Life, 1903-06-04 · page 15 of 36
Life — June 4, 1903 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct satirical pieces: **Left: A political cartoon titled "June"** depicting a flowering plant with human faces growing from it like blossoms. The accompanying text describes a King suffering from various nervous ailments who is forced by inventors to "combine" into some new entity. His clown advisor reveals the King's true name is "Slave"—suggesting commentary on how modern inventions and commercial interests have enslaved people, particularly the wealthy or powerful who believe themselves free. **Right: Two separate pieces:** 1. **"The Greatest of These"** by Bolton Hall presents a satirical catechism mocking charitable organizations. It distinguishes between direct charity, "scientific charity," and "organized charity"—arguing that institutional charity merely shuffles unwanted donations through bureaucratic systems rather than providing genuine help. Love, by contrast, requires *mutual* desire. 2. **A brief joke** about a murderer's excessive flower gifts implying his crime was "against woman"—contemporary social commentary on violence against women and the inadequacy of flowers as recompense. The page reflects Progressive-Era skepticism toward both industrialization and institutional charity.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
515 ventors in the country became thor- oughly aroused is a good thing,” they all chorus, Let us Ihe is worth.” So they joined forces, and pereeiv- ing that the ble appetite for something new, they said: Let’s combine.” The King began to protest, but it was useless. Having all his ex- travagant habits fastened upon him, he was obliged to do as the inventors said, He did not know his own power, Hesides, he discovered that he wasn’t so well as he had been, There was scarcely a nervous ailment known that he didn’t have. He had the Stock I the Traveler's Twiteb, the ation Dance, the Yellow Fever, and many other complications, Finally, however, he suw- moned bis trusty clown, there being no wise men left in the © clown, perhaps you can tell me what is the matter with me!” “There is nothing the matter with you, except your name,” said the clown, at, you know, is not King, but Slave.” “How long sin ked the King. The clown laughed dard-Oil, coal-operator laugh © Tt has always been Slave,” he replied. * Only you haven't known it.” m Masson, The Greatest of These. APA, what is Charity?” Charity, my son, is giving away ** What is Scientific Charity?” entific Charity giving away what one who does not want it.” “What is Organized Charity?" “Organized Charity, my son, is. giving something that you don’t t to some Society which will give it away to one who does not want it “Then what is Love, papa?" “Love? Oh, Love is only giving something that you want some one who wants it—but that will panperize the poor.” Bolton Hall. porst VISITOR: What crime did this mur- derer commit? Seconp Visitor: It must have been some crime against woman. Look at all the flowers he has got. comicbooks.com