Judge, 1923-12-01 · page 6 of 36
Judge — December 1, 1923 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Curiosity Satisfied" by J.A. Waldron This is a humorous domestic fiction story illustrated by Charles Baskerville, not political satire. The narrative concerns Mrs. Burney, who encounters a well-dressed stranger at her door. Curious about his identity and purpose, she agrees to meet him—suspecting perhaps an affair or scandal. The story plays on the social anxieties of the era: unexpected male visitors, the appearance of impropriety, and mysterious circumstances disrupting domestic life. The stranger's explanation involves a coincidental meeting, establishing the humor through misdirected suspicion. The accompanying illustrations show the awkward social interaction between the parties. The broader theme satirizes how curiosity and imaginative gossip can create drama from innocent situations in urban society.
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“Strangely enough, we never have met before. I was a bit curious... . DASKERWILLE CURIOSITY SATISFIED rs. Burnay, her morning toilette M complete, was singing softly to herself in her boudoir as a bell announced somebody at the outer door. In a few moments her maid appeared with a card. It bore the name, “Mr. Algernon We v Mrs. Burnay eyebrows rose, her mouth assumed the outline of an 0, and she seemed puzzled. Then to her maid: “Tell the gentleman I will be down in a moment.” No matter what the event or cireum- , a woman glances at a mirror, if possible, before meeting any man. Although Mrs. Burnay had but just left her reflection, she went back to verify it. She saw a handsome woman of perhaps thirty, dressed carefully enough to bear any male inspection, and literally bloom- ing. Her quiet solo had told of her state of mind. Mr. Welles was waiting for her. Al- though he was a very presentable person, he was at first very nervot Apparently about thirty-five, he was well set up, and an engaging manner soon asserted itself. by J. A. Waldron Illustration by Charles Baskerville And he was groomed to the occasion. “I hope you will pardon this call, madam,” he said. “Strangely enough, as matters have happened, we never have met before. Iwas a bit curious. . . . “The same impulse—curiosity—led me to meet you,” replied Mrs. Burnay. £q50 fe} a ~ Jones entered a gymnasium to re- duce his weight. Six months later, but still in the , Same predicament. 4 “Stranger things than our never having met happen in a great city. ‘The unbelievable isolations as well as ir ble associations in New York. Did you ever meet my husband?” “Never, madam. It’s all Did you ever meet my wife? “No. Yet your wife and my husband have eloped!” “Which, with our now meeting for the first time, seems to establish the truth of your remark about the possibility of incredible associations and all that. “Exact And you were as curious to see the abandoned wife as I was to see the deserted husband?” “Since we both confess that curiosity it would be idle to gloss it over.” He isingly. “And to be candid, I am amazed at the idiosyncrasy of your husband!” “You mean... ? “T mean that you are a more attractive woman than my late wife.” I'm afraid you are a flatterer, Mr. Welles,” replied Mrs. Burnay, but her very strange! glan tive. “] end, part Iino had wife You men they ferre ton she | tain I bone banc thin; prop in si nam fliers flow cond this New “y will ings. Mr. ente} in brou subs Mrs. comicbooks.com