Life, 1910-12-01 · page 60 of 108
Life — December 1, 1910 — page 60: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Top Cartoon ("Just What He Wanted for Christmas"):** A man receives a knife as a Christmas gift—a darkly humorous visual joke about getting exactly what one desires, with the implication being something potentially dangerous or self-destructive. **"Chinese Proverbs" Section:** A collection of wisdom sayings presented as traditional Chinese philosophy. These appear genuine or plausibly authentic aphorisms about human nature, discretion, and behavior—likely included to add cultural sophistication to the magazine's humor section. **"Durable" Joke:** A quip about Balder's Christmas gifts remaining in circulation as bridge prizes a decade later, suggesting the gifts are either forgettable or of poor quality—durable only in their ability to be regifted. **"Tribute" Poem:** A sentimental celebration of humor and those who make others laugh during difficult times. **"Intensest Yearning" Joke:** A child wants a knife so badly he'll even write thank-you notes—mildly humorous commentary on childhood determination. **Right Illustration:** A snowman surrounded by Christmas imagery and animals; caption jokes about Young Mrs. Rabbit finding a male rabbit attractive.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
JUST WHAT HE WANTED FOR CHRISTMAS Chinese Proverbs HEN Monkeys fight they scatter dirt; When Tigers battle one gets hurt Each Sect has still its Truth, though many shame it, And every Truth a Prophet to proclaim it. My Heart is like the Racehorse on the plain— Right easy letting go, but hard to rein. He faints; your Fowl, well-cooked, would soon restore him; Ask not your Guest if you may kill it for him! Fish sce the Bait alone; and is it stranger That Men should see the Profit, not the Danger? In babbling. gorging food or quenching drouth, All Mischief comes through Opening the Mouth. Oh, when the Whale is floundering in the Shoal How all the Minnows laugh to see him roll! Your arm is broken? Do not grieve Aloud, but hide it in your sleeve. Durable HAT kind of Christmas presents does Balder give? ’’ “Excellent. Why, some of those he gave ten years ago are still going the rounds as bridge prizes.’’ Tribute wre makes us laugh—forgetting woe, As over toilsome path we go— Thus lightening burdens weighing down Poor mortal man, deserves a crown When troubles grim, or carping care, Come stalking forth from darksome lair, With courage high, and dauntless air He thrusts them back, and holds them there; While ever from his curving lip Trip humorous words, or merry quip. Tribute I pay, with reverence due, To him who guides to sunshine true. Life is too dark with clouds, by half, God bless the man who makes us laugh. Annette Laverty. Intensest Yearning O you want a knife for Christmas. very much, Tommie? “T want it so much, mother, that I'm even willing to write a note of thanks Young Mrs. Rabbit: yrs, x's Goov-LOOKING, AND HIS NOSE 18 PERFECTLY ADORABLE, comicbooks.com