Life, 1918-12-05 · page 64 of 76
Life — December 5, 1918 — page 64: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct pieces: **Left side:** An advertisement for Old Hampshire Bond stationery by the Hampshire Paper Company. The ad targets gift-givers seeking presents for gentlemen, emphasizing that quality stationery is a sophisticated, universally recognized gift requiring no guesswork about the recipient's preferences. **Right side:** "The Heart of a Boy," a sentimental poem by Frances Ebbs Canavan about a young child's boundless ambitions—building houses, trains, boats, flying machines—contrasted with his later realization of his limitations as "only a little boy." The poem concludes with a mother's wisdom: childhood innocence and earnest effort matter more than grand accomplishments. **Bottom illustration:** "After the War" appears to be a brief cartoon caption-joke about a soldier proposing to a woman in French, presumably learned during WWI service abroad. The girl's surprised question suggests either bewilderment at the language choice or satirical commentary on soldiers' changed behavior post-war. The page blends commercial advertising with nostalgic, family-focused editorial content typical of early 20th-century *Life* magazine.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
_-CHRISTMAS LIFE: | You will have to inquire what he smokes, and then he will guess. You will have to ask what books he wants, and then he will know what you intend to give him. Keep all the charm of surprise in your gift, and yet be certain to please him. Give him personal stationery for his desk—clear, crisp, lustrous Old Hampshire Bond, the gift for a gentleman, that he will welcome and prize. You won't have to ask him which is “The Stationery of a Gentle- man.” Old Hampshire Bond is to all men known for its character, taste and elegance. Ask for it early. The leading stationers carry it in stock. If yours is without it, we will see, that you are supplied. | HAMPSHIRE PAPER COMPANY SOUTH HADLEY FALLS - MASSACHUSETTS The Heart of a Boy From among his blocks on the nursery floor He lifted his eyes to me, His eyes that are full of the freshness of life And the wisdom of half-past three. And he said, “I will build you a really house, Wis windows and doors and things, And a train and a boat ‘at will really go, And a flying machine wis wings. “And anyhing else that you want, Muzzie, dear, Just tell me; I'll make it, you know— \ big water tower or an automobile, And a sewing-machine ‘at will sew.” And all through the day he talked and talked Of the wonderful things he could do, Till he fancied himself a big. strong man, With all of his dreams come true. From the depths of the chair by the nursery fire He lifted his eyes to me, His eyes that are full of the wonder of life And the sadness of half-past three. And he said, “ You know, Muzzie, | can't build a house Wis windows and doors and thing: And I can’t make a train and a boat ‘at will go \nd a flying machine wis wings, anyhing else that you want, Muzzie, dear he cuddled his oldest toy, \nd I'm not a big man who can work and build; Lam only a little boy.” Oh, dear little laddies, the years fly fast, And day after day you must grow; But “ Muzzie” would rather her own little boy Than all the machines that go. And some day, dear, to this busy old world You will bring much good and much joy, lf you work with the strength of a great big man And the heart of a little boy. Frances Ebbs Canavan AFTER THE WAR The Girl at Home: MAY 1 ASK WHY YOU ARE PROTOSING 7? ME IN FRENCH ?