The Wasp, 1918 · page 234 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 234: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a fictional letter within a narrative story, not a political cartoon. The letter from "James Burnham" to his brother Alexander is a darkly humorous confession. Burnham claims he's now working "at sea" with "considerable success," using euphemistic language that suggests piracy rather than legitimate maritime trade—he references his family's founder doing similar "gentlemanly calling" on land "in the days of old." Scovil's response indicates Burnham was actually a pirate who mistakenly attacked Scovil's ship, but this error saved Scovil's life. The satire mocks the genteel pretense of Burnham's letter, which tries to dress up criminal activity in respectable language. Scovil respects Burnham's bravery despite his criminality, and wants to destroy the letter to protect the family reputation by burning it.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WASP 225 “ Read it,” said Alexander, pressing the letter into Scovil’s hand. This is what Scovil read : My DEAR ALEXANDER: I am glad to have been of some service to you and their gracious majesties to-day. I regret that my affairs made it necessary for me to leave Nevis before your arrival. Be good enough to give my warmest and most respectful regards to Captain Nash and his charming daughter, Miss Elizabeth is beautiful and clever, but of too superior a type of woman to greatly appeal tome. My tastes are low, and that’s the truth. When you next communicate with our honoured- father, kindly let him know that his devoted son James is established in an occupation much better suited to his inherited talents than the exportation of rum and sugar. He will doubtless be pleased to hear that Iam following at sea, and with considerable success, the same gentlemanly calling which the founder of our family followed on land in the days of old. Ihave the honour to remain, my dear Alexander; your affectionate brother, JAMES BURNHAM. Scovil folded the letter and zctunace it to Alexander. “T am glad he iNoaete you were aboard,” te said. ‘I owe my life and my ship to that mis- take. He is a brave man, but bitter as gall. I prefer a pirate to a coward, lad. Now may I fetch a candle and burn it? Let it end here, Sandy, for Heaven’s sake ? Your hand, lad.” They shook hands and gazed hard at each = = comiciooks.com