Life, 1915-02-11 · page 36 of 44
Life — February 11, 1915 — page 36: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page mixes satirical commentary with period advertising. The main satire is **"Authorship,"** which mocks formulaic college fiction writing. Life ridicules the clichéd conventions of early 1900s college stories: all heroes named Jack/Stanley/Dick, protagonists who smoke pipes and wear sweaters, stock characters like "Fatty," mandatory quartets singing "Merrileece," and romantic pursuits of girls named Dorothy or Betty. The satire undercuts these tropes by listing them as "simple rules"—suggesting such stories are lazy, predictable, and divorced from actual college life. The other content consists of humorous anecdotes (a Kentucky legislator's defense of osteopaths, a confused editor dealing with a Petrograd cable) and period advertisements (Baggage Insurance, Burpee's Seeds, Egyptian Dettes cigarettes). The **Egyptian Dettes advertisement** features what appears to be people examining cigarette packages, appealing to consumers with claims about quality. The cartoons and jokes reflect turn-of-the-century American humor—gently satirizing both literary pretension and contemporary social conventions rather than addressing serious political issues.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Authorship Anybody can write a story about col- lege life. If he has not attended a college, so much the better, His imagi- ion is less trammeled. A few simple rules must be observed, however. 1. All heroes are named Jack, Stan- ley or Dick. All college men wear sweaters al- ays and sinoke short, fat-bowled pipes. 3. There is always a “ Fatty", who is a funny fellow. 4. Any four college men make up a quartet, which can sing “ Merhileece we ro-hull alonnng” at auy time. 3. All college men are wooing a girl named Dorothy or Betty, who is “ sweet and pure as an angel", 6. Ail college men address cach other as “old hoss”. 7. College men never study, but spend their time in tossing repartee back and forth. 8. All college rooms are adorned with pennants. % 1 college men call their fathers “ Pater” and speak of the “honor of the dear old school” in a husky voice. —Harvard Lampoon. Heed Oranges with, «dash of Abbott’ Sample of bitters by mall, . Baltimore, Md. 2% ets. in stamps. On the Right Road A former member of the Kentucky Legislature, now engaged in the practice of law in Louisville, tells of the time that the question of permitting ostcopaths to practice was a mooted onc in the legis- lative body. There were arguments pro and con until the speech of a moun- taincer statesman did much toward sct- tling the question, Obtaining recognition, he spoke somewhat as follows: “I'm in favor of letting those osteopaths prac- tice. The homeopaths practice, the allo- paths practice. All the other ‘paths prac- tice. And, after all, we may do well to remember that, as the poet says, the paths all lead but to the grave.” —Argonaut. Made in U. S. A. Manacixc Eprtor: Great snakes! I can't make head or tail of this Petro- grad cable. Ask our Russian correspond- ent to step here a moment. —Philadelphia Public Ledger. Burpees SeedsGrow "THE truth of this famous slogan is proved by thousands of pleased and permanent customers. The But "to give rather than to get all that is world's greatest mail order seed business. We deliver seeds free by parcels post, and have not advanced prices be. cause of the war, Write today for Burpee’s Annual, tie “Leading American Seed Catalog” for 1915. It is a bright book of 182 paces with hundreds of ‘llustrations and carefully written descriptions of Vegetables lain Truth, and is a safe guide to success in the garden. It is mailed free. of Quality First and Flowers. It tells the W. ATLEE BURPEE & CO. jitters are appetizing | | PREFER Deis to any other cigaretl: i eI Ir { Costs but a few cents a day | || Baggage Insurance| \ You need it if you— Hl —are going to the Expositions at Califor- || i nia where baggage risks are multiplied. | —travel for business or pleasure. —are going on a vacation anywhere. —keep any personal effects outside of your residence—at the office, golf or country club. —are sending your son or daughter to | boarding school or college. j Our Baggage Policy indemnifies you against loss due to fire, theft, transportation, etc., while your bay in the custody of any railroad, express compan ship, hotel or clubhouse. The hazards and contingencies of travel are many, and you need this protection, it may save you hundreds of dollars || ‘Why not at least investigate it! Write today. FREE. w.phttnctve besrerage bot Insurance Co. of North America 236 Walnut St., Phila., Pa. Founded 1792 Writers of insurance covering: : tomobile, motor beat, marine, ‘tourist, parcel post, leasebont, ARE BOOKS AND. FIRST EDITIONS PUR. CHASED for people who are too busy to form libraries. Address Downing, Box 1336, Boston, Mass. Idea is possible"—combined with efficient service, has built = Burpee Buildings, Philadelphia Hadn't Noticed First Gurcte: Did you notice that good-looking fellow who sat right back of us at the Orpheum? Seconp Gurei Oh, that handsome chap with the red necktie and tan suit, who wore his hair pompadour? No. Why ?—Nebraska Awgwan, Sunpay-scnoo. Teacuer: William, what must we do before we can expect forgiveness of sins? Wittiax: Sin— York World, The Optimist (3a. m.): MAYBE SHE 1S GOING TO BE A PRIMA DONNA SOME DAY