Life, 1913-07-31 · page 9 of 36
Life — July 31, 1913 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a fable illustrated with a sketch of foxes and a hen in a boat. The story, by Ellis O. Jones, uses poultry-yard conflict as allegory. An Old Hen discovers a Fox among her chickens and confronts him. The Fox argues that increased poultry regulations harm *everyone's* interests—his included—by raising living costs. He suggests they're "mentally inferior" to foxes but claims foxes won't succeed anyway, so everyone should cooperate and relax security. The satire likely reflects early 20th-century labor or business disputes, where a threatening party (the Fox) argues that strict protections or regulations hurt all sides economically. The Old Hen remains skeptical but is tempted by the Fox's appeal to "shared interest." The joke exposes manipulative rhetoric that asks the vulnerable to abandon self-protection for supposed mutual benefit.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Patience and Gentleness is Power Leigh Hunt. with engine six h, p. skip spa ‘k, lately installed ; for the season; for an old-fashioned rowboat. The Poultry Question HERE was a great commotion in the poultry yard when the Old Hen discovered a Fox in their midst. “Now, madam,” said the Fox, deftly grabbing a young pullet and tucking it away inside him, “I assure you there is no cause for alarm. I have your best interests at heart The Old Hen refused to be com- forted. “What nonsense,” she ex- claimed. “You are here solely for your own profit, and you know it “You are entirely mistaken,” re- sponded the Fox in his most gracious manner. “You do me a gross in- justice. I have made a long and care- ful study of the poultry question.” “So have we. So have we,” pro- tested the Old Hen excitedly, “Yes, of course you have, in your feeble way, but the subject is too deep and too intricate for a mere chicken to understand. You sce, I have gone into the matter from all sides. For instance, one thing we need is a more clastic poultry yard. Several of my foxy associates are now at work on that problem. Then you necd a tariff which will protect you from the foxes. Of course, you could not be expected to devise efficient regulations along that line. Such a matter must be handled hy its friends.” . “Never mind, Master Fox. Though our mentality may be inferior to yours, still we have no faith in your sincerity. So far about the only effect of your activities that we can see is to increase the cost of living. Accordingly, we shall have to shift for ourselves.” “Oh omy, that would he fatal, , assuming a more threatening tone. “It is important that you do nothing. In fact, there is nothing you can do which will not disturb business ; and, after all, you know business is more important than anything else.” “T don't agree with you,” argued the Old Hen. “I don't care a jot for busi- fess that interferes with my comfort and life. Business is as business does.” aid the Fox, “I have warned you. Unless you act very dis- creetly I'M get around here “That's the only thing I'm not afraid of,” answered the Old Hen. Just then there noise behind the chicken house, and as foxes are proverbially timid, he pr cceded to take himself off to await a more favorable opportunity for con- tinuing the discussion. Ellis O. Jones. “Very well,” ad and never come was an ominous comicbooks.com