Judge, 1903-11-21 · page 10 of 16
Judge — November 21, 1903 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a comic strip following "Nervy Nat," an apparent con artist or scoundrel. The humor derives from his schemes constantly backfiring through his own incompetence or bad luck. The plot: Nat finds a quarter and impersonates a wealthy man ("Russell Pierpont Astorbilt") to secure a fancy hotel room, arriving in costume for a masquerade ball. The clerk nearly ejects him as a hobo before the telegram arrives. Once in the room, Nat attempts to steal the hotel's "collection of bric-a-brac" (decorative items) via fire escape, but the rope breaks, sending him plummeting into a policeman's arms below. The satire mocks lower-class opportunists attempting to "pass" as wealthy through deception and costume—a common theme in early 20th-century American comedy. The physical comedy and Nat's repeated failures suggest the futility of such schemes. The Irish-accented cop ("cooler" = jail) provides period-typical ethnic humor.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
2. Nervy Nat—"That quarter | found was a windfall, I'll send this tele- CueRK (of hotel Pazzaza)—" Your old room Is ready for you, sir. That gram to the Patzaza hotel.“ Reserve large room forme to-night. Don't mind Make-up is a peacharina, Mr. Astorbllt, If you hadn't wired you were coming ee e mind In fancy dress we should have thrown you out for a hobo, sure pop!"” Costume; going to masquerade ball, Signed, Russell Plerpont Astorbilt. Nervy Nat—"' Yes; I flatter myself my own typewriter wouldn't know me. You might send me up a bottle of fizz and some supper. Hadn't time to eat this evening before." Nexvy Nat—" Now, with this modest collection of brio-a-brac I will be my way—if this fire-escape busts not in twain.”* 6. 5. Nervy Nar—‘* My word! that glass was brittle."’ Nervy Nat—"'Gee! the confounded rope is too short. There goes my O'Hoouman, rue con" None av yure hot alr, yer hobo! | Of've caught collection of antiques, and here's where your Uncle Nat does a drop-act.’"” \. yez wid th’ goods on yez, so come along wid me to th’ ‘ cooler.’ .” THE ADVENTURES OF NERVY NAT. comicbooks.com