Life, 1905-04-06 · page 30 of 62
Life — April 6, 1905 — page 30: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the frustrations of early 20th-century domestic life and gender dynamics. The main story follows Von Blumer, a businessman whose wife calls demanding he fetch her Easter hat from the milliner before closing time. Though reluctant, he complies—a commentary on marital obligation and henpecked husbands. The satire's point: Von Blumer's suffering while transporting the enormous, awkwardly-shaped hat box through the street represents the absurd burdens wives impose on husbands. His growing "deadly hatred" toward his wife is presented comedically, reflecting the era's sardonic take on marriage as an institution where women's vanity and demands torment accommodating men. The secondary cartoons mock workplace inefficiency and animal behavior—typical satirical filler for Life magazine's humor sections.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
o M#APGHLIFERRERS | All About a Hat. T was four 0’ day defore Von Blumer, in his o Jock on the ster. sitting just about to close his desk WAS, home, when the tel phone bell rang. It was his w “Is that yc “Yes.” “Oh, I'm inawfultrouble.” “What is it? “Why, my hat hasn't , dear?" “Why, 1 course, The milliner promised it faith- Easter hat, of the day isn't over."" “But you know how busy they are. Well, well?" Do me a favor, will you? I'm so ious about that - ow the mil- er’s is on the way; stop in and get “ ‘What!"* a good fellow. ave it. Itisn't out of * Do you want me to fetch I simply yur way. home ?"? must is it?” Light “Umph ! “Oh, it's as a Excuse me got to hav “But I'v “Well, IF * Just this on “Well, . Please.” mean trick, but all A NEW SCHEME, on! Loox at moTurR! DRINKING DYE, 30 THAT SHE CAN LAY COLORED The Chick: sues FASTER EGGS. SIR, TMH CANDLES with right. I'll bring it home. What's the address ?"" Von Blumer stopped off on a side street at the place indicated. In amo- ment, as he entered, he felt as if he had suddenly dropped in at an after- noon tea. He explained his object, and, humiliated beyond measure by his surroundings, waited his turn. At last a girl came out with a large white watered-silk looking pasteb» rd box. Von Blumer, groaning inward +, cal- culated the cubic contents rentally with his ¢ He wondered pathetic- ally if he would be able to get it (nrough the street. WHEN THE SALARY LIST WAS MADE UP. ME TUMBLEBUGS REFUSING TO TUMBLE, THE FIREFLIES GETTING fS SPUTTERING ALL THE TIME, THE INCHWORMS RE SKIPBUGS THREATENING TO SKIP, THIS MANAGER'S BUSINESS 18N" OTTER EVERY MINUTE, RUDGE AX INCH, AND THE 'S CRACKED UP TO BE." wot ‘There was, however, no help for it, so he grasped the tape that fastened it as well as he could and started on his homeward journey. First he held the box on one side, and then on the other. But it made little difference. It was uncomfortable any way. If he held it too low, it banged his legs as he walked. If he held it too high, the strain on his arms was terrific. He tried to hold it in front of him, but his wrist got a cramp. He put both arms around it and almost fainted from exhaustion, As he walked along he became con- scious of a deep and deadly hatred to- ward his wife. He never supposed comicbooks.com