Life, 1889-09-19 · page 3 of 18
Life — September 19, 1889 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page (Volume XIV, Number 351) This page contains three satirical pieces: 1. **"L'Epoux de Nos Jours"** (The Husband of Our Days): A poem mocking modern husbands, illustrated with a scene of people outside a cottage. The satire targets men's indifference to their wives' romantic interests. 2. **"Satisfaction Demanded"**: A baseball-themed dialogue where an editor is confronted about coverage of a game between "Bowsers" and "Soakers," with demands for correction. This appears to be sports section humor. 3. **"A Modern Tyrant"**: A dialogue between "Penelope" and "Jack" satirizing controlling fiancés. Jack demands his future wife abandon smoking, cards, dancing, boating, and socializing—essentially all independence. The satire mocks tyrannical male attitudes toward women in courtship. 4. **"Room for Both"**: Brief text about parental authority over children. These pieces collectively satirize gender relations and male dominance in early 20th-century society.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VOLUME XIV. L'EPOUX DE NOS JOURS. MAIDEN at the moonlit casement yonder, Thy golden hair caressed by amorous vines, On what delicious secret dost thou ponder, Writ high in heaven in the starry signs? Hark! On far reefs the refluent tide is sobbing To reach the deep heart of the midmost sea— Ah, in what breast is barrier'd fancy throbbing, To pour its passion, dreamer, out to thee ?— uternes “Pardon, sweet sir, that I must thus offend—O, Pardon yet more that truth I bluntly say About the lady at that cottage window ; My name is Johnson—she is Mrs. J. “The cottage we have taken for the season; Tt és a little difficult to reach, But one will give up anything in reason In order to be handy to the beach. “Twas quaint and beautiful, what you were saying ; My wife would like the verses on her fan; But you'll excuse me, will you not, for laying My wager that you're still a—single man?” SATISFACTION DEMANDED. Basebaltist : SAY, BE YOU DE EDITOR OF THIS PAPER? Editor: 1 am. Wwat can I po For you? Baseballist: WHY, 1N DE REPORT O° DE GAME ‘TWEEN DE Bowsers ax’ DE SOAKERS, YER CHARGED TREE ERRERS AGIN Muosey pe snort stop; I'm Muosey, aN’ I WANT YER TER RRECT IT ON DER FUST PAGE O' TOMORRARS PAPER. SEE? ROOM FOR BOTH. “Can't I STAY HOME FROM CHURCH WITH you, Pa, JUST TO-DAY ?" PLEADED SMALL SINNER Bonny. “No, ROBERT YOU MUST GO WITH YOUR MoTHER.” THEN HE ADDED TO HIS WIFE, AS HE SLAPPED HIS MORNING PAPER INTO POSITION, BELIEVE MY MOTHER'S OLD ADAGE: ‘TRAIN UP A CHILD IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO, AND WHEN HE 1s OLD HE WILL NOT DEPART FROM IT." A MODERN TYRANT. | EENELOPE: All right, Jack, you may put that ring on my finger and we'll call it engaged, but it must be definitely understood that you are to have but one kiss a day and one dance at each hop, for you dance horribly, and I don't like to kiss a man without a mustache. I am to go boating, riding, or walking with any fellow I please, dance as much as I please, and flirt with whom I please. You are to give up smoking, card playing and wine, and finally you are not to tag around after me all the time, for I'm not going to have my enjoyment spoiled just because I'm engaged. Jack (her humble slave): Well, but, Penelope, tell me what I can do? PENELOPE: You can read Tennyson and think of me. “TPEMPERANCE ORATOR: What is it, my hearers, that drives men to drink ? VOICE FROM THE BACK SEAT: Salt mackerel. comicbooks.com