Life, 1889-06-13 · page 3 of 16
Life — June 13, 1889 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page (Volume XIII, Number 337) This page contains three satirical sections: **"Before the Summer Campaign"** (top): A poem by Charles Prescott Sherwood mocking someone named Jack—"the dearest old fellow"—who is poor but handsome. It references Newport society and suggests Jack will be "free" in summer to pursue romantic interests, implying working-class men were expected to accommodate wealthy women's seasonal social schedules. **"Literary"** (middle): A brief note about Persian diplomatic issues, mentioning the Shah's potential visit and criticizing the absence of suitable American officials like McAllister, Whitman, Reade, or Meredith to receive him. **"Military Terms"** (bottom): Three humorous military-themed cartoons labeled "Taps," "Well Drilled," and "The Cat (on the outside)," using military vocabulary as double entendre for everyday situations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ee, ee ee ES, it’s off! Jack's the dearest old fellow; I am really sorry for Jack; But you know, dear, whenever we—quarrel, I always can “whistle him back.” That stupid old proverb is nonsense ; I’ve thought, ever since I could stand, It’s the bird in the bush that’s worth having— Worth twenty tame birds in the hand. Poor Jack! He is awfully handsome, And perhaps has two thousand a year; One cannot afford to be silly. We are going to Newport, my dear, And two earls will be there, it is rumored ; And De Trillion, who is voé/ing in gold: And who knows ifi—-? Poor Jack! he could hardly Expect our engagement to hold! Such affairs are only for winter— In summer you save to be free; But—I always liked Jack; and next autumn— Why, if nothing occurs—we shall see. Charles Prescott’ Shermon, LITERARY. Miss Rilta: AREN'T YOU FOND OF DIALECT POETRY, MR, DRESTREEPH ? Mr, Drestbeeph (of the Chicago Browning Society): WELL, JAMES Wuitcomp RILEY AND EUGENE FIELD DO VERY WELL; BUT I CAME ACROSS SOME POEMS BY A FELLOW NAMED CHAUCER THE OTHER DAY,, AND HE CARRIES IT TOO FAR. T is reported that the Persian Minister says that the Shah wants to come to this country, but can’t, because there is no one here with rank enough to receive him. Hence we see the awkwardness of having deposed the McAllister, who would have been just the man to make the Shah feel at home. Among the great men that are left are Walt Whitman, G. F. Train, and Gen. Meredith Reade, each of whom is unexcelled in his line. The Shah might get on with either of them. MILITARY TERMS, “Taps.” BS SSS The Cat (on the outside): You SEEM TO BE ENJOYING YOURSELF IN THERE, The Fish: YES, AFTER A FASH- ION, BUT WHAT MAKES THE ““WeELL DRILLED.” WATER THIS WHITISH COLOR?