Judge, 1920-11-13 · page 10 of 32
Judge — November 13, 1920 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Judge Magazine Page This page contains a humorous short story titled "Just Try it and See" about a male author struggling to write without including female characters. The narrative satirizes romantic entanglement and male weakness regarding women. The plot: An author repeatedly refuses entry to various women visiting his home, insisting he wants to write a story without "a girl in it." However, women keep appearing—first a rejected visitor, then a dark-haired beauty who infiltrates his study, and finally a blonde who bursts through his back door. Despite his protests and attempts at resolve, he ultimately surrenders to their presence. The satire targets early 20th-century gender dynamics and masculine pretense. The joke suggests that men cannot escape female company or influence, and that their stated independence is illusory. The story mocks both male weakness and female persistence in pursuing romantic attention. The accompanying cartoon at top shows a newlywed couple with a car labeled "The Matrimonial Car," reinforcing themes about male resistance to female-centered domestic life.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
4 = The Car © DRIVE THIS CAR Cupid—On! Cowro’ Ise AND LET ME DRIVE IT Just Try it and See By Harae Invixc Suumway ( NHE was such a pretty girl, just the sort that ought to be cuddled and loved, and she looked at him with the most wistful expression. She stood at the top of the steps and he kept a good hold on the door, as if fearing she might dart in. No, dear,” he said firmly. “Awfully sorry. But you can’t come in. Not today.” “Please,” was all she said, and the man’s heart must have been of ice and marble. For he shut the door. Upon returning to his study there was a mixed expression upon his face, perhaps grimness and satisfaction. It changed quickly to dismay. Because seated in his own comfortable arm-chair was a girl who would change anybody's expression, She was a dark, rav- ishing beauty, fashionably gowned and her almost black eyes smiled at him invitingly “Now this won't do, really,” he remarked crisply. “You cannot stay here. I don’t wish to appear inhospitable, you know, but I must ask you to leave. “And if don't?” she retorted saucily, 4 _ jf “Well?” he said harshly. Matrimonial thought he had never looked into such eyes before in all his life “T have been waiting here for several hours,” she pouted prettily. “I began to think you were never coming.” a in—after my being so patient?” : she said, wistfully. “No, I'm not. Get out!” he snapped. fairly pushed her down the few steps, slammed the door and ran upstairs to his study, where he locked the door behind L —Iv HAS ALWAYS BLEN THE CUSTOM FOR THE HUSHAND TO DRIVE. AND FENTEND To. him. A groan, almost like a The Bride—Wuy snovid you priv wie 1 CAN pO IT Test AS WELL No, sin, I's Gotxc sob, shook him. “T've tried, good Lord, how I have tried. Being an author is hell. I wanted mightily to writ ¢ a story without a girl init. It am. But IT can’t do it. I'll goa to the woods was my dr ocean—where a girl can’t co me—I'llI—- His study door burst open as if a force of no denying lay be hind it. A dashing blonde, with eyes flaming indignation, threw herself into the room. “Look at my gown,” she cr Now you'll have to write me another.” “Won't you please go away,” he said weakly mind the damage to the door—and the gown She scorned him. “Sit down,” she ordered. “Pick up that pen. Now, don’t yeu ever dare to try writing a story again without a girl in it.” The harness settled down over his shoulders without a protest. Soon he was galloping along as of old. “Torn on your old door. sing. “Never Couldn't Be Done The hotel man who had me jailed Served food I could not eat Yet though his tavern was so poor T found it hard to beat! flashing him a dazzling smile. He acted, probably realizing that words would be mere futile conversation. He took her by the arm ome,” was all he said, but the strong grip of his fingers spoke eloquently. “You will be sorry for this,” she warmed. “It will cost you something. I never was treated this way before.” He made no answer, but escorted her to the front door. She offered no further protest and left without a glance. “Terrible,” he groaned to himself. “I'm getting frightened. Lord, I must have a breath of fresh air after that. [’m feverish, The back door for mine, though.”” He pulled the back door open with a bang. Standing there, as if she had been waiting for some time, was the most wonderfully beautiful girl. She was nei- ther a brunette or a blonde, but such coloring and such a figure!’ And he Drawn by Pact Reser 10 Say, Por, Motuer says you'b BETTER COME UP AN’ sTOP VI'LATIN’ TH’ TeENTH CommanpMeNT!