Judge, 1916-09-30 · page 13 of 28
Judge — September 30, 1916 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical story depicts the meeting between Randall Reynall, an American businessman, and the Hon. Cholmondeley Bigge, a British aristocrat recently returned from WWI service ("the blooming trenches"). The humor centers on contrasting national stereotypes: Bigge represents the traditional English gentleman (monocle, sparse mustache, leisurely manner), while Reynall embodies the hustling American capitalist obsessed with wealth and status. When Reynall boasts about his wife's million-dollar wedding gift and his drive to "even things up" through relentless moneymaking, Bigge's dry response—"You Americans are never satisfied with enough"—captures the satirical critique: American materialism and social climbing versus English aristocratic composure. The final line hints at intrigue: Reynall is mysteriously greeted by a young woman at the train station, foreshadowing dramatic complications for the weekend ahead.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A WEEK-END EPISODE 1LDRON sTEUlOxcse HOW the gentleman in right away!” This to his office boy as Randall Reynall studied a card with a reminiscent smile. The card read: “The Hon. Cholmondeley Bigge That gentleman came in leisurely, and noth- ing aside from his disengaged manner disclosed the English- man. From his card many not knowing him might picture a bored person wearing a monocle and chewing one end of a long, sparse mustache. So much for the influence of the sta The Hon. Cholmondeley Bigge sometimes wore a monocle in London, where by virtue of heredity he was expected to affect that questionable aid to vision. But a year ona when he was younger had improved his general modified his accent and given him a passion for ac aptiag’ himself toenvironment. ‘Well! Well! What a happy surprise!” Rey- nall came from behind an elaborate desk with hand extended, and a very pretty stenographer looked up, with general approval of the situation, but retired to an inner room. She was no cavesdropper. ‘When did you arrive in New York?” “Hawf an hour ago, old chap. On the Touraine. Been in the blooming trenches. Got a bit of a hit. Hospital, and all that, and leave for a space. Thought I'd run over, you know.” “Mighty glad to see you! I hope you're staying long enough to let me get even for the good time you gave me in London?” “Gay dog still, eh?” “Yes—on the side. We'll do the town all right. Even a marricd man takes that privilege.” “You don’t say! Wonderful! Married, ch?” “Yes. To the best little one in the world.” Reynall ruffled his brow. ‘But what rotten luck! I’ve an important business engagement that takes me out of town for two days. Going in an hour. But that'll not prevent you from running down to my place for the weck end. I'll rush back as soon as possible. You'll find it agreeable until I return.” “My lug is at the hotel. Perhaps I’d better wait there until—”" “ Nonsen y around a hotel when you can have a bully time? I be a lot of guests down there—friends of Golf, dancing and plenty of other diversion. You can a cab with me now. I leave town on the same line. We'll pick up your luggage at the hotel. How I wish I could defer this trip! But it means a lot of money. I’m making it in bundles, and want to keep it up.” “You Americans are never satisfied with enough, old chap!" “But don’t you sec? My wife had the place—worth a mil- lion—as a wedding gift. I want to even things up!” Oh! Aw! Yes. Commendable industry.” They rode to the Grand Central Terminal together later. Here Reynall was greeted by a young woman. Bigge thought he had seen her before. t Sts comicbooks.com