Life, 1904-07-14 · page 31 of 44
Life — July 14, 1904 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a humorous short story rather than a political cartoon. The narrative depicts a man's delight at finally rid of unwanted houseguests—his St. Louis friends who have been occupying his Harlem apartment throughout summers. The "revenge" is sending his wife (described in detail: gray eyes, sharp nose, red-feathered hat, telescope bag) on a one-way ticket to "the greatest Exposition of modern times" (likely the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, given the reference to St. Louis connections). The joke: he's gleefully shipping her away to finally have peace and quiet in his home. The page's closing exchange about "fiction deteriorating" versus "the two platforms" appears to be a separate satirical quip, likely referencing contemporary political party platforms—suggesting even fictional narratives are more entertaining than real politics. The biblical epigraph comparing the scenario to Jonah being cast into the sea adds mordant religious humor to the domestic complaint.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“SO THEY TOOK UP JONAH AND CAST HIM FORTH INTO THE SEA; AND THE SEA CEASED FROM HER RAGING.” Revenge. “7 ISTEN to me, sir.” The ten-thirty express, bound straight through to St. Louis, had just left the station, as a short, nervous- looking man, with a care-worn face, accosted the gate- man, “I want to tax your memory,” he continued, in a stage whisper. ‘About ten minutes ago, did a large, robust woman, with a red feather in her hat and carry- ing a telescope bag that weighed about one hundred pounds, pass through here ?"” “T think I recollect such a woman." “Ah! Did she have a restless, eager expression on her face, and was she wearing a beautiful b silk dress made two years ago?” ; “T wouldn't wonder.” « “Did she have gray eyes, a sharp, inquisitive nose, a prominent chin, and when she spoke did her voice go through you and make you shiver and shake like the first blast of the cold north wind in autumn?" **I certainly recollect such a woman." —Book of Jonah 115. ‘And was she bound straight through to the greatest Exposition of modern times?" “She was. Through ticket — no stop-over."" ‘The happy stranger clasped the austere gateman by the hand. “Grand!” he exclaimed. ‘* Beautiful ! Words fail me to tell how good I feel. This is the happiest day of my life. My wife has done it at last. If I felt any better I couldn’t stand it."” “I suppose you are now,” said the gateman, unbend- ing a trifle, ‘in for a real razzle-dazzle time.” The face of his joyous friend beamed with keen pleasure, “Tt isn't that, it isn’t that!" he cried. ‘I have no vices. But for years my St. Louis friends have been camping out in my Harlem flat for the better part of the summer. And now, at last, I'm going to get my re- venge.”’ Gorgeous ! T you think fiction is deteriorating ?” “I guess you haven't read the two platforms.""