Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-06-09

| "I won't be minute is tHe eAeuo
to others, and often to ourselves, for turn
ing aside from the pursuit Of some import
ant plan, to crafty apetty curiosity, OF 9th
er equally worthless feeling.
l had promised ]. B., on Thursday
to meet him at several places in London
on points of business OF great consequence
to me, upon which depended the issu
of certin legal proceedings pending be
tween us. Ibreakfasted with him in tn
morning at his house in Greenwich, and w
came up to the city together. Every thin:
pomised we'll for a settlement satisfactory
10 me, till my unlucky disregard Of the val
ue of ',just one minute" destroyed all tht
plans which had taken time, labor, and mon
ey to bring into such prominent position
II won! be minute % said l, turning
aside from my companion, and stopping a
shop window to admire some prints. They
were beautiful, and could soon overtakt
j. B; so in | went to inquire the
prices. The shopman was obhging, and
was delighted and thus two minutes fled
With a hurried step / re-entered the
street, under the impression that quicker
pace would presently bring me to my com.
panions side. An incident, however, had
happened iii the crowded thoroughfare, and
five minutes more elapsed before could
get fair start to overtake my friend; and
then, in walking quicker than the mass.
found that was not only impeded by the
passengers | met, but moreover, by those
whom overlook.
"Five minutes to twelve !" said my watch
At twelve o'clock we had agreed to meet a
legal gentleman of noted punctuality at his
chambers in Charcery Lane, but l was on
W yet in Cheaps;de. At the crossing near
St. PauPs the tide of carriages, cabs, and
omnibuses rendered it impossible for me to
get on without considerable delay, and the
clock reminded me that the time for our ap-
pointment had already passed before en-
tered Ludgate Hill
"Ten minutes past twelve" said my
watch, when, annoyed and heated tapped
at the door of Mr.. Laws chambers. Rap
rap, rap! No answer j. B must
have called, transacted his business, and
gone. Rap, rap, rap! No answer STILL
A clock i'll the vicinity chimed ga quarter
past )" we were to have met another pro-
fessional man at Somerset House. could
not, nevertheless give up the idea of seeing
Mr.Law, knowing what had been done, with
out an effort; so knocked at the doors of
the adjoining rooms. "Mr. Law is likely
to be found at his registrars office, said
the inmate so thither hurried. had
some trouble in finding the place: and when
| had done so, l learned from the porter
that Mr.. Law and friend had been there,
but had gone away whittier, no one knew.
The clock chimed half-past, and it was more
than five minutes walk to Somerset House.
resolved to take cab, but not one could
be had so hurriedly walking away, rush
ed to endeavour to keepmy second appoint
ment.
'Twenty-three minutes to one ~ said
my watch, as, almost breathless, l sprang
up the stairs at Somerset House. The Of
fetal informed me with cool1ess that j
B. had been waiting several minutes
for me, and that, as had not kept he oih-
er engagement, he had concluded that
had no objection to the lawsuit proceeding;
and so had left just in time to catch one OF
the Greenwich steamboats, at Hungerford
pier. ,
"Sixteen minutes to one !" said my watch.
l rushed into the Strand. "Cabman, drive
me with all haste to Hungerford pier p
said I, jumping into vehicle, and smash.
ing my hat against the top. Away we went
as fast as the lean horses could carry u.s.
every moment is Of importance" shout.
ed through the window to the driver, who
lashed his poor beasts to a gallop.
Fourteen minutes to one!' said my
watch, as | rushed on to the pier. "Just
too late, sir" said the moEey-taker; "oul
boats leave here every quarter Of an hour
and the last has been gone just one minutep'
missed ]. B, who refused after.
wards to enter into any negotiations for the
settlement Of our dispute /; the lawsuit went
on, and had to pay damages and costs.
The moral Is plain: Never allow any
good opportunity TO pass or it may
chance that insuperable difficulties will pre-
vent its ever being overtaken.
Kindness to Animals.
! Kindness to animals is no unworthy eX-
ercise of benevolence. We hold that the
life of brutes perishes with their breath, ant
that they are never to be clothed again ir
consciousness. The inevitable shortnes'
then Of their existence should plead fo
them touchingy. The insects on the sur
face of the water, poor ephemeral things