Life, 1918-11-28 · page 12 of 34
Life — November 28, 1918 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three satirical pieces from the post-WWI era: **"Physical Culture in the Home"** (left) mocks the exercise craze of the 1920s, showing exaggerated gymnastics that appear absurd and impractical for domestic spaces. **"When Everything Is Open and Above Board"** (top right) satirizes post-war "new diplomacy" through a conversation between two society ladies. The Second Lady pointedly mentions the First Lady's "dear," implying infidelity while discussing lunch plans—mocking how polite society conducts gossip under a veneer of propriety and honesty. **"Finding a Job for the Crown Prince"** and **"The Exigencies of War"** (bottom) appear to reference post-war unemployment and veterans' difficulties adjusting to civilian life, with darkly comic observations about military experience.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PHYSICAL CULTURE IN THE HOME KEEP YOUR ARTERIES FROM HARDENTD PRACTISING THESE SIMPLE WHILE PERFORMING THE EXERCI USUAL HOUSE- HOLD DUTIES Finding a Job for the Crown Prince E has brains enough to make a first rate messenger boy. But it would never do to send him with a message to Paris. His legs are long cnough to make him a good caddy at golf; but the poor boy has never. been able to follow tp a long drive. Before the war he might have achieved success as a ribbon clerk in a department store; but since so many ribbon clerks turned soldier and cap- tured Huns by the dozen in single- handed raids, it is doubtful if he would he comfortable in such a berth. The insurance business is not for He doesn’t know what a risk is, ‘aught to drill and shoot, he might be developed into a first-class private soldier in the army of some democ- racy—that is, in times of peace. He says he'd like to retire in some quiet little retreat. Evidently he’s tired of retiring in big, noisy ones. The Exigencies of War “THEN,” said the old soldier, “ they took me up and laid me carefully in the ammunition wagon, and—" “You mean the ambulance wagon.” interrupted a doubtful’ hearer. “No,” he insisted; “IT was so full of bullets that they said the ammunition wagon was the proper place for me.” When Everything Is Open and Above Board. The new diplomacy having been established, frankness having become the order of the day and paternalism thorough entrenched, the govern- ment has issued instructions that all conversations shall contain nothing but accurate statements. Two ladies meet. First LADY: My dear, how tired you are looking! There are several new lines on your face. Let me call your attention to the fact that you re- Seconp Lapy: Indeed. ferred to me as “dear.” Now, you know that you secretly don’t like me well enough for that. First Lavy: True. I stand correct- ed. But I like you well enough to you—let me see—I should say, about four hours a week. Secon Lapy: I should say that was a fairly accurate estimate of the way I feel towards you. Shall we take luncheon together to-day? First Lavy: At the moment I can think of no one else who will suit my purposes better. Srconp Lavy: Very well. But re- member, I pay. I don't particularly want to, but it’s my turn’. What time shall we meet? First Lapy: At one o'clock, “At one o'clock. Then I will actu- ally be there at one-thirty. “Agreed. I'll do the same. associate with Tommy (to his fallen idol WHEN YOU GET OVER THERE YOU'LL START. KISSIN’ THE GERMANS, TOO. comicbooks.com