List of Characters

The play has parts for 12 to 16 people. The number of narrators can be adjusted from one to five to accommodate differently sized groups.

Narrators: No costume. Gives background information at appropriate times in the play.

Sam Miller: Main character and proprietor of the trading post

Frank Freer: Sam’s partner

David Freer: Sam’s partner

Phillip Miller: Local settler. Miller lives on Miller Street at the end opposite the trading post. It was never decided whether Miller Street was named for Phillip or Sam or both.

Mr. Wong: Chinese miner

Father: Member of a local settler family

Mother: Member of a local settler family

Girl: Member of a local settler family

Boy: Member of a local settler family

Trader Joe: Fur trader

Little Bear: Wenatchi Indian

Script

For hundreds, maybe thousands, of years the flat had been a gathering place for Indian tribes. They came to trade, visit friends and family, and even race horses. By the time the Miller – Freer trading post was started, fur traders and a few settlers were moving into the area.

(Sam Miller enters, stands behind the counter, and begins to put things in order.)

NARRATOR 2: Let’s take a look now at a day in the life of the Miller – Freer trading post. The year is 1885, and the trading post is the supply center for a tiny settlement that, in 1892, will officially become the city of Wenatchee. But for now, most people call it “Millersburg.” The Indians and fur traders in the valley have been joined by about a dozen settler families and by Chinese miners who have come up from the gold fields and railroads of California. The only route into Millersburg is over steep, narrow Colockum Pass from Ellensburg. The Freer brothers make the trip every month or two, when the weather permits, to keep the post stocked with supplies and to bring mail to the community.

(Frank and David carry in supplies and set them on the counter.)

SAM: Welcome back, fellas! How was the trip? I was expecting you back last night.

FRANK: Well, it was pretty slow going this time. Spring rains left ruts so deep on Colockum road, the wagon tipped over and we cracked a wheel. We ended up working through most of the night. We caught a few hours sleep at Dutch Galler’s place and got back here as soon as we could this morning.

SAM: I thought you boys looked a little worn when you came in. Did you manage to hold the supplies together?

DAVID: We got most everything back in the wagon, but we broke the special order window and the mail sack landed in a puddle. Here it is; a few of the letters are wet, but I reckon the folks will be glad to hear from home, muddy or not.

FRANK: We’ll have to wait until next trip for those nails you wanted, Sam, the price for fur pelts was down a bit this time. But we did get the tobacco, gunpowder, coffee, and beans.

SAM: All right. Looks like you boys did the best you could. Is that a deer I see tied to the wagon?

DAVID: Sure is! The biggest buck I ever saw crossed our path while we were fixing the wheel. Frank dropped him on the first shot. We’ll be eating good tonight.

FRANK: Speaking of eating, we best finish unloading the wagon. I want to get that buck home to Quihnmeetsa. There’s nothing as good as her fresh venison roast!

(David and Frank exit. Phillip Miller enters the store.)

PHILLIP MILLER: Hello, there, Sam! Did the Freer boys bring my order of trees? I didn’t see them on the wagon. While I’m here, I need to get a shovel. I broke another one yesterday digging that blasted ditch from Squilchuck Creek.

SAM: I’m sorry about the trees, Phillip. The boys didn’t have room this time…maybe it’s just as well since the ditch isn’t finished.

PHILLIP: Now just a minute, Sam, you promised me those trees as soon as possible. I have to get them in the ground this season. You get my trees, and I’ll worry about getting the water for them.

SAM: OK, Phillip, don’t get your dander up! Here’s Mr. Wong. Maybe he has a shovel he will trade me. You can finish your ditch, and the boys will have your trees the end of the month. You have my word on it!

(Mr. Wong enters the store.)

MR. WONG: Excuse me, Mr. Miller. May I have a word with you, please?

SAM: Of course, Mr. Wong. You remember Phillip Miller here. He’s in need of a shovel, and I thought that you might have one you would be willing to trade for supplies.

MR. WONG: It just happens that I have one in my wagon. I will let you have it for $2 credit on my account.

SAM: Very good, Mr. Wong! And, Phillip, I will sell it to you for $2.10. I won’t charge you my full mark-up. A little gift to you for the inconvenience with your trees.

PHILLIP: Sam, I have to admit, you’re a fair man! Charge it to my account. Mr. Wong, I’ll meet you at your wagon.

MR. WONG: I’ll be with you a one moment, Mr. Miller. I wish a private word with this Mr. Miller first.

(Phillip exits. Mr. Wong looks over his shoulder and then moves close to Sam.)

MR. WONG: Mr. Miller, I’ve heard that you have a safe place to keep gold and valuables. My friend, Mr. Lee, was robbed of his gold last week, now he has nothing. Please, will you hold my gold while I am here?

SAM: Of course, Mr. Wong. Your gold will be safe here. Now, what supplies can I get you?

MR. WONG: Some salt please, Mr. Miller, and rice. I always need rice! Thank you, Mr. Miller. You are very kind to me. Ever since I came from California to look for gold you have been a good friend.

(Mr. Wong hands a bag of gold to Sam. Sam gets rice and gives it to Mr. Wong, who leaves while the Narrator speaks.)

NARRATOR 3: Chinese miners, fur traders, Indians, and settlers all relied on the Miller – Freer trading post for supplies, mail, news, even banking, and Sam Miller did not let them down. There are many stories of his honesty and friendliness. Here come some customers now.

(Sam is sorting mail as a settler family enters.)

FATHER: Greetings, Sam. How are you doing today?

SAM: Pretty well, thanks! The Freer boys just brought in a load of supplies from Ellensburg.

FATHER: Did the mail come?

SAM: Yep, and I think there are several letters for you. Here, have a look.

(Sam hands the letters to Father, who looks through them and takes two.)

BOY: Pa, may we have some candy, please!

FATHER: Yes, Billy. But remember, you can have only a penny’s worth.

GIRL: Let’s get that kind. (She points to the candy jar.)

(Boy reaches into his pocket, pulls out a penny, and gives it to Sam. Sam hands them each a piece of candy.)

SAM: Anything besides lemon drops today, folks? (He chuckles.)

MOTHER: Yes, Mr. Miller. I need beans, coffee, and sugar. Oh, and I need needles if I’m to finish that dress.

FATHER: Also, Sam, I’ll be needing gun powder and tobacco, if you have it.

SAM: Sure do, now that the Freers are back. I’ll get right to work on your order.

GIRL: Oh look, Ma. There’s Ellie and her family. We haven’t seen them since last fall. May I go play?

MOTHER: Of course, dear. I’ll come with you. Good-by, Mr. Miller, nice to see you again.

(Mother and Girl exit. Sam begins to gather their order.)

BOY: Mr. Miller, may I have a look at that trap over there? It’s a beauty.

SAM: Yes, but be careful. You’ve seen what those things do, and I don’t want you to get hurt.

BOY: Yes, sir. I know how to handle them. Pa let me help him this year.

(Boy looks the trap over carefully while the Narrator speaks. Sam hands supplies to Father.)

NARRATOR 4: As you can see, early settlers depend on the trading post for things that they are not able to grow or make for themselves. Just as important as supplies is the chance to see friends and catch up on the latest news.

(Trader Joe enters and throws a fur on the counter.)

TRADER: Howdy, folks! Watch that trap, boy, it’ll bite your arm clean off!

SAM: Hello, Joe. That’s a mighty fine looking pelt. Got any more?

TRADER: Sure do, Sam. Just thought I’d get myself some of your fine coffee and catch up on the latest news before I unload. I’ve been up in the hills a long time.

SAM: You look like it, Joe! Coffee’s on the stove and Tom here can fill you in on what’s been happening in these parts.

TRADER: Thanks, Sam!

(Sam hands Father his order, and Father and Trader Joe exit with Boy, talking as they go.)

NARRATOR 4: Indians were also part of the early community. Frank Freer was married to an Entiat woman, and Indians were regular visitors and traders.

(Little Bear enters.)

SAM: Hello, Little Bear. What can I do for you today?

LITTLE BEAR: Hello, Sam. I’m here to give a message to Quihnmeetsa Freer from her father up the Entiat River, and I have brought many smoked salmon to trade. Also, do you have some good tobacco?

SAM: Just came in this morning. Here — I’ll cut you a plug.

(Sam pretends to cut tobacco with a tobacco cutter and hands it to Little Bear.)

SAM: I’m glad you’re here, Little Bear. Quihnmeetsa has been feeling poorly, and our remedies don’t seem to be helping her. Frank says that she misses the Entiat people.

LITTLE BEAR: Yes, I heard this. Perhaps her father’s message will help. Now, come see the salmon I have brought. Then I will find Quihnmeetsa.

SAM: That sounds good. Frank brought a deer in this morning, and they’re fixing fresh venison roast. If we’re lucky, we’ll get ourselves invited to dinner!

(Sam and Little Bear exit together.)

NARRATOR 5: This ends our look at a day in the life of the Miller – Freer trading post, but the story does not end here. Samuel Miller operated the trading post until his death in 1906 . Over the years, general stores, banks, post offices, and the railroad replaced most of his services. But to the early people of this valley, the Miller – Freer trading post was their link to the outside world.