Trivoli Community High School - Memoir Yearbook (Trivoli, IL)

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Act ll That evening in the 'ABlue Goose Tavern, located a short distance from Spring- field. SCENE 1: A group of men in one of the large rooms of the tavern. One man seems to be the center of the group and is continually telling funny stories or dis- cussing ithe most important questions of the time. The men eagerly await the man's words and silence reigns supreme while he is talking. The men become so interested in what he is :saying that they forget to sneer and make their usual insulting remarks. Enter Billie. Billie: Say, Mr. Innkeeper, can you tell me which of that gang is Mr. Lincoln? I've got some awful important business with him. Innkeeper: Certainly, my boy. That tall fellow standing by the fireplace doing all that laughing and cutting up is Old Abe. Billie: Thank you Mister. I wonder if he is too busy to pay any attention to a little fellow like me? He looks like a real kind man and I bet you he wouldn't do anything wrong. I believe I'll just listen for a while so I can hear what he says. Samson: Well, Abe, since we are all friends gathered here this evening, I want to ask you a question. What will our country come to if this slavery question isn't settled and if all of the southern states secede from the union? Lincoln: Samson, my friend, I cannot tell exactly, but I do know one thing A housegdivided against itself, cannot siand. We must all hang together or we must hang separately. I hope and pray that our union may not be dissolved and if the south does secede, that it will not be for any length of time bu-t that by Gfod's will it will be possible for us to be one strong united nation. Billie: Say, Mr. Lincoln, do you think the negroes should be slaves? Lincoln: Why hello, sonny. Where did you come from? I don't believe I know your name but I know that if all boys were as interested enough in our national affairs to ask such questions as that, we should be a rich country indeed. Won't you tell me your name, my boy? Billie: Yes sir. My name is Billie Hart. I have been hearing a great deal about the slavery question and, oh sir, woulc'n't I like to hear that debate tomorrow? Lincoln: Would you Billie? Well I believe we can plan some way so you may go to hear the debate. Would you like to go with me,'Billie? I love to have the company of many little fellows like you but I'm afraid you will find me rather tire- some. Billie: O.h, mister, could I really go with you? You are the kindest man I have ever 'seen and I'm sure I'l1 have a fine time, but mister, do you think those negroes should be made to work so hard? Lincoln: My boy, have you ever heard the quotation, f'All men are created equal? I don't think that sounds as though any man, no matter what his color or nationality, should be superior over any other human being. Do you? I dislike very much to think that some of our human race are treated so cruelly, though I do not think it would be a wise plan to free the slaves just now. Billie, tell me your opinion concerning this entire affair. Billie: Mr. Lincoln, I don't know very much about such things but I believe what you say and I'll bet my old straw hat- that you win the debate tomorrow. I'm for you every time. Lincoln: Thank you my son, but perhaps you had better run home now but meet me here at the tavern tomorrow morning at eight o'c1ock. Good-night Billie. Billie: Good-night. Thank you sir. Page Sixty-four Z' I ggi ,iqagga I 1, C, ll, 9, . . 1915 1 u67xg , I The Memoirl 'WYQ175

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?L9., ... ,lf The Meln0il'1 uGQ?Z .N 142 Abraham Lincoln Characters ABRAHAM LINCOLN, an honest self-made man, who later became president of the Uniied States. STEPHEN DOUGLAS, a rival of Mr. Lincoln. FRANCIS BELL, a friend of Mr. Douglas. WILLIAM SAMSON, a true friend of Mr. Lincoln. BILLIE HART, a small admirer of Honest Abe. l THE INKEEPER. Aictl l Time: The day before the great Lincoln- Douglas Debate. Place: In the library of Mr. Douglas' home in Springfield, Illinois Enter Bell and Douglas. Bell: I understand that a young man by the name of Abraham Lincoln has challenged you to debate about the slavery question. What kind of a man is he? Douglas: From what I have heard of Mr. Lincoln he is a self-made man, hav- ing no education, but that which he received through his own efforts. There are many stories which tell what a studious boy he was and how he would walk many miles to borrow a book to read or study, He is well versed in the Bible and people say he is extremely honest. Bell: Yes, I have heard about his honesty. One time while he was clerking in a store he overcharged a woman for some of hor purchases. Discovering the fact after the lady had left the store, he walked many miles that evening to give the lady the few pennies he owed her. Though he is our rival, I must say I canno: but admire such a man. y Douglas: I have not as yet personally met Honest Abe , but am quite anxious to do so. I think I shall not have much trouble winning the debate because of Lin- coln's lack of education. I should like very much to find out some of his ideais con- cerning slavery so I can have answers prepared for all his arguments. Bell: I'll tell you, we will send little Billie Hart. He is a bright, intelligent boy, and have him play the spy. In that way we will discover all of Lincoln's ideas about slavery. Enter Billie. Douglas: Now, Billie, you understand exac.ly what you are to do. Make friends with Mr. Lincoln, then come and tell us all he says about slavery. Billie: Yes sir, but how shall I know Mr, Lincoln when I see him at the tavern? Does he like little boys like me? Bell: Mr. Lincoln is over six feet tall and is not what anyone would call handsome. He is extremely awkward and is continually telling funny s.ories. All you will have to do is to ask the Innkeeper which is Old Abe and he will be sure to know. Douglas: Now Billie, you be sure to keep your eyes and ears open and re- member all you see and hear. Billie: I'll do my best, sir. Exit Billie. Douglas: Well, that is settled. I sincerely hope he will be able to secure the informazion we desire. CExit.j .-. Page Sixty-three Q la lu Q gQgga f T- C- H- 5- ' ' 1926 1 'gigs

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EVQQI I The Mejngif ,A SCENE 2: Douglas and Bell are anxiously awaiting the return of Billie. They are in the library of the home of Douglas. Enter Billie. D-ouglas: Hello Billie, what did you find out? Tell me at once. Billie: Mr, Douglas, I found out that Mr. Lincoln is :he bets man on earth and he is one of those stuck-up fellows like most famous men. He w0uldn't say anything against anybody and I'm for him every time. He is real jolly and so kind He promised to take me to the deba.e tomorrow. Bell: But tell us what he said about slavery. Hurry! Billie: Sir, I refuse to do that because I like Mr. Lincoln too well to repeat any of the things he said to me. Why, he treated me as though I was his equal. No sir. I'm sorry but I won't betray Mr. Lincoln's confidence. Act Ill The grea, debate is Over and Billie had the great pleasure of seeing his idol win the victory from Mr. Douglas. Billie, much to his satisfaction and pride, was allowed to sit on the platform beside Mr. Lincoln while the debate was going on. Billie as well as the rest of the audience was deeply stirred by the few simple, im- pressive szatements derived from the depths of Mr, Lincoln's soul. SCENE 1: Parlor of the Blue Goose Tavern. The time is the evening after the debate. Lincoln: Well Billie, did you enjoy yourself today? Mr. Douglas made a fine talk and used wonderful arguments. Always remember, Billie, that you have heard a great oration by a great man. Billie: Yes sir. I will always remember it and also how kind you were to me. I musg go home now but I want to tell you I have enjoyed every minute today very much. Thank you sir and good-bye. Exit Billie. Lincoln: Samson, there goes a boy after my own heart. He will make a fine honest man some day. Samson: Yes, Abe, and your talk today will influence his entire life. Are you going to accept the nomination to be president of the United States? Lincoln: I cannot tell, Samson, if it is the wish of the people and I think I am capable, I shall undertake tha: great task. 1Exit both.J Enter Innkeeper, Bell and Douglas. Innkeeper: Lincoln has won more honors today and has been nominated for president. When a small boy, someone asked Lincoln what he intended to be and he replied, A man first then as God pleases. He is a man the nation will be proud of some day. His praises will be sung by every tongue in the land and his name held sacred to every living person in the United States. 1Exit.J T. E. A., '27. Many people have lately learned That things are best when duly earned, That play and fun are found in Work, By him who does not try to shirk, And getting even just for spite Doesn't always pay For the fact is, it is very apt To work the other way. F. A., '28 Pate Sixty- five 'I T. C. ll. S. - - 1926 1 .si . . E Gr '57-NIE