Life, 1905-04-20 · page 25 of 28
Life — April 20, 1905 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page mixes a humorous short story with era-typical product advertisements. **The Main Story ("Explaining the Menu"):** A traveler stranded in a small Kansas town during floods orders dinner. He's confused by a menu listing only pie varieties—no main courses. The waitress explains these are *all* the pies available: custard, lemon, rhubarb, Washington, chocolate, mince, and others. When he asks what's written on the back of the menu, she reveals those are yesterday's pies, still listed but no longer offered. The joke is the absurdity of a restaurant serving *only* pies and the prairie-town lack of sophistication. **The Advertisements** occupy most space: Youmans Hats, Underberg Bitters (a digestive liqueur), Brighton garters, Peters Chocolate, and Apollinaris mineral water. These represent typical early-1900s consumer goods marketed through Life's pages. The "Alice in Peters-Land" advertisement playfully references *Alice in Wonderland* to promote chocolate as wholesome and delicious.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
DD ed Thewiderange of Youmans stylesmakesan unbecoming ¥.> hat needless, —_—Sas 7 Broadway (Madison Sq. West.) Fifth Avenue ( 44th St.) Broadway (near Liberty St.) | YOUMANS | Explaining the Menu. ron his way to California was floods in Kansas and was tin a humble hotel— town. * bill of fare at di s not very elaborate, but the trav- i at the bottom of and ink, was a 1 nd there were custard, lemon, arb, Washington, choco mince, to him arly pie,” said he. "t got any rhubarb pie,”| nce at the list. “Well, sh pie, please.” got that either.” te pie?” ite pie rry. we" what on earth are y all written | for? On to-day’s bill of far d the girl, apolo- written down mince pie, be- © pic no one asks Youth's Companion, GRAND PRIZE HIGHEST AWARD WAS RECEIVED BY Apollinaris Natural Mineral Water i e Bitters The Best Bitter Liqueur. Drink to the health of your friends in Underberg Boonekamp Bitters and improve your own. Taken before meals it gives a relish to food and aids digestion—always the same since 1846. Call for a ‘* pony”? at any first-class bar Enjoyable as a cocktail and better for you. 6,000,000 bottles imported to the U. S. Clubs and Restaurants, or by the Merchants and Grocers. BOTTLED ONLY BY Hi, Underberg Albrecht, Rhelaberg, Germany. LUYTIES BROTHERS, General Agents New York, ST. LOUIS 1904 BRIGHTON Flat Clasp Garter for solid comfort. The newest shades and designs of one picce, silk web, All metal parts nickeled, cannot rust. 25 cents a pair, all dealers or by mail. PIONEER SUSPENDER CO., 714 Market St, Philadelphia, Makers of Pioneer Suspenders. te) HE ORIGINAL MILK-CHOCoLATE “This isn't a circus,” said the Hatter,severely to Alice. ,, High as the Alps 11's a Tea Party, and you're not invited. Irresistibly in Quality “Oh! yes, | am,” said Alice. “There's Peter's Choc- Delicious glate on the table, and that's always inviting.” Peter S Absolutely wholesome, yet so dainty and PETER: S delicious that it is a revelation to the CHOCOLATE Chocolate lover: CHOCOLATE FREE SAMPLE and illustrated booklet, “An Ascent of Mont Blanc,” upon request LAMONT, CORLISS @ CO., Sole Importers, Dovt. P, 78 Hudson Street, NEW YORK / comicbooks.com