Judge — February 17, 1883 — page 5: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical page depicts a rural man in plaid clothing repeatedly victimized by con artists and swindlers in the city. The series shows a "countryman" encountering various schemes: being approached by suspicious characters offering deals, getting trapped in fraudulent arrangements, and generally being taken advantage of through "bunco" (confidence game fraud). The satire targets the vulnerability of rural visitors to urban con artists. Each panel illustrates different con scenarios—from street hustles to false business opportunities—showing how city sophistication exploits rural naiveté. The protagonist's checkered suit marks him as an outsider, emphasizing the class and culture divide between countryside and city. This reflects late 19th-century American anxiety about rapid urbanization and the dangers facing unsophisticated travelers in increasingly complex cities.