Life, 1909-10-14 · page 14 of 36
Life — October 14, 1909 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two separate satirical pieces: **"The Real Victor"** mocks the polar exploration rivalries of the early 1900s (likely referencing Peary and Cook's competing North Pole claims). The joke credits "Lure" with the actual achievement, using a pun—suggesting that persistence ("lure" as bait/temptation) rather than the famous explorers deserves credit. **"What Signifies a Name?"** presents character types identified by their occupations rather than names: "Strong—The Blacksmith," "Weeks—The Drug Clerk," etc. This appears to satirize how society defines people solely by their jobs—reducing human identity to economic function. **"A Threatened Calamity"** expresses mock-horror that millionaire Vanderbilt may discontinue his annual spring coaching ritual between Brighton and London. The satire critiques wealthy indulgence during economic hardship: the wealthy leisuring while ordinary people face unemployment and food inflation. All pieces use gentle, ironic humor typical of *Life* magazine's satirical approach to social commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Reminders BOW of black velvet, A daisy or two, A buckle of rhinestone That fell from her shoe; A hairpin of amber, A white ch A bridge score all scribbled With “ Darling * and “ Love "— These things with a picture, And one little curl, Are all that is left Of his sweet sum mois glove, er girl, —Irene Elliott Benson. What Signifies a Name? WHY NOT HAVE HOUSE ON ROLLERS? The Real Victor "VE a secret now to tell and I know its truth full well It was neither Cook nor Peary reached the goal, But with double-poinied tacks and a hammer-headed axe It was Lure that nailed Old Glory to the pole. THE wire Strong—The Blacksmith Weeks—The Drug Clerk With the flag rolled in his pack, snugly strapped upon his back, here he found the pole a-sticking through the ice; As he stopped on it to rest, with the sextant at his breast, He had taken observation in a trice. you see to Lire belong all the honors and the song. All the medals and parade that please his soul ; And for proof he'll show the tacks and the hammer-headed axe. If you don't believe it go and see the pole! I. de F.S. Vanderbilt. to reconsider his decision No one can take his place. This is really a personal ma tween Mr. Vanderbilt and the American people. His sense of duty is such that we cannot believe that he has abandoned his custom without some reason that does not appear upon the surface. At the same time, we feel—instinct- A Threatened Calamity a coach be this coming 1 do not now expect to York and A Vandi er be- Bawld—The Barber tween New spring. Alfred G Some time must yet elapse before spring is upon us, and during this interval many things may happen to in fluence Mr. Vanderbilt to change his mind. A greater part of last spring Mr. Vanderbilt spent in driving a coach be- tween Brighton and London. If he is He cannot real ize what it means to us. He has been away from us so long that he may not ively—that he is wrong now going to cut us off next spring with- out any corre: ig coaching we must be pardoned if we are led to believe that this is undue discrimination in favor of England, The effect upon our national life of Mr. Vanderbilt driving his coach to Ards- ley every spring leads us to ask Mr. fully understand our feeling about it The thought of spring without Mr Vanderbilt on the box is disheartenin Especially is this true now that there are so many out of work and the price of food is going up. Maybe he will reconsider and all will yet be well Crope—The Undertaker Laffs—The Hum comicbooks.com