Life, 1912-09-19 · page 28 of 44
Life — September 19, 1912 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three separate humorous anecdotes satirizing upper-class social life and gender dynamics: **"Livening Things Up"** mocks wealthy yacht-party culture. Mrs. Blane's tea party is so tediously boring that she deliberately (or accidentally—the text is ambiguous) knocks her mother-in-law overboard to create excitement. The joke satirizes the desperation of high-society hostesses and the vapid conversations that plague such gatherings. **"The Summer Camp"** ridicules an overly attentive military officer who fusses excessively over soldiers' comfort and hygiene. A disapproving editor jokes that the officer forgot to tuck the men in like children, mocking what he sees as excessive coddling. **The remaining brief jokes** offer wordplay about beer and money—generic humor with no specific satire. The page is primarily advertising: **Martin & Martin Shoes** dominates the lower half, promoting their flexibility and quality craftsmanship to cultured customers. The cartoons reflect Life's satirical focus on American upper-class pretension and social conventions—common targets for the magazine's humor.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
OAT SS NGI) Livening Things Up Mrs. Blane was giving a tea party on her yacht. The affair for some reason was dragging dreadfully. The guests talked of nothing but the weather, and even in this talk there would come long, deathly silences, Suddenly Mrs, Blane, losing her bal- ence, fell heavily inst her mother-in- Jaw, who sat b Je the low rail, and with a moaning ery the dear old lady went headforemost overboard. Of course she was rescued ; but after- ward Mr. Blanc took Mrs. Blane private- The Summer Camp Col. Gilford Hurry, commissary of the National Guard of New York, was con- demning an officer who, on an annual en- campment, had fussed too much over his men, watched ene famous editor,” he says, this officer one night during the campment as he showed the boys how ; ¥ ly to task. to fold their clothes, how to spread their LM i es ae How chimsy you are,” he said, “to Ledding, how to wrap themselves in their y | . c Knock mother into the water like that. 4 blankets, how to drape their mosquito i i I'm a id she won't care to visit us netting, and so forth, and finally, when the officer took leave, the editor called after him: “Hey, you've forgotten something.’ “What have I forgotten?’ “*You haven't heard ‘em say their prayers and kissed ‘em all good night.” —Washington Star. again in a hurry. You really should be more careful.” “Now, George,” said Mrs. Blane, “be reasonable. I had to do something. I | | | simply had to, Did party was dragging?" —St. Louis Globe-Democrat. "t you sce how our “1 pox'r care for beer except on a very hot day.” Sur: Just look at the trouble moncy can get you into “What do you call a hot day?” He: Yes, but look at the trouble it “Oh, any kind o ay when the mer- can get you out of, cury gets above 40."—The Outlook. —Boston Transcript newsdealers in Great Rritain and may be obtained f alt the principal be foreign trade supptied ftom Live's Landon O cas Haildings, a years to Cana date of publi S2 cents. Single current copies. 1U cen a. 28 ceats. Issues prior to 1910 out of print ses im Layee are caprrighted. For Reprint Rights in Great Britain apply to Lave. 114 No cantrituti WG be returned unless accompanied by stamped and addresed emvelige. avv deer mit hold tess le for the | ‘ set by subseribers of ans change of adress. py ARTIN & MARTIN Shoes stand away and above those of common make. They are distinguished by many important and in- dividual features, not the least of which is their extreme flexibility and lightness, They never need “breaking in.” The Martin & Martin Bootshops are the rendezvous for men and women of culture, who are not so much interested in shoes of a nondescript style and a moment’s passing fancy, as they are in shoes that are built upon true foot-fitting ideas and lasts. Thomas Cort Fashionable Hand-Sewed Shoes, for which we are representatives, have a Custom quality and grace, and combine a superior quality and workmanship and material. In styles to meet every occasion of street, social and business wear. $7.00 upward. Custom department in connection, A Brochure showing photographs of the season's new models and describing our Service-by-Post, sent upon request, ARTI &° ARTI BOOTMAKERS FOR MEN AND WOMEN New York: | East 35th St. Chicago: 326 So. Michigan Ave. Paris: Bouladou, 39 Rue de Chaillot 1829 comicbooks.com