Life, 1909-01-07 · page 15 of 60
Life — January 7, 1909 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This 1909 Life magazine page contains New Year's themed content mixing idealism with cynicism. **"Song of the New Year"** by Douglas Z. Doty personifies the New Year as a spirit of hope, promising noble dreams and renewal. The accompanying illustration shows Father Time (the bearded figure with wings and scythe) steering a chariot labeled "1909," symbolizing time's passage and control over human destiny. **"A Plain Case"** is a brief humorous courtroom anecdote: a jury foreman explains the defendant couldn't have visited home because his wife was hosting a bridge party—implying wives' social obligations keep husbands away. This reflects early 20th-century gender dynamics and leisure culture. **The stock market motto** satirizes Wall Street practices, suggesting brokers exploit ordinary investors ("shorn lambs") while claiming divine protection. This references the biblical phrase about God tempering hardship for the vulnerable—darkly ironic given financial manipulation. The page balances romantic idealism about the new year against realistic cynicism about human nature, marriage, and capitalist greed—typical of Life's satirical tone.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Song f o the New Year AM the New Year, born to-night, Spirit of Hope and Child of Light. Locked in the Days that are to come Are joys for many and tears for some. Lovers will quarrel and lovers will mate; Men will struggle and men will hate; And Father Time in his wise old way Will mow and mow with his scythe each day. I am the spirit of noble dreams; I am the light that faintly gleams In the souls of men who pause in strife, With a Reeting sigh for a wasted life. The dreams soon fade from the tired brain, Forgot in the race of greed and gain; Yet a few will turn with a seeing eye To the steadfast stars in the silent sky. ‘Oh, heed ye the good news flashed afar From brazen bell and shining star: Hope re-born in the hearts of men, Love and charity rise ugain; The sun has set, but the sun will rise Out of the East as the darkness flies, Flashing forth like a flag unfurled ; “God's in His Heaven: All's right with the world.”” I am the New Year, born to-night, Spirit of Hope and Child of Light. Locked in the days that are to come Are joys for many and tears for some. Lovers will quarrel and lovers will mate ; Men will be kind and men will hate; And Father Time in his wise old way Will mow—and—mow—with his scythe each day. Douglas Z. Doty. A Plain Case HE JUDGE: What reason have you to believe, from the evidence, that this man didn’t visit his home some time during the day? Foremax or Jury: Because, your honor, it was disclosed by the evidence that on that day his wife was giving a bridge party. ISLEADING Motto for the Stock Exchange: “The Lord tempers the wind to the shorn lamb."" Willys YW ON TIME comicbooks.com