Life, 1916-07-13 · page 15 of 40
Life — July 13, 1916 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The top illustration, titled "If the Umbrella Were a New Idea," is a satirical cartoon depicting a crowd of well-dressed men and women in early 20th-century attire gathered around someone holding an umbrella in the rain. The joke appears to mock how people treat genuinely useful innovations—the crowd seems baffled or overly fascinated by this everyday object, as if witnessing something revolutionary. The page contains three separate humorous prose pieces ("Winter and Summer," "Burdens," and "Packing for Vacation") that offer satirical commentary on domestic life and wartime concerns, including references to war worries and financial hardship. A small illustration accompanies "Packing for Vacation," showing a couple discussing automobile expenses.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Winter and Summer N ornate room, a crowd of women, Overdressed and bejeweled, Playing bridge ; Out of the window a glimpse of pave- ment and traffic. This was her winter in the city. An ornate room, a crowd of women, Overdressed and bejeweled, Playing bridge ; Out of the window a glimpse of green and golfers. This was her summer in the country. Jeanette Phillips. Burdens O you know, I think this war is ter- rible. I can't sleep nights thinking of it. Gets on my nerves so. They say it isn’t safe to travel on the water any more. I had a friend whose cousin was on the—Dear me, I never could remem- ber names. Yes, they saw a streak in the water—of course they couldn't do anything—that's the sad part of it all. One is so helpless. I am so glad you are doing all you can. But then, I knew you would. I stayed home from church only 1F THE UMBRELLA WERE A NEW IDEA last Sunday and knitted. Do you know, I don't see any harm in knitting in church. Do you? I think I will suggest it at the next Guild meeting. John says he's going to camp if there’s any trouble. It’s really dreadful to think of. pictured him sitting in a trench, and you know he’s such a light sleeper the slight- est sound awakens him, Of course one is comparatively safe in a trench; still, I don’t quite like the idea. Not that I think we will have serious trouble, but then we are so sordid, and someone told me we were actually drunk with money. Wish I could see some of it, don't you? Prices are so high. I saw a hat yesterday for thirty dollars, and it wasn’t worth a cent over eighteen, and it’s the same with everything else. John thinks this is not the end. But, of course, one never can tell! We must live only from day to day, That’s my doctrine; and above all things, I try to be such a comfort to my friends! I've “A ND how did you like the symphony concert, Mabel?” “Oh, mamma, it was just like heaven— only worse!” Packing for Vacation ACK?” “Yes “Can't you bring some fat friend home to dinner? heavyweight to sit on my trunk.” I positively must have some “JUST think! So nautical terms on sailing vessels have many of the old all gone out.” “Yes, but think of all the new names of cocktails!" “RUT WE'LL BUY A NEW CAR, MY DEAR!” “QT ISN'T THE CAR, HENRY, 17'S THE GASOLINE, AND IT 15 SO M1GIL comicbooks.com