Hope and ambition ...

Front matter

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Prologue

PLAY."

A PROLOGUE AND FIVE ACTS.

Characters in Prologue.

WALTER OSGOOD, a New England boy, aged fifteen years.

PIERRE LIVINGSTON, Companion of Walter, aged fourteen years.

ANDRE LIVINGSTON, Father to Pierre, and Head Clerk at Banking House of Emory, Dorman &> Co.

MRS. BLANCHARD, Housekeeper of Andre Livingston.

ARMORE DUDLEY, Corresponding Clerk.

CHARLES, Clerk of Emory, Dorman & Co.

WILLIAM, Clerk.

ALBERT DOUGLAS, Clerk in one of the National Banks in Providence.

"DRAMATIS PERSONS"

WALTER OSGOOD, a New England Mechanic.

CAPTAIN DARLINGTON, a retired Sea Captain.

FREDERICK DARLINGTON, Son of Captain Darlington.

PIERRE LIVINGSTON, Friend of Frederick Darlington.

GEORGE BROWNELL, a Detective of the City of Washington.

EDWARD SINGLETON, assumed name of Andre Livingston from Prologue.

JONATHAN SKINNER, a Vermont Speculator.

JIM BRAILAND, Keeper of Gaming Saloon at Washington.

COUNT ABREGE, Officer in Russian Army.

MARTHA OSGOOD, Mother of Walter Osgood.

HELEN DARLINGTON, Daughter of Captain Darlington.

LUCY DARLINGTON, Wife of Captain Darlington.

REMO, First Officer of the Guard.

ALDRO, Sentinal.

CORRUNA, Sentinal.

CALENDO, Guard at Bastille.

BOREISO, Second Guard at Bastille.

AGNES, Servant Girl at Darlington' s .

Game Keeper and Gamblers at Gaming Saloon.

Waiters at Ga?ning Saloon.

Ladies and Gentlemen — Villagers at the House of Darlington.

Two Relief Guards at Bastille.

SYNOPSIS OF SCENERY.

PROLOGUE."

Scene I. Home of Andre Livingston

[Comfortable Room, Neatly Furnished.]

Centre D. in F., windows each side of door looking out on the garden.

Scene II. Banking Office

[Three Large Desks, Iron Safe, Large Clock on Mantel Piece ]

Door in centre ; door to the left ; lot of books on the desks, inkstands and utensils ; waste basket under each desk ; hat rack.

ACT I. Scene

A New England Home. [Furniture — old style; large old-fashioned clock; large portrait of Walter's father hanging on wall.]

ACT II. Scene I

Narrow Street in the City of Washington.

HOPE AND AMBITION.

Scene II.

A Beautiful Large Parlor.

[Chandelier in middle of room ; side lights ; large mirrors ; waiters running to and fro, dressed in scarlet uniforms ; large table in back-ground,. with gambling implements ; two small tables on the side occupied by different card-players.

At large table four gentlemen engaged in playing faro — two of whom are Frederick Darlington and Pierre Livingston.]

ACT III. Scene

Home of Captain Darlington.

[Parlor, elegantly furnished; door in centre; two windows each side of door; clock on mantel piece.]

ACT IV. Scene I

Snowing. — Palace Square at St. Petersburgh ; in back-ground a large Wall, representing Palace Wall.

[Two sentinels walking in front of the wall of the Palace, meeting each other at intervals; two large lamps in front of Palace ; door in centre of wall.]

Scene II.

Narrow Stage, representing Front of a Prison.

[Two doors in flat, right and left, the left door to have a wicket in it.]

ACT V. Scene

Home of Captain Darlington. [Same as Scene in Act III.] [In addition to Scene in Act III, a table with refreshments and bouquet of flowers ; door in centre ; two windows each side of door.]

Prologue.

SCENE I. — Home of Andre Livingston. \_Comfortable room, neatly furnished, (D. C. fat,). Window to the right, looking towards garden, D. on right ; also, window to the left.~\

Andre. One month this day, I buried my wife. How desolate my home is now — how strange everything seems to me — those pleasant days I have spent with her here are no more. Oh ! dear Alice, how sad I feel. All I have now left to comfort me is my son Pierre. What will become of you now ? To-day I stand here a criminal ; brought on by financial embarrassment. Why have I misused the confidence of my employers ? I have been for ten years the head clerk of the house of Emory, Dorman & Co., and I have committed a forgery. Shame and disgrace will follow me ; and as to my son, the world will look on him with scorn. I must fly from here before I am detected, and seek refuge in some foreign land. I will work, toil, to atone for my crime, and some day I may be able to convince the world that Andre Livingston has tried to regain the confidence of his former friends.

I cannot delay, as before the closing of the bank to-morrow all will be detected. — Some one is coming.

[Pierre enters from C. D. in Flat, from the gar den. ~\

Pierre. Dear father I have been looking for you in the garden; I am so happy to see you ; I feel so lonely since my dear mother died ; her sweet voice, her kind carresses, all are gone from me now. O, dear mother, I wish I was with you in Heaven. Father, Walter Osgood has been with me part of the morning in the garden.

Andre. Well, my son, he is a good boy and a noble companion for you.

Pierre. He is always talking about machinery, and building castles in the air about something of a secret to find some new invention, and I being brought up in a collegiate education, what do I know about such things ?

HOPE AND AMBITION.

Andre. This is great credit for Walter. It is no shame or disgrace to be a mechanic, it is an honor. What would the world be as to progress if not for mechanics. Where are those happy days when I was a mechanic, — those days are past and never to return.

Pierre. [Looking oat the window towards the garden.} Here comes our good old housekeeper, Mrs. Blanchard.

[Mrs. Blanchard enters from C. D. F.~\

Mrs. Blanchard. Good morning, Mr. Livingston ; you will please tell Pierre not to be so wild when he is in company with Walter ; he is such a good boy, but Pierre is so rude.

Pierre. Why, Mrs. Blanchard, you are always complaining to father about my conduct ; remember you have been young yourself.

Andre. You must obey and respect Mrs. Blanchard. Your dear mother is dead. Take her counsel, be obedient, and accept her kind advice, and no doubt some future day you will be thankful to her and then appreciate how valuable her lessons were to you.

Pierre. Father, dear, I will obey Mrs. Blanchard in the future. How long Walter stays, he promised me to ask of you a favor, and no doubt you will grant his request.

Mrs. Blanchard. {Looking out of the window.} Here comes our little friend Walter.

[Walter enters from C. D. F.~\

Walter. Good morning, Mr. Livingston, Mrs. Blanchard; are you both well? I came here, sir, to ask you if you will permit Pierre to spend the afternoon with me. I made some new drawings, and would like him to examine them.

Andre. It is always a great pleasure to me for Pierre to be with you. I know you are a good companion for him.

Walter. Sir, I am obliged to you.

Pierre. I thank you father, you will allow me then to go with Walter — you are so kind. ( Takes his hat from the chair, joining Walter in the act of leaving.}

Andre. Pierre, take a father's blessing. {Kissing him.} {Aside.} This may be the last I will ever see you again.

Pierre. You tremble father, — how strange you look. Oh what a feeling comes over me just now.

Andre. Pierre, my dear boy, I am well, but the recollection of the past, and my future prospects, make me feel nervous.

Walter. Let us go now, mother has expected me long before this.

lO * HOPE AND AMBITION.

Pierre. I will go with you, but I hate to leave father, he seems so strange.

Andre. Pierre, my son, some business of importance calls me away from home for a few days. Mrs. Blanchard will stay with you, and when I return, and your conduct has been without reproach, I will bring you and Walter some presents. Come to my arms and receive a father's blessing.

Pierre. Don't stay long, dear father, we will be so lonely without you. [Reaching his ha?id to Walter.) Come, let us go. [Kissing his father. Walter and Pierre exit, by door Right. )

Andre. (Looking after them.) May God guide you, and have a father's blessing. ( Turning towards Mrs. Blanchard and taking a large wallet from his pocket.) Mrs. Blanchard, you have been with us for many years. My dear wife respected you as a friend and a companion — as to me, I always look to you as a mother, and I have to leave Pierre in your care for some time, as important business calls me to go abroad. You will find in this book sufficient money for some time for you and Pierre, and for his future education.

Mrs. Blanchard. You know well the responsibility that would rest with me to have the care of Pierre ; one that requires constantly the watchful eye of a father.

Andre. I cannot stay with you ; I must leave ; my honor and reputation are at stake, and the future welfare of my only boy is depending on it.

Mrs. Blanchard. This is some joke of yours — you will tell me what all this means.

Andre. No one knows of this, but oh, God ! to-morrow all will be lost. (Blushing, holding his hands on his face and turning away from Mrs. Blanchard.) Shame! disgrace! dishonor! — I have committed a forgery.

Mrs. Blanchard. Oh ! my God ! has it come to this ? The once noble and worthy Andre Livingston to stand here a self-confessed criminal.

Andre. Mrs. Blanchard, for the respect and honor you have always had for my dear departed wife and towards me, do not condemn me thus, and listen : — Persuaded by bad counsel I bought stocks and used the money of my employers, with bright hopes, but, alas, those hopes became cloudy and then — you know all.

Mrs. Blanchard. You have so many influential friends here, cannot they assist you ? and remain at home with us. Go see them and tell them all.

Andre. No, the shame and remorse ! I cannot approach them. What a coward is a man after he has committed a false step ? But I trust my son Pierre will not be disgraced by the acts of his father.

Mrs. Blanchard. Go, Andre Livingston, leave your once honorable and happy home before it is too late. I understand all. Don't let dishonor dwell here beneath that roof from which your dear wife departed her pure soul, and don't let your child know the errors of his father.

Andre. Mrs. Blanchard, be a mother to Pierre, and may the blessings of Heaven be on you and my child. I will work and toil, and hope one day to return and be worthy of this once happy home again. I will then receive my Pierre in my open arms and be worthy again to be called father. ( Throwing his ar??is around Mrs. Blanchard's neck, kisses her over and over again.} Farewell ! May God be with you and Pierre.

[Exit by R. D., Mrs. Blanchard looking after him in tears. ]

End of First Scene of Prologue.

SCENE II. — Banking Office. — \_Three large desks ^ iron safe, large clock on mantel-piece. D. in F. Door to the left. Window in F. to right, looking out to road. Large lot of books on different desks, pens, inkstands, waste-baskets under desks. Hat-rack.~\

Armore. Charles, it is now two o'clock, and Andre has not made his appearance, and there is some correspondence to be finished to-day.

Charles. I do pity him ; there is a great change in him of late, since he lost his wife, he is so melancholy.

William. I have observed the same in Andre's conduct. Let us place ourselves in his position, and would we not be the same. When he left here yesterday he acted so strangely.

Armore. I expect Mr. Emory here soon, he said he would be here before the bank closes. It is steamer day to-morrow, and we have to send large remittances abroad.

Charles. I will look out and see if he is coming. [Going towards the window looking towards the road.) He is coming.

[Mr. Emory enters from door in Flat.~\

Mr. Emory. Good morning, gentlemen. Why, where is Andre Livingston ?

Armore. He has not been here this morning.

Emory. Send a messenger forthwith to his house, and learn the cause of his absence.

Armore. William, will you please go.

William. I will, sir. {Exit by D. in F.)

Emory. Armore, what amount have we to send drafts for? Armore. A large amount, sir.

Emory. More than usual ?

Armore. Yes sir. By the last steamer our remittances were of a great deal less amount than they are to-day.

[William enters D. in FJ\

Emory. Have you any news.

William. {Looking pale.) I have, but I am afraid it is bad news. Andre Livingston has fled the country.

Emory. What means this. How are his accounts ? Armore. This will take some time to look after.

[Enter Albert Douglas, D. in K]

Albert. You are Mr. Emory, I believe, sir ?

Emory. Yes sir, and what do you want. (Excited.)

Albert. A forgery to a large extent has just been discovered in our bank, and came from your house, and made by some of your clerks.

Emory. I see it all — misplaced confidence — and by no one else them by Andre Livingston. And what is the amount ?

Albert. Here, sir, are the documents. (Handing Mr. Emory some papers.)

Emory. O, Heavens, is it possible — thirty thousand dollars ! Where is the villain ? Report immediately to the office of the detective bureau. Let all steamers and railroad stations be watched. Give his description and offer five thousand dollars reward for his arrest.

Armore. I will attend to it forthwith. (Exit by D. in F.)

Emory. My partners have always told me that I trusted far more confidence in my clerks than I should have done. (Exit by door Left.)

William. May the criminal be brought to justice.

[Curtain Drops. ~\

End of Prologue.

Act I

SCENE I. — A New England Home; furniture old style, large old-fashioned clock. Large Portrait of Walter 's father on wall of back flat. [Door in C. D.F.) Two old-fashioned sofas on each side of Stage. Large arm chair. Spin-wheel.

Walter. One year to-day my father died, and having tried all possible means, but it seems luck runs against me, and it seems of no use, — I must leave for some foreign port, and hope there to succeed, and then I will be able to keep that sacred promise I gave my father in his last hour, — that I should take his part and look to the comfort of my dear mother.

[Mrs. Osgood enters from j L. £.~\

Mrs. Osgood. Dear Walter, how strange you look this morning, what is the cause ? Of late you seem so melancholy. You are always thinking of some new plan. My dear son, it is of no use building castles in the air.

Walter. Mother, T am young and will not spend my useful days here any longer. I will seek for future prospects in some foreign land, and will work from early morn 'till late at night for your comfort, and to care for you as I have promised my dear departed father. I cannot perform that solemn obligation, as prospects here are so gloomy to me, and I hope to receive your kind blessing when I will return, and then my hopes may be realized to make Helen Darlington my own dear wife.

Mrs. Osgood. I do believe, most sincerely, that of late you have neglected everything, and your mind is altogether on Helen, and this may be the cause of your reverse in business.

Walter. I do confess to you I think of her I so dearly love and adore, but what can I expect of the future under present circumstances. You accused me wrongly, I never neglected my business, but future hopes are at present my only thoughts.

Mrs. Osgood. Do not look at present for any more than our humblecircumstaaces will permit. My son, riches do not make a home happy, but contentment. Trust in our Creator and then your future path,, I hope, will be bright.

Walter. Nothing can change my mind ; I am resolute, nay daring, and this very day I will leave this home of my boyhood, and you, dear mother, all I have now on this earth I so dearly love and honor; — and as to Helen, time will tell.

Mrs. Osgood. Some one is coming.

[Enter Helen j R. E.]

Helen. Good morning, Mrs. Osgood; Good morning Walter; we have a beautiful day — but how strange you look !

Mrs. Osgood. Helen, my dear, Walter has changed so much of late, he is always so downcast; he has not that ambition he formerly had, and is always making some new plans. There is some secret in his heart and you may be able to get him to reveal it to you.

Walter. Mother, do not burden Helen's heart with my misfortunes ; she is so good and pure, spare her that pain.

Helen. Why, Waiter, I always spoke of you among my friends, as I believed that you are, one of the happiest and most contented young men in our city.

Walter. 1 was once, but those happy days are past.

Helen. And why ? It is not me, I hope, that caused you all these unhappy thoughts ? You seem nervous.

Walter. How could you cause this ? Your very presence always brightens my hopes for our future, but don't let us talk any more on this subject. Have you heard of late of your brother Frederick, who left home without the least cause ?

Helen. No, Walter, we have not, but you knew Fred, from boyhood had always a roving disposition, and he always spoke of leaving home. He was always independent of the world; the mind of a true young American. If he only does not find vile associates, and lead a reckless life, we will hope for the best, and that on some future day all may come right.

Mrs. Osgood. Helen, I have for some time past promised your good mother a visit, let us go and we will leave Walter ; I will not be long, and shall return soon.

Walter. Mother, go with Helen. Keep your promise to return soon.

[Exeunt Helen and Mrs. Osgood by j L. E.]

Walter. If this girl would only know how sincerely I love her ; she is an angel ; I only wish that my future days may be bright and my hopes realized to call her my own dear wife. I will be no coward. This day I will take my departure from home, and return a man worthy of the hand of Helen Darlington.

My father has often told me that if we could only discover the secret of making the Russian iron in this country our fortune would be made, but it is only known there, and there made by convicts condemned for life servitude— how to get at this. But there is no such word as fail. We young Americans are cunning, and for that country I will start. No doubt there may be some danger in all this, but what of that? To conquer my object I will not fail. My heart beats and tells me — Walter, you will be the conqueror. I am resolved, and nothing will keep me back. Let me look on my father's picture. His expression even now on that canvas is so mild and intelligent. Oh ! dear father! could you but listen to my words and give me your counsel I have always so dearly appreciated. O, God ! may your pure soul be in that celestial home, and that the angels of Peace be gathered 'round you and listen to my prayers. May I be protected from all dangers on the long journey I have before me, and the blessing of Heaven be on my dear mother and Helen, and spare them from all evil until my return. Amen !

[Enter Mrs. Osgood from j L. £.]

Mrs. Osgood. Walter, my visit to the Darlington family has been very pleasant indeed. Mrs. Darlington is such a kind lady, and the did captain, why he is so pleasant. They have expressed themselves in a way no doubt they will give their consent to your marriage with Helen. They seem so happy.

Walter. You did not tell them of my plan ?

Mrs. Osgood. Why, no, how silly, you are, to be sure. You have tears in your eyes.

Walter. Mother, during your absence I have been looking at my father's portrait, and how could a son with the expectation of leaving his once happy home do this without shedding tears.

Mrs. Osgood. You are then determined to leave home. It may be humble, but better to remain here than to be away from that virtuous roof where your dear father has always tried to teach you one day to become an upright man, and a good, devoted Christian. You are my only joy now left in this world, and will you leave your poor old mother?

Walter. Mother, you know from boyhood my ambition was always to rise in the world, and not to remain what I am now. My future here looks gloomy, and a few years separation from you, and from her I so dearly love, may bring me back to your arms, so that I may be able to be a pride to both of you. Ocean and land may separate us, but a son's love towards his mother cannot. Mother, many younger men than I have left their homes with bright hopes, and were successful, and why should I fail to bring back honor and fortune to you both, and then I will be the happiest man in this world.

Mrs. Osgood. {Coming near Walter, taking her two hands and giving him her blessing — looking tip to Heaven.) May God be your guide, and accept the blessing of a devoted mother; but Walter, remain with me, as old as I am, I would rather work and toil for thee from early morn 'till late at night, than you to be separated from me. You will get the consent of Helen's parents and she is such a noble girl — I know she would rather share with you even that humble home, than for you to leave us, it may be never to behold you again. But let me beg of you to stay with us and then we will all be so happy.

Walter. Happy did you say, how could I be, until that time will come when I can give you and Helen all comforts due to you, and then I hope to deserve your esteem, and Helen's love. Mother I am determined and resolved, and nothing will keep me back.

Mrs. Osgood. Walter, then you are resolute and may you have that success you so richly deserve.

Walter. The time will soon pass, and I will return and then hope to be a pride to you. As to my duty, when I will be abroad, I will never forget as long as I live.

Mrs. Osgood. Captain Darlington says he will be here to-day, and we may look for him soon.

[Walter looking out of the window. ,]

Walter. I hear the carriage approaching, they are coming.

[Capt. Darlington, Lucy Darlington and Helen enter C. D, in F.~\

Walter. Captain, Mrs. Darlington, Helen, you are welcome.

Capt. Darlington. Walter, I promised your mother to pay you a visit. She told me you were not the same young man you were formerly. What is the cause, tell me. I am your friend, and possibly may aid you.

Walter. I thank you. Mother thinks me wrong, only my hopes look towards the future, and as to ambition I have within my very soul, all will come out right.

Mrs. Darlington. [Aside to Captain.) Lvery line on this young man's forehead denotes he is in love.

Captain. Always your old ways, to know other people's business.

Mrs. Darlington. [Approaching her husband.) My dear Captain, well do I recollect my mother used to say to me, "why Lucy, you are not the same girl you were formerly, since you are in love," — but those days are past, ain't they Captain.

Captain. I should think about time, -don't you, darling?

Mrs. Darlington. Why, we are'nt so old yet.

Captain. Well, I don't know ; both of us count a pretty nice round sum, — one hundred and ten. Our spring chicken days are pretty well over.

Helen. Father, I feel so strange to-day, as if something was going to happen.

Captain. Dear girl, don't be so foolish. No use talking, she is the same as Lucy was when she had her age.

Helen. Father, you speak to Walter, do for my sake, and you may persuade him to remain with us. He is young, and a good mechanic, and his prospects are as good here as in a foreign land.

Mrs. Osgood. Dear Helen, Walter has resolved to leave home this day.

Helen. {Approaching towards her father.} Father, do me the favor I asked of you a few minutes ago.

Captain. Dear Helen, I will do all in my power for you, also for Walter, but I encourage a young man that has ambition to rise in the world.

Mrs. Osgood. Captain Darlington, oh, sir, how unfortunate I am to part with my only child and protector, one I so dearly love. You have a son, although you have not heard from him for years, but place yourself in my present circumstances, would you not have these same feelings. Speak to him as if he were your own son, and I implore you try to convince him of his youthful and thoughtless plans.

Helen. Father, Walter's noble mind is always on a higher station in life, but I am contented in his present lot. I will work and toil with him, whatever his destiny may be in future I will most happily share with him; nay, even in poverty, if he only remains with us.

Captain. Helen, you are a most noble girl, and deserving of one who will make you happy. We have great respect for Walter, and he is worthy of the love you have for him, and no doubt the happy day for both of you will not be long distant. I glory in his spirit, and he will not make you his wife until he can give you such comfort in married life you so richly deserve in every respect.

Helen. Oh! father, the time will be so long if Walter leaves, but let us hope of his speedy return, and we all will be happy.

Walter. ( To Captain.) As you have honored me with your visit this morning, I have to inform you that I have resolved to leave home this day, and to part with those I so dearly love ; but my manly duty demands this sacrifice. When I return and be worthy of your esteem may I then ask your consent to make your daughter my wife ?

Captain. Walter you have mine and her mother's consent, and when the time shall arrive, may you both be happy.

Walter. {Rushing towards his mother.) Now mother, your consent I have I know well, and dear Helen, as to you, this day I will never forget, and when I return I hope to be worthy of your kind love and affection.

Helen. Walter, my happiness would be complete if you could only stay with us, but as you are determined, I will look forward to your return as the happiest day in my life, and will never forget the sacrifice you make for me in leaving your good old mother.

Walter. I am going to leave, and with the hopes I have for my future, the time will soon pass 'till I receive you all again in my open arms, and receive your blessings.

Captain. Walter, I like a young man of your stripe.

Walter. Seeking fortunes is all very well, but those I leave behind me, — God only knows if I ever will behold any of them I so dearly love.

Captain Pshaw, pshaw, — no such doubts. We old sea captains don't think of those foolish thoughts.

Mrs. Osgood. Walter, my boy, come to my arms; this day I will always remember while I live. It is a sorrowful day for me to part with you I so dearly love.

^Parting Scene. Walter in tears, Mrs. Osgood and Helen close to Walter.]

Walter. Dear mother, the most critical moment of my life has almost arrived. I have to leave you, but my resolutions are as firm as .a rock, Let me say farewell to you all, and, O God, listen to my prayer — Watch over my dear mother, let no danger befall her, and let the guardian angel be with her. Helen, love, may the bright star of Heaven always shine on thee ; and remember him who so dearly loves you. My thoughts by day, and my dreams by night, will be for you, and, remember, my promise I will solemnly keep.

[Walter embraces his mother and Helen, and receives the blessing of his mother.~\

Captain. Walter, as I have some business in Washington, I will go with you as far as New York, and see you off when the steamer sails.