Life, 1918-03-07 · page 33 of 40
Life — March 7, 1918 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a mixed-content page from *Life* magazine featuring poetry, advertisements, and brief humor items. The main satirical poem, "Ode to a Ton of Coal," mocks the American obsession with comfort during winter. It's written in the voice of someone fantasizing about coal delivery, portraying winter as unbearable—pipes bursting, teeth chattering, opera glasses needed to see through frost. The joke's punch line has the narrator vowing to become German and work "overtime in thinking up new harm" to stay warm, a sardonic reference to anti-German sentiment (likely WWI-era). The satire targets both American materialism and the period's xenophobia. The rest of the page is dominated by Du Pont advertisements for upholstery materials and other industrial products typical of 1920s corporate marketing. The "Nerve Force" ad at bottom promotes a health book, a common patent-medicine-era advertising format. The "French Babies" section lists names, likely contest entries or published readers. Overall: a typical *Life* magazine blend of satirical verse commentary on American life and commercial advertising.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Ode to a Ton of Coal ma HEN the snowy landscape sparkles with the sunset’s chilly ray thet And the icicles tre hanging on the fence, of When the visit of the iceman is no longer every day A necessary part of your expense ; ct.” When the wily dickie birdie with his feathers tucked beneath Has fashionably winged his way The down South, PAS And the daily obligato of the chatter mr: of your teeth ea Plays xylophonic solo in your mouth 5 ea, When you wonder if you ever have _ been guilty in the past Of remarking, “Is it hot enough for dy you?” And you telephone the plumber that the pipes have burst at last, And he says he'll come up in a week tes] i Agee? . N. U h ] of Wi | eee cc gg ew Upholstery With the poor thermometer so very a . f A ag low it hits the ground ; rae ; ~, or (Wish you were a minus quantity as well) ; i The frame of well built furniture will outwear When you take your opera glasses to | Mark X before subecgthatinieressvou | Several seats or back cushions, Every responsi- the cellar, look around E. I. Du Pont De Nemours & Co. ble furniture maker strives to produce the best At your ton of coal, you feel you'd Advertising Division | furniture possible—but no upholstery will wear like to yell: WILMIRCTON (0) _ DELAWARE | forever: Why discard a cturdy frame just be- “In the future I will practise every ) cause the upholstery is worn? Re-upholster it. = kind of Deutsch kultur— | | 1 Fabrikoid I'll work overtime in thinking up 2 nan Fabrikoid new harm, nah Sheetal | in after life, at least, I can be rea- sonably sure That, no matter what may happen, tite Top Material Craftsman Quality Tl be WARM!!!” 1 is an ideal upholstery material—as convincing to sight + Priscilla Si : 7 and touch as the finest leather—water, dirt, grease and Jane Priscilla Sousa. 3 Stain proof too. It will make that old chair or sofa look & FarmE like new. Progress Made in. all desirable grains, solid colors and exquisite “ ~ er ; Fs “ Moorish” effects. Sold by upholstery and department ASHINGTON threw a silver dol- | mens i HEPAT ” nable Coll: Check Craftsman Fabrikoid in the coupon. Or, enclose wy 5 . 7 - 5 for a workable sample, size 18 x 25 i es; ample them across the Atlantic.” | ene Tar Remover . Rg. pe — ; Du Pont Fabrikoid Company M may come and men may go, World's Largest Manufacturers of Leather Substitutes But the brook goes on for ever, = Wilmington Delaware and so docs the continuous flow of Works at Newburgh, N. Y., and Fairfield, Conn. sunshine and happiness that comes to : Canadian Office and Factory, New Toronto, Ont, ne who are regular subscribers to - Visit the Du Pont Products Store, Atlantic City, N. J. FE, NERVE FORCE! A keen nervous system is the most precious 2022. Lacienne L Seventh Grad 4ift of Nature. To be dull nerved, means to . ‘of Brownwood, Texas, thre be dull brained—insensible to the higher || ‘ . things in life | In your nerves there lies your 2 c Lefevre. Harry Greatest strength, and there also your great | ai es cuba, ee est weakness. Ii you are tired, depressed, Marthe Laurent, M: ‘ Le Fur. Miss J. BR nervous, i ible, cannot sleep and digest Eileen and Edson Harri 4 eh ut bed - your food, it means that your nerve force is 2083. Raymonde Laurent, | Miami. Valley 18 che: Lerous; «Harry depleted. B rarige, No. 20, American Rolling Mill Co. mi = has written a remarkable book which Pierre Laviron. " Miami, mY alley m etait s. aT 1 Clark pliles hows saute: coctiah and coluw ths nereen Lodge, No. 20., American Rolling Mill Co, Le Saux, Edward ice of the book is 25 cents (coin or stamps). so26.. Maurice Le Henry and Rich: wMross.” Marie Marchaland. Harry Addison Matter reading this book you do not agree that itis the : ost valuable Health Treatise you have ever studied, Colombe Lebon, Miss A. 1. O'Grady Jeanne land. Harry Ad return the book and your money will be refunded. Charles Le Rorgne. Wilham I. Bocekmann, R, 8. Studie 3o1c. Fernand 3farc Bs Bi Neve New York 8. Roger Lecame. Mrs. AE. Wheeler man. Laurence Le Cloitre. Mary Taylor 2 7 i Mary Ran lar across the Potomac.” Mary M. Brax- Paul von Boeckmann, the Nerve Cultu ' i comicbooks.com