Life, 1920-11-04 · page 43 of 60
Life — November 4, 1920 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This cartoon depicts a street robbery scene. A disheveled man (the "footpad"—period slang for a street mugger) is robbing a well-dressed gentleman while children mill about. The joke targets economic inequality and the "Jazz Age" tensions of the 1920s. The mugger's complaint—that he can't operate because the man keeps claiming poverty despite appearing wealthy—satirizes how even criminals were affected by the era's economic uncertainty and the gap between appearances and reality. The children in the background add to the commentary: even petty theft has become difficult in this world of conflicting claims about who has money. The caption's vernacular ("beggin' fer pennies," "papa's bus") reinforces class distinctions while mocking the notion that anyone—criminal or child—can reliably extract wealth from the apparently affluent.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Writes Home from School OTHER: That's such a satisfactory letter. Really, I did not suspect t Bernice knew so much about com- ; and her spelling is excellent. ee _ homesickness, although there are 1 of unpacking her heavy under- ings. But it is such a comfort to have . explain about them, And what she PEARLS JEWELRY WATCHES CLOCKS SILVERWARE id about her teachers and her studies is comfort too. Really, I believe Bernice developing a sense of responsibility at st. Fatuer: Satisfactory, eh? How about is where she says she does not want to ve or annoy dear father, but she finds |. must have just a little more money? hink the child is developing a sense of mercialism along with her responsi- NOTED FOR QUALITY y: Brotuer Bow: Wait till Christmas days, when she will want to go home th a friend, like the rest of the flappers. fen her letters will be a real comfort. see (Bernice: Gee! Here’s that model rer that has been going around the dor- ory. I had better pass it along be- eit gets lost for good. Maybe I had er copy it down, though; I may need again.) PROMPT ATTENTION GiveN To MAIL INQUIRIES 10 the big money the ballplayers made wasn’t mere press-agent talk. FIFTH AVENUE & 37" STREET New YORK Welsh Rarebit Smooth as velvet-always, | and sotasty! a ) Handy tins - All Quality Stores. FREE BOOKLET ( ‘Whe Daily Menu Maker" ‘The Ideal Winter Resort PRINCESS HOTEL BERMUDA SHOWE & TWOROGER, Managers Directly onthe Harbor. Accommodates 400. 6toMay 1. Reached by Steamers of Furness Bermuda Line, Whitehall St., N. Y. | ESS FOF 9 rst Quality Leather-plus Manufacturing Excellence | : Hays Superseam Glove Exasperated Footpad: Now, BE OFF NOME AND DON'T KEEP TAG S/OIG) | THIS WAY, BEGGIN’ FER PENNIES! CAN'T ¥" SEE PAPA'S BUS comicbooks.com