Chapter IV: Act III: A Lapse of Four Years

=Scene 1=: A CAMP IN THE ARMY.

_Discovered at rise of curtain: HENRY in Captain's uniform,
and REGINALD as a private, both seated on camp-stools, R. 2 E.
CORIOLANUS, as private, sitting near the fire, R. C. DOLLERCLUTCH,
as private, asleep in front of tent, L. 4 E. ADOLPHUS, as private,
doing sentinel duty, L. 1 E._

=Hen.= When did you hear from home last, Reginald?

=Reg.= A week ago.

=Hen.= And how is your little Alice?

=Reg.= When last I heard, she was well. Oh, Henry! she is the only joy in my life. The future of my child is the only thing that keeps me from despair. I live in hopes that I shall one day clasp my child to my bosom. Oh, the yearning of a father's heart! And now that we are so near to her, I almost feel tempted to shirk my duty and satisfy the longing to see my beloved child.

=Hen.= We are only six miles away from your home, I believe you said?

=Reg.= Yes! day by day have we been drawing closer to it. And it is nearly four years since I left the scene, never to return to it again. [_He turns away._]

=Hen.= Reginald, I sincerely sympathize with you in your trouble. [_Takes him by the hand._] Adrienne has wronged you deeply. She----

=Reg.= [_Checks him._] Henry, she is your sister, but do not forget that she is my _wife_. I cannot listen to her condemnation even from you.

=Hen.= Well, Reginald, I respect your wishes. But cheer up! I have faith to believe that all will be right again--that some day will see you reunited and happy.

=Reg.= [_Shakes his head._] This will be my only happiness, Henry. [_Shows picture of child._]

=Hen.= Is this the picture of my niece? Why, she doesn't look a bit like Adrienne!

=Reg.= No! the resemblance is to _my_ family. I can now readily understand why my father wrote to me, soon after the child's birth, asking the privilege of naming it. She bears a striking resemblance to my little sister.

=Hen.= Your sister! I never knew you had a sister!

=Reg.= No! because that is the skeleton in our family closet. Her name was Alice. When but three months old she was stolen from the cradle. All effort to recover the child proved fruitless. Her disappearance has since remained a mystery. Grief over our loss brought my mother to an early grave. My father sacrificed his all in the hope of recovering the child, but all his efforts proved unavailing. This happened eighteen years ago, and we know not whether she be living or not, but we mourn her as dead.

=Hen.= And had you no suspicion as to who stole the child?

=Reg.= None. My father did not think he had an enemy in the world.

=Hen.= Strange! very strange! The ways of Providence are mysterious, and we must bow with resignation to His Divine Will. One moment, Reginald. [_To ADOLPHUS._] Adolphus!

=Adol.= [_Salutes._] Captain, I await your orders.

=Hen.= Go to the officers' tent and inquire whether the mail has arrived.

=Adol.= [_Salutes._] All right, Captain! [=Exit= _L. 1 E._]

=Hen.= [_To CORIOLANUS._] Coriolanus! [_CORIOLANUS rises and salutes._] Take his post as sentinel! [_CORIOLANUS salutes and takes his post. To REGINALD._] It is remarkable what a change there is in Adolphus. When I drafted him I thought he would make a poor soldier, he was so cowardly; but he has turned out to be one of the bravest men in the regiment. A soldier's life has made a man of him.

=Reg.= It has, indeed! I have often wanted to ask you what ever became of his chum, Sammy. I thought you had drafted him, also.

=Hen.= I did; but he had plenty of money, and furnished a substitute. I wish the mail would arrive. [_Rises._] By the way, Reginald, did your last letter mention anything about any of the rest of your household?

=Reg.= [_Rises._] For instance, Hilda? Ha! ha! ha! Oh, you sly rogue! Henry, I remember a conversation we had, when you asked me to show you a woman devoid of fashion's frivolities--ha! ha! ha! Perhaps, now _you_ can show one--ha! ha! ha! What! Henry, the recluse, the woman-hater, in love with a woman? Wonderful! Ha! ha! ha!

=Hen.= Well, I'll acknowledge the corn; but I didn't know a sensible woman until I met Hilda Wallace, whose quiet and unassuming manners struck the chord of affinity in my nature.

=Reg.= [_Takes him by the hand._] Well, well, I'm glad of the transformation, and I hope your future will not be marred by disappointment. [_DOLLERCLUTCH snores._]

=Enter= _ADOLPHUS, L. 1 E._

=Hen.= [_To ADOLPHUS._] Well?

=Adol.= [_Salutes._] The mail has not arrived, Captain! [REGINALD =Exits= _into tent, C. DOLLERCLUTCH snores._]

=Hen.= Pshaw! just tickle that fellow with your boot! [_ADOLPHUS about to do so._]

=Dol.= [_Dreaming._] Oh, Anastasia! [_ADOLPHUS, L. C. HENRY, C. DOLLERCLUTCH asleep, L. CORIOLANUS, down L._]

=Hen.= Listen! He's dreaming!

=Dol.= Anastasia, beloved! oh, fly--fly to my arms!

=Hen.= Ha! ha! ha! I wonder whether she's got wings? [_DOLLERCLUTCH talks again._] But, listen!

=Dol.= [_Starting._] The rebs are coming--the rebs are coming! Where shall I hide myself? I'll be killed if I stay here. [_Sits upright._] Don't shoot! [_He fights imaginary rebels._] Don't shoot--don't! [_Awakes._]

=Hen.= Look out! the rebs are coming! Ha! ha! ha!

=Dol.= [_Getting on his feet. Aside._] Confound it all! I must have been dreaming.

=Hen.= Ha! ha! ha! We've found you out at last, old Dollerclutch. You are a _brave_ man, George Washington. I thought I never did see you when we went into an engagement--now I can account for it.

=Dol.= [_L. C._] Sir! I have always been where the fight was thickest.

=Cor.= [_Aside._] After it was over.

=Hen.= _You_ mean George Washington was--but I mean George Washington Dollerclutch.

=Dol.= Sir! Do you mean to insinuate that my bravery is a matter of doubt? You wrong me, sir! You wrong me, I can assure you. My deeds of valor have saved the day many a time--many a time. Do you understand? But my modesty won't allow me to speak of them. Even in my childhood was I noted for my bravery. I took Mrs. Winslow's soothing syrup with the most unflinching courage. Nothing would delight me more than a hand-to-hand encounter with a whole regiment of rebels. I would glory in the chance, sir! I have smelt powder many times. [_He shoots off his revolver, smells the smoke from the barrel, and struts the stage. HENRY whispers to ADOLPHUS and points to DOLLERCLUTCH._]

=Adol.= [_Aside to HENRY._] All right, captain; I understand! [_He steals off cautiously, L. 2 E. HENRY beckons to CORIOLANUS to follow him, enjoining caution._ =Exeunt=, _R. 2 E. All this is done unperceived by DOLLERCLUTCH._]

=Dol.= To take me for a coward--bah! Gentlemen, you don't know! you--[_Turns and finds them gone._] Hello! where the deuce did they go? [_Looks around in the different tents._]

=Enter= _ADOLPHUS, L. 2 E., in a rebel suit, with gun and false
whiskers. He is not noticed by DOLLERCLUTCH. ADOLPHUS brings his
gun to shoulder and points it at DOLLERCLUTCH._

=Adol.= [_L. C._] Halt, and surrender. [_DOLLERCLUTCH at tent, R. 5 E. He turns suddenly in a fright--his knees knock together--he raises his hands and tries to speak._] Don't move a muscle or I'll bore you.

=Dol.= [_C._] Don't shoot! Oh, please don't shoot. Please, Mr. Rebel, I have sixteen small children. Oh! consider what will become of them when I am taken from them! [_ADOLPHUS drops his gun. Aside._] Ah! that melted him! [_ADOLPHUS raises gun again._] Oh! oh!

=Adol.= Remove your cap! [_DOLLERCLUTCH complies with all._] Place it on the ground. Take off your coat. Place it with your cap! [_ADOLPHUS takes off his cap and throws it to him._] Put it on! [_Takes off his coat and throws it to DOLLERCLUTCH._] Put it on! [_He gathers up DOLLERCLUTCH'S clothes._] Now sit down. [_DOLLERCLUTCH goes for stool._] No, no, on the ground! Take hold of your toes! Now sit there till I come back. [=Exit= _L. 2 E._]

=Dol.= [_Looking around._] This is the toughest scrape I was ever in. The camp has been surprised by the rebels. They are all captured. Oh, Anastasia, I'm done for!

=Enter= _HENRY, R. 4 E., followed by CORIOLANUS. ADOLPHUS
re-enters, L. 2 E., in his regular uniform._

=Hen.= [_CORIOLANUS R., HENRY R. C., DOLLERCLUTCH C., ADOLPHUS L. C. Pounces upon DOLLERCLUTCH._] I've got the rebel, boys. Get some cords, quick! [_ADOLPHUS gets them, L. 3 E._]

=Dol.= [_Struggling._] Hold on, Captain! Let me go; it's me!

=Corio.= Let's hang the rebel to a tree, Captain! He's a spy!

=Dol.= I tell you, Captain, it's me--don't you hear me?

=Adol.= Let's tie him to a stake and riddle him with bullets.

=Corio.= [_Aside._] I'll get even with him now for the indignity he heaped upon me four years ago.

=Dol.= [_Struggling._] Oh!

=Hen.= I'll tell you what we'll do! We will give him a sound switching first. Then we'll hang him for a spy.

=Corio.= [_Eagerly._] Let me do the switching, Captain. [_Gets switch, L. 3 E. Aside._] I'll give it him hot!

=Dol.= Oh, Lord! I shall die! [_CORIOLANUS returns._]

=Corio.= Now, you rebel, [_cuts him with switch_] how does that feel?

=Dol.= You infernal rascal! I'll--[_CORIOLANUS cuts him again._] Oh!

=Corio.= Fits close, eh? [_Cuts again._]

=Dol.= [_Struggling._] Oh! oh! [_Pleads._] Good Coriolanus, please--please don't! [_CORIOLANUS cuts again._] Oh! Don't you know your old friend, Dollerclutch?

=Corio.= Dollerclutch? You? Oh, no! you're not Dollerclutch. Dollerclutch is a _brave_ man. Oh, no! you're a black-hearted rebel. [_Cuts him again._]

=Dol.= Oh! oh!

=Hen.= [_To CORIOLANUS._] Hold! Let me look at him! Ha! ha! ha! It is Dollerclutch, by all that's wonderful! [_Releases DOLLERCLUTCH._] Ha! ha! ha! a good joke!

=Dol.= [_Rises to his feet._] A joke, sir? Do you call that a joke? But, I'll now give you an exhibition of my bravery, sir! [_Pounces suddenly upon CORIOLANUS. They struggle off, L. 3 E. All laugh._]

=Adol.= I guess we've taken the conceit out of him, Captain!

=Hen.= Yes, I hope it will prove a wholesome lesson to him.

=Enter= _RALPH, L. 2 E., with letters, which he pulls from his
pocket. A large wallet drops unnoticed by him from his pocket, near
stool, L. 2 E._

=Ralph.= [_C._] Good afternoon, Henry!

=Hen.= [_Aside._] The mail at last! [_To RALPH._] Good afternoon, Murdell! The mail?

=Ralph.= [_R. C._] Yes! [_Sorting letters._] Any news from the front?

=Hen.= Yes! Grant has flanked Lee and is pressing him hard.

=Ralph.= Good! He'll worry him out soon. [_Hands letter to HENRY._]

=Re-enter= _DOLLERCLUTCH, L. 3 E.; CORIOLANUS, L. 2 E._

=Hen.= Thanks, Major! [_Retires up stage and reads letter._]

=Ralph.= [_Reads from envelope._] Adolphus Softhead!

=Adol.= [_Comes forward._] Thank you, Major! [_Salutes, and retires up stage reading._]

=Ralph.= [_As before._] George Washington Dollerclutch.

=Dol.= [_Comes down._] That's me, Major! [_He takes letter, salutes and sits on stool, near which pocket-book lies._]

=Enter= _REGINALD, from tent._

=Reg.= [_R. C., to RALPH._] Anything for me, Major? [_Salutes._]

=Ralph.= [_Coldly._] Yes! [_Hands him letter._]

=Reg.= Thank you, Major! [_Salutes and retires up stage reading._]

=Ralph.= [_Looking after him._] Curse him! How I hate him! The proud fool! Satisfied to remain a private! If he'd accepted promotion, as it was offered him from time to time, for his gallant bravery in the field, he would be my superior officer. As it is, he prefers to remain a private, because, as he says, his ambition does not aspire to receive the plaudits of his country. The commanding officers cannot find praise enough for his heroism in action. Curse him! [_To HENRY on right._] Lowville, you will meet the officers in a half hour from now, for consultation.

=Hen.= All right, Major! [=Exit= _RALPH, L. 2 E._]

=Reg.= [_Looking at letter._] And yet no word from Adrienne! [=Exit= _into tent, R. 5 E._]

=Dol.= [_At stool, L. 2 E., reads._] "I long for the time when this cruel war is over, when I may receive my brave Dollerclutch to this maiden heart." Oh! this cruel war, to keep such fond hearts apart! Hello! Here is something on the other side--[_reads._] "Hilda tells me to write you that she has not forgotten you, and God bless you!" No, nor have I forgotten her! Poor girl! I've watched him and pumped him, but I can't find out anything--he's as close as an oyster with--[_Sees wallet on ground._] Hello! What's this? [_Picks it up._] "R. M." Why, it's his! [_Looks around._] H'm! I'll investigate! [_Opens it and pulls out papers. He unfolds one and jumps up excitedly._] Hurrah! Hilda's marriage record, by the jumping jingo! [_He looks around, places it in his pocket._] Good! [_Unfolds another._] H'm--'tis part of a letter--[_reads_] "of old Maitland"--something torn off and then--"of old Maitland"--[_reads further_] "Revenge is sweet. I can fancy how he grieves for his lost Alice!" [_Studies._] Maitland! The devil! That's Reginald's name; but he says old Maitland--he's young; but he's got a father. Of course he has, and he's older than he. Certainly he is! How stupid I am! [_Studies again._] H'm! [_Pulls out baby dress from his bosom and examines initials._] A. M.! [_Jumps up._] Eureka! by the jumping jingo! A.--Alice! M.--Maitland! That's Hilda's name, I'll stake my life! Here comes the rascal back. [_DOLLERCLUTCH puts letter in his pocket hastily--he leaves the wallet on the ground, where he found it--goes a little up stage and appears interested in his own letter._]

=Enter= _RALPH, L. 2 E., as if hunting for something._

=Ralph.= Confound it! I must have dropped it when I pulled those letters from my pocket! [_Sees wallet on ground._] Ah! Here it is! safe! What a fortunate thing it did not fall into anybody's hands! Good! I'm a lucky dog! [=Exit= _L. 2 E._]

=Dol.= [_Comes down and looks after him._] Yes! and I'm a luckier dog. I can go you one better, my chap. George Washington, you did that slick--you're a trump! But how shall I get these papers to the poor girl? Confound it, I can't send them to her for fear they'll fall into his hands again. If I keep them he'll soon discover his loss and institute a search. If I hide them until the war is over, I might get shot by an infernal rebel, and then how will the poor girl know about them? Now, this _is_ a dilemma! [_Studies._] I have it! It is only five or six miles to the place. I'll take them myself. I'll wait till dark, then I'll slip away. I can be back in three hours! [_Sudden thought._] What if my absence should be discovered? Then I'll be in a pretty pickle! Court-martial--probably shot for a deserter. Ugh! [_Sudden determination._] I'll risk it; I promised to see this thing through, and, hang it, George Washington Dollerclutch will stand by his word. Besides, I'll have a chance to see my charming Anastasia. That'll nerve me in the undertaking. [_Retires up stage and_ =Exits= _into tent, L. 4 E. During the last speech the stage is gradually darkened. HENRY comes forward, C._]

=Hen.= Dollerclutch! [_DOLLERCLUTCH sticks his head out of tent._] You will serve as sentinel on the high rock for the night. Maitland, relieve Softhead. [_They salute and go to their respective posts. DOLLERCLUTCH on high rock, L. 5 E. REGINALD, L. 1 E._] This is going to be a dark night. I'll turn in. [=Exit= _HENRY, L. 2 E. The rest retire to their tents._]

=Dol.= Now for my journey! [_He comes down, gets a cloak from tent, L. 4 E., and steals away cautiously, R. 3 E._]

=Reg.= [_L. C. In a study._] "Adrienne has taught little Alice to pray for you." How strangely my father's words move me! Perhaps--but no! no!--that will never be! Adrienne must be forever dead to my yearning heart. When I entered the army I thought I had buried the joy of life forever. But love for my child has sprung from the ashes of my forlorn hopes, to cheer my drooping heart, like the oasis to the weary traveler of the desert. Oh! the longing of a father's heart! What would I not give to see her--speak to her. Oh! I feel as if I could not resist the temptation to go and have if but one look. Yes, yes--a soldier's life is uncertain--it may be the only opportunity to cast my eyes upon my darling Alice!

=Enter= _RALPH, L. 2 E. He pauses. REGINALD at C._

=Reg.= I cannot resist the impulse. I must see my child! [=Exit= _hurriedly into tent, L. 5 E. RALPH watches him cautiously._]

=Re-enter= _REGINALD from tent with cloak, and_ =Exit= _hurriedly,
R. 4 E._

=Ralph.= What does this mean? Maitland leaving his post? He acts strangely, too! I'll follow him and see what he is up to. At last I have the opportunity to humble his pride in the sight of the commanding officers! [_He follows REGINALD, R. 4 E._]

=Quick Curtain.=