Judge, 1906-09-29 · page 16 of 16
Judge — September 29, 1906 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This comic strip satirizes an American con man ("Nervy Nat") who exploits a French noblewoman's distress at a beach resort. The lady, stranded and separated from her small dog, repeatedly calls on Nat to "rescue" her—each time he agrees while making opportunistic demands (her handkerchief, her dog's cooperation, etc.). The satire targets both American audacity abroad and European snobbery. Nat's repeated false heroics—combined with his self-serving conditions and boasts about his importance—mock the American tourist's presumption and hustlerism. The French woman's flowery distress and references to her social status ("daughter of France") parody aristocratic pretension. The joke's appeal lies in Nat getting away with shameless manipulation through sheer confidence and charm, suggesting American brashness could overcome European formality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
1. Laby iw pistress —" Dear, kind monsiew', save me! | gm from the 2. Lay IN pistress—"" Ah, ze dear gentilhomme Is s0-0-0 kin shore cut off. I did not kno} Nervy Nat—" Now. quit your kidding! You know that any man Nervy Nar—"'Calm yourself, chere madame: restez tranquille and who tried to take this fob away from me would come in for one of my all that sort of thing. Iwill save you. I'm a great saver—I save coupons. most blood-curdling curses. Sa-ay! be here to-morrow and I'll rescue T assure you this is right in my line. you again.” 3. Lapy in pistress—"* Mon Dieu! zere is my darling angel Pouf-Pouf. 4. Nervy Nat—* Jump. you idiot dog! You've a mighty small appre- ‘We mus’ go back. My chien!"* ciation of things if you don't know the answer to a pair of outstretched Nervy Ni Madame, we will of course return for your cheyenn arms belonging to so fair a daughter of France. Come, you pampered But, In the name of the President of France, don't swat my lid like that ou can't force me. But, on the other hand, I'll kill my fool self for any- v that's kind to me." 5. Lapr I pistress—"'Oh, kind moneu’, | have forgot my handker- 6. Nexvy Nat—"But Iam not an exoursion-boat. If you will walt chlef—my beautiful mouchoir! Please go back "—— few moments I will hurry over to the board of trade and get a charter. Nervy Nat—" Madame, pardon me "— Meanwhile I should strongly recommend your keeping as dry as possible GorvRONT Mot BY SVUGE COMPANY FUBLENERS, BEB FOURTH AYE, KEW YORE —and take good care of the mut” NAT AT DINARD FOR THE DAY. comicbooks.com