Life, 1903-09-03 · page 28 of 32
Life — September 3, 1903 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains mostly **advertisements and light humor** rather than political cartoons. The main narrative is "Gwendolen," a darkly satirical poem about a girl who progressively harms her playmates until—in a shocking twist—she drowns one friend and then commits suicide. This is classic *Life* magazine humor: absurdist, morbid, and deliberately unsettling to mock sentimental Victorian sensibilities. The other jokes are brief social observations: "Her Weakness" uses a racial caricature (marked by the period's offensive language) to make a joke about physical strength; the French restaurant gag plays on language barriers. The bulk of the page is **period advertising**: electric vehicles, rifle ammunition, biscuits, bottled water, cigars, and other consumer goods. These ads reflect early-1900s middle-class consumer culture and technological advancement (electric cars were marketed as safe, simple alternatives to gasoline vehicles). The overall effect is typical Life magazine content—mixing dark satire, contemporary social commentary, and commercial advertising to entertain an educated, affluent audience.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
For sixty years the Hf G WENDOL! Katie, M Gw Still she had left one playmate. Gwendolen drowned Marjorie; So she was alone, you see. Model 21; Price, $850; With Top, $900. Electric Vehicles Nocomplications. Turn on power and steer. Electric brake. Drop postal for catalogue. Many more models and prices. POPE MOTOR CAR CO. Indianapolis, Ind. Agencies in all principal cities. BISCUIT ¥ with peaches and cream.) The fruit Whole Wheat Biscuit $ er. This appeals to the eye, the palate and the reason. ve and in cases of I dyspepsia it remedies have ever p nd. —B. BL ANS pexsox, M.D, Colorado Springs,Col. Sead for “Vital Qae Title eook-bosk F DEERFIELD WATER at home or in club, in hotel or on train, is the most delicious and satisfying water possible It is healthful and invigorating, and when | ne Try a Deerfield it is so smooth and pleasant that you are sure to * Remember the Taste" and ask for another. Id in all sizes, still or carbonated. Write for Booklet. THE DEERFIELD WATER CO,, Deertield, Ohio. Gwendolen then stole a knife, Sharpened it, and took her life. When her grave you stand beside, Pity that poor suicide, ‘Taken from us when a child, Young and tender, sweet and mild. “TID trouble drive him to drink?” “No; drink drove him to trouble.” ‘The Savage 235, 32-40 and 33-5 calibers are somo sizes recently added to the famous 303 und 30-39 Model 1899 Hammeriess Repeat er. These loads are considered the standard for accuracy and will probably never be ex- celled for hunting and target purposes. Catalogue No. 9, with full particulars, matied on request SAVAGE ARMS COMPANY Utica, N. Y., U.S. AL Her Weakness. YOUNG coon who just knew his “biz” Tried to kiss an acquaintance of his. id she, “Dat can’t be s you's stronger dan me: But, Honey, I reckons you is.” In a French Restaurant. HEF: What shall we call the croquettes to-day ? We make Pure Habana i Segars in tho honest old fashion. Sold by Independent Dealers. BARON DE KALB—— ——HENRY IRVING For 50c. we will send you a handsome picture of KING LUD, champion Bull Dog of the world, framed in weathered oak kennel. J°ehn W. Merriam & Co. The Roycroft Segar Shop, which is “At the Sign of the Bull Dog” 139 Maiden Lane, New York corn worl acnt. sen befor comicbooks.com