Life, 1884-09-11 · page 5 of 16
Life — September 11, 1884 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 145 **Main Cartoon: "When Courage Goes a Begging"** This depicts a street scene with soldiers and civilians. The dialogue references a Mexican War veteran seeking a pension, with an Uncle Moke character. The joke satirizes the government's reluctance to provide pensions to war veterans—suggesting their "courage" isn't valued when it comes time to pay them. This reflects common 19th-century complaints about inadequate veteran benefits. **"Street-Car Etiquette" Section** This satirical advice column mocks poor manners on public transit—specifically muddy boots, aggressive seat-taking, and blocking aisles. The detailed instructions about crossing one's legs and letting women sit first suggest passengers frequently violated these norms, making the etiquette guide necessary social commentary on declining public decorum.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
WHEN COURAGE GOES A BEGGING. Murphy: PHAT'S THIS COMIN’ DOON THE STHREET? Reilly; BEDAD IT'S MEUNCLE MOIKE. HE'S WURKIN TER GIT A PENSION AS A MIXICAN VETHERAN AV THE WAR AV EIGHTEEN HOONDRED AN’ TWILVE, AND THEY WON'T GIVE IT HIM, SHPALPEENS! Murph Reilly ; HE'S JST AFTHER LANDIN’ LASHT CHOOSDY! STREET-CAR ETIQUETTE. VERYBODY rides in the street cars, and everybody should understand the etiquette to be observed in so doing. A few hints may prove useful to our readers. In the first place, when you wish to enter you should take your place on the curb nearest the approaching car, and as soon as the driver is visible commence shaking your hand, or cane, or umbrella vigorously at him, and if he does not stop (as he will not, until he reaches the other coping) run after the car, vociferously calling to the conductor to stop, and if it is muddy throw in a few expressive adjectives so that the stupid conductor and driver and passengers may know—that you are a gentleman. Upon entering the car you should be sure to have your umbrella under your arm, so that in turning you may draw the end of it across the faces of your fellow pass- engers. Then take a seat; or, if all taken, a strap. If for- tunate enough to get a seat, promptly cross your legs—cross one leg anyway—so that at least one muddy boot may fresco the nether garments of those who pass you. You don’t know how passengers enjoy having you polish your boots on HOW LONG HAS HE BEEN IN THE COONTHRY? 145 A PRECEDENT FOR MR. BLAINE. ANY of Mr. Blaine’s friends and admirers will be gratified to learn that his conduct toward the Little Rock road is not entirely with- out precedent, but that in the early history of our country another dashing, magnetic, individual resolved that he too would be no dead-head in a | certain enterprise in which he was interested, using his official position to advance his private interests in the same perfectly legitimate manner as has the present leader of the G. O. P. When put in command at Philadelphia, during the war of the revolution a major-general in Washington's army, of whom much has been heard since, executed the following contract with two private citizens. “* Whereas, by purchasing goods and necessaries for the use of the public, sundry articles not wanted for that purpose may be obtained: It is agreed | by the subscribers that all such goods and mer- chandise which are, or may be bought by the Clothier General or persons appointed by him, shall be sold for the joint equal benefit of the subscribers, and be purchased at their risk. Witness our hands on this 22d day of June, 1778. “ BENEDICT ARNOLD.” | This name will never be forgotten by the | American people. | Perhaps a like immortality awaits Mr. Blaine. Who can tell ? V.F.J. Too thin—the “ living skeleton.” Feu d'artifice—imitation sealskin. | A CROW-BAR—Muzzling the rooster. their clothing. Drop both legs at once if possible. This is, however, a feat accomplished successfully by few. It is said that Mr. Wm. M. Evarts and S. J. Tilden have it down fine. They seldom ride in the cars, though. If you succeed in this, you will bring both boots into play at the same time. Ifnot, cross anyway, first one leg and then the other, so that both boots may look alike when you get out. If you are seated, and all the seats are taken, and an old woman enters the car, look the other way; if a good-looking young lady enters, jump up at once, take her gently by the arm and insist on her taking your seat. When the seat next you is vacated, spread out, and so on as each adjoining seat is left, spread out, until you cover all the room possible. Then contract slowly and reluctantly as others enter. Ladies understand this perfectly without instructions. We have known three ladies to cover one whole side of a car. When you go out, if you stumble over some half dozen or more feet belonging to cross-legged men, don’t use language unbecoming a gentleman, but just remember that if there is one thing a gentleman always does in a car, it is to sit cross-legged. comicbooks.com