Life, 1917-04-26 · page 37 of 84
Life — April 26, 1917 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a satirical cartoon titled "A Watch Dog" about the nature of happiness and worry. An old man questions two personified figures—Mr. Sunshine (cheerful) and Mr. Gloom (pessimistic)—about why neither has improved a carefree man's life. The joke: Mr. Sunshine says the man is too foolish to worry despite having no real problems. Mr. Gloom is angry that this same man grins and tells jokes despite having a wife and four children to support on a modest salary—the very circumstances that should crush him with anxiety. The satire critiques how personality shapes perception: the same man appears either absurdly fortunate or impossibly burdened depending on one's temperament. It's commentary on how outlook (rather than circumstances) determines contentment—a theme relevant to early 20th-century philosophy about positive thinking versus realistic worry. The remainder is period advertising for pianos, beer, and foot powder.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A WATCH DOG Turning to Mr. Sunshine, he said: “Look here; why hasn't he done you any good?” Mr. Sunshine beamed and chuckled. “Well, sir,” he said, “I can’t help it. Why, that fellow over there hasn't got a thing in the world to worry him, He isn’t married, his salary is really more than he needs, He has no re- sponsibilities, and if he should die to-morrow nobody would suffer. But he hasn't got sense enough to have a good time. He strikes me as being such a joke that it makes me laugh harder than ever.” Turning to Mr. Gloom, the old man said: “Well, how about you? Why hasn't this chap done you any good?” Mr. Gloom looked more sour than ever “He hasn't the slightest idea of the problems that confront me,” he said, “or what I suffer. But what really Old Fashioned od Dealers, 1386) HUDSON, 8. ¥, MAKES THE PERFECT COCKTAIL, HIGHBALL OR RICKEY. ‘older containing recipes of famous Bacardi drinks Neca failed om request 8. DrONGH. 127: Water Street. New York ‘and now, come meet the artist” ¥ OUR hostess draws the curtain and you are amazed to find that the =— finished and thoroughly artistic performance to which you have been listening is not the artist but the Ampico’s perfect reproduction of his playing. The works of the great composers, as well as the lighter music of comic opera and popular song are reproduced exactly as interpreted by the eminent artists who play the master rolls. The Ampico may be had in the Knabe, Haines Bros., Marshall & Wendell and the renowned Chickering Pianos. Write for our catalogue of artists and further information regarding the Ampico. AMERICAN PIANO COMPANY makes me mad is this: He has a wife and four young children on his hands, on the same salary I get. How they manage I don’t know. It isn’t living at all. And when I see a fellow like that, who ought to be worried to death all the time—and who would he if he looked the facts squarely in the face— grinning and telling stories like a minstrel, it makes me so d—d mad that I can’t see straight.” T. LM. 437 Fifth Avenue, New York City iseptic Powder to Into Your TALL OT-EAS dard Remedy aching, swollen, rting, tender feet. Nothing rests the feet so quicktv and thor- oughly. It tak friction from the Shoe, ont What Rest and Comfort” ALLEN S. OLMSTED, Le Roy, comicbooks.com