Judge, 1901-03-02 · page 12 of 12
Judge — March 2, 1901 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Top Cartoon ("Near the Dead-Line"):** Satirizes a vagrant or prisoner's illogical priorities. "Shinkling Doolittle" refuses a meal in exchange for work, preferring ice water instead—mocking laziness or perverse stubbornness. The joke targets those who seem deliberately self-destructive. **Bottom Cartoon ("Following His Official Instructions"):** References prison contraband inspections. A guard meticulously examines a pie sent to inmate "999," ostensibly searching for hidden tools or weapons that might aid escape. The satire critiques either overzealous bureaucratic compliance or the absurdity of security theater—the guard's literal interpretation of inspection orders produces comical results. Both cartoons employ exaggerated character types common to late 19th/early 20th century Judge humor, targeting working-class behavior and institutional incompetence through visual caricature and dialogue.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
NEAR THE DEAD-LINE. Mes, Hanvovr—" If you'll saw that wood I'll give you a good meal.” S YOOLITLE—"'T'd sooner drink a glass of ice-water.” oUT—"* What ! rather drink ice-water than eat a square meal?” SuKINKING DooLiTTLR—" My, no! Rather dan saw dat wood.” 9 SUPERINTENDANTS ORDER, Te AVoip AMY FuaTHce Excapet From Tuis snsritution : Every GuARD Vs HERESY INSTAUCTED To CAREFULLY ExAmin€ Tre CONTENTS OF PACKAGES Sout] To Couviers JUDGE COMPANY + vEW YORK. Sackett 8 wibeimsLtte & Pg CoNew York FOLLOWING HIS OFFICIAL INSTRUCTIONS. iikav xKkEPER—"* What are yer doin’ with that pie that was sent to ‘ nine-ninety-nine’ by his mother?" Gvuagn—" I'm makin’ sure that there ain't no files or saws concealed in it, sir.” comicbooks.com