The Wasp — 1891 — page 315: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains two distinct pieces: **Left side:** A poem titled "A Village Mystery" by Will M. Clemens, illustrated with two woodcut images showing a nighttime scene. The text references "Deacon Smithers" and "Deacon Briggs," suggesting a story about small-town scandal or intrigue, though the full narrative context is unclear from this excerpt. **Right side:** A portrait and article titled "The Race Question" by Hon. David B. Henderson (identified as a Congressional member from Iowa). The piece addresses racial attitudes, specifically defending African Americans' rights and criticizing those who would deny citizenship based on race. Henderson argues against deportation proposals and advocates for equal protection under law, appealing to Christian values and national unity. The article appears to be a serious political statement rather than satire, taking a progressive stance on racial equality for its era.