Judge, 1916-12-02 · page 19 of 36
Judge — December 2, 1916 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page collects holiday-themed humor pieces satirizing Christmas gift-giving and marital dynamics of the early 20th century. The main cartoon shows a man breaking his New Year's resolution to quit smoking after receiving luxurious tobacco gifts—smoker's sets, meerschaum pipes, smoking jackets, and cigars. The satire targets male weakness: he pledges abstinence but immediately surrenders to temptation, planning to "swear off on New Year's day—But not this one, dear." The surrounding brief comic dialogues mock related themes: cheap gifts (slippers that don't fit), surprise gifts undermined by wives' demands, and marital discord (a woman making a man "what he is," implied negatively). One final cartoon shows a father in a transparent Santa disguise. The humor assumes readers recognize universal domestic scenarios—broken resolutions, gift-giving disappointments, and the gap between marital promises and behavior—making these situations relatable through exaggeration.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
TOMMY TRIES ONE OF HIS CHRISTMAS CIGARS The First Backslider WEETHEART, when I promised you That on New Year's day T tobacco would eschew, ‘Throw my pipe away, Never use cigars again, Bid Old Nic good-by, T was very carnest then, Full of purpose high; deserved the sweet applause Which you gave with glee— just look what Santa Claus Went and did to me! But First he sent this smok- ers’ set, All of shinng brass, hen this meerschau n—who could let Such temptation pass? ‘Then this smoking jacket, soft As are blue-birds Then this box Full of dark Celestes. Will I break my vow, you say? Darling, have no fear. I'll swear off on New Year’s day— But not this one, dear. Lee Shippey. oe Out of Sight She—Can’t you see how far I make a dollar go? He—Youknow I’m near sighted, Maria. Above the Average Crawford—You say you got seven pairs of slippers for Christmas. What is there so unusual about that? Crabshaw—One pair fitted me. Decidedly Prue—I wish you'd give me an appro- priate motto to put over my booth at the Christmas bazaar. Ted—The Lord loveth a cheerful loser. No Excuse Madge—You shouldn’t blame him just because he’s absent-minded. Marjorie—But just think, dear. It was under the mistletoe. Decidedly So Crawford—How can your Christmas present to your wife be a surprise if she told you exactly what it must be? Crabshaw—You sec, I’m not going to give it to her. A Possible Excuse “My wife,” triumphantly said the Hon. Bray Lowder, “made me * what I am.” “Well, don’t hold it against her,” returned old Felix Fogy. ‘Maybe she couldn’t do any better.” No gifts she'll give or take, altho’ It's said that she will draw the line When ’neath the merry mistletoe. —J. J. O'Connelt. INCOGNITO Papa Duck—This Santa Claus disguise is perfect The children will never recognize me. comicbooks.com