Judge, 1915-08-14 · page 14 of 28
Judge — August 14, 1915 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical story about a charming seducer named Jingle who operates at a summer resort hotel. The narrative mocks the superficiality of romantic flirtation and masculine manipulation. Jingle employs identical flattery on three women—Alice, Bessie, and Helen—praising each as uniquely special dancers and beauties. He isolates each girl with private moments and poetic compliments, convincing each she's his true interest. The joke is exposed when all three realize they've been played identically. The illustration shows the moment of revelation: the women have discovered Jingle is already married to yet another woman, arriving at the hotel. His serial seduction ends abruptly. The satire targets both the gullible romanticism of young women and the duplicitous charm of unscrupulous men who exploit it. The accompanying jokes ("She Did," "Casting Their Shadows") extend the theme of domestic disappointment and marital disillusionment.
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wag‘ irresistible. He danced even more fluently than he talked. “‘Ah!"' said Jingle to Alice, as he grace- fully manipulated his grapefruit, ‘*I shall never forget the joy of last evening **What particular joy?"’ asked Alice. “The joy of dancing with you. I noted your grace at tennis, and it was emphasized in your dancing. You are a charming young woman."" “Am I?" Alice began to eat daintily. **But you are the better dancer."’ ‘*How can you say that? I've never danced with a girl so rhythmically sympa- thetic—so cognizant of motion's true sym- metry—so’’—— **But how about Bessie and Helen? You certainly enjoyed them as partners. Or seemed to.’’ **Seemed? That's the word. Exactly. One must be polite. But really I enjoyed only partnership with you. What aglorious day itis! And the views are magnificent! I shall walk. Would you like to''—— And they took a stroll, starting before Bessie or Helen had appeared. When they returned, Alice was convinced that Jingle was both fascinating and worthy of con- fidence. That evening Jingle danced just the same with Bessie, Alice and Helen, Dancing with Helen last, just as the musicians were showing weariness or carelessness—the fes- tivity was near its close—he prevailed upon her to go out into the moonlight. “Charming as you are in daylight, and you are also charming under the artificial light of the ballroom, it remained for moon- light to bring out the peculiar delicacy of your beauty. Will you pardon me for ad- miration I must express?’’ Helen pardoned him, and it continued. In the morning Bessie, Alice and Helen met at breakfast. They avoided personal greetings, although before the advent of Jingle they had responded to that habit of hotel life in the summer that marks quick friendships. After breakfast they went several ways. Each was looking for Jingle. Jingle was missing. Just before luncheon, as Bessie entered the hotel after a long and lonely walk, she glimpsed Jingle talking with his usual grace and affability to a strange young woman— a very pretty young woman—evidently new guest. Jingle didn’t even Tecognize Bessie as she entered and passed to the desk. “Who is the young woman Mr, Jingle ig entertaining?"’ Bessie asked the clerk, That useful person had regarded Jingle's misce. laneous philandering with a jealousy be hadn't tried to conceal. “That young woman?"’ The clerk craned his neck to look. ‘Why, that’s Mrs, Jin. gle. Just arrived."" Summer Love My rival makes me not enraged, Nor do I care for him For even though they are engaged, I teach her how to swim. She Did Newlywed (at dinner)—This lettuce js something fierce! Did you wash it? Mrs. Newlywed—Of course I did! used perfumed soap, too! Casting Their Shadows Before Yousg mother—What business will baby take to, do you suppose? Young father—The feed line apparently; And I