Life, 1913-03-06 · page 58 of 72
Life — March 6, 1913 — page 58: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct pieces: **Main Article: "What's the Matter with This Man?"** is an advertisement for the "Thompson Course," a self-help fitness program. It targets affluent businessmen experiencing symptoms of sedentary decline—weight gain, nervousness, poor sleep, indigestion—which the course claims to reverse through simple daily exercises. The accompanying cartoon ("A Dash for Life") humorously illustrates urban stress: a businessman frantically dodging traffic, suggesting the frantic modern lifestyle creates health problems the Thompson Course supposedly solves. **Right Column Poem:** A sentimental verse about a French Bulldog's faithfulness and devotion, questioning whether animals possess souls—typical of early 20th-century sentimentality about pets. **"Wanted—A Massacre":** A satirical editorial comment suggesting a newspaper editor, frustrated that war coverage from the Balkans isn't dramatic enough, demands more sensational "massacre" stories—mocking journalistic sensationalism and callous attitudes toward human suffering during the Balkan Wars. The page reflects early-1900s anxieties about modern civilization's toll on men's health, alongside period attitudes about journalism and animals.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
What’s the Matter with This Man? Ask him, and he would say, othing’s the matter with me.” He is a wide-awake, prosperous, American busi- ness man—virile, energetic, useful, forceful. And ye He is taking on weight. He is becoming nervous. He doesn't sleep near as soundly as he used to. He is troubled now and then with little attacks of indigestion and some- times has headaches. He finds it necessary to take longer vacations each year. Like thousands of other business men, he is dropping off a shade, then just a shade more, from perfect health. Ie is shamefully below par. Are you like this man? If you are, if you will own up that you are not the man you might be, I can help you to regain a physical and mental snap and fire that you may not have known since a schoolboy. The Thompson Course puts back in tune the jangled nerves of tired men. A man whose liver has slowed up, imperceptibly perhaps, but slowed up; whose digestion is be- ginning to quit, ever so little; who now takes a car to ride distances that would scem short to younger legs—such a man is not really old, but his sedentary life is demanding the same toll that age takes. The system of movements known as the Thompson Course is merely a brief daily substitute for the forms of exercise that civilization has outgrown. It establishes a healthy ween the life the business man leads and the life Nature planned him to lead. Thompson Course requires about fifteen minutes of your time each day. It will stand the most drastic test to which any set of exercises can be put—you want to keep it up. From the very first you enjoy the feeling of increased health that it brings. . Properly speaking, the Thompson Course is not “exercises.” It consists of a series of easy, natural movements that start the circulation and encourage elimination. It develops and Strengthens the stomach, heart, intestines, ctc., for these are muscular organs, Carried to its conclusion, the Course brings clearness of mind, strength of nerves, decision, hopeful ness, courage and joy in living. Let Me Give You Human Energy My free book is a real contribution to the science of right living. It has shown men the way to postpone their retirement and increase their capacity for work. Itexplains why the Thompson Course requires no apparatus and does not force you to leave off your regular habits, yet induces physical condition that you may be well satisfied with—a cheerfulness that is winning and the ability to work, cat, sleep and live in greater comfort. I will give you this book if you will read it. J. Edmund Thompson 8° 3, 2ztenge, Building A DASH FOR LIFE To a French Bulldog You have no soul—on that men do in- sist— Although great virtues they accord to you; Fidelity reads first upon the list With many instances to prove it true. The love you freely give, all will admit, Is unexcelled in this rare quality, Nor time nor circumstance can alter it— And courage, too, is yours in high de- gree. Loyal and loving, where you love most brave— Even to death so faithful to a trust— They yet deny you life beyond the grave, Contending all you are is naught but dust. They leave me thus to wonder on the whole Just what it is they think makes up a soul. Mrs. Antoinette De Corsey Patterson in“ The French Bull Dog.” Wanted—A Massacre A Berlin correspondent for an Ameri can paper received these instructions from his editor at the breaking out of the war in the Balkans “War sufficiently well covered in other directions, but we learn the Turks are massacring every Christian they find Please go to the most likely place for a general massacre and send gool story."—Saturday Evening Post. EASEOF MANIPULATION 18 not the only excellence of the Krementz Bodkin-Clutch STUDS AND VEST BUTTONS That Go in Like a Needle and Hold Like an Anchor With Cuff Links to Match, they are made e of values, from Krementz Sold Plate to gold or platinum mounted, set with _preciow: stones. Whatever the price, they ar: made with all that exquisite nicety of Anish made possible tn the largest factory In the world devoted exctustvely to the production of fine jewelry The Illustration shows one of the newest engine turned platinum mountings, made elther in plain mother-of-pearl or set with pearls, as shown, Sold by all lending jewelers, A descriptive booklet on request, KREMENTZ & CO 60 Chestnut Street, Newark, N. J. Makers of the fame Button. THE BOYS’ MAGAZINE--FREE S.°.05 addresses of Sboys (trom 8 to 18 years old) and we'll send you a copy of this splendid magazine free. Great stories—Beautiful filustrations | [Handsome covers in colors, Hatted by WALTER CAMP. De- ments devoted to Electricity. Mechanica, Athletics, Photography. Boy Scouts, Carpenti 1d Coins. 210 Man St., Smethport, Ps. comicbooks.com