Judge, 1907-12-07 · page 15 of 48
Judge — December 7, 1907 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This six-panel comic strip follows "Nervy Nat," a confidence man, as he encounters a wealthy stranger claiming to be his long-lost brother "Clarence." The satire centers on Nat's transparent con artistry: he pretends to recognize the stranger, accepts increasingly generous "gifts" (presents, coal, diamonds), and conspires with him to hide valuables while planning to rob him. The humor lies in Nat's obvious scheming—he's clearly attempting to swindle this gullible mark—yet the final panel suggests the tables have turned: the "brother" escapes after the robbery attempt, leaving Nat duped instead. The strip mocks both petty con men and their easily-fooled victims, reflecting turn-of-the-century urban criminal culture. The title's irony suggests Nat's Christmas "success" is actually his comeuppance.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
1, Nervy Nat—"‘Algernon, for a Christmas Eve this is about the worst ever. It's positively painful to see such an absence of events in my vicinity. | really wanted to give you a new diamond-studded collar in appreciation of your friendship ; but—alas!—percharcs something may happen yet.”” 3. Nervy Nat—'* Now, brother, you really must let me spend a few hun- dred. | was just thinking what I would buy when | met you in the park.” Srrancer—"* Perish the thought, Clarence! | made a million out west in compressed. yeast, and on an occasion like this I'm going to blow my head off.” Nervy Nat—' Gadzooks! but this Is a piece of pie.”"; 5. Stranc2r—"* You know, Brother Clarence, | can hardly wait until I reach your home: and, as you suggest, it would be better for me to wait at the corner while you sneak around and hide the presents in the coal-cellar.”” Nervy Nat—''Sure thing. Here, Spud, here's another Theodore bear for your sister. There's a Noah's ark for you, kid.—We'll fix up the gifts, brother, after the children have retired.” 2. Srrancer (effusively)—"* Can | be mistaken? No: by my lamps, it ts my long-lost brother Clarence!” Nexvy Nar—" What in Hello Bill is this? Am I about to be buncoed, or kidnapped? Clarence! However, this looks goodly. I'll act my part.— Me brother! ! !"° 4, Strancer—"* How many children have you now, Clarence?” Nervy Nar—' Twenty-three! That is, two or three." Strancer—* Well, we have presents for them: and now how about a ton of coal ?"* Nervy Nat— Not on your countenance, I can carry a diamond tlara easier, brother.’ ‘Strancer—* Just the thing, Wait until we reach Stiffany's." 6. Nervy Nat—' Algy, just look at that long-lost brother of mine hitting the ties. If he doesn’t watch out an engine and about fourteen frelght cars will be passing over his neck. Did you ever see anything so easy? Oh, you can't catch us, Willle. This is a turbiner. Don't forget to close the window in the spare room to-night: It might snow. Here's to you; come again! Merry Christmas, Algernon !"* NO. 21.—-NERVY NAT ENJOYS CHRISTMAS, AFTER ALL. COPYRIGHT 1907 BY JUDGR COMPANY, PUBLISHERS, 225 FOURTH AVE., NEW YORK. comicbooks.com