Life, 1891-10-15 · page 14 of 16
Life — October 15, 1891 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains several short humorous pieces typical of Life magazine's satirical format. The main cartoon, "Mary and Her Little Hat," jokes about the fashion trend of extremely small hats worn by women in the 1890s. The accompanying anecdotes—including one about a distressed mother with a crying baby on a train, another about an umbrella conversation revealing social pretension, and a third satirizing German bureaucratic rigidity—illustrate common social situations used for gentle comedic effect. The humor targets contemporary life: overcrowded public transportation, status anxiety around consumer goods, and absurd adherence to rules. The German anecdote is the sharpest, mocking rigid bureaucracy that would prevent someone from swimming to save their life. The remainder of the page is primarily advertising for period products: mackintoshes (raincoats), formal wear, hats, perfume, and furs—reflecting consumer culture of the 1890s era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE SCISSORS AT NVLLY MARY AND HER LITTLE HAT. Ma8Y had a little hat, | Its crown was very low, everywhere that Mary went That Nat was sure to go. She wore it to the play one night, nd furnished fun for all ; how those girls did laugh and shout ‘0 see a hat So small, —Cloak Revie DIstRESSED YOUNG MOTHER (tith crying baby in railway car- Dear, dear! I don’t know whatever to do with this child! ND AND THOUGHTFUL BACHELOR (on the opposite seat): 11 1 open the window for you, madam ?—Venophon's Anabasts. + WILL you take something to drink 2” * With pleasure. The photo was taken and the sitter said A Few evenings ago 1 was going up on the Sixth avenue * when a young man and woman entered, each carrying Umbrellas, and apparently well acquainted with each ot Alter riding a few blocks he suddenly said : **L see you have a new umbrella; where did you buy it?” Oh! "she replied, ** I did not buy it, it was presented to me ;" and a look of satisfaction appeared on her countenance, “Just what I thought,” he replied ; ** I didn’t imagine for a moment you would buy such a cheap umbrella.” At this she was deeply hurt, and waited for her chance to even matters. She gazed at his umbrella and remarked : “+1 see you've got a new umbrella; where did you buy it?” “1 did not buy it,” he replied ; "like you, I got it as a present,” + Just what I thought,” she said ; "1 did not suppose you would buy such an expensive umbrella ;” and she continued her journey, read- the advertising signs and rejoicing that poor, weak woman had once more triumphed.—Aew York Press. IN Germany the police regulations are very strict, and any violation of them is promptly punished. The people have a terror of the law. Two gentlemen happened to meet in Berlin, and the following conver- took plac Have you heard the dreadful news about Miller 2” No; what is it? “He was in a boat in the river. He fell overboard and was drowned, The water was too deep.” * But what about that little invitation ? “Oh, sir, that is just a trade ruse of mi terested expression to the fa New York Di * Didn't he know how to swim ?” ve a natural and in wim! Don't you know that all persons are forbidden by the atch: police to swim in the river ?"—The Electra of Sophocles. PEFORE vou PURCHASE - A MACKINTOSH send to us for samples and de- scriptive book of Hodgman’ Mackintoshes, the finest water- proof garments ever made. HODCMAN Rubber Company, Broadway, Cor, Grand St., 21 W. 23d St, Adj. Sth Ave. Hotel. NEW YORK. ESTABLISHED 1861. + BUDD WEDDING OUTFITS FOR GENTLEMEN. DRESS SHIRTS, GLOVES, TIES, SCARFS, &c. Correct & Exclusive Styles. Madison Square, NEW YORK. Lowpon: King Baward St. Panis Ornic: 4 Rue D'Uzes Corvitexvas. CELEBRATED HATS, AND— Ladies’ ind Hats and Bonnets and The Daulap Sk Umbrella. 178 & 180 Fifth Avenue, bet. 2ad and 23d Sts., and 181 Broadway, near Cortlandt St., NEW YORK. Palmer House, Chicago. 914 Chestnut St., Phila £27 Agencies in all Principal Cities Gold Medal Awarded, Paris Exposition, 1889 “A DROP OF DEW.” (Trade-Mark,) The Strongest, Most Agreeable Perfume Made. "Twas 1, that led you through the painted my here the light fairies danc'd upon the flowers, Hanging in every leaf an Orient pearl.” socents per bottle, Sent on receipt of nts by mail or exp THEODORE METCALF CO., Boston E. FOUGERA & CO., a) ty phere Underwear: ‘hats in all prine pal gue mailed {ree on applcation HARDERFOLD FABRIC CO., Troy, N.Y. Please Meation this Paper. FURS. New and Original Styles in Capes, Jackets, Wraps, Fur Trimmings, &. A. JAECKEL, FURRIER, 11 EAST 19th STREET, Near Rroadway, New York. Receiver of the grand gold medal of the Paris Exposition Universelle, 188%. lagucs cent on application. Age, stability, id h- PENN or stal i ity, Soun met! cash values, incon- MUTUAL testable policies ; the best extension system; LIFE low cost. Address, 921-3-5 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. ORIENTAL CARPETS AND RUGS, It you are seeking artistic specimens of India, Persian, or Turkish Carpets, in ordinary or special sizes, call and examine our large stock. JOSEPH WILO & CO., $2 2 84 WORTE ST., sear Broadway. comicbooks.com