The Wasp — 1894 — page 273: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page contains satirical commentary on San Francisco society, centered on a story about a merchant who purchased a pair of artificial legs for $10,000. The narrative mocks wealthy but foolish men who squander money on absurd luxuries. The central joke involves the merchant's misadventure in Japan, where he registers artificial legs as "single legs" at a hostel, creating confusion. The landlord's exchange satirizes class attitudes—wealthy men are exploited by those managing their accommodations. The cartoons illustrate the anecdote's social commentary: ridiculing nouveau-riche excess and gullibility. The accompanying illustrations show confrontations between classes, suggesting The Wasp's critique of San Francisco's emerging wealthy class and their susceptibility to schemes and overpricing by service providers.