diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-22 23:55:48 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-22 23:55:48 -0800 |
| commit | 35169b424afa7fecc17744a5cb0690ef3c557c58 (patch) | |
| tree | 8eda856b4b252d3f63b16594af14824bc7c89bae | |
| parent | be7fc67f5f8a20b7633be432859653ed50d15e74 (diff) | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/65519-0.txt | 2783 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/65519-0.zip | bin | 44573 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/65519-h.zip | bin | 76526 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/65519-h/65519-h.htm | 3548 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/65519-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 30875 -> 0 bytes |
8 files changed, 17 insertions, 6331 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6295652 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #65519 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/65519) diff --git a/old/65519-0.txt b/old/65519-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 63b72ad..0000000 --- a/old/65519-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2783 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Escape, by William Wells Brown - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The Escape - Or, A Leap For Freedom - -Author: William Wells Brown - -Release Date: June 5, 2021 [eBook #65519] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Nick Wall and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at - https://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from scanned - images of public domain material from the Google Books - project.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ESCAPE *** - - - - - - THE - ESCAPE; - OR, - A LEAP FOR FREEDOM. - - A Drama, - IN FIVE ACTS. - - BY WILLIAM WELLS BROWN, - AUTHOR OF “CLOTEL,” “SKETCHES OF PLACES AND PEOPLE ABROAD,” ETC. - - “Look on this picture, and on this.”—HAMLET. - - BOSTON: - R. F. WALLCUT, 21 CORNHILL. - 1858. - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year eighteen - hundred and fifty-eight, - BY WILLIAM WELLS BROWN, - In the Clerk’s office of the District Court for the District of - Massachusetts. - - BOSTON: - J. B. YERRINTON AND SON, - PRINTERS. - - - - -AUTHOR’S PREFACE. - - -This play was written for my own amusement, and not with the remotest -thought that it would ever be seen by the public eye. I read it -privately, however, to a circle of my friends, and through them was -invited to read it before a Literary Society. Since then, the Drama has -been given in various parts of the country. By the earnest solicitation -of some in whose judgment I have the greatest confidence, I now present -it in a printed form to the public. As I never aspired to be a dramatist, -I ask no favor for it, and have little or no solicitude for its fate. -If it is not readable, no word of mine can make it so; if it is, to ask -favor for it would be needless. - -The main features in the Drama are true. GLEN and MELINDA are actual -characters, and still reside in Canada. Many of the incidents were drawn -from my own experience of eighteen years at the South. The marriage -ceremony, as performed in the second act, is still adhered to in many of -the Southern States, especially in the farming districts. - -The ignorance of the slave, as seen in the case of “BIG SALLY,” is common -wherever chattel slavery exists. The difficulties created in the domestic -circle by the presence of beautiful slave women, as found in DR. GAINES’S -family, is well understood by all who have ever visited the valley of the -Mississippi. - -The play, no doubt, abounds in defects, but as I was born in slavery, and -never had a day’s schooling in my life, I owe the public no apology for -errors. - - W. W. B. - - - - -CHARACTERS REPRESENTED. - - - DR. GAINES, _proprietor of the farm at Muddy Creek_. - REV. JOHN PINCHEN, _a clergyman_. - DICK WALKER, _a slave speculator_. - MR. WILDMARSH, _neighbor to Dr. Gaines_. - MAJOR MOORE, _a friend of Dr. Gaines_. - MR. WHITE, _a citizen of Massachusetts_. - BILL JENNINGS, _a slave speculator_. - JACOB SCRAGG, _overseer to Dr. Gaines_. - MRS. GAINES, _wife of Dr. Gaines_. - MR. and MRS. NEAL, and DAUGHTER, _Quakers, in Ohio_. - THOMAS, _Mr. Neal’s hired man_. - GLEN, _slave of Mr. Hamilton, brother-in-law of Dr. Gaines_. - CATO, SAM, SAMPEY, MELINDA, DOLLY, SUSAN, and BIG SALLY, _slaves - of Dr. Gaines_. - PETE, NED, and BILL, _slaves_. - OFFICERS, LOUNGERS, BARKEEPER, &c. - - - - -THE ESCAPE. - - - - -ACT I. - - -_Scene 1._—A SITTING-ROOM. - - _MRS. GAINES, looking at some drawings—SAMPEY, a white slave, - stands behind the lady’s chair._ - -_Enter DR. GAINES, R._ - -_Dr. Gaines._ Well, my dear, my practice is steadily increasing. I forgot -to tell you that neighbor Wyman engaged me yesterday as his family -physician; and I hope that the fever and ague, which is now taking hold -of the people, will give me more patients. I see by the New Orleans -papers that the yellow fever is raging there to a fearful extent. Men of -my profession are reaping a harvest in that section this year. I would -that we could have a touch of the yellow fever here, for I think I could -invent a medicine that would cure it. But the yellow fever is a luxury -that we medical men in this climate can’t expect to enjoy; yet we may -hope for the cholera. - -_Mrs. Gaines._ Yes, I would be glad to see it more sickly here, so that -your business might prosper. But we are always unfortunate. Every body -here seems to be in good health, and I am afraid that they’ll keep so. -However, we must hope for the best. We must trust in the Lord. Providence -may possibly send some disease amongst us for our benefit. - -_Enter CATO, R._ - -_Cato._ Mr. Campbell is at de door, massa. - -_Dr. G._ Ask him in, Cato. - -_Enter MR. CAMPBELL, R._ - -_Dr. G._ Good morning, Mr. Campbell. Be seated. - -_Mr. Campbell._ Good morning, doctor. The same to you, Mrs. Gaines. Fine -morning, this. - -_Mrs. G._ Yes, sir; beautiful day. - -_Mr. C._ Well, doctor, I’ve come to engage you for my family physician. I -am tired of Dr. Jones. I’ve lost another very valuable nigger under his -treatment; and, as my old mother used to say, “change of pastures makes -fat calves.” - -_Dr. G._ I shall be most happy to become your doctor. Of course, you want -me to attend to your niggers, as well as to your family? - -_Mr. C._ Certainly, sir. I have twenty-three servants. What will you -charge me by the year? - -_Dr. G._ Of course, you’ll do as my other patients do, send your servants -to me when they are sick, if able to walk? - -_Mr. C._ Oh, yes; I always do that. - -_Dr. G._ Then I suppose I’ll have to lump it, and say $500 per annum. - -_Mr. C._ Well, then, we’ll consider that matter settled; and as two of -the boys are sick, I’ll send them over. So I’ll bid you good day, doctor. -I would be glad if you would come over some time, and bring Mrs. Gaines -with you. - -_Dr. G._ Yes, I will; and shall be glad if you will pay us a visit, and -bring with you Mrs. Campbell. Come over and spend the day. - -_Mr. C._ I will. Good morning, doctor. - - [_Exit MR. CAMPBELL, R._ - -_Dr. G._ There, my dear, what do you think of that? Five hundred dollars -more added to our income. That’s patronage worth having! And I am glad to -get all the negroes I can to doctor, for Cato is becoming very useful to -me in the shop. He can bleed, pull teeth, and do almost any thing that -the blacks require. He can put up medicine as well as any one. A valuable -boy, Cato! - -_Mrs. G._ But why did you ask Mr. Campbell to visit you, and to bring -his wife? I am sure I could never consent to associate with her, for I -understand that she was the daughter of a tanner. You must remember, my -dear, that I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. The blood of the -Wyleys runs in my veins. I am surprised that you should ask him to visit -you at all; you should have known better. - -_Dr. G._ Oh, I did not mean for him to visit me. I only invited him for -the sake of compliments, and I think he so understood it; for I should be -far from wishing you to associate with Mrs. Campbell. I don’t forget, my -dear, the family you were raised in, nor do I overlook my own family. My -father, you know, fought by the side of Washington, and I hope some day -to have a handle to my own name. I am certain Providence intended me for -something higher than a medical man. Ah! by-the-by, I had forgotten that -I have a couple of patients to visit this morning. I must go at once. - - [_Exit DR. GAINES, R._ - -_Enter HANNAH, L._ - -_Mrs. G._ Go, Hannah, and tell Dolly to kill a couple of fat pullets, and -to put the biscuit to rise. I expect brother Pinchen here this afternoon, -and I want every thing in order. Hannah, Hannah, tell Melinda to come -here. - - [_Exit HANNAH, L._ - -We mistresses do have a hard time in this world; I don’t see why the Lord -should have imposed such heavy duties on us poor mortals. Well, it can’t -last always. I long to leave this wicked world, and go home to glory. - -_Enter MELINDA._ - -I am to have company this afternoon, Melinda. I expect brother Pinchen -here, and I want every thing in order. Go and get one of my new caps, -with the lace border, and get out my scolloped-bottomed dimity petticoat, -and when you go out, tell Hannah to clean the white-handled knives, and -see that not a speck is on them; for I want every thing as it should be -while brother Pinchen is here. - - [_Exit MRS. GAINES, L., HANNAH, R._ - - -_Scene 2._—DOCTOR’S SHOP—CATO MAKING PILLS. - -_Enter DR. GAINES, L._ - -_Dr. G._ Well, Cato, have you made the batch of ointment that I ordered? - -_Cato._ Yes, massa; I dun made de intment, an’ now I is making the bread -pills. De tater pills is up on the top shelf. - -_Dr. G._ I am going out to see some patients. If any gentlemen call, tell -them I shall be in this afternoon. If any servants come, you attend to -them. I expect two of Mr. Campbell’s boys over. You see to them. Feel -their pulse, look at their tongues, bleed them, and give them each a dose -of calomel. Tell them to drink no cold water, and to take nothing but -water gruel. - -_Cato._ Yes, massa; I’ll tend to ’em. - - [_Exit DR. GAINES, L._ - -_Cato._ I allers knowed I was a doctor, an’ now de ole boss has put me -at it, I muss change my coat. Ef any niggers comes in, I wants to look -suspectable. Dis jacket don’t suit a doctor; I’ll change it. - - [_Exit CATO—immediately returning in a long coat._ - -Ah! now I looks like a doctor. Now I can bleed, pull teef, or cut off a -leg. Oh! well, well, ef I ain’t put de pill stuff an’ de intment stuff -togedder. By golly, dat ole cuss will be mad when he finds it out, won’t -he? Nebber mind, I’ll make it up in pills, and when de flour is on -dem, he won’t know what’s in ’em; an’ I’ll make some new intment. Ah! -yonder comes Mr. Campbell’s Pete an’ Ned; dems de ones massa sed was -comin’. I’ll see ef I looks right. [_Goes to the looking-glass and views -himself._] I em some punkins, ain’t I? [_Knock at the door._] Come in. - -_Enter PETE and NED, R._ - -_Pete._ Whar is de doctor? - -_Cato._ Here I is; don’t you see me? - -_Pete._ But whar is de ole boss? - -_Cato._ Dat’s none you business. I dun tole you dat I is de doctor, an -dat’s enuff. - -_Ned._ Oh! do tell us whar de doctor is. I is almos dead. Oh me! oh dear -me! I is so sick. [_Horrible faces._] - -_Pete._ Yes, do tell us; we don’t want to stan here foolin’. - -_Cato._ I tells you again dat I is de doctor. I larn de trade under massa. - -_Ned._ Oh! well, den, give me somethin’ to stop dis pain. Oh dear me! I -shall die. [_He tries to vomit, but can’t—ugly faces._] - -_Cato._ Let me feel your pulse. Now put out your tongue. You is berry -sick. Ef you don’t mine, you’ll die. Come out in de shed, an’ I’ll bleed -you. - - [_Exit all—re-enter._ - -_Cato._ Dar, now take dese pills, two in de mornin’ and two at night, and -ef you don’t feel better, double de dose. Now, Mr. Pete, what’s de matter -wid you? - -_Pete._ I is got de cole chills, an’ has a fever in de night. - -_Cato._ Come out, an’ I’ll bleed you. - - [_Exit all—re-enter._ - -Now take dese pills, two in de mornin’ and two at night, an’ ef dey don’t -help you, double de dose. Ah! I like to forget to feel your pulse and -look at your tongue. Put out your tongue. [_Feels his pulse._] Yes, I -tells by de feel ob your pulse dat I is gib you de right pills. - -_Enter MR. PARKER’S BILL, L._ - -_Cato._ What you come in dat door widout knockin’ for? - -_Bill._ My toof ache so, I didn’t tink to knock. Oh, my toof! my toof! -Whar is de doctor? - -_Cato._ Here I is; don’t you see me? - -_Bill._ What! you de doctor, you brack cuss! You looks like a doctor! Oh, -my toof! my toof! Whar is de doctor? - -_Cato._ I tells you I is de doctor. Ef you don’t believe me, ax dese men. -I can pull your toof in a minnit. - -_Bill._ Well, den, pull it out. Oh, my toof! how it aches! Oh, my toof! - - [_Cato gets the rusty turnkeys._ - -_Cato._ Now lay down on your back. - -_Bill._ What for? - -_Cato._ Dat’s de way massa does. - -_Bill._ Oh, my toof! Well, den, come on. [_Lies down, Cato gets astraddle -of Bill’s breast, puts the turnkeys on the wrong tooth, and pulls—Bill -kicks, and cries out_]—Oh, do stop! Oh! oh! oh! - - [_Cato pulls the wrong tooth—Bill jumps up._ - -_Cato._ Dar, now, I tole you I could pull your toof for you. - -_Bill._ Oh, dear me! Oh, it aches yet! Oh me! Oh, Lor-e-massy! You dun -pull de wrong toof. Drat your skin! ef I don’t pay you for this, you -brack cuss! - - [_They fight, and turn over table, chairs and - bench—Pete and Ned look on._ - -_Enter DR. GAINES, R._ - -_Dr. G._ Why, dear me, what’s the matter? What’s all this about? I’ll -teach you a lesson, that I will. - - [_The doctor goes at them with his cane._ - -_Cato._ Oh, massa! he’s to blame, sir. He’s to blame. He struck me fuss. - -_Bill._ No, sir; he’s to blame; he pull de wrong toof. Oh, my toof! oh, -my toof! - -_Dr. G._ Let me see your tooth. Open your mouth. As I live, you’ve taken -out the wrong tooth. I am amazed. I’ll whip you for this; I’ll whip you -well. You’re a pretty doctor. Now lie down, Bill, and let him take out -the right tooth; and if he makes a mistake this time, I’ll cowhide him -well. Lie down, Bill. [_Bill lies down, and Cato pulls the tooth._] There -now, why didn’t you do that in the first place? - -_Cato._ He wouldn’t hole still, sir. - -_Bill._ He lies, sir. I did hole still. - -_Dr. G._ Now go home, boys; go home. - - [_Exit PETE, NED and BILL, L._ - -_Dr. G._ You’ve made a pretty muss of it, in my absence. Look at the -table! Never mind, Cato; I’ll whip you well for this conduct of yours -to-day. Go to work now, and clear up the office. - - [_Exit DR. GAINES, R._ - -_Cato._ Confound dat nigger! I wish he was in Ginny. He bite my -finger and scratch my face. But didn’t I give it to him? Well, den, I -reckon I did. [_He goes to the mirror, and discovers that his coat is -torn—weeps._] Oh, dear me! Oh, my coat—my coat is tore! Dat nigger has -tore my coat. [_He gets angry, and rushes about the room frantic._] -Cuss dat nigger! Ef I could lay my hands on him, I’d tare him all to -pieces,—dat I would. An’ de ole boss hit me wid his cane after dat nigger -tore my coat. By golly, I wants to fight somebody. Ef ole massa should -come in now, I’d fight him. [_Rolls up his sleeves._] Let ’em come now, -ef dey dare—ole massa, or any body else; I’m ready for ’em. - -_Enter DR. GAINES, R._ - -_Dr. G._ What’s all this noise here? - -_Cato._ Nuffin’, sir; only jess I is puttin’ things to rights, as you -tole me. I didn’t hear any noise except de rats. - -_Dr. G._ Make haste, and come in; I want you to go to town. - - [_Exit DR. GAINES, R._ - -_Cato._ By golly, de ole boss like to cotch me dat time, didn’t he? But -wasn’t I mad? When I is mad, nobody can do nuffin’ wid me. But here’s my -coat, tore to pieces. Cuss dat nigger! [_Weeps._] Oh, my coat! oh, my -coat! I rudder he had broke my head den to tore my coat. Drat dat nigger! -Ef he ever comes here agin, I’ll pull out every toof he’s got in his -head—dat I will. - - [_Exit, R._ - - -_Scene 3._—A ROOM IN THE QUARTERS. - -_Enter GLEN, L._ - -_Glen._ How slowly the time passes away. I’ve been waiting here two -hours, and Melinda has not yet come. What keeps her, I cannot tell. -I waited long and late for her last night, and when she approached, -I sprang to my feet, caught her in my arms, pressed her to my heart, -and kissed away the tears from her moistened cheeks. She placed her -trembling hand in mine, and said, “Glen, I am yours; I will never be the -wife of another.” I clasped her to my bosom, and called God to witness -that I would ever regard her as my wife. Old Uncle Joseph joined us in -holy wedlock by moonlight; that was the only marriage ceremony. I look -upon the vow as ever binding on me, for I am sure that a just God will -sanction our union in heaven. Still, this man, who claims Melinda as his -property, is unwilling for me to marry the woman of my choice, because he -wants her himself. But he shall not have her. What he will say when he -finds that we are married, I cannot tell; but I am determined to protect -my wife or die. Ah! here comes Melinda. - -_Enter MELINDA, R._ - -I am glad to see you, Melinda. I’ve been waiting long, and feared you -would not come. Ah! in tears again? - -_Melinda._ Glen, you are always thinking I am in tears. But what did -master say to-day? - -_Glen._ He again forbade our union. - -_Melinda._ Indeed! Can he be so cruel? - -_Glen._ Yes, he can be just so cruel. - -_Melinda._ Alas! alas! how unfeeling and heartless! But did you appeal to -his generosity? - -_Glen._ Yes, I did; I used all the persuasive powers that I was master -of, but to no purpose; he was inflexible. He even offered me a new suit -of clothes, if I would give you up; and when I told him that I could not, -he said he would flog me to death if I ever spoke to you again. - -_Melinda._ And what did you say to him? - -_Glen._ I answered, that, while I loved life better than death, even life -itself could not tempt me to consent to a separation that would make life -an unchanging curse. Oh, I would kill myself, Melinda, if I thought that, -for the sake of life, I could consent to your degradation. No, Melinda, -I can die, but shall never live to see you the mistress of another man. -But, my dear girl, I have a secret to tell you, and no one must know it -but you. I will go out and see that no person is within hearing. I will -be back soon. - - [_Exit GLEN, L._ - -_Melinda._ It is often said that the darkest hour of the night precedes -the dawn. It is ever thus with the vicissitudes of human suffering. -After the soul has reached the lowest depths of despair, and can no -deeper plunge amid its rolling, fœtid shades, then the reactionary -forces of man’s nature begin to operate, resolution takes the place of -despondency, energy succeeds instead of apathy, and an upward tendency is -felt and exhibited. Men then hope against power, and smile in defiance -of despair. I shall never forget when first I saw Glen. It is now more -than a year since he came here with his master, Mr. Hamilton. It was a -glorious moonlight night in autumn. The wide and fruitful face of nature -was silent and buried in repose. The tall trees on the borders of Muddy -Creek waved their leafy branches in the breeze, which was wafted from -afar, refreshing over hill and vale, over the rippling water, and the -waving corn and wheat fields. The starry sky was studded over with a few -light, flitting clouds, while the moon, as if rejoicing to witness the -meeting of two hearts that should be cemented by the purest love, sailed -triumphantly along among the shifting vapors. - -Oh, how happy I have been in my acquaintance with Glen! That he loves -me, I do well believe it; that I love him, it is most true. Oh, how I -would that those who think the slave incapable of the finer feelings, -could only see our hearts, and learn our thoughts,—thoughts that we dare -not utter in the presence of our masters! But I fear that Glen will be -separated from me, for there is nothing too base and mean for master to -do, for the purpose of getting me entirely in his power. But, thanks to -Heaven, he does not own Glen, and therefore cannot sell him. Yet he might -purchase him from his brother-in-law, so as to send him out of the way. -But here comes my husband. - -_Enter GLEN, L._ - -_Glen._ I’ve been as far as the overseer’s house, and all is quiet. Now, -Melinda, as you are my wife, I will confide to you a secret. I’ve long -been thinking of making my escape to Canada, and taking you with me. It -is true that I don’t belong to your master, but he might buy me from -Hamilton, and then sell me out of the neighborhood. - -_Melinda._ But we could never succeed in the attempt to escape. - -_Glen._ We will make the trial, and show that we at least deserve -success. There is a slave trader expected here next week, and Dr. Gaines -would sell you at once if he knew that we were married. We must get ready -and start, and if we can pass the Ohio river, we’ll be safe on the road -to Canada. - - [_Exit, R._ - - -_Scene 4._—DINING-ROOM. - - _REV. MR. PINCHEN giving MRS. GAINES an account of his - experience as a minister—HANNAH clearing away the breakfast - table—SAMPEY standing behind MRS. GAINES’ chair._ - -_Mrs. Gaines._ Now, do give me more of your experience, brother Pinchen. -It always does my soul good to hear religious experience. It draws me -nearer and nearer to the Lord’s side. I do love to hear good news from -God’s people. - -_Mr. Pinchen._ Well, sister Gaines, I’ve had great opportunities -in my time to study the heart of man. I’ve attended a great many -camp-meetings, revival meetings, protracted meetings, and death-bed -scenes, and I am satisfied, sister Gaines, that the heart of man is full -of sin, and desperately wicked. This is a wicked world, sister Gaines, a -wicked world. - -_Mrs. G._ Were you ever in Arkansas, brother Pinchen? I’ve been told that -the people out there are very ungodly. - -_Mr. P._ Oh, yes, sister Gaines. I once spent a year at Little Rock, -and preached in all the towns round about there; and I found some hard -cases out there, I can tell you. I was once spending a week in a district -where there were a great many horse thieves, and one night, somebody -stole my pony. Well, I knowed it was no use to make a fuss, so I told -brother Tarbox to say nothing about it, and I’d get my horse by preaching -God’s everlasting gospel; for I had faith in the truth, and knowed that -my Savior would not let me lose my pony. So the next Sunday I preached -on horse-stealing, and told the brethren to come up in the evenin’ with -their hearts filled with the grace of God. So that night the house was -crammed brim full with anxious souls, panting for the bread of life. -Brother Bingham opened with prayer, and brother Tarbox followed, and I -saw right off that we were gwine to have a blessed time. After I got ’em -pretty well warmed up, I jumped on to one of the seats, stretched out my -hands, and said, “I know who stole my pony; I’ve found out; and you are -in here tryin’ to make people believe that you’ve got religion; but you -ain’t got it. And if you don’t take my horse back to brother Tarbox’s -pasture this very night, I’ll tell your name right out in meetin’ -to-morrow night. Take my pony back, you vile and wretched sinner, and -come up here and give your heart to God.” So the next mornin’, I went out -to brother Tarbox’s pasture, and sure enough, there was my bob-tail pony. -Yes, sister Gaines, there he was, safe and sound. Ha, ha, ha. - -_Mrs. G._ Oh, how interesting, and how fortunate for you to get your -pony! And what power there is in the gospel! God’s children are very -lucky. Oh, it is so sweet to sit here and listen to such good news from -God’s people! You Hannah, what are you standing there listening for, and -neglecting your work? Never mind, my lady, I’ll whip you well when I -am done here. Go at your work this moment, you lazy huzzy! Never mind, -I’ll whip you well. [_Aside._] Come, do go on, brother Pinchen, with your -godly conversation. It is so sweet! It draws me nearer and nearer to the -Lord’s side. - -_Mr. P._ Well, sister Gaines, I’ve had some mighty queer dreams in my -time, that I have. You see, one night I dreamed that I was dead and in -heaven, and such a place I never saw before. As soon as I entered the -gates of the celestial empire, I saw many old and familiar faces that I -had seen before. The first person that I saw was good old Elder Pike, the -preacher that first called my attention to religion. The next person I -saw was Deacon Billings, my first wife’s father, and then I saw a host of -godly faces. Why, sister Gaines, you knowed Elder Goosbee, didn’t you? - -_Mrs. G._ Why, yes; did you see him there? He married me to my first -husband. - -_Mr. P._ Oh, yes, sister Gaines, I saw the old Elder, and he looked for -all the world as if he had just come out of a revival meetin’. - -_Mrs. G._ Did you see my first husband there, brother Pinchen? - -_Mr. P._ No, sister Gaines, I didn’t see brother Pepper there; but I’ve -no doubt but that brother Pepper was there. - -_Mrs. G._ Well, I don’t know; I have my doubts. He was not the happiest -man in the world. He was always borrowing trouble about something or -another. Still, I saw some happy moments with Mr. Pepper. I was happy -when I made his acquaintance, happy during our courtship, happy a while -after our marriage, and happy when he died. [_Weeps._] - -_Hannah._ Massa Pinchen, did you see my ole man Ben up dar in hebben? - -_Mr. P._ No, Hannah; I didn’t go amongst the niggers. - -_Mrs. G._ No, of course brother Pinchen didn’t go among the blacks. What -are you asking questions for? Never mind, my lady, I’ll whip you well -when I’m done here. I’ll skin you from head to foot. [_Aside._] Do go -on with your heavenly conversation, brother Pinchen; it does my very -soul good. This is indeed a precious moment for me. I do love to hear of -Christ and Him crucified. - -_Mr. P._ Well, sister Gaines, I promised sister Daniels that I’d come -over and see her this morning, and have a little season of prayer -with her, and I suppose I must go. I’ll tell you more of my religious -experience when I return. - -_Mrs. G._ If you must go, then I’ll have to let you; but before you do, I -wish to get your advice upon a little matter that concerns Hannah. Last -week, Hannah stole a goose, killed it, cooked it, and she and her man Sam -had a fine time eating the goose; and her master and I would never have -known a word about it, if it had not been for Cato, a faithful servant, -who told his master. And then, you see, Hannah had to be severely whipped -before she’d confess that she stole the goose. Next Sabbath is sacrament -day, and I want to know if you think that Hannah is fit to go to the -Lord’s supper after stealing the goose. - -_Mr. P._ Well, sister Gaines, that depends on circumstances. If Hannah -has confessed that she stole the goose, and has been sufficiently -whipped, and has begged her master’s pardon, and begged your pardon, and -thinks she’ll never do the like again, why then I suppose she can go to -the Lord’s supper; for - - “While the lamp holds out to burn, - The vilest sinner may return.” - -But she must be sure that she has repented, and won’t steal any more. - -_Mrs. G._ Now, Hannah, do you hear that? For my own part, I don’t think -she’s fit to go to the Lord’s supper, for she had no occasion to steal -the goose. We give our niggers plenty of good wholesome food. They have -a full run to the meal tub, meat once a fortnight, and all the sour milk -about the place, and I’m sure that’s enough for any one. I do think that -our niggers are the most ungrateful creatures in the world, that I do. -They aggravate my life out of me. - -_Hannah._ I know, missis, dat I steal de goose, and massa whip me for it, -and I confess it, and I is sorry for it. But, missis, I is gwine to de -Lord’s supper, next Sunday, kase I ain’t a-gwine to turn my back on my -bressed Lord an’ Massa for no old tough goose, dat I ain’t. [_Weeps._] - -_Mr. P._ Well, sister Gaines, I suppose I must go over and see sister -Daniels; she’ll be waiting for me. - - [_Exit MR. PINCHEN, M. D._ - -_Mrs. G._ Now, Hannah, brother Pinchen is gone, do you get the cowhide -and follow me to the cellar, and I’ll whip you well for aggravating me -as you have to-day. It seems as if I can never sit down to take a little -comfort with the Lord, without you crossing me. The devil always puts -it into your head to disturb me, just when I am trying to serve the -Lord. I’ve no doubt but that I’ll miss going to heaven on your account. -But I’ll whip you well before I leave this world, that I will. Get the -cowhide and follow me to the cellar. - - [_Exit MRS. GAINES and HANNAH, R._ - - - - -ACT II. - - -_Scene 1._—PARLOR. - - _DR. GAINES at a table, letters and papers before him._ - -_Enter SAMPEY, L._ - -_Sampey._ Dar’s a gemman at de doe, massa, dat wants to see you, seer. - -_Dr. Gaines._ Ask him to walk in, Sampey. - - [_Exit SAMPEY, L._ - -_Enter WALKER._ - -_Walker._ Why, how do you do, Dr. Gaines? I em glad to see you, I’ll -swear. - -_Dr. G._ How do you do, Mr. Walker? I did not expect to see you up here -so soon. What has hurried you? - -_Walk._ Well, you see, doctor, I comes when I em not expected. The price -of niggers is up, and I em gwine to take advantage of the times. Now, -doctor, ef you’ve got any niggers that you wants to sell, I em your man. -I am paying the highest price of any body in the market. I pay cash down, -and no grumblin’. - -_Dr. G._ I don’t know that I want to sell any of my people now. Still, -I’ve got to make up a little money next month, to pay in bank; and -another thing, the doctors say that we are likely to have a touch of the -cholera this summer, and if that’s the case, I suppose I had better turn -as many of my slaves into cash as I can. - -_Walk._ Yes, doctor, that is very true. The cholera is death on slaves, -and a thousand dollars in your pocket is a great deal better than a -nigger in the field, with cholera at his heels. Why, who is that coming -up the lane? It’s Mr. Wildmarsh, as I live! Jest the very man I wants to -see. - -_Enter MR. WILDMARSH._ - -Why, how do you do, Squire? I was jest a thinkin’ about you. - -_Wildmarsh._ How are you, Mr. Walker? and how are you, doctor? I am glad -to see you both looking so well. You seem in remarkably good health, -doctor? - -_Dr. G._ Yes, Squire, I was never in the enjoyment of better health. I -hope you left all well at Licking? - -_Wild._ Yes, I thank you. And now, Mr. Walker, how goes times with you? - -_Walk._ Well, you see, Squire, I em in good spirits. The price of niggers -is up in the market, and I am lookin’ out for bargains; and I was jest -intendin’ to come over to Lickin’ to see you, to see if you had any -niggers to sell. But it seems as ef the Lord knowed that I wanted to see -you, and directed your steps over here. Now, Squire, ef you’ve got any -niggers you wants to sell, I em your man. I am payin’ the highest cash -price of any body in the market. Now’s your time, Squire. - -_Wild._ No, I don’t think I want to sell any of my slaves now. I sold a -very valuable gal to Mr. Haskins last week. I tell you, she was a smart -one. I got eighteen hundred dollars for her. - -_Walk._ Why, Squire, how you do talk! Eighteen hundred dollars for one -gal? She must have been a screamer to bring that price. What sort of a -lookin’ critter was she? I should like to have bought her. - -_Wild._ She was a little of the smartest gal I’ve ever raised; that she -was. - -_Walk._ Then she was your own raising, was she? - -_Wild._ Oh, yes; she was raised on my place, and if I could have kept -her three or four years longer, and taken her to the market myself, I -am sure I could have sold her for three thousand dollars. But you see, -Mr. Walker, my wife got a little jealous, and you know jealousy sets -the women’s heads a teetering, and so I had to sell the gal. She’s got -straight hair, blue eyes, prominent features, and is almost white. -Haskins will make a spec, and no mistake. - -_Walk._ Why, Squire, was she that pretty little gal that I saw on your -knee the day that your wife was gone, when I was at your place three -years ago? - -_Wild._ Yes, the same. - -_Walk._ Well, now, Squire, I thought that was your daughter; she looked -mightily like you. She was your daughter, wasn’t she? You need not be -ashamed to own it to me, for I am mum upon such matters. - -_Wild._ You know, Mr. Walker, that people will talk, and when they talk, -they say a great deal; and people did talk, and many said the gal was my -daughter; and you know we can’t help people’s talking. But here comes the -Rev. Mr. Pinchen; I didn’t know that he was in the neighborhood. - -_Walk._ It is Mr. Pinchen, as I live; jest the very man I wants to see. - -_Enter MR. PINCHEN, R._ - -Why, how do you do, Mr. Pinchen? What in the name of Jehu brings you down -here to Muddy Creek? Any camp-meetins, revival meetins, death-bed scenes, -or any thing else in your line going on down here? How is religion -prosperin’ now, Mr. Pinchen? I always like to hear about religion. - -_Mr. Pin._ Well, Mr. Walker, the Lord’s work is in good condition every -where now. I tell you, Mr. Walker, I’ve been in the gospel ministry -these thirteen years, and I am satisfied that the heart of man is full -of sin and desperately wicked. This is a wicked world, Mr. Walker, a -wicked world, and we ought all of us to have religion. Religion is a good -thing to live by, and we all want it when we die. Yes, sir, when the -great trumpet blows, we ought to be ready. And a man in your business of -buying and selling slaves needs religion more than any body else, for it -makes you treat your people as you should. Now, there is Mr. Haskins,—he -is a slave-trader, like yourself. Well, I converted him. Before he got -religion, he was one of the worst men to his niggers I ever saw; his -heart was as hard as stone. But religion has made his heart as soft as -a piece of cotton. Before I converted him, he would sell husbands from -their wives, and seem to take delight in it; but now he won’t sell a man -from his wife, if he can get anyone to buy both of them together. I tell -you, sir, religion has done a wonderful work for him. - -_Walk._ I know, Mr. Pinchen, that I ought to have religion, and I feel -that I am a great sinner; and whenever I get with good pious people like -you and the doctor, and Mr. Wildmarsh, it always makes me feel that I -am a desperate sinner. I feel it the more, because I’ve got a religious -turn of mind. I know that I would be happier with religion, and the first -spare time I get, I am going to try to get it. I’ll go to a protracted -meeting, and I won’t stop till I get religion. Yes, I’ll scuffle with the -Lord till I gets forgiven. But it always makes me feel bad to talk about -religion, so I’ll change the subject. Now, doctor, what about them thar -niggers you thought you could sell me? - -_Dr. Gaines._ I’ll see my wife, Mr. Walker, and if she is willing to part -with Hannah, I’ll sell you Sam and his wife, Hannah. Ah! here comes my -wife; I’ll mention it. - -_Enter MRS. GAINES, L._ - -Ah! my dear, I am glad you’ve come. I was just telling Mr. Walker, that -if you were willing to part with Hannah, I’d sell him Sam and Hannah. - -_Mrs. G._ Now, Dr. Gaines, I am astonished and surprised that you should -think of such a thing. You know what trouble I’ve had in training up -Hannah for a house servant, and now that I’ve got her so that she -knows my ways, you want to sell her. Haven’t you niggers enough on the -plantation to sell, without selling the servants from under my very nose? - -_Dr. G._ Oh, yes, my dear; but I can spare Sam, and I don’t like to -separate him from his wife; and I thought if you could let Hannah go, I’d -sell them both. I don’t like to separate husbands from their wives. - -_Mrs. G._ Now, gentlemen, that’s just the way with my husband. He thinks -more about the welfare and comfort of his slaves, than he does of himself -or his family. I am sure you need not feel so bad at the thought of -separating Sam from Hannah. They’ve only been married eight months, -and their attachment can’t be very strong in that short time. Indeed, I -shall be glad if you do sell Sam, for then I’ll make Hannah _jump the -broomstick_ with Cato, and I’ll have them both here under my eye. I never -will again let one of my house servants marry a field hand—never! For -when night comes on, the servants are off to the quarters, and I have to -holler and holler enough to split my throat before I can make them hear. -And another thing: I want you to sell Melinda. I don’t intend to keep -that mulatto wench about the house any longer. - -_Dr. Gaines._ My dear, I’ll sell any servant from the place to suit you, -except Melinda. I can’t think of selling her—I can’t think of it. - -_Mrs. G._ I tell you that Melinda shall leave this house, or I’ll go. -There, now you have it. I’ve had my life tormented out of me by the -presence of that yellow wench, and I’ll stand it no longer. I know you -love her more than you do me, and I’ll—I’ll—I’ll write—write to my -father. [_Weeps._] - - [_Exit MRS. GAINES, L._ - -_Walk._ Why, doctor, your wife’s a screamer, ain’t she? Ha, ha, ha. Why, -doctor, she’s got a tongue of her own, ain’t she? Why, doctor, it was -only last week that I thought of getting a wife myself; but your wife has -skeered the idea out of my head. Now, doctor, if you wants to sell the -gal, I’ll buy her. Husband and wife ought to be on good terms, and your -wife won’t feel well till the gal is gone. Now, I’ll pay you all she’s -worth, if you wants to sell. - -_Dr. G._ No, Mr. Walker; the girl my wife spoke of is not for sale. My -wife does not mean what she says; she’s only a little jealous. I’ll get -brother Pinchen to talk to her, and get her mind turned upon religious -matters, and then she’ll forget it. She’s only a little jealous. - -_Walk._ I tell you what, doctor, ef you call that a little jealous, I’d -like to know what’s a heap. I tell you, it will take something more than -religion to set your wife right. You had better sell me the gal; I’ll pay -you cash down, and no grumblin’. - -_Dr. G._ The girl is not for sale, Mr. Walker; but if you want two -good, able-bodied servants, I’ll sell you Sam and Big Sally. Sam is -trustworthy, and Sally is worth her weight in gold for rough usage. - -_Walk._ Well, doctor, I’ll go out and take a look at ’em, for I never -buys slaves without examining them well, because they are sometimes -injured by over-work or under-feedin’. I don’t say that is the case with -yours, for I don’t believe it is; but as I sell on honor, I must buy on -honor. - -_Dr. G._ Walk out, sir, and you can examine them to your heart’s content. -Walk right out, sir. - - -_Scene 2._—VIEW IN FRONT OF THE GREAT HOUSE. - - _Examination of SAM and BIG SALLY.—DR. GAINES, WILDMARSH, MR. - PINCHEN and WALKER present._ - -_Walk._ Well, my boy, what’s your name? - -_Sam._ Sam, sir, is my name. - -_Walk._ How old are you, Sam? - -_Sam._ Ef I live to see next corn plantin’ time, I’ll be 27, or 30, or -35, or 40—I don’t know which, sir. - -_Walk._ Ha, ha, ha. Well, doctor, this is rather a green boy. Well, mer -feller, are you sound? - -_Sam._ Yes, sir, I spec I is. - -_Walk._ Open your mouth and let me see your teeth. I allers judge a -nigger’s age by his teeth, same as I dose a hoss. Ah! pretty good set of -grinders. Have you got a good appetite? - -_Sam._ Yes, sir. - -_Walk._ Can you eat your allowance? - -_Sam._ Yes, sir, when I can get it. - -_Walk._ Get out on the floor and dance; I want to see if you are supple. - -_Sam._ I don’t like to dance; I is got religion. - -_Walk._ Oh, ho! you’ve got religion, have you? That’s so much the better. -I likes to deal in the gospel. I think he’ll suit me. Now, mer gal, -what’s your name? - -_Sally._ I is Big Sally, sir. - -_Walk._ How old are you, Sally? - -_Sally._ I don’t know, sir; but I heard once dat I was born at sweet -pertater diggin’ time. - -_Walk._ Ha, ha, ha. Don’t know how old you are! Do you know who made you? - -_Sally._ I hev heard who it was in de Bible dat made me, but I dun forget -de gentman’s name. - -_Walk._ Ha, ha, ha. Well, doctor, this is the greenest lot of niggers -I’ve seen for some time. Well, what do you ask for them? - -_Dr. Gaines._ You may have Sam for $1000, and Sally for $900. They are -worth all I ask for them. You know I never banter, Mr. Walker. There they -are; you can take them at that price, or let them alone, just as you -please. - -_Walk._ Well, doctor, I reckon I’ll take ’em; but it’s all they are -worth. I’ll put the handcuffs on ’em, and then I’ll pay you. I likes to -go accordin’ to Scripter. Scripter says ef eatin’ meat will offend your -brother, you must quit it; and I say, ef leavin’ your slaves without the -handcuffs will make ’em run away, you must put the handcuffs on ’em. Now, -Sam, don’t you and Sally cry. I am of a tender heart, and it allers makes -me feel bad to see people cryin’. Don’t cry, and the first place I get -to, I’ll buy each of you a great big _ginger cake_,—that I will. Now, -Mr. Pinchen, I wish you were going down the river. I’d like to have your -company; for I allers likes the company of preachers. - -_Mr. Pinchen._ Well, Mr. Walker, I would be much pleased to go down the -river with you, but it’s too early for me. I expect to go to Natchez in -four or five weeks, to attend a camp-meetin’, and if you were going down -then, I’d like it. What kind of niggers sells best in the Orleans market, -Mr. Walker? - -_Walk._ Why, field hands. Did you think of goin’ in the trade? - -_Mr. P._ Oh, no; only it’s a long ways down to Natchez, and I thought I’d -just buy five or six niggers, and take ’em down and sell ’em to pay my -travellin’ expenses. I only want to clear my way. - - -_Scene 3._—SITTING-ROOM—TABLE AND ROCKING-CHAIR. - -_Enter MRS. GAINES, R., followed by SAMPEY._ - -_Mrs. Gaines._ I do wish your master would come; I want supper. Run to -the gate, Sampey, and see if he is coming. - - [_Exit SAMPEY, L._ - -That man is enough to break my heart. The patience of an angel could not -stand it. - -_Enter SAMPEY, L._ - -_Samp._ Yes, missis, master is coming. - -_Enter DR. GAINES, L._ - - [_The Doctor walks about with his hands under his coat, seeming - very much elated._ - -_Mrs. Gaines._ Why, doctor, what is the matter? - -_Dr. Gaines._ My dear, don’t call me _doctor_. - -_Mrs. G._ What should I call you? - -_Dr. G._ Call me Colonel, my dear—Colonel. I have been elected Colonel of -the Militia, and I want you to call me by my right name. I always felt -that Providence had designed me for something great, and He has just -begun to shower His blessings upon me. - -_Mrs. G._ Dear me, I could never get to calling you Colonel; I’ve called -you Doctor for the last twenty years. - -_Dr. G._ Now, Sarah, if you will call me Colonel, other people will, and -I want you to set the example. Come, my darling, call me Colonel, and -I’ll give you any thing you wish for. - -_Mrs. G._ Well, as I want a new gold watch and bracelets, I’ll commence -now. Come, Colonel, we’ll go to supper. Ah! now for my new shawl. -[_Aside._] Mrs. Lemme was here to-day, Colonel, and she had on, Colonel, -one of the prettiest shawls, Colonel, I think, Colonel, that I ever -saw, Colonel, in my life, Colonel. And there is only one, Colonel, in -Mr. Watson’s store, Colonel; and that, Colonel, will do, Colonel, for a -Colonel’s wife. - -_Dr. G._ Ah! my dear, you never looked so much the lady since I’ve known -you. Go, my darling, get the watch, bracelets and shawl, and tell them -to charge them to Colonel Gaines; and when you say “Colonel,” always -emphasize the word. - -_Mrs. G._ Come, Colonel, let’s go to supper. - -_Dr. G._ My dear, you’re a jewel,—you are! - - [_Exit, R._ - -_Enter CATO, L._ - -_Cato._ Why, whar is massa and missis? I tought dey was here. Ah! by -golly, yonder comes a mulatter gal. Yes, it’s Mrs. Jones’s Tapioca. I’ll -set up to dat gal, dat I will. - -_Enter TAPIOCA, R._ - -Good ebenin’, Miss Tappy. How is your folks? - -_Tapioca._ Pretty well, I tank you. - -_Cato._ Miss Tappy, dis wanderin’ heart of mine is yours. Come, take a -seat! Please to squze my manners; love discommodes me. Take a seat. Now, -Miss Tappy, I loves you; an ef you will jess marry me, I’ll make you a -happy husband, dat I will. Come, take me as I is. - -_Tap._ But what will Big Jim say? - -_Cato._ Big Jim! Why, let dat nigger go to Ginny. I want to know, -now, if you is tinkin’ about dat common nigger? Why, Miss Tappy, I -is surstonished dat you should tink ’bout frowin’ yousef away wid a -common, ugly lookin’ cuss like Big Jim, when you can get a fine lookin’, -suspectable man like me. Come, Miss Tappy, choose dis day who you have. -Afore I go any furder, give me one kiss. Come, give me one kiss. Come, -let me kiss you. - -_Tap._ No you shan’t—dare now! You shan’t kiss me widout you is stronger -den I is; and I know you is dat. [_He kisses her._] - -_Enter DR. GAINES, R., and hides._ - -_Cato._ Did you know, Miss Tappy, dat I is de head doctor ’bout dis -house? I beats de ole boss all to pieces. - -_Tap._ I hev hearn dat you bleeds and pulls teef. - -_Cato._ Yes, Miss Tappy; massa could not get along widout me, for massa -was made a doctor by books; but I is a natral doctor. I was born a -doctor, jess as Lorenzo Dow was born a preacher. So you see I can’t be -nuffin’ but a doctor, while massa is a bunglin’ ole cuss at de bissness. - -_Dr. Gaines_, (in a low voice.) Never mind; I’ll teach you a lesson, that -I will. - -_Cato._ You see, Miss Tappy, I was gwine to say—— Ah! but afore I forget, -jess give me anudder kiss, jess to keep company wid de one dat you give -me jess now,—dat’s all, [_Kisses her._] Now, Miss Tappy, duse you know de -fuss time dat I seed you? - -_Tap._ No, Mr. Cato, I don’t. - -_Cato._ Well, it was at de camp-meetin’. Oh, Miss Tappy, dat pretty red -calliker dress you had on dat time did de work for me. It made my heart -flutter— - -_Dr. G._ (low voice.) Yes, and I’ll make your black hide flutter. - -_Cato._ Didn’t I hear some noise? By golly, dar is teves in dis house, -and I’ll drive ’em out. - - [_Takes a chair and runs at the Doctor, and knocks him down. - The Doctor chases Cato round the table._ - -_Cato._ Oh, massa, I didn’t know ’twas you! - -_Dr. G._ You scoundrel! I’ll whip you well. Stop! I tell you. - - [_Curtain falls._ - - - - -ACT III. - - -_Scene 1._—SITTING-ROOM. - - _MRS. GAINES, seated in an arm chair, reading a letter._ - -_Enter HANNAH, L._ - -_Mrs. Gaines._ You need not tell me, Hannah, that you don’t want another -husband, I know better. Your master has sold Sam, and he’s gone down -the river, and you’ll never see him again. So, go and put on your -calico dress, and meet me in the kitchen. I intend for you to _jump the -broomstick_ with Cato. You need not tell me that you don’t want another -man. I know that there’s no woman living that can be happy and satisfied -without a husband. - -_Hannah._ Oh, missis, I don’t want to jump de broomstick wid Cato. I -don’t love Cato; I can’t love him. - -_Mrs. G._ Shut up, this moment! What do you know about love? I didn’t -love your master when I married him, and people don’t marry for love now. -So go and put on your calico dress, and meet me in the kitchen. - - [_Exit HANNAH, L._ - -I am glad that the Colonel has sold Sam; now I’ll make Hannah marry -Cato, and I have them both here under my eye. And I am also glad that -the Colonel has parted with Melinda. Still, I’m afraid that he is trying -to deceive me. He took the hussy away yesterday, and says he sold her -to a trader; but I don’t believe it. At any rate, if she’s in the -neighborhood, I’ll find her, that I will. No man ever fools me. - - [_Exit MRS. GAINES, L._ - - -_Scene 2._—THE KITCHEN—SLAVES AT WORK. - -_Enter HANNAH, R._ - -_Hannah._ Oh, Cato, do go and tell missis dat you don’t want to jump de -broomstick wid me,—dat’s a good man! Do, Cato; kase I nebber can love -you. It was only las week dat massa sold my Sammy, and I don’t want any -udder man. Do go tell missis dat you don’t want me. - -_Cato._ No, Hannah, I ain’t a gwine to tell missis no such thing, kase I -dose want you, and I ain’t a-gwine to tell a lie for you ner nobody else. -Dar, now you’s got it! I don’t see why you need to make so much fuss. I -is better lookin’ den Sam; an’ I is a house servant, an’ Sam was only a -fiel hand; so you ought to feel proud of a change. So go and do as missis -tells you. - - [_Exit HANNAH, L._ - -Hannah needn’t try to get me to tell a lie; I ain’t a-gwine to do it, -kase I dose want her, an’ I is bin wantin’ her dis long time, an’ soon -as massa sold Sam, I knowed I would get her. By golly, I is gwine to be -a married man. Won’t I be happy! Now, ef I could only jess run away from -ole massa, an’ get to Canada wid Hannah, den I’d show ’em who I was. Ah! -dat reminds me of my song ’bout ole massa and Canada, an’ I’ll sing it -fer yer. Dis is my moriginal hyme. It comed into my head one night when -I was fass asleep under an apple tree, looking up at de moon. Now for my -song:— - - AIR—“_Dandy Jim._” - - Come all ye bondmen far and near, - Let’s put a song in massa’s ear, - It is a song for our poor race, - Who’re whipped and trampled with disgrace. - - CHORUS. - - My old massa tells me, Oh, - This is a land of freedom, Oh; - Let’s look about and see if it’s so, - Just as massa tells me, Oh. - - He tells us of that glorious one, - I think his name was Washington, - How he did fight for liberty, - To save a threepence tax on tea. [_Chorus._] - - But now we look about and see - That we poor blacks are not so free; - We’re whipped and thrashed about like fools, - And have no chance at common schools. [_Chorus._] - - They take our wives, insult and mock, - And sell our children on the block, - They choke us if we say a word, - And say that “niggers” shan’t be heard. [_Chorus._] - - Our preachers, too, with whip and cord, - Command obedience in the Lord; - They say they learn it from the big book, - But for ourselves, we dare not look. [_Chorus._] - - There is a country far away, - I think they call it Canada, - And if we reach Victoria’s shore, - They say that we are slaves no more. - Now haste, all bondmen, let us go, - And leave this _Christian_ country, Oh; - Haste to the land of the British Queen, - Where whips for negroes are not seen. - - Now, if we go, we must take the night, - And never let them come in sight; - The bloodhounds will be on our track, - And wo to us if they fetch us back. - Now haste all bondmen, let us go, - And leave this _Christian_ country, Oh; - God help us to Victoria’s shore, - Where we are free and slaves no more! - -_Enter MRS. GAINES, L._ - -_Mrs. Gaines._ Ah! Cato, you’re ready, are you? Where is Hannah? - -_Cato._ Yes, missis; I is bin waitin’ dis long time. Hannah has bin here -tryin’ to swade me to tell you dat I don’t want her; but I telled her dat -you sed I must jump de broomstick wid her, an’ I is gwine to mind you. - -_Mrs. G._ That’s right, Cato; servants should always mind their masters -and mistresses, without asking a question. - -_Cato._ Yes, missis, I allers dose what you and massa tells me, an’ axes -nobody. - -_Enter HANNAH, R._ - -_Mrs. Gaines._ Ah! Hannah; come, we are waiting for you. Nothing can be -done till you come. - -_Hannah._ Oh, missis, I don’t want to jump de broomstick wid Cato; I -can’t love him. - -_Mrs. G._ Shut up, this moment. Dolly, get the broom. Susan, you take -hold of the other end. There, now hold it a little lower—there, a little -higher. There, now, that’ll do. Now Hannah, take hold of Cato’s hand. Let -Cato take hold of your hand. - -_Hannah._ Oh, missis, do spare me. I don’t want to jump de broomstick wid -Cato. - -_Mrs. G._ Get the cowhide, and follow me to the cellar, and I’ll whip you -well. I’ll let you know how to disobey my orders. Get the cowhide, and -follow me to the cellar. - - [_Exit MRS. GAINES and HANNAH, R._ - -_Dolly._ Oh, Cato, do go an’ tell missis dat you don’t want Hannah. Don’t -you hear how she’s whippin’ her in de cellar? Do go an’ tell missis dat -you don’t want Hannah, and den she’ll stop whippin’ her. - -_Cato._ No, Dolly, I ain’t a-gwine to do no such a thing, kase ef I tell -missis dat I don’t want Hannah, den missis will whip me; an’ I ain’t -a-gwine to be whipped fer you, ner Hannah, ner nobody else. No, I’ll jump -de broomstick wid every woman on de place, ef missis wants me to, before -I’ll be whipped. - -_Dolly._ Cato, ef I was in Hannah’s place, I’d see you in de bottomless -pit before I’d live wid you, you great big wall-eyed, empty-headed, -knock-kneed fool. You’re as mean as your devilish old missis. - -_Cato._ Ef you don’t quit dat busin’ me, Dolly, I’ll tell missis as soon -as she comes in, an’ she’ll whip you, you know she will. - -_Enter MRS. GAINES and HANNAH, R._ - - [_MRS. G. fans herself with her handkerchief, and appears - fatigued._] - -_Mrs. G._ You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Hannah, to make me fatigue -myself in this way, to make you do your duty. It’s very naughty in you, -Hannah. Now, Dolly, you and Susan get the broom, and get out in the -middle of the room. There, hold it a little lower—a little higher; there, -that’ll do. Now, remember that this is a solemn occasion; you are going -to jump into matrimony. Now, Cato, take hold of Hannah’s hand. There, -now, why couldn’t you let Cato take hold of your hand before? Now get -ready, and when I count three, do you jump. Eyes on the _broomstick_! All -ready. One, two, three, and over you go. There, now you’re husband and -wife, and if you don’t live happy together, it’s your own fault; for I am -sure there’s nothing to hinder it. Now, Hannah, come up to the house, and -I’ll give you some whiskey, and you can make some apple toddy, and you -and Cato can have a fine time. - - [_Exit MRS. GAINES and HANNAH, L._ - -_Dolly._ I tell you what, Susan, when I get married, I is gwine to have a -preacher to marry me. I ain’t a-gwine to jump de broomstick. Dat will do -for fiel’ hands, but house servants ought to be ’bove dat. - -_Susan._ Well, chile, you can’t speck any ting else from ole missis. She -come from down in Carlina, from ’mong de poor white trash. She don’t know -any better. You can’t speck nothin’ more dan a jump from a frog. Missis -says she is one of de akastocacy; but she ain’t no more of an akastocacy -dan I is. Missis says she was born wid a silver spoon in her mouf; ef she -was, I wish it had a-choked her, dat’s what I wish. Missis wanted to make -Linda jump de broomstick wid Glen, but massa ain’t a-gwine to let Linda -jump de broomstick wid anybody. He’s gwine to keep Linda fer heself. - -_Dolly._ You know massa took Linda ’way las’ night, an’ tell missis dat -he has sold her and sent her down de river; but I don’t b’lieve he has -sold her at all. He went ober towards de poplar farm, an’ I tink Linda is -ober dar now. Ef she is dar, missis’ll find it out, fer she tell’d massa -las’ night, dat ef Linda was in de neighborhood, she’d find her. - - [_Exit DOLLY and SUSAN._ - - -_Scene 3._—SITTING-ROOM—CHAIRS AND TABLE. - -_Enter HANNAH, R._ - -_Hannah._ I don’t keer what missis says; I don’t like Cato, an’ I won’t -live wid him. I always love my Sammy, an’ I loves him now. - - [_Knock at the door—goes to the door._ - -_Enter MAJ. MOORE, M. D._ - -Walk in, sir; take a seat. I’ll call missis, sir; massa is gone away. - - [_Exit HANNAH, R._ - -_Maj. Moore._ So I am here at last, and the Colonel is not at home. I -hope his wife is a good-looking woman. I rather like fine-looking women, -especially when their husbands are from home. Well, I’ve studied human -nature to some purpose. If you wish to get the good will of a man, don’t -praise his wife, and if you wish to gain the favor of a woman, praise her -children, and swear that they are the picture of their father, whether -they are or not. Ah! here comes the lady. - -_Enter MRS. GAINES, R._ - -_Mrs. G._ Good morning, sir! - -_Maj. M._ Good morning, madam! I am Maj. Moore, of Jefferson. The Colonel -and I had seats near each other in the last Legislature. - -_Mrs. G._ Be seated, sir. I think I’ve heard the Colonel speak of you. -He’s away, now; but I expect him every moment. You’re a stranger here, I -presume? - -_Maj. M._ Yes, madam, I am. I rather like the Colonel’s situation here. - -_Mrs. G._ It is thought to be a fine location. - -_Enter SAMPEY, R._ - -Hand me my fan, will you, Sampey? - - [_Sampey gets the fan and passes near the Major, who mistakes - the boy for the Colonel’s son. He reaches out his hand._ - -_Maj. M._ How do you do, bub? Madam, I should have known that this was -the Colonel’s son, if I had met him in California; for he looks so much -like his papa. - -_Mrs. G._ [_To the boy._] Get out of here this minute. Go to the kitchen. - - [_Exit SAMPEY, R._ - -That is one of the niggers, sir. - -_Maj. M._ I beg your pardon, madam; I beg your pardon. - -_Mrs. G._ No offence, sir; mistakes will be made. Ah! here comes the -Colonel. - -_Enter DR. GAINES, M. D._ - -_Dr. Gaines._ Bless my soul, how are you, Major? I’m exceedingly pleased -to see you. Be seated, be seated, Major. - -_Mrs. G._ Please excuse me, gentlemen; I must go and look after dinner, -for I’ve no doubt that the Major will have an appetite for dinner, by the -time it is ready. - - [_Exit MRS. GAINES, R._ - -_Maj. M._ Colonel, I’m afraid I’ve played the devil here to-day. - -_Dr. G._ Why, what have you done? - -_Maj. M._ You see, Colonel, I always make it a point, wherever I go, to -praise the children, if there are any, and so to-day, seeing one of your -little servants come in, and taking him to be your son, I spoke to your -wife of the marked resemblance between you and the boy. I am afraid I’ve -insulted madam. - -_Dr. G._ Oh! don’t let that trouble you. Ha, ha, ha. If you did call him -my son, you didn’t miss it much. Ha, ha, ha. Come, we’ll take a walk, and -talk over matters about old times. - - [_Exit, L._ - - -_Scene 4._—FOREST SCENERY. - -_Enter GLEN, L._ - -_Glen._ Oh, how I want to see Melinda! My heart pants and my soul is -moved whenever I hear her voice. Human tongue cannot tell how my heart -yearns toward her. Oh, God! thou who gavest me life, and implanted in -my bosom the love of liberty, and gave me a heart to love, Oh, pity the -poor outraged slave! Thou, who canst rend the veil of centuries, speak, -Oh, speak, and put a stop to this persecution! What is death, compared -to slavery? Oh, heavy curse, to have thoughts, reason, taste, judgment, -conscience and passions like another man, and not have equal liberty to -use them! Why was I born with a wish to be free, and still be a slave? -Why should I call another man master? And my poor Melinda, she is taken -away from me, and I dare not ask the tyrant where she is. It is childish -to stand here weeping. Why should my eyes be filled with tears, when my -brain is on fire? I will find my wife—I will; and wo to him who shall try -to keep me from her! - - -_Scene 5._—ROOM IN A SMALL COTTAGE ON THE POPLAR FARM. - - (_Ten miles from Muddy Creek, and owned by Dr. Gaines._) - -_Enter MELINDA, R._ - -_Melinda._ Here I am, watched, and kept a prisoner in this place. Oh, -I would that I could escape, and once more get with Glen. Poor Glen! -He does not know where I am. Master took the opportunity, when Glen was -in the city with his master, to bring me here to this lonely place, and -fearing that mistress would know where I was, he brought me here at -night. Oh, how I wish I could rush into the arms of sleep!—that sweet -sleep, which visits all alike, descending, like the dews of heaven, upon -the bond as well as the free. It would drive from my troubled brain the -agonies of this terrible night. - -_Enter DR. GAINES, L._ - -_Dr. Gaines._ Good evening, Melinda! Are you not glad to see me? - -_Melinda._ Sir, how can I be glad to see one who has made life a burden, -and turned my sweetest moments into bitterness? - -_Dr. G._ Come, Melinda, no more reproaches! You know that I love you, and -I have told you, and I tell you again, that if you will give up all idea -of having Glen for a husband, I will set you free, let you live in this -cottage, and be your own mistress, and I’ll dress you like a lady. Come, -now, be reasonable! - -_Melinda._ Sir, I am your slave; you can do as you please with the avails -of my labor, but you shall never tempt me to swerve from the path of -virtue. - -_Dr. G._ Now, Melinda, that black scoundrel Glen has been putting these -notions into your head. I’ll let you know that you are my property, and -I’ll do as I please with you. I’ll teach you that there is no limit to my -power. - -_Melinda._ Sir, let me warn you that if you compass my ruin, a woman’s -bitterest curse will be laid upon your head, with all the crushing, -withering weight that my soul can impart to it; a curse that shall cling -to you throughout the remainder of your wretched life; a curse that shall -haunt you like a spectre in your dreams by night, and attend upon you by -day; a curse, too, that shall embody itself in the ghastly form of the -woman whose chastity you will have outraged. Command me to bury myself -in yonder stream, and I will obey you. Bid me do any thing else, but I -beseech you not to commit a double crime,—outrage a woman, and make her -false to her husband. - -_Dr. G._ You got a husband! Who is your husband, and when were you -married? - -_Melinda._ Glen is my husband, and I’ve been married four weeks. Old -Uncle Joseph married us one night by moonlight. I see you are angry; I -pray you not to injure my husband. - -_Dr. G._ Melinda, you shall never see Glen again. I have bought him from -Hamilton, and I will return to Muddy Creek, and roast him at the stake. -A black villain, to get into my way in that manner! Here I’ve come ten -miles to-night to see you, and this is the way you receive me! - -_Melinda._ Oh, master, I beg you not to injure my husband! Kill me, but -spare him! Do! do! he is my husband! - -_Dr. G._ You shall never see that black imp again, so good night, my -lady! When I come again, you’ll give me a more cordial reception. Good -night! - - [_Exit DR. GAINES, L._ - -_Melinda._ I shall go distracted. I cannot remain here and know that Glen -is being tortured on my account. I must escape from this place,—I must,—I -must! - -_Enter CATO, R._ - -_Cato._ No, you ain’t a-gwine to ’scape, nudder. Massa tells me to keep -dese eyes on you, an’ I is gwine to do it. - -_Melinda._ Oh, Cato, do let me get away! I beg you, do! - -_Cato._ No; I tells you massa telled me to keep you safe; an’ ef I let -you go, massa will whip me. - - [_Exit CATO, L._ - -_Enter MRS. GAINES, R._ - -_Mrs. G._ Ah, you trollop! here you are! Your master told me that he had -sold you and sent you down the river, but I knew better; I knew it was -a lie. And when he left home this evening, he said he was going to the -city on business, and I knew that was a lie too, and determined to follow -him, and see what he was up to. I rode all the way over here to-night. My -side-saddle was lent out, and I had to ride ten miles bare-back, and I -can scarcely walk; and your master has just left here. Now deny that, if -you dare. - -_Melinda._ Madam, I will deny nothing which is true. Your husband has -just gone from here, but God knows that I am innocent of any thing wrong -with him. - -_Mrs. G._ It’s a lie! I know better. If you are innocent, what are you -doing here, cooped up in this cottage by yourself? Tell me that! - -_Melinda._ God knows that I was brought here against my will, and I beg -that you will take me away. - -_Mrs. G._ Yes, Melinda, I will see that you are taken away, but it shall -be after a fashion that you won’t like. I know that your master loves -you, and I intend to put a stop to it. Here, drink the contents of this -vial,—drink it! - -_Melinda._ Oh, you will not take my life,—you will not! - -_Mrs. G._ Drink the poison this moment! - -_Melinda._ I cannot drink it. - -_Mrs. G._ I tell you to drink this poison at once. Drink it, or I will -thrust this knife to your heart! The poison or the dagger, this instant! - - [_She draws a dagger; Melinda retreats to the back of the room, - and seizes a broom._ - -_Melinda._ I will not drink the poison! - - [_They fight; MELINDA sweeps off MRS. GAINES,—cap, combs and - curls. Curtain falls._ - - - - -ACT IV. - - -_Scene 1._—INTERIOR OF A DUNGEON—GLEN IN CHAINS. - -_Glen._ When I think of my unmerited sufferings, it almost drives me mad. -I struck the doctor, and for that, I must remain here loaded with chains. -But why did he strike me? He takes my wife from me, sends her off, and -then comes and beats me over the head with his cane. I did right to -strike him back again. I would I had killed him. Oh! there is a volcano -pent up in the hearts of the slaves of these Southern States that will -burst forth ere long. When that day comes, wo to those whom its unpitying -fury may devour! I would be willing to die, if I could smite down with -these chains every man who attempts to enslave his fellow-man. - -_Enter SAMPEY, R._ - -_Sampey._ Glen, I jess bin hear massa call de oberseer, and I spec -somebody is gwine to be whipped. Anudder ting: I know whar massa took -Linda to. He took her to de poplar farm, an’ he went away las’ night, an’ -missis she follow after massa, an’ she ain’t come back yet. I tell you, -Glen, de debil will be to pay on dis place, but don’t you tell any body -dat I tole you. - - [_Exit SAMPEY, R._ - - -_Scene 2._—PARLOR. - - _DR. GAINES, alone._ - -_Dr. Gaines._ Yes, I will have the black rascal well whipped, and then -I’ll sell him. It was most fortunate for me that Hamilton was willing to -sell him to me. - -_Enter MR. SCRAGG, L._ - -I have sent for you, Mr. Scragg. I want you to take Glen out of the -dungeon, take him into the tobacco house, fasten him down upon the -stretcher, and give him five hundred lashes upon his bare back; and when -you have whipped him, feel his pulse, and report to me how it stands, and -if he can bear more, I’ll have you give him an additional hundred or two, -as the case may be. - -_Scragg._ I tell you, doctor, that suits me to a charm. I’ve long wanted -to whip that nigger. When your brother-in-law came here to board, and -brought that boy with him, I felt bad to see a nigger dressed up in such -fine clothes, and I wanted to whip him right off. I tell you, doctor, I -had rather whip that nigger than go to heaven, any day,—that I had! - -_Dr. G._ Go, Mr. Scragg, and do your duty. Don’t spare the whip! - -_Scragg._ I will, sir; I’ll do it in order. - - [_Exit SCRAGG, L._ - -_Dr. G._ Every thing works well now, and when I get Glen out of the way, -I’ll pay Melinda another visit, and she’ll give me a different reception. -But I wonder where my wife is? She left word that she was going to see -her brother, but I am afraid that she has got on my track. That woman is -the pest of my life. If there’s any place in heaven for her, I’d be glad -if the Lord would take her home, for I’ve had her too long already. But -what noise is that? What can that be? What is the matter? - -_Enter SCRAGG, L., with face bloody._ - -_Scragg._ Oh, dear me! oh, my head! That nigger broke away from me, and -struck me over the head with a stick. Oh, dear me! Oh! - -_Dr. G._ Where is he, Mr. Scragg? - -_Scragg._ Oh! sir, he jumped out of the window; he’s gone. Oh! my head; -he’s cracked my skull. Oh, dear me, I’m kilt! Oh! oh! oh! - -_Enter SLAVES, R._ - -_Dr. G._ Go, Dolly, and wash Mr. Scragg’s head with some whiskey, and -bind it up. Go at once. And Bob, you run over to Mr. Hall, and tell him -to come with his hounds; we must go after the rascal. - - [_Exit all except the DOCTOR, R._ - -This will never do. When I catch the scoundrel, I’ll make an example of -him; I’ll whip him to death. Ah! here comes my wife. I wonder what she -comes now for? I must put on a sober face, for she looks angry. - -_Enter MRS. GAINES, L._ - -Ah! my dear, I am glad you’ve come, I’ve been so lonesome without you. -Oh! Sarah, I don’t know what I should do if the Lord should take you home -to heaven. I don’t think that I should be able to live without you. - -_Mrs. G._ Dr. Gaines, you ought to be ashamed to sit there and talk in -that way. You know very well that if the Lord should call me home to -glory to-night, you’d jump for joy. But you need not think that I am -going to leave this world before you. No; with the help of the Lord, I’ll -stay here to foil you in your meanness. I’ve been on your track, and a -dirty track it is, too. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. See what -promises you made me before we were married; and this is the way you keep -your word. When I married you, every body said that it was a pity that a -woman of my sweet temper should be linked to such a man as you. - - [_She weeps and wrings her hands._ - -_Dr. G._ Come, my dear, don’t make a fool of yourself. Come, let’s go to -supper, and a strong cup of tea will help your head. - -_Mrs. G._ Tea help my head! tea won’t help my head. You’re a brute of a -man; I always knew I was a fool for marrying you. There was Mr. Comstock, -he wanted me, and he loved me, and he said I was an angel, so he did; and -he loved me, and he was rich; and mother always said that he loved me -more than you, for when he used to kiss me, he always squeezed my hand. -You never did such a thing in your life. - - [_She weeps and wrings her hands._ - -_Dr. G._ Come, my dear, don’t act so foolish. - -_Mrs. G._ Yes; every thing I do is foolish. You’re a brute of a man; I -won’t live with you any longer. I’ll leave you—that I will. I’ll go and -see a lawyer, and get a divorce from you—so I will. - -_Dr. G._ Well, Sarah, if you want a divorce, you had better engage Mr. -Barker. He’s the best lawyer in town; and if you want some money to -facilitate the business, I’ll draw a check for you. - -_Mrs. G._ So you want me to get a divorce, do you? Well, I won’t have a -divorce; no, I’ll never leave you, as long as the Lord spares me. - - [_Exit MRS. GAINES, R._ - - -_Scene 3._—FOREST AT NIGHT—LARGE TREE. - -_Enter MELINDA, L._ - -_Melinda._ This is indeed a dark night to be out and alone on this road. -But I must find my husband, I must. Poor Glen! if he only knew that -I was here, and could get to me, he would. What a curse slavery is! -It separates husbands from their wives, and tears mothers from their -helpless offspring, and blights all our hopes for this world. I must try -to reach Muddy Creek before daylight, and seek out my husband. What’s -that I hear?—footsteps? I’ll get behind this tree. - -_Enter GLEN, R._ - -_Glen._ It is so dark, I’m afraid I’ve missed the road. Still, this must -be the right way to the poplar farm. And if Bob told me the truth, when -he said that Melinda was at the poplar farm, I will soon be with her; and -if I once get her in my arms, it will be a strong man that shall take her -from me. Aye, a dozen strong men shall not be able to wrest her from my -arms. - - [_Melinda rushes from behind the tree._ - -_Melinda._ Oh, Glen! It is my husband,—it is! - -_Glen._ Melinda! Melinda! it is, it is. Oh God! I thank Thee for this -manifestation of Thy kindness. Come, come, Melinda, we must go at once -to Canada. I escaped from the overseer, whom Dr. Gaines sent to flog me. -Yes, I struck him over the head with his own club, and I made the wine -flow freely; yes, I pounded his old skillet well for him, and then jumped -out of the window. It was a leap for freedom. Yes, Melinda, it was a leap -for freedom. I’ve said “master” for the last time. I am free; I’m bound -for Canada. Come, let’s be off, at once, for the negro dogs will be put -upon our track. Let us once get beyond the Ohio river, and all will be -right. - - [_Exit R._ - - - - -ACT V. - - -_Scene 1._—BAR-ROOM IN THE AMERICAN HOTEL—TRAVELLERS LOUNGING IN CHAIRS, -AND AT THE BAR. - -_Enter BILL JENNINGS, R._ - -_Barkeeper._ Why, Jennings, how do you do? - -_Jennings._ Say Mr. Jennings, if you please. - -_Barkeeper._ Well, Mr. Jennings, if that suits you better. How are times? -We’ve been expecting you, for some days. - -_Jennings._ Well, before I talk about the times, I want my horses put up, -and want you to tell me where my niggers are to stay to-night. Sheds, -stables, barns, and every thing else here, seems pretty full, if I am a -judge. - -_Barkeeper._ Oh! I’ll see to your plunder. - -_1st Lounger._ I say, Barkeeper, make me a brandy cocktail, strong. Why, -how do you do, Mr. Jennings? - -_Jennings._ Pretty well, Mr. Peters. Cold evening, this. - -_1st Loun._ Yes, this is cold. I heard you speak of your niggers. Have -you got a pretty large gang? - -_Jennings._ No, only thirty-three. But they are the best that the country -can afford. I shall clear a few dimes, this trip. I hear that the price -is up. - -_Enter MR. WHITE, R._ - -_White._ Can I be accommodated here to-night, landlord? - -_Barkeeper._ Yes, sir; we’ve bed for man and beast. Go, Dick, and take -the gentleman’s coat and hat. [_To the waiter._] You’re a stranger in -these parts, I rec’on. - -_White._ Yes, I am a stranger here. - -_2d Loun._ Where mout you come from, ef it’s a far question? - -_White._ I am from Massachusetts. - -_3d Loun._ I say, cuss Massachusetts! - -_1st Loun._ I say so too. There is where the fanatics live; cussed -traitors. The President ought to hang ’em all. - -_White._ I say, landlord, if this is the language that I am to hear, I -would like to go into a private room. - -_Barkeeper._ We ain’t got no private room empty. - -_1st Loun._ Maybe you’re mad ’bout what I said ’bout your State. Ef you -is, I’ve only to say that this is a free country, and people talks what -they please; an’ ef you don’t like it, you can better yourself. - -_White._ Sir, if this is a free country, why do you have slaves here? I -saw a gang at the door, as I came in. - -_2d Loun._ He didn’t mean that this was a free country for niggers. He -meant that it’s free for white people. And another thing, ef you get to -talking ’bout freedom for niggers, you’ll catch what you won’t like, -mister. It’s right for niggers to be slaves. - -_White._ But I saw some white slaves. - -_1st Loun._ Well, they’re white niggers. - -_White._ Well, sir, I am from a free State, and I thank God for it; -for the worst act that a man can commit upon his fellow-man, is to -make him a slave. Conceive of a mind, a living soul, with the germs of -faculties which infinity cannot exhaust, as it first beams upon you in -its glad morning of existence, quivering with life and joy, exulting in -the glorious sense of its developing energies, beautiful, and brave, -and generous, and joyous, and free,—the clear pure spirit bathed in the -auroral light of its unconscious immortality,—and then follow it in its -dark and dreary passage through slavery, until oppression stifles and -kills, one by one, every inspiration and aspiration of its being, until -it becomes a dead soul entombed in a living frame! - -_3d Loun._ Stop that; stop that, I say. That’s treason to the country; -that’s downright rebellion. - -_Barkeeper._ Yes, it is. And another thing,—this is not a meeting-house. - -_1st Loun._ Yes, if you talk such stuff as that, you’ll get a chunk of -cold lead in you, that you will. - -_Enter DR. GAINES and SCRAGG, followed by CATO, R._ - -_Dr. G._ Gentlemen, I am in pursuit of two valuable slaves, and I will -pay five hundred dollars for their arrest. - - [_Exit MR. WHITE, L._ - -_1st Loun._ I’ll bet a picayune that your niggers have been stolen by -that cussed feller from Massachusetts. Don’t you see he’s gone? - -_Dr. G._ Where is the man? If I can lay my hands on him, he’ll never -steal another nigger. Where is the scoundrel? - -_1st Loun._ Let’s go after the feller. I’ll go with you. Come, foller me. - - [_Exit all, L., except CATO and the waiter._ - -_Cato._ Why don’t you bring in massa’s saddle-bags? What de debil you -standin’ dar for? You common country niggers don’t know nuffin’, no how. -Go an’ get massa’s saddle-bags, and bring ’em in. - - [_Exit SERVANT, R._ - -By golly! ebry body’s gone, an’ de bar-keeper too. I’ll tend de bar -myself now; an’ de fuss gemman I waits on will be dis gemman of color. -[_Goes behind the counter, and drinks._] Ah, dis is de stuff fer me; it -makes my head swim; it makes me happy right off. I’ll take a little more. - -_Enter BARKEEPER, L._ - -_Barkeeper._ What are you doing behind that bar, you black cuss? - -_Cato._ I is lookin’ for massa’s saddle-bags, sir. Is dey here? - -_Barkeeper._ But what were you drinking there? - -_Cato._ Me drinkin’! Why, massa, you muss be mistaken. I ain’t drink -nuffin’. - -_Barkeeper._ You infernal whelp, to stand there and lie in that way! - -_Cato._ Oh, yes, seer, I did tase dat coffee in dat bottle; dat’s all I -did. - -_Enter MR. WHITE, L., excited._ - -_Mr. White._ I say, sir, is there no place of concealment in your house? -They are after me, and my life is in danger. Say, sir, can’t you hide me -away? - -_Barkeeper._ Well, you ought to hold your tongue when you come into our -State. - -_Mr. White._ But, sir, the Constitution gives me the right to speak my -sentiments, at all times and in all places. - -_Barkeeper._ We don’t care for Constitutions nor nothin’ else. We made -the Constitution, and we’ll break it. But you had better hide away; they -are coming, and they’ll lynch you, that they will. Come with me; I’ll -hide you in the cellar. Foller me. - - [_Exit BARKEEPER and WHITE, L._ - -_Enter the MOB, R._ - -_Dr. Gaines._ If I can once lay my hands on that scoundrel, I’ll blow a -hole through his head. - -_Jennings._ Yes, I say so too; for no one knows whose niggers are safe, -now-a-days. I must look after my niggers. Who is that I see in the -distance? I believe it’s that cussed Massachusetts feller. Come, let’s go -after him. - - [_Exit the MOB, R._ - - -_Scene 2._—FOREST AT NIGHT. - -_Enter GLEN and MELINDA, R._ - -_Melinda._ I am so tired and hungry, that I cannot go further. It is -so cloudy that we cannot see the North Star, and therefore cannot tell -whether we are going to Canada, or further South. Let’s sit down here. - -_Glen._ I know that we cannot see the North Star, Melinda, and I fear -we’ve lost our way. But, see! the clouds are passing away, and it’ll -soon be clear. See! yonder is a star; yonder is another and another. Ah! -yonder is the North Star, and we are safe! - - “Star of the North! though night winds drift - The fleecy drapery of the sky - Between thy lamp and me, I lift, - Yea, lift with hope my sleepless eye, - To the blue heights wherein thou dwellest, - And of a land of freedom tellest. - - “Star of the North! while blazing day - Pours round me its full tide of light, - And hides thy pale but faithful ray, - I, too, lie hid, and long for night: - For night: I dare not walk at noon, - Nor dare I trust the faithless moon— - - “Nor faithless man, whose burning lust - For gold hath riveted my chain,— - Nor other leader can I trust - But thee, of even the starry train; - For all the host around thee burning, - Like faithless man, keep turning, turning. - - “I may not follow where they go:— - Star of the North! I look to thee - While on I press; for well I know, - Thy light and truth shall set me free:— - Thy light, that no poor slave deceiveth; - Thy truth, that all my soul believeth. - - “Thy beam is on the glassy breast - Of the still spring, upon whose brink - I lay my weary limbs to rest, - And bow my parching lips to drink. - Guide of the friendless negro’s way, - I bless thee for this quiet ray! - - “In the dark top of southern pines - I nestled, when the Driver’s horn - Called to the field, in lengthening lines, - My fellows, at the break of morn. - And there I lay till thy sweet face - Looked in upon “my hiding place.” - - “The tangled cane-brake, where I crept - For shelter from the heat of noon, - And where, while others toiled, I slept, - Till wakened by the rising moon, - As its stalks felt the night wind free, - Gave me to catch a glimpse of thee. - - “Star of the North! in bright array - The constellations round thee sweep, - Each holding on its nightly way, - Rising, or sinking in the deep, - And, as it hangs in mid heaven flaming, - The homage of some nation claiming. - - “_This_ nation to the Eagle cowers; - Fit ensign! she’s a bird of spoil:— - Like worships like! for each devours - The earnings of another’s toil. - I’ve felt her talons and her beak, - And now the gentler Lion seek. - - “The Lion, at the Monarch’s feet - Crouches, and lays his mighty paw - Into her lap!—an emblem meet - Of England’s Queen, and English law: - Queen, that hath made her Islands free! - Law, that holds out its shield to me! - - “Star of the North! upon that shield - Thou shinest,—Oh, for ever shine! - The negro, from the cotton field - Shall, then, beneath its orb recline, - And feed the Lion, couched before it, - Nor heed the Eagle, screaming o’er it!” - -With the thoughts of servitude behind us, and the North Star before us, -we will go forward with cheerful hearts. Come, Melinda, let’s go on. - - [_Exit, L._ - - -_Scene 3._—A STREET. - -_Enter MR. WHITE, R._ - -_Mr. White._ I am glad to be once more in a free State. If I am caught -again south of Mason and Dixon’s line, I’ll give them leave to lynch me. -I came near losing my life. This is the way our constitutional rights are -trampled upon. But what care these men about Constitutions, or any thing -else that does not suit them? But I must hasten on. - - [_Exit, L._ - -_Enter CATO, in disguise, R._ - -_Cato._ I wonder ef dis is me? By golly, I is free as a frog. But maybe I -is mistaken; maybe dis ain’t me. Cato, is dis you? Yes, seer. Well, now -it is me, an’ I em a free man. But, stop! I muss change my name, kase ole -massa might foller me, and somebody might tell him dat dey seed Cato; so -I’ll change my name, and den he won’t know me ef he sees me. Now, what -shall I call myself? I’m now in a suspectable part of de country, an’ I -muss have a suspectable name. Ah! I’ll call myself Alexander Washington -Napoleon Pompey Cæsar. Dar, now, dat’s a good long, suspectable name, and -every body will suspect me. Let me see; I wonder ef I can’t make up a -song on my escape? I’ll try. - - AIR—“_Dearest Mae._” - - Now, freemen, listen to my song, a story I’ll relate, - It happened in de valley of de ole Kentucky State: - Dey marched me out into de fiel’, at every break of day, - And work me dar till late sunset, widout a cent of pay. - - _Chorus._—Dey work me all de day, - Widout a bit of pay, - And thought, because dey fed me well, - I would not run away. - - Massa gave me his ole coat, an’ thought I’d happy be, - But I had my eye on de North Star, an’ thought of liberty; - Ole massa lock de door, an’ den he went to sleep, - I dress myself in his bess clothes, an’ jump into de street. - - _Chorus._—Dey work me all de day, - Widout a bit of pay, - So I took my flight, in the middle of de night, - When de sun was gone away. - - Sed I, dis chile’s a freeman now, he’ll be a slave no more; - I travell’d faster all dat night, dan I ever did before. - I came up to a farmer’s house, jest at de break of day, - And saw a white man standin’ dar, sed he, “You are a runaway.” - - _Chorus._—Dey work me all de day, &c. - - I tole him I had left de whip, an’ bayin’ of de hound, - To find a place where man is man, ef sich dar can be found; - Dat I had heard, in Canada, dat all mankind are free, - An’ dat I was going dar in search of liberty. - - _Chorus._—Dey work me all de day, &c. - - I’ve not committed any crime, why should I run away? - Oh! shame upon your laws, dat drive me off to Canada. - You loudly boast of liberty, an’ say your State is free, - But ef I tarry in your midst, will you protect me? - - _Chorus._—Dey work me all de day, &c. - - [_Exit, L._ - - -_Scene 4._—DINING-ROOM.—TABLE SPREAD. - - _MRS. NEAL and CHARLOTTE._ - -_Mrs. Neal._ Thee may put the tea to draw, Charlotte. Thy father will be -in soon, and we must have breakfast. - -_Enter MR. NEAL, L._ - -I think, Simeon, it is time those people were called. Thee knows that -they may be pursued, and we ought not to detain them long here. - -_Mr. Neal._ Yes, Ruth, thou art right. Go, Charlotte, and knock on their -chamber door, and tell them that breakfast is ready. - - [_Exit CHARLOTTE, R._ - -_Mrs. N._ Poor creatures! I hope they’ll reach Canada in safety. They -seem to be worthy persons. - -_Enter CHARLOTTE, R._ - -_Charlotte._ I’ve called them, mother, and they’ll soon be down. I’ll put -the breakfast on the table. - -_Enter NEIGHBOR JONES, L._ - -_Mr. N._ Good morning, James. Thee has heard, I presume, that we have two -very interesting persons in the house? - -_Jones._ Yes, I heard that you had two fugitives by the Underground road, -last night; and I’ve come over to fight for them, if any persons come to -take them back. - -_Enter THOMAS, R._ - -_Mr. N._ Go, Thomas, and harness up the horses and put them to the -covered wagon, and be ready to take these people on, as soon as they get -their breakfast. Go, Thomas, and hurry thyself. - - [_Exit THOMAS, R._ - -And so thee wants to fight, this morning, James? - -_Jones._ Yes; as you belongs to a society that don’t believe in fighting, -and I does believe in that sort of thing, I thought I’d come and relieve -you of that work, if there is any to be done. - -_Enter GLEN and MELINDA, R._ - -_Mr. N._ Good morning, friends. I hope thee rested well, last night. - -_Mrs. N._ Yes, I hope thee had a good night’s rest. - -_Glen._ I thank you, madam, we did. - -_Mr. N._ I’ll introduce thee to our neighbor, James Jones. He’s a staunch -friend of thy people. - -_Jones._ I am glad to see you. I’ve come over to render assistance, if -any is needed. - -_Mrs. N._ Come, friends, take seats at the table. Thee’ll take seats -there. [_To GLEN and MELINDA._] [_All take seats at the table._] Does -thee take sugar and milk in thy tea? - -_Melinda._ I thank you, we do. - -_Jones._ I’ll look at your _Tribune_, Uncle Simeon, while you’re eating. - -_Mr. N._ Thee’ll find it on the table. - -_Mrs. N._ I presume thee’s anxious to get to thy journey’s end? - -_Glen._ Yes, madam, we are. I am told that we are not safe in any of the -free States. - -_Mr. N._ I am sorry to tell thee, that that is too true. Thee will not -be safe until thee gets on British soil. I wonder what keeps Thomas; he -should have been here with the team. - -_Enter THOMAS, L._ - -_Thomas._ All’s ready; and I’ve written the prettiest song that was ever -sung. I call it “The Underground Railroad.” - -_Mr. N._ Thomas, thee can eat thy breakfast far better than thee can -write a song, as thee calls it. Thee must hurry thyself, when I send thee -for the horses, Thomas. Here lately, thee takes thy time. - -_Thomas._ Well, you see I’ve been writing poetry; that’s the reason I’ve -been so long. If you wish it, I’ll sing it to you. - -_Jones._ Do let us hear the song. - -_Mrs. Neal._ Yes, if Thomas has written a ditty, do let us hear it. - -_Mr. Neal._ Well, Thomas, if thee has a ditty, thee may recite it to us. - -_Thomas._ Well, I’ll give it to you. Remember that I call it, “The -Underground Railroad.” - - AIR—“_Wait for the Wagon._” - - Oh, where is the invention - Of this growing age, - Claiming the attention - Of statesman, priest, or sage, - In the many railways - Through the nation found, - Equal to the Yankees’ - Railway under-ground? - - _Chorus._—No one hears the whistle, - Or rolling of the cars, - While negroes ride to freedom - Beyond the stripes and stars. - - On the Southern borders - Are the Railway stations, - Negroes get free orders - While on the plantations; - For all, of ev’ry color, - First-class cars are found, - While they ride to freedom - By Railway under-ground. - - _Chorus._—No one hears the whistle, &c. - - Masters in the morning - Furiously rage, - Cursing the inventions - Of this knowing age; - Order out the bloodhounds, - Swear they’ll bring them back, - Dogs return exhausted, - Cannot find the track. - - _Chorus._—No one hears the whistle, &c. - - Travel is increasing, - Build a double track, - Cars and engines wanted, - They’ll come, we have no lack. - Clear the track of loafers, - See that crowded car! - Thousands passing yearly, - Stock is more than par. - - _Chorus._—No one hears the whistle, &c. - -_Jones._ Well done! That’s a good song. I’d like to have a copy of them -verses. - - [_Knock at the door. Charlotte goes to the door, and returns._ - -_Enter CATO, L., still in disguise._ - -_Mr. Neal._ Who is this we have? Another of the outcasts, I presume? - -_Cato._ Yes, seer; I is gwine to Canada, an’ I met a man, an’ he tole -me dat you would give me some wittuls an’ help me on de way. By golly! -ef dar ain’t Glen an’ Melinda. Dey don’t know me in dese fine clothes. -[_Goes up to them._] Ah, chillen! I is one wid you. I golly, I is here -too! [_They shake hands._] - -_Glen._ Why, it is Cato, as I live! - -_Melinda._ Oh, Cato, I am so glad to see you! But how did you get here? - -_Cato._ Ah, chile, I come wid ole massa to hunt you; an’ you see I get -tired huntin’ you, an’ I am now huntin’ for Canada. I leff de ole boss -in de bed at de hotel; an’ you see I thought, afore I left massa, I’d -jess change clothes wid him; so, you see, I is fixed up,—ha, ha, ha. Ah, -chillen! I is gwine wid you. - -_Mrs. Neal._ Come, sit thee down, and have some breakfast. - -_Cato._ Tank you, madam, I’ll do dat. - - [_Sits down and eats._ - -_Mr. Neal._ This is pleasant for thee to meet one of thy friends. - -_Glen._ Yes, sir, it is; I would be glad if we could meet more of them. I -have a mother and sister still in slavery, and I would give worlds, if I -possessed them, if by so doing I could release them from their bondage. - -_Thomas._ We are all ready, sir, and the wagon is waiting. - -_Mrs. Neal._ Yes, thee had better start. - -_Cato._ Ef any body tries to take me back to ole massa, I’ll pull ebry -toof out of dar heads, dat I will! As soon as I get to Canada, I’ll set -up a doctor shop, an’ won’t I be poplar? Den I rec’on I will. I’ll pull -teef fer all de people in Canada. Oh, how I wish I had Hannah wid me! It -makes me feel bad when I tink I ain’t a-gwine to see my wife no more. -But, come, chillen, let’s be makin’ tracks. Dey say we is most to de -British side. - -_Mr. Neal._ Yes, a few miles further, and you’ll be safe beyond the reach -of the Fugitive-Slave Law. - -_Cato._ Ah, dat’s de talk fer dis chile. - - [_Exit, M. D._ - - -_Scene 5._—THE NIAGARA RIVER—A FERRY. - - _FERRYMAN, fastening his small boat._ - -_Ferryman,_ [_advancing, takes out his watch._] I swan, if it ain’t one -o’clock. I thought it was dinner time. Now there’s no one here, I’ll go -to dinner, and if any body comes, they can wait until I return. I’ll go -at once. - - [_Exit, L._ - -_Enter MR. WHITE, R., with an umbrella._ - -_Mr. White._ I wonder where that ferryman is? I want to cross to Canada. -It seems a little showery, or else the mist from the Falls is growing -thicker. - - [_Takes out his sketch-book and pencils,—sketches._ - -_Enter CANE PEDLAR, R._ - -_Pedlar._ Want a good cane to-day, sir? Here’s one from Goat Island,—very -good, sir,—straight and neat,—only one dollar. I’ve a wife and nine -small children,—youngest is nursing, and the oldest only three years -old. Here’s a cane from Table Rock, sir. Please buy one! I’ve had no -breakfast to-day. My wife’s got the rheumatics, and the children’s got -the measles. Come, sir, do buy a cane! I’ve a lame shoulder, and can’t -work. - -_Mr. White._ Will you stop your confounded talk, and let me alone? Don’t -you see that I am sketching? You’ve spoiled a beautiful scene for me, -with your nonsense. - -_Enter 2d PEDLAR, R._ - -_2d Pedlar._ Want any bead bags, or money purses? These are all real -Ingen bags, made by the Black Hawk Ingens. Here’s a pretty bag, sir, only -75 cents. Here’s a money purse, 50 cents. Please, sir, buy something! My -wife’s got the fever and ague, and the house is full of children, and -they’re all sick. Come, sir, do help a worthy man! - -_Mr. White._ Will you hold your tongue? You’ve spoiled some of the finest -pictures in the world. Don’t you see that I am sketching? - - [_Exit PEDLARS, R., grumbling._ - -I am glad those fellows have gone; now I’ll go a little further up the -shore, and see if I can find another boat. I want to get over. - - [_Exit, L._ - -_Enter DR. GAINES, SCRAGG, and an OFFICER._ - -_Officer._ I don’t think that your slaves have crossed yet, and my -officers will watch the shore below here, while we stroll up the river. -If I once get my hands on them, all the Abolitionists in the State shall -not take them from me. - -_Dr. G._ I hope they have not got over, for I would not lose them for two -thousand dollars, especially the gal. - -_Enter 1st PEDLAR._ - -_Pedlar._ Wish to get a good cane, sir? This stick was cut on the very -spot where Sam Patch jumped over the falls. Only fifty cents. I have a -sick wife and thirteen children. Please buy a cane; I ain’t had no dinner. - -_Officer._ Get out of the way! Gentlemen, we’ll go up the shore. - - [_Exit, L._ - -_Enter CATO, R._ - -_Cato._ I is loss fum de cumpny, but dis is de ferry, and I spec dey’ll -soon come. But didn’t we have a good time las’ night in Buffalo? Dem dar -Buffalo gals make my heart flutter, dat dey did. But, tanks be to de -Lord, I is got religion. I got it las’ night in de meetin.’ Before I got -religion, I was a great sinner; I got drunk, an’ took de name of de Lord -in vain. But now I is a conwerted man; I is bound for hebben; I toats -de witness in my bosom; I feel dat my name is rote in de book of life. -But dem niggers in de Vine Street Church las’ night shout an’ make sich -a fuss, dey give me de headache. But, tank de Lord, I is got religion, -an’ now I’ll be a preacher, and den dey’ll call me de Rev. Alexander -Washinton Napoleon Pompey Cæsar. Now I’ll preach and pull teef, bofe at -de same time. Oh, how I wish I had Hannah wid me! Cuss ole massa, fer ef -it warn’t for him, I could have my wife wid me. Ef I hadn’t religion, -I’d say “Damn ole massa!” but as I is a religious man, an’ belongs to de -church, I won’t say no sich a thing. But who is dat I see comin’? Oh, -it’s a whole heap of people. Good Lord! what is de matter? - -_Enter GLEN and MELINDA, L., followed by OFFICERS._ - -_Glen._ Let them come; I am ready for them. He that lays hands on me or -my wife shall feel the weight of this club. - -_Melinda._ Oh, Glen, let’s die here, rather than again go into slavery. - -_Officer._ I am the United States Marshal. I have a warrant from the -Commissioner to take you, and bring you before him. I command assistance. - -_Enter DR. GAINES, SCRAGG, and OFFICER, R._ - -_Dr. Gaines._ Here they are. Down with the villain! down with him! but -don’t hurt the gal! - -_Enter MR. WHITE, R._ - -_Mr. White._ Why, bless me! these are the slaveholding fellows. I’ll -fight for freedom! - - [_Takes hold of his umbrella with both hands.—The fight - commences, in which GLEN, CATO, DR. GAINES, SCRAGG, WHITE, - and the OFFICERS, take part.—FERRYMAN enters, and runs to his - boat.—DR. GAINES, SCRAGG and the OFFICERS are knocked down, - GLEN, MELINDA and CATO jump into the boat, and as it leaves the - shore and floats away, GLEN and CATO wave their hats, and shout - loudly for freedom.—Curtain falls._ - - -THE END. - - - - -OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. - - -☞ The following are but few of the favorable notices given of “THE -ESCAPE,” where it has been publicly read: - - A novel Dramatic Reading took place last evening at Sansom - Street Hall, by WM. WELLS BROWN, the colored dramatic - writer, which was highly entertaining, and gave the greatest - satisfaction to an intelligent and appreciative audience. The - Drama is instructive, as well as very laughable.—_Philadelphia - Evening Bulletin._ - - All who heard MR. BROWN’S Drama were highly gratified. It is - well executed, and was finely delivered.—_Philadelphia Morning - Times._ - - The Dramatic Reading of MR. WM. WELLS BROWN, last evening, - was well attended, and gave the most unbounded satisfaction. - MR. BROWN’S Drama is, in itself, a masterly refutation of all - apologies for slavery, and abounds in wit, satire, philosophy, - argument and facts, all ingeniously interwoven into one of the - most interesting dramatic compositions of modern times.—_Auburn - (N. Y.) Daily Advertiser._ - - MR. BROWN exhibits a dramatic talent possessed by few who have, - under the best instructions, made themselves famous on the - stage. He evinces a talent for tragic and comic representation - rarely combined. If you want a good laugh, go and hear him. If - you want instruction or information upon the most interesting - question of the day, go and hear him. You cannot fail to be - pleased. So highly pleased were those who heard it in Auburn, - that twenty-eight of the leading men of the city, over their - own signatures, extended an invitation to him, through the - _Daily Advertiser_, to return and repeat the Drama. Among them - we recognize the names of Hon. B. F. Hall, of the State Senate, - and the Rev. Wm. Hosmer, editor of the _Northern Independent_. - Such a compliment entitles MR. BROWN to crowded houses wherever - he goes.—_Seneca Falls Courier._ - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ESCAPE *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this eBook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that: - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without -widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/65519-0.zip b/old/65519-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index a9b3996..0000000 --- a/old/65519-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/65519-h.zip b/old/65519-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 8a28471..0000000 --- a/old/65519-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/65519-h/65519-h.htm b/old/65519-h/65519-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index d2568e7..0000000 --- a/old/65519-h/65519-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3548 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Escape; or, A Leap for Freedom, by William Wells Brown. - </title> - - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - -<style type="text/css"> - -a { - text-decoration: none; -} - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -h1,h2,h3 { - text-align: center; - clear: both; -} - -h2.nobreak { - page-break-before: avoid; -} - -hr.chap { - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - clear: both; - width: 65%; - margin-left: 17.5%; - margin-right: 17.5%; -} - -div.chapter { - page-break-before: always; -} - -ul { - list-style-type: none; -} - -li { - margin-top: .5em; - padding-left: 2em; - text-indent: -2em; -} - -p { - margin-top: 0.5em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: 0.5em; - text-indent: 1em; -} - -.blockquote { - margin: 1.5em 10%; -} - -.center { - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0em; -} - -.enter { - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0em; -} - -.exit { - text-align: right; - margin-bottom: 1.5em; -} - -.direction { - text-align: right; -} - -.long-direction { - margin-left: 30%; - padding-left: 2em; - text-indent: -2em; -} - -.larger { - font-size: 150%; -} - -.noindent { - text-indent: 0em; -} - -.pagenum { - position: absolute; - right: 4%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - font-style: normal; -} - -.poetry-container { - text-align: center; - margin: 1em; -} - -.poetry { - display: inline-block; - text-align: left; -} - -.poetry .stanza { - margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em; -} - -.poetry .verse { - padding-left: 3em; -} - -.poetry .indent0 { - text-indent: -3em; -} - -.poetry .indent2 { - text-indent: -2em; -} - -.poetry .indent6 { - text-indent: 0em; -} - -.poetry .indent8 { - text-indent: 1em; -} - -.poetry .indent12 { - text-indent: 3em; -} - -.poetry .indent16 { - text-indent: 5em; -} - -.poetry .indent18 { - text-indent: 6em; -} - - -.right { - text-align: right; -} - -.scene { - margin: 1.5em 10%; -} - -.scene p { - padding-left: 2em; - text-indent: -2em; -} - -.smaller { - font-size: 80%; -} - -.smcap { - font-variant: small-caps; - font-style: normal; -} - -.allsmcap { - font-variant: small-caps; - font-style: normal; - text-transform: lowercase; -} - -.titlepage { - text-align: center; - margin-top: 3em; - text-indent: 0em; -} - -@media handheld { - -img { - max-width: 100%; - width: auto; - height: auto; -} - -.direction { - margin-left: 5%; -} - -.poetry { - display: block; - margin-left: 1.5em; -} - -.scene { - margin: 1.5em 5%; -} -} - - </style> - </head> -<body> - -<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Escape, by William Wells Brown</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<div style='display:table'> - <div style='display:table-row'> - <div style='display:table-cell; padding-right:0.5em'>Title:</div> - <div style='display:table-cell; padding-right:0.5em'>The Escape</div> - </div> - <div style='display:table-row;'> - <div style='display:table-cell'></div> - <div style='display:table-cell'>Or, A Leap For Freedom</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: William Wells Brown</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: June 5, 2021 [eBook #65519]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Nick Wall and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from scanned images of public domain material from the Google Books project.)</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ESCAPE ***</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_1"></a>[1]</span></p> - -<p class="titlepage larger"><span class="smaller">THE</span><br /> -<span class="larger">ESCAPE;</span><br /> -<span class="smaller">OR,</span><br /> -A LEAP FOR FREEDOM.</p> - -<p class="titlepage">A Drama,<br /> -IN FIVE ACTS.</p> - -<p class="titlepage">BY WILLIAM WELLS BROWN,<br /> -<span class="smaller">AUTHOR OF “CLOTEL,” “SKETCHES OF PLACES AND PEOPLE ABROAD,” ETC.</span></p> - -<p class="titlepage">“Look on this picture, and on this.”—<span class="smcap">Hamlet.</span></p> - -<p class="titlepage">BOSTON:<br /> -R. F. WALLCUT, 21 CORNHILL.<br /> -1858.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_2"></a>[2]</span></p> - -<p class="titlepage smaller">Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year eighteen hundred and fifty-eight,<br /> -<span class="smcap">By WILLIAM WELLS BROWN</span>,<br /> -In the Clerk’s office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts.</p> - -<p class="titlepage smaller">BOSTON:<br /> -J. B. YERRINTON AND SON,<br /> -PRINTERS.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_3"></a>[3]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">AUTHOR’S PREFACE.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>This play was written for my own amusement, and -not with the remotest thought that it would ever be -seen by the public eye. I read it privately, however, -to a circle of my friends, and through them was invited -to read it before a Literary Society. Since then, the -Drama has been given in various parts of the country. -By the earnest solicitation of some in whose judgment -I have the greatest confidence, I now present it in a -printed form to the public. As I never aspired to be -a dramatist, I ask no favor for it, and have little or no -solicitude for its fate. If it is not readable, no word -of mine can make it so; if it is, to ask favor for it -would be needless.</p> - -<p>The main features in the Drama are true. <span class="smcap">Glen</span> -and <span class="smcap">Melinda</span> are actual characters, and still reside in -Canada. Many of the incidents were drawn from my -own experience of eighteen years at the South. The -marriage ceremony, as performed in the second act, is -still adhered to in many of the Southern States, especially -in the farming districts.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_4"></a>[4]</span></p> - -<p>The ignorance of the slave, as seen in the case of -“<span class="smcap">Big Sally</span>,” is common wherever chattel slavery -exists. The difficulties created in the domestic circle -by the presence of beautiful slave women, as found in -<span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines’s</span> family, is well understood by all who -have ever visited the valley of the Mississippi.</p> - -<p>The play, no doubt, abounds in defects, but as I was -born in slavery, and never had a day’s schooling in my -life, I owe the public no apology for errors.</p> - -<p class="right">W. W. B.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHARACTERS REPRESENTED.</h2> - -</div> - -<ul> -<li><span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span>, <i>proprietor of the farm at Muddy Creek</i>.</li> -<li><span class="smcap">Rev. John Pinchen</span>, <i>a clergyman</i>.</li> -<li><span class="smcap">Dick Walker</span>, <i>a slave speculator</i>.</li> -<li><span class="smcap">Mr. Wildmarsh</span>, <i>neighbor to Dr. Gaines</i>.</li> -<li><span class="smcap">Major Moore</span>, <i>a friend of Dr. Gaines</i>.</li> -<li><span class="smcap">Mr. White</span>, <i>a citizen of Massachusetts</i>.</li> -<li><span class="smcap">Bill Jennings</span>, <i>a slave speculator</i>.</li> -<li><span class="smcap">Jacob Scragg</span>, <i>overseer to Dr. Gaines</i>.</li> -<li><span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines</span>, <i>wife of Dr. Gaines</i>.</li> -<li><span class="smcap">Mr.</span> and <span class="smcap">Mrs. Neal</span>, and <span class="smcap">Daughter</span>, <i>Quakers, in Ohio</i>.</li> -<li><span class="smcap">Thomas</span>, <i>Mr. Neal’s hired man</i>.</li> -<li><span class="smcap">Glen</span>, <i>slave of Mr. Hamilton, brother-in-law of Dr. Gaines</i>.</li> -<li><span class="smcap">Cato</span>, <span class="smcap">Sam</span>, <span class="smcap">Sampey</span>, <span class="smcap">Melinda</span>, <span class="smcap">Dolly</span>, <span class="smcap">Susan</span>, and <span class="smcap">Big Sally</span>, <i>slaves of Dr. Gaines</i>.</li> -<li><span class="smcap">Pete</span>, <span class="smcap">Ned</span>, and <span class="smcap">Bill</span>, <i>slaves</i>.</li> -<li><span class="smcap">Officers</span>, <span class="smcap">Loungers</span>, <span class="smcap">Barkeeper</span>, &c.</li> -</ul> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_5"></a>[5]</span></p> - -<h1>THE ESCAPE.</h1> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">ACT I.</h2> - -</div> - -<h3><i>Scene 1.</i>—<span class="smcap">A Sitting-Room.</span></h3> - -<div class="scene"> - -<p><i><span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines</span>, looking at some drawings—<span class="smcap">Sampey</span>, a white -slave, stands behind the lady’s chair.</i></p> - -</div> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Dr. Gaines.</i> Well, my dear, my practice is steadily increasing. -I forgot to tell you that neighbor Wyman engaged -me yesterday as his family physician; and I hope -that the fever and ague, which is now taking hold of the -people, will give me more patients. I see by the New -Orleans papers that the yellow fever is raging there to a -fearful extent. Men of my profession are reaping a harvest -in that section this year. I would that we could have -a touch of the yellow fever here, for I think I could invent -a medicine that would cure it. But the yellow fever is a -luxury that we medical men in this climate can’t expect to -enjoy; yet we may hope for the cholera.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. Gaines.</i> Yes, I would be glad to see it more sickly -here, so that your business might prosper. But we are always -unfortunate. Every body here seems to be in good -health, and I am afraid that they’ll keep so. However, we -must hope for the best. We must trust in the Lord. -Providence may possibly send some disease amongst us for -our benefit.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_6"></a>[6]</span></p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Cato</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Mr. Campbell is at de door, massa.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Ask him in, Cato.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Mr. Campbell</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Good morning, Mr. Campbell. Be seated.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. Campbell.</i> Good morning, doctor. The same to you, -Mrs. Gaines. Fine morning, this.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Yes, sir; beautiful day.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. C.</i> Well, doctor, I’ve come to engage you for my -family physician. I am tired of Dr. Jones. I’ve lost -another very valuable nigger under his treatment; and, as -my old mother used to say, “change of pastures makes fat -calves.”</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> I shall be most happy to become your doctor. Of -course, you want me to attend to your niggers, as well as to -your family?</p> - -<p><i>Mr. C.</i> Certainly, sir. I have twenty-three servants. -What will you charge me by the year?</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Of course, you’ll do as my other patients do, -send your servants to me when they are sick, if able to -walk?</p> - -<p><i>Mr. C.</i> Oh, yes; I always do that.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Then I suppose I’ll have to lump it, and say -$500 per annum.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. C.</i> Well, then, we’ll consider that matter settled; -and as two of the boys are sick, I’ll send them over. So -I’ll bid you good day, doctor. I would be glad if you -would come over some time, and bring Mrs. Gaines with -you.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Yes, I will; and shall be glad if you will pay us -a visit, and bring with you Mrs. Campbell. Come over and -spend the day.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. C.</i> I will. Good morning, doctor.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Mr. Campbell</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> There, my dear, what do you think of that? -Five hundred dollars more added to our income. That’s -patronage worth having! And I am glad to get all the -negroes I can to doctor, for Cato is becoming very useful -to me in the shop. He can bleed, pull teeth, and do almost<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_7"></a>[7]</span> -any thing that the blacks require. He can put up medicine -as well as any one. A valuable boy, Cato!</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> But why did you ask Mr. Campbell to visit you, -and to bring his wife? I am sure I could never consent to -associate with her, for I understand that she was the daughter -of a tanner. You must remember, my dear, that I was -born with a silver spoon in my mouth. The blood of the -Wyleys runs in my veins. I am surprised that you should -ask him to visit you at all; you should have known better.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Oh, I did not mean for him to visit me. I only -invited him for the sake of compliments, and I think he so -understood it; for I should be far from wishing you to -associate with Mrs. Campbell. I don’t forget, my dear, the -family you were raised in, nor do I overlook my own -family. My father, you know, fought by the side of Washington, -and I hope some day to have a handle to my own -name. I am certain Providence intended me for something -higher than a medical man. Ah! by-the-by, I had forgotten -that I have a couple of patients to visit this morning. I -must go at once.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Hannah</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Go, Hannah, and tell Dolly to kill a couple of -fat pullets, and to put the biscuit to rise. I expect brother -Pinchen here this afternoon, and I want every thing in -order. Hannah, Hannah, tell Melinda to come here.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Hannah</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p class="noindent">We mistresses do have a hard time in this world; I don’t see -why the Lord should have imposed such heavy duties on us -poor mortals. Well, it can’t last always. I long to leave -this wicked world, and go home to glory.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Melinda</span>.</i></p> - -<p class="noindent">I am to have company this afternoon, Melinda. I expect -brother Pinchen here, and I want every thing in order. -Go and get one of my new caps, with the lace border, and -get out my scolloped-bottomed dimity petticoat, and when -you go out, tell Hannah to clean the white-handled knives, -and see that not a speck is on them; for I want every thing -as it should be while brother Pinchen is here.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span>, <span class="smcap">Hannah</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_8"></a>[8]</span></p> - -<h3><i>Scene 2.</i>—<span class="smcap">Doctor’s shop—Cato making pills.</span></h3> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Well, Cato, have you made the batch of ointment -that I ordered?</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Yes, massa; I dun made de intment, an’ now I is -making the bread pills. De tater pills is up on the top -shelf.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> I am going out to see some patients. If any gentlemen -call, tell them I shall be in this afternoon. If any -servants come, you attend to them. I expect two of Mr. -Campbell’s boys over. You see to them. Feel their pulse, -look at their tongues, bleed them, and give them each a dose -of calomel. Tell them to drink no cold water, and to take -nothing but water gruel.</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Yes, massa; I’ll tend to ’em.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> I allers knowed I was a doctor, an’ now de ole boss -has put me at it, I muss change my coat. Ef any niggers -comes in, I wants to look suspectable. Dis jacket don’t suit -a doctor; I’ll change it.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Cato</span>—immediately returning in a long coat.</i></p> - -<p class="noindent">Ah! now I looks like a doctor. Now -I can bleed, pull teef, or cut off a leg. Oh! well, well, ef -I ain’t put de pill stuff an’ de intment stuff togedder. By -golly, dat ole cuss will be mad when he finds it out, won’t -he? Nebber mind, I’ll make it up in pills, and when de -flour is on dem, he won’t know what’s in ’em; an’ I’ll -make some new intment. Ah! yonder comes Mr. Campbell’s -Pete an’ Ned; dems de ones massa sed was comin’. -I’ll see ef I looks right. [<i>Goes to the looking-glass and -views himself.</i>] I em some punkins, ain’t I? [<i>Knock at -the door.</i>] Come in.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Pete</span> and <span class="smcap">Ned</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Pete.</i> Whar is de doctor?</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Here I is; don’t you see me?</p> - -<p><i>Pete.</i> But whar is de ole boss?</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Dat’s none you business. I dun tole you dat I is -de doctor, an dat’s enuff.</p> - -<p><i>Ned.</i> Oh! do tell us whar de doctor is. I is almos dead. -Oh me! oh dear me! I is so sick. [<i>Horrible faces.</i>]</p> - -<p><i>Pete.</i> Yes, do tell us; we don’t want to stan here foolin’.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_9"></a>[9]</span></p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> I tells you again dat I is de doctor. I larn de trade -under massa.</p> - -<p><i>Ned.</i> Oh! well, den, give me somethin’ to stop dis pain. -Oh dear me! I shall die. [<i>He tries to vomit, but can’t—ugly -faces.</i>]</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Let me feel your pulse. Now put out your tongue. -You is berry sick. Ef you don’t mine, you’ll die. Come -out in de shed, an’ I’ll bleed you.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit all—re-enter.</i></p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Dar, now take dese pills, two in de mornin’ and -two at night, and ef you don’t feel better, double de dose. -Now, Mr. Pete, what’s de matter wid you?</p> - -<p><i>Pete.</i> I is got de cole chills, an’ has a fever in de night.</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Come out, an’ I’ll bleed you.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit all—re-enter.</i></p> - -<p class="noindent">Now take dese pills, two in de mornin’ and two at night, an’ -ef dey don’t help you, double de dose. Ah! I like to forget -to feel your pulse and look at your tongue. Put out -your tongue. [<i>Feels his pulse.</i>] Yes, I tells by de feel ob -your pulse dat I is gib you de right pills.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Mr. Parker’s</span> <span class="smcap">Bill</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> What you come in dat door widout knockin’ for?</p> - -<p><i>Bill.</i> My toof ache so, I didn’t tink to knock. Oh, my -toof! my toof! Whar is de doctor?</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Here I is; don’t you see me?</p> - -<p><i>Bill.</i> What! you de doctor, you brack cuss! You looks -like a doctor! Oh, my toof! my toof! Whar is de doctor?</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> I tells you I is de doctor. Ef you don’t believe -me, ax dese men. I can pull your toof in a minnit.</p> - -<p><i>Bill.</i> Well, den, pull it out. Oh, my toof! how it aches! -Oh, my toof!</p> - -<p class="direction">[<i>Cato gets the rusty turnkeys.</i></p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Now lay down on your back.</p> - -<p><i>Bill.</i> What for?</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Dat’s de way massa does.</p> - -<p><i>Bill.</i> Oh, my toof! Well, den, come on. [<i>Lies down, -Cato gets astraddle of Bill’s breast, puts the turnkeys on -the wrong tooth, and pulls—Bill kicks, and cries out</i>]—Oh, -do stop! Oh! oh! oh!</p> - -<p class="direction">[<i>Cato pulls the wrong tooth—Bill jumps up.</i></p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Dar, now, I tole you I could pull your toof for you.</p> - -<p><i>Bill.</i> Oh, dear me! Oh, it aches yet! Oh me! Oh, -Lor-e-massy! You dun pull de wrong toof. Drat your<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10"></a>[10]</span> -skin! ef I don’t pay you for this, you brack cuss!</p> - -<p class="long-direction">[<i>They fight, and turn over table, chairs and bench—Pete and -Ned look on.</i></p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Why, dear me, what’s the matter? What’s all -this about? I’ll teach you a lesson, that I will.</p> - -<p class="direction">[<i>The doctor goes at them with his cane.</i></p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Oh, massa! he’s to blame, sir. He’s to blame. -He struck me fuss.</p> - -<p><i>Bill.</i> No, sir; he’s to blame; he pull de wrong toof. -Oh, my toof! oh, my toof!</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Let me see your tooth. Open your mouth. As I -live, you’ve taken out the wrong tooth. I am amazed. -I’ll whip you for this; I’ll whip you well. You’re a pretty -doctor. Now lie down, Bill, and let him take out the right -tooth; and if he makes a mistake this time, I’ll cowhide -him well. Lie down, Bill. [<i>Bill lies down, and Cato pulls the -tooth.</i>] There now, why didn’t you do that in the first -place?</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> He wouldn’t hole still, sir.</p> - -<p><i>Bill.</i> He lies, sir. I did hole still.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Now go home, boys; go home.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Pete</span>, <span class="smcap">Ned</span> and <span class="smcap">Bill</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> You’ve made a pretty muss of it, in my absence. -Look at the table! Never mind, Cato; I’ll whip you well -for this conduct of yours to-day. Go to work now, and -clear up the office.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Confound dat nigger! I wish he was in Ginny. -He bite my finger and scratch my face. But didn’t I give it -to him? Well, den, I reckon I did. [<i>He goes to the mirror, -and discovers that his coat is torn—weeps.</i>] Oh, dear -me! Oh, my coat—my coat is tore! Dat nigger has tore -my coat. [<i>He gets angry, and rushes about the room frantic.</i>] -Cuss dat nigger! Ef I could lay my hands on him, -I’d tare him all to pieces,—dat I would. An’ de ole boss hit -me wid his cane after dat nigger tore my coat. By golly, -I wants to fight somebody. Ef ole massa should come in -now, I’d fight him. [<i>Rolls up his sleeves.</i>] Let ’em come -now, ef dey dare—ole massa, or any body else; I’m ready -for ’em.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_11"></a>[11]</span></p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> What’s all this noise here?</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Nuffin’, sir; only jess I is puttin’ things to rights, -as you tole me. I didn’t hear any noise except de rats.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Make haste, and come in; I want you to go to -town.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> By golly, de ole boss like to cotch me dat time, -didn’t he? But wasn’t I mad? When I is mad, nobody -can do nuffin’ wid me. But here’s my coat, tore to pieces. -Cuss dat nigger! [<i>Weeps.</i>] Oh, my coat! oh, my coat! -I rudder he had broke my head den to tore my coat. Drat -dat nigger! Ef he ever comes here agin, I’ll pull out every -toof he’s got in his head—dat I will.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<h3><i>Scene 3.</i>—<span class="smcap">A Room in the Quarters.</span></h3> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Glen</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Glen.</i> How slowly the time passes away. I’ve been -waiting here two hours, and Melinda has not yet come. -What keeps her, I cannot tell. I waited long and late for -her last night, and when she approached, I sprang to my -feet, caught her in my arms, pressed her to my heart, and -kissed away the tears from her moistened cheeks. She placed -her trembling hand in mine, and said, “Glen, I am yours; -I will never be the wife of another.” I clasped her to my -bosom, and called God to witness that I would ever regard -her as my wife. Old Uncle Joseph joined us in holy wedlock -by moonlight; that was the only marriage ceremony. -I look upon the vow as ever binding on me, for I am sure -that a just God will sanction our union in heaven. Still, this -man, who claims Melinda as his property, is unwilling for -me to marry the woman of my choice, because he wants -her himself. But he shall not have her. What he will say -when he finds that we are married, I cannot tell; but I am -determined to protect my wife or die. Ah! here comes -Melinda.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Melinda</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p class="noindent">I am glad to see you, Melinda. I’ve been waiting long, -and feared you would not come. Ah! in tears again?</p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> Glen, you are always thinking I am in tears. -But what did master say to-day?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_12"></a>[12]</span></p> - -<p><i>Glen.</i> He again forbade our union.</p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> Indeed! Can he be so cruel?</p> - -<p><i>Glen.</i> Yes, he can be just so cruel.</p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> Alas! alas! how unfeeling and heartless! -But did you appeal to his generosity?</p> - -<p><i>Glen.</i> Yes, I did; I used all the persuasive powers that I -was master of, but to no purpose; he was inflexible. He -even offered me a new suit of clothes, if I would give you -up; and when I told him that I could not, he said he would -flog me to death if I ever spoke to you again.</p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> And what did you say to him?</p> - -<p><i>Glen.</i> I answered, that, while I loved life better than -death, even life itself could not tempt me to consent to a -separation that would make life an unchanging curse. Oh, -I would kill myself, Melinda, if I thought that, for the sake -of life, I could consent to your degradation. No, Melinda, -I can die, but shall never live to see you the mistress of -another man. But, my dear girl, I have a secret to tell -you, and no one must know it but you. I will go out and -see that no person is within hearing. I will be back soon.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Glen</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> It is often said that the darkest hour of the night -precedes the dawn. It is ever thus with the vicissitudes of -human suffering. After the soul has reached the lowest -depths of despair, and can no deeper plunge amid its rolling, -fœtid shades, then the reactionary forces of man’s nature -begin to operate, resolution takes the place of despondency, -energy succeeds instead of apathy, and an upward tendency -is felt and exhibited. Men then hope against power, and -smile in defiance of despair. I shall never forget when first -I saw Glen. It is now more than a year since he came -here with his master, Mr. Hamilton. It was a glorious -moonlight night in autumn. The wide and fruitful face of -nature was silent and buried in repose. The tall trees on -the borders of Muddy Creek waved their leafy branches in -the breeze, which was wafted from afar, refreshing over hill -and vale, over the rippling water, and the waving corn and -wheat fields. The starry sky was studded over with a few -light, flitting clouds, while the moon, as if rejoicing to witness -the meeting of two hearts that should be cemented by -the purest love, sailed triumphantly along among the shifting -vapors.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_13"></a>[13]</span></p> - -<p>Oh, how happy I have been in my acquaintance with -Glen! That he loves me, I do well believe it; that I love -him, it is most true. Oh, how I would that those who think -the slave incapable of the finer feelings, could only see our -hearts, and learn our thoughts,—thoughts that we dare not -utter in the presence of our masters! But I fear that Glen -will be separated from me, for there is nothing too base and -mean for master to do, for the purpose of getting me -entirely in his power. But, thanks to Heaven, he does not -own Glen, and therefore cannot sell him. Yet he might -purchase him from his brother-in-law, so as to send him out -of the way. But here comes my husband.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Glen</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Glen.</i> I’ve been as far as the overseer’s house, and all is -quiet. Now, Melinda, as you are my wife, I will confide to -you a secret. I’ve long been thinking of making my escape -to Canada, and taking you with me. It is true that I don’t -belong to your master, but he might buy me from Hamilton, -and then sell me out of the neighborhood.</p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> But we could never succeed in the attempt to -escape.</p> - -<p><i>Glen.</i> We will make the trial, and show that we at least -deserve success. There is a slave trader expected here next -week, and Dr. Gaines would sell you at once if he knew -that we were married. We must get ready and start, and if -we can pass the Ohio river, we’ll be safe on the road to -Canada.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<h3><i>Scene 4.</i>—<span class="smcap">Dining-Room.</span></h3> - -<div class="scene"> - -<p><i><span class="smcap">Rev. Mr. Pinchen</span> giving <span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines</span> an account of his -experience as a minister—<span class="smcap">Hannah</span> clearing away the -breakfast table—<span class="smcap">Sampey</span> standing behind <span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines’</span> -chair.</i></p> - -</div> - -<p><i>Mrs. Gaines.</i> Now, do give me more of your experience, -brother Pinchen. It always does my soul good to hear religious -experience. It draws me nearer and nearer to the -Lord’s side. I do love to hear good news from God’s people.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. Pinchen.</i> Well, sister Gaines, I’ve had great opportunities -in my time to study the heart of man. I’ve attended<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_14"></a>[14]</span> -a great many camp-meetings, revival meetings, protracted -meetings, and death-bed scenes, and I am satisfied, sister -Gaines, that the heart of man is full of sin, and desperately -wicked. This is a wicked world, sister Gaines, a wicked -world.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Were you ever in Arkansas, brother Pinchen? -I’ve been told that the people out there are very ungodly.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. P.</i> Oh, yes, sister Gaines. I once spent a year at -Little Rock, and preached in all the towns round about -there; and I found some hard cases out there, I can tell you. -I was once spending a week in a district where there were -a great many horse thieves, and one night, somebody stole -my pony. Well, I knowed it was no use to make a fuss, so -I told brother Tarbox to say nothing about it, and I’d get -my horse by preaching God’s everlasting gospel; for I had -faith in the truth, and knowed that my Savior would not let -me lose my pony. So the next Sunday I preached on -horse-stealing, and told the brethren to come up in the evenin’ -with their hearts filled with the grace of God. So -that night the house was crammed brim full with anxious -souls, panting for the bread of life. Brother Bingham opened -with prayer, and brother Tarbox followed, and I saw right -off that we were gwine to have a blessed time. After I -got ’em pretty well warmed up, I jumped on to one of the -seats, stretched out my hands, and said, “I know who stole -my pony; I’ve found out; and you are in here tryin’ to -make people believe that you’ve got religion; but you ain’t -got it. And if you don’t take my horse back to brother -Tarbox’s pasture this very night, I’ll tell your name right -out in meetin’ to-morrow night. Take my pony back, you -vile and wretched sinner, and come up here and give your -heart to God.” So the next mornin’, I went out to brother -Tarbox’s pasture, and sure enough, there was my bob-tail -pony. Yes, sister Gaines, there he was, safe and sound. -Ha, ha, ha.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Oh, how interesting, and how fortunate for you -to get your pony! And what power there is in the gospel! -God’s children are very lucky. Oh, it is so sweet to sit -here and listen to such good news from God’s people! You -Hannah, what are you standing there listening for, and neglecting -your work? Never mind, my lady, I’ll whip you<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_15"></a>[15]</span> -well when I am done here. Go at your work this moment, -you lazy huzzy! Never mind, I’ll whip you well. [<i>Aside.</i>] -Come, do go on, brother Pinchen, with your godly conversation. -It is so sweet! It draws me nearer and nearer to -the Lord’s side.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. P.</i> Well, sister Gaines, I’ve had some mighty queer -dreams in my time, that I have. You see, one night I -dreamed that I was dead and in heaven, and such a place I -never saw before. As soon as I entered the gates of the -celestial empire, I saw many old and familiar faces that I -had seen before. The first person that I saw was good old -Elder Pike, the preacher that first called my attention to -religion. The next person I saw was Deacon Billings, my -first wife’s father, and then I saw a host of godly faces. -Why, sister Gaines, you knowed Elder Goosbee, didn’t -you?</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Why, yes; did you see him there? He married -me to my first husband.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. P.</i> Oh, yes, sister Gaines, I saw the old Elder, and -he looked for all the world as if he had just come out of a -revival meetin’.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Did you see my first husband there, brother -Pinchen?</p> - -<p><i>Mr. P.</i> No, sister Gaines, I didn’t see brother Pepper -there; but I’ve no doubt but that brother Pepper was there.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Well, I don’t know; I have my doubts. He -was not the happiest man in the world. He was always -borrowing trouble about something or another. Still, I saw -some happy moments with Mr. Pepper. I was happy when -I made his acquaintance, happy during our courtship, happy -a while after our marriage, and happy when he died. -[<i>Weeps.</i>]</p> - -<p><i>Hannah.</i> Massa Pinchen, did you see my ole man Ben up -dar in hebben?</p> - -<p><i>Mr. P.</i> No, Hannah; I didn’t go amongst the niggers.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> No, of course brother Pinchen didn’t go among -the blacks. What are you asking questions for? Never -mind, my lady, I’ll whip you well when I’m done here. -I’ll skin you from head to foot. [<i>Aside.</i>] Do go on with -your heavenly conversation, brother Pinchen; it does my -very soul good. This is indeed a precious moment for me. -I do love to hear of Christ and Him crucified.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_16"></a>[16]</span></p> - -<p><i>Mr. P.</i> Well, sister Gaines, I promised sister Daniels -that I’d come over and see her this morning, and have a -little season of prayer with her, and I suppose I must go. -I’ll tell you more of my religious experience when I return.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> If you must go, then I’ll have to let you; but -before you do, I wish to get your advice upon a little matter -that concerns Hannah. Last week, Hannah stole a goose, -killed it, cooked it, and she and her man Sam had a fine -time eating the goose; and her master and I would never -have known a word about it, if it had not been for Cato, a -faithful servant, who told his master. And then, you see, -Hannah had to be severely whipped before she’d confess -that she stole the goose. Next Sabbath is sacrament day, -and I want to know if you think that Hannah is fit to go to -the Lord’s supper after stealing the goose.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. P.</i> Well, sister Gaines, that depends on circumstances. -If Hannah has confessed that she stole the goose, -and has been sufficiently whipped, and has begged her master’s -pardon, and begged your pardon, and thinks she’ll -never do the like again, why then I suppose she can go to -the Lord’s supper; for</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“While the lamp holds out to burn,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The vilest sinner may return.”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">But she must be sure that she has repented, and won’t steal -any more.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Now, Hannah, do you hear that? For my own -part, I don’t think she’s fit to go to the Lord’s supper, for -she had no occasion to steal the goose. We give our niggers -plenty of good wholesome food. They have a full run -to the meal tub, meat once a fortnight, and all the sour milk -about the place, and I’m sure that’s enough for any one. -I do think that our niggers are the most ungrateful creatures -in the world, that I do. They aggravate my life out of me.</p> - -<p><i>Hannah.</i> I know, missis, dat I steal de goose, and massa -whip me for it, and I confess it, and I is sorry for it. But, -missis, I is gwine to de Lord’s supper, next Sunday, kase I -ain’t a-gwine to turn my back on my bressed Lord an’ Massa -for no old tough goose, dat I ain’t. [<i>Weeps.</i>]</p> - -<p><i>Mr. P.</i> Well, sister Gaines, I suppose I must go over -and see sister Daniels; she’ll be waiting for me.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Mr. Pinchen</span>, <span class="allsmcap">M. D.</span></i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_17"></a>[17]</span></p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Now, Hannah, brother Pinchen is gone, do you -get the cowhide and follow me to the cellar, and I’ll whip -you well for aggravating me as you have to-day. It seems -as if I can never sit down to take a little comfort with the -Lord, without you crossing me. The devil always puts it -into your head to disturb me, just when I am trying to -serve the Lord. I’ve no doubt but that I’ll miss going to -heaven on your account. But I’ll whip you well before I -leave this world, that I will. Get the cowhide and follow -me to the cellar.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines</span> and <span class="smcap">Hannah</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">ACT II.</h2> - -</div> - -<h3><i>Scene 1.</i>—<span class="smcap">Parlor.</span></h3> - -<div class="scene"> - -<p><i><span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span> at a table, letters and papers before him.</i></p> - -</div> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Sampey</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Sampey.</i> Dar’s a gemman at de doe, massa, dat wants to -see you, seer.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. Gaines.</i> Ask him to walk in, Sampey.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Sampey</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Walker</span>.</i></p> - -<p><i>Walker.</i> Why, how do you do, Dr. Gaines? I em glad -to see you, I’ll swear.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> How do you do, Mr. Walker? I did not expect -to see you up here so soon. What has hurried you?</p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> Well, you see, doctor, I comes when I em not -expected. The price of niggers is up, and I em gwine to -take advantage of the times. Now, doctor, ef you’ve got -any niggers that you wants to sell, I em your man. I am -paying the highest price of any body in the market. I -pay cash down, and no grumblin’.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> I don’t know that I want to sell any of my people -now. Still, I’ve got to make up a little money next -month, to pay in bank; and another thing, the doctors say -that we are likely to have a touch of the cholera this summer,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_18"></a>[18]</span> -and if that’s the case, I suppose I had better turn as -many of my slaves into cash as I can.</p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> Yes, doctor, that is very true. The cholera is -death on slaves, and a thousand dollars in your pocket is a -great deal better than a nigger in the field, with cholera at -his heels. Why, who is that coming up the lane? It’s Mr. -Wildmarsh, as I live! Jest the very man I wants to see.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Mr. Wildmarsh</span>.</i></p> - -<p class="noindent">Why, how do you do, Squire? I was jest a thinkin’ -about you.</p> - -<p><i>Wildmarsh.</i> How are you, Mr. Walker? and how are -you, doctor? I am glad to see you both looking so well. -You seem in remarkably good health, doctor?</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Yes, Squire, I was never in the enjoyment of better -health. I hope you left all well at Licking?</p> - -<p><i>Wild.</i> Yes, I thank you. And now, Mr. Walker, how -goes times with you?</p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> Well, you see, Squire, I em in good spirits. The -price of niggers is up in the market, and I am lookin’ out -for bargains; and I was jest intendin’ to come over to Lickin’ -to see you, to see if you had any niggers to sell. But it -seems as ef the Lord knowed that I wanted to see you, and -directed your steps over here. Now, Squire, ef you’ve -got any niggers you wants to sell, I em your man. I am -payin’ the highest cash price of any body in the market. -Now’s your time, Squire.</p> - -<p><i>Wild.</i> No, I don’t think I want to sell any of my slaves -now. I sold a very valuable gal to Mr. Haskins last week. -I tell you, she was a smart one. I got eighteen hundred -dollars for her.</p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> Why, Squire, how you do talk! Eighteen hundred -dollars for one gal? She must have been a screamer -to bring that price. What sort of a lookin’ critter was she? -I should like to have bought her.</p> - -<p><i>Wild.</i> She was a little of the smartest gal I’ve ever raised; -that she was.</p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> Then she was your own raising, was she?</p> - -<p><i>Wild.</i> Oh, yes; she was raised on my place, and if I -could have kept her three or four years longer, and taken -her to the market myself, I am sure I could have sold her -for three thousand dollars. But you see, Mr. Walker, my<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_19"></a>[19]</span> -wife got a little jealous, and you know jealousy sets the -women’s heads a teetering, and so I had to sell the gal. -She’s got straight hair, blue eyes, prominent features, and -is almost white. Haskins will make a spec, and no mistake.</p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> Why, Squire, was she that pretty little gal that I -saw on your knee the day that your wife was gone, when I -was at your place three years ago?</p> - -<p><i>Wild.</i> Yes, the same.</p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> Well, now, Squire, I thought that was your daughter; -she looked mightily like you. She was your daughter, -wasn’t she? You need not be ashamed to own it to me, for -I am mum upon such matters.</p> - -<p><i>Wild.</i> You know, Mr. Walker, that people will talk, and -when they talk, they say a great deal; and people did talk, -and many said the gal was my daughter; and you know we -can’t help people’s talking. But here comes the Rev. Mr. -Pinchen; I didn’t know that he was in the neighborhood.</p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> It is Mr. Pinchen, as I live; jest the very man I -wants to see.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Mr. Pinchen</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p class="noindent">Why, how do you do, Mr. Pinchen? What in the name -of Jehu brings you down here to Muddy Creek? Any -camp-meetins, revival meetins, death-bed scenes, or any -thing else in your line going on down here? How is religion -prosperin’ now, Mr. Pinchen? I always like to hear -about religion.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. Pin.</i> Well, Mr. Walker, the Lord’s work is in good -condition every where now. I tell you, Mr. Walker, I’ve -been in the gospel ministry these thirteen years, and I am -satisfied that the heart of man is full of sin and desperately -wicked. This is a wicked world, Mr. Walker, a wicked -world, and we ought all of us to have religion. Religion is -a good thing to live by, and we all want it when we die. -Yes, sir, when the great trumpet blows, we ought to be -ready. And a man in your business of buying and selling -slaves needs religion more than any body else, for it makes -you treat your people as you should. Now, there is Mr. -Haskins,—he is a slave-trader, like yourself. Well, I converted -him. Before he got religion, he was one of the worst -men to his niggers I ever saw; his heart was as hard as<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_20"></a>[20]</span> -stone. But religion has made his heart as soft as a piece of -cotton. Before I converted him, he would sell husbands -from their wives, and seem to take delight in it; but now he -won’t sell a man from his wife, if he can get anyone to buy -both of them together. I tell you, sir, religion has done a -wonderful work for him.</p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> I know, Mr. Pinchen, that I ought to have religion, -and I feel that I am a great sinner; and whenever I get -with good pious people like you and the doctor, and Mr. -Wildmarsh, it always makes me feel that I am a desperate -sinner. I feel it the more, because I’ve got a religious turn -of mind. I know that I would be happier with religion, and -the first spare time I get, I am going to try to get it. I’ll go -to a protracted meeting, and I won’t stop till I get religion. -Yes, I’ll scuffle with the Lord till I gets forgiven. But it -always makes me feel bad to talk about religion, so I’ll -change the subject. Now, doctor, what about them thar -niggers you thought you could sell me?</p> - -<p><i>Dr. Gaines.</i> I’ll see my wife, Mr. Walker, and if she is -willing to part with Hannah, I’ll sell you Sam and his wife, -Hannah. Ah! here comes my wife; I’ll mention it.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p class="noindent">Ah! my dear, I am glad you’ve come. I was just telling -Mr. Walker, that if you were willing to part with Hannah, -I’d sell him Sam and Hannah.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Now, Dr. Gaines, I am astonished and surprised -that you should think of such a thing. You know what -trouble I’ve had in training up Hannah for a house servant, -and now that I’ve got her so that she knows my ways, you -want to sell her. Haven’t you niggers enough on the plantation -to sell, without selling the servants from under my -very nose?</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Oh, yes, my dear; but I can spare Sam, and I -don’t like to separate him from his wife; and I thought if -you could let Hannah go, I’d sell them both. I don’t like -to separate husbands from their wives.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Now, gentlemen, that’s just the way with my -husband. He thinks more about the welfare and comfort of -his slaves, than he does of himself or his family. I am -sure you need not feel so bad at the thought of separating -Sam from Hannah. They’ve only been married eight<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_21"></a>[21]</span> -months, and their attachment can’t be very strong in that -short time. Indeed, I shall be glad if you do sell Sam, for -then I’ll make Hannah <i>jump the broomstick</i> with Cato, and -I’ll have them both here under my eye. I never will again -let one of my house servants marry a field hand—never! -For when night comes on, the servants are off to the quarters, -and I have to holler and holler enough to split my -throat before I can make them hear. And another thing: I -want you to sell Melinda. I don’t intend to keep that mulatto -wench about the house any longer.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. Gaines.</i> My dear, I’ll sell any servant from the place -to suit you, except Melinda. I can’t think of selling her—I -can’t think of it.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> I tell you that Melinda shall leave this house, or -I’ll go. There, now you have it. I’ve had my life tormented -out of me by the presence of that yellow wench, and -I’ll stand it no longer. I know you love her more than you -do me, and I’ll—I’ll—I’ll write—write to my father. -[<i>Weeps.</i>]</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> Why, doctor, your wife’s a screamer, ain’t she? -Ha, ha, ha. Why, doctor, she’s got a tongue of her own, -ain’t she? Why, doctor, it was only last week that I thought -of getting a wife myself; but your wife has skeered the idea -out of my head. Now, doctor, if you wants to sell the gal, -I’ll buy her. Husband and wife ought to be on good terms, -and your wife won’t feel well till the gal is gone. Now, -I’ll pay you all she’s worth, if you wants to sell.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> No, Mr. Walker; the girl my wife spoke of is -not for sale. My wife does not mean what she says; she’s -only a little jealous. I’ll get brother Pinchen to talk to -her, and get her mind turned upon religious matters, and -then she’ll forget it. She’s only a little jealous.</p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> I tell you what, doctor, ef you call that a little -jealous, I’d like to know what’s a heap. I tell you, it will -take something more than religion to set your wife right. -You had better sell me the gal; I’ll pay you cash down, and -no grumblin’.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> The girl is not for sale, Mr. Walker; but if you -want two good, able-bodied servants, I’ll sell you Sam and -Big Sally. Sam is trustworthy, and Sally is worth her -weight in gold for rough usage.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_22"></a>[22]</span></p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> Well, doctor, I’ll go out and take a look at ’em, -for I never buys slaves without examining them well, because -they are sometimes injured by over-work or under-feedin’. -I don’t say that is the case with yours, for I don’t -believe it is; but as I sell on honor, I must buy on honor.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Walk out, sir, and you can examine them to your -heart’s content. Walk right out, sir.</p> - -<h3><i>Scene 2.</i>—<span class="smcap">View in front of the Great House.</span></h3> - -<div class="scene"> - -<p><i>Examination of <span class="smcap">Sam</span> and <span class="smcap">Big -Sally</span>.—<span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span>, <span class="smcap">Wildmarsh</span>, -<span class="smcap">Mr. Pinchen</span> and <span class="smcap">Walker</span> present.</i></p> - -</div> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> Well, my boy, what’s your name?</p> - -<p><i>Sam.</i> Sam, sir, is my name.</p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> How old are you, Sam?</p> - -<p><i>Sam.</i> Ef I live to see next corn plantin’ time, I’ll be 27, -or 30, or 35, or 40—I don’t know which, sir.</p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> Ha, ha, ha. Well, doctor, this is rather a green -boy. Well, mer feller, are you sound?</p> - -<p><i>Sam.</i> Yes, sir, I spec I is.</p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> Open your mouth and let me see your teeth. I -allers judge a nigger’s age by his teeth, same as I dose a -hoss. Ah! pretty good set of grinders. Have you got a -good appetite?</p> - -<p><i>Sam.</i> Yes, sir.</p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> Can you eat your allowance?</p> - -<p><i>Sam.</i> Yes, sir, when I can get it.</p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> Get out on the floor and dance; I want to see if -you are supple.</p> - -<p><i>Sam.</i> I don’t like to dance; I is got religion.</p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> Oh, ho! you’ve got religion, have you? That’s -so much the better. I likes to deal in the gospel. I think -he’ll suit me. Now, mer gal, what’s your name?</p> - -<p><i>Sally.</i> I is Big Sally, sir.</p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> How old are you, Sally?</p> - -<p><i>Sally.</i> I don’t know, sir; but I heard once dat I was born -at sweet pertater diggin’ time.</p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> Ha, ha, ha. Don’t know how old you are! Do -you know who made you?</p> - -<p><i>Sally.</i> I hev heard who it was in de Bible dat made me, -but I dun forget de gentman’s name.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_23"></a>[23]</span></p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> Ha, ha, ha. Well, doctor, this is the greenest lot -of niggers I’ve seen for some time. Well, what do you -ask for them?</p> - -<p><i>Dr. Gaines.</i> You may have Sam for $1000, and Sally -for $900. They are worth all I ask for them. You know -I never banter, Mr. Walker. There they are; you can -take them at that price, or let them alone, just as you please.</p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> Well, doctor, I reckon I’ll take ’em; but it’s all -they are worth. I’ll put the handcuffs on ’em, and then I’ll -pay you. I likes to go accordin’ to Scripter. Scripter says -ef eatin’ meat will offend your brother, you must quit it; -and I say, ef leavin’ your slaves without the handcuffs will -make ’em run away, you must put the handcuffs on ’em. -Now, Sam, don’t you and Sally cry. I am of a tender -heart, and it allers makes me feel bad to see people cryin’. -Don’t cry, and the first place I get to, I’ll buy each of you -a great big <i>ginger cake</i>,—that I will. Now, Mr. Pinchen, I -wish you were going down the river. I’d like to have your -company; for I allers likes the company of preachers.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. Pinchen.</i> Well, Mr. Walker, I would be much pleased -to go down the river with you, but it’s too early for me. I -expect to go to Natchez in four or five weeks, to attend a -camp-meetin’, and if you were going down then, I’d like -it. What kind of niggers sells best in the Orleans market, -Mr. Walker?</p> - -<p><i>Walk.</i> Why, field hands. Did you think of goin’ in the -trade?</p> - -<p><i>Mr. P.</i> Oh, no; only it’s a long ways down to Natchez, -and I thought I’d just buy five or six niggers, and take ’em -down and sell ’em to pay my travellin’ expenses. I only -want to clear my way.</p> - -<h3><i>Scene 3.</i>—<span class="smcap">Sitting-Room—Table and Rocking-Chair.</span></h3> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span>, followed by <span class="smcap">Sampey</span>.</i></p> - -<p><i>Mrs. Gaines.</i> I do wish your master would come; I want -supper. Run to the gate, Sampey, and see if he is coming.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Sampey</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p class="noindent">That man is enough to break my heart. The patience of an -angel could not stand it.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Sampey</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Samp.</i> Yes, missis, master is coming.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_24"></a>[24]</span></p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p class="long-direction">[<i>The Doctor walks about with his hands under his coat, -seeming very much elated.</i></p> - -<p><i>Mrs. Gaines.</i> Why, doctor, what is the matter?</p> - -<p><i>Dr. Gaines.</i> My dear, don’t call me <i>doctor</i>.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> What should I call you?</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Call me Colonel, my dear—Colonel. I have -been elected Colonel of the Militia, and I want you to call -me by my right name. I always felt that Providence had -designed me for something great, and He has just begun to -shower His blessings upon me.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Dear me, I could never get to calling you -Colonel; I’ve called you Doctor for the last twenty years.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Now, Sarah, if you will call me Colonel, other -people will, and I want you to set the example. Come, my -darling, call me Colonel, and I’ll give you any thing you -wish for.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Well, as I want a new gold watch and bracelets, -I’ll commence now. Come, Colonel, we’ll go to supper. -Ah! now for my new shawl. [<i>Aside.</i>] Mrs. Lemme -was here to-day, Colonel, and she had on, Colonel, one of -the prettiest shawls, Colonel, I think, Colonel, that I ever -saw, Colonel, in my life, Colonel. And there is only one, -Colonel, in Mr. Watson’s store, Colonel; and that, Colonel, -will do, Colonel, for a Colonel’s wife.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Ah! my dear, you never looked so much the -lady since I’ve known you. Go, my darling, get the watch, -bracelets and shawl, and tell them to charge them to Colonel -Gaines; and when you say “Colonel,” always emphasize -the word.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Come, Colonel, let’s go to supper.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> My dear, you’re a jewel,—you are!</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Cato</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Why, whar is massa and missis? I tought dey -was here. Ah! by golly, yonder comes a mulatter gal. -Yes, it’s Mrs. Jones’s Tapioca. I’ll set up to dat gal, dat I -will.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Tapioca</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p class="noindent">Good ebenin’, Miss Tappy. How is your folks?</p> - -<p><i>Tapioca.</i> Pretty well, I tank you.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_25"></a>[25]</span></p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Miss Tappy, dis wanderin’ heart of mine is yours. -Come, take a seat! Please to squze my manners; love -discommodes me. Take a seat. Now, Miss Tappy, I loves -you; an ef you will jess marry me, I’ll make you a happy -husband, dat I will. Come, take me as I is.</p> - -<p><i>Tap.</i> But what will Big Jim say?</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Big Jim! Why, let dat nigger go to Ginny. I -want to know, now, if you is tinkin’ about dat common nigger? -Why, Miss Tappy, I is surstonished dat you should -tink ’bout frowin’ yousef away wid a common, ugly lookin’ -cuss like Big Jim, when you can get a fine lookin’, suspectable -man like me. Come, Miss Tappy, choose dis day -who you have. Afore I go any furder, give me one kiss. -Come, give me one kiss. Come, let me kiss you.</p> - -<p><i>Tap.</i> No you shan’t—dare now! You shan’t kiss me -widout you is stronger den I is; and I know you is dat. -[<i>He kisses her.</i>]</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span>, and hides.</i></p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Did you know, Miss Tappy, dat I is de head doctor -’bout dis house? I beats de ole boss all to pieces.</p> - -<p><i>Tap.</i> I hev hearn dat you bleeds and pulls teef.</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Yes, Miss Tappy; massa could not get along widout -me, for massa was made a doctor by books; but I is a -natral doctor. I was born a doctor, jess as Lorenzo Dow -was born a preacher. So you see I can’t be nuffin’ but a -doctor, while massa is a bunglin’ ole cuss at de bissness.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. Gaines</i>, (in a low voice.) Never mind; I’ll teach -you a lesson, that I will.</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> You see, Miss Tappy, I was gwine to say—— Ah! -but afore I forget, jess give me anudder kiss, jess to keep -company wid de one dat you give me jess now,—dat’s all, -[<i>Kisses her.</i>] Now, Miss Tappy, duse you know de fuss -time dat I seed you?</p> - -<p><i>Tap.</i> No, Mr. Cato, I don’t.</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Well, it was at de camp-meetin’. Oh, Miss Tappy, -dat pretty red calliker dress you had on dat time did de -work for me. It made my heart flutter—</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> (low voice.) Yes, and I’ll make your black hide -flutter.</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Didn’t I hear some noise? By golly, dar is teves<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_26"></a>[26]</span> -in dis house, and I’ll drive ’em out.</p> - -<p class="long-direction">[<i>Takes a chair and runs at the Doctor, and knocks him down. The Doctor -chases Cato round the table.</i></p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Oh, massa, I didn’t know ’twas you!</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> You scoundrel! I’ll whip you well. Stop! I -tell you.</p> - -<p class="direction">[<i>Curtain falls.</i></p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="ACT_III">ACT III.</h2> - -</div> - -<h3><i>Scene 1.</i>—<span class="smcap">Sitting-Room.</span></h3> - -<div class="scene"> - -<p><i><span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines</span>, seated in an arm chair, reading a letter.</i></p> - -</div> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Hannah</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Mrs. Gaines.</i> You need not tell me, Hannah, that you -don’t want another husband, I know better. Your master -has sold Sam, and he’s gone down the river, and you’ll -never see him again. So, go and put on your calico dress, -and meet me in the kitchen. I intend for you to <i>jump the -broomstick</i> with Cato. You need not tell me that you don’t -want another man. I know that there’s no woman living -that can be happy and satisfied without a husband.</p> - -<p><i>Hannah.</i> Oh, missis, I don’t want to jump de broomstick -wid Cato. I don’t love Cato; I can’t love him.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Shut up, this moment! What do you know -about love? I didn’t love your master when I married -him, and people don’t marry for love now. So go and put -on your calico dress, and meet me in the kitchen.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Hannah</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p class="noindent">I am glad that the Colonel has sold Sam; now I’ll make -Hannah marry Cato, and I have them both here under my -eye. And I am also glad that the Colonel has parted with -Melinda. Still, I’m afraid that he is trying to deceive me. -He took the hussy away yesterday, and says he sold her to -a trader; but I don’t believe it. At any rate, if she’s in the -neighborhood, I’ll find her, that I will. No man ever fools -me.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_27"></a>[27]</span></p> - -<h3><i>Scene 2.</i>—<span class="smcap">The Kitchen—Slaves at Work.</span></h3> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Hannah</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Hannah.</i> Oh, Cato, do go and tell missis dat you don’t -want to jump de broomstick wid me,—dat’s a good man! -Do, Cato; kase I nebber can love you. It was only las -week dat massa sold my Sammy, and I don’t want any -udder man. Do go tell missis dat you don’t want me.</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> No, Hannah, I ain’t a gwine to tell missis no such -thing, kase I dose want you, and I ain’t a-gwine to tell a lie -for you ner nobody else. Dar, now you’s got it! I don’t -see why you need to make so much fuss. I is better lookin’ -den Sam; an’ I is a house servant, an’ Sam was only a fiel -hand; so you ought to feel proud of a change. So go and -do as missis tells you.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Hannah</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p class="noindent">Hannah needn’t try to get me to tell a lie; I ain’t a-gwine -to do it, kase I dose want her, an’ I is bin wantin’ her dis -long time, an’ soon as massa sold Sam, I knowed I would -get her. By golly, I is gwine to be a married man. Won’t -I be happy! Now, ef I could only jess run away from ole -massa, an’ get to Canada wid Hannah, den I’d show ’em -who I was. Ah! dat reminds me of my song ’bout ole -massa and Canada, an’ I’ll sing it fer yer. Dis is my moriginal -hyme. It comed into my head one night when I was -fass asleep under an apple tree, looking up at de moon. -Now for my song:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse right"><span class="smcap">Air</span>—“<i>Dandy Jim.</i>”</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Come all ye bondmen far and near,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Let’s put a song in massa’s ear,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">It is a song for our poor race,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Who’re whipped and trampled with disgrace.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse center">CHORUS.</div> - <div class="verse indent12">My old massa tells me, Oh,</div> - <div class="verse indent12">This is a land of freedom, Oh;</div> - <div class="verse indent12">Let’s look about and see if it’s so,</div> - <div class="verse indent12">Just as massa tells me, Oh.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">He tells us of that glorious one,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">I think his name was Washington,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">How he did fight for liberty,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">To save a threepence tax on tea. [<i>Chorus.</i>]</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">But now we look about and see</div> - <div class="verse indent0">That we poor blacks are not so free;</div><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_28"></a>[28]</span> - <div class="verse indent0">We’re whipped and thrashed about like fools,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And have no chance at common schools. [<i>Chorus.</i>]</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">They take our wives, insult and mock,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And sell our children on the block,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">They choke us if we say a word,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And say that “niggers” shan’t be heard. [<i>Chorus.</i>]</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Our preachers, too, with whip and cord,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Command obedience in the Lord;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">They say they learn it from the big book,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">But for ourselves, we dare not look. [<i>Chorus.</i>]</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">There is a country far away,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">I think they call it Canada,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And if we reach Victoria’s shore,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">They say that we are slaves no more.</div> - <div class="verse indent12">Now haste, all bondmen, let us go,</div> - <div class="verse indent12">And leave this <i>Christian</i> country, Oh;</div> - <div class="verse indent12">Haste to the land of the British Queen,</div> - <div class="verse indent12">Where whips for negroes are not seen.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Now, if we go, we must take the night,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And never let them come in sight;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The bloodhounds will be on our track,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And wo to us if they fetch us back.</div> - <div class="verse indent12">Now haste all bondmen, let us go,</div> - <div class="verse indent12">And leave this <i>Christian</i> country, Oh;</div> - <div class="verse indent12">God help us to Victoria’s shore,</div> - <div class="verse indent12">Where we are free and slaves no more!</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Mrs. Gaines.</i> Ah! Cato, you’re ready, are you? Where -is Hannah?</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Yes, missis; I is bin waitin’ dis long time. Hannah -has bin here tryin’ to swade me to tell you dat I don’t -want her; but I telled her dat you sed I must jump de -broomstick wid her, an’ I is gwine to mind you.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> That’s right, Cato; servants should always mind -their masters and mistresses, without asking a question.</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Yes, missis, I allers dose what you and massa -tells me, an’ axes nobody.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Hannah</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Mrs. Gaines.</i> Ah! Hannah; come, we are waiting for -you. Nothing can be done till you come.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_29"></a>[29]</span></p> - -<p><i>Hannah.</i> Oh, missis, I don’t want to jump de broomstick -wid Cato; I can’t love him.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Shut up, this moment. Dolly, get the broom. -Susan, you take hold of the other end. There, now hold -it a little lower—there, a little higher. There, now, that’ll -do. Now Hannah, take hold of Cato’s hand. Let Cato -take hold of your hand.</p> - -<p><i>Hannah.</i> Oh, missis, do spare me. I don’t want to jump -de broomstick wid Cato.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Get the cowhide, and follow me to the cellar, -and I’ll whip you well. I’ll let you know how to disobey -my orders. Get the cowhide, and follow me to the -cellar.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines</span> and <span class="smcap">Hannah</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Dolly.</i> Oh, Cato, do go an’ tell missis dat you don’t want -Hannah. Don’t you hear how she’s whippin’ her in de -cellar? Do go an’ tell missis dat you don’t want Hannah, -and den she’ll stop whippin’ her.</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> No, Dolly, I ain’t a-gwine to do no such a thing, -kase ef I tell missis dat I don’t want Hannah, den missis -will whip me; an’ I ain’t a-gwine to be whipped fer you, ner -Hannah, ner nobody else. No, I’ll jump de broomstick -wid every woman on de place, ef missis wants me to, -before I’ll be whipped.</p> - -<p><i>Dolly.</i> Cato, ef I was in Hannah’s place, I’d see you in -de bottomless pit before I’d live wid you, you great big -wall-eyed, empty-headed, knock-kneed fool. You’re as -mean as your devilish old missis.</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Ef you don’t quit dat busin’ me, Dolly, I’ll tell -missis as soon as she comes in, an’ she’ll whip you, you -know she will.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines</span> and <span class="smcap">Hannah</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p class="long-direction">[<i><span class="smcap">Mrs. G.</span> fans herself with her handkerchief, and appears -fatigued.</i>]</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Hannah, -to make me fatigue myself in this way, to make you do -your duty. It’s very naughty in you, Hannah. Now, Dolly, -you and Susan get the broom, and get out in the middle of -the room. There, hold it a little lower—a little higher; -there, that’ll do. Now, remember that this is a solemn -occasion; you are going to jump into matrimony. Now,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_30"></a>[30]</span> -Cato, take hold of Hannah’s hand. There, now, why -couldn’t you let Cato take hold of your hand before? -Now get ready, and when I count three, do you jump. -Eyes on the <i>broomstick</i>! All ready. One, two, three, and -over you go. There, now you’re husband and wife, and -if you don’t live happy together, it’s your own fault; for I -am sure there’s nothing to hinder it. Now, Hannah, -come up to the house, and I’ll give you some whiskey, and -you can make some apple toddy, and you and Cato can -have a fine time.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines</span> and <span class="smcap">Hannah</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Dolly.</i> I tell you what, Susan, when I get married, I is -gwine to have a preacher to marry me. I ain’t a-gwine to -jump de broomstick. Dat will do for fiel’ hands, but house -servants ought to be ’bove dat.</p> - -<p><i>Susan.</i> Well, chile, you can’t speck any ting else from ole -missis. She come from down in Carlina, from ’mong de -poor white trash. She don’t know any better. You can’t -speck nothin’ more dan a jump from a frog. Missis says -she is one of de akastocacy; but she ain’t no more of an -akastocacy dan I is. Missis says she was born wid a silver -spoon in her mouf; ef she was, I wish it had a-choked her, -dat’s what I wish. Missis wanted to make Linda jump de -broomstick wid Glen, but massa ain’t a-gwine to let Linda -jump de broomstick wid anybody. He’s gwine to keep -Linda fer heself.</p> - -<p><i>Dolly.</i> You know massa took Linda ’way las’ night, an’ -tell missis dat he has sold her and sent her down de river; -but I don’t b’lieve he has sold her at all. He went ober -towards de poplar farm, an’ I tink Linda is ober dar now. -Ef she is dar, missis’ll find it out, fer she tell’d massa las’ -night, dat ef Linda was in de neighborhood, she’d find her.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Dolly</span> and <span class="smcap">Susan</span>.</i></p> - -<h3><i>Scene 3.</i>—<span class="smcap">Sitting-Room—Chairs and Table.</span></h3> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Hannah</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Hannah.</i> I don’t keer what missis says; I don’t like -Cato, an’ I won’t live wid him. I always love my Sammy, -an’ I loves him now.</p> - -<p class="direction">[<i>Knock at the door—goes to the door.</i></p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Maj. Moore</span>, <span class="allsmcap">M. D.</span></i></p> - -<p class="noindent">Walk in, sir; take a seat. I’ll call missis, sir; massa is -gone away.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Hannah</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_31"></a>[31]</span></p> - -<p><i>Maj. Moore.</i> So I am here at last, and the Colonel is not -at home. I hope his wife is a good-looking woman. I rather -like fine-looking women, especially when their husbands -are from home. Well, I’ve studied human nature to some -purpose. If you wish to get the good will of a man, don’t -praise his wife, and if you wish to gain the favor of a -woman, praise her children, and swear that they are the -picture of their father, whether they are or not. Ah! -here comes the lady.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Good morning, sir!</p> - -<p><i>Maj. M.</i> Good morning, madam! I am Maj. Moore, of -Jefferson. The Colonel and I had seats near each other -in the last Legislature.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Be seated, sir. I think I’ve heard the Colonel -speak of you. He’s away, now; but I expect him every -moment. You’re a stranger here, I presume?</p> - -<p><i>Maj. M.</i> Yes, madam, I am. I rather like the Colonel’s -situation here.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> It is thought to be a fine location.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Sampey</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p class="noindent">Hand me my fan, will you, Sampey?</p> - -<p class="long-direction">[<i>Sampey gets the -fan and passes near the Major, who mistakes the boy -for the Colonel’s son. He reaches out his hand.</i></p> - -<p><i>Maj. M.</i> How do you do, bub? Madam, I should have -known that this was the Colonel’s son, if I had met him in -California; for he looks so much like his papa.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> [<i>To the boy.</i>] Get out of here this minute. Go -to the kitchen.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Sampey</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p class="noindent">That is one of the niggers, sir.</p> - -<p><i>Maj. M.</i> I beg your pardon, madam; I beg your pardon.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> No offence, sir; mistakes will be made. Ah! -here comes the Colonel.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">M. D.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Dr. Gaines.</i> Bless my soul, how are you, Major? I’m -exceedingly pleased to see you. Be seated, be seated, -Major.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Please excuse me, gentlemen; I must go and -look after dinner, for I’ve no doubt that the Major will -have an appetite for dinner, by the time it is ready.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_32"></a>[32]</span></p> - -<p><i>Maj. M.</i> Colonel, I’m afraid I’ve played the devil here -to-day.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Why, what have you done?</p> - -<p><i>Maj. M.</i> You see, Colonel, I always make it a point, -wherever I go, to praise the children, if there are any, and -so to-day, seeing one of your little servants come in, and -taking him to be your son, I spoke to your wife of the -marked resemblance between you and the boy. I am -afraid I’ve insulted madam.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Oh! don’t let that trouble you. Ha, ha, ha. -If you did call him my son, you didn’t miss it much. Ha, -ha, ha. Come, we’ll take a walk, and talk over matters -about old times.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<h3><i>Scene 4.</i>—<span class="smcap">Forest Scenery.</span></h3> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Glen</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Glen.</i> Oh, how I want to see Melinda! My heart pants -and my soul is moved whenever I hear her voice. Human -tongue cannot tell how my heart yearns toward her. Oh, -God! thou who gavest me life, and implanted in my bosom -the love of liberty, and gave me a heart to love, Oh, pity the -poor outraged slave! Thou, who canst rend the veil of -centuries, speak, Oh, speak, and put a stop to this persecution! -What is death, compared to slavery? Oh, heavy -curse, to have thoughts, reason, taste, judgment, conscience -and passions like another man, and not have equal liberty to -use them! Why was I born with a wish to be free, and -still be a slave? Why should I call another man master? -And my poor Melinda, she is taken away from me, and I -dare not ask the tyrant where she is. It is childish to stand -here weeping. Why should my eyes be filled with tears, -when my brain is on fire? I will find my wife—I will; -and wo to him who shall try to keep me from her!</p> - -<h3><i>Scene 5.</i>—<span class="smcap">Room in a small Cottage on the Poplar Farm.</span></h3> - -<div class="scene"> - -<p class="center">(<i>Ten miles from Muddy Creek, and owned by Dr. Gaines.</i>)</p> - -</div> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Melinda</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> Here I am, watched, and kept a prisoner in this -place. Oh, I would that I could escape, and once more get<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_33"></a>[33]</span> -with Glen. Poor Glen! He does not know where I am. -Master took the opportunity, when Glen was in the city with -his master, to bring me here to this lonely place, and fearing -that mistress would know where I was, he brought me -here at night. Oh, how I wish I could rush into the arms -of sleep!—that sweet sleep, which visits all alike, descending, -like the dews of heaven, upon the bond as well as the -free. It would drive from my troubled brain the agonies of -this terrible night.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Dr. Gaines.</i> Good evening, Melinda! Are you not glad -to see me?</p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> Sir, how can I be glad to see one who has made -life a burden, and turned my sweetest moments into bitterness?</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Come, Melinda, no more reproaches! You know -that I love you, and I have told you, and I tell you again, -that if you will give up all idea of having Glen for a husband, -I will set you free, let you live in this cottage, and be -your own mistress, and I’ll dress you like a lady. Come, -now, be reasonable!</p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> Sir, I am your slave; you can do as you please -with the avails of my labor, but you shall never tempt me -to swerve from the path of virtue.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Now, Melinda, that black scoundrel Glen has been -putting these notions into your head. I’ll let you know that -you are my property, and I’ll do as I please with you. I’ll -teach you that there is no limit to my power.</p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> Sir, let me warn you that if you compass my -ruin, a woman’s bitterest curse will be laid upon your head, -with all the crushing, withering weight that my soul can -impart to it; a curse that shall cling to you throughout the -remainder of your wretched life; a curse that shall haunt -you like a spectre in your dreams by night, and attend upon -you by day; a curse, too, that shall embody itself in the -ghastly form of the woman whose chastity you will have -outraged. Command me to bury myself in yonder stream, -and I will obey you. Bid me do any thing else, but I beseech -you not to commit a double crime,—outrage a woman, -and make her false to her husband.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> You got a husband! Who is your husband, and -when were you married?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_34"></a>[34]</span></p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> Glen is my husband, and I’ve been married -four weeks. Old Uncle Joseph married us one night by -moonlight. I see you are angry; I pray you not to injure -my husband.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Melinda, you shall never see Glen again. I have -bought him from Hamilton, and I will return to Muddy -Creek, and roast him at the stake. A black villain, to get -into my way in that manner! Here I’ve come ten miles to-night -to see you, and this is the way you receive me!</p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> Oh, master, I beg you not to injure my husband! -Kill me, but spare him! Do! do! he is my husband!</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> You shall never see that black imp again, so good -night, my lady! When I come again, you’ll give me a -more cordial reception. Good night!</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> I shall go distracted. I cannot remain here -and know that Glen is being tortured on my account. I -must escape from this place,—I must,—I must!</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Cato</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> No, you ain’t a-gwine to ’scape, nudder. Massa -tells me to keep dese eyes on you, an’ I is gwine to do it.</p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> Oh, Cato, do let me get away! I beg you, do!</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> No; I tells you massa telled me to keep you safe; -an’ ef I let you go, massa will whip me.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Cato</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Ah, you trollop! here you are! Your master -told me that he had sold you and sent you down the river, -but I knew better; I knew it was a lie. And when he left -home this evening, he said he was going to the city on business, -and I knew that was a lie too, and determined to -follow him, and see what he was up to. I rode all the way -over here to-night. My side-saddle was lent out, and I had -to ride ten miles bare-back, and I can scarcely walk; and -your master has just left here. Now deny that, if you dare.</p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> Madam, I will deny nothing which is true. -Your husband has just gone from here, but God knows that -I am innocent of any thing wrong with him.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> It’s a lie! I know better. If you are innocent, -what are you doing here, cooped up in this cottage by -yourself? Tell me that!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_35"></a>[35]</span></p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> God knows that I was brought here against my -will, and I beg that you will take me away.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Yes, Melinda, I will see that you are taken -away, but it shall be after a fashion that you won’t like. I -know that your master loves you, and I intend to put a stop -to it. Here, drink the contents of this vial,—drink it!</p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> Oh, you will not take my life,—you will not!</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Drink the poison this moment!</p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> I cannot drink it.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> I tell you to drink this poison at once. Drink -it, or I will thrust this knife to your heart! The poison or -the dagger, this instant!</p> - -<p class="long-direction">[<i>She draws a dagger; Melinda -retreats to the back of the room, and seizes a broom.</i></p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> I will not drink the poison!</p> - -<p class="long-direction">[<i>They fight; <span class="smcap">Melinda</span> -sweeps off <span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines</span>,—cap, combs and curls. -Curtain falls.</i></p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="ACT_IV">ACT IV.</h2> - -</div> - -<h3><i>Scene 1.</i>—<span class="smcap">Interior of a Dungeon—Glen in chains.</span></h3> - -<p><i>Glen.</i> When I think of my unmerited sufferings, it almost -drives me mad. I struck the doctor, and for that, I must -remain here loaded with chains. But why did he strike me? -He takes my wife from me, sends her off, and then comes -and beats me over the head with his cane. I did right to -strike him back again. I would I had killed him. Oh! -there is a volcano pent up in the hearts of the slaves of these -Southern States that will burst forth ere long. When that -day comes, wo to those whom its unpitying fury may -devour! I would be willing to die, if I could smite down -with these chains every man who attempts to enslave his -fellow-man.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Sampey</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Sampey.</i> Glen, I jess bin hear massa call de oberseer, -and I spec somebody is gwine to be whipped. Anudder -ting: I know whar massa took Linda to. He took her to -de poplar farm, an’ he went away las’ night, an’ missis she<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_36"></a>[36]</span> -follow after massa, an’ she ain’t come back yet. I tell you, -Glen, de debil will be to pay on dis place, but don’t you tell -any body dat I tole you.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Sampey</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<h3><i>Scene 2.</i>—<span class="smcap">Parlor.</span></h3> - -<div class="scene"> - -<p class="center"><i><span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span>, alone.</i></p> - -</div> - -<p><i>Dr. Gaines.</i> Yes, I will have the black rascal well -whipped, and then I’ll sell him. It was most fortunate for -me that Hamilton was willing to sell him to me.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Mr. Scragg</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p class="noindent">I have sent for you, Mr. Scragg. I want you to take Glen -out of the dungeon, take him into the tobacco house, fasten -him down upon the stretcher, and give him five hundred -lashes upon his bare back; and when you have whipped -him, feel his pulse, and report to me how it stands, and if he -can bear more, I’ll have you give him an additional hundred -or two, as the case may be.</p> - -<p><i>Scragg.</i> I tell you, doctor, that suits me to a charm. -I’ve long wanted to whip that nigger. When your brother-in-law -came here to board, and brought that boy with him, -I felt bad to see a nigger dressed up in such fine clothes, -and I wanted to whip him right off. I tell you, doctor, I -had rather whip that nigger than go to heaven, any day,—that -I had!</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Go, Mr. Scragg, and do your duty. Don’t spare -the whip!</p> - -<p><i>Scragg.</i> I will, sir; I’ll do it in order.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Scragg</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Every thing works well now, and when I get -Glen out of the way, I’ll pay Melinda another visit, and -she’ll give me a different reception. But I wonder where -my wife is? She left word that she was going to see her -brother, but I am afraid that she has got on my track. That -woman is the pest of my life. If there’s any place in -heaven for her, I’d be glad if the Lord would take her -home, for I’ve had her too long already. But what noise is -that? What can that be? What is the matter?</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Scragg</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span>, with face bloody.</i></p> - -<p><i>Scragg.</i> Oh, dear me! oh, my head! That nigger broke -away from me, and struck me over the head with a stick. -Oh, dear me! Oh!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_37"></a>[37]</span></p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Where is he, Mr. Scragg?</p> - -<p><i>Scragg.</i> Oh! sir, he jumped out of the window; he’s -gone. Oh! my head; he’s cracked my skull. Oh, dear -me, I’m kilt! Oh! oh! oh!</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Slaves</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Go, Dolly, and wash Mr. Scragg’s head with some -whiskey, and bind it up. Go at once. And Bob, you run -over to Mr. Hall, and tell him to come with his hounds; we -must go after the rascal.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit all except the <span class="smcap">Doctor</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p class="noindent">This will never do. When I catch the scoundrel, I’ll make -an example of him; I’ll whip him to death. Ah! here -comes my wife. I wonder what she comes now for? I -must put on a sober face, for she looks angry.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p class="noindent">Ah! my dear, I am glad you’ve come, I’ve been so lonesome -without you. Oh! Sarah, I don’t know what I should -do if the Lord should take you home to heaven. I don’t -think that I should be able to live without you.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Dr. Gaines, you ought to be ashamed to sit -there and talk in that way. You know very well that if -the Lord should call me home to glory to-night, you’d -jump for joy. But you need not think that I am going to -leave this world before you. No; with the help of the -Lord, I’ll stay here to foil you in your meanness. I’ve -been on your track, and a dirty track it is, too. You ought -to be ashamed of yourself. See what promises you made -me before we were married; and this is the way you keep -your word. When I married you, every body said that it -was a pity that a woman of my sweet temper should be -linked to such a man as you.</p> - -<p class="direction">[<i>She weeps and wrings her hands.</i></p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Come, my dear, don’t make a fool of yourself. -Come, let’s go to supper, and a strong cup of tea will help -your head.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Tea help my head! tea won’t help my head. -You’re a brute of a man; I always knew I was a fool for -marrying you. There was Mr. Comstock, he wanted me, -and he loved me, and he said I was an angel, so he did; -and he loved me, and he was rich; and mother always -said that he loved me more than you, for when he used to -kiss me, he always squeezed my hand. You never did<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_38"></a>[38]</span> -such a thing in your life.</p> - -<p class="direction">[<i>She weeps and wrings her hands.</i></p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Come, my dear, don’t act so foolish.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> Yes; every thing I do is foolish. You’re a -brute of a man; I won’t live with you any longer. I’ll -leave you—that I will. I’ll go and see a lawyer, and get a -divorce from you—so I will.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Well, Sarah, if you want a divorce, you had -better engage Mr. Barker. He’s the best lawyer in town; -and if you want some money to facilitate the business, I’ll -draw a check for you.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. G.</i> So you want me to get a divorce, do you? -Well, I won’t have a divorce; no, I’ll never leave you, as -long as the Lord spares me.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Mrs. Gaines</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<h3><i>Scene 3.</i>—<span class="smcap">Forest at Night—Large Tree.</span></h3> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Melinda</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> This is indeed a dark night to be out and alone -on this road. But I must find my husband, I must. Poor -Glen! if he only knew that I was here, and could get to me, -he would. What a curse slavery is! It separates husbands -from their wives, and tears mothers from their helpless -offspring, and blights all our hopes for this world. I must -try to reach Muddy Creek before daylight, and seek out -my husband. What’s that I hear?—footsteps? I’ll get -behind this tree.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Glen</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Glen.</i> It is so dark, I’m afraid I’ve missed the road. -Still, this must be the right way to the poplar farm. And -if Bob told me the truth, when he said that Melinda was at -the poplar farm, I will soon be with her; and if I once get -her in my arms, it will be a strong man that shall take her -from me. Aye, a dozen strong men shall not be able to -wrest her from my arms.</p> - -<p class="direction">[<i>Melinda rushes from behind the tree.</i></p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> Oh, Glen! It is my husband,—it is!</p> - -<p><i>Glen.</i> Melinda! Melinda! it is, it is. Oh God! I thank -Thee for this manifestation of Thy kindness. Come, come, -Melinda, we must go at once to Canada. I escaped from -the overseer, whom Dr. Gaines sent to flog me. Yes, I<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_39"></a>[39]</span> -struck him over the head with his own club, and I made -the wine flow freely; yes, I pounded his old skillet well -for him, and then jumped out of the window. It was a -leap for freedom. Yes, Melinda, it was a leap for freedom. -I’ve said “master” for the last time. I am free; -I’m bound for Canada. Come, let’s be off, at once, for -the negro dogs will be put upon our track. Let us once -get beyond the Ohio river, and all will be right.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="ACT_V">ACT V.</h2> - -</div> - -<h3><i>Scene 1.</i>—<span class="smcap">Bar-Room in the American Hotel—Travellers -Lounging in Chairs, and at the Bar.</span></h3> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Bill Jennings</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Barkeeper.</i> Why, Jennings, how do you do?</p> - -<p><i>Jennings.</i> Say Mr. Jennings, if you please.</p> - -<p><i>Barkeeper.</i> Well, Mr. Jennings, if that suits you better. -How are times? We’ve been expecting you, for some -days.</p> - -<p><i>Jennings.</i> Well, before I talk about the times, I want my -horses put up, and want you to tell me where my niggers -are to stay to-night. Sheds, stables, barns, and every thing -else here, seems pretty full, if I am a judge.</p> - -<p><i>Barkeeper.</i> Oh! I’ll see to your plunder.</p> - -<p><i>1st Lounger.</i> I say, Barkeeper, make me a brandy cocktail, -strong. Why, how do you do, Mr. Jennings?</p> - -<p><i>Jennings.</i> Pretty well, Mr. Peters. Cold evening, this.</p> - -<p><i>1st Loun.</i> Yes, this is cold. I heard you speak of your -niggers. Have you got a pretty large gang?</p> - -<p><i>Jennings.</i> No, only thirty-three. But they are the best -that the country can afford. I shall clear a few dimes, this -trip. I hear that the price is up.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Mr. White</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>White.</i> Can I be accommodated here to-night, landlord?</p> - -<p><i>Barkeeper.</i> Yes, sir; we’ve bed for man and beast. Go, -Dick, and take the gentleman’s coat and hat. [<i>To the -waiter.</i>] You’re a stranger in these parts, I rec’on.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_40"></a>[40]</span></p> - -<p><i>White.</i> Yes, I am a stranger here.</p> - -<p><i>2d Loun.</i> Where mout you come from, ef it’s a far -question?</p> - -<p><i>White.</i> I am from Massachusetts.</p> - -<p><i>3d Loun.</i> I say, cuss Massachusetts!</p> - -<p><i>1st Loun.</i> I say so too. There is where the fanatics -live; cussed traitors. The President ought to hang ’em all.</p> - -<p><i>White.</i> I say, landlord, if this is the language that I am -to hear, I would like to go into a private room.</p> - -<p><i>Barkeeper.</i> We ain’t got no private room empty.</p> - -<p><i>1st Loun.</i> Maybe you’re mad ’bout what I said ’bout -your State. Ef you is, I’ve only to say that this is a free -country, and people talks what they please; an’ ef you -don’t like it, you can better yourself.</p> - -<p><i>White.</i> Sir, if this is a free country, why do you have -slaves here? I saw a gang at the door, as I came in.</p> - -<p><i>2d Loun.</i> He didn’t mean that this was a free country -for niggers. He meant that it’s free for white people. -And another thing, ef you get to talking ’bout freedom for -niggers, you’ll catch what you won’t like, mister. It’s -right for niggers to be slaves.</p> - -<p><i>White.</i> But I saw some white slaves.</p> - -<p><i>1st Loun.</i> Well, they’re white niggers.</p> - -<p><i>White.</i> Well, sir, I am from a free State, and I thank -God for it; for the worst act that a man can commit upon -his fellow-man, is to make him a slave. Conceive of a -mind, a living soul, with the germs of faculties which infinity -cannot exhaust, as it first beams upon you in its glad -morning of existence, quivering with life and joy, exulting -in the glorious sense of its developing energies, beautiful, -and brave, and generous, and joyous, and free,—the clear -pure spirit bathed in the auroral light of its unconscious immortality,—and -then follow it in its dark and dreary passage -through slavery, until oppression stifles and kills, one by -one, every inspiration and aspiration of its being, until it -becomes a dead soul entombed in a living frame!</p> - -<p><i>3d Loun.</i> Stop that; stop that, I say. That’s treason -to the country; that’s downright rebellion.</p> - -<p><i>Barkeeper.</i> Yes, it is. And another thing,—this is not a -meeting-house.</p> - -<p><i>1st Loun.</i> Yes, if you talk such stuff as that, you’ll get a -chunk of cold lead in you, that you will.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_41"></a>[41]</span></p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span> and <span class="smcap">Scragg</span>, followed by <span class="smcap">Cato</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Gentlemen, I am in pursuit of two valuable -slaves, and I will pay five hundred dollars for their arrest.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Mr. White</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>1st Loun.</i> I’ll bet a picayune that your niggers have been -stolen by that cussed feller from Massachusetts. Don’t you -see he’s gone?</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> Where is the man? If I can lay my hands on -him, he’ll never steal another nigger. Where is the scoundrel?</p> - -<p><i>1st Loun.</i> Let’s go after the feller. I’ll go with you. -Come, foller me.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit all, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span>, except <span class="smcap">Cato</span> and the waiter.</i></p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Why don’t you bring in massa’s saddle-bags? -What de debil you standin’ dar for? You common country -niggers don’t know nuffin’, no how. Go an’ get massa’s -saddle-bags, and bring ’em in.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Servant</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p class="noindent">By golly! ebry body’s gone, an’ de bar-keeper too. I’ll -tend de bar myself now; an’ de fuss gemman I waits on -will be dis gemman of color. [<i>Goes behind the counter, -and drinks.</i>] Ah, dis is de stuff fer me; it makes my head -swim; it makes me happy right off. I’ll take a little more.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Barkeeper</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Barkeeper.</i> What are you doing behind that bar, you -black cuss?</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> I is lookin’ for massa’s saddle-bags, sir. Is dey -here?</p> - -<p><i>Barkeeper.</i> But what were you drinking there?</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Me drinkin’! Why, massa, you muss be mistaken. -I ain’t drink nuffin’.</p> - -<p><i>Barkeeper.</i> You infernal whelp, to stand there and lie in -that way!</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Oh, yes, seer, I did tase dat coffee in dat bottle; -dat’s all I did.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Mr. White</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span>, excited.</i></p> - -<p><i>Mr. White.</i> I say, sir, is there no place of concealment -in your house? They are after me, and my life is in danger. -Say, sir, can’t you hide me away?</p> - -<p><i>Barkeeper.</i> Well, you ought to hold your tongue when -you come into our State.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. White.</i> But, sir, the Constitution gives me the right -to speak my sentiments, at all times and in all places.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_42"></a>[42]</span></p> - -<p><i>Barkeeper.</i> We don’t care for Constitutions nor nothin’ -else. We made the Constitution, and we’ll break it. But -you had better hide away; they are coming, and they’ll -lynch you, that they will. Come with me; I’ll hide you in -the cellar. Foller me.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Barkeeper</span> and <span class="smcap">White</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter the <span class="smcap">Mob</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Dr. Gaines.</i> If I can once lay my hands on that scoundrel, -I’ll blow a hole through his head.</p> - -<p><i>Jennings.</i> Yes, I say so too; for no one knows whose -niggers are safe, now-a-days. I must look after my niggers. -Who is that I see in the distance? I believe it’s -that cussed Massachusetts feller. Come, let’s go after him.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit the <span class="smcap">Mob</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<h3><i>Scene 2.</i>—<span class="smcap">Forest at Night.</span></h3> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Glen</span> and <span class="smcap">Melinda</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> I am so tired and hungry, that I cannot go further. -It is so cloudy that we cannot see the North Star, and -therefore cannot tell whether we are going to Canada, or -further South. Let’s sit down here.</p> - -<p><i>Glen.</i> I know that we cannot see the North Star, Melinda, -and I fear we’ve lost our way. But, see! the clouds are -passing away, and it’ll soon be clear. See! yonder is a -star; yonder is another and another. Ah! yonder is the -North Star, and we are safe!</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“Star of the North! though night winds drift</div> - <div class="verse indent2">The fleecy drapery of the sky</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Between thy lamp and me, I lift,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Yea, lift with hope my sleepless eye,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">To the blue heights wherein thou dwellest,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And of a land of freedom tellest.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“Star of the North! while blazing day</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Pours round me its full tide of light,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And hides thy pale but faithful ray,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">I, too, lie hid, and long for night:</div> - <div class="verse indent0">For night: I dare not walk at noon,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Nor dare I trust the faithless moon—</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“Nor faithless man, whose burning lust</div> - <div class="verse indent2">For gold hath riveted my chain,—</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Nor other leader can I trust</div> - <div class="verse indent2">But thee, of even the starry train;</div><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_43"></a>[43]</span> - <div class="verse indent0">For all the host around thee burning,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Like faithless man, keep turning, turning.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“I may not follow where they go:—</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Star of the North! I look to thee</div> - <div class="verse indent0">While on I press; for well I know,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Thy light and truth shall set me free:—</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Thy light, that no poor slave deceiveth;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Thy truth, that all my soul believeth.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“Thy beam is on the glassy breast</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Of the still spring, upon whose brink</div> - <div class="verse indent0">I lay my weary limbs to rest,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">And bow my parching lips to drink.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Guide of the friendless negro’s way,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">I bless thee for this quiet ray!</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“In the dark top of southern pines</div> - <div class="verse indent2">I nestled, when the Driver’s horn</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Called to the field, in lengthening lines,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">My fellows, at the break of morn.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And there I lay till thy sweet face</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Looked in upon “my hiding place.”</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“The tangled cane-brake, where I crept</div> - <div class="verse indent2">For shelter from the heat of noon,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And where, while others toiled, I slept,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Till wakened by the rising moon,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">As its stalks felt the night wind free,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Gave me to catch a glimpse of thee.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“Star of the North! in bright array</div> - <div class="verse indent2">The constellations round thee sweep,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Each holding on its nightly way,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Rising, or sinking in the deep,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And, as it hangs in mid heaven flaming,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The homage of some nation claiming.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“<i>This</i> nation to the Eagle cowers;</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Fit ensign! she’s a bird of spoil:—</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Like worships like! for each devours</div> - <div class="verse indent2">The earnings of another’s toil.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">I’ve felt her talons and her beak,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And now the gentler Lion seek.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“The Lion, at the Monarch’s feet</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Crouches, and lays his mighty paw</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Into her lap!—an emblem meet</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Of England’s Queen, and English law:</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Queen, that hath made her Islands free!</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Law, that holds out its shield to me!</div><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_44"></a>[44]</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">“Star of the North! upon that shield</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Thou shinest,—Oh, for ever shine!</div> - <div class="verse indent0">The negro, from the cotton field</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Shall, then, beneath its orb recline,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And feed the Lion, couched before it,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Nor heed the Eagle, screaming o’er it!”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">With the thoughts of servitude behind us, and the North -Star before us, we will go forward with cheerful hearts. -Come, Melinda, let’s go on.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<h3><i>Scene 3.</i>—<span class="smcap">A Street.</span></h3> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Mr. White</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Mr. White.</i> I am glad to be once more in a free State. -If I am caught again south of Mason and Dixon’s line, I’ll -give them leave to lynch me. I came near losing my life. -This is the way our constitutional rights are trampled upon. -But what care these men about Constitutions, or any thing -else that does not suit them? But I must hasten on.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Cato</span>, in disguise, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> I wonder ef dis is me? By golly, I is free as a frog. -But maybe I is mistaken; maybe dis ain’t me. Cato, is -dis you? Yes, seer. Well, now it is me, an’ I em a free -man. But, stop! I muss change my name, kase ole massa -might foller me, and somebody might tell him dat dey seed -Cato; so I’ll change my name, and den he won’t know me -ef he sees me. Now, what shall I call myself? I’m now -in a suspectable part of de country, an’ I muss have a suspectable -name. Ah! I’ll call myself Alexander Washington -Napoleon Pompey Cæsar. Dar, now, dat’s a good -long, suspectable name, and every body will suspect me. -Let me see; I wonder ef I can’t make up a song on my -escape? I’ll try.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse right"><span class="smcap">Air</span>—“<i>Dearest Mae.</i>”</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Now, freemen, listen to my song, a story I’ll relate,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">It happened in de valley of de ole Kentucky State:</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Dey marched me out into de fiel’, at every break of day,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And work me dar till late sunset, widout a cent of pay.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent8"><i>Chorus.</i>—Dey work me all de day,</div> - <div class="verse indent18">Widout a bit of pay,</div> - <div class="verse indent18">And thought, because dey fed me well,</div> - <div class="verse indent18">I would not run away.</div><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_45"></a>[45]</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Massa gave me his ole coat, an’ thought I’d happy be,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">But I had my eye on de North Star, an’ thought of liberty;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Ole massa lock de door, an’ den he went to sleep,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">I dress myself in his bess clothes, an’ jump into de street.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent8"><i>Chorus.</i>—Dey work me all de day,</div> - <div class="verse indent18">Widout a bit of pay,</div> - <div class="verse indent18">So I took my flight, in the middle of de night,</div> - <div class="verse indent18">When de sun was gone away.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Sed I, dis chile’s a freeman now, he’ll be a slave no more;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">I travell’d faster all dat night, dan I ever did before.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">I came up to a farmer’s house, jest at de break of day,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And saw a white man standin’ dar, sed he, “You are a runaway.”</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent8"><i>Chorus.</i>—Dey work me all de day, &c.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">I tole him I had left de whip, an’ bayin’ of de hound,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">To find a place where man is man, ef sich dar can be found;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Dat I had heard, in Canada, dat all mankind are free,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">An’ dat I was going dar in search of liberty.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent8"><i>Chorus.</i>—Dey work me all de day, &c.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">I’ve not committed any crime, why should I run away?</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Oh! shame upon your laws, dat drive me off to Canada.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">You loudly boast of liberty, an’ say your State is free,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">But ef I tarry in your midst, will you protect me?</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent8"><i>Chorus.</i>—Dey work me all de day, &c.</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<h3><i>Scene 4.</i>—<span class="smcap">Dining-Room.—Table Spread.</span></h3> - -<div class="scene"> - -<p class="center"><i><span class="smcap">Mrs. Neal</span> and <span class="smcap">Charlotte</span>.</i></p> - -</div> - -<p><i>Mrs. Neal.</i> Thee may put the tea to draw, Charlotte. -Thy father will be in soon, and we must have breakfast.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Mr. Neal</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p class="noindent">I think, Simeon, it is time those people were called. Thee -knows that they may be pursued, and we ought not to detain -them long here.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. Neal.</i> Yes, Ruth, thou art right. Go, Charlotte, and -knock on their chamber door, and tell them that breakfast -is ready.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Charlotte</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Mrs. N.</i> Poor creatures! I hope they’ll reach Canada in -safety. They seem to be worthy persons.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Charlotte</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Charlotte.</i> I’ve called them, mother, and they’ll soon be -down. I’ll put the breakfast on the table.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_46"></a>[46]</span></p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Neighbor Jones</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Mr. N.</i> Good morning, James. Thee has heard, I presume, -that we have two very interesting persons in the -house?</p> - -<p><i>Jones.</i> Yes, I heard that you had two fugitives by the -Underground road, last night; and I’ve come over to -fight for them, if any persons come to take them back.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Thomas</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Mr. N.</i> Go, Thomas, and harness up the horses and put -them to the covered wagon, and be ready to take these -people on, as soon as they get their breakfast. Go, Thomas, -and hurry thyself.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Thomas</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p class="noindent">And so thee wants to fight, this morning, James?</p> - -<p><i>Jones.</i> Yes; as you belongs to a society that don’t believe -in fighting, and I does believe in that sort of thing, I -thought I’d come and relieve you of that work, if there is -any to be done.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Glen</span> and <span class="smcap">Melinda</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Mr. N.</i> Good morning, friends. I hope thee rested well, -last night.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. N.</i> Yes, I hope thee had a good night’s rest.</p> - -<p><i>Glen.</i> I thank you, madam, we did.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. N.</i> I’ll introduce thee to our neighbor, James Jones. -He’s a staunch friend of thy people.</p> - -<p><i>Jones.</i> I am glad to see you. I’ve come over to render -assistance, if any is needed.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. N.</i> Come, friends, take seats at the table. Thee’ll -take seats there. [<i>To <span class="smcap">Glen</span> and <span class="smcap">Melinda</span>.</i>] [<i>All take -seats at the table.</i>] Does thee take sugar and milk in thy -tea?</p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> I thank you, we do.</p> - -<p><i>Jones.</i> I’ll look at your <i>Tribune</i>, Uncle Simeon, while -you’re eating.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. N.</i> Thee’ll find it on the table.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. N.</i> I presume thee’s anxious to get to thy journey’s -end?</p> - -<p><i>Glen.</i> Yes, madam, we are. I am told that we are not -safe in any of the free States.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. N.</i> I am sorry to tell thee, that that is too true. -Thee will not be safe until thee gets on British soil. I wonder<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_47"></a>[47]</span> -what keeps Thomas; he should have been here with -the team.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Thomas</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Thomas.</i> All’s ready; and I’ve written the prettiest song -that was ever sung. I call it “The Underground Railroad.”</p> - -<p><i>Mr. N.</i> Thomas, thee can eat thy breakfast far better -than thee can write a song, as thee calls it. Thee must -hurry thyself, when I send thee for the horses, Thomas. -Here lately, thee takes thy time.</p> - -<p><i>Thomas.</i> Well, you see I’ve been writing poetry; that’s -the reason I’ve been so long. If you wish it, I’ll sing it to -you.</p> - -<p><i>Jones.</i> Do let us hear the song.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. Neal.</i> Yes, if Thomas has written a ditty, do let us -hear it.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. Neal.</i> Well, Thomas, if thee has a ditty, thee may -recite it to us.</p> - -<p><i>Thomas.</i> Well, I’ll give it to you. Remember that I -call it, “The Underground Railroad.”</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse right"><span class="smcap">Air</span>—“<i>Wait for the Wagon.</i>”</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Oh, where is the invention</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Of this growing age,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Claiming the attention</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Of statesman, priest, or sage,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">In the many railways</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Through the nation found,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Equal to the Yankees’</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Railway under-ground?</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent6"><i>Chorus.</i>—No one hears the whistle,</div> - <div class="verse indent18">Or rolling of the cars,</div> - <div class="verse indent16">While negroes ride to freedom</div> - <div class="verse indent18">Beyond the stripes and stars.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">On the Southern borders</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Are the Railway stations,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Negroes get free orders</div> - <div class="verse indent2">While on the plantations;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">For all, of ev’ry color,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">First-class cars are found,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">While they ride to freedom</div> - <div class="verse indent2">By Railway under-ground.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent6"><i>Chorus.</i>—No one hears the whistle, &c.</div><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_48"></a>[48]</span> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Masters in the morning</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Furiously rage,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Cursing the inventions</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Of this knowing age;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Order out the bloodhounds,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Swear they’ll bring them back,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Dogs return exhausted,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Cannot find the track.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent6"><i>Chorus.</i>—No one hears the whistle, &c.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent0">Travel is increasing,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Build a double track,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Cars and engines wanted,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">They’ll come, we have no lack.</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Clear the track of loafers,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">See that crowded car!</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Thousands passing yearly,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Stock is more than par.</div> - </div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indent6"><i>Chorus.</i>—No one hears the whistle, &c.</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p><i>Jones.</i> Well done! That’s a good song. I’d like to -have a copy of them verses.</p> - -<p class="direction">[<i>Knock at the door. Charlotte goes to the door, and returns.</i></p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Cato</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span>, still in disguise.</i></p> - -<p><i>Mr. Neal.</i> Who is this we have? Another of the outcasts, -I presume?</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Yes, seer; I is gwine to Canada, an’ I met a man, -an’ he tole me dat you would give me some wittuls an’ help -me on de way. By golly! ef dar ain’t Glen an’ Melinda. -Dey don’t know me in dese fine clothes. [<i>Goes up to -them.</i>] Ah, chillen! I is one wid you. I golly, I is here -too! [<i>They shake hands.</i>]</p> - -<p><i>Glen.</i> Why, it is Cato, as I live!</p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> Oh, Cato, I am so glad to see you! But how -did you get here?</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Ah, chile, I come wid ole massa to hunt you; an’ -you see I get tired huntin’ you, an’ I am now huntin’ for -Canada. I leff de ole boss in de bed at de hotel; an’ you -see I thought, afore I left massa, I’d jess change clothes -wid him; so, you see, I is fixed up,—ha, ha, ha. Ah, chillen! -I is gwine wid you.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. Neal.</i> Come, sit thee down, and have some breakfast.</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Tank you, madam, I’ll do dat.</p> - -<p class="direction">[<i>Sits down and eats.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_49"></a>[49]</span></p> - -<p><i>Mr. Neal.</i> This is pleasant for thee to meet one of thy -friends.</p> - -<p><i>Glen.</i> Yes, sir, it is; I would be glad if we could meet -more of them. I have a mother and sister still in slavery, -and I would give worlds, if I possessed them, if by so doing -I could release them from their bondage.</p> - -<p><i>Thomas.</i> We are all ready, sir, and the wagon is -waiting.</p> - -<p><i>Mrs. Neal.</i> Yes, thee had better start.</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Ef any body tries to take me back to ole massa, -I’ll pull ebry toof out of dar heads, dat I will! As soon as -I get to Canada, I’ll set up a doctor shop, an’ won’t I be -poplar? Den I rec’on I will. I’ll pull teef fer all de people -in Canada. Oh, how I wish I had Hannah wid me! -It makes me feel bad when I tink I ain’t a-gwine to see -my wife no more. But, come, chillen, let’s be makin’ -tracks. Dey say we is most to de British side.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. Neal.</i> Yes, a few miles further, and you’ll be safe -beyond the reach of the Fugitive-Slave Law.</p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> Ah, dat’s de talk fer dis chile.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit, <span class="allsmcap">M. D.</span></i></p> - -<h3><i>Scene 5.</i>—<span class="smcap">The Niagara River—A Ferry.</span></h3> - -<div class="scene"> - -<p class="center"><i><span class="smcap">Ferryman</span>, fastening his small boat.</i></p> - -</div> - -<p><i>Ferryman,</i> [<i>advancing, takes out his watch.</i>] I swan, if it -ain’t one o’clock. I thought it was dinner time. Now -there’s no one here, I’ll go to dinner, and if any body -comes, they can wait until I return. I’ll go at once.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Mr. White</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span>, with an umbrella.</i></p> - -<p><i>Mr. White.</i> I wonder where that ferryman is? I want -to cross to Canada. It seems a little showery, or else the -mist from the Falls is growing thicker.</p> - -<p class="direction">[<i>Takes out his sketch-book and pencils,—sketches.</i></p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Cane Pedlar</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Pedlar.</i> Want a good cane to-day, sir? Here’s one -from Goat Island,—very good, sir,—straight and neat,—only -one dollar. I’ve a wife and nine small children,—youngest -is nursing, and the oldest only three years old. -Here’s a cane from Table Rock, sir. Please buy one!<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_50"></a>[50]</span> -I’ve had no breakfast to-day. My wife’s got the rheumatics, -and the children’s got the measles. Come, sir, do buy -a cane! I’ve a lame shoulder, and can’t work.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. White.</i> Will you stop your confounded talk, and let -me alone? Don’t you see that I am sketching? You’ve -spoiled a beautiful scene for me, with your nonsense.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter 2d <span class="smcap">Pedlar</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>2d Pedlar.</i> Want any bead bags, or money purses? -These are all real Ingen bags, made by the Black Hawk -Ingens. Here’s a pretty bag, sir, only 75 cents. Here’s -a money purse, 50 cents. Please, sir, buy something! -My wife’s got the fever and ague, and the house is full of -children, and they’re all sick. Come, sir, do help a worthy -man!</p> - -<p><i>Mr. White.</i> Will you hold your tongue? You’ve spoiled -some of the finest pictures in the world. Don’t you see -that I am sketching?</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit <span class="smcap">Pedlars</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span>, grumbling.</i></p> - -<p class="noindent">I am glad those fellows have gone; now I’ll go a little further -up the shore, and see if I can find another boat. I -want to get over.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span>, <span class="smcap">Scragg</span>, and an <span class="smcap">Officer</span>.</i></p> - -<p><i>Officer.</i> I don’t think that your slaves have crossed yet, -and my officers will watch the shore below here, while we -stroll up the river. If I once get my hands on them, all the -Abolitionists in the State shall not take them from me.</p> - -<p><i>Dr. G.</i> I hope they have not got over, for I would not -lose them for two thousand dollars, especially the gal.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter 1st <span class="smcap">Pedlar</span>.</i></p> - -<p><i>Pedlar.</i> Wish to get a good cane, sir? This stick was -cut on the very spot where Sam Patch jumped over the falls. -Only fifty cents. I have a sick wife and thirteen children. -Please buy a cane; I ain’t had no dinner.</p> - -<p><i>Officer.</i> Get out of the way! Gentlemen, we’ll go up -the shore.</p> - -<p class="exit">[<i>Exit, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span></i></p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Cato</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Cato.</i> I is loss fum de cumpny, but dis is de ferry, and -I spec dey’ll soon come. But didn’t we have a good time -las’ night in Buffalo? Dem dar Buffalo gals make my -heart flutter, dat dey did. But, tanks be to de Lord, I is got<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_51"></a>[51]</span> -religion. I got it las’ night in de meetin.’ Before I got -religion, I was a great sinner; I got drunk, an’ took de -name of de Lord in vain. But now I is a conwerted man; -I is bound for hebben; I toats de witness in my bosom; I -feel dat my name is rote in de book of life. But dem niggers -in de Vine Street Church las’ night shout an’ make sich -a fuss, dey give me de headache. But, tank de Lord, I is -got religion, an’ now I’ll be a preacher, and den dey’ll call -me de Rev. Alexander Washinton Napoleon Pompey Cæsar. -Now I’ll preach and pull teef, bofe at de same time. Oh, -how I wish I had Hannah wid me! Cuss ole massa, fer ef -it warn’t for him, I could have my wife wid me. Ef I -hadn’t religion, I’d say “Damn ole massa!” but as I is a -religious man, an’ belongs to de church, I won’t say no sich -a thing. But who is dat I see comin’? Oh, it’s a whole -heap of people. Good Lord! what is de matter?</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Glen</span> and <span class="smcap">Melinda</span>, <span class="allsmcap">L.</span>, followed by <span class="smcap">Officers</span>.</i></p> - -<p><i>Glen.</i> Let them come; I am ready for them. He that -lays hands on me or my wife shall feel the weight of this -club.</p> - -<p><i>Melinda.</i> Oh, Glen, let’s die here, rather than again go -into slavery.</p> - -<p><i>Officer.</i> I am the United States Marshal. I have a warrant -from the Commissioner to take you, and bring you -before him. I command assistance.</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span>, <span class="smcap">Scragg</span>, and <span class="smcap">Officer</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Dr. Gaines.</i> Here they are. Down with the villain! -down with him! but don’t hurt the gal!</p> - -<p class="enter"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Mr. White</span>, <span class="allsmcap">R.</span></i></p> - -<p><i>Mr. White.</i> Why, bless me! these are the slaveholding -fellows. I’ll fight for freedom!</p> - -<p class="long-direction">[<i>Takes hold of his umbrella -with both hands.—The fight commences, in which -<span class="smcap">Glen</span>, <span class="smcap">Cato</span>, <span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span>, <span class="smcap">Scragg</span>, <span class="smcap">White</span>, and the -<span class="smcap">Officers</span>, take part.—<span class="smcap">Ferryman</span> enters, and runs to -his boat.—<span class="smcap">Dr. Gaines</span>, <span class="smcap">Scragg</span> and the <span class="smcap">Officers</span> are -knocked down, <span class="smcap">Glen</span>, <span class="smcap">Melinda</span> and <span class="smcap">Cato</span> jump into -the boat, and as it leaves the shore and floats away, -<span class="smcap">Glen</span> and <span class="smcap">Cato</span> wave their hats, and shout loudly for -freedom.—Curtain falls.</i></p> - -<p class="titlepage">THE END.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_52"></a>[52]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>☞ The following are but few of the favorable notices -given of “<span class="smcap">The Escape</span>,” where it has been publicly read:</p> - -<div class="blockquote"> - -<p>A novel Dramatic Reading took place last evening at Sansom -Street Hall, by <span class="smcap">Wm. Wells Brown</span>, the colored dramatic writer, -which was highly entertaining, and gave the greatest satisfaction -to an intelligent and appreciative audience. The Drama is instructive, -as well as very laughable.—<i>Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.</i></p> - -<p>All who heard <span class="smcap">Mr. Brown’s</span> Drama were highly gratified. It -is well executed, and was finely delivered.—<i>Philadelphia Morning -Times.</i></p> - -<p>The Dramatic Reading of <span class="smcap">Mr. Wm. Wells Brown</span>, last evening, -was well attended, and gave the most unbounded satisfaction. -<span class="smcap">Mr. Brown’s</span> Drama is, in itself, a masterly refutation of -all apologies for slavery, and abounds in wit, satire, philosophy, -argument and facts, all ingeniously interwoven into one of the -most interesting dramatic compositions of modern times.—<i>Auburn -(N. Y.) Daily Advertiser.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Brown</span> exhibits a dramatic talent possessed by few who -have, under the best instructions, made themselves famous on the -stage. He evinces a talent for tragic and comic representation -rarely combined. If you want a good laugh, go and hear him. -If you want instruction or information upon the most interesting -question of the day, go and hear him. You cannot fail to be -pleased. So highly pleased were those who heard it in Auburn, -that twenty-eight of the leading men of the city, over their own -signatures, extended an invitation to him, through the <i>Daily Advertiser</i>, -to return and repeat the Drama. Among them we -recognize the names of Hon. B. F. Hall, of the State Senate, and -the Rev. Wm. Hosmer, editor of the <i>Northern Independent</i>. -Such a compliment entitles <span class="smcap">Mr. Brown</span> to crowded houses wherever -he goes.—<i>Seneca Falls Courier.</i></p> - -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ESCAPE ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. -</div> - -<div style='margin:0.83em 0; font-size:1.1em; text-align:center'>START: FULL LICENSE<br /> -<span style='font-size:smaller'>THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE<br /> -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK</span> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person -or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the -Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when -you share it without charge with others. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work -on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the -phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: -</div> - -<blockquote> - <div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most - other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions - whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms - of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online - at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you - are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws - of the country where you are located before using this eBook. - </div> -</blockquote> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg™ License. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format -other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain -Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -provided that: -</div> - -<div style='margin-left:0.7em;'> - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation.” - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ - works. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works. - </div> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right -of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™ -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread -public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state -visit <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/donate/">www.gutenberg.org/donate</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. -</div> - -</div> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/65519-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/65519-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 6f97e5e..0000000 --- a/old/65519-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null |
