Chapter II: Preface (2)

We give the critters back, John,
Cos Abram thought 't was right;
It warn't your bullyin' clack, John,
Provokin' us to fight.
Ole Uncle S., sez he, "I guess
We've a hard row," sez he,
"To hoe jest now; but thet somehow,
May happen to J. B.,
Ez wal ez you an' me!"

We ain't so weak an' poor, John,
With twenty million people,
An' close to every door, John,
A school-house an' a steeple.
Ole Uncle S., sez he, "I guess
It is a fact," sez he,
"The surest plan to make a Man
Is, think him so, J. B.,
Ez much ez you an' me!"

Our folks believe in Law, John;
An' it's for her sake, now,
They've left the ax an' saw, John,
The anvil an' the plough.
Ole Uncle S., sez he, "I guess,
Ef 't warn't for law," sez he,
"There'd be one shindy from here to Indy;
An' thet don't suit J. B.
(When 't ain't twixt you an' me!)"

We know we've got a cause, John,
Thet's honest, just an' true;
We thought 't would win applause, John,
Ef nowheres else, from you.
Ole Uncle S., sez he, "I guess
His love of right," sez he,
"Hangs by a rotten fibre o' cotton:
There's nature in J. B.,
Ez wal ez you an' me!"

The South says, "_Poor folks down!_" John,
An' "_All men up!_" say we,--
White, yaller, black, an' brown, John:
Now which is your idee?
Ole Uncle S., sez he, "I guess,
John preaches wal," sez he;
"But, sermon thru, an' come to _du_,
Why, there's the old J. B.
A crowdin' you an' me!"

Shall it be love, or hate, John,
It's you thet's to decide;
Ain't your bonds held by Fate, John,
Like all the world's beside?
Ole Uncle S., sez he, "I guess
Wise men forgive," sez he,
"But not forget; an' some time yet
Thet truth may strike J. B.,
Ez wal ez you an me!"

God means to make this land, John,
Clear thru, from sea to sea,
Believe an' understand, John,
The _wuth_ o' bein' free.
Ole Uncle S., sez he, "I guess,
God's price is high," sez he:
"But nothin' else than wut He sells
Wears long, an' thet J. B.
May larn, like you an' me!"

NO SLAVE BENEATH THE FLAG

George Lansing Taylor

No slave beneath that starry flag,
The emblem of the free!
No fettered hand shall wield the brand
That smites for liberty:
No tramp of servile armies
Shall shame Columbia's shore,
For he who fights for freedom's rights
Is free for evermore!

* * * * *

Go tell the brave of every land,
Where'er that flag has flown--
The tyrant's fear, the patriot's cheer,
Through every clime and zone--
That now no more forever
Its stripes are slavery scars;
No tear-drops stain its azure plain
Nor dim its golden stars.

No slave beneath that grand old flag!
Forever let it fly,
With lightning rolled in every fold,
And flashing victory!
God's blessing breathe around it!
And when all strife is done,
May freedom's light, that knows no night,
Make every star a sun!

TRIBUTES TO LINCOLN

Grave Lincoln came, strong-handed, from afar--
The mighty Homer of the lyre of war!
'T was he who bade the raging tempest cease,
Wrenched from his strings the harmony of peace,
Muted the strings that made the discord--Wrong,
And gave his spirit up in thund'rous song,
Oh, mighty Master of the mighty lyre!
Earth heard and trembled at thy strains of fire:
Earth learned of thee what Heav'n already knew,
And wrote thee down among the treasured few!

--_Paul Laurence Dunbar, 1899_

From humble parentage and poverty, old Nature reared him,
And the world beheld her ablest, noblest man;
Few were his joys, many and terrible his trials,
But grandly he met them as only truly great souls can!
Our Nation's Martyr, pure, honest, patient, tender--
Thou who didst suffer agony e'en for the slave--
Our flag's defender, our brave, immortal teacher!
I lay this humble tribute on thy honored grave.

--_Paul DeVere, 1899_

We rest in peace where these sad eyes
Saw peril, strife, and pain;
His was the nation's sacrifice,
And ours the priceless gain.

--_John G. Whittier_

His patriotism, his integrity, his purity, his moderation will contribute largely to make the American people patriotic, honest, and upright.... His life, his teaching, and his character will prolong the life of the Republic.

--_Isaac N. Arnold_

His mind was strong and deep, sincere and honest, patient and enduring: having no vices, and having only negative defects, with many positive virtues. His is a strong, honest, sagacious, manly, noble life. He stands in the foremost ranks of men in all ages--their equal--one of the best types of this Christian civilization.

--_W. H. Herndon_

There is in the whole history of this Republic not one man, from whom we all--wherever born and whatever our political opinions--can learn more instructive and more inspiring lessons as to what true patriotism is: and there is but one who is fully his peer in this respect. To be pitied is, indeed, the American whose way of feeling and thinking will not allow him to look with infinite patriotic pride upon Abraham Lincoln.

--_H. E. VonHolst_

Lincoln was the grandest figure of the fiercest civil war.... Wealth could not purchase, power could not awe, this divine, this loving man. He knew no fear except the fear of doing wrong. Hating slavery, pitying the master--seeking to conquer not persons, but prejudices. He was the embodiment of the self-denial, the courage, the hope, and the nobility of the nation. He spoke, not to inflame, not to upbraid, but to convince. He raised his hands, not to strike, but in benediction.

--_Robert G. Ingersoll_

Lincoln was the humblest of the humble before his conscience, greatest of the great before history.

--_Castelar_

Abraham Lincoln was the vindication of poverty. He gave glory to the lowly. In the light of his life the cabin became conspicuous; the commonest toil no longer common, and the poor man's hardship a road to honor. It put shame on the prejudice of wealth and birth, and dignity on common manhood. The poor received from him inspiring hope; he taught the humblest youth that there was for him a path to power.

--_Luther Laflin Mills_

May one who fought in honor for the South
Uncovered stand and sing by Lincoln's grave?

* * * * *

He was the North, the South, the East, the West,
The thrall, the master, all of us in one;
There was no section that he held the best;
His love shone as impartial as the sun;
And so revenge appealed to him in vain,
He smiled at it, as at a thing forlorn,
And gently put it from him, rose and stood
A moment's space in pain,
Remembering the prairies and the corn
And the glad voices of the field and wood.

--_Maurice Thompson, 1893_

They bowed before the bier of him who had been prophet, priest and king to his people, who had struck the shackles from the slave, who had taught a higher sense of duty to the free men, who had raised the Nation to a loftier conception of faith and hope and charity.

--_James G. Blaine_

His was a name so pure, a life so grand,
That Lincoln's a magic name throughout the land.

--_Jos. C. Sindelar_

In his mentality, he shone in judgment, common sense, consistency, persistence and in knowledge of men. In his words, he was candid and frank, but accurate and concise, speaking sturdy Anglo-Saxon unadorned, powerful in its simplicity and the subdued enthusiasm of earnest thought. In his sentiments, he was kind and patient and brave. No leader ever more completely combined in his personality the graces of gentleness with rugged determination. In his morals, Truth was his star; Honesty the vital air of his living. In his religion, he was faithful as a giant; Providence was his stay; he walked with God.

--_Luther Laflin Mills_

His constant thought was his country and how to serve it.

--_Charles Sumner_

His career teaches young men that every position of eminence is open before the diligent and worthy.

--_Bishop Matthew Simpson_

Such a life and character will be treasured forever as the sacred possession of the American people and of mankind.

--_James A. Garfield_

By his fidelity to the True, the Right, the Good, he gained not only favor and applause, but what is better than all, love.

--_W. D. Howells_

He was warm-hearted; he was generous; he was magnanimous, he was most truly, as he afterwards said on a memorable occasion, "With malice toward none, with charity for all."

--_Alexander H. Stephens_

Let us build with reverent hands to the type of this simple, but sublime life, in which all types are honored.

--_Henry W. Grady_

Lincoln was the purest, the most generous, the most magnanimous of men.

--_General W. T. Sherman_

His chief object, the ideal to which his whole soul was devoted, was the preservation of the Union.

--_Alexander H. Stephens_

O honest face, which all men knew!
O tender heart, but known to few!

--_R. H. Stoddard_

Who can be what he was to the people,
What he was to the State?
Shall the ages bring us another
As good and as great?

--_Phoebe Cary_

Lincoln was the greatest President in American history, because in a time of revolution he comprehended the spirit of American institutions.

--_Lyman Abbott_

He was one of the few great rulers whose wisdom increased with his power, and whose spirit grew gentler and tenderer as his triumphs were multiplied.

--_James A. Garfield_

With all his disappointments from failures on the part of those to whom he had trusted command, and treachery on the part of those who had gained his confidence but to betray it, I never heard him utter a complaint, nor cast a censure for bad conduct or bad faith. It was his nature to find excuses for his adversaries. In his death the nation lost its greatest hero.

--_U. S. Grant_

The best way to estimate the value of Lincoln is to think what the condition of America would be today if he had never lived--never been President.

--_Walt Whitman_

He had a face and manner which disarmed suspicion, which inspired confidence, which confirmed good will.

--_R. W. Emerson_

The life of Lincoln should never be passed by in silence by old or young. He touched the log cabin and it became the palace in which greatness was nurtured. He touched the forest and it became to him a church in which the purest and noblest worship of God was observed. In Lincoln there was always some quality which fastened him to the people and taught them to keep time to the music of his heart. He reveals to us the beauty of plain backwoods honesty.

--_Prof. David Swing_

The shepherd of the people! that old name that the best rulers ever craved. What ruler ever won it like this dead President of ours? He fed us with counsel when we were in doubt, with inspiration when we faltered, with caution when we would be rash, with calm, trustful cheerfulness through many an hour when our hearts were dark. He fed hungry souls all over the country with sympathy and consolation. He spread before the whole land feasts of great duty, devotion and patriotism, on which the land grew strong. He taught us the sacredness of government, the wickedness of treason. He made our souls glad and vigorous with the love of liberty that was his.

--_Rev. Phillips Brooks_

QUOTATIONS FROM LINCOLN

WITH malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan; to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.

I have one vote, and I shall always cast that against wrong as long as I live.

In every event of life, it is right makes might.

The mystic cords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearthstone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the angels of our nature.

Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith let us to the end dare to do our duty as we understand it.

Gold is good in its place; but loving, brave, patriotic men are better than gold.

God must like common people, or he would not have made so many of them.

The reasonable man has long since agreed that intemperance is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, of all evils among mankind.

The purposes of the Almighty are perfect and must prevail, though we erring mortals may fail accurately to predict them in advance.

No men living are more worthy to be trusted than those who toil up from poverty.

Of the people, when they rise in mass in behalf of the Union and the liberties of their country, truly may it be said: 'The gates of hell cannot prevail against them.'

No man is good enough to govern another man without that other man's consent.

Let not him who is homeless pull down the house of another, but let him labor diligently to build one for himself.

You may fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.

Better give your path to the dog--even killing the dog would not cure the bite.

The way for a young man to rise is to improve himself in every way he can, never suspecting that anybody is hindering him.

I say "try," for if we never try, we never succeed.

The pioneer in any movement is not generally the best man to bring that movement to a successful issue.

Have confidence in yourself, a valuable if not indispensable quality.

Let us judge not, that we be not judged.

When you have an elephant on hand, and he wants to run away, better let him run.

It is best not to swap horses in the middle of a stream.

This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it.

A nation may be said to consist of its territory, its people, and its laws.

When you can't remove an obstacle, _plough around it!_

God bless my mother! All I am or hope to be I owe to her.

I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.

Suspicion and jealousy never did help any man in any situation.

DIALOGUES, PLAYS, EXERCISES

THE SAVIOR OF OUR FLAG AND COUNTRY

Laura R. Smith

A PATRIOTIC CANTATA, DRILL, AND MEDLEY IN THREE SCENES FOR A WHOLE SCHOOL

This entertainment is especially adapted for primary and intermediate grades, although pupils of all grades may participate.

CHARACTERS

Six Sailor Boys }
Six Soldier Boys } _Scene I_
Messenger }

Several Drummer Boys }
Any Even Number of Soldiers }
An Army Captain } _Scene II_
Scott, _a sentinel_ }
Old Soldier }
Several Negro Boys }

Three Boys }
Two Girls } Scene III
Seven Small Children }

SCENE I--Before the War

Six Sailor Boys enter from the right, Six Soldier Boys enter from the left. They march forward in two lines, carrying flags, pause and sing. Cross flags or wave them while singing the last four lines.

Sailor and Soldier Boys (_sing_):

_Tune_: COLUMBIA, THE GEM OF THE OCEAN

The flag of our nation we're bringing,
The banner for me and for you;
As songs of dear Lincoln we're singing,
We stand 'neath the Red, White and Blue,
O flag of a nation united,
We love your bright folds and your stars,
We march 'neath the bonnie bright banner,
This good land of freedom is ours.
We'll stand by the Red, White and Blue,
We'll stand by the Red, White and Blue,
The flag of our nation forever,
We'll stand by the Red, White and Blue!

See, the bonnie bright banners are streaming,
We wave them all high in the air,
The Red, White and Blue now is gleaming,
Beloved by all men everywhere.
Oh, long may the banner be waving,
Upheld by soldiers and sailors true;
Three cheers for the flag of our nation,
We'll stand by the Red, White and Blue,
We'll stand by the Red, White and Blue,
We'll stand by the Red, White and Blue,
The flag of our nation forever,
We'll stand by the Red, White and Blue.

(Boys _march forward and back_, Soldiers _in one line abreast_, Sailors _in another, following_. _Lines march right and left_, Sailors _from one side of stage_, Soldiers _from the other, pass each other several times at center of stage_. _Halt at center of stage, the two lines facing each other, close ranks at back and spread out at front, forming an open triangle, thus_ [Greek: lambda].)

Soldiers:

_We're_ the boys of the land!
We'll always be true
To the flag of the Union,
The Red, White and Blue.

Sailors:

We're the boys of the sea!
Wherever we sail
The Red, White and Blue
Shall weather each gale.

All (_waving flags_):

The boys of the land and the boys of the sea,
Sing a song for our banner, the flag of the free,
The Union forever, for me and for you,
Three cheers for our banner, the Red, White and Blue.

All (_sing, waving flags during chorus_):

HURRAH FOR THE FLAG![F]

There are many flags in many lands,
There are flags of ev'ry hue,
But there is no flag, however grand,
Like our own Red, White and Blue.

_Chorus_:

Then hurrah for the flag! our country's flag,
Its stripes and white stars, too;
There is no flag in any land
Like our own Red, White and Blue!

[F] By Mary H. Howliston. From Cat Tails and Other Tales, by this author, in which book music for words given here will be found. Price, paper binding, twenty-five cents; cloth binding, forty cents.

(_Enter_ Messenger _from the back, marches between the two lines to the front_. Boys _form in semicircle behind him_.)

Messenger:

What threatens the Union
In this land of ours?
There appears a new flag,
Of the Stars and Bars.
"United we stand,
Divided we fall."
Who now can save us?
On whom shall we call?

First Soldier:

From Lincoln I have come today
Our Lincoln!
With justice he will take his place,
Our Lincoln!
With courage on his noble brow,
He will protect the Union now,
We all salute; to him we bow,
Our Lincoln!

(All _give Flag Salute_.)

Messenger:

From Lincoln I have come today
To call for Volunteers!
Other messengers are on their way
To call for Volunteers.
Shall we now see our flag bowed low?
No, to meet the Southerners we'll go,
Marching while the bugles blow
The call for Volunteers!

All:

The time has come for strife and war,
Blow, bugles, blow!
The soldier boys are called once more,
Blow, bugles, blow!

Bear your message far and wide,
Ring out through all the countryside,
We are a Nation's hope and pride,
Blow, bugles, blow!

(_Exit_ All, _as bugle call is heard_.)

SCENE II--The War

Several boys with drums march in front of tents, which have been arranged on the stage. They sing, beating drums softly during chorus, and march around the tents.

_Tune_: MARCHING THROUGH GEORGIA

toward the battlefield, O, see the army come. Rat-a-tat, a-rat-a-tat, So loudly beats the drum, While we are singing of Lincoln.

_Chorus_: Hurrah! hurrah! who'll be a Volunteer? Hurrah! hurrah! O what have we to fear? Join the chorus every one, the army marches on, While we are singing of Lincoln.

Marching on to victory, O, hear the drums beat low, Marching on to victory, Now see the army go. Wave the bonnie stars and stripes, Up high where all may see, While we are singing of Lincoln.

_Chorus_: Hurrah! hurrah! etc.

(Drummer Boys _retire to tents. Enter_ Soldier Boys, _carrying guns. They are led by a_ Captain, _who gives the commands in the following drill_:)

Boys march by 2's, 4's or 6's and line up for drill.

Drill

Salute! Gun held in right hand, top resting on shoulder, raise left hand to forehead.

Present, arms! Hold gun in front with right hand, grasp with left hand.

Order, arms! Large end of gun on floor, gun held by right hand, left hand at side.

Shoulder, arms! Guns on right shoulder.

Port, arms! Grasp gun in center, with right hand, hold diagonally across chest.

Extend, arms right! Hold with both hands, right arm extended, left hand resting on chest.

Extend, arms left! Same with left arm extended, etc.

Aim! Rest gun on shoulder, raised with both hands.

About, face! Face around.

Forward, march! March about tents, while tune of TRAMP, TRAMP, TRAMP, THE BOYS ARE MARCHING, is softly played. Retire in or back of tents.

(_A sentinel_, Scott, _comes out to keep guard, walks up and down many times, and finally leans up against one of the tents and falls asleep. He is discovered by the_ Captain, _who comes on stage_.)

Captain (_comes forward_):

What ho! the guard is asleep!
What, then, if the enemy come,
Creeping stealthily over the hill
With never the sound of drum?
By surprise our camp they'd take.
Sleeping guard, awake! awake!

(Scott _awakes and salutes_ Captain.)

Captain:

For this offense you shall be tried,
'Twas indeed a sad mistake.
Who shall guard the camp tonight,
If no guard here is awake?

Soldiers (_come forward_):

'Tis wearisome the watch to keep,
Alas! alas! he fell asleep!

(Scott _is led off by_ Soldiers _to be tried by court-martial_.)

Old Soldier (_enters_):

Scott is a bonnie soldier boy:
He's honest, brave and true;
He is worthy still to bear
The Red and White and Blue.
Alas! alas! he will come home,
Sentenced soon to die,
Beloved by all his comrades, now
With bowed heads they march by.

(_Re-enter_ All, _singing one verse of_ JUST BEFORE THE BATTLE, MOTHER.)

Captain (_to_ Scott):

There is but one who can save you now;
From a cabin home he came,
He is our honored President,
And Lincoln is his name!
Then to our honored President,
For pardon we will go,
We will march if there be hope
No more with heads bowed low.

(_Exit_ All.)

(Boys, _in make-up of negroes enter. They sing the following song, and imitate banjo playing while singing the chorus._)

THE SUNNY SOUTHLAND[G]

'Way down in the sunny Southland,
Lives the little black boy, you know,
His mother sings a lullaby,
To the tune of the old banjo.

_Chorus_: Plunkety-plunk, plunkety-plunk,
Down in the cotton-field we go.
Plunkety-plunk, plunkety-plunk,
Plunkety-plunk, plunk-plunk, banjo.

'Way down in the sunny Southland,
Where the sky is so bright and blue,
The black boy on the banjo strings
Likes to play the same tune to you.

_Chorus_: Plunkety-plunk, etc.

'Way down in the sunny Southland
You will hear this sweet lullaby,
The wee black boy must go to sleep,
For the Sandman is passing by.

_Chorus_: Plunkety-plunk, etc.

Soldiers (_return, shouting_):

Hurrah! Scott is pardoned.

(_They repeat the last four lines of their first song and march off._)

[G] Music for this will be found under Songs in another part of this book.

SCENE III--After the War

Lincoln's picture is placed on a ladder or easel, the children that recite placing flags and garlands of flowers about it.

RECITATION BY THREE BOYS WITH THREE FLAGS

First Boy:

The flag that speaks of men made free,
The flag of sword and drum,
'Tis the bonniest banner in all the world,
The flag of battles won.

Second Boy:

The flag that speaks of Gettysburg,
Upheld by faithful men
Amid the battle's storm and strife,
Shall wave for us again.

Third Boy:

The flag that waves o'er Lincoln now,
Means freedom for the slave;
So waves the bonnie stars and stripes
O'er many a patriot's grave.

All:

No North, no South, no East, no West,
A union of all states is best;
One flag for all is a nation's pride,
The Blue and the Gray lay side by side.

A Girl (_comes on stage and recites_):

OUR HERO

Today the flags are flying,
For a hero that we love;
We all sing of Lincoln,
While waves the flag above.
Bring out the bonnie banners,
Flags of shining stripes and stars,
Lincoln was our country's hero,
And the victory is ours.

Another Girl (_enters and recites_):

OUR LINCOLN

Crown him with wreaths of evergreen,
Our Lincoln.
Bring fairest flowers ever seen,
For Lincoln.
Crown him today with fragrant flowers,
The war is o'er, the victory is ours,
Above all men this great man towers,
Our Lincoln.

Crown him with gentle words of love,
Our Lincoln;
And place the banners high above
For Lincoln.
Raise high the flag of liberty,
For one who set the slaves all free,
Ring out his praises from sea to sea,
Our Lincoln.

(Children _carrying flags and flowers and having shields on their breasts, each bearing one letter to spell the word "Lincoln," enter. The cards bearing the letters are hung from the neck, and when children enter are blank side toward audience. Each child turns his letter to view of the audience after reciting his lines and disposing of his flowers and flag. They stand in order, and when through reciting, place the flowers and flags around the portrait of Lincoln._)

L:
Lincoln's name we all repeat,
And bring for him our flowers sweet.

I:
In peace or war a nation's pride,
We place our banners by his side.

N:
No North, no South today is seen,
We bring our wreaths of evergreen.

C:
Crown him with honest words of love,
And place the stars and stripes above.

O:
One nation and one flag is best,
Place flowers where our hero rests.

L:
Lincoln, we all love to bring
Tributes, while of thee we sing.

N:
No more he hears the bugle's call,
We scatter flowers over all.

All (_return, grouping themselves nicely and sing_):

LINCOLN DEAR[H]

Wave the bonnie banners high,
O Lincoln dear!
A host of children passing by,
O Lincoln dear,
Will sing to you their sweetest song,
As they now proudly march along,
For laurels unto you belong,
O Lincoln dear.

_Chorus_: Wave the banners high,
The Red, the White, the Blue;
Wave the banners high,
To Lincoln dear we're true.
O wave the bonnie banners,
How proudly they all sway,
We wave the Red, the White, the Blue,
For Lincoln dear today.

Bonnie flags shall crown you now,
O Lincoln dear,
We place them by your noble brow,
O Lincoln dear,
And fairer far than monument,
The love from our young hearts is sent,
You were our honored President,
O Lincoln dear.

_Chorus_: Wave the banners, etc.

[H] Music for this will be found under Songs in another part of this book.

A FLAG EXERCISE

L. F. Armitage

FOR EIGHT LITTLE GIRLS AND BOYS, EACH CARRYING A FLAG

First Child:

What flag is this?

Second:

This is our country's flag,
This flag so fine.
It is my father's flag
And it is mine.

Third:

What are its colors?

Fourth:

White stars in a field of blue,
Stripes white and red.
See our "Red, White and Blue"
Waving o'erhead (_waving flags_).

Fifth:

What do these colors mean?

Sixth:

White means, Be always pure!
Red means, Be brave!
Blue means, Be ever true!
Long may it wave.

Seventh:

Why are the flags up today?

Eighth:

All these United States,
Many in one,
Honor this glorious name--
Abraham Lincoln.

All (_sing_):

_Tune_: AULD LANG SYNE

We wave[A] the flag, the bonny flag
Of red and white and blue.
This flag that floats o'er land and sea,
To it we will be true.
Then[I] hail the flag, this bonny flag,
We'll give it three times three;
God bless the land that owns this flag,
The land of liberty.

--_Primary Education_

[I] Waving flags.

THE WOODEN FIRE-SHOVEL

Clara J. Denton

A DIALOGUE FOR THREE GIRLS AND TWO BOYS

CHARACTERS

Mrs. Lincoln, _mother of the family_
Mr. Lincoln, _father of same_
Sarah, _step-daughter of Mrs. Lincoln and sister to "Abe"_
John Johnson, } _Mrs. Lincoln's children_
Matilda Johnson, }

COSTUMES

Mrs. Lincoln: Dark calico gown very plainly made, wide gingham apron, hair parted in the middle, combed straight back from the face, and arranged in knot at back. Let this character be taller than the other girls, if possible.

Mr. Lincoln: Blue overalls and blouse. This character should be taller than the other boys.

Sarah: Short, plainly-made calico gown; hair arranged in two long braids, fastened together by dark thread.

John Johnston: Blue overalls and blouse, battered fur cap.

Matilda Johnston: Gown like Sarah's although different in color, hair also done up like Sarah's.

SCENE

Very plain interior. Pine table at center. Split-bottom rocker near it. Two old-fashioned wooden chairs placed a few feet apart at right-front, the same at left-front. At left-rear is a pine cupboard, on the open shelves of which are some cheap earthen dishes. This cupboard must be placed so that the characters can pass behind it to reach the suggested fireplace. Several skins of animals may be tacked about the walls; a pair of deer-antlers should also be in evidence. An old-fashioned gun with powder-horn might be hung in a conspicuous position. A wool spinning-wheel would add to the old-time effect.

Mrs. Lincoln and Sarah are discovered; the former, seated in the rocker, is mending a pair of ragged overalls, which, as she talks, she from time to time holds up and spreads out as if looking for holes. Sarah, at rear of stage, is sweeping vigorously.

Mrs. Lincoln: Dear me, Sarah! what a dust you do kick up (_coughs_); you'll choke me to death.

Sarah (_sweeping more gently_): Excuse me, but you see, the dirt is all here, and I suppose the only way to get it out _is_ to kick it up; but I'll try to be more careful.

Voice (_behind scenes_): Abe, Abe, O, Abe.

Mrs. Lincoln: How strange it is that I just can't teach John not to stand and call out that way. I've tried ever since he was a baby to make him go to anyone that he wants.

Sarah: I suppose he thinks it doesn't matter as long as he's just calling Abe.

Mrs. Lincoln: But it does matter, because it's a bad habit, and a bad habit is mighty easy to get and mighty hard to lose. I don't have a bit of trouble teaching all those things to Abe. Dear me, he's such a good, obedient boy; I don't believe he'll live to grow up (_sighs_).

Sarah: O, yes he will, mother; he's too full of mischief to die; besides, he's the strongest boy for his age that there is anywhere around here. He picked Matilda and me both up yesterday and carried us clear to the woods. We kicked and screamed (_laughs_) and squirmed, but oh my! we're just like a pair of dolls to him. He set us down at the edge of the woods, then started on a run. We started too, but he was in the barn and clear at the top of the corn-stalks stacked in the mow before we were half way to the house (_laughs_). Don't worry about his dying, mother.

Voice (_again_): Abe, Abe, O, Abe.

Mrs. Lincoln: What shall I do with that boy?

Sarah: Don't do anything. Just let him keep right on howling until he gets tired of it.

Mrs. Lincoln: But I'm tired of hearing him.

Sarah: Shall I go and make him keep still? (_Laughs and gesticulates._)

John (_enters at right_): Where's Abe, mother? I've been calling and calling him. (_Sits in chair at right-front._)

Sarah: Yes, we thought we heard something.

Mrs. Lincoln: Take off your hat, my son. I do wish you didn't need telling that so often.

John (_removes hat_): But I want Abe.

Mrs. Lincoln: What for?

John: To help me carry in the wood. There's a big storm coming.

Mrs. Lincoln: Well, he isn't here.

John: Isn't here? What do you mean? I didn't see him go away.

Mrs. Lincoln: No, he went away while you were gone to the woods with your father's lunch. This is his birthday, so I let him walk to Gentryville to get me some thread. You folks wear out your clothes so fast that it takes a lot of thread to keep you from being bundles of rags.

John (_sulkily_): And must I get that wood in all alone?

Mrs. Lincoln: That won't hurt you. Don't you remember the other day when you had the tooth-ache, Abe got in all the wood and wouldn't let you do a thing?

Matilda (_enters at left from behind cupboard_): Hurry up, John, and bring in some wood, the fire is getting low. Don't you feel chilly, mother?

Mrs. Lincoln: Yes, it is getting cold here. Run along, John, that's a good boy. Abe will get it all in tomorrow night, I'm sure.

Sarah: Yes, or else when he's rich and famous maybe he'll let you live with him. Mother is so sure he's bound to be a great man.

John (_rising_): O, well, Abe's all right, I don't mind.

Mrs. Lincoln: Yes, you children like to laugh at the things I say about Abe, but I know any boy--or girl either, for that matter--who's so anxious to learn, can't help amounting to something some day. You just wait and see.

Mr. Lincoln (_enters at right_): What's that, mother? What shall we see if we wait? Guess we'll have to wait a good while if we see anything very great around these diggings.

Sarah: O, ma's just bragging about Abe again.

Mr. Lincoln (_goes to_ Mrs. Lincoln _and lays hand on her shoulder_): You're good to the chap, Sallie, that's a fact. I'm glad I brought you here to be a mother to him. But sometimes I wonder if it's just the thing for you to encourage him to do so much reading, for I know you do encourage him.

Matilda: I should say she does! Why, the rest of us young ones have to go around on our tip-toes and talk in whispers when Abe gets his nose in a book.

Mr. Lincoln: Isn't that a little hard on the others, Sallie?

Matilda (_quickly_): Oh, my! _we_ don't mind. We _like_ to have Abe read, and we think he's mighty good to tell the rest of us all about what he reads.

Sarah: That he does. You just ought to hear him, pa, tell the story of Pilgrim's Progress.

Matilda: O, pa wouldn't like that as well as he would Æsop's Fables; just get him to tell you some of _those_ stories some time.

John: And all about Robinson Crusoe, too, pa, and the queer times he had. You'd like _that_, I know.

Mr. Lincoln: Well, it may be all right, but I don't like to see a big, strapping boy like Abe spending his time over books, to say nothing of the hours he wastes running around borrowing them. Why, I'll bet he has read every book in this county.

Mrs. Lincoln: So he has! He was wishing just the other day that he knew of some more books that he could borrow: he said he had "read every book that he had heard of within a circuit of fifty miles."

Matilda: And, pa, if you could only hear him when he climbs on the table and makes speeches. I just tell you, Abe is heaps of fun.

Mr. Lincoln: I dare say he is, but that doesn't get the work done. It's all right for sickly fellows to be spending their time getting learning, but a big, strong fellow like Abe will always be able to earn his living by hard work.

Mrs. Lincoln: Of course he'll be _able_ to, but you'll find out he'll not do it. I tell you there are other plans laid away in that big head of his.

Mr. Lincoln: Well, well, he'll have you to thank if he ever does amount to anything, that's sure. (_Shivers._) But it's cold in here, what on earth is the matter with your fire?

John (_aside_): Time for me to run. (_Exit at right, hurriedly._)

Mr. Lincoln (_turning toward cupboard_): It's funny you young ones can't look after the fire when ma's busy.

John, you go bring in some wood! (_Looks around._) O, he's gone after it, I guess--about time. (_Disappears behind cupboard._)

Mrs. Lincoln (_to girls_): Don't tell pa that John was waiting for Abe to help him. If you do they'll both get a scolding, maybe.

Matilda: And you, too, for letting Abe go away. (All _laugh_.)

(John _enters at right, carrying wood, which he drops noisily behind cupboard_.)

Mrs. Lincoln (_starting up_): John, why do you drop the wood in that noisy way? (John _re-appears and comes down_.) After all my talking to you, it does seem as if you might learn to be more quiet about it.

Matilda: Yes, when Abe----

Sarah (_catching her by the arm_): Hush, Matilda! if you keep on (_they come down to right front_) you'll make John hate Abe. Don't hold him up to John _all_ the time as a pattern.

Matilda (_sighs_): But, you know, Sarah, Abe is so different. He never does any of those disagreeable things that John is always doing. I remember, when we first came here, ma told Abe to take off his hat when he came into the house, and she never has had to tell him the second time; but she is still trying to hammer it into John.

Sarah: Yes, dear, I know, and Abe is so kind to everyone and so thoughtful of other people's comfort. I am so glad he is my brother, and I only wish I were half as good and kind as he.

Matilda: Yes, and so jolly, too.

Sarah: Only sometimes he looks so sad--that must be when he's hungry for more books.

John (_coming towards them_): What are you two girls talking about over here?

(Mr. Lincoln _appears from behind cupboard, carrying a large wooden shovel, the blade of which is covered with black figures. He comes down, confronting_ Mrs. Lincoln.)

Mr. Lincoln: Mother, what in the world is this?

Mrs. Lincoln (_laughing_): O, those are Abe's sums.

Mr. Lincoln: Sums! I vum! Sums! What did he make them with?

Mrs. Lincoln: A piece of burnt wood.

Mr. Lincoln: I vum! Sums! Where did he learn to _do_ sums?

Mrs. Lincoln: O, he picked it up.

Mr. Lincoln: I bet you taught him! didn't you, Sallie? Come now, own up.

Mrs. Lincoln: Well, I helped him a little, but he's far ahead of me now; he's ciphered clear through that old ragged arithmetic that's been kicking around the house.

Mr. Lincoln (_turning shovel over_): But both sides are covered. What's he going to do now?

Mrs. Lincoln: O, he'll take the shaving knife and whittle it all off, then he'll have a "new slate," as he says.

Mr. Lincoln (_holding up shovel_): A new slate! Sums! Well, I vum!

(_Whistle heard behind scenes._)

Mrs. Lincoln (_rising_): There he comes now. Put the shovel away, and don't scold him, pa.

Mr. Lincoln: Sums! I vum! (_Exit quickly behind cupboard._)

Curtain

THE PROPHECY

Clara J. Denton

A DIALOGUE FOR ONE GIRL AND TWO BOYS

CHARACTERS

John Thomas Helen

COSTUMES

The characters wear suits made as nearly as possible in the style of seventy years ago. For hints as to proper styles consult pictures in old books--a brief description is, however, given.

The boys' trousers are long and loose; the jackets are short and tight-fitting, with small sleeves. The jackets are made open in front, and short, close-fitting vests, buttoning to the neck, are worn under them. White turn-over collars surmount the whole. These suits may be made of the cheapest material. Or, if preferred, the boys may be arrayed in blue overalls and "jumpers"; this will save much labor and inconvenience.

The girl wears a short, full-skirted gown of pink calico, the waist made plain, fitting closely and buttoning up the back. The hair should hang in two long braids, the ends tied together with a green ribbon.

SCENE

The stage is set to represent a schoolroom, with blackboards and maps on the walls, and cheap plain benches and desks in an orderly arrangement. A small pine table, on which are some books and a hand-bell, is in the center. Behind this table is an old-fashioned wooden chair for the teacher. Shabby and battered books are piled neatly on the various desks.

John (_enters at right, comes to one of the desks, seats himself, and opens a book_): Here is this miserable sum again. I suppose I've just _got_ to get it done before the teacher comes; but I can't make head or tail of the thing. Let me see (_reads_): "If the half of four be three, what will three-fourths of twenty be?" (_Closes book with a bang._) Was there ever any stuff like that? Everybody knows that half of four can't be three, so what's the use of wearing out a fellow's brains, 'specially when he's like me and hasn't any to spare, over a silly thing like that? O, gee, I believe I'll run away. I hate this school, school, all the time. If father would only let me stay at home and plough.

Thomas (_enters at right_): What's that, Jack? Didn't I hear you say something about ploughing?

John (_rises and leaves desk, both boys come down_): Yes, I was just wishing I could stay at home and plough instead of coming to school and worrying my head over fractions. I hate them.

Thomas (_goes to another desk and takes up book_): I don't mind fractions, but here's this awful geography lesson. Teacher said if I didn't have it this morning I'd have to stay in all the noon hour and learn it. What good will it ever do me, I'd like to know, to get the names of all these islands in my head? I don't mean to be a sailor, and if I should be I guess I'd learn the names of places fast enough when I came to them.

John (_puts his hand on_ Thomas' _shoulder_): Say, Tom, let's run away where they can't make us go to school. We know enough now.

Thomas: So we do; we can write our names, and say the multiplication table. What more need a fellow know?

John: We can work for the farmers until we get a little money and then----

Helen (_enters at right and comes down_): O boys, aren't you ashamed? I overheard your bad plans; how can you talk that way about going to school instead of being glad that you have the chance to go?

John: _Glad_ of the chance? Ho, ho, that's funny.

Thomas: I should say so, as if anybody was ever _glad_ to go to school. (_Both boys laugh heartily._ Helen _stands silently gazing at them_.)

John: Why, that beats everything! "Glad to go to school!" I don't believe there ever was such a thing as a fellow being _glad_ to go to school.

Helen: I'm sure I'm glad.

Thomas (_snapping his fingers scornfully and turning away_): Yes, but you're a _girl_. I suppose it's all right for a _girl_ to be glad.

John: I said I didn't believe there was such a thing as a _fellow_ being glad to go to school. You're not a fellow, are you? (_Both boys laugh and cross over._)

Thomas: If I was a girl I dare say I'd like to go to school. Of course, that's better than rocking the baby and washing the dishes--but _fellows_! I tell you they have better ways to pass their time, eh! Jackie? (_Pokes him in the ribs. Both laugh._)

Helen: Well, it's a lucky thing for the world that all boys aren't like you, else where would our great men come from if all the boys were as willing to remain great know-nothings as you two are?

John: O, who wants to be great? Great men have to work, and to sit up nights and worry about things. I'd rather be a plough-boy than a great man any time.

Thomas: So would I! Nothing to worry about, just follow the horse and keep the plough straight.

Helen: Well, there's one thing of which both of you may be pretty sure.

Both: What's that?

Helen: You are in a fair way to get what you want. You will both be plough-boys until you are too old to hold the plough, and then you can go to the poorhouse, where the "great men" whom you despise will make laws to take care of you.

Thomas: That's just it; now you are coming around to John's statement. We will not have to worry; others will do that, you see.

Helen (_impatiently_): Boys, why don't you brace up and study as you ought to? What's the use of all this foolish talk? You know you don't mean a word of it! (_Goes up stage._)

John: We do mean it, too, don't we, Tom?

Thomas: _You're_ the one that talks foolishness. You said some boys would be "glad of our chance to go to school."

Helen (_coming down quickly_): Yes, and it's true, too. I heard my father telling last night about a boy living out in the woods beyond Gentryville who'd give almost anything for your chance. He's never been to school but a few months in his whole life, and--

Thomas: O, no wonder he thinks he'd like it, he doesn't know anything about it. I thought it was fun, too, when I was in the primer class.

John: Yes, so did I.

Helen: Well, he's beyond the primer class, I tell you. He knows the old Webster spelling book all by heart, father says.

John: How'd he learn it if he hasn't been to school? Your stories don't hitch very well, Miss Preachie.

Helen: He learned it all by himself, lying on the floor nights in front of the big fireplace. They are too poor to have even a grease light.

Thomas: Must think a lot of that old spelling book. (_Both laugh._)

Helen: Of course he thinks a lot of it. He thinks a lot of _any_ book. Father heard a man telling down at the store that this boy cut four cords of wood for some one, just to get a _piece_ of a book.

John: O, wanted to read the Arabian Nights, probably.

Helen: But it wasn't the Arabian Nights that he bought; it was the Life of Washington.

Thomas: What's the use of _his_ reading the Life of Washington? He's nothing but poor, white trash--too poor, you say, even to have a grease light. He'll never be anybody.

Helen: Don't you be too sure of that. I tell you that boy will be a great man. Some day you'll hear of him yet.

John: Just because he was fool enough to cut four cords of wood for a _piece_ of a book?

Thomas: Well, I'd have had the whole book or nothing.

John: So would I (_sneering_). Why he was a fool. O, yes, we'll hear of him, of course. We'll read about him in the back part of the spelling book where the blank leaves are. But what's his name, do you know?

Helen: Yes, father told me. His name is Abraham Lincoln: remember it, boys, for I am quite sure you will hear it again some day.

Thomas: Of course we'll remember it; couldn't forget it if we tried. A boy that was as big a greeny as that.

John: I tell you, Helen, the next time that you have to write one of those things which you like so well--a composition--you can write it about "The Two Cuts, or The Wood That Was Cut for a Cut Book." My! but that will be fine. (_Both laugh boisterously._)

Helen: Well, you may laugh, boys, but you'll find there'll be plenty of people to write about him, and it may be it will be done while you are yet alive to read the books, and more than that--

(_Shouts heard from behind scenes._)

John (_running off at right_): Come on, Tom, I hear the boys forming for "There, old cat"; we'll be too late.

Thomas: But, how about your sum and my geography lesson? The teacher'll do something dreadful to us.

John (_calling back over his shoulder_): Bother on them, we'll have time to study after school calls: if we don't, who cares? Let Abraham Lincoln do the studying while we are having fun. Come on, come on. (_Exit at right._)

Helen: Don't go, Tom; stay and have a perfect lesson for once.

Thomas: O, I've heard preaching enough for one morning. (_Exit at right, running._)

Helen: That's the way it always ends. If I try to have them mend their ways, they just make fun of me for "preaching." (_Goes to a desk and takes up book, opens it and sits at desk._) I'm only a girl, of course, but I am going to imitate poor Abe by trying to get a little knowledge into my head. But what foolish boys _they_ are, and some day when Abraham Lincoln is a great man and everyone is talking about the wonderful things he is doing, John and Tom will be standing around whittling sticks and growling because they couldn't be as "lucky as Abraham Lincoln." Well, if _I_ am anywhere around, I'll tell them of the things they said this morning. I know I shall never forget them. (_Becomes intent on book._)

Curtain

CAPTAIN LINCOLN

Clara J. Denton

A DIALOGUE FOR FIVE BOYS

CHARACTERS

Captain Lincoln
Lieutenant Dash
Private Dunn
Sergeant Free
Gerolomo, _the Indian_

COSTUMES

Soldiers: For the four soldiers, suitable military outfits.

Indian: If a wig of long black hair is obtainable, part the hair and make into two heavy braids, twisting yellow or red flannel through the braids which hang down close to the face on either side. If a wig is impossible, decorate a strip of pasteboard with chicken feathers and fasten it around the head. Wear a brightly colored blanket thrown over a pair of overalls and dark cotton shirt. Wear moccasins. Carry old-fashioned gun.

The character of Lincoln must be taken by boy much taller than the others.

SCENE

Camp; tent in foreground with flap up, showing rude bed, gun, knapsack, etc.

Lieutenant Dash and Sergeant Free are discovered lying at full length not far from tent.

Lieutenant (_rising_): Well, I must say, I'm mighty tired lying 'round here waiting for that boat to come.

Sergeant (_yawns and rolls over_): Guess we'll never get where the Indians are if we wait for that boat. Wish we could all swim across the river. Captain Lincoln's getting mighty tired of waiting, too.

Lieutenant: No wonder! Such an unruly lot as he has to hold in check here.

Sergeant: Yes, think of his being blamed for that rowdy crowd breaking into the storehouse and drinking up all the whiskey. He didn't know a thing about it until it was all over.

Lieutenant (_walking up and down_): Yes, but you see that's the way things go; he's at the head of the company and he just has to stand the blame for all their meannesses. I should think they'd be a little careful of their doings for they all like him, or seem to, anyway.

Sergeant: You see, they just didn't think, that's the trouble with them.

Lieutenant: Perhaps they'll be more careful after this, that is if they like him as well as they pretend to.

Sergeant (_jumping up_): Oh, that's all real; they like him, you can depend on that. Didn't you ever hear how he came to be captain?

Lieutenant: No, I have often wondered about it, for he's young for that position. Tell me all about it if you can. (_Seats himself on ground near door of tent._)

Sergeant: Well, it was this way; it's not a very long story, but I might as well sit down. (_Sits on other side of door._) You see, there were two fellows put up: Kirkpatrick and Lincoln. The vote was taken in a field, by directing the fellows at the command "march," to gather around the one they wanted for captain. The other fellow was a good deal older than Lincoln and I s'pose most folks would say he was better fitted to be captain, but's sure's you live a good big majority went over to Lincoln's side. And I never saw a fellow so tickled as Lincoln was! (_Slapping his knee with his right hand._)

Lieutenant: Well, now, they ought to stand by him and not cut up any more rowdy tricks, to have him disgraced by wearing a wooden sword. Better talk to them just as soon as you get a chance.

Sergeant: I will, sir, that I will. (_Enter_ Private Dunn _at left. He comes down and salutes._)

Private: You just ought to have been up the road with the boys a couple of hours ago. I tell you, we had heaps of fun. Talk about Indians!

Lieutenant (_jumping up_) } Indians!
Sergeant (_rushing to him_) }