The Mail-Order Bride

by

Daris Howard


Copyright 1999
by
Daris Howard

The Mail-Order Bride
 Copyright 1999  
by  Daris Howard
All Rights Reserved
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 Dedication
    I dedicate this play to my wife.  No, she is not a mail-order bride; she is a beautiful person and the light of my life.   Without her I would be like a lost boat drifting in the sea of time.
Daris Howard

Cast
Eli: A good-looking young man in his early-to-mid twenties.  Slight English accent.
Jim: An older man who walks with a cane but is feisty.
Whitman Harris: A middle-aged man.  He is the mayor, customs officer, etc.
Victor: The ship captain.  Has a strong accent.
Anya: Beautiful young lady.  She is the mail-order bride.
Agnes Harris: Whitman’s wife.  Pretty well in charge of women’s activities in town.  Middle-aged.
Mabel: Lady friend of Agnes.
Elizabeth: Another friend of Agnes.
Costumes and Time Setting
    The setting for the play is Newfoundland in the 1920's.  The clothes should reflect this era.  Everyone will need a nice set of clothes for church and regular, everyday clothes as well.  Anya will also need the clothes she comes in with from the ship.  They need to be drab and have some sort of veiling.
     
The Mail Order Bride
Act I Scene 1 (Saturday)    
{The curtains open to a setting that would indicate we are on a wharf, or for easier scene changes there could simply be a wharf type of setting in front on stage right.  The traveler curtains could be used to set off the areas where scenes change.  Eli comes in from stage right.}  

Eli: Come on, Jim.  Hurry.

Jim: {Coming in from stage right.  He is old and walks with a cane.} I’m a-comin’.  I’m a-comin’.  I’m not as young as I once was, you know.

Eli: This is the big day.  I don’t want to be late.

Jim: Late?  Ha!  You’re about two years late, if you ask me.

Eli: Nobody asked you.  You know I didn’t have a choice.

Jim: You always have a choice.  It’s just the consequences you don’t get to choose once you make the choice.

Eli: You know I would have brought her with me if I had had the money.

Jim: And I know that anyone who would leave his fiancée to go to another country and work is ...

Eli: Here comes Whitman now.  I want to ask him about the boat’s arrival.

{Whitman Harris comes on from stage left carrying a book that is the boat schedule.  Eli runs up to him.  He is very excited.}

 Eli: Mr. Harris.  I was wondering if you could boat me what tell the time is coming in?

Whitman: Slow down, boy.  You’re making no sense at all.

Jim: The lad’s just a tad bit excited.

Whitman: Now start over and tell me what all this excitement is about.

Eli: This is the big day.

Whitman: What big day?

Eli: {A bit embarrassed.} You know.

Whitman: {Looking a bit perplexed.  Then suddenly brightening up.} Oh, is the bell for the church supposed to arrive today?

Eli: No.  Something more important than that.

Whitman: More important than the church bell. {Snapping his fingers.} Oh!  Oh!  I’ve got it.  That shipment of toilet paper is arriving.  It’s been a pretty rough road since the town ran out.

Jim: That ain’t all that’s been rough.

Whitman: Pretty much defoliated the town too.

Jim: A person uses what’s available.

Whitman: Yea, things have been pretty bad around here since that last shipment got caught in the storm and sank.

Jim: You think that’s bad.  What’s bad is the time we had that big snow storm.

Whitman: The one where we all ended up having to gather in the town hall to stay warm?

Jim: That’s the one.  All we had to eat is chili day after day.  Why, no one dared light a match for fear they would blow us all to Halifax...

{Eli breaks in as Jim is saying the last word, not quite sure what Jim will say.}

Eli: Gentlemen!  Gentlemen!  We didn’t gather here to talk about toilet paper or chili or any other matter of a worldly nature.

Whitman: Then what other exciting news did we gather to talk about out here on the dock at such an early hour in the morning?

Eli: My future wife!  My fiancée is coming today!

Whitman: Your fiancée?

Jim: The young lady he put on hold to come to America.

Eli: I didn’t put her on hold.  We just didn’t have enough money for both of us to come.

Jim and Eli together: {Jim mocking him as if he has heard it a thousand times.} We just decided I would go ahead and earn the money to bring her over.

Jim: Yeah, yeah.  But it’s just like I always said: Absence makes the heart go yonder.

Whitman: I think the statement is, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

Jim: You think of it your way and I’ll think of it mine.

Eli: But you’re wrong, Jim.  I have written her every week, and today she is going to step off of that boat and ...

Jim: {Sarcastically.} And into your arms to dance off through the sunset to live happily ever after.

Eli: I didn’t say it was going to be perfect.  I was just saying we will be together again.

Jim: What if this here Milly...

Eli: Molly.

Jim: What if this here Molly don’t like it here?

Eli: I’m sure she’ll love it.  I’ve been telling her all about it and she is really excited to meet everyone.

Whitman: Did you tell her you became the town preacher?        

Eli: Well, no.

Jim: Did you tell her we were nothin’ but a low-down bunch of lumberjacks and sailin’ swine ’til you came and decided the town ought to have a church?

Eli: Not exactly.

Whitman: Did you tell her we don’t even have a proper church but had to rig part of the old town hall with a steeple?

Eli: I’m not like a real trained minister neither.  

Whitman: Closest we ever had, what with your Lutheran father.

Eli: Methodist.

Jim: And your quakie mother.

Eli: Quaker.

Jim: Whatever.  It just wasn’t that too many people ever got religious in these parts.

Whitman: Except, of course, when some natural disaster came into town.

Jim: Then you come along advocating book learnin’ and bible preachin’ and get all the women folk stirred up about school and Sunday meetings and all.

Eli: It’s hard to be religious and learn the Bible if you can’t read and write.

Whitman: Yeah, I heard tell some of the men are a bit sore at you seein’ as how their wives won’t let them fish on Sunday anymore.

Eli:  I just thought I would try and do my part to give God a hand.

Whitman: So that’s what brought you to Newfoundland?

Eli: Actually, I didn’t start out for here.

Whitman: No?

Eli: No.  I planned to end up in the United States.  Join the Quakers somewhere around Pennsylvania like my mother wanted.

Whitman: What changed your mind?

Eli: I really didn’t change my mind.  The boat I was on got off course.

Whitman: Off course?  Why, I’d have to say your captain had a major malfunction.  You missed your target by 1200 miles.

Eli: The problem was due to a storm.  I’ve always believed the Lord has a purpose for each of us.  He wanted me here in Newfoundland, so He brought me here.

Whitman: I still think your captain had a loose rigging.

Jim: And what I think is that you ain’t told that Dolly...

Eli: Molly.

Jim: You ain’t told that Molly everything about this place.  She might step off of that boat, take one look around, and get herself right back on it.

Eli: I told her the people are different than back home, but that she will learn to love them like I have.

Jim: So what have you told her about me?

Eli: I told her that I live with an old lumberjack that acts ornery to cover his big heart.

Jim: Well, you ain’t so easy to live with yourself, you know.

Eli: {Turning to Whitman.} Anyway, Mr. Harris, I was wondering if you could tell me when her boat would get here?

Whitman: I thought you said it was today?

Eli: Yes.  Yes.  It is supposed to come in today.  But what time?

Whitman: Hard to tell exactly.  What’s the name of the ship?

Eli: It’s right here in this letter. {Eli pulls a letter from his pocket and starts to read.} It’s kind of a strange name.  Nacs, I guess.

Whitman: Nacs.

Eli: Yes.  N-A-C-S.

Whitman:  I haven’t ever heard of such a ship.  Well, let me check the log. {He starts to scan the book.} Nope.  The only ship I show scheduled for today is one called the “North Atlantic Cattle Ship.”  I don’t see any passenger boats coming until a week from tomorrow.

Eli: But the letter said she would be in today.

Whitman: I don’t know about that.  All I know is what my book says.

Jim: Are you sure she meant this week?

Eli: Here.  Read it. {Jim clears his throat.  He can’t read.} Oh.  Sorry.  Let me read that part to you.  “Dear Eli.  Have booked passage on a ship called NACS.  Watch for your bride on June 15.  Molly.”

Whitman: Kind of a strange letter?

Eli:  I’m sure she was just in a hurry.

Whitman: Well, no matter.  I can see the cattle boat coming in now.  I’ll be needed to help it dock and check passports and such.

{Whitman goes off stage left.}

Jim: Son, you know, it’s none of my business and all, but do you think there is anyway that  Lolly...

Eli: Molly.

Jim: Is there anyway that Molly would let you down?

Eli: Oh no.  I remember the night I left. {In a romantic, dreamy tone.} It was a clear evening in late May.  The geese were returning from the south.  The stars shone overhead.  In the moonlight I took her in my arms and she promised to wait for me until I could send for her.

Jim: {In a bit dry, sure, right kind of  tone.} Yea. {Then starting again.} Well, I know I’ve been a bit ornery about it all.  But you just can’t trust life, that’s all.  You see sometimes life throws you a boat anchor when you expect a life raft and I was just worried ...

{Whitman and Victor come in from stage left.}

Whitman: {Pointing at Eli} This is the man you’re looking for.

Victor: {In a strong Russian accent as if disgusted.} So you the man who ordered package.  You look like decent enough fellow.  Just as I figured.

Eli: What are you talking about?  I didn’t order a package.

Victor: Oh, don’t try play innocent with me.  Me know your type.  Outside you look like good man.  Inside you sneaking devil.

Eli: What are you talking about?  Whitman, what is this man talking about?

Whitman: I can’t say I have the slightest idea.

Victor: Me told to deliver package to you safely, unharmed.  Me not like, but do as told.

Eli: What package?

Victor: As if you didn’t know? {Shouting off stage left.} Hokay!  Send her down.

{A young lady, dressed in dingy, drab clothes, with a head covering, enters stage left and stands at the edge of the stage, scared, and silent.}

Eli: Well, where’s the package?  

Victor: {Pointing to the girl.} This is package.

Eli: {Going up to the girl.} Okay.  Give me the package.

Jim: {Putting his arm around Eli and bringing him back over.} No, Eli, he is saying the girl is the package.

Eli: {As if a light comes on.}  Molly!  Molly! {He runs over to the girl again.} Why Molly, in all those old clothes I didn’t recognize you.  And I didn’t expect you to come in on a cattle boat.  It’s been so many years.  Let me look at you.

{The girl removes her head covering and finally looks at Eli.  Eli gets a bewildered look on his face.  He glance at her then at the others and back at her.}

Eli: There’s got to be some mistake.  This isn’t Molly!

Whitman: What do you mean this isn’t Molly?  The captain said she was sent to you.

Eli: Don’t you think I would know my own fiancée when I see her?

Jim: It has been two years.

Eli: This isn’t Molly!

Whitman: Then who is it?

Eli: Miss, would you come here? {She carefully comes over to center stage.} What is your name?

Victor: Her name is...

Eli: I think she can speak for herself. {Turning back to her.} Miss?

Anya: Is permitted for woman to speak in presence of men?

Eli: Of course it is.  Now what’s your name?

Anya: Anya.

{She then quickly tries to withdraw, but the men have her somewhat surrounded.}

Eli: Don’t be nervous.  We won’t hurt you.  Can you tell us why you were sent here?

Anya: Have letter.

{She holds a letter out to him.  Eli takes the letter and opens it and moves off a bit.  The others, except for Anya, follow him trying to read over his shoulder.  Eli clears his throat and they all move off.  Anya moves off a bit by herself.   He reads for a brief instant then looks up.}

Eli: This is impossible!

Jim: Are you going to let us in on all of this or are we gonna sit around gawking all day?

Eli: {Somewhat in shock.} Here, read it yourself.

Jim: {Taking the letter and passing it to Whitman.} Would you read the durned thing?

Whitman: {Starting to read it to himself and laughing.  He says the next lines as he reads.} Well I’ll be.  The nerve of...

Jim: I meant out loud, you lowlife sea serpent.

Whitman: {Glaring at Jim and clearing his throat.} “Dear Eli.  I’m sorry I didn’t have the courage to tell this to you before.  I could not come to you since, you see, I am married to Jack Taylor.”

Jim: Who’s Jack Taylor?

Eli: He is the postman back in the town I came from.

Jim: {laughing} You mailed her a letter every week and she ended up marrying the postman who delivered ‘em!  {laughing again}  How fitting.

Eli: I don’t see the humor in this.

Whitman: May I continue? {Jim and Victor nod.} Thank you. “We have been married most of a year now and have a little boy. {Short pause as Jim laughs and they stare at him.}  We named him Eli after you.  You will be his Godfather.”

Jim: {sarcastically} Oh, that should make you feel better.

Whitman: Would you let me finish?  “I’ve heard how in the West there aren’t many women.”

Jim: Not the marrying type anyway.

Whitman and Victor together: Shush.

Whitman: “I found an ad for a young lady.  I am sending her to you.  I’m sure she will be a good wife.  Your friend, Molly”

Jim: {In shock and somewhat laughing.}  A mail order-bride!  Your friend Molly sent you a mail-order bride!
        
Victor: You mean you never order young lady?

Eli: No.  Human beings are not property to be ordered through some magazine.

Victor: That’s not what her father say.  He say she good girl and bring good price.

Whitman: You mean she was sold by her own father?

Victor: Da.  He told me he get twenty-five dollar for her because she know English and is good cook.

Eli: Wait a minute.  You mean that money I sent to Molly was used to buy a bride for me.

Victor: And pay passage on boat.

Jim: How much did she have to pay for a cattle boat ticket?

Victor: Boat ticket cost fifty dollar.

Eli: Fifty dollars.  Why did Molly book her passage on a cattle boat?  I sent her over two hundred dollars.

Victor: Two hundred dollar!  Me think she must keep most of it.  Me think you lucky not have such a girl.

Eli: But I can’t believe Molly would pay money for someone as if she were a package that could be bought and sold.  And where did she stay on such a boat among all of the men?

Victor: She sleep with cows.

Eli: You made her sleep with the cows?

Victor: {Indignant.} No other bed.  We not a passenger boat.  And she not like to be around people.

Whitman: We could just sit around jabbering all day about things we can’t change, but we have a bigger question now.  What do we do with her?

Eli: What do you mean what do we do with her, the captain can take her back and tell her father there was a big mistake.

Victor: I no want to take back.  I charge hundred dollar boat ticket to take back.

Eli: I don’t have a hundred dollars.  I sent every last cent I had to Molly.

Victor: No boat ticket, no take back.

Eli: Now be reasonable.  I didn’t ask for her and...

Jim: You’re forgetting something else Eli.  You were just saying how bad it was for Lolly ...

Eli: Molly.

Jim: You were saying how bad it was for Molly to send her on a cattle boat and you are about to do the same thing.

Eli: {Thinking fast and hard.} Well, well, maybe...

Jim: Yes?

Eli: Whitman, you’re the mayor here.  Maybe you can help find her a place to stay and a job.

Whitman: Now hold on here just a minute.  I may be mayor, but I am also the customs officer.  The law has changed since you came over here, Eli.  No one comes in unless they meet the new legal standards.

Eli: What new legal standards?

Whitman: In order to be a citizen she must have a relative here.

Eli: But, there is no way she could have a relative here.

Jim: A husband would count as a relative, isn’t that right Whitman?

Whitman: Yes, a husband would work nicely.

{They all look at Eli.  He looks at them and suddenly realizes what they are saying.}

Eli: Oh, no.  If you think I’m going to just up and marry someone I don’t even know, you are dead wrong.

Whitman: Well as I see it you have one of two choices.  You can send her back or you can marry her.  Either way, she’s your responsibility.

Eli: Now wait a minute.  I didn’t order her and I...

Victor: Oh, one thing forgot.  When keep must send father Gratitude Dowry.

Eli: Gratitude Dowry?

Victor: How you say, tip.

Eli: If she stays I’m supposed to send her father a tip?

Victor: Da.  Very important custom.  It tell how much you think she worth.

Jim: And just how much is this “tip”?

Victor: It depend.  If not think good, you send dollar.  If good, two or three dollar.  Extremely good, perhaps four or five.

Jim: {Looking at Anya and possibly holding his nose.} I think a dollar should do it.

Whitman: What if he doesn’t send anything?

Victor: When send tip she considered acceptable to her village.  If you no send tip, then she disowned in village.  

Eli: You mean that we are supposed to send back money for what we think she’s worth, and if we don’t her village will disown her?

Victor: Da.

Eli: I won’t do it.  Isaiah said, “I will make a man more precious than fine gold.”  How then can I reduce a human to the worth of three or four dollars.

Victor: I beg you consider.  If you not send, village think her worthless and she feel worthless.  She actually very nice.

Eli: I won’t do it!

Whitman: You may want to consider everything before making a decision, Eli.

Eli: Jim, what am I to do?

Jim: Isn’t there something we can do while Eli considers the options?
                        
Whitman: Well, she can either stay on the ship or I can lock her up.

Victor: She no stay on ship.  Food not free.

Eli: You can’t lock her up.  It’s not right.  She hasn’t done anything wrong.

Whitman: I’m just following the law.

Jim: It seems to me the law can be bent a little bit.

Whitman: I can’t break the law.

Jim: We didn’t say break it.  We said bend it.  Like you did when your nephew was caught stealing watermelon from the...

Whitman: Okay, okay!  Maybe we can give a little.  We could let her stay here as long as the captain is in port.    That would give Eli a bit of time to make a rational decision.

Victor: But where she stay?  She no stay on ship.

Jim: She can’t stay with us.  What would the town folk say?

Eli: Heaven knows what they’ll say anyway?  

Jim: But, that leaves only one place. {He looks at Whitman.}

Whitman: Now wait just a minute.  I never volunteered to...

Jim: Oh, come on, Whitman.  All your children are gone and you rumble around in that big house of yours like a musket ball in a cannon.

Whitman: What would my wife think?

Jim: If I know Agnes, and I do,  and you put anyone else in charge of this girl you’re gonna be in big trouble.

Whitman: But she’s so, so...

Jim: Dirty?  So would you be if you had slept with cows for a month.  I’m sure Agnes could even find a dress or something and make her look almost human.

Whitman: Oh, all right.  But you better hurry up and make up your mind, Eli.  I’m giving you until the captain leaves port which is, which is... {Turning to the captain.}

Victor: One week from tomorrow.

Whitman: Which is one week from tomorrow.  That’s all!  Got it?

Eli: Yes. Yes.

Whitman: I’ll go get Agnes and try to explain this to her.  Heavens, I don’t even understand it all myself.

{Whitman leaves stage right.}

Victor: I will go get her things.

{Victor leaves stage left.}

Jim: {Looking at Anya and laughing.} Mail-order bride.  The preacher got a mail-order bride.  I thought I’d heard it all.  {Glancing at Eli then over at Anya.}  Perhaps I should leave you two alone.  The guys at the pool hall haven’t heard the news.

{He leaves stage right.  As he is leaving Eli is trying to stop him.}

Eli: {A bit panicked.} No, Jim, don’t leave.  Jimm,  I ...

{Eli looks over at Anya who shyly lifts her eyes to meet his then quickly lowers them.}

Eli: I, uh, I mean...

Anya: You send Anya home?

Eli: Well, I don’t know if that’s possible, but it would probably be best.

Anya: You no like Anya?

Eli: I can’t say I don’t like you.  I don’t even know you.

Anya: Anya good cook.  Anya work hard, learn cook, sew, learn English.  Anya speak good English?

Eli: Yes, you speak good English.

Anya: Anya try hard to make new owner happy.

Eli: My name is Eli and I’m not your owner.  A person can’t own another person.

Anya: But father own Anya.  Father sell, Eli buy.  Now Eli own.

Eli: No, Anya.  God made man in his own image.  No man can really be owned by another.

Anya: No man, but woman.

Eli: No!   He did not make the woman to be owned any more than the man.

Anya: Anya not understand.  If Eli think this, then why buy Anya?
                
Eli: I didn’t buy anyone.  I sent money to Molly so she could come over.

Anya: Mean buy Molly and get Anya by mistake and make Eli sad?

Eli: No.  I did not send money to buy Molly.  Molly was my fiancée.  I sent money for her boat ticket.

Anya: Oh.  You already own Molly and send for her.

Eli: No.  I did not own Molly.  She was my fiancée.

Anya: But if fiancée.  You own.

Eli: No.  I’m trying to tell you that I don’t own anyone.

Anya: Then you send Anya back?

Eli: Wouldn’t you be happier back home with your own family?

Anya: Father beat Anya since not please new owner.  Sell ’nother owner.

{She looks longingly at him.  His eyes come to meet hers they look at each other for a brief time.  Eli then lowers his eyes as the words Anya has just said sink in.  Whitman enters with Agnes from stage right.}

Agnes: {Running up to Anya.} This must be the poor dear.  Don’t worry now.  Agnes will take care of you.  You are off of that awful boat.  We will keep you safe from men who treat woman like property.

{With this she glares at Eli.  Eli looks shocked and glances at Whitman.  Whitman just shrugs.}

Eli: But I...

{Just then two more women enter.  They run over to Anya.}

Mabel: Oh, there she is.

Elizabeth: To think of the poor child riding all that way on a cattle boat.

Agnes: Come on, ladies.  Let’s get her cleaned up.

Eli: Now Mrs. Harris, I just wanted to explain that ...

Agnes: As for you sir, you will be expected at our house for dinner at precisely six o’clock.

Eli: But I ...

Agnes: You don’t think we would let you marry her until you’ve gotten to know her, do you?

Eli: Well no, but I...

Agnes: Six o’clock sharp!  And don’t you dare be late!

Eli: But who said I was going to marry...

{The ladies hurry off stage right with Anya.  The ladies are saying things like: “Can you believe the nerve....  And him the town preacher besides....  I can’t believe my eyes...  And on a cattle boat, too.”}

Eli: What did you tell her?

Whitman: I just told her that your mail-order bride came in and she had to ride a cattle boat all the way here.

Eli: But I didn’t order her!

Whitman: You wanted me to get Agnes to let her stay at our house didn’t you.

Eli: I didn’t want you to make her think I ordered a mail-order bride.  And why did you have to go telling Mabel and Elizabeth?

Whitman: I didn’t tell them.  Agnes told Mabel on the way down here and I guess Mabel must have told Elizabeth.

Eli: Now it will be all over town.

Whitman: Did you think there would be anyway to stop that?

{Just then Jim comes back in from stage right.}

Jim: I just passed the ladies taking Anya over to your place, Whitman.   I haven’t seen that much excitement out of them since old Mabel found out it was Mr. Johnson and not a weasel who was stealing her chicken eggs.

Eli: Whitman didn’t tell them the whole story.  He just told them my mail-order bride came in and she had to ride a cattle boat.

Jim: Yea, I told some of the boys down at the pool hall that you had a mail-order bride come in.

Eli: Oh, and what did they have to say?

Jim: {Elbowing Eli.} “That preacher’s a sly devil him.  I didn’t think he had it in him.”

Eli: {Sarcastically.} Oh you guys have been a whole lot of help.  And just how am I suppose to get up and preach a sermon tomorrow and face everyone when they think I ordered a mail-order bride?

Jim: Now calm yourself down.  Maybe you can just preach about {short pause} the evils of marriage.

{Jim and Whitman bust out laughing.}

Eli: I don’t see the humor in this!

{Just then Victor comes in from stage left.  He is carrying a small ugly bag.}

Victor: Here her things.

Whitman: That’s all she’s got?  There couldn’t be much more than one change of clothes in there.

Victor: I think she no have more clothes than what she wear.  I think just things from home.

Whitman: Let me take them.  She may be wanting whatever’s in here. {To Eli.} As for you, Mr. Preacher, I would be at my house at six o’clock if you know what’s good for you.

Jim: Be at your house?

Eli: Agnes told me to come to dinner tonight.

Whitman: And it wasn’t a request.  Oh, and Jim, you’d be invited too.

{Whitman leaves stage right with the bag.}

Victor: If you men will excuse, I have shipment to take care of.

{Victor leaves stage left.}

Jim: As for us, I think we better try to make sure the town folk are told the truth before the rumors get out of control.

{They exit stage right.  Lights fade.}

Act I Scene 2

{When the lights come back up, the scene is the living room of the Harris home.  Whitman is sitting in a comfortable chair reading.  There is a knock at the door.  Whitman gets up and goes to answer the door.}

Whitman: Eli, Jim, good to see you. Come in.  Come in.  {Looking at a clock on a mantel or at a pocket watch.} You’re even just a bit early.

Jim: Eli didn’t want us to be late.  He said he was already in enough trouble around town.

Eli: It wasn’t just me.  Jim could smell that wonderful roast beef your wife makes clear over to our house.

Whitman: Yes, she is a good cook.  Why I was only 110 pounds when we married.  {Or if he’s skinny he could say, “Why when we first married if I stood sideways and stuck out my tongue I looked like a zipper.”}

Jim: Right, and you were seven foot tall.

Eli: Did you take some time to explain more to your wife about Anya?

Whitman: I’ve got a few words in.  It hasn’t been easy.  She and her lady friends have been running around, flitting here and there, getting this bow and that ribbon.  Trying this dress on Anya and that bow on Anya, and Anya this and Anya that.

Jim: Well, it sounds like they like her.

Whitman: I don’t know about that, but I do know that Eli better be careful what decisions he makes.  I think they’ve become pretty protective of her.

Eli: I just don’t understand.  I have tried hard to follow God’s will.  Why would God answer my prayer about my wife this way?

Jim: You remember how a few weeks ago you gave that sermon on how when we pray God answers our prayers through the efforts of someone else.

Eli: Why, yes.  I never thought you listened to my sermons.

Jim: I try not to.  Anyway, think about it, Eli.  Maybe she’s not the answer to your prayers, but maybe you’re the answer to hers.

{There is a short pause as Eli ponders this.}

Eli: I don’t understand.

Whitman: You’re the one who always says you feel God will direct your life if you let him.  Maybe He’s directing yours now.

Jim: And who knows, maybe she is the answer to your prayers.  You always say that God knows better how to answer our prayers than we do.

Eli: Maybe you two ought to get up and preach the sermon tomorrow.

Jim: {Laughing.} No.  I can’t wait to see what kind of sermon you come up with.  I bet as the word gets out, you’ll have a packed house tomorrow.

{Mabel and Elizabeth enter from the back of the house.}

Mabel: Eli, are you ready to greet your future wife?

Eli: Now wait just a minute here.  No one said that...

{He is interrupted by Agnes escorting in Anya.  She is dressed in a beautiful gown with her hair done up.  She is a gorgeous girl, much in contrast to how she looked before.  The men just gasp and look at each other. Jim drops his cane.  Then everyone looks at Eli, who is just frozen staring at her.  Finally Jim nudges him and nods his head toward Anya.  Eli finally comes to himself and steps up and puts out his arm.  She looks timid and starts to back away.  Agnes steps up and takes her hand and links it through his arm.}

Whitman: She cleans up real nice, doesn’t she?

Agnes: Dinner won’t be ready for a little while.  Why don’t we leave you two alone to get acquainted and the rest of us will go in the kitchen to visit. {No one moves so she strongly emphasizes to Jim and Whitman.}   I said kitchen!

Jim: Oh, yes.  Kitchen.

Eli: {Nervously.} But I don’t think that...

Jim: Eli, do as your told.

{The others exit off stage left.  Eli leads Anya to a couch and they both sit down at opposite ends.}

Eli: So, um, how was your voyage?

Anya: Fine.

Eli: Did they treat you well?  I mean, were the captain and his men nice to you?

Anya: They feed Anya good, and not bother.

{There is a bit of an uncomfortable silence as they both kind of look away.  Finally Eli turns to her.}

Eli: Anya.  Anya look at me. {Anya looks at him. He touches her arm and scoots a little closer.} I think we’re both confused and not sure what to do.  Maybe we can start by you telling me a little more about what life was like for you in your village?

Anya: Anya know not what say.  Anya never speak man before except father and brothers.

Eli: Was that the way in your village?

Anya: Yes.  Woman not speak to man not relative.  And then only speak when spoke to.

Eli: Are many women sold as brides?

Anya: All woman sold when age to marry.

Eli: Were many sold through an ad like you were?

Anya: No.  Anya first woman sold out of village.  Father much progressive.  He say if daughter learn English and learn cook she bring more outside village.

Eli: Are you happy to be here?

Anya: Why not happy?  Have much food.  Have home.

Eli: Would you not have food at home?

Anya: If man not pleased make go hungry.

Eli: They do that in your village?

Anya: Sometime father mad and make Anya so hungry Anya faint.

Eli: Would you be unhappy here with me?

Anya: No make Anya go hungry?

Eli: No, I would never make you go hungry.

Anya: Then Anya like here.

Eli: If I were to marry you, would you be happy?

Anya: Anya good cook.  Anya raise many children.

Eli: But could you love me?

Anya: Anya not understand?

Eli:  I would like a wife, but I want her to be able to love me.

Anya: What is love?

Eli: {Shocked.}   What is love!  Well, um, love is... Well it’s a feeling you feel in here {patting at his chest} when you are around someone who means a lot to you.  Surely there is someone you have felt that way about?

Anya: Anya feel good feeling here {patting her chest} for Anya’s mother.

Eli: Yes, like that.  Could you feel that feeling for me?    

Anya: You not look like Anya’s mother.

Eli: No, but could you love me anyway?

Anya: How woman feel such feeling for man?  Anya no need feel.  Eli own Anya.

Eli: {Frustrated.} No I don’t own Anya! {Then calming down.}  I would just want you to be happy here.

Anya: Why not happy?

Eli: I mean would there be any place you would rather be?

Anya: Women often talk of place where have much freedom.  Place called California {Other places could be substituted as desired.} where no man make go hungry.

Eli: If you could go there, would that be what you would rather do?

Anya: Eli no want marry Anya?

Eli: Eli only wants to marry Anya if Anya wants to marry Eli.  If you would rather go to California I would try to send you there.  Is that what you would like to do?

Anya: Anya no thought possible.  No thought about.

Eli: You think about it.  I’ll do what will make you happy.  I can send you home or to California.

{Agnes comes in from stage left and they quickly link arms again.}

Agnes: It’s good to see you two talking.  Dinner’s ready.

{Eli carefully guides Anya into the kitchen as she smiles cautiously at him.  Agnes smiles approvingly.  They go off stage left as the lights fade.}

Act I Scene 3

{As the lights come up it is back to the pier.  Eli is sitting on a log there.  It is evening.  Jim comes in from stage right, pauses a moment and then comes over to Eli.}

Jim: I thought I just might find you here.

Eli: I’ve just been thinking.

Jim: About what?

Eli: About Anya.

Jim: She is actually a very beautiful girl.

Eli: It’s more than that.

Jim: I saw you glancing at her at dinner.  Come to think of it she glanced a bit at you too.    I’d say you kind of like her.  

Eli: Yes.

Jim: Then why don’t you marry her?  You own her, you know?

Eli: {Angry.} I don’t own her.  A man may control a woman, but he can not own her heart.  He can only have her heart when she wants to give it to him.  Her father owned her, but he never had a place in her heart.

Jim: I’m sorry.  I was only joking.

Eli: This is not a joke.  I am beginning to care for her, but Jim,  I only want to marry her if she wants to marry me.  I want her to love me.

Jim: Don’t you think she will if you treat her well?

Eli: I don’t know.  I’m not sure she will ever forget the way her father treated her enough to open her heart to me.

Jim: Perhaps there are more important things than love.

Eli: More important things than love?  What could be more important than love?

Jim: Trust, kindness, gentleness, patience.

Eli: But aren’t those what love is built on?

Jim: When I was your age I thought so.  But I’ve learned that you can love someone and still not like or trust them very much.

Eli: Jim, why have you never married?

Jim: I did.

Eli: You did?

Jim: Many years ago.  I had a beautiful wife and wonderful little son.

Eli: What happened?

Jim: The flu epidemic came through here and took my sweet Mary and my little Jimmy.

Eli: I’m sorry.

Jim: I guess I always blamed God.  I could never remarry.  I got so lonely I thought about taking my own life.  That’s when you showed up and needed a place to stay. {Jokingly.} And you’ve caused so much trouble I forgot all about it.

{They both laugh.}

Eli: Is that why you have worried so much about Molly coming over?

Jim: I was afraid what might happen. {Jokingly.} Why, I was... Iwas just worried I might get stuck with you forever.

Eli: {Laughing.}  You old goat.  You wouldn’t know what to do if you weren’t tramping around with me to meetings all of the time.

{Victor comes in.  He could be smoking a pipe.}

Victor: What bring you men down here this time of night?

Eli: Just thinking.  Wondering what to do.  Victor, do you believe that God controls our lives?

Victor: Da. {Pointing at the night sky.} Me think God put many thing in life like a North star.  If we look at them we be fine.  Most men not look though and end up on reef.

Eli: Victor, what do you feel is the right thing for me to do?

Victor: Victor no able to answer.  God hang different star for each man.

Eli: What would happen to Anya if we sent her back?  Would her father really beat her and sell her again?

Victor: Would definitely beat her.  May no sell again.  

Eli: No.  That’s what she told me.

Victor: May no sell.  May put to death.

Eli: You can’t be serious!

Victor: Bring dishonor to family if sent back.  Perhaps sell again.  But perhaps worse.  Victor no want take back.
                
Eli: She mentioned California.  She said the women dream of running away to there.  Do you know more about that?

Victor: Victor knows women often talk of go there.  They hear many things, but I not know if true.

Eli: Could you take her there if she wants to go?

Victor: Need ticket for boat and ticket for train.  Cost fifty dollar.

Eli: Back to fifty dollars again.

Victor: Much better take there than home.

Jim: You aren’t really thinking of sending her there are you?
                                
Eli: I am planning to do what I think will make her happy.

Victor: And you pay Gratitude Dowry?

Eli: I am not going to pay some money for someone as if they are a mere item to be bought or sold.

Victor: Then she not be happy no matter where send her.

Eli: Why not?

Victor: Because she feel worthless.

Eli: Somehow I can help her understand that the Gratitude Dowry is wrong.

{There is a short pause then Jim goes up to Eli.}

Jim: If you send her away, what would you do?

Eli: I don’t know.  I have no opportunity for marriage here.  All the women are too old or too young.  Maybe I was wrong in thinking God brought me here.  I guess I would just go on down to Pennsylvania.

Jim: The town wouldn’t be the same.  No one would be here to preach, or teach reading and writing.

{They all sit or stand there silently for a few seconds.}

Eli: I suppose I better work on my sermon for tomorrow.  Good night, captain.

Victor: Goodnight, Eli.

Jim: Good night, captain.

Victor: Good night, Jim.

Jim: Good night, Captain.

Eli: Coming, Jim?

Jim: You go ahead.  I’ll be right along.

{Eli leaves stage right.  Victor leaves stage left.}

Jim: {Looking up to heaven and removing his hat.} Dear God.  I know I haven’t talked to you much since you decided to take my sweet Mary and my little Jimmy.  I suppose I blamed you for what happened.  You’ve brought Eli to me and I thank you.  He has been like a son to me.  I don’t know if you hear the prayers of an old man like me.  I know I ain’t worthy to ask, but if you do hear prayers of an old man, please help Anya to love Eli so he can stay here.  The church needs him, the town needs him, {a short pause} and, well, I need him.

{The lights fade.}

Act I Scene 4  (Sunday)

{The scene can be just a curtain backdrop.  Eli is sweeping and Jim is setting up chairs.  If there are more people available then the main eight cast members you can have a lot in the congregation.  Otherwise, the podium can be set so it is in front of just a few rows as if the auditorium goes offstage so it can be as if there is a large congregation offstage.  People start coming in.  Mabel and Elizabeth come in and sit up front.  If you have cast members to play the parts you could have husbands come in with them.  Soon Agnes and Whitman come in with Anya.  Agnes and Whitman smile at Eli.  He shakes people’s hands as they come in.  Jim sits up front as well.  Agnes talks to Mabel and Elizabeth and they nod.  They get up and move back a row so Anya can have the very front row seat closest to Eli.  Whitman and Agnes then sit down by her.  Victor comes up and sits by Jim.}

Eli: {Calling off stage as if to lots of people.} There are still plenty of seats folks.  Come on in.  There are even a few up front.  I know how much you all love the front seats.

Jim: Folks can’t fall asleep up here as easy.

Whitman: Yea, and you can hear better too.

Jim: Yea there’s that disadvantage as well.

Eli: {Calling off stage again.} Mr. Johnson. Would you mind setting up a few more chairs in the back for those just arriving?  Thank you.  I have struggled today with what I should preach on.  I spent a very sleepless night.  I know a lot of you have heard different things about what happened yesterday.  I considered just ignoring it.  I realize that it would be best to come right out and let everyone know the truth and put rumors to rest.  Many of you know that I was waiting for my fiancée.  I had come over here without her and was saving money to send to her so she could receive passage over.  After two long years I finally earned enough money to bring her over.  Unbeknown to me, she had already married.  Not wanting to leave me alone she sent me a, well she sent me a...

Jim: Well, she sent you a mail-order bride.  Just say it.

Eli: Yes, she sent me a mail-order bride. {At this if there are a lot of people there could be a lot of chatter as if it is unbelievable.} The Harrises were kind enough to give her a home while we sort this whole thing out.  I want you all to know I will try to do the right thing in this matter, if I can figure out what that is.

Mabel: {Jumping to her feet.} By all means, you should marry her.

Elizabeth: {Jumping to her feet.} What if Anya doesn’t want to marry him?

Mabel: And why wouldn’t she want to marry Eli?

Elizabeth: Perhaps she doesn’t love him.  Perhaps she even loves someone else.  It’s so romantic and exciting.

Mabel: Of course she wants to marry him.  She came over, didn’t she?

Elizabeth: She was forced to come over.  I think he should pay the money to send her back.

Victor: I not take her back.  This not good thing.

Elizabeth: {Cowering to the captain.}  It’s not appropriate to take her away from her family.

Victor: You don’t know what you talk about.

Mabel: I still think he should marry her.  She won’t want to go back on a cattle boat.

Jim: I think you should all be quiet and let Eli speak.

Elizabeth: You men are all the same, thinking you can tell us women what to do.

Jim: Now wait a minute.  Must I remind you that it was his fiancée Dolly...

Eli: Molly.

Jim: It was his fiancée Molly who sent Anya here and she’s a female.

Elizabeth: I bet her husband put her up to it.

Eli: Now calm down, all of you.  We are in the church.  I’m just trying to set the record straight.  I did not come here today to burden the town with my problems.  I came here to preach the word of God.

Elizabeth: I still think...

Agnes: That’s enough.  All of you.  This is a matter for Eli and Anya.  You talk as if it’s your decision.  Well it’s not, and I want to hear the sermon.

{Everyone except Eli sits down.}

Eli: Thank you Mrs. Harris.

Agnes: But so help me if you don’t do the right thing, Eli Whittier,  you’ll answer to me.

{Everyone laughs, except Eli who looks a bit nervous.}

Eli: {Clears his throat and begins.} I have chosen for my sermon the topic of love.

Jim: Can’t imagine why.

Eli:  If you had to explain to someone what love is how would you begin?  If they had never felt it or known it, what would you say?  In the Bible there is a story told of Jacob.  {He comes from behind the podium and comes right in front of Anya.}  He went to get himself a wife.  

Whitman: Wasn’t he the one that worked to earn one girl and then the father switched them and he married the wrong one?

Eli: Well, yes.

Whitman: Quite apropos I would say.

Eli: Anyway, when he saw the beautiful Rachel he fell in love with her.  For seven years he served her father for her.  And the Bible says, “And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had for her.”   

Jim: Well at least he was there to make sure she didn’t marry the postman.

Eli: {Moving over in front of Jim and looking at him.}  Sometimes, perhaps we do not know how much we love someone until they are gone. Some of us even wonder if God loves or hears us. {Moving back in front of Anya.} The Bible tells us that “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.”  What kind of fear could there be that would get in the way of love?  It could be fear of rejection, {turning to Jim who now seems to be thinking deeply} fear of the loss of someone we love, {turning back to Anya} or fear of abuse by those who should love and protect us the most.  If we are to love as God has said, then we must be able to unlock the chains of fear that bind our hearts, and then and only then can we truly love another. {Going over to Jim.} And true love will even conquer the fear of loss that extends beyond this life bringing us together again.

{In this next scene Jim can just stay there thinking and then the scene move down stage or it can be a whole new scene on the dock.  Eli can be moving the podium and then turn and see Jim thinking or he can come out on the dock.}

Act I Scene 5

Eli: You seem deep in thought, Jim.  What are you thinking about, Jim?

Jim: Your sermon.

Eli: What about my sermon?

Jim: Your statement “True love will conquer the fear of loss that extends beyond this life bringing us together again.”  Do you think that my Mary and Jimmy are happier where they are?

Eli: I believe that God has his own timetable for when He takes someone home to live with Him.  Yes, I believe their happy.

Jim: Sometimes I have felt that I would have been better off to have never married.

Eli: Do you regret what love and time you shared with Mary and Jimmy?

Jim: No.

Eli: Would you be willing to give it up to avoid the sorrow?

Jim: No.  It’s just that the pain was so dreadful when they died, I thought it would take my very life.

Eli: If you believe in God then you’ve got to believe in a Heaven, and if you believe in heaven you must believe you will see them again, because heaven wouldn’t be heaven without those we love.

Jim: So you do believe we will be together again?

Eli: I believe that is the essence of religion whether you’re Quaker, Methodist, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, or any faith.  Our heart just has to find it.

Jim: But how do we find it?

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