price, 50 cents each. ilw f The publication of the plays of this popular author, made feasible by the new nf5 t Copyright Act, under which his valuable stage rights can be fully protected, >AW .,. enables us to offer to amateur actors a series of modern pieces of the highest ^f^ yiV class, all of which have met with distinguished success in the leading English iiW '1^ and American theatres, and most of which are singularly well adapted for ania- ',^r i'iV taur performance. This publication was originally intended for the benefit of iiW 'ly readers only, but the increasing demand for the plays for acting purposes has •if 3 /IV far outrun their merely literary success. With the idea of placing this excel- JjX .1* lent series within the reach of the largest possible number of amateur clubs, we 'f 3 iiV have obtained authority to offer them for acting purposes at an author's roy- ViV W altyof Cf5 /iV Ten Dollars for Each Performance. ^A^ ilC This rate does not apply to prof essional performebnces, for which terms will be iiW wJfS made known on application. ^f * % 1 fjS TTJrT7 A TWT A yOlVrQ I A Farcical Romance in Three Acts. By Arthur 9XS aaZ 1 rXC /^VJ-rt^-^^iNO* ^v. PiNERO. Seven male and five female char- iAV ^f* * acters. Costumes, modern; scenery, an exterior '.'^ ^1^ and an interior, not at all difficult. This admirable farce is too well known ^k'd Vr through its recent performance by the Lyceum Theatre Company, NeAV York, to Vf Sl^ need description. It is especially recommended to young ladies' schools apd ^k'd If colleges. (1895.) Vf M/ M/ Sif THE CABINET MI NISTER.] LT''„^u,.%^!V,^"Ko.ni'„ ..F,^ VV ^Ij — — ' and nine female characters, ^k'g Vf Costumes, modern society ; scenery, three interiors. A very amusing piece, in- Mr V|^ geuious in construction, and brilliant in dialogue. (1892.) kTAj^ \f/ "nAIMTiV "niOT I ^ Farce in Three Acts. By Arthur W. Pinero. \ff ••-'"-'•N1-' I l-'lV-a:v» Seven male, four female characters. Costumes, mod- *" ern ; scenery, two interiors. This very amusing piece ^i^ was another success in the New York and Boston theatres, and has been ex- Mf tensively played from manuscript by amateurs, for whom it is in every respect ^k'd suited. It provides an unusual number of capital character parts, is very funny, ^|^ yf and an excellent acting piece. Plays two hours and a half. (1893.) yf *:\'a 'TUT? T4T\"D"DV T-T/^"PQ17 I A Comedy in Three Acts. By Arthur ^k-A yj/ lilE. rlUJDtSY nUK:>rL. w. Pi.nero. Ten male, five female char- \f/ acters. Scenery, two interiors and an ex- |*i*| terior ; costumes, modern. Tliis piece is best known in this country through the admirable performance of Mr. John Hare, who produced it in all the principal cities. Its story presents a clever satire of false philanthropy, and is full of interest and humor. Well adapted for amateurs, by whom it has been success- fully acted. Plays two hours and a half. (1892.) J^lj! LADY BOUNTIFUL. [ \lif interiors, not easy. A play of powerful sympathetic interest, a little soriibre in ?K key, but not unrelieved by humorous touches. (1892.) A Play in Four Acts. By Arthur W. Pinero. Eight male and seven female char- acters. Costumes, modern ; scenery, four AT RETREAT A Dramatic Fancy of the Ci^il War IN ONE JCT By Arthur A. Blunt BOSTON WALTER H. BAKER & CO 1901 •"'••'AV- •Retreat' CHARACTERS Col. Wilfred Barlow, (C. S. A.). Capt. Philip Barlow, (U. S. A.). PoMPEY, (Servant to Col. Barlow). Corp. Yost, (First Georgia Wild-cats.) Mrs. Kate Wainwright, (Col. Barlow's sister). Dorothy, (Mrs. Wainwright's adopted daughter). Henrietta, (The maid). Costumes modern and military. Date, April 1 2th, 186^. Time, afternoon. » THE LiBhAf.Y Or CONGRESS, Two Copies Received A'JG 2 1901 1^ Copyright entry /fcLA3S<3c) XX:. W^. COPY B. Copyright, 1901, by Walter H. Baker & Co. NOTE. During the last few months of the civil war, the more southern states were almost entirely ignorant of the movements of the army of Virginia under General Lee. It often happened that it was weeks before the news of Lee's surrender reached the Confederate camps in the South. At Retreat, SCENE. — Sitting-room in commander'' s quarters of Confeder- ate army post. Plainly furnished room. Table with pens y ink, paper, etc. Map on the wall, staiid of Co?ifederate colors in corner, drum, muskets, etc., suggestive of war- time. (Mrs. Wainwright and Dorothy discovered. Mrs. W. knitting grey stocking or making bandages. Dor. pretend- ing to read. ) Dorothy {speaks very quietly^. Mother. Mrs. Wainwright. Yes, dear. Dor. Isn't to-day the twelfth ? Mrs. W. Let me see — Sunday was the ninth. (^Counts to herself.) Yes, it's the twelfth day of April. Why do you ask ? Dor. [very quietly). It is Philip's birthday. Mrs.'W. Hush. (^Glances round.) Have you forgotten that your uncle has forbidden that name to be spoken in his house ? Dor. I have not forgotten. Mrs. W. Then why will you keep speaking of him ? When my brother's son forgot his home and duty, and entered the ranks of the Federal army, he disgraced the name he bears. He is no longer worthy of your thoughts ; he is your enemy, fighting against his friends, his flag, his own father. Remem- ber, Dorothy, you are a southern girl, and can love none but those who wear the grey. Dor. (^proudly). I am a southern girl and love the stars and bars and hate the Yankees who are fighting against us. You need not fear that I shall forget I am a Rebel. Mrs. \V. (^pause). Pompey tells me that the pickets cap- tured a Federal, day before yesterday, and brought him into camp. 3 4 AT RETREAT Dor. Yes — a young officer. Mrs. W. Indeed ! You have seen him, then ? Dor. (jjuickly). Only a gUmpse; it was when he was being taken to the guard tent, yesterday. Mrs. W. I wonder what state he is from ? Dor. Pompey says he is from Massachusetts. Mrs. W. Massachusetts ! Did he say what regiment ? Dor. The Fifty-second. {Buries face in handkerchief .') Mrs. W. The Fifty-second ! Why, that is the regiment Phihp went into ! Dorothy, that's Phil s regiment. Dor. {sobbing). Yes, I know it. Mrs. W. {knits very fasf). Now isn't that strange? I won- der who he is ? Perhaps he knows Phil. It isn't likely, though ; probably he's nothing but a Yankee spy. Well, if he is they will hang him, I suppose. Dorothy, {zuipes her eyes') do you imagine he knows Phil? Dor. {sobbing). Yes, I think — I don't Col. Barlow {enters in fatigue uniform, riding boots, etc.). Well, this looks cheerful. What's the trouble. Dot? Has Pompey been obstinate again? I'll have that black rascal thrashed Dor. {goes to him ; kisses him). Pompey has been just as good as he could be. There's nothing the matter. Can't you see I'm smiling? Col. I see you are trying to smile, but it isn't very success- ful. {Sits c.) Come, little girl, tell me all about it, and we'll see what can be done. Dor. {quietly). I was only thinking of Philip. Col. That was all, was it ? (Rises.) I don't wonder that you cry. Ungrateful boy that he was. I tell you, Dorothy, he is not worthy of your tears. He has disgraced us all. Three years in a northern college have made him forget that he is a southerner. {To himself.) To think that my son — my son — should turn traitor to his country, ay, take up arms against his home and his flag. My son ! No, he is not my son — I tell you, girl, I will not talk of him. I buried him when he first put on that Federal blue. Mrs. W. Dorothy was just saying that to-day is his birth- day. Had you thought of it ? Col. 1'hought of it — no ! I tell you, I have ceased to think of him. I wish to hear no more about him. And more, Kate — we are not known here ; let nobody know that I have a son. {Walks up a?id dowfi the room.) AT RETREAT 5 Mrs. W. {after a pause). What is the news from the front ? Col. Little enough, but discouraging. General Lee is hard pressed, so the reports say, but the wires are down all over the country, the railroads totally destroyed, and all the news we get is by courier, and days late. Mrs. W. Do you think General Lee's army is in danger? Col. No, no, I won't say that; there can be no especial danger, but the reports are bad, bad. Dor. Uncle Will. Col. Well, Dot, what is it? Dor. Have you (^nervously) — have you seen the prisoner ? Col. Prisoner? So, we have a fine Yankee in the toils, haven't we? I had forgotten it. No, I haven't seen him yet. Dor. Do you think he is a spy ? Mrs. W. Dorothy, dear child, you must not worry yourself about these things. Dor. Do you. Uncle Will? Col. Well, what else can he be? When an enemy enters our lines at night, alone, he certainly must come as a spy. Dor. But couldn't he be trying to get through our lines to his own command ? Col. Why, child, there are no Union camps between us and Atlanta. Dor. But, uncle, don't you think you ought to see him ? Col. {teasingly). What for ? To give him a chance to plead for mercy ? Mrs. W, Has he been tried yet ? Col. I ordered a drum-head court-martial before I went to Ellsworth. I rather expected to receive a report by this'4ime. Dor. Suppose he is found guilty ? Col. {firmly and quietly'). He will be shot. Dor. Shot ! Mrs. W. Why, Dorothy, » Pomp, {at door). Dat's all rite, sar — dis yer coon am de 'spatch bearer to dis yer 'stablishment. I's turble sorry, but cain't 'low no outsiders insider dese yer he'dquarters. Yost {outside). I t-t-t-tell you I-I-I Pomp. Sorry, sar, can't wait to hyar yo' nohow. Yo' jes' gib me dat 'spatch. De Kunnel been waitin' fo' it sense fo' clock dis mo'nin'. Yo' jes' wait rite, hyar fo' de Kunnel' s com- plimuch. {Enters with dispatch. ) Mars' Kunnel I's turble sorry to keep yo' waitin' fo' dis yer 'spatch — done brung it rite 'long sar, never waited fo' to breve, no sar. 6 AT RETREAT Col., {tea7-s open dispatch). Ah ! Mrs. W. Is it news from General Lee ? Col, No, it is the findings of the court-martial. (^Reads.) '* Drum- head court-martial ordered by you finds prisoner guilty of being a spy. Buckner, Judge Advocate." {Pause; quietly.) " And the sentence is — death." Dor. Uncle Will, won't you see him ? Perhaps he isn't a spy — perhaps Col. Dorothy, this is very strange, to hear you plead for a Yankee. Dor. But, uncle, suppose you knew — suppose before the war he had been your friend Col. My child, this is war — I do not know what you mean by my friend before the war. I only know that this Federal entered my lines as a spy, and the penalty for that is death. Mrs. W. Poor boy — whoever he is. (JVipes eyes.) Dor. Uncle Will, suppose your son Col. (/;/ anger). I tell you I have no son. Dor. Suppose, Philip, after four long years of fighting — longing day by day, yes, even perhaps dying for a sight of his old home and his father, were to steal through your lines, will- ing to risk his life, if need be, to see you, to see — to — to see — me — once again, and your soldiers should catch him and con- demn him to death for being a spy — would you — would you order him — your own son — to be shot? (She stands in a pleading attitude before him.) Mrs. W. Dorothy, what do you mean ? Dor. Uncle Will, suppose Phil were the prisoner? Col. If he were my son ! Phil, my boy — shot as a spy'! No,, it can't be Phil. He is away up north amongst our enemies, fighting against his father; the prisoner is his com- rade, one of the cow^ards who turned him against his flag and me. He is an*enemy of the Confederacy, a spy. He entered my lines to gain the information that would betray me to thi Federal troops. He must die. {Calls.) Pomp. Pomp. Yes, sah, rite hyar, sah. Col. Bring me pen and ink and paper. Pomp. Yes, sah, rite hyar, sar. (^Moves the paper, etc.^ that are on table at which Col. is staiidin^.) Col. {sits, writes, rise's, reads). ''Findings of court-mar- tial approved. Prisoner will be shot at Retrent to-night." Dor. Uncle Will, not that— think, think of Philip ! AT RETREAT 7 Col. {sternly^. You, Dorothy, a southern girl and beg for an enemy's life. Have you loo turned traitor to your country's cause ? My son — I would to God that the prisoner were my son, that by ordering him to be shot at Retreat to-night I might wipe out the disgrace he has brought upon my name. He is a spy, and though he were my son he should die to-night. Mrs. W. Wilfred, think, what you are saying. (Dorothy sinks into chain l., sobbing. Pomp, during speech at door rear, ta/king to one outside.) Pomp, {comes doivn, bows, etc.). Mars' Kunnel, de prisner say as how he lek to s[)eak wif yo', sah. Col. I will see the prisoner at Retreat. Kate, come with me. [^Exeunt Col. a7id Mrs. W. l. u. e. Dor. {springs up). At Retreat to-night. {As if dazed.) At Retreat. He must be saved, he shall be. What shall I do — O, Phil, how can I save you ? Pomp, {ivhispers). Miss Dorothy ? Dor. Pompey, you here ! Wliat have you heard ? Pomp. Ssh ! Miss Dorothy ! Mars' Phil — he's down dar in de ole smoke-house by de willows. After de cote-martial dey totes him down dar. It am hotter dan de debbil out, an' de guard am in de shade ob de wood, only de tow-hedded copral what hab de pepperment in his speech. Dey ain't nothin' but a button on de do', an' if we could only get the stutterin' gemman out ob de way, I could git down dar an' unbutton de do', an' Mars' Phil could out an' shine fo' de cane-brake, den I button de do' an' nobody doan't miss him tell he got to de swamp. Only, Miss Dorothy, we got to move Artful smart, kase dey gwin' to change de guard mighty soon. Dor. You say there is no one in front of the door of the hut but Corporal Yost ? Pomp. Dat's all, only Corporal Ghost. Dor. And if we could get him out of the way — but how can we? Pomp. Pm ding-busted if I know', less I set de blam' dog onto him. Dor. Wait ! No, we can't do that. Pomp. Hoi' on. Miss Dorothy, dar's Henretta ; dat yer soldier feller he stuck on her fo' sho'. If she was to go down dar an' make lub — hi-hi-hi Dor. The very thing. {Rings bell.) Pompey, you watch the door. 8 AT RETREAT Henrietta, {enters, l. u. e.). Did yez ring, Miss Dorothy, I dunno ? Dor. Yes. {Slowly). Henrietta, do you remember Mr. Philip ? Hen. {looking round frightened). Sure, um, the masther caught me talkin' about him the other day, and he trew a book at me. Sure whin I talk of him now I kape still. Dor. He used to be very kind to you, Henrietta. Hen. Thrue for ye, um. Dor. Do you remember whenever he came back from school, he always brought you a present; and when you were sick, he used to buy fruit for you, and Hen. {covers face with apron). Sure, um, it's manny the day I've thought ave the poor bye an' the kind heart of him, an' — an' divil the night has passed over me head since the war broke out, that I haven't asked the Howly Vargin to remember an' watch over the lad that his father here has forgotten. Dor. Would you like to repay him for all that he has done for you? Hen. Sure, um, thare ain't nothing I wouldn't do for Mr. Philip. • Dor. {iiervously). Henrietta, you know there is a Union soldier, a prisoner in the old smoke-house ? Hen. I do, um. Dor. He is to be shot at Retreat to-night. Hen. Arrah, poor lad. An' do yez know who the bye is, um ? Dor. It's — it's — Philip. {Breaks down.) H»n. Ah ! what's that ye say, um. Mr. Philip ! Howly St. Patrick ! Ah, wirra, wirra ! Pomp. Fo' de Law sakes ! yo'll hab de guard in hyar sho', if yo' doan't mek' les' noise. Hen. Howld yer tongue, yez spalpeen. Faith then, um, chair up ; sure it's his own father that's in command here. Dor. Yes, and his — Colonel Barlow says he must die. Hen. His own son ? Well, blister his sowle ! Dor. Henrietta, we must be quick. There is but one guard in front of the smoke-house. Corporal Yost. If you will go down and make love to him — you know, just get him away from the front of the hut, then Pompey can unbutton the door, and Philip can escape to the cane-brake. Will you, Henrietta ? Hen. Sure, um, yez want me to make love to the spindle legged felly wid the spring halt in his talk ? AT RETREAT 9 Dor. Yes; will you, Plenrietta ? Hen. Sure I'd make love to owkl Nick himself to help Mr. Philip. Dor. Remember, Henrietta — you — you — are helping one of our enemies to escape. Hen. Whist! don't waste yez breath, urn; sure ain't it me own bye Timmie that's been marchin' to Yankee Doodle for the last four years. Are yez ready. Pomp? Pomp. Mis' Dorothy, de boat am already in de swamp, an' ise gwine wif Mars' Phil down to de bend in de crick an' den dey kan't ketch him fo' sho'. Dor. God bless you, Pompey. (^Gives him revolver.^ Give Mr, Philip this — they may try to follow him with dogs. 0\ Pompey, you'll do your best to save him ? * Pomp. Mars' Phil was powerful good to ole Pomp ever since he warnt nuffin' but jes' a HI' honey ; an' now. Miss Dorothy, ole Pomp gwine to save him, or lay rite down side ob him an' die. [Exeunt Hen. a?id Pomp. Dor. {sits at table, sobbing)^ O, my heart aches so. Mrs. W. {enters r. u. e.). Dorothy, dear, what, crying still? I expect Captain Andrews here to tea; go, dear, and . change your dress and bathe your eyes. (Dor. exits silently r. \ U. E.) Poor girl, it was a hard blow to her to have Philip turn out so bad. They were to have been married this June. Poor Dorothy — and poor Philip too. ( Wipes eyes.') Col. {enters l. u. e. trying to buckle on sword). Kate, have you seen Pomp? {Calls.) Pomp, you rascal ! Mrs. W. What is it. Will ? Perhaps I can help you. Is it the sword ? Col. Yes, the sword, the boots, the hat, everything — Where's that Pomp Mrs. W. {rings bell). I'll see if Henrietta knows. Let me see if I can't button the coat for you. Strange where Henrietta is. {Rings bell.) Dor. (rz/z/i- in L. u. e.). O mother, Henrietta has gone out after some berries, won't I do ? Col. Have you seen Pomp ? Dor, Pompey ? why let me see — O, uncle let me buckle your sword for you. There, now, the hat, W^here are the gloves? O, here they are ! (Shots outside ; Dorothy drops gloves, leans on table.) Yost {rushes inc.; salutes). C-c-c-coM-I-I-have-t-t-t Col. Well what ? lO AT RETREAT Yost. T-th-th-th-th-the p-p-p-p-p-ah-ah-pr-pr Col. What's the trouble? Yost. The-pr-pr-pr-pr Col. Speak, man Yost. I-I-c-c-c-c-c Col. {I'oariiig). Well, sing it, damn it — sing it. Yost {sings). The prisoner has escaped and has made for the cane-brake. Col. The prisoner escaped ! Dorothy ! Dor. {proudly). Well, sir. Col. Corporal, follow me. [Col. and Yost exeunt c. (Dorothy sinks into chair ; Mrs, W. stands looking at her ; retreat sounds outside on the bugle. At the first note Dorothy rises and stands to the end of the call. ) • - Dor. Retreat, mother ; they have sounded Retreat, but the prisoner has escaped. {^Breaks down.) Mrs. W. Dorothy, daughter, what does this mean ? Hen. {enters c). Sure, um, it worked beautiful. He niver turned — ah, bad luck to it, there's the missus ! Mrs. W. Henrietta, I do not understand this. Hen. Sure, thin, I'm glad av that. Mrs. W. I wish to speak with you alone ; come with me. Dorothy, remain here till I return. Dor. Yes, mother. {Exeunt Mrs. W. a7id Hen. l. u. e. ; Dor. runs to 'wi7idow rear.) The guard are going down to- wards the cane-brake ; there is a squad searching the willows by the hut. O, if it would only grow dark faster. The ser- geant of the Guard is coming back. I wonder what he is after. {Screams.) The blood-hounds ! O, Phil ! Pompey said he would wait in the boat. {Lights lamp on table.) If he can only reach the big river, he is safe. (Phil, enters c, his blue uniform torn and muddy, glances round, comes softly up.) I wanted to see him so. O Phil, why did you go north ? Phil, {softly). Dorothy. Dor. Philip ! {Springs into his arms.) Phil. Dorothy, my darling, my love ! {Kiss, etc.) Dor. {breaks from him). But, Phil, why did you come here ? Quick ! you must go. Phil. Tell me, dear, do you still Dor. Phil, for God's sake, d&ar, go, go ! They will shoot you at sight ! For my sake, go. Phil. They condemned me because they took me to be a AT RETREAT jj spy. They gave me no show at the trial. I will wait and see the colonel ; there is no chance for me to escape now Dor. You must, Phil, you must. Phil. But dear, listen ; the colonel will never Dor. Phil, the colonel is your father Phil. My father. Dor. Yes, Phil your father. He is very bitter against you. HaHc ! there s some one coming. Quick, behind the chair. {Drops behind c. ) . Hen. {eitters r. i e.). It's a great time Pve been havin' wid the missus. Sure, miss, what's the trouble wid ye/? Whats that behind the chair? Mr. Philip'! (He rises\ Ihe samts presarve us ! {Shakes his hand.) Sure ye/ must be gettin out of this lively. {Runs to door c.) Quick ^or the guard is coomin' ; git out on the piazza, and whin they dt into the house, drop to the ground and run for the stable Quick, sor, or yez won't have time. w'tl^ ^K ^? ''^' ^^{'''' ^''^•) Good-bye, s^veetheart. Hen. They re coomm'. It's too late. {Runs to door and tries to turn guard's attention the o titer may ) Dor. Quick, Phil, m this room. It's your only chance. \^Exit Phil. r. 2 e. Col. and Yost enter c. Col. You haven't seen anything yet, corporal. Strange. Vour men have orders to shoot to kill? Yost. Y-y-y-yes, s-s^sir. Col. Dorothy, have you seen Pomp vet? Dor. No, sir. Answer, gi^r^ ^""^ '""'' '^'^ ^''^'^"'' ^^ ^">^ ^^'^^^ ^^'^^^^^^ Hen. Sure, sor, divil a sign she's seen of him to-day, sor. rj/,?, ^7f himself) He can't be in the house here. in^oT ''^/ '•^''- ^''''- ''''^^"'l^^^^^ly ^'^oves in front of door.) Dorothy, ^dio is in that room ? I'll see myself ^ the floor ^"'^"'^"^"'^°^°"^^' he-he-here's f-f-f-f-f-footprints 0-0-on CoL. {iiurriediy). You're right, corporal. ^_^\0ST. It's t-t-t-the m-m-mud of tiie c-c-c-cane-brake, s-s- nJn^f?^' ^"'^^^^^ ^'^^y' sor, them's me own footprints, an' it am t swamp mud at all at all, it's the pig-pen COL. Dorothy, open that door ! Corporal, search the room. 12 AT RETREAT (Dor. screams ; Corp. opens door, opens viouth, tries to speak, can't, touches Coh., points.) Sing it, man. Yost [sings). He's crawling out of the window, shall I shoot ? Col. Yes, and shoot to kill. (Yost raises jniisket.') Dor. {screams). Don't ! {Throws the rifle up ; it ex- plodes in the air.) Col. The door, corporal, he can't escape. [Exit Yost in a hurry r, ) Dorothy, I suspected your hand was in this business. [Enter Mrs. W.) Kate, I charge this young lady with having aided the prisoner to escape ; you will see that she does not leave the house until after the prisoner is captured and shot. [Sits at table. ) Mrs. W. [quietly). Very well, Wilfred. Yost, [enters c. ; pushes Phil, ahead of him). T-t-t-the pris-pr-prisoner, sir. (Yost has with him two or more mem- bers of the guard. ) CoL. [busy writing, back to Phil.). So, young man, you have decided to stay with us a little longer, have you? Mrs. W. Philip ! (^Covers face with hands.) (Dorothy tries to go to Phil. ; guard keep her back. ) CoL. {jvriting). Prisoner condemned as spy will be shot at sunrise, Thursday, April 13. Phil. Colonel, I am not afraid to die, but I wish you would change that word spy. 1 did not come as a spy. CoL. That voice! My God! {Rises; pauses; looks round.) Philip, my son ! Phil. Father ! [Steps forward, guard stop him with bay- onets. ) Col. My son ! A spy ! Phil. No, I did not come as a spy. I wanted to see the old home once again, so getting a leave of absence I started south. I wanted to take the shortest route, and so struck across country, and was captured by your pickets and brought here. Col. You wanted to see the old home. You are tired of the north and the traitors' flag you have been fighting under, and are ready to take the oath of allegiance to the Confederacy and join our ranks? My boy, Phil. No, colonel, do not mistake me. The old home is very dear to me, but I am a Union soldier ; you can shoot me for a spy but never as a traitor. AT RETREAT I 3 Col. Traitor! You were that when you forgot your duty to the South and joined the Federal army? Let there be one in the family who knows his duty and can perform it. You will not be my son, you are my enemy. {Reads order.) ''Prisoner condemned as spy will be shot" (Dor. sobs aloud) "at sunrise, April 13."' {Makes move to sign ; hesitates.) Dor. {comes quietly to CoL.'s side. He does not notice her ; she takes hold of his belt). Uncle Will, don't you remember when Philip and I were little, and Phil fell into the river? You said I saved him then, didn't you, Uncle Will? You said he owed his life to me, and he gave it to me then to ket- [) forever. And don't you remember when aunty died, she asked you to take care of Philip, and never let anything harm him? We used to be happy before aunty died, didn't we, Uncle Will? Uncle Will, don't you — you — remember? Col. Yes, I remember ; my boy loved me then. Dor. He loves you now, Uncle Will. He was on his way home to see you. Col. {slowly). He was coming home to see his father ! {Brokenly.) Phil ! for God's sake, boy, can't you see what you are doing? I can't do my duty — I can't order my own son to be shot. Think, lad, it's your father who asks you. Phil. Father, you must do your duty as I am doing mine. Col. Dorothy ! speak to him ! Dor. Phil ! Phil. No, dear, don't ask of me what you know I cannot do. Colonel, if I have been condemned as a spy Dor. Philip, don't, don't Phil. Then there is but one thing for you to do — your duty. Col. {slotvly). Yes, I must do my duty ; I must sign away the life 'of my only son. {Pause.) Corporal, take the pris- oner to the guard-house. Dor. Phil, they shall not take you. Col. {quietly and sadly). Dorothy. Dor. Uncle \N\\\ ! (Col. turns from her.) Mother ! {Sobbing.) Col. Corporal! {Motions guard off .) Corporal {growls). Come on. (Guard move away with Phil.) Dor. {stretches arms toiuards Phil., whispers). Philip ! {Sinks into chair ; buries head on arins at table. ) 14 AT RETREAT (Phil, wrenches aiuay from Guard arid springs toivards Dor. Guard catcJi him ivith bayonets.^ Pomp, {rushes in c, folloived by Orderly covered with mini). Hyar's de Kunnel, sah. (Orderly salutes ; hands Col. dispatch.) Col. (tears opens dispatch; reads'). " General Lee surren- dered on the 9th. The war is over." Dor. {rises; speaks as if dazed). Tlie war is over ! The war over ! Philip ! Phil, {catches her in his anns). Dorothy i QUICK CURTAIN. % "The man or woman who doesn't "The Black Cat is without doubt read Tlie Black Cat misses the greatest the story-telling hit of the century."— stories in the world.— jBosiv W,fy however, an excellent moral. ^I^ /j^ Price 35 cents. /|^ (Us (US I ODD OPERASMEVENTIDE. | J|^ A Collection of Short and Simple Musical J|^ Jk Entertainments for Children. ?K Sfff By MRS. G. N. BORDMAN. Vf) f f \ww This collection provides ^i simple operetta, a fairy opera, a picturesque motion y^M yr song, a quaint musicfil pantomime, a pretty musical sketch, and two original 7;' %W humorous recitations for children, con)plete, with all the music, and full instruc- ^1^ 7'^ tions for performance. The music is tuneful and sin)ple, and is specially written y.' %■/ ^^Ith the tastes and limitations of children in view. The solos are easily learned WJ z\' and sung, and all tbe choruses are Avritten for voices in unison. The collection W. Wli^ is strongly recommended for its simfdicity and perfect practicability. Neither klJ ^J'i stagenor scenery is male, nine Price, 25 cents. female characters. GHOSTS. A Drama in Three Acts. Translated by William Archer. Three male, two female characters. Price, 85 cents. ROSMERSHOLM. THE LADY FROM THE SEA. «;» tAii characters. M/ AN ENEMY OF SOCIETY. I Y W HEDDA GABLER. w 7i A Drama in Four Acts. Translated by M. Cahmichael. Four male, two female charac- ters. Price, 86 cents. THE WILD DUCK. A Drama in Five Acts. Translated by C la r a Bell. Five male, three female Price, 85 cents. A Play in Five Acts. Trans- lated by William Archer. Kine male, two female charac- Price, 85 cents. A Drama in Five Acts. Translated by E. M AVELING. Twelve male, three female characters. Price, 85 cents. THE YOUNG MEN'S LEAGUE. male, six female characters A Play in Five Acts. Translated by Henrv Carstarphen. Twelve Price, 86 cents. A Drama in Four Acts. Translated by Emm UN I) GOSSE. Three male, four female characters. I'rice, 60 cents. THE MASTER BUILDER. female characters. A Play in Three Acts. Trans- lated by Edmund Gosse and Wn-- liam Archer. Four male, three Price, 60 cents. % /> k k k w w '^^ w '^^ w St/' T w w w Ml' f \l/ mmmZ,2t CONGRESS ) 016 115 777 6 % HoUinger Corp. pH 8.5