Life — August 13, 1914 — page 15: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A Modem Parable USINESS was strolling through the park when he became aware that he was being followed. He turned back, and when he came close to the follower he perceived that it was Legislation, “Why do you keep following me all the time?” demanded Business angrily. “Iam a detective. Detectives are very popular nowadays, you know. A few detectives now and then are hired by the best of men.” “Bosh! I want none of your cheap wit. This is a serious matter. I want to ke Iet alone. I am Business, and it is exceedingly annoying to be dis- turbed.” “Yes, I know who you are, all right enough, and I am very, very sorry, my dear Business,” continued Legislation, “but I do not con- sider it safe to let you alone. You haven't given a very good ac- count of yourself in the past few years. You need a chaperon.” “Oh, ho! So that’s it! Well, a likely chaperon you'd make, I must say,” retorted Business angrily. “ Good- ness knows I never set myself up as a paragon of virtue, but I fail to see how I can be improved by being put in your charge.” “T represent the whole people,” re- sponded Legislation’ gravely, “ while you represent just part of the people. I haven't the same incentive to be corrupt.” “Come now. Don't be silly,” urged Business. “You weren't always so SEP ES holy. You used to be a mighty good fellow, willing to do most anything for a consideration.” “T was about to remind you that I had done you many a good turn in the past,” replied Legislation. “Of course you have, but why this sudden change?” “The people are getting onto us. We must turn over a new leaf.” “Speak for yourself, please. I'll not turn over any new leaf.” “Oh, yes, you will, and you might as well do it sooner as later. The sooner it’s done the sooner it will be over, the more quickly you will adjust GOING UP yourself to the new spirit and the happier you will be.” “Upon my word, how ridiculous!” expostulated Business, “It looks as if you were trying to destroy ‘me alto- gether.” “On the contrary, my dear fellow, I have your best interest at heart now as always. I want to make you bigger and stronger and more efficient than ever before.” * * Business made no reply to this, but turned angrily on his heel and started off at a swift pace with Legislation close behind. Ellis O. Jones, The Great Exception SKILFUL artificer who had eaten crusts for years and needed a change of diet asked for a larger help- ing of the good things on his employ- er’s table. “No,” his patron replied. “Genius must be humble. Heaven has endowed you with wonderful talent, it is true, but you have done nothing to acquire that talent. It was given to you in trust for humanity, and you are under sacred obligation to exert it for the benefit to your fellow men, not for your own aggrandizement.” Sadly the artificer returned to his bench. “The theory that the product of genius belongs to the race and not to the individual is a beautiful one,” he thought. “I wish it applied to the genius for accumulating money.” OU cannot tango in the straight and narrow path, comicbooks.com ~