Judge, 1888-12 · page 23 of 51
Judge — December 1888 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains several satirical pieces about Christmas customs and American society. The main cartoons mock Victorian-era sentimentality and social pretense: **"Youthful Skepticism"** ridicules children's rational questioning of Santa Claus mythology—the modern child sees logical inconsistencies (soot on clothes, fitting down chimneys) that undermine the fantasy. **"What Troubles Him"** contains dark humor: a father admits Santa's real burden isn't delivering presents but *paying for them*—satirizing the financial strain of Christmas gift-giving on middle-class fathers. **"He Was a Club Man"** references "The Greedy Tiger and the Spiral Spring," a fable about the Indies, likely satirizing colonial exploitation or gullible wealthy men. **"Father's Boy"** mocks an incompetent household pet unable to climb a Christmas tree. The pieces collectively critique Christmas commercialism, expose children's growing skepticism toward traditional beliefs, and highlight the financial pressures the holiday places on families—themes that remain relevant today.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
CHRISTMAS CAROL- INGS. The fruit grows all ripe on the Christmas tree. Grover will hang up his left stocking this Xmas. It wouldn't be much use for the Boston girl to hang up her stocking. In these days the child who believes in Santa Claus is of very tender age. There is not much differ- ence between enough and a feast at these times. The small boy hasn’t to be got out of bed with a switch on Christmas morning. The tin soldiers don’t hurt themselves very much, but the small boy soon has them crippled. FATHER’S BOY, What could he do, the household pet He climbed upon his father's nee, Goton the mantelpiece ; and yet He could not climb the Christ- mas tree. Mrs. Hoortr's PpA—" Why, child! what are you doing?” Mrs. HoorLe—" Trying to make home attractive for Tom during the holiday season.” THE GREEDY TIGER AND THE SPIRAL SPRING. HE WAS A CLUB MAN. A legend of the Indies, YOUTHFUL SKEPTI- CISM. Young America (who has out-grown old traditions)— “ Now what I want to know is this—if there #s a Santa Claus, and he is as big and fat as you say, how can he come down the chimney, with all those things on his back, without getting stuck somewhere?” Puzzled mamma—"Oh, he packs the toys very carefully, you know.” Young America—""And do you mean to tell me he never gets a bit of soot on his clothes, nor nothing? Huh! go tell that to the baby !" WHAT TROUBLES HIM. “Does Santa Claus have much trouble to get all his presents?” asked little Tommy. “No, my boy,” replied his father sadly. “The only trouble he has is to pay for them.” The fireside dreamer finds plenty to read in the Yule log. comicbooks.com