Life, 1904-09-01 · page 27 of 38
Life — September 1, 1904 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two satirical pieces about early 1900s American life: **"What the Trouble Was"** mocks the anxieties of a wedding delayed by the groom's automobile breaking down. The humor turns on the absurdity that modern technology—the "new automobile"—has become so central that mechanical failure can nearly derail a major social ceremony. The congregation's relief that the car was repaired, and the suggestion they sing "Onward, Christian Soldiers" while waiting, satirizes how quickly automobiles integrated into everyday life and became sources of both pride and anxiety. **"A Summer Elopement"** (top illustration) depicts a couple literally flying away on what appears to be a large insect or fantastical creature—a visual pun suggesting romantic escape. The caption title suggests this is mocking the phenomenon of summer elopements. **"The Yellow Peril"** (bottom illustration) remains unclear without additional context—it may reference contemporary anxieties about Asian immigration or influence, a common theme in early 1900s American satire, though the specific scenario isn't evident from the image alone. The overall page reflects period concerns about technology, romance, and social customs.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
What the Trouble Was. #4 HERE can the bridegroom be?"’ The time appointed for the wedding was at noon. It was already thirty minutes past that hour. The church was thronged. The rela- tives of the bride, grouped together on one side, sat with heads in the air, their looks expressing both sympathy and contempt—sympathy for the poor girl who had been so unfortunate, and A SUMMER ELOPEMENT, contempt for the man who had placed her in such a terrible dilemma. Onthe other side, the relatives of the groom, wrought to the highest pitch of nervous tension, moved uneasily among them- selves, Where was Herbert? It was known that he had started from his home at ten o'clock, only fifteen miles away. ‘The bride was wringing her hands in the chancel room, The best man was muttering profanity under his breath. THE YELLOW PERILy When suddenly a messenger from the telegraph office entered the rear door, and in a moment more, the clergyman, his face relieved, made the following announcement : “ Beloved, the bridegroom will be here now in ten minutes. He broke down five miles away, but having suc- cessfully repaired his new automobile, all will soon be well. While we are waiting, let us sing *** Onward, Christian Soldiers.’ " SSS comicbooks.com