Life, 1897-05-27 · page 9 of 32
Life — May 27, 1897 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 437 from Life Magazine This page contains three separate satirical pieces: **"Her Rival Friend"** (main illustration): Shows a social scene where a woman confronts another about cutting her, with the caption suggesting the slight was "unintentional." The satire mocks insincere social apologies—pretending rudeness was accidental when it clearly wasn't. **"Misanthropy"** (poem by Randall N. Saunders): Cynical verses about human misery and degradation, contrasting those who sell themselves with those who sing for free. It suggests death is preferable to life's indignities. **"Dyspepsia" and "Eternity"** (brief dialogues): Quick satirical exchanges—one about a wife refusing to cook anymore, the other about a tailor's strictly cash business. The page reflects early 20th-century *Life* magazine's humor: social pretense, domestic discord, and class commentary through sharp, brief scenarios.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HER RIVAL FRIEND. “1SAID A NASTY THING ALOUT MISS CUTTING THE OTHER DAY, BUT 1 ASSURE YOU IT WAS UNINTENTIONAL.” “WELL, JACK, SEEING IT'S YOU, I'LL OVERLOOK THE FACT OF ITS BEING UNINTENTIONAL.” 437 MISANTHROPY. HY write, my brethren, when the woods are full Of them that give away their wares—why beg Till wily publishers ob- serve the leg Extended and proceed to gently pull? The youth who carves the consecrated bull, Or he who sells the pre- historic egg; The one that soles of di- vers men doth peg, Or he who hawks about the street the cull Of fruits which Eden grew when Eve was young, Is happier and wealthier by far Than he who exercises his one lung To sing the songs that have been better sung— Ah! with the free lunch taken from the bar, Why write? Death's easier by the trolley car. Randall N. Saunders, DYSPEPSIA. R, NEWWED: I There is no use talking—I won't eat any more of your cook- ing! Mrs. NEWWED (tearfully): And you - you said - you were willing to-die- die for me! “But, madame, there are worse things than death,” ETERNITY. UTEM: We do a strictly cash business. Byer: I don’t sup- pose that will prevent you delivering the clothes on time.