The Wasp — 1896 — page 835: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily **advertising with two embedded satirical dialogues and illustrations**. The upper left contains "With Readin' in Between"—a poem mocking pretentious book buyers who purchase expensive volumes for status rather than intellectual engagement. The illustration shows a man surrounded by books. Below that, "Bicycle Plumbers" presents a dialogue between a woman and man (Willie Waddles) about attendance at "Riedel's party." The satire appears to target social climbing and excuse-making among working-class San Francisco residents trying to maintain appearances. The remaining space consists of advertisements for local businesses: Mont-Rouge wines, Sperry's flour, John Wieland's lager beer, typewriters, engraving services, and Turkish rugs—typical turn-of-the-century San Francisco commerce. The page reflects **Wasp's focus on local social pretension and consumer culture** rather than major political satire.