Life, 1918-12-05 · page 52 of 76
Life — December 5, 1918 — page 52: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a story about financial morality during wartime. A man named Thornton receives a $2,000 bonus from his employer, who philosophizes that such windfalls come from the universe's benevolent design—conveniently ignoring that Thornton did four men's work due to wartime labor shortages. Thornton wants to give his wife Mollie a lavish Christmas gift, but she refuses on principle, citing how "worthless jewelry is now" and that buying "superfluous clothes" is inappropriate. Instead, Thornton secretly donates to the Red Cross, finding satisfaction in wartime charity rather than personal indulgence. The page satirizes middle-class wartime attitudes: employers congratulating themselves for bonuses while workers sacrifice; wives performing moral reasoning about consumption; and the redirection of excess wealth toward patriotic causes rather than personal pleasure—all presented as noble restraint during the war effort. The bottom cartoon about "War Biscuits" likely mocks rationed or inferior wartime food quality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
We upa nst it, more or and it's up to us to take things as they are handed ont to us. T can see by your face that you are mentally icking at something you would like to change over to it yourself. What's upsetting you now?” was wishing,” said Thornton Dluntly, knowing by experience that it s useless to camouflage such an old friend and frank critic, “that the times were such I could give Mollie a de Christmas present this yes “Well, just to show you that. it’s strictly idle to waste time fretting cither for or against any proposition that comes along, and that the whole scheme is planned without our consent, 1 will say to you that a few moments ago, prompted by some higher law, but ma- terially and practically speaking, due to the fact that, in spite of the war, we have done a good business and that, owing to a shortage of help, you've done four men's work—just a few mo- o 1 made out this check for two thousand dollars—for you, my boy ment’s Now run along and let this be to your idiotic concern about things 1 can't change.” Thornton went home with the check, thoroughly ashamed of himseli, as a man ought to be in these unphilosophic circumstances, resolving never again to lose faith in the laws of the universe, the powers that be, and all the other machinery that works its own way with us “ Mollie,” he said nonchalantly, “I'd be a fool to get a Christmas present without asking you. What do you want?) Tell me honestly and truly.” “Nothing—of course this year. I'm surprised that you should ask such a thing.” “Why, I've made up my mind "— Thornton hesitated, making unco- sciously mental reservations and caleu- lations, for he could not become regen erated in a day—"to let you have thing you want up to a thousand dol- Jar: Being « woman, Mollie was inse tive to financial surprises. Besid Thornton had always commanded a very respectable income. She knew little of income taxes—only that the cost of living had staggered up. “Dear me!” she exclaimed. “T wouldn’t think of spending anything like that on myself this year. Besides, Christmas Life terate Borrower GOOD MORNING, SMITH, 1 BROUGHT BACK You LAWN MOWER. COULD 1 BORROW YOUR SNOW SHOVEL? there is nothing I really want. ‘Think how worthless jewelry is now, and one has no right’ to buy — superfluous clothes.” “Well, then.” said Thompson gaily. delighted at her attitude, “think it over! Maybe you'll change your mind.” enerous old dear!” She kissed his spontaneously. True to his temperament, howeve: Thornton was not satis He wanted some Christmas in his life, he secretly leaned toward the fine clement of < prise The idea came at last and the next morning on his way to the oltice, he dropped into the Red Cross headqar- ters, He wrote out a check for two hundred and got his receipt It was a joyous day for Thornton Business was neglected for the (Continued on page THOSE WAR BISCUITS GEORGE NEWLYWED DIDN'T WANT TO HURT HIS BRIDE'S FEELINGS, BUT HE HAD TO HAVE SOME REGARD FOR HIS DIGESTIVE APPARATUS ’ Es comicbooks.com