The Project Gutenberg eBook of Die Inshurance Business This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. Title: Die Inshurance Business Author: Ezra Grumbine Release date: April 25, 2018 [eBook #57044] Language: German, English Credits: Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DIE INSHURANCE BUSINESS *** Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) Transcriber’s Note: Obvious printer’s errors, such as inconsistent spelling of the characters’ names, have been corrected. DIE INSHURANCE BUSINESS. A SERIO-COMIC DRAMA IN THE PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN VERNACULAR, “AS SHE IS SPOKE” IN THE GERMAN DISTRICTS OF PENNSYLVANIA. BY E. GRUMBINE, M. D., MT. ZION, PA. PRICE, 20 CENTS. Sent Post-paid by the Author on Receipt of Price. Sold also by J. A. DeHuff, Bookseller, Lebanon, Pa. PRESS OF REPORT PUBLISHING CO., LTD. LEBANON, PA. CHARACTERS. _Yokle Brownschweiger_ and _Frany Brownschweiger_,—An elderly couple with a debt on their farm. _Sallie Brownschweiger_,—Their daughter. _Old Grandmother Aunshitz_,—Mrs. Brownschweiger’s mother; a “good subject,” old and sickly, rather deaf. _Henner Hoffman_,—An old neighbor who believes in the good old times of “Lang Syne.” _Wm. Shwinefelt_,—Insurance agent for the Yubee Co. and other wild cat life insurance companies. _Augustus Eslinger_,—A young store clerk of the village. Sallie’s lover and Shwinefelt’s rival. _Dr. Fraud_,—Examining physician for the Yubee Co. _Abe Brownschweiger_ and _Ike Brownschweiger_,—Sallie’s brothers, school boys. _Yokle_ ought to have about three yards of plaited corn husk, _i. e._, half of an unsewed door mat, and, as the curtain rises he is plaiting, seated on a stool or chair, while _Ike_ picks corn husks out of a basket and hands them to his “dawdy” as the latter needs them. Perhaps a spinning wheel for _Frany_ would be better than sewing, or darning big woolen stockings. The costumes ought to be suitable. For _Yokle_, _Frany_ and the rest of the family, farmers’ ordinary clothes, but not ragged nor dirty. _Shwinefelt_ should be loudly dressed—large stand up collar with a red necktie, big cuffs, etc. _Gust_, like a clerk, not quite so flashy. _Sally_ ought to be the well dressed beauty of the play. DIE INSHURANCE BUSINESS. ACT I. SCENE I.—_Brownschweiger’s sitting-room and kitchen. A family scene. Yokle smoking pipe and plaiting corn husk mat. Ike on the right picking and handing husks to him. Frany, in the center sewing, dressed in cap and white handkerchief pinned across her breast. On left, Grandmother Aunshitz in huge white cap and spectacles seated in arm-chair, scraping an apple and eating it. To her left, Sallie crocheting. Seated on the floor to the left, Abe is covering a ball. Empty chair between Yokle and Frany. Grandmother coughs a great deal._ YOKLE. Hurry up Ike und mach die wish net so dick. War der huxliter hide do, mam? FRANY. Yaw, den nu’midag. YOKLE. Wie feel hen die oyer und der butter g’macht? FRANY. Der butter is yusht 14 and die oyer yusht 16. Und du waisht das dee hinkle net orrig layia by dem kolta wedder. Alles tsomma hut yusht $1.92 g’macht, und des mus ich hovva. Dee Sallie mus en Polenay und en hat hovva und— ABE. O yaw, sell is der wake. Dee Sallie mus alles hovva und ich mus worta. Der shool-maishter hot hite weeder g’saut ich set en neyee cheeografee greega. IKE. Yaw, dad, und ich mus en mental hovva. YOKLE. Hob ich net neyee bicher grickt letsht winter? ABE. Yaw, ovver sie missa widder all neyee greega den winter. YOKLE. Well, boova, ich kan eich ken neyee bicher kaufa shun widder. (_Granny coughs._) FRANY. Horich! ’skomt ebber. Wos net alles drunner und drivver. (_Bustles about and dusts chairs._) (_Enter HENNER HOFFMAN. GRANNY coughs._) HOFFMAN. Good novet! YOKLE _and_ FRANY. Denky! Nem der’n sitz, Henner. (_He seats himself near GRANNY._) HOFFMAN. Kalt wedder. YOKLE. Yaw, ’sis mechtig kalt. FRANY. Dee kelt hot aw so free awgfanga den winter. HOFFMAN. Yaw! (_To GRANNY in a loud voice._) Wee macht’s by eich als? GRANNY. Feicht draus, is es? (_Coughs._) I ich hob net g’wist os es ebbes runner macht! HOFFMAN. (_Louder._) Nay ich hob g’froagt wie deer aw kommt. Sider als g’sund. GRANNY. O, nay, ich bin shlecht—greislich shlecht. Ich hob evva den orriga hushta (_coughs_) un wer so eng. Und no bin ich so shlecht uf mina baw! Ich bin evva olt—hair aw so shlecht! HOFFMAN. Yaw, du guksht shlecht! GRANNY. Was? (_Coughs._) HOFFMAN. (_Louder._) I, ich sawg du guksht alendig! GRANNY. Yaw, du awe! (_Coughs._) HOFFMAN. (_Turning to YOKLE._) Ich say der side busy? FRANY. Yaw, ich hab na gsaut sie missa shoobutzer flechta oder sie derfa mir nimmy ins house met eera drekicha shtiffle. YOKLE. Yaw, ’sdate note mer date dawg und nacht shoffa and ’swill doch net longa naryets. Bis dee wibeslite dee fashions noche g’macht hen und dee boova hen olly winter onnery bicher, bleibt ke cent ivverich bis es yore rum is. HOFFMAN. Ich will der evva sawga wees is, Yokle. Sis nimme wee es war for olders. Dee tzeida sin nimme wee see waura. Ich mane evva 'swair noch 'sbesht won de fry shoola net in der gong komma wara. Wee ich in dee shool gonga bin, zum olda Stoffle Bender, drunna ins Feeser’s Shpringhouse, do hut mer nix gevist fun denna sacha woo see olla wile in de shoola hen. Do hut mer larna bushtaweera, no hut mer glasa im Teshtament oder Psalter, and dee woo rechla und shriva hen wella dee hen kenna, oder hens kenna bliva lossa. Swor noch en fry lond sella mole. ABE. Hen see kay cheeografees g’shtudied sella zeit? IKE. Und kay Mental? HOFFMAN. Nix fun der ort. Und es hut shmartery menner und weiver gevva os es olla wile dute. SALLIE. Yaw, ovver sella mole het der kay telagraph und kay rigglewake kot und— ABE. Und kay may machine. YOKLE. Abe, holt dy moul (_GRANNY coughs._) HOFFMAN. All sellie dinga het mer aw allewile besser net. Wy dee ferdifelda cars hen mer dee woch widder en kolp dode g’fawra! ABE. (_Aside._) Sis shaud os es net der alt ux selwert war! YOKLE.—Yaw, es mawg sei. Dee lite hen aw glaibt sell zeit. (_Works at mat._) HOFFMAN. Besser os allewile. Sella zeit hot mer der drom greega kenna for en levvy dee quart oder dry cent der drunk. Now wella see aim en gons week shtimma das der orm mon ken may drinka darf. Sell is dee fryhite g’numma. FRANY. Well, for selly fryhite bin ich net. Sgate dir wee em Irisha woo sy mommy dote gshlawga hut, wee see en henka hen wella hut er gsawt, “Sgait neemond nix awe, swaur my aig’ny mommy, und sis en fry lond!” YOKLE. (_To IKE._) Mach dee wish net so dick, Ike. Yaw, du husht recht, Henner. Won en mon en whisky drinka will, don lus em dee fryhite ains zu nemma oder net. SALLIE. Won der mon’s brouch, don brouch sy fraw es aw. Won du gsuffa musht warra, don mus dy oldy Betsy awe. Wee datsht du sell gleicha zu sana, Henner? GRANNY. (_Coughs._) Ich mus drum widder hushta! HOFFMAN. I konsht du don nix greega for dy hushta? GRANNY. Was? HOFFMAN. (_Louder._) Konsht nix usa for dy hushta? GRANNY. I ich hob fom Redsecker seim “Balsom de Oltor” gnunima, und der Yokle hut mer mole en buttle fom Ross seim “Cod Liver Oil—ale” gebrucht, ovver’s hut kanes ken ousgekouter chaw duwak gebot (_coughs_). No is awe mul sone rumlafer do hair kumma und hot mer en buttle Humberger oder humbug droppa ferkauft—es hut awe nix gebot. Sell wor yusht so en lotwerk bree. HOFFMAN. Ich wase won meer dee yora als es kolt so kot hen, hen meer uns tay gekucht und den dick sees g’macht mit browner zucker. IKE. (_Aside._) Ich wet liever der zucker lanich! FRANY. Ich moch 'ra oily owet tay! GRANNY. I, ich drink tay! Olly owet en kuply fon dem Awdorn tay. HOFFMAN. Sell is en fustraiter tay. My Betsy dut ols noch a wenig mutter-kraut dazu, und a wenig gletta worzel, und a wenig shoferibba, und a wenig gricka balsam, und a wenig rusmarye—dess kucht see recht shtork und no mocht see en lot fooswasser, do dut see ols en gooty hondful fish-solz dazu, note gait see ney mit de fees bis on dee gnee, und _sell_ cured der hushta! ABE. Ich wet ovver ferdultsy leever der hushta hovva os wee so en cure nemma. (_IKE falls asleep when YOKLE shakes him._) YOKLE. Shlofe net do, Ike! FRANY. I, won er so shlafrig is, gebt es uf bis en onner owet und lus de boova in eera bet gay. Sallie, hole der grossmommy eera tay, no kon see aw gay. SALLIE. Yes, ma’am! (_Exit._) YOKLE. Well, ick denk mer shtuppa es don. Do, doo den korb nous, boova, und der shoobutzer. (_IKE and ABE exeunt with basket, etc._) SALLIE. (_Enters with a teacup in a saucer._) Do, mommy, is ira bittera tay. Er is ferleicht zu hais. HOFFMAN. O! wee haiser, wee besser. (_GRANNY coughs._) GRANNY. (_Drinks._) Ich denk ich gay awe in’s bet, und won der Henner mol fort is, ken deer aw gay. Hen der don dee deera all g’shlussa? YOKLE. Yaw, mir tenda zu sellem. GRANNY. (_Coughs._) Ich wot dee nocht war witter rum. (_Exits, assisted by FRANY who also exits._) SALLIE. (_Aside._) Ich wunner won der old Hoffman fort will! Ich expect der Gust noch den ovet. Er hut g’saut er kaimt won see der shtore zu hetta. Ich will uf der shpeicher, gucka ep noch licht im shtore is. (_Exits._) HOFFMAN. Now, wile mer lay sin mus ich der sawga ferwas ich rivver komma bin. Ich mus sell gelt hovva bis free yore. YOKLE. Yaw, und ich hop kens. Es kosht mich feel und du waisht dee frucht holt bol nix. Alles was ich uf macha kon mus ich in dee inshurance cumpany bezawla. Du waisht ich hob en policy uf dem olda Yark Heverling. Won seller mol nivver ginkt, kent ich dich gonz bezawla, und het noch iverich. HOFFMAN. Yaw, dar löbt so long os du. Uf sellem sy leicht kon ich net worta. Du gebsht meer en judgment note oder mortgage uf en yore und no well mer’s so lossa. YOKLE. Sell doon ich net garn. HOFFMAN. Judgment oder’s gelt will ich hovva! YOKLE. Well, loss mer zeit for decida bis dee naiksht woch. HOFFMAN. Yaw, well. Won ich deer der Shreef shicka date graicht ich judgment, ovver sell date kushta macha. YOKLE. Well, won ich ken $2,000 ousmacha kon, don mus ich der judgment gevva bis dee naiksht woch. HOFFMAN. Well, don daita mer’s so mocha. Good nocht. (_Exit._) YOKLE. So wite is es! Mer maint es kent net sy! War sheer shulda fry g’vest finf yore zurick, don bin ich in dee inshurance speklation gonga, und ich bin ols weider ny komma. Und now mus ich judgment gevva oder assignee mocha. (_Pause, starts up and walks._) Won yusht der olt Heverling dote gingt! (_Exit with lamp. Lights down. Stage dark._) GUST ESLINGER. (_Sings outside. Instrumental accompaniment. AIR: “Was hat Deutschland zu Erwarten.”_) “Liebstes Schätschen, nun vor allen, Könnt ich immer bei dir sein, Thu’st am besten mir gefallen, Soll’st auch meine liebste sein!” (_Enter SALLIE slowly with lamp in her hand, turned down low._) GUST (_sings_)— “Bist mir schöner als die Blumen, Bist mir süsser als der Wein! Ach könnt ich doch zu dir kommen, Könnt ich immer bei dir sein!” (_SALLIE places lamp on table, opens door. GUST enters, takes both her hands and they come down._) GUST. Es wor mer so bong ich graicht dich nimmy zu sana. Ich hob dei licht in deina shtup g’sana, no hob ich geglaubt du warsht shun in’s bed. SALLIE. Yaw, es is aw zeit os du drin warsht. Ich hob nimmy on dich gadenkt den ovet. GUST. Aw, kom now, sell is net so. Du husht der gonz ovet gaguckt for mich. Ich hop eppes gabrucht. Muldo! (_Opens a paper parcel and displays candy. They seat themselves and he places it in her lap._) Waisht noch sell olt rhymely? “The rose is red, the violet’s blue, Candy is sweet, and so are you!” (_Kisses her._) SALLIE. Shemsht dich net? Wid dy ivver-ruck net ous du? GUST. O, yo sell will ich. (_Takes off overcoat and hat._ SALLIE _hangs them up. He places chairs courting fashion. He turns lamp very low._) SALLIE. Net so nidder! Du machsts ous! GUST. Won’s ous gait, mawgs! (_They seat themselves. He puts his arms around her and—the curtain falls._) SCENE II. _Front yard of farm house. Pump, haystacks, etc. Enter Yokle and Shwinefelt. Yokle carries a shovel, slouch hat on, pants tucked in boots. Shwinefelt in “loud” business suit—third rate style—stand up collar, etc. Both enter talking._ SHWINEFELT. Du waisht dee zeit is uf. YOKLE. Ich wase by henk net wos zu du! Es gelt hob ich net und ich ferleer doch net garn was ich nei bazahlt hob. SHWINE. Well, husht nix zu ferkaufa? YOKLE. Nay, ich hob net. Frucht hot’s kenny gevva zu sawga, un fee hob ich kanes zu shpara. SHWINE. Well, now, ich hob en plan. Insure der olda frau eera laiva. Sie kon— YOKLE. Wos? Insure dee Frany! Ha! ha! ha! Ich denk ich set mol eppes sawga dafoo! Wy—wy—see date mer dee shteefle ous und date mich um shlawga mit—und dich aw! SHWINE. Nay, du fershtaisht mich net. Ich main dee olt frau—die gonz morts olt—dy shweegern. YOKLE. Oh! dee grosmommy! O, kutz lebdog! see is zu olt? Wy see is gabora in 1801—see is nine und seevazig yore olt [79]. SHWINE. See genkt in dee FIVE-VALLEY CO. Dort gain see ny bis 80, ovver es premium is ordlich hoch. Now, won see yusht 70 ware—hot see en daufshein? YOKLE. Yaw. SHWINE. Hole en mole. (_Exit YOKLE._) Won ich yusht en policy rous greega kon fon selera olda. Lenger os 2 yore kon see nimmy lava ufs lengsht. Ich denk ich kon es fixa. (_Enter YOKLE._) YOKLE. (_Handing paper._) Do is er. Do konsht saina dos see in 1801 gabora is. SHWINE. (_Examining paper—“daufshein.”_) Now hob ich en plan. Saisht do uf dem daufshein dee figures 1801. Ous sellem shmalla null kon mer easy in ainster [1] macha, und ous em ainster [1] is es yusht so easy en nineter [9] macha. Sell bringt eera elt runner uf 66. Nc gait see in de Co. for en glay premium. YOKLE. Yaw, ich fershtay. Ovver see—dee olt frau—doots net, bin ich bong. SHWINE. See brouch gaur nix dafu wissa. See kon anyhow net shriva un ich kon eera kreitz [X] macha. Fershtaisht? YOKLE. Missa ken zeiga ny? SHWINE. O, der dukter sined’s for zeiga, und ich kon noch en nama dazu shriva. Mer brauch net so pertikler sy. YOKLE. Yaw, ovver ich hob ke gelt for dich zu bazawla. SHWINE. Du ivversineshed dee helft fon der policy und gebsht mir en exemption note for was es kosht uf en yore, no fix ich’s. Dee old kon nimmy long laiva—no greega mer’s gelt. Mer doon see ny for $10,000! YOKLE. Ich will der sawga ich drau net recht. Es kent rous kumma und— SHWINE. Aw, was! es konnet! Grick mol dy dinta no will ich mol for en awfung den daufshein rum ducktera. (_YOKLE exit._) So wite is es ortlich goot. Finf dausend for mich und—(_Enter YOKLE._) YOKLE. Ich hob evva yusht so older dinda. Dee Sallie hot bessera, ovver ich kon seller net hendig greega. SHWINE. (_Takes out pen and alters figures._) So! now guk mol dort! Sell doots bully. Now will ich der duckter Fraud nuff shicka. (_Both exeunt._) SCENE III. _Y. Brownschweiger’s living room again. Granny Aunshitz in her arm-chair, troubled with a cough. Sallie dusting furniture. Looks out of window._ SALLIE. Es shtupt en buggy for der deer. (_Looks again._) Sis so gwiss der duckter and seller Shwinefelt widder. Wos for business hut seller karl do, wunner ich? Ich will hoffa see hen zunacht gessa. Ich will hite net noch mul kocha. Ich bin getired. (_Enter SHWINEFELT and DR. FRAUD._) DR. Good evening, Miss Sallie! Is der dad net dahame? (_SHWINEFELT nods, etc._) SALLIE. Yo, er is noch in der shire. Ich will em roofa. Nemmt eich sits. (_Exit._) DR. (_Loud._) Wee mochts by eich ols, grosmommy? GRANNY. Wos? DR. (_Louder._) Wee mochts, etc., etc. GRANNY. (_Coughing._) O, orrig shlecht. Ich glaub os ich de ouszaring hob. Ich hob so en greislicher hushta! (_Enter YOKLE._) DR. Yacub, wee gates! YOKLE. So, es mus gute sy! DR. (_Seats himself near GRANNY._) Ich will eich ebbes zuwaig mocha dos der hushta gute mocht. (_Feels pulse and looks at watch._) Seit so gute und shtate mol uf. GRANNY. Hăh? DR. Shtate mol uf. GRANNY. (_With difficulty rises._) Wos no? DR. Ich will emol horicha wee eier lung shoft. GRANNY. Yaw, dee shoft nix may! (_DR. places ear first on one side of chest then on the other. Meanwhile SHWINEFELT retires to one side of stage and converses with YOKLE._) SHWINEFELT. (_To YOKLE._) Des is de besht business os du noch ny bisht. Ich bin sure os see in de Five Valley Co. gait. Der Dr. fixed de bobbeera all recht. Of course mir missa een bazawla. Er will $25 for des, ovver sell kenna mir awe afforda zu gevva! (_To DR._) Och, Dr., du brouchsht net so pertickler sy. Sell is shon long ganunk dorich dee motions gonga. DR. (_To GRANNY._) Sell doots. GRANNY. Wos? DR. Sell doots. Now kent der eich widder setza. GRANNY. Denksht es wart now goot? DR. Ich will eich eppes gevva for dee levver. De levver shoft net. GRANNY. Wos? DR. (_Louder._) Ire levver shoft net recht. GRANNY. Ferwas net? (_Enter IKE, listens._) DR. (_Loud._) I, dee goll de shoft ivvershich, und won deer shnouft, no pressed der—der—_diaphragm_ uf der _duodenum_ und sell mocht eich shmertza in dee _bronikle_ tubes. Fershtate deer? IKE. (_Aside._) Gott im himmel! Wos der Dr. net so feel wase! GRANNY. O, yaw! Sell fershtain ich wohl! DR. Well, (_motions with fingers on palms, etc._) now mist deer eppes hovva dos dorich der _esophagus_ gait und dorich der _pyloric orifice_, no kommets in der _duodenum_, un shoft uf dee _bronikles_ dorich dee _pneumogastrie nerve_. (_Spits and takes chew._) IKE (_Aside._) All mechtiger! Ich hob geglaubt sell letsht date 'n ferwariga! DR. (_Hunts in saddle-bags._) Dorich dee _pneumogastric nerve_—und—und—gook! do is es! des is fom Brown sina mixtures. GRANNY. Wos! (_Coughs._) DR. (_Yells in her ear_) Zway tayleffle full 4 mols dogs. GRANNY. Feer tayleffle full zway mols dogs. Yaw well. DR. (_Louder._) Nay, 2 taylefflle full 4 mols dogs! GRANNY. Aw nochts? DR. Yaw, aw 4 mol nochts! GRANNY. Won mer ovver shloft! DR. No nemmt mer’s yusht drey [3] mole. GRANNY. Wos? DR. (_Louder._) I no shloft mer! GRANNY. O! Wos mainsht don for dem Awdorn tay for’s kolt. DR. Seller is aw goot. GRANNY. Ich drink olly ovet en cuply foll. Derf ich grumbeera soop essa do dazu? (_Tastes medicine and sets it down. IKE sneaks up and tastes also, makes faces._) IKE. (_Aside._) Es shmokt graut os wee der tay! Phuy! DR. O, yaw! (_YOKLE and SHWINEFELT going through a dumb show as if conversing and figuring out a problem in arithmetic._) SHWINEFELT. Well, Dr., ich denk mer missa gay. IKE. Duckter, mol do! Ich hob do so en wortzel. Waisht do wos forichy os es is! Ich glaub os des gute wair for der mawga. (_Aside._) By sourkrout! DR. Wo husht’s grickt? IKE. I, es woxt drous im bush. (_DR. smells at it, looks at it, bites and tastes._) DR. Des is fon der wisa shlonga worzel. IKE. (_Laughing and moving off._) Ah, ha, ha, ha, ya, ha! Sis yo en gedarrter sei shwontz! He, ha, ya, ha, ho, ho, ho!—etc. (_Curtain descends._) ACT II. (_Two years are supposed to have elapsed. Costumes should be changed as to be noticed._) SCENE I.—_Brownschweiger’s sitting room. Enter Yokle and Henner Hoffman._ HENNER. Es mus eppes gadu sei. Du bazawlsht mer yo ken interessa may und es sayd shlecht ous. YOKLE. Well, hob yusht noch a wennig gadult, und ferrup mich net. Ich expect es gait bol besser— HENNER. So husht du shon long gsaut. Won’s net ware os dy frau, dee Frany, alendig ware, don het ich net _so_ long g’wart. YOKLE. Wart noch a wile. Ich bin sure os es all recht wert eb long. HENNER. Won es noch ware os wee’s for yora zurick wor ep dos dee ferdulta fry shoola und may machina und oll dee socha in der gong komma sin, und du hetsht besser g’shpawrt—ovver ich will der noch 4 wocha zeit gevva. Ich mus ovver gay. (_Exit._) YOKLE. (_Alone._) Won ich yusht seller Shwinefelt nee gsana het. Ich hob shon bol $800 in dee inshurance co.’s bezawlt. Won ich selly $800 g’used het for my intressa zu bezawla, het ich ols noch wenig ivverich kot for on der haupt sum obzumocha. Do kommt widder ainer for gelt! (_Enter SHWINEFELT._) SHWINE. Well, Yacub, wee sayts ous hite? Sin widder dry [3] death-notices for dich. Dy 'sessment is $23.75. YOKLE. Ich hob miner sex kens. Won du es net uf holta konsht, don missa mir’s fawra lossa. SHWINE. Well, wee is dee grossmommy? Gate see net bol nivver? Ich hob net gedenkt 2 yore zurick os see so long ousholta date. YOKLE. See is graut aye zeit wee dee onner. SHWINE. Denksht net 'swar zeit see date nivver gay? YOKLE. Mer darf see evva doch net dote shlawga. SHWINE. O, nay! Ovver won mer eera Awdorn tay shtork mocha date! See kent mol shnell shtarwa, waisht, om mawga gromp, oder eppes so. YOKLE. Wos in der welt mainsht du? SHWINE. Du fershtaist’s, denk ich. Won see dote ginkt, data meer, du und ich, $10,000 zeaga, saysht? No ken shreef, ken assignee, ken ufbrecherye! Und see is anyhow olt genunk for op zu passa. YOKLE. Yaw, ovver wee kent mer’s macha? SHWINE. Horich! Ich sawg deer’s! Du gaisht in der shtore und gricksht 10 cent wart mice gift. Ich darf kanes kawfa. Ich hob kay mice, ich board am wartshouse. Ovver du husht rotta, kansht sawga. Du bringsht meer’s peckly und ich psuch eich anes fon denna ovet—sell is all—$10,000 oder uf brecha. Wee sawgsht? YOKLE. (_Walking back and forth._) Ich doos! (_Exeunt both._) SCENE II. _Small sitting room. Best room. Evening. Lamp burning. Sallie seated alone, sewing._ SALLIE. Ich wais gar net wos lets is mit’m dad. Er is gar nimmy der mon wo er wor. Sidder os seller Shwinefelt do hare kommt will es naryets may gay. Hite is er rum g’stonna und rum gluffa os we en dummer older goul. Essa dute are nix may widers, und gshlofa hot er net feel dee letsht nocht, und dee onner nocht aw net. Es doot en ebbes mechtig druvla. (_Enter GUST._) GUST. Well, well, Sallie, olford busy. (_Kisses her and seats himself near._) SALLIE. Yaw, Gust, ich _mus_ busy sy. Du waisht de mam kon nix shoffa wayga der rummadiz for so long. Und dort is dee grossmommy, und dee boova, und der dad druvelt sich so wayga eppes, und ich wase net forwos. Sis gar nimmy in unsererm house we’s war. (_Bursts into tears. GUST puts arm around her, strokes her hair in a comforting manner._) GUST. Waisht net wos dee uresoch is, Sallie? SALLIE. Nay, ich doo net, won’s net sy shulda sin. Do is der old Hoffman, der hut getroyt zu shreefa, und no mus er so feel in dee life inshurance co. bezawla, und uf der bowerie gates gar nimmy. (_Cries._) GUST. Wen hot er don inshured? SALLIE. Ich glaub os er dee grossmommy inshured hot. GUST. O, nay, see is shon 10 yore zu olt. Wee olt is see anyhow? See mus 80 sy. SALLIE. Ich hop eera daufshein hite gsayna in da shublaut. (_Goes out and returns with it._) Do is eera elt druf. (_Both examine._) Konsht du es Deutsch laysa? GUST. O, yaw, do is es: “Geboren den 18ten Yooly, 1814.” Sell date see yusht 67 yore olt mocha. Des is net eera daufshein, denk ich. (_Reads._) Yo, sis. (_Examines._) Sawg, muldo! Do sin dee ziffera ferennert, des war 1801. War hot des gadu? SALLIE. Ich glaub os es der Shwinefelt war. GUST. Er war nix zu gute dafor. Und denksht du dy pap druvvelt sich wayga dem? SALLIE. Ich wase net. Ovver er est net, und shloft nimmy! GUST. (_Gets up and walks about._) Ich will dich net fershrecka, ovver ich hop hite gamaint, wee er im shtore wor, es war eppes lets. Un er hut en peckly mice gift kauft. SALLIE. (_Starting up._) Wos? GUST. Sy yusht rooich, Ich hop’s g’filt mit gips. (_Plaster of Paris_). SALLIE. O, my Gott, Gust! Wos soll ich mocha? Es sin dee shulda—my ormer dad! (_Wrings her hands and cries violently._) GUST. Hold up, Sallie. Ich will der now aw noch _gooty_ news sawga. Ich hop hite en breef grickt fom ma lawyer in Ohio; der shreipt dos anes fom mina unkles in sellera shtait gshtorwa is, un hot mir $10,000 fermocht. Now, hop ich en plan; $3,000 bezawlt dime dad sy shulda. So feel geb ich deer, und du lainsht’s eem. Und ich denk, mit em ivvericha, könne ich und du awfonga housa. SALLIE. Oh! Gust. No ferlongsht du mich nimmy. GUST. Wos? Won ich a hunnert douset het date ich es all gevva for dich! (_Kisses her, she cries on his shoulder._) Kum, kum, Sallie! Hile net, mer wella nivver zu der onnera gay und wella eena unser plan sawga. (_Exeunt._) SCENE III. _Same as first. Yokle and Shwinefelt seated on right. Granny on left. In center, by her side is a small table on which are a cup and saucer. Ike and Abe have books. Frany in an arm-chair with pillows under head on extreme left. Two empty chairs near C. Granny coughs. Shwinefelt rises, and, while talking to Granny, empties a folded paper into her teacup. While so occupied, Gust and Sallie appear at left entrance, stop, and see him do it._ SHWINEFELT. Deer seit ols aye zeit wee dee onner. (_Empties paper into cup on the sly._) GRANNY. Yaw, und nee net gute. Ich hop evva ols den hushta! (_Coughs._) SHWINE. Sis evva aw so feicht wedder. GRANNY. Wos? (_Enter GUST and SALLIE and see the act._) SHWINE. So feicht is es drous. (_To YOKLE._) Wos zeit is es shun. Ich denk ich mus bol uf der wake for hame. IKE. (_Coughing._) Ich hop aw der hushta. Gust, husht ken lickerish-ball? ABE. I, drink fon der mommy eererm Awdorn tay. FRANY. Yaw, sell date ich, Ike. YOKLE. Sell is net feel wart. (_Sharply._) FRANY. Yo es is. Ike, drink mole, und no gay in’s bet. Dee Sallie holt der mommy no noch may. (_IKE gets up, takes cup and drinks._) YOKLE. (_Starting up._) Drink net. (_Excitedly._) Drink sell net. IKE. Yaw, ich hop getrunka! (_Spits._) Wos der difle is do hin in dem tay? (_Spits, etc._) YOKLE. (_Distractedly._) Gift, mice gift! Grickt millich! (_Runs out for milk. Confusion all around._) IKE. Gift! Gott im Himmel! Bin ich fergift! FRANY. O, Gott! O, Gott! Wee is don des ny komma? IKE. O, my! O, my! Macht’s mich dote? Herr Yesses! Es shoft shon. Ooh! Hooo! (_Holds stomach with both hands, bends down, etc._) Gate ebber for der duckter. Oh! Hooo!—es shoft shon orig. O, ich grick now bol shmartza—won ich—es brent—ach!—ich! Helf mer doch—holed ebber millich—kee warmy millich! SALLIE. (_Goes to him._) Es war kay gift. Sy yusht ruich. Es war nix os gips. IKE. We waisht’s, Sallie? O, ich glaub os es gift war. O! was es zuckt! (_More business._) SHWINE. (_Aside._) Dummer older difle! Olles ferdorwa. (_Attempts to exit when GUST steps before him with a drawn pistol which he holds to SHWINEFELT’S head._) GUST. Net so shtorik. Sits dich noch a wile. Sis noch net so shpote. SALLIE. Sy yusht ruich, Ike, es dute der nix. YOKLE. (_Rushing in with a tin full of milk which he sets down before GRANNY and shouts._) Do is seesy millich. GRANNY. See is gute. (_Takes it and drinks it._) YOKLE. O, my kindt! my kindt! GUST. Er is all recht. Es wor gips in sellem bobbeer und shunsht nix. Ich fershtay olles. Do is der kerl wo des ding g’shtart hut, und ich hob’s en sayna in der tay doo. Now, hob ich eem por worta zu sawga. Im ershta blotz, rous mit sella inshurance policies. SHWINE. Do sin see. (_Hands them out._) GUST. Do, Ike, ferise see. (_IKE does so._) Now, Shwinefelt, _clear the patch_! Los dich nimmy in Lebanon Co. sayna, oder ich arrest dich for zu brovera dee grossmommy zu fergifta. Ich kon olles proofa. Now nous mit der. Ike und Abe, geb eem farrywell. (_IKE and ABE kick him out of center entrance._) Now, dad, horich a mole. Los dy finger ous der inshurance business. Kum in unser cumpeny. Ich und dee Sallie shtarta en cumpany, capital $10,000, ganunk for der old Henner ob zu flicka. Net so, Sallie? (_SALLIE takes her place by his side._) GRANNY. Des is besser for my hushta os ich noch eppes kot hop. FRANY. Yaw, es cured aw my rummadiz, glaub ich. IKE. Und my bouch! GRANNY. (_Granny rises and stretches out her hands._) Liebe kinner. Empfongt my säga! (_Tableau._) IKE. FRANY. YOKLE. GRANNY. GUST. SALLIE. ABE. CURTAIN. End of Project Gutenberg's Die Inshurance Business, by Ezra Grumbine *** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DIE INSHURANCE BUSINESS *** Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will be renamed. Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. START: FULL LICENSE THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at www.gutenberg.org/license. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. 1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the United States and you are located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when you share it without charge with others. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any country other than the United States. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, copied or distributed: This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Gutenberg™ License. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website (www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works provided that: • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.” • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ works. • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of receipt of the work. • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. 1.F. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the problem. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™ Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from people in all walks of life. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt status with the IRS. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who approach us with offers to donate. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Most people start at our website which has the main PG search facility: www.gutenberg.org. This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.