Judge, 1921-04-30 · page 11 of 32
Judge — April 30, 1921 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Strange Times" by Walt Mason — Explanation for Modern Readers This satirical story mocks early 20th-century social reformers and their constant fundraising appeals. The cartoon illustration shows a man at his door being confronted by visitors seeking money. Mason's narrative describes three types of persistent "cranks" who interrupt the narrator's peace: a political reformer promising government improvement, a morality crusader opposing women's modern dress and exposed limbs, and a spiritualist claiming communication with the dead (referencing contemporary séance culture and figures like Arthur Conan Doyle). The satire's point: despite their noble-sounding causes—anti-corruption, moral restoration, spiritual enlightenment—all these reformers ultimately demand the same thing: "pass the hat" for donations. Mason suggests that whether their causes are genuine or dubious, reformers exploit public goodwill to extract money while offering little tangible benefit. This reflects period anxiety about rapid social change, the proliferation of fad movements, and public skepticism toward do-gooders.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“A SPIRIT BOOSTER GUT My DOOR, AND TALKED FIVE HOURS, OR MAYBE FOUR Strange Times By Warr Masox Illustration by Raveu Barton T isa time of many fads; the world is full of busy lads who have some isms to expound, and doing this they paw the ground. They whoop around me everywhere; they te my sacred lair, long-winded theories to unwind, an take my time, and talk me blind. One visitor has found a plan to make life good to every man, and make our government a thing of which the future bards will sing. The rogues will all be driven hence, and honest men and men of sense will take the government in hand and fix things up to beat the band. Some funds are needed, he'd ex- plain, to organize the great campaign, and purify the places where dishonest statesmen deal hot air; and if VU chip in fifty cents, ['U be enrolled with noble gents whose highest aim is to save our Institooshuns from the grave. Alas, it always comes to that! The greatest souls must pass the hat! A crank just ne, to my distress, and talked three hours on woman's dress. He said it is a sin and shame the way our fash ions dothe the dame. She must expose her lower limbs, and jar the shocked observer's glims; her unclothed buzzum oft in- vites the glance of lewd, immoral wights; and deacons, as they go their way, are grieved and pained most every day. When they were young all women wore long draperies that touched the floor, and only circus damsels dared to frolic with their ankles bared. And now some wise and moral men would bring the old times back again. They'd organized to fight the nude, een inv: and all that’s modern, coarse and lewd. They'd carry on the great crusade till every matron, every maid, would be well cad from heels to chin, and dress would cease to be a sin. But first, to make the project go, ‘We need some money, don’t you know.” And if I'd join those noble jays who would restore the old-time ways, and make our damsels fair to see, I'd cough up roubles two or three. Alas, it always comes to that! Reformers always pass the hat! A spirit booster sought my door, and talked five hours, or maybe four. He said there is no longer doubt that when death knocks us down and out we live again in other spheres where no. one ever sprinkles tears. There is no doub' talked with shades who in the silence walked. Doyle and Ls And he wound up the same old way; the ghosts need cash to make it pay; some earnest seckers after light would hold a spiritfest that night, and if I'd loosen up some mon, I might get in and sce the fun. Alas, it always comes to that! They never cease to pass the hat! So many labor year by year to make this world a better sphere; they'd cure it of its ancient ills, but never like to foot the bills. It’s up to us to raise the dough, while they on noble errands go. Reformers come, the short, the tall, and back me up against the wall, and tell me how some bones of mine might make some darkened places shine. Alas, it always comes to that! The visitors all pass the hat! because he'd nd so had Conan Ige—who could such testimony dodg comicbooks.com