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Way Down East [A Simple Story of Plain People]

1 Since the beginning of time man has been polygamous -- even the saints of Biblical history -- but the Son of Man gave a new thought, and the world is growing nearer the true ideal. He gave of One Man for One Woman.

2 Not by laws -- our Statutes are now overburdened by ignored laws -- but within the heart of man, the truth must bloom that his greatest happiness lies in his purity and constancy.

3 Today Woman brought up from childhood to expect ONE CONSTANT MATE possibly suffers more than at any point in the history of mankind, because not yet has the man-animal reached this high standard -- except perhaps in theory.

4 If there is anything in this story that brings home to men the suffering caused by our selfishness, perhaps it  will not be in vain.

5 Time and place -- in the story world of make-believe, Characters -- nowhere -- yet everywhere; Incidents -- never occurred yet always happening.

6 Let us suppose a remote village in New England.

7 Anna Moore and her mother. We call her "Anna" -- we might have called her "Woman" -- for is not hers the story --

8 Sore need of money drives the mother to appeal to the Tremonts, their rich relatives in Boston.

9 "Oh, Mother, I hate to ask    them for money."

10 So, through the troubled twilight ...

11 "All right, Mother, I'll go."

12 The departure.

13 "Tell Cousin Emma I made this hug-me-tight with my     own hands."

14  "The fashion paper says these gloves are in style in the            city."

15 An errand undertaken with the tremulous footsteps that ever mark the trail of the "poor relation."

16 Her cousins, the Tremonts, were giving a bridge whist party the afternoon of   Anna's arrival.

17 Cousin Emma Tremont herself.

18 Diana Tremont -- her daughter.

19 An occasional interloper in Society -- the dashing Lennox Anderson, who depends for his living upon a rich father.

20 He has three specialties -- ladies -- Ladies -- and LADIES.

21 "There is a young person -- says she's your Cousin   Anna Moore -- from      Greenville."

22 "My dear child! Whatever  brought you here?"

23 "Well, you see, things haven't been going very well -- and we wanted to ask   you -- if -- if --"

24 Courage failing, she changes the subject to the hug-me-tight.

25 "I beg your pardon."

26 Mrs. Tremont imparts the embarrassing news of the country cousin's arrival to    her daughters.

27 "Well, get rid of her."

28 But to impress their eccentric but enormously rich aunt, the sisters pretend to be nice to Anna.

29 "I knew you both from  your pictures."

30 "Yes, I expect to stay quite a time -- that is, if we suit        each other."

31    CHAPTER II

Near the country estate of the Sanderson family is  Bartlett Village.

32 Also the home of Squire Bartlett, the richest farmer in the neighborhood.

33 The clock hand points to blossoms -- and awakening.

34 David Bartlett, though of plain stock, has been tutored by poets and visions wide as the world.

35 Squire Bartlett, a stern old puritan, who lives according to his own con- ception of the Scriptures, particularly the "Thou    Shalt Nots".

36 Mrs. Bartlett, whose gentle soul is as sweet as her beloved Scriptures.

37 Day dreams of twenty-one.

38 The great Tremont ball -- the climax of the social season.

39 Anna's dress that she and her mother had made in case she should go out in         Society.

40 "It's quite all right -- and from the balcony you can       see us dancing."

41 Solely to pique the sisters of whom she is not over-fond, the aunt makes different arrangements for Anna.

42 "Oh, Aunty! -- This dress  -- where's the top?"

43 Beneath the alcove lights' golden glow.

44 Anna's delicate beauty a whip to Sanderson's   jaded appetite.

45 "In your beauty lives again Elaine, the lily maid, love  dreaming at Astolat."

46 "Tell me more."

47 Cousin Emma hurries Anna off to bed -- perhaps in fear of her own daughters being outshone.

48 The susceptible Sanderson obsessed by a new desire.

49 Sanderson, after managing several meetings, finally lures Anna to the apartment to meet a mythical aunt.

50 "Wait -- I'll call Aunty."

51 "Strange, she isn't here."

52 "Just five minutes! She'll be     back any time."

53 "If she doesn't come in five   minutes -- I must go."

54 "You don't understand ..."

55 "I mean -- I want you to   -- to marry me."

56 Anna's inexperienced heart caught in a tide of    infatuation.

57 "Oh, I'm just going to   tell everybody."

58  But Sanderson, dreading to cross the wishes of his rich father, upon whom he is de- pendent, persuades Anna to     promise secrecy.

59 Sanderson belongs to a class which, if it cannot get what it wants in one way, it will go to any length to get it in another.

60 Evil plans --

61 Passion's urge knows no conscience and various its ways to betrayal.

62 Sanderson induces Anna to marry secretly before going home.

63 Far away it happens that David Bartlett is dreaming a     troubled dream.

64 "Don't worry -- every- thing's all right. Don't you        trust me?"

65 So -- it is done.

66 The bridal suite at Rose Tree Inn.

67 To her it is the fulfillment of the dreams of girlhood -- to him but another adventure.

68 Here conscience knocks at the door -- perhaps the slightest interruption might still avert this tragedy, but...

69 "My -- my husband!"

70 The afternoon the Bartlett postoffice was robbed.

71 The dread minion of the Law -- Rube Whipple, Constable.

72 Seth Holcomb waiting for Martha Perkins, whom he has been following around for twenty years.

73 Seth takes his liquor under the name of "Long Life Bitters".

74 Martha Perkins -- a relic -- nobody needs a newspaper when she is around.

75 The Constable on the man hunt.

76 Napoleon, his fiery steed.

77 Napoleon refuses to climb the hill.

78 The temptation of   Napoleon.

79 "These men! I just can't keep 'em from followin'        me."

80 "Great news! Postoffice bin robbed! Dollar eighty-two cents in postage stamps, eighteen postal cards! Heavy loss to the       gov'ment!"

81 "I'll 'low no man to laugh at   the law, Seth Holcomb!"

82 They both win.

83    CHAPTER IV.

One day of honeymoon before Anna starts home with her great secret.

84 "Promise now -- only    two days!"

85 Anna's return home.

86 Anna relieves her mother's anxiety with happy, mys- terious hints of wealth to        come.

87 The old way too pleasant to give up.

88 Less and less frequent their secret meetings until at last....

89 In answer to her urgent letter....

90 "All right -- I'll wait."

91 "You haven't told anyone about our marriage?"

92 She tells him of a tender new reason why the secret cannot be kept any longer.

93 "You mustn't tell anyone!"

94 "Well, if you must know the truth -- because we aren't married at all!"

95 "You're just joking -- tell me, aren't you joking?"

96 "WE MUST be married -- see -- see -- our ring ...."

97 "Marriage would have meant my losing every- thing -- I intended to make    it right -- but --"

98 "For Heaven's sake, don't make a scene! I'll let you have lots of money and you     can go away."

99 "Mother! MOTHER!"

100 When the mother returns --

101 Some time afterwards -- left alone by her mother's death -- Anna hides away with her shame in the village of        Belden."

102 Maternity -- Woman's    Gethesemane.

103 Shadows across the time dial. ______________

The baby without a name.

104 "My child, your baby   is very sick."

105 "Ten drops of this in a little   water every hour until I           return."

106 "Where's your husband?"

107 "Oh, he's -- he's away."

108 The landlady solemnly reminds Anna that if the baby dies without being baptized, it will never see God.

109 Helpless and alone in the dreadful hours of the night, and stricken with a terrible fear for her baby's soul....

110 .... she herself performs the sacred rite.

111 "In the name of the Father,   and of the Son,--"

112 "...and of the Holy   Ghost..."

113 "-- I baptize thee -- 'TRUST LENNOX'."

114 The vigil.

115 The little hands grow cold upon her breast.

116 "My child, your baby      is dead."

117 Sanderson on his country estate at Bartlett.

118 "Everybody is talking about you having no husband -- I guess you'll have to leave."

119 Upon her back the age-old Cross. ______________

The Pilgrimage.

120 Hi Holler, the Bartlett's chore boy, sprucing up in the barn to meet Kate, the Squire's niece.

121 A reckless spectator.

122 "Oh, Hi! Hi Holler! Hurry up! It's time to fetch Kate!"

123 Anna, in search of work, reaches Bartlett Village.

124 Kate, the Squire's niece, returns from a short trip to Boston.

125 The Professor, summer boarder at Squire Bartlett's. He studies butterflies -- and pursues his studies.

126 "Is this the young niece you were expecting from Boston?"

127 "I am looking for work."

128 "Work? You don't 'pear to have no strength to work."

129 "Where ye from? Whose your folks?"

130 "I haven't any folks."

131 "For all we know she might be some loose woman wanderin' 'round. I won't take her inter my hum!"

132 "Sorry, young lady, but I ain't got nothin' for ye."

133 "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these -- ye have done it       unto me!"

134 "That's Scripture, Father."

135 "All right, Mother, we'll try her. Nobody can't ever say   I went agin' the       Scriptures!"

136 "Whatever your troubles, child, remember, the Lord is your Shepherd, you shall        not want."

137 Kate's homecoming.

138 "It has been settled by the Squire and his family, since Kate's and David's child- hood that they are to        marry."

139 Open admiration.

140 The Professor, meeting Kate, is converted to the scientific theory of Love at first sight.

141 "Oh, Professor, my shoe      is untied."

142 "Well, well, neighbor Sanderson, haven't seen you since Kate went away."

143 Kate -- Sanderson's newest infatuation.

144 "David, you'll have time before supper to show Neighbor Sanderson that heifer he wants to buy."

145 "What are you doing here?"

146 "I am working."

147 "You can't stay here -- I live right across     the way."

148 "Come right in, Mr. Sanderson! Supper's     ready."

149 "Your father was right. I'm afraid I'm not strong enough for this work."

150 "Please don't go away, Miss Moore! I -- we all -- like you very much. You'll get stronger after    awhile, and ..."

151 "Anna! David! Come right in."

152 END OF PART I

153 WAY DOWN EAST Part II

154 Meanwhile, Anna, her past still a closed book, has become a beloved member of the household.

155 Knowing only Anna's blameless life among them, David thrilled with the thought that she is the virginal white flower of his dreams.

156 By the river and the distant music of the falls -- Around them the sweet scent of      summer fields.

157 There David points out the two forks of the river, that go into one ....

158 And all athrill with a great sincere love, Visions to her how they two might go, On through life together...

159 "One heart for one heart, One soul for one soul, One love for one love, Even through Eternity."

160 At last the great over- whelming love -- only to be halted by the stark ghosts of her past.

161 "I'm only trying to say I love you, Anna -- it seems I've always loved you!"

162 So she tells him he must never speak like this again.

163 The summer goes, the winter comes, We cannot rule the year, Nor can we rule the barque of Fate, Nor all its strange ways steer.

164 The Professor's love-- burdened heart brings him down to the country to see Kate.

165 "I'm going ter read yer some funny jokes."

166 "Why does a chicken  cross the road?"

167 "None of the rooster's     business."

168 "Ain't that funny?"

169 "Three eggs -- two bad."

170 "Miss Kate -- I want to ask -- if you will -- be --         my --"

171 "The ice is going out soon. When the river starts you'd better look out down below         there!"

172 Anna goes to the store after forgotten goodies for the big party planned for the evening.

173 The villain still pursues her.

174 The sewing circle next to   the grocery store.

175 Maria Poole, the landlady from Belden, visits Bartlett.

176 "That's Anna Moore -- lives down to Squire  Bartlett's."

177 "Moore? Her name ain't      Moore..."

178 "She lived at my house -- 'Mrs. Lennox', she called herself -- but she never had    no husband at all!"

179  "And then -- there was a baby!"

180 The Squire thinks it time that David and Kate come to   an understanding.

181 "It's my bounden duty to go and expose this woman to       the Squire."

182 "Father's set on our getting married but I don't think we can without proper love       -- do you?"

183 To the Squire's -- bursting with the great news.

184 "Suppose, Squire, I had been like you suspected when you first saw me? Would there be any hope of    forgiveness?"

185 "When the law's broke, it's broke, ain't it? A wrong's a wrong and nothin' can make       it right."

186   "Of course -- I was just supposing."

187 On their way to the big barn dance.

188 "Maria Poole, from Belden, was at the sewing circle and      she says...."

189 "No. I shouldn't tell you!"

190 "It's that...."

191 "Oh, it's awful...."

192 But before Martha tells her thrilling news....

193 On their way to the big party, they stop to warm up at the Squire's with an old- fashioned dance.

194 "No. I am not invited   to the party."

195 The Professor -- dazed but happy.

196 "All bound 'round with a woolen string! A great big hat with a great big brim, All bound 'round, all bound 'round, All bound 'round with a woolen string!"

197 David, for some reason, suddenly discovers he is not interested in the party.

198 The neighbors' barn dance.

199 More and more worried by Anna's presence -- also afraid she will interfere in his pursuit of  Kate -- Sanderson --

200 "I can't have you around  here where I live!"

201 "Suppose they find out about your past life? You'd have to get out        then!"

202 "Suppose they find out about YOUR past life!"

203 "Oh, it's different with a MAN! He's supposed to sow    his wild oats."

204 At last Martha gets her opportunity with the Squire.

205 "Does Lennox Sanderson mean anything to you?"

206 "Why do you ask such a question?"

207 "Because I can't keep silent        any longer."

208 "I love you! I want you    to be my wife."

209 "It's about Anna Moore. She lived in Belden under the name of 'Lennox' --   Mrs. Lennox!"

210 "A baby was born -- but there warn't no weddin'   ring to her finger."

211 "I'll drive her out of the   house -- this night."

212 "No, father -- you must      have proof."

213 "I'll go to Belden in the morning -- and if it is true --"

214 "Please! Please don't!"

215 "I can never be ANY   MAN'S WIFE!"

216 The next morning. The Squire on his way to Belden to investigate Martha's story.

217 "The Squire's on important    business, is he?"

218 So it happens that Sanderson...

219 At noon the Squire arrives in Belden.

220 "It's all true. Why, her baby was born in this    very room."

221 Late afternoon.

222 "Roses in wintertime!   Lan' sakes!"

223 "Don't want no supper  of your gettin'!"

224 "The time's come for you to get your things and get out     of this house!"

225 "Don't want no words!  Just get out!"

226 "It means she is going to get out of my house!"

227 "I found out all about her -- she ain't fit to be here!"

228 "She's the mother of a baby -- but she ain't got   -- NO HUSBAND!"

229 "Tell them it's a lie,       Anna!"

230 "I -- I can't!"

231 "You found out so much! Why didn't you find out the     whole truth?"

232 "That I was an ignorant girl betrayed through a mock       marriage."

233 "This man -- an honored guest at your table -- why don't you find out what HIS    life has been?"

234 "For HE is the man who    betrayed me!"

235 And then the storm.

236 The sugar camp.

237 "Anna's lost in the storm -- get out your men --       quick!"

238 Frenzied -- tortured -- The calling river.

239 The storm lulls.

240 The great ice-break.

241 The ice jam gives way -- rushing to the falls.

242 "Quick! Quick! The Doctor!"

243 Toward morning.

244 The Squire asks forgiveness.

245 "Come, Anna, I know I didn't do the right thing. I'm willing to marry you now if      you want me."

246 "I -- I will."

247 "I will."

248 Interested witnesses.

249 "Seth, wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded        wife -- ?"

250 "I -- I will."

251 The one man for the one woman, Between them the Sacramental bond -- Life's cleanest and sweetest.

T:H:E E:N:D

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