Life, 1925-10-15 · page 10 of 36
Life — October 15, 1925 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains several satirical pieces mocking everyday American life circa early 20th century. **"The Second-Hand Car"** contrasts buyer vs. seller perspectives on used automobiles—a familiar con where salesmen misrepresent condition while buyers rationalize poor purchases. The humor lies in the transparent dishonesty from both sides. **"The Composite Bridge Talker"** satirizes a specific social type: the bore at social gatherings who dominates conversation with lengthy, tangential anecdotes mixing bragging, complaints, and irrelevant details. The "composite" suggests this character combines annoying traits of multiple people. **"Rainbow's End"** tells a sentimental story about a man recalling his promise to provide luxuries for his daughter—now fulfilled through her advantageous marriage. **"At the Children's Matinee"** humorously depicts a theater pianist's frustration when children applaud loudly, drowning out the performance.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A DEFERRED BLESSING “PLEASE GIVE AN OLD WOMAN A PENNY AND MAY THE LOVE OF GOD FOLLOW YE ALL THE REST OF YER LIFE (0 response) AND NEVER CATCH UP witH YE!” Rainbow's End ONES was settled comfortably in his favorite chair at the club. A smirking expression of satisfaction played about his thin face, and he beamed at me over the top of his clerical glasses. “Jim,” he said suddenly, “do you remember one night, about ten years ago, when we sat at a table in old Bill Duffy's saloon and I made that vow about my little daughter ?” I nodded rather hesitantly. a remember I swore that I would sce that when she was married she would be provided with all the little luxuries in life that I had been forced to forego? And you remember I banged the table and declared that the only man who could have her would have to be just as brave as they make them, prominent not only in his com- munity but in national affairs as well, loved and respected by all who knew him, and endowed with untold riches?” I nodded eagerly this time. Jones’s face had become flushed with emotion. He jumped up from his chair. “By Heaven, it’s all come true! Jim, it's all come true! Yesterday she married the biggest bootlegger in New York!" Claude Howard Binyon. The Second-Hand Car If You Are Buying It T is in first-class shape mechanically. The tires are practically new, It has an excellent paint job. It has been run only 2500 miles. Parts may be anywhere. You are lucky to get such obtained If You Are Selling It It is just about ready to fall apart. There isn’t 500 miles leit in ‘em. It will have to be entirely repainted. It has been driven 10,000 miles. The model will be discon- tinued. You are fortunate to find a bargain. a buyer. L, M.C. The Composite Bridge Talker Scene: Any bridge party, “QHE already has two babies and he made a hole in one but by putting in casement windows you can get the best salad dressing at Smeltzer’s are having a sale and Mr Smeltzer said my cheeks are as hot as a stove and if this weather has a low waist line and anel in front embroid cred at the corner of Broadw and Forty-sixth and if somebody isn’t killed there I'm going to get stronger glasses for my eyes are two eggs and some bacon but no cereal on the lapel of his coat but he wasn't a Rotarian after all unless they are bobbing it shorter all the time | had fainted dead sixteen stories high. oe y and they took me for a new addition A.RW. AT THE CHILDREN’S MATINEE Manager of Pianist: excore! - APPLAUDID THE BIG STIFF “ENCORE MY EYE! THEY THEY WANT AN ENCORE! THAT CARRIED THE PIANO OFF WITH ONE HAND.” comicbooks.com