Judge, 1915-04-17 · page 8 of 26
Judge — April 17, 1915 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains social satire typical of early 20th-century American humor. The top illustration depicts a winged horse (Pegasus) with figures below—likely representing classical ideals meeting modern Broadway culture. **"A Broadway Fable"** satirizes social climbing and materialism on Broadway's "Great White Way." The allegorical characters—Cheap and Nasty (a romantic couple)—represent unpretentious people who divorce when exposed to wealthy Broadway society. Nasty abandons his partner for "High priced," a wealthy spouse. The moral critiques how civilization and commercialism corrupt authentic relationships. The surrounding verses and humor ("In the Swim," "Languid Pets," "Just That") mock 1920s social pretension—society reporters attending fashionable events, wealthy people's affectations, and self-proclaimed experts. The satire targets the artificial values and status-seeking of urban high society, suggesting that material wealth and social climbing fundamentally damage genuine human connection.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
1, BACHELOR QUARTERS AND—— In the Swim 'M IN the fashionable set And mingle with the saints and sinners; At their great functions I am met— Teas, dances, musicales and dinners. The leaders keep me well in view— In fact, a few of them pursue me; I'm part of all the things they do, And they are always cordial to me. The beaus to me are always kind, The belles are much concerned about me; I'm very sure that they would find Their lives quite incomplete without me. Not that society’s my bent (I never was o’erkeen to court it); But by the editors I'm sent (Sixth page, fourth column) to report it! —Nathanw M. Levy. Languid Pets “These pampered dogs of the rich are rather listless, it seems to m “Yes; you never see one of them bury- ing a marshmallow or worrying a chocolate drop."" Just That Johnny—What is an expert, pa? Pa—A fellow who tells others how to do the things he can’t do himself. Take Your Choice To make us all happy the optimist tries. “The backbone of winter is broken!"' he But the pessimist just shakes his head and looks glum, As he says he is sure that the worst is to come. MAMA AR NAL A Broadway Fable NCE there was a happy pair, known as Cheap and Nasty. These two were in- separable, and especially were they to be found together at the same restaurants. If Cheap appeared alone, Nasty would soon show up; and, likewise, Nasty might occa- sionally seem to be alone, but Cheap was always sure to be somewhere around. Once, however, they took a trip to that part of Broadway which, with its tribu- taries, is known as the Great White Way. And they soon realized that this district was different from any other they had ever vis- ited. They saw that it was frequented by a type of customers who apparently didn’t care how poor a thing wasso long as it cost a lot of money. As a result, Nasty quickly became ashamed of his unassuming but loving mate, and their union, like many another, was quickly torn asunder by the merciless breakers of Broadway. Nasty divorced Cheap and immediately married High priced, a well known hyphenated American. Ever since then High-priced and Nasty can be seen, day or night, fre- quenting the Great White Way. Moral—Civilization makes strange bed- fellows. —Ellis 0. Jones. f 7 BETTER HALVES