The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1856-07-24
TIME.''

A RAILROAD train was rushing along at almost
lightning speed. A curve was just ahead, beyond
which was a station, at which the cars usually pass
each other. The conductor was so late, that the
period during which the down train was to wait had
nearly elasped, but he hoped yet to pass the curve
safely. Suddenly a locomotive dashed in sight ahead,
in an instant there was q collision. A shrek, O
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 precipated, for eight mortal hours,
on the enemy posted on the ridge Of a hill. The
summer sun was sinking to the west, reinforcenents
for the obstinate defender were already in sight, and
it was necessary to carry the position with one final
charge or all would be lost. A powerful crops had
been summoned from across the country, and II 1t
came up in season all would be right. The great
conoueror. confident in its arrival, formed his reserve
into an attacking column, and led them down the
mill. The whole world knows the result. Grouchy
failed to make his appearance. The imperial guard
was driven back. Waterloo was lost. Napoleon died
a prisoner at st. Helena, because one Of his marshals
was behind time.
The allies have lost nearly q year at Sevastop0l, be-
cause they delayed a superfuous day after the bat
tie Of Alma and came up too late for a coup de main,
just twenty-four hours ''behind time" Five minutes
in q crisis is worth years. 1t is but q little period,
yet it has often saved a fortune, Or redeemed a peo-
pie. If there is one virtue that should be cultivated
more than another, by him who would succeed in
life, it is punctuality; if there is enc error that
should be avoided, it is being behind time.
A condemned man was being led out for execution.
He had taken human life, but under circumstances
OF the greatest prOyOcatiOn, and public sympathy
was active i'll his behalf. Thousands had signed
petitions for reprieve, and a favorable answer had
been expected the night before, and though it had
not come, even the sheriff felt confident that it would
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 door, the
cap was drawn over his eyes, and the bolt was drawn,
and q lifeless body swung revolving in the wind.
Just at that instant a horseman came into sight,
~galloping down the hill, his steed covered with foam.
He carried in his right hand a packet, which he
waved partially to the crowd. He was the express
rider with the reprieve. But he came too late. a
comparatively innocent man had died an ignominous
death, because a watch had been five minutes too
slow, making its bearer arrive behind time.
A leading firm in commercial circles had long
struggled against bankruptcy. As it had enormous
assets in California, it. expected remittances by a
certain day, and if the sum promised arrived, its
credit, its honor, and its future prosperity would be
preserved. But week after week elasped without
bringing any gold. At last came the fatal day on
which the firm had bills MATURING to enormous
amounts. The steamer was telegraphed at daybreak,
but found, on inquiry, that she brought no funds;
and the house failed. The next arrival brought
nearly half a million to the insolvents, but it was
too late-they were ruined because their agent, in
renting, had been 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 because somebody is g behind time. ;
There are men who always fail in whatever they I'M
dertake, simply because they are : behind time
There are others who put off reformation, year after
year, till death seizes them, and they perish unre-
pentant, because they are forever Sc behind time"