Life, 1912-12-05 · page 100 of 116
Life — December 5, 1912 — page 100: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a short satirical story titled "How it Started" alongside period advertisements. The narrative mocks marital complacency and the superficiality of domestic reconciliation. **The Story's Point:** Mr. Bilter, inspired by an advertisement asking "Does it pay to be polite to your wife?", decides to treat his neglectful marriage as an "art" requiring attention. He buys flowers, compliments his wife, and delivers flowery declarations about admiring her. Mrs. Bilter, initially suspicious, becomes pleased and attentive in return. **The Satire:** The humor targets the absurdity that a marriage has deteriorated so completely that basic politeness becomes a novel "sensation" requiring conscious effort. It also mocks how easily marital discord dissolves through hollow gestures—Bilter's grand pronouncements about marriage being "an art" are undercut by the fact that a simple bouquet and some flattery suffice to restore harmony. The story suggests both spouses were willing to be pleased by minimal effort, satirizing the emotional shallowness of their relationship. The advertisements (pianos, cedar chests, liqueur) represent typical period consumer goods marketed to the middle-class audience.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“You're jokin “T really mean it. Before this, 1 have been blind. I have not observed your delightful qualities closely enough.” Leads After dinner he said: “Really, my dear, Iam beginning to The 1/ R Tr pal realize that I do not admire you Ia enough. wi Ton e “Oh, go ‘long!” wl Nevertheless, Mrs. Bilter was highly co PIANO Quality pleased. The following morning at " breakfast she was positively pleasant, to One of the three great in when heretofore tlicy usually had said I * 1 nothing to each other. h Pianos of the World America inn foes OlNes ital Bik tl ter, handing her the paper. “Why . don't you take advantage of it?” “You actually mean that? Why, a you have chided me for—" ¢ PRICES-REGULAR STYLES $550 70*1500 “T know it, but that was in my old a manner. You see, it is not for me to o say what you should buy or not. You g Owners of end.” \ The Everett Piano Co., Boston Mrs. Bilter laid down the paper and 1 came over to him. « “What has changed you so?” asked. ‘ou are like a differer er- f ‘ son; I fect as though I were married How it Started all over again.” “T thought it out. T made up my ' “Does it pay to be polite to your mind that married life is an art, that { wife?” Bilter read this sentence in an ad- vertisement, and in some unaccount- able manner the words haunted him. He recalled, with a dim sense of guilt, that he was not always polite to his own wife. But then, she was not al- ways polite to him. Suddenly it occurred to Bilter that there was a chance for a new sensa- tion. Nothing had happened to him out of the ordinary for such a long time that almost anything would be welcome. At any rate, it might be worth trying. The vague impulse took shape. In- voluntarily Bilter paused in front of a florist’s window. Then he entered. “How much are violets?” ur dollars a bunch.” “Give me a bunch.” Armed with the flowers, he pro- ceeded to his home. He bowed with mock dramatic action as he presented her with them “For the most charming woman in the world.” She looked at him wonderingl. “What is the matter with you “Nothing. I am just filled with love and admiration of you, that’s all Here is a slight tribute.” She examined the violets. “How lovely!” Her face flushed with pleasure. At dinner Bilter held her chair and patted her softly on the check. “What a becoming gown,” he said. “Just suits you.” it requires all of the attention that ought to be paid to any art. T am not flattering yeu. Tam just giving you your due. You are a very remarkable woman in many ways, and from this. Xmas, birthday, or wed- time forth you shall be equal with me ding nic: Hichiy decorative and % in every way—indeed, superior. My mp. Write for Space, r affairs are yours.” 0} Piedmont RedCedarChest Co.,Dept.82, Statesville, N.C.|/ tis Sam HAS STOOD (gen ina: THE TEST |facurteeq OF AGES AND IS STILL THE FINEST CORDIAL EXTANT At first-class Wine Merchants, Grocers, Hotels, Cafes. Batjer & Co., 45 Broadway, New York, N.Y. Je Agente for United States. comicbooks Mer