Life, 1915-06-17 · page 43 of 52
Life — June 17, 1915 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a philosophical allegory titled "An Interrupted Argument" between personified concepts: **Extravagance** and **Economy**. The two debate whether they can coexist, with Economy claiming logic supports restraint, while Extravagance argues that nature and great achievements require spending. Their heated argument is interrupted by a mysterious stranger who identifies himself as "Happy Medium"—suggesting the satirical point that **balance between frugality and spending is the ideal solution**. The page also advertises **Fownes Gloves** and a **Gillette Safety Razor**, both marketed as reliable products for travelers heading to San Francisco. These ads reinforce the "happy medium" theme: quality goods worth investing in. The satire likely reflects post-WWI American tensions between wartime austerity and peacetime consumption, suggesting neither extreme serves society well.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
An Interrupted Argument XTRAVAGANCE and Economy met. “TI wonder,” said Extravagance, who had a broad-minded outlook on life, “whether there is any way that we can get together?” “Iam afraid not,” said Economy, naturally close-mouthed. “J am willing to try,” said Extrava- gance. “I have long been curious to meet you. Now that I have a good view, you seem to me to be a curiously ignoble-looking creature.” “Possibly. But all the logic is on my side.” “And Nature is on mine. The sun, for example, is one of my votaries. Think of how the sun wastes. He is a terrible spendthrift, in rays. What makes you believe that all the logic is on your side?” “Well, think of all the terrible rais- takes people have made following you. But nobody ever made a mistake fol- lowing me.” “Why, my dear friend, how can you make such an assertion? All the big things have been done through me, I have absolute command of courage and vision, What you acquire is done by caution and narrowness.” How long their argument would have lasted nobody knows, but at this. moment they were interrupted by a ee | WNE ry LOVE A Fownes sign on the counter of the retailer is a good sign that the gentleman behind the counter 4 wants your ‘‘return’’ trade. The glove dealer who has confidence in Fownes gloves knows from experience that Fownes gloves do not disappoint. Your confidence is merited by that kind of a dealer. LL roads lead to San Francisco this year. Machines being groomed for the tour—traveling kits overhauled— packets of Gillette Blades and new Gillette Sets being bought by the thousands all over the country. Your tourist, perhaps better than any other man, can appreciate the The Gillette on Tour guick, clean, cool Gillette Shave, and “no stropping—no honing.” He may be willing to camp by the wayside, and rustle his meals from likely-looking farm houses—but he is not taking chances with his daily shave. You too like your own kind of shave and the Gillette ensures it—$5 to $50 —Blades 50c. and $1a packet. GILLETTE SAFETY RAZOR COMPANY BOSTON, MASS. cheerful stranger. He smiled upon them both so pleasantly that they stopped short. “You're both wrong,” said the stranger, “All the big things have been done by both of you. You've often worked together, only you haven't seen each other. I know, be- cause I've been there.” “Who are you?” The stranger grinned. “My name is Happy Medium,”