Life, 1921-12-29 · page 4 of 35
Life — December 29, 1921 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**"Prepared for the Worst"** (top): A poem satirizing the Old Year departing and New Year arriving, cataloging society's perceived moral failures—crime, sin, lying, cheating, low-down tricks, bartering wine and gin, lawlessness. The personified years embody cynicism about human nature and social decay. **"Sanctum Talk"**: A dialogue between LIFE (the magazine personified) and a cat, discussing a poor man's hardship in 1922. The conversation emphasizes faith and perseverance as solutions, reflecting contemporary advice literature. **"Whiskers to the Wall!"**: A humorous exchange about kissing as art. **"Modesty"**: A brief anecdote mocking a woman who forgets to powder her nose despite wearing an immodest dress. These pieces use satire and humor to comment on 1920s social values, morality, and gender norms.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Sanctum Talk $6 REAT cats! Who's this?” “Don’t you know me, Lire?” “Why, so it is! Just for a moment I thought it was—myself.” “We do rather resemble each other, don’t we? You see, I’m brand new and so—” “And so, 1922, you didn’t really know you looked like anybody else. I've just been saying a few parting words to 1921.” ‘ “Yes, Lire. I noticed the poor chap as I came in. Quite a wreck, isn’t he? Aged terribly during the past year. I should say he was down and out.” “He had a hard time of it, my dear 1922, when he was here. Everybody picked on him, you know. They couldn’t let him alone for a minute.” “Um! Is that what’s going to hap- pen tome? Am I going to look like—” “Not if you follow my advice, 1922.” “My stars! That poor devil haunts me. If I thought—” “That'll do now, 1922. Anyone would think you were an American business man, to hear you talk.” “But ?’m—” “You're getting rattled already. Now listen.” “Well, Lire, I’m listening.” “Pay no attention to the croakers. Got that down?” “Yes, Lire.” “Remember that among all the years that ever were, you're our best bet.” “P’m_ remembering.” “Get it into your head, right now, that if you have faith in yourself, everybody will have faith in you. It makes you do your best.” “Tl do it. That fellow haunts me.” “Then obey that impulse and be a sport.” “T’ll do it!” “Eyes right.” es right, Lire.” “Eyes front.” “Eyes front, Lire.” “Shoulders back !” “Back they are.” “Now, 1922, are you ready?—All your nerve with you, keep smiling—” “Ready, Lire.” “Then, Forward March!” T.L.M. Modesty E were to dine to- gether and I met her in the lobby of the restau- rant. The gown she wore be- gan under her arms and ended above her knees. It was filmy and diaph- anous. “I’m so ashamed,” she said. “I forgot to powder my nose.” Prepared for the Worst AID the Little New Year, “They say this world ° Is a place of crime and sin!” “Yes,” said the Old Year, going out, To the New Year, coming in. “They say the people lie and cheat And graft and fleece and skin.” “Yes,” said the Old Year, going out, To the New Year, coming in. “T’ve heard they stoop to low-down tricks, The awful game to win!” “Yes,” said the Old Year, going out, To the New Year, coming in. “T’m told, regardless of the law, They barter wine and gin!” “Yes,” said the Old Year, going out, To the New Year, coming in. “Now, do you world, That you've heard the truth about?” “YES!” said the New Year, coming in, To the Old Year, going out. Carolyn Wells want this wortliless Whiskers to the Wall! Now that they bob their hair, wear knickers, smoke and vote, poor man can only raise a barricade of whiskers and make a last stand for individualism Sue: Is there an art in ki He: The only art , Art thou willing? Daub carreTey 19 The Futurist Pygmalion “Great Scot, she’s coming to life!” comicbooks.com