" P U D D ' N H E A D    W I L S O N "

ACT IV.

TIME: Morning. (Lights: ambers and reds)
SCENE: Wilson's Office as before. Half a dozen large tracings of thumb marks on table C., and two or three tacked on wall L. Pantograph L. Lamp burning on table. Room in general disorder. Easel with glass strips on it, on table, C. Large hand magnifying glass on table, C.
DISCOVERED: Patsy and York.
(Enter Patsy and York at rise, door R.U.E. York's R. arm is in a sling. He is leaning on Patsy's arm.)
Driscoll.
          (R.C. on her R.)
This is mighty kind of you, Aunt Patsy, but I reckon I will be able to attend at the Court House today.

Patsy.
          (C.)
Well, Dave thought perhaps you wouldn't, so they have decided to carry on the trial here in Dave's office.

Driscoll.
          (Sit R. of C. table. She sits L. of table C.)
That was mighty considerate of him, but I think unnecessary.

Patsy.
          (R. of table C.)
It looks mighty bad for those twins.

Driscoll.
          (R.)
Especially as the deed was committed with the very knife they said they had lost.

Patsy.
Is it true the Count threatened you?

Driscoll.
In no way.

Patsy.
Angelo said they were returning from a moonlight walk and were attracted by your cries for help.

Wilson.
          (Off L.U.E.)
Patsy? Patsy?

Patsy.
          (Rises up. Go up L.)
Yes, Dave?

Wilson.
Tell Rowy to fetch me my breakfast. I'll be down in a minute.

Patsy.
All right, Dave. What do you think, that booby sat up here all night playing with those thumb things.
          (X down back of table C.)
I came down here broad day light – and – bless me there's that lamp still burning.
          (Lamp lighted table. Blows out lamp on table. York rising
          and going R.U.E.)

Driscoll.
          (Up R.C.)
Brushing up his law, I reckon. He is conducting the Count's defence. Say to him that I wish to express my thanks for his kindness, and trust he will do himself credit in this his first case.
          (Exit R.U.E.)

Patsy.
          (Back of table C.)
Case, and such a case as he's made of it. The laughing stock of the court room, judge, jury and all, with his everlasting reference to them thumb things.
          (At table picking up papers. Enter Dave Wilson L.U.E. to
          back of table L.)

Wilson.
          (Down C.)
Now, Patsy, don't set things to rights. Was that York talking to you just now?

Patsy.
          (Cross R. with lamp)
Yes. Looks mighty bad for the Count.

Wilson.
          (Bus[iness]: at table. Examining plate of glass etc.)
Did he say whom he suspected?

Patsy.
          (R.C.)
Say, Dave, do you think that Count had that knife all along?

Wilson.
          (C.)
Well I was inclined to, when I listened to the testimony at the trial yeaterday. But my investigations here last night have settled that. For the blood stain marks on the handle of the that knife –

Patsy.
Now for Heaven's sake, do leave that out. You just make yourself the biggest fool – everybody in town's laughing at you.

Wilson.
Well, I've gotten used to that. I reckon I can stand it a little longer. Tell Rowy to fetch me my coffee, Patsy.

Patsy.
          (X up L.C.)
Yes, Dave. Now Dave, do listen to sense. You were doing so nicely at the trial yesterday until you dragged in those thumb things, and then – my sakes alive! Now for goodness sakes don't do that again today. Or we'll just have to pack up and leave Dawson through sheer mortification.
          (Exit L.3.E. with lamp.)

Wilson.
          (Back of table C. looking at enlarged thumb marks as
          he speaks)
If we have to emigrate Patsy, it won't be for that. Now one of two persons made that attack on Judge Driscoll five days ago, yet as far as I can learn neither of them were in or near Dawson at the time, but that the blow was struck by Tom or Chambers, that I swear. But which? There's where I am stuck –
          (Taking up two glasses from small rack on table, C.)
and all by my own carelessmess in mislabelling those plates. But to accuse those twins, no more like their marks than my signature is like that of the illustrious autograph of John Hancock on the Declaration of Independence.
If I could but imagine a motive. Surely the Judge's death could not have advantaged Tom for the will was destroyed and Tom knew it. And he returned as soon as he heard of the attack, while Chambers has disappeared from St Louis and gone no one knows where.
          (Shakes his head walks to R. window.)
I am irretrievable damned if I lose this my first case.
          (Enter Rowy L.3.E. to back of table C. with coffee on
          salver, places it on table C.)
          (She is crying. He crosses to C. of table.)
Thank you dear, what's the matter? Been crying?
          (Begins to eat)

Rowy.
          (Back of table, L. end of it)
It's just a mean, wicked, nasty suspicious world, that's what it is.

Wilson.
Well, we are promised a better one by and by, but when I reflect on the number of disagreeable people who have gone there I am often moved to lead a different life.
          (Rowy crosses C. He sits back of table.)
What has happened?

Rowy.
That horrid Sheriff Blake has arrested Chambers in St Louis.

Wilson.
And brought him here?

Rowy.
Yes, and he said you told him to do it.

Wilson.
Now, Rowy, like a good girl don't let the grass grow under your feet until you run over to Sheriff Blake's and tell him to bring his prisoner here.
          (Wilson has seated himself at table L.C. and commenced
          to eat breakfast.)
          (Rowy going R.3.E. suddenly stops, returns down R.C.
          Exit R.C.)
I'm not sure Patsy, but we might as well pack up our effects at once. This looks more serious than I had thought.

          (Enter Tom R.3.E.)

Tom.
          (Comes down C. X L.)
Hello, Dave! Back to your old toys again, hey?

Wilson.
          (C. Examining glasses)
Yes. Must do something.
          (Tom cross L.)
Tom, why don't you give me your thumb mark again.

Tom.
          (L.)
Don't like the company. Niggers and whites too promiscuous. However, they say about here, you don't mind that.
          (Sit on L. corner of table, C.)
Well, I do. Hear Blake has arrested that nigger Chambers?

Wilson.
Yes, Tom I heard that.

Tom.
They say now, he did all that stealing.

Wilson.
They say? Why don't they come forward?

Tom.
What good? Niggers can't testify.

Wilson.
          (Drinking coffee)
Oh, niggers eh? They don't believe it was a woman, eh?

Tom.
Don't always follow that a woman's dress has got a woman in it.
          (Wilson is just swallowing some coffee and almost
          chokes. Long pause.)
          (Looks at Tom. Tom undoes a bundle that he has under his
          arm. Pulls out a flashy yellow dress. Rises)
Look here! Why didn't they look for this? And this?
          (Producing a small plaid shawl.)

Wilson.
          (Aside)
The very dress.
          (Aloud)
Where did you get that Tom?

Tom.
Found it.

Wilson.
Where?

Tom.
Chambers' garret room.

Wilson.
          (Aside)
Chambers?

Tom.
I heard you say there had been a strange woman seen and as I got a clue –

Wilson.
Where did you get that clue?

Tom.
Roxy.

Wilson.
Is she here?

Tom.
Here? don't 'spose she'd hang around here to appear against her own son, do you?
          (Tom sits on edge L. of table and looks at glasses
          on rack on table)

Wilson.
          (Watching Tom – Bus[iness]: with glass.)
But you know niggers can't testify, Tom.

Tom.
No, but she'd have to make a statement. Say, Dave Wilson –

Wilson.
What, Tom?

Tom.
Do you know you owe that nigger Chambers a grudge? Some mighty mean stories going about.

Wilson.
What stories, Tom?

Tom.
Well, you can't help what folks say.
          (Rises – Holds up glass. Bursts out in a rage and gets
          off table.)
There, that's what I object to. You got me right alongside of that nigger, Chambers.
          (Is about to dash it down on table with right hand
          towards Wilson)

Wilson.
          (Rise – back of table. Seizes his wrist.)
Now, Tom, don't, like a good boy, Tom.
          (Takes it from him – examining glass.)
What do folks say, Tom?

Tom.
They say your niece Rowy is in love with that nigger.

Wilson.
          (Holding up glass, sees where Tom has left his thumb mark,
          and comparing it while Tom is speaking with other glass.)
Great God!

Tom.
          (Startled – approaches him.)
What's the matter?

Wilson.
Don't, don't touch me –
          (Tom backs L., surprised.)
If that's what they say of my niece.

          (Enter Blake, (3); Rowy, (1); Chambers, (2) R.3.E.)
          (Blake speaks in door. Chambers and Rowy come R.C.
          Rowy stands on his L.)

Blake.
          (Up R.)
Hello, Tom.

Tom.
          (Down L. Aside)
Hit him hard that time.
          (Crosses to R. to Blake in door R.3.E. crossing in front
          of Chambers.)

Chambers.
          (Up C.)
Mornin', Marse Tom.

Blake.
          (At door R.)
Brought the prisoner, Dave.

Rowy.
          (L.C. To Chambers.)
Now don't you let them frighten you, not one of them.

Tom.
          (Aside to Blake in door.)
There what did I tell you. Can't you see she loves that nigger?
          (Exit R.3.E.)

Blake.
          (R.C. comes down R.)
Miss Mason, I'm shocked.

Rowy.
          (L.C.)
Well, who cares what you are?

Blake.
What would your paw have said?

Rowy.
My father would have said as I say, that you are all a set of cowards and I just want you to understand me, this is some trumped up story. A wicked lie invented by some enemy of Chambers and I know who, but I'm not going to be scared off by him or any of you.
          (Driscoll appears in D.R.3.E.)
I've been a lonely child with but one play fellow all my life, Chambers, no brother could have been kinder, and if I did not stand by him how, I'd be the most ungrateful girl alive.

Driscoll.
          (Advancing R.C.)
And you're right Rowy. This is some conspiracy to ruin my boy.

Rowy.
That's just what it is, Judge Driscoll, but it shan't succeed if I can help it, and if they think it unnatural in me to be loyal and grateful for a whole life of devotion, who protected, defended me always, who took by the throat the man who insulted me, as you have just done, Mr. Sheriff Blake, and made him get on his knees and ask my pardon. If this is unnatural then I am unnatural. There, now you know the exact state of my mind, all of you.
          (Crosses L. Blake goes up R.)

Driscoll.
          (Sits R. at desk.)
This is most distressing. Tom just told me of his arrest. Chambers, come here, sir.
          (Chambers crosses to him)
You never told me a lie in your life, did you?

Chambers.
          (R.C.)
Only maybe jus' in fun, like dat.

Driscoll.
          (R.)
Then answer now. Did you know anything of those robberies?

Chambers.
I didn't den, sir.

Driscoll.
          (R.)
Do you now?

Chambers.
          (R.C. Pauses)
Yes, sir.

Driscoll.
I – I – would not believe you to be a thief even if you were to say so.

Rowy.
No more would I.

Driscoll.
But, Miss Rowy, we are not this community.

Rowy.
And I'm mighty glad of it, Judge Driscoll.

Driscoll.
He must tell what he knows.

Chambers.
I'd die first.

Rowy.
          (Crosses L.C.)
Can't you see he has some good reason and if it's to shield his mother he's right. I glory in him. I'd do the same.

Chambers.
My mother jus' as innocent as I is, Miss Rowy, but I ain't gwine to speak no more.

Driscoll.
Sheriff Blake, you must do your duty then, but in a legal manner, sir. A complaint must be made.

Blake.
          (Comes down a little.)
Do you make the complaint, sir?

Driscoll
          (Rises and sits)
I? No, sir. By Gad! I shall defend him.

Wilson.
          (Who has been comparing the plates of Tom and Chambers
          with the mark Tom had just made L.C., behind table.)
I make the complaint, Sheriff.

Rowy.
          (L.)
Oh! Uncle!
          (Going L. to him.)

Driscoll.
          (R.C.)
You must not blame your uncle, Miss Rowy. He is doing his duty as a citizen. Meanwhile, Mr. Sheriff, I will be security for the boy.

Wilson.
So will I. You may leave him here if you will, sir.
          (Sits at table L.C. back of it.)

Blake
          (Up a little R.)
Just as you say. Court will be open in here in a few minutes. Gee! I got to look after that jury.
          (Exit R.U.3.E.)

Driscoll
          (Crossing R.U.)
Chambers, I did not think you would withhold your confidence from me.
          (Exit R.U.3.E. Chambers follows him sorrowfully to the
          door up R.)

Rowy
          (Going L. of Chambers)
Oh! Chambers, if it is not to shield your mother –

Wilson
Or the man who kidnapped your mother –

Chambers
          (Comes down R. of C. Rowy down L.C.)
What? What dat you say?

Wilson
Didn't you know she had been kidnapped and sold to John Moorehead down the river?
(Rowy crosses to behind Wilson's chair at table L.C. and stands watching Chambers)
Chambers
          (R.C.)
How you know dat? You see dat man Massa Moorehead? He tell you dat?

Wilson
No, did he tell you?

Chambers
No, sir.

Wilson
Who did?

Chambers.
I ain't gwine to tell.
          (Crosses to R. of table)

Wilson.
Hm! Hm! Rowy take these things out, will you?
          (He gives her salver with coffee cup, etc.)

Rowy.
          (L. of him.)
Oh, Uncle!

Wilson.
          (C.)
You leave all this to me. You'll thank me for it by and by, see if you don't.

Rowy.
If any harm comes to him I'll just leave Dawson and never show my face here again.
          (Exit L.3.E.)

Wilson.
I reckon that's what we'll all do. Sit down Chambers.
(Chambers looks amazed at him. Sits R. of table C. Wilson picks up dress which Tom has left from chair L. of table. Chambers sees it and looks surprised.)
Chambers.
Where'd you get dat?

Wilson.
Did you ever see that before?
          (For a moment he is taken back)

Chambers.
Yes, sir.

Wilson.
Where?

Chambers.
Tom's room, St. Louis.

Wilson
Oh!
          (He smiles and puts dress on chair L. of table.)

Chambers
When you left me dere to watch. I hear some one coming an' I hide under de bed. Den I peek out an' I see a woman, least I thought it was a woman till I see Tom take off dat. Den some one knock at de door. Tom awful scared.

Wilson.
Who was it? Moorehead?

Chambers.
No, my mother.

Wilson.
Roxy? Did you hear them talk?

Chambers.
Yes, sir.

Wilson.
What did they say?

Chambers.
          (Controlling himself and turning again towards Wilson.)
Marse Wilson. You sware you don't tell something I ask you? Jus one question? Has my mother got another child 'sides me?

Wilson.
          (L.C. Come in front of table.)
          (Clapping his hands in great delight and embracing
          Chambers)
Chambers, that question has immortalized you. That is the proverbial nutshell. Yes, I reckon she must have had another son.
          (Go L.C.)

Chambers.
          (R.C.)
Den he my brother, ain't he?

Wilson.
          (L.C.)
Oh! that's your interpretation of it, is it?

Chambers.
          (R.C.)
Dat's what she tell him. Dat she was his mudder, and dat he
mustn't sell me, but dat he got to treat me like his own brother. She say dat to him, I under de bed.

Wilson.
We must now find Roxy and save her from this man Moorehead.

Chambers
My mother free now. She here at de ole mill.

Wilson.
Did Tom pay Moorehead the money?

Chambers.
No. I belong to Marse Moorehead now.

Wilson.
You?

Chambers.
I were free, weren't I? I sell myself to Marse Moorehead to save my mother.
(Distant murmurs outside R.U.E. by Blake, Swan, Tom, Campbell and jury)
Wilson.
Court is assembling, I reckon.
          (Goes D.R.3.E. Chambers goes L.)
          (Enter Rowy and Patsy L.3.E. Wilson, Patsy and Rowy
          at R.U.E. Mutterings grow louder and threatening.)
Hello, the boys look angry.

Patsy.
          (X R. up)
What's going on out there, Dave Wilson?
          (Go to door R.3.E.)

Wilson.
          (At door R.3.E.)
Prayer-meeting, I reckon, Patsy.

Rowy.
          (At R.3.E.)
No, they are quarreling. Tom is with them.

          (Exit Patsy R.3.E.)

Wilson.
          (X C.)
Come here, Rowy.
          (She X to him)
Hide him somewhere till court opens. Then Chambers, go to the old mill and tell Roxy to come here. Say Tom wants her.

Rowy.
Is your mother here?

Wilson.
Don't let him be seen. The only danger now lies in that.

Rowy.
He is innocent, then?

Wilson.
          (Hand on his shoulder)
Innocent! He's the only original article. He's the beginning and end of innocence. He's altogether too pure for this world. Take him away –
          (X up to window C.)

Rowy.
          (L.C. Take his hand)
Oh! Chambers.

Chambers.
I reckon I wake up by and by and find out I been dreaming all this time, Miss Rowy.
          (Exit Chambers and Rowy L.3.E.)

Wilson.
          (X to back of table C.)
That's just what will happen, and then there will be a general waking from a night-mare for some.

Patsy.
          (Up R. Re-entering R.3.E.)
Dave Wilson, do you know what all this means?
          (Points off R.3.E.)

Wilson.
          (C.)
It means, Patsy, that we won't have to leave by the next boat any way.
          (Patsy X L.H.)
(Enter Blake, down R.C. Luiji and Angelo R.U.E. Wilson holds position at C. table. Twins and Patsy L. All others occupy the stage R. and C. Luiji and Angelo go to L. to Patsy. Swan, Blake and Campbell with four jurymen appear at door R.3.E. with Tom in the midst. He is violently harranging them. Blake R.C.)
Blake.
          (R.C.)
Tom Driscoll you mustn't talk to the jury, it's agin the law.
          (Goes R.)

Wilson.
          (L.C.) (C.) *
What's the argument Sheriff?

Blake.
          (R.)
Boys want to lynch Chambers.

Wilson.
Don't get excited Tom, Justice is omnipotent in Dawson. Wait.

Tom.
          (C.R.)
Why should we wait? Do you want him to escape you?
          (Swan and jury go down R.)
Don't you know he is here? That that girl Rowy –

Patsy.
          (Up L.C. Xes to C. to Tom Driscoll. Wilson X L. to twins)
Look here! Tom Driscoll, this ain't the first time I have heard of your insults to my girl. Now say, what you've got to say to me – and as for these, do you think a flock of chickens like that can scare me?

Campbell.
          (R.)
Chickens? Oh! now Patsy –

Swan.
          (R.C.)
Cricky, chickens – Now we wouldn't have said that about you Patsy.

Patsy.
What are you doing in my house, anyway? Get out! Get out! All of you.

          (General movement)

Blake.
          (R.C.)
This is the jury, Patsy. The gentlemen of the jury.
(Patsy go L.)
(Enter Judge Robinson, (1); Driscoll, (2) R.C. and Rowy R.3.E. Robinson and Driscoll come down R. Rowy X L. to Wilson and twins.)
Robinson.
          (C.)
What is this turmoil? Jury all here Sheriff?

Patsy.
          (L.C. to Robinson C.)
I should think they were.
          (X L. to twins)
(Enter Howard R.3.E. with two law books under his arm. X to Robinson C. table)
Howard.
          (R.C.)
How do, Patsy?
          (Sits at table C. back of it.)

Rowy.
          (Aside to Wilson, who is L. with twins)
He's gone!
          (Tom X L. of L. table – Tom goes to Howard L. of him
          and talk)

Blake.
          (R. Disposing of jury. Bring sofa to C.)
Let me see, four can sit here –
          (Point to sofa C. up stage)
          (Business of jury trying to sit on sofa.)
Maybe five.
          (All jury look about for chairs.)
Reckon you forgot the fixtures, Dave.

Wilson.
          (L.)
Oh! Chairs for the jury, Patsy.

Patsy.
          (L.C.)
Chairs? Cradles would be better.
          (All laugh)
          (Exit L.U.E. followed by Rowy. Bring on chairs L.3.)

Robinson.
          (C.)
Sheriff Blake, what is this I hear about lynching?

Blake.
          (Up C.R.)
Boy's a little bit sensitive, I reckon.

Robinson.
Senseless, you mean. Gentlemen, we will have no threats.
(The jury go up towards Robinson, expostulating, when re-enter Patsy and Rowy with chairs L.U.E. All make a dash for the ladies)
Swan.
          (Up L.C.)
Oh, Aunt Patsy, why didn't you –
          (They get chairs and begin to sit thus –)
          (Tom sits chair L. of table C.)

Blake.
          (R.)
Oh, now ladies if you had only said –

Swan.
          (R.)
Now, why didn't you let us do that, Miss Rowy? Where your niggers?
(General confusion in arranging of chairs for jury at back of stage in two rows R.)
(Judge Robinson sits R. Jury at back, Luiji and Angelo up stage L. to twins [sic]. Rowy and Patsy L. down stage. Blake stands R. of jury. Wilson and Howard at table C. Swan and Campbell R. end of front of jury. Tom L. end of table C.)
Robinson.
Take a seat here by me, York.
          (York sits R. below Robinson R. Robinson raps.)

Blake.
Order in de court.
          (Robinson sits R.)

Robinson.
          (R.)
We will now proceed with the case, and the prisoners need have no fear of violence.

Swan.
          (Rising)
Oh! 'Twan't agin de twins, Jedge. It were agin de nigger.
          (Robinson raps)

Blake.
Order in de court.

Swan.
          (Sits)
Yes, Judge.

Robinson.
Reckon this court can do its own lynching. The witnesses of both sides are present I presume.

Howard.
Your Honor the prosecution has but one more witness to examine.

Wilson.
And your Honor, I reckon the defense will have none.

          (General consternation)

Howard.
          (Rising and sitting.)
What?

Robinson.
You mean to say you produce no witnesses?

Wilson.
Some evidence your Honor – perhaps – which – but when the jury come to sift the facts.

Swan.
By cricky, it's a clean back down.

Howard.
          (Rising and sitting)
Your honor –

Swan.
          (Rising)
Your Honor – If this court don't object I'd like to know something.

          (Wilson goes to twins who are seated L. by cabinet)

Robinson.
          (R.)
What's that, Major?

Swan.
I'd like to know how this jury is going to sift any evidence if there ain't any evidence to sift? That is – if – er – if it's sifted already?
          (He tries to go on with his argument, but is overcome
          by anger)
Thunder! Pudd'nhead!

Campbell.
          (Rising)
You see, Judge, if there's only one side of the case – it's only just half a case, and what's the good of half a case?

Swan.
Any mor'n than half a dog.

          (General laughter.)

Blake.
Order in the court.

Robinson.
I reckon that's a question for the accused. If they are dissatisfied with council –

          (Wilson returns to his seat C. of table)

Luiji.
          (L. Rising)
Your Honor, we are quite satisfied.
          (Sits)
          (General astonishment)

Swan.
          (R. Arise)
That pair's just committing suicide with malice pretense.
          (Falls in his seat.)

Howard.
          (R. of C. table. Rise back of table.)
Your Honor, and gentlemen of the jury. I do not wonder at the amazement I see depicted on your faces. Does the council feel that his case is so lame, so halt and his conduct of it so imbecile, so brainless that he must regard no such evasions? But it will not avail. Does he imagine that without one witness he can come whining and whimpering into this court to beg in advance a merciful consideration at the hands of this intelligent jury? I say it will not avail. Is not this a pitiable spectacle, your Honor, but it is his first case – and alas, alas, has our poor friend who all these years has hung out his sign attorney at law, not read the lesson of neglect, that has attended his call for clients? Then let him read it now. In this feeble, senile, driveling admission, "we have no witnesses" – For I challenge your Honor's memory to recall the like in this or in any other court in all the land, but your Honor and gentlemen of the jury, let us be merciful, and with that feeling of sweet kindness we all feel and acknowledge towards this simple minded gentleman, for it must be said his nature is harmless. Yet would I council him to husband that remnant of reason yet left. I would entreat him to cling to his toys of glass, and leave the law for others to interpret.

Robinson.
Call your witness.

Swan.
Pudd'nhead ain't lookin' well.

Howard.
York Driscoll.
          (Sits)

Robinson.
          (Points to R. York rises R.)
I will swear the witness.
          (Driscoll stands R. above Robinson and is sworn in, done so
          by Robinson. York sits R.)

Patsy.
          (L.)
I'd like to see them lynch anybody in my house.

Rowy.
          (L.)
Hush, maw.

Patsy.
What for, those grasshoppers?

          (Driscoll sits R.)

Howard.
          (L. of table C. Rise.)
At the time of the assault, where were you?

Driscoll.
          (R.)
Seated in my library. I had been writing.

Howard.
A letter?

Driscoll.
No sir, my will. It was about mid-night, and I had fallen asleep.

Howard.
Had you heard any sound of footsteps?

Driscoll.
          (R.)
I thought so, but concluded I was mistaken.

Howard.
          (L. of table)
For what reason?

Driscoll.
When I had finished writing my will and signed it, I inadvertantly made a remark aloud to myself, as a man will at times, when I thought I heard a footstep on the hall stair. Thinking it might be one of my servants I called, getting no reply I took my lamp and ascended the stair, but found no one.

Howard.
You returned to your desk?

Driscoll.
Yes sir.

Howard.
You say you were alseep at the time of the attack?

Driscoll.
Dosing, I was aroused by the quick and heavy breathing of some one at my back. I started to my feet when the lamp was extinguished.

Howard.
By the intruder?

Driscoll.
That I cannot say, my own action might have done that. I had hardly risen when I felt the knife pierce by arm.

Howard.
And when the lamp was re-lighted where was that knife found?

Driscoll.
The Count held it in his hand.

Howard.
And they were discovered to be alone with you in the room at the time?

Dricoll.
Yes sir.

Howard.
That is all. The defense can take the witness.
          (Sits back of table.)
(General breath of relief and bustling. Jury whispers across. Wilson rises.)
(Robinson raps on table)
Blake.
          (R.)
Order in de court.

Wilson.
          (C. Rise R. of L. table.)
You say you were writing your will?

Driscoll.
Yes sir.

Wilson.
Did it lie open on your desk?

Driscoll.
          (R.)
Yes sir.

Wilson.
So that any one standing at your back could have read it over your shoulder?

Driscoll.
I presume so, yes. If anyone wished.

Wilson.
That's all.
          (Sits back of table C.)

Swan.
Mighty.

Campbell.
Cricky!

Howard.
          (Rises)
We rest your Honor.
          (Sits)

          (Wilson rises)

Patsy.
          (L.)
Oh, dear I wish I was out.

Rowy.
          (L.)
Maw, do be quiet.

Patsy.
I just knew he'd make us look ridiculous.

Swan.
          (Up stage)
Bet a dollar he flumixes before he opens his mouth.

Wilson.
          (C.L. Back of table)
Your honor, and gentlemen of the jury. Even the most perfect circumstantial evidence is likely to be at fault, and ought therefore to be received with great caution. We will take for example the sharpening of a pencil by a woman. If you have witnesses [to] this you will find she did it with a knife, and if you take the simple aspect of the pencil you will say she did it with her teeth.
          (General laughter)

Swan.
          (R.)
Now, what in thunder has that got to do with the case, I'd like to know.

Wilson.
One of the advantages of the halting lameness of this defense lies in the fact that no court in Dawson in my time – and I have heard every case in twenty years – ever got off with so little of my friend's frothy flow of talk. His vigorous mouthing – his vituperative compliment – his pitiful stabs and his admiring sneers – but his sympathy for my feeble mentality is at once like him and the marvelous breadth of his own reasoning machine "windy nothing." I ought not to refer to the welcome brevity of his opening address, for I fear a charge of tediousness may be brought against me, for the stream of my eloquence has been so long dammed up, its flow may not be so readily stayed as you or I, or he could wish. Now, your Honor and gentlemen of the jury, the single feature of this case, that is worthy of consideration as evidence, is, the blood stained marks upon the handle of that knife. And it has been claimed by the prosecution that those marks were made by the hand that dealt the blow – Well, we grant that –

Swan.
Mighty!
          (Omnes surprised)

Wilson.
But whose was the hand? Is this to be determined by mere conjecture, or by the indisputable evidence of facts. Now what are the facts? I propose to show you. Every human being carries with him from the cradle to the grave certain physical marks, which never change, and by which he can always be identified. These marks are his signature, with its lines, its curves, and its flourishes. But where is it? You ask. There where nature has placed it. And forever unchangeable. It is there on the ball of the thumb.

Patsy.
Oh. Lord! There he goes –
(Loud laugh. General merriment)
(Blake turns his face to the wall to hide his feelings)
(Robinson raps.)
Blake.
Order in this court!

Wilson.
I expected this. Therefore I am not embarrassed. Now the prosecution has declared that on the handle of that knife the would-be assassin has left his autograph. This is true. For, your Honor, and the gentlemen of the jury, there is but one man on God's green earth whose hand can duplicate that mark, and before the hands on that clock have reached the hour of noon I shall produce that man in this room.

          (General movement. Great sensation)

Howard.
          (Rise)
But, your Honor, without corroborated testimony –

Wilson.
Your Honor. In his opening address, the wise counsel for the prosecution used these words "with the imprint of his hand upon the handle of the knife."

Howard.
          (Rise)
And I say so still – but –

Wilson.
Then is it not important that we discover whose was the hand?

Howard.
But where are your witnesses?

Wilson.
I have promised to produce evidence, all the evidence that you or this jury will require.
          (Howard sits)
Your Honor and gentlemen of the jury. For more than twenty years while my sign has been hanging at my door and I have waited patiently for the client who never came, I have amused my compulsory leisure in the study of these physical signatures, and there is not in this room a man, woman or child whose autograph in that kind is not in that cabinet –
          (Take mirror from table C.)
and I now challenge any of you to leave the impression of his thumb on this glass when, if I fail to identify it amidst a multitude of others, I will follow the advice of my learned friend. I will nourish my sweet and gentle nature, my senile feeble-mindedness for evermore on toys of glass and leave the law for him alone to interpret.

          (Great attention throughout this.)

                                                  (MUSIC NO.19)

Robinson.
          (Rise X R.C.)
You reckon you can do that, Wilson?

Wilson.
          (Hand mirror to Robinson and X L.C.)
Try me.
Jury comes down stage and surrounds Robinson, R.C. Wilson turns his back and walks up L.)
Wilson.
All I ask of you gentlemen is that you rub your thumbs through your hair so, just to get a little of the natural grease.

          (Bus[iness]. of rubbing thumbs and making marks –)
          (Swan bus[iness]. of both thumbs.)

Patsy.
          (L.)
Grease, I'm just sick.

Rowy.
          (L.)
Maw, go make your mark.

Patsy.
What, take me for a fool?
          (Pause)

Howard.
Ha! Ha! Ha! Tom I reckon this will beat the dog story.

Tom.
          (Trying to laugh)
Do you think he can do it?

Howard.
Do it? No more than he could convict you of this crime. Either he's a downright fool or I am.

Robinson.
All ready, Wilson.

Wilson.
          (X to group C. take mirror.)
Now, do you all know your marks, gentlemen?

Omnes.
Yes.

Patsy.
          (L.)
Come here and sit down, you Rowena Mason. One fool in this family's enough.

Wilson.
          (C.)
This is Swan's, that Judge Driscoll's, that is your Honor's presiding, that's Campbell's, that's Pierce's, that Stull's, that's Brook's. This is my niece, Rowy's.

Rowy.
          (C. near Wilson. X L. and sit as before.)
Ha! ha! ha! There maw.

Wilson.
That's Smith's.
          (Wilson hesitates slightly over this one, and everyone pays
          greatest attention)
This one is Swan's again, but this time with his left hand.
(Each one answers yes to his name. All return to seats, regarding Wilson with utter astonishment.)
Omnes.
Well!

Blake.
Well, I'll be gol darned.

Campbell.
Gimminy!

Robinson.
This certainly approaches the miraculous.

          (All seated as before.)

Wilson.
Now your Honor and gentlemen of the jury. I have here an accurately traced copy of the thumb mark on the handle of that knife, enlarged with this instrument, called the pantograph, and here another of the accused, enlarged in the same way. I ask your Honor and gentlemen of the jury to compare them, and tell me if they are alike in any respect.
(He hands the copies to Robinson who hands it to Blake – who hands it to jury. Jurors look at them.)
Jurors, Campbell and Swan.
No, no, not a bit.
          (Ad lib)

Swan.
Different as kin be.
          (Blake hands them to Judge.)

Campbell.
Now who'd thought it.

Wilson.
Now your Honor, here is another, compare this one with the one I have taken from the knife, and tell me if they are alike.
          (Same bus[iness]. Pass to jury as before.)

Swan.
Dem two's just alike. Cricky! whose be they Dave?

Campbell.
Now don't that beat all!

Wilson.
By degrees, gentlemen, we will proceed to find the owner of this signature. For, as I have said, his hand alone could make it. That is the imprint of an infant's thumb, taken at the age of four months.
          (L. Enter Chambers and Roxy. They stand in door
          R.3.E. unseen)
And it is labeled as I have always labeled them, not the next day, nor the next hour, but in the very moment and it is labeled with the name of Chambers!

          (Roxy and Chambers come down R.C.)

Tom.
          (Starting up. L.)
There he is.
          (All rise)
Hang the nigger, don't let him speak.
(All make a rush for Chambers)
(Wilson places himself in front of them. Judge Driscoll R. pulls Chambers behind him, and Rowy runs over to him.)
Rowy.
          (L.)
Oh! Judge, don't let them.

          (General commotion)

Wilson.
Tom, have patience. I've not done yet.

Robinson.
          (R.)
Who said that?

Tom.
          (L.)
I said it. Hang the nigger.

Blake
Order in the court.

          (Jury and Judge sit muttering)

Wilson.
          (L.C.)
I shall now gratify the desire of my learned opponent, and call one witness to the stand.

Omnes.
Who?

Wilson.
Myself.

Howard.
You?

Wilson.
Where I shall testify under oath that the hand that left its mark upon the handle of that knife was that of the woman I saw on the morning after the robbery, but that it was not a woman, but a man in the guise of a woman. And that that knife was stolen by that disguised man on that very night, and has ever since been in his possession. All this I say, I will swear, and I shall further convince this jury that York Driscoll was not mistaken when he thought he heard that footfall on the stair. And that the quick and heavy breathing he felt over his shoulder only a moment before the blow was struck, was the breath of that man, whose purpose there at first was robbery, until over the shoulder of his sleeping
victim he read that will, in which his future and his fortume lay. Unless York Driscoll should again change his mind, and that he should not, he determined then and there to assassinate him.
          (Sensation)

Driscoll.
          (R.)
In Heaven's name what are you saying? Have you lost your senses?

Wilson.
          (C.)
No more than you or this community have found yours. But you shall. For I now call on that hound, that Chambers, that inhuman natural son, who sold his own mother into slavery to pay a gambling debt, – to stand forward and confess.

Roxy.
          (Down R.C.)
What! You say he do dat, dat Chambers?
          (Roxy points to Chambers R.)

Wilson.
          (C.)
No, not the Chambers who stands here, but the other Chambers whom you for four and twenty years have palmed off on this community as Thomas À Becket Driscoll, and who sits there.
          (Holding out mirror)
I call on him to come forward and leave his mark on this mirror.
(Every one rises. Tom rises. Wilson holds glass towards him. He hesitates, tries to put his thumb on the glass, but has not the courage, and falls in a faint.)
(Chambers, (2) and Roxy, (1) rush to Tom L. Kneel etc. – Roxy L. of Chambers – she takes his hand up.)
Wilson.
But it is needless. He has confessed, and I am done.

          (Roxy runs to Tom L. – also.)

                          (MUSIC CHANGES to No 2 till Curtain.)

Roxy.
          (Looking at Tom.)
He no 'count nohow. Mus be de nigger in him.

Driscoll.
          (R.)
In heaven's name, what is the meaning of this?

          (Other characters have assembled up C.)

Wilson
          (L.C.)
Ask Roxy.

Driscoll.
          (R.)
Speak, Roxy.

Roxy.
          (L.C. Kneeling holding Tom's head.)
I didn't do it. Miss Patsy, she do dat herself.

Patsy.
          (L.)
What, you infamous old witch, what?

Roxy.
It was all done at de christening. She toted the wrong chile to church. I was 'sleep dat time, jus dose off for a minute.

Chambers.
          (X C.R. At Tom.)
          (Tom is gasping for air.)
Poor Marse Tom. Judge – look, look.

                                                        WARN CURTAIN.

          (Tom recovers)

Driscoll.
          (R.)
What, you pity that villain, who robbed you of your birthright, whose murderous hand attempted my life?

Roxy.
          (R.C.)
          (As she drops his head and rises, Tom staggers to his seat
          L. of table.)
What! You say he do dat? And I tell him you – his –
well – he know I his mother, yet he sells me, and for $650.

Chambers.
          (R.C.)
No. You free, now. I b'long to Marse Moorehead.

Roxy.
          (L. of him)
What, you tink I let you do dat? Even if you could? No.
          (On her knees to Chambers. Blake down R.)
Heaven bless you, sir and forgive me, no, I go dere myself. He, he aint worth $650.
          (Roxy starts up stage R.U. Driscoll stops her, and shakes
          his head. Rowy Xes over to Chambers.)

Rowy.
Look here, Mr. Sheriff Blake, what you reckon my father say to this?
          (She throws her arms around Chamber's neck and looks
          defiantly at Sheriff Blake – who has come down R.)

Blake.
Order in de court.
          (Go up C.R.)

          (Rowy and Chambers X R.)

Robinson.
          (R.)
Prosecution, do you propose to go further?

Howard.
          (At table L.C.)
No.

Robinson.
Then the case goes to the jury.

Swan.
          (Up R.C.)
Don't seem to be any case agin the twins, Jedge. But it this court don't object there's one thing this jury would like to find out.

Robinson.
What's that, Major?

Swan.
What in thunder Dave Wilson wanted to do with the other half of dat dog?
(All walk down C. Pudd'nhead faces up stage C. and starts to explain.)
– C U R T A I N –



Homepage