Life, 1910-10-20 · page 33 of 44
Life — October 20, 1910 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a humorous piece satirizing a wealthy, idle young man named "Chollie" (a typical name for frivolous upper-class characters in early 1900s American satire). A creditor's firm demands payment on a two-year-old unpaid bill. Chollie's response—that he has "paid attention" to the invoice by taking it to theaters, Coney Island, Central Park, and plans to take it to Saratoga and the White Mountains—is absurd mockery of his own irresponsibility. The joke targets the leisure class: Chollie treats a serious debt with comical indifference, interpreting "pay attention" literally as entertainment rather than financial obligation. His elaborate explanation of future social plans instead of payment exposes the disconnect between wealthy idlers and actual consequences. The satire reflects Progressive-era criticism of unproductive aristocracy and financial irresponsibility among the privileged.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Worsteds imported exclusivel the production of them highest arabe Svening Dress Clothes. A Letter from Chollie It used to be said by those who knew him well that Chollie was something of an idiot; but there are times when it bas seemed to others who also knew him well that he shows signs of genius, as, for instance, in the following corre- spondence. The other day he received the following letter in his morning's mail: “New York, Aug. 1, 1910. “Charles Bobbitt, Esq.: “Dear Str:—For the fifteenth consec- utive time we inclose a statement of your account with our house. The bill has been running now for a trifle over two years, and we feel that we have been sufficiently lenient in respect to it. We therefore request that you pay some at- tention to our request for a settlement. “Yours very truly, “Sxip, Curtest & Co." To this Chollie sent, three days later, the following reply: “Te Crackersack Cius, “New York, Aug. 4, 1910. “Messrs. Snip, Cuttem & Co. “GentLemeN :—In accordance with Your request of August 1, asking me to Pay some attention to your bill, I beg to say that I have taken it to the theatre with me twice, once to Coney Island, and FRENCH SARDINE GREETS YOU RENE BEZIERS & CO., Packers Perfect Fish in Finest Olive Oil MEYER & LANGE, New York, Sole Agents, RabaGhe hhehh2 EXTLLHEORL EASE! ‘WO short words, and com- monplace—‘“‘the best ”’-— completely describe the Stevens- Duryea Landaulet as it is today. The more you know about auto- mobiles, the more readily you will agree that this is so. It has true beauty in every line, grace sy /*/ in every motion; the fleetness of a fawn; the com- MS Ay . a y yy parative strength, the powerful silence of an ocean hy liner; all the comfort and protection that could be desired. ‘These qualities give the Stevens-Duryea Landaulet dis- tinct preference for theatre, shopping and country-house use. We believe there is no car equal to it. Our Literature Sent On Request makes plain every reason for Siegen Dergen rae ip interenine, complete and Stevens-Duryea Company, Chicopee Falls, Mass. Licensed Under Selden Patent EEELAGLSEALELDESSERESLLSEEEALSEGEELGAGEE y given it a ride around the Central Park four times in a taxicab. The limited time at my disposal has prevented my paying it any further attentions, but it is my intention during the balance of the month to give it a little run up to Sara- toga and back, with the possibility of a two-weeks’ outing in the White Moun- tains before the end of the month. Trusting that this will prove entirely sat- isfactory to you, I beg, gentlemen, to re- main always, yours very truly, “Cartes Bonsrtr. —Harper's Weekly. af “TL WONDER IP THESE VIVISECTORS EVER ATTACK FIRE-DOGS?"? 673 comicbooks.com