Judge, 1917-01-06 · page 6 of 32
Judge — January 6, 1917 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical story by Ellis Evans ridicules the social expectations that immediately descend upon someone who acquires a new automobile. The cartoon shows Spriggins being besieged by requests from relatives and acquaintances—each claiming legitimate need (Ladies' Aid Society fundraising, elderly aunt's health, hospitalized friend, social club outings, family joyrides)—the moment word spreads that he owns a car. The humor lies in the relentless, presumptuous demands placed on him and the transparent self-interest disguised as reasonable requests. The caption "Woman's Work Is Never Done" extends the satire: while ostensibly about women's charitable duties, it actually mocks how quickly new possessions become communal property through social pressure. The story captures early-20th-century automobile culture, when cars were still novel luxuries and owning one apparently obligated owners to become free taxi services for their entire social circle.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
s¢LJELLO, THERE! That you, Spriggins? You don’t know who this is, do you? It’s your cousin, Joe Hathaway. Haven't seen or heard from you in a coon’s age until I happened to see in the paper that you had bought acar. Run around and see us soon, can’t you? Come and stay to supper. We were talking about you the other day and wondering how nd where you were. Fine evenings for autoing. Look in on us very soon.” Is that you, Mr. Spriggins? Well, this is Mrs. Burley. I happened to read in the paper that you have a new car and I was wondering if you would be willing to put it at the disposal of our Ladies’ Aid Society for a morning. We need a car to run around in gathering up the things we want for the lawn party we are giving next week. The mo- ment I read that you had a car [ said that I would ask you for it for a morning. I felt sure that you would be willing to—you are so generous.” “How are you, Spriggins? I knew your voice the moment you answered my ring ins, our Merry Lark Club is going down to the beach for an outing Saturday afternoon and we want to go in autos. We have five promised now and we need about five more. What's the matter with you coming across with your new car and taking six or seven of the When Spriggins Got His Car By ELLIS EVANS boys down? I heard you had a new car. It will help out a lot if you'll join our lit- tle procession with it. Will you? Bully for you!” “That you, Cousin Henry? This is your cousin Belle. Say, Cousin Henry, your great-aunt Jane is a good deal under the weather. You know she is ninety-four now and is rather frail. The doctor thinks it would be a good thing if she could be out in the open air more. I was wondering if you couldn't come around with your car and take her a nice long ride some afternoon this week. It would be a lovely thing to do and she has never been in an auto. The novelty of giving an old lady of ninety-four her first auto ride would be worth some- thing. Can’t you come very soon?” “Is this three-nine-two-six? Oh, it’s you at the ‘phone, Spriggins? Didn't sound quite like your voice at first. Say, Spriggins, you know Sam Hurvey? Well, he's all under the weather. Flat on his back and has to go to the hospital for an operation. He isn’t quite equal to going there on the cars and he doesn’t want to go in the hospital ambulance. I heard that you had a new car and I was wonder- ing if you wouldn't like to make a kind of an angel of mercy of it and take Sam over to the hospital. Wish you would Can [tell him that you will?” Oh, Cousin Henry? So glad you answered my call yourself How all in the fashion you are with a new car! Cousin Lou ‘phoned me about it this morn- ing and I thought I would ring up and congratulate you. When are we going to have a ride in it? Mamma fairly dotes on motoring and Lam wild over it! Then there is something so fascinating in rid. ing in a brand-new car when it is still in the trying-out stage! We'll think that you are real mean if you don’t come around very soon and give us a long. long ride We could go any afternoon. this week. Mamma _ thinks that it would be nice if you would take us over to Greenville where some relatives of papa’s live. It’s only about sixty miles and it would be comicbooks.com