Life, 1898-12-03 · page 32 of 40
Life — December 3, 1898 — page 32: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a romantic fantasy story by William Winslow about a man who falls in love with a mermaid, rescues her from a shark, and marries her—only to face an awkward moment when the King pointedly asks if the mermaid "could stand alone," implying she's dependent and perhaps not a suitable match. The small cartoon titled "A Collector" shows a man claiming his hobby of having "sixteen wives" was "just a hobby"—satire on polygamy or serial marriage, likely mocking wealthy men who collected wives as possessions. The page is primarily **advertising**: the lower half promotes *The Youth's Companion* magazine and subscription offers for 1899, positioning it as an ideal Christmas gift. There is no overt political satire here—this appears to be a leisure/literary page mixed with holiday promotional content typical of late-19th-century magazines.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
-LIFE- thing, Take him, by all means, if you like the kind, I can’t say I think much of your taste.” 80 we wandered away—sho and I—away to the meadow, where tho seaweed grows. Andas we went a change cropt over me; my heart bounded—I laughed alond. Wo sat upon a bank of moss, Leaning her head against my shoulder, she sang to moa song of love. Sho took mo into her arms; my head sank wearily upon her bosom, my eyes closed, the sweet song filled my ears. Suddenly all grew dark; the song ceased abruptly. My mermald utterod a littlo scream and clung to mo, “The shark—the enemy of our land!” she cried. Far away in the dark-green water a shadow took form; it was yellow, spotted with black and brown; it rushed at us with savage, wide-open mouth, I looked about. At my fect lay the cast-off sword of a swordfish, dropped upon my knee, clasping my love in one arm. A second only. With a rush and whirl tho shark passed over our heads, I drove the aword home. He turned, the sword buried in his side; but ho was weak and sank to the ground; tho water became a brilliant crimson, Clasping my trembling mermaid in my arms, I rushed back to tho City of Pearls, I found the King and told him all. Whon I had flnishod ho smiled, and said: “Thanks, kind sir; you havo killed our enemy; we owe you much. You shall live in this land, and have a house to your taste——" He stopped short; ho became uneasy. Then he continued: “I know you'll pardon me if I—er—make a remark—It's so embarrassing to us all, Don't you think she could stand alone?” What did ho mean? Tho swordflsh, who stood on either side of the throne, had turned their backs; a group of mormaids were tittering. It occurred suddenly to me, I stood before tbe King, my mermaid clasped to my breast, her snow-white arms twined round my neck, a beautiful smile on her lips. Well, they built us a house. of gold. Years havo rolled by, and wo still live there, wy dainty mermaid and I. She's just the samo; sho’s grown no older, and she's quite as coquottish as evor, As for myvolf, I’m no older. We never grow old in this beautiful land. Seizing it, I It is all of pearl, and the steps—they aro mado William Winslow. A COLLECTOR. “WHAT A WRETCH YOU MUST HAVE BEEN TO HAVE SIXTEEN wives!" “Ir Was JUST A HOBBY OF MINE, 81m,” 4999339999999393999999399999999993929999999999093: THE-BEST CHRISTMAS Che Companion Calendar for 1899. The most beautiful Holiday Gift ever Re Rae presented to ComPANION readers. SESE CECE CECE CECE CECE CECE EEC CECE: O gift can be chosen that will confer more immediate and lasting happiness than a sub- scription to THE YOUTH’S COMPANION—for it is a gift that is renewed every Thursday the year round. Che Volume for 1899, AMOUS Soldiers and Sailors, Statesmen, Scholars and Story-Writers will give the best work of their best hours to make the 1899 volume of The Companion the most interesting and valuable one ever published. A beautiful illustrated announcement of the principal features of the new volume will be sent with sample copies of the paper Free to any address. OUR XMAS OFFER. 4 who sends $1.75 now, mention- The New Subscriber rrr 525 3 Catuog out and enclosing this slip, will receive THe Companion every week from the time of subscription to January, 189, FREE, and then a full year, 52 weeks, until January. rg00. This offer includes the exquisite | Companion Calendar — suitable for the adornment of the prettiest corner in the house. eee eee eeeceeceeeeceeece Eomic!