Copperhead Page #2

of York state's business what Dixie does.

Those slave-ocrats, they're not

satisfied with their little corner.

They want to expand into Kansas,

into Nebraska...

...into New Mexico.

Good Lord, they want us to steal Cuba too.

How does that fit

your beloved Constitution?

I'm no party man.

I'm no expansionist neither.

I don't want Cuba.

Hell, I didn't even want Texas.

But I do not want our boys dying.

And I don't want the Constitution dying

with them.

The Union, Abner.

Doesn't the Union mean anything to you?

It means something.

It means more than something.

But it doesn't mean everything.

My family means more to me. My farm.

The Corners means more.

York state means more to me.

And though we disagree, Avery...

...you mean more to me than any Union.

Good day to you.

Good day, Abner.

Mid toil and tribulation

And tumult of her war

She waits the consummation

Of peace forevermore

Till with the vision glorious

Her longing eyes are blessed

And the great church victorious

Shall be the church at rest

Amen

The prophet saw...

...rising out of the sea...

...a beast with seven heads...

...and 10 horns.

On its horns were 10 diadems...

...and on its head were blasphemous names.

This beast uttered proud boasts...

...and the people cowered in fear asking:

"Who can compare with the beast

or who can fight against it?"

I wonder at the names...

...of those seven heads.

Could they be Stephen Douglas...

...James Buchanan...

...John C. Calhoun...

...Lewis Cass...

...John Breckinridge...

...Franklin Pierce...

...Horatio Seymour?

Blessed are the peacemakers.

Is that still in the Bible?

Yeah, not so fast with those cans, Hurley.

From now on, I want to see measurements.

- Measurements?

- Measurements.

There's talk of certain people

watering their milk.

You want to see measurements.

Watering milk?

What the hell are you talking about?

You ain't never done this before.

Abner Beech started this cheese factory.

He's an honest man.

- He wouldn't cheat the devil himself.

- So you say.

Abner Beech gave you the land

for this factory.

Water his milk?

You're not worth it.

Bastards.

You take the milk down to Juno Mills...

...and if they give you any trouble about

it, ask for Will Bishop and he'll vouch.

Go on.

Thank you.

So, what's the verse for today, Father?

Ah. Brother will betray

brother unto death...

...and the father, his child.

Children will rebel

against their parents...

...and have them put to death.

Mark 13, either verse 11 or 12.

I can't quite remember.

Ni and I have no plans

to put you to death, Father.

Just say you won't marry him.

And why would I marry Tom Beech?

I see the way you look at him.

He at you.

I'm a blind pilgrim in

this world, but even I...

...can see when a boy sparks a girl.

Dear Father,

sparks don't always lead to a fire.

If you marry him...

...well, you will kill me.

Ah!

You ain't a bit well, Abner.

I'm likely as well as I'm ever to be again.

Has any more of them been saying

or doing anything?

You think I care a picayune

what they say or do?

They won't take my timber.

Accuse me of watering milk

in the factory I started.

That's what happens

when you tear up the Constitution.

Contracts no good. Charters don't count.

Man's own kids and kin turn against him.

- Where is Jeff?

- Fishing. He went off about 2:00.

They say they're biting like anything

down in the creek.

Well, stick to your work

and they won't bite you.

Sons. They make their own way.

Where do you think Jeff was last night?

Hmm?

Where do you think he is right this minute?

Fishing? Ha! He's down to the schoolhouse

with the Hagadorn girl.

The only thing Jeff's ever been

studious about is that teacher.

Daughter of Jee Hagadorn.

The child of that whining,

backbiting scoundrel.

Been eating his way into

me like a deer tick.

I'd not be surprised if he's behind every

mean and miserable thing that's happened.

And naturally, it's his daughter

Jeff takes a shine to.

It was you that got her the job

teaching school.

Well, that hasn't anything to do with it.

Ah. I'm not blaming her.

She's a good gal, as far as I know.

Quality, like her mother.

The world is turning upside down, M'rye.

At least the Corners is.

Lies taken for truth...

...my neighbors turning against me.

Now my son, my only son.

- Maybe if you speak to Jeff...

- Oh, I'll speak to him, all right.

I'll speak to him so he hears me.

Boy, you run down the creek road

and see can you find Jeff.

If he's not around the schoolhouse,

he'll be around the Hagadorns'.

Tell him get back here now.

And you needn't tell him what about.

Go on, pick up your feet.

Thank you, dear.

Whoa!

You want a lift?

Get in. I ain't gonna bite.

You seen Jeff?

Can't call him Jeff no more.

You have to call him Tom.

I suppose your pa put him up to it.

Maybe so, maybe no.

Pa is funny on names.

He's mortified I don't up and kill people

on account of my name being Benaiah.

He says to me, "Boy, here I named you

after David's General Benaiah...

...who killed him

an 8-foot Egyptian giant...

...and instead of making ready

to kill the enemies...

...all you do is read dime novels

and cut up monkeyshines.

Should have named you Pete or Steve

or William Henry." Heh.

That's what I get every day.

Last time he went after me

for "Benaiah," I said:

"Now, look here, patriarchs in glass houses

mustn't heave stones.

You're named after Jehoiada.

In the Bible he made a covenant with God.

I ain't never seen you make no covenant.

All you do is make barrels."

Well, what did he say?

I left before he said anything.

Abner wants you

to come right straight home.

Pa send you to say that?

There ain't nothing the matter at the farm?

He don't want me for nothing special?

He didn't say.

He just said he wanted you home.

Tell Pa I ain't coming.

Tell the old man and Ma

I'm going to enlist in the Army.

If they want to say goodbye,

they can send word...

...I'll manage to slip back.

If they ain't willing...

...they needn't send word.

- Tom, don't you think...?

- His name's Jeff.

You oughtn't leave them like that.

Bye, boy.

You'll empty out the creek with that pole.

Jeff says he's going to join the Army and if you

want to say goodbye, you're to let him know.

That's what he said.

You'd better go around and get your supper.

Gentlemen.

Be safe.

Troops, fall in

behind the band in force. Quickly.

By the way he marched so proudly...

...you'd have thought Warner Pitts

was God's gift to the Union Army.

- The big coward.

- He is not.

I thought he looked smart.

Brave and smart.

I think he just wanted to get out of town

before your tummy started showing.

Ha-ha-ha.

Well, it's an ill wind

that blows nobody good.

I could eat a horse and chase its rider.

What does Mr. Beech say

of Jeff running off to the Army?

He don't say nothing.

Jeff is as good as dead.

Don't matter if he wins the war all by

hisself. Mr. Beech ain't got a son no more.

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote