Life, 1894-10-25 · page 3 of 14
Life — October 25, 1894 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page This page contains three humor pieces typical of early 20th-century Life magazine: 1. **"To Phyllis Returned to Town"** (top): A poem by MacGregor Jenkins about a man boasting of his summer sacrifices—wearing shabby clothing, drinking beer, smoking—to afford luxuries for his female companion upon her return. It satirizes the financial burden of courting wealthy or fashion-conscious women. 2. **"After the Fight"**: A brief joke about a boxer named Goliath returning to fighting after five years out of condition, mocking both comeback attempts and physical decline. 3. **"In the Country"** (bottom): A humorous anecdote about a newlywed husband insulting his bride by asking an old man about a "big red calf," misheard as a crude insult. The joke relies on mishearing and social embarrassment. The illustrations are period pen-and-ink sketches.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
NUMBER 617. TO PHYLLIS RETURNED TO TOWN. LL summer I've worn a shocking bat, And confined myself to beer. Uve smoked a pipe and economized Against your coming, dear. I've slaved all day in the torrid town, And saved like a_ paltry Jew, In order to make a modest sum To spend, my dear, on you. My toil shall pay for your roses rare, And I'll buy with hard-earned fees ‘The choicest bon-bons I can find, Vour girlish taste to please Now what have you brought me back to town? * yE-SAR Oh, tell me, what do you bring ? ‘The heart of last winter true to me, nessioxs Or another's engagement ring ? MacGregor Jenkins. AFTER THE FIGHT. IRST PHILISTINE: Goliathhad no business to fight, anyway. He was out of condition. SECOND PHILISTINE: Yes. Didn't expect it to come off for five years, Did you have much on it ? A MISFIT SITUATION. Applicant; Wat's THE Jon WORTH ? Proprietor: THREE DOLLARS A WEEK AND MY OLD CLOTHES, IN THE COUNTRY. HEY had but recently been married, and the young at : i husband was airing his wit before his bride. An old oductict - = 7 NY deaf man, unknown to the bride, was just passing. z % “Tsay,” said the husband, addressing the old man, * you old bald-headed idiot, did you know your hat wasn’t on straight 2" “Why, Charlie?” interrupted the bride. “Good evening,” said the old man, halting, and un- conscious of the insult. ‘“ May I ask if you saw a big red calf come along this road a minute or two ago? I've lost "4 GOOD BIT OF COLOR.” sight of him, but I thought I heerd him holler.” facture comicbooks.com