Life, 1918-03-07 · page 28 of 40
Life — March 7, 1918 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**The Willowbys' Ward comic strip** (top): Shows a domestic scene where "Molly" assists a new chauffeur changing a tire. This appears to be a lighthearted romantic or comedic subplot from an ongoing serialized story—typical of Life's humor comics of the era. **"A Mother of France" (bottom):** A sentimental poem by Charlotte Becker celebrating French maternal sacrifice during World War I. It depicts a Countess who has lost multiple sons (referenced through Father François delivering death notices three times). The poem praises her stoic patriotism—she wears black with pride rather than despair, finding honor in her losses "for France." **The accompanying illustration** shows domestic life, with a caption humorously contrasting the poem's grand sacrifice: a child complains about candy rationing during wartime, having "waited three hours already." **The satire:** The juxtaposition gently mocks American civilian impatience with wartime deprivation, contrasting it with French mothers' actual losses. It reflects Life's WWI-era editorial perspective celebrating Allied sacrifice while poking fun at homefront complaints.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WILLOWBYS' WARD. 42 MOLLY HELPS THE NEW CHAUFFEUR TO CHANGE A TIRE A Mother of France HE Curé to the quiet chateau came, Slow-footed, faltering, his spirit sore Beneath the somher message which he hore The Countess, whose high courage like a flame Sprang from her race, her country and her name; Who shabby black as some great honor wore, Hiding this sorrow that her brave heart tore In succoring the sick, the poor, the lame. Three times had Father Francois climbed the hill To bring death's tidings; and erect, dry-eyed, She met the last with strength unbroken still. “Why should I weep?” she asked with stately pride: Ze: “Mothers shall envy me the glorious chance “No, BERTIE, YOU MAY NOT HAVE ANY CANDY. 1 TOLD you That I have had so much to give for France THIS MORNING YOU'D HAVE TO WAIT TILL. THE WAR'S OVER, Charlotte Becker. “WELL, I'VE BEEN WAITIN’ ABOUT THREE HOURS ALREADY.” Comicbooks