The Wasp, 1913 · page 37 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a narrative fiction excerpt rather than a political cartoon. The text describes a deceptive scheme where a character named Queery manipulates James Burnham through false friendship and hospitality. **The Satire:** Queery boasts about his valuable estate in Nevis to the ship's master while befriending the young Burnham, hinting at making him an heir. After getting Burnham drunk on rum punch at midnight, Burnham awakens abandoned in an open boat—suggesting Queery has robbed and abandoned him, likely a confidence scheme. **The Point:** This appears to satirize maritime fraud and the dangers of trusting smooth-talking strangers who flatter you with promises of inheritance and wealth. The story illustrates how alcohol and false charm are tools of deception—a cautionary tale for readers about con artists who prey on young, gullible men. Without seeing illustrations or knowing the publication date, it's unclear if this references specific real events or public figures.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
36 THE WASP the little round table in the cabin, with the master of the brigantine to keep them company, pledging each other’s health and talking most amiably. Queery laid a hand frequently on Burnham’s shoulder. “You know my place in Nevis,” he would say to the master. ‘Well, I'll neglect it no longer. Dve found a friend in this young gentleman—aye, and an heir, like as not. When I like a man, I like him without reservations. That’s me! You know my little place ?’* “T know it, sir,” the shipmaster would reply. “The finest-estate in that island, ye may lay to that, sir!” At midnight Queery brewed a rum punch of great potency. James Burnham awoke at noon of the next day with a splitting head, a thick tongue, and a wavering, fainting stomach, and found himself. drifting alone in an open boat. His dazed and ach- ing mind was not able to comprehend the situation immediately. Comichooks.com