Life — January 19, 1922 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

Sanctum Talk a OOD MORNING, Sir. me, but is this Lire?” “Yes, sir. I don’t know who you are, but you look tired. Here, take this easy chair. Perhaps you’d better lie down on this sofa.” “You are very kind, Lire. I am very tired—I am exhausted; I am really all in. But I thought maybe you could tell me—” “May I ask to whom I am indebted—” “I-am of no consequence, I assure you; I am but a poor, humble wretch, just a weak worm who is crawling along on his belly, incidentally holding up the country.” “But really, Mr., Mr.—you must tell me who you are.... There! there! ... Take this spoonful of brandy. Perhaps I’d better send for an ambu- lance.” “No, no, Lire! I’m very weak, and they’ve bled me white all right, but still, I manage to keep going. . What I want to know is, How long is this thing going to last?” “What going to last, Mr., Mr.—?” “How long am I going to stand it all, anyway ?” “But who are you?” “How long am I going to permit my- self to be punched in the solar plexus, and beaten up and. picked clean and all for what?—for the benefit of a lot of crooked politicians and war hounds? Shall I ever get nerve enough to strike back? Look at me! Ain’t I a beaut?” “Were you always this way, Mr.— Mr.—?” “Well, I used to be able to hold up my head and look any man in the face, but during the past six years I have been steadily growing weaker. And me an American!” “Look here! Before we go any Excuse further, you tell me who you are.” “Don’t you know me, Lire? I’m the Unknown tax-payer.” . “Then shake!” “As if I did anything else!” Posterity Will Misjudge Us MERICANS will forget soon that anyone ever went without drink when it was accessible. In older times there was an important measure of vol- untary abstention, but future genera- tions won't believe it. If Prohibition lasts, posterity will think none of. us could be safely left alone with bottled goods. But never mind what the nin- nies think. Except for us there wouldn't have been any posterity. Playing Safe HY, we should love to come see you, but it’s pretty hard to make a definite date right now— Arthur’s so busy down-town. | tel] you what I'll do, I’ll call you up some time soon, and let you know. Oh, don't bother to write down the number—!'l| remember it.” “T think he’s the image of you—and yet there are certain expressions when I can see his father in him, too.’ “Oh, so that’s your new dress. aren’t those buttons nary!” “Now do come see us. time.” “T read your things in the niaga- zines. That’s right—keep at it.” “Well, you don’t exactly look thin- ner, but you are certainly looking won- derfully well.” “What I like about that hat of yours is that rain van’t hurt it a bit.” “ny he |. ‘MY, { a a regular { No danger of anyone’s mis {rim for af git} , is there?” . D. Reached the Limit Biccs: I understand that women’s clothes are to be more conservative iiext year. Jiccs: Good Lord! I thought they had conserved all they could this year! Well, out-of-the-ordi- Come any comicbooks.com