Life, 1898-07-07 · page 7 of 20
Life — July 7, 1898 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page satirizes a German military officer (identified as "Von Blumer" in the text) who has invited a Bishop to his home for poker and beer—activities the Bishop finds morally objectionable. The illustration shows Von Blumer in ornate military dress, gesturing defensively. The satire mocks Prussian militarism and German social hypocrisy: Von Blumer, a strict military man, cannot understand why the Bishop objects to "innocent" card-playing and drinking, yet simultaneously expects proper courtesy. The joke highlights the cultural clash between rigid military values and religious morality, suggesting Germans either don't understand or deliberately flout Christian ethics. This likely reflects early 20th-century American attitudes toward Germany before or during World War I.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“ESTEE 7 snappishly. “You never listen to what I say, you aro so absorbed in your own affairs, I told you all about it a week ago—how I had written, and the Bishop replied that he would be here this afternoon.” Von Blumer suppressed an inward shudder, and braced up. There was no way out of it, he know, but to put on a bold front. Deception was impossible, “I suppose,” he said, “that at the present moment the Bishop is occupying the best front bedroom.” “Yes,” “Then,” said Von Blumer, “in a few moments he will have the pleasure of seeing a brewery wagon drive up and deliver two dozen bottles of beer. I hope he won't think it is in honor of his visit.” He stopped her with a gesture, and quickly proceeded: ‘Now, my dear, I'm sorry, but it can't be helped. I had forgotten all about the existence even of this Bishop, and to-day invited some of the boys up for a quict little game of cards. So far as I can seo, the Bishop will have to make the best of it.” There was a painful silence, Tho greatest tragedies of life usually take place in silence, Then Mrs. Von Blumer gave one of those in- expressible “Ohs” which Indicate that a woman’s nature has been stirred to its depths. “How could you do it?” sho said at last. ‘He is so strict. Idon't see now we can keep it from him.” It was natural that this should be her first thought, The same thing occurred to Eve, ~ Wo-ean’t and we won't,” said Von Biumer, with a tragic wave of his band. “I bave invited a fow {riends to my home to play cards —yes, poker,” and he raised his voice slightly, in spite of a hor- ror-stricken look of warning on bis wife's faco—“and to drink beer, and I don’t care who knows it. I didn’t ask him here, Ho isn’t my guest. Of course, he is yours, and be shall receive all proper courtesy. You go to church regularly, and it {6 all right that you should have him, But there is no reason why I should pose as a bypoerite. In his line I presume he is an admirable man, but I don’t consider that he is one whit better than I am. If I- want to play cards and drink beer in my own home I’m going to do it. I'm not ashamed of it.” Von Blumer was aroused. Hoe was only a plain, ordinary man, with small capacities outside of his regular dutics. The delivery wagon drove up. The “How could you do itt” Bishop was probably at that moment sitting. comicbooks.com