Judge, 1926-12-04 · page 12 of 36
Judge — December 4, 1926 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The Ballad of a Lucky Break" - Explanation This is a humorous narrative poem illustrated with woodcut-style drawings. The satire concerns Rufus Benda, a compulsively conscientious man who meticulously prepares Christmas cards to distant relatives—including Aunt Alice in Duluth, whom he barely knows. On Christmas morning, his wife asks if he sent Alice a card. Rufus realizes he forgot her and is devastated, having prided himself on never forgetting anyone. The family's joy turns to despair. However, a telegram arrives announcing that Aunt Alice died three days prior—before she would have received the card anyway. Rufus is thus absolved of his negligence by coincidental timing. The joke satirizes both obsessive courtesy culture (the compulsion to acknowledge every distant relative) and the irony of being saved from social embarrassment by death. It's light holiday humor playing on the anxiety of modern social obligation and the absurdity of guilt over forgotten thank-yous.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SLE SA JUDGE RUCKYABR' Verse by Arthur Lippman \\ A I was but a baby prattling in my muraled nursery, Folks listened to the pwons of praise for thoughtful Rufus Bends Who never let a birthday or a silver anniversary Go by without remembering his relatives and friends. ‘The joyous Christmas season was particularly dear to him. With zealous concentration he prepared his mailing list, Including mere acquaintances as well as persons near to him And lots of distant relatives who never would be missed. From Alpha to Omega he re-checked the roster carefully; He added second cousins and an uncle in the West. Then calling his stenographer, he whispered almost prayerfully, “My Christmas list is ready—have the envelopes addressed.” ~~ | ie chipper little argosies sailed forth ‘eross Nature's barriers On railroad trains that thundered through the midnights cold and clear. From Portland, Maine, to Hollywood perspiring letter-carriers Delivered Rufus’ messages of hearty Yuletide cheer. And in his home on Christmas morn an atmosphere of jollity Pervaded every corner of his cozy little flat But tragedy was lurking ‘neath the surface of frivolity— Like pointed claws within the paws of gentle pussy cat. In mirthful glee around the tree his jolly collie barked to him; He frolicked with his children in the simple games of youth, When suddenly his loving wife quite artlessly remarked to him, “Oh, did you send a greeting to Aunt Alice in Duluth?” AI SUDDEN tremor shook his frame—his heavy sobs replied to her— He clutched his throbbing forehead like a man who had been shot. In all their years of wedded life not once had Rufus lied to her, So now he voiced the ghastly truth: “My darling, I did not!” His erstwhile loving children gazed upon their father tragically, When suddenly a messenger came whistling up the way— ‘A moment, and the mournfulness was lifted almost magically As mother read the telegram: “Aunt Alice passed away— “Three days ago your aged aunt who'd lived in modest piety succumbed to her bronchitis which she'd suffered many years.” tored am I!” cried Rufus, ‘to the Bosom of Socie “Be done with lamentations—let the welkin ring with cheers!” No longer was the cozy flat a scene of tragic dolesomeness. Crescendo rose the joyous shouts of children at the feast. I gazed upon that peaceful scene, replete with hallowed wholesomeness And shed a saline tribute to Aunt Martha, now deceased. Arthur L, Lippmann comicbooks.com