About this book
Cheerful Smugglers by Ellis Parker Butler delivers a sly, affectionate comic satire that turns the language of national tariff politics into a household game of deception and thrift. Set in the early 20th century, Butler’s humor follows the Fenelby household as they impose a “domestic tariff” to save for their baby’s education—only to discover that visitors, servants, and even the hosts are masters of creative smuggling.
Through a parade of memorable scenes—from the box of bon-bons to Kitty’s trunks and the officious Bobberts—Butler skewers social hypocrisies, frugal obsessions, and the performative morality of respectable society. Richly comic and gently observant, the novel captures Progressive Era anxieties about consumption, class, and reform while remaining lighthearted and accessible. Illustrative episodes explore what counts as necessity versus luxury, who gets taxed, and how far people will go to avoid paying up.
Perfect for fans of classic humor and social satire, Cheerful Smugglers is an entertaining work of literature that reads like a stage comedy. Listen for its wit, period charm, and the kind of dry, human insight that made Ellis Parker Butler a bestselling humorist of his time.
