Origins of the Sunday Comics by Peter Maresca for July 23, 2013

A little clarification may be needed. The overhead light fixture in both apartments appears to be a gas or a dual gas and electricity fixture of the kind used at the turn of the century. In Cholly’s apartment he is using a take-off tube to supply gas to the gas table lamp, which he then re-purposes to steal beer from his downstairs neighbor. Catching on, the neighbor feeds gas back up to the thief thus preserving his beer and teaching Cholly a lesson.

Captions:1: Cholly Smartboy longs for a drink.2: He makes a discovery,3: And prepares to take advantage of it.4: The scheme works beautifully—for him5: But not for the tenant below.6: Who, however, rushes the growler again,7: Places the pitcher on the table,8: And awaits developments.9: Thinks he knows a trick worth two of that.10: And the result shows that he was right.

@Leslie BarksAre you by any chance a relation of the late great Carl Barks? His work was amazing.

Interesting approach to panel layout.

Thanks, Leslie. That was very helpful!

Leslie’s take on this is correct, to my knowledge. However, I don’t understand the caption for panel #6. What does it mean, to “rush the growler again?”

The growler is the vessel used to bring the beer home from the corner tavern’s keg.

Its all gas. The flare at one end indicates it is lit, a flame. Like a light hanging from the ceiling. It was recommend to always keep it lit as the gas shut offs never really sealed resulting in gas leaking into the apartment.

Gash Frank, thanks for posting the "Growler info. I put the strip up there and didn’t know myself!

Hi Isengrim. The complete “Little Nemo in Slumberland” will spin-off from this feature on Nemo’s 108th birthday, October 15, 2013. It will be its own title right here on GOCOMICS!

I wish apartments where made like this today!

Now I get it! LOL