Judge, 1902-03-29 · page 6 of 16
Judge — March 29, 1902 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three separate satirical pieces typical of early-20th-century American humor: **"Advance in Chestnuts"** nostalgically mocks outdated minstrel show humor—specifically blackface entertainment that was fading by this era. The "chestnuts" (old, worn jokes) reference the racist minstrel tradition, with characters named "Tambo" and "Bones" (classic minstrel roles). The satire suggests this crude entertainment is becoming obsolete. **"Not So Plain"** is a brief domestic joke about an Irish servant girl claiming not to be "plain" (ordinary) despite her employer's assessment—playing on accent and class assumptions. **"His Object"** satirizes nouveau-riche excess: Van Antler boasts of his country estate with private theater, race-track, and billiards—only to reveal his real motivation was marital peace and quiet. The joke mocks wealthy men's pretentious justifications for extravagant spending. **"Submarine Conveniences"** appears to reference modern elevator technology with humorous operating instructions. The page reflects Belle Époque-era concerns: changing entertainment tastes, servant hierarchies, and conspicuous consumption among the wealthy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ADVANCE IN CHESTNUTS. WIIERE are the old min- strels gone— The good old nigger show ‘That used to march along the streets Some twenty years ago? T used to run away from school — We all did, don’t you know And got mixed up behind the band Some twenty years ago. And many errands have I run For five cents, all aglow, Until T had enough to pa My way into the show. “What makes an old hen cross the road 2” Bones asked of old Tambo. T've never laughed so since I heard ‘That at the nigger show. And when an old man shambled on, wool as white as snow, ever cried so since he suny rd The song of “Old Black Joc.” NOT SO PLAIN Mrs. Hunter— Well, Norah, are you a good plain cook?” Appticant—"" Oi'm as good as anny wan, mum: but OF'll hov yez know there are some as don't con- ‘You hear them—not the show. “SUBMARINE CONVENIENCES. sidher me so turrible plain, mum.” PRANK Mr, Fis—"" And this is the elevator, is it? Very inter- 5 esting! And how do you operate it?” HIS OBJECT. “Tue evevator-risn—"" You Just seat yourself on the cush- 64] WANT you to come out and sce my place in the country.” As Van Antler said oe eT Le ee these words he slapped his friend Castleton on the back. “I think,” he contin- ued, “that I've got one of the finest places you ever saw.” Chestnuts now! Perhaps. Ahywell, No matter. Chestnuts go. It all depends upon the place and bowling, ping pong, bridge, and what not. Talk out distance from the city! Why, | have a private Wire right in my room, connecting me with my brokers, * Don't you find it—well, a little bit inconvenient to live so far away from the centre of things 2 said Castleton. Van Antler gazed at him with ill-concealed scorn.“ Nonsense !” he exclaimed contemptuously. * Why, my dear fellow, my automobile, which has a speed of fifty five miles an hour, can take me out there in thirty-five minutes.” “What do you do when you get there to say nothing of four telephones ; and | expect to have a wireless-telegraph station put in soon,” hat’s pretty good,” said Castleton,“ By the ‘ way, what did you move out in the country for, any- “Do? Everything. [have a private theatre to begin with, which is considerable fun. ‘Then the house has accommodations for about fifty guests, and as it's full most of the time we manage to enjoy ourselves. Then there's a private race-track, billiards way Van Antler drew closer, as if he realized the im- portance of his disclosure. Well," he said in a burst of confidence, “I'll tell you, ‘The fact is that my wife and [wanted the peace and quict of a life in the coun- try Th Ny ! ALL ONE TO HIM. Davonrer—" What shall | sing for you, papa?" Fatuer—“' Anything, my girl, Since you had your voice cultivated | can never make out a single word,"” comicbooks.com