The Wasp — 1896 — page 989: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily **advertising** for San Francisco-area businesses (banks, shipping companies, laundries, etc.) from what appears to be the 1890s. However, it includes two small **satirical cartoons**: 1. **"The Old Story"** depicts a man (labeled "HARE") flirting with women while his wife waits at home—a traditional morality tale about infidelity and divided attention. 2. **"A Compromise"** shows a man in bed appearing to negotiate with his wife about domestic matters, likely satirizing marital disputes. These are gentle, domestic humor cartoons rather than sharp political satire. They mock conventional gender relations and marital discord—themes typical of period satirical magazines. The cartoons serve as visual breaks between advertisements rather than as primary content.