Life, 1919-09-04 · page 39 of 48
Life — September 4, 1919 — page 39: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page mixes satirical poetry with a firearms advertisement, reflecting post-WWI American anxieties. **"The Bachelor's Toast"** by Gelett Burgess satirizes shallow male romanticism—a man claims devotion to "the girl" while simultaneously courting half a dozen others, exposing hypocrisy in bachelor culture. **"Awake, Dogs of America!"** is absurdist satire anthropomorphizing dogs as a neglected underclass, paralleling labor and social-justice movements of the era. It mocks sentimental reform rhetoric by applying it ridiculously to canine "rights." **The Colt advertisement** exploits post-WWI concerns about domestic security and "unrest," urging citizens to arm themselves for home protection. The phrase "back in Civilian Service" references weapons returning from military to civilian use. This represents how manufacturers capitalized on social anxiety—suggesting police protection was insufficient and personal firearms were necessary for family safety during uncertain times. The advertisement's implicit message: chaos requires civilian gun ownership.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Bachelor’s Toast E to the girl who is to me H ‘As if all other men were dumb! iat do T care how she may be When I am gone, and they are come? for she and I, together, claim Acomradeship that soars and whirls! ind when she’s gone, it is the same— (With half a dozen other girls!) Gelett Burgess Awake, Dogs of America! Tis time that the more serious-think lige dogs of America took into their paws the problem of their rights. it not a blot y canine civilization Bat any members of the dog family should sist 3s wanderers, homeless and stary- ? Have American dogs realized that appalling percentage of their race lives fl apologize for the bald statement, but matter must be faced) collarless and shamed; that these dogs have never wght to shake a paw or it up nnot even howl or ble or known tongue ; t they have never slept in a basket But the wholesome and refining dox it has never passed their lips; that it knows not the blessing of a id comb? Surely this matter has to be stated to arouse civilized dogs pa sense of their plain duty. Surely is disinterested appeal has only to meet eyes of your opulent Pekingese read- , sitting on satin cushions or toying ith quails, to persuade them to give of Heir abundance, in order to equip and facize a mission with a messag fe good to he done by a little band of preest dogs, trained in social and philan bropic work, is incalculable. Of course, Jd be eaten at true pioneer minds this in = 7 (OMAN'S inhumanity te man makes countless dyspeptics The Protector of the American Home yo life and property are guarded on all sides by agency of government,—fire fighters, police, health boards. Yet every citizen should be prepared to protect himself. Have you provided your family with the essential protection of a Colt? Before you could summon the police must you face danger empty handed and cause a needless tragedy ? Our times are full of unrest. Play your part with firmness. Give pro- tection to your home and property. There can be no regret of never needing it—compared to the too late regret of not having had it. The name Colt on a revolver or automatic pistol of whatever model you prefer (vest pocket to holster size) means the utmost possible in the per- fection of the art of gun making. Your dealer will show you it is impossible to forget to moke e Colt safe. COLT’S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. COMPANY HARTFORD, CONN,, U. S. A. The Victor: aw Lr te ty! + STOP VER NOISE, On LEAGUE 0” NATIONS comicbooks.com