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+The Project Gutenberg Etext Two Men of Sandy Bar, by Bret Harte
+#27 in our series by Bret Harte
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+Two Men of Sandy Bar
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+by Bret Harte
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+March, 2001  [Etext #2570]
+
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+The Project Gutenberg Etext Two Men of Sandy Bar, by Bret Harte
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+
+TWO MEN OF SANDY BAR
+
+by Bret Harte
+
+
+
+
+DRAMATIS PERSONAE
+
+
+The Prodigals.
+
+  "SANDY" . . Son of Alexander Morton, sen.
+
+  JOHN OAKHURST . . His former partner, personating the prodigal son,
+    Sandy.
+
+
+COL. STARBOTTLE . . Alexander Morton, sen.'s, legal adviser.
+
+OLD MORTON . . Alexander Morton, sen.
+
+DON JOSE . . Father of Jovita Castro.
+
+CAPPER . . A detective.
+
+CONCHO . . Major-domo of Don Jose's rancho.
+
+YORK . . An old friend of Oakhurst.
+
+PRITCHARD . . An Australian convict.
+
+SOAPY & SILKY . . His pals.
+
+JACKSON . . Confidential clerk of Alexander Morton, jun., and
+  confederate of Pritchard.
+
+HOP SING . . A Chinese laundryman.
+
+SERVANT of Alexander Morton, sen.--POLICEMEN.
+
+MISS MARY MORRIS . . The schoolmistress of Red Gulch, in love with
+  Sandy, and cousin of Alexander Morton, sen.
+
+DONA JOVITA CASTRO . . In love with John Oakhurst, and daughter of
+  Don Jose.
+
+THE DUCHESS . . Wife of Pritchard, illegally married to Sandy, and
+  former "flame" of John Oakhurst.
+
+MANUELA . . Servant of Castro, and maid to Dona Jovita.
+
+
+
+ACT I
+
+The Rancho of the Blessed Innocents, and House of Don Jose Castro.
+
+ACT II
+
+Red Gulch.
+
+ACT III
+
+The Banking-House of Morton & Son, San Francisco.
+
+ACT IV
+
+The Villa of Alexander Morton, sen., San Francisco.
+
+
+
+COSTUMES
+
+ALEXANDER MORTON ("SANDY").--First dress: Mexican vaquero; black
+velvet trousers open from knee, over white trousers; laced black
+velvet jacket, and broad white sombrero; large silver spurs.
+Second dress: miner's white duck jumper, and white duck trousers;
+(sailor's) straw hat.  Third dress: fashionable morning costume.
+Fourth dress: full evening dress.
+
+JOHN OAKHURST.--First dress: riding-dress, black, elegantly
+fitting.  Second and third dress: fashionable.  Fourth dress: full
+evening dress.
+
+COL. STARBOTTLE.--First dress: blue double-breasted frock, and
+white "strapped" trousers; white hat.  Second dress: same coat,
+blue trousers, and black broad-brimmed felt hat; cane, semper;
+ruffles, semper.  Third dress: the same.  Fourth dress: the same,
+with pumps.
+
+YORK.--Fashionable morning dress.
+
+JACKSON.--Business suit.
+
+CONCHO.--First dress: vaquero's dress.  Second dress: citizen's
+dress.
+
+HOP SING.--Dress of Chinese coolie: dark-blue blouse, and dark-blue
+drawers gathered at ankles; straw conical hat, and wooden sabots.
+
+DON JOSE.--First dress: serape, black, with gold embroidery.
+Second class: fashionable black suit, with broad-brimmed black
+stiff sombrero.
+
+OLD MORTON.--First, second, third, and fourth dress: black, stiff,
+with white cravat.
+
+CAPPER.--Ordinary dress of period.
+
+MISS MARY.--First dress: tasteful calico morning dress.  Second and
+third dress: lady's walking costume--fashionable.  Fourth dress:
+full dress.
+
+DONA JOVITA.--First dress: handsome Spanish dress, with manta.
+Second dress: more elaborate, same quality.
+
+THE DUCHESS.--First dress: elaborate but extravagant fashionable
+costume.  Second dress: traveling dress.
+
+MANUELA.--The saya y manta; white waist, and white or black skirt,
+with flowers.
+
+
+
+TWO MEN OF SANDY BAR
+
+
+ACT I
+
+SCENE 1.--Courtyard and Corridors of the Rancho.
+
+
+MANUELA (arranging supper-table in corridor L., solus).  There!
+Tortillas, chocolate, olives, and--the whiskey of the Americans!
+And supper's ready.  But why Don Jose chooses to-night, of all
+nights, with this heretic fog lying over the Mission Hills like a
+wet serape, to take his supper out here, the saints only know.
+Perhaps it's some distrust of his madcap daughter, the Dona Jovita;
+perhaps to watch her--who knows?  And now to find Diego.  Ah, here
+he comes.  So!  The old story.  He is getting Dona Jovita's horse
+ready for another madcap journey.  Ah!  (Retires to table.)
+
+Enter cautiously from corridor, L., SANDY MORTON, carrying lady's
+saddle and blanket; starts on observing MANUELA, and hastily hides
+saddle and blanket in recess.
+
+Sandy (aside).  She's alone.  I reckon the old man's at his siesta
+yet.  Ef he'll only hang onto that snooze ten minutes longer, I'll
+manage to let that gal Jovita slip out to that yer fandango, and no
+questions asked.
+
+Manuela (calling SANDY).  Diego!
+
+Sandy (aside, without heeding her).  That's a sweet voice for a
+serenade.  Round, full, high-shouldered, and calkilated to fetch a
+man every time.  Only thar ain't, to my sartain knowledge, one o'
+them chaps within a mile of the rancho.  (Laughs.)
+
+Manuela.  Diego!
+
+Sandy (aside).  Oh, go on!  That's the style o' them Greasers.
+They'll stand rooted in their tracks, and yell for a chap without
+knowin' whether he's in sight or sound.
+
+Manuela (approaching SANDY impatiently).  Diego!
+
+Sandy (starting, aside).  The devil!  Why, that's ME she's after.
+(Laughs.)  I clean disremembered that when I kem yer I tole those
+chaps my name was James,--James Smith (laughs), and thet they might
+call me "Jim."  And De-a-go's their lingo for Jim.  (Aloud.)  Well,
+my beauty, De-a-go it is.  Now, wot's up?
+
+Manuela.  Eh? no sabe!
+
+Sandy.  Wot's your little game.  (Embraces her.)
+
+Manuela (aside, and recoiling coquettishly).  Mother of God!  He
+must be drunk again.  These Americans have no time for love when
+they are sober.  (Aloud and coquettishly.)  Let me go, Diego.  Don
+Jose is coming.  He has sent for you.  He takes his supper to-night
+on the corridor.  Listen, Diego.  He must not see you thus.  You
+have been drinking again.  I will keep you from him.  I will say
+you are not well.
+
+Sandy.  Couldn't you, my darling, keep him from ME?  Couldn't you
+make him think HE was sick?  Couldn't you say he's exposin' his
+precious health by sittin' out thar to-night; thet ther's chills
+and fever in every breath?  (Aside.)  Ef the old Don plants himself
+in that chair, that gal's chances for goin' out to-night is gone up.
+
+Manuela.  Never.  He would suspect at once.  Listen, Diego.  If Don
+Jose does not know that his daughter steals away with you to meet
+some caballero, some LOVER,--you understand, Diego,--it is because
+he does not know, or would not SEEM to know, what every one else in
+the rancho knows.  Have a care, foolish Diego!  If Don Jose is old
+and blind, look you, friend, we are NOT.  You understand?
+
+Sandy (aside).  What the devil does she expect?--money?  No!
+(Aloud.)  Look yer, Manuela, you ain't goin' to blow on that young
+gal!  (Putting his arm around her waist.)  Allowin' that she hez a
+lover, thar ain't nothin' onnateral in thet, bein' a purty sort o'
+gal.  Why, suppose somebody should see you and me together like
+this, and should just let on to the old man.
+
+Manuela.  Hush!  (Disengaging herself.)  Hush!  He is coming.  Let
+me go, Diego.  It is Don Jose!
+
+Enter Don Jose, who walks gravely to the table, and seats himself.
+MANUELA retires to table.
+
+Sandy (aside).  I wonder if he saw us.  I hope he did: it would
+shut that Manuela's mouth for a month of Sundays.  (Laughs.)  God
+forgive me for it!  I've done a heap of things for that young gal
+Dona Jovita; but this yer gittin' soft on the Greaser maid-servant
+to help out the misses is a little more than Sandy Morton bargained
+fur.
+
+Don Jose (to MANUELA).  You can retire.  Diego will attend me.
+(Looks at DIEGO attentively.)  [Exit MANUELA.
+
+Sandy (aside).  Diego will attend him!  Why, blast his yeller skin,
+does he allow that Sandy Morton hired out as a purty waiter-gal?
+Because I calkilated to feed his horses, it ain't no reason thet my
+dooty to animals don't stop thar.  Pass his hash!  (Turns to follow
+MANUELA, but stops.)  Hello, Sandy! wot are ye doin', eh?  You
+ain't going back on Miss Jovita, and jest spile that gal's chances
+to git out to-night, on'y to teach that God-forsaken old gov'ment
+mule manners?  No!  I'll humor the old man, and keep one eye out
+for the gal.  (Comes to table, and leans familiarly over the back
+of DON JOSE'S chair.)
+
+Don Jose (aside).  He seems insulted and annoyed.  His manner
+strengthens my worst suspicions.  He has not expected this.
+(Aloud.)  Chocolate, Diego.
+
+Sandy (leaning over table carelessly).  Yes, I reckon it's somewhar
+thar.
+
+Don Jose (aside).  He is unused to menial labor.  If I should be
+right in my suspicions! if he really were Dona Jovita's secret
+lover!  This gallantry with the servants only a deceit!  Bueno!  I
+will watch him.  (Aloud.)  Chocolate, Diego!
+
+Sandy (aside).  I wonder if the old fool reckons I'll pour it out.
+Well, seein's he's the oldest.  (Pours chocolate awkwardly, and
+spills it on the table and DON JOSE.)
+
+Don Jose (aside).  He IS embarrassed.  I am right. (Aloud.)  Diego!
+
+Sandy (leaning confidentially over DON JOSE'S chair).  Well, old
+man!
+
+Don Jose.  Three months ago my daughter the Dona Jovita picked you
+up, a wandering vagabond, in the streets of the Mission.  (Aside.)
+He does not seem ashamed.  (Aloud.)  She--she--ahem!  The
+aguardiente, Diego.
+
+Sandy (aside).  That means the whiskey.  It's wonderful how quick a
+man learns Spanish.  (Passes the bottle, fills DON JOSE'S glass,
+and then his own.  DON JOSE recoils in astonishment.)  I looks
+toward ye, ole man.  (Tosses off liquor.)
+
+Don Jose (aside).  This familiarity!  He IS a gentleman.  Bueno!
+(Aloud.)  She was thrown from her horse; her skirt caught in the
+stirrup; she was dragged; you saved her life.  You--
+
+Sandy (interrupting, confidentially drawing a chair to the table,
+and seating himself).  Look yer!  I'll tell you all about it.  It
+wasn't that gal's fault, ole man.  The hoss shied at me, lying
+drunk in a ditch, you see; the hoss backed, the surcle broke; it
+warn't in human natur for her to keep her seat, and that gal rides
+like an angel; but the mustang throwed her.  Well, I sorter got in
+the way o' thet hoss, and it stopped.  Hevin' bin the cause o' the
+hoss shyin', for I reckon I didn't look much like an angel lyin' in
+that ditch, it was about the only squar thing for me to waltz in
+and help the gal.  Thar, thet's about the way the thing pints.
+Now, don't you go and hold that agin her!
+
+Don Jose.  Well, well!  She was grateful.  She has a strange
+fondness for you Americans; and at her solicitation I gave you--
+YOU, an unknown vagrant--employment here as groom.  You comprehend,
+Diego.  I, Don Jose Castro, proprietor of this rancho, with an
+hundred idle vaqueros on my hands,--I made a place for you.
+
+Sandy (meditatively).  Umph.
+
+Don Jose.  You said you would reform.  How have you kept your word?
+You were drunk last Wednesday.
+
+Sandy.  Thet's so.
+
+Don Jose.  And again last Saturday.
+
+Sandy (slowly).  Look yer, ole man, don't ye be too hard on me:
+that was the same old drunk.
+
+Don Jose.  I am in no mood for trifling.  Hark ye, friend Diego.
+You have seen, perhaps,--who has not?--that I am a fond, an
+indulgent father.  But even my consideration for my daughter's
+strange tastes and follies has its limit.  Your conduct is a
+disgrace to the rancho.  You must go.
+
+Sandy (meditatively).  Well, I reckon, perhaps I'd better.
+
+Don Jose (aside).  His coolness is suspicious.  Can it be that he
+expects the girl will follow him?  Mother of God! perhaps it has
+been already planned between them.  Good!  Thank Heaven I can end
+it here.  (Aloud.)  Diego!
+
+Sandy.  Old man.
+
+Don Jose.  For my daughter's sake, you understand,--for her sake,--
+I am willing to try you once more.  Hark ye!  My daughter is young,
+foolish, and romantic.  I have reason to believe, from her conduct
+lately, that she has contracted an intimacy with some Americano,
+and that in her ignorance, her foolishness, she has allowed that
+man to believe that he might aspire to her hand.  Good!  Now listen
+to me.  You shall stay in her service.  You shall find out,--you
+are in her confidence,--you shall find out this American, this
+adventurer, this lover if you please, of the Dona Jovita my
+daughter; and you will tell him this,--you will tell him that a
+union with him is impossible, forbidden; that the hour she attempts
+it, without my consent, she is PENNILESS; that this estate, this
+rancho, passes into the hands of the Holy Church, where even your
+laws cannot reach it.
+
+Sandy (leaning familiarly over the table).  But suppose that he
+sees that little bluff, and calls ye.
+
+Don Jose.  I do not comprehend you (coldly).
+
+Sandy.  Suppose he loves that gal, and will take her as she stands,
+without a cent, or hide or hair of yer old cattle.
+
+Don Jose (scornfully).  Suppose--a miracle!  Hark ye, Diego!  It is
+now five years since I have known your countrymen, these smart
+Americanos.  I have yet to know when love, sentiment, friendship,
+was worth any more than a money value in your market.
+
+Sandy (truculently and drunkenly).  You hev, hev ye?  Well, look
+yar, ole man.  Suppose I REFUSE.  Suppose I'd rather go than act as
+a spy on that young gal your darter!  Suppose that--hic--allowin'
+she's my friend, I'd rather starve in the gutters of the Mission
+than stand between her and the man she fancies.  Hey?  Suppose I
+would--damn me!  Suppose I'd see you and your derned old rancho in--
+t'other place--hic--damn me.  You hear me, ole man!  That's the
+kind o' man I am--damn me.
+
+Don Jose (aside, rising contemptuously).  It is as I suspected.
+Traitor.  Ingrate!  Satisfied that his scheme has failed, he is
+ready to abandon her.  And this--THIS is the man for whom she has
+been ready to sacrifice everything,--her home, her father!  (Aloud,
+coldly.)  Be it so, Diego: you shall go.
+
+Sandy (soberly and seriously, after a pause.)  Well, I reckon I had
+better.  (Rising.)  I've a few duds, old man, to put up.  It won't
+take me long.  (Goes to L., and pauses.)
+
+Don Jose (aside).  Ah! he hesitates!  He is changing his mind.
+(SANDY returns slowly to table, pours out glass of liquor, nods to
+DON JOSE, and drinks.)  I looks towards ye, ole man.  Adios!
+
+[Exit SANDY.
+
+Don Jose.  His coolness is perfect.  If these Americans are cayotes
+in their advances, they are lions in retreat!  Bueno!  I begin to
+respect him.  But it will be just as well to set Concho to track
+him to the Mission; and I will see that he leaves the rancho alone.
+
+[Exit Jose.
+
+Enter hurriedly JOVITA CASTRO, in riding habit, with whip.
+
+So!  Chiquita not yet saddled, and that spy Concho haunting the
+plains for the last half-hour.  What an air of mystery!  Something
+awful, something deliciously dreadful, has happened!  Either my
+amiable drunkard has forgotten to despatch Concho on his usual
+fool's errand, or he is himself lying helpless in some ditch.  Was
+there ever a girl so persecuted?  With a father wrapped in mystery,
+a lover nameless and shrouded in the obscurity of some Olympian
+height, and her only confidant and messenger a Bacchus instead of a
+Mercury!  Heigh ho!  And in another hour Don Juan--he told me I
+might call him John--will be waiting for me outside the convent
+wall!  What if Diego fails me?  To go there alone would be madness!
+Who else would be as charmingly unconscious and inattentive as this
+American vagabond!  (Goes to L.)  Ah, my saddle and blanket hidden!
+He HAS been interrupted.  Some one has been watching.  This freak
+of my father's means something.  And to-night, of all nights, the
+night that Oakhurst was to disclose himself, and tell me all!  What
+is to be done?  Hark! (DIEGO, without, singing.)
+
+
+    "Oh, here's your aguardiente,
+         Drink it down!"
+
+
+Jovita.  It is Diego; and, Mother of God! drunk again!
+
+Enter SANDY, carrying pack, intoxicated; staggers to centre, and,
+observing JOVITA, takes off his hat respectfully.
+
+Jovita (shaking him by the shoulders passionately).  Diego!  How
+dare you!  And at such a time!
+
+Sandy (with drunken solemnity).  Miss Jovita, did ye ever know me
+to be drunk afore at such a time?
+
+Jovita.  No.
+
+Sandy.  Zachy so.  It's abnormal.  And it means--the game's up.
+
+Jovita.  I do not understand.  For the love of God, Diego, be
+plain!
+
+Sandy (solemnly and drunkenly).  When I say your game's up, I mean
+the old man knows it all.  You're blowed upon.  Hearken, miss.
+(Seriously and soberly.)  Your father knows all that I know; but,
+as it wasn't my business to interfere with, I hev sorter helped
+along.  He knows that you meet a stranger, an American, in these
+rides with me.
+
+Jovita (passionately).  Ingrate!  You have not dared to tell him!
+(Seizing him by the collar, and threatening him with the horsewhip.)
+
+Sandy (rising with half-drunken, half-sober solemnity).  One minit,
+miss! one minit!  Don't ye! don't ye do that!  Ef ye forget (and I
+don't blame ye for it), ef ye forget that I'm a man, don't ye,
+don't ye forget that you're a woman!  Sit ye down, sit ye down, so!
+Now, ef ye'll kindly remember, miss, I never saw this yer man, yer
+lover.  Ef ye'll recollect, miss, whenever you met him, I allers
+hung back and waited round in the mission or in the fields beyond
+for ye, and allowed ye to hev your own way, it bein' no business o'
+mine.  Thar isn't a man on the ranch, who, ef he'd had a mind to
+watch ye, wouldn't hev known more about yer lover than I do.
+
+Jovita (aside).  He speaks truly.  He always kept in the
+background.  Even Don Juan never knew that I had an attendant until
+I told him.  (Aloud.)  I made a mistake, Diego.  I was hasty.  What
+am I to do?  He is waiting for me even now.
+
+Sandy.  Well (with drunken gravity), ef ye can't go to him, I
+reckon it's the squar thing for him to come to ye.
+
+Jovita.  Recollect yourself, Diego.  Be a man!
+
+Sandy.  Fash jus war I say.  Let him be a man, and come to ye here.
+Let him ride up to this ranch like a man, and call out to yer
+father that he'll take ye jist as ye are, without the land.  And if
+the old man allows, rather than hev ye marry that stranger, he'll
+give this yer place to the church, why, let him do it, and be
+damned.
+
+Jovita (recoiling, aside).  So!  That is their plan.  Don Jose has
+worked on the fears or the cupidity of this drunken ingrate.
+
+Sandy (with drunken submission).  Ye was speaking to me, miss.  Ef
+ye'll take my advice,--a drunken man's advice, miss,--ye'll say to
+that lover of yours, ef he's afeard to come for ye here, to take ye
+as ye stand, he ain't no man for ye.  And, ontil he does, ye'll do
+as the ole man says.  Fur ef I do say it, miss,--and thar ain't no
+love lost between us,--he's a good father to ye.  It ain't every
+day that a gal kin afford to swap a father like that, as she DOES
+KNOW, fur the husband that she DON'T!  He's a proud old fool, miss;
+but to ye, to ye, he's clar grit all through.
+
+Jovita (passionately, aside).  Tricked, fooled, like a child! and
+through the means of this treacherous, drunken tool.  (Stamping her
+foot.)  Ah! we shall see!  You are wise, you are wise, Don Jose;
+but your daughter is not a novice, nor a helpless creature of the
+Holy Church.  (Passionately.)  I'll--I'll become a Protestant
+to-morrow!
+
+Sandy (unheeding her passion, and becoming more earnest and self-
+possessed).  Ef ye hed a father, miss, ez instead o' harkinin' to
+your slightest wish, and surroundin' ye with luxury, hed made your
+infancy a struggle for life among strangers, and your childhood a
+disgrace and a temptation; ef he had left ye with no company but
+want, with no companions but guilt, with no mother but suffering;
+ef he had made your home, this home, so unhappy, so vile, so
+terrible, so awful, that the crowded streets and gutters of a great
+city was something to fly to for relief; ef he had made his
+presence, his very name,--your name, miss, allowin' it was your
+father,--ef he had made that presence so hateful, that name so
+infamous, that exile, that flyin' to furrin' parts, that wanderin'
+among strange folks ez didn't know ye, was the only way to make
+life endurable; and ef he'd given ye,--I mean this good old man Don
+Jose, miss,--ef he'd given ye as part of yer heritage a taint, a
+weakness in yer very blood, a fondness for a poison, a poison that
+soothed ye like a vampire bat and sucked yer life-blood (seizing
+her arm) ez it soothed ye; ef this curse that hung over ye dragged
+ye down day by day, till hating him, loathing him, ye saw yerself
+day by day becoming more and more like him, till ye knew that his
+fate was yours, and yours his,--why then, Miss Jovita (rising with
+an hysterical, drunken laugh), why then, I'd run away with ye
+myself,--I would, damn me!
+
+Jovita (who has been withdrawing from him scornfully).  Well acted,
+Diego.  Don Jose should have seen his pupil.  Trust me, my father
+will reward you.  (Aside.)  And yet there were tears in his drunken
+eyes.  Bah! it is the liquor: he is no longer sane.  And, either
+hypocrite or imbecile, he is to be trusted no longer.  But where
+and why is he going?  (Aloud.)  You are leaving us, Diego.
+
+Sandy (quietly).  Well, the old man and me don't get on together.
+
+Jovita (scornfully).  Bueno!  I see.  Then you abandon me.
+
+Sandy (quickly).  To the old man, miss,--not the young one.  (Walks
+to the table, and begins to pour out liquor.)
+
+Jovita (angrily).  You would not dare to talk to me thus if John
+Oakhurst--ah!  (Checking herself.)
+
+Sandy (drops glass on table, hurries to centre, and seizes DONA
+JOVITA).  Eh!  Wot name did you say?  (Looks at her amazed and
+bewildered.)
+
+Jovita (terrified, aside).  Mother of God!  What have I done?
+Broken my sacred pledge to keep his name secret.  No!  No!  Diego
+did not hear me!  Surely this wretched drunkard does not know him.
+(Aloud.)  Nothing.  I said nothing: I mentioned no name.
+
+Sandy (still amazed, frightened, and bewildered, passing his hand
+over his forehead slowly).  Ye mentioned no name?  Surely.  I am
+wild, crazed.  Tell me, miss--ye didn't,--I know ye didn't, but I
+thought it sounded like it,--ye didn't mention the name of--of--of--
+John Oakhurst?
+
+Jovita (hurriedly).  No, of course not!  You terrify me, Diego.
+You are wild.
+
+Sandy (dropping her hand with a sigh of relief).  No, no!  In
+course ye didn't.  I was wild, miss, wild; this drink has confused
+me yer.  (Pointing to his head.)  There are times when I hear that
+name, miss,--times when I see his face.  (Sadly.)  But it's when
+I've took too much--too much.  I'll drink no more--no more!--
+to-night--to-night!  (Drops his head slowly in his hands.)
+
+Jovita (looking at DIEGO--aside).  Really, I'm feeling very
+uncomfortable.  I'd like to ask a question of this maniac.  But
+nonsense!  Don Juan gave me to understand Oakhurst wasn't his real
+name; that is, he intimated there was something dreadful and
+mysterious about it that mustn't be told,--something that would
+frighten people.  HOLY VIRGIN! it has!  Why, this reckless vagabond
+here is pale and agitated.  Don Juan shall explain this mystery to-
+night.  But then, how shall I see him?  Ah, I have it.  The night
+of the last festa, when I could not leave the rancho, he begged me
+to show a light from the flat roof of the upper corridor, that he
+might know I was thinking of him,--dear fellow!  He will linger to-
+night at the Mission; he will see the light; he will know that I
+have not forgotten.  He will approach the rancho; I shall manage to
+slip away at midnight to the ruined Mission.  I shall--ah, it is my
+father!  Holy Virgin, befriend me now with self-possession.
+(Stands quietly at L., looking toward SANDY, who still remains
+buried in thought, as)--
+
+Enter DON JOSE; regards his daughter and DIEGO with a sarcastic
+smile.
+
+Don Jose (aside).  Bueno!  It is as I expected,--an explanation, an
+explosion, a lover's quarrel, an end to romance.  From his looks I
+should say she has been teaching the adventurer a lesson.  Good!  I
+could embrace her.  (Crosses to SANDY--aloud.)  You still here!
+
+Sandy (rising with a start).  Yes!  I--a--I was only taking leave
+of Miss Jovita that hez bin kind to me.  She's a good gal, ole man,
+and won't be any the worse when I'm gone.--Good-by, Miss Jovita
+(extending his hand): I wish ye luck.
+
+Jovita (coldly).  Adios, friend Diego.  (Aside, hurriedly.)  You
+will not expose my secret?
+
+Sandy (aside).  It ain't in me, miss.  (To DON JOSE, going.)
+Adios, ole man.  (Shouldering his pack.)
+
+Don Jose.  Adios, friend Diego.  (Formally.)  May good luck attend
+you!  (Aside.)  You understand, on your word as--as--as--A
+GENTLEMAN!--you have no further communication with this rancho, or
+aught that it contains.
+
+Sandy (gravely).  I hear ye, ole man.  Adios.  (Goes to gateway,
+but pauses at table, and begins to fill a glass of aguardiente.)
+
+Don Jose (aside, looking at his daughter).  I could embrace her
+now.  She is truly a Castro.  (Aloud to JOVITA.)  Hark ye, little
+one!  I have news that will please you, and--who knows? perhaps
+break up the monotony of the dull life of the rancho.  To-night
+come to me two famous caballeros, Americanos, you understand: they
+will be here soon, even now.  Retire, and make ready to receive
+them.  [Exit JOVITA.
+
+Don Jose (aside, looking at SANDY).  He lingers.  I shall not be
+satisfied until Concho has seen him safely beyond the Mission wall.
+
+Enter CONCHO.
+
+Concho.  Two caballeros have dismounted in the corral, and seek the
+honor of Don Jose's presence.
+
+Don Jose.  Bueno!  (Aside.)  Follow that fellow beyond the Mission.
+(Aloud.)  Admit the strangers.  Did they give their names?
+
+Concho.  They did, Don Jose,--Col. Culpepper Starbottle and the Don
+Alexandro Morton.
+
+Sandy (dropping glass of aguardiente, and staggering stupidly to
+the centre, confronting DON JOSE and CONCHO, still holding bottle).
+Eh!  Wot?  Wot name did you say?  (Looks stupidly and amazedly at
+CONCHO and DON JOSE, and then slowly passes his hand over his
+forehead.  Then slowly and apologetically.)  I axes your pardon,
+Don Jose, and yours, sir (to CONCHO), but I thought ye called me.
+No!--that ez--I mean--I mean--I'm a little off color here (pointing
+to his head).  I don't follow suit--I--eh--eh!  Oh!--ye'll pardon
+me, sir, but thar's names--perhaps yer darter will remember that I
+was took a bit ago on a name--thar's names sorter hangin' round me
+yer (pointing to his head), that I thinks I hear--but bein' drunk--
+I hopes ye'll excoos me.  Adios.  (Staggers to gateway, CONCHO
+following.)
+
+Concho (aside).  There is something more in this than Don Jose
+would have known.  I'll watch Diego, and keep an eye on Miss Jovita
+too.
+
+Exit, following SANDY, who, in exit, jostles against COL. STARBOTTLE
+entering, who stops and leans exhaustedly at the wall to get his
+breath; following him closely, and oblivious of SANDY MORTON,
+ALEXANDER MORTON, sen.  Enter COL. STARBOTTLE and ALEXANDER MORTON,
+sen.
+
+
+SCENE 2.--The Same.
+
+
+Col. Starbottle (entering, to DON JOSE).  Overlooking the insult
+of--er--inebriated individual, whose menial position in this--er--
+er--household precludes a demand for personal satisfaction, sir, I
+believe I have the honor of addressing Don Jose Castro.  Very good,
+sir.  Permit me, sir, to introduce myself as Col. Culpepper
+Starbottle--demn me! the legal adviser of Mr. Alexander Morton,
+sen., and I may add, sir, the friend of that gentleman, and as
+such, sir--er--er--personally--personally responsible.
+
+Alexander Morton (puritanically and lugubriously).  As a God-
+fearing man and forgiving Christian, Mr. Castro, I trust you will
+overlook the habitual profanity of the erring but well-meaning man,
+who, by the necessities of my situation, accompanies me.  I am the
+person--a helpless sinner--mentioned in the letters which I believe
+have preceded me.  As a professing member of the Cumberland
+Presbyterian Church, I have ventured, in the interest of works
+rather than faith, to overlook the plain doctrines of the church in
+claiming sympathy of a superstitious Papist.
+
+Starbottle (interrupting, aside to ALEXANDER MORTON).  Ahem! ahem!
+(Aloud to DON JOSE.)  My friend's manner, sir, reminds me of--er--
+er--Ram Bootgum Sing, first secretary of Turkish legation at
+Washington in '45; most remarkable man--demn me--most remarkable--
+and warm personal friend.  Challenged Tod Robinson for putting him
+next to Hebrew banker at dinner, with remark--demn me--that they
+were both believers in the profit! he, he!  Amusing, perhaps;
+irreverent, certainly.  Fought with cimeters.  Second pass, Ram
+divided Tod in two pieces--fact, sir--just here (pointing) in--er--
+er--regions of moral emotions.  Upper half called to me,--said to
+me warningly--last words--never forget it,--"Star,"--always called
+me Star,--"Respect man's religious convictions."  Legs dead;
+emotion confined to upper part of body--pathetic picture.  Ged,
+sir, something to be remembered!
+
+Don Jose (with grave Spanish courtesy).  You are welcome,
+gentlemen, to the rancho of the Blessed Fisherman.  Your letters,
+with their honorable report, are here.  Believe me, senores, in
+your modesty you have forgotten to mention your strongest claim to
+the hospitality of my house,--the royal right of strangers.
+
+Morton.  Angels before this have been entertained as strangers,
+says the Good Book; and that, I take it, is your authority for this
+ceremoniousness which else were but lip-service and Papist airs.
+But I am here in the performance of a duty, Mr. Castro,--the duty
+of a Christian father.  I am seeking a prodigal son.  I am seeking
+him in his wine-husks and among his harl--
+
+Starbottle (interrupting).  A single moment.  (To DON JOSE.)
+Permit me to--er--er--explain.  As my friend Mr. Morton states, we
+are, in fact, at present engaged in--er--er--quest--er--pilgrimage
+that possibly to some, unless deterred by considerations of
+responsibility--personal responsibility--sir--Ged, sir, might be
+looked upon as visionary, enthusiastic, sentimental, fanatical.  We
+are seeking a son, or, as my friend tersely and scripturally
+expresses it--er--er--prodigal son.  I say scripturally, sir, and
+tersely, but not, you understand it, literally, nor I may add, sir,
+legally.  Ged, sir, as a precedent, I admit we are wrong.  To the
+best of my knowledge, sir, the--er--Prodigal Son sought his own
+father.  To be frank, sir,--and Ged, sir, if Culpepper Starbottle
+has a fault, it is frankness, sir.  As Nelse Buckthorne said to me
+in Nashville, in '47, "You would infer, Col. Starbottle, that I
+equivocate."  I replied, "I do, sir; and permit me to add that
+equivocation has all the guilt of a lie, with cowardice superadded."
+The next morning at nine o'clock, Ged, sir, he gasped to me--he was
+lying on the ground, hole through his left lung just here
+(illustrating with DON JOSE'S coat),--he gasped, "If you have a
+merit, Star, above others, it is frankness!" his last words,
+sir,--demn me. . . .  To be frank, sir, years ago, in the wild
+exuberance of youth, the son of this gentleman left his--er--er--
+er--boyhood's home, owing to an innocent but natural misunderstanding
+with the legal protector of his youth--
+
+Morton (interrupting gravely and demurely).  Driven from home by my
+own sinful and then unregenerate hand--
+
+Starbottle (quickly).  One moment, a simple moment.  We will not
+weary you with--er--er--history, or the vagaries of youth.  He--er--
+came to California in '49.  A year ago, touched by--er--er--
+parental emotion and solicitude, my friend resolved to seek him
+here.  Believing that the--er--er--lawlessness of--er--er--
+untrammelled youth and boyish inexperience might have led him into
+some trifling indiscretion, we have sought him successively in
+hospitals, alms-houses, reformatories, State's prisons, lunatic and
+inebriate asylums, and--er--er--even on the monumental inscriptions
+of the--er--er--country churchyards.  We have thus far, I grieve to
+say, although acquiring much and valuable information of a varied
+character and interest, as far as the direct matter of our search,--
+we have been, I think I may say, unsuccessful.  Our search has
+been attended with the--er--disbursement of some capital under my--
+er--er--direction, which, though large, represents quite inadequately
+the--er--er--earnestness of our endeavors.
+
+Enter MANUELA.
+
+Manuela (to DON JOSE).  The Dona Jovita is waiting to receive you.
+
+Don Jose (to MORTON).  You shall tell me further of your interesting
+pilgrimage hereafter.  At present my daughter awaits us to place
+this humble roof at your disposal.  I am a widower, Don Alexandro,
+like yourself.  When I say that, like you, I have an only child, and
+that I love her, you will understand how earnest is my sympathy.
+This way, gentlemen.  (Leading to door in corridor, and awaiting
+them.)
+
+Starbottle (aside).  Umph! an interview with lovely woman means--
+er--intoxication, but--er--er--no liquor.  It's evident that the
+Don doesn't drink.  Eh!  (Catches sight of table in corridor, and
+bottle.)  Oh, he does, but some absurd Spanish formality prevents
+his doing the polite thing before dinner.  (Aloud, to DON JOSE.)
+One moment, sir, one moment.  If you will--er--er--pardon the--er--
+seeming discourtesy, for which I am, I admit--or--personally
+responsible, I will for a few moments enjoy the--er--er--delicious
+air of the courtyard, and the beauties of Nature as displayed in
+the--er--sunset.  I will--er--rejoin you and the--er--er--ladies a
+moment later.
+
+Don Jose.  The house is your own, senor: do as you will.  This way,
+Don Alexandro.  [Exit, in door L., DON JOSE and MORTON, sen.
+
+Starbottle.  "Do as you will."  Well, I don't understand Spanish
+ceremony, but that's certainly good English.  (Going to table.)
+Eh!  (Smelling decanter.)  Robinson County whiskey!  Umph!  I have
+observed that the spirit of American institutions, sir, are already
+penetrating the--er--er--superstitions of--er--foreign and effete
+civilizations.  (Pours out glass of whiskey, and drinks; pours
+again, and observes MANUELA watching him respectfully.)  What the
+Devil is that girl looking at?  Eh!  (Puts down glass.)
+
+Manuela (aside).  He is fierce and warlike.  Mother of God!  But he
+is not so awful as that gray-haired caballero, who looks like a
+fasting St. Anthony.  And he loves aguardiente: he will pity poor
+Diego the more.  (Aloud.)  Ahem!  Senor.  (Courtesies coquettishly.)
+
+Col. Starbottle (aside).  Oh, I see.  Ged! not a bad-looking girl,--
+a trifle dark, but Southern, and--er--tropical.  Ged, Star, Star,
+this won't do, sir; no, sir.  The filial affections of Aeneas are
+not to be sacrificed through the blandishments of--er--Dodo--I mean
+a Dido.
+
+Manuela.  O senor, you are kind, you are good.  You are an
+Americano, one of a great nation.  You will feel sympathy for a
+poor young man,--a mere muchacho,--one of your own race, who was a
+vaquero here, senor.  He has been sent away from us here disgraced,
+alone, hungry, perhaps penniless.  (Wipes her eyes.)
+
+Col. Starbottle.  The Devil!  Another prodigal.  (Aloud.)  My dear,
+the case you have just stated would appear to be the--er--er--
+normal condition of the--er--youth of America.  But why was he
+discharged?  (Pouring out liquor.)
+
+Manuela (demurely glancing at the colonel).  He was drunk, senor.
+
+Starbottle (potently).  Drunkenness, my child, which is--er--
+weakness in the--er--er--gentleman, in the subordinate is a crime.
+What--er--excites the social impulse and exhilarates the fancy of
+the--er--master of the house, in the performance of his duty,
+renders the servant unfit for his.  Legally it is a breach of
+contract.  I should give it as my opinion,--for which I am
+personally responsible,--that your friend Diego could not recover.
+Ged!  (Aside.)  I wonder if this scapegoat could be our black
+sheep.
+
+Manuela.  But that was not all, senor.  It was an excuse only.  He
+was sent away for helping our young lady to a cavalier.  He was
+discharged because he would not be a traitor to her.  He was sent
+away because he was too good, too honorable,--too--  (Bursts out
+crying.)
+
+Starbottle (aside).  Oh, the Devil! THIS is no Sandy Morton.
+(Coming forward gravely.)  I have never yet analyzed the--er--er--
+character of the young gentleman I have the honor to assist in
+restoring to his family and society; but judging--er--calmly--er--
+dispassionately, my knowledge of his own father--from what the old
+gentleman must have been in his unregenerate state, and knowing
+what he is now in his present reformed Christian condition, I
+should say calmly and deliberately that the son must be the most
+infernal and accomplished villain unhung.  Ged, I have a thought,
+an inspiration.  (To MANUELA, tapping her under the chin.)  I see,
+my dear; a lover, ha, ha!  Ah, you rogue!  Well, well, we will talk
+of this again.  I will--er--er--interest myself in this Diego.
+[Exit MANUELA.
+
+Starbottle (solus).  How would it do to get up a prodigal?  Umph.
+Something must be done soon: the old man grows languid in his
+search.  My position as a sinecure is--er--in peril.  A prodigal
+ready made!  But could I get a scoundrel bad enough to satisfy the
+old man?  Ged, that's serious.  Let me see: he admits that he is
+unable to recognize his own son in face, features, manner, or
+speech.  Good!  If I could pick up some rascal whose--er--
+irregularities didn't quite fill the bill, and could say--Ged!--
+that he was reforming.  Reforming!  Ged, Star!  That very defect
+would show the hereditary taint, demn me!  I must think of this
+seriously.  Ged, Star! the idea is--an inspiration of humanity and
+virtue.  Who knows? it might be the saving of the vagabond,--a
+crown of glory to the old man's age.  Inspiration, did I say?  Ged,
+Star, it's a DUTY,--a sacred, solemn duty, for which you are
+responsible,--personally responsible.
+
+Lights down half.  Enter from corridor L., MORTON, DON JOSE, the
+DONA JOVITA, and MANUELA.
+
+Dona Jovita (stepping forward with exaggerated Spanish courtesy).
+A thousand graces await your Excellency, Commander Don--Don--
+
+Starbottle (bowing to the ground with equal delight and exaggerated
+courtesy).  Er--Coolpepero!
+
+Dona Jovita.  Don Culpepero!  If we throw ourselves unasked at your
+Excellency's feet (courtesy), if we appear unsought before the
+light of your Excellency's eyes (courtesy), if we err in maidenly
+decorum in thus seeking unbidden your Excellency's presence
+(courtesy), believe us, it is the fear of some greater, some graver
+indecorum in our conduct that has withdrawn your Excellency's
+person from us since you have graced our roof with your company.
+We know, Senor Commander, how superior are the charms of the
+American ladies.  It is in no spirit of rivalry with them, but to
+show--Mother of God!--that we are not absolutely ugly, that we
+intrude upon your Excellency's solitude.  (Aside.)  I shall need
+the old fool, and shall use him.
+
+Col. Starbottle (who has been bowing and saluting with equal
+extravagance, during this speech--aside).  Ged! she IS beautiful!
+(Aloud.)  Permit me er--er--Dona Jovita, to correct--Ged, I must
+say it, correct erroneous statements.  The man who should--er--
+utter in my presence remarks disparaging those--er--charms it is my
+privilege to behold, I should hold responsible,--Ged! personally
+responsible.  You--er--remind me of er--incident, trifling perhaps,
+but pleasing, Charleston in '52,--a reception at John C. Calhoun's.
+A lady, one of the demnedest beautiful women you ever saw, said to
+me, "Star!"--she always called me Star,--"you've avoided me, you
+have, Star!  I fear you are no longer my friend."--"Your friend,
+madam," I said.  "No, I've avoided you because I am your lover."
+Ged, Miss Jovita, a fact--demn me.  Sensation.  Husband heard
+garbled report.  He was old friend, but jealous, rash, indiscreet.
+Fell at first fire--umph--January 5th.  Lady--beautiful woman--
+never forgave: went into convent.  Sad affair.  And all a mistake--
+demn me,--all a mistake, through perhaps extravagant gallantry and
+compliment.  I lingered here, oblivious perhaps of--er--beauty, in
+the enjoyment of Nature.
+
+Dona Jovita.  Is there enough for your Excellency to share with me,
+since it must be my rival?  See, the fog is clearing away: we shall
+have moonlight.  (DON JOSE and MORTON seat themselves at table.)
+Shall we not let these venerable caballeros enjoy their confidences
+and experiences together?  (Aside.)  Don Jose watches me like a
+fox, does not intend to lose sight of me.  How shall I show the
+light three times from the courtyard roof?  I have it!  (Takes
+STARBOTTLE'S arm.)  It is too pleasant to withdraw.  There is a
+view from the courtyard wall your Excellency should see.  Will you
+accompany me?  The ascent is easy.
+
+Starbottle (bowing).  I will ascend, although, permit me to say,
+Dona Jovita, it would be--er--impossible for me to be nearer--er--
+heaven, than--er--at present.
+
+Dona Jovita.  FLATTERER!  Come, you shall tell me about this sad
+lady who died.  Ah, Don Culpepero, let me hope all your experiences
+will not be so fatal to us!
+
+[Exeunt DONA JOVITA and STARBOTTLE.
+
+Morton (aside).  A froward daughter of Baal, and, if I mistake not,
+even now concocting mischief for this foolish, indulgent, stiff-
+necked father.  (Aloud.)  Your only daughter, I presume.
+
+Don Jose.  My darling, Don Alexandro.  Motherless from her infancy.
+A little wild, and inclined to gayety, but I hope not seeking for
+more than these walls afford.  I have checked her but seldom, Don
+Alexandro, and then I did not let her see my hand on the rein that
+held her back.  I do not ask her confidence always: I only want her
+to know that when the time comes it can be given to me without fear.
+
+Morton.  Umph!
+
+Don Jose (leaning forward confidentially).  To show that you have
+not intrusted your confidence regarding your wayward son--whom may
+the saints return to you!--to unsympathetic or inexperienced ears,
+I will impart a secret.  A few weeks ago I detected an innocent
+intimacy between this foolish girl and a vagabond vaquero in my
+employ.  You understand, it was on her part romantic, visionary; on
+his, calculating, shrewd, self-interested, for he expected to
+become my heir.  I did not lock her up.  I did not tax her with it.
+I humored it.  Today I satisfied the lover that his investment was
+not profitable, that a marriage without my consent entailed the
+loss of the property, and then left them together.  They parted in
+tears, think you, Don Alexandro?  No, but mutually hating each
+other.  The romance was over.  An American would have opposed the
+girl, have driven her to secrecy, to an elopement perhaps.  Eh?
+
+Morton (scornfully).  And you believe that they have abandoned
+their plans?
+
+Don Jose.  I am sure--hush! she is here!
+
+Enter, on roof of corridor, STARBOTTLE and JOVITA.
+
+Col. Starbottle.  Really, a superb landscape!  An admirable view of
+the--er--fog--rolling over the Mission Hills, the plains below, and
+the--er--er--single figure of--er--motionless horseman--
+
+Dona Jovita (quickly).  Some belated vaquero.  Do you smoke, Senor
+Commander?
+
+Starbottle.  At times.
+
+Dona Jovita.  With me.  I will light a cigarette for you: it is the
+custom.
+
+COL. STARBOTTLE draws match from his pocket, and is about to light,
+but is stopped by DONA JOVITA.
+
+Dona Jovita.  Pardon, your Excellency, but we cannot endure your
+American matches.  There is a taper in the passage.
+
+COL. STARBOTTLE brings taper: DONA JOVITA turns to light cigarette,
+but manages to blow out candle.
+
+Dona Jovita.  I must try your gallantry again.  That is once I have
+failed.  (Significantly.)
+
+COL. STARBOTTLE relights candle, business, same results.
+
+Dona Jovita.  I am stupid and nervous to-night.  I have failed
+twice.  (With emphasis.)
+
+COL. STARBOTTLE repeats business with candle.  DONA JOVITA lights
+cigarette, hands it to the colonel.
+
+Dona Jovita.  Thrice, and I have succeeded.  (Blows out candle.)
+
+Col. Starbottle.  A thousand thanks!  There is a--er--er--light on
+the plain.
+
+Dona Jovita (hastily).  It is the vaqueros returning.  My father
+gives a festa to peons in honor of your arrival.  There will be a
+dance.  You have been patient, Senor Commander: you shall have my
+hand for a waltz.
+
+Enter vaqueros, their wives and daughters.  A dance, during which
+the "sembi canca" is danced by COL. STARBOTTLE and DONA JOVITA.
+Business, during which the bell of Mission Church, faintly
+illuminated beyond the wall, strikes twelve.  Dancers withdraw
+hurriedly, leaving alone MANUELA, DONA JOVITA, COL. STARBOTTLE, DON
+JOSE, and CONCHO.  CONCHO formally hands keys to Don Jose.
+
+Don Jose (delivering keys to MORTON with stately impressiveness).
+Take them, Don Alexandro Morton, and with them all that they unlock
+for bliss or bale.  Take them, noble guest, and with them the
+homage of this family,--to-night, Don Alexandro, your humble
+servants.  Good-night, gentlemen.  May a thousand angels attend
+you, O Don Alexandro and Don Culpepero!
+
+Dona Jovita.  Good-night, Don Alexandro.  May your dreams to-night
+see all your wishes fulfilled!  Good-night, O Senor Commander.  May
+she you dream of be as happy as you!
+
+Manuela and Concho (together).  Good-night, O senores and
+illustrious gentlemen! may the Blessed Fisherman watch over you!
+(Both parties retreat into opposite corridors, bowing.)
+
+MANUELA,     CONCHO,    MORTON,
+DON JOSE.    JOVITA.    STARBOTTLE.
+
+
+SCENE 3.--The same.  Stage darkened.  Fog passing beyond wall
+outside, and occasionally obscuring moonlit landscape beyond.
+Enter JOVITA softly, from corridor L.  Her face is partly hidden by
+Spanish mantilla.
+
+Jovita.  All quiet at last; and, thanks to much aguardiente, my
+warlike admirer snores peacefully above.  Yet I could swear I heard
+the old Puritan's door creak as I descended!  Pshaw!  What matters!
+(Goes to gateway, and tries gate.)  Locked!  Carramba!  I see it
+now.  Under the pretext of reviving the old ceremony, Don Jose has
+locked the gates, and placed me in the custody of his guest.  Stay!
+There is a door leading to the corral from the passage by Concho's
+room.  Bueno!  Don Jose shall see!  [Exit R.
+
+Enter cautiously R. OLD MORTON.
+
+Old Morton.  I was not mistaken!  It was the skirt of that Jezebel
+daughter that whisked past my door a moment ago, and her figure
+that flitted down that corridor.  So!  The lover driven out of the
+house at four P. M., and at twelve o'clock at night the young lady
+trying the gate secretly.  This may be Spanish resignation and
+filial submission, but it looks very like Yankee disobedience and
+forwardness.  Perhaps it's well that the keys are in my pocket.
+This fond confiding Papist may find the heretic American father of
+some service.  (Conceals himself behind pillar of corridor.)
+
+After a pause the head of JOHN OAKHURST appears over the wall of
+corridor: he climbs up to roof of corridor, and descends very
+quietly and deliberately to stage.
+
+Oakhurst (dusting his clothing with his handkerchief).  I never
+knew before why these Spaniards covered their adobe walls with
+whitewash.  (Leans against pillar in shadow.)
+
+Re-enter JOVITA, hastily.
+
+Jovita.  All is lost; the corral door is locked; the key is
+outside, and Concho is gone,--gone where?  Madre di Dios! to
+discover, perhaps to kill him.
+
+Oakhurst (approaching her).  No.
+
+Jovita.  Juan!  (Embracing him.)  But how did you get here?  This
+is madness!
+
+Oakhurst.  As you did not come to the mission, I came to the
+rancho.  I found the gate locked--by the way, is not that a novelty
+here?--I climbed the wall.  But you, Miss Castro, you are trembling!
+Your little hands are cold!
+
+Jovita (glancing around).  Nothing, nothing!  But you are running a
+terrible risk.  At any moment we may be discovered.
+
+Oakhurst.  I understand you: it would be bad for the discoverer.
+Never fear, I will be patient.
+
+Jovita.  But I feared that you might meet Concho.
+
+Oakhurst.  Concho--Concho--(meditatively).  Let me see,--tall,
+dark, long in the arm, weighs about one hundred and eighty, and
+active.
+
+Jovita.  Yes; tell me!  You have met him?
+
+Oakhurst.  Possibly, possibly.  Was he a friend of yours?
+
+Jovita.  No!
+
+Oakhurst.  That's better.  Are his pursuits here sedentary, or
+active?
+
+Jovita.  He is my father's major-domo.
+
+Oakhurst.  I see: a sinecure.  (Aside.)  Well, if he has to lay up
+for a week or two, the rancho won't suffer.
+
+Jovita.  Well?
+
+Oakhurst.  Well!
+
+Jovita (passionately).  There, having scaled the wall, at the risk
+of being discovered--this is all you have to say!  (Turning away.)
+
+Oakhurst (quietly).  Perhaps, Jovita (taking her hand with grave
+earnestness), to a clandestine intimacy like ours there is but one
+end.  It is not merely elopement, not merely marriage, it is
+exposure!  Sooner or later you and I must face the eyes we now
+shun.  What matters if tonight or later?
+
+Jovita (quickly).  I am ready.  It was you who--
+
+Oakhurst.  It was I who first demanded secrecy, but it was I who
+told you when we last met that I would tell you why to-night.
+
+Jovita.  I am ready; but hear me, Juan, nothing can change my faith
+in you!
+
+Oakhurst (sadly).  You know not what you say.  Listen, my child.  I
+am a gambler.  Not the man who lavishes his fortune at the gaming-
+table for excitement's sake; not the fanatic who stakes his own
+earnings--perhaps the confided earnings of others--on a single
+coup.  No, he is the man who loses,--whom the world deplores,
+pities, and forgives.  I am the man who wins--whom the world hates
+and despises.
+
+Jovita.  I do not understand you, Juan.
+
+Oakhurst.  So much the better, perhaps.  But you must hear me.  I
+make a profession--an occupation more exacting, more wearying, more
+laborious, than that of your meanest herdsman--of that which others
+make a dissipation of the senses.  And yet, Jovita, there is not
+the meanest vaquero in this ranch, who, playing against me, winning
+or losing, is not held to be my superior.  I have no friends--only
+confederates.  Even the woman who dares to pity me must do it in
+secret.
+
+Jovita.  But you will abandon this dreadful trade.  As the son of
+the rich Don Jose, no one dare scorn you.  My father will relent.
+I am his heiress.
+
+Oakhurst.  No more, Jovita, no more.  If I were the man who could
+purchase the world's respect through a woman's weakness for him, I
+should not be here to-night.  I am not here to sue your father's
+daughter with hopes of forgiveness, promises of reformation.
+Reformation, in a man like me, means cowardice or self-interest.
+(OLD MORTON, becoming excited, leans slowly out from the shadow of
+the pillar) listening intently.)  I am here to take, by force if
+necessary, a gambler's wife,--the woman who will share my fortunes,
+my disgrace, my losses; who is willing to leave her old life of
+indulgence, of luxury, of respectability, for mine.  You are
+frightened, little dove: compose yourself (soothing her tenderly
+and sadly); you are frightened at the cruel hawk who has chosen you
+for a mate.
+
+Old Morton (aside).  God in heaven!  This is like HIM! like me!--
+like me, before the blessed Lord lifted me into regeneration.  If
+it should be!  (Leans forward anxiously from pillar.)
+
+Oakhurst (aside).  Still silent!  Poor dove, I can hear her foolish
+heart flutter against mine.  Another moment decides our fate.
+Another moment: John Oakhurst and freedom, or Red Gulch and--she is
+moving.  (To JOVITA.)  I am harsh, little one, and cold.  Perhaps I
+have had much to make me so.  But when (with feeling) I first met
+you; when, lifting my eyes to the church-porch, I saw your
+beautiful face; when, in sheer recklessness and bravado, I raised
+my hat to you; when you--you, Jovita--lifted your brave eyes to
+mine, and there, there in the sanctuary, returned my salute,--the
+salutation of the gambler, the outcast, the reprobate,--then, then
+I swore that you should be mine, if I tore you from the sanctuary.
+Speak now, Jovita: if it was coquetry, speak now; I forgive you: if
+it was sheer wantonness, speak now; I shall spare you: but if--
+
+Jovita (throwing herself in his arms).  Love, Juan!  I am yours,
+now and forever.  (Pause.)  But you have not told me all.  I will
+go with you to-night--now.  I leave behind me all,--my home, my
+father, my--(pause) my name.  You have forgotten, Juan, you have
+not told me what I change THAT for: you have not told me YOURS.
+
+OLD MORTON, in eager excitement, leans beyond shadow of pillar.
+
+Oakhurst (embracing her tenderly, with a smile).  If I have not
+told you who I am, it was because, darling, it was more important
+that you should know what I am.  Now that you know that--why--
+(embarrassedly) I have nothing more to tell.  I did not wish you to
+repeat the name of Oakhurst--because--(aside) how the Devil shall I
+tell her that Oakhurst was my real name, after all, and that I only
+feared she might divulge it?--(aloud) because--because--
+(determinedly) I doubted your ability to keep a secret.  My real
+name is--(looks up, and sees MORTON leaning beyond pillar) is a
+secret.  (Pause, in which OAKHURST slowly recovers his coolness.)
+It will be given to the good priest who to-night joins our fate
+forever, Jovita,--forever, in spite of calumny, opposition, or
+SPIES! the padre whom we shall reach, if enough life remains in
+your pulse and mine to clasp these hands together.  (After a
+pause.)  Are you content?
+
+Jovita.  I am.
+
+Oakhurst.  Then there is not a moment to lose.  Retire, and prepare
+yourself for a journey.  I will wait here.
+
+Jovita.  I am ready now.
+
+Oakhurst (looking toward pillar).  Pardon, my darling: there was a
+bracelet--a mere trifle--I once gave you.  It is not on your wrist.
+I am a trifle superstitious, perhaps: it was my first gift.  Bring
+it with you.  I will wait.  Go!
+
+[Exit JOVITA.
+
+OAKHURST watches her exit, lounges indifferently toward gate; when
+opposite pillar, suddenly seizes MORTON by the throat, and drags
+him noiselessly to centre.
+
+Oakhurst (hurriedly).  One outcry,--a single word,--and it is your
+last.  I care not who YOU may be!--who I am,--you have heard enough
+to know, at least, that you are in the grip of a desperate man.
+(Keys fall from MORTON'S hand.  OAKHURST seizes them.)  Silence! on
+your life.
+
+Morton (struggling).  You would not dare! I command you--
+
+Oakhurst (dragging him to gateway).  Out you must go.
+
+Morton.  Stop, I command you.  I never turned MY father out of
+doors!
+
+Oakhurst (gazing at MORTON).  It is an OLD man!  I release you.  Do
+as you will, only remember that that girl is mine forever, that
+there is no power on earth will keep me from her.
+
+Morton.  On conditions.
+
+Oakhurst.  Who are you that make conditions?  You are not--her
+father?
+
+Morton.  No but I am YOURS!  Alexander Morton, I charge you to hear
+me.
+
+Oakhurst (starting in astonishment; aside).  Sandy Morton, my lost
+partner's father!  This is fate.
+
+Morton.  You are astonished; but I thought so.  Ay, you will hear
+me now!  I am your father, Alexander Morton, who drove you, a
+helpless boy, into disgrace and misery.  I know your shameless
+life: for twenty years it was mine, and worse, until, by the grace
+of God, I reformed, as you shall.  I have stopped you in a
+disgraceful act.  Your mother--God forgive me!--left HER house, for
+MY arms, as wickedly, as wantonly, as shamelessly--
+
+Oakhurst.  Stop, old man!  Stop!  Another word (seizing him), and I
+may forget your years.
+
+Morton.  But not your blood.  No, Alexander Morton, I have come
+thousands of miles for one sacred purpose,--to save you; and I
+shall, with God's will, do it now.  Be it so, on one condition.
+You shall have this girl; but lawfully, openly, with the sanction
+of Heaven and your parents.
+
+Oakhurst (aside).  I see a ray of hope.  This is Sandy's father;
+the cold, insensate brute, who drove him into exile, the one bitter
+memory of his life.  Sandy disappeared, irreclaimable, or living
+alone, hating irrevocably the author of his misery; why should not
+I--
+
+Morton (continuing).  On one condition.  Hear me, Alexander Morton.
+If within a year, you, abandoning your evil practices, your wayward
+life, seek to reform beneath my roof, I will make this proud
+Spanish Don glad to accept you as the more than equal of his
+daughter.
+
+Oakhurst (aside).  It would be an easy deception.  Sandy has given
+me the details of his early life.  At least, before the imposition
+was discovered I shall be--  (Aloud.)  I--I--  (Aside.)  Perdition!
+SHE is coming!  There is a light moving in the upper chamber.  Don
+Jose is awakened.  (Aloud.)  I--I--accept.
+
+Morton.  It is well.  Take these keys, open yonder gate, and fly!
+(As OAKHURST hesitates.)  Obey me.  I will meet your sweetheart,
+and explain all.  You will come here at daylight in the morning,
+and claim admittance, not as a vagabond, a housebreaker, but as my
+son.  You hesitate.  Alexander Morton, I, your father, command you.
+Go!
+
+OAKHURST goes to the gate, opens it, as the sound of DIEGO'S voice,
+singing in the fog, comes faintly in.
+
+
+     O yer's your Sandy Morton,
+                Drink him down!
+     O yer's your Sandy Morton,
+                Drink him down!
+     O yer's your Sandy Morton,
+     For he's drunk, and goin' a-courtin'.
+     O yer's your Sandy Morton,
+                Drink him down!
+
+
+OAKHURST recoils against gate, MORTON hesitates, as window in
+corridor opens, and DON JOSE calls from upper corridor.
+
+Don Jose.  Concho!  (Pause.)  'Tis that vagabond Diego, lost his
+way in the fog.  Strange that Concho should have overlooked him.  I
+will descend.
+
+Morton (to OAKHURST).  Do you hear?
+
+Exit OAKHURST through gateway.  MORTON closes gate, and returns to
+centre.  Enter JOVITA hurriedly.
+
+Jovita.  I have it here.  Quick! there is a light in Don Jose's
+chamber; my father is coming down.  (Sees MORTON, and screams.)
+
+Morton (seizing her.)  Hush! for your own sake; for HIS; control
+yourself.  He is gone, but he will return.  (To JOVITA, still
+struggling.)  Hush, I beg, Miss Jovita.  I beg, I command you, my
+daughter.  Hush!
+
+Jovita (whispering).  His voice has changed.  What does this mean?
+(Aloud.)  Where has he gone? and why are YOU here?
+
+Morton (slowly and seriously).  He has left me here to answer the
+unanswered question you asked him.  (Enter Don Jose and Col.
+STARBOTTLE, R. and L.)  I am here to tell you that I am his father,
+and that he is Alexander Morton.
+
+TABLEAUX.
+
+Curtain.
+
+END OF ACT I.
+
+
+
+ACT II.
+
+
+SCENE 1.--Red Gulch.  Canyon of river, and distant view of Sierras,
+snow-ravined.  Schoolhouse of logs in right middle distance.  Ledge
+of rocks in centre.  On steps of schoolhouse two large bunches of
+flowers.  Enter STARBOTTLE, slowly climbing rocks L., panting and
+exhausted.  Seats himself on rock, foreground, and wipes his face
+with his pocket-handkerchief.
+
+
+Starbottle.  This is evidently the er--locality.  Here are the--er--
+groves of Academus--the heights of er--Ida!  I should say that the
+unwillingness which the--er--divine Shakespeare points out in the--
+er--"whining schoolboy" is intensified in--er--climbing this
+height, and the--er--alacrity of his departure must be in exact
+ratio to his gravitation.  Good idea.  Ged! say it to schoolma'am.
+Wonder what she's like?  Humph! the usual thin, weazened, hatchet-
+faced Yankee spinster, with an indecent familiarity with Webster's
+Dictionary!  And this is the woman, Star, you're expected to
+discover, and bring back to affluence and plenty.  This is the new
+fanaticism of Mr. Alexander Morton, sen.  Ged! not satisfied with
+dragging his prodigal son out of merited obscurity, this miserable
+old lunatic commissions ME to hunt up another of his abused
+relatives; some forty-fifth cousin, whose mother he had frozen,
+beaten, or starved to death!  And all this to please his prodigal!
+Ged! if that prodigal hadn't presented himself that morning, I'd
+have picked up--er--some--er--reduced gentleman--Ged, that knew how
+to spend the old man's money to better advantage.  (Musing.)  If
+this schoolmistress were barely good-looking, Star,--and she's sure
+to have fifty thousand from the old man,--Ged, you might get even
+with Alexander, sen., for betrothing his prodigal to Dona Jovita,
+in spite of the--er--evident preference that the girl showed for
+you.  Capital idea!  If she's not positively hideous I'll do it!
+Ged! I'll reconnoitre first!  (Musing.)  I could stand one eye;
+yes--er--single eye would not be positively objectionable in the--
+er--present experiments of science toward the--er--the substitution
+of glass.  Red hair, Star, is--er--Venetian,--the beauty of
+Giorgione.  (Goes up to schoolhouse window, and looks in.)  Too
+early!  Seven empty benches; seven desks splashed with ink.  The--
+er--rostrum of the awful Minerva empty, but--er--adorned with
+flowers, nosegays--demn me!  And here, here on the--er--very
+threshold (looking down), floral tributes.  The--er--conceit of
+these New England schoolma'ams, and their--er--evident Jesuitical
+influence over the young, is fraught, sir, fraught with--er--darkly
+political significance.  Eh, Ged! there's a caricature on the
+blackboard.  (Laughing.)  Ha, ha!  Absurd chalk outline of
+ridiculous fat person.  Evidently the schoolma'am's admirer.  Ged!
+immensely funny!  Ah! boys will be boys.  Like you, Star, just like
+you,--always up to tricks like that.  A sentence scrawled below the
+figure seems to be--er--explanation.  Hem!  (Takes out eyeglass.)
+Let's see (reading.)  "This is old"--old--er--old--demme, sir!--
+"Starbottle!"  This is infamous.  I haven't been forty-eight hours
+in the place, and to my certain knowledge haven't spoken to a
+child.  Ged, sir, it's the--er--posting of a libel!  The woman,
+the--er--female, who permits this kind of thing, should be made
+responsible--er--personally responsible.  Eh, hush!  What have we
+here?  (Retires to ledge of rocks.)
+
+Enter MISS MARY L., reading letter.
+
+Miss Mary.  Strange!  Is it all a dream?  No! here are the familiar
+rocks, the distant snow-peaks, the schoolhouse, the spring below.
+An hour ago I was the poor schoolmistress of Red Gulch, with no
+ambition nor hope beyond this mountain wall; and now--oh, it must
+be a dream!  But here is the letter.  Certainly this is no
+delusion: it is too plain, formal, business-like.  (Reads.)
+
+
+MY DEAR COUSIN--I address the only surviving child of my cousin
+Mary and her husband John Morris, both deceased.  It is my duty as
+a Christian relative to provide you with a home--to share with you
+that wealth and those blessings that a kind providence has
+vouchsafed me.  I am aware that my conduct to your father and
+mother, while in my sinful and unregenerate state, is no warrantee
+for my present promise; but my legal adviser, Col. Starbottle, who
+is empowered to treat with you, will assure you of the sincerity of
+my intention, and my legal ability to perform it.  He will conduct
+you to my house; you will share its roof with me and my prodigal
+son Alexander, now by the grace of God restored, and mindful of the
+error of his ways.  I enclose a draft for one thousand dollars: if
+you require more, draw upon me for the same.
+
+Your cousin,
+
+ALEXANDER MORTON, SEN.
+
+
+My mother's cousin--so!  Cousin Alexander! a rich man, and reunited
+to the son he drove into shameful exile.  Well! we will see this
+confidential lawyer; and until then--until then--why, we are the
+schoolmistress of Red Gulch, and responsible for its youthful
+prodigals.  (Going to schoolhouse door.)
+
+Miss Mary (stopping to examine flowers).  Poor, poor Sandy!
+Another offering, and, as he fondly believes, unknown and
+anonymous!  As if he were not visible in every petal and leaf!
+The mariposa blossom of the plain.  The snowflower I longed for,
+from those cool snowdrifts beyond the ridge.  And I really believe
+he was sober when he arranged them.  Poor fellow!  I begin to think
+that the dissipated portion of this community are the most
+interesting.  Ah! some one behind the rock,--Sandy, I'll wager.
+No! a stranger!
+
+Col. Starbottle (aside, and advancing).  If I could make her think
+I left those flowers!  (Aloud.)  When I state that--er--I am
+perhaps--er--stranger--
+
+Miss Mary (interrupting him coldly).  You explain, sir, your
+appearance on a spot which the rude courtesy of even this rude
+miner's camp has preserved from intrusion.
+
+Starbottle (slightly abashed, but recovering himself).  Yes--Ged!--
+that is, I--er--saw you admiring--er--tribute--er--humble tribute
+of flowers.  I am myself passionately devoted to flowers.  Ged!
+I've spent hours--in--er--bending over the--er--graceful sunflower,
+in--er--plucking the timid violet from the overhanging but
+reluctant bough, in collecting the--er--er--fauna--I mean the--er--
+flora--of this--er--district.
+
+Miss Mary (who has been regarding him intently).  Permit me to
+leave you in uninterrupted admiration of them.  (Handing him
+flowers.)  You will have ample time in your journey down the gulch
+to indulge your curiosity!
+
+Hands STARBOTTLE flowers, enters schoolhouse, and quietly closes
+door on STARBOTTLE as SANDY MORTON enters cautiously and sheepishly
+from left.  SANDY stops in astonishment on observing STARBOTTLE,
+and remains by wing left.
+
+Starbottle (smelling flowers, and not noticing MISS MARY'S absence).
+Beautiful--er--exquisite.  (Looking up at closed door.) Ged!  Most
+extraordinary disappearance!  (Looks around, and discovers SANDY;
+examines him for a moment through his eyeglass, and then, after a
+pause, inflates his chest, turns his back on SANDY, and advances to
+schoolhouse door.  SANDY comes quickly, and, as STARBOTTLE raises
+his cane to rap on door, seizes his arm.  Both men, regarding each
+other fixedly, holding each other, retreat slowly and cautiously to
+centre.  Then STARBOTTLE disengages his arm.)
+
+Sandy (embarrassedly but determinedly).  Look yer, stranger.  By
+the rules of this camp, this place is sacred to the schoolma'am and
+her children.
+
+Starbottle (with lofty severity).  It is!  Then--er--permit me to
+ask, sir, what YOU are doing here.
+
+Sandy (embarrassed, and dropping his head in confusion).  I was--
+passing.  There is no school to-day.
+
+Starbottle.  Then, sir, Ged! permit me to--er--DEMAND--DEMAND, sir--
+an apology.  You have laid, sir, your hand upon my person--demn
+me!  Not the first time, sir, either; for, if I am not mistaken,
+you are the--er--inebriated menial, sir, who two months ago jostled
+me, sir,--demn me,--as I entered the rancho of my friend Don Jose
+Castro.
+
+Sandy (starting, aside).  Don Jose!  (Aloud.)  Hush, hush!  She
+will hear you.  No--that is--(stops, confused and embarrassed.
+Aside.)  She will hear of my disgrace.  He will tell her the whole
+story.
+
+Starbottle.  I shall await your apology one hour.  At the end of
+that time, if it is not forthcoming, I shall--er--er--waive your
+menial antecedents, and expect the--er--satisfaction of a
+gentleman.  Good-morning, sir.  (Turns to schoolhouse.)
+
+Sandy.  No, no: you shall not go!
+
+Starbottle.  Who will prevent me?
+
+Sandy (grappling him).  I will.  (Appealingly.)  Look yer,
+stranger, don't provoke me, I, a desperate man, desperate and
+crazed with drink,--don't ye, don't ye do it!  For God's sake, take
+your hands off me!  Ye don't know what ye do.  Ah!  (Wildly,
+holding STARBOTTLE firmly, and forcing him backward to precipice
+beyond ledge of rocks.)  Hear me.  Three years ago, in a moment
+like this, I dragged a man--my friend--to this precipice.  I--I--
+no! no!--don't anger me now!  (Sandy's grip on STARBOTTLE relaxes
+slightly, and his head droops.)
+
+Starbottle (coolly).  Permit me to remark, sir, that any reminiscence
+of your--er--friend--or any other man is--er--at this moment,
+irrelevant and impertinent.  Permit me to point out the--er--fact,
+sir, that your hand is pressing heavily, demned heavily, on my
+shoulder.
+
+Sandy (fiercely).  You shall not go!
+
+Starbottle (fiercely).  Shall not?
+
+Struggle.  STARBOTTLE draws derringer from his breast-pocket, and
+SANDY seizes his arm.  In this position both parties struggle to
+ledge of rocks, and COL. STARBOTTLE is forced partly over.
+
+Miss Mary (opening schoolhouse door).  I thought I heard voices.
+(Looking toward ledge of rocks, where COL. STARBOTTLE and SANDY are
+partly hidden by trees.  Both men relax grasp of each other at MISS
+MARY'S voice.)
+
+Col. Starbottle (aloud and with voice slightly raised, to SANDY).
+By--er--leaning over this way a moment, a single moment, you will--
+er--perceive the trail I speak of.  It follows the canyon to the
+right.  It will bring you to--er--the settlement in an hour.  (To
+MISS MARY, as if observing her for the first time.)  I believe I
+am--er--right; but, being--er--more familiar with the locality, you
+can direct the gentleman better.
+
+SANDY slowly sinks on his knees beside rock, with his face averted
+from schoolhouse, as COL. STARBOTTLE disengages himself, and
+advances jauntily and gallantly to schoolhouse.
+
+Col. Starbottle.  In--er--er--showing the stranger the--er--way, I
+perhaps interrupted our interview.  The--er--observances of--er--
+civility and humanity must not be foregone, even for--er--the
+ladies.  I--er--believe I address Miss Mary Morris.  When I--er--
+state that my name is Col. Starbottle, charged on mission of--er--
+delicate nature, I believe I--er--explain MY intrusion.
+
+MISS MARY bows, and motions to schoolhouse door; COL. STARBOTTLE,
+bowing deeply, enters; but MISS MARY remains standing by door,
+looking toward trees that hide SANDY.
+
+Miss Mary (aside).  I am sure it was Sandy's voice!  But why does
+he conceal himself?
+
+Sandy (aside, rising slowly to his feet, with his back to
+schoolhouse door).  Even this conceited bully overcomes me, and
+shames me with his readiness and tact.  He was quick to spare her--
+a stranger--the spectacle of two angry men.  I--I--must needs
+wrangle before her very door!  Well, well! better out of her sight
+forever, than an object of pity or terror.  [Exit slowly, and with
+downcast eyes, right.
+
+Miss Mary (watching the trail).  It WAS Sandy! and this concealment
+means something more than bashfulness.  Perhaps the stranger can
+explain.
+
+[Enters schoolhouse, and closes door.
+
+
+SCENE 2.--The same.  Enter CONCHO, lame, cautiously, from R.
+Pauses at R., and then beckons to HOP SING, who follows R.
+
+Concho (impatiently).  Well! you saw him?
+
+Hop Sing.  Me see him.
+
+Concho.  And you recognized him?
+
+Hop Sing.  No shabe likoquize.
+
+Concho (furiously).  You knew him, eh?  Carramba!  You KNEW him.
+
+Hop Sing (slowly and sententiously).  Me shabe man you callee
+Diego.  Me shabbee Led Gulchee call Sandy.  Me shabbee man Poker
+Flat callee Alexandlee Molton.  Allee same, John!  Allee same!
+
+Concho (rubbing his hands).  Bueno!  Good John! good John!  And you
+knew he was called Alexander Morton?  And go on--good John--go on!
+
+Hop Sing.  Me plentee washee shirtee--Melican man Poker Flat.  Me
+plentee washee shirt Alexandlee Molton.  Always litee, litee on
+shirt allee time.  (Pointing to tail of his blouse, and imitating
+writing with finger.)  Alexandlee Molton.  Melican man tellee me--
+shirt say Alexandlee Molton--shabbee?
+
+Concho.  Bueno!  Excellent John.  Good John.  His linen marked
+Alexander Morton.  The proofs are gathering! (crosses to C.)--the
+letter I found in his pack, addressed to Alexander Morton, Poker
+Flat, which first put me on his track; the story of his wife's
+infidelity, and her flight with his partner to red Gulch, the
+quarrel and fight that separated them, his flight to San Jose, his
+wanderings to the mission of San Carmel, to the rancho of the Holy
+Fisherman.  The record is complete!
+
+Hop Sing.  Alexandlee Molton--
+
+Concho (hurriedly returning to HOP SING).  Yes! good John; yes,
+good John--go on.  Alexander Morton--
+
+Hop Sing.  Alexandlee Molton.  Me washee shirt, Alexandlee Molton;
+he no pay washee.  Me washee flowty dozen hep--four bittie dozen--
+twenty dollar hep.  Alexandlee Molton no payee.  He say, "Go to
+hellee!"  You pay me (extending his hand).
+
+Concho.  Car--! (checking himself).   Poco tiempo, John!  In good
+time, John.  Forty dollar--yes.  Fifty dollar!  Tomorrow, John.
+
+Hop Sing.  Me no likee "to-mollow!"  Me no likee "nex time, John!"
+Allee time Melican man say, "Chalkee up, John," "No smallee change,
+John,"--umph.  Plenty foolee me!
+
+Concho.  You shall have your money, John; but go now--you
+comprehend.  Carramba! go!  (Pushes HOP SING to wing.)
+
+Hop Sing (expostulating).  Flowty dozen, hep, John! twenty dollar,
+John.  Sabe.  Flowty--twenty--(gesticulating with fingers).
+
+[Exit HOP SING, pushed off by CONCHO.
+
+Concho.  The pagan dolt!  But he is important.  Ah, if he were
+wiser, I should not rid myself of him so quickly!  And now for the
+schoolmistress,--the sweetheart of Sandy.  If these men have not
+lied, he is in love with her; and, if he is, he has told her his
+secret before now; and she will be swift to urge him to his rights.
+If he has not told her--umph! (laughing) it will not be a DAY--an
+HOUR--before she will find out if her lover is Alexander Morton,
+the rich man's son, or "Sandy," the unknown vagabond.  Eh, friend
+Sandy!  It was a woman that locked up your secret: it shall be a
+woman, Madre di Dios! who shall unlock it.  Ha!  (Goes to door of
+schoolhouse as door opens, and appears COL. STARBOTTLE.)
+
+Concho (aside).  A thousand devils! the lawyer of the old man
+Morton.  (Aloud.)  Pardon, pardon!  I am a stranger.  I have lost
+my way on the mountain.  I am seeking a trail.  Senor, pardon!
+
+Starbottle (aside).  Another man seeking the road!  Ged, I believe
+he's lying too.  (Aloud.)  It is before you, sir, DOWN,--down the
+mountain.
+
+Concho.  A thousand thanks, senor.  (Aside.)  Perdition catch him!
+(Aloud.)  Thanks, senor.  [Exit R.
+
+Starbottle.  Ged, I've seen that face before.  Ged, it's Castro's
+major-domo.  Demn me, but I believe all his domestics have fallen
+in love with the pretty schoolma'am.
+
+Enter MISS MARY from schoolhouse.
+
+Miss Mary (slowly refolding letter).  You are aware, then, of the
+contents of this note; and you are the friend of Alexander Morton,
+sen.?
+
+Col. Starbottle.  Permit me a moment, a single moment, to--er--er--
+explain.  I am Mr. Morton's legal adviser.  There is--er--sense of--
+er--responsibility,--er--personal responsibility, about the term
+"friend," that at the--er--er--present moment I am not--er--
+prepared to assume.  The substance of the letter is before you.  I
+am here to--er--express its spirit.  I am here (with great
+gallantry) to express the--er--yearnings of cousinly affection.  I
+am aware--er--that OUR conduct,--if I may use the--er--the plural
+of advocacy,--I am aware that--er--OUR conduct has not in the past
+years been of--er--er--exemplary character.  I am aware that the--
+er--death of our lamented cousin, your sainted mother, was--er--
+hastened--I may--er--say--pre--cip--itated--by our--er--indiscretion
+But we are hereto--er--confess judgment--with--er--er--costs.
+
+Miss Mary (interrupting).  In other words, your client, my cousin,
+having ruined my father, having turned his own widowed relation out
+of doors, and sent me, her daughter, among strangers to earn her
+bread; having seen my mother sink and die in her struggle to keep
+her family from want,--this man now seeks to condone his offences--
+pardon me, sir, if I use your own legal phraseology--by offering me
+a home; by giving me part of his ill-gotten wealth, the association
+of his own hypocritical self, and the company of his shameless,
+profligate son--
+
+Starbottle (interrupting).  A moment, Miss Morris,--a single
+moment!  The epithets you have used, the--er--vigorous
+characterization of our--er--conduct, is--er--within the--er--
+strict rules of legal advocacy, correct.  We are--er--rascals! we
+are--er--scoundrels! we are--er--well, I am not--er--prepared to
+say that we are not--er--demn me--hypocrites!  But the young man
+you speak of--our son, whose past life (speaking as Col. Starbottle)
+no one more sincerely deprecates than myself,--that young man has
+reformed; has been for the past few months a miracle of sobriety,
+decorum, and industry; has taken, thanks to the example of--er--
+friends, a position of integrity in his father's business, of filial
+obedience in his father's household; is, in short, a paragon; and,
+demn me, I doubt if he's his father's son.
+
+Miss Mary.  Enough, sir!  You are waiting for my answer.  There is
+no reason why it should not be as precise, as brief, and as formal
+as your message.  Go to my cousin; say that you saw the person
+he claims as his relation; say that you found her, a poor
+schoolmistress, in a rude mining camp, dependent for her bread on
+the scant earnings of already impoverished men, dependent for her
+honor on the rude chivalry of outcasts and vagabonds; and say that
+then and there she repudiated your kinship, and respectfully
+declined your invitation.
+
+Starbottle (aside).  Ged! Star! this is the--er--female of your
+species!  This is the woman--the--er--one woman--for whom you are
+responsible, sir!--personally responsible!
+
+Miss Mary (coldly).  You have my answer, sir.
+
+Col. Starbottle.  Permit me--er--single moment,--a single moment!
+Between the er--present moment, and that of my departure--there is
+an--er--interval of twelve hours.  May I, at the close of that
+interval--again present myself--without prejudice, for your final
+answer?
+
+Miss Mary (indifferently).  As you will, sir.  I shall be here.
+
+Col. Starbottle.  Permit me.  (Takes her hand gallantly.)  Your
+conduct and manner, Miss Morris, remind me--er--singularly--of--er
+beautiful creature--one of the--er--first families.  (Observing MISS
+MARY regarding him amusedly, becomes embarrassed.)  That is--er--I
+mean--er--er--good morning, Miss Morris!  (Passes by schoolhouse
+door, retreating and bowing, and picks up flowers from door-step.)
+Good morning!
+
+Miss Mary.  Excuse me, Col. Starbottle (with winning politeness),
+but I fear I must rob you of those flowers.  I recognize them now
+as the offering of one of my pupils.  I fear I must revoke my gift
+(taking flowers from astonished colonel's hand), all except a
+single one for your buttonhole.  Have you any choice, or shall I
+(archly) choose for you?  Then it shall be this.  (Begins to place
+flowers in buttonhole, COL. STARBOTTLE exhibiting extravagant
+gratitude in dumb show.  Business prolonged through MISS MARY's
+speech.)  If I am not wrong, colonel, the gentleman to whom you so
+kindly pointed out the road this morning was not a stranger to you.
+Ah! I am right.  There, one moment,--a sprig of green, a single
+leaf, would set off the pink nicely.  Here he is known only as
+"Sandy": you know the absurd habits of this camp.  Of course he has
+another name.  There! (releasing the colonel) it is much prettier
+now.
+
+Col. Starbottle.  Ged, madam!  The rarest exotic--the Victoria
+Regina--is not as--er--graceful--er--tribute!
+
+Miss Mary.  And yet you refuse to satisfy my curiosity?
+
+Col. Starbottle (with great embarrassment, which at last resolves
+itself into increased dignity of manner).  What you ask is--er--er--
+impossible!  You are right: the--er--gentleman you allude to is
+known to me under--er--er--another name.  But honor--Miss Morris,
+honor!--seals the lips of Col. Starbottle.  (Aside.)  If she should
+know he was a menial!  No.  The position of the man you have
+challenged, Star, must be equal to your own.  (Aloud.)  Anything,
+Miss Morris, but--er--that!
+
+Miss Mary (smiling).  Be it so.  Adios, Col. Starbottle.
+
+Col. Starbottle (gallantly).  Au revoir, Miss Morris.  [Exit,
+impressively, L.
+
+Miss Mary.  So!  Sandy conceals another name, which he withholds
+from Red Gulch.  Well!  Pshaw!  What is that to me?  The camp is
+made up of refugees,--men who perhaps have good reason to hide a
+name that may be infamous, the name that would publish a crime.
+Nonsense!  Crime and Sandy!  No, shame and guilt do not hide
+themselves in those honest but occasionally somewhat bloodshot
+eyes.  Besides, goodness knows! the poor fellow's weakness is
+palpable enough.  No, that is not the reason.  It is no guilt that
+keeps his name hidden,--at least, not his.  (Seating herself, and
+arranging flowers in her lap.)  Poor Sandy! he must have climbed
+the eastern summit to get this.  See, the rosy sunrise still
+lingers in its very petals; the dew is fresh upon it.  Dear little
+mountain baby!  I really believe that fellow got up before
+daylight, to climb that giddy height and secure its virgin
+freshness.  And to think, in a moment of spite, I'd have given it
+to that bombastic warrior!  (Pause.)  That was a fine offer you
+refused just now, Miss Mary.  Think of it: a home of luxury, a
+position of assured respect and homage; the life I once led, with
+all its difficulties smoothed away, its uncertainty dispelled,--
+think of it!  My poor mother's dream fulfilled,--I, her daughter,
+the mistress of affluence, the queen of social power!  What a
+temptation!  Ah, Miss Mary, WAS it a temptation?  Was there nothing
+in your free life here that stiffened your courage, that steeled
+the adamant of your refusal? or was it only the memory of your
+mother's wrongs?  Luxury and wealth!  Could you command a dwelling
+more charming than this?  Position and respect!  Is not the awful
+admiration of these lawless men more fascinating than the perilous
+flattery of gentlemen like Col. Starbottle? is not the devotion of
+these outcasts more complimentary than the lip-service of perfumed
+gallantry?  (Pause.)  It's very odd he doesn't come.  I wonder if
+that conceited old fool said anything to him.  (Rises, and then
+seats herself, smiling.)  He HAS COME.  He is dodging in and out of
+the manganita bushes below the spring.  I suppose he imagines my
+visitor still here.  The bashful fool!  If anybody should see him,
+it would be enough to make a petty scandal!  I'll give him a
+talking-to.  (Pause.)  I wonder if the ridiculous fool has gone to
+sleep in those bushes.  (Rises.)  Well, let him: it will help him
+to recover his senses from last night's dissipation; and you, Miss
+Mary, it is high time you were preparing the lessons for to-morrow.
+(Goes to schoolhouse, enters door, and slams it behind her; after a
+moment reappears with empty bucket.)  Of course there's no water,
+and I am dying of thirst.  (Goes slowly to left, and pauses
+embarrassedly and bashfully, presently laughs,--then suddenly
+frowns, and assumes an appearance of indignation.)  Miss Mary
+Morris, have you become such an egregious fool that you dare not
+satisfy the ordinary cravings of human nature, just because an
+idle, dissipated, bashful blockhead--nonsense!  [Exit, brandishing
+pail.
+
+
+SCENE 3.--The Same.
+
+(A pause.  SANDY'S voice, without.)  This way, miss: the trail is
+easier.
+
+(MISS MARY'S voice, without.)  Never mind me; look after the
+bucket.
+
+Enter SANDY, carrying bucket with water, followed by MISS MARY.
+SANDY sets bucket down.
+
+Miss Mary.  There, you've spilt half of it.  If it had been
+whiskey, you'd have been more careful.
+
+Sandy (submissively).  Yes, miss.
+
+Miss Mary (aside).  "Yes, miss!  "The man will drive me crazy with
+his saccharine imbecility.  (Aloud.)  I believe you would assent to
+anything, even if I said you were--an impostor!
+
+Sandy (amazedly).  An impostor, Miss Mary?
+
+Miss Mary.  Well, I don't know what other term you use in Red Gulch
+to express a man who conceals his real name under another.
+
+Sandy (embarrassed, but facing MISS MARY).  Has anybody been
+tellin' ye I was an impostor, miss?  Has thet derned old fool that
+I saw ye with--
+
+Miss Mary.  "That old fool," as you call him, was too honorable a
+gentleman to disclose your secret, and too loyal a friend to
+traduce you by an epithet.  Fear nothing, Mr. "Sandy": if you have
+limited your confidence to ONE friend, it has not been misplaced.
+But, dear me, don't think I wish to penetrate your secret.  No.
+The little I learned was accidental.  Besides, his business was
+with me: perhaps, as his friend, you already know it.
+
+Sandy (meekly).  Perhaps, miss, he was too honorable a gentleman to
+disclose YOUR secret.  His business was with me.
+
+Miss Mary (aside).  He has taken a leaf out of my book!  He is not
+so stupid, after all.  (Aloud.)  I have no secret.  Col. Starbottle
+came here to make me an offer.
+
+Sandy (recoiling).  An offer!
+
+Miss Mary.  Of a home and independence.  (Aside.)  Poor fellow! how
+pale he looks!  (Aloud.)  Well, you see, I am more trustful than
+you.  I will tell you MY secret; and you shall aid me with your
+counsel.  (They sit on ledge of rocks.)  Listen!  My mother had a
+cousin once,--a cousin cruel, cowardly, selfish, and dissolute.
+She loved him, as women are apt to love such men,--loved him so
+that she beguiled her own husband to trust his fortunes in the
+hands of this wretched profligate.  The husband was ruined,
+disgraced.  The wife sought her cousin for help for her necessities.
+He met her with insult, and proposed that she should fly with him.
+
+Sandy.  One moment, miss: it wasn't his pardner--his pardner's
+wife--eh?
+
+Miss Mary (impatiently).  It was the helpless wife of his own
+blood, I tell you.  The husband died broken-hearted.  The wife, my
+mother, struggled in poverty, under the shadow of a proud name, to
+give me an education, and died while I was still a girl.  To-day
+this cousin,--this more than murderer of my parents,--old, rich,
+self-satisfied, REFORMED, invites me, by virtue of that kinship he
+violated and despised, to his home, his wealth, his--his family
+roof-tree!  The man you saw was his agent.
+
+Sandy.  And you--
+
+Miss Mary.  Refused.
+
+Sandy (passing his hand over his forehead).  You did wrong, Miss
+Mary.
+
+Miss Mary.  Wrong, sir?  (Rising.)
+
+Sandy (humbly but firmly).  Sit ye down, Miss Mary.  It ain't for
+ye to throw your bright young life away yer in this place.  It
+ain't for such as ye to soil your fair young hands by raking in the
+ashes to stir up the dead embers of a family wrong.  It ain't for
+ye--ye'll pardon me, Miss Mary, for sayin' it--it ain't for ye to
+allow when it's TOO LATE fur a man to reform, or to go back of his
+reformation.  Don't ye do it, miss, fur God's sake,--don't ye do
+it!  Harkin, Miss Mary.  If ye'll take my advice--a fool's advice,
+maybe--ye'll go.  And when I tell ye that that advice, if ye take
+it, will take the sunshine out of these hills, the color off them
+trees, the freshness outer them flowers, the heart's-blood outer
+me,--ye'll know that I ain't thinkin' o' myself, but of ye.  And I
+wouldn't say this much to ye, Miss Mary; but you're goin' away.
+There's a flower, miss, you're wearin' in your bosom,--a flower I
+picked at daybreak this morning, five miles away in the snow.  The
+wind was blowing chill around it, so that my hands that dug for it
+were stiff and cold; but the roots were warm, Miss Mary, as they
+are now in your bosom.  Ye'll keep that flower, Miss Mary, in
+remembrance of my love for ye, that kept warm and blossomed through
+the snow.  And, don't start, Miss Mary,--for ye'll leave behind ye,
+as I did, the snow and rocks through which it bloomed.  I axes your
+parding, miss: I'm hurtin' yer feelin's, sure.
+
+Miss Mary (rising with agitation).  Nothing,--nothing; but climbing
+these stupid rocks has made me giddy: that's all.  Your arm.  (To
+SANDY impatiently).  Can't you give me your arm?  (SANDY supports
+MISS MARY awkwardly toward schoolhouse.  At door MISS MARY pauses.)
+But if reformation is so easy, so acceptable, why have you not
+profited by it?  Why have you not reformed?  Why have I found you
+here, a disgraced, dissipated, anonymous outcast, whom an honest
+girl dare not know?  Why do you presume to preach to me?  Have you
+a father?
+
+Sandy.  Hush, Miss Mary, hush!  I had a father.  Harkin.  All that
+you have suffered from a kinship even so far removed, I have known
+from the hands of one who should have protected me.  MY father was--
+but no matter.  You, Miss Mary, came out of your trials like gold
+from the washing.  I was only the dirt and gravel to be thrown
+away.  It is too late, Miss Mary, too late.  My father has never
+sought me, would turn me from his doors had I sought him.  Perhaps
+he is only right.
+
+Miss Mary.  But why should he be so different from others?  Listen.
+This very cousin whose offer I refused had a son,--wild, wayward,
+by all report the most degraded of men.  It was part of my cousin's
+reformation to save this son, and, if it were possible, snatch him
+from that terrible fate which seemed to be his only inheritance.
+
+Sandy (eagerly).  Yes, miss.
+
+Miss Mary.  To restore him to a regenerated home.  With this idea
+he followed his prodigal to California.  I, you understand, was
+only an after-thought consequent upon his success.  He came to
+California upon this pilgrimage two years ago.  He had no
+recollection, so they tell me, by which he could recognize this
+erring son; and at first his search was wild, profitless, and
+almost hopeless.  But by degrees, and with a persistency that
+seemed to increase with his hopelessness, he was rewarded by
+finding some clew to him at--at--at--
+
+Sandy (excitedly).  At Poker Flat?
+
+Miss Mary.  Ah, perhaps you know the story,--at Poker Flat.  He
+traced him to the Mission of San Carmel.
+
+Sandy.  Yes, miss: go on.
+
+Miss Mary.  He was more successful than he deserved, perhaps.  He
+found him.  I see you know the story.
+
+Sandy.  Found him!  Found him!  Miss, did you say found him?
+
+Miss Mary.  Yes, found him.  And today Alexander Morton, the
+reclaimed prodigal, is part of the household I am invited to join.
+So you see, Mr. Sandy, there is still hope.  What has happened to
+him is only a promise to you.  Eh!  Mr. Sandy--what is the matter?
+Are you ill?  Your exertion this morning, perhaps.  Speak to me!
+Gracious heavens, he is going mad!  No!  No!  Yes--it cannot be--it
+is--he HAS broken his promise: he is drunk again.
+
+Sandy (rising, excited and confused).  Excuse me, miss, I am a
+little onsartain HERE (pointing to his head).  I can't--I
+disremember--what you said jus' now: ye mentioned the name o' that
+prodigal that was found.
+
+Miss Mary.  Certainly: compose yourself,--my cousin's son,
+Alexander Morton.  Listen, Sandy, you promised ME, you know, you
+said for MY sake you would not touch a drop.  (Enter cautiously
+toward schoolhouse the DUCHESS, stops on observing SANDY, and hides
+behind rock.)
+
+Sandy (still bewildered and incoherent).  I reckon.  Harkin, miss,
+is that thar thing (pointing towards rock where DUCHESS is
+concealed)--is that a tree, or--or--a woman?  Is it sorter movin'
+this way?
+
+Miss Mary (laying her hand on SANDY'S).  Recover your senses, for
+Heaven's sake, Sandy,--for MY sake!  It is only a tree.
+
+Sandy (rising).  Then, miss, I've broke my word with ye: I'm drunk.
+P'r'aps I'd better be a-goin' (looking round confusedly) till I'm
+sober.  (Going toward L.)
+
+Miss Mary (seizing his hand).  But you'll see me again, Sandy:
+you'll come here--before--before--I go?
+
+Sandy.  Yes, miss,--before ye go.  (Staggers stupidly toward L.
+Aside.)  Found him! found Alexander Morton!  It's a third time,
+Sandy, the third time: it means--it means--you're mad!  (Laughs
+wildly, and exit L.)
+
+Miss Mary (springing to her feet).  There is a mystery behind all
+this, Mary Morris, that you--you--must discover.  That man was NOT
+drunk: he HAD NOT broken his promise to me.  What does it all mean?
+I have it.  I will accept the offer of this Alexander Morton.  I
+will tell him the story of this helpless man, this poor, poor,
+reckless Sandy.  With the story of his own son before his eyes, he
+cannot but interest himself in his fate.  He is rich: he will aid
+me in my search for Sandy's father, for Sandy's secret.  At the
+worst, I can only follow the advice of this wretched man,--an
+advice so generous, so kind, so self-sacrificing.  Ah--
+
+
+SCENE 4.--The same.  Enter the DUCHESS, showily and extravagantly
+dressed.  Her manner at first is a mixture of alternate shyness and
+bravado.
+
+The Duchess.  I heerd tell that you was goin' down to 'Frisco to-
+morrow, for your vacation; and I couldn't let ye go till I came to
+thank ye for your kindness to my boy,--little Tommy.
+
+Miss Mary (aside.  Rising abstractedly, and recalling herself with
+an effort).  I see,--a poor outcast, the mother of my anonymous
+pupil.  (Aloud.)  Tommy! a good boy,--a dear, good little boy.
+
+Duchess.  Thankee, miss, thankee.  If I am his mother, thar ain't a
+sweeter, dearer, better boy lives than him.  And, if I ain't much
+as says it, thar ain't a sweeter, dearer, angeler teacher than he's
+got.  It ain't for you to be complimented by me, miss; it ain't for
+such as me to be comin' here in broad day to do it, either; but I
+come to ask a favor,--not for me, miss, but for the darling boy.
+
+Miss Mary (aside--abstractedly).  This poor, degraded creature will
+kill me with her wearying gratitude.  Sandy will not return, of
+course, while she is here.  (Aloud.)  Go on.  If I can help you or
+yours, be assured I will.
+
+The Duchess.  Thankee, miss.  You see, thar's no one the boy has
+any claim on but me, and I ain't the proper person to bring him up.
+I did allow to send him to 'Frisco, last year; but when I heerd
+talk that a schoolma'am was comin' up, and you did, and he sorter
+tuk to ye natril from the first, I guess I did well to keep him
+yer.  For, oh, miss, he loves ye so much; and, if you could hear
+him talk in his purty way, ye wouldn't refuse him anything.
+
+Miss Mary (with fatigued politeness, and increasing impatience).  I
+see, I see: pray go on.
+
+The Duchess (with quiet persistency).  It's natril he should take
+to ye, miss; for his father, when I first knowed him, miss, was a
+gentleman like yourself; and the boy must forget me sooner or
+later--and I ain't goin' to cry about THAT.
+
+Miss Mary (impatiently).  Pray tell me how I can serve you.
+
+The Duchess.  Yes, miss; you see, I came to ask you to take my
+Tommy,--God bless him for the sweetest, bestest boy that lives!--to
+take him with you.  I've money plenty; and it's all yours and his.
+Put him in some good school, whar ye kin go and see, and sorter
+help him to--forget---his mother.  Do with him what you like.  The
+worst you can do will be kindness to what he would learn with me.
+You will: I know you will; won't you?  You will make him as pure
+and as good as yourself; and when he has grown up, and is a
+gentleman, you will tell him his father's name,--the name that
+hasn't passed my lips for years,--the name of Alexander Morton.
+
+Miss Mary (aside).  Alexander Morton!  The prodigal!  Ah, I see,--
+the ungathered husks of his idle harvest.
+
+The Duchess.  You hesitate, Miss Mary.  (Seizing her.)  Do not take
+your hand away.  You are smiling.  God bless you!  I know you will
+take my boy.  Speak to me, Miss Mary.
+
+Miss Mary (aloud).  I will take your child.  More than that, I will
+take him to his father.
+
+The Duchess.  No, no! for God's sake, no, Miss Mary!  He has never
+seen him from his birth: he does not know him.  He will disown him.
+He will curse him,--will curse me!
+
+Miss Mary.  Why should he?  Surely his crime is worse than yours.
+
+The Duchess.  Hear me, Miss Mary.  (Aside.)  How can I tell her?
+(Aloud.)  One moment, miss.  I was once--ye may not believe it,
+miss--as good, as pure, as you.  I had a husband, the father of
+this child.  He was kind, good, easy, forgiving,--too good for me,
+miss, too simple and unsuspecting.  He was what the world calls a
+fool, miss: he loved me too well,--the kind o' crime, miss,--
+beggin' your pardon, and all precepts to the contrairy,--the one
+thing that women like me never forgives.  He had a pardner, miss,
+that governed him as HE never governed me; that held him with the
+stronger will, and maybe ME too.  I was young, miss,--no older than
+yourself then; and I ran away with him,--left all, and ran away
+with my husband's pardner.  My husband--nat'rally--took to drink.
+I axes your pardin', miss; but ye'll see now, allowin' your
+larnin', that Alexander Morton ain't the man as will take my child.
+
+Miss Mary.  Nonsense.  You are wrong.  He has reformed; he has been
+restored to his home,--your child's home, your home if you will but
+claim it.  Do not fear: I will make that right.
+
+Enter SANDY slowly and sheepishly, R.; stops on observing the
+Duchess, and stands amazed and motionless.
+
+Miss Mary (observing SANDY--aside).  He HAS returned.  Poor fellow!
+How shall I get rid of this woman?  (Aloud.)  Enough.  If you are
+sincere, I will take your child, and, God help me! bring him to his
+home and yours.  Are you satisfied?
+
+The Duchess.  Thank ye!  Thank ye, miss; but--but thar's a mistake
+somewhar.  In course--it's natural--ye don't know the father of
+that child, my boy Tommy, under the name o' Alexander Morton.
+Ye're thinking, like as not, of another man.  The man I mean lives
+yer, in this camp: they calls him Sandy, miss,--SANDY!
+
+Miss Mary (after a pause, coming forward passionately).  Hush!  I
+have given you my answer, be it Alexander Morton or Sandy.  Go now:
+bring me the child this evening at my house.  I will meet you
+there.  (Leads the DUCHESS to wing.  The DUCHESS endeavors to fall
+at her feet.)
+
+The Duchess.  God bless you, miss!
+
+Miss Mary (hurriedly embracing her).  No more, no more--but go!
+
+[Exit DUCHESS.  MISS MARY returns hurriedly to centre, confronting
+SANDY.
+
+Miss Mary (to SANDY, hurriedly and excitedly).  You have heard what
+that woman said.  I do not ask you under what alias you are known
+here: I only ask a single question.--Is SHE your wife? are you the
+father of her child?
+
+Sandy (sinking upon his knees before her, and covering his face
+with his hands).  I am!
+
+Miss Mary.  Enough!  (Taking flower from her bosom.)  Here, I give
+you back the flower you gave me this morning.  It has faded and
+died here upon my breast.  But I shall replace it with your
+foundling,--the child of that woman, born like that flower in the
+snow!  And I go now, Sandy, and leave behind me, as you said this
+morning, the snow and rocks in which it bloomed.  Good-by!
+Farewell, farewell--forever!  (Goes toward schoolhouse as--
+
+Enter COL. STARBOTTLE.
+
+Miss Mary (to STARBOTTLE).  You are here in season, sir.  You must
+have come for an answer to your question.  You must first give me
+one to mine.  Who is this man (pointing to SANDY), the man you met
+upon the rocks this morning?
+
+Col. Starbottle.  Ahem!  I am--er--now fully prepared and
+responsible, I may say, miss--er--personally responsible, to answer
+that question.  When you asked it this morning, the ordinary
+courtesy of the--er--code of honor threw a--er--cloak around the--
+er--antecedents of the--er--man whom I had--er--elected by a demand
+for personal satisfaction, to the equality of myself, an--er--
+gentleman!  That--er--cloak is now removed.  I have waited six
+hours for an apology or a--er--reply to my demand.  I am now free
+to confess that the--er--person you allude to was first known by
+me, three months ago, as an inebriated menial,--a groom in the
+household of my friend Don Jose Castro,--by the--er--simple name of
+"Diego."
+
+Miss Mary (slowly).  I am satisfied.  I accept my cousin's
+invitation.
+
+[Exit slowly, supported by COL. STARBOTTLE, R.
+
+As STARBOTTLE and MISS MARY exeunt R., CONCHO and HOP SING enter
+cautiously, L.  SANDY slowly rises to his feet, passes his hand
+across his forehead, looks around toward exit of STARBOTTLE and
+MISS MARY.
+
+Sandy (slowly, but with more calmness of demeanor).  Gone, gone--
+forever!  No: I am not mad, nor crazed with drink.  My hands no
+longer tremble.  There is no confusion here.  (Feeling his
+forehead).  I heard them all.  It was no dream.  I heard her every
+word.  Alexander Morton, yes, they spoke of Alexander Morton.  She
+is going to him, to my father.  She is going--she, Mary, my cousin--
+she is going to my father.  He has been seeking me--has found--ah!
+(Groans.)  No, no, Sandy!  Be patient, be calm: you are not crazy--
+no, no, good Sandy, good old boy!  Be patient, be patient: it is
+coming, it is coming.  Yes, I see: some one has leaped into my
+place; some one has leaped into the old man's arms.  Some one will
+creep into HER heart!  No! by God!  No!  I am Alexander Morton.
+Yes, yes!  But how, how shall I prove it?--how?  Who (CONCHO steps
+cautiously forward towards SANDY unobserved) will believe the
+vagabond, the outcast--my God!--the crazy drunkard?
+
+Concho (advancing, and laying his hand on SANDY).  I will!
+
+Sandy (staggering back amazedly).  You!
+
+Concho.  Yes,--I, I,--Concho!  You know me, Diego, you know me,--
+Concho, the major-domo of the Blessed Innocents.  Ha!  You know me
+now.  Yes, I have come to save you.  I have come to make you
+strong.  So--I have come to help you strip the Judas that has
+stepped into your place,--the sham prodigal that has had the fatted
+calf and the ring,--ah! ah!
+
+Sandy.  You?  You do not know me!
+
+Concho.  Ah! you think, you think, eh?  Listen: Since you left I
+have tracked HIM--THE IMPOSTOR, this Judas, this coyote--step by
+step, until his tracks crossed yours; and then I sought you out.  I
+know all.  I found a letter you had dropped; that brought me to
+Poker Flat.  Ah, you start!  I have seen those who knew you as
+Alexander Morton.  You see!  Ah, I am wise.
+
+Sandy (aside).  It is true.  (Aloud.)  But (suspiciously) why have
+you done this?  You, Concho?--you were not my friend.
+
+Concho.  No, but HE is my enemy.  Ah, you start!  Look at me,
+Alexander Morton, Sandy, Diego!  You knew a man, strong, active,
+like yourself.  Eh!  Look at me now!  Look at me, a cripple!  Eh!
+lame and crushed here (pointing to his leg), broken and crushed
+here (pointing to his heart), by him,--the impostor!  Listen,
+Diego.  The night I was sent to track you from the rancho, he--this
+man--struck me from the wall, dashed me to the earth, and made MY
+BODY, broken and bruised, a stepping-stone to leap the wall into
+your place, Diego,--into your father's heart,--into my master's
+home.  They found me dead, they thought,--no, not dead, Diego!  It
+was sad, they said,--unfortunate.  They nursed me; they talked of
+money--eh, Diego!--money!  They would have pensioned me to hush
+scandal--eh!  I was a dog, a foreigner, a Greaser!  Eh!  That is
+why I am here.  No!  I love you not, Diego; you are of his race;
+but I hate--Mother of God!--I HATE him!
+
+Sandy (rising to his feet, aside).  Good!  I begin to feel my
+courage return: my nerves are stronger.  Courage, Sandy!  (Aloud.)
+Be it so, Concho: there is my hand!  We will help each other,--you
+to my birthright, I to your revenge!  Hark ye!  (SANDY'S manner
+becomes more calm and serious.)  This impostor is NO craven, NO
+coyote.  Whoever he is, he must be strong.  He has most plausible
+evidences.  We must have rigid proofs.  I will go with you to Poker
+Flat.  There is one man, if he be living, knows me better than any
+man who lives.  He has done me wrong,--a great wrong, Concho,--but
+I will forgive him.  I will do more,--I will ask his forgiveness.
+He will be a witness no man dare gainsay--my partner--God help him
+and forgive him as I do!--John Oakhurst.
+
+Concho.  Oakhurst your partner!
+
+Sandy (angrily).  Yes.  Look ye, Concho, he has wronged me in a
+private way: that is MY business, not YOURS; but he was MY partner,
+no one shall abuse him before me.
+
+Concho.  Be it so.  Then sink here!  Rot here!  Go back to your
+husks, O prodigal! wallow in the ditches of this camp, and see your
+birthright sold for a dram of aguardiente!  Lie here, dog and
+coyote that you are, with your mistress under the protection of
+your destroyer!  For I tell you--I, Concho, the cripple--that the
+man who struck me down, the man who stepped into your birthright,
+the man who to-morrow welcomes your sweetheart in his arms, who
+holds the custody of your child, is your partner,--John Oakhurst.
+
+Sandy (who has been sinking under CONCHO'S words, rising
+convulsively to his feet).  God be merciful to me a sinner!
+(Faints.)
+
+Concho (standing over his prostrate body exultingly).  I am right.
+You are wise, Concho, you are wise!  You have found Alexander
+Morton!
+
+Hop Sing (advancing slowly to SANDY'S side, and extending open
+palm).  Me washee shirt flo you, flowty dozen hab.  You no payee
+me.  Me wantee twenty dollar hep.  Sabe!
+
+Curtain.
+
+END OF ACT II.
+
+
+ACT III.
+
+
+SCENE 1.--The bank parlor of Morton & Son, San Francisco.  Room
+richly furnished; two square library desks, left and right.  At
+right, safe in wall; at left, same with practicable doors.  Folding
+door in flat C., leading to counting-room.  Door in left to private
+room of ALEXANDER MORTON, sen.; door in right to private room of
+MORTON, jun.  ALEXANDER MORTON, sen., discovered at desk R.,
+opening and reading letters.
+
+Morton, sen.  (laying down letter).  Well, well, the usual story;
+letters from all sorts of people, who have done or intend to do all
+sorts of things for my reclaimed prodigal.  (Reads.)  "Dear Sir:
+five years ago I loaned some money to a stranger who answers the
+description of your recovered son.  He will remember Jim Parker,--
+Limping Jim, of Poker Flat.  Being at present short of funds,
+please send twenty dollars, amount loaned, by return mail.  If not
+convenient, five dollars will do as instalment."  Pshaw!  (Throws
+letter aside, and takes up another.)  "Dear Sir: I invite your
+attention to enclosed circular for a proposed Home for Dissipated
+and Anonymous Gold-Miners.  Your well-known reputation for
+liberality, and your late valuable experience in the reformation of
+your son, will naturally enlist your broadest sympathies.  We
+enclose a draft for five thousand dollars, for your signature."  We
+shall see!  Another: "Dear Sir: the Society for the Formation of
+Bible Classes in the Upper Stanislaus acknowledge your recent
+munificent gift of five hundred dollars to the cause.  Last Sabbath
+Brother Hawkins of Poker Flat related with touching effect the
+story of your prodigal to an assemblage of over two hundred miners.
+Owing to unusual expenses, we regret to be compelled to draw upon
+you for five hundred dollars more."  So!  (Putting down letter.)
+If we were given to pride and vainglory, we might well be puffed up
+with the fame of our works and the contagion of our example: yet I
+fear that, with the worldly-minded, this praise of charity to
+others is only the prayerful expectation of some personal
+application to the praiser.  (Rings hand-bell.)
+
+Enter JACKSON.
+
+(To JACKSON.)  File these letters (handing letters) with the
+others.  There is no answer.  Has young Mr. Alexander come in yet?
+
+Jackson.  He only left here an hour ago.  It was steamer day
+yesterday: he was up all night, sir.
+
+Old Morton (aside).  True.  And the night before he travelled all
+night, riding two hours ahead of one of our defaulting agents, and
+saved the bank a hundred thousand dollars.  Certainly his devotion
+to business is unremitting.  (Aloud.)  Any news from Col. Starbottle?
+
+Jackson.  He left this note, sir, early this morning.
+
+Old Morton (takes it, and reads).  "I think I may say, on my own
+personal responsibility, that the mission is successful.  Miss
+Morris will arrive to-night with a female attendant and child."
+(To JACKSON.)  That is all, sir.  Stop!  Has any one been smoking
+here?
+
+Jackson.  Not to my knowledge, sir.
+
+Old Morton.  There was a flavor of stale tobacco smoke in the room
+this morning when I entered, and ashes on the carpet.  I KNOW that
+young Mr. Alexander has abandoned the pernicious habit.  See that
+it does not occur again.
+
+Jackson.  Yes, sir.  (Aside.)  I must warn Mr. Alexander that his
+friends must be more careful; and yet those ashes were good for a
+deposit of fifty thousand.
+
+Old Morton.  Is any one waiting?
+
+Jackson.  Yes, sir,--Don Jose Castro and Mr. Capper.
+
+Old Morton.  Show in the Don: the policeman can wait.
+
+Jackson.  Yes, sir.  [Exit.
+
+Old Morton (taking up STARBOTTLE'S note).  "Miss Morris will arrive
+to-night."  And yet he saw her only yesterday.  This is not like
+her mother: no.  She would never have forgiven and forgotten so
+quickly.  Perhaps she knew not my sin and her mother's wrongs;
+perhaps she has--has--CHRISTIAN forgiveness (sarcastically);
+perhaps, like my prodigal, she will be immaculately perfect.  Well,
+well: at least her presence will make my home less lonely.  "An
+attendant and child."  A child!  Ah, if HE, my boy, my Alexander,
+were still a child, I might warm this cold, cold heart in his
+sunshine!  Strange that I cannot reconstruct from this dutiful,
+submissive, obedient, industrious Alexander,--this redeemed
+outcast, this son who shares my life, my fortunes, my heart,--the
+foolish, wilful, thoughtless, idle boy, that once defied me.  I
+remember (musing, with a smile) how the little rascal, ha, ha! once
+struck me,--STRUCK ME!--when I corrected him: ha, ha!  (Rubbing his
+hands with amusement, and then suddenly becoming grave and
+lugubrious.)  No, no.  These are the whisperings of the flesh.  Why
+should I find fault with him for being all that a righteous
+conversion demands,--all that I asked and prayed for?  No,
+Alexander Morton: it is you, YOU, who are not yet regenerate.  It
+is YOU who are ungrateful to Him who blessed you, to Him whose
+guiding hand led you to--
+
+Enter JACKSON.
+
+Jackson.  Don Jose Castro.
+
+Enter DON JOSE.
+
+Don Jose.  A thousand pardons, senor, for interrupting you in the
+hours of business; but it is--it is of business I would speak.
+(Looking around.)
+
+Old Morton (to JACKSON).  You can retire.  (Exit JACKSON.)  Be
+seated, Mr. Castro: I am at your service.
+
+Don Jose.  It is of your--your son--
+
+Old Morton.  Our firm is Morton & Son: in business we are one, Mr.
+Castro.
+
+Don Jose.  Bueno!  Then to you as to him I will speak.  Here is a
+letter I received yesterday.  It has significance, importance
+perhaps.  But, whatever it is, it is something for you, not me, to
+know.  If I am wronged much, Don Alexandro, you, you, are wronged
+still more.  Shall I read it?  Good.  (Reads.)  "The man to whom
+you have affianced your daughter is not the son of Alexander
+Morton.  Have a care.  If I do not prove him an impostor at the end
+of six days, believe me one, and not your true friend and servant,
+Concho."  In six days, Don Alexandro, the year of probation is
+over, and I have promised my daughter's hand to your son.  (Hands
+letter to MORTON.)
+
+Old Morton (ringing bell).  Is that all, Mr. Castro?
+
+Don Jose.  All, Mr. Castro?  Carramba! is it not enough?
+
+Enter JACKSON.
+
+Old Morton (to JACKSON).  You have kept a record of this business
+during the last eighteen months.  Look at this letter.  (Handing
+letter.)  Is the handwriting familiar?
+
+Jackson (taking letter).  Can't say, sir.  The form is the old one.
+
+Old Morton.  How many such letters have you received?
+
+Jackson.  Four hundred and forty-one, sir.  This is the four
+hundred and forty-second application for your son's position, sir.
+
+Don Jose.  Pardon.  This is not an application: it is only
+information or caution.
+
+Old Morton (to JACKSON).  How many letters of information or
+caution have we received?
+
+Jackson.  This makes seven hundred and eighty-one, sir.
+
+Old Morton.  How, sir!  (Quickly.)  There were but seven hundred
+and seventy-nine last night.
+
+Jackson.  Beg pardon, sir!  The gentleman who carried Mr. Alexander's
+valise from the boat was the seven hundred and eightieth.
+
+Old Morton.  Explain yourself, sir.
+
+Jackson.  He imparted to me, while receiving his stipend, the fact
+that he did not believe young Mr. Alexander was your son.  An hour
+later, sir, he also imparted to me confidentially that he believed
+you were his father, and requested the loan of five dollars, to be
+repaid by you, to enable him to purchase a clean shirt, and appear
+before you in respectable condition.  He waited for you an hour,
+and expressed some indignation that he had not an equal show with
+others to throw himself into your arms.
+
+Don Jose (rising, aside, and uplifting his hands).  Carramba!
+These Americanos are of the Devil!  (Aloud.)  Enough, Don Alexandro!
+Then you think this letter is only worth--
+
+Old Morton.  One moment.  I can perhaps tell you exactly its market
+value.  (To JACKSON.)  Go on, sir.
+
+Jackson.  At half-past ten, sir, then being slightly under the
+influence of liquor, he accepted the price of a deck passage to
+Stockton.
+
+Old Morton.  How much was that, sir?
+
+Jackson.  Fifty cents.
+
+Old Morton.  Exactly so!  There you have, sir (to DON JOSE), the
+market value of the information you have received.  I would advise
+you, as a business matter, not to pay more.  As a business matter,
+you can at any time draw upon us for the amount.  (To JACKSON.)
+Admit Mr. Capper.  [Exit JACKSON.
+
+Don Jose (rising with dignity).  This is an insult, Don Alexandro.
+
+Old Morton.  You are wrong, Mr. Castro: it is BUSINESS; sought, I
+believe, by yourself.  Now that it is transacted, I beg you to dine
+with me to-morrow to meet my niece.  No offence, sir, no offence.
+Come, come!  Business, you know, business.
+
+Don Jose (relaxing).  Be it so!  I will come.  (Aside.)  These
+Americanos, these Americanos, are of the Devil!  (Aloud.)  Adios.
+(Going.)  I hear, by report, that you have met with the misfortune
+of a serious loss by robbery?
+
+Old Morton (aside).  So our mishap is known everywhere.  (Aloud.)
+No serious misfortune, Mr. Castro, even if we do not recover the
+money.  Adios.
+
+[Exit Don Jose.
+
+Old Morton.  The stiff-necked Papist!  That he should dare, for the
+sake of his black-browed, froward daughter, to--question the faith
+on which I have pinned my future!  Well, with God's blessing, I
+gave him some wholesome discipline.  If it were not for my covenant
+with Alexander--and nobly he has fulfilled his part,--I should
+forbid his alliance with the blood of this spying Jesuit.
+
+Enter Mr. JACKSON, leading in CAPPER.
+
+Jackson.  Policeman, sir.	[Exit.
+
+Capper (turning sharply).  Who's that man?
+
+Old Morton.  Jackson, clerk.
+
+Capper. Umph!  Been here long?
+
+Old Morton.  A year.  He was appointed by my son.
+
+Capper.  Know anything of his previous life?
+
+Old Morton (stiffly).  I have already told you he is an appointee
+of my son's.
+
+Capper.  Yes!  (Aside.)  "Like master, like man."  (Aloud.)  Well,
+to business.  We have worked up the robbery.  We have reached two
+conclusions,--one, that the work was not done by professionals; the
+other, consequent upon this, that you can't recover the money.
+
+Old Morton.  Excuse me, sir, but I do not see the last conclusion.
+
+Capper.  Then listen.  The professional thief has only one or two
+ways of disposing of his plunder, and these ways are always well
+known to us.  Good!  Your stolen coin has not been disposed of in
+the regular way, through the usual hands which we could at any time
+seize.  Of this we are satisfied.
+
+Old Morton.  How do you know it?
+
+Capper.  In this way.  The only clew we have to the identification
+of the missing money were two boxes of Mexican doubloons.
+
+Old Morton (aside).  Mr. Castro's special deposit!  He may have
+reason for his interest.  (Aloud.)  Go on.
+
+Capper.  It is a coin rare in circulation in the interior.  The
+night after the robbery, the dealer of a monte-table in Sacramento
+paid out five thousand dollars in doubloons.  He declared it was
+taken in at the table, and could not identify the players.  Of
+course, OF COURSE!  So far, you see, you are helpless.  We have
+only established one fact, that the robber is--is--(significantly)
+a gambler.
+
+Old Morton (quietly).  The regular trade of the thief seems to me
+to be of little importance if you cannot identify him, or recover
+my money.  But go on, sir, go on: or is this all?
+
+Capper (aside).  The old fool is blind.  That is natural.  (Aloud.)
+It is not all.  The crime will doubtless be repeated.  The man who
+has access to your vaults, who has taken only thirty thousand
+dollars when he could have secured half a million,--this man, who
+has already gambled that thirty thousand away,--will not stop
+there.  He will in a day or two, perhaps to-day, try to retrieve
+his losses out of YOUR capital.  I am here to prevent it.
+
+Old Morton (becoming interested).  How?
+
+Capper.  Give me, for forty-eight hours, free access to this
+building.  Let me conceal myself somewhere, anywhere, within these
+walls.  Let it be without the knowledge of your clerks, even of
+YOUR SON!
+
+Old Morton (proudly).  Mr. Alexander Morton is absent to-day.
+There is no other reason why he should not be here to consent to
+the acts of his partner and father.
+
+Capper (quickly).  Very good.  It is only to insure absolute
+secrecy.
+
+Old Morton (aside).  Another robbery might excite a suspicion,
+worse for our credit than our actual loss.  There is a significant
+earnestness about this man, that awakens my fears.  If Alexander
+were only here.  (Aloud.)  I accept.  (CAPPER has been trying doors
+R. and L.)
+
+Capper.  What room is this?  (At R.)
+
+Old Morton.  My son's: I would prefer--
+
+Capper.  And this?  (At L.)
+
+Old Morton.  Mine, sir; if you choose--
+
+Capper (locking door, and putting key in his pocket).  This will
+do.  Oblige me by making the necessary arrangements in your
+counting-room.
+
+Old Morton (hesitating and aside).  He is right: perhaps it is only
+prudence, and I am saving Alexander additional care and annoyance.
+[Exit.
+
+Enter MR. SHADOW cautiously, C.
+
+Shadow (in a lisping whisper to CAPPER).  I've got the litht of the
+clerkth complete.
+
+Capper (triumphantly).  Put it in your pocket, Shadow.  We don't
+care for the lackeys now: we are after the master.
+
+Shadow.  Eh! the mathter?
+
+Capper.  Yes: the master,--the young master, the reclaimed son, the
+reformed prodigal! ha, ha!--the young man who compensates himself
+for all this austere devotion to business and principle by dipping
+into the old man's vaults when he wants a pasear: eh, Shadow?
+That's the man we're after.  Look here!  I never took any stock in
+that young man's reformation.  Ye don't teach old sports like him
+new tricks.  They're a bad lot, father and son,--eh, Shadow?--and
+he's a chip of the old block.  I spotted him before this robbery,
+before we were ever called in here professionally.  I've had my eye
+on Alexander Morton, alias John Oakhurst; and, when I found the old
+man's doubloons raked over a monte-table at Sacramento, I knew
+where to look for the thief.  Eh, Shadow?
+
+Shadow (aside).  He ith enormouth, thith Mithter Capper.
+
+Enter OLD MORTON.
+
+Old Morton.  I have arranged everything.  You will not be disturbed
+or suspected here in my private office.  Eh!  (Looking at SHADOW.)
+Who has slipped in here?
+
+Capper.  Only my Shadow, Mr. Morton; but I can rid myself even of
+that.  (Crosses to SHADOW.)  Take this card to the office, and wait
+for further orders.  Vanish, Shadow!  [Exit SHADOW.
+
+Enter JACKSON.
+
+Jackson.  Mr. Alexander has come in, sir.  (OLD MORTON and CAPPER
+start.)
+
+Old Morton.  Where is he?
+
+Jackson.  In his private room, sir.
+
+Old Morton.  Enough: you can go.
+
+[Exit JACKSON.
+
+Capper (crossing to MORTON).  Remember, you have given your pledge
+of secrecy.  Beware!  Your honor, your property, the credit and
+reputation of your bank, are at stake.
+
+Old Morton (after a pause of hesitation, with dignity).  I gave you
+my word, sir, while my son was not present.  I shall save myself
+from breaking my word with you, or concealing anything from him, by
+withdrawing myself.  For the next twenty-four hours, this room
+(pointing to private room R.) is yours.
+
+Each regards the other.  Exit OLD MORTON C., as CAPPER exit in
+private room R.  After a pause, door of room L. opens, and HARRY
+YORK appears, slightly intoxicated, followed by JOHN OAKHURST.
+
+Harry York (looking around).  By Jove!  Morton, but you've got
+things in style here.  And this yer's the gov'nor's desk; and here
+old Praise god Barebones sits opposite ye.  Look yer, old boy
+(throwing himself in chair), I kin allow how it comes easy for ye
+to run this bank, for it's about as exciting, these times, as faro
+was to ye in '49, when I first knew ye as Jack Oakhurst; but how
+the Devil you can sit opposite that stiff embodiment of all the Ten
+Commandments, day by day, damn it! that's wot GETS me!  Why, the
+first day I came here on business, the old man froze me so that I
+couldn't thaw a deposit out of my pocket.  It chills me to think of
+it.
+
+Oakhurst (hastily).  I suppose I am accustomed to him.  But come,
+Harry: let me warm you.  (Opens door of safe L., and discovers
+cupboard, decanter, and glasses.)
+
+York (laughing).  By Jove! under the old man's very nose.  Jack,
+this is like you.  (Takes a drink.)  Well, old boy, this is like
+old times.  But you don't drink?
+
+Oakhurst.  No, nor smoke.  The fact is, Harry, I've taken a year's
+pledge.  I've six days still to run; after that (gloomily), why
+(with a reckless laugh), I shall be Jack Oakhurst again.
+
+York.  Lord! to think of your turning out to be anybody's son,
+Jack!--least of all, HIS!  (Pointing to chair.)
+
+Oakhurst (laughing recklessly).  Not more strange than that I
+should find Harry York, the spendthrift of Poker Flat, the rich and
+respected Mr. York, produce merchant of San Francisco.
+
+York.  Yes; but, my boy, you see I didn't strike it--in a rich
+father.  I gave up gambling, married, and settled down, saved my
+money, invested a little here and there, and--worked for it, Jack,
+damn me,--worked for it like a damned horse!
+
+Oakhurst (aside).  True, this is not work.
+
+York.  But that ain't my business with ye now, old boy: it's this.
+You've had some trials and troubles in the bank lately,--a
+defalcation of agents one day, a robbery next.  It's luck, my boy,
+luck! but ye know people will talk.  You don't mind my sayin' that
+there's rumors 'round.  The old man's mighty unpopular because he's
+a saint; and folks don't entirely fancy you because you used to be
+the reverse.  Well, Jack, it amounts to 'bout this: I've withdrawn
+my account from Parkinson's, in Sacramento, and I've got a pretty
+heavy balance on hand--nigh on two hundred thousand--in bonds and
+certificates here; and if it will help you over the rough places,
+old boy, as a deposit, yer it is (drawing pocket-book.)
+
+Oakhurst (greatly affected, but endeavoring to conceal it).  Thank
+you, Harry, old fellow--but--
+
+York (quickly).  I know: I'll take the risk, a business risk.
+You'll stand by me all you can, old boy; you'll make it pay all you
+can; and if you lose it--why--all right!
+
+Oakhurst (embarrassed).  As a deposit with Morton & Son, drawing
+two per cent monthly interest--
+
+York.  Damn Morton & Son!  I'll back it with Jack Oakhurst, the man
+I know.
+
+Oakhurst (advancing slowly).  I'll take it, Harry.
+
+York (extending his hand).  It's a square game, Jack!
+
+Oakhurst (seizing his hand with repressed emotion).  It's a square
+game, Harry York, if I live.
+
+York.  Then I'll travel.  Good-night, old boy.  I'll send my clerk
+around in the morning to put things right.  Good-night (going).
+
+Oakhurst (grasping YORK'S hand).  One moment--no--nothing!  Good-
+night.  [Exit YORK.
+
+OAKHURST follows him to door, and then returns to desk, throwing
+himself in chair, and burying his face in his hands.
+
+Oakhurst (with deep feeling).  It needed but this to fill the
+measure of my degradation.  I have borne the suspicions of the old
+man's enemies, the half-pitying, half-contemptuous sympathy of his
+friends, even his own cold, heartless, fanatical fulfilment of his
+sense of duty; but THIS--this confidence from one who had most
+reason to scorn me, this trust from one who knew me as I WAS,--this
+is the hardest burden.  And he, too, in time will know me to be an
+impostor.  He too--a reformed man; but he has honorably retraced
+his steps, and won the position I hold by a trick, an imposture.
+And what is all my labor beside his honest sincerity?  I have
+fought against the chances that might discover my deception,
+against the enemies who would overthrow me, against the fate that
+put me here; and I have been successful--yes, a successful
+impostor!  I have even fought against the human instinct that told
+this fierce, foolish old man that I was an alien to his house, to
+his blood; I have even felt him scan my face eagerly for some
+reflection of his long-lost boy, for some realization of his dream;
+and I have seen him turn away, cold, heartsick, and despairing.
+What matters that I have been to him devoted, untiring, submissive,
+ay, a better son to him than his own weak flesh and blood would
+have been?  He would to-morrow cast me forth to welcome the
+outcast, Sandy Morton.  Well, what matters?  (Recklessly.)
+Nothing.  In six days it will be over; in six days the year of my
+probation will have passed; in six days I will disclose to him the
+deceit I have practised, and will face the world again as John
+Oakhurst, the gambler, who staked and lost ALL on a single cast.
+And Jovita!  Well, well!--the game is made: it is too late to draw
+out now.  (Rings bell.  Enter JACKSON.)  Who has been here?
+
+Jackson.  Only Don Jose, and Mr. Capper, the detective.
+
+Oakhurst.  The detective?  What for?
+
+Jackson.  To work up the robbery, sir.
+
+Oakhurst.  True!  Capper, Capper, yes!  A man of wild and ridiculous
+theories, but well-meaning, brave, and honest.  (Aside.)  This is
+the old man's idea.  He does not know that I was on the trail of
+the thieves an hour before the police were notified.  (Aloud.)
+Well, sir?
+
+Jackson.  He told your father he thought the recovery of the money
+hopeless, but he came to caution us against a second attempt.
+
+Oakhurst (aside, starting).  True!  I had not thought of that.
+(Excitedly.)  The success of their first attempt will incite them
+to another; the money they have stolen is gone by this time.
+(Aloud.)  Jackson, I will stay here to-night and to-morrow night,
+and relieve your regular watchman.  You will, of course, say
+nothing of my intention.
+
+Jackson.  Yes, sir.  (Lingering.)
+
+Oakhurst (after a pause).  That is all, Mr. Jackson.
+
+Jackson.  Beg your pardon, Mr. Morton; but Col. Starbottle, with
+two ladies, was here half an hour ago, and said they would come
+again when you were alone.
+
+Oakhurst.  Very well: admit them.
+
+Jackson.  Beg pardon, sir; but they seemed to avoid seeing your
+father until they had seen you.  It looked mysterious, and I
+thought I would tell you first.
+
+Oakhurst (laughing).  Admit them, Mr. Jackson.  (Exit JACKSON.)
+This poor fellow's devotion is increasing.  He, too, believes that
+his old associate in dissipation, John Oakhurst, IS the son of
+Alexander Morton.  He, too, will have to share in the disgrace of
+the impostor.  Ladies! umph!  (Looking down at his clothes.)  I'm
+afraid the reform of Alexander Morton hasn't improved the usual
+neatness of John Oakhurst.  I haven't slept, nor changed my
+clothes, for three days.  (Goes to door of MORTON, sen.'s, room.)
+Locked, and the key on the inside!  That's strange.  Nonsense! the
+old man has locked his door and gone out through the private
+entrance.  Well, I'll find means of making my toilet here.  [Exit
+into private room L.
+
+Enter JACKSON, leading in COL. STARBOTTLE, MISS MARY, the DUCHESS,
+and child of three years.
+
+Jackson.  Mr. Alexander Morton, jun., is in his private room.  He
+will be here in a moment.  [Exit JACKSON.
+
+Starbottle.  One moment, a single moment, Miss Mary.  Permit me to--
+er--if I may so express myself, to--er--group the party, to--er--
+place the--er--present company into position.  I have--er--observed
+as part of my--er--legal experience, that in cases of moral
+illustration a great, I may say--er--tremendous, effect on the--er--
+jury, I mean the--er--guilty party, has been produced by the
+attitude of the--er--victim and martyr.  You, madam, as the--er--
+injured wife (placing her), shall stand here, firm yet expectant,
+protecting your child, yet looking hopefully for assistance toward
+its natural protector.  You, Miss Mary, shall stand here (placing
+her), as Moral Retribution, leaning toward and slightly appealing
+to me, the image of--er--er--Inflexible Justice!  (Inflates his
+chest, puts his hand in his bosom, and strikes an attitude.)
+
+Door of young Morton's room opens, and discloses MR. OAKHURST
+gazing at the group.  He starts slightly on observing the DUCHESS,
+but instantly recovers himself, and faces the company coldly.  The
+DUCHESS starts on observing OAKHURST, and struggles in confusion
+towards the door, dragging with her the child and MISS MARY, who
+endeavors to re-assure her.  COL. STARBOTTLE looks in astonishment
+from one to the other, and advances to front.
+
+Col. Starbottle (aside).  The--er--tableau, although striking in
+moral force, is apparently--er--deficient in moral stamina.
+
+Miss Mary (angrily to the DUCHESS).  I'm ashamed of you!  (To
+OAKHURST, advancing.)  I don't ask pardon for my intrusion.  If you
+are Alexander Morton, you are my kinsman, and you will know that I
+cannot introduce myself better than as the protector of an injured
+woman.  Come here!  (To the DUCHESS, dragging her towards OAKHURST.
+To OAKHURST.)  Look upon this woman: she claims to be--
+
+Starbottle (stepping between MISS MARY and the DUCHESS).  A moment,
+Miss Mary, a single moment!  Permit me to--er--explain.  The whole
+thing, the--er--situation reminds me, demn me, of most amusing
+incident at Sacramento in '52.  Large party at Hank Suedecois: know
+Hank?  Confirmed old bach of sixty.  Dinner for forty.  Everything
+in style, first families, Ged,--Judge Beeswinger, Mat Boompointer,
+and Maje Blodgett of Ahlabam: know old Maje Blodgett?  Well, Maje
+was there.  Ged, sir, delay,--everybody waiting.  I went to Hank.
+"Hank," I says, "what's matter? why delay?"--"Star," he says,--
+always called me Star,--"Star,--it's cook!"--"Demn cook," I says:
+"discharge cook,--only a black mulatto anyway!"--"Can't, Star," he
+says: "impossible!"--"Can't?" says I.--"No," says he.  "Listen,
+Star," he says, "family secret!  Honor!  Can't discharge cook,
+because cook--demn it--'s MY wife!"  Fact, sir, fact--showed
+marriage certificate--married privately seven years!  Fact, sir--
+
+The Duchess (to MISS MARY).  Some other time, miss, let us go now.
+There's a mistake, miss, I can't explain.  Some other time, miss!
+See, miss, how cold and stern he looks! another time, miss!
+(Struggling.)  For God's sake, miss, let me go!
+
+Miss Mary.  No!  This mystery must be cleared up now, before I
+enter HIS house,--before I accept the charge of this--
+
+Starbottle (interrupting, and crossing before MISS MARY).  A
+moment--a single moment, miss.  (To OAKHURST.)  Mr. Morton, you
+will pardon the exuberance, and perhaps, under the circumstances,
+somewhat natural impulsiveness, of the--er--sex, for which I am
+perhaps responsible; I may say--er--personally, sir,--personally
+responsible--
+
+Oakhurst (coldly).  Go on, sir.
+
+Starbottle.  The lady on my right is--er--the niece of your
+father,--your cousin.  The lady on my left, engaged in soothing
+the--er--bashful timidity of infancy, is--er--that is--er--claims
+to be, the mother of the child of Alexander Morton.
+
+Oakhurst (calmly).  She is right.
+
+Miss Mary (rushing forward).  Then you are--
+
+Oakhurst (gently restraining her).  You have another question to
+ask: you hesitate: let me ask it.  (Crossing to the DUCHESS.)  You
+have heard my answer.  Madam, are you the legal wife of Alexander
+Morton?
+
+The Duchess (sinking upon her knees, and dropping her face in her
+hands).  No!
+
+Oakhurst.  Enough: I will take the child.  Pardon me, Miss Morris,
+but you have heard enough to know that your mission is accomplished,
+but what else passes between this woman and myself becomes no
+stranger to hear.  (Motions toward room L.)
+
+Miss Mary (aside).  It is HIS son.  I am satisfied (going).  Come,
+colonel.
+
+[Exeunt into room L., STARBOTTLE and MISS MARY.
+
+The Duchess (crossing to OAKHURST, and falling at his feet).
+Forgive me, Jack, forgive me!  It was no fault of mine.  I did not
+know that you were here.  I did not know that you had taken his
+name!
+
+Oakhurst.  Hush--on your life!
+
+The Duchess.  Hear me, Jack!  I was anxious only for a home for my
+child.  I came to HER--the schoolmistress of Red Gulch--for aid.  I
+told her the name of my boy's father.  She--she brought me here.
+Oh, forgive me, Jack!  I have offended you!
+
+Oakhurst.  How can I believe you?  You have deceived HIM.  You have
+deceived me.  Listen!  When I said, a moment ago, you were not the
+wife of Alexander Morton, it was because I knew that your first
+husband--the Australian convict Pritchard--was still living; that
+you had deceived Sandy Morton as you had deceived me.  That was why
+I left you.  Tell me, have you deceived me also about him, as you
+did about the other?  Is HE living, and with you; or dead, as you
+declared.
+
+The Duchess (aside).  He will kill me if I tell him.  (Aloud.)  No,
+no.  He is gone--is dead these three years.
+
+Oakhurst.  You swear!
+
+The Duchess (hesitates, gasps, and looks around for her child; then
+seizing it, and drawing it toward her).  I--swear.
+
+Oakhurst.  Enough.  Seek not to know why I am here, and under his
+name.  Enough for you that it has saved your child's future, and
+secured him his heritage past all revocation.  Yet remember! a word
+from you within the next few days destroys it all.  After that, I
+care not what you say.
+
+The Duchess.  Jack!  One word, Jack, before I go.  I never thought
+to bring my shame to you!--to HIM!
+
+Oakhurst.  It was no trick, then, no contrivance, that brought her
+here.  No: it was fate.  And at least I shall save his child.
+
+Re-enter STARBOTTLE, MISS MARY, and DUCHESS.
+
+Col. Starbottle (impressively).  Permit me, Mr. Alexander Morton,
+as the friend of my--er--principal to declare that we have
+received--honorable--honorable--satisfaction.  Allow me, sir, to
+grasp the hand, the--er--cherished hand of a gentleman who, demn
+me! has fulfilled all his duties to--er--society and gentlemen.
+And allow me to add, sir, should any invidious criticism of the
+present--er--settlement be uttered in my presence, I shall hold
+that critic responsible, sir--er--personally responsible!
+
+Miss Mary (sweeping truculently and aggressively up to JOHN
+OAKHURST).  And permit ME to add, sir, that, if you can see your
+way clearly out of this wretched muddle, it's more than I can.
+This arrangement may be according to the Californian code of
+morality, but it doesn't accord with my Eastern ideas of right and
+wrong.  If this foolish, wretched creature chooses to abandon all
+claim upon you, chooses to run away from you,--why, I suppose, as a
+GENTLEMAN, according to your laws of honor, you are absolved.
+Good-night, Mr. Alexander Morton.  (Goes to door C., and exit,
+pushing out STARBOTTLE, the DUCHESS, and child.  MR. OAKHURST sinks
+into chair at desk, burying his face in his hands.  Re-enter slowly
+and embarrassedly, MISS MARY: looks toward OAKHURST, and comes
+slowly down stage.)
+
+Miss Mary (aside).  I was too hard on him.  I was not so hard on
+Sandy when I thought that he--he--was the father of her child.  And
+he's my own flesh and blood, too; and--he's crying.  (Aloud.)  Mr.
+Morton.
+
+Oakhurst (slowly lifting his head).  Yes; Miss Mary.
+
+Miss Mary.  I spoke hastily just then.  I--I--thought--you see--I--
+(angrily and passionately) I mean this.  I'm a stranger.  I don't
+understand your Californian ways, and I don't want to.  But I
+believe you've done what you thought was right, according to a
+MAN'S idea of right; and--there's my hand.  Take it, take it; for
+it's a novelty, Mr. Morton: it's the hand of an honest girl!
+
+Oakhurst (hesitates, then rises, sinks on one knee, and raises MISS
+MARY'S fingers to his lips).  God bless you, miss!  God bless you!
+
+Miss Mary (retreating to centre door).  Good-night, good-night
+(slowly),--cousin--Alexander.  [Exit.  Dark stage.
+
+Oakhurst (rising swiftly).  No, no: it is false!  Ah!  She's gone.
+Another moment, and I would have told her all.  Pshaw! courage,
+man!  It is only six days more, and you are free, and this year's
+shame and agony forever ended.
+
+Enter JACKSON.
+
+Jackson.  As you ordered, sir, the night watchman has been relieved,
+and has just gone.
+
+Oakhurst.  Very good, sir; and you?
+
+Jackson.  I relieved the porter, sir; and I shall bunk on two
+chairs in the counting-room.  You'll find me handy if you want me,
+sir.  Good-night, sir.  [Exit C.
+
+Oakhurst.  I fear these rascals will not dare to make their second
+attempt to-night.  A quiet scrimmage with them, enough to keep me
+awake or from thinking, would be a good fortune.  No, no! no such
+luck for you to-night, John Oakhurst!  You are playing a losing
+game. . . .  Yet the robbery was a bold one.  At eleven o'clock,
+while the bank was yet lighted, and Mr. Jackson and another clerk
+were at work here, three well-dressed men pick the lock of the
+counting-house door, enter, and turn the key on the clerks in this
+parlor, and carry away a box of doubloons not yet placed in the
+vaults by the porter; and all this done so cautiously that the
+clerks within knew nothing of it until notified of the open street
+door by the private watchman, and so boldly that the watchman,
+seeing them here, believed them clerks of the bank, and let them go
+unmolested.  No: this was the coincidence of good luck, not of bold
+premeditation.  There will be no second attempt.  (Yawns.)  If they
+don't come soon I shall fall asleep.  Four nights without rest will
+tell on a man, unless he has some excitement to back him.  (Nods.)
+Hallo!  What was that?  Oh! Jackson in the counting-room getting to
+bed.  I'll look at that front door myself.  (Takes revolver from
+desk and goes to door C., tries lock, comes down stage with
+revolver, examines it, and lays it down.)
+
+Oakhurst (slowly and quietly.)  The door is locked on the outside:
+that may have been an accident.  The caps are taken from my pistol:
+THAT was not!  Well, here is the vault, and here is John Oakhurst:
+to reach the one, they must pass the other.
+
+(Takes off his coat, seizes poker from grate, and approaches safe.)
+Ha! some one is moving in the old man's room.  (Approaches door of
+room R. as--
+
+Enter noiselessly and cautiously from room L., PRITCHARD, SILKY,
+and SOAPY.  PRITCHARD and his confederates approach OAKHURST from
+behind, carrying lariat, or slip-noose.
+
+Oakhurst (listening at door R.)  Good.  At least I know from what
+quarter to expect the attack.  Ah!
+
+PRITCHARD throws slip-noose over OAKHURST from behind; OAKHURST
+puts his hand in his breast as the slip-noose is drawn across his
+bosom, pinioning one arm over his breast, and the other at his
+side.  SILKY and SOAPY, directed by PRITCHARD, drag OAKHURST to
+chair facing front, and pinion his legs.  PRITCHARD, C., regarding
+him.
+
+Oakhurst (very coolly).  You have left me my voice, I suppose,
+because it is useless.
+
+Pritchard.  That's so, pard.  'Twon't be no help to ye.
+
+Oakhurst.  Then you have killed Jackson.
+
+Pritchard.  Lord love ye, no!  That ain't like us, pard!  Jackson's
+tendin' door for us, and kinder lookin' out gin'rally for the boys.
+Thar's nothin' mean about Jackson.
+
+Soapy.  No!  Jackson's a squar man.  Eh, Silky?
+
+Silky.  Ez white a man ez they is, pard!
+
+Oakhurst (aside).  The traitor!  (Aloud.)  Well!
+
+Pritchard.  Well, you want ter know our business.  Call upon a
+business man in business hours.  Our little game is this, Mr. Jack
+Morton Alexander Oakhurst.  When we was here the other night, we
+was wantin' a key to that theer lock (pointing to vault), and we
+sorter dropped in passin' to get it.
+
+Oakhurst.  And suppose I refuse to give it up?
+
+Pritchard.  We were kalkilatin' on yer bein' even that impolite:
+wasn't we, boys?
+
+Silky and Soapy.  We was that.
+
+Pritchard.  And so we got Mr. Jackson to take an impression of it
+in wax.  Oh, he's a squar man--is Mr. Jackson!
+
+Silky.  Jackson is a white man, Soapy!
+
+Soapy.  They don't make no better men nor Jackson, Silky.
+
+Pritchard.  And we've got a duplicate key here.  But we don't want
+any differences, pard: we only want a squar game.  It seemed to us--
+some of your old pards as knew ye, Jack--that ye had a rather soft
+thing here, reformin'; and we thought ye was kinder throwin' off on
+the boys, not givin' 'em any hand in the game.  But thar ain't
+anythin' mean about us.  Eh, boys?
+
+Soapy.  We is allers ready to chip in ekal in the game.  Eh, Silky?
+
+Silky.  That's me, Soapy.
+
+Pritchard.  Ye see, the boys is free and open-handed, Jack.  And so
+the proposition we wanter make to ye, Jack, is this.  It's reg'lar
+on the squar.  We reckon, takin' Mr. Jackson's word,--and thar
+ain't no man's word ez is better nor Jackson's,--that there's nigh
+on to two millions in that vault, not to speak of a little speshil
+deposit o' York's, ez we learn from that accommodatin' friend, Mr.
+Jackson.  We propose to share it with ye, on ekil terms--us five--
+countin' Jackson, a square man.  In course, we takes the risk o'
+packin' it away to-night comfortable.  Ez your friends, Jack, we
+allow this yer little arrangement to be a deuced sight easier for
+you than playin' Sandy Morton on a riglar salary, with the chance
+o' the real Sandy poppin' in upon ye any night.
+
+Oakkurst.  It's a lie.  Sandy is dead.
+
+Pritchard.  In course, in course; that is your little game!  But we
+kalkilated, Jack, even on that, on yer bein' rambunktious and
+contrary; and so we went ter Red Gulch, and found Sandy.  Ye know I
+take a kind o' interest in Sandy: he's the second husband of my
+wife, the woman you run away with, pard.  But thar's nothin' mean
+about me! eh, boys?
+
+Silky.  No! he's the forgivingest kind of a man, is Pritchard.
+
+Soapy.  That's so, Silky.
+
+Pritchard.  And, thinkin' ye might be dubious, we filled Sandy
+about full o' rye whiskey, and brought him along; and one of our
+pards is preambulatin' the streets with him, ready to bring him on
+call.
+
+Oakhurst.  It's a lie, Pritchard,--a cowardly lie!
+
+Pritchard.  Is it?  Hush!
+
+Sandy (without, singing),--
+
+
+     Oh, yer's yer Sandy Morton,
+           Drink him down!
+     Oh, yer's yer Sandy Morton,
+           Drink him down!
+     Oh, yer's yer Sandy Morton,
+           All alive and just a-snortin'!
+     Oh, yer's yer Sandy Morton,
+           Drink him down!
+
+
+Pritchard.  We don't propose to run him in yer, cept we're took, or
+yer unaccommodatin' to the boys.
+
+Oakhurst.  And if I refuse?
+
+Pritchard.  Why, we'll take what we can get; and we'll leave Sandy
+Morton with you yer, to sorter alleviate the old man's feelin's
+over the loss of his money.  There's nothin' mean about us; no! eh,
+boys?  (Going toward safe.)
+
+Oakhurst.  Hear me a moment, Henry Pritchard.  (PRITCHARD stops
+abreast of OAKHURST.)  Four years ago you were assaulted in the
+Arcade Saloon in Sacramento.  You would have been killed, but your
+assailant suddenly fell dead by a pistol-shot fired from some
+unknown hand.  I stood twenty feet from you with folded arms; but
+that shot was fired by me,--me, Henry Pritchard,--through my
+clothes, from a derringer hidden in my waistcoat!  Understand me, I
+do not ask your gratitude now.  But that pistol is in my right
+hand, and now covers you.  Make a single motion,--of a muscle,--and
+it is your last.
+
+Pritchard (motionless, but excitedly).  You dare not fire!  No,
+dare not!  A shot here will bring my pal and Sandy Morton to
+confront you.  You will have killed me to save exposure, have added
+murder to imposture!  You have no witness to this attempt!
+
+Capper (opening door of room L., at the same moment that two
+policemen appear at door C., and two at room R).  You are wrong: he
+has five (crossing to SILKY and SOAPY, and laying his hands on
+their shoulders); and, if I mistake not, he has two more in these
+gentlemen, whom I know, and who will be quite as willing to furnish
+the necessary State's evidence of the robbery, as of the fact that
+they never knew any other Alexander Morton than the gentleman who
+sits in that chair.
+
+Soapy.  That's so, Silky.
+
+Silky.  That's so, Soapy.
+
+Capper (to policemen).  Take them away.
+
+[Exit policemen with PRITCHARD, SOAPY, and SILKY.  CAPPER unbinds
+OAKHURST.
+
+Oakhurst.  Then I have to thank you, Mr. C.
+
+Capper.  Yes!  "A man of ridiculous theories, but well-meaning,
+brave, and honest."  No, sir; don't apologize: you were right, Mr.
+Oakhurst.  It is I who owe you an apology.  I came here, believing
+YOU were the robber, having no faith in you or your reformation,
+expecting,--yes, sir,--hoping, to detect you in the act.  Hear me!
+From the hour you first entered the bank, I have shadowed your
+every movement, I have been the silent witness of all that has
+passed in this room.  You have played a desperate game, Mr.
+Oakhurst; but I'll see you through it.  If you are true to your
+resolve, for the next six days, I will hold these wretches silent.
+I will protect your imposture with the strong arm of the law.  I
+don't like YOUR theories, sir; but I believe you to be well-
+meaning, and I know you to be brave and honest.
+
+Oakhurst (grasping his hand).  I shall not forget this.  But Sandy--
+
+Capper.  I will put my men on his track, and have him brought
+quietly here.  I can give you no aid beyond that.  As an honorable
+man, I need not tell you your duty.  Settle it with him as best you
+can.
+
+Oakhurst.  You are right; I WILL see him.  (Aside.)  Unless he has
+changed, he will listen to me, he will obey me.
+
+Capper.  Hush!  (Blows out candle.)  Stand here!
+
+CAPPER and OAKHURST retreat to wing L., as enter MORTON, sen., from
+room R.
+
+Morton.  The private door open, the room dark, and Capper gone.  I
+don't like this.  The more I think of the mystery of that man's
+manner this morning, the more it seems to hide some terrible secret
+I must fathom!  There are matches here.  (Strikes a light, as
+CAPPER draws OAKHURST, struggling, back into shadow.)  What's this?
+(Picking up key.)  The key of the vault.  A chair overturned.
+(Touches bell.)  No answer!  Jackson gone!  My God!  A terrible
+suspicion haunts me!  No.  Hush!  (Retreats to private room R., as
+door of L. opens and--
+
+Enter SANDY.
+
+Sandy (drunkenly).  Shoo! Shoo! boys, whar are ye, boys, eh?
+Pritchard, Silky, Soapy!  Whar are ye, boys?
+
+Morton (aside).  A crime has been committed, and here is one of the
+gang.  God has delivered him in my hands.  (Draws revolver, and
+fires, as OAKHURST breaks from CAPPER, and strikes up MORTON'S
+pistol.  CAPPER at same moment seizes SANDY, and drags him in room
+L.  MORTON and OAKHURST struggle to centre.)
+
+Morton (relaxing hold of OAKHURST).  Alexander!  Good God!  Why are
+you here?  Why have you stepped between me and retribution?  You
+hesitate.  God in heaven!  Speak, Alexander, my son, speak for
+God's sake!  Tell me--tell me that this detective's suspicions are
+not true.  Tell me that you are not--not--no, I cannot say it.
+Speak, Alexander Morton, I command you!  Who is this man you have
+saved?  Is it--is it--your accomplice?
+
+Oakhurst (sinking at his feet).  Don't ask me!  You know not what
+you ask!  I implore you--
+
+Capper (appearing quietly from room L., and locking the door behind
+him).  Your son has acted under MY orders.  The man he has saved,
+as he has saved you, was a decoy,--one of my policemen.
+
+TABLEAU.
+
+CAPPER, MORTON, OAKHURST.
+
+Curtain.
+
+END OF ACT III.
+
+
+
+ACT IV.
+
+
+SCENE 1.--MR. MORTON'S villa, Russian Hill, Night.  OAKHURST'S
+bedroom.  Sofa in alcove C., door in flat left of C.  SANDY MORTON
+discovered, unconscious, lying on sofa; OAKHURST standing at his
+head, two policemen at his feet.  Candles on table L.
+
+Oakhurst.  That will do.  You are sure he was unconscious as you
+brought him in?
+
+First Policeman.  Sure, sir?  He hasn't known anything since we
+picked him up on the sidewalk outside the bank.
+
+Oakhurst.  Good!  You have fulfilled your orders well, and your
+chief shall know it.  Go now.  Be as cautious in going out as you
+were on entering.  Here is the private staircase.  (Opens door L.)
+[Exit policeman.
+
+Oakhurst (listening).  Gone! and without disturbing any one.  So
+far, luck has befriended me.  He will sleep to-night beneath his
+father's roof.  His father! umph! would the old man recognize him
+here?  Would he take to his heart this drunken outcast, picked from
+the gutters of the street, and brought here by the strong arm of
+the law?  Hush!  (A knock without.)  Ah, it is the colonel: he is
+prompt to the hour.  (Opens door cautiously, and admits COL.
+STARBOTTLE.)
+
+Starbottle (looking around, and overlooking SANDY).  I presume the
+other--er--principal is not yet on the ground?
+
+Oakhurst (motioning to sofa).  He IS!
+
+Starbottle (starting as he looks towards sofa).  Ged, you don't
+mean to say it's all OVER, without witnesses, without my--er--
+presence?
+
+Oakhurst.  Pardon me, Col. Starbottle; but, if you look again, you
+will perceive that the gentleman is only drunk.
+
+Starbottle.  Eh?  Ged! not uncommon, sir, not uncommon!  I remember
+singular incident at--er--Louisville in '47.  Old Judge Tollim--
+know old Judge Tolly?--Ged! he came to ground drunk, sir; couldn't
+stand!  Demn me, sir, had to put him into position with kitchen
+poker down his back, and two sections of lightning-rod in his--er--
+trousers, demn me!  Firm, sir, firm, you understand, here (striking
+his breast), but--here (striking his legs)--er--er--wobbly!  No,
+sir!  Intoxication of principal not a bar, sir, to personal
+satisfaction!  (Goes towards sofa with eyeglass.)  Good Ged! why,
+it's Diego!  (Returning stifly to OAKHURST.)  Excuse me, sir, but
+this is a case in which I cannot act.  Cannot, sir,--impossible!
+absurd! pre--post--or--ous!  I recogmze in the--er--inebriated
+menial on yonder sofa a person, sir, who, having already declined
+my personal challenge, is--er--excluded from the consideration of
+gentlemen.  The person who lies there, sir, is Diego,--a menial of
+Don Jose Castro,---alias "Sandy," the vagabond of Red Gulch.
+
+Oakhurst.  You have omitted one title, his true one.  He is
+Alexander Morton, the son of the master of this house.
+
+Starbottle (starting in bewilderment).  Alexander Morton!  (Aside.)
+Ged! my first suspicions were correct.  Star, you have lost the
+opportunity of making your fortune as a scoundrel; but you have at
+a pecuniary sacrifice, preserved your honor.
+
+Oakhurst.  Yes.  Hear me, Col. Starbottle.  I have summoned you
+here to-night, as I have already intimated, on an affair of honor.
+I have sought you as my father's legal counsel, as a disinterested
+witness, as a gentleman of honor.  The man who lies before you was
+once my friend and partner.  I have wronged him doubly.  As his
+partner, I ran away with the woman he believed, and still believes,
+to be his wife; as his friend, I have for a twelvemonth kept him
+from the enjoyment of his home, his patrimony, by a shameful
+deception.  I have summoned you to-night to witness my confession;
+as a lawyer, to arrange those details necessary to restore to him
+his property; as a man of honor, to receive from me whatever
+retribution he demands.  You will be a witness to our interview.
+Whatever befalls me here, you will explain to Mr. Morton--to
+Jovita--that I accepted it as a man, and did not avoid, here or
+elsewhere, the penalty of my crime.  (Folding his arms.)
+
+Slarbottle.  Umph!  The case is, as you say, a delicate one, but
+not--not--peculiar.  No, sir!  Ged, sir, I remember Tom Marshall--
+know Tom Marshall of Kentucky?--said to me, "Star!"--always calls
+me Star,--"how in blank, sir, can you remember the REAL names of
+your clients?"--"Why," says I, "Tom," always called him Tom,--
+"yesterday I was called to make will--most distinguished family of
+Virginia--as lawyer and gentleman, you understand: can't mention
+name.  Waited for signature--most distinguished name: Ged, sir, man
+signed Bloggins,--Peter Bloggins.  Fact, demme!  'Mistake,' I
+said,--'excitement; exaltation of fever.  Non compos.  Compose
+yourself, Bob.'--'Star,' he said,--always called me Star,--'for
+forty-seven years I have been an impostor!'--his very words, sir.
+'I am not'--you understand: 'I AM Peter Bloggins!'"
+
+Oakhurst.  But, my dear colonel, I--
+
+Starbottle (loftily).  Say no more, sir!  I accept the--er
+position.  Let us see!  The gentleman will, on recognition,
+probably make a personal attack.  You are armed.  Ah, no?  Umph!
+On reflection I would not permit him to strike a single blow: I
+would anticipate it.  It will provoke the challenge from him,
+leaving YOU, sir, the--er--choice of weapons.
+
+Oakhurst.  Hush! he is moving!  Take your stand here, in this
+alcove.  Remember, as a gentleman, and a man of honor, Col.
+Starbottle, I trust you not to interfere between the injured man
+and--justice!  (Pushes COL. STARBOTTLE into alcove behind couch,
+and approaches SANDY.)
+
+Sandy (waking slowly--and incoherently).  Hush, Silky! hush!  Eh?
+Oh, hush yourself!  (Sings.)
+
+
+     Oh, yer's yer Sandy Morton,
+           Drink him down!
+
+
+Eh!  Oh!  (Half sits up on couch.)  Eh!  (Looking around him.)
+Where the devil am I?
+
+Oakhurst (advancing and leaning over SANDY'S couch).  In the house
+of your father, Alexander Morton.
+
+Sandy (recoiling in astonishment).  His voice, John Oakhurst!
+What--ah!  (Rises, and rushes towards OAKHURST with uplifted hand.)
+
+Starbottle (gesticulating in whisper).  A blow! a single blow would
+be sufficient.
+
+Sandy (looking at OAKHURST, who regards him calmly).  I--eh!  I--
+eh!  Ha, ha!  I'm glad to see--old pard!  I'm glad to see ye!
+(COL. STARBOTTLE lifts his hand in amazement.)
+
+Oakhurst (declining his hand).  Do you understand me, Sandy Morton?
+Listen.  I am John Oakhurst,--the man who has deceived your father,
+who has deceived you.
+
+Sandy (without heeding his words, but regarding him affectionately).
+To think of it--Jack Oakhurst!  It's like him, like Jack.  He was
+allers onsartain, the darned little cuss!  Jack!  Look at him, will
+ye, boys? look at him!  Growed too, and dressed to kill, and sittin'
+in this yer house as natril as a jaybird!  (Looking around.)  Nasty,
+ain't it, Jack? and this yer's your house--the old man's house--eh?
+Why, this is--this is where she came.  Jack, Jack!  (Eagerly.)  Tell
+me, pard, where is she?
+
+Starbottle (aside, rubbing his hands).  We shall have it now!
+
+Oakhurst.  She has gone,--gone!  But hear me.  She had deceived you
+as she has me.  She has gone,--gone with her first husband, Henry
+Pritchard.
+
+Sandy (stupefied).  Gone!  Her first husband!  Pritchard!
+
+Oakhurst.  Ay, your wife!
+
+Sandy.  Oh, damn my wife!  I'm talking of Mary,--Miss Mary,--the
+little schoolma'am, Jack; the little rose of Poker Flat.  Oh!  I
+see--ye didn't know her, Jack,--the pertiest, sweetest little--
+
+Oakhurst (turning away coldly).  Ay, ay!  She is here!
+
+Sandy (looking after him affectionately).  Look at him, boys!
+Allers the same,--high-toned, cold, even to his pardner!  That's
+him,--Jack Oakhurst!  But Jack, Jack, you're goin' to shake hands,
+ain't ye?  (Extends his hand, after a pause.  OAKHURST takes it
+gloomily.)
+
+Col. Starbottle (who has been regarding interview with visible
+scorn and disgust, advancing to OAKHURST).  You will--er--pardon me
+if, under the--er--circumstances, I withdraw from this--er--
+disgraceful proceeding.  The condonation, by that man, of two of
+the most tremendous offences to society and to the code, without
+apology or satisfaction, Ged, sir, is--er--er--of itself an insult
+to the spectator.  I go, sir--
+
+Oakhurst.  But, Col. Starbottle--
+
+Starbottle.  Permit me to say, sir, that I hold myself for this,
+sir, responsible, sir,--personally responsible.
+
+[Exit STARBOTTLE, glancing furiously at SANDY, who sinks on sofa
+laughing.
+
+Oakhurst (aside).  He will change his mind in half an hour.  But,
+in the mean time, time is precious.  (Aloud.)  Sandy, come!
+
+Sandy (rising with alacrity).  Yes, Jack, I'm ready.
+
+Oakhurst.  We are going (slowly and solemnly)--we are going to see
+your father.
+
+Sandy (dropping back with bashful embarrassment, and struggling to
+release his arm from OAKHURST).  No, Jack!  Not just yet, Jack; in
+a little while, ole boy! in about six months, or mebbe--a year,
+Jack! not now, not now!  I ain't feelin' exactly well, Jack,--I
+ain't.
+
+Oakhurst.  Nonsense, Sandy!  Consider your duty and my honor.
+
+Sandy (regaining his seat).  That's all very well, Jack; but ye
+see, pard, you've known the old man for nigh on a year, and it's
+twenty-five since I met him.  No, Jack; you don't play any ole man
+on to me to-night, Jack.  No, you and me'll just drop out for a
+pasear.  Jack, eh?  (Taking OAKHURST'S arm.)  Come!
+
+Oakhurst.  Impossible!  Hush!  (Listening.)  It is HE passing
+through the corridor.  (Goes to wing R., and listens.)
+
+Sandy (crowding hastily behind OAKHURST in alarm).  But, I say,
+Jack! he won't come in here?  He's goin' to bed, you know.  Eh?  It
+ain't right for a man o' his years--and he must be goin' on ninety,
+Jack--to be up like this.  It ain't healthy.
+
+Oakhurst.  You know him not.  He seems to need no rest (sadly).
+Night after night, long after the servants are abed, and the house
+is still, I hear that step slowly pacing the corridor.  It is the
+last sound as I close my eyes, the first challenge of the morning.
+
+Sandy.  The ol' scound--(checking himself)--I mean, Jack, the ol'
+man has suthin' on his mind.  But, Jack (in great alarm), he don't
+waltz in upon ye, Jack?  He don't p'int them feet in yer, Jack?  Ye
+ain't got to put up with that, Jack, along o' yer other trials?
+
+Oakhurst.  He often seeks me here.  Ah--yes--he is coming this way
+now.
+
+Sandy (in ludicrous terror).  Jack, pard, quick I hide me
+somewhere, Jack!
+
+Oakhurst (opening door R.).  In there, quick!  Not a sound, as you
+value your future!  [Exit SANDY hurriedly R.
+
+
+SCENE 2.--The same.  Enter door R., OLD MORTON, in dressing-gown,
+with candle.
+
+Old Morton.  Not abed yet, Alexander?  Well, well, I don't blame
+you, my son it has been for you a trying, trying night.  Yes, I
+see: like me, you are a little nervous and wakeful.  (Slowly takes
+chair, and comfortably composes himself.)
+
+Oakhurst (aside).  He is in for a midnight gossip.  How shall I
+dispose of Sandy?
+
+Old Morton.  Yes (meditatively),--yes, you have overworked lately.
+Never mind.  In a day or two more you shall have a vacation, sir,--
+a vacation!
+
+Oakhurst (aside).  He knows not how truly he speaks.  (Aloud.)
+Yes, sir, I was still up.  I have only just now dismissed the
+policemen.
+
+Old Morton.  Ay.  I heard voices, and saw a light in your window.
+I came to tell you, Alexander, Capper has explained all about--
+about the decoy!  More; he has told me of your courage and your
+invaluable assistance.  For a moment, sir,--I don't mind telling
+you now in confidence,--I doubted YOU--
+
+Oakhurst (in feigned deprecation).  Oh, sir!
+
+Old Morton.  Only for a moment.  You will find, Alexander, that
+even that doubt shall have full apology when the year of your
+probation has expired.  Besides, sir.  I know all.
+
+Oakhurst (starting).  All!
+
+Old Morton.  Yes, the story about the Duchess and your child.  You
+are surprised.  Col. Starbottle told me all.  I forgive you,
+Alexander, for the sake of your boy.
+
+Oakhurst.  My boy, sir!
+
+Old Morton.  Yes, your boy.  And let me tell you, sir, he's a fine
+young fellow.  Looks like you,--looks as you did when YOU were a
+boy.  He's a Morton too, every inch of him, there's no denying
+that.  No, sir.  You may have changed; but he--he--is the living
+image of my little Alexander.  He took to me, too,--lifted his
+little arms--and--and--  (Becomes affected, and leans his head in
+his hands.)
+
+Oakhurst (rising).  You are not well, sir.  Let me lead you to your
+room.
+
+Old Morton.  No! it is nothing: a glass of water, Alexander!
+
+Oakhurst (aside).  He is very pale.  The agitation of the night has
+overcome him.  (Goes to table R.)  A little spirits will revive
+him.  (Pours from decanter in glass, and returns to MORTON.)
+
+Old Morton (after drinking).  There was spirits in that water,
+Alexander.  Five years ago, I vowed at your mother's grave to
+abandon the use of intoxicating liquors.
+
+Oakhurst.  Believe me, sir, my mother will forgive you.
+
+Old Morton.  Doubtless.  It has revived me.  I am getting to be an
+old man, Aleck.  (Holds out his glass half-unconsciously, and
+OAKHURST replenishes it from decanter.)  Yes, an old man, Aleck;
+but the boy,--ah, I live again in him.  The little rascal!  He
+asked me, Aleck, for a "chaw tobacker!" and wanted to know if I was
+the "ol' duffer."  Ha, ha!  He did.  Ha, ha!  Come, come, don't be
+despondent.  I was like you once, damn it,--ahem--it's all for the
+best, my boy, all for the best.  I'll take the young rascal
+(aside)--damn it, he's already taken me--(aloud) on equal terms.
+There, Aleck, what do you say?
+
+Oakhurst.  Really, sir, this forbearance,--this kindness--(aside) I
+see a ray of light.
+
+Old Morton.  Nonsense!  I'll take the boy, I tell you, and do well
+for him,--the little rascal!--as if he were the legal heir.  But, I
+say, Aleck (laughing), ha, ha!--what about--ha, ha!--what about
+Dona Jovita, eh? and what about Don Jose Castro, eh?  How will the
+lady like a ready-made family, eh?  (Poking OAKHURST in the ribs.)
+What will the Don say to the family succession?  Ha, ha!
+
+Oakhurst (proudly).  Really, sir, I care but little.
+
+Old Morton (aside).  Oh, ho!  I'll sound him.  (Aloud.)  Look ye,
+Alexander, I have given my word to you and Don Jose Castro, and
+I'll keep it.  But if you can do any better, eh--if--eh?--the
+schoolma'am's a mighty pretty girl and a bright one, eh, Aleck?
+And it's all in the family--eh?  And she thinks well of you; and I
+will say, for a girl brought up as she's been, and knowin' your
+relations with the Duchess and the boy, to say a kind word for ye,
+Aleck, is a good sign,--you follow me, Aleck,--if you think--why,
+old Don Jose might whistle for a son-in-law, eh?
+
+Oakhurst (interrupting indignantly).  Sir!  (Aside.)  Stop!
+(Aloud.)  Do you mean to say, sir, that if I should consent to
+this--suggestion--that, if the lady were willing, YOU would offer
+no impediment?
+
+Old Morton.  Impediment, my dear boy! you should have my blessing.
+
+Oakhurst.  Pardon me a moment.  You have in the last year, sir,
+taught me the importance of business formality in all the relations
+of life.  Following that idea, the conditions of my engagement with
+Jovita Castro were drawn up with your hand.  Are you willing to
+make this recantation as formal, this new contract as businesslike
+and valid?
+
+Old Morton (eagerly).  I am.
+
+Oakhurst.  Then sit here, and write at my dictation.  (Pointing to
+table L.  OLD MORTON takes seat at table.)  "In view of the evident
+preferences of my son Alexander Morton, and of certain family
+interests, I hereby revoke my consent to his marriage with the Dona
+Jovita Castro, and accord him full permission to woo and win his
+cousin, Miss Mary Morris, promising him the same aid and assistance
+previously offered in his suit with Miss Castro."
+
+Old Morton (signing).  Alexander Morton, sen.  There, Aleck!  You
+have forgotten one legal formality.  We have no witness.  Ha, ha!
+
+Oakhurst (significantly).  I will be a sufficient witness.
+
+Old Morton.  Ha, ha!  (Fills glass from decanter, after which
+OAKHURST quietly removes decanter beyond his reach.)  Very good!
+Aleck, I've been thinking of a plan,--I've been thinking of
+retiring from the bank.  I'm getting old, and my ways are not the
+popular ways of business here.  I've been thinking of you, you
+dog,--of leaving the bank to you,--to you, sir, eh--the day--the
+day you marry the schoolma'am--eh.  I'll stay home and take care of
+the boy--eh--hic!  The little rascal!--lifted his arms to me--did,
+Aleck! by God!  (Incoherently.)  Eh!
+
+Oakhurst.  Hush!  (Aside.)  Sandy will overhear him, and appear.
+
+Old Morton (greatly affected by liquor.)  Hush! eh!--of course--
+shoo! shoo!  (The actor will here endeavor to reproduce in OLD
+MORTON'S drunken behavior, without exactly imitating him, the
+general characteristics of his son's intoxication.)  Eh!--I say,
+Aleck, old boy! what will the Don say? eh?  Ha, ha, ha!  And
+Jovita, that firebrand, how will she--hic--like it, eh?  (Laughs
+immoderately.)
+
+Oakhurst.  Hush!  We will be overheard!  The servants, sir!
+
+Old Morton.  Damn the servants!  Don't I--hic--pay them wages--eh?
+
+Oakhurst.  Let me lead you to your own room.  You are nervously
+excited.  A little rest, sir, will do you good.  (Taking his arm.)
+
+Old Morton.  No shir, no shir, 'm nerrer goin' to bed any more.
+Bed's bad habit!--hic--drunken habit.  Lesh stay up all ni, Aleck!
+You and me!  Lesh nev'r--go--bed any more!  Whar's whiskey--eh?
+(Staggers to the table for decanter as OAKHURST seizes him,
+struggle up stage, and then OLD MORTON, in struggle, falls
+helplessly on sofa, in same attitude as SANDY was discovered.)
+
+Enter SANDY cautiously from door L.
+
+Sandy (to OAKHURST).  Jack!  Eh, Jack--
+
+Oakhurst.  Hush!  Go!  I will follow you in a moment.  (Pushes him
+back to door L.)
+
+Sandy (catching sight of OLD MORTON).  Hallo!  What's up?
+
+Oakhurst.  Nothing.  He was overtaken with a sudden faintness.  He
+will revive presently: go!
+
+Sandy (hesitating).  I say, Jack, he wasn't taken sick along o' me,
+eh, Jack?
+
+Oakhurst.  No!  No!  But go (pushing him toward door).
+
+Sandy.  Hold on: I'm going.  But, Jack, I've got a kind of
+faintness yer, too.  (Goes to side-table, and takes up decanter.)
+And thar's nothing reaches that faintness like whiskey.  (Fills
+glass.)  Old Morton (drunkenly and half-consciously from couch).
+Whiskey--who shed--whiskey--eh?  Eh--O--gimme some, Aleck--Aleck,
+my son,--my son!--my old prodigal--Old Proddy, my boy--gimme--
+whiskey--(sings)--
+
+
+     Oh, yer's yer good old whiskey,
+           Drink it down!
+
+
+Eh?  I com--mand you,--pass the whiskey!
+
+SANDY, at first panic-stricken, and then remorsefully conscious,
+throws glass down, with gesture of fear and loathing.  OAKHURST
+advances to his side hurriedly.
+
+Oakhurst (in hurried whisper).  Give him the whiskey, quick!  It
+will keep him quiet.  (Is about to take decanter when SANDY seizes
+it: struggle with OAKHURST.)
+
+Sandy (with feeling).  No, no, Jack, no!  (Suddenly with great
+strength and determination, breaks from him, and throws decanter
+from window.)  No, NEVER!
+
+Old Morton (struggling drunkenly to his feet).  Eh--who sh'd never?
+(OAKHURST shoves SANDY in room L., and follows him, closing door.)
+Eh, Aleck?  (Groping.)  Eh, where'sh light?  All gone.  (Lapses on
+sofa again, after an ineffectual struggle to get up, and then
+resumes his old attitude.)
+
+(Change scene quickly.)
+
+
+SCENE 3.--Ante-room in MR. MORTON'S villa.  Front scene.  Enter DON
+JOSE CASTRO and CONCHO, preceded by SERVANT, L.
+
+Servant.  This way, gentlemen.
+
+Don Jose.  Carry this card to Alexander Morton, sen.
+
+Servant.  Beg pardon, sir, but there's only one name here, sir
+(looking at CONCHO).
+
+Don Jose (proudly).  That is my servant, sir.  [Exit SERVANT.
+
+Don Jose (aside).  I don't half like this business.  But my money
+locked up in his bank, and my daughter's hand bound to his son,
+demand it.  (Aloud.)  This is no child's play, Concho, you
+understand.
+
+Concho.  Ah! I am wise.  Believe me, if I have not proofs which
+shall blanch the cheek of this old man, I am a fool, Don Jose!
+
+Re-enter SERVANT.
+
+Servant.  Mr. Morton, sen., passed a bad night, and has left word
+not to be disturbed this morning.  But Mr. Morton, jun., will
+attend you, sir.
+
+Concho (aside).  So the impostor will face it out.  Well, let him
+come.
+
+Don Jose (to SERVANT) I wait his pleasure.  [Exit SERVANT.
+
+Don Jose.  You hear, Concho?  You shall face this man.  I shall
+repeat to him all you have told me.  If you fail to make good your
+charge, on your head rests the consequences.
+
+Concho.  He will of course deny.  He is a desperate man: he will
+perhaps attack me.  Eh!  Ah!  (Drawing revolver.)
+
+Don Jose.  Put up your foolish weapon.  The sight of the father he
+has deceived will be more terrible to him than the pistol of the
+spy.
+
+Enter COL. STARBOTTLE, C.
+
+Starbottle.  Mr. Alexander Morton, Jun., will be with you in a
+moment.  (Takes attitude by door, puts his hand in his breast, and
+inflates himself.)
+
+Concho (to DON JOSE, aside).  It is the bullying lawyer.  They will
+try to outface us, my patron; but we shall triumph.  (Aloud.)  He
+comes, eh!--Mr. Alexander Morton, gentlemen!  I will show you a
+cheat, an impostor!
+
+Enter, in correct, precise morning dress, SANDY MORTON.  There is
+in his make-up and manner a suggestion of the father.
+
+Concho (recoiling, aside).  Diego!  The real son.  (Aloud,
+furiously.)  It is a trick to defeat justice,--eh!--a miserable
+trick!  But it shall fail, it shall fail!
+
+Col. Starbottle.  Permit me, a moment,--a single moment.  (To
+Concho.)  You have--er--er--characterized my introduction of this--
+er--gentleman as a "cheat" and an "imposture."  Are you prepared to
+deny that this is Alexander Morton?
+
+Don Jose (astonished, aside).  These Americanos are of the Devil!
+(Aloud and sternly.)  Answer him, Concho, I command you.
+
+Concho (in half-insane rage).  It is Alexander Morton; but it is a
+trick,--a cowardly trick!  Where is the other impostor, this Mr.
+John Oakhurst?
+
+Sandy (advancing with dignity and something of his father's cold
+manner).  He will answer for himself, when called for.  (To DON
+JOSE.)  You have asked for me, sir: may I inquire your business?
+
+Concho.  Eh!  It is a trick,--a trick!
+
+Don Jose (to CONCHO).  Silence, sir!  (To SANDY, with dignity.)  I
+know not the meaning of this masquerade.  I only know that you are
+NOT the gentleman hitherto known to me as the son of Alexander
+Morton.  I am here, sir, to demand my rights as a man of property
+and a father.  I have received this morning a check from the house
+of Morton & Son, for the amount of my deposit with them.  So far--
+in view of this complication--it is well.  Who knows?  Bueno!  But
+the signature of Morton & Son to the check is not in the handwriting
+I have known.  Look at it, sir.  (To SANDY, handing check.)
+
+Sandy (examining check).  It is my handwriting, sir, and was signed
+this morning.  Has it been refused?
+
+Don Jose.  Pardon me, sir.  It has not been presented.  With this
+doubt in my mind, I preferred to submit it first to you.
+
+Starbottle.  A moment, a single moment, sir.  While as a--er--
+gentleman and a man of honor, I--er--appreciate your motives,
+permit me to say, sir, as a lawyer, that your visit is premature.
+On the testimony of your own witness, the identification of Mr.
+Alexander Morton, jun., is--er--complete; he has admitted the
+signature as his own; you have not yet presented the check to the
+bank.
+
+Don Jose.  Pardon me, Col. Starbottle.  It is not all.  (To SANDY.)
+By a written agreement with Alexander Morton, sen., the hand of my
+daughter is promised to his son, who now stands before me, as my
+former servant, dismissed from my service for drunkenness.
+
+Sandy.  That agreement is revoked.
+
+Don Jose.  Revoked!
+
+Sandy (handing paper).  Cast your eyes over that paper.  At least
+you will recognize THAT signature.
+
+Don Jose (reads).  "In view of the evident preferences of my son,
+Alexander Morton, and of certain family interests, I hereby revoke
+my consent to his marriage with the Dona Jovita Castro, and accord
+him full permission to woo and win his cousin, Miss Mary Morris;
+promising him the same aid and assistance previously offered in his
+suit with Miss Castro.--ALEXANDER MORTON, SEN."
+
+Concho.  Ah!  Carramba!  Do you not see the trick,--eh, the
+conspiracy?  It was this man, as Diego, your daughter's groom,
+helped his friend Mr. Oakhurst to the heiress.  Ah, you comprehend!
+It was an old trick!  You shall see, you shall see!  Ah! I am wise,
+I am wise!
+
+Don Jose (aside).  Could I have been deceived?  But no!  This paper
+that releases HIM gives the impostor no claim.
+
+Sandy (resuming his old easy manner, dropping his formality, and
+placing his hand on DON JOSE'S shoulder).  Look yar, ole man: I
+didn't allow to ever see ye agin, and this yer ain't none o' MY
+seekin'.  But, since yer here, I don't mind tellin' ye that but for
+me that gal of yours would have run away a year ago, and married an
+unknown lover.  And I don't mind adding, that, hed I known that
+unknown lover was my friend John Oakhurst, I'd have helped her do
+it.  (Going.)  Good-morning, Don Jose.
+
+Don Jose.  Insolent!  I shall expect an account for this from your--
+father, sir.
+
+Sandy.  Adios, Don Jose.  [Exit C.
+
+Concho.  It is a trick--I told you.  Ah, I am wise.  (Going to DON
+JOSE.)
+
+Don Jose (throwing him off).  Fool!  [Exit DON JOSE.
+
+Concho (infuriated).  Eh!  Fool yourself--dotard!  No matter: I
+will expose all--ah!  I will see Jovita;--I will revenge myself on
+this impostor!  (Is about to follow, when COL. STARBOTTLE leaves
+his position by the door, and touches CONCHO on the shoulder.)
+
+Starbottle.  Excuse me.
+
+Concho.  Eh?
+
+Starbottle.  You have forgotten something.
+
+Conhho.  Something?
+
+Starbottle.  An apology, sir.  You were good enough to express--er--
+incredulity--when I presented Mr. Morton: you were kind enough to
+characterize the conduct of my er--principal by--an epithet.  You
+have alluded to me, sir,--ME--
+
+Concho (wrathfully).  Bully!  (Aside.)  I have heard that this
+pomposo, this braggart, is a Yankee trick too; that he has the
+front of a lion, the liver of the chicken.  (Aloud.)  Yes, I have
+said, you hear I have said, I, Concho (striking his breast), have
+said you are a--bully!
+
+Starbottle (coolly).  Then you are prepared to give me satisfaction,
+sir,--personal satisfaction.
+
+Concho (raging).  Yes, sir, now--you understand, now (taking out
+pistol), anywhere, here!  Yes, here.  Ah! you start,--yes, here and
+now!  Face to face, you understand, without seconds,--face to face.
+So.  (Presenting pistol.)
+
+Starbottle (quietly).  Permit me to--er--apologize.
+
+Concho.  Ah!  It is too late!
+
+Starbottle (interrupting).  Excuse me, but I feared you would not
+honor me so completely and satisfactorily.  Ged, sir, I begin to
+respect you!  I accede to all your propositions of time and
+position.  The pistol you hold in your hand is a derringer, I
+presume, loaded.  Ah--er--I am right.  The one I now produce
+(showing pistol) is--er--as you will perceive the same size and
+pattern, and--er--unloaded.  We will place them both, so, under the
+cloth of this table.  You shall draw one pistol, I will take the
+other.  I will put that clock at ten minutes to nine, when we will
+take our positions across this table; as you--er--happily express
+it, "face to face."  As the clock strikes the hour, we will fire on
+the second stroke.
+
+Concho (aside).  It is a trick, a Yankee trick!  (Aloud.)  I am
+ready.  Now--at once!
+
+Starbottle (gravely).  Permit me, sir, to thank you.  Your conduct,
+sir, reminds me of singular incident--
+
+Concho (angrily interrupting).  Come, come!  It is no child's play.
+We have much of this talk, eh!  It is action, eh, you comprehend,--
+action.
+
+STARBOTTLE places pistols under the cloth, and sets clock.  CONCHO
+draws pistol from cloth; STARBOTTLE takes remaining pistol.  Both
+men assume position, presenting their weapons; STARBOTTLE pompously
+but seriously, CONCHO angrily and nervously.)
+
+Starbottle (after a pause).  One moment, a single moment--
+
+Concho.  Ah, a trick!  Coward! you cannot destroy my aim.
+
+Starbottle.  I overlook the--er--epithet.  I wished only to ask, if
+you should be--er--unfortunate, if there was anything I could say
+to your--er--friends.
+
+Concho.  You cannot make the fool of me, coward.  No!
+
+Starbottle.  My object was only precautionary.  Owing to the
+position in which you--er--persist in holding your weapon, in a
+line with my right eye, I perceive that a ray of light enters the
+nipple, and--er--illuminates the barrel.  I judge from this that
+you have been unfortunate enough to draw the--er--er--unloaded
+pistol.
+
+Concho (tremulously lowering weapon).  Eh!  Ah!  This is murder!
+(Drops pistol.)  Murder!--eh--help (retreating), help!
+
+[Exit hurriedly door C., as clock strikes.  COL. STARBOTTLE lowers
+his pistol, and moves with great pomposity to the other side of the
+table, taking up pistol.
+
+Starbottle (examining pistol).  Ah!  (Lifts it, and discharges it.)
+It seems that I am mistaken.  (Going.)  The pistol WAS--er--loaded!
+[Exit.
+
+
+SCENE 4.--Front scene.  Room in villa.  Enter MISS MARY and JOVITA.
+
+Miss Mary.  I tell you, you are wrong, you are not only
+misunderstanding your lover, which is a woman's privilege, but you
+are abusing my cousin, which, as his relative, I won't put up with.
+
+Jovita (passionately).  But hear me, Miss Mary.  It is a year since
+we were betrothed; and such a betrothal!  Why, I was signed,
+sealed, and delivered to him, on conditions, as if I were a part of
+the rancho; and the very night, too, I had engaged to run away with
+him!  And during that year I have seen the gentleman twice,--yes,
+twice!
+
+Miss Mary.  But he has written?
+
+Jovita.  Mother of God!  Yes,--letters delivered by my father, sent
+to HIS CARE, read by him first, of course; letters hoping that I
+was well, and obeying my father's commands; letters assuring me of
+his unaltered devotion; letters that, compared with the ones he
+used to hide in the confessional of the ruined mission church, were
+as ice to fire, were as that snow-flower you value so much, Mary,
+to this mariposa blossom I wear in my hair.  And then to think that
+this man--this John Oakhurst, as I knew him; this man who used to
+ride twenty miles for a smile from me on the church porch; this Don
+Juan who leaped that garden wall (fifteen feet, Mary, if it is an
+inch), and made old Concho his stepping-stone; this man, who daily
+perilled death for my sake--is changed into this formal, methodical
+man of business--is--is--I tell you there's a WOMAN at the bottom
+of it!  I know it sure!
+
+Miss Mary (aside).  How can I tell her about the Duchess?  I won't!
+(Aloud.)  But listen, my dear Jovita.  You know he is under
+probation for you, Jovita.  All this is for you.  His father is
+cold, methodical, unsympathetic.  HE looks only to his bond with
+this son,--this son that he treats, even in matters of the heart,
+as a BUSINESS partner.  Remember, on his complete reformation, and
+subjection to his father's will, depends your hand.  Remember the
+agreement!
+
+Jovita.  The agreement; yes!  It is the agreement, always the
+agreement!  May the Devil fly away with the agreement!  Look you,
+Miss Mary, I, Dona Jovita, didn't fall in love with an agreement:
+it was with a man!  Why, I might have married a dozen agreements--
+yes, of a shorter limitation than this!  (Crossing.)
+
+Miss Mary.  Yes.  But what if your lover had failed to keep those
+promises by which he was to gain your hand? what if he were a man
+incapable of self-control? what if he were--a--a drunkard?
+
+Jovita (musing).  A drunkard!  (Aside.)  There was Diego, he was a
+drunkard; but he was faithless.  (Aloud.)  You mean a weak,
+faithless drunkard?
+
+Miss Mary.  No!  (Sadly.)  Faithless only to himself, but devoted--
+yes, devoted to YOU.
+
+Jovita.  Miss Mary, I have found that one big vice in a man is apt
+to keep out a great many smaller ones.
+
+Miss Mary.  Yes; but if he were a slave to liquor?
+
+Jovita.  My dear, I should try to change his mistress.  Oh, give me
+a man that is capable of a devotion to anything, rather than a
+cold, calculating average of all the virtues!
+
+Miss Mary (aside).  I, who aspire to be her teacher, am only her
+pupil.  (Aloud.)  But what if, in this very drunkenness, this
+recklessness, he had once loved and worshipped another woman?  What
+if you discovered all this after--after--he had won your heart?
+
+Jovita.  I should adore him!  Ah, Miss Mary!  Love differs from all
+the other contagious diseases: the last time a man is exposed to
+it, he takes it most readily, and has it the worst!  But you, YOU
+cannot sympathize with me.  You have some lover, the ideal of the
+virtues; some man as correct, as well regulated, as calm as--
+yourself; some one who addresses you in the fixed morality and
+severe penmanship of the copy-books.  He will never precipitate
+himself over a garden wall or through a window.  Your Jacob will
+wait for you through seven years, and receive you from the hands of
+your cousin and guardian--as a reward of merit!  No, you could not
+love a vagabond.
+
+Miss Mary (very slowly and quietly).  No?
+
+Jovita.  No!  (Passionately.)  No, it is impossible.  Forgive me,
+Miss Mary: you are good; a better girl than I am.  But think of me!
+A year ago my lover leaped a wall at midnight to fly with me:
+today, the day that gives me to him, he writes a few cold lines,
+saying that he has business, BUSINESS--you understand--business,
+and that he shall not see me until we meet in the presence of--of--
+of--our fathers.
+
+Miss Mary.  Yes; but you will see him at least, perhaps alone.
+Listen: it is no formal meeting, but one of festivity.  My guardian
+has told me, in his quaint scriptural way, it is the killing of the
+fatted calf, over his long-lost prodigal.  Have patience, little
+one.  Ah!  Jovita, we are of a different race, but we are of one
+sex; and as a woman I know how to accept another woman's abuse of
+her lover.  Come, come!  [Exeunt MISS MARY and JOVITA.
+
+
+SCENE 5.--The drawing-room of MR. MORTON'S villa.  Large open arch
+in centre, leading to veranda, looking on distant view of San
+Francisco; richly furnished,--sofas, arm-chairs, and tete-a-tetes.
+Enter COL. STARBOTTLE, C., carrying bouquet, preceded by SERVANT,
+bowing.
+
+Starbottle.  Take my kyard to Miss Morris.  [Exit SERVANT.
+
+Starbottle.  Star!  This is the momentous epoch of your life!  It
+is a moment for which you--are--I may say alone responsible,--
+personally responsible!  She will be naturally gratified by the--
+er--flowers.  She will at once recognize this bouquet as a delicate
+souvenir of Red Gulch, and will appreciate your recollection.  And
+the fact, the crushing fact, that you have overlooked the--er--
+ungentlemanly conduct of her OWN cousin Sandy, the real Alexander
+Morton, that you have--er--assisted to restore the ex-vaquero to
+his rights, will--er--er--at once open the door to--er--mutual
+confidence and--er--a continuance of that--er--prepossession I have
+already noticed.  Ahem! here she is.
+
+Enter MISS MARY in full dress.
+
+Miss Mary.  You are early, Col. Starbottle.  This promptitude does
+honor to our poor occasion.
+
+Col. Starbottle.  Ged, Miss Mary, promptness with a lady and an
+adversary is the first duty of--er--gentleman.  I wished that--er--
+the morning dew might still be--er--fresh in these flowers.  I
+gathered them myself (presenting bouquet) at--er--er--flower-stand
+in the--er--California market.
+
+Miss Mary (aside).  Flowers!  I needed no such reminder of poor
+Sandy.  (Aloud.)  I thank you, colonel.
+
+Starbattle.  Ged, ma'am, I am repaid doubly.  Your conduct, Miss
+Mary, reminds me of little incident that occurred at Richmond, in
+'58.  Dinner party--came early--but obliged to go--as now--on
+important business, before dessert--before dessert.  Lady sat next
+to me--beautiful woman--excuse me if I don't mention names--said to
+me, "Star,"--always called me Star,--"Star, you remind me of the
+month of May."--"Ged, madam,"--I said, "delighted, proud; but
+why?"--"Because," she said, "you come in with the--er--oysters."--
+No!  Ged, pardon me--ridiculous mistake!  I mean--er--"you come in
+with the--er--flowers, and go before the--er--fruits."
+
+Miss Mary.  Ah, colonel!  I appreciate her disappointment.  Let us
+hope, however, that some day you may find that happy woman who will
+be able to keep you through the whole dinner and the whole season,
+until December and the ices!
+
+Starbottle.  Ged! excellent!  Capital!  (seriously.)  Miss Mary!
+(Suddenly inflating his chest, striking attitude, and gazing on
+MISS MARY with languishing eyes.)  There is--er such a woman!
+
+Miss Mary (aside).  What can he mean?
+
+Starbottle (taking seat beside her).  Allow me, Miss Mary, a few
+moments of confidential--er--confidential disclosure.  To-day is,
+as you are aware--the day on which, according to--er--agreement
+between parties, my friend and client, Mr. Morton, sen.,--formally
+accepts his prodigal son.  It is my--er--duty to state that--er--
+the gentleman who has for the past year occupied that position has
+behaved with great discretion, and--er--fulfilled his part of the--
+er--agreement.  But it would--er--appear that there has been a--er--
+slight delusion regarding the identity of that prodigal,--a
+delusion shared by all the parties except, perhaps, myself.  I have
+to prepare you for a shock.  The gentleman whom you have recently
+known as Alexander Morton, jun., is not the prodigal son; is not
+your--er--cousin; is, in fact, no relation to you.  Prepare
+yourself, Miss Mary, for a little disappointment,--for--er--
+degradation.  The genuine son has been--er--discovered in the
+person of--er--low menial--or--vagabond,--"Sandy," the--er--outcast
+of Red Gulch!
+
+Miss Mary (rising in astonishment).  Sandy!  Then he was right.
+(Aside.)  The child is his! and that woman--
+
+Starbottle.  Compose yourself, Miss Mary.  I know the--er--effect
+of--er--revelation like this upon--er--proud and aristocratic
+nature.  Ged!  My own, I assure you, beats in--er--responsive
+indignation.  You can never consent to remain beneath this roof,
+and--er--receive a--er--vagabond and--er--menial on equal terms.
+The--er--necessities of my--er--profession may--er--compel me; but
+you--er--never!  Holding myself--er--er--responsible for having
+introduced you here, it is my--er--duty to provide you with--
+another home!  It is my--er--duty to protect--
+
+Miss Mary (aside).  Sandy here, and beneath this roof!  Why has he
+not sought me?  Ah, I know too well: he dare not face me with his
+child!
+
+Starbottle (aside).  She turns away! it is maiden coyness.  (Aloud.)
+If, Miss Mary, the--er--devotion of a life-time; if the--er--
+chivalrous and respectful adoration of a man--er--whose record
+is--er--not unknown in the Court of Honor (dropping on one knee
+with excessive gallantry); if the--er--measure--
+
+Miss Mary (oblivious of COL. STARBOTTLE).  I WILL--I MUST see him!
+Ah! (looking L.) he is coming!
+
+Enter SANDY.
+
+Starbottle (rising with great readiness and tact).  I have found it
+(presenting flower).  It had fallen beneath the sofa.
+
+Sandy (to MISS MARY, stopping short in embarrassment).  I did not
+know you--I--I--thought there was no one here.
+
+Miss Mary (to STARBOTTLE).  May I ask you to excuse me for a
+moment?  I have a few words to say to--to my COUSIN!
+
+STARBOTTLE bows gallantly to MISS MARY, and stiffly to SANDY, and
+exit R.  A long pause; MISS MARY remains seated pulling flowers,
+SANDY remains standing by wing, foolish and embarrassed.  Business.
+
+Miss Mary (impatiently).  Well?
+
+Sandy (slowly).  I axes your pardon, miss; but you told THAT
+gentleman you had a few words--to say to me.
+
+Miss Mary (passionately, aside).  Fool!  (Aloud.)  I had; but I am
+waiting to first answer your inquiries about your--your--child.  I
+have fulfilled my trust, sir.
+
+Sandy.  You have, Miss Mary, and I thank you.
+
+Miss Mary.  I might perhaps have expected that this revelation of
+our kinship would have come from other lips than a stranger's; but--
+no matter!  I wish you joy, sir, of your heritage.  (Going.)  You
+have found a home, sir, at last, for yourself and--and--your child.
+Good-day, sir.
+
+Sandy.  Miss Mary!
+
+Miss Mary.  I must make ready to receive your father's guests.  It
+is his orders: I am only his poor relation.  Good-by, sir.  [Exit L.
+
+Sandy (watching her).  She is gone!--gone!  No!  She has dropped on
+the sofa in the ante-room, and is crying.  Crying!  I promised Jack
+I wouldn't speak until the time came.  I'll go back.  (Hesitating,
+and looking toward L.)  Poor girl!  How she must hate me!  I might
+just say a word, one word to thank her for her kindness to Johnny,--
+only one word, and then go away.  I--I--can keep from liquor.  I
+swore I would to Jack, that night I saw the old man--drunk,--and I
+have.  But--I can't keep--from--her!  No--damn it!  (Going toward
+L.)  No!--I'll go!  [Exit L.
+
+Enter hurriedly and excitedly JOVITA, R., followed by MANUELA.
+
+Jovita.  Where is she?  Where is HE?--the traitor!
+
+Manuela (entreatingly).  Compose yourself, Dona Jovita, for the
+love of God!  This is madness: believe me, there is some mistake.
+It is some trick of an enemy,--of that ingrate, that coyote,
+Concho, who hates the Don Alexandro.
+
+Jovita.  A trick!  Call you this a trick?  Look at this paper, put
+into my hands by my father a moment ago.  Read it.  Ah! listen.
+(Reads.)  "In view of the EVIDENT PREFERENCES of my son, Alexander
+Morton, I hereby revoke my consent to his marriage with the Dona
+Jovita Castro, and accord him full permission to woo and win his
+cousin, Miss Mary Morris!"  Call you this a trick, eh?  No, it is
+their perfidy!  This is why SHE was brought here on the eve of my
+betrothal.  This accounts for his silence, his absence.  Oh, I
+shall go mad!
+
+Manuela.  Compose yourself, miss.  If I am not deceived, there is
+one here who will aid us,--who will expose this deceit.  Listen: an
+hour ago, as I passed through the hall, I saw Diego, our old
+Diego,--your friend and confidant, Diego.
+
+Jovita.  The drunkard--the faithless Diego!
+
+Manuela.  Never, Miss Jovita; not drunken!  For, as he passed
+before me, he was as straight, as upright, as fine as your lover.
+Come, miss, we will seek him.
+
+Jovita.  Never!  He, too, is a traitor.
+
+Manuela.  Believe me, no!  Come, Miss Jovita.  (Looking toward L.)
+See, he is there.  Some one is with him.
+
+Jovita (looking).  You are right; and it is she--SHE, Miss Mary!
+What? he is kissing her hand! and she--SHE, the double traitress--
+drops her head upon his shoulder!  Oh, this is infamy!
+
+Manuela.  Hush!  Some one is coming.  The guests are arriving.
+They must not see you thus.  This way, Miss Jovita,--this way.
+After a little, a little, the mystery will be explained.  (Taking
+JOVITA'S hand, and leading her R.)
+
+Jovita (going).  And this was the correct schoolmistress, the
+preceptress and example of all the virtues! ha! (laughing
+hysterically) ha!
+
+[Exeunt JOVITA and MANUELA.
+
+
+SCENE 6.--The same.  Enter SERVANT; opens folding doors C.,
+revealing veranda and view of distant city beyond.  Stage, fog
+effect from without.  Enter STARBOTTLE and OAKHURST, R., in full
+evening dress.
+
+Starbottle (walking towards veranda).  A foggy evening for our
+anniversary.
+
+Oakhurst.  Yes.  (Aside.)  It was such a night as this I first
+stepped into Sandy's place, I first met the old man.  Well, it will
+be soon over.  (Aloud.)  You have the papers and transfers all
+ready?
+
+Starbottle.  In my--er--pocket.  Mr. Morton, sen., should be here
+to receive his guests.
+
+Oakhurst.  He will be here presently: until then the duty devolves
+on me.  He has secluded himself even from me!  (Aside.)  Perhaps it
+is in very shame for his recent weakness.
+
+Enter SERVANT.
+
+Servant.  Don Jose Castro, Miss Castro, and Miss Morris.
+
+Enter DON JOSE with JOVITA and MISS MARY on either arm.  All
+formally salute MR. OAKHURST, except MISS JOVITA, who turns coldly
+away, taking seat remotely on sofa.  COL. STARBOTTLE gallantly
+approaches MISS MARY, and takes seat beside her.
+
+Oakhurst (aside).  They are here to see my punishment.  There is no
+sympathy even in her eyes.
+
+Enter SERVANT.
+
+Servant.  Mr. Concepcion Garcia and Mr. Capper.
+
+Concho (approaching OAKHURST, rubbing his hands).  I wish you joy,
+Mr. Alexander Morton!
+
+Oakhurst (excitedly, aside).  Shall I throw him from the window!
+The dog!--even he!
+
+Capper (approaching MR. OAKHURST).  You have done well.  Be bold.
+I will see you through.  As for THAT man (pointing to CONCHO),
+leave him to ME!  (Lays his hand on Concho's shoulder, and leads
+him to sofa R.  OAKHURST takes seat in chair L. as SANDY enters
+quietly from door L., and stands leaning upon his chair.)
+
+Starbottle (rising).  Ladies and gentlemen, we are waiting only for
+the presence of Mr. Alexander Morton, sen.  I regret to say that
+for the last twenty-four hours--he has been--er--exceedingly
+preoccupied with the momentous cares of the--er--occasion.  You who
+know the austere habits of my friend and--er--client will probably
+understand that he may be at this very moment engaged in prayerful
+and Christian meditation, invoking the Throne of Grace, previous to
+the solemn duties of--er--er--tonight.
+
+Enter SERVANT.
+
+Servant.  Mr. Alexander Morton, sen.
+
+Enter OLD MORTON, drunk, in evening costume, cravat awry, coat
+half-buttoned up, and half-surly, half-idiotic manner.  All rise in
+astonishment.  SANDY starts forward.  OAKHURST pulls him back.
+
+Morton (thickly).  Don't rish!  Don't rish!  We'll all sit down!
+How do you do, sir?  I wish ye well, miss.  (Goes around and
+laboriously shakes hands with everybody.)  Now lesh all take a
+drink! lesh you take a drink, and you take a drink, and you take a
+drink!
+
+Starbottle.  Permit me, ladies and gentlemen, to--er--explain: our
+friend is--er--evidently laboring under--er--er--accident of
+hospitality!  In a moment he will be himself.
+
+Old Morton.  Hush up!  Dry up--yourself--old turkey-cock!  Eh!
+
+Sandy (despairingly).  He will not understand us!  (To STARBOTTLE.)
+He will not know me!  What is to be done?
+
+Old Morton.  Give me some whishkey.  Lesh all take a drink!  (Enter
+SERVANT with decanter and glasses.)
+
+Old Morton (starting forward).  Lesh all take a drink!
+
+Sandy.  Stop!
+
+Old Morton (recovering himself slightly).  Who says stop?  Who
+dares countermand my orderish?
+
+Concho (coming forward).  Who?  I will tell you: eh! eh!  Diego--
+dismissed from the rancho of Don Jose for drunkenness!  Sandy--the
+vagabond of Red Gulch!
+
+Sandy (passionately seizing OLD MORTON'S arm).  Yes, Diego--Sandy--
+the outcast--but, God help me! no longer the drunkard.  I forbid
+you to touch that glass!--I, your son, Alexander Morton!  Yes, look
+at me, father: I, with drunkenness in my blood, planted by you,
+fostered by you--I whom you sought to save--I--I stand here to save
+you!  Go!  (To SERVANT.)  Go!  While he is thus, I--I, am master
+here!
+
+Old Morton (cowed and frightened).  That voice!  (Passing his hand
+over his forehead.)  Am I dreaming Aleck, where are you?  Alexander,
+speak, I command you: is this the truth?
+
+Oakhurst (slowly).  It is!
+
+Starbottle.  One moment--a single moment: permit me to--er--er--
+explain.  The gentleman who has just--er--dismissed the refreshment
+is, to the best of my legal knowledge, your son.  The gentleman who
+for the past year has so admirably filled the functions of that
+office is--er--prepared to admit this.  The proofs are--er--
+conclusive.  It is with the--er--intention of offering them, and--
+er--returning your lawful heir, that we--er--are here to-night.
+
+Old Morton (rising to his feet).  And renounce you both!  Out of my
+house, out of my sight, out of my heart, forever!  Go! liars,
+swindlers, confederates!  Drunk--
+
+Oakhurst (retiring slowly with SANDY).  We are going, sir!
+
+Old Morton.  Go! open the doors there WIDE, wide enough for such a
+breadth of infamy!  Do you hear me?  I am master here!
+
+Stands erect, as OAKHURST and SANDY, hand in hand, slowly retreat
+backward to centre,--then suddenly utters a cry, and falls heavily
+on sofa.  Both pause: OAKHURST remains quiet and motionless; SANDY,
+after a moment's hesitation, rushes forward, and falls at his feet.
+
+Sandy.  Father, forgive me!
+
+Old Morton (putting his hand round SANDY'S neck, and motioning him
+to door).  Go! both of you, both of you!  (Resisting SANDY'S
+attempt to rise.)  Did you hear me?  Go!
+
+Starbottle.  Permit me to--explain.  Your conduct, Mr. Morton,
+reminds me of sing'lar incident in '47--
+
+Old Morton.  Silence!
+
+Oakhurst.  One word, Mr. Morton!  Shamed and disgraced as I am, I
+leave this roof more gladly than I entered it.  How I came here,
+you best know.  How I yielded madly to the temptation, the promise
+of a better life; how I fell, through the hope of reformation,--no
+one should know better than you, sir, the reformer.  I do not ask
+your pardon.  You know that I did my duty to you as your presumed
+son.  Your real son will bear witness, that, from the hour I knew
+of his existence, I did my duty equally to him.  Col. Starbottle
+has all the legal transfers and papers necessary to make the
+restoration of your son--the integrity of your business name--
+complete.  I take nothing out of this life that I did not bring in
+it,--except my self-respect!  I go--as I came--alone!
+
+Jovita (rushing towards him).  No! no!  You shall take ME!  I have
+wronged you, Jack, cruelly; I have doubted you; but you shall not
+go alone.  I care not for this contract!  You are more to me, by
+your own right, Jack, than by any kinship with such as these!
+
+Oakhurst (raising her gently).  I thank you, darling.  But it is
+too late now.  To be more worthy of you, to win YOU, I waived the
+title I had to you in my own manhood, to borrow another's more
+legal claim.  I who would not win you as a gambler, cannot make you
+now the wife of a convicted impostor.  No!  Hear me, darling! do
+not make my disgrace greater than it is.  In the years to come,
+Jovita, think of me as one who loved you well enough to go through
+shame to win you, but too well to ask you to share with him that
+shame.  Farewell, darling, farewell!  (Releases himself from
+JOVITA'S arms, who falls beside him.)
+
+Concho (rubbing his hands, and standing before him).  Oho!  Mr.
+John Oakhurst--eh--was it for this, eh--you leaped the garden wall,
+eh? was it for this you struck me down, eh?  You are not wise, eh?
+You should have run away with the Dona when you could--ah, ah,
+impostor!
+
+Sandy (leaping to his feet).  Jack, you shall not go!  I will go
+with you!
+
+Oakhurst.  No!  Your place is there.  (Pointing to old MORTON,
+whose head has sunk drunkenly on his breast.)  Heed not this man;
+his tongue carries only the borrowed lash of his master.
+
+Concho.  Eh! you are bold now--bold; but I said I would have
+revenge--ah, revenge!
+
+Sandy (rushing toward him).  Coward!
+
+Don Jose.  Hold your hand, sir!  Hold!  I allow no one to correct
+my menials but myself.  Concho, order my carriage!
+
+Concho.  It is ready, sir.
+
+Don Jose.  Then lead the way to it, for my daughter and her
+husband, John Oakhurst.--Good-night, Mr. Morton, I can sympathize
+with you; for we have both found a son.  I am willing to exchange
+my dismissed servant for your dismissed PARTNER.
+
+Starbottle (advancing).  Ged, sir, I respect you!  Ged, sir, permit
+me, sir, to grasp that honorable hand!
+
+Old Morton (excitedly).  He is right, my partner.  What have I
+done!  The house of Morton & Son dissolved.  The man known as my
+partner--a fugitive!  No, Alexander!
+
+Starbottle.  One moment--a single moment!  As a lawyer, permit me
+to say, sir, that the whole complication may be settled, sir, by
+the--er--addition of--er--single letter!  The house of Morton & Son
+shall hereafter read Morton & Sons.  The papers for the legal
+adoption of Mr. Oakhurst are--er--in my pocket.
+
+Old Morton (more soberly).  Have it your own way, sir!  Morton &
+Sons be it.  Hark ye, Don Jose!  We are equal at last.  But--hark
+ye, Aleck!  How about the boy, eh?--my grandson, eh?  Is this one
+of the sons by adoption?
+
+Sandy (embarrassedly).  It is my own, sir.
+
+Capper (advancing).  He can with safety claim it; for the mother is
+on her way to Australia with her husband.
+
+Old Morton.  And the schoolma'am, eh?
+
+Miss Mary.  She will claim the usual year of probation for your
+prodigal, and then--
+
+Sandy.  God bless ye, Miss Mary!
+
+Old Morton.  I am in a dream!  But the world--my friends--my
+patrons--how can I explain?
+
+Starbottle.  I will--er--explain.  (Advancing slowly to front--to
+audience.)  One moment--er--a single moment!  If anything that has--
+er--transpired this evening--might seem to you, ladies and
+gentlemen--er--morally or--er--legally--or honorably to require--
+er--apology--or--er--explanation--permit me to say--that I--Col.
+Culpepper Starbottle, hold myself responsible--er--personally
+responsible.
+
+Capper.  Concho.
+
+Old Morton.  Sandy.  Miss Mary.  Don Jose.  Jovita.  Oakhurst.
+
+Col. Starbottle.
+
+Curtain.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of The Project Gutenberg Etext Two Men of Sandy Bar, by Bret Harte
+
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