Life, 1898-12-03 · page 26 of 40
Life — December 3, 1898 — page 26: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three satirical pieces from early 20th-century Life magazine: **"Throwing Light on a Dark Subject"** (main illustration): Shows a Black servant recoiling in fear from what appears to be a white figure in white clothing (likely meant to suggest a KKK member), with the caption using heavy dialect stereotyping. The satire appears to mock racist violence and fear, though the execution relies on crude racial caricature typical of the era. **"Her Christmas Greeting"** (verse by James Barrett Kirk): A humorous complaint about receiving an unwanted wedding invitation—the "raise" of expectations is actually a transfer to higher floors (literal rather than financial). **Remaining cartoons**: Include a limerick about an admiral avoiding "compulsory microbes" (possibly venereal disease humor); a quip about Providence and Christmas's rarity; and a joke about eating food (likely ethnic humor based on the illustration style). The page reflects Life's approach: biting social commentary mixed with ethnic stereotyping and crude humor that would be considered offensive today.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THROWING LIGHT ON A DARK SUBJECT. “Po! DE LORD! AM DAT MA MAMMY OR M183 SANTA CLATS?” cended to the first floor, and went at once to the office of the general manager. “Merry Christmas, Miss Montsevern,” he called cheerily. “Suppose you've come tosec about your ‘raise’? Eh, ma belle?” “Yes,” responded Mae, rather sharply, for she didn't know what ‘ma belle” meant. ‘Do I get it?” “Yes, indeed,” replied the manager, with a twirl of his brilliantined mous- tache; ‘ you have been transferred from the basement to the one hundred and fiftieth floor, The firm of Catchem, my dear Miss Montsevern, always keeps its promises!" Geo, E. Creel. Her Christmas Greeting. ‘T'S Christmas, und sho sonds to mo A neat and pretty card; But as I read my face grows long— It must be quite a yard. 'Tis not because its worth is slight That Lam filled with woe; It i» an invitation to Her wedding, don’t you know! James Barrett Kirk, N Admiral, haughty and stern, Was kissed by some girl at each turn. Baid he: “I could stand it It they didn’t demand it, But compulsory microbes I spurn.” «¢DROVIDENCE tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.” That is why Christmas comes but once a year. “SaY, MISTER, DO YOU BITE OFF THE TAIL OR Yat wim wHoLe?” p comicbooks.com