Volcano weekly ledger., 1855-11-24
Behind Time.


most lightning speed a curve was lust
ahead, beyond which was station at which
the cars passed each other The conductor
was late, so late that the period during which
the down-train was to wait had nearly elaIsed;
but he hoped yet to pass the curve safely
Suddenly locomotive dashed into sight right
ahead. In an instant there was a collision.
A shrek, shock, and fifty souls were in
eternity; and all because an engineer had
been JchiRd time
\ 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 ; rcinforcementS for the obstinate
defenders were almost in sight it was neces-
sary to carry the position with one final
charge, or everything would be lost A pow
eriul corps had been summoned from across
the country and if it came up in season all
would yet be right. The great conqueror,
confident in its arrival, formed his reserve in
to an attacking column, and led them down
the hill. The whole world knows the result
Grouchy failed to appear; the imperial guard
was beaten back; Waterloo was lost Ma
poleon died prisoner at ST. Helena because
one of his marshals was behind time
A leading firm in commercial circles had
been struggling against bankruptcy As it
had enormous assets in California, it expected
remittances 10y certain day, and if the sums
promised arrived, its 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 an enormous
amount The steamer was telegrdphed at
day-break; but il was found on inquiry that
she brought no funds; and the house failed
The next arrival brought nearly half million
to the insolyentS, but it was too late; they
were ruined because their agent, in remitting
had been behind time
4 condemned man was being led out for
execution. He had taken human life, but
under circumstances of the strongest provoca-
ton, and public sympathy was active in his
behalf. Thousands had signed petition for
a reprieve, favorable answer had been eX-
pectcd the night before, and though il had not
come, even the sheriff felt confident that it
would yet arrive in season. Thus the morn
ing 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 a iifcless body swung revolving in the
wind. just at that moment a horseman came
into sight, galloping down hill, his steed COW
cred with foam He carried>a packet in his
right hand, which he waved partially to the
crowd. lie was the express rider with the
reprieye But he had come too late A com
paratiycly innocent man had died an ignomin-
ious death because watch had been five min
utes too stow, making its bearer arrive behind
time
1t is continually so in life. The best laid
plans, the most important affairs the fortunes
Of individuals, the veal of nations. honor,
happiness, life itself, are daily sacrificed, be-
cause sombody is "behind time" There are
men who always fail in whatever they under
take simply because they are behind time y
There are others whoputolf reformation year
by year, till death seizes them, and they per.
ish unrepentant because forever "behind time y
The Allies have lost nearly year at Sebas-
topol, because they delayed a superhuous day
after the battle of Alma and came up toe
late for a ooup de main just twenty-four hours
" behind time Five minutes in crisis is
worth years 1t is but little period, yet il
has often saved a fortune or redeemed peo
| pie If there is one virtue that shoud be
cultivated more than another by him who
would succeed in life, il is punctuality il
there is one error that should be avoided, il
is being behind time Baltimore Sun.
CUmoUs LOVE LErrERs-M Madam Most
worthy of my admiration, after long consider
ation, and much meditation, of the great rep
utation, you possess in the nation. | have
strong inclination TO become your relation
On your appreciation of the declaration.
shall make preparation, to move my situation
to profess my admiration, and if such oblga
ton is worthy of observation, and can obtain
eommseration, it will be an aggrandization
beyond all calculation of the joy and exulta
ton Of Yours
SANS DEsDERArIoN.
The following is the reply
Sir II perused your Grafton with much
deliberation, and little CONSERVATION. of the
great iniatuation of your weak Imagination
to show such yeneration on so slight found
alton. suppose your animation, was the
fruit of recreation, or had sprung from osten-
tation, to display your education, by an odd
enumeration, or rather multiplication of words
OF the same termination, though of great va
ration in each respective Specification Now,
without disputation, your laborious application
TO so tedious an occupation, deserves com
mendation, and thinking limitation. sufficient
gratilcallon, | am, without hesitation,
Yours, SAay MonrR,rrox
bsS"A German peasant, newly enlisted in