Life, 1896-10-08 · page 7 of 18
Life — October 8, 1896 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page from *Life* magazine features a sketch titled "You Are a Cur and a Coward," depicting what appears to be a confrontation in an office or formal setting. A man on the floor has been knocked down, while several other men in suits stand around him—some appearing shocked or concerned. The accompanying text references a dispute between named characters (Peyton, Hawkins, Chapman, Halsey, Ellis, and Tim), with dialogue suggesting conflict over offensive remarks. One character struck another "across the mouth," and the text discusses whether the aggressor should apologize or face consequences. The cartoon appears to satirize masculine honor codes and violence in professional or editorial settings, likely commenting on the heated disputes common in journalism or publishing of that era. The specific historical context and identities of the figures remain unclear without additional documentation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
we all squirmed on the edge of uneasi- ness. And then, before any of us knew where he had come from, the tall, dark fellow whom I had seen talking to Halsey stood over us. His presence pried my memory open, and with a shiver I recog- nized Peyton. ‘* Pardon me one moment,” he said to Tim, “for taking the words you were about to address tothis—’’ He hesitated a moment as he turned towards Haw- kins, who was looking at him in be- ” ‘YOU ARE A CUR AND A COWARD.” wilderment, and then added ‘* person,” in a voice that brought Hawkins and the rest of us to our feet; too late, though. “You are a cur and coward,”’ came through Peyton's clenched tecth, and with his open hand he struck Hawkins across the mouth. After that the deluge. “Where did you say he was from?” said Chapman, half an hour later, as we were all talking it over. “Richmond,” said Ellis. “Humph !" grunted the pudgy Chap- man. ‘‘ Those Southerners are all sav- ages.” “Yes,” said Halsey. ‘‘ Most of them are sadly behind the times. They still have the archaic idea that women should be treated chivalrously. But it is really too bad,” he went on, ‘*What’s too bad?” asked Chapman. “That there weren't more editors here,” Halsey replied. Louis Evan Shipman. comicbooks.com