Life, 1916-10-26 · page 5 of 46
Life — October 26, 1916 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains primarily **literary and advertising content** rather than political cartoons. The main poem, "The Secretary's Song," appears to be **satire about women's expanding roles**. It depicts a woman who progressed from a rule-following girl to someone who "ruled the U.S.N." (U.S. Navy), learned about voting and cooking, and now questions traditional gender expectations ("I don't like this and I don't like that; I have some methods of wearing a hat"). The advertisement for **Southern Pacific Steamships** and the book promotion for Margaret Deland's novel "The Rising Tide" suggest the page targets **educated women readers**, likely reflecting early 20th-century debates about women's education, suffrage, and changing social roles. The humor lies in the woman's journey from strict conformity to assertive independence.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ES WEES SCTE IES = The Secretary’s Song HEN I was a boy I lived by rule; I went unfailingly to Sunday school ; I never swore, nor swam by stealth; And I always was careful of my pre- cious health. I acted so much like a fussy hen That now.I am the ruler of the U. S.N. As time went on, and I grew up, My lips were unpollutéd by stein or cup. I never knew enough to get out of the rain; So I think I had a touch of water on the brain. I wrote of water with a trenchant pen, And now I am the ruler of the U.S. N. I bought a paper in a little town; On sundry things I learned to frown; And among the things on which I wrote Were Cooking Receipts and Thoughts on How to Vote. I splashed so far beyond my ken That now I am the ruler of the U.S. N. I don’t like this and I don’t like that; I hate some methods of wearing a hat; The things folk do and the things folk “A new novel by Mrs. Deland is ay: j When, as in ‘The Rising Tide,’ she brings her talents to bear upon one of the most difficult problems of our times, setting up the new thought against the old in perfect fairness and understanding, she not only gives pleasure, but she makes a distinct contribution to the discussion cegarding the changing order... . Mrs. Deland has lost none of her skill. The characterization of the strait - laced community who form the chorus in poor Freddy’s little tragedy recalls the delightful people of the old Chester tales.”"—Phila. Public Ledger. 81.35 net HARPER & BROTHERS, NEW YORK Established 1817 ! Music of the Waves Exhilarating days and balmy nights are an irresistible tonic ta add to the enjoyment of life aboard the palatial Southern Pacific Steamships “Morgan Line” New York and New Orleans Direct connection with the Sunset Limited and other splendid trains for Texas and California. Privilege of stopover in New Orleans with its “foreign” atmosphere, interesting shops and quaint ways and by ways. For literatare and fall information address L. H. Nutting, General Passenger Agent, 366 Broadway, New York I think should all be done and said in just my way; So I'd have the Navy composed of men Exactly like the ruler of the U. S.N. I've done my best in the time I’ve had, But many things I still find bad. I'd change ship’s bread for hot cross buns, And I'd put pink ribbons on the twelve- inch guns. (And I'll do it, too, if I serve again As Lord High Ruler of the U.S. N.) Kenneth L. Roberts. RS. ANDREWS: Has Mrs, Tompkyns any intellectual life? Mr. Anprews: Well, if she has she conducts it surreptitiously, in the ab- sence of her husband.