Life, 1916-12-14 · page 5 of 42
Life — December 14, 1916 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The page contains two distinct elements: **Top image**: A dramatic black-and-white photograph of what appears to be a person in distress or action on dark ground—the subject and context are unclear from the image alone. **Bottom cartoon and poem**: Titled "A Bit of Wisdom" by Charlotte Becker, the poem advises against wasting life on trivial complaints and quarrels. The accompanying cartoon, captioned "AS HE DREAMS IT," satirizes male Christmas shopping behavior—showing a man imagining himself shopping peacefully with his wife, while the reality depicted suggests the experience is chaotic (a woman frantically wrapping presents appears overwhelmed). The satire targets the contrast between husbands' idealized expectations and the actual stress of holiday shopping with spouses.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
WHITHER? A Bit of Wisdom IFE is too short to fuss and fret, To waste the hours in vain re- gret, To fancy slights, to bother why This listener gave a vague reply, Or that one made some foolish threat. And, though dull cares our way be- set, To court indifference and let Each proffered bit of joy slip by— Life is too short. But put the world for mirth in debt, And strive that odds be gaily met; Humor in every cross espy, And no least plea for cheer deny; Then, for the friendliness we get, Life is too short! AS HE DREAMS IT Charlotte Becker. HE GOES CHRISTMAS SHOPPING WITH HIS WIFE