The Wasp, 1913 · page 158 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 158: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains prose narrative rather than a cartoon. It depicts a dramatic sword duel between two men—Stanton and Burnham—with named witnesses including Willis and Throgmorton present. Stanton appears to gain the upper hand but is struck down at the moment of apparent victory. Burnham claims the light hindered his aim, suggesting he didn't intend a fatal blow. The passage emphasizes the sudden, brutal reversal of fortune and the emotional reactions of onlookers. Without additional context about *The Wasp* magazine's specific satirical targets or the broader narrative this excerpt comes from, the political or social meaning remains unclear. The text may be satirizing dueling culture, honor codes, or specific historical figures, but this cannot be determined from the page alone.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WASP 153 sweat. The sun was at his back and full in his enemy’s eyes. The next thrust would end it. He put forth all the strength of wrist and shoulder to press aside that slender barrier. He had the fellow at his mercy. The pressure began to tell on the other’s blade. He uttered a gusty sigh through parted lips, low- ered his point, and lunged as quick as light. And then it happened, so swiftly that none could see the way of it. Stanton, struck in the very mo- ment of victory, sank to the sand and the red blood leaped out upon the white linen on his breast. Burnham stood motionless, with the red point of his sword in the lilac sand. “J intended to run him through the shoulder; but the light was in my eyes,” he said. “I have not given him his death wound, I trust.” Willis fell on his knees beside the wounded man and set to work with his bandages. Throgmorton shuddered, turned away, and brushed a square of perfumed lace across his dripping face. Captain Comichooks.com