Judge — February 17, 1894 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This 1894 Judge cartoon satirizes a failed romantic overture, likely referencing a contemporary scandal. The caricatured female figure "Lili" (depicted with exaggerated racial features typical of the era's offensive stereotyping) addresses "Grover"—almost certainly President Grover Cleveland, who served 1885-1889 and 1893-1897. The text mocks Cleveland's rejection: "You listened to my Doubtful tale; You tried your best—Yes no avail. It's through no fault of yours or mine That I can't be your VALENTINE!" The witchcraft imagery (pentagram, skull, cauldron) suggests supernatural themes. A footnote indicates the original "Penny Valentine" mail from Hawaii was corrupted in transmission—implying scandal or illegitimacy surrounding Cleveland's personal affairs, which were frequently attacked by satirists.