Life, 1919-02-13 · page 32 of 42
Life — February 13, 1919 — page 32: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three separate humorous anecdotes typical of Life's satirical content: 1. **"Something More Wanted"** (Harper's): An office boy applicant presents glowing recommendations from his church minister and Sunday school teacher, but the skeptical employer dismisses them. He wants character references from someone who knows the boy on *weekdays*—implying that moral behavior differs when religious authority isn't watching. The joke mocks the gap between Sunday piety and weekday conduct. 2. **"League of Nations" joke** (Washington Star): A wife asks her husband to explain contemporary political concepts. The humor plays on the technical incomprehensibility of post-WWI international organizations to ordinary citizens. 3. **"Drawing the Line"** (Washington Star): A burglar tells a prison visitor he steals but won't become an anarchist using violence. The satire suggests that even criminals have ethical limits—a dark commentary on social hierarchies of morality. The page also advertises a Lecomobile automobile as "a beautiful example of the fine motor car," representing period consumer goods marketing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SUT SCISSORS “==+ AuT NULLUS ee Something More Wanted The applicant for the job of office-boy presented his credentials in a manner that bespoke his entire confidence that the position would be his. The sour- looking old gentleman at the head of the establishment read the paper carefully and then surveyed the boy searchingly “Tt is certainly a very nice thing for you to have these recommendations from the minister of your church and your Sunday-school teacher,” said he, “and I must admit that you look honest. All the same, I'd like to have a few words from someone that knows you on week- days."—Harper’s “Ciartey, dear,” said young Mrs, Torkins, “have you a minute to spare?” "Yes." “Well, I wish you would tell me exact- ly what is meant by a ‘league of nations’ and ‘freedom of the seas.’” —Washington Star. “GIVE TILL Ir WURTS Awful to Contemplate After a club meeting two women met in the hall. “1 was just thinking about poor Uriah Umson,” said one. “What about him?” “You know what a lovely home his wife bought with his life insurance money?” "Yes, of course.” “You know the man who married his widow married again as soon as Mrs. nson passed away. “What, again?” #¥e That's three times for him.” “No wonder you say poor Uriah!” “Yes, indeed. Just think how he must feel up there above, looking down on a man he never saw living in his house as his wife's second husband with his third wife."—Youngstown Telegram. Drawing the Line “So you are a burglar!” said the prison visitor, “Yes'm, I like other people's property, but T haven't the heart to be an Anarch- ist an’ get it by rough wor —Washington Star, A BEAL Lire is published every Thursday, simultaneously in the United States, Great Britain, Canada and British Possessions, Title registered in in advance, Additional postage to foreign countries in the Postal Union, $1.03 a year; nada, $2 i le current copies, 10 cents, Back numbers, after three months from date of publication, 25 cents, Issues prior to 1910 out of print. The text and illustrat apply to Lire, Rolls House Patent Office. ns in Lure are copyrighted, For Reprint Rights in Great Britain Breams Buildings, Fetter Lane, London, E. C., England, issue to be affected. Special Coupe Limousine Locomobite rT licited contributions, Lire is for sale by all $5.00 a year sellers in all the. principal_c Lirs’s London Office, Rolls House No contributions will be cat Britain and may be obtained fro: ie foreign trade supplied eams Buildings, London. E d unless accompanied by stamped and addressed elope. Lave does not hold itself responsible for the lors or nowreturn of wnson Notice of change of address should reach this office ten days prior to the date of PUL EXAMPLE OF THE FINE MOTOR CAR Custom deaign by ‘The Lecomobile Company of America, Bridgeport, Coan, eae ck aa as ae ee