The Wasp — 1887 — page 369: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains two distinct sections: **"The Irish Widow"** (left): A narrative story mocking an Irish widow named Mrs. Maggogerty who becomes wealthy through shrewd stock speculation. The satirical tone targets both her rapid social climbing and the condescension of upper-class Americans toward Irish immigrants. The text ridicules her accent, aspirations, and nouveau-riche behavior. **"Makin' a Preacher of Ike"** (right): A poem about a man named Ike who becomes a preacher after financial hardship. The satire appears to mock both religious conversion born from desperation and rural/working-class piety. The central illustration depicts a rotund woman in a chair—likely Mrs. Maggogerty—rendered in exaggerated caricature style typical of era anti-Irish propaganda. The overall page reflects late-19th/early-20th-century prejudices against Irish immigrants and rural Americans.