Life, 1897-08-12 · page 8 of 20
Life — August 12, 1897 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The Bike as She Rode" This satirical piece mocks women cyclists in five American cities (Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver) by depicting exaggerated, foppish male riders in feminine dress and affected poses. The accompanying dialogue, "Coming Home from Church," ridicules church gossip and propriety among elderly and young married women. They discuss scandals involving young people, flirtations, and social improprieties. The satire targets both the bicycle craze (then considered radical for women's independence) and Victorian social hypocrisy—particularly how church-going ladies obsess over others' moral failings while engaging in petty gossip. The crude stereotypes suggest contemporary anxiety about changing gender roles and women's newfound mobility through cycling.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PUL THE BIKE AS SHE IS RODE. Coming Home from Church. First old lady: How very hot it was in church! I nearly went to sleep. Second old lady: And then the sermon was enough to make an angel weep! First old lady > A mere young curate to pretend to give advice to wives, And tell them of their duties, and of their frivolous lives! So different from the sweet discourse of that dear Mr. Sneak, Who comes to dinner at our house at least three times a week! Second old lady (aside): The dinner’s what he comes for, and not your daughter Jane, Who's conceited as she’s stupid, and as stupid as she’s plain. Young married lady (to husband): How badly you behave, dear, when you Aaveto gotochurch, Staring about on every side, as if you were in search Of something more attractive than sits in your own pew— What's more, I’m sure you found it, though you never thought I knew ! f Y I'm glad you've found in church, af /ast, there's something to admire, bay: i. fi For you never took your eyes off that Miss Dimple in the choir. BoA AY ('\Vs iN Wllthy. oc | Young married man (hotly): Now, Maria!—I declare that—I pledge my sacred word, iy hi \ 1 I never even saw the girl!—such statements are absurd! | ly 0) Such suspicions of my conduct are more than I can bear; Cee i icsmech: 5 I I'll turn this corner to the club, and take my luncheon there. Young married lady: Go to your club by all means, dear; your presence is no boon ! (aside) I wonder if young Lighthead will call this afternoon. First young lady: Who's the new man that’s walking with that stupid young Miss Burr? Second young lady: Some fool of no importance, or he wouldn't be with Aer. Third young lady: Look! look! Miss Crafty’s captured that owlish Mr. Dent! Fourth young lady; She may spare herself the trouble, for he hasn't got a cent! Mrs, Dasher Swift (to admirer): No! no! You mustn't join me—but call to-night at cight. Now I turn down this corner, and you must go on straight. First elderly maiden: Have you heard about young Slasher and that awful Mrs. Blye?; And how Mrs. Jones and Mr. Brown are flirting on the sly? And how Blazer caught young Spooner at his mansion late last night, And kicked him from the doorstep to the electric light? Second elderly maiden: Yes! And how our sewing circle is plunged in consternation About an awful scandal that affects this congregation? Third elderly maiden: Yes! ‘Bout our parson and Miss Prim! Oh my! oh my! oh my! When I even think about it I feel just fit to die. Envot. . Hippo: SEE WERE, YOUNG MAN, ARE So, from the house of prayer and praise, YOU GOING ANY HIGHER? We bring new light to guide our ways. “OH, | DON'T KNOW, YOU'RE NOT SO Reginald Gourlay. wars."