Excerpt from Wapsie

Scene l - Camp ground, tent (R. u. e.) Camp fire with tri-poles, kettle-log near fire, R. - Curtain discovers Mr. and Mrs. Wilton and Cork.

Wilton. Cork, look after the horses and cow, and I will help mother arrange the tent and look after the comforts of the camp. Where is Pat?

Cork. He's gone to look after game for supper. Of course he ain't on hand if there's anything to do. But Ill attend to the domesticated quadrupedals, Massa Wilton. 'Scuse me. [Exit L. C. E.]

Wilton. Well, mother, what do you say to locating here? This is about as pretty a stretch of land as any one may find anywhere.

Mrs. Wilton. Oh, John, it makes little difference where we settle, so we settle down somewhere. You certainly cannot go much farther into the wilderness. I am tired of this continual moving, and just so we get under a roof once more, is all I care. Then, I know, I will feel less heathenish. Have you any idea where you want to go, anyway?

Wilton. As I was saying, just now, I do not want to go anywhere - I want to stay here. It does not seem to make so much difference where we are, mother, if we are only contented. The good Lord has made this land just as beautiful, if not more so, than any we have left, and we ought to try and put it to some profit. This would make a grand townsite.

Mrs. W. I presume you will next try to civilize the savages. I know you love the woods and the quiet of backwoods life, John, but this is a little too remote from civilization to please me. But may I ask what special line of work have you mapped out for our daughter, in this solitude, unbroken, save by the yell of Indians or the howling of wolves?

Mr. W. Please do not get sarcastic, mother. We are expected to leave all relics of civilization behind, you know. Besides, you forget Cork and Pat, who make more noise than all the savages and beasts in chorus. Listen to that!

[Pat sings in wing.]

"I'm a simple Irish lad,
And I'm looking for a place."

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