Life, 1893-09-07 · page 12 of 14
Life — September 7, 1893 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "A Drama of Names" - Life Magazine Satire This page satirizes the clash between old money and affectation in Gilded Age America. Hezekiah Smith is a self-made millionaire contractor who built his wealth through practical work ("mortar Smith put into his contract houses"). His son, C. Cholmondley Smythe, represents the opposite extreme: an affected dandy who adopts exaggerated upper-class mannerisms and speech ("Deahme!" "guhvnoh"). The joke centers on Lovina—the son's intended bride. Smith Sr. initially despises her as "the daughter of a ward heeler" (a political operative), but becomes ecstatic upon learning her name, which he treats like a precious commodity. The satire mocks both the father's materialistic values and the son's ridiculous pretension. The accompanying cartoon about the "missis" and parasol suggests domestic chaos—visual humor complementing the verbal satire about social climbing and class anxiety in turn-of-the-century New York.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Yes,” roared the father, “ and the son of a hod carrier.” They glared at each other in silence—silence thicker than the mortar Smith put into his contract houses. “ What is her name ? finally hissed. “ Miss Lovina Ch——” “ What's that name again?” he exclaimed, a flush of joyous excite- ment oozing through his rock-lime complexion. the father “ L-o-v-i-n-a.”” “ With the accent on the second syllable?” “Yesi" “Hurrah !" he yelled, fairly dan- cing for joy. Then he sat at his desk and wrote out the name, whispering softly to himself “ Lov- ina! Lovina!” Then he wrote it in large letters and holding it at an arm's length beamed upon it. At length Mr. Smythe became A DOUBLE CALAMITY. restless, and disturbed Mr. Smith's “WHAT WILL THE MISSIS SAY? THERE'S HER PET TWIN AN’ HER BEST PARASOL GONE!” blissful reverie by inquiring: A DRAMA OF NAMES. H 1AH SMITH, the millionaire builder, contractor and real estate owner, sitting at his desk. His dark, stern face from time to time writhed with an expression that bespoke agonized thought. It was evident that something terrible was preying on his mind. Presently his secretary entered and handed him a card which read : “C, CHOLMOND: MYTHE,” “Smythe? Smythe? show him in.” A moment later Mr. C. Cholmondley Smythe was ushered into the presence of his father. He sank languidly into a chair, remarking “ Deahme! Whata doosid boah! Youah beastly man wouldn't believe | was youah son and I had to send in me cahd.” His father looked at him first with surprise then with stern pity. “Well,” he exclaimed impatiently, for he was not in a mood to look upon the degeneracy of his race with composure, “ what has brought you all the way from Fifth to Twelfth Avenue. Are you in debt again?" “Oh, deah, no!” and the fragile exquisite made a deprecating gesture. “ Well, then, what is it?” “ The fact is, guhvnoh, I'm going to get mawwied.” “ But Henri is still in Vassar.” a Heniietta? ** Weally, I don't undehstand ?” AoE Naas: “1 SAVED HER * 5 ? LIFE YESTERDAY. The old man jumped up in a towering rage that towered more than Babel on the Plain of Miss Av: REALLY! Shinar. Bringing down his large cured-ham fist on the desk he yelled, “Have you Smith; CHOLLY AND SHE dared to think of marrying anyone but Henrietta Riordan, the daughter of the Con- WERE CROSSING A FIELD, AND gressman whose influence made me the rich man I am? You were betrothed when 4 MA? BULL ATTACKED THEM. . ” CHOLLY RAN AND THE BULL children, : FOLLOWED THE RED STRIPES ON HIS BLAZER. muttered the old man, “1 know no one of that name; but “ The daughter of a ward heeler,” sneered the son. comicbooks.com