Judge, 1921-08-20 · page 8 of 36
Judge — August 20, 1921 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Judge Magazine Page Analysis This page contains three satirical pieces typical of early 20th-century American humor: **"A Certain Prominent Man"** satirizes a common social type: the pretentious bore who speaks in grandiose generalities while saying nothing of substance. The piece mocks men who impress through manner rather than intellect—their "vague vacuity" hidden behind elaborate language. It's social satire about affectation and empty rhetoric. **"Of Problematic Benefit"** is a brief joke about the Railroad Administration (likely WWI-era), playing on "berth rate" (ship births) versus "birth rate" (population). It's topical humor about wartime bureaucracy. **"The Thrill of the Line"** is a poem celebrating fishing as life's greatest pleasure, superior to romance or sports—straightforward recreational humor with no political content. The cartoon shows a couple in a canoe after kissing, illustrating romantic leisure. The final piece about the library clerk is a pun: the hotel-keeper is "inn-experienced" (in + inexperienced). These are light, domestic humor pieces rather than political satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Drawn by R. B. FULLER. AFTER A KISS IN THE CANOE. A Certain Prominent Man By HELEN HYSELL HE gave the impression of being a man of vast attainments. Women raved over his distinguished appearance, and men admitted that he was personable. He was courte- ous without being stupid and pleas- ing without being effusive. Vague and presumably meaningful sentences fell smoothly from his lips. Listening, one would think that his remarks were worthy of being trans- mitted to posterity, so im- portant was their presen- tation and so earfilling their sound. Skillfully he gave pref- erence to topics which were settled thousands of years ago by millions of conventional thinkers. He embroidered his phrases with ponderous’ words which gave weight to his conversation. His innumerable ad- mirers were loud in their peans of admiration. They were a choir whose hymns were compilations of compliments. With be- nign tolerance, he ad- mitted that he possessed all the admirable qualities they claimed for him. In- cidentally, he privately be- lieved his intuition was exceptionally keen and that his worshippers had never fully comprehended his really remarkable in- tellect. Still, there are a few calm unbiased observers who actually understand him. These quiet-minded spectators see the man beneath the manner. Their verdict is: Mediocrity hiding behind a hedge of vague vacuity. Of Problematic Benefit Comma—The population boosters should thank the late Railroad Ad- ministration for one thing. Tose—What? Comma—It increased the berth rate. Drawn by G. B. INwoop. “I’M JEST TAKIN’ A CHANCT, JIMMY. I'VE BEEN WANTIN’, BUT IF IT’S A CHINAMAN IT AIN'T.” 8 IF IT's A CAT IT’S JEST WHAT The Thrill of the Line By BERNARD FINN SOME of the joys of love discourse, And some to base ball their lyres smite, Some rave about the golfing course, Some in jackpots find delight. Each to his taste, but bless my soul! No game nor sport nor lover’s kiss Can match the thrill of a fishing pole Bobbing up this! down and like I concede a charm to laughing eyes When for kissing you’re in the mood; 1 grant a thrill to rolling dice, I agree that most games are good. To hit the line, to kick a goal Is sport you may not want to miss, But I prefer a fishing pole Bobbing up down this! and like So— When creditors are pressing And when debtors fail to pay; When your mind is worn with fret- ting About the worries of the day, Go find a sheltered fishing hole, Your tired mind invite to bliss, Where you can watch your bamboo pole Bobbing up down this! and like On the Pay Roll By WILLIAM SANFORD E talked of books and authors. She knew them all by name and fame, which was read the most and why. I was delighted. She was the best-informed person on books that I had met in the city. “You must love books!” I exclaimed delightedly. “Aren’t they wonderful!” “Love them!” she re- plied. ‘No, I hate them! But I have to learn their old names and who they are by. I’m an_ index clerk in the library!” An Unsuccessful Calling He—Why is a_hotel- keeper always up against it? She—Yov’re joking! He—Not at all. It’s be- cause he’s inn-experienced. comicbooks.com