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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. 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