Life, 1897-03-04 · page 14 of 20
Life — March 4, 1897 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two satirical pieces lampooning Republican politics circa early 1900s. **"The Case at Present"** parodies Diogenes (the ancient Greek philosopher who famously searched for an honest man). Here, Diogenes searches through town with a lantern for the promised "Era of Prosperity"—a Republican campaign slogan. The satire suggests the GOP is full of dishonest men and that the promised prosperity never materialized. The comic relief comes from Diogenes searching in broad daylight, absurdly using a lantern, mirroring the futility of seeking Republican prosperity promises. **The upper narrative** uses allegorical figures—Cupid and Death—to satirize temptation and moral decay. A young man in evening dress is pulled between Cupid (love/pleasure) and Death toward an illuminated door revealing gambling ("clink of glass," "croupier's voice"). He chooses vice over virtue, illustrating social anxieties about urban moral corruption. Both pieces critique failed promises and moral decline in contemporary society.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“UPID met Death under ared flare. A street player was fiddling a lively tune. “Almost quick enough for a love- step,” said Cupid. “Or a death-dance,” said the other. A youth in evening dress came that way, and halted under the red flare. Cupid plucked him by the sleeve. “Do not stop here,” he said. Death pushed him gently toward an illumined door. Cupid plucked harder at the sleeve. THE CASE AT PRESENT. IOGENES Dedontoit, A man of some renown, Accoutered with a lantern, lit, Went nosing ‘round the town. Nor was it very dark, that he Should go around that way, Because the sunshine showed it was The middle of the day. “Odds peterkins!” the people cried, When first his search began, And running after him, they asked “Dost seek an honest man?” “Nay, nay," Diogenes replied, We have a diadem Of that kind, and the G. 0. P. Is more than full of them. “I'm seeking what was promised us, Beyond the slightest doubt ; That Era of Prosperity You've heard so much about." Then those who saw him shook their heads, And let the seeker go On nosing with his lantern, lit, While all they said was: ‘*Oh!" W. J. Lampton. “Come,” he said; ‘‘do not hesitate.” Death pushed open the door. There ‘was the clink of glass and the distant sound“ of, a croupier's voice, calling. The youth wavered. Then he struck Cupid away, and entered. The street player had fallen asleep. Death picked up his violin. Wow we will have a death-dance,” he said. Albert Bigelow Paine, ‘sk, YOUR DAUGHTER ——"