Life, 1915-12-09 · page 15 of 48
Life — December 9, 1915 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Main Cartoon:** Shows a man confronting a woman about her thoughts, claiming he can read her mind without her speaking. The satire targets male presumption—the joke is that men assume they understand women's unstated feelings, when they likely don't. **"Some Popular Testimonials":** These are mock character references praising individuals (John Doe, Mr. Jaber Hardnaille). The satire mocks formal recommendation letters and testimonials as often insincere or exaggerated praise. Each describes someone as virtuous but hints at darker undertones (duty-shirking, borrowing money, hatred of liquor suggesting excess drinking). **Boxing Illustration:** Labeled "NO HITTING BELOW THE BELT, YOUNG MAN"—appears to be humorous sporting advice about boxing rules and propriety. The page satirizes social hypocrisy, male presumption, and false character witnesses.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
WS \ \ “BUT, MY DEAR JANE, I HAVEN'T SAID A WoRD.” “ NEVERTHELESS I KNOW WHAT YOU WERE THINKING, AND THERE'S NO USE SAYING YOU T, FOR I WOULDN'T BELIEVE YOU IF YOU DIDN'T. Some Popular Testimonials | HAVE been tutoring your children now for about eight months and for utter irresponsibility, immoral evasion of duty and flagrant disregard for everything except their own wishes, I have never seen their equal I can cordially recommend them to anyone wishing to ac- quire a maximum amount of patience, control and hu- mility.” “This will introduce my dear friend, John Doc, who wishes to borrow some moncy, he having stripped me bare. To anyone who is in need of lending money to some one, I know of no better man to apply to than Mr. Doc.” “The bearer of this, Mr. Jabez Hardnaille, firmly be- lieves that every one else ought to conform to his own ideas. He hates liquor in any form, despises tobacco, attends church at least twice every Sunday and can make more really good people about him more miserable in a given time than any one I ever met. If you wish, there- fore, to get some variety into your week-ends, I can heartily recommend his presence.” Complete 'HE summer residence generously provided for Presi- dent Wilson by citizens of New Jersey has the quality of completeness. It is all that a residence for a human being ought not to be. Capital: NO HITTING BELOW THE BELT, YOUNG MAN comicbooks.com