Life, 1923-08-16 · page 9 of 36
Life — August 16, 1923 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**"The Farmer" Poem**: This celebratory verse praises farmers as noble guardians of the land, contrasting their honest labor against city corruption and legal entanglement. It lauds agricultural work as morally superior to urban professions. **"The Objector" Cartoon**: The lower illustration satirizes an objector at a conference of the "immortal gods" (likely the League of Nations or similar body). The cartoon mocks someone—identified as "Jupiter Pluvius"—who opposes practical measures, claiming he cannot support "putting anything aside for a rainy day." The figure running away labeled "BROWNS" appears distressed. The satire targets impractical idealism that refuses compromise, using mythological language for humorous effect. Both pieces appear critical of contemporary attitudes toward progress and responsibility.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Farmer TAUNCH guardians of a virgin land, At least, a land of chaste endeavors, From Magnus Johnsons on one hand To, on the other, Norman Trevors, Amid your ranks in many walks— ‘The honest swain; the city vulture— None equals that brave soul who stalks In agriculture. Who struggles with the sullen soil (Control yourself; pray do not answer), Until his back is bent with toil (I'll note responses when I can, sir) 5 Who—rhetoric commends this form In husbandry unending shivers, Although the season's over-warm, And drives in flivvers? 'S AND PARKING PLAC! ACCOM MODATE Who sends the villain from his place TWICE AS MANY AUTOMOBILES WHEN THE VERTICAR IS And saves the fair name of his daughter MADE COMPULSORY BY LAW, DOTTED LINES INDICATE (See motion pictures, any place), SPACE WASTED BY PRESENT TYPE OF MOTOR CAR. And fattens stoutish swine for slaughter; Who sows uncounted oats each year The Objector And never hears a wild one mentioned, T a recent conference, held on h Olympus, it was And who—alas, ‘tis true, I fear— decided to organize a Thrift Campaign among the Is_ well-intentioned? immortal gods. The vote was overwhelmingly in favor of the measure, only one deity standing out in opposition. The solitary objector, known to Olympians as Jupiter Pluvius, was later interviewed by the reporters, “Personally,” he explained, “I never could see the sense of putting anything aside for a rainy day.” Who takes on mortgages in haste And then, I'm told, repents at leisure ; Who spends such anxious moments faced By some impending legal seizure; Who pessimistically views— A constitutional alarmer— Whatever may be in the news? Our friend the farmer. “OH, GEORGIE, FOR GOODNESS’ SAKF DON’T RE SO CHILDISH !” comicbooks.com