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.
