Life, 1909-10-28 · page 25 of 36
Life — October 28, 1909 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines **advertising with editorial cartoon**. The cartoon depicts a man in water refusing to emerge despite a threatening shore official, announcing he's "committing suicide" with a grin. The joke appears to be dark humor about someone preferring drowning to facing arrest—likely satirizing either legal troubles, debt, or social shame so severe that death seems preferable. The bubbling grin suggests absurdist comedy rather than serious commentary. The advertisements are period-typical: Martin & Martin shoes (emphasizing durability and value) and Republic Rubber's "Staggard Tread" tires, which the company claims offer both mileage AND anti-skid properties—addressing early automotive safety concerns. The tire ad lists numerous American cities, indicating nationwide distribution. **Context for modern readers:** This reflects early 1900s anxieties about personal debt and legal consequences, combined with emerging automobile safety marketing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Martin & Martin Model A Street Shoe for Well Groomed Men Imported patent calf button boot—dull mat calf top—medium straight flat last—close trimmed single sole. Strictly bench made. Price, $12.00 Shoe Economy should not be gauged by the price per pair but by the per year, We are prepared to demonstrate and to guarantee, the Gollirs and cents economy, by the year, of purchasing our custom— quality, ready-to-wear shoes. Martin & Martin Fashionable Footwear for Men and Women ty to Wear $7 Upward No. 1 East 35th St., New York to Order $8 Uprward No. 183 Michigan Ave., Chicago Upon request, we send photographs for out of town selection Man on Shore: 1M GOING TER HAVE YOU ARRESTED WHEN YOU COME OUTER THAR! ““Te—Me! 1 AIN'T COMING OUT—I'M COMMITTING SUI- cie (sinks with a bubbling grin). Th Republic —_ Staggard Tread res Here is a tire that gives the full mileage that a smooth tread tire gives and is also an anti-skid when the road is wet. No stopping to put on tire-chains. Other anti-skid tires are so short- lived that they are limited to use in wet weather. Look up the Staggard Tread. Republic Rubber Co. Youngstown, Ohio New York Clty Detroit. Los Ai Denver San F -- 166 First St Toledo. pe St. Indiana: . Ilinols St. Pittsburg. Liverty Ave. Seattle s+++++1419 Broadway St. Paul. ---180 E 4th St. Rochester..........208 South Ave. Kansas Spokane .. Council Bluffs. Ta. Repebiie Stargard Tread, Pet, Sept. 15, %2, 1908, comicbooks.com