Life, 1898-02-24 · page 5 of 20
Life — February 24, 1898 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "One Week" by Carolyn Wells This is a darkly humorous poem illustrated as a circular narrative following Willie Weeks, a poor man, through seven days ending in his death. The progression moves clockwise around the circle: he faces unpaid bills (Monday-Tuesday), courts a wealthy woman Miss Gohbrocks who rejects him (Wednesday-Thursday), despairs and dies (Friday), and is found by authorities (Saturday). The satire critiques class inequality and economic hardship—a poor man's courtship of a rich woman is doomed, his financial desperation is hopeless, and death becomes his only "resolution." The illustrations of various figures (creditors, the woman, officials) surrounding the narrative emphasize society's indifference to his plight. It's sardonic social commentary on poverty and class divisions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘LIFE: [ One Week BY Carolyn Wells TUE year had gioomily begun For Willie Weeks, a poor man's SUN. He was beset with bill and dun, And he had very little MON. “This cash,” said he, ‘ won't pay my dues, I've nothing here but ones and ” Abrightthought struck him, and he said “The rich Miss Goldrocks I will But when he paid his court to her, She lisped, but firmly said “No, THUR!” “Alas!” said he, “then I must die!” His soul went where they say souls FRI They found his gloves, and coat, and bat, The Coroner upon them wit Apotagies TU- Ch-Hfe