Judge, 1919-10-18 · page 5 of 36
Judge — October 18, 1919 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Tabloid Plays for the Tired Business Man" This is a literary/theatrical piece rather than political satire. The page presents "The Mystical Play," part of a series offering escapist entertainment for weary professionals. The top illustration shows a moonlit seaside scene with ethereal figures—a maiden in flowing robes and a turbaned genie emerging from clouds. The accompanying text is a mystical dialogue where the Genie of the Flask offers the maiden unlimited knowledge and truth in exchange for her wisdom in choosing wisely before he returns "no more." This appears designed as whimsical, fantastical entertainment—offering businessmen brief imaginative escape through orientalist imagery and supernatural drama. The illustrations are credited to Laurens Stout, suggesting this was a regular feature in Judge magazine.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Cuoose Wisety For I Suatt Return No More Tabloid Plays for the Tired Business Man By Kenpatv BANNING Illustrations by Laurens Stout II. Tue Mysticar Pray NG! Who art thou? What wouldst thou? My : Iam the Geni of the Flask of Jade! I things. I know all things. I am all things. ion lies the Book of Life, from ever- , of the Flask lasting even to everlasting. vening (it is moonlight. Everywhere ts Because, O maiden, thou hast freed my immortal silence, save the gei entle murmur- ing of the waves upon the sands. INGR¢ ANE, a tall stately figure clad in a flowing, diaphanous gown of pale green, bound with a large, bejewelled girdle of Oriental design that matches the band about her head, enters slowly and mystically, gazing ever and anon across the moon- lit waters. Half buried in the sands, she espies a strange flask of jade. Seating herself near it, she studies the unusual object. finally taking it up in her hands. She breaks open the seal, and forthwith there issues a great cloud, which, rising up into the heavens, resolves itself into the figure of aman, clad ina turban of brilliant hue, long, flowing garments and bearing a gleaming scimitar. INGRANE falls back in awe and wonder.) spirit from the bondage of the enchanted flask ; 3ecause thou hast broken at last the magic seal that has con- fined my restless soul, drifting upon the waters of life since Time was not; Lo, I shall reward thee with one lone and priceless Truth from Womb of knowledge. . Whatsoever has been; whatsoever is; whatsoever will be, even unto the end of eternity, is clear to mine eyes. Whatsoever thou wouldst ask, speak, and I shall answer. Into thy keeping shall I place one lone and priceless truth that shall set thee above all thy ly, for I shall return no more; One question shall T answer thee, and only one, and that shall T