Life, 1928-04-19 · page 41 of 43
Life — April 19, 1928 — page 41: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents humorous anecdotes mocking a boastful acquaintance through exaggerated stories. The narrator uses deadpan humor to deflate the subject's self-importance. **The jokes:** - A famous diva supposedly flirts with him; the narrator suggests he lacks charm - He fights a giant fish for hours, eroding his boat; likely a tall tale - He nearly kills pedestrians (including J.P. Morgan, a famous banker) with reckless driving - A conductor invites him to lead an orchestra; he false-modestly refuses **The satire targets:** Social pretension and self-aggrandizing storytelling. The narrator's consistent response—dismissing or contradicting each claim—suggests these are fabrications. The specific mention of J.P. Morgan (then America's most famous financier) adds topical humor. The adjacent **Richardson Boat Company advertisement** is standard period marketing promoting recreational boating as leisure-class activity. The overall effect ridicules men who constantly boast about their adventures and romantic/social success.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Interesting Experiences of an Acquaintance of Mine (I have his word for it..-) HE visited a night club. At a nearby table sat a woman of startling beauty whom he recognized as a world-famous di Ignoring her escort, she stared invitingly at my acquaintance, her whole heart in her great dark eyes. Somewhat dis- gusted, he arose to go; as he walked past her, she dropped her handker- it his feet with a tremulous He simply pretended not to have seen this somewhat pathetic overture... He wished my whether there is a subtle attraction about him that would account for the unfortunate infatuation that over- comes most women in his presence. I told him no. chief smile. opinion H* went fishing on a stream in Florida. Soon he had a tre- mendous strike—realized that he was fast to something huge. Although his tackle was light, he set his jaw and grimly determined to fight it out. He was towed by this monster eleven miles to the coast and fourteen miles out to sea. He did not get back until ten a. mM. of the following day, when he found that his boat had been eroded an inch deep at the water line by the speed of the trip. At times he had noticed what looked like steam He had no idea what this gargantuan creature could have been and wanted to know what I thought. I thought it was probably the Les Angeles. arising H F. bought a new car. While pass- ing through Times Square one rainy day, he had to stop suddenly to avoid hitting a pedestrian (whom he recognized as his friend, J. P. Morgan). Immediately the car turned end for end on the slippery pavement. To neutralize this mo- tion, he stepped on the accelerator, a trick he had learned from dear old Barney Oldfield, and the car whirled in the opposite direction, even faster. read Life regularly EVERY week! All Outdoors is Yours with the Cruisabout! Fitted for your every comfort, the Cruis- about will reveal to you a pleasure which the landlubber can never know! no crowded, dusty roads on the water, and your speed is limited only by your inclination There is no greater sport in the world than motor boating, and no greater boat of its class than the Cruisabout. RICHARDSON BOAT COMPANY North Tonawanda, N. Y. Cruisabout displey rooms in: Chicago Boston Amityville, Long Ieland RiGee D 8 The whole story of the Cruisabout is told in the Cruisabout folder, freely and instantly sent at your request. 398 Sweency street New York Washington MASTER PAAR AA RA ARAHAARASRE Whether you want to fish, or just idle easily through some peaceful inland river, or run through a heavy blow, the Cruisabout is your boat! The: e are Detroit Philadelphia Being a lightning thinker in emer- gencies, he clapped on the emergency brake, which once more reversed the motion. Spinning terrifically like a huge top, the car moved sidewise into the screaming crowd, spooning up four men onto the running board as it went on its mad career, and it was only his large experience as a deep- that prevented him from becoming incapacitated at the wheel....He wanted to know if I didn’t think it fortunate that no one was killed. I said I was not so sure about that. water sailor E attended a revue, sitting away down front near the conductor. He hummed the music (which was very fair) with a good deal of spirit, beating time with his program. Sud- denly the conductor turned and re- marked, “Come on up and lead ’em Although pleased with the compliment, my acquaintance modestly shook his head and went right on humming. Thereafter, the conductor frequently turned and looked hard at him....He wanted to know if I could imagine why the man stared so. I said he had prob- ably mistaken him for Gershwin. | yourself!” H E resigned his position in a busi- ness firm after calling the boss's attention to the inefficiency of two of the partners and the general man- ager. He felt that he simply wasting his talents in any such at- mosphere....He wanted to know if I knew of a good opening for him. We happened to be passing one just at that moment and I pushed him down it. My appetite is returning and I feel better than I have felt for years. H.F. comicbooks.com