Life, 1914-06-04 · page 9 of 52
Life — June 4, 1914 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a short story titled "A Fair Adventurer" about a woman brought before Judge Destiny for alleged theft. The narrative satirizes both the justice system and the woman's defense—she claims to be a professional thief with good intentions, stealing from the wealthy to help the poor. The judge and court officials find her charming rather than criminal. The advertisements below include promotions for cigarettes ("Egyptian Deities"), a horse nail product, and theatrical performances. The satire appears to mock both the romanticization of crime and the inconsistent application of justice, where an attractive female defendant receives leniency that others wouldn't. It's social commentary on class, gender, and judicial bias in early 20th-century America.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Fair Adventurer "THERE was quite a eC. = flutter this morning b§ =” among the spectators = in the Court of Spe- = cial Obsessions, Judge == _ Destiny sitting, as a strik- i ingly beautiful young woman in rather shabby clothes was brought into the court room by an officer of the law. “I picked this here person up on the street, Your Honor, trying to pre- vent one of my brother policemen from robbing and maltreating a stranger. I thought she was a fit subject for pun- ishment.” “Quite right,” said Judge Destiny. “ The reputation of your profession for relieving people of their valuables and holding them up generally must be pre- served, even if we have to bring beauti- ful girls like this up against our dis- pleasure.” He turned to the prisoner: “What is your name?” “ Peace.” At the mention of her name there was considerable excitement; several statesmen and diplomatists in the audi- ence had to be held back from grabbing the fair prisoner. “You look tired,” said the judge. “Yes, Your Honor, I’ve just gotten back from a trip to Mexico. They didn’t treat me well there; in fact, they almost tore me to pieces.” “ Have you any visible means of sup- port?” “None whatever; nothing but my good looks.” “You're considerable of an adven- turer, aren't you?” “T have that reputation, Your Honor; but I assure you I have the best intentions in the world.” “You never did anything for hu- “THE CAPEWELL” "ai" Te the best nail in the world at a fair price not the cheapest regardless of quality. If horse shoes don’t stay on, you ~ ROUND THE WORLD bet Clark's arrangements set the standard “x toors with small groupe snd Keeniy fotererted directors of expertence ‘atures: (September tour) Palewine, ‘Stam, Philippines, (Octouer, tour) ‘andra of All. Java: (December tout) North Chinas Korea. Pasteand an westward tours, ‘Send tor program. Brash Gs Ort, Tlaes fidgs § | manity. Isn't it true that wherever your advice has been followed dete- rioration has always set in? You are a soft-spoken Miss, but you are mighty dangerous.” The judge turned to the keeper of the prison, who happened to be present : “Do you think you can keep this young woman locked up perma- nently?” The keeper of the prison shook his head: “She is an old offender, Your Honor,” he replied. “We have had her in before and she has always broken loose somewhere. I suppose that young lady has caused more trouble than anybody we ever had. Why, if she was to have her way, there would not be any more murders committed ; looting would stop; rapine and diplomacy would cease to exist.” The judge looked around the court. “Ts there anybody here who is pre- pared to defend this person?” he asked. “No, Your Honor,” replied the clerk, “Plenty of people have advocated her, but they only do it in whispers. When it comes to a show-down, nobody will have anything to do with her.” “Well, take her out and lock her up.” Then the judge turned to the pris- oner: “Young lady,” he said, “I have just one more word to say to you. If you make any attempt to escape again I will call upon every ruler of the world to sit on your case, and I guess among all of us we can fix you so that you won't break loose again.” comicbooks.com