The Wasp, 1913 · page 17 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains prose fiction rather than political satire or cartooning. It's an excerpt from a story titled "The Wasp" featuring characters named James and William Stow (identified as Sir Walter Burnham's steward). The scene depicts William arriving at a room where James is present, discovering cards and bottles scattered about—suggesting dissolute behavior. William expresses disapproval in dialect-heavy speech, sarcastically commenting that one would find "more order an' decency in a carters' tavern." Without additional context about the publication date or the larger narrative, I cannot determine what specific social commentary or satirical intent this excerpt may contain. It appears to be serialized fiction rather than editorial satire, which was common in American magazines of this era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
16 THE WASP Footsteps sounded on the stairs, ascending briskly. James did not change his position, though his shoulders seemed to take on alert lines and his eyes turned toward the door. The door was flung open and a large man with a gray mustache and brick-red face looked into the room with a pair of eyes as quick and bright as blue lightning. “So here you are, Master James!’’ he said cooily. “Lord, an’ here’s a hogsty for your father’s son!” he added in a voice of frank disgust. “High noon, *pon my soul, an’ the cards still on the table an’ the bottles on the floor! Ye’d look for more order an’ decency in a carters’ tavern—aye, and find it.” Burnham smiled sardonically; but a flicker of hope shot up in his insolent eyes. This big man on the threshold was William Stow, Sir Walter Burnham’s steward. He had been born on Burn- ham land, had served in the army in his youth, and since then had served the Burnhams for thirty years. He was now Sir Walter’s right-hand man. “Good morning to you, William,” said James. ~ Comichooks.com