Life, 1885-04-02 · page 13 of 16
Life — April 2, 1885 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines satirical poetry, humor snippets, and advertisements typical of Life magazine's format. **The Main Cartoon/Poem** ("At Seisers At Nullys"): A humorous narrative poem about a man who repeatedly says "Hic" (Latin for "this") in increasingly absurd situations. He's portrayed as a pretentious character affecting Latin mannerisms. The satire targets affectation and snobbery—the joke being that this supposedly refined, classical gentleman is ultimately just another ordinary person hauled off to jail for drunkenness (implied by "Hic"). **Humor Snippets Below** include period jokes about Boston girls, a locomotive accident, and notably, a **Reconstruction-era joke** featuring a Caucasian tramp asking a Black man for money, claiming he "fought...to make you a free man." The Black man refuses, rejecting the tramp's claim of moral entitlement—social commentary on post-Civil War racial tensions and false paternalism. The remaining content is primarily **advertisements** for books, clothing, soap, and printing services.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
> LIFE 195 A SyracusE man has procured an autograph of Cues Victoria , by sending her twenty-five cents with his request. This opens up AT SEISERS A MLy a new revenue of wealth for the monarchs of the effete East.— Minerva New York Graphic. First Boston Girl—‘*Going to vocal practice this morning, E seemed to tread on air, and kick Second Boston Girl—* No, my dear Calliope, I have a bad With haughty feet each way, cold and am quite hoarse.” And I gazed with wonder as he passed, First Boston Girl—‘ Ab! been exposing yourself to the And admired his aristrocratic cast, weather ?” As I greeted him ‘* Good day,""— Second Boston Girl—' Yes, I went out yesterday and forgot to But all he said was, * Hic.” put on iny spectacles ?”"—Boston Courier. “Gramercy, man !" I answered quick, “ How did you feel 7” a man was asked, after telling how he ‘* How proud thy body swings! was caught by the cow-catcher of a locomotive and thrown over Who canst thou be?» Such high-born ‘lugs’ the smokestack into the tender. Are ever the mark of princely pugs “Well, I did n't like it, although I must say I was very much Who spurn all common things.”” taken up with it at first,” he replied.—Mew York Journal. But he simply answered, ** Hic.” “ Won’ you have another piece of pie, Mr. Featherly 2” asked Bobby, hospitably. His mother was entertaining a few friends at dinner and the dessert was being discussed. “Thanks, Bobby,” Featherly replied, ** since you are so polite about it, I believe I will take a small piece more.” ** All right,” said Bobby. ‘* Now, ma, remember your promise. You said if it was necessary to cut a second pie I could have two : pieces,”— Transcript. Then I saw his face tum deathly sick, CaucastIAN Tramp—" My colored friend, please lend me a And his cheeks grew ashy pale, quarter ; I fought, bled, and suffered four years in the Union Tho’ he tried to keep a stately calm army to make you a free man.” As he tumbled into a policeman’s arms, Colored gentleman—“ You did your duty, sah ; but ‘bout loan- And was hurried off to j: ing you dat quarter, do n't keer, sah, to rewive de bitter memories But all he said was ** Hic.” Aro. of de wah."— Sexas Siftings. ** What, fool! are my brains so thick ? Ah, then, some Roman old Thou art, who doth not deign to talk Upon thy proud, wsthetic walk,— T know thy tongue right ‘cold. But he simply answered, ** Hic.” HENRY HOLT & CO. Cashmere JACQUES KRAKAUER, HAVE JUST READY Lavigs’ Tatton ann Hasit Maxer, Dobson's at the Sign of| 19 B. 21st St., N.¥., and Bellevue Ave., Newport. the Lyre. | Bo u q uet . scmahier tees Lotte Paris for traveling, walking Square 16mo, uniform with the Author's and yachting costumes. ViGNETTES IN RHYME. $2.00. Toi let Soa p. Also a very Give line ot , Spring Styles in goods suit- Chanson's de Roland. : Ble for Ridiog. Habits Has the largest sale of any superfine toilet able for Riding Habits, Translated by Ltonce RABILLON of Jobns soap. Perfame novel and excep- | personal attention to each French.-German.-Spanish. | coigate & Co., N. ¥., for sample cake.| sd. \eitended isvetinoat delay: satioh BF ber Ricks SY Reseaebal's celebrated MelsTaN: seni eon on cer fection ofexercises Sample copy, pert I, a5 cts. Liberal Ulsters and Jackets. Hopkins University. 16mo. (Library tionally strong. Mr. Krakauer gives his of Foreign Poetry.) $1.25. . hN ii Send fourcentsinstampsto | Valin of his patrons, Orders from out of town ‘OU .. by weeks’ study, master either of these lan- | < y Ybevaes eefcently fr every ay and business cover. = | A perfect fit guaranteed SyStaM. Terms, $yco for books of each lan | Lundborg'’s Perfume, Edenia, . wih privilege of anqwere to all questions, 8 Lundborg’s Perfume, Maréchal Niel Rose. Terms to Teachers. Lundborg’s Perfume, Alpine Violet, Mclsterchaft Pblishing Co. Boston, Mass, | Etdbow’s Pertine, Liye be Vater. | Menciette Frame, Box 2275. 7 = THE GENUINE eROBES AND MANTEAUX,, Jbffeed G. Careoll, | FRamisconvense takes oceasion to anguncs that shes in and Summer Costumes, . Out of town orders receive special attene TAILOR & IMPORTER. tion, Perfect fit guaranteed on receipt of measurement, In view of the increasing demand THE FRANK B. CONVERSE | 932 QQest 228 Street, Mew York, for garments of elegance and HIGH : Z | , - CLASS STANDARD of style, at reason- Banjo Instruction and Salesroom, | frog paladin hanes 6 West 42d Street, New York. ge Es for a wear, acceptable ry = GEO. MATHER’S SONS 1 Ring Costumes and Liveies in | ON RO'R GINDING RINTING INK nglis! les. “LIFE: (f: Iho Chis! Grctag asad borebie 60 JOHN STREET, N. Y. 1 66 tocth Jbve., Witt hold 26 numbers. Mailed to any part of | THIS PAPER IS PRINTED WITH the United States for $x NEW YORK. Adéress, office of * LIFE,” 1155 Broapwa OUR SPECIAL -LIFE- INK. comicbooks.com