Judge, 1915-04-17 · page 11 of 26
Judge — April 17, 1915 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a cautionary tale by Margaretta Flagg about choosing romance over practicality. A lonely woman must choose between two merchants: one selling a scarlet "Mantle of Love" with flattering words and charm, the other offering a durable gray cloak with honest utility. She chooses the romantic scarlet cloak, which quickly fades and tears under real-world hardship. Desperate and cold, she returns to find only the Second Merchant remains—implying the practical choice endures while romantic illusions fail. The title "No Wonder the Soup Got Cold" suggests domestic neglect caused by romantic distraction. This appears to be early-20th-century moralizing about women prioritizing emotional appeal over sensible judgment in matters (romantic partners, marriage) that affect household management. The satirical point criticizes both the woman's poor judgment and the First Merchant's manipulative seduction.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
NO WONDER THE SOUP GOT COLD HE CHILL of loneliness struck into the Woman's heart, so she fared forth to the marketplace to purchase herself a cloak. Two Merchants offered their wares. The first flaunted a shimmering silk- en garment, the second a gray woolen one. “But see how this be- comes me!"’ she cried, wrapping the scarlet cloak about her. “Tt fits you like a silken sheath!"" said its owner, with a flash of dark eyes. “Is the price, perchance, great?"’ “Not more than you are willing to pay,” he smiled, adjusting the folds more grace- fully about her shoulders. “‘What have you to say in praise of your dull gray garment?" she asked the Second By MARGARETTA FLAGG Merchant, still clasping the scarlet cloak tightly about her. “It will outlast the other,’’ he replied, with a steady glance of blue eyes. ‘Also, it is warmer.”” “Oh, but I am glowing with warmth!" she protested, ‘‘I will take the scarlet cloak, for indeed it becomes me well."" “It becomes all fair women,’’ said the First Merchant. ‘*My gray cloak will outlast it,’’ repeated the Second Merchant quietly. “And what is the name of the cloak?" asked the Woman. ‘It is called the Mantle of Love,’’ re- plied the First Merchant. The Woman purchased the scarlet cloak and left the marketplace, lovingly fingering its silken folds. o 8 © © © 6 For a while she wore the cloak proudly before the envious eyes of other women. But within a few short weeks it grew faded and dingy. It frayed at the seams, and the keen wind of adversity cut through its flimsy folds to her shivering heart; but the more inadequate its protection, the closer she wrapped it about her shaking limbs, cower- ing under it despairingly. Finally the blast rent it from neck to hem, and, sorrowing, she cast it from her. Once more the Woman fared forth to the marketplace to purchase herself a cloak. The Second Merchant alone was there, of- fering his gray garment. But, strangely, it comicbooks.com