INTRODUCTORY NOTE

These cartoons have been reprinted in the hope that they may have a permanent interest because of the great historical importance of the period they encompass. In the last two or three years the world has moved with more than its usual alacrity. It has been a history-making epoch. There has been a war that WAS a war. There have been disasters almost without parallel; and we have weathered as pleasant a presidential campaign as the oldest inhabitant can remember. Mr. Roosevelt has been insured to us for another four years and his activities in peace and in war and in sports have been a source of unending inspiration to the cartoonist. In addition, the nation has achieved merited glory because of the great exposition held in St. Louis, and last, but not least, Missouri has taken it into her head to go Republican.

The importance of these affairs is our excuse for hoping that the cartoons appearing in this collection may have more than an ephemeral interest, and with respectful humility, we hereby dedicate them to that grand old man—sometimes so foolish but always so well-meaning—our Uncle Sam.

John T. McCutcheon

October 18, 1905

THEMysterious StrangerANDOTHER CARTOONS

THE

Mysterious Stranger

AND

OTHER CARTOONS

THE PRESIDENTIAL HOLIDAY

He Arrives in “San Antone” to Attend a Reunion of the Rough Riders.

THE PRESIDENTIAL HOLIDAY

A Quiet Day

THE PRESIDENTIAL HOLIDAY

“Hurry up, boys! I’ve got ’em treed.”

THE PRESIDENTIAL HOLIDAY

“I wish the boys’d get up. Here I’ve had breakfast ready an hour.”

THE PRESIDENTIAL HOLIDAY

“The President has been on the trail of a grizzly for four days.”—News Item.

THE PRESIDENTIAL HOLIDAY

“Come on, boys! I’ve got ’em cornered.”

A BOY IN SPRINGTIME

“Every time I think of her, I have the queerest feeling, kind o’ like a painless stomach ache, only not so much. I wonder why?”

A BOY IN SPRINGTIME

“No, honest, cross my heart, you’re the first girl I ever said it to.”

A BOY IN SPRINGTIME

“For the land’s sake, child, what ails you, anyway. How many times must I call you to come to your supper?”

A BOY IN SPRINGTIME

“Some day she’ll be sorry she treated me this away. I’ll go ’way and make lots o’ money and come back here riding in a carriage with four white horses, and when she tries to ketch my eye I’ll pertend I never seen her before.”

COLONEL ROOSEVELT IN YOSEMITE VALLEY

“That ought to be ‘El Colonel’ instead of ‘El Capitan.’ Oughtn’t it?”

COLONEL ROOSEVELT IN THE GRAND CANYON

“Magnificent! It looks like the tented field of a Titan Host! It’s the most beautiful view I’ve ever seen—Not an office seeker in sight!”

THE PRESIDENT: “I’M HAVING A DELIGHTFUL TIME HERE IN CHICAGO, BUT I MISS MY DAILY EXERCISE”

SECRETARY TAFT IN JAPAN

“I remind myself of Napoleon before the Sphinx. I wonder if it can tell me who will be the next President of the U.S.A.?”

SECRETARY TAFT IN JAPAN

“No wonder the Japs make good soldiers. They’ve certainly solved the transportation problem all right.”

A BOY IN SUMMER-TIME

“Just look how much I saved for the Fourth. Ma give me a dime ’n I sold a copper boiler to Johnson Bros. for twelve cents. I got sixteen cents for picking cherries for Mrs. Oliver, ’n a nickel for carrying a note for Mr. Hornbeck, ’n fi’ cents I got for picking potato bugs for Mrs. Oliver, ’n ten cents for finding Mr. Griswold’s cow. And I’m gunna spend it all for shootin’ crackers and fire ’em all off just for you.”

A BOY IN SUMMER-TIME

“I bet they’re jealous because they ain’t boys, too.”

A BOY IN SUMMER-TIME

“Gee! I wish the circus ’d hurry up and come. I’m terrible hungry. We’ve been waiting nearly three hours and it’ll be sure to come if we go home for breakfast.”

A BOY IN SUMMER-TIME

“Gee! I don’t see how anybody can be sad in summer-time, ’specially if he’s a boy an’ likes to go swimmin’!”

A BOY IN SUMMER-TIME

“You just step over that line and I’ll learn you that you can’t call my little sister a cry-baby.”

A BOY IN SUMMER-TIME

The Chief of the Indian Fighters—“Don’t cry, they’re not real Indians—they’re only cornstalks. We’re just pertending they’re Indians. Come on, you’ll never make an Indian fighter if you act this away.”

A BOY IN SUMMER-TIME

“You bet this is the last time I’m gunna visit Aunt Mary, not even if she invites me.”

A BOY IN SUMMER-TIME

“Dog gone it! This kind o’ life ain’t the kind o’ life for me. I’m gunna run away ’nd be a soldier, ’nd get killed, ’nd then you bet ma ’ll be sorry she treated me this away.”

“It’s funny how much easier it is to work the ice-cream freezer than it is to churn.”

THE PRESIDENT HAS GIVEN A ＄100 CHECK TO A CHILD THAT WAS NAMED AFTER HIM

“Here is a check for little Theodore.”

“You’re wanted below, sir.”“This is no time to rout a man out. Tell him to wait.”“It isn’t a ‘him,’ sir; it’s a ‘them.’”

“Good morning, Mr. President.”

UNCLE ALEXANDER THOUGHT HE HAD AN INVITATION TO THE WHITE HOUSE

“I see by the newspaper that President Roosevelt likes to see large families. Now, I take it, that’s an invitation to visit him, don’t you?”

So Uncle Alexander and His Family, Cousin Silas and His Family and the Hired Man and His Family went down to the Depot and got on the Cars for Washington—

Where the President Said That He Was “Delighted” to See Them.

THE OSLEROPATHS

GEN. KUROKI, AGED OVER 60 DR. OSLER CHLOROFORM BRIGADE

THE DEAR OLD FARM AND THE JOLLY CITY LIFE

WHAT THE FARMER SAYS:

WHAT THE CITY MAN SAYS:

“Staid in bed till nearly 5 this morning because we don’t have to get up so early in the winter time.”

“Great guns! are all the windows open? It’s as cold as Greenland in this flat. The man that called this a steam-heated flat was a poor describer.”

“Scraped the frost off the window so’s I could get a squint at the weather. Looked purty winterish.”

“Well, I hate to get up, but I suppose I must. Not an ounce of steam in the place. And just listen to the crunch of those wheels out there. I’ll bet it’s a hundred below zero.”

“Boots froze stiff. Guess I forgot to grease ’em last night. They slipped on about as easy as a section of stovepipe.”

“Cook is sore. Says she isn’t used to living in an ice-house. I never saw such haughtiness.”

“Woodpile covered with snow so I had difficulty getting kitchen fire started. Finally got enough hot water to thaw out pump.”

“Have a horrible cold. That’s the trouble with these steam-heated flats. About the time you get acclimated the furnace goes on a strike.”

“Carried in some fodder for the stock. Latch on barn door so dad gasted cold it pulled the skin off my nigh hand. Curried horses, etc.”

“And you are left with your tubes filled with bronchitis microbes, and your heart filled with homicidal tendencies. Natural gas low. No hot breakfast.”

“Then had nothing to do but wait for daylight and breakfast. Had hot fried mush, hot ham, some good coffee, and a couple dozen buckwheat cakes. Seemed to agree with me.”

“Cable broke and had to stroll downtown. Got to office late and was called down. Many are called down, but few deserve it.”

“Shucked corn all morning. In afternoon repaired rail fence on the east eighty till dark. Then took some nourishment in the shape of boiled ham and cabbage.”

“Boss says that it mustn’t happen again. I hope it won’t.”

“Sat around awhile. Hated to tackle the cold sheets, but finally it got so late that I had to turn in, though I couldn’t get to sleep till after 10.”“I Wish I Lived in Town Where I Had Some of the Comforts of Life.”

“This city life ain’t what it’s cracked up to be. How I envy the farmer. He’s his own boss and doesn’t care how often the cable breaks.”“I Wish I Lived Out on Some Pleasant Farm These Fine, Crisp Winter Days.”

IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT SOCIETY ADOPT A TIME LIMIT MARRIAGE CONTRACT

Chapter I

“Will you be mine, Felicia?” “For how long, Albert?” “For fifteen years, dearest.” “No, but I will for ten years.” “Can’t you make it twelve?” “No; ten is the limit.” “All right. Here’s the ring. Take good care of it for I may need it again.”

Chapter II

“Do you promise to take this woman for better or for worse for ten years?” “Yes, subject, of course, to renewal of contract.” “Do you promise to love, honor and obey?” “Yes, up to September 14, 1914.” “I pronounce you man and wife. Let no man put asunder in the meantime.”

Chapter III

“Well, Albert, your ten years are up to-day. Do you want an extension of the contract?” “No, thanks, dearest. I’m booked for the next ten years with Fanny Bishop. Her contract with Charley Bishop expires soon, you know.” “Why, of course. How stupid of me to forget. In that case I’ll accept Arthur Bridgeport for five years. His contract with Adelaide is up next Friday at noon.”

Chapter IV

“Whose little boy are you?” “I’m Uncle Sam’s little boy.” “Where are your parents, my lad?” “Papa’s doing ten years with the late Mrs. Bishop and mamma, I understand, is married at present to Mr. Bridgeport. Her contract expires some time next month, though, she having failed to get a renewal. Mamma’s getting old, you know.”

“THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL”

The Czar and the Mikado go to War

SOCIAL HAPPENINGS AT BIRD CENTER

Since the war in the Far East began, there has been more or less interest evinced by our townsmen in the great struggle. Consequently, when some of our prominent citizens suggested that a talk be given by Captain Fry on the subject, everybody enthusiastically seconded the proposition. The gallant captain, himself a keen student of military strategy, as well as a hero of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and a thousand other equally noted battles, promised to give the talk and, in fact, did give it at the Opera House last Friday evening. Mr. Smiley Green, the popular undertaker, introduced the speaker with a few timely and well-chosen remarks, after which Captain Fry launched vigorously into his subject.

“First, I want to explain what has led up to the present aggravated condition of affairs in the Far East. For many years Russia has slowly but surely been expanding to the eastward, until she is now in possession of all northern Asia. But she has no outlook to the sea for her commerce, except the ice-bound port of Vladivostok way up yonder [pointing to the map]. She is like a great wheat field full of grain with no gate to get the grain out. So what does she do? She decides to get a port farther south. When Japan licked the Chinese in ’94, and captured Port Arthur and a good part of Manchuria, Russia gets France and Germany to protest against Japan’s retaining Port Arthur. They protest and Japan is cheated out of the spoils of war. Then Russia quietly leases Port Arthur from the Chinese for twenty-five years and moves in. She doesn’t think England will stand for her action, but England had a weak Prime Minister, and no protest was made. Of all the nations of the earth, Russia was the most surprised to find that she was to be allowed to keep Port Arthur. So she proceeded to fortify and prepared to stay a good deal longer than her lease called for. Japan is sore, but all the powers were against her. Russia then decides that she must have all the land between Port Arthur and Siberia, so she proceeds to occupy Manchuria. When anybody protested she said she was going to get out day after to-morrow, but she didn’t calculate to. She had worked a bluff at Port Arthur, so why not work another for Manchuria? Japan was foxy and saw how it would come out if she didn’t step in and register a kick. So she demands that Russia move out and Russia says ‘Certainly,’ but when moving day came, Russia couldn’t find the moving man. Instead of that, she moved a few thousand soldiers in and hung up a sign, ‘We are here to stay.’ Then Japan began to oil up her musket. ‘If Russia is allowed to do as she pleases out here, she will soon have Japan in the corner pocket,’ she says, ‘and Japan wants at least a little room to roll around in. We don’t propose to have a big man with a gun leaning up against us on the starboard side, so here’s where we get busy.’ So Japan prepares for fight, but Russia doesn’t think she is in earnest. She calls Japan a little pigmy and delays rolling up her sleeve. At that moment Japan inaugurated what Mr. Gus Figgey would call ‘Rough House’ and lands on Russia at Port Arthur with the result that Russia wakes up to find her solar plexus dislocated.”

At this point in Captain Fry’s speech there were loud shouts of approval, in the midst of which could be heard the voice of Gus Figgey ringing out in strident tones, “Hot stuff, Cap.”

“And now what is a-goin’ to happen?” resumed Captain Fry. “I will tell you. Japan is a-goin’ to land a couple regiments on this what’s-its-name peninsula, destroy the railway, and cut the line of communication to Port Arthur. Then she can plant her siege guns on the hills back of the town and throw in a few hundred ton of grape and canister until the garrison capitulates. Then the Japs can march up through Manchoory, capture the Siberian railway and in six weeks capture St. Petersburg. The Japs already have Sayool down yonder in Corea, and can bombard the Yayloo River when they’re a mind to.”

Many of the audience congratulated Captain Fry on his address, and assured him that they now could intelligently follow the news from the war.

—J. Oscar Fisher, in theBird Center Argosy.

A BIRD CENTER VIEW ON THE RUSSIAN-JAPANESE WAR

THE GEN. BULLER OF THE ORIENT

A THRILLING MESSAGE FROM THE EAST

The Battle and the War Correspondent

The War Correspondent and the Story of the Battle

The Press Censor and the Story of the Battle

The Editor and the Story of the Battle

THE VLADIVOSTOK SQUADRON

No. 1.

Wabash, Ind., July 27—(Special)—Chris Newbower and Gus Nelson, two prominent citizens of this city, report having sighted the Vladivostok squadron last evening, steaming slowly down the Wabash River. Both men are citizens of considerable veracity, one having formerly been the circulation manager of the WabashPalladiumand the other a prominent politician. People here are inclined to credit the report. Mr. Newbower states positively that he saw three large ships steaming so near that he could distinctly see the masts. Mr. Nelson saw six ships, having probably looked twice. Intense excitement prevails here as there is a neutral river flatboat nine weeks overdue. It is feared the Russian ships may have overtaken it.

No. 2.

Henderson, Ky., July 27—(Special)—Col. Bunker H. Breckenridge, who is spending the summer at his home in this city, reports having seen the Vladivostok squadron lying off the Kentucky shore of the Ohio yesterday afternoon. The colonel doesn’t remember the number of ships but says the number corresponded with that of the Russian fleet. The report can be easily verified, says the colonel, by his grandson who also witnessed the squadron. Great excitement prevails and the matter is the topic of general conversation. The sheriff is organizing a posse of colonels to guard the city in case local shipping is threatened.

No. 3.

St. Joseph, Mich., July 27—(Special)—Mr. H. Close of Chicago, who has been Sundaying in this city, reports seeing the Vladivostok squadron last evening three miles east of this city. Mr. Close was sitting on the shore thinking about the political situation, when some one near by called his attention to the squadron. He says that he saw it distinctly, but didn’t notice how many ships there were, or what direction they were going. Mr. Close states that he is going down again to-night to watch for the squadron. Intense excitement prevails. Little knots of bridal couples may be seen earnestly discussing the sensation.

No. 4.

Joilet, Ill., July 27—(Special)—Mr. Herbert X. Bughaus of this city came running into the city early this morning crying out that he had been pursued by the Vladivostok Squadron. He first saw it near the rolling mills and stopped for some minutes to count the ships. He counted six the first time, but a recount showed nine. A Russian admiral commanded him to surrender, but Mr. Bughaus retreated quickly followed by the entire squadron. Fortunately he reached the city safely, although terribly frightened. In an interview Mr. B. stated that he saw the ships while on his way home or to work, he is not sure which. Great excitement prevails.

No. 5.

Punta Arenas, Argentine Republic, July 27—(Special)—Izaak Walton Jones, a citizen of this city, reports having sighted the Vladivostok squadron three miles and a quarter off Cape Horn, about noon to-day. He first saw the fleet come down the east coast of South America, turn abruptly around the Horn and disappear rapidly up the west coast. There were three large ships and they were traveling thirty knots an hour. When last seen they were turning the corner two miles north of Valparaiso. Mr. Jones at once brought the news to this city, and, after renewing his supplies, will return to the cape where he is fishing.

No. 6.

Dundee, Scotland, July 27—(Special)—Mr. Jem Wethersby, first officer of the Peruvian bark Calisaya, arrived here this afternoon with the report that he found evidences of the Vladivostok squadron. At seven bells night before last, while doing his trick at the watch, he passed a large piece of wreckage which, he swears, was probably part of a vessel sunk by the what’s-its-name squadron. Mr. Wethersby has had much experience in swearing, having been a mate on a tramp steamer for twelve years. Late this evening we endeavored to get a complete story from Mr. W., but he was not to be found.

THE VLADIVOSTOK SQUADRON

No. 1.

No. 2.

No. 3.

No. 4.

No. 5.

No. 6.

A STUDY IN COMPARATIVE WORRIES

Cossack Aide—“I regret to report that Port Arthur has fallen.”The Czar—“Hush! Don’t wake the baby!”

ANOTHER MYSTERIOUS STRANGER

AFTER THE BATTLE OF MUKDEN

THESE ARE BUSY DAYS FOR THE BALTIC FLEET

SEEING THINGS AT NIGHT

Margate, England, Oct. 24—(Special)—The Eddystone light-house was attacked last night by the Baltic fleet and totally annihilated. It is thought the Russian admiral mistook it for a fleet of Japanese airships.

Dover, England, Oct. 24—(Special)—Late last night a man standing on the English coast sou-sou’west of this place lighted a match to see what time it was. He was instantly attacked by the Baltic fleet, the admiral of which mistook the light for a Japanese signal. Three twelve-inch shells grazed the astonished gentleman, but fortunately none struck him. An ultimatum is probable.

Cherbourg, France, Oct. 24—(Special)—Heavy cannonading was heard several miles off this coast last night. A French cruiser at once put out to the scene of the noise and found the Baltic fleet attacking the north star. It is thought the vigilant admiral mistook the light for a fleet of Japanese battleships. An ultimatum is expected hourly.

Finisterre, France, Oct. 25, 3:30a.m.—(Special)—At an early hour this morning the Baltic fleet was seen steaming swiftly past this point. Soon afterwards a furious bombardment occurred and continued until the body of an electric eel was washed ashore much mangled by the deadly cannonading. It is thought the admiral of the fleet mistook the eel for a Japanese submarine boat. At the present writing the fleet is bombarding a drug store down near the beach. The druggist is issuing an ultimatum.

THE THRILLING STORY OF THE CHINA SEA

Admiral Rojestvensky stood musingly on his flagship—“One load more,” he muttered sadly, “and then our fleet will be coaled and I must leave this pleasant coast.” For a moment a tear stood in his eye as he peered off toward the French China shore. The thought of leaving the dear old scenes, to which he had become so greatly attached, made even the stern old sailor weep. Dashing aside the tear, he turned to direct the busy crew who were bringing the coal to the ships.

“Come, my hearties,” he cried, “step lively. We must get away.”

With these few words, so pregnant of meaning, our hero turned his eyes toward the great leviathans of the deep. Smoke rolled in mighty volumes from their funnels and went whirling off in the howling gale. A thousand cannon strained their cyclopean eyes to the northward; 10,000 Russian tars crouched defiantly at the breech blocks.

THESE WERE THE MEN BEHIND THE GUNS!

For a few moments the Admiral stood there in deep contemplation, listening to the shouting seas and the screaming of the winds. Then, turning slowly, he made his way to the bridge—“Anything in sight?” he inquired of a bystander.

“Forty ships off the port bow, sir. All steamers, sir, but I can’t make out their colors.”

“Humph,” said the admiral, in Russian. “Fishing boats, probably,” and dismissed the matter from his thoughts.

Again he turned his eyes shoreward and another tear appeared—“Ah,” he mused, “I have been so happy here. If my weekly paper had not come so irregularly of late I should be perfectly happy here. Heigh ho, I must not yield to sentiment in this manner.”

A thought then struck him and he turned to give an order to a handsome bystander wearing spurs—“I’ll pipe all hands below and give my men a night’s rest.”

In the twinkling of an eye the wireless telegraph was sending forth the glad news, and a moment later 10,000 Russians tars were peacefully sleeping in their hammocks. A great silence lay over the mighty battleships.

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