Life, 1891-05-21 · page 3 of 15
Life — May 21, 1891 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page (Volume XVII, No. 438) This page features "A Old Book," a nostalgic piece about antiquated documents and customs. The main illustration depicts a period-dressed figure holding an old manuscript, evoking romance with historical handwriting and letters. The two anecdotes below are humorous observations: 1. **"Probably a Waterbury"**: A story about a lumberman losing his watch in a frozen river, then recovering it weeks later still functioning—explained by the watch's waterproof design and the river's tidal action. 2. **The thermometer anecdote**: A brief joke about dressing according to temperature in spring while wearing a fur-lined ulster (overcoat). The satirical tone mocks both obsolete technology and outdated fashion conventions. The dialogue between characters named Jimmy and R.F. suggests gentle mockery of old-fashioned propriety.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
witys yy It. » Hypo* sod2 8 mite han FLESH nd tte ko cold ainst & ous. OF) or thale son. a VOLUME XVII. NUMBER PROBABLY A WATERBURY. Ls December, while piloting some logs, a Maine lumberman lost his watch overboard near the mouth of the Penobscot River. He located the spot by landmarks on the bank, and intended to dredge for it the next day, but the river froze over, and he had to wait till the ice broke up. He was so fortunate as to find the watch when he dredged for it last week. When brought to the surface it was still ticking, and only a few minutes behind time. The owner explains this somewhat startling fact by stating that the watch lay on the bed of the river in such a position that the ebb and flow of the tide has wound it up every day. We remember reading in our geography that the tides down East were very remarkable; now we know it. HE man who undertook to dress according to the ther- mometer this Spring wore a linen suit and carried a fur lined ulster. HIS rare book of the olden day A dainty charm possesses; The ink is faint, the leaves are gray, And ‘f's" are used for ‘* s's.” The poct sought to win some maid, He swore he loved her dearly, “Love's holy faint” she was, he said, And signed it ‘ Moft fincerely.” And I believe the letters quaint The honest truth had spoken; He found, no doubt, love wholly faint When youth's bright dream was broken. Flavel Scott Mines. Romeo Ferguson (the under one): KIN YOU SEE HER ANYWHERES, Jimmy ? Jimmy: Yes, SHE'S A SITTIN’ BY THE CHIMLEY CORNER ! MAKE A SIGN TO HER AND SHOW MER THE ENWELOPE, LET THE OLD FOLKS SEE YER DO IT! comicbooks.com