Judge, 1929-07-27 · page 9 of 38
Judge — July 27, 1929 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of "Judge" Page This is a serialized romance story in Judge magazine, not primarily political satire. The narrative follows Betty Blemish, a student at Greenberg (appears to be a school or college) who becomes a rowing stroke despite having no experience. Her penmanship training mysteriously translates to athletic prowess, allowing her to single-handedly win a boat race against rival Cooper-Siegel Prep. The satire targets academic pretension and romantic clichés: Betty's success leads to her being swept off campus by admiring students, only to be intercepted by the new penmanship teacher, Professor Grimes, who proposes beneath "Lover's Elm." The humor lies in the absurdity—that penmanship skill determines both athletic ability and romantic destiny—and the melodramatic romance conventions of the era. The cartoons illustrate the story's key moments: a distracted professor, the rowing race, and the romantic conclusion.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
JUDGE Professor Snoozer, fronted by a couple of facts. ment, Betty?" she inquired. Bet- ty arose cheerfully and followed the senior into the hall. “We e chosen you to row stroke in C an- nounced the manager. “Report immediately at the locker-room.” “But I have never rowed on Varsity,” objected Betty, and besides, I am_ the of the school!” ity is only skin-deep,” in- terrupted the manager, “I shall expect you in fifteen minutes in your crew togs.” And she was off, leavi much bewildered Betty to break the news to Gre The latter's spirits revived at once. “Bully for you, Betty!" cried Grace enthusiastically, “I know you will*save the day for C berg! Hurry or they will leave without you,” she laughed, hug- ging her joyful friend. Fifteen minutes later, the rival crews of Greenberg and Cooper- Siegel Prep awaited the starting gun tensely. A moment later, to the shrill shouts of “They're off!” the shells glided away. But what was the matter with the Green- berg boat? Already Coope gel was three lengths ahead. Gloom settled down over the Greenberg cheering section. On, on went the Cooper-Siegel craft, "s plac casily outstripping the home crew. But what was this? Suddenly new life seemed to invade the fair INS we oneRATULATIONS »_ col ae le hard at work on a theory, is con- Greenberg faction. Betty, rowing stroke, was bending manfully to her oar; her many hours spent practising penmanship had not been in vain. Again and again ard and soon it had taken the lead. The Green- berg crew was now rowing with might and main, Cries of “Row it, Betty!" and “Betty Blemish, hoorah, hoorah!’ rent the air. A split second later, to the ref- erce's shout “Greenberg wins by a nose!” the local craft shot by the finish, eleven lengths ahead. “T knew all the time you'd win out, Betty claimed », the first to reach the flushed and hay py girl's side, “Training tells!” Quickly the cheering Greenberg cohorts bore Betty from the bank on their shoulders. As the crossed the campus jubilantly, pleasing masculine voice rang ov “Oh, Miss Blem may I speak to you a moment?” It wes the new Penmanship teacher, Professor Grimes. Betty, blush- ing like a rose, followed him down a shady walk. But where was he going? Why, he had stopped be- neath the famous Lover's Elm,” where so many troths were plighted! “Betty,” he said, his freighted with — feeling, since yesterday, when I corrected your paper, I have been unable to forget you. And when I saw how inborn penmanship won the race for you just now, I knew that you were destined for me. Betty, will you be my wife?” And that is the story of how Betty Blemish, on the uckly dugling of Greenbe won the rs nd became of Professor Grimes, the “catch” of the college. Their most frequent visitor is—yes, you have guessed it—beautiful Grace Hamish. Loyalty to each other and to old Greenberg will always bind them together. »- crew the w Your tub is ready, me lord.”