Life, 1908-01-23 · page 9 of 20
Life — January 23, 1908 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two illustrated scenes from what appears to be a serialized story rather than political satire. The upper illustration shows a woman in Victorian-era dress reading magazines outdoors. The caption "WHAT'S THE USE OF SENDING SILK OFF TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED SO MUCH HERE?" suggests commentary on resource allocation—likely critiquing the export of American goods (silk) during a period when domestic needs were pressing. The lower illustration labeled "CAPITAL AND LABOR" depicts what appears to be scattered papers or documents, possibly representing workplace conflict or economic disparity between capital owners and workers—a common satirical topic in early 20th-century Life magazine. The surrounding text comprises Chapters VIII-X of a narrative story featuring characters like Betty, Sir Hikel, and Rosy, making this primarily literary content rather than political cartoon commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Perens eT *LIFE-: 97 OLD POINT COMFORT WHAT'S TRE USE OF SENDING MEN WAY OFF TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED SO MUCH HERE? great that Betty was obliged to exercise her authority. At this moment Mount Saint Buncum appeared on the scene. “Have no fear,” he exclaimed. “If we had slipped into it gradually, as the steamers used to, we wouldn’t have noticed it. But the record-breaking Loosemania struck it head on.” “Who are you?” asked Betty, smoothing down his red head carelessly with her Harrison Fisher hand. “Only a poor lone second cabiner.”” At this moment the purser appeared. “That will be an additional five pun’ for extra passage money,” he exclaimed. “It’s worth it to speak to such a nubleman in disguise,” said Betty, handing it over. Chapter VIII “Can this be you, Rosy?” said Betty, bending down four or five feet. “Not the same,” said Rosy, feebly. “‘Ah, so I thought. And so this is Sir Hikel’s work. You have, I presume, signed over everything to him.” “Certainly.” Betty rose. “First,” she said, “I must see your solicitors, and then"”—— She rapidly looked around her, at the walls, out into the garden, over the ancestral moth-eaten lawn. “TI must subscribe at once,” she muttered, bravely, “to The House Beaulijul, The Tint Delightjul, The Ladies’ Home Journal, The Crajtsmaniac, The Garden Green, The Rug Record, The Door Mat and How to Know the Grass Blades. There is no time to lose.” “What do you propose to do?” asked Rosy, fearfully, clasp- ing her only son. “I propose,” said Betty, smilingly, “‘to paralyze Sir Hikel by my munificence.” Chapter 1X “Hully gee!” Likewise “Little Willie,” “Right Next,” ‘“Pie-faced Mut,” “Right There with the Goods,” “Peach,” and so on through the whole American slang vocabulary. ‘These words are dramatically uttered by a typewriting ex- pert, who has nothing to do with the story, but is introduced to give a contrast to the author’s superior diction. Chapter X The next week Sir Hikel returned. As he walked through the newly repaired village his heart misgave him. Entering Ansmothers Court, his worst fears were confirmed. He saw his wife in the distance with a smile on her face— something that never had happened before. Betty stood before him. “What does this mean?” he asked. “Tt means,” said Betty, “that I am going over the place and fixing it up. ‘The plumbers, painters and carpenters have only just begun. Having agreed to be through in four weeks, they will probably occupy the castle for years to come.” Sir Hikel tumed deathly pale. “Anything more?” he asked, hoarsely. “Tt means that I am going to marry your neighbor, Mount Saint Buncum, and I shall expect you to come over and play bridge with us twice a week. It means that your wife has sub- scribed for all the latest housebuilding and decorating maga- zines and will read aloud their suggestions to you during the long winter evenings. If you complain” “Anything else?” asked Sir Hikel, desperately. “Yes. It means that all of your Am n relatives have landed and will spend Christmas with you.” Sir Hikel sank back. “Enough,” he whispered. “It is all over. You have your revenge. At last I am paralyzed.” CAPITAL AND LABOR comicbooks.com