Life, 1889-10-24 · page 5 of 18
Life — October 24, 1889 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 229 This page contains three distinct sections: 1. **"To an Organ-Grinder"** (left): A poem by Eugène Goray praising a street musician's skill, particularly his ability to play Handel and charm audiences. References "Patrick's Day" and "Bridget's heart," suggesting Irish immigrant themes common in late 19th-century American satire. 2. **"His First Offense"** (top right): A sketch showing a domestic dispute where a husband admits to coming home without leave. The joke mocks marital authority and a wife's control over her husband's whereabouts—typical Victorian-era humor. 3. **"At the Club"** (bottom right): Brief humorous exchanges about neighbors playing piano constantly, receiving medals, and absurdist observations about marriage and circular saws—light social satire on urban domestic life and pretension. The overall tone targets working and middle-class social behaviors.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
In which the Poet apostrophizesan Ital- ian nobleman in re- duced circumstances. And pays a glow. ing tribute Ao his technique as well as the variety of his airs Places him above those of his country: sen who are partial toash-barrels, Then gives him a peony and sends him upon a very impor- tant mission, AN ORGAN-GRINDER, GREET thee, Organ-grinder, Distinguished in thy mystic art, thou art; Thy music ever charming Warms full many a heart— The lack of public patronage to thee alarming, Shows the world grows blinder. Thou by Nature gifted To handle Handel with profoundest skill ; Signora at the casement Hears thy gladsome thrill, And when the notes of Patrick’s Day awake the basement, Bridget’s heart is lifted. What tho’ Fame's green laurel Never clusters round thy kingly brow: “Stars” in the ascendant Might ignore thee now— Is it because thy people once so gay: resplendent, Lean towards the barrel? Take this gold—and mind it, Mine enemy doth dwell across the way; Softly at his window Play, deliverer, play “ Sweet Violets,” and may the gods com- bined attend. Oh, Grind, thou fiend, grind it. Eugene Geary. “MY, COME HOME, GRAN'MOTHER'S A DYIN'I" “TELL HER TO HOLD ON FOR FIVE MINUTES; I'VE ONLY ONE MORE RUN TO MAKE!" HIS FIRST OFFENSE. Mr, Hyson: MR, CYPHER, YOU WERE ANSENT WITHOUT LEAVE YESTERDAY. Mr, Cypher: Yes, sik, 1 WAS MARRIED VERY UNEXPECTEDLY YESTERDAY, Mr. Hyson: WELL, SIR, YOU WILL PI NOT OCCUR AGAIN, FE SEE THAT IT DOES AT THE CLUB. AY, old man, I saw a stage pass here yesterday three times with you on top.” “Yaas, Chappie, 1 was so exhausted in climbing up y’ know, that I had to wide up and down the Ave. for three hours to recover myself.” “ ‘SOPHE people in the next flat seem to be very fond of music,” remarked Fangle to Cumso; “they are using the piano every time I call here.” I don’t think they are very fond of music,” replied Cumso, “or they would play some occasionally.” ROWN: You must have felt very highly flattered at receiving a gold medal from the Paris Exposition. MANUFACTURER: We would if our rival hadn't received one, too, Foss: isn’t it, that no marriage ceremony is a success unless there is a hitch in it somewhere ? MAN may hear what is going on ‘round the corner, but he can’t see it even with a circular saw.