Life, 1901-04-18 · page 7 of 22
Life — April 18, 1901 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "An Old Ditty" - Life Magazine Satire This page satirizes political corruption and treachery through a dialogue set to song, referencing historical figures Funston, Aguinaldo, and Macabeus. The joke involves betrayal and deception ("forgery and lying") presented as "the modern thing"—mocking contemporary political scandals. The lower cartoon depicts a character named John in what appears to be prison or confinement, discussing a job that's "disgusting" and "dirty." He's rationalized his moral compromise by noting he's "taking [his] place among the nations," suggesting cynical acceptance of unethical conduct as normal political practice. The overall message critiques how modern politicians justify corruption and betrayal as inevitable or acceptable aspects of power-seeking.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“wane reer AGENCY. RE IS YOUR BROTHER FINO Now?” INK HE MUST BE EMPLOYED BY A DETECTIVE HE MAS BEEN POLLOWING 4 MAN AROUND TOWN ALL DAY LONG." Cc LIE: An Old Ditty. GING a song of Funston: Now his treachery Captured Aguinaldo ; Forgery ‘That's the modern thing; Isn't it a dainty dish To set before the King? Life’s Short Story Con- test. I* reply to those who have writ- ten to enquire as to what sort of short stories would be most accepta- ble for the contest (a notice in detail of which will be found in the adver- tising pages), Lire would say that this matter is left entirely to the judgment of its contributors. 323 Lire does not wish to’ restrict the contestants in any sense, or to point to any particular field as being likely to produce the most favorable results, Any story is good if interesting and well written. Above all, brothers and sisters, write something to please your- selves, and it will not be in vain. What do you think of ishonest trick Funston played on Aguinaldo when he cap- tured him? ‘E: Great! Wasn't it? ‘tit? But all the same, if one of my boys had done a thing like that, I would have whipped him within an inch of his life.” NOT SO EASY AS IT LOOKED AT FIRST. “ H OW are you getting on, John?" “Beastly bad, It’s disgusting how the little beggar keeps {t up. realize how good | am to ‘im, nor all the supertor things | i. tt ix & good Joke on you, John." \d how about yourself? “ Well, 1—I—er—1 bave about ended tt, of course, but it's a dirty job ‘snd not tn 'my tine.” He doesn’ Ane “Yea, tt tn your tine. You are taking your place among the nations now aud becoming @ power. Bat that’s the idea. When you d Becoming # hog, you mean." Well, no—not exactly.” And then, there's this difference between us : is sort of thing, you sing psalms and talk think you are doing decent work, But thieving, cowardly Job. 1 wasn't brought up to 1t.”” Oh, you are too sensitive, Jonathan.” “Well, I guess that's Just the difference.” Know it's a blackguardl comicbooks.com