Judge, 1918-02-09 · page 25 of 36
Judge — February 9, 1918 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents comedic excerpts from three theatrical productions, highlighting dialogue about romantic relationships and marriage—popular themes in early 20th-century stage comedy. The sketches mock courtship rituals and marital dynamics. In "General Post," a servant's misunderstanding of "engaged" (as in "busy") versus "engaged" (as in betrothed) resolves a romantic deadlock. "Maytime" jokes about the unfavorable comparison a widow's new husband faces against her idealized memory of her first. "Yes or No" satirizes marriage itself as unstable employment—the final quip that marriage "ain't the steady job it used to be" suggests women had fewer escape routes from unhappy marriages, making the institution feel like inescapable labor. The humor relies on wordplay, misunderstandings, and cynical observations about matrimony typical of Judge's satirical take on social conventions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PBricht Bity from | C rreut Play From “GENERAL Post” General Smith’s courtship has reached . a deadlock, when old Watkins saves the day. Watkins: “Miss Waring wishes to speak to you on the telephone, miss.” Betry: “Tell her I’m en- gaged.” Watkins: so glad!’ Smitu: “Miss Broughton . means exactly what she says.” > — Olive Tell, William Courtney and James Kearney. “Really? I’m From “Maytime” The trouble about marrying a widow is that may to stand the gaff of comparison wi One Perfect Man. Lizzie: “Poor Charlie, my first hus- band, used to say, ‘Lizzie, you may have your faults, but, jealousy is not one of them.’”” Matriew: “Oh, Charlie be dammed! Charlie be dammed!” —Maude Odell and William Vorris. Y LIM, From “Yrs or No” Marcaret: “You see, I was never trained for anything but marriage.” Emma: “Marriage—and that ain't the steady job it used to be.” —Majorie Wood and Wilet's Kershaze. comiciooks.colil