Life, 1927-12-01 · page 45 of 80
Life — December 1, 1927 — page 45: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a Christmas comedy sketch contrasting innocent country life with corrupting city influences. The plot: Flora Bloom, a pure farm girl, is courted by two men—Dave Burley, an honest farmer, and Dan Chiggers, a smooth "city slicker" involved in gambling schemes. Flora initially chooses Dan, dazzled by urban sophistication (the "Great White Way" reference). However, Dan's conscience awakens when Christmas bells ring, reminding him of maternal virtue and moral duty. He renounces his seduction attempt, and Flora returns to Dave. The satire targets early-1900s anxieties about urbanization: cities corrupt youth through gambling and false sophistication, while rural communities preserve honest values and Christian morality. The sketch's resolution—redemption through Christmas sentiment—reinforces traditional values. It's a morality play marketed as "clean" entertainment suitable for churches and schools, reflecting period anxieties about modernity threatening pastoral wholesomeness.
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ek So x > St § as DRL phe aS NE ant tints SY nner, ey SS AOD OO, Shame on the City e2e02@A Rural Entertainment for Xmas | Frora: Hold, Father. He is dear to me. CHARACTERS Frora Broom, Only a country girl GoopMan Btoom, Her father, a country squire Dave Burtey, A young farmer, not so dull as he appears Dan Cuuccers, A city slicker, and a bad one Scene: Christmas Eve on the old homestead, Enter Goovman and Dave. AVE (to Goopman): Mr. Bloom, I have come to ask youtogiveme yourlittle Goopmax: You mean Flora? She who is pure gold? Dave: The same. I have loved her since we were children to- gether and now I propose honor- able marriage. (Enter Fiona on the arm of . Ciiccers.) oopMAN (to Frora): Flora, Dave Burley has proposed honor- able marr! Now say which of these two men you most esteem, Fora (pointing to Dan Cia- Gers): Father, it is he. He has D will you remain as pure, as inno- cent as when you left this farm? Frorna: No, not that. Just Heaven forbid! Dave: Then— GoovpMAN: Wait! (To Dax.) What is your business, “young man? Dan (with an evil leer): A nefarious one. I am in league with gamblers. GoopMan: Are they lucky? Dan: No. GoopmMman: not have our lit tle gal to be your plaything. Country folk have hearts, too, Dan Chiggers! Dan: And are they quick to defend their own? Goopman: They are. Law is mighty slack sometimes up in these here hills, but— (He reaches for his shotgun.) won me by artful words. Goopman: It is as I feared. And has the lure of the city got into your blood? Does it call you ev on Christ- E Lora: I am like a moth daz- zled by a flame. The Great White Way beckons to you go, Flora, But if «Tam like a moth dazzled by a flame. The Great White Way beckons to me.”* we shall be wed. Dan (striking an attitude): “Alas, I cannot be your wife. _ It must have been .. Then you can- ation.” + infatu- cannot wrong this lovely maid on a day. Those Christmas Chimes—they spell to me the one Frora.) Flora, know that 1, Dan Chiggers, Fiona: And were they. Dan: Yes, both were... Mothers Fiona: IT cannot I come from old Puri- A tan stock. rN then go, deceiver. Alas, att xe your wife. It must been... infatuation. (Dan sneaks out the back door with a yee Fiona takes a position un- pat’ der the property mistletoe. Davt iy Burvey takes a step forward.) Dave: Then I— Frora: Yes, Dave. Dave: Flora! I didn’t know you cared....All thanks to the Spirit of Christmas Day. There ‘ is a Santa Claus! (Business of embracing.) Villain though he is, Yea, villain though I am, we (Church bells sound in the dis- tance But hark! Are those { the bells of Ww Christmas time? GoopMan: They are. They — | peal out loud and — | clear. Dan: Then to-day is- Christmas Day. Ah me, I cannot do this thing. 1 - Mother! (//e turns to Twice? It is too much. You have Embrace me Curtain. Ww. W. Scott. comicbooks.com