Judge, 1919-12-06 · page 13 of 36
Judge — December 6, 1919 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The Great Bag Mystery" and "Revenge" This page contains two unrelated short humorous stories from Judge magazine. **"The Great Bag Mystery"** depicts a common con game: a woman deliberately staggers under the weight of a heavy bag to attract a gentleman's help. When he gallantly offers assistance, she loudly instructs him to "take the valise...home," making it appear to a nearby accomplice (likely her husband or partner) that he's a drunk carrying stolen goods. The accomplice then arrests him as a thief. The protagonist must explain the setup to a judge the next morning. **"Revenge"** is a brief joke about a diner's response to poor service or quality food—he claims the meat was so tough and unappetizing that he imagined eating the restaurant owner (a cannibal reference) instead. Both pieces reflect early 20th-century urban humor targeting con artists, petty crime, and restaurant quality complaints. The illustrations show the con's setup and a restaurant interior scene.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Mrs. Searlett, rising dear, let's go on deck and 1 at the full moon! An ay priate object at the moment! This to Mrs. Ashton, moved quickly, her face aflame When they had gone Scarlett, lighting a cigar, remarked: “I old man, do you mean ms sister, Mrs. Ashton? I’ve had suspicions for day “A clever gue who replied Wel land, “and L shall propose to her this evening.” The Great Bag Mystery “Pp Gievee can Tell By Daw Weaver whieh eo | [® sought adventure. Night ah at the beck” fter night he walked the brilliantly lighted streets watching closely the beautiful faces and graceful figures of those who passed. In- herently modest, he did not flirt and avoided the more obvious solicitations of damsels of milder morals. He wanted adventure to seek him out. He wanted real romance It came at last. Not far ahead of him a girl was st gering under the weight of a he se. Now and then she would turn around as i looking for a stance ri ain by P. D, JouNson His cava as serted itself. “L beg your instinct at once aid as ain | g sardon,” he politely aS he knew how, help you carry that heavy vali “O, thank you ever so niuch,’ she replied sweetly as he relieved her of her burden. The smile she gave him promised much to his intoxicated senses, but her further remark and action astounded him. Ile did not hear the soft tread of feet behind him “Yes, John,” she spoke a trifle louder than was necessary, it seemed to him, “take the valise which is ‘d’ and t home.” In a twinkling she \ heavy hand fell on his shoul- der. He turned in alarm as a gruff voice growled authoritatively in his ear. ome along, young feller, Betcha y'got enough booze to get the whole darn town drunk in that there bag.” And the next morning he had to explain to the judge. Revenge IVaiter—I hope you enjoyed your steak. Diner (savagel, I did. While I ate it T looked at the owner of this t and imagined [ was a canmibal. 1 Fivo Atways Was So PLayrut 13 miclooks.colul