The Escape
Act I
Scene 1 A Sitting-Room
Mrs. Gaines, looking at some drawings—Sampey, a white slave, stands behind the lady’s chair.
Enter Dr. Gaines, R.
Dr. Gaines. Well, my dear, my practice is steadily increasing. I forgot to tell you that neighbor Wyman engaged me yesterday as his family physician; and I hope that the fever and ague, which is now taking hold of the people, will give me more patients. I see by the New Orleans papers that the yellow fever is raging there to a fearful extent. Men of my profession are reaping a harvest in that section this year. I would that we could have a touch of the yellow fever here, for I think I could invent a medicine that would cure it. But the yellow fever is a luxury that we medical men in this climate can’t expect to enjoy; yet we may hope for the cholera.
Mrs. Gaines. Yes, I would be glad to see it more sickly here, so that your business might prosper. But we are always unfortunate. Every body here seems to be in good health, and I am afraid that they’ll keep so. However, we must hope for the best. We must trust in the Lord. Providence may possibly send some disease amongst us for our benefit.
Enter Cato, R.
Cato. Mr. Campbell is at de door, massa.
Dr. G. Ask him in, Cato.
Enter Mr. Campbell, R.
Dr. G. Good morning, Mr. Campbell. Be seated.
Mr. Campbell. Good morning, doctor. The same to you, Mrs. Gaines. Fine morning, this.
Mrs. G. Yes, sir; beautiful day.
Mr. C. Well, doctor, I’ve come to engage you for my family physician. I am tired of Dr. Jones. I’ve lost another very valuable nigger under his treatment; and, as my old mother used to say, “change of pastures makes fat calves.”
Dr. G. I shall be most happy to become your doctor. Of course, you want me to attend to your niggers, as well as to your family?
Mr. C. Certainly, sir. I have twenty-three servants. What will you charge me by the year?
Dr. G. Of course, you’ll do as my other patients do, send your servants to me when they are sick, if able to walk?
Mr. C. Oh, yes; I always do that.
Dr. G. Then I suppose I’ll have to lump it, and say $500 per annum.
Mr. C. Well, then, we’ll consider that matter settled; and as two of the boys are sick, I’ll send them over. So I’ll bid you good day, doctor. I would be glad if you would come over some time, and bring Mrs. Gaines with you.
Dr. G. Yes, I will; and shall be glad if you will pay us a visit, and bring with you Mrs. Campbell. Come over and spend the day.
Mr. C. I will. Good morning, doctor.
[Exit Mr. Campbell, R.
Dr. G. There, my dear, what do you think of that? Five hundred dollars more added to our income. That’s patronage worth having! And I am glad to get all the negroes I can to doctor, for Cato is becoming very useful to me in the shop. He can bleed, pull teeth, and do almost any thing that the blacks require. He can put up medicine as well as any one. A valuable boy, Cato!
Mrs. G. But why did you ask Mr. Campbell to visit you, and to bring his wife? I am sure I could never consent to associate with her, for I understand that she was the daughter of a tanner. You must remember, my dear, that I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. The blood of the Wyleys runs in my veins. I am surprised that you should ask him to visit you at all; you should have known better.
Dr. G. Oh, I did not mean for him to visit me. I only invited him for the sake of compliments, and I think he so understood it; for I should be far from wishing you to associate with Mrs. Campbell. I don’t forget, my dear, the family you were raised in, nor do I overlook my own family. My father, you know, fought by the side of Washington, and I hope some day to have a handle to my own name. I am certain Providence intended me for something higher than a medical man. Ah! by-the-by, I had forgotten that I have a couple of patients to visit this morning. I must go at once.
[Exit Dr. Gaines, R.
Enter Hannah, L.
Mrs. G. Go, Hannah, and tell Dolly to kill a couple of fat pullets, and to put the biscuit to rise. I expect brother Pinchen here this afternoon, and I want every thing in order. Hannah, Hannah, tell Melinda to come here.
[Exit Hannah, L.
We mistresses do have a hard time in this world; I don’t see why the Lord should have imposed such heavy duties on us poor mortals. Well, it can’t last always. I long to leave this wicked world, and go home to glory.
Enter Melinda.
I am to have company this afternoon, Melinda. I expect brother Pinchen here, and I want every thing in order. Go and get one of my new caps, with the lace border, and get out my scolloped-bottomed dimity petticoat, and when you go out, tell Hannah to clean the white-handled knives, and see that not a speck is on them; for I want every thing as it should be while brother Pinchen is here.
[Exit Mrs. Gaines, L., Hannah, R.