John (_calling back over his shoulder_): Bother on them, we'll have time to study after school calls: if we don't, who cares? Let Abraham Lincoln do the studying while we are having fun. Come on, come on. (_Exit at right._) Helen: Don't go, Tom; stay and have a perfect lesson for once. Thomas: O, I've heard preaching enough for one morning. (_Exit at right, running._) Helen: That's the way it always ends. If I try to have them mend their ways, they just make fun of me for "preaching." (_Goes to a desk and takes up book, opens it and sits at desk._) I'm only a girl, of course, but I am going to imitate poor Abe by trying to get a little knowledge into my head. But what foolish boys _they_ are, and some day when Abraham Lincoln is a great man and everyone is talking about the wonderful things he is doing, John and Tom will be standing around whittling sticks and growling because they couldn't be as "lucky as Abraham Lincoln." Well, if _I_ am anywhere around, I'll tell them of the things they said this morning. I know I shall never forget them. (_Becomes intent on book._) Curtain CAPTAIN LINCOLN Clara J. Denton A DIALOGUE FOR FIVE BOYS CHARACTERS Captain Lincoln Lieutenant Dash Private Dunn Sergeant Free Gerolomo, _the Indian_ COSTUMES Soldiers: For the four soldiers, suitable military outfits. Indian: If a wig of long black hair is obtainable, part the hair and make into two heavy braids, twisting yellow or red flannel through the braids which hang down close to the face on either side. If a wig is impossible, decorate a strip of pasteboard with chicken feathers and fasten it around the head. Wear a brightly colored blanket thrown over a pair of overalls and dark cotton shirt. Wear moccasins. Carry old-fashioned gun. The character of Lincoln must be taken by boy much taller than the others. SCENE Camp; tent in foreground with flap up, showing rude bed, gun, knapsack, etc. Lieutenant Dash and Sergeant Free are discovered lying at full length not far from tent. Lieutenant (_rising_): Well, I must say, I'm mighty tired lying 'round here waiting for that boat to come. Sergeant (_yawns and rolls over_): Guess we'll never get where the Indians are if we wait for that boat. Wish we could all swim across the river. Captain Lincoln's getting mighty tired of waiting, too. Lieutenant: No wonder! Such an unruly lot as he has to hold in check here. Sergeant: Yes, think of his being blamed for that rowdy crowd breaking into the storehouse and drinking up all the whiskey. He didn't know a thing about it until it was all over. Lieutenant (_walking up and down_): Yes, but you see that's the way things go; he's at the head of the company and he just has to stand the blame for all their meannesses. I should think they'd be a little careful of their doings for they all like him, or seem to, anyway. Sergeant: You see, they just didn't think, that's the trouble with them.