Life, 1890-12-25 · page 37 of 51
Life — December 25, 1890 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains six brief satirical jokes typical of *Life* magazine's social commentary: 1. **Ferry House**: A passenger caught smoking points out the hypocrisy—kerosene lamps (fire hazard) are allowed while smoking isn't. 2. **Mrs. McCroesus**: A wealthy woman is so artificial she barely resembles an actual lady. 3. **The Architect**: Satirizes clients who demand impractical designs; an architect who actually builds what owners want is presented as a curiosity worth paying to see. 4. **Katie's Logic**: A child's innocent but pointed observation: God rested on the seventh day because He had "nothing else to do"—implying His work was finished, undermining the moral lesson about Sabbath observance. 5. **Drunk Husband**: A humorous double-meaning: "snake charmer" as folk remedy for drunkenness (implied snake-like delirium). 6. **Tenant/Landlord**: A Yiddish-accented character refuses a fire-proof building because slumlords profit from periodic fires (insurance fraud/arson).
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
IN THE FERRY HOUSE. ‘©T TERE, now,” said the attendant to the smoking passenger, “Yer see der sign? no smokin’ ‘lowed in here.” “Yes, | saw that, but 1 noticed your kerosene lamps were smoking and I supposed you didn’t en- force the rule.” The passenger was put out but the lamps smoked on. A STARTLING RESEM- BLANCE. RIMUS: Mrs, Mc- Croesus is very lady- like. SrecuNDUS: Yes. You would almost take her for one, wouldn’t you ? THE WONDER OF IT. es HAT are you?” “I'ma freak.” “But I mean what is your peculiarity ? “I'm an architect who designed a house as the owner wanted it.” * Jove! And they show you all for ten cents!" AN EXCELLENT REASON. Auntie: Kativ, YOU MUST NOT CUT OUT THOSE DOLLS ON SUNDIY, REMEMBER THE FouRrn ComMaxpaeNt, Gob MADE THIS REAUTIFUL WORLD IN SIX DAYS AND KESTED ON THE SEVENTH, Katie (after a little reflection): “YES, MY DEAR; EVERVTIUN AUNTIF, DID HE MAKE EVERYTHING IN SIX Days? “WELL, I RECKON HE DID REST, ‘CAUSE HE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO Do." EMARKABLE FORESIGHT. NEXPERIENCED YOUNG WIFE (whose husband has returned home for the first time Darling, Let me send for under the influence): you are sick. the doctor. HUSBAND (one of the boys): No; don't send for any doctor, but if my symptoms don’t im- prove soon, send for a snake charmer. DRIVING AWAY A TENANT. os NOTHER point, Mr, Isaacs; this building is abso- lutely fire-proof,” “Oh, mine krashus. Idt vould nefer do, Dhere ish no money in dher glodins peezniss vidout a foyer vunce in a vhile.” comicbooks.com