Life, 1895-10-10 · page 17 of 18
Life — October 10, 1895 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This *Life* magazine page contains satirical commentary and advertising. **"Our Foolish Contemporaries"** section features two brief humorous anecdotes: 1. A young man elected to the legislature asks his father how much bribes he'll receive—satirizing political corruption as an expected, routine part of governance. 2. A woman tries to help a male acquaintance by recommending him to a train conductor, but the conductor mistakenly gives him a pass made out to someone else (Jones). The man awkwardly declines the train ride rather than correct the error—mocking social awkwardness and politeness taken to absurd extremes. **The advertisement** promotes Williams' Shaving Stick, featuring a well-groomed man at his mirror. The tagline claims fastidious men use this product because it achieves "perfection," reflecting early 20th-century consumer advertising linking products to personal character and sophistication.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Tost - LIFE: “ [THINK it only fair to warn you, Hiram,” said the aged politician to his son, a promising young man who had been elected to the legislature and was about to start to the capital of the State to enter upon his duties, “that measures deeply affecting the public welfare will come up for consideration before the body to which you have been elected, and corrupt designing men will seek to influence your vote. ‘They will try to bribe you, Hiram. They will offer you money. Be on your guard against them, my boy, and remember that the reputation of the family whose name you bear and the honor of the district you represent are at stake.” “I will, father,” replied the young man, deeply moved.‘ How—how much will they probably offer me ?"—Chicago Tribune. My friend Mrs. B. is one of those good natured women who are always want- ing to make other people comfortable. She happened to be in the railway station the other day; a man she knew came in. He said he was going to Pittsburg. Now, it happened that Mrs. B,, whose husband is a director, knew the conductor of the Pittsburg train, He passed through the waiting room just then, and Mrs. B, called to him. “Conductor,” said she, “ this is my especial friend, Mr. Smith. He is going on your train, and I want you to show him every attention possible.” The conductor, of course, said he would, but when he went away Mr, Smith turned to Mrs. B., with a sickly smile. “1 did intend to goto Pittsburg today, and I was in an awful hurry, but on the whole, I think I'll wait for the next train.” And he handed that kind hearted woman a slip of paper. It was a pass, but it was made out to one Jones.—Exchange. Faslidiovs. man is Known by his Shaving soap ~ Fastidiovs men use Williams’ Shaving SticK be- cavse il is perfection ~ ~~~ ewe Sold by dealers generally everywhere, but if unable to obtain it, mailed, post- paid, on receipt of price, 25 cts. LONDON, 64 Great Russel St., W. C. THE J.B. WILLIAMS CO., Glastonbury, Conn.