The Copperhead

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1922 edition. Excerpt: ...she made a good supper--and is sleepin'. Shanks. Would it wake her if I--looked at her? Ma. No--talkin' would--an' ye better wait till Grandma Perley comes out. Shanks. What d'ye hear from Joey? Ma. Here's his letters (Sorts them.) 'Twould do you no good to read these (Lays them aside.) Shanks. Where's the last one? Ma. (Handing letter) I'll get Grandma Perley out the other way. (Exit. Shanks watches her off--drinks tea from bucket--opens a letter and reads. The village bell tolls distantly. Shanks adjusts himself to the novelty and resumes reading. The sound of a cantering horse approaches--Milt moves from light to shadow. Sam Carter, a soldier, rides on and stops back of fence, pauses, dismounts and ties. Soldier enters yard to light--calls into house.) Sam. (Calls) Hello! Shanks. (Speaks) Good-evening. Sam. (Inquiring) Shanks? Shanks. (Into light again) Hello, Sam. (A distant gun.) Sam. (Pause--nodding off) That's fur Vicksburg's surrender. Shanks. Yes. Sam. What are you doin'--round here? Shanks. Well--I have been away, but Sam. (Pause) In trouble--we heard, in the army. Shanks. Yes--considerable--but, somehow--'count Joey doin' so well--I--I--was--released Sam. He did do well (Awkwardly.) Come up by the gate. (They go up.) Whoa, boy--Whoa! (Goes to horse.) Shanks. Where air you from now? Sam. Vicksburg--but I left there two days ago with some prisoners and wounded--steamer Forest Queen to Cairo. When did you hear from Joe? Shanks. (Down with letter to light) Last week. Sam. How was Joe? Shanks. (Reading) All right--an' mighty hopeful about Grant's winnin'. Sam. Joe--Joe's dead. Shanks. Dead! (Looks slowly at letter and back.) Sam. Yes--awful sorry. Shanks. Who told you so? Sam. I saw him. Shanks. Saw him--killed? Sam. No--but afterwards--in...