Judge, 1916-09-30 · page 9 of 28
Judge — September 30, 1916 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a comedic dialogue between Max Markowitz (a skirt manufacturer) and Henry Shapiro (his bookkeeper and brother-in-law), both appearing to be Jewish immigrants based on their Yiddish-inflected English and names. **The satire's point:** Henry repeatedly asks Markowitz for free theatre passes to impress his girlfriend Sadie Goldman. Markowitz refuses, lecturing that free things aren't truly valuable. The humor derives from their bargaining and emotional manipulation—Henry guilt-trips Markowitz about past favors, Markowitz claims poverty despite his business success, and both ultimately capitulate. **Social context:** The piece satirizes early 20th-century Jewish immigrant workplace dynamics, ethnic business networks (Kantrowitz, Schonberg & Co.), and courtship customs. The "meet her half way" caption jokes about marital compromise. The bottom panel's Miranda/Professor exchange appears unrelated—a separate gag about opposites attracting.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A cross marks the spot to which you are expected to proceed when your wife demands that you “ meet her half way.” MARKOWITZ AND HENRY Discuss By LOU “Re THE millionth time I tell you, Henry, don’t bother me about them passes!” angrily shouted Max Mar- kowitz, the skirt manufacturer, to Henry Shapiro, his bookkeeper and brother-in-law. “‘Ain’t I got enough trouble a whoie day between the price com mittce with their increases and them cut-throat buyers with their reduc- tions, trying to make things balance. so I make a little something for my- self in the middle—and here you come around and bother me about something for notting? It ain’t no use, Henry, I won't get them. And don't you fool yourself and think that when you get a pass to theatre you're getting something——" “A fine brothe y you are,” interrupted Henry with a gesture of disgust. “For five years you are a customer from Kent and Kantrowitz, trimmings, and what is it if you ask Kantrowitz’s sister Fannie what has a goyeshe friend Billy Geffen, what's a stenographer by Max Schonberg & Co., manu facturers from theatre costumes, to get you a pass from an actor what comes in there regelar every da Will it cost you some- thing to as! “Henry,” replied Markowitz, “take my advice. If you want to take Sadie Goldman to the theatre, spend a dollar and finish it; but if you'll get a “What do you think Iam, e in Henry, excitedly. “Do you think I want to go way up and sit down in the family circle with such a fine goil like Miss Goldman? Such wages you give me that [ can’t even take her, what's a tegelar lady and used to box seats, to a show like a gentleman. And if Task you to try and get me tickets—what won't cost Theatre Passes, or Something for Nothing RAB you a cent, only you got to open your mouth a little, you holler at me like I was trying to borrow from you your last penny. Alleright. I won't bother you no more about the tickets, but remember, Max, I want a raise at least ” “Don’t be a lemech, Henry,” said Markowitz soothingl: “and think I don’t want to do you a favor and get you a pas If you want it so badly, I'll get it, but remember if it costs me anything you got to pay for it.” “Alleright, gesettled,” agreed Henry, nodding his head, “Tl stand all the charges. Fool that you are! Do you think that Kantrowitz, by whom you are such a good customer, will charge you something if his sister's friend gets a pass from a big Sy ites attract each other, professor ? ¢ tallest woman | know makes the Miranda—Do you believe Professor—I certainly do! best shortcake I ever ate. comicbooks.com