Life, 1909-02-25 · page 13 of 28
Life — February 25, 1909 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This multi-panel comic depicts a dog's visit disrupting a household. The title suggests the humor lies in comparing the chaos caused by a visiting brother-in-law to that of an unruly dog. The narrative follows two groups—children and dogs—who are "used prematurely" and die due to "surgery's mistakes." The poem references doctors, nurses, and assistants in a melancholy tone, suggesting medical incompetence or tragedy. The elaborate visual panels show escalating disorder and mayhem, with figures and objects in increasingly chaotic arrangements. The juxtaposition of the lighthearted title against the darker poetic content about death creates satirical commentary on domestic disruption, possibly critiquing medical practices or the disruptiveness of unwanted visitors in early 20th-century American life.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Group of Little Children and Other Victims, First Softly sighing, softly sighing, Sobs each bosom shakes. All of us died prematurely— Surgery’s mistakes. Sighing softly on the borders Of the Kingdom Come, We died by the “doctor's orders,” Sound the muffled drum. (The drum sounds dismally and as MY DOG AND MY BROTICER-IN-LAW the first group fades the second group appears led by a Cocker Spaniel.) Dirge of Dogs. In a melancholy train, Wagging many a solemn tail, Glide we all now free from pain As we chant our ghostly wail the conclusion = DOCTORS R and CUT and their TS, their eyes starting out At SLASH ASSIST of their sockets, cry out and clasp one another desperately. Then they suddenly see the two groups come tegether, be- tween them a ghostly operating table, Sted up with every modern, appliance. And, overconie by the horrible vision, they’ gradually faint away, listening to e oncluding Song. By the Victims. We are waiting, we are waiting, Till your earthly job is through. In the place where you are going It will then be up to you. Once on earth you had your pleasure— Now your instruments are set To return your fullest. measure, This is what you're going to get! comicbooks.com