Life, 1910-03-31 · page 28 of 46
Life — March 31, 1910 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page showcases Life's humor contest featuring brief, witty telegrams. The central cartoon depicts someone riding a horse poorly—a visual setup for the contest's premise. The telegrams are humorous fictional messages playing on early 1900s social scenarios: a woman trying to kiss a suffragette speaker (topical, as women's suffrage was controversial), wealthy businessmen receiving embarrassing news, servants and employees receiving cryptic orders, and domestic mishaps. One telegram references Andrew Carnegie's library donations (a well-known philanthropic practice). Another jokes about mistaken identity regarding a "Swedish hairdresser" posing as nobility. The humor relies on period-specific details: taxicabs, stage dinners, art collecting, theater employment, and social climbing. Many telegrams feature class-based comedy—confused aristocrats, gold-digging widows, and servant complications. The contest awarded a hundred-dollar prize, making this both entertainment and reader engagement. The jokes reflect 1910s anxieties about social pretense, morality, and changing gender roles (the suffragette reference).
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HIS RIDIN “nap FORM SITS TOO FAR FORW. “Life's” Telegram Contest This is the fourth installment of The name of the winner of the Hundred Dollar Pr eok’s Lire. To Mr. Send satin slippers left. in after stag dinner Wednesday. taxicab Fern. January 20, 1910. To Hina Stites, JR. Hotel Brevoort, New York. If old killjoy’s gone, Rector's at seven, Bring a thirst. Torti. New, York City, February 18, 1910. Mr. Weatrny Davuer, 410 Fifth Ave, New York. ; Offer three thousand for your painting “Bacchus? to advertise beer. Nervitzsky Brewixc Comraxy. Wosten’s Campaicn Heapguarters, To Miss Constance K New York 4 Nellie wins. First Presidentrix of the United States. Three cheers. Herexa Home, Chairman. telegrams selected from those received. will be announced in next Samvet P. Jones, Eso., Plainville, N. J Shipped you a library yesterday. Due to arrive to-morro Anprew Carnecte. To Joun Joxes, Riverside Drive, New York City. Lady visiting you'a paranoiac. Killed husband in spell. Beware! Murry, Chief of Police. Mr, James Saari: Home to-night. Married widow with three children. Collect. Jim Surtit. Dear Dap: Roses are red, violets blue; send me fifty, P. D. Q. Fresny. Hiram Gotrocks, Chicago, Il. Supposed countess you have been en- tertaining is a Swedish hairdresser. PINKERTON. Mr. Horatio Sranxer, 403 W. 116th Street. Come to Bellevue Hospital. kiss suffragette speaker. Jack Sranxer. Tried to ebruary 25, 1910. Peck Murcn, Yonkers, N.'Y. Grandma's will read. Leaves mon to Mary, Fido to you. Joux To Mr. ano Mrs. Mr. Ginnoxs : . Have appointed you a critic at our coming beauty contest. Factat Cream Comraxy Mr. Lover Invite riage a ou to address us on “Is Mar. jlure?'” Bacuetor Matos. Mr. Green: Request you to lecture “ Does It Pay to Raise Children? "" New York, March 1, 1910. Ronert Grimes, Sr, The Breakers, Palm Beach, Fla. srandpa in trouble. Arrested at French Ball. Send two hundred. Bop. To Gov. T. J. Carter, Atlanta, Ga. Pretty housemaid mother fired was yellow journal reporter. Tom. Akin Cattery, March 1, 1910. Mr. B. G. Satitit, Jamestown, N. Y. Shipped first consignment of five hun- dred cats to amuse “Gyp.”” Jack. Mrs. E, Z. Moxey, East Orange Blossoms, N. J Delighted. If you're too fat’ for chorus take ingenue part. Lee Suoouerr. Mrs. Bore Newnynict, 23 Millionaire's Place, - Chicago, TM. Will engage you for part if you can wear tights. Kiaw & ERLANGER. Mus. Sumaer Wioow Jones, Kokomo, Ind. Picture of “Venus at ‘Bath,’’ for which you posed, sold. Horray! (Signed) Paster. Your new boarder escaped lunatic; al- ways dangerous after laughing spell. Dattas, Texas, Feb. 24, 1910. Rev. Wat. Toocoon, Fort Worth, Tex. Mect me at stage entrance at close of matinee to-day. Mazen. To_Mrs. May Bepa Care Dr. I. M. Strait, Peaceful Valley, Ark. You get alimony ‘and the custody of the dog. Congratulations. Bitty Bepam. To Cor. Joux Suvi, Sr. It’s triplets. Send promised ten thou- sand for each grandchild (Signed) Jou Suyrn, Jr. comicbooks.com