Judge, 1918-06-15 · page 7 of 36
Judge — June 15, 1918 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks young women's fickleness and romantic opportunism during World War I. The "diary" entries chronicle a girl who accepts marriage proposals from *multiple* officers—Lieutenant Matthews (April), Captain Myers (May), and Captain Gilmore (May-June)—each time claiming genuine affection. The satire targets several things: women's perceived superficiality (she's impressed by handsome uniforms and singing voices), the contrast between her dismissive treatment of a humble private soldier versus fawning over officers, and the absurdity of serial engagements. The implication is that she's a gold-digger exploiting wartime romance. The top illustration shows a woman attending to a wounded or ill soldier, captioned "Her 'Little Boy'"—likely sarcastically referencing her patronizing sympathy for common soldiers versus her romantic pursuit of officers. The humor relies on period stereotypes about women's unreliability and materialism during wartime.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Drawn by P. D. Jonnsox On Furtoucu—Her “ Littte Boy” The Diary of a Real Girl By H. PRIL 21, 1918—Last night there was a very beautiful moon. At ten-thirty (I noticed his wrist watch) Lieutenant Matthews proposed. He is so handsome, and he seems to love me so. I accepted him. We are to be married when he returns from France. May 2—Who should call yesterday but Howard Wilson, a nice boy I used to know back home. He was caught in the second draft—is a private in the 357th Infantry. Howard is the same old boy—honest and frank and stupid. He talked mostly about home and his mother. I feel awfully sorry for him. May 15—Went to a perfectly gorgeous dance last evening with Captain Myers of the 15th Cavalry. Walked home in the moonlight. He is a Southerner and proposes so gracefully. When he returns fromehe war we are to be married and live on his old plantation homestead. May 26—Captain Gilmore of the 12th Field 23 einhh LENE REE L. Cartsox W. Dee Artillery spent the day wita us, a guest of the family. He has the most magnificent tenor voice I’ve ever heard. Sang “Keep the Home Fires Burning,” and we all—even Dad—cried. In the evening Captain Gilmore and I sat for a long time on the porch. We are to be married in New York the day he returns from France. June 3, 1918—Howard Wilson was in from -the Fort again yesterday. He is so substantial and old- fashioned. Has been made a sergeant. Still talks about his mother. I've lots of sympathy and respect for boys like him. It’s such a pity that they have to go across and be k (I won't write it.) June s—Licutenant Matthews wants us to be married before he sai!s—has just talked to me over long distance. He leaves about the twentieth, and I’ve promised to let him know by the twelfth. Am going to talk it over with dear old mother, soon. June 7—Captain Gilmore called again yester- day. We had some friends in during the evening and Tue Warrare or Love. No. 4. The Bon-Bon Bombardment