Life, 1894-12-27 · page 21 of 53
Life — December 27, 1894 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains Christmas-themed humor typical of 1890s satirical magazines. The top illustration appears to reference Dickens's *A Christmas Carol*, showing a ghostly or supernatural scene with figures and a nighttime setting. Below is a poem titled "Her Way" (by Tom Masson) depicting a romantic dialogue between George and a woman. George has searched unsuccessfully for mistletoe to hang—a crucial Christmas tradition for romantic kissing. Rather than expressing disappointment, the woman gracefully suggests they proceed without it, demonstrating good humor and practicality. The bottom dialogue between "Cobble" and "Stone" presents a working-class Christmas scenario: someone must eat turkey in a boarding house rather than at home with family—implying loneliness and economic hardship during the holiday season. The overall theme contrasts genteel romance with working-class struggle, typical of Life's satirical commentary on American society.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
exico ints. rding CHRISTMAS NUMBER. “LT Wonver IF wuz Att DRESSED UP ANYBODY WOULD LONG TO HAVE ME 2?” ANT PUT IN A WINDER, DECEMBER, 1894. A CHRISTMAS CAROL. HER WAY. "VE searched the city high and low,” He said, with face perplexing, ** But not one spray of mistletoe ; Oh, isn’t it quite vexing ? They say I came too late, Dear me, I was so rushed and hurried. "Twas sold when [arrived you see.” His smile was sad and worried. She grew quite thoughtful for a while, This most divine of creatures, And then there came a glorious smile Into her winsome features. “Well, George,” she said, ** it is too bad, But don’t let's cry about it, We'll have—if there's none to be had— To get along without it.” Tom Masson. Cont 2: Well, I suppose I'll have to eat my Christmas turkey in a boarding house this year. STONE: That's tough. comicbooks.com