Life — September 10, 1908 — page 7: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

of importance. Late INSECT DAY AT COLUMBIA The Escape HITTLER had had a particularly hard the office. Bu buoyed up by the thought of his com- fortable home, he walked along briskly— even for him—like a horse who knows he is nearing the stable. Suddenly, in front of his stopped short. A blare of light, unusual and suspi- cious in its intensity, greeted his gaze Whittler strode up on the piazza. He heard the sound of voices. His worst fears were confirmed. Yes, there by the table was his wife's Aunt Jane. And on the other side was her Cousin Sarah. He knew what it meant at once. His wife's relatives had suddenly come down on them—a periodical visit To Whittler, tired, dragged out with the day’s work, this was the worst thing that could happen. He admired and day at house, he respected Cousin arah_ and Aunt Jane’ at a distance, Their lives, in the remote place where they lived, were lonely. And when they did swoop down on Whittler and his wife they came to talk. They came to do things. At home they strength much beyond wh: been their regular capacity had they been in the city all the year. And oh, how they could talk! The worst of it was, Whittler knew by experience, once within had gathered would have their zone, that all was hopeless. If he came in and said he was tired, Aunt Jane would have a hundred reme- dies to try at once. And Cousin Sarah would talk for an hour on how badly he looked, and urge him to visit them If he said he never felt better, that meant a theatre party and other hor rible festivities. Besides, if he failed to be enthusiastic, both to Aunt Jane and Cousin Sarah, then his wife wouldn't like it. She had accused him before of always taking oc- 267 casion, when any of her family visited her, to show peculiarities that he never thought of displaying at any other time It took him but a moment to decide. He would go to his club and spend quiet evening there—telegraphing home He slid off th and started down the street, catching a car at the next corner. A little later he sent the following message “ Detained at office on sudden bu: coming home. Don’t worry Jus.” Then Whittler dropped into his club and ordered a good dinner. After all, he thought to himself, he was glad that Aunt Jane and Cousin Sarah had come. For this was a great treat—one that he indulged in but seldom Then, pentance came over him This was the first t actually, deceived his wife suddenly, a feeling of re- that he had in such a bare-faced manner, There were numberless little ways, of course, that didn’t count Besides, In’t was no- But this was downright lying! when he came to think of it, wou she suspect something? She body’s fool—as he had reason to know. There was a telephone right in the house. How was he to exp! hadn’t used that instead of the telegraph ? Of course, Whittler himself knew very well. He had done it because, in reality, jin the fact that he slower HER HEAD WAS COMPLETELY MIS ATTENTIONS TURNED BY comicbooks.com