Life, 1917-12-06 · page 39 of 92
Life — December 6, 1917 — page 39: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This **Christmas 1917 Life magazine page** reflects American concerns during World War I: **"Ballade of Great Captains"** (poem by H.S. Hall): A father contrasts history's greatest military leaders—Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon, Wellington—with his own son now departing for France as a soldier. The refrain "My son sets out to-day for France!" transforms these legendary commanders into footnotes; his ordinary son becomes the true "Captain" worthy of pride. This emotionally inverts military hierarchy, celebrating the common soldier's sacrifice over historical glory. **"A Common Occurrence"** (story): A well-dressed man persuades a woman to buy shoes through earnest, determined pleading—depicting consumer manipulation or wartime salesmanship. **"Disproved"** (dialogue): Dark humor about German U-boat attacks. A ship wasn't attacked with shells, suggesting Germans showed mercy. The punchline—"they're only getting short of shells"—reveals the joke: Germans weren't sentimental; they simply lacked ammunition. This mocks German restraint claims while acknowledging real wartime shortages. **"Christmas in the Barnyard"** (illustration): Unclear without caption, likely holiday farm humor. The page emphasizes wartime sacrifice and maintains patriotic, anti-German sentiment.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Christmas Life 935 Ballade of Great Captains F men of arms who've lived and died, Who conquered nations in their day, Who dared the world, and in their pride Held all mankind their rightful prey, I’ve studied much; I know their way In every trifling circumstance ; But now—how small seem such as they! My son sets out to-day for France! I've marched by Alexander's side, And with him fought in bloody fray; Achilles’ hosts have I defied, And struck with Hector, young and gay. I've watched the hordes of Cyrus slay, I've seen kings shrink at Caesar’s glance ; ] But now—are these the greatest? Nay! My son sets out to-day for France! The Corsican was once my guide; I've thrilled at Richard's proud array; With Wellington who would not ride? Once Chartes Martel I'd fain obey. I've quailed, with Tamerlane at pl. The troops of Ney I've watched advance; But now these names no thrills convey— My son sets out to-day for France! “Something attempted, L voi Something done Great Captains, ye have passed for aye, Has earned a night's repose.” | All glory gone, and gone romance; Longfellow. A greater Captain now holds sway— My son sets out to-day for France! A Common Occurrence H. S. Hall H > knelt before me, a_ perfectly = groomed figure, with a look of carnest pleading on his smooth-shaven face. His black brows were slightly raised, and his large, expressive eyes searched mine. His sleek black hair was parted in the centre on a line with his straight nose. His mouth and chin had a look of determination that made me feel powerless before him. “Well, I'll take the shoes,” I said. He arose, bowing courteously. “T thank you, madam.” 4 Disproved “YOU know the ship Rollby was on was torpedoed, and he says that the life-boats were not shelled. This looks as if the Germans were getting sentimental.” | “Oh, dear, no; they're only getting CHRISTMAS IN THE BARNYARD short of shells.” XUM