A Man of the People Part 5

[_To_ ABE.]

It's all right--boy----

NANCY

Come back close, my son, I want to tell you something I saw last night!

I had a dream--the same one I had the night before you were born. You had grown a man--strong and brave--wise and gentle. The people hung on your words, and did you homage. But you remembered this cabin here in the deep woods and you were humble. I walked with you between two white pillars. It was still and solemn, in there. Outside I could hear the people calling your name. You bowed low and whispered in my ear: "This is all yours, my Mother. I bought it for you with my life. All that I am I owe to you----"

[_Her voice sinks to a whisper that is half a laugh of religious ecstasy._]

ABE

[_Joyfully._]

See how she's smilin'--Pa! She's getting well--I tell you----!

TOM

[_Whispering._]

Don't ye understand, boy----?

ABE

No--what----?

SARAH

What--what is it----?

TOM

[_In deep religious awe._]

Look--look at her eyes----! She's not telling ye a dream--she's looking through the gates of Heaven----

ABE

No--no--no----!

TOM

It's death--boy--it's come--Lord, G.o.d, have mercy----

[ABE _springs to his feet and stares in anguish, as_ TOM _falls on his knees beside_ NANCY. NANCY'S _hand rests gently on_ TOM'S _s.h.a.ggy head, while he sobs. With her other hand she feels for_ ABE'S _and holds it feebly._]

NANCY

Be good to your Father,----

[_She pauses and breathes with difficulty._]

In the days to come, he will be the child and you the man----

ABE

Yes----

NANCY

And love your sister----

[ABE _nods._]

If dark hours come, my spirit will be watching, my son--and I'll help you if I can----

ABE

Yes, I know it!

NANCY

And remember that you can be a great man in this free country if you only say--I will----

[NANCY'S _body sinks in death as the boy lifts his face illumined by the light of a great purpose._]

ABE

Yes, Ma,--I will!

CURTAIN

PERSONS OF THE PLAY

ABRAHAM LINCOLN _The President._ MRS. LINCOLN _His Wife._ COLONEL NICOLAY _His Secretary._ EDWARD _The Doorman._ EDWIN M. STANTON _Secretary of War._ GEN. GEO. B. MCCLELLAN _Lincoln's Rival._ CAPTAIN VAUGHAN _Of the U. S. Army._ BETTY WINTER _His Sweetheart._ THADDEUS STEVENS _Leader of Congress._ HENRY RAYMOND _Editor of the New York Times._ JOHN R. GILMORE _Of the New York Tribune._ COLONEL JACQUESS _A Methodist Clergyman._ JEFFERSON DAVIS _President of the Confederacy._ JUDAH P. BENJAMIN _His Secretary of State._ JUDGE ROBERT OULD _Commissioner of Exchange._ ROBERT E. LEE _Commanding General._ A SISTER _Who begs for her brother's life._ A CONGRESSMAN _Who demands a hearing._ A LITTLE GIRL _From Virginia._ A MOTHER _With a baby._ A WOMAN _Who has lost two sons._ A TELEGRAPH OPERATOR _In the White House._ A DOORMAN _At Richmond._ COMMITTEEMEN, SOLDIERS AND GUARDS.

ACT I

SET SCENE: _The President's room in the White House, August 23, 1864.