THE ESCAPE.
ACT I.
Mrs. Gaines, looking at some drawings—Sampey, a white slave, stands behind the lady’s chair.
Mrs. Gaines, looking at some drawings—Sampey, a white slave, stands behind the lady’s chair.
EnterDr. Gaines,R.
Dr. Gaines.Well, my dear, my practice is steadily increasing. I forgot to tell you that neighbor Wyman engaged me yesterday as his family physician; and I hope that the fever and ague, which is now taking hold of the people, will give me more patients. I see by the New Orleans papers that the yellow fever is raging there to a fearful extent. Men of my profession are reaping a harvest in that section this year. I would that we could have a touch of the yellow fever here, for I think I could invent a medicine that would cure it. But the yellow fever is a luxury that we medical men in this climate can’t expect to enjoy; yet we may hope for the cholera.
Mrs. Gaines.Yes, I would be glad to see it more sickly here, so that your business might prosper. But we are always unfortunate. Every body here seems to be in good health, and I am afraid that they’ll keep so. However, we must hope for the best. We must trust in the Lord. Providence may possibly send some disease amongst us for our benefit.
EnterCato,R.
Cato.Mr. Campbell is at de door, massa.
Dr. G.Ask him in, Cato.
EnterMr. Campbell,R.
Dr. G.Good morning, Mr. Campbell. Be seated.
Mr. Campbell.Good morning, doctor. The same to you, Mrs. Gaines. Fine morning, this.
Mrs. G.Yes, sir; beautiful day.
Mr. C.Well, doctor, I’ve come to engage you for my family physician. I am tired of Dr. Jones. I’ve lost another very valuable nigger under his treatment; and, as my old mother used to say, “change of pastures makes fat calves.”
Dr. G.I shall be most happy to become your doctor. Of course, you want me to attend to your niggers, as well as to your family?
Mr. C.Certainly, sir. I have twenty-three servants. What will you charge me by the year?
Dr. G.Of course, you’ll do as my other patients do, send your servants to me when they are sick, if able to walk?
Mr. C.Oh, yes; I always do that.
Dr. G.Then I suppose I’ll have to lump it, and say $500 per annum.
Mr. C.Well, then, we’ll consider that matter settled; and as two of the boys are sick, I’ll send them over. So I’ll bid you good day, doctor. I would be glad if you would come over some time, and bring Mrs. Gaines with you.
Dr. G.Yes, I will; and shall be glad if you will pay us a visit, and bring with you Mrs. Campbell. Come over and spend the day.
Mr. C.I will. Good morning, doctor.
[ExitMr. Campbell,R.
Dr. G.There, my dear, what do you think of that? Five hundred dollars more added to our income. That’s patronage worth having! And I am glad to get all the negroes I can to doctor, for Cato is becoming very useful to me in the shop. He can bleed, pull teeth, and do almostany thing that the blacks require. He can put up medicine as well as any one. A valuable boy, Cato!
Mrs. G.But why did you ask Mr. Campbell to visit you, and to bring his wife? I am sure I could never consent to associate with her, for I understand that she was the daughter of a tanner. You must remember, my dear, that I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. The blood of the Wyleys runs in my veins. I am surprised that you should ask him to visit you at all; you should have known better.
Dr. G.Oh, I did not mean for him to visit me. I only invited him for the sake of compliments, and I think he so understood it; for I should be far from wishing you to associate with Mrs. Campbell. I don’t forget, my dear, the family you were raised in, nor do I overlook my own family. My father, you know, fought by the side of Washington, and I hope some day to have a handle to my own name. I am certain Providence intended me for something higher than a medical man. Ah! by-the-by, I had forgotten that I have a couple of patients to visit this morning. I must go at once.
[ExitDr. Gaines,R.
EnterHannah,L.
Mrs. G.Go, Hannah, and tell Dolly to kill a couple of fat pullets, and to put the biscuit to rise. I expect brother Pinchen here this afternoon, and I want every thing in order. Hannah, Hannah, tell Melinda to come here.
[ExitHannah,L.
We mistresses do have a hard time in this world; I don’t see why the Lord should have imposed such heavy duties on us poor mortals. Well, it can’t last always. I long to leave this wicked world, and go home to glory.
EnterMelinda.
I am to have company this afternoon, Melinda. I expect brother Pinchen here, and I want every thing in order. Go and get one of my new caps, with the lace border, and get out my scolloped-bottomed dimity petticoat, and when you go out, tell Hannah to clean the white-handled knives, and see that not a speck is on them; for I want every thing as it should be while brother Pinchen is here.
[ExitMrs. Gaines,L.,Hannah,R.
EnterDr. Gaines,L.
Dr. G.Well, Cato, have you made the batch of ointment that I ordered?
Cato.Yes, massa; I dun made de intment, an’ now I is making the bread pills. De tater pills is up on the top shelf.
Dr. G.I am going out to see some patients. If any gentlemen call, tell them I shall be in this afternoon. If any servants come, you attend to them. I expect two of Mr. Campbell’s boys over. You see to them. Feel their pulse, look at their tongues, bleed them, and give them each a dose of calomel. Tell them to drink no cold water, and to take nothing but water gruel.
Cato.Yes, massa; I’ll tend to ’em.
[ExitDr. Gaines,L.
Cato.I allers knowed I was a doctor, an’ now de ole boss has put me at it, I muss change my coat. Ef any niggers comes in, I wants to look suspectable. Dis jacket don’t suit a doctor; I’ll change it.
[ExitCato—immediately returning in a long coat.
Ah! now I looks like a doctor. Now I can bleed, pull teef, or cut off a leg. Oh! well, well, ef I ain’t put de pill stuff an’ de intment stuff togedder. By golly, dat ole cuss will be mad when he finds it out, won’t he? Nebber mind, I’ll make it up in pills, and when de flour is on dem, he won’t know what’s in ’em; an’ I’ll make some new intment. Ah! yonder comes Mr. Campbell’s Pete an’ Ned; dems de ones massa sed was comin’. I’ll see ef I looks right. [Goes to the looking-glass and views himself.] I em some punkins, ain’t I? [Knock at the door.] Come in.
EnterPeteandNed,R.
Pete.Whar is de doctor?
Cato.Here I is; don’t you see me?
Pete.But whar is de ole boss?
Cato.Dat’s none you business. I dun tole you dat I is de doctor, an dat’s enuff.
Ned.Oh! do tell us whar de doctor is. I is almos dead. Oh me! oh dear me! I is so sick. [Horrible faces.]
Pete.Yes, do tell us; we don’t want to stan here foolin’.
Cato.I tells you again dat I is de doctor. I larn de trade under massa.
Ned.Oh! well, den, give me somethin’ to stop dis pain. Oh dear me! I shall die. [He tries to vomit, but can’t—ugly faces.]
Cato.Let me feel your pulse. Now put out your tongue. You is berry sick. Ef you don’t mine, you’ll die. Come out in de shed, an’ I’ll bleed you.
[Exit all—re-enter.
Cato.Dar, now take dese pills, two in de mornin’ and two at night, and ef you don’t feel better, double de dose. Now, Mr. Pete, what’s de matter wid you?
Pete.I is got de cole chills, an’ has a fever in de night.
Cato.Come out, an’ I’ll bleed you.
[Exit all—re-enter.
Now take dese pills, two in de mornin’ and two at night, an’ ef dey don’t help you, double de dose. Ah! I like to forget to feel your pulse and look at your tongue. Put out your tongue. [Feels his pulse.] Yes, I tells by de feel ob your pulse dat I is gib you de right pills.
EnterMr. Parker’sBill,L.
Cato.What you come in dat door widout knockin’ for?
Bill.My toof ache so, I didn’t tink to knock. Oh, my toof! my toof! Whar is de doctor?
Cato.Here I is; don’t you see me?
Bill.What! you de doctor, you brack cuss! You looks like a doctor! Oh, my toof! my toof! Whar is de doctor?
Cato.I tells you I is de doctor. Ef you don’t believe me, ax dese men. I can pull your toof in a minnit.
Bill.Well, den, pull it out. Oh, my toof! how it aches! Oh, my toof!
[Cato gets the rusty turnkeys.
Cato.Now lay down on your back.
Bill.What for?
Cato.Dat’s de way massa does.
Bill.Oh, my toof! Well, den, come on. [Lies down, Cato gets astraddle of Bill’s breast, puts the turnkeys on the wrong tooth, and pulls—Bill kicks, and cries out]—Oh, do stop! Oh! oh! oh!
[Cato pulls the wrong tooth—Bill jumps up.
Cato.Dar, now, I tole you I could pull your toof for you.
Bill.Oh, dear me! Oh, it aches yet! Oh me! Oh, Lor-e-massy! You dun pull de wrong toof. Drat yourskin! ef I don’t pay you for this, you brack cuss!
[They fight, and turn over table, chairs and bench—Pete and Ned look on.
EnterDr. Gaines,R.
Dr. G.Why, dear me, what’s the matter? What’s all this about? I’ll teach you a lesson, that I will.
[The doctor goes at them with his cane.
Cato.Oh, massa! he’s to blame, sir. He’s to blame. He struck me fuss.
Bill.No, sir; he’s to blame; he pull de wrong toof. Oh, my toof! oh, my toof!
Dr. G.Let me see your tooth. Open your mouth. As I live, you’ve taken out the wrong tooth. I am amazed. I’ll whip you for this; I’ll whip you well. You’re a pretty doctor. Now lie down, Bill, and let him take out the right tooth; and if he makes a mistake this time, I’ll cowhide him well. Lie down, Bill. [Bill lies down, and Cato pulls the tooth.] There now, why didn’t you do that in the first place?
Cato.He wouldn’t hole still, sir.
Bill.He lies, sir. I did hole still.
Dr. G.Now go home, boys; go home.
[ExitPete,NedandBill,L.
Dr. G.You’ve made a pretty muss of it, in my absence. Look at the table! Never mind, Cato; I’ll whip you well for this conduct of yours to-day. Go to work now, and clear up the office.
[ExitDr. Gaines,R.
Cato.Confound dat nigger! I wish he was in Ginny. He bite my finger and scratch my face. But didn’t I give it to him? Well, den, I reckon I did. [He goes to the mirror, and discovers that his coat is torn—weeps.] Oh, dear me! Oh, my coat—my coat is tore! Dat nigger has tore my coat. [He gets angry, and rushes about the room frantic.] Cuss dat nigger! Ef I could lay my hands on him, I’d tare him all to pieces,—dat I would. An’ de ole boss hit me wid his cane after dat nigger tore my coat. By golly, I wants to fight somebody. Ef ole massa should come in now, I’d fight him. [Rolls up his sleeves.] Let ’em come now, ef dey dare—ole massa, or any body else; I’m ready for ’em.
EnterDr. Gaines,R.
Dr. G.What’s all this noise here?
Cato.Nuffin’, sir; only jess I is puttin’ things to rights, as you tole me. I didn’t hear any noise except de rats.
Dr. G.Make haste, and come in; I want you to go to town.
[ExitDr. Gaines,R.
Cato.By golly, de ole boss like to cotch me dat time, didn’t he? But wasn’t I mad? When I is mad, nobody can do nuffin’ wid me. But here’s my coat, tore to pieces. Cuss dat nigger! [Weeps.] Oh, my coat! oh, my coat! I rudder he had broke my head den to tore my coat. Drat dat nigger! Ef he ever comes here agin, I’ll pull out every toof he’s got in his head—dat I will.
[Exit,R.
EnterGlen,L.
Glen.How slowly the time passes away. I’ve been waiting here two hours, and Melinda has not yet come. What keeps her, I cannot tell. I waited long and late for her last night, and when she approached, I sprang to my feet, caught her in my arms, pressed her to my heart, and kissed away the tears from her moistened cheeks. She placed her trembling hand in mine, and said, “Glen, I am yours; I will never be the wife of another.” I clasped her to my bosom, and called God to witness that I would ever regard her as my wife. Old Uncle Joseph joined us in holy wedlock by moonlight; that was the only marriage ceremony. I look upon the vow as ever binding on me, for I am sure that a just God will sanction our union in heaven. Still, this man, who claims Melinda as his property, is unwilling for me to marry the woman of my choice, because he wants her himself. But he shall not have her. What he will say when he finds that we are married, I cannot tell; but I am determined to protect my wife or die. Ah! here comes Melinda.
EnterMelinda,R.
I am glad to see you, Melinda. I’ve been waiting long, and feared you would not come. Ah! in tears again?
Melinda.Glen, you are always thinking I am in tears. But what did master say to-day?
Glen.He again forbade our union.
Melinda.Indeed! Can he be so cruel?
Glen.Yes, he can be just so cruel.
Melinda.Alas! alas! how unfeeling and heartless! But did you appeal to his generosity?
Glen.Yes, I did; I used all the persuasive powers that I was master of, but to no purpose; he was inflexible. He even offered me a new suit of clothes, if I would give you up; and when I told him that I could not, he said he would flog me to death if I ever spoke to you again.
Melinda.And what did you say to him?
Glen.I answered, that, while I loved life better than death, even life itself could not tempt me to consent to a separation that would make life an unchanging curse. Oh, I would kill myself, Melinda, if I thought that, for the sake of life, I could consent to your degradation. No, Melinda, I can die, but shall never live to see you the mistress of another man. But, my dear girl, I have a secret to tell you, and no one must know it but you. I will go out and see that no person is within hearing. I will be back soon.
[ExitGlen,L.
Melinda.It is often said that the darkest hour of the night precedes the dawn. It is ever thus with the vicissitudes of human suffering. After the soul has reached the lowest depths of despair, and can no deeper plunge amid its rolling, fœtid shades, then the reactionary forces of man’s nature begin to operate, resolution takes the place of despondency, energy succeeds instead of apathy, and an upward tendency is felt and exhibited. Men then hope against power, and smile in defiance of despair. I shall never forget when first I saw Glen. It is now more than a year since he came here with his master, Mr. Hamilton. It was a glorious moonlight night in autumn. The wide and fruitful face of nature was silent and buried in repose. The tall trees on the borders of Muddy Creek waved their leafy branches in the breeze, which was wafted from afar, refreshing over hill and vale, over the rippling water, and the waving corn and wheat fields. The starry sky was studded over with a few light, flitting clouds, while the moon, as if rejoicing to witness the meeting of two hearts that should be cemented by the purest love, sailed triumphantly along among the shifting vapors.
Oh, how happy I have been in my acquaintance with Glen! That he loves me, I do well believe it; that I love him, it is most true. Oh, how I would that those who think the slave incapable of the finer feelings, could only see our hearts, and learn our thoughts,—thoughts that we dare not utter in the presence of our masters! But I fear that Glen will be separated from me, for there is nothing too base and mean for master to do, for the purpose of getting me entirely in his power. But, thanks to Heaven, he does not own Glen, and therefore cannot sell him. Yet he might purchase him from his brother-in-law, so as to send him out of the way. But here comes my husband.
EnterGlen,L.
Glen.I’ve been as far as the overseer’s house, and all is quiet. Now, Melinda, as you are my wife, I will confide to you a secret. I’ve long been thinking of making my escape to Canada, and taking you with me. It is true that I don’t belong to your master, but he might buy me from Hamilton, and then sell me out of the neighborhood.
Melinda.But we could never succeed in the attempt to escape.
Glen.We will make the trial, and show that we at least deserve success. There is a slave trader expected here next week, and Dr. Gaines would sell you at once if he knew that we were married. We must get ready and start, and if we can pass the Ohio river, we’ll be safe on the road to Canada.
[Exit,R.
Rev. Mr. PinchengivingMrs. Gainesan account of his experience as a minister—Hannahclearing away the breakfast table—Sampeystanding behindMrs. Gaines’chair.
Rev. Mr. PinchengivingMrs. Gainesan account of his experience as a minister—Hannahclearing away the breakfast table—Sampeystanding behindMrs. Gaines’chair.
Mrs. Gaines.Now, do give me more of your experience, brother Pinchen. It always does my soul good to hear religious experience. It draws me nearer and nearer to the Lord’s side. I do love to hear good news from God’s people.
Mr. Pinchen.Well, sister Gaines, I’ve had great opportunities in my time to study the heart of man. I’ve attendeda great many camp-meetings, revival meetings, protracted meetings, and death-bed scenes, and I am satisfied, sister Gaines, that the heart of man is full of sin, and desperately wicked. This is a wicked world, sister Gaines, a wicked world.
Mrs. G.Were you ever in Arkansas, brother Pinchen? I’ve been told that the people out there are very ungodly.
Mr. P.Oh, yes, sister Gaines. I once spent a year at Little Rock, and preached in all the towns round about there; and I found some hard cases out there, I can tell you. I was once spending a week in a district where there were a great many horse thieves, and one night, somebody stole my pony. Well, I knowed it was no use to make a fuss, so I told brother Tarbox to say nothing about it, and I’d get my horse by preaching God’s everlasting gospel; for I had faith in the truth, and knowed that my Savior would not let me lose my pony. So the next Sunday I preached on horse-stealing, and told the brethren to come up in the evenin’ with their hearts filled with the grace of God. So that night the house was crammed brim full with anxious souls, panting for the bread of life. Brother Bingham opened with prayer, and brother Tarbox followed, and I saw right off that we were gwine to have a blessed time. After I got ’em pretty well warmed up, I jumped on to one of the seats, stretched out my hands, and said, “I know who stole my pony; I’ve found out; and you are in here tryin’ to make people believe that you’ve got religion; but you ain’t got it. And if you don’t take my horse back to brother Tarbox’s pasture this very night, I’ll tell your name right out in meetin’ to-morrow night. Take my pony back, you vile and wretched sinner, and come up here and give your heart to God.” So the next mornin’, I went out to brother Tarbox’s pasture, and sure enough, there was my bob-tail pony. Yes, sister Gaines, there he was, safe and sound. Ha, ha, ha.
Mrs. G.Oh, how interesting, and how fortunate for you to get your pony! And what power there is in the gospel! God’s children are very lucky. Oh, it is so sweet to sit here and listen to such good news from God’s people! You Hannah, what are you standing there listening for, and neglecting your work? Never mind, my lady, I’ll whip youwell when I am done here. Go at your work this moment, you lazy huzzy! Never mind, I’ll whip you well. [Aside.] Come, do go on, brother Pinchen, with your godly conversation. It is so sweet! It draws me nearer and nearer to the Lord’s side.
Mr. P.Well, sister Gaines, I’ve had some mighty queer dreams in my time, that I have. You see, one night I dreamed that I was dead and in heaven, and such a place I never saw before. As soon as I entered the gates of the celestial empire, I saw many old and familiar faces that I had seen before. The first person that I saw was good old Elder Pike, the preacher that first called my attention to religion. The next person I saw was Deacon Billings, my first wife’s father, and then I saw a host of godly faces. Why, sister Gaines, you knowed Elder Goosbee, didn’t you?
Mrs. G.Why, yes; did you see him there? He married me to my first husband.
Mr. P.Oh, yes, sister Gaines, I saw the old Elder, and he looked for all the world as if he had just come out of a revival meetin’.
Mrs. G.Did you see my first husband there, brother Pinchen?
Mr. P.No, sister Gaines, I didn’t see brother Pepper there; but I’ve no doubt but that brother Pepper was there.
Mrs. G.Well, I don’t know; I have my doubts. He was not the happiest man in the world. He was always borrowing trouble about something or another. Still, I saw some happy moments with Mr. Pepper. I was happy when I made his acquaintance, happy during our courtship, happy a while after our marriage, and happy when he died. [Weeps.]
Hannah.Massa Pinchen, did you see my ole man Ben up dar in hebben?
Mr. P.No, Hannah; I didn’t go amongst the niggers.
Mrs. G.No, of course brother Pinchen didn’t go among the blacks. What are you asking questions for? Never mind, my lady, I’ll whip you well when I’m done here. I’ll skin you from head to foot. [Aside.] Do go on with your heavenly conversation, brother Pinchen; it does my very soul good. This is indeed a precious moment for me. I do love to hear of Christ and Him crucified.
Mr. P.Well, sister Gaines, I promised sister Daniels that I’d come over and see her this morning, and have a little season of prayer with her, and I suppose I must go. I’ll tell you more of my religious experience when I return.
Mrs. G.If you must go, then I’ll have to let you; but before you do, I wish to get your advice upon a little matter that concerns Hannah. Last week, Hannah stole a goose, killed it, cooked it, and she and her man Sam had a fine time eating the goose; and her master and I would never have known a word about it, if it had not been for Cato, a faithful servant, who told his master. And then, you see, Hannah had to be severely whipped before she’d confess that she stole the goose. Next Sabbath is sacrament day, and I want to know if you think that Hannah is fit to go to the Lord’s supper after stealing the goose.
Mr. P.Well, sister Gaines, that depends on circumstances. If Hannah has confessed that she stole the goose, and has been sufficiently whipped, and has begged her master’s pardon, and begged your pardon, and thinks she’ll never do the like again, why then I suppose she can go to the Lord’s supper; for
“While the lamp holds out to burn,The vilest sinner may return.”
“While the lamp holds out to burn,The vilest sinner may return.”
“While the lamp holds out to burn,The vilest sinner may return.”
“While the lamp holds out to burn,
The vilest sinner may return.”
But she must be sure that she has repented, and won’t steal any more.
Mrs. G.Now, Hannah, do you hear that? For my own part, I don’t think she’s fit to go to the Lord’s supper, for she had no occasion to steal the goose. We give our niggers plenty of good wholesome food. They have a full run to the meal tub, meat once a fortnight, and all the sour milk about the place, and I’m sure that’s enough for any one. I do think that our niggers are the most ungrateful creatures in the world, that I do. They aggravate my life out of me.
Hannah.I know, missis, dat I steal de goose, and massa whip me for it, and I confess it, and I is sorry for it. But, missis, I is gwine to de Lord’s supper, next Sunday, kase I ain’t a-gwine to turn my back on my bressed Lord an’ Massa for no old tough goose, dat I ain’t. [Weeps.]
Mr. P.Well, sister Gaines, I suppose I must go over and see sister Daniels; she’ll be waiting for me.
[ExitMr. Pinchen,M. D.
Mrs. G.Now, Hannah, brother Pinchen is gone, do you get the cowhide and follow me to the cellar, and I’ll whip you well for aggravating me as you have to-day. It seems as if I can never sit down to take a little comfort with the Lord, without you crossing me. The devil always puts it into your head to disturb me, just when I am trying to serve the Lord. I’ve no doubt but that I’ll miss going to heaven on your account. But I’ll whip you well before I leave this world, that I will. Get the cowhide and follow me to the cellar.
[ExitMrs. GainesandHannah,R.