Life, 1909-06-10 · page 20 of 32
Life — June 10, 1909 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three satirical pieces targeting early 20th-century social anxieties: **"The Penalties of Fame"** mocks the burdens of celebrity through a dreamer's nightmares—each dream depicts fame as physically and socially painful, relieving him upon waking to obscurity. The satire suggests fame's cost to privacy and dignity. **"A Mystery to Father"** ridicules rural attitudes toward women's education. A farmer dismisses his daughter's European travel as foolish, attributing her ambitions to "female girl colleges" that give women "ideas." The dialect humor emphasizes rural ignorance of women's aspirations. **"Severely Reprimanded"** satirizes military bureaucracy through a chain-of-command comedy. A general's complaint about a private's failure to salute cascades downward, becoming increasingly diluted and absurd, until the corporal threatens physical violence. It mocks rigid hierarchies and how orders lose meaning through layers of authority. All three pieces reflect period anxieties: celebrity culture, women's education, and institutional rigidity—delivered through the era's typical comedic styles of dialect humor and situational irony.
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The Penalties of Fame 1 dreamed that Fame was mine, And all along the line Friends, relatives, and foes: Began to hammer me, . And when I woke ‘twas with relicf immense To find my Fame marked down to thirty cents. three— I had the dream once more. ‘Twas worse than ‘twas before. I found myself perched up on high Just underneath the sky Stone-cold it was, and lonely. O be sure 'Twas sweet to wake and find myself obscure! Again it.came. Alas! How sorry was that A wreath of b: Pressed on my scorched head, Did sear me so that when I woke anon ‘Twas bliss to find I'd but a nightcap on. And hence it is T say Fame need not come my way. I much prefer things as they are In byways nebular, Where public optics do not rudely stare, And burning laurels do not singe hair! A Mystery to Father “So your daughter has gone to Europe after all? Ya-as,"’ drawled Farmer Hayseed she’s been daffy t’ go even sence she left skule. These OLD STYLE MEAD PIECE MUCH WORN IN SOCIETY here female girl colleges dew put ideas intew n’s heads. Her maw an’ me never could Severely Reprimanded General Stawes was a martinet, a stickler for etiquette, a man with a prodigious sense of his own dignity, and when Private S. Weigh, the bugler, one day failed to honor him in passing with the customary salute he flew—internally— into a towering rage. “Knutt,”” he said that afternoon to the Colonel, “ Private Weigh failed to salute me this morning A breach of etiquette, sir! A piece of in nence—my dignity—haw! See that the severely reprimanded. Colonel Knutt trembled and nodded and next day spoke to the Captain “ Bisket,"’ he said, “ Private Weigh salute the General yesterday. Please see t is severely reprimanded.”” “Right, sir,’’ said Captain Bisket, and the day he spoke to the sergeant." Sergeant, said, “ Weigh didn’t salute the General. Sec that he is severely reprimanded.” “Look here, Bin * said the sergeant next day to the corporal bugler, “give Weigh a good talking to, will you? He didn’t salute the old General the other day.” Finally the corporal bugler communicated with Private Weigh. “Look here, funny face,"” said he, “if you don't salute old Pokerback next time you meet him, what-ho, young feller, you'll get a blooming clout on the car ‘ole! ”—Tit-Bits. Pleasure Foxp Motner: Tommy, darling, this is your birthday! What would you like to do? Tomaty, Dartinc (after a moment's refec- tion): I think I should enjoy secing the baby te why she was so set t’ got’ Yurrup. She don’t know a soul thar.""—Lippincott’ J. K. B., in Harper's Weekly spanked !—Figaro. nada and he Postal . nd. Acrnts. Brentano's, 37 Ave, de l’Opera. Part: s 4, 1, New Coventry Street, Leicester Square, W, Londoo; 9, Ret St. Georges, Paris nze, Milan: Mayence. G The text and illustrations in Live are copyrighted. etext may be used. giving Live dse but the illustrations are uot to be reproduced without special permission obtained i t. Prompt notification should be sent by subscribers of any change of address. ited States, Great ional postage to for ele Current copies, 1) cents, wursday, simultane rear in advance a8: ane, London, F tart to Marth rom dhe ofp 7 5 Foc Mocontribrcion will be returned nness accompanied by stamped and addressed envelope, ave dogs ust hold Ulf vesponihie Jor the lesy or nen return of ansticied coum ne UN Live is for sale by aft Newsdeaters in Great liriain. ‘The International News Company, Dreams The Best Oil FOR YOUR AUTOMOBILE will increase its power and efficiency. The motor will run more sweetly and more quietly, because it is receiving perfect lubrication, and will not knock or pound because of carbon deposits in the cylinders. PANHARD OIL “The Oil in the Checker-Board Can” is used by experienced motorists, because it is the highest grade of cylinder oil made. Have your chauffeur order a supply of Panhard Oil, test it conscientiously and see if it doesn’t cut down your repair bills. But be sure you get the genuine Panhard Oil in the Checker-Board Can. At least send for our booklet, “Lubrication.” It’s full of practical hints and suggestions, not merely an advertise- ment. You should have a copy. GEORGE A. HAWS 86 PINE STREET NEW YORK Upper illestration shows ventilating heles fa top of tree. Lower Ilastration shows tree I ese, The New Travel Tree for Slippers. or Pumps of Polished Aluminum Do not travel this summer without the new travel tree, Ideal for travel or home use. Made of polished alumi- num. Ventilating, sanitary, light as a feather, yet strong and durable—keeps the shoe in perfect condition. SIX PAIRS FOR $4.50 Carriage Prepaid Anywhere in U, S. J. & J. SLATER . New York City Exclusive Boot Makers for Women and Children, Men and Boys 1859 1909 “ Fifty Vears of the Art of Bootmaking,” sent on request, —It’s sealed 1121 & 1123 Broadway comicbooks.com