Life, 1910-01-27 · page 12 of 36
Life — January 27, 1910 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine contains several satirical vignettes and a contest. The main cartoon depicts a domestic scene where a well-dressed man appears to be dismissing or scolding a woman in elaborate dress while children and a small dog are present—likely satirizing marital dynamics or domestic authority. Below are smaller comics showing men with children, captioned with humorous dialogue about mystery and "fifty victims," satirizing popular detective fiction tropes of the era. The page features a "$100 contest" asking readers to decipher a telegram shown in the central illustration, paying "$10 a word" for the best answer—a typical early 20th-century reader-engagement device. Additional brief satirical dialogues mock contemporary social types: magazine editors, vaccination debates, love letters, society women, and stock trading—reflecting common early 1900s anxieties and social pretensions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
160 But cheer up, Lieu- There is much your own favor. tenant. All is not lost. to be thankful for.’ “Well, I would like to know what?" “Why, haven't you your temper and your personality left? "* “Good morning.” “Good morning, and congratulations,”” Light in the High Cost of Living ADY OF THE HOUSE: I have the very nicest butcher that ever was. ( He can bamboozle me into anything. Drawing the Line REAT AUTHOR: Did you tell that magazine editor that I was too busy to see him? Boy: Yes, sir; but he says he can't understand it; that you have been writ ing for his magazine for years. “Well, I may write for a magazine, but that’s no reason why I have to asso ciate with the editors of it.” Newsboy: Great Mystery! Firty victims! MISTER? HELE, BOY, TLL TAKE ONt.” “say, poy, IN THIS PAPER. “THAT'S THE MysTERY, THE Pirty-riRsy victiM.” GUV’NoR, You'ne What Does This Telegram Say? UFE WILL Pay $100 FOR THE BEST ANSWER TO THE QUESTION ABOVE Ten Dollars a Word HE picture on this page represents an unusual situation. Please study it carefully, and see what you can make out of it. Note every detail When you have made up your mind what ten words or less the telegram in the man's hands might contain, exclusive of the address and signature, write it out and mail it to the Telegraph Editor of Lire, with your name and address. The cleverest telegram, in the judg- Another : ¢ in the West Philadel: Homeopathic Hospital from lockiaw, ion of a vaccination wound. ecinated on the day school y in September, and the wound did not h hiladelphia Ledger. A™® vaccination in this century in this country is compulsory. The child’s parents might protest in vain. LOVE letter is a lie addressed to one who docsn't want to know the truth. of the editors of Lirz, will be awarded the prize of one hundred dol- lars Everybody is eligible. But no more than three telegrams will be accepted irom any one contestant. The contest will close on March 1, 1910, no answers received after that date being considered. The announce- ment of the winner will be made as soon thereafter as possible. ment The Skillful Feminine T' IRL (rather weary, at 11.30 p.m): [don't know a thing about baseball. Tue Beau: Let me explain it to you Tue Girt: Very well, give me an il- lustration of a home run. IRST SOCIETY WOMAN: I want to wire my broker to buy me some stock. How would you word that sort of thing? Secon Society Woxax: Tell him to buy it at the lowest market price or less. comicbooks.com