Judge, 1905-02-18 · page 3 of 16
Judge — February 18, 1905 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This comic strip features "Nervy Nat," a character who appears to be a small con artist or hustler. The narrative involves Nat convincing two detectives (O'Hara and Norseman) that he's located Sherlocks working undercover in their precinct, stealing from them. The satire targets police incompetence and gullibility. Nat exploits the detectives' pride and professional insecurity by suggesting rival "Sherlocks" are operating in their jurisdiction. Through an elaborate scheme, he extracts money and items from them under false pretenses—tricking them into believing they need to catch this fictitious competition. The humor derives from authority figures being outsmarted by a small-time grifter, reflecting broader skepticism about urban police effectiveness and intelligence.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Nervy Nat Detective O'Hara | m followed. a lly down-east conscience of mine. Detective Nosesaus: } —" That's my hat silly little conscience. But | Nervy Nat ust leave town 5 Ina day or so, when that le of Sherlocks hovering in the offing who are policeman SS k, I'll be wanted, and impertinent interest in my movernents. | have that » hea cha -your-head feeling 's pocket-book. “saw him first! He's my prisoner!" n gu very opporiunely... ‘Those fel . j | could hot-foot to cover ‘Spray, not so enthusia nO bs oc y. bleedhounds amuse one.” You are b Negve Nat—" It is to grin, g and howl! Say, I don't have to go out of town, What's the use? I guess I'll go down and hold up the mayor this afternoon.” ve O'HarA ve Nostaaun {700 true! Foiled!" NO. 62,—NERVY NAT OUTWITS THE DETECTIVES. comicbooks.com