Life, 1909-10-07 · page 29 of 44
Life — October 7, 1909 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece presents six professionals' snap judgments of an average citizen named Mr. Brown, each filtered through their own commercial or professional interests. The joke exposes how people interpret others entirely through self-interest rather than objective observation: - The **clothing dealer** suspects dishonesty because Brown wears a competitor's suit - The **dentist** fixates on his bridgework - The **lawyer** recalls suing his father - The **politician** sees a potential voter to manipulate - The **physician** diagnoses poor health from his complexion - The **undertaker** estimates his casket size The satire mocks how professionals project their narrow expertise and commercial concerns onto strangers, unable to see people as complete human beings. Each character's commentary reveals more about their own preoccupations than about Brown himself—a sharp critique of American commercial culture's reductive nature.
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The Personal Equation Mr. Brown, an average American citizen, was introduced to a cosmopolitan group. Concerning the newcomer, the various members of the group thought as follows: Tne Crorminc Deater: That suit he is wear- ing was made by Hart, Schloss & Strauss, sold by my competitor. I think the fellow has a dis- honest look Tue Dentist: The tooth carpenter who put in that bridge certainly fixed that fellow’s face for keeps. Tue Lawyer: I remember suing his father once. Tue Desicnixc Mamata: He is a likely-look- ing young man. I want Ethel to meet him. Tue Pouitician: If he’s tue Brown I'm think- ing of, he ought to be able to swing the Third Ward for me. Tur Puysiciax: He is quite hyperemic, He is greatly in need of careful, scientific dieting. Tue Minister: The unseemly ruddiness of his countenance causes me to fear that he is a young man of worldly habits. Tue Unnertaker: 1 guess it would take about a six-foot box for him.—Judge. The Suburban Citizen “I see you are cultivating a garden." “Yes,” answered Mr. Crosslots. “1 suppose you derive both pleasure and profit from it?” “Not exactly. But it leaves me more con- tented. It makes the cost of vegetables in the rket seem small by comparison.’’—Washington - Valuable Information Che New & fe Guie: After this point there's no vegetation, five hundred metres higher, no beer, and after = . - another five hundred, no post cards.—Meggen dorfer Blactter. lag The Explanation “Doctor,”’ said the patient, who had been a ing for a long time, “be frank with me. Why If you have ever spent the evening in the company 6f some well-skilled, do you demand such a large tee for cutting out versatile pianist you have experienced in part only the numberless delights a pends | teith dni’ expisined! the: Teale | which every evening await the owner of an Angelus Player-Piano. Many M.D, “when I remove that appendix I cut off music lovers on first hearing the Angelus Player-Pieno have expressed their my chief source of revenue.”’—Tit-Bits absolute amazement that the music which it enables the player to produce ——— — = is so much more artistic, so superior in every way to that which any other a player-piano makes possible. This for one reason is because the Angelus Player-Piano only is equipped with THE MELODANT that wonderful device which picks out and emphasizes the melody notes in such splendid contrast to those of the accompaniment. Using the Melodant rolls the Angelus player is enabled to bring out all the delicate beauties of the melody which, with the ordinary player-piano ai sually lost in the maze of ornamentation which surrounds it. The Melodant, like the Phrasing Lever, the Diaphragm Pneumatics and the Artistyle Masic Rolls, is a patented exclusive feature of the Angelas. Hear the Angelus instruments before you purchase any other. The Knabe-Angelus, Emerson-Angelus and the Angelus Player-Piano inthe U.S. The Gourlay-Angelus and Angelus Player-Piano in Canada Write for our beautiful new booklet, and nzme of convenient dealer THE WILCOX & WHITE CO. Z Bosiness Established 1877 MERIDEN, CONN. Leadon. Regeat Hom Tue Boston Transcript Clerk of the Day tells : the story of “a very sinful who was . lunching with Dr. Abbott and referred repeat- edly to his connection with Outing. At last Dr. REALLY Abbott could stand it no longer and protested 4 “But, my dear sir, Iam not the caitor of Out DELIGHTFUL ing, 1 © never had anything to do with Outing. While I live I hope never to edit Ont- ing. I am the editor of The Outlook.”” “ Why. : bless me. so you are!" cried his Depends for its virtues not upon strong oils, carbolic or JUST RIGHT AFTER DINNER “Funny I should have made that ah other irritating disinfectants, but upon the presence of ‘ Really, couldn't have confused two period | Lo: sia) —t o i Ifyou can't buy Chiclets in your neighs ys Coule xy gen (peroxide )—Nature’s purifier, Try Them! trsagtcta‘tn ten i"a fathe mare “strikingly diferent, | Whereas Outing | ian 7m sar Santa pocket. Aay lobber will supply sorekeepers with: al ° look—"" FRANK H, FLEER & COMPAN' makes a religion of sport, The Outlook—’* ‘The OF ALL DRUGGISTS, 25 CENTS Sample and Booklet free om request. Pinaaehin Ue An cod oraine oaneda self-respecting clerk refused to complete the McKESSON & ROBBINS - NEW YORK antithesis—The Bellman. 435 comicbooks.com