Life, 1918-03-14 · page 10 of 40
Life — March 14, 1918 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct elements: 1. **"The Muleteer" poem** by Laura Simmons—a humorous verse about a muleteer who cannot use the traditional curses and shouts expected of his profession, having sworn off such language. 2. **"The Caillaux Case"** illustration (left)—a political cartoon referencing a scandal involving French politician Joseph Caillaux. The sketch shows a distressed man holding papers, likely satirizing the scandal's exposure in the press. 3. **"The Triple Alliance" illustration** (right)—shows three figures in apparent conspiracy or collusion, though the specific political reference is unclear without additional context. 4. **"Receipt" section**—satirical instructions for newspaper printing, mocking sensationalist journalism practices of the era by suggesting deliberately poor typesetting and layout. The page overall demonstrates *Life* magazine's characteristic blend of literary humor and political satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Muleteer (U.S. Expeditionary Forces) I CANNOT say the old words I swore long years ago, For Pershing bids us to desist, And it is ordered so. My mules betray a pensive scorn, As though they understood. I cannot use the old words— There's nothing just as good. T cannot say the old words— No longer shout and cuss These balky brutes to bring to life And make spontaneous. They droop their ears in solemn thought And plant their hoofs anew. 1 cannot put it over—as They know I ought to do! Laura Simmons. THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE Receipt For the New York Morning and Evening Sun and the Times ECURE a sufiicient quantity of good black ink. Before putting it on press rollers, dilute with an equal quantity of water. Select the type with great care, being particular to have it as small as possible, After it is set up and made ready for use, batter the edges with a hammer—otherwise the long speech of some modern statesman would be too easily deciphered with the aid of a good microscope. When the forms are ready range for a number of pale oval shapes to appear, where the type doesn’t make any impression, so that in these areas the type cannot be read at all. To make sure of this, run through the press at double speed. Let your motto be: Fine type, printed solid, battered sides, blank areas, pale ink, ragged columns and splendid unreadable material. “ROBBIE, did you know I was going to marry your sister?” THE CAILLAUX CASE “Why, before you did!”