Life, 1917-12-06 · page 27 of 92
Life — December 6, 1917 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a Christmas-themed humor page from *Life* magazine featuring three satirical pieces: 1. **"What Every Youngster Knows"**: A list of mock-serious "life lessons" for boys—sardonic observations about school, romance, and behavior (report cards are dangerous, too many books spoil education, mothers shape men). 2. **"Strange Sound"**: A brief joke about someone unfamiliar with Mexico, playing on period ignorance. 3. **"Christmas Box"**: A sentimental romantic sketch where a young man receives cigarettes, socks, and chocolates from his girlfriend, but is most moved by a delicate ruffle she included—suggesting emotional/romantic significance beneath practical gifts. 4. **"WIFE" joke**: A final gag where a wife reminds her husband he should forget (meaning ignore/not expect to celebrate) their upcoming anniversary—a common domesticity humor trope. The cartoonish illustration shows a woman with an oversized stocking, supporting the comedy about gift-giving expectations. The humor relies on early 20th-century gender roles and romantic conventions now largely dated.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Christmas Life What Every Youngster Knows HERE movie. there’s a dime there's a A little report card is a dangerous thing. A fellow and his dog are not soon parted. There's no such word as over- eat An ounce of confession is worth a pound of excuses. Take care of your home-work, and your marks will take care of them- selves. To every man upon this earth a challenge to fight cometh soon or late. A chip on your shoulder is worth two on the next fellow’s, Too many books spoil an educa- tion, A little sweetheart now and then is relished by the best of men. Mothers make men of us all. CONVOYED Christmas Box HAT did she put in his Christmas box? Strange Sound “THEY say that conditions in Mex- ico are very much improved.” Cigarettes and some woolen socks— Chocolates brown, and cookies, too; A torn old ruffle t immed with lace, Tied with a bit of ribbon oluc. “Mexico! Where have I heard that name before?” What did he say when the box he got? “Jolly old smokes, they help a lot— Eats for inside and socks for out.” The ruffle he pressed to lips and breast, Brokenly murmuring, “ Dearest— best.” Anna C. Lofel. IFE (sweetly): My dear, I “RATHER A CAPACIOUS STOCKING YOU HAVE want to remind you to forget THERE, YOUNG Laby"” that to-morrow is our anniversary. } comicbooks.com