Judge, 1918-12-14 · page 7 of 32
Judge — December 14, 1918 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Explanation for Modern Readers This page from *Judge* magazine contains humorous anecdotes rather than political commentary. The top cartoon, "The Temptation of Grandma," shows children soliciting donations for the Red Cross by appealing to an elderly woman—likely satirizing WWI-era charitable campaigns. The four text sections below mock everyday social situations: a nervous man (possibly anxious about commitment), a restaurant patron with hiccups while eating spaghetti, and an opera enthusiast whose rapturous praise is deflated when someone wishes it were "comic opera" instead. The final joke, "More Than Half," is a dig at women's fashion—specifically the shorter hemlines becoming fashionable in the 1920s. An old man notes a store sign advertising "one-half off" ladies' skirts, then quips that women have actually cut their skirts far more than that, referencing the scandalous shortening of women's dress lengths during this era. This reflects conservative anxiety about changing women's fashion and social roles.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
CHD ae Wet bS me Vy Drown by Carsent Sur Tue Temptation or GRANDMA f nd help de Red Cro: “Three sho . The Midnight Oiligarchi Cataciysmal T! E fellows who attend the school of experience do most of “Well, fr cat’s sak ejaculated Heloise, of the rapid their studying at night. fire restaurant “What's the matter with that guy up in front?” “Aw, he’s eating spaghetti and he’s got the hiccoughs replied Claudine, of the same establishment. Similar Symptoms “What’s got the matter with Hamp Flatt?” asked an acquaintance. “ He’s as jumpy as a cat—always hopping up when nothing is happening, or looking over his shoulder as if he expected something to take him in the back.” “Aw, I reckon he’s either figgering on shooting some feller or marrying again,” replied Gap Johnson, of Rum- pus Ridge, Ark. Anti-Climax “What a wonderful voice that soprano has! Did you ever before hear anything to match her clear, silvery tones? Such grace, such absolute ac- curacy of pitch, such intelli- gence and such brilliance! Her notes flash out with mar- velous swiftness and beauty, like the ever-changing rays of light reflected from a fault- less gem. A wonderful Gilda! And a splendid supporting company; a thoroughly artis- tic production. Such music is an inspiration; it lifts us far above the tr meanness of life’s sordid grind; it brings forth the best that——"" “You're dead right, it’s a fine show—but I wish it was comic opera.” More Than Half “Wal, I never,” repeated Uncle Hiram slowly, as he stood before one of the de partment store windows, “ this here card says, ‘LADIES’ Ss D_ SKIRTS 2-HALF OFF,’ but from the looks o’ the wimmin a-runnin’ aroun’ these days | should jedge thet they've been cut a good deal more’n half what they used to be!” lon Drawn by G1 AS comicbooks.com