Judge, 1913-12-13 · page 11 of 24
Judge — December 13, 1913 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a romantic/comedic short story illustrated with a single panel showing two well-dressed patrons dining at a cabaret while a waiter serves them. **The Setup:** Two former lovers, Bloomingdell and Isobel, reunite after years apart. They're catching up at a cabaret—a nightclub featuring entertainment and dining. **The Plot Points:** - Bloomingdell had been "daffy" (in love) with Isobel years ago, but she married someone else (Ohara) for money when Bloomingdell was broke - Bloomingdell later struck it rich in Nevada mining - Ohara proved to be a criminal who fled to South America - Now they're rekindling their connection **The Satire:** The humor lies in the social awkwardness—two former lovers subtly flirting in a public cabaret while the attentive waiter notices their charged interaction (costing the restaurant a champagne glass through his distraction). It's commentary on how cabarets serve as venues for romantic intrigue and how social pretense masks genuine emotion.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
CLAY OIG OY. « Le A me. He was a rising lawyer-pol «sRATHER odd we should meet again after fifteen years,” said Bloomingdell, beaming on his companion. “Ten years, you mean, Isobel. replied by J. esesesesesesesesesesesesesa: A Cabaret Courtship A. WALDRON cian. I hadn’t any coin. I didn’t blame you. Where’s Ohara now? I heard you got a divorce and looked you up.”’ “T believe he’s in South America “Ten let it be. I never question a lady’s calculation of time. I don’t think you resent the fact that I was daffy over you fif—ten years ago, eh?” She smiled. A woman's smile is no negative. They were sitting in a cabaret at a table somewhat removed from the fan- fare of the ‘‘features.’’ Some cabarets in a measure verify the signs of ancient hostelries: ‘Entertainment for man and beast."’ Why a couple who really wish to talk to each other should visit a cabaret for the purpose is related to psychology and is a mat- ter for the scientists. “Why did you select this table?”’ he asked, glancing afar at a pair who were either wrestling or dancing. “I've dined here before. One gravitates to a table where the waiter knows his business.’’ The waiter was laying the table. He gave her a look in which gratitude and admiration were blended in unequal propor- tions. His aberration cost the establishment a champagne glass. “You order, please,’’ said Bloomingdell. ‘‘I’m a little out of this habit. You married Ohara, I heard, after you refused eseseseseseseSeseseseseS' somewhere. They tried to John Doe him back. He slipped through their fingers. He’s a brute!’’ She was not smiling now. | “And a crook She nodded yes. then—ten years ago. “To get the coin.’” “Then you are the Bloomingdell who combined a lot of Ne- vada mines?’” “Guilty. school. Nearly perished in the desert twice. dear’’—— “‘Isn’t that a little intimate?”’ “Oh, just a figure of speech.’’ He was doing justice toa special order of lobster with mushrooms. She picked daintily at sweetbread a la Diane. ‘‘But I mean it, though. .A fellow never gets over such a fever as I had for you. And you seem as young as ever, in spite of your tough matrimonial luck.’’ “Thank you.’? While she thanked Bloomingdell she gave the waiter a covert smile, chiefly with her eyes, and he came Her smile came back. ‘‘You disappeared What for?” But I learned the whole game first. It’s a hard Ag for you, my comicbooks.com