Judge, 1914-11-28 · page 7 of 24
Judge — November 28, 1914 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a serialized romantic story rather than political satire. The main narrative follows Mr. Brandwein's proposal to Miss Libby—he's a widower, somewhat socially awkward, seeking a companion to help manage his household and prevent servants from taking advantage of him. His rambling, earnest approach to proposing ("Fire when ready, Gridley!") is the humor. The sidebar illustration "A Virginia Creeper" appears to reference a climbing plant, likely symbolizing romantic pursuit. The bottom cartoon "Her Problem" satirizes wealth and consumption: a wealthy woman complains she cannot afford fashionable dress on $5,000 annually (a substantial sum in this era), while her husband suggests she simply wear less clothing—leading to her retort that cheaper fabrics cost *more* due to increased wear. This mocks nouveau riche excess and the paradox of conspicuous consumption. The page's humor derives from romantic miscommunication and class-based materialism rather than political commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“I—I think you did.’” Mr. Brandwein’s frown gathered fierce- ness. ‘‘Like to do things my own way, I do, I’d had a bereavement, but I'd got chances of some more years on the planet. A VIRGINIA CREEPER So I didn’t pretend to give up everything. That set this town talking. Oh, I heard all about it! Said I was taking notice, the tabby cats!"" “Oh, Mr. Brandwein!’" “Well, I was taking notice of you!’’ said the gentleman stoutly. ‘Saw what Tliked, too. That's why I’m here to-day, and why I want to ask you a question. Don’t mind, do you?”’ Miss Libby rallied all her forces. Bet- THE ORDER OF THE BATH ter, far better, to have the ordeal ended. Why should I mind?’ she said, not quite steadily. But Mr. Brandwein appeared to be a person of tangents in discourse. He flew off on one. ‘‘Keep things up about a place—that’s my motto. Now, you've got the knack."” His admir- ing gaze swept the beautifully ordered living-room. ‘‘That’s another reason I come to you. We can talk plainly— both entitled to vote, so far as age goes, eh? And I’ve been watching you, as I've said; and I’ve felt you'd take it all right-——no foolishness. Been on my mind a good while. Get me?" Miss Libby inclined her head; she didn’t trust her voice. Mr. Brandwein bent toward her; verily, he was tremendously in earnest. “I'm going to be honest with you. I’ve had a fight with myself. You see, I'd had some experiences as well as a bereavement, and they'd left me gun- shy—technical term, ma'am, but may- be you'll guess the combination. So I was all for playing a lone hand, but it won't do. Servants ride over me, treat me like a feeble-minded igno- ramus. I'm going to stop it. I’m going to get expert backing. So now I've come to you. Prepared to hear the question, are you? If you are, Mrs. Featherby Mr. Featherby—Why, wear less. Mrs. Featherby—The less I wear the more it cos's ! just say, ‘Fire when ready, Gridley!’"’ Inwardly Miss Libby shuddered; out- wardly hers was the calm of desperation, belied only by her convulsively clasped hands. “Fi-fire!"’ she breathed. Pek Raqene HER PROBLEM I simply can’t dress on $5,000 a year! comicbooks.com