Life, 1909-03-04 · page 19 of 44
Life — March 4, 1909 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Main Story ("A Real Estate Movement"):** A satirical domestic comedy about the Chubleys, a couple whose marriage deteriorates when they acquire wealth and social pretensions. Mrs. Chubley becomes a snob, envying neighbors like Mrs. Pennington who own fancier automobiles and have more bathrooms. The couple argues bitterly until Mr. Chubley receives news his uncle's will was changed—he now inherits only one dollar instead of $50,000. Paradoxically relieved, they reconcile, realizing their happiness came from modest circumstances, not wealth. **Political Cartoon ("Cuba"):** A commentary on American imperialism. The cartoon criticizes U.S. occupation policy toward Cuba, suggesting America takes credit for any Cuban success while blaming Cuba itself for any failure—a "win-win" arrangement regardless of outcomes. The rhetoric about America as "pedagogue" (teacher) patronizingly frames intervention as benevolent instruction. Both pieces satirize contemporary social anxieties: material aspiration and class climbing in the domestic story; American imperial hubris regarding Cuba.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A REAL ESTATE MOVEMENT positive nuisance to me, is that auto of yours. If we only had a chauffeur, and if it was any good! Now, Mrs. Pen- nington has a French machine. And she positively snubs me whenever we meet. She used to be so nice.”” “T have no doubt it’s your fault.”* “My fault?” “Yes—that's what I said. veloping into a snob! Me! A snob! And what are you, pray, with your running around and your poker parties and smoking and wild com- panions? By this time Mr. Chubley was furious. “Well, I like this!'’ he exclaimed. “Here I supply you with everything you desire, and you do nothing but kick. You used to get along with Mrs. Pen- nington and with me, but now you're too good for anybody. No wonder I'm driven from my own home."” “You have no idea of decency, any- way. Here I have a chance to be in society and you handicap me at any time with your wild ways!" Well, madame,” exclaimed Chubley, “I'll handicap you no more. Hereafter we'll live apart and you can do as you please. I give you a house such as we have dreamed of, new servants, new clothes—everything—and you develop into—into—oh, heavens! ’” he exclaimed, “T don’t know what you are.” “You think you give me so much!" snecred Mrs. Chubley, “why, I have the smallest, most inconvenient house in my whole acquaintance. Even Mrs. Pen- nington has three bathrooms. What are you doing now? Can't you open a letter decently, instead of tearing it to pieces? “It's from those cursed law- You're de- “LIFE yers,"’ muttered her husband. “Abt! Read this: * Dear Sir: “We regret to inform you that your uncle left a later will than the one by which you were bequeathed the sum of $50,00 and in this will all the other wills were voked, and it is expresily stipulated that your share'in the estate shall be one dollar. 1 am instructed to inform you, by the action of the executors, to return the amount at once, ully yours, Criasson & Smytie, * Attorneys for the Estate." Mr. Chubley threw down the letter and tossed his cigar out of the open window into the freshly sprouting flower garden. He and his wife gazed at each other speechlessly for some moments, then he said, quietly : “ Thank God! confounded automobi' I'll now get rid of that , and we'll move J. Punster Bugg, Esq.: 1 woxver wo RENTS THIS HOUSE? back into our old house, where we'll be more comfortable than we are now, and Mrs. Pennington won't even want to patronize us. I'll give up my clubs and get back where I was before. What do you say, darling?’ In reply, Mrs. Chubley arose swiftly and threw her arms about her husband's neck. “ Bless you for those words,’ claimed. “If it was a whole million I'd give it up twice over to be as happy as we were.” “Well, what's to prevent us now?”? asked Chubley, as he kissed her for the first time in two weeks. 7. L. she ex- Cuba HE trap in Cuba »~—_\\ dS is carefully set. Z No matter which way Cuba jumps, we win. We have occupied Cuba long enough and with sufficient enunciation of our ability to give her what we think she needs, that, if Cuba succeeds in the difficult art of self- government,. the credit is ours, and our reputation as a potential pedagogue, prop- erly preaching, even if, but poorly practicing, is assured But— If Cuba persists in refusing to govern herself as would govern her, preferring to govern herself we govern ourselves, why then, of course, it is in spite of our noble efforts. The ault is with the pupil, not the teacher, and we reserve the right to return at any moment. ‘ow, Cuba, go to it. Enjoy the delights of self-govern- ment with a string to it. we Mr, Hedgehog ANY ONE MOVING BUILDING! Religiously ! ARDUPPE: nomination of loaned me? Cort! keeps Lent so well. Er, what was the de- that bill you Episcopalian, I think A Tip USTY RHODES: I wouldn’t have to ask for help, but I’ve a lot of real estate on me hands that I can’t get rid of. Mas. Rerate: Try soft soap and boil- ing water. Snail: 4 DESIRABLE LOCATION, NO DOUBT, PROBARLY NOT MOKE THAN A FOOT AND A MALP DISTANT. comicbooks.com tHe IDEA oF INTO THAT Tor YLAT AND NO ELEVATOR IN THLE