Berea High School - Prima Luce Yearbook (Berea, NC)

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PHIMA I I f r 1 I it Grandfather (He regards her for a fezv minutes with a startled look, then moves nearer to her and speaks) Why child, how tired you look. Lettie (Looking up in surprise) I am tired, I ' ve been working hard from four o’clock until six (lightly). But I don’t mind. Mr. Humphry is so good to let me live in his home. Grandfather Humphry! Why, my child, how did this happen, what is your name? Lettie My name is Lettie Talmage. (Grandfather starts, and then, thinks deep while Lettie finishes speaking) My Mother and Father died, so Mr. Humphry found me here in the park, and carried me home with him. Servant (To Lettie) Has you run away, scamp, you was told to scrub the floor and wash the dishes. Lettie (Rising) But I’m so tired, and my arms ache. (Starts off) Servant (Muttering to himself as he zvalks off stage) She must be tired, but orders are orders, and anyway I can’t get myself into trouble, by not seeing that they are obeyed. Grandfather (Watching them exit) Lettie — Lettie, my old sweetheart, and this little girl is Lettie’s daughter. (Rising) Well, I must carry out my plans. (Sees Humphry enter, and drops quickly back upon the bench) Humphry (He stops and looks at Grandfather in surprise) Why — why! Grandfather Yes, Humphry, it is me. I’ve escaped, barely with my life. The ship and all my worldly goods that I possessed went down. ( Drops his face into his hands and weeps) Humphry, all of my money went down, there is nothing but myself left, not even an extra suit. I’ve been to Richard, but he drove me from his door. Humphry (Frowning) Then, why come to me? I’m not running an alms house. I’ve just picked up one little brat last week, and she doesn’t earn her salt. (Rises and starts out muttering) Grandfather Just as I expected. t Page 71 ]

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phry, crying as if her heart would break. Her hair « n f „ , a is matted in curls about her head, and her dress is torn and toiled.) ' ™ Child I’m all alone, and I’m cold and hungry. Humphry Where are your parents? Child Oh ! They carried her away ! My mother • thev ™,+ w • , , , and carried her away. (Sobs) My father went tn iL n ? a co . d lard kox mother said. 7 Y WCnt t0 heaven a lon £ time ago; so Humphry (Aside) She would make a good kitchen girl and I wouldn’t have to hire one. (To the child) What is your name? 1 nave t0 llire Child My name is Lcttie Talmage. That was mv nwwL , , nLTwas S Lkd d ge! hat W ° U,d eStabHsh Humphry Well, come along with me, and you shall have a home. Child (As she follows him out) Oh! Mister T . sent you to a lonely little girl. Mother said he would. ’ SUrC 7 G ° d haS SCENE II — Five days later. (Curtain falls) PLACE— Same as Scene I. Grandfather (He hobbles in dressed in an old suit that , ... around, and then, apparently satisfied that hr A vcrc f m 1 dust. He looks park bench) Well eveWius worted Zn I supposed I d have to hang around to myself for n te 1 d planned !t - Wh 3’ wmtlrl tia-ue it tlml cl-tit-r ri, a Y ea r Or tW-0. Blit AS lurk would have it that ship wrecked the second dav after °u tW °, ' But as luck escaped. Hal they will never In™ te I il „! “f ™ «« t Shivers ) But. it makes me stiHrof tea . r . . sal an d thus (Shivers) But, it makes me shiver to think of what mkrhtT’ “v thus , escaped ' way, I’ll get a peep into Humphry’s heart. t lave ka PP ened - Any- Lettie (Walks slorvly in, with her head turned and dmb • „ which Grandfather is on. She apparently does not tee him ° f ragged dress, but her face is clean, and her cold™ i She WCars m dlrty place. She looks tired.) ' curls are combed, and in l 9 [ Page 70 ]

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Lettie (Comes running in with tear-stained face) Oh! Mister, I knew you would he here; you are so kind. Why I can see through your eyes into your heart Grandfather Lettie — Lettie. Child, what was your mother’s name ? Lettie Her name was Lettie Talmage, Father’s name was Rutledge. But Mister how you tremble. Did you know my mother? b ’ Grandfather Yes ! I knew her. Listen, Lettie, I loved your mother, and she loved me But her father made her marry another man All these vearc T i . longing for her with a broket heart. And you W Taken l ™ ’ Lettie (Throwing her arms around hit neck) And vou realh , (Looking up at him) I’m just like her, Grandad. ‘ y ove d my mother. Grandfather Yes, you are just like her, and you shall he mine and nil tW T 1 We’ll go away together. I shall he your old Grandad; and you shall enter ' school ' and grow tip as my child. J ciucr cnooi, Lettie I’m so happy. I loved you, Grandad, the first time T saw . i tmi , your little girl. But Grandad. I can work for our food . 7 ’ a ? C 1 Humphry that you had lost your fortune. ’ ailse lear you tell Grandfather (Takes her in his arms) Honey, I was iusf u- money. But I have had a peep into his heart. My littlTLettie 6 happy. You are a rich girl now, for all that I have is yours ’ y ° U Sha C (Curtain) -Nancy Mae C urrin. 1 wo Lypes of C hildre?i CHARACTERS Cecil Garwood Billy Watkins Setting, time and place: hi front of a drug store, on Main Street in Winston of November, tivo boys meet on their way home It causing tile streets and sidewalks to be slippery A town boy A country boy -Salem, in the latter part is raining and freezing, Cecil I am most afraid to go farther (stopping). [ Page 72 ]