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Judge, 1913-04-12 · page 18 of 24

Judge — April 12, 1913 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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Judge — April 12, 1913 — page 18: Judge, 1913-04-12

What you’re looking at

This short story satirizes the "henpecked husband" archetype popular in early 20th-century humor. Mr. Hennepeck is a timid, submissive man who constantly seeks his wife Maria's approval on trivial decisions (what underwear, socks, and shirt to wear). The joke's irony: when Maria suddenly becomes *indifferent*—giving him freedom to choose—Hennepeck emotionally collapses, claiming she no longer loves him. He's so accustomed to her domination that autonomy distresses him. The satirical point cuts both ways: it mocks both nagging wives and weak husbands overly dependent on female direction. The resolution reinforces the stereotype: Maria resumes control (ordering him to wear the blue shirt), and Hennepeck smiles contentedly—suggesting he *prefers* being dominated. This reflects early 1900s gender anxieties about marriage roles and male authority, presented through exaggerated domestic comedy.

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Pay As You Are Able "Your Credit Is Good Send your name first—send no money. Get our latest Big Encyclopedia of hun- dreda of latest Pasblon: and Free Sampl men’s 1913 Spring Sui Overcoats mailed at our Take Six Months To Pay Us ‘You take no risk. Your own eyes us .nake your suit to your measure. We guarantee safe delivery and Perfect fit, and all is . Write @ Pest think of it, and get our style book. Stanley - Rogers _£o., WRITE US TO-DAY The World's Peremest Credit Tetors Cantion: NO AGENTS, NO CANVASSING, NO COLLECTORS 534-536 S. Clark CHICA “There is no place like home,” and no soap like Pears.” Pears’ Soap is found in millons of homes the world over. Sold everywhere. Wed Cedar." Post pala’ 18a. Statesville, N.C. The Indifference of Maria By TERRELL LOVE HOLLIDAY R. HENNEPECK dragged himself reluctantly out of bed. Appetizing odors and the clatter of cooking utensils indicated that his wife was preparing breakfast, and it behooved him to be ready when the summons came. “Maria,” he called, ‘‘may I put on my pink silk underwear? To-day is a holi- day, you know.’"” “Tf you wish,”’ she answered. Recovering from his surprise, Henne- peck donned the beloved pinks with the pleased vanity of a child. Not often was he allowed to wear them. “Black or tan socks and shoes, my love?’’ he asked. “I don’t care,’ was the indifferent response. Listlessly Hennepeck got out his favor- ite tans. The elation he usually felt when permitted to sport them had been damp- ened by this new and inexplicable atti- tude of Maria's. “What suit, honey?’’ he inquired won- deringly. “Suit yourself,’’ she replied. After a few moments of tiring indeci- sion, he pulled on a pair of brown trou- sers, distinctly aggrieved at having had to make up his own mind. “Which shirt, precious?’’ he begged, fearing to hear the answer. “Any, except that horrible purple thing.” Though a bit reassured by this reply, Hennepeck’s eyes were too full of tears to notice that the garment which he snatched up without looking was the ta- booed purple. “*A wing or turnover collar, dear? “Either,’’ said she, carelessly hurry; breakfast is nearly ready With a sob, Hennepeck flung himself face downward upon the bed. “Good gracious, Samuel!'’ cried his wife, hurrying into the bedroom. ‘*What is the matter?” **You—you don’t love me any more!’’ he sobbed. ‘‘You don’t care what I wear!"" “I do love you, sweetheart!’’ she pro- tested, putting her arms around him. “But I heard a hateful cat say that I never let you do anything you wanted to, and I was trying’’—— “How absurd!"’ said Hennepeck, sit- ting up indignantly. ‘‘I guess I am mas- ter in my own house “Of course you are!’’ agreed his wife soothingly. ‘Put on your dressing gown now and come out to breakfast. After breakfast, you can change to black foot- wear and gray trousers, and— Samuel Hennepeck!"’ she exclaimed wrathfully, “Ttold you positively not to put on that purple shirt !’” “I—I didn’t mean to,’’ he apologized. “T’ll change it at once. “Wear the blue with white pinstripe." “Yes, love,’’ said Hennepeck, smiling. ‘Things have changed. The cold stage coach has given place to the automobile. There are thousands of roadside taverns where there were hundreds before. Yet all of them and the palatial city hotels find Old Overholt Rye “Same for 100 Year” as popular os it was a century eqn. m Honestly made from the best Pena- sylvasia Rye and pure mountain water. Aged in charred wood and botiled in 2! OF BRAINS COTE AGAR ~MADE AT KEY WEST ROMEIKE'S f7"*, friends, or any subject uu may want tobe “up to date.” Every newspaper and periodical of importance in, the United States and Europe is searched. Terms, $5.00 for 100 notices. HENRY ROMEIKE, 106-110 Seventh Avenue, New York. Bureau will send you “Tall Oaks From Little Acorns Grow” Fifty years ago I. W. HARPER was but little known outside the Old Kentucky State. Today its fame is world-wide. You find it every- where. BERNHEIM DISTILLING CO. Louisville, Ky. SP In answering advertisements please mention JIJDGE. It will be appreciated. comicbooks.com