The Wasp — 1895 — page 983: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page is primarily **advertising** for San Francisco businesses (banks, breweries, insurance companies, etc.), typical of The Wasp's revenue model. The main cartoon, titled **"Easily Deceived,"** depicts two men in a humorous encounter. The caption reads: "McSweeney—Hivin's man, what are yez togged out like that for? O'Toole—Whist! Olive been workin' up those dudes around the Palace Hotel for a week. They run me out o' the Lick Observatory in disguise." The joke appears to target **gullible wealthy tourists** ("dudes") at San Francisco's Palace Hotel, whom a working-class character (O'Toole) has fooled by impersonating someone connected to the Lick Observatory—a prestigious institution. The satire mocks both the easily-deceived rich and working-class con artistry.