Judge, 1920-12-11 · page 27 of 32
Judge — December 11, 1920 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains satirical poetry and social commentary typical of Judge's 1920 content. **"The Despondent Duck"** is a darkly humorous poem about a duck facing slaughter at Christmas—a mordant critique of seasonal hypocrisy. While society celebrates with champagne and gifts, the duck knows the holiday means death ("the axe betrays / Impending crimes"). It's gallows humor about inevitable fate. **"A Tragedy in Code"** mocks romantic miscommunication: a man interprets his lover's finger-circle gesture as "nothing" rather than understanding it as her heart. The woman's regret—that he missed her message—satirizes male obtuseness. **"Obsolete Etiquette"** lists social conventions considered quaint by 1920: petticoats, blushing, and "thank you"—reflecting post-WWI modernization and women's changing social roles (shorter skirts, less restrictive clothing, freer behavior). The advertisements (President Suspenders, Cheona Evans beverages, Egyptian Deities cigarettes) are period products, unremarkable except cigarette marketing to "cultured" audiences.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
GU December 11, 1920 ! The Despondent Duck By Cnarres Tevix Jun » |i WHY prate of jos And Chri s cheer! Of s! champa Or far-off beer! Why speak of gifts And goodly tips! Of merry dance. Or chocolate chips! Ring not for me The Christmas chimes! The axe betrays Impending crimes! r Talk 4 © Q Ml ! luck! : What chance have I, \ nice. fat duck!” I know the talk tc And what they say, a) When they sit down, On Christmas Day! hi “What will you have?” You know the rest— “A drumstick? or A piece of breast!” A Tragedy in Code her He asked her how much she loved him. © f Playfully she formed a small circle by curving her thumb and index finger so they met. y he walked off ‘0, nothing ittered to himself. Sadly she reflected —“.\ circle—the whole round world!” This is the interpretation thercof u Perfect Safety P Be careful how you throw your ball. You'll break that window —Oh, that’s all right; the glass couldn't far enough to hit me. for comfort A useful holiday g gift | MADE AT SHIRLEY ebeudse Ts ~dresses air in won. | At all thers, oF | of $1.00 parcel post insured, Money refunded t pleasing. hetere Uslog Marvel after Coleg Marvel MARV! $46 Fourth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. culture and refinement invariably PREFER “Deities to any other cigarette n Drown by NOB. Watcmn Vue Unsecirvers’ Sroc > 2? It was just the other day I saw Marie walking down the boulevard. I thought her petticoat showed. 1 wanted to tell her a bout it, but Tdidn’t dare. Marie is oday I was talking to Marie. She told me that girls don’t wear petticoats any more. 1 wonder what I saw the day Marie was walking down the boulevard? Obsolete Etiquette Morals Petticoats Blushing Peek-a-boo waists. Highballs “Thank you.” 2 You Will Smack Your Lips Over a Glass of HLEGIA | ‘it ores | for Theve Frosty Days and Nighte | FORMERLY KNOWN AS CHECONA BMANS, Ian aare ESTAURANT. HOTEL Omer Ua UPPLIED IN CASES BY ALL GOOD DEALERS cH, EVANS &SONS Est. 1786 HUDSON, N.Y. ECOMIGHOOKSICOM