The Globe-republican., 1890-09-10
SINGLE TAX DEPARTMENT.
UNDER THE WHEEL
Hamlin Garland's New Play-Thc Single
Tax Idea in the Drama.

FL
Berg-Aha! Vat say you now? Is it
n Ndt dime doc protest? Our wages is re-
duced dwice already in four years-te
rendt haff been raist four dimes. How?
1t is hell. is it nodt? Vat you do?
Edwards-(without looking up)-I
don't know.
Berg (darkly. looking at Alice)-I
know vat do. i magke protest so I
shall pc heardt 1t is nodt do be born
wit. gift in my name tonight (He
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 (turning)-Free? Free do pay
rendt in. fly from dc tyrandts ofe my
native landt. l reach free landt, Bah!
[ 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, l shall fight.
l am volt ad bay. II l fall now, l
trag someding wit me. (He starts to
go)
Alice stopping himl-Don't go with
those men. You're not yourself tonight.
Stay with your mother.
Berg moved by her words and hand
on his arm)-For your sake, will stay.
am nodt veil. 1t is true.
Alice (recoiling)-No. no; not for my
sake. but for your mothers sake.
Berg-For you half ask me Istay. (He
turns to the figure At the door, You
hear. go nodt oud. Figure AZ the
door goes.) wish to dalk nit you'll
half
(Alice stands speaking in a low voice
to Berg. At last he nods.) Ipromise-
ant l will gone again soon? Exit
Alice turning to her father)-Can't
something be done-can't you strikee
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 l have needin' every
dollar they en- earn? Rents due an no
money t. pay it with. l don't know
which way I turn.
Mrs. E.-Don't give up, Jason. Well
git along some way. We can move into
cheaper tenement
Edwards (indignantly)-I don't want
Y to do that, Jennie. You're low
enough; Eve been hopin' t move into a
better one.
Alice (resolutely)-I'll 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 DO higher
an wages lower. 1t amt the present that
scares me, it's the future, l could pull
through for a year or two if 'twant for
the turrible uncertainty of the future.
If l should be laid up f'r month-Im
gettin' old an liable t bel don know
what we'd all do. John jest about makes
livin' for his family-he can't help US.
Linnie must 60 t school an Alice ought
to 60 on with her music
Alice (firmly)-NO. father. I'll give up
the conservatory. I'll find something
to do; I'll be help.
Linnie-Soll l.
Edwards quitting his arms around
them) You re 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 a thoughtful look on her
face. She is thinking Of Reeves, and his
question and her answer.)
Mrs. E. with a sigh)-What's 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. l tell We 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
a plain case O rents goin' up an wages
going down. Ten men FIR every job
me gettin' old. "a long pause.
Mrs. Edward (hesitatingly) - We
60 back to Derry an go to farm
in agin. could we? They say they's
deserted farms there that can be
bought"
Edwards (bitterly)-Why are they de-
serted? Because people couldn't make a
livin' off 'em. Can we do any better? If
l was a young man-if you was young
and the girls didn't need schoolin',
they'd be jest one way ous-the way out
FIR so many b'fore us-I mean go West
an get free land and start agin.
Alice feeling her way)-Why don't
you go West now? Well go with you.
I'm sorry we're not boys, we'd be of more
use. with growing conviction.) OF
course that's the way out. Why didn't
we think of that before. mother? Every
body is happy and successful that goes
west-it's the refuge for all like u.s.
Let's 60 this very summer! Maybe /
can find a place to teach music out there.
Edwards (rising and going to his coat
Wal, now you've said S much, Allie.
I'll own up I've been thinkin' a good
'eal of it f'r some time. I've Jest about
wore these maps out lookin' at 'em. lie
spreads some railway maps out on the
table, and they all look at them. He
grows enthusiastlc.)
Edwards (pointing)-Now here's Bos-
ton, an there's Chicago, an you follow
that black line away out there an that's
Boomtown an free land. Dye hear.
Free land! The place we're
all dreamin' about!
Iinnie-What d. vOu mean nv free