Judge, 1916-12-02 · page 8 of 36
Judge — December 2, 1916 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This 1917 page satirizes Christmas gift-giving customs and contemporary world events. The opening cartoon references actual conflicts: Japan's invasion of China, ongoing European warfare (World War I), and Mexican instability—suggesting humanity hasn't learned peace despite centuries of angelic exhortation. The "Gift Fad" and related humor mock the era's tension between *useful* versus *ornamental* gifts. A woman complains her suitor gave something practical she'd wanted—violating Christmas's expectation of frivolous luxury. This satirizes both consumer excess and gender role expectations (women should receive decorative, impractical items). "His Fate" ridicules overindulgent mothering of a "sissy" boy who becomes dependent, ultimately dominated by a strong-willed widow—social anxiety about masculine weakness. The "Christmas Alphabet" is pure consumer satire, cataloging imported ornaments and gadgets ("Nouveau nick-nacks," "Rococo rings") as meaningless status purchases, mocking the commercialization of the holiday.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS By WL D. NESRIT Courage HE Herald Angel poised for his an- nual Christmas flight. He sur. veyed the world. He saw Japan grabbing China, he saw the war all over Europe, he saw Mexico torn to bits, he saw what was going on in the United St he saw what was happening everywher He let his memory hark back through the centuries, and smiled sadly: “Oh well, if at first you don’t suc- 1, try, try again. Lifting his trumpet to his lips, he blew a sweet salute, and then sang: “Peace on earth, good will toward all men To Prepare Him “Dear Uncle Joe,” wrote the fair young thing, “you are such a strong advocate of useful Christmas presents that Lam sending my gift to you in advance. [ know it should be useful to you.” With the note she en- closed a handsomely lettered list of things she would like to receive for Christmas. Merry Christmas! “Now [ve done ii moans the absent-minded editor. “Done what?’ interested friend “My best girl sent me a box of cigars for Christmas, and as I already had re- ceived five boxes T sent them back to her with a note of asks the regret saying that they were not returned for lack of merit but because we were already supplied with plenty of such material.” The Gift Fad Madge—You shouldn't be so angry with him. Didn't he give you some- thing? Marjorie—But it wasn't a real Christ- mas present. It was something useful and just what I wanted for ever so long. Ilis Fate slic Postlethwaite er, was his mother’s pride and joy,” said old Polk N. Prodd. “When he was small she dressed him in dainty garments until it was hard to determine whether he was his mamma's prectous pet or a performing monkey. As he grew up she selected his neckties and his associates, and gratified his every wish until he became as_ pro- nounced a and painful sight ‘as 1 ever witnessed. And then he married a square- shouldered young — widow with four children and red hair, and never knew what struck him.” sissy A Christmas Alphabet NTIQUE atrocitie Barba Carved curiosities, Doodaddie dolls “Echoes of Ermin' Frilled furbelows. Gew-gaws from Germany. Hand-painted hose. Imbecile inkbottles Japanese jades. Korean kink-pottles Leather lampshades. Mandolins melodious. Nouveau nick-nacks. Ornaments odious: Pale plaster plaques. Quaint quips and quiddittes. Rococo rin} Silver solidities. Trim Thermos things. Ugly umbrella Violent vest White woven willow Xtracts xpressed Yule Yearbooks yellow as bowls comicbooks.