Life, 1900-01-04 · page 3 of 20
Life — January 4, 1900 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page This page contains three distinct pieces: **"A Ballad of the Old Year"** by Kate Masterson: A nostalgic poem reflecting on the passing year, addressing themes of youth, dreams, and hope for the coming year. The verse asks repeatedly "When will the old year's dreams come true?" **Main illustration**: Shows a man and woman in what appears to be an intimate or romantic moment, captioned with dialogue about making a difference in a relationship. **Two brief humor items**: "Beside the Lake" depicts a skating mishap with romantic complications. "A Good Guess" is a simple joke where a teacher asks who Cain was, and a student guesses "the first Englishman"—a mild jab at English national pride or stereotypes. The page reflects typical early-20th-century Life magazine content: sentimental verse, romantic illustration, and gentle social humor rather than sharp political satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Ballade of the Old Year. OME ono knocks at the outer gate. Give him a welcoma, glad and fre Winds blow coldand the hour is late; Bid him enter whoo'er he be. Bring you a message kind to mo, Happy youth, in your eyes of blue? Shall wo find the promise we wait to seo? When will tho old year’s dreams come true? Hore alouo by the fire wo've sate, Huddled close with our memory ; Hands clasped idly, wo blindly wait, And answer back from tho sky or sea, How of the songs we sang in glee, And the roses that blossomed in morning dow, And tho laughter and love and the life hoped we? When will tho old year’s dreams como true? Golden onco was his curly pate. Ah—tho old year, fair of face was ho; A blithe young roguo with a smile for fate. His eyes wero swoct when ho made his plea To tarry hero in our company. Promises many—fulflliments fow. We loved him well, but wo'll trust not yo. When will tho old year’s dreams come true? Gay young year, here's a health to thee, A rose and a glass and a song for you, If to tell us tho secret you'll agree. When will tho old year’s dreams come true? Kate Masterson, She: MOTHER SAYB THERE 18 A RUMOR THAT YOU ARB QUITR WAST. “MY DARLING, WOULD YOU ALLOW A THING LIKR THAT TO MAKR ANY DIFFERENCE?” She (doubtfully): N-NO, STILL, 1 WOULD RATHER MAVR IT CONFIRMED. Beside the Lake. A Good Guess. THOUGHT sho gave mecause to doubt, . . . Dablsoon't blessed my fates; EACHER: And who was Cain? i ae. pall cimket bias, ; iptelg aay et For though my rival took her out, Sma.y Boy: I gucashe must have PASTLY SQUIRKEL CAME ALONG AND ATE US i Soe OF otearaito mone) "Twas I put on her skates. been the first Englishman. comicbooks.com