Life, 1923-04-19 · page 9 of 36
Life — April 19, 1923 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main illustration depicts a scene of "Kindly Acquaintance" in what appears to be a public park or garden. A woman with a baby carriage is being approached by two men who inquire about the baby's name. The dialogue reveals satire about presidential naming: when asked the child's name, the mother responds "Warren, ma'am," and when pressed about what the "T" stands for, she replies "Tutankh-Amen, ma'am." This references Warren G. Harding (president 1921-1923) and mocks the contemporary fascination with Egyptian archaeology, particularly King Tutankhamun's tomb discovery in 1922. The joke satirizes how popular culture crazes influence even naming conventions. The page also contains unrelated text about gardening and a separate illustration about animal preferences (squirrels versus seals).
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Kindly Acquaintance: And what are you going to call him? “Warren, ma’am—Warren T.” “I see—after the President. “Tut-ankh-Amen, ma’am.” at himself in the mirror and chooses making faces at himself in the mir- ror. The cat comes into the room and then goes right out again. Scene 4, epolieff hears a sound at the medicine-chest and, on opening it, discovers Strepolieff hanging there where he has been left by the police. Strepolieff cuts him down and laughs at him for being hanged when there are so many better things to do. Scene 5. e captain of the police, Strepo- lieff, enters and asks for a drink. Strepolieff gives it to him and tells him that there is no God. The cap- tain asks if anybody would like to see him turn a cart-wheel, and, as there is no answer, he takes out a big sword and kills himself. Scene 6. epolieff decides that, after all, Iinner-coat is too informal and full-dress is safer. Curtain. Robert C. Benchley. Necessary Garden Equipment THE wisdom of Socrates, the strength of Hercules, the endurance of Atlas, the conquering power of Napoleon, the versatility of Leo- That’s nice, and what does the T. stand for?” nardo da Vinci, the patience of Job, the optimism of Pollyanna—and the courage in the autumn to say, “Well, never mind, next year it will be a garden.” “Aren't squirrels just the dearest things!” “Oh, no, seals are much dearer.” comicbooks.com