The photo of this distinguished group is captioned – “Bonesetter Ruse – with five pals at Chaffeys”. Traditional bone-setting was a type of a folk medicine in which practitioners were engaged in joint manipulation. Before the advent of chiropractors, bone-setters were the main providers of this type of treatment. Traditionally, they practiced without any formal training in accepted modern medical procedures. Perhaps this is the reason for their discreet smiles.

Observe that each seated member of the group is holding a cigar and their attention is focused on the gentleman second from the right. He is leaning forward in his chair, while the others seem comfortably reposed. Is he sharing something from the newspaper held prominently in his hand? The “pal” standing is certainly amused and taken in with whatever it might be.