Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-07-07
81 won't be a nIinute.,

81 won't be Minute."
al won't be minute !" is the excuse
to others, and often to ourselves, for tur-
ming aside from the pursuit of some inn
portant plan, to crafty petty curiosity,
or other equally worthless feeling.
had promised j. B., on Thurs
day, to meet him at several places in Lon
don, on points of business of great consc
quence to me, upon which depended the
issue of certain legal proceedings pending
between us. breakfasted with him in
the morning at his house in Greenwich,
and we came up to the city together
Everything promised we'll for a settle
ment satisfactory to me, till my unlucky
disregard OF the value of "just one min.
ute," destroyed all the plans which had
taken time, labor, and money to bring in
to such prominent position.
81 won't be minute !" said 1, tur-
ming aside from my companion, and stop
ping at shop window to admire some
prints. They were beautiful, and could
soon oYertake j. B; so in l went to
inquire tho prices. The shopman was
obliging, and l was delighted and thus
two minutes fled.
With hurried step l re-entered the
street, under the impression that quick
or pace would presently bring me to my
companions side. An incident, howev-
er, had happened in the crowded thor
oughfarc, 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 on
ly impeded by the passengers met, but,
moreover, by those overlook.
"Five minutes 10 twelve p said my
watch. AT twelve o'clock we had agreed
to meet legal gentleman of noted pune
tuality at his chambers in Chancery Lane,
but l was only yet in Cheapside. AT the
crossing near st. Pauls the tide of car
riages, cabs, and omnibuses rendered it
impossible for me to get on without con-
siderable delay, and the clock reminded
me that the time of our appointment had
already passed before | entered Ludgate
Hill.
"Ten minutes past twelvel' said my
watch, when annoyed and heated tap
ped at the door Of Mr.. Laws chambers.
Rap, rap, rap! No answer, j. B.
must have transacted his business, and
gone. Rap, rap, rap No answer still.
A clock in the vicinity chimed quarter
past, we were to have met another pro-
tessional man at Somerset House. Icould
not, nevertheless, give up the idea of see
ing Mr.. Law, knowing what had been
done, without an effort so knocked at
the doors of the adjoining rooms. "Mr.
Law is likely to be found at his registers
office" said the inmate; SO thither hur-
ried. l had some trouble in finding the
place: and when had done so, learned
from the porter that Mr.. Law and friend
had been there, but had gone away );
whittier, no one knew. The clock
chimed halfpast, and it was more than
five minutes walk to Somerset House,
| resolved to take cab, but no one could
be had so hurriedly walking away, l
rushed to endeavor to keep my second
appointment.
Twenty-three minutes to one |" said
my watch, as, almost breathless, sprang
up the stairs at Somerset House. The
official informed me with GOODNESS that j.
b had been waiting several min.
utes for me, and that, as l had not kept
the other 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. rushed to the Strand. "Cab.
man, drive me with all haste to Hunger.
ford pier" said 1 jumping into the vehi-
Gle, and smashing my hat against the top.
Away we went as fast as the lean horses
could carry us. " Every moment is of i'm.
portance i' shouted through the win
dow to the driver, who dashed his poor
beasts to gallop,
Fourteen minutes to one % said my
watch, as rushed on to the pier. "Just
too late, SIR" said the money taker; " our
boats leave here every quarter of an hour
ute P'
l missed j. B. who refused after
wards to enter into any negotiations for
the settlement of our dispute the law
suit went on, and l had to pay damages
and costs.
The moral is plain: never allow any
good opportunity to pass; or it NAV
chance that insuperable difficulties viii
prevent its ever been overtaken. IT..
The True MAHoMRrAN Sp1RIrt IA Ger
ain good .natured old Vermont farmer,
preserved his constant GOOD <naturo lat