Life, 1888-07-19 · page 10 of 14
Life — July 19, 1888 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Employed the Wrong Man" - Life Magazine Cartoon This cartoon satirizes a specific social situation: a man (Dr. S.) has hired someone to perform a task, but chose poorly. The dialogue reveals the humor: Dr. S. accuses "old Sawbones" (a period slang term for a surgeon or doctor) of charging $15 for cutting off his arm. Mr. P. responds that he did it for $15, but suggests Dr. S. should have hired him to cut *both* arms off for less money—implying incompetent surgeons overcharge for botched work, and that getting worse service might have cost less. The cartoon mocks both incompetent medical practitioners and the absurdity of negotiating fees with someone who's already damaged you. The joke assumes readers recognize "Sawbones" as a derisive term for surgeons.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LAWN TENNIS. iN T" COURT. 1, The court should be laid x. out in the front yard. This gives better opportunity for the gi " likely to inspire envy in the people across the way. THE BALLS, 2. The balls should not weigh more than one pound each and should not be of the codfish variety. 3. They should be covered with some soft substance to prevent their making dents in the players’ heads. 4. In case the ball is driven over the fence and into a field occupied by a savage bull, the gentleman with the red blazer is the proper person to recover the ball. 5. In case a ball is driven through a neighbor's window, it is not necessary to send for it. The neighbor usually comes over in person. In such cases it is proper to suspend the game and permit the ladies to withdraw. If the neigh- bor is not a profane person, the ladies may be permitted to remain and stand their share of the bill. THE RACKET, 6. The racket should not be of the kind some young men go on, 7. A loaded handle is recommended to experts. It will be found convenient in case of a dispute about the score. 8. Every young man going out of town for over Sunday should carry a racket. It lends an air of distinction which impresses people in the city. If the young man does not play tennis, the racket may be left at the station and called for on the way back, Monday morning. COSTUMES, g. Almost anything outlandish will do, particularly if it is striped. 1o, Young men of meagre development of the lower limbs must wear knee-breeches. This rule is imperative. 1t, Ordinarily, ladies playing tennis do not wear trains, 12, Under the Boston rules, ladies are permitted to retain their eye-glasses. 13. Tennis costumes should not be worn to church, They have a tendency to rattle the preacher, THE GAME, 14. The old rule about those also serve who only stand and wait is now obsolete. 15. After July 21, 1888, and until the beginning of the regular chestnut season, all plays and puns on the words “deuce,” “love” and “ advantage" will be strictly barred. 16. The butler is not expected to serve at tennis. This duty is usually performed by the young ladies of the house. Metcalfe. A QUESTION. HE folk of old said ‘* Love is blind.” Tell us, we pray you, sages kind, Is that why he depends so much Upon the magic sense of touch ? HE man who gets left doesn’t believe that “ What- ever is, is right.” EMPLOYED THE WRONG MAN. Dr, S.: YOU DON'T MEAN TO TELL ME THAT OLD SAWBONES CHARGED YOU FIFTEEN DOLLARS FOR CUTTING OFF YOUR ARM? Mr, Po: YES, FIFTEEN DOLLARS, Dr. S. 1 woutp HAVE CUT BOTH ARMS OFF FOR LESS MONEY THAN THAT, Now, WHY DIDN'T YOU SEND FOR ME? comicbooks.com