Judge, 1918-07-06 · page 15 of 36
Judge — July 6, 1918 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct items: **Upper Section (Story Fragment):** A narrative about "Don José," a Brazilian businessman involved in nitrate dealing who entertains wealthy associates. The plot involves espionage accusations: Don José's servants are arrested as suspected German spies (one carries a camera disguised as a book). Mr. Wellby, initially presented as a Rio businessman, reveals himself as a Scotland Yard detective, arresting Don José and his companions "to keep up the comedy of these names." **Lower Section (Comic Strip):** An absurdist wordplay joke about a man named Tom Wright who lost his right leg but insists on calling his remaining left leg "Wright" (homophone for "right"). The comic plays on linguistic confusion—whether his leg is "right" or "left," "a Wright" or "a left"—with Wright stubbornly maintaining he's always correct regardless of which term applies. The repetitive arguments cost him friendships. Both items appear designed as light satirical humor rather than commentary on specific political events. The spy-arrest narrative and the leg-naming wordplay both emphasize confusion and absurdist logic as entertainment.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
carrying a book. He sat for a few minutes impatiently, when he was joined by the other two. After a brief conversation during which the secretary’s superiority seemed to be acknowledged by the others, the three went out separatel} Don José was seen frequently about the hotel from day today. It was whispered about that he was known in Brazil as “The Nitrate King.” Two women were much with him. One, middle-aged, yet still attractive, he introduced as the Marqueza Pereira, and the other, younger and a stunning beauty, as the Countess de Juliers. One man, a New York banker of note, was also seen in his company several times. With him Don José talked enthusiastically about nitrate deposits, and a deal involving millions was apparently on the carpet. One evening, awaiting a private dinner, these three were in Don José’s suite with him. The dinner was ready to serve when Don José apologized and asked for delay until a fourth guest should arrive. The arrival, a keen-eyed man of athletic build, was introduced simply as “Mr. Wellby “He came from Rio with me,” explained Don José, “and we have become fast friend Mr. Wellby proved to be the life of the party. The banker, probably ruminating on nitrate profits, was proof against the blandishments of the Marqueza. Perhaps he would have preferred to cultivate the Countess, but’ Mr. Wellby was monopolizing her. As coffee was serving there was a telephone call for Don José. Excusing himself he answered in an ad- joining room. He returned greatly perturbed. “Tt is from my secretary,” he explained. “He is in trouble, with my men-servants.” “Trouble?” was the chorus from the others. “You have told me,” said Don José, turning to Mr. Wellby, “that you are well acquainted with the author- ities—the Secret Service so called.” “Yes,” replied Mr. W ellby. “Well, I shall ask a favor of you. They must have stupid underlings.” “Undoubtedly. What is the particular trouble.” “All three of my servants have been arrested.” “Arrested!” was the chorus again. “On what grounds?” Mr. Wellby asked. “As German spies. It is absurd! My secretary, who is an inveterate sightseer, yet who dislikes to at tract attention, carries a camera in the guise of a book “Then it is time for me to act,” said Mr. Wellby. “Do so, my friend, please!” said Don José ap- pealingly. “Well, then, you also are under arrest, Don Jo: and the Marqueza Pereira, and the Countess de Juliers —to keep up the comedy of these names ““And who are you, then Mr. Wellby flipped open his coat, showing a shield. “Tam from Scotland Yard.” Read from Left to Right Tour Mun! With only a left leg! Me names Wright, so its a right one , see 2? Unblushingly Perpetrated by Orson Lower TOM WRIGHT had only one left leg—I mean (for of course no man has two left legs), I mean he had only one leg left; it was a left one, too, but he used to claim it was a Wright one, too; he had started in life with two Wright legs, said he, and now, having lost one right one he had one Wright one left, or one left one left, or one Wright left one left, as you chose to look at it. Wright lost friends right and left because he argued so about it; he insisted he was always Wright, whether he called it right or left. If a fellow called it a left leg qQ Of course its a right — Hold on; it’s the only one left, aint it? Wright said ’twas a Wright, and if one agreed ‘twas a right Wright said ‘twas the only one left, wasn’t it? Wright took a ride on his wheel to get a new left boot for the only Wright foot left. “Right-o!” said the clerk. “Mr. Wright wants a left boot. Have we any left?” “Shelf right there to your left,” said the boss. “No, not a one of the right size left. We'll write right away for one.” So they wrote right away, but Wright rode right away and though the left boot came right back, ‘twas too late. Mr. Wright had left. ae ae en Se comicbooks.com