Life, 1910-07-14 · page 14 of 40
Life — July 14, 1910 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three satirical pieces: **"The Government"**: A philosophical dialogue mocking circular logic in democratic systems. It questions how constituents create government to govern them, yet constituents govern themselves *through* government—creating an absurd loop. The satire targets the paradox of representative democracy itself. **"The Great Change"**: A domestic comedy about a husband finally acknowledging his wife's unpaid labor. For years, she's handled all moving logistics (packing, arranging transport, notifying services). When he suddenly lists these tasks, she's shocked—he's finally recognizing her invisible work. The satire comments on how wives' domestic management goes unappreciated until explicitly enumerated. **"Golfing Bug"**: A brief joke about a golfer negotiating payment with his caddy using absurdly small currency (millet seeds), likely satirizing either stingy employers or the sport's class pretensions. The "Modern Version" subtitle for the second piece suggests Life is updating older domestic humor for contemporary (1910s-era) audiences, particularly referencing the suffragette movement mentioned in the opening text.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“LE P"E * as you have recently joined the suffragette party, why, this year, things are going to be quite different.” And picking up his case of poker chips he went out into the night and left her sorrowing. The Government S EE the Government! Yes, it is a handsome, a magnificent Government. What does it govern? It governs its constituents, to be sure. Where did the Government come from? It came from its constituents, to be sure. Do you mean to say that the constituents were unable to govern themselves and so created something to govern them? Oh, no, I do not mean that. The fact is that the con- stituents govern themselves through the Government. Oh, I see; the Government governs those who govern the Government. Exactly. Isn't it strange? Not at all. It's a republic, a Gia about your troubles! The Crawfords are hav- ing it all right. “How so?" “They have a wonderful cook who has been with them for ten years, and she has just presented them with a large framed crayon portrait of herself." MODERN VERSION THE MAN SHE LEFT BEMIND HER The Great Change “T7O-MORROW is the day.” As the young husband spoke his laugh was gay and free from care, nay, even joyous. “Yes, dear,"’ he continued, “to-morrow is the happy day that shall take us away once more to the country, where the children can romp and play, where all nature smiles and the health and bloom of youth will come back to all of our cheeks. Are you ready She looked at him curiously. “ Ready?" she exclaimed, “why, you “T have planned everything,” he said, “and I advise you to get to bed carly to-night, so that you will be in condition for the morrow. Have you got the railroad tickets?” “1 do not understand.” “And have you taken down the packing boxes from the attic and provided yourself with hammer and nails, also screws and shipping labels? Have you arranged with the express company? Have you secured seats in the parlor car and notified the people that we are all coming? Have you gone over the trunk keys, and folded up the rugs, and noti- fied the gas and water co: . and had the plumber come to clean out the furn you done all this—nay, more —have you scen the postmaster and the laundryman, and are you ready to take all the grips down to the station, and cover the furniture and——" © stopped him with ashen face. "Are you mad?" she said. “Haven't we been married Golfing Bug: wonky, CADDY, AND GET THAT BALL. witat for years, and hasn't this always been your duty?" bo YOU SUPPOSE 1 FAY YOU FIPTEEN MILLET SEEDS FEK KOUND “Yes, darling,”’ he replied quietly, “it has; but inasmuch ror, anvnow? comicbooks.com