Judge, 1920-12-25 · page 9 of 33
Judge — December 25, 1920 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The Spur of the Moment": A Marriage Commentary This is the opening page of a short story by J.A. Waldron, not a political cartoon. The illustration shows five men in a hotel room engaged in what appears to be poker or cards, with the caption referencing one player becoming drowsy as "his luck changed." The story itself satirizes early 20th-century marriage conventions. It concerns the Vanners, a couple who have lived contentedly in a hotel for two years—unusual for the era, when such arrangements invited gossip. The narrative mocks society's fascination with others' marriages and the assumption that marital happiness requires deception. Mrs. Vanner proudly claims she and her husband don't lie to each other, suggesting this honesty is unusual enough to be noteworthy or even suspect to contemporary observers. The "Christmas Episode" frames a story about how an ordinary moment might disrupt their domestic equilibrium.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
sters from choi wonder and inqui ties who have missec The Vanners—Rose and John—had been married two years — themselves on their veraci a hotel all of that period except the weeks — they were modern. It just happened that the cd to honeymoon travel violently in love with each other as they had been at first, for no cach, before marriage, had been lively enough in a decent way, honeymoons indefinitely they were so well satisfied with each other that they were tel is unusual with — seldom apart, except as business called Vanner or auction bridge and had lived at . no matter how well mated, But they were happy married pairs for any ¢ The Vanners had luxurious quarters, but home-enjoying wo- when in town had always kept carly hours. That had become Vanner’s acquaintance could not understand it a habit Vanner’s women The holidays were approaching. ‘The Vanners were dining friends had discussed the matter among themselves without together at the hotel as usual when Mrs. Vanner asked: “ Have de bold to ask her about it. ‘ A man and a woman can be happy anywhere if they are in love with each other ful—with each other, all men lie to their wives when it is nec and this state in a iderable period. even with that s jon one of them m absolutely truth was Mrs. Vanner’s explanation Pavers say cert ig DUK “He BECAME SO SLEEPY TOWARD THE LAST THAT HIS LUCK CHANGED.” The Spur of the Moment A Christmas Episode By J. A. Wa.prox Illustration by LAWRENCE FeLLows VERYBODY except confirmed bachelors and spin- sponded the inquirer, ‘and most women fib to their husbands s interested in domest And the marital happiness of others is a matter of “Do they? Well, it isn’t so with us.” And Mrs. Vanner’s y on the part of matrimonial par tone suggested that she was a bit offended phenomena. even when it isn’t necessary And it wasn’t so with the Vanners. Not that they prided or paraded virtues. In most things were such good jon. And while were not as pals that deceit had no place in their associ or some other pastime engaged Mrs. Vanner. And Vanner you any plan for Christmas Eve? Not a plan,” Vanner replied Nor for Christmas?” Nothing special whatever.” sary,” re- “T gota letter from the Craigs this morning asking us to have