PS A ^cvi'iV.if-iJi'iV ^ >■> >:>3 >:> yy> > :» ^ >x3>o> ; K>^i>> :5> » i»-»5> o>> » >^>^' :>) 7 >S3>:) » ) "^>v)^.o»:) T LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. Chap..: Copyright No Shelf..^..3. »,«_ A? tiz UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. > ^ 3 > JO > ?^^ » > ^STk"^^ -^ » > ;:S5r;> > j> ?^ > Z!S2^^ >^ ¥> > ~Sfjg~^ ^^--,. >> > II>PS^ ">~> » > ^3ifey>"> o> ) ^&^i~^"> X> J . ^^~"^ig>3 ^^ > ^.!^g>3 ^ » > ) ^55f>^ 9 s> y^ 03 ► > 3j> >:> » >> . 3") :> "> > >;^o >> > > >^ 3 > > ^ 33 > > > > :>3 3 3 > > >:> ^ > > > yy > ^ > > >:> ^ ^ > >:>3 : > ^ > >j> > ) > > z> . > > ^ >3 ) /> > > ^3 > ^ > :>.>!> ^ fi > ^>:> > 5 j> ■ ■ >^> >^ ^ )^ >>^' >> ) >»:>3 > )Z^ ^>>o::> ^ ;~]^ >^ >:> > > ::» > >^ 3 ^ ~-^ Kill' -> ^ 3 ::3>> o)> :> > » -< ^ S 5 .^.il...--- m&M^$mmmwmmw^miWMM^mimmmm^mm THE ^% m OI2D TREASBRER, A THREE-ACT DRAMA, ^' BY H. M. MCNUTT Copyrighted 1893 By H. M. McNutt XHK -^OLD TREASURER r^- A, THREE=ACT DRAiMA^ BY H. M. McK^itt, PUBLISHED BY Bessly.) Martha. Ha! Ha! Ha! Oh, it was beautilui! Now, she'll cry. By the way, I wonder if the mail has come. Why, yes. Here's a letter from Nell Hodge. I don't care anything for that. I don't like women anyway. She proinised to send me a paper with description of our commencement exercises. Pshaw ! Woiuler why nhc: — Here it is ! Here it is ! "Thirty-Second Congress" ''Four hundred mules for sale." ''Horrible Holocaust in Madrid." "liun away witli his own wite." What a fool! "Lnrrv's Livei' Pills." '-The Beautifal Greek." 'Scratched 11) Years.'^ "Anicrican Atheneum"— Oh ! that's it! "Last night the spacious halls of the American Athenenm for voung ladies — " Let's see. Let's see. Ah! Miss Martha Siddins Delmar— Siddins ! S-1-D-D-I-N-S ! The calf. Just like an idiotic reporter. "Was radi- ant with pearls, diamonds and old lace." Of course she was. So was Isoah's Avife at her commencement. And the news])aper reporter said jnst the same thing of her. "Shining like a new-made planet stood fdrth the fine dramatic work of Miss Martha Delmar in her recitation. She stood and moved with all the beat- 8 THE OLD TREASURER. ing and dignity ot* a Queen, and the words iea])ed forth from her throat upon a voice at once strong, nni- sical, clear and, at times, strangvly pathetic. Tlien again it was overwhelming While it can be trnth- fiilly said that all the ladies evinced marked talent and thorongli training, the work of Miss Delmar was nothing less than genius ! Genius of the rarest type !" And with an exclamation point, too. These are good critics, these lepoi ters. Ah ! Kerens my name again. "During the recitation of Miss Delmar, there was a slight disturbance in the audience owing to the sick- ness of a lady wlio had fainted." Fainted? Ah! that's po'wer ! That's power ! And tell me 1 am not animated by the lineal blood of the great actress ? Pshaw ! 1 know it ! I feel it ! I cannot be separated from it! It possesses my whole life! Every tiring else and all things earthly are mere pigmies that crawl and grovel at the base. And shall I spend my life in this humdrum })lace? Among ignorance, su- perstition, sim])licity, soft hearts and empty heads ? Bah! [Striding trar/lcdliy.) {('de) — If she is killed, the old treasurer will die too :iinl the whole estate be mine! Then run, Pluck, run over ditches, fences, walls, trees, and houses ! Capf. N. What is it you are saying, Martha? Martha. I was hoping that she might not be killed. Capt. N. {More nervous.) Killed? I feel quite «ure of that, and yet it is dangerous, I must admit. Martha. Why, shn is jjcrfectly safe. Uncle. She holds a reign as hrnily as a ranger. Capjf. N. True. She does, she does. Martha. And then the horse knows its Glenn, and he won't hurt her ! Capf. N. Ah! Bless her! Everything loves her ! Manha. But tell me, Uncle; wiiat do you think of my genius ? Cajyt. N. Your genius? who is he? Manha. He? My genius, my dramatic genius. Don't you see this ? Capt. K. Yes, Yes. I forgot. Martha. Is it not something to make a woman faint ? Capf. 1^. What woman? Martha. W^hy, any woman, Uncle ? Capt. N. Well, that depends. If she's very ner- vous from indigestion or biliousness or tight-lacing, or small shoes — 1% THE OLD TREASURER, Manila. Oh, Uncle, wliy don't yoii love me? (4/- feciing Uars.) Capf. N. I do love yoii, Martha. What do you mean by such fstraii|)laud the sliohtest thing that Glenn does and it makes you ha[)py for a week. Capt. iV\ Oh, come, come. Sit down by my knee. Kow tell me everything you wish to say. I will listen to you and s^'nq^athize with you, too. Martha. Oh Uncle, do you promise that ? Capt.m Yes. Martha. Well, dear Uncle, if I tell you what I want to do you must not tell. Capt. N. Why, Martha, Martha, are you in love.? Martha. Love! Dog's foot! 1 mean — Ha! Ha! Ha! iN^'ot yet, Uncle. But I'll tell you 1 have deter- mined to adopt the stage. Capt. K VVhat stage? Martha. Why, I mean to be an actress. Cap'. ]f. Ac — What ! An actress ? A play ac- tress ? Martha. Yes, sir. Why not? CapXu N. Why not ? Have you lost all pride and reason? An actress? And wonld yon be content with some little role in the first act in which yon dust oft the furniture and announce the arrival of some painted Duchess or i)rancing fop of a Marquis? No, No, Martha, don't think of it, don't think of it. Martha. But what nse can I make of my talent here ? Capt A. Make all those happy n round yon. Very few can do more. ^Martha. Pshaw! And keep myself miserable ? Capf. N. Martha, you know I am very old. I can- not reasonably expect many more ;\ears of life on earth. At my death, your property and Glenn's will be held in trust by Stei)hen Venable who will be my successor — Martha. {AndCy) Stephen ! Capt. N. And if you do not wish \o squander it, let it remain where it is. It is not very much, but it THE OLD TREASURER. :i is sufficient to support you comfortably as loug as you live. Will you not promise me, Martha ? 3farflia. {Affecting tears.) It-seems- very cruel, Un- cle, l)ut I'll try. (Aside) — In Stephen's hands f And Stephen is in my hands. I want nothing better. At his death, too. Glenn. (Without.) Uncle Eeuben, has Uncle Alex retty well. Ha! Ha! Ha! Rachel. (Almost crying ) Well, what is it ? What is it? Do yon want me to spontaneously combust with curiosity ? Phil. Oh, liachel, we have had such a time of it! Rachel How? Glenn. But you won't tell? (Martha is hsiening.) Rachel (Offended.) Well, it you think I hav'nt sense enough to hold my tongue, you needn't. CWallc- ing away.) Glenn. Oh, if you are angry with me, I think we'd better not tell you. Rachel. (Returning quickly.) I'm not angry with you, Glenn; indeed I'm not. I just love you, Glenn. Who said I was angry? ]^ow, please tell me, Glenn. Glenn. ( Whispering.) Pluck ran away with me — Rachel. Oh! Glenn. •Threw me off — Raehel. Gracious! Qlenn. Dragged me along the road — Rachel. Oh, my! Glenn. Tearing my dress half off and leaving my arms and shoulders bare— just look at me! — and Phil- ip g-ot down and came to me as pale as a ghost and lool^ed into my face and I just broke out laughing — he looked so funny — Ha! Ha! and then he lifted me up and took off his coat and put it on me — Ha ! Hv^ ! The quf^stion then was, what was Philip to do with out a coat. If Uncle knew I had su<-h a narrow es- cape, it would almost kill him. So Philip was afraid to come home without his coat for fear Uncle, in some way would discover it; so he went through the old alley back of the jail to the treasurer's THE OLD TREASURER. 13 office, raised a window, got out tbis old coat of Ste- phen's, pat it ou and came away. Rachel. Ob, Glenn, wbat do you tbink? Martha wants to go on the stage. Olenn. The stage! Ha! The stage! '^Half past nine and Mr. Charles has not yet arrived," or '^Give me back me poverty and me honor." ( WalHng ruman- eiquely and describing a larf/e semicircle.) You know it means nothing unless you sweei) the Aviiole stage, Each el. Racliel. Ladies and gentlemen, I am requested to announce that to-morrow niglit we will present Shakespeare's sublime tragedy called "Hamlet,'? or I am thy Father^s Ghost !" Glenn. Dots't say "thy father." Say "the father." Rachel. That ain't the way they do it on the stage. /jlenn. I know. But they'll come to it. They say me father now, you know. Martha. {Aside.) Ah, but, my merry girls, I will see acting as it is in real life, not on the stage. And you are the subjects Pil use in my study as a scien- tist would experiment with a rat or a dog. Glenn. By the way, Philip, you'd better go and find Stephen now. Fhil That's true, I forgot. {E.nt.) Rachel. What for? Glenn. We found the vault doors open. ( Martha, slips out slowly from curtains and goes out unobserved .) Glenn. I'll go up now and change my dress. {In- cidentally running her hands in fhe pockets of the coat.) Hello, what a pile of old letters. Some of my own, too. Ha! Ha! But the new minister, Rachel, lets read it. {Holding the letfer in her hand.) Rachel All right. {They go io the light back of the desk and. read the letter.) Glean. What's his name, I wonder. {Enter at fhe door Dr. Zimmerman and Rev, Calvin Samuel Broch- way.) What's that.? Rev. C. S. Brockway. Calvin. {To Dr.) Hello, my luune, the first thing. Doctor, Hush ! Glenn, I wonder what 0. S. stands for? Rachel. Don't knoAv. King Solomon, I reckon. ri THE OLD TREASURER. Glenn. I suppose so. Hello, Sol.; llO^Y are your wives? Doctor. {To Calvin.) Hiisb ! Glenn. Why, this is not a letter of recommenda- tion. Look here. '-He engenders so-called progres- sive ideas which are very pernicious in their effect npon young minds ^^nd are really dansj'^.rous to any religious communi-ty.'^ Pshaw ! I venture to say he is a good man. Calvin. [To Doctor.) Just as I expected. Doctor. The old vampire ! I don^t believe that nitric acid would have any effect on him. He is rank poison himself. Glenn. Well, coim» on, King Solomon, 111 be glad to see you. Calvin. T believe vou Avill. Glenn. Oh! Ha! 'Hal Ha! {She mid Rachel hide iheir faces behind the open letter.) Bachel. Do you wish to register, gentlemen? Doctor, If you please. Miss Eachel. B.achel Miss Kachel. Enter Mr. Buck. Bucli. {To Doctor) Why, brother, howdy do? Howdy ! Howdy ! I declare you are looking ijower- ful well. Yon don'f appear to know me. Doctor. IS"o, sir. L do not. {Calvin and Doctor rcf/ister their names.) Buck. Why dont you remember the meeting three years ago down at Hollvw^ood church? My sou Bol) profpssed religion under you. Doc'or. The devil he did ! (Uacheland, Glenn laugh.) Unci'. Sir? Well — no. I believe Pm mistaken. But you do !ook powerful like him. {Exit.) Doctor. Your ]> irdon, ladies. The gentleman took jue by surprise and my tongue acted independently Hachel. {Reading names on register.) Why. Glenn, this is the new preacher. Glenn. What? Which one? Calvin. Ecce homo . King Solomon, as you call l)im, though the ohl folks at home call me "Calvin," and this is my guardian and godfather, Dr. Zimmer- man. Glenn. Your Godfather ! Doctor. Yes. His partner in everything except THE OLD TREASURER. 15 liisfaitli. I am liis doctor, his seamstress, liis porter, iiis washwoman, his ])rotector, .his aid-tie-camp, his general and liis corporal. Glenn. He looks sufficieutlv able to protect hiiti self Doctor. Oh, bat he is not, I assure you, and, in doing so — Glenn. At any rate, I will assist you to i^rotect him myself. Boeior. You? ]S^o, uo, no ! You are the enemy. Glenn. I am sure I do not feel so. Doctor. Then ^ must 8wear yon both. Glenn. Swear us ? Doctor. Y"es. Glenn. To what ? , Doctor. You are not desperately anxious to marry, are you? Glenn. To marry ? Ha] Ha! Ha! Well, the prop- osition coming from a stranger is unusually sudden, but— Calvin. Oh, No ! Ko ! No ! You don't understand. Doctor. You see, we came from an old town where there are nothing but old men and females of all ages. AVe spent the summer at Glade Suli>hur Springs and we were the only eligible men there. Npw, jdease, please spare us ! {O71 their knees.) Calvin. In mercy spare us ! Glenn. Oh, we can't think of it, can we Kachel? Bachel. r>j no means. (Gentlemen, we love you and will make you our husbands, by our halidom. Ha! Ha! Ha! Glenn. King Solomon, I will protect you, I will be your botly. guard. Our much beloved pastor, I ex- tend to you the heartiest welcome a Southern heart can give. May yon be the light of every fireside, a sunbeam on every desolate hearthstone, a comfort to everj^ heart, a father to every honieless ragamuiiii., a^nd'a brother to all mankind. Calvin. My doctdne exactly. Miss McNair, your words have been a warm and blessed unction to my heart. I thank you, I thank you. {Warmly laUng her hand.) Glenn. Dr. Zimmerman, you are welcome to our i6 THE ODD TREASURER. beloved country, and to this blessed old inn, wliere notliing bnt good cheer ever rei«ined. Doc'or [To Calvin.) I swear old man. she's bet- ter than the best old r\e I ever drank. By the way, Miss MclSTair, I see you have torn yonr dress. If you will just pernli^ me, I will mend it for you. (Openinf/ his valise for needle and thread.) Glenn. You uk^kI my dress ? Calviji. Ha! Ha! Ha! Don't be offended, I pray you. My fri- one h^ft on his hands, too. Sew? Well, you should see him in his room, seated on his table, smokino' his jnpe and sewing on dresses and little breeches. Glenn. Dresses ? Is he married ? Doctor. Xo, No ! But you see, w^e always look up those little cha])s that have no mother at home. Cal- vin makes their liearts happy, while I look after their stomachs and bodies. I can patch a pair of pants and cure a stone bruise. I can sew on buttons with one hand and ])ull a tooth with the other. Calvin. And he can no more resist the impulse to help anyone in any undertaking: than he can fly. Some very sweet pickles, he gets himself into by it, too. Glenn. A most beautiful fault, nevertheless. Calvin. Why, if he stood and watched a burglar trying to open Ids own safe, and making a desperate effort at it, he would say very politely, "I beg your pardon, but I think I can help yon." Glenn. Why, that is splendid. Calvin. Then you must enjoy such work yourself? Glenn. I do, more than anything else. Calvin. Do you know many of the poor people here? Rachel. Many! Yes, nianier. Ask her whose baby is teething and what's good for it, how much wood old Mrs. Biggies has laid in for the winter, when little Tim Dreck will be able to sell "sassafrac" again, how much the old basket maker earns, how^ many children are fed by the parish. Everything that's nobody's business is Glenn McKair's business. THE OLD TREASURER. 17 Stephen. (At the door spealdng to Philip.) Ha! Hrt ! Ha ! Bat you don't' believe such things,- do you Philip? [Tossing up a coin and catching it.) Fhil. AVell, yes. I do. Stephen. Pshaw! Ha! Ha! Ha! Olenn. Hurrah for the next mayor of the city. Hurrah ! Calvin. Hurrah ! Glenn. Louder ! Calvin. Hurrah ! I Glenn. That's somethin^f like it. {Enter Aunt Martha and Capt. Alex.) ^STow the Mayor doesn't know but that you are a liuin:iubeingand not a sanc- timonious poor creature that is afraid he will iufect his lunos with the atmos])here of this Aile earth. Ste- phen, what is this ? ^Pointing to Calvin.) Stephen. Well, at tbis distance he has all the ap- pearance of the genus homo. Glenn. Is he a lawyer, or a doctor, or a merchant, or a horse racer, or a gambler, or* a circus agent > Stephen. He might possibly be a combination, but 1 don't believe it. Glenn. Mr. Yenable, the Eev. Calvin Brockway. Stephen. What? {Enter Martha Siddons.) Glenn. And his friend, Dr Zimmerman. Stephen. Gentlemen, you are right welcome to our home. Gentlemen, allow me to acquaint you with Capt. N^elson, Mrs. Hollo way. Miss Delmar, and Mr. Breen. Doctor, {To Capt.) Don't rise, sir, don't rise. We'll come to you. Capt. N. Thank you, sir. Your hands, gentlemen. You are welcome to the Inn. {Enter Mary Gary carry- iyig lamps.) Ah, Mary, good evening. Mary. Good avening to ye, Capthain, I hope ye air well, Capthain ? Capt. N. Quite well, thank you, Mary. Gentle- men, I have the honor of introducing to you Miss Mary Gary. Doctor. {Aside.) What! The chambermaid? (Boioing.) Mary. Good avening, gentleman. I be glad to mate you. i8 THE OLD TREASURER. Doctor. (Aside ) lutroduco us to sucli cattle as that? Calvin. {Lauf/hhtg in his sleeve at Doctor\H surprise.) It's all right. You are in America, now, my boy. (Exit Alary.) Capt. N. Gentlemen, 1 see you do not understand. Doctor. I beg" your pardon Captain, but have you in the South no regard for class distinction ? Do you always show such deference to serving people? Gapt. N. Xo, not always. But this woman is worthy of the lowest bow of the Czar of Kussia. Doctor. Indetd? How? Is she a duchess or Princess in disguivse ? Capt. N. Better still. She is a woman, gentlemen, that sat in a chair for three weeks holding in her arms her little namesake niece' whose lips the surgeon had sewed for hair lip. The little child must be watched to prevent her tearing the threads asunder, and there Mary sat and watched her charge for three weeks. Then leaving her one day in other hands for a short time, she became fretful and with her restless fingers tore loose the threads. Tbe operation was again per- formed, and there s]ie sat another three weeks until the little one recovered entirely. (Fa^ise.) Doctor. (Scratching his chin.) Well, now, if I were an ostrich or a boa-constrictor I might digest that story. Stephen. Oh, it's true, every word of it. Doctor. Miss Crlenn, will you swear to the truth of that hair-lii) story ? Glenn. Yes. For I saw her every day and every night. Doctor. You did? Is it possible? Well, well. May I see her again? She's better than a duchess, C^iptain, for a duchess wouldn't do it. Galvin. Most remarkable. Doctor. Duchess, did I say ? She's worthy to sit by the Queen of England and teach her the divine unselfishness of her sex! Glenn. (Ap2)latiding.) And you say you're -an En- glishman ? J)octor. Yes. Glenn. I don't believe it. THE OLD TREASURER. 19 Doctor. Ha ! Ha ! I see you've lost ii leg, Captain. Mast I ask your pardou for that % Capt. N. 1^0, sir. The Mexicans did that. Jjoctor Where ? Cajjt. N. At Bueua Vista. Doctor. I suppose your governmeut recoguized your loss in a material way ? Capt N. Oh, yes, sir. They gave me a medal, sir, aloug with Capt. Davis and several others. Doctor. Aud a peusiou ? Capt. N. No, sir, no p.msion. They offered one but I would not accept it. Doctor. Why, may Task.? Capt. N. Wliy should I ? I returned from the war with one good leg, two good arms and one good head. I said I was able to supi)ort myself and I have done it. Besides, I did not light for money. I fought for my country. Pension. Bah ! The State takes care of ])aupers, criminals aud lunatics, and should not be made a vast alms-house for those abundantly able to care for themselves. Glcyin. (To Calvin.) He can talk on that subject all night. Doctor. (Gazing at Captain in thoughtful adiniror- tion.) Brave old soldier. Stephen. Yes, and he will talk witli an imaginary listener, if he caji hnd no one else. Capt. N. (To himself.) I rr member once when my mother was very sick so many yeais ngo it seems as if it were in another age. As her life hung by a thread, every possible noise about the house was muf- Hed and everyone went about on tip-toe, noiselessly. Fearing to disturb her, I took "my shoes from off my feet for the place whereon I stood was holy ground.'^ That was a love akin to that which I feel for my country. (Pause.) Doctor. And you are the City Treasurer ? Capt. N. Yes, sir. * Doctor. When were you elected ? Capt. ]^. Fifty years ago. Doctor. Fifty years ! Ca2:)t. N'. Yes, sir. And always will be. Doctor. How ? 20 THE OLD TREASURER. Ca/pt N. I believe, sir, that when I die, my spirit will go to the old treasury and hover about it contin- ually. Glenn. Oh, now, now. Uncle. {Kissing Mm.) Talk of somethinjo^ else. By the way, Mr. Parson, here's another kindred spirit for you. [Pittting arm around Stephen.) If there's a child in the town that doesn't call him "Stephen" it is one that calls him "Tephen." /itepJien, That's true. Oh, I'm the regular and original "Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup." Ha ! Ha! Ha! Calvin. Good. I will enlist you in my service. And some hot day next summer we'll take a steamer and our little homeless ])artners and go on a long ocean picnic to Australia. Glenn. Australia I roii don't mean it ? Calvin. Indeed I do. "Why not ? Glenn. Do you pro])ose to buy a steamer ? Cahmi. Oh, no. But it won't cost very mach, and my friend here will pay for it, eh Mattie ? Doctor. {Swelling.) Yes, of course. It's a trifle, a mere trifle. Stvphen. Then you are wealthy, I suppose ? Doctor. Your supposition is correct, Mr. — Stephen. I'm what pious and disappointed people call a "bloat- ed bond holder." {Enter Fhilip.) Phil. Hello, Each — any letters for me ? Rachel. No. Phil Thank the Lord. Whew! My creditors must have died suddenly. Ha I Ha ! I haven't heard from them in two days. If they don't dun me tomorrow, I'll go aud see them. I can't endure such neglect and I won't ! I have some credit as long as they have any hope of getting their money. Ha ! Ha ! Ha! Calvin. {To Martha.) Is he really in debt? Martha. Yes, and has been for many years. I have offered to lend him the money but he refuses it. Stephen AThat ? Exchange his creditors for a wo- man creditor! and have them come to him. "Oh, Mr. Breen, if you only knew how I have suffered, what agony, what fears, what ills, what privations, what tears I have shed — " THE OLD TREASURER. 21 PJiil. Stepben, for the Lord's sake, don't teach them that lesson. Dou't do it. I'd turn my whole estate over to them if they sent women's tears after me. Stephen, Ha! Ha! And do you know what he calls his whole estate ! One pine trunk, one wedding trousseau as he calls it, a mass of romantic manu- script, and a lot of bric-a-brac carved witli Ids own knife in hours of dreamful meditation. Total value $2.85. Phil. Correct to the fraction. Stephen, you're a mathematical prodigy. But you have taken no in- ventory of my gold, silver aud diamonds. Calvin. What does he mean ? Glenn. Listen. Fhil. A wealth of uncoined gold as pure as evt r played with a sunbeam nestles in my Susan's tresses ! Doctor and Calvin. Oh ! Fhil. Diamonds of such lustre as the Kohinoor never knew sparkle in her eyes. Doctor. Is it i)ossible 1 Fhil. Possible ? Sir, do you doubt my veracity .? Possible ! It's a fact. Stephen. Yes, it is. And the, best of it is that his- Susan has^been married to another man these sixteen years. Ha ! Ha ! Calvin. And he still visits her ? Stephen. Hasn't seen her since she married ! So you see how long his ears are now, don't you ? Calvin. And you still love her ? Fhil. Love her, man ! 1 love her old last year's shoe strings. Calvin. Pardon my impudence, you take every- thing so good humoredly. Fhil. Go on. Parson, go on. Pm about as invul- nerable as an alligator. There was ' 4. time when I watched with chary eyes at the doors of this good temple which [ call my heart. Now, it is a venerable ruin under whose shade the weary traveler in the des- ert of love may rest and receive what comfort he may. Ha I Ha ! You see, it has made a poet of me, too. Calvin. I like, you, Mr Philip, in spite of your poetry. Upon my soul. Miss Helmar, I never saV so many generous and lovely folks. Are all the South- ern people like you ? 22 THE OLD TREASURER. Martha. No, not all. {Aside.) Like me, indeed. Stephen. Parson, listen. Do you liear that? ( alvin. Yes, what is it ? Stephen. Listen. Don't you know ? Doctor. It's a pig under a gate. Stephen. No. Doctor. Then it's some poor little Absolom on his Diajnma's knee resx)onding to the action of the back of a hair brush. Stephen. No. Doctor. Then it's a young woman singing. Stephen. Ha! Ha! More musical than that ! It's what Uiicle Keuben, our old negro porter, calls a "Squinch o s^l." ^ aivm. An owl ? Stephen. Yes. And I'll tell you wliat I'll do. Calvin. What ? Stephen. I'll ])le(lge you anything you.mayaskof me if old Reuben is not at this very moment heating a poker. Calvin, For what? Stephen. To — well I'll call him and let him answer. I venture to say — why, here he is now. {Enter Reuben.) Reuben. Good even', Mars Stephen. Stephen. Good evening, Uncle Reuben. What will you have ? Reuben. I jist wants to stir the fire a leetle, sah. Dat's all, sah. {They all watch him.) Stephen. {As Reuben is about to go ouK) Oh, Uncle Reuben. Reuben. Yes, Srsli. Stephen. You left the poker in the fire. Reuben. Yes, sah, if you please sah. I'll take it out, sah, soon as dat squiuch owl stop squinching, sah. Calvin. Are you going to knock the owl in the head with it. Uncle Reuben ? Reuben. No, sah; taint no needcessity fo' dat, sah, Hittle stop when de poker gits hot, sah. Calvin. Why. ^Reuben. I can't tell jou dat, sah. Hear dat? THE OLD TREASURER. 23 Hear dat silence out dar ? I knowd it, sail, I kuowd it. {Tal'es out polcer and puts it, in rack.) Doctor. Hal Ha! Ha! Aud you think tlie poker stopped liim, do you ? Reuben. Yes, sail, 1 kno\YS it sali. (Exit Reuben.) Stephen. Now, you lanoli at the superstition of this old negro, what do you think of a full-blooded Cauca- sian, a proud American, familiar with the Odyssey, the odes of Horace, Pliny; knows the race-course of every star and its name — what do you think when he, Philip Breen, believes in such things ? Doctor, Indeed .? Calvm. The doctor here has often laughed at me because I have my superstitions, while he by nature is skeptical and scarcely believes anything. Phil. You laugh at me, Stephen; and yet you have the greatest faith in your good luck — a thing" just as vague and uncertain. Stephen. It is not uncertain at all It is as certain as anything can be. I don't understand it, but I can see it and everyone else can see it, and there's no de- nying it. Doctor. What do you mean ? Stephen. My luck at anything that depends on chance. Toss up a coin. Heads or tails ? Doctor. What do you mean by heads or tails ? Stephen. This side is heads and this tails. Toss it up. {Doctor tosses.) Heads! Doctor. Correct. (Tosses.) Stephen. Heads. Doctor. Correct. (Tosses several times.) Stuff. There's some trick in it Stephen. Not a particle. Try me on something else. Doctor. And do you mean to say that you believe that chance or fortune is always on your side ? Stephen, Yes. . Doctor. Then you are the most unlucky man I ever saw. Stephen. Why ? (Aside.) What does he mean. Phil. Well, I had a very strange dream last night. You may laugh, Stephen, but I'll tell it. Stephen. Now, as little Trim Morris says: "Oh, 24 THE OLD TREASURER. pease don't, you skeali me moas ter def." Ha ! Ha ! Ha! Pliil. I seldom dream as I am very busy wlieu I'm sleepiijg. (Enter Tandy Tripp and sits on low stool near door.) Stephen. Yes, sawing gourds. As Uncle Eeubeu would say, your silence is very loud, Phil. Well, the other night — last Saturday night, I remember — I dreamt that I met^/ow, Martha, on the street and I never saw you look so strangely before — it surprised me that I recognized you at all — and you told me the City Treasury had been robbed and the Midland Bonds taken therefrom. I seemed then to understand, but if there are now, or ever were, or ever will be, any such thing as Midland Bonds in the treasury I know nothing of it. Capt. N. You mean to say you never heard of the Midland bonds t Fhil. i^ever did, sir. What do I know about bonds ? I don't know whether they are made of steel or copper or brass or wood. Why, Uncle Alex? Capt. N. There are $40,000.00 of them there. tSiephen. (Aside ) I have'nt felt easy about that vault since 1 found it open. I'll go and examine it. Capt. N. Where are you going Stephen ? /Stephen. I am going down town for some cigars, Uncle, I'll be back — Capt. N, Well— Stephen ! Stephen. Yes, sir. Capi. N. Come here, please. Stop at the treasury and examine it, will you ? Stephen. Ha! Ha! Ha! All right, Uncle, I will. (Going.) Why here is Tandy ! Hello, Tandy. Glad to see yon. Tandy. Tanky, sir, Tanky, sir. (He tvalks icith heafi much on one side., talks with many jerks and facial contortions almost as if from St. Vitus' dance.) Glenn. How are you, Tandy ? Tandy. Haw ! Haw ! I be well, missie, I be well. I don't want to sell nuffin tonight. I am like Cap'n Kelson. I don't transact any business after office hours. Haw ! Haw! I just came in to hear the folks talk. Mr. Buck said I wouldn't be in the way. Buck. To be sure, to be sure. THE OLD TREASURER. 25 Calvin. ( To Martha. ) Wlio is lie ? Martha. An old paralytic. Has bet^ii about liere several nioiiths selling- cbeap jewelry. (Aside.) — I don't know why tliey allow sucLi an old scare-crow to (iome in the bouse. Calvin. (As'de.) Sbe tbou<2;bt T didn't bear ber. Tbat is tbe first unbospitable word I bave beard since T came. [To Captain Is.) — May 1 converse witb tbis Mr. Tripp, Captain ? Capt. N. Certainly, sir, {Ex'd and icalks to and fro on porch.) Calvin. Mr. Trijip ? Tandy. Haw! Haw! Haw! Calvin. Wby are you laiig'bing- so? Tandy. Mr.' Tripp I Haw! Haw! Haw! Glenn. (To Calvm.) Call bini '-Tandy." Calvin. Tandy ? Tandy. Ay, Ay, Sir. Calvin. How long bave you been so afflicted? Tandy. Since I was tbree weeks old, sir. Calvin. Tbree weeks old ? Tandy. Yes. sir. Calvin. Well, you bave a prettv good time, don'fc youf Tandy. Yes, sir. You see I baint never knowd auytbing else, sir. Haw! Haw! Haw! Calvin. Have you bad supper tonigbt ? Tandy. Oli, yes, sir. Calvin. And you have enougli for breakfast? Tandy. ]^o, sir. Calvin. V\ bat will you do, tben f Tandy. Well, I done bad a good supper, baint I ? Doctor. And 1 be prospect for breakfast is too re- mote for speculation. And you sleep well, Tandy ? Tandy. Ob, yes, sir. I sleei) mighty well. Doctor. Wbere do yon sleep ? Tandy. Wbere? Haw! Haw! I've got tbe wbole State of Louisiany to sleep on. Haw! Haw! Doctor. I never knew before wbat a beautiful leg 1 bave, Calvin. And sucb an arm, too ! Y^ou sleep on tbe ground ? Tandy. Ob. yes, sir. Old Miss Jackson give me a featber bed onct, but it was so soft I could not sleep on it. JO THE OLD TREASURER. Doctor. AAliere reacher, wouldn't you ? Taudy. Oh, yes, sir. Any fool can be a doctor. Haw ! Haw ! Most folks will take eberting te doctor gives 'em anyway. Calvin. How loug do you expect to live, Tandy Tandy. 1 can't tell you nothin' lK)ut that, sir. Doctor. Are you a member of the church ? Tandij. No, sir. Doctor. Why? Tandy. Well, you see, sir, nobody wants me to sit by 'em in church, sir. I tried it several times and they looked around at me jist so. {Frowns and tool's indignant.) Except once, sir. I went into a church and the young folks begun to laugh and punch each other and hide their faces, jest so. [Imitatiny ihon.) Nobody would nnike room for me till at last an ohl man got up out of his seat, opened te door, tat little door at te end, you know, sir, and bowed to me and waved me in just like tat, and let me look on te same l)Ook with him. I don't say who it was, but he had a wooden leg and a walkin' stick I hears it now. Haw ! Haw ! [Enter Capt. K) Glenn. {Kissint/ him.) Are you well tonight, Un- cl<4.? Capt. N. I am well, but just a little nervous, my girl. [Sits.) Glenn. {Aside.) His eye balls are larger than usual. Wliat does it mean ? Calvin. Tandy, do you wish to die? Tandy. No, sir. 1 don't want to die. Calvn. You believe the Great Father loves you, n ihe distance.) There ! Theri^ are my boys now ! Don't you hear them shout- ing for m e ! H u rral i ! ( Exit. ) Reuben. And he yelled (bit way like an Injun wiien it '])<*ars to me dar ought to be crape on de do\ I don't know what t!> make of Mars Steben since Mars Alex died now gwine on ter eight months. He never talk dat ruft to me befo'. Dey's somethiu' wrong somewhar, dat's shore. Mars Alex, he always said, says he: "Thank you, Reuben," '^Good mornin' Reuben," "Good night, Reuben," "Are you well, Reu^ ben!" For forty years, too, this comin' spring he never missed it. I believe, if when he was djing, and didn't have but one breath left in his body, he'd a sec], "Thank you, thank you." {Si(/hs.} Dab ! Dah (ley come back from de coat house. Miss Rachel! Rachel. Is it ? Yes, they are, tlu^y are. I'm going to meet them. {Gets her sun bonnet and runs,) Mary. {At door.) Bliss her dear heart! She's been let off ! She's free ! Praise all the saints! Reuben. How does you know, INIiss Mary ? Mar I/. Don't yer see how Rachel is a kissin' her an' goin' on and how Misther Philip is a laughing? THE OLD TREASURER. 33 Reuben. Lor, dat ain't iiuffiii, Miss Maiy, dat ain't niittiu. Mars Philip would laugh if er mule kicked him Hud snap his tingers as if nuthin' happened. Oh, ves, dais de doctor, laughing too, and de parson too. She's all right ! Bless God! Bless God ! Ef I didn't hev the rheumatiz so bad I could jest walk on my handy, 1 could. But, gentlemen, dat parson. Dat parson is more like human folks dan any preacher, I eber did see. I be powerful glad, Missie, 1 be power ful glad Mars Phili]). {Enter Glenn, Lalmn. Doctor, Mr. Buck, Joseph and Martha.) Glenn. Thank you. Uncle Reuben, Fhil. Thank you, thank you. Oh, I knew there was no more danger of it Uncle Reuben than there is your refusiug a piece of watermillion. Ha ! Ha ! Reuben. Don't talk dat way, please Mars Philip, don't talk dat way. Glenn. Uncle Reuben ? Reuben. Yes, marm. Glenn. Have you seen Mr. Stephen anywhere ? Reuben. Yes'in — no'm, no'm. 1 haint seen him. He was bery busy and much retained down town. He— he had to help— help— help a man Avith a drunk- e 1 hu-baiid — 1 mean a drunken woman— Glenn. Uncle Reuben. Reuben. Yes, marm. -Glenn. Look at me. Reuben. [Aside.) Good Lord, I can't stand dem eyes. I can't stand dem eyes. ^ Glenn. Why don't you look at me, Uncle Reuben ? Reuben. Yes, nmrni. He said he was berry busy and — and couldn't leave and had to hurry oft', and he would be in time to go to the coat liouse and den de tears come in his eyes, in my eyes — and he lef des tickets here for Mars Philip and Mass Buck and de parson and de doctor to be sho' and come and vote and — lioctor. We have no right to vote yet, we have only been here eight months. [Exit Reuben.) Calvin. Yes, seven. Bucli. Philip, the polls will close at 4, we can do that much for Stephen. Let's go. 34 THE OLD TREASURER. Phil. All riglit. Come od. {Exit BucJc and PJiil.) {Enter Benhen.) Reuben. Here's ii letter what de boy saicl was fer (le young parson. {Exit Reuben.) Calvin. ''De young pnrson ?'- All right, thank you. Hello, here's more matter for a trial. Doctor. What is It ? Calvin. Tt is from my worthy board of elders. They say I must conform more strictly to the discipline of the church and tjiat the Eev. somebody Snodgrass will be here to investigate my orthodoxy. Ha ! Ha ! Rachel. The good for nothing oUl — Glenn. Tlusii, Rachel, they thirik they are right. Rachel, But, Glenn, I can't believe it. OIj, shame! I'll bet Aunt Marthy hnd something to do with this. {Aunt Martini is peeping in.) Calvin. By the Avay, Doc, they say that this Rev. Snodgrass is the one that resembles you so nuich. Doctor. Is it ^ By George. I have some curiosity to see him. Aunt Martha. {Cominr/ forfcard.) But he doesn't resemble him in the least. Mr. Snodgrass has an ex- alted look — the appearance of a saintly man and he is the best man that ever filled a pulpit. He is an an- gel of goodness — Doctor. Hoes he wear pants? Aunt Martha, Xo. Yes, of course he does. Oh, you horrid, wicked infidel — wait 'till you see him. He'll wind you uj) in less than two minutes. He knows the Bible from beginning to end You don't know anything about it. I don't believe you know anything of mediciue either— no, you don't. You couldn't cur^^ an old guinea hen ! Doctor. You haven't tried me yet. Ha! Fla! Ha! ^Aunt Mar'ha. What's he laughing about ? {Aside.) I do believe he meant to call me a guinea hen. He think's he is awfully smart but I'll turn him down yet. {Goes bad:) Rachel. {To Doctor.) Doctor, do you want to have some fun ? Doctor. AYhy, yes, of course. Why ? Rachel. This old Snodgrass won't be here until to- night. Last month w^e had some private theatricals THE OLD TREASURER :>,^, mid Bob took part. He wore some old wliiskers and a grey wig and everybody said he looked like Mr. Suodgrass, or rather old Snodgrass, for he stayed at Widow Diinlap's all last year aud never i)aid her a cent for his board. Doctor. Well, I'll be d — delighted. Go on. Racliel. ^ow, you take that old wig and whiskers aud I'll get you papa's hat and saddle-bags. Doctor. 1 see — that's splendid. But how does he talk? EacheL (Imitating him ) ''Aiul then you know, my dear sister, what the good book says — " Doctor. Ha! Ha! Ha! All right. Rachel. And then — (Si't'phen says iciihout Hurrah ! Hurrah ! for > he invincible Ste2)heii Venahle.^^ Enter Stephen., Philip and Bnclx.) Stephen. Hurrah ! I'Jl be eU^cted, my dear Martha, by the largest majority ever polled in the city. Martha, Hurrjih for the new mayor! Hurrah! Now lor retrenchment, reform, etc., as usual. Stefjhe7i. Ah, Glenn, I'm very sorry I couldn't at- tend your — be ai the court house today, but just as I started for the fourth time, the boys would have me make a speech to the club from the 'Tenth ward" and L couldn't — Glenn. I am very thankful that you thought of me Stephen. Stephen, 1 did, I did, I assure you, and my heart ached to be with you — Ha! Yonder's some of the boys at the fence waiting to see me. Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! I will return shortlv, Glenn. Martha, [To Stej^hen.) Stephen. Suphen, Yes, Martha. Martha. Hurry back '^t once. Y^ou are elected now. Why need you trouble any more about "the boys," as you call them ? Stephen. But they are my friends, Martha. Martha. Well, hurry back. [Exit Stephen.) Friends indeed I sui)pose he would have such rabble as that coming into his ])arlor and eating at his table. (Enter Doctor dressed as Rev. Snodgrass.) Doctor, Good evening, sir, good evening. May I register my name! Rachel Certainly, sir. Do you wish a room ? 36 THE OLD TREASURER. Doctor. Yes, Missie. What do you charge for iniiiisters of the gospel ? Rachel. We doii'c sell 'em. [Enter &tephe7i.) Doctor. [Snorts.) Now, look here, Kachel^ if you expect me to keep my face straight, be careful how you talk. [Aloud.) 1 mean what are your terms to the clergy ? Rachel. Do you mean preachers ? Doctor. Yes. Rachel. Well, why don't you say so ? Preachers ! Well, we don't charge them any more than we charge anybody else. Doctor. Any more? Don't you give them the benefit of half rates '? Rachel. Well, we might by the car load. How many have von got? Doctor. Oh, there's only one. Can 1 see the pro- prietor of the inn "? Rachel. Yes, sir, you can. Doctor. Well, where is he! Rachel. It ain't a he. Doctor. Where is she, then ! Rachel. Let me have your umbrella. Now, look right straight from that end to this end. Do you see any one? Doctor. Yes, I see you. Rachel. Well, you see the proprietor ot this here Inn. Doctor. What? You? Surely not. Rachel. [Slamming with her fisi.) Do you think I^d lie about it, sir? Doctor. No, no, no, no. But you are so very young — so very young — ^Rachel. How do you know I'm so very young } Doctor. Well, you looh: so, at least. Rachel. How do you know I look so ? Have you seen the grey hairs in my head ? Have you seen my son Benjamin that run oft' last week with that Larkins gal and got married ? Doctor. I beg your pardon, Missy — or Mrs. B — B — B— B— Buck. Rachel. Don't call me, Mrs. Buck. THE OLD TREASURER. 37 Doctor. Will you forgive me if T res])ectfally nm\ submissively inquire how I shall address you? MacheJ. Yes. Cnll ine Colonel. Doctor. {SmUlnc/.) Colonel? Eachel. Yes, aud be quick about it; I'm l)usy. Doctor. Will you please assign me what room you 1^1 ease, Colonel ? Eachel. Yes. 2040. Doctor. 2040 ! Eachel. Yes, we begin up and come down. Doctor. May 1 go up f Eachel, (In old primer style) May you go up? You may go up. You may also go down. Doctor. [To Stephen.) What a remarkable ]ierson! [Aloud.) I beg yi-ur pardon, but does one Mr. Brock- way live far from heie! Eachel. Not very easily. Doctor. You do not seem to catch my meaning. Does Mr. Brock way live very far from the Inn. Eachel. He can't. Doctor. Why ? Eachel, Because he lives riaht there on that chair. Doctor. Ah! This is Mr. Brockway, is it? Calvin. Yes, sir. (Aside-) He does resemble old Doc. sure enough. (Aloud.) And you are — ■ Doctor. The Eev. Ipecac Snodgrass, sir. Calvin. Ah, indeed. Mr. Smxlgrass, I'm — (exfend- ing his hand ichch the Eev. S. refuses to taltC.) Doctor. I cannot take your hand yet sir, until I discover whether or not the charges preferred against yon be true. Calvin. Yery well, sir. I have no objection to that I have been ap[)rised by my board of^ — elders thnt an investigation would be held and that you would ap- pear to decide the matter temporarily. Doctor. Temporarily, sir? I can assure you, sir, that whatever my action may be, sir, it will be ap- proved by the Synod, sir. Calvin. Ah ? May I ask what charges have been preferied against "me, sir ? Doctor. The charges will be submitted in detail at the meeting tomorrow morning at 7 o'clock. Calvin. At seven ? Doctor. Yes, sir, at seven. I see you are sur- 3S THE OLD TREASURER. prised at such an early hour. That is conclusive that you do not ordinarily rise 'till laterr— say 8 or halt'past 8 in the raouiing ? Calvin. You are correct, sir. Doctor. And therefore you do not retire 'till mid- night or after ? Calvin. Yes, sir. Doctor. 1 begin to fear the charges are true. Calvin, Would you object to stating those charges now ? Doctor. YeSy sir. The examination, according to Sec. 4, Art. 3-}, of the discipline of the church, must be held behind locked doors. At least that's the way I understand it, and the moderator says I am correct. Says he, "Snod grass, jow are right^ you are always right !" Calvin. These are all my friends here, sir. I haven't the slightest fear from them or anyone else ou earth for that matter. Doctor. The charges are of a very serious nature, sir — [Aunt Marthy is peeping in.) — and Calvin. Serious f What do you mean by serious ? Charges of immorality ? . Doctor. Yes, sir. Calvin. Say what the charges are. Doctor. I cannot do so according to the discipline 'till tomorrow, sir. Calvin^ {Rising and taMng off his coat.) I'll just give you three seconds to begin. (Rachel laughs.) Doctor. (Aside.) By George ! I'll find a black eye religiously put on if I don't take care, {Aloud) Well, sir, the first is that you rise late in the morning and sit up or are np late at night. Calvin. Well, sir, what of that ? Have I commit- ted'»burglary or petit larceny ? Doctor. O, no, no, no. That is, not that I am aware of sir. But I hold, sir that it is conduct unbe- coming a minister to go about at njiduight — Calvin. About what.^ Doctor. About anything, sir. Why, sir, we are credibly informed that in Paris, the most ungodly city on earth, j)eople seldom go to bed before midnight. Ovlvin, Well, sir, what of that "i THE OLD TREASURER. 39 Doctor. What of it, sir? Don't you know it is French and tlierefore immoral, sir % Calvin. "French and therefore immoral," is it ? {Aside) well, I do wonder if he is such a hopeless fool as that. [Aloud). Go on. Doctor. 1 understand also that you prefer your dinners in courses, sir after the manners of those of this modern Sodom and Gomorrah ? Calvin. I prefer my dinner in courses'? Yes. Doctor And that', too, sir is French aud therefore immoral. Calvin. And these are some of your serious charges, are they ? Doc or. 1 have not doue yet, sir. Calvin. Well, go on. [Aside). He begins to amuse me. Doctor. You are charged with driving a fast horse loo, sir, Calvin. Yes, sir. He is of the best blood of all the stables of Kentucky. But he has never been trained for the race track. I don't know what his speed is. He is very sensible, sir; knows my voice and loves me, too. Doctor. That's it sir. The church holds it immor- al and worldly to own a race-horse and very unbe- coming CO drive taster than an easy trot. Calvin. Well, how may I hope to ever be forgiven? But, go on. Doctor You are accused of bringing into church a number of children whom nobody knows, aud whose fathers and mothers nobody knows, thereby bringing them in contact with the children of respectable aud well-known people. Calvin. Can you find a child, sir, that God would disown ? Doctor. He disowns all those that are not convert- ed. Calvin. [Strongly.) I differ from you, sir. Doctor. And the Church differs from you, sir, Calvin. T don't believe it, sir. Doctor. And that is not all, sir. You are accused of going into whiskey shops and saloons, sir, to bring them out, sir. Calvin. Yes, sir, it is true. 40 THE OLD TREASURER. Doctor. Aud you Lave been seen lookiug on at a (lance! Aba ! Aha! Calvin. I made no effort to hide ! Aha! Aha ! Doctor. Do you mock me, sir ? That also is very unbecoming'. ^ alvin. And you, sir, are unbecoming to every- thing, everywhere. Do you understand that, sir ? Doctor. Becalm, sii', be calm. This quick and ir- ascible temper is very cliaracteristic of the French, I learn. Calvin. The poor Fren.",h ! Yes. it is. Doctor. There's the o\i think ? They tould me I had washed one of them twice and hadn't washed the other one at all, at all. {Exit Mary,] (All'a'tgh, D>)'' or laujhs so heanily that lie is discovered by Aunt hartha.) Aunt Martha. Oh, you horrid thing ! Doctor. Ha! Ha! Ha! Why where's brother Snod- grass ? Has anybody seen brother Snodgrass? Calvin. Eachel, where is brother Snodgrass ! Rachel, Philip, where is brother Snodgrass ? Phil {LooMny out of door) Where's brother Snod- grass ? {Exit Aunt Martha.) Itacliel. Herd's the mail. Give it to me. Uncle Reu- ben. [Enter Uncle Heuhen.) Mai tha. Anything for me, Eachel ? liachel. {(ailing them off) Philip Breen, Eev. Cal- vin — Rev. Calvin— Dr. Zimmerman, Philip — Rev. Cal- vin — Miss Martha Delmar — {gives it to her) from New York, too, in a large envelope ! Now what does that mean ? Buck, Buck, Simpson, Torrey, Miss Glenn— Here's one for you, Glenn. 43 THE OLD TREASURER. Pshaw! whereas mine? This looks like it. Pshaw! Mrs. Martha — and there\-^ another — Miss Mary Gary — Kobert Buck, Jr. That's from his girl up at Mill's Landing that straightened his cravat for him in church the second time she ever met him — such Yankee im- pudence ! Miss Lillie Rose White. Miss who? Oh, yes, that's our cook. She's as black as the ace of spades. And many papers which I will, with my su- perior educational accomplishments proceed to assort. Glenn. Come, Calvin, let us walk on the veranda— (Exit Calvin and Glenn,) Martha. Stephen ? Stephen. Yes. Martha. Come here. Pick up my gloves. I have a letter here from l^ew York. Stephen. Be careful. Eachel is listenini?. Martha. I see. And Philip only pretends to be involved in deep study as he walks the to and fro. I talk for their benefit and yours, too. {Aloud.) Ha! Ha! Ha! The foolish fellow. 1 met him at school and on his return to New York where his farher is a BaukuT— (whispering) I must receive no more letters from that Bank — Kachel observed it sus ]Uciously — (Aloud as Phillip and Rachel pass) — Ha ! Ha ! VVh.v lie actually made love to me tlie first time I met him! Stephen. I vn-sh they would stop that incessant walking. Martha Think.of it, Stephen, (whispering). You must do all this correspondence yourself. They will not suspect you. (Aloud). He said he had loved me always. Ha ! Ha ! Had seen me in his dreams ! Ha! Ha! Ha! Stephen Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! partita Don't laugh so loud— they will come in to share the fun. Stephen. I'd rather not laugh at all, God knows. Martha. Bah ! There's .7 our tender conscience again. (Aloud.) And he's a poet too. Just look at this! Ha! Ha! (Whispering.) They send letters of credit and have forwarded check book, &c. Stephen, How are you to check on this deposit 1 Martha. (Aloud.) Why, yes I promised him every- THE OLD TREASURER. 43 thing — lie was sucli a calf! Said he must have known me in another life ! Ha ! Ha ! IJa ! Stephen. Asked you if you believed in the doctrine of reminiscence, eh ! Ha! Ha! (Aside.) This laugh- in o- tears my very soul at every breath. Martha. Why, yes. Ha! Ha! [Whispering.) It must not be done. Let it remnin there. iStephen. Did you cut out that leaf from the Kegis- ter ? Martha. Yes, and I h since learned that Chas. K, Withers, Jr., whose name we used, is dead. Stephen. Ah ! (Deep sigh.) Martha. (Aside-) That's a lie. But it is a kind one, also. I do it for the sakeof his conscience which is as tender as a new born babe. Stephen. What did you do with the leaf ! Martha. (Aloud.) Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Do you suppose I keep all such nonsense ? Ha ! Ha ! Stephen. Why, no, you are right. Martha. (Whispering.) And Withers lived at Trenton, New Jersey. If they should trace the cor- respondence to him — (Aloud.) And he says h© will send me a diamond ring if I will accept it — Ha! Ha! If I will accept it ! He's a real mush- poultice. Ha ! Fhil. (At door.) How happy they are ! Ah ! If my Susanna were only — ( WalJcs on). Martha. (Aside.) At Mesoi:)otamia, for all I care. Stephen. And do you really mean to accept his ring? Martha. What"^ A diamond ring'? Why not? This is one of the reminiscences, you know. Besides, I will write him afterwards that I care nothing for the ring excei)t as a token of his deep love for me and regret very much to return it. Then, out of senti- ment he will write that — Stephen. (Looking around). 1 s. 11 ell something- burning somewhere, don't you ? Martha. Some old rags in the back yard, I sup- pose, Stephen. And when, dear Martha, when will yoi-. be my wife ? Martha. Oh, that day will come, you may be sure. Stephen. But when, my girl, oh, when? Martha. Oh, there's no hurry. Besides, I do not 44 THE OLD TREASURER. kuow that you will keep your oath — Tou seem to grow weaker in your nerves instead of stronger. Just look at me. For your dear sake and the possibilities yon are capable of I could look at all the eyes of the earth, and yes, such as might arise from their graves and with the frightened innocence of child-hood say: "I don't know, sir." ''I never heard of it — " tStephen. What's that noise ? Martha. It's that Mary Gary's voice. Quarreling Avith Aunt Mai thy, I'll warrant. Stephen, IN'o, it isn't. It's tire! Mary. {Without.) Hurry up, Uncle Keuben. Bring scmie water quick. Phil ( Vrithout,) What is it Mary ? Mary. {Without) It's fire, Misther Philip, and in your loom, too. Fh'iJ. Wliat ! all my costly furniture ? {runs up stairs.) Manha. Now, see how excited you are. Stephen. Do you want the house to burn down ? {E.vir hurrhen. I'll pay lor what yon lose. And if you lose anything, I agree to walk home — Ha ! Ha ! That's a good hand. No not that. Now. This one. See ? Ours. Again. Play. Yes, that's good. 1st Gam. Kaise de limit ? Stephen. Yes. 1st Gam. How much ? Stephen. Five. 1st Gam. Ten. Stephen. Twenty. ■ 2nd Gam. Forty. Stephen. Fifty. 1st Gam. Call. Stephen. Show uj). Ah ! ours. Goozle. Ha ! Ha ! You take half (hie) pard, and I take balansh. Stephen. No, No. I don't want, — [Enter Aunt Mariha. Annt Martha. Oh, horrors ! Stephen, Stephen, what do you mean *? Stephen. I am not gambling. Aunt Martha. Annt \f. Come away from the horrible wretches. I was afraid there would be just such a scene as this if I didn't come, 1st Gam. [Aside.) The governor don't know me. Then Pm safe at school. Ha ! Ha ? Ha ! Stephen. But Aunt — Aimt M. Come Steplien you must not. Goozle. Come, Steben, old fel — Aunt M. The beasts ! Come my boy. Stephen. [Sighing.) Oh, Aunt Martha, you that THE OLD TREASURER 53 condemn the gambler, little can you know wliati)ow- ers of hellish magic work upon him. Goozle. {Who has (jot hetiveen Stephen and Aunt M — ) Shtephen, have a drink? I «hay, have a drink? {placing it to Aunt M'^s nose. S^ie hasnH observed him folloicing.) Aunt M. Bah ! {Exit, pulling out i-'tephen who laughs heartily.) Goozle. {Realizing his error.) Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! {Re- turning.) l)amnish fellow, too. Glenn Here they come, here they come. Intro- duce them, Fidget. Fidget. Aw, Mitter Kildee and Miss Van Sope ! Delighted to s'^e you. Judge Squander and Miss McTubb. Capt. Snob and Miss Hamgravy. Squire Hawks and Miss Puddin' — Glenn, Gingerbread! Fidget, Ha ! Ha ! Dats so. T ferdot. I knowd it was something dood. Sir Gerald Fopp and Miss Swipeall. — Hon. Always Dry and Miss Eickety. Ladies and gentlemen, ])ermitme to interjooce to you our gracious hostess and her charmin' daughter — Mrs, jMurkins and Miss Murkins. {All how very low) was dat rigiit ? Glenn. Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Dat was right. {Enter at door, < alvin. Br. Z — Philip and Stephen). Calvin. Hello! What's all this? Stephen. Some of Glenn's work you may rely on it. {All the men laugh.). Glenn. Judge Squander '? Judge S. {Swelling pompously). Mrs. Murkins, allow me to congratulate you — look here missie, I don't want no more mug twisters like dat. Glenn. Go on. Judge S. Upon being the mammy or mother of much transcendent loveliness as we see before us. Whew 1 Mrs. M. Tank you Judge Squander. De wisdom of de bench does honor to our fragile muliebrity. Judge S. Gee whiz ! What did she say ? GIe7m. Ha! Ha! That's right. Kow, Capt. Snob. Ca;pt. S. Madam, I am constrained to say that this 54 THE OLD TREASURER. thrilling occasion remiDcls me of my visit to England about four years ago, when — All. Ahem ! ahem ! Oh, Oh, Oh. (Judge S. ])laces Ms hands on his stomach as if in colic.) Capt. S. 1 was interjooced ter one of deir old gen- erals whose name was Billingtoii, or Wellington and everybody called him Juke. He grasped my hand very warmly and said he was delighted to meet the gallant young American Captain of whose daring valor he had heard so niuch. 1 told him I thought I had lieard of him t<)(». {S^ruttiug away and t/wirling his mus- tache.) Mrs. M. Ha ! Ha ! You served him right, Captain. Squire R. I don't engenerally invite no city folks to my house widout consultiu' er Maudy, for Mandy would jest bile ef she knowd I was skippin an galli- vauntin round such teuitatious as Miss Gingerbread here, but ef ye ever come down my way, Til meet ye at de landin' wid my four horse wagin. Mrs. M. Squire Hawks, I should be delighted to avail myself. Hony A. JD. My Dear Madam, I been ten years in Congress and have saw America's beauty and chival- ry pass before my eyes like a panorama. 1 must say I have never saw moreconsounded grace — Glenn. Consummate grace. Hon. A. U. Con— What? Glenn. Consummate. Hon. A. B. Consummate grease — Grease, Ha ! Ha! All. Grease ! Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Hon. A. D. (To Judge.) What is you laffm' fer, Kid? You never done no better. (Judge continues to laugh, when Hon. A. D. Idchs him.) Glenn. Kow, now, Mr. Dry. I'm ashamed of you. Sqy^ire H. He aint no count, no way, cordin' to my tell. Dars de State Bank law. — Hon. A. D. My dear sir, you forget I have done appointed four men in your county to office — Squire. But dad blast it, sir, dem little offices don't do do people no good. De State Bank law — Hon. A. D. The State Bank Law be squashed — Sqtiire. But, sir, de constitution — THE OLD TREASURER. 55 Hon. A. D. De constitiitiou be ramfoozled, sir. I'll be elected again, sir, in spite of your opposition, sir. What difference does it make, sir, if the whole country is ruined, sir ? Aint f done been re-elected and aint I done got all the offices for yon I could 'I My Godelmighty ! Some folks wouldn't be satisfied wid gold wash-tubs. y'H^OU^O Fidget. Be talm, Dentermens, be talm. Permit de sergin' billows of your le^^islative brains to sleep. De rule is de fust one dat gits mad shant have no ice- cream. — now ! Hoyi. A. D. Whatf Fidget. I meant no champain. (Hon. A. D. & Squire H. embrace.) Miss Ricketi/. Aw, is we doin to have some ice treaui ? All. Miss Glenn, are we doing to have some sho' uuff? Glenn. Yes, yes, but you must dance first. Fidget. Be pleased ladies and gentlemen to pre- pare for the dance. [They arrange themselves in couples and dance the min- uet.) Fidget. Oh, Miss Glenn, let Billy Kildee dance. Glenn. Billy "? Why, he has been dancing. Fidget. I mean Billy's dance. Please, Missie. Glenn. All right. Go ahead Billy, Billy. Which one ! Fidget. Dat one what CJncle Ben learned you out on de plantation. Billy. De cotton field dance ! All right, (Music starts, Billy begins but stops suddenly.) I beg' your par- don. I dance with your sweet permission ? Mrs. M. Certaiidy, Mr. Kildee. (Billy dances.) (They all pat for him.) Glenn. Come, now. Fidget, invite them to the sui3- per room. Fidget. Gentlemen, be kind enough to escort the ladies to the sui)per room. (They go out hurriedly and promiscously. yelling and whooping.) (Glenn folloivs ) Stephen. God bfess their little hands, heads, fing- ers and toes ! Doctor. Amen ! 56 THE OLD TREASURER. Aunt M. Yes, I'm not surprised to bear you s;iy amen to anything that is worldly and sinful. Calvin. Why, Aunt Martha, you surely do not see any harm in that? Aunt M, And you don't appear to see harm, in anything. When 'they are grown, they'll think of nothing but dancing and waltzing and tiirting and dallying on the very verge of eternal perdition. But you don't believe in that, either. Calvin. JSTo Aunt Martha, 1 do not. Aimt M. Dont you believe the Bible at all? Calvin. I prefer not to discuss it, Aunt Martha. Aunt M. The Bible says, ^'he that belie veth not shall be damned." Calvin. The Bible seems to teach what you be- lieve. But it cannot mean that. Aunt Martha. If it did it would be not only not divine in some of its parts but positively inhuman and fiendish as the devil himself. Aunt 21. Oh, you wicked, profane creature. I'm glad you will be excommunicated. I'll not stay to listen to such blasphemy. (Exit.) Calvin. Now, I'm sorry I said that. For, like many others, she will misunderstand me. That's the dan- ger, in discarding certain statements in the Bible as of human error and not of divine origin, they are apt to throw it all away, reckless of the priceless gems that sparkle therr, Stephen. You intend resigning the ministry, Calvin? Calvin. Yes. Stephen. You will not meet your trial then ? Calvin. Oh ! yes. Stephen. Why Calvin. To defy every -eye that gazes upon the clear record of my deeds, Stephen. You are right. Calvin. I shall part with tlie old church in sorrow. But I can no longer preach such doctrine as they be- lieve, and I will not. They think they are right, and I think that I am right. Of some things, however, I am sure. The husbandry of Heaven spares the tree that stands laden with fruit. If half the fruit be rotten, it is spared for the other half. If all be rot- ten but one single apple, divine mercy spares it for THE OLD TREASURER- 57 that. If a lib e rotten 'wd the tree itself decayed, di- vine wisdom sees the barren soil in which it grew, tbe storms that blasted it, the frosts that withered it, th<^ worms that consumed it, and Divine Pity, yes, and divine justice too sjDares even the rotten tree ! Philip, How magnificent is the ocean. And what creatures of microsco])ic life are men when borne nx)on its mighty waves ! Doctor. Eight genteel thiug, the ocean is. Ste2)hen. Kight genteel ! You have a better one in England, I suppose? Doctor. Ha ! Ha! Ha! I hope not. Phil. But you do love it, don't you Doc ? Say you love something for the Lord's sake. Doctor. Of course I do. Tliat is, I do note. I didn't last night, about midnight. It is tbe grandest thing beneath the stars. It is — Goozle. Whntshat ? The ocean ? Oh, ish beauti- ful ! Isli perfeclj^ buful ! (Hie) I aint got but one (hie) objections to it. And (hie) tlie worst of it is there don't seem to be any way to (hie) remedy it. Doctor. What's that ? Goozle. \\hj (hie) don't sbee ? The hull dam shing is made er ivater ! (hie) (his "gorge rises" at the thought.) All. Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Phil. (At door.) Ah, here come our little friends. Calvin. And they all have on their ^ gowns. They must not come in here. IStephen. Yes, yes, why not? They are nothing but children. Phil. They stand timidly waiting for an invitation. Stephen. Come in, come right in, ladies. [Enter children.) Ah, good evening. Miss Van Sope. Miss Bickety, I believe? (hoioing very low.) You were nev- er arrayed half so beautifully. Miss Fidget, may I claim the next dance with you ? Oh, thank you. Doctor. ( Who has been stretched on sofa. ) Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Just look at 'em. Hello Fidget, come here. Eoost on my shoulder. (Re places Fidget on his shoulder^ and then Fidget., flapping her arms, crotvs like a chichen. All laugh. Doctor laughs and hisses her. Then he lies' on the floor on his hack.) 58 THE OLD TREASURER. Fidget. Pile ou ! pile ou ! {All the cJiUdren pile on hwi, laughing and screaming.) [Then Fidget wants tp jump over him). Oh^ Docter. You is dest right to dump over. Stephen. Come, now, tots. Your little song. Come, Fidget, we are going to sing now. Fidget ! Fidget. Oli, please, Teven, lemme have one more dump. Stephen. All right. {She spits on her hands,., talces a ^'running starf^ and tries to jump over Doctors stomachy hut fails.) Fidget. Psha v ! You went and swelled dest as 1 dumped ! Doctor. Swelled ! Ha ! Ha ! Stephen, Ha ! Ha ! Come, Fidget. All be ready now. "Where did you come from baby, dear ? Out of the everywhere into here. (He repeats each verse and they sing it.) W^here did you get your eyes so blue ^ Out of the sky as I passed through. Where did you get that pretty tear ? I found it waiting when I got here. Where did yon get that pearly ear? God spoke and it came out to hear. How did they all just come to you ? God thought about me and so I grew. Stephen. Come, now. Your little prayer. It'S bed time. {They kneel and clasp their hands.) Calvin. (They repeat after him in phrases. Our fa- ther, thou did'st make the world and everything in it. Thou dost love everything which thou hast made. Doctor. {Aside to Stephen.) I swear that's beauti- ful. I wish I were father to all the little homeless brats in America. Calvin. {Continu'-ng.) Thou dost love little or- j)hans and wilt care for them. We pray Thee make every rough heart gentle, every cohl heart warm and every vile heart pure. Save every human being and gather them all to thine arms when life is over. Auien. THE OLD TREASURER 59 Fidget. And bess iDoor Teveii and Dack. Stephen. Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Poor Teveu and Dack ! Dack is her little dog, Jack. About as disreputable and friendless a cur as God ever made. Good night, now. Goodnight! {Re hneels for them to hiss him.) They each one put their arms around his and Calvin'^s neck and then JExeunt) Doctor. (Aside.) He may be guilt}^^ but I swear it is hard to believe or suspect it. tStephen. [Aside.) Poor Teven and Dack ! Lone miserable dogs we are, too. Jack. We are fit com- panions, old fellow. Only you have no guilt on your head. {Unier Alartka icith neivspaper in hand.) Martha. Stephen, Avhere is Philip.? What do you think ? His Susanna is dead. Fhil What's that Martha ? Martha. Ob, I beg your pardon, Philip. I — I Nothing. Kotliing. Phil. I heard you, Martha, i felt it. I knew it! Let me see th«' jniper. [He reads it to himself , drops the paper from his hands, gazes in quiet grief at the floor, draws a, deep sigh and lakes his sent. Mar ha ivatches his featKres cl >seh;; after a long pause, Fhilip is con- scious of her eyes.) Fhil. [Very tenderly) Is theie anything I can do for you, Martha .? Martha. (Aside.) Pshaw! (Turns and goes to Ste- phen.) Phil. (Aside.) That's a strange girl. /doctor. Calvin ? Calvin. Yes. Doctor . Do you know what I think of Stephen's trouble ? Calvin. Yes. Doctor. You do? What? Calviyi. That he took the Midland bonds from the Treasury ! Doctor. Then, you are of the same opinion. Calvin. I must say, I have entertained the suspi- cion, as dark and unwelcome a visitor as it may be, and yet, it is hard to think a heart so generous, so noble — Doctor. You know his propensity to gambling I 6o THE OLD TREASURER. Calvin. Yes. And you know how desperately lie figbts against it. Doctor. Tree. I pity him with all my heart, but I'm going to question liim. You watch him closely and Martha, too. Calvin. My God! man You don't suspect her ! Doctor. Yes. Martha. (To Stephen.) Be strong now. These people suspect us. I have felt their eyes. (Going.) Doctor. Don't go yet, if you please. Miss Martha. Mctrtha. C«3rtHii)ly. (Aside.) The examination be- gins. Doctor. Stephen, I have been thinking a great deal lately about the Midhmd bonds. Stephen. So have T. Xot only recently^ but ever since they were taken. Doctor. You know I don't believe that Withers did it. Stephen. Indeed ! Why ? Doctor. He left his trunk to be sent to the Inn. Beside, we know now that he intended to marry Ea- chel. Stephen. Yes. Doctor. And then his return to the scene of the crime — Stephen. That very often hapi)ens. In fact it is a strange desire tly and at seven^ I went for it myself. You remember, Stephen how I hid myselt behind the old well house and scared you as you came along ? Ha! Ha! THE OLD TREASURER. 6i Stephen. ( Re tvhistles in a lore liey in apparently ah- straeted manner during the ivhole of Martha's speech,) Yes. Doctor. {To Martha.) And you saw no one come IVoTn the Tre'^sury ? Martha. No, I couldn't see tlie Treasury at all. Doctor. What did Stephen say when y-ou scared him at the well "I Martha. Why lie wasn't scared a bit. He said ^'Hel- lo, Martha, is that you ? Where have you been V And I told him. [Aslfte.) Oalviu says nothing'. I be- lieve he loves me. This Doctor suspects me and I'll be revenged on him if — (Jalvin. Stephen! {Stephen continues ichistUng.) Ste- phen. Stephen. Yes "? What is it ? Calvin. Why do you pay such loose attention to this matter ? You sit there whistling and looking- as if your thoughts were in the planet Uranus Have you no interest in this nsatter? Stephem. Why, Calvin, of course I have. I have thought about it night and day ever since the night of the robbery. I am, myself, inclined strongly in the belief that Withers was inuoceut. When we reach home, I will emxiloy the detectives again to ferret the matter out. Calvin. {To Doctor.) I don't see any guilt there, Matt. Doctor. N'or [ either. Yet, there is somethincj^ou his mind that is surely driving him mad. Martha. {To Stephen) Why man you acted consum- mately. No actor could have done better. {Aside.) Suspect me? The sheep's heads. I'll teach them a lesson about meddling where they have no business. I must win Calvin if it's the last thing lever do. Ha ! That was a queer little pain went through me then. It was like an electric current, {Pa.use.) Pshaw! {Exit.) {Enter at hack Aunt Martha and Glenn. Stephen. They now think me innocent. They can never prove our guilt. The secret is buried. That is, It's corpse is buried. It's soul, like an evil bird, cir- cles about my head unceasingly forever. (Sighs.) I told them the truth, and yet, it was a scalding, blist- ering lie ! Ah, how different I am from the ha|jpy boy 62 THE OLD TREASURER. that stood before tlie old Treasury and — There ! I do hope that walking will not return again. Yes, yes» There it is again. I cannot stand it. I will not^ J will not endure it again. Doctor! Galvin ! Glenn! Aunt Martha ! All ! Doctor. Another spell. Get me a little water, ^o. Nevermind. Take this, Stephen. Stephen. {Shaldng convuhively.) No, thank you. Doctor, I deceived you. The Midland bonds. I did not take them, but I was party to the crime. I, your honored Mayor. Withers knew nothing of it, and had nothing whatever to do with it. I tried to save iu8 life, but I couldn't do it. I knew Glenn was in- nocent, but was not brave enough to say so. When I get back home, I will work my fingers to the bone for her. The money from the sale of the bonds is all gone. {Pause.) May I rest now ? {He breathes heavilij and grows more and more stupid.) Calvin. Can it be true T Doctor. Well, well, well! Glenn. Poor fellow, how I pity him. Oh, I could endure the bitterest poverty all my life rather than the knowledge tnat Stephen could be guilty of such a crime. {She sinJcs hacl^ into a chair^ Calvin standing hy her.) Calvin. He has had a most terrific temptation to endure, Glenn. Glenn. Yes, yes. I know, I know. God jnty him ! Stephen. A h 'l What a load it has lifted off. {Faiise. ) Oh, Captain ! Have you any live stock on the vessel? Captain. Live stock ? Only a few sheep. That's all. Stephen. Sheep ! It couldn't have been sheep I heard last night. I heard — for I was as wule awake as ever I was in my life — the sound of a horses' hoofs standing and stamping impatiently on a stony road. I reasoned with myself. I said I knew there was no stony road, or any other kind of road, within 100 miles of the vessel. I thought that perhaps I had been dreaming o^' taking a voyage to Australia, and was not on board a ship at all. I got up, went to the door, opened it, looked out and there were the great waves, rolling beneath me and as far as I could see. There ! Upon my soul, I see it ! as plainly as I see THE OLD TREASURER 63 my hand. A wliite horse, saunteriug along over the face of the sea. Bah ! How can it be ? And yet, I see it. Oh, Pshaw ! Psliaw! I swear I don't under- stand my condition. Calvin? Calvin. Yes, Stephen. Stephen. Look wliere I point. Calvin . I 4 ring all this solemn pantomime of silent despair, is played softly Beethoven^ s Moonlight, Sonata First Move merit.) Stephen. Calvin ! Calvin. Yes, Stephen. Stephen. Tiie little children ! Can nothing' be done for them? (Calvin shalces his head sorrowfully.) And they nuist droNvn too ? I willgo and hiss their little feet. Oh! oh! oh ! The only hallowed spot in this vile, wicked heart; — niy love for little children ? And tiiey must drown, too ! Than)?: God, they are orphans! No one will weep much for them except the old blind woman to whose old ears their ha^^py voices were such sweet music ! Captain. Ned, run up and tell the old pilot to come down. Aunt M. Oh, Calvin, ])erhaps he may wish to be baptized. Tell him, please, will you.? Ifed. I will. Aunt Martha. {Ejclt Ned, running') AuntM. Oh, St3})hen, do you believe there is a wretch in all God's creation sunk so low that Heav- en's pity cannot reach him ? Stenhen. Not one. Aunt Martha, not one ! God made us all and He knows how to take care of us in the last trying- hour. (Doctor goes out and returns tvith Fidget asleep in his arms.) (Re-enter Wed.) Ned. He will not come, Captain. Captain. But did you tell him we must sink ! Ned. Yes, sir. Aunt M. And did you ask him to be bapcized 1 Ned. Yes, Aunt Martha. He said the old wheel THE OLD TREASURER. 67 had furiiislied him a living' for 16 years, and he wotikl not desert it now. Calvin. Ob, brave old fellow. He has a friend there in the darkness with him somewhere. {Fause.) Little Fidget! Ob, pity, pity, pity! {Pause,) Matt! Doctor. What, Calvin ? Calvin^ You believe now, don't you ? Doctor. ( Very calmly.) Believe what, Calvin ? Calvin. In the wonderful love of God and in the life beyond the tomb. Doctor. Ob, I don't know, Calvin. I don't know anything about that. (Pause.) But I would like to be with you old fellow. I would like to be with you always. Calvin. (Deeply moved ) Yon shall ! You shall be with me ! Doctor. If it be true, my boy. as you believe, I ask nothing better than this little flower as a peace offer- ing before the tbrone of God ! (Enter Martha, Dehnar arrayed as Cleopatra,) Martha. Now for my last great victor3\ Of all the men I ever knew, this Calvin is the most nnmovable. And strangest of all, I feel a certain burning desire to possess him entirely. He draws me to him. I would never be satisfied without his presence. Can it be that Martha Delmar is in love ? Bah ! I'll not believe it. Ah, there he is. Ha ! Ha ! Don't be hor- rified, Mr. Parson. To the pure all things are pure. It is Art, man. Art ! Observe the delicate curving of these limbs, the lithe movements ot the body, the poise of the head, the swelling of my heart— an ideal Cleopatra, man, do you — Calvin. Woman, prepare to meet your God. Martha. [LooMng sanctimoniously upicard.) Oh, dear. Ha ! Ha ! Sixty years hence ! Calvin, I^ow. You have only fifteen minutes to live. Martlia. Do you mean to kill me 1 Calvin. No. Martha. Does anyone else ? Calvin. No. Martha.'^ Then how, Avhy ! Calvin, " The vessel is sinking. Martha. Now you are trying to frighten me. fla ! 68 THE OLD TREASURER. Ha! Ha! You iniscliievous fellow! Yet, why do they all look so serious? They are pale, too. 'Why do they kneel yonder'^ Captain, what are they kneeling yonder for ? Ca'fjt. They are praying, woman. Martha. Woman ! I never saw^ such a floating prayer-meeting before — Capt. Look -it me, Miss Delmar. This vessel is sinking rapidly. Martha. S — Sinking? And the life boats are suf- ficient i Capt. They have been washed away. Martha, Washed away ! Then what will you do ? Capt. Die. Martha. Oli, Captain, you do not mean it? Capt. I swear, before God, it is true. Martha. Die? Die, did he say *? Glenn, lend me your cloak. Let me have your shawl, please. I must hide my naked body, Glenn, I have wronged you. It was I that took the bonds. Yes I. It was I that drove Masterson and Lundy and a host of others to their graves. It was I that ruined Stephen. O, I cannot ask for pardon. I am too guilty, too guilty Is it really sinking rapidly ? Oh, Calvin, I meant to rain you, too, l)ut I loved you ! I loved you ! And I must drown ? {iShe grows wore and more frantic.) And I must OAq ? Die f Die ? Hereafter when there is any hidden guilt on earth, say Martha Delmar did it! I! Oh, could I but send a message to the shore ! FMl. You can do it, Martha, Martha. How ? How "? Fhil. In a bottle. Get a bottle quick, Xed. ]^ed. Here's one. Phil. Now Martha, write. Martha. Oh, I cannot w^rite. You do it, Philip. And write as you never wrote before ! Write for your very life, good Philii>. FhlL My life ! About the most worthless thing in my possession now, my Martha. Martha. Then for the sake of your immortal soul; for the sake of your lost love, Susanna — Phil. Ah ! I will write ! Thank God, I shall soon be with her again. ( Writing rapidli/.) THE OLD TREASURER 69 Martha. Almiolity God, keep together the fast- breaking })ieces of my mind until i can perform this hist act. Fh'L (lieading.) "At sea, on board ship Sea Gull, July 10th, 1850. Know all men by these i3resents that I, Martha Delmar, do hereby"— Martha. (i>icf«i 9^/7)— solemnly swear in the pres- ence of death and Almighty God that it was I that, took the Midhmd Bonds, I that mined Stephen Veu- able; I that set the sheriff after poor little KacheFs sweetheart and murdered him; I that set fire to Phil- ip's trunk — FMl. {Loolis up in surprise. Still tvritmg and re- peating the tcords as lie writes.) '^For whicli he for- gives me with all his heart." All right, go ahead. Martlia. I that did everything mean and wicked and cannot find it in my heart to ask forgiveness. That's all.. i alvin. {Approaching her.) Martha? Martlia. Don't touch me\ ^ot me\ ''Unclean! Unclean!" Let me sign, good Philip, quickly. [She icrifes her name desperately and sinliS back in chair.) Aunt Martha. Write something for me Philip, just a little, to poor little Each el. Tell her if she ever sees any poor wistful creature passing, to stop him and feed him and say I beg his pardon. And may God love her and wrap her close in his arms forever more. {Philip folds papers rapidly and places them in bottle and seals it.) Phil. Messages from eternity ! {Swinging the hot - tie out into the ivaves.) Martha. Look ! Do you see that ? It is coming over the water. Oh, Ste})hen, do you think it will climb over the rail ? Stephen. What, Martha ? Martha. See there! It is climbing over and it is the very one I fed with Eachel's mocking bird ! Kill it! Kill it ! Why don't you kill it ? Keep it off, off. Don't le it wind about me! Help! Help! Why do you stand there gazing at me ! It has fastened my legs! It is wrapping my anus ! Quick! Quick! Help! Help! (Screams ajud ai)pears to see serpent with head erect looking her in the face. After horrible pause, she slow- ,7o THE OLD TREASURER. ly moves an arm, then appears to take the seri)ent b^ the neck and slowly unwraps it from her form. She then imagines it on the floor, coiled and ready to strike. She screams, turns, throws her hands over her ears, runs wildly and blindly about, then screams and jumps over the rail into the sea.) Calvin. (Calmly.) Alas, poor wretch! May her miserable tortured spirit soon find its j)eace withiu the bosom of the Eternal Pity. {A great noise oftvater is heard belon\) Capt. We're lost ! The water is on the lower deck! We're lost] Oh, merciful God! [They fall on their knees and faces.) Stephen. Listen ! Oh, listen ! Don't you hear that music ? Don't you hear it! Ah, sing od, old Treasurer ! We are coming to you ! {The vessel sijilcs and the sea rolls over it.) 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