Judge, 1924-09-13 · page 48 of 72
Judge — September 13, 1924 — page 48: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical poem parodies the nursery rhyme to critique Prohibition-era bootlegging. "Jack" appears to be a generic bootlegger who sells alcohol illegally, builds wealth from it, and—through a dark chain of causation—his product leads to a customer's death, requiring a coroner's examination and death certificate. The joke escalates absurdly: each stanza adds another link in the chain, mimicking the original nursery rhyme's cumulative structure. The accompanying cartoon shows a speakeasy bartender explaining that his "ordinary drink" is safe—"the kick is all in the electrified foot-rail," a darkly humorous reference to electrocution. The lower cartoons reference Prohibition enforcement efforts and joke about doctors warning patients against drinking during Prohibition, inverting typical medical advice. The satire targets both bootleggers' deadly products and the absurdities of Prohibition enforcement.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The House That “Jack” Built Ts is the mansion that Jack built. This is the man who lives in the mansion that Jack built. This is the stuff that was sold by the man who lives in the mansion that Jack built. This is the bottle that contained the stuff that was sold by the man who lives in the mansion that Jack built. This is the label that was affixed to the bottle that contained the stuff that was sold by the man who lives in the mansion that Jack built. This is the eye that was attracted by the label that was affixed to the bottle that contained the stuff that was sold by the who lives in the mansion that Jack built. This is the body in which was the eye that was attracted by the label that was affixed to the bottle that contained the stuff that was sold by the man who lives in the mansion that Jack built. This is the coroner who examined the body in which was the eye that was at- tracted by the label that was affixed to the bottle that contained the stuff that was sold by the man who lives in the man- sion that Jack t . This is the certificate that was issued by the coroner who examined the body in which was the eye that was attracted by the label that was affixed to the bottle that contained the stuff that was sold by the man who lives—well, you get the idea by this time. Robert Cyril O'Brien How does he get away with it? Why not a Scott Fitzgerald combination pocket flask and vanity Well, I'll tell you. It’s just an ordinary drink he serves—the kick is all in the electrified foot-rail. 10 case for the fl \ Bacqamm_) lapper? Who's Stewed in America? Prohibition authorities are trying to compile a list of bootleggers’ patrons. Wrong Number 5 “The Voice With the Smile Wins.” (Wins what?) Indirectly! Flubb—So the doctor ordered you to 4 cancel your European trip this year? Dubb—Well, not exactly in so many words. He gravely warned me that I was in no condition to start drinking! Aj) Y40 Mayr *yovuyosasq “FY pavnpy parusd auo yore 409g fod yim ofpnp ] . ei ee jssojoo 49j00 ypin—shop asay) , pa4 UNO} IY} quod, 0) uvw poof usp v sayy \ comicbooks.com