Life, 1918-12-19 · page 33 of 34
Life — December 19, 1918 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features a satirical story titled "The Labor That Floored Hercules," a political allegory mocking Congress. **The Satire:** Hercules, the mythological strongman, accepts Zeus's challenge to clean up Congress by "ten o'clock to-night." After 24 hours, Hercules returns defeated, declaring Congress impossible to clean—"too thickheaded," "too stubborn," "too heavy." He descends into violent madness, ultimately forcing Zeus to kill him with a thunderbolt to end his misery. **The Point:** Congress is presented as an insurmountable labor—even more impossible than Hercules's famous Twelve Labors. The satire suggests Congress is fundamentally unreformable, too obstinate and incompetent to be fixed by any force, no matter how powerful. **Context:** This likely reflects post-World War I American frustration with congressional inefficiency and partisanship during the 1920s. The dark ending (Hercules's death) emphasizes the hopelessness of expecting congressional reform. The page also contains period advertisements for cigarettes, compasses, and automotive heaters.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Labor That Floored Hercules (Continued from page 947) “Tush!” replicd Hercules, leaning over and taking a long drink out of Zeus's nectar-stein, “I'll have Congress gleaned up by ten o'clock to-night.” So ing he stepped out on the porch, boarded a passing cloud and vanished rapidly toward the haunts of mankind. Twenty-four hours passed. Zeus was again sitting at the corner Sample upon req | table in the country club grill, when Tabacco Co. 192 Broadray NewYork. the door opened and Hercules stag- ain gered in with a wild look in his eyes. Lest We Forget “Beaten! I am beaten!” he gasped. “Then you couldn't clean it up! demanded Zeus, clutching the edge of the table with his sinewy hands and TRIPPING your neighbors is only S way from them the means of ¢ nischief—Frederick the Great frowning terribly. “Clean it up? No!" shricked Her- You must leave the people cules. Sohody can clean up Con- » you march nothing but | gress! It is too thickheaded! It is too. so weep withi-Bismarch: stubborn! It is too heavy! I tried, Zeus; but even in the few hours which i t with it, it drove me into a all, you must inflict on the in sf invaded towns the maximuny inmerciful the conduct of merciful in reality, for the ereby sooner ended.—Hinden : frenzy!" nocent must suffer with the With a wild, strange laugh, Hercules pared tore a massive chandelier from the wall and hurled it at the bartender, who was approaching with a tray of is as nothing ec ¢ German soldier. mal Jaw (German version) is nectar-bottles cans opposed 10 the exploitation Poor chap murmored. Zeus es of third parties (assassina “Congress drove him quite crazy. | robbery and the like) . : must put him out of his misery before ejndice of the enemy German " , he becomes violent.” With these words Zeus drew a small thunderbolt from ‘ll: bea warding to the whole his hag and hurled it against the jaw Withelm UH, | of the mighty Hercules, who imme- . | diately went down for the couint I virwmque cano, qui primus” Weeping bitterly, Zeus rang for more nectar and racked his brain for examples which by their fright he good sense and good ecomte. ‘on. annual subscriber some method whereby he might punish and made his regular remit- Congress as it deserved. fore the first of the year. | Laurence Kane. COMPLETE HIS KIT WITH A GIFT OF VITAL IMPORTANCE Whether Soldier or Sportsman his safety may depend on his possession of a Ceebynite Compass Its unfailing hand will give him knowledge of direction every minute of the twenty-four hours—day night are alike to this masterpiece of pass Construction, ¢ Ceebynite Compass, as illustrated, has a Hunter Case. Bar needle points treated with radio-active material (uminous at might) $3.50 White Metal Case $6.50 Gold Filled Case Other %jtr-made Compasses Magnapole $1.75; Flodial $1 Litenite Gydawl $2.30; Aura $3.90: nite $4.00; a con plete, n-Ameri Inder direct from us if dealer will not supply Lecdawl $ Sign Post of the World "—toc. Descriptive folder on request. Taylor Instrument Companies, Rochester, N. Y. There's a Gee or Tk Thermometer for Every Purpose. Solve the Cold Garage Problem Economically with FAeverouls Auto Radiator and Garage Heater Direct Heating System for the Unheated Garage Keep your motor warm—your garage comfortable regardless of the outside temperature, The Neverout Auto Radiator and Garage Heater fits any car ‘Itis light and portable. Prevents cracked radiators and water jackets: as. sists lubricetion, saving wear on moter. urns ket osene; 36 hours with one filling; capaci X gallons. Screened like a miner's safety lamp. Specially de- signed burner makes an intense blue ome.” Ap proved by leading fire insurance companies, The Price, $27.50 complete, ready for lor wire your order to d or money back, ROSE MANUFACTURING COMPANY G. Heater Division Cautious Young Man: 18 1t TRUE THAT You Lav OCKSMITHS ? “QUITE TRUE; BUT THESE DAYS 1 AM ALSO CALLED UPON TO LAUGIL AT BUTCHERS, BAKERS, GROCERS, MILK-DEALERS, LAND- LORDS, TAILOKS, PLUMMEKS AND OTHERS, AND 1 WANT TO WAKN YOU THAT I'M NOT ALWAYS EQUAL TO 11," comicbooks.com