Die Inshurance Business: A serio-comic drama in the Pennsylvania German vernacular, "as she is spoke" in the German districts of Pennsylvania — John Shaqi
Die Inshurance Business: A serio-comic drama in the Pennsylvania German vernacular, "as she is spoke" in the German districts of PennsylvaniaGrumbine, Ezra
General
Die Inshurance Business: A serio-comic drama in the Pennsylvania German vernacular, "as she is spoke" in the German districts of Pennsylvania
Grumbine, Ezra
Pennsylvania Dutch Country (Pa.) -- Drama; Pennsylvania German dialect -- Texts
“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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account