Life, 1914-04-30 · page 9 of 44
Life — April 30, 1914 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct pieces of satire: **"A Counter Proposition"** presents a dialogue between a "Loyal Housewife" and a "Humble Dealer" about California oranges on a proposed "Orange Day." The satire mocks supply-and-demand economics: the dealer explains why oranges would be expensive (limited supply on that day), while the housewife insists on buying only California oranges regardless. The joke critiques both rigid consumer preferences and economic naiveté—the housewife wants to support California producers but doesn't grasp that mandatory single-day purchasing would create scarcity and inflation. **"Courts of Justice"** is an opening section defining courtrooms as places requiring patience, resources, and shrewd legal representation. The illustration (lower right) shows "Professor Cricket" addressing a French mademoiselle about singing through one's nose—likely a musical or accent-based joke.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
mowacwen, THE STORY OF A BRIDE WHO FINDS THAT HER HUSBAND 1S THE GRANDFATHER OF THE MAN SHE REALLY LOVES Courts of Justice COURT is a place where one gets justice, provided one has money enough to pay for it, time enough to wait for it, strength enough to fight for it, reputation enough to command the respect of the judge, and shrewd- ness enough to keep one’s lawyer from raking off the most of it. Householder: WoutD YOU MIND POSTING THIS IMPOR- TANT LETTER, TO-NIGHT? IT’S MY BURGLAR INSURANCE ! A Counter Proposition ALIFORNIA has just suggested that we appoint one day in the year, to be known as*“ Orange Day”, when each family in the United States shall buy at least a dozen California oranges. Wouldn't the law of supply and demand get in some fine work if such a day ever got thoroughly established? Anyone who has ever bought turkey at Thanksgiving, duck at New Year's, lilies and eggs at Easter, coal in the winter, ice in the summer, and so on, will recognize the verisimilitude of the following typical dialogue: Lovat. Housrwire: How much are your California oranges to-day? Houmepte Deater: Six dollars a dozen. L. H.: Oh, my, what makes them so dear? H. D.: Supply and demand. This is Orange Day, you know, and we won't have enough for all our customers as it is. L. H.: They don't look very good, either. What are these over here? They look much better. H. D.: Oh, yes, they're better, but they’re Floridas. Those are only thirty cents a dozen L. H: Oh, dear, no. 1 wouldn't think of having any but the Californias on Orange Day, If that’s the very best you can do, you may send me three dozen. No, Proud Sovereign of the Golden Gate. We do not see our way clear to such an Orange Day as you propose, Professor Cricket: oH! MA CHERE MADEMOISELLE but we would consider an Orange Day upon which you TEAKETTLE! YOU WILL NEVAIRE MAKE ZE GREAT make us each a present of a dozen oranges, E£, O. J. SINGAIRE, YOU SING THROUGH ZE NosE!