Life, 1909-05-06 · page 41 of 48
Life — May 6, 1909 — page 41: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks U.S. border agents' interrogation practices. It describes two encounters on a railway car crossing into American territory: first, a Canadian woman indignantly denies wanting to reside in the U.S., drawing amusement from other passengers; second, a man bluntly refuses entry, embarrassing the officer. The satire criticizes the "trunk searching, prying business" conducted by immigration officials at U.S.-Canadian borders—portrayed as intrusive, ineffective, and beneath a great nation's dignity. The article argues such searches catch only minor smuggling and suggests Secretary of State Philander Knox should end the practice, allowing continental movement as freely as between U.S. states. The humor lies in the officers' discomfiture when questioned about their own country's desirability.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Bauarcuiry Manor, N. Y. BRIARCLIFF LODGE. A Resort Hotel of High Quality uperior accommodations for th te decorated and furnished un DAVID B. PLUMER, Manager Represent| at Sty East 46th St., New York, ‘Phone Paul Pry at the Border It was on a railway car the other day. It had jest crossed the bridge into United States terri- tory. A lady passenger saw a man coming down the aisle, stopping to address a few words in a Jow voic: to every passenger. Her curiosity was naturally aroused. When he came to her the mystery was revealed. He asked her: ‘Are sou a Canadian or American “A Canadian,"" “Are you coming to reside in the United States The ‘ought was so unwelcome that she re- plied, with a touch of indignation and in a Jovder tone: “Indeed I’m not. The reply amused those within hearing, and the officcr with some show of embarrassment re- treated 10 the door. He had not quite got there when it opened and a breezy individual came in. The officer stopped him and put the usual queries in his subdued voice, but the answers were pain- fully well heard, and this was the last: “ Not on your life Coming so soon after the lady's protesting re- ply half the car smiled audibly. The officer splut- tered ov! something to the effect that the United States did not want people like him anyway, and \ In the Early Springtime retired precipitately. We cannot throw stones, the thing is done on 5 " i both siics, but we cam at least says You began i : the farmer sows his barley—each seed a living thing. Soon it it. It is part of the trunk searching, prying busi- germinates, sprouts and ripens. Harvest time comes, the living ness that goes on continually along the borders a0 | crop is garnered—every seed multiplied a hundred fold. Nothing of these 1wo great modern nations, and it is ut- | By \ but the primest Northern barley is used in the preparation of hy of both, It seems chiefly to be on in order to provide somebody with a | J “ es not involve much exertion. How ing does the trunk searching lay cally none at all. But it may be said that there would be more were it not for the instant fear of searching. If systematic y smuggling were going on it would soon be dis- covered, and the trifling incidental smuggling of | MY aN travelers need not worry a country with a billion ConntUSER = BUscy. ; | . | and a quarter of imports. The whole thing is | {¥PW7Z ees except a right proportion of the juices of imported Saazer Hops. too petty to be fathered by a great nation. Ie Le The result is a mait tonic of extraordinary richness and invigorat- Knox, the new Secretary of State, should | a ) : ICANT ing properties. Thus Malt-Nutrine (containing an organic extract look his whole question and decide whether from the life-cells of a staple cereal) possesses in the very highest it is to !« continued on behalf of two self-respect- 4 ae oN degree all the active body-building principles of a genuine liquid $56 patlgne., T he people of ae coutineat should Nee 5 food in pre-digested form, Order of your Druggist or Grocer. be able jo flow back and forth across the boun- | Paget’ sate dary line as freely as the inhabitants of two ad- Geka Fradestark or 24 frocs Souk Bowdies With Bink Teed Meek ea joining Siates cross and recross their State lines. 15c for postage, we will send one of our Vienna Art Plates to any address Toronto Globe. | 177 Xt in the United States, ANHEUSER-BUSCH : ., | - id OS A Happy Marriage ——————— St. Louls, Mo. Depends largely onaknowl- || & 4 7 edge of the whole truth “ C about self and sex and their relation to life and bealth. This knowledge does not come intelligently of itself, nor correctly from ordinary Sat every-day sources. Trees grow on mountain-sides, in remote country districts, and in some residential quarters. They furnish shade, Presidential timber, and, when sliced SEXOLOGY thin, delicious breakfast foods. rtrd Trees are useful for cutting down, and furnish occupation for the otherwise 1 Watie AMMO tered ine clear; unemployed. In the form of railroad tics, they furnish a basis for bond issues wiiy, in Ome whan and for stock market panics. ald Have. Trees may be oak, beech, chestnut, or elm, but they are always popular. Ehould Have: They make excellent fire, especially when made into some novels. Vleet kather Shou Trees are brown and green, but when made into. paper are generally yellow This is when they bark loudest. Trees were at one time used for hanging purposes. Now we use Investi- 4 gating Committees, thus showing the advance of civilization. peerage . Among Rock-a-bye babies the tree-top is a favorite. Later on the Christ- Tinecatt Blodlng, Full Geld Stamp, Masrated, $2.00. mas tree is in vogue. At the club the only tree used is the hat-tree. ‘Americans consider themselves superior to all trees. That is why they PURITAN PUB. CO., Dept.187, PHILA.,PA. a then eaes Lipbeetie comicbooks.com