Life, 1894-12-27 · page 27 of 53
Life — December 27, 1894 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct satirical pieces: **"The Mirror"** depicts a young woman using a magical mirror to envision her future: domestic contentment with "Jack" (Mr. Willoughby), children, and a cozy fireside. She awakens from this dream and writes to accept his proposal. The satire targets romantic idealization—the gap between fantasy and reality for women of the era. **"A Logical Conclusion"** features two Irish working-class men (rendered in dialect) discussing alcohol abstinence. The humor lies in the circular logic: one man couldn't quit drinking, so he quit trying—presenting this resignation as wisdom. This mocks both Irish stereotypes and the futility of self-improvement efforts. **"A Christmas Story"** shows two children helping Santa by leaving a coal scuttle open (chimney access). The caption's irony suggests their "thoughtfulness" is actually self-interested—they're facilitating gift delivery. This gently satirizes children's motivations during Christmas. All three pieces use gentle humor typical of Life magazine's satirical approach to everyday life, romance, class differences, and holiday customs of the period.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
* LIFE: THE MIRROR (as the last picture appears): Then be- hold! And tell what you see. THE BELLE (very softly): 1 see myself again. 1 am sitting in front of a cosy fire of soft coal, sewing something light... Near me is—near me is—yes, it is Jack, Mr. Wil- loughby, I mean. He is talking to me very gayly, and | am smiling and listening. Now the door opens and two chil- dren come bounding into the room: a boy and a girl, They want to bid us * good-night,” they say. They look so much like Jack they might almost be—almost be—his nephew and niece. THE MIRROR (gently): Are you happy ? There is no answer from the belle, for she wakes up with a start, THE BELLE (after looking earnestly at the mirror, which és as bright as crystal): \ have been dreaming, and it is nearly five o'clock. But Iam not sorry. An embarras de choix, Céleste said. I thought so, too, but we were both wrong. [told her | might read and I might write. (Swez/- ing.) Well, | have read a great deal, 1 think I will write a litle. (Wrétes.) My Dearest Jack I don’t think I will keep you waiting a week for my answer. Tam yours as soon as you come to claim me Eruen. Ernest Graham-Dewey. A LOGICAL CONCLUSION. ERRY: An’ phwat med yez quit dhrinkin’, Planxty ? PLANXTY: It wor this way, Terence: Me woife sez to me, sez she, * Planxty, yez can’t give oop the licker, she. I Vought | could, but whin I thried an’ found | couldn't, begorra, | knew it wor toime for me to shtop, an’ so I did. TOM AND HARRY LEAVE THE SCUTTLE OPEN SO THAT SANTA CLAUS CAN GO DOWN, A CHRISTMAS FACT. HE future has a golden tinge. The past, too, may seem pleasant ; But just about the Christmas tide There's nothing like the present. CHRISTMAS STORY—"I did not expect a single present.” * Now, THAT'S WHAT T CALI. CONSIDERATE,” “TL LeFe CEM PLENTY THIS TIME,” comicbooks.com