Life, 1903-05-07 · page 14 of 36
Life — May 7, 1903 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a humorous poem about golf as a form of leisure, attributed to William Wallace Whitelock. The verse depicts an idealized afterlife where the speaker enjoys perfect golfing conditions—balls that rise "as though of yeast," tees that drive 200 yards, and never-missing putts. The accompanying illustration shows **Mr. Buckton**, identified as "the gentleman on the right," playing poker with two other men. The caption notes he enjoys poker as "relaxation and rest from the cares and worries of business." The satire contrasts two forms of escape for the wealthy businessman: the poem's fantastical golf paradise versus the more grounded reality of a card game. The joke likely satirizes how businessmen justify leisure activities—either through romantic idealization (golf) or pragmatic indulgence (poker)—as necessary respite from work. The elaborate decorative border of cherubs reinforces the humorous, whimsical tone.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Golfer's ASK but Jittle when Tn dead for earthly woes No purple ri ly ask a well-rolled mead. With cighteen holes and putting-greens, yond my means— A caddy with a lynx-like eye, Shall watch me whack the balls, then tly on their airy trip Anil when L come on gentle wing He'll hand me then, the watehful soul, A putter fit for prince or king That's guaranteed to make the goal. MR. RUCKTON (the gentleman o es shall be the sort from whieh Irives two hundred yards at least, over hurdle, bunker, diteh Ils shall rise as though of yeast ; ‘The niblick, mash Shall never iiss or make While only those who § with all time when on earth, the folks Who say T cannot hit the ball; And best of all, the games between, When o'er my nectar Tam heard My triumphs to recount, I ween, There'll not be one to doubt my word. William Wallace Whitelock, the right) SAYS ME LIKES A SOCIAL GAME OF POKER AS RELAXATION AND REST PROM THE Canes AND WORRIES OF RUAINRSS. comicbooks.com