Life, 1897-12-23 · page 8 of 20
Life — December 23, 1897 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine contains two distinct sections: **Upper section:** An illustration labeled "Life's Polar Expedition—Almost there" depicts an Arctic landscape with an ice formation and a sign reading "5 MILES TO THE POLE." This appears to be a visual reference to polar exploration expeditions of the era. **Lower section:** Two articles—"A Toast" (a poem by J.S.G.) and "Seth Low" (a biographical sketch). The Seth Low article discusses a distinguished Brooklyn-born literary man and politician who served as President of Columbia College. It notes the difficulty of "bridging over the chasm" between different social groups in America. The page mixes exploratory adventure imagery with reflective commentary on American social divisions and notable public figures of the period.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
air. besides con: frost. Paul Friture, chef de cuisine, was in charge of this vessel at the time Miss Sadie Greene, our interesting stowaway, was discovered, He now claims her by prior right of discovery. It needs no subtle insight to know that she loves me, My great of science, the immense receipts I will gather in on my return, and my winning way. have all contributed to this result, But if Paul Friture is thwarted be may refuse to cook for us. Here is a dilemma. Life is not intolerable in these Arctic regions with three well-cooked and well-served meals a day. but depriv suffe Dev. 17.—Paul Friture came to me this morn- ing with his ultimatum, He says it is Miss Sadie Greene or no food. Of course, in a case like this there is but one thing to do, and I shall use all the force of my acquired oratory lov us of our food and we would indeed on Miss Greene. Miss Greene has solved the problem. She has consented to marry the chief cook on our return, provided he keeps on cooking. I hated to have her make the sacrifice, but she does it, she says, for my sake. The interests of science demand that I get back in good con- dition, Dec. 18. Dee. 19.—We have decided not to push on to the Pole for a few days. Miss Bunker is giving a progressive euchre party this evening, and to-morrow we are to have an iceberg luncheon, Please send Mrs. Hornblower my love. I am sorry sometimes that I didn't take her along with us, but there are times— Live's Potar Expeprriox.—Almost there. A Toast. J DRINK to bin who, when he knows he's wrong, Has manliness enough to say so! Whose Yes, when others dodge, is loud and strong— Who, when he thinks No, will but aay Ne I drink to him whose spoken Yea and Nay Shelter no skulkers just behind them! Whose sentiments are open as the day, So those who seek can always find then Tdrink to bim who to his own 3 Pays sole and strict attention purely! To him who deals not in his neighbor's wares! For he’s a rara aris, surely! HERE is abundance of stirring news from the Klondike; stories of impending star- vation; of loot, despair, whiskey, nuggets, and high times. comparatively plentiful to be almost as good as war as a means of furnishing occupation for persons of restless disposition who are insufficiently employed. Hundreds of thousands of men are going out there in the spring. A true airline rail- road—a cable on stilts—is to be built for the transmission of supplies over the pass, and there are to be doings and diggings of alto- gether unprecedented interest. Klondike is an amazing phenomenon. Its development, at high pressure, with all the resources of the Food is very scarce: strong drink Klondike promises contemporary civilization lavishly employed, is going to be a wonderful object lesson. Per- haps gold enough will be thawed out up. there next summer toestablish on a permanent basix the reputation of Major McKinley as a pre cursor of prosperity, Wheat has helped the Major out this year, but cotton cloth sold in New England a fortnight ago at the lowest price it ever reached, and folks down East have been heard to sigh and wonder whether high protection has not been overpraised as a cure-all, Seth Low. HIS distinguished literary man was bom at an early age within hearing of the City Hall, Brooklyn, and in his youth was a politician, He comes of wealthy and incorruptible parents, and when in his teens developed a talent for writing. He is the author of several well-known works, among others ‘ My Inheritance,” ‘* Progress and Sheke “His Majesty Myself,” ‘Bucking the Tiger,” “The Lost Cause,” ‘The Straight and Narrow Way,” and “ Res- ignation,”” Mr. Low recently retired from active affairs, and is now engaged in being President of Columbia College. This is a long distance from being President of the United States, but there seems to be no way of bridging over the chasm. comichooks.