Life, 1900-04-07 · page 15 of 32
Life — April 7, 1900 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two satirical pieces about male independence and decision-making. **"The Proper Life to Lead"** presents a dialogue between Whittler and Bilter. Whittler boasts of his absolute freedom—smoking throughout the house, inviting friends for cards, skipping church, rearranging furniture—all "without let or hindrance." The satire's punchline reveals the joke: Whittler has enjoyed this complete autonomy only "ever since my wife went to the country on a visit." The humor lies in exposing the hollowness of his claims to independence; he's only "free" during his wife's absence, undermining his entire argument about marital authority. **The illustration** (credited to artist signature) depicts what appears to be a street scene with figures, though its specific connection to the text is unclear. **The brief exchanges at bottom** reference a "Professor" and contain period humor about advice-giving that appears unrelated to the main narrative. The overall theme satirizes masculine pretense about domestic independence—a common subject in early 20th-century American humor magazines.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
295 all: Health, Love, Riches, and Life itself; but the whole world knows me. Fame is mine, and I die content.’ “Well, that is all—they found it on his desk. Hard luck, ch?” “Yes. But I say, Bill-who was Martine anyway ?” Mrs. Charks R. Waters, The Proper Life to Lead. #6, CANNOT understand,” said Whittler, it is that so many fellows I know are in such awe of their wives, I don't feel that way.” “Do you mean to say,” said Bilter, “*that you do exactly as you please, without being influenced by anything your wife says?” “ That's exactly what [ mean,” replied Whittler. ‘* This idea of losing your individuality just because you happen to be married is all nonsense. I tell you that I lead an absolutely untrammeled existence. If I feel like not going home after business, Idon'tgo. And if I want to ask the boys in for a little game of cards, I don’t hesitate todo so. I smoke all overthe house, insist upon having my favorite dishes, stay home from church when I want to, rearrange the furniture to suit myself, and in fact, down to the smallest detail of my daily life. I do absolutely as I please, without let or hin. drance. It’s the only way to live.” Bilter regarded his friend with a look of grave sus- picion, “Well, well,” he said somewhat satirically,"* you , tre a wonder, How long “ have you been doing this sort of thing?” “Thave been doing it,” said Whittler, calmly and complacently, “ever since my wife went to the country on a visit.” “ HY does every- body go to Broadhead for advice?” “Oh, he invariably ad- vises them to do just exactly what he knows they have already made The Professor (on the exe of @ great discovery): MEMNON, DID YoU exe THAT soKE IN Puck. up their minds to do, Judge, Punch, Fun Last wenn? whether he thinks it will “SEE IT] WHY GRANDPA RAMESES TOLD ME THAT WHEN 1 WAS A BOY.” be good for them or not,” comichooks.