Life, 1908-09-10 · page 3 of 22
Life — September 10, 1908 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**"Critical" section:** This satirizes a domestic dispute, likely addressing whether a man should force his wife to stay in an unhappy marriage. The text argues against coercion, suggesting that if a wife loves another man, the husband cannot retain her "by force with South Dakota only five days off"—a reference to South Dakota's notably quick divorce laws, which were notorious in this era as a destination for people seeking easy divorces. **"The Frogs":** This appears to be a political fable mocking stock market speculation and political decision-making. It references "King Stork" sending down "advanced notions" to make frogs wealthy through risky ventures. The satire criticizes how politicians and businessmen treat financial markets recklessly, comparing them to foolish creatures pursuing unsound schemes. The bottom cartoon jokes about excessive spending at social events.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
foolish than to wish to acquire for per- to the lady, he can never retain her by manent association a lady who prefers force with South Dakota only five ILL he throw the flowerpot at the some different arrangement? If she days off. rival suitor? loves another man better, let her-—— He will have to use judgment and ‘o, no! Not if he is at all in com- Oh! Oh! HUSBAND! That flower- persuasion—love her himself, perhaps, mand of his discretionary faculties, pot man her husband! Mercy! Let us and let her know it—and if he can’t, But he loves the lady! hope not! Heaven send her discretion, for nothing To be sure, and wants her, as is But even if he is, he is on the wrong else, neither law nor flowerpots, will natural, for is she not a pleasing lady? tack. He had better admonish the other retain for him what he has not gumption But of all foolishness, what is more gentleman privately, if at all. And as enough to keep for himself. The Frogs HE Frogs prayed Jupiter for a king—that is, for somebody of such political importance as to constitute a factor in the stock market. , Jupiter answered their prayer by sending down King Stork. But King Stork, besides having advanced notions as to race suicide, talked ominously about the square deal. Of course, business was knocked into a cocked hat, and the Frogs prayed “Give us a king who is safe and sane! "? they implored. “ Very well!" replied Jupiter, and sent them King Lo; After that all parties were happy, even ex-King Stork, who } now wrote for the magazines at a dollar a word. + ’ | “AIN'T YOU GETTING EXTRAVAGANT, MR, BIGGBUGG, USING A IFE is merely a dash between two periods. TWO-DOLLAR BILL FOR A CARPET?" I “BUT MY GUESTS WANTED TO HAVE A DANCE ON THE GREEN, comicbooks.com