Life, 1908-08-06 · page 10 of 54
Life — August 6, 1908 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This Life magazine page satirizes domestic chaos during World War I through a humorous "chronological review" of a housekeeper's tumultuous year. The cartoon depicts a street scene with children playing, a car, a dog, and various figures in apparent disorder outside row houses. The accompanying text lists absurd monthly "events" ranging from January's "Housekeeper takes command" through December's "Triumphant march of time and end of war." The events mock both wartime hardships (rationing, price increases, labor strikes) and domestic troubles (children misbehaving, pest infestations, social conflicts). The caption "Now see way ye done. I told ye not to monkey with them handles" suggests accidents or mishaps from foolish interference—likely commentary on how ordinary people bungled their way through wartime disruptions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
One of the boys in the background : Dissensions with neighbors. Cleaning camp Sunday), Religious bles, 2. trou- Chronological Review of Events in May the Housekeeper’s “ One Year, ‘a Jan. 1, com” Restrictive laws passed Laws evaded. Tyranny in kitchen. Loss of temper. July Cook expelled. . “5, Suffering from hunger. bd 6, t of new cook “ 2 ification of inner man. April 12, Battle with con case. Aug “45, Surrender of d “ o, Annih ion of microbes. “NOW SEE WAT YE DONE 235 24, in Revolt and defeat of gov- erness Revenge of governess. So eng nent Differences with the laun- dress Attack on dress materials. Struggles with dressmak- ing Retreat of dressmaker. Massacre of ants. Declaration of ence from social duties. of the inst moths. Oppression of heat E uation of sums Independ- Victory ices Sie; house for ner camp. irmish with flies. Encounter with gnats Treason among summer ac- quaintances, Return to winter rlers. 1 TOLD YE NOT TO MONKEY WITH THEM HANDLES Sept 18, Dealings with and butcher. Raid on mice xploits of the cat. Mice assassinated. ¢ of prices. cution by book-agents. r to china grocer Rebellion in nurser: Assault on turkey Difficulties with furnace. Invasion by plum! of plumbers. with Treachery Disastro encounter 11, Expedition to district 11, Capture of booty ent of Christmas shopping tree. Treaty of peace. Triumphant march of time and end of war. comicbooks.com