Life, 1899-10-12 · page 9 of 20
Life — October 12, 1899 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page from *Life* magazine presents a narrative story titled "Life's Album of Friendships" featuring characters named Dimpleton and Mrs. Dimpleton. The text describes a domestic dispute where Dimpleton, having returned home drunk from his club, dismisses his wife's concerns with imperious declarations about his rights in his own home. He refuses to acknowledge wrongdoing and threatens to leave again. The accompanying photograph shows two men in period dress, though their relation to the story is unclear from the image alone. The piece satirizes male entitlement and marital discord—specifically, the husband's arrogant assertion of domestic authority and refusal of accountability. This reflects early 20th-century social commentary on gender relations and household power dynamics, likely mocking privileged men who abuse domestic privilege.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFES ALBUM OF FRIENDSHIPS. ESTERIAZY pointed to the door, and, with @ voice like a lion, said: “Leave the room!” And Mrs. Dimpleton swept out. The hard substratum of character in Dimpleton’s nature had been hit, and Tang out, Twenty minutes later a carefully- AND 201A. groomed man still with a half-quenched thirst—for that isa matter of hours—and atill with a cerebral saw-mill working at diminished speed, walked into his wife's ppartment, outwardly calm and imper-. turbable. “Eleanor,” he said, quietly and sternly, “*we may as well understand each other now a8 at any other time, Last night 289 I went to my annual club dinner. It is of no consequence why I drank or what Idrank. I drank what I wanted to, and I came home in the manner that best pleased me. This house is mine, and this is a privilege that I propose to exert whenever I sce fit. The servants assisted me up the stairs,and I am glad they knew their business, If they hadn’t, it would now be my pleasure to discharge every last one of them.” Dimpleton paused, lighted a cigarette, and blew the smoke through his wife's pet lace curtains, “T hope,” he said, distinctly, ‘that I have made myself plain, as [ shall not permit the subject to be referred to again, If I choose, as you somewhat coarsely remarked, to make a beast of myself, I shall do it morning, noon and night, when and where-I please. If necessary, I will hire a hall for the pur- pose. As for you, you can do as you please. But remember, I will have no more of thia) I am now going to the club. When I get home you will know Iam here,” and Dimpleton turned toward the door. But Mrs. Dimpleton was before him. ** Dear,” she said, wistfully,as she flung her arms around his neck, ‘ will you forgive me?” “This time,” said Dimpleton, half sternly, ‘‘ but don't let it occur again,” Tom Masson, ANKS (to the watter): I believe I'll have a rum omelet. Tanks (with asleepy shiver): Bring me the same—without the eggs. ND when I dio place on my tomb This eimple line, “ Hero lies A man whoso book was too blamed poor To even dramatize.