Judge, 1921-02-19 · page 11 of 32
Judge — February 19, 1921 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Propinquity" - A Romantic Comedy Story This page presents the opening of a short story titled "Propinquity" (meaning nearness or proximity) by J.A. Waldron, illustrated by Lawrence Fellows. The narrative follows Marmaduke Joy, a wealthy Manhattan gentleman who cannot access his usual transportation—cars are in the shop, and a cab strike has immobilized the city. Forced to use the subway for the first time, Joy finds himself packed into a crowded train car where he encounters an attractive working-class young woman with blonde hair and red lips. The illustration at top shows the comedic moment when the train's movement causes the woman to stumble backward and grab Joy's coat for balance. The story's title hints at the plot: their forced physical proximity in the crowded subway will spark romantic connection between characters from different social classes. This reflects a common early-20th-century American literary trope—that chance encounters between wealthy and working-class people could overcome class barriers through attraction.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ee ceeenasetarenne ou \\ \ VEELLOWS* 2 \ “AS THR TRAIN SPED THE GIRL, CAUGHT HOLD oF Joy's coat.” Propinquity By J. A. Waupron Illustration by Lawrence Fettows ARMADUKE JOY looked at his watch. “‘Jef- fards is late,” he remarked to Raimond, his valet, who had just assisted him into a topcoat that proclaimed the ultimate in such garments. Jeffards was Joy's chauffeur. “Yes, sir. It never has happened before,” the valet replied. “Pardon me! Tl look out.” And he went to a broad window, from which the Plaza and a sweep of Central Park was visible: “Why, sir,” he added, “there’s not a motor in sight, sir—not even a cab!” “Telephone the garage.” Joy impatiently walked from door to window and back in, and repeated while the valet ‘phoned. *Jeffards is there, sir, Says he was about to call up. The sport car, he says, isn’t yet back from the shop, and the lim- ousine has some serious trouble he can’t locate, sir. And he says there's a general strike of cabmen, or he would have reported with a cab, sir.”” “The devil! But I must get downtown!” Joy had stopped at the window. “Everybody seems to be going into the Subway, and I'm ready to try anything once! Have my things out early, Raimond. I go to the opera tonight. And tell Jeflards he must positively have one of the cars or a cab downtown for me at thr “Yes, sir. And the dinner?” nu “T dine out.” And Marmaduke Joy disappeared, humming an air that was by no means popular. He had a classic taste in mus xclusive in habit and contact, Joy crowded into the Sub way with a mingling of misgiving and disgust. But his view of a locality usually thronged with vehicles for hire had been There wasn’t a cab in sight as Raimond had conclusive. told him. At first Joy was disposed to resent tangent elbows and care less feet, but it was all novel, and he struck out for himself. The car into which he was forced by a burly person in uniform was packed. Joy managed to scize one of the rings that serve in of straps and tried to steady himself. There were con- nd exasperating collisions, and the odors were as new as they were averse to him. Joy was suddenly solaced. A girl had been forced almost in front of him by the mass. She was too short to reach one of the supports, or he would have relinquished his own. Her dress was of the sort worn by girls who have to earn a living imitative of the attire of women who do not have to work. But it became her. On her head was a rakish confection that emphasized a profusion of blonde hair. Joy could sce that the girl was very attractive. Her lips were red without aid, an her eyes—a charming feature—moved him to a thrill as she looked up in apology with a smile that completed the picture. comicbooks.co