The Wasp — 1890 — page 266: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon titled "Let the Fates Decide" depicts a caricatured man labeled "STROTHER" (hat inscription) in a romantic dilemma. He stands between two women: one labeled "ADMIRER'S SHIP" and another representing "MORALITY." The caption reads: "How Happy Could He Be With Either Were 'Tother Dear Charmer Away!"—a reference to Oliver Goldsmith's poem about a man torn between two loves. The cartoon mocks Strother's indecision between pursuing romance ("Admirer's Ship") or maintaining moral propriety. The architectural backdrop (appears to be San Francisco landmarks) and the stylized caricature suggest this targets a specific local public figure, though his identity is unclear without additional historical context. The satire critiques divided loyalties and romantic vacillation.