Life, 1891-03-05 · page 11 of 16
Life — March 5, 1891 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Explanation for Modern Readers This page contains two distinct sections: **"The Sexton's Bright Idea"** (top): A humorous anecdote about a church official suggesting young women in the congregation undergo evaluation to "discover which of the girls snore" during sermons. The satire mocks both the sexton's invasive proposal and the underlying assumption that women sleep during religious services. **"A Rise and Fall in Dry Goods"** (bottom left): A comic strip showing a man falling into a gutter while carrying lumber, illustrating slapstick physical humor common to the era. **"Distance Lends Enchantment"** (right): A dialogue between characters discussing whether a daughter should be sent to Paris for vocal training. The satire appears to mock affectation and pretension regarding cultural refinement and romantic pursuits. The page reflects early 20th-century satirical humor targeting social conventions, class pretensions, and gender stereotypes.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE SEXTON’S BRIGHT IDEA. HE sexton of one of our city churches hasrecently invented and perfected a novcl, and, as he doubtless imagines, a strikingly effective piece of “ business.” The interior of the edifice is always bathed in a dim religious dusk until the time for the collection, Then as the rector delivers with deliberate sonorousness the words: “ L-e-t your-r light s-o shi-ne be-fore m-e-n,” the zealous functionary throws the throttle wide open, and dazzles the congregation with the combined reful- gence of a thousand gaslights, producing an effect similar to the thrilling moment when the man in the top gallery of a Bowery theatre “turns de calcium on Juliet.” OM (@ rival): Being a clergyman, you have better opportunities than most bachelors to find out the good and bad qualities of the young ladies in your congregation, Rev, WHITETIE: How so? Tom: You at least havea chance to discover which of the girls snore. A RISE AND FALL IN ORY GOODS. “AW, DEUCED CLEVAH IN THE FELLAM TO PLACE A BOARD ACROSS THIS GUTTAH.” “AND, EDWARD, ALTHOUGH YOU LIVE IN A WICKED CITY, I SUPPOSE YOU GO TO CHURCH REGULARLY.” “On, Ves; I HAVEN'T MISSED AN EASTER FOR YEARS.” DISTANCE LENDS ENCHANTMENT. OSTESS: Don't you think my daughter has a fine voice, Mr. Bronson, and that I ought to send her to Paris to have it cultivated ? Bronson: Yes; if I were you I would send her at least as far as that. “Hi, Hil Dos't vou see WHAT YOU ARE DOING?” “On, 1 BEG YOUR PARDON, I'LLGET OFF UNTIL YOU GET— EORGE: I find it very hard, Ethel, to respect your father’s opinions ; they differ so from the rest of the world. ETHEL: In what respect ? GEORGE: In regard to loving a lover! GENERALLY speaking, woman is seldom silent. comicbooks.com