Life, 1912-04-04 · page 50 of 80
Life — April 4, 1912 — page 50: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine contains several short satirical jokes typical of early 20th-century American humor, plus advertising. The comic sketches mock various social types: an optimist editor rejecting a pessimist (Washington Herald reference), a joke about Dr. Wiley (likely the food safety reformer) and hash, and a curate's misunderstanding about dangerous cows. These are gentle, class-conscious humor targeting educated readers. The main cartoon shows a wealthy man refusing to contribute to charity, then haggling over changing a half-dollar—satirizing stingy rich people who claim poverty when solicited for donations. The lower right illustration depicts a child calling herself "baggage" and demanding a check tag, a family humor joke playing on the word "baggage." The Arrow Collars advertisement dominates the lower half—a major brand advertisement emphasizing quality and ease of use, typical of *Life*'s revenue model. The page reflects turn-of-the-century American attitudes toward wealth, propriety, and consumer goods.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
sAUT SCISSORS Tee AUT NULLus cee! hosor said the arrested tried to warn man, but the horn would not work.” “Then why did you not slacken speed An Optimist Required rather than run him down?" “Yes; I can give your friend liter- A light seemed to dawn upon the ary work." prisoner. “That's one on me. I never “Thanks; he’s a good man.” thought of that.”"—Houston Post. “But hold on! Is he an optimist or t . . a pessimist?” Serious Omission “What ence docs that make?” The new millionaire’s banquct table “Makes a deal of difference. I can’t E was spread, and the guests about to be use a pessimist. I want to edit a spring . summoned. seed catalogue.” — Washington Herald. “Are you sure there are no repo Referred to Dr. Wiley AY present : anxiously asked the “Somebody's been trying to stump he butler. ‘ a 4 i “T've made certain of it, sir.” Dr. Wiley, I see,” said Hanks, “ by ask- ea: fe oaatr ms Then go out and get a few, ing for a definition of hash. That Hint te ating) anpXOus i the host.—Canadian Courier. said Blithers. “Hash is nothing but . a recurrence at a subsequent meal of A Ready Giver the conglomerate remnants of a pre- “1 approach you in a worthy cause, vious repast."—Harper’s Weekly, Mr, Titewad. We want to r: ooo—a prominent philanthropist Curate: Didn't I assure you that a to contribute a quarter of it.” cow is only dangerous when it has lost “Ob, well,” said Mr. Titewad, its calf “SOMETHING THERE WAS IN MER tily, “T don't mind giving another Su hat’s why I was frightened ; LIFE, INCOMPLETE, IMPERFECT, UN- ter. Can you change a half? I couldn't see a calf anywhere.—Sketeh, Frvisiten,” —Housek Lire: is published every Thursday. simultaneously jaited States. G Canada and British : z ntawos's. 37 Ave. de l'Opera, Paris: sive at Saat Possessions. $5.00 a year in advance. Postal ~ $1.08 21 Bride Lane, Fleet St.. F. C., London; 148 Rue du Fauboare, St. Deo's, Para Lt a years to Canada, §2 cents, Single cul 10 cents. Back numbers, after three months from te Mayence, Germany date of publication, 25 cents, Ne contribution will be returned unless accompanied br stamped and ravelopes LAPR deet met held ital responsible for the lass or on-recurn of wnilicited contributions Lape. is for sale by all Newsdealers in Great Britain. ‘The International News Company, Breams Building. ARROW | COLLARS and SHIRTS ALTIC—a notch collar HEN you buy an with ample space for Arrow Shirt you cravat. Easy toputonor — know in adyance that the take off. Stays closed in color is fast, the style front, yet permits the wear- right, the garment well ing of a large knot cravat. made, the fit perfect. 8 are copyrighted. Fer Reprint Rights in Great Brit bo ln, Prompt metifcation should be arnt by subcribers of amy change of addren. $1.50 a dozen , $1.50 and : 4 “GO AWAY AND LET ME READ, YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING Send for booklets ° Giucte, Peabody & Company Baccace. ‘ 483 River Street, Troy, N. ¥. (M1, Wy CPA CNY. WELL, IF I AM BAGGAGE, DADDY, DON’T YOU THINK I i OUGHT TO HAVE A CHECK?