Life, 1898-07-28 · page 6 of 20
Life — July 28, 1898 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 66 This page contains two distinct sections: **Upper Image:** A photograph labeled "At Life's Farm—Behind the Barn" showing a large outdoor gathering of people near farm buildings. This appears to be documenting an actual event at Life magazine's property rather than a cartoon. **Lower Section:** Two articles discussing Civil War literature. "The Old Soldier-Hero, and the New" compares old war narratives (citing Robert W. Chambers' "The Haunts of Men") with newer, more realistic accounts. The piece critiques romanticized portrayals, noting that recent war stories—particularly about river-men of the West Branch—present "tragedy" and authentic experience that contrasts with earlier sentimental treatments. The satirical angle appears subtle: Life is essentially mocking outdated, overly heroic war narratives in favor of grittier, more truthful depictions emerging from actual soldier accounts.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
jously acknowledged 1. Hollins, . ‘ I's Sake From a Wiitst Chit ta Quiney. Jamaica Plain Soctables. ....: e Cash eines NTT 38 00 0 00 Po ville, Mass Mra. Helen V, Tatuim ROILA * In Memory of Susseelsteessotess WH and GDC TEES 3000 Bertha Rea........ eeesones we oo 842 made and thanks e behalf of the recipients for the r at Lire’s Farm of one dozen balls, three bladder for footlall, one mask, one rubber foottall, six bats and four gloves from Messrs, A. G. Spalding: & Brothers, The Old Soldier-Hero, and the New. HERE | kinds of stories in“ The Haunts of Men” (Stokes), by Robert W. Chambers, but the one that will bit any man who loves the woods hardest is “The AT LIFE'S FARM—BEHIND THE BARN Little Misery.” And if the man has ever outfitted at Kineo, puffed up to the North- west Carry on the little steamboat, crossed. Seboomook Meadows, and paddled up tho West Branch to camp on the Island, he will find himself at home again in this tale of Jim Skeene, “a river-driver beyond tho Northwest Carry who respected neither moose nor man.” Some men write about the woods as they would write about original sin, treating it asa subject to be discussed solemnly and learnedly, with a view to showing off their special knowledge. And others write about it sentimentally, grafting upon inanimate trees and inarticulate animals the petty emotions of their own hearts, But Mr. Chambers knows the woods as a sportsman, a naturalist, and an artist. When he describes the wild things disport- ing thomselves in front of Skeene's hut, up Little Misery, ho gives you the real thing— the Maine woods as they appear to one who knows them, Moreover, the tragedy described is one that is entirely in keeping with the trap- pers and river-men of the West Branch. cur guide will tell you similar tales as he paddles you up to Canada Falls, HE group of war stories at the begin- ning of the volume hark back to tho Rebellion, and are sentimental, humorous and dramatic by turns, From now on, this kind of tale will chango its earmarks. For a generation tho’ Rappahannock and the Potomac, Gettysburg and Atlanta, have been names to juggle with in song and story. Yankeo and Southern dialects in alternate layers have been necessary ingredients of a war story. Henceforth the tune will be changed. Plain United States, interlarded with East- side Dago, will be the vehicle for war dia- logue. The Rough Ridors will supersede Mosby's Guerrillas; San Juan Hill will dis- place Cemetery Ridge. Already the Minié ball bas ceased to aing in literature, and the “spit” of the Mauser is taking {ts place. The uniform and equipment of the soldier standing guard on the cover of Mr. Chambers’s book are out of date. The reign of the cartridgo-box, the flat fatigue cap and the paint-brush goatee is over. The prevailing hero wears a campaign slouch hat and a belt full of cartridges, canvas leggings, and a Norfolk jacket with numerous pockets. He is mostly smooth- sbaven, and likes to show his teeth. He SEATS FR A DA OO PURO nek OX RAT SA ee comicbooks.com