The Americans Part 36

(_Points toward the mill, then to the ground_)

And if we go down, then where's your Union? Eh?

A VOICE.

He's right.

ROME MASTERS.

But if we live, then it lives too.

WES DICEY.

So it's the Union that I'm speakin' for.

JIM KING.

He's speakin' for our wives and children too.

A VOICE.

What about us whose places have been filled?

ANOTHER VOICE.

You want us all to go down, eh?

SAM WILLIAMS.

No!

SEVERAL.

No!

HARVEY ANDERSON.

Pards, I'm one of Egerton's men, if you'll let me b.u.t.t in here just a minute with a word.

You've seen two sides of this thing, but there's three.

There's one big black one you don't face at all, Even your Captain here. You're all right, pard, In what you say about their mills and lands Not giving them power; it's their owning you.

And if you'll just tear up that bill of sale And call the deal off, Egerton's big shadow That fills the valley, lengthening year by year Until your hair stands up, you'll be surprised How you can cover it with a six-foot pole.

For it's on you he's standing.

WES DICEY.

Who are you?

HARVEY ANDERSON.

But look here, pards, are you calling off this sale Or simply trying, as it seems to me, To make him take the goods at the old price?

HASKELL.

What have you got to do with it?

HARVEY ANDERSON.

And what's the price?

Where's all that gone?

(_Points to the mountains_)

Were those just weeds up there That's been cleared off to get a better view?

Or Christmas trees?

JIM KING.

Who are you?

HARVEY ANDERSON.

And loaded, too, With food and clothes and homes and silks and gems And punch that bubbles till she runs down here, Flus.h.i.+ng the soldier boys until they're gay And on their mettle. Is his name Egerton That planted all those pines?

(_Points to the sky_)

WES DICEY.

What's it to you?

HARVEY ANDERSON.

Worked all these years and yet you've got no bread?

HASKELL.

(_Coming toward him_)

What business is it of yours what these men do?

HARVEY ANDERSON.

Handled all that and yet you've got no roof To cover you!

BUCK BENTLEY.

(_Following Haskell_)

Look here, Cap.