Life, 1926-06-24 · page 8 of 41
Life — June 24, 1926 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a satirical playlet titled "The Young Folks in Journalism: A Playlet of Love and Romance" by Marjorie Damasey Wilson. The satire mocks workplace romance and gender dynamics in journalism offices of the era. It depicts a beautiful female writer caught between professional ambitions and romantic entanglement with a handsome young editor. The playlet's title questions whether a woman can maintain her career or must choose marriage ("Shall It Be Marriage or a Career?"). The accompanying cartoons illustrate workplace absurdities: one shows an employee reluctantly working night shifts, another depicts a shopgirl receiving unwanted attention. The satire critiques the tension between women's emerging professional roles and persistent Victorian expectations that women prioritize matrimony over careers—a common early 20th-century anxiety about "modern women" in the workforce.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Gladys: SAY, WO YOU KNOW T MAD TO SPEND TWO CENTS TO GET A PENNY BIT OF GUM OUT OF YOUR DARNED MACHINE A SECOND AGO? Quick-Thin y Employee: Tas ALL RIGHT. OTHER CENT 1S COVER CHARGE A Trifle Daring HOPGIRL: Congratulate me, Ma! I've just been offered a good job as a window dresser. Demovs Motirk: But surely, dear, you wouldn't do a thing like that in a window! Radio Bug: cr VLL HAVE TO DRINK COFFEE AT NIGHT. I CAN'T KEEP AWAKE DURING THESE BEDTIME STORIES. The Young Folks in Journalism A Playlet of Love and Romance Tue Ciaracters Daily Shriek. HER, a b 1 girl writer on the Daily Shriek AS CURTAIN ASCENDS, HER sits before her desk harassed by the question, MUST THE GIRL WHO WORKS SACRIFICE HER FEMININITY? ENTER HIM, a re t light in his eyes, for h as just put his newspaper to bed, heard its lisping childish prayers and, as is of has emerged @ better ma’ y of an adult with @ child, for it. He clutches his throat in sudden ardor, HIM : Beautiful Girl Writer with Desire. HER (s y How a Girl Know a M Intentions ? paling) Young HE was so mad she couldn't speak! Handsome Editor Faces Terror of Rejection. HER (in half-whis- fer): How Do You Know He Is Your True Mate? HIM Har 4 tor Strives to Lure Beautiful Girl Writer with Pre Luxury. HER (ce ): Is It Worth the Price? HIM : Handsome Young sme Young Editor © of Emotional Insanity Pulls Gun on Self. (So saying, he draws from inkwell a big black gun.) HER (gently reproachful): Does It Pay to Play with Fire? wrenches gun from his hand, tosses it into ink- well and of the hair of HIM.) HIM: Ha rimonial Situa- tion with He grinning like a darned fo HER ( : How Can You Make Him Guess That You Care HIM (briskly) : Handsome trothal to Beautiful Girl Write HIM asp HER (embracing) : Handsome Youn! and Beautiful Girl Writer Transform Dingy Editoria and sits there Editor Announces Be- Editor Rooms Into Castle of Love and Romance. Curtats. Marjorie Damsey Wilson, Farther Back Yet ’ forefathers came over in the Mayflower.” Huh! Mine went to the opening performance of sh Rose.” comicbooks.com