Life, 1912-05-30 · page 38 of 44
Life — May 30, 1912 — page 38: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This rhymed review satirizes Owen Johnson's novel about college social hierarchies. The poem mocks Yale's pretense of democracy while describing protagonist Dink Stover's discovery that colleges actually operate as rigid class systems dominated by exclusive fraternities ("Inner Cores," "Cryptic Crews," "Eta Pi, or Lambda Rho"). The satire's point: Stover initially conforms to elite social expectations—joining fraternities and maintaining aristocratic airs—but then befriends intellectually serious "Low-Grade Men" who lack social status. When he breaks his fraternity pin in protest of their snobbery, the college administration (the President) intervenes and crushes the fraternities' power, restoring social equality. The reviewer (Arthur Guiterman, per the signature) presents this ironically—suggesting that genuine merit and "good will" ultimately triumph over superficial social climbing, though the happy ending rings slightly hollow given how much institutional pressure was required to achieve it.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE: The Royal Coach —Then and Now URING the 16th and 17th centuries, only the nobil- ity rode in coaches—hence the name royal coach, signifying the highest type of vehicle construction. In the Electric Vehicle of today we have the modern royal coach; but there is more real com- fort and luxuriousness in the Electric than ever was possible in those splendid equi- pages of the past. The Electric Vehicle is refined enough and exclusive enough in appearance to suit the most aris- tocratic, formal occasion. It is commo- dious enough for a family outing—dignified enough for the business or professional man. With all its niceties of design and equipment, the Elec- tric is the staunchest, sturdiest speci- men of carriage building. It has sufficient power to satisfy every normal desire for speed, but even children may drive it with safety. The Electric does away with.the necessity for a chauffeur —it takes scarcely any time to learn its simple operation. Its general service- ability in all sorts of weather and its extreme economy of maintenance make it the one car for every member of the family —the car desirable for you. Before you buy any car —consider the Electric Exectric VEHICLE ASSOCIATION | Rhymed Reviews Stover at Yale (By Owen Johnson. Frederick A. Stokes Co.) Dink Stover came to Dear Old Yale For reasons slightly problemat Believing still the flattering tale That colleges are democratic. He did not know the Inner Cores Of Solemn Senior Hierarchies, Or Cryptic Crews of Sophomore: Those petty social oligarchies. He joined the football team, all right, And kicked and plunged in brave deavor To make a worthy losing fight. (I saw that game,—the finest ever!). This pleased the Sophomores, and so They made our Dink a Mystic Brother In Eta Pi, or Lambda Rho, Or some Exclusive Bunch or other. But Stover met some Low-Grade Men Who won no games, who ran no races, Who even studied now and then, And lacked the finer airs and graces. Yet one had done a man-size job, And most had thoughts to set you glowing, And Stover, only half a snob, Esteemed these fellows well worth knowing. When club mates warned him ‘gainst the sin Of making chums of such like cattle, Dink Stover spurned his Sacred Pin And went off raging, primed for bat- tle! Then did they have this traitor hashed, Or boiled in oil, or burned to cinders? Naw! Prexy butted in and smashed The Soph. Fraternities to flinders. Now Stover deemed the time was near To use the gentle balm of healing, And labored through his Junior year To spread a Broader Social Feeling. And, since good will for all atones, His elders gave him absolution, Electing him to Skull and Bones, That well known Senior institution. Stewart Speedometer The perfect speed and distance measure—a beauty in appearance, || a marvel i in accuracy. Speedometers that cost more than the Stewart are priced high — not because they are better— ‘but only because they are fewe: the extra price doesn’t represent value— only means a smaller output. The Stewart volume of business is enor- mous, Stewart Speedometers are on four cars out of fiv. the best IF sreadometer that can be made, and it a minimum price. Other makers pect ‘supply a.com. parable instrument at double the price. An absolute necessity on every car jometers save you from arrest and track of your season mileage—save e adjustments—enable you to fol ww guide-bock mileage when touring, and help you in many other sare. te enjoy your car and operate it economi Guaranteed for Five Years Magneti The’ speedometers in tse, Slow moi bard: meter; 100-mile tri remiter, can be set ‘back to any tenth wheel gears, chusive feature of Stewart Speed- ometers. rd i $15 to Rim Wind lack Combinations $45 to $70 WRITE FOR CATALOG STEWART & CLARK. MANUFACTURING CO. co. }893 Diversey Boulevard, Cl Detrott (eas San Francisco te Cleveland’ Patadeohia is \éianapolis yen Kansas Chy "Los Angeles Minseapol From which, though sceptics dare to smile, We gather as the tale is ended, That Soph. Fraternities are vile, But Senior Frats are Great and Splendid. F'd leave to men such foolish toys As Grip and Sign and Mystic Letter; Then, Mr. Johnson, let’s stay boys— That football part was so much better! Arthur Guiterman. Makes the best cocktail. A pleasing aromatic with all Wine. Spirit and Soda beverages. Appetizing, healthful. to use with Grape Fruit. Oranges, Wine Jelly. At Wine Me chants or Druggists. Sample by mail, 25¢ in stamps. C. W. ABBOTT & CO., Baltimore, Md. comicbooks.com