Mrs. Mortimer, mother of the family
Sally Caroline, the daughter
Albert, the son
Mr. Mortimer, father (this character has no lines)
Auntie Temp, a negro slave
George Washington Augustus, her son
Clementina Diana, her daughter
SCENE
Neat home interior. Old-fashioned hair-cloth sofa at right of stage. Hair-cloth rocking-chair at left. Marble-topped table at center. Easel with large picture of Lincoln near center. Cane seat rocking-chair at left-front, also another at right-front. Crocheted tidies on sofa and all rocking-chairs, and any other minor accessories that will give to the room an old-fashioned appearance.
COSTUMES
Mrs. Mortimer and Sally Caroline: For these two characters borrow dresses made during the '60's. If this is impossible, make gowns of some cheap yet good-looking material to represent such. Let the skirt be very full and worn over hoops; the waist plain and tight-fitting with wide flowing sleeves with white muslin undersleeves. Wear a broad, flat, embroidered collar. Mrs. Mortimer wears her hair parted in the middle, two curls on either side of her face, held in place by side-combs; the remainder fastened in a knot at the back. Sally Caroline's hair hangs in curls. Let these costumes be planned and overlooked by a skillful matron who is at least sixty years of age.
Albert: In first act he wears an ordinary suit for young man; in second act butternut-color suit, ragged and soiled.
Auntie Temp: Bright-colored print gown, wide gingham apron, bright bandanna kerchief tied on head. This character should be represented by a stout person, if possible.
George Washington Augustus: Overalls and "jumper" of blue denim.
Clementina Diana: Cotton gown. The two last named must wear negro wigs or wigs of black wool. The characters making-up for negroes should cover the faces with some sort of toilet cream before applying the burnt cork or "black-face" preparation.
Mr. Mortimer: United States military uniform faded and ragged.
ACT I
Auntie Temp (before the curtain rises): Gawge Washington Augustus. O, Gawge Washington Augustus, Gawge Washington Augustus, I say. (Curtain rises. Auntie Temp is seen leaving stage at right.)
George (enters at left): I was jes' suah I yerd mammy callin' me in heah. Wondah whar she went? Mighty ha'd times dese is foh de niggahs, dat's suah. What wid ole marsa goin' off wid de Linkum sojas an' young marsa stampin' 'round an' sayin' he foh suah cehtain am agoin' wid de Fed'rates I mos' done wish I hain't nevah been bo'n. I is foh suah.
(Singing behind scenes, a strain of any darkey melody that may be convenient, though the following, is especially appropriate. George pauses to listen.)
George (continues after the singing dies out, looking toward right): Dere comes dat worfless Clementina Diana, ef she is my sistah. 'Peahs lak any niggah dat can sing now-a-days ain't got no heart, jes' all gizzahd lak a chicken. (Clementina enters at right, still singing.) Shet up dere, Clementina Diana, how kin you go a-singin' 'round right in de midst o' dis yere wah when de folkses is a-shootin' each udder down, an' a—an' a——