Judge, 1921-03-05 · page 8 of 32
Judge — March 5, 1921 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "A Sign of the Times" Analysis This page satirizes the epidemic loss and disappearance of umbrellas in early 20th-century urban life. The author humorously catalogs four umbrellas lost in different circumstances—one stolen from an office, one borrowed and never returned by the Smiths, one left at a railroad station checkroom (despite paying for a claim ticket), and one abandoned at a business office. The cartoon illustration depicts an exasperated figure chasing after a duck, captioned "Now, what ails that confounded duck?"—suggesting the absurdity and frustration of these everyday losses. The satire mocks both the prevalence of umbrella theft/loss in city life and people's casual indifference to others' property. It's a gentle commentary on urban carelessness and petty dishonesty among the middle class, presented as a widespread social problem worthy of satirical attention.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Sec The years ago last € ' has a gold handle with Smiths took it h were calling on Mrs. Smii Aunt Jane gave me two istmas. Lt was real silk and y monogram. The © night when they sudden rain came telephoned the next day Jd A Sign of the Times Ka T° ot believe > at all. but L cer t uld like believe in one I saw the other day: Um rod and re u rep. covered. [have repaired—but I 1 said she did hat they v would like to have several recovered have done without it. I have done without I i tever since r Third: The one I leit at the check-room of the railroad statio: I paid twenty-five lo Ltothisday. It cents for my check, then lost it, and when 1 black with an ebo: described the umbrella the clerk said no “0 one L owned such umbrella had ever been left: there. prella, two bits, and L am out an THAT CONFOUNDED DUCK? \ c Now, wiar a 8 —= The Leg of Nations. No. 3 Tvavy By Jous Hern, Ja. aso C Mire SA H uA sy Ira the piece 0! I gave th clerk Fourth: The one I left in th President of the R covers any or all of t will try to belies hi: at least Such a Busy Household N ont 8 - amber Doing Business Mr. Multirox—Want to marry my daughter! What nerve Why you think an t me if Md kn off and out to th lor verdict would de Ity with ex tenuating circumstan The fee for my opinion will be ten dollar Come across The Alternat “Shall I sing you my song with a refrain to “Oh, please refra Sa ee comicbooks.com