Life, 1895-05-09 · page 7 of 18
Life — May 9, 1895 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Success Assured" - Life Magazine Cartoon This cartoon satirizes a business deal involving a new cocktail invention. The left figure (labeled "Dashawayt") has invented a cocktail and is pitching it to a well-dressed businessman on the right ("Crierton"). The humor relies on Dashawayt's confidence that success is "assured" despite his inability to describe the drink coherently—he can only say "What did he say about it?" when pressed for details. The accompanying text reveals Crierton engaged someone named John Francis to manufacture it, though Dashawayt apparently couldn't articulate the product's merits. The satire mocks both hype-driven business ventures and the absurdity of selling something one cannot adequately explain—a timeless commentary on questionable entrepreneurship and empty marketing promises.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SUCCESS ASSURED. Dashaway: JAGWAY MAS JUST INVENTED A NEW COCKTAIL, I SAW HIM YESTERDAY, AND I GUESS IT’S GOING TO BE A SUCCESS. Cleverton : Dashaway: HE COULDN'T TALK. WHAT DID HE SAY ABOUT IT? Rround once more. He reached the same con- clusion, but the glory of it departed with familiarity and drearily this time he made up his mind that there was but the one way. With daylight his doubts returned, but putting them aside as best he was able, he went down town in a condition wholly unfit for business, As he entered his office, a messenger handed him a note, “My dear friend,” it ran, “Thad made up my mind last night to tell you something. But when you came I was not able to do it, and you seemed determined not to help mea bit. But now you must know, I am engaged to John Francis, whom [ know you like, and I feel sure you will congratulate me. I hardly know why I couldn't tell you last night; we have been together so much lately that I was afraid—I mean—well, I hardly know what I mean. My conscience at all events, is clear. Tam sure I never flirted with you—" He let the paper fall and started earnestly at the lock of his desk. Hugh McKittrick, Jr.