Life, 1919-01-23 · page 15 of 42
Life — January 23, 1919 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece depicts a returning soldier's first day after WWI (based on the uniform references). The page presents a humorous timeline showing the soldier's activities from 6 A.M. through 7 P.M., highlighting the domestic challenges of reintegration. The illustration at bottom shows soldiers in a trench with the caption about a "Private Henpeck" joke—a pun on soldiers under military command becoming "henpecked" (dominated by wives) once home. The satire suggests that while soldiers faced combat dangers abroad, they now face domestic pressure from their families, particularly wives anxious about their appearance and behavior. The "Mothers' First Aid to Our Homecomers" header indicates the piece mocks overly protective family members and the awkwardness of readjustment to civilian life after military service.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
MOTHERS’ FIRST AlD TO OUR HOMECOMERS His First Day at Home \. M. The returned soldier awakes, dashes into his uniform in thirty seconds flat, and is half way down- stairs hefore he realizes that roll call is a thing of the past. Returns sheepishly to bed "7:30 aM. to 8 a. M. Breakfast, at which Mother real- izes vividly how necessary it was for the folks back home to save food. Explains how he acquired wound stripe on blouse sleeve 8 A. M. to 9:30 4. Mt. Calls 2830 Main, romps with Rover, instructs young brother in small arms manual, greets sev- eral dozen admiring neighbors. Explains how he acquired wound stripe on blouse sleeve. 9:30 A. M. Walks downtown with Dad, finds handshaking fully as tiresome but more pleasant than saluting, Explains how he acquired wound stripe on blouse to 12 sleeve. 0 P.M. to 1:30 P.M, call 2830 Main. “ Mess.” Under pressure, he to Mother how he acquired wound stripe and reassures her that wound doesn’t trouble him in the least. 1:30 Pp. M. to 4:30 vp. M. Dutifully attends reception in honor of returned soldiers at Grand Opera House. Is so busy searching for a certain face and endeavoring not to appear self-conscious that he almost forgets to rise when national anthem is sung. 4:31 P.M. Succeeds in locating face, almost entirely concealed by post. 4:35 P. M.to5 P.M. Tries to get better view of face be- hind post. Fails 5:30 Pp. M. Reaches homé 6p. M.to7 P.M. “Mess.” 7:10 p. M. Informs family he is going out “for evening, Returns home, obeys order to ain explains Calls 2830 Main 5 small brother that the box under his ar contain candy, tells Mother not to wait up i¢ by calling up 2 she can say “Good night” H' has an ali “LT should say so. ing faith in human nature, hasn't } He once bought an article was guaranteed, and when it went back on him he actually asked the maker to mak \ Private Henpeck: THAT's RIGHT; THE FIERCER YOU LOOK THE MORE FRIGHTENED OF ME MY WIFE WILL. BE WHEN SHE SEES YOUR PHOTOGRAPH comicbooks.com