Judge, 1893-08-12 · page 4 of 16
Judge — August 12, 1893 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical story mocks both society reporting and wealthy socialites' hypocrisy. Ruth, a young newspaper reporter, visits Mrs. Moneybags (a caricature of wealthy Newport residents) to write a society piece. Mrs. Moneybags indignantly refuses publicity, claiming it's improper—yet immediately begins volunteering scandalous details: boasting about men following her on the beach, mentioning bathing photos in her desk. The irony is sharp: she demands privacy while eagerly gossiping about herself. The editor's response—advising Ruth to abandon journalism for kindergarten teaching—reflects period attitudes that serious newspaper work was unsuitable for women. The bottom cartoons appear unrelated: one shows comic cowboy/ranch humor; the other uses offensive racial dialect and imagery typical of era stereotyping, depicting an interaction between a white character and a Black worker.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
JUDGE THE NEW SOCIETY REPORTER. UTH had dreams of a life of literary work While she was at college, and when she was graduated she secured a place as society reporter on a daily newspaper. Her first assignment was to “write up” Mrs. Money- bags, who had’ just settled down for the sum- mer in her villa at Newport. Ruth was admitted to the presence of the great lady and with much embarrassment stated the object of her call. This is what ensued: Mrs. Moneybags (excitedly)—" Don't dare to put my name in the news- papers. It is a shame to send reporters to private houses to pry into private affairs. I wouldn't, for the world, have my name even mentioned in the newspapers.” Ruth (very much embarrassed)—" Pardon me, I did not understand, I thought—if I had known that you would object I would not have—I " — Mrs, Moneybags (somewhat mollified)—" Well, I suppose you reporters have to do what your editors tell you. Promise me that you won't mention my name and I will say no more about it.” Ruth (earnestly) —* Indeed, 1 would not dream of writing about you since I know you do not wish it.” Mrs, Moneybags (looking surprised) — DENOMINATIONAL, “ Please tu gimmie one stamp, sab.” “* What denomination, auntie ?” “ Baptis’, sah! Baptis’.” my bathing-suit and say that all the men follow me about the beach?” Ruth (horrified) —" No, no!" Mrs, Moneybags (glancing keenly at the young-lady reporter) —"And if I leave the room for a minute you will not take one of those photographs of me in bathing costume which are in the third drawer on the left of that desk?” Ruth (indignantly) —" Madam, you forget that I'ma lady. I’ — Mrs, Moneybags (greatly astonished) —" Well, good gracious! I thought you said you were a society reporter. What do you want, anyhow?” Mrs, Moneybags sweeps out of the room and Ruth goes away disheartened to tell her experience to the editor. He gazes at her long and earnestly and then, in a fatherly way, advises her to give up the newspaper business and start a kindergarten establishment. 'verybody thro p—"* Jee whillikens! ‘This must be Chicago. I didn’t think we'd . . HE WARNED HIM. Uncie Eruas —" Yer better look out now, mule; yer'll git hurt eq er minit ef yer fool ‘roun' dis nigger." Uxcur Epuram —"‘ Dida’ I tell yer yer'd git burt? Didn’ I tell yer?” comicbooks.com