Judge, 1911-02-25 · page 9 of 24
Judge — February 25, 1911 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks genteel domestic activities supposedly suited for Washington's Birthday celebrations. The cartoon depicts various household members engaged in "arts and crafts" pastimes: a woman sketching, someone working brass, another weaving rugs, basket-making, stenciling, and pottery. The accompanying text humorously suggests three "unique" ways to spend the holiday: (1) telling the truth to visitors for one day only—a joke about social dishonesty; (2) physically cutting down cherry trees, likely referencing the famous (apocryphal) Washington anecdote; and (3) allowing men to step on women's dropped clothing without touching it, satirizing both gender dynamics and peculiar domestic habits. The satire targets the pretentiousness of "arts and crafts" hobbies and the artificial patriotic observances of the era, suggesting these activities are ridiculous substitutes for genuine holiday meaning.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE ARTS AND CRAFTS SLARBY Cains ARE FATHER’S HOBBY Z BASKET MAKING CLAIMS SALINA STENCILS AREA SS) BRASS, OUe MARY POUNDS AND KNOCKS OF FRED'S \ \ SEAN RNY WA WA : \ We XS THE PorreRs wuser FOR AUNT LUCILLE Unique Pastimes for Washington’s Birthday. By FRANK H. WILLIAMS. Telling the Truth. HIS is an enchanting occupa- tion, as it has the attractive The ob- ry one the spice of originali ject is to tell e truth for this one day. Don’t say, ‘‘Not at hom to your callers. Tell the truth by having the maid say, “The missus is at home, but she says she don’t want to see you.’” Cutting Down the Cherry Trees. If you have an old cherry tree in your back yard that you no longer care for, it will be an unusual occupation for you to exert yourself physically in cutting it down, If you have no cherry trees that should be felled, any old tree will do, or, in a pinch, you might do a little unusual work on your wood pile and surprise your wife. Crossing the Things That Della Wears. If you haven’t a Della in your family, you can’t enjoy this pastime, unless you know some other Della very well. Her wraps are dropped on the floor, then the men in the family walk over them with- outtouching them, This isa particularly unique occupation, as it is so different from the way men generally perform with their muddy feet in street cars. comicbooks.com