Judge, 1917-06-23 · page 17 of 28
Judge — June 23, 1917 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains humorous prose and verse typical of Judge's satirical content, circa early-to-mid 20th century. **Main items:** The large cartoon depicts what appears to be a wartime or refugee scene with soldiers and civilians in an arched shelter, accompanying the opening joke "Have you heard the last war joke?" The poems and short humor pieces use rural American place names (Carcassonne, Saugatuck, Oskaloosa) for comedic effect—turning obscure towns into romantic ideals. Several items mock contemporary domestic life: a joke about using pencil instead of ink, and references to large families ("fourteen olive branches"). **Notable satirical pieces:** - "His Eccentricity" mocks wealthy eccentricity (refusing cars while wealthy) - "Willie Willis" jokes about insurance agents - "Out—for a Spell" appears to satirize Russian politics, referencing the Duma and Tsar in a spelling dispute (unclear historical reference) - "Impetuous Soldiers" puns on Senegalese troops shooting dice ("craps") The humor relies on wordplay, domestic absurdity, and light social observation rather than sharp political commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Have you heard the last war joke? CAN THIS BE LOVE? (Lines t0 4 Lissome Lady) By SAMUEL ELLSWORTH KISER TOO dream of a Carcassonne With golden spires and gleaming domes, And always thither I am drawn, And there my ardent spirit roams. My Carcassonne may not seem fair To others tarrying to see; But Saugatuck, if you were there, Would be proud Carcassonne to me. Men who have lingered overnight Where Oskaloosa spreads and sprawls Have turned with unrestrained delight To look their last upon its walls; But Oskaloosa or Bayonne, Coshocton, Horseheads or Bellaire, Would be my dazzling Carcassonne If you consumed provisions there. How can you doubt or still deny That I have made my meaning clear? With you there, even Sleepy Eye Would seem to me celestial, dear! If Kittery roy, Penn Yan, Peru, Tombstone, Mauch, Chunk or Manistee Were home, sweet home, my dear, to you It would be Carcassonne to me. A Fair Substitute “Oh, Gap!” cried Mrs. Johnson. “The baby has just drank up the bottle of ink. What shall we do?” “Write with a lead pencil, I reckon,” replied Mr. Gap Johnson, of Rumpus Ridge. “If there is ary one on the wn !—place. Declined With Thanks He—I offer you my heart’s first fresh young affections. She—George, I have often thought I'd like to teach—but I never cared for kindergarten work. His Eccentricity “You own a motor car, of course?” “No,” replied J. Fuller Gloom. “I am one of those quaint and curious creatures who feel that they can afford to walk.” Defined Withe Willis What's a “lucky star,” pa? Papa Willis—One that gets half as much as the press-agent says he does. Shop Talk Mamma Willis—Your uncle Tom has just. expired. Willie Willis (whose papa is an in- surance agent)—Well; can’t we have him renewed? Out—for a Spell HE Duma told the Romanoff, Right here is where you Czars get off!” Strange, that a quarrel so compelling Grew from a mere dispute in spelling! “Duma” they spelled with a final “a”— The Czar preferred a “‘b,” they say. Said they: “Well, since we can’t agree, We'll make that final ‘a’ a ‘p’!” Albert E. Hoyt. I hope so! Abundant Thankfulness “Children are young but once.” “T’ve got fourteen reasons for being thankful for that,” replied Mr. Gap Johnson, of Rumpus Ridge, Ark., who is blessed with that number of olive branches. The Impetuous Soldiers HE captain cried: ‘Cease shooting, please,” But couldn't stop the chaos; It was the troop of Senegalese, And they were shooting craps. He—Is she very straitlaced ? She—Very—Why she won't even “accompany a young man on the piano without a chaperon. comicbooks.com