| SCENE: | Wilson's office as before |
| DISCOVERED: | Patsy enters L.3.E. X C.R. |
| TIME: | Morning. (Lights: ambers and reds) |
| MUSIC: | Singing in distance. Out R. |
|
Not yet back and this his tenth day away. (C.) Now why couldn't he tell me where he was going. (Enter Rowy L.U.E.) Has he returned yet? Has Uncle Dave come back? How should I know? (As if about to cry) Does he ever tell me anything? Said he'd be back this morning sure. Oh! I suppose he told you not to tell me, humph, but I want him to come just to see the mess he has made with his meddling. What mess, Maw? (Comes C.) Hasn't Judge Driscoll gone and challenged the Count? (Rowy laughs aside, crosses C., picks up book at table C.) Sheriff Blake says he's in it just as deep as his mother. Then Sheriff Blake and every one in Dawson is a – don't know what they're talking about. Why don't they suspect me, they might as well. (Crossing to Cabinet L.) Hold your tongue. What do you know about it? I know this, that that boy Chambers would sooner cut off his arm than do a dishonest action. And I'm going to defend him against these slanders. As he defended me against the insults of Tom Driscoll. You reckon I'd waste my breath asking him anything? Tell me this minute what Tom Driscoll said to you or I'll march right over and ask him myself. (Going to D.R.3.E.) Can't Maw. Why? Tom's gone to St. Louis. (Coming C.) What do you mean, Maw? (X L.3.E. Rowy crosses R. Blake passes window back) (Enter Blake R.U.E.) Morning ladies. Aunt Patsy – where's Dave? Ask your uncle. (Exits L.U.E. in rage) Only cross, cause Judge Driscoll's challenged the count. Pretend – why they did lose it. It was stolen from their boxes in my uncle's office. Did you ever see the knife? (Touches his forehead.) – always hunting for a knife – a lost knife. (Crosses R.) Oh! that's the way of it, is it? Well, that's the way I heard it. What in thunder did he run away for? (Enter Wilson L. Passes window.) Didn't run away, mor'n my uncle did. (Enter Wilson R.U.E. X C.) Oh! Uncle Dave I'm so glad you've come back. (Enter Patsy L.U.E. She stands rigidly at door.) Oh, Maw, here's Uncle Dave. How do, Patsy? You said you wanted to see me, Dave. Dave Wilson. (All look at her) Have you had any breakfast this morning? (Almost weeping) No I've been so busy I forgot it. (Going L.U.E.) Want me to help you maw? (Exit L.U.E.) Oh you just wait till she gets you alone. (Comes down L.) Sheriff, I've got to see Judge Driscoll before I can say what I wanted to. Anything about Roxy and her boy? (Rowy starts to speak and is stopped by a look from Wilson) How was that, Sheriff? Why Miss Rowy, you ought to know about that. Tom said it was all about you. Says the niggar was sassy to you. (Cross R.) Now, I'm mad. (Putting out her hand, Wilson takes her hand.) Sheriff, I may want you to go to St. Louis, – officially of course. Ain't been in St. Louis for mor'n a year now. (Wilson looks at him) Oh! I can get ready. Got to see the Judge first though about ketching that boy. (Working up R.) (Wilson sits L. at table) No he ain't offered no reward yet. I advised him about it. Judge mighty cranky about it yesterday though. (Going R.U.E.) What did he say Sheriff? Who, Judge? Yes. Well he wasn't over polite about it, I must say. (In door R.U.E.) (Exit R.3.E.) No, I left him in St. Louis to watch Tom. Watch Tom! (Cross C. Just L. of C. table) I've shown all the consideration for that young man I intend to. His offensive language to you has turned the natural current of my usually gentle dispositions into a riotous torrent and nothing shall assuage it until I have landed that young man in prison. (Takes bill from pocket.) Tom Driscoll in prison? (He hands her the circular.) A circular, offering a reward of one hundred dollars for the capture of a runaway nigger. Who's he? A down river planter. Who's the woman? (Go L. a little) Oh! Can't be the same Uncle Dave. Must be some mistake. (Reads) The above reward will be paid by applying to Thomas A. Driscoll, and see, this is his address in St. Louis. (Twins pass C. window from L.) Yes, and I'll bet he's torn up another will. That has been the Judge's pasttime for years, but he'll be fattening the calf presently for the prodigal's return. (Rises and crosses R. go up C.) I don't know about that. I don't reckon Judge was ever so angry before. (Enter Luiji and Angelo R. 3 E. They are very excited and come down R. C.) I'll hurry it. Excuse me gentlemen. (Exits L.U.E.) Everything is arranged. The meeting it to take place at four P.M. The sooner the better. The affair once over we shall leave Dawson. I don't believe I would allow myself to be driven out of town by such a fellow as Tom Driscoll We give no thought to him – but his uncle – We cannot walk the streets without insults. Even the possession of the knife such as we have lost is questioned. Oh yes, I know the source of that tale. (Enter Rowy L.3.E.) Breakfast, uncle. (Coming L.C.) That sounds more agreeable. (X up L.C.) Oh, isn't maw just waiting for you? Is she? Come in gentlemen, I may need your protection. (Going to L.3.E. Wilson and twins start for L.U. Rowy cross R.) Count, I have got your brother's, but I haven't your thumb yet. How has he escaped so long, I wonder. (Exit Wilson, (1); Luiji (2); Angelo (3). L.3.E.) Oh, if Chambers ever sees that handbill, oh! (C.) (Enter Driscoll R.3.E.) Good morning, Rowy. Sheriff Blake said your uncle wanted to see me. He has just sat down to breakfast. Well, don't disturb him – I'll – (As if to go – returns.) Rowy, what do you think now of that ingrate, Chambers, to scamper off in that way? Is it true that he was impudent to you? Now who told you that? Blake, not five minutes ago. Well, I'm mighty glad to know that. I reckon, Rowy, that boy always belonged more to you than to anybody else. (Enter Howard R.3.E., hastily.) Good morning, Rowy Good morning! Judge, I'll tell uncle you are here. (Up to door L.) Let him finish his breakfast first, Rowy. (Cross L. and back to C.) (Exit Rowy L.3.E. Howard goes down R.) Well, Howard, is everything arranged? (Coming to C.) That's just what I have come to tell you, I suppose you know Wilson is the Count's second. Yes I know. And to think that Tom missed a chance like this and what do you think? The scoundrel has dared to write to me. (Taking letter from his pocket) (As if he would tear it.) I reckon I wouldn't* if I were you. I am sure he must suffer keenly. But you have some business with Wilson. (Going R.3.E.) York, you must not face the Count with this on your mind. I'll wait for you over the way. I would read Tom's letter. (Exit R.3.E.) I suppose, I must. If only to find more evidence of his ourrish nature. (Opens letter – reads.) "My honored Uncle:" – His honored, you villain! "I may never see you again." (Wipes his eyes.) "But I can endure it no longer. You believe me a coward – that I feared to meet this Italian adventurer – But at even of the risk of betraying a confidence, I must tell you. No gentleman could afford to meet that man on a field of honor!" Hey, what? What's that? General Jackson! And I have challenged the fellow! (Goes to window R.2. E. and calls:) Here Howard! Howard Pembroke, come over here! Come quick! (Goes to R. reads) "This pretended Count is an assassin!" General Jackson! "This I learned by an accident when he was making a confession of his crime to Dave Wilson. Forgive me, if I am wrong in betraying it, even to you, but I cannot live and permit you to think one of your blood is a coward. "Your unhappy nephew." Oh! My poor boy! (Goes to L.) (Enter Howard R.3.E.) What is it, Tom's letter? Yes, and it's all right. Embrace me, my friend, embrace me. I have wronged him. He is not [the] poltroon we thought him. It is a heart of gold. He has acted like a Cavalier. Like a Knight of old. He has acted like a Driscoll, sah. He is my nephew, sah. (Dances about. Howard does the same. Howard L. Driscoll R.) (Enter Wilson L.3.E.) Good morning, Judge. (Sees Howard L.) If you don't object – (To Howard) I would like to see the Judge alone. (Turns up C. to window – Driscoll turns R.) One moment, Mr. Wilson. Do you know of a reason why York Driscoll should refuse to meet the Count? Hey – well the Count's an orphan – I see, I see, that will do. (Shaking hands with Wilson.) You shall not be urged. I see – Tom's views are yours. Not by a damn sight! Not another word. You know there are reasons why no gentleman can afford to meet the Count Luiji on the field of honor. But Judge, here is a matter. I shall re-write my will tonight. (Coming down, takes Wilson's hand.) Dave Wilson, you have risen in my estimation one hundred per cent. (Exit R.D.F) Well, you haven't in mine. Do you gather anything from this? Yes, Tom has been lying again. Sir, you should be more guarded in your remarks. Really, your defense of the Count – I'm not defending the Count. He's quite capable of doing his own talking. This is a matter personal to me and to my family, and one for which Tom Driscoll must atone. Not as a gentleman either, for I reckon his recent conduct has placed him beyond the pale of that consideration. (Exit R.3.E. In pompous indignation) Good day, sir. I reckon the Judge will give me his attention, now. (Puts handbill in pocket. Goes to cabinet L.) (Enter Luiji L.3.E. Goes towards R.3.E.) No occasion to rush matters Count. The Judge has refused to fight you. Refused? On what pretext? (L.) (Going up R.) Don't go without giving me your thumb mark. (Goes over L. to Wilson. Wilson holds glass and Luiji gives his mark – (Luiji crosses R.U. Wilson places glass in cabinet.) Going to call on Driscoll? (X to D.F. Exit R..E.) I hope they'll keep the peace. There is something wrong in Tom Driscoll's make-up. (Wilson at table C. Waits – takes out a glass.) (Enter Rowy L.3.E. comes down R. of Wilson to C. Something that will interest you Rowy. These are the thumb marks of Tom and Chambers when they were babies. I got them the morning Tom was christened. Look. What's to see? Take this glass – you see one is labelled Tom and the other Chambers. (Reads on glass.) May 19th, 1836. Oh! that's a long time ago. Have you kept these all this time? (WARN CURTAIN) (X L. He gets two more from cabinet. X C. to table.) I have them again when they were seven years old. I'll cover the labels and see if you can tell me which is Tom's. (He holds his hand over labels, she looks through magnifying glass.) This one. (Uncovers the labels.) Read the labels. (Takes the two glasses and holds them up.) Well! by the great constitution of these United States! You're right. Now what does this mean. I never mislabelled one of those plates in all my life. Wait a minute. I have them here again when they were twelve years of age. (Goes to Cabinet, L. takes glass, compares the seven year and twelve year glasses.) They are alike. (He smiles at Rowy. Picks up third glass, compares it with the other two. Finds they are different. Crosses R.C., goes up stage, Rowy follows him anxiously. Turns and lifts the glasses over his head as if to break them. Rowy catches his arm.) (She pulls his arm slowly down and takes glasses out of his hand. Wilson walks slowly to chair R. of table. Rowy walks back of table and places glasses on table, watching Wilson all the time. Wilson sinks slowly in chair R. of table.) |
