Life, 1920-04-22 · page 8 of 44
Life — April 22, 1920 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The page contains three distinct satirical pieces: 1. **"That Friend"** (top right): A dialogue between Briggs and Griggs satirizing insensitive people who monopolize conversation. Briggs complains that Griggs never listens—always pursuing his own thoughts while appearing attentive. The satire targets social rudeness and self-absorption in polite society. 2. **"On the Crest"** (left): An illustration showing a ship on a wave, likely depicting dramatic maritime adventure or nautical hubris, though the specific reference is unclear without additional context. 3. **"Inscription for a Plutocrat's Bookplate"** (center): A poem mocking wealthy collectors whose book collections remain unread ("pages still uncut"), satirizing aristocratic pretense and hollow cultural status symbols. 4. **Bottom section**: A brief joke about church attendance and servant shortages.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
That Friend RIGGS: You mustn't take offe: if I speak to you about somethi: I have had on my mind for some time just a little habit of yours. Griccs: Certainly not. Briccs: Nobody has ever had th: nerve to tell you before. And you arc such a splendid, noble fellow. Griccs: Yes, yes. Briccs: You're one of those fe lows who never really know what is being said to them; you're always pursuing some train of thought. Any one can tell half the time you are 1 listening by the far-away look in eyes. You've offended a lot of pe. OF course, it's terribly rude—only yo don’t know it. You mustn't any old chap (putting his hands on Grigg shoulder). Promise me you'll quit Guiccs (obliged to face him): Just what were you saying? Over-Modest “DEST Political News Printed i Any New England Newspaper” i the front-page, top-corner slogan of the Springfield Republican. But, as Whistler might have said why drag in New England? M& U. P. START: I've had a rose named after me. Mrs. S. N. Usper: A climber? ON THE CREST Inscription for a Plutocrat’s Bookplate 'ORLORN I stand, and unattended ; In gilded cloak I wrap myself. My fatuous dreams of a life are ended, I gather the dust on a rich man’s shelf, Cold and haughty, in covers painted, I fetched a price that would buy a crown Now, my pages with dampness tainted, Steadily turn to a yellow-brown. In lowly grandeur, I hold position— Ah, better a coign in a lowly hut! For I am a classic—de luxe edition— With all of my pages still uncut! Archie Austin Coates. S, sir! There are just as many good people outside of the church as in it!” “Well, there ought to he—there are so many more of ‘em BECAUSE OF THE SHORTAGE OF SERVANTS THE DASHLEIGHS ARE COMPELLED TO INSTALL AUTOMATIC SERVICE FOR THEIK GUESTS comicbooks.com