Life, 1914-08-20 · page 10 of 40
Life — August 20, 1914 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a satirical piece titled "The Obsequies" (funeral rites) mocking the death of "King Business." The left panel shows mourners gathered at what appears to be a funeral, while the right panel depicts a man sitting at a desk, smiling. The text reveals the joke: various characters claim credit for killing "King Business"—a Senator, the Kicker (likely a labor agitator), and the Bond Issue representative all boast of delivering fatal blows. King Business then reveals he's not actually dead, describing his "death" as merely a psychological phase reported in newspapers. The satire appears to mock exaggerated claims about economic conditions and the resilience of American business, suggesting reports of economic doom are greatly exaggerated.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Obsequies ING BUSINESS having been de- clared to be dead, all the birds of prey and other notables gathered to do honor to his memory. The fol- lowing conversation took place: “Who killed King Business?” “1,” said the Senator, “with my picayune plaints and my. puerile prob- ing of reputable men. I killed King Business.” “Twas I,” said the Kicker, “with my hand on the ticker, I. made his shroud, it must be allowed. I killed King Business.” Then said with a sneer, thé Bond Issue, “’Tis queer how you chaps get DREAMS. things wrong. ’Twas I—for a song I killed him, go ‘long! I did the deed! I croaked King Business.” At this point the Calamity Howler, the Credit System, the Tariff and a number of other mourners were about to record their claims, when suddenly King Business sat up with his old-time smile. “Much obliged, boys,” he said, “ but I'm not dead yet. It was only one of those psychological trances you read about in the papers.” BLessincs on your income! Now- adays it is Tax vobiscum, Older Brother: s TS IN TWO DAYS EXPECT — TEAR! AROUN WITH WIMMIN LIKE YOU DO?