Judge, 1893-04-15 · page 4 of 16
Judge — April 15, 1893 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three satirical pieces targeting 1890s social issues: **"Sudden Conversion"** mocks Irish immigrants through heavy dialect humor. An angry Irishman (Costigan) threatens violence after being ejected, then instantly becomes obsequious upon learning the person is a physician—satirizing perceived Irish deference to authority figures and social climbing. **"Knocked Out for Once"** jokes about an international deaf-mute dinner where a guest (Crauncy) was forced to eat continuously since he couldn't communicate to stop—playing on physical comedy and disability as humor. **"Did You Ever!"** critiques dress-reform advocates (women wearing shorter, practical skirts). While reform-minded women stay clean and dry, their conservative sisters mock them as immodest, then suffer muddy discomfort themselves—highlighting the hypocrisy of criticizing practical solutions while rejecting change. **"Mathematical"** uses an immigrant character (likely German/Eastern European, suggested by dialect) and Irish immigrant dialogue for light wordplay about beer consumption. The page reflects late-Victorian attitudes: mocking immigrant accents, disability, women's reform movements, and working-class stereotypes.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SUDDEN CONVERSION. Costican (who has been kicked out) —''T wanty see th’ black-hearted son av a Kerry sod-t'umper that hod th’ imperance an’ th’ concait t' lift his fut t' th’ loikes o' Dinny Costigan. Sure, OF'll break him in two— ‘THe pitystcia This dyspepsia is something unusual, sir. Our Crauncey—"'Yes, it is. I attended the dinner of the international deaf-mute association last night and was simply called on to eat.” DID YOU EVER! A* ADVOCATE of dress-reform, The advocate of dress-reform In dress-reform array, Without the least disinay Walked out for reasons known to her— Goes safely o'er the muddy street, It was a rainy day, ‘And lightly on her way. Her gown was neat and short and sweet, Her sisters gasp and clutch and clasp And frankly showed her tidy feet ; Their garments with a frantic grasp, And sister women looked askance, And lift their skirts, quite unaware Exclaiming with each sidewise glance, Of heights no dress-reform would dare. “ Did you ever !" Did you ever! The advocate of dress-reform Goes home quite fresh and dry And, full of satisfaction, puts Her natty storm-suit by. Her sisters fret at mud and wet, And scowl and shake and brush, and yet Console themselves in spite of dirt— “At least we wear a modest skirt !” Did you ever! MRS, GEORGE ARCHIBALD, —an’ t'row th’ paces av him 1’ th’ foor winds; so Oi will ! Jist lave me han's on him wanst, an‘ Oi'lI— a MATHEMATICAL. — Fait’! it’s you, is it, Carroll? Well, well, me bye, it’s th’ > SCHNAPSER (school-commissioner)—" Uf T buy meinselluf dree kegs of beer effery day foine rale ould Oirish boost yez gev me, an” Oi'm' hopin’ it didn't vat vill T haf at der endt of one year?” bur-rt yure fut.” ScHoLar—"* De kegs.” comicbooks.com