Life, 1902-10-02 · page 14 of 22
Life — October 2, 1902 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This poem satirizes **Life magazine's subscription practices** through a religious allegory. St. Peter appears to condemn the narrator for "taking Lire" (Life), interpreting it as breaking divine law. However, the twist reveals "Lire" is actually the subscription list for *Life* magazine itself. The satire suggests that *Life's* subscribers form a large, organized group whose collective presence legitimizes what might otherwise seem questionable. The "business crams" reference indicates the magazine uses subscriber lists strategically during busy periods, perhaps implying questionable circulation practices or accounting methods common to publications of that era. The humor lies in the double meaning: those who've "taken Life" (consumed the magazine) are actually respectable subscribers who "pass in without exams"—suggesting *Life* magazine's broad, uncritical readership. The poem gently mocks both magazine promotion tactics and readers' blind acceptance of popular publications.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SN SNe The “Open Sesame.” S*. PETER turned the telltale leaves ; I waited While alphabet he scanned, with breath abated And fear and trembling rife. Sudden he fixed me with his awful frown : “T find you in these pages written down As one who's taken Lire ; That you have broke the Law there's no mistaking. ‘Therefore depart ye hence!” Then I essayed with accents slow and quaking To utter a defense : “That I have taken Lire I-do admit; In fact, dear Saint, I'm rather proud of it, For Lire is very taking ; Beside,” I said, ‘your Saintship! There are others.” With that I pointed to my waiting brothers Who compassed me about, And then there came a shout with one accord : “We all take Lire!” the mighty concourse roared. Good Peter, half in doubt, Turned o'er the book. ‘*'Tisa mistake, I see. 'Tis Live's subscription list they've handed me ; We keep it here to use when business crams. The ones writ here pass in without exams.” ‘The portal opened, and with happy din Those who had taken Lirg went singing in. Sarah S, Pratt, comicbooks.com