Judge, 1900-07-14 · page 7 of 20
Judge — July 14, 1900 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains multiple satirical pieces typical of Judge magazine's humor: **Top:** "Shakespeare in Possumville" mocks amateur theatrical productions by a Black dramatic club performing "Antony and Cleopatra." The notice announces actors have saved money for new costumes and scenery—satirizing their earnest but humble efforts. **"What?" (center-left):** A woman at a baseball game repeatedly asks her companion to explain basic rules (foul balls, fanning, flies, scoring). The joke targets women's supposed ignorance of sports, a common era stereotype, with her endless questions presented as absurdly pedantic. **"No Affinity" (right):** Officers discuss whether enemy bicycle troops will fight each other. The punchline—that different wheel brands prevent solidarity—is mild satire on both military concerns and cyclists' tribal loyalties. **"Premature Spin" (bottom):** A wife enjoys mountain freedom from her husband; his interruption suggests marital discord. The humor relies on domestic tension and female independence themes. These pieces reflect early 1900s American magazine humor: ethnic caricature, gender stereotypes, and genteel social observation rather than sharp political commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
NOTICE INED How To. foe ene eect) [2 DE AcTorS HAS AKIN MO! PIN ep De GARDENS! JAN DOIN CHORES AN. DEY SAVED DERE Wy MONEY AN BOUGHT SOME NEW Costunt AN BLEW DEY-SELF R Some NEW, SCENERY we HOPES DE AUDIENCE WILLGH |APPRECIAT! ci HANGE x ae “ WHAT?” (At the ball-gnme.) AT THE vmpire's call, Foul ball! foul ball!” She queried, ‘And what's a foul ?” And ‘ Why do they yell so, Will? Please tell,” When the crowd began to howl. “+ He's out," Will said, "Who's out?” she plead. “The batter—he fanned, you see.” “* He fanned! Which man? And where is the fan? What kind of a fan ?" cried she. “+ Now what is the score?” she asked once more (For the fiftieth time, alack !). “* Oh, isn’t it fun! Just see him run — But why do they send him back ? A foul? I know. But he knocked it so! And doesn’t it count a bit? ‘That's a perfect shame ! What a stupid game! How far does he have to hit? And what are flies? And how many tries Does he have at striking out? He died on third—what a horrid word ! Oh, what are they yelling about? The game is done? Who won? Who won? We shut them out? What then? Now what is the score? I just adore Base-ball! Let's go again.” ‘eDwin L. SADIN. SHAKESPEARE IN POSSUMVILLE. “Antony and Cleopatra,” by the Possumville dramatic club. Death of Mark Antony. racious! I wonder how people can ride these safeties, anyway.” NO AFFINITY. 46] T IS reported,” said the officer in the great war of the future, “that the enemy is preparing to put a regiment of bicyclists in the field to oppose our own wheelmen. Do you think they can be in- duced to fight each other, or will the spirit of freemasonry that exists between all oon wheelmen preclude the possibility of any { hostilities? Are you sure they will fight ?” | “Sure they'll fight each other?” replied another officer, ‘Well, I. should smile. ] The enemy won't have the same make of i wheel as our fellows.” | THE RETORT AGGRESSIVE. McBragg—" Say, McCool, do you know where you would land av yez iver raised a : hand to me?” “Yis, troth; roight on your A PREMATURE SPIN. Mrs. Stronccus—"* Oh, Freddie, isn't it nice here in the mountains, with that big breve of a husband of mine left at home? Let's get up early to-morrow joy Mt STRONGCUS (inlerrupting)—"* Whats the matter with taking your spin and take a nt e log spin.” : comicbooks.com