Judge, 1914-12-19 · page 5 of 24
Judge — December 19, 1914 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The page contains two satirical elements: **Top section ("Stung; Or, Look Before You Leap"):** A four-panel comic strip showing men on public transit reading newspapers. The humor appears to satirize how newspaper readers become absorbed in their reading, unaware of their surroundings or fellow passengers—one man is so engrossed he fails to notice others beside him. **Bottom section ("At that, She Was Right"):** A story about Mr. Jenkins, a store proprietor, who is pleasantly surprised when an elderly woman makes a large purchase ($153.63). The satire likely mocks assumptions about customers based on appearance—the poorly-dressed old lady proves a valuable client, contradicting Jenkins's initial dismissal of her. The accompanying illustration "A Dream of Fair Women" appears unrelated decorative content. The page demonstrates Judge's focus on everyday social observations and class-based humor typical of early 20th-century American satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
At that, She Was Right ENKINS, the proprietor of the store, was sorely perplexed, as business for some time past had been very poor. What he longed for most was a well-to-do purchaser, who would expend enough mo- ney in his place to tide the business over until the spring rush commenced. His heart was gladdened at the sight of a richly dressed old woman entering his store, and he hastened forward to greet her. “I would like to make many purchases,’’ said the old lady, as Jenkins made his most profound bow and put forth his grandest manner. ‘‘I have many * gifts to make, and as I have plenty of money and am getting along in years, I want to remember some of my friends with things that they most need. I shall take up a great deal of your time, but I think it will be worth your while.” “Tam most happy to serve you,”” beamed Jenkins, almost overcome by the prospect of large purchases. The old lady was hard to please, but Jenkins put in the next few Laz STUNG; OR, LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP hours to the best advantage and succeeded in disposing of a number of otherwise un- salable articles, and the goodly sum to which the sales amounted fully repaid him for his efforts. The old lady remarked that she was well satisfied with the service and would return at a later date and give him a larger order. After giving him mi- nute instructions as to the delivery of the various articles purchased, she asked, “What is my bill? If you will give me a blank check, I will settle with you now.'’ Jenkins hastened to total the amount of sales, “Fifteen hundred and sixty-three dol- lars,’? he beamed. “Even?"’ asked the old lady, as she proceeded to write the check. A DREAM OF FAIR WOMEN Jenkins’s attention was attracted at this moment to two uniformed figures who were cautiously peering into the store window. One of the men wore a black cap, on which was marked in red letters ‘‘Guard.’’ The other was dressed in the uniform of the city’s police force. The two stepped quietly into the store, and the guard, pointing at the erstwhile pleased customer, nodded to his compan- ion, and approaching the old lady, said kindly enough, “Now, aunty, that you have finished your shopping, we've come to take you home."” “All right,’? answered the old lady cheerily, as she accompanied the men. Jenkins looked at the check he held in his hand. It read, ‘‘Fifteen hun- dred and sixty-three dollars and no sense.’” —Florence Leonard Looking Ahead “‘Wombat is always struggling to shine. Nothing is too far ahead for him to plan for.’” “What now?” “Now he’s taking a few lessons on the harp, so as to get something of in edge on the rest of us in the next world."” comicbooks.com