Life, 1917-02-01 · page 34 of 40
Life — February 1, 1917 — page 34: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine contains several short humorous anecdotes under "Our Foolish Contemporaries," alongside period advertisements. The jokes mock everyday absurdities: a Swedish immigrant's malapropism (seeking a "marriage license" after long hunting), Santa's inefficiency visiting empty houses, and voter confusion in a Black precinct where a man supports "Smith" but is really voting for "Sale" (likely a candidate's name or a pun on political corruption). The "Happy Mr. Brown" item uses a pun: his good spirits literally mean alcohol—specifically liquor—explaining his cheerfulness. It's a play on the double meaning of "spirits." The remaining content is primarily **advertisements** for products like Seatag Oysters, Le Page's Glue, Cortez Cigars, Bacardi rum, and Atwood Grapefruit. The cartoon illustration shows children discovering an oyster, likely promoting oyster consumption. The page reflects early 20th-century American humor: ethnic stereotyping, domestic life observations, and straightforward product marketing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
194 OU R_ FOOLISH CONTEMPORARIES Good Hunting A young Swede appeared at the county judge's office and asked for a license. “What kind of a license?” asked the judge. “A hunting license?” “No,” was the answer. “Aye tank Aye bane hunting long enough. Aye want marriage license.” —Everybody's Magaszi'te. Sliced Oranges with a dash of Abbott's Bitters are appetizing and healthfal. Sample of bitters by mail, 2 cts. In stamps, ©. W. Abbott & Co., Baltimore, Md. Wasting Time “Ma, does Santa Claus go down all the chimneys?” “ Of course.” “Tt must make him rather peevish to find a house unoccupied.” —Lonisville Courier-Journal. grown off Cape Charles, Va., miles from the mainland, At better Clubs, Hotels and Mar- kets, Their original deep- sea freshness, purity and fla- vor certified by a blue tag on every shell. Armstrong Seatag Corp., Oyster, Va. GLUE Io: HAS HUNDREDS OF USES FOR g MEN gg OF GRAINS IGARS “MADE AT KEY WEST = SEXOLOGY by William H. Walling, A.M., M.D. clear, wholesome one volume: ‘Weite tor “Other Peoote's Opi PURITAN PUB. CO., 797 Atwood Grapefruit Happy Mr. Brown “Mr. Brown's in good spirits,” they said, and we knew There was cause for his not feeling down; "Twould have been rather queer if he hadn't felt glad When the best of good spirits were in Mr. Brown. —Canadian Courier. His Allegiance Two huge colored men lived in a pre- cinct at Evansville during a campaign in which a certain politician ran for mayor. “Who is you fo’, anyhow?” asked one of them one morning when he met the other. “How's you goin’ to vote in de ‘lection? ” “Why, I'se fo’ Smith; that’s who I'se fo'—and you already knowed it. Why Vou ax therd . “Yes, you's fo’ Smith. I know who you's fo’, all right. You's fo’ Sale; dat's who you's fo'."—Argonaut. Country L. I've been expecting a packet of medicine by post for a week, and haven't received it yet. Post Orrice. Cueax: Yes, madam. Kindly fill in this form, and state the nature of your complaint. Lavy: Well, if you must know, it's indigestion. —Tit-Bits. Always in this wraoper Recommended by Physicians for Rheumatism. As to Flavor, in a Class by Itself. Price about the same as the common variety. “How happy I would be with either” and happier still with both. CoH. EVANS & SONS, Hudson, N. Y. BACARDI trvit: MAKES THE PERFECT COCKTAIL, HIGHBALL OR RICKEY. Folder containing recipes of famous Bacardi drinks D.8, DEJONGH, ‘mailed on request 127 Water Street, New York WHEN LITTLE WILLIE STONEHATCHET ATE THE FIRST OYSTER comicbooks.com