The Wasp — November 29, 1879 — page 17: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon appears to satirize **John E. Owens** (the name is spelled "OW(E)NS" in the caption), likely a political figure or public personality of the era. The image depicts a gaunt, menacing figure in a dimly-lit space receiving what appears to be a meager meal—suggesting he's receiving inadequate or insufficient compensation or treatment. The surrounding decorative elements (vegetables, fruits, bells) contrast sharply with the dark, austere interior, amplifying the satire. The accompanying verse fragment about "shingle" and "bell" remains unclear without fuller context, but the overall implication is mockery: Owens is portrayed as ungratefully or inappropriately accepting something insufficient, or conversely, the "dinner" itself is presented as inadequate recompense for services rendered. The reference to "(SEE BULL)" suggests a related cartoon or continued narrative elsewhere in the publication.