Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1855-11-01
!; aIseEz9saaA : .assss.ssGissSok. sss .sGisssS:'ok
From the Baltimore Sun.
BEHIND TIME.

obI144tO
\ railroad train was rushing along at almos
lightning speed. y curve was just ahead, be
yond which was station at which the car
usually passed each other The conductor wa
late, so late that the period during which tn,
down-train was to wait had nearly elapsed bu
he hoped yet to pass the curve safely. Sud
denly locomotive dashed into sight ahead -
In an instant there was collision. A shrek
shock, and fifty souls were in eternity; and
all because an engineer had been behind time.
A great battle was being fought. Column
after column had been precipitated for eight
mortal hours on the enemy posted along the
ridge of hill. The summer sun was sinking
to the west; reinforcements for the obstinate
defenders were already in sight; it was neces-
sary to carry the position with one final charge,
or everything would be lost. A powerful corps
had been summoned from across the country,
and if it came up in season all would yet be
right The great conquerer, confident in its
arrival, formed his reserve into an attacking
column, and led them down the hill. The
whole world knows the result. Grouchy fail
ed to appear; the imperial guard was beaten
back; Waterloo was lost. Napoleon died a
prisoner at St. Helena because one of his mar
shals was behind time.
\ leading firm in commercial circles had
long struggled against bankruptcy. AS it had
enormous assets in California, it expected re-
mttances by certain day, and, if the sums
promised arrived, it's credit its honor, and its
future prosperity 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@hut it was found on inquiry that she
brought no funds; and the house failed. The
next arrival brought nearly half million to
the insolvents, but it was too late they were
ruined because their agent, in rcmitting, had
been Jchind time.
A condemned man was being led out for ex-
ecution. He had taken human life,. but un.
der circumstances of the greatest provocation,
and public sympathy was active in his behalf
Thousands had signed petitions for reprieve,
favorable answer had been expected the
night before, and, though it had not come
even the sheriff felt confident that it would
Jet arrive in season. Thus the morning passed
Without the appearance of the messenger. The
asst moment WAS up. The prisoner took his
'lace on the drop, the cap was drawn over his
yes, the bolt was drawn, and lifeless body
wung revolving in the wind. Just at that
moment horseman came into sight, galoping
lown hill, his steed covered with foam. He
arried packet in his right hand, which he
waved partially to the crowd lie Was the
express rider with the reprieve. But he had
ome too late. A comparatively innocent man
lad died an gnominious death because a
watch had been five minutes too slow, making
IS bearer arrive behind time.
1t is continually so in life. The best laid
'ans, the most important affairs, the fortunes
t individuals, the wea! of nations, honor, hap.
ness, life itself, are daily sacrificed because
omebody is "behind time" There are men
Tho always fail in whatever they undertake,
imply because theyare "behind time" There
re others who put of reformation year by