Judge, 1899-05-13 · page 9 of 18
Judge — May 13, 1899 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three separate comic sketches satirizing social conventions of the era. **"A Morning at Tennis"** mocks the elaborate etiquette and indecisiveness of upper-class young women. Four girls plan tennis, but two refuse to play, citing propriety—they shouldn't let young men wait. After much debate, they finally arrange a game, only to abandon it when luncheon is announced at 12:30, despite claiming they'd had "a splendid time." **"A Diamond Merchant"** shows a young woman who'd rather watch men play than participate, using flattery ("you play an awfully good game") to avoid the court herself. **"A Pressing Affair"** is a pun: Algernon aggressively courts Angelina and wins her hand in marriage; now she literally presses his suits (clothing). The humor plays on "pressing his suit" (courting) versus actual suit-pressing (laundry work). **"Daffodils"** jokes about a woman so perfume-obsessed from flowers that her friend smells them the moment she enters, prompting the house to be fumigated. The overarching theme: satirizing the social pretensions and practicality of the leisure class.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
uae A MORNING AT TENNIS. Time—ten a.m, Characters— four girls and two boys. Mabel— Oh, girls, it's such a glorious morning for tennis! Amy, Edith and Blanche (in chorus)—"Oh, yes, tennis.” “That's just the thing.”” “ Let's all get ready and play.” “We'll have time for four sets before luncheon.” (They disappear to put on their tennis costumes.) Amy (as they reach the tennis- court at ten-thirty)—* How lovely !” you and Amy and Edith and Blanche, of course.” don’t care to play.” =n Amy—" Neither dol. Besides, it would be so much more fun to HA ag see two girls and two boys playing togethe! Dick— But 1 couldn't think of playing and letting a young lady wait.” A DIAMOND MERCHANT Frank—"Neither could 1. You HE KNEW IIIS BUSINESS. » 7 four girls had better begin.” ik Brown —" See that chump carrying an urabrela and mackin« Amy— No, indeed. 1 want to see you play. Dick. I hear that you play an awfully Weis Onna Is Net clchecae Thaka tbs oe a y SMItH—"*Oh, he is not a chump, ‘That's the weather-bureau good game now, and I haven't seen you play for a year, you know. man, who makes up the bulletins.” m0 ie th— Yes, and | am anxious to sce Frank T suggest that Blanche and Mabel, Dick and nk play the first set.” Blanche -—" Oh, girls, 1 don’t like to play first. Let Edith and Amy play with the two boys, and Mabel and I will sit in the shade and watch them,” Mabel — Yes, that will be a very good plan.” (It is finally arranged, after much more discus- sion, and the first ball goes over the net. ‘Then Mabel’s mamma appears and announces that it is twelve-thirty, and that luncheon is ready.) Frank (to Dick, as they leave the court)— “Isn't that just like girls?” Dick (solemnly) —" It is.” Matel, Amy, Edith ana Blanche (in chorus)— “ We've had a splendid time at tennis this morning.” DAFFODILS. Penelope —* Oh, Harriet! you must see the beautiful daffodils that Fred sent me this morning.” HIS ONLY OPENING, Harriet— Yes; | smelled them the moment I Mrs. Jounson—" Don't yo' feel terrible, Mrs. Jackson, ‘cause yo'r son Mose bin arrested fo" steal- came in.” ant chickens?” ; NOE haesontmss Martone Mxs. JACKSON (sobbing) —"" Y-yais. De poor fellah won't be good fo" nuffin’ after dis disgrace ex- Penelope—" OF course you did; they fumigate cept in politics.” the whole room. A PRESSING AFFAIR. Algernon pressed his suit for the hand of Angelina with such vigor And now the hand of Angelina presses the suit for Algernon. that he eventually won it. comicbooks.com