Life, 1926-10-14 · page 10 of 44
Life — October 14, 1926 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three separate satirical pieces: **"Baffled"** (top right): A story about Mephistofeles (the devil figure from Faust legend) becoming frustrated with Faust because he's already obtained everything promised—wealth, fame, women—yet remains unsatisfied. The joke is that modern material success doesn't bring happiness, leaving even the devil baffled. **"How the Mighty..."** (bottom left): A comic dialogue between two bootleggers discussing their prior occupations. The first worked as a waiter; the second in liquor. The satire mocks Prohibition-era bootleggers and organized crime. **"October"** (bottom right): A short poem by John McCall contrasting autumn's natural beauty with urban poverty ("I want an apartment for sixty-five dollars"). These pieces collectively satirize modern American materialism, criminal enterprise during Prohibition, and economic inequality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Life THE WAITER W110 BECAME A FIREMAN How the Mighty... IRST BOOTLEGGER: What did you do before Pro’bition? Srconp Bootteccer: Oh, I was in the liquor business. laslin 4 Gar Like Yesterday’s Newspaper “S1p’s SO ARCHAIC—CALLS A GIRL A SKIRT.” Baffled “ S EE here, Faust,” said Mephistofeles, “I've you everything you wanted for a number of y now and I thir , yours. I've given you and beautiful women—' “And_ Rolls-Roye: id steam yachts and real pre- Volstead liquor and, oh, a lot of things,” agreed Faust cheerfully. “You've even done more than that—you've cured me of my slice from the tee and my tendency to look up on my mashie shots. In fact, you're a pretty good sort of devil, old chap, but nevertheless I don't think I can be bothered to let you have my soul—now or ever. t's about time T got that soul of lth and fame good looks At this last remark Me- 4 phistofeles grew +t livid with rage —and as he was al red to be with this was quite a feat and turned him a very peculiar color indeed. “What our contract? he — thundered furiously. “Our con- tract,” replied Faust, “stated that if you ever fell down on an assignment the agreement was off.” “And have I ever—?" began Mephistofeles, but Faust merely smiled condescendingly and handed him an envelope. ‘Fill that order,” he said coldly. Mephistofeles opened the document and read_ it through. Then he cast one venomous look at his intended victim. “Oh, keep your undamned soul!” he howled, and dis- appeared in a clap of thunder. Faust sniffed once or twice in distaste at the odor of brimstone and_ then grinned complacently as his cye caught the writing on the slip of paper he had given his tormentor—for the words he read were: Find me a stenographer who can eat without crooking her little finger, and he knew that his soul was indeed safe forevermore. Edward L. Gordy. “poppy, ARE YOU TAKING your SHOWER BAT “yes, Mal” October Far in the forest, the leaves are falling, Marsh gra: golden, wild geese are But here, in the city, the whole world holler: “T want an apartment for sixty-five dollars!” John McColl. comicbooks.com