The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-08-31
" BEHIND TIME.n

ahead, beyond which was a station wber
the cars usually passed each other. Tn
conductor was late--so la;e that the perio,
during which the down train was to wait ho,
nearly eIapsed-but he hoped vet to pass tn
curve safely. Suddenly locomotive dashed
into sight just ahead. In an instant Their
was a collision. A shrek, a shock-an,
fifty souls were in eternity. And all be
cause the engineer had been a little bshint
| time.
A great battle was being fought. Column
after column had been preeipitated, for eigh
mortal hours, on the enemy posted along IN,
| ridge ofa hill. The summer sun was snkino
to the West, reinforcemeuts for the obstinate
defenders were already in sight, it was ne.
cessary TO carry the position with one final
charge, or every Ting would be lost. A
powerful corps had been summoned from
across the country, and fit came up in sea.
son all would yet be righ. The great cou-
queror, confident in its arrral, formed his re-
serve in an attacking column, and led them
down the hill. Grouchy filled to appear
The imperial guard was beten back. Wa.
terloo was lost. Napoleonlie a prisoner
at st. Helena because oneof his marsbals
was behind time.
A leading firm in commercial circles had
long struggled against bankruptcy. As il
had enormous assets in Caifoniu. il eynect.
ed remittances by certain dal and if the
sums promised arrived, its credit its honor.
and its future prosperity would le preserved.
But week after week elapsed without bring.
ing the gold. At last came the htal dav ON
which the firm had bills maturiig to enor.
nous amounts. The steamer wastelepraphed
at day break-but it was found on maui.
ry, that she brought no funds; AMI the house
failed. The next arrival broutht nearly
half million to the insolveits, but il
was too late-they were ruined because
their agent, in remitting, had BEN behind
time.
A condemned man was being led out for
execution. He had taken human lie. but
under circumstances of the greatest provo
cation, and public sympathy was actv, in his
behalf Thousands had signed petitions for
a reprievc, favorable answer had beel ex.
pected the night before, and though it had
not come, even the sheriff felt confident that
it would yet arrive in sason. Thus the morn.
ing passed without the appearacc of the mes
sengers The last tmoment was up. The pris-
oner took his place on the drop, the cap was
drawn over his eyes, the bolt was drawn, and
u lifeless body swung revolving In the wind.
Just at that instant horseman came into
sight, galloping down hill, his steed covered
with foam. He carried packet in his right
hand, which he waved partially to the crowd
lie was the express rider with the reprieve.-
But he had come too late. A comparatively
innocent man had died an ignominious death,
because watch had been five minutes
too slow, mailing 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 somebody is "behind time" There are |
men who fail in whatever they undertake,
simply because they are "behnd time."-
There are Others who put off reformation,
year by year, till death seizes them, and they
perish unrepentant, because forever "behind
lime" The allies have lost nearly year at
Sebastopo, because they delayed supernu-
ous day after the battle Of Alma, and came
up too late for coup de main, just twenty.
four hours "behind time" Five minutes in n |
,risis IS worth years. 1t is but little period,
yet it has often saved fortune, or redeemed
. people. If there is one virtue that should
De cultivated more than another, oy him who
would succeed in life, it is punctuality; if
here is one error that should be avoided, it |
5 being behind time.