Judge, 1893-12-09 · page 23 of 52
Judge — December 9, 1893 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical page illustrates eight common anxious situations men face, presented as humorous "degrees" of anticipation. Each vignette depicts a moment of nerve-wracking uncertainty: 1. **Seeking a first kiss** from a desired woman 2. **Awaiting punishment** from a teacher after misbehavior 3. **Banking anxiety** during a financial crisis ("run on the bank") 4. **Stage fright** wondering what will hit a performer 5. **Bicycle accident** uncertainty about the aftermath 6. **Proposing marriage** to a wealthy man ("old Bullion") 7. **Returning home drunk** at 3 a.m., gauging wife's reaction 8. **Escaping a mad bull** while calculating safe passage The humor targets Victorian-era male anxieties—romantic rejection, authority figures, financial instability, public humiliation, and domestic discord. The cartoons mock masculine vulnerability through exaggerated scenarios, suggesting these "expectations" are universal male experiences worthy of comedic sympathy rather than judgment.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Twe veceee muissrut—The interval which intervenes between your requesting the Grst kiss from the girl of your beart and the sly ‘Tue ogGRRE RvErUL—Awaiting the advent minx’s bashfulness in granting it. of your teacher, who, owing to some little act of misconduct on your part during class hours, has ordered you to withdraw to his study. Tu Decuex poustrut—Wondering whether the resources of the bank (on which there isa strong run) will be exhausted before you can reach the counter jo demand your fifty-five dol- lars and forty-two cents. ‘Tne Decree conize>—Wondering—while bang, Haslet salmon apathetic sed 40 tive audience—whether it will be an Ge. an colon, a carrot, or a half-brick that will Srst strike you; and whether it will be in the right eye or the'left. Tus pecan sisenasie— After your machine has run away with you down a steep incline—wondering whether you will have a bath or XGald Tallon the other side of the stream, THE EIGHT DEGREES OF Tue vacnee sixxo—Asking old Bullion for his daughter's hand and, during the moment's lence which follows: wondering whether it will You, my children,” or—speedy exit by Bid of his thicksoled, square-toed boot Tnx pecxex acure—Endeavoring mate the exact amount of affection with which your wife will greet your somewhat unsteady arrival home at about 3 a. m. Tux vacene matnematical—Trying to re out whether you will reach the fence safely when you have arou: ‘ball, the ire of a mad bull, EXPECTATION. comicbooks.com