Life, 1892-04-28 · page 9 of 14
Life — April 28, 1892 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 269 This page contains two distinct elements: **Upper section:** A poem titled "A Traveler's Tale" by Harry Romaine, describing packing a car for travel with a woman who reads heavily. The accompanying illustration shows two figures in what appears to be a bedroom or private space, with period clothing suggesting early 20th century. **Lower section:** A comedic dialogue titled "Rapid Work" involving Editor Dinkeyville Clarion, a Scriber (foreman), and discussion of comforting a "Widow Duzenberry" regarding her deceased husband. The small cartoon labeled "Keeping It Dark" shows a figure in casual dress. The humor appears to center on romantic misunderstandings and the speed of courtship/remarriage. Without additional context about specific individuals referenced, the satire seems to target small-town social conventions and gossip rather than particular political figures.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A TRAVELER'S TALE. Fre poet went to Boston town, ‘And in that strange countrie, The thing which is herein set down His wond'ring eyes did see. We packed the car like West- ern beeves— Hot, swaying human cattle ; She sat and turned.a volume’s leaves, Unmindful of the rattle. Her hazel eyes, too clear and bright To dim o'er heavy pages, Shone with a cold, scholastic light, Transmitted from the sages. I felt a restless query seize My mind: *“ What brainy diet, Can keep a cultured Bos- tonese So unconcerned and quiet?” Of course I thought of Ibsen, first; Then Plato’s vexing ques- tions, And Kant's Critique (the very worst For mental indigestions). I doubted that the abstruse Locke Could daunt so wise a reader; 1 peeped—my brain reeled ith the shock— ‘Twas “Moths”! yes, “Moths,” by Ouida! Harry Romaine. “KEEPING IT DARK." “WHat bo you suppose MR, CLINKER SAID WHEN I TOLD HIM THAT HIS NECKTIE WAS UP BEHIND?” “T HAVEN'T THE LEAST IDEA.” “HE ASKED ME TO STAND IN FRONT OF HIM AND FIX IT.” RAPID WORK. DITOR DINKEYVILLE CLARION (musing): Good idea of mine, sending Scriber, the foreman, over to comfort the Widow Duzenberry and to get particulars for an obituary notice of her departed husband. There is nothing like taking time by the forelock. She is wealthy, and this attention of mine ought to make me pretty solid with her. Hello Scriber ! (as the foreman enters): What detained you so long ? SCRIBER (cheerfully): Oh, it took some little time for Mrs. Duzenberry and me to go over to the Reverend Mr. Harps’s and get married. —