Judge — May 6, 1899 — page 3: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Hoodoo and the Mascot" - Judge Magazine This page satirizes superstition and folk beliefs prevalent in late 19th/early 20th-century America. The top cartoon shows characters discussing a "hoodoo" (bad luck curse) and a "mascot" (good luck charm)—both rooted in African American folklore that had entered popular culture. The satire mocks how people of all classes relied on these "mysterious powers" rather than practical solutions. The dialogue between "More Mossbunker" and "Pete Pulsing" emphasizes the absurdity: one character believes in curses while another trusts mascots, yet both avoid actual responsibility. The bottom illustration shows a rural planting scene, illustrating how such superstitions persisted in agricultural communities where unpredictable outcomes made magical thinking appealing.