Life, 1918-12-05 · page 23 of 76
Life — December 5, 1918 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two separate stories illustrating wartime sacrifice and resilience during World War I. **"Getting Even"** depicts a fairy visiting a boy named Jack to explain that Santa Claus cannot deliver gifts due to war hardships. Rather than disappointment, Jack demonstrates patriotic generosity by offering his own saved toys—specifically requesting they go to French children (Britain's allies). The story promotes civilian sacrifice and child-centered propaganda supporting the war effort. **"Helped by Imagination"** features a military dialogue where an officer praises a soldier's fighting ability. The soldier explains his secret: when facing Germans, he mentally transforms them into demanding department-store customers from his civilian job. This humor derives from the ironic comparison—enduring rude customers prepared him psychologically for combat. The caption's reference to the "straightened" German line likely alludes to recent military gains. Both stories use fantasy and humor to frame wartime hardship as character-building, aimed at maintaining civilian morale during WWI.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Getting Even HE good fairy stood by Jack's bed- side, She was a splendid, nice looking fairy, and her clothes were trictly according to government regu- lations—essential but not supe. fluous. “Little hoy,” said the good fairy, “T have come to tell you something: and T hope you will not be disappoint- But the fact is, Santa Claus is not ing to do so well by you this year rhe war has hurt him. What if he doesn’t come at all? You mustn't mind Will you?” Little Jack sat up in bed, He had and even now could been asleep, scarcely believe in the good fairy. He thought at first he must be dreaming. He rubbed his really was “Did you come all the to tell me this eyes, but there she way—ifrom he asked tainly.” “You came from where Santa Claus Certainly.” “And are you going back ther “Why. ve You know I can get anywhere in a minute if you wish me to. you have a message for Jack jumped out of bed. "he exclaimed. “TI have a Christmas Life oy REN awe WHEN THEY COME BACK FORCE OF HEARIT message. I felt pretty sure that Santa Claus wouldn't come this year. a en saving up a few toys on my Here they are.” nd so I've L own a Wh do want Ked the good fairy you with them?" 4 in sur- prise. . “T want you to take them to Santa Claus, c He must need them, He’s done a lot for me in the! past. course. “Twas the night after Christmas” with him Here they Why shouldn't I now by helping h even n out? are.” “But whom do you want him to gi them to?” said the good fairy, “Why,” said Little Jack, “the little French children, of cour Helped by Imagination FFICER in the regiment You're the best fighter What's the se- eret? Paivaze: Whenever I went against Germans 1 pretended they were I used to have to and to whom [ the customers that take insolence from wasn't allowed to say anything back, when 1 worked in the department store THE GERMAN LINE HAS BEEN STRAIGHT- ENED ON THE ENTIRE FRONT