Life, 1916-09-21 · page 13 of 44
Life — September 21, 1916 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three separate humorous pieces: 1. **"Verse Au Gratin"** (top): A poem by Jessica Hawley Lowell about a writer struggling to compose while domestic interruptions (a cook asking about potatoes) prevent concentration. It's light satire on the difficulty of intellectual work amid household demands. 2. **"Lost"** (left): A romantic narrative poem by Ella Rands'll Pearce where the Moon, Roses, and Night Wind observe two lovers in a garden, then spitefully ensure the couple receives no credit or magic from nature. It's whimsical verse satire. 3. **"Worth the Money"** (right): A cartoon with caption "For a Mess of Pottage" showing a man gesturing at a large cauldron labeled "HYPHEN VOTE." This appears to reference selling political votes cheaply—a commentary on electoral corruption or voter manipulation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Green Caddie: cos! HE Missep ’ER! Lost MAN and a Maid who walked along the garden paths were observed by the Moon, the Roses and the Night Wind. “Here come two lovers,” chuckled the Moon, shine my silver best for their sakes.” “Here come two lovers,” murmured the Roses. us send forth our sweetest perfume to greet them.” “Here come two lovers,” sighed the Night Wind. “I will whisper to them of the magic that lies in a summer night.” But the Moon suddenly blotted the smile from his face. “We will not trouble ourselves,” he declared. “These lovers are the same two who walked the garden paths but yesternight. And, for all we did our best to please them, what did they in return? They spoke no word of my beauty—either of them.” “And they never noticed us,” complained the Roses. “T remember them well,” sniffed the Night Wind. “They only said, ‘It is a beautiful evening!’ and gave us no credit at all. Let us do all we can to punish them.” So the Moon hid behind the darkest cloud he could find. And the Roses withheld their perfume. And the Night Wind turned chill-and rustled the dry leaves dismally, and even succeeded in finding a few stray raindrops and flinging them in a dank, grayish mist across the garden paths. “T will “Let “It is a beautiful evening!” said the two lovers. Ella Randvll Pearce, JF Mr. Wilson had two or three more opponents like Mr. Hughes his election would be unanimous. 483 Verse Au Gratin OME verses I would fain indite, But when I sit me down to write And ponder a poetic coup I have instead to plan ragout. Even my own secluded nook Is oft invaded by the cook, Inquiring would it suit my plan To have potatoes au gratin, What soup or fish and what salade! Until I’m fairly driven mad, And needs must let my muse retreat While I consider bread and meat. Oh, who on Pegasus would ride If to the earth his feet were tied? And who would serve en casserole The thoughts of a poetic soul! Jessica Hawley Lowell, Worth the Money N item in the newspaper says that the Germans have put a price on the head of Mrs. Gertrude Atherton. It is a good head. Any publisher would bid for it. If there is a German bid it has need to be high. SEEKING revenge is throwing good energy after bad. FOR A MESS OF POTTAGE comicbooks.com