Life, 1910-07-14 · page 18 of 40
Life — July 14, 1910 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three satirical pieces from early 20th-century Life magazine: **"A Modern Instance"** mocks gentlemen's politeness in crowded streetcars—the joke being a man yields his seat not out of chivalry but because he's getting off anyway. **"Take Your Choice"** satirizes stock market volatility, listing absurd, contradictory reasons the market was "weak"—from Taft's railroad policies to Roosevelt's *Outlook* articles to simple hot weather. It mocks how financial commentators manufacture explanations for market movements. **"The Family"** presents a Q&A format contrasting family behavior with public conduct: families quarrel and insult each other "in considerable heat," yet claim to love one another, while treating outsiders with politeness. The satire critiques hypocrisy—the gap between private rudeness and public civility. The cartoons accompanying these pieces use visual humor to reinforce the textual satire about social pretense and contradictions in American life during the Progressive Era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
~ — a REVISED VERSION FOR WOMEN MUST WORK AND MEN MUST WEEP A Modem Instance H, judge not by appearances; You won't, if you are wise: And deem a man not most polite nse him see Because you In crowded car to yield his seat Unto a dame; no doubt You'll find is only reason was That he was get- ting out! Cat: 1 CAN'T Ste WHERE THE BOYCOTT WILL HURT US. “PRODARLY YOU NEVER ATE ANY DoG: biscurrs "* The Family S EE the family! Ah, yes, it is, indeed, a large and happy family What is the family doing? The family is talking together in con- siderable heat. Jt sounds much like quarreling. What do they say? They are calling cach other names, and accusing each other of insincerity and other high crimes and misdemeanors Are the accusations true? Oh, no, indeed. Then why does the family do these things? Because they love one another What a beautiful idea! And does the family show its love for the outside world in the same way Oh, no, indeed. Outside the bosom of y its members are very polite the fam and ge © and circumspect and consid erate and amiable. The family would not dare to talk to any one else in the same way that they talk to cach other Other people simply would not submit to it It must be delightful to be surrounded by those you love Yes, it is a great relief when your temper chafes you and clamors for ut- terance. Ellis O. Jones Take Your Choice AST week the stock ‘market was weak : Because Taft was expected to do some- thing in regard to the railroads. Because Roosevelt was reported to be preparing another article for the Qut- look, Because it was raided by the bears Because certain financial interests withheld their support Beeause stocks were too high. Because of the report that a certain magnate was far from well. Because of a revolution in South America Because a certain newspaper made a misprint in its financial column. Because the weather was hot Make the job fit the man!—College Prest- dent Finley im his baccalaureate. A" right, Dr. Finley; you fetch a job and get your scissors out. The Man's down at Oyster Bay. THE MISSING ARMS, AS IMAGINED BY THE CHAMPION comicbooks.com