American adventure; Yankee loves a lady

The best understanding of America begins or so it seems to us with the realization that this nation is young yet that she is still new and unfinished that even now America is man's greatest adventure in time and space. A University of North Carolina American Adventure a study of man in the new world his values and his characteristics. Is what he believes what he lives by American Adventure is produced on a grand in aid from the National Association of educational broadcasters made possible by the Educational Television and Radio Center written by Johnny Lee directed by John Clayton.

Today's program is a Yankee loves a lady. At least I remember her and how she loved him and how she went away from what I remember as if it were only the other day. When the dust was barely settling on Franklin Street and the university students were all coming back from fighting with Jackson and a horse rode up from the south just floating around its legs and the rider reined up in front of any slain father's house. Mr. Swain Mr. Swain what is it presidents wanes over on a school campus that has a common General Sherman's Yankees nonsense. The war's over. They've come to occupy Chapel Hill a generals among them to occupy this town but think what you like but I have to find the present the college there Sherman's men all right and they're

coming to Chapel Hill to stay. Nonsense. It's very true Mr. Swain. Why are they coming here. Come to see the danger of having them in this town a constant reminder of the war. I want him brought the message sir. Democrat why don't they. Why don't they leave us alone. Is there a message to take back. Yes. The Yankees they will find us in our homes. And so they came to Chapel Hill the Yankee soldiers and their general General Smith Atkins by name and many a window curtain rustled as they rode down Franklin Street for that first time and many a lip quivered

and many a frown went on the faces that burned the south and then they come to live with us. They kill my boy and now they come to my I don't be nothing to be done about it. Presence why not take care of I want peace. You'll give a word or two you'll tell him there was over the trouble is in it the war is not over. This isn't peace. It's a hatred as deep now as it was before. You'd better go to your room father. I may have a Yankee color or two here at the house before long. Go on to your room. Well just let me leave this book or did you read it. I read part of it is a very good book isn't it. It's the dullest book I've ever seen. Who is it. I thought you might like astronomy. No I don't have any romantic books except one or two that I'm too young to read. I'm trying to write you where you'll be old enough to understand about everything

shortly and then it airs pretty soon I expect to see you get married. That's the way the parents give birth to children and the children marry the marriage age and birth. Oh it is a no no see here no more of that. Go to your room at Yankee generals and where he was coming by tonight might help you put him in his proper place. First have to see what place let me put him in. General thank you Mr. President. You may close the door as you go out. Yes. Well Mr. President it's a pleasure to see you. Sit down General. Yes. Shall I call you Mr. President. Mr. Swain. I am called Mr. Governor. Oh President when you were governor of North Carolina. Yes but I rather like Mr. myself. I see you are

remarkably young for a general. Yes. It's quite appropriate that you call to see me. I appreciate it. It shows perhaps that you are here to work with us and not against our community and our university. That is my intention. The people here don't like your being here of course but after all we are not without some fault in the matter. Let's try to work together shall we. I'm glad you said that. That's the only way. May I offer you some tea thank you or would you prefer a wine I would prefer wine. I would. We have some fine wine in my opinion. How would someone what is it you want. Area. I thought I told you that yes. Where's Howard. I don't know I heard you. Yeah I know. I thought you might be in danger of attack from the Yankees. General Atkins. May I present you to my daughter. How do you do. I do what I can for the Confederate cause. Oh yes and I've been wanting to get

a look at you. Am I a subject for scrutiny scrutiny among other things. Did they go find someone. I don't know where we hit the wind. Could it be in the same home with the several ways I had to dig around for it until the war is really over. And you know very well we kept some wind out. It's down and the cellar now send Howard to fetch it for general like how young for that. Yes General Sherman had many young officers. I'm not surprised really you're not with the whole south to Bernie probably needed officers who would be callous about it. Go find the wind if you like and i shall we see you again General. Not where I had been sure of that until now. But I'm rather like a challenge Miss Wayne. I should like to call again. Well perhaps you could bring a friend for me to talk to. Good night drew on.

General Atkins was not discouraged by at least Wayne's attitude. It was the very next afternoon in fact that his military than marched down to President's Wayne's house. The band members were nicely uniformed and they made a pretty picture as they took their places on the lawn of the big colonial house. General Atkins watched from his black horse as the players warmed up their instruments. Father What in the world is that a band where right out there. See I haven't any idea. It's a Yankee band of course and they're generally not going to giving them the auto decrements bookie took his head off and saluted the House over this. That's why I think he's going to serenade me early. What is the name of that's. Where my love lies during you know the remarkable joys isn't it. Anywhere you go I'm going to close the window.

They. Say that there are do out there. See the people in the street are giggling. There you must remember who we are will not be serenaded by Yankee band. This serenade went on for several afternoons the band playing romantic music. And alleys slamming windows. Then it was on a Friday afternoon that general Atkins came once more to call. Is your daughter home Mr. Swain. Oh I think so. Well and I should like to talk to him. Oh Eddie knows very little about politics and I think it might be better. I'm extremely anxious to talk to us or you know well I'll call him

and am now there. Come to the poll or if you were a general. Did you read that book on astronomy I loaned you part of it or what did you think of it. Well very well written isn't it. Very concise straight to the point. I learned something about the star. Oh yes of course the study of the suns planets and their orbits is far more interesting I think. Oh yes and it all fits in with Greek mythology. You see the planets were named by the Greeks Venus and the rest of course. Now I have a book here on Greek mythology which follows naturally I tried to get Ellie to read it but he is rather well. Oh come in early. The general wants to talk to you. Sit down and be quiet. Thank you Father. Good afternoon Miss Wayne. Yes and I must thank you General for serenading me during the pleasant afternoon

this week. Well you're quite welcome. But don't you think your choice of music was rather out of place. Perhaps general Adkins didn't choose the music I chose it. Every piece of it. I did indeed as a matter of fact the band members are rather angry with me. They had to learn all those romantic selections of course were rather removed from battles as far as a general can get in this way. Why did you select. Because I thought it pleasantly expressed some pleasant thoughts. What are you talking about. But it was called to my attention rather loudly on one of two afternoons that the music was not appreciated. Yeah and hey you ought to apologize for all that Windows Lemon. People all over Chapel Hill have been stopping me and telling me that they felt that that is what Mr. Swayne that they think it's wonderful for Miss Wayne to slam wonders in the Yankees face. I keep trying to point out that I think you and your men have acted very well considering I totally dystopic that

woman's will is something I never could figure out mess way in and Mr. Swayne too. I have a very difficult job here in Chapel Hill. As you know I want to get another assignment one outside the South. There's no need for me in this time. Yes but I try to do the best I can here of course and this feeling that if you were in this house you leaders of this community that you resent my presence here it works to our disadvantage yours and mine where I tell you what General outcomes I think and they should stop close and those windows I insist on it every day. That would be helpful but not helpful enough. Perhaps some gesture that would say to the people that we are not enemies anymore. Miss Wayne would you go to ride with me tomorrow afternoon with you. It's a very little thing to ask isn't it. A very little thing General of course she will.

The people will know that we want no more tension here no more. The war's over. So I go to ride with his Jag. I mean with General Atkins here and be done with it. Tomorrow at 4 pm general will be reading. About it of course. But when I came out of house and got into the carriage Well there was more talk and as the two rode toward the center of town the comment followed them close behind. Do you have to go through the center of chapel here. I thought it would be not everyone is

looking at and that's the idea of this way and if I may say so you drive these horses very poorly. Bill I am slowly and the horses are at a truck in a strange gallop. If your head is about to fly out here I had no way. We'd been down the street once General. Yes but see how many more people are out here and it looks like they're waiting for progress. I wonder if you couldn't find some of this mess congested area. Would you like to ride in the country with me in this way I would not have been through town we go up and down through. Now where is this overlook from which we can see. I want to go home. You said you would take me to a place where I could see if I leave the center of town. Right it's it's right over there but you'll have to then that's good.

I'll stay here in the carry you now Miss Wayne. You wouldn't let me get off in the woods and then drive back to doubt in my carriage would you. Yes but you won't see me now. I'm walking into town tragedy up the street. Come along we'll go together all right. But if anybody sees us I'll just die. So the only way you can see the buildings. Oh yeah I've seen the Capitol before you know. I should imagine so General Sherman kept his horses in it. This is a beautiful view. I will admit so down this way and I said let's sit down.

This rock and one that should be appropriate I would say. You know it has a story about it. What do students that's a story I have made up better stories and that around a campfire. Well I don't know what stories are ever around a camp by General Atkins but the university does. I can assure you it would not go around a campfire. There's blood on the stove now. Well even so it wouldn't go well around the campfire. You see the man down there in the valley by those trees taking his cows toward the bar. Oh yes. When I was a boy I used to know you. General Yeah I was a boy you know I milk cows fished the pond planted corn went to

school and irritated the teachers I was a difficult sort of boy and I should imagine I rather like. A bad boy. There's so much good to be said about them about their spirit. Their fire. Their rebellious attitude. I like that in a way. Then you must like the sound. I do like the soft but I know. It's not what I expected of course. Why half the people are good substantial farmers without slaves just like farmers in the north. Well they look a little poorer partly because one can see the cattle and hogs they have in the pine woods. I've heard some of the farmers have had a thousand head of cattle in the woods before the war. They did. You know. That farmer is closing the barn doors. How many thousand times has he closed those same time quite sure I don't know. And now what's to become of him this way. Yes yes I care. How you can fight a people for years and then care about their welfare is quite a question. But I

care. I dare say that man is very much like I would have been if I had been born in his place. They're lighting up the houses over. Something. Somebody lit another. Amazing how far land and in the city. You're quite a poet. Did you ever think of becoming a writer. No might like to become an editor I have to be a General of some sort you know. Perhaps some day I will be an editor. The Sword and then the pen and the match and then the paper. Do you ever get tired of that tired joke about Sherman's fires. Yes it's getting dark. It will be quite dark when we drive back to town. Yes what will the people say do you suppose I don't know General.

The people said a good deal. In fact all Orange County had a word to say including the man who would put his paw in the bond and all his family and all like him. And everyone had even more to say as Gen. Atkins continued to call an atty. And when he gave Mr. Swayne and at each a beautiful riding horse that's what they do. The Yankees come here and steal our horses and then you have them too as pretty as horses I ever saw. Why did David Swain accept I don't know I just don't understand it. He never did want this war you know so I've heard. That's the trouble with this state. Didn't have a leader that one of the War I. So they talk and so the weeks passed and general Atkins

continued to call on this way. And soon it came to be general knowledge that the two of them fancied themselves to be in love. So I asked for the transfer as you know. Now the con founded thing has come through. Yes and the report up there in a couple of weeks. Probably give this town a lot less to talk about won't it. After all why do they do they talk to you. Nobody does except. I go down the street nobody talks. I asked for some cloth of the story. It up and tells me how much it is. That's all he says. I should've come to call on you so often. Even Mother the other night she wouldn't eat at the same table with me. I got very angry with her but she went on up to our room and I and I can't leave you in this to face a situation alone though. Forget very quickly I know very well how quickly the Southerner will forget all Sherman's generals you know Allie.

Come with me. No no. Don't even say that come with me to Illinois right now please. You can't stay here. I can't leave you just don't understand. Why do I love you. And what would your parents say when they found out you had married me. They would love you once they know you had they cannot of course a word from my mother yes and from you seems reconciled to my seeing you but already the people in the whole state are talking. So mother says all the political press my father has built up his authority here in Chapel Hill is being lost. And if we marry it will be lost. Do you want to marry me Auntie. But if your father gives his consent he can't really do you love me more than you love your family. General Atkins plan more than your father more than your mother more than your community even more than your friends. I love you more than all of that. Do you love me yes. Is love worth more to you than all the rest. Yes I

know your family. We will talk to your father now if you like we'll ask his consent but we can expect it only if we tell him that the love we have for each other is worth all the rest. Were all the rest. Yes to me and I think you outta here. That statement could only come from a man who has a Cupid's arrow planted and he's just. You want any plan to grow up and start your own country don't you know Mr. Swain but I can't you ever leave your isolation and go to the market. You have a plan to vote. Don't you like neighbors. Are your children going to school. Please try to understand his dad I will but listen to me. Don't deceive yourself. You're a Juliet a Montagu and he's a copy of that and your marriage may be a bitter thing before it's true.

This war is over. Their wounds aren't close but the betterness should stop but the news can't stop. And the people were not simply gossip about you once you're married as they do now they will hate you. Really then consider it. It's a mild winter so you sound as if there is nothing to be said for the love I hold for your daughter and the love she holds for me. No I do not mean that it would seem to me that if the world is full of bitterness then those who can go beyond bitterness should do so and must read. Venus must have. There is no unity. I declare you also should have read that book on mythology in which case you would never compare yourself to that winter Venus nor General Atkins to Mars. They were not where they were not exactly constant in terms of morals. But your problem here. I can only say I don't love blindly and it is not your duty to desert your duty to your families and your communities.

So I love your daughter and she loves me. I think our marriage will be considered with disfavor by PS.. But sir this way the way we choose to take will ultimately serve the very people north and south who may hate us for it. And this way may be our duty. An excellent argument Gen-X Gans. And God willing you may be right. As for my parents I cannot believe they would be bitterly displeased. So chiefly it comes down to our gaining permission from you and you are recognizing that it will not be a bed of roses. Yes as for me I have watched your romance develop and it would be a shocking thing for me to clip the stim now that the flowering is to take place. Best wishes to the two of you. What will this mean to you. Why did I think a cross cared for love is worth carrying bags. Now I have made up my mind and like the foolish man I do not want to be confused by the

facts. You are a part of me and if I sacrifice some other part for your sake it's my decision that's the end of it. Never fear she will understand. She will go to the wedding. And when you and General Adkins right away in his carriage she will weep again. Then we will come back to this house this room. We would sit in these chairs talk about how beautiful you were and we would be happy because you were happy. Not superficially but deeply happy. But only if you understand what lies ahead of you and are strong enough to face it. Only if you realize now that your marriage is both right and wrong and you will reap both reward and consequences I do understand father. Believe me I do General. Yes your love for my daughter is strong enough is it. Yes strong enough Come What May.

I hope grandchildren may come of the general i. Saw Swain and General Smith Atkins were married and there were a few who came to their wedding but some of us did. Later I hear this myth that Guinn's became an editor in Illinois and their children know their children's children may be listening now. Well in that case I would tell them this. But today when the story is told in Chapel Hill all the people say that's a good story. We like Smith that kittens and we like Ellie Swain. We're glad she was one of us and we're proud of her father.

American Adventure is written by Johnny Lee directed by John Clayton and is produced by the communication center of the University of North Carolina. Earl when Director these programs are produced on a grant in aid from the National Association of educational broadcasters made possible by the educational Radio and Television Center an independent agency established by the Ford Foundation. They're intended for use by educational and commercial radio stations and this and other countries and by schools for in-school listening purposes. There are in almost all cases based on actual events. Today's program Yankee loves a lady presented as Alice Wayne with William Waddell as David Swain and John bonnets as Smith actress Marian FITZSIMMONS narrating others in the cast were James Adams Calvados and Bette Waddell. Cast members of American Adventure are students professors and townspeople of the university community.