Hey Rub-a-dub-dub: A Book of the Mystery and Wonder and Terror of LifeDreiser, Theodore
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Hey Rub-a-dub-dub: A Book of the Mystery and Wonder and Terror of Life
Dreiser, Theodore
American essays -- 20th century
(_At the stage entrance, surveying one hundred and fifty divisions of
Descendant Sons and Daughters of Ancient and Honorable Moving Picture
Censors, Sabbath Day Observance Leaguers, Baptist and Methodist
Evangelists, and Non-Smokers’ Social Unionists, now ready and in
marching order just outside the tent entrance. These have arranged
themselves in battalions of two thousand each and are arrayed in
snow-white frock coats, bright red silk hats, lavender pants or skirts,
as the case may be, and carry bright brass drum-major batons. Numerous
bands of Descendant and Amalgamated Sons and Daughters of Ancient and
Honorable Anti-Saloon Leaguers and Billysundays are arrayed in
pink-flowered business suits and silver-green capes, carrying hatchets
and bearing aloft the portrait of their patron saint, Mrs. Carrie
Nation, who flourished A. D. 1884-1913, playing on silver and tin horns,
wind instruments, hewgags and jew’s harps. These are preceded by
cage-cars containing one each of Ossified Specimens of Ancient Cigarette
Fiend, Simon-pure American Bartender, Lewd Scenario Writer, Sabbath Day
Breaker. The bands begin playing “All Hail the Peace Which Now
Prevails!” As they enter, preceded by SHISHMASH HASH HASH with his head
between his legs and walking on his hands to the Musnud, forty thousand
members of the audience rise and stand on their heads. Another forty
thousand sink to the floor between their seats and gasp. The five
thousand Nizys pass swiftly among them administering souffle. The first
and second readers read rapidly. SHISHMASH HASH HASH, landing on his
feet as he reaches the Musnud and beginning to jig._) Will the High and
Mighty Referendunces of the Federated Musnud of the World deign to
notice these humble instruments of moral intercession here gathered from
all parts of the world to testify at this great review to the blessings
of peace, morality, fecundity and other social virtues? (_As he says
this he executes nine flip-flaps, whereat the great assemblage bursts
into thunders of applause. The fifty Dizzards on the Musnud leap on each
other’s necks as they whistle between their teeth. The one hundred Zanys
rattle their wind-bags furiously._ NOXUS PODUNKUS, _being simultaneously
beaten by four stuffed clubs and tickled by four feather-dusters, while
two Dizzards whistle in his ears, opens both eyes and looks blandly
around._)
NOXUS PODUNKUS
(_With a fat, ingratiating smile, as the uproar continues._) Are we now
beholding more divisions of the unconquerable forces of Truth, Virtue,
Justice, Sobriety and Righteousness? Good! Good! (_He opens his mouth,
which is immediately filled with souffle._)
THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DIVISIONS
(_Cakewalking, shamble-shuffling and tossing their hatchets, batons,
musical instruments, etc., aloft._) Hail! Hail! The end of shame! (_They
sing._)
’Tis now that we with joy behold
The earth of virtue yield fourfold
Of truth and right the crop is great--
Indeed, enough the world to sate!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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