Life, 1911-08-17 · page 28 of 40
Life — August 17, 1911 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three satirical pieces typical of early 20th-century American humor: **"A Postponed Tragedy"** mocks a patient's irrational fear of surgery. Jim refuses medical treatment until threatened with death, then consents—only to die anyway at 3 PM instead of the predicted 2 PM. The joke: the doctor was technically correct about the timeline, making his medical authority darkly humorous despite the fatal outcome. **"The Danger of a Foreign Spouse"** satirizes cultural misunderstandings. A German professor's wife, unfamiliar with American slang, mishears "shindig" (party) and later awkwardly uses the term in formal company. The humor targets both the wife's foreignness and Americans' casual speech patterns that confuse immigrants. **"Darning Versus Knitting"** presents a brief domestic joke about marital contradictions—a wife consistently knits her brows (frowns) when asked to darn stockings. The page also features a **Fisk Tires advertisement** with a cartoon figure and a political cartoon titled "Trust Magnate" showing wealthy figures enjoying weather, likely critiquing capitalist complacency.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ee SUT Scissors a AvtT NULLus A Postponed Tragedy “You have appendicitis,” said the doctor man to Jim, “And I must operate at once, or else your chance is slim.” “You shall not touch a knife to me,” was James's firm reply— have no operation, and a-going to die.” “rit I ain't “Unless I cut,” the doctor said, “ you'll surely pass away; You will be dead, believe me, sir, by two o'clock to-day.” So Jim was scared and yielded. The carving was a shock. But Jim was very thankful that he lived at two o'clock. For doctors know their business, and it’s very plain to see That this one saved Jim's, life, because he didn't die till three: —Boston Traveller, Dians: Contra ask her to darn THE BLACK HAND Darning Versus Knitting Gisps: Your wife seems to be a con- trary sort of woman. The Danger of a Foreign Spouse One of our most prominent college professors took unto himself as wife a very charming and highly cultured Ger- man lady who is exquisitely particular about all small matters. Several years ago, just after she had come to live in this country. she was ever on the qui vive for new forms of expression. One night the professor came home worn out with the troubles of Com- mencement. As he was dressing to at- tend a very: formal reception, he re- marked : "I wish we weren't shindig.” “ Shindig?" repeated his wife; “ what is that?” “It’s the sort of thing we're going to to-night,” answered her husband, At the close of a very enjoyable even- ing the professor heard his wife saying, “Oh, Mrs. B—, I have so much en- joyed your shind —Harper's Magazine, going to this ry! Why, whenever I my stockings she knits her brows.—Boston Transcript. Lire is published every Thursday, simsltancously in the United States. Great Britain, Canada and British Possessions. $5.00 & year in advance. Additional postage to foreign countries in the Postal Union, $1.04 a year; to Canada, $2 cents. Single current copies. 10 cents. Back oumbers, after three months from date of publication. 25 cents. Ne contribution till be returned unless accompanied by stamped and addrened envelope. Livi: dees net held itself reipenitile for the toss ov mencreeurn af unsslicited contributions. Lire {s for sale by all Newsdealers in Great Britain. ‘The International News Company, Breams Building, no's, 37 Ave. de l'Opera. Pari Brentan London; 148 Rue du Faubourg, St. Denis, Pars Chancery Lane, London. E. C., England, AGENTS. News Exchanges, 16 Joba St.. Adelphi, Strand, W. 1, Via Gustavo Modena, Milan; Mayence, Germany. ‘The text and illustrations im LIV are copyrighted. Seuthamptn Reve, Lendin, WW. C. Prompt nitifcation should be sunt by mubueribers of anv change of addres. Fer Reprint Rights in Great Britain apple to Lave, 1 also at Saatuct, M csr Time to Re-tire Four . Styles / | Bolted-On Q. D. Clincher: Clincher - Fisk-Dunlop ye I bber Co. Chicopee Falls, Mass. The Fisk Ru Factory : Direct Factory Branches In 30 Cities (Trust Magnate): “yes, THIS CERTAINLY 18 GLORIOUS WEATHER, EVEN If 1 DO SAY IT MYSELF.” comicbooks -com