Life — July 11, 1912 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

oa a Life’s Family Album Francis W. Crowninshield HY is it, we that the born creator is always so re- luctant to divide the spoils of his own mind with his friends. If you knew the trouble we have had to get Frank Crowninshield to write any- thing for Lire! But this is a plain family album and not a history of troubles. Suffice it to say that this young man is one of the most delight- ful writers we have—and he doesn’t know it! No wonder he is so good. when it has taken so many generations of Harvard College to produce him, for his father, his grandfather and his great-grandfather all went there. We circled contemplatively around the roof of the Century Magazine one day recently, thinking of all these things and wondering just when would he the psychological moment to de- scend upon young Crowninshield. The truth is, that under a gay and debonair manner, he conceals an al- most fiendish ability to d motives, and we knew the moment he looked at us that he would be calculat- ing our horsepower to the fraction of n ounce. “Mr. Crowninshield,” we began, af- ter being duly settled, “it is quite use- less to conceal our purpose from one We are here for stern busi- ness reasons. We want to publish your picture in Lire and tell the secret wondei one’s so astute. of your extraordinary literary charm. First, then, where were you born? “In Paris.” “Ha! That accounts for something —for that Gallic sense of art, the desperate necessity for having a thing well done—for not doing it at all until it can be well done. And when did you return to this continent?” “At the age of ten,” “Did you, too, go to Harvard?” “IT prepared myself for that con- tingency, but illness prevented and I was taken to Italy, where I attended the University of Rome until I re- turned home at the age of twenty- one.” And since then——?* “T have been connected with various publi T also served a term as school commissioner.” “And why is it, Mr. Crowninshield, with all of these advantages, together with the possession of admirable taste and a fine sense of humor, you persist in writing so little for Lire?” At this instant we felt ourselves being pushed gently but irretrievably off the roof. This compelled us, much against our will, to turn on the engine and fly away homeward. hing houses. A Statement 'O the Public: As there have been numerous severe criticisms of the attitude of my company toward its employees in the recent strike, I desire to make a state- ment that will correct the misappre- hensions that exist. I wish to say that the demands of the employees are absolutely unjusti- fiable. Anyone who knows me knows this to be true without a doubt. You may ask any of my neighbors and they will tell you.that I am very good to my family, that I am always ready to help anyone who wishes to borrow money on good security, that I con- tribute liberally to the church and would be willing to help the poor if they would only let me. I simply can- not understand why my employees are not satisfied. I am an upright man and not afraid to meet my Maker. Submitted in all sincerity and the fear of God. Etian Coupons, President, The Child Labor Manufacturing Co His Experience MALL BOY: Papa, when you are baptized, does it mean that you don’t have to go to church any more? Low LIFE comicboo!