The Wasp, 1913 · page 53 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 53: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a fictional narrative excerpt rather than a political cartoon. The text depicts a shipboard scene involving a character named James Burnham and a young boy named Todd. The passage satirizes Burnham's callous cynicism masked by false civility. Though he claims a "tender and genial disposition," the narrative reveals his actual cruelty: he feels "no pity" for suffering and speaks kindly to Todd only out of "contrariness"—to contradict the brutality of others. His sneering monologue about the "blessing" of his supposed kindness is clearly ironic mockery. The scene likely critiques hypocrisy and performative benevolence—the gap between what people claim about their moral character and their actual indifference or malice. Todd's terrified gratitude for basic kindness underscores the brutal conditions aboard ship. Without knowing *The Wasp's* publication date and specific focus, the broader target appears to be social pretense and the exploitation of the vulnerable.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
52 THE WASP teen years, thin and colorless, and bruised about the face and naked shins. He had been interested in this forlorn creature, but had felt no pity. Suf- fering never inspired pity in James Burnham’s breast. He had seen the lad flinch at a word from the black cook, cringe at a glance from the ship- master, and start in terror at a curse from one of the mates; and so, in a spirit of contrariness, he had spoken cheerily to the terrified youngster. Todd turned at the foot of the ladder, stared at Burnham for a second or two without a sound, then thrust a bottle into his hands. Next moment he was gone up the ladder and through the hatch. “It would seem that I have a friend aboard this . accursed tub,” said Burnham. “A whipped dog of a friend, to be sure—but of some use, perhaps. It is wonderful what a kind word will do! What a blessing it is to be possessed with a tender and genial disposition !’’ ~He sneered, removed the cork from the bottle, and sniffed at the neck. Then he raised the bottle and took a few drops cautiously on his tongue. It Comichooks.com