Judge, 1918-07-13 · page 11 of 36
Judge — July 13, 1918 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a romantic short story illustrated with a single panel, not political satire. The cartoon shows two American military officers—Furlong (an ace pilot) and Lieutenant Benham (naval officer)—meeting in a Paris hotel lobby during or shortly after World War I (references to "Hun drive" and air victories). The humor is situational comedy: both men are pursuing women who've left town—Furlong chasing a newspaper correspondent to London, Benham pursuing a damsel to Le Havre. They bond over their shared romantic predicament, with Benham making a wisecrack about Furlong's girlfriend "lighting out" on him. The illustration depicts the "rough" English Channel crossing mentioned in the caption. The story explores post-war romance and military life, targeting Judge's audience with light comedic drama rather than social commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“THe Assistants to Fame By J. A. Watpron Illustration URLONG was in Paris on a furlough. He was an American who had far out- numbered the air victories necessary to this distinction during the Hun drive, and during the lull that followed, his captain had insisted that Furlong rest his nerves. Furlong knew the charms of Paris, but a young American newspaper woman, Madge Kensing, was the particular magnet in his case. He had met her there, and they had corresponded. She had delighted in his stories of air battles, drawing him on to describe them, and begging him to omit no personal detail on the score of modesty. She repaid him for this with letters which bore the charm a brainy and engaging woman can transfer to paper. At the hotel from which she had last written Fur- long found that Miss Kensing had left for London. A clerk, after a plea that touched his heart and a tip that enlarged his habitual smile, gave Furlong her forward- ing address. But how was he to get to London? Ruminating the matter, Furlong caught sight of a y Lawrence Fettows young American naval officer, Lieutenant Benham, whom he knew. Benham was carrying an air of dis- appointment about the hotel lobby. “Hello, old chap!” said Furlong. “You look as glum as I feel!” “Hello “T'll confess I “What's up “T’ve got to go to Havre to-night. Came up here to sec a damsel. She’s not to be found at former whereabouts.” “Just an acquaintance, I suppose.” “Your supposition is almost impertinent, but 1 don’t mind telling you, as an old friend, she’s a girl I’m willing to marry.” “Funny! Just my case, with a slight differenc: detail. I came to Paris to talk seriously with a I’m anxious to marry. And I find she’s in London! “You couldn’t have gone so far with her if she lights out like that when you are on your way!” “Oh, she didn’t know I was on my w was returned, as they clasped hands Jon’t feel hilarious.” comicbooks.com