Life, 1890-05-15 · page 10 of 18
Life — May 15, 1890 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page contains three separate satirical stories/cartoons from *Life* magazine: 1. **"A Case of Mistaken Identity"** — A visual gag about someone confusing a person with a mine owner (unclear specifics). 2. **"The Messenger Boy and the Tortoise"** — A fable illustrating that swift action doesn't guarantee success. The tortoise defeats a boastful messenger boy in a race, teaching that persistence matters more than speed. 3. **"Without the Death Penalty"** — A dialogue between a burglar and victim in New York. The burglar argues he shouldn't be killed since the death penalty isn't enforced; the victim counters that capture alone is sufficient punishment. This satirizes debates about capital punishment and criminal justice. The remaining cartoons appear to depict street scenes with working-class characters in comedic situations, though their specific references are unclear from the visible text.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
- LIFE: THE MESSENGER BOY AND THE TORTOISE. T happened once that a Mes- A*? senger Boy was taunting a IK “Tortoise with his Inability to smoke s or pitch Pennies. “What you say is True,” replied . the Tortoise, “but Nature gives differ- ent gifts to different Creatures. I may not \ be able to smoke Cig- arettes nor to make a confiding Woman pay thirty-seven cents and car-fare for de- livering a Message to her Dress-maker in the next Block, but IT can beat you in a Foot Race.” Serpinta : THEREA GOES 78 MINE OWNER, TE KNOW HILLY THE he Messenger Boy's Spanish blood was roused and he DARKA. accepted the Tortoise’s Challenge. The Tortoise was so Contident of Victory that after he had gone a Little Distance he went into a Convenient Door-way and went to sleep, Perceiving which, the Messenger Boy persevered, and by Diligent Effort won the Race. A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY. MORAL: The race is not Always to the Swift, Metcalfe. WITHOUT THE DEATH PENALTY. Scene—Any sleeping apartment in the State of New York, Time—Midnight, or the early hours of the morning. \ ICTIM (seth chattering teeth): \ don't see why you insist upon killing me. You've got all my valuables and there is nothing to hinder your escape. BURGLAR: That's all right, but if they catch me you'll come and testify against me and they'll send me up. Deacon Homesby : Wo" DAR; WILA'S DAT? “On, I KNOW Yo', AN HLL MAKE Yo" PAY FO! paT HAT.” comicbooks.com