Life, 1918-08-08 · page 9 of 36
Life — August 8, 1918 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Top Cartoon ("Bloody Bill"):** Shows a disheveled man by a tree proposing to four women in military-style hats that they sign a "treaty" instead of continuing their current activity. The caption indicates this is "Bloody Bill" attempting to negotiate peace. This appears to satirize someone (likely a political or military figure nicknamed "Bloody Bill") seeking to end conflict through formal agreement rather than action—the women's uniforms suggest wartime involvement. **"Notes on Poverty":** A humorous first-person account by a householder describing creative wartime economizing: secreting milk, reusing old items, avoiding new purchases, and managing with reduced circumstances. It satirizes middle-class anxiety during what appears to be WWI rationing, showing attempts to maintain dignity while pinching pennies. The small illustration ("Too Late") depicts someone with food-related supplies, reinforcing the economy theme.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Bloody Bill: say, cirts, “00 LATE, BILL. Notes on Poverty By a Houscholder MANAGED to secrete half a pint of certified milk left over by the and later on My wife never baby this morning, divided it with the cat. missed it. Last night we discussed the possi- bilities of my getting a new suit—as to the desirability there seemed no doubt. After going over my accounts, however, I discovered that I would have to pay for it on the installment plan, and as these installments would he practically identical with those on my Liberty Bonds we abandoned the idea for another month. I am hoping that my present trousers will evince enough patriotism to stand by me dur- ing the melancholy interim. I regret to say that we lost our sec- WITH THIS, LET'S GET UP A NICE TREATY, AND V'LL SIGN IT, ond golf ball on Saturday last, and my wife and I are reduced to one for the present, so we can no longer play to- gether, I have cautioned her, on the days she uses it, not to indulge in her unfortunate habit of topping, as even now the ball is not in good condition. We could buy five more by redeeming a war certificate, but perish the thought! A grand day to-day! This afternoon, rummaging in the attic, 1 came across an old pair of shoes that I hadn't seen for five years. Also my wife found an old tea gown, and out of it made me a fine suit of pajamas, Also our hens laid two eggs more than usual. To cap the climax, Aunt Jane, who was coming to pay us a visit, wrote us she wouldn't come, but would ship us a cheese. Who says that God is not good? WE KNOW YOUR SIGNATURE.” “IT SUPPOSE these eggs being fresh “Certainly, madam. We get them direct from the manufacturer,” I can rely on TOO LATE