Judge, 1911-07-01 · page 11 of 24
Judge — July 1, 1911 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes a muted Fourth of July celebration. The main cartoon depicts a town so quiet and peaceful that even animals sleep undisturbed—a stark contrast to typical raucous Independence Day festivities with fireworks and noise. The accompanying poem by Edwin L. Sabin celebrates this "New Fourth" ironically: families sleep through the holiday, children find it boring without traditional explosions and commotion. The satire's point appears critical of efforts to suppress Independence Day noise—perhaps referencing early 20th-century safety campaigns or municipal noise ordinances. The final couplet mocks this quietness as "pretty tough on boys," capturing nostalgia for rowdier celebrations. The shorter jokes on the page are unrelated filler—typical magazine content about miscommunications and observations. The irony is clear: removing noise from July 4th removes its essential character and appeal, especially for children.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
TLLUMINATION»= FIRE BUY YOUR FLAGS TE @ FRoM BuLL FROG Ke suPriy § When They're Right. “ Y DEAR,” she asked, umpires always wrong?” Not alw he replied. ‘Some- times they give the home team the best of it.”” The Wrong Connection. Speedy (‘phoning from farmhouse to garage)—"I guess you will have to come and get me. I've turned turtle.” “are the WORKS ae INDEPENDENCE DAY IN BUGOPOLIS The New Fourth. By EDWIN L. SABIN. HE TOWN is wrapped in its festal robe: Outfli g the red, white, blue; The street cars all have their mufflers on, And pigeons drowsily coo. The cat is asleep in the broad sunshine, Her kittens about her group. Grandfather sits in his easy-chair And nods on the shaded stoop. Father and mother slept through till eight, Naught roused them at half-past three. They're sleeping again! Ma’s gone up- stairs, And pa’s in the hammock—see? Johnny yawns, wandering here and there, Some desperate scheme to hatch; And grabs at the glim- Voice—‘‘This is a ga- mering ghost of a rage; you want the aqua- rium."’ sound He gets from a parlor match. It Sometimes Helps. Oh, beautiful Fourth of “é7]T TELLS here in this paper about a woman who has worked for a rail- the new regime— A Fourth without any noise! road for twenty-five years It’s fine for pigeons and cats and folks— as a watchman,”” “Must be a good look- But it’s pretty tough on boys! er.” TIS he alone who aims D°s DAYS don’t worry people so much as mosquito nights. Yiwewey A POPULAR AMERICAN MELODY. at art That shoots above the dol- lar mark. comicbooks.com