Life, 1899-06-22 · page 3 of 20
Life — June 22, 1899 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis The main cartoon, titled "Studying to Please," depicts Uncle Sam (left, in starred top hat) attempting to juggle multiple "national airs" while military and civilian figures observe. The caption reads: "I CAN'T SING ALL THESE NATIONAL AIRS AT ONCE!" This satirizes American efforts to maintain diplomatic relations with multiple nations simultaneously, likely during a period of international tension (possibly WWI era, given the military uniforms). Uncle Sam's struggle represents the difficulty of pleasing all countries at once. Below are two brief humorous anecdotes: "Too True" concerns a husband's golf priorities over domestic conversation, and "A Sure Thing" features an aged philanthropist planning to leave his money to a foreign missionary society rather than his adopted daughter—satirizing both wealthy miserliness and naive charitable giving.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
STUDYING TO PLEASE, Samoa: 1 CAN'T SING ALL THESE NATIONAL ATRS AT ONCE! Too True. “WEN you told me that you were going to play golf.” said the young busband, bitterly, “IT bad no idea that you intended to be absent evenings as well as after- noons.”” His wife was very justly indignant at his lack of foresight. “You should have remembered,” she replied, reproachfully. ‘that evenings are the only time we have to talk over the game.” A Sure Thing. «¢7 WANT to be sure.” said the aged philanthropist, ‘that my money will after my death remain in this country, where I made it, and the home of my adoption.” “Have you thought of any way this can be fully assured?” inquired bis lawyer. “Thave.” replied the philanthropist. confidently. “Tam going to leave it to a foreign missionary society.” comicbooks.com