Life, 1909-09-23 · page 20 of 28
Life — September 23, 1909 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains several satirical pieces typical of Life's early 20th-century humor: **"Discovered!"** mocks the capture of Napoleon, suggesting his legendary status made him seem invincible. The joke questions what authorities will do with him now—implying his mythic reputation exceeds his actual threat. **"Dismaying the Devil"** satirizes a bookstore selling Bibles at bargain prices, with a sign stating "Satan trembles when he sees / Bibles sold as low as these." The satire targets commercialization of religion and the irony of deeply sacred texts being hawked cheaply. **The ostrich cartoon** plays on the phrase "I wish I had a quarter, I'd get spruced up a bit"—humor based on the animal's appearance and the absurdity of an ostrich seeking grooming improvements. **"Where Ignorance is Bliss"** presents a marriage proposal joke: the bride admits she was nervous accepting, implying she knew something troubling about her husband-to-be. The Martin & Martin shoe advertisement occupies substantial space, representing standard commercial content in the magazine. Overall, the page mixes light social satire with advertising.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Head-Liner Incomparable, distinct, alone! A lion heart! By such descriptive terms is known N. Bonaparte. Discovered! And wouldn't they look well arrayed ' Hada Upon a bill? M 1 parasoult Ah, what a hit he would have made vaudeville ! Is at last in captivity, In vaudeville od men of most every nativity “CLEANED Le Froze to death making an annual dash for it, cLtaN What Could She Have Heard? iv a dollat as] it - Never receivin ar in cash for it; fs que Professor Robert Herrick possesses a fall ating with nothing more than a “ Hooray "23 share of the artist's sensitiveness in regard 10 lle Modi cy picsiikly dav Tapes cet inartistic. Some years ago he had for next-door ital ° neighbors a family among whose charms good Since so much mystery seemed to surround the Jaste was ilacking. ‘ See One morning the professor's little daughter I'm very glad that they've finally found the thing. made an unexpected call at the house of this But ; > i , family. “Show me the rug in your room,” sbe 3 demanded with childish imperiousness. The lady of the house suppressed her wonder and took her little visitor upstairs. Inside the door the child stood and stared at the ora couple of minutes. “ Hm!’ she and sat oo, | herself firmly in a chair, her eyes glued to the Dismaying the Devil y f rug. Finally she confided to her wondering bo In the window of a little book-store in Eig! 3 | “Well, it doesn't make me sick! "'— Avenue, New York, was recently heaped a great 4 r Bjorkm an in Success. pile of Bibles, marked very low—never before were Bibles offered at such a bar; and a . - Where Ignorance Is Bliss them all, in big letters, : He: You don’t know how nervous I was when Satan trembles when he sees I proposed to you. Bibles sold as low as the Ostrich: 1 wisi 1 MAD A QUARTER, I'D GET Swe: And you don’t know how ne —Woman's Home Companion SPRUCED UP 4 BIT until you did s0.—Meggendorfer Blaetter. —New York Now that the dashing is done, and they're through with it, What in the deuce are they going to do with it? New York Sun. . England. ‘ ntry Street, Leicester Square, W, Lond companied aati ad aaedressed A SHOF STORE REPRESENTING SHOE SERVICE AS DISTINGVISHED FROM MERE SHOE SALESMANSHIP Gu will appreciate the diffe ference Martin EM. avtun Fishionable Footwear forMe [ep EPamen Ready to Wear or Made to Order “ou! ou! i've pees stuxe By a neN.” Nol East 35%St New York M8 NT igon doe Chicco comicbooks.com