Judge, 1913-03-15 · page 5 of 24
Judge — March 15, 1913 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece by Helen A. Stafford mocks American attitudes toward French fashion and culture during the post-Lenten season. The top illustration shows fashionably dressed women celebrating the end of Lenten restrictions. The main cartoon depicts a French milliner (hat-maker) boasting to a male customer about his models—young women named Babette, Lucette, and Chicette—who display hats for sale. The satire targets American snobbery: wealthy Americans eagerly purchase French fashions and employ French models, viewing them as inherently superior and exotic, while the milliner cynically exploits this cultural infatuation. The joke's punchline—"Ain't the shower their son Danny?"—suggests the models may not be authentically French, undermining the pretentious assumptions of American customers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE CONCLUSION OF THE LENTEN SEASON. At the At MONSIEUR, in the business we must have the head so clear, so sharp, so quick! To-day I am not thus, my friend. To-day Iam a-fluster, » and I am myself bewildered. With the compatriots of monsieur, I lose myself and I make no repar- tee. Ah, these men American! To the face they have the virtues, but to the back they are the wicked ones! The olives—merci! Of the chicken—a trifle. Of the wine—no, no! I protest, my friend, no more, no more! In my shop, monsieur, I have all the novelties, the freshest cry from Paris. From Paris I bring all the hats, and from Paris I bring with me three girls to be the models for the hats. Babette, Lu- lette, Chicette—I pick them for the hats, for they are of a beauty that is remark- able, these girls. What would you, mon- sieur? These tricks are for the business. These girls are what you call the peach, and I make a joke American. Ah, ha! You have the curiosity! Well, I have not the jealousy; I will de- scribe to you their picture. Babette is young and dark and svelte; Lulette is classic, straight and tall—a goddess, mon- sieur; Chicette is petite, demure—and sly. She has the beauty that is of la diable, that Chicette. Well—just a little more. Of a truth this is a wine delicious. As I sip, I smell the flowers on the hats. You laugh at what is but my fancy? Of usual I do not talk the shop, but French Milliner’s. By HELEN A, SPAFFORD. this morning a strange thing happen. I myself. I find the silence—it is better am what you call discreet, for I have the in the business. courage to keep my own convictions to The morning is yet early and my salon IT SURE IS. “‘An’ why wouldn't they be proud? Ain't the showfer their son Danny?" comicbooks.com