Life, 1912-06-06 · page 38 of 56
Life — June 6, 1912 — page 38: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from Life magazine contains satirical commentary on early 20th-century American politics and culture. **Main Content:** The top article, "Roosevelt in Rhyme," compares President Theodore Roosevelt to historical figures (Lord Cromer, Jefferson Davis, Lincoln, Kitchener, Bismarck), suggesting he borrows traits from multiple leaders—a mocking assessment of his political identity. **Political Satire:** "This Politician Had a Weak Heart" reproduces a letter from a mail contractor seeking bond release, written in broken English with rambling syntax. The satire targets Washington bureaucrats and their excuses: the man claims he signed bonds only to help a friend and now suffers heart palpitations from stress, pleading to avoid "trouble." Life ridicules both the incompetent writing and the transparent excuse-making of government functionaries. **Other Content:** The page includes advertising (monogrammed cigarettes, Hunter Whiskey, Pears Soap) and unrelated humor pieces. The overall tone is typical of Life's early satirical approach: mocking politicians, bureaucrats, and contemporary social absurdities through exaggeration and reproduction of authentic documents presented as ridiculous evidence.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Roosevelt in Rhyme A smack of Lord Cromer; Jeti Davis—a touch of him. A little of Lincoln—not very much him. Kitchener. Bismarek, Will Jupiter, Ch Sarah's Squanderings In Concord, New Hampshire, they tell of an old chap who made his wife keep a cash account, Each week he would co rit, growling and grumbli On one ion he delivered himseli of the wing el here, Sarah; mustard-plasters, . fifty cents; three teeth extracted, two 4 iy mn ‘ speciali dollars y ja the} in one Week spent for your own private : Glov Do you think I am made << “ id SI and gc! Lippincott’s koked a bill Hed, Wel, a There's two dollars and a half htful and healthful stamps. C. W. Abbott This Politician Had a Weak Heart The departments in Washington re- ceive some queer letters. Below is giv verbatim a letter received last. Novem- ber by the burcau that has charge of the bonds of mail contractors from a man Monogramed Ci; . who wished to get off a bond. It is When they are especi * Pa, gold aot Sewer aluable suggestion to others who d ilver, cork and straw. tp valuable suggestion 10 others who dis- ” : $2. 00 per hundred with your name or initials like to receive disagreeable news, espe- Rouwes a) cae a. (Monogram, Crest, CoatobArmn ot ving rograved die ally on business s. The lette ‘Si.oo extea for Gira Yoo eaty! | cially on. busir feds, | The letree Mathues Brothers cigarettes are exclusively hand made of the tells how he signed the bond merely to puirest selection of Turkish tobacco. They are, undoubtedly. better blige a frie! en contioucs w than the best cigarette you have ever smoked.” Special designs pre- oblige a friend and then continues with pared for clubs, colleges. fraternities; also for dinner parties or special this personal history soclal gatherings. Ladies’ cigarettes Gpertal size) our spectalty. “5 Risk My lif P Print Initials platoly: specify tip desired: enclose money order i Risk My life to go to the lection toletter. All clearettes packed Jo attractive boxes of 100 each. MATHUES BROS., 619 Madison Ave., New York City | peceeeeccecccececececeeeeeeee Cece ce ceeeeCeE CEE EECEEEEEEEECESEEEER, HUNTER WHISKEY IS OF MELLOW TONE AND PERFECT QUALITY. ITS UNIQUE AND UNIFORM CHARAC.- TER DISTANCES ALL COMPETITION unique. The last sentence comtains a Allin one volume. Illustrated, Write for “Other Feop this fall, i have Done all i can f ofice Men -at the White house Wood like if you office Men Wood git 24 out of trouble so I cod Rest i ba Work one Day for 13 years on co alpitation of the Heart Some tins cant bare the clock Strike So you to My heart is Weak you ofice Men Do al can to git Mee out of trouble. if tha] had tolld Mee the letten Was 4 ye Never Wood Sind the bond 1 thow it Was 1 year So T Was fold #te you Rite Don't Rite any thing that i] Sold at all first-class cafes and ty" Jobers. WM. LANAHAN & SON, Baltimore, Md. Caront Bitters. Addslifeand flavurtoa cocktail. tonicand appetizer. “Ask your wine merchant, groce Oct. C. Blache & Co., 78 Broad St., New York, Geil EEE CEE EEE EEE EEE CECE EE EEE EEE EEE EE: 9333333333333523553333333332333>3>: ¥393333333393993329923299339332299933332:9235323333559932999939999: on 1178 w,