The Wasp, 1918 · page 212 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 212: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page depicts a military disciplinary scene, likely from a serialized story in *The Wasp* (a 19th-century American satirical magazine). Captain Cross harshly punishes a soldier named Stanton for allegedly behaving dishonorably—forcing someone named Alexander's brother into a fight, then slandering him afterward. The satire centers on military codes of honor and rigid class hierarchy. Cross delivers theatrical condemnation, while subalterns brutalize the drunk Stanton. Notably, Alexander—apparently of higher social standing—mercifully attributes Stanton's misconduct to intoxication and recent illness rather than character, showing gentlemanly restraint the military officers lack. The passage critiques both rigid military discipline and how alcohol-fueled incidents expose hypocrisy in honor codes. The other officers' ready agreement with Cross suggests how institutional pressure enforces conformity regardless of circumstance.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WASP 203 hear me? Obey instantly, or I'll have you broken! Wilson, Bridge, take him back to barracks. He has disgraced the regiment and the service. March!” Stanton went, muttering and staggering, but cowed to the bottom of his flabby heart by the captain’s threat. A shamefaced subaltern went on either side of him, supporting him and pro- pelling him with a violence that threatened to pull his arms out of joint in several places. But for his recent illness they would have kicked © “The whole regiment will apologize to you for this,”’ exclaimed Cross, turning to Burnham. ** A more cowardly and despicable attack, a more gratuitous insult, I never heard. The fool! He forced your brother to fight with him, was fairly beaten, and now slanders his opponent and tries to dirty his name—and to you! But the fool was drunk. Otherwise he’d never have ventured to open his mouth.” By the flushed faces and muttered words of the others it was evident that all agreed with Captain Cross. One by one they shook hands with Alexander. Alexander was deeply moved. ’ “Mr. Stanton was drunk,’ he said, “and but recently recovered from an illness; so I comichooks.com