Judge — September 20, 1902 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This comic strip satirizes a county fair visit, featuring what appears to be an exaggerated rural character ("Reuben Wayback") and his bizarre "horsemobile" contraption. The humor centers on absurd, slapstick scenarios typical of early-20th-century Judge magazine. Key elements include: - **"The irrepressible vegetable type"** — likely references an overgrown produce specimen or agricultural mishap - **Reuben Wayback's "horsemobile"** — a makeshift vehicle combining horses with mechanical elements, parodying early automotive failures - **"Fifty-year-old class" racing** — mocking outdated technology competing against modernity - **Souvenir gag** — crude humor about taking "heads" home The satire targets rural/agricultural culture's clash with industrial progress, a common Judge magazine theme. The exaggerated character design and chaotic fair scenes exemplify the magazine's irreverent cartoon style.