Life, 1915-05-13 · page 44 of 52
Life — May 13, 1915 — page 44: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct pieces of content: **"Was He Really Stupid?"** - A humorous dialect joke featuring a character named Laszky (Eastern European immigrant, based on spelling and accent), being questioned in court. A lawyer becomes increasingly frustrated trying to extract simple answers about Laszky's factory work. The joke plays on miscommunication: Laszky answers literally and evasively, seemingly obtuse but actually clever—he makes "$eight dollars a week" (wages), not goods. The humor derives from ethnic stereotype humor common to early 20th-century American magazines, where immigrants' accented English and alleged dim-wittedness were stock comedic material. **Advertisements** dominate the page—Quaker State Motor Oil (emphasizing certified purity), diamonds from Jason Weiler & Son, and Wilson Whiskey. **"An Appreciation"** - A brief, self-aware poem about the pleasure of playing cards with someone of equal skill. The page is primarily advertising-driven, with the immigrant joke serving as filler content typical of Life's satirical humor of this era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Backed By a Vitally Important Official Test Whether you drive a water-cooled or air- cooled car—or motorcycle—your assurance of perfect lubrication and freedom from oil troubles at all times, under all conditions, comes from the regular use of VAKER STATE Medium Ol For behind every gallon of Quaker State Medium is a broad, . comprehensive certification that protects the user from the expensive motor-deterioration that follows the use of inferior lubricants. Quaker State Medium Oil is the only GUARANTEED CERTIFIED oil on the market. Before it is put in packages, each barrel is officially tested by a disinterested chemist, certified to, and the inspection date placed on the barrel. This assures absolutely uniform purity, quality, reliability, and mects the severest tests demanded by the automobile manufacturer. Send for literature on latest test—100 miles non-stop on low gear throughout U.S. Also ask for name of nearest dealer. PHINNY BROTHERS COMPANY, Dept. C, Oil City, Pennsylvania Pacific Coast Branch, 260 Monadnock Building, San Francisco AGENCIES EVERYWHERE An Appreciation [VE frequently pondered the joy it would he lf 1 could play whist with a player like me. What intricate, masterly games there would be! Was He Really Stupid? A young foreigner was being tried in court and the questioning by the lawyers on the opposite side began. “Now, Laszky, what do you do?” “Ven?” asked Laszky. -“When you work, of course,” said the lawyer. “Vy, work: “I know,” said the lawyer, “but what at?” “At a bench.” “Oh!” groaned the lawyer.“ Where do you work at a bench?” “In a factory.” “What kind of a factory?” “ Brick.” “You make bricks?” “No, de factory is made uv bricks. “Now, Laszky, listen. What do you make in that factory?” ight dollars a week.” ‘o, no! What does the factory make?” “T dunno; a lot uv money, I think.” “Now, listen! What kind of goods does the factory produce?” “Oh,” said Laszky, “ good goods.” “T know, but what kind of good goods?” “The best.” “The best of what?” “The best there i “Of what?” “Of dose goods.” “Your honor,” said the lawyer, “ give up."—Current Opinion. Buy Diamonds direct from Jasoa of Boston, M Bea AMOND CATALOG (free) A recognized authority on JASON WEILER & SON iin: Diamond Importers Sloce 1876. _Ageacies tn Antwerp aad erin, ee We Americans live more carefully these days. We have learned that moderation makes for efficiency and health and prosperity. And thus the particular man insists upon a mild, mellow Whiskey, every- time, everywhere—Wilson—Real Wilson—That’s All! The Whiskey for which we invented the Non-Refillable Bottle FREE CLUB RECIPES—Free booklet of famous club recipes for mixed drinks. Address Wilson, 13 East 31st Street, N.Y. That's All! Neb “y said amo’ more deve peop Tl mort foun “n with life divie ‘oppo Th with the cithe to se of f decic and “FE alike the 1 was “Do chan dies, t Te brie mal Fea ere Iedias 17 Batt comicbooks.com