Judge, 1919-09-27 · page 25 of 36
Judge — September 27, 1919 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page illustrates scenes from what appears to be a theatrical adaptation of a dramatic work (likely the play "John Ferguson"). The narrative depicts a rural Irish family in crisis: **The Setup:** Henry Withrow, the village bully, threatens to foreclose on the Ferguson family home and has assaulted Hannah Ferguson. James Cesar, her cowardly suitor, confronts Withrow but is physically dominated. **The Central Drama:** Withrow is found murdered. Hannah, traumatized by Withrow's assault, returns home in distress. The family's son confesses to the killing, motivated by protecting his sister's honor. **The "Job-like" Reference:** The title invokes the Biblical figure Job—suggesting the Ferguson family endures multiple catastrophic trials (financial ruin, sexual assault, murder) yet maintains moral dignity and faith ("whatever it was we've bore it together"). The satire or commentary remains unclear without knowing the original work's political context, though the page appears to dramatize themes of rural poverty, family honor, and moral resilience under extreme hardship.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
¥ “Clutie” John, the half-wit, rushes in with the news that Henry Withrow, who had attacked Hannah Ferguson, had been murdered HaxNau—Clutie, are you sure? CLutie—Ay, Hannah, I am. I saw his corpse myst stretched out in the yard. It was quare to think of him lying there, and me could hit him if I liked and him couldn't hit back. HkAs—Ohy he’s dead, thank God, he’s dead! Photo: by Waite Henry Withrow, the village bully, threatens to foreclose the mortgage on the Ferguson home. James Cesar, Hannah’s cowardly suitor, sum mons Courage enough to flaunt him asa miser Witnxow (shaking Casar roughly)—I’ve stood enough ot your back-chat, Casar, and I'll stand no more of it Cassar (feebly)—Let me go, will you? Wirnxow-T'll let you when P've done with you Hannah Ferguson, who had gone to beard Withrow, the family enemy, in his home, rushes into the fara house, crazed with terror and shame, and throws herself at her father’s knees Jonx Fercuson—Just tell me, daugh- ter, what happened you? The Fergusons’ only son has confesed that it washe HANNAU—Da, I’m ashamed who killed the man who had ruined his sister. Joux—Ashamed, daughter! . Hannau—Yes, ashamed! Oh, my God! Joun—We've had our pride and our humili- ation. God's been good to us and He's been bitter hard. But whatever it was we've bore it together, haven’t we? 2s coMmichbooksseom