Judge, 1888 · page 40 of 87
Judge — 1888 — page 40: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This Judge magazine page contains three separate satirical pieces: **"Settling a Political Argument in Shantytown"** (top left): Five small cartoons labeled with emotional states (Agitation, Irritation, Application, Aggravation, Gratification) depict working-class men with facial hair ("Whiskers vs. Goatee") arguing—likely political debate satire mocking lower-class political engagement, a common Judge trope. **"A Question of Erroneous Estimate"** (top right): A wealthy man condescends to an overweight friend, offering a buggy ride while implying the friend is too large for it—satirizing false courtesy masking insult. **"The Little Starter"** (main text): A comedic story about a poor young man (Samson) seeking his wealthy Uncle Shadrack's approval to marry Blossom. The uncle initially insults both the woman and the engagement but eventually relents, suggesting financial inheritance may follow—satirizing mercenary marriage practices and social climbing among struggling classes. The page exemplifies *Judge's* focus on class satire and domestic/romantic humor.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
34 CHESTNUTS FROM JUDGE. SETTLING A POLITICAL ARGUMENT in| SHANTYTOWN. (WHISKERS vs. GOATEE.) Irritation, Gratification. A QUESTION OF ERRONEOUS ESTIMATE. Party 1n Busey (to stout friend on sidewalk who is not supposed to underrate his own importance)—“Come in and let us take a spin in the park.” Srout Frrenp—‘‘No, I thank you; a light buggy is hardly a suitable vehicle for one of my dimensions.” P. I. B—*Nonsense! are.” Climb in! Perhaps you aren’t-as big a man as you think you THE LITTLE STARTER. BY M, M. CASS, JR. The matrimonial outlook was depress- ing. My merits were umtecognized, and | Blossom was in debt for the sign—* Dr. B. | Schwartz "—which creaked and chirped in front of her mother’s boarding-house. Still she was sanguine and waited for the cholera, while I was schooling myself to hear with fortitude news of my Uncle Shad- rack’s demise. f “What rugged health you enjoy, Uncle,” said I, thoughtfully, one evening when he called. “Excellent; perfect, Samson,” he. re- plied, somewhat confidently, I fancied: | Just then the voice of my affianced floated | 'P with some far-reaching kitchen odors— “ Llove my love and he loves me."”- “Yes,” said Uncle, with a sniff, “ cranks go in pairs.” Now, Blossom’s voice was. somewhat | wire-like, still the remark hurt me, following his flippancy about his health, so I replied | with dignity: “Uncle Shadrack, that is Blossom, my. future wife.” | “What,” said he, “that blowsy, hard- | breathing woman? Blossom, indeed— Blizzard, I should say. Your father was a green enough Saunders, but Blossom ; nine dollars a month—faugh !” I was grieved, but still he was my father’s brother, so I sought to turn the conversa- tion. “Speaking of that. Uncle, makes me think of your lot on Tenth street. I see you sold it.” “Who spoke of lots?” said he, with a cold look in his little eyes. ‘ You were ! speaking of ”— “Green things,” said I, kindly. ENGLISH, YOU \ q KNOW. “Yes, Bobby, the gentleman knows it is raining, but that is his walking umbrella, and he wouldn’t use that, ‘yer know, dear boy.” “Umph! You fetched that from a dis- tance,” said he; “but Samson,” he added, in a gentle voice, ‘‘ you are my nephew, and when you and Bliz—Blossom fix the day, you can—can come and tell me.” ity heart warmed to him. I felt I wus his nephew and bade him good-night with | heartfelt fervor; then Blossom and I fixed | the day before he should change his mind or she should outgrow her red silk dress, | and I started for Uncle's, Blossom and her | mother promising to sit up until my return. Do You Desire a Clear Complexion ? ~ "Yaya Areas. copntaen.sr ee tras toy ze INLY DEPOT, 146 West 16th Street, New York. comicbooks.com