The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-09-17
SINGLE TAX DEPARTMENT.
UNDER THE WHEEL.
Hamlin t;arlahd's New Play-Thc Single
Tax idea in tho Drama.

UNDER THE WHEEL.
Hamlin Garland's New Play-Tho Single
Tax idea in tho Drama.
[coNTINCED FROM LAST ISSUE.
Bcrg-Aha! Vat say you now? Is it
nodt dime doc protest? Our wages is re-
duced dwice already in four years-te
rendt half been raist four dimes. How?
1t is hell, is it nodt? Vat you do?
Edwards (without looking up)-I
don't know.
Berg (darlly, looking at Alice)-I
know vat do. l magke protest SO |
shall pc heardt 1t is nodt do be born
wit. I Gift in my name tonight Tile
starts toward the door.
Alice (stopping him) Don't do that.
Keep away from those Anarchists, Mr..
Berg. They will hurt you. They don't
belong here. Such meetings are wrong
in free country
Berg (turningl-Free? Free do pay
rendt in. L fly from dc tyrandts ofe my
I am only slave under anodder name,
dat is all. De mardch of feudalism is
here even. say there is no free blaze
left. Let dem tage care, shall fight.
am volt ad bay. If / fall now, I
trag someding wit me. (He starts to
go.)
Alice stopping him 60 with
those men. You're not yourself tonight.
Stay with your mother.
Berg (moved by her words and hand
on his arm)-For your sa|e, ] will stay.
I am nodt veil. 1t is true.
Alice (recoiling) mo, no; not for my
sake, but for your mothers sake.
Berg-For you half ask me Istay. Gle
turns to the figure at the door, You
hear, go nodt oud. (tigure at the
door goes.) / wish to dalk nit you-I
half
(Alice stands speaking in a low voice
to Borg. At last he nods.) Ipromisc--
ant l will gone again soon? (Exit.)
Alice turning to her father Can't
something be done can't you strike?
Edwards (spiritlessly)-No, we can't
strike-at least, it wouldn't do any
good.
Alice-Why not?
Edwards What can men do strikin'
with families as have needin' every
dollar they en- earn? Rents due an no
money t pay it with. l don't know
which way t turn.
Mrs. E.-Don't give up, Jason. Well
git along some way. We can move into
a cheaper tenement
Edwards (indignantly)-I don't want
y to do that, Jennie. You're low
enough; Fye been hopin' t. move into q
better one.
Alice {resolutely)-Tll give up my
course at the conservatory and go to
teaching. I'll do my part.
| Edwards-It wouldn't save us, m girl,
for next year the rents would be higher
an wages lower. Itain't the present that
scares me, it's the future! | could pull
through for year or two if 'twant for
the turrible uncertainty Of the future.
If should be laid up FIR month-Im
gettin' old an liable t bel dom know
/ what we'd all do John jest about makes
liyin' for his family-he can't help US.
Linnie must go t school an Alice ought
to go on with her music
Alice (frmly)-No, father, I'llgive up
the conservatory. I'll find something
to do; I'll be help
Linnie--Soll /.
Edwards quitting his arms around
them) You're a help to me now, Allie;
nothin' cheered me more all day long
than the thought O your havin' good
time with your musical friends.
/ (Alice has thoughtful look on her
face. She is thinking Of Reeves, and his
question and her answer.)
4 Mrs. e. with sigh)-Whats the
world comm to, Jason, when hard work.
in people can't make decent Twin?
Edwards lin the same gloomy tone)-
! don't know, Jennie. tell ye I've
done pile o. thinkin' lately. I've
looked at the whole matter fore and aft
and they hain't no other way to it. It's
plain case O rents goin' up an wages
going down. Ten men FIR every job
me gettin' old. CA long pause.
/ Mrs. Edward (hesitatingly) - W.
couldn't go back to Derry an go to farm
In agin, could we? They say they.
deserted farms there that can b.
bought"
/ Edwards (bitterly)- Why are they de
serted? Bcause people couldn't make
livin' off 'em. Can we do any better? I
l was young man-if you was younl
and the girls didn't need schoolin'
they'd be jest one way out-tho way on
FIR so many b'fore us--I mean 60 Yves
an get free land and start agin.
Alice feeling her way)-Why don
you go West now? Well go with you
I'm sorry we're not boys, we'd be of NOR
use. with growing conviction.) G
course that's the way out! Why didn
we think of that before, mother? Ever,
body is happy and successful that goe
west-it's the refuge for all Like III
Let's go this very summer! Maybe
can find place to teach music out ther'
. Edwards (rising and going to his Goa
Wal, now you've said s. much, Alli
= I'll own up I've been thinkin' goc
'eal of it FIR some time. I've jest abo'
wore these maps out lookin' at 'em. (H
spreads some railway maps out on ii
table, and they all look at them. I
grows enthusiastlc.)
Edwards (pointing)-Now here's Be
ton, an there's Chicago, an you folio
. that black line away out there an that
Boomtown an free land. Dye hes
!. mother? Free land! The place We
i. all dreamin' about!