The Wasp, 1918 · page 157 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 157: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is text-only narrative rather than a cartoon. It appears to be from a serialized story in *The Wasp* magazine, describing characters aboard a schooner. The passage characterizes two crew members: Trimmer, a hearty, lusty sailor—merry, strong, and fond of tavern singing and flirting—and Slim Sam, presented as an ascetic, priest-like figure with dark, brooding eyes, modest dress, and restraint. The narrator compares Burnham's observations of these shipmates to societies he's known (Berkshire gentry, London rakes, Nevis planters), suggesting social commentary on how personality types transcend class. The humor appears genteel rather than cutting—character sketches emphasizing the contrast between boisterous and austere temperaments. Without seeing other pages, the satirical intent remains unclear, though the detailed physical descriptions suggest *The Wasp* engaged in character-driven social observation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
18 THE VS the schooner’s company now numbered forty- _ Six. Burnham studied these new associates of his with interest, and was amused to note how little they differed, save in profession and manners, from other societies in which he had mixed— from the gentry of Berkshire, the hell-rakes of London, and. the Hse and pai of Nevis. Trimmer himself looked like an honest and kindly yeoman, except when his anger was aroused or his vanity wounded. His face was square, his skin rough and ruddy, his head round as a bullet. He Was by naturé merry of spirit and of sturdy constitution; and the bloodshed and hard, high living of his calling had not yet impaired either his hamour or his health. Ashore in populous ports he was an untiring singer in taverns, a great pincher of feminine checks and chucker of feminine chins. Slim Sam suggested to Burnhani’s mind a priest in a hair shirt, so narrow was his face, so inbrooding his dark eyes, so modest his manner and quiet his voice. He wore no bright colours, he cropped his hair, he drank only the thinnest — of wines. He was never seen. with a weapon except when actually in action. He never comicbooks/com ase ; as eine