Judge, 1920-03-06 · page 13 of 36
Judge — March 6, 1920 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "A Woman of Resource" - Explanation for Modern Readers This is a short story illustration from *Judge* magazine depicting social commentary on women's independence and financial vulnerability in the early 20th century. **The Setup:** Mrs. Gilson, a widow, declares she'll never remarry after her late husband squandered their assets and even mortgaged his life insurance. Despite her financial hardship, she maintains an attractive appearance and optimistic demeanor. **The Satire:** The story mocks both the impracticality of her vow and the social pressure on women. Female visitors gossip that she *will* marry again despite her protestations—because an attractive, charming woman "can marry to advantage any time." The title "A Woman of Resource" appears ironic: her only real "resource" for survival is her ability to attract a husband. **The Joke:** The illustration caption hints at her resourcefulness—she'll use a love letter (about her cat) to secure a husband, suggesting women must use manipulation or deception to survive financially, since marriage was their primary economic option. This reflects historical reality: women had extremely limited earning capacity and independence; remarriage was often economic necessity disguised as romance.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
en “Ps Goise to Writr a Love Letrex ror You, Porsy-wor!” A Woman of Resource By J. A. Watprox ee Mlustration by V.aweesce: Fetnows oe O. Lf shall never marry again.” There was finality in Mrs. Gilson’s tone. “One experience like mine should satisfy any woman.” As she added this she adjusted a wry furbelow on a very becoming dress colored to conventional widowhood with the grace of a bird preening its plumage. “My dear, you never had a chance!” exclaimed one of half a dozen women who had heard her declaration. “But my mind is fixed,” responded Mrs. Gilson. And the conversation went to ordinary gossip. Gilson had dissipated his assets before he paid Nature’s debt. It was found that he had even hypothe- cated his life insurance. Mrs. Gilson had little aside from a well-furnished ‘apartment and a_ pedigreed Persian cat. She adored this animal. “A woman with her figure and temperament can marry to advantage any time,” remarked one of the women as her visitors passed from Mrs. Gilson’s hear- ing. 13 “Yes, if she doesn’t v indefinite period, my dear, “T wish I had her optimism, another, Mrs. Gilson eas an optimist. And she was a charm- ing woman—onc of the sort that seem never to antagonize their sex. ‘They are'rare creatures. Before her visi- tors separated they agreed that in spite of her circum- stances it was needless to worry over Mrs. Gilson’s future. . “What do you think about Mary Gilson?” one of the women asked another a month later as they met. “Just what I’ve thought all along,” the reply. | “And what have you thought all along | “That she'll be married before any of us suspect it.” “Well, she still insists that she will never marry ‘ again. Doesn’t she look lovely in black!” f “What in the world is she going to do, then? Yes, 1 she looks stunning.” I “You remember th it too long. ‘Any time’ is an da practical listener. was the remark of t Persian cat of hers?” comicbooks.com