Life, 1912-12-05 · page 65 of 116
Life — December 5, 1912 — page 65: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical short story illustrated with cartoons, likely from the early 1900s. The main narrative follows Mr. Pitkin and his family, who survive a horrific train-automobile collision that kills them all. They then enter an afterlife restaurant where staff members refuse tips, citing "self-respect" as their reason. The satire appears to mock **exaggerated politeness and false gentility**—the afterlife establishment is so perfectly courteous and harmonious that it becomes absurd. Staff waive payment, decline gratuities, and serve elaborate meals at impossibly low cost, all while maintaining pious declarations about self-respect. The side cartoons parody other subjects: "A Youthful Investigator" shows Santa correcting a child about Christmas stockings; "A Sensational Development" depicts a child's surprising realization (details unclear from image). The overall message critiques pretentious service standards and sanctimonious behavior in American establishments of the era, suggesting that excessive politeness masks something hollow or fraudulent.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
wid % Nu) “K im A EZ Afterwards HERE had been a frightful auto- mobile accident. Mr. Pitkin was riding out in the afternoon with his entire family—his wife, two daughters, two sons and himself, There was a moment when they attempted to cross the railroad track—a sudden vibra- tion—a crash—and then utter and in- conceivable darkness; darkness that stretched itself over the unlimited areas of all time and all space; dark- ness that resolved itself into utter uothingness—a black void in’ which all memory, all consciousness, were as if they had never been. And then—— * 2 * . * * “This looks as if it might be the right place,” said Mr. Pitkin to his ife, as they gazed up at a modest and severely elegant building to which a stranger had directed them a few mo- ments before, “ My! but I'm hungry,” he added. “So am I,” said Mrs. Pitkin. > are we!” echoed the members of the family. They made their way through a quiet entrance. A wonderful met them. Her eyes were luminous with sympathy and deference. And with a fe aceful touches she deftly other person *¢ LIFE & removed their raps. The Pitkins were charmed by the unusual attention. Mr. Pitkin put his hand in his pocket. His only change was a dollar bill. But the lady who served them (it was evident that she must have been a lady) smiled and shook her head. “To accept anything from a stran- ger,” she said, “ would lessen my se!f- respect. Beside, it is forbidden.” The Pitkins passed in. Such a head waiter! His face showed every kindly feeling, while at the same time his silence was indicative of an innate un- derstanding of the feelings of his guests, He led them to a table over- looking a bread vista of handsome ar chitecture in the distance. Pitkin, no- ticing that the table had been appa- ently reserved, once more put his hand in his pocket and drew out a five dol- lar bill, The head waiter smiled and waived him off. You are entitled have,” he whispered, self-respect —” Seven kinds of bread and two kinds to the best we and surely my of butter were placed before them. 0, sir—unless you wish “Heaven forbid!” They ordered their dinner. A YOUTHFUL INVESTIGATOR Santa: urtro! Five stoCKINGS AND ONLY FOUR KITT! WELL, Lt FILL ONLY FOUR OF THEM AND PERHAPS, XT TIMB THEY'LL BE MORE CAREFUL IN THE COUNT, 2377 The Knight: waxc it! 1've cone AND RESCUED MY OWN WIPE, “One portion will be enough fer four,” suggested the waiter. Do you mean——” said Pitkin. Yes. There is no extra charge While they were cating their meal Pitkin called attention to the wonder- ful effect of the interior decorations, which were in perfect taste and pro- duced an soothing effect upon everybody. There was no noise. An atmosphere of perfect harmony and pe: pervaded the whole estab- lishment. Pitkin paid the bill, expressing his astonishment that it should be only half of what he expected. The waiter brought back the exact change and shook his head when offered him a tip. “My self-respect ——" Pitkin called the he “Ts the proprietor in?” he intensely Pitkin A tall gentleman stepped forward. By this time, almost unconsciously, A SENSATIONAL DEVELOPMENT comicbooks.com