Life, 1922-12-07 · page 5 of 80
Life — December 7, 1922 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct elements: **Left side:** A poem titled "Simple Confession" (signed H.R.) expressing frustration with cynicism and irony in modern discourse. The speaker rejects affected sophistication and advocates for genuine sentiment and compassion—a direct critique of the intellectual posturing popular in early 20th-century literary circles. **Right side:** A full-page advertisement for A.B.A. Cheques for Travelers, issued by Bankers Trust Company in New York City. The ad includes an illustration showing travelers exchanging currency and emphasizes the cheques' convenience and safety compared to carrying cash. The page juxtaposes sincere emotional expression against commercial messaging—likely reflecting *Life* magazine's characteristic blend of satire and advertising during this period.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Simple Confession ’M tired to death of cynics who I assume a weary pose ‘And look upon all kindly folk with slightly tilted nose; Who boast that life is tedious, and sentiment is rot, And that a friend in need is simply something that is not. I’m sick of so much irony and ef- fort to be smart, Of digs and gibes and mockings ich are purposed to be art; I don’t find it amusing when they hatter my ideals, And claim that pain and suffering e all a mortal feels. I'm still a bit old-fashioned and it ally makes me mad To hear the -hardened way they say the world is wholly bad. Their blasé air gives me a pain; I fidget when they start To speak with cold contempt about all matters of the heart. I’m having a reaction from all this highbrow stuff, I'll tell the world courageously that [ have had enough. And firmer still I'll make my stand and shriek out my Hosanna: I know I'm doomed — but here it goes—“Three cheers for Polly- anna!” H.R. Journalistic Portraits Tie ALL-AMERICAN FoorTsBatt Hero: He is of medium height, tall, and inclined to be short. He has reddish brown, wavy, light black hair and blue eyes like coals. He is a lightning thinker, decidedly slug- gish and, fleet as a deer, he is slow and \leliberate in his movements. Off the field he*is studious and abhors books and classes. Tie Novetist: He depends en- tirely upon his imagination and draws all his characters from life. He 's happily married to the sweet- heart of his childhood and is living apart from his fourth wife and pre- fers to remain single. He works frou midnight until dawn, writing mos: of his successful books com- fortably in a downtown office in the day:ime. He works standing in a com ortable reclining position, dic- tating to a stenographer and writing everything with a lead pencil. He is very snappish when composing and is so affable that he likes to have peo; le talking to him. TFS meme they save time and eliminate the danger of the loss of curren- cy carried on the person--- A: B A sinks Cheq ues FOR TRAVE CERS About A-B-A Cheques Ask for them at your bank or write for particulars to BANKERS TRUST COMPANY New York City issued by banks everywhere in denom- inion oe p10, $20, $50, and $100. —compact, easy to carry, handy to use. comicbooks.com