Judge, 1914-09-12 · page 14 of 24
Judge — September 12, 1914 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This story satirizes the social phenomenon of wives neglected due to husbands' obsession with golf. The term "golf widow" describes a married woman whose spouse is absent pursuing the sport. The narrative shows Mrs. Niblick wearing black mourning clothes despite her husband being alive—she's dressed as a "widow" because Mr. Niblick spends all his time golfing rather than with her. When she mentions "practically separated," she means emotionally distant due to his golf addiction. The joke hinges on the husband's obliviousness: he notices her black outfit but doesn't connect it to his neglect until she explicitly explains it. His response—bragging about becoming an "expert" golfer—shows he's missed the point entirely, remaining absorbed in the sport rather than recognizing his wife's legitimate complaint. This reflects early 20th-century concerns about golf becoming a consuming middle-class leisure activity that disrupted family life.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
IBLICK came down to breakfast with — [& Mrs. Niblick. She thought it a F wonder, until she looked out. It was rain- ing pitchforks. “How are you, dearest?"’ asked Nib- lick, extending his hand, She took it Ny J. 2S 5eSeSeSe5- SeSeseseseseasa A Golf Widow 1 Wa _————— WON A widow!"" “Well, I'm at least a grass widow gladly. He looked at her more closely. “Why are you in black? Any of your folks—or mine—dead?”’ “*Some of them might be dead and buried and you none the wiser, John,” she replied, helping him to the cream. “But is anybody? This is fine cream, Jane !"’ “Yes. We're getting things nice from the farm now. You've lost interest in the farm lately. I've had to get a new farmer. The old one was a grafter. I went cut there and set things straight."” “You know I detest black, Jane, unless it’s necessary to wear it."" “Well, I think it necessary. peaches, They're from our own trees, “What! “LT really do."” Have some more of these I feel like a widow." “What d'ye mean, Jane? We haven't quarreled or separated or anything like that!’* “We've practically separated. And you're playing golf all the time, John. So I'm a golf widow. You'd be playing to- day if you weren't afraid of being struck by lightning."” “T'd be playing if it didn’t rain cats and dogs, sure.”’ “That's it. As far as I'm concerned, John, either of us might be missing all the time. I see you eloping every morn- ing with a bag of sticks in your tender embrace. You just love pme more peaches I believe it's going to clear up, after all, and if it does” “You'll elope again.”” “But you should see me play, my dear! I perform marvels. I'm getting to be an expert. You should be proud of a man comicbooks.com