Life, 1904-01-28 · page 3 of 22
Life — January 28, 1904 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three satirical pieces from *Life* magazine (a humor publication, not the photo magazine): 1. **Top cartoon**: A man confronts a bear over a log, captioned as "Voice of Guide in Distance: 'What's keepin' yer? Got a bar?'" — mocking outdoor guides and their supposed bear encounters. 2. **"Barnyard Wisdom"**: A poem where a rooster boasts about his knowledge and ability to influence farmers' fortunes—satirizing self-important, bloviating figures who overestimate their influence. 3. **"Overheard at the White House"**: A brief dialogue mocking a Secretary of State's response to Panama Canal business concerns, comparing America's position to being "in f'r a dig, as the ancients used to say"—suggesting diplomatic evasiveness about colonial expansion. The page represents early 20th-century American political and social satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Voice of Guide in Distance: wnat's keerix’ YER? cot A nant Barnyard Wisdom. AID the rooster in the barnyard 7 To the rooster on the vane : “Tm a migh At predicting when ‘twill rain, nowing fellow “ For T cast my eye upon you And observe which way it blows, Then I rouse the farmer's family With my most sagacious crows.” So, to gain a reputation, And to quaff of fortune’s cup, You will find the plan a good one— Have a friend that’s higher up. Elaine MeLandburgh Wilson, Overheard at the White House. ue wet do you really think, now, Mr. Secretary, about this Panama Ca 2” said the President, giving the punching bag another whack. ‘Have we put our foot in it or not?” “1 DON'T KNow YET." “ Well, Mr. President,’’ returned the Secretary of State, “if you really want to know, I think our position is rather in f’r a dig, as the ancients used to say.” IN BOSTON. SAID CUPID: “WIEN IN noSTON rows Mow ALT Is MY wisston t FOR 1, INSTEAD oF pants, EFOR AMMUNITION 2 BREAKING “\7OU doubtless expect to marry for love?” “Oh, now and then!” exclaimed the young girl, romantically. comicbooks.com