Life, 1909-02-11 · page 9 of 28
Life — February 11, 1909 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct pieces: **"The Vanishing Horse-Thief"** — A cartoon showing a constable with townspeople examining footprints in snow. The caption suggests they've traced a horse thief's prints that vanish mysteriously, leaving only the horse's prints continuing. The joke appears to be a visual pun about an impossible disappearance—likely satirizing either criminal incompetence or implausible detective work. **"A Valentine Regret"** — A poem by Charles Irish Jankin about a failed romantic hunt. It describes a man losing a chase for love, with the woman proving faster and the pursuer "losing place." The tone suggests satire of romantic disappointment and masculine failure in courtship—typical Victorian-era humor mocking unsuccessful suitors. Both pieces use winter/outdoor settings and physical misadventure for comedic effect.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE VANISHING HORSE-THIEF The Constable: Now, GEN’L’MEN, WE'VE TRACED THESE HERE CLOOS,—THE FUT-PRINTS O” THE MOSS AN’ THE FUT- PRINTS 0’ THE MAN TO THIS STUMP; FROM HERE ON THAR’S ONLY THE FUT-PRINTS 0’ THE MOSS, NOW, THE QUESTION 1s— Wot's become o’ the man? ’’ A Valentine Regret WwW" Love went hunting he was bravely dressed, A jaunty cap upon his curls was pressed, A hunting-coat he wore, of hue To match his heart, so eager, true— When Love was hopeless, he was at his best. When Love drew rein, and checked the killing pace, A fatal shadow crossed the glowing face, He thought the chase was over, done, The prize was his, so nearly won— When Love was winning, he was losing place! When Love stood still, and thought to have hie way, With blast of horn to bluster of the day, With ragged coat and tangled hair, And dusty cap, he did not care— When Love was sure, the quarry slipped away! —Charles Irvin Junkin, bi ES, sir. This is a house for summer boarders, and that large building next door is anitarium.”” What's the sanitarium for “The folks who board with us one summer generally stay there the second year."" comicbooks:com -