Life, 1923-10-18 · page 36 of 44
Life — October 18, 1923 — page 36: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains several brief satirical items typical of Life's humor section, plus advertising. **"Could It Have Been Hiram?"** mocks a San Francisco political figure whose party affiliation is unclear—the joke being that the person belongs to no consistent party, or that parties belong to *him* rather than vice versa. This reflects early 20th-century American concerns about political opportunism and shifting allegiances. **"Obeying Orders"** is a military joke: a newly promoted general tells soldiers to eat eagerly. A sergeant hiding wine bottles explains he's "obeying orders"—when you can't kill the enemy, you take prisoners—implying he's capturing the wine. The humor relies on literal interpretation of military language. **"Pretension"** satirizes wealthy families claiming poverty for social cachet—the Duponts deny spending money while obviously doing so. **"Revived"** quotes Theodore Roosevelt approvingly, suggesting the public lacks self-defense. The remainder is a Brooks Brothers clothing advertisement emphasizing gentlemen's formal and sporting wear, establishing the magazine's affluent target audience.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Could It Have Been Hiram? A familiar figure in the political world stalked through the lobby of the St. Francis. “What party does he asked the Chatty Guest. “Shush!” warned the Wild Wag. “He would be horribly offended to h that question. You should ask what party belongs to him. —San Francisco Chronicle. belong to?” A Dish of Disunion tract from Girl Guide Examination Paper for cook’s badge : “Question. for Tri: Irish Si it up... and cut —Punch (London). Patron: DER IF THAT'S HER HUSBIN’ Girls! TRUSTED : He looked awfully silly when he proposed. Maryontr: silly thing he No wonder. Look at the “Can Europe was do’ a headline. Seasoned and Sophisticated FRIEND OF THE —Bulletin (Sydney). Hold Europe can do nothing to- gether !—Detroit News. Obeying Orders A colonel who had been promoted to general gave a banquet to his regi- ment. Addressing himself to the soldiers, he : “Fall upon the food wit! ge pity—treat it as if it were the ener At the end of the banquet he ob- served a sergeant hiding two bot‘les of wine. “What are you doing?” asked the ng orders, sir, In war, when you don't kill the enemy you take tiem prisoner.” —Buen Humor (Madrid Pretension “That the Duponts? Pooh! they —without a penny!” “Really? But they say they over twenty thousand a year.” Bege urs spend dear. that (Paris). “Hypocrisy, my give the impression money.”—Sans-Géene Movie 1 WON- OR THE FAMBLY. It's only to they have Revived The wisest thing Theodore Roosevelt ever said is quoted leas' won't take its own part. —E. W. Howe's Monthly Together?” asks “The public _Lire_is publish 1 every Thu at Britain, Canada and British Possessions, Title registered in atent Cffice. $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. in Great Britain apply to Lire, Lane, London, E. C.. England. For Reprint Rights Rolls House, Breams Buildings, Fetter London Office, Rolls flouse, distributor, The American dia 88 St! James ‘Street, Montreal, Canada No contribu s will be returned unless accompanied by stamped and addressed envelope. Lire dods not hold itself responsible for the loss or non-return of unsolicited contributions. Notice of change of address should reach this office two wecks prior to the date of issue to be affected. ‘The foreign e supplied from Lae Breams Buildings, Lond News Company, Ltd., 38 ESTABLISHED 18:8 Byvohs Driers, ELE Gentlemens NEW YORK Sporting Wear English Furnishings, Hats, Trunks and Leather Goods Boots and Shoes in exclusive models Jackets and Knickerbockers of light Shetland or heavy Harris Tweeds Heavy flannel Trousers for Golf Riding, Hunting and Shooting Clothes Send for “Comparisons” BOSTON TREMONT Cor. BOYLSTON THINGS) urnishing Goods, MADISON AVENUE COR. FORTY-FOURTH STREET Telephone Murray Hill 8800 Clothes for Lounge, Dress or NEWPORT 220 BELLEVUE AVENUE BROOKS BROTHERS’ Building, convenient to Grand Central, Subway, and to many of the leading Hotels and Clubs comicbooks.com