Judge, 1894-06-23 · page 10 of 16
Judge — June 23, 1894 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains humorous satire about rapid divorce and remarriage in South Dakota, which had notoriously lenient divorce laws at this time. **"Courtship in South Dakota"** depicts the absurdity: Paul proposes to Adelaide after one week, and she accepts—but both are currently going through divorces. The joke is that they casually discuss waiting "a few weeks" for their respective divorce decrees to finalize before marrying each other. The calendar reference and "evidence in rebuttal" mock how divorce proceedings were treated as mere bureaucratic formalities rather than serious matters. The three boat illustrations showing Adelaide appearing to grow larger are a visual gag about how quickly the relationship progresses—she literally seems to expand as time passes. **"Willing to Part With It"** is unrelated commentary on a man trying to sell his dog, likely satirizing casual disposability of relationships and possessions. **"Heard Through the Speaking-Tube"** jokes about Irish servants gossiping about a woman marrying her sister's ex-boyfriend, playing on ethnic stereotypes common to the era. The satire targets South Dakota's reputation as a divorce destination where people could dissolve marriages with minimal consequence.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HOW SHE SEEMED TO GROW. Five minutes afterward. COURTSHIP IN SOUTH DAKOTA. SCYES, Adelaide,” said Paul Sniffen with an earnestness that left no doubt of his sincerity, 1 have loved you since we met here last week, You are my first, my only love, Oh, tell me that you care for me, even a little bit!" “Ido care for you,” murmured the gitl softly. “I never knew what—what it was to feel —to love till I saw you. Oh, Paul, is not the first taste of love sweet ?” And the beautiful girl sank into her lover's outstretched arms. “When shall it be ?” asked Paul, five minutes later. “You know I cannot fix the date exactly,” replied Adelaide, blushing prettily, “I am sure to get my decree all right, but my husband is putting in some evidence in rebuttal and that may delay » Mr dren * gums, theea, Pat just a —Dai Abo house the ro As appeti superi since The F The! Railros meritor ised ir ing esp The ive seh about f the illu able an summe A no copy, ¥ agents, vania I extra w it a few weeks. Moreover, the calendar is pretty full just now and things don't go as speedily as when I got my decree last year. Anyhow I think I will be free by the end of next month. And Twenty minuter afterward. how is it with you, Paul?” WILLING TO PART WITH IT. “Say, boss, do yer want ter buy a dog?” Jounnte—" Now, pop, jes’ watch me throw an —— “Oh, I'll be all right next week, dead sure,” said the young man, “ My wife has decided to let it go by default, 1 got a straight tip to- day that I would have my ‘de’ before next Thursday. I am only bothering about your case.” “Do not bother any more,” said Adelaide. “‘It is only a matter of a few weeks, Patience, my dear. Think cf the happiness before us!” Let us pray that we may be worthy of that happiness. And, Paul, 1 promise that I will not keep you waiting after I get my ‘de.’ We can be married the same day and start east in the evening.” “ My own love!’ was Paul's only answer. w. 1. ttoxDow. HEARD THROUGH THE SPEAKING- TUBE. Cook —" So yer goin’ to be marrhed, Mary McGinty! An’ to a man thot was t'ree years kapin’ company wid yer sister! Will, Oi doan’t begridge ye.” Chambermaid —" Shmall difference ef ye do, Miss Fagin ; an’ it's the foine, illigant fellow Oi’ve got, an’ he says he'd sooner me than me sister any day.” Cook—"An’ did ye stan’ still an’ let him pass dispradgin’ remarruks about yer family? Faix, Oi'd hov broke the mug av him!” HE WATCHED, P: TA in pr of Da for SI comicbooks.com