Life, 1907-09-19 · page 11 of 24
Life — September 19, 1907 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a fictional narrative titled "Corrected" about a commercial traveler and a porter named Lawrence who works on a sleeping car. The story is a gentle joke about miscommunication: the salesman announces "twins, by George" (a birth in the family), but Lawrence misunderstands, thinking he said "dat am no birth, sir; dat's a section"—confusing "birth" (a baby) with "berth" (a sleeping compartment on a train). The accompanying illustration shows an underwater submarine scene with the caption "I wonder if they're true to me," likely from an unrelated story. The humor relies on wordplay and the contrast between the salesman's enthusiasm and the porter's literal, practical interpretation of his announcement.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
*LIFE- 339 of guns began from the ship in honor of the Boy President, who had just come alongside from the Flounder. “This beats the Fourth of July all hollow,” said Rollo to his uncle. “It is very distressing to me,” said Mr. George, “for I have neglected to provide myself with cotton wool to put in my ears, and for a week I am sure I shall only be able to hear words in large print.” “A man of nerve and fire and iron should never dull his senses with cotton wool,” remarked Rollo, “and if you are suffering so much in your ears, you will not desire to hear niy account of my trip under the water.”” “No,” replied Mr. George. “I fain would lie down in a quiet place. You may tell me of your trip under water to- morrow.” John T. Wheelwright. (To be continued) Corrected COMMERCIAL traveler who makes frequent trips to the West from New York is on friendly terms with the porter of the sleeping-car who rejoices in the name of Lawrence Lee, “Well, Lawrence,” announced the salesman, gleefully, “I have good news for you. We've had a birth in our family— twins, by George.” “Dat am no birth, sir,” said Lawrence, ‘‘dat’s a section.” rh ch th tt the water toward the Flounder ¥ . The launch sped through the water toward the Floun iney FEASTS METRE OE SeRT “But will you promise me to be very careful?” said Mr. He has Cerebro Mintal Teddyg George. “Why, sir,” said Rollo, “I shall be as careful as it is pos- sible to be under the circumstances.” “When you come to the surface again will you promise to give me an accurate account of all that you have seen on your excursion?” asked Mr. George. “Yes, I promise that,” said Rollo. So Rollo stepped on board the Flounder-and soon disap- peared down the hatchway, and this was closed after him by the working of some contrivance inside of the boat, and as Mr. George gazed at the Flounder it began to sink under the waves, until finally it sank out of sight and left Mr. George gazing sadly at the bubbles rising out of the water. After many minutes of anxious watching the Secretary of State was gratified to see the Flounder emerge to the surface of the water. In a trice the hatchway was opened and Rollo, his face wreathed in smiles, appeared on deck, followed by the officers and the crew. He shook hands warmly with the cap- tain and crew and then called out, ‘‘Uncle George!” “Yes,” replied Mr. George. “It was corking,” cried Rollo. “Meet me on board the flagship.” He dashed below, followed by the captain and crew, and the submarine disappeared again, and the launch swiftly bore away toward the flagship. As soon as Mr. George set his feet on the companionway of the flagship its guns began to be fired, and hardly had they ceased from firing the salute due to his two stations in life and hardly had Mr. George begun to recover his equanimity— hardly had he disentangled his ear-drums—when a new firing “LT WONDER IP THEY'RE TRUE TO ME 1 Ure Pemomine Commas comicbooks.com