Judge, 1894-03-31 · page 10 of 18
Judge — March 31, 1894 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct satirical pieces: **"All the Same"** mocks urban transit congestion, showing crowded streetcars where conductors and passengers struggle in chaos—social commentary on modern city life's indignities. **"A Modern Composer"** satirizes pretentious contemporary songwriters. O'Galloran boasts he can compose songs rapidly on any subject, presenting himself as a genius. Saint Peter, unimpressed by this arrogant mediocrity, relegates him to Limbo tuning harps—a jab at modern composers' superficiality versus timeless artistic merit. **"Guessing-Contest in Tompkinsville"** uses dialect humor (reflecting period racial stereotypes) to depict a gambling game where participants guess food items. Jackson withdraws his money when he realizes all desirable foods are already guessed, and the final panel shows a loser lamenting lost wealth—mocking working-class gambling habits and unrealistic romantic aspirations. All three target social pretension, urban chaos, and questionable judgment.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ALL THE SAME, Tur conpuctor—" ‘Turn round dare, so's somebody Durcustay —"All righd, mine frent,” kin git by, can’t ye!” A MODERN COMPOSER. ALLORAN presented himself before Saint Peter with well-trimmed hair and a decided idea visible on his countenance, “1 got the notion as Icame along,” said he, employing an off-hand manner, “I got the notion that you were th need of a modern song-writer.” “It is true,” replied the saint, “that the songsters of the heavenly choir have manifested a wish for other songs. The old songs are very good, but it matters not unto what words or tune the praises shall be sung. “What can you do?” “ Give me an idea on any subject and I will guar- 2 antee to write a song of three verses and a refrain inside of one hour,” glibly replied the man. Zig The good saint looked confused, “It is not fit.” © he said, “that such rare gifts should be employed for my poor Songsters, who are modest souls. Among the immortals is not one like you.” SOME'GRATIEIGATION: |... Saint Peter gently dropped him into a device for co OF taka pot aa degtuded' asta Placing souls according to their aptitude, and O'Gallo- " ran found himself tuning his harp in Limbo. GUESSING-CONTEST IN TOMPKINSVILLE. Mr. Tompkins (the referce)—* Now, den, yo" three gemmun: yo’ all puts fifteen cents apiece in dis yah pool on de tebble, an’ de whole forty-fi’ cents is to go to de one dat gibs de biggist guess on sumpin’ good v’ eat. I'se de umpiah. Now, den, Mistah Johnson, yo" begins.” Mr. Johuson (slowly)—" Lemme see! I guesses ‘possum an’ taturs an’ watahmillion,” (Mr. Jackson snatches his fifteen cents from the table ) The referee —" Heab, dab, yo’ Mistah Jackson! Whad yo’ doin dah? Takin’ yo" nickels out! Dis ain’ no grab-bag. Dis ama pool.” Mr, Jackson (indignantly pocketing his money)—"'S'pose I'se gwine ter try t’ guess on sumpin’ good t' eat ah done guessed ebryt'ing dey is?" Seta EEE ~ pow Tie PLUNGER —" Oh, hivins! Tron Hoof wins, an’ I hev lost ivery bit av me tin cints, Fare well, Anastasia Kooney, fer iver—an’ I thought ter win yer wid me wealth !" comicbooks.com