Judge — February 11, 1882 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon mocks establishments advertising for "beautiful lady cashiers" at venues like the "Palace of Joy." The three panels trace a narrative: First, a gilded nightclub scene with well-dressed patrons; Second, a dance-house where men pursue women; Third, a ship named "Black Maria" (period slang for a police wagon), showing arrest. The satire targets the exploitation of women in entertainment venues that operated as fronts for vice. The ironic title "Palace of Joy" and the progression from glamorous recruitment to criminal consequences suggest these establishments were actually brothels or illegal operations. The cartoon criticizes both the deceptive hiring practices ("wanted beautiful lady cashiers") and the inevitable legal outcomes, implying moral judgment on both the businesses and their patrons.