Judge, 1909-10-30 · page 16 of 16
Judge — October 30, 1909 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a six-panel humorous narrative comic, not political satire. It depicts a slapstick scenario where possums steal tarts (pastries) from a tree and face consequences. The plot: Johnny's father warns him about a "horrid, cursed tree" with hanging fruit. Johnny encounters possums stealing pear and peach tarts hung in the tree. While the possums squabble over whether to flee, Johnny chops down the tree with an ax, sending possums tumbling. They land in water, becoming soaked and panicked, while Johnny laughs at their misfortune. The sequence concludes with an "angry cook" appearing—presumably the tart's owner, adding final comic retribution. The humor relies on anthropomorphized animal mischief, slapstick consequences, and the possums' predicament. It's gentle domestic comedy typical of Judge magazine's family-oriented material, with no apparent political commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
uage. LITTLE JOHNNY AND THE TAFFY ’POSSUMS. THE ‘POSSUMS' TENDERNESS FOR TART CAUSES THEM MANY A GRIEF AND SMART. 7] <> that they those tarts can reach 4. While they ‘re on high another scene us tarts of pear.and peach) “Takes place below upon the green. p the rotten tree Young Jonn, returning with the ax, Goes at the tree with mighty whacks. 5. The ‘possums fear they “have a fall ut also fear for aid to ca And, scared and wet, bemoan their prank While they “re debating what John laughs and laughs to see their plight, John fells the tree and ‘possui ‘And angry cook appears in sight. COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY ZOMN A. SLEICHER, PRESIDENT. 225 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK.