The Wasp, 1913 · page 206 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 206: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page appears to be from a serialized fiction story rather than political satire or cartoon commentary. The narrative depicts a scene aboard a ship where a captain announces a vacant quartermaster position. A character named Burnham—described as elegantly dressed with a Spanish leather rapier—stands aloof from the crew's discussion. The scene captures shipboard tension: one crew member (with a broken nose) advocates for promoting Burnham, a newcomer and apparent outsider. Another sailor protests, viewing this as unfair preferment over established crew members. He accuses the broken-nosed man of toadyism (sycophancy) and attacks his ancestry. The satire appears directed at naval hierarchy, favoritism, and class conflict aboard ship rather than contemporary politics. Without knowing the publication date or broader context of this serial, it's difficult to identify specific historical figures or events referenced.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WASP 201 der and said that the sharing would take place on _ the morrow. This, too, was well received. Next he asked the company’s pleasure as to the filling of the vacant berth of quartermaster. Some discussion followed in ragged whispers. Burnham paid no attention to the question and seemed unconscious of the discussion and the glances which were shot at him. He moved away, turned his back on the captain and the company, and squared his elbows on the rail. He was coolly but elegantly attired and wore that murderous, straight rapier at his side in a scabbard of red Span- ish leather. ~~ T says Jim Burnham \? cried a mahogany-faced fellow with a broken nose and a bandage around his head. Another beauty gave voice at this in blasphemous protest. He did not approve of promoting a new hand and a stranger over the bloody heads of the tried and the true. He accused the gentleman of the broken nose of toadyism, and cast reflections on _ his ancestry. Comichooks.com