Life, 1923-05-10 · page 24 of 36
Life — May 10, 1923 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine contains several humorous pieces satirizing early 20th-century American life: **"Over the Teacups"** sketches mock social pretense—a woman exhausted from maintaining appearances, and a man so indecisive about home construction he won't even show his architect the plans. **"First Fan/Second Fan"** depicts boxing spectators; the joke plays on "bedtime story" as a euphemism for a knockout punch putting someone to sleep. **"On the Shoe Shelf"** personifies shoes complaining about their lives. Golf shoes (Brogues) grumble about hard work; dancing shoes counter they suffer worse, balanced on heels for hours. It's gentle satire on class hierarchies—even among footwear, different "professions" claim superiority. The final mention of "vamps" (seductive women) suggests the newest colonial-style shoes might have hidden charms. **"For the Birthday of a Middle-Aged Child"** is sentimental verse by Aline Kilmer lamenting how a child has grown wiser, taller, and less beautiful—a bittersweet meditation on aging. The overall tone is lighthearted social commentary typical of *Life's* satirical humor.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
First Fan; Ataboy—Mike—put ‘im to sleep. Second Fan: Don’t you worry, fella—he’s just tellin’ *im his bedtime story. Over the Teacups -“No, Th well lately “But, my dear, you're looking perfectly splendid!” “IT know, but it takes all my strength to keep up appearances.” ven't been feeling at all Progress “How is Smith that country plac “Well, he has reached the point where he is almost ready to let the architect see the plans he himself has drawn.” ming along with Sally: Oh, look at ye gettin’ yerself all dirty an’ sticky! But it’s all right, Till probably wash ye to-morrer. For the Birthday of a Middle. Aged Child [™ sorry you are wiser, I'm sorry you are taller; I liked you better foolish And I liked you better smaller, I'm sorry you have learning And I hope you won't display it: (But since this is your birthday I suppose I mustn't say it.) I liked you with your hair cut Like a medieval page’s, And I hate to see your eyes change From a seraph’s to a sage’s. You are not half so beautiful Since middle-age befell you: (But since this is your birthday I suppose I mustn't tell you.) Aline Kilmer. On the Shoe Shelf “—Just unlaced and flung on the shelf—after tramping over those terrible links most of the afternoon! No trees for us! Just because we work so hard we're supposed to be self-supporting—and they call us Sports—” “Oh, hold your tongues, Brogues! We've a lot more to complain of than you. You don’t know what it is to be danced in for hours—round and round on a hard, slippery floor. And who wouldn't rather tramp than be trampled on? Why, last night a pair of our partners—great clum- sy patent leather pumps—kept step- ping on us till we were ne: ruined, And it’s no light work hav- ing to balance a hundred and thirty pounds or so on our slender delicate heels. Besides, she will wear us too tight. Trees aren’t any help—they just keep up the strain—we never get a chance to relax. Those gray Suédes, now, with the steel buckles —they have an easy time—never going out except to luncheons and bridges and teas and things where it’s all sitting down—. Yes, those black Colonials have just arrived— the last word in style—; but for all they look so dull and conservative, I shouldn't be surprised if they turned out regular vamps. “Here she comes with the silver- cloth polish—that means we're going out again to-night. Oh dear, our feet will hurt us worse than ever after wearing Brogues all day! What's that ? Twist one of our ankles? Our Louis Quinzes ought to do it easily —it’s only a flat heel that has no turning.” Jennie Betts Hartswick. comicbooks.com 77, =o