Judge, 1891-09-19 · page 7 of 16
Judge — September 19, 1891 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page collects brief satirical pieces mocking American social conventions and attitudes circa early 1900s. **Top cartoons** mock pretentious urban behavior—particularly women's elaborate hairstyles on public transit ("L" Road = elevated train) and their self-conscious display. **"Life in the West"** satirizes Midwestern hospitality and priorities: a Chicago hostess accepts a guest's husband's absence because he's occupied killing hogs for commercial butchering—implying raw materialism trumps refined culture (Browning poetry). **"Striking Celerity"** mocks rural dialect and farmers' amazement at bicycles. **"Plea for Leniency"** is dark humor: a lawyer argues for leniency for a parricide because the defendant is now orphaned—absurd circular reasoning. **"That's the Difference"** is a pun on "misses" (trains vs. young women). **"Connecticut Valley"** contrasts urban sentimentality about rural poverty with actual rural priorities—a tramp admires flowers while poor farmers wish they were profitable tobacco plants. Throughout: satirical jabs at class pretension, regional differences, and hypocritical sentiment.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A HAIR-OWING OCCURRENCE ON THE “L" ROAD. Beautiful hairp— BY OUR OFFICE PESSIMIST. WE all have a soft spot in our hearts. —But not all his own. Woman makes it her business to discover it. What is the use of saying that “life is becoming impossible” when it is always easier to live badly than” to die well? LIFE IN THE WEST. Guest (in Chicago) —"I really must apologize for my husband's absence. enjoys these musicales so thoroughly,” ‘Hostess —" Shall we not see him later in the evening?” Guest —" I'm afraid not. There's a couple of thousand hogs to kill for early morning deli volume of Browning you have!" STRIKING CELERITY—2. Farmer Becusn—"Gerushy! M'tildy ; thar goes one ‘r them bisickles so pow'f y’ can’t see th’ man,” PLEA FOR LENIENCY. A WICKED western boy killed his father and mother and was duly found guilty. “We ask for leniency in the sentence, your honor,” said the lawyer for the defense. “On what ground?” gruffly asked the judge. “Your honor, the defendant is an orphan.” a THAT’S THE DIFFERENCE. Cubbage —" What's the difference between a dilatory man and the president of a female college?” Rubbage— V'll give it up. Cubbage —“ One misses the trains and the other trains the misses.” ry, and I guess Butch will find his hands full. What a beautiful OF THE GIRLS—" Do roll it down , Bertie. It'll be such fun to see it IN THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY? Mrs, BiraincHAM—'* See that poor, miserable tramp, studying those crocus-plants. With all his wretchedness and degradation he still has.an eye for the beautiful.” : Roapstpe Weexs (regretfully) —“‘Always disapp'inted! How I did hope that them blades wuz terbacker,” /