Life, 1891-08-20 · page 3 of 14
Life — August 20, 1891 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page This page contains three separate humor pieces from *Life*, the satirical magazine. The main illustration depicts two men in conversation, with the caption about a man "engaged to four girls at once" and trying to escape the situation—likely a commentary on romantic deception or infidelity. Below are three joke sections: 1. **"An Ancient Precedent"** — a brief exchange about asses (donkeys) that won't talk, using animal behavior as social commentary. 2. **"An After-Dinner Speech"** — a joke about forgetfulness. 3. **"He Had a Choice"** — a dialogue about transforming a girl into a goose, suggesting transformation or escape from romantic entanglement. The humor relies on wordplay and absurdist scenarios typical of early 20th-century satirical magazines.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ww Yor) She: SO YOU ARE ENGAGED TO FOUR GIRLS AT ONCE ? He: 1 pON'T WANT TO GET OUT OF IT. HoW ARE YOU GOING TO GET OUT OF IT? How THE DEUCE AM I GOING To STAY IN? THAT'S WHAT'S ROTHERING ME! AN ANCIENT PRECEDENT. UMPUPPE: A man may be an ass, but no one finds it out if he keeps his mouth shut. Knockout: No; and it is the same with real asses. No one would ever have heard of Balaam’s ass if he hadn't started to talk. A’ AFTER-DINNER SPEECH—* Haven't you forgotten something, sir?” HE HAD A CHOICE. B : Idon't think much of girls. However, I'd rather be a girl than a goose. Tom: Probably; but I think it impossible for you to ac- complish the transformation. AF TER mature deliberation I have decided to take this step,” remarked the Boston babe, putting out 's foot in a first attempt to walk. comicbooks.com