Life, 1916-08-10 · page 8 of 38
Life — August 10, 1916 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a satirical short story titled "If They Told the Truth" rather than political cartoons. The narrative presents a hotel proprietor boasting about his establishment's luxuries while inadvertently revealing his dishonesty and character flaws through increasingly absurd admissions—he's the "biggest liar in the State," admits to overcharging guests, and confesses to other moral failings. The accompanying illustration shows a man pursuing a woman, captioned "The Girl He Left Behind Him"—a visual reference to the popular wartime song, reinforcing themes of deception and abandonment. The satire targets hotel owners and businessmen who misrepresent their establishments to guests, exposing the gap between commercial advertising claims and actual behavior during this era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
224 Life’s Fresh Air Fund Inclusive of 1915, Lire’s Farsn Ate Fuxo has been in operation twenty-nine years, In that time it has expended $157,498.60 and has given a fortnight in the country to oor city children. und is supported entirely by bequests and voluntary contributions, which are ac- knowledged in this column, Previously acknowledge! W. Hart. Hienry W. Banks, Ray, Ogden & Tod Mrs. W. Maxwell James [. Thomson. Lew $5,905.45 5.00 10.00 25.00 10.00 3.00 Smith "222 ae + eo Mrs. John Magee... $0.00 Mrs. £. C. William 6.44 Miss Frances Williams. 64s “In memory of H. Le : 25.00 Fairfax, Betty, Dixie, Edward. and Dunton, Barbour's Heights, R. 1.. cI Sherrill Wel see Law s.00 10.00 50.00 $0.00 am Y. Pitt . 3.00 Margaret's Hati io 1.00 in_memory of M. jo 1.202... 0.08 C. E, Eveleth ee 200 1, CG. Whiting. ies $00 RH. S. ee eeee . 10.00 Master Taddie Nichols. $.00 “In memory of Marion $0.00 Lewis, Carol and Edna L 15.00 R. Radcliffe Whitehead O44 Hol Price 10.00 10.00 15.00 25.00 5.00 4s 5.00 Sas 12.88 O44 100 3.00 10.00 \." .S. Montgomery. -+-+ +0: Dick and John Speer... In memory of Junior S W. M. Wallace. . " In memory of Jack Curtis Grace Max Williams. ... “Lucy, Graeme and John $6,429.52 ACKNOWL D WITH THANKS Package of clothing and shoes from Mrs C. S. Webb, Greenport, L. 1, N. Y. Packages of clothing from Mrs. H. M. Williams, Orange, N. J., Mrs. CP. Cook, Merion, Pa., and Mrs. A. V. Phillips, Milford, N. H. Box of books and toys from Miss H. Louderdale, Geneseo, N. Y. “THE GIRL HE LEFT BEHIND HIM” AT LIFE'S FARM SOME OF OUR GUESTS If They Told the Truth sir, my hotel is situated on Y a bluff that commands the finest view of the ocean for hundreds of miles; we have our own farm, fresh milk and cream from our cows every hour. Staff of society people now in reduced circumstances employed to do nothing but think up new luxuries. 1 might mention also that they pay me a comfortable salary to run the place, because I am the biggest liar in the State.” “Yes, madam, I really wish to marry your daughter because I am at pres- ent so infatuated with her that I am ready to overlook the fact that you are one of the homeliest and com- monest women I ever met.” “The editor has not a qualm of regret over returning the enclosed manuscript, which never in any cir- cumstances could be fitted cither to his present or future uses, and hopes that the author will never send in another.” “My friends, what can I say to you in return for this stupid dinner that you have given in my honor? As I look about me at your unintelligent faces, I can only say that I have eaten and smoked twice as much as I ought, have been nearly bored to death at the speeches, and I am now longing to go home and make an effort to recover.” “How poorly your daughters dance! But, then, they have so little prac- tice!" “Can I borrow a book from you, old man, which I never intend to re- turn?” “How hidcous you look this eve- ning!” “Now, my dear, don’t run over any oftener than you can help, will you? I never enjoy being entertained by a neighbor on my piazza.” ELTE baby throws every book he can lay his hands on straight into the fire, Sxetter: Man alive! a wizard of finance Our two-year-old boy You've bred