The Idler, Volume III., Issue XIII., February 1893 An Illustrated Monthly. Edited By Jerome K. Jerome & Robert Barr

"The Idler, Volume III., Issue XIII., February 1893," edited by Jerome K. Jerome and Robert Barr, is a compilation of writings that captures a snapshot of life in the late 1800s. With a variety of stories and opinions, the collection touches on social norms and cultural trends. One story, "Cheating the Gallows" by I. Zangwill, focuses on the unlikely friendship between Tom Peters, a relaxed journalist, and Everard G. Roxdal, a serious bank manager about to be married. The contrast between their lifestyles and the complications of Roxdal's engagement to Clara Newell sets the stage for a tale of friendship, social expectations, and hidden intentions. The story hints at potential conflicts related to loyalty, ambition, and what defines a person, setting up an intriguing narrative around these characters and their relationships.