Judge, 1924-08-23 · page 13 of 36
Judge — August 23, 1924 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This story satirizes wealthy snob **Plympton Pew De Puyster**, a Broadway socialite known for wasteful spending. The joke: despite waiting for taxis, he refuses five "cheap" cabs with "Lowest Rate" flags, then eagerly hails a sixth displaying "Highest Rate"—choosing the most expensive option simply because it costs more. The accompanying illustration shows dogs (not humans as the gorilla taxi driver description might suggest) sitting under a full moon, complementing the sidebar humor about Mrs. Pup bringing children out for lunar air. The satire mocks conspicuous consumption and the absurd logic of the wealthy: Pew equates price with quality and status, paying premium rates as a badge of affluence rather than value. His final destination—Nome, Alaska—adds absurdist humor to his foolish extravagance. Other page content includes brief jokes and verse about memory, radio entertainment, and African expeditions.
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| unquestioningly for his folly, The Worm Turns “Where to?” said the taxi driver. “Nome, Alaska!” A Throbbing Story of the Frozen North! by Cyril B. Egan or axi?” “No!” Though evidently waiting for a conveyance, Plympton Pew De Puyster did not want this one, which bore the ordi- narily attractive legend— Lowest Rate. Nor did he want the second, the third, the fourth, nor the fifth cab that drove slowly and coaxingly past him. One look at their green flags was enough for him. There was nothing cheap about Plympton Pew. Finally there came a cab with a red flag, on the side of the vehicle this opulent legend: Highest Rate. “Just the thing!” said Plympton Pew. “Hi, taxi!” Slowly the gorilla at the wheel steered his cab over to the “curb. One look at his fare, and he licked his chops like a lion at lunch—Plymp- ton Pew De Puyster! What Broadway habitué did not know him—this prince of fools who always paid promptly and no matter how exorbitant the price? “Where to?” said the taxi driver. “Nome, Alaska!” (Continued on page 30) JupGce—What’s your name? Prisoner—I. Lehigh Low. JupcE (after a puzzled moment, irately)—This isn’t a vaudeville show. Stop your yodeling and answer me. ee | Mrs. Purp—Yes, I always bring the children out when there’s a full moon. beneficial effect on their lungs. The Acid Test It is many a year since I conned over Virgil, And yet I recall several hundreds of verses; T can name all the V.-P.’s from Adams to Coolidge, . And can tell what the govern- ment yearly disburses; I know the world’s record for four hundred meters, T recall the day the Titanic went down, But, shoot me this instant if I can remember What it was my wife asked me'to bring home from town. E. L. H. nh It has such a Re SA ETE DERE Another Bromide Shattered “There!” exclaimed the radio bug with satisfaction as he tuned in on a jazz orchestra. “Now we can dance, and we won't have to pay the fiddler!” stots An expedition is going to Africa to search for prehistoric bones. What, did they roll them then, too? ss Teacher—Rufus Rastus, what animal is most noted for its fur? Tommy—It am de skunk. The more fur you is from it, the safer you is! comicbooks.com