Life, 1920-12-16 · page 11 of 45
Life — December 16, 1920 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct pieces. The main illustration, "Santa Claus 'Way Down East,'" is a satirical cartoon depicting a figure driving a sleigh labeled "U.S. Mail Delivery" pulled by a donkey. The image mocks the delivery of mail—particularly suggesting corrupt or problematic postal service in rural America. Below is a humorous letter from someone (signed Hashimura Togo) complaining to Hon. McCloskey about financial troubles while working for Mrs. J.W. Seavey. The writer sarcastically anticipates being arrested for debt and requests Hon. Incum explain his obligations. The second story, "When the Main Broke," begins a narrative about young Betty visiting Niagara Falls. The satire targets government inefficiency and financial hardship during this period.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
McCloskey, high American finance, see me there & hand me broadside paper covered with figures, alphabets, arithmatik and decomposed words standing around in columns, squares and compartments, looking quite unable to escape. “Fill that up with your Incum,” he say distinctually, “and thrust it back to me.” For 2% hrs. I stroggle doggishly with that enlarged paper. Then I go back to cash-window where Hon. McCloskey was there. “What language is this umportant documonument wrote in?” I ask to know.” , “U. Treasury,” he divludge. “How much do I owe to it?” are next question for me. “That are Govt. sceret.” he surrender while squeezing his eyeglasses at Hon. Sheet. “How on earthly you got 14$ 22¢ deductions from that quantity of words?" SANTA CLAUS “'WAY DOWN EAST” “O Mr. Bank,” I anticipate, “that de- duction were caused from financial in- jury while working for Mrs. J. W. Sweetser one afternoon while carrying glassware to tea-drunk ceremony when I got on St. car before brutal Irish dox- hound dog see me first while snifiling leg and over threw glassware baskit so I was obliged to make kick-stroke to him while his proprietor call Hon. Police for cruelty to animals until I pay political bribe from my impoverished pocket—" “Short stories not permitted on this Sheet.” corrode Hon McCloske you have covered all the other Schedules “Since up with your Japanese handwriting, we will fill in Schedule F. Please wait three years and see what happens.” All that history collapsed three years of yore, Mr. Editor hookkeeping ever since. to like jail, where I have been only twice. My soul has been I am too honest Yet if I must reside in some penitentiary would it not ‘be more better for Hon Police to send their delivery wagon at oncely, so I may get there before ist of month Or would it be more stylish for me to await till in- vited? Please to tell me by return envelope (2c inclosed) how much I Hon. Incum and what has happened to me Otherwisely my signature contains’ mud. Hoping you are the same Yours truly Hasnimura Toco, when rent arrive? owe When the Main Broke NG Betty and her parents were ‘OU visiting Niagara Falls, and, a of the trip, were taking in the Ca the Winds. She clung to her daddy and screamed at the top of her voice: “Tell "em to turn the water off.” comicbooks.com