Life, 1914-11-19 · page 14 of 44
Life — November 19, 1914 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct pieces of satire: **"Social Strangers"** (top section): A dialogue satirizing banking rules. A Bank Teller refuses to cash a check for a Fair Customer without proper identification—someone "known to both of us." The joke critiques rigid bureaucratic procedures that inconvenience ordinary customers, even when transactions seem straightforward. **"Ad Infinitum"** (bottom section): A cumulative verse poem satirizing corruption and political instability, likely Latin American. It describes a chain of leaders successively overthrowing each other ("This is the house that Diaz built"), referencing the cyclical nature of coups and regime changes. The format mimics "This Is the House That Jack Built," making the serious subject darkly comic through repetitive escalation. Both pieces mock institutional absurdity—one commercial, one political.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
894 Ith E * they ought to be getting ready to defend their country from the dread barbarians of Europe and Asia—you ought not to mind an army, papa, because you're too old to serve. But I'm brave and——” There was the ominous swish of a skirt in the upper hall. Harold’s father reached for his hat. “My boy,” he said, “I'm sorry that I can't tell you the truth about this, but duty calls me away with your mother. But believe me, Harold—and you know my rule is to treat you as an equal and with the utmost frankness— the trouble, as I have said before, lies with the parents of this country, the fathers who neglect their boys, as much as with the boys themselves—here comes your mother; we'll take this up again.” Harold’s voice quivered. The mysterious air adopted by his beloved father was no cryptogram to him. “Say, papa,” he whispered, “if you treat me as an equal, then why can’t I go to the movies with you and mamma?” Social Strangers Bask TELLER (politely): I'm sorry, madam, but T cannot cash your check, You must bring in some one to identify you; that is, some one who is known to both of us. Fair Customer (loftily): Indeed! I am sure our social spheres are entirely too distinct for such a thing to be possible. “SAVE MEL! OH, SAVE MY LIFE AND I'LL GIVE YoU A THOUSAND DOLLARS!” SAVE YER LIFE ALL RIGHT, RUT YE CAN KEEP YER MONEY, I JEST HATE EXTRAVAGANCE.” Ad Infinitum HIS is the house that Diaz built. This is Madcro, who lived in the house that Diaz built. This is Huerta, who put away Madero, who lived in the house that Diaz built. This is Carranza, who chased out Huerta, who put away Madero, who lived in the house that Diaz built. This is Villa, who is ousting Carranza, who chased out Huerta, who put away Madero, who lived in the house that Diaz built. This is Zapata, who will overthrow Villa, who is ousting Carranza, who chased out Huerta, who put away Madero, who lived in the house that Diaz built. This is the Peon—his name doesn't matta—who soon will be bouncing the warlike Zapata, who will overthrow Villa, who is ousting Carranza, who chased out Huerta, who put away Madero, who lived in the house that Diaz First Maid: ‘ow TH’ n03s Is TELLIN’ TH’ MissuS THAT _ built. AT LEAST TH’ SERVANTS SUSPECT NOTHIN’! LH, R. comicbooks.com