Life, 1912-10-10 · page 33 of 48
Life — October 10, 1912 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This story depicts anarchist violence during the industrial era—likely referencing actual bomb attacks that occurred in early 20th-century America. The narrative follows a poor boy, recruited by radicals, delivering an explosive device to a wealthy mansion (marked by lions—symbols of capital and privilege). The satire targets **both sides**: the desperate unemployed masses and radical anarchists who resort to terrorism, as well as the wealthy capitalists whose mansions overlook impoverished neighborhoods. The contrast between the "magnificent avenue" of "homes of capital" and the streets of "struggling beings, squat figures, prison-pale faces, hungry mouths" illustrates class division driving such violence. The story appears deliberately provocative—presenting the bombing plot matter-of-factly to shock readers into considering systemic inequality. Life magazine frequently used such satire to critique social injustice during an era of intense labor unrest and actual anarchist attacks in America. The page's **advertisements** (chocolate, patents, toothbrushes) contrast darkly with the violent narrative.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ncipal fogs, me The Boy and the Bomb Through the dark murky window, painted black with soot by Time, there came but a glimmer By the light of this glimmer the boy watched the man make the bomb. The man had been working silently and cease- lessly for some hours. The bomb was almost finished. The hoy—obedient to a summons—had just come in. The bomb was an iron cylinder filled with dynamite and solid picces of iron, nails, steel balls, jagged scraps. It was literally stuffed with death. There was a miniature battery on the inside, and two copper wires led out. The man wrapped it up in paper. “He he said, giving the boy a spool of copper wire covered with gr. “You take it—so. You string the wir so—run them out. You, understand? Then place the ends together—so—and run away.” The boy took the bomb, nodded, and hid it under his ragged coat. “You know the house—lions in front —you can get in through the cellar win- dow—Go!"" In point of fact, it had all been ar- ranged beforehand. The house had been reconnoitered, the plans had been made. Nothing now but the Act. The boy passed out into the street crowded with struggling beings, squat figures, luminous cyes, prison-pale faces, hungry mouths There was a mass meeting of the un- cmployed in a small park formerly used for a children's playground. He skirted the crowd rapidly and ex- pertly and sped along, crossing street after street The houses grew farther apart. He came to the outskir A magnificent avenuc! Houses—stately, brilliantly lighted with flowered plots in front, great trees overhanging—red brick or terra cotta stables in the rear. The homes of capital. The boy went like a The solitary watchman, passing by slowly on the other side, nonchalantly swinging his club, had no cyes for him. Perhaps he was thinking of the pretty nurse girl in the next block, who had promised to go walking with him on Sunday after- noon, Lions—two of them—one couchant, the other erect, alert—guarded the grav- eled walk. (Continued on page 1971.) WANA MM AMAA AAA A WA SSS 04H] 0 EE ATTA EAE Jand pars. offered for javensions tent free. Patents advertined free. Score Pods, 1: Big Sisters and Little Brother Vid TL TLL The whole family prefer Peters Milk Cheeolate because it tastes so good. ella It is made of the best of cocoa beans, with pure milk and a little sugar. Peter’s is as wholesome ‘as it is delicious. “High as the Alps in Quality” Cad ULL SSSSSSAECTR RW 6/ ™>nr8S FDTEF6>rR_AAAAAN SSS ae SWAN ATENTS SHEEN Uinen Send skerch for free search of Patent ecorés. How be stent and What tolareat w Tit ot inventions wanted ‘tampa (lesa Caan cost) brings 12 rarities planing earce and Wastrated catalog RADCLIFFE & C0. 144 Penel St. New York, VICTOR J. EVANS & CO., Washington, D. C. RUBBERSET TEAOE maa. SAFETY TOOTH BRUSH Avoid dangers of loose bristles. Finest quality —scientific shapings. RUBBERSET COMPANY, FACTORIES, NEWARK, N. J. Bristles held forever in hard rubber. All. Druggists and Dept. Stores. R. & C. HT. CO., Prop. comicbooks.com