Life, 1916-10-12 · page 41 of 44
Life — October 12, 1916 — page 41: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a humorous short story (continued from an earlier page) satirizing the difficulties of conducting business in modern urban life. The protagonist Whittler attempts to negotiate a real estate deal with a man named Pentwind, but repeatedly fails because of constant telephone interruptions—a contemporary annoyance in the 1920s-era business world. The joke escalates absurdly: Whittler keeps answering the phone, frustrating Pentwind's attempts at conversation. When they finally escape to a quiet park bench to talk, construction blasting interrupts them instead. The satire mocks both the intrusive nature of modern technology (the telephone) and urban development, suggesting that achieving peace for serious business dealings has become nearly impossible. The page is primarily this story text with period advertisements for cigarettes, candy, and novelty items.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
fer The Deal That Never Came Off (Continued from page 630) At this moment the telephone bell rang. Whittler answered it. “You were say- ing?" he said, putting down the receiver. “T was saying that about that plot of land; of course, you will understand that the houses on it will have to be removed. Now, that.is one of the chief—" The telephone bell rang again. Whit- atler answered it. “Look here,” Pentwind said. “Can't you take me to some quiet place? You see, I am not used to this sort of thing. Tt gets on my nerves. I—" Whittler answered the telephone once more, and taking his guest by the arm, led him out into the hall, where they There is a certain quality possessed by, some men which we call vi- tality. It is being greatly alive—living each minute in full and keen conscious- ness—using the senses constantly and to full capacity. Men of vitality, living as they do more fully than others, exercise their acute faculties in choosing the accessor- ies of their daily lives and the means for their pleasure and comfort. It is among such men as this that Rameses, “The Aristocrat of Cig- arettes,” finds its great- est and most constan demand. : Your vitality will re- pond instantly to its istinctive fragrance. And nobody ever changes from Rameses. With Desserts of All Kinds There can be no more delight- ful dessert accompaniment than Anola Sugar Wafers. These de- licious sweets add a new charm to fruits and ices, beverages and “ANOLA Sugar Wafers are exquisite confections, with creamy chocolate - flavored spreads between two fragile chocolate-flavored wafers. In ten-cent tins, FESTINO—Dessert confections that are really almonds in shape and flavor. “By Jove!” he said, “I don’t know what to say. Wait a moment—an idea!” Once more he rushed his friend down stairs and signaled for another taxi, and they started for the park. Presently they were seated upon a bench, Whittler hav- ing dismissed the cab at the entrance. “This is something like,” said Pent- wind, stretching his legs in front of him on the asphalt walk, “Now, as I was saying—that plot of land—” Boom! Boom! inches; : beautiful, hand colored picture They both turned around simultane- ofan Ostend bathing girl. ously, There was blasting in the near Comes boxed, prepaid, for 25c to intro- dist duce our ngw catalog of pictures for ance. - | The Den.“all winners!” Catalog Pentwind got up again—this time alone 10c.” Stamps accepted. ies clasping his hands, “My God!" he exclaimed, “ Take me proves it. NOVELTY | tures make fine gifts for men. | CELEBRITY ART CO. 33 Columbus Ave. Absolutely Removes ‘Indigestion. One package 25c at all druggists. | “BATHHOUSE 23” “KEEP OUT” OUR LATEST y Bath house in wood veneer with swing- ing door and brass Fastener; size SxS ‘with the open door you seo a Boston, Mass. comicbooks.com