Judge, 1916-06-10 · page 13 of 28
Judge — June 10, 1916 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece from *Judge* presents a dialogue between two characters—"the Soulful Poet" and "the Jokesmith"—debating the romantic sentimentality of June weddings versus their financial realities. **The satire targets:** - **Romantic idealization vs. economic hardship**: The Poet romanticizes June as "the month of roses and of brides," while the Jokesmith cynically catalogs the expenses—silver gifts, cut-glass congratulations, and mounting wedding invitations. - **The bride-as-expense trope**: The Jokesmith laments repeatedly acquiring wedding gifts, while the Poet quips that the Jokesmith has "too many friends" getting married. The implication is that weddings are financial obligations disguised as celebrations. - **Fathers' financial ruin**: The closing verses mock the father of the bride, who "spends all he can borrow" and faces "bankruptcy tomorrow." The illustration shows well-dressed figures at the Buffalo Country Club, suggesting upper-class anxiety about maintaining social status through expensive wedding customs. The satire mocks both the commercialization of weddings and the genteel pretense that conceals economic strain.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
FALO COUNTRY CLUB What would MO? the Reciprocity TH OF hy TERRELL Belle f An inspiration!” The Soulful Poct carefully rubbed the fire from I rete, put the butt into his pocket and fished out a pencil “Huh.” grunted the Jokesmith. “T've had a ‘perspiration’ all morning, but [didn’t brag about And Hil bet mine ; “June, the month of roses and of brides,” s before yours does. the bard, upon the back ry slip “And wedding presents.” mourned the J L bought yesterday set me back the price of a dozen jok season is not well open yet. ‘The sight of a square white envelope gives me a chill. If the Bachelors’ free love, the wedding invitation, with its unwritten, “If you can’t “The one and the smith. Union ever officially endor: nd something,’ will be to blame.” fon't you marry and get even?” Jokesmith. “The recipi- lations all have flocks to come “L've waited too long.” deplored th ents of my silver and cut-glass congr, feed now. They couldn't respond with anything heavier than a plated saltspoon, without economizing on milk.” ROS Love Jimmie —Well, we used to be allowed to play out: but since out of bounds. ES AND OF BRIDES HOLLIDAY “You have too many friends,” averred the Poct. No, I quit making them years ago, thinking that if I acquired around some day. But no such luck. Evangeline Jones-Brown-Smith-Green-Martin has stung me five times. And I have a hunch that she soon will swap her last set of green weeds for no new ones I'd ge orange blossoms.” “Hark, the wedding bells peal out,” scribbled the Poet. poor father shelling out,’ would be nearer the plain, sad truth,” opined the Jokesmith, “Daughter gets married today, Her daddy spe Grandly. gives d And taketh bankruptey tomorrow.” all he can borrow; hter away, “T don't call it a happy ending when the daughters all mz the last chapter. [can’t help thinking of father.” I don't mind your thinking,” acridly declared the Poet. “It's comicbooks.com