Life, 1909-05-20 · page 24 of 36
Life — May 20, 1909 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical cartoon presents a dialogue between the Devil and a furnace foreman in Hell. The Devil proposes closing Hell's fires to conserve brimstone resources, arguing that torture need not rely solely on heat—there are other methods of suffering available. The satire targets contemporary waste and resource mismanagement during what appears to be wartime (likely WWI, given the scarcity concerns). By literalizing Hell's resource crisis, the cartoonist mocks public figures or leaders who waste resources or prioritize comfort over necessity. The punchline—that closing the fires would achieve torture through alternative means—cynically suggests that human suffering will continue regardless, perhaps critiquing either the futility of conservation efforts or the inherent cruelty of those in power. The surrounding page content (stationery and hammock advertisements) contrasts sharply with this dark humor, typical of *Life* magazine's editorial approach mixing social commentary with commercial notices.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“ETT, cs v WRITING PAPER that is|| gasms=oo" ar" at once distinctive and re- |] AN enerre OE ec LUKE or fined; a paper that is of the THE ON oceveram cisanerniey Correct Soctal GX shape, shade, texture and el finish which good usage says is appro- If Juliet Sneezed Julia Marlowe once yielded to the insisteet priate for social use— demands of an ambitious gitl admirce who bad intervie id told her to call at the hotel on a Tanne S certain afternoon, when she would be glad to see her. “'T saw you in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ last Monday awa night,” said the young woman, “and have jus, “Well, what is the question?” said Miss Mar —made in the Crane Mills at Dalton, | !"5;, 5. jotion scene 1 want to know what yo Massachusetts, which have been PTO- | ate thinking about when you lie there supposed to be in.the deep sleep from the effects of the drog ducing fine writing papers for nearly | y0u took.” z hundred years. hoping” thinking,” said the actress; “I'm Its use gives your correspondence a} Vor hing that 1 won't sneecze."—Sundsy certain social distinction not otherwise | 77 ce. the fourscason resort of te secured. South. Tie Maxon, the English of Asheville Go to your stationer and examine | Three men had come to see Mr. Blank, a poe A Long Journey « Fi perous shoe manufacturer of Rhode Island. He it. Ask particularly to see the new | tadinvited them to go over his new factory. The oe . day was warm, and one of the guests was sto & Parisian shades—Daybreak Pink, | int they scccpted the invitation. At the facury | 1S Wi ht, they took an elevator to the top of the buildi . illow Green and Orchid. the seventh floor, where the cutting was do a Mr. Blank then conducted his guests thi the HIGHLAND LINEN factory, following the course that a pair of shoes baler though not a Crane paper, has everything that perfect taste de- | would take in the process of making. He a JP [8 mands, It isa fabric-finished paper with a perfect writing surface. | plained cach process carefully and ans te It may be had in white, blue and gray and in all the correct sizes. many questions, When the party at last re, these For the woman secking a paper that is both dainty and stylish at | the first floor the stout man wiped bis heated PP. a moderate price, there is nothing equal to Highland Linen. face and turned to his host. 5 , “ There e que » Mr. Blank, that I Crane’s papers and Highland Linen can be had at all stores where good stationery is sold. ere ie one. slucstion pap is should like to ask. EATON, CRANE & PIKE COMPANY, PITTSFIELD, MASS. sand ewtat is that SiR care: aill isk State of Rhode Island? "—Harper’s Ma: a. OUR FOOLI SON Ee ARIE, For Porches, Verandas, Lawns, Tents and Indoor Use Cruel, but Not Unusual ‘The fi f the fi e! Sata vent ; C bi _cihe foreman othe force to Satan we ombines We must husband our resources or the fires will soon be dead; for the brimstone ¥ H k. Cc h mines are failing and I have the gravest fears ‘ ammock, UGouc that our pipes will all be frozen in perhaps a = tt ae and Swing Settee Then the devil sat and pondered, and he said: . “T've often thought, in the course of passing A third of a century’s experi- ages, that we're keeping hell too hot; there ence shows that Rowe’s Ham: are other 's to torture than to cook on blaz- PE ° . ing pyres, so I think we'll close the dampers and mocks can be depended on to t out the biggest fires, 2 7 . Hite. Fi 2 f oie rs alter or itcte cil cects and range, give 10 years of continuous out-of-door service. From the model and of they will have to sit and listen while we sing same weight canvas (white or khaki), as made by us for years for U. S. Navy. theme campaina dongs: Walt Mason. ts Emporia Strong wood frame, thick mattress. Holds six persons, Ideal for outdoor Why? A Prize Puzzle sleeping. Complete, with lines and hooks ready for hanging, delivery charges sc cnested, Persival Uisbuilucerpurehased a. per2 prepaid in United States, carefully packed. fectly pellucid puzzle picture ; A perfectly pellucid puzzle picture pampered WRITE FOR DESCRIPTIVE BOOKLET Percival Pishmince purchased. about this most comfortable and durable piece of outdoor furniture, and If pampered Percival Pishmince purchased a ‘ perfectly pellucld passte: pietare, prices of different styles and sizes. Why is pampered Percival Pishmince now in a E.L, ROWE & SON, Inc., SAIL MAKERS AND SHIP CHANDLERS padded cell at Matteawan?—Judge. 304 Wharf Street, Gloucester, Mass. GREAT REAR SPRING WA “It's purity has made it famou: comicbooks.com