Life, 1914-05-28 · page 19 of 44
Life — May 28, 1914 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks a self-deluded father pitching his daughter's writing to a magazine editor. The man confidently offers articles on immigration, feminism, Wall Street exposés, Mexican politics, short stories, and poetry—all supposedly within his supply. The editor repeatedly declines each pitch. The joke's revelation: he's a "Scotch Presbyterian"—the caption suggests his stubborn, self-righteous confidence despite obvious rejections. When asked what he *cannot* furnish, he claims nothing, yet the editor's final question exposes the truth: this man is merely a proud father of a recent college graduate, not a professional writer or agent. The cartoon satirizes parental blindness to their children's actual talent (or lack thereof) and the inflated expectations of newly educated young people entering the job market. The "outraged virtue" of the title refers to his indignation at being declined while remaining oblivious to why editors aren't interested.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
E came timidly into the editor's office, and, sitting down, ad- dressed that individual. “Pardon me, sir, but would you like an authoritative article on the immi. gration question, written in that spirit of fairness and philosophical insight that is bound to appeal to the great public?” “No, thank you. in our line.” “How about Feminism? Can give you a perfectly delightful piece on that subject far in advance of the age.” “ Afraid we cannot use it.” “Perhaps you would like to have Wall Street shown up in an inimitably witty and yet dignified and searching manner?” That isn’t quite OUTRAGED VIRTUE HE'S A SCOTCH PRESBYTERIAN The Mystery Explained “ Sorry, but it does not interest us.” “Well, y a stirring article on Mexico, giving the inside facts.” “Nothing on Mexico to-day, “Perhaps you would like a bunch of wonderful short stories, the kind that grip hard and make it apparent that the author is a new genius just coming into blossom?” “We are rather stories.” “Well, how about some poctical masterpieces? Anything from four cantos up. You know, they are quite fashionable now. Can let you have a metrical best-seller in a couple of weeks,” “T am afraid not. Is there any- thing you cannot furnish?” long on short Nothing, sir. Philosophy, history, poetry, humor—how about a series of snappy articles on health? Perhaps you would like to have your readers diet by a new system just invented. It makes no difference, there is noth- ing in the whole range of literature that I cannot supply you with. Here's my card; in case you want anything let_ me know.” He got up to go. The editor smiled. “Very well, sir; but may I ask whether you run an agency or a syndi- cate?” “Neither, sir. I am only the proud father of a nineteen-year-old girl who has a talent for literature and has just been graduated from an American college.”