Life, 1920-07-08 · page 16 of 40
Life — July 8, 1920 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two main items: 1. **"Doping the Baby to Sleep"** article discusses Indian mothers using opium to keep infants quiet, accompanied by a poetic lullaby by R.E. Sherwood that satirizes this practice through gentle irony. 2. **Top illustration** shows two women by a fence near a church, apparently discussing teaching wages. The caption criticizes low teacher pay ("fifteen dollars a week for teachin' school? it's a barn shame!"), contrasting it with other professions earning more. 3. **Bottom illustration** depicts a golf lesson scene with the caption "Caddie (to beginner): keep yer eye on th' ball, mister"—a straightforward sports humor reference. The page primarily satirizes early 20th-century American social issues: inadequate teacher compensation and the casual attitude toward opium use in child-rearing practices.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Doping the Baby to Sleep A social survey conducted by the Inter- church World Movement has revealed the fact that young mothers in India have a most unique method of keeping their babies quiet. It seems that opium is inserted be neath the infant's thumb nail, so that, when the inevitable process of sucking this mem ber begins, the little one will imbibe enough of the drug to guarantee a long period of quiet slumber—for the child and for its Parents as well. One can picture the Indian madonna, crooning a lullaby to her drowsy kiddy: Oo) Ride is fading and soft shadows creep, Beckoning good little babies to sleep— Starlight is gleaming, and bright is the moon ; You will be drifting to Poppyland soon. Now is the time for the sandman to come, Hush-a-bye, baby, and suck on your thumb, “Don't cry, my little one; bedtime is due We will not need soothing syrup for you. Roseate dreams will envelop you when You nestle down in your opium den. WN x A 2 Rock-a-bye, baby, upon the tree-top- OS teaeatcerr erin + — i y . Daddy has brought you a sweet shot of hop.” R. E, Sherwood. Geography ONDUCTOR (to passenger of Pull- man): Excuse me, sir. Is this lady your wife? Passencer: I don’t know. It depends upon what state we are passing through. “TS an ounce of prevention really better “FIPTEEN DOLLARS A WEEK FER TEACHIN’ SCHOOL? 11'S A DARN SHAME! THEY than a pound of cure?” OUGHTA GIVE YA EIGHTEEN OR TWENTY DOLLARS. WHY, I'M GETTIN’ FORTY DOLLARS “T wouldn't like to say,” responded the DOWN To TH’ FACT’RY” druggist. “I sell both.” lam turning it off! I must go and find a workman to help us. . » .Ttis late. . . . Perhaps he will not come, . . . (He disappears down the sandy road, with gloomy gestures.) Tue Motner (speaking in great agitation): I must build fires. . . . It isdamp. . . . The mice have eaten the dish towels, . . . Where is the lamp? . . . The oil can is empty. . . . The beds are not made. . . . The food must be unpacked. . . . I am not sure of anything! I told him that it would be better to stay in the city until morning, but he would not listen. . . . There are times when he is not reasonable. The sea is gloomy. . . . We shall have a storm to-night. . . . Littte Harotp: I am so hungry! (The sun sinks behind the marshes; one can hear the sea. It grows darker. A flock of mosquitoes leave the marshes and flutter about the house.) Curtain. Corinne Rockwell Swain. Caddie (to beginner): KEEP YER EYE ON TH’ BALL, MISTER comicbookSfeom