Judge, 1907-06-22 · page 16 of 16
Judge — June 22, 1907 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a six-panel domestic comedy about a father's failed attempt to buy peace and quiet from his noisy son. Johnny repeatedly blows his horn, annoying his father (Pa) who's trying to write. When Pa gives Johnny a dollar to stop, Johnny uses it to buy *more horns*—defeating the purpose entirely. The "Teddy Bears" are Johnny's stuffed toys, which appear as anthropomorphized companions enjoying the noise. The satire targets parental exasperation: no matter what bribe or punishment fathers employ, mischievous boys will inevitably choose chaos over obedience. The final panel shows Pa's frustrated resignation—he's essentially given up, muttering things "not writ in books" (unprintable curses). The humor reflects early 20th-century middle-class anxieties about child-rearing and masculine authority within the home. The teddy bear reference dates the piece post-1902 (when the toy became popular).
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Sueipe. LITTLE JOHNNY AND THE TEDDY BEARS. PA GIVES JOMMNY A DOLLAR TO STOP BLOWING MIS HORN, AND—JOHNMY BUYS MORE HORNS. 1, While pa is trying hard to write 2. Now, pa thinks he has had enough, John blows his horn with all his might, And yells out ‘* Stop!" His tone is rough. And Teddles listen In high glee— We guess he likes the kind of boys “Tis really good thelr Joy to see. Who never, never make a nolse. 3. John and the Teddies move away, And new the “* band" resumes is play. Pa looks as if he's still annoyed, While Teddies seem quite overjoyed" 5. ‘Take this!" pa shouted, “and go buy 6. Forgetting pa’s disgust, they run Whatever bard pe ing pred eye.” Tot his bee what they have = now, to Teds’ and done. Johnny's eyes, Pa sees! He hears! Judged by his looks, goodest ” things are horns, boy's size. He's saying things not writ in books. COPYRIGHT 1907 BY JUDGE COMPANY, PUBLISHERS, 22 FOURTH AVE, KEW YORE. comicbooks.com