Puck, 1878-06-26 · page 5 of 16
Puck — June 26, 1878 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a six-panel comic strip set in Central Park depicting a domestic drama. A husband discovers his wife with a young man and confronts them. His friend urges calm, but the husband is determined on vengeance. The plot escalates: the wife pleads innocence, a suspicious character (labeled "Zephyr") is spotted, and the husband chases the young man into a lake. In the climactic final panel, the husband corners both the lover and his wife, demanding vengeance. The satire appears to mock melodramatic notions of masculine honor and spousal betrayal. The absurd escalation—from park encounter to water-chase—ridicules overwrought Victorian-era responses to infidelity, presenting the "wronged husband" as a comedic figure rather than sympathetic character.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PUCK. A HUSBAND’S VENGEANCE. Scene: Central Park. 1 Murvat. Frienp.—‘ Albert, my dear boy, don't be startled; but your wife is sitting behind that bush,” Coxeiixc Husnanp,—' Impossible! She's in Jer- M. F. And there’s a young man with her.” —“ Then it és she. Just like her!” Y. and L, W.—(to $. A.) “Fly, my beloved! My husband will kill you. He always does, (to C. H.) Albert, | am inndcent!” Vs Y. and L. W.—‘‘He Aas saved him, What am I to do? Both of them! If the grass weren’t so wet I'd faint.” I hear a Surrerritious Aporer.—’Tis but the Zephyr among the branches.” Y.and L. W.—“No, Lionel! ‘The Zephyr’s boots do not creak.” Y. and L, W.--‘ Great heavens—he leaps into the lake! And my husband after him! Oh! Lionel, save yourself—or rather—don't kick so—and let Aim save Conripinc Huspanp.—(to SurRepritious ADoRES.) “And now, sir; I have saved your life. I demand my vengeance—and I will have it! TAKE HER YOUR- SELF!” comicbooks.com