Life, 1926-12-02 · page 6 of 81
Life — December 2, 1926 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising** for Maillard chocolates and candies (left side), with three unrelated short humorous pieces on the right. "The Skeptic" mocks William K. Smith, who dismisses various political and social claims—French politicians, the "Queen of Romania," and a mazuma (slang for money). The joke is that Smith was arrested for "blocking traffic" while claiming, via a serialized story, to have been "wrapped up." The satire targets his hypocrisy or dubious excuses. "The Lesson" humorously depicts a girl learning proper mouth etiquette from an unnamed narrator, progressing from awkward attempts to finally achieving a successful kiss. "Heroism" briefly presents a boy rescuing a playmate who broke through ice, with onlookers praising his bravery—a straightforward, sentimental anecdote rather than satire. The page reflects early 20th-century Life magazine's mix of advertisements, short satirical commentary, and light humor.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Le Bonbons Chacolates Banbannieres NEW YORK CHICAGO Madison Avenus Hichigan Boulevara at 47” Street Jackson ‘Maillard Restawrant and Candy Department in Stern Brothers’ store, West 42nd Street, New York Maillard Products are sold at most of the better stores everywhere La Marine du Roi (THE KING'S NAVY) 'N IMPORTATION from France by Maillard An assortment of chocolates chosen from our very best preces— unusual packing Two pound sue only, $3.50, — The Skeptic “ A WHOLE lotta hokum!” snorts William K. Smith In scanning the Capitol speeches. “A lotta boloney to fool people with! They're only a buncha he-leeches! “An’ as for these cheap politicians in France! Say, they'll never pay Uncle Sam'l! They got all you fall guys fooled into a trance, I'll bet a cool grand to a Camel. “The Queen o’ Rumania? — Say, lissun, guy, Each furriner’s just a plain grafter! She'd just as soon hand us a sock in the eye! It’s the well-known mazuma she’s after!” But William, the skeptic, for mercy applied When arrested for blocking the traffic. “I was wrapped up,” he said, “in True Tale of Child Bride, Being serialized in the Graphic.” Tip Bliss. The Lesson “DLEASE show me how,” Bess implored. “All my girl friends can. But I just can’t seem to make my mouth behave right. I always have to laugh. Now Is this right?” ’ I was forced to admit. “That's not it at all. You have to pucker your lips more. See, like this.” And I showed her. “Oh, that’s marvelous!” Bess enthused. ‘‘Now once more and I'll see if I can get the—technique I suppose you'd have to call it. Shall we sit over on the sofa? It'll be more comfortable.” “Yes, and besides, we're right in a draught here.” shall we try again?” Bess asked, all enthusi- I'll follow whatever you do. You still don’t do the right things with your mouth. I’m honestly surprised,” I was forced to say, “that a girl of your age, in this age, should have to be taught such a thing as this. “Well, you know how I was eduvated. A girl doesn’t get much chance at this sort of thing in a convent,” Bess sought to vindicate herself. “I know. But I should think it would come natural. I never heard of any one’s having to learn. It’s some- thing you cither do or you don’t, according to whether you think it’s fun or pretty or what ha’ uP” “But you look so funny when you do it.” Bess tried again. “There! You sce? I just can’t keep a straig! face, and of course as soon as I start to laugh the whole thing is spoiled.” Maybe you're self-conscious about me,” I suggested. ow I'll close my eyes and you try.” I closed my eyes. There was a shriek. “TI did it! I did it! I did it!” screamed Bess in glee. And opening my eyes I saw that, sure enough, she had. There, floating in the air, was a beautiful ring of smoke. Bess had made good at last! Carroll Carroll. Heroism ECAUSE he had crawled out on thin ice and rescued a playmate who had broken through, little Willie was the center of a group of admiring men and women. “Tell us, my boy, how you were brave enough to risk your life to save your friend,” said one of the ladies. “I had to,” was the breathless answer. “He had my skates on.” comicbooks.com