Books: Our American Cousin
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Tom Taylor >> Our American Cousin
Mary Tell me, Mr. Trenchard, did he never receive any letters
from his daughter?
Asa Oh yes, lots of them, but the old cuss never read them, though.
He chucked them in the fire as soon as he made out who they come from.
Mary [Aside.] My poor mother.
Asa You see, as nigh as we could reckon it up, she had gone and
got married again his will, and that made him mad, and well,
he was a queer kind of a rusty fusty old coon, and it appeared that
he got older, and rustier, and fustier and coonier every fall,
you see it always took him in the fall, it was too much for him.
He got took down with the ague, he was so bad the doctors gave him up,
and mother she went for a minister, and while she was gone the old man
called me in his room, `come in, Asa, boy,' says he, and his voice
rang loud and clear as a bell, `come in,' says he. Well I comed in;
`sit down,' says he; well I sot down. You see I was always a favorite
with the old man. `Asa, my boy,' says he, takin' a great piece of paper,
`when I die, this sheet of paper makes you heir to all my property
in England'. Well, you can calculate I pricked up my ears
about that time, bime-by the minister came, and I left the room,
and I do believe he had a three day's fight with the devil,
for that old man's soul, but he got the upper hand of satan at last,
and when the minister had gone the old man called me into his room again.
The old Squire was sitting up in his bed, his face as pale as
the sheet that covered him, his silken hair flowing in silvery locks
from under his red cap, and the tears rolling from his large blue eyes
down his furrowed cheek, like two mill streams. Will you excuse
my lighting a cigar? For the story is a long, awful moveing,
and I don't think I could get on without a smoke. [Strikes match.]
Wal, says he to me, and his voice was not as loud as it was afore--
it was like the whisper of the wind in a pine forest, low and awful.
`Asa, boy,' said he, 'I feel that I've sinned in hardening my heart
against my own flesh and blood, but I will not wrong the last
that is left of them; give me the light,' says he. Wal I gave him
the candle that stood by his bedside, and he took the sheet of paper
I was telling you of, just as I might take this. [Takes will from pocket.]
And he twisted it up as I might this, [Lights will,] and he lights it
just this way, and he watched it burn slowly and slowly away.
Then, says he, `Asa, boy that act disinherits you, but it leaves
all my property to one who has a better right to it. My own
daughter's darling child, Mary Meredith,' and then he smiled,
sank back upon his pillow, drew a long sigh as if he felt relieved,
and that was the last of poor old Mark Trenchard.
Mary Poor Grandfather. [Buries her face and sobs.]
Asa [After bus.] Wal, I guess I'd better leave her alone.
[Sees half burned will.] There lies four hundred thousand dollars,
if there's a cent. Asa, boy, you're a hoss. [Starts off, R. 1 C.]
Mary To me, all to me. Oh Mr. Trenchard, how we have all wronged
poor grandfather. What, gone? He felt after such tidings,
he felt I should be left alone--who would suspect there was such delicacy
under that rough husk, but I can hardly believe the startling news--
his heiress--I, the penniless orphan of an hour ago, no longer penniless,
but, alas, an orphan still, [Enter Florence.] with none to share my wealth,
none to love me.
Flo [Throwing arms around Mary's neck.] What treason is this, Mary,
no one to love you, eh, what's the matter? You've been weeping,
and I met that American Savage coming from here;
he has not been rude to you?
Mary On no, he's the gentlest of human beings, but he has just told me
news that has moved me strangely.
Flo What is it, love?
Mary That all grandfather's property is mine, mine, Florence,
do you understand?
Flo What! he has popped, has he? I thought he would.
Mary Who do you mean?
Flo Who? Asa Trenchard, to be sure.
Mary Asa Trenchard, why, what put that in your head?
Flo Why how can Mark Trenchard's property be yours,
unless you marry the legatee.
Mary The legatee? Who?
Flo Why, you know Mark Trenchard left everything to Asa.
Mary No, no, you have been misinformed.
Flo Nonsence, he showed it to me, not an hour ago on
a half sheet of rough paper just like this. [Sees will.]
Like this. [Picks it up.] Why this is part of it, I believe.
Mary That's the paper he lighted his cigar with.
Flo Then he lighted his cigar with 80,000 pounds.
Here is old Mark Trenchard's signature.
Mary Yes, I recognize the hand.
Flo And here are the words ``Asa Trenchard,
in consideration of sole heir''--etc.--etc.--etc.
Mary Oh Florence, what does this mean?
Flo It means that he is a true hero, and he loves you,
you little rogue. [Embraces her.]
Mary Generous man. [Hides face in Florence's bosom.]
Flo Oh, won't I convict him, now. I'll find him at once.
Runs off, R. 3 E., Mary after her calling Florence!!! Florence!!!
as scene closes.
Change
Scene 2.--Chamber as before.
Enter Mrs. Montchessington, and Augusta, L. 1 E.
Mrs M Yes, my child, while Mr. De Boots and Mr. Trenchard are both here,
you must ask yourself seriously, as to the state of your affections,
remember, your happiness for life will depend upon the choice you make.
Aug What would you advise, mamma? You know I am always advised by you.
Mrs M Dear, obedient child, De Boots has excellent expectations,
but then they are only expectations after all. This American is rich,
and on the whole I think a well regulated affection ought to incline
to Asa Trenchard.
Aug Very well, mamma.
Mrs M At the same time, you must be cautious, or in grasping at
Asa Trenchard's solid good qualities, you may miss them,
and De Boots expectations into the bargain.
Aug Oh, I will take care not to give up my hold on
poor De Boots 'till I am quite sure of the American.
Mrs M That's my own girl. [Enter Asa L.] Ah, Mr. Trenchard,
we were just talking of your archery powers.
Asa Wal, I guess shooting with bows and arrows is just about like
most things in life, all you've got to do is keep the sun out of your eyes,
look straight--pull strong--calculate the distance, and you're sure to hit
the mark in most things as well as shooting.
Aug But not in England, Mr. Trenchard. There are disinterested hearts
that only ask an opportunity of showing how they despise that gold,
which others set such store by.
Asa Wal, I suppose there are, Miss Gusty.
Aug All I crave is affection.
Asa [Crosses to C.] Do you, now? I wish I could make sure of that,
for I've been cruelly disappointed in that particular.
Mrs M Yes, but we are old friends, Mr. Trenchard, and you needn't
be afraid of us.
Asa Oh, I ain't afraid of you--both on you together.
Mrs M People sometimes look a great way off, for that which is near at hand.
[Glancing at Augusta and Asa alternatively.]
Asa You don't mean, Miss Gusta. [Augusta casts sheeps eyes at him.]
Now, don't look at me in that way. I can't stand it, if you do, I'll bust.
Mrs M Oh, if you only knew how refreshing this ingenuousness of yours
is to an old woman of the world like me.
Asa Be you and old woman of the world?
Mrs M Yes, sir.
Aug Oh yes.
Asa Well I don't doubt it in the least. [Aside.] This gal and
the old woman are trying to get me on a string. [Aloud.] Wal,
then, if a rough spun fellow like me was to come forward as a suitor
for you daughter's hand, you wouldn't treat me as some folks do,
when they find out I wasn't heir to the fortune.
Mrs M Not heir to the fortune, Mr. Trenchard?
Asa Oh, no.
Aug What, no fortune?
Asa Nary red, it all comes to their barkin up the wrong tree about
the old man's property.
Mrs M Which he left to you.
Asa Oh, no.
Aug Not to you?
Asa No, which he meant to leave to me, but he thought better on it,
and left it to his granddaughter Miss Mary Meredith.
Mrs M Miss Mary Meredith! Oh, I'm delighted.
Aug Delighted?
Asa Yes, you both look tickled to death. Now, some gals,
and mothers would go away from a fellow when they found that out,
but you don't valley fortune, Miss Gusty?
Mrs M [Aside, crosses to Aug.] My love, you had better go.
Asa You crave affection, _you_ do. Now I've no fortune, but I'm
filling over with affections which I'm ready to pour out all over
you like apple sass, over roast pork.
Mrs M Mr. Trenchard, you will please recollect you are addressing
my daughter, and in my presence.
Asa Yes, I'm offering her my heart and hand just as she wants them
with nothing in 'em.
Mrs M Augusta, dear, to you room.
Aug Yes, ma, the nasty beast. [Exit R.]
Mrs M I am aware, Mr. Trenchard, you are not used to the manners
of good society, and that, alone, will excuse the impertinence
of which you have been guilty.
Asa Don't know the manners of good society, eh? Well,
I guess I know enough to turn you inside out, old gal--
you sockdologizing old man-trap. Wal, now, when I think
what I've thrown away in hard cash to-day I'm apt to call myself
some awful hard names, 400,000 dollars is a big pile for a man
to light his cigar with. If that gal had only given me herself
in exchange, it wouldn't have been a bad bargain. But I dare
no more ask that gal to be my wife, than I dare ask Queen Victoria
to dance a Cape Cod reel.
Enter Florence, L. 1 E.
Flo What do you mean by doing all these dreadful things?
Asa Which things.
Flo Come here sir. [He does so.]
Asa What's the matter?
Flo Do you know this piece of paper? [Showing burnt paper.]
Asa Well I think I have seen it before. [Aside.]
Its old Mark Trenchard's will that I left half burned up like a landhead,
that I am.
Flo And you're determined to give up this fortune to Mary Meredith?
Asa Well, I couldn't help it if I tried.
Flo Oh, don't say that.
Asa I didn't mean to do it when I first came here--hadn't the least idea
in the world of it, but when I saw that everlasting angel of a gal
movin around among them doing fixins like a sunbeam in a shady place;
and when I pictured here without a dollar in the world--I--
well my old Adam riz right up, and I said, ``Asa do it''--and I did it.
Flo Well, I don't know who your old Adam may be, but whoever it is,
he's a very honest man to consult you to do so good an action.
But how dare you do such an outrageous thing? you impudent--
you unceremonious, oh! you unselfish man! you! you, you!
[Smothers him with kisses, and runs off, R. 1 E.]
Asa Well, if that ain't worth four hundred thousand dollars,
I don't know what is, it was sweeter than sweet cider right out of
the bung hole. Let me see how things stand round here.
Thanks to old whiskers I've got that ship for the sailor man,
and that makes him and Miss Florence all hunk. Then there's that
darned old Coyle. Well I guess me and old Murcott can fix his flint for him.
Then there's--[Looks off, L.] Christopher Columbus, here comes Mary.
Enter Mary, L. 1 E.
Mary Mr. Trenchard, what can I say to you but offer you
my lifelong gratitude.
Asa Don't now, Miss, don't--
Mary If I knew what else to offer. Heaven knows there is nothing
that is mine to give that I would keep back.
Asa Give me yourself. [Bus.] I know what a rude, ill-mannered block I am;
but there's a heart inside me worth something, if it's only for
the sake of your dear little image, that's planted right plump
in the middle of it.
Mary Asa Trenchard, there is my hand, and my heart is in it.
Asa [Seizes here hand, then drops it suddenly.] Miss Mary,
I made what folks call a big sacrifice for you, this morning.
Oh! I know it, I ain't so modest, but that I know it.
Now what's this you're doing? Is this sacrifice you are making
out of gratitude for me? Cause if it is, I wouldn't have it,
though not to have it would nigh break my heart, tough as it is.
Mary No, no, I give myself freely to you--as freely as you,
this morning, gave my grandfather's property to me.
Asa Say it again, last of hope and blessed promise.
[Clasps her in his arms.] Mary, there's something tells me
that you'll not repent it. I'm rough, Mary, awful rough,
but you needn't fear that I'll ever be rough to you.
I've camped out in the woods, Mary, often and often,
and seen the bears at play with their cubs in the moonlight,
the glistening teeth, that would tear the hunter,
was harmless to them; the big strong claws that would peel a man's head,
as a knife would a pumpkin, was as soft for them as velvet cushions,
and that's what I'll be with you, my own little wife; and if ever harm
does come to you, it must come over the dead body of Asa Trenchard.
Mary I know it Asa; and if I do not prove a true and loving wife to you;
may my mother's bright spirit never look down to bless her child.
Asa Wal, if I don't get out in the air, I'll bust.
[Exit hastily R. 1 E. pulling Mary after him.]
Enter Binny, L. 1 E. Drunk.
Binny [Calling.] Mr. H'Asa, Mr. H'Asa! Oh he's gone;
well, I suppose he'll come back to keep his happointment.
Mr. Coyle's quite impatient. It isn't hoften that han hamerican has
the run of the wine cellars of Trenchard Manor, and in such company, too.
There's me and Mr. Coyle, which is a good judge of old port wine,
and he knows it when he drinks; and his clerk, Mr. Murcott,
which I don't hexactly like sitting down with clerks. But Mr. H'Asa
wished it and Mr. Coyle hadn't any objections, so in course
I put my feelings in my pocket, besides, Murcott is a man of hedication,
though unfortunately taken to drink. Well, what of that,
it's been many a man's misfortune, though I say it, what shouldn't say it,
being a butler. But now to join my distinguished party. [Exit, R. 1 E.]
Scene 3.--Wine cellar in 3.
Coyle, Murcott and Binny discovered. Table L., with two cups and bottles.
Coyle L. of table, seated. Binny back of table. Murcott sitting on barrel,
R. Door in flat with staircase discovered, dark. Stage half dark.
Candles on table, lighted.
Coyle A capital glass of wine, Mr. Binny, and a capital place to drink it.
Asa [Without.] Bring a light here, can't you. I've broken
my natural allowance of shins already.
Enters D. in F., down stairs.
Asa [To Murcott.] Is he tight yet?
Mur Histered, but not quite gone yet.
Coyle Oh, Mr. Trenchard, glad to see you, to welcome you
to the vaults of your ancestors.
Asa Oh! these are the vaults of my ancestors, are they?
Wal, you seem to be punishing their spirits pretty well.
Binny Wines, Mr. Asa? The spirits are in the houter cellar.
Coyle Oh, Mr. Asa, there is no place like a wine cellar for a hearty bout.
Here you might bawl yourself hoarse beneath these ribs of stone,
and nobody hear you. [He shouts and sings very loud.]
Asa Oh, wouldn't they hear you? [Aside.] That's worth knowing.
Binny [Very drunk--rising.] That's right, Mr. Coyle,
make as much noise as you like, you are in the cellars of Trenchard Manor,
Mr. Coyle. Mr. Coyle, bless you, Mr. Coyle. Mr. Coyle,
why his hit Mr. Coyle, I am sitting at the present time,
in this present distinguished company? I will tell you, Mr. Coyle,
hit his because Hi always hacts and conducts myself has becomes a gentleman,
hand Hi knows what's due to manners. [Falls in chair.]
Asa Steady, old hoss, steady.
Binny Hi'm steady. Hi always was steady. [Staggers across to L.H.]
Hi'm going to fetch clean glasses. [Exit, L. 3 R.]
Asa Now, Mr. Coyle, suppose you give us a song.
Coyle [Very drunk.] I can't sing, Mr. Trenchard, but I sometimes
join in the chorus.
Asa Wal, give us a chorus.
Coyle Will you assist in the vocalization thereof?
Asa [Mimicing.] Will do the best of my endeavors thereunto.
Coyle [Sings.] ``We won't go home till morning.''
Repeat.
Repeat [Falls off chair, senseless.]
Asa [Finishing the strain.] ``I don't think you'll go home at all.''
Now, then, quick, Murcott, before the butler comes back, get his keys.
[Murcott gets keys from Coyle's pocket and throws them to Asa.]
Is this all?
Mur No; the key of his private bureau is on his watch chain,
and I can't get it off.
Asa Take watch and all.
Mur No; he will accuse us of robbing him.
Asa Never mind, I'll take the responsibility. [Coyle moves.]
Mur He is getting up.
Asa Well, darn me, knock him down again.
Mur I can't.
Asa Can't you? Well, I can.
[Pulls Murcott away. Knocks Coyle down; is going towards D. in F.,
meets Binny with tray and glasses; kicks it, knocks Binny down
and exits up staircase, followed by Murcott, carrying candle.
Dark state. Binny rises; Coyle ditto. Blindly encounter each other
and pummel soundly till change.
Quick Change
Scene 4--Chamber in 1, same as Scene 2.
Enter Dundreary and Vernon, L. 1 E. Dundreary stops, C., and is seized
with an inclination to sneeze. Motions with his hand to Vernon.
Ver My lord! [Business Dundreary sneezing.] Your lordship!
[Dundreary same bus. Louder.] My lord!
Dun There you go; now you've spoiled it.
Ver Spoiled what, my lord?
Dun Spoiled what? why a most magnificent sneeze.
Ver I'm very sorry to interrupt your lordship's sneeze,
but I merely wanted to express my gratitude to you for getting me a ship.
Dun Sir, I don't want your gratitude, I only want to sneeze.
Ver Very well, my lord, then I will leave you, and this gives you
an opportunity for sneezing. [Crosses to R.] But in return for
what you have done for me, should you ever want a service a sailor
can offer you, just hail Harry Vernon, and you'll find he'll weigh anchor
and be alongside. [Hitches up breeches and exits, R. 1 E.]
Dun Find him alongside? What does he mean by a long side?
and he always wants to weigh anchor. What funny fellows the sailors are.
Why the devil won't they keep a memorandum of the weight of their anchor?
What's the matter with the sailor's side? [Imitates Vernon.]
Oh I see, he's got the stomach ache. [Exit, R. 1 E.]
Change Scene
Scene 5--Library in Trenchard Manor in 3 or 4.
Enter Buddicombe, R. 1 E., following Lord Dundreary.
Bud A letter, my lord.
Dun [Takes letter.] You may go. [Exit Buddicombe, R. 1 E. Opens letter.]
``My dear Frederick.'' He calls me Frederick because my name is Robert.
``I wrote you on my arrival.'' Why, I never heard from him.
``But I am afraid you didn't get the letter, because I put no name
on the envelope.'' That's the reason why I didn't get it,
but who did get it? It must have been some fellow without any name.
``My dear brother, the other day a rap came to my door,
and some fellows came in and proposed a quiet game of porker.''
A quiet game of porker, why, they wanted to kill him with a poker.
``I consented and got stuck--'' Sam's dead, I've got a dead lunatic
for a brother--``for the drinks.'' He got on the other side of the paper,
why couldn't he get stuck all on one side.
``P. S.--If you don't get this letter let me know,
for I shall feel anxious.'' He's a mad lunatic. [Exit, R. 1 E.]
Change Scene
Scene 6--Coyle's Office in 2. High desk and stool, R.
Modern box center against flat. Cabinet, L.
Asa discovered looking over papers on box. Murcott looking in desk.
Asa Have you found it?
Mur No, Mr. Trenchard. I've searched all the drawers but can find
no trace of it.
Asa What's this?
Mur That's a cabinet where his father kept old deeds,
the key he always carries about him.
Asa Oh, he does, does he? Well I reckon I saw a key as I came in
that will open it. [Exit, R. 1 E.]
Mur Key, oh, my poor muddled brain, what can he mean!
Asa [Re-enters with axe.] Here's a key that will open any lock
that Hobb ever invented.
Mur Key? what key?
Asa What key, why, Yankee. [Shows axe, begins to break open Cabinet.]
Enter Coyle, R. 2 E.
Coyle Villains! would you rob me?
Mur Stand off, Mr. Coyle, we are desperate. [Now seizes him.]
Asa Here it is a sure as there are snakes in Virginia.
Let the old cuss go, Murcott.
Coyle Burglars! oh, you shall dearly pay for this.
Asa Yes, I'll pay--but I guess you'll find the change.
Coyle The law--the law shall aid me.
Asa Wal, perhaps it would be as well not to call in the law just yet.
It might look a little further than might be convenient.
Mur It's no use to blunder, Mr. Coyle, you are harmless to us now,
for we have that, that will crush you.
Coyle Well, what are your conditions? money, how much?
Asa Wal, we warn't thinking of coming down on your dollars.
But you have an appointment with Sir Edward at two, haven't you?
Coyle Well?
Asa Well, I want you to keep that appointment.
Coyle Keep it?
Asa Yes, and that's all I do want you to keep of his,
and instead of saying you have come to foreclose the mortgage,
I want you to say, you have found the release which proves
the mortgage to have been paid off.
Coyle I accept. Is that all?
Asa Not quite. Then I want you to pay off the execution debts.
Coyle What, I pay Sir Edward's debts?
Asa Yes, with Sir Edward's money that stuck to your fingers
naturally while passing through your hands.
Coyle [To Murcott.] Traitor!
Mur He knows all, Mr. Coyle.
Coyle Is there anything more!
Asa yes, I want you to apologize to Miss Florence Trenchard,
for having the darned impudence to propose for her hand.
Coyle What more?
Asa Then you resign your stewardship in favor of your clerk, Abel Murcott.
Coyle What, that drunkard vagabond?
Asa Well, he was, but he's going to take the pledge at the first pump
he comes to.
Mur Yes, I _will_ conquer the demon drink, or die in the struggle with him.
Coyle Well, anything more?
Asa Yes, I think the next thing will be to get washed.
You're not a handsome man at best, and now you're awful.
[Coyle makes a dash at Murcott. Asa catches him and turns him round to R.]
Mr. Coyle, in your present state of mind, you had better go first.
Coyle [Bitterly.] Oh, sir, it is your turn now.
Asa Yes, it is my turn, but you can have the first wash.
Come along Murcott. [Exeunt, R. 1 E]
Change Scene
Scene 7--Library in Trenchard Manor in 3 or 4.
Sir Edward discovered seated R. of table.
Sir E The clock is on the stroke of two, and Coyle is waiting my decision.
In giving her to him, I know I shall be embittering her life to
save my fortune, but appearances--no, no, I will not sacrifice
her young life so full of promise, for a few short years
of questionable state for myself, better leave her to the mercy of chance.
[Enter Florence, R. U. E.] that sell her to this scoundrel;
and to myself, I will not survive the downfall of my house, but end it thus.
[Raises pistol to his head. Florence seizes his arm and screams.]
Flo Father, dear father, what despair is this?
[Sir Edward buries his face in his hands.] If it is fear of poverty,
do not think of me, I will marry this man if I drop dead in my bridal robes.
Enter Binny, R. 1 E.
Binny Mr. Coyle, sir who has come by happointment.
Sir E I will not see him.
Flo Yes, yes, show him up, Mr. Binny. [Exit Binny, R. 1 E.]
Sir E Florence, I will not consent to this sacrifice.
Enter Asa, Coyle and Murcott, R. 1 E.
Sir E How is this Mr. Coyle, you are not alone?
Asa No, you see, squire, Mr. Coyle wishes me and his clerk
to witness the cutting off the seals from the mortgage,
which he has been lucky enough to find the release of.
Sir E Heavens, is it so?
Coyle Yes, Sir Edward, there is the release executed by my father,
which had become detached.
Asa [To him.] Accidentally.
Sir E Saved, saved at last from want!
Coyle Meanwhile I have paid the execution debts out of a find
which has just fallen in.
Asa Accidentally. It's astonishing how things have fallen in
and out to-day.
Sir E But your demand here? [Points to Florence.]
Coyle I make none, Sir Edward. I regret that I should have conceived
so mad a thought; it is enough to unfit me for longer holding position
as you agent, which I beg humbly to resign--
Asa [Aside to him.] Recommending as you successor--
Coyle Recommending as my successor Abel Murcott, whose knowledge
of your affairs, gained in my office, will render him as useful as
I have been.
Asa Yes, just about.
Sir E Your request is granted, Mr. Coyle.
Asa And now, my dear Mr. Coyle, you may a-b-s-q-u-a-t-u-l-a-t-e.
Coyle I go, Sir Edward, with equal good wishes for all assembled here.
[Darts a look at Murcott and exits, R. 1 E.]
Asa That's a good man, Sir Edward.
Sir E Yes.
Asa Oh, he's a very good man.
Sir E Yes, he is a good man.
Asa But he can't keep a hotel.
Sir E Mr. Murcott, your offence was heavy.
Flo And so has been his reparation. Forgive him, papa. Mr. Murcott,
you saved me; may Heaven bless you.
Mur Yes, I saved her, thank Heaven. I had strength enough for that.
[Exits L. 1. E.]
Flo You'll keep your promise and make Mr. Murcott your clerk, papa?
Sir E Yes, I can refuse nothing; I am so happy; I am so happy,
I can refuse none anything to-day.
Asa Can't you, Sir Edward! Now, that's awful lucky, for there's
two gals want your consent mighty bad.