Judge, 1899-10-28 · page 10 of 16
Judge — October 28, 1899 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes **marital dynamics and women's supposed lack of interest in serious matters**—a common early 20th-century stereotype. **Main cartoon**: Mr. Winebiddle attempts to discuss the **annexation of the Sandwich Islands** (Hawaii), a genuine political issue of the era. His wife Mrs. Winebiddle repeatedly interrupts with domestic tasks—ordering flour, chickens, ice cream, arranging for Aunt Rachel's visit—then complains he never discusses important affairs with her. The joke: she simultaneously dismisses politics while demanding he explain it. **The satire's point**: Women are portrayed as self-contradictory—claiming intellectual engagement while prioritizing household management, gossip (Mrs. Gazzam's baby), and financial interests (Aunt Rachel's inheritance). **Supporting vignettes** mock similar dynamics: a woman praising a gambler for his "winning ways," and another mixing animal preferences ("bullfinch and a cowfinch"). The humor relies on period assumptions about women's limited intellectual capacity and domestic preoccupations.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
However, as I was telling Mr. Till- inghast, my views on the sub- “Excuse me, Fred,” broke in his wife again. “ Before I forget it I want to say that I received a letter from Aunt Rachel this morning. She is coming to-morrow for a fort- night's stay. I do hope she will take a fancy to Amy, for she has no end of money to leave, and Amy might as well have it as any other of her nephews or nieces, But do go on with your views about the Sandwich islands, my dear. I'm just dying to get well informed on the sub- ject.” “Well, as I was telling Mr. Tilling- 3, hast, there are several important factors to be taken into consideration in this mat- ter, and the first factor is" Mrs, Winebiddle broke in again, “You must excuse me, dear, but I = want you to order a barrel of flour the \ first thing in the morning, and telephone to the poulterer for a couple of chickens— | nice broiling chickens, remember, We ought to have them for " dinner to-morrow night, when Aunt Rachel will be here for din- ner, you know. Have the confectioner send two quarts of ice- cream, one quart strawberry and one quart caramel.” ‘e Ray IN EXTENUATION SaLty Gay —" But, dear, he is a gambler.” Dotty Swirr—"' Yes, I know, but he has such winning ways.” HER INTEREST IN AFFAIRS, me sy HAVE been discussing the annexation of the Sandwich islands i with Mr. Tillinghast this afternoon,” remarked Mr. Winebiddle as he sat down to dinner and began on the soup. Mrs, Winebiddle sat at the opposite end of the table, and replied, as she balanced a loaded soup-spoon just above her plate, “T wonder why you never discuss such things here, Fred, in your own family, instead of saving all your views for outsiders.” ] “Well, my dear, I am sure I shall be glad to discuss such matters | with you,” said Mr. Winebiddle in a conciliatory tone. “As I was tell- ing Mr. Tillinghast, my views about annexation ”. “ Before you begin, dear,” interrupted Mrs. Winebiddle, “I just want to tell you that Mrs. Gazzam has the cutest little girl baby, born yesterday. Old Mr. Dimling is as proud as aking. But do go on about the annexation of Cuba. I am just dying to know something about it, for I know that Mrs. Gullett will know it all when I see her to-morrow.” “It isn’t the annexation of Cuba, dear, but the Sandwich islands, HER PREFERENCE, Proprietor (0f bird-store)—"* Now don’t you vant cone of dese bullfinches, mem ?” Miss Prupence Tass —‘'I think I will take a Pair, a bullfinch and a cowfinch.” “All right, my love, just wait a minute until I write all those directions down. I'm afraid I might forget some of them.” “ While you are telephoning for the ice-cream,” she added, “tell the confectioner to send two dozen assorted cakes.” " T've got the assorted cakes down.” “ Well, I think that’s all, unless you can stop at the florist’s and get a nice lot of flowers for the cen- tre of the dinner-table.” “Is that all?” asked Mr. Winebiddle. “ Yes, that's all, dear.” Mr. Winebiddle rose from the table, having fin- ished his dinner, and then his wife said, “ I really think it is too bad that you can never find time to discuss matters of public interest with me. I thought you promised to tell me all about the annexation of the Sandwich islands when we ‘Tie WEN —"* T've unearthed a secret about the goose that laid the golden eggs.” sat down to dinner, and now dinner is over and Tue TUR * L'Il promise not to tell.” you haven't told me anything at all.” THE EN —'* She took the Keeley cure.” WILLIAM MaaRY SIVITER. comicbooks.com