They'll blow in relay, pards, from sea to sea.
They'll blow in relay, pards, from sea to sea.
(Harry Egerton stands and watches the militiamen depart. As Bentley goes down the stairs he turns and looks at Harry Egerton, who lifts his hand to his head in a sort of military salute)
Chris Knudson.
That's what they say about us, Wes, you knowThat when the thing we've fought is taken awayWe'll fight among ourselves.
That's what they say about us, Wes, you knowThat when the thing we've fought is taken awayWe'll fight among ourselves.
Wes Dicey.
(To Harry Egerton)
I ain't a man,And never have been one, to set my viewsAgainst the boys' views. If they're satisfiedAnd think the new way's better than the old,And if they'll vote for it, Wes and his friendsWill have no grouch.
I ain't a man,And never have been one, to set my viewsAgainst the boys' views. If they're satisfiedAnd think the new way's better than the old,And if they'll vote for it, Wes and his friendsWill have no grouch.
Several.
That's all right.
That's all right.
A Voice.
Then come on.
Then come on.
Harry Egerton.
To get along together, as Sam says,That's what we seek, my friend. The rest will come.
To get along together, as Sam says,That's what we seek, my friend. The rest will come.
Wes Dicey.
It's for the boys I took the stand I did.
It's for the boys I took the stand I did.
(The workmen go back into the mill. Harry Egerton watches Dicey until he is lost among the men that pass out rear)
Harvey Anderson.
(Who has been watching him)
Partner.
Partner.
Harry Egerton.
(Who has started to follow the men)
What is it, Harvey?
What is it, Harvey?
Harvey Anderson.
What's this mean?
What's this mean?
Harry Egerton.
We cannot be too patient with these men.It's a free mill we're trying to build, Harvey.
We cannot be too patient with these men.It's a free mill we're trying to build, Harvey.
Harvey Anderson.
'Tain't that I mean.
'Tain't that I mean.
(Takes the will from his pocket)
Why did you give me this?
Why did you give me this?
Harry Egerton.
As a precaution, Harvey.
As a precaution, Harvey.
Harvey Anderson.
(To Jim King, who lingers about beyond the railing)
We'll be there.
We'll be there.
Harry Egerton.
If anything should happen to me, you know,My father would inherit everything.
If anything should happen to me, you know,My father would inherit everything.
Harvey Anderson.
Yes.
Yes.
Harry Egerton.
And God meant the mine for other things.And as administrators you and SamAnd Buck I knew would carry on the work.
And God meant the mine for other things.And as administrators you and SamAnd Buck I knew would carry on the work.
Harvey Anderson.
But why just now? Come on and tell me, partner.There's something up. You ain't been like yourself.There's something on your heart. What is it, partner?It ain't the faction?
But why just now? Come on and tell me, partner.There's something up. You ain't been like yourself.There's something on your heart. What is it, partner?It ain't the faction?
Harry Egerton.
No.
No.
Harvey Anderson.
About the mine—That lie they told is eating in your heart.
About the mine—That lie they told is eating in your heart.
Harry Egerton.
Have I done anything that you know, Harvey,That could have wronged the men or any of them?
Have I done anything that you know, Harvey,That could have wronged the men or any of them?
Harvey Anderson.
You wronged them? What you mean?
You wronged them? What you mean?
Harry Egerton.
In any way?
In any way?
Harvey Anderson.
Why they'd die for you, partner. What you mean?
Why they'd die for you, partner. What you mean?
Harry Egerton.
Come here to-night when we can be alone.There are some things I want to tell you, Harvey,That you and Sam and Buck must carry out.
Come here to-night when we can be alone.There are some things I want to tell you, Harvey,That you and Sam and Buck must carry out.
Harvey Anderson.
(Looks at him a long while, then lays his hands upon his shoulders)
We're on the eve of seeing things come trueAnd there ain't nothing that can stop it, partner.
We're on the eve of seeing things come trueAnd there ain't nothing that can stop it, partner.
Harry Egerton.
I don't know what I'd do without you, Harvey.
I don't know what I'd do without you, Harvey.
(They go back through the gate in the railing and out through the great door, left, whence the crowd has passed. Rome Masters comes furtively up the stairs and looks about. He then comes past the sash to the door, forward left, and begins to pull off the strip that is nailed across it. He has just loosened it when Jim King appears upon the stairs and gives a low whistle. Rome Masters quickly joins him and together they hurry back through the milland out the great door, left. A moment later the First Guard comes up the stairs, followed by Ralph Ardsley and Bishop Hardbrooke)
First Guard.
I'll find him.
I'll find him.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
If you please.
If you please.
(The Guard goes back through the mill)
Bishop Hardbrooke.
I don't like this.The atmosphere's too charged with victory.
I don't like this.The atmosphere's too charged with victory.
Ralph Ardsley.
I don't believe they even know it's cold.
I don't believe they even know it's cold.
(Looks about)
It's wonderful the way he's handled things.It's that, I think, as much as anythingThat's won the confidence of the citizens.I was just sure they'd have a riot here.
It's wonderful the way he's handled things.It's that, I think, as much as anythingThat's won the confidence of the citizens.I was just sure they'd have a riot here.
(He gets up on one of the stools before the desk and takes from his overcoat pocket a newspaper which he spreads out before him)
I've thought about it, Bishop; don't you thinkThat that injunction Egerton got outAgainst the mine, considering everything,The public feeling—if he has good groundsFor claiming that his own men found the mine—Aside from the reflection on his son—A tactical mistake, don't you think so?
I've thought about it, Bishop; don't you thinkThat that injunction Egerton got outAgainst the mine, considering everything,The public feeling—if he has good groundsFor claiming that his own men found the mine—Aside from the reflection on his son—A tactical mistake, don't you think so?
Bishop Hardbrooke.
Best not allude to that.
Best not allude to that.
Ralph Ardsley.
I think so too.
I think so too.
(He reads the paper. The Bishop stands listening to the indistinct noises that come from the crowd outside)
Ralph Ardsley.
And yet you can't blame Jergens very much.Something has got to happen pretty soon.Amalgamated's off again, I see.
And yet you can't blame Jergens very much.Something has got to happen pretty soon.Amalgamated's off again, I see.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
Who is this Harvey Anderson?
Who is this Harvey Anderson?
Ralph Ardsley.
He's the roughThat kept the men from going back that day.Drew his revolver. Big man here now. You seeHe'd been out on the mountains with a cast,One of the men the Company had out.So it's quite possible, as Jergens claims,That Anderson found the mine. For gold these days—To get possession of a mine like that—Men have been killed for less.
He's the roughThat kept the men from going back that day.Drew his revolver. Big man here now. You seeHe'd been out on the mountains with a cast,One of the men the Company had out.So it's quite possible, as Jergens claims,That Anderson found the mine. For gold these days—To get possession of a mine like that—Men have been killed for less.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
But Harry——
But Harry——
Ralph Ardsley.
That,That's what I can't get down me, his collusion——
That,That's what I can't get down me, his collusion——
(Cheers outside)
It's probably Anderson haranguing them.I don't myself believe that Harry'd do it.
It's probably Anderson haranguing them.I don't myself believe that Harry'd do it.
(Tremendous cheering)
There's certainly enthusiasm there.
There's certainly enthusiasm there.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
What is it, Editor Ardsley?
What is it, Editor Ardsley?
Ralph Ardsley.
I don't know.
I don't know.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
What's it all mean? What's underneath it all?
What's it all mean? What's underneath it all?
Ralph Ardsley.
We're neither of us, Bishop, what we were.We've lost our power. Something's happeningThat we don't understand.
We're neither of us, Bishop, what we were.We've lost our power. Something's happeningThat we don't understand.
(A pause)
And done by menThat live right here and walk the streets and talk,Buy vegetables and pass the time of day.I tell you, Bishop Hardbrooke, you can't tell.
And done by menThat live right here and walk the streets and talk,Buy vegetables and pass the time of day.I tell you, Bishop Hardbrooke, you can't tell.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
(Half to himself)
As though they had the Ark of the Covenant.
As though they had the Ark of the Covenant.
Ralph Ardsley.
If any one had said to me last weekThat that despondent crowd of shabby men,After six weeks of battle against odds,And beaten into silence, starved and cold,Had in them the capacity for this—Who was it said we're always in a flux,That nothing's fixed? We don't know anything.It's like a case of type; to-day it spellsEgerton and to-morrow M-o-b.To think of Donald Egerton at bay!Egad!
If any one had said to me last weekThat that despondent crowd of shabby men,After six weeks of battle against odds,And beaten into silence, starved and cold,Had in them the capacity for this—Who was it said we're always in a flux,That nothing's fixed? We don't know anything.It's like a case of type; to-day it spellsEgerton and to-morrow M-o-b.To think of Donald Egerton at bay!Egad!
Bishop Hardbrooke.
These shouts once rose about the Church,But somehow we don't hear them any more.
These shouts once rose about the Church,But somehow we don't hear them any more.
Ralph Ardsley.
Don't think for a moment, Bishop, that you're alone.We never had the tumult and the shoutThat you had in old days, but it's all the same.The 'Power of the Press'! It makes me laugh.If I could find a little farm somewhere,I'd sell my stock to Egerton and get outAnd let the world go hang. I'm tired of it.
Don't think for a moment, Bishop, that you're alone.We never had the tumult and the shoutThat you had in old days, but it's all the same.The 'Power of the Press'! It makes me laugh.If I could find a little farm somewhere,I'd sell my stock to Egerton and get outAnd let the world go hang. I'm tired of it.
(Cheers outside)
Yes, there's a ring about it you don't hearEven in Conventions.
Yes, there's a ring about it you don't hearEven in Conventions.
(The Guard enters the mill, back left, and comes through the gate in the railing)
Guard.
In a moment.
In a moment.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
Thank you.
Thank you.
(The Guard goes out down the stairs)
Ralph Ardsley.
What's your opinion of the trouble, Bishop?
What's your opinion of the trouble, Bishop?
(To himself)
To think of Donald Egerton at bay!
To think of Donald Egerton at bay!
Bishop Hardbrooke.
We've had the matter up in ConferenceSeveral times.
We've had the matter up in ConferenceSeveral times.
Ralph Ardsley.
Yes.
Yes.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
But I somehow feelWe don't get hold of it. The lower classes—They're going off. I don't believe it's Christ.You say they're leaving you; and General Chadbourne—Two thirds, I think you said, of his command.
But I somehow feelWe don't get hold of it. The lower classes—They're going off. I don't believe it's Christ.You say they're leaving you; and General Chadbourne—Two thirds, I think you said, of his command.
Ralph Ardsley.
Facing State's prison, too
Facing State's prison, too
(Cheers outside. The two men remain silent)
Ralph Ardsley.
And Egerton—They certainly have left him. I thought last nightAs I sat looking up toward that new home—
And Egerton—They certainly have left him. I thought last nightAs I sat looking up toward that new home—
(Cheers outside)
They'll never light it up again that way,The way it was that day. Did you ever seeAnything to equal that reception hall?
They'll never light it up again that way,The way it was that day. Did you ever seeAnything to equal that reception hall?
Bishop Hardbrooke.
What's in the boy that these men follow him,And all his life so quiet, almost timid?
What's in the boy that these men follow him,And all his life so quiet, almost timid?
Ralph Ardsley.
'What go ye out into the wilderness for to see?'
'What go ye out into the wilderness for to see?'
Bishop Hardbrooke.
Yes, if his cause were better.
Yes, if his cause were better.
Ralph Ardsley.
There you are.
There you are.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
But this audacious, this deliberateStealing—though I hate to use the word—This seizing of the mill——
But this audacious, this deliberateStealing—though I hate to use the word—This seizing of the mill——
Ralph Ardsley.
Here he comes now.
Here he comes now.
(He gets down from the stool)
You do the talking, Bishop, the heavy part.
You do the talking, Bishop, the heavy part.
(Harry Egerton enters)
Bishop Hardbrooke.
Harry.
Harry.
Harry Egerton.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
Ralph Ardsley.
You don't seemTo mind the cold or anything down here.
You don't seemTo mind the cold or anything down here.
Harry Egerton.
We have been busy.
We have been busy.
Ralph Ardsley.
I should think so. YesIt's wonderful the way you've plunged right inTo business.
I should think so. YesIt's wonderful the way you've plunged right inTo business.
Harry Egerton.
Yes.
Yes.
Ralph Ardsley.
Things going pretty well?
Things going pretty well?
Harry Egerton.
Yes.
Yes.
Ralph Ardsley.
I'm glad.
I'm glad.
Harry Egerton.
You sent for me.
You sent for me.
Ralph Ardsley.
Yes.
Yes.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
Harry,We've come to see if something can't be doneTo end this controversy and bring peace,An honorable peace to all concerned.A permanent state of strife is far from pleasant.There's nothing sadder in the life of manThan to see towns disrupted, classes arrayedAgainst each other, to say nothing, Harry,Of this far dearer tie that's straining here,That pains us all far more than we can tell.We've often had these troubles in the Church,Mostly in the past, of course, men differingUpon some point of doctrine or government.And my experience is that at the bottomThere's something that at first was overlooked,Then, in the strife that followed, overwhelmed.There's common ground, there must be in these things.Look at the world; we pass along the street.We don't confront each other and block the way.Each yields a bit and so we all pass on.And in relationships it must be the same.We're one, my brother.
Harry,We've come to see if something can't be doneTo end this controversy and bring peace,An honorable peace to all concerned.A permanent state of strife is far from pleasant.There's nothing sadder in the life of manThan to see towns disrupted, classes arrayedAgainst each other, to say nothing, Harry,Of this far dearer tie that's straining here,That pains us all far more than we can tell.We've often had these troubles in the Church,Mostly in the past, of course, men differingUpon some point of doctrine or government.And my experience is that at the bottomThere's something that at first was overlooked,Then, in the strife that followed, overwhelmed.There's common ground, there must be in these things.Look at the world; we pass along the street.We don't confront each other and block the way.Each yields a bit and so we all pass on.And in relationships it must be the same.We're one, my brother.
Ralph Ardsley.
Like our fingers here.
Like our fingers here.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
And when we're not, when interests seem to clash,It's just as sure as Death or anythingSome law of God is being tampered with.And so we thought we'd come——
And when we're not, when interests seem to clash,It's just as sure as Death or anythingSome law of God is being tampered with.And so we thought we'd come——
Ralph Ardsley.
And now's the time.
And now's the time.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
For, as you know, in town the feeling's growingThat there's a sword impending over usWhich the least breath will bring down on our heads.
For, as you know, in town the feeling's growingThat there's a sword impending over usWhich the least breath will bring down on our heads.
Ralph Ardsley.
And not in the town alone, but the whole State—They seem to have their eyes upon us here.You've seen the papers how the strikes are spreading.The mills at Upton and the plant at Sawyer,And down the State there's Smith and Balding Brothers,Heacox and Knight, twelve hundred men gone out,Demanding unconditionally the mills.
And not in the town alone, but the whole State—They seem to have their eyes upon us here.You've seen the papers how the strikes are spreading.The mills at Upton and the plant at Sawyer,And down the State there's Smith and Balding Brothers,Heacox and Knight, twelve hundred men gone out,Demanding unconditionally the mills.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
Think of it, Harry, think of what this means!
Think of it, Harry, think of what this means!
Ralph Ardsley.
Not satisfied with wages any more.
Not satisfied with wages any more.
Harry Egerton.
Pardon me.
Pardon me.
(Walks rear and listens)
Bishop Hardbrooke.
He doesn't listen to what I say.
He doesn't listen to what I say.
Ralph Ardsley.
Not that you are to blame for it, we don't say that.But probably without your knowing itA fire or something's going out of youThat's kindling this industrial upheaval;For it's your name they've made the war-cry, Harry.
Not that you are to blame for it, we don't say that.But probably without your knowing itA fire or something's going out of youThat's kindling this industrial upheaval;For it's your name they've made the war-cry, Harry.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
He even smiled when you spoke of the millsClosing.
He even smiled when you spoke of the millsClosing.
Ralph Ardsley.
I don't think he meant it so.His heart's out there, though, that's as plain as day.
I don't think he meant it so.His heart's out there, though, that's as plain as day.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
Harry, if these shouts mean a final step,A closing up of things which if once closedWill render of no use any labor of ours,I beg of you to call this meeting off,At least until we see what we can do.
Harry, if these shouts mean a final step,A closing up of things which if once closedWill render of no use any labor of ours,I beg of you to call this meeting off,At least until we see what we can do.
Ralph Ardsley.
Postpone it, Harry, say till Monday morning.You know yourself how dangerous it isTo wake men's hopes to a wild dream of power.They're never afterwards content with lessThan that wild something that could never be.
Postpone it, Harry, say till Monday morning.You know yourself how dangerous it isTo wake men's hopes to a wild dream of power.They're never afterwards content with lessThan that wild something that could never be.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
Yes, brother, let the Lord's day with its peaceBreathe on this quarrel. Why do you say too late?
Yes, brother, let the Lord's day with its peaceBreathe on this quarrel. Why do you say too late?
Harry Egerton.
(Who has come forward)
Because it's up there, Bishop, it's up thereAbove mere bread.
Because it's up there, Bishop, it's up thereAbove mere bread.
Ralph Ardsley.
What does he mean by that?
What does he mean by that?
Bishop Hardbrooke.
I trust, my brother, that it is up there.
I trust, my brother, that it is up there.
Ralph Ardsley.
We don't just see what it is you are trying to do.
We don't just see what it is you are trying to do.
Harry Egerton.
The statement I gave out last Saturday——
The statement I gave out last Saturday——
Ralph Ardsley.
That was a week ago.
That was a week ago.
Harry Egerton.
Yes.
Yes.
Ralph Ardsley.
And since thenReports have come out that there's a move on footTo organize—I know not what to call it——
And since thenReports have come out that there's a move on footTo organize—I know not what to call it——
Harry Egerton.
A Commonwealth of Workers.
A Commonwealth of Workers.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
Then it's true!
Then it's true!
Ralph Ardsley.
Your purpose then is to retain the mill?
Your purpose then is to retain the mill?
Bishop Hardbrooke.
Purchase it?
Purchase it?
Harry Egerton.
I don't know. We'll do what's fair.We've had to think first of supplying bread.That's left but little time for other things.
I don't know. We'll do what's fair.We've had to think first of supplying bread.That's left but little time for other things.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
But if the Company shouldn't choose to sell?
But if the Company shouldn't choose to sell?
Harry Egerton.
That is with them.
That is with them.
Ralph Ardsley.
You mean you'll still hold on?
You mean you'll still hold on?
Harry Egerton.
That will be my advice, yes.
That will be my advice, yes.
Ralph Ardsley.
But the Law.
But the Law.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
'Thou shalt not steal.'
'Thou shalt not steal.'
(Harry Egerton walks rear and listens)
Ralph Ardsley.
Doesn't that beat the world!
Doesn't that beat the world!
Bishop Hardbrooke.
It's his association with these roughs.
It's his association with these roughs.
Ralph Ardsley.
And they'll never dare lay hands upon them, Bishop.I tell you the Commonwealth's afraid to move.
And they'll never dare lay hands upon them, Bishop.I tell you the Commonwealth's afraid to move.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
Has God no place in business, my young brother?
Has God no place in business, my young brother?
Harry Egerton.
(Returning)
Yes, Bishop Hardbrooke, and it's very strangeYou've never thought of that until to-day.
Yes, Bishop Hardbrooke, and it's very strangeYou've never thought of that until to-day.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
A hidden meaning couched in that, I think.
A hidden meaning couched in that, I think.
Harry Egerton.
This is the first time you've been in this millOr near these workingmen in all these years.And now you come to plead my father's cause.
This is the first time you've been in this millOr near these workingmen in all these years.And now you come to plead my father's cause.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
I come for peace.
I come for peace.
Harry Egerton.
Then why not weeks agoWhen there was strife? You heard the cry of the poorFor six weeks, Bishop, and you never came.Why wait until the starving time is past?
Then why not weeks agoWhen there was strife? You heard the cry of the poorFor six weeks, Bishop, and you never came.Why wait until the starving time is past?
Bishop Hardbrooke.
I've rather arduous duties, my young brother.Besides my Church work there are Boards and BoardsAnd meetings of this Charity and thatThat you in business know but little of.My interest in the poor is not unknown.
I've rather arduous duties, my young brother.Besides my Church work there are Boards and BoardsAnd meetings of this Charity and thatThat you in business know but little of.My interest in the poor is not unknown.
Harry Egerton.
You've been in father's confidence for years.
You've been in father's confidence for years.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
I'm proud to say I have.
I'm proud to say I have.
Harry Egerton.
There's seldom passedA Sunday that he's not been in his pew.
There's seldom passedA Sunday that he's not been in his pew.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
A creditable record.
A creditable record.
Ralph Ardsley.
I should say.
I should say.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
And one that any son might emulateWith profit, I should think.
And one that any son might emulateWith profit, I should think.
Harry Egerton.
It's very strangeMy father doesn't know some things are wrong.
It's very strangeMy father doesn't know some things are wrong.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
You mean he doesn't see things as you do.
You mean he doesn't see things as you do.
Harry Egerton.
Yes, all my life I've wondered when I've seenCheck after check go out with father's nameTo help along some Mission over seaOr roof some rising Charity at home,I've often wondered that he's never seenThose little shacks upon the hill out thereNor heard the cry of widows from these saws.
Yes, all my life I've wondered when I've seenCheck after check go out with father's nameTo help along some Mission over seaOr roof some rising Charity at home,I've often wondered that he's never seenThose little shacks upon the hill out thereNor heard the cry of widows from these saws.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
I would suggest, my brother, that we leaveThe deeper things of God for quiet timesAnd turn our minds to something nearer home.
I would suggest, my brother, that we leaveThe deeper things of God for quiet timesAnd turn our minds to something nearer home.
Harry Egerton.
I know of nothing nearer home than this,The cry of men for justice at our doors.
I know of nothing nearer home than this,The cry of men for justice at our doors.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
Suppose we get the Company to agreeTo let bygones be bygones with the men,And to restore conditions as they were——
Suppose we get the Company to agreeTo let bygones be bygones with the men,And to restore conditions as they were——
Ralph Ardsley.
In other words to meet the men's demands.
In other words to meet the men's demands.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
And put the guards they ask about the saws.That would remove the causes, would it not,Of the misunderstanding?
And put the guards they ask about the saws.That would remove the causes, would it not,Of the misunderstanding?
Ralph Ardsley.
Every one.
Every one.
Bishop Hardbrooke.
Would there be any valid reason thenWhy Peace should not return and all be friendsAs formerly?
Would there be any valid reason thenWhy Peace should not return and all be friendsAs formerly?
Harry Egerton.
For weeks they waited for it.
For weeks they waited for it.
(Listens back)
Bishop Hardbrooke.
What's time to do with right and wrong, my brother?
What's time to do with right and wrong, my brother?
Harry Egerton.
But men in misery often have a visionBeyond the eye of prosperous days to see.
But men in misery often have a visionBeyond the eye of prosperous days to see.
Bishop Hardbrooke.