Life, 1906-02-08 · page 2 of 24
Life — February 8, 1906 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This short story excerpt depicts a humorous exchange between a university professor and a young man applying for admission. The professor subjects the boy to a "test walk," remaining silent for extended periods while critiquing his conversation skills, physical appearance, and intellectual capability. The satire targets early 20th-century academic pretension—the professor's pompous evaluation methods and harsh judgments about the boy's commonplace observations. When the boy finally speaks freely, the professor dismisses his remarks as stupid, then contradicts himself by praising the same observations when repeated back by someone else. The joke exposes academic arrogance and the arbitrary nature of professorial judgment, likely resonating with readers frustrated by institutional gatekeeping.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE: Tried Him Out. 5 EFORE President Angell, of the Univer- JOHN JAMESON sity of Michigan, had attained to his TAGE! Hee TSTAR present high position, a young hopeful enter- C N RY ing college was recommended to his considera- WHISKEY tion. E | U Try the boy out, professor; criticise him 4 ° and tell us both what you think,” the parents Midwinter said: ae 4 fo facilitate acquaintance the professor took Fiction Number ie net eee ake Gene Eight Complete Stories silence the youth ventured, “Fine day, pro- fost of them illustrated) icon" Beginning “Yes,” with a faraway look. whe fe ; Ten minutes more and the young man, A Diplomatic squirming all the time, ventured: “This is a Adventure pleasant walk, professor.” A new short novel by Dr. ie §. Weir Mitchell, author of | yi ‘ | For another ten minutes the matriculate Hugh Wynne,” ete. | For an 5 | boiled to his bones and then blurted out that @ Stands supreme on the three Mrs. Humphry Ward's most he thought they might have rain, vital points—Purity, Age, successful work z “Yes. And this time the professor went Flavor. Like the best in “Fenwick’s Career’ on, “Young man, we have been walking to- a continued. every line, it costs the most. | gether for half an hour, and you have said Portraits of Keats | nothing which was not commonplace and The Government Side “s Te . t answered the boy, his wrath pass- | of the Railway Rate | ing his modesty, “and you indorsed every CLUB COCKTAILS— Question | eard't sah For the home, for the club, Lincoln the Lawyer | ‘Then they laughingly shook hands and word | 22ywhere, are unrivalled. Saving California’s went home from the professor that the boy Choicest liquors, exquis- Fruit Crops | was all right, and from that time they were| itely proportioned and Exquisite Pictures | great friends.—Detroit Free Press. blended and aged make agg in Color perfectly royal drink. SHE SITS FOREVER IN THE SUN.” Seven een Mec hettan, Mar- Re tini, Vermout ‘iskey, Hol- Bi There was sunshine part of each of three hundred and 3 diftyeever (359) days lant year’at Colorado Springs ;iheNew | [#0d Gin, Tom Gin, York. , Vork Central Lines ticket you via Chicago, Cincinnati or St.| G. F, HEUBLEIN & BRO, rroS2'Sore | Louis to Colorado, Utah, California and the Pacific Coast. Hartford New York London ¢__Ta = COs __ \M BERNARD and W. B. Watson are about to decide a big wager in Milwaukee shortly. Bernard and Watson were dining re- cently, and a discussion arose as to which was the better singer. It i§ a well known fact that neither of them is very long on vocal- Chocolates ism, and so interest was immediately excited. and Confections | John Slavin, Mabel Barrison and Bert Leslie known ferinelr were among those present at the time, and purity and goodness The Gem of the 44) they were selected as judges. Watson gave a For sate where the best is sold. WEST INDIES heart-rending, soul-stirring performance of STEPHEN F. WHITMAN & SON, “Keep a Little Cozy Corner in Your Heart aSIS Chestout | Street, Phite. REGULAR. . for Me," and Bernard obliged with a selection ay Ties iy ae e from “Il Trovatore.” The applause granted Yj YY Stas LAE both singers was so stupendous that the judges | ———7 SERVICE. of were unable to render a decision, and while the discussion was at its height the assembled throng were startled by a high falsetto note e ; te $76.00, including that rose above the din. berth and meals, . 5 Bernard immediately asserted that it came ort from the innermost depths of his anatomy, but fica, e180 including Watson was too quick for him. a meals, 4 fegvier worsted ‘Claim a decision on that?” said he. “Why, and’ trom COLON, vis KINGSTON, Sa dn’ 5. ong fram COLON re KON eo Sam, you fool, that didn’t come out of your and upward, inclading berth and ystem, You stepped on the cat.” Then there For further particulars apply was pandemonium.—Kansas City Independent, HAMBURG-AMERICAN LINE —— Qtecet 8581 read + Fattadetpbies to Waleet ven amt sels, 901 Olive St Gotrnns should take YOUNGER'S SCOTCH ALE at luncheon and supper. It builds up.—Ade. comicbooks.com