Life, 1889-01-03 · page 7 of 16
Life — January 3, 1889 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis The top cartoon titled "HOW SHE KNEW" depicts a domestic scene where a woman claims she recognized a painting in an exhibition as her husband's work because "everybody [was] laughing at it." This is a joke about artistic merit—the implication being that bad art draws ridicule rather than admiration. Below, "CHRISTMAS MISFITS" is a humorous list of ironic Christmas wishes and their outcomes. Each entry follows the pattern of someone wanting something desirable but receiving something unrelated or unwanted instead (e.g., Brother Jack wanted cigars but got slippers; someone wanted Cleveland elected but got Harrison instead—likely referencing the 1892 presidential election). The satire mocks both personal disappointment and political outcomes through comedic juxtaposition.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HOW SHE KNEW. He: WHAT MADE YOU THINK THAT PICTURE IN THE EXHIBITION WAS MINE? YOU MUST BE A JUDGE OF STYLE, BECAUSE IT WAS UNSIGNED. She (modestly): YOU FLATTER ME, CHRISTMAS MISFITS. ROTHER JACK wanted a box of cigars and a check, and got two pairs of embroidered slippers and a pair of sleeve-buttons. Tommie wanted lots of candy, and got a stomach-ache. Johnnie wanted a copy of ‘‘Six-Toed Pete, the Cowboy Avenger,” and got “Peck'’s Useful Thoughts for Youthful Minds.” Mrs. McGlory Gadabout wanted a sealskin sacque, and got a new kitchen range and an improved washboard. J. G. B. wanted to be Secretary of State, and got L-ft. Reverend Skimpton Sowles wanted a trip to Europe, and got a paper-bound copy of “ Robert Elsmere.” The majority of the American people wanted Cleveland, and got Harrison. The good-natured aunt wanted a year’s subscription to - LIFE, and got one to The Christian Bugle. I REALLY DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS YOURS UNTIL I SAW EVERYBODY LAUGHING AT IT, Little Frankie wanted a little blue-eyed sister, and got a little cross-eyed brother. Sister Mary wanted a pair of diamond earrings, and got a life membership in the Dorcas Benevolent Society. Hardegg’s office-boy wanted a raise of salary, and was docked for not coming to the office Christmas day. The inmates of St. Bluenose’s Home wanted a Christmas dinner, and got a praise service and a distribution of tracts. Billy, the Bum, wanted a Christmas racket, and got thirty days on the Island. Metcalfe DON’T FAIL TO SIGN. PETITION is being circulated among the business men of New York, who patronize the Elevated road, requesting the guards not to kill more than one member in a family, except in cases of absolute necessity. comicbooks.com