Classes and masses; or, Ned and Nell

Act V. A Restaurant and Concert Garden

Place and Time. An American City of To-Day.

Incidentally showing the possibility of writing English Comedy in a style both natural and metrical. In order to be better adapted to a more rapid movement of thought, the lines contain one measure less than is common in English blank verse; in other words, the verse in tetrameter instead of pentameter.

Printed not Published.

Copyright, 190 1,

by

George L,. Raymond,

" /oPY B

Characters.

Ned.— A young- street-boy, brought up by Reddy whom he calls Unky.

Nell.— Daughter of Mr. Upson, Niece of The Doctor.

Mr. Upson.— Proprietor of a large Factory, a man of wealth and position, father of Nell.

The Doctor.— A Teacher, Uncle of Nell, on a visit to Mr. Upson.

Reddy. — A leader of the Strikers.

Jake. — A rival leader of the Strikers.

Ives. — A Policeman.

Other Policemen, Workingmen, Strikers, Thieves, etc

'Dress and Properties.

Ned. — In Act I, a working-boy's suit. In Act

II, a newsboy's suit, with cap, etc., also a young lady's out-door dress and hat. In Act III, the young lady's out-door dress and hat, and in Act

IV, the same and also the newsboy's suit and cap. In Act V, a singing girl's dress and false wig. In Act I, he introduces a piece of iron pipe representing a dynamite bomb, also a manuscript poem. In Act II newspapers, a jack-knife from his pocket and a razor from a drawer, and various parts of a newsboy's clothing flung from the wing. In Acts III and IV, jewelry received from Nell in Act II.

Nell. — In Act I, a lady's out-door walking suit. In Act II, an evening dress and also a suit ht for a newsboy like that worn by Ned with cap, etc. In Act III, the same. In Act IV, a lady's house-dress. In Act V, water-proof overcoat, rubber boots, slouch hat, like a boy's. In Act I she introduces a book; in Act II a pistol, lady's clothing, including underwear, a dress and hat like that subsequently worn by Ned, and also jewelry, including a brooch, a bundle of boy's clothing like that worn by Ned, and a key. In Act

III, she introduces part of this jewelry but not the brooch, and in Act IV, a bundle of boy's clothing resembling the newsboy's suit worn by Ned, and a key.

Mr. Upson and The Doctor. — Ordinary gentlemen's suits. In Acts I, II and V, they have hats or caps. In Act IV, Mr. Upson has also a dressing-gown and slippers; and the Doctor, in Act

V, has colored spectacles, a long overcoat and a slouch hat. Mr. Upson introduces a bunch of keys in Act IV, and the Doctor a newspaper in Act I, and papers in a desk in Act II.

Reddy and Jake. — Workingmen's dresses with caps or hats. In Act V, Reddy wears a waiter's apron, and has on a wig. In Act II he introduces a pistol, and in Act IV a piece of pipe representing a dynamite bomb, the same as introduced by Ned in Act I. He may speak in an English cockney accent dropping the "h," etc.

Ives. — Policeman's uniform, except in Act V,. when he is in citizen's dress.

First Policeman in Act III introduced handcuffs.

CLASSES AND MASSES

OR

NED AND NELL

Act First

Scene: An Open Space in front of a Factory. Backing, the Factory, in front of which is a wall with an open Gateivay at the Right Center. On the Left is an Office, its door opening upon a Porch, in front of which are Pillars. Two chairs are on the Porch. Entrances by streets at Right Upper and Left Upper, the latter behind the Office; also by a street at Right Second and at Left First. At Left Second is a Door from the Office onto the Porch. The Curtain rising discloses the Doctor sitting on the Office Porch reading a newspaper.

Enter — Right Second — Reddy and Jake, the latter wheeling a cart.

Jake. (Gesturing toward Factory.)

We ought to get them out to-night. Reddy. If out once they will burn it down.

(Pointing toward Factory.) Jake. Then let them burn it.

Reddy. Burn it man?

We started on the strike to get

More wages. Burn the factory down,

Where would your wages come from? Jake. Well,

We should get even with the boss. Reddy. What good would that do, man? Doctor. (Who has been watching and hearing

them.)

Well put!

The master's property is all

The workman's principle.

Jake. It is? —

And who wants principle?

Doctor. Yourselves —

Enough at least to have some care

For your own interest.

Jake. You make

The boss then have some care for us. Doctor. No best friend ever seems a friend

To one not friendly to himself.

Blind Sampsons that you are, the day

You make the walls you work in, fall,

They fall on you.

Jake. (Pointing toward Reddy.)

He started it.

Reddy. But only peaceful means I started.

I never talked of mob and tire. Doctor. Yes — dangerous to play with fire!

All easy enough beginning it;

But when it gets to burning, — well,

Is like a crack there in the dam.

Your little finger, when it starts,

Can check the flood and stop the leak;

Let go a time, the. strongest man

Who tried to stem it would be drowned. Exit — Left Second — Doctor.

Jake. (To Reddy J Who was that old cove? Reddy. I don't know.

Jake. Detective ?

Reddy. No; you bet your life —

Is no detective — spoke the truth. Exit — Left Upper — Jake wheeling the cart. Enter — Right Second — Ned.

Ned. Hello here, Unky ! Here's a lark!

Reddy. A lark?

Ned. Oh, yes ; — a fly.

Reddy. What fly?

Ned. Why, from the cops, of course! To-night

You're going to see some fireworks, Hy !

(Waving a small piece of iron pipe.)

Reddy. What is that?

Ned. Why, — a cracker.

Reddy. What?

Ned. It cracks the thing it hits. Reddy. Take care!

Here — let me look at it.

Classes and Masses or Ned and NelL J

Ned. Is not

So much to look at, Unky, but

When on a strike once, — then oh cracky! Reddy. (Trying to snatch it from NedJ

Give me it. Where was it you got it? Ned. (Dodging away.)

At old Von Stein's — has lots of them.

To-night, too, we are going out,

We boys, hy hy !

Reddy. Well, well, what then?

Ned. (Waving the the pipe above his head.)

Why, they are going out, too. Reddy. What for?

Ned. What for? — The factories.

Reddy. And they? —

Ned. Are not going out until next morning.

Reddy. So, so, — what next?

Ned. What next? — You know

Old Upson's house?

Reddy. You're going there?

Ned. Well, I should smile — if I went there. Reddy. (Pointing to the iron pipe.)

You mean — to sling them traps about? Ned. (Looking around suspiciously, and speaking

lower.)

Not I, but they. Up there, you know,

Are mighty pretty things.

Reddy. And you?

Ned. Am going to have some fun, I am. Reddy. (Snatching the pipe from Ned.)

You are, eh? — I shall keep this. Ned. (Trying to get the pipe back.)

No!

Reddy. You think you know what you are doing?—

If you was found with this thing on you,

You might be hung, and ought to be. Ned. And ought?

Reddy. And ought! It's dynamite —

Enough to kill a dozen men.

Ned. All's fair, you know, in war. Reddy. In war; —

But all like this is mighty foul

In peace.

Ned. But it was you begun it.

Reddy. Not' breaking into houses, Ned.

S Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell.

Ned. No more did I. The truth is, Unky,

They sneaked that in my pocket here. Just snaked it out; but if it were A key, and one could turn it so — (Making a movement like turning a key.) Ah, Unky, they may smash the doors, I'll stay behind and dodge the splinters, And walk in afterwards.

Reddy. You lay

One little ringer on a thing In Upson's house, you go to jail, — Or ought to go. It's not for theft We strike that want an honest wage For honest work; and if it be for theft You talk of going out to-night, I swear, Ned, I shall keep you in, If I break both your legs to do it. And when I find that man Von Stein, That put this fire here in your pocket, For you to burn yourself with Ned, — You just keep out the way. I mean To give that old whelp such a licking, His hind legs will be swollen up Too big except to roll on, Curse him! What other boys did he give these to?

Enter — Right Center — Policeman Ives, looks at them and then disappears, exiting at Left Upper.

Ned. Oh, two or three.

Reddy. (Still holding bomb in his hand.)

What two or three?

Ned. Jake Sears, Tom Ford, Jim Blake, Jo Jones. Reddy. That all?

Ned. All / know.

Reddy. (Putting bomb in his pocket.)

I must go

And see to them. — No more of this ! —

You understand me?

(Ned nods.) Exit — Right Second — Reddy.

Ned. (Looking after Reddy.)

Yes— but I

Should like to see you keep me in,

When you, yourself will not be in.

Humph! Where such fun is going on,

Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. , g

I think I see that I shall see it.

It's pretty rough though, on a fellow,

To have to dodge the old man, too,

Enter — Left Upper — Policeman Ives, and softly comes up behind Ned.

As well as cops. By hokey-dorey,

If I don't swop off rigs to-night,

With Jimmy Blake, and sell his papers! —

Would like to see them catch me then. Ives. (Putting his hand on Ned's shoulder.)

Here youngster, what's your name? Ned. It's Ned.

Ives. Ned what?

Ned. Ned Brown.

Ives. And where's your home?

Ives. It's where I find a place to sleep in. Ives. Come, don't be impudent.

(Collaring Ned.) Ned. See here,

I ain't no thief.

Ives. (Examining Ned's pockets.)

Who said you was?

Ned. I ain't been doing nothing.

Ives. Sha'n't

If I can stop it. — Who was that

Just left you here?

Ned. Which one you mean?

Ives. The only one. Talk up, talk up;

And tell me what you gave him. Ned. Nothing.

Ives. You did.

Ned. I didn't. He took it from me.

Ives. What was it?

Ned. I don't know.

Ives. You do.

Ned. I don't. He said himself, I didn't.

That's why he took it.

Ives. Is it?

Ned. ' Yes.

He said I'd hurt somebody.

Ives. Who ?

Ned. The strikers.

Ives. Strikers ?

Ned. Yes, he said

They wan't no thieves, nor murderers.

io Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell.

Ives. (Letting go of Ned, who gradually draws

away from him to Left.)

I see; and so the men themselves

Are quarreling; and he — Ned. Why he,

Don't want no quarreling, you know. Ives. And took this from you? Ned. Yes.

Ives. And what's

He going to do with it?

Ned. The same,,

I guess, that I was.

Ives. What ?

Ned. Why, throw it.

Ives. Throw it? — where?

Ned. Where I was going —

Ives. (Anxiously.) And where is that? Ned. (With fingers up and thumb against nose.}

Away — ha, ha f Exit — Left First — Ned, running.

Ives. (Starting to run toward Ned, then stopping.) There may be more of smoke than fire In these reports. Yet one must watch

Enter — Right Center — Upson.

Upson. (To IvesJ Good morning.

Ives. (To UpsonJ Oh, good morning, sir.

Upson. You may not know me? — Mr. Upson.

Ives. Oh, yes, sir, — owner of these works.

Upson. I am — is nothing new, to-day?

Enter — Left Second — the Doctor.

Ives. (To UpsonJ Oh, no, sir ; nothing of importance.

Exit, after a little — Left First — Ives.

Upson. (To DoctorJ

You make a good detective. Doctor. Yon like your occupation, do you?

Doctor. Quite late — your asking that of me ! — When I have taught for twenty years.

Upson. Is that detective work?

Doctor. Much like it.

A teacher must detect, at least, A place inside the brain where thought, When planted, will be apt to grow. He usually finds the place just where Some mischief has been weeded out.

Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell, n

Upson. I hope your lack of change in work

Will not be such as to prevent

Your having some vacation.

Doctor. No ;

Am glad to be of use to you.

Upson. A hundred new hands just come in —

Enough, I think, to break the strike. Doctor. At times a calm may come before

A crash of thunder.

Upson. Oh, no fear,

Of violence for us ! You know

I never deal with men like these,

But that I think of little Ned,

My boy, they kidnapped. He might be

Among them.

Doctor. Yes.

Upson. Besides before

This last strike we have always yielded. Doctor. Some think that those who once have yielded

Will yield again.

Upson. And men of peace,

Like you, advise one's never yielding? Enter— Right Second— Nell.

Doctor. Oh, no ; but merely to be cautious.

You know the danger for a man

Give them a chance to taste his blood.

So sometimes with the man who trains,

Tn school, or camp, or factory,

Those animals that we term men.

It is his will directs this training,

And when what fills the heart flows forth,

They note the absence of his will-power

Far more than presence of his love.

A wise man will not let his fellows drain

His veins of life-strength, to augment

Their own strength, till assured that this

Will not be turned against himself. Upson. (To NellJ

What, you here, Nellie?

Nell. Going home?

Upson. Not right away.

Nell. Then soon, I hope.

You know the party —

Upson. Yes, I do,—

The party I care most to please.

But I shall soon be back. If not,

And find the buggy ready for us,

Will find a boy to fetch you round. Exit — Left Upper — Upson.

Nell. (Taking a book from her pocket, and beginning to talk to the Doctor, who, however, soon leaves.)

I hope that he will be back soon,

How I should hate to be a man ! —

Men measure all a day is worth

By work that they can do in it.

Just think ! — One might as well say skies

Were made for clouds, and not for suns,

Or years for winter, not for summer;

Or plants for thorns, and not for roses ;

Or life for men, and not for women: Exit — Left Second — Doctor.

Or lips for drinking; not — tut, tut! —

A day's worth measured by its work! —

As if a man's day were a donkey's.

Our donkey takes his pleasure on the farm

Exactly once a year ; so papa. Enter — Left Upper — Ned.

Ned. (Aside, as he looks back toward Left Upper

Entrance.)

I dodged him pretty well, I did.

I wasn't going to run away

And not warn Reddy of his danger.

(Looking tozvard Right Second Entrance.)

He'll be here in a minute more.

(Looking back toward Left Upper Entrance.)

Hello! the cop again! — I'll cheese it.

(Dodges behind a pillar on the porch.) Nell. (Jumping up startled.)

Dear me! — And what do you want? Ned. Reddy.

Nell. (To herself.)

So this time papa has been prompt.

(To Ned.;

It's Ready?

Ned. Yes.

Nell. I'll go with you.

Ned. With me. Miss?

Classes a?id Masses or Ned and Nell. 13

Nell. Yes ; you want me, don't you ?

Ned. That might be, Miss; but yet you know —

Nell. Well, I'll go with you.

(Moving, as if to go toward Left Upper Entrance.) Ned. (Moving in perplexity to the front and left.}

Would he want it?

Nell. Of course.

Ned. But why?

Nell. (Laughing, and moving toward him.)

Because he's ready.

Ned. (Hesitating.)

Because? — Nell. Why, he's my father, boy.

Ned. (To himself.)

Now wouldn't Unky have to scratch

For dust for her to flower in, eh? —

I see — she's crazy !

Nell. Don't I look it? —

(Gesturing toward Left Upper Entrance.)

Go on. I'm ready.

Ned. She is Reddy! —

I wonder what 'twas turned her head. Nell. Go on I'll follow. Go along.

Ned. (To himself, as he moves back onto (he

porch at the Left.)

I can't have her a-tagging me.

Just think how all the boys would guy me !

Now if she only was a boy —

(Making motions as if preparing to fight.) Nell. (Out of patience.)

Come, come, now ! Can't you see this, boy,

That I'm not in a mood for fooling? Ned. (To himself, as he dodges away again.)

They say all fools think others fools.

She must be one. If I had bait

To throw her, I could slip away

While she was looking at it. — Oh !

I'll give her that new song of mine.

No loss ! — I know it all by heart.

(Taking a paper from his pocket and approaching her.)

See here, Miss, don't you? — Nell. If he's ready,.

Why don't we go to him?

Ned. Why, Miss,

Because he's here?

Enter — Right Second — Reddy. Nell. Who's here?

Ned. Who?— Reddy.

Nell. The boy's insane ! — /Ned approaches her, holding out the manuscript.)

No; go away.

Reddy. Here Ned, you rascal ! — Keep away.

You musn't frighten her.

Ned. She's mad.

Reddy. You made her so.

Ned. I think 'twas you.

She told me she was Reddy.

Nell. Well,

I am.

Ned. There, there, now — don't you see? — Reddy. A mere mistake. (To Nell) It's me, Miss, me,

It's / am Reddy; and the boy

Was looking after me.

Nell. (Bewildered.) It's you

Are ready?

Rfddy. That's my name.

Nell. (Laughing.) Oh, yes ! —

I thought the boy had come from papa,

And meant to say that he was ready

To take me home — That is a joke! Reddy (To Ned, who passes across the stage, and

stands at his side.)

Was frightened, — don't you see it ; Ned ? —

And she's the master's daughter, too. Ned. I didn't mean her any harm.

I dodged behind that pillar there

(Pointing to porch.)

To cheese it from the cop. That's all.

He searched me, Reddy, for that bomb.

Here, let me have it. He'll search you. (Ned tries to take bomb from Reddy. Reddy prevents him, and pushes him off.) Reddy. I'll tend to that, myself, my lad.

What was it you were doing?

Enter — Left Second — Doctor. Ned. (Showing the manuscript.) Why —

I hope you will excuse me, Miss —

(To ReddyJ

She seemed to want to tag on so;

And I ain't nothing for a tug-boat. —

.• guessed she must be crazy — so

I thought that I would give her this;

And, while she looked at it, vamose. Reddy. What is it?

Ned. Why, a song, — a ringer !

Will call the crowds out like a fire-bell! —

A new song, too !

Doctor. Where did you get it?

Ned. (With assumption.)

'Twas written by a friend of mine. Nell. (Interested.)

You've poets for your friends? Ned. Oh, yes !—

They're friends of everybody. Doctor. (Taking the song from him.) Are they?—

You say he wrote this for you? Ned. Yes.

I saw it come.

Doctor. You saw it come?

Ned. I did.

Doctor. How so?

Ned. (Running his fingers through his hair.)

Why, firstly so : Doctor. (To NellJ

That was the plowing of the soil. Nell. (Laughing.) Much soil there? Ned. You may bet your life !

Doctor. And is that all you saw? Ned. Oh no ;

Then this : (Scratching his head.) Doctor. (To Nell J The planting of the seed. Ned. Then so : (Rubbing his head.)

Doctor. (To NellJ The covering of the seed. Ned. Then so : (Walking up and down whistling.) Doctor. (To NellJ The spring wind blowing

on it.

Ned. Then so : (Shaking his fist, and striking

dozvn.) Doctor. (To NellJ The storm that came to

strike.

Ned. Then so -.(Humming, while beating time with his fingers.) Humph, humph, humph, humph, humph, humph !

i6 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell.

Doctor. (To Nell.,) The breezes and the bees of

summer.

Ned. And last : (Flourishing his hand, as if writing.) Doctor. (To NellJ The swinging of the sythe

To clip the grain full grown and ripe. Nell. (Laughing.) And what, pray, is it all about? Doctor. (Looking at the song carelessly.)

Not hard to guess, I think, — most likely

What people all think most about? Nell. What's that?

Doctor. Themselves.

Ned. He said true poets,.

They always think what most men think. Doctor. Yes, poets of his kind ! He meant,

They write it out, perhaps.

Ned. Oh, yes.

They right it out when wrong. That's what

He meant.

Doctor. Humph! — Revolutionary? —

Is meant to turn things round? Ned. (Beginning to dance.) Oh, yes —

Turns me.

Nell. (Holding out her hand toward the Doctor

for the manuscript.)

Let's read it.

Doctor. (Handing the paper, which he has not

read, to Nell.,)

Oh, I think

Most folks will not take in the sense. Ned. No ; I'll take in the cents myself. Nell. You sing for money then? Reddy. You see

The factory closed, and closed his work — Nell. But papa says their doors are open. Reddy. But not for work from such as we. Nell. Why not?

Reddy. We're working with our mates.

They thought we shouldn't. That's enough. Doctor. I thought this country was a free one. Enter — Left First — a Messenger, and speaks aside

to the Doctor.

Reddy. (To Doctor.,)

Oh now, you wouldn't have a man

As free as that from others, would you?

I wouldn't then. — The boy, I say,

(Turning to Nell, as he sees the Doctor about

to leave.)

He lost his work, so took to this, —

Sings every night now in a hall. Exeunt— Left First— The Doctor and Messenger. Nell. (To Reddy.; Oh, singing is his work

then !—

It must be easy work — mere singing! Ned. It's harder work that you might think.

Some couldn't do it. I

Reddy. (Patting Ned on shoulder.)

That's the truth.

Nell. You sing for me. I'll pay you too.

(Taking silver coin from her pocket, and holding toward Ned.,) Ned. (Looking at her hand.)

You will? — Well it's the job I want. Nell sits on the porch. Reddy and Ned are in

front of the Right Center. Music starts and

Ned sings. Just as he begins, Enter — Right Second — a Workingman. He beckons to others behind him.

Enter — Right Second — Other Workingmen. Ned. (Singing.)

The time will come when money Will pay what work is worth; Will buy your task, and none will ask

Your station or your birth.

The right to earnings will be won By what a man himself has done.

Oh!— The time will come, the time will come, The time will come when money Will pay what work is worth.

(Ned dances.) ',

(Workingmen wave hats and clap hands.)

First Workingman. That's good.

Second Workingman. And true!

Third Workingman. Go on.

Fourth Workingman. Go on.

First Workingman. (Beckoning to others unseen beyond Right Second Entrance.) Come here, come here, Ned Brown's a-singin' !

Ned. (Continuing.)

The time will come when money- Will not buy one a crown — To lift a snob above the mob And keep all others down.

For men, to inward worth alert, Will only bow to true desert.

Oh!— The time will come, the time will come, etc.

^Ned dances, and the workingmen sing over the

chorus.)

The time will come, the time will come, etc. First Workingman. It will that!

Second Workingman. Give it to 'em again !

Third Workingman. Ah, you're the boy for us ! Fourth Workingman. Another!

Ned. (Continuing.)

The time will come when money Will not seem more than man;

But hearts will yearn with all they earn To help all men they can.

In rolls of honor in that state,

Great love alone will make men great. Oh!—

The time will come, the time will come, etc.

Enter — Left First — before Ned has ended this stanza, Upson and Ives. Nell goes to join them. They stand on the porch.

Workingmen sing the chorus:

The time will come, the time will come, etc. (Ned moves to the back of the stage so as to lead

the chorus.) Ives. (To Upson. )

I've known a slighter cause than that

To be the starter of a mob.

Upson. (Pointing tozvard the left, where are

heard the sounds of an approaching horse and

carriage.)

And I have known a slighter cause

Than that to end it.

Ives. Might not be

A bad idea !

Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell, ip

(The sound of the carriage stops. Ives waves his hand to the left, zvhich he faces, as if giving directions.)

Drive around; Then through them and disperse them.

Nell. Oh!

(She shrieks, runs toward Ned, and drags him ' away from the rear of the stage, where he is singing and dancing, just as

Enter — Left Upper — Horse and Carriage.

Exit — Right Upper — Horse and Carriage.

Exeunt— Right Center, Right Upper, Right Second — Workingmen.

Ned. (To Nell.,) Oh, Miss, you saved me!

Nell. Then I hope

You'll prove a boy that's worth the saving.

Ned. You think I can?

Nell. I know you can.

Ned. And what you say, Miss, must be true.

Curtain.