Life, 1913-04-03 · page 50 of 52
Life — April 3, 1913 — page 50: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features a satirical poem titled "The Wall (st) Rus and the Car (newhaven) Penter"—a parody of Lewis Carroll's "Walrus and the Carpenter." The satire targets **railroad corruption and financial manipulation** in the Gilded Age. The Walrus and Carpenter represent railroad executives who deceive oysters (the common people) into riding their unsafe private railcar, promising convenience while actually seeking profits. The poem mocks their indifference to passenger safety ("We'll blame the engine"), their focus on financial schemes (tariffs, politics, dividends), and their hollow sympathy ("I weep for you...And deeply sympathize"). The twist on Carroll's original text transforms a whimsical tale into commentary on **corporate malfeasance**: trusting citizens are exploited by cynical business interests who openly admit they don't care about their welfare ("He meant it not at all"). The accompanying advertisements offer unrelated products and books, typical of *Life* magazine's mixed-content format.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PERE HOLDS YOUR SOCK SMOOTH AS YOUR SKI! SOL) GEORGE FROST CO, EVERYWHERE x MAKERS, BOSTON A Happy Marriage Depends largely on a know! edge of the whole truth about sel€ and sex aod their relation to life and healtb. This knowledge does not come intelligently of itself, nor correctly from ordinary, every-day sources. SEXOLOGY (Ulustrated) by William MH. Walling, A.Mf. 3f.D. imparts In a clear, wholesome way in one volume «Man Should Tare. to Ils fon. 1 Have. to Her Daughter, Mlustrated, 82, postpald, ie of Contents. THE WILLIAMS PRINTING COMPANY, The Wall (st) Rus and the Car (newhaven)- Penter The Walrus and the Carpenter Rode in a private car; They wept like anything to feel Its awful jolt and jar. “If we can get to Providence, New York won't seem so far.” “With seven men, and seven spikes, And three new hemlock ties, Do you suppose,” the Walrus said, “We could economize? “1 doubt it,” said the Carpenter. “I'd rather advertise.” “Oh, Oysters, come and ride with us,” The Walrus did beseech. “A pleasant ride, a safe, quick ride; Our roadbed is a peach. Once over Harlem River bridge, New York you well may reach.” A shrewd old Oyster looked at him And sagely shook his head; The shrewd old Oyster winked his eye. “T'l go on foot,” he “T really would much rather walk Than ride, and get there dead.” Then four young Oysters hurried up In trusting innocence, And other Oysters followed them And hustled through the fence; Though this was scarcely odd, because They hadn't too much sense. “ But wait a bit,” the Oysters cried, With really groundless fear; “Suppose that there should be a wreck Some place ‘twixt there and here?” The Carpenter said nothing, but “We'll blame the engince “The time has come,” the Walrus said, “To think of other things: Of tariff, national finance, And politics, and rings: And why we go to Albany, Or Saratoga Springs.” “ But what of us?” the Oysters cried. “Don't WE cut any ice? How long shall we be maimed and killed? We merely ask advice.” ‘The Carpenter said nothing, but “These dividends are nice.” “I weep for you,” the Walrus said, And deeply sympathize.” With sobs and tears he gobbled up A trolley-car_ franchise, Holding a bunch of common stock Before his streaming eyes. “Oh, Oysters,” said the Carpenter, “We've had a pleasant call, What further can we do for you? We mean to help you all.” And this was very odd, because He meant it not at all. H. P. Dz NEW YoRK Life Prints For the Den Facsimile in color, Mounted 12x16 in. Price, soc. Cope. Lite Pub. Co. “Shay, Choofer, how much do I owe ye?” -ven dollars and fifty cents, sir.”” “Well, shay, back up to thirty cents, it’s all I got.” Photogravure, 13x16 in. Price, soc. GETTING EVEN. Photogravure, 13x16 in. Price, soc. All prints sent prepaid upon receipt of remittance, LIFE PUBLISHING COMPANY 17 West 31 Street, New York ecad cao comicbooks.com