Judge, 1913-12-20 · page 9 of 24
Judge — December 20, 1913 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical story mocks middle-class social anxiety and keeping up appearances. Perkins, apparently a tradesman or merchant, is approached repeatedly by neighbors on Christmas—each offering help, gifts, or payment, ostensibly out of generosity. Perkins initially welcomes this until he realizes the ugly truth: his neighbors have been *gossiping* that he's poor and struggling, so they're offering charity out of pity disguised as goodwill. Perkins is humiliated and angry—not grateful. The satire's point: these "kind" gestures are actually insulting assumptions about his financial status, driven by neighborhood gossip rather than genuine concern. The moral emphasizes that people will perform cheerfulness publicly to avoid being labeled "mean" or poor, even when it requires pretense. The cartoon critiques how Christmas charity can wound pride and how community judgment pressures conformity to expected prosperity.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A CHRISTMAS Toward noon Perkins took a stroll up the block. He was soon joined by a neighbor, who, after the holiday greetings, turned to business. “How you makin’ it, Perkins? Collec- tions pretty poor, I suppose. Darned shame how some folks let their bills run. I practice what I preach, too, and I'll pay for that coal I got right now,” handing Perkins a bill, “‘if you can make the change.’ “Why !’’ exclaimed the astonished Perkins, “I ’ain’t sent you any bill yet, have 1?” “No, you haven't, and I know I generally do wait till you do; but I’ll pay this right now. Might just’s well done so yesterday.” Perkins passed on, and further up the block still another neighbor hailed him. “Morning, Perkins! How’s the world? “Suits me all right,’’ answered Perkins. “That's good. How’s business?’’ “‘Wouldn’t ask for any better. All I can handle.”’ “Fine! Didn’t know but what, since your wares can hardly be called holiday goods, perhaps money might be tight.’’ Perkins got the entire length of the block before neighbor three overtook him. “Hey, Perkins, old man, wait a minute! Here’s a basket of things the missus fixed up for your kids. Hope they’ll like them.’’ And before the surprised man could do or say anything, number three, who was the family grocer, was indoors, and Perkins was holding help- lessly to that basket. Perkins felt uncomfortable. He wanted to run when, as he started for home, he saw Brown, the plumber, crossing over from the other side of the street. Perkins knew the plumber had seen the basket incident, too. “Merry Christmas, Perkins! day! Been working pretty hard? How’s everything? Good trade?’’ To all of which Mr. Perkins gave most satisfactory Pretty good, eh?” Fine answers. However, this neighbor, like all the rest, seemed bent on talking busi- 2 ness to-day. —— “You know, now, Perk, if you was needing a little lift fora time, I could ac- commodate you just’s well as not. I haven’t forgotten you did me a good turn once, and I’— But he got no further. ae STORY IN THREE REELS “What in thunder are all you fellows so almighty concerned in how I’m getting along? Never knew you so keen to talk money before, all of you. It’s mighty white of you, Jim, to make such an offer; but I’m dashed if I can understand. I— why, I half believe you’ve been thinking, all of you, that I was’’—— “Yes, of course, we all thought it,’’ replied the plumber. “Thought what?’’ demanded Mr. Perkins. “Why, that you might be hard up,’’ answered the other. “Hard up! Why, business is good! Best I’ve had. I don’t get you.”” “Tis good? Well, all I’ve got to say is, I didn’t think you was so darned mean!”” “Mean? How?" roared the now angry Perkins. “‘How?. Why, all the folks are telling you aren’t having any Christmas at your house. We all supposed you couldn’t afford it. Didn’t think you’d be mean on purpose!’’ The next year the Perkins resumed their old-time Christmas celebration, for Perkins wasn’t going to have the world think he stayed mean. The man with a grouch can help along the holiday spirit some by concealing his grouchi- ness from his family for a week or so. NO “SPUG"" “« Awfully nice of you, George, to bring me that beautiful worm, but really father doesn’t allow me to accept any useful presents.’ comicbooks.com