Life, 1887-09-01 · page 4 of 16
Life — September 1, 1887 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 116 This page contains satirical commentary and a cartoon titled "The Modern Cashier Balancing His Books." The cartoon depicts a cashier precariously stacking ledgers and accounting materials, suggesting incompetence or dishonesty in bookkeeping—likely commentary on financial mismanagement during the Gilded Age. The text items are short political quips about contemporary figures: Richard Bean inheriting a Texas estate, criticism of a published volume, a candidate named Dance for Postmaster, Walt Whitman's injuries, John Sherman's political prospects, and British naval matters. The piece on Henry George concerns his campaign for Secretary of State, mocking both his political ambitions and wealth-related views. Mme. Modjeska's theatrical plans are also noted. The humor relies on readers' familiarity with these specific contemporary political figures and events—context largely lost today.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
AN ODE TO AUTUMN. AIL to Autumn. Ante Mortem, Season of the year. The mortal dooméd ‘To weather humid Is glad you're here. For: You doubtless will dispel at once this atmospheric damp ‘That's turned full many a righteous man into a fiendish scamp ; You'll change the little bullet green into an apple ripe ‘That little ones may have their fruit without the deadly gripe. Send back to school the boys and girls, instil their minds with knowledge, And corral up those budding things who have just entered college ; Cool off the sun a few degrees ; calm down the lightning’s stroke ; Turn pennies from the man of ice unto the man of coke— In short, dear Autumn, please take holt, And head a general revolt Of those who wish at once to bolt From Summer's yoke ; And deign a kingly crown t'accept, Oh, Sept. . , ’ W ALT WHITMAN'S injuries are not serious, although he was badly Swinburnt. * . . OHN is going in for “ der Sherman” vote. J This style of humor may be had in quantities, as wanted. . . . F Britannia rules the waves we have a good casus bell against her for sending us this all too prevalent hot one. * . . EN BUTLER has come out for Blaine. This is the hardest blow the plumed knight has yet received. . . * T is very queer, but since Sharp has been in jail the Sus and World have dropped the expression, * Turn the rascals out.” * * . E cannot resist the temptation to say that the Indian trouble in the West is what we should Colorow of very little im- portance. “ V HAT superb colors there are in that stained-glass windo' said Mrs. Sprig; “That must be what they call an Oriole window.” . . THE MODERN CASHIER BAL- ANCING HIS BOOKS. ICHARD BEAN, of Boston, has fallen heir to a large estate in Texas, ‘These Boston Beans always were in luck. * . . ~HE critic who said “ this rare little volume is well done,” may have known what he was talking about, but we don’t believe he knows what he said. . . . MAN named Dance is warmly recommended for Post- master of a Maryland town, The President should take means to discover whether this candidate is addicted to Polka before he appoints him, . . . AT LONG BEACH. uM: Itell you, Topper, blood is thicker than water. ToppPe! That's true enough, but if you will tell me any- thing that's thicker than the mosquitoes here, I'll pay your bill. A SONG OF THE SEA. By Barry Cornwall and Another. NEVER was on the dull, tame shore, But I loved the great sea more and more ; And ne‘er on the steamer’s deck I stand, But that I'd give my boots for land. . . * HEN the Emperor of Germany passed through Ba- belsburgh last week the streets were hung with gar- lands, in his honor. We wish the Emperor might be induced to pass through Mr. Cleveland's Cabinet. H ‘RY GEORGE is running now for Secretary of State. Henry's craze for office seems to be as great as his craze for riches. We predict that he will be knocked so silly that even McGlynn will not recognize him. . . . M ME. MODJESKA will probably play Juliet the coming season. A year or two ago she said she would not play that part again until she was a grandmother. She has lately acquired that qualification, and will therefore be able to gratify her ambition and make a grandame act as a love-sick girl. The charming Countess should engage Dr. Mary Walker for Romeo. comicbooks.com