Life, 1901-07-11 · page 8 of 20
Life — July 11, 1901 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Hiawatha Up to Date" - Life Magazine This page presents a humorous adaptation of Longfellow's "Song of Hiawatha" into modern American settings. The satirical feature reimagines the famous Native American romance through contemporary scenes: The central narrative follows Iawatha (a wandering westerner in Dakota) encountering a maiden floating downstream in a boat. The romantic poem is updated with American frontier imagery and dialogue. The left side includes unrelated satirical content mocking wealthy summer hotels ("these beastly summer hotels") and their guests' financial escapades. The cartoons and illustrations throughout employ period stereotypes and comedic exaggeration typical of early 20th-century American satire, treating both literary classics and contemporary social institutions as targets for humorous reinterpretation. The piece relies on readers' familiarity with Longfellow's original text.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Lay of the M. D’s. UP-TO-DATE. OUNT that day lost, whose low descending sun Views from thy hand no operation done. A Banquet. FPIRST Mosquito: Anything on this afternoon ? Seconp Mosquito : I believe not. “Then come over to my house and join me at a baby’s G ERAL: Stop that re- porter. Are: What! Don’t you want to have him send home an account of your heroism? “No. I don't want to be an American hero for a week and a punching-bag for the rest of my life.” “ Long he woo'd the gentle Minnie.” Fulfillment. E: These beastly summer hotels ! Sue : I know it! What did we ever leave home for, anyway ? “Well, we wanted the debt and tho unrest.” HIAWATHA /[ UPTO.. DATE IAWATHA, wandering westward, In the land they call Dakota, Camo upon a lovely maiden Floating down stream in a boat-a— In a boat afloating down stream, Long he woo'd the gentle Minnie, Though she was not stout, but skinny! Wishing that his arms were stronger So that he might hug her longer— Hug her close, and hug her longer! Long he gazed upon the maiden, Wondering that she shonld have strayed in. To the forest, deep and gloomy— By herself, into the forest. And he watched her as she paddled *Mony the bushes, ont and in-vie, Wished she'd look in his direction— Coughed, and called out : ** Ha-ha- Minnie !’" And the maiden, nothing daunted, Cast her eyes across the water— Looked, and saw her future master— Wayved, and cried —‘‘ Oh, hello Arthor!”’ Thus the two became acquainted~ Quite a thrilling story, ain't it? “To tive ta Harlem."