Life, 1898-05-05 · page 20 of 20
Life — May 5, 1898 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main cartoon depicts a romantic scenario: a man and woman are interrupted by a third male cyclist arriving ("that chap, prettyboy"). The woman jokes that if the unwanted visitor keeps coming around, she'll ring a bell three times as a signal for him to leave—a humorous reference to the social awkwardness of unwanted romantic rivals in Victorian courtship. The page is predominantly **advertising**, featuring typical 1890s products: Vin Mariani (a French wine tonic), Whitman's chocolates, Sen-Sen breath lozenges, and railroad services. One notable ad for Benedictins' toothache remedy explicitly uses the phrase "No more Toothache" in French, reflecting the era's association of French products with sophistication. The humor is genteel and domestic—poking fun at courtship etiquette and the awkwardness of romantic triangles among the leisured classes. No specific political figures or current events are referenced; this is social satire aimed at middle-to-upper-class readers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
He: ou, 1 SAY! HERE COMES THAT CHAP, PRETTYBOY! She: “on, You KNOW “WELL, ULL TELL you wHaT! WHLL, WHAT OF ITT YOU A HINT BY RINGING THREE TIMES! Two's COMPANY, TREE'S NONE!” IP WE WANT YOU To LEAVE U8, MLL GIVE From Fun May 5 tay -PIPEFUL- “<QNE HOUR- <= ONE THIRD 3 of a Cent! SURBRUGS GOLDEN HOTEL VENDOME The Leading Hotel of Indigestion ? RMARIAN! Since 1863, Endorsed by Medical Faculty improvement efficacious agreeable immediate WE POST-: lasting All you hav, about life in: Itisa / sure sign when candy lovers get their heads together that the verdict is going to be in favor of Whitman’s Chocolates and Confections er there exists Fy Chocolate is perfect in flavor and quality, delicious thful. Made instantly with boil- Stephen FP, Whitman & Son, 1316 Cbestnat St., Phila. rmcerenamiremieameremeneenad Wine) (7% BOSTON. On the Back Bay Boulevard, COMMONWEALTH AVE. C. H. GREENLEAF & CO. TRY WHITE MOUNTAINS. PROFILE HOUSE AND COTTAGES. One of the largest of leading summer resorts, with every modern Location 1. Golf links and all popular attr TAFT & GREE The Ideal French Tonic FOR BODY AND BRAIN “4 Plas de Maux de Dents” | (No more Toothache.) We don’t ask you to believe our claims as to the remarkable properties for cure cf loothacbe and inflammation of the gums possessed yy the DENTIFRICES des RR. PP. BENEDICTINS DE SOULAC but we send on receipt of three cents to cover postage, sufficient for a ten days’ trial, that the articles may prove their merit. BENEDICTINS’ DENTIFRICES, 24 and 26 White St., New York. LOW’S Turtle Oil Soap and Wood Violet. For the Toilet. GOOD FOR YOUNG AND OLD. AT ALL DEALERS OR SENT ON PT OF S CENTS IN STAMPS. SEN-SEN CO. ROCHESTER, Ona Yacht ale is seldog Proper condi unless it js Evans’ in which ther no sediment spoil the thy The onty ate a The onty atet Theonty ateth yelaces: eanset od Fitrep to 1898 “19 YEAR OLD" equipment—bai oxty ~All Ram best tires in th GORMULLY & JEFFERY MFG. CO. Chicago. Boston. Washington. New Yer Brooklyn. Detroit, Cincinnati Bela: Cleveland. London. “America’s Greatest Railroad” 6 Trains Bach Day Between New York and Chicago MORNING, NOON AND NIGHT, FORENOON, AFTERNOON, EVENING Via NEW YORK CENTRAL. 3 Trains Bach Day Between New York and St. Louis OUTHWESTERN LIMITED, WESTERN EXPRESS, NIGHT FAST MAIL Via NEW YORK CENTRAL