Judge, 1915-01-09 · page 11 of 24
Judge — January 9, 1915 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical story by J.A. Waldron mocks the social ambitions of the newly wealthy. The Springstreets, who recently acquired their fortune, eagerly pursue a match between their daughter Agnes and a European count—valuing his aristocratic "distinction" over genuine feeling. The twist reveals that the maid Dolores is actually the count's former lover (likely from Europe, given the Spanish name). Their reunion exposes the count's mercenary nature: he's pursuing Miss Springstreet for her money while abandoning Dolores. The story's title ironically suggests that love should transcend wealth, yet the count proves that money *does* count to him. The satire targets both the pretentious newly rich seeking aristocratic legitimacy and the con-man fortune-hunter who exploits their social climbing. The maid's unexpected prominence in the narrative may also comment on class mobility and the complications of immigration.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
woueceE nN M O N E Y DO E S$ N'T c O U N T By Joa, WALDRON HE DOOR of the mansion of Josiah Springstreet was opened by a servant in livery almost as pic- torial as the uniform of a volunteer fireman, and the card of Count de Bonelle was taken to Miss Agnes Springstr to whom the count was paying court. The Springstreets were ambitious for this younger daughter. Before Josiah had won his pile, his elder daughter, Gertrude, had made a commonplace match and was now a social nobody. The Count de Bonelle was ushered into the draw- ing-room and was soon joined by Miss Springstreet. They greeted each other warmly. It was whispered in the household that if these two should marry love would dominate money on one side and distinction on the other—a very unusual result. A new maid to Miss Agnes, named Dolores, had been engaged the day before this visit of the count. Dolores was certainly a curious person, for when her mistress went to join the count the maid looked at the count’s card. Then she stole downstairs and from the refuge of a heavy curtain spied upon the lovers. Their endearments affected her strangely, for she hurried upstairs again and dressing hurriedly for the street told another maid she had been called out unexpectedly. Having an apartment in a neighboring hotel, as he said, the count visited the Springstreets on foot. As he left the mansion, he met the maid near by. **Dolores!"" Christophe!" For a moment they stood looking at each other. “Do you intend to marry Miss Springstreet?"’ **Why do you ask?"’ ‘*T became her maid yesterday."" “Yes? Well, why shouldn’t I marry her?"’ ‘*But what about you and me?”’ comicbooks.com