Judge, 1907-02-16 · page 16 of 16
Judge — February 16, 1907 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a six-panel comic strip featuring "Nervy Nat," an American character pursuing romance in Paris. The satire centers on Nat's brazen, comedic attempts to woo women through flattery and persistence, contrasted with the outraged reactions of a French husband (identified as "Monsieur"). The joke plays on cultural stereotypes: Nat's bold American confidence versus French dignity and propriety. He compares himself favorably to famous poets, successfully wins a woman's affection with flowery compliments, and even recruits her for a carriage ride. The French husband's escalating fury—expressed in theatrical fractured French ("Sacré cod-leevaire")—provides comic counterpoint. The humor relies on Nat's shameless, relentless pursuit despite social impropriety, the language barrier comedy, and the clash between American brashness and French formality. This reflects early 1900s attitudes about national character types.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
1, Nerve Nat—" There are countless littie things that I do passing well, but when it comes to composing a valentine Shelley, Keats, Swinburne, and Ella Wheeler are left gasping at the post—a bunch of selling-platers. I know noth- Ing of the gorgeous nectarine that lives here, except that out of all Paree she is my choice for this delicate attention.” 3. Nervy Nat—"'As | anticipated, the dear creature was won in a walk. She wants me to bring a buzz-cart around and take her out in it—and tell her a couple of hundred more pretty things. Will Ido It? Willa boy go to the circus if you give him a ticket? Well, I should inhale a perfecto!” 5. Nervy Nat—"That is arrant nonsense, dearie! Of course I won't be sorry If you show me your lovely face. Have I not seen it often in the Bois? My little chickabiddy is trying to tease her valentine. Has my little charlotte russe caught a nasty cold? Your voice sounds a little hoarse, dear. Now, do lift your veil" Norg.—The First Series of Nervy Nat's Ad corrmanT 1907 BY 4U0GH COuPANY PuaLiENEAD 28 FOURTH AVE. MEW YOM NERVY NAT SENDS HIS LITTLE VALENTINE. 2. Monsitur—" Sacré cod-leevaire ofl! An outrage under ze top of -n; very nose—to my wife! I will myself control, never-ze-less. | will play trick!"* Nexvy Nat—' I'll wager | hear from that dear creature.” 4. His vVALenTiINe—"* You see | am here!" Nervy Nar—" Wee, wee, madamwahzel! 11 faut kerscissors, allez vous poached eggs kerslosh! But, as | was about to remark, here is your valen- tine with his little honk-sulky, at your command, for better, for worser. till punctures do us part! Leap in!" 6. Monsieur—' Here is my face, scoundrel! Is it zat it pleases yo! ; * No; Lam not at all pleased. You can remove it ag quick as you like. Oh, suffering woodchucks! how unkind a trick to pay upon # sensitive nature like mine own! I can feel two of my nervous heagaches com ing on at once." ( comicbooks.com