Judge, 1915-03-06 · page 12 of 24
Judge — March 6, 1915 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks the casual divorce culture among the wealthy elite. The cartoon depicts fashionably dressed socialites in the rain, introducing characters entangled in serial marriages. The story portrays Jack Melcher as a serial philanderer who cycles through wives with startling frequency—his current wife is his third or fourth, and he's openly flirting with Mrs. Wyland while married. The humor derives from treating divorce as a casual social "pastime" rather than serious marital dissolution. Mrs. Melcher's warnings to Mrs. Wyland about Jack's infidelity and his offer to divorce his wife for her, combined with mutual accusations of philandering between the couples, expose the moral bankruptcy and social chaos of this lifestyle. The conclusion—the Wylands become social pariahs, the Melchers flee town, and Overhill house goes up for sale—suggests Judge magazine's moralistic critique: such frivolous, scandal-ridden behavior destroys reputations and social standing. The title's phrase about "fine feathers" (fancy appearance) making "fine birds" ironically suggests outward elegance masks inner moral corruption.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“FINE FEATHERS MAKE FINE BIRDS" But—does yours wear one of these dod-blasted things? where we came from. Well, I've been mar- ried to Jack a year. I married him justa week after he was divorced by his second wife.”” **By his second wife?"’ “Yes. And she mar- ried him the day after his first wife divorced him."" “And you are his third wife?”” Mrs. Wyland gasped. “Yes. And I fancy he isn’t through yet. I heard him say to you last night in the alcove near the billiard-room—I happened to be behind that great palm—I heard him say to you, ‘If aman and a woman each tied by marriage strongly fancy each other and wish to try matrimony on their own account, happily there is a way.’ Why, divorce is just a pastime with Jack’’! Mrs. Wyland gasped again. heard whistling down the road. “And I'll tell you, my dear,’’ continued Mrs. Melcher, ‘‘I'm very unhappy, because I know terrible things Jack’s fourth wife must put up with. His flirtations are in- terminable—endless—and they go to such lengths; but they are simple things com- Melcher was pared with others. I have tried to reform him, but failed. I'm weary of things I can't correct. If you love him dearly, you may be able to reform him, for you may appeal to him as I haven't been able to. It might be arranged, you know, for I'll con- fess I rather like your Frank !"* Melcher came up smiling and handed the leash to Mrs. Wyland, who bowed coldly and turned away without kissing Mrs. Melcher good-by. ‘What's up?’ Melcher asked, as soon as they were out of hearing. ‘‘Been tiffing with her? She seems to have turned sour all at once."* “‘There’s much the matter,’’ laughed Mrs. Melcher. ‘‘Agnes told me all about her flirtation with you."" “Why, my dear, I've only been jollying."” “*But she said you offered to divorce me if she’’—— “*Shush! you about.’’ “What a fool she’s made of you, Jack! And what do you think? She accuses me of philandering with her Frank !"" The Wylands didn’t attend the next affair at Overhill, others quickly fell away, rumors accumulated, and cuts direct followed. The I don’t believe in divorce with Melchers are seeking pleasure in travel, and Overhill is again for sale. THE NET RESULT comichooks romp