Life, 1887-07-21 · page 3 of 16
Life — July 21, 1887 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 31 This page contains several short humorous items typical of early Life magazine's satirical format: **"The Wrong Result"** jokes about a boy seeking parental approval through good behavior, only to be asked to skip prayers—inverting expected outcomes. **"An Innovation"** mocks a schoolgirl's essay that omits the conventional phrase "upward and onward," suggesting satire of formulaic student writing. **"To an Unpaid Bill"** is a poem addressing an old debtor, using mock-heroic language to plead for payment. The illustrations show working-class or immigrant figures in period dress. **"Applied Science"** contains a brief joke about bees and stinging. Most items target everyday social situations—debt, parenting, education—rather than specific political figures or events. The overall tone is genteel mockery of middle-class life and human nature.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
* LIFE: THE WRONG RESULT. “ M A,” said Bobby, “ have I been a good boy to-day?” “Yes, Bobby, and I am very proud of you.” “ Well, will you do me a favor, ma?” “Tf it's reasonable, Bobby. What is it?" “ Let me go to bed to-night without saying my prayers.” AN INNOVATION. YOUNG lady read an essay at a school commence- ment the other day, in which the sentiment “ upward and onward" did not appear. She was enthusiastically applauded. TO AN UNPAID BILL. LD friend, companion of my youth, a bumper to the brim! Long years neglected have you lain and e’en your ink is dim ; Your text is faint, your tale is fresh, your relatives are young, But you, campaigner, brown and old, your life-work now is done. In endless line your comrades pass before my wearied eyes— A few are young, but more are old, alike they're all despised. Old veteran, give up the fight, your day of strength is past, For Uncle Sam to help me win has outlawed you at last. Arthur Bradford Grover. Mr. McFaddle: Let ME OFF AT MIKETOWN, Conductor; \WE DON'T STOP. THIS IS A THROUGH TRAIN. Mr. McFaddle: THIN, PLAYSE, SOR, WILL YER STHOP LONG ENOUGH FUR ME TO TELL BRIDGET THAT ITS CARRIED THROUGH Tamt WIDOWS’ WEEDS. D* and dusk is my mistress’s hair, All lustreless it lyeth there, And each black strand can tell a tale Of cruel coquette and lover pale ; Each strand it is a widow’s weed That mourns a heart could love and bleed.— And now a soft small lock I see That is to mark the death of me. F. S. Palmer, MAN recently astonished his wife by coming home with two black eyes. ‘ What have you been doing?” said she. “Getting a pair of socks,” he replied. SAVED FROM THE BASKET. . HE Marquts of Salisbury may be a good man, but he APPLIED SCIENCE. does not a peer to advantage asastatesman, English jokes of this description are rarely found in this Professor Pugwig: Be CALM, A BEE CAN STING ONLY ONCE country, owing to our rigorous climate. IN TWO MINUTES, Boy: ONCE 18 ENOUGH FOR ME, YOU MAY HAVE THE SECOND ONE. A WATER-sPOUT.—A temperance lecturer, comicbooks.com