Life, 1919-07-24 · page 24 of 40
Life — July 24, 1919 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains satirical content typical of early 20th-century Life magazine: **"Native Implements" diagram**: A humorous illustration labeling common items (collar button, neck shaver, sleeve garter, fork) as "native implements," mocking Chicago residents as primitive or uncivilized—a common theme of East Coast urban satire toward the Midwest. **"Leopards' Spots" poem**: Appears to satirize religious conversion and identity. It describes "Siamus O'Keeffe," a Christian convert, journeying to Turkey as a missionary, and "Solomon Kuhn," a Jewish man who settles in Utah where he becomes ironically labeled a "gentile" rather than remaining identified with his heritage—suggesting the absurdity of identity shifts. **"The Disturber"**: Brief satirical piece about a pawnbroker threatening to publish memoirs, creating social anxiety among the wealthy elite—poking fun at class anxiety. **"Signing the Contract" illustration**: Shows a domestic service arrangement, likely mocking employment contracts or servant relationships of the era. The overall tone is satirical commentary on American social pretensions, regional differences, and class anxieties.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
160 “LIFE frequently, in their barbarian >xcitement, tearing one an- Leopards’ Spots other to pieces, Their chief amusement consists in driving a gram SiO'KERFE) Waa's) CRIA‘ Or (aii large number of animals into an immense inclosure, where With’ the'hardest of heads anid tie‘sofear ot hearts they are slaughtered. It is supposed that from this popular With: horror:of anyone not a. Believer, pastime the Spaniards and Mexicans have derived their fe clung to his Church to confound the Deceiver notion of the bull-fight, this marking the advance in primi- He journeyed to Turkey and oh, the disgrace! tive race They called him an “ infidel there to his face. Reports have been current to the effect that the Teutons (or Prussian Huns), headed by von Bernstorff, once tried to introduce journalism from Germany into Chicago, and Nanda Ananda was cultured of mind; His spirit was gentle, his manner refined. In the oldest of faiths he was prophet and priest And learned in the lore of the mystical Fast He came to America, making us free, then, To give him one glance and to hail him as Solomon Kuhn (as his title discloses) Was descended from Shem and related He kept all the covenants, made Collar Button Which the Book of Levitiens set Ile settled Utah (as other folks do) And there he’s a “gentile” instead of « Neck Shaver Edmund Vance Cooke, Yaw = DIVORCE suit would not appeal so much to a jury if vy eS it was cleaned before it was pressed. Sleeve Garter NATIVE IMPLEMENTS have actually published newspapers there. While there q be, and doubtless is, some foundation for this uncon- firmed rumor, it has not yet been definitely established that the inhabitants of Chicago can read and write. There is a tradition to the effect that George Ade, at one time a prominent humorist, once settled among them and tried to teach them a language of his own. College professors have also been seen by distant observers browsing on the lake shore. This, however, proves little. Our aviator, Seth Bone, is now calling for volunteers from Brooklyn, Newark and Hoboken. The start for Chi- cago will be made at the earliest possible date. Hawkins, the British hero, has just wired us: Your attempt to reach Chicago puts you on the Pp once more as the leading sporting nation on the lobe. Congratulations. [Note by Editor: This thrilling story showing how little men care for their lives, and which grips you in every line of passionate suspense, will be unfolded further in an early issue of Lire.] The Disturber NDERNEATH the apparently quiet stream of social life there was an undercurrent of nervousness and fear. Certain well-known members of the social elect were going about with faces which plainly showed the tension they were laboring under. The general attitude was one SIGNING THE CONTRACT of frightened anticipation. A certain well-known pawn- “TO COOK FOR SIX MONTHS, ONE THOUSAND DOWN, AND THE broker was about to publish his memoirs. REMAINDER IN EQUAL WEEKLY PAYMENTS IN ADVANCE” comicbooks.¢omy