Judge, 1917-12-08 · page 5 of 28
Judge — December 8, 1917 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main cartoon depicts a Roman soldier attempting to restrain a rotund figure (likely representing someone in authority) from grabbing an elaborately decorated Christmas tree laden with gifts and ornaments. The title "Hands Off!" suggests criticism of someone overreaching or interfering inappropriately. The soldier's restraining gesture implies legal or constitutional limits being imposed. Without additional context about the specific Judge issue date, the exact identity of the rotund figure remains unclear—though it could reference a political figure or business magnate of the era attempting to monopolize or exploit Christmas commerce or charitable giving. The accompanying text pieces ("Scenery," "His Decision," "Their Criticism," "The Anniversary Feast") appear to be separate humor items unrelated to the main cartoon.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“HANDS OFF!” SCENERY CENERY isa state of nature that can rarely be seen without paying out from three to three thousand dollars in traveling expenses. In the New England states. the farmers have reso- lutely built their houses facing a narrow, dusty road, and placed their barns in the rear of their houses so that all views of valleys, rivers, lakes and ocean are effectually cut off. Aftera few more good potato years, however, these same farmers will pur- chase several feet of green railroad ticket and travel great dis. tances with much gusto to get a look at scenery very little better than that which they might see from their own kitchen windows if they would tear down their barns. Most people have a bit of real scenery in view of their own windows; but in order to see it, it would be necessary for them to tear down the barn- like structure of habit and stodginess which beclouds their eyes. Kenneth L. Roberts. Their Criticism Jinks came home the other day and found an agent there, Dispensing literary works, he soaked him with a chair W' And hurled the wretch adown the steps upon his brazen head. “Far, far too mild and ladylike!” the carping neighbors said. Tennyson J. Daft. HIS DECISION CLF-L IAL is an admirable trait, and 1 have practice it hereafter,” admitted old Festus Pester. shall cease attending amateur entertainments and listening to persons with messages which they wish to deliver to the world at so much per mess. 1 intend to deprive myself of the company of my brother-in-law who has infested my home for several moons. I shall cease indorsing notes for friends of my boyhood. I shall also refrain from participating in the other fellow’s game. I shall not contribute funds to help erect monuments to great men whom I never heard of. I shall not aid in vindicating any unfortunate Hon I shall accept no more advice, and shall eat nothing that I dislike. I intend to live strictly up to this pro- gramme, and am sure that whether it adds to the pleasure of anybody else it will considerably augment the comfort and sat- isfaction of Yr. humble & Obt. Servt."”. —Tom P. Morgan. The Anniversary Feast “This fine old bottle of wine, which we now propose to open, was put aside on our wedding-day twenty-five years ago.” “ And this fine old chicken,” asked the grouchy guest, * was. it hatched at the same time?”