Life, 1922-02-23 · page 26 of 34
Life — February 23, 1922 — page 26: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Top Cartoon:** A silk merchant tells a colleague "Fine as silk!" when asked about business, while an "All Silks Reduced" sign hangs behind him. This is a visual pun—he's literally fine because he's surrounded by silk, though the reduced prices suggest struggling sales. **"Lies" Poem:** A satirical verse by M.H.C. cataloging broken promises from different groups: Prussians (post-WWI reparations), Prohibition reformers (crime wouldn't vanish), and politicians (economic prosperity). Each stanza ends "They Lied!" The final verses express weary cynicism about widespread falsehoods in public discourse. **"Familiar Sayings" Column:** Lists common social lies people tell—false invitations ("drop in anytime"), exaggerated claims ("I know the words to the Star-Spangled Banner"), and contradictions (claiming sobriety before Prohibition while hiccupping). These mock hypocritical everyday dishonesty. **Bottom Cartoon:** A child blowing on hot coffee while mother says "Willie's blowin' his cawfee again"—a domestic scene with dialect humor. The page's theme: American society operates on widespread, accepted deception at every level.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SS .. ALL SILKs REDUCED —S> ! Aili cal First Salesman: Hello! How’s business? Second Ditto: Fine as silk! Tue psycho-analytic the future will probably if the moon is inhibited Lies HE Prussians said with humble mien That they their debts would pay, And build each town they’d tumbled down In such outrageous way. Tuey Liep! Reformers boldly stated that When Prohibition came All crime and sin would vanish in A burst of fiery flame. Tuey Lieb! Our politicians vowed aloud That if elected they Would give Success a royal dress And drive dull times away. Tuey Liep! So liars lie and contra-lie With all their might and main. We swear that we will ne’er agree With one such lie again. 7 4 Webel Medece: Familiar Sayings “TQOURTEENTH row, centre, are the best seats we have for three weeks from to-night.” “Drop in on us any time—we'd be so glad to have you.” “Of course, I’m a Democrat, but | always vote for the best man.” “They don’t answer.” “Oh, no; I’ve never been there in my life. Only the rubes go to the Hippo- drome.” “T haven’t looked at my draw, but T'll raise.” “Why, dear, if you should die, of course I’d never marry again.” “That’s the first time I ever ate in Childs’.” “I know where you can get better stuff than that for less money.” “Why, certainly I know the words of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’ “T've already contributed, but I lost my tag.” “That front pair has gone more than nine thousand miles.” “Of course, Lardner’s amusing, but I like Bernard Shaw better.” “Our tour calls for nothing but the f very best hotels.” “T waited twenty minutes, and when you didn’t show up, I thought you wasn’t coming.” “The difference in price doesn’t make any difference, but I sleep more com- fortably in an upper berth.” “I'd have worn my dinner jacket if I’d known you were going to.” - “Before Prohibition (hic) I never touched a drop (hic).” astronomer of want to know . Neal R. O'Hara. truthi Litt were \ “Mamma! Willie’s blowin’ his cawfee agin.” comicbooks.com