Judge, 1912-06-29 · page 3 of 25
Judge — June 29, 1912 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a poem by Gordon Johnstone satirizing a young woman named Betty and her social conquests. The illustration shows Betty in a bathing suit, referenced in the poem's title and closing line: "There's nothing in the world is sweet / At Betty in a bathing suit." The verses humorously catalog Betty's romantic and social achievements—enchanting men like Aiken and various named acquaintances (Helen, Polly, Mona), participating in fashionable activities (bathing, dancing, church-going), and generally captivating suitors. The poem's tone is lighthearted mockery of 1920s flapper culture and female social mobility during this era, when young women gained unprecedented freedom in fashion, dating, and public life. The judge illustration style confirms this as social commentary on contemporary youth behavior.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
'VE roamed with Aileen in the glen, Wh Learore I’ve sung duets, D've been the envied of all men In arbors graced with Violets ; T've chased the flashing winged ball With 'Toinette o'er the tennis route ; But these attractions sum up small When Betty's in a bathing suit. Fair Helen has enchanted me, With Polly I have walked to church ; While Mona filled my heart with glee And left me sighing in the lurch ; But still I sought and sought in vain To find that thrill that poets crave To sway with such ex- quisite pain As Betty leaping oer a wave. ek SacBee BETTY IN A BATHING With Laurel I have led the march And danced the midnight ints day ; With many Pearls I've been the starch, But they're now tagged and laid awas ; And yet those maids have more or less Kept me in ecstasies of daft; But now love's dream I must confess Is Betty diving from the raft. So sing, ye bards, of sheltered nook, And fleecy clouds that dot the skies; The soft swift sunbeam of a look That flashes in miladi’s eyes; But I'll ignore your raptured heat, Dismissing it with censure mute ; There's nothing in the world so sweet As Betty in a bathing suit. —Gorvon Jonnstone. SUIT. comicbooks.com