Judge, 1918-07-27 · page 25 of 36
Judge — July 27, 1918 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents theatrical sketches satirizing WWI-era anxieties. The top panel shows soldiers from British and American armies competing in a trench charge—likely mocking the competitive nationalism between Allied forces. The central sketch, "The Man Who Stayed at Home," satirizes spy paranoia. A government official (Preston) discusses stolen "government secrets" with Carl Sanderson, who suspects a spy lurks among five household members. The humor derives from the absurdity: Preston becomes indignant at the *suggestion* of espionage in his own home, his outrage masking possible guilt or obliviousness to actual threats. Lower panels show comedic vignettes: a sergeant's fractured English ordering "oofs" (hooves), and a relief worker confronting someone repeatedly stealing undershirts—mocking wartime resource hoarding or military supply theft. The overall theme appears to be satirizing home-front anxieties about espionage, resource scarcity, and the gap between official reassurance and actual danger during WWI.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Four glimpses of “G (Bottom Panel, Left) “Working hard?” “We all are; and it’s just what some of us needed.” (Right) From “Tue Man Wuo Stayep at Home” Preston (to German secret agents): Well, now, what can I do for you? Cart SANDERSON: When I came down from London last night, I brought with me certain important documents — government secrets. These have disappeared. Preston: Dis—! ’Pon my word, you don’t say so! And you think they’ve been—er Cart SANDERSON: Stolen! Mrs. Sanperson: We have a very grave sus- 3 TOGETHER (Top Panel) Time! Stand by! Over the top! Captain, we'll race you! Britisu Captain American Captain: Britisu Captain: (Bottom Panel, Center) Serceant Atkins (calling waitress): Ici anglais sergeant. I want a couple of oofs. Not ’orses ’oofs, ’ens oofs. I want one of ’em blind and one of ’em lookin’ at me. (Bottom Panel, Right) Retier Worker: Why, you’ve been here before. You’ve got three of our undershirts and a chemise on now! picion that one of our number is a spy. Preston: Somebody in this house? Surely you're mistaken. Mrs. Sanperson: I’m afraid not. Preston: But—er— there are only—let me see —five of us. My daugh- ter, Miss Myrtle, Brent— and Mrs. Lee—and, er— Good gracious! You don’t mean to say you’ve got the—the—confounded impertinence to suggest that I Cart Sanperson: My dear sir—— Preston (violently): Don’t you “dear sir” me, sir! comicbooks.com