Judge, 1925-08-29 · page 3 of 36
Judge — August 29, 1925 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Judge Page This page contains two distinct pieces: **"Long Distance" (top):** A satirical phone conversation between Frank (calling from the country) and Mrs. Brown. Frank struggles to reach Mr. Brown, eventually learning he's dead—killed fifteen years prior. The humor derives from the absurdity of the phone operator and Frank's persistence in trying to reach a deceased person, satirizing early telephone technology's unreliability and the confusion it could create. **Bottom cartoon:** Shows a burglar trapped in a messy kitchen while an opportunistic homeowner addresses him. The joke: rather than calling police, the homeowner sees the burglar as a solution to household chaos—he can clean up the mess before the wife returns from the country. It satirizes domestic disorder and marital dynamics through dark humor.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
*“*LIFE LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS"’ JUDGE (It is after 8.30 P.M. and the tele- phone rates are much lower sv Frank: decides to phone Henrietta up at the country.) RANK (having waited on the phone twenty minutes)—Hello, is this Beaver Lakes? I want to speak with Mrs. Brown! I think Mrs. Brown drove over to Hastings Corners to the barn dance. Who's calling? Frank—Her husband, Mr. Brown. Voice—I'm a lectle deef, so speak louder; besides there’s lots of noise Voice—Jest a minute. Long Distance up here—the bullfrogs are going full blast. Frank—Her husband, Mr. Brown! Voies—No, he ain't here. He's hack in Noo Yawk, Frank—Who ain't there? Voice—Mr. Brown 3 Frank—This is Mr Brown! Voice—No, 1 ain't Mr. Brown. I'm Lem Hezkins, postmaster, deputy sheriff, poet Laureate of Beaver Lakes and Republican candi date for county mosquito exter- minator, Frank—So is your old man! Voice—No, he’s been dead fifteen years now come next Thanksgiving. (The operator cuts in to cryptically remark: that overtime has started and that the call will cost 8: Frank (in dexperation)X—Get me Mrs. Brown! (There ix a long pause as the rural gentleman at the other end apparently shifts the berth of a liberal cube of cut plug.) Voice—Which Mrs. Brown? Frank—Mrs. Frank Brow Voice—Oh, she's over Dam. You'll have to call the operator again and ask them to ring twice. . Eagle (There ix a hoarse gurgle at the city end as Frank Brown drinks a botile of Lue ink.) Opportunist HovusEnoper (to trapped burglar)—Old boy, you’re a Godsend. The wife's coming back from the country to-morrow, and all this mess has got to be cleaned up first. Now hop to it! comicbooks.co