Life, 1908-09-17 · page 8 of 24
Life — September 17, 1908 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two cartoon panels depicting an elephant (labeled "Ellie") attempting to use a springboard at what appears to be a swimming pool. The humor derives from the obvious physical absurdity: an elephant is far too heavy and large to safely use such equipment, yet the cartoons show it trying anyway—presumably with comedic results. The satire likely mocks contemporary behavior or pretensions, possibly referencing the "Congo" setting to invoke colonial-era attitudes. However, without additional historical context about Life magazine's specific political commentary from this period, the exact social critique remains unclear. The humor appears primarily physical/slapstick rather than overtly political.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Our Fresh Air Fund usly acknowledged. emory of F.W.J.&N.N. ES, Acknowledged With Thanks F radise Island pincapy Pineapple ‘Company, Bag of fruit, from Mrs. William H. Board eld. Conn f clothing from M. Gotlieb, Ridge- “ LJOW was the table at your sum- mer resort? '’ plendid! :Never had such canned goods in my life!" “ESSEARS New Terms of Speech : N EXT month,’’ writes one private IN citizen to ‘another, “I am going oose hunting in New Brunswick with y friend Philip od, acting as Ker- mit to him.” Thus we get a near view of the process by which language is en riched. Hail a new verb—" to Kermit "” ! Private-secretary is too long a word and little used now. People say: “ Who will Loeb for Taft?" *TDADER, vy am I a Hebrew?” “It is more profitable, Ikey.”” HE sheath gown uncovers a multi- tude of shins. * AT THE CONGO SWIMMING POOL “1 SRE YOU GOT YOUR WASTING OUT EARLY THIS MORNING The Discovery ALEB, we've got it!" The early morning light was throwing its feeble rays through the ob- servatory. The two astronomers—their shaggy heads together over the table, whereon was spread large groups of figures—gazed at each other in solemn awe over the wonderful discovery they had just made. “Yes,” whispered spoken. “Here it i we have checked off everything. In three months, cight hours, thirty-nine minutes and twenty seconds—nineteen— eighteen—seventeen—seconds from now this comet, the largest one known in the history of the universe, will come into conjunction with our orbit, and this little earth, with all its inhabitants— everything—will vanish utterly, in the twinkling of an eye."" The other astronomer took up his pencil, his hands trembling with excite- ment “That's right!'’ he muttered. “We have allowed for everything. There can be no mistake. We have aimed inde- pendently at the same conclusion."* He smiled triumphantly “It's a great discovery, Gideon!" he exclaimed. “Think of it—the greatest discovery known! "* Then he turned and companion fixedly. “There's only one thing that troubles me," he observed. “And that “Who's going to give us credit when it all comes true?'"’ the one who had there is no error— looked at his