Life, 1892-06-02 · page 13 of 14
Life — June 2, 1892 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains multiple satirical cartoons and humorous sketches typical of early 20th-century Life magazine: **"The Blue and the Gray"**: A sentimental poem about Civil War veterans (Union blue, Confederate gray) reuniting as friends, undermined by the punchline—the Union soldier must flee because a police officer (roundsman) is approaching, suggesting he's engaged in some petty crime. **The domestic cartoon** satirizes modern women's independence: a man seeks a traditional housewife willing to cook and clean, but the woman directs him to an employment agency—mocking both his outdated expectations and the "new woman" of the era. **"All Up"** ridicules social pretension: Mrs. Claptrap introduces a charlatan "Professor Panhandle" with fake theories to Miss Palisade, who immediately monopolizes him to impress her daughters. **"Food for Reflection"**: A child ate thistles and got pricked; the mother's pun ("make an ass of yourself") plays on the animal association. The page satirizes hypocrisy, social climbing, changing gender roles, and pretension.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY. IDE by side they walked down the street, The blue and the gray together, Talking of days long past and gone, Nor minding the stormy weather. They spoke of many a fight they'd fought, Of many a terrible day ; But their hearts were light as hand clasp'd hand Those boys of the blue and gray. They spoke of prisoners known to both, Of the prisons in which they lay, Of guards they'd kept, of marches done By the heroes in blue and gray. But as I listened the blue lad said, “T think I'll cross the street, You'd better make tracks for the park at once, Here's the roundsman on my beat. Francis C. King-Hall. He; \'M LOOKING FOR A GIRL WHO CAN MAKE A CAKE, A LOAF OF BREAD, OR COOK A MEAL; ONE WHO ISN'T AFRAID TO SEW A BUTTON ON, OR SOIL HER HANDS IN A LITTLE HOUSEWORK, She; I SHOULD STRONGLY ADVISE YOU TO TRY AN INTELLI- MR, CLOSELEIGH. GENCE OFFIC! ALL UP. RS. CLAPTRAP: My dear, Miss Palisade, I want to present Professor Panhandle. The professor has some very absorbing theories that he wishes to explode, and 1am sure you will be only oo delighted to listen. Miss PALISADE (The bell of a season, with rivals): My dear Mrs. Claptrap, 1 am delighted to meet so charming a scholar as the professor, and I shall take him over and introduce him to your daughters at once. FOOD FOR REFLECTION. Mamma: FoR PITY SAKES, RARUS, WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING NOW? Little Rarus: Boo noo! AND THEY H-H-HURT. Mamma: WELL, YOU DID MAKE AN ASS OF YOURSELF, I'VE BEEN EATING SOME THISTLES comicbooks.com