Puck — September 26, 1877 — page 16: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This two-panel satirical cartoon uses animal metaphors to mock political betrayal. The top panel, titled "THE BITTER BIT," shows a dog being bitten by a scorpion or serpent—illustrating the fable of mutual destruction through treachery. The bottom panel depicts an older monkey (identified as "Old Tammany"/Tweed) manipulating a younger monkey (Kelly) to retrieve chestnuts from a fire, while a document labeled "EVIDENCE AGAINST MY ENEMIES" sits nearby. The cartoon appears to reference **Tammany Hall corruption** in New York politics, likely depicting William "Boss" Tweed (the elder figure) cynically using younger associates to do dirty work while distancing himself from incriminating evidence. The "bitter bit" theme suggests the manipulator will ultimately suffer consequences from his own schemes.