Judge, 1913-10-25 · page 22 of 24
Judge — October 25, 1913 — page 22: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page collects humorous anecdotes from European satirical magazines (German *Jugend* and *Lustige Blätter*, British *Punch* and *Sketch*, *Bystander*). The humor is largely non-political—domestic and social comedy targeting universal middle-class experiences. Key jokes include: a nervous comedian paradoxically becoming funny when anxious; cramped modern apartment living; a woman's creative accounting of mourning periods to justify carnival absence; a man monopolizing a telephone booth talking to his wife; neighbors dancing, which they claim is practicing American jazz (suggesting Jazz Age novelty); and a child barely fitting under a train seat, allowing a mother to avoid paying his fare. The "Unsuspicious" cartoon references the contemporary fascination with American dance trends. Otherwise, these are timeless observations about domestic life, bureaucracy, and social pretense—designed to amuse through relatable situations rather than topical satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Chance of a Lifetime Comedian (whose turn is next)—I'm afraid I can’t go on to-night, I feel so awfully funny. Manager—Good heavens, man! Go on at once and make the most of it while it lasts !—Bystander (London). In Modern Apartments “ Haben Sie schon eine Tapete ausgesucht fir Zhre eye Wohnung T* “ Ach nein; wir haben sowleso zu wenig Blak !” “Have you chosen wall paper yet for your new apartment?”” “Oh, no! We have too little room as it is!"’—Jugend (Munich), Conscientious “Ich habe nm meinen Mann ein ganzes J: ” ‘Ja, im Fasching bab’ ich zwei Monate ausgeseszt.”” “I was in mourning for my husband a whole year, from the fifth of March to the fifth of May.’’ “‘But— excuse me—that’s fourteen months !’* “Yes; but in the carnival season I stopped for two months.'’—Meggendorfer Blaetter (Munich). Explained . Irate intruder—Look here! You've been in there half an hour and never said a word! Man in the call box—I am speaking to my wife, sir.—Sketch (London). Unsuspicious iuebster, wenn man uns so von der Villa aus ee Unbesorat, dann glauben sie, wir Gben einen neuen amerikanischen Tanz.” “But, darling, if they should see us from the villa!’’ “Do not fear. They will think we are practicing a new American dance.’’— Lustige Blaetter (Berlin). Ticket Collector (after heated argu- ment)—Well, you'll have to pay for him; he isn’t under three. Mother—No, but if he hadn't got anew suiton he'd be under the seat.—Punch (London) comicbooks.com