Life, 1914-12-03 · page 78 of 92
Life — December 3, 1914 — page 78: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks a pompous father's empty, pretentious speech about Christmas to his son Harold. The humor targets adults who deliver grandiose moral lectures while saying nothing substantive. Harold asks innocent questions ("What does Christmas mean?"), but his father responds with inflated rhetoric: Christmas is "the season of good will," a "symbol of undying human sentiment." The father admits he's merely reciting phrases from his Sunday-school teacher—he knows them "by heart" but doesn't understand their meaning. The satire critiques how adults—particularly middle-class fathers—hide intellectual laziness and moral uncertainty behind flowery, memorized language. Harold's genuine curiosity exposes the father's pretension. The title "Pernicious Orator" suggests this empty eloquence is actually *harmful*, teaching children that speaking impressively matters more than thinking clearly. This reflects period anxiety about superficiality in American public discourse and parenting.
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Aka KKA LIFE } ESS TANGO CHOCOLATES Fondants, Fruits and Nuts A new sweet coating, deliciously appealing when Box is opened—$1.00 the pound Box. PETITS CHOCOLATES—another new pack- age containing small chocolates, of rich coating with pronounced real chocolate flavor—each piece just the right size to eat the whole of it at one bite—80 cents per pound. The particular charm of a package of candy from PARK & TILFORD'S is the positive assurance of genuine worth—the freshness, fullness, purity. Park & Tilford’s Chocolates and Bonbons are the BEST; and you will find them so. Sold by thousands of dealers and in all our stores. PARK & TILFORD - - - New York A Pernicious Orator AROLD'S boyish but earnest face was suffused with — thought. After a time he succeeded in catching the eye of his kind father, who was ly engaged in a careful examina- tion of the intellectual intricacies of the comic section. “Papa, dear,” he said, “mother is upstairs making out her Christmas list and this is a fine time for me to ask you just what Christmas means.” Harold’s father frowned slightly, but at length laid down his paper. “My dear boy,” he replied, “I am always ready to give you the benefit of my thought and experience, even when it takes up my valuable time, but ‘WHAT IS TOURING ?7—WHY, IT’S that new automobile card game, which isall the rage now. Ticlm full of skillfal and interesting plays that furnish keen enjoyment to the entire family, So realistic that in the excitement of the game you can al- most smell gasoline and attempt to rob the dust out ot your eyes, and can hardly keen back the naoghty words when you find yoo are out of gas,” have a pancture or exceed the speed limit, ete. Game consists of 10 handsom cards in an attractive box, PI Originators and Makers since 1899 of POOL TABLES for the HOME “NEW” PATENTED R LE BILLIARD RAIL Vor yout education, send for « rated Post Tale and Game Bowklet AT YOUR DEALER or from WALLIE DORR COMPANY 33 Murray Street _ Mansfacterers New York you must make your questions direct. You don’t mean Santa Claus, do you? T thought you knew about him.” “Yes, papa, I do. ‘While our time- honored saint may not have a real and visible existence, as a cherished illu- sion, a symbol of undying human sen- timent, he reigns immortal in all hearts. There! Isn't that a swell phrase? My Sunday-school teacher has said that so often I know it by heart. But what's the meaning of Christmas? Tell me, papa, as man to man.” Harold’s father gazed at his pre- cocious son benignantly. “Ah, my dear boy,” he said, “you couldn't have come to a better person than me to tell you. Christmas is the season of good will to all men, But SPEND YOUR WINTER OUT OF THE BEATEN TRACK NASSAU-BAHAMAS January, February, and March are the joyous, outdoor months in the .gor- geous, bluc-laved tropics. Surf Bathing, Sailing, Fishing, Tennis, Golf’ ‘Court Golf, Polo, Pony Racing, Dancing, Cycling, Driving, English Rugby. Accommodations to suit all tastes and urses. Steamer Service under American lag. Three days from New York—seven- teen hours from Miami, Florida. Winter temperature averages 72, World's most equable climate—unequalled as a health resort. Write BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT AGENT Suite 24, 303 Fifth Ave., New York City, for Booklet to get down to business, Harold, there is a feeling in all of us, no matter how herd-hearted we are, when we like to let loose our generous, kindly im- pulses, and all these good feelings are typified by the Christmas spirit.” “Thank you, father dear; you are such a wonderful talker, and I shall learn that sentence by heart, along with the other. But, father——” “Yes, my son.” “T was talking with the barber—he knows an awful lot—and he says it's & season of graft. He says Santa Ciaus is an old faker, because he (Continued on page 1249.) Danda Leather Key-Purse With Your Name Stamped in Gold By Mail With Pock: 25c Paaped | Werks 40c ‘Saves the clothing and prevents the keys {roa fasts. Made of strong leather with nickel Y White for iMustrated Catalog of Danda leather goods and novelties DANDA LE. MFG. CO., 82 John Street, New York THE NAIL YOU NEED .— to hold your horseshoes is “The Capewell.” Safe—being free from all tendency to split o crimp in driving Exconomical— holding and thus injure the hone, ntl worn out. the owathck these dogs In the West ‘one of the Largest and most set as they are ba they are beautiful. ne breed, comicbooks.com