PS 3535 .E456 S6 1905 Copy 1 ^^labeoftiieiniU n ^labe of the iWiU A FOUR ACT MELODRAMA .. .. BY .. .. HAL REID AND HARRY GORDON COPYRIGHTED BY GORDON & BENNETT 1905 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED CHIEF PRINTING COMPANY PERRY, IOWA U. S. A. •^ n^ LIBRARY of congress] Two Copies Hece/veu { MAY 15 !905 I CLAS«/N, forea:aii in tlic Irmi Mills. , .UOKIvAXI) CKAXSTON', le^al adwiscr and new i)arliici in the Mills. ■(^ GILBERT FOXTLKKOV. ])iivatc liankt-r and <.\\iut of liic In.n ,5^ -Mills. '" 'N .\1()K(;AX STKKL. leader of the rtlrikeis. ^ WALTKU FOXTi.EROY. liankiny eleik in the iMnitieroy Mills. ^■ SI no 1.! I'TLE, otricc hoy. Wants to he a hero. I LAXO JJiJATAXO. an Italian oi-an ■^Tinder. ^ CALEB .MOUTOX. hroker on the X; Y. Stoek E.\dianRATAX(), an Italian ^irl wlu) was wronj^cd by Cranston. KITTY' ^ll'RPHY, house maid; ambitions to make a man out of Si. LITTLE .MARY, the child of Donnazetta. Strikers. ^loulders. Firemen, etc. ACT I. Seene 1. — Interior of Fontleroy's private banking ofi'iee sliowing large safe, banking rail, and desk. — Large screen window U. C. — Time 9 A. iL Gilbert P^ontleroy discovered reading morning paper. FOXT. So, so! The ^vhole city of Xew Orleans is loud in its praise of [Nloiland Cranston — a man of honor. He will be the futiu'e companion of my daughter. Little do they suspect the banking firm of Fontleroy, ev- en now stands on the brink of ruin — and with its fall the great rolling- mills yonder close their doors against a howling mob of unpaid toilers. (Enter Si Doolittle. the office boy.) SL A message for you, sir. FOXT. (Reads m.essage.) "Silver Bar stock declines. ^lust meet the margin or you are ruined. Our holdings are 60,000 shares. Wire quick- ly, ^laxwell Gregg."' (^Vrites answer.) "Advance the margin and draw on the firm of F^ontleroy & Cranston. Gilbert Fontleroy." (Hands mes- sage to Si, wl;o exits.) And so they come. It is now 9 o'clock. Just one hour before the exchange throws open its doors. I must see Elinor and beg of her to treat the proposal of ^lorland Cranston with much consideration, iov liis imion wun my daughter is the only kej' to my escape from finan- cial ruin. He is rich, and — (Enter Elinor Fontleroy down the steps.) ELIX. Oh, father, the chase was glorious! I never saw my horse so full of life — the hounds so eager for the scent ! How they bayed as we followed, jumping the streams, crossing the meadows, urged on by the love of the true sportsman's delight! Xear the turn by the old Fort, I reached and plucked this spray of golden rod. See, father, how the Avork of Xature has modelled here all that is pure and beautiful. I. ] » FONT. Pure iiiul hi-iiiitiriil ! Our Xation's t'lnlilciii |)aiiitcil liy lln- l)iusli of Naturi'. Imi;1)1ciii of Irci'doiii. prospciily and liappiiu's.s. Oli, glit- tering gold, for wl.icli we iiiorlals thirst -idol of millions — cniblpni of toil, siaxcry, and ruin! I'lLIX. \\ liy. fatiu'r. wlial has happened'.' \ be filled from the surplus stoek or special east. l'\)X'r. I have placed all such matters in the hands of the financial manaj^er, Cranston. ^lORl.AXD. \\ iio will take pleasuic in rereriiiii; you to the orig- inal order, as sent to the mill liy Walter Fontleroy, my bankinj^ clerk. JA.MJ'^S. Your pardon, ueiitlemen. but the order was blank of any instructions so I thought it i)olicy to call. MORLAXI). (Sueeriniily.) Thinkino- tbat you, in your vauutiiii,' I)iesumi)tion, mi^ht perhaps see Miss Elinor, no doubt! JAMES A matter of business brought lue here this morning, and I have no Avish to discuss matters of personal nature, as my time is lim- ited. There is danger, of a strike. FONT, hut their demands are luijust — JAMES. 1 think that you are paying all you can under the cir- cumstances. FONT. What do you mean bj' circumstances? JAMES. The opinion of the men is that the mill is paying well enor.gh, but — FONT. But what? Go on. JAMES But that Wall Street is the coffer that swallows up their haid earned wages and makes them want. MORLAND. Who is so wise (Sneering) that the business of this firm shall be discussed by the toilers of the mill? FONT. Yes, who could advance the idea? JAMES. It is wrong for a man in broadcloth to think that men who wear working clothes are all fools — among them are many — who driv- en to common labor — feel as you feel above the labor they aie compelled to do — and who spend much of theii' time in rebellion — which they voice to others — one such man has advanced the idea and the mill is ablaze with rumors of a strike. MORLANI^. It is (juite evident that it is James Brandon who feels aVjo\e his present jjosition, and I believe it will be no longer necessary to employ you, after Saturday night. JA^IES. Veiy well^ gentlemen, and be assured that I shall fill every duty until my last hour. (Aside) Thank God that I may be able to stay until Saturday night. Not for them, but for the love of Elinor. (Enter Walter with satchel of money, takes off street coat, puts on office coat, I'.angs street coat up on rack.) 4- WAI/rKi;. Why ,i;()- iiiia licait cry out t'or-a my cliilil. MORLANI). (Aside) rni safe moii^li on llial Avow. (Aluud lu ])(iM.) 'ii> now nomia/.ctta. I will sec you this cNciiin^-, j^o! DON. So — se — ^1-a go — 1-a go aiid-a wait and-a watch for-a you — for-a you for niy-a my king t'oi--a uiia Morlan! Sou sa loe — to va — veer lo-so sa — leets — va — veer lo! (Kxit ]~)oiinazetta.) MOIILANI). (Looking alter her.) 1 will eouu' Douuazetta — have no tear, I will come, and you will go lo your gra\('! ('IMcker sounds, he grabs the rihiions.) liuy — Lake Erie — ^Thonuis W. Lawson, so Lawson is with the Krie eiowd — tlien she is sure to win. Elinor Fontleroy, you sliall not defy nie. Donnazetta — nobody — notiiing sliall stand in my way. L will humble you and your haughty pride to the dust at my feet. (Looks at safe.) Everything she possesses lies there! (Mob yell outside.) Still they rave — ^Morgan Steel has done his Avork well. (He goes to safe.) Unlocked! (Mob yell.) Howl on, howl on you frenzied brutes. (He slow- ly opens safe, opens satchel.) Ah! the bonds. The weekly pay roll. (Mob yell.) Howl on, howl on, you human wolves — you'll have a real cause to complain now!. (Fumbles in safe.) Ah! Elinor's $40,000, mine all mine. (Loots safe and satchel, replaces satchel in safe.) Let's see, let's see. (Turns sees Walter's street coat upon rack.) That's it! That's it! (Places a couple of papers in the pocket of Walter's coat.) I'd better lock the safe Avhich he forgot, when he gave me the lie! (Goes, locks safe. Ticicer sounds, he turns, grasps and looks at tape.) (Enter Walter.) AA'ALTEE. Why are you skulking here like a cowardly cur while James Brandon and my father are out there pacifying that howling mob. You are as much a partner in this firm as father. ^lORLAND. Contain yourself young sir, I fancy I know my busi- ness. WALTER. Yes, that of coward and sneak — -you may be able to hoodwink my father, Morland Cranston, but it won't work with me! (Walter exchanges off'ice jacket for street coat during above speech.) :M0RLAND. Indeed ? ^VALTER. Yes, indeed and so soon as this excitement is over, I shall try to convince my father that I am right. MORLAND. Do so by all means and I shall beggar you all, father included, whenever he turns on me! WALTER. Not while my sister has $40,000 in this safe. (Goes to it.) Why I left it unlocked. (Yell outside, Walter quickly slams safe and turns combination.) We defy you Morland Cranston — I am going now for OTir Broker and we shall fight our battle here! Exit Walter on a run.) ilORLAND. It is war then — and it shall be war unto the death — now to get rid of this swag so that it shall not betray me — to the Stock Exchange a few moments and then back here — and old Fontleroy may take 8. J..S choice of me as a son-in-law — after I have disposed of Donnazetta, or total ruiii^and 1 ratlier fancy 1 know which lie will choose! (Kxit Mor- land, enter Kitty loading- little Mary nicely dressed, followed by Si.) SI. Oh! Kitty, Kitty what has brought you here to see nie the great broker. KITTY. (Laughs.) You a great broker — you. (Laughs.) SL Yes, nie the great broker — I'm broke all the time! ^lAKY. Where's Auntie Elinor, Kitty you said that she would be here? KITTY. She'll be here presently Mary — go look out the window — and maybe yon will see her comin%. .AIARY. Oh! All right Kitty. I will, for I love Auntie Elinor so nnieli. (Runs, looks out window.) KITTY. (To Si.) And so she should love Miss Elinor, for adopt- ing her from the sisters and giving her a home. SI. That's right Kitty, I wish somebody would adopt me, you for instance — but what brought you here? KITTY. ]\Iiss Elinor told me to bring Mary here to her. SI. And we are alone my gentle, Juliette — ^we are alone — < KITTY. No we are not, Mary is here. (Points to Mary in window.) SI. She's busy looking for Miss Elinor. I would not care if all the world were here. Kitty, oh Kitty, hear my palpitating heart, and feel my fervent words of love. KITTY. If you really live me — really truly love me — die, and I will see tnat your grave is kept green. SI. No, no, my angel Kitty — did, I swear I'll never die and leave you here, to toy with the young and susceptible affection of Abel Green. KITTY. (To audience.) See what we poor women have to suf- fer. SI. Now, when I was in the army — KITTY. You never were in the army — SL I was. ' KITTY. You weren't. SL I was. KITTY. In what kind of an army? SI. In the Salvation Army. KLLTY. Aw, pshaw ! There is no fighting in that army. I'll never marry a man until he has proven himself a hero, by going to war and facing the cannon's mouth, (Bus) and when the enemy is advancing he must draw his sabre and charge. SI. Charge — I've done that — I had this suit of clothes charged. KITTY. No, charge up to the enemy, and rout them. SI. I had some pork and beans charged at the lunch counter. KITTY. Pigs have nothing to do with this. I mean an army. 9- SI. A pig could rout an army. KITTY. No, a man is to rout an army, and tlien come murcliing home, and everyone will call liim a hero. SI. But suppose, Kitty dear, a cannon hall would gently splatter my brains upon a tree. What tlien? KITTY. That would be impossible, you have no brains. SI. But suppose, Kitty dear. Kl r'i'\'. it' you should lose youi- head in the war. a hero, I would say, "He died bravely," and I would plant the sweetest for-gct-me- nots on your grave. SI. Kitty dear, my supporter! (Kneels.) Oh, I busted my sus- ])endcr! Where, oh, where, will 1 find a war, so that 1 may gi\e my heart's blood in my un-dying love for you? KITTY'. Go to Russia, you'll find one there. SI. And get "Jappanned" not on your life — oh! a war, my kingdom for a war! a nice quiet — where nobody gets hurt war. KITTY. Hear me Silas Doolittle, for here I swear! ST. Oh, Kittj don't do it! Remember the child. (Points to Mary.) KITTY. Unless you prove yourself a hero within the next month, I v.-ill marry Abel Green. SI. That old bag of wind! I'll murder him! (Mysterious bus.) vSh! \A'hen you find mj- cold, cold corpse lying at your feet, think, oh, think, Kitty, my love, that I died for you — and in the defense of my coun- try — a nuirtyred hero, and when I am wading the ley river to the New Jerusalem, in my stocking feet, think, oh think, that the water is cold, and that my manly form is shattered by tine schrapnel shells of the blood stained fields of battle. Will, oh will you then give me a lock of your hair ? K[TTY. Y"es, yes. SI. Farewell! (On knees.) Ah, lovely creature, I leave you for a tim.e but I will soon return. (Enter Elinor.) MARY'. (Runs to Elinor.) Auntie Elinor, Auntie Elinor, I'm so glad, so glad. ELIN. And so am I dear. (Kisses Mary.) Wait here Kitty — I ])romised ]Mary a doll today and so told you to bring her. I had no idea of being so busy — and yet I always like to keep my w^ord — ^I'll be back in just a few moments. Come Mary! MARY'. A great big dollie. What shuts her eyes Auntie Elinor? ELIN. (Laughing.) Yes a great big dollie what shuts her eyes — come along. (Exit Elinor and Mary.) KITTY'. What was that new song you were singing last night Si? SI. Will you love me if I sing it to you? KITTY^. I won't promise — ^let me hear it first. TO. SI. All right (Specialties for Si and Kitty.) (After specialty re- enter Elinor anJ Mary. Mary carries a doll.) ELIN. Here we are Kitty, t'oiue on I'll go a ways with you. KITTY. Yes mam Miss Elinor. (Exit Elinor and Mary.) (To Si.) Kaicwcll, fare thee well sweet Montague. 1 shall "bust"' with that con- suming grief until I again behold you. (Exits tragically.) SI. Oh for a war — a bloody — reeking — thundering war — I'd mount my snorting charger — and gallop up to the very mouths of the brazen can- non and slay — and slew — and slay and slit — (Makes pass as if cutting R. and L. with sword.) (Enter Morland followed by Steel. Steel is a low browed bewhiskered workingnu^n.) MOKLAND. (To Si.) Get out you fool! SI. Get out— you bet— (Si exits.) IMORLAND. ('"o Srpel.) Wlien did you say, Steel, that you could bring this strike to a crisis? STEEL. Can't say exactly. Within two or three days. 3.I0RLAND. How is it that things have gone against you of late? I thought it was on now. STEEL. No, Brandon — D — n him held it off again, say what's your game anyway? MORLAND. Oh! (Dissembling) Nothing so very big but since you have been compelled to seek labor, as a means of employment, I can throw a few dollars in your way, so you can gain your former footing. I know you are not a man who will be contented with honest employment liDUg, and tliat you only use work to help you to something better. Cause this strike and a hundred is yours. STEEL. A hundred for the job is very little and I know you do not play for stakes that are very small. MORLAND. I really cannot stand any more. I too, have met with bad luck. Y^ears ago in Italy, I succeeded in making a haul, but it cost me twice that to get clear of that job in Paris. I saw prison bars staring me in the face, and I could only clear myself with money, as I was in a strange land. This is easy. These workingmen will easily fall before yoiu- influence, and you can incite this strike, and get your start. It's dead easy, and you are just in the position to do the work. STEEL. What is your object in my causing this disturbance? MORLAND. INIy object is this — I, for some reason or other have fallen desperately in love with this Miss Fontleroy. Brandon this fore- uum, is my rival, and I am not the man to let such as he out-do me, in my infatuation, so you see, my object is not for money. Now, as a favor to a friend, who has been with you in many a job, will you help me through this? STEEL. Cranston, you love nothing. Y'ou only imagine you do. Many a man, like you and myself, has allowed a woman to put him behind II. the bars. Do not be foolisli, and allow her to swamp you. .^lC)RLAND. In this case, I shall not be outwitted by a niill-fore- n;an. Will you do it, oi not? ISTEEL. Yes, 111 strike lor a liuiidrcd. MORLAND. It's yours. STEEL, tiood-day. 111 ^'i docked by your friend, if I stay longer. (Exit Steel.) MORLAND. (;ood bye, old pal. lie believes nie. 1 would i)e wil- ling to pay him a thousand, but he woidd want more, even at that. No one here. {Seats himself.) Oh, well, there is time enough, for this is the day that uiarl:s tlie close of the career of Fontleroj^, Wall Street has lured him too far. How are those so mighty fallen? While he is so minute in the greater details, he overlooks the lesser ones, me for in- stance, who am now ready to assume control while he and family fall into the background of retired and aristocratic poverty. The Silver Bar comes und^r my control to-day, Lake Erie may rise, but the Fontleroys are without moaej'. It is all mine now. (Looks at watch.) How time drags. 1 am so anxious to behold his proud posterity humbled to the dust, Fontleroy ruined, Walter a branded criminal, and Elinor humbled to the dust, within my power. (Enter James.) Disturbance still continues at the mill? JAilES. I induced the men to go back to the mill and to work, they are all quiet now, until 6 o'clock, and God knows what will happen after that. MORLAND. (Smiles) What brings you here? JAMES. A little business of my own. (Seats himself on desk.) JMOELAND. I see you are quite at home. JAMES. Oh, yes. I was a messenger here for 5 years. MORLAND. It seems to me that your business is at the mills. JAMES. My business lie^e, is for the mills, in a kind of a round about way. MORLAND. In what way? JAMES. My presence at the mills now only tends to excite ques- tions for the men, that I am not expected to explain, so I came here to speculate. MORLAND. You speculate! What have you got to speculate with? JAMES. With very little, that's a fact, but a small speculation, in this case, promises to j^ay well. I sold our home not ten minutes ago, for $1,200.00. It might make me rich. If I lose I can at least have the satis- faction of having been a speculator. (Ticker, both rush, James reaches instrument first.) JAMES. Lake Erie! (Stops sliort, tears off ribbon and lights cigar from gas jet.) :M0RLAND. Lake Erie. Any news from Lake Erie? 12. JAMES. 1 am sorry. I just lit my cigar witli it. An old trick acquired while I smoked cigarettes. MORLAND. Quite a trick I see. (Aside) Jt is a little dangerous for money to fall into his hands at this particular time. Bah! What are twelve hundred dollars on the Board of Trade, in these days of the fast old world? What leads you to speculate? (Aloud) JA^IES. ilotives inspired by love. My poverty is a curse, held in the iron hand of fate. I believe that Lake Erie goes up to-day. The stocks have been held in a slump too long. They are worth more than quoted and they've got to raise. MORLAND. Lake Erie will drop still lower today. How strange that you and Miss Fontleroy insist on Lake Erie's going up. Two hearts that beat as one, 1 suppose. You are both going to find yourselves missing on Lake Erie. It will drop still lower. The Fontleroys have nothing to lose at this particular time, and you have very little. JAMES. Well, the idea t\-ith me is this, in this speculation I am sure to win. If we both lose, she comes to my level, poverty, if I win, I step a step nearer her's, riches. I'll stake all on this single turn. MORLAND. Queer philosophy, yours. Do you think we can avert the strike? JA]\IES. I believe not, as long as you continue to hold talks with it's chief promoter. MORLAND. (Springing up.) Wliat do you mean? .JAMES. I mean that some one is inciting this strike, and my sus- picion is in your direction. To anyone else but myself, such suspicion would be out of reason. To me, it is a settled fact. You can stop this strike. MORLAND. How dare you make such insinuations? JAJVIES. I dare because I speak the truth. You can stop this strike in the one way which is safe to the interests of the mills. Advance wages. That is all that will save Fontleroy's ruin. You know it. You refuse, and it is good evidence, that you wish his downfall. The wages are starvation. Tlie mills can pay more, yet it refuses, and For eroy is- so blind that he cannot see it. MORLAND. You speak in a way that is contemptuous, because, I stand as your rival. JAINIES. I do not regard you as a rival, Morland Cranston, your favor in the eyes of Elinor is not much that I should fear you as a rival. I fear you only as a man ready for any end that will bring about your own desires. Not as a rival, for you do not stand highly enough in IVIiss Fontleroy's estimation. Will you raise the scale of wages? MORLAND. No! No! JAAIES. Then to-night the men- are beyond my power, and you will have your satisfaction unless I can get money to right matters for 13- JVliss Fontleroy's sake. If I win on Lake Eric, I can do it. MORLAKD. The strike is no concern of your.s. Attend to your own business. JAjMES. It is a personal concern of Miss K<)ntleroy'.s, ;uui slic will accept an}' aid tliat 1 sliail ^ivc iici-, in tliis hour of lier despair, until Ihc disadvantage that causes the disturbance can be removed. MORLAND. \\hat is the disadvantage? JAllES. You are the disadvantage. MORLAND. (Starts) You 1—! JAMES. (Warningly) Be careful, raise the wages, if it is not tlie truth. (Enter Caleb ^lorton, a broker.) MORTON. Why, hello James! What brings you here? JAIMES. What brings them all here? MORTON. So, you are going to speculate my boy. Thought you'd get into it long before this. Bad business for some. What you going to buy? JAMES. I believe in 'Lake Erie. MORTON. Lake Erie is slumped. Better look out.. JAlNfES. How's she quoted? MORTON. 68, 1/4. Better try wheat. JAMES. Ten shares. Protect two points. (Enter Fontleroy, brok- er and James dumb conversation.) FONT. Ah, Morland, I see that you are here. MORLAND. Oh, yes, I'm here. How do things stand in the Silver Bar Mine? FONT. Can't hold it. I've tried to unload, as the stock has ad- vanced so. I cannot protect it any longer. Raised three points yesterday, it's no use Morland, the only hope is in the mills. Suppose we raise the wages. We can stand it. MORLAND. Let them strike. FONT. But we can't stand a strike. It means ruin for me. If I could stave it off even for a week, then I might have some chance. MORLAND. Oh! I don't believe they will strike. (Pointing to James.) You see our foreman here, speculating a little. FONT. He should be at the mills. MORLAND. Why not give him his time now, for the neglect of duty ? FONT. My God! ]\Iorland, it would never do. He alone holds me from ruin. (Turning to James.) James why are you here at this par- ticular time? Why not at the mills? JAMES. It is much better that I am away from the mills now. My presence there only incites the men to continue the excitement. FONT. I did not think of that. There is a great deal of truth in it. (James goes back to Morton, Elinor enters.) 14. ELIN. My money is liere fatlicr, all that I have. 15uy Lake Erie. . ell and protect the Silver Bar for all it is worth — MUKLAND. (Aside) By Heaven, she talks well. FONT. Never did. I liope to live the day that 1 would use my child's money on the Board of Trade. (Dumb conversation with Morland in which Fontleioy appears to be much grieved.) ELIN. NVhy, James, are you here? I am so glad to see you. JAMES. I am here to speculate. I believe also tliat Lake Erie lias got to rise. (Ticker, all rush.) MORTON. The market's opened, gentlemen. (Writes on i)laek- board.) "Silver Bar 186." FONT. She goes up. I can't stand snch advances much longer. MORTON. (Writes.) "Union Pacific 98." MORLAND. That stock holds its own well. Very little for sale. 1 am anxious for Lake Erie. FONT. Greatly improved. She's got to do something soon. MORTON. Canadian Pacific 89. FONT. Will Lake Erie never come? MORLAND. Silver Bar advances two points. FONT. Great Heavens, I can't stand it that long. Will Lake Erie never come? MORTON. Lake Erie two points down. ALL. Lake Erie! ELIN. Now's your time, father. JAMES. (To broker.) Protect two points more. MORTON. Lake Erie 86. JAMES. Up she goes. Now is your tin^e ?' ELIN. I believe, father, now is the most favorable time. Pool all I have. ^MORTON. Lake Erie goes down two points, 84. MORLAND. Fontleroy, I tell you the stock is uncertain. It will be the most foolish investment you ever made. Buy Silver Bar and save your credit. FONT. That is impossible. $40,000.00 will never cover it. MORLAND. Silver Bar preferred today, gave color to the rumor that the Northwest situation is getting near a settlement, and that a definite announcement of plans will shortly be made. Silver Bar preferred sold up to 196, and closed 194, i/o- A net advance of 3, Vi points, buy what you can and save yourself! MORTON. Silver Bar. ALL. Silver Bar. MORTON. 98. JAMES. That's his advice. It would have ruined you in two minutes time. 1=;. MORTON. Lake Erie jumps 5 points. JAJNIES. Tliere you aio ^Ir. Foiitievoy. ELIN. See what you would luive niadc tat her. MORTOX. Lake Erie S!). Advance 10 points. ALL. Ten points. MORLAND. (Aside) It's too lato for him now. JA^IES. Another jump like that, and I'll June enoutih t'oi- life. fiLlN". Oh, father, if you liad only seen it. FONT. I am afraid, my ciiild, I'm afraid. MORTON. Lake Erie drops two points. MORLAND. Protect two points. JMORLAND. Down she ^oos. JAMES. Not on your life! MORLAND. Lake Erie 184. JAMES. Sell. She's reached her limit, and down she goes. IMORLAND. Keep out of it Mr. Fontleroy. Ruin stares you in tlie face. That stock will drop. JA]\1ES. It is bound to rise. Now's the time. Good Heaven, 'Sir. Fontleroy, where is the liead you possessed years ago, when I was a mes- senger here? Listen to Morland Cranston, and j'ou are ruined. Buy the stock. She can't stay there. Stocks are bulled. Can't you see it ? Who- ever heard of Lake Erie being so low? The slump is but a manipulated one, and won't stay ten minutes. She's got to go up. The bears have got to imload. FONT. .lames, please remember your position. My C4od! I don't know what to do. MORLAND. Take my advice, let it alone! (Enter Walter.) ^^'AL. Lake Erie dropped two points. James, I told you so, she's got to go up. (Enter Silas.) SI. Message for ]Mr. Fontleroy. FONT. (Reads) "Buy Lake Erie. Maxwell Gregg & Co." I'll buy it now. Broker 20,000 shares. (Throws bag on table.) Win or lose.) (Opens bag.) Elinor! ]\Iy God! you have been robbed. ALL (Rushing up.) Robbed! FONT. Yes, robbed. JAINIES. There must be some mistake. ELIN. That is the sack that contained it. It Avas theie an hour ago. Walter got it. WAL. Is it possible? MORLAND. Who was at the safe last? WAL. \A'hy I was there last. Can it be possible that — ELIN. Can't you explain. Think for God's sake, think! MORLAND. It's plain enough. Who else would know the combina- tion ? No one, but you ! i6. ^^'AL. Ah. yos, I sec it now, I set- it now. All! -it w:is then when I told you that you lied, then my (Jod! I toigot to tniii the eoiiihination. I loft it open, you itMiu'mlKT .laiiu's, you wer there. I know it's you Mor- huid Cranston, it's you who robbed my sister. (S|>rin{;iny on to him.) T«ll mo wlioro tlio money is, or, by lloavon. I will strangle you. Cl'lioy i)ull Walter away.) The liouds, the stoeks, the pay roll! (Hi. my (lod! (jione! («'one! Wouhl you dare brand mo as a tliiof'.' :\J()R1.AND. Thiol' that yon are, where is the bond that you aooidont- ly dropped in my presoiu'o, and then slio\od into your pockid, where is it 1 say? WAT.,, ^'ou lie! Vou lie! ^'(n^ lie! 1 have no liond in my poeket. (Hastily jjulls papers from pocket.) Aly (!od! Heie is a bond. MORLANl). All! Who is the liar now? Ft^XT. (Takinjj bond.) ily son! My son! ((,)uiok) That bond is like the others. Oh, is it to-day, in the hour of my nun, that you rob your father and sister? And the pay roll! Clone, I can hour the fury of the strikers now, I can feel death clutching at my throat! MORLAXD. Yes. it is to-day that he betrays the trust of his old and stricken father, in this, the hour of the impending danger. ELIN. ]Morland Cranston, you lie! This is no concern of yours, oh, father, there is some mistake. (Rushes to father.) Oh, father! father! there is some mistake. FOXT. Theie is no mistake, my child, your brother has robbed us both! AVAL. I swear by the memory of my dead mother that I am innocent! FOXT. Leave my sight, and never dare to cross the threshold you have called "Home." ELIX. Oh! father, have mercy! FOX'T. I disown you. (\o mingle with the scum of the street. Sink down in the depths of crime. Xever darken my door again. Co! for (iod"s sake, go! WAL. Give me time to prove it for I swear that I am innocent. FOXT. Xot another word, lest the lie choke you, this is indeed a day of ruin and disgrace for the honored name of Fontleroy. ELIX. Oh! Father, father, hear me! FOX'T. (To Elinor.) Xot another word. (To Walter.) Go I tell you. leave my sight! WAL. I am going father, but you will live to see the day that you will regret not having given me the chance to prove my innocence and regret the day you branded one of your own a criminal! ELTN. Oh! Mj God! (Phe faints.) JAIMES. (Catches Elinor.) Stay where you are, Walter, face the accusation, and hand in hand and heart to heart, we'll run the thief to /• i-aitli! ^[ORLAXD. And pniy whom do you think tlu' thid? .1A.M1*'S. A iiuin l)y tlie name of Cranston I PICTURE. cuiriAix. "SLAVE OF THE MILL." ACT II. SCKXE. — Full Stago. — Pickot feiioi' across staj^c. ^att' coiilcr, nuidcst hut jirotty C'ottajio. Exterior with porch, and steps up and down L. Porch posts are entwined with iuorninf>' {.dories. Set tree, R. of C. Garden bench under tree. Drop showin)uble (^uiek, for'd march! (Exits at gate C. and R. Sound of organ off L. Kitty runs lo gate. Looks L. Enter from cottage door L. 2 Iv little Mary.) MARY. (Runs to Kitty.) Oh! Kitty an organ, an oigan! KITTY. Yes dear and it's coming this way! 31ARY. (Dances and claps jier hands.) Oli. I'm so glad. Cm so glad! (Music nearer, and enter L. back of fence Danzetta and Lano, playing organ Lano. \\'hen they reach gate music stops.) DANA, (('a/.ing wrajjtly at ]^Iarv.) ^^'llo ;ire you my cliild. wlio are yon? ^lARY. 1 am Mary Fontieroy, and 1 was listening to the music. (Points to Lano.) ^Vhat^s the matter with the poor man can't he see? DAXA. Xo. no. he cann-a not-a see. He iss-a blind. ;MARY. Blind, poor old man, isn't Ibiit too bad, run Kitty and look in my little bank, and you will find some pennies, I want to give them to the poor blind man. KITTY. Bless your little heart, and so I will! (Kitty exits cot- tage door. L. 2 E. Every second of tiie time Donazetta is gazing wraptly at Iviary.) ]MARY. (Goes to Lano, Avho has set organ down, Mary takes his aanu. ) Come poor man. you must be tired, come and sit down. T w^ ■ Hy.) Datta voice, datta voice, itta sounds like-a de voice-a of-a de Danazetta, when-a she-a leettil-a babe. DAXA. (Clasping hands.) Do-a you tink-a so my-a Fadd. do-a you-a tink-a so? LAXO. De voice of-a de-a child tak-a me back to-a de Itallie! To-a de home of-a your-a childa hood. ^lARY. Come on poor old man, come on and sit down. (Leads LanO to bench and seats him.) Xow then, wait right there until I come back, will you? LAXO. Se-se I will-a wait! MARY. Promi.«e n e? LAXO. Se- se- I promise-a yon. MARY. Cross your heart? LAXO. Se. I cross-a my heart a. (Does so.) MARY. All right, I won't be long! (Exits door cottage. Danazetta stands looking at door, hands clasped, as in a dream.) 20. LAXO. Donazetta? DANA. Yes, yes! LANO. 1 getta vair old-a man, eli ! Donazetta? DANA. Yes, yes, vair old, vair old. (Abstractly looking at door.) LANO. C"oni-a here Donazetta! (Danazetta conies to iiiiu, kneels liy liini.) Wliy-a you no getta marry, Danazetta, I lik-a de lil ehild-a lik-a dat to-a com-a to me, atta de night, wlien-a I com-a honie. DAXA. -(Shrinks away.) I never dare tella lieem, lie kill-a me, so. (illustrates as though stabbing.) LAXO. (Turns, stares blindly.) Wliat-a you-a say, DonazetteV ])ANA. (Constrained.) I-a say, 1 canna not leav-a you. LANO. You-a need-a not leav-a me. 1 can-a liv-a wid yon. 1 gott-a some mon, de peop-a pity de blind. (Enter cottage door, ^lary canying glass of water.) ]MARY. Here poor man, is a glass of water, you must be thirsty! LANO. (Takes it.) Grat-a giat-a. :\1ARY. ^^■hat did you say? LAXO. Thank you thank you. (He drinks.) MARY. Oh, you're welcome. (Takes glass, turns to Danazetta.) Do you want some too ? DANA. No. no, I no-a want soni, I no-a want nuttin'. (Truing aside.) I-a only want to die, to die. (She sobs. Enter cottage door, L. 2, E. Kitty.) -vITTY. (To Mary.) Here's your little bank, dearie, my but I had a time finding it ! ^lARY. (Takes toy bank.) Thank j'ou, Kitty excuse me for not telling you where it was. (Opens bank, empties it, holds out handful of pennies.) Here you are, poor man, all I have. LAXO. (Oesturing her away.) Orat-a, giat-a, I-a no want-a your pennies. MARY. Oh! Please take them! \] LAXO. Xo. no, I no-a want-a dem. MARY. All right then. (Mary looks at Donnazetta who is turned away, puts finger to mouth, silencing Kitty, tip toes over and puts pen- nies in Lano's pocket.) LAXO. (Rises.) Com' Donnazetta, we-a go, we-a go. DON. (Comes to Lano.) Se, se, Ave-a go. (Looking at Mary, Donnazetta leads Lano to gate, suddenly sobs, runs, kneels, kisses the hem of Mary's dress. Rises takes Lano's hand, who has lifted organ, and they exit off R. James and Elinor enter cottage door L. 2.) ELIN. Oh, here you are, Mary, auntie missed you. MARY. There was a poor blind man, here and a lady who cried 21. iiiid i gave liiai my pomiies. ELIN. (I'ats Mary's licad and kisses iier.) And thai was li^lit, dear. (Lifts one of Mary's liands.) P>ul oh, my, what ilirty hands yon have, Kitty. KiTTV. Ves. Miss Elinor. ELIXOK. 'I'ake Mary in, and wash her hands. KITTY. Yes, Miss Elinor. Come Mary. .MARY. All right. (Xing with Kitty to steps of porch.) But if you'd been making mud pies in the back yard, you'd have dirty hands too. (Exit Kitty leading Mary cottage door J^. 2. K.) ELIX. (To James.) Must you go so soon, James? JAMP]S. (Laughs.) So soon, and pray Miss Stingy, do you call tliis soon, \\hy I should have been over to the mills long ago, and if you are going to keep me away so long every lunch hour, I shall have to take my luncheon in a basket, or bucket like the rest of the boys. Remember the new owners \\ho kept me over, after the sale, don't know me very well yet! ELIN. But there's a difference, dear, the rest of the boys are not just married and settled down, to their honeymoon in a, (Looks at it,) dear cozy delightful darling little cottage like or.rs. JAMES. And you like it Elinor, this our modest little home, you who have been surrounded all your life by luxury, are you satisfied here, as a working man's \\ife? ELIX. Y'ou ought to be whipped for asking me such a question. What was all the luxury, what were all the big rooms, and tapestried wall, without you in them, dear? JAMES. (Kisses her.) God bless you Elinor, C4od has indeed been good to me in giving me your priceless love, in giving me such a loyal wife. ELIX. And giving me the one man I loved in all the world, you speak of oxu' modest surroundings. Did not you spend every dollar you had in the world, that awfvd day to save my father from ruin? JA^MES. (Reprovingly.) Remember our bargain, you were never to mention that! ELIX. Poor father, it nearly killed him, when the mills were sold to strangers and, his fortune lost, besides his only son. JAMES. Poor Walter, I wonder Avhere the boy is ? I tried my best to comfort him, biit he would not stand it to have his own father think him a thief, and he took to drink, in which Morland Cranston aided him at every opportunity. ELIX. The very mention of that scoundrel's name chills me to the heart. I wonder where he is? JAMES. Nobody seems to know, in Europe like as not. I made it pretty warai for him, if you remember, and he skipped out. (Enter gate C. L. Gilbert Fontleroy haggard and v.orn. Silas enters C. R. with 22. baskets and exits back of lioiise L.) (Heartily) How arc vou fatlicrY I'm so .^lad you liave called. (Molds out hand.) n1 to prison, wlieie yon belong! MORI.AXD. Go right along sir, you've got to prove v.hat you say. (^lorland steps aside. Enter C. R. Donnazetta she watches.) . And I can prove it. you Judas: the books themselves tell the story. ((iilbert is about to cross ^lorland, when ^lorland throttles him, and pulling a knife stabs him to the heart, .Morland drops knife, places his hand o\ev his month, holds him up, whirls him slowly around and sets him on bench, propped up against tree. Exit C. R. Donnazetta, Mor- !-:.(' looks all about, pulls handkerchief, vcipes off his hands. Picks up knife, looks at it. places it stage C. walks to gate, looks up and down, returns, picks up knife, goes sits by Gilbert's body, takes out penknife, begins to carve on handle of knife, looks at Gilbert, takes his handker- chief and liangs it so as to cover Gilbert's face. Resumes carving cooly, shuts knife, puts it in his pocket, looks at big knife, critically.) .MORLAXD. (Looks out R. 2. E.) Stay where you are. Steel: keep watch and warn me if anyone ccmes. (Looks at knife.) XA'. F. — "\^'. F. \X'alter Fontleroy, a splendid calling card, after his threat in her ]iresence, to kill liis father. (Lays knife stage C, goes to gate, looks R. Runs and exits R. 2. E. Enter James C. R.) JAMES. (At gate.) I wonder where Elinor is, the idea of my going to the juills and forgetting the key to my tool box, won't she laugh at me. when T get in there! (He does not notice Gilbert, laughs, and exits cottage door L. 2. E. Enter staggering C. R. Walter, he stag- gers C. sees Gilbert.) X^'AL. He's asleep, poor old dad, asleep, see here dad. I'm sorry T am. that I talked the way I did a while ago; I was thinking it all over, 25- down tht'ie ami 1 was mad, lail tlun I tlum-^lit of luotlici-. and liow \()ii used to bring- lis, Nell and me, cur Christmas toys, and I tuiucd around and came bacl<, I'll own up dail. 1 stopped and liad a i'oui)lc of 'ou cinched. Kitty — you are now and henceforth my very own kitten! ! KITTY. (Grabs Si, shakes him.) Yes, and a kitten who will scratch your eyes out if you don'^t tell me this instant what you mean — we women — can stand almost anything, but in this case patience has ceased to be a virtue and you'll tell me or I'll shake you until your teeth fall out! ! (Shakes him.) SI. Let me loose. Kitty, let me loose and I'll tell you. IvlTTY. (Loosens him.) Well, what is it? What is it? SI. (Strikes pose.) Kitty, I've joined the army! ! KITTY. (Admiringly.) Si — you don't mean it. SI. (Loftily.) Oil! But I do! ! KITTY. Joined tlie army — for love of nie. SI. That's just wliat. Kitty, that's just what. KITTY. (Delighted.) Oh! Silas. How noble— how— loyal— how perfectly lovely you are — now that's something like — and \\hen do yon get your uniform? SI. (Posing.) Ciot it on now, underneath this coat. KITTY. (Drawing in breath .idmii i?igly.) Xo! You don't mean it. Si? SI. (Loftily.) Oh, but I do. KITTY. Do you really? KITTY. And — and nmy I see it? SI. To be certainly I do. SI. I su])pose you're satisfied now that I love you. KlTTi. ilaj' be so — I won't Idl you until I sec youi- uiiirdiin. SI. (Loftily.) You'd liave nouo hui :i brave nuui Kitty- is that li.ylit ■.' K['^'i'^". (Vitainly it's rij^'iit, if a girl can't jiick tlic kind nf a man slic wants for a luisband. sjie's in a bad fix indeed. Si. Could a man do nuirc tu eouvince a woiuau tlian to join tlic army '.' Kl'ITV. Not mucli Si. SI. WVil, I yuess not much — think of the risk a man runs — nuiy be have to go right up and face the cannon's mouth or fight hand to hand Mith swords or face to face with the enemy — and use tlu' butt of his mus- ket to save his life at short range — range — KITTY. That's so Si and you have done all of this for me? SI. To be certainly — I liave — I'm not afraid. KITTY. ]^)Ut tlie uniform, Si dear. I'm just dying to see it. SI. \\o\l turn your back and I will show it to you — Init wait until ] cou.iit tliree before you look — 1 don"t want to shock you too suddent — you know. KITTY. All right Si, but hurry. Sr. Xow wait!! (Reaches under coat and slaps on a cap whips off coat.) One — two — three — look!! (Si stands in full uniform of Salvation army. Si. poses.) (Kitty holds her sides and shrieks with laughter.) \\'hat you gigglin' at? KITTY. (Pretends to cry) I'm not giggling — I — I — I'm crying. SI. ^^'ell what you cryin' about ? KrrTY. (Sniffling) Oh! The dangers — those awful — awful dan- gers you will have to face — those cannons. The fierce enemy — the clubbed muskets — (laughs holding her sides) In the Salvation Army. SI. And don't yon love me? Hain't you goin' to marry me? KrrTY. Xo sir. I told you a while ago that I wouldn't marry you, if you wei'e gold — and I won't. SI. But I'm not gold Kitty. KITTY. Oh yes you are. You're a gold brick!! SI. A gold brick? KITTY. Yes, but don't you take me for a hay seed — th.ere's noth- ing doing Si. 'Jliere's nothing doing. (Scornfully) Joined the army, in- deed — go back to the army — shoulder arms, pick up your tambourine or your base drum, and charge!! Silas charge!! (Laughs and exits L.I.E.) SI. Kitt^', Kitty come back, come back! ! Don't leave me here alone in the dark! ! (Runs and exits L. L E. calling) Kitty! ! Kitty! ! (Lntil lost in the distance) Enter R. I. L. Morland fillowed by Donna^etta.) ^lOR. I won't have it Donnazetta, you may as well know it once for all, I will not have you following me about like a spy. 28. DON. Is-a itta a wronj^- for-a wife to follow -a hrr Imsliaiid Mor- ]an — you-a proniise-a iiic to conic — but you iicNcr-a do-a datt Morlan. You-a never-a come!! MOR. Donriazetta you uuist luulcistand tliat 1 lia\c otlicr things to do than to dance attendance upon you. J)OX. l?ut-a you never-a com — Moilan — you never-a com. .MOR. Oh! For Heavens sake don't whine, don't wiiine— ^it annoys me! I)()X. I5utta I love-a you Morhuid — you-a are-a de fadder of my-a diild. MOR. (Crossly) Oh! 1 know that without heinji' reminded of it every moment in the day. DOX. Denna why don't-a you letta me tell-a my Fadd: you will-a do dat Morlan? MOR. Xo I'll not "letta" you do anything of the kind, and youM Letter not tell him anything about us, unless you want him to kill you!! DOX. My-a Fadd he no-a kill me for-a datt I marry you. MOR. You might as well know it now as any other time, yon are not my wife and never were. DOX. Xotta your wife-a Morlan. ^Vhy-a you joke — de good-a Priest in-a de Itallie — ^lOR. Was a friend of mine disguised — we were never married. 1 tell you so, now cease annoying me. Go your way hereafter and I will go mine. (Don stands staring at Mor like a stricken soul but utters no soiuid.) Well!! AVhat are you staving at? Don't be a fool — but go away and don't annoy me — I have business to attend to. (He starts for L.l E.) DOX". :\[orlan! Morlan ^lOR. (Stops) Don't annoy me I say I'm done with you forever — so he gone!! (Starts L) DOX. Wait IMorlan Cranston — you-a are walk — to your death. MOR. (Tmns quickly) What's that? DOX. I-a see-a you kill-a de old-a man!! MOR. (Between his teeth.) What did you say? DOX. I-a see-a you kill-a de old-a man!! Den — cutta de knife — De-a name — on-a de knife — (Pleading) Y"ou not-a leave-a me lik-a datt IMorlan. You-a not-a leav-a de Donnazetta — for-a datt her heart-a shall break!! — I-a no-a tell-a anyone — I-a no-a tell — you-a de Fadder of-a my child. ^lOR. Forgive me Donnazetta for l>eing cross a while back. I have i^njjortant business on hand to-night and take my word for it dear — trust me just one more time and I will come to you Donnazetta — keep my secret and I'll marry you fa'ir and square — will yo do it? DOX. De-a woman she-a die for-a de man — she-a love Morlan. MOR. Then go back liome and leave me for tonight. I will do 29. rii;lit 1>\- villi and if I ddu'l ymi may '^n in the |P(ilici' and tell lliciii all you know, see Dnimazi'tta yoi" Imld my life in your kfcpinji-,, so you can trust inc. I)()X. I-a j;-o .Moilan. 1-a j;<) and-a wait 1-a wait for-a you, for-a you, foi-a dc man 1-a love!! (Kxit Don IJ. 1. E.) MOK. ( kooks al'lcr lici) So my Italian beauty — I was walking' to my death was 1 — and you are walking- to yours — go right along loving ine — my (h'arest and one of these nights your dead body will l)e found floating in the ri\-er, you and your brat together — for if you do not kiinw th.at Mary adopted by Elinor Brandon and our precious daughter are one and the same I do and so would you if you only had sense enough to go to tlie Little Sisters of the Poor and find out — go on loving me I say — and your precious love will be the death of you. (Dog howl in distance L. Enter L.l E. Steel. He looks behind him fearfully and is frightened. Steel is doubled by (iilbert.) Well here you are — and what's the matter with you? You're trembling like a leaf. STEEL. There's no use talkin' pard — 'we'd better call to-night's work oft' and that's all there is to it. MOR. Call it oflf after we have it all planned out and why? STEEL. Didn't you here that dog howl out theve just now ? iJOR. jNIorgan Steel you are a superstitious ass — and that's all there is to it ! ! STEEL. WeW mebbe I am and mebbe I'm not, but I tell yoTi I believe in signs MOR. What signs? STEEL. Plenty of them. I passed a oros^-eyed nigger down by the railroad track and that in itself is enough to Hoodoo a man for a month, let alone the rest. :\IOR. What rest ? STEETj. I was blocked by a frieghtHrain dowu at th.e orossin' and when it sto])])ed the number of the car opposite me Xo. 13,1L3 was staring me in the face. MOR. Well, Avhat of it? STEEL. A howling dog — a cross eyed nigger and L3.n3 all in one night and you've got the nerve to stand up there and ask me what of it. I tell you Cranston we'd lietter call the deal off for to-night or we'll get the worst of it just as sure as fate! ^lOR. See here Steel Lin l)eginning to think you'ie a coward a d d sneaking coward. STh]El . (Fiercely) Who says Pm a coward, don't you do it — or I'll sliow you (unck! 3iI()R. Well let it go at that — but listen a moment to me — STEEL. Well go on ! ! !MOR. We stand here this minute with long teiMS in prison ftaiing 30- US ill tlic face — as I am .niiilly ol' wi-ll nvc IhiHi kimw m' wliai vr '.re uuilty. Jim Brandon has dovotod every si)are nioiiieiil tn daciiiL; mir erinies to us — is that correct? STEEL, ^■(•u know it is why asl< iiUc inicst ions? M()]\. He is onr hitter ini|i!acahl(' cnciiiy and will ii;'\c ■ ^<''\) until he lias us laiHh'(L STEEL. Well? ;\I()R. i'.y tlie hest of luck he has liceii )>laciMl at ih- licad nf tlh' iiii^ht shit't — and at a certain hour — is virtually ahme in the mills i(ii w ,i"U the rest of tlie men take their niidni<^ht lunch and ^o to Sasey's saloon to eat it and take their lialf hour off he will not leave the j)hint. STEEL, ^^'ell. 1 know all of that,— tell me sonietliin^' new. ^lOR. I sini]dy wanted to remind you — that these l)ei.ii>- tli-^ lac's — ■we can put him out of the way — and make it apjiear as an accident. STEEL. An accident how ? ]\JOR. 'S'ou know that they are to have a run of piii iron to-ni^'ir. STEEL. \\\A\ ? ]\[0R. "Wliat is easier than for you to refuse to ,i;'o to ^'luch-me to disguise as one of the men, knock liim in the head and by o]:iening the cnpohi. door — let the melted iron run over his cursed body and \ry liim to death: we escape — the other men return and he is found accidentally dead! STEEL. Accidentally? Oh! That's different — Fade away — Mov.iing dog — back to the woods, cross eyed nigger — to the Round House fo<- ^nui' car 13.113. T am your mutton Mister Cranston — will you join me in a snifter before you don your working chitlies? ]MOR. Tlumk you, I don't caie if I do. STEEL. Tlien come I'ight along and we'll sample Casey's best! ^ilOR. Thank you ^Morgan, you are very kind. ( Exif Mor. and Steel t. 1 ]•:.) (DARK CHANCE.) S( EXE 2: — Fly the drop in one. Lights up and discover intbrior of foun- dry thus: Boxed — Large double doors at R. 2 E. small half nzed — as to height door at L. 3*E. up stage C. a cupola — large made to imitate iron 'and riveted on top of this laige red glow show n and effect as of heat assisted by stereoptican to produce effect as though cupola was open at top and filled with boiling iro^i — Lai'ge firebox under cupola to contain glow as if containing fire-^^about six inches im bottom of cupola an oval door with latch as to o])en and dis- charge the melted iron — almost black floor cloth on stage and some piles of moulders' sand shovels model frames etc. Men in red flan- nel shirts, overalls, etc. — all busy working at rise, James A\it]i them as foremaa. The scene is semi-dark and there are frequent flashes of fire from top of cupola and at fire box 'when opened and furnaces left.. Flat entire left re])resents two immense furnaces with large riveted iion doors to open and show glows of heat. An original .31- scene to the stage so far as tlic recollection of the writer goes. At change enter Si and Kitty. Double doors R. 2 E. SI. Say not so Kitty my Kit — I mean my Cat. KITTY. How dare you call nie a cat. Now tliat does settle it. SI. I didn't mean it Katty, I mean Kit — Kitty. I mean Katty — (ill! you've got uu- so lattk'd that 1 don't know my own iiainc, let aloiif yours. KITTY. Don't you ever speak to nie again Silas Doolittlo. go hack to the Salvation Army and save your life, for if you botluT me any more I'll scratch you to death, me a oat indeed. .JAMES. (Who lias been working, comes lo tiicm.) How, here wliat's tliis all about? (Togetlier) KITTY. A\'liy he— SI. Why she— (Together) KITTY. Why Si— SI. Why Kitty— •TAMES. (Laughs) Here, here one at a time — now Kitty you tell nu\ KITTY'. There's nothing to tell — I'm forever done with him that's all. SI. Hear tluit Mister Brandon — I am doomed. KITTY. (Handing lunch basket to .James) Here's your luncli ]\!r. ]?randon and I'm going back home. JAMES. Had Mrs. Brandon returned before you left Kitty? KITTY. Xo sir, not yet!! SI. (To Kitty) Kitty, can't I see jou home? KITTY. Xo sir ! The idea of wanting to see me home and all vour enemies to see you in full uniform and to begin firing those muskets, can- nons, batteries and dynamite bombs at you — expose my life by being seen with so brave a soldier as you are, well I guess not!! (Laughs, and ex- its doidde doors R. 2 E.) SI. Oh! Kitty. Kitty don't leave me behind with a bubbling blister- ing breaking heart. Wait Kitty, Wait!! (Exits double doors R. 2 E. •lames looks after them and laughs.) •TAAIES. Poor Silas, your course of true love is rough indeed. (Workmen every now and then open doors a nd show glows and shovel coal etc. etc. Enter doors R. 2 E. Elinor and Mary, Elinor in mourning.) Elinor my wife, what are you doing here? ELIXOR. Our train was late dear — and as it was on the way home I thought I'd drop in to see you for a few moments. I could not wait to see you, my lieart is full to bin-sting. (Sobs.) .TA]\IES. (Embraces her) Yes! Yes! Sweetheart I know — I know, and how was he, hoM- was Walter? ELIXOR. Hopeless, hopeless, .James, hopeless and heartbroken, the 32. ^^ lawyer you engiigvd to (lofoiul liiui cullctl to x'c liiin to-day and told him it was only fair to warn him tiiat lie was in a dangerous fix and to prc- l)are for the worst, that he felt certain that he must be convicted. .lA.MES. Poor Walter, poor hoy, it is indeed awful and altliough I have devoted every s])are moment to trying to discover the slightest clue to his innocence 1 have failed, ignominiuosly failed. KLINOR. And I am helpless, helpless. I asked the lawyer to-day and he told me that as the District Attorney had subpoenaed me that I would be compelled to testify under oath that I heard Walter threaten to kill Father, think of it .lanu>s tliink of it my (lod isn't it awful tliat I must help to swear away the life of my only brother? 1 sliall go mad. 1 know 1 shall. .1A1ME8. You must not go on like that Eliuoi', you will bring your- self to illness. Be brave little wife be brave, I had a praying mother, Eli- nor, an old fashioned mother who is resting now on the very steps of God's big white throne, she prayed and believed, and I have been praying and believing, that Almighty God in his mercy would make me the means of ])roving Walter innocent, and I believe He's going to do it. (^lary who has been wandering around looking at the men work comes down.) ^lARY. Oh! Uncle Jim, Uncle Jim, Auntie took me to see Uncle \\'alter and he's in a big cage — what is he there for Uncle Jim ? JAMES. There — there dear — )-un along and look at the men at their work! ! ^lARY. ^-id right. Uncle Jim. (Goes and in childish chant s\\ing- ing her arms) Funny Uncle Walter locked in a cage. Funny Uncle Wal- ter locked in a c a. g e. (Wanders about.) ELIXOR. I cannot, cannot stand it James to testify against my brother, oh, what shall I do, what shall I do? JA!MES. (Eooks about) Listen Elinor before you shall undergo such an ordeal I shall send you secretly away somewhere. ELIXOR. But isn't that against the law dear, since I have been subpoenaed. JA^NIES. Yes it is against the law, but what is all the law in the Morld compared to your life and I believe it would kill you to go on the stand and helj) niindev A'om' bi'other!! ELINOR. :\hnder him? JAMES. Yes, murder him, I tell you the execution of men and women by the law is murder, cold blooded deliberate murder — the human being who kills his fellow man does it in anger or nine times out of ten wiien maddened by whiskey, he at least has the excuse of temporary in- sanity, but the stern, cruel Judge — that Human Hyena of a District At- torney who works coldly, deliberately and ceaselessly to condemn the pris- oner, those twelve men who constitute a jury, when they conspire under tile guise of that thing called law to condemn a fellow human, and do it 33- La*:, (Icliliciatcly. tlicy are. imivderers, cold 1)1ii()(1imI. di'lilicralc iiuirdevfrs, and if tluM-i- is a hell they will <^o to it ami he the I'iist to iiicct the victim they have sent on before tlicni. ELIXOK. .lames, .lames! ! .lAMKS. I lell yon I am ri,L;iil i'^linor. (Jod alone can '/\\c life and (iod alone lias a ri-lit to lake it away!! If yon want to iinni-li a nnin for takiiiii' linman life, lock him np nntil he dies- and there he can do no fnither harm. ELINOR. ]?ut they won't do that witli ^^'alter, hnsband. they will send him to that awfnl, awful chair and strap him in and kill him— the.x' will kill him. I tell yon they will kill my my hrother!! .1AME8. Elinor!! Elinor!! i cannot allow .N'on to ^o on like this, stop it. stop instantly. (Embraces her) There, there dear heart. Be calm. 1)0 calm, for before Walter shall die such a death I will i^ct him the means to cheat them. ELINOR. But why must he die at all. He is innocent 1 tell yon, he is innocent I know it. I can feel it here in m.v poor breaking heart. ( f^obs. ) .TAMES. There, there Elinor, don't despair, don't despair — some- way or other I have hope, I have hope that all will be well, come Elinor let nie take yon part of the way home — I cannot go all of the way — so take this dear, so that if anyone molests yon, you can defend yourself. (Hands her a pistol.) Come dear out the little door, we'll take the short cut. Hurry home dear and take a quieting powder, there are some of those the doctor prescribed left. And lie down and rest yourself. ELINOR. Yes, yes, I am tired, very very tired. JAMES. Come Mary, we're going home. ]NLARY. All right Uncle Jim — and Avhen is Uncle Walter coming — do .vou know ? .JA]MES. Some day Mary — some day. (They are at small door L. 3 E.) ELINOR. And pray Heaven you are right, mj^ husband, and that Walter will come home — some day, some day — for if he does not. 1 am afraid that I'll go with him!! (Exit Elinor, Mary and James small door L. 3 E. Enter doors R. 2 E. Mor. and Steel, Mor disguised as workingnian.) MOR. There they go, it's nearly midnight the men will knock off in a minute for their half hour and then's our chance — He's only going ])art of the way, I stood out there near the door and heard him say so. STEEL. Say Pardner hain't dere no odder wa,j. I chucked 13 with the dice down there twice hand runnin'. MOR. No. there's no other sure way, haven't I told you that Don- nazetta saw me do it and that that kid is hers and mine and that Elinor Brandon has raised her and cared for her, and if Donnazetta ever learns the truth about the kid she'd give me away out of gratitude to them to 34- a certainty. A woniau's love for lier husl)aii(l is one tliiii.L;-, but a iiuitli er's love for her child is quite another — Jim lirandoii will hotiiul us to the chair if he lives, and once dead, I'll soon brin<>- Elinor to Icnns. 1 liavcnt yivcii up in that direction yet. So you see there's no other way. (Whist It- blows out K. Men drop tools and all exit doors R. 2 K.) (Jet up IIutc each of us on one side of tlie door — ^and the niouu'ut he enters knock him senseless and then — JAMES. (Out small door) All right, Ikannigan, I'll attend to it! (Mor and Steel run, one gets one side of small door tiie other on the otlu'r side. James enters small door L. 3 E. Steel strikes him over the head, James staggers turns.) Morland Ci'anston — (Mor hits him on head, so does Steel. James groans and falls.) MOR. (Laughs) Well done Steel, now then lunry before any of them return — ^lielp me carry him over to the cupola. (Steel draws knife raises it over James.) STEEL, ^\•hy not settle him with this, it's quicker!! MOR. No! No! You fool do as I tell you, I want it to appear an accident. STEEL. Oh, all right, but hurry, someone might come. (^lor bending taking James' head and shoulders) MOR. Come on make haste. (Steel takes James' feet and legs and they carry him and lay him in front of the cupola.) That's it, now to open this door — and the melted iron will cook him to a cinder. He came here to open the door, accidentally slipped aud fell and met his death, too bad wasn't it Steel. He was such a nice fellow. (Laughs.) (Puts hand to latch of door.) Now then Jim Brandon yovu' time has come!! (Mor is about to open the door, enter small door L. 3 E. Elinor, she lev- els pi.stol on Morland and Steel.) EL. Move a muscle either one of you and I'll kill you where you stand!!! (Steel starts for Elinor. Enter door L. 3 E. Si and Kitty, they level pistols on Steel and Morland. Enter double doors R. 2 E. two work- ingmen.) PICTURE. CURTAIN. SECOND CURTAIN: Morland and Steel off stage, James and El- inor centre, Elinor holding James head in her lap. Si and Kitty back of Elinor. Group of workingmen looking at Elinor and James. PICTURE. CURTAIN. A SLAVE OF THE MILL. ACT. IV. SCENE: — Night. Interior and exterior cottage 3-4 across stage door at R. 2 E. of cottage opens to yard. Door at L. 2 E. of cottage inside Avindow in flat C. neatly and nicely furnished, table and chairs R. & L. L. of C. with lamp lighted, rocker R. of C. cottage small chairs about ad lib. etc. etc. Picket fence shows across stage at R. back 35- of cottnyi' \V(>(h1 wings K. picket Iciu'e runs u[i and down stage K. Willi gate at K. 2 K. At rise Kitty discovered. K^^'i"^■. (Sings) "in days of old when kuigiits wore hold And harons held their sway A warrioi- Ixdd all dressed in gold Sang merrily his lay My love was young and fair, My love hath golden hair So what care 1 though death lii' nigh For love i li\e and die. So what care I tliough death be nigh For love 1 live and die!! (Enter Si door L. 2 E. wears medal.) My lo\e was young and fair lied as a rose his hair. Si. (Loftily) Oh! is that you Jvitty — what are you doing — sing- ing V KITTY. It didn't sound as if I was crying did it Silas? SI. Silas, Silas — who is tliat? You mean yiv. Doolittle don't youV KH'TY. (Ih! yes I forgot Mister Doolittle. SI. ^^'eIl I should say: Mister Doolittle sounds very much better coming from a little girl like you. (Sits down and yawns.) Excuse me from further coiiversation now won't you. I am rather enuied with the da\' — and the constant congratulations of my friends. Really it's a bore — a confounded bore to be a hero one scracel}' gets time to attend to one's own business, for such a mob of people insist upon shaking one's hand rer.lly. Miss — INliss — what's your name — oh, yes Kitty — Really Kitty — my right hand and wrist are positively sore tonight — down at the corner the ciowd positively blocked the crossing, gapping at me as I passed. KITTY. (Looking at him in dumb admiration.) Oh! Tell me all about it again Silas — 1 mean Mr. Doolittle; won't you — tliat is if you ]iltase? SI. (Airily.) Ch ! It v,as scarcely — worth mentioning — really — the child fell into the water and — (Loftily clears throat) — I just jumped in and swam to shore with her. (Quickly.) Just like that — that's all. KITTY. And they gave you a medal — oh! Just think of it Si — 1 mean Mr. Doolittle — a medal for being a hero and saving a life. Oh. m.\-. \\ouldn't the lady who marries you be proud to have tliat medal fran;ed and hang in her parlor in a red velvet frame? (Looks livingly at the medal.) SI. (Loftily yawns.) Oh! I dare say. I dare say, she would — but 1 should say it will be ipiite a "numbah of yeahs" before I marry. KITTY. (Shyly.) Oh! Why, Si— I mean Mr. Doolittle— SI. (Airily.) Oh! Because since this slight incident in my career 36. llnM-c are sucli a iiuiiil>ali of girls— offering that it will really (•(iiisuim" :^oiiie considerabK' tiiiic tor ine to "cliose" bi'twecn tliem. KITTY. (Shyly.) I doiiT wish to aijpcar forward Si— 1 mean Mr. Doolittle. but I always kind of thou.uht that you— sort of- kind nf tiiought pretty well of lue. SI. (Yawns.) Hid youV Mow very (nU\. (Properly man nnide np for a sailor sticks his head in window in flat.) SAILOR. Hey mate! ! SI. (Shakes and trend)Ies) \Yho— who'.s that? SATLOR. It's me and if you don't fork over that medal 1 .^ot for savin' that ehild and wliat n'ou hired off'n me. J'll eonie in there and shiver your timbers! ! SI. (Trembling — trying to unjiin medal, but shakes so lie can't.) All right, good ^Nlr. Sailor. I'll give it back to you— in— in— just wait a minute. SAILOR. (To Kitty.) I begs pardon, ^liss, but he hired my medal for one day and has ke])t it two en — I was gettin' nervous about it. (To Si.) Hurry up thar, you Pirate, or I'll send a broadside into you that'll sei\d yon to Davy .Joneses locker. SI. (Loosens medal.) He — he — here it is — (Walks knees knocking togeth.er to window and hands medal to sailor.) SAILOR. Xext time I meet you outside I'm goin' to ram your bow- sprit into flinters and don't you forget it! ! (Exit at Avindow sailor.) (Si collapses Kitty convulsed. Points to Si.) KITTY. Gaze — gaze upon the hero — whose hand is sore from re- ceiving congratulations — Oh, farewell — hero — a long — a fond — a lasting fare— the— well. (Loftily imitating.) Oh! The child fell in and I just jumped in and swam to the shore. (Quickly.) Just like that — that's all. (Kitty laughs tauntingly and exits door L. 2. E.) SI. (Stands looking after her.) I'll bet a horse that my name is mud. she'll never forgive me never! ! But from out the stygian darkness of this me hour of defeat there comes one consolation in that I'd rather 1 e a li^e coward than a dead hero. (Exit Si door R. 2. E. into yard and out gate R. 2. E.) (Enter L. 2. E. door inside ^lary and Elinor.) (Elinor sits at table, !Mary kneels beside her.) MARY. And won't he be back tonight, Auntie? ELINOR. I don't know, dearie — Uncle James has gone to look for tl'ose bad men who tried to kill him, and to see if he can find out any- tliing to help pnov L'ncle AValter. ^lARY. And do you think he Mill, Auntie Elinor. ELIXOR. Oh! 1 don't know my darling— I only know that this suspense is killing me and that my heart is breaking slowly — breaking , hour by houi-. 37- roiii ^FARV. Then why don't you turn to Him, Auntie? ELIXOK. Turn to who, darling? MARV. Don't yon know, dear; Him you vc:ul to me about fi I lie Hij< liook — don't you remember what is said in that book? ELIXOK. (Absently.) Xo darling, Ainitie don't remember wliat you mean. MARY. I mean where it says— that whieli you taught me so that I know it by heart. ELINOR. And what was that, Mary? ^NIARV. "And whatsoever ye shall ask in ^ly name, tliat will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son." ELINOR. How am [ reminded to have faith in my prayers by the lips of a little child — it seems like a benediction from the steps of the throne. You are right, Mary, I shall pray again and again as I liavc been praying and I shall have faith. MARY. [(Yawns.) I'm sleepy, Auntie — ELINOR. Yes, It's time for you to go to bed — come say your pray- ers. ^lARY. (Kneels, clasps hands.) All right Auntie — now I lay me — (Enter gate R. 2. E. with bloody forehead Donnazetta, she knocks on door R. 2. E. to house.) DON. Help-a — help-a for-a da pity of Heaven help-a. (Eninor runs to door opens it, enter Donnazetta in terror.) Lock-a de door — quick — quick! ! ELINOR. (Locks door.) ^Vhat's wrong, poor girl — and liow were you hurt? (Calls.) Kitty, Kitty, come quickly. DON. Ett-a was-a heem — ze man I lov-a ett was-a ^lorlan Crans- ton. ELINOR. Morland Cranston. DON. Se — se — he chok-a me — he — strike-a me in-a de dark. 1-a fall lie tink-a I been dead. He-a kick-a me wid his-a foot — and-a laugh-a at me — (Sobs.) And-a I lov-a him so — I lov-a him so. (Enter Kitty L. 2. E. door.) ELINOR. Bring some warm water and a t owel, Kitty, as quiekl as yon can. KITTY. Y^es, Miss Elinor. (She exits to L. 2, E.) ELINOR. Morland Cranston — where is he? DON. Out-a dere — in-a de dark — sam-a place — he-a hide. ELINOR. And I am liere virtually alone — it is dangerous — danger- ous. He tried to kill my husband only a few nights ago in the mill. DON. He-a — is-a a fiend-a — ELINOR. Yes. a fiend without mercy. (Enter door L. 2. E. with llo^\ 1 of water and towel Kitty.) (Elinor bathes Don's wound and wipes it.) There now, you will soon feel better — ^^and he shall not harm you — we are licii' iiliiiu' but thank Ifcavcii my IuisIkukI left inc liis revolver- ami — (Opens table drawer, takes il out, hiy.s it on table.) I have it here, ami if Morlaiid Cranston dares to molest us I will kill him without mercy! ! What is your name my poor girl? DOX. Donnazetta— (Kisses Elinor's hand)— gratia— gratia— you-a so-a good-a to me! ! • ELINOR. Donnazetta, how strange, how strange! ! (Kitty exits witli bowl and towel door L. 2. E.) DOX. De-a nam you-a mean de-a nam. ELIXOR. X'^o. it is not that— but that is Mary's real name— when I got her fro mthe TJttle Sisters of the Poor there was a card and written on it were tliese words — "Her name is Donnazetta." DOX. {With the cry of a soul overjoyed runs and embraces Mary.) Siie-a is-a mine — she-a is-a mine — my-a Donazett — I tak-a her to-a de— i.ittle-a Sist, 1 writ-a de card: She-a is-a mine! ! (^Veeps and kisses Mary,) MARY. What does the poor lady mean. Auntie — she was here with the blind man that day and slie kissed my dress — WHAT does she mean? EMXOR. She means — DOX"". (Rising, to Elinor.) X^'o — no! ! (To Mary, slowly as thougli every \\oid was killing her.) I-a mean-a nuttin — I-a mak-a de meestake — de-a man hitta me on-a de head — I-a go crazed — I-a know-a not-a what-a I say — I-a only a poor-a girl — here-a you-a have everything, everything. I-a make-a de beeg meestake — your-a your-a. mudd (Sobs.) er iss dead! ! (Sinks to knees sobbing.) ELIXOR. (To INIary.) Come, dear, finish your prayer and go to bed. ]MAIIY. All right. Auntie! (Elinor sits and Mary kneels at her knee.) DOX. (Rises.) Xo-a no! ! (Sits.) Here-a at-a my knee — just-a de once — just-a de one-a time! ! ELINOR. Co say your prayer at the poor lady's knee tonight dear. ^lARY. All right! (Mary goes kneels at Donazetta's knee.) Xow I lay me down to sleep, I pvay the Lord my soul to keep; If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take." And God bless Auntie — and my L'ncle Jim — and Si — and Kittj' — Amen. (Goes to rise.) DON. Xo-a no, nott-a yet — say-a (Jod bless-a my-a mudder justa diss-a one-a time — won't-a you for-a me? ELINOR. Say it dear for the poor lady. ilARY. And God bless my mother — my poor mother who is dead! ! amen! ! (She rises, goes to Elinor. Don kneels arms outstretched to ^lary.) Good night. Auntie — (Kisses Elinor), and may I kiss the lady good night. Auntie — I am so sorry for her. ELIXOR. Yes, darling. 70. s (Kilter Kitty door L. 2. E.) MARY. (To Don. kissos licr.) (iood iiiulit. lady— and (iod bless your little j;irl if you have one! ! (Don \veo[)s.) KLINOK. Kitty, take ■Mary and put lier to bed. KITTY. Yes, :Miss Elinor. (Exit Kitty and Mary. Don stands staring- after them, crosses herself, kneels, poses looking ui)\vard mutely.) I'^LlXOll. Poor giv\, poor wounded woman — why have you denied \oiir cliildr 1 should not keep her from you. (^rorland shows at window.) DON". (Risinii. ) It-a is-a iiot-a dat— Tt-a is — thit I oanna not tell-a her wlio-a her fadder is — but-a you — you-a have-a cared foi-a licr — you-a hav-a shelter her-for-a you I sha11-a rh) -son,atinranie your price, Sir, and 1 will ])ay it even tliough it takes this home, which my luisljund ])ut iu my name 1 will give you every- tliing, everything 1 possess. :M0RLAND. That is it— I want you— ELINOR. :Me! ! (Angrily.) Wliat do you mean, sir? IMORLAXD. That if you will leave here tonight now, and go with uie, to be mine all mine, that I will not appsar against your brother tliat 1 cannot do so — for I will be far away with you! ! What is your answer? ELIX'OR. You beast, you Judas to enter an honest man's home and insult his helpless wife in his absence — let my brother die if he must — I'd rather place him in that chair myself and die beside him than to pollute my soul by contact with such as you! ! STEEL. (To Mor.) I told you so! ! ]\iORLAXD. And I told you that Jim Brandon was miles away, and that if she \\ould not come quietly we would take her by force. Get ready (Steel and ]Morland start for Elinor. Like a flash Jim smashes in window, stands with brace of pistols pointed at Steel and Morland.) (Kitty enters L. 2. E.) JAMES. Yes, get leady to die if you dare ot move an inch! ! (Calls.) All right, boys. FIIXOR. James, my husband — thank God! ! (Four working men followed by Lano enter R. 2. E. ) JAMES. Si, go unlock that door! ! (Si does so. AVorking men n"rh in and disarm Steel and ]\Iorland. James steps through window still holding revolvers, Elinor runs into James' arms still outstretched.) It's been a long chase, Cranston, but I've landed you at last, and when Walter is tried for murder tomorrow you will be held for attempting my life! ! 'TRTAXD. Indeed, you'll have to prove the charge — I'm willing to run the risk, JAMES. Someone unloose that poor girl — (Points to Donnazetta. Si and Kitty do so.) (To ^Morland.) Oh! I'll prove it all right, and see you landed in prison where you belong. MORLAX'D. And give me all the better chance to see your precious brother-in-law die, eh ? DOX. Xo! ! He-a shall-a not die for-a I saw-a you kill-a de old-a man my-a self! ! 41. MORLAND. D— n you, you have betrayed me! ! (Stops suddenly, slaps his hand over his mouth.) JAMES. No, Morland Cranston, you have betrayed yourself!!! Witness everybody that he is guilty of tlu- murder! ! Elinor, do you hear. Walter will be home tomorrow ! ! DON. You-a ruin-a me— you-a try-a to kill-a mo— now-a go-a to your-a death!! (Morland breaks away from men.) MORLAND. Oiu-se you— I did do it and I'll kill you too— help uw. Steel, as you helped me kill the old man! ! (Lano with a wild cry, gropes blindly and fastens onto ilorland's throat and bears him down.) LANO. Ta-a da hell— tola de— hell— to-a de hell!! ELINOR. James, stop him, stop him— let the law take its course. (James and one of the men try to break Lano's hold but cannot, Lano stands like a statute fastened onto Morland's throat.) LANO. (Looks up.) Madre Mariea!! (He pitches forward over Morland's body. Donnazetta kneels, examines them, crosses herself.) DON. It-a is-a de-a end— dey-a both dead and-a I am alone! ! ELINOR. No, Donazetta; for you shall live here with us and your child. JAMES. (Points to Steel.) Take him away, boys; you all heard Cranston say he was giiilty as accessory. Justic3, Elinor— Justice at last;; ELINOR. (Points to ]\Iorland and Lano.) But see my husband, the awful price. JAMES. (Reverently.) The Book is right, my Sweetheart— "The wages of sin is death! !" PICTURE. CURTAIN. 42. lllliEimillll °^ CONGRESS 018 378 119 4