Life, 1912-01-11 · page 29 of 40
Life — January 11, 1912 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This piece by Wallace Irwin inverts the traditional "prodigal son" narrative. Instead of youth corrupted by modern ways, it's *elderly people* abandoning old-fashioned values. A young boy laments that grandfathers have become unrecognizable: they now frequent fancy Broadway venues (the "Jardin de Paris"), smoke cigarettes, drive fast automobiles recklessly, spend money freely, and behave disrespectfully toward their grandchildren. They've abandoned the austere virtues of previous generations—piety, frugality, formal manners, and predictable rural simplicity. The satire targets generational anxiety about modernization. Rather than blaming youth for abandoning tradition, Irwin suggests that *older people themselves* are most seduced by 1920s urban pleasures and consumerism—undermining their moral authority to criticize younger generations' behavior. It's a clever inversion: the cartoon implies that modernity corrupts everyone, regardless of age, and that elders complaining about youth are themselves equally guilty of abandoning "proper" values.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Egyptian Cigarette of Quality AROMATIC DELICACY MILDNESS PURITY ~ At your club or dealer's THE SURBRUG CO., Makers, New York Once he went to prayer-meetin’ for his soul's delights; Now the Jardin de Paris gets him Wednesday nights. Grandpa knows the best hotels up and down Broadway— Caught him smoking cigarettes behind the barn to-day! “Once he was respectful when I spoke to him; Now he pounds me on the back and speaks of me as ‘Jim, Seems to spend his money broadcast, fancy free. Sometimes he is gone for hours without consulting me. What ails these modern Old Folks that they have grown so light? They're slipping fast from our control. We haven't raised 'em right.” Wallace Irwin, The Prodigal Grandsire Seated on a water plug by a rural glen, I beheld a little boy ‘round the age of ten, “Times,” he sobbed, “are changing fast, nothing’s quite the same; Everything’s for money, no one’s out for fame. On our best traditions, sir, Mammon’s card is hung— Why, even Old Folks ain't the same’s they were when I was young! “Once our line of granddads lived like simple folks, Went to bed at sundown, cracked Joe Miller's jokes, Only spoke when spoken to, always were polite, Never played a game of cards—thought it wasn’t right— Always knew their places, never drank or swore; the Old Folks ain’t the same as in the days of yore! “Grandpa drove a pokey horse seven years ago— Now he thinks a touring car just a bit too slow; Got a sporting ‘runabout, ninety horse- power speed— See him eating up the road down by yonder mead! He's been pulled three times this week— how he shocks his child! s the world a-coming to since Grandpa's grown so wild? he thought the country store plenty for his biz; rope once a year now's re- quired for his. Youtheicfies Youthful beauty lingers“ longest in faces faithfully mas- with Pompeian. A million women don't worry how they look. They iow y use Pompeian. It youth-i-| POMPEIAN ~ MASSAGE CREAM For a clear, fresh, youthful skin use Pompeian. Ipyouices, It doest Sold by 50.000 dealers, 50c, 75c and $1, or sent postpaid if dealer can't supply. Trial Jar and Art Calendar patel, The trial will convince. The “Pompeien Beauty” Art Calendar will please, Use coupon. please tend me Ma wal jar of Pompelan Pompeian Beauty” Art Calendar. Art Calendar of this beautiful $1000 Blenner head and full length figure in exquisite colors. Sent with trial jar. Size off panel 32 inches long by 8 inches wide. No advertising ‘on front. Use coupon in lower