Judge, 1920-01-24 · page 13 of 36
Judge — January 24, 1920 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Unwisdom of the Wise" - Judge Magazine Story This is the opening of a serialized short story rather than political satire. The illustration shows a doctor visiting an elegant woman (Mrs. Lander) in her boudoir, with a notably intelligent parrot present. The "joke" in the title suggests irony: despite the doctor's wisdom and long acquaintance with Mrs. Lander since her birth, his actual advice—particularly regarding her marriage—proved embarrassing or misguided. The parrot, described as learning English "sometimes too rapidly," appears to symbolize observation and wisdom, perhaps outmatching the human characters. The story appears to explore romantic or marital complications through the lens of professional medical consultation. The satirical point likely critiques doctors overstepping into personal advice, or the gap between perceived wisdom and actual judgment in matters of the heart. Without subsequent pages, the full resolution remains unclear.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Wuat a Wonpexrut Biro!” rae Docror Exctaimep Unwisdom of the Wise By J. A. Watpron Illustration by Lawrence Fe R. DARLING was ushered into Mrs. Lander’s boudoir by an attractive French maid who withdrew with characteristic grace. The doc- tor’s face was fresh in color and without the marks of time that accompany hair as white as his, and his carriage also denoted a man remarkably preserved. Mrs. Lander, lazily disposed on a divan rich in cushions, rose to greet him. She was a handsome woman in the thirties. A look suggesting slight worry disappeared as the doctor took her hand and led her back to the divan as the most comfortable place in view. A marvelously-colored parrot perched on the back of a chair near a rose-curtained window uttered a shrill cry, followed by a phrase which neither hostess nor guest could translate. “What a wonderful bird!” exclaimed the doctor. “IT am impressed by the creature every time I come! How is its English vocabulary coming on?” “Oh, Polly is learning. Sometimes I think too rapidly.” As they thus commented Polly jumped down and 13 ows walked slowly to a remote corner of the room, where she perched on another chair in silence, looking very wise, with one eye after the other brought to bear by a turn of the head in parrot fashion. : “You are not ill?” ventured the doctor, touching Mrs. Lander’s pulse from professional habit. “Not physically.” “And not mentally—at least not seriously—to all appearance.” The doctor glanced at her admuringly. “Why did you send for me?” “As the only friend in whom I feel I can confide. Surely, my dear doctor, you cannot question my nght to your advice? I have known you since I was a wee girl.” “And my acquaintance with you goes back of that. As you know, it was original.” “Yes, you introduced me into this vale of tears.” “T have never seen you weep. What is troubling you?” “Do you remember that I even asked your advice about marryin “An embarrassing compliment to the wisdom you comicbooks.com