Captain Billy's Whiz Bang, August 1921 · page 58 of 68
Captain Billy's Whiz Bang #23 — page 58: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Captain Billy's Whiz Bang* contains three distinct humor pieces with no visible cartoons or caricatures: **"The Luck of the Irish"** is an ethnic joke playing on Irish stereotypes—specifically depicting an Irishman ("Pat") as a thief who confesses to stealing a priest's watch, then offers it back to the original owner. The humor relies on the absurd logic: when the victim refuses it, the priest allows him to keep it. The "luck" suggests Irish cunning or moral flexibility. **"Love As An Appetizer"** presents pseudo-scientific health advice (likely satirizing contemporary wellness trends) claiming love, hope, and happiness aid digestion and circulation, while despair harms health. The remaining short quips are cynical observations: comparing a sweet-looking girl to a sugar-coated pill (attractive exterior hiding unpleasantness) and contrasting human intelligence with dog contentment. The page represents *Whiz Bang's* typical mix of ethnic humor, satirical health commentary, and sardonic aphorisms—early 20th-century pulp magazine fare targeting working-class readers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
56 Captain Billy's Whiz Bang The Luck of the Irish An Irishman at confession noticed that the priest had a watch on a fob. As it was easy he nicked it. Continuing his confession he said, “And Father, I stole a gold watch and fob from a man, but I will give it to you.” The priest was horrified by the suggestion and said, “No, you must give it to the man you took it from.” Pat replied, “But, Father, I offered it to him and he would not take it.” Then, said the priest, “You may keep it.” * * * Love As An Appetizer Any emotion that gives pleasure acts healthily on the heart and other organs, certain scientists have recently discovered. Brisk circulation, gnawing appetite and health ensue. Love, hope and happiness all produce these emotions and, contrary to the accepted notion, the ardent lover ought to enjoy his meals thoroughly. Despair, grief and fear are declared to have quite the opposite effect. They make the heart slower, and enfeeble the nervous system, often upsetting digestion. * * * Many a girl looks sweet on the outside, but so does a sugar-coated pill. * * * You may have more brains than a dog, but the dog is the happiest.