Judge, 1919-09-13 · page 8 of 36
Judge — September 13, 1919 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Judge Magazine Page This page contains two distinct satirical pieces: **"The Fly on the Chariot Wheel"** (main poem): A mock-epic allegory where a tiny fly causes a magnificent chariot to crash, destroying horses, charioteer, and all. The moral: "There's nothing half so dangerous as a fool!" The satire mocks human pride and self-importance—even the grandest achievements can be undone by insignificant foolishness. **"A Bar Sinister"** (brief dialogue): A rural character named Gap Johnson from Arkansas dismissively responds to a traveler's boasting about his precocious son's accomplishments. Johnson suggests an only child becomes "sp'iled" and worthless. The satire targets both parental bragging and the folk-wisdom dismissal of education and refinement. **"His Comment"** (bottom cartoon): Shows two men at a cave entrance with the caption about getting "the last word with an echo"—a visual pun on futile stubbornness. All three pieces satirize human vanity, foolishness, and the futility of pride.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
imagination now must intervene ‘To point the moral and complete the scene. On, on they went, a miracle of art, The straining steeds, the driver strong of heart, Praxiteles in action, racing past Gardens and groves and temples, till, at last, ‘Tired of the ride, on gauzy wings the Fly Sailed up and landed in the driver’s eye! A swerve, a lunge, a shriek, a grinding crash, And, lo! the whole concern has gone to smash, While high above the wreck of pride and power The Fly goes buzzing to his secret bower, Serenely calm, his boasting justified, To preen his wings and nurse . Under the dust of centuries they lie, Horses and chariot, charioteer and fly, Toys of the gods, whose fiery course was run To make Olympus smile—lest you be one To raise another grin, mark well this rule: There's nothing half so dangerous as @ fool! His Comment “You have fourteen children, while I have only one,” said the spectacled traveler. “But my son, though only nis old, can recite from memory more than two hundred vei Scripture, play the piano with precision and feeling, translate many Greek sentences, and knows the botanical names of scores of flowers.”” ah!” nonchalantly responded Gap Jobnson, cf Rum- pus Ridge, Ark. “An only child is powerful likely to be sp'iled till he’s—p’tu—no-’count.”” Drawn by T. 5. Seuuvast A Bar Sinister The Fly on the Chariot Wheel By D. B. Van Buren Down the long line of ages dead and gone, Your storied quadriga comes tearing on, A riot of red nostrils, flying manes, Of thund’ring hoofs and dust and clinking chains, While you amidst the turmoi Vociferously bawling; “I am I The passing cynic marking, with a sneer, Your idle vaporings and mad career, Incontinently held you up to scorn, A jest for generations yet unborn, And so, immortal insect, wrote your name High in the halls of everlasting fame. Now, while the superficial may declare Folly and impudence your only share The thoughtful soul perceives there’s more beside— Who ever heard the end of that wild ride? Fly, horses, chariot and charioteer sie And all the dust they kicked up disappear; Drown by C. P, Perums -+ A.C. So, as the ancient scribes neglect the mark “We'd better get back to the hotel, Matilda. There's no The further progress of that classic lark, use standing there trying to get the last word with an echo.”