Life, 1911-11-16 · page 39 of 44
Life — November 16, 1911 — page 39: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a humorous short story illustrating a clever con or logical trap. A sickly young man enters a grocery and purchases a cake for ten cents. He then trades the cake back to the grocer for a drink, consumes it, and leaves without paying for the drink—claiming he already paid via the cake swap. The grocer is caught in a logical bind: he has the cake (so the customer paid for *something*), but the customer consumed the drink without compensation. The joke's point is the customer's cunning exploitation of the transaction's ambiguity—he's essentially gotten a free drink by creating circular reasoning about payment. This reflects period humor valuing wit and quick thinking, even at another's expense. The grocer's "puzzled head" and the customer's successful "retreat" suggest admiration for the young man's cleverness despite his dishonesty.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Flustered A tall, green-looking youth stepped into a village grocery where they keep something to drink as well as to eat, and after peering about a little, spied some ginger cakes. Said he to the n’s mighty fine cakes. What's the least you'll take for one of em?” “Ten cents,” replied the grocer. “Well, I believe I'll take one, if you'll wrap it up right good.” The grocer wrapped up the cake and handed it to him, He looked thought- fully at it awhile and said: “T don't believe I want this cake after all. Won't you swap me a drink for it?” “Yes,” said the grocer, as he took back the cake and handed him a glass of something. The young man swallowed the liquor and started off. “Hold on!" cried the grocer, haven't paid me for my drink.” “T swapped you the cake for the drink.” “But you haven't paid me for the cake.” “You've got your cake.” pees yea, fe = ibys ‘Armstrong Matheso Stan dard Equipment BUZIBIGIHAABIBIS Soto you puzzled head, while the young man made iP | guod his retreat, : | is Order Now For Christmas Private Brand Cigarettes 7 ‘ f Rit a Mah grade, mitd, - Ikes-Barr¢) Pennsylvania . New ¥ BS ty Saléargoms ded top Ch si q . 4 dway Gi Sokty- second Street Erste adres ome aw, plain ti yr orver Siow Siiry Lier, Silas aa ne tae The Best Customers ih ae a) A gentleman sat down to write a deed Dr. APOLLO BROS., Inc., ans, and began with “Know all w 151 North 8th Street Philadelphia Majendie of Canterbury, Dr. Rate cliffe and Dr. Case once passed a jovial Vou ai i b evening together. ‘ou are wrong,” said a by “ , “ ‘ : “Here, brother,” cried Ratcliffe, it ought to be, ‘know all men Through Europe In an Auto Very wall” deiwored the Gttioes At “here, Brother Case, suppose we drink FOR HIRE, the best Open and Closed 1 ne . : . a health to all the fools that are your > Motor.Cars for British and Continental all women know it, all men will, of atients.”” Touring, at_ the most reasonable course.” m soeinsire tae in Europe. Literature, “T thank you, my wise brother Rat- fetailed. Itineraries, also. copy i tity eats wie . S*THROUGH EUROPE IN AN AUTO,” A very plain actor being addressed cliffe.” replied Case; “let me have all free on request. Write us about eve the fools and you are heartily welcome thing to do with Motoring abroad? , ie practice.” TheINTERNATIONAL AUTOTRAVEL SOCIETY countenance;” a young fellow in the to-alll the: rést/ ofthe: practic % 10 5 Morning Post Buildings, Strand, Londoa, England. pit cried, “ For heaven's sake, let him!" these presents. on the stage, “My lord, you change comicbooks.com