Life, 1894-12-27 · page 11 of 53
Life — December 27, 1894 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis: "A Skilful Zephyr" The top cartoon depicts four figures walking together in what appears to be a Western setting. The illustration is titled "A Skilful Zephyr" (zephyr meaning a gentle breeze or wind), suggesting these characters are being swept along or manipulated by some invisible force. The accompanying dialogue discusses various rural matters—a blizzard, grand jury sessions, and "Uncle Tom's Cabin company"—suggesting this satirizes how public opinion or political sentiment moves through small towns. The lower cartoon shows similar characters in animated poses, reinforcing the theme of manipulation or coordinated movement. Without clearer identification of specific historical figures or events referenced, the exact political target remains unclear, though it appears to critique how ideas or political movements spread through communities.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A SKILFUL ZEPHYR. IE DEIEF considered by the students of stage methods. If Mr. Tom Gould, ex-dive-keeper, and Mr. George Appo, ex-green- goods man, are sufficient, then that smoothly-shaved villain, Mr. Fred. Bryton, as well as the play, the scenery and the electric lights are not necessary. What does it all mean? That the people are groping in their way for a realism that a few master minds are trying to provide in theirs? Is it a popu- lar revolt against the artificialism of the old-time popular drama just as there is a revolt against artificialism in the aristocracy of intellect? It seems funny that a play like “In the Tenderloin" should raise such a question, but it is not altogether absurd. The money success determines the popular drift, and there is no doubt that plays of this type are gaining the financial verdict. Metcalfe. SUFFICIENT CAUSE. A S the stage approached an Oklahoma settlement, it was met and passed by a number of excited citizens on the dead run for the tall timber. “Bless my heart !"" exclaimed a tourist, who was an outside passenger on the coach, * whatever is the matter with those people ? He: Well, I'm strictly business. I buy in the lowest market. SHE: What, you never carry religion into your business! 1 always give change. HE: No. RS. LOFTUS (reading the soctety column). Who 4 zs this Mrs. Jimmy Brown-Smith and this Mr. Jimmy Brown-Smith who are mentioned so frequently? They seem to be at the front everywhere. Here are their names among the prominent people at my reception, DAN ABOUT- TOWN: That's nothing. They write that column themselves. AI7 “Burcussed if 1 kndw, re~ plied the driver. “Hi, Jack,” he called, a moment later, to a man who had stepped into a badger-hole and was now picking himself up, “what's wrong—blizzard comin’ >” “No,” was the hurried answer. “Grand Jury in session ?” Nope.” “Polecat Pete shootin’ up the town?” “Naw.” “Then what in thunder are you folks a runnin’ from?” “The third Uncle Tom's Cabin company of the season has just come to town!" AS WE ALL WELL KNOW. RUMMER: Whatever in- duced you to put in that line of neckties? No man east of the Rocky Mountains would wear such scarfs, HABERDASH Why, those are just the kind women pick out for presents. DA: Is Jack Rogers a talkative man ? HELEN: I've been trying for two years to make him speak. CHE: Why didn’t you come to our Church Bazar? A YALE LANDSCAPE. comicbooks.com