The Wasp, 1913 · page 102 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 102: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains serialized fiction rather than political satire or cartoons. It appears to be a narrative installment about a character named James Burnham in colonial Nevis (a Caribbean island). The text describes Burnham's advantageous social position: he enjoys favor from Governor Captain Nash, companionship with Nash's daughter Elizabeth, and employment assisting the governor. The passage establishes the colonial setting and social hierarchy—Burnham mingles with English military officers and plantation owners when not attending the governor. Notably, Burnham inquires about someone named Peter Queery, whose name is "not known on the island"—suggesting this mystery figure may be significant to the plot. The *Wasp* was primarily a satirical magazine, but this particular page is narrative fiction exploring themes of colonial society, social advancement, and romance in the West Indies, rather than topical satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WASP 99 hub of it, the governor its head, and Elizabeth Nash its heart. So James Burnham’s position in society was an enviable one. His position in the governor’s house was all that a young man of pride and spirit could desire. Cap- tain Nash treated him with consideration and affec- tion, and took his arm whenever they walked abroad together. Elizabeth was his constant com- panion indoors and out. Early every morning they rode through the jungles and over the hills, or be- side the sea, returning before the heat of the day. At his own request James was allowed to assist ‘the governor in his duties, sometimes as a deputy, sometimes as a secretary. The work was not ardu- ous. Burnham inquired for Peter Queery, but the name was not known on the island. There was an English regiment stationed in Nevis that had been out of England for almost a year, and it was with the officers of this regiment and the most prominent planters that Burnham as- sociated when not in attendance upon the governor Comiciooks.com