Judge, 1916-12-09 · page 15 of 28
Judge — December 9, 1916 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes romantic idealization versus mundane domestic reality. Two characters, Gerty and Lex, debate whether Christmas shopping together—presented as unglamorous and "commonplace"—can be romantic compared to dramatic rescue scenarios (burning buildings, life rafts). The satire's point: modern romance is supposed to involve heroic, death-defying acts, yet the real test of devotion is enduring tedious, ordinary tasks like holiday shopping with a loved one. Lex initially refuses, claiming it's "humiliating to my sense of manhood," but eventually agrees—only to hire two men to assist, suggesting he'll still avoid the actual mundane work. The top cartoon illustrates an elegant, wealthy household ("the Goldens"), reinforcing that this is a satire about upper-class attitudes toward romance and domesticity. The joke targets the disconnect between romantic fantasy and the often-boring reality of married/coupled life.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
elk “T just love to spend a week-end with the Goldens “ FAIR test,” said Gerty, “would be for you to do some Christ- mas shopping with me.” We had just been talk- ing about a rescuc from a burning building, or taking her off a life raft. “But that,” Lex- claimed,"is too like real life; besides, there is no romance in it.” “Oh, isn’t there!” “But it’s so horribly commonplace.” “Commonplace!” Gerty looked at me in amazement. “Did you ever hear of any man ever going Christmas shopping with, with—” “The lady who is in love with him,” I suggested mildly. “You horrid thing! “T'll go,” I said promptly, having made what I considered a background. “It’s not a desirable death. There’s no glory init; it’s humiliating to my sense of man- hood, but—I’ll go.” Gerty clapped her hands, ignoring my | PATENT APPL IED FOR | Ry TOL M cheap attempt at pathos. “Splendid!” she cried. “Hei the list. [t's in three divisions: Family, friends, and casual acquaintances. Where shall we begin? I mean which end?” “On the “Then, you sce, unnecessary ones,” I replied sagely. we will have to get all the others.” “When do we start?” at moment,” you alws There's a condition.” A condition!” “Certainly. You know, ina ducl, the one challenged has the choice of weapons. And I have the choice of transportation.” I don’t understand you “T mean that you must go in precisely the manner that I choose.” “T refuse “Then it’s all off.” “Coward!” I smiled. “Tcan’t help your being that,” “Oho! Tell me——" “Tl tell you nothing. I said politely. were a rusher. I said. But if you want their home life is so appealing—so unpretentious! ” me to go Christmas shopping with you, you must go in the I sclect; I prom- ise you that we shall both be comfort- able; I promise you that I will never leave your side; I promise you that we will accomplish greater results in a shorter time than you have dreamed of. Will you trust me. Gerty thought. “To the death,” she said at last. And IT must say there is one thing about that girl I like. She never goes back on her word. That night I hired two strong men at fifty cents an hour, and made all the other arrangements. They were to meet us near the first department store. comicbooks.com