Judge, 1922-06-10 · page 8 of 36
Judge — June 10, 1922 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The Abandoned Farm" - Judge Magazine Satire This is satirical commentary on the back-to-nature movement and urban flight. A young couple romanticizes rural farm life as an escape from city congestion, but the cartoon systematically debunks their idealistic expectations through dark humor. Each sketch reveals the harsh reality behind pastoral fantasies: a charming fireplace that doesn't draw properly; "friendly neighbors" who intrude during meals; a massive kitchen requiring exhausting labor; well water contaminated by frogs; a cellar infested with rats; and peaceful evenings plagued by insects. The final ironic couplet—noting the property is "sold for taxes" annually—suggests financial precarity. The satire targets not farmers (portrayed as practical) but rather sentimental urbanites unprepared for rural hardship. It reflects early 20th-century skepticism about romantic notions of country living, implying that those seeking escape often lack the actual skills and tolerance for genuine agricultural life.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Abandoned Farm Some surprises discovered by the young couple who decided to live in the open spaces and get away from the hurry and bustle of town life. Picture BY CHartes M, TuTTLe Haven't you always dreamed of sitting be- fore an open fire on cool evenings? All very well, if the chim- ney draws. How wonderful to have real friendly neighbors ~ Espe- cially at mealtime, when the hired help know nothing other than communal feed- ing. And a real kitchen —So big that, had she a pedometer, the poor little bride would find she'd sprinted many a weary mile during the day. Vai iil | "ih MH \) By the dusty road forgot— Home of pale forget-me-not— Here the drive of life relaxes; Once a year it's sold for taxes. SKETCHES BY E. Sanxay Pure, cool, crystal water from the well— The frogs like noth- ing better than a free ride up in the old oaken bucket. Plenty of room to store things — The big, cool cellar affords commodious quarters for a large percentage of the world’s rats. = Peace and quiet and fresh air when the day's work is over — Which could be thoroughly enjoyed but for the cordiality of mosquito, moth, June bug, caterpillar and an occasional bat.