The Wasp — 1895 — page 560: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This illustrated article titled "The Old Maid's Diary" appears to be satirical social commentary rather than political cartoon. The sketch shows a woman in period dress speaking with what appears to be a male figure. The text describes the writer's shock at witnessing "small-pox" cases and their disturbing appearance, including descriptions of infected individuals wearing "danger signals" in black and yellow. The diary recounts a confrontation with an offensive floor-walker at a store. The satire seems directed at social hypocrisy and propriety—the narrator is scandalized by disease and indecorum, while also being judgmental about others. The accompanying illustration visualizes this encounter. The page also contains advertisements for a grand auction of horses and sporting goods, suggesting this is primarily a society/lifestyle piece rather than hard political satire.