Life, 1925-05-14 · page 25 of 40
Life — May 14, 1925 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three separate satirical pieces mocking social conventions of the era: **"The Last Straw"**: A wife complains to her husband George that upon reaching Paris, she must get a permanent wave—suggesting women's endless vanity and impractical priorities even during travel. **"Lessons for the Little Woman"**: A swimming instructor's condescending instructions to a female student, portrayed through broken syllables to mock her assumed incompetence. The humor derives from his transparent irritation (flushed face, offering to leave) while denying it, and the absurdity of her asking questions while swimming. **"A Complete Change"**: A doctor tells a wealthy patient to rest at the office instead of golfing—inverting the typical prescription. The second joke mocks the "golden rule," showing a new car owner hitting a pedestrian while claiming he's following biblical ethics. **"The Crow's Nest"**: A motorist with a motorcycle policeman atop his car—satirizing reckless drivers and safety concerns. The page reflects 1920s attitudes toward gender roles, class, and emerging automobile culture.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE LAST STRAW She: GEORGE, DEAR—THE MINUTE WE REACH PARIS ILL HAVE 10 GET A PERMANENT WAVE. Lessons for the Little Woman Swimming DID not take my hand from un-der your chin, You pull-ed your head up your-self. I am not get-ting an-gry ci-ther. It is the sun which makes my face scem so flush-ed, I am sure. No won-der you swal-low wa-ter when you try to talk while swim-ming. E-ven John-ny Weiss-mul-ler can-not do that. He is an ex-pert swim-mer. Well, then, stand up and rest a-while. Tam sure my in-struc-tions were plain. You fol-low them per-fect-ly in’ shal- low wa-ter. Why can you not do the the wa-ter is a lit-tle p-er? Ver-y well, we will try a-gain, but con-fine your-self to breath-ing and do not try to talk so much. I must say ! can-not un-der-stand how so ma-ny young wom-en be-come such mar-vel- ous swim-mers un-less they are ton-gue- tied, or stam-mer, I was not try-ing to choke you. I pride my-self that I rare-ly yield even to ov-er-whelm-ing im-pulse. I was on-ly try-ing to hold your head up, be- cause you are not far e-nough ad- same when vane-ed yet to swim un-der wa-ter. As you wish, then. I am sure the life guard will glad-ly in-struct you for a small fee. Do you mind if I join that group of men throwing the med-i-cine ball on the beach? Per-haps I shall be a-ble to knock one of them down. James Kevin McGuinness. HEY! SLOW DOWN MOTORCYCLE POL 23 Hints for Ocean Travelers HEN a ship's officer tells you how many knots the boat is making don’t ask him who unties them. There are no policemen around to protect you from assault. “Women and children first” applies to the dining saloon as well as to the lifeboats. Don't tell the bartender you're an American. He knows. Once a day is sufficient to ask the captain: “Where are we now?” Don't jump overboard if you become a victim of seasickness. You will miss years of fun telling others how you suffered. If you want to be considered a seasoned traveler don’t promenade on the promenade deck. In making out your customs declara- tion be honest—at least as much so as when you make out your income-tax schedule. Try to avoid knocking America on the way over, and Europe on the return trip. Don't weep when you behold the Statue of Liberty. The sentiment may be misconstrued. Robert Hage. A Complete Change HYSICIAN (to rich patient): You're all run down. I suggest that you lay off golf for a while and get a good rest at your office. “T)O unto others as others did unto thee,” said the new car owner as he ran over a helpless pedestrian. /EMAN AHEAD! THE CROW’S-NEST FOR CAUTIOUS MOTORISTS comicbooks.com