The Wasp, 1918 · page 88 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 88: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page appears to be from a serialized story rather than a standalone cartoon. The narrative depicts a gentleman magistrate rewarding a young man (James Burnham) with twenty-five golden guineas—money extracted as a fine from Amos Smith, master of the brig *Virtue*. The satire targets **colonial-era abuse of power**: the magistrate punished Smith for imprisoning "a free subject of his majesty," yet the fine's proceeds go to a private individual rather than the Crown. This illustrates corruption in island governance and suggests the magistrate uses his authority for personal favors. The passage also comments on **class mobility and patronage**—the young man, though proud, accepts charity from a wealthy superior, and schemes begin forming in his mind. The threat to "hang him like a pirate" adds menace to what appears benevolent governance. Without seeing accompanying illustrations, the full satirical impact is unclear, but the text critiques colonial justice as arbitrary and self-serving.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WASP eas money. Though comfortably off, he was not wealthy ; and he knew that even the most coura- geous and well-connected young bloods have, in time of plenty, a sad trick of forgetting the hands that have helped them in their day of. — Want. “ As you will,” he said. ‘‘ We forgive you your stifi-necked pride. Pride of that kidney is a quality I admire vastly. Look upon this house as your home for as long as you can put up with our quiet life, my boy. And I[’ll send a tailor to you within the hour. You'll need pocket-money. Here is something that belongs to you.” He thrust a hand into a pocket and drew forth and counted out twenty-five golden guineas. “They are yours,” he continued. ‘“ They | are your share of the fine which I, as chief magis- trate and commander-in-chief. of this island, laid upon Amos Smith,: master of the brig Virtue, for imprisoning the person of a free sub- ject of his majesty. Also, I cautioned him that if he ever came unfavourably to my notice again I would hang him like a pirate. The old fox got up his anchor an hour ago.” _ James Burnham was glad of the twenty-five guineas. Schemes took shape slowly in his comichooks.com