Judge, 1920-06-26 · page 7 of 37
Judge — June 26, 1920 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis: "His Example" by Mary Graham Bonner This story satirizes the hypocrisy of real estate agents selling suburban country homes. A suburban agent persuades a woman to buy a cottage by enthusiastically pitching its benefits: growing vegetables, raising chickens, owning property, avoiding city rent, and enjoying pastoral pleasures like birdsong. The satire's punchline arrives when the woman asks where the agent's own country home is located. The agent stammers that he actually lives in a city apartment—he doesn't practice what he preaches. This undercuts his entire sales pitch, revealing him as a self-interested salesman exploiting the woman's desires for a lifestyle he himself doesn't believe in or live. The joke reflects early 20th-century skepticism about both real estate salesmen and the "back to the land" movement's credibility, suggesting such agents cynically manipulate clients' aspirations for commission rather than genuine conviction.
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by dows Cosacnrn Dos'r Say “Is rite Back or rie Boar” ust. Say rie Stews “Ixpeeo! Asp Is br Necessary to Be—An—Ivececant, Sitery ix Oxorx ro Be Narunat?”™ His Example By Mary Grauam Bonxer to be where there is grass and where one can hear ntal tone only THe suburban real estate agent had almost persuaded her to ‘Ttis 1 uy a little country home a bird sing.” he continued in the sentim “Then you can have your own tlower garden,” he said. of such usige by a country real estate agent. She smiled at the thought of rose bushes and swect peas. “Yes, will do well to take this charming little home we And you can save money on vegetables,” he added have to offer,” he went on. “You couldn't do better. You will She thought of delicious tomatoes from the home-grown never regret it. Fancy being in the city when you could be in vines, of an asparagus bed, small, perhaps, but one which would the country—and with all the city conveniences too—good yield delectable dishes train service, frequent expresses. “This idea of paying rent “Then you own your home. You don’t have to keep on month after month is horrible—never ow anything at th paying rent,” he said end of the time. Own your home! Then you've something to To own a home was a pleasint thought, these days when — show for your money.” proverbial roofs weren't always ready to cover the proverbial His voice rose to cloquent heights heads “LT do believe you're right,” the woman said, in the last “It’s near enough to town so that commuting is a simple stages of weakening matter for your husband.” ‘LT suppose you have a little home out here too?” sh Another advantage, she retlected added. “You can raise your own chickens too,” he said. “Tt is The country real estate agent muttered something | very little trouble. And, well—you know what eggs cost last But the woman spoke again. winter!” “Where is your little home located?” The dismal thought of those exorbitant prices came into ‘I-1," he stammered, “why I-live in a city aparte her mind. ment.”