Life, 1908-02-06 · page 9 of 36
Life — February 6, 1908 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines Valentine's Day poetry with social commentary. "A Valentine" by Julian Durand is romantic verse about love conquering winter's doubt. Below it, "Points for the Unemployed" addresses a serious 1908 economic crisis (dated New York, January 12, 1908). The author suggests unemployed workers could earn money teaching others—specifically hibernation techniques for survival during winter hardship. The accompanying photograph titled "The Good Saint Valentine" shows a silhouetted figure at a doorway, likely illustrating the practical hardship being discussed. The satire is dark: while offering romantic sentiments about love, the magazine simultaneously addresses desperate poverty, suggesting the unemployed must literally learn to survive like hibernating animals. This juxtaposes sentimental Valentine's Day idealism against grim economic reality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Valentine OVE takes no heed of winter, For on this snowy sheet Young Cupid, master printer, Sets forth a lyric sweet; A song of love that closes With that familiar line Which birds repeat to roses— Pray, be my Valentine! Love laughs at winter’s flurries; Indeed, what should he care? His herald, Cupid, hurries To one whose face is fair— To her whose smile like summer Shall light this song of mine— To win the promise from her To be my Valentine! Just now the winter captures My heart, and all is doubt; But Cupid knows where raptures Of love are hid without. So, sweet, when he makes clear that I wait, and pray and pine, Just whisper in his ear that You'll be my Valentine! Julian Durand. Points for the Unemployed Dear Life—Can you suggest any new way for a person out of a job to make a temporary living in these temporarily distressful times? Yours anxiously, Surrreer New York, January 10, 1908. ‘OURS is not the first inquiry of this nature that has come to us, and we have put our mind a good deal on the question. The best suggestion that our reflections enable us as yet to make to you is that you shall qualify yourself to give private lessons in hibernation. We have met many persons—whole families of them—who would like extremely to hibernate this winter if they knew how. They would pay money to learn, and if you could teach them how, or even give them lessons—which is not quite the same thing—we think you would find a profit in it. Of course, you will ask riext how you THE GOOD SAINT VALENTINE. can learn enough to give the lessons. We suggest that you communicate with President Roosevelt, who is an authority on this subject, as on all matters con- nected with natural history. Also observe our local bears in the region below Canal Street. They have not hibernated yet this year, but it looks as though they would have to, and may be, if you look sharp, you can catch them at it, and learn how, There is millions in this secret if you can penetrate it. ‘comicbooks.com