SCENES 1 - 4
West-Chester County, New York, in North America, October, 1780
OVERTURE - TO ARMS
A group of poorly clad American soldiers wonder if the hardships
they endure in this war will truly be appreciated by those who may live
to enjoy the freedoms they are striving to achieve.
They sing THIS NATION:
"This country ... this nation
... what will it rise to be? ... In future generations ... will they...
preserve ... the liberties ...we fight for ... and die for ...or will they
callously ... abuse them ... misuse them ... what we crave jealously?"
(repeat music)
"This country ... this nation ... will it survive the
years? ...Will future generations ... be strong ... for long ... and still
hold dear ... the morals ... and laurels ... we want them to revere ...
and not be ... forgotten ... when we are yesteryear?"
(The soldiers fade into the mist of evening.)
SCENE 1 - A valley road at dusk
(A solitary traveler, pursuing his way through one of the little valleys
of West-Chester county, New York, peers through the darkness of the evening
in search of some convenient shelter from the impending storm and chill
of the October night. His stately horse approaches a small cottage near
the road, while threatening dark clouds fill the evening sky and pelting
raindrops add to the urgency of his quest . The impatient rider reaches
out from his saddle and taps his sword on the cottage door. It is opened
by the housekeeper, who, startled at the horse being so close, steps back,
but eyes the distinguished looking figure.)
KATY (the housekeeper) sings LODGING:
"If it's lodging from the storm you want ... I'm not
likely to give it in these ticklish times, ... not with only the old gentleman
here ... and his son being gone ... I wish he'd leave off wandering ...and
take my advice ... He's well to do in the world by this time ... and could
settle down handsomely ... but that HARVEY BIRCH will have his own way ...
and die vagabond after all ... You'll see."
"But farther up the road about a half a mile... you'll
find a house that can serve you in much better style."
THE RIDER: This then is the dwelling of HARVEY BIRCH?
KATY sings NOT I:
"One can hardly say it is his ... he is so seldom here
... I can hardly remember his face ... when he does appear ... I don't care
if he EVER comes back ... I don't care ... NOT I!"
(She abruptly closes the door. THE RIDER shrugs and continues on to an
entrance gate opening where a road leads to a long low stone house with
wings on either end. He approaches the house, set far back from the main
road, noticing the preservation of fences, out buildings and well turned
wooden pillars on the piazza across the front of the home.)
Placing his handsome horse at the sheltered side of the house as rain
begins pelting, he tucks his valise under his arm, pulls his cloak around
him, and hurriedly approaches the front door.)
SCENE 2 - Inside WHARTON home, nearly dark outside
(In answer to a persistent knocking, CAESAR, the black servant, is requested
to respond, and carrying a candle, opens the front door.)
THE RIDER sings:
"A storm is nearly on us... I seek shelter for the night.
The lady down the road said you would understand my plight."
(CAESAR, knowing MR. WHARTON, widower-owner of the estate, called the
THE LOCUSTS, tries to remain neutral in the war by showing respect for any
man regardless of his loyalties, and seeing the valise and privileged class
attire of the stranger, admits him to enter the foyer, goes to the doorway
of the sitting room and motions to MR. WHARTON,)
CAESAR: Sir, a fine lookin' genaman is seekin' shelter for the night.
MR. WHARTON: Bid him come in.
(CAESAR motions to the stranger who enters the room and is greeted cautiously
by the eyes of an aging man and three ladies seated at their needlework
frames. Feminine delicacy is obvious in the women, their demeanor and dress,
with the oldest, attractive in charm and softness, appearing over twice
the age of the two lovely young ladies at the bloom of womanhood in their
teens. Their father, MR. WHARTON, senior by a few years to the uninvited
guest, rises to greet the stranger, as heavy rain, thunder and lightening
increase in intensity outside.).
MR. WHARTON sings WELCOME:
"Good sir, come in ... shake the rain from off your cloak
.. 'Tis not a night for man nor beast .. and
I should caution you ... take heed ... you should not ride alone ... These
parts are dangerous by day from Skinners on the roam."
"They plunder, ravage even kill in their sadistic ways .. while
yet pretending loyalty as Continental strays ... We are regretfully in what
is called the NEUTRAL GROUND... You should know, too ... Refugees will ride
... still loyal to the crown."
(MR. WHARTON motions for CAESAR to bring glasses of wine for himself
and the stranger, a man about fifty years of age in simple dress suited
to the road, but his impressive erect and graceful carriage with a military
air indicate decidedly that of a gentleman. His pleasant countenance displays
composure and dignity with a thoughtful, rather melancholy, eye.)
MR. WHARTON: And to whose health do I have the honor of drinking?
THE RIDER: MR. HARPER, sir.
MR. WHARTON: To your health, MR. HARPER, that you sustained no poor
results from the rain. (pauses) Would it be disagreeable to you if
I smoked a bit? (Then complaining) It is so difficult these days
to find the quality of tobacco I like.
HARPER: I should think shops in New York might furnish the best in
the country.
(MR. WHARTON studies HARPER face momentarily.)
MR. WHARTON: Yes, there must be plenty in town, but the war makes
communication too dangerous to risk for mere tobacco.
MR. WHARTON sings REGRETS:
"I wish this unnatural struggle here was over ... It's
split our family ... We want to meet our relatives and friends again ...
in love and peace ... God knows I favor neither side ... that soon the end
will be."
MR. WHARTON: Is it thought any steps may be taken in that direction?
HARPER: Is it intimated any are in agitation?
MR. WHARTON: Nothing in particular, but it is natural to expect something
from so powerful a French force as that under Rochambeau,
so recently arrived at these shores.
(HARPER nods his head in agreement.)
MR. WHARTON: They appear more active in the south than up here. Gates and Cornwallis
seem to bring the war to issue there.
(HARPER eyebrows contract.)
SARAH: American General Gates has been less fortunate with the Earl
(Cornwallis) than with General Burgoyne.
FRANCES: But General Burgoyne laid down his arms because of American
soldiers; General Gates is an Englishman, SARAH.
(HARPER looks from one to the other sister in slight amusement.)
HARPER: And what inference would you draw from that?
FRANCES sings DISAGREE:
"Only, sir, that my sister and I disagree ... on the
prowess of the British ... she thinks they are never beaten ... but it would
not be my wish ... to put much faith ... that we'll agree ... on their invincibility.
HARPER: That house down the road the housekeeper said belonged to
a HARVEY BIRCH?
MR. WHARTON: Yes, he's a peddler seldom at home, always searching
for goods to buy and sell.
CAESAR: Supper is ready, sir.
SCENE 3 - WHARTON dining room - dark outside
(The group enter the dining room, with HARPER offering his arm to SARAH.
They seat themselves and enjoy the meal and table talk of the social life
once lived in New York, until interruption by loud persistent knocking at
the front door, is heard above the rage of the storm.)
(CAESAR again checks and reports another stranger seeking refuge.
MR. WHARTON looks quickly at HARPER with uneasiness, barely rises from his
chair as the stranger thrusts open the door and presents himself forcefully
into the room, but upon glancing at HARPER, halts his advance and repeats
his request for lodging.)
(Upon reluctant acceptance by MR. WHARTON, the weather-beaten stranger
throws aside a rough great-coat, takes an assigned chair at the table and
indulges himself with vigor of the food and wine available.)
STRANGER (to HARPER) I drink to your acquaintance, sir. I believe
this is the first time we have met, but your attention to my presence seems
otherwise.
HARPER: I think we have never met before, sir. (He turns to SARAH)
You doubtless find your present home solitary after being accustomed
to the gaieties of the city?
SARAH sings NEW YORK PARTIES:
"Oh, how I miss those delightful parties ... that we
held in beautiful New York ... such elegant teas ... quite fit for the queen
...if only ... she had come to our shore."
2nd verse - Repeat tune) "Officers there ... minuet
with such flare ... like the colonel who would dance with me ... such happy
times then ... will they come again? ... well, maybe ... in the winter we'll
see."
HARPER: And you, Miss FRANCES, you miss these things, too?
FRANCES: Not at the expense of losing our rights as countrymen?
SARAH: Whose rights can be stronger than a king? Our duty is clear,
to obey those with a natural right to command.
(FRANCES laughs, takes SARAH's hand and looks toward HARPER.)
FRANCES: None, certainly. As you can see, we need our father as impartial
umpire for our different views. He loves his countrymen and the British
- so sides with neither.
(Directing his question at MR. WHARTON -)
STRANGER: I take it you have little concern from the Yankees.
MR. WHARTON: His majesty may have more experienced troops, but the
Americans have met with distinguished success.
(HARPER rises and requests being shown a place of rest for the night.
He bids good night, after again thanking his host for the considerate hospitality,
as CAESAR leads him out. The STRANGER watches as the door closes, attentively
listens to the retreating foot steps, rises from his chair, reopens the
door and inspects the hallway. He quietly closes it again, and amid the
controlled panic of the family at his actions, pulls off his red wig, black
patch from his face and straightens up from the stoop that gave him the
appearance of an old man, emerging as a handsome young fellow.)
HENRY WHARTON (the stranger): Father, and you dearest sisters, and
my aunt. Am I really seeing you again?
MR. WHARTON: Heaven bless you, HENRY, my son!
(The family converges upon him with hugs and kisses in their joyful surprise.
CAESAR returns to see this happy reunion and affectionately plants a kiss
on the lad's hand, extended to him in greeting.)
HENRY: But who is this HARPER? Is he likely to betray me?
CAESAR: No, Mista HENRY, I been to see - Mr. HARPER on his knee -
pray to God - no genaman who pray to God, tell of good son, come to see
his old fadder. Skinners do that - no Christian.
HENRY: But do you think he suspects anything?
SARAH: How should he, when your own sisters and father did not penetrate
your disguise?
HENRY: There is something mysterious in his manner. His eyes are too
prying for an indifferent observer, and his face seems familiar to me. The
recent hanging of Andre by Americans
has created much irritation on both sides. Sir
Henry threatens retaliation for his death, and Washington
is as firm as if he had half the world at his command. The rebels would
think me a fit subject for their plans if I were unlucky enough to fall
into their hands.
MR. WHARTON: But son, you're not a spy: you're not within the rebel
- that is, the American lines - there is nothing here to spy.
HENRY: That might be disputed; their pickets were as low as the White Plains when I passed by. True
my purposes are innocent, but how does it appear? My visit could cloak other
designs. Remember the treatment you received a year ago for sending me a
supply of fruit for the winter.
MR. WHARTON: That was due to some neighbors hoping to get my estate
confiscated to purchase good farms at low prices, but Major DUNWOODIE obtained
our discharge in one month.
HENRY: We? Did they take my sisters, too?
MR. WHARTON: FRANCES would not allow me to go alone. This little girl
was my companion in captivity.
SARAH: And FRANCES returned a greater rebel than ever. One would think
the hardships they suffered would have cured her of such whims.
HENRY: (jokingly) What do you say, my pretty sister? Did PEYTON
try to make you hate your king more than he does?
FRANCES: PEYTON DUNWOODIE hates no one. He loves you, HENRY, he has
told me so.
HENRY (smiles and whispers to FRANCES) Did he tell you also
how he loves my little sister?
FRANCES: Nonsense.
(She busies herself clearing the table.)
SCENE 4 - Dawn next morning in WHARTON dining room
(Seated at the breakfast table are MR. WHARTON, SARAH, FRANCES, AUNT
JEANETTE and HENRY, as HARPER appears and joins them. CAESAR enters carrying
a small bag, places it beside MR. WHARTON and tells him quietly:)
CAESAR: It's t'bacca, sir, HARVEY BIRCH got home and brought you a
little o' that good t'bacca from New York.
MR. WHARTON: (glancing at HARPER) I do not remember telling
BIRCH to buy tobacco for me, but as he brought it, he must be paid for his
trouble.
(HARPER quickly glances from one to the other of the speakers. SARAH
jumps to her feet, then looks at HARPER.)
SARAH: If Mr. HARPER will excuse the presence of a peddler. CAESAR,
please show Mr. BIRCH in.
(HENRY hurriedly withdraws to a window seat concealing himself behind
the rich damask curtains as much as possible, pulling the draperies together.
HARVEY BIRCH was medium height with full bone and muscle and had been a
peddler from his youth, as evidenced by his success in the trade. Though
his superior intelligence may have come from his father, his common manners
were those of his class.)
(The two arrived together in the vale ten years earlier and kept largely
to themselves, until the elder MR. BIRCH' age and infirmities required assistance,
and they employed a housekeeper to care for the father's needs, plus their
small cottage, as the younger BIRCH was absent much of the time.)
(KATY HAYNES, the hired spinster of thirty-five years was neat, industrious,
honest and a good manager, though talkative, superstitious, selfish and
inquisitive. She did not question, but carefully listened, when able, to
learn the past of her employers, which held her in check upon overhearing
that their fortune and family had been reduced by a devastating fire to
what the two had on their persons at the time.)
(Her inquisitive eyes had caught the son in the depth of night removing
a hearthstone from the fireplace in the room serving as both kitchen and
parlor. When occasion allowed, she removed the stone and saw bags of gold
guineas beneath. Quickly replacing the stone, she never touched it again,
but became more attentive in her restricted affection for HARVEY.)
(CAESAR ushers HARVEY in. His restless eyes flit around at the faces
in the room and seem to read the very souls of each. He sets his pack on
the floor. Nearly to his shoulders, one wonders how so heavy a burden can
be handled with the dexterity he uses.)
SARAH: What have you brought us, HARVEY?
HARVEY sings CALICOES:
"Dear ladies ... I brought some pretty ribbons ... and
laces ... to surround your ... pretty faces ... that could entice ... these
gentlemen ... here to flatter you ... with a smile ... Plus linens and bright
calicoes ... you may fashion in- ... to stylish clothes ... that could even
make ... those gentlemen ... want to linger here ... a while."
(The tables, chairs and floor are soon covered with a variety of fabric,
laces, ribbons, etc; while the ladies delight in looking at them all, selecting
and bartering with HARVEY for good prices.)
SARAH: But, HARVEY, you have told us no news? Has Lord Cornwallis
beaten the rebels again?
(HARVEY busies himself with pulling more from the pack, as all eyes turn
to him for an answer, finally he responds.
HARVEY: There is some talk below of Tarleton
defeating General Sumpter on the
Tyger River.
(HENRY thrusts his head out from between the draperies to hear better.)
SARAH: Indeed. Sumpter? Who is Sumpter? I'll not buy a pin until you
tell me all the news.
HARVEY: He lives somewhere among the niggers in the South.
(CAESAR interrupts tartly, purposely dropping goods from his hands.)
CAESAR: No more nigger than be yourself, Mister HARVEY.
SARAH: Hush, CAESAR, never mind it now.
CAESAR: A black man so good as white, Miss SARAH, so long as he behave
himself.
SARAH: And frequently he is much better, but, HARVEY, who is this
Mr. Sumpter?
(A hint of humor shows on the peddler's face, then sobers.)
HARVEY: He lives among black people in the south and recently had
a scrimmage with Colonel Tarleton -
SARAH: Who defeated him of course?
(Looking quickly around the room, pausing at HARPER, HARVEY then offers
fabric to SARAH, who rejects it.)
HARVEY: So say the troops at Morrisania. I repeat only what I hear,
but they say at the Plains that Sumpter and a few more of his men were all
that were hurt, because they were fixed snugly in a log barn, while the
rig'lars were cut to pieces.
SARAH: I have no doubt the rebels got behind logs.
HARVEY: I think it's quite ingenious to get a log between oneself
and a gun, instead of getting between a gun and a log.
(HARPER's eyes drop, but FRANCES jumps up with a smile.)
FRANCES: Have you more lace, Mr. BIRCH? CAESAR, would you bring a
glass of wine for Mr. BIRCH?
HENRY: (with head out from behind the draperies) Have you any
other news, friend?
HARVEY: Have you heard that Major Andre was hanged?
(Glances between him and HARVEY are like words exchanged of a warning.
MR WHARTON shows apprehension.)
MR. WHARTON: Does his execution make much noise?
HARVEY: People will talk, you know.
HARPER: Is there any movement below, my friend, that will make traveling
dangerous?
(HARVEY drops ribbons from his hands, with a quick look at HARPER)
HARVEY: It is some time since the rig'lar cavalry were out, but I
saw some of the DeLancy's Refugees cleaning their guns as I passed; they
might take the scent soon. Virginia horse are low in the country.
SARAH: CAESAR, that bright calico you're holding would make a proper
gown for your wife.
CAESAR: Yes, Miss SARAH, it would make Dinah's heart leap for joy.
HARVEY: Yes, 'tis only wanting to make Dinah look like a rainbow.
SARAH: How much, HARVEY?
HARVEY: For my friend, Dinah, you may have it for four shillings.
FRANCES: And I would be happy to sew it into a fine gown for her.
CAESAR: Good little Miss FRANCES take care of her fadder and love
to make a gown for old Dinah, too.
(HARPER sits an admiring witness to the scene with FRANCES beaming at
the approval of his gaze, as HARVEY proceeds to repack his remaining goods
back into his large leather bag, then exit the room.)
An uneasy silence follows, until startlingly HARPER announces,)
HARPER: If any apprehension of me induces Capt. WHARTON to continue
his disguise, I wish him to be relieved; had I motives for betraying him,
they could not exist under present circumstances.
(FRANCES sinks into her seat astonished, AUNT JEANETTE drops the tea
tray she was lifting from the table, and SARAH sits with her purchased fabric
in a frozen position. MR. WHARTON is stupefied, but HENRY, astounded, though
relieved, springs from behind the draperies and tares off his disguise.)
HENRY: I believe you from my soul. This disguise should end, but I
wonder in what manner you should know me.
HARPER: You really look so much better in your proper person Captain
WHARTON. I would advise you never to conceal it in the future. There is
enough to betray you from other sources.
(He smiles and points to the portrait over the mantle of a British officer
in uniform.)
HENRY: I had flattered myself that I looked better on canvass than
in a masquerade. You must be a close observer, Sir.
HARPER: Necessity has made me one.
(He rises from his seat to leave, but FRANCES takes his hand.)
FRANCES: You cannot - you will not betray my brother.
(He folds her hands on his chest.)
HARPER: I cannot, and I will not. If the blessing of a stranger can
profit you, receive it.
(He pats her head, bows low, and retires to his room.)
SARAH: But, HENRY, what do you know of Colonel WELLMEYER?
HENRY: Oh, he continues as handsome and gallant as ever. At times
he is melancholy - we tell him it must be love.
SARAH: Poor man, does he despair?
HENRY: One would think not, being the eldest son of a man of wealth,
and a Lieutenant-Colonelcy in the Guards is a very pretty thing.
FRANCES: And Colonel WELLMEYER is a very pretty man.
SARAH: Hmm, he was never a favorite of yours; he is too loyal to his
king to be agreeable to your taste.
FRANCES: And is HENRY not loyal to his king.
AUNT JEANETTE: Come, come, no difference of opinion about the Colonel,
he is a favorite of mine.
HENRY: FRANCES likes Majors better.
(He grabs FRANCES and pulls her upon his knee, and teases her.)
HENRY: It surprises me that when PEYTON procured the release of our
father, he did not try to detain you, little sister.
FRANCES: That might have endangered his own liberty. You do know it
is liberty for which Major DUNWOODIE is fighting?
SARAH: Liberty? Very pretty liberty that exchanges one master for
fifty.
FRANCES: The privilege of changing masters at all is liberty.
HENRY: What you ladies would at times be glad to exercise.
FRANCES: We would like to have the liberty of choosing who they shall
be in the first place, don't we, AUNT JEANETTE?
AUNT JEANETTE: Me? What do I know of such things?
HENRY: Ah, you would have us think you were never young. I believe
all the tales I've heard about the pretty JEANETTE PEYTON. To this hour
General Montrose toasts Miss PEYTON. I heard him this week at Sir Henry's
table.
AUNT JEANETTE: Why, HENRY, you're as saucy as your sister. But come,
see my newest needlework.
| 