Life, 1898-10-27 · page 15 of 20
Life — October 27, 1898 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains several humor pieces typical of early 20th-century Life magazine: **"As to Microbes"** (top): A poem by Ada M. Fitts satirizes public dismissal of germ-theory dangers, specifically regarding kissing. It mocks young lovers (Reginald and Dorothy) who would accept fatal illness from each other's kisses rather than forgo romance. The satire targets the tension between scientific warnings about disease transmission and widespread romantic/social practices—people knew kissing spread microbes but ignored the risk. **"A Foozled Compliment"** and **"The Bishop's Daughter"**: Brief joke exchanges playing on verbal mishaps and disrespect. **"Inconsolable"** (center): A dramatic monologue from a jilted woman complaining that her former lover's engagement and marriage (rather than dying heroically in war) leaves her without romantic outlet or dignity. **"Self-made"** and **"Maha"** (bottom): Short ethnic-humor pieces stereotyping Jewish and Eastern immigrants about ancestry and neighborliness. The left illustration appears to show an intimate scene, likely supporting the microbes poem's theme.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
335 As to Microbes. H! who in all this world would miss A long-drawn-out, ecstatic kiss? E'on though there's death in osculation, The practice mocts with approbation ; And folks seem quite convinced of this— Thor's naught of danger in a kiss, Though skeptics say discase is found Where'er salutes like these abound, Their verdict on this tender theme Is not In favor, 80 ’twould seem ; For though the consequence is diro, Of kissing, folks don’t seem to tire. Did Reginald but realize That Dorothy—light of his eyes— Would slay him with her next fond kiss, I'm sure he'd tako the poisoned bliss, And die content, that her sweet breath Had sent him to an early death. Wi cara <p) Did Dorothy most #urely know That Reggy's next would lay her low, I’m blest if I don’t think she'd say: “Just go ahead, dear, while you may; I'd give my lifo in such a cause, Defying Nature and her laws.” And 80 ’tis plata that, overywhero, Tho opinion ‘mongst tho brave and fair But goes to show, the skeptic’s plaint Is nothing but a flimay foint; And microbes now aro thought to be A general necessity. Ada M, Fitts, A Foozled Compliment. Gt Oh, dear me! I really will bave to stop talking entirely. I can’t open my mouth without putting my foot in it. He: Surely that don’t prevent your talking! HE: The Bishop's daughter is shock- ingly disrespectful. He: Yes; she calls him the ‘Old Man of the See"! INCONSOLABLE. “ULL TELL YOU THE TROT, SANE. 1 WAS GLAD TO HEAR OF TIS ENGAGEMENT, AND YETI DO BELIEVE (T HELPED TO MAKE MEILL. IT 18 SAD TO LOSE A LOVER WHO 1S NICE, EVEN WHEN YOU DON'T WANT HIM FOR TOUR OWN; AND WHEN ANOTHER GIRL FINDS UTM, THAT DOESN'T MATERI- ALLY HELP TUE CASE. 1P CHARLES HAD REALLY CARED TO SAVE MY FEELINGS, HE WOULD HAVE GONE AND GOT KILLED IN THE WAR, THEN, YOU SEE, 1COULD HAVE MOURNED FOR HIM A LITTLE, AND PUT FLOWERS ON MIS GRAVE GOMETINES, BUT WHAT COMPORT CAN ONE DAVx OUT OF A LOVER WHO HAS MARRIED ANOTHER GIRL! YOU CAN SEB, JANE, HOW SAD IT HAS BEEN FOR ME. I WONDER I HAVEN'T BEEN SICKER, WHAT HATS ARE THEY WEARING THIS PALL, JANE?” Self-made. MAHA: You Eastern people are SAACS: You haf no family pride at so unneighborly! My aunt lived all, haf you? seven years in New York, and when Com Vot for should I? Not vun of — she died they had to get in district mes- “iz, now DoEs Tea XUDDER RNOW WSN TER my ancestors had any money, senger boys for pallbearers, DON'T WASH YER PACE?" comicbooks.com