Captain Billy's Whiz Bang, March 1922 · page 41 of 68
Captain Billy's Whiz Bang #31 — page 41: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This humor piece satirizes post-WWI economic strain and changing gender roles. Warren's salary has been reduced slightly (from $3,000 to $2,984), yet Helen obsesses over every penny—willing to climb a dangerous flagpole herself to save 50-75 cents on a laborer. The satire targets two things: (1) the absurdity of penny-pinching over trivial amounts during modest hardship, and (2) Helen's eagerness to take on physically dangerous "men's work" to save money. The joke's dark edge appears in Warren's threat to break her ribs if she attempts it—presented as comedic concern, reflecting the era's casual domestic violence humor. The casual mention of "a worm for our still" references Prohibition-era home liquor production, adding period flavor. The piece mocks both excessive frugality and the tension between wives' domestic roles and economic necessity during economic uncertainty.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Captain Billy's Whiz Bang 39 Confessions of a Bride A Daily Newspaper Raving CALL UP a steeple-jack today and get him to paint the flag pole on the garage,” said Warren as he finished his sixth helping of ham and eggs, and folded the morning paper preparatory to leaving for the office. “Why, Warren,” Helen exclaimed, “I can do the job as well as a steeple-jack, and the money saved can be used to buy a new worm for our still; the old one is almost worn out.” Since Warren’s salary had been reduced from $3,000 to $2,984 a month Helen had watched every dollar, and the thought of paying a man 50 or 75 cents to paint the flag pole caused big tears to form in her eyes and run down her cheeks into the platter of fried mock turtle, which was her favorite breakfast dish. “There, there, little wife, don’t cry,” pleaded Warren, placing an arm on her shoulder and gently kicking her back of the right ear, “We’ll say no more about the matter today, but if I hear of you trying to climb that flag pole I’ll cave in half a dozen of your ribs” and flinging