Life, 1899-09-21 · page 5 of 20
Life — September 21, 1899 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis The main cartoon depicts two vehicles on a steep hill: a horse-drawn carriage (top) and an automobile (bottom). The caption reads "OUGHT-TO-MOBILE" with dialogue about the steep climb being difficult for vehicles. This is early automotive satire, likely from the early 1900s when cars were novelties. The joke contrasts traditional horse transportation with the new automobile technology, suggesting both struggle with hill-climbing. The automobile's superiority remains unproven—a common satirical theme when cars were unreliable and horses dominated transportation. The surrounding poems and "On a Yacht Deck" verse are unrelated literary content typical of *Life* magazine's format. The "That is Coming" section discusses a German ship naming, referencing Emperor William the Great, but lacks clear political context without additional historical information.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
225 Reassured. ‘OU aro 80 very clovor,” He said, “ 1 sounetimes fear 1n culture I will never Keep up with you, my dear, “Your mind is scientife, And philosophic, too; Your thoughts are so prolific T stand in awe of you. “The things that I conjecture, To you are stories old; On many themes you lecture On which I am—well, cold, “And so I sometimes wonder, In those dim future hours, When wo havo stepped out yonder, Beyond tho alinr flowers, _ “If, after all, we're fated Congenial souls to bo— Sweetheart, will you feel mated With such an one as me?” “ You silly boy! How funny You talk,” shocried. “ Pray heed. The art of making money Is really all you need.” Tom Masson, On a Yacht Deck. LAZY, drifting sea of blue, With golden glimmers shining through, And awning idly flapping; Brass rails a-shine, and over thoro A protty girl in steamer chair, Hor russet foot a-tapping. And by her side, of course, a Man, In yachting cap and check of tan, Adoring you'll discover; Gazing up tu her eyes 80 sweet, Like bits of sky their hues repeat Tho azure clouds above her. A pretty picture, up to date— Summer and Youth, and Lovo and Fate, And Romance mingled freely. Tho girl is sweet—the man is trao— Bocauso it's what an artist drew, And didn’t happen really! Kate Masterson. That is Coming. “ HIS ship that broke the ocean record,” remarked Mrs. Poin- dexter, ‘‘the Katser Wilhelm der Grosse, was it named after the present Empcror of Germany or his grandfuther?” “It was named after his grandfather, Emperor William the Great,” replied OUGHT - TO - MOBILE. Mr. Poindexter. ‘t The present Emperor 6,788, HANO JT ALL, I'M STUCK! ANDTHE MAKER op THI THING AarD TF was AGooD MLL-cLIgerR!* Will havo a abip built to be called Em- “ MEBBE 11 MEANT IT WUZ GOOD VEX CLIMBIN’ DAOWN HILL.” peror William the Greater,’ Wt, tele entn comicbooks.com