The Wasp, 1913 · page 209 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 209: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a narrative excerpt from a serialized story rather than a political cartoon. The scene depicts a ship's hierarchy during what seems to be an election for a new quartermaster named Burnham. Welsh Owen, a crew member with a bandaged head and broken nose, approaches the newly elected Burnham to claim credit for supporting his candidacy. Owen, notably intoxicated, makes a philosophical speech about his dual nature—claiming his drunk self represents his "real" self, contrasting with his sober, ordinary demeanor. The satire appears to target working-class pretension and self-delusion: Owen presents himself as an educated man of "whims" who admires gentlemen, yet his drunken rambling and physical injuries undercut this self-image. The joke hinges on the gap between how Owen sees himself and his actual station. Without seeing accompanying illustrations or knowing publication dates, the specific political or social commentary remains unclear.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ee EEEEEEEEEEEREIERSEREEEEEemnenmemmmmemned 204 THE WASP turned again to speak to John Trimmer; but the captain had vanished. The new quartermaster went forward and ate his supper with the men. The first, second, and third mates and the gunner did the same. Welsh Owen, the possessor of the bandaged head and broken nose, drew the new officer’s attention to the fact that he, Mr. Owen, had silenced all opposition to Mr. Burnham’s election. The Welshman was not sober. “T noticed it,” replied Burnham, “and consider it very handsome of you; but may I ask why you did it?” “Ye know two men when ye know me,” said Welsh Owen ponderously. “Ye know one man when ye know me sober an’ another when ye know me drunk. That’s how ye see me now. Ye see the real William Owen now—only a bit knocked about. . Sober, I’m an ordinary shellback—mighty ordinary. Man o’ whims I am—and education. Admire a gentleman—even a bad one. Bad one myself, even Comicnooks.com