Judge — March 27, 1897 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This appears to be a satirical cartoon from *Judge* magazine depicting a nursery-rhyme scene. The visible text references "Old Mother Hubbard" and mentions going to a cupboard for a dog. The central image shows a cupboard labeled "U.S. TREASURY" with a sign reading "$1,600,000,000 TREASURY DEFICIT" — indicating an empty or nearly bare treasury. An Old Mother Hubbard figure discovers this emptiness while seeking provisions. The satire criticizes a massive federal budget deficit, likely from the early 20th century (based on the copyright notice visible). The cartoon uses the familiar nursery rhyme to mock government fiscal mismanagement, suggesting the treasury is as bare as Mother Hubbard's cupboard. The anthropomorphized dog character watches helplessly as the nation's finances are depleted.