Life, 1886-05-06 · page 4 of 16
Life — May 6, 1886 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 256 from Life Magazine This page contains three satirical pieces rather than a unified cartoon: **"A Terrible Moment"** mocks a pickpocket concerned about being photographed at the Rogues' Gallery (police records), showing the criminal's inverted priorities. **"Flotsam"** includes brief jokes about empty purses and fresh air, typical of Life's short-form humor. **"At the Club"** presents workplace banter about headaches and strong scents. **"To the Girl of To-Day"** is a poem (signed F.S.P.) contrasting classical heroines like Celia and Phyllis—who competed modestly for male attention—with modern women who display themselves immodestly in short skirts. It's social criticism of 1920s-era changing female fashion and comportment, lamenting lost propriety. The accompanying illustration shows two men in conversation, likely supporting the club-related humor.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A-TERRIBLE MOMENT. “cc REAT Scott,” said a convicted pickpocket, as he struggled to break loose, “you are not going to take my photograph, I hope?” “Yes, for the Rogues’ Gallery.” “Oh,” he exclaimed, with a look of intense relief, “go ahead then. I was afraid you were going to make a wood- cut of it for the New York World. . * * HE Southwestern strikers continue to throw over the cargo with the idea that they are saving the ship There is a popular apprehension that if they continue long at it the crew will be served with stones in place of bread, on the supposition that they need ballast. . . * ERF bathing is not unusual in the higher latitudes of Russia at this season of the year. Newsboy: SaY, CULLY, LES WORK DE ALDERMEN TER GIT DE RUN OF ALL DE PAPER SELLIN’ AN’ SHININ’ IN DE PARK ? Bootblack : S'POSE WE GITS PULLED FOR DRIBIN'? Newsboy: Dex De ALDERMEN 'L SKIP TER CANADA, BUT WE NEED N'T REMEMBER NOTHIN’ ABOUT IT, FLOTSAM. HEERY PASSENGER (6n deck, to father promenading with consumptive son): Ah, this is a fine ‘morning. Getting some fresh air in your lungs ? Melancholy Parent: Not a bit of it. fresh lungs in my heir. . . . GREAT many complain of empty purses, but what man was ever rendered unhappy by the conscious possession of an empty head ? * * . AT THE CLUB. &¢ T SAY, Perwy, would you mind sitting on the other side of the room ?” “Not in the least, old fellow. Am I in the way?” “No, not a bit; but I've a dweadful bad headache this morning, dear boy, and the scent of that—aw—wose-bud in your buttonhole is too stwong.”” . . . N old saying revamped : Uneasy rests the head that wears a Garland. . . . I'm getting some HE President must be of the opinion with Lire that the comments on his bride-elect are decidedly fulsome, * . . TO THE GIRL OF TO-DAY. HEN Celia loved and Strephon woo'd, And Phyllis was a charming prude, And shepherds whiled away the hours Among Arcadia’s flowery bowers, The story goes that Celia fair And Phyllis of the modest air Each sought with her peculiar art To gain the prize of Strephon’s heart. Gay Celia was a wanton maid, And for the dance herself arrayed In skirt most short and waist most low That Strephon might her beauties know. When Strephon heard the shepherds jest About her very scanty vest, And lightly speak, as rouds do Of all her charms exposed to view, Displeased he turned away his eyes— And Phyllis carried off the prize. You modern maids know what was true Of Celia is as true of you, Who would your lovely selves display In dresses too décolletés. comicbooks.com