_Scene--Lee's Parlor at Richmond._
Characters
Gen. Lee
Mrs. Jackson, a family friend
Jack Sharpe, a former Confederate soldier
Sam, an old negro servant
G. W. Custis Lee, Gen. Lee's son
Mr. Brown, representative of an Insurance Company
Judge Brockenborough, Trustee of Washington College
PAT--(_Bursting through door with a huge basket of provisions,
salutes._) Sure, sir, you're a great soldier and it's I that knows it.
I've been fighting against you all these years, and many a hard knock
we've had. But, General, I honor you for it, and now they tell me you
are poor and in want, and I've brought you this basket. Please take it
from a soldier.
LEE--I thank you comrade, but I'm glad to tell you I am not in need. But
there are plenty of poor fellows over at the hospital who would be only
too glad to get food from so generous a foe.
PAT--Just as you say, sir, but if ever you are in need just let Pat
Murphy know, that's all. (_Exit._)
(_Enter MRS. JACKSON._)
LEE--How do you do, Mrs. Jackson.
MRS. JACKSON--Good morning General, and how are all the family?
LEE--We are all as usual, the women of the family very fierce and the
men very mild.
MRS. JACKSON--I think every woman of the South is fierce now. I am
bringing up all my sons to hate the Yankees.
LEE--Madam, don't bring up your sons to detest the United States
Government. Recollect that we form one country now. Abandon all this
local hatred and make your sons Americans.
MRS. JACKSON--How can you talk that way after the way you have been
treated.
LEE--General Grant has acted with magnanimity.
MRS. JACKSON--If there ever was a saint on earth, you are one. Now I
must go upstairs and tell your wife so, but I reckon she knows it. Good
morning. (_Exit MRS. JACKSON. Enter JACK SHARPE dressed in ragged
clothes, he looks all around, then goes up to Lee and salutes._)
SHARPE--General, I'm one of your soldiers, and I've come here as the
representative of four of my comrades who are too ragged and dirty to
venture to see you. We are all Virginians, General, from Roanoke County,
and they sent me here to see you on a little business.
They've got our President in prison and
now--they--talk--about--arresting--you. And, General, we can't
stand--we'll never stand and see that.
Now, General, we five men have got about two hundred and fifty acres of
land in Roanoke--very good land, too, it is, sir--and if you'll come up
there and live, I've come to offer you our land, all of it and we five
men will work as your field hands, and you'll have very little trouble
in managing it with us to help you.
And, General, there are near about a hundred of us left in old Roanoke,
and they could never take you there, for we could hide you in the
hollows of the mountains, and the last man of us would die in your
defense.
LEE--I thank you and your friends, but my place is among the people of
Virginia. If ever they needed me, it is now. (_He goes to the door and
calls SAM. Enter SAM._)
LEE--Sam I want you to find all the clothes I can do without and give
them to this soldier for his friends.
SHARPE--I thank you general, and if ever you change your mind, just let
Jack Sharpe hear from you. (_Exit JACK and SAM. Enter Lee's oldest son,
G. W. CUSTIS LEE._)
G. W. LEE--Well, Father, hard at work entertaining visitors as usual, I
suppose.
LEE--Yes, I don't see how so many find the time to come here.
G. W. C. LEE--Lots of the poor soldiers are out of work.
LEE--I am sorry. Tell them they must all set to work, and if they cannot
do what they prefer, do what they can. Virginia wants all their aid, all
their support, and the presence of all her sons to sustain her now.
G. W. C. LEE--I don't quite know what I'm going to do myself yet.
LEE--You can work for Virginia, to build her up again. You can teach
your children to love and cherish her.
G. W. C. LEE--You are right, Father, all my life you have never failed
to give me inspiration. (_Exit. Enter SAM and hands LEE a letter. He
opens it and reads._)
LEE--"Dear General: we have been fighting hard for four years, and now
the Yankees have got us in Libby Prison. The boys want you to get us out
if you can, but, if you can't, just ride by the Libby, and let us see
you and give you a cheer. We will all feel better after it."
SAM--Will you all go for to see 'em, Marse Robert?
LEE--They would make too much fuss over the old rebel. Why should they
care to see me? I am only a poor old Confederate. (_Exit SAM, shaking
his head. Enter MR. BROWN, a well-dressed business man._)
BROWN--I have not the honor of your acquaintance, General, except as all
the world knows you. My name is Brown and I represent a well known
Insurance Company.
LEE--I am afraid my life is hardly worth insuring, Mr. Brown.
BROWN--It is not about that I came to see you. I understand you are not
as yet permanently employed and I have come, therefore, to offer you the
presidency of our company at a yearly salary of $50,000.
LEE--I thank you, sir, but I would be of no value to your company, as I
know nothing whatever in regard to insurance.
BROWN--But, General, you will not be expected to do any work, what we
wish is the use of your name.
LEE--My name is not for sale. I thank you, sir. Good morning. (_Exit
BROWN. Enter Judge Brockenborough._)
GEN. LEE--Good morning, Judge, what a pleasure to see an old friend!
JUDGE--Good morning, General, I should not have dared to call on so
busy a man if I did not have a special mission. I have come to offer you
the presidency of Washington College, at a salary of $1,500 a year. I am
sorry we can offer no more, but the war has left the college in a
wretched condition.
LEE--I am afraid because of my many enemies that my connection with the
college would make its condition far more wretched.
JUDGE--No, General, the whole South loves and respects you, and if you
will only accept this position you will make us the happiest of all
colleges.
LEE--I would have much preferred that your choice had fallen upon an
abler man. But if you really want me, I will be only too glad to come. I
have led the young men of the South in battle. I have seen many of them
die on the field. I shall try to devote my remaining energies to
training young men to do their duty in life.
**Transcribers Notes**
Minor punctuation errors corrected
Page 15 dishonerable changed to dishonorable
Page 20 Appomattox and Page 51 Appomatox both spellings left intact
Multiple use of defence/defense left intact