Judge, 1899-09-09 · page 6 of 16
Judge — September 9, 1899 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct satirical pieces: **"A Half-Told Tale"** (main story with four illustrations) satirizes the social dynamics of women's luncheon conversation. The joke centers on how one shy young woman repeatedly attempts to share an anecdote about bats entering her room, but is constantly interrupted by six other women who either redirect conversation to their own experiences or tangential topics. Each interruption prevents her from finishing, until Miss Green—described as having "powerful lungs and an impressive presence"—commandeers the conversation entirely, leaving the girl defeated. The satire targets Victorian-era women's social gatherings, where dominating personalities and conversational narcissism prevent genuine dialogue. **"No Need to Fear"** (top center) is a brief animal joke: a lion worries about an approaching hunter, but a mosquito reassures him they'll "protect" him—the implication being mosquitoes are more dangerous than hunters. **"Puzzled"** (sidebar): A brief philosophical non-sequitur without clear satirical target. The page reflects turn-of-century American social humor focusing on domestic and gender-based comedy.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A HALF-TOLD TALE. LUNCHEON table around which are ~ gathered six women of various ages and diverse appearance. Each is con- versing animatedly upon the subject in which she is most interested at the moment, and to the casual observer would appear to be talking to herself. Sud- } denly the mild little voice of the girl at the end of } the table is lifted. Girl —" Oh, 1 must ; tell you of my ex"— 4 Hostess — Talking of “—— Miss Brown —" Of OE Wt MV Ni 8. —Great Scott! what have I struck?” eM ANTE ~KANOCAZMIA NO NEED TO FEAR. Tue L10N—"' Oh, goodness! there comes a hunter. * THe mosquiro—* Don't be afraid, Leo; me an’ de gang ‘Il pertect yer.” experiences? Yes; that ree Mrs. Brown —“ Nettie, don’t tell that "—— Miss Green —" Isn't it funny, when one wants to tell "—— Miss: White —“ Oh, if you want to hear a funny ex- perience, Girl—"1 must tell you of my experience ™ Hostess—" What was your experience?” Girl—"1 was going to tell you how two bats ” Chorus — Bats! Ugh! the horrid things!” Miss Brown —" How odd! 1 Was going to tell about a bat ”—— Miss White—" What a coincidence! Can any one tell me why "— Hostess—" But about the bats?” Girl and Miss Brown— Oh Mrs, Brown—" \t was when Nettie was in the coun- try" —— Girl (raising her voice desperately) —" Two bats flew into my room "—— Chorus—" How perfect- ly dreadful! How horrid! What did you do?” Miss White—* Think if they'd got into your hair!” Hostess—" Ob, that’s an exploded idea—they don’t get into one’s hair.” Mrs. Brown —" Yes. they do. One got into my sister's hair and “—— Girl (plaintively)— “ This experience of mine was so funny! I must tell it. They flew into my room and "—— Miss White—“ How did your sister get the bat out of her hair, Mrs. Brown?” Mrs. Brown —" She didn’t. Some one "—— 4. i l Miss Green—* Talk- ing of hair, isn’t Miss Lo- vell’s beautiful? She has it shampooed every week at Madam Ban's,” etc. With a sigh the girl relinquishes her struggle and with wondering awe observes Miss Green, who, having powerful lungs and an impressive presence, holds the floor—or, more properly, the table — for two consecutive minutes. PUZZLED. *sDAPA.” a Yes?" “ Does the fall of night have anything to do with the break of day ?” Say, Bill, I never wuz in favor uv dat Sunday liquor-law.” A SUNDAY-MORNING EPISODE IN NEW YORK CITY, comicbooks.com