James K. Hackett’s Players

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In “Nature’s Nobleman,” three men and a woman. Scene, bookstore. The story is this: A blind Confederate General in Washington, where the store is located with his daughter and colored slave. He is there for three months trying to see the War Secretary to have his son who is held a prisoner at the military hospital, released that he might take him home. He has been advised to see President Lincoln but refuses to go because he hates the President. The act opens with his daughter and the owner of the bookstore talking of Lincoln’s Gettysburg address. The owner leaves and the General enters led by his slave. His daughter reads Lincoln’s famous address without telling her father who spoke the words. After a while she leaves him alone to prepare a cup of tea. They have been living above the bookstore since they came to the city. While the blind soldier sits alone Lincoln enters. He engages in conversation with the soldier who tells him of the purpose of his visit to Washington. Without disclosing his identity Lincoln signs an order calling for the release of the General’s son and leaves the store without giving the soldier an indea [sic] of who his is talking to. Presently the daughter and the bookman return and then they learn by the note the General has that the President was in the store. Muttering his great thanks the General takes back every harsh word he ever said about the Lincoln and as they all rejoice the curtain closes the act. It went very big. Special set, 25 min.  
Source:
University of Iowa, Keith Albee Vaudeville Collection, Manager Reports, 9 September 1912 – 24 February 1913.