Life, 1928-11-16 · page 3 of 44
Life — November 16, 1928 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising content**, not satire or political commentary. It features a Hamilton Watch advertisement using a literary tie-in. The ad references Christopher Morley's story "A Ride in the Cab of the 20th Century Limited"—a real train. The copy humorously claims that railroad workers treat time with utmost seriousness ("Time is not their merry wanton"), personifying time as a wife figure who demands respect. The left photograph shows a locomotive and workers; the right displays two Hamilton watches (a pocket watch and wristwatch model). The advertisement promotes Hamilton's reputation for accuracy by associating it with railroad operations, where precise timekeeping was genuinely critical for safety and scheduling. This is vintage advertising that emphasizes product reliability through professional endorsement rather than satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Time is not their merry wanton”. . from “A Ride in the Cab of the 20th Century Limited” By Christopher Morley S Christopher Morley points out in the charming, whimsical account of his ride in the cab of the “Century,” railroad men make a rite of “Getting There when you said you were Going To.” It is Time they feed into the flaming furnace, It is Time that flickers in the giant wheels. “Time,” he con- cludes, “is not their merry wanton, as she is to some of us, She’s their wife, for better for worse.” That’s why for years the 20th Century, the Broadway Limited, the Olympian, and other fast fliers of the rails have been started and guided by a watch in which men place their utmost confidence—the Hamilton Watch, known everywhere for its almost uncanny accuracy. MR. MORLEY’S STORY — FREE Let us send you a copy of Mr. Morley’s beautifully written story, illustrated with many unusual pho- tographs. Also, “The Timekeeper,” telling some- thing of the care with which Hamiltons are made. Above is shown the beautiful Wheatland pocket model, in 14k filled green or white gold, engraved, $50. Also the Hastings strap model, especially popular among sportsmen, which may be had in 14k yellow or white gold, $85—in 14k filled yellow or white gold, $55. Address Hamilton Watch Co., 899 Columbia Avenue, Lancaster, Pa., U. S. A. of Railroad Accuracy comicbooks.com