Life, 1920-10-21 · page 17 of 44
Life — October 21, 1920 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains satirical content mocking early 20th-century social movements and labor activism. **"Once a Fairy Princess"** (poem with illustration): A whimsical critique of female rebellion and commercialization. A princess who breaks rules by doing somersaults escapes to the city, advertises her "skill," attracts paying audiences, and becomes wealthy with a limousine. The satire targets women gaining independence through entertainment and commerce—treating her rebellion as trivial yet mockingly celebrating her capitalist success. **"The Vision of Moles"** (illustration): Depicts figures labeled as Bolshevists in chaotic, undignified poses. The accompanying text references a Brotherhood Miners union meeting with speeches about workers and coal mining. The cartoon sarcastically mocks radical labor organizers and socialist ideology, portraying them as absurd and destructive—the "moles" image suggesting they burrow destructively underground. This reflects anti-communist/anti-labor sentiment common in 1920s American satirical magazines. The magazine's conservative stance opposes both female economic independence and labor radicalism.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Once a Fairy Princess ONCE & fairy princess Lived within a wood— Such a pretty princess, And very, very good! Very, gov But she had one little fault: Oh, each time the quee back was turned, turn a somersault! And e’en the maids of honor ‘ailed not in this reg: ‘ ¢ in this regare Till the princess, in revolt, Declared she'd go where she'd be free To turn her somersault! That doughty, flighty princess Then to the city hied. And now you'll be supposing hat there she sadly died, Repenting ere she died— Oh, no, no! Not at all! She looked about, and smiled a smile— And went and hired a hall! And then this canny princess She advertised her skill, And high-class youths and maidens Flocked in, that hall to fill! They stood, that hall to fill! And they clamored to be taught, And now that limber princess A limousine has bought! Minnie Leona Upton. This dining-room table is get- awfully sha Huspaxn: It's heen slept on too much! AMBITION | The Vision of Moles the Brotherhood Miners held this in ‘ | I" was directly after a strike vote that teresting pr 1 in their assembly hall Address: “The Lowest Down Worker.” hy the President of the Union Song: “Keep Your Own Fires Burning! hy Otto Schmidt, bass. \ddress: “How 1 Have ‘Lean-ism’ in lmericani Sheutsky Dinahmite, Secy Sermon: “Dust unto Dust, and Ashes unto Ashes.” Final Song (by the entire Brotherhood “Master's in the Coal, Coal Ground!” HE fellow who burns the canile at both ends has the satisfaction of good bright light for a little while, any THE ANNOYANCE OF FATING, A ROLSHEVIST way comicbooks.com