Life, 1897-02-04 · page 8 of 20
Life — February 4, 1897 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 90 This page contains two pieces of satirical fiction rather than political cartoons: **"Lament of a Prudish Maid"** — a short poem mocking a proper woman's complaints about working conditions (observing cable cars and dead men's curves). **"The Unhappy Three"** — a romantic story satirizing social pretense. It depicts three characters: a girl, a chaperone (an older woman hired to supervise young women's behavior), and a count posing as nobility. The satire targets the absurdity of rigid Victorian courtship conventions, where a chaperone's presence supposedly preserves propriety while enabling deception. The count uses flattery and fake engagement announcements; the chaperone conveniently enables secret moments; and the girl faints conveniently. The accompanying illustrations—one showing a man from behind (captioned "Back from Europe") and another labeled "Cupids of All Nations—Africa"—mock both European sophistication and colonial attitudes.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
90 LAMENT OF A’PRUDISH MAID. DO not like the cable cars, Because I oft observe I'm thrown with every kind of men While rounding dead man's curve. THE UNHAPPY THREE. HERE were three of them — the girl, the chaperone, and the fiancé; the count, merely an appendage for stage effect, not being considered. And they were all happy, for it was a very swell affair. “You'll excuse me, I hope?” said the girl, as she took the arm of the count. ‘I'm engaged for this—and this—and these,” show- ing a well-filled card. “Certainly,” assured the fiancé, with a tender pressure of the hand, “but for the time being only. The count must return you soon.” He bowed as he spoke, and the girl smiled over her shoulder as they whirled away. . 8 8 “It is good of you to be so generous,” said! the chaperone, as CUPIOS OF ALL NATIONS. — AFRICA. the fiancé dutifully brought her an ice. we've looked everywhere. It isn’t our “Very,” he answered, smiling fault, now is it down into her eyes. “Certainly not,” said the girl, as she “Now if I were you"—demurely, sank back intoa seat. ‘But poor Charlie, and speaking as a chaperone should—“I I hope he won't be too hard on you when would insist on my rights, and not let the he does find us.” She smiled archly. charming girl out of my sight.” “Why, there they ——" began the A moment's attention to the frozen sweet. count, bat his voice died in a whisper. “He might be making love to her, you know,” Of course you understand it is be- suggestively. ‘It would be dreadful, but I have cause I can’t find her,” the fiancé was heard of such things.” saying, as he leaned over the chaperone She looked at him innocently. and kissed her. “It might be so,” in alarm. ‘Suppose we go ‘Of course!” she murmured, and search for them. In the conservatory, perhaps? blushed—and her eyes fell on the girl. They might be there.” Then she conveniently fainted. “Possibly!” The chaperone arose hastily. “1 The girl rode home inthe carriage alone. want to do my duty. Yes, I really think we — The fiancé—fiancé no longer—swore XY. ought to go.” see mA The count was all smiles. “These chaperones are very convenient,” laughed There were three of them. the count, as he led her into the fragrant conserva- Unhappy three! BACK FROM FUROPE, tory. ‘We haven't seen her in an hour, and I'm sure Harriet Caryl Cox. inwardly as he watched her roll away.