Life, 1915-04-01 · page 56 of 72
Life — April 1, 1915 — page 56: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **short humorous story** (not a political cartoon), likely satirizing early 20th-century parental hypocrisy and work-life values. **The Setup:** Harold gazes at a portrait of his grandfather, prompting his father to interrupt and demand his attention. The father receives a stock-market call that upsets him—the market closed lower than expected. **The Joke:** Harold explains he was "being sorry for grandfather" because his mother made him wait indoors while she dressed, to prevent him from dawdling. The father demands Harold not "waste" time on such sentiments when time is "valuable." **The Satire:** The irony is that Harold's father—who just spent time on a phone call about finances—scolds Harold for idle reflection. The piece mocks adults' obsession with productivity and commercial concerns (stock markets) while dismissing children's innocent emotional lives. Harold's simple empathy contrasts with the father's materialism. The accompanying **contest advertisement** for candy-package naming reinforces the commercial focus of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Harold Discovers a Great Truth O*F afternoon, as Harold’s father came bustling into his study he was greatly surprised to see Harold sitting gazing raptly at the picture in an ancient frame of a nice old gentle- man that was hanging on the wall. “Why, Harold,” — exclaimed his. father, “what are you doing on such a fine day, when you ought to be out playing?” Harold raised his hand gently, “ Ex- cuse me, father,” he said, “but T be- lieve that I can explain to you fully LIFE just what Tam doing, if you will have the patience to listen, as I am sure you will, I—" At this moment the telephone bell unfortunately rang and Harold's father was obliged to answer it. There was some trouble on the line, and the mes- sage he received—to the effect that the stock market had closed somewhat lower than he had anticipated when he left his office—did not tend to em- phasize his equanimity. “Well, well, Harold,” he said, when he had finished. “Come now. Re- member that my time is valuable and Wanted!—A NAME For a New Candy Package The following Cash Prizes are offered — $100 for the best name submitted $25 each for the five next best $10 each for the five next best A name is wanted that will suggest in its meaning sweetness, delicacy, sentiment and_ purity. The name need not be classical, but must not lack refinement. A short, euphoni- ous word, one that lends itself readily to good and appro- priate illustration will be apt to secure the first prize. Some of the best trade names have been coined but they do not to our mind appeal as strongly as a word which is in common use although never yet applied to candy. Some of the names now used by us are— SUGAR MOONS THRILLER KISSES GUN CLUB PEBBLES SURPRISE WAFERS BACK HOME CRYSTAL ROCK PEARLS Contest Closes May 15th, 1915 CONDITIONS. (1) Fach contestant to he limited to three names. (2) Xames 0 be written clearly at the top of a shect of paper, with nothing cise on address at the b by May rsth. om of the page. (3) All answers must (4) This o fi sce sample of the ¢ package for toc to cover postage and pack: fend tn suggested names without sending for samples if desired. Send all replies to the Package Confectionery Company P. O. Box 2252, Boston, Mass. make your explanation right to the point, Why are you sitting here look- ing at that picture?” Harold was a little embarrassed, as people are to be when they a afraid they cannot find words to ex press themselves, especially when they are hurried. And so he blurted out “I was only being sorry for grand- father.” “Sorry for your grandfather! What on earth do you mean? Staying doors being sorry for your grand- father! Nonsense!” “Yes, father! Honest—it is true! You see, mother is going for a ride in the auto and she told me [ must go with her, and she was afraid | wouldn't he ready when she was and would keep her waiting, so she made me come in here and sit down while she is dress- HOVE IN A COTTAGE comicbooks: