Chapter 5

SET SCENE: _The same as Acts I and II, except that a small table has been placed down center on the side near Lincoln's desk. A telegraph instrument has been installed on this table._

AT RISE: _At rise, the audience sees only_ LINCOLN _and_ OPERATOR, _the lights gradually rise until full day shows the entire room. It is the morning of September 3, 1864._

LINCOLN

[_Bending over the key._]

Try to get Atlanta again, my boy.

[_The_ OPERATOR _tries again and again to get Atlanta._]

OPERATOR

It's no use, sir----

LINCOLN

We don't seem to have any luck, do we? My messenger should have reached Sherman! He must be there now. He must be there--he can't be lost!

[_Laughs forlornly._]

Two whole days I've listened to that thing click----

[_The_ OPERATOR _calls Atlanta, with a peculiar loud call._]

Is that the word Atlanta you're clicking off?

OPERATOR

Yes, sir--calling--over this wire we have a direct connection to-day. The trouble is Sherman's old headquarters don't answer either.

LINCOLN

Call Atlanta again. Do it slowly. I want to learn it--Uncle Billy----

[_The_ OPERATOR _clicks off each letter in the Morse Code, spelling it slowly._]

Must be there by this time!

OPERATOR

A--T--L--A--N--T--A-- G--A-- Atlanta, Ga.

LINCOLN

Once more.

[_The_ OPERATOR _repeats the call and_ LINCOLN _follows it repeating after him._]

I want to catch that as quick as you do--when it comes!

[_Aside._]

Oh, my God, why don't it come!--Why don't it come!

[NICOLAY _enters._]

NICOLAY

The time's up. Raymond and his damned Committee are here, sir, and insist on your final answer at Once----

LINCOLN

Hold them back awhile. We're bound to hear something to-day. I promised them my decision this morning, I know--but I'm still full of foolish hopes.

NICOLAY

They are not foolish hopes,--Chief!

LINCOLN

This machine here seems to think they are. The darn fool thing will talk one way but won't chirp the other.

NICOLAY

What shall I tell them?

LINCOLN

[_Listening at the instrument._]

Anything--tell them a funny story!

[_Listening._]

They need a laugh--the bunch of undertakers! Waiting for me to deliver my corpse to them!--Restless, because I haven't given it up sooner!

[_The sharp click of the telegraph receiver catches his ear and he starts to the table._]

No--that wasn't it----

[_Turns again to_ NICOLAY.]

Tell them positively, I will see them within half an hour.

[NICOLAY _exits and_ LINCOLN _returns to his vigil by the telegraph table._]

How close can you get to Atlanta over the Chattanooga line----?

OPERATOR

Twenty miles out is the last station that answers and he don't know what's the matter with the line.

LINCOLN

Strange--we got closer than that yesterday--Sherman's on the move....

[BETTY _enters timidly._]

That's certain.

[_Looking up._]

Come right in, Miss Betty--I know what you want.

BETTY

Nothing yet from General Sherman?

LINCOLN

Nothing----

BETTY

And no message of any kind from John since he left?

LINCOLN

Not yet.

BETTY

Why--_why_ hasn't he reported?

LINCOLN

[_Hopefully._]

I'm sure--remember, _sure to a moral certainty_--that he left Richmond safely.

BETTY

[_Eagerly._]

You _have_ a message then?

LINCOLN

Indirectly----

BETTY

Oh----

LINCOLN

[_To_ EDWARD _at door._]

Edward, ask Mr. Gilmore to step in here a minute.

EDWARD

Yes, sir.

LINCOLN

Gilmore's report ought to be worth half a million votes for me--it may be worth something to you--

[GILMORE _enters._]

Gilmore, did you see a handsome young fellow in Confederate uniform taking notes at your interview with Davis----

GILMORE

Yes, sir, and I knew him too----

BETTY

[_Eagerly._]

It was Captain Vaughan?

GILMORE

Sure! He denied it, of course, but I knew him all right.

BETTY

He was well?

GILMORE

I never saw him looking better. He was scared stiff, of course, and so were we----

BETTY

Thank you!

LINCOLN

That'll do, Gilmore. I wish you'd help Nicolay choke that Committee off a little while--and you come with them when they break in--will you?

GILMORE

Gladly, Mr. President.

[GILMORE _exits._]

LINCOLN

[_To_ BETTY _lightly._]

Now you've had some good news----

BETTY

[_Forlornly._]

How long since any word came from General Sherman?

LINCOLN

Two days. I know the hole where he went in at. But I can't tell where the old varmint's going to come out----

BETTY

[_Chokes._]

If he ever comes out!

LINCOLN

Oh! He'll come out----

[_He stops and listens at the telegraph instrument again, and sighs in disappointment._]

He'll come out somewhere--It's a habit Uncle Billy has----

BETTY

[_Hopelessly._]

They've no news at the War Department either.

LINCOLN

No news is generally good news from Sherman.

[BETTY _turns away to hide her tears and_ LINCOLN _follows her with tender pleading._]

Come, come, my dear--these tears won't do! You've got to help me now!

[BETTY _brushes the tears away._]

I may have sent your lover to his death. I know that! But he went with a smile on his face and a great joy in his heart for the service he was doing his country----

BETTY

Yes--I know--I know--I'm proud of the honor you did him.

LINCOLN

[_Whispering._]

Give me a little lift, then----

[_Pauses._]

I'm just whistling to keep up _my_ courage!

[_He pauses again in an agony of suffering._]

I know that he got to Atlanta----

[_Pauses._]

Sherman has disappeared!

BETTY

Forgive me--I forgot. _You're_ going to win. I feel it. I know it!

LINCOLN

That's the way to talk! That's the way I'm talking to myself though I'm scared within an inch of my life----

[_He pauses and goes over to the_ OPERATOR--BETTY _following._]

Say, boy--can't you beat it a little harder and make the blame thing talk for us?

OPERATOR

I wish I could, sir.

LINCOLN

Try him again-----

[_The_ OPERATOR _calls Atlanta and pauses_--LINCOLN _and_ BETTY _bend over with breathless suspense. The instrument gives one click_--LINCOLN _starts. The instrument stops._]

Didn't the thing start to answer?

[_The_ OPERATOR _shakes his head._]

Call the War Office and ask Stanton to step over here--My God--why can't we hear!

BETTY

[_Wistfully._]

I'm not going to cry again--but I just want to ask _one_ question--you won't mind?

LINCOLN

As many as you like!

BETTY

He--he--had to enter Atlanta a spy, didn't he?

[_Sobs and catches herself._]

LINCOLN

Yes--of course----

BETTY

Well, if he should be captured--could--they execute him without our knowing it?

LINCOLN

They might--but he's a very bright young man! He'll be too smart for them----

BETTY

[_Hopelessly._]

I don't know--I don't know----!

LINCOLN

Now listen--! I'm going to tell you something--I _know_! I've a sort of second sight that tells me things sometimes, my dear. After the battle of Gettysburg I saw General Daniel E. Sickles in the hospital. They told me that he was mortally wounded and could not possibly live. _I_ told General Sickles that he _would_ live and get well, and he did! I saw his living body that day at work in health and strength as plainly as I see you! We have not heard from Captain Vaughan yet, but it will _come_--! He has reached Atlanta. The General got my message. I know that. I felt it flash through the air from his soul to mine! I can see you and your lover at this moment seated side by side smiling and happy----

BETTY

[_In awe._]

You--see--this----!

LINCOLN

[_In dreamy tones._]

As plainly as I see the sunlight dancing on the leaves outside that window now----

[STANTON _enters and_ LINCOLN _turns to meet him eagerly._]

STANTON

You've no news?

LINCOLN

I sent for you, to ask that----

STANTON

Nothing----

LINCOLN

[_In low tones._]

What does it mean?

STANTON

A storm swept Atlanta yesterday--the wires may be all down----

LINCOLN

You think that's it----?

STANTON

No--I don't.

LINCOLN

Neither do I----

STANTON

Something big has happened! Sherman has either taken Atlanta or Hood has cut his communications and his army may be imperiled.

LINCOLN

[_His head droops._]

That's what I think too--God help us!

[_The sharp click of the telegraph instrument causes him to start quickly, cross to the table and listen. The committee headed by_ RAYMOND _and_ STEVENS _crowd through the door against the protests of_ NICOLAY.]

NICOLAY

I promised you an answer in half an hour, gentleman!--you must wait.

RAYMOND

Not another minute!

STEVENS

[_Waving a telegram._]

The matter is too urgent!

LINCOLN

All right--John--let 'em in--I'm ready.

RAYMOND

We have just heard a most painful and startling piece of news from the War Department----

LINCOLN

[_To_ STANTON.]

War Department----

[_Low voice._]

--What is it, Stanton?

STANTON

Something I didn't believe and wouldn't repeat to you.

LINCOLN

[_Whispering to_ OPERATOR.]

Pull for me, boy, pull for me--keep picking at that thing!

STEVENS

[_Triumphantly._]

You were advised to withhold the new draft of men until after the election! Well, read that copy of a telegram from New York, just received by General Halleck, sir!

[_Offers telegram to_ LINCOLN _and he refuses to take it._]

LINCOLN

I don't want to read it, Stevens. Your face is enough for me. It must be bad, or you wouldn't be so happy. You're almost smiling!

STEVENS

Read it!

LINCOLN

[_Ignoring the proffered telegram._]

You know, Stevens, you remind of an old farmer I knew in Illinois----

[_The committee gather around_ LINCOLN _eager for the story, glancing at_ STEVENS.]

STEVENS

Go on, give 'em the joke. It's your funeral--not mine!

LINCOLN

[_Facing the committee._]

This old farmer raised the biggest hog ever seen in the county. He was so fat the news of his size spread over the country and people came from far and near to see this wonder in pork. A stranger came up one day and asked the farmer to see him. The old man said: "Wal I've got sech a animal an' he's the biggest one I ever seed. I'll say that. But so many folks are comin' here pesterin' me to look at him, I've decided to charge a shillin' a look." The stranger put his hand in his pocket, pulled out the money, paid the shilling, stared at the old man, turned and walked away. The farmer called after him--"Hi--there--ain't yer goin' ter see the hog?" "No"--the fellow answered--"I've seen you! I've got my money's worth."

[_All laugh except_ STEVENS. _During the laugh_ LINCOLN _bends over the telegraph instrument--in low tones._]

How goes it, boy? How goes it?

[_The_ OPERATOR _shakes his head._]

Not a click----?

[_Operator_ _shakes his head again--and_ LINCOLN'S _face contracts in suffering._]

STEVENS

Just a minute, Mr. President,--I'll give you the telegram if you won't read it.

LINCOLN

Fire away, Stevens, if it makes you happy.

STEVENS

[_Reading._]

"New York, Sept. 3, 1864.

"The Federal authorities have just discovered a nation-wide conspiracy to resist by force of arms the new draft. It will be necessary for General Grant to detach half his army from Lee's front immediately to put down this counter revolution. Send these soldiers without delay to our great cities."

The signature is in code.

RAYMOND

It's the blackest news yet, sir--and it's true.

STEVENS

You must realize that we cannot delay a moment in placing another man at the head of the ticket.

[_There is a moment of dead silence while all watch_ LINCOLN'S _face. Suddenly the sharp click of the telegraph instrument begins to spell the word A-T-lanta._ LINCOLN _starts--his face flashing with excitement._]

LINCOLN

What's _that_?

[_He follows breathlessly the spelling of the full word--his face expressing his joy._]

OPERATOR

Mr. President--It's come! It's here!

[LINCOLN _rushes to the table, the crowd following._]

It's for you, sir!

LINCOLN

Out with it, boy, word for word as you get it!

OPERATOR

[_Click-click._]

Atlanta--

[_Click-click._]

Georgia--

[_Click-click-click._]

September 3, 1864.

LINCOLN

Glory to God!

OPERATOR

[_Click-click._]

--Atlanta

[_Click-click._]

--is ours--

[_Click--click--click._]

and fairly won--W. T. Sherman----

LINCOLN

O my soul, lift up thy head!

[_To_ BETTY.]

Go tell Mother, quick, tell her to come here!

[BETTY _exits running._]

NICOLAY

Three cheers for General William Tecumseh Sherman!

ALL SHOUT

Sherman! Sherman! Sherman!

[_When the shout dies away_ LINCOLN _lifts his head solemnly and cries._]

LINCOLN

Unto thee, O God, we give all the praise now and forever more!

[MRS. LINCOLN _enters with_ BETTY _and rushes to meet the President. He takes her in his arms._]

Mother! It's all right!--Uncle Billy's there!

MRS. LINCOLN

You'll never doubt again?

LINCOLN

Never!----

[_Turning to the committee._]

My friends! A poem is singing in my heart!

"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord! He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored: He has loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword-- His truth is marching on!

"He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat! He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat: Oh! Be swift my soul to answer Him! Be jubilant my feet! Our God is marching on!"

STANTON

That draft will be all right, Stevens! Now all together!

[STANTON _leads and all sing._]

[LINCOLN _listens with bowed head._]

We are coming, Father Abraham, three hundred thousand more, From Mississippi's winding stream and from New England's shore; We leave our plows and workshop, our wives and children dear, With hearts too full for utterance, with but a single tear, We dare not look behind us but steadfastly before, We are coming, Father Abraham, three hundred thousand more!

CHORUS

We are coming, we are coming, our Union to restore! We are coming, Father Abraham, three hundred thousand more, We are coming, Father Abraham, three hundred thousand more!

LINCOLN

And remember, gentlemen, U. S. Grant sent Sherman on that mission. You know I didn't remove him! Well, Raymond, what say you, now!

RAYMOND

It's glorious. It's a miracle! Lee's army can't survive. The end is sure! McClellan is beaten--the Union is saved!

LINCOLN

What say you all?

A COMMITTEEMAN

Your triumph is sure!

ANOTHER COMMITTEEMAN

You'll sweep the nation, sir!

NICOLAY

Three cheers for the old President and three cheers for the new!

ALL

Lincoln! Lincoln! Lincoln!

[_All join except_ STEVENS, _whose face remains a mask._]

LINCOLN

Come on, Stevens, smile! Take a chance. It may kill you, but my Lord, man, take a chance!

STEVENS

You're not elected yet, sir--and such levity ill becomes a Nation's Chief in these tragic hours----

LINCOLN

[_Laughs._]

If I couldn't laugh I'd have died long ago at this job!

CURTAIN

EPILOGUE

SET SCENE: _The great pillars of the Capitol at Washington fill the entire stage from arch to arch. In the foreground stands the platform on which the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, headed by Salmon P. Chase, Chief Justice, are grouped about the President, who is delivering his Second Inaugural._ JOHN VAUGHAN _beside_ BETTY WINTER _is conspicuously leading the applause._

AT RISE: _The President is reading his Inaugural. A great burst of cheering follows the sentence he is closing before the curtain rises:_

LINCOLN

[_Before rise._]

Shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him?

[_Applause as curtain rises._]

Fondly do we hope--fervently do we pray--that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said, "The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

[_Applause._]

With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan--to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and all nations.

[_Fade out with the light on Lincoln's face as he utters the last word._]

CURTAIN