Life, 1905-11-02 · page 36 of 48
Life — November 2, 1905 — page 36: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a serialized fiction story (left column) interrupted by a full-page advertisement for The Gorham Company (right side). The narrative appears to be a supernatural or reincarnation tale: a man, now an infant, has mysteriously regained consciousness and the ability to speak. He confides in "the Major," a retired army officer neighbor, revealing that he died exactly one year prior—April 12, 1904—in an automobile accident in Brooklyn with a woman named Clara Louise. He has somehow been reborn as a baby and now possesses his adult memories and intellect trapped in an infant's body. The story's central tension concerns whether Clara Louise survived the crash. The Major, shocked but honorable, agrees to keep this impossible secret. The advertisement for sterling silver flatware interrupts the narrative, offering 50+ spoon and fork patterns for weddings and family use, priced from $90 upward. The juxtaposition creates an odd tonal clash typical of Life's layout: fantastical fiction meets mundane consumer goods.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
nitely—or until an age when it would have been proper for me to show that I was conventionally old enough to be a friend of the family—had it not been for one person This was the Major a retired army officer, an old bachelor who lived next door to my new parent, and who was very fond of babies He used to come in end play \ ged with me when mater was otherwise ‘or some time I studied the Major quietly, while [ perfected my vocal organs and waited my opporti The at last I were alone and the ity to reveal myself ay came It was early in the afternoon. The Major and 1 was lying in the crib, supposed to be on the verge of sleep, Major was sitt Suddenly [ looked up quietly and. said by my side dawdling a rattle over my head “Well, Major, how are you?” If a shell had sailed into the room through the open window. my friend He dropped the rattl t_and was half way to the door before 1 recovered 1 scarcely have been more astonished prans presence I knew if he ever got out of the door, my chance was gone is f of mind. I set up then came “Bless my I picked up the rattle and waved it at him franti “Major!” T cried, * Don't be wail. The Major hesitated on the threshold a moment, and wly back. He paused half way to the erih soul!” he ejaculated. ‘t leave me ightened. I's all right. here and sit down military gait He threw back his shoulders and then with his old time he asked in a hollow voice, « waved at me in his cken manner led back at him. “Major!” [ said “isn't this a ridiculous and ug position for a . don't you “Can it be possible.” be cried, “that —" I interrupted, “te day is the 12th of And the year?” “1904.” “Good Heavens! were killed. Tha Who is Clara Low He leaned over ¢ me the date April.” Just one year from the day that Clara Louise and T pose she was killed.” Major He thought he was on the right track. of those asked the see how it spirits T have heard You ci "t you? 1 put on my brighte about smile tam the kid man of twenty-seven in this kid, but L young million dollars “Tone Let only have a controlli tere explain. A year ago 1 w ac i Oh, | lege graduate and in my own right worth about five by t ee way, what town is tl Brooklyn.” “As I suspected. prettiest, money, but was in Well, I ult love She ived in Chicago. 1 sw est and ther best girl in’ the world had no | | with the| | ference tome. One day Tt It was the 12th of April,| and when T came to, 1 out riding ina new automobile | had just got just one year ago to-day. We ran over a bridge. was here.” The \ “How long have you known this? “Why, for some weeks. When I Grad time in the greatest astenishment he asked. first woke up, I was merely jor looked conscious of being alive once more . however, my own identity But I've had to control myself. It would never do, of course, can talk. Why, it would be But I know you to be a man of honor came back to me. to show them that I Major, I have studied you keep my secret, will you not, for the present?” The Major thought “Why, yes,” he said What's your idea for the future?” irst,” IT said, ast fing out if Clara Louise was killed with me. | e is still alive— hat would be awkward for you,” said the Major. expect her to wait.” I sank back on my pillow in the deepest concern dreadful you, You will “L suppose, of course, it’s the only thing to do.| “You could hardly Sterling Silver poons and Forks for Weddings and Family Use Some idea of the Gorham Com- pany’s productions may be gained from the fact that in the new Gorham Building there are shown for selection more than a score of distinct patterns of Spoons and Forks, protected by patent, and in various weights; each pattern in- cluding over fifty different indi- vidual pieces and one hundred serving pieces. These are sold separately or by the dozen, as may be desired. Particular attention is directed to the Combinations, which may be had in Chests containing from Sixty Pieces at $90 Upward to Eight Hundred Pieces at corre- spondingly favorable prices. Sa The Gorham Company Silversmiths and Goldsmiths h Avenue and Thirty-sixth Stre Sea