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Copy 1

No. LXV.

E MINOR DRAMA.

i^

TEMPTATION:

Or, THE IRISH EMIGRANT.

A COMIC dra:\ia, in two a'-'-js.

BY JOHN BROUGHAM.

17ITHCAST O:^ CPLARACTKU^:'., STAGE BCSI]S^SSS, COSTUMEb,

IlELATIVE POSiTIONS, &c., &c.

T^^C 8- tu

AS PEKFOEMEB AT f^^jUM'^feBEAll*-

;vv ASHING '^7'

'^

KEW YORK:

Samue! French & Son,

PTJBI^rSHiiltS,

ISTi,. r^i^ 2^a.ssaxi Street,i

LONDON:

Samuel French,

s y S r 1-t ^ isr JD

BOOKS EVKRY AKATEX7K SHOUiii/ HAVE,AMATEUR'S OUIDE; or, How^to Get np Homo Theatrieals and to Aotl0fbom,Tdthllnl««,By.

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Anything on thU cover Lnt by mail on receipt of yrice.

m,Vi'^

FRENCH'S STANDARD DRAMA.Price 15 Cents each.—BoTind Volumes $L 26.

VOL. LI Ton9 FȣJo5 The Lad7 of Lyonai Kiehelieu6 The Wife6 The HoneymoonT The School for Scandal6 Money

VOL. II.

t The Strange*^10 Grandfather Whitehead11 Richard III

12 Love'i Sacrifice

13 The GamesterU A Cure for the Heartache15 The Hanchback16 Don Ctesar de Bazan

VOL. III.

17 The Poor Gentleman18 Hamlet19 Charles II20 Venice Preierred31 Pizarro22 The Love Chai

e

23 Othello21 Lend me Five Shillingi

VOL. IV.26 Virginius26 King of the Commons27 London Assurance28 The Kent Day

I29 Two Gentlemen ofVerona

j30 The Jealous Wife31 The Rivals

I 32 Perfection

I

VOL. V. [DebtsI 83 A New Way to Pay OldIH Look Before You Leap

1 35 King JohnI 86 Nervous Mana7 Damou and Pythias?8 Clandestine Marriage

;iV Wiiliam Tell

t^^6J.i».T after the Weddimi

!VOL, VI.

i <1 Speed the I'lough

;

ii Romeo ami Julieti <i Feudal TimesI « Charles the Twelfth: ^5 The Brid*';*6 The l-'olUe» of a Nigbt

I i^ iron Chest ) Pair LadyI id Faint Heart N<iv«r Won

VOt TIX.4« Road to BninM MacbethM Temper62 Kvadne

I M BertramI W The Dueppft i!i:iP.„ii„~'

^. 'Jl'^).t:t^^'-* ^•»"''« ill Jane'Ey re

VOL. XVIII

VOL. XI.81 Jnlins Ctesar83 Vicar of Wakefield83 Leap Year34 The Catspaw85 The Passing Cload86 Drunkard87 Rob Roy88 George Barnwell

VOL. XII.89 Ingomar90 Sketches in India91 Two Friend*92 Jane Shore93 Corsican Brothera94 Mind your own Business95 Writing on -ue Wall96 Heir a'. Law

VOL. XIII.97 Soldier s Daughter98 Douglas99 Marco .Spada100 Nature's Nobleman101 Sardanapalua102 Civilization103 The Robbers104 Katharine and Petrnchio

VOL. XIV.105 Game of Love106 Midsummer Night'107 Kruestiue (Dream108 Rag Picker of Paris109 i-' lying Dutchman110 L'yDocrite111 Tberese112 l.a Tour de Ncsle

VOL. XV.U3 Ireland As It la

114 S?a of IceJ 15 .Seven Clerks116 Game of Life117 Forty Thieves118 Bryaa Boroihmfe119 Romance and Reality120 Ugolino

VOL. XVL121 The Tempest122 The Pilot123 Cai-penter of Rouen124 King's Rival123 Little Treasure126 Dombey and Son127 Parents and Guardians

JewessVOL. XVII

129 Camiiie130 Married Life181 Wenlock of Wenlock132 Rose of Ettrickvale133 David Copperfield134 Aline, or tho Rose of

Killarnoy

[Moscow

66 The CntioVO)L. VIII.

W The ApostateS8 Twelfth NightW BrutusW .SintpaoQ & Co<1 Merchant of Venice«2 OM He*ds& Young Hearts63 Mo<iat».lneers [riage64 Three Weeks after Mar

VOL. IX.65 Love65 Ai Ton Like It67 Toe Kld«rBr»tUer68 Werner69 01sippus10 Town and Country71 King Laar72 Bin* DeviU

VOL. X.73 H«nry VIHT4 Mftrried and Slngl*75 Henry IV76 Paul Pry77 Guy Mannerlng78 Swesthearts aod Wives78 Serioui (-.roily

80 She S*'Oops to Conquer

137 Night and Morning138 iEthiop139 Three Guardsmen140 Tom Cringle141 Henriette, the Forsaken142 Eustaohe Baud in143 Ernest Maltravers144 Bold Dragoons

VOL. XIX.i45Dred, or the Dismal

ISwamp

146 Last Days of Pompeii147 Esmeralda143 Peter Wiiklns149 Bon the Boatswain150 Jonathan Bradford151 Retribution153 Minerali

VOL. XX.I

153 Fren-:h Spy1 J4 Wept of Wish-ton 'Wish155 Evil Genius56 Ben Bolt57 Sailor of France158 Red Mask159 Life ef an Actress160 Wedding Day

VOL. XXI.161 Air 8 Fair in Love162 Hofer163 Self164 Cinderellal^> Phantom16t> Franklin167 Ths Gunmaker of168 The Love of a Prince

VOL. XXIL169 Son of the Night17C Rory O'More171 Golden Eagle172 Rlenzi173 Broken Sword174 Rip Van Winkle175 Isabella176 Heart of Mid Lothian

VOL. xxni.177 Actress of Padua178 Floating Beacon179 Bride of La'mermoor180 Cataract of'the Gangei181 Kobber of the Rhine182 School of Reform183 Wanderint Boys184 Mazeppa

VOL. XXIV.185 Young New York186 The Victim^i187 Roaance after Marriage188 Brigando9 Poor of New York190 Ambrose Gwinett191 Raymond and Agnes192 Gambler s Pate

VOL. XXV.193 Father and Soa194 Massanieilo95 Sixteen String Jack96 Youtbful Queen197 Skeleton Witness198 Innkeep^rr of Abbeville"""

Miller and his Men200 Aladdin

VOL. XXVI.201 Adrienae the Actress202 (Jndino

Jessie Brown204 Asmodeus205 l5ormoDS206 ,:ianche of Brandywlne•207 , iola

i03 Deseret DesertedVOL. XXVII.

209 Americans in Paria210 Victorine211 Wizard of the Wave212 Castle Spectre213 Horseshoe Robinson214 Armand, Mrs Mowatt215 Fashion, Mrs Mowatt216 Glance at New York

VOL. XXVIII.217 Tnconptant213 Vncle Tom's Cabin

Guide to the Stage220 Veteran221 Miller of New Jersey222 Dark Hour before Dawn223 Midsum'r Night's Dream

iLaura Keepe's Edition

224 Art and ArtificeVOL. XXIX

225 Poor Young Man226 Ossawattomle Brown227 Fope of Rome228 Oliver Twist'229 Pauvrette230 Me.n in the Iron Mask231 gnigQtof Arva:>.ii Jioil Pitcher

VOL. XXX.233 Black Eyed Susan•234 Satan in Paris235 Riisina Meadows fess236 West End, or Irish Heir-•237 Six Degrees of Crime238 The Lady and the Devil239 Avenger.orMoorof Sici-40 Masks and Faces ) ly

(Catalogut continued on third page of cover.)

VOL. XXXI.241 Merry Wives of Windsor342 Mary's Birthday343 Shandy Maguire244 Wild Oats245 Michael Erie246 Idiot vVitness247 Willow Copse343 People's Lawyer

VOL. XXXII.349 The Boy Martyrs250 Lucretia Borgia251 Surgeon of Paris252 Patrician's Daughter253 Shoemaker of Toulouse254 Momentous Question255 Love and Loyalty256 Robber's Wife

VOL. XXXIII.257 Dumb Girl of Geno*258 Wreck Ashore259 Clari260 Rural Felicity261 Wallace262 Madelaine263 The Fireman264 Grist to the Mill

VOL. XXXIV.263 Two Loves and a Life'266 Annie Blake2tt7 Steward263 Captain ITvd269 Niok of the Woods270 Marble Heart271 Second Love272 Dream at Sea

VOL. XXXV.273 Breach of Promise274 Review273 Lady of the Lake276 Still Water Runs Deep277 The Scholar278 Helping Hands '

279 Faust and Marguerite280 Last Man

VOL. XXXVI. '281 Belle's Stratagem•282 Old and Young283 Raffaella284 Ruth Oakley283 British Slave

A Life's Ransom287 Giralda288 Time Tries All

VOL. XXXVII.289 Ella Rosenburg290 Warlock of the Glen291 Zelina292 Beatrice293 Neighbor Jackwood•294 Wonder•293 Robert Emmet29C Green Bushes

VOL. XXXVIII.297 Flowers of the Fore i

293 A Bachelor of Arts299 The Midnight Banquet

Husband of an Hour301 Love's Labor Lost302 Naiad Queen'M)o Caprice304 Cradle of Liberty

VOL. XXXIX.305 The Lost Ship306 Country Squlro307 Fraud and its Victims308 Putnam309 King and Deserter310 La Fiaramina311 A Hard StJUgglo312 Gwinnette Vaughaa

VOL. XL.313 The Love Knot j Jndje314 Lavater, or Not a B».d.'15 The Noble Heart316 Corlolanus317 The Winter's Tale318 Eveleen Wilson319 Ivanhoe320 Jonathan la Englanct

\'l

FRENCH'S

Bfft ^rtiufl HDi'tion.

No. LXV.

TEMPTATION:OR,

TPIE IRISH EMIGRANT.

A COMIC DRAMA, IN TWO ACTS.

BY JOHN BROUGHAM.

TO WHICH ARE ADDED,

|l Descripticn cf the Costume—Cast of the Characters—Entrances and EkURelative Positions of the Performers on the Stage, and the whole of tha

Stage Business.

NEW YORK:

SAMUEL FRENCH,122 Na88ad Street, vUp STAiBa.>

^\is-, ri

€ 8 1um e .—Temptatiom.

GRANITE.—Plain black suit.

STERLING.- -Large blue coat, black breeches ajd long guten^daik

vest.

BOBALINK.—White blouse, gray trousers tucked up at bottons, i«l

shirt, and colored neckerchief.

O'BRYAN.—Dress of an Irish emigrant

TRAVERS.—Fashionable walking dress.

POLLY.—Plain muslin dress.

MRS. GRIMGRISKIN.—Plain silk, showy head drew.

MARY.—Ladies' walking dress.

STAGE DIRECTIONS.

EXITS AND ENT&ANCS8.

L. means First Entrance, Left. R. First Entranct, Right. S. E. LSecond Entrance, Left. S. E. R. Second Entrance, Right. U. E. L.Upper Entrance, Left. U. E. R. Upper Entrance, Right. C. Centre.

L. C. Left of Centre. R. C. Right of Centre. T. E. L. Third Entrance,

Left. T. E. R. Third Entrance, Right. C. D. Centre Door. D. R,Door Right. D. L. Doer Left. U. D. L. Upper Door, Left. U. D. R.Upper Door, Right.

,* The Reader is supposed to he on the Stage, facing the Audiencf

G'.n

Judgeand Mrs. I.R.HlttDfcC. 11. 1936

C«rt of tfje ®5atacter».-—Temptatio»,

A4 FIRST PERFORMED AT BUETON's THBATm>

Mi: th-anite, a wealthj' merchant, - - - Mr. E. W. Clarka

Sterling, ftjo old clerk, - - - - - - " H. Lvnne.

Tom BolaAnk, a truckman, - - - - " Bll* «.

0'Bryan, an Irish emigrant, - . - . « Brougham

Henry Travers, —» -» --*^ — .^t^ - .. « Levere.

Williams, - - - - - . . - »« Voise.

7^o?^y Bobolink, Tom's better half, - - - Mrs. Brougham.

Mrs. Grimgrish'h --..,«« Hughe*.

Marif TraPf^, fefiu Hiffert.

TEMPTATION.

ACT I.

SCENE I.—GsijnTE's Office. Granite ayid Sterlino discater&i.

Papers are scattered around.

StcrL Balance in our favor, two hundred and fifty-seven thousand,

eight hundred and forty dollars, bringing the accounts of the house of

Granite up to date.

Gran. iLoud.] All correct, Mr. Sterling 1

Sterl. To a cypher ! I've been up and down the columns a dozen

Gran. Good I

Sterl. Did you speak, sir 1

Gran. No!Sterl. Ah, my poor old ears ! Five and forty years in this quiet office

tias made them sleepy ; they'll never wake up again ! never ! never

!

Gran. So much the better—a clerk should have no ears : nimble fin-

gers and just enough of brain to count up his columns correctly : in

each way you have worked for me> well ; very well. Spindles, and I

thank you.

Sterl. Bless you, sir, you are very good;you never said so much

before, and it has removed a great weight from my mind. I was afraid

I hadn't pleased you. I'm happy now, sir—very happy. I'm a fooUshold man, but your goodness will look over this folly. Praise shant \

make me giddy or skittish. No, no !—when I've wiped my old eyes I'll

take my pen once more with joy—with great joy, dear sir.

Gran. 1 envy that old machine his moment of real enjoyment, for it

is real :—during his long solitary life the world has been to him a blank,

his existence bounded by these dreary walls, and yet his remnant of aheart throbs from one touch of kindness ! here am I with the revenuesof a principality at my command, yet would I almost give that up to bepermitted to feel as he does. Over two hundred and fifty thousand dol-

lars—the midway to half a million is passed. Haifa million ! why nota million 1 I am still young in energy and spirit. Ah, that black ma-lignant cbud ! why will it ever pass across the sunray of my thoughts.Travers ! hush ! suppose he should hear ; to be in his—in any man'spower. Sterling ! ah, he's safe ; that friendly deafness ! Sterling, I

•hall have no more occasion for you to-day.

TEMPTATION. O

Sterl. I'm glad of it ! I'll go and tell my happines«i to the sweetbreath of heaven. I'll go, but

—

Gran. But whatl you have something to say— lething to aski—not an advance of salary ! mind, I tell you beforeL j. that cannot be.

Sterl. No, no, no ! I am profusely paid ! too / ach indeed, and yet—

.

Gran. Come, what 1 out with it; don't stand fidgetting there; whathave you to say 1

Sterl. Nothing much ; but I—I—saw him to-day.

Gran. Whom I

Sterl. My dear young master.

Gran. Travers (Rises.)

Sterl. Yes ; but don't speak his name as if it stung you. I was his

father's servant before I was yours.

Gran. Did I not caution you against mentioning that;you know or

ought to know what cause I have to keep it blotted from my memory.Sterl. I do, I do ! at least I think you told me, he

—

Gran. No matter what of him I told you. this I said, if ever you ut-

tered word of him or his, that instant you ceased to be employed by meuSterl. You did.

Gran. And yet, in spite of this—^you know what I have done for him.

Sterl. You helped him once, he was unsuccessful ! but he is young

;

spare him something—^you won't miss it, you won't indeed.

Gran. Miss it !—don't be a fool !—every dollar lent or lost is a step

backward which must be crawled up again by inches. Why don't this

Travers work ! many a man's fortune has been made with less than hehas squandered in carelessness. His age is now

—

Slerl. The same as your own son's to a month. Yon are proud,

justly proud of him ; so would my poor dear master be of his, were healive. Think what you would suffer could you see your boy, as I havoseen the other, with his head buried in his fingers, his poor young weep-ing wife without the power to hcljp or comfort him except with her pain-

ful tears.

Gran. My son can never be reduced to this ; he must be wealthy.

Sterl. The avalanche falls sometimes upon the most fruitful vineyards

as well as the most barren waste.

Gran. Silence, sir !—how dare you hint at danger or distress to him ?

What do you wanf? How much will satisfy this spendthrift 1

Sterl. Well, since your kindness emboldens me to speak, it's no use

patching up a worn out coat, so even let him have a new one. Givehim another chance—a few hundred dollars more or less can't injure

you, and may be his salvation. About five thousand dollars will suffice

Gran. Are you mad, Sterling ?

Sterl. Your son will have his half a million to begin with.

Gran. Half a million ! He can hold up his head then, eh. Sterling

;

he can wag his tongue amongst the proudest of the land, eh, old friend

!

Sterl. And not be ashamed of either head or tongue ; for he's a noble

youth.

Gran. He is ! he is ! My honest old servant and friend, I will help

this Travers once more, {Writes.) but for the last time, remember that

After this interview forget his very name, or you must find another

O TEMPTATION.

home Here's a check for five thousand dollars, get it cashed yourselfand take it to him.

Sterl. Bless you ! now this is like j'ourself ; this is noble ! My poolyoung-

Gran. Hush! be off at once—a word more and I recall the loan.

[Exit Sterling l. and Granite e,

SCENE H.

Tom Bobalink's Room. Enter Tom singing l. h.

Tom. (Sings.) " There was a jolly Miller once, &c." Hallo, pet,

where are you 1 No dinner yet. I am early, to be sure, but uncommonhungry. I've heard of people taking all sorts of things to get up anappetite; if they'd only have the wisdom to take nothing for a short

time, it's wonderful what an effect it would have upon a lazy digestion.

Enter Polly Bobalink, e. h.

Tom. There you are, bless your smiling, happy face ! that's as goodto look at as a shining fire to the poor frozen laborer ! Come, whathave you goti

Polly. It ain't much, Tom, cause you know we ain't well enough off

to afford luxuries ; but it's such a sweet little neck of mutton in a lovely

stew, what you so much like, you know, with lots of wedgitables.

Tom. Gallopshus ! Out with it, for I'm as hungry as an unsuccesful

office-seeker.

Polly. Oflice-seekers ! what are they, Tom 1

Tom. Why, Polly, you know those downy birds we hear of, that,

when some other has taken pains to get himself a comfortable nest, never

rests until he pops into it ; but he has the satisfaction of knowing that

there's a whole flock waiting anxiously to serve him in the same way;

but them's politics, Polly, and ain't pfoper for women to meddle with.

Polly. I agree with you there, Tom, dear ; there's enough to occupya woman's time and attention inside of her own house, without bother-

ing her head with what's going on without.

Tom. Bless your homey little heart, if there were a few more good

vrives, Polly, there would be a few less bad husbands. This is glorious !

Ah, Poll, if we could only be sure that we had even as good a dinner as

this all our lives, how happy I should be. But I often think, my girl,

if any accident should befall me, what would become of you 1

Polly. Now don't talk that way, Thomas, now don't repine at yourcondition.

Tom. How can I help iti I try not, but it's impossible When I see

people dressed up and titivated out as I go jogging along with my poor

old horse and truck, I envy them in my heart. 1 know it's wrong, but

it's there, and it would be worse to deny it.

Polly. Could any of those fine folks enjoy their dinner better than

you do 1

Tom. No, my girl, not if they had forty courses. But eating ain't

all ; this living from hand to mouth, earning with hard labor every crust

we put into it—never seeing the blessed face of a dollar that ain't

wanted a hundred ways 1 y our necessities, *s rather hard.

TEMPTATION. »

Polly. Ah Tom ! and thankful ought we to be that we have heatth to

earn that dollar: think of the millions of poor souls laat are woree off

than ourselves ; never look above your own station with envy, Thomas,but below it with gratitude.

Tom. Bless your heart, you'd make me contented in a toal cellar.

O'Bryan appears at door.

Tom. Hallo, friend ! what the devil do you want "^

Polly. Don't speak ao, Thomas ; he's sick and in distress ; there, BUp-

pose you were like thatl

Tom. What, a Paddy 1 don't mention it. Come in, Ii.sh—do ycuwant anything 1

Bryan. If you please, sir, I'd like to rest myself,

Polly. Sit down;poor man ! I pity him, Thomas, though he's only

an Irishman,—sit down !

Bryan. I didn't mane that, ma'am ; a lean o' the wall and an air o'

the fire, blessings on you for giving it to me.

Tom. A big lump of a fellow like you ! wouldn't it be better for youto be at work than lounging about in idleness.

Bryan. Och then, that's true for you, sir, it would indeed be better,

but where is a boy to find it

!

Tom. Anywhere—everywhere !

Bryan. Faith, sir, that's exactly the place I've been looking for

the last three weeks, and there was nobody at home. I hunted the

work, sir, while I had the strength to crawl after it, and now if it wereto come, I'm afeared I haven't got the strength to lay hold of it.

Tom. Are you hungry ]

Bryan. I am a trifle that way inclined, sir, but I'm used to it ; for

many's the year I've felt the same onpleasant feeling—excepting it

might be a month or so, awhile agone.

Tom. How was that ? you weren't hungry for a month.

Bryan. No, sir ; I had the good luck to catch a mighty strong lumpof a fever, and it drove away the hunger while it lasted.

Polly. Poor man ! sit down and eat ; v/e haven't much, but it's better

than nothing. [^Takes meat fro>Ji table and dices it to Bryan]Bryan. I'd relish it better standing up if you plaze. God bless you !

Sure it's the poor man that's the poor man's friend, after all. Sure, andyou've saved me, soul and body, this blessed day. I have never beggedyet, but it was coming on me strong. I looked into the eyes of the

quality folks, but they carried their noses so high they couldn't sec to

read the starvation in my face, and I wouldn't ax the poor people, for

fear they were as bad off as myselfPolly. Ain't you sorry, Thomas, for what you said just now'!Tarn. No ! I'm more discontchted than ever, to think that a fewhiin-

Jred swind ing schemers or fortunate fools should monopolize the rights

ot millions. Isn't it a damned shame that I can't put my hand in mypocket and make this poor devil's heart jump for joy !

Polly. Point out to him how he can get seme employment : all thfl

money you could give him would be no use See it you can't get hiio

• chance to earn his living, and his heart vviil be continually jumping.

8 TEMrrATION.

Bryan. May the heavens be your bed for this good act. I'm strong

now—maybe luck won't be a step-father to me much longer.

Tom, Stay ! suppose I were to give you something to do, what would

you sayl

Bryan. I wouldn't say much, sir, but I'd do it.

Tom. I can't give you any moneyBryan. I don't want it yet awhile, sir. I'll work for my bit

;just let

me drop in when ye's are done ; the smell of the mate will be enoughfor mc.

Tom. Come along with me then, and if I have any jobs, I'll get youto help me.

Bryan. Long life to you for putting new blood in my veins.

Tom. Ah, iff had only a little money, how happy we should all be.

Folly. Hush, Tom ! I won't hear you say that anything could makeyou happier.

Tom. Not now, Pol, but bye-and-bye : to look ahead and see nothing

but toil, toil

!

Folly. Did you not hear how he prayed for what you so much dread 1

Tom. That's a different thing ; he's only an Irishman !

Bryan. True for you I

Tom. Come along, Paddy. Good bye, Polly.

Bryan. To be sure I will, sir, follow you all over the world. Longlife to you, Ma'am, and may you never know sickness, sorrow, poverty

or distress, I pray. [Exit Tom and Bryan, d. f.

Folly. [Watches ihcm out."l

Bless his heart, if it were not for those

little fits of discontent, what a man he'd be. But we can't be alF per-

fect—even I myself confess to thinking of silks and velvets, sometimes,instead of cottons and calicoes—and I'll be bound if the truth wereknown, the great folks that wear nothing else but grand things, don't

behave a bit better, but keep longing for something a little grander still

;

80 he mustn't be blamed, poor lellow/and he shan't be, neither, in myhearing. [Exit r.

SCENE III.

—

A vlain Chamber—Henry and Mary Travers.

Enter B. H.

Mary. Take cuuragc, dear Henry, and hope for the best ; the old

man promised to speak to your uncle ; when he knows the severity ofour distress, he will surely assist us.

Hen. Ah, 'tis but a slender hope, wife ; I know his stern unyielding

nature too well. Is it not hard to soe him revelling in wealth whichought to have been mine, for I am sure that it was at his dictation, andby his advice, my father made so unjust a will.

Mary. Will they not give you longer than to-morrow 1

Hen. Not an hour they say. [knock, l, h.] Who can this be! ererf•ound goes through my heart in pain. [Gfes to door., l. ii-

Eiitcr, Mrs. Grimguiskin, l. h.

Mrs. G. Well, good folks, you'll excuse my intruding, but business,

you know, is business ; not that I want to make you feel uncomfortablo,

TEMPTATION. 9

but houses won't keep themselves ; lodgings is lodgings, board la board,

and markets is markets ; beef and mutton don't jump into our handspromiscuous like, neither do the hydrants run tea and coifee spontaneous, as far as my slight knowledge of hydrants goes

Hen. The plain sense of all this is

—

Mrs. G Exactly what I am coming to. I'm a woman of few words.

I make it a point to send my bills in every month, and I presume it'a

not an unreasonable stretch of imagination to expect them to be paid;

fents is rents, and moreover must be paid ; and mine, I am sorry to

observe is not a singular exception in such respect,

Mary. My dear Mrs. GrimMrs. G. As I before remarked, I'm a woman of few words but I have

my cars about me ; whispers is whispers, and ears is ears, and I haveheard something that might make you uncomfortable, but as that is not

my principle, I won't repeat it, but talkers you know will be talkers,

and boarders never can be anything else in the world but boarders.

Hsn. What have they dared to say of me 1

Mrs. G. Nothing ! Oh, indeed I'm proud to observe that my boarders

pay regularly every month, and are therefore highly respectable ; andrespectable boarders make a respectable house, and my ambition is to

keep nothing else

ffen. May I be permitted to ask what this all amounts to.

Mrs. G. 'iust $200, being 80 for 1)oard, and 120 for extras. I'm a

woman of few words. [Gives paper.

Hen. And I am a man of less. I can't pay it.

Mrs. G. I had my misgivings, notwithstanding your boast of b^ing

connected with the rich Mr. Granite. Allow me to say, sir, [^Sits.l here

I sit until you do pay it ; so you had better see about it at once.

Sterling nuts his head in l.

Sterl. May I come in 1 a>

Mary. Oh, yes ! let me look in your eyes. Ah, there is hope.

[Sterling shakes his head.] No, no ! heaven help us !

Sterl. Heaven has helped you, my bright bird. I only shook my heaa

to make your joy the greater.

Hen. What say you] Has a miracle been done 1 has that stony

heart relented 1

Slerl. It is not a stony heart. I'm ashamed of you for saying so!

it's a good, generous heart, as I always knew it was ! It has mademine glow with long forgotten joy this very day.

Heji. Does he give us rehef 1

Sterl. He docs ! great, enduring relief! What do you think of five

thousand dollars.

Hen. You dream ! I dream !

Sterl. No, you're awake ! we're all awake, full up and overflowing

With happiness.

Mrs. G. F've thousand dollars. You'll excuse me, but I'm a womanof few words. I hope you will not take anything that I have said as at

all personal to you, but only an endeavor a.s tar as in me lies to keep upIho respiectability of my establishment ! As for that little trifle between

10 TEMPTATION.

US, of course ycu can lake your time about that. I am a womun of few

words, but when I do speak, I think I may be permitted to flatter my-self it is to the purpose. [Exit u. \i.

[S/erling, who has been searching his pockets falls into his chair wilh a

groan.]

Mary, What is the matter—are you ill !

Sterl. Don't come near me. I'm the destroyer of your peace and ol

my own forever. I've lost it ! lost it

!

Hen. Not the money 1

Sterl. That's right—kill me—I deserve it ! Oh, careless, carelets,

gp.ilty, unhappy old man ! Lost ! lost ! lost forever !

3fary. Heaven support us—this is a blow indeed !

Hen. Forgive even the appearance of injustice, my good, kind old

friend. I am a doomed man ! it's no use to strive against destiny.

Sterl. Don't, don't ! this kindness is worse than j'our reproof. Let

me die ! let me die ! I am not fit to live. Stay ! I'll run back 1 Ah, 1

haven't the strength.

Hen. Come, come, old friend, take it not so much to heart ; lean uponTie ; we'll go and search for it together ; and even if it be not found, 'tis

not a fatal loss so long as life and health remain. Come

!

S/xrl. You say this to comfort me, my boy. You see I'm selfish even

now, detainmg you when every moment is of consequence. [Exeunt.

[M.*RY appears tranquil until they arc gone, then throws herself into

chair and weeps.']

SCENE IV.—^ Street.

Tom. {Without, k ] Whoa ! you stupid brute, won't you1 stand, will

you 1 There, take that on your broad shoulders, carry it to No. 44, and

wait for the money.

Enter O'Br.fAx, r. h,

Bryan. 'Deed will'"! ! {Kicks on wallet.] What's thati a soft stone, I

suppose. By my soul, I'm rising in the world at last ; if I'm not kickin'

fortune before me like a foot-ball, I never will. Blessings on the day

that I lighted upon tliat tender-hearted pair. I'm to go to 44, but howam I to find it1 Here's 41, and next door to it is 43 ; divil take me if

they haven't left cu^, 44 altogether. Well, now, look here if 44 hasn't

walked right acrcsf* the street. Faith, if a fellow had to find out manynumbers this way he'd be tired crossing the street.

Enter Tom, r. h.

Tom. That's rif;ht, up with you. You've got to cord another and

bring it down ; he as quick as you can, for jobs are scarce {Bryan en-

terslloor, r. h.] That Polly is a regular dictionary of thoughtfulness;

this poor Paddy is ready to jump out of his skin for joy that he's got

something to do. I mustn't serve him as some folks I have heard of,

vrho und'er the pretence of charity break a fellow's back with work.

{Takes out a dirty little imllet.] Only fifty cents all this blessed day, and

this job will make a dollar, and that's all the money I have in the world

But haven't I a sunny-hearted, loving, careful wife, and a home that I

in always delighted CO rush to 1 I must acknowledge that in the do-

fEMPTAl ION. 1 \

liMstic department I wouldn' change with the biggest bug of them all.I ought to be happy, and I will, too, in spite of the hard times. [Kickswallet.] hallo, what's that ? it looks very like—my gracious 1 how myheart throbs !— it is! [Loo/^s round—picks it up quickly.] Money ! heapsof money ! The blood's running into my head. [Puts it in his pocket.]I^feel famt Hold, it ain't mine. [Takes it out.] I'll leave it there again !

No, I won't! [Pops it back.] It's a windfall ; nobody has seen me ; how

do I know that \ somebody from those windows—what a fool I am !

[Whistles and walks carelessly to and fro ] It's no use ! I can't persuademyself mto quietness

; it ain't safe here ! it might fall out! [Puts it intohis tuii.] That won't do ! [Puts it mto his breast.] That's it ! No poorman could have lost it, it's too much. Nobody wants it more than my-self ! What's that ! there's a police officer—he's looking straight at me—I know he is, and I dare not turn. It's a new thing to me°not to boable to look a man in the face. I'll go up to him and deliver it. [ Turns.]He's gone! I'll be hanged if I don't kee^ h—hanged ! ugh! what apeculiar feeling that word brings all about my back bone. I know I de-serve it. My good gracious, the temptation is frightful! Pshaw!vvould the next one who passed by, be more honest than myself? deuce abit. Fortune has sent it me, and by Jingo I'll keep it.

Enter O'Bryan, rBryan. I found it!

Tom. You, you scoundrel, it's a lie ! What do you mean by voufound it 1

-^ •

Bryan. I found 44, and a purty circumlocutions travel I nad to do thatsame. A man must be mighty drunk to go straight through this streetany way.

Tom. Oh, I see ! where's the trunk 1

Bryan. Well, the lady towJtt me that the man that was goin' got a lotof money just now, so he's goi^' to not go away for the present.

Enter Henry and Steklisg from house, l.

Hen. Don't be so alarmed, old friend, we may find it as we go alono-.Tom. It's his money I've got in my pocket. What shall I do ^ 111

give It up. No, I won't—he looks well off.

Hen. I say, my man, you didn't find a pocket-book about here, didyou ?

Bryan. I« it me ? the never a find ! I wish I did.Hen. Indeed ! What for ? You'd keep it, I suppose 1

Bryan. Bad luck to the keep, and to you for thinking of it ; but it'ithe way of the world—a ragged waistcoat is seldom suspected of cover-uig an honest heart.

Hen. Those people have not seen it, that's evident. Come, let usearch further. My good friends, if you should see or hear of any per-son who may have found this money, pray give notice of it in yondeihouse

; for rum, perhaps death, may follow from its loss.

». n c :i : r . ^r[Exeunt Hen. and Sfbrl , r.

i om. Confound it, I must ! No, I won't

!

Bryan. I'oor fellow ! he looks wild.

12 TExMPTATION.

Tom. Huaibug ! it's only put on to make us give it upBryan. Give it up, eh!

Tom. That is. if we had got it ; but tlon't stand praling there; if yoBmean to earn your salt, set about it. It's time to put the horse up.You can do it, can't you 1

Bryan. If I can't I can learn There's nothing in the way of anhonest living that 1 won't have a try at.

Tom. Confound you, who wants you to do anything elee ; be off!

Vm sicii and goin' home. I've got an oppression on my chest, and if I

don't have relief I'll drop in the street.

Bryan. Something's come over you since momino^. sure enough.Uut you've been kind and generous to me, and may I never leave this

spot, but if I could do you any good by taking the half of your com-plaint, I'd do it. l^Exit, r. h.

Tom. I dare say you would, but my constitution is strong enough to

carry it all. Now for Polly ! Shall I tell her 1 I've never kept a se-

cret from her yet. But suppose she shouldn't consent to my keepingit I I shan't say a word about it. I'll hide it for the present—then

swear I had a prize in the lottery. That's a capital idea ! My God 1

what am I lingering about here for 1 I must go,—and yet I feel as

though I were leaving the happiness of my life upon that spot. Pooh !

lots of money will make any one happy. A good stiff horn or two will

make me all right. " Begone, dull care,*'—the singing is gone out of

my heart, just now ; it will come back bye-and-bye. [^Exit r. h.

SCENE V.

—

Tom's Chamber as before. Polly discovered at work.

Polly. What a dear, considerate, good-natured husband I have, to be

sure ; the proudest lady in the land cannot be happier than I in my hum-ble home. It's nearly time for him to be here, and I must get his bit of

supper ready ; it isn't much, to be sn|-er; but it's honestly earned, ihdwill taste the sweeter for the thought. I have a surprise for him for

this evening—a delicious bit of tripe ;— he's so fond of tripe as I cook

it, and I made the man give me plenty of fat. Won't he like it ! \^At-

tends to pot onjire.^

Enter Tom slightly drunk, d. f.

Polly. My dear Tom, I knew you were coming. I said so to myself

just now.Tom. Did you 1 Then you didn't tell no lies.

Folly. What's the matter I

Tom. Why, what should be the matter 1 Where's the use of asking

•uch a stupid question as that]

Felly. Don't speak so crossly, dear Thomas ; I didn't mean any harm.

Tom. Bless your little soul, I know you didn't, aid I'm a brute.

Polly. Indeed, you're nothing of the kind.

Tovi I am Polly ! I insist upon being a brute, ^h, y( u don't knofi

All

Polly. All what ? you alarm me.Tom. There's no occasion for alarm. [J«<V/c.] I wish I could tell h«r

\Al<nid.'\ I've earned a jolly lot of money to-day, Polly.

TEMPTATION. 13

Polly. How much, Thomas 1

Tom. Shall 1 1 I've a great mind to astonish her weal nej tn, 1

will ! How much do you think 1

Polly. I can't say !

Tom. No, I won't ! a dollar !

Polly. Only a dollar! Well, never mind, dear Tom, we must makeit do ; and better a dollar earned as you have earned yours, by your ownhonest industry, than thousands got in any other way. But come, sup-

per's ready,

Tmn. I can't eat

!

Polly. What, not the tripe, you're so fond of; onions as

Tom. Pooh ! Tripe is disgusting and onions is vulgar ! I tell you I

can't eat ; isn't that enough 1

Polly. Yes, if you say so, Thomas ; but I never saw you in this tem-

per before.

Tom. Why do you keep saying savage things that you know mustaggravate me. Have you got any brandy in the house 1 I have a pain

here that I think it would relieve.

Polly. Yes, J believe there is a little in the bottle. But, dear Thomas,have you not had a leelle too much already!

Tom. That's my business ; do as I tell you.

Polly. Certainly ! my poor Thomas, something must have annoyed

you, or you would not have taken this drink. But you are so seldom

thus, that I must humor you ; the best of men are subject to temptation

Tom. [^Starts up.] What do you mean by thati

Polly. Why, even you have been tempted to forget yourself.

Tom. How do you know 1

tully. I see it in your face. [Exit for bottle, u. H.

Tom. I believe you do—everybody can. Yes, I am a marked man,and for what ! I'll take it back. -4, cannot now, for I have denied it.

Re-enter Polly with Brandy Bottle.

Polly. [Tom drinks.] You frighten me, Thomas ; something has hap-

pened, I know there has !

Tom. Well, suppose there has ;—is a man accountable to his wife for

erery moment of his time. Go to bed ! Where's the use in whimpering

about it. You've had such a smooth, easy road of it all your life, that

the first rut breaks your axle. Ha, ha ! don't mind me. Poll. I don't

mean to wrong you ; but you see I'm a little sprung—leave me to myself Stay ! kiss me before you go. I'll make a lady of you yet, Pol

—

iee if I don't ! Didn't you hear me tell you to go to bed 1

Polly. Yes. Thomas, but-Torn. Well, and why the devil don't you go 1 what do you stand

staring at me there for, as if I were a ghost.

I'^oUy. I'm going, Thomas, but pray drink no more.

Tmn. I'll drink just as much as I please, and moreover, I won't bodictated to by y3u, when I caa buy you and your stock up root andbranch. I've stocd your nonsense long enough ; now take my advice

«nd start at once.

14 TEMPTATIOJ?.

Polly Thomas, dear, never did I expect this ; but you will b« sorr^

for it in the morning, so I forgive you. \^Exit crying, r. h. 2 K.

Tojn. Damn it ! I am an unfeeling savage ! [Goes to door.] Don't cry,

Pol, I didn't intend to hurt you. I won't drink any more. [Looks rou7id

and takes otU pocket-book.] I wonder how much there is. Lord, how myheart beats, and something whizzes through my head like a regiment of

mosquitoes. I feel faint ! What's that ? I could have sworn I heard

fiomebody call out my name. [Pops it in aeain.] I feel like a coward;

—

for the first time in my life the rustling of a leaf startles me. I never

yet feared to stand up before a giant—but now a boy would cow me;

it's only because I'm not used to it. Here goes! [Takes out money.]Fifties and hundreds, by Jingo, I never saw such a sight as this before.

Ten, twenty, thirty, forty, a hundred ! my eyes are getting dim. Ten,twenty, thirty— 1 can't count it. I do believe I'm a little mad ; but oh.

it is a glorious sight ! a feast ! a banquet, that kills all other sights andappetites, and all mine ! mine ! Nobody saw me ! nobody knows it

'

Nobody but one—but one 1 Ah, I mustn't think of that. [ Clasps his

hand on head.']

END OF ACT FIRST.

ACT II.

SCENE I.

—

Granite's Office as before. Granite discovered.

Gran. Stay ! I am alone ! why not destroy all evidence of the old

man's testament. [Finds envelope of tcsLarrt.cnt.] Here it is ! here are the

cursed words, which uttered in a human ear would in a moment dash to

earth the structure I have toiled for years to raise. [Reads, and as he

prepares to burn it, the paper drops, ittigeen by him, from the envelope; Jie

burns the remainder in the grate.] T^us, my son, do I peril soul as well

as life for you! 'Tis done!—a brief, sudden flan>e, a few transitory

sparks, and the past is sealed as with the silence of the dead. [Exit, r. h.

Enter Stekling, l. h.

Sterl. Lost ! lost forever ! I've told him all, and he is inexorable, I

have killed the son of my benefactor, destroyed the only thing on earth

to which the wretched femnant of my life was devoted. He can't re-

cover from the shock, I know he can't ! nor can I ! I feel as though

my heart were breaking. I wish it would ! I wish it would ! To fall

from such a height of joy into a gulf of despair—and I, I did it—I whowould have sold my very life to bring him a moment of happiness. Oh,

hard, desperate fate. [Picks tip packet and places it on desk.] The crime

of self-destruction is great, but I am sorely tempted ! With chilling

selfishness on one side, and such misery on the other, life is but a wearyhurden. [Looks at packet.] What do I seel '* abstract of w'lWl" ^Nhy,

'tis dated after that one by which Henry was disinherited. Powers of

justice, should it be !—it were too much to hope ; my limbs tremble—

I

cannot stand. [Puts on spectacles.] Nor can I sec !—a moment !—pati-

ence, old heart ! Now, it is ! it is ! Oh, merciful dispenser of all good,

let me but live to see this great wrong righted. Caution ! caution ! Ob

TEMPTATION. Id

for an houi if youth and strength tnd energy. He comes; ! I have n'i<

heart within my very grasp.

Enter Granite, r. n.

Gran. Well, my good Sterling, I am to be troubled no more, I hope,

by that fellow's pitiful whinings. I was a fool to be overpowered by

you, but benevolence is my failing !—a commendable one, I own, but

still a failing.

Slcrl. I am glad to hear you say that, for you now have great oppor-

tunity to exercise it.

Gran. What do you mean 1

Sterl. You see before you the most miserable wretch in existence :

—

the money you gave meGran. WelHSterl. Is lost ! I have lost it.

Gran. Pooh ! old man ; don't think to deceive me by such a stale de-

vice ; that's a very old trick.

Sterl. Ah, I feared that, even more than the money's loss. You don t

believe me 1

Gran. No !

Slcrl After so many years 1

Gran. The temptation was too much for you ; the old leaven exhib-

ited itself once more ;you remember

Sterl. Silence, sir !—the majesty of my integrity emboldens me to say

that even to you. my master. Your cruel taunt has wiped out all of

feeling that I had for you ;—fellow sinner, hast thou not committed an

error likewise.

Gran. Insolent

!

Sterl. Nay, not an error, a crime !

Gran. How dare you insinu'tj^^

Sterl. I don't insinuate, I speak out. I know you have !

Gran. Know it

!

Sterl. And can prove it ; but enough of this. I have lost the money

you advanced ; will you replace it 1

Gran. Away, fool ! you are in your dotage.

Sterl. A dotage which shall wither your strength and strip you m an

instant of your ill-bought possessions ;—the consciousness of detected

guMt e\en now shows itself upon your ashy countenance. Since human-

ity will not prompt you to yield a portion of your stolen wealth, justice

•hall force you to deliver it all—aye all ! all

!

Gran. Villain, what riddle is this 1

Sterl. One easily solved ;—behold its solution, if your eye daie look

at it ;—a will devising all the property you now hold to Her ry Travers !

Gran. Ha, ha ! deceived! malicious fool, it is a forgery it must be,

for I burnt the confusion ! what have I said?

Stei I. Oh, you burnt it, did you 1 You cannot, you dare not dispute

this evidence. There are dozens who can swear to my old master's sig-

nature. Stern, proper virtue would induce me to vindicate his son'i

cause, but I know he would not purchase wealth at the cost of your de-

gradation ; divide equally with him, and let the past be forgotten

16 TEMPTATION

Grran. lAside.] Ha! a glimmer of hope. lAloud.] My Uintl. generousold friend, this is an act of clemency for which I was not prepired. In

deep humility I acknowledge ray very great crime, and shall make even

more reparation than you require ; let me but have a small pittance to

retire into the oblivion which I have courted and deserved—the rest shall

be his to whom it rightfully belongs. Your hand, old friend;you'll find

that I shall repair all—thus ! [Snatches paper furiously from Sterling.]Tims, and thus ! you shallow-pated fool ! And now the only evidence

that could fling a shadow across the golden sunray of my good name,would be your fragment of miserable breath, which I could take, andwould, as easily as brush away a noxious wasp, but that I despise youtoo entirely to fear your sting Go, both of you, and babble forth yourinjuries to the world. Go and experience how poor a conflict starveling

honesty in rags can wage against iniquity, when clad in golden armor.

I defy ye all. [Exit, k. h.

SterL Oh, villain; heartless villain—lost, lost forever.

[Staggers off, l. h. Ik.

iSCENE 2.

—

Tom's chamber as before.—Tom discovered asleep on the

floor.—Enter Polly r, h.—She goes quietly over and toiiches him on

the shoulder.

Tom. [Waking up suddenly.} Stand oflT! you shan't have it, it's

mmePolly. Why, Thomas, what are you talking about 1

Tom. Oh, is that you, Poll 1 Nothing, nothing ! I had a nasty kind

of a dream, that's all, I couldn't sleep all night and Pve just had a few

cat naps, and very uncomfortable they were.

Polly. My dear Tom, you mustn't drink any more. You see how i\

leaves you in the morning. ^/^Tont. So it does, Poll ! what a dream I had. Ah, the darkness is a

terrible time to get over when one's conscience is filling the blackness

with fiery eyes. Ha, ha, ha ! [Aside.] I've a devilish great mind to

astonish her, and I will too ! No, I won't ! not yet ! [Aloud.] Polly,

do you known it's my belief that you were cut out to be a rich womansome of these lucky days.

Folly. Dear Thomas, let me be rich in the happiness of our humblobut contented home. I ask for nothing else.

Tom. Pooh, nonsense ! suppose, now, you got a heap of money—

a

prize in the lottery or something of the kind, wouldn't you like to

elevat-j your little nose and jostle against the big bugs "?

Po.ly. Not at the price of our comfort, Thomas.Tom. You're a fool ! money can buy all sorts of comfort.

Polly. What do you mean, Thomas, by those hints about Money 1

has anything happened 1

Tom. No, oh no ! but there's no knowing when someihing may ! nowI'll try her ! [Aloud.] It's my dream, Polly : shall I tell it youl

Polly. Do, my dear Thomas. I'm so gla^l to see you yourself again

Tom. Well then, I dreamt, that as I was returning from a job, whati^ould I kick against in the middle of the road with nobotly r f.ar hut

TEMPTATION. 17

me, at^ the time—what should I see, but a wallet. . looked into it and

found it stuffed with money : presently the owner comes along, enquir-

ing if I had found it, I said no—clapped it in my pocket and came awaya rich man.

Polly. I know your heart too well, Thomas, to believe that such a

thing could occur except in a dream.

Tom. Why not? I should like to know. If fortune did—I mean, if

fortune were to fling luck in my way, don't you think I should be a

great fool not to grab at it 1

Polly. Thomas, you've been drinking too much.Tom. No, not enough

;give me some more.

Polly. Not a drop ! husband ; if you will poison yourself, it shall not

be through my hand.

Tom. Fetch me the brandy^ bottle and don't be a fool. I'm master of

ray own home I should think.

Polly. Home ! Ah, Thomas, some evil spirit I fear, has stolen awayour once happy home forever. [Exit, r. h.

Tom. There has, and this is it. Confound you, I'll have nothing

more to do with you. [Throxcs it on table.] Poor Polly ! I'll take the

cursed thing back. I wouldn't .have her eyes wet with sorrow to be

made of money. I'll find out the owner. Stay ! why should I take

that trouble, let him come to me ; it will be time enough then ! it's

rather hard to be obliged to throw awav a fellow's luck. Here, you

O'Bryan

!

Bryan. [ Without d. f.] Sir

!

Tom. Truck ready 1

Bryan. All right, Sir

!

Tom. Then I'll go out and see what a little work will do. There wasa time, I thought if I had as much money, I should be able to jumpout of my skin for joy, however I came by it ; but now that I have it, I

don't feel so dreadful happy. Poor^lly ! she's crying, I knovv she is.

I never went out to my labor without giving her a parting kiss—but

now I haven't the heart ; the fact of it is, I'm perfectly miserable and

there's no disguising the fact. I have it ! I know what I'll do—I'll go

some where, a terrible way off—right out of the bounds of civilization,

to New Holland, or New Zealand, or New Jersey.

[Exit leaving wallet on table.

O'Bryan appears at door.

Bryan. There's a job at that place we were in yesterday, the trunks

are goin' after all—and so by the sam.c token is the cid woman's tongue.

{Sits on chair.] Well, glory be to fortune, I'm on the high road to good

luck at last. [Knife, and bread, and cheese.] Plenty of the best in the

way of eatin', an illigant stable to sleep in, and the finest of straw to

alecp on—with a christian like quadruped for company. If I had only

a trifle of money to get myself some duds, wouldn't I be so full of fun

and industry I'd take the buzz out of a hive of bees. Bad luck attend

me, if I don't think the divil has slipped a swadge of temptation before

me at the very word ; but the never a one o' me '11 touch it. Get out,

you schemer ! 1 feel the whisk of your tail as natural as if I saw it

18 TEMPTATION.

I wonder whose it is 1 it ain't mine anyway ! You needn't stare me in

the face that way. I wouldn't howld you no more nor if you weremade of blazes ! and maybe you are, you black looking bil of bo

divilment.

Enter Polly, r. h.

Folly. Gone ! Is Thomas gone !

Bryan. Just this minute or two back. Howld hard ! don't come thi«

way ; do you see that 1

Folly. What is it ?

Bryan. Don't touch it ! it's Temptation ! bedivilment ! I was foolish

enough just now, to wish I had a trifle of money, and may I never see

harm if that lump of a pocket book didn't spring up afore my eyes.

Polly. Thomas must have dropped it ! Ha; I know ! it must be

!

his dream was not a dream but the reality ; he has found this and his

uncertainty whether to retain it or give it up, has caused his sleepless

uncomfortable night. Did you hear any one say they had lost moneyyesterday 1

Bryan. Faix, I believe I did.

Polly. Where?Bryan. Just a street or two beyant.

Polly. Quick ! quick ! my shawl and bonnet ; it shall be returned at

once. Come, show me the place, Bryan. I don't know how it camehere but this money must be that which has been lost.

Bryan. Who knows but it may ; at all events one comfort, if it ain't

enough, maybe there'll be a fresh crop when we come back.

[^Exeunt t l. d. y

SCENE ni.—Granitk's Chamher as before.

[Voice without.] He will not see you.

Stcrl. [ Without.] He must ! he shall ! [Enters l.] Heaven has en-

dowed me with an increase of strength and resolution for this, my last

interview.

Enter Granite, r. h.

Gran. What outrage is this 1 Did I not warn you never to "cross mythreshold again 1—beware, lest the residue of your days be passed within

& prison's walls !

Sterl. I care not ! your inhumar.ily and vile ingratitude to those whoseinheritance you have stolen, have made me desperate. Oh, I'll be pati-

ent, humble, cringe and lower myself to be the veriest dog that evci

licked the hand that spurned it, if you will but be merciful. You dun'l

know how they suffer.

Gran. You have heard my answer. Here, Williams !

SleH. Not yet ! not yet. I implored you once for the sake of your

own flesh and blood*—recollect, the measure that you mete out may be

returned on his head—your son's.

Gran. I won't hear you speak of him. Dare but to couple his nam«

TEMPTATION. 19

mth the vile herd, and I'll have you driven hence with blows. Wil-liams, I say ! can I not be obeyed ! You have had my answer before ;

hear me repeat it and bellow it in your deadened ear. I wouldn't give

you or the viper who sent you here, a shilling, if I saw you and the

whole crew starving before my face. The property is mine"! mine ! I

hold it by the strong arm of the law, and I will keep it, despite of

Stcrl. Heaven's justice. Take heed! it sometimes overtakes the

guilty in their hour of greatest triumph.Gran. I'll hear no more. Go, or I shall strike you to my foot. Here,

Williams.

Enter Williams, l. h.

Gran. You are come at last ! why did you not answer me 1

Williams. Because the messenger wlio brought this letter said that

•'ts contents would concern you nearly. Your son, sir

Gran. Ha, my son ! Letter ! Concern me nearly ! Give it me I

What terrible presentiment of evil sweeps across my thoughts like a

shroud. [Tears it open and strikes his forehead in agony.] Dead ! dead !

[Faints—W^illiams and Sterling assist him.

Stcrl. Miserable man ! retribution has come suddenly. Is it his sonlWilliams. Yes, sir ; he was found dead in his bed at college last

night.

Sterl. This is terrible !

Gran. IMeviving.'] Oh agony ! agony ! it must be a dream ! a hide-

ous ! a damned dream. Say that it is. Who are youl Ah, old man,you have slain him and I'll have your heart's blood. Williams, what is

-—' this l where is my son ! Oh, my boy ! my boy ! my noble, innocent,

glorious boy ! Dead 1 No, no ! there's some life, some hope 1 Paper,

Sterling, paper ! My heart is broken 1 Let Travers have all. I'll sign

it ;—perhaps the tardy justice may propitiate Heaven, and my son will

yet live ! He's in a trance ! a fajjj^! Come, let me sign, then take meto him—beggared 1 but living ! N^*«iatter 1 while I have breath, let

me see him once—once more. [The]/ bear him off, l. h.

SCENE IV.—Mas. Grimgriskin's, as before. Enter Tom, cautiously.

Tom. I cannot keep the cursed thing any longer ; this is the house,

and luckily the coast is clear. I'll make it all right in a jiffy. Whereshall I put if?—cry out and swear I found it under the trunk—or put it

under the sofal 5fo, they must have looked. I'll leave it on the table.

Yes, that'll do. Ah, where is it ^ I couldn't have lost it. Oh, that

would be sure perdition. I have it ! Its not here ! Now what a

cursed villain I am. Oh, it serves jiie right ; why did I yield to the

temptation. Stay, I may find it in the street ! No, no, it's gone—gone !

clean gone ! Some rascal, bad as jnysclf, has got it;—but there may be

a chance I'll look through the back streets I came alon^. God help

me—if I lon't find it 1 shall go mad. [Rushes out, L. u.

Enter Mrs. Grimoriskin, Hknuv a7idMk3.Y, r. h.

Mrs. G. You'll excuse the intrusion, if you please, but being a wo-

man of few words, there can be no necessity for mc to inform you that

this is my house, meaning of course, as lonr as I pay my rent, which I

20 TEMPTATION.

don't see tho slightest possibility of doing unless a similar proceeding

takes place with regard to my rooms.

Hen. What do you mean %

Mrs. G. I mean that people as can't pay, should have no objection to

turn out in favor of them as can : so perhaps you'll be good enough to

act accordingly. lExit, D. f. 1 K.

Enter hurriedly Polly and O'Bryan. l. h. 1 e.

Bryan. This is the house, and there's 44.

Polly. Oh, sir—Miss ! I beg your pardon for breaking in upon you 00

suddenly, but have you lost any money?Hen. Yes, my good woman, a large sum. Speak, in mercy—say, do

y ^u knov^r of it 1

Folly. Was it—viras it taken from you 1

Hen. No ! it was dropped in the street.

Polly. Thank Heaven for that relief—here it is !

Hen. It is ! it is !

Mary. Bless you ! blesa you ! you know not what a^/eight of misery

you have alleviated.

Hen. Take half of it ; it honestly belongs to you.

Polly. Not a penny ! I hate to look at it.

Hen. Won't you, my good fellow 1

Bryan. Not if you were my father, I wouldn't. Sure I'd rather feel

the feeling that's warming me up like a piece of su^shinti while I'mlooking at you there now, than all you could give me. They say moneythat isn't earned is the devil's wages, and I don't want him for my mas-ter, any way.Hen. Tell me, my good, kind friends, where did you find this money'Bryan. Sure, sir, it looked me straight in the face, and axed me to

pick it up, and I was afraid, sir, and''*

Polly. My husband found it, sir, and thought—that

Hen. I have no right to ask any questions ; it is returned—and I haveno doubt, correctly.

Polly. Pray sir, look at it, I have a reason for wiahing you to do so

;

is it—is it all there ]

He7i. It is all correct ; not a shiUing lost,

Polly. Then sir, whatever pleasure you may enjoy in its recovery

cannot equal mine in being the means of restoring it to you.Bryan. May I never, if here ain't the masther comii g over in a state

of distractitude.

Enter Mrs. Grimguiskin, 1. e. r. h.

Mrs. G. What's the meaning of this uproar.

Bryan. It's no business of yours Mrs, Woman of few words.Mrs. G. Ah, you ignorant Irishman !

Bryan. Troth, and ye haven't called me out of my name, Ma'am, i

know enough anyway to keep me from saying anything agin a female,

when she tries to forget that she's a lady.

Polly. Oh, sir—you said you wou'd like to assist me. All I wish yoo

TEMPTATION. 21

to do is to look over my husbatid's fault ; he's a good man, indeed be is

but the drink is in him now, andHen. Never fear me ! you have saved my life—all our lives and my

gratitude is yours forever.

Tom rushes m l. h.

Tom. I have lost—Polly here !

l*olly. [Interrupting him.] Yes love, I did as you told me, I broughtthe money, you know, that you found. May I sir] you see how he is.

lAll go up but Polly and Tom.Tom. What's this, Polly 1 What do you say 1 Money ! why it's

lost ! No ! did you 1 it can't be ! My head ! what with brandy andterror I am in an awful state. There, I can hear now. Dear, dear wife '

guardian angel ! speak to me—tell me again, did you find it

'

JPolly. I did

!

Tom. Hurrah ! And brought it here 1

Polly. Yes.Mrs. G. What do I hear.

Tom. God bless you ! he will ! he will ! Oh, sir !

Polly. Hush ! he knows nothing, but that you found it, and sent it byme. You did ; you know you left it there for me to take.

Tom. I wish I could tell this fellow that [Strikes his breast} and hwould believe me ; but I did mean to give it back.

Polly. I know you did, dear husband; your true heart could not

harbor a bad liiought long.

^ Men. My good friends

!

Mary. My kind, honest fellow, your hand.To7n. I can't ! Poll, I can't—I'm half a scoundrel still ; how dare I.

[Polly signs for him to take her hand.] All shake hands with Tom.Hen. Ah, here comes good old Stf.rling.

Enter STERLmo, l. h.

Hen. By the gloom on your brow you have been as unsuccessful asever ; but we shall make you shed tears of joy ; this good fellow here,has found and restored the money ! why you don't seem glad ! has thatold rascal^—

Stcrl. Hush ! heaven has avenged you in a sudden and a fearfulmanner.

Hen. How is this ? Mr. GraniteSterl. Is dead

!

Hen. Dead ! with him let his faults be buried ; his sen may be manmerciful ; he will inherit

Sterl. He has inherited—his father's fate.

Hen. DeadiSterl. Justice may slumber for awhile but retribution must come at

hut. You are now, by the old man's signature, his sole heir.

Mrs G. I'm a woman of few words, but if I had been a woman ofless, I do believe it would have been more to my advantage ; but nerefmind, sudden millionaires are generous. Hem ! I am sorry to intrudeupon the Rolemnity of your grief, but there's a lovelv first floor—such a

TEMPTATION. SI

carpet, just turned for the season—bath room on. the same flooT—hdwater.

Bryan. Plenty of that, I'll be bail

!

Mrs. G. It ain't my intention to say muchBryan. Well then don't ! haven't you got the gumption to see that

there's one too many here 1

Mrs. G. Then why don't you go, you Irish savage.

Bryan. Because I'm not the one.

Tom. Do you forgive me, Polly 1

[*olly. From my heart.

Tom. Bless your kind soul ! I have learnt a wholesome lesson andnever—never shall I forget it, and 1 hope none of our friends will forgel

It either.

EPILOGUE.

Tom.

There is a moral in our little play,

Whose influence may not be cast away,Oh ! think what magic's in a kindly word,And mercy show to those who've slightly erred.

4'Polly.

I was to blame dear Tom to envy those

Whose wealth enabled them to wear rich clothe* ,*

But mercifully was this lesson sent,

To teach us, the best wardrobe is content ^^Bryan. ^

That's true enough my darling, didn't I,

By forgetting of that sajne completely fly

Into temptation, like. Pirvig bull calf.

Why hanging is too good for me by half,

I'll venture now to say a word to you,

I'm sorry to differ with the worthy few,

They'd have you shun Temptation, don't you 4etS»

But when you see Temptation here^ come to «.

C UKT A.I N

^S3 9D!i|»^

/p to ParlKHval ot Di<fval offack Ole Blackegt T

-"^v

y

iJBji'JUl Mf*Jty„ A W jBi V% A> -. — -^ -,, Jl

VOL. XLI.821 The Pirate's Legacy822 The Charcoal Burnerii3 Adelgiiha824 Sen or Valiento825 Forest Rose826 Duke s Daughter827 Camilla's Husband828 Pure Qold

(Catalogue continued from second petge of cover.)VOL. XLII,

329 Ticket of Leave Man330 Fool's Revenge331 O'Noil the Great332 Handy Andy333 Pirate of the Isles334 Panchon835 Little Barefoot336 Wild Irish Girl

VOL. XLIII.337 Pearl of :-avoy333 Dead Heart339 Ten Nights h\ a Bar-room840 Dumb iJoyci' Manchester341 Belphegorthf Mountebank842 Cricket on thv Hearth343 Printer's Devil1)44 Meg 3 Divergion

Cti.

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VOL. XLIV.345 Drunkard's Doom346 Chimney Corner.'<47 Fifteen YearsofaDmnk-348 No Thoroughfare fard's349 Peep O' Day I LifeS'.O Everybody's FriendHamlet, in Three AotsiiiMij & Gulpit

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THE E T H 1 r I-^^ ]S"

(NEW SERIES.)DRAMA.

^ody s Coat/p to P ari.^

frival of Dickensiack Ole BullAackest T ragedy of All

(Robert Make-AirsBox and CoxMazeppaUnited States MailThe Coopers

fti Old Dad s CabinK The Rival Lovers

f a The Sham Doctor9 Jolly MillersJO ViHikins and his Dinah11 The Quack Doctor12 The Mystic Spell13 The Black Statue14 Uncle Jefif

30 The .Mischievous N'lgger

06 The Black Shoemaker

NO. I T>0-

8 Tom and Jerry, and Who's 13 Ten Days m {he Tombsbeen Here

9 NoTator. or Man Fish10 Who Stole the Chickens1

1

Upper Ten 'I housand12 «ip VauWinkla

It Two Pompeys15 Running ttie Blockade16 Jeemes the Poet17 Intelligence Office13 Echo Band

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1 7 The Magic Penny13 'I'he Wreck | ny Cupids19 Oh Hush! or The Virgin-20 The Portrait Painter21 The Hop of Fashion2'2 Oone Squash23 The Virginia Mummy24 Thieves at the Mill

2£ Comedy of Errors2i LesMiserables2J New Ye. ir'c Calls2t Troublesfimo Servant2ff Great Arrival3(1 Rooms to Let31 Black Crook Burlesque31' Ticket Taker

33 Hy^ooftl^driaoSt William Tell35 Rose Dale,36 Feast37 Fenian Spy33 Jack's the Lad39 Othello40 Cfimille41 Nobody's Son42 Sports on a Lark43 Actor and Singer44 Shylock45 Quarrelsome Servants46 Haunted House47 No Cure, -Vo Pay

NO.48 Fighting for the Union49 Hamlet the Dainty50 Corsican Twins51 Deaf — in a Horn52 Cliallenge Dance53 De Trouble begins atNine54 Scenes at Gurney's55 16.000 .Years Ago56 Stage struck Darkey57 Black Mail [Clothes58 Highest Price for Old59 Howls from the Owl TrainCO Old HunksCI The Three Black Smiths62 Turkeys in Season

Tony Denier's Parlor Pantomimes.—In ten Parts, 25 Cta. each.)

No. I.—A Memoir or the AijTHOR. By SylvesterSleeker, Esq. How to Express the VariousPassions. ACTIONS. etc. The Pour Lovers; or,

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No. III.—M. DechalumeaU ; or. The BirthdayFete. The Dkmon Lover; or, The FrightenedFamily. Robert Macaire ; or, Les Deux Fugitlfs.

No. IV.—Jocko the Brazilian Ape; or. TheMischievous Monkey. The Conscript ; or. How toAvoid the Draft. The Magic Phtte ; or, The Ma-gician's Speli.

No. v.—The Vivandiere; or, The Daughter of theRegiment. Dame Trot and her Comical Cat;or, The Misfortunes of Johnny Greene.

No. VI.—GoDENSKi; or. The Skaters of Wilnau.The Enchantep Horn ; or, The Witches' Gift.

No. VII.—THE Soldier for Love ; or, A Hero inSpite of Himself. Simeon's Mishaps; or, TheHungarian Rendezvous.

No. VIII. —Thk Village Ghost; or, Love andMurder both Found Out. The Fairies' Frolic;or, The Good Wife's Three Wishes.

Nq. IX.—The Rose of Sharon ; or. The UnluckyFisherman. Po.vgo, the Intelligent Ape, andthe Unfortunate Overseer.

No. X.—Mens. Toufet the Dancing Barber ;

or, Love ani Lather. VoL Au Vent and theMillers ; or, a Night's Adventures

Samuel French, Publisher,Any of the above sent by Mall or Express, on receipt of price. V22 Nassau Street (Up STAias).

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VOL. I.

1 The ir'ih Attorneya Boots at the Swdn8 How If pay the Ur^ii The Lo- '1 of a Lover5TtM, !»es.d Shot6 H!3 Liwt U'gsTTh.jJmr'iiblo T'rln<5«

8 The Goldeu FarmerVOL. II.

9 PHde or the Market10 Used Up11 The Ir'shTnforla Tho Barrack Room13 Luke the Ishoi-.r14 Beanty and the l".c ^t15St, I'atHflk'sEvf;16 Cfcptain vt t);e Vat^h

TOL. iir.'.TThp <!ec!e^ (pHrf5S V-'Jitj IJoist of ;^o Pep-IJTbe Jacv! uo

21 Hox aii(5 Cox2-i Kiuibooi^hng!S-AfdowE Vlotlia24 liubert Micalre

VOL, IV.to 8«>cret acrvioo

1!8 .«a: I or l!roI»v,*'

&i k^'.iiijg tba 'A'jr.d

Si H^Mhfr \nd Oras'jor83 .^tvul Jiugagemci: U

VOL '.

7t Irela.74 1Tett75 Irub'76 To 1 ..

Firs ,• „.

77 That B'tB»c-.t xIl

7S Our Gal73 Swiss Cott»cj80 Youag-Wiuow

VOL. XI.81 OFlanjiJ^auaa.Sa Irish Pesth3 ICy Kei;r^'.-or'»t

'

84 Ir"=.b Tipe.8a r. P., ': Mn-, ..

86To(>^'ei Stf ;

'

88 irlBii \

g 015 971 115 8 #

S9 A G9C0bn<'Ji G.iiO ;

•liOur J.

93 MilKn- .

94 Awkn- ':

i<j Crohji-t.^ :;,_ .

yecjoujug.'l ieis J

VOL. X.H .

97My \vi:a'sr.i;i:

93Lir'--i'i New y..

39Middr AfchorsiM Crown Prii;co101 'ir-o yuccasl"? Thutapinjf j.e;aliiri VnOniB'neJ d.ji

;--;^ Y l.OUloascDog'tOo-^ .-ifa

IVOL X•••

84 V' u. i;> T't.e i)oiuo - ..,

,'

".'.i .'•ra.rimor./

!07 in Cud e.:t<.r •

A;.-!!;..?. ,1.1. r |Ht8 i Disi'; with iivi: l>.;,!icate Orocivi HOi» IIi-a-va.-tha8JT>^9 AVe-.'.cicoi.': f ColdillO Aniy PljVj

Vi... liiit'ers Lj >'oi|i:i Levi la 76

i!12 i.o:::Eiioe tin'ftr

'