Life, 1912-07-18 · page 37 of 44
Life — July 18, 1912 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a serialized story about a man named Bessel who experiences a moral awakening through caring for a young boy named Peter. The narrative depicts Bessel—apparently a wealthy, self-centered bachelor living in New York City—discovering unexpected joy in simple acts of kindness: ordering a meal for the child and later giving Peter's mother (his sister) five thousand dollars. The satire targets the callousness of urban, affluent men of the era. Bessel's realization that Peter has "cured" him of selfishness by revealing his capacity for generosity critiques the isolation and moral emptiness of city life. The story suggests that even hardened cynics can be reformed through human connection and familial responsibility. The page also contains period advertisements (Colgate Cold Cream, Strong's Arnica Tooth Soap, Russian Wolfhounds) typical of Life's content, indicating this is likely early 20th century.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
and it cost Bessel nearly half as much as he had lost the night before at poker, but it had a diametrically opposite ef fect. His spirits were rising every min- ute. He took Peter to a hotel restaurant on the avenue. The head waiter smiled at Peter when he gave him a seat he table waiter also smiled at him when he took the order. And the bread-and. ter waiter joined the others. Bessel smiled, too. He ha never before ex- perienced the joy of ordering a square meal for a five-year-old boy. And they had one and enjoyed it together. Ressel’s sister. who had to do some shopping, was 10 mect them at the Zoo When they got to the appointed place. at the appointed time, she was not there. Did Ressel ¢ Not much. They bought some pea nuts at a-nearby stand; and then, fifteen minutes later, Petcr’s mother came up breathlessly and explained that not be- ing used to New York's ways, she had miscaleulated the time. Bessel merely “ Pooh! who cares The next afternoon Bessel called again As his sister came into the room, his manner was rather mysterious. | Put- ting his hand into his pocket, he took cut an envelope and handed it to her Here's a little presem, Helen,” he said She opened it and started back. It Positive Delight to Brush the Teeth and gums with Arnica Tooth Soap. It sterilizes the mouth, destroying putrefactive and fermentative bacteria, and Produces a delightful sense of cleanliness that cannot be obtained with pastes, powders or washes. 3 . Strong’s Arnica Tooth Soap (Cle er and Mouth Wash in One) C.H. STRONG &CO. - - ~- Chicago RUSSIAN WOLFHOUNDS, We are the oldest beerersand ex cde tensels These te they are large amt as intelligent as they are beautital ‘compa a) Pasadena, California COCD CREAM Cleanliness , Comfort Charm Colgate quality.— ask your dealer the price was a check for five thousand dollars. During all the years in which she had struggled to maintain an existence in a small country town, while her brother had led a prosperous career in the city, nothing of this sort had ever happened “What docs this mean?” she stam- mered It ne: said Lessel, quietly, “that Peter has given me an idea. Now, you know ideas, in these days, are mighty scarce. This idea is worth at least five thousand dollars to me, and A trial tube, dainty and ‘attractive, mailed for 4cents COLGATE & CO. Dept. 23,199 Fulton StNY. probably a great deal more. I want you to spend this money on Peter.” “What's the idea?” asked his sister. “ Simply this,” replied Bessel.“ When an unmarried man lives all by himself in a city for a long period of time, he Lecomes an impossible kind of monster Now, I am three parts New York, three parts selfishness, and three parts natu- ral cussedness. But Peter has gone a long way toward curing me. And it is worth five thousand dollars to me to learn what I really am.” Finis. comicbooks.com