Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-01-09
From the Philadelphia Enquirer.
PUNCTUALITY;
Or Business Before Pleasure.
"Thc hour, the appointed hour,

Many persons who are in the habit of
making visits of business commit a sad
error in not stating their object at oncs
and in as few words as possible. They
hesitate, introducing some subject alto
gether foreign, occupying much precious
time, aud to little purpose. Instead OF
proceeding to the matter in hand directly,
they apologize for the intrusion, intimate
that another time may prove more accep-
table, explain and pervaricate, until at last
the real object is forced from them, All
this i8 exceedingly annoying to persons
who are constantly engaged and who have
40 time to waste upon mere prOsers. We
may mention the case Of one individual
who invariably states his object in a
roundabout way, and Introduces at least
one other subject preparatory TO that
which he really desires to converse upon.
lie does SO, too, in the poiltest manner
forgeLful however, that time is precious
and that there are other people in
che world besides himself. A visit of
business should be brief, direct and to the
purpose. When, moreover, u compara-
tive stranger enters the room and finds
two others confidently engaged, he should
have the good sense either to withdraw
at once or ask for an interview aside. 1t
often happens, however, that such intru-
ders siI down quietly, with their ears out
stretched, and thus they volunteer their
opinions and advice. There are, more
over, certain periods Of the day in which
most individuals are actively employed.
Az such seasons, therefore, they should
not be intruded upon except By intimate
., IL E
business urgency. a few days since we
observed an experienced and enterPriz~
ing merchant passing rapidly up Chest
nut street, the time being a few minutes
OF three o'clock. Just above Third street
he was stopped by one Of the idlers Of
she town who commenced a silly conver-
sation. The merchant manifested impE-
tience, but the other seemed determined
TO persist The merchant stood it" for
about FIVE minutes, and then broke away
evidently irritated. The fact is, he was
about to take up one or two notes in bank,
and the interruption under the circum-
stances was quite annoying. An anec>
dONe in point may be mentioned Doug
lass JerroId, the celebrated writer, was
one day hurrying through leading
street in London, evidently immersed in
thought, when he was Interrupted by a
QUidnWnce. who exclaimed, Well, Jerold
what is going on to-day ," The reply
was quick and petuIent, but pithy and
pointed. "Idonr know" said Jerrold,
''but / am," and on he went. Another:
Some years since distinguished lawyer,
Of this city, in passing up Walnut street,
saw an intimate friend held closely by the
button by an inveterate proscr, whose
designation we will give for the present
as MIR. S. The lawyer Immediately slop>
ped and observed to his friend. When
you have done with your friend, L would
like to have few moments conversation
with vou.'' He then fell back few
steps and waited. The effect WAS as anlici
pated, and the proscr Immediately toll
lis departure.
The lawyer then stepped up to Iii
friend and remarked, "When you find
me- in a like dilemma be good enough tt
afford me the relief have just given q Il
Good day." 1t should be remembered
that punctuality in the iulhlment Of Gu
CNgemcnts is a matter Of the utmost i'm.
DoUance with men of business and vel
II is quite difficult for them to be pune.
tual under some of the circum> canoes
that we have described. A day or two
since friend was stopped in the slrcej
for only five micutrs to hear story
OF vsry little Importance, and yet he lost
his passage to New York. He arrived al
the wharf JUS! cne minute too .0te! An.
other auccdotc in point: In the yeul
1o4S Two Of our most eminent physicians
Dr. Il. and DR.. W., had an appointment
together for the purpose of consultation
Inc hour was four o'clock in the after
noon. Dr. Il. arrived at the designated
tlme' and with watch in hand, walked
up and down the parIor. Five minute:
elapsed, and DR.. w. had not vet made
his appearance. At the expiration of ter
minutes he came. DR.. W. then comolain
ed bitterly, and said that in conscoue ace O
the delay, his entire business for the
afternoon had been deranyed. DR.. W
"poIogized and promised to do bette,
next time. The other shook his heac
with lncredulity, the case was not the frs
OF the kind. They then visited the pa
uent and made another engagement 70
~ o'c:ock the next morning. DR.. w. wa
on this occasion five minutes in adVance
whereas Dr. r. made his appearance exact
Iy as the clock was striking ten. The 9th
er. as he saw his approach, exclaimed wit
e1uItatlon, All Doctor, who is tn
punctual man this time -? g Tan'' reto,
ted DR.. r. with considerable spirit. "
am here at the appointed time, neither be