Judge, 1912-01-13 · page 11 of 24
Judge — January 13, 1912 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks the era's tipping culture by presenting "Mr. Tipton," an absurdly wealthy man who tips for virtually everything throughout his day—from a lamp shade to a fly. By 7:00 a.m. through midnight, he tips dozens of people for minor services (elevator boys, washroom attendants, stenographers), the humor escalating as the list grows increasingly ridiculous. The satire targets two social anxieties of the period: the proliferation of expected gratuities across service industries, and the ostentatious wealth-display of the wealthy class. By listing over fifty tipping scenarios, the author (Harvey Peake) suggests both the absurdity of this custom and Tipton's compulsive need to demonstrate his affluence through constant monetary generosity. The accompanying illustration shows Tipton in formal dress, reinforcing his wealthy status. The satire reflects genuine contemporary concern about tip inflation and class performance in early 20th-century urban America.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
An Average Day's Tips for Mr. Tipton. By HARVEY PEAKE. 7.00 a, m.—Tips shade of night lamp to get the time. 7.05 a. m.—Tips bed into upright posi- tion to get room. 7.15 a. m.—Tips basin to get rid of water. 7.20 a. m.—Tips mirror to get light for dressing. 7.25 a. m.—Tips waitress breakfast. 7.30 a. m.—Tips bowl to get at oat- meal. 7.33 a. m.—Tips urn to get coffee. 7.45 a. m.—Tips chair to get greater ease. 7.55 a. m.—Tips tobacconist special brand of cigars. 8.00 a. m.—Tips newsboy to get paper. 8.15 a. m.—Tips driver of hansom cab to get riae to office. 8.20 a. m.—Tips elevator boy to get up to his floor. 8.30 a. m.—Tips boy to have office dusted. 9.00 a, m.—Tips stenographer to get letters written. 10.00 a. m.—Tips operator of telephone exchange to get party for him. 10.05 a. m.—Tips party for listening. 12.00 m.—Tips elevator boy to get down to first floor. 12.10 p. m.—Tip-toes into cafe to get lunch. 12.30 p. m.—Tips waiter for service. 12.35 p. m.—Tips boy in check room to get hat. 1.00 p. m.—Tips barber to get shave. 1.15 p. m.—Tips bootblack to get shine. 1.40 p. m.—Tips manicure to get nails attended to. 1,50 p. m.—Tips elevator boy to get up to office again. 2.00 p. m.—Tips postman to get after- noon mail. 3.00 p. m.—Tips fly to leave his bald spot alone. to serve to get REFLECTION OF THE BIRDMAN. “* How in the world do you do it?" 5.00 p. m.—Tips elevator boy to get down to terra firma. 5.10 p. m.—Tips acquaintance for tip on to-morrow’s races. 6.30 p. m.—Tips taxi driver to get to restaurant. 7.00 p. m.—Tips head waiter to get special table. 7.30 p. m.—Tips waiter for service. 7.40 p. m.—Tips boy to get hat. 7.45 p. m.—Tips doorman of cafe to get exit. 7.50 p. m.—Tips carriage man for call- ing taxi. 8.00 p. m.—Tips sidewalk speculator for theater ticket. A PROPHECY. 8.05 p. m.—Tips boy to get program. 8.06 p. m.—Tips usher to get seat. 11.00 p. m.-—Tips taxi driver to get home. 11.30 p. m.—Tips apartment-house hall man to get in. 11.35 p. m.—Tips elevator man to get up to his rooms. 12.00 p. m.—Tips glass of brandy and soda to get sleeping potion. 12.15 a. m.—-Tips eyes to get sleep. Modem Version. By CHARLES C. JONES. He digged a pit, he digged it deep— Now comes the sudden shock ! He fell not in; but, rich as sin, He's selling mining stock! Ode to a Landlord. By a Struggling Peet, Board... Room Laundry Total ... Answer to Correspondent. Yes, Harrylde, I will advise you frankly about the question you ask. If, as you say, your salary is forty dollars per month, you can easily afford to give your sweetheart violets and chocolates and take her to the opera ina taxicab. To be sure, this will mean some slight economies on your part, such as occupy- ing a very small hall bedroom, living on few and poor meals, wearing advertised clothes, and giving up smoking; but we should be willing cheerfully to make some small sacrifices for the darling girls. Good Things. A good thing is a thing to do, And yet we seldom view one; But still I can’t believe that you Would rather be than do one! German steamers leaving Frankfort for the Sandwich Islands. comicbooks.com