OUR AMERICAN COUSIN A Drama, in 3 Acts. By Tom Taylor Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced by the Levin family, Englewood, CO. Like many plays, there is no authoritative version and it evolved over the course of time, indeed in multiple directions. The 1869 printing upon which this etext is primarily based was poorly printed and we have corrected outright punctuation and grammatical errors while maintaining its original, whimisical use of capitalization and punctuation. This version contains very few "Dundrearyisms" such as "birds of a feather gather no moss" for which the play gained much of its popular appeal. Abraham Lincoln was watching this play when he was assassinated. (Act III, halfway through Scene 2.) ORIGINAL CAST OF CHARACTERS. [Our American Cousin.] Laura Keene's Theatre, New York, October 15, 1858. Lord Dundreary Mr. E. A. Sothern Asa Trenchard ” Jos. Jefferson Sir Edward Trenchard ” E. Varrey Capt. De Boots ” Clinton Harry Vernon ” M. Levick Abel Murcott ” C.W. Couldock Mr. Coyle ” J.G. Burnett Mr. Buddicombe ” McDouall Mr. Binny ” Peters John Wickens ” Brown Mrs. Mountchessington Miss Mary Wells Florence Trenchard ” Laura Keene Mary ” Sara Stevens Augusta ” E. Germon Georgina Mrs. Sothern Sharpe Miss Flynn Skillet Mrs. M. Levick OUR AMERICAN COUSIN. ACT I. Scene 1--Drawing room in 3. Trenchard Manor, C. D., backed by interior, discovering table with luncheon spread. Large French window, R. 3 E., through which a fine English park is seen. Open archway, L. 3 E. Set balcony behind. Table, R., books and papers on it. Work basket containing wools and embroidery frame. A fashionable arm chair and sofa, L. 2 E., small table near C. D. Stage handsomely set, costly furniture, carpet down, chairs, etc. Buddicombe discovered on sofa reading newspaper. Skillet and Sharpe busily arranging furniture as curtain rises. Sharpe I don't know how you may feel as a visitor, Mr. Buddicombe, but I think this is a most uncomfortable family. Bud Very uncomfortable. I have no curtain to my bed. Skil And no wine at the second table. Sharpe And meaner servants I never seed. Bud I'm afraid Sir Edward is in a queer strait. Skil Yes, for only this morning, Mr. Binny, Mrs. Skillet says he-- Enter Binny, L. 3 E. Binny Mind your hown business instead hof your betters. I'm disgusted with you lower servants. When the wine merchant presents his bills, you men, hear me, say he's been pressing for the last six months, do you? Skil Nor I, that the last year's milliner's bills have not been paid.