Life, 1920-12-02 · page 8 of 97
Life — December 2, 1920 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page consists primarily of an **American Express Travelers Cheques advertisement** (left side) with an unrelated short story titled "A Mild Satire" (right side). The story depicts a humorous Christmas Eve scene where **Perkins, a butler in Santa Claus costume**, interacts with **William, a thirteen-year-old boy**. The satire centers on William's bratty materialism—he requests cigarettes, matches, and a Rolls-Royce chassis rather than appreciating gifts. Perkins repeatedly offers him modest alternatives, which William dismisses as inadequate. The joke mocks **spoiled children and consumer excess**, with the boy's absurd demands escalating throughout. The final illustration shows what appears to be the confrontation between the costumed butler and the ungrateful child. The satire is mild social commentary on Christmas greed among the privileged classes.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ie ‘0; B:.0.0; =O: << D:20. OK Ea so 10.0: DO: =< bs.0.0; Tx B220:02 2:0: cH >::0: CHRISTMAS LIFE >. EK When the South Calls Be it Florida, The West Indies, The Mediter- ranean or California you will require some form of protection for your travel funds. Thirty years ago the American Express Com- pany originated Travelers Cheques. Today thousands of Banks and Express Offices sell American Express Travelers Cheques each year to hundreds of thou- sands of travelers. The value of a Travelers Cheque lies in its safety and in its “spendability.”. American Express Travelers Cheques not only insure your travel funds against loss or theft but thirty years of international use has made them acceptable in all countries. With Travelers Cheques you can pay your hotel bill, purchase railway, steamship or Pullman tickets, pay your check in the dining car or for your seat in a sight-seeing automobile. Merchants the world over accept these Travelers Cheques in pay- ment of merchandise and souvenirs. You require no introduction other than your signature when you present— AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVELERS CHEQUES Your personal check will not carry you very far from your home town for the simple reason that you are away from those who know you. American Express Travelers Cheques are known and establish your credit the world over. American Express Tours and Cruises:— A Cruise Around South America, Four Cruises to the West Indies. Tours to the Orient, the Mediterranean, Europe, California and Florida. Independent tours arranged to fit any pocketbook. For details and booklets address the Manager of the Travel Department of the— AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY 65 Broadway, New York Offices or Correspondents Everywhere TINTERNATIONAL BANKING, SHIPPING TRAVEL ANO FOREIGN TRADE ky ISK j= 02 =O: =O; <>. Ce ee ee eK ee = B20. A Mild Satire HEN Perkins, the butler, in Santa Claus costume, switched on the library lights, William de Puyster Montmorency opened his eyes. William, aged thirteen, had fallen asleep in a big chair, and had remained there unnoticed when his father put out the lights and retired. “Good evening,” languidly greeted the lad. “Why—er—ow are you, sir,” stammered Perkins, William recognized the voice, not to mention the accent, but, being a man of the world, he played the game. “Put down your pack and have a seat, won't you?” “Thank you, sir. Hi do find it a bit ‘eavy.” Thinking he had not been recognized, though he must have known that William had long since ceased to believe in Santa Claus, Per- 3 kins proceeded: “Now, sir, what'll you ’ave hout o’ me pack?” “A cigarette—if I can trust you,” replied the blasé richling. Perkins produced one, also a match, and, winking, “ Never a word to your father, sir. ‘ “Ow habout this werry ’andsome signet ring, sir?” ve it to some poor devil who never had one,” responded William, inhaling deeply. Perkins opened a monogrammed leather case. “This wrist watch,” he announced in reverent tones, “is hexactly like the one worn by ‘Is Ro of Wales.” William spread a bored smile. al "Ighness, the Prince] “TI fancy it costs less and keeps no hetter time than the half- dozen I already own.” “"Ere’s a card, sir, calling for a Rolls-Royce chassis, to be equipped with a sport model, custom-built body of your own designing.” “JT cut out the speed stuff,” yawned Wil wrenched my knee in that last wreck.” Perkins closed his pack. “Is there anything you would like, sir?” “T want to want something,” was the path * And that is imposs As Santa Perkins : William spoke: “You might warn other parents like mine, something for their kids to wish for. But, of cow cally added, flicking cigarette ash upon the price rug, “they would pay no attention to the warni Terrell Le “TH KE is something quaint about t Yes; but possibly net qu breakfast we had comicbooks.co ry