Life, 1915-11-04 · page 14 of 56
Life — November 4, 1915 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a cartoon and short story titled "He Survived the Test." The cartoon depicts a domestic scene where a husband confronts his wife about property damage—a house and grounds destroyed, with debris scattered about. The caption indicates a film company paid them five dollars to use their property for a movie. The humor targets early 20th-century commercial exploitation: homeowners allowing studios to wreck their houses for minimal compensation. The "test" in the story title refers to whether the couple's love can survive financial hardship and practical disagreements about their future. The accompanying text explores whether relationships can withstand material loss and necessity, positioning love as something that must prove resilient against real-world pressures—a common theme in period romance writing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SHACE Husband: HEAVENS! WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THE PLACE? “OH, JACK! A MOVING-PICTURE COMPANY USED THE HOUSE AND GROUNDS TO-DAY, AND GAVE ME FIVE DOLLARS FOR THE PRIVILEGE!” He Survived the Test 'HE two lovers sat together with clasped hands. It was one of those solemn, tender moments in the early dusk. But at last she turned her lovely face toward him, her rich voice quivering with emotion. “Darling,” she said, “I have something I think I ought to say to you. I hesitate to mention it, because it is about horrid business.” “Say anything you please,” he murmured, rapturously. “It is about our future. This is a practical age, an age of efficiency, when each one of us is taught to look ahead with some definite plan. Psychology teaches us that love is a well-defined and often limited mental vibration, sub- ject to inevitable laws. Science has laid bare to us the secrets of human life. Sociology has shown that we are often the distressed victims of forces beyond our control. In view of these undisputed facts, in view of the possi- bility which, however remote it may seem to each of us at the present moment, I think it is my duty to ask you, in case after we are married anything should happen to draw us apart, just what regular alimony I could count upon?” The lover at her side uttered a sigh of anguish. “My darling,” he muttered, “I shudder when I think of such a horrible possibility. Nevertheless, I hope I am big and broad enough to appreciate thoroughly the wise and thoughtful spirit in which you have had the supreme cour- age to approach this question.” He turned and faced her, taking both of her beautiful hands in his, “And so,” he replied, “I shall answer you truthfully. If things get so that we cannot live together, and I am called upon for alimony, you can count upon me not to give up one red cent, even if it takes all my salary to defend my- self in the courts. Before I do that I'll keep on living with you!” She buried her head on his shoulder. “Now I know that you love me sincerely,” she whispered. comicbooks.com