Life, 1927-05-19 · page 17 of 42
Life — May 19, 1927 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two satirical sketches mocking the real estate market and tax collection. **"The Ghost of a Chance"** depicts a real estate agent trying to sell an unsold property by claiming it's haunted—a con to justify why no one wants it. The agent demands five pounds weekly commission despite the obvious scam. The humor lies in the agent's shameless dishonesty. **"Then the Revolution Began!"** shows a Revenue Agent confronting someone about unpaid taxes dating to 1774-1775 (American Revolutionary period). The joke is absurd: demanding modern taxes for houses from before American independence. The individual's exasperation ("don't you realize I cannot tell a lie?") satirizes government overreach and unreasonable tax demands. The silhouette vignette below reinforces everyday social commentary typical of Life magazine's satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Ghost of a Chance “Houses with a reputation for being haunted are no longer a drug on the market, A well-authenticated ghost ntkes a house a ‘best-seller.’ ” —London Answers. Scene: A real estate office. The agent is interviewing a nondescript- looking individual. HE INDIVIDUAL: Please, sir, then you would be wanting a ghost ? Tue Acent: Why, yes, I might use you. One of our men is down with laryngitis and his howling hasn't been up to much lately. You howl, of course? Tur Ixpivipvat: Oh, yes, sir! (He throws his head back and clears his throat.) Tue Acent (hastily): Not in here, ple: The typists, you know. Where did you ghost last? Tur Ixpivivvan: I was ghosting regularly for Peckham & Droole. I had eight houses on me list and I gave full value, sir—howling and chain rattling, creaking staircases and leaving doors open, blowing out candles... Tur Acent (repressing a slight shiver): Quite so, quite so. Now the usual sum is five pounds a week, Is that satisfactory ? Tur Ixpivipvan: expenses, sir. Tne Acent: Tur Ixpvtvivvan: Yes, T have a few good tricks of me own, sir, like, for instance, climbing up to a bed- room window and throwing a black cat onto the counterpane. Black cats run into money! And there’s pizen for the dogs, and an occasional spider or a bat to let loose. Little incidental sums, but they mounts up. Tue Acentr (laughing hollowly): Well, I faney we can arrange that. You seem to have your heart in your work, my man. sir, and pivipuaL (smiling): Well, I can’t say as to that, sir. My heart was cut out in 1640 by a_black- y witch and made into a little Tue Acent (sharply): What did you say? joke We ghostses like to have our little joke. Tur Acex 0 you do, so you do, Well, sit down, my man, and I'll make out your contract. Tue Invivinvar (sitting down): Mind if I make myself easy, sir? (Ile takes off his head and puts it down on the agent’s desk.) Pie Ac Ah-h-h-h-h! Ti pivipva (quickly popping it back on again): 1 beg pardon, sir. I forgot you wouldn't be used to that, You sce, I’m a real ghost. Tux Acent (with chattering teeth): A r-r-real gug-gug-ghost ? Tue Inxptvivuar: Yes, sir. What with you hiring these live men for A Gift for Casanova ROYAL INCOME TAX COLLECTOR Then the Revolution Began! The Father of His Country: now DARE YOU INSINUATE THAT I HAVE COME TAX RETURN. THAT 1 CANNOT as COME, COME, VERY ONE KNOWS TORY 18 A MYTH. WASHINGTON — THAT CHERRY-TR ghosts, the competition is getting aw- ful. And I can do with the money, as well. As a matter of fact, they’: fifteen other ghostses sitting outside your door right now, waiting to see in case you don't hire me. Fancy your not hiring me, sir, Huh- huh - huh - hAH- HAH-HAH- HO0O0000000 ooo! (He job.) got the H.W, WH. comicbooks.com