Life, 1888-04-05 · page 14 of 20
Life — April 5, 1888 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains six separate satirical sketches typical of *Life* magazine's humor: 1. **"Disappointing"**: A Boston minister's eulogy phrase ("finished his course") initially excites a sleepy congregation, who think it's scandalous gossip—then deflate when they realize it's biblical. 2. **"The Right House"**: Irish servant Bridget orders an Easter hat, billing it to her employer rather than paying herself—a joke about servants' presumption. 3. **"Struck a Streak of Luck"**: Two Irish cab drivers; one's "luck" is hitting and killing a woman—dark humor about urban hazards. 4. **"Warden"**: Female prison tourists want to see "Murderers' Row" last, suggesting it's the most sensational attraction—mocking voyeuristic tourism. 5. **"Adroit"**: A servant cleverly gives his employer's visitor an evasive answer, then admits his grandmother gave him the technique—praising deceptive sophistication. 6. **"English Patents of Nobility"**: A brief comment that American "nobles" are counterfeit—mocking American aristocratic pretensions. The page uses ethnic dialect humor (Irish servants) and class-based satire typical of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
200 DISAPPOINTING. SLEEPY Boston congregation was suddenly aroused by the minister's words : “He has fought the good fight, he has finished his course.” But its normal condition was resumed as soon as the reference be- came clear, . THE RIGHT HOUSE. RIDGET, who was at the door?” “A b’y from the milliner’s, mum, wid bill fer an Aisther hat.” “T have ordered nothing at the " milliner’s, Bridget.” “No, mum; it’s fer mesilf.” STRUCK A STREAK OF LUCK. IRST CABBY: How’s business wid yez, Bill? SECOND CABByY: Shure an’ its foine. Oive had big luck fer the pasht wake. First Cappy: Phat d'yez call big luck, thrunken doods ? SECOND CasbyY: Divila bit (solemnly) —Dennis, oive me firsht ould leddy to run over fer sivin days! ARDEN (showing ladies through prison): Will you visit “ Murder- ers’ Row” first? LADIES (¢# chorus): Oh, no; we want to save that for the last. ADROIT. “PATRICK, DID MR. BROWN CALL?” ‘HE DID, SORR.” ‘AND DID YOU GIVE HIM AN EVASIVE ANSWER?” ‘I DID, SORR.” ‘TAXED HIM WAS HIS GRANDMOTHER A ANY of the English patents of nobility which show up in this country are infringements. THEATRICAL TERMS. ‘A DISAGREEABLE ROLE.” ‘\A WALKING GENTLEMAN.” comicbooks.com