Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-01-22
From the Flag of our Union.
A LITTLE TOO LATE,
Three Hours In the Life Of Young Man.
BY LUCY LISwooD.

seems that the events of singl
moment appear 10 make or ruin
man; and on that moment, often
times, hangs suspended the destin,
: OF IFS possessor. Such as these MAJ
+ be truthfully termed "golded mo
ments." A fortune is often made
(by taking advantage of circumstan
ces,) in single transactiou-a life i
saved or lost by timely assistance o.
a moments neglect. One false steI
may undo the labor Of life time
| Punctuality is the foundation of /;
Igood business character. Procrast;
nation is like worm at the root o
every healthful employment.
The life of James W was
marked with the spoils OF procrasti.
nation. He was a bright youth,
talented, ambitious, and full Of ener-
gy; but from his early boyhood, he
was addicted TO one fatal error
want OF punctuality. Great pains
were taken to divest him of this
habit, during his childhood and
youth, with little effect: and as he
advanced in years, he found it diff
fcult TO keep himself guarded against
the bese.ment, 10 avoid severe losses
and notifications.
The first time that he ever suf-
fered severely from his unsubdued
habit, (though he had been the
source OF many trials TO his parent,)
was when he was about TO leave
school a the age Of sixteen. James
had gained and sustained the name
Of "good scholar" at school, and
he left with a thorough business
education. His parents were in
comfortable circumstances, without
the means to afford luxuries or ac-
complishments to their children, but
exerted themselves TO their utmost
to procure them good education.
Judging from his natural talent and
his ambitious spirit, it was fairly pre-
dicted that James was TO make
"mark" in the world.
At the close Of the term q prize
was to be awarded to the best ac-
countant in school; and as he had
headed the class in that branch for
more than year, it was well under
stood that he was 10 be the success
full competitor. II was his own taste
as well as the desire Of his parents,
that he should follow that profession;
therefore his education was chiefly
directed to that end.
A few days previous to the exami-
ton at the close Of the term, Mr..
W was informed OF an opening
in a mercantile house, for young
man OF precisely James age and
qualifications, and he Immediately
applied in person for the situation,
for his son.
"I understand, SIR" said he, step
ping into the store Of Orrin & Co.,
one morning, "that you are in want
of a clerk in your establishment;
and | should be happy to supply you
in the person of my own son, if his
character and qualifications are
satisfactory"
81 have partially engaged one," re-
turned Mr.. Orrin, "but if he should
not answer for US, | shall be happy
to give your son a trial, as | know
your family well, and should be
saved the trouble Of requiring GER
tifcate of character"
"Thank you-but may Inquire
who the young man is that you have
partially engaged"
"He is boy in the F. school.
He has been recommended to me by |
his teacher, and he expects to prove
his attainments in the mercantile
branches, by carrying home the med
al al the close Of the school; and
with the understanding that if he does
SO. have promised TO engage him."
"Indeed! that is fair, surely. All
can ask, is, that you will give my
son the same chance for success.
He attends the same school, and is
congratulating himself on obtaining
the same prize"
"That ] promise you with pleas
ure. The successful one shall haye
the place."
With this encouragement, Mr..
W returned home. and infor-
med James of his prospects, who
was perfectly delighted with the
idea, and fully sanguine Of success.
II was not from want Of application
to study, or real merit, that James
was destined to be disappointed.
1t was with proud step and exul-
ting heart that he set out on the
os examination day toward
The schoolroom. The bell was ring
ing when he was ready,-for James
had some little extra preparation TO
make that morning. As it was the
asst day OF school, he must need de-
vote a little more attention to his ;
toilet than usual, and he thought OF
IN elraDd, also, that had been post I