The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-08-30
The Importance Of Punctuahty.

BEHIND TIME''-A railroad train va:
rushing along at almost lightning speed
A curve was Just ahead, beyond which
was a station at which the cars usually
passed each other. The conductor was
late, SO late that the period during which
the down-train was to wait bad nearly
elapsed: but he hoped yet to pass the
curve safely. Suddenly locomotive
dashed into sight right ahead. In an in
stant there was a collision. A shrek, a
shock, and fifty souls were in eternity;
and all because an engineer had been be-
h5nd tjnze
A great battle was being fought Col
umn after column had been precipitated
for eight mortal hours on the enemy post
ed along the ridge of hill. The sum-
mer sun was sinking in the West; rein
forcements for the obstinate defenders
were already in sight; it was necessary to
carry the position with one final charge,
or everything would be lost. \ power
full corps had boon summoned from across
the country, and if it came up in season
all would yet be right. The great con-
queror, confident in its arrival, formed
bis reserve into an attacking column, and
led them down the bill. The whole world
knows the result Grouchy failed to ap-
pear; the imperial guard was beaten
back; Waterloo was lost Napoleon died
a prisoner at ST Helena because one of
his marshals was behind time.
a leading firm in commercial circles
had long shrugged against bankruptcy.-
As it had enormous assets in California,
it expected remittances by a certain day,
and, if the sums promised arrived, its
credit, its honor, and its future prosperi =
ty would be preserved But week after
week elapsed without bringing the gold.
At last came the fatal day on which the
firm had bills maturing to enormous a
mounts. The steamer was telegraphed
at day-break; but it was found on inqui-
ry that she brought no funds; ard the
house failed. The next arrival brought
nearly half million to the insolvents.
but it was too late; they were ruined be-
cause their agent, in remitting, had been
Jchin6 time.
A condemned man was being led out
to execution. He had taken human life,
but under circumstances of the greatest
pro7ocation, and public sympathy was ac-
tive in his behalf Thousands had sign
ed petitions for a reprieve, favorable
answer had been expected the night be-
fore, and, although it had not come, even
the sheriff felt confident that it would yet
arrive in season. Thus the morning
passed without the appearance of the
messenger. The last moment was up
The prisoner took his place on the drop,
the cap was drawn over his eyes, the bolt
was drawn, and lifeIess body revolving
in the wind. Just at that roment q
horseman came into sight, galloping down
hill, the steed covered with foam. Ee
carried packet in his right hand, which
he waved partially to the crowd. He was
the express rider with the reprieye. But
he had come too late. A comparatively y
innocent man had died an ignominious
death because a watch had been five
minutes too slow, making its bearer ar
rive behind time.
1t is continually so in life. The best
laid plans, the most important affairs, the
fortunes of indigid duals, the veal Of nations,
honor, happiness itself arc sacrificed be-
cause somebody is behind time There
are men who always fail in whatever they
undertake simply because they are be
hind time. There are also others who
put off reform alton year by year till death
seizes them, and they perish unrepentant,
because forever behind time The Al
lies have lost nearly year at Sebasto-
pol because they delayed superfuous
day after the battle of Alma, and came
up too late for coa22 de nlajn just twen-
ty-four hours behind time Five min
utes in a crisis is worth years. It is but
a little period, yet it has often saved a
fortune or redeemed people. If there
is one virtue that should be cultivated
more then another by him who would
succeed in life it is punctuality; if there
is one error that should be avoided it is
being Jehihd time.