Life, 1899-02-16 · page 13 of 20
Life — February 16, 1899 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three satirical pieces from an 1890s Life magazine: **"In the Klondike"** (poem by Carolyn Wells): A humorous complaint from a gold prospector unable to send his sweetheart a Valentine's Day gift from the remote Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush. The joke is his desperation—reduced to sending a pack of playing cards to prove his devotion while rivals send roses and books. **"The White House" (Valentine section)**: Political satire regarding Secretary of War Russell A. Alger. The joke is that President McKinley receives a Valentine from Alger bearing the resignation message "I resign"—suggesting Alger's tenure was so unpopular that his departure would be McKinley's ideal Valentine gift. **Bottom cartoon**: A young missionary asks a Native American about the "happy hunting ground," receiving the response "much fine place—no paleface there"—a satirical jab at missionary work and racial attitudes. The page also includes a theater review by Metcalfe and a correction about the century's end date.
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further away from eccentricity, it is an equally good example of the fidelity with which Mr. Herne tries to reproduce his types. At times wo wish he would not carry this so much to theextreme, and resent the deliberation of action oo his part which de- lays the movement of the play, The whole tone of this piece is so deliberate, all tho talk being in tho soft drawl of the Virginian, that Mr, Herne’s slowness drags on the nerves of his audience. Mrs, Herne, whose admirable Margaret Fleming dwells in the memory, is charming as the Soutbern woman who sacriflees her prejudices and her property to her husband's sense of right. Public opinion is apt to be divided on the question of thoattractiveness of * Rev, GriMth Davenport.” Mr. Herne can easily gain popularity for it by accelerating its action, Metcalfe, * LIFE: In the Klondike. I "M only a homeless rover, Up here in a Klondike camp; I've louked my possessions over By the light of my cabin lamp, Though I’m an accepted lover, I'm miles from that sweetheart of mine, And I’m soro cast down, For in Dawson town 1 can't get a valentine, I know she'll have roses from Harry, A basket of Huyler’s from Ned ; Beribboned carnations from Larry, A poetic effusion from Fred ; A volumo of Kipling or Barrie From that idiot, Somebody Hall, And nothing of mine For # valentine, Though sho loves me best of all. Must my sentiment stay unspoken Because I've no candies or bards? I know she'll be just beart-broken— Stay! hero is an old pack of cards. Not a very appropriate token, Nor suggestive of Cupid’s darts, But I know what I'll do To prove I’m true— T'll send her the ” M- Carolyn Wells Hivixe received the information on unquestioned authority, Lire is able to make public a fact which will doubtless be of considerable interest to its readers and to the people of the entire country. The name of the states- man whom President McKinley bas decided to retain as Secretary of War is Russell A. Alger, and he is a native of the State of Michigan. Young Missionary: TELL Mk, LO, WHAT KIND OF A PLACE IS THE HAPPY HUNTING GRocND? “MUCH FINE PLACE—NO PYLEPACE THERE.” The White House. FEBRUARY FOURTEENTH. Y second term is now secure, For in this valentine, Just over Alger’s signature, Is written “I resign.” T has been pointed out to Lire that it has erred in speaking of the present year as the last year of the cen- tury. A careful reader sends word that the nineteenth century does not end until December 31, 1900. The careful reader seems to be right about it. It is better to have erred and learned than never to have learned at all. ‘THOUGH the lover and the admirer use Very similar words, it is to the lover’s that a woman really listens, comicbooks.com