Life, 1887-09-15 · page 7 of 16
Life — September 15, 1887 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Pleasantly Put" - Social Commentary on Class and Charity This sketch depicts a wealthy woman of "social rank" receiving a compliment from an inferior social class. The caption reveals the satire: she's praised for her "equaled faculty...of making a little go a great way" — a backhanded compliment suggesting she's skilled at being stingy while maintaining appearances. The accompanying dialogues mock urban social interactions. "Some Fine Property" features a Kansas City citizen trying to sell expensive property while the tax assessor ironically falls in a fit — suggesting the absurdity of real-estate speculation. "The Heated Term" and "A Rare Day" are brief comedic exchanges about weather and railroad operations, offering gentle social humor about everyday life and class dynamics.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
- LIFE: 147 + NEW BOOKS - THE SUMMER BOARDER, Puck's Library, No, 2, "New York : Keppler & Schwarzman. Bettona’s Husband, By Hudor Genone. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company. Culture's Garland, By Eugene Field. Boston: Ticknor & Co. ther Against Brother. Story of the Great Rebellion. By John R. Musick. "Fireside Senes. New York: J. S, Ogilvie & Co. __ Underweods. By Robeit Louis Stevenson, New York: Charles Scriboer’s Whist Universal. Av Analysis of the Game as improved by the Intre duction of American Leads. Ny G. W.P. Boston: Ticknor & Co HORSE OF ANOTHER COLOR. “cr AN you help me to a trifle, sir,” he said to a Chicago citizen on State Street ; “I'm a poor man with a wife and ‘leven children, and—" “ Nothing — nothing.” responded the citizen, brusquely, hurrying on— * An’ I'm trying to raise money enough to obtain a divorce.” id the citizen, stopping short, “there's a dollar for PLEASANTLY PUT. Mrs, Newly Rich (leaving a small tea given by a woman of social rank but not superabundant JOOD BYE, MY DEAR MRS. BLANK, ‘I HAVE ENJOYED MYSELF GREATLY. WHAT AN UN- EQUALED FACULTY YOU HAVE OF MAKING A LITTLE GO A GREAT Way. SOME FINE PROPERTY. TRANGER (¢o Kansas City citizen): Those three cor- ner lots of yours are fine property, captain. CITIZEN (enthusiastically): Fine property? Why, great scott, man, there ain't nothing like ‘em west of the Illinoy River! Two year from now they'll be in the heart of the city, an’ people will fairly howl for ‘em. They ought to come under the head of jewelry, not real estate. If you want to buy that property, stranger, you've got to buy it by the inch. STRANGER: I'm not buying property this morning. I’m the new tax assessor. The citizen falls in a fit. THE HEATED TERM. A PASSENGER who had observed to the street-car conductor that it was d—d hot, suddenly turned and discovered a lady within hearing. “1 beg your pardon, Madam,” he said, contritely. “Oh, you needn't, sir,” responded Madam, fanning herself vigorously, “it's very much warmer than that.” A RARE DAY. RATROAD PRESIDENT: Any surprising news down the road this morning, Robert? SECRETARY : Yes, indeed, sir! Not a single train wrecked ! comicbooks.com