Judge, 1909-10-30 · page 6 of 16
Judge — October 30, 1909 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes early 20th-century polar exploration controversies, likely the disputed claim over reaching the North Pole. The main cartoon "STICK TO THE TRUTH" plays on conflicting explorer narratives—apparently referencing competing claims by Frederick Cook and Robert Peary about who first reached the North Pole (a real 1909 controversy). The text "CLEARING UP THE MYSTERY" acknowledges that each explorer told his own heroic version, making truth difficult to establish. This mocks how explorers manipulated public opinion through contradictory accounts. Surrounding humor includes mild satirical pieces: "A BREACH OF PROMISE" (domestic comedy), "WHAT EVERY BOARDER KNOWS" (boarding house stereotypes), and "THE GREAT QUESTION" (a poem listing contemporary curiosities). The motto "STICK TO THE TRUTH" ironically caps a page discussing how difficult truth-telling actually is—the central joke being that public figures, even celebrated explorers, rarely do.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
IF YOURE LAME WITH GOUT YOU MUST. USE A STICK CLEARING UP THE MYSTERY. HIS polar exploration needs a word of explanation, though we have no expectation it will settle all debates. Each man wished to have the glory, each is hero of his story, and is keen for battle gory to sustain what he relates, In the land of snow eternal, where there is no hint of vernal, and the cold is near infernal, there was thought to be a Pc An adventurous ambi- tion, balked for years of full fruition, was to reach this far position, as the climax of a stroll. Each explorer got some sl es, skimmed along the icy ledges, often very near the edges, as followed out his quest. But who got there and who faltered, who was earnest and who paltered, who by frozen chains was haltered, is the theme dis- cussed with zest. Some who try for prizes polar get it in the plexus (solar) or surprise the will- ng molar with a chunk that can’t be A BREACH OF PROMISE chewed. We don’t know who's had this Little Ethel if youse is a regular cop, come wit’ me. I wants sorrow; maybe we shall know to-morrow, youse to arrest Ji Dugan fer breach of prom He promised to and of trouble we won't borrow, by as- take me to a moving-picture show, and he ain't showed up yet.” , sertions bald and rude. WHAT EVERY BOARDER KNOWS: Was it Cook or was it Peary who, across the northland dreary, with his HAT alll chickens have about six necks each, sees ; T That he will have prunes to-morrow for breakfast. mand helpers weary, wes the frat to That his landlady has a very interesting past. bs thee Spaniel And we ventaie tn: te That her daughter has a very interesting present. int .Swbat adimits of no That he ought to be getting better food for the money he in‘ all <the carping paying. crowd defying, that it was That the difference between two boarding houses depends upon ** Hike as not. the relative length of confinement therein. Pe THE GREAT QUESTION. ¢ who struck HENRY JAMS who wrote Shake; Who wins the coming Mara. thon 4 me no mental ache, not how old Ann may be these non I'm vex But | would like to know, b Who'll find the North Pole next! = “COME OFF YOUR PERCH” HEN one sees something Y ass desirable, one wants it. «t-6'come down here where wuz bofe very close men, an’ it runs in de fambly."" That’s why laws were made. cre's mote fish, ye Tule.”