Life, 1907-06-20 · page 21 of 32
Life — June 20, 1907 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The cartoon depicts a social gathering where one man tells another he's been reading a Henry James story. When asked "What's it about?", he responds "He hates to tell"—a joke about Henry James's famously dense, lengthy, and difficult prose style. James was known for intricate narratives and elaborate psychological exploration that left readers struggling to understand basic plot points. The humor lies in the implication that after reading James, the man cannot summarize the story because James's writing is so convoluted that comprehension itself becomes questionable. This reflects early 20th-century literary culture where James was celebrated but also mocked for his impenetrability.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Grave of Reputation (New York City is truly the grave of reputation—of that species of reputation founded upon distinctions acquired elsewhere.—Argonaut.) USED to be a senator from somewhere way out West, T used to be a colonel from below, I used to have a mission as a U.S. politician, T used to be a “figure,” don’t you know. 1 used to be an orator from Oratoryvill My name was known wherever there was day. But now my personality is merely a finality, And all because I’m buried on Broadway. I used to be a preacher with a halo round my head, I used to be a magnate—one that “loomed,” And I cut a big sensation on a local reputa- tion— The one whom all provincial papers boomed. I used to be ‘“‘distinguished”—I could always draw a crowd, All the country yearned to hear what I might say. But I got to be am! pernicious, And now I’m but a specter on Broadway. jous in a manner quite And when I get to Heaven, as I slip in through the gate I know ahead just what my fate will be. 1 used to be a wonder with a name to make men ponder, But that is what they won't hand out to me. I used to be a “one spot,” but old Gabriel will smile, And as he checks me off I hear him say “Here's a fresh old aggregation with a Has- Been reputation ; You can label him just ‘Nobody—Broad- way.’”” T. LM. EADING, PA. Dear Lije—May call your attention toan Old Testament prophecy of the coming and passing of the mobile? It is found in the thied chapter of laiah, as follows s. What sean ye, that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? 18. In that day the Lord will take away the bra very of their tinkling ornaments, and their-round tires like the moon, . * 19. The chains and the braceletsand the mufiters, “20. The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs and the headbands, “a2. The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantels and the wimples and the crisping pins, “25, The glasses and the fine linen, and the hoods and the vails 24. And it shall come to pass that instead of eweet *LIPE® smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle, a rent; and instead of well set hair, bakiness; and burning instead of beauty.” Respectfully, April 22, 1907 E. Cannone Scwarrrer. FROM A LETTER FROM PERSIA. ‘ANY people are enjoying my copy of your clever, jolly little paper this year, about thirty- five different: races—Americans, English, Scotch, French, Italians, a few Persians and even the Turkish Consul-General; though he does not understand ish—we explain in French. LUMBUS, OHIO Eprtox or Lire Dear Sir—Referring to your article in current issue “ Undesirable Citizens,” I feel convinced that further investigation in a judicial spirit will convince you that you are unjust to these men. I have followed these cases with extraordinary care from the Coeur d'Aleve affair, and am sure that one is unable to glen a proper view from the customary news sources. During the Cripple Creek difficulty Dr. Washington Gladden made a special trip to the district and re ported that the miners’ organization was more sinned against than sinning. My own investigations support this view. What these particular men may be I do not know of my own knowledge, but I do know they are of the same class of primitive, “simple life” fellows whom President Roosevelt loves to laud when he puts on his cowboy togs and grips his musket. As to their desirability, may we not concede that they are products of an environment which con- stitutes the very citadel of modern gold- worshippers. Sincerely, May 14, 1907 Ents O. Jones. ORCESTER, MASS. Eprtor or Lire: Dear Sir—1 am moved to the point of exasperation 845 to the use of songbirds for millinery purposes, and especially to the statement made by a correspondent of the Saturday Evening Herald and quoted in your issue of May so, page 742 Dealers in millinery have permitted these articles to remain uncontradicted when made in a jocular vein, but when such an exaggerated statement appears as above referred to, bearing marks of special ob- servation made by a birdlover (?), 1 must em- phatically deny its truth. His enumeration of the number and kinds of birds as being seen by him on women's hats on Broadway on Easter Sunday cannot be substantiated; my reason for this strong statement is that songbirds have not been used to any great ex- tent in millinery for the past fifteen years; further- more, for the past five years, they have not been used atall. Songbirds and other interdicted birds are not in fashion; such birds as are worn are extremely large and are predatory birds or imitations made of barnyard feathers. In order to verify this, send one of your reporters to the wholesale millinery houses of your city. Our firm is one of the Largest dealers in millinery in the East, both retail and wholesale, and we have not for several years offered for sale aigrettes,or egrets, grebes, gulls, songbirds, etc., and by precept and example willingly abide by the requirements of the Massachusetts bird laws. Respectfully, May 31, 1907. Sunscrimer. LITTLE limelight, now and then, Is relished by the best of men. How He Judged RS. COBWIGGER: Don’t you think you’ve had enough ice- cream? Freppie: } 0, ma; 1 don’t feel sick and, therefore, protest against the frequent references, “I'VE BEEN READING WHAT'S 'Y JAMES'S STORIES. IT ABouT?” HE HATES TO TELL.” comicbooks.com