Life, 1895-12-19 · page 9 of 18
Life — December 19, 1895 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page contains two distinct pieces: **Upper illustration**: A dramatic domestic scene showing a man and woman in what appears to be a confrontation near a fireplace. The dialogue indicates a melodramatic quarrel about infidelity and betrayal—the man accuses the woman of cruelty, while she questions his fidelity. The theatrical staging and overwrought emotions parody Victorian-era domestic drama. **Lower section**: "The Fable of the Wise Fool" tells of a poor man who, after becoming rich, shoots himself rather than endure the change in social status—a sardonic commentary on wealth's corrupting influence and social pretension. **Bottom right**: "Christmas Morning" features a brief humorous exchange between characters named Willie and his mother, likely a joke about childhood Christmas expectations versus reality. The page exemplifies *Life* magazine's satirical approach to social manners, domestic relations, and human folly.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
FILIA (sobbing): 1 don't believe ‘Thou carest now how much—boo-hoo—I grieve! My heart is broken by thy cruelty— Boo-hoo— PATE Come, come, now ! What was the sum ? peace ? (concitiatory) : Stop it! Let me see— How much will ransom FILIA (sob6ing): Whate'er is best—boo-hoo— PATER (pleading): Thy weeping cease— FILIA (sutiles with the tears) : Thou art a good papa— PATER (scaningly) : I might be worse— And richer if were. Here, take the purse. Wood Levette Wilson, THE FABLE OF THE WISE FOOL. ONCE upon a time there lived a man who was neither wise nor rich, yet he was not a fool. Now this man, who had wandered over many parts of the earth, came at last to a place called Monte Carlo. Here many people come for divers reasons, but all leave for the same. Now it so befell that the man being unwise hazarded his substance recklessly, and not being rich soon lost all he had. Whereupon he went apart and communed with himself in this wise: “1, who had little, have now nothing, wherefore it becomes me to die like a gentleman.” So saying he raised his pistol to his head. But on a sudden a smile crossed his face, and discharging his weapon into the air, he fell down as one dead. Where- upon one in authority at the place, hearing the noise, ran up, and seeing him lying there, saith within himself; Truly this man bas lost all at play, wherefore he has shot himself. If this become known, much trouble may befall us." So saying he drew forth certain moneys and placed them in the other's pocket. At this time came many people running, and among them certain ones connected with the law. The man seeing this, arose, saying that he had been asleep, and all rejoiced that he was not dead—save only one. CHRISTMAS MORNING. ILLIF presents this morning. Mamma: Why, Willie? Why, last night I heard nta Claus stumbling upstairs, and I heard him say he had an awful load and hoped you wouldn't wake up. I bet I get a lot of comicbooks.com: