ENLISTED FOR THE WAR; OR, THE HOME-GUARD. (continued 2)

Rowell.

Do you refuse to purchase the Trueworth Farm?

Hosea.

Decidedly I do.

Hiram

(comes down). Do I understand you, colonel? You wish to dispose of Trueworth Farm?

Rowell.

What's that to you?

Hiram.

If you want to sell, I'm your customer.

Rowell.

You?

Hosea.

You? Why, Hiram Jenks, where can you find the money?

Hiram.

No matter, dad. Name your price, colonel.

Rowell.

Fifteen hundred dollars.

Hiram

(takes a wallet from his pocket, and slaps it on table). There's your money.

Hosea.

The boy's crazy. (Aside to H.) I say, Hiram, what are you about? You wouldn't let me buy it, and now—

Hiram.

I want it: you forget you are under suspicion. Uncle Sam might confiscate your property at any moment, and the farm would go with it.

Hosea.

Oh, what a head, what a head! And I thought him a boy!

Hiram.

If you want the money to-night, write a receipt, and take it. We will pass the papers in the morning.

Rowell

(goes to table, R., and writes). Certainly. 73

Hiram

(takes paper from his pocket). As I have had some thoughts of making you an offer for the property, I have drawn up an agreement. Sign that, and I am satisfied.

Rowell

(takes paper, and looks at it). This is satisfactory. (Signs.)

Hiram.

Now, dad, if you will witness it. (Takes bills from wallet.)

Hosea.

Certainly. (Signs. Aside.) Where could that boy have got his money?

Hiram

(taking paper, and laying down bills). You'll find that all right.

Rowell

(counting money). All correct. I will see you at Lawyer Ware's office, to-morrow at nine. Is that satisfactory?

Hiram.

Perfectly. Come, dad, let's look after the office.

Hosea.

Yes, to the office, where I shall take the first opportunity to write to the Postmaster General, resigning my office.

Rowell.

Do it at your peril!

Hosea.

No: I shall do it at my office. Ha, ha, ha! Why, I'm getting back into my old humor, thanks to the boy. What a head! I used to look in his face, and think I saw a fool. I was wrong: I should have looked in a glass.

Rowell.

I hope the farm will pay you better than it has me, Hiram.

Hiram.

No doubt it will. (Aside.) If Miss Mattie Trueworth wants Trueworth Farm, she'll have to look this way. Come, dad! 74

Hosea.

Good-by, colonel: if you want your next mail, you'll have to come for it. (Hiram goes up, followed by Hosea; meet Gaylie and Mattie coming in; Mattie comes down R., is stopped by Hiram; Gaylie speaks with Hosea, L. C.)

Hiram.

Mattie, won't you make up?

Mattie.

No, sir: I have higher aspirations.

Hiram

(tragically). I know: to the owner of Trueworth Farm! Mattie, it's hard to lose you, but it's for the best: I see my error. I cannot win you; and so I freely give you up to a better, a richer man,—the owner of Trueworth Farm. Farewell! (Clasps her in his arms quick, and kisses her: she screams; he runs off C.)

Mattie.

Well, I never! what does he mean? He give me up? He shall do no such thing. Dear, dear! have I lost him? Hiram, Hiram! (Runs off C.)

Gaylie.

Your son has gone, Mr. Jenks.

Hosea.

Has he? I must run after him. I can't bear to have him out of my sight: I'm so proud of him! (Aside.) He might repent, and give me up. [Exit C.

Rowell

(as Gaylie comes down). Gaylie, may I ask a favor of you? I have been making a sale to-night, and have here fifteen hundred dollars: will you give me your check for it? I want to send it to-night.

Gaylie.

Certainly! you'll find my check-book in the next room. Please bring it to me, colonel. (Rowell bows, and exits L.; Gaylie sits in chair R., and looks after him.) That man loves me, for two years has been my devoted slave; and now the time has come for me to speak plainly. He tells me there is no 75longer reason for delay: he is right. He thinks his long period of devotion deserves a recompense: he shall have it. And the other, Rob Trueworth, who left here four years ago,—does he still love me? (Smiles.) Can I doubt it? Yet I must speak to-night, speak plainly. He believes that he has won me: I can see it in his proud step, the triumphant glance of his eye. Is he right? (Smiles.) Can I doubt that? (Enter Rowell L., with check-book.) I'm so sorry to trouble you, colonel! (Takes book.) Fifteen hundred, you say? (Writes check.)

Rowell

(laying down bills). Yes: you'll find the bills here.

Gaylie.

So you have made a sale to-night, colonel?

Rowell.

Yes: Trueworth Farm.

Gaylie.

Sold Trueworth Farm? And you refused to sell it to me four years ago!

Rowell.

Yes,—yes, I remember. I didn't like to part with it now, but I wanted money—

Gaylie

(rising). Oh! I bear you no malice, colonel. (Gives check.)

Rowell.

Thank you. And now, Gaylie, that we are alone, may I once more press you for an answer? (Takes her hand, and puts his arm about her waist.) You know how dearly I love you: make me happy by saying that you return that love.

Gaylie.

And would that really make you happy, colonel?

Rowell.

Happy? The happiest of men!

Gaylie

(drawing herself up). Then hear me, Col. Rowell! (Enter L. Mrs. Trueworth, with shawl and 76bonnet added to her former costume, and a large band-box in her hand.)

Rowell.

Oh, speak, Gaylie! tell me you love me!

Mrs. T.

Before you do, Gaylie, let me get out of this house. (Gaylie goes R., Rowell L.)

Gaylie.

Mother, what does this mean?

Mrs. T.

Mother! you have no right to call me by that name: you have disgraced it. Four years ago you plighted vows with my dear boy; he went to battle, trusting in your promise: and now another's arms are about you, another's voice pleading to you for words which tremble on your lips. O Gaylie! how I have loved you, you may never know; but I love my boy, and he shall not come here to have his noble heart broken at the sight of his rival, a favored suitor. No: I thank you for all your kindness to me, but—my boy's coming, and I'll go to meet him: he has no one to love him now so tenderly as his old mother, bless him! 'Twill be a hard blow after all his love and hope and faith. O Gaylie, Gaylie! you've broken my heart! (Drops her box, and staggers forward; Gaylie runs, and catches her in her arms.)

Gaylie.

O mother, mother! this must not be! Stay here; this is your home: here Rob will come—

Mrs. T.

Not in that man's presence will I meet my boy.

Rowell

(aside). The old lady's complimentary. (Aloud.) I think Mrs. Trueworth is right, Gaylie. It would certainly be unpleasant to young Trueworth to see our happiness.

Gaylie.

I beg your pardon, colonel; I have not spoken yet. 77

Mrs. T.

Let me go, Gaylie: I cannot stay here!

Gaylie.

You must, you shall, mother! You have heard the colonel: now hear me.

Mrs. T.

No, no! I will go. Hark! what's that? (Distant chorus; sings the chorus of "Marching through Georgia.")

Gaylie.

At last, at last! They've come, mother, they've come. Hear me. Within myself, and to myself, I made a vow that I would keep Col. Rowell in suspense until I heard the victorious shouts of our returning heroes. They come, and I can speak; hear me: Col. Rowell, you have asked me to be your wife: I answer, No; for I detest you. (Mrs. Trueworth goes over to chair, R.)

Rowell.

Gaylie, what is this? are you in earnest?

Gaylie.

Four years ago I defied you; enlisted, for the war between you and my hero, on his side, not yours. I have kept the faith: I have battled you from that time to this, and won the victory.

Rowell.

Battled! victory! I do not understand you.

Gaylie.

You sought to keep us apart, and, to that end, intercepted our letters.

Rowell.

No, no! you are mistaken! I—I am innocent of any such crime. (Enter Hiram, R.)

Gaylie.

Here is my witness. 'Twas he who aided me in outwitting you. For the last two years our letters have passed under cover of his name. Those you have stopped were decoys.

Rowell

(aside). What a fool I have been!

Gaylie.

You sought to keep my hero in the ranks. Perhaps you will recollect the first letter which reached 78him. 'Twas sent by the hands of a trusty messenger. (Enter Crimp, L.) 'Twas delivered in your presence.

Crimp.

Yaas, colonel; d-d-don't shoot!

Rowell

(aside). Oh, curse the girl! she has outwitted me.

Gaylie.

You sought to keep him down; and so I decoyed you here, believing that your presence, hateful as it had become, was necessary to the exaltation of Rob Trueworth. I have used a woman's art, coquetry; but the end justifies the means. So you see, colonel, the Home Guard has a right to claim the victory. Home Guard, attention! fall in! (She stands L. Hiram takes his place next her, and Crimp next up stage. Gaylie then faces them.)

Gaylie.

Comrades, your general, ahem! is proud of you; we have fought together; we have conquered. Now let us march to meet the returning heroes. (Steps back beside Hiram.) Home Guard, attention! Eyes right! eyes left! Salute! (They salute. Chorus repeated outside, "Marching through Georgia," nearer. Enter Rob, in full uniform of a colonel.) Ah! Rob, Rob! he's come, mother, he's come! (Runs into Rob's arms.)

Mrs. T.

(springing up). O Rob, boy! welcome, welcome, welcome!

Rob.

Dear, dear mother! (Enter Mattie, L.)

Mattie.

Where is he? O Brother Rob! (Runs into his arms.) This is glorious!

Rob.

Thanks for your hearty welcome. Ah, Hiram! (Shakes hands.) And Crimp!

Crimp.

Yaas, indeed! how is yer? an' how is 79Boxer? an'—an' ole smoke-jack? Gay times in ole Virginny, two years ago. I'm obleeged to you.

Rob

(comes down to L., where Rowell stands with his back to him, and his arms folded). Wilder Rowell, the regiment with which you set out for the battle-field has returned under command of its new colonel, myself.

Rowell

(turns round). You the colonel of the 10th?

Rob.

I am happy to say I have won that distinction. Won it! do you hear? You would have kept me in the ranks; but thanks to woman's wit, and military justice, you were removed in time. I now return to claim my bride. (Turns up stage.)

Rowell

(turns away). Oh, I have failed,—miserably failed! I cannot bear to see their happiness. (All are gathered about Rob, up stage.) I was so sure of her! and she has been laughing at me all this time. I wish I could hate her; but no, no, it's impossible. I played for her fortune, and I ended in loving her as I can never love again. They are busy: I'll slip away. Oh! this may be justice for them: 'tis ruin, utter ruin, for me. [Exit L.

Hiram

(leads Mattie down R.) Now, Mattie, Rob has returned, and Gaylie is true to him. Col. Rowell, of course, is in the market.

Mattie.

I don't care if he is: I don't want him!

Hiram.

But you want Trueworth Farm.

Mattie.

Not if I must take its owner.

Hiram.

No? not when his name is Hiram Jenks? It's mine, Mattie: I bought it to-night. Come, let's kiss and make up: do, now, do! (Kiss and retire up, arm in arm. Rob and Gaylie come down.) 80

Rob.

Gaylie, how can I ever thank you for making me what I am?

Gaylie.

Nonsense, Rob! you made yourself. If I did help a little, 'twas for my own pride; for I always wanted to be a colonel's wife. Ahem!

Crimp

(down L.). So did I. Yaas, yaas! I'm obleeged to you. No, no, dat's a bifstake: dat's a bifstake. I mean—I mean—wh-w-w-what do I mean? I mean to go an' let off dem ar squabs; make a blaze; cos de colonel's come; yaas, indeed!

Hiram

(R.). Wait, Crimp: the colonel's going to speak.

Crimp.

Yaas, indeed! I's waiting with both years wide open tight. I'm obleeged to you.

Rob

(C. with Gaylie). Ladies and gentlemen of the Home Guard, accept my thanks for your kind and valuable assistance in the campaign just closed. Ever grateful must our country's defenders be to the strong arms and tender hands, loving hearts and watchful eyes, that cared for the old folks at home, when they were in the field.

Gaylie

(C.). Ahem! Colonel, in behalf of the Home Guard, I give you a hearty welcome home. If our efforts have won your approbation, if—There, I've broken down! O Rob, Rob! I'm so glad to get you back! we'll be a happy family now, won't we, mother?

Mrs. T.

(comes down R. C.). Indeed we will, Gaylie. My own boy back again, thank Heaven! The skies will be bright now.

Rob.

Ay, mother! bright to herald the coming of peace, with all its blessings. We have fought the 81good fight: we have conquered. Henceforth the land we love is free.

Crimp.

Das a fac', an' I am one on 'em; I'm obleeged to you.

Gaylie.

Yes, we have conquered; and, though "the girl you left behind you" has done but little for the cause, she carried into it a loyal and a willing heart; and, if her hero is satisfied, she will never regret having "enlisted for the war." Hiram and Mattie, R. Mrs. T., Rob, Gaylie, C. Crimp, L. Curtain.

85