Life, 1926-06-17 · page 21 of 44
Life — June 17, 1926 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks Girl Scouts for gambling on horse races. The humor relies on the incongruity of wholesome youth organizations engaging in betting—the Scouts justify their wagering by citing President Theodore Roosevelt's promotion of "healthy, vigorous games." The satire targets two groups: Girl Scout leadership for corrupting youth morality, and Roosevelt (referenced as "the PRESIDENT") for rhetoric that could be twisted to endorse vice. The figure "Wayne Wheeler" likely references a real contemporary, possibly a horse or racing personality. The final joke—Miss Blum lighting a cigarette with a match during a discussion of "improving the breed"—adds a layer of adult hypocrisy: the authority figure modeling questionable behavior while preaching virtue. The overall message: institutional leadership uses noble-sounding rhetoric to justify or enable morally dubious activities, particularly gambling, which 1920s America increasingly associated with corruption and social decay.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Broadway J, 3 (’@ Number THE WARDROBE MISTRESS—OLD AND NEW STYLE The Girl Scouts in Racing Form Wayne Wheeler, in the second Jamaica. I'll bet on him, “My wager shall go to Girlie-Boy,” said Little Eva, PRING. was almost over, so the S Girl Scouts just had to do some- thing. “Well, girls,” exclaimed their tried and trusty Scout Mistress, Miss Blum, “do you realize that this is our third summer as the Dan- delion Troop of Girl Scouts?” “Then let us play,” cried Little Eva, the eldest Scout, tying a double slip-knot in her garter as she spoke. “Play what?” queried the next in age, her glowing with girlish someness. “Why, the Horse Races, of course,” replied Jasmine, the youngest. “Don't you remem- ber how the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES told us to encourage all healthy, vigorous games? And what could be healthier,” she con- cluded, “than racing a horse?” “If the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES wishes it,” agreed Miss Blum, dropping an old - fashioned curtsy at the august title, “we must indeed comply. Forward, Scouts,” she commanded, “to the bank to withdraw the funds of the troop.” “Oh, girls,” giggled Hilda a few minutes later, “here's the most darling little horsie, at “And mine to Man-Alive,” screamed the youngest Scout, playfully shaking her tiny fist at the other two. “Girl Scout work promotes loyalty and true sportsmanship,” de- clared Miss Blum, as she placed the girls’ money. “I love to sce a Girl Scout place a bet,” replied the agent, with a kindly twinkle in his eye. “And now for the re- sults,” he added. Even as he spoke a man in a checked cap removed his ear from the telephone. “Wayne Wheeler loses,” he announced ; “Girlie-Boy comes in tenth; Man-Alive falls dead.” At this unexpected news the Scouts were somewhat crest- fallen, but in a few moments their natural good spirits re- turned. “Scouts,” cried Little E “our money has not gone vain. We have encouraged the races. And do they not im- prove the breed of horseflesh?” “That they do,” seconded Hilda, “and the breed must be improved,” she finished, giving the full Scout salute. “Yes, the breed must be im- proved,” echoed Miss Blum, as in true woodcraft fashion she lit a cigarette with one match. W. W. Scott. Hilda, cheeks whole- WHERE SHALL WE LUNCH? ¢? Ler’s MATCH First! comicbooks.com