The Wasp — 1894 — page 198: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page from *The Wasp* contains several humorous sketches and dialogues satirizing social behavior and relationships. "Mighty Hard!" mocks religious hypocrisy—a man complains that being Christian is difficult when tempted by worldly pleasures like chicken, gambling, and attractive women. The satire suggests Christians struggle to maintain moral standards. "Why He Doesn't Go to the Beach" jokes that a man avoids the beach because girls, sisters, cousins, and aunts congregate there—implying overwhelming female presence makes it unappealing. "And He Got a Dime" depicts domestic tension: a wife suspects her husband's drinking and infidelity, while he dismisses her concerns. The husband references committee meetings as an alibi. Other brief dialogues mock wealthy collectors, marriage proposals, and romantic excuses. The page also includes period advertisements, notably Ayer's Sarsaparilla, promoting a patent medicine as a cure-all.