Life, 1887-07-07 · page 5 of 16
Life — July 7, 1887 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page from *Life* magazine contains two distinct pieces: **"That Kind of a Mind"** (top cartoon): A domestic scene showing a mother telling her son that their neighbor Mrs. Field has died but won't reach Heaven for three days—it takes that long for her to be resurrected. The joke satirizes Mrs. Field's character as someone so difficult or contentious that even death itself seems reluctant to accept her permanently. It's a cruel joke about an unpleasant personality. **"The Eagle and the Rats"** (fable): This is a moral tale where persecuted Rats seek shelter from an Eagle, who initially offers refuge but then refuses, claiming property rights. The story appears to critique wealth inequality and privilege—the Eagle's argument that the poor don't deserve aid because they lack property. It's likely social commentary on class conflict and economic justice, though the specific historical reference remains unclear without additional context.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THAT KIND OF A MIND. Mother (sadly): WELL, 1 SUPPOSE POOR DEAR MRS, FIELD 18 IN HEAVEN, NOW. Mathematical Son: OW NO, MAMMA! IT TAKES THREE DAYS TO RESURRECT, AND SHE WON'T BE IN HEAVEN UNTIL SIX O'CLOCK TO-NIGHT, THE DIFFERENCE. S bachelor I sought to find The joy of love, and love grew kind Enough to let me marry her. Since then, I honestly aver, The joy of love hath much alloy, I seek the club through love of joy. Maude A. Andrews. THE EAGLE AND THE RATS. GOOD-NATURED Eagle, who dwelt by the waters of the mighty Mississippi, possessed such an ample domain that he cheerfully granted shelter to all such poor creatures as asked it. To him one day came a deputation of Rats from lands across the water, saying: “Sir, we are sorely persecuted in the place which it would be a mockery to call our home. Sundry evil birds, looking indeed like you, but many double- headed, and all wearing crowns, so cruelly rule us and drain our blood, that we seek refuge under the shadow of your wings.” The Eagle heard them with patience, and said : “ Here you may abide. What you earn you may enjoy freely.” And soon, in innumerable multitudes, the sorely-driven Rats thronged to these hospitable shores. But prosperity, which Rats cannot bear any more than some men, in time made them insolent. Some of their leaders called upon the Eagle. “Speak your minds, freely, coercion.” Then spake the Rat : “ By what right do you call this land your own? Why should you be wealthy while we are poor ? Are we not all equal?" “Thou, fool!” cried the Eagle, with indignation, “if we are all equal, why didst thou come to me for succor as to a god in thy time of trouble? If I had not been wealthy how could I have helped thee, who wast. poor? Of my lands I have given thee freely if thou wouldst till them ; but woe to him who would touch what is not his own.” said he, “here there is no comicbooks.com