Judge, 1906-03-10 · page 12 of 12
Judge — March 10, 1906 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This 1908 comic strip follows "Nervy Nat," a mischievous character who repeatedly disrupts English country life. The narrative depicts his escalating interference: he steals a motorcar, chases foxhounds during a hunt, attempts to steal a cat's "codicil" (legal document), and generally causes chaos while claiming he's merely "following the muts" and local customs. The satire targets a specific type of character—likely a con artist or rogue posing as a gentleman—who uses flippant excuses and theatrical language ("By Jaove!") to justify selfish, criminal behavior. His invocation of "doing as the lobsters do" (conforming to English norms) while committing theft and trespass exposes the hypocrisy of using social conventions as cover for malfeasance. The character represents the "nervy" outsider exploiting genteel society's blind spots.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Nervy Nat—'* Ah, a motor-car champing at its bit! The blooming chauffeur 1s probably inside the pub. absorbing seven or elght gasolene cocktails. Get thee behind me, Satan, and shove. | never waste time resisting temptation." 3. Sick ‘em! Those purps of yours are worse hey're chasing an organ-grinder. Call ‘em off and get a new pack—it's a misdeal. There goes Grandpa Foxy. Hold on! I'll get him for you. Nervy Nat—"' Curses on you, Reynard, thrice cursed of animals! Imprecations on you, tavern-doar, for your narrowness! Maledictions on for your width! “I think one of my nervous head- ‘COPYRIGHT 1908 BY JUDBE COMPANY PUBLISHERS, 228 FOURTH AVE. Mt YORK Nervy Nat—"' Honk, honk! By Jaove! there go the Strawberryjam- shire hounds—and the Johnnies in pink after ‘em. Is It nota glorious sight and-a manly sport? Yes, it is not. Well, when one Is in England one should do as the lobsters do. We will follow the muts.”* 4. Nervy Nar—‘ My word! what a ripping shaving-brush! Here. Pussy, Pussy! wait a minute. All| want is that codicil of yours. You Jolly well know it’s only in your way. You needn't hurry so—we've got the whole ruddy morning before us. Time, you know, was only made for crooks. Horrors! he's headed for that tavern-door!” “j* = a, Tue MASTER OF HOUNDS—‘* What do you mean, sir, by interfering in the hunt this way? What have you done with the fox?" iexvy Nat—'! ask you, like a gentleman, to go quietly about your business and not ‘to“try fo converse with me.” I say this for your own good. I'm not feeling well enough to do myself justice in repartee. On your way!"* NERVY NAT FOLLOWS THE BOW-WOWS IN A BUBBLE.