Life, 1902-01-23 · page 3 of 20
Life — January 23, 1902 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page 63 Analysis: Life Magazine **"The Chauffeur"** (poem by Edwin L. Sabin): Satirizes early automobiles as dangerous, unreliable machines. The illustration shows a chauffeur and vehicle in a catastrophic crash—wheels up, passengers tumbling—capturing contemporary anxiety about this new technology. The poem's humor derives from the chauffeur's casual attitude ("By Jove, I almost did that mile / In sixty-nine!") despite the disaster, mocking both reckless drivers and the era's mechanical hazards. **"Crush"** and **"The Billionaire's Parting Precept"**: Brief satirical snippets. "Crush" jokes about wedding chaos; the precept mocks wealthy fathers dispensing platitudes to heirs about frugality ("lay something by every year"). The page reflects early-1900s concerns: automotive danger, class dynamics, and social pretension.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Chauffeur, pue day was gloriously bright— A royal, perfect day, When peace and joy, in golden light, On crest and valley lay. Lo, sudden through its midst there veered. ‘A whirring, huge machine Wherein was crouched a goblin weird, Swathed, visored, goggled green, Athwart a flow'ry vale he tore— He scurried up a hill— And down again like mad he bore All reckless of a spill. The fields, high-arched by tender skies, Stretched fair on either hand; Alas, in vain they wooed his eyes— ‘Twas but his watch he scanned! A trail of dust behind him spread, And oaths and shouts and groans ; He stayed for living nor for dead, For ruts nor sticks nor stones, He grasped his lever with a smile Betokening his glee— “By Jove, I almost did that mile In sixty-nine!” said he, Edwin L. Sabin, ‘Wasted. DITOR: What we want is a story containing a real, good idea. ContriputoR: Then why didn’t you say so before? Here I have been reading the back numbers of your maga- zine for a clue. Crush. HERE was a crush at the wedding, I suppose?" The Billionaire’s Parting Precept. “Crush? Why, the ushers had to “M* children, bless you! And remem- form a flying wedge in order to get ber this : Lay something by every the bridal party up to the altar!" year, if it is only a few millions.”” TUS DOLLY DIALOOURS. comicbooks.com