Life, 1920-08-05 · page 9 of 48
Life — August 5, 1920 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The top illustration depicts an underwater scene with mermaids and fantastical creatures, accompanying a humorous poem mocking various vices and follies. The verse warns against drinking dubious homemade "chemick potages," avoiding "beer," and trusting in "specious lies." References to Prohibition-era concerns appear evident (mentions of "rye" and illegal brewing). The refrain "I know a Place Where You Can Get It!" satirizes widespread knowledge of prohibition violations. The bottom cartoon, titled "Ruling Habit," shows two well-dressed men and a cow. A farmer boasts "AIN'T THAT A FINE COW?" while the city man responds by asking "HOW MANY MILES WILL SHE DO ON A GALLON OF MILK?" This mocks urban ignorance of rural agriculture, satirizing the disconnect between city and country dwellers regarding farm productivity.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Wek Bho! tyehh Ballade of Worldly Wisdom LAS! alack!" resounds the cry, Of secret brew, nor testify Trust not in them that caterwaul “Our land in Prohibition’s thrall To feats with yeast or raisin small! Against the law—they can’t upset it. Is but a desert hot and dry Your chemic potages appall! Come, smile with me above the brawl; Where centipedes and spiders crawl!” Who drinks thereof ] much regret it I know a Place Where You Can Get It! Yet peace is mine. Whate'er befall, “Great Bacchus, aid!” in vain you call When parched my throat I still can But—sh-h-h!—I know Where You Can Envoy wet it; Get It! Here's how! Though Fate severely maul My cup is unalloyed with gal The heart, though Grief and Worry I know a Place Where You Can Get It! Away with parodies of rye fret it, And “beer” that isn’t “near” at all! Though Drought pervade this earthly ball, Tell not to me the specious lic The druggist scans with skeptic eye 1 know a Place Where You Can Get It! That runs its course through hut and hall, Your medico’s prescriptive scrawl Arthur Guiterman, RULING HABIT The Farmer: ts’ THAT A FINE CO The City Man: WoW MANY MILES WILL SHE DO ON A GALLON OF MILK? comicbooks.com