Life, 1920-05-06 · page 21 of 56
Life — May 6, 1920 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Top Cartoon:** "Younger Sister" depicts a domestic scene where a younger sister sneaks candy while an older sister is distracted with a suitor. The joke plays on unsupervised opportunity—typical of early 20th-century humor about sibling mischief. **"Spats" Article:** A satirical essay condemning spats (the ankle coverings worn by well-dressed men). The author argues spats represent vanity, dishonesty, and moral weakness—comparing them unfavorably to ancient Greeks, Romans, and Christians who dressed plainly. The absurd anecdote about Lincoln rejecting a candidate for wearing spats reinforces the critique. This reflects Progressive-era suspicion of ostentation and class pretension. **Bottom Cartoon:** "The New Cook Announces She's an I.W.W." references the Industrial Workers of the World, a radical labor union. The joke suggests domestic help claiming radical affiliation—likely satirizing both servant aspirations and perceived communist infiltration of American homes, a contemporary anxiety of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Younger Sister: 1 GUESS 11's SAFE FOR ME TO HELP MYSELF TO THAT CANDY Now! Spats By Our Staff Inspirational Writer VS are an abomination to the eye. They are a dese- cration to the feet and an abomination to the wearer. © no good. cover the instep and ankle as the Mohammedan ; covers the face, as a rich man’s charity covers ness ethics, They conceal the truth a man came to President Lincoln seekin, lice. It was refused him, “Why, Mr. e said, “that man is highly recommended. He is a “Maybe,” replied a govern President,” f value and a dependable one.” the esident, “but he wears spats.” Ton minutes later the man robbed four banks and mur dere! his brother's wife in cold blood adornment shows weakness of hated the Persians. The French revolution was by unwarranted ostentation, The glory of Solomon itshone by the flowers of the field. man can serve two masters. “This above all, to thi ywn self be true "Hair oil, mustache wax, sce lished finger nails and gold front teeth add noth- They are a boost for the lower Suverficial character Hor.ve » human nature. sls. Vanity and inanity are Siamese twins, w me a man addicted to spats, and I will show you evasive in his methods, indirect in his results, in- effectual, unsatisfactory, unreliable and incapable of great accomplishment or endeavor. Most likely your man and mire will be the same person, Did you ever see an ancient Greek wearing spats? Or a Roman? Or an Egyptian? Or any of the early Chris- tians? Simplicity is the keynote of the real; superfluity the con- fusion that leads to destruction. Painting the lily and coal- carrying to Newcastle have ever been non-paying occupa- tions. Intricately carved stone walls do not a prison make, nor hand-wrought iron bars a cage. The conclusion is more than obvious. THE NEW COOK ANNOUNCES SHE'S AN I. W. W. comicbooks.com