In old Hadley

Front matter

IN OLD HADLEY

BY

G. C. MARSH

Act III

Scene 1 — Hadley Street. Evening. Some weeks later. John Marsh enters, 1. Elizabeth Markham enters, r.

Elizabeth Markham — "Good morning, John. Hath thou heard from Daniel?"

John Marsh — "Teto didst come to my house last evening and said that Daniel was at Woronoco, and might come to Northampton some time today."

Elizabeth Markham — "Does not Daniel intend to come to Hadley?"

John Marsh — "Teto thought not, but that he wast desirous of seeing thee and me. It seemeth strange to me that Daniel remaineth away so long from Hadley."

Elizabeth Markham — "It doth not seem strange to me. Thou knoweth that Daniel loveth Hannah Lewis."

John Marsh — "That I knoweth full well, but she be now the wife of Samuel Crow, and hath been for some time. It be not seeming in Daniel to covet her now. If he so loved her, why did he not tell her so, and not let Samuel Crow wed her?"

Elizabeth Markham — "Hast thou forgotten, John, that she wast summoned to Hadley for that purpose?"

John Marsh — "I know that it is said so, but unless the maiden herself was willing to wed Samuel, it be passin^ strange that Daniel should tarry so lone away from Hadley. It was before the banns were published that Daniel started upon the trail again."

(Enter Mary Webster, 1.)

Mary Webster — "It be as thou sayest. John Marsh, Daniel did start upon the trail again before the banns were published. It was because he knew that these banns were to be published why he started out upon the trail, and hath remained away from Hadley."

Elizabeth Markham — "How knoweth thee that, Mary?"

Mary Webster — (mockingly) "How knoweth I anything? Is not a witch supposed to know everything?"

John Marsh — (reprovingly) "Thee should not talk so, Mary Webster."

Mary Webster — "And why not? Is not one's tongue for talking?"

John Marsh — "Verily that be so, but, as thou knowest full well, if some should hear thee, thou wouldst be persecuted."

Mary Webster — (angrily) "And am I not persecuted now, John Marsh? Is not Samwell Crow, and Philip Smith doing all that they can to persecute me? Aha-a-a! But their time will come! Their time will come! Samwell Crow will not die in his bed, and Philip Smith's dying bed will not be an easy one. Aha-a-a!"

(Mary Webster hastily exits r.)

Elizabeth Markham — "Poor Mary. She is indeed embittered. She and William hath had much misfortune."

John Marsh — "Why doth she so hate Samuel Crow and Philip Smith?"

Elizabeth Markham — "The young men do play many mischievous tricks upon her, and Samuel and Philip do often lead them."

John Marsh — "I fear that harm will befall them if Mary Webster can bring it about."

Elizabeth Markham — "She hath a sharp tongue, but she be no witch. 1'hou knoweth that she always hath a good word for Daniel. It was always so. She hath always favored him more than she hath thy other children. It be not because his mother was sister to William and I. It be because of himself."

(Enter Mary Webster, r. hurriedly, looking back and gesticulating as she speaks.)

Mary Webster — "Ah ye cowards, led by cowards! Ye fear me alone, but if ye come in a crowd, ye be very brave. 'Tis brave leaders that ye have in Samwell Crow, the double-dyed coward, and Philip Smith, the sniveling idiot! A brave lot ye be!"

(Samuel Crow and roisters enter, r. Crow makes as if to seize her; she waves him back, still berating him.)

Mary Webster — "Donf ye lay yer hands on me, Samuel Crow." (Philip Smith steps to Crow's side.) "Stand off, Philip Smith! 'Tis a pretty pass when a woman be molested upon the public highway of Hadley, by such as ye, and yer cowardly followers! (Roisters try to rush her.) Back, ye cowards, led by cowards!"

John Marsh — (stepping between witch and roisters) "What meaneth this unseemingly conduct ? Samuel Crow, why art thee and thy roisters persecuting Mary Webster?"

Samuel Crow — "She be a witch!"

Philip Smith— "She hath a devil!

John Marsh — "Why dost thou conduct thyselves so unseemingly?"

Samuel Crow — "We would rid Hadley of this witch."

Mary Webster — (explosively) " 'Twould be well for this settlement if it were rid of thee, and thy cowardly roisters. Cowards that ye be, all of ye!"

(Roisters spring past John Marsh and try to seize witch, who retreats to r. They follow her up. Daniel Marsh hastily enters, r. and spring between witch and roisters.)

Daniel Marsh — (to roisters) "Stop, Samuel Crow! Lay not thy hands unon Mary Webster. Philip Smith, do thee and thy roisters let this woman alone!"

Samuel Crow — (advancing threateningly upon Daniel) "What is it to thee, Daniel Marsh ? Thou art not the constable."

Daniel Marsh — "And art thou, and thy crowd, constables ? Why dost thou constantly persecute Mary Webster?"

Philip Smith — "She be a witch, and 'tis well that Hadley be rid of her before she bewitches others, as she seemeth to have you."

Samuel Crow — (sneeringly) "Thou forgetteth, Philip, that the witch be Daniel Marsh's aunt. She hath bewitched him, as thou sayeth. That be the reason why he be constantly trying to protect her. He maketh bold to preach to us. Seeth how quickly he answers to the cry of the witch?"

Daniel Marsh — (advances threateningly upon Crow as if to strike him) ' 'Twere well for thee, Samuel Crow, to keep a civil tongue in thy head."

(Crow springs toward Daniel as if to engage with him. Mary Webster springs between them and grasps Daniel's upraised arm.)

Mary Webster — "Daniel, what wouldst thou? Wouldst thou strike the husband of Hannah Lewis? Wouldst dirty thy hands upon Samwell Crow?"

(Daniel quickly recovers himself and with seeming effort controls his desire to fight Crow. Enter Chiliab Smith, tithing-man, 1. eccentrically dressed.)

Chiliab Smith — (speaking as he enters) "What meaneth this unseemingly emotion?"

Daniel Marsh — " Tis well that thou hast come, Chiliab. These roisters hath carried their mischievous pranks full far enough."

Chiliab Smith — (to roisters) "And why art thou practising thy pranks? Hast forgotten, Philip, that thou art no longer a boy ? If thou continueth in thy pranks, Stephen Terry will hail thee to Northampton. Return to thy homes and behave thyselves more seemingly. (Roisters exit r.) Thou hast been a long time away from Hadley this time, Daniel."

Daniel Marsh — "Yes, and I scarce know why I am here now."

Chiliab Smith — "Surely, thou useth strange words before thy father and thy aunt Elizabeth, Daniel."

Daniel Marsh — "Thy pardon, father, and Aunt Elizabeth. I was so taken up in what the roisters were about, that I quite forgot that I had not greeted thee." (Greets them.)

John Marsh — "Thy coming was fortunate for Mary Webster, my son. But for thy timely arrival, the roisters may have laid violent hands upon thy uncle William's wife."

Mary Webster — "This be not the first time that Daniel hath come to my rescue. Samwell Crow and Philip Smith be constantly persecuting me, if their roisters be with them. They be too much the cowards themselves, to act when alone. I thank thee, Daniel Marsh, for what thou hast done for me. Thou wilt be enjoying the respect of the people of Hadley, long after their worthless bodies have crumbled to dust." (Exit r.)

John Marsh — "Why hast thou stayed away so long, my son?"

Daniel Marsh — "The wilderness hath much attraction for me. 'Tis there I find rest for my mind, that I can not find in this settlement."

Chiliab Smith — "That should not be, Daniel. Thy home should give thee rest for body and soul. 'Tis well for Hadley, however, that thou find enjoyment in serving this settlement, as scout." (Exit 1.)

Elizabeth Markham — "Chiliab Smith spake wisely, Daniel, when he said that thy home should be the place to give thy body and mind rest."

Daniel Marsh — "There be no rest for me in Hadley now, aunt Elizabeth. How I kept myself from striking Samuel Crow, passes me."

Elizabeth Markham — "Thou shouldst not harbor ill will toward him for that which thou dost, Daniel."

John Marsh — "Hast forgotten the commandment, my son, — 'Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors' wife.' Samuel Crow and Hannah Lewis be husband and wife. Thou shouldst not covet her. It be time that thee wast also married."

Daniel Marsh — "And whom should I marry?"

John Marsh — "There be Ruth Warner; she be still waiting for thee."

Daniel Marsh — "Ruth Warner, forsooth! Wouldst thou have me wed that woman, with her vain, flaunting ways ? If she be still waiting for me, 'tis best that I return to the wilderness again. 'Twas to see thee, and aunt Elizabeth, that I came back to Hadley. I have seen thee, and will now go back to the wilderness. Farewell."

(Daniel slowly exits 1. They look after him, E. M. displaying emotion. Low music as he departs.)

Elizabeth Markham — (as Daniel disappears) "Thou shouldst not have spoken as thou didst, John. It was ill-timed of thee to mention Ruth Warner to him."

John Marsh — (bows head) "Truly it was,, Elizabeth. I shouldst have held my peace there. Had I not been so heedless, my son might not have returned to the wilderness so soon. But, come, let us return to our homes, (sadly.) Daniel will not return tonight."

(They move slowly off, r. Low music. As J. M. and E. M. disappear, roisters enter, 1., singing and cutting up pranks. Samuel Crow and Philip Smith not with them.)

Joseph Selding — "Of a truth, Mary Webster did berate Samuel and Philip."

Jonathan Gilbert— "That she did! I wonder if she be a witch."

William Rooker — "Of that we can but judge by what she hath done. Hast forgotten how she tipped over the load of hay?"

Thos. Crofts — "Aye, and then she tipped it back again. If she be no witch, how could she have done that?"

J. Selding — "Daniel Marsh and Elizabeth Markham do not fear her."

J. Gilbert — "And why shouldst they ? Thou knowest that Daniel's mother was sister to the witch's husband, and Elizabeth Markham."

Rooker — "Let us hope that she will not bewitch us."

Croft — " 'Twill be said that we be bewitched, if we cut up pranks tonight." (All dance, sing, etc. Tithing-man Chiliab Smith enters, 1., pointing stick at roisters.)

Chiliab Smith — "Cease thy roistering and return to thy homes."

(Roisters and Tithing-man exit, r. Soldiers enter, 1.)

First Soldier — "This be Hadley. If those we seek be concealed here, they chose wisely a hiding place."

Second Soldier — "King Charles will be overjoyed to learn that the last of those who slew his royal father hath been apprehended."

First Soldier — "We hath not secured them yet."

Second Soldier — "It hath been a long chase."

First Soldier — "That it hath, and it may be that it doth not end here, even." (They move across to r. As they disappear Daniel Marsh enters 1.)

Daniel Marsh — "I was not mistaken. Those whom I have followed, be indeed the hirelings of Charles the Second. There can be no mistake but what it be the two Judges whom they seek. They be concealed in Mr. Russell's house, doubtless. If not there, he will know where they be. Mr. Russell must be warned. But how ? If I follow them up the street, the soldiers will reach Mr. Russell's before me. How can I get ahead of them? (Thinks a moment.) Ah, I have it! The pine woods without the stockade! I will go without and run to Mr. Russell's house. The stockade, and the woods, will prevent the soldiers from seeing me. Maybe I can reach Mr. Russell's first . I will try." (Hurries out 1.)

(Quick change to Scene 2. Home of the Minister, Mr. John Russell. The two Judges seated, c. As curtain rises Swanee River, revised to represent the thoughts of Regicide upon England sung. Furnishings should be colonial. Rude table, chairs, etc. The two regicides seated at table c. or fireplace, 1. c. Singing should be back of scenes.)

(Following may be sung between Scenes 1 and 2, Act III, as curtain rises.)

WAY BACK IN OLD ENGLAND. (Tune, Swanee River.)

1. Way back in Old England

Far, far away; There's where my heart is turning ever,

There's where the dear ones stay.

All up and down the whole creation

Sadly I roam; Still longing for Old England

And the dear ones at home.

2. All 'round the little farm I wandered

When I was young; Then many happy days I squandered,

Many the songs I sung.

When I was playing with my brothers,

Happy was I; Oh, take me back to dear Old England

There let me live and die.

Chorus.

All the world is sad and dreary,

Everywhere I roam; Oh, friends, how my heart grows weary, Far from the dear ones at home.

ARRIVAL OF KING'S SOLDIERS

Scene 2 — Home of Mr. Russell, the minister

Whalley — (querulously, as singing ceases) "And how much longer must we hide from the world ? What was our crime, that we must be hunted from place to place, like wild beasts?"

Goffe — "Courage, father. Thou art cast down today. We hath been harbored by good Mr. Russell, these several years and no one hath sought us out. Why art so cast down today?"

Whalley — "William, when I didst give my daughter to thee, in Old England, the world seemed full of promise to thee. Thou hast followed me, and whither hath it led thee ? Because of thy devotion to me, thou didst abandon the safe and quiet life of thy youth, to become a follower of Oliver Cromwell, with me. The Cromwells were overthrown and the Stuarts were again restoi'ed. The house of Judges was assailed and dire punishment was meted out to those that were taken. Dixwell, thee and I alone escaped to this continent. Dixwell hath been free of persecution, and hath mingled with the people, unmolested. Thee and I hath been hunted from place to place, until we reached this safe haven, but, somehow, at this time I feel that danger again threatens us."

(Low music may be played during the following, if desired.) Goffe — "Let us pray that thy fears be groundless. Tis true we have passed through much sorrow and persecution, because of our devotion to duty, as it did appear to us. Thou dost pine for Old England. I also pine for home and friends. We have loyal and true friends in this hamlet, friends that will endeavor to shield us, should the danger that thou fearest come upon us. It be also true that should we be discovered here, dire will be the punishment afflicted upon us, and upon those true friends who have so nobly stood by us in our extremity, but surely God, who hath led and protected us thus far, will not forsake us at this late day. Could we but have our dear ones with us, we, too, might protect them. Thy daughter, whom thou didst give me in marriage, is right nobly striving to alleviate our exile as much as she is able. I would that I might clasp her in my arms again, but it is not as yet to be." (Rests head on hand upon table. Low music.

(Hastily enter, r. Mr. Russell.)

Whalley — "What now, my friend? What exciteth thee so?"

Mr. Russell — "The time hath come that we have feared."

Goffe — (raising head) "And what doth that portend, Mr. Russell?"

Mr. Russell — "Dost remember the young scout that led thee to Hadley?"

Goffe— "Thou meaneth Daniel Marsh?"

Mr. Russell — "Yea. He hath just brought word that the King's hirelings hath come to Hadley, seeking thee."

Whalley — "Ah! I feared that it would come. I had a presentiment that danger threatened. (Displays agitation.) We can not escape them, and thee and thy loyal associates, must suffer with us."

Mr. Russell — (reassuringly) "Be not fearful. If thee but follow my instructions, thee mayst yet escape."

Goffe — "And what may they be, good friend?" . Mr. Russell — "There be a place prepared for thee for this very occasion. (Goes b. c. lifts up board in floor.) This leadeth to a concealed room below. Conceal thyselves there until these hirelings of Charles the Second have gone."

Whalley — (bitterly) "Must we hide like rats in a hole? We who have led armies?"

Mr. Russell — "It were best for thee to lose no time in placing thyselves out of immediate danger. These hirelings may be at the door any moment."

Goffe — "Let us hasten, father. For ourselves we fear not; but for the danger that will come to these loyal friends, let us hasten to do as good

Mister Russell suggests. Let us hasten." (They reluctantly descend. Mr. R. replaces board and sits at table reading. Knocking is heard.) Mr. Russell — (from his place by table) "Who is there?" Soldier — (from without) "Open in the King's name!" Mr. Russell — (rises and opens door) "Enter in God's name." (Two soldiers enter, look hurriedly around.)

First Soldier — "We be looking for two outlaws whom the King hath ordered us to apprehend and bring to him in England."

Mr. Russell — "Why dost thou seek outlaws in this house?" Soldier — "It be suspicioned that they be hiding in this settlement." Mr. Russell — "But why seek outlaws in my house?"

Soldier — "Suspicion pointeth to thee as one who wouldst know if they be in Hadley."

Mr. Russell — "Again I ask thee, why dost seek outlaws in this house?" Soldier — "Truly we do not seek unduly to intrude upon thee. Hast objections to our searching thy house for them?"

Mr. Russell — "Thou hast my permission to search, as thou wouldst." Soldier— (to companion, aside) "He seemeth in no wise unwilling for us to search. What dost advise?"

Second Soldier — (aside) "We hath the King's command to search for these outlaws, where we wouldst."

First Soldier — "Dost think that we should search this holy man's house?" Second Soldier — "And why not? Hath we not the King's command?" First Soldier — "One of us best stay here on guard while the other search." Second Soldier — "Thou speaketh truly. I will search. Remain thou here, that none leave the house w r hile we search."

First Soldier — "Those without will allow no one to depart until we return to them."

Second Soldier — "So be it. I will search. See that tnou dost keep sharp lookout."

First Soldier — "That I will. If we but return these outlaws to the King, then indeed, will the murder of Charles £he First be avenged."

Second Soldier — "Yea, and the thanks of his royal son, Charles the Second, will be ours." (salutes.)

(Passes out b. stepping on board beneath which regicides are supposed to be in concealment. While soldier is out Mr. Russell sits at table c, reading. Soldier, at shoulder arms, paces front of stage, on guard. Sufficient time should be allowed for searching house before soldier re-enters. Low music may be played until searching soldier returns and presents arm.)

Second Soldier — (as he enters) "Truly those we seek be not in this house." First Soldier — "Art sure that thou hast made thorough search?" Second Soldier — "I have looked in every room in this house, but findeth them not."

First Soldier — (to Mr. Russell) "Thy pardon, sir, for our intrusion." Mr. Russell—" 'Tis granted. Art thou satisfied that those whom thou seek, be not in Hadley?"

First Soldier — "We will not trouble thee further, but we hath the King's command to make thorough search in Hadley, so we will search other houses. We bid thee good day."

Mr. Russell— "The same to thee." (Soldiers exit, r.)

Closed in by Street Scene.

Scene 3— Old Hadley Street. (Enter roisters, singing, cutting up pranks, etc.)

(Note: Negro Jack may be introduced in this scene, if desired, but he should take no part in the dialogue, all of his part should be in pantomime, except that he may say things, as if in fear of witch, screaming, jumping, etc., whenever she approaches him.)

(Samuel Crow and Philip Smith enter while roisters are acting.)

Samuel Crow — "Didst thou see the soldiers, Philip?"

Philip Smith— "Yea. Why are they here?"

Samuel Crow— "I know not, but as they went to Mr. Russell's first, mayhap they seek the witch, Mary Webster."

Philip Smith — " 'Twere well that she be apprehended before she worketh further mischief."

Samuel Crow — " Tis said that she hath bewitched one of the small girls."

Edward Grannis — "Truly she hath done that evil deed, and the poor child cutteth up evil pranks."

Thomas Crofts — (looks out 1.) "Here she cometh now."

Samuel Crow — "Who, the witch?"

Thomas Crofts — "No, the poor child whom she hath bewitched."

(Girl enters 1., dancing.. She may be trimmed with garlands of flowers, or evergreens, if desired. Girl approaches all in turn, they exhibit fear as she approaches them, and retreat. If Negro Jack is used he must display very great alarm and act as if trying to get away from her.)

(Enter Mary Webster, r., girl approaches her and she laughs and claps her hands.)

Thomas Crofts — (excitedly) "See how the witch rejoices in her evil ways?

Samuel Crow — "She must be caught and held for the King's soldiers. Seize her!"

(Grannis and Croft advance to witch, as if to seize her; she slaps Grannis and springs toward Croft; both run across stage. Crow and Smith try to seize her. Witch springs toward them with out-stretched hands, and both start back 1.)

Mary Webster — "So-o-o Samwell Crow and Philip Smith, thou hast thy rcisters out again, hast thou? (sarcastically.) Brave leaders of a brave company, surely. Brave defenders of Hadley, should the savages attack."

Samuel Crow — "Seize her!! We will tie her up till the soldiers come."

(Roisters rush across stage to her; she retreats to r.)

Mary Webster — "Back, ye cowards!"

(Daniel Marsh hastily enters r. steps before witch.)

Daniel Marsh — "What now, Samuel Crow and Philip Smith ? What meaneth this ? Why are thou and thy roisters making this unseemingly commotion?" (Girl stops dancing.)

Philip Smith — "The King's soldiers be here for the witch. We would seize her for them."

Daniel Marsh — "Hath the King's soldiers commanded thee to help them?"

Philip Smith — "No, but they be here for her."

Daniel Marsh — "How knoweth thou that?"

Edward Grannis — "She hath bewitched that child and the soldiers have been to consult Mr. Russell."

Daniel Marsh — "Even so, be it thy place, or Stephen Terry's to arrest any one in Hadley?"

Thomas Croft — "We would hold her for the King's soldiers."

Mary Webster — (sarcastically) "Brave men, thou, to do the King's commands. Ha-a-a. (springs toward them, they retreat.) Ha- ha- a-a. Thou, wouldst do the King's commands."

(Girl dances toward roisters; they retreat to 1.; she dances toward Daniel, who remains beside M. W.; girl falls at the witch's feet.)

Samuel Crow — (excitedly) "See, the bewitched child falls at her feet! What more proof do we need? Seize the witch!" (Starts forward, the others follow.)

Daniel Marsh — "Stop, Samuel Crow. What wouldst thou?"

Samuel Crow — "I would rid the settlement of the witch before she worketh more mischief."

Mary Webster — "And what of thy roisters, Samwell Crow ? Wouldst rid the town of them? Mark ye, Samwell Crow, thee and Philip Smith, will be rotting in the ground, before I shall."

Daniel Marsh — (looking 1.) "Here come the soldiers. Let us see what they sayeth." (Enter soldiers 1.)

Samuel Crow — (to soliders) "Tfere she be. Seize her, but beware that she do not bewitch thee, as she hath that child."

Soldier — "Of whom do ve speak?"

Samuel Crow — Marv Webster, t^e witch."

Philip Smith — "Didst thou not come seeking her?"

Soldier — "No. We seek two outlaws, whom Charles the Second, the King, desireth."

Mary Webster — (waves arm toward Crow and Smith) "So-ho-o. Brave defenders, the King hath no wish for thy help! Ha-a-a!"

Daniel Marsh — (to soldiers) "Didst thou find the outlaws?"

Soldier — "No. We have been sent to Hadley on a wild goose chase."

(Soldiers exit, r.)

Daniel Marsh— (to Crow and Smith "Hadst not thee, and thy roisters, best go before Stephen Terry cometh?"

Philip Smith— "Best thou be careful, Daniel, lest the witch exert her evil spell on thee."

E. Grannis — "She hath already exerted it. He be under her spell now. Dcst not see that he be always defending her?"

Daniel Marsh — "And why should not any true man defend her, when such as thee seek her discomfort?"

Thomas Croft— "She be the wife of his uncle, William Webster. That be why he seeketh to defend hei\"

(Bewitched child begins to dance. As she approaches roisters, all except Darnel Marsh, Mary Webster, and child, retreat off I.)

Daniel Marsh— "The roisters do much mischief in Hadley."

Mary Webster — "And so do Samwell Crow and Philip Smith."

Daniel Marsh — "Thou art wrong; they do no mischief. It be the younger men who do that."

Mary Webster — "Why dost thou seek to defend Samwell Crow ? Hath he not done thee an injury?"

Daniel Marsh — "Speak not of that. Aunt Mary. (Girl begins dancing.) Slop thy unseemingly actions, child. Go to thy home. (Girl dances toward witch and falls at her feet.) And why doth she do that, Mary Webster? Hast thou exerted an evil influence over her?"

Mary Webster — "I have nought to do with her pranks, but Samwell Crow and Philip Smith sayeth I have, (fiercely.) May they both come to an untimely end!" (Hastily exits 1.; child commences to dance and laugh.)

Daniel Marsh — "Child, stop thy unseeming mirth!"

(Enter Stephen Terry, the constable, r.)

Stephen Terry — (to child) "Stop thy unseeming pranks, and go to thy home. (Child hurriedly exits r.) Tis a long time thee hast been away from Hadley, Daniel."

Daniel Marsh — "It hath been. I stay but a short time, now. I came to see my father, and my aunt Elizabeth. I have seen them, and I must go upon the trail again." (Exit 1.)

Stephen Terry — (looking after Daniel) "Full well do I know why Daniel Marsh doth absent himself so much from Hadley. Had not Samuel Crow and Hannah Lewis wed, Daniel Marsh would now be here, instead of out in the w'lderness."

( Curtain. )

Note: Church of the Valley may be sung between Act 3 and 4, if desired.