The Wasp, 1918 · page 35 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be narrative fiction rather than a political cartoon. The text describes two men—Burnham and Queery—embarking on a Caribbean voyage from Kingston. Burnham owns a plantation on Nevis and has offered his younger companion Queery a business partnership, though Queery seems more interested in touring other islands first (apparently at Burnham's expense, given the reference to "Burnham's box of guineas"). The passage depicts their first night aboard a shabby brigantine, where they drink wine and make toasts with the ship's master. Queery repeatedly mentions his Nevis property to the captain, suggesting either pride or perhaps duplicitous intent. The tone—with its emphasis on Queery's hand on Burnham's shoulder and "most amiable" conversation—hints at potential betrayal or confidence schemes, though the narrative's exact satirical target remains unclear without additional context or seeing accompanying illustrations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
36 7 THE WASP - Burnham, at considerable length, all about his fine place in the island of Nevis. He had a command of language, and painted _ the joys of a planter’s life to a wish. He ad- mitted frankly that he liked James—that he felt a warmth of the heart toward him as to- ward a younger brother. This being the case, he was willing to take James into partnership with him. He was unmarried and had no near relatives. Burnham entertained no intention of devon ae his future to the cultivation of cane, but he was anxious to see something of the other islands before investing his modest capital. If Queery was fool enough to pay his expenses, so much the better. They left Kingston in a shabby, stubby brigantine—Burnham and Queery and Burnham’s box of guineas. They sailed at an- early hour of the morning, and they sat late at their wine that night at the little round table in the cabin, with the master of the brigantine f to keep them company, pledging each other's health and talking most amiably. Queery laid a hand sage) on Burnham’s shoulder. “You know my place in Nevis,” he would say to the master. “ Well, V’ll neglect it no COMEDONS.Com | |