_Same as in Act III., with the addition of a hammock slung near the
wheel-house, containing the baby. Enter_ MARY _from the wheel-house
with a small sailor hat and reefer on. She takes them off, and lays
them on a chair as she talks._
MARY. Here we are at last, safe at New Orleans. I wish I could hear
from Washington; and why _don’t_ I hear from William? I sent home the
last money I had saved up, and I shall have no more if they take the
boat away. I can’t give her up! And I can’t do anything else to earn a
living. This is my business—my life.
(_Enter_ PHUS, L.)
PHUS. Oh, mis’! Pats he say he won’t help unload de boat; an’ I can’t
get nobody to help, as you tole me. Dey all say dey won’t be bos’ by no
woman.
MARY (_sighs_). Well, Phus, _you’re_ willing to work for me, ain’t you?
_You_ won’t leave your mistress, will you?
PHUS. Neber! No, mis’! I allus work for you an’ de cap’n an’ de baby.
Hank, too, he stay. He ben hawlin out de cargo like sixty. He say
wimmin good ’nough for him. He ruther be cook to wimmin bos’; cos dey
knows more ’bout de fixin’s, an’ dey neber sez, “darn dat stuff.”
MARY. Phus, you run and tell Patsy he can go. He’s all paid up; and I
don’t want him any more. And, here! take my reefer and hat down into
the cabin. I shan’t want them at present.
PHUS. Yes, mis’. (_He goes out_, R.)
MARY (_swinging the hammock gently_). Must I leave my happy home, where
I came a bride? (_Leans over the baby_) My baby’s birthplace? Why! I
love every timber in this tight little steamboat. She is as dear to
me as one of the biggest houses on the river is to the fine lady who
lives in it.
PHUS (_re-entering_). Oh, mis’! Pats he say he _will_ go wid you up
riber a piece, to where he woman lib, an’ get off dar.
MARY. Very well. I’ll see him by and by; but I don’t know as I shall
want him. Oh! if my license would only come!
PHUS. You licens’, mis; wot’s you licens’?
MARY (_sadly_). Why, Phus, I have asked the big men at Washington to
give me a license; same as the other river-captains have.
PHUS (_whimpering_). Oh, Lor’, mis, bress de Lor’! I hope it’ll cum.
(_Sits on floor at_ R., _and sings softly_.)
Bring ’long de licens’,—’Lijah cum down.
(_Takes a book from his pocket, sits on floor at_ R., _and reads with a
great deal of action_.)
MARY (_looking at him_). Poor Phus! If the big men at Washington could
only see me as he sees me, and know, as he knows, how well I can handle
a boat, they would very soon say yes to my application.
(_Enter_ MR. ROMBERG, L.)
MR. R. Good-day, Mrs. Miller. I am sorry to be obliged to proceed
against you, and ask you to deliver up your husband’s papers. _I_
might be willing to wait a little longer; but the other owners are not
satisfied. They say that as you cannot get a captain’s license, some
man must take the boat.
MARY. Cannot get a captain’s license? How do you know that? I have
applied for one; and am expecting every minute to hear from Washington.
MR. R. I know that. Here is the _Delta_ with a long account of your
case, and the decision of the Solicitor of the Treasury.
MARY (_coming forward_). Let me see it! I have heard nothing about it.
We have had no mail since we got in.
MR. R. (_reads from the newspaper emphatically_). “One of the richest
papers on the woman question that has ever emanated from an official
source is the opinion of Solicitor Rayner on the question whether
licenses should be granted women to command steamboats. He says:
‘Instead of being master in name, while some one else performs the
duties, why does she not let some one else be master in name? She would
not stand her watch at night in the cold. She would not enforce the
discipline on a Mississippi steamer. She would not tramp to the rooms
of shippers and consigners to do the banking business—’”
MARY (_interrupting_). Why! that is just what I have been doing for the
last five months.
MR. R. (_reads on_). “‘All the accounts concur in describing the
lady who makes this application as one of high character, business
qualifications, and highest worth. But, in the application of what
is with me a principle, the higher the character and worth, the
greater my difficulty in asking that the license asked for to command
a Mississippi steamboat be granted. Because it would be assigning a
position to woman which God, in his providence, never intended her to
fill.
K. Rayner, Solicitor of the Treasury.’”
(_Holds out paper to her._)
MARY. What does he mean? I am sure God has permitted me to fill this
position, and (_reverently_) if He had not permitted it, and helped
me, too, I never could have done it so well. How unjust this man is!
Oh, Mr. Rayner! can you not comprehend that, when a woman _can do_ a
man’s work, she ought to have the legal right? (_Comes forward, takes
the paper, and reads to herself. To him_) But see, Mr. Romberg. Here is
something else about it; something from the Secretary of the Treasury.
(_Reads_) “The United States Revised Statutes say that whenever any
person applies to be licensed, the inspectors shall diligently inquire
as to the character of the person, whether male or female. I see no
reason, then, in unwritten or in written law, why Mistress Miller may
not lawfully demand an examination; and, if she proves herself duly
qualified, have a license to serve as master of a vessel. Let the
local inspectors carefully examine her, and if they are satisfied that
she can be safely intrusted with the duties and responsibilities of a
master of a steam vessel, let them grant her a license, according to
section 4439.
Chas. J. Folger, Secretary of the Treasury.”
Bless him for that! He may make it all right. You see, Mr. Romberg, it
is not fully decided. I may get the license yet. (PHUS _looks up from
his book_.) I have been examined; and when I told the inspectors all
about that large boat that got stuck up the river, near Cairo, and that
we had the chance to take off the loaded barges, and how I had them
made fast to us, took the wheel myself, turned the big boat round, and
carried her safely into Cairo, they looked surprised enough. And one of
them said that I did seem to be qualified. Phus remembers it, the visit
of the inspectors; don’t you, Phus?
PHUS (_jumping up and putting his whole hand in the book for a mark_).
O, yes, mis’! dem two gem’man, one wid de black bandanna on he hat, de
oder wid de gaiters! De las’ one, he say, “You culled pusson, tel’ me
troo, your mis’ _she_ no bos’ dis boat?” I say, “Yaas, saar!” Den de
one wid de black bandanna, he say, “But de mate, _he_ de real cap’n;
_he_ stan’ at w’eel, steer, an’ tak’ car’ ob injyne, don’ he?”
MARY. What did you tell him?
PHUS. I sez, “No! On’y when mis’ restin’, an’ it’s cam (_calm_), an’
dere ain’t no snags nor be-yous. _She_ bos’, _she_ steer, _she_ watch
injyne. Pats, he on’y shovel coal, ’bey orders. On’y he mad sometime,
an’ he say he not be bos’ by wimmin. Den de one wid de gaiters, he say,
“You nig tell de trute; she _raal_ cap’n? She bos’ ebryting?” I say,
“Yas, saar-e! ebryting! She bos’ steamboat. She bos’ Pats. She bos’
Hank and me—Phus—dat’s me W’y! mis’ could bos’ you, bos’ de President
’nited States, be cap’n ob ebrybody.” Den dey bof laf, an’ I help’ ’em
obe de gang-plank.
MARY (_sitting_). Oh, Phus! you tried to prove too much. But you make
me laugh, in spite of my troubles.
PHUS. I does my bes’, mis’. (_Sits down_, R., _and reads_.)
MR. R. The other owners say, and the newspapers, too, that you have no
chance; and we are all so certain of it that we have agreed not to take
away the boat if you do get the license.
MARY. Do you think yourselves so certain as that? Very well. But I have
faith to believe that you will all wish that you had not made that
promise, unless you really want me to have the boat.
MR. R. Oh, madam! we’ve no notion you’ll get it. The other owners scorn
the idea of a woman captain, and so do I. It’s ridiculous! (_Walks
about._)
PHUS (_reading to himself_). W’ot did Meelissee scramded—no—squeemed
for? ’coz she felt a col’ han’ on her fourhed? Golly! wos she ’f’aid o’
dat? (_Reads_) Oh! she was alone in de dark, in de bed, an’ couldn’t
see nobody! I should ’a’ thought she would ’a’ squeemed. (_Looks all
around in a frightened manner._)
MR. R. (_seating himself near_ MARY). When did you hear from your
husband last?
MARY. Not for a long time. I can’t think what the reason is. I expected
to find a letter here, but haven’t received any. Phus!
PHUS (_jumping up in terror, and then relieved_). Oh! it’s on’y mis’.
Yaas! yaas!
MARY. Phus, you go to the post-office, and see if there are any
letters. The post-man may not know that we have come in.
PHUS. Yaas, mis’. (_Puts book on the wheel-house, and exit_ L.)
MR. R. He went out with a fishing-fleet, didn’t he, from Gloucester?
MARY. Yes; why?
MR. R. Well, there have been a good many fishing-boats lost lately,
down at the Banks, that went from Gloucester. What was the name of his
boat?
MARY. The Betsey Ludgitt, Captain Zabulon Miller.
MR. R. That’s the name of one of them, I think. Here’s the shipping
list. It says (_he reads_), “Several vessels strayed from the fleet,
and have not been heard from since. It is feared that they are lost.
Among them is the Betsey Ludgitt, Captain Zab—”
MARY (_rising in alarm_). Merciful Heaven! it cannot be! I should
have heard; something would have told me if such a dreadful thing had
happened to William. I cannot believe it.
MR. R. He _may_ be safe; but the probabilities are that he is lost.
MARY. Oh! do not say that again. I cannot and will not believe it.
(_Goes to the hammock, and bends over it._)
MR. R. (_approaching_ MARY _in an insinuating way_). My dear—madam, if
anything should happen to your husband, remember (_smiling_) that you
have a warm friend in me. I will give you as good a home as there is on
the river, and take your child, too. Yes! yes! I’ll take your child.
MARY (_turning suddenly upon him_). Give me a home? Take my child? What
do you mean?
MR. R. Why, I mean that I’ll marry you!
MARY. Marry me? Who gave you the right to say you’d marry me, or take
my baby? William’s child! How dare you!
MR. R. I don’t see as you can help yourself. You need the protection of
a man. You can’t have the boat; and you certainly can’t get a living
around here, with your hands tied by that young one. And you’re too
pretty a woman—(_Tries to take her hand._)
MARY. (_indignantly_). Sir! you’ve said enough! You may own my boat,
and you may have the power to take her from me; but you cannot have the
wife of Captain William Miller. I tell you, sir, that I would rather
beg my way home from door to door, with my child in my arms,—yes,
I would starve,—before I would be the wife of any man but my own
husband. Dead or alive, it makes no difference to me. He is still my
husband!
MR. R. (_aside_). Those down-East women beat the world. The spunk they
show—Yankee grit they call it—it’s amazing! But, Gad! it makes her look
handsomer than ever. (_To her, insinuatingly_) You may change your
mind; but, whether you do or not, remember that I will always be your
friend. (_Smiling._)
MARY. Sir! I shall _never_ change my mind; and I forbid you ever to
mention this subject to me again. I want no such friendship as yours.
Good-morning! (_Turns from him, and goes to the hammock._)
MR. R. (_apologetically_). Well, I’m sure I—(_Aside_) Gad! I want
her more than ever. (_To her_) You know I said if you _did_ get the
license, we won’t take away the boat. I’m sure you ought not to
complain of that!
MARY (_without turning_). Very well, sir—then, there is nothing more to
say. Good-morning.
MR. R. (_shamefacedly_). Er-er-good-morning. (_Exit_ R.)
MARY (_scornfully_). So this is the way men _protect_ women! Wretch! To
dare to speak so to me!
(_Re-enter_ PHUS, R.)
PHUS. O, mis’! dere’s an ol’ gemmen an’ young maars on de warf, an’ dey
bof ax for you.
MARY. Why, who can they be? Ask them to come on deck.
PHUS (_at_ R.). Dis way! Dis way!
(CAPTAIN GANDY, _outside, sings_.)
“On Springfield maount’ins there did dwell
A lovelye youth an’ known full well—”
MARY (_in great surprise_). Father Gandy!
(_Enter_ CAPT. G. _at_ R., _with_ J. Q. A., _in the uniform of a
railroad-train boy, with a basket on his arm_.)
MARY. Why, father! Where _did_ you come from? And John Quincy Adams!
(_Rushes into his arms, spilling the basket._)
J. Q. A. Here! Here! What are you about, spilling all my spondulics!
(_Puts down his basket, and takes off his hat._)
MARY. Dear, dear father! where in the world did you come from? (_Throws
her arms round him._)
CAPT G. Why! from hum, o’ coorse. Whar else should I hail from?
MARY (_eagerly_). Oh, father! do you know anything about William? I
haven’t heard from him for two months, and I can’t think what the
reason is. You don’t suppose anything could have happened to him, do
you?
CAPT. G. Oh! wal, no—I guess not. I saw by the _Herald_ that Zab
Miller’s skewner had strayed from the rest on ’em; but he knows wot
he’s abaout. He ain’t a-gwine ter tell all Glowchester where them
skewls o’ haulibaout hide. (_Pats her on the shoulder._) Don’t yer
worry abaout that! There ain’t no telegraph poles on them fishin’
graounds, an’ the post-man don’t drop in every day in them diggin’s,
an’ there ain’t no delivery if yer do write, nuther.
MARY. I can’t help worrying; and yet I know he must be safe. But,
father, how did _you_ happen to come?
CAPT. G. Wal, yer marm was so worrited abaout your trouble that she
made me start off; coz she sed I could act as cap’n, if that was all
the gov’ment wanted, be “master in name” (she read it in the _Globe_),
so’s you could keep the boat. (_Shoves hat on back of head, puts hands
in pockets, and walks about, sailor fashion._)
J. Q. A. _I_ was the first one to think of coming. And I went to Boston
on Jim Rosson’s engine, and got a chance as train-boy to New York. And
when marm found out I was bound to come, she said pup should go, too. I
wanted to come and punch old Romberg’s head. (_Walks about and inspects
everything._)
MARY. But where did you get the money to come with, father? and, John
(_to_ J. Q. A.), who paid your fare from New York?
J. Q. A. Why! I paid myself, of course. What do you take me for? When I
got to New York I got another chance as train-boy, all the way through;
and I’ve peddled out water in a big-nosed coffee-pot from Annisport to
New Orleans. And sold books, too! And prize packages, and things, and
magazines. (_Calls_) “Harper’s! December Harper’s! Baby Pathfinder!
Puck! Peanuts! Gum drops? (_Offers his basket to_ MARY.)
MARY. You funny boy!
CAPT. G. Well, yer see, yer marm—
MARY (_interrupting_). Sit down, father. (_Offers him a camp-stool._)
CAPT. G. No, I just ’s lives stand. (_Leans against railing._) Yer marm
took boarders all summer, an’ she made me take that money. She said
’twould never do any more good; an’, then, Leafy Jane, she’s l’arnt the
millinger’s trade, an’ she giv’ me some o’ hern.
J. Q. A. I tried to get a pass for him, part way, at least; but them
railroad men are so mean they’ll never help a fellow along.
CAPT. G. Haow is little Nate?
MARY. Oh! he’s all right! Here he is, father. Come and see him. (_They
go together to the hammock._) He hasn’t been sick a day this summer.
The dear little fellow! He grows like a weed.
J. Q. A. (_at the hammock, aside_). A pig weed, I s’pose.
CAPT. G. Yer see, Mary, yer trouble has set me ter thinkin’; an’ when
you wrote they was goin’ to take away yer boat, just cos yer was a
woman, by the great horn spoon, I was mad: for yer a Gandy cl’ar
through, a sea-cap’n born like all the rest on us. And I’ve made up my
mind that wimmin’s rights must be worth suthin’ to wimmin, as well as
men’s rights to men. An’, as old Pete Rosson said, when he felt so bad
about yer losing the boat, “Sence a woman can’t allus hev her husband
or her father tew take care on her, she ort to have the right to take
care o’ herself, an’ then she can use it or not, as she wants tew.”
An’ so I begin to think that I don’t care if we do let ’em vote.
J. Q. A. (_examining the wheel_). Cracky! you can’t make me believe
that. I shall vote in five years, and I’m sure I don’t want Leafy Jane
taggin’ after me to the poles. ’Tain’t any place for girls.
CAPT. G. Stop yer gab! Wait till yer ten year older an’ then if yer up
for _see_-lectman, yer’ll be glad enuf ter have tem vote for _yaou_!
J. Q. A. Wouldn’t I make a healthy selectman? Yes, I guess not!
CAPT. G. An’—an’, Mary, I want to tell yer suthin’ else. I gin in about
yer mother’s caarf, an’ went an’ bought her back. To be sure, she
ain’t a caarf no longer, but a good likely heifer; but yer mother sez
the principle ’s just as good as if she was jest born, or as old as
Methuselum. An’ she’s tickled enuf abaout it, an’ she said men ain’t so
bad arter all, if yer can onny make ’em see what is wimmin’s jest dues.
(_Enter_ PHUS, L.)
PHUS. Oh, mis’! dere’s a s’prise for yer, a golly big one!
MARY. A surprise! What is it?
PHUS. Dere’s two ladies talking to Hank; an’ one looks so peart, so
peart, oh, Lor’! (_Turns to_ R. _Aside_) I wan’ tell her de res’. O,
golly! I can’t keep in.
MARY. Talking to Hank? Some of his lady friends, I suppose.
PHUS. O, yes! I forgets. Dey wants ter see you, dey say, and Hank say
he bring’d ’em in.
(_Enter_ HANK, R., _in a stage sailor suit, with_ MRS. GANDY _and_
LEAFY JANE, _the latter very stylishly dressed_.)
MARY. Mother! Leafy Jane! (_Rushes to them._) Well, this _is_ a
surprise, I should think.
CAPT. G. (_in great surprise_). I vum to vummy, I am beat now!
PHUS. Wot I tole yer? Wot I tol yer, mis’? (_Aside._) But de odder
one’s bigger!
CAPT. G. Waal, I swan to man, Lorany! you’ve got ahead on us this time.
(_Goes up to her_) Tarnation! haow glad I am ter see yer!
MARY. Why, Leafy Jane, how you’ve grown!
J. Q. A. Yes, and she feels bigger’n you do, and puts on a plaguy sight
more airs. She wants father (she calls him par) to put an _e_ in Gandy,
’cause she says it’s more genteel.—And say! she don’t lithp (_lisp_)
any more; the customers laughed at her so for saying “yeth, thir.”
CAPT. G. (_to_ MRS. G.). Where _in_ the world ’d you come from?
MRS. G. (_deliberately sitting, and removing bonnet, mitts, etc._).
Waal, Nathan, we heerd of an exertion train daown here, at redooced
rates; an’ the boarders,—one on ’em’s writin’ a book,—an’ wanted to
be quiet,—said they’d take the haouse furnished for tew months, and
pay in advance. And so Leafy an’ me come right along. She’s made a
lot o’ bunnits this fall on her own accaount, so she’s quite a haress
(_heiress_).
L. J. Oh, mar!
MRS. G. Yer see, par, we hadn’t time to write after we’d made up our
mind to start, an’ we cum a leetle sooner’n we should ef it hadn’t ’a’
been for comin’ with—er—with—
L. J. (_whispers warningly_). Why, mar!
MRS. G.—with the exertionists. (_Aside_). Why in the world don’t he
come? I’m tired o’ keepin’ it in. He said he onny wanted to go ter the
bank. (_To_ MARY) An’ then I was afraid you or the baby—why! where _is_
the baby? Do les see him!
MARY. He’s asleep, mother. Here, come and see him. Isn’t he a darling?
(_They go to the hammock._)
L. J. Oh, Mary, what made you name the baby Nathan? I wish you had
called him Herbert, Ernest, or Montmorenci. It’s so much more genteel.
J. Q. A. Montmorenci Miller! Cracky! wouldn’t that be tony?
L. J. (_scornfully_). Tony! (_Walks off with_ HANK _to the
wheel-house_.)
MRS. G. (_To_ MARY) We tole yer young man that looks so much like Fred
Douglass not ta tell yer who we was.
J. Q. A. Marm won’t say “colored man.”
MRS. G. No, I won’t; I’m sick o’ readin’ on’t in the newspapers.
They’re allus sayin’ such a man, _colored_, had his leg took off, or
died, or suthin’. What difference does it make, I should like to know,
whether he’s colored or not! He’s hurt all the same, ain’t he? an’ he’s
a man, tew, all the same, ain’t he?
PHUS (_aside_). Golly! I shall bust!
MARY (_to_ MRS. G.). How long can you stay? a good while, I hope.
HANK (_steps forward, drawls_). I think we must start in about three
weeks from Monday, if all the signs come right. (_To_ MARY) You see the
excursion don’t last only till then.
MARY (_in surprise_). _We_ must start! What in the world does this mean?
HANK. Wal, you see, Leafy and me, we’ve been a-writin’ back and forth
sence the cap’n told me I’d better; an’ she’s agreed to hev me, an’ go
an’ live down to Nantucket. Grandfather’s old, and my marm wants me to
come home an’ settle down an’ see to things. She says she’s tired o’
housekeeping, and wants to see some young folks round.
J. Q. A. (_To_ L. J.). ’Fore I’d marry a cook! Anybody that feels as
big as you do. Cookie Mudgitt! How are you, Mrs. Cookie Mudgitt!
CAPT. G. Hold your yorp! Hundreds of big men hev ben cooks. There was
the most worshipful G. M. of aour Masonic Lodge, he used to be cook in
Annisport Jail, an’ now he’s a ’surance man, an’ lives in a tarnal big
haouse. An’, then, there was a feller cooked on a ranch five year’, an’
they sent him to Congress.
MARY. Oh, Hank! what shall we do without you?
HANK. I tho’t o’ that. But a nice French Creole feller is takin’ my
place to-day; an’ if he does well, p’r’aps you’ll keep him. If not,
I’ll find somebody else afore we go.
MARY (_to_ L. J.). When are you going to be married?
L. J. (_loftily_). As soon as we have made the needed preparations.
Henry will explain.
J. Q. A. (_to_ HANK). Then, that’s what you’re so rigged up for, ain’t
it, Bub? in all them sailor slops. You look like a royal tar, a regular
old Britisher.
HANK (_sheepishly_). Why, yes; you see, Leafy, she likes it. But as
soon as the weddin’ is over (she wants me to be married in ’em here on
the boat), I mean to put the whole rig away in my sea-chist, with them
blasted books that deluded me into goin’ to sea; an’ that will be the
last of my bein’ a sailor. I’ve had enough of it. Darn the bunks! I
want to sleep on a first-rate feather-bed the rest of my life.
L. J. Law! Henry. How you do talk!
HANK. It’s a fact, Leafy, so there! (_He goes up to her and tries to
kiss her._)
L. J. (_pushing him away_). There! that will do, Henry. That’s seven
times to-day since I came.
HANK. Is it? Well, ’tain’t any too many, anyhow!
J. Q. A. You great galloot! Catch me ever being such a fool. Say! what
kind of a necktie you going to wear?
HANK. Oh, a stunner! blue and yallar, I guess. (_Looks at_ L. J.)
Sha’n’t I, Leafy?
L. J. (_with dignity_). No, Henry; you must have one to match my dress.
J. Q. A. (_to_ L. J.). ’Fore I’d go taggin’ way down to New Orleans
after a husband!
L. J. You’ll have to tag all round the world before you’ll find any one
fool enough to wed _you_.
J. Q. A. I don’t think I shall ever “wed.” My affections have been
blighted by a fair damsel from Chicago. She had large feet.
MRS. G. Stop, John Quincy! Yer as sarsy daown here as yer was ter hum;
ain’t ye l’arnt nothin’ by travellin’?
(PHUS, _who has been examining_ J. Q. A.’S _basket, attracted by the
peanuts, puts his hand in his pocket for money to buy some, and,
feeling a letter there, draws it forth_.)
PHUS. Golly, I forgets dat let’! Mis’! mis’! here’s a let’; seems it
mus’ be dat licens’. Yes! see dis great t’ing on it, big as a hoe-cake
and red as a ’simmon.
MARY (_eagerly_). Give it to me! (_Breaks the seal and hastily reads._)
NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 8, 1884.
MRS. MARY MILLER: Dear madam, I take great pleasure in forwarding
to you a captain’s license, for a Mississippi steamboat, granted
according to the decision of Secretary Folger, under Section 4439 of
the Revised Statutes of the United States.
Very Respectfully,
DANIEL DUMONT.
Supervising Inspector-General.
(MARY _bursts into tears, and sits down_.)
PHUS. Is it, mis’? Is it de licens’?
MARY (_rising proudly, and holding it out_). Yes, it is my license; and
I am Captain Mary Miller! (_Hands paper to_ CAPT. G.)
HANK. Hurrah! Three cheers for Captain Mary Miller!
J. Q. A. And a Tiger-r-r-rrr!
(PATSY _looks in, then enters and listens_).
CAPT. G. I thought Charles J. Folger ’d hev the rights on’t.
MRS. G. Them Folgers could allus be depended on to do the right thing;
believed in ekality from the beginnin’. Old Ben Franklin was one on
’em, and Lucreshy Mott. They ain’t a bit like some o’ them Nantucket
Halletts—allus on the wrong side of ekality.
PHUS. Lor’ bress Cap’n Mary Miller, cap’n of de Keyhole’s Bride.
(_Seizes his banjo, sings uproariously, and dances about._)
Bress de men at Washington,—’Lijah cum down,
Dat made a woman cap’n,—’Lijah cum down.
But bress above dem all,—’Lijah cum down.
Good Seketelly Folger,—’Lijah cum down.
May de charyott ob Erlijah swing him softly up to (_Slower_) Heben,
An’ Mary Miller’s blessin’ be his eberlastin’ crown.
MRS. G. (_to him, aside_). You go’n see ef he ain’t a-comin’. I can’t
hold in much longer. (_Exit_ PHUS, R.)
PATSY. Faix, mum, I’ll shthay wid ye as lang as ye varnt.
MARY. But, Patsy, if you do stay, you must expect to obey orders.
PATSY. For sure, mum; I shpects to ’bey a raal laycensed cap’n. (_Goes
to wheel and sits by it._)
MARY. And now I am captain of my own vessel in name as well as in
reality. God bless Secretary Folger! He has saved us from want,
protected our little home, and given a woman the right to be captain of
her own boat. If William were only here!
PHUS (_entering in great excitement_). Oh, mis’! here’s de biggest
s’prise in de worl’! (_Beckoning._) Dis way! Dis way!
(_Enter_ CAPTAIN MILLER, L. _All rise._)
CAPT. M. Mary!
MARY. My dear William! I knew you would come back! (_Embraces him._)
CAPT. M. Of course, my darling wife. Why shouldn’t I come back?
MARY. Why, the papers said your vessel had drifted from the rest, and—
CAPT. M. That is true. But we drifted to some purpose, for we struck a
splendid school of halibut, and we stayed till we filled up. That’s the
reason I did not write. And when we landed, I ran up to Annisport, and
found Mother Gandy and Leafy Jane wanted to come with me, and so we all
came along together.
(_Shakes hands all round, returns to_ MARY.)
MARY. But, William, where have you been all this time?
CAPT. M. Oh, I had to go to the bank for father to pay the interest on
a note—
MRS. G. But we thought we’d come right along—
MARY. Why didn’t you tell me, mother?
MRS. G. William told me not to. He wanted to s’prise yer.
J. Q. A. She thought she wouldn’t “tell you all at once, for fear you
couldn’t bore it.”
PHUS. I seen de cap’n at de pos’-office. He say, “How Mis Miller?” I
say, “Bos’, an’ de baby, too.” Golly, wa’n’t it a big s’prise?
MARY. See, William, here’s my license as captain. I sent to Washington
for a license, and here it is. (_Shows it to him._)
MRS. G. Think of aour Mary’s bein’ a cap’n. Haow lucky! An’, naow, if
anything happens to you, William, she can allus get a livin’, ’cos she
can manage her own boat.
J. Q. A. Yes, and she can paddle her own canoe.
L. J. John Quincy Adams Gandy, how very vulgar!
CAPT. G. (_to_ WILLIAM). What’ll _you_ do, neaow Mary’s made capt’n?
Haow’ll _you_ git along?
MARY. Oh, we’ll both be captains.
CAPT. M. No! She shall be captain still; and I’ll be her mate. It won’t
be the first time a man has sailed through life under the orders of a
brave and true-hearted woman,—nor the last, I hope. And so, Captain
Mary Miller, I salute you. (_Makes a naval salute._)
PHUS. Wid a kiss! wid a kiss! Mars cap’n, kiss mis’ cap’n.
CAPT. M. Yes, to please you, my good fellow (and myself also), it shall
be with a kiss. (_Kisses her hand_). My captain!
_Disposition of characters_:
R. C. L.
CAPT. G. MRS. G. HANK AND L. J.
CAPT. M. AND MARY.
J. Q. A. PHUS.