Judge, 1916-07-29 · page 16 of 28
Judge — July 29, 1916 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical story mocks the anxieties of a middle-aged male seducer at a summer resort. A modest-dressed stranger arrives at a hotel and converses with the proprietor, praising the establishment. His true concern emerges: he nervously inquires whether the young female guests are chaperoned by parents or guardians. The joke's dark twist: he admits he specifically *fears* lonely, friendless girls with no one watching over them—not because he respects their safety, but because such vulnerability makes them easier to exploit, removing the deterrent of protective family members. His candid confession ("manfully registered") exposes the predatory calculations beneath respectable appearances. The accompanying brief jokes mock incompetence (a postal worker creating cancellation blots) and wartime profiteering (judging company value by fire incidents, implying insurance fraud). The cartoon illustrates this narrative, showing the stranger at the hotel desk during the conversation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Plumber's bill : T WAS at that hour in the afternoon when the summer resort hotel ap- parently was deserted, that the bus drew up in front of the piazza, anda modest appearing young man, dressed neatly but not gaudily, alighted and made his way to the des! “Nice place you have here," he said OW ‘hiak “Delicious air, and fine view. thing appe: lad you like it. the young man leaned over. he whispered, “but just one thing—just one little you don’t mind my mentioning it, Every- there thin; do yo! “Certainly not. Glad to know of our imperfections, with a view to correcting them.” ‘0. imperfection But—you have mar ing here, I presumi “Quite a few.” “Charming girls, I take it for granted.” “Delightful.” just a little thing. young ladies stay- ‘HIS FEAR } By CHESTERTON TODD Caceane memes “Regular stunners, ch?” “That wouldn't be a “Well, sir, the fact i “Entirely so, sir. aggeration.”” we are alone?” No one can hear you. “The fact is—excuse me again, but may I ask if they are all attended by their parents oF gus “Tth “1 mean that there are none of them cll alone, with no one to watch over them, to protect them?” “Certainly. who come alone. pout t We wouldn't take girls T suppose?” ot even one. Plenty of pretty oncs, but everyone has an older person with he ined ove! he sa he clerk Ie, use 1, “but what's the idea?” me, Item, to one man’s time at 75c. an hour, $6.00 simple, sir,” said the modest , I have been to a good many summer resorts in my life, and I know the ropes. I can usually withstand the beauty of the girl who has her relatives or parents near, but I have had enough experience to be scared to death of some lonely and friendless girl who has no one to watch over her but Providence. There is no escaping from that kind.” So saying, he manfully registered. That Two-Cent Stamp Black—I know a man who has caused more blots to be cast on General Wash- ington than I could possibly say. White—Who is the fellow? Black—He runs the cancelling ma- chine in the post-office. Vital Point Crawford—I'd buy some of that stock only I’m not just sure that the company really has any war orders. Crabshaw—How many times has the plant been on fire? comicbooks.coml}y