Life, 1915-06-17 · page 10 of 52
Life — June 17, 1915 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two satirical pieces: **"The Wise Prophet"** mocks a "Great Prophet" who predicted ocean steamships would need lifeboats and safety equipment after the Titanic disaster (1912). The story implies his predictions were obvious and self-serving, eventually dismissed as his credibility faded. **"Not a Grumbler"** presents a brief anecdote about a Black defendant sentenced to two years in court. The judge remarks the defendant doesn't seem to mind the sentence, to which the defendant responds using dialect: he'd prefer more time if possible. The main cartoon depicts a grotesque creature with large bulging eyes emerging from water, captioned "Look out for your hind legs, fellers. Here come the French." This appears to be anti-French propaganda, likely referencing World War I tensions or immigration concerns.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
1082 The Wise Prophet THE Great Prophet had made a splendid reputation for foretelling the future. There being none among his contemporaries who had inspired more universal confidence, it was nat- ural that the Committee on Safety at Sea should wait upon him, The chairman of the committee said: “Your honor, a couple of years ago the steamship Titanic was sunk with great loss of life, which was due, in a large measure, to inadequate life- boats and means of launching them. For many weeks thereafter the press was filled with warnings, inventions, rumors of new laws—all of them cal- culated to inspire the hope that, from that time on, all ocean steamships would be fitted with an equipment which would take care of their pas- sengers in case of sinking. The sub- ject gradually died out. Then the Lusitania, almost a sister ship to the Titanic, was torpedoed. It then de- veloped that, in spite of all the fuss previously made, and the pompous assurance of the authorities that everything had been attended to, the Lusitania’s lifeboats were wholly in- adequate. Now, your honor, having briefly indicated the object of our visit, I will put the question to you, who are able to foretell the future. When do you think the stupidity of mankind will be submerged to the ex- tent of providing ocean steamships with ordinary measures of safety?” The Great Prophet shuffled the cards, rang the bell for two speeds ahead, had a conniption fit, analyzed a lock of the chairman's hair, and, after the women in the back row had been asked to remain as quiet as pos- sible, replied: “Not in a thousand years.” Thus, amid combined cheers, main- taining his unrivaled prestige. Not a Grumbler N one of the Southwestern States the courtroom of the courthouse was overlooking the cemetery. A negro had just been sentenced for two years. The judge, piqued at his apparent in- difference, remarked: “You don't seem to mind your sentence.” “Bless yo’, Judge, de’s plenty ob 'em ovah yondah would like to hab it.” “LOOK OUT FOR YOUR HIND LEGS, FELLERS, secelleaty HERE COME THE FRENCH” comicbooks.com