Judge, 1923-07-07 · page 5 of 36
Judge — July 7, 1923 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Their Married Strife" by Arthur C. Brooks This story illustration depicts a domestic quarrel between a married couple named Warner and Ellen. Warner returns home drunk and angry about missing supplies, demanding Ellen provide water. Ellen, exasperated, responds sarcastically about their poverty and his behavior. The narrative shows Warner as irritable and domineering—he's "always cross when hungry," throws objects, and insults Ellen. Ellen appears long-suffering, though she pushes back verbally. The story illustrates working-class marital discord, with themes of poverty, alcoholism, and gender tension typical of early 20th-century domestic fiction. The accompanying illustration at bottom shows a "knock-down house" after a windstorm—a visual pun commenting on the couple's precarious domestic situation, both literally and metaphorically unstable.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Drawn by GILBERT WILKINSON. Small boy taking in supplies—Why don’t you come and give er ’and? falls from ’eaven! Their Married Strife sympathy. “It’s been terrible here! pydvikiur Gi Brook “Now, for heaven's sake, quit it!” BU ET SEME NOOR Warner roared, and pushed her off so vio- N* ‘A, the cook, had abruptly departed ently that Ellen sat down into a Dutch 4' that afternoon, treacherously carry- brass coal-carrier. “Cut the mushy stuff,” ing off the can-opener. he ed, “or T'll hand you one!” Ellen trying to sesame the sardines with a hairpin and aT aa a broken garter p. Ina - corner, Bryan, the little mon- / key, chattered democratically. Warner was due at si Would she have things ready when he famished in? Frantic, Ellen bent over her nail-bruis- ing task, tears of discourage- ment wetting the tin. Little Bryan threw a banana at her. A key grated in the lock. Warner! Slam! “I'm drunk tired!” he came gianting along the runner. | “Had a tough day!” Warner i kicked over a Chippendale and threw his hat at a ter color by Hari Kari. “Eats ready?” he grumped. i “Dear!” — Ellen threw her arms about his neck, eager for Householder (after slight windstorm)—I know now why they call them “knock-down” houses! 3 I believe you think water Warmer was always eross when hungry. “But, *s left “What, agair “That big red-faced roan!” Ellen anxioused, “I Ellen stifled her sobs, * he gritted his teeth. r, couldn't we eat a cold “Nothing doing!” swung around, real grub!” Warner “T want some “Please, Warner!” Ellen yanked at his coat tails. Bang! Warne one, insultingly humming “Orange Blossom Blue: Ellen stumbled into the next room, threw herself on the bed, and burst into tears. “Oh, what was the use?” she hic- coughed, biting the Killarney linen pillowslip. Always hy- persensitive, Ellen easily suc- cumbed to self-pity. . . “Why try to keep up?” she waved her legs. The electric bell tittered. Whom could it be? Ellen sat erect, dabbing at her eyes. Surely not the Stebbinses! comicbooks.com