Life, 1923-01-25 · page 28 of 36
Life — January 25, 1923 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains several brief humorous anecdotes typical of early 20th-century satirical magazines: **"Playing It on the Tenderfoot"** depicts the classic American frontier joke: a naive Eastern newcomer ("tenderfoot") is thrown from a bucking horse and complains she "bucked," only to be told by a seasoned rancher she was merely "coughing"—suggesting the horse is so rough even violent bucking is unremarkable. **"A Native Product"** satirizes Southern pride: a town's bridge inscription reads simply "This bridge was made here"—mocking their inability to articulate anything more sophisticated despite their aspirations. The other items are brief quips about biblical illiteracy, college spending, courtroom testimony, acting, Fascist Italian gesticulation, radio broadcasting, and swimming instruction—typical period humor targeting various social groups and situations. The **illustration** shows a young woman being taught to swim by an admirer, with the caption noting she's lost her memory of swimming lessons, implying romantic distraction. These represent genteel, mainstream American humor circa 1920s-1930s.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Playing It on the Tenderfoot i A new arrival at a Western ranch cee was persuaded to mount a_ bucking LZ horse. He was scarcely on the ani- mal’s back before he was off again— LE _—s A Native Product The inhabitants of a southern town built a bridge. It was a fine structure, and should be decorated, they thought, with a suitable inscription. The bright est minds of the town grappled with the problem, but nothing quite ex- pressed the pride and satisfaction of the community. The tablet that was finally put up read, “This bridge was made here.” —Harper’s Magazine. All Time : “How long has it been since yuh read de Bible, nigger ?” “Lessee. Lemme figger. I ain't nevah read it atall. How long is ’at? —Nashville Tennessean. A Different Matter SmitH: So your son is in college? How is he making it? Smituers: He isn I'm making it and he’s spending it—Detroit News. Witness (in Police Court): I swear to tell the truth, the royal truth, and nothing like the truth. —Tit-Bits (London). KILLING WORK Author: I suppose the death scene is very trying? Actress: Oh, terribly so! When I day ?” finally give up the ghost I'm nearly u dead! —Kasper (Stockholm). over the horse’s head. “What's the matter?” asked the old-timer who picked him up. “Why, she bucked,” said the tender- foot. “Bucked ?” returned the other. “Bi ed? Go on! She only coughed.” —Boston Transcri Energy Op Lavy (who has been watching the gesticulations of two Fascisti con- versing unrestrainedly): I've. often wondered what this conversation of energy was which they talk such a lot about, but it’s really quite simple, after all—London Morning Post. Radio Service Scene: At the Broadcasting Station Concert By TSF: ‘Manon, Behold the Sun!” WEATHER ForeECASTER (next on the program): Great Scott, and I’m about to announce rain!—Le Rire (Paris) “Are you saving money for the rainy he asked. “I am not,” was the reply. “As far as I'm concerned, it’s raining now. _ —Detroit Free Press Lirg_is published every Thursday, simultaneously in the United § Great Britain, Canada and British Possessions, Title registered in. U Patent, Office. $5.00 a year in_advance. Additional postage to foreign countries in the Postal Union, $1.60 a year; to Canada, 80 cents. Back numbers cannot be supplied. The text and illustrations in Lire are copyrighted. For Reprint Rights in Great Britain apply to Lire, Rolls House, Breams Buildings, Fetter Lane, London, E. C., England. The foreign. trade supplied. from Lare’s. London. Office, Rolls, House, Breams Buildings, London . Canadian distributor, "The American News Company Ltd 386588 St James ‘Street, Montreal, Canada No contributions oil be returned unless accompanied by stamped and addressed envelope. Lire docs not hold itself responsible for the loss or non-return of unsolicited contributions. Notice of change of address should reach this office two weeks to the date of issue to be affected. I is interesting to know that the finest English boot- makers are advo- cating more than ever the use of shoe hooks for men's footwear. Dolly, champion swimmer of her class, suffers complete loss of memory upon finding that her latest admirer is anxious to teach her to swim. comicbooks.com