Life, 1897-12-04 · page 24 of 34
Life — December 4, 1897 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine contains several unrelated humorous anecdotes and one cartoon, typical of the publication's format. **The Main Cartoon** (top): Depicts a diverse gathering of animals and humans at a watering hole in Africa, illustrating the caption about hair-dressing fashions in the African interior. The satire likely mocks European obsession with African trends or colonial misunderstandings of African culture. **The Accompanying Stories** are brief comedic vignettes about everyday absurdities: - A laundry service delivering unwashed clothes in soapy water - A boarder's contradictory river-improvement suggestion - General Sherman refusing medicine, joking about local dogs - A yellow journalist quoting unnamed "authorities" - An aspiring publisher complaining about his small publication - A woman suggesting her friend see a suitor more often to maintain his flattery **The Point**: These sketches satirize American social pretension, incompetence, journalistic dishonesty, and the vanity of romantic flattery—typical *Life* magazine commentary on contemporary manners and morals.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
TRAVELERS FROM AFRICA REPORT THAT A. CERTAIN Wie in Boston, Fanny Kemble stopped at the Tre- mont House. On one oc save the servant some clothes for the laundry, “ When can these be returned to me, washed and ironed "she inquired. “The day afte to-morrow, madame, at noontime.” “Be it so." was the dramatic reply, “at twelve on Wednesday.” But on the hour appointed the clothes had not been returned, and at ten minutes past noon a servant stood before her in response to the short summons of the bell. * My clothes that were to be returne elve today—bring them.” But, madame, we have not heen able to get them ready, owing to a difficulty in the laundry You shall have them to-morrow." “Bring them now—they were prom: ised t I know it, m . but they are not ready.” “It matters not to me; bring them just as they are.” The servant went out, and a few moments later two men entered, bearing the clothes in a tub full of soap- suds and other wet clothes, set them on the floor, and went out.—Argonaut, “Taw heartily in favor of improving the riv marked the star boarder, at the breakfast table, “So am I,” replied the boarder with the pompadour hair, “I think that sprinkling carts should be driven along the river beds to lay the dust.""—Pitteburg Chronicle. B TME HAIR 18 MUCH IN VOGUE IN THE INTERIOR. ¢when General Sherman had been under the care sician for some time, he said: "Doctor, I don't be getting any better, for all your medicine.” “Well, general,” replied the doctor, jocosely, “perhaps you hail better take Shakespeare's advice, and ‘throw physic to the dogs." “ L would, doctor,” replied the sick man, as he turned his head on the pillow would, but there are a number of valuable dogs in this neighbor- hood.""—argonaut. “Wuere did you get your information?” asked the editor of the yellow journal, “From the butler,” an- swered the reporter, “It would never do to quote the butler, would itt” mused the editor. “You's better merely say that we have it on the highest authority.” —Chicago Evening Post. >," said the impecunious gentleman, “I don't think I should like to be a publisher. The little paper I issue among my friends is an awful nuisance to me, What must be your trouble with the reams of paper you send out !"—Boston Transcript. “Bon says I grow more beautiful every time he sees me," said Mary. “Why don’t you ask him to call oftener!™ said Anne.—Harper's Bazar.