Judge, 1909-01-30 · page 16 of 16
Judge — January 30, 1909 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This six-panel satirical comic depicts "Little Johnny" and anthropomorphic "Teddy Bears" as hypocrites who appear brave but act cowardly. The narrative shows them: attending a public gathering, secretly setting a bomb-like fire, panicking when discovered, then being rescued by Johnny—who becomes celebrated as a hero despite the bears' earlier deception. The satire likely critiques a specific political group or public figures of 1909 praised for bravery and wit, yet revealed as self-serving phonies. The "Teddy Bears" reference suggests a connection to President Theodore Roosevelt's administration or policies, given the term's contemporary association with him. The comic mocks how public perception can be manipulated: cowards receive hero's honors while true courage goes unrecognized. The subtitle's emphasis on hypocrisy is the central point—exposing the gap between public image and actual character.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Suage- LITTLE JOHNNY AND THE TEDDY BEARS. THEY ‘RE PRAISED FOR BRAVERY AND WITS, AND ALL THE TIME THEY'RE HYPOCRITES! 2. So when the crowd has turned its back, And while the guard is rather slack, A fire beneath the ball they light, Just like a bomb—oh, awful sight! 3. Imagine how the sentry 4. But while they rush about in fear, As he that dreadful thi a Young Johnny and his band appear. nagine how he screan ud Great courage beams from out their eyes— And warned away the gaping crowd. ‘They show no fear, alarm, surprise. 6 Oh, then the cheers arose with speed ves wi To honor that heroic deed. John takes the i And John, with modest downward gaze, And throws it in the waterway. Receives the captain’s ardent praise. 1. 1909 BY JUDGE COMPANY, PUBLISHERS, FIFTH AVENUE AND MADISON SQUARE, NEW YORK Because of the great demand for the popular large-sized “Little Johnny and the Teddy Bears” book, we have exhausted our supply. We have on hand, however, an attractively bound smaller edition, called “The Teddy Bears in Fun and Frolic,” which will be sent, postpaid, for 35 cents, on receipt of price, by Judge Company, 225 Fifth Avenue, New York. comicbooks.com