Here they are discussing with the others how they should try to make it to the Whitman Mission at Walla Walla, WA, in hopes that the kids can have a home there. This skit is also a scene from the play, “A Nation of Ordinary People.”
4 males (2 adults and 2 boys – ages 12-14) and 6 females (2 adults and 4 girls – ages 4-9) About 11-12 minutes.
Excerpt:
JOHN SAGER
Uncle Billy…I need to talk to you about the mission. You said that you could take us there.
BILLY SHAW
John, I think that is the best thing. We are still a few weeks away from getting there. We have to cross the Blue Mountains. When we get closer, I will ride on ahead and make sure that they can take you.
JOHN SAGER
It’s only for awhile, till we can get some land and build a house, and then Frank and I will take our sisters and go and live there.
SALLY SHAW
Oh, John. You can’t be by yourselves! That just can’t be the best thing!
JOHN SAGER
We’ve talked about it, Aunt Sally, and that is what we decided.
FRANK SAGER
John and I are both good hunters and we both can shoot.
SALLY SHAW
Those little girls need a mother
CATHERINE SAGER
I will be their mother.
BILLY SHAW
Well, that doesn’t have to be decided now, John. You get to the mission and see how you like it there. The Whitmans will be like parents to you, and that will be something that you need. They are good people. Good God fearin’ folks and you can get raised up good, livin’ with them.
MATILDA SAGER
Aunt Sally? Can’t we just live with you and Uncle Billy?
SALLY SHAW
I wish you could, Matilda.
JOHN SAGER
Mattie… we talked about this!
MATILDA SAGER
I don’t want to go to the mission!
SALLY SHAW
Matilda honey…I think you will like it there. You need to give it a chance. They have a place where you can run and play and you won’t have to ride in a wagon anymore. And there are other children there.
ELIZABETH SAGER
There are other children there?
SALLY SHAW
I believe the Whitmans take care of other children that have come on the trail. Some have lost their parents like you kids, and some are just waiting for their new homes to be built in Oregon.
BILLY SHAW
Besides…your pa told me that he wanted us to take you there if anything happened to him.
ELIZABETH SAGER
He did?
FRANK SAGER
You see? We’re doing the right thing. It’s what pa wanted!
BILLY SHAW
John, we need to talk about your wagon. It’s just going to be too heavy to get across the Snake River and the Blue Mountains.
JOHN SAGER
What do we have to do?
BILLY SHAW
I’m afraid you will have to leave a lot of your folks’ things behind. We’ve all had to do it. In fact, we are going to have to cut your wagon down and make it smaller. More like a cart.
JOHN SAGER
That sounds like a lot of work.
DR. DAGON
Ve vill help you wit dat, John. Don’t you vorry ‘bout it none.
CATHERINE SAGER
Thank you Dr. Dagon. We’re glad for the help even if John doesn’t say it.
ELIZABETH SAGER
We have to leave Momma’s things here?
SALLY SHAW
We’ve all had to leave things, sweetie. It’s the way it is. You probably won’t need those things at the mission anyway.
BILLY SHAW
It’s getting late everybody. We should all be getting to bed.
SALLY SHAW
Would Louisa like to sleep in our wagon tonight?
JOHN SAGER
We’re gonna stay together.
SALLY SHAW
John, I only meant for tonight.
CATHERINE SAGER
She’ll be okay with us. Thanks anyway Aunt Sally.
SALLY SHAW
Well, okay then. Good night, children. Come on Billy. (They exit)
DR. DAGON
Don’t forget kids…I am sleeping in de vagon next to you.
FRANK SAGER
We know… we can hear you snoring!
DR. DAGON
Ya! You rascal, Francis!
FRANK SAGER
Frank or Francisco!
DR. DAGON
Ya! Guten Nacht! (He starts to leave) You coming?
JOHN SAGER
We’re gonna say our prayers first.
DR. DAGON
Das iss goot! (Exits)
JOHN SAGER
Okay kids. We need to say our prayers and go to bed.
LOUISA SAGER
Are you really gonna be our papa now, Johnny?
JOHN SAGER
I can never be like pa, Louisa… but I will try. I’m the oldest boy, so that makes me the man of the family now.
CATHERINE SAGER
And I’ll be the mom.
FRANK SAGER
You can’t be the mom, Catherine. You’re not even 10!
JOHN SAGER
Okay…that’s enough. Let’s get our prayers said.
CATHERINE SAGER
I wish we could have found a nicer dress for momma to wear.
JOHN SAGER
It doesn’t matter.
CATHERINE SAGER
Do you know what her last words were, John?
JOHN SAGER
I know what she said to me…she said that she wants me to keep us all together…and with God’s help, that’s what I’m gonna do.
CATHERINE SAGER
She said, “Oh Henry, if you only knew how we have suffered.”
ELIZABETH SAGER
She was talking to pa?
MATILDA SAGER
Are momma and papa in heaven together?
FRANK SAGER
Of course they are, Mattie! You know that!
MATILDA SAGER
Can we pray to them?
JOHN SAGER
Pa said we can only pray to God or Jesus. But maybe He can give them a message. Lets say our prayer. (They bow their heads) Dear God, please watch over us and get us safely to Oregon and keep us together. Bless baby Henrietta, and keep her well, so she can be with us, too. And bless Uncle Billy and Aunt Sally and Dr. Dagon. Thank you God for keeping us together and thank you that ma and pa are together in heaven with you. Please tell them that we are okay and we love them. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
ALL
Amen.
JOHN SAGER
Time for bed. Lets go. (They all exit)
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