Life, 1926-07-01 · page 25 of 40
Life — July 1, 1926 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This George S. Chappell article satirizes a small town's 1926 celebration of America's 150th anniversary (sesquicentennial). The narrative follows Wallace Onderdonck, appointed to manage the village's patriotic pageant—a role that becomes his redemption after a romantic scandal with "Hattie Farwell." The cartoon depicts the pageant as a ship, with America as a throne positioned in the stern. General Washington complains ("THIS IS AN OUTRAGE") about the chaotic motion, while various town groups jostle for prominence on the vessel. The satire mocks small-town civic pomposity: how ordinary people inflate minor community events into grand historical recreations, how pageant-planning becomes competitive status-seeking, and how individuals like Onderdonck exploit such occasions for personal rehabilitation. The ship imagery suggests the town's pretensions are unsteady and ridiculous—patriotic pageantry becomes just another venue for local social drama and ambition rather than genuine historical reverence.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Life The Younger Married Set By George §. Chappell Our Sesquicentennial Pageant Vit. OODNESS gracious, when I G first read about the “Sesqui- celebrations” that were due all over the country I had no idea that the vogue would hit so hard out our way, but it did and we are all primed on American history, I can tell you. We've had a pageant and, believe me, it was some show. There were a few mishaps—one looked serious for a spell—but they were as nothing compared with the final glory, the lion’s share of which must go to Wallace Onderdonck. Wal- lace, you may remember, had a rather distressing “‘affair” with Hat- tic Farwell—but never mind; that was over, when along came the Glori- ous Fourth and with it a chance for the village to show its patriotism. “We ought to have a pageant,” said President Libby, at the Club miecting. “Tell let us ir "said for a lot of ex- pens Treasurer Luther Pritchett. “AIL those in faver of a pageant in the usual manner,” moved Horace Bemis, who has his eye on the Gly Wuiiads men, like Pritchett, are born to be steam-rollered. “Onderdonck is the logical mana- ger,” said the president. When so informed, Wallace lifted his head like a lion scenting its prey. He had been adrift since the founder- ing of his great love, but here was a cause which appealed to the in- stinct of the impresario. “It is the least I can do for my country,” he sai Hale that the committee kne picked the right man. The time was short and the task huge. “This is no Club affair,” wrote Miss Flamm, in the Bulletin, “but the Voice of the Village, hail- ing the Historic Past. The sacred ground pressed by the feet of Wash- ington will be re-consecrated, jointly, by the Country Club, the Village League, the La Literary, the Boy and Girl Scouts and our citizens en masse. All agreed that Enid Flamm had never done a neater piece. Notice followed notice urging all to display the national colors and exhort cach group to get out its quota. Onderdonck was a dynamo. When the day dawned, cloudless and per- fect, he stood, tired but happy, on the Club piazza. “Rather better than Philadel- phia,” he commented. “They opened ““PHis 18 OUTRAGE,” GEN. WASHINGTO REAMED in the rain with a half-finished show. Just the kind of day I ordere From then on he was the origins Busy Bee. Event One was the morn- ing parade, forming in front of the Village Hall and winding through most of our thoroughfares. Wallace, who, as Grand Marshal, rode a horse, didn’t care how long the line of march was, at least not until he had an awful time getting by Hig- gins’ Riding School, where his mount lived. His aides were Messrs. Hoof- ner and Tripp. It was evident from the start that Bert Hoofner was out for a time. “Tam first aide to the Injured,” he announced; “my duty is to bump “AMERICA’S THRONE WAS IN THE STERN WHERE THE MOTION WAS REALLY—WELL.” comicbooks.com