Life, 1912-09-12 · page 13 of 52
Life — September 12, 1912 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical article mocks regional gender dynamics of the era. The accompanying cartoon depicts caricatured figures—likely representing a Southern husband and Northern wife—in exaggerated dress with stereotypical features. The text humorously addresses a purported "congress of husbands" in Atlanta, contrasting Southern and Northern marriage customs. It presents the "Texas husband" as exceptionally devoted (never missing church), while mocking other Southern husbands for various marital infractions: patronizing mistresses, neglecting wives, pursuing frivolous fashions, and generally failing domestic responsibilities. The satire targets how Southern husbands supposedly treated wives differently than Northern counterparts, suggesting regional moral and behavioral differences. The "J.M.F." signature indicates the cartoonist, though identity remains unclear.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘LIFE 1757 Notice to All Southern Husbands Great Meeting in Allanta, Over Which Manager of Husbands’ Correspondence Bureau Expects to Preside, Unless Unforeseen . Circumstances Prevent—We Must All Stand Together E have been asked to preside at a congress of husbands from all of the Southern States, to be held in Atlanta during the winter months, and while fully realizing this distinguished honor, and while accepting with pleas- ure the invitation, it may not be inappropriate to accompany this by indulging in a few historical reflec- tions. We feel every confidence in our being able to preside at the Atlanta but owing to our recent congress; “The Texas husband never omits going to church on Sunday” ¢, and the fact that our present wife (who is a rigid Northerner) may insist upon accompanying us, our pres- ence may be somewhat doubtful. In case we do not come, however, we shall send the tall, handsome blonde (on the right as you enter), and also the chair- man of our entertainment committee, to make things more cheerful. Now with regard to the historical part. Up to within comparatively re- cent times the Southern husband has preserved his identity, perhaps more than the husband of the North. Noted for his loyalty, his chivalry and his broad-minded appreciation of other women, he has not been held down by the stern and stringent rules which— we are glad to say, owing to our influ- ence—have been somewhat mitigated throughout New England during the past decade. The New Orleans husband, we be- lieve we are correct in stating, has no equal in this country. The common assumption that he lives on mint juleps and whiskey is in reality a base slan- der. He attends business in Canal Street with great regularity, and it is only when entertaining kindred spirits from the North that he permits him- self any latitude whatsoever. These gentlemen, who are the recipients of his hospitality, retaliate by accusing him of all sorts of weaknesses which he does not have. In the summer, in- stead of rushing off to Paris and Constantinople, he is content to amuse himself quietly on Lake Ponchartrain with a virtuous and highly respectable catboat. And when at certain seasons of the year he does come to New York, he is usually accompanied by his wife and family. There are, of course, ex- ceptions to this rule, but we are glad to say that under our treatment these are becoming more rare. The Texas husband is so far above the rest of us fellows as to have cre- ated a type in himself. No Texas husband was ever known to read the paper at the breakfast table, to omit the formality of attending church every Sabbath, or to roam at large without his wife. Our trade in Texas is practically nil, owing to the fact that there is so little matrimonial discon- tent in that banner State. When we come to Virginia, how- ever, we must confess that there are many derelictions from the ranks. In fact, the chairman of our entertain- ment committee informs us that a large part of his time is taken up in catering to the Virginia husband. On the whole, however, the Southern husband needs different treatment from others. We seldom advise his being placed under the charge of our tall, handsome blonde, taking a trip to Paris, or rid- ing in our seeing-the-tenderloin-auto- mobile. He needs different treatment. Surrounded, as he has been from his boyhood, with the most beautiful wom- en in the world, as a general rule a course of absolute quiet in connection with our special treatment (patented) is all that is necessary to restore him. Now, however, that we are threat- ened by so many new perils—wom- an’s suffrage, neurotic feminine novels, extravagance in fashions and the six- teen-year-old-girl precocity trust—the Southern husband must do his share in meeting the enemy, Unless our present wife, therefore— who thinks we are going to Brooklyn to attend a Y. M. C. A. mecting— gets wind of our intention, we shall be at the Atlanta congress to soothe, to solace, to instruct and to fortify, not only our regular customers, but our other suffering matrimonial friends, against the evils that con- front us. Call, write or wire. Husband's Correspondence Bureau. comicbooks.com