The Stranger | Page 2

Wewitzer. PETER Mr. Suett. TOBIAS Mr. Aickin. FRANCIS Mr. R. Palmer. GEORGE Mr. Webb. COUNT'S SON (five years old) Master Wells. STRANGER'S SON (five years old) Master Stokeley.
MRS. HALLER Mrs. Siddons. COUNTESS WINTERSEN Mrs. Goodall. CHARLOTTE Miss Stuart. ANNETTE Mrs. Bland. CLAUDINE Miss Leake. SUSAN Mrs. Jones. STRANGER'S DAUGHTER (four years old) Miss Beton.
TENANTS, SERVANTS, DANCERS, &c.
SCENE,--Germany.

THE STRANGER.
ACT THE FIRST.
SCENE I.
The Skirts of COUNT WINTERSEN'S Park.--The Park Gates in the centre.--On one side a low Lodge, among the Trees.--On the other, in the back ground, a Peasant's Hut.
Enter PETER.
Pet. Pooh! pooh!--never tell me.--I'm a clever lad, for all father's crying out every minute, "Peter," and "stupid Peter!" But I say, Peter is not stupid, though father will always be so wise. First, I talk too much; then I talk too little; and if I talk a bit to myself, he calls me a driveller. Now, I like best to talk to myself; for I never contradict myself, and I don't laugh at myself, as other folks do. That laughing is often a plaguy teazing custom. To be sure, when Mrs. Haller laughs, one can bear it well enough; there is a sweetness even in her reproof, that somehow--But, lud! I had near forgot what I was sent about.--Yes, then they would have laughed at me indeed.--[Draws a green purse from his pocket.]--I am to carry this money to old Tobias; and Mrs. Haller said I must be sure not to blab, or say that she had sent it. Well, well, she may be easy for that matter; not a word shall drop from my lips. Mrs. Haller is charming, but silly, if father is right; for father says, "He, that spends his money is not wise," but "he that gives it away, is stark mad."
Enter the STRANGER, from the Lodge, followed by FRANCIS.--At sight of PETER, the STRANGER stops, and looks suspiciously at him. PETER stands opposite to him, with his mouth wide open. At length he takes off his hat, scrapes a bow, and goes into the Hut.
Stra. Who is that?
Fra. The steward's son.
Stra. Of the Castle?
Fra. Yes.
Stra. [After a pause.] You were--you were speaking last night--
Fra. Of the old countryman?
Stra. Ay.
Fra. You would not hear me out.
Stra. Proceed.
Fra. He is poor.
Stra. Who told you so?
Fra. Himself.
Stra. [With acrimony.] Ay, ay; he knows how to tell his story, no doubt.
Fra. And to impose, you think?
Stra. Right!
Fra. This man does not.
Stra. Fool!
Fra. A feeling fool is better than a cold sceptic.
Stra. False!
Fra. Charity begets gratitude.
Stra. False!
Fra. And blesses the giver more than the receiver.
Stra. True.
Fra. Well, sir. This countryman--
Stra. Has he complained to you?
Fra. Yes.
Stra. He, who is really unhappy, never complains. [Pauses.] Francis, you have had means of education beyond your lot in life, and hence you are encouraged to attempt imposing on me:--but go on.
Fra. His only son has been taken from him.
Stra. Taken from him?
Fra. By the exigency of the times, for a soldier.
Stra. Ay!
Fra. The old man is poor.--
Stra. 'Tis likely.
Fra. Sick and forsaken.
Stra. I cannot help him.
Fra. Yes.
Stra. How?
Fra. By money. He may buy his son's release.
Stra. I'll see him myself.
Fra. Do so.
Stra. But if he is an impostor!
Fra. He is not.
Stra. In that hut?
Fra. In that hut. [STRANGER goes into the Hut.] A good master, though one almost loses the use of speech by living with him. A man kind and clear--though I cannot understand him. He rails against the whole world, and yet no beggar leaves his door unsatisfied. I have now lived three years with him, and yet I know not who he is. A hater of society, no doubt; but not by Providence intended to be so. Misanthropy in his head, not in his heart.
Enter the STRANGER and PETER, from the Hut.
Pet. Pray walk on.
Stra. [To FRANCIS.] Fool!
Fra. So soon returned!
Stra. What should I do there?
Fra. Did you not find it as I said?
Stra. This lad I found.
Fra. What has he to do with your charity?
Stra. The old man and he understand each other perfectly well.
Fra. How?
Stra. What were this boy and the countryman doing?
Fra. [Smiling, and shaking his head.] Well, you shall hear. [To PETER.] Young man, what were you doing in that hut?
Pet. Doing!--Nothing.
Fra. Well, but you couldn't go there for nothing?
Pet. And why not, pray?--But I did go there for nothing, though.--Do you think one must be paid for every thing?--If Mrs. Haller were to give me but a smiling look, I'd jump up to my neck in the great pond for nothing.
Fra. It seems then Mrs. Haller sent you?
Pet. Why, yes--But I'm not to talk about it.
Fra. Why so?
Pet. How should I know? "Look you," says Mrs. Haller, "Master Peter, be so good as not to mention it to any body." [With much consequence.] "Master Peter, be so good"--Hi! hi! hi!--"Master Peter, be so"--Hi! hi! hi!--
Fra. Oh!