Summary of "WHEN LINCOLN CAME TO PITTSBURGH" by DOROTHY CALHOUN

WHEN LINCOLN CAME TO PITTSBURGH

DOROTHY CALHOUN

“When Lincoln Came to Pittsburgh” is a radio drama written by Dorothy Calhoun. Radio dramas have the challenge to convey something in a short span of time by means of sound effects and dialogue. It replaces the visual presentation by sound effects and dialogue. The major features of a radio drama are music and occasional interventions by the narrator. This radio drama is an episode of ‘American Yesterdays’. It is about the historical visit of Abraham Lincoln, the elect President of the U.S. to Pittsburgh in February 1861 for a short while and based on the short stay this play is written.

          This play presents one day incident in Pittsburgh. It aims to project the American historical heroes in their own times and whether the others of the same period recognize such great men as historical figures in future. By stating the aim through the narrative the play tires to present the views/impressions of the American citizens around 1860’s about the then President Abraham Lincoln.

          Dr. John Goucher is a very committed doctor who concerns more about his patients. Mrs. Goucher is an ideal mate of Dr. Goucher, who helps her husband in the treatment of patients. The visit of Mr. Lincoln to Pittsburgh creates excitement among the children of Mr & Mrs. Goucher. Tom and Mark the grown up boys, decide to see Mr. Lincoln. Dr. Goucher states that he saw him the previous day and describes Mr. Lincoln personality as six feet three inches tall and his features are friendly, kind and determined. By listening to his father’s description of Mr. Lincoln’s personality, John, the youngest son becomes curious to meet Mr. Lincoln and to talk to him. When the children share their desire to meet Mr. Lincoln, Dr. Goucher leaves for his duty. Before leaving he asks his wife to meet one of his patience Mrs. Moore as she needs hope than medicine.

          Mark and Tom leave home in a hurry to see Mr. Mr. Lincoln. John’s pleaded his elder brothers to take him as well to see Mr. Lincoln. They reject his request by stating that he is young and it is difficult to manage him in the crowd. Even when their mother asked them to take him, they rejected by cautioning that he may get lost in the crowd and they have to see the President. It leaves John in tears. Spike, another young boy and friend of John, comes to meet John. John goes with Spike to meet the President with his mother’s approval. Mark and Tom get struck in the middle of the crowd and they could not see the President fully. They saw only his legs and head and they could not listen to the President’s speech completely. Meanwhile John and Spike enters through the crowd and see Mr. Mr. Lincoln and listen to his speech fully. Mr. Lincoln shapes his happiness to be in Pittsburgh and states that the people of Pittsburgh are privileged to live in a place which is surrounded by beautiful hills. In less than a month he is about to be inaugurated President of the U.S. He has a great responsibility as he could see unrest, which may lead to war in the south. He calls the development of tension towards South as clouds. He concludes his speech with a confidence note that in spite of the threat the nation will see a rainbow above the clouds of war. Spike, a small boy understood the President’s speech literally by pointing out the black cloud in the sky. When Mr. Lincoln finishes his speech John in an urge to shake hands with Mr. Lincoln, crawls under the legs of the crowd and goes near him. He introduces himself to Mr. Lincoln and says that he has many questions to ask. The impressed President appreciates his braveness. John tells Mr. Lincoln that he wants to be a great man like him in future. Mr. Lincoln encourages and advises John to do good deeds and to serve others which is the golden rule to be followed. If he follows that he will be a successful person in future. John promises to follow his advice and leaves the place, to meet his friend. He shares his happiness with spike.

               The night falls, Mrs. Allen, Goucher’s neighbors comes to meet Mrs. Goucher. She comes to return a cup of flour which she borrowed the previous week. They both discuss about Mr. Lincoln’s talk.  Mrs. Allen says that she saw a small boy who remembered John shaking hands with Mr. Lincoln and praises Mr. Lincoln’s speech as inspiring. Dr. Goucher and the elder boys return home. They worry about John as he was not seen around and around that time John returns home. Tom and Mark convinces John by stating that they only saw the President’s leg and hat and could not even listen his speech fully. John repeats Mr. Lincoln’s talk and narrates about his meeting with the President. Tom and Mark feel upset about their mistake of leaving John. John questions his father whether he could be a great man as Mr. Lincoln said. His father replies John that if he puts his full effect, he would succeed. The play ends with a promise to listen to another delightful episode in the next week.