Life, 1921-04-28 · page 13 of 36
Life — April 28, 1921 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a domestic comedy sketch and accompanying illustration titled "Looking on the Bright Side." The dialogue involves a Mother, Father, Waitress, Great-grandfather, and Repairman dealing with a malfunctioning telephone and a broken-down Ford automobile in the attic. The humor centers on early 20th-century domestic frustrations: unreliable technology (phones going out of order), aging family members inhabiting the home, and the complications of maintaining newfangled machinery like automobiles. The illustration shows a couple relaxing outdoors while a woman stands watch, humorously illustrating the final joke about marital anxieties. The satire gently mocks middle-class household chaos and the intrusions of modern technology into domestic life.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
was re; ove Oh, till just April 28 taking your fy. Funny you didn’t see me the other day when I waved to you. Tue Motner: I must have been under the awning. Tur Fatuer: Well, 1 could sce you very well, we were just passing that sec- ond big cloud on the right’ after you leave New Haven, Tue Motner: Yes, 1 remember the cloud; it looked like a cat playing sol- itaire (All the family hang up their receivers on ing the table, except the great- who is still topping off.) Now for a grandfather, Tur GREAT-GRANDPATHER: little peace. Tue Wartress: A piece of what, sir? Tur GREAT-GRANDPATHER: I say it will be quicter now, (Bell rings at the baby’s telephone) Tus Waitress: That's for me, I guess. he wreat-grandfather leaves the table his most resigned expression.) Wartress (at the baby’s tele- She: phone): Hello! Jimmy! I was just wondering what had become of you— Can't you hear me? Tue ReparMan: is out of order. Tue Wartress: I'll say it is; it’s full of bread crumbs; which one shall I take? Tue Repairman: I'd take the large crumbs first. Tue Wartress: Oh, nonsense, Tue Repairman: lady’s. Tue Wartress (at the great-grand- mother’s telephone): Is that better, I guess that phone don’t begin your Well, try the old dearie? Tue ReparMan: Yes, that’s better. Tue Wartress: Don't get fresh. (Tele- phoning.) Aren't you coming up? Tue Repairman: Yes, when I get these wires fixed. Tue Wartress (to the repairman): Oh, do shut up. (Telephoning.) No, I was talking to a man who's working here. LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE MY CONSTANT FEAR IS THAT SOME WOMAN MIGHT GET You 6o1 You should worry, he’s beneath me—Yes, I'll meet you at five o'clock. I don’t work after four and I'm going for good unless they put a phone in my bedroom—The family is always around, there's no pri- vacy in this house. Tue Repairman (coming out from un- der the tabl Ye Gods! What next? Tue Great-cranpratier (appearing in the doorway and speaking to the repair- man): Would you mind giving me a hand? I've just recollected there's an old Ford up in the attic, thought I'd get it down and see if I could start her up; it would seem like old times. Fair Exchange OTHER (putting daughter to bed for the night): Remember, dear, that when I leave there is always an angel watching over you. Littte Gm: (afraid of the dark): t, mother, why don't you take the angel and leave me the candle? AWAY FROM ME. He: WELL, DEAR, THERE’S ONE CONSOLATION : 1F SHE DID 1 WOULDN'T BE WORTH KEEPING. comicbooks.com