Life — December 2, 1901 — page 26: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Same Old Game. DHE I Y played the game in Asia, ‘ight thousand years agone. same old game that folks play now— he soldiers’ will controlled xs of folks who wrought for bread And did as they were told. his monarch and shook his head dubiously * I'm afraid,” he said, “that you've seared him off. Of course it's true. I'm not so much of a prophet as you, O King. My foresight is only that of a layman, soto speak, but I can see n with half an eye that this Christmas Gift Idea, once it gets started, is bound to b erdone. That fellow will never you be so sure of that,” replied “ Ttell you, that chap is agenu- » philanthropist. He's “got enthusiasm and energy. Naturally L had to tell him the truth as atest. There's one thing about it: if he doesn't come he wouldn't be titted for the job anyway es come back, the face of what I've said, he won't be con- tinually repr ng me with hiding the facts. But he'll be buck, if | know my busine ire enough, at the appointed time the palace bell rang with great gusto, and the young philanthropist, who this time was not alone, presented himself before the King. He led by the hand a young creature, radiant and beautiful, Both blushed violently. And so,” said Father Time, “you are back again, And who is this with you?” “hope,” said the young enthusiast, © that this is the future Mrs. Santa Claus. We've been engaged for some time, you know, and on leaving your presence the other day I told her all my plans and purposes, as it wouldn't be fair for her to unite her life to mine with- out knowing the line of work I have cut out for myself.” “Good!” exclaimed King Time. ‘ That's acapital idea. Of course you need a partner. I congratulate you. I presume from your appearance here that in spite of all the objec- tions I have raised, you still intend to accept the position.” “Well, I hope so,” replied his protégé. “But the picture you drew the other day staggered me a little. I suppose it’s true, too. That's the worst of it. Still, I shall be willing to accept the place on one condition. This, of course, is a permanent thing with me, and I, on my side, have got to have something binding.” “That's reasonable enough,” said King Time. ‘1 expected some such thing from you, as I thought | hadn't mistaken my man. If your condition isn’t too hard, I shall be I. They played the game in Egypt For many thousand years. The strong got what they thought was good, ‘The weak made good their fears. The toilers built the pyramids To hold the bon f kings. Behold them, standing still to mark ‘The constancy of things. * I. In Greece they liked the strenuous life And led it, all who could, While Helots did the tiresome work, As Helots always should, Tl loved the beautiful and good, slicked their skins with oil. Greece was an ideal land for folks Who didn’t have to toil.