Life, 1903-12-10 · page 13 of 58
Life — December 10, 1903 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features two domestic humor cartoons typical of early 1900s Life magazine satire. **Top image**: Shows servants or household staff in what appears to be an elegant interior, illustrating the caption "Glass, With Care"—likely commenting on the careful handling of valuable household items or the fragility of domestic arrangements. **Bottom cartoons**: Two brief joke exchanges about holiday season economics: 1. **"Thorough"**: A character notes excessive mistletoe decoration, suggesting the sister plans absurdly thorough coverage. The humor lies in the exaggeration of a modest holiday tradition. 2. **"For Economy's Sake"**: Mrs. Fondmar romanticizes having fairies to fill children's Christmas stockings (avoiding expense), while Oldpatch quips he'd prefer mermaids instead—a nonsensical rejoinder that deflates her sentimental wish-fulfillment. These represent genteel, middle-class domestic humor typical of Life's editorial content—poking gentle fun at household management, holiday customs, and romantic notions about avoiding holiday expenses.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Published every Thure doy by Lire Pomusmxo Company, 19 West Thirty. First St., New York. 5.00 a year in advance. THE LIOUT INPANTRER. “GLASS, WITH CARE.” Thorough. -PEATHERSTONE: Haven't you got a great deal of mistletoe, Willie? Why, there is enough here for a seminary. WILute: Yes. Sister wants to cover the whole ceiling. DECEMBER 10, 1903. NuMBER 1102. For Economy's Sake. M® FONDMAR: When you see the children’s stockings hanging up, doesn’t it make you wish you had some little fairies of your own? Otpsatcu: Fairies,eh? Well, I think I'd prefer mermaids !