Life, 1927-03-24 · page 6 of 38
Life — March 24, 1927 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct pieces: 1. **"Sad Story of Frustration"** (top): A romantic narrative about two lovers separated by Fifth Avenue traffic, unable to cross and meet despite their longing. The story satirizes modern urban life's obstacles to human connection. 2. **Left illustration**: A stylized tree with figures, accompanying a "Motto" about not hanging clothes on a limb in California where things grow fast—likely satirizing California's rapid development or exaggerated growth claims. 3. **"Offered and Taken" and "Lasting Fame"** (bottom): Brief humorous dialogues about trivial domestic matters (teaching a dog tricks, book fame), representing typical satirical vignettes common to Life magazine's social commentary format. The overall page reflects early-to-mid 20th century concerns about urbanization and modern life's absurdities.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
DO NOT HANG YOUR CLOTHES ON A LIMB IN CALIFORNIA, WHERE THINGS GROW SO FAST. Life Sad Story of Frustration OTH of them reached Fifth Ave- nue, but on opposite sides of the thoroughfare, just as the traffic lights flashed green and the north- and south-bound traffic leaped forward. Their eyes met and in a flash they knew that they loved each other. His eyes and tender smile carried their message to her on the opposite curbing and her own confession, while wordless, was equally unmis- Longing filled them and ed the intervening vehicles impatiently as they rushed past. They thought of the future and, bitter though the present was, they were happy in the knowledge of what was to be — as soon as the tide turned and the cross - town traffic was unleashed. Winter gave way to spring and spring to summer. Autumn with its golden haze, and winter, cold and blus- tering, came and went. Still they waited, eyes filled with yearning, as the traffic flowed cease- lessly north and south, “Soon, soon,” he thought, “the red light will flash and then— then — she will be mine.” “Soon, soon,” she murmured to herself, “the lights will change and then — then — we shall have each other.” In this thought they were content. But the years passed and the He: Avenue motors still hummed ceaselessly along. He saw her bloom into glorious womanhood, then ripen into middle age, and noted with pride how well she kept her figure. She saw him mature like- wise, and regarded tenderly the graying of his temples, the dis- tinguished mustache that lent him the dignity befitting his years. Old age came slowly but inevi- tably, finding their love still young. Unmistakable traces of her former beauty still showed in her delicate features, and under the weight of the years he was still erect and strong, handsomer in his way than ever. Their romance had not faded. They still looked forward with the eager ness of true love to the changing of the traffic lights which would bring them together. But alas, there came a day when Offered and Taken She: 1 CAN GUARANTER TO TEACH THE BLACK BOT TOM IN TEN MINUTES, WELL, YOU'LL HAVE TO GET A WIGGLE ON, weariness descended upon them. She tottered, gazed across the street be- seechingly, and drooped in the arms of a kindly policeman. Seeing, be raised his fingers to his lips, smiled again the old smile of tender affec tion, and slumped to the ground. Age had taken its toll. And then the traffic lights flashed red. John C. Emery. Lasting Fame HE: When does a book become 4 classic? He: When people who haven't read it begin to say they have. comicbooks.com