Life, 1893-01-26 · page 10 of 14
Life — January 26, 1893 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "An Old Admirer" — Life Magazine This theatrical sketch depicts a reunion between two former romantic interests. Reggy, a man who has traveled extensively (West, Mediterranean, Alaska, Calcutta, Buenos Aires, Japan, Norway), returns to reconnect with Miss Carhart. She initially appears upset at his long absence, but gradually softens. The humor centers on their romantic banter and Reggy's attempts at reconciliation—claiming he couldn't live without her and was miserable during his travels. Miss Carhart alternates between indignation and affection, while other characters comment on their reconciliation. The accompanying illustration shows two women in period dress having tea, with a caption referencing church dances and preachers—likely satirizing small-town social gossip and morality debates of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘LIFE: AN OLD ADMIRER. A Dinner at the Van Ogdens’. ’ Rest WESTEND (fo himself): Here's a sell! They've given me the stupidest girl in the whole room. I wonder who the little darling on my left is. “¥ Something deucedly fa- miliar about the back of her neck. I wish she'd turn her face this way. By Jove! (aloud): Mae! Miss Carhart! What a lucky duffer | am! F Miss CARHART (coolly): Mr. Westend, I “uw believe ? REGGY: You de/éeve ? Oh, say, that's good. Have you really forgotten me, or are you just angry because I haven't called? I couldn't, you know, I've been away. Been out West: across the pond: down the Mediterranean : Alaska : Calcutta: Buenos Ayres: Japan: Norway: all over the place. Miss CARHART (languédly): And why did you come back ? REGGy : Really had to; found I couldn't live without you. Even the Desert of Sahara was a barren waste. Yearned for boyhood's happy home and old friends, you know. Aren't you delighted to see me ? Miss CARHART (with forced politeness): 1 am charmed. Tell me some more about Japan. REGGY: You don't act charmed, That ice-maiden busi- ness reminds me of the first time I ever tried to kiss you. Ah, I'm coming up some evening this week to talk over those old Spoon Lake days. Miss CARHART (dcting her lip): Well, really, | am out so much, REGGy (cheerfully): Oh, yes, of course, to other fellows ; but you won't be to me, Gad! 1 often think of Spoon Lake. Never had such a jolly time since. Awfully gone little girl, eh? And I was head over heels in love myself. Never were engaged though ; were we ? Miss CARHART (ra¢sing her voice): And so you spent six months in Italy? (/# @ lower tone) I should hope not. RecGy: Who said anything about Italy? You didn’t “hope not" once. Neither did I. 1 was quite in earnest. Oh, you needn't lift your eyebrows ; I was, I assure you. Miss CARHART: Yes, I like ‘* Americans Abroad ” bet- ter than “ Aristocracy.”’ ReGGY: Bother “Americans Abroad!" What's the matter with you, Mae? I don’t know what to make of you. You used to be the sweetest and most friendly little girl. Never knew anyone so affectionate. Awfully changed now ! Perhaps you don’t like my beard? I'll shave it off! If I could touch your hand just once under the table: here's mine, dear. Miss CARHART: Oh, the acting is much better. ReGGy: What acting? Oh, Mae, how can you be so cruel! Let us kiss and be friends again. “ Should old flirta~ tions be forgot,” you know. Your heart was all mine once ; why can’t I have a little corner of it now? Miss CARHART: Yes, we still live on the corner. whisper) Oh, hush ; do hush! Reccy: What for? Mrs. Van Ogden knows what spoons— Miss CARHART (desperately): gaged if you must know it! Reccy: Engaged! By Jove! And to whom ? Miss CARHART (éitferly): To the man on the other side of me. And he has very good ears! Reccy: O-h—er—I say, you know, Awfully sorry! Alla joke; never met you before! Mistook you for Miss— er—Miss—er—Miss Wabash of Chicago. Deucedly pretty girl. Looks just like you. Beastly blunder! Miss CARHART: A horrible blunder! (Ina Do be quiet! /'m en- Guides are so “Yes, Miss CLARA, | WENT TO DE MEETIN'-HO AN’ HOW DAT PREACHER DID PREACH AGIN FOL HE DONE SAID IT WAS ALL WRONG, AN’ HOW YO! S'POSE HE PROVE iw? ‘DE ‘YOU NEVAH TELL O' DE *POSTLES DANCH 1 DON’T CALL DAT NO ARGAHMINT. HEERN TELL O' DE 'POSTLES EATIN’ MINCE PIE, BUT N'T NO SIGN MINCE PIE AIN'T GooD!” comicbooks.com