Life, 1913-11-27 · page 15 of 40
Life — November 27, 1913 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct satirical pieces: **"A Bye-and-Bye Betrothal"** (poem): A romantic exchange where a man proposes binding commitment through ring, vow, or marriage—each rejected. The woman insists on freedom to leave "if I care to stay," satirizing modern women's independence and rejection of traditional marital constraints. **"Living Up to a Reputation"** (cartoon): A sailor from Mars complains that Martian girls are too fierce/aggressive compared to earthly sweethearts. This appears to be early science-fiction satire, likely poking fun at exaggerated masculine bravado about conquests. **"Backward Japan"** (article/cartoon): The piece sardonically notes that Japanese conductors bow respectfully—attributing this to Japan's "primitiveness" and lack of Christian civilization. The ironic conclusion suggests that "progress" means adopting American rudeness ("Gettohelloutofhere"), satirizing American incivility while criticizing Western claims of superior civilization. The page reflects early 20th-century attitudes toward gender liberation, space-age fantasy, and cultural superiority.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Commander of Dreadnought: Now, WHAT WOULD JOHN YAUL JONES HAVE DONE? A Bye-and-Bye Betrothal ‘I WILL bind you to me,” he said, “with a ring.” She answered promptly, “Oh, 10 such thing!” “Well, let me bind you, sweet, with a vow?” “But that,” she said, “isn’t thought of-—now!” “How shall I bind you, then—what way?” “Why—just—I'll stay-if—I care to stay!” Madeline Bridges. LIVING UP TO A REPUTATION Sailor (from battleplane stopping at Mars): 1 DON’T MIND HAVIN’ A SWEETHEART IN EVERY PORT TILL WE STRIKE A PORT LIKE THIS! THESE MARTIAN GIKLS 1S FIERCE! Backward Japan When a conductor comes into a car in Japan, he bows profoundly. He bows again to each passenger as he collects the tickets—Philadelphia Public Ledger. Bt that is only because Japan is still primitive, not yet having come under the full influence of a Christian civilization. Give the Japanese conductors time. If Japan progresses as it has, Japanese conductors will grad- ually take on that refined and dignified mantle of the highest civilization expressed in a look which says more “ MULTIPLICATION IS VEXATION” plainly than words: “ Gettohelloutofhere”.