Life, 1908-07-16 · page 15 of 26
Life — July 16, 1908 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct pieces of satirical content: **"The Lost Gem"** (poem): A moral allegory about romantic love. An angel gives a man a glowing jewel symbolizing love's light. Initially cherished, the man grows complacent, tosses it carelessly aside, and loses it forever—representing how people neglect relationships through indifference and take love for granted. **"Summer Resort Notice"**: Dark humor satirizing Hell as a vacation destination ("Brimstone Lake—just out of Hades"). The joke mocks both tourist advertising conventions and suggests that Hell's amenities rival earthly resorts, implying society's moral decay. References to "fallen angels as waiters" and those "burned to a crisp" are comedic inversions of luxury resort language. **"No Alternative"** (brief joke): A woman resigned as club treasurer because members didn't pay dues—suggesting the organization was so poorly run, her position was meaningless. The punchline "Man proposes—God opposes" sardonically comments on human futility. The cartoon illustration shows a Victorian-era social gathering, establishing the period's drawing-room setting for these morality-tinged jokes about love, social institutions, and human nature.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SSS SSS SSS uN % y & ROM Paradise, one day, an angel brought A radiant gem and placed it in the hand Of one who waited. “Cherish it. Let naught Its luster mar; forget it not,” he said. “Its light, now flashing, it will steadfast shed As thou art loyal to thy love, and true. It is the only one will shine for you.”” The mortal looked upon the glowing thing Exultingly. A great joy filled his heart. Like a bright dewdrop, where the sunbeams fling Light shafts reflected, it lay glistening there White in its purity, surpassing fair— The very kernel of all life, all truth, The center of the heart of love—of youth. As time went on the mortal’s wonder died ‘That such a priceless gift should be his own. He tossed it high in foolish, boyish pride, To watch its splendid rays flame in the sun; He felt himself of gods the favored one, Till once, in careless mood—a fatal day— He put it down; forgetting, let it stay. THE VALUE OF PHRASES, “ALL JOIN ME IN SENDING BEST LOVE” ‘Then did he miss the light in two gray eyes ‘That he was used to see, complacently. ‘The light that beams with Love's sublime surprise, ‘That touches earth with heaven's divinity. ‘The jewel! Vain the search, Swift pen- alty! ‘The angel's warning words remembered, Told him the gem was gone, that love was dead. Josephine Wheelock. Summer Resort Notice RIMSTONE LAKE—just out of Hades. An ideal place for those wishing a change from the more rigorous climate they have been accustomed to. Almost entirely free from falling cinders. Southern exposure. Fireworks every night. Hot baths a specialty. Nothing but brimstone from our own spring used. Good society. Patronized by best sin- ners. Expert fallen angels as waiters. For those who have been burned to a crisp and are worn out with being toasted, no place could be better. Hot firebrands served with meals. No Alternative RS. H.: [hear you resigned your posi- tion as treasurer of the “Don’t No one cared whether they paid their dues, so what was the use ? MSS Pepeses God oppnses. LJFE’S WEATHER FORECAST WARMER To-NIGHT. comicbooks.com