Life, 1917-10-04 · page 39 of 44
Life — October 4, 1917 — page 39: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**"A Retarded Spark" Cartoon:** This sketch depicts a thin man in formal dress standing hesitantly at a doorway or wall, looking back over his shoulder. The title suggests someone whose momentum or initiative has stalled—likely commentary on wartime leadership or military progress. The figure appears uncertain or reluctant to advance. **War Commentary (Main Text):** The surrounding article discusses World War I's progress, specifically mentioning the Western Front, Italy's gains, and Russia's internal instability. It argues that expecting an early war's end doesn't mean one is a "quitter"—referencing Kitchener (British war secretary whose three-year tenure had ended). The piece defends optimism about peace as distinct from cowardice, noting that soldiers fighting for peace are not quitters. **Context:** This is WWI-era content arguing against defeatism while acknowledging war fatigue. The page also contains advertisements (Evans Ale, Elgin watches), typical of Life's format.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
S s slipping s to track ry kind?” only pre- ear. No, y heels.” “A RETARDED SPARK” on the western front than they were at the beginning of spring, and Italy’ gains of late have been very notable and important. Russia is a mess, but it is not there that the war will be de- cided. It may be a sign of an optimist to think the end is near, but it is not per se the sign of a quitter. Ever since 1g14 there has been expectation of an carly close of the war, and many who have had it have died fighting. They did not quit. ther will the present hopefuls quit. Kitchener's three years are done. It ECneeonG Evans NON-INTOXICATING Ale NO GOVERNMENT LICENSE REQUIRED | iF delights and benefits are for Everybody. A PANY very satisfying, substantial, natural product that ass. has yallitsown. flavor, tang, mellownessand| Sold in bots by tpsto-date Groc : CH. EVANS & SONS. ESTAD, Druguists, Dealers 1786 — HUDSON, N.Y. | The $50 Streamline comes to vour Jeweler complete in Solid Gotd case and individual presentation box. The move- ment is the celebrated G. M. Wheeler model, with 17 Jew- clsand 5 adjustments # * © The same watch in 14 Karat Gold Filled, complete at $35 * for men brings the Elgin Company into the lime- light as designers of complete watches. For fifty years this great organization has designed and built watch movements of world famous excel- lence. Nowitis designing both movement and case as a complete unit, under the sweeping Elgin guarantee. The Streamline is a man’s watch, dressed in a style that will last—perfect balance, perfect har- mony of case and movement. The design is notable for its smoothly flowing lines. The “close up” view at the left shows how the bow flows into the pendant, and the pendant into the curve of the case. The clear, spacious dial is equally distinctive. Your Jeweler will take pride in showing you this new $50 Streamline and the $25 Streamline previ- ously announced, also Elgin Bracelet Watches for women. Illustrated folders on request. ELGIN NATIONAL SYVATCH CO., ELGIN, U.S.A. Designers and Producers is lawful to expect an carly peace so long as one is firm that it shall be a satisfying peace. And remember this: that the people who want peace most and hope the hardest for it are those whose men are in the war and are do- ing their utmost to win it. They may be optimists, these hopeful people; lucky for them if they are; but quitters they are not ELS. M. QUIKE SHANDY, father of the celebrated Tristram Shandy, was s to make a list of persons wished to make Christmas gifts and then send a check to Lire ing an annual subscription for them, Thus he saved himself a large amount of ‘atious shopping, at the same time making each of his friends happy fif vo times a year, comicbooks.com