Life — September 8, 1921 — page 32: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

I get.a lot of letters which express a cynical disbelief that I am alive. Wouldn’t it give you the willies to encounter constantly an illusion that you didn’t “exist—were a sort of disembodied idea? Even my friends don’t believe that I write my own stuff. What is there so extraordinary in a salesman writing advertising? I know more about Mennen Shaving Cream than any professional advertising writer will ever know—and have a truer and deeper conviction that Mennen’s is infinitely superior to every other preparation. To be sure, I don’t know how to interest you with pretty borders, Greek gods, bathing girls or such advertising technique, and I lack the literary gift of weaving a web of emotional appeals to your innermost desires— but I do believe in Mennen’s. I have watched Mennen’s grow from nothing into a leader. I have seen it change the shaving habits of millions. Thousands of men have written, thanking me for freeing them from the suffering and despondency incident to the use of old- fashioned soap. I have gazed with amazement at our sales chart, each year showing a tremendous gain over last year. After all, don’t you more readily believe what a man tells you if he believes it himself? Aren’t you more successful in convincing others if your own convictions are sincere? I probably couldn’t sell automobiles or oil stock, but I can sell Mennen’s. I propose to sell you. Sooner or later I will find a crack in the wall of your prejudices and make you understand what a joyous experience it is to try Mennen’s for the first time. Then you will send 15 cents for my demonstrator tube and you and I will be buddies in spirit as long as smooth faces are fashionable. ° on, (Mennen Salesman) THe Mennen Company Newarn, 1. USA. Breaking the News Gently A New York silk merchant: went to the bank to get his note renewed. “I am sorry,” said the banker, “but it will be absolutely impossible for me to renew your note.” The silk merchant’s face paled. After. a moment of thought he looked up at the banker and said: “Were you ever in the silk business?” “Why of course not,” answered the banker. . “Well, you’re in it now,” said the silk merchant as he picked up his hat and went out.—Cincinnati Enquirer. Patronage! The bandits rushed into the United Cigar store, felled the clerks with black- jacks and ransacked the place leisurely. Then they leaned against the counter and waited for the clerks to regain con- sciousness. Presently the head clerk re- gained his senses . . . he peered up at the bandits and demanded, “Well, what are you waiting for?” The head bandit looked down at him in scorn, “Coupons!” he replied with a sneer. —New York Globe. Fade-in—Alexandre Dumas A Paris journal draws attention to the following passage in the Cincinnati Tribune: ““The Three Musketeers,’ the motion picture in which Douglas Fairbanks is now being featured, has been novelized by a writer named Dumas, who has ad- mirably caught the spirit of the film.” We like the picture of this ghostly chase—the spirit of Dumas catching the spirit of the film.—Punch. Dangerous Curves “Dangerous Curves Ahead.” Thus read the sign. Yet the motorist was in a flat, sandy country. He understood later when the road skirted a bathing beach. —Louisville Courier-Journal. Hint for Gardeners Correspondent asks us what we do about cutworms. Our method is to carry them to a vacant lot and turn them around three times, thus getting them so confused that they cannot find their way back.—Boston Transcript. The Gambler Orv Gent: Here, my little man, here’s a penny for you. His Littte Man: Toss yer double or quits—make it tuppence or keep it. —Pearson’s Weekly .(London). WE hope that while Chicago was hav- ing her prosperity pageant hungry ex- service men were considerate enough to keep out of sight. —Birmingham AgerHerald. 238 The Aristocrat of SineTFoilet Soaps Since 1789 Measurements A two-foot rule was given to a la- borer in a Clyde boat-yard to measure an iron plate. The laborer not being well up in the use of the rule, after spending considerable time returned. “Now, Mick,” asked the plater, “what size is the plate?” “Well,” replied Mick, with a grin of satisfaction, “it’s the length of your rule and two thumbs over, with this piece brick and the breadth of my hand and my arm from here to there, bar a finger.” —Everybody's. “Oh, please, ma’am,” gasped the nurse- maid, “I’ve lost little Nora!” “Gracious, girl! Why didn’t you speak to a policeman?” “I was speaking to one at the time, ma’am!"—Tit-Bits (London). PRESTIGE is not a thing of mere accident. The Boston Garter is so superlatively good that peoplesof alltongues unanimously; the manufacturer has placed quality FIRST. GEORGE FROST CO.,BOSTON, Makers of Velvet Grip Hose Supporters its forrAll the Family J alwa my \ hous' ticall ture, that Seat out | the | “T tion they meal new to-d: T seeir chat grea comicbooks.com