Life, 1920-07-29 · page 24 of 36
Life — July 29, 1920 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains educational and humorous content rather than political satire. **"Punctuation Marks"** is a personified essay by William F. Yust describing punctuation as a family of characters. The Period is "smallest and greatest," the Comma a "great short stop," the Semicolon a "Period sitting on top of a Comma," and the Dash is criticized as having "a bad habit of associating with careless writers." The Exclamation Point is "excitable and noisy" and should be "kept in close confinement." This whimsical presentation teaches grammar through character sketches. **"Love at the Crossroads,"** a poem by Arthur Wallace Peach, depicts a young woman at a metaphorical crossroads asking an old man which life path to take. He offers romantic, philosophical counsel about trusting Love to guide her. The cartoon *"That Old Suit"* shows two men, one asking the other to wait while he checks if his hat is straight—a simple visual gag about vanity or nervousness. The page represents early 20th-century *Life* magazine's blend of light verse, practical advice, and gentle humor.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
-LIFE: does other small jobs. Commas like to go in pairs or series Once started, they have a tendency to string along like a row of fence posts, until a Period steps in and stops the rambling Semicolon is a Period sitting on top of a Comma, It may be the result of a family quarrel, or perhaps it was first made by a writer who wasn’t sure which to use, and so used bot! Efforts are sometimes made to hitch two of us up side by side, but nothing is gained thereby. Colon is a favorite go-between. It is fond of serving as chairman of the introduction committee, Dash we mention apologetically. It has less excuse for being than any other member of the family. It has a bad habit of associating with careless writers and those who don’t know what else to use. It is frequently seen in company with after thoughts and stutters. When tempted to use a Dash, try a Period, and then begin a new sentence. Exclamation Point is the dramatic and spectacular member of the family. It is excitable and noi and gets on people's nerves. It really should be kept in close confinement most of the time and be allowed at liberty only at ball games and on special occasions like the Fourth of July. Question Mark is large and graceful but modest. It asks for information, but it needs no explanation or defense. It does not dictate or dogmatize. By calling for more light it clears up misunderstandings and promotes harmony, Sir, we are at your service. Our motto is, “ More Light,” which comes when we are properly used. But we do not guarantee against density of expression. We refuse to serve as a substitute for thirking. Please be free to call on us. William F, Yust THAT OLD sUIT “WAIT A SECOND, JACK, TILL 1 SEE IF MY HAT IS ON STRAIGHT” Love at the Crossroads a HIS road and that road —neither one | know! Which way is the true way that my feet should go?” Answered he, the old man, dreaming by the way, “Blind the road of life is; bide a while and pray!” “This way or that way —down each road I see Silent hills before me, vales of mystery!” Murmured he, the graybeard, in a musing tone, “Ofer the hills and far away, go not, lass, alone.” “This way or that way — one may lead to tears; One to joy and laughter all the happy years!” Answered he, the old man, smiling tenderly, “Wait until adown the road Love shall beckon thee!” Arthur Wallace Peach. Punctuation Marks ood —!? IR: We are seven. Period is our smallest and our greatest. It does the most work and the best. It can stop anything from a word to an express train of thought. It is the noted abbreviator. Many writers should use more Periods. That would make their sentences shorter and more intelligible. Some of the best Dincctere vouenuw so wernesnaok un ane quael modern writers use it almost exclusively. — Voung Actor. sur1caveswixl . Comma is the great short stop. Most of the time it serves Director: OW, THAT'S ALL RIGHT, YOU'D SPOIL THE FILM as a substitute for “and,” “ or, put” and the like. It also you pip. comicbooks.