Life, 1912-07-25 · page 5 of 41
Life — July 25, 1912 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines advertisements with a poem titled "Fran" by John Breckenridge Ellis. The poem satirizes marital infidelity: a man marries a pretty girl, then abandons her for another woman, leaving their daughter with the first wife. The narrative describes the man's subsequent dissolute life—running a circus, owning a "Siren Secretary"—before he ultimately dies, leaving young Fran to inherit his legacy of shame. The surrounding ads (Carstairs Rye whiskey, Panhard Oil, Electric Vehicle Association) are period commercial content typical of early 20th-century Life magazine. The poem's moralistic tone reflects contemporary attitudes toward masculine responsibility and the social consequences of abandonment—a cautionary tale for male readers about family obligations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
RSE Established 1788 Judges Are In Favor Of This Re-Call Those who have once known the supreme excellence of this famous brand invariably demand it afterwards. Carstairs Rye owes its immense popu- larity to the legion of users —all over the land—who will take no other—and who pass the word to ac- quaintances. ., This 124-year-old favor- ite never betrays a trust — uniform in blend, purity and flavor. Aged in wood—rich and mellow. If your dealer should not happen to have it we'll send itto you through him at usual prices. Write. Stewart Distilling Co. New York Balto. “Medical Sectarianism Senator Works of California makes a strong fight against the Owen bill, which aims at the establishment of a National Department of Health, to be recognized as a Cabinet branch of the Federal Ad- ministration, and on the ground, chiefly, that such action would tend to commit the Government to a policy of medical sectarianism which, as it developed, would become intolerable. —Portland (Ore.) Telegram. FOR AUTOMOBILES Do you ever blame yourself for big repair bills? You ought to, unless you’ve taken care to buy good oll. ke 01 Bold by quality where. Our dooklet,""Motor Lubrication”” contains juable information on the care of your engine. Sent in return for your dealer's name. irge A. Ha at Write for “Hap Fran (By John Breckenridge Ellis. The Bobbs-Merrill Co.) When Preacher Gregory was young He wed a pretty fellow-student But,—faithless heart and lying tongue !— When that hushed marriage sccmed imprudent, He ran away, the horrid man, And bigamously wed another ; Nor knew that little daughter Fran Was born to cheer her cast-off mother. When F was 5 A dashing lady She sought her erring father’s door And found him disinclined to claim her. A pious, alms-bestowing life He led, and wished the Past to bury Because, besides a Patient Wife, He owned a Siren Scerctary. But Fran threw hints that she could spin A tale to set the gossips clacking, Which made her father take her in And send the Secretary packing. That wicked Secretary said To Gregory, “ My dear, I'm hoping That since, in law, you're hardly wed, You've no objections to cloping?” “Why, no,” he answered; “ change your gown ; We'll fly and start another Zion!” an's old circus came to town And so they paused to see the lion. And there stood Fran within the cage As brave as Joan, and so much sweeter That while she tried to quell his rage The Desert Monarch tried to eat her. Whereat the Secretary mocked : “Go on, you Lion! Do your duty But Fran's papa was grieved and shocked He thrust away the siren beauty. He saw his daring girl subduc That cruel beast, intent on slaughter, “My child,” he cried, “I'm proud of you! My lovely, lion-taming daughter!" And so the Siren's hopes are di And Fran has won a young Pr: While Gregory is left to tread The path that lures the gay trans kre {rthur Guiterman. “We'll go right over to the bank in my Electric” HAVE you noticed that more men are driving Electrics each day? Men of big affairs are coming to appreciate more and more the Electric’s wide sphere of usefulness in daily business life —the economy and dependability of this ideal town car. The Electric is fast becoming the man’s personal car because of its simplicity of opera- tion and freedom from mechanical difficulties. Always ready—no cranking—no shifting of gears—and as much speed as any business man desires. The Electric is the Car of Double Service In any sort of weather, the Electric will take you anywhere. It is not only the efficient business car but a dis- tinctive, luxurious social car as well. Your wife or daughter—even a child —can runit. Its purchase price is reasonable and maintenance is re- duced toa minimum. The cost of operation is less than that of any other type of motor car—and it is steadily decreasing. Interesting literature about the Electric Vehicle sent gladly Write today Before you buy any car— consider the Electric Etectric Venice Association oF AMERICA 124 W. 42d St BOSTON NEW YORK CHICAGO comicbooks.com