Life, 1912-03-21 · page 46 of 52
Life — March 21, 1912 — page 46: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a **domestic comedy sketch** (center column) satirizing early 20th-century banking practices and marital dynamics. **The Sketch's Point:** A wife attempts to withdraw money from her husband's bank account to buy him a surprise birthday gift, but the bank refuses to let her access "his" money without a deposit or his direct authorization. When she threatens to tell her husband about this "outrage," the banker dismisses her complaint, assuming the husband will back the bank's policies. **The Satire:** The humor targets rigid banking rules that treated married women as financially powerless dependents. A wife cannot even access joint marital funds without her husband's involvement—even when spending *his* money on *him*. The sketch mocks both absurd bureaucracy and the assumption that husbands control all household finances, with the banker confidently expecting the husband's support. **Social Context:** This reflects pre-1920s America when married women had severely limited legal control over property and finances. The joke's absurdity was presumably meant to highlight these restrictive conditions, though modern readers may find it sobering rather than funny. The page also contains period advertisements (Chiclets, seeds, Abbott's Bitters, speedometers).
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Not at all—there is no necessity for He has money here in this very bank. So there! Quite so. Then you must get a check from him, What for? To deposit. What's that? You must put money in the bank in ¢ if you wish to have an ac- count with us, Nonsense! I want to draw money out. If I had any money I wouldn't bother to open the account. You had better consult. Mr. Jamly, madam, and—er—the line is waiti They can wait till Tam through. The last thing [ want is to consult “Mr. Jamly, 1 don’t wish it mentioned to him, this matter of my account. Very well, m You see, I wish to surprise him with « birthday present, a card table for his den. I can't very well ask him for money to buy his own present, now, can 1? You might borrow, on your note. your n | Four Car Owners in Every Five Use the Reliable Speedometer REALLY DELIGHTFUL An Absolute Necessity on Every Car Ctye Dainty Mint Covered |) ce aihcas Candp Conted a ey, tat jase Unger ee cede Chewing Gum mean that you won't open it? Not without a deposit. They tell you what your car can do on a nice stretch of country road. It's good to know if really doing ite best. “ Look for the Bird Cards in the ackets. You can secure a eautiful Bird Album FREE. Ther keep an accurate count of the miles covered, Half a million folks of all kinds— including grown-ups, children, teachers, etc., are collecting our wonderful Bird Studies—faithful reproduc- tions of American birds in full colors, with descrip- tion of the birds’ plumage, habits, and how to know them on sight. You will find one beautiful bird picture in each packet of Chiclets. Send us any fifty of these pictures with ten cents in stamps and we will send you—free—our splendid Bird Album. The refinement of chew- ing gum for people of refinement. It’s the pep- permint—the true mint. For Sale at all the Better Sort of Stores Se, the Ounce and in Se., 10c, and 25c. Packets SEN-SEN CHICLET You are impertinent, sir, I have no intention of being so. We will be happy to arrange the matter when you talk to Mr, Jamly. If you ever say one word about this to him, 1 Your tax’ tient, mad: Oh, that dreadful cab! have ten dollars, please. I can't unless yu have a check, madam, Well upon my WORD! I shall cer- tainly tell Mr. Jamly of this outrage! And so this is what they call a national Refusing me my own husband's when I haven't enough to pay for my cab. I shall go directly to his office, and I warn yot that you will hear later on from HIM in regard to this Good day! Good day, madam driver is getting. impa- Then let me on which to save money Ea ur gasoline and oil supplies. Detroit “Chicago. ich helps you on your tire adjustments—a bi say nothing of auditing hey are indispensable when touring; the trip res- your guide-book to the tenth of a mil Open dial, big Sgures, easily feady magnetic principle; re- markably accurate; slow mov- Ing parts, no wear; beautiful workmanthip, best procorable materials; ball and jewel bear positive odomete: berreset to anytenth of a mile: unbreakable flexible shaft: drop forged swirel joist which Speedometers, $18 to $30. will oatwear the car; noise! Clock Combinations, $45 (0 $70 road wheel gears, Speedometer Guaranteed for Five Years ‘There ts a quality reason back of the popularity of the STEWART Speedometer. There is a quantity resvon back ofthe price. Send for handsome 1912 catalogue telling you why we can make the best speedometer at the lowest price. Write Today. STEWART & CLARK MANUFACTURING CO. 1893 Diversey Boulevard, Chicago SaaFraschco ‘NewYork Moston Cleveland Philadelphia Kansas City Los Angeles Minneapolis Tadianapells Veodoa Paris eta eal / . Kate Masterson. Metropolitan Tower : asterson. Largest growers of pedigree farm and garden seedsin OATS the world—Clovers, Grasses, Oats, Rye, Barley, Pota- Sworn yield 259 bushels toes, Seed Com, etc. We breed only pedigree heavy per acre. yielding stocks. CATALOGUE FREE. You can beat that Why not try In 191 JOHN A. SALZER SEED COMPANY, Box 16, La Crosse, Wis. A Bright New Book of 178 Pages far 1912 Ha—ha! He did, did he Telling the Plain Truth about BURPEE-QUALITY SEEDS, is mailed Yes, and I said, well, what are banks Free of Cost to Gardeners everywhere upon Application to fo W. ATLEE BURPEE & CO., Burpee Buildings, Philadelphia You don't understand, my dear lady. I understand perfectly. I asked my husband: for some mi this. mornin He said he was overdrawn at the bank: He just laughed and said I had bet ter open a personal account. That's what I wish to do. Ah, yes! He probably means to give you some money. Makes the best .ocktail, A pleasing aromatic with all Wise, spirit and soda beverages. Appetising, healthful. to. u with Grape Fruit, Oranges, Wine Jelly. At Wine chants or Druggisté. Sample by mail, 25c in stamps. C. W. ABBOTT & CO., Baltimore, Md. comicbooks.com