Life, 1898-06-02 · page 9 of 20
Life — June 2, 1898 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page presents a theatrical scene from a play called "Under the Circumstances" by David H. Dodge. The illustration shows two figures in what appears to be an early 20th-century interior setting—a woman in a light-colored dress and a man in dark clothing engaged in dramatic conversation. The text consists of dialogue and stage directions from the play, including a chorus section and a character identified as "Uncle Sam" delivering patriotic remarks about American military victories and warning against foreign interference. The final line from the woman—"She must you go, dear?" / "No, but I must begin"—suggests romantic or domestic tension. This is theatrical criticism/entertainment content 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.
And so you'll .observe that each sep’rate event Has left me unbeaten and permanent, And the obvious moral * Of it is that a quarrel With your Uncle would be improvi- dent! The song meets with some applause— not much, but some. THE Powers gather together and have an agitated F conference, at the end of which they sing the following Cuorvs. Under the circumstances, We'll not risk any chances ; With attention due We've listened to Your lyric utterances. Each Power countenances Your well-expressed advances, So we'll abide And stay outside— Under the circumstances ! Enter the HERALD, with telegrams ff for Uxcie Sam. The latter reads§ them and learns of his wonderful vice tories over the Spanish forces. Waving E the pieces of paper, he thereupon replies} to Tur Powens’ remarks as thua: Uncie Sam: Well, I reckon that’s the best thing, for, as you will understand, The extraordinary victories on sea and on the land That I'm gaining seem to show that I've a surplusage of sand, Which is not a sand you'd lik inside your eyes. { So, my European Powers, here's a health to all of ye! i You will find it advantageous not to | interfere with me !! Let the Stars and Stripes wave ever on the land and on the sea!!! And here's Death to those who dare to tyrannize ! Exit Uxcie Sam, not being desirous of posing tn Ue finale with Tue Powens, who murmur under their breaths, as the curtain falls, the chorus of “Under the Circumstances.” ! TUE END, David 17. Dodge. t published by the tury Vand uniform with the Century Dictionary V . Is ax complete a repository of geographical knowledge as it is possthie to make, and the publishers are to be congratulated on producing such #« hand- some and useful work. : MUST YOU GO, DEAR? “SO, BUF I MUST BEGIN.” comicbooks.com