The Wasp, 1918 · page 131 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 131: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains serialized fiction rather than a political cartoon. It depicts a scene between two characters: Burnham and Henry Todd, apparently conducting some kind of clandestine operation. The text suggests Burnham is a gentleman of respectable appearance whom Todd believes—or at least suspects—to be a pirate or criminal. Todd's dialect ("yer honour," "nor any common sailorman") marks him as working-class. The scene shows them exchanging a small heavy box and leather bag through a window at night, suggesting smuggling or theft. Without additional context about this serial's publication date and broader plot, the specific satirical target remains unclear. The humor appears to derive from the gentleman-criminal paradox: that refined appearance masks illicit activity, a theme common to 19th-century popular fiction.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
122 THE WASP now; but he knew that the. hatred would not last. Pe _He found Henry Todd waiting for him in his room. He locked the door, threw aside his hat and skirted coat, and sank into a deep chair beside an open window. One candle burned in a sheltered corner. - “I got the pot sir,’ said Henry Todd. ‘““ What next, cap’n?”’ “I believe you still take me for a pirate,” said Burnham. - “No, sir,” replied the lad. “ Leastwise, I take yer honour for whatever ye want to name yerself ; but I have heard it said as how a fine gentleman makesa brisker pirate nor any common sailorman.” : An hour later Todd took his departure by way of the window. Mr. Burnham let a small, heavy box down to him on the end of a strong cord, and next let down a bulky leather bag. Todd, with the bag under hic lt aa and the box in his right hand, vanished among the garden shrubberies, and Burnham went to his desk at the back of the room and lit another candle. He spread out a few sheets of paper and trimmed ~ a quill. He filled a pipe and lit it at the flame — COMMIEOOKS ‘com|