The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-10-23
From the New York Mirror.
Too Fast and too Slow:

From the New York Mirror.
Too Fast and too Slow:
OR, CHANCE AND CALCULATIoN.-ByJ j. X
Padding.
Frank Hairbrain and Moses Meeke
were schoolmates and contemporaries
but not friends. They were the oppo
sites of each other in every thing, anC
mutually despised their different habits
tempers, tastes, inclinations, and pur
suits. Moses never opened his lips, ol
put one foot before the other, withou
pausing to consider what ho was abou
while Frank, on the contrary, reliee
altogether on impulse and the spur o
the moment. He went headlong to work
and'trusted to Providence for the re-
suit.
What a thoughtless fool is Frank
Hairbrain," would Moses mutter 10 him
self He'll one Of these days break
his neck coming down stairs, for want ol
counting the steps
What a dull, slow-m ,tioned fellow
10 Moses Meeker,' woxId Frank say g he
loses more time in thinking about an af
fair before hand, than it would take me
to do il ten times ovor.'
One night they were both descending
the stairs In the dark, and Frank, in his
haste, tumbred from top to bottom.
There cried Moses, l told you wha,
would come of your not calculating be-
forehand.'
Moses proceeded after him very care
fully. He had previously counted the
steps, but unluckily missed ono, the con-
sequence was he fell on his nose, and
sustained n severe confusion.
There cried Frank, laughing,
knew how it would be.-See what all
your forethought comes to!
Each blamed the other, and drew from
these accidents an argument In favor OF
his own habits and disposition.
From school they went to college to-
gether, and entered in the same class
Moses determined to do nothing wlthou
reflection, and often considered so loni
that he was behind hand in his studies
Frank, on the contrary, never though
of his lessons until it was absolutel,
necessary to learn them, and the las
moment was frequently too short for hi
purpose. When the examination cam,
on, the professors were puzzled whicl
to place above the other; but mt length
decided in favor Of Moses, because b,
was the steadier Of the two. Frank won
dered how such aforementioned snai
as Moses should get above him, and Mo
L N. .,,o :, N q ton;shs ~ ed ,,ch 4, sbn,cbt .
less Ounce as Frank should be next hin
in the class. They left college toge,h
er, Frank with the reputation Of lat
who had fine genius but no application
and Moses had the credit Of being an in
dustrious plodding fellow, who supplied
his want Of capacity by perseverance.
1t was now necessary for them L
choose a profession, and Frank, withou
moments hesitation, decided for tn,
sea. Moses, on the contrary, calculated
on the advantages and disadvantages
the facilities and obstacles, until his ia.
ther began to he rather impatient.
Moses. said he one day, have 20,
chosen profession yet 7
/ am considering about il, said Mo
ses.
Well, ] wish you would conclude
soon. Time 10 precious, and you ar,
losing it every day.
II is matter Of too much conss
quence to be settled in minute
Very well-I don't want to hurry
you-but recollect that those who are
always thinking, will never come to |,
decision.'
Il will consider Of il, SIR
In the meantime Frank had made ,
voyage, and came back heartily tired
He was out Of all patience with cain
IA storm was still more disagreeable-
the captain was little better than a tyr
nnt-the society Of the sailors uninteres
ling--the monotony Of the ship intole
rable--and to see nothing but dolphin
and flying fish for month, was cnougl
to give a man the blue-devlls.
You should have thought Of this be
fore,' said Moses.
Pshaw J. replied Frank. But wha
have you done all this time +
j have almost resolved to become ,
merchant
Almost you have. have you ? criet
Frank, laughing. Well, then, we hav,
jus. arrived at the same point--I hav,
tried ono profession aud am now goin,
to try another. and you have just deter
mined to commence one. Let 10 star
fair, and see who wins the race mt last.
Why, l am not exactly settled, I wisl
to look about me on all sides, inside an,
out. and pause before ] come to fna
decision. But what are you going Z,
undertake nsxsi' asked Moses. sontsmp,
cously.