Life, 1905-07-06 · page 11 of 44
Life — July 6, 1905 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main illustration depicts a fashionable woman holding an injured child, satirizing dangerous Fourth of July celebrations. The accompanying poem by Carolyn Wells mocks the holiday's carnage with dark humor—children losing fingers, arms shattered, ears blown off by fireworks and cannons, yet parents dismissing injuries as trivial ("Don't cry so, my dear"). The lower section contains two unrelated items: a brief dialogue mocking Christian Science (a contemporary religious movement), and a cartoon showing what appears to be a debt collector confronting a man, playing on financial anxieties. The overall message criticizes the recklessness of Independence Day festivities and society's casual acceptance of preventable childhood injuries during celebrations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Tired. Mr. Brown, why did ve the Christian you Science Church “Really, Miss Jones, if you will have the truth, I got so awfully tired of being so persistently cheerful all the time.” A Professional. IRST KATYDID: Is that your daughter singing so sweetly in the next tree? Seconp Katypip: Yes; you sce her legs were cultivated in Europe. NOTHING recedes like success. Fourth of July, 1905. OME on, my dear children, now let's have some fun, ‘These big cannon crackers go off like a gun. What? You've put your left eye out ? What matters an eye To one who would celebrate Fourth of July ! Now fire off your rifles, and set off your bombs, Don't mind if you do lose some fingers and thumbs. What? You've shattered your arm ? up ina sling. Don't stop the proceedings for such a small thing. Tie it And now for the cannon, and now for the shell ; The day is progressing exceedingly well. What's that? Little Johnny has blown off anear? Well, such things will happen. my dear. Don't cry so, These jumbo torpedoes go off mighty loud, Let's fire one right down in the midst of the crowd, What shrieking and howling! hurt? Yes? Well, this celebration has been a success ! Are many Carolyn Wells, Kit: ve COME TO COLLECT MY LIFE INSURANCE. Dog: WHY, YOU'RE. NOT DEAD YET. “1 KNOW—BUT I'VE LOST ONE OF MY LIVES.” comicbooks.com