Life, 1906-11-01 · page 22 of 56
Life — November 1, 1906 — page 22: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains several brief humorous sketches typical of Life magazine's satirical format. **"Hamlet" at top**: A theatrical scene parodying how commercial theater syndicates would stage Shakespeare—apparently emphasizing spectacle and entertainment over substance (the image shows an elaborate stage production). **Main sketches**: Short dialogues satirizing gender relations and marriage. "It Makes a Difference" contrasts two men whose wives are away: one misses his desperately, the other relishes his solitude—the joke being the second man's wife has only been gone three days versus three weeks, suggesting his enthusiasm will fade. "At the Agency" jokes about employment references with a gender twist. "Extremity" presents a dark punch line about a woman divorcing her husband to access his money—satirizing both marital power dynamics and women's limited financial independence under the law. The overall tone reflects early 20th-century attitudes toward marriage, work, and gender roles, presented as light comedy for Life's educated, urban readership.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HAMLET" AS THE THEATRICAL SYNDICATE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE It As Ever AM," she writes, “as ever, Nell.” I read and sigh—'tis grief to me ‘To learn this fact, for, truth to tell, [fondly hoped she would not be 5 That time and absence, busy a heir work of change, might alter this— Because, if she’s “as ever,” that Means no one knows just what she is! Madeline Bridges. It Makes a Difference isn’t she ? Your wife is away : Yes. Tiss her?’ “Miss her? I should say I did. It’s something fearful around the house. Miss yours?” “Well, Lcan’t say Ido. Ihave wanted some time to myself for a year or so. Fact is, old man—you understand that this is in confidence “Oh, certainly.” “Well, the fact is I'm having the time of my life. I'm doing a lot of things that I've wanted to do. I’m enjoying —actu- ally reveling in solitude. It’s great. But you know how it is, don’t you?” “Can't say that I do! Fact is, to be candid with you, I’m wild to get my wife back. Old man, I never knew before how much I thought of her. Why— understand, this is in the strictest con- fidence?” “Oh, certainly.” “Well, sir, I realize now that I fairly worship the ground that woman walks on. Oh, how I miss her!” “How strange! Perhaps I ought to feel that way. But I don’t. how long has your wife been av “Three weeks—and yours?” “Three days.” Appropriate OW should a widow look? Grave. A bride? Well-groomed. A princi- pal? With interest. A sunburnt woman? Smart. A divorceé? Relieved. A Brook- lyn woman in New York? Overcome. An errand girl? Fetching. A book- keeper? Up to date. At the Agency “DID you bring your references with you?” “No, mum. Did you?” Extremity “TS SHE able to get moncy from her band without asking for it?” » but she had to divorce him in order to accomplish it.” WING BRCEING comicbooks.com