Judge, 1908-01-25 · page 16 of 16
Judge — January 25, 1908 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a children's comic strip, not political satire. It tells a straightforward hunting adventure story: Little Johnny and his teddy bears track a rabbit to its den. They devise a plan—sending the smallest bear inside to flush out the bunny. When the rabbit bolts and Johnny shoots, his bullet accidentally hits a nearby farmer instead of the prey. The farmer chases them, and Johnny and the bears flee while the rabbit escapes, having the last laugh. The humor derives from the slapstick misadventure and role-reversal (the hunted becoming the hunters of the hunters). "Teddy Bears" likely references the popular toy trend that emerged after Theodore Roosevelt's hunting exploits. This appears to be wholesome entertainment from Judge magazine's family-oriented content, circa 1908.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Mage LITTLE JOHNNY AND THE TEDDY THEY HUNT A BUNNY TO ITS DEN? A PARMER MUNTS THEM HOME AGAIN, 1. One day, while John was walking round, . Achase! ahunt! Hurrah! what fun! He saw some tracks upon the ground, A chance for John to use his gun! And, calling to each Teddy Bear, They hold a council and decide ‘They track a bunny to Its lair. To send the smallest bear inside. 3. He's such a spry and nimble soul, 4. The pian is worked with great success; He'll quichly crawl from hole to hole. The bun springs forth in dire distress. Right to the door he'll chase the brute, ‘The Teds fall back, so quick he came, Where Johnny stands all primed to shoot. John fires his gun, nor stops to alm. 5. The bullet speeds far off, alack! 6. The Teds and Johnn} S y meet his sight; And hits a farmer in the back They turn and madly take to flight He drops hs axe and grats the spot The bunny laughs when he has learned nd turns to see who shot that shot That now the tables have been turned. COPYEICI:E 1908 RY JUNGH COMPANY, FURLISINES, 225 POURTIE AVI, NEW YORK, dy tu handsome book-form. Price, 60 cents, For comicbooks.com