Judge, 1916-02-26 · page 17 of 28
Judge — February 26, 1916 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct elements: an illustration titled **"Friedland" (If Napoleon Lived To-Day)** showing motorcycles and military vehicles in a modernized warfare scene, and a romantic short story by Chesterton Todd titled "Waiting." The illustration satirizes what warfare might look like if Napoleon commanded modern (1920s-era) transportation—motorcycles and trucks replacing cavalry and cannons, with aircraft overhead. This is a humorous "what-if" fantasy about historical figures in contemporary times. The story itself is a romantic comedy about a man's frustration when his declaration of love receives only polite acknowledgment rather than passionate reciprocation. The woman's cool, logical responses ("I heard you the first time") mock both sentimental romance conventions and the gap between male romantic expectations and female emotional reserve. The satire critiques overwrought romantic gestures and male presumption.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“FRIEDLAND” HE WAS a beautiful girl. Judged by any standard, I quite knew that. Others were bound to agree with me. I was, moreover, determined to fall in love with her, for I had vowed to myself that I would marry a beautiful girl. I wanted to be proud of her beauty. Then my Greek sense of things made it inevitable that I should believe that there is nothing beau- tiful that is not good. So I fell. I: Ue She did not reply. At first I thought that she had not heard me. There was no indication that she had. Her eyes did not mo’ Her lips did not move. She did not move. I cannot say that she stared atme. To stare is to imply some sort of initiative. I said: “Tlove you.” “T heard you the first time,” she replied. I was beginning to get a trifle uneasy. I felt, somehow, that something ought to be done about it. I had a weak sort of notion, at one time, to spring at her throat, to “clasp” her in my arms, as I deli quite proper upon these exalted occasions. But I am nat- urally of a cautious temperament. Besides, something big was at (IF NAPOLEON LIVED TO-DAY) WAITING By CHESTERTON TODD stake. Perhaps my whole future happiness was involved. I must be patient. Yet wha se could I do? The announce- ment had been made. She had acknowledged the receipt of my communication. I smiled craftily. After all, she was probably gathering herself together. In another moment she would fall into my arms with a glad sob of relief, or something like that. I mustn’t hurry. I must give her fluttering heart time. After a while I said: “Tt’s rather warm to-night, isn’t it? but “T love you,’ It may rain to-morrow, * she said. Her eyes did not change. Neither did the expressionless expression upon her beautiful face. Somehow the announcement did not do what I had anticipated of it. I felt that something ought to be done. But I couldn’t tell what. Finally I ventured: “Under the circumstances, darling, would it be quite in order ii uP”? *’ Did she seem a trifle more emphatic, or was this a mere fancy on my part? » “Tt might disturb me.” Then—to descend to the common—I “blew up.” “Look here,” I said sternly, “what is the matter?” I went up to her and started to put my arms around her. “I am simply crazy about you. I have got to love you. I can feel my love——” “Feel!” she murmured. “ You must not do that.”” comicbooks.com