Life — November 4, 1909 — page 18: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“EERE Popular Birthdays IDA MINERVA TARBELL Born November 5, 1857 Hacc scripsi non otii abundantia, sed amoris erga te. It is of some consequence that a woman should have written a history of the Standard Oil Company, and also that a woman should have handled two such diverse characters as Abraham Lincoln and John D. Rockefeller. This lady scems to have been the first American woman to unite the historical method with the muck-raking, and to have preserved her balance at the same time. At any rate, Miss Tarbell is a notable person, She is possessed of sympathy and a historical mind. May she continue the good work. NICHOLAS LONGWORTH Born November 5, 1869 We congratulate you, sir, -pon having married into such an ‘exceilent family. It has not only made you famous, but must undoubtedly have contributed to your happiness. May we also, on this your natal day, congratulate the lady. She is fortunate in possessing such a husband. You are young. The fact that you are a Congressman need not necessarily be laid up against you. In the future we look to you to do great deeds. EUGENE VICTOR DEBS Born November 5, 1855 Modeste tanem et circumspecto judicio de tantis viris pronunciardum est, ne, quod plerisque accidit’ damnent quae non ‘intelli- gunt.—Quintiliion, One of the great difficulties with social ism is that it has too many definitions. If it had but one, we should all doubt less adopt it at once. The gentleman whom we “delight to honor"’ on this eventful day, as the orators have it, is a socialist pure and simple. From ‘all accounts he is pure in his life and his doctrine. He is also simple in his habits and said to have that rare accomplishment, or gift, a “winning personality.” He has been pictured by many writers as a fiend in- carnate, a lover of anarchy and blood- shed. it appears, however that he is none of these things. What he desires is the betterment of the human race. He is disliked because, in order to accom. plish th’s, he believes in depriving the few fortunate ones at the top of the lad- der with a part of their ill-gotten gains. Sir, we des're to extend to you our compliments and to assure you of our distinguished consideration. NELSON WILMAR1H ALDRICH Born November 6, 1841 Praecipitatque moras omnes, opera omnia rumpit—Virgil. In every administration one of two things happens: Either the President is overpowering and everyone else has to stand from under, or else there is a dominating personality somewhere—a power behind the throne that wields the sceptre. Senator Aldrich believes in protecting American millonaires, and he carries out his belief in’ his deeds. He lives in Providence, R. I, and believes in him- self. Senator, here's an ad valorem health to you. The kindest thing we can wish you is that you may never have to pass through the Custom House. May you see the error of your ways. WINSTON CHURCHILL Bora November 10, 1871 Fortuna saevo !acta, negotio, et Ludum insolentem ludere pertinax Transmutat ircertos ho: ores Nune mihi, nunc alii be: igra. —Horace. There is a sense in which the story- teller's art is distinct from literature, which, thus narrowed down, becomes a matter for a few specialists to discuss with awe Niceties of verbal construction are not for the man who paints on a large canvas The plot's the thing. If the tale be moderately well told, it is enough, so that the story does not suffer in the telling. Mr. Churchill, your stories never suf- fer in the telling. They are good stories and interesting pictures of American life —not always, perhaps, as it but as you see it, which is much more important Sir, you are young. Are you to be that rather unusual person who always excites our sympathy, namely, the man with a great future behind him? Are you still going to take advantage of your opportunity and increase your fame? A great’ Frenchman once said of the Ameri- can public that it lifted its literary idols up a sudden pinnacle of glory only to throw them aside as quickly. May this fate never come to you is our birthday wish. “GET A MOVE ON THERE, COOK. MEKL’S THAT BEEFSTEAK IN A TOWERING RAGE AND THAT MUTTON CHOP HAS JUST WALKED OUT IN Discust.”” HENRY VAN DYKE Born November 10, 1852 Princeton, in spite of well-known shortcomings, has turned out some wise men. Prolessor van Dyke is one of them. The hst of his books makes re spectable reading. He knows English Iterature, and he is no mean fisherman. He ‘has tempered his theology with « mild and healing sympathy. Sir, we extend to you the hand of good-fellowship, and desire your “good ealth. May you live long and prosper exceedingly. May Princeton never over- come your might. May your pen never grow too rusty. May you continue to live with the high gods, and may your birthdays increase in richness and wis THE UND OF A SUMMER'S FLIRTATION comicbooks.com