Life, 1920-09-02 · page 48 of 52
Life — September 2, 1920 — page 48: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct elements: **Main Advertisement (Left):** A Waterman fountain pen ad argues that equipping children with quality pens teaches "habits of neatness, exactness and fluent expression"—character traits necessary for success. The illustration shows a man with a pen, connecting writing instruments to professional achievement. This reflects early 20th-century beliefs that proper tools and penmanship shaped personal development. **"Famous Last Words" Humor Column (Right):** A satirical list of foolish statements people make before accidents—"I wonder if it's loaded," "I'll light it again" (about a firecracker), "I think I'll mix a little nitric acid"—attributed to various speakers. The column mocks human recklessness and overconfidence. The "Fool-Killer" reference suggests a folkloric character who punishes stupidity. This reflects Life magazine's tradition of humorous social commentary on human folly. The page also includes unrelated advertisements and short humorous pieces typical of Life's mixed-content format.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
bl ‘Laabits Children are sent to school and college that they may be better trained in mind and body to meet successfully, the competition and responsibilities of their own productive age. Equip your children with Wi Fo 's en It teaches unconsciously, habits of neatness, exactness and fluent ex- pression, all of which contribute greatly to a successful career. Business men and women, the world over, have found its greater con- venience and absolute reliability an indispensable part of their every day equipment. Three types: Regular, Safety and Self Filling $2.50 and up at Best Dealers L. E. Waterman Company 191 Broadway, New York Chicago Boston San Francisco Famous Last Words (Typical Speeches Delivered Just Befor, the Fool-Killer Wiclded His Axe) “I WONDER if it’s loaded. IN toot down the barrel and see.” “Oh, listen! That's the train whistle Step on the accelerator, and we'll try t get across before it comes.” “They say these things can't possibly explode, no matter how much you throu them around.” “T wonder whether this rope will hold my weight.” “It's no fun swimming around in here I'm going out beyond the life lines.” “Which one of these is the third rail anyway?” There's only one way to manage af mule, Walk right up in back of him and surprise him.” “That firecracker must have gone out T'll light it again.” Watch me skate out past the ‘ Danger’ sign. I bet 1 can touch it.” “ These traffic policemen think they own the city. They can’t stop me. I'm going to cross the street now. Let the chauf- feurs look out for me.” “What a funny noise that snake makes. I think I'll step on him.” “T've never driven a car in traffic be fore. But they say it’s perfectly simple.” “T think I'll mix a little nitric acid with this chloride of potassium and see what happens.” Dorothy Parker. Something to Brag About HE doctor's small son was entertain- ing a friend in his father’s office, and they were looking with awed admiration at the articulated skeleton in the closet “Where did he get it?” asked the small guest in a whisper. “Oh, he’s had it a long time. I guess maybe that’s his first patient!” to wonder how it is getting on—how far along it is. You wink at a scene or a text, and are horrified to discover, even in a flash, that you haven't really missed any- thing. Once more you shut your eyes. This time you resolve to be firm. Then you begin to delude yourself with the fancy that perhaps, after all, the thing isn't so bad as you think it Overcome by this fatal curiosity, you take another peep. You discover that the thing is not only still going on, but is even worse, than you expected. This time you will be firm, and thereafter you struggle desperately, now yielding, now overcome by remorse, until the horrible ordeal is over.” He paused, amid an intense silence. “My friends,” he murmured, “by con- stant practice I can go to any movie-pic- ture show and positively not see any film that I don’t want to see. I—” But he got no further. Triumphantly garlanded by the proud principal, he was carried out amid a deafening tumult. MEYER 'H COLLEGE (a Dept. of the Meyer Both Company) offers you a different and prac- tical training. If you hke to draw, develop your talent. Study this practical course— taught by the domi ganization of the commercial art Geld with 19 y« success Behind them—who produced and eold last year over 12,600 commercial drawings. Who else could you #o wide an experience—so broad a contact with the very field tn which you desire success? | Commercial art is practical art for practical po poses—the demand for commercial artit grea er every year—today’s shortage acute, It’s high ly pald, intensely interesting professions: equally open to both men and women—home study instruction. Get facts before you enroll in any school. Get our special book, “YOUR OPPO TUNITY" —for half the cost of mailing 4 centsls stamps. ADDRESS DEPT 1 MEYER BOTH COLLEGE OF ‘N.E.Cor, Michigan Avenue at 3, COMMERCIAL ART. 20th Street, Ct comicbooks.com