Judge, 1914-01-31 · page 11 of 24
Judge — January 31, 1914 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This 1910s satirical story mocks the "tango craze" that had swept American society. Adelbert Fitzjames, a wealthy young man returning from anthropological study in Patagonia, finds New York society obsessed with the tango—a sensual Argentine dance considered scandalous by traditionalists. The satire targets how completely the fad has penetrated even respectable institutions: his attorney is taking tango lessons instead of working; a prominent clergyman is similarly distracted and justifies the dance through pseudo-philosophical rhetoric about "progress" and "achievement." The joke is that Adelbert escaped to remote Patagonia seeking authentic culture, only to return home where superficial fashion-following has replaced genuine civilization. Even religious authority figures have abandoned their principles for trendy entertainment. The "tango suit" he purchases—every garment branded "tango"—epitomizes how thoroughly commercial interests exploit social fads.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ADELBERT FITZJAMES was back in New York, after an absence The city looked good of five years. to him. After leaving college, Adelbert, with plenty of money, had entered in- to the enjoyment of life with that zest which is youth’s alone. In society he was prominent. He even became a leader of the german. But artificial life soon palled. As a student he had been fascinated by anthropology, and his friends were amazed when he told them he purposed to go to remote Patagonia, in search of traces of the ancient natives of that country. Adelbert had undergone hardships, but he had found much matter of interest and longed again for the joys of civilization. He knew he should find them the moment he landed from a South American steamship, taken at an obscure port on the Chilean coast. His period of absence had left him somewhat out of fashion as to clothes, so he at once repaired to an outfitting shop where his immediate wants could be supplied. He bought what the salesman called a tango suit, tango shirts, a tango hat, tango hose, tango shoes and a tango stick. He was informed that they were exactly the mode. Smaller articles likewise named satisfied him for the present. Adelbert thought it his first duty to call upon Mr. Fitzhugh, SAUAAAAAAAEAENAATAANEAEAUAEUGAAAENUAEOUAEAGAATEENAON TANNA The Joys of Patagonia By J. A. WALDRON TTL his attorney, as to money matters. After a journey upward in an eleva- tor, he found Mr. Fitzhugh’s offices on the sixty-sixth floor and sent in his name. ‘Mr. Fitzhugh,’’ said the office boy, returning, ‘‘is out taking his tango lesson. Could you come around to-morrow?"’ Adelbert said he could. Then he thought of an old college chum, who was now the Rev. John Fitzchurch, rector of a fash- ionable place of worship on Fifth Avenue, with rectory adjoin- ing, and called. He met his old friend in the hall. “Why, Fitzjames! Delighted to see you! Back from Pata- gonia, eh?’’ And the Rev. John Fitzchurch thrust out his hand. “The ancient Patagonians were a marvelous people, though they were idolaters. You’ve just caught me going out. Come around this evening, will you? I’ve an imperative engagement. I'm just about to take my sixth tango lesson. So many of my flock affect this dance! Scme of the cloth are preaching against it, but I never preach against anything unless I know. This is a marvelous age. An age of achievement—movement! As the prophet saith, ‘The old order changeth, leaving place to the new!'’” “The poet, you mean,’ said Adelbert. ‘Tennyson’s thought."” “‘Ah, yes! I stand corrected. But the poets are prophets, are they not? Can you come this evening?”’ “I'll try,’ was the answer; and they separated. comicbooks.com