Life, 1925-06-04 · page 17 of 44
Life — June 4, 1925 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine presents a serialized story titled "Life" about baseball at Putnam Hall. The narrative describes a baseball game where Tom Rover, a mischievous character, disrupts proceedings by disguising himself with a false mustache and creating chaos on the field. The large cartoon illustration depicts the comedic climax: students from Putnam Hall enthusiastically chasing after Rover in a chaotic stampede. The humor relies on slapstick comedy and the visual gag of mass pandemonium—a common satirical device in early 20th-century *Life* magazine. The joke is straightforward: Rover's pranks and disguise trigger absurd, exaggerated reactions from the student body, treating a baseball game as a stage for juvenile mischief. No specific political or social commentary is evident; this appears to be pure comedic entertainment aimed at readers amused by school-based hijinks.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Stop!” ejaculated Dick seriously ; and quick as a flash he overturned third base, disclosing a small Ford tractor which Dan Baxter had cleverly concealed beneath the plate. “Some day that bully will go too far,” he boded. “Come on home, Tom!” yelled the tands; and the fun-loving Rover ar- rived home in the nick of time. Cuarter S1XTY-THREE \V ELL, if it isn’t Tom Rover!” cried Aunt Martha and Uncle Randolph, as they em- 1 the lad and set him a steaming “Welcome Brook brac before hot dinner. back to Valley Farm!" Here's to the old folks ome,” said Tom, rais- g a brimming glass of “God bless them and keep them At home,” he added merrily. “Well, it) sure nice seeing you again,” called Aunt Martha and Uncle Randolph as the: waved him good-by. s ember us to Dick cider. was Now Tom Rover came tearing back fown the field, with Putnam Hall still 76 runs or so behind. Without a moment's hesitation he snatched a false “FOR DEAR OLD HALL,” HE RIPPED HIS CONTRACT INTO SMALL PIEC ‘LIFE * mustache, attached it to his upper lip, and thus completely disguised he dashed around the field for another home-run As he reached home plate he seized a razor, shaved off the false mustache, and thus disguised once more, he circled the field for a third home-run, meantime frantically sig- naling his brothers to join him as he ran. “The base- ball won't be down for an hour or so,” he explained. “1 tied it to a parachute.” oiled,” fumed Dan Baxter. “The jig is up.” Then with a shout that rent the air the entire student body of Putnam Hall joined behind the fun-loving Rover. Again and again they rounded the field, and as lap was added to lap, the home- runs piled into the hun- dreds and the hysterical cries of specta- tors mingled with calliopes and wind- instruments. “Hurray for the Rover Boys!" they shouted. “We have won the Graduation!" PUTNAM QUOTH, AND “THE SCORE STANDS 162-3 IN PAVOR OF OUR ANCIENT RIvALs !” 15 Carter Two HILE the shouting and cheering stu- dents of Putnam Hall lifted the Rov- er Boys on their shoulders and tossed them_ enthusiastically over the goal-posts, Cap- tain Putnam brought out an armful of A. B. de- grees for Baseball Ath- letics, and distributed + them among the eager students. “Hurray!” shouted Tom Rover, unfolding his degree. “I'm signed with the Giants! There's al- ways such a lot of kid- ding goes on around their club-house !” and the fun-loving Rover's eyes shone with anticipation. “Is it a contract?” asked Sam. “[ don't remember,” replied merrily. “Whoops!” shouted Sam, examining his sheepskin. “Mine's for the Phils!” “Say it ain't true, Sam,” urged his brother “Stop!” cried Dick Rover, mount- ing the platform seriously. “If we graduate inta the big leagues, what will hecome of the football tea For dear old Putnam Hall, fellows!” he quoth; and so quothing he ripped his contract into small pieces. At once the entire (Continued on page 37) Tom WITH A SHOUT THAT RENT THE AIR THE ENTIRE STUDENT BODY OF PUTNAM HALL JOINED BEHIND THE FUN-LOVING ROVER comicbooks.com