Life, 1889-05-16 · page 13 of 18
Life — May 16, 1889 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "I Saw Her But a Moment" — Life Magazine Cartoon Analysis This page contains multiple short comic sketches typical of Life's satirical format. The main cartoon, "I Saw Her But a Moment," is a classic *trick ending* joke: a sentimental poem about a romantic encounter beneath an apple tree abruptly reveals the "her" is actually the neighbor's cat—and the narrator threw a poker at it. The humor relies on readers' expectations of romance being subverted by domestic absurdity. The page also includes several other brief jokes mocking human behavior: a thief's illogical sales pitch, a mother's dream-sharing mishap, and social pretense. These satirize everyday foolishness and hypocrisy rather than specific political figures. The remaining space is filled with period advertisements for life insurance, perfumes, pianos, and banking services—standard magazine filler for the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
- LIFE: BUT A MOMENT. SAW her but a moment Beneath the apple-tree, There was no one to listen, No eyes were there to see. I heard her soft voice singing — Her song was one of love; Her bright eyes seemed to borrow Light from the stars above. I saw her but a moment, As ‘neath the tree she sat; I threw the poker at her— (She was my neighbor's cat.) — Pick-Me-Up. Mr. LooxourT: You have plenty of impudence, Johnson, to steal my chickens, and then try to sell them to me. Jounson: Why, yer honor, I thort you’d pay a better price for fowls you'd reared yerself. You'd know what yer buying then !— Tit-Bits. MotueRr: Fritzchen, last night I dreamed about a beautiful cake that was so real I knew how it tasted. Fritz: Really, mamma? When you are going to dream that again, may I sleep with you ?—FViegende Blatter. ‘riulein, how have you amused yourself at the art ex- “Really ?” “Yes, indeed; because there were so many people standing be- fore the other pictures that I gave my whole attention to yours to save crowding."—Fviegende Blatter. FitzG1pson ; Chumley, I always supposed Jabberson was a friend of yours. Cuumtey : So he is; one of the best I have. F11zG1BBON: You're deceived, old man. He goes about telling folks that you are the dead image of the Prince of Wales.— Grif. TRampP: Say, sport, couldn't you lend mea trifle to get a night's lodging 2, I used to be a gambler myself once. Asa SHUFFLUM: Then why the deuce do you want to sleep at night? Go on; you're an impostor !— Texas Siftings. “You're a nice editor, Chubbs !” “What's the matter now ?” “Why I_you say ‘the publisher of the Daily Voice is an unmiti- gated ass.’” “Well, he is!” id, ‘we advise our brother journalist to reform his thicago Ledger. A Renewable Term Policy THE PROVIDENT SAVINGS LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, HOME OFFICE, Equitable Building, No. 120 Broadway, . PARIS EXPOSITION! HE CHEQUE BANK issues Cheques, either singly or put up in Books, for the special use of VISITORS. to the PARIS EXPOSITION, who can cash the same at upwards of seventy Banking Houses, situated in different parts of Paris, without charge. Is the safest, least expensive and fairest contract of life insurance in the market. One-half the rates usually charged. SHEPPARD HOMANS, President and Actuary. WM. E. STEVENS, Secretary. Send for Prospectus or callin person. CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST : Do you believe in spirits ? KENTUCKIAN: Thanks, don’t keer ef I do. —Epoch. G4 nce ILLUSTRATED 7 ON AON | hs GORMULLYs JEFFERY Mrt (0 OHIOAGO, ILL CELEBRATED HATS AND LADIES’ ROUND HATS. 178 & 180 Fifth Ave., bet. 22d & 23d Sts., and 181 Broadway, near Cortlandt St., NEW YORK. Palmer House, Chicago. 914 Chestnut St., Phila. CASWELL, MASSEY & CO. 578 Fifth Ave., and 1121 Broadway, N.Y. and Newport, R. I., call attention to their two new perfume powders, “Double Violet,” AND “White Heliotrope.” A single trial will prove conclusively their lasting and delicate fragrance. The most refined taste ‘cannot object to the use of these sachets in writing desks, and among handkerchiefs, laces and under- 50 cents each. aGS-PIANOS z C.C.BRIGGS & 62 7 APPLETON ST. BOSTON MASS. MANUFACTURERS OF RE--6--UPRIGHT GRACEFUL DESIGNS ++ SOLID ONSTRUCTION : MATCHLESS TONE ++ BEAUTIFUL FINISH. Visitors’ mail matter can be addressed to them, care of the Société Générale, 4 Place de l'Opera, opposite the Grand Hotel, where English is spoken. Every Cheque that is issued by the Cheque Bank is EQUAL TO CASH, as Bank Notes are, for the Bank’s Capital, Guaran- tee Fund and Customers’ Balances are invested in British Government Securities, or held in Cash in the Bank of England, and can be cashed in every town in Europe without charge. For Handbook containing list of 2,500 Banking Houses who cash the cheques /ree of charge, and list of 250 of the principal hotels in Europe who accept them, apply to agents of CHEQUE BANK, Limited, CAPITAL, £100,000, GUARANTEE FUND, £27,000. ‘TRUSTEES: The Right Honorable John Bright, M.P. The Right Honorable Earl Beauchamp. E. J. MATHEWS & CO., Bankers, No. 2 Wall Street, New York. DECORATION FURNITURE Curtains 133 FIFTH AVE. NEW YORK comicbooks.com