Judge, 1919-01-04 · page 13 of 32
Judge — January 4, 1919 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Explanation for Modern Readers This is a short story illustration (not political satire) from *Judge* magazine depicting American soldiers in post-WWI Italy. Two soldiers—Bob Strong, formerly a New York broker's clerk, and Tony, formerly a bootblack—are on leave in Tony's bombed Italian hometown after "the Hun" (German forces) have been defeated. The caption references Tony buying a "love token" (likely a souvenir) from a shop owner, assuring him it's worth more than one Italian lira. The story illustrates the bond formed between soldiers of different social classes during wartime service, now exploring war-damaged Italian cities together. The "satire" is gentle class commentary: a wealthy American and working-class immigrant becoming equals through military service—a popular post-war narrative about shared sacrifice transcending social hierarchy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Arter Tony AssuRED THE SELLER He Hap More Tuan a Lire’s Vatue, Tuey Lert.” A Love Token By J. A. Watpron Mlustration by Lawrence Feirows WO soldiers stood looking at ruin in an Italian city which had been repeatedly bombed by the Huns during their greater advance into that country. “Well, Tony,” said Bob Strong, “I thought you were going to give me a good time! It doesn’t look like a good time here.” Tony’s eyes snapped. “‘Didn’ we giva de Hun gooda time for dis?” And he made a sweeping gesture. Strong and Tony, on leave, were of the American contingent sent to Italy. There had been little to do since the Hun débfcle, and they were awaiting a possi- ble order for home-going. Both were from New YS where Strong had Geen a broker’s clerk and Tony 2 bootblack. Subject to the leveling influence of the service they had become friends. “Where shall we spend our time and some of our money?” Strong had asked, and Tony suggested a visit to his native town not far away. They found some of the streets intact, others in ruin. Tony had forgotten that his boyhood companions were also soldiers, and that most of them were still in service here and there. In a street that had escaped injury Tony found a restaurant known to him of old. Here he was greeted by one of the few persons he had recognized, the old man who conducted the place. After a typical Italian meal at war prices they started again to explore the place. A shop with curios in a window attracted Strong. comicbooks.com