Judge, 1916-02-26 · page 13 of 28
Judge — February 26, 1916 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page depicts a domestic quarrel between a couple, illustrated by artist J.A. Waldron. The narrative dialogue shows two people—apparently a man and woman—rehashing their romantic history and grievances. The satire targets early 20th-century courtship dynamics and marriage expectations. The woman references a wealthy suitor ("Old Dollaire") she rejected for the protagonist, while the man emphasizes his devotion and sacrifices (mountain climbing, trout fishing). The couple bickers over who showed proper appreciation: he claims ideal devotion; she counters with faint praise ("pleasing chap," "accommodating"). The cartoon's humor lies in exposing the performative nature of romance—both parties keeping score, using favors as currency, and rewriting history to justify present dissatisfaction. The title ironically suggests happiness is elusive when love becomes transactional. The illustration shows the couple floating/flying, perhaps suggesting their relationship has become unmoored from reality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PURSUIT By J oA “ DON’T WANT estrangement, dear. slightly, owing to——" “Owing to reticence on both sides.” encouragement. ‘That sort of thing develops insidiously. But let us look backward a bit. You remember, of course, the first season we me! Twas about the only desirable chap at the Tip-Top House, whereas there were any number of desirable girls about.” “Oh, don’t know about your exclusive desirability. pout Mr. Dollaire? And there weren't any number of de: anything even remotely resembling an Do you? We've drifted apart Her eyes smiled “Yes. What rable Old Dollaire, ch? Why, he had more ailments than a patent- medicine circular describes.” “And five millions. And he had asked me to marry him before you came upon the scene. And he died the next winter! ‘I'll admit you would have made a handsome widow in certain circumstances, and maybe I should have missed you. But what I want to emph: eis this: You were the only girl on the horizon for me, and you knew it as well as I did. And I was an ideal lover, wasn’t 17" OF HAPPINESS WALDRON er hiuowse “Oh, you were persistent enough. “Do you remember how we climbed the mountains together, and went trout fishing, and all that?) And there was never a thimble- berry on a precipice or a wildflower on an overhanging cliff I didn’t risk my neck for if you fancied it!” “But didn’t I always show appreciation? And apprehension? 1 remember once when you slipped, and I thought . . ugh! I shiver to think of it! And I cried ‘Do be careful, Jack!’ Didn't I? You were an accommodating chap.” “Accommodating! I like your adjectives “Well, I'll say a pleasing chap, then. But you always said it was a delight to do anything in the world for me. And don’t forget that once in a while I let you kiss me.” Oh, I'll never forget that! ; You voluntecred it. And one kiss in particular I shall Took the initiative.” ! It was after I had told them back at the hotel that you caught the big trout that happened to get on my hook. Are you ashamed of an admirable example of gratitude?” “T remember the trout.” “And do you remember I wanted to marry you then?” comicbooks.com