The Empire County argus., 1856-02-09
@A%-~A4IS-

"BEHIND TINE" A railroad train was rushing
along at almost lightning speed. A curve was just
ahead, beyond which was 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 had nearly elapsed--but he
hoped yet to pass the curve safely. Suddenly a
locomotive dashed into sight right ahead. In an
instant, there was a collision. A shrek, a shock
and fifty souls were in eternity And all because
an engineer had been ''behind time
great battle was being fought. Column after
column had been precipitated for eight mortal
hours, on the enemy posted along the ridge of a
hill. The summer was sinking to the west re-
Inducements for the obstinate defenders were al
ready in sight it was necessary to carry the posi-
tion with one final charge, every thing would be
lost A powerful corps had been summoned from
across the country and if it up in season all
would yet be right. The great conqueror, conf
dent in its arrival formed his reserve into an at
tackng 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. Napoleon died prisoner at
St. Helena because one of his marshals was behind
time
A leading firm in commercial circles had long
struggled against bankruptcy. AS it had enormous
assets in California, it expected remttances by a
certain day, and if the promised arrived, its
credit its HONOR and its future prosperity would be
bringing the gold. At last came the fatal day on
which the firm had bills maturing to enormous
amounts. The steamer was telegraphed at day
break, but it was found on inquiry, that she brot
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 remitting had been "behnd time"
condemned man was being led out for eXecu-
ton He had taken human life, but under circum-
stances of the greatest provocaton, and public SYM
pathy 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 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, and life
less body swung revolving in the wind. Just at
that instant a horseman came into sight, galloping
down hill, his steed covered with foam. He car
ried a packet in his right hand, which he waved
partially to the crowd. He was the express rider
with the reprieve But he had come too late. A
comparatively innocent man had died an ignomn-
ious death, because watch had been five minutes
too slow, making its bearer arrive "behind time.n
1t is continually so in life The best laid plans
the most important affairs, the fortunes of indivd
uals, the veal of nations honor, happiness, life
ITSELF arc daily sacrificed because somebody is ''be
hind time" There are men who always fail in
whatever they undertake. simply because they are
"behind time" There are others who put off re-
formation year by year. till death sezes them, and
they perish unrepentant because forever "behind
time" The allies have lost nearly year at Sevas-
topol, because they delayed nearly superfuous
day after the battle of Alma and came up too late,
for coup de NAN, just twenty-four hours behind
time" Five minutes in crisis is worth years. IL
is but little period, yet it has often saved for
tune or redeemed people If there is one virtue
that should be cultivated more than another, by
him who would succeed in life, it is punctualty if
there is one that should be avoided it is being
"behind timen