The Wasp, 1913 · page 18 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a literary excerpt rather than a cartoon. The text depicts a confrontation between two characters: Stow and Burnham. Stow, described as a well-dressed "prosperous country freeholder," delivers a harsh rebuke to "Master James" (Burnham), accusing him of bringing shame and financial ruin to his family and leaving England in disgrace. Without additional context or visible illustrations, the specific political or social satire is unclear. However, this seems to be satirizing either a real scandal involving a disgraced family member or a commentary on class dynamics between country gentry. The formal Victorian language and the emphasis on family honor suggests this references a specific contemporary event familiar to *Wasp* readers circa the late 1800s.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WASP 17 “Welcome to the hogsty! Come in and sit down and give me the news.” Stow entered, closed the door behind him, and sat down in a chair close to the untidy table. He gazed curiously and scornfully around him as he placed his hat and elaborate walking cane on the carpet beside his large feet. He was booted and spurred. He was dressed in his best and looked like a prosperous country free- holder of the class just verging into the small gen- try from the substantial yeomanry. He showed his native honesty and dignity in face and figure. Hav- ing surveyed the room, his bright blue glance re- turned to Burnham’s watchful and inscrutable face. “Ye’re to leave England, Master James—aye, and alone,” he said. “In money and shame ye’ve cost yer father more than ye give any promise of ever being worth, though ye’d live a thousand years. Aye, ye’re a disgrace to the family and the name, Master James!” mn “Try to be civil, my good fellow,” replied Burn- ham quietly. Comicooks.com