Life, 1885-12-10 · page 9 of 34
Life — December 10, 1885 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Page 329 from Life Magazine This page appears to be a literary illustration rather than political satire. It depicts a scene from what seems to be a ghost story or supernatural tale. The narrative describes a character named Maverick who awakens in bed to discover a "strange, somber face" pressed against his window—a disembodied, ghostly visage watching him. The accompanying illustrations show: first, the apparition at the window; second, a dramatic scene where an unseen supernatural force (depicted as cold fingers) approaches Maverick's throat as he lies helpless in bed. This is Gothic horror fiction with period-appropriate illustrations, not political commentary. The page showcases Life magazine's literary content alongside its better-known satirical work.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
the upper entry, awkwardly arranged so that the only window was a narrow opening near the top of the partition between the bath-room and the front bedroom. As Maverick lay in the bath his back was toward this window. Mrs. Maverick was in the bedroom; he could hear her moving about there. But presently a faint sound, as of something gently and cautiously pressing against the partition, or slowly brush- ing against it, roused his attention, in an in- stant, to the acutest pitch. With a sudden movement he turned his head and threw a swift glance at the window. It was enough! A strange, sombre face had been flat- tened against the pane, and had been watching him—who could tell how long? It vanished instantly, like a shadow, and without a sound ; but Maverick had seen it. He uttered a frantic cry, scrambled out of the bath, wrapped the heated blanket about him, and reeled into the bedroom. There sat Mrs. Maverick in her easy-chair, seemingly just aroused from a doze. Evidently she was, as usual, quite uncon- scious of anything unusual having happened. Maverick 329 could not speak. He reached the bed and fell upon it in an almost fainting condition. He was but vaguely conscious that his wife was moving him into an easier position, and tucking warm wraps about him; then he smelt brandy, and, mechanically opening his lips, felt the fiery stuff trickle down his unaccustomed throat. He wondered where the brandy came from ; and in the midst of his surmises fell asleep. Suddenly, after how long an interval he knew not, he was broad awake, with a feeling that something was going to happen. He was lying on his back, with one arm out- side the coverlid ; the only light in the room came from the remains of the coal fire in the open grate. Awake though he was, Maverick did not fully open his eyes, or shift his posi- tion; he remained absolutely without motion, and with his eyelids down. But he could see that gray figure gliding stealthily across the floor, and drawing nearer and nearer to him. The lower part of its face tas muffled in some odd | drapery; but the eyes were revealed, and they were fixed | steadfastly on Maverick’s countenance. What did the thing “THEN THE COLD FINGERS LEFT HIS WRIST, AND CREPT SLOWLY UPWARD TOWARD HIS THROAT.” comicbooks.com