Life, 1902-06-05 · page 9 of 22
Life — June 5, 1902 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 487 This page contains two distinct elements: **Left side:** A sequence of humorous illustrations labeled "A FLY WORM" showing a bird's awkward attempts to catch or consume a worm—satirizing clumsy or ineffective effort. **Right side:** "The Making of a Citizen"—a dark cartoon depicting men in a hotel room, apparently illustrating political corruption or bribery. The caption suggests cynicism about citizenship and civic participation being bought or manufactured rather than earned through genuine character. **Below:** "Kickers' Column," a letters section responding to previous articles about "Progressions in the Case of Miss Stone" and missionary work. The column criticizes hypocrisy among those claiming moral superiority while engaging in questionable practices. **Bottom joke:** A brief humorous exchange about someone's eventful personal history. The overall theme critiques institutional corruption and moral inconsistency in Gilded Age America.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A FLY WORM, THE MAKING OF A CITIZEN. “NO, YOU AIN'T OFF FOR NEW YORK! WE'RE BOOMIN' THIS TOWN, AND WE TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN SATIN’ THAT THEM THAT COMES HERE, STAYS. 60 YOU CAN TAKE YOUR choice RETWEEN BEING AN ACTIVE CITIZEN Of A DEAD ONE.” Kickers’ Column, AM ashamed of you, Lirr. You pretend to stand for truth, fair play and good manners. And yet, in your ** Prognostications in the Cate of Miss Stone,” you have uttered tome mean lice about a class of persone, most of whom are of the highest character and moet un- selfish aims, for no other reason than that you do not approve of their enterprise. And when called down in good form and temper, instead of making the aminde honoralde, or a decent defence, you turn again and rend thowe who write to you, very much after the manner of a certain animal commonly supposed to have no apprecia- tion of pearls, ‘You seem to have a plentifal supply of kind feeling for the poor Filipinos ; sce if you cannot manufacture a lit- tle for the poor missionaries. You have acted in this matter like a self-righteous, foolish and ill-mannered little bypocrite, and you owe & large number of your best friends confession and amendment of Lirz. W. R. Taylor. Rocuestrr, N. Y., May 8, 1902. Although evil communications corrupt good manners, a soft answer turneth away wrath, and Lire feels compelled to reply to this courteous epistle from a Christian gentleman. It is not often that Lire iscalled a hog and a hypocrite simul- taneously, but following the teachings of the meek and lowly missionaries, it is quite willing to turn the other cheek to be smit- ten by Miss Stone's amiable champion. Its only defence is that ‘ The Prognostications in the Case of Miss Stone,” which were made before that lady returned to America, have without exception proved true. Lire's view of missionary work also seems to be confirmed by our correspondent when he speaks of it as an “enterprise.” In the “ Prognostications ” Lire suggested that the civilizing and sanctifying work of the missionaries might better begin at home. In Rochester, for instance. ae } E has had an interesting career, hasn't he?”” “Well, rather. He has been through two fortunes, three wives and a sanitarium.” comicbooks.com