Life, 1897-12-23 · page 3 of 20
Life — December 23, 1897 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 553 This page contains a poem titled "An Old-Time Gift" by Abbie Farwell Brown, contrasting Christmas customs from "two centuries and more ago" with modern times. The poem celebrates a historical gift of gold given by Dorothy and Samuel on Christmas Eve, presented as more meaningful than contemporary material presents. The accompanying black-and-white photograph shows what appears to be an interior domestic scene, though details are obscured by the image quality. Below the poem are two brief articles: one about the Astor Fresh Air Fund's Musical and Dramatic Breakfasts, and another titled "A High Bid for the Female Vote," discussing women's political representation and suffrage concerns. The page primarily focuses on nostalgia and social commentary rather than political satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
An Old-Time Gift. grim old Puritanic times A heathen feast was Christmas thought; made no cheer, they rang no chimes, oy The. There were no Christmas presents bought. Yet Dorothy and Samuel, Two centuries and more ago, On Christmas Eve at curfew bell Stood close together in the snow, And standing there so sweet and prim, All quivering with fear and cold, Her timid red lips gave to bim A Christmas gift worth more than gold I do not care for crochet tie! Nor slippers made of broide Tobacco pouches I despise, And poor cigars and silver trash, ed crash; But this the best of gifts would be— Yet how dare I such treason tell ?— If Gladys would bestow on me What Dorothy gave Samuel, Abbie Farweli Brown, Matters of Interest. Le is hoping that his friends will encourage, by their presence and by their purses, the Musical and Dra- matic Breakfasts at the Astoria in aid of our Fresh-Air Fund. The dollars thus spent will bring both pleasure and profit to needy children in the comin The best artists freely . and there is no doubt as to the quality of the entertainment It is not many times in your life that you get the chance of being so very good while having lots of fun. Full particulars will be published in ive thei our next issue. In the meantime, any information can be had at Lire’s Office neteen West Thirty-first Strect. A High Bid for the Female Vote. ANDIDATE (addressing Wyoming C audience) Iy opponent talks very glibly of his men’s conscia recti. Let me tell him that what we need in this country recti.” is men’s and women’s con! (Deafening applause.) I very seldom that we seriously regret anything we didn’t say. comicbooks.com