Life, 1911-10-26 · page 32 of 50
Life — October 26, 1911 — page 32: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features a humorous poem comparing mules to humans, satirizing human nature through animal comparison. The central cartoon shows two men—one formally dressed, one casual—with the caption explaining the artist needed leg space, a meta-joke about editorial constraints. The poem itself is gentle social satire: it lists parallels between mules and men (both work 8-to-6 jobs, both kick when angry, both prefer contentment over style), ultimately suggesting humans aren't particularly exceptional or superior to beasts of burden. This reflects early 20th-century American rural humor—the poem's attribution to "Missouri Ruralist" emphasizes its rural, folksy perspective. The accompanying anecdotes ("Too Late!" and "At a Disadvantage") continue this theme with working-class characters outwitted by circumstances, mocking both train robbers and educated farmers. The page is primarily advertising for J. & J. Slater shoes, with the satire filling remaining space—typical Life magazine layout of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
CSS, Av, The Mule and the Man The mule—he is a gentle beast; And so is man. He's satisfied to be the least; And so is man. Like man, he may be taught some tricks; He does his work from 8 to 6; The mule—when he gets mad, he kicks; And so does man. The mule—he has a load to pull; And so has man. He's happiest when he is full; And so is man. Like man he holds a patient poise, And when his work’s done will rejoice: The mule—he likes to hear his voice; And so docs man The mule—he has his faults, ‘tis true; And so has man. He does some things he should not do; And so does man, Like man, he doesn’t yearn for style, But wants contentment all the while. yl “WHY ARE You LEG up?” “TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE ARTIST'S NAME. HOLDING YOUR The mule—he has a lovely smile; And so has man, The mule is sometimes kind and. good; And so is man. He cats all kinds of breakfast food: And so docs man; Like man, he balks at gaudy dress And all outlandish foolishness ; The mule’s accused of mulishness ; And so is man, —Missouri Ruralist. Too Late! “What did you do when you met the train robber face to face?” “T explained that I had been inter- viewed by the ticket seller, the luggage carriers, the dining-car waiters, and the sleeping-car porters and borrowed a dol- lar from him."”—Washington Star, At a Disadvantage “I suppose you will miss your boy while he is at college?” “Yep,” replied Farmer Corntossel. “T dunno what I'll do without him. He got the live stock so they wouldn’t move unless he give ’em the college yell, an’ I can't remember it."—Washington Star. States, Great Britain, Canada and British eign countries in the Portal Union, $1.04 Back sumbers, after three moatbs from Chancery Lane. London. £.C.. England. AGENTS. Brentano's, 37 Ave. de I’Opera, Paris; also at Saarbach's News Exchanges, 21 Bride Lane, Fleet St, E.C.. London; 148 Rue da Faubourg. St. Denis, Paris; 1, Via Gasaro Modena, Milan; Mayence, Germany. ‘The text and illustrations in Ltve are copyrighted. Fer Reprint Rights ia Great Britain apply to Lire, 114 Seuthampten Rew, Linden, W. Co Prompt netifeation should be sent by subscribers of any change of addres. Live is poblisbed crery Thursday, simattaneoasly in tbe Uni: Possessions. $5.00 a year in advance, Additional portage to a year; to Canada, $2 cents, Single current copies, 10 cents, date of publication, 25 cents, Na emeribation sil be earned wnlo accompanied by stamped and addraved evelpe, Lire des met hud aly for the lass or mamsreturn of unslicited 6 for sale by all Newsdealers in Great Driula. ‘The Intern jonal News Company, Breams Building. IIS Shoe © REVELATION in finish, A style and worthiness. Designed and created in the Slater workroom, it represents the ultimate attainment in exclusive footwear. A shoe for every occasion —danc- ing, morning and evening wear. Exclusive _mod- els for golfing, riding, driving, automobiling. For the little folk—boots and shoes for school and outdoor wear, made as carefully as the senior sizes and always with reference to juvenile and hygienic requirements, A Package of fond mess New illustrated price list Shoes,” with book of inst wrement blank mailed om request. J. & J. Slater Broadway at 25th Street New York PA A CADBYOEYED VIEW OF A LOVE APFALR . comicbooks.com