Life, 1915-01-14 · page 36 of 44
Life — January 14, 1915 — page 36: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines satirical humor with period advertising. The main cartoons employ racial stereotypes common to early 20th-century American humor—a deeply problematic approach by modern standards. **"Our Foolish Contemporaries"** features three brief jokes mocking rural/working-class speech and intelligence, including one using a racial slur that reflects the magazine's casual racism. **"Sexology"** advertises a medical text promising frank discussion of sexual matters—notable for the era's general prudishness about such topics. **"Tough for the Client"** depicts a nervous young barrister repeatedly stammering "My unfortunate client" to an amused judge—satirizing legal anxiety and courtroom incompetence. **"A Celtic Strain Somewhere"** uses a caricatured Black child character in a condescending "dialect" joke about struggling with a mucilage bottle. The remaining content is advertisements (tow lines, sauce recipes, books), typical of Life's mixed editorial-commercial format. The overall tone reflects attitudes toward race, gender, and class that would be considered offensive today.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
EGYPTIAN comes) DEITIES A countryman in Savannah observed Plain End or Cork Tip a gang of darkics laboring on the strects, cach wearing a ball and chain, He asked one why that ball was chained to his leg. “Lo keep people from stealing it,” said the darky; “heap of thieves about here.” Argonaut. 1 Oranges with adask of Ablott'e Bitters aro apvetie: | ets. In stamps. Faraen (bursting into the village inn): What d'ye think, Silas?) The bones of a pre-historic man has been found on Jim White's farm! Nkeeren: Great gosh! I hope poor Jim be able to clear hisself at the coroner's inquest. Birmingham Age-Heraid. Yo u'll N eed | 7 mies for the Client ° The judge was a kindly old fellow, ow me- the young barrister was nervous. “My unfortunate client" he be- Why not get Basline san, in a quaking voice and a dry throat, Some Day mz:3 gegaarmerciemiads cr tée Sani Ls Gala Use Gaye Fumbling among his papers with a tency in town or country—wioter or trembling hand, he began again. summer. Remember, the t “ My unfortunate client. "~ But his throat dried up. is up flat under a cushion, Takes rc ing hi i up no room, as bulky manila rope docs. Desperately mopping his brow with a Write for “Other People’s Opinioas™ and Tale of Contents. e e handkerchief, he made another attempt. P ‘AN PUB CO., 737 PERRY BLDG, PHILA., PA. Basline Autowline “My unfortunate client—" But it : inabout 25 fet of inch famous YELLOW was nq good. 4 - 120, 000 have been sold of STRAND POWERSTEEL wire rope. It The judge, smiling down at him in a copies Prof. J. A. CRAMB'S weighs only 43: pounds, but can pull « 4,000- kindly way, said: Fond Stich et ots Stoner "Ae yet tar paced wih your sate {| GERMANY and ENGLAND he Rockies. ment, Mr. Blank. The court, so far, is Conceded to be the ablest, fairest book on thes sources of il for heav 4 . s sper iet At out Senta ee. ~honiaville: Herald, | E. P. DUTTON & CO., es: Rbk. east and $2.25 west of the Rockies . . FREE "ssinsed Avtowtiog crcuar, A Celtic Strain Somewhere \t Write hoe today ? Small Jemima (colored), her pudgy BRODERICK & BASCOM RorE co. ff j= , checks puffed out, lips pursed, and her SOON 24S Sk Lenin, Ma, S diminutive outstanding braids bobbing Otte, 160 Warren St i excitedly as she addresses cork of amy hah " mucilage bottle, with which vshe is struggling, “Well, Ah’'s gwine git you out if Ah has to push you in!” —Woman's Home Companion, +4, Pour k Welsh Rarebit: 5200) Ss? sitessbess pepper, bring to boiling poiat, add 1 Ib. of finely chopped az American cheese and stir unti] thoroughly melted. Pour over freshly prepared slices of toast and serve at once. ILLUSTRATED ADVERTISEMENT Kitchen Recipe Hanger sent free upon request by post card. LEA & PERRINS, 245 West Street, New York MAKES MOUSEMAT OO