Life, 1919-07-31 · page 36 of 40
Life — July 31, 1919 — page 36: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains multiple brief satirical pieces typical of Life's humor format: **"Not His Boss"** mocks jury duty and workplace hierarchies. A judge attempts to discharge a juror, but the juror refuses, claiming he was "hired" by the defense counsel—inverting authority by suggesting the lawyer, not the court, controls him. The joke satirizes how ordinary citizens navigate institutional power. **"Just Shopping"** humorously comments on wives' consumer behavior and correspondence habits—she writes hotels for prices on trips she has no intention of taking, treating shopping by mail as entertainment rather than practical necessity. Other brief jokes touch on parental sacrifice, criminal psychology, and farm life. The page is primarily **advertisements** (Basline Autowline, White Rock water, Piso's cough medicine) interspersed with humor. The central illustration depicts a well-dressed man surrounded by working-class children, captioned about the workingman needing sympathy—likely commentary on class divisions and labor issues. The content reflects early 20th-century American middle-class preoccupations with consumerism, gender roles, and social inequality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Not His Boss The judge was evidently getting a bit fed up with the jury, and at last he an pounced : “TL discharge this jury! A tall, lean member of the twelve then rose. “Say, judge, you can't discharge me! “Can't discharge you? Why not?” thundered the other. “Waal,” replied the juryman, pointing to counsel for the def by that guy over there! I was hired Jack Canuck, Just Shopping “Your wife seems to be carrying on a voluminous. correspondence.” * Quite so.” “What about?” “Oh, she’s getting prices from hotels she has no idea of going to. Shopping by mail."—Louisville Courier-Journal. In a Pinch, use ALLEN'’S FOOT-EASE “A MAN has to make many sacrifices for the sake of his children.” “So you've got to go to the Sunday- school picnic, too, have you? —Detroit Free Press Ir’s getting so in this country that when a criminal is captured, people charge it to overconfidence on the part of the criminal, rather than to efficiency of the police—Kansas City Star Cuticura Stops A AN dragaista: Soap %, Ointment 25.2% Sample cach treo of “Cuticara, Dept. 1 Suttingly 1” replied the farmer. * @ many blamed tramps cross over 0 #4 if the clothes on it are worth stealit’ keeps the birds away.” —Boston Trans¢ Less work is the poorest philos#t in the world; yet it is the base of ® present reform movement “The World's Best Table Water’| *x. Don't worry if caught without chains muddy ro Just wind your Bastuy ‘round a rear tire. Then you won't s famous Yellow Strand Wire Rope, i Steel Rope with the Big Pull”, Hooks attach instantly, securely. At dealers, $5.80 east of Powerstret. Avtowtock, also of Yd Rope, safeguards car and ainst thievery. a i lock. At dealers, Rockies. Powexstert TRUCKLINE is a n sity—for heavy towing. Retails, eg $11.30, with plain fle Hooks. Brovertck & Bascom Rore Cog SAINT LOUIS UTOWLINE “LADIES, IT IS THE WORKINGMAN NEEDS OUK HELP AND SYMPATHY — THE please advise us of any int your address. The post office letters to changed addresses, not papers us prompt notice or your copies will be Notice must reach us ten days in ads by the Monday of the week prec date of changing the address, LIFE 17 West 31st Street, New Ys Subscription Department wito FOR INDIGESTIO MAN WHO EARNS HIS BKEAD BY THE—EK THE—ER—PERSPIKATION OF HIS BROW " How a Scarecrow Works “T see you have a scarecrow in ¥ said the vacation “ Do you find it etl W. Howe's Menthls HARITY begins at home. Soe @ regular, annual subscription ® comicbooks.conl