Life, 1915-02-18 · page 14 of 44
Life — February 18, 1915 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains satirical commentary on materialism and social climbing in early 20th-century America. The top illustration depicts a man jumping over "The Ten Commandments" toward a "Golden Rule" sign—suggesting people abandon religious ethics for personal gain. "If They Told the Truth" presents a cynical dialogue between a man and "Miss Smith," exposing transactional attitudes in courtship: he mentions his expensive "operation" (likely cosmetic/medical), she values his wealth, and he sells theater seats at inflated prices. The "Baker" dialogue below mocks successful parents who support their families lavishly through questionable means. The bottom cartoon, "Future Punishment of the Speed Fiend," shows a hellish scene with a "Sewer" sign, punishing reckless drivers—reflecting contemporary anxieties about automobiles and dangerous driving. Overall, the page satirizes greed, hypocrisy, and modern vice.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
If They Told the Truth OW are you, Miss Smith? How cheap and vulgar you are look- ing to-day!” “T always get tired, dear, when I have been kissing you steadily for three-quarters of an hour.” “My price to you for the operation is one thousand dollars. To almost anybody else it would be a couple of hundred.” “Yes, thank you, I never slept Worse or in a worse bed than yours.” “Can you det me have two good seats, please? ,» madam. All the good seats have been sold to speculators. But I can let you have a couple of poor ones at twice what they are worth.” Baker: Is Manning a successful parent? Barker: Inded, yes! Able to sup- port his family in the style to which their friends are accustomed. LA \" y ij Pager MA HIS DAILY EXERCISE ANY a man thinks he is mounting the ladder of fame when he is merely running a treadmill. FUTURE PUNISHMENT OF THE SPEED FIEND