AWAKENING n MARY WHITE OV1NGTON THE AWAKENING A PLAY BY MARY WHITE OVINGTON 9 9 Price 25 Cents. Five copies for one dollar. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 70 Fifth Avenue New York. Copyrighted 1923 BY Mary White Ovington. 700^0* (, All rights reserved. There is a charge of five dollars royalty on each performance of this play. Returns to he made to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People , 70 Fifth Ave., New York. CHARACTERS. Edward Marston, a young lawyer Cyril John Albert Members of the Helen Ray Caldwell Social Thelma Club Beatrice Jane, a young woman A young man William Jones, Sheriff of Casper Co., Georgia Caesar Smith, escaped from Casper Co. Mrs. Carter Mary Mrs. Allen Mrs. Boyd Workers Mr. Harris N. A. A. C. P. Mr. Campbell Mr. Duncan Fannie Landers, laundress Jimmy His girl Miss Norton, a white teacher Portly Man Reverend George Todd Judge District Attorney Clerk of the Court Sergeant at Arms Thre£ policemen Men and women, chiefly colored, in the audience at the court scene. Chorus (preferably of children). SCENES ' Act I. Living Room of Mrs. Ray’s Home. Act II. Headquarters of the Caldwell Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Act III. Court Room. Act IV. The same as Act I. Time: Autumn of the year 1922. Two weeks are supposed to elapse between Act I and Act II. Onei week is supposed to elapse between Act II and Act III. Act III and IV occupy the same day. THE AWAKENING ACT ONE. Scene: A room in Mrs. Ray’s house. The exit rear, left side. The room is furnished with ten chairs, two tables, a victrola, a secretary’s book and gavel, a few magazines, etc There are ten young colored people present. Their leader is Edward Marston, a good looking young man, who, when the curtain goes up, is standing over the victrola which is playing a rollicking piece of dance music. Some of the young people are dancing; Cyril and Thelma are sitting in a corner absorbed in one another. There is the sound of a boisterous good time as the victrola sings out its ragtime. Helen Ray is standing near Edward watching him. Edward Here she goes, here’s the last tune of the evening be¬ fore business begins. All dance your prettiest. Get Cyril and Thelma out of the corner there. (No one goes to the corner or pays any attention to him. As a couple comes near he puts his foot out and they trip a little. The man gives him a good-natured punch with his elhow and goes on with his dance. “Stop your kidding ,” he calls above the music as he whirls his partner away. Three or four sing the tune as it is ground out on the victrola. Edward begins to take dancing steps and faces Helen, putting out his hands to swing her into the dance. She shakes her head. Making his way through the dancers, Edward goes into the corner and snatches up Thelma dancing off with her. Cyril rises as if to pursue them and looks on grinning. Helen stands quite still by the victrola, smiling now and then but with a troubled look upon her face. The record ends and the dancers drop into near seats.) Edward (Standing in the background) To work, my young friends, to work. The Caldwell Social Club will now hold its business meeting. (Helen, in the meantime, directs Cyril and Albert how to put the roam in proper order. A table is placed in the middle toward the front, with a chair behind it for the president. Another chair is put at the side for the secretary. Helen’s secretary’s book and a gavel are on the table. Edward comes forward.) Edward Madam Secretary. (He places a chair very ostentat¬ iously for Helen who sits and then he sits himself with assumed gravity. He strikes the table with his gavel.) I call the meeting to order. Miss Thelma Jackson will please put up her vanity bag while the minutes are be¬ ing read. (Thelma, who has been using her vanity bag, makes a mouth at Edward, goes on powdering her nose for a few seconds while he frowns indignantly at her; then she shuts up her bag.) The meeting having now come to order, the secretary will please read the minutes of the last meeting. Helen (Rising and reading from her book) The Caldwell Social Club held its regular monthly meeting at the home of Miss Thelma Jackson on Tuesday, March 20. We played bridge and had supper. The secretary re¬ ported fifteen dollars in the treasury. There was no business and the meeting adjourned. Respectfully sub¬ mitted, Helen Ray, Secretary. Edward I hope, my friends, that you all notice the succinctness of our esteemed secretary’s report. I know you all ap¬ preciate our method instituted by your president, of 6 pleasure first and business afterwards. Never while this citizen holds office (he pats himself on the chest) will business be allowed to interfere with pleasure. You have heard the report of the secretary, what is your pleasure ? Cyril I move it be accepted as read. Thelma I second the motion. I third it. Albert Beatrice Stop your kidding or Helen will murder you with a look. Edward (Rapping with his gavel again) Come to order. The motion to accept the secretary’s report has been moved and seconded. Do I hear any discussion? No? If not all in favor will signify it by saying Aye. Opposed No. The Ayes have it. The motion is carried. (No one has taken the trouble to say either Aye or No.) Edward Do I hear any other motion? Albert (Rising) I move we— Helen (Rising) If you move that we adjourn, no other mo¬ tion will be in order and I have something important to bring up. (Edward and Cyril groan. The others look bored ex¬ cept Thelma who seems interested.) 7 Albert I give way to our honored secretary only begging her not to make too prolonged and impassioned a speech as I have to prepare a senior theme before morning. (Sits.) Helen That’s the way it always is. We leave our business so late that there is no time to talk about anything worth while. Edward My dear Madam secretary, I protest. I have been talking to you all the evening. Do you mean to in¬ sinuate that I have said nothing worth while ? Helen (With an indulgent smile, and then growing serious) I surely do. You haven’t said a word but nonsense. Edward (Professing great indignation) Impossible! Helen (Proceeding without paying any attention to his mock anger) It isn’t that you couldn’t be serious, Edward, but you seem to think, and all the others, pretty nearly think with you, that being social means being silly. Well, I’m tired of being silly and unless we do some¬ thing worth while, I’m going to leave the club. (The faces of the young people become serious. They say, interrupting one another—) Albert No more of Helen’s eats. Cyril You don’t meant it, Helen. Thelma I’m willing to do something. Beatrice (Jumping up) I believe Helen is right. We pretend to be of some account with our constitution and all — 8 Albert Our by-laws, don’t forget our by-laws. Beatrice And our by-laws, but we don’t do a single thing but dance and play cards. John (Large and sleepy looking) and eat. Beatrice And eat. Well, lets either do something or give up having officers (Sits) Edward (Stretches his feet out under the table, getting down in his chair, and looks rather sheepish) We must have officers, child, to look after the money and we must have money if we are to have good times. Helen . I’m sick of the good times. I offer my resignation (Sits) Cyril See here, Helen, before you adopt that tragic tone, tell us what you would like us to do. Helen I’d like to have the business first and do something real and then play afterwards. I’d like a club that did something for the race. Edward (Groaning) A race woman! Helen How can I help being a race woman, I’m colored. Edward (With much heat) Forget about it. For the Lord’s sake forget about it. White people don’t go around saying to themselves every five minutes ‘I’m white, I belong to the white race.’ They take life as it comes without thinking about race, one way or another. That’s the way I believe in taking it. I’m American. That’s •enough. 9 Cyril That sounds very well, Ned, but you know its rot. We do have to think about race, but one of the reasons I joined the Caldwell social club was just because I supposed, when I got here, I wouldn’t be infernally up against the race problem. Edward Up against the skirt problem instead ( Glances at Thelma ). Helen I know how you feel, Cyril, and how Ned feels and probably the most of you feel the same way so I’m the one to drop out. Thelma What would you like us to do, Helen, when we have our business meeting. You must have something in mind. Edward ’Tis now the very witching time of night, When churchyards yawn and graves give up their dead' Give up your idea as quickly as you can, Nell, for we must go soon or your mother will turn us out. Helen (Rises, evidently embarrassed knowing that the feel¬ ing will be against her) I want to have the club join in the drive of the National Association for the Ad¬ vancement of Colored People. Cyril (Rising) I move the meeting adjourn (Sits). John (Rising) I second it (Sits). Edward Are you ready for the question? Beatrice See here, I think we ought not to adjourn until Helen has a chance to say what she thinks. 10 Edward A motion to adjourn is undebatable. Aye. Cyril and Peter Aye. Edward All opposed, No. All in favor say Thelma and Beatrice No. John No! Anybody who gave us that chicken salad ought to have a chance to talk. Edward The noes have it. Miss Ray you have the floor. Helen (Remains standing during the vote) It’s nice up here in Caldwell, where nearly everybody is decent to you, to forget about the problem. But it isn’t fair to the people who are in it all the time, who can’t forget it. We ought not to be having a good time and doing nothing for them. Beatrice Whom do you mean? Helen I mean the people down South. Jane My mother comes from the South and she’s always telling us how nice it was. Beatrice Is she going back there? Jane No, I guess not. Helen Mrs. Carter called on me yesterday, she’s one of the captains in the drive, and left some of her literature, and truly I couldn’t sleep all night. 11 Edward (Emphatically) You shouldn’t read that stuff. Helen I ought to, and so ought you, and we ought to work with the Association to stop the awful things that are happening. It’s mean for us to stand aside and not help. We’re in the north where it’s safe to agitate and to work against lynching and peonage, and then we’re young and starting out in life. Edward That’s just the reason I don’t want to have anything to do with it. I’m starting out, as you say. So are you, Helen. You’ve got a good position in the public schools. Cyril here is awfully popular with the white fellows at college. We don’t want to get messed up with the riff¬ raff of the race. Helen It isn’t riff-raff. Edward Yes it is. Once in a while they lynch a respectable citizen but not often. Helen Once in a while! How would you like to be lynched once in a while? Cyril (Rising, speaking good-naturedly) I call the meeting to order. Let us appoint a committee to take up this matter and report at the next meeting (Sits). Thelma (Rising) I second the motion (Sits). Helen You know it will be no use that way. The drive will be over by the next meeting. Edward No it won’t. Drives are like a woman’s work, there’re never done. I appoint Helen and Cyril and Thelma on that committee. 12 John (Waking up from a long browse) I move we adjourn. Helen You haven’t accepted my resignation yet. Cyril We’re doing something. See, we’re appointing a com¬ mittee. Edward The meeting stands adjourned (Starts Home Sweet Home on the phonograph). (The others rise and begin to chat with one another. Helen occupies the centre of the table, her secretary’s book under her hand.) Cyril (Going up to Helen) Well, goodbye Helen, we'll hold a committee meeting pretty soon. Goodbye. Goodbye Helen Thelma (Kisses Helen). John Goodbye. Don’t lie awake all night over this. It don’t pay. Helen Goodbye, John. (The hats and outer wraps are in the hall. Some of the young people put theirs on there and then come in and call out goodby to Helen. She replies to them all, but does not go with them to the hall. Edward, too, remains at the victrola and the young people, Cyril, Beatrice, giving little nods in the direction of the two, get aivay at last, the victrola still grinding out Home Sweet Home. When the last one has gone Edivard stops the victrola and comes over to Helen.) Edward Helen, child, you’re getting too serious. A girl mustn’t be too serious. 13 Helen (Turning on him sharply) No? I suppose she must leave all the seriousness to you. Edward I’m serious enough at my business, you know that, but when I come here I like to drop it all. Helen Yes, I know. Edward And as to those awful things in the South, I know there’re awful but the Negroes there ought to get up and come North where they can get some sort of justice. Helen But when they come North I’ve heard you complain because some of them are uncultivated people who don’t always behave well in the street and don’t keep their boots shined and aren’t dandies like you. Edward (With an embarrassed, laugh) Well, they do make things harder for us northerners who have earned our place here and are thoroughly respected. Helen Do you respect yourself? Edward (Angrily) What do you mean? Helen Do you respect yourself? You come of humble people too, just as we all did. Edward Not you, Helen. Helen Yes, me. A minister’s family is poor enough. Edward What are you driving at? 14 Helen Oh nothing. Good night. Edward (With complete change in manner and for the first time this evening showing his finer side) See here, Helen, I’m not so unsympathetic as I talk. I do feel keenly for the men and women who are denied justice and lynched. I often think about it. And I appreciate your interest and sympathy in it all. You know I do. Helen Yes, I know you can feel seriously or I wouldn’t have been engaged to you. Edward You’re my girl, Helen, I love you more than anything else in the world. I’d work my head off for you. But I can’t go with you in this N.A.A.C.P. work. Helen Why not? Edward Because it would take too much time. Because I've got to work hard, to give all my best strength to mak¬ ing a home for you. Helen But I don’t want — Edward (interrupting her) I want you should have everything you need, and lots of things you don’t need. (With a little laugh) I’ve got my job cut right out for me here in Caldwell. I am beginning to get in with the right people. A man must look out for himself. Helen And never think about others? Edward I’m thinking about others. Ask John who was just here if I didn’t get him the best sort of a job the other day. Easy work and a fat check every pay-day. 15 Helen That’s a fine way to serve your fellow-man. Edward (Getting angry again) If you weren’t crazy from reading all that lynching and peon stuff you’d see what I mean. I mean that a man ought to take care of things near home. Help his family, make a home for his wife, help his friends. I’m doing this the best way I know how. That’s my job. (Helen does not answer but moves over to the v\ctrola and starts putting things to right a little listlessly. Edward regards her uneasily but remains where he is. Suddenly he bursts out) Besides it might hurt me in my work. Helen What work? Edward You know as well as I do that I’m thick in politics. And in the Democratic Party. I don’t want to be dragging in lynching and peonage every other minute. If I can make things decent in this town, get jobs for colored people, help the man who gets run into jail at night and hasn’t a friend but me, I’m as useful as if I were working for those peons in Arkansas they’re mak¬ ing such a cry about. Helen I’m glad you told it to me as straightforwardly as that. I’d suspected it for some time. You’ve sold your¬ self. Edward (Laughing and assuming his careless manner) Don’t be melodramatic. (He tries to hiss her but she repulses him.) Helen You’ve sold yourself. Edward (Very seriously) What do you mean? I've played a straight, honest game. 16 Helen Very well, perhaps it is. But it isn’t my game. We can’t play it together. We part company tonight. Edward Helen, you don’t know what you’re saying. Helen Yes, I do. I know just what I’m saying. I don’t want you to work for me. I can take care of myself. Yes, and I can take care of others too. I’ll never bind myself up so that I can’t work for the poorest child in the poorest place in the world. Edward You don’t understand. Helen Yes, I. do. That’s just what I do. I understand. And we can’t go together any more. (She pulls off her engagement ring and hands it out to him . He does not touch it but just stares at her.) Edward You don’t mean what you say. You won’t throw me over this way. Helen I mean every word. I won’t go with you any more. I’ve done with the Caldwell social club and its worthy president. Edward (Notv angry in a quiet, still fashion) Indeed. I am glad to know just how you feel. (Takes the ring and goes out into the hall. In a moment he reappears with his hat in his hand) I wish you good evening. Helen Good evening. (Edward bows and goes out. You hear the front door slam behind him. Helen, left alone, pushes back the table and puts the chairs in place. A voice calls from above.) 17 Helen! Mrs. Ray Helen Yes, Mother. Mrs. Ray Has everybody gone? Helen Yes, Mother. Mrs. Ray Then come up, dear. Helen In a few minutes, mother. Mrs. Ray Is anything the matter? Helen Oh, no nothing. Go to bed, dear, I’ll be up presently. Mrs. Ray Well, good night. I’ll leave the light in the hall. Helen Good night. (Helen moves about the room again, and then turns all the lights out but one. When she has the room to her liking she sits dozen in a large chair, her face to the audience, and rests her head upon her hand. In a little time she wipes her eyes and you see that she is weeping.) We’ve known one another such a long time and he’s such a dear fellow (wipes eyes) but I couldn’t be tied for life to a man who only wanted me to amuse him. If he would only face life, only learn about things, he would act differently. What a lot of good he could do! (She wipes her eyes again and for a few seconds sits quite silent, her hands in her lap. There is a faint noise in the hall, as of an opening door. Helen starts and stands.) Helen (Softly) Is that you, Ned? (There is no anszver. It is silent again. She moves toxvard the door and then moves back—afraid to go further.) 18 Helen Is anyone there? (There is a sound again and a man appears in the doorway. He is dressed in clothes that are wrinkled and dirty.’ He stands in the shadow and Helen can dis¬ tinguish very little. She staj'ts to cry out hut ends in a little choke for the man holds up his hand and says pleadingly ) Smith Don’t make a noise, don’t gib me lip. Helen What do you mean? Who are you? Smith Caesar Smith, Ma’am, from Georgia. Don’t gib me up. Dey’s after me. Helen Who are after you? Smith De sheriff, Ma’am. He come all de way up ter ketch me. He bin on my trail ter day. Reckon he’ll git me. But don’t gib me up. Helen Tell me what you did. • Smith No’tin ma’am, no’tin. No’tin but what you is doin now, guardin’ yo’r home. But I won’t hurt yo’. I needs help. I aint doin’ no man harm nor no woman. Helen (Seeing that he is sadly shaken loses her fear and goes over to where he stands) Sit down, I’m not afraid. But you must tell me what has happened and why the sheriff wants you. (The tivo sit. The one light in the room is on Smith*s face.) Smith Dis aint no pretty tale, Miss, fer you ter hear. You eber libed Souf? 19 Helen No, but I’ve read about some of the things that hap¬ pen there, the way the white people keep the Negroes on the plantations in debt and then the lynchings. Smith Yes, Ma’am, and dere’s anudder ting. Ef sumpin wrong happens, ef some white man is shot at by a nigger, or some white gal gits huirt, dey don cyah whever dey punish der right nigger or der wrong one, don make a bit o’ diff’ence, so long as dey huirt some one and has dere fun. Well, down my way, a white gal were— well, hurt badly, miss. Nobody knowd who done it. Dey don’ know ter dis day though it look like it were a white man got a grudge agin her father. But de white folks, an’ specially dose ole Ku Klux, dey must hit on somebody so dey hits on me. Helen Oh! Smith I had a right nice li’ll place. Chickens and a hog an’ a nice patch er sweet pertatoes. An’ I owned it, too. Dey didn’t like dat. I was getting biggertv, dey says. What was dat? (He starts at a sound he alone hears.) Helen It was nothing, Mr. Smith, nothing. I am sure you need not be afraid here. Smith I won’t neber be sure er myself agin, miss. I don’ spect eber to be safe. You can’t know ef you aint never been down dar. I was in der swamp two days, hidin’ from the dogs, der mud up ter my elbows, I was dat hongry I could feel de wolf tearin’ at my insides. But dat w T arn’t der worst. I was feared ob de fire dat burns slow, slow while dey sits around to watch an’ hear yer scream. Dat’s what I feared. Helen But w r hat did you do? 20 Smith No’tin, aint I tellin’ yo’ I didn’t touch der gal. Got one er my own. But dev cum ter my house and ordered me out an’ I jes wouldn’t go* Who comes? Helen Smith Aint I tellin’ ver, Dey comes, dese Ku Klux. Helen The Ku Klux? Smith Yas’m, Dey tells me agin ter come out, an’ I don’ go. And dey calls agin: “We’re wanting yer, Caesar!” An’ I don’ go. An den dey pounds at de do’. It aint easy ter break. I stands dar, watchin’ fer ’em ter git in. (He rises at this and tells his story dramatically, crouch¬ ing with imagined gun in hand) I jes watches, Miss, an’ when dey break de do’ I shoots de firs’ one dat comes in. Helen You shot? Smith Yes ma’am, I shoots and he falls, his ole white sheet wrap about him. He wasn’t dead, cos I seed him atter- wards. But dey don no more come in jes den. Dose Klu Klux, dey aint much alone, dey has to hunt in crowds. When I gits my gun on de second one, he goes out. An’ I goes too, out der back do’. Helen Was anyone in the house with you? Smith No, thank de Lord. Ma and Lindy was away visitin’ her folks. Lindy wanted ter take her kitten. I wish she had. Dere aint nottin’ lef’ ob dere place, not a pertater in der ground, or a shingle on der roof—ebery- ting gone. Dey set fire ter de heap, spectin’ me ter 21 be in it. But I had gone a good stretch an’ purty soon I heard der dogs. Eber heard bloodhounds? (Helen shakes her head.) Dey aint bad dogs, but dey sure is put to der debit's use. I heard ’em baying, baying, an’ I went to der swamp and stayed der trou de night an’ in de mornin’ I went in deeper, deeper, so dey couldn’t fin’ me. Cat- briers wrop around yo’, dead trees where yo’ sink deep down in der rot, and der ants, millions ob dem, run about yo’ feet. Gnats an’ moskeeters buzzing tru de day an’ screaming tru de night an’ de white man standin’ waitin’ fer yo’ to get out. (He stops in his story and looks up- ward) But de stars was dar, de lamps of heaven. De stars dey sabed me, Miss. I followed de North star like de slaves did in de ole days. An’ all de way along I found friends. Seemed like dere’s a heap ob kind people in der world. (He stops and looks at her steadily.) Helen And you will find a friend here, Mr. Smith, I’ll help you in any way that I can. Smith I hopes yo’ will, Miss, I’s been tru a heap ob trouble. I don’ look like what I did at home. I wisht you could hab seen my li’ll home. Honeysuckle on de front poch an’ Ma alays keepin’ everything swep up. And Lindy, de prettiest li’ll trick playin’ about the yard wid her kitty. Dat waz my home an its gone. (He sinks back in his chair with a helpless gesture. Helen looks at him and wipes the tears from her eyes. They hear a slight sound. Caesar starts tip. Helen goes to the hall to lock the door and is confronted by a man. She pushes the sivitch and turns on the light full force. She sees a xchite man, rather good-looking, lean, with sharp features) (Rises, terrified) Dats him, I said they waz after me. Jones (Showing his pistol) Well, I got you at last, Caesar, and a pretty chase you’ve led me. Thought you could get off up here, eh? We’ll see about that. I’ve a warrant against you. You’re charged with murder. 22 (Smith’s head drops and he turns to follow the sheriff but they both are confronted by Helen tvho stands in the doorway) Helen Leave that man alone, you’ve no right to enter this house. Jones Well, I’ll be damned. What sort of a nigger wench is this? Helen Leave that man alone. (Turns to Smith) Don’t you go with him, Mr. Smith. Jones Mr. Smith, that’s a good one (Takes hold of Caesar and pushes him toward the door). Helen (Runs to the telephone which is in the hall. You hear her calling) Central, The Police Department. Yes, this is 20 Chestnut Street. A man has forced entrance— Come at once. (Sheriff stops with Caesar who has made no attempt to escape him. Speaks as Helen returns) Jones That’s all right, my girl. I hope your police will come. They’ll save me trouble. Helen Don’t worry, they’ll come. (To Caesar) Don’t be discouraged, Mr. Smith, you aren’t in the South. Jones No, but he soon will be. Helen You mustn’t be too sure of that. Jones What’s to prevent it? Helen We’ll all prevent it. We won’t let him go back to be lynched. 23 Jones (With a little laugh) Lynched, why, he’ll get a fair trial all right. Helen A fair trial in Georgia! Jones (Menacingly) See here, you’d better drop this sort of gab with me. You’re nothing but a nigger, and you want to keep your place. Helen (Who is trembling all the time but who keeps up from the excitement of the situation) You had better keep your place. You’ve no right entering my home and I’ll have you arrested for it. Jones I’ll be damned. (The sheriff takes a quid of tobacco from his pocket, cuts off a piece and begins to chexv. His eyes never leave Caesar who has no opportunity to escape. There is a ring at the door. Helen runs to open it and ushers in txvo policemen.) Helen Officers, arrest this man (pointing to the sheriff) he has entered my house tonight. Jones Easy now, friends, easy. (He shows his badge and papers) This is a very high class nigger establishment but I reckon it can’t shelter criminals any better than the low down ones. This man is my prisoner, officer, needed in Georgia on a charge of assault with intent to kill. (The officers are policemen sent in from the nearest station. They look at the sheriff’s credentials, and turning to Caesar the more important looking says) Officer Are you Caesar Smith? 24 Smith Yas, sail. Jones And my prisoner. Officer (to sheriff) Go slowly, man. Caesar Smith is a prisoner of the State and as such I place him under arrest. (Puts his hand on Caesar and moves him to the door, the sheriff following.) Helen Don’t give up hope, Mr. Smith. Don’t feel that this is the end of things, it’s only the beginning. You’re in Caldwell, not in Georgia, and you shant leave here. Jones How do you make that out? Helen He shant leave, we won’t let him. We’ll get the best lawyer in the city and we’ll fight the case, we’ll fight it and fight it. (She loses her nervousness and speaks with clear ringing accents) Don’t you be afraid, we’ll fight and we’ll win. The State shant grant extradition. The governor won’t let them take you away. I know he won’t. We won’t let him. We’ll fight for you in the courts. Don’t you understand, we’ll fight to keep you with us here. You shant be taken back to be lynched. (The men all stand and watch her amazed at her excite¬ ment and the confidence with which she speaks. At length the sheriff sags with a slow drawl) Jones You’re a high-brow colored gal all right but how do you think you’re going to keep me from taking my prisoner away with me? Got a pull with the alderman, perhaps. Well, we’ll see whether this aint a white man’s country. You and your lawyer! Who’s going to do this fine fighting? Helen The National Association, that’s who is going to do it. The Caldwell Branch of the N.A.A.C.P. Curtain. 25 ACT II. Scene: The headquarters of the Caldwell Branch of the N.A.A.C.P. A bare room furnished with a desk, a typewriter, tables and chairs. Literature of the Associa¬ tion is on a side table. A few pictures of persons prominent in the movement are on the walls. Also any posters that may seem suitable. Helen and Thelma are at one table and Mrs. Carter and Mr. Harris at another. They are busy with papers. In the centre of the room, lined up, is a chorus (preferably children) that is sing¬ ing J. W. Johnson’s “Lift Every Voice” as the curtain rises. One verse is sung before the curtain goes up. The others after it has risen. Jane, Leader of Chorus That’s better, much better. I feel sure it will go finely for the Thursday meeting. We are all to be on hand, as you remember at quarter before eight. Is that quite clear? (Three or four in the chorus: “Yes, we understand.” Others say just “Yes”) We can all go then, unless (turning to Mrs. Carter) you have some¬ thing further that you want us to do ? Mrs. Carter (In a brisk, efficient manner) Nothing just now. But all remember, please that we have to raise at least a thousand dollars for Smith’s case, and that we want at least two thousand members. Don’t be afraid to ask for memberships. The Lord helps those who help them¬ selves. (“Yes, Yes,” the chorus answer and all go out. Jane remains and goes over to Mrs. Carter’s desk with books of receipts. Mrs. Carter looks at the books) That’s fine, Jane, I knew you would make a great lieuten¬ ant. You thought you couldn’t get anyone and here you have ten members already. Jane (Smiling happily) Yes, it isn’t hard when you once get started. 27 Thelma Isn’t it wonderful, Helen, the way the money is coming in. Helen Yes, it’s all the Smith case, don’t you think? Mrs. Carter (Looking up from her desk) It’s you, Helen, who brought us that. Helen I, think Caesar Smith brought it, all the way from Georgia. Mr. Harris I know I’m glad to help with my ten dollar certificate. Helen Oh, how fine for you to take that out, Mr. Harris. Mr. Harris Not at all. I’m glad to do it for Caesar Smith and also for our heroine who wouldn’t let the sheriff carry him off but called in the police. Helen It wasn’t anything, really. If you had heard him when he told his story you would all have done just as I did. Thelma I’d have been so frightened when I saw a strange man in the house, I’d have screamed and that would have spoilt everything. Jane (Turns from the door) Coming Mr. Harris? We’ve got to see some more folks tonight. Mr. Harris Yes, I’m coming. Good night (As they leave a hoy and his girl about eleven and ten come in). His Girl (Going up to Mrs. Carter) We’ve come to join the ^N.A.A.C.P. 28 Mrs. Carter Good! His Girl (Opening her pocketbook and taking out a dollar bill) Here’s my money (taking oat anotlief bill) and here’s Jimmy’s. Mrs. Carter (To Jimmy) I’m glad you have such a good banker. Jimmy Oh, I earn the money and she takes it. Got a bug on this Association now. M rs. Carter (While writing oat receipts, the girl watching her) She will make a good wife when she grows up. Jimmy I don’ know. I want a little for myself (turns out his pockets which are empty). Helen How do you earn all this money, Jimmy? Jimmy Selling; the Crisis. His Girl And the. (Mentioning name of local colored paper. A white woman enters. Helen rises and greets her.) Helen I’m so glad to see you here, Miss Norton. (To Mrs. Carter) Miss Norton is the principal of my school. Miss Norton I’m only too glad to come, Miss Ray. I have been working among my church people, I dont feel as though I ought to work at business, and have fifteen members for you. (She goes to Helen’s desk and Helen seats her¬ self while Miss Norton hands out the money) Here are six one dollar members, and here are five five dollar ones. 29 Helen That’s great. Miss Norton Isn’t it? I am especially proud of all my judges. I have three of them, and they all said they were only too glad to join. You cant think how much this arrest of that poor colored man has stirred up the city. Mrs. Carter I suppose you all are just beginning to know what we have known all our lives. Miss Norton Perhaps that is it. Helen Well, it’s different for us too. It’s different seeing a man who has just escaped lynching or reading about one. Miss Norton Most people haven’t much imagination. Helen That doesn’t apply to you, Miss Norton. You have been a member ever since we started. Miss Norton You certainly stirred my imagination when you had that meeting three years ago and gave those awful lynching figures. And here’s my prize member (all look) The honorable James MacDonald, former member of congress, twenty-five dollars. (Helen, Thelma and Mrs. Carter all applaud.) Mrs. Carter That’s wonderful, Miss Norton. We’ll have our pub¬ licity committee make a news story of that. It will help us a lot, won’t it, Helen? Indeed it will. I must be going. Helen Miss Norton Are these all the receipts? 30 Helen You’ll find them all there, and the money will go to headquarters to-morrow. Miss Norton I am sure it will. There is nothing like the woman who isn’t supposed to know anything about business to do a quick business job. Well, good night all. Mrs. Carter Good night. Helen Good night, and thank you so much. Thelma Good-night. (Miss Norton goes out). Jimmy (Who is now at Helen's desk) Say, Miss Ray, did the white man point a gun at you? Helen No, not at me, at Mr. Smith. Jimmy I wisht I had been there. I always miss the fun. His Girl I’m going to have my picture in the Crisis some day. I’m going to college. Jimmy Say, Miss Ray, did you have your picture in the Crisis? Helen Yes, when I graduated from College. Jimmy Humph. Here, so long, Cdtie (Calls to girl who has received her receipt and joins him). It’s the movies for us, now, aint it ? His Girl (As they go out) Let’s make it sodas first. (As they run off they crash into a woman carrying a basket.) 31 Fannie Landers Is dis de office ob de Natural Association? Mrs. Carter Yes, this is the office. Fannie Landers Is you de gal what took pity on dat po’ man? Mrs. Carter No, this is the young lady into whose house Caesar entered. (Points to Helen.) Fannie Landers (Going over to Helen) I’s jes been paid and I wants to put my money right hyar to help keep dat po’ man alive. Don’ you let him go Souf. I come from down dar an’ I know what I’s talkin’ ’bout. Yes ma’am. Dey wouldn’t leave so much as a bone fer de crow ter pick at. Day’d burn him as sure as you’s born. I knows. (She pulls a tatered pocketbook from her breast and takes out a soiled dollar bill) You take dat, honey. Helen Let me give you a receipt (She hands the laundress a receipt). Fannie Landers What dat fo’? Helen That’s to say that you have given me the money. Fannie Landers (Laughs) Don’ I know dat? Didn’t I gib it to yer just now? Don’t need no paper ter tell me dat. Now' don’ you let him go back to Georgia. You tell him I knows and fer him not ter go back. Helen We won’t if we can help it. (Exit woman.) (While Fannie Landers has been talking to Helen a portly, well-dressed man has come in and put down a dollar on Mrs. Carter’s desk and received a receipt. He now speaks.) 32 Portly Man What do I get when I die? Mrs. Carter (Enquiringly) What do you get when you die? Portly Man Yes, Ma’am. What do I get when I die? Mrs. Carter Why, nothing. Portly Man I’ve paid a membership and you have given me a receipt. What are the benefits that come to me? Mrs. Carter This money is for the living, not for the dead. Thelma (Who has been standing near the door giving out literature when the people leave) This money is to keep people from dying. Portly Man But do I get nothing out of it? Mrs. Carter Nothing but the satisfaction of having helped your race. Portly Man Kindly return me my dollar, please. I do not give out money without the assurance of getting something back. (Mrs. Carter returns him his dollar, too indignant to trust herself to speak, but as he goes out Thelma stops him.) Tiielma Your receipt, if you please. Portly Man My receipt? Thelma Yes, your receipt. You don’t get something for noth¬ ing. (As the portly man fishes out the receipt and gives it to Thelma, four people, two men and two women, come 33 hurrying in. They are all lieutenants and are full of a pleasant bustle. Mrs. Allen and Mr. Campbell go to Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Boyd and Mr. Duncan to Helen.) Mrs. Allen My book is full. That makes me have forty new members in all. „ Mrs. Boyd Forty, I have fifty. Mr. Campbell Here’s my report, Madam Carter, Captain. Five new members. Mrs. Allen Five? Is that the best you could do? Mr. Campbell It’s hard for men to get members, they have so little leisure time. Mrs. Allen JYou have a lot of time at your lodge. Why didn’t you get more there? I made everyone of the Daughters of Ruth but two promise me a dollar at their last meeting. Mr. Campbell Promises are one thing and cash another. Mrs. Allen When you have the promises you have to go after the cash. (Mrs. Carter and Helen are busy during the con¬ versation making out receipts.) Mr. Duncan I go Campbell a cipher better. I have 50 members. Helen (Looking up from where she is signing receipts) That’s fine Mr. Duncan. Mrs. Boyd You and I are in the same boat, aren’t we Mr. Dun¬ can. Fifty each. 34 Helen Now you’ll have to keep on each getting the same number. It’ll be one hundred soon. Mrs. Boyd Then I’ll have to give up my baby. I only meet him once a day now. Mr. Duncan No, count him in, count him in. I’ll give him a ten dollar membership right now. Helen Good, good! I’ll make out the receipt. Thelma When will the case come up, Mr. Duncan? Mr. Duncan In a week probably. Helen Only to think, in a week we shall learn whether this state stands for the poor and oppressed or whether it is willing to give a man over to the mob. Mr. Duncan You ought to argue the case, Miss Helen, instead of our young orator, Edward Marston. Helen (Awkwardly) Oh no. Mr. Duncan I believe we have been very fortunate to be able to retain this young man, and I for one appreciate his generosity in refusing any fee. But I do not doubt that you are at the bottom of all this. Helen No, no indeed, I haven’t seen Ned—Mr. Marston— since Mr. Smith was arrested. Mrs. Allen (Bustling over to where Helen is, much to Helen’s an¬ noyance ) I have heard, Helen, that you’ve been very hard 35 on this young man. You two were too thick though, I reckon to last. (Helen turns to her work and says nothing.) Mr. Duncan I have a great admiration for Edward Marston, my¬ self, he is working with the greatest energy on this matter. (At this moment he is interrupted by the en¬ trance of the Rev. George Todd, a clergyman as one sees at once from his appearance.) Rev. Todd Good evening, friends. Helen, Mrs. C. & Mrs. B. Good evening, Reverend (They all either speak or nod greetings). M rs. Campbell How do you think the case is going, Reverend? Rev. Todd I am not in a position to have any wiser opinion than the rest of you. We all know that the Governor, failing to understand the importance of the case, issued ren¬ dition papers for Caesar Smith. We are now trying to secure his freedom by a writ of habeas corpus. Edward Marston is handling the ease and I have strong belief in his ability. M rs. Campbell What happens if we do secure a writ of habeas corpus? Rev. Todd The man is then free and will be safe so long as he remains in this State. Helen Oh, if he can only get it. He must not go back South. Mrs. Allen Well, I must be going—not South, but through this city to try to get more N.A.A.C.P. members. Mr. Duncan We must all go, if I am to visit all these people (hold¬ ing up a list that Helen has given him)/ 36 Mr. Campbell Thelma handing them literature as they go out of door.) Well, I m off. (The four who came in go out together, Thelma I ought to go too, oughtn’t I, Mrs. Carter? I have the Baptist prayer meeting to cover tonight. Mrs. Carter W r e ought all to go out, for that matter. There are five separate secret societies that Helen and I should reach this evening. Rev. Todd Why not go and leave me in charge ? I have made out receipts for you before. Mrs. Carter Oh, would you, Reverend? I’d be so grateful. No one is likely to come in now anyway. Rev. Todd I shall be delighted to help such charming ladies. Helen You’ve done no end of things for us already, and we are so grateful to you. Mrs. Carter It is a great help to know that there is one church in the city to which we can always turn, and then you preach such splendid N.A.A.C.P. sermons. Rev. Todd I am glad to contribute my small portion. We must all pull together if we are to rid ourselves of the demon Race Prejudice. (The three zvomen have been putting papers and tables in order and now stand ready to leave.) Thelma Good-bye Reverend Todd. Helen Good-bye. Rev. Todd (To Helen in a low tone) I’ve seen a good deal of a certain young gentleman lately and I don’t like to think that you are of an unforgiving nature. (Helen looks down, shakes her head, but says nothing.) Rev. Todd Can’t I give him a word of comfort? (Helen again shakes her head but then looks up with a smile and runs off. Mrs. Carter brings up the rear, her hands full of books and literature. The Reverend is left alone. He goes to the literature table and lifts up some of the leaflets noting them by name: Thirty Years of Lynching, A Lynching Uncovered, The Chicago Race Riots, Mississippi, The American Congo, The Arkansas Cases.) Jones (The door opens and the sheriff comes in. He looks just as he looked the night he entered Helen's home) Good evening, Elder. Rev. Todd (Looking up startled) Good evening. Jones Thought I’d drop in and see what this little society is that’s trying to obstruct the course of justice. (He goes to the table and picks up the pamphlets. He evidently does not read with great ease for he pours over the titles and gives them out somewhat slowly) “A Lynching Uncovered,” “Thirty Years of Lynching.” Look here, what are you doing with books like this. What affair is it of yours how we string a man up. Want to hide the criminal, eh? Rev. Todd We want to see that justice is done, sir. Jones (Turns over the pamphlet, “An Appeal to the Civilized World," and sees the pictures. He is much interested in 38 them, and turning to the Reverend shows him a photo¬ graph) See that pieture? That’s my old friend, Dick Simpson, in there. Reckon he didn’t expect ever to get into print like that. (He speaks with pride at the celebrity given his friend.) Rev. Todd His picture has traveled a long way. That pamphlet has been sent all over Europe. People have seen Mr. Dick Simpson’s picture in Paris and London, and even over in Japan. Jones (Looking at picture again) Aint that great! Old Dick Simpson in London. He’ll never get there any other way, I reckon. (Turning sharply to the Reverend) What you sending the pieture over the world for? It aint no¬ body’s business but ours how we settle up with niggers. Rev. Todd Mr. Sheriff, the man who takes human life has to settle up with his God. Jones Dick’s a good church member, I know that, never misses a Sunday. He got religion when the preacher came around in our county, oh, back ten years ago. Great preaching that was. I never knew a man who could make you feel hell-fire better. It made you almost sizzle yourself. Rev. Todd And is your friend escaping hell fire by burning up a black man here on earth? Jones What’s that? What’s that got to do with it? Rev. Todd It has very much to do with it. The Lord, my friend, is merciful and gracious, slow to anger. He does not sanction the cruelty shown in this picture here. (Points to the page where the burning of a Negro is shown) He tells us to love one another. To be kindly intentioned one to another. 30 Jones You’re willing to have our white girls raped by dirty black bucks, are you? Think we’re going to stand by and see the blacks take over our country, do you? Rev. Todd As it happened the man whose picture you see, who was burnt to ashes and who suffered the most awful torment that can be given to man, was not charged with touching a woman. Jones Wasn’t he? (He looks at picture again) And there’s Bill Ricks, too. Golly did his picture go to England and Paris? Rev. Todd Yes, sir. Jones Let me have this book to take back, Elder. Rev. Todd These books are for sale, sir. Jones How much. Rev. Todd Fifteen cents. Jones (Pulls out the money and gives it to the other man.) There you are. It sure was great to have that picture go so far. To Japan you said? Rev. Todd To Japan and to India also. Jones Bill and Dick will sure be surprised. What did they want to see their pictures for anyway? Rev. Todd They wanted to see how justice was meted out in America. Jones (With bored smile) Well, they know now. That’ll learn ’em. And they’d better not come around our way 40 if they’re nigger lovers, either. We know what to do with folks like that. Tar and feathers makes a pretty dress. (He drops the hooks and goes over to the desk where Helen has been working) Elder, what is this tarnation society? I never thought I’d have run up against a bunch of niggers that’d keep me from getting my man. Why, ef I’d been home they’d have handed him to me as quick as you could shoot off a gun. Is it politics as does it? Is this a Republican society? Rev. Todd No, this society doesn’t belong to any party. Some of the members are Republicans, some Democrats. Jones Democrats, why, we don’t allow a nigger in the party at home. Rev. Todd The young lawyer, Edward Marston who will defend Caesar Smith, is a Democrat. Jones That young upstart? Ef I had him down South I’d show him where he belonged. That young puppy, daring to think I wouldn’t protect my prisoner. I’d find the right tree and use him for a target. Where was you raised ? Rev. Todd In Georgia. Jones Well now, what county? The Rev. Todd Larchmont. Jones That’s North, I was raised in Casper County. And we don’t let a nigger that’s travelling on the train stop for more than two hours. That’s the way we manage it. Rev. Todd How about their going away? 41 Jones When they’re biggerty we send ’em away at the rope’s noose, and the rest, we keep ’em there and treat ’em fine. We all get along fine, whites and niggers, in my county. Rev. Todd I know most of the Negroes from Georgia in this city. There’re just the sort you need down there to make your state rich and prosperous but they wouldn’t stay. Jones We make ’em stay. Every Georgia nigger in your church knows our terms. Any nigger who lives down my way has got to know first that it is a white man's country. That’s first, all other things will be added un¬ to you. Hear me quote scripture! Rev. Todd So the kingdom of God and the white man’s rule in Georgia are the same—and to be sought with equal avidity. (While he is speaking the door opens and Ed¬ ward enters abruptly and looking about addresses the minister.) Edward Where is Helen? Rev. Todd She left here a short time ago to go to a meeting of the Knights of Pythias. Edward Oh, I thought I should see her here. Rev. Todd She will be back directly. Jones A right pretty nigger wench. (He is chewing a piece of tobacco and his tone and slur anger Edxvard beyond words. Edward turns on him sharply) Edward Get out of here. You have no business in this place! 42 Jones (Amazed) Are you addressing me, might I ask? Edward Leave this office. (The sheriff goes over to Edward and starts to pour the tobacco juice from his mouth unto him. Edward hits him. The sheriff draws a pistol and fires. Edward grabs his left arm, stumbles, falls un¬ conscious into a chair. The sheriff puts his pistol on the table and goes over to Edivard.) Jones Only winged you, did I ? (Gives his shoulder a shake but sees that the man is unconscious) I’ll do better for you my fine buck next time. Knock a white man down, will you? (He turns to go to the table to get his pistol and finds the Reverend has taken it up and is pointing it at him.) Rev. Todd Wait a minute, my friend. Jones What in the devil- Rev. Todd Although I’m a preacher I know how to use a gun, and I’ll use it too if ,it’s necessary. (The sheriff stares at the pistol and at the Reverend. They are standing opposite one another when the door opens. The sheriff starts to go and runs into the arms of a policeman.) Policeman What’s going on here? Who fired that shot? Rev. Todd Put the handcuffs on him, officer. He has shot and wounded Edward Marston. Policeman Keep him covered while I put on the bracelets. (He dexterously and quickly has the sheriff in handcuffs. In the meantime, Edward has aroused himself enough to move in his chair and turns languidly to see what is hap¬ pening. He starts up, then grasps his arm with a moan and sinks down again.) 43 Rev. Todd Here is the weapon, officer. (Gives policeman the pistol) Two minutes ago this man (pointing to sheriff) shot, with intent to kill, Mr. Marston. I am ready at any time to tell the whole story. Policeman (Respectfully) We all know you, Sir. But who’s this fellow anyway? (Points to the sheriff.) Jones I’m a white man, that’s what I am, but you’re a yellow dog. (Policeman taking him hy the arm, pushes him toward the door so that he nearly falls.) Policeman None of your impudence. I’ll call an ambulance for that young man at once. He needs attention. Rev. Todd (Goes over to Edward) My dear boy, are you much in pain? Edward I don’t know, but I’d stand anything but dying to have seen this. In handcuffs, oh my Lord, in handcuffs. (He grins and then gives a little groan of pain gripping his arm. The Reverend lifts him and putting his arm around his neck the ttvo start for the door.) In hand¬ cuffs, what he meant to put on Caesar Smith. Oh, glory, in handcuffs. Rev. Todd We’ll have that wound dressed in just a minute. Edward (Stopping for a second and looking about the room) I should smile. In handcuffs. Do you get the Reverend? In handcuffs. (He roars with laughter, then groans with pain. He slowly resumes his zvalk, then stops again and turning to the audience says) In handcuffs. Curtain 44 ACT III. Scene: A court room. The justice is seated with papers and gavel before him. In front of the guard rail running before the bench is a table covered with legal documents and papers. Seated at the table are the steno¬ grapher and clerk of the court. Edward, his left arm in a sling, is present as lawyer for the plaintiff. Rev. Todd is on witness stand which is opposite the table and to left of judge. The District Attorney, representing the state of Georgia, is standing before him. Seats for the spectators are to the right of the judge and are all filled. All are listening eagerly. The sheriff, a witness, awaiting to be called, is seated in front of spectators. (In the audience are many of the people who were in act one, and two persons conspicuous among them are Helen Ray and Fannie Landers. As the curtain rises the Reverend Mr. Todd is testifying.) Rev. Todd I come from Northern Georgia, your Honor, but it so happened that I preached one Sunday in Cartersville, fifteen miles from where Caesar Smith lived. While stay¬ ing in Cartersville I saw a lynching within a hundred yards of the church where the day before I had been preaching. It was of a singularly gruesome character. The body was mutilated with hundreds of shots. When I looked down from the church steps I saw certainly thirty men shooting at once. The* body hanging from a tree was a target and it seemed to be a matter of sport to find who could strike the bull’s eye. D. Attorney Did you see the victim these persons were trying to avenge r No Sir. Rev. Todd 1). Attorney Mr. Todd, you are a clergyman and a man of God;: 45 it is your duty to preach forgiveness. But if some man here in the streets of Caldwell were to assault and rape your wife, would not every drop of blood in your body call upon you to visit upon the brute instant and awful punishment ? Rev. Todd I cannot answer that question, Sir. I do not know what I might do under such circumstances. But I can say that the question is irrelevant to the story which I have just related. The person lynched had not com¬ mitted rape. I). Attorney He had attempted it. Rev. Todd No, sir. The person whom I saw lynched in Carters- wille, Georgia, and whose body I saw used as a target and riddled with bullets was a woman. (There is an excited murmur throughout the audience. The judge stares sharply at the reverend gentleman who shows nothing in his face.) Judge Did I understand you to say that you saw a woman lynched ? Rev. Todd Yes, your honor. Judge (To D. Attorney) Have you any further questions to ask this man? * D. Attorney No, your honor. (The zvitness steps down.) Clerk William Jones,, sheriff of Casper County, State of Georgia, will now take the stand. (Sheriff advances in szvaggering manner and takes stand. Clerk administers oath, extending Bible to sheriff 46 who places his left hand upon it, raising his right hand above his head.) Clerk Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but truth, so help you God? Jones I do. (Clerk again takes his seat at table.) D. Attorney State briefly to the judge, Mr. Jones, for what purpose you have come to Caldwell. Jones I have come to this town, your Honor, to arrest a criminal who has escaped from justice. 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