Life, 1926-10-21 · page 28 of 44
Life — October 21, 1926 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three satirical pieces: **Main Story: "Heresy"** depicts a courtroom trial where a prisoner is sentenced to death for the treasonous crime of claiming he saw an intoxicated person during a three-month stay in Europe. The satire mocks Prohibition-era America's extreme devotion to temperance as a "cherished American tradition"—so sacred that denying its universal success becomes heresy worthy of execution. The joke is that the prisoner's statement (that intoxication exists) is treated as seditious rather than simply observational. **"Nubbville Spark"** is a local gossip item about Mrs. Melvy Greeley undergoing cosmetic chin surgery followed by arch treatment—poking fun at vanity and the physical consequences of beauty procedures. **"Quite a Difference"** and **"Cover Charge"** are brief humorous anecdotes: one about generational differences in elopement, the other a pun about a bald man finding wigs too expensive. The top illustration shows a beach scene with people socializing, accompanying a fish-culture joke about whether fish have "culture."
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“MOST INTERESTING MAN, THAT—AN AUTHORITY ON FISH CULTURE.” “REALLY! 1 NEVER SUPPOSED THAT Fisit had ANY CULTURE—THAT 18, TO SPEAK OF.” OR the tenth time the prisoner arose from his seat, clenched his fists, and repeated in the san dogged, almost hysterical voice: “I did.” For the tenth time the court room was thrown into turmoil. Men tapped their foreheads meaningly. Squeamish women left the room. There was an ominous mutter—that of a thousand people outraged past all enduring. On the face of the Judge was an expression which could mean but one thing: the death sen- tence. “T did.” Again those awful words burst upon the ears of the assem- bled gathering. For the tenth time the prosecut- ing attorney faced the prisoner. “Do you realize the gravity of your words? Do you realize that they constitute not merely a confession but a treasonable insult? Do you real- ize that you are jeering at an entire Heresy nation, scoffing at a cherished Ameri- can tradition? And do you realize the penalty for your offense?” “I do,” came the answer. Nubbville Spark MRS, MELVY GREELEY, WHO HAD HER CHINS LIFTEDA MONTH AGO, 18 NOW UNDERGOIN’ TREATMENT FER FALLING ARCHES, “And you dare to repeat your statement for what I warn you will be the final time?” “Yes!” shriecked the prisoner. “During my three-months’ sojourn in Europe I did see a person who was intoxicated.” Parke Cummings. Quite a Difference JOHN, JR. (just returned from elopement): Why, Dad, you know you ran away yourself when you we! young fellow! Dav: Yes, but I didn’t take a woman with me! Cover Charge BALD-HEADED man, Mr. Fay, Once decided a wig to essay, But the price was so high That he let it go bigh, For he thought it was too much toopay! comicbooks.com