Life, 1899-12-07 · page 8 of 20
Life — December 7, 1899 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Barbarism and Civilization" / "An Inevitable Result" This page satirizes Von Blumer, a businessman determined to pay cash for everything to avoid debt. His wife objects that this approach is impractical and will damage their social standing. Von Blumer remains adamant, insisting cash transactions provide financial clarity and control. The top illustration contrasts two figures—likely representing "barbarism" (left, in simple striped clothing) and "civilization" (right, elaborately dressed). The satire suggests Von Blumer's cash-only philosophy is absurdly primitive for modern society, which operates on credit systems. The bottom cartoon shows Von Blumer crawling through a desert, implying his stubborn refusal to use credit isolates him completely from civilized commercial life—an "inevitable result" of his outdated financial principles.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
BARBARISM ANO CIVILIZATION. An Inevitable Result. ON BLUMER had arrived at a conclusion by going through a long train of thought, and _ |¥ he did not propose to be driven from it now by 7 the unreasonable and s 8 talk of a woman. “T have determined,” he said emphatically “to pay cash for everything hereafter and avoid all those fatal consequences which are inevitable to the man who allows himself to be in a continual state of debt.” * But, my dear,” expostulated Mrs, Von Blumer, ‘* what a nuisance! Think of always having to make change, and I don't sce what difference it makes any way, us long as you pay your bills monthly.” “No woman ever did,” said Von Blumer. ‘* When it comes to a straight business proposition a woman may be expected to balk every time and run away. You don't understand these matters, and you never will. But lam going to arrange this thing at once.” And he walked to his grocer’s with the proud and defiant air of a martyr. “Thave long dreamed of this moment,” he said to himself, ** when my business should be prosperous enough to enable me to close up all my outstanding accounts and run my affairs as they ought to be run.” “Mr, Whitesand,” he said to the grocer as he took him aside in a corner of Lis store, “hereafter I will pay you cash for every- thing.” Mr, Whitesand looked surprised, “If you prefer it that way,” he said, “‘ why, very well, We arc always willing to do a cash business, but as a matter of convenience to you—” “ Say no more,” broke in Von Blumer, ‘1 appreciate the fact that where a man runs a monthly account with you, it gives you more of ahold on him. Now, sir, I shall continue to deal with you us before, but from my stand- point it is busincss to pay cash, By doing this I always know where I stand. On the first of the month I am not confronted by a mass of bills, many of which I have forgotten, and almost all of which are larger than my most radical estimate. I propose to know just where Iam every minute of the day, and I shall be obliged to you, sir, if you will make up my account to date, and hereafter I will pay as I go.” Mr. Whitesand gave the necessary instruc- tions to his bookkeeper, and Von Blumer, having paid his Dill and passed out, spent the remainder of the day in visiting his milkman, The Professor: WOW 1 WISI T SIGUT TRACH THFSE BENIGHTED PEOPLE THAT IN A HOT COUNTRY A PURELY VEGETABLE DIET 13 CONDUCIVE TO LoxcEviry,