Life, 1926-12-02 · page 52 of 81
Life — December 2, 1926 — page 52: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks entitled, petulant wealth through a spoiled child's letter to Santa. Elsie received an Austrian Daimler automobile for Christmas but is ungrateful because she specifically requested a Hispano-Suiza—a more expensive luxury car. The humor centers on Elsie's transparent contradictions: she claims not to be upset while clearly furious; denies jealousy of her friend Betty Jones (who received the desired Hispano-Suiza) while obsessing over it; and insists she's "not ungrateful" while demanding an even costlier replacement. The satire targets the superficiality and materialism of the wealthy, particularly spoiled children who view luxury automobiles as interchangeable commodities. References to "huge allowance" and car models reflect 1920s-30s upper-class indulgence. The exaggerated emotional language and bratty tone create the comedy, exposing how privilege breeds ingratitude and petty status competition.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Christmas T, 7 HERE SANT: That was a catsy car you gave me last December (You know—the Austrian Daimler; but I guess you won't remember. But really I'm not peeved at that. I mean I used to be But now I guess I’m used to people not remembering me). But there's just one little matter that I'd like to speak about (Though you mustn't think, you old sweet thing, that I am going to pout Or that I'm the least ungrateful! Why, I simply couldn't live If I dreemed that you'd think that of me! I’m much too sensative !). But what I mean is this—the Daimler wasn’t quite the kind Of car that when I asked for it was what I had in mind. Now don’t misunderstand me! too magnifacent But you sce an Austrian Daimler wasn’t just the car I meant. It was What I asked for, you remember (but I don’t suppose you do, Though I’m sure that isn’t any more than I’m accus- tomed to), Was a closed Hispano-Suiza. I particularly said If I had to take another kind I'd just as soon be dead! O that when I saw the Daimler, Christmas morning, parked outside, I was so darn dissapointed that I almost really died, For though used to having small requests persistantly ignored I had set my heart on this onc! absolutely roared. K Sol a ; “hot wD But the morning after Christmas, when ‘ your lovely letter came I could see you absolutely weren't the tiniest bit to blame. It was my own fault entirely, as your letter made quite clear, For I'd written you too late to get delivery that year. So then of course I saw that I'd been acting like a kid So I forgave you right away. I mean I really did! £ e@ Munber Little Elsie’s (?hristmas Letter By Baron Jreland I mean I didn't blame you, since my letter was belated, I'd just flared up because you see I felt humilliated Because that flat tire Betty Jones, my very bitterest friend (At least she was, for now, of course, our friendship’s at an end), Had asked you months and months be- fore, without a word to me, For her Hispano-Suiza, so she got de- livery ! So when she came to show it off— on Christmas Day, at that! Of course it made me simply wild. She knew it would, the cat! To steal a march on me like that she'd think was simply grand! I never dreemed she'd do a thing so simply underhand! Of course I wasn’t jealous of the ratty bus she got Because I think that jealousy is simply gastly rot! And anyhow the Daimler is a so much prettier blue! I mean I really think it is. I mean I really do! So, Santa, you're forgiven; but this time I'll take no chance So I’m asking you this Christmas simply vance. Now don't say it’s too expensive! can be You can get a huge allowance on the Daimler—just you sce! eons in ad- I'm as sure as sure ND oh, I need this, Santa Claus! or bust! I need to show that Jones cat up! must! I must! Oh, Santa, do be catsy! for I know that you can be! And just for once in all my life be nice to lit- tle me! I must have this I must! I I mean it’s such a teeny thing, dear Santa, that I ask. It's not as if to give me it would mean an awful task. And I will never raise again my justly famed soprano If you'll for godsake just this once give Exsir THAT HISPANO! comicbooks.com