Judge, 1928-07-21 · page 17 of 36
Judge — July 21, 1928 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct satirical pieces reflecting early 20th-century American anxieties: **"The Curse of a Large Family"** mocks inherited wealth's decline across generations. The speaker traces his ancestry through millionaires whose fortunes dwindle by the seventh generation—a commentary on wealth dissipation and poor money management among the privileged classes. **"Undependable but Free"** satirizes Scottish frugality (the house built by a Scotsman has a shower-bath instead of a proper room) and consumer excess (a wife buying six cars impulsively). The cartoon critiques both stingy construction and frivolous spending. **"It Was Useless"** depicts a husband repeatedly unable to speak while his wife talks ceaselessly. This reflects period anxieties about female chattiness and male powerlessness in marriage—common satirical targets when women's voices were gaining prominence socially and politically. The cartoons reveal class consciousness, gender tensions, and economic anxiety typical of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Curse of a Large Family I'm the seventh son Of a seventh son Of a seventh son of A son of a gun, And the first of my line Was a millionaire; And he died and left Each son a share. And down the line In cach son's care The fortune went (It went for fair!)— When it reached tem There was nothing there. And that’s enow To make one I'm the seventh son Of a seventh O' Baten Undependable but Free House Hunter—What's this room, with no ceili the 2 g and open to Agent —It's the shower-bath- room. The house was built by a Scotchman. Wire gain hound resist the opportunities. 1 It} “Oh! T've murdered my husband!” Senceant—Well, you're in the no vaudeville booking office! ‘ong place, lady—this ain't ail | | I'm sorry, Oliver, but I just couldn't bought sic new cars today! It Was Useless The man’s attitude was one of shrinking A light of appeal Tay in his eyes and h seemed the personification of all humility. He opened his mouth slightl: as if about to speak, but after moistening the thin lips, he closed them uy whatever murt words had bern about to issin forth. Something within impelled hin to speech, but he found it: impos sib Again his lips parted as though the words which clamored for utterance would force them But vet once more were they stifled. un spoken, He knew that there was much for him to say; he knew, too, that to do so would be extremely dit cult, if not hazardous. He wished intensely that) for just a moment he could voice his selves past the barrier. rioting thoughts. But his wife talked on and on Manion EB. Burns