The Wasp — 1896 — page 79: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This four-panel satirical comic illustrates the consequences of stealing a "paste diamond" (fake jewel). **Panel 1**: A well-dressed man shows his companion what he believes is a valuable diamond. **Panel 2**: A boy flees from a pursuing policeman, boasting "Dot cop can't catch me!" **Panel 3**: An elderly man (Uncle Isaac) is confronted by authorities about the stolen paste diamond. **Panel 4**: The boy sits imprisoned in striped convict clothing, serving six months for the theft. The satire mocks the boy's confident escape attempt, which backfires when innocent Uncle Isaac is blamed instead. The "bad mistake" is the theft itself—the joke being that the boy stole a worthless fake diamond, only to face real prison time. The narrative suggests 19th-century social commentary on youth crime and miscarriage of justice.