Life, 1904-12-01 · page 52 of 64
Life — December 1, 1904 — page 52: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains **primarily humorous anecdotes and jokes** rather than political cartoons, alongside an Oldsmobile automobile advertisement. The left side features a large Oldsmobile ad emphasizing reliability and ease of control—typical early 1900s automotive marketing. The right side presents several brief comedy pieces: - **"No Words Wasted"**: Irish servant Nora's indirect speech ("lookin' for the wrong number") - **"Faithful"**: Dark humor about an Irish widow whose abusive husband "died happy" after hitting her with a medicine bottle - **Ben Teal anecdote**: A theater stage manager's resignation letter over being omitted from advertisements, promptly accepted by Weber and Ziegfeld—satirizing theatrical egos and dismissal - **Rural/Pretty Maid dialogue**: Innocent flirtation joke about kissing games - **Public Servant joke**: Cynical observation that public servants prioritize job security - **Newriches**: Social satire about newly wealthy people adopting pretentious speech ("a house" vs. "beautiful house") The humor relies on Irish stereotypes, marital discord, theatrical drama, and class commentary typical of early 20th-century American magazines.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Tested reliability and ease of control make it of service to every member of the family. For pure enjoyment and solid comfort, the Oldsmobile meets the require- ments of business and pleasure alike. Nothing to watch but the road. Oldsmobile Oldsmobile Standard Runabout Touring Runabout $650 $2750 Oidsmobile An Oldsmobile won the medal for ease of control and details of construction at the recent small car trials at Hereford, land. Made 10 non-stop runs out of a possible 12, Send for handsome illus- trated booklet telling all about the distinct and special features of Oldsmobiles. All prices f.0.b.factory. Address Dept. J Olds Motor Works Detroit, U.S. A. Member Association Licensed Automobile Mfrs pi No Words Wasted. ORA was a treasure of a servant, whose habit of speech was often indirect, but was frequently picturesque and unexpectedly ex One evening “the Master” was sitting in the library when the « rang. Nora answered it, and on her return through the hall “the Master” inquired who it was. “It was a young man, sor,” replied Nora “Well, what did he want?” was the question. “Oh, he was just lookin’ for the wrong number, sor.”—Lippincot’s Magazine. Faithful. EPR ENTATIVE FITZGERALD, of Boston, has a story of an Irish couple in that city who, despite a comparatively happy mar life, were wont to have violent misunderstandings. Nevertheless, the pair were devoted to cach other, and when the husband died not long ago the widow was inconsolable. Shortly after the funeral a friend who had dropped in to see how Mrs Milligan was getting on, chanced to remark: “Well, there's one blessing, Maggie, for they do say that poor Mike died happy.” : “Indade he did,” responded the widow. “The dear lad!) The lasht thing he done was to crack me over the head wid a medicine-bottle.”—Harper's Weekly. W= from California call him “our own Ben Teal.” Teal had been stage manager for the Weber and Field people for many years, and it was to his rare taste and splendid ability that many of the Weber-Field sac cesses were due. Teal resigned fromthe house just about ten days before the opening. The following letters, which passed between Weber and Ziegfeld and Mr. Teal are self-explanatory : Teal wrote this letter to the theatrical men: “Dear Sirs: A newspaper friend of mine called my attention to the fact that my name is left out of your advertisements. I herewith tender my resignation, unless proper explanation can be made. “T feel that it is not only humiliating, but belittling, and unless explana tion is promptly made my place immediate “Yours, ete, . Ben Teal.” _ The following is the answer Mr. Teal found in his letter-box : “Mr. Ben Teal—Dear Sir: Your resignation is accepted. “Very respectfully, Veber AND ZiecrELD.” —San Francisco Wasp. URAL ADORER (bashfully): You didn't go to Millie Meadows Don't you like kissin’ games? Lain: No, I don't. porer (weakly): Why don’t you? Pretty Matw (encouragingly) : ’Cause there's so many lookin’ oa wo York Weekly, oP! “Yes, my son.” “What's the difference between a public servant and any other ki “Why, the public servant tries to hold his job longer than the other kind, my son."—Youkers Statesman, IM: Yes, he’s an artist, a musician, and a poet Her: Poor fellow! I had no idea poverty had such 2 hold oF him.—Chicago Daily N K_ SICKER: So the Newriches are getting culture? - Bocker: Yes, they have learned to ‘speak of a house instead of a beautiful house. —N, York Sun. beautifal comicbooks.com