Life, 1911-12-28 · page 28 of 41
Life — December 28, 1911 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three separate humorous pieces typical of early 20th-century American satire: **"When Woman Wins"** satirizes women's wartime mobilization (likely WWI era). A female general rallies women soldiers by shaming them—questioning whether they'll show "the white feather" (cowardice). The joke mocks both military rhetoric and the novelty of women in combat roles, treating it as absurd theater rather than serious warfare. **"A Cruel Question"** features Uncle Silas discovering Skeezick's overturned car. When asked his "upset price" (a pun on the vehicle being literally upset/overturned), the joke plays on rural dialect and the transition from horse culture to automobiles. **"A Poor, Shipwrecked Sailor"** presents a sailor who claims to have been ashore only three weeks despite appearing shipwrecked—the humor lying in his apparently rapid deterioration or the absurdity of his timeline. These pieces reflect Life's satirical approach to contemporary American life, social change, and human nature through brief, illustrated comic narratives.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
15$°R5, AVI, N erate Men nce When Woman Wins ‘Twas in the year 211, and the in- trepid general was rallying her waver- ing female troops. “Women,” she cried, “will you give way to manly fears?” A timid murmur ran through the ranks. “Shall it be said we are clothed in mail armor?” shricked the leader. The murmur grew more confused. “Will you,” came the taunting cry from their gallant general, “show the white feather at this time of the year, when feathers are out of fashion?” The effect was wonderful, astounding, marvelous! 2 roared her noble followers. rapidly into they once more hurled hemselves relentlessly upon the enemy. wv York Call, cooKING Lire Is ps the United States, Great Britain, Canada and British Postessio x : Additional portage to fereiga cou: the Postal Union, $1.04 Single carrent copies. 10 cents. Back numoers, after three montby trom 4 and addvened envelape, Lape dees mat huld inele national News Company, Brrams Baildirg. IN PAPER TAGS A Cruel Question Skeezick's car had turned turtle, and as he sat gloomily contemplating the sit- uation Uncle Silas reined in his nag and stopped outside. “Turned over, hain't she?” he ob- served “Yep,” said Skeezick, shortly. “Want to sell?” asked Uncle Silas. “Yes,” said Skeezick. “I'll sell out cheap.” “What's your upset price?” asked Uncle Silas with a grin.” —Harper’s Weekly. The Real Puzzle Fatuer (impressively): Suppose 1 should be taken away suddenly, what would become of you, my boy? Irreverent Son: I'd stay here. The question is, What would become of you? —Westchester Critic. “Who's that man who: just kicked the chair over and threw a pack of cards into the fireplace?” inquired one waiter. “Oh,” replied the other, “he’s the gentleman who tries to rest his nerves by playing solitaire.” —Weshington Star. Excbanger, 21 Bride Lane, Fleet St, EC. 148 Roe da Faubourg, 1, Via Gustavo Modena, Milan; Mayence, Germany. The text and illustrations in Lave are copyrighted. For Reprint Righty in Great Britain apply te Lire, 116 Seutnampim Rew, Linden, WC. Prompt macifcation should be went br vubseribers of amy chante of a “A POOR, SIIPWRECKED SAILOR! WERE YOU WASILED asiore?” “No, MUM} YER SEE, I'VE ON'Y BIN ASIIORE TITREE WEEKS.” comicbooks.com