The character’s limbs flail while they scream a little, then splat on the ground. It almost always plays out the same way, but that’s all it needs to be. It just needs to scratch that itch.

Character Sketch by Thackeray. Share full article. Aug. 1, 1903. Credit... The New York Times Archives. See the article in its original context from August 1, 1903, Section T, Page 2 Buy Reprints.