Life, 1920-02-12 · page 27 of 44
Life — February 12, 1920 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains literary satire and light verse rather than political cartoons. **"A Plymouth Valentine"** humorously reimagines the Pilgrims' legend: Priscilla Mullins urges John Alden to stop courting *her* on behalf of Captain Standish and instead propose for himself. The satire mocks the famous historical anecdote by having Priscilla complain about Standish's military bearing, gray mustaches, and baldness—she prefers Alden's softer name and wants compliments about her pies and eyes. It's a tongue-in-cheek reversal of romantic protocol. **"The First Quarrel"** appears to be a humorous domestic scene (illustration shows a woman scolding a child about flying), playing on overprotective parenting. **"Madalena Sings"** is a melodramatic poem about a woman who only discovered her singing voice after a lost love broke her heart—now audiences weep at her performances, while her father takes pride in her success. These pieces represent Life's literary humor tradition: witty, romantic, and sentimental rather than hard-hitting political satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Plymouth Valentine From Priscilla Mullins to John Alden D AR JOHN: Our recent Conver- ation need some further Explanation ; d since your gallant Captain Stand- sh gone where brandish neir Tomahawks, perchance without him come and tell me more about him; Though, holder, I wish (the Captain’s growing older), You'd lay his Suit upon the Shelf, John; Why don’t you speak about Yourself, John? . (I loathe these Military Sashes And Bushy Brows and Gray Mus- taches !) You never said how good my Pies were! What Color did you think my Eyes were? I can’t abide the Name of “ Stand- ish”; To me it sounds a Thought outland- ish (The Captain, too, inclines to balden.) I like a softer Name, like “ Alden.” Arthur Guiterman. Heathen Redskins while ‘tis true no Man is EMPERAMENT is an explanation of things, not an excuse for things. We are as responsible for the use we of a temperament as for any- THE FIRST QUARREL t a mn (anne, SHNSHE tt ia i MY My “Mother, may I go out to fly?” “Yes, my daughter fair; Be sure and shun the horrid sky, And don’t go near the air!” Madalena Sings O many years I tried to sing, and could not. My father, master of his art, teaching me day by day, cajoling the voice from my throat, coaxing with alternate praise or blame, worked faithfully. Faithfully I tried. Then you came, and took all I had to give. A brief but glorious love we loved. When you were gone, life ended for me. You broke my heart. I sing. You despised all music, especially mine Now other people sit with breath or hands clasped to their breasts, Or they weep when my soul, which is drawn only seeking you, knowing it is never to find you, surges forth in my song. You broke my heart. I sing My father proudly nods his head at the world. Adelaide Mould Hughes. comicbooks.com