Life, 1889-05-30 · page 14 of 20
Life — May 30, 1889 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two satirical pieces about upper-class social hypocrisy, likely from early 20th-century Life magazine. **"His New Horse"** mocks wealthy women's false courtesy. Two women exchange pleasantries at a tea party—one inviting the other to visit—but their internal thoughts reveal contempt. Each mentally dismisses the other as unfashionable and unwelcome, while maintaining saccharine politeness aloud. The satire targets the performative nature of aristocratic social etiquette. **"The Perturbed Tea-Pourer"** uses absurdist humor about an Aztec-themed reception tea (likely referencing popular "exotic" costume parties of the era). The joke appears to concern a haughty foreign prince who requests "one lump" of sugar but the tea-pourer deliberately adds three—a subtle act of servant rebellion against pretentious guests. Both pieces satirize class pretension and the gap between public manners and private contempt among the wealthy elite.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HIS NEW HORSE. “Say, MISTER, WHY DON'T YER LET HIM OUT FER A SCRUB BIN'-HOARD 2?” all said there must be some foundation to give rise to the stories. THINKs: ing him. Don't belicve she ever came anywhere near It's ridiculous! Don't believe he gave her the chance—not with those eyes, with all her money! HEL It's so good of you, dear, to fight my battles for me. I've been so glad to see you here. It’s quite paid me for coming to this stupid tea. THINKS: J wouldn't go in her old coupé, now, if she did ask me. MARGARET: Come and see me soon, do; it’s so long ad a good, long chat together. Come in any time; I'm seldom home, but you may just happen to find me. THINKS: Not cf I'm awake, though; this will about do for on HELE: Thanks, Margaret, dear! but I'm going out of town for good Ash Wednesday, and I've really not a mo- ment up to then, since we've enter, Drop in at our house some Sunday after- noon; mamma's always home, you know. THINKS: (Thoughts confused and indescribatle, but not mild.) MARGARET: Good-bye, Mrs, Square! had a minute with you, Sorry not to have One never sees people in their own houses, you know, The music was delightful! THINKS: She's worn that dress at every one of her days. Wretched form! HELEN: Charming. to go. TuHinks: No one here J care a fig for; shall cut her of my visiting-list. Mrs. Square, I'm so sorry to have Wm, Clyde Fitch. THE PERTURBED TEA-POURER, THE SOCIAL GROUP OF AZTECS THAT YOU SEE ARE AT A FOUR-TO-SIX RECEPTION TEA; THE FOREIGN PRID WHO BEARS A HUMP Has satp, “*EXCuse ME, JUST ONE LUMP! JT SHE WHO POURS HAS MADE IT THREE, HEN your father’s sister visits you, lodge her in the aunty chamber. OPEN FOR AN ENGAGEMENT—Portholes. Jack: Bor ? Bob: WWE BEEN TO A THREE-RING CIRCUS. Heavens! What's THE MATTER WITH YOUR EYES, comicbooks.com