Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-02-22
Our younger readers would do we'll to
give the following article second reading.
Nercr wau for The last bell.
THE LAST BELL.

vi WAY, 1910, THAI was SUING ny the
side Of Helen Harris, the only girl ever
loved, and believe the only girl that ever
loved me; any how, she was the only one
that ever told me so. We were sitting in
the piazzi her fathers house, about aquar-
ter of a mile from the landing place, waiting
for the bell of the steamboat to warn he of
the moment that was to part my love and
me- 1t came to pass in the course of my
history, that in order to accumulate little
of this worlds gear that | might be better
prepared to encounter the demands of mat
rimony, was destined to cross the blue
Chesapeake, and seek in the Metropolitan
city the wherewithal so much desired.
How many SWANS have been compelled
Ike me, to leave the home and the girl they
love, to wander in search Of gold! And
and, good gracious how many have been
disappointed! Most of them, perhaps; for
though they may have obtained the gold,
like me, they did not get as much as they
wanted. But to the Piazz.
Well, we were sitting in the piazzi, and
as may be supposed, were talking of our
love and separation, and all the etceteras of
our situation. We were waiting for the
most unwelcome sound that ever saluted our
ears, namely, the steamboat bell. 1t is
known to all who know any thing of steam-
boats, that their bells give two warnings to
those who have engaged for voyage
the second is the signal for starting. You
may rely on it we talked fast; we thought
fast and abbreviated our words into such
that,, hut,
could understand them. The first bell rang!
the sound rolled over Mr.. Harrs's cornfeld
and water melon patch, like the knell of
hope, and sprung upon my feet. and
trembled like an aspen. 90 George, wait
till the last bell rings said Helen, as the
big tears came over her eyes Of blue Do
no such thing, answered the hoarse voice
of Mr.. Harris, as he rose like spectre
from the cellar, where he had been packing
away his cider. do no such thing he
repeated 'and, George he continued scar
ry this advice with you to the grave, and it
may be of service to you, 'nerer Dait till
the last beH." was off like chased deer
the last bell rung as / approached the
steamboat, and had scarcely time to get
aboard before she pushed from the wharf.
On my passage | had time for reflection,
and after few lutterings at my heart, &C.
casioned by the separation from its idol,
composed myself to cool reasoning, and the
conclusion of the whole matter was, that it
was dangerous to wait for the last bell.
My career in the search Of pelf has in
degree been successful but verify believe
had not the old farmer told me never to
I wait till the last bell That Should now have
been as poor as was the morning the fare
well shivered from my lips upon the heart
of my lovely Helen.
| came to the big city, took lodgings at
large hotel, and any person who has liv-
ed at hotel but for n single day, can re-
hearse the danger of waiting for the last
bell. did it once-it was the day en-
tered, and lost my dinner. have al
ways been ready for the dinner bell since
then, and the first stroke has found me at
the table. mingled with mankind, and
sow thousands who were waiting for the
last bell. In business they were slow, and
bargains slipped by them. In the payment
of their liabilities they were backward, and
their credit suffered.
For six months was a clerk; it was a
short apprenticeship, but never waiting till
| the last bell-that is to say, my doing eve-
ry thing had to do in the right time, won
| q place for me in the affections of my EN-.
| ploycr, which induced him to offer me q
partnership. accepted, and in every
instance when the bell rung it found me
ready. Ihave been in business and MARI.
cd and in business nine years, and have
yet to be caught mapping when the last bell
rings.
Now would just beg leave to say few
words to young men about this thing OF the
last bell. When arrived at Baltimore,
waited on some gentlemen to whom had
Introductory letters, and they recommend
ed me for situation; one was refused by
four young men, to whom it had been Off
cred before | came to the city. The sala.
ry was low, but, said |, they are waiting
for the last bell,' and was not slow in &C.
cepting it: and I am glad of it, for it was
the making of me.
Shortly after became partner IN my
present business, our custom having increas
cd considerably, we advertised for an add
tional clerk; the salary at the beginning
was the same that had received; many
called who were out of employment, bu
they seemed as if they had rather wait fo
another bell, and refused. | know then
all, and the young gentleman who accepte,
is worth four times as much as any one o
them. Haste for the first bell, accept tn,
first offer, and keep it until you get bet
Ter; remember the common adage, half
loaf is better than none,' and be assure,
that if you are worthy, be your first offe
what it may, if it be respectable, it will lea'
you onward--upward.
once knew young man Of first rat'
business abilities, but he formed disgust
ing habit of stopping at the tavern wheno
yer he could make the opportunity; here
he always waited for the last bell, reluctan
to leave while he could spare moment
he is now habitual drunkard; ifhe is no
careful, the last bell of life will find him
q bad condiion-it will be hard Cor him 4
bid long farewell to his last glass. Lifi
is short--hours fly with the winds rapidity
and he who puts off until the last bell thu
affairs which claimhis immediate attention
will come out according to Farmer Har
ris's prediction 'at the little end OF thu
horn.'
Shakespeare says, there is tide in thu
affairs of men. which. taken at the noot