Life, 1919-02-27 · page 15 of 38
Life — February 27, 1919 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a domestic drama satirizing those who avoided military service during World War I (the war is explicitly referenced in dialogue). The sketch titled "The Archives of a Family" depicts a father confronting his son Jack, who failed to enlist or serve. The family—mother and daughter included—express disappointment and shame. Jack admits he's "disappointed" in himself, while the mother says "don't say that." The lower cartoon, "The Yellow Journal," shows a family dinner scene where someone asks about a "bad egg," likely a metaphorical reference to Jack's failure as a patriotic citizen. The satire targets "slackers"—men of military age who avoided conscription or service—portraying them as moral failures bringing family disgrace during wartime.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE ARCHIVES OF A PAMILY The Slackers ENE: A home, Father, mother, daughter ated near a central table, ener (consulting his catch): Jack ought to be here most any minute now Moritex: It's much harder to wait these last few mo- ents than all the days and weeks that have gone. Daveuter: Lam wondering if we have all done what we ould. Somehow, I want Jack to believe that we have. Boy: It wasn't my fault that [| couldn't join the army ut Tve beer boy scout. That's somethin: Motire: T don’t see that | could have done any more. vorked in the Ked Cross every moment Davauree: Ive written twelve letters a week, on the Ive nursed, and driven an ambulance and worked the canteen and sold stamps. Farner: I've contributed to all the war funds to the mit and bought all the Liberty Bonds I could. Davcutex: But think how little all this is compared with hat Jack has done! [f we have any of us held anything ick—just for ourselves—he will know. You feel those Es (Sudde They all start up. The boy enters, They crowd around and embrace him. The reitement beginning to subside, they settle down once more, ach telling more quietly what has happened s vent away.) y there is a sound outside. ce the boy and boy are Davonter (suddenly): Jacks just before you came in we were all wondering whether we back home here had all of us done as much as we could to help you win the war. And we were going over it all, giving an account of ourselves. And I said that if we hadn't, you would know it—we should he able to see it in your face. Look at him, father and mother! We haven't! You have been disappointed in us I can see it, How have we failed? Jack: Yes, people, | am disappointed in you Moture: Oh, Jack, boy, don't say that! =r yoy) Teas THE YELLOW JOURNAL Smith: wiwat's THE opOR? Is THIS A BAD EGG? Mrs, Su: AT AsN'T THE ECG, MY DEAR, comicbooks.com