Life, 1913-01-16 · page 23 of 40
Life — January 16, 1913 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This cartoon depicts a farewell scene between two figures identified as "Oscar" and "Lire" (likely personifications of optimism and finance/caution). Oscar enthusiastically describes plans for a chain of opera houses spanning America—from Maine to California to Florida—as a romantic, poetic enterprise. Lire warns him that "a chain of opera houses is no stronger than its weakest link," cautioning against the venture. The cartoon satirizes post-WWI American optimism and overconfidence. Published in 1923, it reflects skepticism about ambitious business schemes during the economically unstable early 1920s. Oscar represents blind enthusiasm; Lire represents financial prudence. The humor lies in their contrasting perspectives—Oscar dismisses Lire's reasonable warning as "cold water," proceeding recklessly forward while Lire frets about inevitable failure. The title's reference to "war" suggests parallels between military recklessness and business folly.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
of water-drinking Maine on the East to the sun-kissed sands and asure- tinted waters of the Golden Gate on the wild and woolly West.” “How poetic!” “From the Aurora Borealis and the virgin expanse of pure white Arctic frigidity on the North to the verdant everglades and winter hotels of Flori- da on the South.” “Wonderful, Oscar! A chain of opera houses, each one the proud abode of Orpheus and Arion.” FOR THE WAR—1923 “DON'T CRY, DEAR” “Yes. That's the idea.” “God speed you, Oscar, but remem- ber—” “Come, Lire, no cold water or wet blanket.” “Remember that a chain of opera houses is no stronger than its weak- est link.” “Oh, I'll bear that in mind. Good- by, Lire. I must go right to work.” “Good-by, Oscar. Let us hear from you from time to time.” E. 0, J. A Warm Come-Back INDING a lady reading “ Twelfth Night,” a facetious doctor asked: “When Shakespeare wrote about ‘Patience on a monument’ did he mean doctors’ patients?” “No,” said the lady, “you find them under monuments, not on them.” Motto for a Successful Business Man ET not your left hand know how your right hand got the money. comicbooks.com