Judge, 1901-03-09 · page 3 of 22
Judge — March 9, 1901 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical story uses the character "Unki Sam" (Uncle Sam, representing the United States) experiencing a severe drought. The narrative centers on various individuals—described as "sorcerers, fakirs, Democrats, men of destiny, boy conjurers"—competing to solve the crisis through different methods, each claiming special powers to bring rain. The satire appears to critique American political figures and self-proclaimed experts offering competing solutions to a national problem (likely referencing either an actual drought or metaphorical crisis). The story ridicules their conflicting claims and incompetence, suggesting that various politicians and so-called wizards all fail to deliver meaningful results, leaving Uncle Sam frustrated and uncertain whom to trust.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Onee, in the days of Unki Sam, there fell a of drouth. - was sore distressed at condition of things, and wondered Te maintained at Bagdad aa cspeneve at an weatber-bureau, the officials of that concern couldn't be held responsible for anything, and were not much belp late everything in sight. One fat fel sent upa y Be balloon (which tly burst) and fired off oe Ltoreaatninied ns into the air, but brought , Finally, as the drouth continued, Unki Sam said to the Democratic 5 “You just pack your camels and git, T'm going to send out to Oblo for Ali Mak-Kin, the rain-maker of Canton. If anybody kin make it rain Ali Mak kin.” Whereupon Unki Sam sent for Ali Mak-Kin and asked him if he knew how to shut off the drouth and turn on rain. Ali Mak-Kin replied that he was willing to undertake the job. provided he could have the run- bs Splice his own wa petit oe over him except inki Sam. all right,’ eeented Unki make you my grand vizier. Now whirl in and do your best.” No sooner was Ali Mak-Kio in- augurated as grand vizier than achange came over the at ere and a gentie Now, the dis- came they began to rail at the grand vizier, saying, *‘Ae has nothing to do with it. He just happened along when it was going to rain anyhow, and now he wants to set himeelf up as an imps: rial li Mak-Kin a wizard? Al Bosh! He don't know a little bit about id Unki Sam overheard these re- |, although he really knew i Mak-Kin, ** How Bot All Mak-Kin said nothing ; only kept on making rain. The shower of prosperity, instead to a steady downpour. Flowers burst into bloom, luxuriant grain-felds gave promise of @ bounteous harvest. found money in its pockets, and capital made two dollars grow where only one had before. ‘At the same time the flood-gates of congress were opened, leting loose a mi torrent: appropriat Before Unki Sam knew what be was about be was floundering ami inundation of army, navy a bills, subsidies, pensi harbor improvements, and what not, clean up to his neck, and still rising. “1 say, Mak!" cried Unki Sam to his grand visler, ‘as a rain-maker you certainly are a success. This is a regular delage. All I’m afraid of is that this congressional appropriation flood may swamp me; and I tell you, Ali Mak-Kin, it must stop.” And Ali Mak-Kin, with a twinkle fn his eye, looked out from a second- story window of the white-house and asked, “Am I a wig?"—Jupor's new version of the “Arabian Nights, a % "UC BY JUDGE COMPANY OF NEW YORK: RPS WAS ONS Sackett Withelons Litho & Pig Ce.New York, THE STORY OF UNKI SAM AND THE RAIN-MAKER. comicbooks.com