Judge, 1901-04-20 · page 5 of 16
Judge — April 20, 1901 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical story mocks the nouveau riche courting rituals of early 20th-century America. A young man attempts to impress a woman by listing his material possessions and accomplishments—house, yacht, servants, automobiles, ancestors, and military rank. He escalates his claims, confident each item strengthens his case. The joke pivots on her single question: "How many golf medals?" His inability to answer reveals the satire's target: wealthy men who accumulate possessions but lack the *leisure activities* and social polish of the established upper class. Golf was an exclusive gentlemen's sport—a marker of both wealth AND refined leisure time. His missing golf credentials expose him as an outsider to true high society, regardless of his material wealth. The woman recognizes his social pretension immediately, and he "shudders" at his defeat. The cartoon critiques American materialism and status anxiety among the aspiring wealthy class.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
WHERE HE FELL DOWN. THE young man drew himself up to his full height. “T have,” he cried, “an unsullied character, an ardent heart, a versa- tile mind, and strenuous biceps.” The young girl yawned and seemed interested. He was quick to push his advantage. “Tam the possessor of a town and country house, a yacht, a stable of thoroughbreds, and a box at the opera.” She hesitated, and a slight flush betrayed that she was listening. “T have got,” he continued with a certain fierceness, “ thirty servants, forty pairs of trousers, fifty ancestors, three automobiles, six prize bull- pups, and an army commission.” Ah! she had found her tongue at last. “ And how many golf medals?” she fisped, The young man shuddered. He felt that he had lost. was above his limit. He had played nervily and high, but she comicbooks.com