Judge, 1916-08-19 · page 6 of 28
Judge — August 19, 1916 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains several satirical pieces typical of early 20th-century American humor: **"Rastus's Courtesy"** employs a racist caricature standard to the era. The story depicts a Black man ("Rastus") scheduled for execution who refuses to escape a jail fire because he doesn't want to disappoint his invited guests—presenting this as charming courtesy. The satire targets the dehumanizing treatment and the stereotype itself, though by modern standards the racist language and characterization are deeply offensive. **Other brief pieces** include business humor ("Another Angle" about sales tactics) and period observations about fashion ("The Gay Madness of Fashion"), automobiles, and Hollywood aspirations ("Twin Souls"). **The car cartoon** satirizes family opinion-seeking before major purchases—a relatable domestic dynamic. The page reflects 1920s-era social commentary, but its humor relies heavily on now-unacceptable racial stereotypes that were normalized in that publication's target audience.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Rastus's Courtesy ‘EN A little town in Texas several dar- kies were having a game of poker. When five aces appeared in the same deal Rastus protested with his ra- zor, and as a result two of the party would play poker no more. The authorities succeeded in preventing a lynching, and Rastus was therefore about to achieve the honor of being the only scion of his race ever legally executed in Yell County. He was so impressed with the distinction that he obtained permission to invite a number of his friends to witness the final ceremonies in the jail-yard Just as the trap was to be sprung, the wooden jail caught fire and the officials ndoned Rastus to attend to the more ssing duty. When the fire was out the sheriff hurried back, expecting to find that Rastus had indefinitely postponed the performance. But he was standing patiently on the drop. “Why you old fool, you!” the sheriff cried. “Why didn’t you get away when you had the chance “Boss,” Rastus answered reproach- fully, “yu shorely didn’t think Ah'd dis’pint all dem ‘vited guests, did yu?” Another Angle “Always see a man just after he has had a good lunch. That is the best time to get an order from him.” “And you don’t have to invite him out, either,” added the thrifty sales- man. GETTING THE FAMILY’S OPINION OF THE NEW CAR YOU PROPOSE TO BUY All in the Game Mrs. Gi I hear they out of town on business. Mrs. Park—Yes; she's gone West to get a divorce and her daughter is down South trying to capture a husband. mercy are both The Long and the Short of It “Ah! life is too short,” sighed the Optimist. “Well, you'll find it shorter before long,” growled the Pessimist. The Never, Never Land “Pa, where is Utopia?” “That's the place where we all expect to obtain summer board.” Clerk (wrapping up collar)—Isn’t there something else that you would like? Customer—Nothing ! U have a wife, and a necktie! The Gay Madness of Fashion ING no more the carnival, Sing no more the tournament, Venice is a pallid dream, Camelot is magic spent— Thebes and Babylon and Spain, Greece and Prester John’s domain, Let oblivion’s sombre reign Curtain close their faded hue— Rather sing—The Avenue! Sheherazade tripping, ey-prints a-tripping, Flappers all a-tripping, Down the Avenue!) Undulant like pulsing jewels Before the eyes of Ariane, Like embodied melodies Fluttering from the heart of Pan— Svelte black angels, efflorescent, 1s demure and gay and pleasant, Haughty, frivolous, quiescent, Arch, bizarre, yea worldly too, Strolling down the Avenue! Watteau milk-maids strolling, Pierrette a-strolling, Down the Avenue!) Silks from Kashmir, veils from Fez ace and lawn from out all nations, Boots from misty Vishnu-land, Miraculous mundane creations— Mabaster and dawn-blushe Slender, angular, mad young graces, Curving in the sweetest places Mahomet’s Paradise comes true At five upon the Avenue! faces (Hallucinations lilting, Seraphim a-lilting, Felicity a-lilting, Down the Avenue!) Morris Gilbert Twin Souls “I hate the movies.” “T can't sell my scenarios, cither.” comicbooks.com