Judge, 1914-02-21 · page 17 of 24
Judge — February 21, 1914 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a short story ("Two Letters") by James W. Babcock about marital deception. Richards receives a forged letter from his wife Annie supposedly permitting him to socialize freely while she visits her mother. His friends Russell and Peters fabricated it to enable their carousing. The trick is revealed when the real letter surfaces—Annie's actual message forbids exactly such behavior and specifically warns him away from his drinking companions. Richards forgoes his night out, and his friends depart sarcastically. The satire targets male infidelity and the casual deception husbands employ to justify misbehavior, while also mocking the gullibility of the unfaithful partner. The remaining content consists primarily of period advertisements (Egyptian Deities cigarettes, Apollinaris water, Beeman's chewing gum) rather than editorial cartoons or political satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Two Letters By JAMES W. BABCOCK RS. RICHARDS had left for a two M weeks’ visit with her mother, and Richards was in glee. Proudly he exhib- ited the following letter to two of his chosen companions: My dear Dick—I am enjoying myself immensely and want you todo likewise. You know that I always trust you implicitly and will not believe any evil stories Thear about you when I return. Don’t deny yourself the compan- jonship of nice ladies simply be- cause I am away, but enjoy your- self in any way that you choose. Give my best regards to your friends, Russell and Peters, and believe me, as ever, Your loving wife, Annie. o 8 © © e 6 Their little party had broken up, the girls gone in the taxi, and Russell and Peters, after much effort, had finally stowed Richards away for the balance of the night. “Pete,” said Russell, ‘what did you think of that letter?’’ “Didn’t sound much like Mrs. ards, did it?’’ “No; and, what’s more, she must have ‘traveled some’ to have left on an eight- hundred-mile trip at noon, reached her destination and written a letter in time to have been delivered here this after- noon.’” “Perhaps this will explain matters somewhat,’ added Peters, handing Rus- sell 4 note which he had picked up before the party assembled. Richard—Since you were not at home when I left, I thought I'd write a line or two. Behave yourself while I’m away, and if I hear of any goings on with other women while I’m gone, I will go again for good. Keep those drunken loafers, Russell and Peters, out. You'd be quite decent if it wasn’t for them. Be careful what you do, for I'll be sure to find it out. Annie. Rich- oe 8 © © «© 6 “Richards is some penman, isn’t he?”’ remarked Russell, as he buttoned his coat, Preparing to leave. “He sure is!’’ replied the other “‘drunk- en loafer,” helping himself to a fresh cigar. Real Fame When an Injun goes to Congress, Press notices are few; But let him star in baseball, And there’s a howdy-do. Decayed Kriss—Are they a branch of an old family? Kross—Yes; one of the fallen branches, A Sterbet is made tasty and deli Bitters." Sample of hitters byt GW, Abbott &' Ca. Baltimore, Sd. Afollinaris “THE QUEEN OF TABLE WATERS.” the safe and satisfying drink. THE. ORIGINAL ALL OTHERS ARE IMITATIONS In answering advertisements please mention JUDGE. It will be appreciated. comicbooks.com