Judge, 1917-01-20 · page 7 of 28
Judge — January 20, 1917 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes Jewish immigrant social dynamics in early 20th-century New York. The main cartoon depicts a domestic scene where a wife compliments her husband's writing but reminds him about return postage—a joke about authors' practical concerns. The longer story below mocks courtship etiquette among young Jewish New Yorkers at a hotel dance. Markowitz frantically advises his brother-in-law Henry to stop pursuing Sadie Goldman and instead court Miss Thompson, warning that ignoring a woman makes her lose interest. Henry dismisses this, claiming to be a "sport" (indifferent). The satire's point: Markowitz's anxiety proves justified when young Katz begins buying Miss Thompson champagne, suggesting Henry's strategy backfired. The Yiddish phrases ("meshuga"—crazy) and names ground this in ethnic-specific humor about Old World courtship wisdom versus American dating casualness.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
wren Author—There! Isn't that the best story I've ever written? right to run around with that feller Fish- kind, why ain’t you got a right to treat Miss Thompson? What’s fair for one is fair for the other. The more you'll run after her the more she'll run away from you. Be a sport and show her you don’t care. Don’t for—” “Alleright, alleright. I'll see, I'll see,” mum- ~ bled Henry weakly, as Markowitz uttered a grunt of satisfac- tion and left Henry to himself. The ballroom of one of New York’s most popular hotels was crowded to suffo- cation, and permeated with a composite aroma of fresh flowers and pungent per- fumes. Music was competing with con- versation for the acoustic leadership of the evening, while the Spirit of the Dance was supreme in’ its mastery over swaying disciples. Fashion was only fairly represented through the soberly dressed men, but really reveled in the myriads of colors and fabrics displayed near the backs of the feminine contin- gent. Gayety was in the air and echoed in an adjoining room where refreshments were dispensed by nimble waiters at so much per bird or bottle. ENCOURAGING, VERY Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. Markowitz; Mr. Henry Shapiro and Miss Tillie Thompson; Mr. Harry Fishkind and Miss Sadie Goldman; Mr. and Mrs. Katz and son. “Henry,” hissed Markowitz, who man- aged to get his bookkeeper into a corner, after several futile attempts, “what are you, crazy? Leaving Miss Thompson alone with the Katzes? You're running around after Sadie Goldman like a dog after his master, while young Katz has danced more times with the buyer than you, her partner! Where’s your manners, your busi- ness sense? Sadie wouldn’t run away from you! She lives in New York and not in Youngstown. Henry, oder you pay attention to Miss Thompson to-night or I'll pay attention to you to-morrow. A fine brother-in-law you are. It’s very very fine from you. Katz——” “Don’t worry, Max,” laughed Henry. “Let Katz get her. Be a sport!” “Let Katz be a sport for my money?” gasped Markowitz “You're meshugal” “No you're meshuga,” chuckled Henry, “for trying to get next to ae ray —_— Wife—It's splendid! But don’t forget to enclose return postage. a buyer from millinery. She’s got an- other depart: ” “What!” cried Markowitz, perspiration sprouting on his forehead as he stood helpless, glaring at Henry. But suddenly the wild stare in his eyes changed to a look of satisfaction and contentment. “Look, Henry!” he gurgled, pointing to the refreshment room. “Katz is buy- ing Miss ‘Thompson champanier!”” LOOK WHO'S HERE!