The Weary Farmer (Up to Date), by Frank W. Swallow

"The Weary Farmer (Up to Date), designed & pub. by Frank W. Swallow, Exeter, N.H."

I'm not sure why Frank W. Swallow of Exeter, New Hampshire, published this early twentieth-century postcard, which ridicules the "Weary Farmer," his family, and the hired help for living a life of luxury. One clue might be the well-off real estate dealer, who's standing in front of his office, where the sign says, "No deserted farms left. Fair farms, $5,000.00 to $50,000.00."

Was there an economic downturn at some point that caused families to abandon their farms? Did Swallow feel that some farmers and real estate agents were profiting from the misfortune of others?

I haven't solved this mystery yet, but in the meantime here's the cast of characters portrayed on the card:

The Farmer is fanning himself while lying on a hammock and sipping sweet cider from a straw.

The Hired Man is sitting beneath a tree as he smokes a cigarette and reads a dime novel (Diamond Dick) with his unused shovel and hoe by his side.

The Son is out on the golf course.

The Real Estate Dealer is wearing expensive clothing, including a diamond ring. An automobile is parked in front of his real estate office, where there's a sign that says, "No deserted farms left. Fair farms, $5,000.00 to $50,000.00."

The Hired Girl is sitting in a rocking chair as she dries the dishes.

The Wife and Daughter are dressed in fine clothes as they sip their tea.

The Cow, however, is toiling away on a treadmill, supplying the power and the raw material--milk--for the butter and cheese machines, which apparently provide enough income to allow everyone else besides the cow to live a life of leisure.