Judge, 1914-09-26 · page 15 of 24
Judge — September 26, 1914 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains satirical commentary and humorous observations typical of early 20th-century Judge magazine. The main article "Giving Literature the 'Twice Over'" mocks a magazine's decision to reprint only previously successful stories rather than publishing new work. The author sarcastically extends this logic to absurd conclusions: newspapers reprinting old news, stores selling outdated merchandise, farmers reusing old seeds, and inventors abandoning innovation. The satire critiques both editorial laziness and the broader notion that past success guarantees present relevance. The final paragraph humorously carves out an exception for humor writers—they must always create new jokes, never repeat old ones. Below are unrelated brief jokes and observations ("The Gossip," "A Gentle Hint," "The Sad Truth"), and "Judge's Motion Pictures"—a comic strip series with no clear overarching narrative, typical of the magazine's format. The top cartoon depicts a woman instructing her lawyer to settle a dispute "the other way"—implying she'll use underhanded means if fair settlement fails.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Po TO BE SETTLED THE OTHER WAY Lady (to lawyer) —I thought if I could not seule it by fair means myself that I would leave it entirely to you. Giving Literature the “Twice Over” ONE OF the magazines, despairing of ever finding any more short stories worth printing, has begun the republica- tion of stories which appeared in previous issues. Only the ones which met with favorable comment on their first publi- cation will be reprinted, the editor assures his readers. There are great possibili- ties in this plan. Instead of looking for any more books worth printing, why not re- print only the novels which made their hits years ago? Authors who are now com- plaining that they do not make sufficient royalties to live on will be compelled to turn to some more remunerative em- ployment, and thus prosperity will be thrust upon them by the kindly book manufac- turers, Instead of getting out more newspapers, filled with the latest happenings all over the world, why not print the news that happened last week, last yearor last generation? Even century-old news might make a tremendous hit, seeing that very few of us would remem- ber having seen it before. If such news created a sensation on its first publication, why is it not good for a thrill now? Let the idea be carried into mercantile pursuits. Instead of paying for new fabrics and Styles, why not load the shelves with the goods of yesteryear? Why seek new inventions, when the devices of our grandfathers will serve every purpose? The old in- ventions made a hit, and they should be able to do it again What's the use of hoping for more Edisons and Mar- conis, anyway? Some way should be de- vised, also, to enable the farmer to use last year’s seed. It is against all laws of economy to keep using new seed every year. If the crops of 1913 could only be reshipped to the market now, it would save much toil and worry. Only, of course, the publi- cations which use humor should be enjoined from ever using a jest twice. The rights of the humorist to vary the ancient joke and to receive space rates for his arpeggios, runs, trills and syncopations attached to an old theme should be held inviolate. Arto Chapman JUDGE'S MOTION {SKIN AS VER \ VALUABLE HE GETS IKE 19} A CARD-GAME AND CLEANS HiM} SKINEM, RETUENSH TO THE QUEEN WITW THE SKIN ALSO WITH 7 WORK OF A HUNGRY MOTH The Gossip OBSERVE the blotter, how it soaks Up words and deeds of other folks; Then shows them up to me and you In all details, but wrong side to. A Gentle Hint “I wish I hadn’t eaten that cake,’’ said Tommy. “Don’t you feel well?’? asked his mother. “It isn’t that; but if I hadn't eaten it, I would still be able to eat it." The Sad Truth Warner — Does your wife spend any time over the cookbook? ‘ Walker—No. It’s a condition, not a theory, that confronts me. A self-made man needs a woman to put on the finishing touches. PICTURES A Skin Game and a Skinner Skinned comicbooks.com