Life, 1915-06-03 · page 41 of 52
Life — June 3, 1915 — page 41: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features a serialized poem reviewing James L. Ford's novel *The Great Mirage*. The narrative satirizes yellow journalism and workplace ethics in early 1900s New York. **The Story:** Kate, a young woman seeking employment at a sensationalist newspaper called *The Megaphone*, falls for her coworker Penfield. When Kate writes a sympathetic feature about East Side children (considered unrealistic for the cynical press), Penfield—a self-serving climber—blames her in his Sunday supplement to protect himself. She's fired. **The Satire's Point:** The poem mocks both the ruthlessness of ambitious newspapermen and the hypocrisy of yellow journalism, which exploited human interest stories while employing morally bankrupt editors. Kate ultimately marries a *properly educated* journalist (not merely ambitious), suggesting virtue lies in ethical journalism, not sensationalism. The surrounding advertisements (cigarettes, water, eyeshades) are typical period clutter; not integral to the satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Fifth Ave. at 45th St., New York APARTMENTS AND ROOMS WITH BATH PERMANENTLY OR ~ TRANSIENTLY | George C. Howe George Orvis Also EQUINOX HOUSE, Manchester, Vermont “SRERS ES PORT RIDES Cae rh Tip EGYPTIAN oe oe “JUST LIKE BEING IN CATRO™ | Freeasuo eas: aay RIF Rhymed F Reviews The Great Mirage (By James L. Ford. Harper & Bros.) Gotham Kate arrived alone, To find employment on that yellow Sensation-rag, The Megaphone, Where Penfield worked (her steady fellow). Though Penfield liked her fairly well, To climb remained his chief ambi- tion; He meant to rise, whoever fell— A cold, self-centered proposition, Now Kate portrayed an East Side street With healthy children, fat and jolly (A feature wholly indiscreet— Tradition makes ‘em melancholy). In Penfield’s Sunday supplement, To save himself, the coward blamed her. They turned her off, poor innocent! Imagine, then, what wrath inflamed her. T° be had at every good place where accommodation is made for travellers, 1e Roc, “The World's Best Table Water” Preserves your health in every climate, GOOD NEWS fr all Friends an Admirers pe E ‘gyplianDain Eno Cigarettes OGL CIGARETTES) Van EGYPTIAN ELACIGARETIES the most deledable ofall Mild cigarettes maz now be had \ PLAIN NID Inthe convenient FLAT BOX FOIL and OUTER LINEN WRAPPER. eae ¢ lor som ve dames . White Rock Mineral ion Seo baat Wx. She schemed (you'll note with much Thus Mr, Ford, while dressing down _ regret) Our news-distorters pretty smartly, odily To compass Mr, Penfield's downfall; Presents his view of Gotham Town; 5 the His apple-cart was soon upset; And doubtless he is right—or partly from neces The man who would not protect bis eyes from the light’s glare. Student, Booklover! Fortity your eyes with a FEATHERWEIGHT EYE SHADE Regin now to strengthen yor eyes, snd be sure of future happiness and success. At your druggist, stationer, of postpaid to you on receipt of 2c. Address FEATHERWEIGHT EYE'SHADE CO. ‘Box D, Merchantville, N.J. With joy she saw his paper crown fall. Then Kate dismissed an actor-heau (A handsome wretch, already mated), And married Telford, who, although A journalist, was educated. But, then, New York is quite a case; Let some defame her, some extol her, To each she turns a different face; So please don't try to pigeonhole her. eIrthur Guiterman.