Hell's Bells

About the show

The setting is the living room of Tanglewood Lodge, a country hotel, in the fictional New Dauville, Connecticut, over the course of two days. The lodge is owned by Mrs. Buck, a widow. Living elsewhere in town is Mrs. Amos Todhunter, another widow, who lives with her son Jimmy and daughter Gladys. Also in town is Abigail Stillson, spinster sister of Mrs. Todhunter. The two sisters' attention is caught by a newspaper item detailing the munificent spending of two Arizona prospectors visiting New York. They recognize one of the prospectors as their long-lost brother Danial Stillson, who goes by the nickname "Jap". Jap Stillson and his partner D.O. had sold the Gango River Gold Mine for $1000 to a promoter. The promoter formed a corporation and sent the boys back East to flog shares in the corporation. Secretly, he gave them a generous expense account with instructions to flash money to draw buyers. The boys have followed instructions so well they are down to their last $500 bill. They decide to visit New Dauville so Jap can vent spite on the family that disowned him over a romance with a poor local girl. They take rooms with Mrs. Buck at Tanglewood Lodge, and to keep up pretenses, tip her with the $500. They then learn the speculator backing them has gone bust. Mrs. Buck informs them the $500 bill may be redeemed upon one of them (she isn't fussy) marrying her. Also living at Tanglewood is Nan Winchester, who is the daughter of Jap's old flame. After visiting Tanglewood to meet Jap, Abigail and Mrs. Todhunter solicit their attorney Hoarce Pitkens to draw up involuntary commitment papers for him, so they can gain control of his supposed wealth. Meanwhile Jimmy Todhunter and Nan Winchester are having their own secret romance, while Gladys Todhunter is an unwilling helper in the commitment plot. When Judge Herman signs the papers, Chief Pitkins and Dr. Bushell send their men to grab Jap Stillson, but D.O. draws a pistol from his coat to stop them. He renders the scheme moot by revealing the partners are "stony broke". The sisters are embarrassed and withdraw the petition for commitment, since otherwise they would have to pay for Jap's care. With their discomfiture and moral retreat, Jimmy and Nan are able to get married, as does Mrs. Buck and Jap Stillson.