Die Inshurance Business / A serio-comic drama in the Pennsylvania German vernacular, "as she is spoke" in the German districts of Pennsylvania

by Ezra Grumbine

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.