Life, 1920-12-30 · page 29 of 39
Life — December 30, 1920 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct satirical pieces: **"A Dark Cloud With a Liquid Lining"**: Commentary on Prohibition-era smuggling. Massachusetts police discovered liquor hidden inside small souvenir manikins (6-inch copper policeman figurines with raised arms) sold as tourist trinkets. The piece sardonically notes that hollow souvenirs—clam shells, plaster models, decorative objects—traditionally cluttering mantels could now secretly contain bootleg whiskey, making them finally "useful." **"The Higher Criticism"**: A Scottish dialect joke about two Highland visitors to Glasgow who misunderstand a water cart sprinkling streets (to suppress dust). One assumes the driver is "scalin' aw yer warter" (wasting water); the other condescendingly explains it prevents people hanging onto the back—implying rural ignorance versus urban sophistication. **"Tact"**: A brief banking joke where Slater's politeness to new depositors is actually calculated self-interest: he treats small depositors well knowing they'll eventually accumulate wealth. All content satirizes class differences, provincial ignorance, and everyday hypocrisy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
1235 A Dark Cloud With a Liquid Lining IQUOR traffic policemen in Massa- chusetts have found other liquor traffic policemen in the shape of mani- kins, six inches tall, with one tended to direct traffic. The manikins were sold as souvenirs. The liquor was rm ex- inside the manikins. The cork was un- der the diminutive copper’s raised arm Her the at last, is an adequate reason for tence of “souvenirs.” The hand- iS painted clam shell inscribed with “ greet- é. ings from Hogan's Point landing” need no longer belie its welcome. Impractic 1 ly small shoes made from chewed-up thou- a Th. ; sand-dollar bills, plaster and Babbitt's SACRED TOT m4) metal models of public edifices and insti- yin MEMORY Hy . tutions, china bric-d-brac and other exotic /f oF objets d'art inscribed with affectionate oy SATLETCR! a, aso guy 1939 salutations from their native heaths have long leered emptily at us from otherwise chaste mantelpieces. They may still leer —but not so emptily. Scorn not the pale- pink conch shell that lies by your neigh- bor's hearth. It possibly contains a precious pint of the purest rye. Refuse r- no “presents from Asbury Park "—p ticularly if they look hollow. Don’t th away the next burnt-leather handkerchief case that your aunt may send you from Los Angeles ch for the cork and be wise. Tact RIGGS: I opened an account at Slater’s bank yesterday, and | must say he treated me well. Griccs: Yes. Slater tells me he makes “THE KING IS DEAD! LONG LIVE THE RING!” a point of being polite to all the small de- The Higher Criticism WO Scotchmen from the Highlands traveled to the Granite City for a week's holiday, and there saw many things A TOAST AT THE GRAVE positors for the first time. While walking down Crown Strect a water cart passed them and began sprinkling the dust, much to their astonishment. After a moment's hesitation, Jock ran behind the cart, shouting to the driver, “Hi, mon! Yer scalin’ aw yer warter!” This break annoyed Sandy, who rushed after his friend and said, “Jock, dinna show yer ignorance. It's ta keep the laddies fra hangin’ on the back.” BBY, the wolf is at the door.” “ Speaking metaphorically, my dear, | or has the landlord arrived for his rent?” “THE WORM WILL TURN " SOME TIMP, RUT NOT NOW XUM comicbooks.com