Captain Billy's Whiz Bang, January 1921 · page 42 of 68
Captain Billy's Whiz Bang #16 — page 42: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a sentimental narrative poem—not a political cartoon—about moral redemption and class struggle in early 20th-century Britain. The story follows a working-class ostler (stable worker), Joe, whose lover abandons him and their baby to pursue fame in London as an actress. She achieves celebrity through her beauty and scandalous behavior, "half naked" on stage, selling her favors to wealthy "lords" and "titled roues." However, her beauty and fame fade rapidly. Years later, dying alone and forgotten in humble lodgings, she's reunited with Joe, who has forgiven her completely. He reclaims her as his wife now that her wealthy patrons have abandoned her. The poem's moral is conservative: the working man's humble loyalty and faith ultimately triumph over the woman's pursuit of luxury and sexual liberation. It reflects early 20th-century anxieties about female sexuality, urban vice, and class mobility—suggesting that "fallen women" face inevitable ruin and must ultimately depend on working-class male forgiveness.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
40 Captain Billy's Whiz Bang Why a girl like her—God bless her—'twasn't likely as her'd rest With her bonny head forever on a 'ostler's ragged vest. "It was kind o' her to bear with me, all the long and happy time, So for my sake please to bless her, though you count her deed a crime; If so be I don't pray proper, Lord, forgive me, for you see I can talk all right to 'osses, but I'm kinder o' strange with Thee." Ne'er a line came to the cottage from the woman who had flown, Joe, the baby, died that winter and the man was left alone; Ne'er a bitter word he uttered, but in silence kissed the rod, Saving what he told his horses, saving what he told his God. Far away in mighty London rose the wanton into fame, For her beauty won men's homage and she prospered in her shame; Quick from lord to lord she flitted, higher still each prize she won, And her rivals paled beside her as the stars beside the sun. Next she trod the stage half naked and she dragged a temple down To the level of a market for the women of the town; And the kisses she had given to poor 'ostler Joe for naught, With their gold and priceless jewels rich and titled roues bought. Went the years with flying footsteps while her star was at its height. Then the darkness came on swiftly and the gloaming turned to night; Shattered strength and faded beauty tore the laurels from her brow, Of the thousands who had worshipped, never one came near her now. Broken down in health and fortune men forgot her very name, Till the news that she was dying woke the echoes of her fame; And the papers in their gossip mentioned how an actress lay Sick to death in humble lodgings, growing weaker every day. One there was who read the story in a far-off country place, And that night the dying woman woke and looked upon his face; Once again the strong arms clasped her that had clasped her long ago, And the weary head lay pillowed upon the breast of 'ostler Joe. All the past he had forgiven—all the sorrow and the shame, He had found her sick and lonely and his wife he now could claim; Since the grand folks who had known her one and all had slunk away, He could clasp his long-lost darling and no man could say him nay.