Judge, 1910-12-03 · page 40 of 52
Judge — December 3, 1910 — page 40: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a serialized children's story (from a Third Reader textbook) rather than political satire. It depicts a poor piano-tuner family in a tenement ("old rookery") struggling through Christmas. The narrative establishes their poverty: Mr. Evergreen works odd jobs on the docks; his sister Edna does diamond-setting piecework; their cow has died; and the family faces destitution (the "wolf at the door" is a period metaphor for starvation). The opening dialogue satirizes wealth disparity—a child asks why rich people build large chimneys since Santa brings presents to all children, implying the wealthy's unnecessary ostentation. The page includes illustrations: the judge magazine's header image shows a mansion with children and a dog outside; "Saint Nick's Start" depicts Santa's sleigh beginning its journey. This appears to be wholesome period fiction rather than political commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
FOR THE ACCOMMODATION OF SANTA CLAUS. My. don’t these rich people build a » wonder, when ye see de raft of pr EDMUND EVERGREEN’S CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE A Selection from the Third Reader By FRED SCHAEFER ful big chimneys s Santa Claus brin a particular description of him in the local paper along with an advertisement or notice knowing his where- discover them to his distracted. wife, For it seems that one day Mrs, Evergreen brought him his breakfast in bed, and said to him, “Our old Their sole support was their Cow, Crumple, is dead; and there isnot much only son, Edmund, aged six years. But very milk."" Such was indeed the case. “I shall often his little sister Edna, golden-hairod attend to this at once" he replied immedi- little Edna, would cam a pittance at diamond after cating the last bite a week late setting, She was deft at the task, but collec. T: rii0g up his hat and music roll Mr. Ever- tions were bad and for months she had not — green left his home behind and from that camed anything but commendation. Of moment failed to retum; nor did he ever course, Edmund could not set diamonds, but come back. Now five years were passed and Joing odd chores along the docks as a his absence had been remarked. In fact, the wolf at the door had y devotion to duty crawl in through constantly become so thin from stea a sturdy piano that he was almost ripe t Other home the keyhole. Goodwife dreaded the moment occur. The truth is that the Evergreens were in stating that anyone abouts will cheerfull T WAS CHRISTMAS. In one bare room of an old rookery in a large city dwelt tuner and his family they had none. Yet Mr, Evergreen, for such Was the piano tuner’s name, at times experi- enced difficulty in finding his only domicile It is not clearly known why this wasso, but perhaps the city had grown so much since the last census that the neighborhood had changed to a considerable de- ergreen almost when this aha dire straits. So it was that on this Christmas Mrs. gree. This,at lea was the explanation that would be offered by Mr. Evergreen when he staggered home belated with th in comfortable circumstances to be tuned ‘This was not all. The wolf was at the door pianoforte of some farmer freight. handler he added his mite to the family supply of commendation nd now it was Christmas—and Mr. Evergreen was not at home to enjoy the wolf. There is a story connected with this You can find Mr. Evergreen’s portrait and SAINT NICK'S START. Evergreen rose from the cheerless hearth where she had been sitting with a low moan on came in gaily with an armful of ng her, he closed the door very and stood regarding her in silence. as her holly. gently comicbooks.com