Life, 1914-03-19 · page 13 of 44
Life — March 19, 1914 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a dramatic scene from an early 20th-century play or serialized story rather than political satire. The scene depicts a working-class family in financial distress: a father waiting impatiently for rent payment while a son (Jack) has apparently been absent for years. The dialogue reveals tension between duty to family and personal circumstances—Jack claims he's been "living on the ranch" and hasn't "kept up with things," suggesting he's been estranged or isolated. The caption's threatening line about eviction reflects genuine period anxieties about tenant farming, poverty, and economic hardship. This appears to be serialized domestic melodrama exploring class struggle and family obligation rather than political commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“LIFE: 493 Her Father's Voice: CENE—A small but opulent house- hold in the West End. Maltby, the head (in name only) of the house, is sitting by the fire, evidently waiting for someone. He occasionally impa- tiently compares his watch with the clock. Matrpy (sotto voce): He didn't say what railroad he is coming in on, or I would have met him. He cer- tainly ought to be here by this time. (The bell rings. He jumps up and makes for the front door.) There! (The front door opens and his son, Jack Maltby, a tall, weather-beaten young fellow, enters, in rather homely clothes, worn as if they annoyed him. He has been “out West” for several years, living, as he has expressed it in The Call his letters, “ next to nature”. The men embrace.) Mautay: My boy! how glad I am to sce you you are looking. Jack: Where's mother Mattay: They'll be in any minute, I suppose. They sure just when you would be here (his voice changing slightly). 1 fancy they had » important eng They usu- ally do have. T can't tell you How bully and Bessie? weren't gement Jack: T couldn't tell myself just what hour I would come. How are they? Mattny: They're well. (Something in his father’s voice sug- 1s to Jack that there may be a cloud on the horizon.) NOW REMEMBER, IF YOU DON'T PAY THE RENT BY TO-MORROW NIGHT I'LL PUT YOU OUT What's the trouble? I don't want to prejudice your mother Jack: Mattay: you in advance and sister, my boy—but T must. warn about you. Jack: Warn me! What's up? Mattay (tapping his forchead sig- nificantly): It’s here, Be red for a great change in both of them. They've got it bad Jack: What? Mattny: Highbrows. prep Maybe you haven't heard what that means. Jack ( Well, not exactly You see, [ haven't kept up with things, ? 1S living on the ranch, Is it se What do they do? Matty: What don’t they do? My boy, life is no longer possible with two comichooks.